Business

How to dissolve an LLC

In these tough economic times, I get as many inquiries about the dissolution of LLCs as the initial organization. Some business owners find it somewhat surprising when presented with the steps required to legally dissolve their US-based LLC.First, the basic steps for dissolution of the LLC:

  1. Members vote to dissolve;
  2. Adoption of the dissolution plan;
  3. Real liquidation of the business;
  4. Obtain a tax clearance letter from your state tax authority and
  5. File a certificate of dissolution with the Secretary of State’s office (for the state where your LLC is organized).

Step 1 seems simple enough at first glance, but what if fewer than all the LLC members agree to dissolve? First, check the LLC’s operating agreement to see what percentage of member votes it requires for dissolution. Typing “Sample LLC Operating Agreement” into Google (TM) will return a list of sample agreements that must contain language for the dissolution of the LLC. If your operating agreement is silent on the subject, then LLC state law controls. Most require the unanimous consent of the members to voluntarily dissolve the LLC with the notable exception of California. See Cali. Corp. Section 17350 (b) of the Code (“majority vote in the interests of the members”). If the unanimous consent of the members is required in the operating agreement, is there still a way to dissolve the LLC with less than unanimous consent? Yes. Most states allow legal action by dissident members to dissolve an LLC when they have reached a management standoff. It’s costly and time-consuming to go to court on such an issue, so try to resolve it with your peers before going down that road.

The dissolution plan basically sets out the methodology under which the LLC’s business operations will be suspended, assets will be sold, creditors will be paid, and what will happen to the remaining funds. If the LLC is insolent (meaning its assets are less than its liabilities), then the plan must address the allocation of the LLC’s assets among creditors. One suggestion on this front: pay all government tax authorities before private creditors, if possible. The plan must be adopted by the members of the LLC. After the adoption of the plan, the next step is the actual liquidation of business affairs. The law requires that the LLC’s creditors be notified that a dissolution plan has been adopted. Once the LLC’s business affairs have been settled, the LLC requests a tax settlement letter from the appropriate state tax authority. Once purchased, the tax settlement letter is filed with the certificate (or notice) of dissolution at the Secretary of State’s office. In most cases, you can find a pre-printed Certificate of Dissolution form on the Secretary of State’s website. I suggest obtaining this form at the beginning of the dissolution process and reading the instructions carefully. The instructions should list all steps for dissolution in your state.

There is a simplified procedure for dissolving an LLC that has not yet started business operations. Better yet, the website of the secretary of state (or equivalent office that makes incorporations) often has a pre-printed form to use in dissolving LLCs that have not yet started business.

Relationship

The history of Valentine’s Day

Around the world, on February 14, many flowers, cards and gifts will be exchanged between loved ones as Valentine’s Day is celebrated.

However, the story of why we celebrate this day is a bit of a mystery.

The Valentine’s Day tradition mixes elements from both ancient Roman rites and Christian tradition. To further confuse things, the Catholic Church recognizes three different saints named Valentine.

A legend says that Valentine was a priest in Rome during the 3rd century. Emperor Claudius II decreed that marriage was forbidden for young men, as he thought that single men were better soldiers than those married to families.

Valentine, felt that the decree was unfair and unfair, and challenged the Emperor by performing secret marriages for young lovers. When his actions for the undercover lovers were discovered, Claudio ordered Valentine to be executed. Variations on this legend say that Valentine was sentenced to death for trying to help fellow Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often tortured.

According to another legend, Valentine may have sent the first ‘Valentine’ greeting to himself in 270 AD the day before he was executed for refusing to renounce his Christian beliefs. He reportedly sent a thank you note to his jailer’s blind daughter for bringing him food and delivering messages while he was in prison, signed “from your Valentine.”

While we can never be sure of the true origin of the Saint Valentine legend, one thing is certain, it must have been an engaging and enduring story because in the Middle Ages, Valentine had become one of the most popular saints in France. and Great Britain.

The observance of the time of your saint’s day may have been prompted by the common practice of trying to integrate earlier pagan festivals into the Christian calendar. in this case, the Lupercalia festival.

In ancient Rome, February was considered the beginning of spring and was considered a time of purification. Houses were ritually cleaned by sweeping them and then sprinkling salt and wheat inside (we still refer to spring cleaning to this day).

Lupercalia, which began on the ‘Ides (February 15)’, was a fertility festival dedicated to the agricultural god Lupercus and the goddess of love, Juno, as well as the Roman founders Romulus and Remus. Roman maidens placed their names in an urn placed in public squares and young bachelors drew from it to get a ‘blind date’ for the next year. Most of the time, these annual matches often ended in marriage.

Pope Gelasius set Valentine’s Day to February 14, around AD 500 At that time, the “lottery” system for romantic dates was considered non-Christian and had been outlawed. During the Middle Ages, the practice of love lotteries was carried out as “luck boxes”. In France, the drawings on the boxes allotted couples one year to marry or separate. In England, it was a common practice for men to wear the name of the girl on their sleeve that they drew from the boxes by chance, surrounded by a heart.

Also at this time, it was commonly believed in parts of England and France that February 14 marked the beginning of the mating season for birds, furthering the notion that Valentine’s Day should be a day for romance. .

Valentine messages began to appear in the early 15th century, and even in these formative times they were often given anonymously, perhaps going back to unknown recipients of Roman lotteries.

The oldest known Valentine that still exists today was a poem written by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London after his capture at the Battle of Agincourt. The greeting, which was written in 1415, is part of the manuscript collection of the British Library in London.

In the UK, Valentine’s Day became a popular celebration around the 17th century. It continued to establish itself, with the familiar verses “roses are red, violets are blue” that debuted sometime in the seventeenth century. In the 1850s, it was common for lovers of all walks of life to give their loved ones small gifts or handwritten letters. At the same time, in France, people began to decorate their Valentine’s with ribbons and lace.

In the early 20th century, handwritten letters gave way to cards as advances in printing technology had improved the quality of printed cards. At the time, it was culturally discouraged for people to show their emotions as directly as a letter, so a printed card was a more acceptable method. More affordable shipping costs and increasing use of the postal system likely contributed to the rise in popularity of the Valentine’s card.

Americans probably began exchanging handmade Valentine’s cards with verses in the early 18th century. In the middle of the 19th century, the first mass-produced Valentine’s cards began to go on sale in the United States. Miss Esther Howland, artist and entrepreneur, became America’s first regular Valentine’s Day editor. Often referred to as “Valentine’s Mother”, Miss Howland designed many elaborate creations using lace, ribbons and colorful patterns known as “scrap”. Their cards usually cost between $ 5 and $ 10 each, and some go as high as $ 35, surprisingly expensive for the time.

The Greeting Card Association estimates that if we include Valentine’s cards for children in the classroom, this year more than 1 billion Valentine’s cards will be opened. Valentine’s Day is the second time of the year when the most cards are sent and accounts for 25% of all seasonal card sales (Christmas accounts for 60%).

It is estimated that women buy 80 percent of all Valentine’s cards, which means that a large proportion of men forget or are not very romantic when it comes to reciprocating. Valentine’s Day is celebrated in the US, Canada, Mexico, the UK, France, and Australia, and its popularity is increasing in many other parts of the world.

Facts about Valentine’s Cards (from the Greeting Card Association)

About 25% of individual Valentine’s cards are fun, and adults under 35 are the most likely to send fun cards. Valentine’s Day is the biggest e-card sending occasion of the year. An estimated 14 million e-valentines will be sent in 2008. Greeting cards are traditionally the most popular Valentine’s gift in the US, ahead of chocolates, flowers, or dinners. American men may take Valentine’s Day more seriously than women. In a national survey for GCA in 2007, 45% of women said they would likely gift a funny Valentine to their loved one, compared to just 34% of men. The percentage of Valentine’s cards exchanged by mail compared to hand delivery is approximately 50-50. Red is the most popular color choice for Valentine’s cards, followed by pink, then white. Hearts, roses, cupid and lace are traditional icons of Valentine’s cards.

Gaming

London’s top 10 soccer teams

There is a lot to see for those interested in football in London. Just to clarify for readers of this article from outside the UK, football means the ‘beautiful game’, which is commonly referred to as football around the world.

London has a proud tradition of famous football teams with a lot of competition between them to be the best club. There are generally four or five London teams in the Premier League and there are many commentators who believe that this is one of the biggest obstacles for any of them to win the league. A ‘local derby’ between two London football teams could produce an electric atmosphere and change the current form on your head, they are so well contested.

Tickets to the Premier League are sometimes hard to come by, but a little perseverance often pays off. There are a number of ticket agencies that can get you tickets for a price.

In the last decade, both Arsenal and Chelsea have twice won the illustrious Premier League title and reached the final of the European Cup.

Here are some details on the 10 best football clubs in London and to avoid any accusation of partisanship, they are listed in alphabetical order: –

Arsenal

The Arsenal Gunners have played in the top division of English football in consecutive seasons since the 1919-20 season. They have been champions 13 times and achieved a unique record for modern times in the 2003-04 season when they went the entire season undefeated.

Arsenal have won the coveted ‘double’ (league and cup champions in the same season) three times, in 1971, 1998 and 2002

In recent years they have moved to a new venue, the Emirates Stadium, with a capacity for 60,000 people. The Arsenal Museum is well worth a visit and is open every day.

Brentford

The Bees, Brentford Football Club currently play in Football League I. They were founded in 1889 and play their home games at Griffin Park, their home stadium since 1904. Brentford’s most successful spell occurred during the 1930s, when they managed to consecutively the first six places in the First Division.

Since the war, they have spent most of their time in the third and fourth levels of English football. Brentford has been a four-time FA Cup quarter-finalist and a two-time runner-up for the Football League Trophy.

Charlton athletic

The Addicks, Charlton Athletic have seen better days. There were happy days in the thirties and forties. In recent years they have struggled after being relegated from the Premier League in 2005 and then from the Championship in 2008.

They play The Valley, south of the River Thames in Greenwich. The club was founded in 1905.

Historically, Charlton’s most successful period was the 1930s, when the club’s best league results were recorded, including league runners-up in 1937, and after World War II, when the club reached the final of the FA Cup twice, winning in 1947.

Chelsea

The Pensioners or the Blues, Chelsea Football Club was founded in 1905 and plays in the Premier League. Chelsea have been champions three times (1955, 2005, 2006) and have won the FA Cup five times, the League Cup four times and the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup twice. They reached the UEFA Champions League final in 2008

Chelsea play at Stamford Bridge in West London and their field capacity is 42,000. The Chelsea Museum is open most days and is worth a visit for those interested in museums and football history.

crystal Palace

The Eagles, Crystal Palace Football Club was formed in 1905. The team plays its home games in Selhurst Park, where it has been based since 1924. The club currently competes at the second level, The Championship.

Crystal Palace’s most recent period of success began in 1988-89, when the club finished third in the Second Division and promoted to the First Division. He reached the 1990 FA Cup final only to lose the replay against Manchester United and finish third in the First Division in 1990-91.

Palace has since been relegated to and promoted to the FA Premier League on several occasions, their most recent relegation from the top flight was in the 2004-05 season. All this despite the fact that the club was almost bankrupt in July 2000.

Fulham

The Cottagers, Fulham Football Club was founded in 1879, they celebrated their 125th anniversary in 2004 and are at the highest level in English football, the Premier League. Fulham is the oldest professional football team in London.

In 2009, Fulham had its best result in the Premier League, finishing seventh in the European standings.

The club has produced many great British footballers, including Johnny Haynes, George Cohen, Bobby Robson, Rodney Marsh and Alan Mullery and Jim Langley. They play at the historic Craven Cottage, their home since 1896, a lot on the banks of the River Thames in Fulham.

Queens park rangers

The Hoops or simply QPR, Queens Park Rangers Football Club based in Shepherd’s Bush, West London. They currently play in the Football League Championship, and their honors include winning the League Cup in 1967 and being runners-up in the former First Division in 1975-76 and the FA Cup in 1982.

The Queens Park Rangers Football Club was founded in 1882 and its traditional colors are blue and white. Due to its proximity to other West London clubs, QPR has long-standing rivalries with several other clubs in the area, the most notable of which are Chelsea, Brentford and Fulham with whom they dispute what is known as West London derbies. London.

In 2007, QPR was taken over by Italian mogul Flavio Briatore and is among the 10 richest sports clubs in the world. Other major shareholders are Lakshmi Mittal and F1 supreme Bernie Ecclestone. So check out this space!

Tottenham Hotspurs

The famous ‘Spurs’ team from 1961 is still considered by many football enthusiasts as one of the best football teams in the history of English football. They achieved the ‘double’ that had not been achieved at the time since it was won by Aston Villa in 1897.

This has given recent Spurs teams a lot to fulfill. But the Spurs have a long tradition of playing good football, so there are plenty of exciting matches at White Hart Lane, especially with their close north London rivals Arsenal.

In 1963, Spurs became the first British club to win a major European trophy: the Recopa de Europa. In the 1970s, they won the Football League Cup twice and were the first UEFA Cup winners in 1972. In the 1980s, Spurs won various trophies: FA Cup twice, FA Community Shield and the 1983-84 UEFA Cup. In the 1990s they won the FA Cup and the Football League Cup and in 2008 they beat Chelsea in the Football League Cup final. This victory means that Tottenham has won a trophy in each of the last six decades, an achievement alone. equaled by Manchester United.

Spurs have planned a new stadium to be completed in 2012 and it is expected to be one of the best stadiums in the UK.

Watford

The Hornets, Watford Football Club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. They play in the Championship. The club was founded in 1881 and played on various grounds before moving to a permanent location on Vicarage Road in 1922, where they remain to this day. Since 1997, they have shared the stadium with Saracens Rugby Club. Watford has a long-standing rivalry with Luton Town.

The club is best known for two stints under former England manager Graham Taylor. The first lasted from 1977 to 1987, when the club was promoted to the old First Division from Fourth Division. Once in the top division of English football, Watford finished second in the league in 1983, reached the FA Cup final in 1984 and competed in the UEFA Cup in the 1984-85 season.

The second period lasted from 1997 to 2001, when Taylor led the club from the renamed Second Division to the Premier League in successive seasons. Taylor is currently a non-executive director of the club and honorary life president along with Sir Elton John, who owned the club during these two eras and has continued a long association with the club.

West Ham United

The Hammers, West Ham United Football Club have played at Upton Park (Boleyn Ground) in East London since 1904, having formed in 1895.

They participated in the first FA Cup final that was held at Wembley in 1923 against Bolton Wanderers. The club has won the FA Cup three times: in 1964, 1975 and 1980. It has also been runner-up twice, in 1923 and 2006.

In 1965 he won the Recopa de Europa and in 1999 he won the InterToto Cup.

Its players are considered a major factor behind England’s 1966 World Cup triumph, as England’s captain at the time was West Ham’s Bobby Moore, and scorers Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters were West Ham players.

West Ham currently competes in the Premier League, their best result in the Premier League being their fifth in 1998-99.

Health Fitness

Comersa is the ideal display refrigerator for sushi

Many people enjoy oriental cuisine, although it is an acquired taste. Once that flavor is acquired, it is a flavor and a gastronomic experience that people savor and enjoy. For restaurant owners serving sushi, this is good news. However, it also comes with a lot of responsibility in terms of the quality of the fish and how it is stored. If not stored properly, it can have damaging consequences for the restaurant owner and the customer.

Modern technology has allowed restaurant owners to have better control over the storage of sushi products. First of all, sushi is essentially made from raw fish (the type of fish used will depend on the individual chef’s recipe). Any type of raw fish must be handled correctly to avoid any type of contamination. Raw fish should be stored in a refrigeration unit immediately upon arrival at the restaurant and should be served the same day. It is essential that sushi is served fresh as this enhances its flavor and is much healthier. Keeping sushi for too long can affect the quality of the fish, which can lead to health problems. Proper catering equipment is essential for proper storage of raw fish. Once the sushi rolls have been prepared by the chef and ready to serve, the best thing to do is to lay it out for a quick sell. People eat with their eyes. When they see the well presented sushi rolls and the beautiful colors of the variety on display, it will entice them to buy some sushi rolls.

The ideal catering equipment for this purpose is a Comersa cold food bar. This is a unique display refrigerator that is designed to accommodate a variety of dishes in one unit. The Comersa Cold Bar has a modern steel design with a convex display glass and keeps contents adequately cold. It measures 1880 x 417 x 246 millimeters, which is long enough to add a variety of sushi rolls and other foods, but narrow enough to fit comfortably on a restaurant kitchen countertop. The best place to install Comersa Cold Food Bar to display sushi is near your customers, that is, in the restaurant near the bar and the cash register. In this position, you will get the customer’s attention. In addition, the Comersa cold food bar is supplied with specially sized inserts that are specifically designed to fit the food bars. There are 6 to 8 inserts (depending on which model you choose) to display a variety of sushi.

This catering equipment is the ideal display refrigerator for sushi bars who want their customers to have a pleasant and delicious experience in their restaurant.

Legal Law

Some $ * &%! I stole my identity to collect unemployment benefits

My name is Lonnie and I am a victim of identity theft.

So check this out. A friend of mine wrote a post on Facebook about how someone stole her daughter’s social security number and filed for unemployment benefits with the Washington State Employment Security Division (ESD). Since it had never occurred to me, I decided to go to ESD and try to file an unemployment claim. After entering the information, I received the following message:

The social security number (SSN) you entered already exists and is linked to this partially hidden email address: *****@fasternet.co

THAT ?? !! ??!? I have never filed an unemployment claim in my entire life and I have certainly never used an email address on rapidnet.co. Who is the # $% ^%! It is this?

I read more and saw the following message:

If you think you could be the victim of unemployment imposter fraud, when criminals illegally apply for unemployment benefits using someone else’s personal and work information, please report it! Use the form in the Employment Security Department (ESD) website. Then wait for ESD news.

I could not believe it. I was a victim of identity theft for the first time in my life. And it didn’t go through the more traditional route of bank or credit card fraud; It was through unemployment benefit fraud.

While browsing the What do you do about it path, I learned a lot about the prevalence of identity fraud and how exposed it was. Experian, one of the three credit reporting companies, published some eye-emerging statistics (all as of 2017).

  • 158 million Social Security numbers exposed in data breaches

  • 14.2 million credit card numbers exposed

  • $ 905 million in total fraud losses

  • 13,852 complaints of identity theft affecting children and adolescents

  • 60,000 reports of mail theft

  • 883,000 tax returns confirmed for identity theft

  • 27% of data breaches were related to medical or healthcare.

Identity theft is real. The bad guys are smart and only care about getting your money. The pain, frustration, and fear they leave behind mean nothing to them. If you think it can’t happen to you, you are living under a rock.

As a result of my experience, I decided to collect everything I did to verify fraud activity and the steps I took once I discovered that unemployment benefits fraud occurred. Hopefully these will help you too.

  1. Check your credit report at annual credit reportrt.com for fraudulent accounts. You can do this for free once a year. Don’t be swayed by a false sense of security if everything looks good. Things like unemployment benefits do not appear in the report. You need to do more research.

  2. Check to see if someone has used your SSN to file an unemployment claim. In Washington State, go to ESD safe access washgton and follow the instructions to create a Secure Access Washington account. This is how I found out that someone filed unemployment benefits using my name and SSN.

  3. Request a Social Security AccOunt statement for any claim for benefits against your SSN.

  4. Request a IRS Transcrypt for your tax filing history.

  5. Check if your personal information was included in the Equifax battain which occurred between May and July 2017 that exposed the personal information of 140 million Americans. My SSN was one of 140 million.

If there has been fraudulent activity, take the following steps:

  1. Go to the Federal Trade Commission website Identitytheft.gov. The website guides you through the steps for your situation.

  2. File a fraud report in your state. In Washington he appears before meSouth Dakota.

  3. File a police report with your local police department.

  4. Submit a IRS identity theft Sworn declaration.

  5. Submit a Equifax Fraud alert. This lets credit card companies know that you were the victim of identity theft. According to Equifax, this establishes additional controls to monitor fraudulent activity. They also notify Experian and Transunion of the theft. I can’t speak to whether it is effective at the moment, but I feel like it wouldn’t hurt to do so.

  6. If the theft was for medical reasons, file a health privacy complaint with the US Department of Health and Human Services.ice.

Regardless of whether you have fraudulent activity, I strongly recommend that you do the following:

  1. Place acrepeat freeze in your report with Formerperian, Transunion, and Equifax. A credit freeze restricts access to your credit report. However, if you plan to apply for a credit card, bank account, or mortgage, you need to unfreeze your credit with each of the bureaus and then freeze it again after the inquiry has been made. A slight inconvenience compared to someone opening a credit card in your name using your personal information.
  2. Set up email or text alerts with your bank and credit card companies for any transaction with an amount greater than zero. Large financial services companies offer alert options that you can customize. You’ll get an alert every time the card is used, which can be annoying for some, but again I’d rather delete a notification email or text message than have someone running rampant with my credit card or bank account.

  3. Set up two factor authenticationentication in your accounts. Also known as two-step authentication, this enforces a second type of authentication in addition to a password (that is, a text message, fingerprint, or email verification) if someone tries to log into one of your accounts.

  4. Use a cross cut shredder for any document containing personal information. This also includes any financial services or credit card offers you may receive in the mail.

  5. If your state offers it, set up an account that allows you to register your SSN and access the online services of various state agencies. In Washington state this is called Secure Aaccess to Washington. You may need to do a little research for your state, but it’s worth it.

  6. Be careful with the use of public WIFI; consider using a Virtuto Private Network (VPN) if you access sensitive personal information on public networks.

  7. Be sure to also review the accounts of a loved one, spouse, partner, and children.

Identity theft is real and it can happen to you. The bad guys will never go away, but you can make it harder for yourself by putting some preventive measures in place to protect yourself and your loved ones from identity theft.

Note: if you want hyperlinks to all bold references go here.

Lifestyle Fashion

Brush your face with a toothbrush and look younger

Would you like to know a really inexpensive way to make your face look years younger? Of course you would! Who would not?

Well, get yourself a two dollar soft bristle toothbrush and you’ll be on your way. Brushing your FACE (yes, your face) regularly with a toothbrush will help keep your skin young. You do not believe me? Tempted to stop reading? I know it sounds crazy, but stay with me. Have you heard of the company? Sonicare? They make electric toothbrushes. Guess what? Now they also make a brush for the FACE. It is the same design, only slightly larger. It costs $ 200. People who have it seem to like it. If you have an extra $ 200, buy it. But if you only have an extra $ 2, I promise you that a regular soft-bristle toothbrush, used properly, will give you great results. I’ve been doing it for 15 years and even though I’m in my 40s, they still ask me for ID at Trader Joe’s when I buy red wine. (By the way, if you’re obsessed with anti-aging, red wine is the only alcohol you should drink.)

This is what you do:

1. Moisten your face and neck with warm water. You may want to open your pores by applying a warm washcloth for a few minutes.

2. Apply the skin cleanser of your choice to your face and neck. If you have dry skin, you may want to use a moisturizing cleanser. If it is oily, you can use something that treats oily skin. Use what is already working for your skin. Apply to entire face and neck, unless it is an acne formula, then use something less drying for the skin around the eyes. (You may want to make the eyes separately.)

3. Apply the cleaner to the toothbrush. This helps the brush glide over the skin more smoothly.

4. Begin brushing gently in small circles. Where you start is up to you, but I like to start with the sides of the mouth where the laugh lines form.

Brush clockwise and counterclockwise all over the cheeks and chin. On the forehead, it can be brushed in circles and also from top to bottom. Pay attention to the area between the eyebrows, where fine lines appear. Brush in circles, clockwise and counterclockwise. If you have higher forehead lines above, by raising your eyebrows, brush in circles over those lines and up and down as well.

5. Make the eyes last. And be very, very gentle in this area. If you’ve used a drying cleanser, wash it off the brush before washing your eyes and use something more moisturizing. You can even brush with moisturizer in the eye area. Place the brush on the outer part of the eye closest to the hairline, where you may have crow’s feet, and brush GENTLY towards the bridge of the nose. When you start, use just a few brush strokes. No more than four to start. As you do it more often, you use more pressure and more hits, but start out slowly.

6. Even with light pressure, your skin will likely look red, depending on your skin tone. Do not worry. The redness will disappear in a few minutes. If it has not subsided after an hour, either you have brushed too vigorously or this procedure is not appropriate for your skin. Start with very little pressure and build up over time if you are getting good results. If your face becomes inflamed or irritated, your skin may simply be too sensitive for this.

7. Always, always, always, without exception, follow this up with some type of moisturizer. Use one that you have already been using and that you know works well for your skin. If you brush your teeth during the day, use a moisturizer with sunscreen, preferably one that has an SPF of 30 or higher. If you brush at night, follow up with an excellent night cream.

The night is when the skin repairs itself, so if you brush, then with a night cream designed to replenish and repair, and sleep, you will get an added benefit. This is because brushing and exfoliating prepare the skin for the products to penetrate more effectively.

Do this regularly, a few times a week and you will soon notice that your skin looks clearer, younger, less wrinkled, and more vibrant.

Why is this? Some reasons:

1. Brushing brings blood to the surface of the skin. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to skin cells. So, you are helping to “feed” your skin when you brush it. By doing this regularly, you nourish your skin regularly. If your nutrition is good, that further improves the quality of the blood that is delivered to your skin tissues. Therefore, eat a good diet and the results will improve even more.

2. The scrub helps remove dead skin cells. When we are young, our skin cells are regularly renewed without help. However, as we age, that process slows down and old cells stick to the surface longer, resulting in a dull complexion. Regular exfoliation helps the skin in this cell turnover, allowing older skin to look more like its younger self.

3. Exfoliation also draws impurities out of your pores, helping to keep them cleaner and smaller. As we age, our pores start to look bigger. Cleansing the pores helps the skin look smoother and smoother.

4. Brushing stimulates the muscles below the surface of the skin, similar to how they would be stimulated with a facial massage. As it travels across the skin, brushing in circles and up and down in certain areas, the small muscles beneath the skin’s surface are stimulated. There is a flow of blood to the muscle. This stimulation helps keep these muscles conditioned in a way that they wouldn’t be otherwise. If the muscles below the skin’s surface remain conditioned, your face holds up better over time and there is less sagging.

When I started brushing my skin, I limited it to a few times a week. This is what I recommend to start with. Each person’s skin is different, so you will find the one that best suits your needs. When you start out, be sure to use a SOFT BRISTLE toothbrush. Build up slowly. If your skin responds well to the procedure (you can tell by how it looks and feels), it is okay to do it every day or every other day. When I started, years ago, I brushed only a few times a week. Now I can brush every day and my skin loves it.

Pets

A pregnant stray cat adopted you, now what?

It happens too often. A stray cat adopts a family friend or cat. And after a few weeks it turns out that she is pregnant.

In the US alone, there must be millions of sweet but homeless cats. And many of them get pregnant several times a year. No one really knows why, but pregnant bums often adopt a family rather than the other way around. They may be looking for support or a good, warm home for their kittens.

Now, you may not have the space or time for a cat family. Or there is another reason that makes it difficult to have these kittens. But you don’t want to throw this stray dog ​​away. She is expecting babies, isn’t she?

What can you do now?

You could take her to an animal shelter. That is not always a good idea.

Don’t get me wrong: I value animal shelter work. In fact, I got my current cat from one of them, and I’m pretty sure the next one will also come from a shelter. But some animal shelters reportedly put a pregnant stray woman to sleep. You will blame yourself forever if you hear that the cat you brought was killed.

Other shelters will sterilize her. They have a good reason for it. The kitten population is astronomical and the last thing an animal shelter wants is to put five more homeless cats in this world.

But you may have objections against spaying a pregnant cat; after all, it is an abortion at the same time. So a much better idea is to take a pregnant stray woman to a local rescue group. In the US alone, there are dozens of active rescue groups. Not all, but many let the queen have her kittens and find a home for them.

But in the end, perhaps the most satisfying alternative is to keep the cat and let her give birth. Take care of her. Have a vet examine her to see if she is in good health. And get the right information to be prepared for complications.

And remember: stray dogs are used to going wherever they want. So keep the doors closed. Otherwise, you will adopt someone else.

Real Estate

Smart People’s Choice: Pay Rent Online

Today, fast Wi-Fi connection plus the introduction of new mobile apps have allowed people to pay their bills online and schedule appointments as well. Tenants use the same technology to pay rent on time and manage their funds. Paying online anytime, anywhere has become the new standard.

Landlords should consider online rental payment services. Your business will benefit from it, as will your tenants. Here are the top benefits you can receive when you let your tenants pay rent online:

Improved customer service

Instead of collecting rent in person and processing check payments, they can have more time to focus on their marketing efforts and improve their relationships with tenants. This is a way to improve your relationship with customers, and also a way to serve them better.

Controlled management costs

Collecting rent online reduces expenses related to property management. A homeowner will be able to reduce operating costs and keep a low property management fee. This will benefit many homeowners.

Decrease in the number of overdue accounts

There are different online payment options, such as PayPal, credit card and eCheck, so there will be a significant reduction in terms of payment delays. Additionally, tenants receive email or text message reminders when rent is due or is fast approaching, requesting immediate payment, if the system is on a mobile optimized device.

Faster dispute resolution and audit trail

Rent paid online has traces of digital paper. So when a tenant claims they paid online, the property owner can confirm or refute the claim by accessing the system. Fully integrated property management software will allow homeowners to view late fees, update the owner’s system, and track split payments automatically.

It is safer for them to process rent payments and landlord outlays, as personal data is not compromised. Your accountants can get a snapshot of paying tenants to allow for well-informed financial resolutions.

It’s easy to stay organized

When money passes from one hand to another, a greater degree of organization is needed. When there are more tenants and properties involved, there is a greater chance of making mistakes.

Even when managing one or two properties, cashing rent checks on a monthly basis involves communication and organization to make sure payment is received in a timely manner. Mistakes, no matter how small, can be disastrous when caused by arguments in which the landlord and tenant insist that they are the aggrieved party.

Added security

Paying rent online eliminates the risks that come with cash payments. Also, the insurance company will most likely reduce coverage when there is less cash on site.

In recent years, many owners are becoming more comfortable with online transactions. It is time for those who have not tried online payment services to consider them to save time, reduce costs and improve cash flow.

Sports

Jambalaya toaster oven

This jambalaya was adapted from a recipe found on the internet. The original recipe calls for a Dutch oven; Since I do not have a Dutch oven or conventional oven, I have made adjustments for the equipment I have. I used a toaster oven and a 9 “diameter round glass casserole. Start by sautéing the meats and vegetables in a pot on the stove; you can use a skillet or anything with enough surface space to brown the meats. After cooking On the stove, all the ingredients are transferred to a casserole before going to the toaster oven.

The original recipe included ham and shrimp; I just used chicken and sausage to make it all fit. The first time I made this jambalaya, I used a whole cup of rice and a whole cup of chicken broth. Since then I have cut down on these two ingredients and it still produces a lot of rice.

If you don’t have Cajun seasoning on hand, you can substitute cayenne pepper for it or make your own seasoning mix using the instructions below. The following recipe makes about 3 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning. You can reduce the spices according to your preferences.

Cajun Seasoning

Mix the following ingredients and use them in jambalaya or other dishes.

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

  • 1/4 of teaspoon of chili powder

  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1/4 of teaspoon of onion powder

  • pinch of thyme

  • pinch of basil

Jambalaya

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 1 chicken thigh, cut into small pieces

  • 1/2 pound kielbasa, sliced

  • half a red onion, thinly sliced

  • 2 celery stalks, diced

  • 1 clove garlic, minced

  • 1 green bell pepper, diced

  • 1 bay leaf

  • 1/2 cup of rice converted or parboiled

  • 1/2 cup of chicken broth

  • a 14 oz can diced tomatoes

  • 2-3 teaspoons Cajun seasoning

  1. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a pot or skillet. Add the chicken and cook for 4 minutes per side. Set the chicken aside. Add the kielbasa and brown on both sides, 3 minutes. Set aside.

  2. Add the rest of the olive oil. Add onion, celery, and garlic and cook until tender, about 4 minutes. Add bell pepper, bay leaf, rice, broth, tomatoes, and Cajun seasoning. Put the meats back. Bring to a boil. Preheat the toaster oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

  3. Transfer the contents of the pot to a saucepan. Cover tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the oven for 40 minutes. Remove the bay leaf before serving.

Tours Travel

Top 5 Places to Travel on a Budget

Traveling on a budget is very rewarding. Who needs 5-star hotels, fancy restaurants, and expensive extras? I found that my favorite vacation spots are close to home, on American soil. Since I had such positive experiences, I wanted to share some of my favorite places with you. Although I didn’t have to clean up my savings account or go broke for these unique “on a budget” destinations, they were worth every penny I spent. Here are 5 of my best places to travel, whether you’re on a budget or not.

1. Arizona

This American hot spot is a fantastic place to go whenever you can get there. We all know the power of experiencing the Grand Canyon, but there’s so much more, whether it’s spring, summer, fall, or winter, Arizona gets a leg up on me from the amazing weather to the variety of affordable things to see and do. It can be very hot, so pack some casual clothing. because if you’re like me, the best place to be is outside. The state has done an incredible job creating hiking trails, botanical gardens, camping, outdoor tours, and other nature-loving excursions. The state is full of big cities and small towns full of art, culture and history and delicious food. For example, Tucson, Arizona is steeped in Mexican and Southwestern heritage. There is little to no admission charge to see places like Sabino Canyon and Saguaro National Park and then head to Sedona, Arizona for a chance to see more than 100 art galleries and events happening all the time. They are amazing sites to see if you are an art enthusiast or not.

2. Baltimore, MD

I have visited Baltimore many times and it is by far one of my favorite places to see. The seafood is fresh and delicious, like all dishes in town, and for those of us on a budget, a dollar is very, very long. Steamed crabs are like no other in the world. The National Aquarium is beautifully located on the Baltimore Harbor and a day there is a day well spent. The beautiful and familiar sights, smells and sounds are one of a kind! The Harborplace and the Gallery is located near the harbor and offers an amazing shopping and dining mecca where you can select whatever is right for your wallet and taste. Depending on the time of year (remember Baltimore is cold in winter) there is even free entertainment. The American Visionary Art Museum is well worth the short trip from the harbor. They charge a fee to enter, but the building itself and the property are filled with sculptures and art to view for free. And there are many other museums to visit during your stay in this family-friendly city.

3. Hershey, PA

Hershey, Pennsylvania has become one of our nation’s most popular tourist destinations and offers many free and inexpensive things to do. There’s a world-class amusement park, an infamous day spa that can be a bit pricey, but there’s plenty of memorable affordable things to do too. Hershey Chocolate World, is a walk that is located on the grounds of Hershey Park but it is completely free. It is a wonderful historical walk that is both fun and educational. If you are traveling with children, they will receive a free candy sample at the end of the trip, where they will drop it off directly at the gift shop. There is also the Hershey Streetcar that will transport you around the city with kiss-shaped lights lining the streets. It was started by Milton Hershey while planning the city and continues to this day … well worth your time. If you have the time (and I suggest you do) visit ZooAmerica, Hershey Gardens, Milton Hershey School, and other great museums located in Hershey, PA.

4. Dallas, TX

In a city known for everything great, the cost of visiting it is not that bad. We had a bit of an adventurous spirit, so we booked a City PASS that offered discounted prices on some of the most popular attractions in the city. We couldn’t get to all of them, but we did see the George W. Bush Library and Museum (he was the president) and the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. Great for adding a bit of culture to your vacation. My travel companions enjoy visiting zoos, so we went to the amazing Dallas Zoo and met two beautiful African elephants and fed a giraffe. There are so many family-oriented events and presentations at this zoo, you may have to stay more than a day. The Dallas Farmers Market is a must see market. The food, the vendors, and the extremely memorable experience is like no other market I have ever visited. If you go, have a street taco at La Ventana or a pork-filled tamale at El Mero Mero. I must mention the Trinity River Audubon Center for all hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. This urban hardwood forest is an escape from the city to distinctive Texas terrain.

5. Nashville, TN

Nashville, the home of country music, American history, and much, much to see and do. First, the must-see of all the must-sees is the Country Music Hall of Fame and the infamous Grand Ole Opry. Just the view from the outside of these famous buildings is a must see. When you’re feeling full of country music, head out and walk around the beautiful college campuses of Vanderbilt University and Belmont University or head to the Adventure Science Center or the Belmont Mansion and spend the afternoon learning something new. The campuses are steeped in history and tradition and are a perfect place to enjoy the outdoors. And we haven’t even mentioned Nashville food. Nashville has to be a melting pot of kitchens. There are all kinds of dishes to satisfy any palate. My favorites were found in food trucks that offered fast, delicious, inexpensive takeout meals. If you have room for cake, I recommend the peach or walnut.