Notepad Corner

Days pass so swiftly and now we’re on the tail end of 2012. Notepad Corner is already running on its third year come 2013 and as 2012 closes its doors to give way for a new year ahead, I would like to thank you – my readers for your continued support. Rest assured, this blog will constantly provide interesting and worthy topics and articles for you to read on.

The jubilation of Christmas is felt everywhere as most families greet the season with festive atmosphere.   The Yuletide fever as my youngest son called it, is a perfect moment for family affairs. It is the most special time of the year for unique family bonding. School break for two long weeks for the kids to enjoy best the holidays can give us more time to schedule fun activities for the whole family.   Attending family reunions, watching movies, strolling and wandering in parks and places with Christmas activities for entertainment and leisure or a week vacation such as an out of town trip to unwind and relax are just among the recreational activities families take pleasure in during this season.

photo credits:  freedigitalphotos.net Living on a student budget can be stressful so it’s wise to do some financial planning prior to starting a college or university course, whether or not this will be undertaken close to home or abroad.  A financial plan does not have to be sophisticated but it does need to be honest about everyday expenditure, and it’s a good idea to build in a few ways in which income can be stretched a little more.  Here are some basic tips for watching your budget while studying. Creating a budget Begin with an honest analysis of typical monthly expenditure.  Track every single item on a spreadsheet, or in a notebook or smartphone app.  From the total available to spend, first set aside funds for the major bills – tuition fees, books, accommodation costs, meal tickets, etc.  If there are large amounts to be spent once or twice per year – for example, on travel if studying abroad – make sure to include these.  What money is left after these entries rep

After students graduate from college, they must decide what to do with their lives. There are often three options: find a job, take post graduate courses or travel abroad. Depending upon your budget, the economy and your stress levels, you may choose one of these three options as the next stage in life. Let’s take a look how these options can be incorporated and integrated into our lives as learning opportunities: Enrol in Postgraduate Courses Many college graduates want to immediately enrol into postgraduate courses. Some people may choose to get their Masters in Business Administration (MBA), Masters of Science (MS) or Masters of Education (MEd) immediately after finishing a bachelor’s degree. Going to school to be a doctor is another option. To enrol in these programs, college graduates must usually show their proficiency by taking a MCAT test to prove their ability to perform at a certain level. You can find MCAT practice tests online to help you study for this important

Gone are the days where you can see many beautiful houses in the metropolis. As the city is increasingly congested with population and limited space, condominiums and townhouses emerge as a very attractive proposition in choosing an urban contemporary home. Only private subdivisions in town are now selling the traditional house and lot. If you want to purchase a reasonably priced conventional home, start scouting for it out of town. As observed, more big houses in the city are being converted to business establishments; mostly are turned   into a specialized bistro while others set up boutiques and bazaars. Most families these days find buying a high rise home practically wise due to the following reasons: Location and Proximity. It is much comfortable to live close to a key destination such as your children’s school, place of work or office , supermarket and hospitals.

Cleaning and organizing the home can be a daunting task when you have a busy life and a family to take care of. Yet when you can't readily find objects in your home, it can cost you money to needlessly replace them. Taking the time to get organized will save you time and money in the long run, which is why an annual spring cleaning can be so beneficial. The following are a few ways to organize your home to make life easier, and save a few dollars in the process! Sort Mail One of the biggest sources of clutter is the mail that comes in every single day. Create a centralized area to hold your incoming mail, where it can be easily sorted each day. Use a filing system to store important documents, and recycle the rest. You can not only reduce clutter but save money by switching to online bank statements and bills, as many utility companies will give you a discount for online payments. This will also ensure that you pay all bills on time, helping you avoid late fees. Create a

Have you noticed that when you step inside a luxurious hotel or function room, flooring most of the time are carpeted? Isn’t it an indication of fabulous and expensive place? Probably it is, because by merely walking on it, you can already feel the comfort that soothes your tired and cold feet. Carpets aside from its beautifying purpose also trap 50% of dust in the air, thus, preventing it from being inhaled. However, do not just let your carpet stay on the floor without cleaning it on a regular basis. Dusts will accumulate tremendously over a week’s time and carpet could become your worst allergen. It is strongly advised to undergo regular carpet cleaning to maintain its beauty and protective property.