These days, it seems like everyone is starting their own business. But why do some startups seem to succeed while others fail embarrassingly?

While there is no “right” way to start a business, experts can agree on a handful of best practices.

The glamour of running a startup is really only skin deep. In a world where entrepreneurs are rock stars and Silicon Valley is their Hollywood, they really do make it look easy.

However, many people aren’t aware of the nuances and challenges that entrepreneurs face every day. If you want to make it big and succeed, you have to know how to overcome them.

Here are the best lessons from successful entrepreneurs you’ll find helpful.

Choosing Goals

Setting a goal is the key to sustained progress, particularly when it comes to entrepreneurship. Any startup pioneer will tell you this. However, in terms of business startups, one size certainly does not fit all.

Picking the goals that will work for you is deeply personal but there is one question you can ask yourself before starting out:

“What is the enduring purpose of the venture?”

We know that successful businesses aren’t built overnight and very rarely does the initial vision remain 5 or 10 years down the line. While setting goals and actually meeting them are two different stories, learning the skills to set realistic goals that work for you is key.

Ask yourself:

• How do I want my company to look like in 10 years?
• How can I tweak my current goals to fit that vision?
• Am I flexible enough to allow for shifting priorities?

Knowing your own goals and limits helps build perspective for future ventures.

Richard Branson, CEO of Virgin Group, identified that the success of the group as a whole required a recognition of previous failures. Back in 1994, Branson launched Virgin Cola, disrupting the soda market and shaking Coca-Cola to its core.

With the product not giving consumers a radically different experience or even a much better value, Branson realized that his own previous successes were clouding his self-awareness. He figured that the solution was to go back to the company’s strengths.

Today, Virgin Group remains strong because it focused on what it does best.

See Also: 4 Cheesy But Effective Tips To Set Goals And Achieve Them

Networking Skills

For many startup founders, the help they received in the early stages of their business came from their current group of connections. Maintaining your network is key to getting the support you need to make it to the next stage.

Here’s what you can do:

• Post frequent but quantifiable updates on social media.
• Congratulate your contacts for their success.
• Introduce contacts to potential clients or partners.
• Offer suggestions and help the people in your network in their own business ventures.

Being sensitive and assisting others on their own journey to success can give you a different and unique perspective on your own journey. Just because someone else is succeeding does not mean you are failing.

Developing networking skills is, of course, a large part of success in the startup world but it’s easier said than done. You need to know how to make strategic plans as necessary.

• Search for events that will grow your perspective and challenge you. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box.
• Face-to-face communication skills can always be honed and developed.
• Maintain open networks when possible, especially for potential clients, partners, and investors.

Don’t let your focus linger on others for too long. You still need to make strategic decisions for yourself.

For Chris Buttenham, co-founder and CEO of Tasytt, picking out the right contacts and networking events is key to keeping your eyes on the prize. Buttenham says that he “does his homework” beforehand and only attends networking events that he has a particular “ask” for.

See Also: How Networking Can Make You More Productive

Know Yourself

The final lesson is simply to know yourself. Gaining and maintaining self-awareness is important for keeping a level head, learning from past failures, and keeping perspective.

Personality and aptitude tests are not a perfect science. However, they can give you a new perspective of yourself that can help make or break your business.

• Myers-Briggs, widely accepted as a reliable way to track personality traits, can help you get a clearer idea of your work habits, decision-making skills, and critical thinking.
• Learn to suspend traits that are incompatible with your environment, such as inflexibility or hasty decision-making.
• Open-mindedness and an appreciation for diversity open doors for different perspectives that could result in success.

Even in the very early stages, tracking the movement of your startup will help for larger decisions down the line.

• Value all feedback, both negative and positive, equally.
• Track results of key decisions and use that to piggyback on other decisions.
• Reflect on successes and failures frequently and identify patterns.
• Analyze qualitative and quantitative results.

Do you have what it takes to start your own business?

Take a look at this infographic to learn more about the habits of successful startup founders and what they have to say about success, failure, and everything in between.

The post Top Lessons From Successful Entrepreneurs You Need to Know Now appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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Trading online is no child’s play. It requires guts and an unflappable will. If you are not able to control your emotions and exercise the highest level of discipline, you most probably need to change direction.

Trading online needs you to forget about your emotions and think with your head at all times. You also need to know the right trading tips for beginners to help you get started on the right track.

But why do you need to be in control of your emotions?

• Because as a trader, everything happens on a short notice.
• Markets can nosedive in the blink of an eye.
• The direction can change anytime and you need to make snap decisions.
• You do not have the time to throw even half a tantrum. You must be present and ready all the time.
• If you look at sites that have information on online trading, such as social trading platforms, you will see why you cannot afford to slack.

Are you afraid?

Without a doubt you are.

However, that doesn’t mean you should hurl your computer against the wall and just walk out. Instead, take a deep breath and take stock. Sometimes, the stress can be too intense that the urge to punch something can almost take over.

The one thing you should avoid when the fear sets in is overreacting. This may feel like the right time to liquidate everything, but hold on. As earlier mentioned, tides can turn really fast and selling off your holdings can cause you to miss out on very good gains.

Reign in the fear

Face it head-on and see it for what it is. Take the time to assess your fears and the things that are causing them.

Additionally, it helps if you can cover all bases before placing trades. Ensuring that all loopholes are sealed may not guarantee you a win, but it will set your mind at ease. Fear, when well-managed, can turn into your greatest asset.

Greed is a sign of emotional immaturity

Sometimes, there is the compulsion to latch onto what seems to be the winner at the time. There is also the temptation to risk more when you have experienced some great gains.

Those are things you need to know how to control. If you are in tune with whatever is driving you, you might recognize greed and probably do something about it before it leads to your downfall.

Your business decisions should not be made on a whim. They should be carefully planned and executed.

Follow the rules

There are trading rules that you should take seriously. If you find yourself taking shortcuts, you are definitely not emotionally mature.

There must be limits governing your trading activities to cushion you from monetary disaster. Some of the rules that you may need to formulate are:

• When to quit
• When to stop a loss
• A limit on how much money you can place on a trade
• The limit on how much you can rake in or lose every day

These are just a few of the rules you need to come up with. They are important in regulating your trading activities so that you do not go overboard.

Have a plan

Have a plan that you can justify and own. A few pointers to how to come up with a plan include:

• Know the market that you are most interested in trading in.
• Attend seminars and workshops on trading.
• Spend a lot of time on research.
• Learn all you can about how the market operates. This is one surefire way of managing fear.
• Get out of your comfort zone once in a while. Try new things but do not stray for too long.
• Every once in a while, evaluate your progress. It gives you an amazing boost to see how far you have come.

While is important that you see the whole picture before taking the plunge, remember to do the following:

1. Follow rules
2. Plan
3. Research
4. Get experience

Emotional maturity in trading is something that you must have. Without it, the chances of committing serious errors are very real.

Try seeking the advice veteran traders. They can share their experiences with you and also help you identify the pitfalls so that you can prepare for them.

So, are you ready to trade stocks?

After learning those trading tips for beginners, you need to know what you should do next. Opening your brokerage account is one thing. Getting into the game is another.

To start with online trading, you will need:

• Goals
• A trading plan
• A system that has the potential for profits
• Rules to manage risk– Be clear about how much risk you can take and how much you can afford to lose.

All those things should be written down and studied well so you won’t feel overwhelmed. Having a well-documented plan is one way of ensuring that you are prepared.

See Also: Want To Start Trading? Here’s What You Need To Know

Conclusion

Emotional maturity is paramount in online trading. You need to be sure that you’re prepared and ready to make decisions when and where they matter.

The post Trading Tips For Beginners: Are You Emotionally Ready to Trade Online? appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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One of the most significant benefits of today’s advanced technologies is the access to endless learning opportunities. Just a quick search on the internet and you’ll find tons of online learning platforms available at your fingertips. They can help you learn a new skill or perfect an existing skill.

Because the number of options can be a bit overwhelming, we went ahead and put together this list of the best websites for online learning. Check out each platform and find out which is best suited for your needs.

Courseroot

If you’re not really sure where to begin, Courseroot is one of the best websites for online learning you can start with.

Consider this:

There are tons of platforms that provide high-quality online courses. Some of them are created by companies while others are developed by universities.

With a great multitude of options, cross-searching to find the best one for you can take a lot of time and effort especially if since you have to check different websites and compare content, price, and value.

This is where Courseroot is especially helpful.

Simply by typing in the skill you wish to learn, the website shows you all the available courses available across different websites and universities. You can also filter for level, price, hours, and so on. It’s especially helpful if you’re looking for a free course or a course that offers a certificate at the end of the lessons.

Udacity

Udacity is a type of e-learning platform that’s way cheaper than the cost of your traditional schooling. It offers courses and credentials that can put you way ahead of the competition when it comes to applying for jobs.

If you are thinking of working in technology, Udacity is the best choice for you. It offers courses in data science, iOS, Android, web development and software engineering. It provides the most up-to-date education.

Lynda

If you are aiming to learn skills that can set you apart from people interested in technology, business, and creativity, try Lynda. It’s an educational hub owned by LinkedIn.

This platform offers a 30-day free trial upon signing up. You can use that period to test the waters first before you get charged a basic membership fee of $20 per month or $30 for premium membership. If you decide to deactivate your account, you can still reactivate it and your progress in the course.

Udemy

This list of the best websites for online learning wouldn’t be complete without Udemy. After all, it’s one of the biggest platforms you can find.

Just like Coursera, Udemy has thousands of courses on different topics. Those courses are really quick and easy to take anywhere you go. You simply need to download the app and you can take your lessons anytime.

With such features, however, don’t expect the courses to be free. Prices can range from $9 to $500.

If those numbers don’t fit your budget, don’t worry. Udemy is known for its promotions and large discounts.

edX

edX offers higher education from some of the world’s top educational institutions. The list includes MIT, Berkeley, and Harvard.

In this platform, you’ll find courses in engineering, psychology, computer science, and so much more. You can take up those courses for your high school education or in earning a credit in your university.

One of the nice things about edX is that it issues an official certificate as proof of one’s accomplishment.

Alison

In case you’re looking for something free, Alison is your best option. It has courses in health, technology, and business. You can also find courses in language.

Now, there’s just one caveat.

Alison isn’t accredited yet. Although it follows industry standards, it will still be up to your employer if he’ll recognize the certificate you earned.

Khan Academy

Khan Academy partners with a lot of post-secondary schools to provide micro-lectures, instructional videos, and practice exercises to help you learn and sharpen your skills. Almost every course you’ll see on this platform is free.

Codecademy

One thing that sets Codecademy apart from other platforms designed to help people learn how to code is that it’s free. There’s no fee for signing up, and there’s no monthly subscription fee to ruin your budget.

And the best part?

It covers tons of programming languages.

There are lessons on CSS, Ruby, Java, and HTML. Codecademy can also teach you how to code using Rails, SQL, and JavaScript.

There’s also the opportunity to ask around community members.

When you sign up at Codecademy, you can join groups for people interested in a certain coding language. Whenever you feel lost and stuck, you can just ask for help from other members.

Tuts+

Tuts+ is a platform fit for people interested in creative technology. It has a huge library of tutorials and designs that can help enhance your skills in coding, photography, illustration, and web design. It also offers courses in 3D animation, music, and motion graphics.

Now, if you are wondering how huge that library is, there are actually more than 870 video courses and over 22,000 tutorials. Every week, Tuts+ keeps on adding more and more courses.

Take note that the platform offers no free trial. If you want to give it a try, you can start with its $29 membership fee.

Bloc

Bloc isn’t cheap. However, since it’s designed to provide highly structured programs that can run for 25 hours for a week, it can help you learn faster.

If you are transitioning from one career to another, taking your courses in this platform can help speed up your career change. Of course, that pace can be expensive with Bloc’s tuition starting at over $4,000 each.

See Also: How to Study Online Courses : 7 Best Study Methods

Conclusion

No matter your age, continuous learning has so many advantages.

Finishing specific courses and gaining new skills can help you stand out from a crowd of job applicants. It can bump you up for promotion. It can help you grow your own business. Or, it can simply quench your thirst for more learning.

 

The post 10 Best Sites for Free and Paid Online Courses appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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Fact:

People’s attention span is shorter than that of a goldfish.

We lose concentration in about 8 seconds and this is probably an effect of the mobile age and our digitalized lifestyle.

Because of this, it’s critical that you know how to promote your business using visual content on social media. Blogs and posts with images are up to 95% more likely to be viewed than those without.

Now, if you want to learn how to use images to promote your social media page and business, then check out the tips below.

Use High-Quality Images

Using high-quality images is one of the most important things you can do for your business. Having high-quality images can show that your brand or product is legit and is of high-quality as well. Most of the time, the quality of images you use is more valuable than the product descriptions you create.

So, be smart when choosing. Make sure that your photos resonate not only with your target audience’s interests but with your brand as well.

Don’t confuse quality with image size, too. You wouldn’t want your images to be too big since that may interfere with the load time of your page. It would be a good idea to downsize your images if they are more than 2000 pixels.

Where to Find Images for Your Content

High-quality and captivating images that attract attention are often too expensive to purchase. However, there are some amazing sites that offer free photos that are not only high-quality but attractive as well.

Here’s a list of the five sites that offer amazing free images that you can use for your social media pages

• Pexels.com
• Unsplash.com
• Pixabay.com
• Freerangestock.com
• Gratisography.com

Create Your Own Images

If you want to add a more personal touch to your social media strategy, using original images is a good idea. You can edit and personalize them even more by using some of the many free editing tools you can find online, like Canva or PicMonkey.

If you don’t consider yourself to be a good photographer or graphic designer and have a small budget, you can always hire a freelancer who does small and quick projects. You can use freelancing sites like UpWork and JobRack to hire a photographer or a graphic designer. You could also use Fiverr.

By going this route, you can brand your images so they are easily recognizable. You can give the professional photographer/designer specific guidelines regarding the colors, fonts, and layouts you want.

Engage Your Audience

In order to promote your business alongside your social media page, you’ll need to get more engagement from your followers. Images are a great way to do that.

Encouraging your followers to be more active and involved with your page or site gives them a chance to contribute and share their ideas.

For example, you can post a funny photo and you can ask your followers to create a caption for it. You can also try asking your audience light-hearted questions like “What is your morning routine?” with a photo of you or your team doing something funny in the morning.

Encouraging discussions and answering your followers’ questions will make them feel acknowledged. This will increase engagement and promote your social media page.

If you sell a product, you can ask your followers to post photos of them with your product on your page. You can start a challenge or a game out of that. Just make sure to reward the photo that gathered the highest number of likes or shares in order to motivate your followers more.

Optimize Your Images for Social Media

As a business owner or a marketer, you are probably aware of the fact that adding SEO to your content could lead toward higher search rankings and more traffic.

But did you know that you can also optimize your images?

In fact, images have the power to improve your traffic through SEO. Here are a few tips on how you can do that:

• Post interesting pictures that will catch your followers’ attention. More often than not, use images with warm colors since they attract more attention and are more likely to be liked or shared.
• Make sure that the caption of your image conveys a certain message related to the image in question.
• To ensure faster load time, keep your images small without sacrificing the quality. You can reduce the size of your images by using some free tools online.
• Make sure that the filename of your image contains descriptive keywords that describe the image as well as its title or caption.
• Post images that are relevant to your target audience.
• Horizontal (4:3) and square images are more shareable than vertical ones.
• Use different types of images to keep your audience interested, like stock photos, cell phone photos, animated gifs, infographics, pictures with text, memes, and so on.
• Brand your images so that your brand is easily and instantly recognizable by using colors, fonts, and proper layout.
• Optimize your images so they fit each social media platform.

See Also: Finding Out the Best Time for Posting on Social Media Sites

Use Instagram and Pinterest

Visual social media platforms are taking the internet by storm. Instagram and Pinterest are the two most popular ones. Using these platforms can expand your brand’s presence, increase engagement with your followers, and connect you with other influencers from your industry.

Pinterest users are more likely to shop online than non-Pinterest users and the platform is used more for curating images rather than sharing personal ones. If you want to learn more about this platform, check out this amazing guide to Pinterest Marketing.

On the other hand, Instagram is more likely to be used for sharing personal images, making it a better choice if you want to give your followers a more authentic view of your brand.

If you still aren’t using these platforms, give at least one a go and make your business look more professional, creative, and exciting.

See Also: 5 Instagram Tools That Can Boost Brand Performance

Final Words

Social media pages are powerful tools that can immensely help promote your business. So, create your brand’s digital personality by using visual content on social media. Be original, post high-quality images, engage with your audience, and promote your brand to the best of your abilities.

About the Author:

Nate Gadzhibalaev is the founder of Amplifr, a service that assists individuals and businesses by automatically scheduling their social media posts, helping them to earn more money. With a background in product managing, business development, and international growth, he aims to help individuals and businesses by showing them how they can continue to grow their audience profitably and efficiently.

 

The post A Quick Marketing Guide On How to Utilize Visual Content On Social Media appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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Finding an apartment to move into is an exciting experience. Well, that’s if you’re fully prepared.

In the same way that you go shopping for clothes, you will want to find an apartment that will fit your lifestyle. Knowing the size that you need, the amount you want to pay, and where to look are the key factors that make an apartment hunt go smoothly.

To make sure you enjoy the experience, here are 8 tips to help you in finding an apartment.

Make a List

Before you even begin your search, we advise you to make a list. Make sure that it includes two categories: your wants and your needs.

Be realistic with your list and be willing to bend.

For example, not being able to find an apartment in your chosen location is alright as long as the apartment is big enough to accommodate all your things.

See Also: Here’s What Millennials Want When They Buy A Home

Prepare a Budget

In the same manner that you made your previous list, you should now prepare your budget. Determine the highest amount you can afford, including the cost of utilities, parking, public transportation, and Homeowner Association (HOA) fees. You should also determine the highest amount you can afford without those fees included.

Then, outside of your budget, you will want to set aside some money for the extra fees. This includes the security deposit and the registration fee for your pet.

Finally, depending on where you are looking, you may even need to set aside some money for a broker’s fee. A broker is necessary when a landlord won’t deal directly with tenants.

Take note that a broker’s fee can be quite expensive. In some cases, it’s equivalent to a month’s rental fee.

One good tip you can use to lower that fee is to find an apartment in a newly constructed building. Most developers will want to fill in all the empty apartments fast that they are willing to cover the broker’s fee. Looking for a place during the winter season can also lower your rental cost.

Narrow down your preferred location

Before you begin looking at rental properties, you may first want to select one or two neighborhoods to begin looking in.

Do you have a friend or family member who already lives in the area? Or are you selecting a neighborhood because it sounds like a great place to live in?

Try and do some quick research beforehand so that you’re not running all over the city.

Create a checklist

Being ready with an apartment hunt checklist will help you keep track of what you are going to see, especially if you have scheduled multiple visits in one day. To avoid feeling overwhelmed, consider bringing a friend. Chances are he or she will want to have input on your place, too.

Second, have your previous wants and needs list attached to your checklist. Include an area where you can write down your comments.

Check off the features you are getting, such as washer, dryer, and easy access to public transit. Acknowledge the things you won’t be getting, too.

As you take a look around, make sure to also take pictures. Otherwise, when you get home, all the apartments will start to blur together and you won’t remember which one was which.

See Also: Changing Trends in the Way Families Buy Homes

Feel free to snoop

When you are looking around the apartment you want, it’s important for you to know that you’re getting your money’s worth. So, push those buttons on the dishwasher, run all the faucets to check how long it takes to get some hot water, and don’t be shy to check out each closet.

If this is going to be your next home, you don’t want to be caught off guard when you move in. And while snooping, feel free to talk with the tenants next door about what it’s like to live in the building and with the current landlord.

Know how much space you will need

Do you have a king-size bed and a large dresser? If that is the case, you’re going to need a bedroom that will fit them both.

To make sure you don’t end up guessing, include those measurements on your checklist and be sure to bring a measuring tape with you. Don’t be afraid to pull it out to verify the measurements of a room.

Sometimes, a room might look big but with the location of the window and closet, you will find that there isn’t enough wall space for you to fit all of your furniture. While you’re at it, make sure that your large couch will also fit the door.

Arrive prepared

Just because you believe that you are simply looking for an apartment doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be prepared and be presentable. In a sense, the landlord is interviewing you in a similar way that an employer would.

It wouldn’t hurt to create a resume or file of all the necessary details your possible future landlord would need. Even if the property manager requires you to fill up a lease application form, having your resume to add to that will highlight your good character.

You will want to include all your up-to-date information, such as your contact numbers, employer information, previous landlord, and even checks for security deposits.

Don’t be afraid to negotiate a better rental price either if you think you can give the landlord something in return, such as a long-term lease. You might even be able to negotiate the security deposit if you can prove that you are a good tenant.

Get it in writing

If your apartment hunt progresses swiftly and you end up finding a place that you like, take a moment to write down the details. Make sure that it includes the rental fee, security deposit, and any visual damages that they’ll repair for you for free.

Remember to secure copies of everything that you sign. Confirm that you can make the changes you want, such as painting the walls or updating the floor. Wait for him to sign the agreement before initiating the changes.

Make it count

Being prepared is only half the battle when finding an apartment. Hopefully, this list of tips can help make the process a lot easier for you.

 

The post How To Ace Your Apartment Hunt appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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You may not be ready to buy an acre lot, build a chicken coop, and start living off the land. But, with a small yard or even a sunny balcony, you can start growing your own fresh food and save hundreds of dollars each year in supermarket bills. But which plants to have in your garden?

Check out this really quick list.

Herbs

I cringe every time I spend $3 on a tiny plastic case of herbs.

Rosemary, thyme, and oregano can be tucked in any sunny corner of your yard. They require almost no maintenance and can be harvested throughout the year.

When it comes to saving money, basil is the king. 2 plants are enough to provide you with several batches of pesto and fresh leaves throughout the spring and summer.

Basil can be grown in a pot on a sunny balcony or windowsill.

Summer Squash

Summer squash includes zucchini and yellow squash. Having them in your garden means being able to test out squash casseroles and zucchini bread recipes anytime you want.

Check your plants every other day for new fruit. Remember to harvest them when they are about the size of your hand. They quickly get huge and tough so make sure to keep an eye out for them.

Cucumbers

Like summer squash, cucumber plants are prolific producers. You can save space by growing the plants vertically on a trellis.

There are two broad categories of cucumbers: slicing and pickling.

Slicing cucumbers are the ones commonly found in stores. They are large and meant to be eaten fresh.

Pickling cucumbers, on the other hand, are usually smaller, more difficult to find.

I have seen jars of “gourmet” pickles sold for over $15.

With your own cucumbers, some vinegar, salt, and homegrown herbs, you can create your own pickles better than any “gourmet” ones.

Lettuce

Instead of spending $4 a week on a sealed bag of lettuce, grow your own. 10 plants are enough for a family’s salad needs.

Harvest the outer leaves and in about one week, the plant will be ready for another harvest.

Remember this:

Lettuce likes cool weather and will die once the heat of summer arrives.

Sugar Snap Peas

These are the peas with an edible pod that can be eaten right off the vine. Pea vines grow rapidly and the more you harvest, the more they produce.

Their sugar content starts to turn to starch once harvested. They taste the sweetest when freshly picked.

Tomatoes

After you taste a tomato picked from your own vine, you will never buy from the store again.

Expect to harvest anywhere from 10 to 30 lbs of medium sized tomatoes in its growing season. At the store, tomatoes run $3 to $4 per lb. It’s like growing money.

Hot Peppers

If you like to put hot sauce on everything, start growing your own peppers. They are small and easy to grow.

Experimenting with novel varieties like the Carolina Reaper (currently the hottest pepper in the world) is fun and saves extra money. Create your own chili powder, hot sauces, and chili oils for even more savings and to give as gifts.

More Ways to Save Money in the Garden

Preserve your harvest: Fruit and vegetable prices spike when out of season. Save even more money by preserving your harvest. This can include freezing basil pesto, canning tomato sauce, and making chili oil.

Mulch: Mulch can be any organic material that covers the soil around your plants, such as straw, wood chips or fallen leaves. It prevents evaporation and will save you money on your water bill. Conserve even more water by installing drip irrigation.

Start plants from seed: Seed packs run around $3 and can contain hundreds of seeds. Furthermore, you will have access to a much wider variety of produce.

Garden on a Friday Night: Gardening is fun! Skip going out and spending money. Instead, spend the weekend with your plants or host a garden party.

The best place for any new gardener to start is by growing food you love to eat. This will save you extra money as you buy less of them. With these 7 plants to have in your garden, you might enjoy growing your own food so much that you end up buying that acre lot after all.

The post Save Hundreds of Dollars By Growing These 7 Plants appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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These days, people are getting new mattresses every 8 or 9 years as opposed to once every 10 years just a decade ago. Where did our sudden interest in buying beds come from? Why did the mattress market suddenly boom?

Online mattress retailers identified the complicated process of buying a bed and it overwhelms a lot of people. Here are the figures to help you understand:

• 80% of shoppers look for free delivery as a factor when deciding where to purchase a mattress
• 51% of shoppers look for a free trial before they make a decision
• 35% of shoppers look for mattresses that come in compressed boxes for ease of delivery and set up

Recognizing that it’ll take a large paradigm shift to topple the brick and mortar portion of mattress sales, online retailers operate differently from traditional retailers.

Taking the guesswork out of buying a mattress, especially in an environment where the shopper can’t take the bed for a test, online mattress retailers often offer a generous return policy and some even offer free trials.

Shipped mattresses are compressed into rectangular boxes for ease of shipment and retailers eliminate the cost of shipping companies.

Online mattress sales, while still a fledgling industry, are already beginning to make a dent in the mattress economy. Though 85% of mattress sales are made via physical stores, like specialty chains, furniture stores, and department stores, 27% are made online and that number is quickly growing. As more consumers decide to try their luck online, the appeal of shopping for a bed from home becomes more and more real.

The Big Players:

Casper, founded in 2014, is probably the most well-known of all the online mattress companies because of its frequent sponsorship of popular content creators. Though mainly an online retailer, Casper has branched out into brick and mortar stores like Target.

Purple, founded in 2016, follows a similar marketing strategy as Casper by sponsoring podcast episodes and other online media. Purple mattresses hold a patented polymer design that relieves back pain and supports the spine.

Saatva, founded in 2010, is more on the high-end of online mattresses, offering luxury mattresses that are much more expensive than competitors. Their target consumer age is 30 to 65, unlike other online mattress companies that are marketing towards the millennial generation.

The more affordable options:

Tuft & Needle, founded in 2012, sells mattresses for almost half the price of its competitors. They refunded early buyers a total of $50,000 when the company discovered that they were selling a pillow that’s 25% higher than necessary.

Leesa, founded in 2014, donates one mattress for every ten sold. So far, more than 10,000 beds have been donated.

Aside from being a booming business, why does a lot of big companies want a piece of the mattress market so badly?

For many investors, the disruptive nature of this new industry is very attractive.

New technologies: Casper’s memory foam formula worked for companies and institutions like NASA, Muji, and IDEO.

The disruption is beneficial to investor and consumers alike. Founders saw problems within the existing mattress industry, including unfair markups and questionable sales tactics.

Tuft & Needle was developed by software developers who had this unique vision to make their company the Apple of mattress retailers.

As with any industry, innovation is necessary.

Our beds as we know them now are already a thing of the past. Soon, the entire industry will be completely digitized. The capabilities of the humble mattress are growing exponentially and even traditional retailers are waking up.

See Also: Do You Have The Right Mattress For Your Body Type?

Just take a look at these examples:

• Sleep trackers help monitor breathing and restfulness during the night
• Sensors that adjust firmness and softness or align your head to prevent snoring
• Smart beds that are connected to other devices in the home

Online mattress companies aren’t just changing the way we buy beds; they are changing the way we think about mobile retail and how far we can take its capabilities.

The post The Growth of the Online Mattress Market appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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Depression is extremely common. It can affect anyone at anytime.

It’s considered a serious medical issue that needs prompt attention. Failure to give it the attention it needs can result in fatal consequences. Because of this, knowing how to deal with depression is a must. You don’t need to be a doctor or a nurse to be able to help someone.

If you or anyone you know is battling this condition, know that help is available. Here are some of the things you can do to make yourself or your loved one feel better.

1. When you’re feeling lethargic and unable to focus

Unsolved tasks can increase the degree of depression. Therefore, it makes sense to set small goals every day. Achieving them one by one can make you feel good, reducing the feeling of depression.

2. When you feel unusually low

New activities lead to the release of dopamine in the brain. It’s a feel-good chemical that can make you feel less depressed. Try to do something that interests you personally.

3. When you can’t sleep

Lack of sleep can aggravate a depressive mood. For that reason, you should have enough time to sleep. You can start a “go to bed routine” and adjust your lifestyle to it.

Go to sleep at the same time every day to improve your sleep quality.

See Also: Are You Sleep Deprived? 8 Health Risks Of Poor Sleep

4. When you’re frustrated with how you’re feeling

Writing down your painful emotions will give you a sense of relief. There are already many books on writing therapy.

5. When you can change your mood

Go out for at least 15 minutes daily to lift your mood. Vitamin D, which is produced by natural sunlight, can reduce depression without side effects.

6. When you can’t think straight

Apples help to refresh the mind. They contain potassium, vitamin C, B vitamins, and phosphoric acid.

7. When you can’t relax

Try a foot bath. Just mix rosemary leaves and soap in hot water. Immerse your feet for 20 minutes and feel your depressive thoughts go away.

8. When you just want to calm down

Heat a little coconut oil, sesame oil, corn oil or sunflower oil until it warms up. Then, massage the oil on your body or the soles of your feet, preferably before sleeping.

9. When you can’t feel positive

Acupuncture effectively helps against depression. It increases the secretion of hormones and neurotransmitters that affect brain chemistry in a positive way.

10. When you need to feel a little better

Try listening to music or watch pictorial ideas. They are a great help in creating positive mental images. The process leads to pleasant body sensations.

11. When you want to be happy

Try doing daily exercises. They can trigger the release of endorphins, which is your body’s natural antidepressants. They promote positive thoughts and make you feel happier.

12. When you can’t overcome your depressive phase

Try doing additional meditation sessions, preferably 45 minutes daily. Stay in a quiet place, turn off your phone, and just focus on the process.

See Also: The Profound Effects Of Meditation On The Mind

13. When you need to feel good overall

Foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and folic acid can help counter mood swings. Try to add them to your diet to improve your overall mood.

You should also eat more foods that support the production of endogenous serotonin. Good choices include eggs, herrings, salmons, and fish oil.

14. When you want to improve your general health

Magnesium is a mineral that regulates numerous biochemical functions in your body. Try to eat more leafy vegetables, spinach, bananas, black beans, cashew nuts, and almonds to get your daily dose of magnesium.

15. When you want to feel refreshed

Try cool water or a contrast shower. You will feel a surge of vivacity that will drive out depression.

16. When you want to distract yourself

Go and see an exhibition or watch the latest movie in the cinema. If those things don’t interest you, try walking outside and explore nature. You can try asking your friends to come with you.

17. When you want to improve your mood

Try walking in the park or anywhere close to nature. It’s so inspiring that it can improve your mood.

18. When you want to fill your day with positive energy

Understand new countries, places or culture. The perspective you develop in understanding them can fill you up with positivity.

19. When you want to take a break

Take a few days off and go to an unfamiliar place with family or with friends. This can be very interesting and exciting.

20. When you feel bored

A fascinating and interesting book will completely distract you from depression and your seemingly boring everyday life.

21. When you feel negative

Try to focus on yourself and stay optimistic. Ignore what other people are saying about you, particularly the bad ones.

Remember, you are good and you are enough.

22. When you want a quiet time

Never resort to drinking. Alcohol will just make you feel worse the moment its effect wears off.

The post How to Deal With Depression: 22 Things You Need to Try Today appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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Getting roll-off dumpsters to take care of your waste may seem like a last resort. This forces most of us to ask if we really need to rent them. After all, isn’t it just an over-sized trash can?

If you are thinking the same thing, here are 8 important things that can convince you to get a roll-off dumpster for your home.

Makes Decluttering Your Home A Lot Easier

As things in your home pile up over time, it becomes important to declutter your space a few times a year. During the process, you’re likely to find a lot of things you don’t really need or rarely use.

Getting a dumpster means you can now get rid of that old cupboard and piles of boxes you have been keeping for a long time. Instead of moving them to other parts of your home, you can just move them to your dumpster.

See Also: 10 Ways to Remove Clutter from Your Life

Home Renovation And Remodeling

Whether you are tearing down walls to create space in your home or having an interior renovation, a whole lot of waste and dirt is generated in the process. If not properly handled, it could impede the renovation process. Worse, it can put your kids’ safety at risk.

A rental roll-off dumpster will ensure that waste materials are removed almost as quickly as they are generated. These roll-off style containers collect all kinds of waste- from construction materials, household appliances, furniture, metal, and just about anything.

For Community Projects

Cleaning the surrounding after a community event or to prepare a site for a community or non-profit organization project is a must. You can call a rental dumpster to make the process a lot easier and faster.

Free Up Work Space

A cluttered space is an unproductive space.

Searching for office documents becomes difficult when there are lots of junk lying around. Adding new items to the office can also become a problem.

Call in a dumpster to free your office of old shelving units, boxes, old furniture, garbage, and create room for new office equipment.

Help With Moving

If you have ever had a large move, you’d know how daunting the process is. Sometimes, you’ll find buried treasures. Most of the time, you’ll just find useless things that you never get to discard.

During a move, renting a dumpster presents a good opportunity to get rid of all the junk on the go. This way, you can seamlessly pack up the important items and leave the unimportant ones behind.

Waste Materials That Garbage Collectors Reject

There are times when your local trash collector may refuse to take away your garbage because it does not meet their standards. This may vary from one city to another.

If your garbage gets rejected or you aren’t sure whether the waste collector will accept it or not, consider a dumpster rental since it has fewer requirements.

For Recycling

Taking part in recycling is a lot easier when you rent a dumpster. Instead of having to go to the recycling company yourself, you can fill up a 10-yard dumpster with all recyclables and then have it hauled away to the facility.

See Also: Your New Year’s Resolution: Better Recycling Practices

Reclaiming The Garage

To many, the garage is the repository for junk at home. Every unwanted item finds its way to the garage. Your best bet for completely cleaning out your garage and creating space to accommodate new items is to get a rental dumpster.

Cleaning Up After An Unexpected Event

This is one we hope you don’t get forced into. But torrential rains, high winds or floods can cause damages to properties and leave debris lying around your house and the neighborhood.

The best way to deal with debris in the wake of an unexpected disaster is by renting a large dumpster. A 30-yard roll-off container, for example, can be a great help since it can fit just about anything from the disaster.

In a Nutshell

With all those things, we hope you get a clearer idea of the benefits you can get from renting a roll-off dumpster.

Next time you find yourself digging out of a huge pile of old belongings, just call a local dumpster rental service and make the decluttering process much easier.

The post 8 Reasons To Rent A Roll-Off Dumpster appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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Our thoughts are helpful. We need them to make sense of the information around us and to take action.

I used to believe this wholeheartedly, but is it really true? Is the stream of words in our heads really necessary?

As far as we know, animals don’t talk to themselves and they seem to manage. Some of our actions are prompted by our thoughts but most of them are the results of outside stimuli and our feelings.

Your Mind in Action

When something triggers a response in us, our subconscious tries to come up with a proper course of action. Its final decision is reinforced by feelings and thoughts that leak into the conscious. These 2 combine to form the motivation for your response.

For example, let’s say you found a mountain of dishes in your sink.

Your brain (the subconscious) analyzes the situation and comes up with a solution (leave them). Your feelings guide you towards the couch and you start thinking about your favorite show.

Again, your thoughts worked against you.

But this is not always the case.

Sometimes, the subconscious comes up with the decision to clean your dishes and so do your thoughts.

Also, you are not at the mercy of your subconscious. You can say no to certain “solutions” by recognizing the feelings and thoughts that are rejecting them.

See Also: The Profound Effects Of Meditation On The Mind

Don’t Argue with the Mind

When you feel like doing something you shouldn’t, become aware of this fact. Take a deep breath, relax your body, and start focusing on your task.

Most of us try to argue with our minds and the brain always wins.

Stop arguing.

When you’re feeling and thinking something you shouldn’t, simply ignore it.

If you think you can’t, you are wrong.

You’ve done it before. At one time or another, something triggered a messed up thought in you, like murder, suicide or rape. It happens to all of us.

We cannot control the thoughts we have, as they are simple reactions to the outside world.

If you watch enough news about murder and rape, these thoughts will inevitably end up in your mind. But they are disgusting, so we reject them immediately.

That’s what keeps us sane.

However, we do not reject thoughts of donuts and coca cola which make us fat. We do not reject thoughts of television and YouTube that keep us mediocre.

So, how do we do it?

How to Control Your Thoughts

To fully understand how this works, I recommend reading “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle.

An incomplete summary of what he speaks about is the following:

• Thoughts come and go but you don’t have to accept and ruminate over all of them.
• Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Open them and become deeply aware of your surroundings. Become present.
• In this state, you have no thoughts. You enjoy being. When one comes into your head, make a quick decision: Is this thought useful/necessary or not? If it’s not (most of them aren’t), eliminate it and return to the present.

These steps will not only remove the pointless thoughts in your head but they can also force your subconscious to come up with better, superior ideas. What you’ll basically be doing is analyzing your thoughts, keeping only the good ones, and terminating the rest.

See Also: The Secret Mind Hacks That Can Change Your Life Today

Thinking vs. Being

Most people are stuck in their heads. Instead of admiring the sunset or having a moment with their friends and family, they’re busy thinking about nonsense.

Are you doing the same?

If you are, accept it and start working on it. You can try it out right now or when you’re taking a walk or a shower. If there’s nothing useful going on in your head, simply focus on the now and the present.

By training yourself to get rid of the useless thoughts in your head, you will build the discipline you need to succeed at work and your daily life. The more you do it, the easier it will be to remain in the present.

So, stop thinking. Just listen. Just see. Just be.

The post How To Clear Your Thoughts And Why Do It appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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