How to Keep Your Mercedes Benz in Great Condition With Little Effort

Auto

A Mercedes Benz is not like any other cars, it’s a sign of luxury, prestige, and financial safety.

However, there’s nothing more embarrassing than showing up with one of these excellent cars and having to explain to your peers why it sounds like an old washing machine that’s falling apart.

Save yourself from this situation by following our small guide on the most critical aspects of the maintenance of a Mercedes Benz.

We’re going to provide you with quick and simple tips on how to keep your vehicle in top shape, extending its longevity, and making it into an example of the brand.

Mercedes Maintenance Tips

Every type of vehicle, no matter the brand, must frequently be checked to ensure its performance.

Whether it’s a brand-new car or an old-timer, you can maintain it in great shape if you take the stance of preventive maintenance instead of active maintenance.

This means you don’t wait until the car breaks down to take it to service for maintenance. Instead, you keep a schedule of checkups that will alert you if something’s starting to deteriorate and bring it to a specialist and prevent further damage.

However, one thing you must always keep in mind is that Mercedes are not simple vehicles that any mechanic can maintain, you must take it to a specialist, certified professionals that will treat your car correctly.

That’s why, even if you follow this guide accurately, you should consider a Mercedes service plan for your vehicle that offers expert technicians and assures a quality service that will keep your car in top shape

Follow these tips on what to check on your Mercedes and how often you should check it:

  • Check the Fluid Levels: most of the engine problems of many vehicles are associated with running a car with low fluid levels. Incorporate to your routine checking the oil and coolant every week; and the steering, brake, and transmission fluids monthly.

  • Check your Tires: under-inflated tires wear out faster, cost you more in gas, and can be hazardous to drive in.

  • Keep your Car Clean: although keeping the exterior and interior of your car aids in keeping it in great shape, we’re talking about professional washing that can guarantee your car’s interior is also protected of grime and waste that settles in those spots you can’t clean manually.

  • Follow your Owner’s Manual Maintenance Schedule: depending on your car’s model you might have different mileage on this schedule, but the important part is that you never miss a tune-up on your car.

Help! I Can’t Tell the Difference Between One Part or the Other!

Don’t be embarrassed by this fact. It’s common, especially amongst new drivers, to have problems differentiating between a car’s interior parts.

Having a look at online resources about a how a part should look and comparing it with your vehicle’ state is a great way to maintain and prevent further deterioration of your car.

However, if you’re still having troubles and don’t have anyone you can trust your car’s maintenance, consider a Mercedes service plan that will professionally assist you with this and will gladly check your vehicle.

Not only will they follow this preventive guide, but they also have professional instruction on how to deal with any issues your vehicle could have.

Where to take your Mercedes for Service

There are dozens of locations you can choose from for your car’s maintenance, and each one advertises their technicians as the best in the market and their service as the best value.

What you must look for is a certified Mercedes Benz service that offers a complete service plan. This way you’ll be able to guarantee a professional, trustworthy service that comes with several additional benefits, like free of charge fluid checks ups and refills.

Even if you find a reliable mechanic willing to take a look at your vehicle, consider a Mercedes service plan that guarantees a specialist, who has received certified Mercedes Benz instruction, will frequently check your car for any potential harm.

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New Bundesliga Season Sees Borussia Dortmund Partnering with GMO Trading in Marketing Deal

Money Sports

With the new Bundesliga season set to begin on 24th August, the clubs are looking forward to their new campaigns to reach the top of the table. To get this accomplished, they need to have the top talent, great coaching and engaged and passionate fans who push them over the tough spots that always occur during any season.

This last item means that clubs must engage in marketing deals that get the word out about the club and any new changes, and gives fans opportunities at special offers and deals.

In accordance with this, top Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund, has signed a marketing partnership with leading online CFDs platform provider GMO Trading. The Bundesliga Football eight time champions will work throughout the 2018-19 season on campaigns that put the Borussia Dortmund in front of fans and those who might also want to jump on and take a ride with the club in the coming season.

GMO Trading is the ideal partner because its advanced trading platform attracts loyal trader fans who swear by its security and simplicity. The marketing partnership is for all of Europe outside of Germany meaning it will occur in markets that both organizations assess as vital to growth.

The relationship has already begun. You can go to the GMO Trading website at www.gmotrading.com or use your tablet or smartphone to go to their social media channels to review offers and learn about GMO Trading’s CFDs platform. For GMO clients, there will be a stream of exclusive offers and perks throughout the coming season.

For more information, please email Rebecca Wharmby – Rebecca.Wharmby@Threepipe.co.uk.

About GMO Trading

GMO Trading is the brand name of Royal Forex a Cyprus Investment Firm, regulated by Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission.

CFDs traders gain access to a net level trading environment and premium services with an unmatched amount of account options that fit any trader’s requirements.

For more information, visit the GMO Trading website at www.gmotrading.com or  visit its Facebook at www.facebook.com/gmotrading/.

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6 Ways to Save for a Wedding

Finance Love

The happiest day of your life will be an occasion to remember. Unfortunately, it costs money to hold the biggest party of your life. Saving for a wedding can be a struggle if you’re starting from ground zero.

But we’re going to show you some of the tricks you can use to save for a wedding. Let’s take a look at some of the secret saving tips that can get you ready for your big day.

Know Where You Stand

The first step to saving money for a wedding is to know where you stand. In other words, you need to be aware of how much you need to save and how much you already have saved.

Use an app like Mint to track this. It aggregates all of your bank accounts so you know exactly how much you have. You can also use it to track your expenses.

Whenever you manage money online, make sure you install a VPN for extra security. For help with this, use a guide from Troypoint and they will show you how to get started.

Garnish Your Own Paycheck

Always pay yourself first. Instruct your bank to send a portion of your paycheck to your savings account so you don’t run into any problems with saving.

Most banks have this facility available. Use the previous step to know how much you can safely garnish from your paycheck and still cover your daily expenses.

Be Careful Where You Spend

Saving money for your wedding shouldn’t be confined to pure saving. It should also include saving money ON your wedding. Don’t think you have to have a huge wedding in order to have a great day.

Get married on the right day, choose an affordable venue, and don’t worry about not splurging on the little accessories nobody ever notices anyway.

See how you can keep your wedding costs down when planning your wedding and your savings journey will be a much easier one.

See What You Can Get from Others

The chances are you already know people who have got married. Use this to your advantage. See if they have anything from their weddings that they would let you borrow.

One quick tip is to take an old bridal wedding gown and have it tailored according to your tastes. This is much cheaper than spending thousands on a brand new dress.

Ask for Help Instead of Wedding Gifts

Request that your family and friends chip in with help, either through their time or through helping out with the cost in lieu of a wedding gift.

Most people would rather help with setting things up instead of agonizing over which wedding gift to buy. A wedding organized by your family and friends is always that much more special.

Hold the Wedding and Reception in the Same Place

Want to know how to cut your savings goal by thousands with one decision?

Just hold the wedding and the reception in the same place. It’s becoming increasingly trendy to rent one venue instead of two. This will save you thousands because you don’t have to worry about preparing two different venues.

Unless you’re a rabid traditionalist, this won’t affect the outcome of your day.

Last Word – Saving Doesn’t Have to Be a Nightmare

These tips will not only help you to save money for your wedding but they’ll help you to save money on your wedding. You don’t have to live like a monk in order to get the money together.

And you certainly don’t have to take out loans to enjoy your big day.

Do you have any other tips for saving for your big day?

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Underfloor Heating – A Hidden Convenience

DIY / Home Improvement


Heating in the home is one of the most critical features for any family home.

Whether it be a simple electric heater to lavish wood burners, generating heat in the home helps enhance the relaxed and secure atmosphere that you should feel in your own home.

However recently there has been a rise in under floor heating, but what is this and what benefits does it offer.

Underfloor heating is a novel and extremely convenient alternative to radiators and heaters, utilising heated mats laid underneath your choice of flooring to generate heat that rises up from the ground. This system can use either electric wires or mats and water pipe system to generate heat.

The big advantage of underfloor heating is the added convince it provides, no longer requiring radiators and heaters to be placed on the floor where you can stumble over them by accident.

This convenience goes further as using heated mats for instance, you can easily install it along with some new wood laminate flooring – making it ideal for home renovations and rebuild projects.

Another benefit to underfloor heating is how is allows you more flexibility for generating heat within the home. A study carried out by which found that 55% of their survey responses stated that, they installed underfloor heating in the bathroom.

This is understandable as electric heaters cannot be placed in the bathroom, with the only other option available being central heating. However, with underfloor heating you can have sufficient heating in your bathroom, perfect for cold nights where you want to keep warm after getting out of the bath.

This is also offers a fantastic design opportunity as you could replace your old vinyl tiles with stylish white laminate flooring, creating a unique bathroom design.

However there are some factors to look out for with underfloor heating.

The first is the heating range available. Depending on the size of your system the heat generated may not be capable of sustaining adequate room temperature by itself. Therefore, you will still need further heating options available in the room.

Another drawback to consider about underfloor heating is how long it takes to generate heat. Unlike electric heaters and radiators which offer near instantaneous heat, underfloor heating takes longer to begin generating heat. This is especially the case with water-based systems, with the water needing to be heated and then travel through the pipes.
Finally, there is the instillation of underfloor heating itself.

For those renovating their home, underfloor heating is a great option to go for. This is because the floor will be in the process of being replaced, and most home flooring options such as oak laminate flooring accommodate such systems.

However for those who are retrofitting, installing the new heating system may not be worth the hassle. This is because the original floor will need to be uprooted which could lead to complications and potential damage to your original floor. This could lead to further expense, more so if your floor is incompatible with underfloor heating systems.

However the convince and luxurious feeling of underfloor heating could outweigh there potential pitfalls and improve the atmosphere in your home.

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Home Décor: How to Decorate Like a Pro

DIY / Home Improvement

You want to decorate or redecorate your home, but you know you cannot afford a professional. That’s okay, because many people have found ways to get it done themselves. And you don’t have to spend a great deal of money, either.

Here in this article, we’ll show you five ways you can decorate like a pro. Hopefully, you’ll find something you can put to use.

  1. What Do You Like?

The very first thing you should do before setting out to become your own decorator, is to figure out what you like. Whether it’s furniture, lighting, accessories, get a feel for how you would decorate your home.

We’re also assuming here that you have already determined the budget for your decorating adventure. If you haven’t done so, now is a good time to start.

With the budget figured out, now you can get out and invest in the items that you like.

  1. Use Area Rugs Where You Can

If you’re planning to arrange furniture with a focus on an area of the room, consider arranging your items over an area rug. This will help the arrangement appear more unified.

Area rug sizes vary by room, so choose carefully. You don’t want the rug to be too small or too big for the room.

Another rug idea is to use a long runner, a couple feet wide and several feet long. These can be great for traffic, especially near your front door, and can add a little punch of color.

  1. “This House Will Be In Order!”

Order is always “in order” in a household. Keeping your home organized really enhances the decorative things you do. Some of your decorative choices could actually double as storage items as well.

If you have clutter, get rid of it. Anything you don’t need or haven’t used in a year or more, get rid of it, or store it out of the way.

If you have something you don’t want to throw away, but someone else can use, give it to them. You want the focus to be on your décor, not the items taking up the extra space.

  1. “Plant” Your Décor

Plants can do a lot for a room. They can add some color, especially in the case of flowers, but anything green will do – just don’t overdo it. Plants will also put oxygen into the room as well.

In your kitchen, you can do something a bit different, although it makes sense. You might have fresh herbs in the kitchen anyway, so arrange them in some decorative fashion.

  1. See the Light

Lighting is a very important part of your décor as well. Lighting can highlight certain areas of your home. Using a dimmer switch with your lighting choice can help you adjust to any “mood” like you might do in your dining room.

Lighting is not limited to electric light, however. Bringing in natural light is always a good idea if it can be done. The most common way to do this is to add a skylight – sometimes more than one.

Summary

So figure what you like, adopt decorator ways through the use of area rugs, organization, plants and lighting. You will soon be decorating your home like a real pro!

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Give Yourself a Healthier Outlook

Health & Fitness

Do you at times wonder why your health is not as good as it should be?

With that in mind, are there steps you can push forward with that will allow you to have better health than you do now?

Some are all but pre-destined due to hereditary issues and the like to have health problems. For others, it can oftentimes be their lifestyles that get them into trouble.

So, is it time to give you a healthier outlook?

Don’t Let Health Issues Get in Your Way

While some matters can get the best of you despite what you try and do, others you can fight from day one and even win.

That said remember a few pointers:

1. Educate yourself – One of the ways you can better combat issues is by educating yourself on health. For example, what if you have been dealing with chronic pain for a while now? Have you tried any potential remedies to lessen or even stop the pain? If you are not aware of kratom, you should think about looking for the top kratom vendor. Kratom is a herbal remedy that can help lower chronic pain for some people. By going online, you can learn about kratom in a rather short amount of time. No matter what you discover to be a relief, use the Internet to get you to that point.

2. Be pro-active – One of the worst things you can do for your health is not be pro-active. An example of this would be avoiding going to the doctor for an annual physical. Your doctor is your first line of defense against any serious healthcare issues. As such, you want to see them on a regular basis. They can also give you tips on how to live a healthier lifestyle.

3. Healthier lifestyle – Speaking of that healthier life, how active are you on a daily basis? Even having some sort of an exercise regimen is better than none at all. With that being the case, do you walk on a regular basis? Even a 15 or 30-minute stroll can do wonders for your heart and mind. You might also look into yoga if not already into it. More people in recent years have found yoga to be quite relaxing and beneficial to their lives. Also, look at what kinds of foods you are putting into your body each day. A well-balanced diet can go a long way in making you feel better.

4. Saying no to stress – Last, how much stress would you say you have in your daily life? Unfortunately, some individuals go way overboard when it comes to stress. In doing so, they put their health at risk. Find ways to ease as much stress as possible in your life. Although your work and if having a family are quite important, find time for you and you alone. Doing this will give you a chance to kick back and put some or much of that stress in the rear-view mirror.

In giving yourself a healthier outlook on life, do all you can to always have the upper-hand on life’s challenges.

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Could a Flexi-Loan be Right for you?

Money

The use of consumer credit has been on the rise in recent years in South Africa. There is an ongoing squeeze on the middle classes with a heavy tax burden, rising food prices and the cost of avoiding crime all taking their toll, so much so in fact that there’s a real possibility that the current middle class, which accounts for about 9 million or 16 percent of the population, could be shrinking.

In an attempt to maintain their standard of living, an increasing number of householders are turning to consumer finance products. At the moment, credit cards, store cards and overdrafts are the consumer credit of choice, but recently a new product has hit the market which could help South African consumers meet their essential costs without contributing to a debt spiral.

Introducing the flexi-loan

The flexi-loan is the first product of its choice to hit the South African market. The well-known lender Wonga has revolutionised its payday loan offering to give customers more flexibility and choice.

The flexi-loan allows new customers to borrow up R4000 over a maximum period of 6 months, with existing customers potentially allowed to borrow up to R8000. One of the benefits of the flexi-loan over other forms of short-term finance is the level of flexibility it provides. Applicants can choose the amount they borrow and their repayment term, from 4 days and 6 months, so they can spread the repayments over a longer period to allow them to budget more effectively. This also ensures the repayments are at a manageable level to reduce the risk of creating a debt spiral.

Consumer credit is never a solution to long-term debt

Although the flexi-loan may become a useful stopgap for some South African consumers and help them meet essential expenses they had not accounted for, consumer credit of any kind should never be used as a solution to debt problems. If you do need to borrow money to cover essential expenses like car or boiler repairs then the flexi-loan could be an option for you. However, you should always explore other potential solutions such as using savings or borrowing money from family and friends first.

If there are no other options then you must carry out careful affordability calculations to make sure you can afford to repay the loan and choose a repayment term that allows you to budget accordingly. Only once you’re sure you can repay the loan should you borrow any money at all.

Always be aware of the extra charges that may apply

One of the benefits of the Wonga flexi-loan is the fact that what you see is what you get. That is, if you meet the agreed repayment dates then the initial calculation is the amount you’ll pay. However, other charges can apply if you cannot make the repayments.

Although you will not be hit by multiple charges, interest and service fees will continue to apply to your account for up to 90 days if the debt has not been repaid. Continued failure to repay a loan will also mean the outstanding payment is recorded by credit bureaus and your credit rating will be affected as a result.

What types of short-term credit do you choose to use? Do you think a flexi-loan could be a viable alternative? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Making the most of your stay in Hong Kong: our top tips

Travel

Have plans to visit Hong Kong this year? Whether you travelling there on business or for vacation, there are many ways one can experience this alpha world city.

If you are a tad intimidated by the prospect of planning the details of this trip, take the following tips to heart – if you do, we are confident you’ll have an amazing time.

1) Stay in a serviced apartment

There’s no getting around it: accommodation can be a challenge for visitors to Hong Kong. Hotel rooms can cost hundreds of US dollars per night, and the cheapest of the lot often possess grime that will make your skin crawl.

There is, however, an option which you have likely not considered: the serviced apartment. They provide lodging which offers touches of home like proper living rooms, kitchenettes, and bedrooms while pairing them with hotel amenities like room service, laundry service, and fitness centres.

The cost of a serviced apartment Hong Kong is comparable with hotels which fail to provide the atmosphere of the former accommodation type, making an intriguing option to consider when sorting out your lodging in this popular Asian destination.

2) Have dim sum for breakfast at least once

Considered by many to be the New York City of Asia, the city of Hong Kong punches well above its weight when it comes to the quality of its cuisine. While there are many dishes waiting for you here, do not depart this place without sitting down for dim sum at least once.

A morning and brunch favourite of native Hong Kongers, this dining experience will see carts filled with many different types of food wheeled over to your table.

From steaming dumplings to rice noodles to delightfully sweet egg tarts, any thoughts about the final bill will slip away as you indulge in your third or fourth serving of these blissful dishes.

While dim sum can be found in this destination any day of the week, the best options are available on Sundays – be sure to arrive early to beat the crowds!

3) Venture to the Outlying Islands

There is more to Hong Kong than the main island and the Kowloon Peninsula. The territory which defines this special administrative region contains 261 separate islands, many of which spread well out into the South China Sea.

These smaller isles contain wilderness, rural villages, and isolated beaches, allowing you to effectively escape the urban jungle which defines most of the populated portions of this territory.

Those not wanting to stray far from the main island will love Lantau, as Hong Kong Disneyland, coastal hiking trails, and the remains of an old fortress can be found here.

Want to get away from it all? Peng Chau is your best option, as its local culture is a direct throwback to 1930s Hong Kong in many respects. Here, you’ll find many traditional temples, hiking trails, and restaurants which serve freshly caught seafood.

4) Take in the view from Victoria Peak

Hong Kong offers many spectacular opportunities for amazing pictures, from its vibrant street life to its teeming markets. If you are in any way a photography enthusiast, you need to ascend Victoria Peak before boarding your flight home.

From the highest point on Hong Kong Island, you’ll have an amazing vantage point that will allow you to capture this business centre’s gleaming skyscrapers in stunning fashion.

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Here’s Why You Should Choose New York City For Your Next Holiday

Travel

Everyone needs a holiday from time to time. Our lives are incredibly busy most of the time, and taking a step back and taking a vacation is great for the mind and body. However, how do you know where to go for your next holiday?

Well, the choice isn’t easy. There are dozens of amazing places all over the world to potentially visit. However, one of the most visited cities on the planet is New York City, and it is a great option for both American and international travelers. With that in mind, this article will take a look into why you should visit New York for your next vacation.

Sample Some of the Best Food Ever

New York City is one of the most culturally diverse places on the planet. People from all different cultures, religions and backgrounds live there. And where there are many different cultures like that, there are many different types of cuisines.

As a result of the diversity, New York is home to food options of all kinds. No matter what sort of food you are craving, there is a good chance you can find a restaurant or food truck that is serving it. While some places will require a reservation and will be very busy, others will be able to seat you right away.

The Variety of Beautiful Museums

If you are a fan of culture, history, science or art, New York City will be perfect for you. The reason for this is because New York City is home to over 100 different museums you can check out. No matter your tastes, there is a good chance you will find a museum you love.

Many of these museums are among the most popular in the country and get millions upon millions of visitors each year. Some of the most popular museums in the city are the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art and the American Natural History Museum.

See Some of the Most Famous Sights on the Planet

New York City is home to several of the most popular and famous tourist attractions in the country. Places like the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge and more all get a slough of visitors every single day.

While you can browse around the city on your own, that might make it hard to see everything that you want to. Instead, you should consider taking a Midtown bus tour. The bus tours are great for getting around the city quickly while also seeing many of the most popular landmarks in the city.

See a Broadway Show

Seeing a show on Broadway is likely on the bucket list of thousands and thousands of people. It is the epicenter of the acting world and several of the greatest actors have performed on Broadway. It hosts numerous amazing plays throughout the week and the experience of a Broadway show is unlike any other venue or area.

Due to how popular many of these shows are, however, it could be a good idea to book in advance so you ensure you get in. If you wait until the day of the show or the day before even, there is a chance that the theatre could be sold out.

In conclusion, these are just some of the many great reasons to visit New York City for your next holiday. No matter your interests or goals out of a vacation, there is a good chance that NYC can satisfy them for you!

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Top Tips for Adding Luxury to Your Home on a Budget

DIY / Home Improvement

One of the few things that we tend to work for and invest a significant amount of time and money in is our homes. Whether it’s to improve the comfort of our humble abodes through functional upgrades or adding fixtures and furnishing to make it much more aesthetically pleasing for guests, changes and enhancements are commonplace in the lives of homeowners who have the resources for it.

While it certainly helps to have a lot of funds, you’ll be surprised that adding luxury to your home can be achieved with even the most modest of budgets. Here are a few top tips to keep in mind that are sure to minimise expenditure but maximise the results.

Give the bathroom areas reasonable upgrades

Bathrooms are arguably the most important areas in the house. In fact, most real estate agencies will tell you that the state of these rooms can oftentimes make or break the value of a property. To this end, there’s no better place to begin adding luxury to your home than by giving these areas some reasonable upgrades. For starters, the addition of walkin shower enclosures not only enhances the look and feel of a bathroom but also serves the functional purpose of keeping things nice and dry.

Illuminated mirrors and electric shower units can also make all the difference when it comes to use, with the former preventing clumsily fumbling for the light switch at night and the latter making the act of bathing far more convenient. Best of all, these additions won’t break the bank and should leave more room in the budget for other additions and improvements.

Use wallpaper instead of paint

Everything deteriorates with time, and this can make any interior look shabby and unloved. While you would rather have the walls replaced or repainted, the materials and labour costs can easily put a dent in if not break the budget completely. A cost-effective way of overcoming this obstacle is to use wallpaper instead. Not only is it relatively inexpensive, but its installation should take no more than a morning’s work and a few household items.

Refurbish and refinish old furniture

Despite all of the things that the modern world has brought us, many people still prefer the antiquated look of old items such as furniture. With prices on the rise with newer variants, an economical approach would be to have the old furniture refurbished or refinished instead of replacing it completely. The patina can oftentimes be much more eye-pleasing than more sleek and modern counterparts, and it can be good for the environment too.

There’s a common misconception that luxury is determined by high expenditure. However, it doesn’t necessarily require a huge budget to attain it. With no more than a small investment of time in research and labour, there’s no doubt that it can be attained by anyone determined to add luxury to their home.

Image: Pixabay.com

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