5 Signs Your Ductwork Needs Attention

You can’t see it because it is hidden behind walls, but ductwork is a vital part of your home and one that could be costing you hundreds of dollars a year if it isn’t working properly. It’s hard to know if your ductwork needs attention because the problems aren’t often noticeable or visible, but paying attention to these five signs could help you know if your ductwork needs to be checked.

Noises

Image via Flickr by HomeSpot HQ

If you hear rattling, whistling, or humming when your HVAC system is running, it could be a sign the ductwork isn’t working properly. It could be that the HVAC system is creating greater air pressure than the ducts can handle or there could be a leak in the ducts that needs to be repaired. In most cases, noises don’t indicate a major problem, but one that can be corrected with an HVAC tune-up or a relatively simply repair.

Weak Air Flow

Is your system not pumping out enough air? It could be that there is blockage or debris in the ducts that needs to be cleaned out. It could also indicate a tear or crack in the duct that is causing air to leak or the vents could be the wrong size to effectively deliver air. Weak air flow can happen throughout the entire home or in just a few vents. To get an idea of where the problem is located, check the air flow from each vent in the house.

Uneven Temperatures

Ideally, your heating and cooling systems should work so that every room in the house is the same temperature. If that isn’t the case, it could be due to blockage or breakage in the ductwork or vents in one area of the house that are the wrong size.

Dust

If your home is collecting more dust than usual, it could be a sign that there is debris in your ductwork. This issue can often be solved by simply changing the HVAC air filter, but it could also be a sign that a larger, system-wide filter needs to be installed. Dust and debris in the ductwork can cause the HVAC system to work inefficiently or break down.

Humidity

Mustiness or higher humidity than normal in your home can signal that the ductwork has cracks or tears that are allowing condensation to form. Pay attention to the humidity level in your home; if it seems to be increasing as the weather stays the same, it’s likely your HVAC system. If condensation isn’t removed and cracks aren’t repaired quickly, it could lead to mold growth in the ductwork.

Paying attention to how your HVAC system is working and how air is moving through your ductwork can alert you to potential issues before they grow into larger and more expensive problems. An HVAC technician can inspect the ducts and make repairs, but only if you are aware to what is going on. Paying attention to the ductwork and keeping up with home maintenance could save you lots of money.

Not Sure Where The Pests In Your Home Are Coming From? The Professionals At Terminix Can Help

Discovering ants, cockroaches, or other pests around your home may make you feel like a bad housekeeper, but the problem may not be due to a lack of cleanliness or home maintenance. Insects, rodents, and wildlife don’t need an invitation to move in and take up residence; everything and everywhere is fair game. To be specific, dry, warm spots inside your home are especially attractive to house-hunting insects. Part of the job of controlling pests is figuring out how they’re getting inside, and a professional, such as a pest control cockroach infestations, can help you find and fix the weak spots in your home’s defenses. For expert assessment, you should look at these areas:

Windows and Screens

Inspect window screens for tears and holes and look for edges of the screen that may have escaped from the frame. Examine the weather stripping for loose or worn spots and replace if needed.

Daylight and Doors

Look for light around the doors; if you can see it, insects can get through there. Ensure that your doors form a seal when closed by replacing worn door sweeps. Don’t forget to check the door into the garage too.

Gaps in Siding

Siding should meet the edges of the house trim; seal any gaps you find between the points where they should meet. Seal gaps between siding and the foundation as well because gaps at ground-level are entry points.

Foundations and Exterior Walls

Can you see a few inches of the foundation? If not, remove topsoil to expose a few inches or more. Soil that is high enough to meet the exterior walls provides easy access to bugs. Trim shrubs and plants to keep them from touching the exterior.

Dryer Vents

Inspect dryer vents as well as kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans. Vent dampers should be able to move without obstruction; replace any that are broken.

Crawl Spaces

If you can’t get into the crawl space yourself, have someone do it for you. Check screens over the opening for holes and tears, which may be a point of entry.

Wall Areas

Examine TV cables, plumbing, and HVAC passages through the walls and apply a double seal to block insects. Caulk around the exterior entry/exit points, as well as the interior openings.

Chimney Caps

Consider installing a chimney cap to block larger animals, such as squirrels, raccoons, or birds, from using this large entry point. Because rodents can bring bugs, fleas, and other pests into the home with them, a cap provides extra protection. Be sure to examine the cap for damage on a regular basis.

On the Roof

Inspect fascia, soffits, and roof vents for damage and look closely at the points where rooflines meet. These junctures can be attractive to yellow jackets and wasps. Examine vent screens too.

Whether you want to take back your kitchen from insects infestations or have bigger problems, such as rodents or wildlife, pest control in San Antonio is available through Terminix. Enlist a team of experienced professionals who know where to look and what to look for in helping you determine how pests are getting into your home.

American Federal Auto – What Are The Benefits of Buying a Used Car?

Last year I was, for the first position in my life, able to afford a brand new car, I had been toiling away in my Pinto for many years, but the time had finally come to get something new. In spite of the fact that I was in a position to afford a new car, I took the decision instead to buy a used motor, and headed to American Federal Auto, and picked up a great bargain. My reasons for buying a used car were not because I am tight and refused to part with my cash, but rather because it simply works out as the better deal, from every angle. If you are in the middle of deciding on which car you should buy, here are the benefits which I love about buying used, rather than new.

Cheaper

When it comes to the straight up cost of the car, buying used is just so much cheaper, and you can get almost the exact same model that the car dealerships are selling brand new, for half of the price. Let’s say that you are looking for a BMW Z-type, you can pick one of these up for more than 50% cheaper when you buy used, than when you buy new. Given that BMW no longer make new models each year, it is probable that your used car is only a couple of years older than the new one in the showroom. If you want to save cash, buy used.

Bang For Your Buck

The best part about getting a cheaper car, is that you can invest a little bit extra to ensure that you can have a car that is well kitted out. Take my situation for example, I was in a position to pay almost $20,000 for a brand new car, but instead I opted for a $9,000 car, and then spent $2,000 on some exciting add -ons and gadgets. Buying cheaper does not mean that you have to have a cheap car, and you an get way more bang for you buck when you buy used.

Cheaper Insurance and Registration

Both the cost of your insurance and of your vehicle registration, comes down to the value of your car. Naturally your car will be have a far lower valuation if you buy used, This is great news as you will have already saved some cash on the value of your car, and then you can save even more when it comes to insurance and registration.

Depreciation

The worrying thing about buying a brand new car is that it can depreciate by up to 30%, just from driving it away from the showroom. With a used car this is not the case and the lower value also helps to avoid heavy depreciation. In many cases your loss from what you paid versus what you receive, can be very negligible.

8 Figure Lifestyle – Life’s Riches are Available for Those Who Work Hard

Most people end up with riches in life don’t start out that way. There are those who are born with a silver spoon in their mouth and others who fall into something that provides them an ability to get the best that life has to offer. But for the most part the story is the same, good old-fashioned hard work.

This is the case whether someone is speaking in 8 Figure Lifestyle, a trip to the top of an academic ladder, or even looking to find and keep the love of their life. The bottom line is in each case that person has to dedicate him or herself and stay the course.

Many people wonder what the ingredients are for success. Although there are no exact ingredients, there are generalities and some specifics that are consistent with just about everyone was successful. Being successful demands mastering these things, but it also means understanding how to define success. The first let’s focus on how to attain success.

Success Starts in the Mind

Being successful starts in the mind. It is an attitude that you have about how you want your life to be, what you want to do during the day, and how you want your family to go through their lives. If you set a high standard for these things, then you realize that you must be in a good financial position in order to make them happen. This is not to say that money is everything, because it certainly is not.  But it is an important tool that you can use to buy you time and to take care of the things in life that cause challenges in life.So getting your mind right and focused on the appropriate things will lead to success and unlock life’s riches.

Success Then Comes from Actions

Based on what you believe, will come your actions. If you truly believe that you are destined to be successful, then you will do what is required in order to achieve that success. You’ll find the motivation to get yourself through the tough times and learn the skills needed to master your craft and defeat the competition. With this attitude you are almost unstoppable. It does not mean that you will be successful every time, but it does mean that you will reach your goal.

Success Continues if You Innovate

Finally, you must remember that one success is not mean that you are successful. There have been many one hit wonders who seemed as if they were going to always be at the top of the charts. History however has shown them to not have staying power. To continue to be successful, you must always get better at whatever you’re doing. Others will watch what you are doing, then mimic your behavior, and soon what you doing will not be special anymore. You must always learn to innovate and keep ahead of those who are trying to catch you. Make it as hard as you can for them to keep up.

How to Choose a Company to Invest in

If you’re in the process of searching for new companies to invest in, Marc Leder would be a good person to look into. He is a pro at investing, but for now, continue reading to discover a few invaluable tips on how to choose the right company to invest in!

1. Choose a company whose CEO you admire and who boasts a proven track record

One of the biggest contributing factors to a business’ success, is the skills and foresight of its CEO. One way to find out whether a company is worth investing in is to research the past of its CEO. As an example, you may find out that a CEO whose business you’re interested in investing in has previously led 3 other businesses to double their profits.

In which case, it’s definitely well worth investing in their latest business as whether a business succeeds or not, has far more to do with its leadership and their leader’s vision, than its products and services. However, if a CEO’s past ventures have failed to make a successful profit, it’s well worth steering clear of their latest venture.

2. Choose a company who makes a reliable profit each month

If you’re looking to invest a sizeable amount of capital, it’s well worth looking at graphs which show the share price of the companies which you’re interested in investing in, over the past few years. While most businesses will report a few drops in market price, if a company reliably makes its investors a decent profit and has a trend of increasing in price over the past few years, it’s well worth investing in.

Whereas if a company has reported decreases in market price for half the year, you’re better off continuing your search for a profitable investment opportunity!

3. Make sure that the company which you plan to invest in offers a valuable good or service

In order for a company to be financially viable in the long term, it must offer goods or services which offer a viable solution for a common problem. As an example, the digital currency Bitcoin was created as there was a demand for a worldwide currency which could not be tracked by financial institutions or governments.

So before you sink your hard earned money into a new business, make sure to ask yourself whether their products and services offer a solution for a common problem. As no matter how impressive a company’s marketing plan is, if their products and services don’t offer a solution to a problem, there will be little demand for their range of products and services.

4. Find out how often each company overs dividend payouts

If you purchase shares in a business, in most situations you’ll be eligible to receive dividends for your investment. While some businesses pay out dividends once a year, other businesses may opt to pay out dividends twice a year. Before making a commitment to invest in a business it’s also worth finding out what percentage rate, the business you’re interested in investing in, offers to their investors.

So be sure to follow all of the invaluable tips listed above, in order to select a profitable company to invest in!

Charles Nucci – The Two Most Important Steps to Creating Great Photographs

 Taking photos has moved into the center of our lives because of the addition of good quality cameras on smartphones, and digital photography that allows you to immediately see your picture and bypass the need to have film developed. The result of all of this is that cameras are everywhere and the amount of pictures taken has multiplied more than a thousand fold.

 But just because people are taking more pictures does not mean that they are taking better pictures. Yes smartphone cameras have improved greatly in quality, but they still cannot compare to a good SLR camera. Nor can the average picture happy tourist hope to compete and match the quality of photos taken by a professional. In order to take professional looking pictures like Charles Nucci, you need to understand how a professional takes photos. Ideally you also need to invest in a good camera, because higher price cameras give you more control over all of the different elements that make a picture perfect. With this in mind here are some tips on how to create great photos.

 Buy a good camera

 Only a decade ago, there were camera shops everywhere and they were filled with people looking to purchase the latest Minolta, Nikon, or Canon newly released SLR or hi in personal camera. If you were going on a special trip, attending a special event in San Francisco, or was a special occasion, you wanted to make sure that you could take great pictures, so purchasing a good camera was in a necessity.  However times have changed and today, it is no longer fashionable to shop for good cameras.

 But smartphone cameras have limitations in terms of their ability to deliver grey pictures. They use smaller and lower quality parts then professional cameras, and since the goal with a smartphone camera is to make it fit into an ever-shrinking smartphone, quality will always suffer. You may not notice this if you look at pictures on your phone, because the screen is optimized to make its own pictures look fantastic. But if you take those same pictures off your phone and want to duplicate them or put them into frames, you quickly see that the quality is not what you hope for. So it is imperative that you buy with camera. The great news about this is that prices of good cameras have plummeted and you can even find great used cameras for even cheaper prices.

 Take a photography class

 First, photography classes are a lot of fun. You’ll be around people who are really excited about learning the basics of photography, and you will more than likely have a teacher who has a background in taking professional shots. The opportunity to learn from a professional cannot be overstated. So much of what you read in books, or even see on Youtube videos can I prepare you for real life situations. However being in a class with the professional and other students who can ask questions as the class moves along, what position you with the level of knowledge that will make you a better photographer. In this class you learn the basics in framing, lighting, color, and even some-post production editing. In the end you will understand the basics of good photography and be on the road to becoming a great photographer who takes amazing photographs.

 Whether you live in San Francisco Bay Area or Miami Florida, the advice in this article will put you on the road to being exceptional photographer. The only downside is that all your friends and family will call you when they need great pictures taken, but they will want you to work for free.

 

Receivables Performance Management Reviews Reflect How Valuable They Are To SMEs

Senior Management at small and medium-sized companies have a more difficult job than ever in trying to create and maintain long-term success with their businesses.

Companies today must compete globally and often up against other companies that are many times their size and with much greater resources. In order to do this effectively they need to be well-armed, with a fully thought out plan and a group of motivated employees who are committed to winning no matter what the odds.

SMEs must make smart decisions about picking which products and services to offer and must master allocating resources and where to aim their focus. Those companies that thrive in today’s fast-moving business environment learn how to maximize whatever resources they have and to bring on experts who can provide them with additional access to resources that allow them to compete and excel.

Resources Performance Management is valuable to an SME

This is why company like Resources Performance Management is so valuable to a small or medium-sized enterprise. They provide a service to companies that is invaluable and helping them to keeping their doors open and to grow.

One critical area for all companies is an ability to consistently and efficiently collect money that is owed from customers. The timely collection of money from clients will be the difference maker in a business’s success. But too often companies are not capable or even staffed to perform these vital services and when they try, they find that they are not competent and risk alienating rather than motivating customers to pay their bills.

Resources Performance Management has a long term track record of success in receivables collection and management and have developed a suite of tools and receivables management services that are second to none in the industry.

Collecting money from customers is sometimes not easy. A good portion of customers will pay when they are supposed to without a problem. But there will always be a percentage of customers who will paying the beginning and then stop paying, and another percentage that will have problems paying all the time.

Getting what is owed from customers, particularly if they are in arrears on payments, requires a specific set of skills, and a detailed set of operating procedures in order to be successful. Resources Performance Management reviews each client’s needs and creates strategies and a work plan that are specific to every client. Clients can depend on them to take over the entire process from strategizing, to management of the collections.

The company has a specific focus on the Bankcard & Financial, telecommunications, utilities, retail, healthcare, commercial, state & local government, Small Balance Accounts – All Industries and National Legal Services – ACA Certified MAP Attorneys industries and is adept at all key areas of receivables management. Their services include:

• Telemarketing Services
• Customized Dunning Notice Services
• Outsourcing and Pre-Collection Services
• Early Age Reactivation Services
• Late Stage / Post Statute Services
• Small Balance Portfolio Services
• Inbound and Outbound Services

With Resources Performance Management on the job, a company can get back to focusing on the parts of their business where they are experts and know that receivables management is well taken care of.

5 Useful tips on Being an Executive Vice President

If your dream role is that of an executive vice president like Kevin Rolle, simply continue reading to discover a variety of useful, invaluable tips on being an executive vice president.

1. Be able to multi-task

If you take on the role of an executive vice president, expect to have to multi-task on a day to day basis as you’ll have a wide variety of roles, in different sections of your business to take on. So it’s well worth working on your ability to be able to multi-task. As an example, on route to a meeting with your company’s board of directors, you may have to take phone calls from various managers, whilst clearing important emails.

2. Be willing to take on leadership duties when needed

To succeed in your career as an executive vice president, there may be times in which you’re sent to meetings or to different sections of your business, in lieu of your company’s president. As it’s impossible for your company’s vice president to be two places at once. So make sure that you’re able to take on the role of a company president, several times per week.

During these times make sure that you’re just as inspiring, articulate and charismatic as your company’s president. As if you perform well, there is every chance that you may be offered the position of company president, when the current president retires or decides to move on to another challenge.

3. Be able to problem solve and take initiative on a daily basis

Contrary to what some individuals may believe, the role of an executive vice president involves more than simply on behalf of the president. Instead, if you’re looking to be an effective executive vice president, you must be able to make autonomous decisions and being able to take initiative and solve any problems which may surface on your own. As your company’s president is likely to have their plate full, with their own tasks and challenges.

4. Concentrate on becoming an effective manager

Executive vice presidents are often tasked with overseeing the implementation of strategic plans, so it’s a wise move to work on becoming an even more effective manager. As an example, you may want to work on getting various heads of departments to send you regular email updates on the progress which is being made in their departments so that you won’t have to physically visit departments which are reaching their set targets

5. Don’t be afraid to delegate key tasks to individuals who you trust, will perform well

As an executive vice president, you’ll find that you’ll be kept just as busy as your company’s president, so it’s well worth learning how to delegate tasks which you can’t take on, to trusted members of the executive team. After all, if you try to take on too many tasks at any one given point in time, you’ll be highly unlikely to complete any of the tasks on your plate to your full ability!

In order to become the best possible executive vice president that you can, it’s well worth following the 5 leadership tips listed above!

The Popularity of Side Shift Work

According to ShiftPixy, in recent years the number of individuals who have chosen to take on shift work as a side job has increased exponentially. In order to discover why shift work as a second job has become such a popular option for individuals who are looking to supplement their main source of income, continue reading.

The popularity of side shift work: Why is shift work as a second job, such a popular option?

1. The cost of living in most cities has increased dramatically

As many individuals now struggle to make ends meet, with the wages or salary from a second job, many individuals are now forced to look for a second job. Taking on an additional shift work position in the evening is a great choice for many individuals as it will allow them to bring in hundreds or thousands of extra dollars per week.

2. Most shift work positions offer competitive hourly rates

One of the major reasons why shift work is becoming such a popular option for individuals who are looking to increase their monthly take home income is that most shift work positions offer more competitive hourly rates than traditional jobs.

In fact, some individuals who work a 9 to 5 job as well as a second job in the evenings, actually earn more

money from their second shift job, than they make from their primary 9 to 5 job.

3. Side shift work is ideal for individuals who are looking to get onto the property ladder

Individuals who are looking to save enough money for their first house deposit, often apply for side shift work in order to reach their target goal for their home deposit, in the fraction of the time which it would take them to save, if they just worked a regular job.

Working side shift jobs is also a popular option for homeowners who are looking to pay off

their mortgages within a short period of time. One of the advantages of paying off your mortgage as soon as possible is that you’ll end up paying far less interest on your mortgage.

4. Shift work allows workers to strengthen their resumes

Individuals who are looking to bolster up their resumes, in order to obtain their dream job may want to consider applying for a second shift work style job in order to strengthen their resume. As most employers will be keen to employ an individual who has shown that are a hard worker and are

willing to go above and beyond in order to succeed in life.

5. Shift work allows individuals to enjoy a higher quality of lifestyle

Many individuals choose to apply for shift work positions in the evenings, so that they can afford to purchase their dream car and go on regular vacations.

Whether you’d like to enjoy a higher quality of life or to pay off your mortgage sooner, it’s well worth considering applying for shift work in the evenings. As you’ll be able to turn your free time into cold hard cash, which you’ll be able to use to supplement your primary income.

Ammcor Reviews The 5 Benefits Of Renting A Property

According to Ammcor, a property management company in San Clemente, Orange County, we still live in a world in which people think that they cannot be classed as successful unless they purchase a home. However, there are some tremendous benefits to renting instead and those should be considered as well. Here, Ammcor reviews the top 5 benefits associated with being a tenant instead of buying a home.

Ammcor Reviews Top 5 Pros of Being a Tenant

1. Renting is simple, quick, and easy. Buying a house requires complicated applications, meetings with lawyers and accountants, complex contracts, and more. Renting, by contrast is a lot easier, particularly when arranged through a property management company like Ammcor. People are recommended to read the reviews others have left about them to view why they are so popular.
2. You don’t have to make a huge financial down payment. Usually, to become a tenant, you will have to put down a deposit of around one month’s rent. While this is still a significant amount, it is nothing compared to what you would have to pay for a mortgage. A deposit of 20% of the purchase price is generally required. This money is an investment, but it is also money that you will basically never see again. A tenant deposit, by contrast, is given back when you move, minus any costs for repairs to return the property to its original state.
3. You have no maintenance costs. A property management company like Ammcor is responsible for all the maintenance costs associated with the home. If you buy, they are all yours to pay for which can be very costly. A broken toilet, a leaky roof, burst pipes, a sinkhole in the garden. They are all things that can cost thousands of dollars that you don’t have to pay for as a tenant.
4. It is a lot more flexible. If you buy a home and want to move, you will have to list your property, hope that people view it and make an offer, negotiate the offer, deal with lawyers and accountants, and more. This process can take months, if not years. If you are a tenant, however, you usually only have a one month’s notice period, after which you can simply go elsewhere, be that around the corner or to the other side of the country.
5. It is financially flexible as well. When you are a tenant, you pay rent and that is fixed for set periods of time. While there may be the occasion increase, which is contractually laid out, you always know what you have to pay. You don’t have to worry about repair and maintenance costs, mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance premiums, or interest. In fact, you may not even have to worry about bills, because things like utilities are often included in your monthly payments. The money you save by renting can be used for a range of other things, including investments.