What Should You Do If an Employee Gets Injured on The Job?

What Should You Do If an Employee Gets Injured on The Job?

What Should You Do If an Employee Gets Injured on The Job? 

As the head of a startup, you need to make your workplace as safe as possible. But even if you do this, there’s still a chance that someone might get injured on the job.

Whether it’s a major accident in a manufacturing plant or a broken finger in a file cabinet, people get hurt.

If they’re injured at work, then it’s your responsibility as an employer to take care of them.

Don’t get caught off guard by an accident at work. Find out what you need to do if an employee gets injured on the job.

The Most Common Ways to Get Injured on the Job

Workplace injuries look different across different industries. If you’re working on an assembly line, then the risks are going to do with heavy machinery. But if your company is an accounting firm, then you’re more at risk for joint problems.

Regardless, there are some common injuries that plague all workplaces.

• Slips, trips, and falls– People are clumsy. It doesn’t matter if you installed a padded slide instead of stairs, someone is going to trip over it.
• Overexertion injuries– The most common injuries happen because of lifting, pushing, holding, pulling, or carrying large heavy objects.
• Vehicle accidents– Your employee doesn’t have to be driving the company car. They can get into an accident on company property, and that makes it your problem.
• Repetitive motion injuries– These are injuries like tendinitis. They’re caused by repeated motions, like scrubbing or sweeping.
• Machine entanglement– This kind of injury is every engineer’s worst nightmare.

While there are steps you can take to prevent these kinds of injuries on the job, accidents happen.

What to Do if an Employee Gets Injured on the Job

When an accident happens, it’s important to keep calm and follow these guidelines.

Seek Medical Attention

If an accident happens at work, it’s vital to get immediate medical attention. There will be time to think about the fallout of this accident on your business. But right now you need to take care of your employee.

First of all, you want to do the right thing and help your employee. Call 911 if the injury looks serious. Even if you’re not sure how serious the injury is, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

If you don’t seek medical help, you could be the target of a major lawsuit. If the injury doesn’t look that bad, you still need to encourage your employee to talk to an approved doctor.

File A Report

If someone’s been injured on the job, then filing an accident report is your top priority.

After you find your employee the proper medical care, you need to fill out a claim form. This is the First Report of Injury or Illness. You also need to send one to the injured employee so they can complete it with their information.

Send these forms to your worker’s compensation insurance company. You should also gather as much information about the accident as possible. Talk to witnesses, take photos, and review security footage. This will help your insurance company, and protect you in any potential lawsuits.

As far as your employee goes, encourage them to fill out the claim form as soon as possible.

You should also get a written record from them about the details of the accident. Even though some states only need a verbal account of the accident, it’s best to get it all in writing.

Remind your employee about any statue of limitations on their insurance claims.

Co-Operate with Worker’s Comp

It’s important to work with worker’s compensations. This is especially true if your employee files a lawsuit. If there’s a lawsuit, contact a personal injury lawyer like Bond & Taylor Injury Lawyers.

Do not even entertain the idea of withholding information from worker’s comp. Let’s say your employee tries to take advantage of their insurance benefits. When they find out you’ve been holding back information, you’re looking at a lawsuit.

Keep an Eye on the Claim

It takes up to 90 days for a claims administrator to decide if they’ll accept or deny the claim.

While you’re waiting for the final verdict, keep up with your employee’s paperwork. You should also look out for worker’s compensation and health progression reports.

Or you can contact the medical provider to find out about any work restrictions. This way you can work with your employee to create an assistance program for them.

Welcome Back the Employee

As the head of your startup, the law holds you responsible for welcoming back an injured employee. You cannot punish them or fire them for pursuing a worker’s compensation claim. If you do, they can sue you on civil or even criminal grounds.

Plus, you need to find a way to work around their injury. Again, this is why you need to contact their medical provider and find out if there are work restrictions.

Preventing Future Accidents at Work

Even if the accident was a complete fluke, you need to take another look at your safety procedures. To prevent future injuries, you should:

• Invest in safety education and adequate resources for your workers
• Screen new hires and keep them updated on how to prevent accidents at work
• Inspect and track your workers and machines on a regular basis

You might get some pushback from your employees for the new regulations. Do your best to explain that they’re made with the workers in mind and that they’ll get used to the changes.

Want More Advice About Running Your Startup?

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Our page as all kinds of articles to help your startup succeed. You can also click here to contact us with any questions you have.

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Formatting Tricks to Make Your WordPress Posts More Readable

Formatting Tricks to Make Your WordPress Posts More Readable

Formatting Tricks to Make Your WordPress Posts More Readable

Blogging can be difficult for the new blogger. Platforms such as WordPress make blogging easy for all levels of blogging. But there are some tips the beginners, and even the experts, may not know.

One of the many criticisms bloggers often face is formatting issues. It’s easy to ignore or not know formatting.

But any internet reader can agree — nothing is more annoying than a blog with blocky paragraphs of text and one that doesn’t use bolding, italics, or subheadings. Even complex blogs such as insurance blogs should follow these formatting techniques.

When you use proper formatting techniques, your blogs are more readable. If you want to improve your article writing format, use these WordPress formatting tips to help you out.

Short Paragraphs

The easiest way to improve the readability of your posts is by using shorter paragraphs. Instead of writing in blocky paragraphs, have a maximum of three sentences per paragraph.

The reason why this is effective is white space. White space is the areas where words aren’t present.

Including the white space and breaking up text helps readers skim through your post. Rather than reading through long sentences and huge paragraphs, readers are easily picking out important words and phrases.

This article writing format can be difficult for some. Education has forced up into writing academic papers.

These are formatted in blocky paragraphs with complex vocabulary. Just remember to write casually. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll immediately become used to adding in paragraph breaks.

How do you format shorter paragraphs in WordPress? Simple: the same way you would any document or blogging platform. Select the area where the paragraph break occurs and select ‘Enter’ (PC) or ‘Return’ (Mac).

Subheadings

Insert subheadings throughout your post. This helps the reader know the topic of the following paragraph and highlights important words and meanings.

Maybe your readers are interested in reading your whole blog, but there are readers who only want to read certain details. Therefore, subheadings help them understand what’s valuable information and what isn’t.

Subheadings also work by breaking up the blog. Similar to shorter paragraphs, subheadings create a white space. Not only will their eyes see a large-print word, that word will be accentuated by white space.

A perfect example is reading the West Palm Jet Charter blog about empty legs charter flights.

WordPress has a variety of subheadings to choose from.

WordPress has heading sizes differentiated between numbers 1 and 6, 1 being the largest and 6 being the smallest. You find these headings in the dropbox on the editing panel. The panel usually has ‘paragraph’ featured as the first option.

Bolding Text

Maybe there are other words or phrases that are important for your article writing format. You don’t need to use all of these terms and phrases as subheadings. You can simply bold some of these words.

However, bolding should still be restricted. While your whole blog is valuable, stick to only certain words and phrases. If you bold too many phrases, it can become distracting. Try to not bold more than two sentences in your piece.

Depending on your WordPress theme, colored text may be more effective. Some WordPress themes don’t accentuate bolding. Different colored text still serves the same purpose.

Bolding is very easy in WordPress. Select the ‘B’ button and start typing. You can also type a sentence, highlight it, and then select the ‘B’ button.

Using Bullet Points or Numbered Lists

Lists are a great way to break up your paragraph. You can either list single words or full phrases.

For full phrases, numbered lists are more convenient to read. For short phrases, stick to bullets.

When you write your blog — especially if you write your first draft in a separate document program — write what you’re listing without formatting. It’ll be easier for you to go back and revise.

Using bullets and lists is easy in WordPress. Like what was mentioned earlier, it’s easiest to write what you’re listing without formatting. But you can do whatever is comfortable.

If you’re writing first, select the list when you’re done writing.

WordPress has two buttons: a button that looks like a bulleted list, and a button that looks like a numbered list. Select the corresponding one with the list format you plan on using.

If you’re selecting the list format first, select the corresponding button before writing.

A number 1 will appear, or a single bullet. Start writing. Each time you press the ‘Enter’ (PC) or ‘Return (Mac) button, the next number or another bullet will appear under the one before.

External and Internal Linking

One of the most effective SEO strategies for your article writing format is linking to and from your website.

External links (or link to another website) and internal links (linking to your own website) help to establish legitimacy and Google pick up on this SEO strategy.

When you’re skimming a blog and see a link, you’re automatically drawn to that link.

If the blog mentions a study and the author links to that study, the reader sees you’ve done your research. If the blog states an idea and links to another blog on their website, the reader may stay intrigued and keep reading your blogs.

However, don’t link to any homepage. That diminished SEO value.

Adding a link to your WordPress website is easy. Highlight the word(s) where you’re inserting the hyperlink. Select the hyperlink button (it looks like linking metal pieces).

A pop-up comes up where you’re prompted to enter the URL. When you select ‘add link’ the hyperlink will come up.

You can also enter the URL alone. However, this is a bad SEO practice.

Improve Your Article Writing Format on WordPress

No one is interested in a blog that is difficult to read. If you want to increase your following, start using these blog formatting tips. Your readership will improve and formatting helps organize your writing and ideas.

WordPress makes formatting your blog easy. Your blog will be visually appealing and easy to read.

When you develop a readership that enjoys reading your content, they will continue to come back for more content. Increase those clicks with excellent formatting.

Are you ready to create your website? We can help.

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Tips to Help You Buy a Laptop Power Charger

Theoretically speaking, a laptop charger should stand the test of time. However, in reality, they don't last that long. They may get damaged or stolen, for instance. If your charger is not working, you won't be able to charge or use your laptop. So, it's important that you get a new one from a nearby office supply store or electronics/computer shop. You can also buy them online. Given below are a few tips that can help you opt for the right one.

Don't Opt for a Universal Power Charger

While the universal charger is a good choice, it may not perform to your satisfaction. This type of charger supports a lot of models but their components can't meet the specific power requirements of some laptops. Typically, the problems are related to the fit, power tips, price, and voltage. So, it's better to get a branded one.

Don't Buy a Solar Charger

Solar chargers are eco-friendly and efficient. There is a difference between these and OEM models. Although they can be safely used with most types of machines, we can't say for sure if they can work with all models.

Don't Go for a Cheap unit

Laptop Power Charger

Buying a cheap charger is not a good idea as it won't stand the test of time. In addition, cheap models tend to overheat the computer due to the inconsistency of power inflows. Therefore, they can't be considered a good solution.

Don't opt for Another Brand

If you choose a charger of a different brand, 

Laptop Power Charger

chances are that it won't fit. Due to low or high voltage, it may cause problems even if you manage to connect it to your device.

Go for The Recommended Charger

Make sure you opt for the right type of charger. You can get this type of information from a number of different places, such as your laptop bottom, old charger box, and the website of the manufacturer. If you are going to buy online, the item's specs can help you get this information.

Do Opt for an OEM unit

Ideally, most experts suggest that you get an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) unit as it's designed for the type and model of the computer you own. It can be hard to opt for the OEM unit. So, it's better to order online. Often, online stores have a huge selection of products that you can buy at competitive prices.

Choose a Generic Charger if you can't get an OEM one

If you want to buy a unit that is not designed for your own model, make sure the unit you want to buy is safe. Typically, they are compatible and safe to use. Although a generic unit may help you save a lot of money, it may not have enough power. Therefore, we suggest that you find out the power requirement of your charger before you get a unit.

Long story short, if you are going to buy the right charger for your laptop, we suggest that you consider the do's and don'ts mentioned in this article. Hope this helps.

CartCafe can help you opt for the right charger for your laptop charger. Make sure you do your homework before making a choice.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Shalini_M/2609777

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2019 Security Check

In January of every year I write an article to help you think about your Home, Electronic and Personal Security. This year I am going to devote most of this article explaining how to protect yourself after the data breaches of 2018.

2018 was a bad year for our personal information being stolen due to computer hacks and breaches at many large companies. So, through no fault of your own your name, email address and passwords were stolen. In some cases, other personal information such as your address, phone number and even medical information was exposed. This year I think that it is very important that you spend some time on your electronic security. So, what can you do to protect yourself and your on-line data?

Passwords:

To start with every on-line account should have a separate and unique password. It should be at least 12 characters long with upper case, lower case, numbers and symbols. Do not make it a dictionary word. You are probably going to say how do I keep track of all these new passwords? The answer is a good password manager, there are many. I use DashLane find one you like, and it will make your life much easier. They work across all platforms and devices such as your smartphone, tablet and desktop.

Two factor authentication:

This is where after you enter your unique password, the site will send a code to your smartphone via text or email. You will then enter that code into the site for access. This code only is active for a short period of time. You should use this on all financial site at the very minimum. If you use Facebook or Instagram a lot take a good look at the information that you have posted about yourself. Try looking at that information like a bad guy would, you might be surprised what you find.

This year I spent a lot of space telling you how to protect yourself after the data breaches of 2018. Before I finish this article, I want to make sure that you all travel safe, especially if you go out of the United States. Always leave your itinerary with someone back home, along with copies of your passport and drivers license. Buy travel insurance that can help pay for any medical emergencies or emergency transport back home. And finally, be aware of where you are, if your gut tells you no don't go.

George Uliano is a security professional with years of law enforcement and security experience. He earned a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice and Business graduating with honors. George holds three U.S. patents on different locking principles. This combination gives George and His Company Locking Systems International Inc the unique ability to provide its customers with the correct security at an affordable price.

For additional information or to purchase Locks go to http://www.lsidepot.com

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/George_Uliano/1500014

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WhatsApp Is Merging With Facebook Messenger -- Here's What To Do

WhatsApp and Instagram are to be integrated with Facebook Messenger. London, UK - May 31 2018: The buttons of FaceTime, Messages, Pintrest, Instagram, Twitter, WeChat, Snapchat, Facebook, Whatsapp, Pinterest ,Skype and Signal social media apps on the screen of an iPad.GETTY

WhatsApp and Instagram are to be incorporated with facebook Messenger, it has been found out. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg reputedly wants to integrate the services underneath a single underlying messaging platform or protocol.

The concept is to allow customers to talk throughout the three offerings more without difficulty, with the mission set to complete by way of the end of this 12 months or early subsequent, consistent with The new york times.

Consistent with reports, the new unified backend will guide the stop-to-cease encryption had to prevent messages being viewed by means of 1/3 parties. In principle, this indicates all 3 platforms have to be greater comfortable, however in reality, there are doubts.

Because of this, the information has not been nicely acquired by way of many users. Human beings are already leaving facebook in droves and with appropriate cause: The social networking giant has been hacked and suffered statistics leaks numerous instances over the last yr. As part of this, the messaging app was likely affected seeing customers’ non-public conversations uncovered to hackers.

This, of route, is in addition to the ongoing Cambridge Analytica scandal which noticed fb abusing its user records with consequences that would have influenced elections.

The exact logistics of what's going to happen as soon as the 3 services are mixed are not but clear. However you can bet your life that statistics will be at the coronary heart of this integration. There are even hints that if compelled, facebook ought to construct a available again door permitting regulation enforcement to undercover agent on WhatApp customers while wanted.

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Why Is Our Government, So Dysfunctional?

Although, many politicians, when they initially, are elected to positions of leadership, either in Congress, or any other branch, of state and/ or local government, appear to believe, they will be able to make a significant difference for the better, in the vast number of instances, they become, in their own way, just as bad, as who, they replaced. Is this, because they are unprepared, unrealistic, lack the necessary vision, prioritize personal popularity, or become, in some way, overwhelmed, by the process, etc? Is there something, about the system, itself, which, either, encourages, or enhances this dysfunction? With that in mind, this article will attempt to, briefly, consider, examine, review, and discuss, what this means, how it limits the possibilities, and, how the system, itself, may encourage, focusing, and emphasizing, the same - old, same - old, rather than, better governing, for the people.

1. Unprepared: Consider, for a moment, how we conduct our elections, how politicians campaign, and why, we witness, so few politicians, ready, willing, and able, to become statesmen, after they are elected! Many, seem, to believe, this current situation, is, more dramatic, and even, less efficient, than previous ones. Although the tone of the rhetoric, and the degree of polarization, appears to be, far more extreme, than in recent memory, this is not a new situation, but, rather, occurs, because, in America, anyone can be elected, as long as they are citizens, have reached a specific age, and can get more people, to vote for them, than their opponent. Many, well - intentioned individuals, fail to achieve, because, they, are not, ready, for prime time, and, thus, unprepared, to make, not only a difference, but a true change, for the better. This will only change when voters, select their leaders, based on their readiness, intentions, attitudes, and viable solutions and plans, rather than merely, popularity!

2. Unrealistic: We are experiencing, the longest, partial, government shutdown, in history, and, while there are many factors (mostly political) involved, we must realize, the battle, is over, the President, seeking a border wall, which is extremely costly, but, of questionable effectiveness, and value. Rather than seeking, a solution, focused on a better immigration system, President Trump has articulated, a message, to inspire his core supporters, instead of trying to get a meeting - of - the - minds, which brings Americans together, towards achieving a quality, viable solution, to this challenge. Similarly, when politicians, make promises, without considering pragmatic aspects, the most desirable results, usually, are not achieved, or even considered!

3. Lack the vision, or prioritize popularity: Only, when voters, evaluate, thoroughly, the possibilities, priorities, and alternatives, and whether someone possesses the quality, relevant, sustainable vision, will we witness better representation! We must look at the bigger - picture, rather than over - emphasizing, popularity, etc.

Now, more than ever, we need to find leaders, who are ready, prepared, knowledgable, and possess the skill - set, needed and necessary, to bring America, forward, in a relevant, sustainable way! Will you attempt to become a more responsible voter?

Richard has owned businesses, been a COO, CEO, Director of Development, consultant, professionally run events, consulted to thousands, conducted personal development seminars, and worked on political campaigns, for 4 decades. Rich has written three books and thousands of articles. Website: http://plan2lead.net and LIKE the Facebook page for common sense: http://facebook.com/commonsense4all

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Richard_Brody/492539

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5 Easy Giveaways That Help Build Customer Loyalty

5 Easy Giveaways That Help Build Customer Loyalty 

Your brand is the foundation of your business. It’s how customers connect to you and it’s what keeps them coming back. At least, that’s what happens when you have a successful brand strategy.

Branding involves much more than a logo and a set of values. It applies to everything you do, from the way you communicate to users to the products and services you provide. All of these can build – or diminish – the level of customer loyalty your brand has.

If you’re looking to build customer loyalty, try offering special giveaways.

Here are five simple, low-cost freebies you can give customers to boost their sense of loyalty to your brand.

1. A Discount Offer

Nothing gets people’s attention like a flash sale. This is a simple way to generate a buzz in your market and get more people to interact with your brand.

To turn these interactions into loyal customers, though, it’s best to personalize the discount you’re offering. There are a few ways you can go about this.

One method is to send an email blast to users who have not visited your site or purchased something in a while. Addressing each person by name and giving them a discount shows that you care about their business. It tells them you’ve noticed they’ve lost interest and you want to show them you can still provide plenty of value.

Another way to personalize a discount is to share it with users who are already somewhat loyal. These may be people who buy from you every once in a while. Send them a discount to keep them coming back for more.

Make your offer time-sensitive. This will create a sense of urgency and lead to higher conversion rates.

2. A Free Product or Service

The thing about offering a discount code is that you have to make sure everyone understands the terms.

People may not realize there’s a time stamp on their discount if you don’t say it explicitly. They may also try to use their discount on something it doesn’t apply to.

Because of these possible complications, sometimes it’s better to just give an item away for free. This doesn’t mean you have to break the bank, though.

Think about the things you’re already offering customers and how you can provide a little more without spending a lot on your end. If you’re a restaurant owner, maybe you can spare a free dessert or a glass of wine. If you run a software service, perhaps a free audit or system report is reasonable.

Whatever kind of business you run, though, make your freebie mean something. You have to find the balance between wooing your customers with something special and offering so many free things that you barely break even.

A simple way to keep the balance is to offer a free product or service as an add-on to another purchase. So, if a client buys “x” amount of a product at a certain value, they get a special, surprise bonus that makes sense for their investment.

3. Exclusive Meet-and-Greets

Sometimes, the best thing you can offer your audience is time. If you have access to well-known influencers or celebrities, leverage this. Turn your connections into valuable giveaways by running a contest with users to have an exclusive meet-and-greet.

You can do this with musicians and actors, well-known fitness gurus, authors, or the top thought leaders in your industry. If you have any kind of connection like this, share it with your audience. Invite this person (or group of people) to spend a day at your office or attend a trade show with you.

This provides customers with the special facetime of someone they look up to, all thanks to you. When done right, a meet-and-greet is something users won’t soon forget. They’ll feel a stronger sense of brand loyalty to you because of the awesome experience you’ve created for them.

4. T-shirts

Here’s a loyalty-building strategy you may not have thought of: t-shirts! Everyone loves free t-shirts, especially when they’re eye-catching and interesting. T-shirt marketing ideas are some of the best branding tools out there.

All you have to do is find the best way to connect cool t-shirts to your brand. Obviously, this means putting your logo/company name somewhere on the t-shirt, but think beyond that.

Where can you hand out the t-shirts that will create the most excitement? Should you include them as a freebie like the loyalty tip mentioned above, or create a separate t-shirt giveaway?

The more you go over these things, the better the results will be. Don’t rely on the t-shirts to do all the branding work for you. You have to find the best form of placing them and distributing them to make this strategy create powerful results.

5. Unexpected Treats

The final way to build customer loyalty is to send a thank-you gift or a special treat just because. This could be anything. You might want to send flowers, chocolates, or exclusive new product releases – whatever comes to mind.

If you’re having trouble thinking of something. Consider these options:

• a gift card for coffee or food
• sweet treats (donuts, cookies, a cake) for the customer and their team
• a pass to skip the line (if applicable to your business)
• an invite to a high-profile event
• a hand-written card

No matter how big or small you go, it’s the thought that counts. Your customers will be blown away by this gesture and their loyalty is sure to skyrocket.

Additional Ways to Build Customer Loyalty

While it’s good to use giveaways and exclusive offers to build customer loyalty, these aren’t the only tools available to help you get the results you’re looking for.

A big part of branding success comes down to how relatable you are to users. They should be able to feel like you’re a trustworthy, passionate business owner, not just someone who’s looking to make a sale.

Content marketing can help you with this. It allows you to create an ongoing conversation with users for them to really get to know the story behind your business. Click here for content marketing tips and tricks!

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Rose Color Meanings: What Are You Really Saying?

Rose Color Meanings: What Are You Really Saying?

 Giving a bouquet of roses is a gesture that everyone will appreciate. Just make sure they’re the right color! Different color roses have different meanings, so one should choose carefully.

To avoid making a mistake or conveying something too intense, brush up on rose color meanings below!

Rose Color Meanings

Red Roses

Ever a classic, red roses are everywhere during Valentine’s Day. Their rich color and beauty convey deep romantic love.

In ancient Greece and Rome, red roses were the flowers given to Venus and Aphrodite, the goddesses of love. Hopeful lovers would place them in their temples for good luck in romance.

Lovers have been giving roses since the fall of the Roman empire and the practice has stood the test of time. They’re perfect for special dates, a partners birthday, or Valentine’s Day.

Pink Roses

Beautiful and simple pink roses are versatile in their meaning. Originally, they stood for an early or budding love but they can also express gratitude.

Light pink roses are reserved for budding romances and admiration. They’re perfect for expressing emotion without saying “I love you.”

Dark pink roses, on the other hand, express gratitude and appreciation. They are a beautiful way to say thank you and will make a striking desk piece.

Purple Roses

Light purple roses symbolize enchantment and are for admitting love at first sight. Dark purple roses convey a sense of everlasting love and are often seen at anniversaries.

White Roses

Striking in their simplicity, white roses are often seen at weddings and births. Their color brings to mind thoughts of innocence and purity.

Along with purity, they express a wish for hopeful new beginnings and have evolved to say, “I’m thinking of you.” White roses are appropriate for funerals as well as expressions of sympathy.

Cream roses, white roses’ darker cousins, represent grace and a platonic love. They are a beautiful choice for after performances and recitals.

Yellow Roses

Yellow roses have a bright and happy demeanor and are perfect for cheering people up. They express a joyful and platonic feeling perfect for close friends.

Their sunny presence makes them appropriate as getting well flowers. They’re perfect to send to a friend after an illness or a surgery.

Orange Roses

The least used of the roses, orange roses can express a great number of things. Their bright color conveys enthusiasm and passion in all different types of contexts.

Add orange roses to other color bouquets to make other rose color meanings stronger. A combination of red and orange roses would express a more intense love than red roses alone.

Bouquet Size

Giving a single rose is an elegant gesture but makes less of an impact than a bouquet. The classic rose bouquet has six or twelve and consists of nothing but roses and occasionally baby’s breath.

If the rose color meanings evade you, a florist will be happy to recommend the appropriate color. No matter the color, their recipient will be thrilled to receive them.

Were there any colors on this list that were surprising? Let us know in the comments!

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Drop it Like it’s Hot: The 7 Best Investments to Make in 2019

Drop it Like it’s Hot: The 7 Best Investments to Make in 2019

The stock market was incredibly volatile at the end of 2018, and the beginning of 2019 looks like that uncertainty may persist. If you are planning your investments for next year, you may want to include a mixture of traditional and non-traditional vehicles to grow your money and protect your nest egg from extreme fluctuations. 

Here is a list of the seven best investments to make in the coming year which will help diversify your assets and maximize your opportunities for profit in what may be a very unpredictable year. 

1. Real Estate 

Real estate is known for being relatively safe even in times of high volatility,  but be prepared for the formerly ballooning housing bubble to recede somewhat. Keep an eye out for middle market options, including in the second tier of cities which will be getting more popular in a possible recession and the suburbs,  which will appeal to millennials as they start to have kids.

If you want to invest in multifamily housing or office buildings, keep in mind that green features and high-end amenities like gyms and co-working spaces are still in demand for rental properties. 

You may also want to check out REITS as a good investment vehicle. They had a bad year in 2018,  but in some sectors, there are hints they may perform well in the coming year. 

2. Eldercare 

No one is getting any younger, and America is aging rapidly.  As baby boomers approach their twilight years, many predict an explosion in goods and services focused on this demographic. 

Private companies are getting into the business of senior living and assisted care facilities for people with memory issues like dementia and Alzheimers.

Entrepreneurs are also pioneering products aimed at keeping seniors in their homes, with various approaches ranging from AI to medical testing aimed at keeping older people safe and healthy. 

3. Energy 

Although the current administration in the White House has not acted very progressively in the area of energy, the global trend is towards renewables.  Japan expects to host the Olympics in 2020 with all renewable energy sources. 

Investing in solar, wind and other sustainable energy sources is good for your pocket and your conscience. But do not overlook traditional energy investment as well. 

Oil investing can be extremely profitable and even can benefit you when the prices fluctuate.  Done properly, it does not matter whether the price of this commodity goes up or down. You can make money off of oil when price moves. The more it moves, the more you make. 

4. Precious Metals 

Another popular place to park money when the stock market and bonds become unpredictable is in precious metals. 

The value of gold isn’t as influenced by overall market supply and demand as other investments, so people consider it one of the safest investments possible,  options on the market today. It typically is used to guard against societal upheavals like inflation, wars, and recession. 

Silver is more volatile than gold. Platinum is another popular precious metal investment but its value can also fluctuate with market trends.

You can invest in gold and other metals in several ways. You can purchase actual gold bars and keep them in a safe deposit box. You can also invest in gold exchange-traded funds or gold exchange-traded notes, which are debt instruments that track an index. The latter is a little riskier.

There are even still some gold mines around the world which may welcome your investment.

5. Infrastructure 

Many analysts predict that the economy will slow. While a recession may not be imminent, the boom that the market has ridden for years is likely to subside.

When people stop buying houses, they fix them up.  Companies like Home Depot are poised to help millions expand their existing abodes to accommodate more kids or aging seniors. As college grads return home rather than move out on their own, families may renovate and turn basements or attics into separate living quarters. 

Look to invest in companies that provide building materials and services.

Further, the country’s aging infrastructure continues to cause problems in cities and rural areas alike.  Governments ranging from small municipalities to state-wide entities will face pressure from constituents to make roads, bridges, and tunnels safer. 

That means increased purchases in concrete, steel, and other materials. 

6. Cryptocurrency 

Bitcoin has been a hot topic for years, with a wildly fluctuating value and uncertain legal status. That hasn’t prevented investors from wondering about cryptocurrency, the digital form of money that has been embraced by some progressive thinking international companies to varying degrees of success.

Cryptocurrency is generally considered to be high on the risk scale.  It lacks the basic metrics that most investors use to assign value, and its tokens or coins actually have no long-term value. No big businesses have committed to using blockchain, so it is basically untested.

The cryptocurrency market is heavily influenced by emotion, kind of like the tech bubble several decades ago. There is no guarantee your investment will be protected by the SEC or that it is safe, as often claimed, from hacking or fraud. 

However,  if you have the pocket and the stomach for a risky venture, think of the potential payout.  If you had bought $100 worth of Bitcoin in 2011, the value of your investment as of 2018 would total over $2 million. If you are ready for a roller coaster, this is the place to be. 

7. Tech 

Facebook may have seen a dramatic downturn, and other tech stocks have looked like they were faltering lately. However, investors still seem to like the FAANGs: Facebook, Apple, Amazon, NetFlicks, and Google.

Prices are down for these stock stars, which makes it a good time to get in there if you are not already. Analysts are still excited by growth and sales predictions for these giants.

Although there may be slower growth overall in the US this year, earnings will likely get a boost from the recent tax cut. 

Furthermore,  new tech is constantly hitting the market, with a lot of buzz around the world of artificial intelligence. Now is not the time to give up on technology! 

Best Investments to Make for 2019: Stay Calm and Carry On 

Don’t let the recent upheavals in the market spook you. 2019 bodes well in terms of jobs reports, earnings, and other positive indicia. 

To find the best investments to make this and every year, do your due diligence, set yourself a budget, and calculate how much you can afford to risk.  By approaching your investment in a prudent and forward-thinking manner, you will be able to weather the ups and downs of investing-  hopefully with more ups and than downs! 

For more advice on investing, business and other topics, check out our blog. 

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