Five Creative Ways to Keep In Touch With People While Travelling

Whether you find yourself away from friends and family just for a brief vacation or because you'll be studying abroad or going away for a longer period of time, it's important to keep in touch with the people that are close to you. In the past this could be a challenge, but with the internet and today's technology there are many good ways to stay in touch with others.

1) Email

The easiest way to stay in touch with one specific individual is by sending them an email. This is the same as what you might do if you were to write a letter or send a postcard, but the person will receive it instantly. It's easy, doesn't take too long to send a quick email, and it also doesn't cost a thing.

2) Webcam/Video Calling

With a number of video conference calling options available, such as Skype, video calling sites like Conference Genie, and a host of other live streaming sites, the potential is huge. If you have an iPhone, you can also use Wi-Fi to access your FaceTime setting within the phone. Having interaction via video link is one of the best ways to keep in touch, as you can utilise both sight and sound which is crucial to good communication. You can also use video calling to show off where you are such as landmarks and monuments, and even capture live parades, art exhibitions and other experiences.

3) Social Networking

Social networking websites like MySpace and Facebook allow you to stay in contact with many of the people that you know. You can just give them a brief update about what you're up to, say a quick hello, or put up pictures to view. This way you'll feel like you're still in contact with lots of your friends and family at once.

4) Start a blog

If you travel a lot or might be gone for a long period of time, you can start a blog to keep others informed about what you're up to. You can post as often as you like and write about what you've been doing and things that you've seen. You can also put pictures on your blog. Then anyone you give the address to will be able to read it and comment on it.

5) Photo hosting websites

One of the best ways to make people from home feel like they are traveling with you is by showing them pictures of the places you've been. There are several websites that let you upload your pictures and put them into an online album view. Then you can send the album to others and they can look at all of the pictures you've taken and all the places you've been on your journey.

Photo by: Jon Ovington

Dangers of Radiation Around the House

There are a few things around your home that might cause issues with radiation. However, most of the radiation that is emitted is actually quite harmless. There are two types of radiation, particle and electromagnetic. Most of the rays that are emitted with household items such as microwaves, cell phones etc. are actually quite insignificant. Modern appliances are not significant sources of harmful radiation.

1) Microwaves

Microwaves emit particles of non ionizing radiation. This is what cooks your food. However, even if your microwave is a powerful one, the amount of radiation that is emitted is not going to be harmful, in fact the worst it might do is cause a burn.

2) Cell phones

It is true that cell phones emit radiation. The radiation that is emitted by your phone is minimal however there are still suspicions and therefore many people purchase a radiation shield for their cell phone. There are some individuals that are concerned about the link between cell phones and brain tumors, however, this is a causal link that has not been proven yet.

3) Computers and Laptops

As with cell phones, computers and laptops also emit small amounts of radiation. Using computers up to 10 hours a day at both work and home means that many people are subjected daily to this radiation. Again, a quartz wi-fi shield can be purchased for these which are simple to use and never need replacing.

4) AM and FM radios

These devices also use radio waves to communicate with the radio towers. However as with cell phones and cordless phones, the amount of radiation emitted is not harmful to the individual. Individuals don't need to fear leaving their radio on. Radios will not cause radiation poisoning or any sort of similar problem to the individual.

5) Radon

Radon in the soil is a strong carcinogen in some areas of the country. This may be something that individuals may want to check for in and around their home. Some levels of radon can be toxic, and can cause some sorts of cancers. There are radon detection kits that can help homeowners with the potential of radon in their area.
There are many other sources of household radiation such as sunlight. This is a far greater potential for harm with this, than any household appliances. UVA/UVB rays emitted by the sun have potential for damage to the individual.

Photo by: Iboy

Keep Your Teen's Car Insurance Low

Nothing makes a parent wince more than knowing that their teenager is going to start driving. Teenagers are notorious for getting in accidents with costs that far exceed your cash payday. Rates, for this reason, are typically high with males being charged far more than females for car insurance. There are a few ways to bring the costs down.

Put Them on Your Insurance

If they'll be driving your car around, you might as well put them on your own insurance. This will keep the cost of the insurance relatively low when compared to buying them a car and then buying the insurance separately. As long as they don't total your car, you can keep a good rate going until they save up enough for their own car and insurance.

They Really Want Their Own Car

Another option is to buy a car that is very inexpensive in value and that can be fully paid when you drive it off the lot. That way, the value of the insurance costs for the replacement of the car are low too, saving you money. You can buy the insurance separately and keep your own driving record clean.

Get a Value Pack

If you have an insurance company that insures your home, they may give you a discount if you choose to insure your car with them. Adding a driver then will be less expensive, if they're using your car.

Set Up Some Rules

Make sure your teens know the rules before you let them out on the road. No drinking, talking or texting on the phone while driving. Only one other person in the car with them, not a sardine pack of kids, until they're more experienced drivers. No speeding or horseplay. Let them know that driving is a privilege that they must earn by showing the proper responsibility towards safety. Don't be afraid to take away their car if they are endangering themselves or others and put them back to driving your car with you in it as chaperone.

Using Merchant Cash Advances

Your business needs an influx of cash quickly. Rough times have hit and you do not have enough inventories for a major holiday weekend coming up. You do not have time for a loan to be approved. What can you do? A scenario like this one or hundreds of others can lead back to using merchant cash advances. However, there are right ways and wrong ways to use merchant cash advances in your business. You do not want to incur cash advance problems as a result of making the wrong decision.

The old adage “it takes money to make more” is very true. This is why it has turned into somewhat of a cliché saying. It’s been used a lot to make a point. If your business does not have enough liquidity to purchase new inventory for a major weekend you could face losing the business. One good way to use merchant cash advances is to get inventory into your shop and repay the loan once you make the sales you know are coming. A good example of this situation would be Labor Day. This holiday in 2010 saw thousands of people in shops looking for great deals, and most years the same can be said.

You could also use a merchant cash advance for expanding your company. For example, you are being asked to put certain inventory in your store, but you do not have the room. Since you know consumers want the products you could get money for the expansion through a cash advance. Consumers will buy the new products as soon as they are in your store, thus you have the money to pay the loan back.

Business travel to find more consumers or vendors. You can use a merchant cash advance to get more consumers into your shop, either through the internet or obtaining more vendors. More vendors mean more products, thus more interest in your goods.

These are three of the top ways to use merchant cash advances. It is imperative to mention you should not use merchant cash advances in certain circumstances. Paying employee wages is not a good use of an advance. Wages are something you need to pay on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis. If you do not have enough to cover your employee wages it is doubtful in the coming months you would be able to pay the cash advance loan back.

You want to use merchant cash advances in instances that will definitely improve your company’s bottom line. In this way you know for certain that you can pay the loan back when it is due. Keep in mind what could help you increase your revenue as you think about cash advances.