A Million Lives

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How to Claim Back Your Money for Flights if You’re Delayed

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The sudden realisation that your flight is going to be delayed can leave a sinking feeling in your stomach.  It certainly is not what you want when you travel by air, but the fact remains that delays do happen.  While they are frustrating and disruptive, it is essential to keep your head and learn how to claim back your money if your flight is delayed.

Know the Rules

First of all, it is essential to know what you can claim back and when.  Under the EU Regulation 261/2004 if your flight has been delayed for over three hours you are entitled to get compensation, and this includes claiming your money back.  If you were over two hours late arriving than first planned after being offered a different flight when your original flight was cancelled – you are also entitled to claim your money back.   Once you have established the time element, you need to know what category the claim falls under.  Flights can be delayed for a massive amount of reasons including mechanical faults and adverse weather conditions.  Claims can include disruption to connecting flights, but the rules change if the plane leaves the EU so again, knowing the regulations really helps.

How Do You Begin a Claim

Firstly you will need to gather all the information you have surrounding the flight.  This can include but is not limited to, boarding passes, tickets, vouchers for food offered by the airport and details of the events as they unfolded.  With the use of mobile phones being so widespread it is now accepted that photos and videos can be used to support cases so if you want to record things as they happen, it might be an excellent idea.  The more information you can present the better as this helps the compensation ruling decide what is fair.  Under-representing your inconvenience and stress could see your claim dismissed but keep claims real, as details can be checked.

What Happens Next

You now have two choices, you can submit a compensation claim yourself, or you can choose to work with a professional, either a solicitor or a no win no fee flight delay claims company who are well placed to help you make a successful claim.  Remember that the scope of compensation is broader than just getting the money back on your ticket.  Compensation claims take into account inconvenience and stress placed on the passenger for the flight being delayed.  For some people, this might be a minor inconvenience but people fly for many reasons, and sometimes timing is paramount, and the effects of a delayed flight can be devastating. This is one of the reasons why a no-win no-fee solicitor is perfect as you are gaining all the professional knowledge you need without having to pay if you happen not to win the case – which you would with a high street solicitor.  They are specialists in their area, so the best people to ensure you are making the best claim possible with the most chance of success.

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Unexpected Dubai – The Things You Need To Check Out

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Today Dubai is a city featured on many layovers and connections on numerous long haul flights. But Dubai is not just one large supermarket – with it’s world-famous shopping malls – like many assumed in the past. No, today there is so much to see and do in this megacity in the desert that it is now a popular destination in it’s own right.

Dhow Cruises

An evening Dhow boat cruise is a wonderful way to cool down after a day of activities and to enjoy a gourmet meal on the canals around Dubai. Pretty much everyone who experiences a dhow cruise dinner agrees that it’s one of the best ways to see the city’s illuminated skyscrapers and river banks, while being thoroughly entertained on board. However, for those after a taste of the traditional culture, an ocean trip on a traditional dhow is always an option: These vessels have masts and lateen sails with the hull made of wood and they were once seen absolutely everywhere around the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf, sometimes all the way to Indonesia and South East Asia’s mainland, trading in all sorts of spices and minerals, as well as being good vessels for traditional fishing.   

Desert Safari

Another go-to activity just outside the city that is drawing more and more visitors every year is the opportunity to take advantage of desert safari Dubai. Packages exist for half-day up to a few days, and the mode of transport can vary between a  traditional camel back ride at sunset into the reddish powder sands, or blasting and dancing through the dunes on Land Cruisers and other powerful 4x4s! Whatever transport you decide on, you will be ensured a veritable feast when the sun sets behind the dunes. The meal will be made in the tradition style of the Emirati people who have lived in the desert for centuries. The Emirati will then delight you as you dine on a buffet in the night dunes with their infamous belly dancing and a “Turana” dance show.

Fishing Trips   

Veterans and beginners will delight at the options for deep sea fishing on offer, despite Dubai being overshadowed by classic spots in the Caribbean in the past, though this is no longer true as you can expect to bring back a delicious catch of barracuda or perhaps with some luck a gigantic Bluefin tuna! A wonderful way to take advantage of the great fishing is to go on fishing trips in Dubai aboard a traditional dhow boat and get a taste of what fishing this region used to be like (and still is, to an extent).  

So here we have 3 fun activities for you to do in Dubai, which any age group would enjoy. But this is really just the tip of the iceberg as Dubai is evolving all the time. Adventure sports, scuba diving horse riding and indeed horse racing are now all becoming very popular reasons Dubai is drawing more and more tourists every year.

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Do Frames Per Second Matter In Games?

There is an ongoing debate in video game culture as to how important frames per second are. For those unaware, frames per second is a count of how many frames are displayed per second of the game, as it is being seen on a screen. Gaming consoles work on a standard frames per second of 30, which many will agree appears to be enough. On PC, however, frames per second can be 60, or higher.

But just how important are frames per second in video games, and is there really a noticeable difference? Let’s take a closer look and learn more about how frames per second in visual media function.

Film Versus Games

In the film industry, 24 frames per second was the standard for a long time. It was agreed that it took 24 frames per second to create a smooth visual experience, and this standard was stuck too until just recently. If flashing 24 consecutive frames in front of a person’s eyes, the motion between the frames appears smooth. At least in film.

But if 24 frames per second is enough to create the illusion of movement, surely 30 frames per second is more than enough for a video game?

Video games and movies are different types of visual mediums. In film the visual input is not controllable by the viewer in any way. The images are simply seen. In video games, however, the player is directly controlling what they are seeing, and the brain registers any lag that occurs between an action being taken by the player, and the visual response. 30 frames per second is sufficient, but any person going from 30 to 60 frames per second will immediately notice a difference. Simply put; 60 frames per second is a smoother visual gaming experience.

But are the extra frames useful, or are they simply cosmetic?

Fast Action Needs Frames

The truth is that it really comes down to the game being played, as to how necessary extra frames per second really are. In a slow paced game that is entirely story focused, the extra frames per second really would be nothing but cosmetic. In a fast paced action game like the world’s favourite gambling games, or a frantic first person shooter, the extra frames do serve a tangible purpose.

Simply put; more frames mean more for the eye to see, and the brain to react to. Where even fractions of a second count in a game, the extra frames allow more for the brain to process, and therefore an advantage in the game. The difference may be miniscule, but on a professional gaming level may very well mean the difference between winning and losing. It speaks volumes that professional gamers prefer frame rates even beyond 60.

Conclusion

Not all gamers can afford the PC hardware required to run games at frame rates above 30. And, in many cases the extra frames are simply a cosmetic addition. If you don’t consider yourself a serious gamer, rather indulge in a game of online baccarat Canada has to offer. For serious gamers, however, the extra frames are essential. As to the preferences of each gamer individually, it really is simply a matter of choice.

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What Makes A Classic Video Game?

There are a few video game classics that seem to endure for decades. From the early classics like the Zelda franchise, and Super Mario games, to more recent classics like Half-Life, and Deus Ex. But what makes a video game truly memorable, and stay fresh in people’s heads, even though much better games have come out since?

For one, it seems like many tend to have nostalgia about video games they enjoyed in their youth. Old games are often remembered better than they are. But that is not the only reason for video games that seem to exist in a golden zone. There are factors that make video games enjoyable, and although incredibly difficult to achieve, certainly seem to have a tangible and measurable nature.

Let’s take a look at what makes a video game a classic.

Finding The Special Ingredients

The Super Mario games seem to be universally praised, with virtually everyone who plays video games acknowledging their superior quality. But, what is it about the Super Mario games that made them stand apart? After all, there were many games coming out when Super Mario did, that were similar in design.

The Super Mario games seemed to perfect the nature of games at that time. Many games were 2D side-scrolling, but not many truly understood what made this type of game enjoyable. The task of guiding a character over a 2D plain had certain elements that made the game either enjoyable, or frustrating, and the Super Mario games honed the aspects that were enjoyable, including precise controls, and consistent challenges. The early Super Mario games were, simply, the best aspects of that era of games.

A Major Breakthrough

The same can be said for the more recent classics like Half-Life. Many first person shooter games were coming out in that era, often very similar to one another. What Half-Life did was perfect everything that was enjoyable about this genre of video game, plus adding a new dimension to the formula. Half-Life was not only a good shooting game, but also one that added a level of detail that had never been seen before. In other words; Half-Life was the best possible shooter game, using all the right elements. It understood what made these games fun. It should be noted that Half-Life did not have the best graphics at that time.

Perfecting The Right Elements

What ultimately makes a game such as online blackjack real money Canada a classic, is the process of understanding and perfecting what makes the genre of game fun. Simply making a version of a game with better graphics, and a more advanced system, is not enough. Instead, honing in on the fun factor of the game and perfecting it is what makes a game excel.

Regardless of understanding what makes a game good, though, is easier than putting that knowledge into practice. At the core of a good game is a developer that understands games, and are likely gamers themselves. After all, knowing how boxing works does not automatically make that person good at the sport. The same for video games, and the making of video games. Talent, plus passion for the subject, is what makes a good developer a great developer.

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Hacks To Keep Your Wood Floor Looking Brand New!

If you’re lucky enough to have wood flooring in your home then you’ll know what a wonderful addition it can be. But what about when life starts to take its toll and those stunning boards of timber start looking worn and scuffed. Not to mention the hammer they take if you run a busy family home, which is why we’ve researched some of the best hacks to keep your wood floors looking super-sleek and as fresh as the day they were installed.

These methods are super easy and best of all, they cost very little, if anything at all! From things that are really simple to concoctions that you wish you’d have thought of, here’s our favourite home remedies for wood floors:

Lets start with a common problem in wood flooring, dents. Although they don’t pose a major threat to your decor they can be quite irritating, so just how do you combat this? Well, your trusty household iron is the key to this one. That’s right, the cure for all things creased can now help to remedy against dents in your wood floor, mental eh?! Now, this technique is advised for floors without a finish but it can be applied to some finished woods, it just depends on the type. Of course if it does effect the finish but gets rid of the dent then the area can always be sanded and refinished. This is a really easy process to complete and can be done by even the most amateur DIY fans. All you have to do is wet a piece of kitchen roll or a cloth, then set your iron to a medium-high setting, place the cloth on top of the dent then put the iron on top. Hold the iron on top of the wet cloth and make small movement in an up and down motion, this should allow the wood to absorb the water and result in the fibres in the wood to expand to where they originally were. Try to do this for a minute, or until the cloth is dry and check the wood at the end, hopefully it should return to its original state.

As mentioned earlier, kids can pose a bit of a problem when we have nice things. This next tip goes out to all the parents who have had to suffer at the hands of a permanent marker. In fact it is every parents nightmare, looking down at your lovely wood floor and see a giant squiggle of permanent marker.. for some it may feel like all hope is lost, but fear not! The solution is closer than you may think, in the form of your good friend; toothpaste. The toothpaste should be regular white paste, not the gel stuff that’s super expensive, simply apply the paste directly onto the mark and then rub using a damp cloth. We would advise rubbing the area for a good few minutes or until you feel that the cloth can easily slide along the wood, then rinse the cloth that you have been using with water and wipe the surface until the toothpaste is no longer visible. The marker stain should now have disappeared, if it hasn’t then repeat the steps until it does.

The next home-remedy cleaning method comes in the form of a favourite British drink; tea. You may think this is a bit of a strange one, and we did too when we first encountered it. But using tea as a DIY cleaner for your wood makes a lot more sense than using something acidic such as vinegar, which is what tends to get recommended by most cleaning and life hack blogs. So just how do you use tea bags to clean your wood floor? Well, lets start by boiling 2 to 4 tea bags in just over a litre of water, the longer that you leave the tea to brew, the darker and more effective the cleaner will be. This probably goes without saying but if you have a lighter coloured wood then you may not want to let the tea brew for as long, in contrast to this if you have a really dark wood then let the tea brew for longer. Once the tea is boiled transfer the liquid into a small bucket or even washing up bowl, then soak a soft cloth in the liquid before removing it and wringing it. Please note that the cloth should be damp as oppose to wet, this just speeds up the drying process. Once damp, wipe the floor in the direction of the grain on the wood, then sit back and wait for the results!

Last but not least there are also some measures that you can put in place to prevent your floors from any further damage. Aside from the regular “place a rug” or “ensure shoes are removed” advice, we also have a few little tricks to help protect your floor from everyday scuffs and scratches. If you have any furniture on your floor, lets say a dining table and chairs for example, then why not consider putting socks on the legs if you’re entertaining for the evening. That way when the furniture is being pulled and moved around it shouldn’t scratch the floor, plus it will make for a great talking point. If you would like something a little more subtle there are other measures you can take. One of them being wine corks, which you may throw away instantly.. but you shouldn’t! You can cut the old corks down and place them on the end of your chair and table legs, which not only protects the floor but also stabilises any wobbliness too!

So there you have it, just a few easy and cheap ideas to help you protect your wood floor.

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Should I Set Up a Trust for My Business?

When you put your business assets into a trust, you protect them from legal proceeding, which is highly beneficial if your own a family-run company. This option is a smart one, but it doesn’t come without its own obstacle. To answer the question once and for all, we take a look into the advantages and disadvantages of obtaining a business trust, looking into the legal jargon that often overcomplicates things.

What Makes a Trust?

Different to a limited company set up, a business trust isn’t a separate legal entity in itself. When broken down, it is a business structure where the trustee – often a registered company – conducts business for the benefit of the trust’s members. The trustee responsibility is then to distribute the trust’s income out to its beneficiaries, whilst safeguarding its overall financial health. This can sometimes incorporate larger business decisions such as the sale of assets or money lending. A trust will also come with an appointee, who has the power (as laid out in the trust deed) to remove the trustee and appoint someone else in their place.

What Trust Type Will You Need?

For businesses, a company typically acts as the trustee, with each beneficiary being designated a certain number of ‘units’ in the trust. It is these units that outline how much income that member will actually receive. In addition to this, discretionary trusts can also be created for businesses. More often than not, this will be family trust, where the trustee has full power over the funds that are dished out to the beneficiaries. You can also look to embark upon a hybrid trust that combines units and discretionary trusts depending on your set up and preference.

What Is the Downside?

In contrast to a partnership or sole trader set up, a trust can often be expensive to put in place with required fees from trust solicitors on an ongoing basis. The initial installation fee can typically be reduced if a pro-forma trust deed is used but this can be complicated so it is best to seek professional insight from trust solicitors in Manchester. If you opt to be more private than what you’d see of a company, the legal and compliance trust requirements become a lot more difficult and stricter. Something worth noting is that a trust comes with a limited life span, which is commonly a total of 99 years.

Trusts can be highly beneficial for family run businesses as they offer tax advantages and flexibility in regards to how profits are distributed to beneficiaries. It simply depends on your situation but whenever making a decision that is of such importance, it is always best to seek legal advice to highlight if a trust is the correct path for your business. Whether you choose to go with a trust, partnership, company or sole-trader arrangement, it is vital that you understand your specific needs before signing on the dotted line to avoid an unneeded costs and headaches.

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Online Versus In Store – Which Shopping Option Is Better?

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With the Christmas season right around the corner it’s easy to get wrapped up in the rush to get gifts ahead of the crowd and to make sure that nothing is sold out before you get there. Then you have the option of whether you do your shopping online or in store. Which is better? Many people will use a combination of both and it seems to work well for them and for good reason. But what are some pros and cons to online versus in store and how do they influence how we buy?

 

Online

Shopping online can be such a great way to get the things we need and want without leaving the comfort of our sofa. You can also sometime score a good deal and save some money online too. With online stores offering multiple ways to pay as well as various delivery or pick up options too, it’s easy to see why online shopping is becoming the more popular option. But sometimes you may find yourself strapped for cash before the holidays, or have a low credit card limit due to bad credit but you desperately need that special gift you found online now? SwiftMoney can process your payday loan quickly and you can borrow for up to a year too meaning you can do more shopping online right now and worry about it later when you have more money at your disposal. Perfect for the Christmas season when costs seem to get on top of us. Another benefit to online shopping is the fact that with multiple options to shop from such as Amazon, you can almost always find that product you want in stock somewhere at any given time.

In Store

The benefit to in store shopping is that you can physically see things before you purchase them. This can be a problem online in the sense that sizing in clothes can be off or that lamp you bought your mother for her birthday can actually fit in the palm of your hand. Unlike shopping online as well, shopping in store means you can have the item today instead of having to wait on shipping and then potentially missing the delivery if you aren’t around and then having to organise a time to go and pick it up. In store can also be more enjoyable and get you out and sociable with others rather than just sitting inside clicking “Add to Cart” alone in your house. In this sense, store shopping is better than online. Plus sometimes you go to your favourite shop and find they’re having a sale and you end up saving much more than you would online!

So which is better? While they both have pros and cons everyone has their own preference. With online shops like Amazon offering just about everything on the planet these days though, online seems to be slowly overtaking the high street in terms of available items and preference for shopping – especially around the holidays when you can have huge queues of in store shoppers to deal with and patience wears thin as the days flick by to December 25th!

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5 Travel Hacks For Planning a Weekend Away

For many of us, a weekend break is the ideal short getaway to reboot ourselves; to squeeze in some quality family time or spend time with friends. And, everyone has their own concept of what constitutes the ideal weekend break. However, there are a few hacks that will work wonders for everyone no matter what, or where, the trip.

 

  1. Be flexible. If the destination isn’t necessarily key, then wait until the last minute and check out late deal websites or budget websites. A lot of them have some awesome deals but they’re usually for travel within the foreseeable. Some hotels or retreats might have had last minute cancellations that you can snap up too so keep your eyes and ears to the ground.
  2. Be a savvy packer. If you do know where you’re going, pack accordingly and pack with versatility. A white t-shirt, for example, can be a handy base layer for during the day but, can also be dressed up with the appropriate elements and become evening-wear-worthy. Make sure what you’re packing, you actually need. This might sound silly, but take the time to really think about your destination, and what you’ll be doing whilst you’re there. And, sometimes, wheeled suitcases are not always the best option if there’s walking involved. Consider a back pack which won’t become a complete burden when you have to spend any time walking over less than smooth terrain.
  3. Be prepared. Research your chosen destination to ensure you get the most out of your short break there. If it’s somewhere with places of importance, work out an itinerary to make the most of your time while you’re there, plan your routes accordingly and look into transportation options. Booking excursions even before you arrive can often save some pennies. Also, check in online to save yourself time at the airport.
  4. Be careful. For a weekend break, you’re unlikely to need a vast amount of money, especially if you paid attention to hack number 4, and you’ve planned things out. Using a pre-loaded travel money card is the best option if you’re leaving your own country. They can be used in 36 million locations, in over 200 countries. You can even download the app which allows you to top-up, check your balance and view recent transactions. A much safer option than stashing your cash in your sock and hoping for the best.
  5. Be aware of your phone company’s charges. Don’t get caught out sending that tweet or searching for that restaurant you read about with a huge sting from your mobile phone provider because you didn’t check out the costs for using it abroad. Utilise the wi-fi, the majority of places have it these days.

Be sure to enjoy and make the most of your weekend break, hopefully these few hacks will have been of great use in the planning and executing of the perfect weekend break. I’m sure there’ll be more to add along the way.

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How To Prep Your House Before Leaving For Vacation

When you leave the home for a vacation, there is plenty for you to prepare in order to ensure that your home is going to be in good shape in your absence. There are all kinds of threats to the home when there is nobody there for a long period of time. Aside from the obvious security threats, the homes operates in a different way when nobody is inside it and all manner of maintenance problems could occur. There are further issues which could present themselves and for these reasons it is important that you know what to check before you go off on vacation.

Make It Looked Lived In

A home that clearly isn’t lived in is a prime target for any smart thief and you ought to take measures to give the impression that there are people home. Don’t park your car outside for instance, staying in the same spot could indicate an absence, instead park in the garage. Set timers for your lights inside the house to switch on and off at certain times. If you are heading away for a fortnight or more, consider paying someone to cut your lawn after the first week, it is these small touches that can give the impression that someone is home.

Pipes and Wires

Make sure that your water and your electricity are turned off before you leave the house. Most water heaters have a vacation mode which you can set for the duration of your tie away and the you should try to disconnect all appliances using water such as dishwashers and washing machines. Switching all of these supplies off will greatly minimize any risk of something going wrong with them in your absence.

Pet Care

If you own  a pet then you will need to make the necessary arrangements for your pet to be cared for. If you have friends or family who are willing to do so then ensure that you have spoken to them in advance so that they have time to prepare. If you have nobody to look after your pet then you can search for pet hotels or veteran associations who offer a care service.

Clean

A clean home is a wonderful thing to return to after a vacation but aside from this, a clean home will keep away insects and pests. If you leave food lying around or dirty areas of the home, you are sure to attract animals into your home. If you can, try to pencil in the day before you go on vacation to really give the house a good tidy.

Subscriptions

Finally, ensure that you have canceled any subscriptions which you may have such as a daily newspaper or a weekly magazine. A simple phone call is all that it will take to notify that you are going to be on vacation.

And there you have it, a preparation checklist in order to make sure that your home is going to be safe and sound whilst you are enjoying yourself.

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6 Things To Keep in Mind Before Buying Your First Home

Purchasing your first home is the biggest, and the most expensive purchase you will ever make. Hands down. That’s why there are a few important things to consider before taking that first step onto the property ladder. The first step, as with anything, is always the hardest so I’ve put together a handful of what I would deem the more important aspects to consider.

Don’t always follow your heart.

Throughout your adult life we are told that we should follow our hearts. In this instance I’m going to go against the grain and suggest that when buying a property, you cannot let your heart rule your head. Yes, you may have fallen head over heels for the picturesque cottage-like exterior, and those rose-tinted glasses are firmly on, but are you maybe overlooking a more important issue such as damp for example? Look beyond the appearance, double glazing, heating, electrics…

Look at the bigger picture.

Zoom out. This one ties in with my tip above. Don’t simply focus on the property itself. What is the surrounding area like? I’m talking crime stats, transportation, schools, is there a decent Chinese take away? These are of equal importance and you may have your own to add into the equation too.

Don’t be shy.

Ask questions when being shown around somewhere. Enquire about the neighbours, ask how much the current owners pay on bills, offer less than the asking price. What’s the worst that could happen? They say no? Then you come back with a slightly higher one. Asking prices are up for negotiation, so don’t be afraid to push the boundaries slightly.

It is yours.

No more living with the parents, or friends, and no more rent. Mortgage payments are considerably less than rent, which is, of course a huge bonus. This time you are the owner. Those four walls belong to you. This obviously means that you can, within reason, do whatever you like to the place. Decorate, furnish, knock down walls, build walls up, have friends over, clean or don’t clean. But, owning your own also means that if anything breaks, it’s on you. It is your responsibility to fix, replace and insure things so having some money set aside for these occurrences can take the sting out a bit.

Look into the future.

Now, I don’t mean you need to book yourself a meeting with the local clairvoyant, I simply mean think ahead. If having children in the not-so-distant-future is part of your plan, (and I know we can’t always plan these things), then looking at one bedroomed properties is simply a waste of time. Moving house is one of the most stressful things a person can go through in their lives, the less this is experienced the better! If you’re happy and content with your job then looking at areas within an easy commute of it is a good idea, however, if you’ve been contemplating a change then take this into consideration as well.

Shop around.

For an estate agent, a mortgage advisor and a mortgage itself. There are many different ones out there with different areas or expertise and experience. You don’t have to go with the first one you meet 😉

This being said; enjoy the experience. Enjoy the excitement of scouring the internet, putting in your ‘must-haves’, thinking about your ‘definitely-nots’ and having a nosey around other people’s houses!

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