Author Archives: Frugalista Japan

Switching to a Organic Lifestyle

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You may have heard in the news a lot lately about living an organic lifestyle. There is proven studies that show there are a lot of harmful chemicals used in many different industries that can affect our health in both the long term and short term. All of the news stories can be taken however you wish, but is it worth the gamble? Below is some areas of your home that can use an organic facelift to put you in the right direction to living a healthier lifestyle for you and your family.

Food

One of the main areas of concern when it comes to toxic chemicals entering our body is with the food you eat. Most people have heard of the “dirty dozen” which is basically the top 12 foods that should be bought organic. These are Celery, Peaches, Strawberries, Apples, Domestic Blueberries, Nectarines, Sweet Bell Peppers, Spinach, Kale, Collard Greens, Cherries, Potatoes, Imported Grapes, and Lettuce. The “clean fifteen” also references the top 15 foods that are the cleanest. These include Onions, Avocados, Sweet Corn, Pineapples, Mango, Sweet Peas, Asparagus, Kiwi Fruit, Cabbage, Eggplant, Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Grapefruit, Sweet Potatoes, and Sweet Onions. Some complain that organic is more expensive and not easy on your wallet. This is the case so if your budget is an issue than it is best to pick and choose which products are more important to buy organic. For example, an item in the dirty dozen should always be bought organic but don’t buy organic for other products.

Cleaning Products

The chemicals found in your household cleaning products can be very harsh. Bleaches and such can be harmful. There are a lot of “clean” and organic options available in this area. They can be found in either the organic or cleaning section of your local grocery store. A lot of essential oils that are all natural have been found to be just as effective without the harmful effects on your body and health. These products are also multi-purpose so you can save some money in that aspect.

Beauty Products

It is a known fact that there are many things that are banned in other countries that are not banned in the United States. A lot of these chemicals can be found in your beauty products and therefore are entering your system. Once again it is best to ditch your normal beauty routine for an organic one. There are many apps and websites that provide information on existing products and their cleanliness. Just look up what you have or want to get to see if it is safe.

No matter what, every individual cares about their health and wellbeing as well as their family’s. It is best to look into your food, cleaning products and beauty products to see if you can introduce more safer options in your life.

Essential Oils

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The organic and all natural craze is on the rise in the United States. People are trying to buy everything “clean” when it comes to every aspect of their life…food, household products, beauty products, etc. One product that has also become very popular is Essential Oils. There are many different varieties and many different types available. Essential Oils are basically an oil extracted from a plant or varietal in nature. These aromatic compounds are found in the seeds, bark, stems, roots, flowers, and other parts of plants. Essential oils have long been used for food preparation, beauty treatment, and health-care practices. Basically you can either use them for their smell or their intended beauty/health benefit. Currently there are many different companies selling these products so you may be familiar with or heard of them. Many are selling these items through direct sales to make a supplemental income for their families. The world of essential oils can be very complex but below is a basic introduction.

Application

Essential oils are very potent and come in a tiny glass bottle. They need to be stored properly in a dry and cool place. They can be used individually or also be mixed to create a perfect blend. Those who sell oils even have pre blended oils to make it easier for you. An oil can either be diffused or used on your body. To diffuse the oil you must purchase a diffuser. You can find these items basically anywhere oils are sold, but be sure you are purchasing one that works well with these potent oils. Diffusers are basically humidifiers because you add the oil to water and it is diffused into steam. As far as using the oils topically, you have to be careful to read up on the oil before using it on yourself. Some can be put directly on your skin but some may need to be diluted. To dilute an oil you use a carrier oil which can be something like coconut oil or olive oil. Oils can be applied to different parts of your body depending on their use. Places like your wrists, neck, feet are very popular and most effective.

Uses

As previously mentioned, the uses for essential oils are endless. They can be used in food, in beauty products and also many healing/medicinal purposes. Besides these listed benefits, oils simply smell good and can be used for their fragrances to make your home smell nice. Examples of oils that can be used in cooking are oregano, rosemary, nutmeg, or lemon. OIls like lavender or peppermint are often used in soaps and lotions. Many people use oils for household items like cleaners, laundry detergent, dish detergent or bug spray. Certain oils are often proven to help things such as stress, colds, allergies, and pain.

Basically there are many uses for essential oils. If you are interested, it is best to start off with the staple/basic oils to start your collection and go from there. There are whole communities built around these products and a lot of resources are available to help you learn the way.

How to Improve your Finances

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Every family has gone through a financial slump in some form. Whether you got in over your head with student  loans, credit cards, spending, medical costs, etc. you probably are looking for a way to improve your personal finances. It seems pretty simple, lower your spending and increase your savings, but it isn’t always that simple. How do you take the first steps to improving your financial status? It can be overwhelming! I was able to come across an app that can help you in this area of your life as well as many others. The app Setapp offers you access to many personal finance apps that can you help you in this journey. The idea behind the app is that you are given access to dozens of apps for a minimal monthly fee. Below are a few apps that I found to be helpful in this subject.

 

Chronicle

 

Chronicle is an app that allows you to track and pay bills as well as manage your personal finances. It includes a bill planner that is very easy and simple to use. It allows you to be notified when bills are due and makes sure you do not miss the deadline. You can also analyze and plan your budget to see where you are going wrong and also what you should continue doing.

 

MoneyWiz

 

Moneywiz is similar to chronicle in that it helps you organize your finances. However, it is more than just a bill organizer. It is a robust personal finance software. It allows you to track your spending in your accounts. You can run reports instantly across all of your devices to check your status. It works with your online banking accounts.

 

Home Inventory

 

Assets are not only in the form of money in your bank account, but also physically in your home. By using the Home Inventory app you can manage your home and belongings. Similar to warehouse stock taking and home inventory control, it is great to use with collectibles as well as simply organizing your home. Moreover, a separate iOS companion app is available outside of Setapp for remote entry and backup of your catalogues.

 

These three simple apps can greatly help with your personal financial standings. Just by being organized and knowing where you are spending your money can help you tremendously. It makes the equation of spending less in order to save more more achievable. Enjoy setapp not only for this benefit but for many other areas of your life that need help.

 

Being Money-Smart in a New City

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Ah, home sweet home. You’re happily kicked back in your new home and you’re slowly but surely getting used to the new city waiting to be discovered all around you. Unfortunately, your new stomping grounds can come with a high cost attached if you’re not careful with your finances. That cost can continue to trip you up long after you’ve stopped reflexively giving out your old address or phone number by mistake. Here are a few tips to keep your wallet as comfortable in your new home as you are.

Potential Pitfall # 1: Groceries

Even if you’re the king or queen of takeout, sooner or later you’ll need a few staples for the fridge. In your first few weeks after moving, get to know your local grocery stores and note prices for common items like bread, milk and eggs. If you have a handful of items that you can’t live without (for me, it’s a particular brand of pesto) take a peek at those as well.

Sure, spending that extra $1.50 on a gallon of milk might not seem like a big deal, but when you consider that cost accumulating every week for a year, it’s a luxury tax you don’t need to be paying. If your local grocery stores offer a shop-at-home option, make use of it: not only can you comparison shop a few stores right at your desk, but picking up or getting delivery for an already-assembled order keeps impulse purchases to a minimum.

 

Potential Pitfall # 2: Car Insurance, Gas, & Parking Costs

If you own a car, it’s easy to forget that these costs definitely change when your address does. Insurance costs can vary wildly depending on your new state and city—sometimes in your favor, sometimes not. It’s worth it to obtain a few competitors’ quotes to make sure you’re not getting hit with an unnecessary insurance hike.

Certain smartphone apps like GasBuddy can direct you to the cheapest gas stations nearby. Keep your eyes out for ads on classified websites like Craigslist for nearby parking space opportunities if spaces are in short supply in the immediate area around your building or home.

 

Potential Pitfall # 3: Other Transportation

If you don’t own a car, or don’t drive it often, you’re likely taking advantage of public transit options in the area. If you’ve moved for a job, make sure to ask your H.R. department about potential savings on transit passes (many companies, especially larger ones, have negotiated discounts on bus and train fare for commuting employees). If you’ve moved for school, the same rule applies: student discounts can save you a bundle!

If you only need one-off rides now and then, consider using phone apps like Uber and Lyft, both of which often offer discount codes. If you prefer your own wheels, unique car rental services like Zipcar can be an inexpensive alternative to owning a vehicle and paying for parking and insurance.

 

Potential Pitfall # 4: Socializing

Naturally, you’ll want to make friends and start setting up a social network in your new locale—that’s great! What’s not so great is looking at your wallet after paying for a round or two. If you’re planning to go out and don’t want to look like a cheapskate, scope out websites for bars, look for cost info in Yelp reviews and hunt down promotional nights and specials before ever leaving the house. Bring a set amount of cash with you so you’re not tempted to overspend, and make sure to eat before you head out to eat so that you can savor small plates or tapas treats without a growling stomach driving your menu selections.

Potential Pitfall #5: Passing Stores on the Street

When I was living in New York City, it never ceased to amaze me how easy it was for a simple journey from point A to point B to get interrupted by stopping to make a purchase along the way. In cities in particular, you tend to be surrounded by new shops and culture that seem new and exciting. Sometimes just the fact that they are there in front of you makes them tempting.

In walking cities especially, it can be easy to get distracted by the things you are passing. Rather than maintaining tunnel visions and keeping yourself from looking around and actively participating in your own journey from A to B, you can work to avoid distractions by setting a certain amount of time for yourself to get somewhere, only carry a certain amount of money with you, or just practice having the discipline to say no to your urges to shop when shopping was not your intention.

Get Out There!

Your new city is full of exciting new restaurants, entertainment and sights to discover, and if you’re conscious about where your money is going, you’ll enjoy them that much more. No one wants to frantically check their online balance instead of streaming another season of a favorite show on Netflix, so save yourself the fiscal anguish and use these tips to keep your bank account balance….balanced!

Ross Cameron is a full-time day trader and owner of  Warrior Trading which he founded in 2012 as a live trading chat room emphasizing education and idea generation. Before he achieved success by trading stocks, he taught himself many ways to save money on a day-to-day basis. Today he continues to trade in his chat room and teach trading courses, and lives with his family in Vermont.

3 Unlikely Characters Featured in Slot Machines

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Slot machines are the most versatile casual games of all time. Invented over a century ago, they are there wherever you look: in casinos, in pubs, at gas stations, and all over the big online. People play them for fun on their smartphones and computers, and for real at All Slots Online Casino, where they have a massive collection of games to try. Slot machines can be inspired by an incredible variety of things, from video games to movies, TV series, myths, even toys and nursery rhymes. Sometimes, the characters that serve as an inspiration for a slot machine are quite unlikely, or even surprising, like in the case of the games below.

Thor

Thor is one of the most popular deities ever – and not only on the big screen. He was popular even before the first issue of the comics telling his story were published – especially in the Germanic cultures of Europe. While his popularity was at its peak in the Viking times, he is one of the gods never forgotten. And he is the protagonist of several slot machines.

Thunderstruck and its sequel Thunderstruck II are among the most popular slot machines at the All Slots Casino. The games are not inspired by the Thor movie (the first game appeared years before Thor made it to the big screen). Instead, it depicts the god as he is described in the Poetic Edda – a blond giant with a massive hammer capable of shooting lightning bolts on his enemies. Yes, the comic book (and movie) character is strongly inspired by the original myths.

Hades

Hades is often considered an evil Greek god – but nothing could be further from the truth. Instead of being a fallen angel, Hades is the brother of Zeus and Poseidon, and he became the ruler of the Underworld (the Greek equivalent of heaven and hell) by pure chance. He is actually a fascinating character, utterly fair, and quite dark – but his darkness is caused by his dwelling place’s darkness and depressive nature.

In Hot as Hades, a slot machine recently released by the All Slots Casino, Hades is depicted as an overall nice guy. His only concern seems to be making the most of his eternal rule in the Underworld – he dives head-first into pools of molten lava, he flies around using his invisible jet pack and playing with his three-headed puppy, Cerberus.

Agent 47

A casual game inspired by a hit video game? Well, unlikely as it may sound, it happens in the world of online casinos. One of the most interesting characters to serve as a slot machine protagonist is Agent 47, cloned and raised by a secret organization and trained to be the perfect assassin.

Agent 47 is the protagonist of one of the most popular slot machines at the All Slots Online Casino. Inspired by Square Enix’s successful stealth video game series, it mixes mystery and wins in a unique combination, with the black suit, the tools of the trade, and big wins all over its reels.

Calculate The Amount Needed To Retire | How Much Do I Need To Retire?

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Trying to calculate the amount of cash savings and other assets you’re going to need in place so that you can enjoy your upcoming retirement? You’re not alone. There are loads of financial planners’ advice columns available to learn from. Each of them have their own specific recommendations, but there’s something you should know: Nobody can tell you “the best” way to calculate your retirement amount. It’s not possible! Here’s why

How much do I need to retire comfortably?

You can plug your information into any online retirement fund calculator, and get many accurate, precise monetary amounts spat back at you. That’s all good – but basically worthless. You see, when you plug in those variables into those calculators, YOU are guessing at future contribution amounts. You are dictating the age when you want to retire. You are guessing the amounts you’re going to faithfully contribute. And you are assuming nothing catastrophic happens in your world, or in the financial markets realm. That’s a lot of guessing to come up with such specific numbers. Don’t you think?

Calculate Retirement Amount: Simple Example

Assume that you are 45 now, and that you would like to retire at age 65. That means you have 20 years to save and invest. You “guess” that you will live to be 80 years old, meaning you will need enough in your retirement fund to last you 15 years (80 – 65). You “choose” that you will need $30,000 annually to maintain your “chosen” lifestyle. $30,000 x 15 (years) = $450,000. Now, at 45 years old, you have 20 years to accumulate $450,000 in your retirement fund. That’s $22,500 per year. Simple mathematics, right?

But wait a minute: that’s almost all choosing and guessing! If you can foresee the future, and know that you definitely going to meet all your retirement fund investment goals, then you’re completely amazing! Most people simply can’t do it. Here’s why:

  •  You have no knowledge of or control over financial markets conditions.
  • Stock markets crash
  • Currency rates fluctuate.
  • The Prime Rate can change at any moment.
  • The amount you choose that you will need annually may have a completely different real value at your chosen retirement age.
  • You may or may not be able to make your intended contributions.

Getting the picture now?

The truth about calculating your necessary retirement amount?

Even if you are an incredibly detailed, strategic, determined and consistent person, there will be events and happenings that will occur – things you will not be able to control. It certainly doesn’t hurt a thing to use a retirement planning calculator. Go ahead: plug in some variables. Experiment with different input amounts. It’s sort of fun – and it gives you a somewhat solid basis to plan your retirement on. You just have to remember that life will happen.

Sometimes you will probably fall short of making your contributions. Other times, maybe you will exceed your intentions. In the end, as long as you’re actively planning and making the contributions you can, you’re going to be just fine. Relax and enjoy…

How can salespeople win contracts?

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Those who work in sales constantly need to look to win new business. Doing so, however, is not always the easiest of tasks, especially as many organisations remain cautious about spending money in the challenging economic climate.

Luckily, there are plenty of things salespeople can do when meeting with clients to increase their chances of converting leads into new business. First of all, let’s look at the pitch you deliver. This is crucial in terms of determining whether or not a would-be client wants to do business with you, so the importance of planning exactly what you are going to say really cannot be underestimated.

If you are not already doing so, it is a good idea to think about using an ‘elevator speech’. This business concept is based on the notion that a businessperson needs to introduce themselves, the product and/or service their organisation offers and why they deserve attention in the time that it takes to travel several floors in a lift.

Ideally, such speeches should not last any more than a couple of minutes, so you may need to put in a significant amount of practice to ensure that you don’t spend too much time talking non-stop. Otherwise, you might find that listeners’ minds will start to wander and they don’t pay attention to what you have to say.

Regardless of the company you work for or what you are trying to sell, you should remember that virtually everyone you present your speech to will ask themselves “what’s in it for me?”. As such, you need to be certain your pitch highlights precisely why you (and your organisation) are worth people’s time and money.

While putting in plenty of practice is vital in coming up with a well-prepared pitch, a good salesperson should never deliver speeches that feel robotic. Instead, you ought to be prepared to tailor your talk directly to would-be customers and, of course, be ready to answer any questions that are put to you.

As a pitch ought to capture people’s imagination and make them eager to learn more about what you offer, you should spend a little time considering what things potential clients will be most interested to find out more about. How much a service will cost is often a common query among would-be clients, so it’s definitely worth having these figures to hand.

With any luck, your speech should do enough to convince a business to sign up to receive your organisation’s offering or at least encourage them to set up a second meeting in the future. Regardless of the outcome of the initial meeting, it is a good idea to give those you meet a corporate gift before you leave their office.

There’s a wide range of promotional gifts, though it is perhaps best to offer goods that executives and other decision makers will be encouraged to use on a regular basis. This could include, for example, business card holders, fountain pens and paperweights. No matter what you choose, make sure your company’s logo is clearly visible on the items you give out. That way, your brand, organisation and even your sales pitch is likely to resonate long after the meeting has ended.

Studies from the British Promotional Merchandise Association show that 56 per cent of people feel more favourable about a company that has supplied them with a promotional product. So, it could be that being given a gift gives the additional push needed to buy whatever it is you are offering.

If you’re a salesperson, please let us know what steps you are taking to make sure you are always in a position to secure new business by leaving a comment below.

 

What Secure Ways Are there To Play with Real Money on Online Casinos?

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Online casinos can provide casino gaming options either for free or using real money. To be able to play with real money, players must use one of the many payment methods to add funds to their account. Online casinos will only support secure methods of payment as they do not wish to risk their customer’s sensitive information. Since the concept of online commerce began, many different banking services have been developed.

One choice that is becoming a favorite amongst those who use online casinos is ewalletXpress. EwalletXpress allows players to move funds from there bank account to their online casino account. A wide range of currencies are supported by this system and conversions can be made when necessary, making it easy to play on sites worldwide. EwalletXpress is a fast and secure method for transferring funds and is recognized by many casino sites. The company behind EwalletXpress uses up to date encryption software and stringent security measures.

When setting up for the first time, all financial information is only needed once, this is a positive feature for amny customers as it means there is no need to constantly type in the same information everytime you want to play online.

As soon as you have real money deposited into your online casino account, then you are ready to participate in casino gaming for cash. You can choose to play one of the many varieties of poker. Some of these games are community poker games. This means that there are certain cards revealed that anyone can use in building their hand. Texas Hold ‘Em is a common type of community poker game found at online casinos. Some community poker games like Omaha Poker have two winners. One player wins for having the highest ranking hand while another wins for having the lowest. The pot is split between the two players

Are You a Short-Term or Long-Term Investor?

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Do you like to invest your money? What do you typically invest in? Stocks? Bonds? Real estate? Precious metals? Do you think you’re a long-term investor or a short-term investor? Let’s explore the various types of investing and decide whether you are attempting to make short-term gains or whether you’re truly looking to prosper in the distant future from your investments today.

Long Term Investments

Many of you work in corporate jobs that offer 401(k) plans. Some of your companies even offer a match up to a certain perfect of what you put into your retirement fund. If you are contributing some of your earnings into a 401(k) account, this is most definitely a long-term investment. Your money is put into this account with the expectation that it won’t come out before you reach the age of 59 ½ years of age. If you do, then you will be penalized a percentage of your fund’s current value. If you are putting money into this account for a short term gain, please don’t because it won’t pay off for you.

Real estate is another great form of a long-term investment. Well, as long as you’re purchasing it as a rental that is. At this time, real estate can still be purchased for a reasonable rate. Let’s say a property is valued at $100,000 (just to keep things simple). The rent for this property will most likely be $1,000 per month, or $12,000 a year. So, even if you have the absolute perfect renter that pays every month and stays for an entire year, you’ll still only collect 12% of your investment for that year. But, as a long term thinker, you realize that not only are you gaining a return on your investment, but the equity in your rental home is also increasing. So, you could actually be earning 17% or more on your house instead of just 12%. If you earn that over the course of 30 years, you’ll have quite the chunk of change!

Short Term Investments

If you head to the bank, they have a few short term investment options available to you. For starters, you could invest your money into a simple checking account that pays interest (my credit union pays 3%). They also offer CDs that pay just a little more than 1%, but if you don’t plan on doing anything with your money for the next year anyway, then it might be a decent way to make a quick buck.

The stock market is a great place for people that like to make short term gains. In fact, spread betting is one of the most popular ways to earn money fast. If you believe that a stock price will move up or down from its current state, you could place a spread bet for more money than you’re actually putting down, and you don’t even have to buy the stock to do it! A great deal of money can be made in a short period of time, but of course a great deal could be lost as well. Invest wisely.

How to Trade in the Forex Market

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Trading on the Forex market is something most of us have never ever deemed as a means of making money. The field of professional finance typically seems extremely distant from the real world, and quite often it is, yet it’s actually much easier to get involved than you might think.

If you think of an investor, a traditional bank or prosperous businessperson likely comes to mind. The truth is, it can be you or me. Exchanging currency to make money doesn’t require a huge capital expense. While you will obviously make more money the more you have available to put in, a lot of brokers will permit you to begin with as little as $10. Many offer a demo forex account, so that you can trade with virtual cash to see how the whole thing works. You simply need a working computer and an account with an fx broker.

In their simplest terms, the currency market is all about buying and selling currency in order to make a nice gain. This revenue is created because the value of one currency versus another continually fluctuates. The idea is to speculate on whether or not the currency pair, e.g. GBP/USD, will improve or deteriorate. You ‘buy’ a currency whenever you expect it to increase, or ‘sell’ if you expect it to fall.

There are several influencing factors and complicated charts that can help you choose how to buy and sell, but one of the most effective ways of analyzing the direction of a currency is to utilize the news. When the news sounds like the market of one currency is suffering, then it’s fair to assume this will be mirrored in the value of the currency.

When you finally become secure predicting patterns in line with the news, you can consider all other varieties of signals, like those you can view in charts and simple analysis. Seasoned investors utilize a large number of sources to help them trade fx .

Foreign exchange trading like it is done at UK Forex brokers is accessible to everyone because, unlike the stock exchange, you are able to deposit a small amount of cash which allows you to hold a position of a higher value. A number of broker agents offer you leverage of 100:1 so that if you deposit $10, you’ll be able to reap the benefits of trading with $1000. Keep in mind though, that as the current market changes you can actually generate losses, and this could exceed your initial deposit.

Trading on the foreign exchange market may not be for every individual; there’s an inherent risk, but with experience and careful methods, earning profits is certainly feasible. There is a great deal of in-depth information available on the internet free of charge, so even learning doesn’t have to cost you anything at all. If it sounds like something you’d be interested in, maybe you should out a trial account? They cost nothing and you could really acquire a feel for the market. It’s not only a method of earning profits either; forex trading is exciting.