The Basics of a Fall Picnic: 5 Things to Bring 

What do you get when you blend baseball playoffs, Halloween and cooler temperatures? The best time of the year — fall. 

Why not celebrate the season by dining alfresco? You’ll get to enjoy fresh outdoor air before Old Man Winter chases you into hibernation. Plus, you won’t have to deal with as many insects. Here are five basics for a fall picnic to create a memorable event for you and the family (or that special someone)

1. Blankets and Pillows 

You know that you need the classic red-checked picnic blanket, but even lined and waterproof versions leave something lacking in the comfort department. You could break out the lawn chairs — or, better yet, take a tip from yogis. 

Those who practice the ancient art know that cushions can help place your body in alignment and prevent pain. Plus, they’re squishy, soft and perfect for keeping the grass out of your hair

If you don’t want your bedding to possibly capture an ant or two, use the ones from your outdoor patio furniture. Many have waterproofing to keep the dew from getting you wet.

2. A Temperature-Controlled Cooler 

What’s a romantic picnic without a glass of wine or a few cold ones? You don’t want to ruin the moment with flat, warm beer. Keep it fresh by ensuring your cooler maintains a temperature  of 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit, unless you have an icy creek nearby to dunk your cans. 

Even if you picnic riverside, you need to mind storage rules if you plan to barbecue raw meats on a portable hibachi. Food handling guidelines recommend keeping refrigerated items at 39 degrees Fahrenheit or lower to avoid contamination. Likewise, items containing mayonnaise or dairy require refrigeration.   

3. Some Fall Comfort Classics

Now it’s time to do the tastiest part — selecting the food. Fortunately, fall follows a bountiful harvest season, and the possibilities stretch on nearly endlessly. 

Did you get into the gardening craze during the spring and summer shutdowns? Delight your family, friends or beau by putting your produce to use in an imitation version of Wildflower Bread Company’s 12-vegetable soup. Eating it before the main dish can also help you consume fewer calories overall if you mind your waistline. Or, pack a ready to eat tuna meal if you are in a rush to get picnic ready, is an easy alternative. 

What else should you add to your basket? How about some Renaissance Faire-style turkey legs? You can enjoy them warm or cold, and they make your lunch feel festive. 

4. You Gotta Have Pie 

What fall picnic is complete without dessert? What if you’re doing paleo or another low-carb diet? You don’t have to skip the sweet stuff with these paleo pumpkin pie bars with an almond-flour, sugar-cookie crust. We won’t tell if you decide to cheat by pairing with an off-limits latte.

 

Few things say fall more than apples, and you might have a harvest if you have a tree. Toss your fruit in a sugar mixture to keep your crust crunchy and bake up a delicious Dutch apple pie. The cooler temps mean you won’t miss the ice cream melting on top, although you can always toss a pint of Ben & Jerry’s in the cooler.  

5. Footballs, Frisbees and Firestarters  

There’s more to a fall picnic than food. Remember to bring the fun. Once you digest your feast by lying back on the blanket and seeing George Washington’s face in a cloud formation, it’s time to play. If you’re lucky enough to live near a disk golf course, why not bring your gear for a game after your meal? You don’t need professional baskets or acres of land — you can make do with any open space. 

What do you do after Thanksgiving dinner? If youre like many folks, you head out back and toss the football around with your kids. If you have a gang of littles, bring along some fabric for a flag version of the Sunday favorite where your team always wins. 

Is it a date day? A few board games and padel games can help you avoid those uncomfortable conversation lulls. If you’re bold, you can always bring “Twister” along, although you’ll have to tackle the social distancing discussion. Safety first!

Master Your Fall Picnic With These 5 Basics 

The five basics above will help you throw the ultimate fall picnic. Get out there and enjoy the spirit of the season

About The Author 

Dylan Bartlett, aka The Regular Guide, writes about a variety of topics on his blog, Just a Regular Guide  Follow him on Twitter @theregularguide for updates! 

8 Things to Know About Adopting a Cat 

Are you in the market for the purrfect pal? Cats make the ideal companion. They’re less labor-intensive than a dog but offer more cuddly comfort than a goldfish. 

Unfortunately, far too many felines end up abandoned because their owners didn’t understand the finer points of different cats sharing their home. Before you think about adopting a cat, you should know the following eight things. 

 

1. Kittens Aren’t Always Best 

Kittens are adorable, and their pics are sure to make you an Instagram hit. However, pets aren’t accessories — they’re living creatures with emotions and physical needs. Like toddlers, baby cats can make a mess of your home, meaning they aren’t necessarily the wisest choice for the impatient. 

Older cats come already litter-box trained, and they’re less messy overall. Additionally, they know how to groom themselves — a massive plus if you’ve ever had to clean a poopy kitten butt. They also tend to leave your curtains alone, while their mini-me versions find climbing them irresistible. 

 

2. Evaluate the Other Pets in Your Household 

Some cats mingle fine with puppies and bunnies, while others prefer to rule their domain solo. Before adding a cat to your household, evaluate the personalities of any existing pets. If you have an aggressive large-breed dog, you could endanger a feline. 

If you do create a menagerie, make sure you treat all your critters for insect pests. Indoor cats can pick up bugs from dogs who go outside to do their business. Even if Fido crossed the Rainbow Bridge months ago, fleas could live for up to two years in your carpet without food. 

 

3. Find the Perfect Litter Box

Some felines get rather particular about the cleanliness of their box. If your kitty starts to have accidents, consider how frequently you remove the poop. You should scoop the litter box daily and change clumping litter anywhere from twice a week to every two, depending on how many cats use it. 

If that sounds like a ton of work, there are self-cleaning options available. If you have a bankroll to blow, you can find flushing boxes that attach to your plumbing and rinse litter clean, requiring little effort. Midline models, like the Tidy Cat Breeze system, use a combination of odor-absorbing pads and specialty litter to eliminate odors with minimal maintenance. 

4. Understand Their Feeding Needs 

One reason male cats may start urinating or even defecating outside the box is crystals. The wrong food can cause bladder stones to form, which causes your poor kitty considerable pain to pass. Females can get these formations, too, but their shorter urethra makes the condition less problematic.

Severe stones can require surgery. However, many cases resolve with treatment and a special diet that keeps them from forming. Don’t assume your kitty is merely misbehaving — call the vet. 

 

5. Get Them Covered 

Like humans, feline illnesses can cost a pretty penny to treat. Consider getting your pet covered by insurance so you don’t face the heartbreaking decision of putting them down if you can’t afford surgery or medicine. 

Fortunately, this coverage frequently costs less than $20 a month. It’s a small price to pay for peace of mind. 

 

6. Cats Need Playtime, Too 

Miss Kitty may not crave car rides or romps in the park, but she needs exercise. Provide ample climbing trees and scratching pads — it helps prevent damage to your sofa. 

You don’t want to let your cat become obese. Invest in chaser toys, cat apps and fishing poles that delight you both while getting your feline frisky and well-exercised. 

 

7. A Little Brushing Reduces Hairballs 

Even domestic shorthairs can get hairballs. While most do little than leave stains on your carpet, severe cases can cause a blockage. 

If your cat frequently dry-heaves but produces nothing, get them checked by a vet — especially if they often seem lethargic. These blockages can prove fatal in some cases and may require surgery. 

 

8. Ferals Can Make the Best Friends — With Time 

Do you have a skittish feline who occasionally frequents your backyard for a free meal? If you identify them as feral and have infinite patience, you might get the best pet ever without paying an adoption fee. 

Feral cats are wild animals, but you can develop trust. Start by placing food and providing shelter with an escape hatch. Once they become accustomed to feeding time, try lingering nearby without approaching them. Eventually, they may walk over to you — and a cold snap could prompt them to investigate your heated living room. That’s when it’s time to call the vet and start integrating them into your family. 

Are You Thinking of Adopting a Cat? Know These Eight Tips 

If you are thinking of adopting a cat, make sure you know you can handle the responsibility. If you can master these eight tips, you and your feline friend can enjoy a long, happy life. 

8 Ideas for Your Bachelorette Party You Probably Haven’t Considered

If you are planning a bachelorette party, 2020 might make you feel a bit lost. You can’t find a hot male revue nearly anywhere, and going to a crowded club is likewise off the menu.

However, you’re less likely to get anyone sick in the great outdoors — so why not give your pre-nuptial revelries an active twist? The eight adventures below will nearly guarantee your squad has a memorable time without violating social distancing rules. Best of all, you can bring your new mate along for fun — next time!

1. Paintball

What’s the most dangerous prey? Other humans, of course — but you won’t have to turn into Hannibal the Cannibal to enjoy a round of non-lethal paintball. All you’ll need is wilderness and the correct gear.

If you and your squad never fake-murdered each other before, you should stick to a regulation course. If you go “off the grid” with your game, make sure to follow safety rules like avoiding shooting from less than 10 feet away and wearing goggles at all times.

2. Axe-Throwing 

Axe-throwing has caught on in recent years, and there’s a good reason why. It’s fun. It’s a fantastic way to let loose. Whether you’re an unabashed nerd, an aspiring lumberjack or somewhere in between, you’ll enjoy a fantastic bonding experience with you and yours.

After your medieval show of might, find a socially distanced outdoor pub to kick back with a pint or two.

3. Rock Climbing

So your rock-climbing gym remains closed, why not apply your skills to the great outdoors? If your gear works for outdoor use, now is the time to test it.

And if you don’t like the idea of belaying and rappelling your way around nearly sheer cliff faces, bouldering offers a less adrenaline-rich alternative. In this form of free climbing, you scramble your way up rocks without the use of equipment.

4. Whitewater Rafting

If you plan on saying “I do” during the summertime, you need a bachelorette adventure that beats the heat. Whitewater rafting offers excitement aplenty, and the river water will chill and refresh you in the best way. Don’t expect to stay dry as you navigate the waves!

You’ll probably want to go with an experienced guide, and with social distancing requirements, reservations fill up quickly. Contact one of the nation’s hottest rafting spots to inquire about your options. Make sure to check on their cancellation policy, too, since 2020 is the year of the unexpected.

5. Taking a Weekend Road Trip

If your squad decided that boarding a plane for a beach vacation is a no-go, you can still enjoy the thrill of the open road. Load up your vehicles and hit the road on an adventure! Make sure you pack plenty of hand sanitizer and masks — even if the latter isn’t required in your area, other locations have stricter restrictions.

Where should you go? Why not hit frequently overcrowded tourist spots? You don’t have to risk your health if you feel uncomfortable at a theme park. You’ll find tons of tiny towns dotting America’s roadways, many of which boast local museums that give you a new look at history.

6. Go Off-Grid Glamping

If you and your tribe love the outdoors but prefer to keep things lower-key, why not give glamping a go? You won’t have to pitch a spidery tent — many of the top locations provide anything from elevated yurts to retrofitted Airstreams to ensure your comfort. Kick back, wake up and do sunrise yoga in the woods and enjoy toasting marshmallows after a day exploring nature’s beauty!

 

7. Running a Muddy Obstacle Race

Getting physical generates all the endorphins of a night on the town without the morning-after headache. Why not sign up as a team to run an adventure race?

Events like Tough Mudder have you slithering through muddy pits and climbing over rope ladders. If events in your area suffered COVID-19-related cancellations, you could recreate the experience if you have the know-how to build a course and sufficient acreage.

 

8. Paddleboard Yoga

What’s more fun than trying to master Eka Hasta Vrksasana, the one-handed tree pose? Trying to do so while balanced atop the water like some kind of yogi messiah. Hopefully, your instructor won’t skip directly to advanced variations, but you’ll enjoy a killer core workout all the same.

Make Your Bachelorette Party an Adventure With These Seldom-Considered Ideas

You don’t have to let COVID-19 put a damper on your bachelorette party plans. Make them an exhilarating outdoor adventure instead and create lifelong memories with your friends before walking the aisle.

How to Decorate Your She Shed: 8 Fun Ideas

Everyone needs a space of their own. With a she shed, you have a place where you can relaxget comfortable and have some much-needed privacy. 

All that aside, how do you plan to decorateThe room can be as warm, welcoming and whimsical as you like — attuned to your personality and preferences. If youre unsure where to start, these fun ideas will help you set up your she shed with style. Or if you are planning to build a new one, be sure to check these DIY she shed plans by Shedplans.org.

1. Get Window-Boxy

What’s cozier than curling up and reading a book in a beam of sunlight? Hopefully, your she shed has ample windows, and you can make your space feel homier by adding a planter box to each one.

If you enjoy sipping a cup of herbal tea when you work on your hobbies, why not plant a calming variety of species like lavender, chamomile and vervain? 

If you like to change colors with the season, you can grow tulips in the spring and let marigolds carry you into fall.

2. Consider All Your Options

If you don’t have a separate structure, why not make your garage into a she shed? You’ll have to do a few customizations to make the space less like a mechanic’s shop. You’ll need to winterize your door to keep Old Man Winter out when the snow starts to fly. 

If you don’t have a garage, you can also look to your basement or attic. Even a walk-in closet can become a personal refuge.

3. Control Your Climate

You won’t want to spend much time in your she shed if you shiver or sweat. If your building is a separate structure, you’ll need to run electricity. Space heaters make an economical alternative for wintertime warmth. Make sure you follow all safety rules and never leave it plugged in unattended.

You can also find window and portable air conditioning units for the summer months. If you live in an arid climate, a swamp cooler can drop your temperature by several degrees.

4. Spruce Up Your Lighting

Unless you only want to use your she shed on sunny days, you need ample lighting. You can go with a glitzy chandelier or overhead track model that lets you direct beams to your craft area. You can also find table lamps for curling up next to with a book.

What if you don’t want to run electricity to your she shed? You can find battery-operated LED lights that install underneath counters or anywhere else you need illumination.

5. Add a Few Provisions

When you’re hard at work on the Great American Novel, you don’t want to have to walk back to the house to refill your mug. Install a tiny kitchenette space in your she shed so you always have ample snacks and provisions.

Are you an oenophile? Why not make your she shed into a backyard wine bar by adding a bistro table and a few bottles of your favorite vintage? What a perfect place to spend the afternoon gossiping with your best friends!

6. Make Space for Your Hobbies

Do you live to scrapbook? Perhaps you’re into woodworking or love to do yoga. Whatever your hobby, make room for it in your sacred she shed space.

You don’t necessarily have to spend a lot. You can make a craft table out of wood pallets that you can often get at your local hardware store for free. For a yoga studio, all you need is floor space and a couple of wooden crates to store your straps and blocks.

7. Get Cozy With Your Seating

If you want to spend a Sunday afternoon nap in your female space, you need a comfy couch. You can have as many throw pillows as you want in your she shed, so fill your space with inviting bliss. Add some throws — perhaps that you knit yourself— to keep you warm on winter days.

8. Create a Scent-sational Atmosphere

You want your she shed to engage all your senses, including smell. Create a signature scent by investing in an aromatherapy diffuser and blend your favorite essential oils. Aromas like jasmine and orange invigorate you, while valerian and passionflower help you relax.

Decorate Your She shed With These 8 Fun Ideas

Your she shed is a sacred space! Help it better reflect your personality and ambitions by decorating it with these tips.

How to Make the Most of the Empty Space in Your Place: 9 Tips 

If you have a small home or apartment, you’ve probably had a gripor two about your lack of space. Some folks dream of living in tiny retrofitted vans, but many people want more room to stretch. 

However, before you complain, ask yourself — have you made the most of your available space? You might have more room than you realize if you get creative. The following nine tips will help you identify ways to maximize your living area.

1. Expand Your Front Porch 

Does your front porch consist of a single sorry concrete slab? If so, you can increase your property value and add space by expanding it. You can build an entry-level deck for as low as $15 per square foot if you select inexpensive materials. You can construct a 10×10 model complete with railing in a single weekend. Once you finish, add some container plants to enhance your entryway further. Then, kick back in your rocker with a glass of lemonade. 

2. Landscape for Extra Living Space

Who said you need a mansion to enjoy a game room? Take some tips from urban community park design to bring fun to your outdoor living area. Go beyond installing a basketball hoop in the driveway. You can find tables complete with integrated games like chess and checkers that invite your barbecue buddies to challenge you to a match. 

Granted, your outdoor space might not see much use when you have six feet of snow. However, you can surround the playing area with creative shading to enjoy outdoor fun on the hottest summer days. 

3. Organize Your Closets

Do you open your closet door only to have the contents spill out on your floor? You might think your home lacks storage space, which can let clutter accumulate. This situation hinders your focus and productivity as well as looking unkempt. When multiple visual stimuli compete for your attention, you have a more challenging time concentrating on anything.

Tame that pile of dirty clothes by investing in a laundry basket. If you don’t have a dresser, pick up some inexpensive three-drawer storage bins at your local home center for your socks and underwear. Install a second closet rod to double your space for hanging trousers and dress shirts. 

4. Clean Out Your Basement

Do you still act like a scared little kid when you have to go into your basement? Reclaim that space and conquer your fears by sprucing it up. Get brutal with the items you store. Ask yourself two questions when sorting boxes — have I touched the contents in the past year, and do they have sentimental value? If the answer to both questions is no, don’t bother going through the individual objects within. Haul them off to your local donation center. 

5. Shore up Your Attic 

If you have enough space overhead, you don’t have to use it for storing holiday decor only. If the ceiling in your attic is higher than 7 feet 6 inches, you can convert it into another bedroom or office. The cost of the full project hinges on factors like whether you already have utility service or need to extend electrical, plumbing and HVAC. 

6. Invest in Dividers

Do you dwell in a studio apartment? If you do, you know how interesting it can be to have your bed and dining room table sharing a space. One way to create an illusion of various “rooms” is to invest in folding dividers. You can also use this technique for shared home offices or children’s bedrooms. 

7. Go Minimalist

Even a symphony hall can seem tiny if cluttered up with old trombones and drum sets. If you find yourself feeling a little trappedthe problem may be an obsession with buying more stuff. 

Your home might not verge on “Hoarders” territory, but adopting minimalist principles can help small spaces appear roomier. Donate or sell what you don’t need or use, and consider each future purchase intentionally instead of impulse-buying. 

8. Use Your Wall Space

Is your kitchen windowsill too cluttered with knick-knacks for your herb garden? Why not transform an old pallet into a planter box — you can often get these wooden gems for free at hardware stores. Instead of tossing your mail on the kitchen table, hang a combination organizer and key rack near your entrance. Build shelves in your garage to store your garden equipment and tools. 

9. Look to the Ceiling 

If you’re a budding Bobby Flay, you may resent the lack of cabinets in your kitchen for all your gourmet cooking gear. Invest in a hanging overhead pot rack to free up storage space for your air fryer and food processors. 

Make the Most of a Small Home’s Empty Spaces With These Tips 

If you have a small pad, you don’t need to wait until you can afford to upgrade to make more room. Use the nine tips above to maximize your living area at your current residence. 

Foods That Make You Feel Better: 5 Meals to Try Today

Anyone who’s eaten an entire sleeve of Oreos knows the gross feeling that inevitably follows. While you’re bloated, gassy and maybe a bit nauseous, you might begin to wonder whether indulging in that junk food was worth it. Moreover, you may begin looking for healthier food to make yourself feel better.

Luckily, there are a number of fresh, healthy foods and spices you can incorporate into your diet. The following will both help you feel better and improve your overall health the more you consume them. Here are some items to add to your next online grocery delivery.

1. Turmeric

Throughout the ages, sages and ayurvedic practitioners have used turmeric as a medicine. Mainly, they prescribed this spice to reduce inflammation, boost antioxidants and slow the aging process. Today, those who incorporate turmeric into their food on a regular basis can still reap these health benefits.

However, since turmeric doesn’t absorb well into the bloodstream, you’ll either have to take it as a supplement or use it along with black pepper on your food. Piperine, a compound in black pepper, makes curcumin — the active ingredient in turmeric — more bioavailable. Sprinkle the two over curry, brew golden milk or use them in a tofu scramble to reap the benefits. Here is our recommended golden milk turmeric tea recipe.

2. Ginger

Ginger also has a long history of medicinal use thanks to its anti-inflammatory, anti ulcer and anti tumor effects. Today, many still use this root in alternative medicine. From alleviating nausea to relieving arthritis-related aches and pains, ginger’s active ingredient, gingerol, can help you feel healthier.

Boil the root in water to brew ginger tea or add it to smoothies for benefits you can sip and enjoy. You might also add it to stir-fries and other Asian cuisines for some extra spice or to enhance flavors.

3. Seaweed

Recently, seaweed has been showing up on menus and kitchen tables across North America — with good reason. This low-calorie food is salty, crunchy and packed with nutrients. Full of vitamins A, E and B, omega-3s, protein, fiber, zinc , copper, iron and more, seaweed supports thyroid function and provides antioxidants that can protect your cells from damage.

Add some to your pho or miso soup, use it as a salad topping or get fancy and roll some sushi in seaweed sheets. You can even eat small sheets of the stuff as a snack if you need a quick mid-day pick-me-up.

4. Bananas

Most people can also benefit from eating bananas on a fairly regular basis. These yellow beauties are full of fiber, which can  help lower blood sugar levels, promote digestive health and even lower your risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Bananas also contain tryptophan, an amino acid that regulates mood and may improve your memory.

Of course, you can eat bananas alone. However, they’re also great on peanut butter toast, in smoothies or in fruit salads. They’re obviously great in banana bread, muffins, pancakes and other baked goods as well.

5. Dark, Leafy Greens

Spinach, kale, arugula, collard greens, swiss chard and other dark, leafy greens are sure to make you feel better. Of course, each one has its own superpowers, but they all have a healthy nutritional profile. Incorporating these greens into your diet can reduce your risk of heart disease, some cancers, type two diabetes and even eye disease.

Of course, the simplest way to add more leafy greens to your meals is to make salads. However, you can also saute’ or bake them to serve as a side dish in practically any meal. Add them to casseroles, pizzas, breakfast skillets and soups for more variety.

Eating Clean

In general, if you want to eat foods that will make you feel happy and healthy, look for fresh, unprocessed foods at your local grocery store. Shop the produce aisles and purchase whole foods with minimal packaging and few added ingredients. Eating clean like this is one of the best ways to cut out junk food and promote health.

Even if you don’t completely empty your cupboards of canned and packaged foods, supplementing your diet with more fresh produce will do your body, mind and overall health a huge favor. Continue searching for small ways to incorporate more of the foods above in your daily meals. As you do, you’re bound to feel healthier and happier, making it easier for you to keep eating clean.

8 Things You Need to Know Before Starting a Business From Your Garage

Maybe you lost your job in the pandemic, or perhaps all the uncertainty made you think, “I wouldn’t have to worry about being let go if I ran the company.” Whatever your reasons, you’ve decided to start a business from home.

If you intend to start a business from your garage, follow best practices to create a comfortable, ergonomic environment where you can fully engage and focus. You’ll also navigate a sea of legal requirements and decisions, and tweak your methods to reach ultimate success. 

Here are eight considerations to keep in mind while building your business.

1. Ergonomics

How comfortable do you feel at your desk? If your response is, “not very,” guess what? You won’t feel motivated to do the work it takes to build a successful company if your workspace gives you backaches and migraines.

If your spine screams for help after 30 minutes of sitting, consider a variable-height desk. 

One 2016 study by Texas A&M University shows that such models increase productivity by as much as 50%. You can invest in blue-light-cutting glasses or switch your devices to twilight mode to prevent this wavelength from triggering head pain and nausea.

2. Climate Control

Part of your complete comfort involves temperature. If you’re working out of a garage, you need climate control.

You can extend the HVAC from your principal residence, although doing so can cost a pretty penny. 

Using a window air conditioner is a less expensive option, and it can also be the most effective method, too. As a bonus, you’ll run your central air less often because you won’t leak heat whenever you open the door leading to your home.

3. Creating a Business Plan

Have you heard the old saying about failing to plan? You need a roadmap to success, and a solid business plan is the best way to chart your course and win investors’ trust.

If you’ve never written one before, have no worries. You can download a free template online and fill in the blanks. Once you write your plan, allow a family member or friend — or, better yet, a trusted mentor — to read and identify any potential blind spots. If you feel that starting from scratch isn’t the right path for you, you could consider investing in a franchise instead. This way, you can rely on the franchisor’s expertise and know-how, and you’ll also be able to achieve a work-life balance by doing what you truly love. For example, if you love dogs, you could start a dog training business. Working from home requires minimal capital, and your setup doesn’t have to be anything fancy either, as you never meet with clients in your home setting. 

4. Obtaining Appropriate Licenses

While you don’t need to reserve a doing-business-as, or DBA, it’s wise to do so for your company. This registration often costs less than $50, and it protects you from competitors using your business name — with sometimes disastrous results.

You may need profession-specific licensure as well. If you hope to sell health insurance, you’ll need to get licensed for health, accident and life insurance. If you want to run a margarita truck, you’ll require a liquor license.

5. Selecting Your Corporate Structure

You can hang out a shingle and begin doing work as a sole proprietor. However, if someone sues you, you could lose your family home — this business structure does not limit liability to professional resources.

You can form a single-member LLC to separate business and personal assets in the event of a lawsuit. This structure has the advantage of letting you add more members later — they will share in the protection.

6. Planning for Tax Time

When you work for an employer, your HR department takes care of withholding your Social Security, Medicare and income taxes. However, when you work for yourself, you earn a second job title as an accountant.

Invest in a software program like QuickBooks Self-Employed to keep accurate records of income and expenses. Since the U.S. has a pay-as-you-go income-tax system, you’ll need this data to file your quarterlies and your end-of-year return.

7. Building Your Client Base

What kind of customers do you hope to serve? If you responded, “the kind who pay me,” how will you target those individuals?

Here’s where you have to get creative. If you have a service-oriented industry like carpet cleaning, you can do door-to-door flyers relatively inexpensively. You can also approach other local business owners to inquire about their needs. If you intend to walk dogs for a living, advertise someplace pet people frequent — like bulletin boards at Humane Societies and dog parks.

8. Evaluating Your Strategy and Planning for Growth

Once you finish your first quarter, take time to reflect on your successes and pitfalls. What went well, and what fell flat? Resist the urge to dwell on failures. Instead, think of them as detour signs on the highway to success. They offer valuable insight as to when you need to change direction.

Start a Successful Business From Your Garage With the Right Know-How and Tips

In today’s economy, it pays to work for yourself. If you want to start a successful business from your garage, use the tips above to build your destiny.

7 Steps to Starting an Etsy Business 

Starting an Etsy Business 

The pandemic drove home one critical lesson for millions — you have to pad that emergency fund. However, if your current salary doesn’t leave you with much to spare at the end of the month, you might need to get creative to do so. 

Why not start an Etsy business? You can still find time for your beloved quilting hobby and bring in extra cash by peddling your products. If you become successful, you might even replace your traditional income and step into creative entrepreneurship full-time. 

 

1. Decide on Your Niche 

Maybe you like the allure of becoming your own boss, at least on the side. However, you don’t know how to knit a hat or draw more than stick figures. That’s okay — you don’t have to have a ton of artistic talent to become a craftsperson. Keep experimenting with different mediums and taking free online tutorials on YouTube until you find your niche. 

What if you don’t know where to start? Ask yourself what makes you feel alive. If you can’t get enough of all things baby, maybe making personalized booties will suit your interests. Love kitties? Design a cat costume that finicky felines will wear without scratching their owners and start building your empire.

 

How to Put on a FaceTime Fashion Show With Your Friends: 5 Tips

Put on a FaceTime Fashion Show With Your Friends

Have you gone on any online shopping sprees lately? If so, you’re not alone. To cope with this time at home, people across the country have turned to virtual storefronts. 

Unfortunately, we may not be able to head outside for a few more weeks – so why not show off those outfits to your best friendsover FaceTime?

Take a look at these tips for a video chat fashion show.

 

1. Choose the Best Platform

If you’ve never set up a group video call before, it’s time to learn a few tips and tricks. Before you decide on a platform, make sure you and your friends can access a reliable internet connection. You don’t want your video to buffer and stop randomly — and you shouldn’t use a month’s worth of data, either. Then, choose a service that works across multiple devices so everyone can participate.

Try not to leave out your Android-obsessed friend. You can try Zoom or Google Hangouts for easy accessibility. If you use FaceTime, opt for a phone instead of a computer so you can achieve better picture quality.

 

10 Date Ideas for When You’re Stuck Indoors 

10 Date Ideas for When You’re Stuck Indoors

Are you quarantined with your significant other (SO)? Did things start off feeling rather romantic, but now, they’re starting to grow a bit stale?

Too much togetherness can make you grate on each others’ nerves like so much cheddar. However, you need to get through this challenging time together. Put the spark back by hosting an at-home date night with these ten tips. 

1. At-Home Concert

You might not be able to see your favorite bands live for a considerable time. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t let the music play. Get on YouTube and dial-up all of your top jams from the artists you love. 

This activity is a fabulous way to get to know more about each other — your musical tastes reveal much about your personality. If you want to create more of a karaoke atmosphere, you can learn how to set up a wireless mic  and sing away. 

2. Fashion Show 

Are you sick of seeing each other in the same old baggy sweatpants and PJs yet? Bring back the fun of getting dolled up by having a fashion show at home with your SO. This idea presents a perfect opportunity to do a little maintenance on your wardrobe while making cleaning out your closet fun. 

For example, if your sweetie has a suit they need to de-wrinkle, they can use shower steam to do the job while they get groomed. 

3. Bake-Off

You can only eat so much ramen before you start to feel like a sophomore again. Why not put your culinary skills to the test by having a bake-off with your SO? 

If you have children sharing the home with you, they will adore gobbling up the creations you design. If you two are riding out the storm solo, you can see who can make the best single-serve item. 

 

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