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8 Things You Can Make and Sell for Extra Cash

August 28, 2018 by
Craft

If you’re particularly good with your hands and feel like you could use some cash, why not turn something you love into an alternative source of income or even a primary one? There are a variety of items you can create to sell in order to make money on the side. Unless you’re doing something really new or innovative, there are already established markets for different kinds of crafts, which means it will be easy to sell your creations in existing marketplaces especially online.

Crafts you make yourself undoubtedly take some time and effort, but if you need cash quickly, you can look at your basement or storage spaces to find things you can trade for cash; you can even sell your clothes online.

If you plan to make this a full-time gig, understand that creating and selling stuff are not the only ways you can make money. You can take surveys, monetize blogging, and more. If you are looking to find ideas on what you can create to sell, read below for ideas.

Bake Goodies

If you’re an aspiring baker who can make mean loaves of bread or bake different varieties of cookies, then why not use these acquired skills to bake homemade goodies on a made-to-order basis? Obviously, you have baking skills because you enjoy doing it, so why not keep doing it and make money in the process? Your service will make it more convenient for other people who aren’t as skilled in the kitchen as you are.

After all, no one ever says no to a freshly baked batch of cookies or an artfully crafted cake. You can advertise your goods online or head to the local farmer’s market, where people can actually see and or even taste test your baked goodies.

Make Paper Crafts

Did you know that you can make a lot of money by folding pieces of paper or cutting them up? Yes, paper crafts are lucrative, and some artists have even made outstanding masterpieces using only paper and about hundreds of hours of labor and effort. You can do it too by going for simpler but beautiful projects.

If you want to sell them, you definitely can, but you need stronger or even special paper. Regular paper is fine for practice, but if you want to get serious with your paper crafts business, you’ll need some creativity and stronger paper that won’t crease at the lightest touch or be ruined with a few drops of water. There are many paper-craft tutorials you can find online, so pick what you like best, practice, and make it your own.

Create Photos for Stock Photography

Apparently, stock-photo companies pay people for interesting, relevant, or recent photographs. If you’re in the hobby of photography and you already have ample equipment for the love of it, this is perfect for you.

Simply take some photos you think are interesting, and upload them to stock-photography sites. The money you will be making off your photos may not be instantaneous, but it is a good source of passive income.

Make Music

If you’re an accomplished instrumentalist or blessed with a beautiful voice, you can easily market either of these as an artist. If you’re not pursuing that kind of career, you can monetize your talents by creating original music like EDM and upload it on popular streaming sites that pay money for numbers of views or streams. Even if you’re a beginner, there are plenty of great resources available online to start learning how to make your own EDM music.

On that topic, you can also start a career as an online content creator that you can do as a hobby or to pass time and make some extra cash on the side.

Make Bath Products

Most people love some good pampering, but not everyone can afford it all the time. This is why there’s a market for affordable bath products that make them feel luxurious.

Want a bubble bath? Here’s a bath bomb. Want organic shampoo? Here’s an all-natural shampoo made with real flowers.

The good thing about making bath products is that is something people all have in common and, therefore, have firsthand knowledge of what people may want, in what capacity and option. There are so many ways you can go about this, and the good news is that there are huge markets for different bath products, especially soap and bath bombs.

Bath products are especially lucrative when they are made by hand and in limited quantities. Another thing to note is that they are easy to make, so you can make a few batches to test and conduct your own research on what works and what doesn’t. People are always looking for the next new thing, so this is a chance to make something unique.

Sew Clothes, Trinkets, Accessories

If you know how to sew and your hobby is making clothes, you can sell your creations for extra cash. This will be a lot easier to get into if you already own a sewing machine. Depending on what you’re into, you can offer made-to-order costumes, children’s dresses, doll clothes, and more.

If you’re not into clothing, you can sew different accessories and trinkets like blankets, coin pouches, and even bags. Embroidery is really big in the sewing hobby, and most people embroider cute characters and tiny details.

Another prospect you can pursue with your sewing hobby is making something for pets. People who are very attached to their pets tend to pamper their furry little friends by buying them clothes, hats, and even shoes. Find something you have a passion for, and get paid for it.

Painted Goods

If you’ve always had talent and an eye for color when handling a brush, then selling painted goods is a good way of earning extra cash. You can go old-school and paint portraits of people and/or characters they like, but you can also explore other ways.

Hand-painted decorative dishes are big in the scene right now, so you can paint dishes, glasses, vases, and even mason jars. The reason people like to buy them especially if they can be personalized is that they make perfect gifts for the special people in their life.

Craft Jewelry

Handmade jewelry is one of the most popular items on e-commerce websites and even in bazaars and marketplaces. For one thing, it’s cheaper than jewelry made of precious metals and stones.

Another reason is that each piece is unique or can be custom-made. It is a good way to showcase your creativity and push the boundaries of the material you’re using with homemade jewelry.

How Much Can You Earn?

It actually depends on how much value you put in your creations. If you’re unsure, look around online to get an idea of how much handmade crafts sell for. If you’re still trying to find your footing and unsure of what type of crafts you want to create, it is recommended to get craft supplies in bulk because they’re cheaper.

Are you a crafter or a DIY hobbyist? What are the things you make and sell to make extra cash? Share them below.




5 HVAC Repair Prevention Suggestions From A Pro

August 25, 2018 by

Commercial air conditioning

When summer turns to autumn or spring turns to summer, you need your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system to be ready for the weather changes. The right indoor temperature and humidity levels help keep your family healthy and comfortable. An unexpected problem could lead to a health emergency when the weather is extremely hot or cold. These five tips are designed to prevent Fort Collins HVAC emergencies and keep your family safe and comfortable all year long.

Clean Around Your HVAC Equipment

Furnaces, air exchanging units and air blowers inside of your home need plenty of airflow. Keep boxes, storage bins and other items at least 2 feet away from the HVAC equipment. The outdoor compressor unit of a heat pump or air conditioner also needs to maintain airflow. Keep shrubs, grass, flowers and tree branches pruned to at least 2 feet away from the unit. Routinely clean the lint and dirt away from the air intake and outgoing air vents in each room. Arrange for professional air duct cleaning every three to five years.

Listen for Unusual Sounds

HVAC systems make certain sounds when they turn on, perform a cycle and turn off. Listen to the sounds the system makes during its typical operations. For example, the air conditioner might click on, followed by whooshing sounds from the air blower and humming of the fan on the outdoor unit. You may hear another whoosh as the refrigerant completes its cycle and a click when the cycle ends. When you recognize the usual sounds, you will know when the unit makes an atypical sound. If you hear a funny sound from the HVAC unit, call for a repair. Fixing it early could avoid an emergency later.

Keep Up With HVAC Maintenance

HVAC systems need regular maintenance performed by a professional technician. These maintenance visits include an inspection of the entire system. The techs also clean the fan, motor and electronics. Techs change air filters and conduct a system performance test. Routine maintenance also ensures that the system operates efficiently. Schedule service for the heating season and the cooling season.

Avoid Fiddling With the Thermostat

Fiddling with the thermostat stresses the HVAC system. It has to work harder when you make a lot of temperature adjustments. Find a comfortable temperature and leave it. Consider a programmable thermostat. You can input a schedule for morning, daytime, evening and overnight for 24/7 comfort. Keep lamps, TVs and other heat-generating electronics away from the thermostat. They could make the thermostat cycle the air conditioner when it is not necessary.

Check Your Electrical System

Furnaces, heat pumps and air conditioners use electricity. A tripped circuit breaker or turned-off burner switch could make the HVAC unit stop working. The burner switch is typically located on the outside of the furnace. It cuts power to the unit without the need to access the circuit breaker.

Regularly cleaning and maintaining your HVAC system can prevent many emergency situations and the need for urgent repairs. Sometimes, a simple check of the power switch or circuit breaker solves your problem. Scheduling a routine semi-annual service visit could also reduce the risk of an emergency HVAC repair. These tips will save you money, keep your family comfortable and keep them safe during the frigid winter months and steamy summertime heat. For emergency HVAC service in Northern Colorado, visit swanhomecomfort.com.




4 Things You May Not Know About Life Insurance

August 21, 2018 by

Life insurance may not be the first on your mind to discuss in today’s society, but it’s an integral part of life and taking care of your loved ones after you’re gone. If you don’t have life insurance and you’re on the fence about enrolling in a program, check out a few things you probably don’t know about life insurance to help you decide and pick the perfect policy that fits your specific needs

There are Different Types

Most employers offer some form of life insurance as long as you remain at that company, but there is also term life insurance and permanent life insurance. Term life insurance offers lower premiums because it only covers a specific period, usually 20 years. Permanent life insurance often has higher premiums, but this type of insurance lasts for as long as you continue to pay your premiums. One type of whole life insurance is burial insurance, which offers a death benefit between $5,000 and $25,000 for covering the cost of your funeral and other funerary services. Premiums for burial insurance are handled at the weekly or monthly level and will provide more or fewer benefits based on the insured person’s age at the time of death.

You’re Going to Need More Coverage

Most people think of life insurance as a way for your loved ones to pay for your funerary services, casket, and other death expenses, but it’s designed to help your loved ones take care of themselves after you’re gone. This support is especially needed if you’re part of a single-income household where you’re the breadwinner, as it could leave your family members in a tough spot after your death if they only have enough to cover what your funeral costs. When planning how much life insurance you need, you should consider how much your final expenses will cost, any outstanding debts you may have, the cost of your outstanding mortgage, and how many children will need college funding. Calculating all of these costs will help your family be more secure after their loss.

Life Insurance is Usually Tax-Free

One of the reasons for families not taking out enough life insurance is that they don’t want to burden their family with a massive tax bill after their death. Most life insurance policies are tax-free and are paid out quickly. In contrast, some of the ways people have started raising funds for those without life insurance is by using crowdfunding services like GoFundMe. These services are not tax-exempt, and the onus of paying taxes on any generated income through this method lies on the bereaved. By setting up a life insurance plan and paying your premiums each month, you’re contributing to a tax-free fund that will make sure you’re taken care of after you’re gone and that your family is set for any financial troubles they may face due to the loss.

Be Sure to Read the Fine Print

While the term life insurance sounds cut and dry, there are plenty of riders that change the nature of how this insurance is distributed. Some policy creators offer riders for accidental death, accelerated death, disability income, and more. Check with your chosen policyholder to see which riders are available for your life insurance plan and how you can benefit from them.




36 Things People With Anxiety Want Their Friends To Know

August 20, 2018 by

anxietyOccasional anxiety is a normal thing when you are faced with a problem, taking a test or any other activity. But when this anxiety is not limited to short span of time but instead it remains longer than expected it may be a sign of anxiety disorder. For a person with anxiety disorder, the problem anxiety instead of fading away with time may get worse day by day. This can hamper the daily routine and also interfere with your daily activities, job performance, school work or any other task. Such people may find it difficult to maintain relationships but its not like they are not concerned about their relations but it’s the anxiety that interferes in between.
Thus there is a need to understand such people and offer a helping hand to such people. These people with anxiety also want people to understand them and thus here are the list of 36 things people with anxiety wants their friends to know-
1. You need to understand that when I am unable to do something I am the one who is disappointed the most with the failure. So understand me instead of taking it the other way.
2. Even if everything is going right, I might be waiting and constantly thinking about something terrible to happen. I am very pessimistic about this and thinking continuously in this regard.
3. When I seem quiet, I am not bored or sad. A lot of things have already occupied my mind and I am constantly thinking about something or the other thing. My mind is never stable since I continuously think over things.
4. I am not being anti social or rude, its just I need my alone time to think over. Its not personal. Please give me my space but don’t forget me.
5. I might behave differently, all I expect from you is to understand my situation and don’t over react about it so that the situation may not worsen.
6. When I ask for my alone time or refuse to go out with you or decline your invitations you need to understand me instead of giving up on me as I too can’t help myself out of such situations.
7. I have no idea about when and where its going to hit me. So instead of that awkward reaction and being judgmental, I need you to support me by being at my side and proving me that you are my true friend.
8. When I behave differently than what you expected out of me don’t judge me because that is not even in my control and I can’t help it.
9. I don’t need you to do everything for me, but even your small efforts are appreciated and we may feel more comfortable with you and trust you more with our situation.
10. I too know that I have a problem so instead of trying to fix it in me please love me the way I am so that I can too feel happy about myself.
11. If I have refused to go out with your or refused to join any of your plans don’t start to ignore me, instead understand my situation and help me out.
12. I need you to reach out to me when I am suffering through it and don’t give up on me if I choose to isolate myself.
13. It feels good to have someone who loves you and even trusts you even after knowing that you are suffering from a problem. So its beneficial for us to know that you love us and trust us.
14. Its different for you and me, because the things which are normal to you might be stressful for me.
15. We wish to suffer silently because its hard to admit that we are upset over nothing.
16. Its normal as far as we anticipate the things like when and where its about to hit us. So be there for us when we need you.
17. Having anxiety is not always apparent thing but our subtle behaviors that we act on it most of the times.
18. Just because we are struggling doesn’t mean we are not trying to solve the problem we are facing. We might be composed at some moments and at the other moments we might be panicking.
19. If you have no idea about what to do when you are caught up in such a situation with us, just be there and listen to us. That will work out.
20. Don’t pass judgement on the people who are different than you, otherwise we may also experience some trust issues with you because we will think that you will behave with us in the same manner.
21. If your uncomfortable with us or don’t want to be a part of our lives, then let us know about the same.
22. There are some things which we can’t ignore or process away because its not easy to heal or solve every issue.
23. We may not be normal for every situation. Some times we may act awkwardly or differently. All we need from you is to understand us.
24. We just want to thank you for all the efforts you put in to help us and cope up with the difficult situations we are facing.
25. What may be irrational to you might be real for us, because we might be different from you in different aspects.
26. When I refuse to any of your invites, just don’t think that I am blowing you off. Its that sometimes I can’t accompany you just because I need to be alone and don’t want to face people.
27. When I behave differently, be patient with me instead of acting awkwardly with me because I need you to be more patient as even I am not able to control what I am feeling.
28. Sometimes when I am awkward, I even don’t have the idea why I am feeling so. I am not even aware of the reason why I am disappointed or sad over any thing.
29. It’s very difficult to live like this as it feels like drowning all the time. Its suffocating to live that way.
30. I am sorry about all the plans you had to cancel because of me but even its not in my control because sometimes I am not in a comforting situation to face the people.
31. Anxiety doesn’t have a look. Sometimes you may not even know we are suffering from it until and unless we tell you about it.
32. My mind is not at peace every time; instead I constantly analyze things and think about them.
33. When I ask for my alone time, or refuse to join your plans don’t take it as attitude. It’s just I can’t face people while I am being anxious.
34. If I refuse to do something, don’t try to convince me as it would only make the situation worse instead of solving it.
35. If I refuse to meet someone or I am not receiving your calls or anything like that, it doesn’t mean that I am antisocial. It’s the anxious problem I am facing which is making me do so.
36. I am afraid to admit my problem as I don’t want to admit that I am heaping mess of problems and when I cancel plans it has nothing to do with you.
Hence there is a need to understand such people and tackle them effectively so as to make them feel comfortable and good.




Pay Zero Sales Tax When You Buy Silver Coins

August 17, 2018 by

Bullion silver coins are more than the every man’s precious metal investment. Every portfolio should have both gold and silver coins or bars. The smaller your investment, the higher percentage you should hold in silver. But even the largest portfolios with over hundreds of thousands of dollars invested in precious metals should have a mix of gold and silver bullion, despite the challenge of storing that much silver. Silver has a higher growth potential than gold and it’s easily obtainable.

Silver coin

The single most important thing you need to know about buying silver as an investment is this: pay the lowest possible price. There are a number factors that go into the price you wind up paying for silver coins.

#1 The Spot Price of Silver

The spot price is also the current price of silver today as it’s being traded. You can check spot silver prices on any chart with most gold and silver dealers online to find the most up-to-date information. Always check silver spot prices before you buy.

#2 Premiums

Premiums are the price over spot that you pay for gold and silver coins. It costs money to produce precious metal products and for dealers to sell it to retail customers and investors. You can usually reduce this cost by going online with dealers like Silver Gold Bull in Canada.

#3 Sales Tax

When you buy silver coins, many jurisdictions charge a sales tax on top of the spot price and premiums. If you pay zero sales tax on silver, you’re investing in silver coins the right way.

Tax

In Europe, sales tax is called VAT, and European countries have some of the highest sales taxes on silver coins. In some countries, gold bullion is exempt but silver coins are not. Switzerland has one of the lowest VATs at only 8%, while that number goes up to 19% in Germany (still one of the lowest in the EU). In the UK and Austria, the VAT is 20%, while Finland is at the top with 24%.

However, if you want to buy silver coins in Europe without any VAT at all, Norway and Estonia are your only options.

If you live in Canada, you’re in luck. Pure bullion gold and silver coins are exempt from HST. Most other goods and services in Canada are taxed 5% federally plus a provincial tax rate. Other types of silver coins, such as collectibles that aren’t .999 pure silver will have HST applied. Gold and silver dealers like Silver Gold Bull will either add the HST to your checkout or let you handle the taxes yourself.

In the United States, sales tax gets complicated and often it depends on how much you’re buying. In about half of all states, there are no sales taxes on bullion silver coins, while in several states, silver coins are exempt on purchases of over $1,000 or $1,500, such as New York, California, Massachusetts, and Maryland.

Wherever you can save on the cost of buying silver coins, you’re improving your bottom line.




Health And Wellness Tips For Expecting Moms

August 16, 2018 by

Every expecting mother hopes and prays that after nine months they will be delivering a healthy and strong baby. It’s vital to eat well, practice appropriate exercises, tend to one’s mental health, and practice self-care. There are a lot of considerations related to preparing your home for your baby, but it is of the utmost importance to make sure you and your baby are healthy and ready for the birth and everything that comes after.

Good health starts with good eating habits. It’s called an eating habit because consuming certain types of food becomes an effortless and regular part of your life once you’re used to it. Shifting eating patterns might take a little time, but you’ll find it’s easy to avoid craving junk and processed foods packed with sugar, salt, and preservatives once they’re out of your system. These foods are all addictive and you can break the habit. Gaining weight is a normal part of pregnancy and it’s important to not be too hard on yourself. However, giving into cravings every time isn’t wise, either. There’s always a healthier version of what you want that will satisfy. Be sure to eat lots of plant-based foods like veggies, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Definitely check which foods to avoid while pregnant!

Health and wellness

Expecting mothers need to stay active to maintain their health as well as baby’s. This will also aid with stress-reduction, mood-boosting, blood circulation, and quality of sleep. Swimming, prenatal yoga, and walking are wonderful activities that won’t put too much strain on you. Always check with a doctor before starting or changing any exercise regime. Jumping into something new after you have been sedentary for awhile has an increased risk of injury for everyone, regardless of a baby in the belly.

Seek advice from your doctors, other medical practitioners, and certified herbalists regularly. Access experts in pregnancy who are up-to-date with their research and practices. When you purchase books, look at the credentials of the author and take their advice with a grain of salt. Ask friends and family about their anecdotal experiences with help for every day care and what they found worked and didn’t. If you don’t know any parents, a local baby and parenting trade show is an excellent place to meet and talk to other parents and expecting mothers about their stories and fears. To learn about The Baby Show which is a biannual trade show with top brands, handcrafted and artisanal products, and seminars with top industry experts, follow that link. A trade show has everything that you need to prepare for baby and pick up some health and wellness tips for yourself. Check out classes that are offered at your community centre or local college, as well.

Keep a close eye on any changes in your health, contact your doctor, or call an ambulance if you suspect anything might be wrong. Sudden swelling of joints, difficulties breathing, leaking of fluid, bleeding, constant and unrelenting nausea, and vomiting are some signs that something could be wrong. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Call a cab or get a friend to drive you to a hospital if you’re suffering. It is likely unsafe to get behind the wheel.

Expecting a child is an exciting and stressful time all at once. Make sure to take care of yourself with healthy eating, exercise, and by seeking advice and learning opportunities in your community.




How Do I check if My New Air Conditioner is Correctly Installed?

August 8, 2018 by

AC installation

Having a correctly installed air conditioning unit in your house, not only provides your family a comfy, dry and cool atmosphere, but it also safeguards your furniture and house fittings. Humidity and heat can cause severe damage to wooden furniture, structural supports, and even your floor panels. In the long run not having an air conditioner or having it a poorly installed can be expensive.

Ensuring you have a properly installed air conditioner will guarantee your house efficient heat load at affordable costs. Due to the complex and intricate nature of installing it, it is advisable not to trust any regular person to install your AC unit, it might be cheap, but you are likely to incur hefty safety and maintenance costs

Proper HVAC installation is crucial since it will guarantee your AC unit maximum efficiency and also a longer lifespan. If you want to enjoy low energy bills and prevent unnecessary maintenance costs, this article will guide you on air conditioners and how to ensure your AC unit is installed correctly.

What to Expect during Installation Day?

To ensure proper installation of your air conditioning unit, there are steps every skilled HVAC technician must follow. These steps may vary, but you should expect a similar process to what we have listed below. It is also advisable to follow up and query your contractor for more clarification during the installation process.

Step 1:  If there is an existing air conditioner the HVAC technician will take it apart or remove it.

Step 2: The HVAC technician will proceed to install new duct systems inside the house

Step 3: The HVAC technician will then prepare the outdoor installation site. This involves putting up a concrete foundation designed to support the air conditioner.

Step 4:  After positioning your outdoor unit correctly, the technician will ensure it is securely installed.

Step 5: Both the indoor and outdoor units will be joined. The HVAC technician will ensure that the refrigerant pipes, drain piping, and electrical lines are correctly fixed.

Step 7: The central air conditioner will be connected to the thermostat.

Step 8: Before running the AC unit for the first time, the HVAC technician will vacuum the unit to ensure the refrigerant pipes are free from any contaminants, he/she will then proceed to add refrigerant in the air conditioner.

Step 9: After all the above steps are followed the AC unit is ready and is now operational.

Step 10: After confirming the air conditioner is operational, the HVAC technician will inspect the unit to ensure the installation was done appropriately and the system is functioning efficiently.

Important Air Conditioner parts and their Functions

Knowing some of the essential components of an air conditioning unit can be helpful when handling minor repairs and occasional maintenance. Knowing the various parts of your air conditioning system not only helps you understand how to repair and maintain your AC but also helps while dealing with your local HVAC technician

The Compressor

The compressor is the most crucial component of the AC and plays a huge role in the overall cooling process. Its function is to convert refrigerant gas into a liquid state to assist in the cooing process.

The Condenser

The condenser is the 2nd most important component in your AC unit. The work of the air condenser is to condense evaporated refrigerant into a liquid state facilitating heat transfer.

The Evaporator

The evaporator is vital during the last step of the cooling process.  The work of the evaporator is to release pressure from the liquid refrigerant allowing its conversion into gas.

Expansion Valve

The expansion valve controls the amount of liquid refrigerant entering the evaporator.

Filters

Air conditioners usually have inbuilt filters to filter out unnoticeable dust particles in the air. Filters ensure that your family breaths in pure and clean air.

The Thermostat

The thermostat is a remote-controlled device used to control the air conditioner. It can program the AC to set the exact temperature you prefer and it also shows the level of air temperature of your room.

The Muffler

The compressor usually produces very annoying sounds, and it is the muffler’s job to control and quieten this sound.

How to know that your AC unit has been installed incorrectly

Weird Noises: Hearing awkward and strange noises from your AC after installation, is a strong indicator of poor installation

Slow Response: If your AC responds slowly after setting the thermostat, it is highly likely that the HVAC technician used too much or too little refrigerant into your unit.

Uneven Airflow:  If you experience uneven heating or cooling in different parts of the house, it means that there are holes and cracks in your duct.

Maintaining Your Air Conditioning Unit

Observing proper maintenance is important, especially if you want your AC unit to have a longer lifespan. However, it is important not to try any repairing work on your own; it is advisable to leave technical and mechanical issues in the hands of a professional.

Conclusion

Installing a new central air conditioning system must be done by a licensed professional HVAC technician. It can be extremely dangerous and risky installing a new AC unit without proper training and knowledge. Buying a new air conditioner is a substantial investment, and improper installation could cause significant damages to the device, it also leads to poor efficiency and increased costs. Therefore, it is better to seek the professional services; this will guarantee you valuable guidance concerning AC installation and maintenance.




Some Relaxing Hobbies toTry: Sports, Puzzles, and Crafts

August 4, 2018 by

Feeling extremely stressed lately? You might be feeling the pressure of trying to be the perfect parent or trying to have that perfect work-life balance. Perhaps a relaxing hobby would be the perfect solution to ease your stress and anxiety. Clinical neuroscientist Catherine Carey Levisay (and wife of Craftsy.com CEO John Levisay) says that creating anything – like art, music, quilting, and drawing is actually beneficial to us.

1. Shooting hoops, going to the driving range, or swimming laps

Feeling anxious, dads? Practicing any sport can act as a mindless, repetitive task to calm you. Sports stimulate the body’s production of endorphins, which are commonly labed “the happy hormone.” And, not only does sports increase self-esteem and refocuses you for something like work tasks, practicing sports can relieve that mental stress by helping you sleep better.

2. Doing crossword puzzles

Crosswords

This is a classic hobby which, according to neuroscientists, have been found to relax and relieve stress. If you’re the type of person who likes figuring things out in words, this might be perfect for you. This doesn’t necessarily have to be The New York Times. You can buy a Jumbo Crossword Puzzles book of your own or Dell Crossword Puzzles which are surprisingly easy.

3. Getting into crochet, amigurumi, or knitting

keychain

When you start crocheting, hours will pass you by. You’ll get completely immersed in the activity that nothing else seems to matter. Once you get the hang of it, you can create anything from doilies, scarves, and beanies! Check out some YouTube tutorials to see if this would be right for you. Then, look for stores (whether physical or on the web) which sell crochet needles and yarn of your choice. If you’ve done this before, consider amigurumi (to create toys) or even knitting!

4. Studying watercolor painting and calligraphy

Water painting

Surprisingly, a number of people have taken up painting landscapes to de-stress. You don’t really need to paint landscapes, though. You can start with basic watercolor painting and even combine it with calligraphy. Check out a couple of examples on Pinterest to see if this floats your boat. You may find that being creative may help you feel better instantly. You can even find a number of workshops for beginners, and an instant community for your questions (like paper thickness, brushes, brush pens, and techniques).

5. Diamond painting

Diamond painting

Want to try something new? Diamond painting is incredibly simple yet produces the most aesthetically pleasing results. And you won’t really need to study complicated YouTube tutorials. You might want to check out YouTube and Pinterest again to see how the end result looks. Here’s a beginner video you can check out
You can simply buy a diamond painting kit with a design of your choice (and something that comes in a size that you can manage). Like other crafts, you’ll be entirely absorbed by this. Plus, you can even regulate negative emotions with this craft that you can even do with your kids.




When to Hire a Traffic Ticket Lawyer

July 26, 2018 by

Personal injury lawyer

One traffic stop might seem insignificant until you consider all the consequences. It’s not just the fine you pay for violating the law for speeding or running a red light, but the increase in insurance, points on your license, a license suspension and possible court costs. When should you hire a traffic ticket attorney in Sacramento?

What to Consider Before Fighting a Traffic Ticket

Traffic ticket attorneys specialize in moving violations. Your lawyer will work to reduce the penalties or to even dismiss the ticket altogether. This could mean getting points dismissed or eliminating the fines. If you have points on your driving record already, this could help you avoid a license suspension.

If you’re very young or very old, it can extremely worthwhile to fight a traffic ticket because just one ticket can cause a significant increase to your insurance premiums. No matter what your age group, you should take into account how a traffic ticket will affect your insurance rate and for how long.

People who receive a second traffic ticket should be concerned about insurance premiums. A second ticket on your record could increase your rates up to 20 percent or more for three to five years. That’s a significant expense.

When your livelihood depends on driving, it can be worthwhile to hire a traffic ticket attorney to fight the ticket. A traffic ticket could jeopardize your career if you have a commercial’s driver license or do a lot of driving for your job.

Hiring a Traffic Ticket Lawyer

When you need an attorney for driving with a suspended license or a red-light lawyer, get a local lawyer who knows the rules in your area. Make sure your attorney has experience in fighting traffic tickets in court and always get their success rate. The Ticket Clinic has an 80 percent success rate, 30 years of experience in the business and local offices. Contact us for a free consultation.




Cutting Ties – How to Make a Clean Break With Your Old Home

July 20, 2018 by

Home setup

Moving house? Yikes, that’s big news! Did you that moving house is up there next to losing a job, starting a new job, or even losing a loved one in terms of stress? There’s so much to do and plan, the very least of which is packing up your whole life, putting it in a truck and driving across town to a brand new house. It can seem a bit overwhelming at first, which is why we’ve taken the time to write this helpful blog. So, read on to learn how to cut ties and make a clean break with your old home.

Book Your Removalists Early On

We can’t stress this enough. There is nothing that could be worse than trying to book removalists a few weeks prior to your move only to find that there’s no one available and you’re left with the choice of hiring a truck and calling in favours to friends and family or relying on some dodgy bloke named Gary who’s got a van and a Gumtree advertisement.

As soon as you know you’re moving, as soon as the contract is signed, or the lease is finalised, book your Sydney removalists. As soon as you’ve done that, start saving. Moving a whole house worth of furniture and belongings can cost up to $2000, so you want some money in the bank or some limit on your credit card when the big day comes.

A Word About Utilities

You’re going to want to arrange for the disconnection at your old place and the connection at your new place early on in the piece too. Make a list. Water, gas, power, internet, phone and anything else that you can think of. Most companies can arrange the disconnection and connection in the same call.

While you’re at it, it may be time to shop around for a new deal. Utilities are one area of your life where loyalty definitely doesn’t pay so compare the market and you may save hundreds a year.

Finally, it’s worth making the new connection date a day or two before you officially move in. This is to allow time for any error on the companies past. You don’t want to move into a place with no power, gas, or, god forbid, WiFi.

Cutting Ties

Moving out of a place where you’ve lived for years can be emotional, especially if you’ve raised kids or built strong memories there. You may find yourself tearing up or getting angry for no good reason. It’s perfectly normal, so don’t stress. It may be worth reminding yourself that you’re embarking on a new chapter of your life in a brand new location and that you’ll soon have the opportunity to build some brand new memories to keep for the rest of your life.

It may be worth holding a goodbye ritual. This could be as simple as a house-cooling party with all your friends and loved ones or as complicated as writing a farewell letter to your old home and burning or burying it. Ritualising the goodbye can help you to sever ties.

To Conclude

There you have it. Remember to book your removalists early on to avoid stress closer to the move and begin saving for the cost of moving. Disconnect and arrange connections of your utilities and shop around for a better deal. Make sure that you properly cut ties with your old pace as well. This could take the form of a house-cooling or a goodbye ritual. And get ready for the next big stage as you move on to bigger and better things.




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