US Media Studios Relays Three of the Top Financial Tips

Financial advice can be found everywhere on the Internet. From retirement saving guidance to child college funds, there is no lack for info. There is, however, some pretty basic advice almost anyone could use.

Save, save save. This is usually the financial advice mantra spoken and read time and again on television, in the media and on the Internet. US Media Studios concurs.

Emergency funds are necessary to have to prevent financial catastrophe. Save one percent of regular pay every pay period, and have it automatically deposited into a savings account. Name the account when you set it up, as a reminder to yourself. At least three months of savings are needed to avoid serious debt and financial trouble in an emergency.

Insurance for the big, valuable items you own. Insurance protects you from the things that can flatten you financially, if something major happened to them. Examples are vehicle accidents, catastrophic weather events like tornadoes or flooding. Higher limits mean higher deductibles to pay, but in the long run, this protects you financially.

Credit cards and credit card debt are major financial obstacles to break through for many people. Carry a few cards, charge only 10 percent of the credit limit each month on them, and pay off balance every month. Look for a low interest rate card, or if you have one, transfer the balance onto that card and pay it off. Once that’s done, find the best rewards card that offers 1.5% back on charges. US Media Studios believes we can all be financially healthy as long as we stay on top of it.

 

US Media Studios and the Entrepreneur Role Model

Entrepreneurs and business leaders can have a positive effect on employees by leading through example.

The business owner is more than just the person who sets the direction and goals for the company. They can also be an example of how to work smarter, take risks, and enjoy life outside of the office.  US Media Studios relays some ways in which smart entrepreneurs and business owners can motivate and inspire staff.

The Little Details and Minor Problems

The smaller the details and the small problems can bog down the most focused business leader. These are the perfect examples of everyday tasks to delegate to someone who can slay them. Pass the minute tasks and obstacles to the best person and move ahead.

Start Networking

Entrepreneurs and small business owners can take advantage of social events, even when schedules are tight. Social media platforms and online networking meetings are great places to join and lead discussions about the topic of the moment.  Weigh in, join the chat, post relevant content and share news and information about the industry when possible.

Break Away and Get Out

US Media Studios knows that Americans are the hardest working people in the world. We hardly ever take breaks during the work day, and some even leave paid time off on the table at the end of the year. Set the example for staff that it’s okay to get up, go outside, take a walk and breathe. Let it be known that taking a breather is acceptable. Encourage employees to use their paid time off and enjoy life, family, and nature.

The smart entrepreneur is a business leader that his or her employees respects and admires, not just for the direction they provide every day. Good leaders encourage a healthy work-life balance.

(image:juicingforhealth)

US Media Studios Covers Food Poisoning Prevention Tip

The summer holidays are times families and friends gather to celebrate and eat al fresco together. Let’s make it a good time, and not time spend in the bathroom all afternoon or night long. US Media Studios also shares what to do if you are hit with a bout of food poisoning.

Food poisoning can happen at any time and any place, even at Aunt B’s famous Memorial Day cookout. Below are some common sense prevention tips so we can have a great summer:

Avoid food that smells “off”. This can mean grilled chicken or hamburgers. One bite and most people know when the meat or poultry is not safe to eat. Don’t swallow the bad bite, but spit it out in a napkin. Kindly let the hosts know. Wash the taste from the mouth with a beverage.

Avoid foods made with milk or mayonnaise and which have been left outside or on the counter and not in a cold pack. Essentially, all prepared food should be kept in cold picnic containers until ready to eat.

If a bout of food poisoning should occur, it can happen a few hours, days or even weeks after ingesting affected food. It feels like one minute you are feeling fine and the next you are sitting on the bathroom floor worshipping the porcelain god.

Symptoms can include: feeling bloated, extreme abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, cramps, watery diarrhea and fever. After the wave of these symptoms subsides, US Media Studios suggests drinking water slowly to flush out the bacteria. Ginger ale sipped slowly can also ease nausea. Sports drinks can replace lost calcium and electrolytes. Eat bland food slowly for a day or two until you feel stronger and not so shaky.

It’s okay to enjoy the homemade goodies family and friends bring to picnics, cookouts and parties. Just be sure they are stored correctly, and if heating or cooking is needed, that it is done thoroughly.

US Media Studios Examines the Safety of Public Pools

How safe is the public pool people enjoy? How clean is the water? US Media Studios examines the safety of public pools.

How clean is the water in a public pool?

A recent report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that almost 80 percent of the 50,000 public pools, hot rubs and water playgrounds they tested had at least one violation. One in eight inspections resulted in immediate closure due to serious health and safety problems. The highest numbers of closures were related to “kiddie” wading pools. Closures result from common contamination in the water such as fecal matter or urine.

Poop in the pool does have to be seen to be prevalent. Microscopic particles can stem from an adult with diarrhea getting in the pool or hot tub. The swim diapers worn by infants, toddlers and small children are not preventative in keeping fecal particles from getting in the water. Wading pool water is shallow and easily warms up in the heat of day.

Safety is another public swim issue which led to some closures. Lack of lifeguards, lack of safety equipment, poor drain coverage, a pH level too low –these can close a favorite water park or pool immediately. Inadequate disinfectant concentration is also to blame for closures. So too is a pool with an unusually high amount of chlorine in the water.

US Media Studios suggests checking public health records for all public pools, including those in condo and apartment communities, homeowner associations, hotels, motels and resorts.  Summer is around the corner. Some US states are already experiencing summer temps. As the heat moves in, people head to pools to cool off. We remind readers to take a shower before entering the pool. Take small children to the rest rooms every hour and be sure to clean bottoms well.  After all, no one wants to swim with poop in the pool.

US Media Studios Dental Health Reminders

Our teeth may seem sturdy and hard, but in reality, they can be quite vulnerable to different foods, beverages and other items we put in our mouths. US Media Studios offers dental health reminders for to help keep those pearly whites pearly white.

Brush teeth twice daily, floss once a day, schedule and keep regular dental checkup visits, and eat healthful meals. These are the basic tenets of good dental health. But there is more to it than that.

Avoid biting fingernails. This can cause micro-sized chips of the teeth which in turn can become full cracks. Skip sugary drinks when thirsty and drink a refreshing glass of water instead. Just don’t add a squeeze of lemon or other citrus product in it.

Lemon, orange, lime and other citrus foods can damage tooth enamel – the protective coating that blocks cavities and tooth decay. Citric salad dressings can also damage teeth. Avoid these thing if possible and spare the enamel on your teeth.

Please don’t brush your teeth harshly. This abrades the teeth, can hurt the gums and even produce receding gums. Instead, give teeth and gums a therapeutic massage.

US Media Studios also warns against chewing ice. Even though this is pretty common, it can damage teeth. If you catch some cubes in your mouth when taking a drink, let them go back in the glass.

Your teeth are one of the first things people see about you when you smile. They are also the entry way to the digestive system. Take care of them so they can take care of you.

US Media Studios Addresses How to Avoid the Top Travel Fees

Have you traveled lately? The fees that a consumer pays when traveling can be avoided by simply paying attention.

There are many travel sites which can churn out discount air fares for the most cost-savvy seeker. We can set up alerts on these sites to find the lowest fares, best car rental rates, cheapest hotel room rates, and read all the reviews we can take. But we can still do more to assure we have a fun, safe and affordable vacation or holiday without breaking our budgets.

Airlines:

Don’t book too far ahead or too close to the date of travel. The ideal time window to book airfare is roughly 55 days before the wanted departure date. Airfares are published months before a flight and stay flat and relatively high until about two months before the flight. At that time, airlines readjust airfare based on supply and demand.  Of course, it can be hard to determine when to buy a ticket to Europe or Africa or any other faraway place. One more note: don’t over pack and you won’t have to overpay for extra heavy luggage.

Cell Roaming Fees:

Avoid getting hit with these excessive fees in countries and continents where cell coverage is not covered. Contact your cell provider about short-term international travel plans to add on before leaving the US. These are less expensive than the roaming fees and more convenient than having to purchase an international SIM card to use in international destinations.

Foreign Transaction Fees:

There is no need to pay these fees on a credit or debit card when most of the major credit cards have plans to not apply them. Take the time to reach out to the card companies and find out what their policy is.  Also, don’t exchange currency at the airport. Do it at partner banks in country or at international ATMs. Another option is to contact your bank and ask if you can get some of the local currency from them before departure.

Travel insurance:

Long distance travel can be fraught with delays, cancellations, and other unforeseen events. While there are many good travel insurance companies, it pays to take time to research the best options.  US Media Studios suggests reading the details of the plans you are interested in. The longer and more expensive the trip, the better it is to cover it.

Travel fees can add up before and after a long-planned vacation or holiday. Please do as much research to avoid the extra, unnecessary fees as possible.  

US Media Studios Eyes the Top Five Cities for Small Business Success

Where are the top five cities in the US for small business success?  We were surprised by the results of small business loan company Biz2Credit’s recent report – but in a positive way.

US Media Studios recently read a report which listed the top cities for small business success. Surprisingly, San Jose, California was ranked first. This Silicon Valley city pulls some of the highest rents and highest salaries in the nation. It has a strong tech start-up community and strong support for it. It also as a steady venture capital community, a better real estate industry, and lower gas prices than previous years. All of these push it into the top spot.

Following San Jose are:

2. New York – high construction and rental prices kept New York from earning the top spot.

3. San Francisco–Oakland, CA – This area is very strong in the tech-driven world. Small companies in operation have been open longer than other cities.

4. Miami-Fort Lauderdale – Average cost to rent space, pathway to Latin America, booming construction, and a very strong tourist industry make this area strong for small business success.

5. Los Angeles – LA is home to many growing businesses in a variety of fields and industries. It also has a wealth of capital resources such as accelerators and angel investors.

Small businesses around the country keep America strong, and foster our spirit of independence. They offer the innovative products and services. They hire locally and keep local economies strong. Visit the small businesses in your city today. They have more to offer than name brand chains.

Downtown San Jose, CA

US Media Studios Reviews How to Prevent Playground Injuries

Small children are incredibly active and can fall down and get hurt in the time it takes to blink the eyes. US Media Studios reviews how to prevent playground injuries.

The playground is a great place for children. It is full of fun equipment, and gives kids a way to expend some of the bottled up energy they get from sitting quietly too long. From the slide to the swings and monkey bars, there are plenty of ways to have fun – and get hurt. School and state safety officials should thoroughly inspect playground equipment once a quarter to be sure there are no faulty connections, loose nuts or bolts and are safe. Parents taking kids to public parks to play might want to talk to little kids about what’s okay to do and not to do at the playground. We realize that once some children get to the park, they just want to bolt and start playing. Frankly, a cool playground can affect adults the same way too. Adult supervision at the playground is imperative.

Parents, caretakers and other adults might want to look at and examine playground equipment. If it is rusty and looks like some of the parts could fall off when in use, keep children away from it. On the other hand, many local playgrounds are safe. US Media Studios also notes that parents and adults can remind kids to not hang upside down on monkey bars, slide head first down the slides or jump off a swing or teeter-totter when it is too high. Everyone can have fun and be safe at the playground.