As a best man, you have the duty and honor to make the groom’s and your best friend’s bachelor party unforgettable. Of course, make sure to talk to the groom – unless the party is supposed to be a surprise – so that you can learn the most important details such as date, the groom’s wishes and preferences, guests, themes, etc. In case the party will be a surprise, you’ll need to rely on your own knowledge about the groom as well as his other friends and possibly family members.

1. Discuss things with the groom

Assuming that you’ll get to talk to the groom before the bachelor party, you really have to do everything in your power to get the most answers out of him in one go. That way, the groom won’t have to think too much about the party and you’ll have everything ready faster. That said, make sure to be prepared before actually discussing the rules and some pressing issues for the stag night.

2. Don’t be afraid to ask

First things first, you need to learn what the groom’s opinion on strip dancing is. Not everyone will want that. Also, your friend may really be interested in a certain theme, prefer the bachelor party to be a trip out of town, want to try out some crazy activity with his buddies, or simply expect a gaming guys’ night with beer.

Once you establish what the perfect scenario for the future groom would be, you need to get the details such as ideal guests and the preferable date. In general, a month before the wedding should be great for a stag night; but, the groom will have many responsibilities around that time and you just need to make sure right there and then what day/weekend works the best before putting any of your plans in motion.

3. Pick out the best activities

Based on the groom’s answers, your job as a best man should be at least a bit simpler. Talk to the rest of the groom’s faithful guy party so that you can work around the best choice of activities and specials for the stag night.

4. Plan in advance

For instance, keep in mind that in case of some daredevil activities such as cave diving or hunting, you shouldn’t consume alcohol. In this case, alcohol is allowed only if the activity will be during the day and you’ll all be safe in a cabin/hotel in the evening.

Furthermore, the groom may not be too keen about having stripper dancers at his party but that doesn’t mean he would mind seeing some skin. One of the most popular options for stag nights these days involves booking a smoking-hot nude waitress or two that will serve the food and drinks at your bachelor party. Basically, keep your hands to yourselves but get to feast your eyes and enjoy the company of some lovely ladies.

On the other hand, a road trip, boat cruise, or something similar may be ideal for your best friend who’s about to tie a knot. If that’s the case, you need to hurry and deal with the necessary bookings and reservations. Of course, you’ll need to do that whatever the stag night scenario you end up going with, but going away over the weekend requires a bit more planning and organization on your part.

As you discuss things with the groom and plan the bachelor party he’ll always fondly remember, keep in mind your own budget as well. You may also split the cost between the groom’s and hopefully yours closest friends. But, as a general rule, the groom shouldn’t be paying for anything on his own bachelor party.

Emergencies are something you just can’t put off. After all, there’s no way to stop something you cannot see coming. However, what you can do is create a business emergency plan and ensure everyone knows exactly what they’re supposed to do in case of an emergency. It’s very important that you do this since your business is vital for your financial well-being and it’s best to prevent any potential damage an emergency can cause. With that said, here are five steps for creating an effective business emergency plan and cushioning the effect of an emergency.

Know what can go wrong

If you want to create a business emergency plan, you first have to identify potential threats. A threat can be anything that could happen to you, your team, equipment, operations and reputation. This includes natural threats such as hurricanes or floods and human threats such as mistakes or stealing. Identifying which of these threats could harm your business is the key to coming up with ways to protect your company. It’s also a good idea to rank emergencies according to how likely they’re to occur and use the list to figure out where to start.

Come up with a plan

No matter what kind of business you’re running, having an emergency action plan is a must. Some of the procedures in it are prescribed by the law while you’re in charge to come up with the rest. There are a number of ways you can creating a business emergency plan but the elements in it are always supposed to be the same. For instance, there needs to be a specific set of instructions for shutting down equipment and processes in case of an emergency. Another important element in every company’s business emergency plan is evacuation process in case of a fire or a similar emergency.

Know who to turn to

With most emergencies, all you can do is keep everyone safe until help arrives. Therefore, it’s extremely important to have your employees know all emergency numbers they might need. However, it’s still recommended to keep a list of emergency numbers somewhere close. The list should include everything from police to animal control. Another good idea is to look for a good emergency electrician your employees can turn to if something happens to your equipment or power runs out. It’s best to find a local electrician who’s available 24/7.

Designate a coordinator

An emergency like a fire or earthquake can cause a lot of panic. This is why it’s very important to know who’s responsible for providing public with information and making sure that outside aid is called. Since you may not always be there, having one of your staff members being in charge is a good idea. Once you designate an emergency response coordinator, you can even have them take a course and learn everything they’re supposed to do if something unexpected happens. Also, make certain everyone in the company knows who the designated coordinator is.

Test your plan

Once you create your plan and designate a coordinator, it’s time to ensure your employees know exactly what they’re supposed to do in case of an emergency. The best way to do this is to conduct emergency drills every now and then. This helps new employees learn what to do and reminds everyone else what the plan is. Emergency drills need to be conducted at least once a year, depending on the type of work you do. Conducting additional drills when new equipment has been introduced is also a must.

Emergencies happen more often than some people believe and being prepared can significantly reduce the costs involved. More importantly, it helps you keep everyone in your business, from customers and employees safe, no matter what’s going on.

Every now and then, we happen to have a long week at work. Whether it’s deadlines coming up, competitiveness among offices, or just you pushing yourself hard in order to achieve desired goals, it can be a lot to take in one week. Although stress can serve as a positive motivating factor, frequent exposure to stress can lead to negative health consequences, and a job burnout. This is why you owe it to yourself and your work to take a step back and not forget to take good care of yourself. Below, we listed some of the most effective ways how to get back in balance after a rough week at work.

Unplug

Give yourself an actual break and unplug. Turn off your laptop, your work phone and rest your mind. Number one step towards recovery after a difficult workweek is getting rid of the distractions you are constantly drawn to – news, social media, calendar reminders and work-related phone calls. Meditation is a very effective mind training which will help you focus on stress-relief. Even though it’s hard to switch off and recharge, you have to stop making yourself crazy with deadlines and pending emails.

Have a weekend away

In addition to work, we tend to burden ourselves with all other sorts of responsibilities, ranging from family events to running errands and exhausting shopping tours. Therefore, when the weekend finally comes after an insanely busy and stressful workweek, instead of resting and putting all tensions, stress and pressure aside, we overwhelm ourselves with personal to-dos. This is why you need to spend a weekend away in order to regain the balance before another hectic workweek. Plan a romantic getaway in the mountains with your partner, or a solo beach trip, to unwind your mind and recharge your batteries for Monday.

Spoil yourself

Remind yourself that you’re not a slave of your job and your life, and reward all the blood, sweat and tears you’ve been pouring into hard work lately. You absolutely deserve to treat yourself with some time of self-indulgence, away from your work and stress. Book a whole-body professional massage or have a spa day at the nearby resort, giving both your body and mind room to relax, get rid of the tension and regain a healthy balance.

Exercise

Exercise is one of the most effective ways to fight negative energy, relieve stress and strengthen your body’s resilience to any upcoming challenges. You don’t have to spend your days off in a gym, but you should definitely incorporate some physical activity in your me-time schedule. Hiking, cycling or even just dancing will help your brain release feel-good chemicals, contributing to a better overall mood, and have a positive effect on both your mental and physical health.

Socialize

We tend to forget the importance of maintaining social relationships due to the fact that our work has overtaken our life. However, socializing and sharing feelings with your loved ones allows you to vent, get rid of your heavy burdens and de-stress. Moreover, if you don’t already have one, consider getting a pet – snuggling up with your furry friend proves to be the best way to relax after a stressful workweek.

There will definitely come a time when you’re feeling like you have no work-life balance anymore and you’re so exhausted and demotivated, that you feel like you could quit any moment now. However, there are ways to cope with these situations. If you’re one of those who tend to overwork, or you’re simply having a hectic week at your work, take note of the tips above and use the weekend for getting back in balance.

As you’re getting close to your retirement, it’s time to tackle some serious lifestyle questions. From finances to pastimes, the most important thing you need to consider is your living situation. The right retirement living choice can set the course of your entire retirement and greatly affect your life satisfaction. Luckily, there are several retirement living options you can choose from that will ensure you have the comfort and services you require.

Independent living

If you’re a healthy, active and independent senior, you might want to consider an independent living community. Seniors who have all their personal care needs under control, can manage their medication and can keep up with an active lifestyle will love the convenience and socialization independent living offers. If you don’t want to be bothered with household maintenance and repairs, but prefer to dedicate your time to travel, friends and activities, finding a good independent community should be your first choice.

Assisted living

If you want to retain your privacy and independence, but need some more assistance with activities, daily routines, hygiene and medication, assisted living might be an agreeable compromise. This is especially practical for retirees with who live alone or share a home with an older adult who is unable to take proper care of their needs and those who have mobility issues that prevent them from being social and active in the community. If you decide to move to an assisted living community, you can expect extra safety and all the care and support you need to live a happy and productive life. You don’t have to worry about meal preparation, household chores and maintenance, falls and injuries and finding company to ward away the loneliness. Plus, you’ll provide your family with a peace of mind spare them some work they’re probably not really trained for. Now, all your times spend together will be filled with love and fun.

Continuing care retirement communities

These environments are built similarly to college campuses. They offer a large number of different care programs from almost independent living to assisted living with 24-hour care. For instance, retirement homes at Mark Moran Vaucluse offer gorgeous living quarters with plenty of privacy when you need it and plenty of activities when you want to be social. Should you need it, they also offer around the clock care conducted by qualified nurses. So, if you’re looking for a community that fits your current needs, but also has an option to accommodate your future health needs, this might be your best option. This is also perfect for older couples where one spouse needs one type of care while the other needs a different one. The options with this type of care are wide and able to fit all types of retirement care levels, so you’re sure to find something that fits your needs.

Memory care

This type of assisted living specializes in care for adults with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease who require constant care. While these health conditions still have no cure, memory care programs are constantly improving the way they treat their patients. So, today, we have programs that are very advanced in maintaining the quality of life of people with memory issues. If you require around-the-clock care and supervision, exhibit behaviors that are hard to manage (aggression, wandering or Sundowner’s Syndrome) or struggle to remain focused and engaged in activities and conversations, you might want to consider this type of living. It will benefit not only you but everyone around you. Your safety and the safety of your loved ones is the most important thing in the world.

Make sure to study these retirement living options in depth before you make your decision. There’s probably something that fits your needs and preferences, both present and future.