Life Archives - Useful Tips

3 Top things to do in Finland

Whether you’re thinking about a quick holiday or a longer stay, the country of Finland has a lot of great experiences just waiting for you. All you have to do is show up, and come with an open mind. We pulled together a list of great things to do in Finland, and we hope that you’ll keep these in mind.

1. Casino Helsinki

If you’re going to hit this major Finnish city, you have to go to Casino Helsinki. We know a lot of people think of Vegas as the only place that has a space devoted to casino gambling, but that’s just not the case. You can go to Casino Helsinki and play all sorts of games? Now, we’re not planning a trip to this major city just yet. We’re much more likely to stay at home and stay to play our favorite games. If you find yourself saying the same thing, why not look at some reviews before you dive in? We like the way the info is set up at CasinoExpertti.com, where everything is literally at your fingertips. You won’t have to search long before you find the info you need to figure out where to start playing online. Every casino is going to have a slightly different flavor, so to speak. Go in, taste the ones you like and see if they would be a good fit for your interests. It’s really that simple!

2. Lutheran Cathedral

This beautiful cathedral just should not be missed! It is part of the Senate Square of Helsinki and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. When seen from the air, the church is in the shape of a Greek cross. You could even schedule to have your wedding held in this church, but there’s a very long waiting list for that to happen.

3. Turku Castle

This is one of the oldest buildings in all of Finland, and people still use it to this day. In medieval times, this castle was the stage for numerous sieges and even fierce battles. The peak of this castle’s significance was in the 16th century, as Duke John of Finland reigned over the land. This castle even served as a state prison for a few centuries! If you decide to make a trip to Finland, you have to check out the castle in its entirety…well, as much as you can schedule in a single day!

Overall, there are plenty of great things to do in Finland. Even though it’s not known for having a long summer season, the beautiful historical landmarks are worth checking out!

The Sanctuary of He – A Mancave Guide

By admin

We’ve seen the films where the guys have permanently stocked beer fridges and pool tables in huge outhouses, and although you may not have the space to accommodate those kind of luxuries, you deserve a mancave. Whether it’s a box room, converted attic, basement, garage or shed, find a space and get to work.

The first thing to think about is electricity, you’re going to need power for your iPod dock, console, mini fridge and TV. If you don’t currently have power in your future sanctuary, try running an extension cable until a more permanent solution can be found.

If space is an issue you’re going to want smaller seating, shelves to save space, and perhaps a wall mounted TV. Before you make any big purchases put a Facebook status out to see if anyone is getting rid of anything you might want, you’ll be surprised at what you find. Another great tool for kitting out a mancave is the Gumtree freebie page.

If your mancave is within the home you might want to think about soundproofing, It’s no good having your own space if you can’t play music into the early hours or stay up all night on watching films. To find out how to soundproof a room on a budget, check out Oakwood Doors guide here.

If your mancave is outside of the house, insulation is going to be vital. Try cladding any shed walls and blocking any entering drafts. You’ll also need to make sure the space is completely waterproof, especially if you’re going to have electricity going out to it. If it’s going to be an outdoor mancave, make sure you purchase a heater so you can still use it during the colder months.

Unless you want to disconnect from the world for a while, you might also need to think about moving the router. If your new found man space is outside the home you’re probably going to have to get the router as close to the nearest door as possible. You may be able to boost your signal with a new router if needed.

Decoration is essential. You may not need to actually get a tin of paint out, but some old memorabilia, posters or sports shirts won’t go a miss. Check the attic or storage for bits and pieces you may have forgotten about, or go on a charity shop search. Old record covers can look great when they’re framed on walls.

Extensions – Create More Space Without Moving Home

By admin

It’s strange how a house can all of a sudden start to feel that bit too small, and when you’ve got fond memories it can be hard to think about leaving. Perhaps your family has grown, you’ve acquired more stuff, or you just don’t seem to have the room you require. Whatever the reason, you may not need to move. If you love your house or the area you live in, building an extension is a great way to add loads of additional room to your home.

When you start looking at bigger properties you realise just how much an additional room might cost you, and it’s a lot! It’s a well known fact that the bigger the property the higher the price, however, it’s also true that the more rooms you require the less properties there are available.

It might not seem ideal to live on a building site temporarily, it will be messy and loud, but it might make the most financial sense. Plus, moving is never a straightforward process, who wants to pack and unpack everything they own.

Luckily, in recent years extending your property has become easier than ever. The laws surrounding property development have been liberalised, and this will stay the case for any property built before May 2019, making this is the ideal time to get planning your extension.

The basic rules were that any single-storey extension can be made to a property without planning permission, so long as it doesn’t exceed 3 meters in length. If you have a detached property this goes upto 4 meters from the rear of the premis. With the temporary relaxation of the rules, you can now build up to 6 meters behind an attached property and 8 meters behind a detached home, however, you will have to speak to your neighbours about it and gain their agreement.

Regardless of what type of property you have, you will still need to fully comply with building regulations and gain permission if you reside in a conservation area, or if your building is listed. Make sure you are fully informed of all rules and regulations before you carry any work out or plan the size of the extension.

Other things to consider before you start building are electricity, lighting and heating. You’ll want to know roughly how you’re going to lay the room out once it’s done so you can plan power sockets and window space. Try to get as much natural light in the extension as possible. Depending on where the extension is, you might also have to think about where the back door is going to go. It is always advised to do the designing with a professional, and they have experience and can offer great advice.

You’re going to need some wall space for a radiator to heat the extension up. Traditional radiators are great, but can take up quite a lot of room, and if the extension is fairly small this might not be idea. Companies like CNM Online offer vertical, horizontal and designer radiators, meaning their are more options available than ever before, some of which are great for saving space.

It is crucial to remember you’re going to be taking up some of your current garden space to develop the home. You may need to rehome some of your current plants and move sheds or patio slabs. You’ll have to check that no essential pipework is covered incase of future problems.

Although an extension does require some hard work and stress, it is worth it to save the money and stay within the home that holds your memories.

How companies and individuals benefit from Social Media

By admin

Social media was initially created to benefit individuals socially as the name implies. The name clearly indicates the primary operating environment of the platforms. And for a while, even up to today, individuals have been utilising the platform successfully for its primary purpose.

The form of media allowed everyday people to have the chance to express themselves freely.

Lately more gambling operators have been launching social games on twitter, Facebook, google plus, even on Pinterest, in order to reach their target public. You can visit https://www.casinoaus.com/casino-games/ to find out the online casino games that are trending on social media today.

For the first time since the introduction of mass communication, the tools of the trade where not controlled by the powerful. Anyone can publish anything regarding any topic from any place on the planet.

Today a passionate individual can get their message across to thousands of people. Social media allows an individual to communicate with people most likely to accept their beliefs. In its very nature social media brings together people of like minds and behaviours. It is these attributes that has led to the platforms being hijacked by businesses.

Businesses can target their Ads more efficiently on social media than in traditional means of communication. Mass media methods such as television, radio and newspapers have a lower return on investment than social media. Using these methods to target, a broad spectrum of the population will see the Ad. Including those that will never convert to buying customers. However on social media platforms such as Facebook it is possible to target a specific gender and age group living in a defined location. Ad campaigns can be so specific as to target people who have visited a specific site. This allows for high sales conversion rates on a minimum budget.

Social media is even credited with handing Trump the Whitehouse. Even the best gamblers didn’t see this one coming. Whoever managed to successfully predict the Trump victory needs to be playing online casino games for real money. That talent should not be left underutilised.

5 of the best iPhone apps for freelancers

By admin

Working as a freelancer can give you the ability to be your own boss and manage your own workload, but it also means you’re responsible for running your own business. With this in mind, it’s vital that you have the tools you need to keep on top of everything, from your invoices to your own timekeeping.

When it comes to staying organised, you might find that your iPhone becomes your best friend as you can use all kinds of apps to keep everything in its place.

The following apps could be ideal for your freelancing business:

1) Invoice2Go

If you find it difficult to keep track of which clients you need to send invoices to, or if you can’t be bothered to write up a new invoice with every client, Invoice2Go could be the app for you. It includes all of the bells and whistles found in the desktop version of this programme, and it allows you to invoice clients and set up a filing system with your iPhone.

2) Focus Time

This excellent app is the lifesaver for those that find it hard to keep track of their time. It uses the Pomodoro Technique, which is an effective working method that can help you to get more out of your day. You split your day into pomodoros, which are 25 minutes of work. After each pomodoro you take a five minute break, and after four pomodoros you take a 15 minute break. Focus Time can show you exactly how much time you have left before you can enjoy a break and it can also make sure you get back to work!

3) PayPal

This app is likely to be one that most people recognise, as it’s one of the most popular money transfer programmes out there. However, it can be especially useful for freelancers as they can ask clients to quickly pay them via PayPal. Paying by cheque and bank transfer can sometimes be confusing and can take too long, whereas with PayPal you can pool your money and then easily transfer it to your bank account whenever you like. It also keeps a record of your payments and is completely secure, which could prove to be very useful if you run into any issues.

4) Evernote

Evernote is a clever little app that’s perfect for freelancers that are constantly jotting down notes and thoughts on scraps of paper. With this app you can keep all of your important notes in one place and can look back over them at a time to suit you – you never know, you might be able to create some incredible projects from just one tiny note!

5) CalenGoo

This strangely-named app allows you to synch your Google calendar with your iPhone, ensuring you have constant access to your schedule. CalenGoo is quite a powerful app and is ideal if you don’t like Apple’s calendar. You can view and edit your calendar through the app, and all changes will instantly appear on the desktop or tablet version of your calendar as well.

Using the right apps for your freelancing business can help you to get as much work done as possible, while also staying on top of invoicing and other essential aspects of your business.

This article was provided by Aurora Johnson on behalf of Nixon Williams, a contractor accountants

Guides to the Right Colour of Mailing Envelopes

By admin

There are many different colours of mailing envelopes out there that are available for purchase. These envelopes may be used for specific business needs, to organize different types of letters or documents and simply to send out mail in unique coloured envelopes. In addition to a variety of colours, envelopes also come in different sizes, closure styles, materials and more.

Brown Envelopes

Brown mailing envelopes are one of the most common colours seen in addition to white envelopes. Because this colour is darker than white and less see-through, it is ideal for sending important documents and checks in. Brown or manilla envelopes are also commonly used for filing and document keeping. This colour of envelope is great for business use.

White Envelopes

The white envelope is by far the most popular colour of all envelopes. White can be purchased in many different styles to meet all of your needs. This colour is ideal for sending letters to friends, family, businesses and more. Because it is the most neutral of colours, it gives off a simple, yet professional feel.

Coloured Envelopes

Envelopes are available in many different colours in addition to brown and white. This includes pastels and vibrant shades. Blue, red, orange green, pink and lavender are just a few of the many shades available. These colours of envelopes can represent different types of documents that your company sends out or can be used for fun. Send out birthday invitations, holiday cards, get well soon letters and so much more in a fun coloured envelope. If running your own company, choose an envelope colour that will represent your business and send out all letters in it. There are so many possibilities when choosing to go with these envelopes.

Choosing the Right Envelope

Selecting a colour may actually be one of the easiest parts in choosing the right type of envelope. While you can select from many unique colours, selecting the right style of envelope may the challenge. The most common sizes of envelopes include C4, C5, C6 and DL. Stationary sizes of A4, A5, A6 and DL are typically put into these envelopes.

The style of envelope will need to be selected after the size. There are three basic styles to choose from. These are wallet, pocket and banker. Banker and wallet envelopes are designed to open up along the longer side while pocket envelopes open on the short size. Envelopes in a variety of colours can be purchased in any one of these styles.

The seal flap style must be chosen after the envelope style. Peel and seal flaps, self-seal flaps and gummed flaps are the most common choices. Gummed flaps are ideal for those who do not need to send many letters at a time. The flap must first be moistened in order to seal. Self-sealed flaps and peel and seal flaps are the easiest as they do not need to be moistened before sealing. No matter what type of envelope you choose to go with, be sure to select a colour that represents your wants and needs.

Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For What You Want!

By admin

Are a shy, nervous person? Do you feel like everyone around you is getting the things that they want in life while you’re left to take whatever’s available — even if there’s nothing there? Well, you’re definitely in good company so there’s no need to feel bad about this. However, what you will ultimately want to do is learn how to ask for what you want.

It’s not completely your fault — you might have grown up in a culture where asking directly for the things that you want in life is considered rude. Some people feel that directly requesting what you want in life is rude and that it’s better to wait for someone to ask you if you can be helped.

The problem with this is the practice of waiting for someone to notice you means that there are times in your life where no one is going to approach you. No one is going to make sure that you’re okay. No one is going to see if you need anything. And those are the moments where the seeds of resentment can really be planted.

You don’t have to take this lying down, though. You can fight back in a way that preserves your honor without any feelings hurt. The key is to be assertive, not aggressive. There’s nothing that says that you have to raise your voice or use foul language.

The point that you need to drive home is that you are a person that has wants and needs in life too. To accomplish this, you will want to make sure that when you make a request that the specifics are as clear as possible. You don’t have the ability to be vague, because you will be challenged on such a thing. It’s a lot better to make sure that you will be able to counter any backlash you get with grace as well — sometimes people misunderstand that you’re trying to say. As long as you don’t move on the defensive, there’s no reason why you can’t get what you want in the long run.

Sometimes patience is a virtue. After all, when people are used to you being the “doormat”, it can take a while before they actually see you in a different light. It can be very frustrating for people to adjust, but they do with time. If you try to rush them, you’re only going to make it harder for you in the long run to get the things that you ultimately want.

So, where do you start? Think about it — what’s the biggest thing that you want that you’ve been going without? A promotion? A business loan? That special someone that you’ve wanted to ask out on a date for a long time? Whatever it is, you should go for it — never be afraid to ask for what you want!

When Do You Buy The Warranty?

By admin

If there’s one thing that gets offered more times than not, it’s the extended warranty on a product. Usually if you go out to purchase a TV, computer, or other gadget, you’re going to end up being offered a warranty to protect the item longer than the manufacturer’s warranty. However, are all warranties created equal? Not a chance. The good warranties have good customer service and fast repair, but if you’re caught with a warranty policy that’s just about useless, it’s pretty much money down the drain.

So, when is it a good idea to buy the extended warranty? When you know that replacing the item at any time could be a strain on your finances. A warranty is like insurance — you really don’t want to have to use it. Using a warranty means that you have a product that isn’t working. Unfortunately, it’s hard to point out the exact time that a product is going to stop working, and even if you have the warranty you’re going to end up having to be without the products you love while they’re being repaired out replaced outright.

Keep in mind that the manufacturer’s warranty is normally 1 year for just about everything and 90 days for labor. That means if something breaks down, you can get it fixed in the early stages. Usually after a year, technology marches on to the point where you will pretty much want to get a new device anyway. This is very much the case with cell phones that seem to constantly come out around the clock.

We’re not against warranties at all, but you do want to make sure that you look at how much they’re going to cost. If the salesperson is a bit misleading about the price, that’s something that you will want to avoid strongly. Let’s say that you decide to opt out of the extended warranty at the store. You can get an extended warranty from third party sources on the Internet. This way if you change your mind down the road you can be protected already. The price definitely varies, so you will want to definitely make sure that you comparison shop accordingly.

You have more options than you might expect when it comes to an extended warranty, so make sure that you definitely start looking into it as soon as possible — why not get started today?

Take Better Care of Your Shoes With These Tips

By admin

If there’s one thing that we all use everyday, it has to be shoes. You can’t walk around barefoot these days without worrying that you’re going to be cut, so why would you even bother? It’s better to just make sure that you can get enough life out of the shoes that you have in your collection. With the rising cost of goods, it’s better to make sure that you have the power to really make your shoes last for a long time. A lot of people think that there’s no way to really make sure that their shoes are going to last, but you are actually mistaken. You see, there are a lot of things that you can do to really make sure that your shoes last for a long time. For starters, you can actually store them properly. If you leave them out exposed to the air in your home, they’re going to be at risk for damage. If you live with pets, this is definitely a problem. Store them in plastic containers that have a tight lid. That way you don’t have to worry about anything happening to your shoes.

It’s also a good idea to make sure that you keep your shoes looking their best by preserving their structure. Far too often people end up getting new shoes and then they put them aside, only to find that they have lost their shape. There’s nothing worse than finding that your shoes are misshapen, because it will take away from their naturally good looks. You can keep the structure of shoes easily by stuffing them with newspapers. If you have the budget for them, you can get wooden shoe trees that do this for you with ease. They’re a bit easier to deal with than

If you have leather shoes, you will need to polish them. A little shoe polish and proper storage can really keep leather shoes looking their best for a long time. If you’ve made the decision to wear nicer shoes and pay for them, you will want to make sure that you take good care of them. This is just the natural order of things if you ask us.

Overall, if you follow the tips in this guide you should not have any trouble taking care of your shoes for a very long time — why not get started today?

Quick Tips for Your First Apartment

By admin

If you are thinking about finally getting your own place, then you have something to celebrate. Whether you’ve been living with your parents or living with other relatives for a while, there does a come a point where you want your own space. It’s yours to decorate as you see fit, and it’s also yours to be able to customize as you want. You will not have to deal with anyone telling you what you can do and what you can’t do. You won’t have to deal with anyone telling you that there are issues that you have to fix, and you will not have to worry about waking someone up that really would rather sleep than have to hear you stomping around the house. Once you live on your own, it’s up to you to figure out a structure that works.

Of course, it’s not all sunshine and butterflies when you’re living in your own place. If you really want to make sure that you have things set up, you need to make sure that you think about a few things before you get your first apartment.

First and foremost, you will need to make sure that you save up for it. For example, if you’re not paying for utilities where you live, then you will need to budget in not just the monthly utilities, but the deposit as well. Sometimes you can work out an agreement for the first round of deposits, but you shouldn’t count on this. When you need to make those utilities, you have to go ahead and do it. It’s better to do that than to have to worry about how to get things paid for when you have no choice but to move in, right?

Right. So once you have that covered, you will also need to realize that you will most likely have to buy all of your household goods new. You might think that this isn’t too pricey, but when you add up the cost of dressers, nightstands, lamps, light bulbs, tables, chairs, blankets, sheets, beds, and more, you’ll realize that the cost definitely goes up.

The last thing that you need to pay attention to is the area you’re renting from. You want to make sure that you feel safe when you are in your apartment at night. If you don’t feel safe, that “bargain” that you found really stops being a bargain after all. It’s better to make sure that you have all of your bases covered than feel like you have to fear for your safety.

Overall, these are just a few quick tips on getting your first apartment — why not start your search today?