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Nicole

Is a Franchise the Right Investment for You?

Purchasing a franchise can seem like a great way to start your business without building it completely from the ground up. However, franchises come with significant upfront costs and ongoing fees. Before investing, you need to carefully consider if a franchise aligns with your goals, abilities, and financial situation. This article explores key factors to evaluate when deciding if franchise ownership is right for you. 

Understanding What You’re Buying

When you purchase a franchise, you are buying the temporary rights to use an existing business model and brand name. You will gain access to the franchisor’s training, support, and operating procedures. However, you will need to pay an initial franchise fee, make an ongoing royalty payment, and follow the terms of the franchise agreement. Understand exactly what you are getting for your money before moving forward. For example, check out this page on what Do The Beach franchise owners are offered as part of an inflatable park package.

Evaluating Your Skills and Interests

Operating a franchise still requires hands-on effort. Review your interests, abilities, and willingness to follow a system. Franchises work best for entrepreneurs who have some business experience but also value guidance and structure. If you want complete creative freedom, a franchise may frustrate you. Gauge whether your personality and work style fit the franchisor’s approach. You’ll need to follow their processes closely.

Researching the Franchise Thoroughly

Do in-depth research before choosing a franchise. Look at the company’s financial statements, talk to existing franchisees, and inspect the terms of the franchise agreement closely. Make sure the brand has a strong reputation and the business model seems viable in your local market. Look for indicators of a well-run organization with franchisee support and training. Don’t let excitement about the concept overshadow the importance of due diligence.

Understanding the Costs Involved

Franchises involve major upfront and ongoing costs. The initial franchise fee to purchase the rights to the brand often runs from $10,000 to over $100,000. You must also pay for real estate, equipment, inventory, marketing, working capital, and more. On top of that, you’ll continually owe royalty payments of 5-10% of gross sales. Review your finances to ensure you can secure financing and handle all costs. Undercapitalization is a top reason franchises fail.

Evaluating Your Market

Research your intended territory to assess if it can support another franchise location. Factors like population demographics, competition, and accessibility impact success. You don’t want to cannibalize sales from other locations. Many franchisors limit how close franchisees can be. You may also be required to hit sales minimums, so evaluate if that’s feasible in your area. The franchisor should provide data to help you make an informed decision.

Purchasing a franchise can help aspiring business owners gain a foothold in an industry. However, it’s not the right choice for everyone. Carefully weigh whether your skills, finances, and interests align with the franchise opportunity. Do in-depth research on the brand and market. If it’s a good fit, a franchise can provide structure and support as you start your entrepreneurial journey. With careful selection, it can pay off with a thriving business.

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Smart Ways to Save Money With Summer Around the Corner

As temperatures rise this summer, so can your expenses—utilities, vacation spending, and extra costs from entertaining the kids or doing renovation work around the house- which can often lead to much higher bills. However, with some planning, you can keep your budget in order and do everything you need to. Let’s look at effective ways to save money this summer without missing out.

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Get Your AC System Checked Early

Running an old or poorly maintained air conditioner can rack up high electricity bills. Arrange to have a professional inspect your unit to ensure it’s running efficiently. 

If your system is outdated, it may be struggling to cool your space; upgrading to a more energy-efficient model can help you save more in the long run. If you need help with an upgrade, get a quote for a professional AC installation.

Use a Programmable Thermostat  

If you can, get yourself a programmable thermostat that allows you to raise the temperature when you’re not home and cool down just before you return. This means your home will stay comfortable without wasting any energy.

Cook Outside or Use Small Appliances 

Using your oven adds extra warmth to your kitchen that you don’t need. This forces your AC to work much harder. Try to cook outside when possible or switch to using smaller appliances such as a toaster oven, microwave, or air fryer. These use much less energy and produce less heat, which is a bonus in the summer months.

Block Out the Sun  

Try to keep your curtains closed as much as possible during peak sunlight hours. Consider adding blackout curtains or reflective window film to reduce your indoor temperatures naturally rather than relying solely on your cooling system.

Plan Budget-Friendly Activities

When it comes to the summer months, there is always a lot of pressure to get out and about and do an activity, especially if you have children. It is possible to get and about without needing to spend a lot of money. Rather than going to a theme park or on an expensive day trip, think about looking for low-cost or free activities. Go for some walks, eat a picnic in the park, go on a camping holiday. 

Also, don’t forget about the garden’s potential. Add a few toys to the garden, make your popsicles, and have a good old-fashioned water fight. 

Travel Smarter

Suppose you’re planning a summer getaway; it’s best if you can book your flights and accommodation as soon as possible. It’s not always possible to get last-minute deals, and if you book in advance, you have more time to pay for it. 

If you are heading on a road trip, make sure you check your tire pressure, oil levels, and air filters. Keeping your car well-maintained leads to better fuel efficiency and can prevent costly repairs.

Final Thoughts  

Summer doesn’t need to break your budget. Making small adjustments at home and adopting smarter habits while on the go can add up to big savings. Stay cool comfortable, and keep your spending in order.

Friends, with summer around the corner, how will you be saving at home this coming season? Please leave your thoughts below.

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The Last Supper Movie Review & Giveaway

Thanks to Pinnacle Peak Pictures for providing a product sample for this review. My opinions are 100% my own.

Few things are better than fun, festive Spring films. Including the new cinematic journey of love and sacrifice, which can be seen through the eyes of those who walked alongside Jesus, in “The Last Supper.” Sharing the final meal shared between Christ and his Disciples before the passions of Christ, as part of the Easter celebration. A film opening in theatres on March 14, 2025-a movie everyone you hold dear will want to see!

“The Last Supper” is a visually stunning portrayal that allows viewers to receive a peer-to-peer view of Jesus Christ and his disciples, Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, Judas Iscariot, Simon the Zealot, James, son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus, drawing in viewers to the foreshadowing of Passion, within this most historic of events.

For those celebrating the Easter season, this faith-centered film will not only make perspectives of the season known but enable families, and friends, to discuss important, faith-based questions about “The Last Supper.” In regards to Christ’s disciples’ faith, and how His love continues to impact Christians today.

Buy tickets today to fully immerse yourself in the experience of the greatest of stories on the big screen.

Plus, thanks to Momentum Influencers, one Theladyprefers2save.com reader can enter to win a $10.00 Amazon.com gift card. To enter, please leave a comment letting our community know if you will see “The Last Supper” in theatres starting March 14, 2025. Please note, that this giveaway ends on March 15, 2025, at 11:59 PM CST. All duplicate entries, including multiple entries from singular email addresses, including emailed entries, across all participating platforms will be disqualified. This giveaway is open to US entrants, only. All gift cards will be sent electronically from Momentum Influencers to giveaway winners. Good luck!

Friends, why do you have a connection to the film, “The Last Supper,” in theaters starting March 14, 2025? Please leave your thoughts in the comments below.

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How to Grow Your Own Herb Garden Indoors

There’s something oddly satisfying about snipping fresh basil for late-night pasta or tearing mint straight from the stem for a cup of tea. An indoor herb garden is a tiny rebellion against overpriced grocery store bundles that turn to mush in two days. It’s a small way to bring life into your home, to claim a little green space even if the only land you own is a kitchen windowsill.

But let’s be real. You’ve tried this before. You got excited, bought a cute little potted basil plant, and within a week, it looked like it had given up on life. It happens. Indoor herb gardens are not as effortless as Pinterest makes them seem, but they are possible—if you know what you’re doing.

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Pick the Right Herbs for Indoors

Not every herb thrives in the great indoors. Some—like dill and cilantro—are wanderers at heart. They need space, fresh air, and a sense of freedom you just can’t give them inside. Others? They’re happy to settle down and make themselves at home.

If you want an easy start, go for:

  • Basil – A little diva that loves warmth and sun but rewards you with consistent growth.
  • Mint – It grows aggressively, which is a nice way of saying it’ll take over if you let it.
  • Rosemary – Woody, fragrant and a survivor. Give it lightly, and it’ll give you flavor.
  • Chives – Low-maintenance, high-reward. They keep coming back, no matter what.
  • Thyme – Hardy and forgiving.

The Secret to Healthy Indoor Herbs: Light, Water, and Soil

Herbs are simple creatures. Give them enough light, water them just right, and plant them in soil that actually lets them breathe.

Let’s talk light. South-facing windows are gold. If your place is more “cave-like” than “greenhouse,” then get yourself a grow light. It’s the difference between thriving herbs and sad, leggy ones that stretch toward the nearest lamp like they’re trying to escape.

And watering? Don’t kill your plants with kindness. Overwatering is a slow, soggy death. Let the top inch of soil dry out before adding more. No one wants root rot.

Soil matters, too. That dense, sticky dirt from your backyard? A death trap. Use a light, well-draining mix with perlite. Give those roots some breathing room.

Container Matters

No drainage holes? No deal. If water sits at the bottom of the pot, your plant’s roots will rot, and your herb garden will be over before it even starts. At the very least, layer some pebbles at the bottom to keep things from turning into a swamp.

Pest Control: Because Bugs Love Herbs Too

Just when you think you’ve got everything under control, pests show up. Tiny, determined, unwelcome. Aphids, spider mites, fungus gnats. They love your herbs as much as you do.

A simple fix? Neem oil. Or a gentle soap-and-water spray. But if things spiral out of control and your kitchen starts feeling like an insect sanctuary, you might need backup. Companies like Terminix specialize in keeping pests where they belong—far away from your future pesto.

Final Thoughts: Your Future Self Will Thank You

Indoor gardening isn’t about perfection. Some plants will thrive. Some won’t. You’ll learn what works and what doesn’t, and eventually, you’ll wonder how you ever cooked without fresh herbs within arm’s reach.

So go on. Grab a pot, some soil, and a handful of seeds. Your future self (and your dinners) will thank you. Friends, how are you planning, starting, and selecting plants for your indoor gardens at home? Please leave your thoughts below.

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“I Am Living Proof” Film Review & Giveaway

Many thanks to I Am Living Proof the Movie for providing a sample of the product for this review. My opinions are 100% my own.

During the last days of winter’s cold days, there’s little I enjoy more than documentary films. Including, “I Am Living Proof,” the captivating new film asking viewers, “Is God real? If so, where is He?” From the perspective of three deep-seated skeptics living with critical illnesses, while attending a modern-day tent healing event, and despite stepping out of lives steeped in immeasurable challenges, emerge back into their individual lives stronger in form and faith.

“I Am Living Proof” is an intimate look into the lives of three individuals facing an extraordinary life-altering event. Including Bri, a promising student, finds her academic paralysis derailed by a life-altering illness. Caught in a cycle of failed medical treatments and immeasurable pain, she is drawn to assisted suicide. Or Steve, whose social progress is derailed after a workplace accident leaves him physically dependent on opioid usage. Jobless and seriously in debt, Steve attempts to end it all with an overdose of his life. Finally, this film features Mary, a mother of five, who lives a debilitating path of pain and sorrow following a spinal injury. Unable to care for her five young children, she is seeking immeasurable change when a psychosomatic dream sparks personal change.

Unknown to the group, their paths will inevitably intersect with Mario Murillo, a traveling preacher whose mission is to share Christian doctrine and his personally derived healing power. When the group happens upon a chance encounter, at a local tent revival, that challenges their religious convictions, their stories change in the most unbelievable ways.

From battling life-threatening illnesses to the emergence of purposed faith-based courage and conviction, “I Am Living Proof” shares the crossroads of belief and personal strength of character. Each person featured in the documentary offers viewers a personal glimpse into their relationship with God and navigating their hardship. Featuring personal stories that serve as both powerful reminders of faith and an ideal of change in perspective.

“I Am Living Proof” documents the incredible true stories of individuals who have faced great health challenges, only to emerge stronger faithfulness and an internal sense of self. This incredible film in theatres March 9-12, 2025, is one to see with your friends and your family, too. Click here to see the film’s trailer or buy tickets, here.

Plus, thanks to Momentum Influencers, one Theladyprefers2save.com reader can enter to win a $10.00 Amazon.com gift card. To enter, please leave a comment letting our community know if you, yourself, have had a point of faith-based change? Please note, that this giveaway ends on March 8, 2025, at 11:59 PM CST. All duplicate entries, including multiple entries from singular email addresses, including emailed entries, across all participating platforms will be disqualified. This giveaway is open to US entrants, only. All gift cards will be sent electronically from Momentum Influencers to giveaway winners. Good luck!

Friends, why do you have a connection to the film, “I Am Living Proof,” in theaters starting March 9-12, 2025? Please leave your thoughts in the comments below.

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“No Address” Film Review & Giveaway

Thanks to Robert Craig Films for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

“No Address,” a new scripted full-feature film by Robert Craig Films and written and produced by Julia Verdin, founder of Rough Diamond Productions, portrays the hostile realities of the homeless in our nation. Sharing the impact of hope to those most in need in modern society. Starring Lucas Jade Zumann, Beverly D’Angelo, Isabella Ferreira, William Baldwin, Xander Berkeley, Ty Pennington, Kristanna Loken, Patricia Velasquez, and Ashanti, this powerful film challenges audiences to believe in second chances for our nation’s most vulnerable.

Featuring an action-packed acting ensemble, this film shares a gripping narrative of a group of homeless people, bonded as a family, struggling to survive the ever-changing life of the unhoused in America. With the everyday trials and tribulations of harassment, gang culture, an unbalanced community advocacy sector, harsh treatment by local authorities, and the ignorance of the general public. Presenting audiences with an accurate day-to-day dichotomy of maintaining hope with the realities of life on the streets.

Revolves around the lives of seven characters who form a family to survive the streets, No Address features: Jimmy, a teen runaway, fighting against his abusive parents, Lauren, a displaced foster child; Harris, a veteran, former addict, and excellent painter who sells noncommissioned art pieces to aid his family of choice; Violet, a veteran balancing wat-induced PTSD and the drug use she turns to as a coping mechanism; Dor, a former actress whose early-onset dementia has led her to a life on the streets, Robert, a financially strapped businessman; and Gabrielle, a community advocate for the unhoused.

Through Robert Craig Films, this film highlights our nation’s unhoused. Bringing light to the plight of these unnamed members of society, the unhoused in America, who between 2022 and 2023, numbers increased 12% nationwide, and those numbers will likely double in 5-6 years, without proper bureaucratic aid. As well as the plight endured by researchers, nonprofits, and the misplaced alignment of our national bureaucracy and support advocacy organizations. Organizations that are interested in serving as corporate sponsors provide financial resourcing and a network of allies nationally.

“No Address” provides viewers with a personalized view of homelessness in an engaging, thought-provoking manner. Motivating viewers to seek to create a personal movement leading to societal and personal change.

Through compelling storytelling that not only communicates the reality of the challenge at hand but also builds compassion for the people who are affected, No Address has the potential to catalyze a movement across all ages around solving homelessness and dealing with it at a structural level. Learn more about this film, here.

Buy tickets today to see “No Address” in theaters starting February 28, 2025. Plus, thanks to Momentum Influencers, one Theladyprefers2save.com reader can enter to win both a $10.00 Amazon.com gift card as well as a ticket to Robert Craig Film’s “No Address,” in theaters starting February 28, 2025.

To enter, please leave a comment letting our community know if you have a connection to the No Address film or the unhoused community in the United States. Please note,  that this giveaway ends on March 2, 2025, at 11:59 PM CST. All duplicate entries across participating platforms will be disqualified. This giveaway is open to US entrants, only. All gift cards will be sent electronically from Momentum Influencers to giveaway winners. Good luck!

Friends, why do you have a connection to the Robert Craig Film’s “No Address,” in theaters starting February 28, 2025? Please leave your thoughts below.

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Sustainability In Your Healthcare Business

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When operating in the healthcare sector, your business is heavily focused on supporting people. To unlock true success, though, it should also actively help the planet. 

Sustainability is a priority across all industries. Frankly, your healthcare business can make several improvements. Better still, they occur without compromising patient experiences. Here are five that you should focus on to enhance your company in 2025 and beyond.

Sustainable Staff Development

To run a greener healthcare business, starting with your employees is vital. Local EMS scholarships are an exciting opportunity for employees to develop their skills in a more sustainable setting. Creating greater sustainability within the team by reducing staff turnover rates is a positive factor. It indirectly reduces resource requirements as recruitment needs are removed. Likewise, you should notice benefits linked to onboarding.

Teaching staff members about your desire for sustainability should help too.

Waste Reductions

As a healthcare business, you will naturally use a large volume of resources. It is impossible to avoid the situation altogether as there are many single-use items involved in patient care. Still, the healthcare industry should actively reduce plastic waste use where possible. It’s great for the environment while also improving the way people view the company. Other simple steps include using water and electricity more efficiently. 

There’s nothing wrong with using resources in healthcare, especially if waste is minimal.

Marketing Sustainability

Healthcare businesses often struggle with the concept of viewing patients as customers. However, that is what they are. As such, marketing your services to your audience is an essential part of the process. Going paperless with social media influencing, email marketing, and SEO is highly advised. Meanwhile, tools like SMS reminders can be sent instead of patient letters. This cuts down on material usage and carbon emissions caused by mail. 

By connecting with patients more efficiently, you’ll also be positioned to improve more lives. 

Telehealth 

Technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace across the healthcare sector. Telehealth is unquestionably one of the most interesting developments. Remote connections between health providers and patients deliver many benefits. They include cost, comfort, and convenience. However, it can also support sustainability by reducing travel needs for providers and patients. Likewise, resources are utilized with optimal efficiency, which directly reduces overall carbon footprints. 

While it’s not the only incentive to embrace it, the environmental rewards are telling.

Greener Workspaces

Finally, building a greener workspace is an ideal way to improve the healthcare firm. Simple ideas like using LED lights and more efficient machinery will help. The size of the building means that roof solar panels can make a huge difference too. The right choice of windows, building materials, and interior design features are also key. So, you should always focus on green building designs and practices when updating spaces. If nothing else, it sets the tone.

Simple additions like plants may unlock even greater rewards.

The Final Word

Sustainability should be a priority for modern healthcare businesses. Not least because increased success means you’ll enjoy a more stable future. Start implementing the right changes today and the future will look brighter than ever.

Friends, in what ways has sustainability in healthcare affected your healthcare business practices? Please leave your thoughts in the comments below.

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