Monthly Archives: August 2014

Five ways to exercise control in the family home

Posted by & filed under At Home.

Every home should have a set of rules– a list of do’s and don’ts to ensure a smooth and relatively stress-free family life. Rules help kids to feel safe and secure, and children really benefit from knowing what is expected from them. Rules are not only beneficial for kids however; it is fair to say that we can all live much more happily together by adhering to a little discipline, even as adults.

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Unhappy household – try a few rules – photo by Shutterstock

Household rules will depend very much on the needs and values of your family and every household is different. Here is a list of ways that you can help to create a happy and harmonious environment at home. Read more

3 Mistakes that every new Start-up Business Makes

Posted by & filed under Home Working Hints, Latest.

Every start-up business takes time to become established and most entrepreneurs would admit to mistakes at the beginning. When setting up your own business, be it from a rented office or the comfort of your McCarthy & Stone property, there are a number of challenges to overcome along the way and it’s almost inevitable that a few false starts will be made.

Growing fast isn’t always the best strategy  Many are under the illusion that growing a company with both numbers and employees is the quickest route to success. This is in fact far from the case and quality is most certainly better than quantity. Too big a business in the early stages can cause entrepreneurs to fail financially and it’s a much better idea to begin small, by building strategic partnerships and beneficial relationships.start up business

Don’t grow faster than you can keep up with, or you will make careless slip ups – photo by Shutterstock

However, failing to communicate effectively with your existing customers, because you’re focusing on attracting new ones, can quickly put you on a downward spiral in the business world. Avoid this by taking your time and carrying out every part of the plan in an efficient manner.

  • Don’t be afraid to say ‘no’

    A new business plan can occur at any time of our lives, even in retirement. Such a business plan is a great way to do something you’ve always wanted to do and it’s a much easier process when you have a little collateral behind you. Read more

    • Review of Vita Coco Kids

    Posted by & filed under Latest.

    I was sent a few cartons of the new Vita Coco Kids range to try out.

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    In case you havent’t heard of it Vita Coco is a drink made from coconut water and natural fruit flavours. It comes in two flavours, Apple & Blackcurrant and Mango & Pineapple.

    The manufacturers are very proud of the fact that Vita Coco contains less sugar than many other children’s soft drinks.  There is no artificial sweetener at all.

    I did a little bit of research into coconut water – it certainly seems to be causing a stir – it is full of nutrition, and very good for hydration Read more

    So it seems I am a Rockstar – and Who are You Exactly?

    Posted by & filed under At Work, Body Image, Inspiration, Latest, Motivation, Personal Development, Planning & Goals, Well-Being.

    I took the Project Fascination test to discover How the World sees You. The results have really inspired and uplifted me, so now I want to share a free code for you to take the test too. Please read on.

    I have often considered myself a little bit weird.  I’m slightly nerdy, a little bit introverted, and yet I love trying out new stuff and then sharing it with the world. I also get a great kick out of performing – I’m slightly scared of public speaking but it gives me a great buzz when i get my message across. Read more