5 Best Green Products for Everyday Use

Green Products for Everyday Use

If you know anything about environmental hazards, you’ll know that a major contribution to environmental damage comes from families and homeowners. If you look closely, you’ll find that the plastic cutlery, latest apps to achieve financial goals, lead-based items, microbeads-containing cosmetics, and a variety of other materials in your house do more harm than good. Check the best green products for everyday use below.

Sure, they may be cheap and efficient, but that doesn’t outweigh their long-term environmental consequences. But what if you decide to go eco-friendly? Will you still have all the gadgets? 

Sure, you will? In fact, you’ll even find better alternatives for the current gadgets you use. Here are some of the best green gadgets that can bring down your negative environmental impact:

1. Sodastream Fizzi Sparkling Water Maker

Each day, millions of plastic bottles end up in landfills, roadside dumpsters, on seashores, and often inside the tummy of large marine animals. So, the next time you feel the urge to buy a bottle of sparkling water, just hold yourself back and go for the Sodastream Sparkling Water Maker instead! 

With returnable and recyclable CO2 cylinders and a BPA-free design, you can stir up a bottle of sparkling water right at home. Not only is this environmentally friendly, but it’s also way cheaper than buying readymade sparkling water each time!

2. Philips Hue Bulbs

Harsh, yellow light bulbs are old news. Instead of investing in these energy wasters, you can look for high-quality LED bulbs, such as these Philips Hue Bulbs. 

Besides consuming lesser energy, these bulbs also:

  • Avoid heating up the room
  • Give a much brighter light
  • Last longer
  • Reduce electricity bills
  • Are available in changing colors

3. Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller

Most sprinkler systems today are automatic or semi-automatic but still consume a lot of water. But what if you have an intelligent sprinkler system? What if your system takes care of all the adjustments on its own when you’re busy or away from home?

The Rachio Sprinkler Controller takes web-based weather updates and predictions and adjusts water requirements and distribution without needing any intervention from you. Talk about convenience!

4. Google Nest Thermostat

Google has one of the smartest and easiest-to-use Wi-Fi programmable thermostats for home use. It can work with Alexa and is programmable remotely as well.

The Google Nest Thermostat has Energy Star certification, which means it functions according to some pretty stellar energy-conservation standards. The thermostat:

  • Comes with a remote control
  • Turns itself down whenever you’re away
  • Has a Savings Finder to help you tighten up your energy expenditure as cleverly as possible
  • Sends red alerts to notify if something’s wrong in your HVAC system

5. Force of Nature Non-Toxic All-Purpose Cleaner

Phenyls and acids and bleaches, and commercial grade cleaners lead to the eventual destruction of your home’s environment. They’re too harsh and chemically active, so families looking for a safer and eco-friendly option can turn to Force of Nature’s fantastic solution!

This gadget creates electrolyzed solution from vinegar, salt, and water within no time and gives you the perfect all-purpose cleaner with zero toxic additives.

Final Words

Shifting to eco-friendly gadgets can be really dicey. You have to research well before investing in such a different lifestyle. However, these top five picks are some of the most trusted and widely used green products for everyday use, so you can use them without any difficulties!

5 Tips on How to Choose a Solar Company for Your Home

how to choose a solar company

As the world begins to shift slowly toward renewable and sustainable energy sources, more people are deciding to live a green life and convert their home power supply to a renewable energy source.

Solar energy has proven to be the most popular, accessible, and affordable option for the average homeowner. Solar companies are popping up everywhere to keep pace with this growing demand.

But, in this burgeoning market, the question arises: How to choose a solar company? What should you consider when shopping around for an installer? 

For most homeowners, solar paneling may seem like a daunting endeavor. And, you know, it’s understandable to get a case of the buyer’s jitters when venturing into uncharted territory. The choice to convert your home power supply to solar energy and live your best sustainable life is a huge step, and you want to be sure it is done right. Have no fear.

Just keep reading for the top 5 things to consider when choosing a solar company for your home.  

1. Shop Around 

First things first—shop around! It would help if you did your research. If you have neighbors, friends, or family who have also gone solar, don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations. It’s also a good idea to check out company reviews online. Where possible, look for local solar companies that have a well-established presence in the market. Going local may save you a lot of money in the long run.

A 2017 study by the NREL (National Renewable Energy Labs) discovered that large solar companies typically charge up to 10 percent more than smaller enterprises. The flashy, high-end branding that larger companies employ may look attractive. Still, it is in no way an indicator of quality or value for money. Seek assessments and quotes from at least 3-5 reputable companies. Also, be sure to check that the companies you consider are fully qualified and legally certified to do the job. 

2. Don’t Be Cheap 

 In your quest for cost-efficiency, do remember not to be cheap. While it is possible to get great deals, you should be wary of any installer whose prices seem suspiciously low compared to the competition. Chances are they may cut corners somewhere, which will inevitably cause you to spend thousands more than anticipated. 

3. Buy Your Equipment Outright

Where possible, it’s usually a good idea to steer clear of lease agreements. Large solar companies frequently prefer to offer their customers solar leases and power purchase agreements rather than selling the equipment outright. These may seem attractive at the outset but are unavoidably parasitic to the consumer.

These agreements often have escalator clauses in the contracts, which guarantee a higher profit for the company by continually draining your pocketbook. These terms are another reason to go with a smaller company. You may pay a bit more on the front end, but the long-term savings are worth it.   

4. Look into the Warranties 

It’s essential to familiarize yourself with the standard warranty for your solar equipment. You also want to make sure that the contract warranty covers labor costs. 

5. Read the Fine Print

You probably already know how important it is carefully read contracts. But, for the sake of thoroughness, be reminded. Reading the fine print in your contract will stave off disputes. If your installer says that the service package includes something, make sure that it says so in the contract. 

Follow these five tips for a seamless transition to green, sustainable, earth-friendly energy. 

Using My Stimulus To Invest While Keeping My Debt And Finances Under Control

Brice Capital

Over the past year, I’ve thought a lot about investing in the stock market to increase my overall wealth. Hearing stories about individuals who hit it big with GameStop, AMC and cryptocurrencies only heightened my interest in getting started. I could only imagine how exciting it would be to see my hard-earned money multiply without me having to lift a finger. I could use this money to set myself and my family up for life. 

One of the biggest issues is finding the money to invest. Things are tight for me financially, and taking even a few bucks from my budget could throw things off course. Not to mention, I’ve got a ton of debt that needs to be paid off. With the stimulus checks being distributed, I figured I could use those funds to start investing. I just needed to make sure that my finances would stay intact. Here’s a look at what I came up with. 

Age-Old Credit Card Debt

Most of the debt I was carrying came from credit cards. I was young and uninformed when I started applying for credit cards. I was able to get a few of them with high limits. Not paying attention to the interest rates, due dates, or anything else, I swiped whenever I could. Now, five years later, I’ve got a bunch of debt and nothing much to show for it. I started paying the minimum, but my efforts paled in comparison to the damage I’d done. If I was ever going to get my finances under control, I had to do something about these credit cards. 

Debt Consolidation

There are several ways to pay off your credit cards, but debt consolidation is what stuck out for me. A company by the name of Brice Capital helped me to make an informed decision. They’re a group of financial advisors that offer debt consolidation loans for high-interest credit cards. It was essentially a way to restructure my debt to make it more manageable. 

I could accept a loan offer from Brice Capital that would cover the balance of my credit cards. Their loan had lower interest rates and was more affordable, so I’d be saving a lot of money along the way. Not to mention, once the credit cards were paid off, I wouldn’t have to worry about late fees or poor credit ratings. My job was to ensure that I paid the loan off in installments. 

Financial Management

Realizing that credit card debt was only part of the problem, I also developed some positive financial management habits to keep things in order. I used an application to create a budget, set reminders to ensure I paid my bills on time, eliminated unnecessary spending, and set up an automatic savings plan to create an emergency fund. Developing these financial habits helped ensure that I could cover all of my expenses, maximize my savings, and keep my debt under control. Believe it or not, I even found more money to dedicate to investing in the stock market. 

Guilt-Free Investing

Investing in the stock market when your finances are out of order, and your debt is through the roof seems counterproductive. No matter how much money you generate, you still owe it to someone else. That’s why I wanted to get things to a more manageable state before I started dabbling in the stock market. 

For me, consolidating my credit card debt with a loan from Brice Capital and developing healthy financial habits worked. It relieved a lot of financial stress, helped me to maximize my income, and get my debt under control. By the time the stimulus check arrived, I was able to start looking for the best stock or cryptocurrency to invest in. While I’m not expecting to strike big overnight, it feels good to know that I’ve made a positive investment in my future. 

How Are You Going To Save Money In These Uncertain Times?

 Don’t be hesitant to break personal finance rules if the times call for it. When the economy and employment are stable, it’s natural to budget accordingly and abide by long honored financial traditions. Likewise, when things go haywire, as they have this year, your personal finance rules may have to go out the window, too.

 The financial impact of the pandemic has changed the way that people think about money. Many folks whose personal spending habits might have included a $5 cup of coffee every morning are now thinking twice and saving that $5 every day of the month. Many folks whose personal spending habits might have included a $5 cup of coffee every morning are now thinking twice. For example, a one-time Keurig purchase could save that daily $5, which adds up to about $150 in monthly savings. Financial experts have been keen to offer up their advice on reducing spending as well. You don’t have to be an expert, though, to follow these few simple ideas on how to keep more cash in your pocket during the pandemic.

 Analyze 

Analyzing your personal spending habits is the gateway to making them healthier. Just like a doctor has to analyze the symptoms of a disease in order to diagnose it and treat it, you’ve got to analyze your spending habits in order to change them in a way that’s going to be healthier. There are many software programs that will help you track your spending habits and then quickly detect ways you can save money through a 12 month period. Just the thought alone that you want to spend money more wisely is a good start. Think about all the things you spend money on. Which things can you live with? Which ones could you live without?

 The Expense of Online Life

 How much does your online life cost you? The answer for some will be, “Nothing,” while the answer for many millions of people will be, “More than I ever imagined.” Online subscriptions are seemingly bite-sized little bills that save you money on media like movies, music, and books. However, when you add up all of those online subscriptions, it can quickly rack up a total of hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Are there any of these subscriptions you could live without for 12 months?

 Debts

 Interest is a great word if you’re talking about something that fascinates you, but in the world of personal finance, interest is an unpleasant word. It means all that money you pay in addition to the product you actually received. If you finance anything, or have credit cards, you know exactly what interest is. Interest is the closest thing you’ll ever find to an instance of money evaporating in thin air. You’re paying money for nothing. If you want to lower your interest this year, it’s time to think about refinancing or consolidating debts. You’ll be shocked at how much money you can save just by adjusting interest rates on some of your credit cards, loans, and other payments. 

Insurance

 Insurance is another one of those tricky products that doesn’t actually get you much of anything unless something terrible happens. For example, car insurance is an annual expense for hundreds of millions of people who won’t ever actually need a dime from the insurance company. Getting a better car insurance rate alone can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars a year. And while car insurance will always be a necessary expense, it doesn’t have to be an overwhelming one. Shop for better car insurance rates a couple of times a year. When you find them, it will free up more money in your budget. Car insurance comparison tools are a great place to start out if you want to lower insurance premiums.

 Cash Back 

Using cash back apps might not instantly make you rich, or even give you much more than a few hundred dollars a year, but when you consider that you’re shopping anyway, why not get every dime you can out of it? Let’s say you plan to buy a $300 set of headphones this year. You use an app to do it and get a sweet $10 back out of that purchase. Reward programs with online and offline retailers is another great way to make money just from the fact that you’re spending cash. It puts more money in your pocket for doing something you would have done anyway. You’ll find an abundance of cash back apps to help you start your journey.

 These five simple ways to reduce spending this year won’t make you rich, but they will give you a sense of responsibility and satisfaction that you’ve done all you could to prepare for the future in this uncertain era.

Your Guide to Understanding a Golden Investment

Gold is one of those prized metals that have been used to preserve wealth for centuries. They help diversify your investment portfolio and protect the hard-earned assets against the fluctuations in the global economy.

Creating a stable financial future involves buying investment grade gold coins or gold bullions here. You will enjoy the touch, feel, and security of gold, in comparison to other intangible investment options.

Gold as an Investment

If you are anxious about the recent economic crisis, then owning gold can become your insurance investment. This tangible asset gives firm control over your finances, regardless of the economic conditions. Below are some forms of gold to buy:

Gold Coins

Uncirculated gold coins are a popular choice for buyers and are minted by several countries across the world. But remember, their meltdown value may far exceed the face value. Even collectible coins have higher market values than their face value. These rising values are dependent on the rarity of the coins and, nevertheless, make them highly attractive to the buyers.

Newly minted coins can be obtained easily with government mints guaranteeing their purity. Some popular choices include the Canadian Maple Leaf, the American Eagle, Australian Kangaroo, and the US Mint K Gold Buffalo. A few of these coins are offered in different sizes that make them attractive to both small and large investors.

Bars or Bullions

Contrary to the popular belief that holds bullion as large bars held in secure locations, bullion implies the fineness and stamped weight of the gold. It can appear round like a coin, bars, or any practically sized shape that is tradable. Your bullion’s price typically includes the costs of refining, shipping, metal costs, and the dealer’s premium. If you are looking for a large investment, consider buying heavy bars here. You will be saving on the add-on costs, and they can be stored at insured facilities as well.

The Next Steps

Now that you are ready to buy gold, below are the steps to follow next:

Choose Only Pure Gold

The gold bars should be at least 99.5% pure, to make for a worthy investment. The remaining percentage includes alloys like copper or silver for smelting purposes. Check if your gold bullion displays the manufacturer’s name, its purity, and weight on the face.

Understand the Gold’s Pricing

Gold prices are continually varying, and its current rates are termed as the spot price. Several factors influence the spot price – the central bank, war, demand, and average transaction size. Typically, you will be buying gold at a certain percentage above the spot price and selling it at precisely the spot price. It is common for dealers to claim that gold coins are worth more than just the metal and charge a premium. This is hard to avoid, and so be wary of those giving you a too good offer.

Find the Right Dealer

Research on the reputed dealers by considering the following attributes:

  • Price: Consider those dealer websites that offer a fair price for your gold. Check the spot price and inspect what the dealer is charging above this rate.
  • Reputation: Buying gold online can be risk-free if you purchase from a reputed dealer. Read customer reviews or check any government’s listing of reputable gold dealers for this purpose.
  • Buyback Policies: It is crucial to understand the buyback policy of a dealer. While some may not charge any additional fee on buyback, others may charge a premium. If possible, get the dealer’s policy in writing and store it for future reference.

Irrespective of whether your aim is long term investment or possessing a quick-selling tangible product, gold fits all your requirements. Gold rates have always been on the rise, making it imperative for you to buy gold right away here. However, take time to understand the gold trade’s nuances to make your investment worthy and safe.

Expectations vs Reality of Disability Insurance

The idea behind Disability Insurance sounds great. You are insuring that in the event you are unable to work, then you will be covered from an income perspective. This seems great for families whose survival relies on the income of one family member especially. An unexpected event could wreak havoc on a family. However, sometimes things sound better than they seem.

Expectation: I pay my premium for disability insurance and I will get the benefits.

Reality: You are not entitled to the benefits of your plan

It is true that you will pay your premium into a program, but unfortunately that doesn’t mean that if you get hurt or become disabled that you will be entitled to the benefits. Each plan has terms that need to be met to receive the benefits. Say you were to get hurt, your policy may not deem that injury a disability and therefore not be covered. You need to be conscious of this when entering into a contract to know what exactly you are covered for. What is the plan’s definition of a disability? A physician will need to be involved and proper diagnosis and plan will need to be determined prior to a claim. Insurance companies make money by not paying claims. They have people who are risk assessors to make sure they are not taking on risky clients. They can not be depended on to actually payout claims.

Expectation: With Disability Insurance, you get paid even though you are too disable to work.

Reality: You only get a portion of what you make.

Being on disability doesn’t mean you can make what you normally make while being disabled. You only receive a portion or percentage of your typical earnings. A typical number would be about 60% of pay. Plans can also take other sources of income into play which would reduce your payout even more. Companies and the government do everything in their power to detect fraud so it is important to know that you can be (and often are) caught.


All of this just means that you need to make sure you find the right fit and have the right expectations for you and your family when it comes to disability insurance. 

Top Software Picks for Day Trading

Day trading is the process of building and selling stocks within a 24 hour window. It’s a popular option for those looking to earn profit daily, and below we’ll discuss pros and cons of the web’s top platforms. 

TD Ameritrade

This platform offers a $0 minimal, free tools, and no commissions. The platform is great for both beginner and senior traders as well, as there is a huge selection of online stock options and mutual funds. There’s also a great customer support system in place. 

Interactive Brokers

Interactive brokers is a great platform for active users as there’s low per-share pricing and low margin rates. The platform boasts a large investment selection and over 4.300 no transaction fee mutual funds, but users cite a difficult website and inactivity fees as cons to consider. 

ETRADE

ETRADE also boasts $0 commissions and is a great option for beginner users, as they have a huge library of educational resources. While the website can be difficult to get the hang of, benefits of ETRADE include a large investment selection, an advanced mobile app, and a large selection of investments to browse.

Charles Schwab

This platform is a great option for both new and advanced users, as there is high-quality research available as well as a large amount of no transaction fee mutual funds. The platform also offers commission-free stock, options and ETF trades. 

Firstrade

This is the best option for users who are just starting out. Commission-free trades, free trades on all mutual funds, and a huge library of educational resources make this a great option. Better yet, the platform hosts biweekly seminars to help beginners get the ropes. 

Ally Invest

This is a great platform for active traders looking for a great low cost broker. There is a $0 account minimum and 0 commissions, as well as a large library of educational resources. Cons, however, include no branches and no no-transaction-fee mutual funds. 

Day trading allows you to avoid overnight risk and provide you with better leverage. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced user, one of these day trading platforms will be a great fit for you. 

Skylar Hammond is a writer for True Trader who specializes in topics such as stock trading, personal finance, and forex. He focuses on helping beginners and experts alike learn more about the market and improve their trading skills.