Can You Use a Roller to Stain a Deck?

Sharon Anderson
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Can You Use a Roller to Stain a Deck?

If you’re like me, the only time you ever used a roller was when painting a room. But did you know that you can also use a roller to stain a deck?

You can! I tried it out, and it worked well. So if you’re looking for an easy way to stain your deck, give using a roller a try. You might be surprised at how well it works!

Can I Apply Deck Stain with a Roller? 

Yes. You can apply deck stain with a roller. In fact, it might be the best stain applicator to use, depending on the size and shape of your deck. Use a foam roller and apply the stain in long, even strokes.

You’ll want to make sure that you don’t saturate the wood too much, as this can cause the stain to pool and create an uneven finish.

How to Apply Deck Stain with a Roller

Now that you know you can use a roller to stain your deck, let’s go over the best way.

To get started, you’ll need a few supplies:

  • Foam Roller
  • Semi transparent Deck Stain
  • Paint Tray or Similar Container
  • Ladder (if needed)

Step by Step Guide

Step 1: Select Rollers and Stain

You’ll need to choose the right roller and deck stain to start. I prefer using a foam roller as they are less likely to leave streaks or brush marks.

As for deck stain, you’ll want to select a product designed for exterior use and can withstand the elements.

Next, you’ll need to pour the deck stain into a container. I like using a paint tray to make it easy to roll the stain onto the deck.

If you’re working with a large deck, you may need to pour the stain into multiple containers so that you don’t have to keep going back and forth to refill your paint tray.

Step 2: Prepare Deck for Staining

Once you have all of your supplies, it’s time to prepare the deck for staining. If your deck is new, you’ll need to clean it with mild soap and water solution.

However, if your deck is older, you may need to sand down any rough spots or areas where the finish has worn away. You’ll also want to sweep the deck and remove debris, leaves, or dirt.

This is also the best time to repair any damage to the deck. If there are any cracks, holes, or splinters, this is the time to fix them. Once you’ve prepared the deck’s surface, you’re ready to start staining.

Step 3: Apply Stain

Once you are done with the preparation work, it’s time to start applying the stain. Here is the best semi transparent deck stain that I recommend. As I mentioned earlier, you’ll want to use long, even strokes when rolling the stain onto the deck.

Be sure to work in small sections so that the stain doesn’t have a chance to dry before you can spread it evenly. Also, ensure you don’t saturate the wood, as this can cause the stain to pool and create an uneven finish.

Ensure you start staining from the top to the bottom of the deck so any drips or runs will be less likely to be noticed.

Once you’ve finished staining the entire deck, you’ll want to let the stain dry for at least 24 hours before using the deck again.

Advantages of Using a Roller

There are several advantages to using a roller to apply deck stain.

First, it’s faster than using a brush. Second, you’re less likely to miss any spots or leave behind streaks or brush marks.

Another advantage is that you can cover a larger area with a roller in a shorter time than you could with a brush.

Disadvantages of Using a Roller

There are also a few disadvantages to using a roller. First, you need to be careful not to saturate the wood, as this can cause the stain to pool and create an uneven finish.

Second, if you’re not careful, you may have streaks or brush marks.

FAQs

What Kind Of Roller Do You Use To Put Stain On A Deck?

The best roller to use when staining a deck is a foam roller. Foam rollers are less likely to leave streaks or brush marks, and they can help you achieve an even finish.

Can You Use A Paint Roller To Stain A Deck?

Yes, you can use a paint roller to stain a deck. Just be sure to use a foam roller and apply the stain in long, even strokes. You’ll also want to make sure that you don’t saturate the wood, as this can cause the stain to pool and create an uneven finish.

Can you use a roller to seal a deck?

Yes, you can use a roller to seal a deck. You will want to use a paint roller with an extension handle to reach the center of the deck and the edges. You will also need to purchase an acrylic sealer designed for decks. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for preparation and application.

What can I put over a wood deck?

There are a few things you can put over a wood deck to protect it from the elements and extend its life. One option is to use a tarp. Tarps are great for protecting your deck from the sun, wind, and rain. Another option is to use a deck cover. Deck covers come in a variety of materials, including cloth and plastic. They offer more protection than tarps but can be more expensive. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s rated for outdoor use and compatible with your deck material.

Conclusion

So, what’s the verdict? Can you use a roller to stain a deck? The answer is yes, with some caveats. A roller will give you more even coverage than a brush, but it won’t penetrate the wood, so that you may need two coats.

Use an oil-based stain on a wooden deck. Water-based stains are not recommended for exterior projects. With these tips in mind, stain your deck like a pro!

5 Video Marketing Ideas For Real Estate Agencies

Sharon Anderson
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5 Video Marketing Ideas For Real Estate Agencies

Video marketing isn’t a very new thing; various industries, including real estate, embrace the strategy to better market their brands. As the name suggests, the strategy is about advertising your brand by making videos. 

As a real estate agency, are you wondering how to incorporate video marketing into your operations? 

Look no further. This article will highlight content that you can add to your video marketing to make the strategy a success. Read on to find out more!

  1. Showcase Your Company

In most cases, the most utilized method of showcasing your company is writing content about it. Yes, it’s still effective, but why not change things and add some life to such content?

You can utilize videos to highlight this content. Some aspects to include in the video are a brief story on your company history, the services you offer, the specific niche you place your brand (is it buying or selling property,) among others. Also, it should highlight the company’s unique selling points, “Why should clients seek your services and not the competitors?”

However, as you do this, try and make it as short as possible; you don’t want your potential clients to get bored even before they reach the end of your video. Consider seeking the services of a corporate video production company to find a balance between the quality and quantity of your content.  

2. Introduce Your Agents

Many clients want to connect with the provider from whom they want to obtain services. What better way of building this connection than introducing them to potential clients? 

With this, clients will feel connected to your brand and develop some level of trust. This will compel them to seek your services, which is your end goal.

Let each of your team members make a short introduction about themselves. The introduction should include their area of expertise, years of experience, and how they’ll assist potential clients.

Visit Here: ai video generator from text

3. Showcase Neighborhood Videos

One of the successful ways of marketing a given property is by giving potential clients a vision of them living on the said property. Neighborhood videos will do this for you. Here, the major aspect to focus on is the area’s lifestyle.

With video marketing, it’s also good to highlight the unique features of a given area, such as a lake, swimming pool, or a beautiful landscape. Social amenities should also be part of the unique features of a neighborhood  because it’s believed that potential clients consider amenities as they decide on where to settle.

For instance, you can have a video of one of those living in the neighborhood enjoying the lake’s view as they sip their morning cup of coffee. This highlights the serenity of the place, captivating clients. If there’s a playground, show children playing in the park on a sunny afternoon.

For neighborhood videos, utilize animations in the video to make them more interesting. Also, you shouldn’t just focus on one neighborhood. Showcase a variety of different lifestyles since your customers have varying tastes.

4. Highlight Current Trends

As a real estate agency, you need to keep up with the trends in the property business and inform your customers of the same. 

You can decide to highlight the top listings every quarter, where besides mentioning the properties, you show a live video of each of the properties. As you do this, it’s best to highlight the unique features and alternatives to design based on the client’s preference. 

By doing so regularly, potential clients will always seek your website and its videos first before buying any property. This grows your brand and increases its visibility.

5. Address Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The real estate industry has many aspects, hence the need for industry familiarity. These aspects could be buying or selling property, mortgage solutions available, and the foreclosure process. In most cases, websites have a FAQ section at the bottom, where clients can seek information about a given area. It’s best to turn these into a video, just like you would for showcasing your brand. Videos will inform a lot within a short period, eliminating lengthy reading times. 

One of your workers, preferably from the sales teams, should address the FAQs in detail. Addressing FAQs through videos will show your clients how much you’re willing to go to ensure their issues are addressed.

Conclusion

As can be seen, incorporating video marketing in your real estate company doesn’t require much. With the proper guidance, like this article gives, you’ll be on the right track regarding marketing.

Therefore, consider implementing the ideas discussed herein, and you won’t go wrong with your video marketing strategy. Even as you adopt these ideas, it’s good to note that your videos need to be of high quality. You can achieve this by investing in good lighting and videography equipment.

Top four betting sites to bet on Carolina Panthers

Sharon Anderson
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The Carolina Panthers are definitely making some serious moves to prepare for the season. In fact, the team’s been frantically busy attempting to get all their ducks in a row ahead of the 2022 campaign. Honestly, things are going rather well for the Panthers in terms of recruitment. On top of that, the team has bolstered their coaching staff with some experienced figures, and also obtained some free agents, all without breaking the bank. Having all this in mind, betting on the Carolina Panthers seems like a good idea, and here’s where to do it. 

Borgata

You see, Borgata has long been a presence in New Jersey. By the way, did you know that New Jersey was also one of the first states to legalize sports betting? Nevertheless, you’ll definitely feel the love with Borgata’s welcome bonus – up to $300 in free bets. Also, if you decide to sign up with the site’s sports betting account, you can also get $25 to try the casino. We’d say that’s a pretty good deal. 

Unibet

This betting site goes back to 1997, where it  certainly made a name for itself. Love a good welcome bonus? Then Unibet is definitely the place for you, and you’re bound to find something interesting.  

BetMGM

Based on just variety, BetMGM is certainly packing. Here, you’ll find a huge sports selection, the NFL, NHL, NBA, MMA, NASCAR, tennis, you name it! Additionally, you’ll also have access to certain accessible features and tools. How great it that! 

William Hill

Much like BetMGM, William Hill also provides its players with a great selection of tools and features to make their lives easier. There’s no doubt about it – you’ll feel right at home with William Hill’s $500 welcome bonus. Not only that, but you can also earn rewards by placing bets. William Hill also offers Monday Parlays bonuses, along with live streaming for some events. 

Have fun betting on the Carolina Panthers 

In conclusion, there’s a large selection of betting sites where you can place bets on your favorite team. The ones mentioned above are only the top four. In case you’d like to check out other options, check out betnj.com. The listed sports betting sites at BetNJ are all fairly impressive, with great offers and bonuses. So, take your pick, and start betting on the Carolina Panthers!

How Tech is Changing Employment and Ways to Improve Your Career Security

Sharon Anderson
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How Tech is Changing Employment and Ways to Improve Your Career Security

Few would argue against the concept that computers, technology, and the web are changing the modern world. However, with the tremendous leaps and bounds made in recent years in tech, many industry analysts now suggest we may currently be in the throes of a fourth industrial revolution (often referred to as Industry 4.0). From Charlotte to San Francisco, the modern jobs market is transforming rapidly. 

With tech now playing an increasingly important role in both our work and social lives, there is little doubt that the employment landscape is changing rapidly. Computers now form the backbone of the operations of most firms in everything from communications to client databases and spreadsheets and are helping streamline companies the world over.

However, while tech is undoubtedly enhancing and improving the workplace, the recent advances in robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) are leading to many previously secure careers becoming obsolete and redundant – giving rise to the new phenomenon of the so-called “pointless job”.

How tech is expected to force career changes 

Where once it was perfectly reasonable for employees to expect to spend their entire career in the same role (or even with the same company), employment experts now suggest the typical worker of today should expect to change position and employer multiple times through their working lives. As you might expect, this trend is forecast to continue to rise in the future as more and more jobs get replaced by automation and machines. 

A perfect storm – made even worse by the coronavirus pandemic

We are living in extremely uncertain times when it comes to work and finding a role that will provide security both now and in the future. Indeed, the recent coronavirus pandemic exposed just how insecure many jobs were as firms came to rely more and more on tech to function – therefore showing that many employees were superfluous to requirements. 

The World Economic Forum estimates that, globally, around 114 million people lost their jobs through 2020 as a result of the virus, and, even as the world now slowly emerges from the worst of COVID-19, it’s expected the financial implications of lockdowns and furlough payments are yet to properly bite. 

As most financial forecasters suggest, we may only be seeing the tip of the iceberg when it comes to companies struggling to get back on their feet – with many predicting we will still see further job losses in the months and years to come as part of the fall-out from coronavirus. 

Improving job security in an increasingly insecure employment market

While it is likely that employees in the future will need to take a more flexible approach to work and be more willing to change roles, there are still some ways you can help guarantee you find a job with lasting security while also improving your employment options:

Choose a job known for its job security: It should go without saying, but choosing a job that is unlikely to be replaced by tech and that will always be in demand is probably the best way to improve your chances of employment in the future. For example, while tech is changing how the police work and enhancing their investigative capabilities, we’re still a long way off from a time when police officers are likely to be replaced by robots. Studying a BA in policing (on or offline) could offer a fast track to a lifelong, secure job. Plus, working in the police force offers a structured career to climb, which could mean greater responsibilities and higher wages as you work your way up. 

Education and training: Sure, you’ll maybe have studied a formal qualification at college or university before starting work, but one of the best ways to stand out and make employers notice you is by having additional, relevant qualifications or training. These days, it’s easier than ever to study in your own time at a pace (and place) that suits you by enrolling in online courses. Extra knowledge and additional skills will make you more valuable from an employer’s perspective – plus equip you better for sideways career changes should you need to find new work. 

Have a good working knowledge of computers: Computers and the web are revolutionizing the modern workplace – to the point that it’s hard to think of a job that doesn’t involve tech to at least some degree. Having at least basic computer skills (or better if you can manage) will almost definitely be an asset in the future. 

Work on your communication skills: Unless you intend to start a one-man-band venture alone, pretty much any job you end up doing will involve working with other people. Being able to communicate well and articulate your ideas or instructions is a key component of teamwork and will help you stand out as a diligent and professional employee. 

Improve your team working skills: Being a good communicator is one thing, but you should also work on your ability to work with other people towards a common goal. Teamwork can be a tremendously rewarding experience when it goes well – but it can also end up draining if you don’t approach it right. Learning to take instruction, pass on ideas, and work productively as part of a larger group will help you progress in your career – and also improve your standing with your employer. 

Work on your organizational skills and ability to stay focused: For some, being organized at work and staying focused on the task at hand comes naturally – but for many others, the working day can end up rather haphazard with little direction. By improving your organizational skills, you’ll find you’ll save time (for example, by not having to hunt around for tools or important documents) while also helping you make more from your time at work. Likewise, learning to have a laser-like focus on tasks will mean you’ll be more productive and end up completing projects or duties much quicker. All these things will get noticed by both your fellow employees and your boss(es).

Choose the Pillow Protector that Suit for Your Kids

Sharon Anderson
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Choose the Pillow Protector that Suit for Your Kids

Introduction

Kinds tend to have more activities and their own interests. With all those kids traits, as parents, of course we still want to give the best for them. Buying a pillow protector can be the option that you could do to show your affection. This article will help you to find pillow covers or pillow protectors for your kids!

Part 1 : The necessary of pillow covers

Part 2 : Aspects that need to be considered

Part 1 : The necessary of pillow covers

Pillow covers are important things that need to be included in household appliances. Not only as the cover that protects the pillow, but it also makes the one who uses that pillow more comfortable to sleep. 

As a parent, of course you want your kids to sleep healthy and peacefully, right? Getting the right pillow protector will help you toward it. Pillow protector will make your kids want to sleep fast because it’s a nice place to lean their heads on.Your kids will have a good time once they wake up to do their activities in the morning. 

Part 2 : Aspects that need to be considered

There are aspects that you need to know to get the best pillow protector for your kids. These are must to know because adult and children’s needs and interests are different. Let’s talk about it more!

  • Size

Size is the important factor to know when you’re planning to buy this product. Choose the one that has the same size with your kids’ pillows at your house. You could know the size by measuring it first or just search the brand on google. Getting the right size will make the pillow more fit and comfortable to use.

  • Features

Pillow protectors nowadays have many fascinating technologies that make them more useful. Most brands offer this kind of features :  pore sizes, waterproof, membranes, thread counts, hypoallergenic, and so on. It’s essential for your kids, especially if you know their allergies or habits when they’re sleeping.

  • Designs

Kids usually tend to look at the visuals first rather than the functions. It’s good to make them have a good impression of the product. It makes them believe that the pillow protector that you gave is good and worth it. Select the designs that suit your kids. What it means by design is the colors, pattern, or texture.

  • Breathability

Breathability is one of the important things for a pillow cover’s performance because it decides the comfort level of the pillow covers. This factor depends on the type of material or fabric that is used to produce the pillow protector or pillow cover. That’s why it’s important to know the material of the product.

  • Material

Just like it’s explained before, materials are an aspect that you can’t ignore. There are some materials that are often used for pillow protectors like cotton, wool, polyester, and many more. The materials will affect the texture, noisiness, and breathability of the pillow protector that can impact on your kids’ sleep too. 

6 Mistakes I Made When I First Started Using My Glass Wine Decanter

Sharon Anderson
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6 Mistakes I Made When I First Started Using My Glass Wine Decanter

My experience with wine decanters has led me to the conclusion that not all of them are created equal, and that the performance of your decanter depends on how you use it. I’ve made some mistakes along the way, and hopefully after reading this article you won’t make these mistakes when using your own wine decanter. Here are the six most common mistakes I’ve made with my Le Chateau wine decanter and how you can avoid making them too.

1) Not cleaning my glass wine decanter properly

Before each use, I should run hot water through my glass wine decanter with a few squirts of dish soap to make sure there’s no bacteria in it. And if it’s been sitting for too long without being used, I can soak it in warm water with a little vinegar and baking soda overnight to clean out any residue.

2) Not fully opening the spout before pouring

Only partially opening a decanter spout can prevent wine from fully aerating, which results in a less-than-pleasant drinking experience. Take some time to get used to opening and closing your spout—it only takes a moment but makes all of the difference in how much you enjoy your glass of wine. Le Chateau’s decanters have unique handles that make it easy to operate our glass stoppers with one hand while pouring with another. No more fumbling around! The Decanter is designed with elegance and functionality in mind, making it simple for anyone to pour their favorite glass of wine at any occasion.

3) Pouring it too slowly

Over-pouring wine is a common mistake among new decanters, but it’s also one of the easiest to avoid. Over-pouring is usually caused by pouring too slowly, which is a good way to cause drips and leave unwanted dregs at the bottom of your glass. Remember: you want about an inch of wine in your glass for each pour.

4) Pouring it too quickly

Don’t pour too quickly. You want to give enough time for all of that sediment to settle at the bottom of your decanter. If you pour too quickly, you might end up throwing some sediment into your glass along with your wine. And don’t worry if it takes a little longer than usual: The small wait is worth not having to drink wine and dirt together! (And hey, who knows?

5) Pouring it into a tall glass instead of a wide one

A real wine connoisseur may pour their glass of wine directly into a wide-mouthed glass (such as my favorite Le Chateau wine decanter) but for everyone else, it’s recommended to first pour it into a short, wide glass and then slowly slide your freshly poured drink from that glass into one with a longer neck. This prevents drops from spilling on your countertop or table.

6) Using it for something other than red wine

The Le Chateau wine decanter is used primarily for red wines. (In fact, we actually have a special glass for white wine.) If you try to pour anything else into it—whether it’s white wine or soda—it won’t fit and won’t look very pretty. So if you use your decanter for everything but wine, it might not end up looking so good in your cupboard.

4 On Page SEO Tweaks to improve your Rankings

Sharon Anderson
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4 On Page SEO Tweaks to improve your Rankings

Are you struggling to optimise your website? Well, in this post, I’ll be going over 4 great ways to massively improve your rankings.

The 3 Kings

The 3 Kings are the meta title, H1 and URL. These are the most important places to have your keyword in as they will have the biggest impact.

The meta title is the blue title you find when you search for something in Google. It’s what lets the user know what your page is about before clicking.

So naturally, it’s something that will have a major impact on rankings. Make sure to have your target keyword in the meta title.

The H1 tag is the title of your page, there should only be one H1 tag per page. You can think of the H1 as the title of your book, it lets the reader know what your page is about. And it doesn’t make sense to have multiple titles of a book.

Insert your target keyword into the H1 tag, ideally, the H1 tag and meta title should be the same.

The URL or slug should also have your target keyword in.

Place your target keyword in these 3 places and you’ve completed 80% SEO.

Use semantic SEO

Semantic SEO is all about using synonyms. Let’s say your target keywords are ‘Dog treats’, ‘puppy sweets’, ‘doggy delights’, ‘pooch goodies’.

I got these ideas from thesaurus.com. You can also see what search results come up in Google and use the keywords being used in the meta titles and meta descriptions in your content.

Look at the first page for answers

If you want to rank for a keyword, check what the first page search results show, the answers are all there, it couldn’t be easier.

The first step is to check what type of content is ranking, is it category pages? Product pages? Blog posts?

After that, determine the average word count of the first page search results.

Next, see what they’ve included in their content, what subheadings do they have? What queries do they answer? How are the pages formatted?

These are the kinds of questions you need to answer before creating your content.

No index unnecessary pages

Recently Google has been struggling with indexing. And I mean REALLY struggling with indexing. Many websites are reporting that Google is not indexing their pages and this has happened to me also.

Unfortunately, there’s nothing we can do about this, it’s most likely a bug that Google needs to fix.

The next best thing we can do is no index unnecessary pages, this means blocking Google from crawling certain pages on your website. Why would you want to do this? Because not every page on your website needs to be indexed and Google appreciates you doing this.

This is called optimising your crawl budget.

What pages do I set as noindex?

You want to noindex tags, your website’s internal search engine results, date, author and archives.

Also, if your website doesn’t rely on getting found through images such as clothing stores, it may be worth no indexing media. If you’re only a blog, it may be worth noindexing category pages.

Bathroom Design Trends for 2022

Sharon Anderson
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Bathroom Design Trends for 2022

At the end of a long and exhausting day, all you want to do is retreat, take a shower and relax. The way your bathroom looks will play a big role in your relaxation routine. You may either have a small but cute bathroom, or a larger bathroom that has a calming color scheme. 

Choosing the right bathroom design is very important if you want to follow the trends and feel at peace whenever you’re using the room. 2022 brings some fun trends to the table – so, if you want the bathroom of your dreams, here are some cool designs you should consider:

  • Bathroom Suites

More and more people seem to fall in love with bathroom suites and add them to their homes. A lot of individuals are working from home and are looking to make their bathrooms the best spaces to relax. Therefore, having a bathroom suite can be one of the best ways to do this. What’s even better is that both the traditional and modern aesthetics work with it. 

“Larger bathrooms and primary suites will continue to be a trend,” says Mark Lavender from M. Lavender Interiors. “With more people now permanently working from home, our clients are looking to get away from it all and a primary suite can do this. Fixtures in gold-tone finishes are becoming more readily available, and these will continue to grow in popularity. While associated with the boho look, these stand alone and can work nicely with traditional and modern aesthetics.”

  • Sculptural Taps

2022 is the year that gives taps more recognition. Sculptural taps are becoming a trend, as they reimagine the most basic features of taps. If you want your tap to work properly and be like a piece of jewelry for the space, you should consider sculptural taps.

“I see taps as the jewelry of the bathroom,” says VitrA Design Director Erdem Akan. “Just like watches, necklaces and bracelets are a finishing touch to our personal style, taps complete the bathroom atmosphere. Rather than being discreet, their new visual volume is becoming more dominant.”

  • Freestanding Bathtubs

Freestanding tubs are not exactly a new trend, but they remain popular even in 2022. They are very comfortable, and they also improve the look of any bathroom, making it look sleek and modern. 

What makes freestanding tubs even better is the fact that they instantly grab someone’s attention. As such, they are the ideal focal point that every bathroom needs.

  • Vintage Furniture

Nowadays, many individuals go for traditional designs when it comes to their bathrooms. For this reason, vintage furniture is a big trend in 2022. It makes the bathroom look visually pleasing and also creates a relaxing atmosphere.

“A vintage piece of furniture adds an unexpected layer of visual interest and becomes a conversation piece in a bathroom,” says Amy Sklar from Sklar Design. “You can use a vintage chest of drawers, armoire, or in the case of a Pasadena home, I utilized a vintage sideboard for the double sink vanity. It brings complexity to the sparkling new bathroom.”

  • Oversized Tiles

While grey used to be a trend in the previous years, 2022 brings large, colorful tiles into the spotlight. People don’t shy away from using colors in their bathrooms anymore, and warmer tones are right at the top. Now, homeowners can add very large and colorful tiles to their bathrooms to create a fun and unique space.

  • Arches

Arched doors have been growing in popularity over the last few years, but in 2022 they will also be seen in bathrooms. The arch shape used to be a thing in roman baths in the past, so this is an ideal way to create a relaxing and luxurious atmosphere, at the same time. People who add arched doors in their bathroom will transform the space, making it more elegant and visually pleasing.

The Bottom Line

If you want your bathroom to look good and unique, consider this year’s trends recommended on cabinetset.com website. Whether you add an arched door, oversized tiles or a bathroom suite is up to you. What matters the most is that you design a bathroom where you can relax and feel at peace all the time.

NC Smokers Would Accept a $7,930 Cash Incentive to Quit, Reveals Study

Charlotte Stories
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NC Smokers Would Accept a $7,930 Cash Incentive to Quit, Reveals Study

There was once a time when smoking cigarettes may have been considered ‘cool’: there was the burly, Western masculine ideal of the Marlboro Man, who lit up in between lassoing cattle. And who could forget the iconic James Dean, puffing away in many a photograph and film in the ‘50s? On the silver screen, smoking cigarettes is a prominent feature: romantic scenes often inevitably end with couples enjoying a post-coital cigarette or three; busy newsrooms were once depicted in a fog of smoke; and nowadays, everyone from Brad Pitt to Scarlett Johansson has wielded a cigarette as part of their on-screen persona.

However, times have since changed… Much research has been conducted into the harmful effects of cigarette smoking, leaving many smokers in a predicament. Although the negative impacts of tobacco smoke are very much evident and it’s easy to wonder why so many smokers (an estimated 14% of American adults) continue the habit, many tobacco users find it difficult to quit, due to its addictive nature. This may be hard to believe considering cigarette smoking is still the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the US, resulting in the death of over 480,000 people each year. So, what would it take to convince smokers to ditch their habit – both for their own good, as well as the greater health and wellbeing of society? Last year, California proposed a contingency management plan to pay people to stay sober in the form of cash incentives or payments for every negative drug test over a certain period… Could a similar strategy help convince tobacco users to stay smoke-free?

OK Smokes recently surveyed 3,595 smokers to find out just how much of a cash incentive would encourage them to curb their tobacco habit.

It was found that the average smoker in North Carolina said a cash incentive of no less than $7,930 from a federal program would nudge them in the right direction and make them quit cigarettes – compared to a national average of $9,080. While this might be an eye popping figure, it is worth noting that smoking-related illness in the United States costs more than $300 billion each year – as there are 34 million smokers, this works out to approximately $8,832 per smoker.

Smokers in Vermont seem most eager to quit, with the average respondent saying they’d accept a cash incentive of $1,694 to quit. Comparatively, smokers in Hawaii had the highest cash incentive result, with the average smoker here saying $16,500 is their price.

Interactive map showing smoker statistics by state (click on ’embed’ to host infographic on your site)

Rejected by singles in numerous dating profiles, who state that they would never date a smoker; forced to take their last drag outside the airport before a long-haul flight; admonished by the family doctor, and shunned onto the wet and windy street outside the workplace, it’s reasonable to assume that smokers these days are an ostracized population.

And when an uncontrollable cigarette craving hits, making you fumble for the door with box and lighter gripped in hand, being outdoors is the first step of the game plan. However, nowadays, there are certain state and local laws that govern where you may or may not smoke cigarettes in public – although the US Congress hasn’t enacted any nationwide federal smoking bans in workplaces or public places. Uniquely, the state of Nevada has banned smoking in all public places and places of employment, however, exempts casinos, bars, strip clubs, retail tobacco stores, and restaurants that don’t allow patrons under the age of 21. In other restaurants, smoking is limited to ventilated designated areas.

This among other reasons may explain why smokers of tobacco these days feel shunned by others – the survey also found that 15% of North Carolina smokers admit they feel ostracized by society for their habit.

Nationally, this figure was 18% among women smokers and 16% among men. And broken down by age group, the results were as follows when asked if they feel ostracized by society for smoking cigarettes:

Age group                   % Who feel ostracized by society

18 – 24                        11

25 – 34                        16

35 – 44                        22

45 – 54                        23

55 – 64                        15

65+                              9

Although some smokers may feel shunned by the non-smoking population in society, the designation of specific areas where tobacco use is permitted is for the general greater good of society. The US spends over $300 billion each year on illnesses linked to smoking, which include over $225 billion towards direct medical care for adults, as well as $156 billion towards lost productivity costs. Second-hand smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals alone, of which hundreds are toxic and some, carcinogenic. Second-hand smoke is also the cause of almost 34,000 premature deaths due to heart disease among non-smokers in the US each year, as well as more than 7,300 lung cancer deaths among non-smokers in the US each year. Essentially, non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke are still inhaling many of the same carcinogenic substances and toxins as cigarette smokers themselves, which emphasizes the importance of specially designated smoking zones that are further away from general public exposure.

“While paying smokers to quit may seem a controversial subject”, says Ashwinn Krishnaswamy, of OK Smokes, “doing so would eventually place less pressure on our healthcare system and save more lives, both among smokers and non-smokers alike”.

How data rooms can grow your business

Sharon Anderson
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How data rooms can grow your business

There are many ways that data rooms can help your business, but the most important is the fact that they can help you to grow. A data room can help you to grow your business by raising your profile, increasing your sales, and reaching a larger audience. One of the ways that a data room helps you to grow your business is by raising your profile. Many companies are now looking for businesses that they can partner with and work with on projects. The minute that you get a data room up and running on your website, you are letting the world know that you are a business that is serious about innovation and growth.

Accountability

When you’re starting a business, it can be difficult to be accountable for your actions, especially when you’re trying to keep both your employees and investors happy. The truth is that startups don’t always run smoothly, and the majority of them fail. This is even more of a problem when you’re in the unfortunate situation where you’re in over your head. Having a data room can help you save a sinking ship by making sure you’re always prepared for the worst-case scenario.

As the name suggests, a data room is a private, secured area on a website that allows the sharing of data between individuals and parties within the platform. The data room is a virtual space that contains files of any kind. These files could be restricted or confidential in nature. Typically, the data room is used by businesses to share sensitive information with their clients and partners. Businesses make use of data rooms to share information such as financial records, legal documents and contracts, and marketing strategies. The data room is made available to its users after they sign up and create an account. Users can then access the information they need and share it with other users who also need the same information. This is what makes it accountable.

Security and support

Security and support are vital when it comes to outsourcing your data room. Your data room should be secure, and your team should be able to access it at any time of day. You need to be able to share files securely with your customers, and you need to be able to store them long-term. You also want to make sure that your data room is backed up. In the event of a hard drive failure, you don’t want to lose all your valuable information. You also want to make sure that your data room uses data room security protocols that can help you stay safe and comply with regulations. 

Document management

Since the introduction of the Internet, it has become crucial to ensure that all the information that is made available to the public is accurate and up-to-date. The document management process is no different, but it is imperative as it is a vital part of any business. It is also important that the documents a business holds reflect its overall image and the way it wants to be perceived.

The first thing that comes to mind when you hear the term ‘Document Management’ is the ability to store and retrieve all types of documents. This is indeed a good thing to keep in mind. But what if the documents you want to store are not just words but pictures, video, audio, or even live data? It might turn out that the most basic document management system isn’t a perfect solution. That’s why in the modern world of business, a company is expected to search for document management software that would not only enable it to store documents but also enable the fast, smooth, and efficient retrieval of the stored data. The best thing about data room software is that it can be customized to fit the needs of a specific company. A company might want to keep its documents confidential. In that case, it would be good to invest in a data room that can allow access to the documents only from a specific location. Or perhaps a company wants the ability to access and share documents from a mobile device. In that case, it should ensure that the chosen software is compatible with mobile devices. If you want to know more about starting a business, you can find relevant information at  companyformationfinland.com.

Permission settings

Data rooms are an integral part of any business today. They are an excellent way to communicate with potential clients, partners, or investors. As their name suggests, data rooms let you store and manage all of the documents related to your project in one place. The documents can be shared with others in order to receive feedback, comments, or simply to get a second opinion. The actual structure of the data rooms varies from one provider to another. They usually offer several useful permission settings.

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