3 Reasons to Install a Koi Pond

Looking to upgrade your outdoor living space? It might be time to build a koi pond! Koi ponds are one of the most beautiful, relaxing additions that you can add to your backyard. Keep reading to learn a few of the benefits that a koi pond installed by Hiner Outdoor Living can have for your yard. 

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Stress Relieving Oasis

One of the biggest reasons to make renovations to your outdoor living space is to provide a peaceful, relaxing environment that can provide you and your loved ones an escape from the stress of everyday life; and what’s more relaxing than spending time by a large body of water? Spending time outdoors, admiring the flowing water inside of a pond or interacting with animals such as koi fish is shown to be a natural stress reliever and mood booster. Take a step away from the stress of everyday life and take some time to relax and enjoy nature by installing a koi pond in your outdoor space. 

Increase Your Home Value

Having any type of pond in your backyard automatically raises the resale value of your home, and this is especially true for ponds that are equipped to be suitable for koi pond. Koi ponds are a unique and endearing amenity that will set your home apart from others on the market should you ever decide to sell it, and can help your home sell faster in addition to allowing it to sell for a much higher price than it would otherwise. If you are wondering about the commitment of building a koi pond because you aren’t sure how much longer you will be living in your home, the increased value that a koi pond can provide might convince you. 

Low Maintenance Pets 

While many people might not think of koi fish as pets, they require just the same amount of care and affection as many tradition pets that can be found in one’s home. Once koi have adjusted to your pond, they are likely to spend more time near the water’s surface, attempting to interact with (and be fed by) you and your loved ones. Plus, young children love to spend time near koi ponds and are sure to find the feeding of large fish such as koi to be an extremely enjoyable activity, making the installation of a koi pond the perfect bonding opportunity for you and the little ones in your family. 

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3 Major Benefits of Going to Therapy

Winter is here, and for many people, so are the negative effects of mental illnesses such as seasonal depression. As the days get shorter and the air gets colder, many people find themselves in a rut, especially once the excitement of the holiday season has passed. Whether you’re a top earning executive at a company using trainings from HSI or a stay at home mom, it is easy to be susceptible to feelings of depression and loneliness during the long winter months. One of the most helpful solutions to this issue is seeking therapy. While making the decision to go to therapy can be tough for some people, especially those with limited experience in seeking treatment for mental health disorders, there are numerous benefits to seeing a therapist. 

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Benefits of going to therapy can include:

Better Coping Skills

One of the best parts of going to therapy is learning helpful coping skills that can be applied to your daily life in the face of negative events or challenges. While there is not much a therapist can do to prevent you from overcoming obstacles in your everyday life, gaining a new set of tools and skills for dealing with such obstacles can change your outlook on life, and make everyday a little easier. 

Improved Communication

Talking to someone one on one can help you get practice in becoming more vulnerable with those around you and in asking for help when you need it, or simply opening up about challenges you might be facing. Additionally, therapists can work with you to develop better communication skills with those around you, so that you can solve problems, avoid conflicts, and simply convey your emotions in a healthier manner. If you struggle with communication, seeking treatment from a therapist can help. 

Ease Feelings of Loneliness

No matter how good you are at communicating, there is no denying that sometimes people in your life are not able to listen to you or be there for you in the way that you need, especially when you are going through a tough time. If this is the case or if you are in a period of your life where you are feeling especially lonely or isolated, speaking with a professional and having the opportunity to open up about your life and your emotions at least once per week can help to make you feel less alone. 

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Personal Finance Tips for Newlyweds

 

Being freshly married comes with many new adventures, but it is crucial to consider the more serious, less fun, issues too like finances. While this isn’t the most exciting thing to discuss with your partner, having these conversations early on can set the pace for a happy, stress-free marriage. Let’s look into some of the various facets of finances couples should cover after getting married.

Combine Finances

This may be something you’ve already discussed with your partner, but whether you completely combine everything or you just create a shared savings account, it is smart to take care of this as soon as possible. There are several benefits to combining your finances including things like streamlining bill payments and creating a sense of equity within your marriage. However, it’s ultimately your decision on whether or not this is the right choice for your new partnership. 

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Adjust your Insurance Plans

Insurance may not be a top priority for you, but it is just as important to at least discuss it early on. Many newlyweds will combine their insurance plans to save money. Paying for insurance separately can get costly, so it’s important to take a look at what your different options are. Most of the time one spouse's employer may have a better offering than the other, so now’s the time to look into these options and make adjustments accordingly.

Keep in mind that open enrollment for insurance typically runs from November to January at most companies, and is the period in which you can make adjustments to your enrolled benefits each year. Since marriage qualifies as a major life event, you’ll have time to make adjustments to your plan instead of rushing to meet the general open enrollment period. So be sure to make this a top priority following your wedding!

Prioritize Paying Off Debts

Paying off debts is another topic that isn’t super fun to discuss with your partner, but it’s crucial. Now that you are married your debt doesn’t just belong to you, it’s your partner’s responsibility too. A great way to tackle debt is to consolidate it and make a plan to get it paid off as soon as possible. Consolidating your debt just means you are essentially refinancing and combining it all into one at a lower interest rate. So not only will this save you money, but it also makes it much easier to pay it off sooner by making one payment toward the entire amount monthly rather than paying each lender separately.

Invest in Your Home

Real estate is something you and your spouse might consider investing in after tying the knot. This is a great way for you to not only have a place you can call home, but it is an investment where you will begin growing equity together. Be careful that you don’t jump into home ownership too quickly; you’ll want to be sure you have the money for this type of purchase and are prepared to handle all maintenance costs that come along with it. If you are not at a point where you are ready to make an investment in real estate, start by renting a place together, outlining a savings plan, and setting a timeline for when you will be ready to buy a home.

Create an Emergency Fund

Lastly, an emergency fund is a very smart thing to create as a new couple. Even if you opt-out of combining your finances completely, having a shared savings account for emergencies will allow you to be prepared in the event of, well, an emergency. Things like medical bills or home maintenance issues can occur without warning and you won’t want these to put you in a tricky situation or create more debt. Even if you’re only able to contribute a small amount, something is better than nothing and it will add up over time!

With all of that being said, you don’t need to dive into all of these things at the same time. Start by having conversations with your partner about each of these items and make decisions that are best for your marriage. Then you can begin creating a plan and attacking the items one at a time to accomplish the goals you’ve aligned for yourselves.

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Different Struggles Couples Face and How to Deal With Them

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No relationship is perfect, but that doesn't mean it can't be happy and fulfilling. All couples face struggles at some point or another, but the key to a lasting relationship is learning how to deal with them effectively. Here are some common struggles couples face and a few tips on how to overcome them.

Financial troubles

Money can be one of the major sources of stress, tension, and conflict for couples, especially if they disagree on major financial decisions or have different spending habits. The key to dealing with financial struggles effectively is open communication. 

Sit down and discuss your financial goals and what you want to achieve. Remember, it's essential to be on the same page regarding money matters. Next, create a budget that reflects your shared goals and start working together to stick to it. Finally, be honest with each other about your spending habits and be willing to make changes if necessary. 

It's also best to remember that money isn't everything; relationships are about so much more than just finances. Couples can overcome any obstacle if they communicate openly and work together.

Lack of communication

Couples may have difficulty communicating for various reasons, such as not feeling heard or understood or feeling like they are constantly arguing. However, more often than not, a lack of proper communication leads to misunderstandings and resentment.

So, how can couples find ways to improve communication in the relationship? For one, make an effort to really listen to your partner when they're speaking. Try to be patient and understand where they're coming from, even if you don't necessarily agree with them. There’s also nothing wrong with sharing your thoughts and feelings openly and honestly. Your partner must know how you're feeling, even if it's something that you're struggling with. 

Most importantly, keep in mind that communication is a two-way street. If you're having trouble getting your point across, ask your partner for help finding a way to express yourself more clearly.

Time management struggles

With work, family, and other commitments, finding quality time to just be together can be difficult. Dealing with this type of struggle in a relationship takes effort and dedication from both partners. 

Why not set aside some quality time each week? This can be a couple's night out, a date night, or even just a few hours at home bonding over doing household chores while talking to each other. What matters is that you're focusing on each other and not letting outside obligations intrude.

If you can't find large blocks of time for each other, try to be creative with the time you do have. For example, a quick phone call or a short text during the day can let your partner know you're thinking of them. Or even ten minutes of undivided attention when you're both home can make a big difference.

Also, be understanding, and recognize that both of you are busy, and it's not always easy to find time for each other. Cut each other some slack, and don't get too frustrated when things are hectic.

Jealousy

Jealousy can be a normal emotion but can also be destructive to relationships. If not dealt with in a healthy way, jealousy can lead to arguments, resentment, and even breakups. 

So how can you deal with the feeling of jealousy? First, take the initiative to talk with your partner. Tell them why you’re feeling jealous, and try to work through it together. Second, try to focus more on the positive aspects of your relationship. Remember why you're with your partner in the first place and what you love about them. Lastly, don't hesitate to seek out help from a therapist or counselor if you're struggling to deal with jealousy on your own.

Dealing with In-Laws/Extended Family Members

In-laws and extended family members can be a challenge for couples – especially if they live close by or are constantly dropping by unannounced! If this is an issue you and your partner are facing, you can do a few things to ease the tension. 

First, try setting boundaries with your in-laws/extended family members. Let them know what behaviors are acceptable and what are not (e.g., calling at night, inviting themselves over, or showing up unannounced). Also, communicate openly with your partner about how you're feeling – if you're feeling frustrated or overwhelmed, let them know so they can offer support or talk to their family members on your behalf. 

Finally, try not to take everything personally. Sometimes family members say or do things without meaning any harm (even if it doesn't seem like it at the time). By keeping this in mind, it'll be easier to let things roll off your back instead of getting worked up over every little thing. 

Unexpected problems

Whether it's a financial setback, a health scare, or simply the stresses of everyday life, relationships can be tested by adversity. But sometimes, couples face struggles that are more difficult to overcome. 

One example is when one partner goes to jail. This can be an incredibly trying time for both people involved. The one going away may feel scared, alone, and hopeless. They may also worry about how their incarceration will affect their relationship. Meanwhile, the other partner may feel overwhelmed, frustrated, and helpless. 

First and foremost, prioritize staying connected with your spouse in jail. Communicate openly and honestly with each other, so you can help each other get through this tough time. You should visit your incarcerated partner as often as possible and write letters or send care packages regularly. 

Finally, it's important to seek outside support if needed. Plenty of resources are available for couples dealing with this type of situation, so don't hesitate to reach out for help.

Wrapping Up

No two relationships are exactly alike, so it stands to reason that no two couples will face the same challenges. But no matter the struggle, when you work together with your partner to find solutions and make compromises with each other, you can undoubtedly overcome anything.

What are some of the struggles you've faced in your relationship? Share them in the comments below!

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Why is Marketing & why is It Important for Accounting Firms?

Running a business is a difficult task. We must constantly work hard with tact. We face many challenges, such as fluctuations in profit and loss. And dealing with this scenario is difficult and time consuming. Hiring an accounting firm to handle this scenario is a wise decision. But, if you think your issues are over, think again. As an accounting firm, you will learn a lot about rapid changes in business earnings trends as you will handle them for most of your clients. Much of the business depends on your strategy and implementation in offering your services and your company's popularity.

Accounting firm job is increasing, and you need to make your organization known so that diligent businesses may contact you. Digital Marketing for Accounting  Businesses is critical today, as it assists your firm in increasing exposure and awareness of your services. This level of awareness and exposure is achievable through advertising.

• What is Marketing for Accounting Firms?

When considering Marketing for Accounting Firms, one complete strategy to explore is internet marketing. Digital marketing is broadly described as the promotion of a firm using digital channels. This term, however, is excessively unclear and misleading. Digital marketing includes marketing on digital devices such as television and radio. This is not incorrect. However, the digital marketing we're talking about is entirely focused on online advertising and marketing strategies.

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These marketing tactics for accounting firms may promote the company, boost new client acquisition, keep the forefront of mind with business clients, enhance services supplied to present customers, and more.

1. Give a larger audience.

It isn't easy to reach the correct audience nowadays. Today, we have the internet and tools, but realistically making the firm visible to the public is difficult. With the internet being such a huge part of people's lives, failing to use digital marketing would mean missing out on a vast population. People are likely to run a Google search to locate the finest alternatives near them for a service like internet marketing for accounting companies. If your organization lacks an online presence, it is losing consumers regularly. However, you may establish your online presence with Marketing for Accounting Firms and reach out to clients.

2. Give you the role of an Expert.

Following that, we will cover the previously described skills and why that site and promotional tool are vital. When you have a marketing strategy, everything you say and your web presence will allow you to sell your knowledge even when you aren't in the room.

Marketing for Accounting Firms helps you to coverd multiple areas of expertise to folks with whom you currently do business.

3. To Compete with competitors: 

Marketing for Accounting Firms will assist you in becoming visible to an online audience and increasing your chances of reaching a larger audience. In the meantime, marketing allows you to compete with other accounting companies currently promoting their services through digital marketing. When competing with others, don't simply focus on how you vary from them; furthermore, discover some concepts that can assist you in capturing more audiences' attention. If you have rivals functioning effectively on digital channels, examine them attentively. Study what they're doing correctly. Determine the sort of material they share to rank effectively in the SERPs. 

Examine their messages to the audience to see how they connect with them. Because information is readily available on the internet, maintaining a careful check on rivals is considerably easier with digital marketing.

4. To Establish a Simple Communications Network:

Digital marketing for accounting companies enables you to be available anytime your target audience needs to contact you. Your client may contact you through various methods, including social media posts and emails, site inquiries forms and live chats, and emails.

And Digital Marketing for Accounting permits tactics that offer you more contacts and communications options, such as online adverts, blogs, social media pages, and even websites, all of which have some open pathway to connect with the firm and send out the query you had in mind.

5. Gives you the following email marketing benefits:

Sending regular, tailored emails to your present, past, or potential clients is a wonderful way to stay in touch with them regularly. As an accounting company, you may reach many business owners and experts who examine their emails early each morning and return to them throughout the day. Digital Marketing for Accounting can help you create efficient Email Marketing campaigns and generate more elevated leads.

6. To Develop a Focused Marketing campaign:

We recently mentioned how digital marketing for accounting companies has an advantage over traditional marketing strategies due to its analytics function. Another advantage of digital marketing is the power to target the consumer more precisely. Traditional marketing approaches do not make it impossible to target an audience. They have a restriction when linked to digital marketing.

However, digital marketing for accounting companies provides a variety of fresh ways that can considerably aid your organization's growth.

Learn more about Digital Marketing:

Do you want to learn more about a certain area of Digital Marketing?

Digital marketing offers several rewards that provide resources or accountants to aid in the creation of a reliable, specialty consumer base via a well-established marketing plan.

Like most other firms, accountants must stay relevant to gain new clients. Accounting digital marketing aids in the development of significance and a focused online audience.

Accounting businesses may only reach the complete capacity of their marketing initiatives through digital tactics in this competitive era.

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Are Gift Cards Good Presents for Kids?

Many parents enjoy watching the joy in their children’s faces as they unwrap their presents, secretly hoping that the child will enjoy the gift you hand-picked for them. But what if you have no clue what to get them?  

Gift cards can make great presents for kids and teenagers whether they’re celebrating Christmas, birthdays, or school graduation.  

Gift cards can give children the freedom to buy whatever they want while also teaching them about the value of money as well as decision making and budgeting. Let’s explore the benefits and disadvantages of gift cards for kids.

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The Advantages and Disadvantages of Gift Cards for Kids

Advantages

• Gift cards allow children the freedom to choose while teaching them budgeting and encouraging independence.

• Flexibility – a gift card can be a better choice than a physical gift if you don’t know the preferences of a particular child.

• Save time – sometimes you just don’t have the time for shopping and choosing a gift or sending it in the mail. 

Disadvantages

• Gift cards feel less personal – some people feel that giving a gift card just doesn’t have the ‘personal touch’ as a hand-picked present does.

• May not be suitable for very young children - gift cards don’t offer the immediate satisfaction of opening a present, which is why they may be better suited for older children and teenagers.

• Wasted budget – after a gift card is used for purchases, there may be a small amount of money left, which ends up as money wasted, especially if the gift card cannot be recharged.

Physical Gift Cards vs. Digital Gift Cards

Gift cards can come in a physical or digital forms. A physical gift card is often a great choice, as it allows the child to have something to unwrap, and they’re easy to use instead of cash while shopping in-store. 

A digital gift card is another option. Digital gift cards have a code, usually delivered to the recipient via email. Digital gift card codes are typically used for online or mobile purchases, although some allow the option for in-store purchases too by presenting the code to the cashier from a mobile device or by printing it out.

Digital gift cards can be a great solution when the child in question is living abroad, and it would be difficult to send them a physical card from a retailer in their own country. 

Just like their physical counterparts, however; digital gift cards often have regional restrictions (such as the USA/North America/EU), so just make sure the gift card is redeemable in the country the child is living in.

Gift Cards for Mobile Gaming

Prepaid gift cards are also a fantastic present for kids who like to play mobile games or consume any kind of digital content. Kids can use them to download additional content for their favourite games or apps, and you don’t have to worry about saving your credit card details and potentially unauthorised credit card charges.

A lot of parents store their credit card details in App Store or Google Play Store on their iPads which they will then hand to their children to play with. It’s very easy for kids to accidentally download additional content on mobile games and end up racking up thousands in unauthorised credit card charges - every parent’s nightmare!

If you know the child’s favourite console or mobile game, sending them either a physical or digital gift card that they can redeem for in-game purchases will never fail to put a smile on their face!

We’ve found digital gift card codes particularly easy to use. Like many boys of his age, my nephew living in the States is an avid Minecraft gamer. Although the game itself is free to play, it offers in-app purchases that he’s normally unable to get as he’s too young to have a credit card of his own. 

For his last birthday, we bought him a Minecraft gift card from scratchmonkeys.com. As a side note, I probably wouldn’t send this to a very young child, as they would need some parental assistance to go online and follow the instructions to redeem the code. For us, however, this has worked out great, as he’s old enough to appreciate the gift and use the code to top up his Minecoins by himself.

I see it as a win-win!

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Home Projects You Can Do Over a Long Weekend

For many working adults, it is hard to find a balance between life at work and life at home. Too often, tasks around the home can pile up until it becomes overwhelming to try to start them.  Whether it’s a chore like deep cleaning a room or a bigger project like painting the exterior of your home, completing work around the house can seem like a daunting task, especially amidst stress about work and other things in your life when you feel you should be spending your energy elsewhere. If you find it difficult to keep a good work/life balance, companies like HSI offer Health & Safety courses that can educate employees and create a more positive work environment, which allows for less stress outside of work. A long weekend off from work can be a great time to relax and spend time with family, but it can also be the perfect time to tackle any home renovations or projects you’ve been putting off. 

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Here are a few easy, at-home projects you can take on next time you find yourself with a few days off.  

Seal the Driveway

Many driveways get chipped and cracked with natural wear over time. Sealing your driveway can help to smooth these cracks out and make an asphalt driveway look as good as new. This is a fairly simple task and is completed by just one person, but it can take a few hours for each coat of sealant to dry, so it is a task that is best completed when you aren’t short on time. 

Deep Clean the Garage

Many people find cleaning out and organizing their garage to be a task that never gets checked off their to-do list. Garages can often become a space where things you don’t want in your house but don’t want to get rid of can pile up, making them a cluttered mess. If you find yourself in this category, consider spending your time deep cleaning away the grime that can pile up in a garage and creating storage space for any potential clutter. 

Rearrange Rooms

An easy way to switch up the look of your place with minimal work is by rearranging a room by moving the placement of furniture and other items. Studies show that rearranging a room can have surprising benefits, like boosting your mood and your levels of creativity and comfort. 

Install a New Faucet or Shower Head

A great and practical way to improve the functionality and appearance of your kitchen is by adding a new faucet to an old sink. Adding a detachable hose is a popular option, and can make doing dishes and cleaning the sink a breeze.

A great way to improve your shower experience is by replacing your shower head. Showerheads that allow you to customize the flow and pressure of water are an upgrade to your bathroom that can be both simple and inexpensive but can make a huge difference in your home. 

Update Walls

A day off is the perfect time to paint or add wallpaper to the walls of your home. If you don’t want to commit to a particular color or design long-term, try temporary wallpaper that can easily stick and peel off when you’re ready to make another change. 

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