Author: Staff Writer

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Financial Government Grants

How to Avoid A Grant Scam Online

How to Avoid A Grant Scam Online

What Is A Grant Scam?

A grant scam is an incidence of attempted online theft or identity theft.

Someone contacts you to say that you are eligible for a government grant. They ask you to give your personal details of checking account information over to that person so that you can receive the grant. However, this is not what will happen – instead, you will be scammed.

Grant scams can take a number of forms. By far the most common start when you receive an email stating that you’re eligible for a grant, usually due to an error on your tax return or something similar. You’ll then be prompted to send your details across to what you might believe is a legitimate institution. A number of these scammers use fake names such as “The Federal Grants Authority,” so be sure to research any institution that is asking for your information.

However, these aren’t the only form of grant scam. You might be searching for information related to your taxes and come across a website with fake information. You might even receive a phone call from someone claiming to be able to offer you a grant. Do not fall for this. We’ll supply the process below so you can understand what really happens with government grants.

Why Would Anyone Do This?

As a law-abiding citizen, it’s hard to understand why someone would do something like a grant scam. If you’re not overly technologically literate, like the victims of most online scams, then this goes doubly so.

A grant scam works on the basis of identity theft or compromising your bank account; the emails or phone calls follow a script. You’ll be congratulated on having received a sum of money, and then you’ll be instructed to hand over your bank details in order for the “grant” to be deposited. In fact, you will give over your personal information for use by the scammer so that they can withdraw funds from your account.

How To Avoid A Grant Scam And Other Online Tricks

The most important thing you can do is be vigilant with your personal details. Do not give out your details over the phone and do not email your personal details.

If you are in touch with someone who you believe to be a government agent, then do your due diligence and check that they are who they say they are. Most scammers will use official-sounding names for boards that do not exist, for example, the “Federal Grants Initiative.” Generally, all information regarding grants and governmental agencies can be found on the official government sites for the various agencies.

You can also put yourself on the Do Not Call registry. This will ensure that your number is kept private in many cases, and will thus not be available to scammers who access phone lists in bulk and ring constantly hoping to catch one naïve person.

There isn’t a Do Not Contact registry for emails, but the same applies – do not give it out unless necessary, and even then, makes sure it’s in the right hands. Most legitimate agencies and organizations will have secure online portals for collecting financial information, so never email this information to anyone.

If in doubt, you should always seek advice. Do not blindly accept anything an unknown entity might tell you. Any real government agency will understand your need for security, so make use of that.

Categories
Financial Government Grants

4 Steps for Successful Online Grant Research

4 Steps for Successful Online Grant Research

1.    Create a project outline:

To begin you need a general idea of the project scope.  Build an overall one-page synopsis that is as specific as possible for the project: Who is going to be helped? Main goals and objectives? How? What’s the timeline for implementation? Where? How much will it cost? Are there special populations? Do you have access to matching funds? Who is the applicant? Do you have a history of this or other awards?

All of these questions will allow creativity and guidance, and help you while filtering through your grant research!

2.    Create Key Terms:

From your synopsis pull key search terms: Region, Topic, General Scope, etc.  Be creative and think of anything that may make your project special.  Come up with as many as possible to use, and look at the list a few times before you request outside input.  The terms ultimately dictate your searches; the more you have the more successful you will be.

A good search should turn up 10-15 results in a database with 3-4 viable opportunities at different amounts to ensure a multi-pronged approach for success.

For example: Pennsylvania, Children and Family interventions, at-risk youth, matching funds, education, homelessness, prevention, trauma informed care, public housing, transitional living, collaboration, and partner based.

All-Star Tip: Be sure to have a few keywords with synonyms to try in different mixes and see what comes back.  Going for all search fields at once may over-limit your search.

3.    Choose your likely Funding Source:

Choosing what type of funding entity you’ll need for your project will dictate where to go. Some general examples have been listed here:

  1. Scholarships: Foundations, View Sponsored Listings
  2. Research: Grants.gov
  3. Contracts: Grants.gov, and State websites
  4. General Program Support: Foundations, Grants.gov, Federal/State Department Websites, View Sponsored Listings
  5. Project Specific Development/Pilot programs: Federal/State Websites, Grants.gov, and Foundations
  6. One-time events: Corporate Sponsorships, Donations, and Foundations

All-Star Tip: Be sure you think of your capacity for reporting measures. Federal grants are typically more competitive, require a longer history of success, and may require an outside consultant to write.  Some foundations might give you $1500, but the reporting alone may cost you $1500 of employee time – ensure balance and return on investment exist when conducting grant research!

4.    Track your research:

Many grants are released regularly, and in turn, save your information in a separate document to use later. If you are not sure, reach out to the program staff and ask for insight.

Excel sheets have been a personal favorite, but feel free to use any word processing software as well. Headings should include Agency, Grant Name, Maximum Amounts, Due Dates, Key Words, Ineligibility, Match Requirements, Reporting Measures, Website Links, and Internal Proposed Project.

Microsoft word also does well for a memo on each item, but you likely won’t need those specifics until you to take it to a higher authority. Excel creates an easily searchable list, without feeling overly cluttered, which grant research can tend to be. Just remember to stay organized and it will make your research much easier.

All-Star Tip: Create a google doc or sheet and encourage others to add their research in the same format!

Categories
Financial Savings

Challenge Yourself With a No-Spend Month

Challenge Yourself With a No-Spend Month

Each month we spend money on things that we don’t necessarily need. We buy iced coffee, video games, and other non-essential items. But what if we took a month to eliminate those non-needed purchases?

Have you ever thought about doing the No spend month challenge? During this challenge, you would cut out any extra purchases and only buy the necessities. It is a great way to save money and get caught up.

What Are Necessities 

Necessities are something that you have to have to live. Paying your bills is obviously a necessity. But what other items would be considered a necessities?

Hygiene Products

Hygiene products are considered necessities for your everyday life. They help keep you healthy and free from disease. Examples of hygiene products include:

  • Shampoo & Conditioner
  • Toothpaste and Mouthwash 
  • Soap & Body wash
  • Feminine Products
  • Deodorant & Antiperspirant 

Medical Product Necessities

Medical products are also necessities of your everyday life. These items also help you be healthy and free from disease. These items can be physical or non-tangible. Some examples of medical product necessities include:

  • Therapy Appointments
  • Medicine
  • Bandages 
  • Insulin Pumps
  • Nebulizers 

Utilities

Utilities are things that we pay for that allow us to function. Examples of utilities include:

  • Electricity
  • Water
  • Gas
  • Sewage & Sanitation 

Communication

Communication is needed not only for our mental health but for work purposes and emergencies. Without communication, it would be hard to do some of your activities. Examples of a communication expense include:

  • Cell Phone
  • Internet
  • Home Phone

Food And Beverage

For us to stay alive, we need food and water. You can not survive without these basic necessities. Examples of food and beverage include:

  • Water
  • Herbal Tea
  • Vegetables
  • Fruit
  • Meat

Transportation Necessities

We all need to get places to fulfill our duties. We have many things going on in our daily lives and, most cannot be completed from our homes. Just like us having some mode of transport to leave our houses. Examples of transportation expenses include:

  • Car Payment
  • Uber Or Lyft
  • Train Fair
  • Bus Pass
  • Airplane Ticket

What Are Not Considered Necessities

We have many things in our lives that are not considered necessities. We use and spend money on them every day without a second thought. These are the items that you should eliminate for your one-month no-spend challenge. 

Entertainment

While entertainment is fun and can help your day go faster, it is not a necessity. It doesn’t provide you with something that enhances your health, safety, or wellbeing. Examples of entertainment include:

  • Movies
  • Concerts
  • Video Games
  • Sporting Events
  • Comedy Clubs

Non-essential Food Items

While food is a necessity, many foods are non-essential. We should meet our caloric needs for the day with healthy food choices. The following are examples of luxury non-essential food items.

  • Chips
  • Candy
  • Ice Cream
  • Soda
  • Iced Coffee

Conclusion

If you are up for it, try the one-month no spend challenge. Use the money that would have been spent on non-essentials and put it into savings. Allow yourself to see how much you are spending on these items each month. 

Categories
Tech & Media Technology

The Apps I Use Every Day That Make Life Easier

The Apps I Use Every Day That Make Life Easier

You need smart tools to make your life easier in this fast paced world. Otherwise, you won’t be able to succeed with your goals. There are many tools or applications available to maximize your productivity and live a smarter life. This piece will discuss some apps that I used every single day and found effective to make my life easier. Let’s review these apps:

1.     Calm

Meditation has a plethora of benefits to obtain mental peace and clarify thoughts. That’s why meditation classes are mostly full. Calm is a meditation and mindfulness app with a simple and easy interface. If you want to improve your meditation game, you can download the app and enjoy the calmness. The app includes many background sounds such as silent clouds, mountain lakes, and sunset beaches.

2.     Spendbook App

Many of us spend more than what we actually earn. I used to be the same. But, since I downloaded Spendbook to track my finances, I can cut off additional expenses and save more. This application has a user-friendly and sleek interface. Using this app you can customize your spending and record your daily expenses in different categories. The app also includes advanced financial tools such as interactive and intuitive charts to manage everyday income and expenses.

3.     RunKeeper

Do you want to meet your fitness goals but don’t have a personal trainer? You can download RunKeeper to challenge yourself, lose weight, and even practice for a race. You can choose from different levels and customize your running plans. Also, you can partner with your friends and celebrate progress with them. Also, you can compare workout routines and compete with them.

4.     Airtasker App

Whether it is a weekday or a weekend, handling your house chores such as vacuuming and gardening is always overwhelming. A few months ago I found an app, Airtasker that allows me to easily outsource my tasks with few clicks on my smartphone. This application is incredible as it allows you to hire cooks, gardeners, and even revivalists for personal assistance. With this app, you can hire people to handle menial tasks, while you enjoy the weekend.

5.     Pocket

Do you love reading articles and blogs, but don’t get enough time during weekdays? If yes, then you should download Pocket. Pockets allow you to save articles and videos for later. I found this application quite effective as it enabled me to save important content and access them from any interlinked device. What’s more, you can view the saved content even while you are offline. So, if your travel quite often, you can save important content to read on the flight or the bus.

Conclusion

Digital innovation has changed the way we used to perform our daily tasks. The above-mentioned applications are a few examples but there are thousands of apps to simplify your lives. You can find personal and professional applications for different devices such as computers and smartphones to prioritize your tasks and achieve goals.

Categories
Business Career & Education

Employee Job Satisfaction and User’s Repurchase

Employee Job Satisfaction and User's Repurchase

Customer satisfaction is an integral part of a company’s success, as a satisfied customer returns for multiple purchases. They will usually post about their experience online, tell their friends, or generally want to continue supporting the company. However, customer retention can often hinge on employee job satisfaction. After all, an employee’s overall well-being reflects on the company in various ways. For a company looking to retain its customers, job satisfaction is an important thing they will first consider.

The Perspective of an Expert

Christopher Groening works at the Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business as an assistant marketing professor. He offered his insight on the matter. Then, he explained how a continued emphasis on customer satisfaction leads businesses to offer their employees with unsatisfactory working conditions.

He said that many company owners get tunnel vision, focusing specifically on customer retention and loyalty strategies. These strategies take top precedent, as they are no longer focusing on their employees their working environment. Even if the company works in an industry where its employees will rarely interact with customers, looking after them can still boost customer loyalty and satisfaction.

A good example worth looking at is a company like Activision Blizzard. More specifically, how its fans reacted to its very serious allegations of work place misconduct.

The Activision Blizzard Situation

Activision Blizzard was once one of the most respected and beloved game development studios in the industry. They created multiple classics and fan favorites such as Overwatch, Warcraft, Starcraft, Heroes of the Storm. But in the past two years, the company’s intensely misogynistic work culture reared its head, showing a deeply problematic side of the company. Fans on social media responded by criticizing them, calling the company out for protecting the people responsible for fostering this toxic work environment.

The fan backlash brought about two walkouts staged by the employees, and player numbers for their games dropping by a significant margin. Following all of the news around its misconduct, even major shareholders pulled out of the company. Stock prices for the company fell to the lowest they ever had in its history, and the company would eventually be consolidated to Microsoft.

The Activision Blizzard situation is a good case study of how a company focuses on maximizing customer retention and leaving employees to deal with a very toxic work environment. Loyal players and a high-profile guild in their star MMO left, and people generally do not think kindly of them. Customers do not want employees to be treated poorly at all, regardless of why a company does so.

Smaller Companies Should Be Especially Careful

Understandably, the example mentioned above is by no means a small company. Activision Blizzard brings in billions in revenue every successive year, they are easily one of the biggest companies in the world. However, this is also a major concern for smaller companies, especially where customer and employee interaction is constant.

Customers care deeply about the companies that they support, especially if the firm aligns with their values. And when they find out that a company is not treating their workers with respect or care, they will not be willing to return. And if an employee works as a teller or interacts with the customers regularly, customers will usually tell if the employee is receiving proper treatment.

Improving Customer Retention by Improving Employee Satisfaction

CEOs play an integral role in retaining customers, even if it does not seem like it. Depending on how the CEO interacts with their employees, they could greatly affect employee morale, which could in turn affect customer repurchasing. With that in mind, here are a few ways that owners and CEOs can improve employee satisfaction.

Create a Better Working Environment

One of the most effective ways to improve employee satisfaction is to improve their working environment. If employees have to deal with a toxic manager or an uncooperative employee, their performance will suffer. Squash out any issues regarding misconduct instantly and make sure that your employees feel safe.

Hire Better Managers

It’s not uncommon to have one or two bad apples in a firm who are underperforming. Still, consistently poor performance from employees under a manager could be a sign that they are not a good fit. The manager should act as a mentor to the employees and offer them advice on how to improve.

Empower Employees

Empowering employees and making them feel valued is always an effective way to increase job satisfaction. Giving them the tools necessary for them to make critical decisions or to handle issues without intervention can show them that the company cares. And offering other intangible benefits like shorter workdays and flexible hours can make them feel more satisfied with their job.

Increased Employee Satisfaction Increases Customer Retention

Your customers are an important part of the business, but you shouldn’t focus on them to the point where you let your employees suffer.

Categories
Dating Health & Home

20 Valentine’s Day Dessert Recipes

20 Valentine’s Day Dessert Recipes

No one can resist freshly baked cookies and baked cupcakes, especially when made by someone you love. In this piece, we will discuss 20 Valentine’s Day dessert recipes so you can enjoy the day with your loved one.  

Cakes

1.     Chocolate Lava Cakes

Making this gooey restaurant sweet dish at home will make your loved one love you even more. It takes only 20 minutes to make this lava cake from scratch.

2.     Million Heart Cheesecake

You don’t have to spend a whole day to impress your Valentine. Instead, you can make this cheesecake with minimal baking. You have to bake the crust and overflow it with cheesecake.

3.     Broken Heart Chocolate Cake

Making this delicious Valentine’s Day chocolate cake is therapeutic, especially if you feel nothing but daggers during Valentine’s Day. We are gifting this recipe to you so you don’t feel alone.

4.     Towering Flourless Chocolate Cake

This show-stopping dessert contains intense and rich chocolate on the bottom, while the top is fluffy and sweet.

5.     Chocolate Coconut Fudge Candy Cake

This coconut-filled luxurious cake is a perfect example of chocolate candy blended with a classic tropical center. The dark chocolate spread on the cake will make your mouth-watery.

6.     German Chocolate Cheesecake

This cheesecake will take you and your loved one to a magical land of chocolate.

Cupcakes

7.     Mini Cupcake Chocolate Box

A homemade cupcake chocolate box is a perfect Valentine’s Day gift. You don’t need a guide to make these cupcakes. A drop of chocolaty love portion will work.

8.     Heart of the Batter

Make this heart-shaped dessert with strawberries stuffed inside. The stuffed strawberries inside cupcakes will surprise your partner. Add chocolate and cream topping for the taste buds.

9.     Mini Chocolate Ganache Cupcakes

These one-bite desserts are perfect for Valentine’s Day cocktail parties. Chocolate-on-chocolate placed on the dessert table will make the day special.

Snacks

10. Chocolate-Covered Cherries

Cherries are perfect for Valentine’s Day. But, covering them with chocolate will enhance the taste.

11. Chocolate Strawberry Jelly Roll

Chocolate strawberry jelly rolls are fun and easy to make. Simply layer the cake with strawberries and dark chocolate and make an ultimate dessert.

12. Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

Like chocolate-covered cherries, chocolate-covered strawberries are also special to surprise your partner on Valentine’s Day.

13. Chocolate Truffles

You can make chocolate truffles in many ways. Try adding some strawberry syrup on top to make it extraordinary.

14. Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Marshmallows

These adorable pink marshmallows are covered with chocolate mouth-watering treats.

Tarts and Torte

15. Chocolate Tart

Do you want something elegant for Valentine’s Day? Make this luscious chocolate tart and your partner will love you for it.

16. Brownie Tart

Valentine’s Day dessert list is incomplete without brownies. Try this brownie tart with a tablespoon of instant coffee, a bit of floor, and the chocolate flavor for a gooey and dense Valentine’s Day dessert.

17. Flourless Chocolate Torte

This flourless chocolate dessert is light and elegant. It contains a handful of ingredients, but it will still make the day special.

Cookies

18. Triple Chocolate-Hazelnut Cookies

Serve these triple chocolate-hazelnut cookies with a cold glass of milk.

19. Love and Kisses Cookies

When the blossom cookies get Valentine’s Day makeover, you come up with these love and kisses cookies.

20. Valentine’s Day Sugar Cookies

Are you looking for a tasty, simple, and beautiful dessert to surprise your partner on Valentine’s Day? Try these Valentine’s Day sugar cookies.

Conclusion

These Valentine’s Day desserts will make Valentine’s Day more momentous. If you want to surprise your loved one with a treat on Valentine’s Day, you should try the above-mentioned festive desserts.

Categories
Dating Family Health & Home

40+ Valentine’s Day Gifts To Spread Some Love

40+ Valentine’s Day Gifts To Spread Some Love This Year

Are you looking for a perfect gift to surprise your loved one? If yes, then don’t fret, as below, you will find a list of more than 40 Valentine’s Day gifts to make this Valentine’s special. So let’s begin:

Chocolates

Chocolate is the love drug that releases endorphins in the brain. This is a hormone that makes you happy. When you give your loved one a box filled with chocolates, it influences their mood. Also, it means that they sexually attract them. In many cultures, women give men chocolates on Valentine’s Day.

Also, you can share your sentiment by giving chocolates with other gifts. That’s the best thing about giving chocolates to your loved ones. It blends in with any other present that you have in mind. Here is a list of chocolates you can give to your partner:

  1. Bonbon Box
  2. La Maison du Chocolat
  3. Seattle Chocolate
  4. M&M chocolate box
  5. Exotic Truffle Collection
  6. Godiva Chocolatier Classic Gold Box
  7. Charbonnel et Walker Milk Chocolate

Jewelry

Jewelry is a standard Valentine’s Day gift to show affection for loved ones. Furthermore, choosing the right design and piece for the partner is important. Diamonds on the chain or bracelet are a classic gift. Giving precious metals to your partner means they have value in your life.

You can give hearts and flowers earnings or precious rings to your partner to express your emotions. A gold necklace or bracelet will also look outstanding. Here is a list of jewelry pieces you can gift your partner on Valentine’s Day:

  • Necklace
  • Diamond ring
  • Bracelet
  • Cufflink
  • Earrings
  • Antique jewelry
  • Bead Jewelry

Beauty Product Gifts

This season you can gift your partner beauty products for some pampering. Choose their favorite beauty brand and make a collection. Handpicking popular products and packing them in a box is a special gift. Your partner will love to find their favorite beauty products in the gift box. Here is a list of beauty products to give to your partner:

  1. Perfume
  2. Lipstick set
  3. Skincare products
  4. Night skin glowing cream
  5. Bath salts
  6. Eye shadow palettes
  7. Pillow talk kit

Gadgets

If you want to buy a gift for your boyfriend or husband, cool gadgets will be the perfect option. Especially if your partner loves video games, you have a wide variety of options to choose from. A new headset and controller will cheer your loved ones. Find some options below:

  • Headsets
  • Xbox or PS5 Controller
  • Portable projector
  • Wireless touchpad
  • Smart speaker
  • Smartwatch
  • Nintendo Switch

Books

If your partner loves reading books, you can surprise them with a new book. The reason why books are a perfect Valentine’s Day gift is that it gives a personal touch. When you choose the book from a specific genre they love, they will know that you remember their preference. As a result, they will love you even more. You can give candies and flowers with the book, to make it festive. Here are some books you should give them:

  • The Glittering Hour by Iona Grey
  • The Kissing Game by Marie Harte
  • The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa
  • Love, Unscripted by Owen Nicholls
  • The Two Lives of Lydia Bird by Josie Silver
  • Love Her or Lose Her by Tessa Bailey
  • The Honey-Don’t List by Christina Lauren

Gift Clothing

The outfit is another perfect option to gift to your partner. Whether they are a man or a woman, they will love an incredible pair of jeans. You can buy them an outfit from their favorite brand. This means that you don’t have to look around for the perfect gift, you already know what they will love. Here are some options:

  • A pair of jeans
  • Crop top
  • Blouse
  • Sweatshirt
  • Sarong
  • Shorts
  • Gowns

Conclusion

Now as you know the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for your loved ones, what are you waiting for? Simply pick the category from the above-mentioned list and head to the store.

Categories
Health & Home Wellness

Cut Down On These Habits And See What Happens

Cut Down On These Habits And See What Happens

If you think you have a lot going on in your life and want to experience a change, try cutting down on these habits. Not only will they make your life easy and less busy, but they also help reduce the extra costs. This may sound like a fun experiment to you, but it is more than that. These are all good decisions that you can make to improve the functionality and efficiency of your life. Let’s have a look at what you can do to break habits and lead a better life.

Stop Buying Extra Stuff To Save Money

You can think of this list to any kind of list that can help you save money, time, and energy. However, we are specifically referring to a grocery or shopping list. A lot of people tend to buy extra stuff that they don’t really need when they are out grocery shopping.

Some people make it a habit to buy a specific thing every time they head out to the market. Most of the time, they are just collecting the same thing and hoarding it without making any use of it. What does it do for you?

You spend money on something that you don’t need and already have sitting at home. Moreover, things that are not needed but are still there take up storage space in your house.

Reduce Your Coffee Purchase Habits

It is normal and completely acceptable if you love your coffee. A lot of people can’t function without their daily dose of caffeine. But when you spoil yourself by getting a coffee on your way to work, it can rack up your expenses. If you are one of those people, the chances are that you spend a good fraction of money on just coffee.

You will realize how much you spend on coffee if you calculate how much it adds to when you get a coffee every day. Well, you can save that money by trying to make your morning coffee at home. Moreover, this will result in a reduced coffee reliance as it will reduce the amount of caffeine you take in each day.

Limit Dining Out To Save Money

Dining out can feel good and make any moment special. However, you should not ignore that it is also very costly at the same time. Dining out is a special occasion on its own, so cut down on how often you eat out. You can reserve it for special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries.

Most people stop by to have lunch on their way or go out for dinners when they’re just feeling lazy. This only adds up to spending extra money when it is not necessarily needed. It is better to get active and cook dinner and lunch at home to cut down on extra spending. You can go out on special days to keep celebrating any special events.

Conclusion

Saving money and breaking years-long habits is not easy, and you will find it quite hard to begin. You may also feel like giving up when you have a rough time. However, you will also find the results to be really rewarding and satisfying.

Categories
Financial Savings

How To Save Money On Utility Bills This Winter

How To Save Money On Utilities This Winter

Winter is cold for a lot of the United States. Winter is known for its snow and ice and below-freezing temperatures. While it can be a beautiful time of year, it can also become expensive.

Utility bills sometimes skyrocket during the cold months. If you want your home to be at a cozy temperature, your furnace may have to work extra hard, raising your bills to all-time highs.

But what if you are on a budget and cannot afford higher winter utility bills? Continue reading below to find out our top ways to save money on your utility bills this winter.

Insulate Your Home

Having a well-insulated home is crucial to keeping your utility bills low. Insulation will keep warm air inside and the cold air outside. Your furnace won’t work as hard to heat up your home when you have well-insulated walls, doors, and windows.

Open Curtains This Winter

This may sound inaccurate, but it is true. Having open curtains in the winter can allow the sun to shine through. The sun is a natural form of heat and can allow your home to warm up during the day. Be sure to close them at night when the sun goes down.

Keep Your Thermostat Lower

If you want lower utility bills you can try keeping your thermostat a degree or two lower. While it may not be as warm as you would like, it will reduce the amount you are spending.

Replace Furnace Filters This Winter

Replacing your furnace filter regularly, especially at the beginning of winter, will help your furnace work properly. You will know when to replace your filter when it has a layer of dust or dirt covering it.

Add Weatherstrips To Doors And Windows

If you add weatherstrips to your doors and windows it can be a great way to lower your utility bills. Weatherstrips will block and breeze or cold air from coming into your house.

Buy A Smart Thermostat

Buying a smart thermostat can help reduce your utility bills as well. The new technology in these thermostats is more accurate and precise than older thermostats. They will regulate your temperature and allow you to set them from your phone.

Check Your Vents This Winter

Sometimes people forget to check their air vents and don’t realize that they are blocked. A blocked air vent won’t allow the warm air from the furnace to be disbursed into your home. Your furnace will have to work double to accommodate the blocked vent.

Turn Down Your Water Heater

During the winter you may enjoy a hot shower. But having your water heater set too high can also mean a higher utility bill. Adjust your water heater’s temperature a few degrees to help save money.

The Take-Away

Although winter can be a more expensive time of year for utilities, it doesn’t have to be. With some adjustments and quick fixes, you can help alleviate the high bills and still be just as cozy and warm.

Categories
Financial

How to Write a Check: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Write a Check: A Step-by-Step Guide

Writing checks is not as complicated as many newbies think it is. Our world has turned digital, this made writing a check almost a thing of the past. But, sometimes it is still something you will have to do.

If you have never written a check, you may need to learn how to fill one out. In this article, we will learn how to write out a check. Continue reading for our step-by-step guide.

Step 1

The first thing you will need to do is rip off the first check on the perforated line. If you haven’t used a check from your checkbook before, your check number in the top right corner will likely start at number 01.

Step 2

Once you have your check, you will need to fill out the date. The date is located below the check number in the top right corner.

Be sure to date it correctly, as a wrong date can void the check.

Step 3

The next step is to make the check out to whoever it is going to. This line may be filled out to the name of a person or a business. Check your spelling to make sure it exactly matches who the check is going to. This should be filled out on the first line under your name and address.

Step 4

underneath the line that you just completed with the name, you will have to fill out the dollar amount in words. For example, if the check is for $5, you will write it out as Five Dollars. If the amount doesn’t have change, you will write 00/100 at the end. This means zero out of 100 cents.

Step 5

You will also have to write the dollar amount using numbers in the rectangle box next to the written form of the amount. Again, if the amount is $5, you will write it as $5.00. Always be sure to add the zeros at the end. A completed check is harder to change. Scammers are everywhere, so you will want to protect yourself from forgery.

Step 6

At the bottom of the check, in the left corner, you will see a line, this line is for writing what the check is for. Let’s say the check is for a utility bill, you will write “Water Bill” or “Gas Bill”. This line is for your records, but sometimes can help the receiver process where the check goes.

This line can also be used for account numbers. Depending on who you are writing the check out to, they may have a special request of what they want to be written on the line. Be sure to find out exactly what is needed before turning in the check.

Step 7

On the opposite bottom corner, you will see a line for you to sign. This is where you put your signature verifying that you are the person who wrote the check. Be sure to use your regular signature that matches what the bank has on file.