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Category Archives: Savvy Life Strategies
Instant Background Check Employment Screening
Before you hire someone, do an instant background check. From their resume, they may appear completely qualified. Their references may be solid. They may even interview well. However, their resume and interview do not disclose past criminal behavior. Any references they provide are likely biased.
Let me share a sad story regarding a mistake I made hiring a young woman right out of college. She was an honor student. She interviewed well. She appeared qualified for the entry-level position in my company. I mistakenly thought she was too young and clean cut to have a criminal record. I went forward and made the employment offer without doing an instant background check. I can honestly say it was one of the biggest mistakes in my business career. I learned the hard way that she was an alcoholic. By the hard way, I mean her attendance was spotty, which forced me to put her on probation. Then, she suddenly did not show up for work. That is when I found out she was in jail, arrested for a DUI (i.e., driving under the influence). Finally, the alarm bells went off, and I did a background check. I found that she had a prior DUI conviction, one in which people were seriously hurt. Although I dealt with the situation in a professional manner, it still ended up costing me over $50,000+ in lost revenue. Had I done an instant background check before extending an employment offer, her DUI record would have set off alarm bells. I likely would have offered the position to another candidate. After she left my company, she quickly found work at another company, which was a former client. That job lasted about six months before they let her go. She was able to find work with another company, this time one of our competitors. That job lasted less than six months. As far as I know today, she is out of work and lives on the street. This sad but true story illustrates that background checks are critical.
Today, I even do background checks on clients, especially those out of state and unknown to me. That may sound odd, but it is a solid business strategy. It prevents getting involved with individuals with criminal backgrounds and shady business practices. The reputation of clients reflects on your business. In addition, shady clients may not pay their bills. Unfortunately, I learned this the hard way also.
Therefore, before hiring or contracting to do business, doing a background check is critical. However, only do background checks using reputable services. It is important to have confidence that the information is valid and complete. If you do receive adverse information, use it carefully. Consider it an important data point, but be mindful that:
- There may be mitigating circumstances
- The data may be incomplete or erroneous
From my viewpoint, though, the pros of doing a background check outweigh the cons. Here are some services for your consideration:
- InstantCheckmate – this service gives users access to a complete background check on anyone. Click here to explore InstantCheckmate
- TruthFinder Background Search – this service provides instant access to contact information, background checks, and criminal records. Click here to explore TruthFinder Background Search
Before applying for a new job, I also think it is a good practice to run a background check on yourself. Doing so enables you to see exactly what employers see. You can add context to past records, fix mistakes, and be in control of your background information. It is similar to checking your own credit score to assure it is error free. In addition, if the background check returns valid adverse information, you can position it in the best light possible during the interview. Employers know no one is perfect. They will appreciate your honesty. In this way, you can turn a negative into a positive. For checking your own background, I recommend Intelius Background Report. This service is comprehensive and includes, when available, a criminal background check, marriage/divorce records, lawsuits, liens, bankruptcies, property records, an address search, phone numbers, relatives and neighbors, all matching people search results. Click here to explore Intelius Background Report.
Obviously, a background check is a report on an individual that can include criminal history, financial history, education history, public records, or a combination of these things. With a thorough background check, you can get a better picture of an individual’s past and patterns. A background check should play a critical role during the employment process and potentially when acquiring new clients. I learned this the hard way. I sincerely hope you can benefit from my experience.
Some links in this article are referral links. Please read out Disclosure Statement for more information.
Hedging Investments Against a North Korean Conflict
Should you hedge your investments against a North Korean conflict? The short answer is yes. Learn why investing in diamonds may be the best market hedge in a crisis.
It’s easy to get swept into the euphoria of an ever-increasing stock market. Even in the face of scrambled politics, natural disasters, and a potential war with North Korea, the stock market continues its relentless rise. The Dow is hovering around a historic 26,000. The big question on every investor’s mind: Will the market continue its bullish drive upward?
Some analysts expect 2018 to post at least modest gains. However, this does not factor in a serious disruption in trade. By serious, I mean a disruption felt on a worldwide basis. What would cause such a serious disruption? One obvious answer is a North Korean conflict that results in significant damage to South Korea’s industrial complex.
South Korea accounts for 2% of the global GDP. South Korea is:
1. The biggest producer of liquid crystal displays in the world (40% of the global total)
2. The second biggest producer of semiconductors (17% market share)
3. Home to the world’s three biggest shipbuilders
Any disruption in South Korea’s massive exports would cause world markets to drop. For the most part, political unrest, natural disasters, and missiles flying over Japan result in market jitters, perhaps a slip downward, but not a long-term plunge. That said, any event that disrupts trade and causes companies to post lower earning is a market killer. The bottom of such a spiral is anybody’s guess.
If North Korea also damages Japan’s industrial complex, causing further disruption to world trade, market panic would almost certainly ensue. The conventional wisdom is to hedge with investments in precious metals. While that makes sense, polished diamonds may be an even better hedge than precious metals. For example, between September 2008, when the fall of Lehman Brothers triggered one of the biggest financial and banking crises of all times, and October 2009, diamond prices declined on average by about 16,5%, gold fell over 21%, and platinum by 59%. Traditional investment portfolio components (shares, bonds, real estate, future contracts) declined sharply as the S&P 500 dropped 52%.
While diamonds are not immune to market declines, polished diamonds have proven to be more resistant. This suggests some portion of your investment portfolio should be in polished diamonds. Diamonds are a solid investment thanks to their constantly growing demand, relative safety, favorable tax treatment, and portability. For the last 50 years, diamond prices grew at an average annual rate of 14 percent. Diamonds, unlike stocks and currencies, are a tangible item. They retain intrinsic value. In fact, diamonds have held better long-term appreciation than gold. Similar to precious metals, diamonds serve around the world as an alternative form of payment. In addition, standardized certifications allow investors to understand the quality of their stones.
While there is no guaranteed hedge against a market crisis, it makes sense to consider including polished diamonds in your portfolio. If you want to explore more about investing in diamonds, consider Diamond XO. Diamond XO specializes in providing the best diamond investment solutions. Their experts understand the diamond market. They are available to help you make the best investment. Diamond XO’s user-friendly platform enables you to buy and sell high-quality diamonds in just a few clicks.
If you have an interest in hedging against a market crisis, click here to learn more about investing in diamonds.
This post is a reprint of my Huffington Post article and is in the Savvy Life Strategie category. Some links in this article are referral links. Please read out Disclosure Statement for more information.
Why People that Need Cash Fast Get Quick Loans Online
According to a 2017 report in MarketWatch, half of American households live paycheck to paycheck. As a result, in a pinch, when they need cash fast, they turn to quick loans online.
If you need cash fast, going to a bank may not fit your needs. A bank loan, including the application, approval, and funding process, typically takes about 7 days. In some cases, it may take longer. Even if you jump through every hoop a traditional bank loan requires, they may still reject you. That’s why more people are turning to quick loans online to get cash fast in minutes:
If you need cash fast ($1000 or less), check out these two lenders:
- 24/7 Credit Loan – This may be the fastest loan service around. They match applicants with a lender within minutes for cash loans up to $1,000. The application only takes a few minutes and, if approved, you can receive cash within minutes of applying. Click here to check out 24/7 Credit Loan
- SnappyLoans – Safe and secure, a 2-3 minute process, decisions in minutes, and cash loans up to $1000 as soon as the next day. SnappyLoans connects you with a lender. Be sure to fill out the lender’s form completely so you get the cash you need as fast as possible. Click here to check out SanppyLoans
If you need more than $1000, consider Brighter Loans – This dependable and reliable service offers speedy approval. Brighter Loans matches users with suitable lenders for fast approval loans up to $35,000. Qualified applicants get approval and cash into their bank account in minutes. Be sure to fill out the lenders form completely so there are no delays in getting the loan amount you need. Click here to check out Brighter Loans
Short-term loans are for occasional, emergency use when you need fast cash to get you through an unexpected expense, including:
Medical Emergencies
A trip to the emergency room can be costly. However, when you or a loved one needs urgent treatment, you may have no recourse. This is a common reason why people use short-term loans when they don’t have savings, a credit card, or health insurance. Hospitals and clinics may even provide a discount for a cash payment at the time of service. In these circumstances, you can actually save money by using a short-term loan.
Car Trouble
A car may be critical to getting to and from work, school, and social events. When it breaks down, a short-term loan may be the only way to get it back on the road.
Mechanics and garages usually require full payment at the time of the repair. If you can’t pay, they may hold your car and even file a mechanic’s lien. A mechanic’s lien enables the garage to receive the title for a car left at the garage with unpaid repairs. In this situation, a short-term loan will give you the cash you need to get your car back.
Making Payments to Avoid Late Fees
Sometimes people need quick cash to make payments on utility bills, phone bills, and credit cards to avoid late fees and a negative report on their credit score. Late fees can be significant. A short-term loan may actually cost less and be the best alternative in the end.
Making the Loan Process Safe and Fast
They may be numerous other reasons why you may need a short-term loan. However, whatever the reason, it is critical to get your short-term loan from reputable lenders. Check out those discussed in this article. Reputable lenders make short-term loans a safe and fast way to get the emergency funds that you need. art
Spare yourself and loved ones the stress associated with being cash-strapped in a time of need.
This post is a reprint of my latest Huffington Post article and is in the Savvy Life Strategie category. Some links in this article are referral links. Please read out Disclosure Statement for more information.
Coffee Is Good For Your Health, Especially with Infused Vitamins
The good news for those that love coffee, it is good for your health. If that isn’t enough, you can now brew coffee that is infused with vitamins. This is great news since over 42% of Americans have a vitamin deficiency. VitaCup is a vitamin-infused coffee pod that is compatible with Keurig coffee machines. The product gives coffee drinkers the chance to get their daily source of vitamins, revolutionizing the already positive impact coffee has on our health. Click here to learn more about VitaCup.
Coffee has been around for approximately 1000 years. Some legends hint the Ethiopians were the first to discover coffee back in the 10th century. However, the earliest substantiated evidence of coffee drinking dates back to the 15th century, in the Sufi monasteries of Yemen. In the next hundred years, it quickly spread to most of the known world, including America.
Unfortunately, a negative stigma surrounds drinking coffee, such as causing heart disease and cancer. However, Dr. Donald Hensrud of the Mayo Clinic dispels these stigmas asserting, “Recent studies have generally found no connection between coffee and an increased risk of heart disease or cancer.”
New medical evidence indicates coffee drinking may have 20 health benefits, including:
- Decrease heart attack mortality – Those who drink two or more cups of coffee a day have the least risk of dying from the heart attack
- Decrease the risk of Type 2 Diabetes – Consuming 6 or more cups per day lowers the risk of diabetes by 22%
- Increase DNA strength – Coffee drinkers have DNA with stronger integrity (i.e, far less instance of spontaneous DNA strand breakage)
- Increase fiber intake – One cup of coffee contains about 1.8 grams of fiber
- Increase longevity – According to Donald Hensrud of the Mayo Clinic, “…some studies have found an association between coffee consumption and decreased overall mortality and possibly cardiovascular mortality…”
- Lower risk of heart disease –Korean researchers found those that consumed 3 or more cups of coffee a day were less likely to show signs of heart disease
- Prevent cirrhosis of the liver – A recent study demonstrated coffee’s liver protecting benefits
- Prevent retinal damage – Coffee consumption may prevent retinal damage due to oxidative stress
- Prevents cavities – black coffee kills the bacteria on teeth that leads to tooth decay
- Protect against Alzheimer’s disease – Considerable evidence indicates caffeine may protect against Alzheimer’s disease
- Protect against melanoma – Melanoma risk decreases with each cup of coffee consumption
- Protect against Multiple Sclerosis – Consuming 4 or more cups of coffee a day may protect against the development and reoccurrence of Multiple Sclerosis
- Protect against periodontal disease – The US Department of Veterans Affairs researchers found that coffee showed protection against periodontal disease
- Reduce colorectal cancer – Consumption of coffee can reduce the odds of developing colorectal cancer by 26%.
- Reduce gout risk – The risk of developing gout decreases with increasing coffee consumption
- Reduce liver cancer –Those that consume up to 3 cups of coffee a day have a 29% reduced risk of developing liver cancer
- Reduce Pain – Two cups of coffee can reduce post-workout muscle pain by as much as 48%
- Reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease – A Swedish study revealed that drinking coffee reduces the risk of Parkinson’s disease
- Reduces suicide risk and depression – A 10-year study of 86,000 female nurses shows a reduced risk of suicide in the coffee drinkers. In addition, the Harvard School of Public Health found that women who drink 4 or more cups of coffee per day were 20% less likely to suffer from depression
- The USDA recommends coffee consumption for better health – They advise having 3 to 5 cups of coffee a day is good for overall health and reducing the risk of disease
Please note, these benefits apply to coffee, without the addition of cream, milk, sugar, or artificial sweeteners. In excess, such additives can cause health-related problems.
Unfortunately, coffee alone will not provide vitamins. Equally unfortunate, vitamin deficiencies can be associated with mental and physical disorders like paranoia, depression, Alzheimers, debilitating fatigue, uncontrollable irritability, difficulty thinking clearly, osteoporosis, and in extremely rare cases — physical deformities. That’s where VitaCup, a vitamin-infused coffee pod compatible with Keurig coffee machines, can play a critical role. Learn more about VitaCup here.
This content uses referral links. Read our disclosure statement for more information.
How To Guard Against a Malware Attack
In 2017, malware attacks affected over half of the adult population of the United States. Let’s be clear about what we mean by malware. Malware is an umbrella term. It stands for a variety of malicious software, including Trojans, spyware, worms, adware, ransomware, and viruses. While it’s true that all viruses are malware, not all malware are viruses. Unfortunately, many people and organizations operate under the assumption that virus detection software will protect their computer from malware. However, often that is not the case.
Some antivirus software may have rudimentary tools to remove malware. However, modern malware is sophisticated and these rudimentary tools typically do not detect or remove it. It can hide in the infected computer undetected and the hacker can attack at any time.
Among the worst of the malware attacks is identity theft. Unfortunately, this type of attack is increasing. For example, the 2017 Identity Fraud Study (Javelin Strategy & Research) indicates that hackers stole $16 billion from 15.4 million U.S. consumers in 2016, compared with $15.3 billion and 13.1 million victims in 2015. In 2017, attackers stole over half of the adult U.S. population’s (143 million) Social Security numbers. Experts estimate about one in three of the stolen Social Security numbers will result in an identity theft. Sadly, the occurrence rate of identity theft is about once every two seconds.
A Proactive Approach
Now let’s discuss what you personally can do to protect your identity. This is one area where an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Here are some precautions you can take:
- Guard your social security number:
- Don’t carry your social security card in your wallet or write your number on your checks
- Only give out your SSN when absolutely necessary
- Don’t respond to unsolicited requests for personal information (your name, birthdate, social security number, or bank account number) by phone, mail, or online
- Don’t open any email whose sender is unfamiliar to you and, even then, don’t open any attachments unless absolutely necessary
- Install malware protection software on your computer, not just antivirus software
This last point deserves some explanation. Antivirus programs may not protect you against malware. It has to do with their design. Their primary function is to protect your computer from computer viruses. Remember, while a virus is malware, not all malware are viruses. There are malware protection programs specifically designed to detect and remove malware. Here are two for your consideration:
- Anti-Malware Pro 2017. Security software that removes viruses, malware, spyware, adware and privacy traces. This is a fast and simple service relied upon by millions of satisfied users. Click here to check out Anti-Malware Pro 2017
- SpyRemover Pro. This is state of the art software that is both clean, modern and very effective in detecting and removing all kinds of viruses, spyware, malware, and adware. Click here to check out SpyRemover Pro
Protection Against Electronic Pickpockets
It is not sufficient to protect your computer. Unfortunately, there are electronic pickpockets that can access to your sensitive cards, passport, and drivers license, while on your person. A classic pickpocket might use sleight of hand or a diversion to steal a wallet and other valuable. Today, though, an electronic pickpocket can steal your most important information by simply scanning you with a concealed RFID (i.e., Radio Frequency Identification) reader. You may be in a bus station, airport, or stadium parking lot. It does not matter. A powered RFID reader can scan and steel your unprotected information at distances of up to 300 hundred feet away, without a direct line-of-sight to the victim. In other words, you may never see the thief or know that your most sensitive information is being stolen. To protect against electronic pickpockets I suggest you check out SignalVault, which can protect you in seconds. All SignalVault products use RFID protection to keep scammers from getting electronic access to your sensitive cards, passport, and drivers license. Explore their slim debit and credit card protector, their protecting phone case, and their protecting passport organizer. Click here to check out SignalVault.
Take Action!
The widespread occurrence of identity theft is causing millions of people anguish. Unfortunately, restoring and repairing your credit report can take months to years. On average, it takes six months to recover from identity theft. This means identity theft victims have credit issues for months until they are able to restore their credit and lock out the hackers. While it’s true that homeowners and renters policies provide coverage for theft of money or credit cards, the amount of coverage is limited (usually $200 in cash and $50 on credit cards). Specific identity theft policies may provide greater coverage. However, this is analogous to closing the barn door after the horse has bolted.
I strongly suggest you take action and adopt the recommendations outlined above. They will go a long way to protecting your identity and valuable data.
This content uses referral links. Read our disclosure statement for more information.