Could You Make Money Out Of Your Passion For Gaming?*

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People often look at hobbies like gaming as a waste of time. With computers being associated with work and getting things done, using them to enjoy something which doesn’t have a tangible end-result doesn’t make sense to a lot of people. Of course, though, when you have a passion for video games, the satisfaction of playing is often enough. This doesn’t mean that you don’t have to get something extra out of gaming, but a lot of people don’t realise quite how much scope there is to make a return on something like this.

Light Gambling

As the very first idea on this list, it’s time to think about something which most people are well aware of; gambling. When you play games for real money online, though, the experience is far removed from most people’s ideas of casinos. WomBatCasino, for example, is designed with fun in mind, rather than simply taking your money and giving you something boring to play with it. With games based around skill and ingenuity, it’s easy to get wrapped up into something like this while also making money at the same time.

Content Creation

There is a huge community behind video games, with countless websites, blogs, and other online platforms which are designed to help people with their time playing. Of course, though, there is always room for interesting ideas, and this could be a great chance to make some money. If you can think of an idea which you think will be popular, it’s worth giving it a try, as loads of companies are willing to sponsor people who can show off their games. Some people have even managed to make careers out of this.

Game Design

Getting into game design is something which a lot of gamers think about. Worried about the skills they need to do something like this, though, it can be easy to avoid ever breaking ground on your big ideas. Anyone can learn how to code, and making 3D models isn’t too tricky with some practice, making this field far more accessible than you might think. Some of the most successful games of all time have been made by people who do all of the work from home.

Reviews

Finally, as the last area to consider, it’s time to think about something which isn’t quite so popular; writing reviews. Whether you find a website which will happily pay you for this sort of work or have access to a platform which uses reviews for advertising, you can make a lot of money sharing your thoughts about the games you play. You can be completely honest with something like this and still make some good money out of it.

While not all gamers will want to get more out of their time behind the screen, it never hurts to look into something like this if you’re interested. It’s always worth doing your research, though, as you might be able to find an option which appeals to you even more than the ones on this list.

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Mål Paper | Daily Goal Setter Planner*

I love planners. Diaries, calendars, organisers, anything that gives the illusion that I have my life together. I've been using an Erin Condren life planner for the past seven months and loving it so much. But it is just a planner - nothing for me to use as a diary, and not enough space for any goal setting!

So when the lovely team at Mål Paper contacted me to see if I'd like to try out one of their new daily goal setter planners, I was obviously not going to say no! These retail at £20.95 and come in three colours; black, grey, or the pink I opted for.

A little bit about the planner!
There are 244 pages, broken down into a few sections.
There are 6 undated months of planning pages, coming in with 6 monthly spreads, 24 weekly spreads, 157 daily spreads, 4 note pages, 20 pages of intro/how to use, and a 2019/2020 calendar. There is a pocket at the back for loose items, 2 ribbons to use as page markers, and the front and back covers are hardback, so it's very sturdy and won't damage easily! There are also quote pages periodically through the planner, that are from various notable people - so very motivating if you need a new quote!

After the 20 pages about how to use the planner, along with some ideas on what to do for each page, you come to the three sections below:

Here you have the space for 14 long, medium, and short term goals. There's plenty of room to flesh out the ideas as well, or you can just write one line for each - use it however it will work for you. After these sections, you'll find the undated 6 monthly spreads to note down anything you need for whichever month you start on. The good thing about it being undated, is you can start any day of the year and it won't matter.

The monthly spread is followed by the 24 weekly spreads. Here you have a few different sections for each week. Most important weekly tasks, secondary weekly tasks, additional tasks, and weekly review with little spot to rate the week. This is perfect for adding in any tasks from the previous sections, or adding other ones that didn't need to be noted previously.

After all of those pages, you then move onto the daily spreads, and a few note pages at the very back. The daily spreads are a page each, and again are in sections to help visualise what needs to be done each day. You just write the date and circle the day of the week, and then fill it in!

I love the top section where you can write 3 things that you're grateful for each day. It's a quick and simple way to find the good of each day, and you can either do this first thing in the morning, or even at the end of the day as a reflection. Following this is a daily affirmation section. This isn't something I've ever focused on before, so I'll be giving this a go soon to see what I can think of to fill this space - likely a quote I'm enjoying that day.

Below this, is the main section for the daily tasks. Again, these can be bought forwards from the long, medium and short term goals pages, create new ones, or simply jot down a daily schedule to see realistically how much you can do with the day.

The final section of the page is a little piece called, 'great things that happened today', plus a rating for the day at the bottom. Another little way to reflect back on the day and see overall how it went for you.

I love these layouts, and the fact it is undated is great as I can start whenever I want to, and if I miss a day or two it won't matter! I can easily use this in tandem with my EC planner, so I can add tasks from here into smaller sections in my EC, which will be soooo much easier to manage them all now in a separate planner!

If you're interested in snagging one of these beauties for yourself, go check out their website, and try it out for yourself! What do you think of this planner, and would you find this easy to use? Let me know! Hope you have a great day and keep safe :)


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*Gifted item in return for an honest review

Saving Money With a Purpose and Not Just for the Sake of It*

From an early age, we’re all taught that we should be saving as much money as possible. We’re told that we need to hold on to our savings, that we should never overspend on useless things and that we should always be mindful of our income. These are excellent tips that will help you get the most out of your financial situation, but it’s easy to forget just how mindless and pointless saving money can be if you’re doing it without a good reason.

Anyone can train themselves to save a small percentage of their money every month, but it’s not easy to assign a purpose to that money in order to give us the motivation to do in the first place. So in this article, we’re going to talk about why it’s important to save money with a purpose and not just for the sake of it.

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Savings should be used for emergency purposes

One of the most obvious reasons to build up savings is to use it for emergency purposes. This includes paying for emergency repairs for your car, replacing your laptop if it breaks or even patching up your home after a natural disaster. Certain types of repairs, such as those related to your home, are going to be incredibly expensive given that it’s not just the repair that’s important, but also the replacement of things such as electronics and furniture that could have been damaged. In some cases, home-related damage can be irreversible and you may need to spend a lot of money on renovating parts of your home. Much of these costs will be covered by insurance, but it’s still a good idea to rely on your own savings if you need more money to get your home back into good shape so that you feel safe inside it.

Medical emergencies can also cost a lot of money if it’s not completely covered by the NHS. In these situations, emergency savings might not cover all of the related costs, especially if you’re unable to work during this time. Thankfully, there are guarantor loans from a direct lender that can help you pay the bulk of it especially if it’s something urgent. Your health is arguably one of the most important things in life and you can’t avoid medical bills especially if it’s crucial to your personal health and well-being. This can include things like dental treatments, replacement glasses or prescriptions for certain types of medicine. While most of these medical expenses are covered in the UK by the NHS, there are certain extras costs that can help you live a much healthier life which aren’t covered. This can include eye examinations, extra dental procedures or even private physiotherapy that avoids long waiting lists.

Saving for your retirement

It’s also important to save for your retirement. A lot of people do this through a pension scheme or a similar plan, but it’s never a bad idea to have your own emergency savings ready for when you finally retire. Since your retirement should be entirely focused on giving you time to relax and live out the rest of your life in comfort, you should save up enough money so that your financial situation doesn’t become an issue.

Those with poor financial planning will find that retiring is simply something that doesn’t seem feasible. Whether it’s continuing to pay off your mortgage or paying back your debts, there are far too many expenses that you need to consider when you finally retire and if you’re not actively earning an income then it can become extremely stressful to deal with. Financial freedom takes a lot of time and investment, so make sure you don’t ignore the importance of saving money when you’re younger so that your retirement is more comfortable.

If you choose to rely on your pension to help you live a peaceful life after retiring, then it’s important to look at all of the terms and conditions to ensure you’re getting the best deal possible.

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Don’t just save–invest your money instead

Saving money essentially means giving it to the bank and allowing interest to build up. In most cases, this interest isn’t enough to even account for inflation over a long period of time, but if you have a lot of savings then the interest can slowly build up over time and lead to a minor profit. Unfortunately, the likelihood of this happening is slim and if you have a lot of savings, there are better ways to spend it in order to grow your wealth. While not every method is guaranteed, there are a couple of relatively secure ways to invest your money and see it grow instead of just letting it sit in a bank account.

There are now more ways to invest your money than ever, so even if you don’t like the idea of stocks and shares, that doesn’t mean you can’t be an investor. For example, you could consider investing in cryptocurrencies like Etherum or Bitcoin. You can easily buy and sell Ethereum online and if you pick your moments, you can make a lot of money. However, it’s important that you do your research because it can be a big risk if you don’t really know what you’re doing. You don’t have to invest in traditional financial instruments either. A lot of people are investing in collectables and memorabilia, for example, and this is a great option. You’d be surprised how valuable things like limited edition Lego sets or movie props are, and their value will only increase over time. This is a great way to find a hobby that also serves as an investment option.

It’s important to think of investing as a long-term financial goal and not just putting money into something and hoping that it grows. For example, paying for university is a valid investment into your future if it helps you find a better job and purchasing a home can also be considered an investment. These are risky because they’re not guaranteed to work, but it if you’re willing to follow through, do your research and use the right strategies, it’s possible to generate more revenue over time that can lead to greater wealth and financial stability. The options available to you will depend greatly on the circumstances at the time, but it’s important to identify investment opportunities so that you can start growing your wealth instead of just saving it in your bank account.

In order to ensure that you can reach financial freedom, you have to incorporate both investing and saving into your financial strategy. Once you have enough savings to account for personal expenses such as your mortgage repayments, insurance premiums and basic needs, you should consider investing your excess savings to help you grow your wealth instead of allowing it to lose value over time in your bank account.

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Had Enough of Adulting? Release Your Inner Child With Stress-Busting Hobbies*

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Being an adult is tough, and not anywhere near as appealing as it looked when you were a kid. With jobs to do, bills to pay, groceries to buy, it can feel like you are on an unstoppable treadmill, running as fast as you can but not getting anywhere. Every once and while it is useful to stop, chill out and give yourself a break from the monotony of adulting. What better way to relax than releasing your inner geek and enjoying some time spent doing the things you did as a kid? Relive those carefree days of keeping yourself amused, without having to think about doing the laundry or checking your online banking. This is a time to simply be and to experience that feeling of flow that comes from being completely engaged in doing something, and feeling calm and quietly focused.

Think back to what you loved to do as a kid, and see if you can bring a little of that fun and enthusiasm into your adult life. Here are some childhood hobbies that are perfect for relieving stress.

Felt Tips at the Ready!

Aaaah colouring, quite possibly one of the most satisfying ways to pass the time when you are a kid. Of course, nowadays it’s all about mindful colouring and adult colouring books, but go out and choose any colouring book that you like the look of and makes you feel happy.

Up the enjoyment levels by making like it’s the start of a new school year and treat yourself to a pencil case and some new colouring pens or pencils. After all, who doesn’t love stationary and that new school term feeling?

Get Ready to Game

Looking for a hobby that you can completely engage with and concentrate on? If so, why not get back into gaming? Pass a pleasant hour trying to beat your high score, and you will instantly feel like you are 12 years old again. 

If you’re not sure what’s hot and what’s not right now and need some recommendations, then check out some game reviews to get yourself up to date.

Ready, Steady, Read

Curling up with a good book is always a good idea, but to bring a fresh take on it, why not try reading something totally different? Teen fiction or, to use the correct term, young adult fiction has changed a lot in recent years, and there are some pretty awesome books out in this genre right now. You will find that you are spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting one to buy and read. 

Modern young adult fiction covers a much more extensive range of subjects and diverse issues than you probably remember from when you were a kid, so it is well worth checking out.

Get on Your Bike

As H.G.Wells famously once said, “every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race.” 

If you haven’t ridden a bike for over a decade, why not give it a go and get back in the saddle? Remember what it felt like to feel the rush of air blowing into your face, and the butterflies in your tummy as you cycle downhill, feeling completely exhilarated by the whole experience. PS cycle helmets are essential, streamers on your handlebars are entirely optional.

Telly Addict

Do you remember a world when there was no Netflix? A world where you couldn’t pause a TV programme? Scary, right! Think back to those afternoons of slobbing out on the sofa watching cartoons, and zoning out into a chilled-out space in your mind. Bring some of this laziness back into your adult life, but instead of binging on a boxset, go retro, and revisit the cartoons of your childhood. There are loads of reasons why watching your way through a cartoon marathon is much more satisfying as an adult; firstly, you can put your feet up on the sofa, and there is no one to tell you off. Secondly, no matter how nice and sunny it is outside, you won’t be nagged to get out in the garden and make the most of it instead of being sat inside getting square eyes from watching too much telly.

Yes, TV watching isn’t strictly a hobby, and yes it’s not a great thing to do all the time, but now and then it is a great way to forget about your troubles for a little while and enjoy some harmless escapism. 

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No Shame in Gaming*

On a scale of one to ten, how bored are you in your office right now? Sure there’s plenty of work you should be doing but that’s not really the point. You just need to make those last few hours fly past before you’re finally released and sent home, only to have to return again tomorrow.

In this blog, we’re looking at some of the very best browser-launched games that you can play at your desk. The beauty of browser games is that they can be minimised at a moment’s notice, so get your fingers at the ready for gaming that will make that boredom fly away.

Money Spinners

Not for everyone but if you’re into taking risks then some online gambling is certainly going to inject a little spark of interest into a long Wednesday afternoon.

Choose from the plethora of bingo sites that offer minimal investment for low payouts or play slots online and experience the thrill of a casino-style setting.

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Snow Line

Remember how excited you were about Christmas as a kid? Well this game puts you back in touch with the big jolly man himself in this frustrating challenge.

Help guide Santa and his sleigh down a twisty mountain collecting presents on the way. You’ll draw lines to help guide him, but don’t make them too step or he’ll shoot forwards and crash and how will you explain that to all the good boys and girls?

Type Racer

Want to look like you’re getting stuck into typing out a meaty document, when you’re really putting your typing skills to the test? This is the genius of this game. You are a car, racing against other online players to type out a passage.

Fastest typer wins so perhaps practice first on the document you should be working on. Okay, perhaps not.

QWOP

If you can master this game, you’re a genius. It’s tough, so tough you’ll probably give up. You control a runner using the above keys. Sounds simple but the QW keys control his thighs and the OP his calves. Get them in the right sequence and he can run like the wind, get it wrong and it looks like he’s drunk too much. Impossibly addictive.

You really should be working, after all those spreadsheets aren’t going to write themselves. The daily grind can take its toll though and spending a few minutes (alright hours) every week on some mindless distraction, can’t cause too much damage.

Pit your wits against runners who require extraordinary coordination to even make it over the start line. Don your best elf outfit and help Santa complete his yearly mission or put those typing skills to the test and play against fellow slackers from all over the world.

If you’re not planning on having to change job just yet then, whatever you do, don’t get caught. Put the hours in so you can work hard in order to play even harder and remember: the minimiser button is your friend. 

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3 Easy To Use Apps That Make You Money*

Photo by Tofros.com from Pexels

It may seem a little far fetched and possibly unbelievable however it really is possible to make money or earn prizes from apps on your phone. Some only take a few minutes at a time whereas others are a little bit of a routine, but if you’re looking for a little extra cash these could be what you’re looking for. 

Most of the apps that are available can be used whenever you have a few minutes spare, regardless of where you are. Other apps can only be used to their full potential in certain circumstances as you go about your everyday life. 

Job Spotter

This is a fairly new concept but it is definitely one to get involved with. Do you ever find yourself noticing job adverts in the local shop window or adverts for seasonal staff even though you’re not looking? Well, you can now put that the to use and make yourself a little bit of money at the same time. Job Spotter pays users to take photos of job adverts in windows and then the creators of the app use them to update platforms such as indeed.com. The people who are looking for work can look for them online. You can expect to earn from five to a hundred and fifty points per advert that you capture and submit, depending on its originality (how useful it is). You can then exchange these for things such as Amazon vouchers. It has been known to be one of the highest paying apps. 

Coin Pop 

Coin Pop is an app that rewards its users with a points system for downloading and playing games on their smartphone. If you're someone who enjoys things such as free slots no download and no registration, Candy Crush, Clash of Clans or Runescape then you will get on with this app. With already 95k+ users it’s something that anyone who spends time gaming on their mobile could get into and make a little bit of money at the same time. This app definitely isn’t going to make you rich however if you're going to playing games anyway then you may as well play ones that will contribute towards your points. You can then redeem into vouchers or through PayPal. 

Swagbucks

Swagbucks pays users for completing tasks they'd probably already be doing on the internet. Much like Coin Pop, you earn points (Swagbucks) however it’s now by making web searches, watching videos or completing surveys. There is also has a special cashback site that rewards you in Swagbucks rather than cash.  One of the easiest ways to make money with Swagbucks is it have it as your default web search browser as you can earn cash from just your normal online searches. If you’re looking to complete the surveys bear in mind you won't always be accepted as you often have to fit into a particular demographic. Again you’re not going to become rich from signing up to this but if you spend a lot of time online then it could be a good idea to have it as a small cash flow to top you up. 

These are just three of the apps that are available there are also ones such as Roamler, Clexsense, and Toluna just to name a few. Have a look around and see what others you can find or do you already use cash building apps? Please share your findings or tips in the comments section below.

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