In 1964, Julie Andrews played the legendary nanny, Mary Poppins, who took care of the Banks household. The movie got 5 Oscars out of 13 nominated categories it was nominated for, including Best Actress for Julie Andrews.
Mary Poppins Returns is the sequel, taking place 20 years after the original movie. Emily Blunt will portray the whimsical nanny, who will come to help the Banks family once again, as they are facing difficulties, like repossession of their home.
How much did the original make at the box office?
Robert Stevenson directed the movie, which cost Disney somewhere between $4 million -$6 million to make during the 1960s. This would be around $32 million to $48 million today.
The original made over $225 million. Mary Poppins made a lifetime gross of $102.3 million which is almost $820 million in 2018.
How much did the sequel cost?
Disney gave $130 million for the making of the movie ‘’Mary Poppins Returns.’’ If it wants to surpass the original, it would need to earn over $1 billion at the box office. To be deemed profitable, Mary Poppins Returns needs only to bring in $390 million.
What do the reviews say?
The reviews are different. It’s certain that the fans of the original movie will nitpick at everything happening in the movie. BBC’s Nicholas Barber thinks that the movie is intelligently made, but requires originality. Variety’s Owen Gleiberman said that the film has, “a tone of whimsical sincerity that even the most innocent children’s films of today are a tad too slick and jaded to try for.” Vulture’s David Edelstein thinks that the movie “lacked magic.” He declared that even though he loves Emily Blunt, “for someone with her extraordinary range, the part is like a straitjacket.”
Mary Poppins Returns will make its debut on December 19, 2018.
Every employer wants to give the best satisfaction to their employees, and at the same time, they want to show that the business they are running is on the highest level possible. If you want to take your company to the next level; if you want to make your employees happier, and if you want to avoid any possible payroll mistakes, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we are going to talk about online paystubs, how they are used, and how you can benefit from them. Continue reading if you want to learn more about the paystub and the advantages of implementing it in your place of business.
1. Speed and efficiency
The first things we are going to talk about are speed and efficiency. When we want to send a paystub to our employees, we want that to be done as soon as possible, and we all want to avoid any delays.
When you try and do everything manually, or when you try to finish things offline, you will notice that it takes too much time. This means, that a few hours, or maybe even a few days of your busy schedule are going to be spent on this task.
When you use an online tool like a check stub maker, you will see that things are going to get done with a great speed, and you will be able to focus your time on something more important.
2. Transparency
Every employer wants to show their team that they care about them and that they are willing to share all the necessary data with them. With a paystub, you can do exactly that. Your employees will be able to keep track of their paychecks, they can see all the info about their labor, costs, and everything in between.
A paystub is a great way to increase the transparency in your company, and with that, for your employees to value and respect you more. Note that in addition to this, the check stubs are going to help your human resources team, and it will make their jobs easier.
3. Share important info
One of the biggest advantages of the paystub is that you will be able to add all the needed data in one place without having to share too many documents or explain to your employees your thought process.
According to paystubsnow, when you create these documents on your own online, you will be able to add information including the earnings, rate, vacation days, bonuses, when was the last time you paid your employee, the hiring data, and everything else.
The paystub will help you keep track of your expenses; it will make things easier when it comes to taxes, you will be more transparent with your team, they will be more satisfied, and ultimately, you will increase the workflow and focus on more important things.
4. Fewer errors
When we send a document about the paycheck your team receives, you want to avoid all possible mistakes. Even one small digit or even a comma in the number can make a huge problem with your funds and taxes.
Because of this, you should learn how to make pay stubs and implement them in your work process. A paystub will help you decrease errors, and check all the information with ease. You will easily see if the numbers match and if you need to correct something.
A check stub maker can help you calculate all the numbers and with that, prevent any possible mistakes that you could do when you do things manually.
5. Better management
Every good business owner knows how important it is to manage their team and to keep track of all the hours. By doing this, you will know when is the right time to hire a new person, and when you need to think about cutting costs.
By implementing the paystub, you will easily learn how many extra hours have been allotted in the past month, if there are employees who have a lot of free time, and if someone is trying to take advantage of you.
Experts suggest that by learning how to make a pay stub, you will also learn how to eliminate wasted hours, how to merge positions, and how to increase productivity.
6. You won’t violate any tax rules
The last thing we are going to talk about is taxes. Everyone who’s ever worked a day in their lives knows how important taxes are, and in how much trouble we can get if we don’t follow all the rules.
It is said that when you implement the paystub into your working process, you will avoid many possible compliance errors, and by that, you won’t violate any tax rules.
When you learn how to make pay stubs, you will keep up with all the regulations, no matter how fast they are changing. Many employers have reported that when the government makes changes to the rules for employers and companies, they are usually not getting noticed, and they are bound to make more mistakes when it comes to payroll.
If you don’t want to risk paying a lot of penalties, and if you don’t want to end up losing money, or even closing your company, then you should implement this practice.
When everything is transparent, and when you can easily keep track of all the money you’ve paid to your employees, it is going to be easier for your HR team to calculate everything, and with that, you won’t make any errors when filing the taxes.
These are some of the advantages that come with using an online paystub maker. You will make your life easier; you will make your employees happier, and you will avoid so many mistakes that occur when you do things manually. Know that nowadays, there are so many online makers, and most of them are free, so the only thing you need to do is choose the right platform for you. Utilize the comfort that the digital era is offering you, and focus your time on bigger and better things.
As you already know, Asia is formed from a wide range of countries, however, there are few of them that are quite popular for their film industries such as Japan, Indian, Thailand, and of course, China. Besides having a developed film industry, these countries also have some of the highest-paid actors of all time.
If you are interested in learning who these famous, popular, and rich stars are, then you might find this article to be quite helpful. The text below is going to feature a list of the 11 richest Asian actors for the year 2024. Let’s take a closer look:
1. Huang Xiaoming
Net Worth: $80.000.000
According to the newest revenue statistics and reports, Huang is currently meriting approximately 80 million dollars. Besides being a beloved celebrity, he is also a model and a singer. He has played a wide range of roles in various film genres, and he has been the brand ambassador for several famous international companies in China.
2. Andy Lau – Chinese
Net Worth: $70.000.000
One of the richest Asian artists on this list is Andy Lau – with a net value estimated at 70 million dollars. He is one of Hong Kong’s most beloved and biggest entertainment superstars and he is well-known for playing a lot of characters in action films. His latest picture is called “From Vegas to Macau II” – and if you still didn’t watch, now might be a good time.
3. Ranbir Kapoor – Indian
Net Worth: $50.000.000
If you are a fan of Bollywood, you must have heard about Ranbir whose net value is estimated to be around 50 million dollars. He is a relatively new performer and he made his debut a couple of years ago. He belongs to the legendary Kapoor family, well known for their influence in the Bollywood industry – which made it quite easy for him to earn a name by showing off his acting skills.
4. Jackie Chan – Chinese
Net Worth: $400.000.000
Jackie Chan is an Asian & Hollywood star, and he is also the richest out of all actors in Asia. I think that there is no reason to introduce this amazing man, especially since he is recognized by every single person on this earth. This Chinese star is known for his action-comedy flicks that often incorporate his excellent martial arts and comedy skill perfectly. Jackie is also one of the few people in the industry that performs his own stunts. If you want to check out additional info about this amazing person, you can read more here.
5. Salman Khan – Indian
Net Worth: $260.000.000
Khan is approximately meriting around 260 million dollars and at the moment, he is one of Bollywood sweetheart. His first film was released in 1989 and since then, he has acted in over 80 movies during his career! Besides being a renowned artist, he also created his own fashion line called “Being Human” which is a major hit with the youth in India.
6. Chow Yun Fat – Chinese
Net Worth: $100.000.000
Yet another character from the “From Vegas to Macao” franchise, Chow is valued close to 100 million dollars. Now, although he starred in a lot – let me repeat that A LOT – of Hong Kong films, you can also see him in Hollywood flicks as well. In fact, for most people, his character in “The Pirates of the Caribbean” is their favorite. He is the second highest-earning actor in Hong Kong as well.
7. Shah Rukh Khan – Indian
Net Worth: $200.000.000
The biggest star in the Bollywood world, Shah’s net value approximately 200 million dollars. When it comes to his assets, he is the richest actor in India. He also owns several shares of the India Premier League cricket franchise Knight Kolkata Riders as well. His fans all over the world often refer to him as King Khan.
8. Akshay Kumar – Indian
Net Worth: $240.000.000
Kumar’s net worth is estimated to be around 240 million dollars. Before joining the evergreen Indian movie industry, he became an accomplished martial artist – which allowed him to star in various action films to date. He plays the lead role in 4 to 5 movies every year and almost all of his movie broke box office records. Akshay is also the host of a TV show called “Khatron Ke Khiladi”.
9. Jet Li – Chinese
Net Worth: $200.000.000
Jet Li is a renowned Chinese and Hollywood actor, best known for his impeccable martial arts skills. Besides being an actor, he has also produced a wide range of movies that received praise and love from all over the globe. Currently, he is the second-best and highest-paid actor in China.
10. Tony Jaa – Thai
Net Worth: $10.000.000
Tony is an actor from Thailand and he has acted in various Thai action movies such as “Ong Bak” and “Tom Tum Goong”. These two movies made him incredibly popular worldwide, especially since they perfectly showcase his stunt and martial arts skills. However, he still did have his debut in international movies, so his net worth is for the domestic market only.
11. Amitabh Bachchan – Indian
Net Worth: $33.000.000
Also known as Big B, Amitabh has a net worth of 33 million dollars. His career spans over 46 years and he has acted in more than 200 movies – most of which were huge hits in the box office. Besides appearing in movies, he has also acted in various TV series, including hosting the Indian version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?”.
Conclusion
So, there you have it – these are the richest actors in Asia, as well as the most popular and loved ones. However, they are not only renowned in their own countries but all over the globe as well. They work all day, every day to create a memorable and pleasant experience for us, hence, it is kind of normal that they earn so much money.
If you did not see some of these actors in action, you should really not lose any more time. Instead, choose an actor, search for his best movies, grab some popcorn and enjoy a pleasant night with some of the best films and acting that you’ll ever see.
McDonald’s is everywhere. It is the largest fast-food franchise that now has thousands of part-time workers. Everyone’s heard of it, and the chances are good there is one in your town. Their food might be the same everywhere, but the people and the experiences vary greatly. However, working at McDonald’s can be a great starting point for your career no matter where you’re from. It can help you gain useful skills you might need later in life and on other workplaces – it’s full of learning opportunities. Many current and former employees shared their experiences, and we can now present those to you.
For starters, you’ll learn a lot about how a fast-food restaurant works giving you the experience and knowledge you need to work in any other fast-food place. You’ll get a taste of what’s it like to be operating and maintaining restaurant equipment. Also, working in McDonald’s means working in a team. You’ll learn a lot about working in a team and gain useful communicational and organizational skills. You’ll need to be able to prioritize tasks properly as well and learn to be fast and efficient. Since you’ll be working with people constantly, whether it’s the customers or your team, you’ll learn a lot about customer service and get used to being a part of a team. Some customers can give you a hard time, and it will be expected from you to deal with them and serve them. You will learn to simply put on a happy face and engage with a customer in a way that will dispel any possible tension. McDonald’s will teach you to work under pressure, and that is a shining skill on your resume. There, every hour is rush hour. After a while working there, you will become a reliable and customer-oriented worker who will have no problem with scoring a different job. Applying for the job isn’t even that difficult since you can simply apply for McDonald’s online application.
Many students work at McDonald’s as part-time employees as a way to support themselves during studies. It’s paid well enough for them to be able to be independent and not ask parents for money every day, and yet it leaves them with enough of free time for them to stay focused on studying.
At McDonald’s you can find people with disabilities, overweight people, people that don’t speak English very well, younger or older people, everyone is welcome as long as you want to learn, be responsible and take your job seriously.
The answer to a question about how to get hired isn’t a long one. Make sure you are prepared for 15 minutes of face-to-face interview in case you’re applying for crew positions, and for a 45 minutes long interview if you’re applying for manager positions. Try to give answers to two major questions before your interview: why you want to work there and how will they benefit from having you there. Dress for the job you want. For crew positions, you want to look casual, yet professional, while those applying for manager positions, should dress business casual.
Spinal Stenosis is one of the most painful health conditions that you can experience in your life. This health condition takes place due to narrowing of the bone channel within your spine. As a result, additional amounts of pressure is put upon the spinal cord and the nerves surrounding it. In most of the instances, Spinal Stenosis pain takes place in lower back and neck.
People who are dealing with Spinal Stenosis have to go through a lot of struggles when they are trying to get to sleep at night. In fact, the pain keeps them away from reaching sleep at night time. The pain that those individuals have to go through is similar to the nerve compression pain. However, there are some effective methods available for you to overcome this pain when going to bed. Purchasing an appropriate mattress can be considered as one of the most effective methods out of them. That’s where you can take a look at the top 10 choices of 2019 and purchase an appropriate mattress.
What factors should you take into consideration when purchasing a mattress for Spinal Stenosis?
According to healthcare professionals, you need to pay your attention towards two prominent factors when you are selecting the best mattress available in the market for overcoming Spinal Stenosis pain. They include firmness of the mattress and the materials used for the construction of it. Let’s deep dive and take a look at each of these factors. Then you will be able to get a clear understanding of how to purchase an appropriate mattress available in the market for overcoming Spinal Stenosis.
Firmness of the mattress
As you already know, firmness of the mattress is in a position to contribute a lot towards the level of comfort that you will be able to receive out of your mattress in the long run. This is the reason why you are encouraged to take a look at the Goldilocks method when selecting a mattress depending on the firmness. In other words, you need to go ahead with a mattress that is not too soft or not too hard. You need to locate the appropriate level of firmness given out by the mattress that you purchase.
You shouldn’t be too bothered about the price tag when you are spending money out of your pocket to purchase a mattress. Instead of the price, you need to focus more on the value and the price of the mattress. As you can assume, the better quality mattresses available for your purchase in the market are more expensive when compared to the other options. If you want to save money, you are encouraged to take a look at the promotions and sales, instead of going forward with a low-quality product, which can compromise on the quality.
Before you purchase a mattress and take it home, you need to think about giving it a test run as well. If you are suffering from Spinal Stenosis, this is something that you shouldn’t ignore. You need to lay on the mattress for a period of at least 20 minutes. Then you will be able to discover how your body settles down in the mattress. In case if you are not allowed to sleep in the mattress while you are in the store, you need to check if it comes with a trial period. Otherwise, you need to look for an alternate option.
While you go ahead with the test run, you should also see how the product helps you to overcome the Spinal Stenosis pain that you are going through. If you notice that the mattress helps your body to relieve the pain, it would be a good option to go ahead with it. Therefore, you can spend money out of your pocket and take the mattress home.
Material used for the construction
As the second factor, you need to take a look at the material, which is used for the construction of the mattress. Memory foam mattresses are well known for cradling the body. Therefore, you will be able to get a good spinal adjustment at the end of the day. Moreover, it can also contribute towards pressure point relief. You should also keep in mind that memory foam mattresses are provided with the ability to distribute body weight evenly. Therefore, you will not have to go through any uneven discomfort. In other words, there will be no factor, which can make your pain turn worse. You will be able to enjoy relief by sleeping in the mattress.
From the recent studies, it has been identified that memory foam mattresses are provided with the ability to eliminate pressure points in a better way, than any other mattress available for your purchase in the market. Even the American Sleep Association has confirmed this fact. Due to this reason, you can go ahead with a memory foam mattress without keeping any doubts or second thoughts in your mind as well.
The traditional spring mattresses and the coil mattresses are not in a position to hold the shape for a long period of time when compared to the memory foam mattresses. Therefore, you should not go ahead with those options, especially with the Spinal Stenosis pain. Therefore, you need to go ahead with a memory foam mattress, and it will be one of the best options available for you to consider.
The cooling properties and the airflow of the mattress that you purchase can also contribute a lot towards relieving the Spinal Stenosis pain that you go through. Therefore, you must keep an eye on it. In addition, adequate airflow has got the ability to improve the amount of oxygen that your body receives. With that, you can provide better relaxation capabilities to the body and overcome the frustrating Spinal Stenosis pain that you are going through.
According to the stocks portal beststocks.com, analysts are raising the rating on PACCAR Inc stock (NGS: PCAR), a major global manufacturer of trucks and aftermarket truck parts, to BUY from HOLD. We view PCAR as a well-run company that produces a highly regarded line of trucks. PACCAR has created a specialized niche of high-quality vehicles that command premium prices, but offer enhanced comfort, quality and reliability. We expect PACCAR to generate significantly stronger top- and bottom-line growth in the coming quarters and are raising our EPS estimates for both this year and next.
Recent developments
In particular, the Trucks segment (71% of revenue) saw lower margins and lower production volume due to coronavirus shutdowns. By business segment, Truck revenue fell 30% to $3.504 billion, while pretax profit fell 56% to $210 million. New Truck deliveries totaled 36,000 units, down 27% from 3Q19.
In the Parts business, sales rose 2% and pretax profit rose 1%.
Revenue in PACCAR Financial Services (PFS) rose 9% to $398 million, though pretax profit fell 17% to $56 million. Vehicle resale values were comparable with the second quarter. The current $15.3 billion asset portfolio includes 203,000 trucks.
Although the pandemic had a material impact on 3Q performance, its impact is now diminishing. Nearly all of the company’s manufacturing facilities are back in operation and production volume is increasing.
Earnings & Growth Analysis
PACCAR does not provide detailed financial guidance but does offer an industry outlook. In its 3Q20 earnings report, management noted that U.S.and Canadian Class 8 truck orders through September were up 18% from the prior year.
With that as a backdrop, PCAR raised its 2024 forecast for U.S. and Canadian Class 8 truck sales to 190,000-210,000 vehicles from a prior 160,000-190,000. Retail sales were 309,000 units in 2019, 285,000 in 2018, and 218,000 in 2017. Management also expects Class 8 truck sales of 210,000-250,000 vehicles in 2024.
Our estimate assumes progress in controlling the pandemic. The 2024 consensus estimate is $5.02.
Cummins and Eaton believe that the next-generation transmissions produced by their JV will result in significant fuel efficiency improvements for OEM customers and partners, including PACCAR.
The company expects to begin delivery of these models in 2024.
Financial strength & dividend
Both ratings are considered investment grade. We view this as a competitive advantage as it provides the company with ready access to the credit markets.
The company also has access to a $3.58 billion credit line with $3.27 billion available. The company has no unfunded pension obligations.
We continue to monitor inventories at PCAR. At the end of 3Q20, inventories were down 3% from the end of December 2019 and accounted for less than 10% of non-Financial Service assets.
PACCAR pays a standard quarterly dividend and a special annual dividend. The standard quarterly dividend was last raised by 14% in 4Q18 and is now $0.32, or $1.28 annually.
The company typically announces its special dividend in December, which it pays the following January. In December 2019, it announced a special dividend of $2.30, up from $2.00 in 2018, $1.20 in 2017, and $0.60 in 2016. We expect total dividends (standard plus special) of $3.58 in 2024 and $2.54 in 2024.
PCAR has a stock buyback program. As of June 30, it had $390 million remaining on its $500 million authorization. The company has temporarily suspended buybacks due to the pandemic.
Management & Risks
PACCAR has a new CEO. Preston Feight took over the position on July 1, 2019, replacing Ronald Armstrong, who became the company’s CEO in 2014 and has now retired. Mr. Feight previously served as EVP of PACCAR. Harrie Schippers is the CFO. Mark C. Pigott, who served for many years as CEO, is the executive chairman.
The company operates in a highly competitive and economically sensitive industry, and its earnings could be hurt by rising raw material costs as well as by costs related to new environmental and safety regulations.
The company’s results are linked to global economic trends, particularly in growth markets such as China and Brazil. Recently, the overall outlook for GDP has been scaled back. Global GDP growth is now expected to contract in 2024.
Company Description
PACCAR manufactures and distributes light-, medium- and heavy-duty commercial trucks; distributes aftermarket parts; and provides vehicle financing to customers and dealers. The company has 27,000 employees.
Valuation
We view PACCAR as a ‘best-in-class’ industry player that will continue to benefit from its size, geographic diversification, and its product portfolio. Our target price of $108 implies a projected 2024 multiple of 21.8, and a potential total return, including the dividend, of 21% from current levels.
KeyCorp Stock
KeyCorp. (NYSE: KEY). Lending growth was helped in 2Q and 3Q by Paycheck Protection Program lending and drawdowns on corporate credit facilities; however, it is likely to be more muted going forward due to still weak economic growth and tighter underwriting standards. Net interest margins are also expected to contract through 1Q21 following the Federal Reserve’s rate cuts.
The company has benefited from positive regulatory developments. Mid-sized banks received favorable regulatory news in May 2018 with changes to the Dodd-Frank Act. One of these changes raised the minimum level of assets for bank holding companies subject to stress tests to $250 billion. We believe that these reduced regulatory requirements have been beneficial for banks in the $50-$250 billion range, which include KeyCorp.
Recent Developments
The beta on KEY is 1.47.
Revenues rose 4% to $1.68 billion.
Net charge-offs were $128 million in 3Q20, down from $196 million a year earlier. Over the past four quarters, net charge-offs of $407 million have been well below loss provisions of $1.11 billion, as the company took a substantial provision in 1Q20 in light of CECL accounting changes and in advance of losses expected as a result of the pandemic.
Noninterest income was up 5%, aided by strong growth in mortgage income, as well as in cards and payments income.
Earnings & Growth Analysis
Average loans were up 14% in 3Q20, boosted in part by Paycheck Protection Program lending. Companies also drew down lending facilities to store cash in anticipation of weaker economic conditions. Based on our expectations for continued high unemployment, weaker consumer spending, and lower business confidence, we expect growth in earning assets to be in the low single digits into next year.
Credit quality remains a wild card for 2024 and 2024 given the potential for sizable credit losses from high unemployment. The company has guided toward net charge-offs of 0.55%-0.65% of average loans in 4Q, which would be up from the 0.49% recorded in 3Q.
Expenses remain a bright spot due to efficiency measures, but have been impacted by weak revenue growth. The 3Q20 cash efficiency ratio was 60.6%.
Financial Strength & Dividend
KEY’s capital plan calls for a dividend of $0.185 per common share.
In 2019, the company paid $0.71 in dividends. Our dividend estimates are $0.74 for 2024 and $0.88 for 2024. The company has a long-term target payout ratio range of 40%-50%.
Management & Risks
KeyCorp is led by Chairman and CEO Chris Gorman, who assumed those roles in May 2024 following the retirement of Beth E. Mooney. Mr. Gorman was previously president and COO. Don Kimble is vice chairman and CFO.
The company has a diversified business model. The Key Community Bank segment includes branch-based deposit and investment products; personal finance services; and loans, including residential mortgages, home equity, credit card, and various types of installment loans. The Key Corporate Bank segment includes syndicated finance, debt and equity capital markets, commercial payments, equipment finance, commercial mortgage banking, derivatives, foreign exchange, financial advisory, and public finance.
Among mid-cap regional banks, KeyCorp competes primarily with Fifth Third Bank and Regions Financial.
Company Description
With about 1,000 branches in 15 states and assets of approximately $170 billion. The company also operates a national consumer bank and a national corporate bank.
Valuation
At current prices near $13 and down about 37% from its 52-week high, KEY trades at a slight discount to tangible book value.
We believe this discount is unwarranted given the company’s favorable ROE and efficiency metrics and strong credit quality. Our target price of $15 implies a multiple of 11-times our EPS estimate for 2024, when we expect an earnings recovery to be underway.
On October 21 at midday, BUY-rated KEY traded at $12.43, down $0.65.
Having a pool is not always just fun and games, because you need to keep it clean and that can be a bit boring over time. But living in the 21st century has its perks, and there are a few cool gadgets that can help you and make your life a whole lot easier. One of those gadgets is a robotic pool cleaner, like those found at Allgreatvacuums.com which will help you keep your pool beautiful and the water crystal clear.
We’ve made a list of best robotic pool cleaners that can help you decide which one to get, especially if you never had one.
1. Dolphin Premier In-ground Robotic Pool Cleaner
We can easily say that this one is the best choice available on the market. Your life will undoubtedly be much more comfortable with Dolphin Premier because it can do everything that you want and need. It is equipped with a smart technology that tracks which area it already cleaned so everything can be done quickly. It can clean the floor of your pool and the walls too, and it has a standard cartridge, a microfilter, and an extra-large leaf bag. An extra thing that it has is a timer, so you don’t need to keep track of the cleaning schedule, it does that for you. The only real downside of this pool cleaner is that it’s costly, but it’s worth the price.
PROS:
⦁ Timer
⦁ Three cleaning functions
⦁ Smart technology
⦁ Cleans walls too
CONS:
⦁ High price
2. Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Robotic Pool Cleaner
If you are not ready to give that extra amount of cash for a pool cleaner, this can be your next best choice. Just like the previous model, it can clean the walls too, and it’s super easy to use. It comes with a two-year warranty, which is a great deal. The downside is that it needs a few cycles to clean the whole pool, it can’t be done just in one like with the previous model. But this is still a great pool cleaner, and it’s straightforward to use. Some variations to this include the best pool vacuums, and you can find out more about them at poolcleanerlab.com
PROS:
⦁ Easy to use
⦁ Cleans walls too
⦁ Great price
⦁ Two-year warranty
CONS:
⦁ Needs more than one cycle to clean everything
3. Polaris F9450 Robotic Pool Vacuum
Polaris pool cleaner is one of the fastest ones out in the market, and it can clean walls too, just like the previous models. It can clean the water-line very thoroughly because it has a waterline-only mode – and if you own a pool, you know how this part is difficult to clean. One problem that this pool vacuum has is with fine dirt, and you’ll have to buy an extra filter for fine dirt if you want your pool pristine clean.
PROS:
⦁ Cleans walls too
⦁ Waterline-only mode
⦁ Programmable
CONS:
⦁ It needs an extra-fine dirt filter
4. Aquabot X4 Robotic Pool Vac
If you are trying to find a great pool cleaner that doesn’t break the bank, this is it. It has one extra-large cartridge, and it has a pool mapping system that makes the cleaning more efficient. It also cleans the walls of your pool, and you don’t have to worry about it because it comes with a three-year warranty.
PROS:
⦁ Pool mapping system
⦁ Three-year warranty
⦁ Great price
CONS:
⦁ Not the best with 90-degree walls
5. Hayward TigerShark Robotic Pool Vacuum
TigerShark is the fastest model available on the market, and it can deliver you a clean pool in only 90 minutes. It has an easy-clean cartridge system, and it’s elementary to set up. A big downside for this model is that it’s cumbersome, so if you have problems with lifting things, this may not be the best option for you.
PROS:
⦁ The super fast 90-minute cycle
⦁ Easy cartridge system
CONS:
⦁ High price
6. Kreepy Krauly Prowler 910 Pool Cleaner
The best thing about this model is the price, and if you are buying a cleaner for the first time, you should consider this one. It has a secure cartridge system, and you could clean it super fast. The downside of this model is its cord that gets easily tangled, and it has problems with cleaning fine dirt. It is not the best model out there, but if you are on a budget, it can be a good option.
PROS:
⦁ Good price
⦁ Easy cartridge system
CONS:
⦁ Not good with cleaning fine dirt
⦁ The cord gets tangled easily
7. Aquabot Pool Rover Hybrid Robotic Pool Cleaner
Another cheap model is this Aquabot Pool Rover Hybrid Robotic Pool Cleaner. But with the low price, some problems come with it also. It can get stuck in corners, the cord gets tangled easily, and it has issues with cleaning the fine dust. But it cleans vinyl floors very well, and the price is extremely affordable.
PROS:
⦁ Excellent price
⦁ Great for vinyl pools
CONS:
⦁ The cord gets tangled easily
⦁ Not good with cleaning fine dirt
⦁ Can get stuck in corners
8. Cobalt NC22 Pool Cleaner Robot
This model is another super affordable pool cleaner that comes with a large bag for debris. This model is perfect for small pools because it only has a 40-foot cord. The downside of the Cobalt NC22 Pool Cleaner Robot is that it doesn’t clean the walls. But if that isn’t your primary concern when it comes to pool cleaning, maybe this can be a useful model for you. It is a really simple pool cleaner, and you shouldn’t expect a lot out of it.
PROS:
⦁ Excellent price
⦁ Large bag for debris
⦁ Good for small pools
CONS:
⦁ Small cord
⦁ It doesn’t clean the walls
This list gives you plenty of options, the pricy ones, the cheap ones, and you should be able to find something perfect for all your needs. Just consider everything that you want from a pool cleaner before buying one, and you are good to go.
If you’re interested in starting your own business, but you’re not quite sure what do you want to do, you may be interested to learn that laser marking and engraving is emerging as one of the most popular and profitable business as of recently. Maybe that’s exactly what you were looking forward to doing, but you don’t know how to start or what do you need. If that’s the case – you’re in luck. Today, we’re going to try and explain to you how you can start a laser cutting business in just a few steps, which you can later follow and start your own company. But, before we do that, let’s get over some important stuff.
What Is Laser Engraving?
Lasers are a part of pretty much every industry nowadays and their application is vast. From etching and marking materials such as metal, wood and paper all the way to the high-end technology stuff. We’re interested in the former.
Laser cutting and engraving is just what the name entails. It’s a process of cutting, marking, etching or engraving many different types of material including, but not exclusive to, metal, rubber, wood, paper, leather, glass, plastic and so much more. Every material we’ve named so far is quite different from one another. You can easily cut wood with a saw, but glass, that’s a different story.
What’s great about lasers is that they can be adapted in such a way, so that they can cut into virtually anything. There are a lot of different laser cutting machines on the market, each of them made specifically to perform a certain task or cut a certain material.
If you want to be a part of this growing industry, you need to understand that first. Not every instrument is the same and regardless of what you’re planning on working with, you need specially designed gear for the materials you intend to be working with. So, now that you know the basics, let’s move on to our step-by-step guide for starting a laser-cutting business.
1. Understanding Your Customer Base
First and foremost, business is about providing a service someone else can use – it’s not about getting rich quick. So, the first thing you need to is to understand your customers, what do they need and how you can help them. This has to be the first step towards your new business because unless you do, you’ll end up investing in something without a proper business plan and that’s just a recipe for disaster. So, do a little bit of research and find out what your potential customer base is looking for and find an answer as to how you’ll provide them with it.
2. Define Your Product
Once you’ve identified your potential customer base it’s time to start planning the product. Now, this part is a little tricky. You don’t want to limit yourself to a niche that’s too narrow, but you don’t want to branch out too wide right out the gate. So, think about what it is that you can offer and go from there.
3. Think About The Equipment
Once you’ve settled on the product, you have to find the proper equipment. As we’ve mentioned, these devices aren’t all-mighty. Most of them are specially designed for certain materials and they can’t be used for something else. For instance, if you’re planning on engraving trophies or cutting metal for car parts, you have no use from a laser paper cutting machine. On the other hand, if you’ve decided you’re going to focus on dealing with paper, plastic, glass or perhaps wood – then the paper cutting machine is just what you need. It’s important to do your research before you invest into gear because if you don’t, well, you’re wasting money and that’s not good business, so click here for more details.
4. Create A Business Plan
Once you’ve settled on these matters, it’s time to devise a proper business plan and get to work. Having a clear vision and a business plan is essential for every successful entrepreneur – so get to planning. First, you need to set realistic, achievable goals regarding sales, production value, customer outreach and so on. After that, it’s time to sit down, run the numbers and create a realistic estimate of the initial and running costs, as well as general capital expenses. This should give you a solid insight as to how much you’ll have to invest right away and when you can expect to break even and start earning money from your business. Could be a month, could be a year – you can’t be sure, but you can make a solid guess based on the research you’ve done and the plan you’ve devised.
5. Create A Business
Once you’re done with all of the previous steps – it’s time to put things into motion. At this point, you’ll have to establish a legal business entity. The best way to do so, especially if you’re new to all of this is to form an LLC. That is the best way to protect yourself in case something goes terribly wrong and the business fails. It’s always important to have a safety net, no matter how sound and good the plan is. If you need help with legalising your business, you can always hire an attorney at law for assistance. During this step, you’ll cover all the important legal aspects regarding new businesses, such as becoming tax compliant and so on.
6. Branding & Marketing
Once the company is up and running, it’s time to create and build the company brand. Branding has never been more important than it is today. You have to be recognizable if you want to attract customers. Do your best to create a strong brand that people will identify with reliability and quality product and once you do that – it’s time to spread the word.
Marketing is arguably the best way to put your business on the map. Luckily, there have never been more marketing options. You can do anything you want – from traditional marketing methods, through targeted, paid ads via Facebook or Instagram, to your personal social media accounts. You can advertise for free, you can pay for ads, you can collaborate with other business – options are limitless.
7. Work Hard
Finally, we’ve come to the last step and arguably the most important one – work hard and smart. Everything we’ve mentioned up to this point will be irrelevant unless you work hard and perfect your craft. Hard work and a quality product are ultimately what separates successful businesses from failing ones and you should always strive to be a part of the successful ones.
Hopefully, we’ve helped you realize what it is that you need if you want to start a laser cutting business and best of luck in your future endeavours.
There is a lot of confusion surrounding CBD and THC. This comes from the long history of stigma against all types of cannabis and any chemical or product that is derived from it. Marijuana has been illegal for a long time, and it’s only within the past decade has there been a significant movement to legalize it for medical and recreational purposes.
CBD and THC are both naturally occurring chemical compounds found in cannabis, but they have important differences. Both are becoming very popular now that there is a growing appreciation for the good they can do, and how the stigma against them came from paranoid fear mongering. If you want to learn about the key differences between CBD and THC, this guide is for you.
1) THC Is Psychoactive
This is the most important difference between THC and CBD, especially when it comes to why THC’s legal status is so much different from CBD. THC is the chemical compound in marijuana that makes you feel high — this is referred to as being “psychoactive”. It is the main reason why cannabis has been illegal, because it alters your state of mind.
More specifically, when you consume THC, it is absorbed into your bloodstream, and eventually finds its way to your brain. The molecules of THC interact with receptors in your brain that are part of your endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a part of your brain and nervous system, and it is responsible for the release of almost every neurotransmitter your body uses to communicate with itself. They regulate several bodily functions and affect factors like pain, sleep, and more.
When THC interacts with your ECS, it acts as a signal that your ECS can’t transmit. This disrupts your normal brain activity in a way that induces a sense of euphoria and detachment — the main sensations you experience when high. However, it also affects elements of your decision-making ability and judgment, which is why it has traditionally been illegal.
CBD, on the other hand, is not psychoactive and will not alter your state of mind at all. It does not disrupt any part of your ECS or neurotransmitters. In fact, it helps stimulate the release of serotonin and dopamine, which are chemicals your body produces to regulate things like stress and anxiety.
2) Medical Benefits
Since CBD and THC are both cannabinoids — chemical compounds found in cannabis plants — they share very similar properties when it comes to medical benefits. THC has long been used to treat things like pain, glaucoma, and cancer symptoms. According to Hemmfy’s guide to CBD health & wellness, there are some differences in the benefits that CBD offers:
CBD can lower anxiety, marijuana usually exacerbates it
CBD can treat seizure disorders
THC can stimulate appetite and reduce nausea
THC can treat muscle spasticity
You may find some differences in the extent to which these compounds treat certain conditions. For example, both are used to reduce pain, nausea, and help people with sleep disorders. In fact, there has been some research that shows it is best to use CBD and THC together with all of the other cannabinoids.
This is known as the ‘entourage effect’, which describes a known phenomenon where the effects of an isolated cannabinoid (CBD or THC, as two examples) is less than it would be when combined with other cannabinoids. Using all cannabinoids together, as they occur naturally in cannabis plants, can have more potent results. However, it is worth noting that for legal reasons it may not be feasible to combine CBD and THC together, depending on the laws where you live.
3) CBD Can Be Extracted From Hemp and Marijuana
It’s worth exploring what exactly cannabis is, and how both CBD and THC are extracted. Cannabis is a family of plants, and two important varieties are hemp and marijuana. Marijuana is a kind of cannabis that contains THC, which is the cannabinoid compound that makes you feel high. It is the only kind of cannabis plant from which you can extract a significant amount of THC.
The other cannabis plant is hemp — this refers to a plant that contains virtually no THC compounds. The legal definition of hemp in the U.S. is that any cannabis plant with more than 0.3% THC is considered marijuana, and any plant that has less than that amount is hemp. CBD, on the other hand, can be extracted from both types of cannabis plants, whether it has any THC in it or not. That is why hemp and CBD products have been treated differently, legally speaking, than marijuana and THC.
4) CBD Is Legal
The reason why marijuana has been illegal for so long is because the psychoactive effects from THC can affect people’s judgment, decision-making, motor skills, and more. This can lead to risky behavior that makes the person who consumes THC a hazard to themselves and others. However, there is a growing tolerance and acceptance of it, putting it closer to substances like alcohol. More states are easing laws, restrictions and regulations around marijuana as a result, either decriminalizing it, making it legal for medical use, or making it legal for any use.
On its own, CBD has been treated differently from THC, as research found that it can be extracted without any psychoactive compounds. First came the Farm Bill of 2014, which first eased laws and regulations against hemp. This was mostly for research, and it took the Farm Bill of 2018 to legalize hemp and hemp-based products that are under 0.3% THC content for common use. There may be some regional variation for other restrictions, but not nearly at the same level as the legal status of marijuana and THC.
This sums up all the key differences between CBD and THC that you need to know. If you are thinking of trying one, or both, you can start looking into the benefits of each in more detail. This includes using them both together for the aforementioned entourage effect. It would be wise to speak with a doctor before trying either, so you can be fully informed of the proper dosage and use.
Aesthetic dentistry is an odontology subspecialty that focuses on ensuring harmony and beauty in your smile. Treatments offered under this field are designed to ensure a beautiful smile while taking care of the three distinctive components defining a beautiful smile; your lips, gums, and teeth.
What can an Aesthetic Dentistry Provider do?
Anesthetic dentist can help improve your smile. From minor fixes to major surgeries, there is a wide selection of aesthetic dentistry treatments that a qualified aesthetic dentist can provide. Here is a breakdown of some of the most common treatments you can expect from your aesthetic dentist;
Dental Veneers
These are thin, white shells designed to cover your front teeth surface, thus improving your appearance. They can be bonded to your front teeth to change their color, length, shape, or even size.
If your aesthetic dentist recommends dental veneers for you, they will make custom ones that resemble your natural teeth. Before attaching them, the provider will remove some enamel from your tooth’s surface to allow enough space for bonding the thin, white shells.
Teeth Whitening
Tooth whitening is another very popular aesthetic dentistry treatment. Just as the name suggests, this procedure involves whitening of your teeth (if they’re strained or discolored) to enhance your smile.
For this treatment, your aesthetic dentist will clean your teeth of tartar, plaque, and debris that would be responsible for the stains and then apply teeth whitening bleach to clean your teeth, leaving you with a whiter appearance. For more details, check out https://dentistatorchard.com/smiledesign/
You can also use OTC teeth whitening products like Whitestrips and toothpaste rinses. However, professional teeth whitening is recommended because it is safe and guarantees long-lasting results.
Dental Implants
Your aesthetic dentist may recommend dental implants if you’ve suffered tooth loss or if your teeth are severely damaged. For this aesthetic dentistry treatment, the dentist will attach a special screw to your jawbone to provide support. They’d then insert the implant into the bone to replace the missing tooth or sets of teeth in your mouth.
Dental Crowns
Also known as dental caps, dental crowns may be recommended for you in aesthetic dentistry if you have a damaged or decayed tooth. They do not only support weakened teeth but also help in cosmetically covering severely discolored or misshapen teeth. You may also benefit from dental crowns if you’ve had other dentistry procedures like root canal treatment, dental implants, dental bridges, or enamel fillings.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding in aesthetic dentistry may be ideal for you if you have misshapen, cracked, or chipped teeth. They may also be an ideal option if you’re suffering from tooth decay.
For this treatment, your aesthetic dental surgeon will apply a moldable resin to your affected teeth and then harden them using ultraviolet light. After that, they’d trim, shape and polish this material to make it blend seamlessly to the surface of your tooth.
Inlays and Onlays
These treatments are also called indirect fillings. Your aesthetic dentist may recommend inlays and onlays if your teeth are too damaged and can’t support fillings.
Now, the difference between inlays and onlays is that; with ‘inlays,’ the aesthetic dentist will apply filling materials that are bonded into the center of your teeth. With ‘onlays,’ the dentist will bond the filling materials on the surface of your teeth. The onlays would then cover either one or more parts of the affected teeth or the whole teeth surface.
What to Consider when Looking for Aesthetic Dentistry Treatment
Even though aesthetic dentistry treatments help restore missing or damaged teeth and improve your smile, they are no one-size-fits-all treatments. Ideally, you will need to work with your dentist to determine a specific treatment that matches your needs and budget when necessary. Here are five helpful things that you should consider:
The Aesthetic Dentist
It is important that you find a dentist that specializes in the services that you’re interested in. For instance, if you’re looking for teeth whitening treatments, you may need the help of a general dentist, but if you’re looking for dental implants, you will need the help of an oral or dental surgeon. Ensure your preferred dentist is board-certified and reputed.
Consider Location
The location may be an essential factor to consider, especially if you need multiple visits to the aesthetic dental clinic. Depending on your schedules, you may need to work with a local-based aesthetic dentist.
Quality of Service
When looking for a reliable aesthetic dentistry provider, the quality of service runs the gamut right from consultation to treatment. As a general rule of thumb, it would help if you get your treatment from a facility that offers in-depth consultation before the treatment.
This is important because specific treatments may work for one person but not be applicable for you. For instance, if you were considering tooth implant treatment, a qualified dentist will determine when endosteal dental implants or subperiosteal dental implants would be recommendable for you.
With an in-depth consultation, the aesthetic dentist will also be able to capture your concerns. Be sure to seek clarifications on any concern you may have over a specific treatment.
Alternatives
It would also help if you worked with an aesthetic dentist who offers more than one aesthetic dentistry treatment option. For instance, if you want veneers, the provider should allow you the freedom to choose between colored veneers or the normal ones that blend to the color of your teeth.
Under alternatives, there are also instances where the costs differ in regards to the material used. Therefore, you’ll need to compare your options and see if it may be worth it going for the expensive option.