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How to Look After Your Collection

How to Look After Your Collection

Many people make a hobby out of collecting things; of course, some stick to certain types of items, whereas others broaden their collections to include all sorts of interesting variations. Collecting items from far and wide is now far easier than it used to be, thanks to the widespread use of the internet. This means that you can potentially grow any collections that you choose to have into a particularly unique and valuable commodity. 

Of course, not every collection is going to be worth the money. However, that does not mean that it will be any less enjoyed by those with a particular interest in individual items or their history or origin.

Items that are deemed collectible

It all comes down to what you are interested in and what you have room to store. It is likely that over time your collections will grow, and you will want to keep hold of every item. Choosing something small to collect will mean that you will have fewer issues with storage room over choosing something larger, but if you have the space you could go for large items. For instance, Mike Savage New Canaan, is not short of space at his home in Connecticut, so he has chosen to collect classic muscle cars. In order to get the most enjoyment out of his collection, he is now a well-known enthusiast and spends some of his spare time helping and educating others on how to look after their muscle cars as well as how to build their collection.

Of course, you do not have to limit yourself to just one collection, Mike Savage has proven that if you have the room, you can divide your time into multiple collections as he has with his Lego and Michael Jordan sneakers collections. Undoubtedly, for some, if not all, of your collections, you are going to want to have them (or at least your prime items) on display for everyone else to enjoy too.

Finding room in your home 

There are various different types of display cases available to you, although you would probably want to invest in a purpose-built one, especially for your space and for your collections. This is because if you choose a standard bookcase to house your collection, you will find that there is either wasted space due to the shelves being too far apart or that the shelves are too close together to fit your collection’s individual items. 

In order to showcase your collection properly, you should endeavor to have space around each item, as this will bring focus to the piece rather than having them jumbled close together or on top of each other. You will also save on the items getting damaged while on display. This presents even more reasons to pay for a purpose-built display case. 

Your display case needn’t sit flush to a wall either as long as it is made of strong, sturdy material that will not be easily toppled over. For instance, using your collection display as a room divider could provide a vocal point to a room while making the most of your collection as it will be viewed from different angles. Of course, you will also be able to specify what material you would like your display to be made out of so that it complements the other furniture in your home and settles nicely into its surroundings.

Sourcing additional storage

For those collections that have swollen to being too large for display purposes, you are going to need to look further afield for your storage options. This is OK, as you have a few available to you. If you have land to spare and some money, there is no reason why you cannot build a purpose-built building in your yard to house your additional collection – you may even be able to showcase it there. However, you will have to make sure that your state does not have any regulations or laws about the size of the building or the materials you are using before you invest any money in its creation.

If this is all good, then you will also have to think very carefully about added security around your home – even more so if your collection is of highly valuable items. Installing CCTV cameras, for instance, and alarms will most certainly be a good idea, and you may find that installing security lighting that is motion activated could also help as a deterrent.

Of course, if this is not a viable solution, you have the option to hire a storage unit. You can either have one brought to your home to be stored on your property or have one located at the provider’s site. Either works, but you will have to keep in mind that rental payments will have to be made regularly, or there will be the risk of the contents of your storage container being possessed by the provider. 

When choosing your storage provider, you will need to consider the amount of security and fire protection they offer, as well as the access that you will be granted to your items. You will also need to check whether the storage unit includes a certain level of insurance or whether you have to take care of that yourself. This can be especially important if you intend to store something that is extremely valuable that might, for instance, have to be mentioned separately in any home insurance policy.

Final thoughts

The trick is finding the right items for you to collect lies very much in what you are interested in. If, for instance, you are interested, like Mike Savage, in classic muscle cars but do not have the space or financial capacity for the real Mckoy, then you could look at collecting their smaller versions from well-known toy producers. The idea behind the collections is that you enjoy them, show them to others to share in your enjoyment, and create a hobby that will provide you with a worthwhile investment.

Paul Haarman: 4 Reasons Why Starting a Franchise May Not Be the Best Choice for You…And What to Do Instead

Franchise

But before we get to that, let’s back up a step and consider this:

What is Franchise Business Ownership?

You may be envisioning hard work and success. And you’ve probably thought about owning your own business at some point in your life…but did you know there’s a way to do it where someone else does most of the work for you? When you buy a franchise, you’re buying into an established business model that includes everything from product branding to purchasing power. In other words, when you join a franchise system, you get access to products and services that have been tested by many others before they came on the market—and proven successful. Your part of the deal is simply operating within the confines of their proven business model and handing over a portion of your profits for the privilege.

Sounds great…but does it really work?

The short answer is yes, but there’s more to it than that: While the typical franchise owner enjoys financial stability and professional success, not everyone should consider buying a franchise no matter what you’ve heard—and there are good reasons why some people should avoid them altogether. But we’re not talking about those people; we’re talking about you —whether you’re considering starting a franchise as a first-time small business owner or as an experienced entrepreneur with another company under his belt already.

Here are four reasons why franchising may not be the best choice for you (and some advice on what to do instead):

Reason #1 – Franchising is a commitment

According to Paul Haarman when you buy a franchise, you’re making a commitment to the franchisor and their system of business. In return, they commit to training and supporting you as you work toward success. This means investing time in learning the ins and outs of the way things work from your franchisor’s perspective, as well as following their lead rather than going with your gut when it comes to business decisions. If this sounds a little too hands-off for you, then maybe starting a franchise isn’t what you’d like to do after all. It takes effort and dedication on both sides, but if it works out right, the result can be amazing: A small business owner with all the support they need to focus on their business while the franchisor takes responsibility for developing and bringing new products to market, expanding into new regions, and attracting more franchisees.

Reason #2 – Franchising isn’t usually an option for consumers

When you hear the word “franchise,” what comes to mind? A fast-food restaurant like McDonald’s or Subway? Or perhaps a gasoline station likes Shell or Chevron. Chances are, your first thought wasn’t “a local car detailing service” or “an in-home care giving agency.” So keep this in mind: When you buy a franchise, you’re buying into an established system of business that works well but may not fit with your goals as an entrepreneur. The focus of most franchises is either mass-producing a product or service, either within the confines of a single location or across multiple regions. If you dream of running your own business but want to focus on creating an original model all your own, then starting a franchise may not be for you.

Reason #3 – Buying into a franchise can cost big bucks

For many people who are just starting out in business—or just hoping to start their businesses soon—buying into a franchise isn’t really an option when it comes down to it. The initial investment required can be steep, especially if you’re buying into one of the big-name franchises like Subway or Dunkin’ Donuts; some new franchises even require liquid assets (read: money in the bank) in excess of $500,000 to cover startup costs. If this sounds a little too steep for your budget, remember that you don’t have to buy into a franchise all on your own—you can always look into buying an existing franchise as a “startup team” and spread the risk among multiple investors instead of going it alone.

Reason #4 – Franchising may not maximize profits

In case you’re new to business altogether, there’s one thing every entrepreneur needs: profits. So when considering whether or not franchising is the right choice for your small business dreams and goals, be sure to ask yourself: Will I make more money starting my own independent business? It’s possible —in fact, many independent businesses do better than their franchised counterparts. It’s all about knowing yourself and the kind of business you want to run: Franchises like Subway and Dunkin’ Donuts work well when they’ve got a large market share in place already, but if your dreams are closer to home-based or service-oriented, then starting out with your own independent business may be the better choice.

Conclusion by Paul Haarman:

Whatever kind of business you’re thinking about starting—from a mom-and-pop general store all the way to an international franchise like Subway or Dunkin’ Donuts—there’s one thing that remains the same: Starting any kind of small business requires both time and effort. Franchising may seem like an easy shortcut, but it isn’t for everyone. If you’re looking to take control of your own future by building your own business empire on your terms, then it might be time to start holding yourself accountable for making things happen instead of handing over the reins to someone else.

How To Get Your Charity Noticed

How To Get Your Charity Noticed

Are you struggling to get your charity noticed? It is frustrating when you have an important cause that you are supporting but struggle to reach people. However, there are things that you can do to get your charity noticed. Although you might not have the same amount of money and resources as a typical business, there are several steps that you can take to get your charity noticed and this could make a big difference to your success as an organization. This post will show you a few of the best strategies to use that will get your charity noticed, communicate your message, and help you to achieve your aims. 

Create a High-Quality Website

First, you need to make sure that you have a high-quality website for your charity. This will be where people visit to learn more about your charity and what you stand for (and could be somewhere that people donate). To find success, you need to make sure that this website stands out and this means that it is worth using a professional web design company.

Get a Digital Strategy in Place

Once you have a high-quality website, you will want to get a digital strategy in place. You can use the services of a digital marketing and communications agency that specializes in charity and not-for-profit marketing, so that they can devise a digital strategy that will boost your visibility online and help you to reach your target market. The top agencies will also be able to educate you on how to maximize your marketing budget and get the most out of the channels available to you.

Get Active on Social Media

Social media is the perfect platform for not-for-profit organizations when you know how to use it effectively. You will want to post high-quality, engaging, and informative content about your cause and how people can get involved and then be responsive online. You want to encourage your followers to share your content, so that you can reach a much wider audience, and this means that the content needs to be engaging. You should also participate in discussions and try to build relationships with your target market.

Host Events

Another great way to get noticed and build relationships is by hosting events. This gives you the chance to engage with your target market, raise awareness about your cause (and funds), and make direct connections. You can host both in-person events, like fundraisers, as well as virtual events (a major trend right now). 

Find an Influencer

Influencer marketing is hugely popular in the business world right now and can also be an effective way for a charity to get noticed. If you can find someone with influence to recommend your charity, then this will help you to reach a much larger audience while also building credibility. 

These are just a few of the best strategies to use that should help you to get your charity noticed and help you to achieve your goals.

Weight Loss: 7 Healthy Foods for Weight Loss

Weight Loss

If you are trying your best to lose weight, then you may be tempted to reduce calories. However, eating too little can put your health at several severe risks. In fact, a study indicates that a diet of fewer than 1,000 calories per day fails to provide balanced nutrition with the body’s needs; therefore, this may lead to mineral and vitamin deficiencies associated with serious health problems.

In addition, eating fewer calories than you need causes the body to break down its own organ and muscle tissues for fuel. According to the best nutritionist, lean tissue mass can slow down the metabolic rate, which is not good enough for weight loss. 

Therefore, restricting your calories intake, it is good to feed your body healthier foods. It would be a more effective weight loss strategy. If weight loss is your goal, then these foods can play an important role in your weight loss journey.

Foods for Weight Loss

Here is a list of some best foods to support your weight loss plan without experiencing any mineral or vitamin deficiency.

  • Salmon

Delicious and tasty foods that help you diet for the long term? It sounds good enough to be true. A salmon dinner can help you lose weight within a short time, as this fish is full of omega-3s and proteins.

Salmon is an incredible source of high-quality protein that is beneficial for fat and weight loss as the body works harder to digest it. Additionally, salmon is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential to reduce inflammation and promote fat burning. Some studies show that fish oil supplements help reduce weight and stress hormone, which is associated with fat storage.

In addition, a serving salmon contains two-thirds of the nutrient selenium that your body needs for a healthy thyroid. A healthy thyroid is essential as your thyroid is responsible for efficient metabolism. Therefore, make sure to add salmon to your grocery list for healthy weight loss.

  • Leafy Greens

Leafy greens include Swiss chard, collard greens, spinach, kale, and a few others. These leafy greens have perfect properties for reaching or maintaining a healthy weight. For instance, they are full of nutrients and fiber that keep you hydrated and satiated.

In addition, leafy greens also contain thylakoids, plant compounds linked with better appetite management and increased satiety. Adding leaf greens to your diet can help you reduce cravings for less nutritious foods and feel satiated. If you are taking blood thinners, then you need to consult your nutritionist that how many leafy greens you can add to your diet.

  • Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt is not only delicious but is also scientifically proven to help weight loss too. Greek yogurt can play an essential role in fat burning but it needs to be the full-fat variety. In addition, full-fat yogurt consists of conjugated linoleic acid which is responsible for fat burning.

Naturally, yogurt is rich in probiotics that support good gut bacteria which is considered a key to any weight loss program. If a person is overweight or obese, then it means that more imbalanced bacteria are present in his gut. This imbalance of bacteria makes it harder to lose fat within a short time.

In addition, a study indicates that Greek Yogurt is rich in amino acids, calcium, and vitamin D speed up fat burning. According to this study, people who cut calories and ate 500 grams of yogurt every day lost 81% more belly fat than their counterparts.

  • Tuna

Tuna is also rich in high proteins. It is a lean fish that provides you with healthy fats. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is also amongst these healthy fats, which is a form of omega-3 fatty acid, which may be beneficial for your heart health.

Eating fish like tuna can be a great way to fulfil your daily protein intake. This fish also contains fats that support your brain and eyes.

  • Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate can be a good option to add to a weight loss diet plan. According to nutritionists, these chocolates leave you feeling full, reduce sugar cravings, and speed up your metabolism.

However, make sure to choose to check the ingredients of chocolate because many chocolates are full of sugar.

  • Nuts

Nuts have a number of nutritional benefits to our bodies. Nuts, especially almonds, are a great source of healthy fats and magnesium. These healthy fats also act as antioxidants, which repair and fight the damage caused by inflammation.

In addition, almonds are considered a fat-burning superfood. A study indicates that participants who enjoyed almonds as a low-calorie diet lose 50% more fat.

  • Green Tea

A cup of green tea can do a miracle to your waistline. This is amongst the best fat-burning foods. Green tea is full of antioxidants and also contains some amount of caffeine, which plays an essential role in increasing the metabolic reaction.

Conclusion

Going for a weight loss plan without healthy foods can affect your health very badly; therefore, it is essential to include the above-mentioned foods in your diet for healthy weight loss.

Level Up Your Gym Fashion With Butt Lifting Leggings

Fitness

Nowadays, the market is exploding with the various growing number of fitness lovers and changing trends of fashion. Various new workout clothing brands are coming into the market due to the high demand. You must have heard about a few of the renowned brands that have managed to gain visibility online on various platforms like social media and many more others. Among the different popular fitness clothing items, butt lifting leggings have become so popular an absolute favorite among women. 

Have you wondered why women are scrambling to get their hands on butt lifting leggings? One of the main reasons is that these leggings are cost-effective compared to other workout attires. Furthermore, these leggings highlight your curves by making your booty look enhanced and lifted. If you want to know that these leggings are worth the hype, keep scrolling down!

Reason 1. Good Quality Material

If you are fed up with those uncomfortable zipped-up pairs of spandex, the butt lifting leggings are the best option. However, unlike the regular pair of leggings that change their texture and shape after a while, good quality butt-enhancing leggings retain their texture and shape. The premium quality material is used to make these leggings and make them highly compatible and increase the range motions. These leggings offer subtle compression that makes your booty look enhanced without making you uncomfortable.

Reasons 2. They Offer a High Level of Comfort

The butt lifting leggings are specially designed for body-hugging comfortably without causing discomfort or itching. Various brands in the market use moisture-wicking featured fabric and make your legs look sleeker. When you are working out at the gym, your attires being able to wick moisture is a great feature. Beyond the workout, while wearing the butt enhancing leggings, you can also wear these leggings outside the gym, like when you go shopping or leisure time sipping coffee with your loving ones.

Reason 3. They Have a High Waistband

There is no need to sacrifice with high- waisted -ness of your leggings with butt-enhancing leggings. This is why women want to buy peach butt leggings because they have a prominent feature of the high waistband. The women are conscious about their tummy and want to cover it up with a high and wide waistband. These leggings have a high waistband that can tuck your tummy inside and give you a slim look without any discomfort.

Reason 4. They Can Show off Your Curves

Compared to other bottom wears like pants or jeans, butt-enhancing leggings add dimension to your hips, glutes, and legs. They point up until your girls are well and allow you to draw attention. Furthermore, the patterns and designs like the color panels on your butt sculpting leggings give an effect that is contouring and makes your booty look uplifted. Therefore, wearing it to the gym, you can style them with a t-shirt or crop top while going out with your friends.

With the help of this post, now you know easily why you should invest in butt lifting leggings. After investing, you feel how much you need them. Make sure to invest in classy leggings.