Grab that popcorn and dive in to see what you can do to help make the best theater viewing experience from the comfort of your own living room.
Category: Life Tips
How To Get or Stay In Shape While Staying Home
Exercise can be a great release. Not only does it provide a healthy and positive way to relieve stress, but it also improves physical and mental health. But like many other aspects of our daily lives, the COVID-19 pandemic has reduced our physical activity. There have been shutdowns, re-openings under strict guidelines, and shutting down again after having reopened.
Getting or staying fit can be challenging, especially with many fitness centers finding themselves forced into temporary or permanent closure. Thankfully, you don’t need a gym or fancy equipment in order to exercise or get in shape. Here are a few convenient at-home workouts that require little to no equipment.
Workout 1
Push-ups
Push-ups use your own body weight as resistance, and are a great way to build arm and chest strength.
When performing a push-up, make sure to keep your hands wider than your shoulders, and keep your elbows at a 90 degree angle at the bottom of the movement.
To start, you can perform 1 warm up set of 5 pushups.
After your warm up set, you should increase the number of repetitions per set. (Below is a recommendation.) Be careful to keep the same movement and form as the warm up set.
Reps: 15-20
Sets: 3
Bonus: For added resistance, fill a backpack up with canned food or books to add some extra weight.
Workout 2
Dips
Dips are a great way to build your triceps, chest, and shoulders. Find an object in your house that is about knee high and can support your weight: a couch or a loveseat usually will be good! If it is not heavy enough to not move during movement, you can place it against a wall.
Start by facing away from the furniture you are using, extend your legs so they are straight in front of you, positioning your hands wider than your shoulders on the surface of the object, supporting your weight with your hands.
Beginning with your arms fully extended, lower yourself to about one inch above the floor, and push yourself back up with your hands.
Reps: 15-20
Sets: 3
Bonus: To add some extra resistance, balance a heavy textbook or a heavy object you can lay in your lap while doing the movement.
Workout 3
Body weight squats
Put your hands on your hips or extend them out in front of you, depending on which helps you balance. Bend your knees until your thighs are angled to just below parallel, then stand back up.
Reps: 20-30*
Sets: 3-4*
*Depending on strength
Bonus: For extra resistance, wear a backpack filled with books, canned food, or similar heavy objects.
Cardio
Cardio is considered an important component to maintaining cardiovascular health, and is an important component to a balanced workout plan. Just doing 20-30 minutes of cardio activity a day could drastically improve your general health. Here are a few different cardio routines you can easily do around the house.
Running/Jogging in place
If you don’t have a treadmill, jog or run in place at a steady pace for 20–30 minutes. Increase or decrease your intensity depending on your experience level.
Running Stairs
If you live in a home with a flight of stairs, this is a great steady-state form of cardio that is sure to get your heart beating!
Walk, jog, or run up and down the stairs at a steady pace for 20–30 minutes. If jogging or running, be careful. That’s it!
Burpees
This is both a cardio and a resistance activity that can count as an entire workout! For those unfamiliar with burpees, they are a combination of a pushup, a squat, and a jumping jack.
Start in a squat stance, and drop down to a push up position. Then spring up from that position, and jump up in one fluid motion. If you need a bit of guidance, the video above shows the proper form for this exercise. Perform burpees at the fastest pace you are able to.
Reps: 15-20
Sets: 3-4
Now get moving and conquer your at home workout!
If the quarantine has you looking into buying a home and escaping the confines of an apartment, we can help.
Contact your local Benchmark branch. Contact us today for personalized information. Call me yourself or request a call from me. WeI would be honored to provide you with our famous excellent service for your new loan.
Benchmark brings you home.
Mastering Video Calls | Pro Tips to Improve Your Image with Clients
Skype and Zoom have been around for awhile, but have recently soared in popularity, due to the Covid-19 pandemic and social distancing restrictions. It’s nearly impossible to talk with our co-workers or safely meet with prospective clients in the current market without these critical communication tools. With these new challenges, now is the time to take your online presence and impression seriously. In this article, I will give you some practical ways to maintain a professional image while video conferencing remotely from home. Let’s dive in.
Power in Clarity | Improving Your Audio
While audio quality is often overlooked when It comes to video, clean and clear audio should be your top priority. If the person on the other end of the conversation has a hard time understanding you, not much will be accomplished with the rest of the call. Here are some practical tips to improve your audio.
Find a Quiet Space
If possible, use a room where you can close the door to minimize unplanned noise distractions. When not possible, consider a headset with good microphone noise cancellation.
Use a Headset
While it may be convenient to use your computer’s built in microphone, the audio quality is lacking. Try using a headset instead, to improve clarity. As mentioned above, one with good microphone noise cancellation can help overcome unavoidable background noise. Check out some of these to get started!
Location & Backgrounds
When having video calls, you’re essentially giving people a limited tour of your home. Taking control and setting the scene is important for making a good impression. Real backgrounds feel more natural and welcoming, but they can require a little more planning to get right on camera. Make sure you take the time to prepare the room that you’re planning to use for your video conference. Throw away visible trash and tidy things up. Make sure to eliminate visual distractions like a TV, open blinds, or an active ceiling fan. Find an area with an interesting background, like a bookshelf, indoor plants, or decorative lamps, for example.
If you don’t have access to an aesthetically pleasing area in your home, digital backgrounds are a good backup option. That being said, choose a digital backdrop that feels natural, like a home office for example. While it is tempting to use a fun beach background that comes with Zoom or Skype, it gives the wrong impression, so avoid them for professional or business calls. Here are a few digital backgrounds to help you get started!
The Importance of Good Lighting
Putting effort into proper lighting can yield excellent results when it comes to professional video presentation. If you have a dedicated space, it’s highly recommended to invest in a lighting kit with at least 2 lights. In general, you want to make sure to place the lights in front of you at a 45 degree angle to help create depth. Here is a budget friendly option that works great!
If you don’t have a budget for lights, the next best thing is to use natural light from a window. Make sure that the window is in front of you. Avoid having it behind you since this will cause you to look too dark in the final image that your webcam is capturing. If your window is equipped with curtains and/or blinds, try experimenting with various amounts of light to see what works best for you.
Check Your Internet Connection | Stability is Key
Stuttering video and buffering are frustrating when it comes to video conference calls. Many times people have to repeat themselves and a missed connection can create tension. Here are a few tips on how to diagnose and improve your current connection to the internet.
Use a wired connection if possible.
Plugging an ethernet cable coming from your router into your computer will almost always be faster and more stable than WiFi.
If using Wifi, find an area with a strong connection.
Weak signals can cause dropouts and slow internet speeds. Try using the 5ghz band for your wireless networks, if possible. Learn more about that here.
Check your internet speed.
Test your current internet speed using speedtest.net. For a quality video call, Zoom recommends having at least 1.5mbps (upload and download). If you have implemented the tips above and your connection is still too slow, consider talking to your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or shopping for a new one to get higher speed internet service.
Did These Help?
I hope you found these tips to be helpful for the quality of your video conference calls! Here at Benchmark, we are dedicated to continuing our excellent service while working from home. If you’re in the market for a new home with a home office, we can help with financing.
Contact your local Benchmark branch. Contact us today for personalized information. Call me yourself or request a call from me. WeI would be honored to provide you with our famous excellent service for your new loan.
Benchmark brings you home.
Win The Bidding War With Storytelling
Get your offer accepted without the highest bid. Can't raise the competition with a higher offer? Use storytelling to win the seller over. Read it here.
Winter, Pets, and Homeownership
There are a TON of benefits homeownership brings for you and your pets. 68% of American households have a pet, according to the most recent APPA Pet Ownership Survey. The most popular pet being dogs in 48% of households, followed by cats in 38% of households. With our furry friends being such a big part of our lives, there are some real perks to buying a home with your current or future pets in mind!
No More Middle of the Night Walks
Picture this: (If you currently rent with a pet, it doesn’t take much imagination) It’s freezing outside, you live in a second story apartment, and your dog wakes you up at 4am crying to go to the bathroom. You have to get out of bed, bundle up, begrudgingly grab the leash, and walk your pup downstairs, outside to do his/her business.
For renters with dogs, especially in apartments, this scenario is a daily reality. How great would it be to just be able to open the door and let your pup out? Or better yet, what if you could install a doggy door, and they were able to go out on their own? When you’re ready to buy, choosing a home with a fenced in yard can be life-changing for you and your beloved pet.
Give Your Pets the Space They Deserve
The reality is most renters settle for way less square footage than they would find in a house. This makes a huge difference when the temperatures outside are not suitable for taking a stroll. Not to mention, having the bonus of a yard can add a ton of additional space for your dog to run and play without being cooped up inside, and a fenced backyard means access to nature is a whole lot easier when nature calls. Perhaps your puppy has outgrown your current living space, or maybe you want to adopt another dog, but you just don’t have enough space. Buying a home with more square footage can have a positive impact on your pet’s, and your own quality of life!
Be Your Own Landlord and Make Your Own Rules
Many landlords restrict by weight or breed, or simply do not allow for pets of any kind. For families with pets, this can limit your options when looking for housing. For those who are locked into a lease with pet restrictions, it can be heartbreaking not being able to add a new companion to your family when you are ready. When you own a home, you are in complete control.
Say Goodbye to the Pet Deposit
Pet deposits can be a major financial burden for renters with pets. With nonrefundable pet deposits averaging between $200-$500, often per each pet, renting is a big expense for pet lovers on top of the normal expenses for caring for your beloved four-legged family member. At with the recent trend of many landlords charging pet rent, a monthly fee for having a pet, on top of your rent and pet deposit, the costs of renting with pets can really add up.
Ready to get into the perfect home for you and your pet? Call me or contact me to get started today!When to get into the perfect home for you and your pet? Find your Benchmark Branch to get started today!Ready to get into the perfect home for you and your pet? Contact us today to get started!
How To Maintain Your Sanity When Hosting For The Holidays
Welcoming your friends and family into your home can be one of the most anticipated events of the holidays. Whether you have family visiting from out of town, or if you’re hosting Christmas dinner this year, the fact that your home is the gathering place for your loved ones is a special privilege.
However, all the stress from cooking, cleaning, and social duties of hosting may get in the way of enjoying the moments and memories with your guests. Following these tips may help you achieve balance and celebrate the joy of your holiday gathering.
Prepare in Advance
Get ahead so you don’t feel like you are falling behind. Do you wait until the last minute to do your shopping, or prepare your home for guests? Of course, doing anything last-minute is a tried and true recipe for anxiety or stress. By making a list of what you need from the store early, you may be able to beat the holiday crowd — if you wait until the day before Christmas, you are giving yourself the gift of a stress filled shopping trip. The best cure for situational stress is preparation. You can do it!
Don’t Overcommit
Promising more than you are able to deliver will run you ragged. While it is sometimes easier to say ‘Yes’ than to risk confrontation, Remember, it is okay to say ‘No.’ If you lack space or patience to host guests from out of town, or if you are uncomfortable cooking a complicated meal, it’s okay to say ‘No.’ Your family most likely loves you as much as you love them, and will understand. Ultimately, you will be more relaxed, leading to happier holidays.
Delegate Tasks
Once you have prepared and decided that you can handle hosting your loved ones, it’s time to distribute the work to those willing to help out. Relying only on yourself to get everything done will make it difficult to enjoy the experience. Ahead of time, take down a list of everything you need to accomplish, and try to delegate at least 50% of the tasks to family members or outside sources. If you have limited help, or limited space, this is where prioritization and balance really come to the rescue.
Consider Catering
If you normally find yourself trapped in the kitchen during your holiday hosting, consider catering a meal for your guests to enjoy. Sure, your grandmother’s family pie recipe is better, but is a ready-to-bake pie from the store good enough? Is the catered green bean casserole better than your old standard? Even outsourcing a portion of the kitchen tasks can give you room to breathe, and even enjoy the tasks you’ve reserved for yourself to brag about. Everyone will likely appreciate mixing up your typical holiday cuisine, and you will gain quality time spent with your friends and family instead of stressing in the kitchen. Joy to the host!
What Are Your Tips?
If you have tried these, or if you have your own tips that we should know about, please leave it in a comment below! We would love to hear from you.
Top 20 Things to Recycle in Your Home
November 15th is “America Recycles Day!”
In honor of this sustainable celebration, we have made a list of common household items that we can all recycle to help conserve resources and protect our environment.
Kitchen
- Food Boxes
cereal boxes, frozen meal boxes, crackers, pasta, etc - Food Cans
canned foods, canned drinks, canned sauces, etc - Plastic Jugs
milk jugs, juice jugs, etc - Paper Towel Rolls
don’t forget plastic wrap rolls, aluminum foil rolls, and their boxes - Plastic Bottles
condiments, soft drinks, dressings, etc - Old Appliances
microwaves, toasters, dishwashers, refrigerators, stoves, etc - Cooking Oil
vegetable oil, canola oil, peanut oil, and other frying oils can be used as biodiesel
Bathroom
- Shampoo Bottles
don’t forget conditioner and other bottled cosmetic cleansers - Soap Boxes
paper wrappers and other cardboard cosmetic and hygiene product boxes as well - Toilet Paper Roll
if you have small children in your house, consider reusing them for crafts!
Living Room
- Household batteries
AA, AAA, C, D, 9V, and button cell batteries - Electronics
televisions, remote controls, blu ray players, stereos, speakers, sound bars, game consoles, etc
Bedroom
- Tissue Boxes
don’t forget other cardboard panels and containers - Magazines
and newsletters, books at the end of their life, etc - Mattresses
foam, innerspring, latex, or combination
Office
- Junk Mail
postcards, letters, fliers, and more. more fun to throw, so consider a bin for recyclables next to the trash bin - Scrap Paper
printing mistakes, notepad pages, hole punched holes, and more no paper left behind! - Ink Cartridges
some models allow you to reuse them, or exchange for refurbished at a discount
Garage
- Tires
don’t forget lawn tractor and other tires - Automotive Fluids
oil, power steering fluid, coolant, brake fluid, can all be either used for fuel or recycled
Some items require advanced processing and recycling may not be available in all cities. Click here to see if recycling for these items is available in your area.
Remember, it is better to reduce what you use, and reuse what has already been used, and lastly, to recycle items that would otherwise end up in a landfill. Paper, cardboard, and organic matter can also be composted to help feed your garden.
Benchmark Memo: When Disaster Strikes, You Have Options
In the aftermath of the historic flooding in South Texas, and in anticipation of Hurricane Irma in the Caribbean, you should be aware of your financial options in the wake of devastation.
The FHA 203(h) is a ZERO down program, and is available to homeowners and renters alike.
At Benchmark, we know how important it is to rebuild after devastation. Your Benchmark Loan Originator can help with options like the FHA 203(h) program.
5 Tips To A Great Start For The New School Year
Every new school year brings with it a clean slate, nervous excitement, optimistic hope, and high expectations. In addition to the tips we published before (A New School Year Means New Opportunities), here are 5 tips to getting off on the right foot.
A Place For Everything, And Everything In Its Place
Establish a designated place for all school supplies and papers. You will appreciate having a single location where school related items stay, especially when things get hectic.
Tell Your Calendar Who Is Boss
Schedule your family’s important doctor, dental, and other appointments ahead of time. Before blocking out your calendar with after school activities, block out important dates and appointments. The dates will be set, and you won’t be scrambling to fit them in later. Don’t forget to schedule your own appointments too!
Well Laid Plans Make Life Easier
When it comes to planning, anything worth doing is worth overdoing. Set yourself up for success by doing more than just planning. Over-plan, because failing to plan is planning to fail. Within a few short weeks, everyone in your household will ease into their own rhythm, and the hours will plan themselves. Until then, overdo your preparations for new learning strategies, new schedules, and new teachers.
Take The Time To Soak It All In
Don’t forget to stop and slow down every once in a while. Every new school year brings with it the excitement of novelty and the anticipation of change. Remember to stop every now and then, to take a deep breath, and to enjoy each moment. As Socrates famously said, “An unexamined life is not worth living.”
Embrace Your Inner Optimist
Attitudes are contagious, so remember to smile, maintain a positive attitude, and believe that the best is yet to come.
4 Tips to Save for Your Child’s College Tuition
Do you have children or grandchildren? If you do, you are likely considering their higher education opportunities long before they have similar thoughts of their own. If trends are any indicator, the cost of four year and two year universities continue to rise every year. As the cost of college increases, planning and investing in your child’s future now becomes even more important.
1. Take Advantage of Merit Based Scholarships
Some families don’t fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid because they believe their income is too high for their child to qualify. No matter your income, it is worth filling out. Most colleges offer aid based on high school academic achievements (merit). If you don’t fill out the form, you cannot be considered for those scholarships. You can apply by visiting https://fafsa.ed.gov and clicking “Start A New FAFSA.”
2. Choose an Investment Program
A 529 college savings plan is named after Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code. This type of plan allows you to steadily grow a designated account that is designated for college tuition and other college costs. As long as the money is used appropriately, the state-sponsored investment plan gets special tax benefits. The money invested in a 529 grows tax free and is also tax free to spend on college expenses such as tuition, books, and fees. Even if you aren’t certain that your child will attend college, it’s still a good investment because you can change the recipient of the money. A grandchild, sibling, nephew, niece, or even you can use that money for education. In some states, the money in a mature 529 account can even be withdrawn for uses other than college.
3. Enroll in Rewards Programs
Some credit cards offer a percentage back when you shop and buy gas. If you swipe a card when you dine out, a using a card with a rewards program would give you some of that money back monthly or quarterly. Although these programs typically award a very small percentage of the purchase, this money can be invested into a designated college savings account or a 529 plan. When the new graduate in your life is ready to begin their higher education, you’ll be thankful for every penny saved.
4. Ask for College Fund Contributions Instead of Socks
Tired of birthday gifts or holiday gift that seem unnecessary? Instead of asking friends and family to buy your child toys, ask them to contribute to a college tuition savings account. Many states offer tax deductions for financing a college account, even if the child is not your own.
Plan Ahead
While it may be unrealistic to work one’s way through college like in decades past, all hope is not lost. Like all investment strategies, your biggest ally is time. With the right strategy and an early start, a debt free education really is possible.