No one likes to waste their money, especially wealthy people. They didn’t get rich by foolishly throwing their money away. Some of the most affluent people in the world are also among the most frugal. Conversely, some of the biggest spenders of luxury and semi-luxury items are the people who can least afford them. For the sake of fashion and popularity, many people are walking around with the latest iPhone when a midrange Android for a third the price would serve them just as well if not better. 

Zero waste is not just a useful mantra for saving money. It is also the focus of saving the ecosystem which is precariously balanced on a blade’s edge. It is hard to predict what kind of planet our grandchildren will inherit because we have a mix of eco-conscious and eco-hostile people setting policies that will affect us for decades to come. We can only hope that the future is more promising than the present. These are some of the more obvious areas where waste carries a huge cost. Here are a few other ways reducing waste increases our quality of life:

Reuse

One of the ways we waste both money and planetary resources is by using things just once and then throwing them away. How many paper towels do you use to clean up the average spill? When you are done, what do you usually do with those paper towels? If you are like most people, it is a good handful, then you throw them away. 

The good news is that you can buy bamboo paper towels that are reusable up to 85 times. That’s amazing. Frankly, it is hard to imagine even wanting to reuse a paper towel. Just thinking about the awful mess that is now covering the towel makes you feel like it is a lost cause. In fact, all you have to do is toss it in the wash just like a filthy garment and it comes out of the dryer looking, feeling, and smelling like new. Imagine only having to buy 2 rolls of paper towels a year. That’s the power of reusability. Both your wallet and the planet will thank you.

Good to the Last Drop

How many products do you buy and can’t completely deplete because it is all but impossible to get the last of it out of the jar, bottle, or tube in a useful way? You will be happy to know that toothpaste no longer needs to be one of them. By ditching toothpaste tubes for toothpaste tablets, you can use all of it without wasting a single drop.

You just take out a single tablet from an easy to dispense jar and chew. From there, just brush your teeth with a wet toothbrush like always and enjoy the minty, clean feeling you get from the foaming action and cleansing ingredients. You can bet those ingredients are all natural and safe. One of the best things about this product is that you don’t have to throw any portion of it away. It is usable to the last tablet. Even if you have become a master of getting the most from a tube, you have to be something of a toothpaste ninja. Now you can leave all that behind. Because toothpaste tablets are so easy and convenient, you will probably find yourself brushing even more. 

Restore It

If you have a couch and you drink red wine, then you likely already know a few of the top tips for cleaning red wine from a fabric couch. But what happens if you, with the help of your pet, manage to get a tear in that fabric? Don’t throw it out. Repair it. Tossing out rather than restoring old tech is killing the planet in an even more dramatic fashion than furniture. We tend to keep furniture for a long time. But computers have many harmful elements in them and when they start to get slow, we just buy a new one because they are so cheap. By repairing and restoring, we could keep computers active well over 5 years. 

All waste is bad whether it is a waste of time, money, or effort. Let’s save all of the above by reusing, using all of what we buy, and restoring what we can. 

partnered post • cc-licensed image by Peter Kaminski

When you first start to look into touch screens, you’re probably thinking, ‘It has a screen, and I can interact with it through touch. It’s a touch screen!’ 

For most users, there’s no need to put more thought into it. Many consumers will buy a touch screen device simply because it’s beautiful and functional, without considering different touch screen types.

Business owners, however, should know a little more before investing in touch screen technology. After all—you don’t want to splurge on an enormous new touch screen display for your shop front, only to find out it doesn’t offer the functions your business needs.

You may have noticed that some touch screens work with a finger, stylus, or any other vaguely finger-shaped input device you can think of—while other screens won’t accept input at all unless you use your finger (and make sure it’s not wet!).

Different devices accept different kinds of input because there are several kinds of touch screen, each with unique limitations. The two main types of touch screen are capacitive touch screens and resistive touch screens.

This article will discuss the differences between the two types and highlight how businesses might use them.

Resistive touch screens

Resistive touch screens are the simplest type of touch screen available on the market today. A resistive screen comprises two pliable plastic sheets separated by a narrow gap. When a user interacts with the screen and presses in on the top sheet, it closes the gap, causing the two sheets to come into contact. This interaction completes the electrical circuit.

Resistive touch screens are pressure sensitive—this means that the pressure you place upon the screen will determine whether or not it detects your input. Some screens are more sensitive than others. While one screen may not register a quick swipe across the screen, others may react to even the slightest touch.

Because resistive touch screens react to physical input, it doesn’t matter whether you use a finger, stylus, pencil, or another blunt-ended object. You’ll find resistive touch screens used for shopping centre kiosk displays, ATMs, and handheld video game devices.

Capacitive touch screens

The other primary type of touch screen is the capacitive touch screen. Rather than detecting pressure, these screens work because of the human body’s electrical properties. When your finger comes into contact with the device, it changes the screens’ electrostatic field. 

Because capacitive touch screens rely on conductivity, interacting with them via a gloved hand, pencil, or basic stylus won’t work. It’s also why you might notice inconsistencies when using your smartphone or tablet with slightly wet hands.

Capacitive touch screens feature a durable glass surface, making them better options for businesses that favour longevity. If you are installing interactive digital screens outdoors, a capacitive screen is the better choice.

Conclusion

The two main types of touch screen are resistive and capacitive. Resistive screens are the more versatile choice, while capacitive screens boast greater durability. The kind of screen you choose will depend on your business’s unique needs and priorities.

partnered post • cc-licensed image by Ross Mayfield

In this article, you will read about ten essential qualities that every plumber should have. When you invite a plumber to your house, you might want to choose the best specialist. But how to make sure that they are a real professional whom you can trust? You will find the check-list of the things we at 5 Star plumbing consider must-haves for every pro plumber.

1. Practice

The majority of plumbing tasks are rather hard to do. That is why a major experience is needed. To fix the leakage, flood results, or cracks in pipes, a specialist should know exactly what and when to do. Usually, such situations should be resolved immediately, and there is no time for thinking. All actions should be trained and become automatic. That is one of the things that makes a plumber professional;

2. Certification

However, it is not possible to find out how experienced a plumber is when calling him for the first time. But one thing which you can always demand is certification. Licensing is a document that verifies the knowledge and experience of a plumber. It is absolutely normal to ask a specialist to provide this kind of proof. What is more important, only plumbers who have a valid certification provides a warranty in case something will be damaged during their work;

3. Positive Reviews

When searching for a plumber on some websites, do not forget to have a look at the reviews section. If a specialist has a lot of comments and his rating is high, it means that they are reliable. It is not essential for all reviews to be positive. At least you will know what exactly has gone wrong and make a decision whether this situation disturbs you or not;

4. Willingness to Communicate and Politeness 

The communication with a plumber should be smooth and easy. A good specialist will make everything possible to answer all your questions in a polite way and will not use many confusing notions. It is a bad sign if a plumber seems rude while chatting or making a phone call. Pay attention to the fact that it should be easy for you to understand what they are talking about and what the reason for the problem is. Otherwise, it will be impossible for you to control the situation;

5. Full Equipment

A good plumber usually has everything he might need when coming to the client's house. It can be challenging to understand which instruments exactly will be needed, but an experienced specialist can guess by a short description in a text message or a phone call. Such a plumber will not make you wait for him to borrow some additional instruments that they have forgotten to take with them—in contrast, having solved a wide range of problems, a specialist should know what to take with you. 

6. Constantly Available Services 

Nowadays, some companies are ready to help you with an emergency problem 24 hours a day. It may be difficult to find a self-employed specialist who is ready to fix the leakage at two AM, but it is possible if you call a company that provides plumbing services. Anyway, this option is an advantage of a modern services sector;

7. Good Physical Condition

In addition, a plumber should keep fit. In some cases, it is crucial to be in your best physical condition to work under sinks or on the roof. Sometimes a plumber can be injured if they are not prepared enough; 

8. Competency

A well-informed plumber is the one who can reveal a reason for the problem easily. There are various situations, but a competent and experienced specialist always has ideas of what may be wrong. You can understand how knowledgeable a plumber is by asking for his certification and judging by the working process. If a simple task takes too long to be solved, it might be a sign that a plumber is not sure about his own actions. 

9.  Trustworthy Specialist

If you have picked up a professional plumber, you can rely on them. It means that they will be responsible not only for doing a great job but also for finishing it on time and in one day. On the contrary, it may be irritating if a plumber comes to your house not completely prepared for fixing a problem and does not have all the necessary instruments with them. In this case, repair work can be extended to the next few days, which is not the best news for every homeowner. 

10. Ability to Make Decisions Quickly

It is undeniable that some problems concerning plumbing systems must be solved immediately. Therefore, a professional plumber should be able to make a decision quickly. Usually, they are used to acting quickly. They are not just physically prepared to work in tight spaces and take an uncomfortable pose but also have good coordination and know how to make a conceived solution real.

partnered post • cc-licensed image by Clement127

Most people are busy – they have work to get to, families to look after, and hundreds of other commitments to deal with. It can be hard to find time to do everything, especially the less important things, such as looking after plants.

It should be noted that plants are a worthwhile addition to any home. They are very effective at purifying the air and can make you feel more positive about life in general. Having them in your home is a good thing, but you need to choose your plant wisely. That means using a high-quality supplier like Foli8. They won’t just help you to choose the right plants, they can guide you through looking after the plants and how easy some are. 

Of course, it can help to know what you’re looking for. The following houseplants are great for your home if you’re busy and don’t have much time to look after them.

Cactus

Cacti are succulents. This means they are very good at retaining moisture in their leaves. They rarely need to be watered and they enjoy the bright sunshine. This means you can position them in a window or even outdoors on a balcony and leave them to grow.

Aloe Vera

This is another succulent, making it difficult to kill it. The plant is green with paler green and white dashes on the leaves. It does have sharp pints which you’ll want to be careful of. The plant likes direct sunlight and doesn’t need to be watered often.

The best approach is to put a finger in the soil. If the soil is dry for the first couple of inches its time to add some more water 

Air Plants

There are many different types of air plants but they are all very easy to look after. They don’t need any soil. These plants absorb moisture and nutrients from the air. All you have to do is find a nice spot for them and spray the roots once a week to ensure they are moist. Other than that, these plants take care of themselves!

Cheery Echeveria

This is another succulent that is used to the desert. They also adore the sunlight and will be grateful for a position in a sun-drenched window. They must have good drainage to prevent water from sitting on their roots and causing root rot. As such, they’ll only need watering once a month, when the soil feels completely dry.

Ivy

Ivy is fast growing and trails everywhere, making it a popular option for many households. You don’t have to do much to look after this plant. Position them with indirect sunlight. They don’t like direct sun as it burns their leaves. But they do like indirect sunlight as opposed to dark and shady corners. 

You’ll want to water them once a week and don’t saturate the soil, they generally prefer drier environments and need minimal care.

Almost any plant can be killed if you never water it. But, the above plants take a lot of work to kill. That should help you to have the satisfaction of keeping them alive.

partnered post • cc-licensed image by Dave Hosford