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3 Things You Should Know About Rent-to-own Homes

Sometimes, even if you tried as hard as you could, things don’t go as planned. It’s called life. So, there might come a time when you’re in need of certain things and can’t get to them.  This is life too. Low credit score, credit debt, and similar issues could prove to be an obstacle for you to get a mortgage loan for a house. Having a home to come to is a dream for many, and you don’t want to have anything on your way to attaining it.  It is a part of the American Dream that people dream too all over the globe. So, what to do when you’re in a pinch, and the situation doesn’t look too bright? Don’t worry; there is a solution. You can always make a rent-to-own agreement. This contract allows you to start living in the house straight away, on rent, with an option to buy in the future. If this is not an option you haven’t considered before, now might be the right time.

Of course, this sounds like a fantastic opportunity, and for the most part of it, it is. But, this doesn’t mean you don’t have to be careful. It means you need to be extra cautious. not everything that shines is gold. Laws and legislation differ in many states, and sometimes you won’t be too protected when you enter this program. There were cases when people lost everything they invested once they were unable to continue with payments. There are many things you need to research before you decide this is your course. We are here to give you the directions in which to focus to get the best possible idea of what you should learn. Let’s take a look at x things you should know about rent-to-own homes.

1. The Relation Between Monthly Rent And Selling Price

Source: Sean Cooper

If you sign this agreement with the house owner, your monthly rate will probably be a bit higher than what the market dictates. This happens for a reason. As you pay additional cash, the eventual price of the home is going to be lower. The final price needs to be known and set for both parties involved.

This contract usually states that the property can change hands in the period, which is at first set between one and five years. The option remains on you to make a bid or not. The price is what remains from the arranged one when you deduct what you paid over in monthly rent. What you need to know is, while this remains a practice for many people who deal with rent-to-own, not all owners deal with this the same way. There are those who do not accept any money in advance, and there’s no deduction to the initial price.

While buying the house is the final goal, you might be better sticking with the latter option as you won’t waste any money in case you never get enough funds or a mortgage loan to finance your own house. This way, you’ll be paying only rent for the place you live in, and if you buy it, you buy it, but if not, there’s no money lost. Whatever you do, you always need to have on paper the final price of the home and the cost of the rent. Many people entered this program without a chance of attaining a mortgage, and they ended up losing all money they invested in advance over the cost of the rent. This is why it’s vital to research as much as you can about this process. We advise you to learn more on the subject. Trust us, educating yourself on topics like these can only reap benefits for you.

2. The Timeline

Source: forbes

With this contract, it all starts when both the owner and the tenant sign a contract that clearly states how much is the rent and how much is the final price of the property. Of course, the choice of the house comes into question after the agreed period of renting ends. It would be best if you also had in writing how long is the period of renting. This is quite vital as after this period, in most cases, you are obligated to buy the house, or you lose the right to do so. Furthermore, in addition to how much is your rent going to cost, you’ll want to know how much is going to the cost of the house, thus lowering the final price of the property.

You should never go into this process if you don’t know these facts. It is essential to be aware of your possibilities and financial prowess if you want a closure that suits you. In the end, you’ll want to make the final buying price the lowest you can.

3. Where Does The Extra Money Goes When You Fail to Buy?

Source: AdobeStock

Brace yourself; the bad news is incoming. Unfortunately, in most cases, nothing good happens with this money, at least from the tenants’ point of view. Rent-to-own is a limited period, and in most cases, when it ends, and you don’t buy the house. All of the extra money you invested in purchasing the property goes to waste. As we said, the owners will make sure that the contract clearly states that if there’s no buyout, the money tenants overpaid will be lost for them. Passing on the purchase of a home, regardless of the reasons involved, is never favoring the tenant.

This is what makes renting to own a tricky venture. After years of living in the house and making a payment towards buying, it could turn out that you’re the one who doesn’t want to buy. The neighborhood can change, or you want to move because of a new job, and you’ll want to leave the place. Either way, the money is staying with the owner. Nobody has money to throw it away, and because of this, you need to watch out for this type of agreement.

6 Ingredients Your Multivitamin Should Have

In recent times, obsession with supplements has reached new heights amongst society. At the top of that popular list are multivitamins. Several reviews have shown that chronic diseases can be commonly linked to vitamin deficiencies and that taking supplements may help this. A complete, balanced diet may not even be enough in terms of giving you the nutrients you need, and when you need them. That’s where multivitamins come into the picture.

Taking daily multivitamins can help in providing a good, solid foundation for your health and wellbeing. They can also aid when you’re experiencing stress, poor sleeping patterns, or not exercising regularly. Even if a healthy and balanced diet is being maintained, these issues can make it difficult for your body to absorb the appropriate nutrients it needs.

There are so many vitamins and mineral combinations out there in today’s market that it can be tricky to know exactly what to look for when shopping for multivitamins. There are specific multivitamins for women and for men which can be found on this website, as well as certain ingredients to suit your specific needs. There are the basic ingredients in multivitamins that you should be keeping an eye out for when doing your weekly vitamin shop. Here are some of the key ingredients your multivitamin should have, no matter what brand you choose to go for.

1. Vitamin D

Source: Irish Cancer Society

Vitamin D aids our bodies to effectively absorb calcium, which is vital for healthy bones. Not receiving enough Vitamin D can lead to a number of issues such as; increasing the chances of bone and back pain, increasing the likelihood of getting sick, and increasing bone and hair loss. Technically, we should be able to get a sufficient daily amount of Vitamin D from 15 minutes of sunlight every day. However, this may not be possible in certain countries that experience very little sunny weather, especially in the winter seasons. Vitamin D is also difficult to retrieve from food, which is why it is a recommended ingredient to look out for in multivitamins. Foods that do contain Vitamin D are; fatty fish, egg yolks, and fortified foods such as milk, juice, and cereal.

2. Magnesium

Source: The Washington Post

Magnesium is an essential nutrient for our bodies to absorb, meaning we must get it from either food or supplements. Our bodies mainly need magnesium food for good bone health and energy production. There are also several other benefits to the nutrient such as easing sleep problems, calming the nervous system, reducing stress, regulating muscle and nerve function, as well as balancing blood sugar levels. A lot of people are magnesium deficient as they are not consuming the right foods, not because they need supplements. Some foods to try before jumping into supplements are; spinach, pumpkin, soybeans, artichoke, beans, tofu, rice, and nuts. If your diet includes a lot of these foods then it may be worth rethinking supplements that constrain magnesium.

3. Calcium

Source: Hawaii Pacific Health

Calcium is another very important nutrient which regulates strong bones and teeth. It is particularly important for women as they start to lose bone density earlier than men. So getting enough calcium early on is the best nutritional defense against the loss. There are several foods that contain high levels of calcium such as; milk, cheese, yogurt, broccoli, kale, beans, lentils, salty fish, fortified cereals. If you are eating enough of these foods then it is likely you are getting enough calcium and don’t need supplements.

4. Zinc

Source: Holland & Barrett

Those who are older in age or who exercise a lot of stress tend to have lower levels of zinc in their bodies. So generally speaking, the majority of people have low levels of zinc! Using it in the form of Coldeeze supplements, the main purpose is to support the immune system and help our bodies use protein, carbohydrates, and fat for energy. It also helps a lot in wound healing. The main foods that contain a high level of zinc are; organ meats, spinach, oysters, pumpkin seeds, brown rice, tahini, and sardines. Traditional diets don’t include foods that are rich in zinc, and the body isn’t good at storing it for too long, which is why it is a highly recommended ingredient when investing in multivitamins.

5. Iron

Source: HealthXchange.sg

The amount of iron needed varies significantly from individual to individual. One thing is for sure, is that it should be an ingredient in your multivitamin as it has numerous benefits, such as; better brain functioning, increased amount of energy, and healthier red blood cells. Those who eat big amounts of red meat tend to get enough iron, however, there are certain circumstances like; going through puberty, having a menstrual cycle, or being pregnant that may increase your need for more iron. This is down to iron being essential during times of rapid development and growth. Vegans and vegetarians, in particular, may want to ensure that their multivitamin contains iron, especially if they’re not supplementing meat with other iron-rich foods.

6. Folate

Source: Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York

Folate (otherwise known as folic acid) is most needed for aiding fetus development and preventing birth defects. It is also a great nutrient for increasing growth in nails, fighting depression, or combating inflammation. The foods that contain high levels of folate are; avocado, beans, citrus, and dark leafy greens. So it can be easily obtained from these common foods, but if an increased amount of folate is required, then it is a good idea to purchase multivitamins that have high levels of this ingredient.

If you are still unsure of what combination of ingredients you need most to most benefit your personal health, then it may be a good idea to seek professional advice from a doctor or nutritionist. Finding a balance between the appropriate nutrients is important when seeking the best multivitamins, and you may find that you need more of one particular nutrient than the other to aid your personal growth, development, and health. Multivitamins can be purchased in capsule form or chewable for those that struggle to swallow large pills whole. They can also be bought in various shapes and flavors to appeal to younger children and make taking daily supplements enjoyable and not so much of a chore.

6 Tips For Choosing a Reliable Family Law Solicitor

Life can be quite turbulent at times because not everything is perfect. It is normal for couples and families to have some internal issues that are troublesome to resolve. Sometimes, those issues are even more serious such as domestic abuse, infidelity, or something else. Resolving these types of issues is not easy. In fact, most of the time, when a certain relationship comes to this kind of level, it usually ends up with a divorce, splitting the estate, or something like that. If you want to properly and legally resolve this kind of issue, you will need a family law solicitor.

However, finding the right professional help, the right person for your situation is not as simple as you might think. There are so many different lawyers that specialize in different aspects of the law, it can be difficult to understand which one you actually need.

So, if you want a reliable and proper representation in court, I think you will need some help finding a family law solicitor. To help you with that, I am going to give you a few tips and tricks to ensure that you choose the right person for the job.

1. Know your budget

Source: Xconomy

Before you start asking your friends and searching through the Internet for a family law solicitor, I think it would be better to first figure out what your budget looks like. As you know well, hiring an expert on law, a lawyer is never cheap. They can cost you hundreds of dollars for just a few hours of help.

But, different attorneys have different fees and it is up to you to find the one that is within your budget. This is why it is so important to know your budget so you can stay within it. There is no need to waste an unnecessary amount of money on this kind of professional help.

2. Find a referral

Source: pexels.com

If you have no idea what to look for and where you should start looking, I think that it is best to find a referral. Ask your friends or close family members to give you a recommendation. I am sure that there is at least someone you know who has gone through a similar situation as you. If they had a good experience with the family law solicitor they used, it is probably a good idea to use that same lawyer.

Keep in mind, just because it is a recommendation from some of your friends does not mean that it is the perfect choice for you. A referral should be used only to make your research process a little bit easier. It is not concrete proof that the lawyer is good.

3. Google is your friend

Source: pexels.com

These days, thanks to the Internet, searching for anything is so much easier and simpler. We should especially be grateful to Google because it is the best search engine out there.

With just a quick search on Google, you can find all the family Law solicitor offers that are located locally. Of course, you do not have to settle for any local lawyers. If you want to take this seriously, I am sure there will be an attorney that will be ready to come to your city.

From one Google search, I assume that you will get hundreds of different results. That is a lot of options and you will need to reduce that list as much as you can.

To reduce that list, you should start opening the websites and see what kind of services they have to offer. If you notice any interesting benefits and advantages of a certain lawyer, bookmark that website. This will help you narrow down your search.

4. Read online reviews

Source: ProWritingAid

If you want honest and reliable opinions on some of the attorneys that you are looking at, you should definitely start reading through online reviews. These days, even Google has a rating and review system. So, if you want to see what people think about a certain family Law solicitor, you can just hop on to Google and see what the reviews have to say about them.

When reading through the reviews, I suggest looking for comments that refer to the experience of the lawyer and the outcomes of the cases. Naturally, you should be looking at a very experienced attorney that has a good success rate with most of his clients as suggested by axis.lawyer.

5. Face-to-face meeting

Source: pexels.com

One of the best ways you can analyze a person is by meeting them face-to-face. You cannot read the vibe of a person through a telephone call. This is why a lot of businessmen avoid making their deals through the phone.

I recommend calling all the lawyers that ended up on your list and arranging a face-to-face meeting. I am sure that most of them will be more than willing to meet you in person. If any of them do not have the time to meet you, I suggest scratching them off the list.

Once you sit down for a cup of coffee and talk face-to-face about your case, I think you will be able to make some conclusions about the lawyer. After a few meetings with different family law solicitors, I believe that you will be able to make a decision.

6. Visit the solicitor’s office

Source: Medium

To find out how a family Law solicitor handles their cases and how they operate, you will need to visit their office. This is why I recommend finding someone that is local. Otherwise, you will not be able to visit the office.

Once you are there, you can get a good insight into how the attorney or the agency operates. If you notice that there are any red flags from their office, it is probably a sign that you should not hire this exact person.

I hope that these tips I provided in this article will be more than useful for your search for a reliable family law solicitor. Just make sure that you apply all of these tips or tricks into your research process for the best efficiency.

5 Tips For Finding The Best Seltzer Flavors

For whatever reason, in the last few years, the popularity of hard seltzer has skyrocketed. From brilliant, primetime commercials to memes – it seems like seltzers have made a way into every aspect of our lives. With that much media coverage, it’s hard to resist the temptation to explore and try out some new flavor or even try them for the first time. Even if you have tried a few of them back in the day and decided you didn’t like them, with so many new products and flavours on the market right now, it might be a good time to give this refreshing drink one more chance.

As we’ve mentioned, over the last few years, these drinks have tremendously risen in popularity. That has led to many different flavors flooding the market and enthusiasts have had to find a way to keep track with all of them. There have been many reviews on the individual flavors over the years, but simply listing the products and reviewing them is not enough. We’ve decided to do things a little bit differently.

What we have brewing for you here today is an article that will divide seltzers into categories, show you what you should focus on and, of course, give you a few tips on how to find the perfect one just for you.

Source: Palm Beach Illustrated

What is hard seltzer?

First of all, we have to understand what this drink is if we’re going to get into details. Also, we should think about those of us who are still new to this and may not know at all what seltzers are. With all that being said, this is not an easy question to answer. There is no clear definition for this product. In general, hard seltzers are sparking, mildly flavored drinks with low alcohol content, sort of like the beer. However, there are a lot of different ways to achieve that, as you’ll see later on.

Most of the pioneers in the business create ‘flavored malt beverages’, which basically sounds like a beer with a fruity aroma. What this means is that these beverages are being made by brewing malt or fermenting can sugar. That’s what makes them alcoholic. After that, the natural flavorings are added to the mix, after which the drink is carbonated and canned.

As we’ve previously mentioned, there are few different kinds of seltzers, which basically means they’re made in ways other than the previously mentioned one. Some of the brands now include different alcohol base, for instance, they’ll use distilled spirit, wine or fresh fruit for their base.

Finally, what unites them all is nutritional value. According to seltzernation.com, all of these drinks should contain less than 5% ABV, fewer than 150 calories and fewer than 10 grams of carbs per 12 ounces.

Now that we’ve learned what a seltzer is, let us dive in a little bit deeper and try and find out how we can find the perfect flavored ones.

1. Start With The Big Brands

Source: CNN.com

Starting with the basics is the best way to find the best match. The market is obviously dominated by three major players – as you probably already know if you own a TV. White Claw, Truly Hard Seltzer and Bud Light Seltzer are everywhere and they should be your first stop.

On paper, all of them are the same – 5% ABV, 100 calories, 2 grams of carbs. Flavors? Cherry, lemon, lime, grapefruit and the rest of the usual fruity selection. Once you try them all out, you’ll notice that all of them taste virtually the same. You’ll only notice the subtle differences between tropical fruit and berry flavored ones.

2. Move On To Craft Brands

Source: Taste of Home

After you’ve done with the initiation into the world of sparkly, mildly flavored drinks, the next step would be to explore the realms of the craft seltzers. What you’ll notice right away is that the main difference is in the alcoholic base and how that’s achieved. The most famous, beer-based seltzers come from well-established breweries who have decided to branch out. By now, you should be able to notice a richer, fuller texture, compared to the ‘commercial’ brands.

If you’re looking for a more vibrant, fruity experience – you might want to try out some craft brands that use fresh fruit as ingredients. You’ll be able to tell these apart even visually as they’ll sport a light hue resembling the used fruit.

Now, all of this is great, but, how do you actually know which ones should you buy? Well, we have a few tips on that, too.

3. Read Reviews

Source: Wine Enthusiast Magazine

As we’ve mentioned in the beginning, there are many seltzer enthusiasts out there and some of them are renowned critics and reviewers of these beverages. Not only will this be very useful for beginners, but also for adventurers who would like to explore a little bit more, but don’t know where to start. These reviews will often paint such a beautiful picture, you’ll be certain to form a good impression of a drink, just based off of a review. However, try and stay with trusted and proven sources, as you’ll find the best information that way.

4. Try Them Out

Source: Wine Enthusiast Magazine

Finally, as you’ve probably could’ve guessed it, the best way to find the perfect flavor is to drink more seltzers. Start small and move your way up. Or, should we say, start big and move on to the smaller companies? Either way, the only way you’ll know what you enjoy the most is through experience. Every now and then, grab a new can, a new brand and flavor you haven’t tried before and see what happens. You might’ve thought you’re a lemon-lime man your whole life, but then you taste the cranberry and you forget about citrus aromas. You don’t know until you try.

5. Try These Out

Source: VinePair

We promised we’ll recommend a few of these and we intend on keeping our promise.

  • Lift Bridge St. Croix Berries
  • Canteen Spirits Watermelon
  • Vive Dragonfruit
  • Wild Basin Lemon Agave Hibiscus
  • H2Roads Raspberry

There’s only so much we can do to help you find your signature seltzer flavor. Hopefully, we’ve managed to point you in the right direction so you get there a little bit faster. Enjoy them and don’t forget to drink responsibly.

How to Choose the Right Ecommerce Fulfillment Provider

Source: medium.com

Choosing the right ecommerce fulfillment providers is crucial for your site’s success. As you pay attention to your customer’s experience on the front-end, you also need to pay attention to the back-end. Paying attention is also vital because it contributes to the success of your business, and it is where the ecommerce providers come in. Below is how to choose the right service for easy operation.

Operating an ecommerce retailing site comes with a lot of responsibilities. Some of them include spending long hours to make your customer’s shopping experience easier by checking the navigation features, online shopping cart, and the look of your site. You also get to check that those things that will make your customer’s shopping experience easier are in place to make this possible.

Doing this is a great way to leave a good impression on how your site’s visitors see you. However, your site’s back-end is also essential because it helps you accomplish this without problems.

Payments processing is the first step before the order will be filled and shipped to the customer exactly the way they want it and where they want it delivered.

Ecommerce fulfillment helps you accomplish this without issues. They can also help manage your shipping, packing, handling returns, inventory availability, and more!

Before choosing an ecommerce fulfillment service, you should consider the following.

Source: TRG Fulfillment Warehouse

Can It Scale?

A crucial factor to consider is to know if your ecommerce fulfillment service will handle the growth of your business. The physical warehouse should be large enough to accommodate the volume you may generate when your business grows. Ensure that the company has enough staff to accommodate your needs when your product goes viral.

Also, ensure that their technology can easily handle any extra inventory that may come up, say experts from fulfyld.com.

Some people do not put these factors into consideration and they end up losing lots of profit. They could also find it difficult to deliver during the boom period of their business. They fail to realize that their business can boom at any point in time, and not having the right ecommerce fulfillment service can be a stumbling block to the success of their business.

Flexibility and Pricing

When discussing ecommerce fulfillment services, discuss the pricing with them by asking how they bill their customers. Avoid large monthly or annual retainers regardless of how manageable they may appear.

You should only go for a flat-rate or a low pricing structure that wouldn’t increase as soon as your business grows.

Source: Swiss Mail Solutions

Pricing Simplicity

After finding a vendor that has a great price offer, you should watch for any hidden charges or additional fees that may be written in your contract. So, ensure you go through the contract for extra charges for packing slips, technology fees (for developers), or dunnage ( little parking charges for your good’s protection) fees.

Also, find out if you will get charges for every call you make to the help desk. These fees may appear little but can become a tangible amount as your business grows. So, you must know of these fees before choosing your vendor.

Storage Fees and Rules

Another thing to consider is the storage fees and the rules that come with keeping your goods. Look for merchants that wouldn’t charge you for not moving your inventory on time because of Amazon’s rules of wanting merchants to move their products out of its facility as soon as possible. Many merchants will charge you for not moving your products on time from their storage facility.

It would help if you find an ecommerce fulfillment service with a low storage rate and good rules on how long your goods can stay in the warehouse. With this, you can be sure of not paying an additional fee for a storage facility or throwing away your product. You will also be able to keep your products in one place without breaking the bank when your ecommerce fulfillment service charges low rates without time limits.

Source: APS Fulfillment, Inc

Software and Automation

A reputable and reliable ecommerce fulfillment service should help you get your products from your platform directly to your vendor without additional effort from you or your workers.

The software should also update the inventory and order statuses on your ecommerce website and your warehouse automatically.

This way, you can be sure that your website is functioning without any drawbacks. Even though this is an excellent feature to consider, your ecommerce fulfillment service may not offer this service.

Aside from this, your ecommerce fulfillment service should also offer a client’s portal to enable you to see your orders and know what’s happening to them. You need to know if your order has gotten to the warehouse. You should also get the right report on shipping costs and delivery times.

Many new ecommerce fulfillment companies with small warehouses do not have the right software to make things easy for their clients. To avoid being a victim, start by trying a demo account to enable you to see what the system can offer. With this, you will find out if it can work with your ecommerce platform.

Source: Nextsmartship

No Lock-In

Although you can cancel your contract at any time with reputable ecommerce fulfillment services, some vendors will lock you into a contract that doesn’t allow you to cancel at any time.

Not being able to cancel when you want can be detrimental to your business if the system doesn’t work well with your ecommerce platform.

Dependability and Experience

Another thing to check is the experience of the vendor you’ll be using and how dependable they are. You can carry out some online research to find out if they have good records in the industry. Most times, newer companies that offer cheaper prices may not have the needed experience to make your business succeed.

Some of these companies make serious mistakes that may cause you to lose lots of money, great customers, or even your business. So, settle for a very experienced and reliable vendor.

7 Presents that Make the Perfect Christmas Gifts – 2024 Guide

img source: hearstapps.com

The spirit of the holiday season lingers long after Christmas morning. Naturally, you want to get the best gift for the people you care about the most. If you haven’t had the chance to get a Christmas gift, there’s still time to prepare for next year or hunt for a Christmas-in-July present.

Whether it’s for your partner or parents, there are many unique ideas that would make memorable holiday gifts. Need inspiration? Here are seven of the most exciting and joyful presents you can buy for the holiday season:

1. Mahabis Curve

img source: milled.com

As for the most comfortable and festive gift, you can’t go wrong with Mahabis Curve slippers. The third-generation Curve slippers from Mahabis now have a durable and fixed neoprene sole. This ensures you have stability and traction, but aren’t sacrificing the most important part of slippers: comfort, and a casual aesthetic.

The slim design makes it even better than fluffy slippers. You can still go check the mail in this pair without getting odd looks from your neighbors. The brand even uses recycled materials to craft beautiful and ultra-comfortable footwear that will keep your loved ones comfy (and eco-friendly) all year long.

2. Apple Watch SE

img source: apple.com

This holiday season, why not choose a present that will encourage your loved one to form positive habits? Apple Watch SE series is more than just your average fitness smartwatch. In fact, the Apple Watch Se packs a solid punch when it comes to its bonus features and enhanced functions.

It can precisely monitor all your workout routines and daily habits, letting you know how many calories you burn, your heart rate, and even how well you did on each exercise. As a plus, it’s a cellular connection, so you can receive calls or texts whenever you’re on the go. This helps your loved one be healthier, but also more willing to look at the cat videos you pester them with. Win-win!

To top it off, the matching fitness app allows you to track your workout sessions from an iPhone or other device with ease. The upgraded heart rate monitor makes your health goals, workout routines, and day to day tracking more effective.

3. Google Nest Audio

img source: vox-cdn.com

Holidays can be stressful, but you can make the next season (or all the months that follow) much easier on your loved ones with a virtual assistant. The Google Nest Audio adapts to your playback audio and can distinguish between audiobooks, podcasts, and music. Of course, most people love to use Nest Audio as a hub to control home devices such as lighting and heating.

In particular, the cloth-covered Google Nest Audio can be a personal DJ or cycle through the best podcasts hands-free. It’s even more than 70% louder than your average home speaker.

4. Adidas NMD R1 Shoes

img source: pinterest.com

Want a more practical Christmas gift? Then go with a compact and stylish pair of shoes like the Adidas NMD R1. The color palette, recognizable flourishes, dark details, and aesthetic appeal will make your loved one feel empowered to strut their stuff or take off for a jog.

As a plus, the new and improved soles make it so that each step is more comfortable and supportive. Whether your loved one is going shopping, out with friends, or to the gym, this one-look-all type of shoe will make sure they can use the gift all year long.

5. UrbanStems

img source: urbanstems.com

If the person you have in mind loves a well-decorated home, flowers can make the home even lovelier. As a plus, UrbanStems deliver unique flower arrangements on order. That means even if you’re shopping online this holiday season, you don’t have to worry about a depersonalized gift.

Instead, customize it to exactly what your special someone will like best. Do you want certain colors, specific flowers, or to have it all arranged with a lovely meaning? The choices are all at your fingertips with this personal but expert touch.

6. Bearaby The Napper

img source: weightedjournal.com

For stressful times or better rest in general, a weighted blanket can be the ideal gift to help your loved one relax. Studies show that they have the same positive effects as deep pressure therapy.

The Napper’s weighted blanket is like an oversized sweater that offers extra comfort and style. That means you not only enjoy the pleasing weight on your chest as you nap. You can also perform tasks around the house, make dinner, or work from home without dragging around a clumsy blanket. You can even get it in different finishes, colors, and designs, so it’s like enjoying a hug 24/7.

7. The Criterion Channel

img source: pcmag.com

Netflix has its charm, but if you want to give your favorite film lover a whole new experience, you can get an annual $100 subscription to Criterion Channel. It opens up the doors to hundreds and thousands of world-recognized masterpieces. Rather than a one-time gift, you’ll give your loved one something to enjoy every day of the year.

The streaming speed is excellent, the film collection is routinely updated, and it can even be linked with multiple household accounts. This makes the price far more reasonable, so you can give your loved one’s entire home a present with a single buy.

Conclusion

The best part about Christmas gifts is brightening up more than one person’s day. To make sure all your loved ones get something they’ll enjoy, consider your budget. The best approach may include finding off-brand versions of these wonderful gifts, shopping at your loved ones’ favorite stores like Old Navy, or pairing the gifts with offer codes from Slickdeals to bring down the total at checkout. All these options give you a wider budget, so you can buy more of these awesome gift ideas for more of your loved ones.

How Does Luxury Natural Stone Compare Against Natural Wood Finishes? 

Wood and natural stone are building materials that have stood the test of time. Homeowners often find themselves stuck on, which is the best option between the two. Comparing wood and natural stone brings to light their strengths and weaknesses, which we will explore in this article.

Maintenance

Wood is more likely to stain and damage because of its structure. The same weakness can turn to be an advantage; a blemish, for example, could give wood a new look. Stone has several advantages when it comes to low maintenance and high tolerance damage. It is relatively unscathed, as the maintenance requirements are low. Saturnia Travertini is an e-commerce shop that stocks stones like quartz that do not stain or require screening.

Source: Bhandari Marble World

Lifespan

Natural stones handle burns from hot surfaces and impacts like an accidental drop of the knife better. Stone is a compact material that produces sound termed as noise when it comes to contact with other kitchen elements. Wood, on the other hand, absorbs and dampens sounds. Well-crafted work surfaces of stone and wood can last longer. If you want the materials to last even longer, you will have to invest more in the wooden work surface. A wooden surface change with age and, over time, becomes even more beautiful, forming a distinctive patina.

Source: The Marble Store

Properties

Wood is a porous material with a high-water uptake. This character makes wood a bad material for wet areas like bathrooms. Though most natural stones are brittle, except granite, water absorption is less compared to wooden surfaces.

Wood gets scratched easily and forms cracks because its resistance is low. Natural stones have hard surfaces that prevent scratches from forming to a certain degree. After some time, the wood starts forming patches, and even tiny oil spill can lead to stains. Natural stones require screening before using as a flooring material.

Wood can burn quickly, whereas stone is resistant to fire. The stone is suitable for any part of the house as it can withstand fire incidents. Natural stone flooring creates a less slippery surface, but wood can cause slip and injury. Wood planks undergo contraction in the winter and expand in the summer, hence higher wear and tear. There is no effect on natural stone floors from climate changes.

Since wood is natural, it gives a relatively natural appearance. It looks classy in homes of all sorts and has been deployed since ancient times. Natural stone patterns offer a contemporary look for any space.

Source: The Spruce

Installation

When it comes to natural stone flooring, you need a high level of expertise and equipment to install them. The stones are heavy, and the cutting method takes more time, making the installation process difficult.

The hardwood floor construction is a project which is as ambitious and can be attempted by experienced, skilled contractors or trained DIYers. The process is simple and takes a short time. The floor on which the new floor will be mounted determines which hardwood floor system you use.

Source: Pinterest

Application

The use of both natural stones and wood in spaces can be similar and sometimes differ. Natural stones have several advantages in their space, including;

  • Wall Cladding: various natural stone styles are used in the cladding of residential and commercial exterior and interior walls. These stones can embellish and bring glamour to any surface of the wall. You can use different tiles like granite, sandstone, or slate for wall cladding. The tiles for wall cladding are durable, lightweight, anti-corrosive and cracking, peeling resistant. They serve as an ideal decorative choice and offer everywhere excellent function and esthetics.
  • Poolside: The pool serves as a retreat spot to relax. Building the pool and the surrounding deck area with natural stones offers incredible benefits. Stones are stunning, with a luxury range of appearance which provides a personalized theme option.

    Source: leisurepoolscanada.ca
  • Flooring and walkways: Natural stones bring out the best surfaces and are a perfect choice for walkways and flooring.  Achieving a natural feel is only possible with natural stones when used outside.
  • Window sills: Natural stones look fantastic and give your home decoration an artistic appeal. Window sills with stones have some advantage over other building materials, and one is that the natural stone retains interior moisture.
  • Wood, on the other hand, is a good construction material. It has been used in constructing houses and other structures for many years. Uses of wood at home extend beyond what we can think of and include;
  • Wood flooring: Wooden interior means flooring with parquet. In your home, a parquet floor offers a touch of comfort and additional warmth. Oak planks used for creating parquets are treated with varnish or oil. The boards are available in different thicknesses, lengths, and widths. Special types, including a herringbone or mosaic.

    Source: Oikos
  • Paneling: Paneling sounds a little old-fashioned for many people. But a wooden wall cover remains an excellent choice today, especially in the interior of the countryside homes; this design is breathtaking.
  • Wall: For building walls, wood is ideal. Vertical boards can separate a living room from a dining room a few centimeters from one another. This enables you to build your own unique space while retaining contact between the two areas.
  • Ceiling: Heavy wooden beams in the past supported the first floor of older buildings. These beams are often repaired and illuminated on the inside. But you might assume classic interiors only befit wooden ceiling. Not at all. Classic styling lovers can also find this solution.
  • Doors and stairways: Normally, the doors are made of wood, unless you are using glass. Some builders prefer to paint the doors, causing the wooden structure to shine. The same goes for stairs as well—a beautiful, low sustaining wooden stairway.

    Source: Grand Design Stairs

Cost

Depending on your budget, you may check the cost of using wood for your project. Credible companies sell legit natural stone products at a reasonable price.

Conclusion

Wood and natural stones are different in nature and material structure. Talk to your developer to help you choose the best alternative for your space. Many people, however, prefer natural stone due to its versatility and durability.

10 Warning Signs and Symptoms of ARFID

img source: drpingel.com

There are many diseases out there that are more famous, or should we say infamous, than it is ARFID. But Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder can be detrimental to a person’s health, and no one should underestimate it. You may know this particular sickness as “Selective Eating Disorder” since that is how it used to be known. In many of its symptoms, it is comparable to anorexia, but there are some differences. With anorexia, there is a worry about the body shape and size of the body. Many young kids go through different stages of growing up, and it is not uncommon for them to be quite picky in what they want to eat.

A characteristic of someone with ARFID is that they do not consume enough calories to fulfill all of their biological functions. If you are interested in learning more about ARFID, particularly about what kind of therapies we use to treat it, you can always read more about this topic on rosewoodranch.com. But before it comes time for actual medicine, let us try to determine what are the ten most important symptoms and warnings of ARFID.

1. Extreme pickiness in choosing food

img source: foodanddating.com

Now everyone has some type of food that they don’t like eating. That is perfectly normal, just like having food you especially enjoy. We are not here to talk about that. With ARFID, we are talking about the pickiness of extreme proportion. If you refuse to eat one meal, but you find something else to eat, and at the end of the day, you had your fair share of calories, that is not ARFID. What is a characteristic of this disease is pickiness that eats to malnourishment and anxiety about food.

2. Actual anxiety when confronted with foods you fear

For someone that doesn’t have ARFID, this symptom might seem strange, even impossible. But that might make it the best symptom to catch this ailment in someone. So if you see that a person is extremely nervous around that food, they refuse to eat. And they even get physical responses to being in the presence of their “nemesis.” There is a good chance that they suffer from ARFID.

3. Adults lose weight, children can’t gain weight

img source: independent.co.uk

Naturally, this sickness manifests differently in adults and children. A grown person will start losing weight, but not in a good way. We are not talking about an overweight person going on a diet and avoiding sugar. No, we are talking about someone avoiding food even if it is healthy and losing weight until they are suffering from malnutrition. Adults can get their weight back, but for children, ARFID is much more dangerous. If they endure this disease while they are young and growing, they might have permanent confidence in their physique and health.

4. Depending too much on nutritional supplements

They might try to replace valuable ingredients from food with nutritional supplements. That is a good clue to identify someone experiencing ARFID. Generally, there is nothing wrong with consuming supplements. However, no amount of supplements can make it up for lack of a good diet. Taking too many supplements on an already empty stomach might just cause an additional problem, causing already sick individuals even more difficulties.

5. Vomiting or gaging after being exposed to the food they can’t stand

img source: media.npr.org

Not a normal reaction you expect when someone is exposed to, let us say, salt or sugar. Someone suffering from ARFID might have a real live physical reaction to just smelling the food they fear. So if you see someone gaging for smelling chicken or vomiting cause salt is white, and they don’t eat white food. You are most likely dealing with a person with this infliction.

6. Difficulties with chewing

Maybe you noticed, but a strong aversion to food is a strong symptom and warning of ARFID. If a person is chewing food for an extremely long time, that might be a good indicator. Again, we are not talking about people that eat slowly. When we say slow chewing, we are talking about a time-consuming activity that interjects with the normal life of this individual.

7. They can’t digest some food

img source: babycenter.com

You are what you eat. That is a saying for a reason. And after a while of this lifestyle, ARFID will affect the metabolism itself. Predicaments might be psychosomatic in nature, or the answer might be more complicated. The result will be the same, and even more, difficulties could occur for a person in question that interferes with their daily life.

8. Lack of appetite

Possibly, one of the most obvious symptoms. But one that is most common in ARFID. Since this trait is quite common in many individuals today, it is not in itself evidence of avoidant restrictive food intake disorder. However, it will always be present in individuals afflicted, and so it deserves to be mentioned.

9. They will eat extremely small portions

img source: cheapism.com

This symptom perfectly aligns with the rest of them. But it is a good way to notice someone with this disorder. Everyone eats a smaller portion of a meal from time to time. Usually, that is because we had a larger meal previously to that. But with ARFID, we are talking about continuously having tiny portions of food, which follows the lack of appetite, slow metabolism, pickiness, and the rest of the problems.

10. Avoiding food with no actual reason

The reasons they might give for not eating a particular food will have no logic to other people. As an example, they could avoid eating apples simply because they are not a fan of the red color, don’t eat fruits, or have a dislike for the company with the same name. Texture, colors, taste, smell, food groups, all of these are reasons why they might avoid to eat something.

Conclusion

img source: woodcockpsychology.com.au

As we saw, Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder can be quite a serious disease. Luckily, it is not so hard to spot it and react on time. We hope we help you learn more about this distinct condition and that now you can recognize it in time in people around you.

Hair Loss Prevention – 10 Astonishing Ideas That Can Help You Save Your Hair

Hair fall is a worldwide issue that is increasing day by day. One of the worst things that are associated with hair loss is, you cannot completely control them once it starts happening.

Can you imagine a life as a boy with no hair when you get married? Or can you imagine the consequences of excessive hair fall as a girl when your husband put his hand in your hair with utmost love? The only way of preventing hair fall is to take care of them.

Here are some of the most practical ideas that can help you prevent and decrease hair fall:

Source: cnet

1. Let Your Air Dry

Rather than drying your hair with the help of a blow-dryer or hot rollers, we suggest you let your hair dry themselves. One of the many reasons for dry and brittle hair is the excessive use of blow-dryers and hot rollers.

Sometimes you are in a hurry, and it is entirely understandable to dry your hair with hot rollers in such a scenario. But make sure you dry them using a warm setting rather than a hot setting.

2. Use Protection Before You Jump Into The Pool

Do you know there are many chemicals present in the pool? These chemicals can damage your hair, which is why we recommend you use protection before you jump into a pool. Now you must be thinking about the best possible protection, right?

Well, all you have to do is simply apply a conditioner before jumping into the swimming pool. When you use conditioner, there is nothing to worry about because the layer of conditioner will help you protect your hair even when they come in contact with the pool water.

Source: freepik.com

3. Cleanse With Shampoo And Conditioner

There is no way on earth you can take care of your hair in the best possible fashion without using shampoo and conditioner. Dandruff is one of the biggest issues faced by almost every second individual. Do you face embarrassment due to dandruff?

There is something you can use along with shampoo and conditioner to make sure you keep your hair healthy. You must be thinking about the thing that can be used, right?

Well, a scalp massager can be used when you shampoo your hair. Do you want to read more? Visit inspireuplift.com

Shampoo and conditioner are required to clean every scalp of your hair, and the quantity should be used carefully. Because if you use more shampoo and conditioner than required, it can damage your hair. For best natural hair protection products visit www.theheavenlylife.com

4. Trim Your Hair

We all hate brown and rough split ends of our hair, don’t we? It’s an issue that is faced by almost all males and females. However, we have a solution for you. If you want to get rid of that problem – we suggest you trim your hair almost every week.

Trimming hair can also give you some of the best haircuts that will help you turn many eyeballs around. Here are tips for you to know when to cut hair for growth.

Do you need guidance on how much hair length should cut down every 6-8 weeks? On average, we recommend you cut around 1/4th an inch of your hair to make sure you don’t have slip ends and prevent them from growing again.

Source: Freepik

5. Keep An Eye On Your Diet

Just like the way your body needs the diet for growth and maintenance, the same is the case with hair. One of the most ingenious ways of taking care of your hair and prevent them from falling is to keep an eye on your diet.

The more you drink water and eat fruits and vegetables – the less will be the chances of hair damage and hair fall. Whatever you eat will be reflected on the outside. That’s it.

6. Sleep On Silk

We often ignore how important our sleeping pillow can be for our hair. One of the best ways of making sure you don’t suffer hair fall is to replace your cotton pillow with a silk alternative.

Do you know a silk alternative can protect the cuticle of your hair? Sounds impossible? It’s not. Silk can significantly reduce the amount of friction between your hair and the fabric.

Source: Freepik

7. Avoid Hot Water

Do you know that hot water is a potential reason for dry and brittle hair? Feeling astonished and surprised? It’s a fact. Hot water is responsible for striping protective oils from your hair, which is why you should avoid using hot water on a regular basis.

“What if I cannot take a bath with cold water?” This is what you are thinking right now? We have a solution for you. Make sure you use water that is a bit warmer than your body temperature to prevent hair damage.

8. Tight Is NO-NO

Even if you have long hair, we suggest you not to tie them tightly. When you tie your hair tightly, your hair is vulnerable to damage and breakage.

If you really have to tie them up, make sure you tie them gently and don’t put too much pressure on them. It is also said that tying hair tightly in one of the many reasons for potential hair fall.

Source: Freepik

9. Do Not Brush Wet Hair

What if we tell you that wet hair is three times weaker than normal hair? So, how do we brush hair? We suggest you air dry or towel dry your hair before start brushing them. The selection of your comb also matters a lot when we take hair fall into consideration.

Make sure you choose a wide-tooth comb to brush your hair, so the chances of hair fall can be decreased to the minimum.

10. Stop Smoking And Drinking Alcoholic Beverages

Drinking alcohol can greatly reduce your hair growth, which is why if you have issues related to hair fall and hair damage, make sure you quit drinking alcohol. Smoking is another reason that can decrease the amount of blood that flows to the scalp.

Do you know what will be the outcome if you continue smoking and drinking alcohol? Your hair growth will keep on slowing down.

Source: headmasterstx

Conclusion

Hair fall is a global issue that can only be decreased with care. There is no other solution to this problem. No one wants to imagine a life with no hair and excessive hair fall. So, make your move before it’s too late.

6 Reasons Why Private Soccer Lessons are Worth It

Soccer is the most played and the most-watched sport in the world. And, it makes sense why it is so popular. It is fun, it is a team game and it is simple enough to understand. It is also a great physical activity for children. It helps develop the body and the mind at the same time. But, if you see that your child has a special love for this sport, maybe you should consider getting private soccer lessons for your kids. This kind of special attention might help them get to the next level.

Why? Well, there is nothing necessarily wrong with regular team coaches, but they always lack that want certain elements in their teaching. They can never focus on just one individual, one talent. They teach the entire group at the same time. This might be ideal for most people, but if your children want to learn more, a private soccer lesson is what they will need.

To help you understand how this kind of teaching can help your kids, I decided to share a few reasons why it is worth considering such as service.

1. A closer relationship with the coach

Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch

Children have the ability and the talent to do all kinds of things, but that is unfortunately hindered by their shyness and insecurity. This insecurity leads them to doubt their ability to do anything. This is normal for all kids, but if you want your kid to get over that and if you want them to start playing some serious soccer, you will definitely have to do something about that.

The most efficient way to battle that kind of insecurity is if they build a closer relationship with the coach. Usually, that kind of relationship is impossible when training in a group. The teacher (coach) simply cannot dedicate enough time to every individual. Everyone will be taught in a group.

However, if you take your child for private soccer lessons, they will get that one on one time which will build a closer relationship.

After that, I assure you that your child will start to play much more confidently in their matches. This kind of confidence will allow him or her to show their true talent.

2. Track their progress

Source: Global Futbol Training

Getting an insight into the progress of your children’s skill in soccer is not easy. You take them to their marriage, you leave them and then you come back to pick them up. Obviously, if you have time, you will stay during the match. But, if you do not have the time, you will not be able to notice any kind of progression.

Unfortunately, a regular coach will not be able to tell you anything specific. Mostly because their attention is on the team and not on every individual. So, it makes sense why they would not have any specific information or progress statistics about your loved one.

If you care about that kind of information, private soccer lessons are what you should be looking for. Since the coach will be working one-on-one with everyone, they can easily track the progress of your child. They can tell you all about their performance and what you could do to help identify and improve their abilities and skills as suggested by LevelupCoaching.org.

3. Learning at their own pace

Source: Carousell

This is not a problem that can is found only in sports. This is a worldwide problem for every school. The fact is that every child is unique in their own way. Some have a harder time maintaining attention while others do not. Some are a bit slower when learning about certain subjects while others are much faster.

This is quite unfair to those children that have a harder time understanding certain stuff. This same issue appears in soccer lessons. For example, if a certain child has a hard time learning the techniques of dribbling or understanding them, they will never get to learn them properly. This is because the coach is following a certain schedule and will move on to other subjects.

With private soccer lessons, this will not happen. The coach will ensure that the child is up to date with every technique and information. They will not move on to different subjects until their student has learned.

4. Remove weaknesses

Source: Mississauga Soccer Academy

Even the strongest and best soccer players in the world have certain weaknesses. Some run slow, others have horrible drilling techniques, etc. But, as they train more and more, those weaknesses are reduced or completely removed. However, removing them is not easy. For that to happen, the coach needs to dedicate hundreds of hours to the player.

Unfortunately, a team coach can’t dedicate those hours to every player on the team.

This is why it is recommended to get some private soccer lessons for your child. That close relationship and one-on-one training will definitely help them remove those weaknesses.

5. Improve strengths

Source: NearSay

That one-on-one training will also apply to strengths. A good coach will be able to identify all the strengths of the player and will continue working on them to improve them as much as possible. This kind of special attention will definitely make your kids much better at this sport.

6. Emotional support

Source: www.littlebigsport.com.au

The coach is more than just a regular teacher. To create a personal and reliable relationship with a player, they need to dedicate themselves emotionally. Once there is both a professional and an emotional bond between a player and the coach, they can start working together much more efficiently.

This kind of emotional support is essential for improvement and for better confidence. And, we all know how important confidence is. Especially during real matches.

If you managed to get private soccer lessons for your child, I assure you that the emotional support the coach can provide will improve the skills and abilities of your kids.

As you can see, there are quite a few reasons why private soccer lessons are worth it. Of course, they can get expensive, but I think the gains can justify that expensive price tag.

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