1.26.2022

#BellLetsTalk

Red, Yellow, Green
Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3
Summer Phase, Winter Phase 

This is what we have dealt with for nearly 2 years ( 2 years in March), I just returned from being with my parents while my mom underwent a major surgery, it was the last time I got to go on a flight, I miss travel, I miss my family. 

We are living in a crazy world and I am so over Covid, two years in a pandemic that just isnt getting better, so on this #BellLetsTalk day I wanted to remind people lock downs, covid and being alone is not good for anyone struggling with Mental illness, people need people. Right now 1 in 4 people (25%) are screening positive for mental illness, people are so lonely, they do not know what to do to stay busy, we can only clean house so much, we can only declutter so much, we can all bake but then we have covid weight to deal with. 

Among Canadians who screened positive for at least one disorder (depression, anxiety or post traumatic stress disorder), 94% reported being negatively impacted by the pandemic

Previous research suggests that those with mental health disorders are more likely to experience certain adverse events, such as job loss. At the same time, certain experiences may cause mental health symptoms or aggravate existing symptoms. Among Canadians who screened positive for at least one of the three mental health disorders assessed in this survey, 94% reported experiencing one or more impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic, compared with 64% of Canadians who did not screen positive for any of these three mental health disorders. The most common impacts for both groups were feelings of loneliness or isolation (77% of those whose screened positive for at least one mental health disorder vs. 37% of those who did not), physical health problems (62% vs. 21%), and challenges in personal relationships (48% vs. 15%). These results highlight that many Canadians experiencing mental health difficulties during the pandemic were also struggling with various stressors.


Now more then ever please reach out to a friend, a co worker, a family member, let them know they are not alone and you are here for them.  We need people, we also need Covid to go away to never return but I really don't think that is happening anytime soon- that sounds depressing but it seems to always have new variants etc..


Wake up Canada- reach out to a friend and let them know they are not alone. 

Simple Reasons To Always Get A Good Night’s Sleep'

 5 Simple Reasons To Always Get A Good Night’s Sleep


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Getting caught up in the busyness of every day life sometimes means that your sleep gets pushed to the back burner. However, this could eventually harm your overall health and well-being. Statistics reveal that about 40% of people between the ages of 40 and 59 get less sleep than they should. Having a good night’s sleep requires a conscious effort and making little changes in your daily habits. Here are some critical reasons why you need to get enough sleep. 



  1. Boosts your health

Quality sleep yields numerous results for your health and protects you from conditions such as high blood pressure, heart diseases, high sugar levels, ulcers, etc. Many processes go on while you sleep to help repair your body, strengthen your immune system, and regulate your metabolism. According to health experts, your body produces some proteins while you sleep to help repair your cells. Therefore, you need to have a good night’s sleep to help ensure you’re always in good health. 


  1. Enhances your memory

Your brain is another vital aspect of your body that benefits greatly from a good night’s sleep. When your mind is well-rested, it’s easier for you to recall events and important memories. It also gives you the clarity to plan effectively and solve problems. You’re more alert, and it minimizes the likelihood of you feeling sluggish, improving your reaction times. As a result, you’re more productive at work and in every other aspect of your life. 


  1. It helps to relax your body and mind

Getting a good night’s sleep can help make you feel less stressed. It relaxes your body and mind after a hard day’s work, enabling you to wake up feeling calm and ready for the tasks ahead. As a result, you feel energized, and you can have the clear mind you need to make decisions and accomplish your goals. You can help create a relaxing atmosphere before going to bed by dimming your lights, listening to soothing music or engaging in activities that help you unwind, such as reading a book. A few drops of cbd oil can also help reduce any feelings of anxiety you may be experiencing, so you can have a restful night. 


  1. Improves your mood

A good night’s sleep can work wonders for your mood. When you have enough rest, you’re less likely to feel irritable even in challenging situations, and you may not get angry as much. This effect also shows in your relationships, as you relate better to people, allowing them to enjoy your company. 


  1. It helps prevent weight gain

Believe it or not, getting enough sleep can help you manage your weight. According to health experts, when you don’t sleep much, you’re more likely to overeat and have unhealthy cravings as your body produces hormones that increase your appetite. This, in turn, leads to eventual weight gain, making it vital for you to get a good night’s sleep. Quality sleep also gives you the energy you need so you can exercise enough to stay in shape. 


1.20.2022

Managing Debt Is More Important Than Avoiding It'

 When considering the question of your household finances, there are few words that have connotations quite as scary as ‘debt.’ However, the truth is that debt will be a reality for the vast majority of us, including the affluent and secure. While avoiding unmanageable debt is important, learning how to effectively manage the debt that you need to take on is important, too.


Photo - Pixabay License


Protect your credit score

Your credit score is going to play a huge role in how you can manage your debt. For one, higher credit scores allow you to choose from a wider range of loans, which can make them easier to pay off. As such, you should make sure that you’re using credit agencies such as Equifax to make sure that you’re aware of your credit score (and whether it needs some work), as well as what you can do to fix them. This can include making sure you’re current with any debts, disputing and removing false records from your credit report, and more.


Choose the right loan options

Aside from making sure that your credit is in a good place so that you have options, it’s important to take your time to compare and weigh those options as well. Don’t just go with the first loan or credit card that you see. Sites like Compare Credit can help you get a better idea of what, exactly might be on offer for you, using specific information like your credit score to help you get more precise loans and cards suited to your needs. This way, you can make sure that you’re not taking on a loan with a higher APR or stricter repayment terms than you might be able to find elsewhere.


Have a precise payment plan

When you have debt, you should also have a structured and precise plan on how you’re going to pay it off. Usually, the easiest method to recommend is to make sure that you’re focusing on paying off one debt at a time, so you can close it earlier and get to paying off the others. But you should make sure that you’re using bill reminders so that you’re not unaware of any payments coming up. If you don’t have the money in your bank to pay them, this can escalate your debt, either adding late payment fees or even getting collections agencies involved (which you definitely want to avoid).


Don’t just pay the minimum

Even if you’re focusing on one debt above the others at a given time, you want to make sure that you’re paying more than the minimum on any debt that you have. There are some debts, such as mortgages, that you don’t want to pay down early, but others can be paid off more quickly to save you money by reducing the amount that you have to pay on interest by the end.


Many of us willingly take on debt, whether it’s to deal with slightly larger expenses than usual, to secure a home, buy a new car, or to help deal with an emergency. At that point, avoidance is too late. You need to know how to manage it.

5 Big Financial Decisions In Your Life To Take'

 Making smart financial decisions is tougher than it seems. We all get pressure from our parents or peers about getting a job, but what happens when you get your first job and feel like you've already made enough mistakes? With these five important financial decisions looming in your future, the only thing you need to know is how to approach the situation.

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1. Buying a house

Everyone knows that if you live on your own, it's going to be slightly more expensive than living with your parents or renting an apartment with other people. There are different ways to buy a house. You can go for fixed-rate mortgages then you know exactly how much your monthly repayments will be. Another option is an adjustable-rate mortgage, which means that your interest rates are adjusted regularly.

2. Getting a job

There are various jobs out there that seem really interesting, but it's difficult to find one you should pick. Is it better to go for a well-paying job, even if you're not interested in the field? Or is it better to follow your passion and enter an industry where you'll be more content with what Edmunds do? If you're on a tight budget and would like to buy a car at or a house sometime around the future, it might be beneficial for you to go for a well-paying job first.

3. Getting married

Some people do it really quickly, as soon as they meet somebody that they're crazy about and want to spend the rest of their lives with. Getting married is a great thing. It means that you have found somebody who completes you, and it's nice to know that you'll stay with this person forever. Getting married has different benefits that can benefit you financially.

4. Having children

Thinking about this one makes people feel all warm inside. But what about the financial aspect? Many people wait until they've bought a house before having their first kid, as it would be beneficial to them if their child is born in a house and not just an apartment. There are also those who choose to have one kid and those who choose to have several children. It really depends on how much money you make and what your overall philosophy about life is.

5. Retiring

Retirement means different things for different people, and it's important to know what your view of this financial topic is and if you'll be able to achieve it. Many people are afraid that they won't have enough money when the time comes to stop working, so they try their best to save up as much as possible. Others know that they'll be able to retire, but they would still like to save up money anyway. It really depends on your income and what you plan to do when you're no longer working. If you don't want to work for the rest of your life, then it's definitely a good idea to start saving up some money now so that you can enjoy your life later.

In Closing

There are some big decisions in your life that can change the way you think about money. If you want to learn more, check out our tips on how to save money, as they might help. Also, if you're currently reading this article at work, then it's probably time for you to start working!


1.16.2022

The Tiger Rising- Review


COMING TO THEATERS THIS FRIDAY   #TigerRisingFilm


 Queen Latifah and Dennis Quaid star in this beloved tale based on the New York Times best-selling book by Kate DiCamillo. When 12-year-old Rob Horton (Christian Convery) discovers a caged tiger in the woods near his home, his imagination runs wild and life begins to change in the most unexpected ways. With the help of a wise and mysterious maid, Willie May (Queen Latifah) and the stubborn new girl in school (Madalen Mills), he navigates through childhood memories, heartache, and wondrous adventures in this heartwarming adaptation.

THE TIGER RISING is about cages...the cages we build to protect ourselves from hurt, loss and pain.

The story is told through the eyes of Rob Jr., an imaginative 10-year old boy who is dealing with the loss of his mother. I felt it was important that we told this universal story in a mature and honest way that would resonate with all ages, even though the film's main characters are children. The film also takes us into the mind of Rob’s magical imagination — the way he sees his world and how he copes with his circumstances.

Another theme in the film is that not everyone responds to pain the same way. Rob’s new friend, Sistine, is dealing with the pain of her parents' divorce. Instead of holding everything inside, like Rob, she acts out boldly, both verbally and physically, and also in contrast to her more natural self as seen in her reactions to Rob's drawings and carvings.

Adults are no different. Rob’s father is struggling with his own grief over the loss of his wife, Caroline, which has changed his world dramatically and left him alone to raise his child. We can see his struggle to connect with his son during this time, knowing especially that Rob Jr. and his mom shared a special bond.

Willie May is the heart and soul of the film, essentially an angel in the form of a simple hotel maid. She speaks to the children through her years of life experience and her own hidden pain, meeting them right where they are. Her words are honest and true, and reach deep inside Rob and Sistine.

I wanted the film to have a thoughtful pace to enhance the feel of Rob’s world in rural northern Florida — the humidity in the air, the dew on the ground in the woods — the unrushed life of a child. I remember discovering Tommy Emmanuel's lyrical guitar incredibly moving and inspirational when I wrote the script. We used his guitar as a kind of "lead violin”, if you will, then surrounded his guitar with the orchestra, giving the film presence and emotional weight.

We crafted the camera work to be personal and unobtrusive, to help take the audience further into the story. The color palette and production design were specifically chosen to reflect Rob's fond memories of happier times when his mother was alive compared to the present, where Rob's world is colder and emptier.

And, of course, the tiger. The majestic animal that Rob finds in the woods behind the motel where he lives is symbolic of his emotions — they’re both in cages. The film explores the complications of opening up both of these cages and the release it finally brings. Ultimately, I hope the film resonates with children and adults alike, reminding them that they’re not alone, and giving them courage and hope to just take that next step towards healing and freedom.

Go and like the facebook page to keep up with any updates, exciting news etc.  
My daughter and I cannot wait for a movie night to watch this movie together, this type of movie is always my type of movie as it is a family friendly movie and i know you will not regret seeing.. invite some friends and make some snacks and make it a fun night 
 
Official Movie Website: www.tigerrisingfilm.com 


anWATCH the movie when it releases digitally on February 8th, 

Follow the @TigerRisingFilm on social:  

Film Home Page: https://theavenue.film/movies/the-tiger-rising  

Film Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tigerrisingfilm  

Film Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TigerRisingFilm  

Film Twitter: https://twitter.com/tigerrisingfilm  



 

1.05.2022

Ways of Marketing Online That Actually Converts Into Sales

 The internet is a powerful marketing tool that has revolutionized the way companies do business. It's also an excellent place to connect with customers and generate sales leads. However, the key to using this resource effectively is understanding how people use the web for purchases - and then catering your strategy accordingly. This post will look at six different ways you can market online that convert into sales.

Photo by Kaboompics .com from Pexels

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

SEO is an effective way to drive traffic, and with over six billion searches conducted daily on the web, it's the perfect place for your business. The key to harnessing this marketing channel is ensuring that you have well-crafted website content that will attract people looking for what you sell. Then, once they've found you, draw them in by adding links back to your site where possible (like blog articles or product pages) but don't make these too obvious - otherwise, Google might start penalizing your rankings because of "keyword stuffing." A good rule of thumb is keeping link placement subtle; every 100 words should do!


PPC Advertising

PPC (Pay-Per-Click) advertising is an excellent way to attract new customers using search engines for products or services like yours. But, again, it's essential to choose the right keywords and craft ad copy that appeals directly to your target audience - and remember that this needs regularly updating as Google will penalize you if you don't keep up with their algorithm changes! A good idea with paid ads is to run them across multiple channels; use Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and other social media sites because they're all different in terms of demographics.

Content Marketing

Content marketing is a different way of reaching out to your customers, but it's no less important. Content can include things like blog posts which you share across social media sites - in fact, this type of "earned" online promotion has become one of the most effective ways for many companies to generate leads because people want information (and they're more likely to trust the content that comes from third-party sources). Social media itself is also an excellent channel for sharing engaging and informative articles with your audience; doing so will not only drive traffic back to your site but also increase brand awareness! Also, try to make content accessible for your readers to share because this will increase the number of people who see it and thus boost sales.

Social Media Marketing

Social media is a great way to build relationships with your customers and create brand awareness. It's also an excellent place for customer support - and that means you can start converting more people into paying clients because once they've experienced the benefits of working with your business, many will be tempted to buy from you again! With so much competition online, it pays not only to have profiles on major networks like Facebook or LinkedIn but also use them regularly; if possible, set up automated posting schedules which allow you to connect at specific times of day (for example, "Monday-Friday after lunch") as this makes ongoing marketing easier.

Email Marketing

Email marketing is a tried and tested way of building relationships with your customers. It also works well with all demographics; older people use it more than younger ones, but everyone has some form of email these days, so you can't go wrong! Make sure the design on your emails looks good - even if someone opens them, they'll likely be closed unless their eye is drawn to something interesting. For simple group emailing and mailing list management take a look at https://www.simplelists.com/. With this, you simply send an email to your list email address and it is then forwarded automatically to your group! The real key here is sending relevant content that relates directly to your audience's needs or wants from you as a business owner. Usually, this means using autoresponders where possible because they allow you to have pre-written messages ready for different situations. As always, though, keep them brief and offer a clear call-to-action at the end!

Video Content Marketing

Video content marketing is one of the most effective ways to connect with your customers. It's also growing in popularity at an alarming rate, so it makes sense to start using it sooner than later! The great thing about video is that people can see and hear you as a business owner when you learn how to go live on tiktok, which builds trust much more quickly than text-based content. You don't need to be on camera yourself either - there are plenty of services that allow you to create engaging videos without being in front of the lens. Just ensure the quality is good (or hire someone who knows what they're doing) because nothing looks worse than poor production values.


There you have it; six excellent ways of marketing online will help you increase sales and connect with more customers. Use them all or just a few, but make sure you're doing something to market your business


How To Upsize Your Home Affordably'

 

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There are times when a bigger home may be a necessity. Perhaps you’re thinking of starting a family or you’ve already got kids who are growing up. Alternatively, you may be having to accommodate older relatives who can no longer live on their own. Continuing to live in your current home could be uncomfortable. But what if you cannot afford to spend more on a larger home?

Fortunately, there are many tricks you can use to make upsizing less costly. Below are just some of the ways to upsize your home affordably. 

Renovate, don’t move

It’s possible that you may not need to move to a bigger home - if you own your property, you may be able to find ways of adding extra space through renovations. This could include building an addition or converting unused space such as a loft.

Renovating could work out less expensive in the long run and you don’t have to deal with the stress of moving. Just make sure that you find the right contractors and use the right funding methods.

Buy a fixer-upper

A fixer-upper is a property that needs a lot of repair work. While this could mean high future costs, it could reduce the upfront costs of buying a larger home - you could find that a three-bed fixer-upper is the same cost as a two-bed property in good condition.

You can find fixer-uppers through specialist agencies and auctions. Ideally the property should be in livable condition - this allows you to move in without having to make repairs immediately. 

Move to a cheaper location

The solution could be to simply move to a cheaper location. Often central locations are a lot more expensive than those in more remote locations - a three bedroom house on the suburbs of a city could be worth the same as a two bed apartment in the center. Just be wary that this could mean dealing with a longer commute and less amenities on your doorstep.

Sites like Compass can allow you to compare property prices in different neighborhoods. This is a great option if you haven’t already got a specific neighborhood in mind.

Choose the right mortgage

There are times when a bigger home may be a necessity. Perhaps you’re thinking of starting a family or you’ve already got kids who are growing up.  Alternatively, you may be having to accommodate older relatives who can no longer live on their own, in which case you may wish to visit tellicolakehometeam.com to learn more about the 55+ community in the area.

It’s often worth using a mortgage broker to find the best home loan. Check out this guide at Investopedia for more tips on finding the right mortgage.

Build more equity

If you own a home, building up more equity could give you more money to put towards a new home. This is a case where waiting a little longer could be worthwhile.

You may be able to build up equity faster by paying more towards your monthly mortgage repayments. Alternatively, you could look into ways of adding value through renovating (just make sure that the added value is worth the money you spend on improvements).


1.02.2022

2022 Word Of The Year

 When I was thinking about what my word of the year would be and all the craziness in this world, I knew I needed a word to help me survive this next year because it is a scary world out there.  Living the last two years ( nearly) thru Covid has caused me to be somewhat fearful.  So my word for 2022 is 





brave

adjective
  1. ready to face and endure danger or pain; showing courage.

So come on 2022, I am ready for you. 
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