Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
-
Creating a Professional Online Presence on a Budget
Introduction In today’s digital economy, a professional online presence is essential for freelancers and side hustlers. Your online presence serves as your virtual storefront, portfolio, and first impression all in one. The good news? You don’t need a massive budget to create a polished, professional digital footprint that attracts clients and opportunities. This guide will…
-
How to Find Your First Freelance Client (Even With Zero Experience)
Introduction Starting a freelance career is exciting, but the biggest challenge most new freelancers face is landing that crucial first client. Without a portfolio of past work or glowing testimonials, how do you convince someone to take a chance on you? The good news is that everyone starts at zero—even the most successful freelancers once…
-
10 Low-Cost Side Hustles You Can Start This Weekend
Introduction When you’re looking to generate extra income without significant upfront investment, side hustles are the perfect solution. Unlike traditional businesses that might require thousands in startup capital, these accessible opportunities let you leverage existing skills, resources, and a bit of hustle to start earning quickly. This guide explores 10 side hustles you can launch…
-
Getting Started with Freelancing: A Complete Beginner’s Guide
Introduction Freelancing offers an accessible path to earning income on your own terms. Whether you’re looking to replace a full-time job, supplement your current income, or just explore flexible work options, freelancing can be a rewarding journey. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to launch your freelancing career, even if you’re starting…
-
Ham Radio on a Budget: Building a Complete Station for Under $500
The perception that amateur radio requires a significant financial investment has deterred many potential operators from pursuing their license. While it’s true that you can spend thousands on high-end equipment, the reality is that a capable and enjoyable ham station can be assembled for under $500—sometimes well under that amount. As someone who started with…
-
Software-Defined Radio Revolution: Getting Started with SDR in Ham Radio
Software-defined radio (SDR) represents one of the most significant technological revolutions in amateur radio history. By replacing traditional hardware components with software processing, SDR has transformed the capabilities, flexibility, and price points of radio equipment. For today’s ham operators, understanding SDR opens up exciting new possibilities while significantly reducing the cost of entry to advanced…
-
The Ultimate Ham Radio Field Day Guide: Tips, Gear, and Strategy
Field Day is amateur radio’s largest annual event, drawing tens of thousands of operators across North America for a weekend of emergency preparedness exercises, camaraderie, skill-building, and yes—a healthy dose of competitive spirit. Equal parts emergency exercise, contest, social gathering, and public demonstration, Field Day represents ham radio at its finest. As someone who has…
-
HF DXing for Beginners: How to Talk to the World from Your Backyard
There’s something magical about turning on your radio, making a call, and hearing a voice respond from thousands of miles away. This is the allure of DXing—the pursuit of distant (“DX”) contacts in amateur radio. Despite challenging solar cycles, changing propagation patterns, and increasing urban noise, today’s ham radio operators are still making incredible worldwide…
-
Build Your Own Antennas: 5 DIY Projects from Beginner to Advanced
In the world of ham radio, the antenna is arguably the most critical component of your station. A modest radio with an excellent antenna will consistently outperform a top-of-the-line radio connected to a mediocre antenna. The good news? Some of the most effective antenna designs can be built at home for a fraction of the…
-
Setting Up Your First Home Ham Radio Station: Essential Equipment Checklist
Congratulations on getting your ham radio license! Now comes one of the most exciting parts of the hobby—setting up your first home station. While a simple handheld transceiver may have been sufficient during your licensing journey, a proper home setup opens up a world of communication possibilities. As someone who has built multiple stations and…
-
The Complete Guide to Getting Your First Ham Radio License
So you’re interested in becoming a ham radio operator? Welcome to one of the most rewarding and diverse hobbies around! Whether you’re drawn to ham radio for emergency preparedness, technical experimentation, or the thrill of talking to people across the globe, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get…
-
Easiest way to retain knowledge by mastering Pomodoro technique
The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method that can help you improve your focus and productivity. It involves breaking down your work into 25-minute intervals, called “Pomodoros,” with short breaks in between. After four Pomodoros, you take a longer break. Here are some tips to help you master the Pomodoro Technique: 1. Plan your…
-
Easiest way to open and extract .rar files on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android in 2033
1. Windows To extract a .rar file on Windows, you can use a third-party app like 7-Zip. Here’s how: 1. Download and install the latest version of 7-Zip from their [website](https://www.7-zip.org/).2. Right-click the .rar file you want to extract.3. Point to the **7-Zip** menu, and then select one of the **Extract** options, depending on where…
-
Easiest way to survive a European heatwave in 2023
Climate change is finally showing its effects all around the world. And Europe seems to be the one hit hardest by it; and there can be multiple reasons for it but the one that makes sense is that Europeans are used to a colder and more stable environment as compared to rest of the world.…
-
Easiest way to make a Veggie Soup
Here’s a simple recipe for vegetable soup: 1. Preheat your soup pot with olive oil.2. Sauté onions and carrots until golden.3. Add celery, canned tomatoes, broth, potatoes, green beans, and bay leaves.4. Season to taste with salt and pepper.5. Simmer for 25 minutes.6. Add corn, sweet peas, green onion, and parsley.7. Simmer for an additional…
-
Easy way to create a Google Account in 2023
Here’s how you can create a Google account: 1. Go to the [Google Account sign in page](https://account.google.com/).2. Click **Create account**.3. Enter your name.4. In the **Username** field, enter a username.5. Enter and confirm your password.6. Click **Next**.7. Optional: Add and verify a phone number for your account.8. Click **Next**. You can also use an existing…
-
Client Management: How to Set Boundaries, Communicate Effectively, and Build Long-Term Relationships
The success of your freelance business ultimately depends on your ability to establish and maintain healthy client relationships. While your skills and deliverables matter, how you manage client interactions often determines whether you’ll have a sustainable, profitable business or struggle with difficult clients, scope creep, and constant stress. Effective client management isn’t about manipulation or…
-
Building a Sustainable Freelance Business: Avoiding Burnout and Maintaining Work-Life Balance
The freedom of freelancing often comes with an unexpected cost. Without the structure of traditional employment, many freelancers find themselves working longer hours, taking fewer breaks, and struggling to separate their professional and personal lives. The result? Burnout, diminished creativity, health problems, and sometimes, the abandonment of freelancing altogether. Building a sustainable freelance business isn’t…
-
Managing Your Freelance Finances: Taxes, Savings, and Business Banking
Financial management is often the most intimidating aspect of freelancing for beginners. Without an employer handling tax withholding, providing benefits, or offering a steady paycheck, you’re suddenly responsible for a complex financial ecosystem that can feel overwhelming. The good news? With some basic systems and knowledge in place, you can manage your freelance finances confidently—even…
-
From Side Hustle to Full-Time Income: A Roadmap
There’s a significant difference between earning extra cash from a side hustle and building a sustainable full-time income. While many people dream of turning their part-time venture into their primary source of income, the transition requires strategic planning, systematic growth, and careful financial management. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a realistic roadmap for…
-
5 Most In-Demand Freelance Skills You Can Learn for Free
In today’s digital economy, freelancing offers unprecedented opportunities to generate income with flexible hours and location independence. Whether you’re looking to start a side hustle or transition to full-time self-employment, developing in-demand skills is your ticket to freelance success. The good news? You don’t need expensive degrees or certifications to acquire marketable skills. This guide…
-
Pricing Your Services: A Guide for New Freelancers
Introduction Setting your rates as a new freelancer is one of the most challenging aspects of starting your business. Price too high, and you might struggle to find clients; price too low, and you’ll work hard without sustainable income while potentially devaluing your industry. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of establishing…
Got any book recommendations?