Whether you’re looking to save money or save the environment, there are plenty of reasons to try to make your home more energy efficient. While some of these changes can be big and expansive, many of the most meaningful changes are also some of the simplest and smallest.

To help you see how some of these things can be done, here are three ways you can make your home more energy-efficient.

Turn Off And Unplug When Not In Use

Rather than bringing something into your home that can make it more energy-efficient, some of the best ways to increase your efficiency is to think about how you’re using things that are already filling up your home.

According to DIYNetwork.com, almost everyone can improve their energy efficiency by turning off or unplugging electrical items when they’re not in use. This can include things like turning off your computer monitor, unplugging battery chargers, and turning off the lights in rooms that are not occupied. While this might seem like small changes, they can all have a big impact when combined and extrapolated over homes and communities across the world.

Take Advantage Of Solar

Some of the biggest energy uses in a home are for heating and cooling. To reduce this in your own home, you may want to try taking advantage of solar energy.

Solar energy can mean a lot more than installing residential solar panels on your home. According to Adrienne So, a contributor to Wired.com, you can also use the energy of the sun to heat or cool your home the old-fashioned way. To do this, open your blinds and windows when you’d like your home to be warmer. And if your home is getting a little too warm, try blocking out the sun with heavy blinds or drapes. By doing either one of these before you turn on your heating or cooling, you can make your home a lot more energy-efficient.

Seal Your Home

When you do have to use energy to heat or cool your home, it’s really only going to do you any good if your home is properly sealed and insulated.

As part of this, Jennie Dusheck, a contributor to LifeHacker.com, recommends that you make sure that all the walls in your home are airtight and properly insulated. Additionally, you should also ensure that your attic has adequate insulation and that all of your windows are sealed as well. Without this, all of the air that you’re paying to heat or cool will simply just slip out of your house.

If you’d like to begin taking some baby steps to make your home more energy-efficient, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you do just this.

 

The connected world of gaming has been abuzz with internet chatter regarding the future of VR gaming. We have seen its success flourish over the years with all gamers amongst all different platforms and we have even seen online casinos such as Slots Baby adapt to the trend by incorporating VR gaming rooms as a category on their gaming option. So with the virtual industry of 3 dimensional gaming growing, we have to ask the question, is VR gaming the future of gambling?

Online Casino Gambling as a Whole

If we take into consideration the number of online users that game, we already see there are different preferences. Some don’t even enjoy online gambling so much so why would virtual reality gambling attract them. For one, virtual reality enhances a digitally amplified gaming environment creating the illusion of real players in a real casino. Sure, we can see this isn’t a real reality but in its own pure form, this does have the power to tempt traditional casino preferences to try something new.

Virtual Reality as a Whole

Virtual reality requires equipment, headgear which projects a 3D realm of virtual reality. It has only recently been available to mobile users. So the mobile user would need to purchase the goggles and download VR games to their mobile devices. Before this, it was exclusive to consoles which were sold as part of a VR unit and then it was available to PC users. Some VR goggles cost more than other and this can affect the quality of the games projected. So as you can see, not all players can afford to buy these pricey gadgets and not all players want to buy VR headsets specific to online gambling.

Another point to factor in is that VR headsets are continuously being upgraded, so unless you are an avid VR gamer, it may be pointless buying a device if you are only planning on using it once in a while. It could potentially be a waste of money unless you enjoy gadgets and love VR gaming, then it’s well worth your time and money investing in one to gamble.

VR gambling can change the way you look at playing at online casinos and it could be highly stimulating as well as rewarding, it simply depends on the player and the preference.

Our Verdict

In short, we don’t think that virtual reality is the future of gambling, however, we believe it does have a future in gambling and a great one at that. While online gambling attracts all sorts of preferences, there will always be room for classic online gambling because people always revert to the norm and some players just can’t get away from it. We believe that the future of gambling is going to be filled with many gaming opportunities and one of these options will be VR gambling. So presently, while not all online casinos may offer VR gambling as an option, we see a future where VR doesn’t dominate but does infiltrate the online casino industry.

 

Due to their own nature, people tend to believe in myths and legend. This trend is even more emphasized when it comes to card games.

What we tend to think is that our luck depends on certain actions or behaviours we do or we don’t.

We can ensure you that there is nothing illogical or magical behind this game.

Below we are going to explain, learn more and debunk a few myths on Blackjack.

The dealer is the enemy

Despite his role, which makes him look as our opponent, the main goal of the dealer is not beating us.

Obviously, he has to follow the rules and try everything to win. But, believe it or not, his/her behaviour strongly depends on the games’ rules. Then, if the dealer keeps calling cards to overcome your score, just think that he cannot do differently.

Counting the cards is illegal

For some reason, there are people who believe that counting the cards is illegal. Although in the famous movies, the security chief seems to have as his main goal to catch the customers who are counting the cards, we can ensure you, this isn’t illegal at all.

To be totally honest, it is not a bad practice at all, for the simple reason that this is not possible. Not even the best Rain Man (Dustin Hoffman) can predict the cards that are going to be pulled out from the deck.

The position at the table counts

As it happens for almost all the card games, also when we play blackjack there is a high chance that we are not the first player who receives the cards.

For a mysterious reason, there are people who believe that this can negatively affect their score, nothing is more wrong. It seems obvious that no one knows which card will be pulled out of the deck.

For the same reason, it is impossible that the card you receive being sat on a specific place at the table can be judged better or worse than the card you could receive if you were sat in a different place. Once again, no one can predict the future, what we can do, instead, is paying attention, and learning the rules.

The closer the better

For the newbies, when we say blackjack, we say 21. If in one hand this is true, 21 is our number, on the other hand, it isn’t. Although we have as the polar star that number, and we want to get close enough to it, what matters is only the result we get. It is only the victory which counts, the score we have used to reach it doesn’t matter. Then, in a nutshell, whether we have 14 on the table doesn’t matter, as long as the dealer dust. It is also true that a bigger number gives us a higher chance of winning, just because the dealer must call for a card if he doesn’t reach the minimum score of 16 as the rule enforce.

Conclusion

Once we have learned how to play, which is very simple, we will understand how silly it would be to believe in fate and superstitions.

 

Most people don’t get married with the intention of it ending in the future. In the beginning, things seem hopeful, and the idea of spending forever with the person you love brings you joy and comfort. In many cases, however, as the years progress, they become more and more estranged.

As things start to degrade in their relationship, they begin to lose sight of why they got married in the first place. At this point, as many as 2 out of 4 couples wind up opting for divorce. So, what is it that leads to the demise of their relationships?

Take a look at some of the most common reasons why couples wind up calling it quits.

Cheating

While many experts believe that cheating is a symptom of a bigger problem, it’s usually the straw that breaks the camels back. When couples start to feel so angry and resentful with their partners, they may begin to look for other relationships to bring them the intimacy that they lack in their marriage.

Infidelity is rarely sought after, but rather happens gradually either through a seemingly innocent friendship, or often a co-worker. Unfortunately, it often leads to a nasty and drawn out divorce full of length litigation and expensive legal fees.

Finances

When two people get married, they make the commitment to pool their resources together. Unfortunately, in many cases, their different spending habits create distance between them. When one person feels like the other is dwindling away their resources, they may feel resentful and disappointed. The same goes for one person in the relationship who feels the other may be too conservative with their spending habits.

Since money plays such a big role in our day to day lives, it can eventually destroy the trust and bond of a relationship, ultimately ending in divorce.

Arguing

Many couples find themselves bickering every day about the same things over and over. Usually, their bickering is over trivial things like housework or a misinterpretation of words.

Although small bickering may not seem as serious as full-fledged arguments, over time, it can destroy the foundation of a relationship. Bickering over and over, day in and day out will usually end in the demise of the relationship since they can’t find a resolution to their disagreements.

Change in Appearance

Unfortunately, aging is an inevitable part of life. It’s not uncommon for people to gain weight or lose the same physical charms they once had in their younger years. When one person in the relationship starts to feel like they’re not attracted to the other anymore, it can lead to all sorts of issues, from infidelity to lack of intimacy, driving them to the point of divorce.

 

Everyone wants to retain a healthy head of hair for as long as possible as they grow older. The rate at which your hair grows depends heavily on your genetics, age, health, and diet. You can control your diet, where you cannot control aging or genetics.

It makes sense that you would make the necessary effort to cater your diet to maintain your hair for many years to come. When you’re wearing your high-tech laser hair growth helmet, take the time to think about how what you eat can support your efforts. Start now, and take a quick look at a few tasty foods that will help support your hair health.

Eggs

Protein and biotin are two of the most important nutrients that help to promote hair growth. Eggs are rich in protein, and they are healthy for your body for more than just the purpose of hair health.

Berries

Berries of all shapes and sizes can be good for your hairline. Vitamin C and other antioxidant-rich vitamins are often present in berries, and antioxidants are known to be protectors of the hair follicles.

Spinach

A shortage of iron in your body can cause you to lose more hair than normal. Spinach is a rich source of iron, among other beneficial vitamins and nutrients. Spinach is often labeled as one of nature’s superfoods, and for good reason.

Fatty fish

If you have a palette for fatty fish, your hairline could benefit from your tactical tastes. Fish like salmon, herring, and mackerel are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and omega-3s have been directly linked to hair growth.

Sweet potatoes

When you eat orange foods like carrots and sweet potatoes, your body is granted a healthy dose of beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is changed into vitamin A when the body processes the source, and vitamin A has long been linked to good hair health.

Avocadoes

Another well-known superfood, the avocado is an excellent addition to a hair-healthy diet. Avocados are a rich source of fatty acids, but they also contain vitamin E. Vitamin E promotes hair growth, not to mention, it is great for your skin.

Nuts

Nuts are good for your body in many different ways, and your hair is one of the beneficiaries of these tasty snacks.

One ounce of almonds will provide your body with nearly 40 percent of its total daily requirement of vitamin E. You can also get fatty acids, vitamin B, and lower inflammation from eating a variety of tasty nuts each day.

Oysters

Zinc has been proven to help the process of hair growth and support the repair cycle of the hair. Oysters are a great source of zinc. Eating oysters may not appeal to everyone, but the health benefits (and the aphrodisiac components) of oysters far outweigh the negative stigma.

 

If you have several steps in your skincare routine, you’ve probably invested some money in the whole system. Even if each item costs average, in total, they all cost a fortune. It could have been taken away from your food allowance, savings or other spending on yourself. It’s not a waste of money if you use it wisely, though.

Here’s how you can do just that. 

Stick to a Product Until You Finish It

One of the reasons a product feels like a waste of money is because you don’t see the results. If you’ve only been using it for a week and you’ve already decided to replace it, that’s a waste of money. Instead of doing this, stick to a product until you’ve used up all of it. The exemption, of course, is if your skin is reacting negatively to it. If that’s the case, see if you can return the item or give it to your friend for them to use. Even better, discuss a trade; they’ll have your barely used product if they replace it with a product you want to try as an alternative. If you give them a good deal, you’re essentially getting a new product at a discounted price–without throwing away any unused product.

Try Sample Sizes

A product may be the most friendly for all skin types, but you still can’t guarantee that you will not have negative reactions. This is why it’s recommended that you try sample sizes when buying a particular product for the first time. After you’ve proven that that face toner works well on your skin, you can buy it online at bigger quantities. This lessens the possibility of waste, and helps you transition to a different product in case something doesn’t work out for you.

Have a Manageable Routine 

You’re tempted by all the seemingly wonderful products you see online, and you want to buy them all. The problem is that you may not have the time or the knowledge to use them all in one go. If you barely have the time to do a basic skincare routine, buying complicated serums will not suddenly make you an expert. Each product you buy should come with the commitment that you will use them–and that you have time to do so; otherwise, they will definitely be a waste of money.

Watch Before You Purchase

There is no fee for watching beauty vloggers try different products and show you how to use them. With every watch, you get to see how easy or difficult they are to apply, and how effective they are on others. It’s like asking your friend to review their makeup for you. You get the insights without paying for the product until you’re completely sure. Just make sure the reviews you’re watching are unbiased so that the knowledge you’re accumulating will be honest and truthful.

Each purchase should be put to good use, whether you’re buying food or makeup. For your skincare purchase, be smart and be knowledgeable.

Living life as a woman brings about many challenges. Women face a much stronger pressure from those around them to look young and fit. Maintaining your body should never be something you do for others.

Rather, you should work to maintain a young, fit appearance to uphold a strong stance against the shallow expectations of society. Take some time to read through a few tips that will help you feel and look your best, and start paving your own path today.

Eat a balanced diet

Everyone knows that their diet directly affects their physical health, but few people truly understand how to create a healthy diet. If you’re one of the many who don’t really know what it means to eat a balanced diet, it’s time to do some research.

You’ll want to start by adding plenty of greens to your meals. Fruits, veggies, and other natural foods are always a good dietary decision. Avoid refined sugars, saturated fats, and excess sodium. As a general rule, anything in a box or can probably isn’t the best dietary choice.

Refrain from smoking and drinking

Smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol is bad for every part of your body. In terms of aesthetics, the two are notorious for prematurely aging a person’s skin.

You’ll look like your 80 before you know it if you live a fast lifestyle for an extended amount of time. Of course, there are some who escape this fate due to their genetics, but the majority of people express the same diminishing outcome.

Consider cosmetic surgery

If it is of your own choosing, there’s no shame in investing in cosmetic surgery. People all around the world go under the knife every day.

If you have good health and a good mind to choose cosmetic surgery, you could greatly extend the length of your youthful glow. Just be careful not to go overboard, so you don’t end up looking like a piece of plastic.

Take good care of your skin

Avoid overexposure to the sun. Your skin will become damaged over time when you insist on “tanning” often.

Burning your skin does far more damage than you realize, and the full effects of the damage may take years to arise. Wear sunscreen, and don’t spend every day baking in the sun. Your skin will look more youthful for longer.

Avoid yo-yo dieting

Dramatically shifting your weight from large to small and back again will cause your skin to lose its elasticity. Eventually, you’ll be left with unsightly, saggy skin.

If you want to lose weight, commit yourself to a lifestyle change. Dieting is a temporary solution. Changing the way you live will produce lasting results.

 

My dear friend Stacey Tokunaga moved down to Mexico City just over 8 years ago, and I couldn’t wait to get down and visit her. As things worked out, after 3 or 4 trips down to the Mexican capital I also fell in love with the place and followed in Stacey’s footsteps in moving down here. This is a city which really combines modern and traditional culture, and you can enjoy both city life and authentic Mexican experiences during your time here. If you are looking for the authentic Mexican experience then here is what you need to do when you are in Mexico City.

Eat Tacos

To say that tacos are life would be a massive understatement and you will see in just a few days here just how essential tacos really are to the Mexican culture. On almost every street corner of the city you’ll find vendors who sell an array of different types of tacos, not to mention that almost every restaurant will have a taco option. When finding good tacos in the street, aim for a cart with many people around it, this is a great indicator of the quality of their tacos.

Go To Teotihuacan

Mexico has rich history of ancient civilizations who once lived on these lands, principally the Aztecs and the Mayans. The result is that throughout the country there are many archaeological sites which have been well preserved and give an insight into the past of the country. One of the most impressive of these ruins is the ancient city of Teotihuacan which is juts over an hour outside Mexico City. This sprawling city was home to both the Aztecs and the Mayans before them, and it features two key pyramids and many plazas and living quarters which have been perfectly preserved.

Listen to Mariachis

If you go to Plaza Garibaldi in the Zocalo area of Mexico City you will see many Mariachi groups waiting to play to those who want to hear a song. There is nothing more Mexican than Mariachi music and for the authentic Mexican experience you should head to Garibaldi and pay for a group to play you a couple of songs. Great music played by great musicians.

Visit a Cantina

Cantinas were traditionally working class watering holes where the locals could hear great music and enjoy some food and drink. These days these bars are accessible to everyone and they provide you with the real Mexican experience. Generally what happens is that you pay for your drinks and the food is free, naturally this will mean you pay a slightly higher price for your drinks. The best thing to do here is to go in a small group, but a bottle of rum or whisky for the table and then enjoy as many snacks as you can handle. Traditional music is played in these places and they are a real hotbed of activity where you can experience some real Mexican culture.

About two years ago my buddy James Haidak and I decided that we would combine our love for surfing with our love for travel and we embarked on a month long trip around Costa Rica to hit some of their best surf spots. This is something which James had been doing for many years but I on the other hand used to just travel to explore, without really making the most of my favorite hobbies when I was away. This trip with James changed all of that and I have since then 2 more trips which have combined my passion for travel with me other passions in life. This is such a rewarding experience and here is why I’d recommend it.

Learning

Whether surfing in Costa Rica, going on a vineyard tour in France or going fishing in Alaska, when you travel and enjoy your hobby in other locations around the world, you learn so much about your passion. This is much about what travel can bring you as well, getting out there and meeting different people, learning new skills, new methods and new approaches to things, and this is also what you’ll get when you combine your trips with something that you love.

New Places

When you pick your travel destination based on where the best place to practice your hobby is, you’ll find that you visit places which you may not have previously considered. For example I’m not sure I’d ever have gone to Costa Rica were it not for the surfing community that they have down there. Although I may not have seen the appeal in the past, I can honestly say that I really fell in love with this country and I would certainly go back again. The same goes for those who love wine, fishing, kayaking, climbing or art, you will visit places that you may never have considered before.

Like Minded

Meeting people on the road is great, you can get to know people from other nations and cultures and through travel you can often make some great friends. When you travel to do something you love however you’ll greatly increase the number of like-minded people who you will meet, and I personally made many great friends during that Costa Rica trip with James, and others that I have been on since. Your passion gives you something to talk about and a great way to connect with people, this is why it is much easier to make good friends when you travel.

Fun

Ultimately traveling in this way is just so much more fun than any other type of travel and I have completely fallen in love with the idea of traveling to places where I can enjoy my hobbies and passions. Traveling is fun on its own, combine that with something you love and you are guaranteed to have the best time!

Why not give it a try for your next vacation!

 

Recently I was asked by my daughter to go into her school and discuss working in pubic relations and what it means to me. I have to be honest that it wasn’t until I sat down to give it some thought that I realized just how much I really do love this industry. I work for the brilliant Interdependence PR and they are a firm which have allowed me to achieve everything that I wanted to in this industry. I wanted to talk to you a little today about why I love this industry and why I would certainly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in this field.

Creative Juices

No matter what project or client I am working on there is always an opportunity to flex my creative juices and think up some out of the box way of deliver a message or strategizing. What I love in particular about this industry is that you are working as part of a team with other amazing people who are creative and innovative and this really brings out the best in you.

Teamwork

I am not a born leader and I have no ambition to be a leader, which is why I am so content in my position as part of a well oiled team. Public relations isn’t a position which you do alone and if you want to work in a team of great minds then this is a position which can certainly give you that.

People

Ever since I was young I have loved working with a wide range of people, I enjoy communicating with people from different industries and backgrounds and thankfully, that is what I do in my daily job. Whether it is setting up events and communicating with event staff, working with clients or speaking with press officers, if you are a people person like I am then you are going to love this job. Within public relations it is absolutely essential that you are able to build strong relationships with those that you work with which is why being a people person will help you so much in this industry.

Seeing Results

I love the cycle from the moment that we speak to the client and understand what their needs and their goals are, planing a strategy and then watching as the results are delivered. This is an incredibly rewarding part of the job and it is something which I love to see.

Variety

There is no monotony at all in this industry and everyday you will be doing something different than the day before. I love this variety and I know that there are many out there who are also looking for a career which promises them variety like this. One day you are planning an event, the next you are fire fighting and the next you are looking to build on your client list.

This is a great industry to work in and one which I really love.