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Tips for Running a Travel Lodge

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Have you always dreamed of running your own travel lodge? Or maybe you inherited one and you’re looking for tips on how to make it successful. Perhaps you’ve recently gained employment as a manager of a travel lodge. Whatever the reason for needing information, running a travel lodge can be an exciting but challenging endeavor.

Here are some tips for running a travel lodge that will help you keep customers coming back again and again.

Train Your Employees

Think about it this way: your employees are the face of your business. They are the ones interacting with customers, taking care of their needs, and trying to ensure that they have an enjoyable stay.

You want to make sure that you hire qualified staff and provide adequate training for all of them. You want everyone to know the policies and procedures so they can handle any situation that comes up. For example, offer customer service classes to help them understand how to handle difficult customers for the best possible outcome.

Also, be sure to provide ongoing training and development opportunities for your employees.

Provide Quality Accommodations

Your customers are coming for a comfortable, clean room that meets their needs. Make sure you have quality beds, linens, mirrors, bathtub stoppers, furniture, etc in every room. Then take steps to ensure that all rooms are regularly cleaned with a system in place for promptly addressing any maintenance issues that arise.

You should also pay attention to the amenities you offer. Provide WIFI, workspace areas, good lighting, easy access to outlets, complimentary toiletries, and other conveniences so customers feel taken care of during their stay.

Create a Pleasant Environment

The atmosphere of your property is just as important as the accommodations you offer. You want common areas like lobbies, dining rooms, and outdoor spaces to be inviting. Consider adding a few touches like plants or artwork to give an extra bit of charm.

If you can afford it, consider hiring a live band or providing other entertainment for guests. This will help make your travel lodge stand out from the rest by further creating a memorable experience for visitors. For example, you could host a weekly outdoor movie night with complimentary snacks, or offer special discounts for guests who take part in activities organized by your staff.

Promote Your Property

Finally, you need to be sure that people know about your property. Reach out to local businesses, schools, organizations, etc to provide information about your property and its offerings.

Consider joining online travel forums and social media to get the word out as well. Then, you want to create a website with information about your property, amenities, and rates to attract new customers.

By following these tips for running a travel lodge, you’ll be well on your way to creating a successful business. With the right combination of excellent customer service, comfortable accommodations, a pleasant environment, and effective promotion, you can become the go-to destination for travelers in your area.

 

3 Ways To Help A Child Who’s Struggling With Reading

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If you have a young child who’s just at the beginning of learning how to read, you may find that they might be struggling with certain parts of the reading process. When this happens, it can be very easy for them to become discouraged and want to give up reading entirely. But in order for them to continue learning and become a strong reader, you have to find a way to help them overcome these challenges and work with their learning style.

To help you see how this can be done, here are three ways to help a child who’s struggling with reading.

Take It Slow When Reading Together

When your child is first learning how to read, one of the best things you can do with them is to read together. As your child sees you read more and gets into books with you, they will learn to recognize letters and words, learn how the cadence of reading goes, and learn from you your love of reading.

During this part of learning to read, you should make sure that you’re taking it slow as you read together. Ideally, you should use your finger to follow along with the words that you’re reading so that your child can keep track. This can be especially helpful if you think your child might be dyslexic, as going slow can help them not to mix up their letters and words as much.

Build Their Confidence With The Right Books

Another thing that might be making it harder for your child to succeed with reading is reading the wrong books. If your child is reading books that are either too easy for them or too challenging, they might now want to read as much as they should.

To find books that are just right for your new reader, consider speaking with their teacher or a tutor about books that you should look for. Generally, if your child can read almost all of the words on a page of a book with minimal help, that is likely a book that is at or just above their reading level.

Make Reading Fun With Games And Apps

For many kids, just sitting down and reading a book can sometimes seem like punishment, especially if you’re wanting to have them read before they get to do something that they want to do.

To avoid this obstacle, try to find some fun games or apps that your child will enjoy while also building on their reading skills. There are all kinds of educational games and apps like this that your child can spend a lot of time playing and will come out as a better reader because of it.

If you want to help your child overcome their struggles with learning to read, consider using the tips mentioned above to see how you can do this with your child.

 

3 Ways To Make Sure You’re Financially Ready For Retirement

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If retirement seems like something that keeps creeping up on you but that you haven’t really focused on preparing for yet, it might be time to start thinking about when you’ll know that you’re ready to retire and how to begin preparing for that time.

To help you see how you can get started with this line of thinking, here are three ways to make sure you’re financially ready for retirement.

Reduce Your Debt As Much As Possible

When you retire, the last thing you want to be spending your money on is debt payments that could have been taken care of while you were still working. With this in mind, you should work now to pay off as much of your debt as you possibly can.

While you might have some debt when you retire, like a mortgage payment, if you’re someone who has a lot of credit card debt, this is one of the first things that you should address. Not only will paying down credit card debt give you more freedom with your money now and when you retire, but if you’re able to work on controlling your spending now, you will likely have less financial stress when you retire as well.

Crunch The Numbers On Your Financial Accounts

In order to retire comfortably, you’ll have to ensure that you have the money you need available to you even when you’re not earning a paycheck anymore. But to know when you’ve reached this point with your finances, you’ll have to do some crunching of the numbers in your financial accounts.

While you’ll likely be able to get Social Security benefits when you retire, most people can’t hope to live off of this amount of money. Because of this, you also need to have savings or other earned income that you can pull from each month. The actual amount that you’ll need to have to live comfortably will vary based on a lot of different things. So to figure out just how much you’ll need and how you can start working toward this goal now, consider meeting with a retirement planner sooner rather than later.

Have A Plan For When Bigger Expenses Pop Up

Although most people don’t like to think about the unfortunate things that could happen as they get higher up in years, these types of things are vital to think about and plan for as you near retirement. From increases in medical costs to moving into an assisted living facility, having these contingencies as part of your financial retirement plan will make your life and the lives of those who love you much easier if and when these financial burdens become necessary.

If you’re wanting to get yourself more prepared for your upcoming retirement, whether it’s in 5 or 25 years, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you with this.

 

Upskirting; FAQS answered

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Over the last four years in the UK, there have been some changes concerning sexual harassment law revolving around the term upskirting.

Under UK law, upskirting is now considered to be on the same level as voyeurism, which was usually restricted to individuals who would watch sexual acts of other people through windows.

However, if you have been accused of upskirting, it is not something that you can simply skirt away from. It is a very serious offence, and if you find yourself on the receiving end of this accusation, you will need to seek the advice of a trained sexual offence solicitor to help fight your case.

In this article, some of the common queries relating to upskirting will be answered so that you can get a bit more information about this illegal act.

What is upskirting?

As briefly mentioned earlier, upskirting is now part of the voyeurism act in the UK, which puts it in the same category as the traditional peeping Tom. Upskirting is an intrusive act in which a person uses a smartphone or a camera to take photographs of somebody up their skirt. However, it is not restricted to this solely and can be performed by taking pictures down someone’s shirt or up someone’s trousers. Upskirting is done for the sexual gratification of the person taking the photo, and the person who is in the photographs is not aware of this act; therefore, upskirting is also a breach of privacy.

What should I do if I’ve been accused of upskirting?

If you have been accused of upskirting, the first thing you need to do is seek the advice of a sexual offence solicitor. This is not a minor accusation anymore, and if you are found guilty, there can be severe consequences for your future career and your name in general.

What is the sentence for this in the UK?

If you are found guilty of upskirting anytime after the 12th of July 2019, you can face two years

in jail. This means that if you are accused, you really need to seek help as soon

as possible to get your side of the story across. At this present moment, however, historical incidents of upskirting prior to the 12th of July 2019 are not considered sexual offences.

Will I be put on the sexual offence register?

Yes, under UK law, if you were found guilty of upskirting, you will be entered into the sexual offenders’ register, which, as mentioned earlier, can have a serious impact on your job choices and other aspects of your life. So, you must seek legal representation as soon as possible if you find out that you have been accused of upskirting.

What can a solicitor do to help me?

A sexual offence solicitor will be able to take your side of the story and gain evidence to prove your innocence in this area. It is worth noting that all sexual offence representatives in the UK are now trained in the upskirting law and will know the legal ramifications and be able to offer you up-to-date advice.

 

Is orthodontic treatment with clear aligners possible?

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Orthodontic treatment with clear aligners is possible for many patients. Invisalign London is a discrete option for orthodontic treatment that can often be used by adults. Treatment with clear aligners typically takes longer than treatment with metal braces, but the results can be worth the wait! If you are interested in orthodontic treatment with clear aligners, be sure to discuss it with your orthodontist to see if it is a good option for you.

What are clear aligners and how do they work?

Clear aligners are a type of orthodontic treatment that uses a series of transparent, removable aligners to straighten teeth. They work by gently moving teeth over time using gentle pressure set by predetermined vector points. Clear aligners are made of plastic and are custom fit to each patient’s mouth. They are worn for about 22 hours a day and can be removed for eating, brushing, and flossing. Clear aligners are virtually invisible and are an alternative to metal braces.

Who is a good candidate for clear aligner treatment?

Orthodontic treatment with clear aligners is possible for anyone who is a good candidate for treatment. Clear aligners are a great option for people who want to straighten their teeth without the use of metal braces. Some of the factors that will be considered when determining if someone is a good candidate for clear aligner treatment include:

-The severity of the misalignment: If the person has a very mild case of misaligned teeth, they may be able to get away with only wearing the aligners for a short period of time. However, if the person has a more severe case of misaligned teeth, they will likely need to wear the aligners for a longer period of time.

-The person’s age: Age is a factor because the clear aligners will need to be replaced every few months as the person’s teeth continue to move. Therefore, it is important that the person is old enough to cooperate with wearing the aligners as directed and replacing them when necessary.

-The person’s lifestyle: It is important that the person is willing to avoid eating or drinking anything other than water while wearing the aligners. This is because eating or drinking hot beverages can cause the aligners to become stained or warped.

How long does treatment with clear aligners take compared to traditional braces?

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Clear aligners have become a popular choice for orthodontic treatment in recent years. They are often seen as a more aesthetically pleasing option than traditional braces, and they are also claimed to be more comfortable. However, one of the main drawbacks of clear aligners is that they can take longer to achieve the desired results than traditional braces.

The length of time that clear aligners take to work depends on a number of factors, such as the severity of the misalignment and the type of clear aligner system being used. In general, though, it is fair to say that clear aligners can take several months longer to achieve results than traditional braces.

What are the benefits of clear aligner treatment over traditional braces?

There are many benefits to clear aligner treatment over traditional braces. For one, clear aligners are much more discreet than braces. They are also removable, so you can eat and drink whatever you want, and they are easy to keep clean. Clear aligners also work quickly and can often achieve the same results as braces. Finally, they are much more comfortable to wear than braces.

 

3 Ways To Help You Use Less Water Around Your Home And Property

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Whether you have a small home with a limited amount of property to take care of or a large house with a lot of property that is your responsibility, you’re likely using far more water than you actually need to in these places. But luckily, with some small and simple changes, you can find ways to conserve water and just use less water than you are presently.

To help you see how this can be done, regardless of the amount of property you’re working with, here are three ways to help you use less water around your home and property.

Don’t Use Water When You Don’t Need To

One of the best and easiest ways to use less water around your home and property is to not use water when you don’t have to. By simply thinking twice about needing to turn on the tap or a hose before you do so, you can be saving water all day around your home and property.

Something that can make this even easier around your property is to install smart water features and irrigation valves that make it so you’re not using water to water your plants or crops when they don’t need it. These devices can check to see how much water your soil has already gotten, especially if you’re recently gotten rain, to know if they need to be turned on or not. And if they don’t, they won’t use water that day.

Use More Efficient Fixtures

Another change you can make within your home to use less water is to install more water efficient fixtures and appliances. Especially if you’re using something in your home that’s much older, it’s very likely that that fixture or appliance isn’t using water as efficiently as it could be or should be.

Replacing things like your toilet, your shower head, and your faucets to be low-flow can help you use less water for things that don’t require you to have a constant open flow of water. And if you are able to replace things like your dishwasher or washing machine to fixtures that use water-saving technology, you’ll be able to automatically conserve more water in this way, too.

Keep Water From Running

When you are using water in and around your home, something you can do to ensure that you’re not using more water than is necessary is to keep water from running. If you can, turn off the water while you’re lathering up in the shower. Or, if you’re washing dishes, turn off the tap while you’re scrubbing. By doing this, you keep clean water from just flowing down the drain without having served any real purpose for you.

If you’re looking to use less water around your home and property, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you find ways that you can easily do this.

 

The right time: When to go full-time with your business idea

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Some people decide to do it as soon as an idea enters their head. Others will trial it for several months or years before finalising their decision. In truth, there’s never a “right time” to focus on your business full-time, but there are some key questions you should pose before taking the plunge.

As today’s title and introduction may have signalled, we’re now going to focus on these questions.

Do you have a well-prepared emergency fund?

In truth, emergency funds should be part of anyone’s life, but when it comes to taking bigger financial risks, the importance escalates.

As soon as you decide to go full-time, you’re giving up that guaranteed, salaried income. This is a huge step, and you need a financial safety net if things don’t go as planned.

This doesn’t mean that you’re planning to fail. Instead, you’re buying yourself time, which is crucial in that all-important first year.

Do you know your costs inside-out?

If you’re employed, your costs are probably pretty low. But, as soon as you go it alone, a lot of new ones pop up.

You need to factor in:

All of these need to be considered before you make the switch. It’s vital that you have a clear idea of your overheads so that you can budget accordingly.

It’s too easy to simplify the situation and consider the “headline costs”. Don’t go down this route. Instead, account for every eventuality.

Do you have scope to trial your idea?

We touched upon this at the start of today’s article. It’s perfectly normal to want to test the water before diving in headfirst.

This is especially important if you’re leaving a well-paid, secure job. It would be foolish to just up and quit without first trying out your business idea, although this won’t work in every industry.

For example, if you’re a freelance writer, you could start taking on small projects in your spare time before deciding to go full-time. This will give you an idea of what to expect without putting too much pressure on yourself.

However, starting a business that requires a significant amount of up-front investment (like a restaurant) might not be possible. In this case, you’ll have to take a leap of faith and rely on the other questions we’ve outlined to reach your decision.

Do you have a clear idea of what you want to achieve?

This is a crucial question and one that a lot of people fail to answer satisfactorily.

Before you go full-time, you need to have a very clear idea of your goals and objectives. This will dictate everything from your marketing strategy to how you run your day-to-day operations.

For example, are you looking to build a lifestyle business or aim for world domination? The answer to this question will have a big impact on how you approach things, from how much time you dedicate to the level of financial risk you will go towards.

 

How much is an unattractive smile costing you?

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People may readily equate orthodontic treatments like Invisalign London with aesthetic benefits more than they would with quality of life, but the teeth-straightening process offers incredible benefits that have positive impacts in a myriad of ways.

In fact, a winning smile is considered one of the best gifts one can bestow on oneself that benefits the physical, mental and psychosocial bodies. And for a smile to be found attractive, it has to meet a few critical requirements: the teeth need to be in correct alignment and free of imperfections such as staining, discolouration, chip, cracks and gaps.

For staining and discolouration issues, teeth straightening treatments using braces can focus on correcting these dental imperfections. Modern braces that offer convenience and comfort have become a sought-after cosmetic dental treatment amongst adults, with dental practices seeing a tremendous rise in the demand for adult orthodontics. The British Dental Journal reports that 75% of dental clinics revealed they had witnessed a surge in demand for teeth straightening from their patients.

Negative consequences of a less-than-pleasing smile

An unattractive smile, whether misaligned or gap-toothed, poses a risk to dental health. It is a fact long-known by dental professionals that orthodontic issues significantly contribute to poor oral hygiene control. Teeth that are not in proper alignment are simply challenging to keep clean. This is why dental practitioners see it as a matter of urgency that patients with orthodontic problems resolve these issues to help keep their mouths disease and decay-free.

If oral hygiene is not maintained properly, the likelihood is that the individual experiences tooth decay and gum disease at some point due to the overwhelming presence of harmful oral bacteria in the mouth. There is a second concern attached to this unwanted situation; bad bacteria originating in the oral cavity have been found to escape the mouth and enter the bloodstream, via which they end up clogging veins and arteries.

Bad oral bacteria have been scientifically linked with all sorts of life-threatening complications, such as strokes, heart attacks, pneumonia and cancers.

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An unattractive smile has the potential to hurt one’s job search. A pleasing smile is an initial opportunity to make a great first impression, as it demonstrates confidence, warmth, approachability and trustworthiness. Confidence is not only a much-admired trait in general but also a sought-after quality in particular by HR managers. HR managers are more likely to favour candidates with attractive smiles as they are deemed to be intelligent, capable and leaders.

Tied in with one’s ability to get hired, it is not difficult to tie together one’s earning potential with the confidence to sport an attractive grin. Attaining success is made all the more challenging for those who feel embarrassed or awkward about their smiles.

Then there are the disadvantages to psychosocial welfare to consider. Social success is made easier if one has a smile others are drawn to. Whether one has professional aspirations or needs to boost one’s social attractiveness, a great smile plays a hugely significant role in achieving them.

 

5 Factors That Decide Your Personal Loan Eligibility

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Personal loans are a saviour in dire times or help you extinguish an emergency or meet your personal needs too. However, to avail of a personal loan, you need to check your personal loan eligibility. A personal loan eligibility is a list of criteria you need to meet to avail a personal loan.

A personal loan is a type of unsecured loan, so there is no requirement for you to hold any of your assets as a collateral, or there is no restriction on what you can spend the money on. You can get a loan amount of about Rs. 10 lakhs via financial institutions, and the rate of interest is very flexible along with the tenure that stretches for about 5 years in order to provide you with a good opportunity to repay the loan in a stress-free manner. The higher your salary is, the higher amount you can avail for a personal loan.

In order to be eligible, you need to meet the following 5 criteria:

  1. Employment status: If you want your personal loan eligibility to be affirmative, then you need to be employed for more than 6 months and have an employment history of more than 3 months in your current organisation. This personal loan eligibility factor determines your stability. A self-employed individual or a business owner is not eligible for a personal loan.
  2. Salary criteria: If you reside in a tier 1 city, then you need to make more than Rs. 20,000 per month to meet this personal loan eligibility criterion. If you reside in a tier 2 city, then you need to make more than Rs. 15,000 per month to meet this personal loan eligibility criterion.
  3. Credit score: Credit score, usually CIBIL score, is used in India. A credit score represents your ability to pay off the personal loans you take. Suppose you are an individual with a CIBIL score of more than 750. In that case, you definitely meet the personal loan eligibility criteria and are in a position to get better loan deals in the future too.
  4. Age criteria: You need to be of age 25 and above in order to apply for a personal loan. The upper age limit for the same is 45 years of age. This age limit, especially the lower limit, determines your level of maturity and allows the banks & financial institutions to take the risk with you when it comes to providing you the loans that you need.
  5. Disposable income & EMI as a proportion of your income: The personal loan eligibility criteria heavily depend on your income. It should fall within a range of 30 to 40% of your net monthly income. It should not be more than that. The EMI you would be paying on the borrowed personal loan should not be more than 65% of your income. Otherwise, it can create an issue about smooth repayment in times of other crises.

 

How To Host A Memorable Poker Night With The Girls

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Poker has been considered a “man’s game” for decades, but that shouldn’t stop women from enjoying the game just as much as their male counterparts. In fact, we’re seeing more prominent women in the pro poker ranks of late, and one study even showed that 81% of women who have actually played before have enjoyed it! There’s simply no reason to consider the game a domain for men.

This is even more the case when we’re talking about poker at home. While it’s understandable that some women would still rather avoid the male-dominated poker rooms at actual casinos, hosting a poker night with your girlfriends makes for an excellent night in. You can catch up, enjoy some food and drinks, and enjoy a bit of playful competition in the process. If this sounds like a good idea to you, we have a few fun tips for how to make the evening memorable.

Make Some Cocktails

Ladies’ night in is a great time for a few nice cocktails regardless of what else you’re doing. And around the poker table, it can help everyone loosen up a bit! Your instinct may be to turn to some of the numerous poker and casino-themed drinks out there, and to be fair, some of them are sort of fun (you might even replicate the “Vesper” from Casino Royale). But really, you should focus on drinks that everyone will enjoy before drinks that fit a given theme. For the summer season ahead, we like both of the girls’ night in cocktails that The Spruce Eats promoted last year –– “Pretty in Pink” (made with vodka, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, and grapefruit juice with a rosemary garnish), and “Blueberry Pomegranate Slushies” (a frozen blend with blueberry, pomegranate, lemon, and gin). But those are just a few examples. The best approach is to poll your group and figure out what people like and then track down a recipe accordingly. Consider making “mocktail” versions as well, for those who may not want to drink for one reason or another.

Have Some Food Ready

Whether or not you set up accompanying cocktails, it’s always a good idea to provide some food to your guests. Because it’s not usually convenient to have a whole dinner plate in front of you while playing poker though, the best move is often to set up a bunch of snacking options for company to enjoy (or ask everyone to bring something small and easy to eat!). For some inspiration, we’ll turn to some great finger food suggestions that The Pioneer Woman posted last December –– most notably pizza rolls, deviled eggs, cranberry brie bites, and classic pigs-in-a-blanket. You can opt for plenty of other finger foods as well, but these are easy ones to consume that won’t get people’s fingers too dirty or greasy (though napkins should still be handy), and which are thus easy to enjoy during a few rounds of poker.

Invest in a Poker Set

A poker chip set can make for an excellent item to pick up for your own home poker nights. Playing with chips isn’t strictly necessary, but if you’ve played with them before, you know they add a certain level of professionalism to the game. Plus, let’s be honest: We all feel kind of cool fiddling with them by the side of the table. Similarly, having great cards (newer, thicker, and shinier, usually) will enhance the experience of the game. And while some of this might sound like a splurge, it all comes quite cheap. A nice set of chips and cards can be had for under $100, and new cards alone –– from the likes of good brands Bicycle or Theory 11 –– can cost as little as $10.

Buy a Poker Table

There are a lot of options when it comes to buying a real poker table, or some version of one. At the very high end of things, you can invest thousands in a permanent piece of furniture with a custom-made felt topping, special features (like drink holders), and matching chairs. If you’re not looking to spend a great deal on your table though, there are also options such as foldable tables, fold-up table toppers, and even mats that can roll out over a table to provide a more satisfying playing surface. You may want to keep a simple wooden interior design in your room and thus not even bother with a topper. The most important thing though is to have that surface, as it makes the game look more real and helps cards and chips slide more smoothly. Beyond that though, your choice will depend on your own preferences and the amount of space you have.

Set Up a Poker Atmosphere

This last suggestion is one to have fun with, and it can mean any number of things. Perhaps you want to set up some soft jazz or bossa nova music in the background to establish a retro casino feel; maybe you want to put up some poker décor (posters of classic films for instance, or poker paintings you find online), or maybe you want to control the atmosphere through some dimming lights, or an affordable chandelier hanging directly over the table. Whatever the case, give some thought to the kind of poker night you want to host and think of some options like these that can help you establish the accompanying atmosphere. The game will be better for it.

Girls’ night doesn’t have to be a night out at a cocktail bar or an evening dedicated to venting, as stereotypes would have us believe. A poker night gives you a great way to let loose with the girls, enjoy a specific activity together, and simply hang out with friends. And with the tips above, you can set up a great one –– and possibly even a new regular tradition.