Fun Facts about Toilets

Content originally published and Shared from http://perfectbath.com

Can you imagine life without toilet paper? Just thinking about it makes you feel nervous, right? Some people find talking about toilets quite disgusting, but there are actually many interesting facts about them. Here are some:

Photo by Renee Verberne on Unsplash

What did people use before toilet paper was invented?
Well, what you used for your personal bathroom needs before the invention of toilet paper depended to some degree on your social status and your geographical location.

If you were wealthy, then you might use wool, or a soft – and washable – rag. The Ancient Romans used sponges on sticks and then soaked in water.

If you were not so well off, then the most common thing to do was simply to grab a fistful of grass, leaves or straw to do what needed to be done.

In some parts of the world, going to the toilet always meant just going to the nearest river or stream and letting the current carry the waste away. Any wiping was done just by hand. That is why in India and some parts of the Middle East it is considered offensive to eat or pass food at table with your left hand – because that’s the one that you would use in the river.

In many European countries today, the use of toilet paper is considered dirty and unhygienic. In these countries the most common practice is a thorough, soapy wash and rinse afterwards using a ‘bidet.’ This is a sort of low basin with hot water tap and soap that you sit on and is usually placed next to the toilet for convenience. Source: Owlcation

Are toilets really dirty?
Contrary to popular belief, the toilet seat is the cleanest part in the bathroom since most people take great care to ensure its clean before sitting on it, according to University of Arizona microbiologist Charles Gerba. The bathroom door handle is also a less germ-infested part, since bacteria cannot thrive on cold, dry surfaces for long. Source: MSN

How do most people put the toilet paper on the holder?
Over $100,000 US dollars was spent on a study to determine whether most people put their toilet paper on the holder with the flap in front or behind. The conclusion: three out of four people have the flap in the front. Source: PlayBuzz

Are you surprised about some of the facts above? If you enjoyed this, then you should check out other articles here on our blog. We also offer the latest toilets available on the market – browse our website for options!

 

Contact:
Perfect Bath
Phone: Toll Free 1-866-843-1641
Calgary, Alberta
Email: info@perfectbath.com

The post Fun Facts about Toilets appeared first on Perfect Bath Canada.

from Perfect Bath Canada https://ift.tt/2tI5u7V

How To Get Started With Meal Planning

By: Erin Kukura, MS, RD, UCSD Recreation Dietitian

Ever feel like you want to prepare more meals at home but don’t know where to start, or get overwhelmed by all the cooking and time involved? Then you’re in the right place! Here are a few tips to get started with meal planning.

What is Meal Planning?

Meal planning is whatever you want it to be! That means do what works best for you, your cooking skills, time and lifestyle. If you want to spend 3 hours on a Sunday preparing food for the week, power to you! If you only want to spend 15 minutes each week figuring out what to buy at the grocery store, that works too. The key is to start small and be realistic.

Meal planning is taking the time to plan what meals and snacks you will have available for the week ahead. You can make this a concrete or flexible as you like. Some people might plan out ahead of time what their meals will look like each day, or you can make a general list of meals to have for the week.

Benefits:

1. Prevents unbalanced choices. What foods do you usually gravitate towards when you don’t have anything on hand to eat? Usually it’s something quick, convenient and unbalanced. That meal may not provide you with the fuel you need and leave you feeling sluggish.
2. Saves money. Buying food from the grocery store, even pre-made items is usually cheaper than buying items on campus or picking up food from restaurants.
3. A form of adulting. Grocery shopping, preparing meals and nourishing your body with foods that make you feel good, are all key qualities of adequately taking care of yourself and your basic needs.

Where to start:

1. Start by looking at the week ahead. Consider your schedule. How many days will you be home for dinner, do you have other plans or commitments during the week? Do you also need items for breakfast and lunch? Do you prepare a separate item for lunch (sandwich or salad) or do you pack leftovers? This helps to determine how many meals you need to plan for.
2. What items do you already have on hand? This can guide your choices of what meals to prepare. Maybe you have leftover chicken and bell peppers on hand, you could make chicken tacos or a stir-fry using those ingredients.
3. From there determine what will make up your other meals and write a list of ingredients that you will need to buy.

*quick tip – if you are making items for dinner make enough to have for leftovers for 2-3 additional meals. This can save you time and money!

Meal Planning Hacks:

• Keep a master list of your go-to meal and snack ideas
• Cut corners by buying pre-cut produce, utilizing frozen fruits, vegetables or other entrees to make cooking easier, especially if you are new to cooking or don’t have a lot of time.
• Plan to go to the grocery store once a week to prevent running too low on food items
• Utilize the slow cooker or instant pot to prepare large batches of foods
• Have go-to items on hand for late nights or times where you want something quick
• Be realistic and flexible (your schedule and time or ability to meal plan will vary)
• Be consistent
•  Try to have a set day that you meal plan and grocery shop to make it a habit and easier to get back to a routine when life gets busy.

 

Meal Planning Resources:

https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-meal-prep-beginner-261658

http://www.thelazygeniuscollective.com/blog/foodprep

https://thegirlonbloor.com/

If you’d like assistance on your journey to well-being or feel that you would like to improve your relationship with food feel free to contact the Recreation Dietitian, Erin @ ekukura@ucsd.edu.

For more information on services go to: https://recreation.ucsd.edu/wellness-services/nutrition/

from UCSD Recreation https://ift.tt/2IIOoRI

Bank of America® Cash Rewards Credit Card Review

Shower vs. Bathtub

Content originally published and Shared from http://perfectbath.com

Contemplating whether you should put a bathtub or a shower in your bathroom? Here are some factors to consider:

Photo by Karla Alexander on Unsplash

Who will use the bathroom?
Think of either the people in your household or your potential buyers. Young, busy couples tend to prefer walk-in showers over tubs. The same is true for many elderly and disabled individuals because walk-ins are easy to get into and out of; however, these homeowners tend to prefer a place to sit and railings for safety and ease. Although, it would be difficult for parents of babies and toddlers to manage bath time in a shower.

If you are looking to age-in-place, a shower is a good investment. If you are planning to start a family, make sure you have at least one tub.

Baths in a master suite are usually only used by adults. If you plan to keep or install a master bathtub, consider deep, stand-alone models. These provide a luxurious option for those who like to soak in comfort. There are models for every aesthetic, easily incorporated into modern, rustic and antique designs. You can even look for varieties with jets or internal heaters that help keep the water warm. Source: TheSpruce

Which is more environmentally friendly?
Showers beat baths from an environment standpoint so long as you aren’t taking a very long shower, Grist reported earlier this year.

The best way to conserve water is to use a water-saving shower head, which uses no more than two gallons of water per minute. A 10-minute shower will put you at only 20 gallons on average to get clean through this method.

The average bath uses 36 gallons to fill a tub, while the average shower (without the water-saving device) uses five gallons of water per minute, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

You can make it snappy and rinse off between five and seven minutes with a regular shower head, or go a bit longer with a water-reducing nozzle instead. Source: HuffPost

Does the bathroom have enough space?
Space is at a premium in the average bathroom, which often measures just 5 by 8. While a standard tub measures 30 inches wide, it can be as long as 72 inches, according to This Old House, while stand-alone showers range from 36 by 36 inches to 36 by 48. This smaller footprint allows a shower to fit much more readily in a small bathroom than a tub, freeing up space for other features. Eliminating the tub in favor of the shower also allows homeowners to incorporate a larger, spa-like shower rather than the standard enclosure, while still utilizing less space than the average bathtub. Source: HomeGuides.SFGate

If at this point you’re still undecided on which to get, we can help you pick what works best for your bathroom. Call us today!

 

Contact:
Perfect Bath
Phone: Toll Free 1-866-843-1641
Calgary, Alberta
Email: info@perfectbath.com

The post Shower vs. Bathtub appeared first on Perfect Bath Canada.

from Perfect Bath Canada https://ift.tt/2BWrNvb

Personal Capital Review: A Free Wealth Management Tool

3 Ways to Lower Blood Pressure

Content originally published and Shared from http://perfectbath.com

Don’t let hypertension defeat you. Manage this condition by consistently following these important tips:

Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash

Regular exercise
Exercise is one of the best things you can do to lower high blood pressure.

Regular exercise helps make your heart stronger and more efficient at pumping blood, which lowers the pressure in your arteries.

In fact, 150 minutes of moderate exercise, such as walking, or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise, such as running, per week can help lower blood pressure and improve your heart health.

What’s more, doing even more exercise reduces your blood pressure even further, according to the National Walkers’ Health Study.

Bottom Line: Walking just 30 minutes a day can help lower your blood pressure. More exercise helps reduce it even further. Source: MedicalNewsToday

Reduce salt intake
We need sodium to live, but too much salt leads the body to hold on to more fluids and that causes volume changes inside blood vessels. Over time, blood pressure rises.

“The problem is, salt is everywhere,” Haythe noted.

“It’s not just the salt that you add with the shaker,” Blankstein added. “Most of the sodium we get in our diet is found in various processed foods — things like canned soups, chips, cold cuts, pickles and even bread.”

He recommended consuming less than 2 grams (2,000 mg) of salt — or less than one teaspoon — a day for people who are trying to lower their blood pressure. That can be very effective, he said. Source: Today

Relax in a sauna
Studying more than 1,600 middle-aged men in Finland, researchers found that those who took sauna baths four to seven times a week cut their risk of high blood pressure by nearly half, compared to once-a-week sauna bathers.

“Sauna bathing may decrease systemic blood pressure through different biological mechanisms,” said study researcher Jari Laukkanen, a professor at the University of Eastern Finland, and colleagues.

In the sauna, your body temperature rises, widening the blood vessels. Over time, this appears to improve the function of the inside layer of blood vessels, the researchers explained. Sauna baths also remove fluid from the body through sweating, and relax the body and mind, the researchers added. Source: WebMD

You have many options to choose from when it comes to lowering your blood pressure. But out of all your options, nothing beats the ease of relaxing in a sauna. If you don’t have a sauna yet, today is the best time to get one. Give us a call!

 

Contact:
Perfect Bath
Phone: Toll Free 1-866-843-1641
Calgary, Alberta
Email: info@perfectbath.com

The post 3 Ways to Lower Blood Pressure appeared first on Perfect Bath Canada.

from Perfect Bath Canada https://ift.tt/2StBZkj

{#TransparentTuesday} Social Anxiety

I used to suffer from absolutely crippling social anxiety.

I have vivid memories of going into a complete freeze response when a co-worker asked me the baffling but well-intentioned question “what’s good?”

I fled from the trainer lounge at my gym more times than I can count, because another person would come in and I would panic. I worried about what I should say, what they might ask me, what the right answer was to their question, and worst of all if I was “being weird” as I silently got up and left in the hopes that they didn’t see me.

Spoiler alert: YES I was being weird, because obviously they could see me. Anxiety makes people act fucking weird.

My partner at the time told me I should try just saying “good morning” and being friendly, and then it wouldn’t be so awkward. I broke down in hysterical sobbing, and told him it wasn’t that easy! I just… couldn’t.

• I crossed streets to avoid people I knew because I was terrified of awkward small talk, and unsure of how to leave the interaction once it began.

• I never answered my phone unless I already knew what the person wanted.

• I took the stairs because standing in the elevator with someone I knew made me want to die.

• I shrunk into corners at my partner’s social events, desperately wishing I could become invisible.

Looking back, I felt like there was some kind of set of social rules everyone else was privy to, but that I didn’t get, and that feeling was constantly triggering me into fight or flight.

The wild thing is that despite being a completely awkward weirdo socially, I was always super confident in my role as a personal trainer.

I was never awkward with a new client, because I knew the “rules” and what they expected of me. I was the authority, so I knew what I was there to offer, and for the most part, I knew that the person already liked or respected me. It was easy.

But among my coworkers or friends or random people I met? Nope. My mind went into a blank and fearful place, trying desperately to figure out what they like, what they wanted, and what they expected of me. Fear would hijack my body and I’d find myself thinking how would a normal people stand? Like this?? Is this what a normal person does with their hands?!

All of this anxiety, built up over years, led to me feeling completely isolated, disconnected from people, awkward, and deeply lonely. I had one best friend, but no network, no circle, nobody that I met up with regularly for drinks or dancing or talking or networking or fun.

People just suck, I concluded. People don’t get me, and I don’t know how to do “small talk.”

I can’t help but laugh at that now, from a future that is chock of abundantly nourishing connections. People don’t suck, I know now. It was I who sucked.

I was bringing out the absolute worst in people, by acting weird and cold. I pushed people away by turning down invites and never reaching out. I forgot people’s names and was unable to actually listen to anything real about them because I was too busy thinking about whether or not I was being weird. I made people uncomfortable; I made them defensive; I forced them to do all the work of every interaction.

It wasn’t on purpose, of course! I was just overcome with fear and anxiety. I was trying so hard to follow the rules and be “normal,” that I ended up making it completely impossible to genuinely connect with me.

One of the most important moments in my journey to overcoming social anxiety came when I realized two things:

1. Nearly everyone I knew had social anxiety. Everyone was doing exactly the same thing I had been doing, trying to act “normal” while secretly just hoping people liked them.

2. I had been desperately trying to not have an impact on people, but doing so had an impact anyway– a negative impact that made them feel judged, unwelcome, and like I didn’t like them.

Well, shit.

As soon as I realized this, I also realized something else: that I was in a unique position to both understand this about people, and also to do something about it. That my natural emotional sensitivity could be a gift, if I stopped using it to protect myself and instead started using it to make the world a better place.

Practically overnight, my social anxiety disappeared.

I became a woman on a mission, proactively creating experiences among my peers rather than reactively trying to do what my superiors wanted/expected.

I let myself be warm and vulnerable, and saw what an instantly positive and disarming effect that had on others. I focused on the other person, making eye contact, really listening, and asking them questions, which instantly made people both more interesting and more friendly.

I found myself having moments of connection and “oh me too!” with everyone I interacted with, and seemingly like magic, my life became populated with friends who I was completely myself with, networking opportunities who effortlessly helped my business thrive, and the general sense that there was something to love about every new person I met.

At a certain point I realized I hadn’t felt a single moment of anxiety in months, and tried to put into words exactly what had shifted. There were many things that contributed to be sure, but the biggest one was how I viewed my role in my own social interactions.

I went from being reactive and disempowered (trying to play a game where everyone but me knew the rules) to being an active creator in the game, in charge of clearly letting other people know the rules, so that they would feel free to relax and play with me.

The results were undeniable: everyone seemed to go from being awkward and cold to offering me the best versions of themselves. As it turns out, people are funny and nice and interesting and cool, when you make them feel safe. Who knew?

Now I sometimes feel like an anti-anxiety superhero, going around the world making people feel safe enough to show their true (wonderful) colors, and it feels amazing. I go out of my way to make sure people know I like them, and in return I am rewarded with access to a person I can genuinely like.

It rarely fails: I ask questions and listen, observe what I see in them, and share genuine stories about myself, sticking my neck out and getting vulnerable first so they know they’re safe to do the same.

It never fails to surprise me how grateful people seemed to be to get away from superficial smalltalk and talk about real shit. (It turns out nobody knows or likes the supposed “social rules” lol.)

What’s your relationship to social anxiety? What’s been the most helpful for you in overcoming it?

<3
Jessi

The post {#TransparentTuesday} Social Anxiety appeared first on Jessi Kneeland.

from Jessi Kneeland https://ift.tt/2GO7nZ6

Prism Review – A Free App to Help You Stay on Budget

See where your money is going and pay your bills with one free app. Here’s how Prism can help you stay on budget and even increase your credit score.

Prism Money

's rating

9.5

Budgeting Tools 9.5

Usability 9.5

Cost 10.0

Added Features 9.5

Customer Support 9.0

Pros

• Easy bill pay
• Can help improve credit score
• Free to use
• Easy sync with accounts

Cons

• App displays ads
• Only for use with U.S. billers
• No phone support
• No auto pay

Table of Contents

• About Prism
• How Prism Works
• Features and Benefits
• Prism Security
• Prism Fees
• How to Sign Up with Prism
• Customer Support
• Pros and Cons
• Should You Sign Up with Prism?

If you’ve been having difficulty paying your bills on time, and allocating your income to cover them all, there may be hope. Prism is an app that helps you manage your budget by focusing strictly on your monthly income and expenses. It will help you to organize your budget on a single platform, so you can get better control of your cash flow.

There’s a secondary benefit, but one no less important. By better organizing your day-to-day finances, you’ll reduce the likelihood of missing a payment. That can hurt your credit, especially if the late or missing payment is for a credit card or loan payment. Prism helps you avoid that outcome, keeping your credit score nice and healthy.

About Prism

Prism describes itself as a “free app that helps you get control of your money.” It works like a financial aggregator, similar to Mint and Personal Capital, except it aggregates income and expenses, rather than bank and investment accounts.

With all your expenses connected to the app, you’ll have a complete picture of your budget. There you can pay your bills and accurately match your expenses against your income.

Prism has processed more than $1 billion in bill payments in the past six years.

How Prism Works

Prism works with your mobile phone or tablet. It can be downloaded from the App Store, Google Play, Windows Phone, Windows 8, and Kindle Fire.

The specific mobile device requirements are as follows:

• An Apple iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch running iOS 7.0 or later
• An Android device running Android 4.0 or later
• An Amazon Kindle fire running Fire OS 2 or later
• A Windows PC or tablet running Windows 8 or later
• A Windows phone running Windows Phone 7 or later

After you download the app, you’ll add each of your bills. Prism will then sync your account balances and bills. There they’ll be assembled, giving you a complete picture of your budget. Going forward, you can pay your bills directly through the app.

Prism App

You’ll need to provide your login credentials for each biller you add to the app, so Prism can access and display the information going forward.

The basic strength of this app is in its simplicity. It doesn’t promise to manage your entire financial universe, or to make you rich. Instead, it focuses on the most basic of all financial activities, managing your monthly finances.

That focus shouldn’t be underestimated. Until you can get control over your monthly budget, financial forward progress in any direction simply isn’t possible. This is proven by a 2018 survey by Bankrate indicating only 39% of Americans can come up with $1,000 for an unexpected expense. That means 61% likely turn to credit, borrowing from family or friends, or have to radically cut expenses.

Getting out of that trap all starts with getting control over your income and expenses on a monthly basis. Prism is designed to help you do just that.

Handle Financial

Prism is based in Sunnyvale, California, and was founded in 2011. It was developed for the purpose of helping users stay on top of their finances by simplifying managing monthly bills. In 2016, Prism joined Handle Financial, a company that delivers next generation bill payment and presentment services. Prism is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Handle Financial, Inc.

Handle Financial is America’s largest real-time bill pay network. It doesn’t even require you to have a bank account. It allows you to accept cash payments and to manage and pay bills through the app.

The ability to accept cash works through PayNearMe, which enables you to accept cash round the clock. Designed to accept customer payments, it works through both mobile devices and through more than 27,000 retail locations nationwide, including CVS, 7-Eleven, and Family Dollar Stores.

Handle Financial’s bill paying capability is where Prism enters the picture. It acts as the outgoing channel for funds in the Handle Financial system.

Features and Benefits

Bill tracking. Prism tracks your bills continuously, and sends you reminders for due dates for each. You never have to miss a bill because you forgot about a due date.

All income and expenses are assembled on the app. That includes income, account balances and monthly expenses. It will no longer be necessary to assemble paper bills or email statements, you’ll have them all on Prism for a quick glance at any time. This also eliminates the need to log into individual websites to make your payments or check account status.

Prism pulls information into a calendar or list. This gives you the ability to know which bills are due and when. From there, you can pay each bill directly from the app.

Account syncing. Prism syncs accounts each morning. But if you need to do it sooner, you can manually refresh a biller.

Choose your bill payment source. You can choose to pay your bills from your bank account, or by debit or credit card. (PayPal is not an option at this time.)

Choose your bill payment date. You can choose to make an immediate payment, or you can choose a future date. They strongly recommend that you schedule payments within biller cutoff dates and times to avoid late fees and other penalties.

Payment cancellation. If you make a payment through Prism, you’ll have ten minutes to cancel that payment once its been sent. The service cannot be used to effect a refund, cancellation, correction or reversal of a completed payment.

Billers are listed in the system. The Prism app works with more than 11,000 billers from across the U.S. The app can automatically pull up balances and due dates.

That includes banks and credit unions, phone services, cable companies, electric utilities, insurance providers, mortgage lenders, water and waste utilities, student loan lenders, media subscriptions and other billers. They even work with state-specific billers, like health insurance companies.

Prism works with 11,000+ U.S. billers.

Unlisted billers. If a particular biller is not among the 11,000+ already on the Prism app, you can add it manually.

Prism Security

Security is a major factor with any financial account aggregator, since it provides so much personal information on a single platform. Prism is aware of the importance of security, and takes the following steps to keep your information secure:

Your personal data is never sold. This is a Prism pledge.

Encrypted communications. All communications and data transmissions are encoded so that it can only be read by either you or by Prism.

Information firewalls. Account Numbers, credentials, and other sensitive information is encrypted, so it will be useless to a hacker. The data is stored in Microsoft’s highly secure cloud service–Windows Azure. It’s one of the most advanced cloud systems in the world, and it’s considered extremely secure, both technically and physically.

No information is stored on your tablet or mobile device. Login details and payment information is not stored on your device. Prism will only transmit that information to your services when you pay a bill. But it will never be transmitted back to your mobile phone or tablet.

In addition, if your device is lost or stolen you can sign into your Prism account from another device, then delete your last device. That will ensure it can no longer provide access to your account.

Unauthorized funds transfer protection. If a transfer of funds goes through Prism that was not authorized by you, you will have limited liability. If you notify Prism within four business days of the theft from your account, your loss will be limited to no more than $50. If you fail to notify Prism within four business days, your liability could be as high as $500. If you fail to inform Prism of the loss within 90 days, the unauthorized funds transferred will be fully lost to you.

Prism Fees

Prism is a completely free app, as in no fees at all. They do disclose however that they may charge a returned item fee of $15 if your payment is returned unpaid.

So how does Prism make money? They earn small fees from some billers who prefer to work with bill paying systems, and pay a fee to Prism for the faster payments they receive.

They also disclose in the Terms and Conditions that the app will display ads from third party providers. We can assume this is one of the methods the company uses to earn revenue, thus enabling them to offer the service free to users.

How to Sign Up with Prism

To be eligible for Prism you must be at least 18 years old. You sign up by going to prismapp.com from your mobile device. You will need to create a password, account designation and personal ID number to activate your account.

Once you sign up, you’ll need to begin entering your payment accounts (bank account, credit card and/or debit card) as well as the billers you want to include in the payment app.

Customer Support

Prism has a support team available seven days per week. They aim to reply to a support inquiry within 24 hours. You can contact them through the app by tapping the Help & Support account tab. You can also contact them by email at info@prismmoney.com. Unfortunately, they don’t offer phone support, which is not at all unusual for free apps.

Pros and Cons

Prism Pros:

• Easy bill pay: Prism focuses on a single financial function, and that’s paying your bills. It doesn’t clutter the platform with your entire financial life on one app.
• Can help improve credit score: Prism can improve your credit score by helping you to pay your credit cards and other loan account on time.
• Free to use: The app won’t cost you, so it’s really a no-risk proposition.
• Payment choices: You have a choice of payment options–your bank, debit card or credit cards.
• Secure personal data: Prism doesn’t sell your personal information.
• Easy to sync with accounts: The app automatically syncs your billers each morning, keeping you up to date with each account. But you also have the option to manually update any billing account you have.
• Limited unauthorized charges: Prism limits your liability for unauthorized charges, similar to that of a debit card.

Prism Cons:

• Potential service fees: The service is currently free, but in the Terms and Conditions, Prism makes it clear they have the right to impose service fees on 21 days notice. It doesn’t mean they will, only that you should be aware that it may be possible in the future.
• App displays ads: Prism will display ads, which is a typical practice by free apps.
• Only for use with U.S. billers: Prism can be used to pay U.S. based billers only. Foreign billers are not eligible for payment through the app.
• No paper statements: No paper statements are available. Your payment history must be viewed through the app.
• No phone support: The app doesn’t offer any support for your phone – messaging through the app and email only.
• Limited use: Only billers that have a website with online bill paying capability can be used by the app. A private landlord probably won’t, and if not, you won’t be able to pay your rent using the app.
• No investing or retirement accounts: The app can’t be used to fund investment and retirement accounts.
• No autopay: For now the app doesn’t include any autopay capability, but they promise they’re working on it.

Should You Sign Up with Prism?

Because of its simplicity, Prism is an excellent app to help you get control of your monthly budget. The app is free to use, and provides notifications of upcoming bills, and even notifies you if those bills contain significant variations. Should that happen, they’ll recommend that you contact that biller, to see if there’s an error.

The app can also help you to improve your credit. By organizing your bill paying activities, there’s far less likelihood you’ll miss a payment on a credit card or other loan. This will cut down on the number of late payments that may appear on your credit report.

Prism isn’t a super sophisticated financial app that’ll make you rich or even help you to become a better investor. But it will help you with most basic of all financial activities, and that’s staying on budget.

If you’re interested in using Prism but also want to begin investing, you can use Prism along with the Acorns app. Acorns rounds up your purchases and puts the change into an investment account for you. Acorns Core, is free for college students and only $1 per month for everyone else. Because Acorns is a robo-advisor, they make investing easy, especially for beginners. Read our full Acorns Review to learn more about features and benefits.

For more information on Prism, or if you’d like to sign up for the app, visit the Prism website.

Topics: Budget • Personal Finance • Reviews

The post Prism Review – A Free App to Help You Stay on Budget appeared first on The Dough Roller.

from The Dough Roller https://ift.tt/2tE6tWw

3 Tips on Planning Your Bathroom Remodel

Main Street Arts 2

Main Street Arts 2 by PortLiving is a new 6-storey condo development located at Main & East 4th, Vancouver. This project will offer 49 market condominiums, with the unit mix comprised of 26 studio units,4 one-bedroom units, 13 two-bedroom units, and 6 three-bedroom units. A plaza at the southwest corner of the site provides social space for all those using the building. In addition to the vibrant colour accents on the exterior, a series of murals will animate the laneway.

The post Main Street Arts 2 appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.

from Projects – Vancouver New Condos https://ift.tt/2SmBtEA

Main Street Arts 2

Main Street Arts 2 by PortLiving is a new 6-storey condo development located at Main & East 4th, Vancouver. This project will offer 49 market condominiums, with the unit mix comprised of 26 studio units,4 one-bedroom units, 13 two-bedroom units, and 6 three-bedroom units. A plaza at the southwest corner of the site provides social space for all those using the building. In addition to the vibrant colour accents on the exterior, a series of murals will animate the laneway.

The post Main Street Arts 2 appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.

from Projects – Vancouver New Condos https://ift.tt/2SmBtEA

989 Victoria

989 Victoria by Cox Developments brings big city living to Victoria with its bold design presenting two soaring 15 and 17-storey glass towers rising from an exciting angular six-storey podium. This project will offer 206,1-, 2-bedroom, and penthouse condominiums, sizes range from 509 to 1,098 sq ft. At 989, the vibrant heart of Victoria-style culture is just steps away. The best of food, unique and varied shopping experiences, film, theatre, dance, and all the ambiance you look for in a place you want to be.

The post 989 Victoria appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.

from Projects – Vancouver New Condos https://ift.tt/2U71pFN

989 Victoria

989 Victoria by Cox Developments brings big city living to Victoria with its bold design presenting two soaring 15 and 17-storey glass towers rising from an exciting angular six-storey podium. This project will offer 206,1-, 2-bedroom, and penthouse condominiums, sizes range from 509 to 1,098 sq ft. At 989, the vibrant heart of Victoria-style culture is just steps away. The best of food, unique and varied shopping experiences, film, theatre, dance, and all the ambiance you look for in a place you want to be.

The post 989 Victoria appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.

from Projects – Vancouver New Condos https://ift.tt/2U71pFN

Do You Need a Financial Advisor?

Some decisions we make are not as life changing as others. When it comes to your finances, though, every decision could make or break your bank account. So if you’re holding a lot of cash in your accounts, you may need a financial advisor. In this article we’ll talk about what a financial advisor does and who would benefit best from their guidance.

When it comes to your personal finances, there are hundreds of products, services, and individuals who claim to make things better–for a price. Knowing whether or when to pay for these things can be difficult. It’s no different when it comes to the question of whether or not to pay for a financial advisor.

Let’s go through what a financial advisor does, and then we’ll talk about when their services might (or might not) be a worthwhile investment.

What is a Financial Advisor, Anyway?

There are all sorts of titles in the world of money management that include the word “advisor.” You’ve got investment advisors. Estate advisors. And financial advisors. And then there are other terms, including financial planner. All of these terms may sound the same, but they actually aren’t.

Of these terms, financial advisor is probably the broadest, since advisors can touch on long-term plans, tax and estate planning, and investing advice. Financial advisors generally operate independently or in a group of financial advisors. In general terms, financial advisors are around to give you advice on your finances.

The types of advice you’ll get can vary from practice to practice. But the very best financial advisors will act as a partner and educator about your finances. They can help you figure out how to get out of debt, decide when and how to invest your money, and learn about options for managing your tax burden.

Financial advisors generally look at the big picture when it comes to your finances. They can help you map out a plan for where you want to go with your money in the future. This could be a relatively short-term five-year plan to buy a home and start investing. Or it could be a 30-year vision for leaving a legacy to your heirs.

Financial Advisor vs. Investment Advisor

One thing many people confuse is a financial advisor versus an investment advisor. Some financial advisors are also Registered Investment Advisors (RIA), which are certified by either the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or a state securities authority. But if they go by the title of financial advisor, their focus is generally going to be more broad than just your investments.

Really, this will come down to the focus. Some investment advisors will also help you sort out other aspects of your financial life, but they’ll focus primarily on your investments. And many financial advisors will also hone in on your investments, but they’ll be part of your larger overall financial plan.

Services a Financial Advisor Might Offer

A financial advisor can typically provide you with overall financial planning and help in reaching your financial goals. These services can include:

• Budgeting advice and help
• Planning for getting out of debt
• Retirement planning
• Investment help and advice
• Insurance coverage inspection and planning
• Setting savings goals
• Figuring out what type of mortgage to get
• Advice to improve your credit score
• How to best plan for taxes and improve your tax situation
• Planning for emergencies and setting emergency savings goals
• Saving for your kids’ college educations

Financial advisors can also help you weigh the pros and cons of major life decisions that are related to your finances, such as whether and when it makes sense to downsize as you approach retirement. The best financial advisors will help you create and document financial goals and plans for every aspect of your life so that you can be more successful financially–whatever that looks like for your circumstances.

Types of Fees for Financial Advice

Financial advisors charge for their services in a variety of ways. Some charge an hourly rate, while others charge a flat fee for specific projects. They might also charge quarterly or annual retainer fees for ongoing services.

Advisors who also manage investments and assets on your behalf will often charge a fee as a percentage of the assets they manage for you. The more assets they manage, the lower the fee will typically be. These fees usually range from .5% to 2% per year.

Other financial advisors get commissions from the financial or insurance products you buy through them. Some advisors get commissions in addition to the other fees they charge.

Regardless of how your financial advisor gets paid, you’ll want to be sure you clearly understand the arrangement. A completely commission-based option may seem cheap, but those advisors may also steer you away from financial products that are ultimately in your best interest so that they can get a higher commission.

When You Might Need a Financial Advisor

You’re most likely to need a financial advisor when you’re at a crossroads in your life. They can help you successfully navigate issues like divorce, marriage, having a new baby, and starting a new career with a big pay bump.

However, having steady financial advice might also make sense for you over time if your financial situation is fairly complex. When you have a lot of assets, there’s more to think about. For instance, high net worth individuals have a lot more to worry about when it comes to taxes and estate planning. If you’re in this territory, you might benefit from steady, long-term financial advice from someone you trust.

When You Don’t Need a Financial Advisor

On the flip side, if you don’t have a lot of assets, a financial advisor could be an unnecessary expense for you right now. You might look at affordable options for one-time financial advice if you need help formulating a plan to get out of debt or improve your credit score. However, there are lots of great resources you can use online for free to help you create your own plan.

One-off financial advice can help give you direction and goals no matter where you are in your financial life. But if you’re not worrying about huge investments or a lot of assets and complex taxes, you may not want to budget for ongoing financial advice.

In these cases, a robo-advisor service could save you money and make sense for your investments. And you can use online resources to formulate your own plans for setting financial goals and getting out of debt. Here are some recomnded Robo-Advisors: Betterment, Wealthfront, M1Finance

What to Look for if You Hire a Financial Advisor

If you do decide to hire a financial advisor, here are some of the things you need to look for during the process:

• A fee-only structure. If possible, it’s best to avoid financial advisors who can gain financially when you choose certain financial and insurance products. Fee-only structures show you that your financial advisor is free to give you truly neutral advice that is in your best interest.

• A certification. There is literally a whole alphabet’s worth of financial advisor certifications. Some common ones to look for include Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Personal Finance Specialist (CFP). Ask any potential advisors where they’re certified, and then do some research to ensure that those certifications are legitimate and up to date.

• Flat fee is preferable. Obviously you want to avoid an advisor with a questionable fee structure or obvious conflicts of interest. But you may want to lean towards a flat fee for service model, which lets you know exactly what services you’ll be getting and exactly what fee you’ll pay for those services.

• A good fit. Again, different financial planners have different specialties. You literally cannot specialize in every possible area of personal finance these days, as taxes, estate planning, investing, and other topics are so complicated. So be sure the financial advisor you choose is a good fit for your particular needs. And be sure that they are a good personality fit, too. You should feel like your financial advisor is someone you can trust and lean on, whether you’re looking for a one-time financial plan or a long-term partner in reaching your financial goals.

Regardless of where you are in your financial life, a financial advisor can bring some peace and clarity to decisions you need to make. And they can help you set goals for the future. You just need to be sure you’re making the right investment in this person at the right time.

Topics: financial planning • Personal Finance

The post Do You Need a Financial Advisor? appeared first on The Dough Roller.

from The Dough Roller https://ift.tt/2Uez5Bi

Tips on Cleaning Bathroom Grout

Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card Review

How to Handle Stock Market Volatility

Whether it’s rough seas or a volatile stock market, the same rules apply. When storms rock the boat, don’t jump ship. Wait for the bad weather to pass and stay the course.

Recently a member of the Dough Roller Facebook group, Beverly D., asked a timely question about the stock market:

As you might imagine, her question sparked a robust conversation. So far her question has garnered 94 comments. Here’s a sample:

“That’s the problem with market timing: you have to guess right twice…” —John B.

“Good luck because no one knows.”—Mark S.

“Most people are predicting it will go even lower. The earning report is not looking good. We are looking like we are going into a recession now. I have not personally pulled out any money but I have money waited for when it goes lower to invest.”—Sara S.

Here was my answer: “9-24-18.”

In this article I’m going to look at this issue in more depth. How exactly should we handle market volatility? And whatever our answer is to that question, how do we actually do it? How do we overcome our emotions?

Overview of Stock Market Performance

Let’s start by looking at what happened in the market (S&P 500) over the past several months. The S&P 500 index was down about -6.24% in 2018, according to Morningstar. That number, however, doesn’t tell the whole story.

When we look at the quarterly returns of the S&P 500 in 2018, we see a painful Q4:

• Q1: -1.22%
• Q2: 2.93%
• Q3: 7.20%
• Q4: -13.97%

Because Beverly “jumped ship” at the end of September, she managed to avoid a lot of pain.

So far in 2019, things have been a bit better. As I type these words on January 24th, the index is up 5.19% YTD. I don’t know if Beverly has reinvested in the market. Even if she hasn’t however, she’s still better off having been on the sidelines that last few months.

Stories like Beverly’s present a conundrum. On the one hand we’d all like to avoid the pain of a down market. On the other hand, how likely is it that we will repeatedly get as lucky as Beverly appears to have been? Not only must we guess right when getting out of the market. We have to guess right about when to get back in. And we have to do this over and over and over again for a lifetime of investing.

We probably have a better shot at winning the Powerball lottery, twice.

Review of Studies on Timing the Market

Studies show that market timing is not a reliable way to improve investment returns. One fascinating study looked at Target Date Funds (TDF) common in 401(k) retirement accounts.

A TDF will slowly shift its asset allocation away from stocks toward bonds as workers near retirement. Some TDF managers, however, alter this “glide path,” as it’s called, in an effort to boost returns by timing the market. Keep in mind these are highly educated, trained investment advisors.

So how did they do? Not so good. According to the study by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, TDFs that timed the market reduced their returns by -11.5 basis points per year. When they focused on TDFs with a longer tracker record, the results got even worse, -14.1 basis points.

Why Staying in the Market is Difficult for Some

We know that timing the market is a bad bet. We know that all of the returns data showing how well we’ll do over the long-term assume we stay in the market. Yet some of us just can’t seem to help it. Why?

I think there are two answers: fear and greed.

Fear is an obvious explanation. It’s scary to watch your nest egg go down by 10, 20, or even 40% in a short period of time. It’s even worse if you are nearing retirement.

Further, when the market is down significantly, there are other things in the world going haywire as well. In 2008-09 we had the housing crises, banking crises, and rising unemployment. In the 4th quarter of last year, we had trade wars, a partial government shutdown, and a horrible non-call in the Rams vs. Saints game (ok, this probably didn’t affect the markets, but it was bad, real bad).

The point is that bad markets usually come with other scary things. As the bad news mounts, it’s easy to understand why some people cash out.

Greed, and it’s distant cousin, the fear of missing out, also cause some to time the market. It’s understandable for some to get tired of hearing how their friends and co-workers are killing it in the market. If they are invested heavily in bonds while the stock market parties like it’s 1999, eventually they can’t take it anymore. And they tend to get into the market at the worst time–just as it nears its zenith.

The news doesn’t help. News outlets love to publish stories about financial “experts” with predictions about future markets. These stories often start out like this–“Mr. Expert, who correctly predicted the [fill in a past financial calamity] says the stock market will [go up, go down, move sideways, do a cartwheel].”

Just for kicks, I Googled the following: “Stock market predictions 2019″

Here’s a sampling of what I found:

• USA Today: Dow outlook: Why I’m optimistic about the stock market for 2019
• Money: A Rough Road: 5 Investing Pros Predict Where the Stock Market is Headed in 2019
• NY Times: This Expert Called the Market Plunge. Here’s What He Sees in 2019

If we’re not careful, we may confuse these and similar stories as containing something of value.

Tips on Staying the Course

I hope I’ve convinced you that timing the market is a fool’s errand. Even if I have, you may still be wondering how you can stick to your investment plan in all markets. Here’s how I do it.

1. Invest primarily in index funds: We talk a lot about the value of index funds due to their low costs and superior performance. There’s another reason I favor index funds. I don’t have to worry about a fund manager making a mistake. When an actively managed fund goes down, it may be because of the market. It may be because the manager has made a horrible mistake. With index funds, I don’t have to concern myself with human error.
2. Study stock market history: A look back over the past 100 years is revealing. We’ve lived through some difficult times. From world wars to depressions to 9/11. They are painful. But we pull through. We get back up. We keep going. So does the stock market.
3. Never invest money you’ll need in the next five years: The stock market, like any investment in a business, is a long-term adventure. You shouldn’t put money in equities that you may need in the next five years. Make it ten years if that makes you more comfortable, particularly in retirement.
4. Keep your debt to a minimum: This doesn’t get much attention in terms of investing, but it’s important. I’ve found it much easier to stomach falling markets when my debt was manageable.
5. Don’t check your investments routinely: When the market is down, I often go days or weeks without looking at my balances. Some people I know go months without looking, which is even better.
6. Rebalance regularly: Rebalancing a portfolio is important to maintain your desired asset allocation. Once a year is more than enough. I find Personal Capital to be an excellent tool for understanding how your asset allocation has shifted over time.

Remember, when you embark on your investment journey, you are the captain of your own ship. It’s important to learn how to navigate through the storms as smoothly as you sail through the calm seas. Bon voyage!

Topics: Investing

The post How to Handle Stock Market Volatility appeared first on The Dough Roller.

from The Dough Roller https://ift.tt/2VcY9sS

Universal Design Ideas for Your Bathroom

Content originally published and Shared from http://perfectbath.com

Thinking about how long you’ll likely stay in your home can help you plan a universal design for your bathroom. This is beneficial to everyone in the family including the children and the elderly. If you have no idea where to start, here are some great tips:

Photo by Jose Soriano on Unsplash

Single-lever faucets
When choosing a faucet, it’s important to keep in mind how people with limited mobility will use it. A single-lever design can be turned off and on with an open palm or a closed fist, which makes it the perfect addition to a universally designed bathroom. Source: BHG

Flooring that prevents slips
Textured flooring in any location can help prevent dangerous trips, slips, and falls. Tile presents a variety of textural possibilities in the bathroom that can work for universal-design updates. “In showers, we like to cut the tiles in a two-by-two size so that you have a lot of grout in between to prevent slipping,” says Kelly. Larger floor-mat tiles with a bit of texture can also create more friction for walking. Source: ThisOldHouse

Ample space
Wheelchair-accessible bathroom dimensions require clear space of at least 5 feet (60 inches) in diameter to allow a 180-degree turn. If space is at a premium, consider keeping the room open rather than compartmentalizing the toilet so that a wheelchair’s turning radius can be accommodated. Source: HouseLogic

Easy access
Create an easy-to-use bathroom on your home’s main level. If your house has more than one floor, make sure an accommodating bathroom is located on the main level. That way, family members or guests who might not be able to handle stairs will have access to a comfortable bathroom, making your home more welcoming for everyone. Source:  DIYNetwork

Grab bars
Whether a bather is 6 or 60, anyone could use the security of a grab bar in the shower. Sleek grab bars can double as towel holders, and there are modern options that will complement the overall look of your bathroom rather than detracting from it. Source: HGTV

Take a look at our website and feel free to call us if you need help on planning your dream bathroom.

 

Contact:
Perfect Bath
Phone: Toll Free 1-866-843-1641
Calgary, Alberta
Email: info@perfectbath.com

The post Universal Design Ideas for Your Bathroom appeared first on Perfect Bath Canada.

from Perfect Bath Canada https://ift.tt/2SgD26J

Digital Marketplaces: Accounting In The World Of E-Commerce Is Not As Simple As It Seems

If there were one word that has become more and more prevalent within the world of businesses, both large and small, over the past decade or so, it would have to be ‘diversification’. The rise of the Internet and the … Continue reading →

The post Digital Marketplaces: Accounting In The World Of E-Commerce Is Not As Simple As It Seems appeared first on Chicago CPA, Accountant, Tax, Audit, Small Business Accounting Services.

from Chicago CPA, Accountant, Tax, Audit, Small Business Accounting Services https://ift.tt/2TZtRcT

Ecommerce Accounting for Beginners

Launching your online store can be a remarkable milestone for your businesses. You are ready to share your products with the world and you certainly worked hard to get there. Sadly enough, after the initial excitement has worn off, it … Continue reading →

The post Ecommerce Accounting for Beginners appeared first on Chicago CPA, Accountant, Tax, Audit, Small Business Accounting Services.

from Chicago CPA, Accountant, Tax, Audit, Small Business Accounting Services https://ift.tt/2BMGBML

Ten Invaluable Accounting Tips For Any Small Business Owner

Let’s face it – for the average person, accounting hardly has the most stellar reputation. When it comes to the nitty gritty of crunching numbers, analyzing spreadsheets, and cross-referencing data, most business owners are not particularly keen to jump right … Continue reading →

The post Ten Invaluable Accounting Tips For Any Small Business Owner appeared first on Chicago CPA, Accountant, Tax, Audit, Small Business Accounting Services.

from Chicago CPA, Accountant, Tax, Audit, Small Business Accounting Services https://ift.tt/2Sfz7r1

Cedar Ridge in Port Moody

Cedar Ridge by Allaire Living and Headwater Living is a new townhouse development located in Port Moody. This project will offer a collection of 28 executive3 and 4 bedroom townhomes. Live in the heart of a thriving suburban neighbourhood with modern amenities including a flagship supermarket, access to the Evergreen SkyTrain line, and an eclectic cluster of shops and restaurants all just minutes from home.

The post Cedar Ridge in Port Moody appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.

from Projects – Vancouver New Condos https://ift.tt/2tv6DzB

Cedar Ridge in Port Moody

Cedar Ridge by Allaire Living and Headwater Living is a new townhouse development located in Port Moody. This project will offer a collection of 28 executive3 and 4 bedroom townhomes. Live in the heart of a thriving suburban neighbourhood with modern amenities including a flagship supermarket, access to the Evergreen SkyTrain line, and an eclectic cluster of shops and restaurants all just minutes from home.

The post Cedar Ridge in Port Moody appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.

from Projects – Vancouver New Condos https://ift.tt/2tv6DzB

Roth IRA Contribution and Income Limits for 2019

A Roth IRA is a great way to save for retirement, if you qualify. Here are the Roth IRA income limits and contribution limits for 2019.

2019 Roth IRA Contribution Limits

The IRS released its 2019 update to income and contribution limits for Roth IRAs. For the first time in several years, IRA contribution limits have actually increased. Since 2013, the maximum contribution has been $5,500, but this year that rises to $6,000. The catch-up contribution for those 50 or older, which is not indexed for inflation, still remains $1,000. Remember that the IRA contribution limits apply to any of your IRAs combined–Roth and traditional. So you can contribute up to $6,000 (or $7,000 if you’re aged 50 or older) to any combination of IRAs.

In addition, the maximum deductible amount you contribute to a traditional IRA and the maximum amount you contribute to a Roth IRA may be reduced depending on whether or not you are covered by an employer-sponsored retirement plan and your income. For a traditional IRA, you can still contribute up to the maximum, but your full contribution may not be tax-deductible. For a Roth IRA, your maximum contribution may be limited by your income or, if your income is high enough, you may be unable to contribute to a Roth IRA at all.

See this information in table form below:

Tax Year	Contribution Limit (for taxpayers under age 50)	Contribution Limit (for taxpayers age 50 or over by the end of the year)
2019	$6,000	$7,000
2018	$5,500	$6,500
2017	$5,500	$6,500
2016	$5,500	$6,500
2015	$5,500	$6,500
2014	$5,500	$6,500
2013	$5,500	$6,500
2012	$5,000	$6,000
2011	$5,000	$6,000
2010	$5,000	$6,000

Roth IRA Income Limits

Before you get too excited about a Roth IRA, remember that your income can disqualify you from opening one or can limit the amount you can contribute to one. To determine your eligibility, you need to know your modified AGI (adjusted gross income) and filing status.

The income limits typically rise a bit every year because of inflation. For 2019, the Roth IRA contribution limit is phased out based on the following income levels:

• For single or head of household filers, the phase-out range is $22,000 to $137,000. If your modified AGI is more than $137,000, you cannot contribute to a Roth IRA. If it is between those two amounts, you can contribute a reduced amount to your account.
• For those who are married filing jointly*, the phase-out range is $193,000 to $203,000. If your combined, modified AGI is more than $203,000, you cannot contribute to a Roth IRA in 2019. And if your income is within the phase-out range, you can contribute a limited amount.
• Finally, if your filing status is married filing separately (you live with your spouse at any time during the year), the phase-out range is $0 to $10,000. If you make more than $10,000 and file as married filing separately*, you cannot contribute to a Roth IRA in 2019.

Check out this information, along with historical income limits, in table form below:

Tax Year	Single/Head of Household Filers	Married Filing Jointly/Qualified Widow(er) Contributions	Married Filing Separately*
2019	$122,000 – $137,000	$193,000 – $203,000	$0 – $10,000
2018	$120,000 – $135,000	$189,000 – $199,000	$0 – $10,000
2017	$118,00 – $133,000	$186,000 – $196,000	$0 – $10,000
2016	$117,000 – $132,000	$184,000 – $194,000	$0 – $10,000
2015	$116,000 – $131,000	$183,000 – $193,000	$0 – $10,000
2014	$114,000 – $129,000	$181,000 – $191,000	$0 – $10,000
2013	$112,000 – $127,000	$178,000 – $188,000	$0 – $10,000
2012	$110,000 – $125,000	$173,000 – $183,000	$0 – $10,000
2011	$107,000 – $122,000	$169,000 – $179,000	$0 – $10,000
2010	$105,000 – $120,000	$167,000 – $177,000	$0 – $10,000

*Note: If you file married, filing separately and do not live with your spouse at any point during the tax year, you can use the limits for single/head of household filers. If you do live with your spouse at any point during the year, you’ll be limited to the $0-$10,000 phase out range.

If you want to open an IRA account, I think Betterment is worth serious consideration. If you want to trade individual stocks and ETFs in your IRA, check out our list of IRA discount brokers.

Topics: Retirement Planning

The post Roth IRA Contribution and Income Limits for 2019 appeared first on The Dough Roller.

from The Dough Roller https://ift.tt/2fQJXmK