Money Saving Tips You Need To Know About

Saving money isn’t easy. I know this from experience. Two years ago, I quit a good job to start my own business. The consequence of this was that myself and my family no longer had the securities we once had. We were no longer well-off. In fact, we had very little money.

Do I regret the decision? Not at all. I’m very happy, as is my family. We won’t have a lot of money for a while yet, but over the long-term the security that I can create with this business will be well worth it.

“Don’t save what is left after spending, but spend what is left after saving.”

     – Warren Buffet

Two of the biggest things I had to learn after making the transition from secure job to owning my own business was living on a budget and saving money. This is something I had never done before, and neither had my family. All of a sudden, we had to be very careful about what we spent. I made mistakes along the way, but I learned from them. And I can safely say that I now know the art of saving money inside out. So let’s take a look at 10 effective money saving tips you need to know about.

Always Buy Online

You could be forgiven for thinking that shopping online is counterproductive, and that you would easily end up over-spending. After all, you’re faced with an abundance of choice. Moreover, you can buy anything with just a few clicks.

But when you buy online, you get to compare prices. And for money savers, this is essential. As you scan the products on the screen, you can easily see which ones are available for the cheapest price. You can also check your basket before buying, which means that you can remove items to keep costs down.

Ask Friends And Family

Need a new microwave or fridge? Maybe you could do with a new pair of jeans? Or perhaps you need a few light bulbs?

Your first idea is to probably head to the shops and make a few purchases. Naturally. It’s what you’ve always done. But how about asking friends and family if they have the items you need?

Cook!

When my family and I first had to start saving money, we thought it would make more sense to eat lots of TV dinners. Surely that would be cheaper than buying lots of ingredients and cooking fresh meals from scratch each night?

Not exactly.

While some TV dinners are dirt cheap, they’re the kind which are really unhealthy. The “decent” TV dinners, meanwhile, are actually really expensive. And stocking up on them each week will cost you an arm and a leg.

It’s much easier to buy lots of fresh produce each week. Remember that so many ingredients can be used in a few different dishes. For example, a box of eggs stretches a long way, as does garlic, spinach, onions, peppers and so on!

Sleep On It

There are two types of shoppers:

• Logical shoppers
• Emotional shoppers

If you’re an emotional shopper, you’re more inclined to impulse buying. This means you see something that catches your eye, and instead of reasoning that you probably shouldn’t buy it, you go ahead and purchase it anyway.

And then usually regret it a few hours later.

When trying to save, it’s a good idea to always wait a day before making a big purchase. Sleep on things to see how you feel in the morning. The chances are that you’ll wake up happy that you didn’t splash out yesterday.

Pay Your Bills

You’re trying to save money, so you’re probably looking for ways of making cutbacks. Maybe not paying your bills this month is the way to go?

Nope! As tempting as it is, skipping your bills is only going to cause hassle in the long-run. Always pay them on time.

Reward Yourself

It’s nigh on impossible to save if you’re literally spending nothing on treats. You’ll become miserable and resentful, and eventually you’ll start splashing the cash again.

For this reason, it’s a good idea to treat yourself every now and then. After a month or two of solid saving, reward yourself with a small present that makes you feel good. This sort of motivation is important if you’re going to stringently stick to your saving goals.

Stop Caring About What Other People Think

One thing I noticed when I first started living on a budget and making serious efforts to save money was that I was obsessed with what other’s were thinking about me. I wanted to go out with the girls and stick to the cheapest drink possible (water!), but I couldn’t do it. I was so scared that they would judge me.

I quickly realised, though, that I had to stop caring what other people thought of me. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have saved anything. So I started ordering the cheapest drinks in bars. I began ordering small dishes at restaurant and I stopped going out shopping with my friends altogether.

And you know what? They totally supported me, because that’s what friends do.

Do It Yourself

Before you ask that window cleaner across the street if he can clean your panes, consider doing the task yourself first. Likewise, what’s stopping you from mowing your own lawn or researching how to fix a leaky faucet?

Always Use Cash

Another one of good money saving tips is to always use cash. Credit cards might seem like a good idea at the time because you’re not parting with any physical cash, which means that you’re able to put some money aside. In the long run, however, credit cards are going to avenge you for all that spending.

It’s much better to just use cash to make your purchases. When you buy with cash, your subconscious is stung more because it can see the money you’re losing. As such, you’re less likely to overspend.

Get Store Cards

I was always one of those people who constantly turned down store cards because I couldn’t be bothered with the hassle of filling in a form. Moreover, I didn’t think it would save me much money.

Store cards can save you a small fortune in the long term and make a lot of sense.

After The Nigerian Health Care System Failed Her Friend This Entrepreneur’s Innovative Creation is Saving Other Lives

A depeju Jaiyeoba is the founder and CEO ofMother’s Delivery Kit (MDK), a Lagos-based social enterprise established to promote and enhance safe births, instigate behavioral change and economically empower women in Nigeria. Her enterprise supplies birthing kits to health centres, hospitals, traditional birth attendants as well as maternal and child health organisations across the country.

Prior to the establishment of MDK, the death of a friend from birthing complications in 2011, inspired Jaiyeoba to set up a non-governmental, non-profit organisation called the Brown Button Foundation. “Her death put a face on every maternal and child death statistic I had heard,” Jaiyeoba saidon the loss of her friend. “She was educated and brilliant, and she sought out health care services during her pregnancy. Yet she became one of the 13 women who die daily during childbirth in Nigeria. The health care system had failed her and her unborn baby.”

Maternal and child mortality has always been an issue in developing countries around the world. Many pregnant women are exposed to several risks and complications because they lack easy access to healthcare facilities, skilled doctors, or even an ambulance or vehicle to transport them when in labour. This is why each year, reducing infant and maternal mortality is a major part of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in many countries.

I’ve witnessed what happens when women don’t have access to sterile supplies at childbirth. I’ve seen umbilical cords severed with rusty blades, increasing the chances of neonatal tetanus. I’ve seen mothers giving birth on bare floors, risking deadly sepsis infections. And I’ve seen how the odds are transformed when women have access to the right health tools and technologies.

One of Nigeria’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for last year, was to ensure that the country’s under-five mortality rate reduces to 70 deaths per 1,000 live births and that the rate of mothers dying while giving birth decreases to 250 per every 100,000 live births. However, statistics from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), show that maternal mortality in Nigeria is at 128 deaths per 1,000 live births for under-five mortality and 576 deaths per 100,000 live births for maternal mortality, indicating that the country was unable to achieve its goal.

The Brown Button Foundation mainly trains and builds the capacity of birth attendants in remote communities in Nigeria where births are often carried out by unprofessional, and traditional birth attendants resulting in both infant and maternal death. Although skilled care during delivery did help to alleviate birthing complications in rural communities, Jaiyeoba soon realised that the “challenges of preventing maternal and child deaths is multifaceted and also demands the right medicines, tools and supplies at the right time to prevent deaths.”

With hospitals or health centres far away and the common practice of delivering babies at home, these supplies are hard to come by in rural communities. Hence, Jaiyeoba thought of a way to provide women in rural communities with low cost essential supplies for child delivery. With support from the government of the United States, Jaiyeoba received critical business education and global health experience to grow her business through the US Young African Leaders Initiative’s Mandela Washington Fellowship exchange program.

She also received a $25,000 grant from the US African Development Foundation to set up storage facilities and strengthen supply chain lines for delivery, so more kits can get into the hands of more moms faster. Today, her innovative kits containing affordable, sterile supplies are in 30 out of 36 states in Nigeria and has reached more than 50,000 women and babies.

source:- atlantablackstar

Fearless Black Female Warriors of Dahomey Kingdom Get Live-Action Series

The history of the Western African female soldiers known for their prowess will be revealed in a live-action series. The program is titled Amazons after the title given to the warriors in European narratives – Dahomey Amazons.  It is currently in development and no network is attached yet.

Deadline reported Charles F. Johnson developed the show with French producer, writer and director Joy Fleury and producer Karen Gordy. Johnson is an African-American producer of NCIS fame.  Didier Lacoste and writer-director Armand Bernardi created the project, which focuses on a unique group of women who existed the 17th century to the 19th century in the present-day Republic of Benin.

According to Atlanta Black Star, the all-female military regime were Fon people living in the Kingdom of Dahmoney. They referred to themselves as Ahosi – meaning “king’s wives” – or Mino – meaning “our mothers” in the Fon language. The women were fierce. They had no qualms about decapitating soldiers in the midst of a fight. In fact, they became known for it. Beheadings did not end on the battlegrounds. Those unlucky enough to be taken captive suffered the same fate.

In 1851 Seh-Dong-Hong-Beh, a mighty leader of the Ahosi, led an army of 6,000 against the Egba’s Abeokuta fortress in Nigeria. Though the Mino were ferocious fighters, their spears and bows were no failed against the Egba’s European cannons. Only 1,200 Mino survived as a result.

Still, Europeans themselves could not out do the Ahosi. King Behanzin – the 11th ruler of Dahomey  – sent the Mino with male soldiers to take down the French in 1890 during the First Franco-Dahomean War. Teaming the women and men together showed the equality between genders in government rule. It was women’s skill in combat that led the French to lose several battles against the Fon.

source:- atlantablackstar

BEING IRRESISTIBLY ATTRACTIVE EVERY GIRL NEEDS TO KNOW

Are there laws of attraction? You bet there are. But because attraction is such a subjective, almost mysterious thing, it’s hard to define these laws and whether or not they’re universal.

If you’re like any other girl, you’ll have met men in the past who you had a huge crush on and wanted to date. You liked them and wanted them to like you back. Unfortunately, they just weren’t digging you. So what was wrong?

Most girls assume – quite naturally – that they just weren’t pretty enough. Either they applied more – or different – makeup in a bid to make themselves more appealing, or they gave up the ghost and lamented that nobody will ever find them desirable.

But the truth is that attraction is about more than just a pretty face. Guys are looking for other things, too. If you want to discover the 10 secrets to being irresistibly attractive that every girl needs to know, you’ll have to get used to thinking outside the box. Let’s take a look at some top tips!

Be Confident

Girls who are undeniably attractive to men are always confident with who they are. They don’t need someone by their side to define them, and they’re perfectly content to be by themselves.

These confident girls have standards and values they’re ready to stick to, and they aren’t swayed by every single change in popular culture. They know who they are and what they want, and you won’t find them changing their opinions every day.

Confidence is a remarkably powerful thing that men can’t help but be attracted to. If you assert yourself and know your values inside out, you will enhance your appeal instantly.

Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously

Men are drawn to women who can take a joke. They want to be able to have a giggle with you and tease you without you reacting like they’ve just spilled wine all over your best dress. Guys can be really sarcastic, so it’s important for them that you are happy to be on the end of one of their jokes.

Take a look at a guys dating profile. The number one thing that they always ask for is a woman who has a sense of humour.

Have A Sense Of Adventure

Do men like girls who are scared of dirt and won’t be seen dead in their hiking boots or taking a spontaneous road trip in the middle of the night? Some men might, but they’re few and far between.

A sense of adventure and a willingness to have fun is hugely attractive. If you’re game for some fun and games, you’re basically fun to be around. And who doesn’t like that? You need to be willing to try new foods, visit new places and dare to do things.

If you’re unwilling to get your hands dirty because you might smudge your makeup, you won’t be doing yourself any favours at all.

Don’t Be Too Emotional

Being a cold-hearted robot who can’t even cry at The Notebook is just plain weird, but being an overly emotional wreck is unattractive. So you need to find the sweet spot, which is somewhere in the middle. It’s okay to want to have a cry with your man during a movie, but it’s not okay to text him every five minutes demanding to know why he hasn’t replied yet.

Be cool, be chilled and cry at the right moments.

Smile!

Walking around with a glum face all day makes you look unapproachable, angry and occasionally even psychotic. Basically, it isn’t attractive, especially when you double it up with the hunched shoulders.

Smiling makes you instantly more attractive. You’re essentially rewarding the the guy when you smile, making him feel good and putting him at ease. It also makes him think you like him, which further enhances your attractiveness.

Be Feminine 

Girls who are attractive are not the sort who obsess over their looks every minute of the day. Sure, they fix themselves up to look pretty, but they’re satisfied with what they’ve got, and they don’t aim for perfection.

You should also not be afraid to embrace your femininity. It’s okay to be strong, capable and independent, but your femininity needs to compliment any masculinity you have. If you are to be wearing jogging shoes and pants, make sure that you look charming or even adorable.

Wear skirts that accentuate your femininity, and avoid gutter talk. Knowing how to be a lady is deeply attractive.

Lengthen Your Hair

According to research, long hair is associated with health in a man’s eyes, while unkempt, short hair is not as attractive.

You just can look through history at some of the world’s most glamorous women. One thing they all had in common was a lustrous mane that was full of shine and radiance.

Be Smart

Being dumb is not attractive. Although it’s funny the first time someone says something silly and stupid, it’s not funny the second, third or fourth time. In fact, it’s annoying and unattractive – and it doesn’t appeal to men.

As such, it’s important that you prepare yourself intellectually. Educate yourself by reading books, watching videos and listening to podcasts. It’s so easy in 2016 to expand your knowledge base, and because guys are drawn to women who can stimulate their minds with expansive conversations, it’s key that you nurture your intellect.

Be Friendly

If you’re snooty and unapproachable, you’re going to find it hard to be attractive to anyone. Although you might say that you’ve got high standards, adopting an unfriendly approach is not appealing and will put men off.

It’s important that you return friendly glances with an equally friendly glance. Be approachable, be friendly and open up to people. Have a laugh with them, and show that you’re not afraid to talk to people. You need to show that you’re an open minded, warm person.

Be Kind

Simple – but so effective. If a man see’s that you’re kind and compassionate to others, he’ll start thinking: “Wow. There is a future here.”

Meanness and jealousy will get you no where.

HERE IS ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE BEAUTIFUL SKIN DIET

Ladies, I’ll hold my hands up and admit it: I was one of those suckers for gimmick diets.Yup. I bought all the quick-fix cosmetics, the fad cures, and put myself on a disciplined diet that recommended lots of detoxing and a bunch of unpronounceable fruits that probably don’t even exist anymore.

Why? Because I wanted better skin and thought that by listening to the ‘experts’ in the magazines I’d havebetter skin.

Only, the experts were wrong.

My skin didn’t get more beautiful. In fact, it got worse.

The experts knew this, and a year later they tried convincing me to buy alternative supplements and cosmetics.

I wasn’t going to be fooled a second time.

After consulting with dieticians, dermatologists and nutritionists, I learned that high-tech beauty products are not the way to better skin. Instead, the way you look is entirely down to what you eat.

If you eat the wrong foods, your skin will look wrong.

If you eat the right foods, your skin will look great.

It’s simple – but yet so many of us get it wrong because we’re told otherwise.

In this article, I’m going to share with you 10 foods you need to start eating for beautiful skin that fills you with confidence. Let’s take a look.

Dark Chocolate

Cocoa helps to hydrate your skin, which is what you need if your skin is to look amazing. Basically, the more cocoa a bar of chocolate has, the more powerful its effects will be.

Dark chocolate is your best option because it contains more cocoa and more flavonols, which are a type of antioxidant that destroys the pesky free radicals that are responsible for your dead skin cells.

It’s advised that you seek out chocolate that is around 70% cocoa. Some find the taste off-putting, but 70% is generally a good amount that is both healthy but not too rich.

Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds might be teeny tiny, but they’re still a powerful super food that pack a delightful punch. Pumpkin seeds are actually among the most powerful nutritious and alkaline seeds on the planet.

They’re loaded with all kinds of nutrients, including magnesium, iron, protein and potassium, and they help to rebuild your broken skin cells that have been torn down.

As well as giving you clearer skin, pumpkin seeds also boost your mood and energy.

Blueberries

Blueberries are one of nature’s sweetest, healthiest snacks. Yet so many of us ignore them and instead ruin our beautiful skin with candy bars, salted peanuts and cheese strings.

You should, though, consider swapping your usual office snacks for blueberries. Stuffed with antioxidants, blueberries bring out the best in your skin and hair. They slow down the ageing process and reduce wrinkles.

All you need is half a cup per day. If you dislike the idea of eating them whole by themselves, why not add them to a bowl of oatmeal or a tub of yogurt?

Alternatively, you could drink blueberry smoothie or juice.

Avocados

If your skin is really parched right now, avocados can help you out. Rich in biotin, this nutritious fruit prevents dryness and rehydrates your largest organ.

Add chopped avocado to your eggs on toast, or include one as part of a salad.

Salmon

We eat salmon all the time in my house because of how amazingly good it is for your brain – and your skin.

This is because salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which make sure that your skin stays moisturised and supple.

Salmon also contains a useful mineral called selenium, which offers your skin a layer of protection against the sun’s powerful UV rays.

Salmon is easy to add to your diet. You can eat it with your scrambled eggs in the morning, add it to a cream cheese bagel for lunch, or fry it with some potatoes and vegetables for dinner.

Gorgeous.

Eggs

Eggs are super versatile and can be eaten in so many different ways, and included to so many different dishes. From egg fried rice to a bacon and mushroom omelette, you can do anything with an egg. You can even bake a cake!

Eggs are stuffed with protein, an essential nutrient that repairs skin cells damaged by free radicals.

Spinach

I refused to eat greens when I was a little girl. My mom admirably tried her best to get me to eat more of them, but I was adamant that I didn’t like the taste.

I still refused to eat greens when I was applying all kinds of cosmetics to my body in a bid to improve my skin.

Now I realise what I’d been missing all this time.

Spinach is a leafy green that should not be overlooked if you’re trying to boost your skin. Loaded with all kinds of powerful antioxidants and nutrients, it doubles down on dry, hard skin and brings out your formerly youthful glow.

Try it instead of lettuce. You won’t be disappointed.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes have always been one of my favourite fruits. Even when I was a young girl and refused to eat much healthy stuff, tomatoes were a cornerstone of my diet.

If you don’t eat enough tomatoes, you should consider eating more. Tomatoes are your number 1 source of lycopene, an anti-ageing antioxidant that eliminates wrinkles, fine lines and blemishes that are making you look older than your years.

You can either eat tomatoes fresh off the vine, from a tin, or in a soup.

Oats

Oats are dirt cheap. And yet they’re so amazing for your skin. And if you can’t eat glutinous grains, you can always try gluten-free oats instead.

Oatmeal improves both your skin and hair, restoring your beauty as well as your confidence.

Double down on breakfast by adding a few blueberries on top.

Pomegranate

Pomegranate is such an overlooked fruit, maybe because of its shape, size or colour.

Or maybe it’s simply because people don’t realise how truly amazing it is.

Because pomegranate is can create more collagen, you can apply it topically on your skin for beautiful results.

source:- beauty&tips