#some of it and there's minimal resources online for it that make little to no sense without the context of the inperson lesson

[vincentbriggs]

Good sir, I am hoping to pick your brain. I’m making an 18-century (“pirate”) shirt as a gift to my friend. He wants tie closures on the neck and cuffs instead of buttons. Might you have any insight or resources for this? I’ve seen the ties in at least one of the extant shirts I’ve viewed online. I’m still pretty new to the sewing gig and I’d like to minimize inventing metaphorical wheel as much as possible. Thanks in advance!

It's very unusual, but do know of one example! (Not that extant one though)

But first - Link to my most thorough shirt construction blog post. (It's a few years old and I've improved a few little things in my technique since then, and I mean to finish writing a new and better one before the year is over.)

Ok, ties on shirts! I'm assuming this is the extant one you're talking about? Tbh I'd discount this one entirely if you're looking for information on 18th century men's shirts because I don't think it is one.

Besides the attached ties, the sleeves are extremely weird. They're cut off and have no wristbands!! This would make it quite impossible to wear under a coat, the wristbands are an absolutely essential part of an 18th century shirt. I also don't see any reason to believe this is actually 18th century when it could just as easily be 19th century, and considering how short the slit is I think that more likely.

(Lots of auction sellers like to say "late 18th century" about things that are like... yeahh maaaaybe that's plausibly from a very fashion forward guy in the late 1790's but it's much more likely early 19th century. And with court dress they sometimes just straight up date it several decades too early. Look at lots of examples and always question everything, because museums don't always date things correctly either.)

I think I remember seeing someone mention once that it was a 19th century workman's garment of some sort, but I can't remember where, and all we've got to go on are a few pictures and a brief caption from a seller who doesn't know what they're talking about. It does look like it could have been worn over another layer though, and the fabric is very coarse. It could also have been altered at a later date for theatrical costume, which is something the Victorians did to A LOT of 18th century garments.

So just ignore that shirt!

The vast majority of 18th century mens shirts close with 2 or 3 buttons on the collar, but there is a style that uses ribbons. It appears to have been fairly common in the late 17th and early 18th century, and then slowly dwindles as the century goes on. I have a section for it on my shirts pinterest board with 64 examples. Ooh, wait, 65, just found a new one.

The collar is made with little to no overlap and one buttonhole on each end, and a ribbon is threaded through them.

Portrait of Carl Gustaf Tessin, 1728.

Sir Charles Howard, 1738.

I actually made one of these last year!

The collar doesn't sit as well with the ribbon as it does with 2 buttons, but once you put a stock over it it's fine.

Nearly every single depiction of an 18th century shirt I've ever seen (and I've spent a LOT of time looking) uses sleeve links on the wristbands. (Which I have a tutorial for! They're really easy to make!) I do sleeve links on most of my everyday shirts because I like them better than sewn on buttons. When the wristband is this narrow, sewn on buttons don't sit very nicely.

But! If your friend wants ties on the wrist in a historical way, I do know of one single example, and it's this guy!

Giovanni Maria delle Piane, Portrait of a nobleman. No date given, but if I had to guess I'd say 1680's or 90's. Very late 17th century looking fellow.

We can't see his collar closure, but I think it's very possible that he has a matching red ribbon holding that closed.

Personally I wouldn't want to try these, because they look like an absolute nightmare to tie by yourself one handed. But the good news is that you could make just regular wristband that take sleeve links and they'd work for this too, since both just have a buttonhole at each end! I aim for a finished wristband length that's 10-14mm longer than my wrist measurement, with the buttonhole being about 4 or 5mm in from the edge, which gives me enough ease to wear them comfortably with sleeve links, so if you do that then he'll be able to wear them both ways.

#ask #shirts #18th century #17th century #me

[gretahayes]

literally nobody fucking asked but here's my idea for a core four repair shop au.

they're young adults, like 21, and are out to forge their own paths as heroes and stuff. they're back together as a team—the four of them, again and always—and go to a quiet town with minimal, if any, other hero activity. tim's a city boy, but he makes the commute to the nearest city to get resources and stuff, and they've got a zeta back to gotham since everyone else can fly/has superspeed to get back to their cities.

they buy a nice house tucked away, get it soundproofed, and decide to renovate it themselves despite tim quite literally begging them to let him pay for someone else to do it.

while making a mess of the renovation, they find a quaint little shop for sale and are enamored by it, so they (read; Tim) buy it, and set up a shop, because hey, why not, and they put their plentiful skills together and make a repair shop.

(it's got no name, because they couldn't think of one, but they call it the fixing shop. locals call it that too, and when anyone needs something fixed, they take it to the fixing shop)

what does it repair? well, everything.

that's not a joke. if you broke anything, there's at least one of them that can fix it. from cars to metalwork to tech to dolls, if it's fixable, they can fix it.

the shop's a mismatch of several different workstations, an interior designer's worst nightmare, but it's cosy. homey.

there's general prices in their heads but like none of them are really doing this for the money? so it varies based on circumstances and how hard the job is.

if a kid comes in crying with a broken toy, cassie fixes it and accepts whatever the kid can pay for payment—if nothing, she does it for free. some snobby asshole comes in wanting to fix the expensive car they crashed while drunk driving and kon fixes it, sure, but the bill comes up to close to a million. and kon's sort of the only one that can fix it this well? so the person just pays and leaves, fuming. a distressed college kid comes in with a cracked to hell laptop but they can't afford another one and tim makes it good as new—the several, several parts he replaced make sure of that, like seriously it's barely the same laptop anymore—for ten bucks. he refuses to be paid any more. a nervous teenager comes in with a ripped dress, bart stitches it expertly well—and expertly fast—and charges fifty cents.

locals wonder about their scars, wonder about where their families are, wonder about the visitors they get, wonder how they have so many skills, but the core four just smile and say "trade secret"

if you come at the right time, kon's pulling a fresh batch of pastries or cakes or various other sweets from the oven and he hands them out. they're ma's recipe, made with love and all, so of course they're delicious.

cassie's finishing university locally, her mom wanted her to, bart and kon do it online, so their working hours are a bit odd. but they did accelerated classes and busted their asses to graduate a year early, so they're really proud of themselves.

tim finds ways to occupy himself.

it may or may not be a hotspot for supernatural activity, but they made friends with the creatures so it's fine

when cissie needs a break she comes to stay with them and everyone's happy. sometimes anita carves out time to spend in their peaceful little safe haven, and greta comes and goes when she has the time.

it's almost sickeningly domestic. sometimes after a fight they stumble home bleeding and sweaty and hurt, but happy.

#my rambles #yj #core four repair shop au #cour four #cassie sandsmark #tim drake #kon el #bart allen

[anistarrose]

Hey, widespread inaccessibility in online spaces is a very reasonable thing to be furious about, and in fact I often wish more people were furious about it — but coming at individual people/bloggers with hostility because of undescribed posts is not a particularly restorative solution.

Like, because of the demographics of this website, you're gonna encounter a lot of disabled people who would like to make their blogs more accessible, but can't, and because of the nature of society, you're gonna encounter even more people who are, through either no or minimal fault of their own, just not educated about things like IDs yet. At most, they're maybe working with some unquestioned faulty assumptions about what the blind community would want IDs on, because they don't know about audio descriptions for TV shows or something.

Reacting to the former group, disabled people, with hostility for not being able to write IDs is just extremely shitty. Reacting to the latter group with hostility is somewhat rude, and actively does a disservice to accessibility initiatives in the first place — because when people get accused of being an ableist or otherwise bad person for not doing something that they've never heard of, or understand very little about, they almost invariably dig in their heels, assume that it's pointless online discourse, and refuse to engage further out of spite.

I want to stress that I'm not talking about making a post on your own blog expressing anger about ableist bullshit, and calling on anyone who sees that post organically to do better. This also isn't about shooting someone an ask like "Hey, I love your art! Would it be possible to describe your posts so screen reader users can enjoy them too? I can send resources if you'd like!"

I'm not even talking about when someone adds undescribed screenshotted tags to an otherwise described post, or a post that's explicitly about disability, and shooting them a reply like: "hey, aren't you forgetting an ID on that?" People do need reminders. But just, like. Be civil. Getting pissed at individual people does not fix systemic issues.

[prettieinpink]

CREATING + USING FLASHCARDS

CREATING

You can either use index cards, online cards or cut out paper, whatever is more convenient.

Organise resources and notes before beginning to write anything on your flash cards. Only use key concise information.

Keep the content on your flash cards short. Don’t use flash cards for more detailed information. You want to make sure it is easily memorable.

When writing your flash cards, use different coloured pencils to write or highlight some words to make it more memorable.

Put one term/question on each card to better retain more information.

Add pictures/diagrams. I know not all of us are artists, but they are quite useful to memorise the information, as our brains associate visuals with information.

Keep your flash cards limited. If need be, you can create two sets of decks to use in different periods, but try keeping one deck under 20-25 cards.

USING

Repetition is important when using flash cards. Try to find little intervals in your day to use them. Early morning or just before you go to bed are some of the best times to revise them!

Recite your flashcards out loud instead of in your head, you process the information with more clarity.

Keep distractions minimally. You don’t need to have complete silence, but avoid music, doing it in your bed or eating while revising.

Engage yourself with the flashcards, you can reward yourself after getting a short chunk memorised, or walk around while using them.

#hot girl semester #hot and educated #pretty and smart #beauty and brains #study #study blog #studying #studyblr #pink study #study tips #flashcards #revising #tests #dream girl #being smart makes u prettier #smart girls #intelligent #pink academia #pink academic #pink studyblr #aesthetic studying #productivity #productivity aesthetic #productive #productivitytips #being productive

[deathianartworks]

Do you have any coloring tips? I'm trying to get better at coloring but it's hard :/ everything looks so out of place and I lose motivation fast

Of course!

By no means am I an expert on this (I still forget to choose a light source 90% of the time) but here's a few things that I do when I'm colouring something digitally. Remember these are all individual to the way I make art so they may not all be applicable to yours and are simply me explaining how I do colours, not a tutorial for all colouring styles.

Buckle up folks, this one's a long one (sorry in advance!!)

Here goes nothing.

Losing motivation is totally normal and okay, take a break if you need it, maybe send it to some friends for some hyping up (art servers full of other artists are great for this!). Colours ain't gonna look perfect first time you try to do them, I never put down a colour that I like first time, it takes some messing around and asking friends for me to get them down.

So don't feel pressured to get them perfect in the beginning, that rarely happens!

Here's a mini explanation of how I do my colours, hope it will help a little :)

1) GET THOSE BASE COLOURS IN!!

It doesn't matter if they're not exactly what you're going for rn, go with roughly the colour you want and start there! Personally, I do big blotches of colour just to get something down on the page as this helps me want to actually finish it. Then you clean up those edges so they're all in their correct spaces.

I've found that working on a neutral mid-tine grey background helps you see the colours best at the start so all of my 'paper' starts off grey when working digitally.

Here's the example I'm going to be using (this is from the ghost files fanart I'm working on)

2) ADJUST THOSE COLOURS!!

So, now you've got those colours down, you can adjust them to be roughly how you want them to look. If you're unsure on what colours look best together, you can either take some time out, find some YouTube channels and learn a little about colour theory... OR you could grab some colour pallettes from online and have a play around with gradient maps or simply placing the colours in yourself. There's no shame in using resources like those, that's literally what they're there for.

I didn't need to do this on this drawing as I was happy with the colour selection. This is because I chose the background colour and simply adjusted the hue and saturation slightly until I got the colours I wanted. This is my general technique for choosing colours as my work tends to be fairly similarly coloured (browns, oranges, reds, yellows with hints of purple)

3) ✨SHADING✨

Right, well done! You've got your base colours in.

...but oh god, what now?? They look so flat and lifeless, what shall you do?!

This, my friend, is where shading comes in. It's both a way of telling the viewers where the light and shadows are, can change the mood of the drawing, can change what we feel about a character or it can just look real pretty but shading and lighting does all sorts of fun things to a drawing.

If your style is more simple and doesn't require shading/has minimal shading: apply this tip to any shading you do have and don't forget the importance of rim lighting in simpler styles.

For shading both skin and clothes, I use the original colour, shift it down into a darker shade and on the colour wheel I shift it down too (eg. shading green with blue, red with purple) sometimes you can shift that even further to create similar shading to the one above, where I shaded orange/brown with pinks/purple's.

The principle is the same with highlights but like,,, opposite. Shift everything up, shade browns with yellows, blues with greens, etc.

SIDENOTE ON HOW I COLOUR SKIN:

Okay so, these next two paragraphs are based entirely from what I've learnt during studies and aren't rules, just simply how I do it.

For lighter skin tones, I tend to start from one of the lightest colours and shade darker, like you would if you were working with something like watercolours. This allows you to build up shadows in areas of darkness. Once you've done the shadows, you can then go in and add highlights and lighter sections where necessary.

For darker skin tones, I tend to start at one of the darkest values, as dark skin tends to reflect light differently to light skin. Then I add lighter shades in sections that the light would reflect. You can add shadows too, I tend to add them if the drawing still feels flat after doing the highlights.

3) OVERLAY + MULTIPLY LAYERS ARE YOUR BEST FRIEND

These things are literally lifesavers for me, I love an overlay layer.

I can't really explain what they actually do so I'm not even gonna try, just play around with them. But using a purple/blue multiply layer and erasing where the light hits, that makes the illusion of full shading without the same effort of painting in the shades.

Overlay layers are 100% a 'fuck around and find out' resource, I tend to use red and pink overlay layers as my colours tend to be more desaturated and this helps with brightening them up. However they can also be used to change the genre/mood of the drawing, like this:

These two drawings are the exact same. There's no difference between them other than an overlay gradient map layer in green or sepia. (These gradient maps are built into clip studio paint, I'm not sure about other programs)

But the whole vibe is completely different. So yeah, fuck around with different colour schemes and overlay layers (the bi flag colours are a great choice for experimenting with overlays as the colours are naturally very harmonious so maybe start there.)

You can also try a noise later for a bit of texture, it's my go-to fix it for any drawing ngl

Uhhhhh, yeah. That was lengthier than I expected, hope it helps even in the slightest. As I said at the top, I am by no means an expert and am still figuring things out myself, so just fuck around and find out.

Bye now!

#artists on tumblr #art #artwork #digital artist #fanart #ghost files #art tutorial #colouring #art tips #deathian answers #digital painting #digital art #colour tutorial

[rohirric-hunter]

I don't suppose you've already done the research on what Kinging entails when your country is largely illiterate and can share it with me can you. Because my ass desperately wants something other than Paperwork for the house of eorl to be doing all the time but I haven't even started looking that shit up yet.

I don't know about that in general, but I do know about Anglo-saxons, which is the culture that Tolkien drew the most inspiration from for the Rohirrim. (Bear in mind this information is sort of old, as I lost all my books on the matter shortly after graduating college and have only intermittently pursued it since, but it should give you some starting points at least.)

Tolkien drew a lot of inspiration from Beowulf, as well as other ancient Anglo-saxon documents, but Beowulf is probably the most accessible to the modern reader, and certainly the most complete story we have from that culture. If you're interested there's a copy you can read for free online here. This is, however, rather an old translation and kind of dense so you might consider picking up a more recent one from the library (or a retelling instead of a translation). Another good resource for the culture in general is Time Team, a British TV show about an archeological team that do digs in Great Britain. There are a ton of different time periods they cover, but the ones of interest to this discussion would actually be some of the oldest ones, Iron Age and then basically anything pre-Roman occupation. There are a lot of full episodes available on YouTube. (Do bear in mind that this show has been running for multiple decades, and some information in the older episodes is out of date.)

The Anglo-saxon king had three basic duties. The first, and the one that figures most prominently in stories like Beowulf, was throwing huge fucking parties every night. Maybe not every night, but part of their job was to entertain their subjects and reward them for their loyalty -- and this seems to have often taken the form of huge fucking parties, as well as the giving of gifts.

The second was to manage their household -- in early Britain the king's household was for a long time really just another household. They had fields and herds that were theirs and from which they drew most of their own food and supplies, and which were cared for and maintained by members of the king's household (or by slaves, but that's obviously not relevant to LotR fanfiction in particular). 'King' seems to be a sort of glorified term that Tolkien used to describe what the modern reader would think of more as a chieftain of sorts -- the person who calls the shots and has a bigger house, but still living a fairly similar life to the rest of their people, with similar problems to manage.

(Indeed, the Rohirrim are probably closer to Iron Age Briton cultures than the traditional 12th century medieval culture most fantasy borrows from in most respects.)

And the third was to maintain a group of warriors, so that if their people were ever in danger, they could take care of it. There was also a certain amount of cultural glory ascribed to victory on the battlefield, which definitely led to some unnecessary warfare, though we have so little actual history from that period that I can't give any real details on that.

Although I don't really know much about it, I would add a fourth duty onto that: to resolve disputes among their people, whether by hearing them directly and passing judgement, appointing someone else to do that if necessary, or by making and enforcing laws to minimize these disputes. (And the legal system wouldn't necessarily be more rudimentary than in a literate society -- the king might assign members of his household or hire people to memorize all of the laws. Longform poems like Beowulf were also memorized which is how they were passed down until they came to someone who wrote them down. It seems that people in illiterate cultures have an amazing capacity for memory, most likely taking advantage of some tricks that those of us in literate societies have forgotten. Ironically.) This would also encompass the punishment of criminals -- unfortunately I know basically nothing about actual Anglo-saxon law and what crimes might have invited what sort of punishments.

Another thing that comes up in Beowulf but also in writings as late as the twelfth century is the concept of the king as the giver of gifts (which, in my opinion, ties into the first and the third duties). The king bought the loyalty of their people, especially their warriors, by giving them gifts. Most notably these were often gifts of treasure, valuable practical items, food and drink, (sometimes slaves, but again not relevant in this context), or jewelry. Indeed, in Beowulf the king is often referred to as "the ring-giver," since rings were a popular gift for this purpose, being both extremely portable and extremely valuable. Obviously Tolkien borrowed the concept of people having received rings as gifts owing loyalty to the one who gave them for other parts of his legendarium. With that in mind you may or may not want to incorporate that detail into your interpretation of Rohirric culture (though personally I love the idea of what Sauron did being a corruption of a perfectly respectable exchange). But there should certainly be gifts. Probably Big Fucking Parties.

I can't say much more without getting into my personal interpretation of things, but there are hints in the text about certain responsibilities the king. Before Gandalf talked some sense back into him, Theoden wasn't being a very good king. Although there was a standing army, Wormtongue was urging him to send them off on wild goose chases and he was listening, so honestly there may as well not have been. He rewarded Eomer's loyalty with imprisonment, he was letting Wormtongue handle anyone who came into the hall looking for him (and therefore not resolving disputes fairly), and he wasn't offering gifts of any sort to anyone. But as soon as Gandalf talked him around, he immediately turned around and started being a good king. He offered hospitality and food to his guests (and then weapons and armor later), he defended his people at Helm's Deep and then went out to confront Saruman and take care of the threat for good, and he resolved the dispute between Wormtongue and Everybody Else in a reasonably fair manner. Although we don't really see a lot of the royal household and therefore don't have a clear idea of how it was being maintained, he also started at least trying to do right by his niece and nephew as well.

This turned out a lot longer than I expected. Hopefully it gives you some ideas, and at least a few ideas of where to look next!

#now i want to read beowulf again

[a-life-lived-outdoors]

Hello! I have always been interested in wood carving.. I have some nice pieces of wood I have collected and I would like to know what kind of knife you recommend?

Absolutely! I'll be the first to say you can carve beautiful things with almost ANY SHARP knife. I've used pocket knives to machetes and full on survival knives, so long as it's kept sharp, it will work. Efficiency is the trade off.

The easiest suggestion is, of course, the venerable Morakniv knives. The orange 511 can routinely be had for less than 10 USD, and you get quite a lot of knife for that money. The finger guard is nice if you have minimal knife experience and are concerned for any possible mishaps. The steel is excellent and either available in stainless steel or carbon steel. Carbon will rust, stainless will not rust as easily. The carbon steel gets a little sharper and stays sharper longer. The knives are scandi-ground which refers to the grind of the blade. Scandi ground blades work wood very well and are easy to sharpen at any skill level. Which is good because you'll need to keep it sharp to prevent accident cuts. Specific carving knives like the other pictured knife are the most efficient for wood working. The blade grind is much finer for detail work and wood removal, but they are typically best suited as just carving knives. They can be more fragile to work with and do not usually feature a finger guard.

Another, more premium option, is knife makers like Helle or Casstrom. You get a nicer looking knife in this price tag range of around 100~ USD. These will work like the Mora knives but typically can have more premium steel and handle materials. You can also get handmade knives from places like Etsy, local manufacturers and craftsmen, and other online retailers. There is a sea of great knives available out there and the price will only increase from that humble Mora 511.

Of course, the swiss army knife also makes a great whittling knife. However, the fact that the blade can close onto your fingers and cause an injury makes me hesitant to recommend folding knives to anyone looking to start carving. Maybe try it after one has some experience in with other knives first. I like carving with pocket knives, but non locking blade knives come with their own set of precautions.

There is also some other good items to pick up to make life easier, and your carving adventures more enjoyable. Cut resistant gloves and woodcarving wrap help protect your fingers and hand from accident slashes, (a stab will still go through) A small or bench sized whetstone and leather strop are essential to keep your tools nice and sharp for the most pleasant carving experience. YouTube has some great resources on how to sharpen knives. Last item is a fine toothed saw. This is a Silky brand, but any fine tooth saw will work. This is used to trim off your carvings from the host stick and cut wood to the size you want to work with. I prefer the Silky saws for the exchangable blades and high performance they have.

Anyways, I hope this helps get you, (Or anyone!) started with this extremely fun little activity. Feel free to ask anything else you might want to know!

#wood carving #whittling #knife skills

[moonlightretriever]

okay then! i'll give you a couple exercises to look into and practice, and some lifestyle tips and advice to help you get the most out of it! So, Squats are a big part of what you're going to be doing to round out your rump, but you also have to make sure you're doing them right! while you can read about proper form and look at gifs to compare yourself to, the key thing you have to keep in mind is that you need to feel it in your asses muscles. if you can't feel the strain there, you haven't squatted low enough. you can start off lower than this, but you should consistantly be doing 3 sets of 20 squats on your exercise days. the next two exercises can be grouped together because they follow similar advice. Lunges and Glute Bridges are two other exercises that can have a big impact on your rear, and should be treated with the same dedication as Squats! Advice on how to best perform both can be found online along with instructional gifs, and I would recommend performing these using weights to enhance their effect. 3 sets of 12 will do, and remember to make sure you can feel the strain in your butt when you're doing them! otherwise, it doesn't count. Furthermore, you might want to do a small amount of Cardio, but not too much if you want to keep your deliciously plump figure! As for lifestyle stuff, this might be more important than the exercises in the long run. They have more immidiate impact than you'd realise, and they'll be the things making sure you can stick with your exercises long enough to reach that perfect bubble butt! First of all, remember to take rest days! in exercise routines like this, rest days are very important! as you exhaust your muscles, you'll end up creating microscopic tears in the tissues that make them up, which the body repairs to be even stronger (and bulkier) than they were before. But, this requires time, and is vastly helped by spacing out the days you exercise on. Furthermore, they're important for your motivation! let yourself relax regularly so that exercising doesn't feel like a chore, and so you're always motivated to go at it! next, relating to the mechanics of how muscles grow via exercise, watch what you eat! now, you aren't intending to lose weight, you DON'T need to go on a diet or anything. However, make sure you're getting plenty of nutrients and a very good amount of protein as your exercise intensifies. muscles are all made of protein, and your body can only make a few of the many types of protein by itself. so you need to eat protein so your body can use it to make that ass meaty! there are plenty of resources online to guide you on how to boost your protein intake. last of all, never let yourself be discouraged!!! this might be the most important part of all. even with all the knowledge i've equipt you with, it won't matter if you only try it for a bit, get discouraged when results seem minimal, and then give up... so you just can't! do whatever it takes to stay determined and motivated, blog about it, tie your goals to treats, give yourself affirmations, imagine how good a spank would feel on a fatter ass, whatever it takes! the biggest obstical in self improvement like this is yourself, but once you can get past that, you'll be on the path to getting the behind you've always wanted. good luck, James!

!!!! THANK YOU ANON!!! yeh i really like my chub even tho i could stand to lose a little..... i get a lot of cardio in at work tho!!! i just need to work on squatting.....

ill do my very bestest!!!!!! i won't let you down!!!!!!!!!! 🫡

#save #you've got mail! #anonymous

[wolves-etc]

thoughts on The Last Of Us episode three, just yelled at the friend who recced it to me, now edited to remove most of the yelling:

[thoughts on: 1.1 | 1.2 | X | 1.4 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 1.9]

— starting off strong with a) ANGST ABOUT HANDS (MY BELOVED) and b) a moment just appreciating the peace and the view. hey, it's the apocalypse, and there's still natural beauty around <3

— (obligatory "don't move rocks, things live under 'em" PSA but I'm not gonna be the one to ruin his lovely moment)

— I'm impressed with ellie for the… I want to call it boundary setting but it might not be, exactly. the "you made a choice, you needed a truck battery or whatever, don't blame me for something that wasn't my fault" bit. that was brave, especially with how scary joel can be. yes she's had a little time to get to know him, yes she's valuable cargo and she knows it, but he's grieving in a big way and he could make things unpleasant for her if he wanted, so yeah, brave.

— and it's nice that joel just listens and nods - it's not exactly treating her like an adult but it IS acknowledging her as someone who has a point and has a right to be treated fairly, and it's not exactly commonplace for adults to treat kids and teens like that. (though it looked like he had a good relationship with sarah, so I'm not surprised.)

— green <3

— ELLIE ROASTING HIM RELENTLESSLY FOR HIS SCAR AND HIS SHOOTING ABILTIES. I love her I love this

— "there's this one character named mileena who takes off her mask and she has monster teeth and then she swallows you whole and barfs out your bones! oh, man." <3

— "is there anything bad in here?" "just you." "ah, getting funnier." GOOD

— I do not like the dark mystery cellar I am putting socks on again, for fuck's sake. ellie could also do with more anxiety slash survival instincts but kudos to her upper body strength!

— WAS IT WORTH IT FOR TAMPONS, ELLIE. WAS IT WORTH IT

— ellie these things call other things. ellie this is deeply grim. I may have underestimated how much of a murder child she is.

— cordyceps in the food supply is a grim idea. and it does explain how it happened so everywhere and so quickly. (and it means the mycologist's advice to bomb the city might or might not have been enough, if anything had already been sent out.)

— joel answered a question with more than a sentence and ellie said thanks!! I'M SO PROUD OF THEM.

— "there's stuff up there you shouldn't see." "you're too honest, man. should've said axe murderer."

what's NICE about this is it sets a precedent and establishes him as a trustworthy adult, at least in that he tells her stuff and he can be believed. because she's in that transitional age where you kinda have to start treating teenagers like adults with some things - just, adults who are much more fragile and have minimal life experience - and that means giving them freedom to see stuff that might be hard for them. like. um. mass graves. okay I'm adjusting this to fit a zombie apocalypse setting and that's making it a little intense. sorry about that.

— this is a flashback I Did Not Want but also HI IS THAT NICK OFFERMAN. HELLO <3

— nobody told me he was a deranged survivalist with a gas mask I love him already

— nick offerman is resource grinding like there's no tomorrow and I love that for him

— nick offerman you fucking weirdo bastard you booby-trapped the place.

— he's WATCHING THEM ON CAMERA FOR FUN. oh I adore him.

— look at him nick he's pathetic he's funny he has no home, you have room for a stray dog guest don't you

— it's been four years since the outbreak and nick is only just causing someone else happiness (frank having a truly amazing time in the shower) and I'm just struck by that, how nourishing each other lifts us up too, and how nick kept himself starved of that.

— (at this point my friend came online and accidentally let slip that nick offerman's character is called bill)

— (WAIT. BILL AS IN BILL AND FRANK OF "JOEL MENTIONED THESE DUDES" FAME. I'm so proud of them.)

— the view of frank sitting at the table alone, in clean clothes, delighted and bewildered by all the finery, was when my brain drew a Beauty And The Beast comparison and I had to sit back and laugh for several minutes

— bill absolutely deer-in-the-headlights when he comes in to see frank standing up <3 kinda stumbling through the door because two plates and a bottle is more than he normally has to carry <3 adjusting frank's plate until it's Just Right <3 I LOVE BILL

— "I know I don't seem like the type." "no, you do." here we reach the moment that (in gifset form) persuaded me to watch this, and gosh, it's even sweeter in person.

— I don't know if frank was just elbowing in and rifling through the music sheets to get a reaction from bill or not. he could just be kinda oblivious and rude, which is fair enough, given the Extenuating Circumstances. him "accidentally" insisting on bill playing was some kind of deliberate though.

— bill playing the piano and frank looking down at him like oh, oh this is a treasure.

— I've never cried at an on-screen kiss before but oh fuck. the desperation and loneliness of it, holding each other as close as possible. the desperation and loneliness of the lives they've both been living the past four years.

— and what it extends to in the bedroom, the caution on frank's front and the almost-shame on bill's, I don't have words for it but it's thick enough to slice and butter for afternoon tea and it feels so real it hurts.

— three years later and they're having relationship talks, I'm SO proud of them

— frank making friends and making bill's life infinitely harder <3 <3 <3

— the small but significant shift in joel when he says "we can help each other and get that gun out of my face." I almost didn't recognise him until that.

— I've never been happier to see two grown men eating strawberries

— yes, I'm tearing up again

— (at this point I started to cotton on to where this was going and paused to accuse my friend of having recommended the show to me largely for this episode. turns out he did! the mortifying ordeal of being known by your friends.)

— (I also stopped making notes. 'cos it got hard to talk about. the scenes we get with them are all so intimate and the last one, at the dinner table, was so real it felt almost voyeuristic to me - and I didn't want to make any kind of judgement about their decisions. it's a lot. they had sixteen years together, and that part's pretty fucking great, considering. I'm leaving it at that.)

— "I'm guessing you found this, Joel, because anyone else would've been electrocuted or blown up by one of my traps. Hehehehehehehehe." bastard I love him

— "there was one person worth saving. that's what I did. I saved him, and I protected him." oh this is absolutely about joel too.

— "we have a job to do. and god help any motherfuckers who stand in our way." <3 <3 <3

— "I leave you all of my weapons and equipment. Use them to keep [tess safe]." ...well, fuck.

(it's an awful thought, but at least joel didn't love her as much as she loved him.)

— love to see joel being honest about his plans with ellie!

— bewildered to see bill and frank still had TOILET PAPER. bill, buddy, how much did you even STASH

— joel and ellie looking totally like a dad and daughter going on a trip except he says "seatbelt" and she doesn't know what he means and it's not 2003 after all, it's 2023 and they're living in a different world, and that world's gone for good. heck.

yeah so my friend recommended the show to me largely for this episode (bastard <3) and he was Right to. that's my takeaway.

#I don't talk about the tough stuff in any detail below the cut #the last of us hbo #the last of us spoilers #tlou spoilers #angst tag #orig #I really dragged my feet on getting this one together and in the meantime I kinda sorta watched the rest of the series #(and took notes/did yelling along the way. fully planning to tidy that up too. if only 'cos I really want to reach the last two eps.) #my apologies for things that are ouch with context from further eps #I can't edit that kind of thing or I'm not being honest <3

[secretlifeofmoney]

The popularity of affiliate marketing programs has increased in recent years. Millions of people are sailing this wave as one of the simplest and easiest methods to launch an online home business. Using affiliate marketing, businesses may hire huge number of salespeople who are rewarded for their efforts. Affiliates can receive excellent income, and a smart affiliate marketer can make several thousand dollars per month. There are now an extraordinary number of affiliate programs accessible to affiliate marketers as a result of this win-win situation. Many concerns have emerged as a result of the growth of affiliate opportunities, such as how to select the best affiliate program. What features of a program should you look for to increase your chances of earning a steady income? The following advice will help you analyze affiliate programs and minimize time and money waste.

What Commissions Does the Program Pay? Knowing how much money you may expect to make from sales is key. Investing effort and money marketing a product that offers extremely little commissions is pointless. You can find yourself paying more on marketing than you're bringing in. Unless you have found a niche market where you can sell a lot of products and earn a lot of commission on your volume of sales, it is definitely wise to stick with marketing products that have high commission values.

How Much Traffic is their Website Getting?

Try finding out how much traffic the affiliate owner's website already receives. For conducting this research, Alexa.com is a really helpful tool. The merchant is likely receiving a fair amount of traffic if the website is among the top 100,000, therefore it's likely that there are already too many affiliates. If it is ranked below 500,000, it could not be very excellent or it might be a fantastic chance to be one of the first affiliates and start making some serious money!

If a website receives little traffic, you should always examine the products they sell. If you have the money, it could be a good strategy to purchase the item on your own. Whether not, you may conduct a search to see if there are any bad online reviews about it. However, be careful who you listen to because many people have a bad history of trashing affiliate programs without any actual facts. It would definitely be a smart idea to avoid that affiliate program if you see a lot of bad reviews and few good ones. The number of affiliate commission payments. Some affiliate programs pay weekly, monthly, quarterly, or even annual commission payments. If you want to have financial management over your business, it's important to know when to expect your next paycheck. If you have to wait a long time before getting paid, do you have the money to keep marketing a product? Finding out the minimum commission required to receive payment would also be a good idea. Does The Affiliate Program Use Tracking Cookies? Many people visit a merchant's website for the first time but do not make a purchase. In order for you to receive credit if a customer comes back and makes a purchase later, it is crucial that the merchant uses cookies for their affiliate program. See how long the cookies remain viable. The likelihood of receiving payment increases with the duration of the cookies.

The Affiliate Program: Does It Pay on Future Sales? Some programs only pay commission on purchases made by customers who access their website directly through your site. They don't pay you anything if the customer goes directly to the retailer's website and makes any more purchases. If you want to create a long-term affiliate business, it's necessary that you be paid regardless of how the customer returns.

What Marketing Resources Are Available from the Affiliate Program? Evaluate the number and quality of the marketing resources they offer. Do they provide content you may utilize on your website, such as articles, adverts, or other types of content? Do they provide free resources, deals, e-books that go viral, or free samples that you can share to your list? The quality of the marketing materials they offer will probably reflect on the quality of the affiliate help the company offers. It might be challenging to select the right affiliate program for you. The greatest advice is to conduct your own research, follow the previous suggestions, and trust your gut. Use the previous questions to help you discover an affiliate program that can help you achieve your financial goals. You're never sure. You might perhaps hit the affiliate marketing jackpot!

And if you want to learn more about affiliate marketing and how to make money online

Just CLICK HERE FOR YOUR FREE TRAINING

#business #markting #moneymotivated #money #make money online #self impowerment #affiliatemarketing #how to earn money #money tips

[stellasorbet]

Thrifting: an Inexpensive Way to Gather Your Sewing Materials

Hey all!

Let's do a bit of a deep dive into something that can be a LIFESAVER when it comes to affordable sewing practices.

I'm sure all of us have heard of thrift stores, but have you utilized them to enhance your craft? Thrifting my supplies has allowed me to craft more projects and keep my wallet happy, and in times like these, it's been the difference between me being able to sew and craft or not.

Major Thrifting Chains

Thrift stores are quite abundant no matter where you live. You may be surprised to know that you live near more than one. I live near 4 different thrifting locations that I make rotations to when I need to gather more stock for projects. Here are the major chains that you are likely to see in your area:

Salvation Army

Goodwill

OMG! Thrift

Savers

ReStore

Habitat for Humanity Shops

Online resources and communities such as FB Marketplace and Craigslist

Why Should I Thrift My Supplies?

Now that I've listed some places you can search for and locate around you, let's touch base on WHY utilizing thrift stores can be so important for those who are crafting by a budget. Sewing is not cheap. Any crafting hobby isn't cheap. When you think about average pricing in large chains such as Joanns or Micheal's, purchasing everything you need for a project can really add up. Offsetting these costs by finding used or donated equipment and supplies can allow you to spend larger on things that you want to prioritize. And who knows! Sometimes the thrift Gods are on your side and you find EXACTLY what you're looking for for a fraction of the retail price.

I'd like to quickly add that ethical consumption under capitalism is just not possible. But through thrifting instead of adding to the contribution of large chains that mass-produce their stock, you can make even a slight impact environmentally. Reducing consumption of large chains and reusing donated items through purchasing from thrift shops can be just a few ways that you can live a greener life. Saving money and helping out the environment a bit? Count me in!

What Exactly Can I Find at a Thrift Store That I Would Need?

Now that we've got those things covered, let's talk about WHAT you can gather from thrift shops. The things you can find typically fall into these categories:

Craft supplies: organizational items, books, patterns, etc.

Fabric: curtains, donated fabric, clothing that can be altered, clothing that can be up-cycled, etc.

Accessories: decorative buttons, lace, appliques, etc.

Tools: Sewing machines, fabric scissors, cutting wheels, cutting boards, pins, ironing boards, dress forms, etc.

Finding these things will just take a keen eye and knowing where to search. Sometimes you strike gold, and sometimes you walk away with nothing at all. Keeping an open mind and being sure to hit these stops before running to Joann's can be a great way to minimize costs (if you don't mind using up a little more gas on the commute). I've walked away with some amazing curtains and panels that would've cost me hundreds to purchase in a local craft store, which I've turned into some amazing garments. I owe my local goodwill for helping me achieve my draping dreams by selling off a bargain of a dress form that completely changed the sewing game for me.

Wrap-Up

All-in-all, you can find some amazing things in thrift stores that can be used to keep your finances reasonable when it comes to pursuing your craft and making your creative visions tangible. Go out there and see what you can find! You'd be surprised how many people donate their lots of crafting supplies, and for a reasonable price, those supplies can all be yours for a fraction of the cost.

Happy Sewing and happy thrifting! <3

StellaSorbet

[zethirdmind]

So much of it all

I was wondering recently as I started a book again after a long time, how my pattern of thought has changed as I have grown older. Most of you who will read this have probably gone through the same metamorphosis in how we consume media, interact with technology in our lives. We have seen the shift from cassettes to discs to streaming, and some of us might also remember typewriters. Granted, a lot of this exposure to vintage tech is because India got exposed to the cutting edge much later (and one might argue now there is too much cutting edge), but it brought a change in my way of looking at things into sharp focus. Reading a book is a vertical exercise, wherein you go through it one by one, level by level, taking a moment, every page followed by another. You cannot start from somewhere randomly unless you have already read it, and even then, the act of re-reading the whole is a joy in itself. In the shift to digital, we have now become so accustomed to open access (in the way of perusal), the availability of all material unbound by a vertical structure of chapters, titles or subtitles, that our way of thinking itself has turned from lateral to a giant mess of multi-point attention. Although there are studies, it is a little hard for me to believe that this entire generation has lost its attention span. I think we suffer more from our ability (and indeed, being forced to) spread our attention at all times to a hundred different things.

Video games are similar in how they have changed. I started gaming when the norm was to have level progression and specific areas to enter, finish all objectives in and exit. You could not randomly jump in to any point in the story and continue playing. You had to follow the structure, and it gave you a sense of direction. To a gamer of today’s generation, who is oversaturated with the Ubisoft and Rockstar standard of open-world map unlocking games like Assassin’s Creed and Grand Theft Auto, it would seem ridiculously limiting to have to go through such a structure. But look at the reception and criticism recent open-world games like Ghost of Tsushima, Horizon Forbidden West and The Last of Us 2 have got. Having an open-world for the sake of it does not make the game thematically any greater than a linear game. Ghost of Tsushima is a breathtakingly beautiful world built around an idealised version of Japan’s Samurai era, even harking back to Kurosawa tropes. But the storyline is limited so much by the open-world structure, which constantly distracts you and bombards you with things you waste you attention and energy on. The story deserved a much more focused, linear structure, because the story was beautiful. In the excessiveness of the structure, we lost the minimal beauty that was in the relationships of the game.

I think this is why we are addicted to binge-watching so much. Something about a linear structure of episodes and chapters brings us back to that safety and peace that we (at least I) remember from a time when we did not have to live up to the vapid fascination fuelled by the social media age. This is not a criticism of social media, which I always have believed can be a truly great resource. It is however a criticism of how we are made to use social media. We interact more with brands online than we do with real people. There is a point at which we ask ourselves, I wish I was talking to the person who was behind this account rather than a fucking brand. Binge-watching lets us go back to structure, and that is again broken with the desire to feel included in the “conversation” and interact with every single piece of online material about it, down to what the actors wear daily.

Even through the course of writing this, my attention has been spread between four devices, and I have gone and come back more times than I wanted to, resulting in this disjointed mess. I do think the revival of dedicated devices is a good thing. E-readers are a boon to have as a reader, you can have a portable gaming console now and even keyboards with tiny screens that only let you type in peace. The era of the multi-purpose has for sure developed a new type of person. I’m not exactly sure I want to be one.

#open world #open world games #gaming #tv shows #shows #binge watching #attention #changing #curious #feel #attention span #Spotify

[sutherlandthestrup29]

Taking A Mini Vacation For Your Business

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[kaurharleen]

Finding the Perfect Fit: Tips for Selecting the Right Diaper Size for Your Little One

Choosing the right diaper size is crucial for your baby's comfort, mobility, and overall well-being. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the various diaper sizes available, from diaper pants large to medium and XL sizes, and provide valuable insights to help you make informed decisions.

Understanding Diaper Sizes: Diapers are available in a range of sizes to accommodate babies of different ages, weights, and needs. It's essential to select the correct size to ensure a snug fit and prevent leaks. Common sizes include small, medium (M), large (L), and extra-large (XL), each tailored to specific weight ranges and developmental stages.

Selecting the Right Size:

Diaper Pants Large:

Designed for older infants and toddlers who require additional coverage and absorbency.

Features a stretchable waistband and leg cuffs for a secure and comfortable fit.

Look for indicators such as wetness indicators to help you know when it's time for a diaper change.

Diaper Medium Size:

Ideal for infants who have outgrown newborn diapers and fall within the weight range for medium-sized diapers.

Offers a balance of coverage and mobility, perfect for active babies exploring their surroundings.

Check the weight recommendations provided on the packaging to ensure the right fit for your little one.

Baby Diapers XL Size:

Specifically designed for larger infants and toddlers who require extra-large diapers for optimal coverage and protection.

Features enhanced absorbency for overnight and extended wear, providing long-lasting dryness and comfort.

Consider features such as hypoallergenic materials for babies with sensitive skin, ensuring gentle protection against irritation.

Best Diapers in India: When selecting diapers for your baby, it's essential to consider factors such as absorbency, comfort, and quality. Choose reputable brands known for their commitment to excellence and prioritize your baby's well-being above all else. Look for diapers crafted from soft, breathable materials that offer superior leakage protection without compromising on comfort.

Additional Tips for Choosing Diapers:

Pay attention to your baby's skin sensitivity and choose diapers made from hypoallergenic materials to minimize the risk of irritation and discomfort.

Consider the absorbency level of the diaper based on your baby's needs and habits. For overnight use or heavy wetters, opt for diapers with high absorbency to ensure long-lasting dryness.

Look for diapers with stretchable waistbands and leg cuffs for a secure yet flexible fit that moves with your baby's movements.

Take advantage of online resources and parenting forums to gather insights and recommendations from experienced parents when selecting the best diapers for your little one.

Exploring Diaper Brands: When it comes to choosing the best diaper brand for your baby, it's essential to research and explore various options available in the market. While some parents may swear by popular brands, others may prefer niche or eco-friendly options. Here are some factors to consider when exploring diaper brands:

Quality and Performance:

Look for diaper brands known for their quality and performance in terms of absorbency, leakage protection, and overall comfort.

Read customer reviews and ratings to gauge the satisfaction levels of other parents who have used the diapers.

Materials and Ingredients:

Consider the materials and ingredients used in the manufacturing of diapers, especially if your baby has sensitive skin or allergies.

Opt for diapers made from soft, breathable materials that are gentle on your baby's delicate skin.

Availability and Accessibility:

Choose baby diaper brands that are readily available in your area or accessible through online retailers for convenient purchasing.

Check for subscription options or bulk discounts to save money on regular diaper purchases.

Environmental Impact:

If you're environmentally conscious, explore diaper brands that offer eco-friendly options made from sustainable materials or biodegradable components.

Look for certifications such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) to ensure the diapers meet stringent environmental standards.

Cost and Affordability:

Consider your budget when choosing diaper brands and compare prices across different options to find the best value for money.

Keep in mind that higher-priced diapers may offer advanced features or superior performance, but affordability is also important, especially for families on a tight budget.

Choosing the right diaper size is essential for your baby's comfort, mobility, and overall happiness. By understanding the various diaper sizes available, from diaper pants large to medium and XL sizes, and following the tips outlined in this guide, you can ensure that your baby stays dry, comfortable, and protected throughout the day and night.

[pendingwithapril]

Revamp Your Outdoors: Budget-Friendly Tips for a Stunning Space

By: April Creech, REALTOR, GRI, C2EX

pendingwitharpril.com

Are you yearning to transform your outdoor space into a haven of relaxation and beauty but worried about the costs? Fear not! Revamping your outdoors doesn't have to break the bank. With a little creativity and resourcefulness, you can breathe new life into your outdoor area without emptying your wallet. Whether you have a sprawling backyard or a cozy balcony, here are some budget-friendly tips to help you revamp your outdoors:

Plan and Prioritize: Before you begin, take some time to envision how you want your outdoor space to look and function. Create a rough sketch or layout to help you visualize the possibilities. Prioritize the essential elements you want to include, such as seating areas, greenery, lighting, or decorative features.

Shop Secondhand: One person's trash is another's treasure! Explore thrift stores, garage sales, or online marketplaces for budget-friendly outdoor furniture and decor. With a bit of luck and patience, you can find quality pieces at a fraction of the cost of new items.

DIY Décor: Get your creative juices flowing by crafting your own outdoor decor. From repurposing old pallets into garden furniture to painting terra cotta pots for vibrant planters, DIY projects offer endless possibilities to personalize your outdoor space while saving money.

Embrace Greenery: Plants are not only aesthetically pleasing but also breathe life into outdoor spaces. Opt for low-maintenance, budget-friendly plants such as succulents, herbs, or native species that thrive in your climate. Consider growing your own herbs or vegetables to add a functional and decorative touch to your outdoor oasis.

Lighting Magic: Illuminate your outdoor space with strategic lighting to create ambiance and extend usability into the evening hours. Solar-powered lights are a cost-effective option that doesn't require wiring or electricity. Hang string lights or lanterns for a cozy atmosphere that won't break the bank.

Repurpose and Upcycle: Look around your home for items that can be repurposed for outdoor use. An old wooden ladder can serve as a charming plant stand, while mason jars can be transformed into lanterns or candle holders. Let your imagination run wild and give new life to forgotten treasures.

Create Functional Zones: Divide your outdoor space into functional zones to maximize its usability. Designate areas for dining, lounging, gardening, or recreation based on your preferences and lifestyle. This approach allows you to make the most of your space without overspending on unnecessary furnishings.

Focus on Maintenance: Invest in durable, low-maintenance materials and landscaping features to save time and money in the long run. Choose weather-resistant furniture, easy-care plants, and hardscaping materials that require minimal upkeep, reducing the need for costly repairs or replacements.

Add Personal Touches: Infuse your personality into your outdoor space with personal touches and meaningful decor. Display artwork, photographs, or DIY crafts that resonate with you and create a sense of warmth and authenticity. Your outdoor oasis should reflect your unique style and interests without breaking the budget.

Take It One Step at a Time: Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither is your outdoor sanctuary. Don't feel pressured to complete your revamp all at once. Take it one step at a time, tackling projects gradually as your time and budget allow. Enjoy the process of transforming your outdoors, and savor the journey as much as the destination.

Outdoor renovations can boost your home value. But it doesn't have be too expensive.

#revamp outdoors #cape girardeau #your community conection #revamp outdoor space

[wisdomcentral]

Unlocking Financial Freedom: A Guide to Building Passive Income Streams

Understanding Passive Income

Passive income is essentially money that is earned with little to no ongoing effort or involvement from you. Unlike active income, which requires your direct time and energy (such as a traditional job or running a business), passive income streams continue to generate revenue even when you’re not actively working. This concept is revolutionary because it allows you to break free from the traditional mindset of trading time for money, opening up a world of possibilities and financial freedom.

The Power of Compound Income Streams

While building a single passive income stream can be beneficial, the true power lies in creating multiple, diverse sources of passive income. By having multiple income streams working for you simultaneously, you not only increase your overall revenue potential but also mitigate the risk of relying on a single source. This diversification strategy is crucial for long-term financial stability and growth.

Passive Income Opportunities to Explore

The beauty of passive income lies in the vast array of opportunities available. Here are some popular and profitable passive income streams to consider:

Rental Income: Investing in real estate and renting out properties is a classic and effective way to generate passive income. Whether you own residential properties, commercial spaces, or vacation rentals, you can earn a steady stream of rental income with minimal effort after the initial investment and setup.

Dividend Stocks: Building a portfolio of dividend-paying stocks can provide you with a consistent stream of passive income. As a shareholder, you’ll receive a portion of the company’s profits in the form of dividends, which can be reinvested or used as a source of income.

Affiliate Marketing: Affiliate marketing involves promoting products or services and earning a commission for every sale generated through your unique affiliate link. By strategically promoting relevant products on your website, blog, or social media channels, you can earn passive income from the comfort of your home.

Drop shipping: Drop shipping is an e-commerce model where you act as a middleman between the supplier and the customer. You don’t have to worry about inventory or shipping; instead, you simply facilitate the transaction and earn a profit margin on each sale.

Peer-to-Peer Lending: Peer-to-peer lending platforms allow you to invest in loans and earn interest as borrowers repay their debts. By diversifying your investments across multiple loans, you can create a steady stream of passive income with relatively low risk.

Digital Products: Creating and selling digital products, such as e-books, online courses, software, or mobile apps, can generate passive income for years to come. Once the initial work is done, these products can be sold and distributed with minimal ongoing effort.

Royalties from Creative Works: If you’re an author, musician, or artist, you can earn royalties from your creative works. When someone purchases your book, streams your music, or licenses your artwork, you’ll receive a percentage of the revenue as passive income.

Building Your Passive Income Strategy

While the opportunities for passive income are numerous, it’s essential to approach this journey with a well-defined strategy. Here are some key steps to help you build a solid passive income portfolio:

Identify Your Interests and Skills: Start by assessing your interests, passions, and skills. This will help you determine which passive income streams align best with your strengths and preferences, increasing your chances of success.

Set Clear Financial Goals: Define your financial goals and the level of passive income you aim to achieve. This will help you prioritize your efforts and make informed decisions about where to allocate your resources.

Invest in Education and Mentorship: Each passive income stream requires specific knowledge and skills. Investing in education and seeking mentorship from experienced individuals can accelerate your learning curve and increase your chances of success.

Start Small and Reinvest: Begin by testing the waters with smaller investments or side projects. As you generate passive income, reinvest a portion of your earnings to fuel the growth of your passive income streams.

Diversify Your Portfolio: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Diversify your passive income sources across various industries, asset classes, and risk levels to mitigate potential risks and ensure long-term stability.

Automate and Systemize: Leverage technology and automation to streamline your passive income ventures. By setting up systems and processes, you can minimize the time and effort required to maintain your income streams.

Be Patient and Persistent: Building substantial passive income takes time, effort, and persistence. Embrace a long-term mindset, stay committed to your goals, and continuously refine your strategies based on your experiences and market trends.

The Journey to Financialhttps://shorturl.at/mR046 Freedom

Achieving financial freedom through passive income is a journey, not a destination. It requires dedication, discipline, and a willingness to continuously learn and adapt. However, the rewards of breaking free from the traditional 9-to-5 grind and living life on your own terms are invaluable.

As you embark on this path, remember that financial freedom is not about amassing wealth for wealth’s sake; it’s about creating the lifestyle you desire and having the freedom to pursue your passions without the constraints of a traditional job. With the right mindset, strategies, and perseverance, you can unlock the doors to financial independence and live the life you’ve always dreamed of.

So, what are you waiting for? Start your journey toward passive income today and unlock the potential for a more secure and prosperous future.

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