With just one game remaining in 2016, the Bruins are looking to close out the calendar year on a high note. If they are going to pick up a win in their final game, they should try to do so by not falling behind early – and then getting down by two, which seems to [...]
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Happy Friday, and welcome to the Total Mortgage Current Mortgage Rates Blog. There’s some economic data out today, but first, your daily mortgage rate forecast/advice.
Click here to get today’s latest mortgage rates.
Mortgage rates are on the decline again this morning after solid demand in yesterday’s Treasury auction. The yield on the 10-year treasury note is now at 2.47%. It had been hanging around 2.55% for about a week before it began to decline on Wednesday. Mortgage rates often follow in the footsteps of the 10-year yield, so they’re likely down a few basis points from where they started off the week.
The Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) came out on Thursday and it showed that mortgage rates ticked up again. This is now the ninth consecutive week that mortgage rates have increased in the PMMS.
The average rate on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage went up two basis points to 4.32% (0.5 points); the average rate on a 15-year fixed rate rose three basis points to 3.55% (0.5 points); the average rate on a 5-year ARM was the outlier of this report, decreasing by two basis points down to 3.30% (0.5 points).
Here is what Chief Economist at Freddie Mac Sean Becketti had to say about the week for mortgage rates:
“On a short week following the Christmas holiday, the 10-year Treasury yield was relatively unchanged. The 30-year mortgage rate rose 2 basis points to 4.32 percent, closing the year with nine consecutive weeks of increases. As mortgage rates continue to increase, home sales and affordability will continue to be a concern for housing in 2017.”
Mortgage rates have declined for two days now. It’s an unexpected turn of events as we close out 2016. Like I said yesterday, this provides anyone looking to purchase a home or refinance an opportunity to get a slightly lower rate than what is to come. I expect rates to continue their ascent next week, so the window is closing.
The Chicago PMI is coming in lower than expected in December at 54.6. The consensus was for 57.0.
Click here to get today’s latest mortgage rates.
Whether you see 2016 as a good or a bad year, there is no denying it was busy. We saw a new American president get elected, the Cubs win the World Series for the first time in 108 years, and the United States reopening relations with Cuba, just to name a few things.
Another area that pushed forward in 2016 was technology, specifically, smart home devices.
What is a smart home you ask?
It’s a home that uses integrated technology that allows users to control and monitor key areas of their home via an app on their phones (e.g. lights, thermostat, security system).
Here is a list of the best smart home products that came out in 2016:
Many people may have heard of Apple TV as the next stride in TV technology.
Well, Chromecast Ultra is Google’s own, and arguably better, version of such technology.
For those who aren’t familiar with the smart TV movement, Chromecast Ultra is a small plugin to your TV that allows you to surf the web and access your favorite TV show apps form your television. It is equipped with 4k HD and HDR picture, which means your shows will be extremely clear.
On top of that, Chromecast Ultra has the speed and reliability of any other Google product. Not to mention, besides the cord to go into the TV, this product is completely wireless! This is definitely a must- have to turn your TV into your own personal oversized computer screen.
The Echo dot is the second generation of Amazon’s Alexa. It’s a hands-free voice controlled device you can use to play music, get the news, and set reminders, just a few of her capabilities.
Much smaller than the Alexa, the Echo Dot is no more than a few inches wide and 2 inches high, making it easy to find a place to set her up.
Having one myself, I can say with confidence that the capabilities of this small machine are endless, and you just might find yourself sitting for hours picking her brain.
I bet you never thought that technology would improve your thermostat.
Well, it has.
The Nest thermostat, be controlled through your phone using an app, learns from you and your actions;it finds out what temperatures you like at what times, and programs it into itself.
Nest can alsohelp you save energy, since you’re able to see all of your energy history, allowing you to know exactly how much you have used at any specific time.
On top of that, Nest shows a green leaf any time you choose a temperature that saves you energy.
If you’re looking for that new piece of technology that will pay for itself in a few months, the Nest learning thermostat is the choice for you.
BeON is the new way to keep you and your family safe from a robbery.
It‘s a light system that, just like the Nest thermometer, learns from your actions. When you go away, the lights have learned from your behavior, and still turn on and as if you were there. Also, they respond to someone ringing your doorbell when you’re away, turning lights on and off like you were moving around the house to scare off unwanted intruders.
Download the App, and you can control your lights when you’re away with the click of a button. If safety is your number one priority, the BeON is the product for you.
The technology world has now reached the home world, making your day-to-day lives easier by the minute. There is something new for everyone, no matter what your priorities. If you want a new friend, a smarter TV, thermostat, or lights system, the technology is out there waiting for you.
Welcome to the Total Mortgage Current Mortgage Rates Blog. There’s some economic data out today, but first, your daily mortgage rate forecast/advice.
Click here to get today’s latest mortgage rates.
The stock market slipped a little this morning causing treasury yields and mortgage rates to retreat back down a few basis points.
The Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) got released this morning and it’s showing that mortgage rates ticked up again. That means that mortgage rates have now gone up in the PMMS for nine consecutive weeks.
The average rate on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage went up two basis points to 4.32% (0.5 points); the average rate on a 15-year fixed rate rose three basis points to 3.55% (0.5 points); the average rate on a 5-year ARM was the outlier of this report, decreasing by two basis points down to 3.30% (0.5 points).
Mortgage rates have unexpectedly dropped by a few basis points today. Anyone looking to lock in the lowest rate on their mortgage rate right now might want to try and get in before the climb resumes. This is the sort of unforeseen dip that some borrowers can take advantage of. In a rising rate environment, there are only so many opportunities downward swings to get in on. As we move closer and closer to a Trump presidency, more and more uncertainty and potential volatility comes into play.
The U.S. trade deficit widened to $65.3 billion in November. That’s a $3.4 billion decline from the previous revised reading. Weakness in this report is on pace to play a large role in keeping down fourth-quarter GDP.
Applications filed for U.S. unemployment benefits fell 10,000 for the week of 12/24 to 265,000. That puts the 4-week moving average at 263,000.
For the week of 12/23:
Click here to get today’s latest mortgage rates.
Content originally published and Shared from http://perfectbath.com
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Welcome to the Total Mortgage Current Mortgage Rates Blog. There’s some economic data out today, but first, your daily mortgage rate forecast/advice.
Click here to get today’s latest mortgage rates.
We’re in the middle of a very slow week. There’s not much happening in the markets, and mortgage rates are basically staying flat. There are some bond auctions later in the day, but they shouldn’t have too much impact on mortgage rates. While mortgage rates aren’t rising at the moment, there is no reason to believe that they will stop ascending and reverse course down the mountain.
We’re entered another lull for mortgage rates. As I don’t think this will be permanent, it could be a good opportunity for anyone looking to purchase a home or refinance to get in before rates begin to pick up again.
Pending home sales are at -2.5% for November, according to data out this morning from the National Association of Realtors. With mortgage rates spiking over 50 basis points these past two months, fewer buyers are entering the market.
Click here to get today’s latest mortgage rates.
Welcome to the 3-Month Bodyweight Extreme Workout Program!
When we first created this program, it was a long process of research, trial-and-error, and dedication. That’s because we were putting something together we really hoped our supporters would see it as a helpful tool in their fitness journey.
However, we never anticipated it would become so instrumental in so many people’s lives. It’s really been amazing to witness and be a part of.
Just take a look at some of the things people have said after accepting this 3-month challenge:
“It was your 3 month bodyweight workout … that taught me how to exercise. That content changed my life.”
Now, it’s your turn to take the challenge.
If you’ve been looking for a program that is going to push you to the limit… break you down and build you back up stronger than you ever thought you could be… this is it.
That’s because this program is designed to be about as intense as it gets. It borrows from Navy SEAL-type training tactics, while staying true to calisthenics. Throughout the entire three months, you’ll never need to pick up a single dumbbell.
Now let’s talk about what to look forward to with this program, the proper warm ups and cool downs for the workouts, and outline each level simply and thoroughly, so that you’re ready to rock and start a new fitness journey!
The 3-Month Bodyweight Extreme Workout Program isn’t like other programs for a number of reasons. For one, you aren’t going to be completing exercises in multiple sets, as you would with other programs. Instead, you’re going to be doing each exercise for the day one time, to exhaustion. After that, you move on with no rest in between. That goes until the day’s workout is complete, so you’ll be picking yourself up off the floor by the end of it. So it should go without saying that you absolutely need to keep water handy (you can take drinks between sets).
In a moment, you’re also going to hear more about a critical, albeit unusual, portion of the workout schedule called “Active Rest.” This is going to be an entire week where you ease off the gas pedal, so to speak. In fact, some people choose not to do any of the program’s exercises all week. More on that in a moment.
This program is all about YOU. You’ll be keeping track of how well you do each day, and trying to improve upon that every day after. I like to say with fitness, the only person you’re competing against is the person you were the day before. That’s certainly true with this program.
This program consists of one extreme workout after another, so warming up properly is crucial.
Warming up properly prior to the workouts is going to help you perform better during the workouts and thus get better results in the long run.
Since the training program is heavily focused on training for maximum reps, your warm up should be focused on helping you get more reps.
There are going to be 2 different warm-ups depending on your training level.
Remember, it’s absolutely crucial that you do the exercise with good form, so make sure to do your home work. I’ve provided links to youtube videos where some exercises in this program are demonstrated. Alternatively, you can join our Bodyweight Physique Academy for detailed instructions on how to do each exercise.
Download the 3 Month Bodyweight Extreme Workout Sheets Here (FREE) <==
You should do this warm up if you can’t perform more than 10 regular push ups.
Notes
You should do this warm up if you can perform more than 11 consecutive push ups. The only difference with the beginner warm up is exercise C.
Notes
There are 3 major benefits to this bodyweight training plan
Many people enthusiastically jump into an exercise routine thinking that they will end up looking like Brad Pitt after a few months. Sadly, this just doesn’t happen. I know because this was me for much of my life. I worked out a ton and didn’t get the chiseled looks I was looking for. What you put into your mouth is just as, if not MORE, important for developing a rock-hard body. I learned some important truths about this and I recommend you check out this article I wrote before performing this training plan: 3 Simple Truths to Getting A Rock-Hard Body. Knowledge is power. Equip yourself with the right tools to getting ripped and it will happen much more quickly.
The full 3 Month – Extreme Bodyweight Exercise Training Plan is outlined below. Follow the guide. Do each exercise only once then immediately move onto the next exercise. Do NOT take any breaks (again, drink water between sets as needed).
This week is intense even though it is your first month. It is geared to give you results quickly so you will stay through the program. Weeks 1-3 will be your active weeks and Week 4 will be an active recovery. This means that you will NOT do any type of weight training or bodyweight exercises. Use this week to job, play tennis, swim, or any other activity you like to do. This is important! Don’t break this rule. Your exercise sessions will be 3 X Per Week. For example: Mon/Wed/Fri or Tues/Thurs/Sat. Once you are done with Month 1, move on to Month 2.
Month 2 is Crazy Intense. I hope you enjoyed your active recover month because you will be glad you did it now that this month is starting up again. You will be working out 3 X Per Week just like Month 1 but you will be adding 1 Upper Body Exercise, 1 Lower Body Exercise and 1 Misc Exercise. Follow the below routine. Again, this week you will get an active recovery week.
Week 1
3 X Per Week
Week 2
3 X Per Week
Week 3
3 X Per Week
Week 4
Active Rest Period
This is Hell Week for sure. You will be doing the below exercise routine 4 X per week. For example: Mon/Tues, Thurs/Fri. Make sure you get through all the exercises. Remember, you are only 4 weeks away! Weeks 1-3 will again be the training weeks and Week 4 will be your active recovery.
After you finish your workout, spending as little as 10 minutes to cool down can make a huge difference in your progress and the results you are going to get.
By cooling down properly, you will be able to recover faster and perform better during the next workout. In addition to that, faster and full recovery means more gains as well.
Keep in mind that the cool down samples below aren’t written in stone and you can easily modify them (and you should) in case a certain muscle group needs more attention than the other ones.
I am going to share with you two cool down samples. One with stretching and one with foam rolling exercises, but if you like to, you can combine both of these recovery methods.
Notes
Notes
Todd, Can I add an extra day of cardio/HIIT/pull ups to the current training program?
The quick answer is that yes, you can certainly do that. However, I would recommend that you test out the first two weeks of the program before doing that. Then, if you still think that you can handle more training days, feel free to do so.
If adding more training days doesn’t seem to make this program hard for you, I would suggest you check you some more advanced programs here:
Or here:
If you are still a beginner, adding more extreme workouts will probably not be an option for you.
However, there are still some actions you could take during the non-training days to improve your performance.
What you could do is to focus all of your attention on recovery.
The best thing you could do to recover faster (other than adequate sleep and good nutrition) is to perform recovery sessions at every non-training day. If you have enough available time, you can practice recover sessions during the training days as well.
A recovery session is when you set aside 30-60 minutes and practice recovery drills for you whole body. Recovery drills include:
What about skill training Todd?
Well… it depends on what skills you are training for.
If you are training for skills that aren’t that taxing to the body (like handstand work), you can practice them every day of the week without having any problems with your performance.
If you are training for more advanced skills, like acrobatic aerials, then you could still train with them during the non-training days, but you should be aware of your progress. If you aren’t progressing as fast as you would like (in either the program or the skills), you could back off a little on the one you consider less important.
Every 4th week of the 3-month program is going to be a deload week.
During this week, you are still going to train but with less intensity than the regular training weeks. The reason we need this week is your muscles have been working extremely hard for three weeks straight, and they needs some recovery time. Over the years, I’ve gotten inquiries from people asking if they can just skip the Active Rest period because they’re so worried they’ll lose all their progress. I can promise you that’s not going to happen. In fact, the only thing that will happen if you don’t use the Active Rest period is that you will actually stall your progress, since your body won’t be getting the recovery time it’s craving (if you were not aware, muscles actually grow when they’re resting, not when they’re working).
Here are somethings you could do to drop the intensity for the week:
If you’ve got another activity you’re really passionate about, but just haven’t had any energy to do it because of the intensity of the previous weeks, this is the perfect time to do that.
This could be pretty much anything that keeps you moving: hiking, playing tennis, walking your dog, etc. The most important thing is that you keep moving. So no, unfortunately sitting on the couch and watching TV won’t count. Get out there and have some fun!
I should mention, this is actually the preferred method for the Active Rest period. Below, I lay out some options for continuing the workouts in a less intense variation, but if you can do something outside of the workouts that keeps you moving, do that.
Keep practicing with the regular workouts, but instead of going to failure for each exercise, perform only 50-70% of the max reps you did during the last workout.
So, if you managed to do 30 dolphin push ups the last time you training, now do 15-20.
Do this for every exercise.
With this option, you are going to set aside one day during the week and test out your progress.
The best day is usually the one in the middle of your training week.
There are various things that you could test. The test that I like to perform the most is the bodyweight gauntlet.
The bodyweight gauntlet consists of:
Notes
The bodyweight gantlet will help you see if you got any better at the basic calisthenics moves.
Since the program doesn’t have any pulling exercises, you can skip the pull up part if you want to.
The whole purpose of the deload week is to help you recover. As such, you should consider doing lots of recovery sessions during this week.
Todd, what should I do after I complete this training program?
If you successfully complete this training program, there are lots of things you can do. Here are two of your options:
If you have gotten great results from this program, I would suggest you go through it once more.
Of course, the program isn’t going to seem as intense as the first time and so you can add more training days if you like to.
If you have gotten great results from this program, but you think that a second time won’t be as effective, you should check out Bodyweight Workouts and choose to follow a more advanced training program.
Here are some of my favorites:
Here, I’m going to answer some of the more frequently asked question concerning this program.
Some of these questions have been answered in the comments section. However, for your own convenience (reading through the comments can be hard), I’m going to answer here the ones I consider to be the most important.
Yes. This workout can help you build muscle.
If this is your ultimate goal, however, there are some things you could do to maximize your muscle gains.
Since this program is mostly focused on max reps, it will eventually turn out into an endurance workout (when you start being able to do more than 12 reps for an exercise). What you could do is to modify some of the exercises so that you reach total fatigue in the 8-12 reps range.
Furthermore, other that the workout your lifestyle choices are a big factor in muscle building. So make sure that you’re eating properly and that you have an adequate amount of sleep.
Yes. This program is going to help you lose fat even though it isn’t focused on that.
Keep in mind, though, that if you are pretty jacked already, you will need a more advanced routine to reach lower body fat percentages.
You can make this program more focused on fat loss by adding an extra day for circuit training. You can find some great fat loss circuits in this post:
Furthermore, your nutrition is really important in fat loss, so make sure you follow a diet appropriate to your goals.
If you miss only one day in a training month it’s fine. If you lose more than one, I would recommend you to start training over from week #1 (of the same training month).
However, since this training program has only 3 workouts per week, you can easily compensate a missing day by doing the workout on another one.
So if you can’t perform your 3rd workout during Friday, you can perform it on Saturday or Sunday.
Keep in mind, though, that this isn’t recommended and should be done only when necessary as shifting days can influence the structure of the whole program and it can be difficult to maintain it after a while.
This training program was originally designed for intermediate level people. As such, many beginners are going to have a hard time following through the program.
If you are still a beginner, I would recommend you to follow one of the easier training programs that can be found either on the SOA Bodyweight Workouts list or on this article.
If you are an intermediate level athlete and there are still some exercises that you can’t perform, then all you have to do is to simply move to an easier progression of the exercise.
For example, if you can’t perform pistol squats, you can start by performing assisted or partial reps until you are able to perform the complete movement.
There are two ways to add pulling exercises into this 3-month training program.
The first way would be to choose two different styles of pull ups and incorporate them when you are doing the other upper body exercises.
The second way would be to add an extra pulling day into the training program. During the pulling day, you could perform either high or low reps according to your goals.
Yes.
The workouts were designed this way to completely fatigue one muscle group before moving to the next one.
If you want to modify the order of the exercises, I would suggest you do so after you have successfully completed a 3 month cycle.
You can also modify the order when you reach a plateau.
Other than these two reasons, try to perform the exercises in the original order.
Well, it depends on your work capacity.
You can try following this training program and see if you can still follow up with the sport’s specific training.
If you can, then there is no reason not to combine both.
If you can’t, however, and you still want to add an extra program to your current practice, try to find an easier training program.
If we judge the effectiveness of the training plans of SOA based on their popularity and the testimonials I received from people like you, then the 3 Month Extreme Bodyweight Training Plan is the most effective plan I’ve ever written.
The program might initially seem simple, yet it’s very effective.
If you think that this program will help you meet your goals, then stop hesitating and start this program ASAP!
You are going to be amazed by the results!
Do you have any training questions that were left unanswered?
Feel free to post them in the comments section below.
I am going to answer then as soon as I can.
– Bodyweight Todd
photo, photo, photo, photo, photo, photo,
The post 3 Month Bodyweight Extreme Workout Program appeared first on Body Weight And Calisthenics Exercises & Workouts.
Welcome to the Total Mortgage Current Mortgage Rates Blog. There’s some economic data out today, but first, your daily mortgage rate forecast/advice.
Click here to get today’s latest mortgage rates.
The last week of trading for 2016 begins today. The yield on the 10-year treasury note (the best market indicator of where mortgage rates are headed) began the day with a three basis point spike up to 2.58%, but has since retreated back down to 2.57%. That means mortgage rates are most likely headed flat to slightly higher. The Dow is continuing to surge toward the 20,000 mark, getting as close as 19,662 this morning.
Some investors put a lot of weight on what happens in the post-Christmas trading week, while others don’t buy into the superstition. Whatever the case may be, there is very little economic data to be released this week, so investors will have to look elsewhere for hints on where to move.
The Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee talked a strong game at their last meeting a few weeks ago, and now the speculation is on for when they will raise their benchmark interest rate next. The first meeting of 2017 takes place February 1, but the fed fund futures isn’t giving much thought to that, putting it at a 4% chance of a rate hike. March currently has about a 25% chance, while June is the first meeting of 2017 with over a 50% chance.
There are still many unknowns that will play into the Fed’s decision in the coming year, the greatest of which is how the economy will react to the incoming administration. One important factor to consider is Trump’s ability to pick candidates for two vacant seats on the FOMC as soon as he takes office.
Mortgage rates might have slowed their pace for today, but they are certainly still heading higher. In this situation, it makes sense for anyone looking to purchase or refinance to do it sooner rather than later.
The S&P/Case-Shiller National Home Price Index for October is showing some healthy numbers. Home prices are up 0.1% month over month, putting them at 5.1% year over year.
Click here to get today’s latest mortgage rates.
SEO is the name of the game when it comes to expanding your audience and getting your product, service, or content to more people out there on the interwebs. And if you’re not using SEO or actively learning how to make it a part of your marketing strategy, you’re missing out.
You’re missing out on the tons of people who use search engines every day to make their buying decisions or to find new content to read and engage with. There’s so much potential profit and viewers you could gain if you integrate SEO into your business strategy.
Below are some of the top reasons why you simply can’t ignore SEO if you’re serious about expanding your business.
If you get it right, SEO can bring you a huge return on your relatively small investment that you put in. Even if you don’t go with an SEO agency to work on your SEO for you and don’t spend any money, the returns could be incredibly high.
That’s because if you get SEO right, you have the chance to land on the top two or three spots on search engines, which is where most of people click after making searches. That means that your audience will grow tremendously from your small investment into SEO.
More than ever before, people are heading to Google or another search engine to find reviews of products and services. Or they’re just searching to learn something new or find content relating to what you’re putting out there.
That’s why it’s incredibly important for you to start up in SEO. No one knows what’s going to happen tomorrow when it comes to digital marketing, but the search engine trend will definitely not be ending anytime soon.
The rise of mobile has been a pretty big disrupter in the digital marketing game. More and more people are using their smartphones over laptops or desktop computers to search for things. That means that your website has got to be mobile-friendly if you want to succeed in the business world.
And that is all part of SEO. The more optimized your site is for things like mobile, the higher you will index on search engines, and the more unique viewers you will bring in.Your Competitors Are Probably Way Ahead of You.
Many businesses and sites have already made SEO a core part of their marketing strategy. That means that potential audience members and customers are turning to your competitors because you’re not using SEO as a part of your strategy.
By utilizing SEO, you get to focus on what you do best: creating content or perfecting your product or service. When you have mastered SEO and your site consistently ranks high on search engines, there’s a sort of exponential effect. More people will happen across your site, subscribe, and share with friends. And the more that happens, the higher quality your site looks in the eyes of Google and the higher it ranks across various keywords.
All of this combines into you taking on a greater amount of audience members and helping out your bottom line.
The choice is yours. You can hop on the SEO train or get left behind. SEO is the name of the game and will still be in the years to come. The best things you can do now are to get yourself a quality SEO agency or grab some books to learn it yourself. Happy optimizing!
Source: McKremie USA
The post 5 Reasons Why You Can’t Ignore SEO If You Are Serious About Your Business appeared first on Information Technology Blog.
Buying office furniture can be an exciting task but can also be quite overwhelming. There are so many options available and quite a few factors to consider.
By this stage, you will have an idea of how many staff and managers you will have in the various departments. Do not forget the boardroom and a break room as well as the reception area.
Whether you are buying furniture for a brand-new office or revamping an existing one, here are 5 tips for buying office furniture, read on it will give you some valuable advice, making the process a lot easier.
As with all things in business, you need to work according to a budget. You need to have a clear idea of what you need and in what quantities. Leave a little bit of a contingency for anything you might forget or for future growth. Get a few approximate prices of the required furniture and determine a budget. Now that you have worked that out, you will want to select the best quality furniture available within your budget.
It is essential that you measure and plan the floor layout before selecting the furniture. Space will be always being limited to some extent and if the desks you select do not fit, you will have a major problem on your hands. Look not only at the desks that you require but also other items that will take up space such as office equipment, filing cabinets and storage areas.
You do not want the desks to be right on top of each other as staff need room to get in and out and move around. Give some thought to draws and credenzas as well.
The better your planning is upfront, the less hassle you will have later and the easier the choice of furniture will be. If you are in any doubt, do a detailed plan on graph paper with desks cut out to scale and work it out that way.
You want to furniture to look good and come at a good price but the comfort of your employees is extremely important. They will be spending a large amount of time at their desks and if you expect happy, productive staff, make sure they are comfortable.
Ensure the furniture is ergonomically designed. This will reduce work-related injuries and stress, reducing strain, headaches and pain. Chairs need to work well with the desks and need to be adjustable according to the size and height of the person using it. Workplace related aches and pains are a major cause of absenteeism and will lead to low morale in the office.
Check out sites such as http://ift.tt/2iwmIkY for great ideas.
Now that you have the important and practical aspects under control, it is time to have a bit of fun. The appearance of your office is a direct reflection of your company and ultimately you so you want to make sure it looks great.
The first thing you need to consider is the existing colour schemes, fixtures and layout. Take into account the wall colours and blinds or curtains as well. You do not want the furniture to clash with the general feel of the space. Try to keep the look consistent throughout. Be careful when selecting colours and enlist the help of someone more experienced if you lack confidence in this regard. You do not want to be too conservative and make the office look bland and dull; by the same token, you do not want it to look like kids play room. Go for subtle, elegant choices if in doubt.
A neat, good looking office will also instil a sense of pride in the employees, making them proud to work at the company. It will be good for staff retention and productivity.
Select finishes, colours and fabrics that are easy to keep clean. It is no good getting great office furniture that starts looking dirty and shabby after a few weeks. Take the time and effort to ensure it is cleaned regularly.
Provided you give it some thought and planning beforehand, buying office furniture will not be such a challenging task. Take heed of the ideas above and you can’t go wrong.
The post 5 Tips for Buying Office Furniture appeared first on Information Technology Blog.
Closed circuit television (CCTV) footage can be absolutely critical in the investigation of crimes, with footage caught on camera often proving to be a decisive piece of evidence. For the investigating officers, its a time-consuming process, but one that can be crucial to the conviction of perpetrators.
Common Uses of CCTV for Police
Patrol vehicle in-car cameras
Training
Robbery investigation
Crime scene processing
Undercover surveillance
Tactical operations
Vehicle collision investigation
Interrogation
Video line-up
Immediate Benefits of CCTV in an Investigation
Identifies suspects, witnesses & vehicles involved
Identifies forensic A opportunities
Indicates entry & exit Points from the scene of an incident
Identifies behaviour before, during & after an incident
Verifies witness/ suspect accounts
Establishes a timeline of events
Provides evidence of reconnaissance by a suspect
Outcomes of CCTV in an Investigation
Process for Retrieving CCTV Footage
Check time & date on the system
If relevant, either secure the tape as evidence or get the disc copied
View the footage
Determine whether or not the material is relevant
Intelligence sys ems
Make notes as to why it is/isn’t relevant
Finish and pursue other lines of enquiry
Steps in Disseminating CCTV Footage
Guidelines for Using CCTV Footage as Evidence
There must be proof that recorded footage was handled continuously from moment of recording to production in court.
The video recording medium must be the original recording.
There must be no evidence of editing, interference with or manipulation of recorded footage.
The recording should have a time & date. It should also be long enough to establish the facts that it is intended to prove.
Originally posted 2016-02-01 19:04:14. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
The post How CCTV is used for Criminal Investigations appeared first on Information Technology Blog.
Another week and another up-and-down showing for the Boston Bruins. They continue to have trouble stringing wins together and this trend continued as they finished their pre-Christmas schedule. This week featured the team’s most shots on goal since 2015, the No. 1 goalie matching a mark it took him all of last year to set, [...]
The post Bruins By The Numbers: This Week’s Good and Bad for 12/25/16 appeared first on Boston Sports Then & Now.
Happy Friday, and welcome to the Total Mortgage Current Mortgage Rates Blog. There’s some economic data out today, but first, your daily mortgage rate forecast/advice.
Click here to get today’s latest mortgage rates.
Treasury yields are down this morning after Australian authorities claimed to have foiled a terrorist plot in the city of Melbourne. The attack was allegedly going to occur at several different locations on Christmas Day. Five men were arrested overnight, in a raid executed by nearly 400 police officers. Financial market participants tend to lean more toward safer assets like government bonds after events such as this. We’re not talking about any huge swings, though. The yield on the U.S. 10-year treasury note closed yesterday at 2.55%, and right now it’s at 2.53%. If we weren’t at the tail end of a very slow week, it might not even have registered on the markets and we wouldn’t be talking about it.
Mortgage rates rose for the eighth consecutive week in the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) this week. The average rate on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage jumped up 14 basis points to 4.30% (0.5 points); the average rate on at 15-year fixed rate rose 15 basis points to 3.52% (0.5 points); the average rate on a 5-year ARM rose 13 basis points to 3.32% (0.4 points). Data for the report is always collected early in the week, making it a lagging indicator of where mortgage rates really are right now. The spikes that we’re seeing are more a reflection from the Fed’s rate hike decision last week, as this was the first report since that meeting ended.
Mortgage rates have gone up for two straight months now. At this moment, it certainly seems like they will continue to move higher well into the new year. That means that anyone looking to lock in the lowest rate possible on a purchase or refinance is better off acting sooner rather than later.
New home sales rose 5.2% in November up to 592,000. That’s 12,000 higher than the consensus.
Consumer sentiment for December is currently at 98.2. That’s two tenths up from the previous reading.
Click here to get today’s latest mortgage rates.
Content originally published and Shared from http://perfectbath.com
After a stressful day of our daily routine, all we want is just a little relaxation to soothe all our worries away. Going to the spa on a daily basis might not be feasible due to time and money constraints, so why not just invest on turning your own bathroom into a spa-like retreat? Check out these ideas below:
Image Source: Flickr
Consider All Your Senses
Start with neutralizing the things that might stress you out first. Loud noises from construction down the street or neighbors? Include white noise or soothing music to cover up sounds you don’t want. Hate the overhead light in your windowless bathroom? Bring in candles. Source: ApartmentTherapy
Arrange Artfully
Consider your counter: Are your beauty and hygiene supplies just strewn about randomly? If so, adding a few small trays can mean the difference between a mess and an artful arrangement. And don’t write off apothecary jars just because they’re a cliche — they’re a beautiful way to display the small but necessary items that often come in gaudy packaging (cotton balls, q-tips). Source: ElleDecor
Reflect Nature with Materials
Natural textures like wood and stone breathe life into a bathroom. A pebbled tile floor feels amazing underfoot. If a new floor is not in your budget anytime soon, treat yourself to a pebble bath mat. Source: Houzz
Just Add Flora
A simple potted plant or two can change the whole mood of a bathroom. Look for something that’s OK with moisture and low light, like an orchid or a begonia. Source: BirchBox
Steam Saunas and Showers
Warm, moist air has soothing qualities. But forget the crowded gym sauna or steam room. Install one at home for privacy and convenience. Special pre-fabricated steam shower units trap billowing steam and set your stress free. Source: WebMD
If you’re in need of sophisticated bathroom products that will complement your spa theme, contact us and we’ll help you find the perfect one!
Contact:
Perfect Bath
Phone: Toll Free 1-866-843-1641
Calgary, Alberta
Email: info@perfectbath.com
The post 5 Ways to Turn your Bathroom into a Spa Retreat appeared first on Perfect Bath Canada.
Don’t allow a hacker to infiltrate your business’s personal information. Use these tips for best results and keep the hackers at bay and you and your customer’s info safe.
Each of your different accounts need to have a unique password. That way, if one account is infiltrated, they are not all at risk. It can be complicated, however, to keep all those passwords straight. A password manager can solve this problem. Simply purchase software that will help you come up with passwords and then save them for you.
Do you use more than one computer to get into your email account? Are any of these shared computers? If so, your information could be at risk.There are sites that now use a two-part authentication process. You not only have to log into your account with a password, but you also need a special key. This makes it more difficult for someone else to break into your account and take your information.
Social media is both a blessing and a curse. It is nice to be able to communicate with others, but you have to be careful about how much information you share. For instance, don’t allow your birth date to float around the World Wide Web. That is valuable information for a hacker. While you can continue to use the Internet, simply be mindful of what you are putting out there for others to see.
Do you have multiple accounts online? How many of the services do you truly use? Delete any that are not important to you or to the work that you do. There is just no reason to have open accounts if you are not going to use them.
This might be the most important point of all. Make sure that all your data is backed up. The method you use is really not important. However, if you are like many other people, you probably have a lot of important data stored electronically. To lose it all would be devastating. Back up your data regularly so you do not have to worry about this issue.Using a commercial solution to keep your information safe and to prevent your business from being hacked is extremely important.
Businesses such as Alternative Networks provide top class services in this regard and ensure that small to large businesses and corporations that require IT solutions receive them in the best possible manner.Taking these steps is not easy to do. However, getting hacked is a huge problem that you do not want to deal with.
Originally posted 2015-12-09 21:55:40. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
The post How to Stop Hackers in Their Tracks and Protect your Business appeared first on Information Technology Blog.
It didn’t always feel like it, but 2016 was a pretty good year for the housing market. From Brexit to Trump, there were several surprises, but ultimately, we’re heading into 2017 with a solid footing underneath us.
No one knows exactly what will happen in the new year, and with a new administration taking office in January, it’s not easy to make detailed predictions. However, there are several data points that we can use to point us in the right direction.
So what’s in store for the housing in market in 2017? Here are 5 things to watch out for.
The 2016 housing market was fueled by extremely low mortgage rates. We saw rates bottom out last year at near record levels (around 3.5%) after the Brexit vote. Post-election, they’ve skyrocketed over seventy basis points (one basis point = 0.1%), mostly due to expectations that the Donald Trump administration will boost the economy with its infrastructure spending plan. While the quickness with which rates rise might soften somewhat, it’s widely expected for mortgage rates to continue on their ascent next year.
The Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) just recently raised the benchmark interest rate by a quarter-point for the second time in a decade.
The FOMC will meet at least eight times in 2017, and fed officials have stated that they believe it will be appropriate to raise the federal funds rate around three times throughout the year. It’s true that the FOMC does not directly control the direction of mortgage rates, but it can play a large role in influencing which way rates are headed.
So how high will mortgage rates rise?
It’s not unfathomable to suggest that mortgage rates could be somewhere between 4.75%-5.0% in the fourth quarter of 2017. Long-term interest rate speculation should always be taken with a grain of salt though. Many, many things could happen between now and then.
Click here to get today’s latest mortgage rates.
In 2016, Millenials (ages currently 18-34) surpassed Baby Boomers as the largest living generation in the United States. While rising mortgage rates might price some of them out of the market, they are still poised to be one of biggest demographics of home buyers (some estimates are saying they will account for up to 33% of home buyers).
Marriage and children are no doubt on the way for many of them, and those are two key life events that often precede the motivation to purchase a home.
One other interesting trend for millennials in 2017 is the decision to settle in the Midwest. Apparently, the affordability and the proximity to big universities is enough of a draw in to keep millennials from heading to the coast.
In 2016, home prices rose around an estimated 5%, putting them back to where they were before the housing bubble burst in 2008. While that may be great news for home owners, it’s not something every prospective home buyer is crazy about.
Nevertheless, home prices are expected to continue to rise over the course of the new year, albeit by a slightly lower margin. Zillow’s Chief Economist Svenja Goodell is predicting home prices will increase by 3.6% next year. That’s right about where other economists are predicting, give or take a few basis points.
Of course, in a nation as large and varied as the United States, not every housing market is created equal. Some markets will continue to march forward with strong growth while others will slow down and falter. For instance, cities in the western United States are predicted to outperform their eastern counterparts (just as they did in 2016) next year. As you can see below, five of the top ten cities in the graphic below are located out west.
Taken as a whole, though, home price growth will moderate somewhat compared to 2016.
The construction industry struggled to find workers in 2016, and that trend is expected to continue. According to the National Association of Homebuilders, there are an estimated 200,000 vacant positions in the construction industry right now.
It’s not just confined to one position either. Employers are finding it extremely difficult to find both entry level and experienced workers alike. With less laborers competing for jobs, companies are forced to raise wages in order to attract talent.
Those extra costs will inevitably get passed on to customers, resulting in an increased cost for new construction. Not only that, this shortage of labor means that fewer houses are being produced.
Not everyone is so optimistic about the housing market and the economy in general. A recent report from the Financial Times shows that many economists are extremely doubtful that the Federal Reserve will wind up proceeding with multiple rate hikes in 2017. Instead, they believe that the Fed will raise rates once at their June meeting.
It’s definitely reasonable to be fairly skeptical of fed rate hike predictions, seeing how some fed officials were touting up to four rate hikes this year and in the end they barely pulled one off.
While the stock markets surged after Donald Trump came out and stated that he has plans for substantial fiscal stimulus, some experts believe the path ahead won’t be so smooth. Euro Pacific Capital CEO Peter Schiff has come out recently as one of the few economists to question the efficacy of Trump’s plan. Here it is in his own words:
“The Federal Reserve is going to have to step up to the plate big league if Donald Trump is going to want to move forward with the tax cuts and spending increases that he has promised the electorate. That’s where the markets have it wrong. They somehow think that fiscal stimulus is a substitute for monetary stimulus. It’s not. If we’re going to have larger deficits, it’s impossible to finance them unless the Federal Reserve does it. That means they’re going to have to be launching another round of quantitative easing that is much larger than the ones we’ve had in the past. Rather than being dollar positive, this is a negative for the dollar … If currency traders actually understood what was happening, higher inflation is very bad for the dollar because the Fed cannot fight it.”
Trying to predict the future is often more a mental exercise than it is an actionable guideline. There are just too many unknowns to hang your hat on anything more than several months out. It’s still important to go through the data and try to gain a better understanding of things to come. While there’s no guarantee that any of these predictions will come true, borrowers, investors, and onlookers that are aware of the expectations are better suited to adapt to whatever unfolds in the 2017 housing market.
