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5 Real Life Math Applications That You Should Know About

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Math has an unfortunate reputation for being difficult to understand. For those with math anxiety, the thought of tackling mathematical tasks can even cause serious panic.

But math anxiety doesn’t come from an inability to perform math. Rather, it’s a lack of self-belief. And a great way to overcome this fear and self-doubt is to recognize the importance of real life math.

The truth is, we use math every day. Whether we’re baking a cake, watching the news, or shopping for bargains, real world math comes into play. In fact, there are many ways we use real world math without being aware of how necessary skills like calculating ratios and understanding probabilities are in lots of everyday tasks.

Want to know some examples of math real world applications? Keep reading to find out!

1. Smart Shopping

By far the most common use of real world math is deciding how to spend our money at the store. Everything from considering the best deals, working out the cost per wear, and comparing nutrition facts labels all involve real math.

For example, that 3-for-2 special offer on peanut butter might seem tempting. But a quick glance at the price per unit will soon show you that it’s cheaper to buy one large jar at the regular price. Likewise, a pricey coat might feel like a big expense at the time. But if you wear it several times a week every winter, calculating the cost per wear makes it a much better deal than a cheap coat you wore a handful of times.

These are the kinds of real world math problems we face – and solve – every day. And often we don’t even consider how mathematics comes into the equation since most of the math problems we studied in school were abstract problems rather than real world examples.

2. Seeing Through the Stats

Every day we’re bombarded with news reports and claims full of real life percentages and statistical evidence in support of a certain view. But considering the real math behind these stats can help you understand, and even question, these reports.

For example, a politician might try to persuade you by quoting large numbers. Five million people sure sounds like a lot, but if you know how to calculate percentages you might see that these numbers aren’t very significant. That’s because percentages in real world comparisons often help you understand information better than raw numbers, and especially if you’re comparing large entities with small entities, such as the population of California with the population of Wyoming.

Or, what if a company is trying to sell you something? It might sound convincing that one in five people buy their product. But if the other four are all choosing a competitor’s product, that could be the better buy.

Here you can see that real world math doesn’t just help to improve our ability with numbers. Understanding the numbers better also helps to strengthen logical thinking and analysis. Math can help you see through the stats and question the information you receive. And as a result, you’ll be able to make more informed decisions.

3. Clever Cooking

You’ll find a lot more real math in the kitchen than anywhere else in the house. You could even say that recipes are nothing more than mathematical algorithms. After all, they work to apply math to the real world as a set of step-by-step operations.

And that’s before you even get into tricky applications such as converting metric measurements to US standard units or using ratios to make a bigger or smaller batch. For example, if the recipe makes enough food for four people but you’re cooking for six, you’ll have to use math to adjust each ingredient by the correct amount.

Now consider a cake recipe that calls for two cups of flour, 2/3 of a cup of sugar, one egg, and an 8-inch baking tin. How would you go about increasing the proportions to bake a cake large enough to fit your 12-inch baking tin? It’s these kinds of math applications that show how relevant math is in our everyday lives.

4. Managing Your Finances

Without math skills such as a basic understanding of real life percentages, you might not always make the right decisions when it comes to your finances.

Real world math will help you know how to calculate and compare interest rates. This will then serve you well for choosing the best credit card or bank account. And if you’re lucky enough to have some savings, you’ll need math to help you work out whether a certain savings account is such a good place to tie up your money for years.

Whether you choose to spend, save, or invest your money, math will come into play. If you’re saving up for something you’ll need math to help you budget. If you’ve got loans and bills to pay off, math knowledge will also come in useful when trying to understand options such as debt consolidation and monthly repayment plans.

5. Beating the Odds

If you like gambling, real math should be your best friend. Working out current form, understanding odds, or weighing up whether to spread your bets or not all take some serious mathematical reasoning.

If you’re heading to Vegas, math ability can give you the edge to win, much as it did for the MIT Blackjack Team in the 2008 movie 21. If you’re more into sports betting, analyzing the statistics and considering probabilities can help you get a better feel for who’ll win and how to bet on their chances.

Even if you like playing the lottery, taking the probability of drawing certain numbers into account can help increase your chances of winning.

Using Real Life Math Applications 

The uses for real life math in our daily lives range from deciding on which shampoo to buy to considering the best mortgage rate.

And these are just some of the examples of the many ways we use math. A good handle on mathematics is also important for many careers, as well as hobbies and interests such as dressmaking and carpentry.

For more interesting insights and life tips, be sure to check out our other blog posts!

Helpful Ways Parents Can Support Their Kids Overseas

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We can help our children get through their school years, their first heartbreak, learning to drive and help them get to grips with getting older, but when they decide to head overseas and discover the world and a bit more about themselves, it’s normal for us parents to feel a little concerned.

It’s not always easy to support your children (no matter how old they may be) whilst they’re overseas or on the other side of the world. Heading abroad means potential language barriers, culture shock, independence and of course homesickness. All of these things are enough to keep any parent awake at night.

Thankfully, there are some ways parents can support their kids overseas. Read on to find out more.

Money

Sometimes unexpected money issues can arise when we’re overseas and being there to help them out of a sticky financial situation, or allow them to treat themselves can bring a lot of comfort to parents. Transferring money abroad can often be complicated and expensive, especially if you fail to compare transfer rates – for more information on how to send money to Australia from NZ, click the link.

Don’t get caught out by extortionate fees or unreliable providers. Always conduct plenty of research before you move your money.

Schedule a weekly time to catch up

Being able to catch up and see each others’ faces can bring great comfort and support to both of you. Especially if your child is feeling a little homesick. While it’s important to give your child space when they’re exploring the world and having their own adventures, there’s also an element of safety to consider. If you schedule a time to chat and catch up each week then you can take into account their plans and take comfort from the fact they’re clearly enjoying themselves.

Try not to project your own doubts onto them

It’s easy to say that you miss them greatly, it’s part of being a parent! However, telling your child that you miss them and you can’t stand them being away from you, how you’re worried they’re not coping or how you want them to be safe at home can cast doubt over their travel plans. It might not be intentional, but you could be knocking their confidence. Just let them know that you can’t wait to see them when they return!

Go through their budget with them

If this is the first time your child/young adult has had any kind of independence, they may need help with their budgeting. Money is spent incredibly quickly overseas, so helping them budget how much they’re going to need and how they can save money during their travels is a simple yet effective way to support them.

And finally, do you own research

Often, it’s the fear of the unknown that has us worried. And the idea of your child heading off to a foreign country you know nothing about can ring all kinds of alarm bells. The best way to combat this is to conduct your own research into their destination. Find out what’s so great about it and why it’s so popular with backpackers. Don’t be tempted to look into the negatives of their chosen destination, you’ll find those in any country!

To read more on topics like this, check out the Life Tips category

Choose the Perfect Diamond Cut for Your Engagement Ring

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So you are planning to adorn a beautiful diamond engagement ring but are indecisive of the cut you should go for? Well, with so many choices around it sure can be a bit baffling to drill down to that one piece that seems just perfect. Let us share details about some popular diamond cuts to help you choose the most suitable one. So, let’s get started.

Marquise

This beautiful cut boasts of a unique design that adds to the appeal of a diamond. It also makes the finger and hand appear slender.

Radiant

This one is loved for its beautifully trimmed corners. The gemstone dazzles when it is molded this way and that is why it has been named radiant cut.

Round Brilliant

One of the most popular cuts, this one makes for a great choice for an engagement ring. It is known for its versatility and timeless beauty.

Princess

This is yet another popular choice when it comes to engagement rings. It has been in fashion since decades and continuous to be a hot favourite among the brides-to-be. You can choose between square and rectangular shapes when it comes to princess cut diamonds. Both these look equally brilliant. What makes this cut attractive is the fact that it reflects its distinct colour in every corner.

Emerald

This one is known for its beautiful optical appearance. It reflects the true beauty of a diamond.

Pear Shaped

This unique cut looks exceptionally beautiful owing to its unique shape. Just like the marquise cut, this one also makes the fingers appear longer.

Cushion

This beautiful diamond cut is known for its finely rounded corners and large facets. You will find this in square as well as rectangular shape. Both these shapes are known for their clarity and fineness.

Each of these has it’s own charm and looks amazing. You may browse through the wide range of diamond engagement rings Brisbane by top brands to pick the one that suits your style and adds to your overall all appearance. Don’t forget to tell us which one you opted for!

To read more on topics like this, check out the Life Tips category

How to Maintain Your Sales Tax Successfully

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Most people have a lot of queries regarding the sales tax and the queries are not really one time problems. Most of the small business owners come up with such questions again and again and quite very often. Here, is a one-time solution, you can look for the best questions as of now and know their answers. Today, here I will give you some of the solutions which will be helpful for you majorly in your whole career of sales tax filing.

Saving More Time

Keep all your information in one file, when you have everything ready in one place then you will be able to save more time. Time is money, as they say, filing sales tax anyways consumes a lot of money so if you manage to save some time by keeping all documents in a single file then it will help you to use your time even more efficiently. Things that you can do beforehand keep it up to date such as,

  • Sales tax rates,
  • Appropriate Taxability Status
  • Collection on Due Dates
  • Put all Sales Tax related questions in one place

Stay Organised

Now no longer you find any table stacked with sales tax files, it is just one paper that you need to keep ready and handy so that whenever you need it, you get in along. When you have a better tax solution, you will have everything organized and handy, this will alos save some time and some money.

Lower Your Risks

You must have the ability to identify a problem before it arrives and solve a problem before it actually becomes a problem. All the updated information must remain up to date in your file. Find out the kind of risks that you might face and then solve the risks even before they become a risk to you.

How to Plan a Sales Tax Filing?

There re no such specific ways, but there are some ways in which you can try to organize your work which will make your work easier.

Choose the Correct Platform

These are some of the things that you must work on if you wish to maintain your sales tax filing very easily. Most states initially send preprinted tax returns to taxpayers unless the taxpayer has registered for e-file status. These are solely determined by the state where the company has been established. If you have any questions in mind regarding the types of business or the kind of form that should be filled, then you can contact the state to confirm.

Entering the Data

Sales tax reporting are tough unless you do them all by yourself, it will be your decision to determine what to include in the filing and what not. If someone represents the sales of your company then you should have an open chat and discuss how things are happening and where do you need to take an extra edge. Be very careful while entering the data in the system because the misplace of one number or one data can cost you enough.

File the Return

Last but the most important step is to make the file and conclude it properly. Paper filing is fine who have a very small business and a very small amount of sales tax to be filed. When when we talk of the giant fishes, it becomes not very normal to file on paper. In such cases, you do need a soft copy and some more paper to keep as proof of hard copy.

Conclusion

These are the basic information that you need to keep in mind while filing the tax, but apart from that, you can also check the sales tax filing rules of the state where you are eligible. The sales tax varies from state to state hence check which state are you eligible for.

To read more on topics like this, check out the Business Tech category

3 Fun Backyard Games to Play

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Growing up, you might have played many different backyard games, but these days a lot of kids tend to hang out inside, playing video games, staring at the TV, or their phones. One study, published in JAMA Pediatrics revealed that nearly half of preschoolers lacked even one parent-supervised outdoor play session a day. On average those aged 10 to 16 spent just 12.6 minutes per day on vigorous outdoor activity.

Getting outside is not only fun, it also brings a wealth of health benefits. Whether you just purchased one of the Los Angeles homes for sale or you’ve lived in your home for years, the backyard can be your ideal oasis for doing things like running, jumping, and catching that provide important aerobic exercise while helping your kids build motor skills. They’ll burn calories, which helps to prevent obesity and strengthen their bones and muscles too. Plus, getting outside in the sunshine helps strengthen the immune system and even boosts happiness levels.

With that said, there are some backyard games that are fun for both kids and adults to play, perhaps even bringing back some fun memories at the same time. The whole family can reap the benefits and have a good time together.

Cornhole

Cornhole is a classic game, essentially a beanbag toss with the goal to toss the beanbag into the hole. All you need are eight to 10 bean bags and two pieces of plywood that are tilted at an angle on opposite ends. As the object is to toss the bean bags through the holes, you’ll want to cut a single hole through each piece of plywood, closer to the higher end. You can also buy a cornhole set at most toy stores or online. A customizable set provides even more fun as the kids can decorate their platforms. It also means a variety of ages can play the game simply by lowering or raising the difficulty level by changing the distance between the platforms or increasing the angle.

Freeze Tag

Similar to the original Tag game, this one varies in that the players who are tagged have to stay just as they are, standing in place as if they’re “frozen” until they’re “unfrozen.” You need to have at least three people to play, but the more, the better, making it ideal for larger groups. One person is “It” and has the responsibility of catching others. When “It” tags another player, that person is then “frozen” and can only be unfrozen if another active player tags him again. There are lots of variations on the game, like Freeze ‘TV’ Tag. In this version, to unfreeze someone you have to shout out the name of a TV show when you tag them. If you name one that’s already been called, you’re then frozen too. It can be played using just about anything, like animal names, cartoon characters, books, and so on.

Nine Pin

Nine Pin is a bowling game, only you don’t need a bowling ball or official pins. It dates back thousands of years, yet it’s still a fun backyard game today. It’s like bowling, so if you’ve ever bowled before you already know how to play, the only difference is you’ll use nine pins rather than 10. They can be anything from 2-liter soda bottles to empty milk cartons, just set them up in a diamond shape. You’ll also need a plastic ball heavy enough to knock them over. The rules are simple, a point for every pin knocked down and the player with the most points at the end wins.

To read more on topics like this, check out the Family category

How Tech Improvements Are Changing the Sports We Love

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Sports are one of the most popular forms of entertainment for the masses, therefore, as technological innovations continue to arrive at lightning pace, it’s hardly surprising the games we love are also embracing the latest technological advances. Some are intended to improve fairness and transparency, while others are aimed at feeding our desire for data, analyzing every movement that athletes make.

Image: Pixabay

VAR in the Leading Soccer Competitions

Aimed at reducing the number of controversial refereeing decisions in soccer, it’s perhaps fair to say that Video Assistant Refereeing (VAR) has been met with a mixed reaction. The use of technology in other walks of life is widely accepted, although in soccer, the implementation of VAR has brought widespread debate amongst fans of the sport.

The concept was introduced to ensure that whenever needed, match referees can consult video replays of any incidents during play. Given the speed of soccer and the need for accuracy, it’s not uncommon to find that referees increasingly rely on replays to check their decisions. This has inevitably led to lengthy pauses during games, while plays are reviewed before a referee makes his or her final decision.

Liverpool are priced +225 betting odds to win the Premier League again this season, although as they prepare to defend their crown, they will hope to attract a little less attention from VAR conspiracy theorists. Some fans of other teams regularly claimed they received favorable decisions more frequently, however, statistics proved that refereeing decisions were very balanced overall using the new technology.

Nevertheless, having only been in widespread use for the last couple of years, whether it’s in top-level UEFA competitions throughout Europe or the successful implementation demonstrated by the Major League Soccer in North America; the game itself is gradually adapting and improving the use of this technology.

Puck & Player Tracking in the NHL

The 2020-21 season will become the first in which the NHL fully deploys Puck and Player Tracking technology. The original plan was to have the new systems in place at all 31 NHL arenas by September 2019, ready for the 2019-20 season. But the league changing technology partners led to delays.

Successful trials at recent All-Star games have already given viewers a taste of what to expect, with the systems having taken several years to design and perfect. Indeed, putting electronics in an ice hockey puck was challenging to design, given the beating those things take and the temperatures on the ice itself.

According to the original NHL announcement in 2019, there will be up to 16 antennae placed above the rinks at arenas, monitoring every inch of the ice. The pucks will feature real-time tracking at a rate of 2,000 times per second, providing laser accuracy when following movement, while players will also wear monitors within their uniforms, providing data for all their actions.

Not only does this huge amount of data bring head coaches and GMs a host of new analytics information, viewers at home and at arenas can also follow the data with live apps via their mobile devices. Broadcasters will also have access to all this data, which could revolutionize how they present live games, while sportsbooks will be able to offer more betting markets than ever before.

The Human Touch

No matter how much new technology our favorite sports implement, the central focus of our attention should always be the individual athletes and competing teams. That remains the biggest challenge as we plunge into an era where everything is scrutinized and analyzed. What we can’t forget is that while data is important, human instincts and talents are sometimes unquantifiable, which is perhaps the very essence of sport itself.

To read more on topics like this, check out the Technology category

How Real Estate Agents Can Persevere During Tough Times

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Like any other market, the real estate market has its ups and downs. Sometimes, the market is on fire, and it seems as if leads and sales just walk through your door. Other times, the market is tougher. In good times or bad ones, marketing for real estate is incredibly important. That being said, when the economy or real estate market is slower, it is even more important.

Thankfully, there are many proven strategies that can help a real estate agent survive, even in the toughest market. Here’s a look at some of those techniques.

Leverage Your Social Media

There is no question that there are absolutely incredible and easy ways that real estate agents can take advantage of social media. Of course, done wrong, social media can not only be a giant time suck, but it can hurt your image and make you look too desperate.

So, how can you use social media to your advantage?

  • Set up a separate Facebook page for your real estate presence. While there is nothing wrong with leveraging your personal profile from time to time, you don’t want to overdo it – people who are interested in your listings or content can like your page. This is an easy trap for realtors to fall into.
  • Don’t just use social media to sell. Instead, use social media to give out value-added content, like advice on selling, the best ways to present your home for sale, and more.
  • Remember, these days, images rule. Take advantage of Instagram or Pinterest, and use those services to drive traffic back to your website.

When it comes to social media use and marketing for real estate, remember, you need to make sure that you create interesting content that contains great advice and keeps people engaged. This will ensure that people come back to you when it is time for them to buy or sell a house, or make a recommendation to a friend about the same.

Send Thoughtful Postcards

It is counterintuitive, but marketing in the real estate market often has nothing to do with actually selling. Instead, it is about making a solid connection with customers – or prospective customers – and making sure that they think of you when the time comes to sell your house.

One way to do that is to send postcards. These cards don’t have to be about home sales – in fact, they shouldn’t be. Instead, they should be about building a genuine connection with someone, doing something nice for them, and making sure they know that you value a relationship with someone beyond a simple sale. There are many types of postcards you can send. For example, wisepelican.com has fantastic and timely examples that contain positive messages. They also have a variety of templates that you can customize and personalize.

Whatever you do, remember, this aspect of marketing is about building a relationship with someone.

Be A Source of Information

As a realtor, you likely know a great deal about a topic that is hugely important, complex, and difficult for outsiders to understand. This puts you in a position where you can successfully use your knowledge to help other people.

As such, put yourself out there. Make sure that others know you are a source of information. How can you do that? Easy: Ask. You can leverage all of your networks – like your social media network – and make sure that people know you are available to answer questions. You should also make sure that you are using your social media to answer common questions and give advice. This will help position you as an expert in the field of real estate, and this, in turn, will help make people ask you more questions.

Additionally, it may be a wise idea to hold basic seminars or webinars. These can be on common real estate-related topics, like “Selling Your Home 101” or “Why This Is the Best Time to Buy.” Make registration free and no commitment. This not only enables you to be a source of information but can help you collect Email addresses that you can use at a later date.

Volunteer

Don’t underestimate the value of volunteering in your community. There are a variety of ways to do this, but the best is to find a popular non-profit that is relevant to you or your community. You can also join a local Chamber of Commerce and use those connections to give back to the community. Not only will volunteering enable you to do a good thing, but it gives you opportunities to network within the community at large. It is also a great way of getting your name out there.

Leverage Your Network

As a realtor, you probably know quite a few people, including customers, brokers, other agents, repair services, cleaning services, and more. That network can be very useful. When someone is looking for a recommendation, always make sure to chime in with someone you know and respect.

That person may thank you for a recommendation later down the line by returning the favor. Leveraging your network the right way also allows you to position yourself as someone who knows people. This will keep people coming to you, looking for help with their various projects, and that means that your name will get out there more.

Conclusion

Marketing can be exceptionally difficult during the best of times, but in a downturn, it can be a nightmare. That is why it is vitally important that you are always marketing and building relationships. This can help make sure you always have a steady flow of business – even during difficult real estate markets.

To read more on topics like this, check out the Finance category

3 Technologies Bringing The Construction To The Next Level

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Are you done with the same old ways of construction? Do you wish for advancement in Technology? Are you interested in knowing about the three best technologies that are putting the construction industry to have discussed the three latest technologies in the construction industry?

By the end of this article, you will surely be very well aware of the various techniques of the construction industry that are available just for you.

Technologies are growing day by day in every field, be it in the education department, health department, or construction department. The updates in the newest technologies arrive so early. Because no one prefers slow and outdated Technology, everyone wants the best and updated version of everything.

In the same way, there are many advancements and upgradations in the construction, and it keeps on updating. These technologies make it easier to complete the project more effectively, conveniently, and quickly.

By using the latest Technology, the contractors and other workers can communicate and cooperate with the other team members in the best way possible.

Moreover, the construction industry is on a speed bump and is changing day by day in many ways such as a change in the level of the trade cycle, change in the methods of confirming contracts, innovations, experience, rise in competition, rise in the need for high quality, and many more other changes.

Let’s leave all this aside because we guess you are eager to know about the various technologies that are bringing the construction industry to another level. Below, we have listed down three techniques of the construction industry. They are as follows:

1. Robotics

Would you like it if robots start working on your construction sites? Do not be surprised by it because this can happen. Yes, in reality! There is a Robotics technology in the construction industry that makes things super easy, effective, and fast.

By using this Technology, robots will work just like a normal human and even better than a human. Not only will they make the work super easy and quick, but also they’ll be able to suggest and command the other people in the group.

Besides, a robot can also act as a commanding force; it can command and order the people and other teammates because of its preciseness and accuracy. If we talk about the cost of this Technology, then it is a bit high in the beginning, but it will ultimately it’s worth the services it provides.

Generally, robots are seen as stiff machines, but they are not. Using this Technology, robots can do everything that an average construction worker does from laying bricks, applying cement, or completing any task according to the construction project.

Most importantly, there isn’t a single type of robot performing just so many functions. There are types of robots, such as logistics robots, industrial robots, and many other types of robots in this Technology. Robotics is a high technology, so get ready to make use of this to make your construction quicker and easier.

2. BIM or Building Information Modelling Technology

Here comes another latest technology that is BIM or Building Information Modelling Technology. If you wish to get accurate results easily, then this Technology is just for you. It is also known as a game-changer for the whole construction industry because it shows the development of the project in the most open and collaborative environment.

Building Information Modelling Technology offers a lot of benefits to the construction industry as well as the contractors.

These benefits, in turn, make the management of resources more accessible, assist the people in staying in touch during the entire project, and also it enables the collaboration. Overall, it comes with tons of advantages to the construction industry.

Moreover, this Technology can also help in dealing with the challenges; these challenges include issues of QC, delays in the project, budget overspends, and many more such problems. Apart from this, there is another 5D version of BIM, which offers an understanding of the project scope, short project cycles, and a rise in productivity.

3.Self-healing Concrete Technology

Do you wish to use self-healing concrete technology on buildings, homes, and roads? It would help if you wished to do this because this is indeed the best Technology in the construction industry.

By using this Technology, you can work on the main areas such as cracks and crevices, structure deterioration, and other such problems. This Technology is a brilliant solution to such issues. By using Self-healing Concrete Technology, you can make your work a lot easier than before.

To read more on topics like this, check out the Technology category

What if the Supply Chain Stopped? Victor Restis and the International Shipping Industry Says No Way!

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The global supply chain and the ships, vessels, and people behind the scenes are truly impressive. Think about it: 2-million seafarers, millions more on the docks, in the warehouses, driving the trucks and the administrative staff behind it all – Victor Restis in among them. As President of Enterprises Shipping & Trading S.A., he oversees nearly every aspect of his global shipping enterprise. I am in awe of people with this level of leadership and ability to see the minutia of every single touchpoint along a massive, global supply chain. Fred Smith of FedEx, Jeff Bezos of Amazon, and other high-profile executives running seemingly impossible logistics are mind-boggling.

With the level of importance to the survival of people across the globe, international shipping doesn’t nearly get the credit it rightfully deserves. And to think of the thousands of touchpoints that could fail, causing clogs in the system sends shivers down my spine. Think of it, a mass disruption to the global supply chain would create havoc as we’ve never seen before. The article points out that the most valuable asset in a functioning supply chain is human resources. So, when COVID-19 sent many people home, closed down businesses, and made people sick, the threat to international shipping became extremely real. It’s the people behind the machines that make this system function.

The article discusses quick decision making that leads to further protections of shipping’s prized resource and allows the system to keep moving strong. I assume there was a “next man up” mentality where if somebody fell ill to COVID-19, there was another ready to jump in and take the helm. Or, more likely, is that others jumped in to not only do their jobs but to fill the gaps of others who were taken out by the virus. Either scenario is tough to consider, given the nature and physical requirements of the shipping industry. I don’t think this is a cushy job. It is physically and mentally demanding. Seafarers are always from their homes and families for extended periods and are out at sea for weeks (somebody has to save Tom Hanks).

I would love to have been a fly on the wall of the International Maritime Employer’s Council when COVID-19 hit the fan. It must have been a giant thinktank faced with an invisible enemy that was disrupted across the globe. Though people didn’t think about it, I bet the executives were concerned about how the world would react if food and supplies couldn’t be shipped, not just on time, but not at all.

To read more on topics like this, check out the Life Tips category

Steven Fisackerly – Taking Control of Your Own Carbon Footprint Starts at Home. Here Are Three Considerations For Making Your Home More Energy Efficient

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Climate change is a very real issue. Since scientific recordings detecting ozone thinning from excessive use of CFS gases contained in various home devices from the 1970’s the larger issue of carbon emissions has only become common knowledge in the last decade.

Something so vital to our very existence on the planet was perhaps so great, contradicting the evidence seemed to some as a means of shelving the concern that the global community faced.
Despite this, more and more people are lobbying governments to take action and making personal decisions as a means of improving the way we treat our environment.

Climate change researcher, Steven Fisackerly, has made studies into the impact household energy consumption has on global temperatures. He makes a compelling case that on something so devastating to sustained life on earth, the opportunity to make small amendments at home can have great consequences if played out across a national scale.

Here are 4 ways to reduce energy consumption at home.

Change all light sources to LED


 Incandescent light bulbs contribute to 30% of energy consumption in an average home, recent studies conclude.
Considering the heat alone from a 60w lightbulb can fry an egg in 20 minutes demonstrates the energy emitted from a single light source is extremely high.
Thankfully the range and availability of LED light bulbs across retailers provides a simple solution to this issue. Available with various color temperatures, incandescent light bulbs should be discontinued from any household.

Insulate windows and loft


 During winter months, temperatures across the UK have been known to plummet to minus figures. Considering the rising energy costs and the ever more demand for keeping homes warm, insulating the home is perhaps the most important thing one can do to keep warm.
It is a given that most homes have some form of roof insulation. However, extending insulating measures inside walls like applying double glazing can reduce the usage of radiators by 6 hours per day. Annual savings of £3k in an average household can cover the expense of double glazing.


Low setting for boiler


 Water boilers are an essential aspect of all households. In light of our reliance and high usage they are prone to disrepair regularly.
For this reason and counter intuitively, keeping a boiler operating all day but at a low setting of 14 degrees can greatly benefit its life span and maintain a healthy level of accumulative heat.

The temptation to burst the temperature up during cold snaps in winter months can exhaust components and creates a high stress on energy provision. Power stations employ strategies to cater for these surges. By altering one’s treatment of boilers, we can save power plants energy creation by 40% per quarter annum. It also saves the cost of repair and replacements.

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