Reginald Chan

Author: Reginald Chan

  • What You Need to Know About Zero Waste Lifestyle

    What You Need to Know About Zero Waste Lifestyle

    Adopting a zero-waste lifestyle has many perks that benefit the society, the economy, and of course, the environment. It helps reduce carbon emissions, conserves energy, keeps waste out of landfills, encourages community projects, creates jobs, and supports a local circular economy. In return, this allows us to create a better Earth for future generations. Here’s what you need to know about adopting a zero-waste lifestyle.  

    Before you Start

    There are a few things you need to know before you attempt to lead a zero-waste lifestyle. You might have heard about the mason jar that symbolizes the zero-waste movement. The first thing that you need to know is that you don’t have to fit all your trash into a mason jar because it is literally impossible. Living a zero-waste lifestyle is not about getting rid of all your waste. You also need to realize that you can’t make this shift overnight, no matter how motivated you are. If you don’t do this gradually, your success will be short-term. 

    Don’t throw out all the items you own to purchase eco-friendly products; this would be extremely counterproductive. Continue using your plastic toothbrush and ice cube trays until they are totally worn out. Only then replace them with their sustainable alternatives. It can be discouraging if you see other people producing less waste than you. Remember that it’s not a competition, and you’re allowed to work at your own pace. Every little thing that you do will, ultimately, make a difference. 

    Getting Started

    Leading a zero-waste lifestyle is about reducing the amount of waste you produce daily to the least amount possible. Since this may sound impossible for anyone who is just starting, you need to set small sustainability goals first and increase them over time. Adjusting to any lifestyle takes a lot of time, and easing into a zero-waste lifestyle requires many steps and practice. 

    5 Rules

    Living a zero-waste lifestyle, there are 5 rules that you should always remember and live by. These rules all start with the letter ‘r’ and can be remembered as the “5 r’s.” You should always: Refuse the things you don’t need. Reduce the things you need. Reuse the things that you consume. Recycle the things that you can’t refuse/ reuse. Rot, or compost, what remains. 

    Start Saying No

    We come into contact with plenty of wasteful products every day, and not because you are starting to live waste-free; it means that other people are too. Therefore, start saying no to even the smallest wasteful products like plastic straws at restaurants and plastic bags at stores. The smallest things do make a difference, so every time you are about to accept a disposable item, stop and ask yourself if it’s worth it. 

    Eat Clean

    Stop purchasing packaged and processed foods. Start eating more fruits and vegetables, and realize that anything packaged, you can make at home. It does not only help the environment, but it also makes you a lot healthier. 

    Cut Back on Disposable Products

    Use less of your detergents, dish soap, toothpaste, shampoo, and everything else; this doesn’t mean you should use less of what is necessary to remain hygienic. It only means that we tend to overuse and waste a lot of products; be mindful and only dispense what you need. 

    Take Part in Zero-Waste Communities

    Taking part in zero-waste communities will help you stay motivated. Keeping up with sustainable living news at Trvst.world can also help you stay encouraged. Knowing that you are not the only one who cares about the environment and being part of a green community will provide you with the support you need to persevere and teach you helpful tips to help you ease into the lifestyle.

    Essential Products

    There are a few things to consider purchasing to help make your journey easier. A reusable water bottle is necessary to avoid using plastic water bottles and disposable beverage cups. Use glass jars and cloth bags, and totes to store your food, drinks, and other items instead of purchasing plastic containers, Ziplocs, and Tupperware. Purchase stainless steel, bamboo, glass, or reusable silicone straws; avoid using plastic ones. You can also use handkerchiefs to eliminate the use of tissues and napkins. 

    Living a zero-waste lifestyle is very advantageous to the environment, economy, as well as your health. Although it may seem like an overwhelming change, it is a highly rewarding lifestyle. This information was collected to help you ease into the process. Everyone deserves the best of what the environment has to offer, and the Earth deserves the best care and treatment from us, so start making some small changes today.

  • Reasons Why You Might Want to Consider Using Shopify

    Reasons Why You Might Want to Consider Using Shopify

    When it comes to ecommerce platforms, you have many good choices at your disposal. One of them is Shopify.

    Shopify is an online store that can completely transform the way you operate your online store. Your sales will probably benefit when you use Shopify to run your online store.

    There are many reasons why you should consider using Shopify as your ecommerce website platform. The following are several of them:

    It is Incredibly Easy to Use

    Shopify is a user-friendly platform that is designed to be used by anyone. The interface of the platform was made with regular people as the intended users.

    Even with no design background at all, you will still be able to create an incredible template for your store. Your store will look as if a professional designed it.

    The best part about Shopify is that you can customize your store exactly how you want it. The appearance of the store will have your personal style depending on your preferences.

    Is Super Fast

    Speed is an element that both ecommerce operators and customers want in an online store. Shopify is well renowned for its amazing speed.

    Shopify is hosted by some of the best and fastest servers in the world. You get cloud storage with Shopify and the speed is so fast, your pages will load immediately.

    Every online store owner knows that every second a web page loads, they lose revenue. With Shopify, you will never lose any money because of slow speeds.

    Social Media Integration

    If you run an online store, then you probably use social media to market your product or service. It is an integral part of every online business’s digital marketing strategy.

    A vital reason why you should consider using Shopify for your ecommerce site is that it makes social media advertising very easy. One reason is that you can check on your social media channels directly from your website.

    Another is because you can include a Facebook pixel on every webpage on your website. You can also claim advertising discounts using Shopify codes on various social media platforms.

    Features

    Shopify is one of the most fully stocked ecommerce platforms as far as features are concerned. It has every possible capability to allow you to customize your site.

    The best part is that Shopify is always improving and creating new features for the platform. Shopify Plus is a great example about which you can learn from Vincit.com. There are constantly fixing bugs with the platform’s software as well.

    The abundance of features is what allows you to make your online store personal. A customized store with your personality is sure to set you and your online store apart from the competition.

    It is Safe and Dependable

    When you run an online store, you have a lot of information that you are privy to and some of it is quite sensitive. Therefore, you should ensure that you use an ecommerce store that will keep all the information safe and Shopify is one such store.

    You will rarely have to worry about your client’s accounts getting hacked or your store crashing. The security on Shopify’s servers is top-notch.

    The servers also have 24/7 technical support so there are never any glitches on your site. If there are, they will be fixed immediately, and you let them know.

    It is Mobile Friendly

    A great advantage of living in the modern age is that you can buy anything wherever you are and whenever you want as long as you have a device that can connect to the internet. However, you will be surprised at how many online stores don’t have mobile sites.

    Mobile ecommerce accounts for almost half of all online retail sales. Therefore, many stores lose money by not being available via a mobile device.

    Shopify will make your online store automatically mobile friendly. The site is fast and highly responsive as well. Therefore, your store will look incredible and function optimally on any device.

    It has In-built SEO

    You need traffic if you are to sell anything on your site. The best way to increase and ensure traffic to your website is to optimize it for Search Engine Optimization (SEO).

    A reason to use Shopify is that it is designed for online marketing. They essentially have SEO covered.

    You can use various tools on the platform to ensure that your store regularly appears high on search engine results. You also get analytic tools to measure your site’s traffic. 

    There are many reasons why Shopify is the preferred ecommerce platform for many and why it should be for you. The above reasons should be enough to make a good argument for using Shopify. You should consider it and at least give it a chance, and you might just be surprised.

  • Savvy Ways to Manage Your Side Hustle Money

    Savvy Ways to Manage Your Side Hustle Money

    Learning how to diversify your income and ways to earn extra cash outside of your main hustle can really give you a strong edge towards reaching your financial goals, enter the side hustle. Now a days it seems like everyone has found a way to earn a little extra side money. The great news about finding ways to generate income that is not your main source of funding is that is can be completely customizable. You can control the time you dedicate to it, how you earn it, and what you do with those earnings.

    Debt Management

    There may be times in your life where your side hustle might not be on the side of another paying gig, rather another large life event that requires your full-time attention, such as attending college. As a student, your main job is earning your degree, but since that is not going to pay your bills, or help you save for future ones, you might consider opportunities that are flexible and part time to generate some cash flow. If you are thinking about going to college and need help with financing, you can use a student loan repayment calculator to estimate what your monthly payments may be taking out a student loan with a private lender, so you know what to expect.

    Repayment on student loans will not begin until after you graduate, however once they start, they only stop when your debt balance equals zero. Thinking about those payments ahead of their due date is a smart way to prepare your current finances for future responsibilities. You can estimate your monthly payments easily with a student loan repayment calculator to give you a loose guideline for your post-graduation budget. Once you have a handle on that, you can decide how much of your current side hustle money is sensible to stash away for this significant looming bill.

    Track and Prep

    The very first time you collect money from this stream of income, it is time to start tracking it. Not only is this a good practice for financial health in general, but it will help you to allocate your side money in a smart and efficient way. It is exciting to watch your money grow and being casual about your side hustle since it is not your main income is a mistake. Although this is not your full-time dedication, you are still giving your time, energy, and resources to it, it is still work. You would not let your salary land in your bank account haphazardly, so why create that habit with your bonus cash?

    Brace yourself for Uncle Sam. Another huge reason that it is essential to track your earnings is because you will have to pay taxes on this money, and if you are not used to this style of tax payment plus you have not saved for it, the totals can really shock you. Same are there are tools available to estimate your monthly payments regarding student debt, tools exist to estimate your quarterly taxes as well.

    Save and Spend in Tandem

    After you have a handle on your stream of income and have allocated appropriate percentages towards future tax payments you need to figure out how to handle the balance of your money. Assumably the point of seeking out a side hustle in the first place is to grow your net worth, either on the precipice of a major life event like buying a home or planning a wedding, or to set yourself up for retirement and future financial freedom.

    You can spread this money across various savings goals, but also allow yourself to live a little. It is possible to save and spend in tandem and to be responsible about both simultaneously. If you are someone who has taken on a side hustle on top of a full-time job, then you do not need to be told about the merits of hard work so give yourself permission to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Even simple spends like buying lunch on a day you normally would not feel like a treat without taking away from your ultimate goal.

  • Want to Level Up Your Career? Here’s What to Do

    Want to Level Up Your Career? Here’s What to Do

    Being a good employee isn’t enough to get noticed and put your career on a higher level. If you have been doing all the right things like working hard, introducing new ideas, and helping colleagues who’ve asked for your advice, that only means you are an excellent employee. However, it doesn’t mean you are getting anywhere further than that. There are loads of simple tips and everyday habits you will need to adapt to successfully take your career to the next level. Here are a few recommendations on what to change and what to focus on to easily level up your career.

    Get up early

    Other than multiple health benefits, getting up early can help you achieve a feeling of confidence and accomplishment. Early birds have more time to do things which offer a sense of control that you might not enjoy if you wake up later. This way you are automatically more determined and prepared for the day and preparation is the key to improvement.  This tip is probably the least fun, but it will inevitably change your mindset, and improve overall productivity, so If you seriously want to level your career up, do yourself a favor and get up early to accomplish everything you have set for a day. 

    Have a role model

    If you want to kick your professional growth up it is a good idea to follow people who do the same thing you do but on a grander scale. Make sure to identify what they are doing that you are still not, and what it is that works best for them. Regardless if you are an employee, or you are running your own business, having a good example of what you are trying to achieve is very important. It reminds you that what you are going for is possible and helps you understand how. Also, remember that it is more than ok to use someone else’s experience and knowledge to improve your career. 

    Related: Innovative Ways You Can Assist New Hires Adjust To Their Work As Soon As Possible

    Invest in your core competence

    Your core competence is the area where you provide the best results. It is a point where you have the highest potential and the greatest creativity which is also a place where you may be easily deceived. The key is to look for ways to invest in them and highlight them in any way possible to elevate yourself higher. They include any exceptional skills, and individual competitive advantages that separate a leader from an average player in the industry. These are your best assets and your employers must understand that well. Regardless if you are looking for a promotion in your current company or changing your job altogether it is very important to point out your best qualities upfront. 

    Go to workshops and conferences

    Everybody knows that beginning a new job can feel overwhelming as there’s so much to learn and take in at once. As you get more comfortable and confident at your job, you will find room for improvement. One of the best ways to get more knowledge and upgrade your professional skill set is to visit conferences and workshops that you have never taken part in before. There are various high-quality boot camps around the world depending on the job skills you want to improve.  And if you want to go big, the advice is to go solo. It can promote the ultimate productivity, helping you to focus on the learning.

    Improve communication

    Want to be noticed and respected at work you have to be a good conservationist. Even if your job isn’t customer-oriented or doesn’t require you to provide presentations to clients, it is still important to communicate effectively with your boss and colleagues. That means being constantly present and diligent about checking emails and calls and staying in touch with your co-workers and their tasks. Besides, regardless of the position you are looking for, employers are always looking for people that express themselves well. So work on upgrading your communication skills, and don’t forget to watch out for your body language as another type of communication that may reveal much more than you are aware of.

    Change industries

    In some cases, you might find you’ve reached the ceiling in your current career, and changing the industry field or a company might be the right choice. Some industries offer very few opportunities to improve your career, or it just may be much harder than in others. As much as changing careers is a tough choice, in some situations, it might be the right one. Before you make this decision take a long hard look at your career and put all pros and cons on the paper, so you get a better insight if it’s better to switch to another job or stick at the current one.

    Do more by doing less

    Sure everybody has heard the saying “the less is more”, but how can it help you achieve your career goal? It is quite simple. Instead of setting hundreds of goals in front of you, and not finishing half of it at the end of the day, set smaller and more attainable goals each day. This way you will make sure you’ll have enough energy to get a few important things done. When it comes to long-term planning it is essential to create time-frame goals and adjust your daily task accordingly because, without the daily goals, nothing else gets done. 

    Be clear and focused

    Before you start with any of this, you should make sure you are clear with what you are looking for, and why you want it. These questions are critical and demand precise and deep self-exploration, and that might not be as easy as it seems. You will need to be willing to work on your goal every day, so you must be sure enough that it’s the right thing for you. There are a million things you could do instead of following your goal plan, so it is important to have that as a priority. Another crucial thing is to find a way to stay laser-focused to help you get you to your chosen destination. 

    The key elements for a successful upgrade of your current career are positivity, productivity, and motivation. Changing your habits and following the tips mentioned in this article will certainly help you reach your goal faster and easier.

  • Viable Ways to Finance Your Real Estate Project

    Viable Ways to Finance Your Real Estate Project

    Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs was used as a template by the New York Life Investments in 2019 to illustrate the pyramid towards financial freedom. Right in the middle of that pyramid is Accumulating Wealth, which consists of the following: building an investment portfolio, saving for retirement, and paying down debt. A lot of options are available for any investor for the first one, such as stocks, mutual funds, and real estate.

    Why Invest in Real Estate?

    In case you haven’t seen it on your social media platforms yet, there is this guy who asks random people driving expensive cars and houses what they do for a living. Two of the most common answers were FinTech (Financial Technology) and real estate. It just shows that investing in real estate is still one of the most reliable ways to grow your money. The next step then is to look for ways to finance your real estate project. 

    Real Estate Financing Options

    Below is a shortlist of ways to finance your next real estate project:

    • Owner Financing
    • Lease
    • Hard Money Lenders
    • Microloans
    • Equity Partnership
    • Home Equity Financing
    • Trade Houses
    • Special Government Schemes
    • SBA Loan
    • REITs

    Owner Financing

    Unlike traditional selling where the buyer gives the seller money in exchange for something, here, the seller extends finances to their buyer. The buyer then will repay the seller later based on agreed-upon terms.

    Lease

    Leasing is like the usual renting, except that a higher amount of money is being paid. This is because the rent includes a premium, which ultimately accumulates to the purchase price.

    Hard Money Lenders

    Compared to traditional bank loans, hard money lending is offered by private groups or individuals. While the interest rates are relatively higher due to higher risks, hard money lending has its own advantages. Investors are subjected to less stringent approval procedures; an online application is possible, as evidenced at NewSilver.com,  and those that are considered risky projects are more likely to be approved than in a conventional bank loan. This type of financing also makes making profit easier, as a faster approval rate will mean faster rehabbing and flipping out of the purchased property.

    Microloans

    Just like with hard money lending, the qualification criteria for microloans are less strict. The lower amount of money loaned makes this possible, and this type of financing targets newer businesses or startups.

    Equity Partnership

    If the buyer really wants to purchase a property but is short in cash, an equity partner is also a viable option. In this setup, an additional entity (the equity partner) enters the picture of purchasing and injects some cash into the transaction. The terms are to be agreed upon by the buyer and the partner.

    Home Equity Financing

    When you want to expand your investment portfolio, you can leverage your existing property to buy a new one. HEIL and HELOC are just some of the options being offered by banks and other financing institutions in this category.

    Trade Houses

    Another way of utilizing your old property is by trading it for a new one. Aside from having a new investment, capital gains that are normally part and parcel of selling a property can also be avoided.

    Special Government Schemes

    The USDA offers up to 0% interest mortgages to low- and moderate-income individuals to fill underpopulated areas of the country. Towns with less than 10,000 population are included in this program.

    SBA Loan

    The US Small Business Administration aims to provide financing to small businesses as the name implies. That said, the borrower must occupy part of the whole property being purchased. The funding usually amounts to $125,000 to $20 million, and a 10% down payment is required. Some loan products allow the borrower to buy a building, conduct building improvements, or do ground-up constructions.

    REITs

    REITs, or Real Estate Investment Trusts, offers many advantages to investors. One of which is liquidity, as a shareholder who wants to opt-out of business can have his cash back when someone else wants to buy his shares. Buying targeted REITs is also possible, as one can select those that build medical buildings, parks, etc. While you do not have to manage anything in those investments, the downside is that the profits are stripped off overheads before distributing to the investors. 

    Despite the variety of investment options such as the stock market and other technologies such as cryptocurrencies, real estate remains one of the most reliable avenues for building wealth. And while it requires a comparatively higher capital, several financing options are widely available for any investors. One only needs to consider his or her goals and put up a nice strategy to be able to repay these liabilities.

  • Who Benefits From Group Insurance?

    Who Benefits From Group Insurance?

    Insurance benefits are typically what attract quality employees. Compared to individual insurance, you’ll find that group insurance can be more helpful for you and your employees. If you’re thinking of improving your package or the insurance service you offer to your employees, there are many factors to take into consideration first, like budget, typical employee needs, medical benefits, and which group insurance can help you achieve the best coverage. To know who can benefit from group insurance, the following guide will give you a better understanding of that.

    Employers Who Want to Reduce Taxes

    Any astute business owner knows that they must have a good insurance plan in place for their employees, as that can reduce or even exempt them from federal and payroll taxes. Employer-paid premiums are exempt from these types of taxes. In addition to this, your employees’ pay will also be excluded from taxable income, which means that insurance can be quite profitable both for employees and employers. In fact, most American families have group health insurance coverage through their employees for that reason alone.

    Employers Who are Looking for a Budget-Friendly Option

    Life insurance doesn’t have to be out of your price range anymore. There are plenty of solutions available to you and group insurance is one of them. Depending on your needs and business goals, you can pay all, part, or even none of your employees’ benefits. Group life insurance premiums are also based on the assessment of a company’s risk over time. Reducing the risk by spreading it will bring group rates down, which makes group insurance the most affordable option for employers.

    Employers Who Are Trying to Achieve a Large Risk Pool

    One of the main advantages of group insurance, especially group health insurance, is the large number of people who’re receiving its benefits. Naturally, the more people you have included in your group insurance, the lower the prices you’re going to pay and, ultimately, the lower the financial risk you’ll have to shoulder. The group insurance specialists at GroupEnroll.ca explain that this type of insurance has the best of both worlds: lower prices and better coverage. Although you might find some people arguing against that fact, this might not be the norm for most employees in the US.

    Employers Attempting to Improve Their Company Culture

    Many employers consider that building a good company culture is all about creating a healthy environment that promotes the core values of life. Company culture is what motivates employees and increases their satisfaction, which is what most employees aim for through the benefits they offer to employees. Company culture should also help employees feel like they’re an integral part of the company and that they’re valuable. For that reason, you should offer your employees’ group insurance benefits that will show them that you put them first and are trying to provide them with a more secure financial future.

    Employees Seeking Family Protection

    If a household loses their primary wage earner, a negative emotional and financial impact is bound to affect the life in that household for a long time. If there’s no one or no financial resources that said a household can rely on, things may not turn out well. With group life insurance, an employee can rest assured that their family and loved ones are covered in case they pass away unexpectedly. . Financial safety, living expenses, or medical needs should be covered, which will omit any potential financial strain in the future. Group life insurance can be even used to fund a child’s education, which is why you’ll find many employees willing to take a job with that type of insurance.

    Employees Who Are Looking for Dental and Vision Benefits

    It’s not common that employees will find adequate dental and vision benefits along with the job, so that can be an excellent attractant to quality employees. With group dental and vision coverage, employees will have a choice to add more benefits without increasing their expenses. This happens because employees are willing to pay all the costs of voluntary benefits, but they won’t have to if they get the advantage of group rates, which can be offered through a new job with group dental and vision benefits.

    Making the right decisions should be done while considering your benefits as well as your employees’. If you’re looking for top-quality employees, you have to ensure that you provide a top-notch benefits package. On the other hand, if you’re an employee, you’ll need to compare the benefits that each job offers before applying to know which one will suit your needs.