Problem: Article: Your guests want to get a feel for the local area. Consider offering complimentary tours of the area. If you have a large van, this is a great use for it. In smaller areas, a walking tour is a great amenity to offer. If you won't give the tours yourself, try networking with local bus drivers or tour companies. They can take your guests around in exchange for a discount. You can also leave brochures, maps, and posters by the front desk so your guests always know what's going on and where to go. These events are a great way to give your hostel a reputation as the place to visit. Provide plenty of opportunities for guests to meet each other and have fun. A weekly cookout on Friday or a monthly show from a local band all bring attention to your business. Get creative and show your guests a good time. Don't pressure guests into attending any of your events. Some guests prefer to be left alone and won't like being pressured. Merely mention the event and invite everyone. Consider inviting other locals to the parties as well. If you sell food or charge admission to non-guests, you can create another revenue stream. Even sociable people need some quiet time. If you have enough room, set aside some space for a quiet area. Guests can come in here and work, relax, or just get away from other people. Set rules that guests can't use phones or play music without headphones in quiet areas. Set a relaxing atmosphere. There are numerous mundane tasks around the hostel like sweeping, stocking shelves, or picking up after guests. You can save money by offering a free stay for guests willing to do some of these tasks. That way, you avoid hiring people to do the work. This can also attract more customers who might be interested in the same deal. Only do this when you need work done, though. If you don't need any work done, you're losing money by offering this deal.
Summary: Offer tours of the local area. Host parties, barbeques, or other socializing events. Designate quiet areas for guests who want more privacy. Consider offering a bed in exchange for work around the hostel.

Problem: Article: Putting in a little bit of effort on a regular basis can help you stay connected to God all the time. Set aside some time for your spiritual practice every day. Take this time just as seriously as any of your other important appointments. For instance, you could use your lunch hour to read faith-based texts, or you could set aside half an hour for prayer and reflection before bed. You may even go so far as to writing your spiritual practices into your schedule like any other obligation to make sure you stick to them. Many people like to make their spiritual practice part of their morning routine. Spending time with God first thing in the morning can give you a positive foundation for the rest of the day. Commit your full attention to your spiritual practice. Go somewhere you won't be distracted to pray, read, and reflect. Take a deep breath and set aside your worries and distractions while you deepen your relationship with God. Connect with God by reading and thinking about your sacred texts. Mark the passages that resonate with you, and spend extra time reflecting on them. Look for ideas and themes in your sacred texts that you can apply to your own life. Reading books by religious leaders and scholars may also help you deepen your faith and your understanding of God. Praying daily is one of the most effective things you can do to get closer to God. Prayer is very personal, and you can pray about anything. Try using your prayer time to ask for guidance and inspiration, to affirm your personal faith, or to pray for your loved ones. You can pray anytime and anywhere. However, it's still a good idea to set aside a specific time for prayer every day, so you won't feel rushed or distracted. As you observe the world every day, let the things you see guide your thoughts towards God. When you feel moved by something, take a moment to ponder what it tells you about the nature of God and your personal relationship with God. As your faith grows, you might find God reflected in many different aspects of life, including art, the natural world, and other people.
Summary: Make time for your faith every day. Block out distractions. Read your religious texts. Pray. Reflect on God.

Problem: Article: How much you use will depend on how big the piece you are trying to clean is. Most jewelry pieces will require 1 tablespoon (15 grams) of baking soda, and tablespoon (7.5 milliliters) of water. Aim to get just the tips of the bristles covered. You won't need a lot of the mixture to start cleaning. The toothbrush must have soft bristles, however, or you will risk scratching your jewelry. Toothbrushes meant for babies typically have the softest bristles. Try to go with the grain, and try not to press too hard. If you go across the grain or scrub too hard, you might scratch the jewelry. Focus on the cracks and crevices, and take care to avoid any set gemstones. You can also fill a bowl with warm water, and dip the jewelry in it until the baking soda comes off. If your pieces has a lot of crevices in it, such as a brooch or a necklace chain, wrap it up in the towel and let it sit for a few minutes. The towel will soak up any excess water. Use polish that is labeled safe for stainless steel. Do not use silver polish, as it will stain your jewelry. When polishing the jewelry, make sure to go with the grain, and not across it.
Summary:
In a small bowl, combine 2 parts baking soda and 1 part water to make a paste. Dip a soft-bristled toothbrush into the mixture. Gently scrub your jewelry with the toothbrush. Plug the sink, then rinse the jewelry using warm water. Gently pat the jewelry dry with a soft towel. Polish the jewelry, if needed, with jewelry polish or polishing cloth. Finished.