5 Reasons To Run A Background Check

You might have come across the term ‘background check’ in context of employee recruitment or security purposes, but these are not the only reasons to perform this. Companies often perform background checks on potential recruits and check public records, before hiring them. A background check is basically a report on an individual that reveals his/her criminal record, education history, financial history and other public records.

Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash

5 Reasons to Perform a Background Check

Online security and background checks have made it easier to get hold of an individual’s bio data, check public records and uncover information that you might not be able to get otherwise. Here are the top 5 reasons why individuals and organizations conduct background checks on others. 

1. To Make Employment Decisions: A background check can reveal a lot about an individual and holds an important place in most employment decisions. Firms want to make sure that they are hiring trustworthy employees to keep everyone safe. They want to keep workplace violence, theft and other security-related issues to the minimum by not hiring unqualified individuals possessing unsatisfactory past record. HR managers often perform background checks on candidates, before making employment decisions.   
2. For Litigation Purposes: These checks are a valuable tool to criminal defense attorneys who can use them in courts, in favor of or against an individual. Information from these inspections can be used to lend credibility to a person or an argument, prove his/her honesty, or for verification purposes. The same information can be used to prove the opposite, making Kentucky criminal background checks (or similar criminal background checks in your area) incredibly useful in a court of law. 
3. Relationships: Background investigations have found their way in the world of relationships as well, and are not only confined to private companies and government organizations. People nowadays have become more cautious of whom they spend their time and live with. They would like to make sure that their ‘significant other’ is trustworthy enough and does not have a questionable background. In this regard, a background investigation is often the most reliable method of checking whether you are with the right person or not.  
4. For Security Purposes: This is most applicable in government organizations, where candidates are appointed on sensitive government positions. Before being appointed to such positions, officials must get security clearance, which can be done through a background inspection.
5. Before Commencing a Business: When starting a new business or striking a deal with someone, people want to know whether the person they are dealing with is honest and reliable. They would like to ensure that their money is not falling into wrong hands, and thus run a check to verify the identity and background of the other person. Background checks are also performed by investors when they want to invest their money in a company or before handing it over to complete strangers.

Background investigations are a reliable source of information and could save you from a lot of trouble in future. Even though some people might consider them as invasion in their privacy, these checks can actually prove to be quite useful in this age of constantly rising crimes and scams.

Tips for Choosing a POS System Best Fit for Your Business

With the wide variety of POS systems available for businesses, it is important to choose the one that best fits your business needs. Take a look at some tips for choosing the right system for your business so you can move forward with confidence.

Reputation of Provider
It is very important to be sure that the provider you choose for your POS system has a good and trustworthy reputation. One sure way to find out whether or not you can trust the provider is to check with the Better Business Bureau, read reviews from other customers, or talk to those customers first hand to find out more about their experiences with the provider. When doing your research on providers, keep in mind their grade from the BBB, as well as how they treated or supported the other customers who have used them as well. This will give you a better idea of whether or not the provider is the best choice for your business.

Support Options
Another tip when choosing a point of sale system for your business is to find out what type of support is offered from the provider. It is important to choose a system and a provider that will offer support when needed after the sale is complete. Some information to gather when searching for your system and provider is whether or not they offer one on one training, if they offer training materials or instruction manuals, and if they offer technical support once the setup is complete and for the life of the system’s use. The last thing you want is to be stuck with a problem you can‘t solve and have no support offered from the provider.

Performance
Another factor to consider when choosing a POS system or merchant services credit card machine is the performance factor. Be sure to choose a system that offers you the full capabilities that you are looking for, no matter the cost. This will be essential to the functionality of your business in the future. Performance and quality of the POS system is what will keep your business running smoothly.

Can A Person Die From Too Much Caffeine?

Too much caffeine caused the death of a 16-year-old high school student from South Carolina who collapsed during class last month, according to the county coroner. Davis Allen Cripe died from a caffeine-induced cardiac event causing a probable arrhythmia. During an arrhythmia, or abnormal heart rhythm, the heart may not be able to pump enough blood to the body, and lack of blood flow affects the brain, heart and other organs. The teen consumed three caffeine-laced drinks -- a cafe latte, large Diet Mountain Dew and an energy drink -- in a two-hour period before collapsing in his classroom at Spring Hill High School on April 26, Watts said. (Source: CNN) So where does this tragic news leave adult java lovers?

How much caffeine can I drink a day?

"Most people can safely take in about 400 milligrams of caffeine daily or about 4 cups of coffee," says Dr. Christopher Calapai D.O., a New York City Osteopathic Physician board certified in family and anti-aging medicine. He adds that, “the limit varies from person to person.” It’s difficult to assign an exact amount for everyone because people can have different sensitivities or reactions to caffeine based on age, medical history, and tolerance. However, there is enough research available to make a recommendation based on an individual’s weight.

To keep it safe, health experts recommend a maximum daily dose of 400 mg. To see what this means for you, check out the caffeine in some of these common drinks:

Starbucks Coffee (16 fl oz): 320 mg caffeine
5-hour energy (1.93 fl oz): 207 mg caffeine
Dunkin Donuts regular (16 fl oz): 203 mg caffeine
Starbucks Latte (16 fl oz): 150 mg caffeine
Coffee, brewed (8 fl oz): 133 mg caffeine
Red Bull Energy Shot (2 fl oz): 80 mg caffeine
Red Bull (8 fl oz): 80 mg caffeine
Tea (8 fl oz): 53 mg caffeine

But how, exactly, can the world's most popular drug kill?

Like other stimulants, caffeine raises blood pressure, boosts heart rate and temporarily shrinks blood vessels. Dr. Calapai explains that, “In excess, the effects can be deadly by causing a heart attack, stroke or other cardio-vascular-related problem. Researchers think daily caffeine intake can increase the risk of coronary heart disease, but the results so far have been inconclusive.”

It’s also important to realize that medical conditions can affect sensitivity to caffeine. “If you have anxiety, panic disorder, heart arrhythmia, high blood pressure, diabetes, take medication or have any sort of medical condition, then you may tolerate less caffeine and should speak to a doctor,” says Dr. Calapai.

There are “caffeine overdose symptoms” that are important to watch for. These include:

Jitters, Restlessness, and Nervousness
Increased heartbeat
Nausea
Anxiety
Heart palpitations (cardiac arrhythmia)
Insomnia
Sweating
Dizziness
Vomiting
Cardiac arrest

This guest article is from: Dr. Christopher Calapai, D.O. is an Osteopathic Physician board certified in family medicine, and anti-aging medicine. Proclaimed as the "The Stem Cell Guru" by the New York Daily News, Dr. Calapai is a leader in the field of stem cell therapy in the U.S. His stem cell treatments have achieved remarkable results in clinical trials on patients with conditions as varied as Alzheimer's, arthritis, erectile dysfunction, frailty syndrome, heart, kidney and liver failure, lupus, MS and Parkinson's. He has worked with Mike Tyson, Mickey Rourke, Steven Seagal, and Fox series Gotham's, Donal Logue; he was a medical consultant for the New York Rangers. Connect with him via twitter @drcalapai or at www.drcal.net

10 Tips For New College Students From A College Student (Guest Post)

I remember when I was getting ready to start college – Everything was so new and so different. Two years have quickly gone by, and I’m now a junior. Here are some things I’ve learned from my own experiences and from friends that I’d like to pass along:

1. Get your finances together and be aware of your expenses. – Open a checking/savings account if you don’t already have one. Get in the habit of saving your receipts and documenting them weekly/monthly or however you choose. Your expenses will add up, so it’s best to stay on top of them so you don’t end up in a rut or overdrafting your account.

2. Take the time to read things and understand them. – You are an adult now, and you actually have to read through things to make informed decisions. This will certainly apply if you move off campus into an apartment.

3. Rent your textbooks if you can. – Renting is the best way to go, especially for books for general education (gen-ed) classes. Vendors such as Amazon and Chegg are great places to get them. You can buy books from your institution’s bookstore and sell them back at the end of the semester, but you won’t get nearly as much money back as you spent.

4. Be aware of the available meal plans and your eating patterns. – Most institutions will have a meal plan. Know what plans they offer, and don’t get a meal plan higher than what you know you will eat. Also, PLEASE be healthy! (Don’t eat Chick Fil A every day for three weeks like I did.)

5. Take school seriously. – Your first year of college is so important for your GPA. Focus on your grades first. If you keep it high your first year of school, you have some wiggle room if you don’t do as well one semester. Also, if you have scholarships, you need to make sure you maintain the GPA required to keep the scholarships.

6. Get to know your professors. – Your professors possess a lot of knowledge, and you’ll do even better in class if you sit in the front and introduce yourself to them. If you take the time to get to know them, they will be more willing to help you in class or with other things. Some professors have written recommendation letters for me.

7. Don’t be afraid to get involved, but don’t over involve yourself either. – There are TONS of ways to get involved at your college/university. Try to get involved in at least one activity or organization so you can meet people and begin developing skills. However, don’t get over involved either. You don’t want to be overwhelmed and affect your grades or well-being.

8. TIME MANAGEMENT IS KEY. – Get a planner if you don’t have one already! You’ll be super busy with classes, extracurricular activities, and maybe even a job. Be sure to stay organized!

9. Take care of yourself. – People are going to ask you to do things, approach things in their way, but at the end of the day, you need to do what is best for yourself. If people want to go out and do something, but you want to take an evening for yourself and watch TV, then by all means, watch TV!

10. HAVE FUN.
College goes by so quickly! Take the time to explore new things. Take a class on something you’re interested in, but might not be majoring in. Meet new people and make great friends. The world is yours.

Guest post by my oldest daughter, Chardonnay Ismail.

Are you moving? Here are some great tips from Unpakt

Moving can be expensive—from movers to insurance to down payments—the bill can add up quickly.

Fortunately, packing supplies do not need to be added to your list of expenses. Actually, you may already own some of the best packing materials around—you just didn’t realize it yet!  Unpakt, a price comparison site and online booking tool for consumers searching for a reputable moving company, put together a list of household items that can be used for packing:

Sandwich Bags – These can be used to hold hardware from disassembled furniture and appliances. They are also ideal for toiletries—if something leaks during the move, a sandwich bag will prevent other items from being damaged.
Towels, Socks, other Clothing Items – Towels can be used to wrap plates, serving platters, vases, or breakable décor. Make sure you keep one out to pack  n your overnight bag though!  Balls of socks can be used to fill open space in boxes of breakables. You want items secure, so they do not bounce around. Rather than using packaging peanuts or other costly products, use socks. Longer socks can also be used to wrap glasses and stemware. T-shirts, tanks, and sweaters can also be used to wrap breakables. A nice soft sweater or sweatshirt is ideal to line the bottom of the box. This will provide cushioning in case the box gets roughed up during the move.

Beer Boxes – There are three reasons to use beer boxes. First, they are heavy duty and can hold a lot of weight. Second, they have handles on the side, which makes them easy to carry. Third, you get to drink the beer to empty the box! If you’re not into drinking a case of beer, head to a liquor store and see if they will give them to you for free.

Drawers – With the exception of clothes you do not necessarily want movers peeking at, most clothes can stay in your dresser drawers. Simply cover them with Glad Press’n Seal. If you plan on doing this, make sure the moving company doesn’t have rules about handling unboxed items.

Twist Ties – Use these to stop cables and cords from getting tangled.
Other household items that can be used as packing supplies include trash pails (after a thorough clean!), suitcases, Rubbermaid containers, baskets, underbed storage, gym bags and backpacks, trash bags, and hampers.

What advice would you give to a college freshman?

We knew the day would eventually get here. The day when our first child would go from elementary, middle and high school to college student. Our daughter will be attending the University of South Carolina and has opted to live at home. The incoming freshman class is the largest in the University's history with almost 5,000 students. That's a very large number, but as my husband puts it, "It's not about how many start, but how many actually finish".

Although our daughter is very intelligent and responsible, we still made it a point as parents to offer our guidance and support with her entering the adult world. Life is about to change quite a bit for her. I will no longer be packing her lunch, signing her papers or waiting in the carpool line. She will be doing things on her own. She is off to a great start as far as getting all of her business in order.

This weekend kicks off move-in day and there are various welcome activities for University students. We saw her off as she drove out of the front driveway. I won't lie, my heart sank just a bit. She's an adult and the high school days are over. With that said, this does not mean that rules no longer apply to her. We sat her down and went over our rules and expectations and she was able to voice her opinions on how she felt with everything. We spoke about many things, but here is a rundown of the main points:

• Driving safety is essential and not negotiable. Yes, you have your own car, but that does not mean you abuse it. You don't get to pick up and go or come in as late as you please. No rides should be given to just anyone. Never let anyone drive your car unless there is an emergency situation that affects your ability to drive. No texting or phone calls while driving. We just require a simple text or phone call to let us know your whereabouts. We pay for the car, insurance, gas and phone so this is not unreasonable. Failure to comply with our simple rules results in your mother dropping you off and picking you up. 
• Personal safety is another very important matter. Always be aware of your surroundings. Have your mace in hand when walking through the parking garage. Beware of who you associate with. Report anything that you know isn't right by law to campus police. Stay in good physical shape. Eating well and exercise are essential and should be taken seriously. You never know when you have to move quickly out of harm's way! 
• Not everyone is your friend! With the social media age comes "friendships" formed online. You don't know the real person just by his/her updates, tweets or Instagram pics. Stick with the people you know throughout the first year. Look at students you KNOW who are going into their second or third year for tips and advice that can be helpful. Not all advice is good advice. When in doubt, ask your parents. 
• Your social media presence is your digital resume. Watch what you post and the types of comments you leave on posts. Future employers scour through all social media sites to dig up what they can about you. Be mindful of that! It takes one suggestive picture to potentially tarnish your good name and even mess up your future. 
• Always have cash on hand. As easy as it is to use a debit card, it is not always the smartest choice. Around the college, there are dozens of businesses that sell products primarily to college students. With advanced technology in place, stealing your money has become so easy. Anyone can get access to the debit/credit card readers that attach to a smart phone/iPhone. You never know if someone is swiping your card behind your back! You have fewer worries with cash.
• DO NOT APPLY FOR CREDIT CARDS.  Buying on credit that you can't pay back ruins your financial future. On top of this, opening up several credit cards can hurt your credit, even without spending on credit. Avoiding credit malpractice is not hard, there are plenty of student resources available online that aim to about credit cards. For instance, did you know that your credit status is repairable no matter how ruined it is? It won’t happen overnight though. For now, pay with cash. You can slowly work your way up to establishing credit in a smart and organized way.
• We are here to help out if there is a NEED. Parties, sporting events and dining out will not be on our dime. 
• Of course we touched on the drugs, alcohol and sex topic. She hated it, but what can you do?

In the end of our conversation, we stressed how proud we are of her and that we just her to be happy and successful. We let he know that we are always around and are happy to lend our advice and support. Our daughter felt our rules were reasonable and has agreed to comply. Maybe it was the part about having her mother pick her up and drop her off? Hahaha! We feel like she will do well and sets very high standards for herself. 

If you have any advice you would give to a college freshman, what would it be? Do you have any advice for the parents as well? I would love to hear your thoughts! 

Married to Jonas on E! and my tips for the newlyweds {Giveaway}

Contest ended- Winner is Cheryl Free

Have you guys heard about the new show on E! called Married to Jonas? I can't believe Kevin Jonas is all grown up and married! Kevin and his young wife Dani make the most adorable couple. Their show will chronicle their new life together as a married couple and also give a peek into their new families... with the in-laws! Oh, they have some very interestingly fun times ahead! Married to Jonas airs on Sunday's 10/9c.

It got me to thinking, being so young and married is not easy. You think things will be as perfect as the day you met, but man oh man do things change! It is important to get some good advice from seasoned couples to make sure you do all you can to make things work. Since I have been married for over 18 years, I feel like I know a thing or two. Here is my top ten list of marriage tips to Kevin and Dani and to all the newlyweds out there. 

1. Always try to impress each other. If the woman wore make-up and heels while dating, still do it. If the man dressed well and wore nice cologne, keep it up. Don't fall into the trap that your significant other loves you and there is no need to impress them anymore. Don't let yourselves go!  
2. Ladies, if you and your man are lost in the woods somewhere and he tells you to wait in a specific spot, stay your butt right there. I confess that as a woman, I tend to want to show my man that I can hang and end up getting both of us in more trouble! 
3. Gentleman, always tell your woman how beautiful she is. Don't tell her that because the world is always saying how beautiful she is that she knows you feel the same. She wants to hear it from YOU! 
4. Always appreciate each other. Never forget to thank your mate for all the little things. 
5. Ladies, let your man be a man. They need time to blow off steam and do "boy things". Perhaps not the same things they did when they were single, but you get the idea. 
6. Be honest each and every day. If you don't like something about your mate, tell them! Holding back never helps things. 
7. Give each other space. There will be times that you both drive each other crazy. Take some time away from each other. You don't have to be joined at the hip 24/7.
8. Have a sense of humor. You can't take every single thing so seriously. Laughter is so important to balance out all the serious stuff. 
9. Ladies, this is important. Be a lady in the street and a freak in the sheets. Seriously, just keeping it real! 
10. My last tip is very important and it is for the men. Gentleman, just know that the woman is always right. It will make for a lasting and happy marriage. It's as easy as that! 

Giveaway: 

One lucky Momfiles reader will win a fantastic In-Law Survival Kit ($112 value) 

The kit will include:

· Stress Relief - Eucalyptus Spearmint Sugar Scrub 

· Bliss Fabulous Skin-Reviving Rubberizing masks 

· Soothing Herbal Tea

· Aromatherapy Spa Stress Relief - Shea Butter & Cedarwood Reed Diffuser 

· $15 iTunes Gift Card 

· EarPollution Plugz Headphones

Enter below in the Rafflecopter widget.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end on Sept 7. Be sure to leave your email address in case you are selected as the winner. Please be sure to follow entry rules. Momfiles is not responsible for any lost of stolen prizes. Good luck!

I will receive the same prize package as the giveaway winner for posting. No other compensation was received and all thoughts/opinions are 100% my own.

Please share your suggestions!

Hey guys, it's close to that time of year again...the time I dread. Back-to-school means lunch ideas. I start off great and then I get to the point that it feels like the girls take the same thing week after week. I am in search of some good (and frugal) lunchbox ideas. Please share your suggestions in the comments. Thanks in advance!

Haircut decision

I posted on Facebook a few weeks ago for suggestions from my friends on how they think I should get my hair cut/styled. I got comments ranging from short and sassy to leave it the way it is. I even had one old friend tell me that even if I went bald I would still look amazing. Of course I don't want to know if that would be true so I asked the husband. He generally gives me the same answer every time- "Do what makes YOU happy". Of course that is the worse answer you can give me. This time he actually gave me a much different answer. He told me that he wanted my hair to still be long and layered because he loves how his woman looks so exotic. Well, since Big Daddy has spoken, long and sexy it will be!

A message if you are NOT a parent

If you have no kids then please listen up to this valuable advice. If you want to buy a gift for someone's kid and you want to maintain a happy relationship with that person then never buy musical toys. Mr. Giraffe might not make it through the day. Just wanted to share and help preserve long lasting friendships or family bonds.