Five Benefits of Having Natural Daylight in your Offices

office setup (Photo credit: Rob 'n' Rae)

If you walk through the office after lunch and notice that your staff seems a bit sluggish and maybe even drowsy, it might not be the lunch they just ate. Take a look around the room; are there blinds on the windows? The problem with the lack of energy and therefore the lack of productivity could be the fact that they are sitting under artificial lights. 

There are numerous benefits of letting the sunshine in through the windows or skylights. Maximizing natural light in the workplace will result in more productivity and efficiency. Let’s have a look at some of these benefits. 

Increased Productivity

When you have the sun streaming in through the windows, the serotonin levels of your workers will be on the higher side. This will put them in a better mood, making them more active and keep the workforce bustling with energy. It might become a little noisier in there, but you shouldn’t mind that as long as they are accomplishing more.

Health Benefits

Your company probably loses a good amount of money and production when people call out sick. Having natural sunlight in the office will increase the production of Vitamin D. This will increase everyone’s immune system and have them at their desks instead of at home. Recent studies have shown a 15 percent decline in absenteeism when employees worked under natural light conditions instead of artificial lighting. So, by just “keeping the blinds open” (hypothetically speaking), your employees get better health and you get more work done. Need I say more? 

A Better Atmosphere

People are just happier when they have the sun shining on them, especially in the relatively cold regions or weathers. It means, everyone feels good about coming to work. They show up on time, don’t take too long on breaks and do not jump up at exactly 5 o clock. Remember, if you are keeping your shades drawn, your employees are not getting much daylight at all. They do not have a chance to get out during the day to soak up the energy. This can make them grumpy at work, and just as a smile is contagious, so is grumpiness. Who wants to go to a workplace, where everyone seems to be in a sour mood? 

Increased Sales

If your staff is some kind of a marketing or salesroom, having natural light will increase their creativity and salesmanship. Because they are more chipper, it will help them with customer service, lead generation, or sales. Not to forget that if your showroom has a lot of sunlight, even your customers will be in high spirits, hence more likely to do business with you. Sunlight has dual benefits when customers and sales are involved. 

Financial Benefits

Any time you use natural daylight to light up your office, and avoid having overhead lights on, you are saving money on your electricity bill. But that’s just one of the many financial benefits. As earlier mentioned, lower absence rate will mean you’ll not be paying for temporary help while also paying for an employee’s sick day, giving you more savings. Not to forget that an increase in production, and eventually in sales will also improve your bottom line.

When you consider all the advantages of using natural light in your offices, you will wonder why you didn’t think of it before. You may think it is the lower power bills, increased production and better sales that have you feeling so happy, but in reality, it is just the talk of extra sunshine that has you feeling great.

Scott Ryan is a home and office interior design expert, follow him on twitter.

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Tips for Buying Cheap Health Insurance

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In June 2012 the United States Supreme Court upheld the Obamacare – the individual mandate of the Affordable Care Act. According to the mandate every American citizen must have health insurance or pay a fine. This translates into millions of Americans having to get health insurance cover by the year 2014. With so many people looking for cheap health insurance, it is only fair to provide a few tips in order to make the task a little easy.

Many American find buying any kind of insurance a challenge because of the jargon involved. Not many know terms like deductibles and co-insurance, which make up important aspects of the offer document. Thus, the first thing to do for anyone looking to buy cheap health insurance is to learn a little about the subject. Resources like the Internet have made this chore far easier than imagined. All you have to do is run a quick search. Some of the topics you might want to cover are: what is health insurance, what are the benefits of having health insurance, what types of health insurance covers are available on the market today, what are the laws for health insurance covers in the US and in your State of residence, where all can you buy health insurance, what should you look for in a insurance policy, etc. Also, check out what the insurance providers mean by deductibles, premiums, co-pay and co-insurance.

Knowing your finances is always helpful. It can tell you rough how much you can afford paying out of your pocket in a year if need be. If your financial condition is not at its best, do find out about the various exemptions provided by the government and see if you qualify for any. You can also see if any insurance company is willing to offer a special discount to get your business. This is likely in case you already have other insurance policies from a particular insurance provider.

Premiums, deductibles and covers vary widely from company to company. Thus you may want to keep your details handy to compare different insurance providers and their services. Keep your family’s medical history in mind; make a note of your pre-existing medical conditions; whether you regularly take any specific medication, whether you are partial to a particular doctor, etc. This can be helpful in getting a more accurate quote. Since September 2012, insurance companies are required to use a standard form that shows the prices of each insurance plan. This form has been specifically designed to be easy to understand and includes details such as co-payments and deductibles for your convenience. This aspect makes comparison easy and effortless for the customer.

Even though all insurance companies may seem the same, it is imperative that you look for a company that is, first of all licensed, reputable, and known for its customer service. Having the best health plan is not nearly enough if you have to spend hours on the phone to dispute a denial or get clarifications about any aspect of your coverage. Poor customer service can result in future stressful situations becoming even worse. Go online to look through customer blogs and testimonials to get a clearer picture of the company in question.

The government is working hard to make sure that every citizen of our great nation can afford health insurance. The Affordable Care Act is a step in that direction. In the coming years many aspects of health insurance may be subject to change, therefore be sure to not blindly renew your existing health plan in the future. Take the time to do some research and find the best deal for you before signing the dotted line.

Bio

Jack is a freelance writer for the http://www.bestinsurance.com/ . Having worked in healthcare industry for years, he understands the importance of having a health plan. He often writes about how to find cheap health insurance in the US, ten things to know about health insurance before you buy a policy, how to choose the ideal health plan for your family, etc. He also blogs about movies and music albums.

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Guidelines In Investing Your Retirement Money

Retirement (Photo credit: Tax Credits)

Enjoyment in life does not have to end when one retires from his job and leaves work. In fact, it should be the time when one should sit back, relax, and reap or enjoy the fruits of his labor, so to speak.

But even during retirement, you should manage your finances and watch your expenses. Remember, you are no longer at work and you have no other means of earning an income. So unless you take care of your hard-earned retirement money, you may lose it through unnecessary spending and you may find yourself penniless one day.

When preparing for retirement, the first thing you should do is set aside money for your needs as well as for emergency purposes. Living expenses for food, clothing and shelter must not be disregarded. Similarly, an emergency fund that you can use in the event of illness, natural disaster and other unforeseen events must likewise be taken care of.

When all of these have been placed into your financial budget, it is time to explore your investment opportunities. As this is your retirement money, you need to be careful about the businesses that you want to put your money into. Many people have made the mistake of putting their retirement money into wrong investment ventures and end up losing much of their hard-earned money.

To avoid this, you need to avoid putting your money into high-risk investments to ensure that you have a secure financial base in the future and thus avoid bankruptcy. Although you may balance high-risk investment with low-risk financial opportunities, it is not a good decision to make.

Here are sound investments where you can invest your retirement money:

• Treasury bonds – As many financial experts would say, treasury bonds are one of the safer options for investment. Unlike stocks, they have a fixed rate of interest, which means you know the constant growth rate of the bond.
• Certificates of deposits – These are like money in time deposit term but in this type you will be penalized if you withdraw your money earlier as scheduled. However, if you have an individual retirement account (IRA), you can save and withdraw without penalty once you reach age 59.
• Annuity – This is another option that financial advisors recommend. You can invest your money into an annuity where you can save or deposit money in a lump sum or in small amounts over time before you retire and receive back regular payments like a salary when you retire. You can choose from different kinds of annuities such as fixed annuities which has a set rate of interest, indexed annuities with a fluctuating interest based on a particular index, and variable annuities where you can choose how your money will be invested and whose rate of return will depend on the performance of your investments.

This guest post was provided by DebtSuccess.com, the debt management experts specializing in debt consolidation, debt relief, credit repair, tax debt, debt settlement and more.

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What to Do When Divorce Really Isn't an Option

Family in tall grass (Photo credit: Jackal of all trades)

Adults naturally come together, and make plans for living together, as a natural course of life. Similar to the basic instinct which has salmon in the Pacific Northwest of the United States swimming upstream, against the currents, in order to return to the place of their birth and spawn before they die, adults tend to come together as couples for reasons which are both social and biological. Often times, this works out well, as the couples mature as their relationship deepens over time. This can be as a result of the challenge and joys of raising children, or facing whatever challenges life hurtles at them over time. There are some times however, where relationships just don't work out. Couples may have completely different points of view on fundamental issues, or they may be financial stresses which cause major problems.

Sometimes, the problems are not so severe, and the relationship is not so frayed, that divorce is an absolute necessity. In these cases, a separation, possibly on a trial basis, might be the best solution. It will give both people an opportunity to sort through their feelings, and somewhat rewind the tape of the last few months or years, in an effort to find some common ground. If there are children involved, it is obviously quite challenging to have a break up that doesn't affect them. One parent is going to wind up staying with them most time, and the other parent will be reduced to coming to visit, and spending some time with them on a schedule that hopefully both parents agree on.

The Trend Is Rising

Not surprisingly perhaps, the majority of parents that remain with the children are the mothers. This is due to several reasons, the primary one being the fact that the father typically is working, and can't be home for the children. The second reason is a little more complex, but has to do with the fact that in many cases, the maternal instinct is just stronger. The trend towards separating appears to continue to gain momentum. According to some statistics, there are between 150,000 and 200,000 couples that separate in England every year. In 1970, it is estimated that there were about 60,000 lone fathers. 35 years later, that number had more than tripled. This is obviously a disturbing trend, as it implies that children don't get to spend as much time with their fathers as they would probably like, or should.

When the Decision Is Reached

Couples that decide that the best course of action at this point in their lives is to have a separation need to consider all of the details carefully. This not only involves how to manage time with the children, but also overall financial concerns, which range from simple bank account ownership, as well as any other assets that are considered joint property. Nobody should tackle these issues without professional advice. There are many organizations and firms that can help with this specific type of situation and one should definitely consult them before making any final decisions, or signing any documents.

Author Bio: Jonny Pean is a US-based lifestyle writer covering the latest trends in modern society, and all of its implications, including separation. He writes on a freelance basis for many of the major lifestyle blogs.

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Lending Club Review - Person To Person Lending Networks

Person to person lending networks are the latest way for people to get a loan and they also are a great way to make an income by investing. For many years, we have been in an environment of low interest rates for savers. Trying to find an investment with a reasonable risk level and a profitable return rate has been impossible.

Today, many investors are turning to person to person lending networks to get a decent rate of return on their money. For the last few years Lending Club has given that high rate of return and given borrowers a place to access loans to pay off credit card balances and other debts. 

Steps To Getting Started Investing In Person To Person Lending Networks

1.) Open An Account

The first step of course is to open an investment account. Investment accounts with the best person to person lending networks are generally free to open, and you can get started browsing the listings and types of investments available even before you want to get started and deposit any money!

2.) Choose Which Investments You Want To Make

The next step is to choose which types of investments you would like to make. Do you want to invest in person to person loans? If so, decide which types you would like to invest in and how much you would like to put into them. Some people choose loans with a higher credit grade because they are more stable and consistent, other people choose loans with a lower credit grade because, while they can be more risky, the profits from interest rates is usually higher.

You also want to decide if you want to put money into longer term loans or shorter term loans, and where you want to invest a little in several loans and diversify your investments or put a lot of money in just a few loans, both strategies can be very profitable.

3.) Start Investing!

Once you've completed the first two steps, it's time to get started! Once you start investing in the places or loans you've chosen, you can start to see your money and earnings come rolling in. This is an amazing feeling after you're made your investment, and can really make you feel good, especially when you start seeing nice profits and earnings from the investments that you've made!

Now it's time to get started with a great investment account that's free to open!

If you're looking to get started investing, with a lot or a little, open your FREE Online Investment Account and get started at Lending Club! Here you can invest in an IRA account, invest in peer to peer lending and online loans, and much, much more!

You could earn money than you ever thought possible investing online, with 20 Consecutive Quarters Of Profits, you can start with a little bit or a lot, and have an amazing opportunity to earn a consistent, very impressive and incredible income investing at Lending Club, get started investing today!

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Personal Money Management: How to Save More Money Easily

Personal Finance (Photo credit: 401(K) 2012)

Saving money is easier than what most people think. Here are some valuable tips for you to save up easily for the future:

Savings before expenses

Come payday, immediately deduct money for your savings before taking on expenses. That way, you automatically save twice each month. It would be best if you also have a set amount for expenses so you have a value you can stick to. This in turn will help you in sticking to your budget. If you happen to spend less than the usual, the excess should go to your savings.

Download personal finance apps on your gadgets

The emergence of tablets and smartphones has paved the way for developers to come up with useful applications for both iOS and Android platforms. One good example of a personal finance app on Android is MoneyWise. This app allows you to add and even automate additions and deductions from the balance you have provided. You can also have multiple accounts which are easy to track and manage with its intuitive interface. Similar apps are available on Google Play and on the Apple iTunes Store.

Never spend money that you do not have

A credit card is deemed important so that an individual can build his credit history, but most people often succumb to the powerful plastic because they cannot help it - it is all too tempting to spend. You can make the most of a credit card by using it when you know you can pay the full amount come next billing date. If you plan on purchasing something that you know you cannot pay the following due date, think twice of buying it. The interest rates for credit cards are higher than ever, and you might be wasting hundreds, if not thousands for interest rates.

Go shopping when there are discounts

Be frugal when it comes to shopping by only going to the mall when there are mall-wide sales. You can save as much as 50% off items when you buy them during sale season. Avoid impulse splurges. A good thing to do when attracted by an object is to think it through for a week. Most of the time, people forget about what they have seen in the mall. It only means that wants are fleeting unlike needs which are important and cannot be avoided.

Invest your money

Investing is one way to make your money grow. For starters, it is best to start with investment options that are low risk and requires just a bit of your money. A short-term time deposit in your bank is worth a shot. From that point, you can observe and analyze the trends in business and finance. Read books pertaining to mutual funds, stocks and equities and even attend seminars before gambling in these more high-risk investment options.

Curbing spending behavior is a lot easier when you know what to do, and when you know how to set priorities. These tips are small ways down the line to a prosperous life ahead of you.

Written by Peter Coppola, a personal finance and insurance researcher. He enjoys writing for various personal finance blogs. Click here to get your credit report.

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