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Ulterior Motives? Billionaires And Philanthropy

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During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, billionaires set a new record for the percentage of their wealth given to charity. Unfortunately, that record was for an all-time low. This came at the same time when billionaires were reaching new levels of worth that many thought would take decades to reach. While they were adding to their wealth, more than 150 donated less than one percent of that to charity.

After an outcry from the public about billionaires hoarding wealth, the pendulum swung the other way the following year. The world’s richest donated $27 billion in a one-year span, with the 25 richest people donating nearly $200 billion in their collective lifetimes. People are pushing back at billionaires to give more to charity, especially as their net worths are skyrocketing while most other people are remaining stagnant or seeing their purchasing power decline.

There is one major problem with billionaires donating to charity, however. Many feel that these mega-rich people who are also CEOs of major corporations should be focusing on paying their fair share in taxes and supporting their employees with livable wages. People argue that these charitable donations are nothing more than a way to make the billionaire look better in the public eye.

This is why you’ve seen politicians like Bernie Sanders, a former Presidential candidate, push for billionaires to be taxed more. Those on the other side of the aisle argue that the government would be overstepping and simply misallocate those funds. They also say that since the billionaires made the money, they should be able to do what they want with it.

However, a report from the White House has shown that billionaires are certainly getting off much easier than the average American when it comes to paying taxes. The 400 wealthiest families in the United States were found to pay an average of only 8.2 percent of their income. In a press brief, the White House added that “For decades, our economy has worked great for those at the very top, while hardworking Americans who built this country have been cut out of the deal and left behind.”

So why is it that billionaires have to be dragged kicking and screaming just to pay a marginally higher percentage in taxes while they’re willing to shell out hundreds of millions toward charity? Is there some sort of kickback that these billionaires are getting from foundations compared to helping those in need within their own country? 

It turns out that many of these donations are nothing more than surface-level publicity stunts. That’s because, with these massive donations, many of them are tax-subsidized. Studies have shown that for each $1 (yes, just one dollar) that billionaires give to charity, the American public has to chip in around $0.75 in lost tax revenue. Eventually, the money flows back to the company, so each donation only ends up being a small hit if not a gain in wealth.

Some have compared billionaire philanthropy to legal money laundering with a positive PR slant. Others have said that billionaires are simply donating a part of their morning’s pay. Philosopher Slavoj Zizek has said that billionaires will spend a few hours making millions off the backs of hardworking people, then use that money to donate for good PR. They don’t need the $10 million that they made that morning since they’re already worth billions, but a donation that size always looks good in a headline.

A lot of billionaires are also setting up their own charitable organizations, which should be a massive red flag. Investigative reporter Jesse Eisinger said that billionaires like Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook/Meta) were simply moving money “from one pocket to the other,” and that they were “likely never to pay any taxes on it.” In the end, there are loopholes that allow for this to happen, so money laundering and tax evasion can be, well, evaded.

Of course, billionaires are more inclined to donate to politicians who are willing to give them these tax breaks and keep these loopholes in place. This means that it’s essentially the ultra-wealthy who are running the show rather than the politicians who were voted in. When they are donating to causes that you like, you can see these billionaires as amazing philanthropists, but when they donate to the other side, you can see them as pure evil.

It’s a real Catch-22 when it comes to billionaires donating. Obviously, some of them are doing some amazing work around the world and providing underserved regions with resources they’ve never had, while others are taking advantage of the system and padding their own net worth through good publicity. 

5 Tips To Sell Your House

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Selling a home is one of the most stressful times that a person can go through because you also have to set up the purchase of your next home. If you’re thinking about getting into that process, here are five tips that you need to follow when selling your house.

Renovations

One thing that almost every seller does before listing their home is to renovate. Many feel that if they add a few bells and whistles that they can increase the value of the home tremendously, but not all renovations are equal. If you’re doing something like adding new doors or replacing the appliances, you may actually be doing more harm than good. The buyer will likely end up replacing those items anyway, and it doesn’t add to the home’s overall value.

Instead, you should be focusing on renovations that fix any problems the house might have, as that’s where the real added value comes in. Remodeling bathrooms can end up being the most fruitful, while also adding a small deck, porch, or patio can do more good than you think. The bedrooms and living room are going to be completely redone by the new resident, so it’s best to just focus on the bathrooms, kitchen, and exterior.

Work With an Agent

Now comes the time when you get to compare yourself to a professional athlete. If an athlete is working without an agent, they’re probably going to be losing out on millions in guaranteed money and incentives. The same applies to someone that’s selling their home, although it’s more likely in the thousands rather than the millions. Unless you’re selling directly to a friend or family member, it’s important to work with a trusted agent, and even then it might still be a good idea for paperwork reasons.

Speaking of paperwork, one of the biggest reasons to have an agent take care of the sale of your home is because they can do all of that for you. They’ll also have a wider scale of contacts that can start a bidding war for your home, getting you the maximum value. Sure, you could go through all of that yourself, but you’d be spending so much time trying to get the best price that the time you lost out on would negate that.

Beauty On The Outside

You could have the most gorgeous interior that would bring a world-class architect to their knees, but none of that will matter if you can’t get people in the door. The exterior of your home is essentially the handshake of any meeting, you want to make sure you get it right to set a good impression. This means that your lawn (if you have one) should be perfectly mowed, and any debris should be removed.

Selling your home would be a good time to call a landscaper, setting up massive curb appeal to any passersby. If you don’t have a powerwasher, it would also be a good time to rent one and work on your home’s exterior. Once you have everything looking in tip-top shape, more people will be inclined to check out the inside and fast-track the sale of your home.

Get Clean

Now that the exterior of your home has been beautified, what should you do to the inside to make it more appealing? The saying goes that less is more, and that certainly applies to a home for sale. Try to keep only the basics visible like beds, couches, and other furniture. Avoid keeping personal items out on display, too, as your home will be photographed for sale.

Above all else, though, you have to deep clean your home. The carpets or hardwood floors should be immaculate. it might be time to replace the curtains and drapes, and it shouldn’t cost a ton, but invest in cleaning the house even if a professional is needed.

Look At The Bids

There was a time when someone would put their house up for sale and would receive a handful of offers that were all backed by mortgages. These days, however, there are corporations that are buying up real estate left and right and retirees that are willing to pay cash. There are also going to be more bids than you can keep up with. Because of this, it’s tempting to simply take the highest bid and call it a day.

You should look deeper into each bid, though. Do you really want your home to be bought up by a large company that’s only looking to drive up real estate prices in your area, or would you rather sell to someone that will actually be living in the home? There are a lot of factors to weigh, and cash payments are certainly the most tempting as they don’t come with much paperwork.

5 Most Addictive 8-Bit Games

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These days, we’re used to video games that look hyper-realistic and run at 60 frames per second at the very least. In fact, some games now look more real-life than real life itself. Back in the 1980s, though, we relied on just eight bits to get us by, and there were still some amazing games produced despite the limits of technology.

Let’s take a trip to the past and look at five of those games that really stand out. Not just because of their fantastic gameplay, but because they were so addictive that people couldn’t stop playing them, spawning an entire community of speedrunning video games.

Tetris

Considering Tetris is the third best-selling game of all time, it’s no surprise it is also one of the most addicting retro 8-bit games of all time as well. Tetris was first created in 1984 by Soviet software engineer, Alexey Pajitnov. While Nintendo did get its hands on the publishing rights for years, those rights eventually went back to Pajitnov following a lengthy court battle.

The zen 8-bit puzzle game has since gained international popularity and has sold over 100 million copies alone from its 2006 release via EA Mobile Inc. Gamers and regular folk alike can’t get enough of the relaxing gameplay. Matching various colored shapes to make them disappear, while racing the clock and the quickly piling mass of blocks. Since the first Tetris release, there have been many versions, including a Nintendo 64 Tetris game with a wild story mode.

The Legend of Zelda

Developed in 1986 by Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka, the classic game was originally released for the Family Computer Disk System in Japan. Later being released overseas for the NES. The Legend of Zelda is the first installment of the incredibly popular series and the first NES game to include the ability to save your progress, something we take for granted in today’s era of gaming.  

The incredibly addictive action/adventure game took the world by storm and had gamers lining up to play. There’s so much to explore and uncover in the various dungeons and many intriguing enemies to defeat. The Legend of Zelda sparked an entire franchise that would quickly become one of the most popular in the world, featuring titles such as Breath of the Wild, Ocarina of Time, and Twilight Princess.

Super Mario Bros. 

Super Mario Bros is arguably the most successful gaming franchise to date. With the hugely successful release of the first animated Super Mario Bros movie on the big screen in April 2023, it’s no wonder the 8-bit game that started a multiple decades-long frenzy is still so addicting to this day. 

Developed and published by Nintendo in 1985, Super Mario Bros is the predecessor to the original Mario Bros arcade game. The intense, yet fun array of levels poses an enjoyable challenge for players. Whether you’re stomping goombas and koopas on land or avoiding the bloopers underwater, the original Super Mario Bros. game offers a challenging but doable experience. Of course, this is the title that launched video games into the stratosphere in terms of popularity.

Castlevania

Many younger people hear the name Castlevania and think of the games like Symphony of the Night, Lords of Shadow, or maybe even the Super Smash Bros. series that features some of the characters. However, the entire franchise started with an 8-bit version back in 1986 by Konami and became a smash hit.

Some consider Castlevania to be one of (if not the) best game released for the Nintendo Entertainment System. Playing as Simon Belmont, you go on the search for Count Dracula, making your way through enemies using a magic whip and various other weapons. It’s a bigger challenge than Mario, but one that’s definitely worth it.

Pac-Man

Pac-Man is a wonderfully addicting 8-but maze game, developed and published by Namco in 1980. Originally called “Puck Man” in Japan, the coin-operated arcade game quickly took over the world with its fun, fast-paced, yet simple gameplay. Pac-Man earned the title of “Most Successful Coin-Operated Game” by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2008. It’s undoubtedly an 8-bit arcade classic that true gamers adore.  

Unlike the other titles on the list, Pac-Man didn’t really get a ton of games made afterward that strayed from the original. There was a Super Nintendo release that had a point-and-click story mode, but other than that, simply a few variants like Ms. Pac-Man that attempted to shake things up a bit.

4 Best Cat Toys And Products To Treat Your Feline Friend

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Around a quarter of households in the United States have at least one cat, and it’s no secret that we love our furry little friends. While they can be temperamental and not want to show love to us, we still show our love to them at all times. Because of this, the global pet toy industry is worth billions of dollars, and that doesn’t even include food.

If you’re one of the millions of people around the world that are looking to spoil your cat, there are some great products, including toys, that you can pick up for cheap. Let’s take a look at four of the best cat toys and products to treat your feline friend, how much they cost, and how you can find them for cheap.

OurPets Play-N-Squeak Tethered & Feathered Play Wand Cat Toy

This cat toy is arguably one of the best and most affordable. You and your feline friend really can have the best of both worlds. This tethered and feather play wand stimulates your cat’s desire to hunt and playfulness. The adorable little mouse toy dangling at the end of the wand contains a squeaker and the company’s own brand of catnip inside to further stimulate your feline friend. As of today, this feline favorite toy costs less than $9, is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon and has mostly rave reviews from over 16,000 customers. 

Petstages Tower of Tracks

Another wonderfully affordable and interactive feline-friendly toy is the Petstages Tower of Tracks. It’ll cost you under $10 for this simply designed toy that has a 4.5 out of 5-star rating on Amazon and has over 60,000 mostly positive reviews. This durable toy is made of a plastic, nonslip, and safe tower with colorful balls placed throughout the multiple tiers. Your furry friend will love to swat, chase after, and sweetly terrorize the balls along the track. It’s a great way to entertain your pets indoors with little effort and it’ll keep your wallet happy. 

INABA Churu Cat Treats

INABA Churu Cat Treats are a smart and healthy way to provide your cat with extra hydration. Dry cat food is void of pretty much any moisture, leaving your cat in need of a hydration boost. Churu Cat Treats are free of greens, preservatives, carrageenan, and artificial colors. You can add them to your cats’ dry food, or use them as a quick and hydrating snack in between meals. They feature 19 varieties of flavors, ranging from chicken with cheese, tuna and salmon, chicken and shrimp, and chicken and scallop. They are a bit pricey, coming out to just over $30 for 50 0.5-ounce tubes. Clearly, they’re worth it, as the hydrating snap has a 4.9 out of 5-star rating on Amazon, with nearly 12,000 extremely positive reviews. 

IAMS Proactive Health Weight Control and Hairball Care Dry Cat Food

If your cat isn’t a huge fan of wet food, or you like to provide them with a variety of food and nutrients, you can trust IAMS Proactive Health Weight Control and Hairball Care Dry Cat Food to do the trick. A 22-pound bag of chicken-flavored, salmon-flavored, or chicken and turkey-flavored dry food will cost you nearly $40, but the 4.8 out of 5-star ratings from over 30,000 customers’ input surely means it’s worth it. The dry food is packed full of vitamins, minerals, and will aid in keeping your fur baby at a healthy weight and hairball free. You can mix the dry food in with your cat’s current favorite dry, or wet food to sneak in extra nutrition to their diet and cut down on any extra pounds your cat may be carrying. 

The Evolution of Kate Upton’s Career: From Model to Actress and Beyond

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Kate Upton is one of the most well-known models of the 21st century, having appeared on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue multiple times throughout the 2010s. Upton has carved a great career for herself before even turning 30 years old. These days, Upton isn’t modeling as much anymore, but has still been in the public eye in one way or another. Let’s take a look at the evolution of Kate Upton’s career from model to actress and beyond.

Kate Upton was born in the 1990s 

Upton was born on June 10, 1992, in the small upper-middle-class city of St. Joseph, Michigan. For those from the state of Michigan, the last name Upton is a big deal that might not be as well-known outside of the state unless you’re talking about Kate. The Upton family made its mark in Michigan thanks to Frederick Upton, the co-founder of Whirlpool. Kate’s uncle Fred went on to become a congressman from 1987 to 2023.

As for Kate, she didn’t stick around Michigan for very long, and her family moved to Florida when she was just seven years old. Originally, Upton was more interested in riding horses but decided to go to a casting call for Elite Model Management when she was 16. The agency signed her right away and she began her modeling career that quickly took off.

“I started working abroad when I was 15 and my mom and dad would often come,” Upton said of her career beginning. “The thing is with modeling…it just gets lonely. I pretty much had it under control because I traveled so much.”

Career Highs

Upton went from Elite to IMG Models after a couple of years in New York City and became the face of several different brands. At just 18 years old, Upton was selected to be in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2011. The following year, Upton landed on the cover for the first time, going on to appear on the cover in both 2013 and 2017, as well.

Companies were throwing money at Upton left and right, attempting to get her to appear in their marketing. This included companies like Victoria’s Secret, Express, and many more landing her services. The mobile game “Game of War: Fire Age” also launched a massive marketing campaign, paying Upton millions to appear in their advertisements.

Getting Into Acting

Because she became a household name in modeling, Hollywood came calling and was offering Upton some small acting roles. At first, Upton had some cameo appearances which included “Tower Heist” and “The Three Stooges”. She became a front-and-center star for 2014’s “The Other Woman” and 2017’s “The Layover”. As for television, she made a few appearances as herself but focused on the big screen until scaling back her acting career after 2017.

“I had been acting for a long time, and thought that modeling would help that shift to film but it definitely did not,” Upton said of her acting career. “There’s not a lot of artistic respect for modeling. I felt like I had to start from the bottom again, which I didn’t mind, and I was thrilled to have done the hard work prior.”

Michigan Legends and the Mom Life

One of the reasons that Upton walked away from acting and modeling for the most part was because she was starting a family. In early 2014, Upton began a relationship with pitcher Justin Verlander while he was a member of the Detroit Tigers. The two got married near the end of 2017, and a year later welcomed their first child, a daughter named Genevieve. 

In the same year that the couple got married, Verlander was traded to the Houston Astros, with the family relocating to Texas. Verlander then joined the New York Mets in 2023, but being in the Big Apple didn’t pull Upton back into the acting or modeling scene. While she still makes public appearances, Upton isn’t interested in the full-time modeling schedule as she raises her daughter.

Despite baseball keeping him on the road for much of the year, Upton wants her husband to keep playing baseball as long as he can bring the heat. “I love watching my husband do what he loves to do,” she said. “It’s such an incredible experience.” Upton added that it’s nice having Verlander at home, but attending games and being together as a family is among her favorite things to do.

“I want to be enjoying my life, enjoying my family, not constantly trying to take the perfect picture,” Upton said. “I think my husband wants me to throw my phone away. We talk about it in the house all the time…We don’t want (our daughter) thinking being on the phone is all that life is.”

The Benefits of Keeping a Set Routine When Working from Home

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The percentage of people who are working from home is increasing each year thanks to the ease and convenience. More people also have access to affordable high-speed internet, and the COVID-19 pandemic showed a lot of companies that having a chunk of their workers not come to the office didn’t hinder production, and in fact helped it in most cases.

Working from home sounds like a dream to many, but it can be a bit more difficult than it appears on the surface. Keeping a set routine is one of the more difficult things to master, but doing so can provide great benefits. Here are five of those benefits that you’ll experience:

Stress Management

Efficiently managing stress is one important benefit you can count on when you keep a set routine while working from home. Maintaining an organized schedule is a crucial part of healthy stress management. 

Before you begin your workday, break your duties into smaller, easily digestible blocks of time, with ample breaks in between. You can organize your workload by priority, length of time to complete, or enjoyment of said projects. Whichever method you choose, you’ll see your workday stress managed more properly in turn. 

Increased Productivity 

When you work from home it’s crucial to stick to a set schedule. To thrive in a work-from-home environment, you must keep an organized routine. It’s easy to form unhealthy work habits when you’re not in the standard workplace. As a result, your work and mental health can suffer. 

One of the many reasons why routine is so beneficial to your productivity and state of mind. It doesn’t have to be a strict schedule. Do what works for you. You’ll see a vast difference in your efficiency and output once you apply a schedule that works for you. Your mood will greatly improve as well. 

Clocking Out on Time  

What’s one of the most difficult dilemmas you face working from home? Oftentimes you’ll find yourself working late into the night, skipping breaks, and completely losing track of time. As relaxed as working from home can be, it can also be a struggle to shut your “work” brain off. As well as separating yourself from productivity and off time. 

Managing a set schedule will help break up your work day and ensure you take breaks. Try fitting in only what you know you can take on for the day, so you’re not pressured to work past your normal hours. Set an alarm to signal when work is done and leave your workspace until the next time you’re on the clock. 

More Time To Take Care Of Yourself

We all need time to ourselves to relax and indulge in self-care. That can be hard to do when you work from home. Working longer hours, feeling unable to escape your work environment, and feeling overwhelmed by your busy schedule can all contribute to poor self-care. 

Following a set work schedule will guarantee your work days will flow smoothly and ultimately result in an abundance of extra time to spend caring for yourself. When you don’t have to sit in the car for an hour or two every day, that’s time that you get to spend with your family or bettering yourself.

Better Sleep

When you work in the office, there are long days where you spend more than just the typical eight hours away from home. You end up driving to and from work while the time it takes to prepare yourself and to get out of that uncomfortable businesswear and decompressed adds up. When that happens, most of us simply want to unwind and relax with the precious little time that we get.

The result ends up being revenge sleep time procrastination, where people stay up and sacrifice sleep because it’s the only time they get to themselves. For those who work from home, there are more hours in the day, and having a set schedule can actually have you looking forward to bed time. Even fitting in naps during your lunch period can improve your overall sleep health, which is a borderline fireable offense in the office.

Making A Positive Impression: 5 Tips For Acing Interviews

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Interviewing for a new job is one of the most stressful situations that anybody can go through. In most cases, you only get one chance to nail the interview, and it could be for your dream job. Because of this, you want to make sure that you leave a great impression and ace your interview. For some, it’s easier, as they have practice with interviews or just have a natural way of at least presenting themselves positively to a potential employer.

For the rest of us, though, we may need a lot of help, and that’s where we come in. Here are five tips for acing your next interview, even if you’ve never had an interview before or have struggled with them in the past.

Exude Confidence

When you’re trying to land yourself a sweet new job, it’s important to show a healthy level of confidence. Not to be mistaken with cockiness. Employers want to see that you’re confident in your own abilities and can handle pretty much anything the job throws at you. Hiring employees with confidence makes the company look better than if they hired someone more timid and meek. It’s important to wear your confidence comfortably and not let it turn into arrogance or cockiness. That will likely turn any and all employers away immediately. 

Practice Conversation Skills

Along with confidence, employers want to know how strong your conversation skills are. Are you able to hold a conversation? Are you capable of initiating healthy conversation? Are your conversation topics comfortable and inoffensive? During your interview, make sure you’re able to read the room and use your conversational skills to the best of your ability. Try not to be too chatty, or too reserved. Give your interviewer plenty of space to speak. Make them feel listened to and understood. Doing this will show your potential employer a certain degree of conversational intelligence they are certainly looking for to represent their company. 

Look the Part

As to be expected, you must look at the part when going for an interview. No matter the job title, go into your interview hygienically, with a tidy haircut, and donning a proper outfit.  Nobody wants to hire an unkempt employee who shows very little care for themselves. An employer wants to see that you can keep up with appearances and put in the effort. How you present yourself will reflect how you’ll represent the company. Remember to dress accordingly based on the job description. It’s possible to overdress and make a fool of yourself just as you would by undressing. 

Know How to Talk About Yourself

Sure, you’ve mastered your conversational skills, but how well will you perform when you’re the topic of discussion? Employers will want to know who you are and what you offer. What use are you to the company? What are your strengths and weaknesses? What are your thoughts and opinions on the job title you’re interviewing for? Interviewers will pick your brain to find out these things and expect you to be able to present them with information about yourself to better understand if you’re the right person for the job. Gather some talking points about yourself beforehand so you’re well prepared. 

Ask Questions  

After all is said and done, interviewers will often ask if you have any questions for them. So it’s helpful to have some prepared. The interviewer won’t want to be bombarded with a barrage of pointless questions. Make sure your questions have thoughts and purpose behind them. Perhaps ask what your potential employer expects out of you. Ask practical questions regarding starting pay, shift scheduling, and the benefits the company offers. Don’t forget to throw in the classic “When do I start?” Just kidding, don’t do that. Whatever questions you ask, keep it simple, and to the point

How To Balance Productivity And Rest: 5 Tips To Help You Improve Your Routine

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Prices seem to be going up on every item on a daily basis, while wages aren’t matching that same type of growth. Because of this, more people are being forced to work longer hours just to make ends meet, and it’s taking up much of our free time. For people that work in the office, there could be a couple of hours required just to prepare for work, and with commute times, there aren’t many hours in the day to simply relax.

This can end up being overwhelming, and people who work from home can even feel the crunch where there’s no work-life balance. If you feel like you can’t find a good balance between productivity and rest, here are five tips to follow that will improve your life.

Set a Schedule 

If you’re looking to better balance your work life and home life, creating a set schedule will surely help. Set aside time to specifically focus on work. It can be a large block of time with breaks in between, or smaller and more frequent blocks of time to break up the monotony. When it’s time to rest, do your best to take yourself out of the work mindset and purely focus on rest and relaxation.  

Indulge in Self-Care 

Speaking of rest and relaxation, when it’s time to unwind after a long day of productivity, it helps to treat yourself to some healthy self-care. Self-care can be anything that makes you feel truly relaxed, fulfilled, and happy. It’s whatever is good for your mind, body, and soul. It can range from going out for a night on the town, booking a spa day, going out shopping, spending time indulging in your favorite hobbies, or simply staying in and watching your favorite shows and movies in the comfiest pajamas. Whatever makes you happy and comforts you is sure to relax your body and mind before you return to the grind. 

Stay Present 

The most challenging task when it comes to balancing work and play is oftentimes knowing how to separate one from the other. When you’re trying to unwind, maybe your mind is wandering and focused too much on work. When you’re stuck in a rut during work, maybe you’re focused on being home and relaxing. If you can master the art of living in the present, you’ll have a much easier time keeping your mind from wandering. Practice being mindful and focusing on the task at hand. You’ll find yourself being more productive at work and able to fully relax during your downtime. 

Break it Up 

Balancing productivity and rest can be made simple by breaking up work and play into shorter, more frequent bursts. Designating smaller blocks of time to be productive and taking plenty of time for breaks in between can help break up the monotony, make you feel rejuvenated and refreshed, and therefore increase your productivity throughout the day. It really can be as simple as that.

Keep the Work Area Separate  

If you’re working from home, this is the tip for you. Balancing your work life and home life is challenging to do. It’s even more difficult when you work from home. Creating a disconnect from work when you’re home and vice versa isn’t exactly easy to do when your place of comfort becomes your office. There are some things you can do to help create that mental disconnect. Make sure you keep your work area separate from the rest of your home. Designate a spot where you’ll be able to focus, be free of most distractions, and that is out of the way of your normal activities. During your downtime, be sure to keep away from your workspace and create a comfortable oasis within your home to retreat to. 

Going On a Safari? 5 Essential Tips

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Every year, tens of millions of people make their way to Africa to go on a safari where they can see exotic animals that aren’t found anywhere else in the world. From lions and elephants to hippos and giraffes, safaris offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience for visitors. Don’t expect to simply get off of the plane, hop in the back of a Jeep, and go on a trip, though.

There are some things that you need to know to make sure that your safari is safe and fun for everyone involved. Here are five essential tips that will boost your safari experience.

Listen To Your Guide 

This may be the most important tip you’ll put to use. Your guide lives the safari life day in and day out. They know how to track the animals, their names, their behaviors, and all the ins and outs of the land and the animals who inhabit it. No matter how silly a rule might seem, there’s a reason for every single one and that reason is the safety of you and those around you. Don’t be cocky, listen to your guide, and be respectful of the professionals who know what they’re doing. 

Remain Seated 

Speaking of listening to your Safari guide, one cardinal rule you should know before your venture is that you must remain seated in the guide’s vehicle. The reason for this is an interesting one but it makes perfect sense. Although they’re wild animals, they’re accustomed to seeing safari vehicles pass through their territory. In their mind, they cannot separate human beings from the vehicle itself. When you stand up in the vehicle, it creates that separation and the animals quickly grow to realize you could be prey. 

Don’t Distract the Animals or Attract Attention

This should go without saying, please do not distract the animals or attract attention from the animals on your safari. You are a guest in their habitat. Not only is it greatly frowned upon to do this. It’s also extremely hazardous and can threaten the lives of you, your fellow safari crew, and your guide. More than likely, your guide won’t be heavily armed. Their job is to protect animals, not harm them. If something goes awry, there’s not much you can do. It’s best to prevent a problem before one arises. Remember to be respectful to the animals and mindful of your actions. 

Be Prepared

Odds are, if you’re going on a safari, this isn’t your first rodeo. You’ve likely prepared for some sort of wild adventure before. If you’re new to this whole adventure thing then you’ll want to properly prepare yourself for any and all situations that may arise. First and foremost, you’ll want to dress comfortably and practically. No bright colors, or busy patterns. No camouflage, or dark colors. Keep it neutral and protective from the sun, bugs, and nature. You’ll definitely benefit from bringing a camera, charging blocks, sunscreen, bug repellent, tough boots, a safari hat, as well as a map and GPS for when you make your way to the safari trail. 

Expect the Unexpected

We’ve all seen those crazy videos online where someone on a safari captures a tense situation on film of safari vehicles being chased and flipped over by elephants, wild animals making their way into the vehicle, and many more terrifying encounters. Some safari goers have been lucky enough to experience rare and unique encounters as well. You never really know how your safari trip will turn out. So, expect the unexpected. Stay vigilant. Be aware of your surroundings. Listen to your guide. Most of all, enjoy the incredible views of nature and its wild inhabitants  

5 Iconic Marketing Campaigns Used By KFC

Posted on by scatty

Back when it was first spawned by Colonel Harland Sanders in the early 1950s, Kentucky Fried Chicken was a local chain that didn’t really rely on marketing outside of word-of-mouth. Over the years, though, it evolved into KFC, a global fast-food giant that has a spot in just about every major market. KFC has been able to get to the top thanks to some amazing marketing campaigns throughout its history, with these five being the most iconic.

Revolving Door of Colonels

Probably the most popular and successful marketing campaign KFC has given us is the hilarious portrayal of the late Colonel Sanders, by a wide variety of random celebrities. Over 20 actors and actresses have dressed up in the classic and unmistakable Colonel Sanders attire. Some of the most notable have been the late Norm MacDonald, Rob Lowe, Ray Liotta, Reba McEntire, Jason Alexander, and Sean Astin. 

Though, it all started out with talented impressionist and SNL cast member, Darrell Hammond, who originally thought he’d be portraying the Colonel permanently. KFC had other plans and booted the poor guy, moving on to other celebrities to keep their campaigns fresh and ever-changing.  

Cocktails With a Twist

Have you ever wanted to drink KFC gravy straight from the container? Let’s assume you have. Don’t you wish you could drink off that sweet nectar without judgment? Your wish has been granted. You can drink gravy in style with KFC’s delicious marketing campaign, gravy cocktails. Following the interesting trend of making savory cocktails, also known as “stocktails”. 

KFC released recipes for The Gravy Mary, The Finger Lickin’ Sour, and The Southern Twist, all using a savory portion of their delectable gravy in lieu of the typical sweet mixer. 

KFC Bath Bombs

In November 2017, KFC Japan pulled a marketing stunt that was intriguing and kind of brilliant. With how popular the KFC franchise has become in Japan, especially during the holidays, the greatly adored restaurant released fried chicken-scented, drumstick-shaped, bath bombs that were extremely exclusive. 

Only 100 bath bombs were produced and only 100 randomly chosen Twitter users who retweeted KFC’s promotional tweet received the deliciously unique creation. It’s not the craziest thing KFC has done, but it’s another notch in the belt of the wild, yet effective marketing schemes the restaurant has come up with.  

Tender Wings of Desire

Do you know what all moms desire on Mother’s Day? Did you say wings? Or perhaps a romance novella based on the Kentucky fried heartthrob Colonel Harland Sanders? Why not both? Published in 2017, Tender Wings of Desire is a romance novella specifically marketed toward mothers for Mother’s Day. 

The story follows Lady Madeline Parker, who runs away from her strictly controlled life at Parker Manor. Finally feeling free and in control of her destiny, she unexpectedly ends up in the arms of the hunky and mysterious sailor, Sanders. Unfortunately, the book received poor ratings, but you can’t say it’s not one of the more creative marketing schemes any fast food franchise has come up with.  

Fried Chicken Flavored Nail Polish

In 2016, KFC unveiled its newest, and perhaps most unsuccessful, marketing scheme. Delivered in luxury packaging, KFC touted the colors Hot & Spicy and Original Recipe which essentially looked like a blend of herbs and spices, while others compared it to speckled gravy. What really set the nail polishes apart from normal ones, though, was that they were edible and were supposed to taste like KFC chicken.

Reviewers didn’t think it tasted all that great, though, but the whole campaign brought a lot of attention to KFC. Unfortunately for most of us, we weren’t able to get our hands on some of the KFC nail polish. “We’re not mass producing it,” a spokeswoman said. “We are only giving previews to the media to test the market reaction.”