A significant amount of your electric bill is contributed to heating and cooling. When it comes to your heating and cooling Williamsburg VA AC technicians have a few tips for you to follow. It can end up saving you quite a bit of money over the course of the year.
Program Your Thermostat
It’s important to program your thermostat based on when you are and are not going to be in the house. There is no need for your HVAC system to be running constantly if you aren’t home. If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, it is well worth the investment. This way, you can program different temperatures for the mornings when you are getting ready, during the day, as well as a different temperature when you are getting ready to go to bed.
Change Your Filters
You should change the air filters on your returns on a regular basis. Depending on how many people you have in your home and whether you have pets, filters should be changed every one to three months. Otherwise, you are expecting your air-conditioning system to work extra hard, penetrating through a thick layer of dust and dander on the filters.
Schedule Inspections
It’s a good idea to schedule inspections on your HVAC system at least twice a year. A professional repair technician can come in to identify if there are any issues with the system. Your system can be charged. Issues can be addressed. Plus, the coils can be cleaned. It will help your system to work as efficiently as possible throughout the year.
There’s no reason to spend more money than necessary on your electric bill. By following a few tips, you can keep your system in good working condition so that it doesn’t cost you too
When it comes to passive income, it’s something everybody can and should do in order to make money. Making money with passive income can mean swapping less time for money at your 9-5 job, and even quitting that job altogether once you have multiple streams of steady income.
However, you shouldn’t listen to anybody that tells you passive income is super easy to earn. It does take some work initially, but once you’re set up you can sometimes simply perform maintenance work to keep things going smoothly. However, with other sources, this is not the case - a YouTube channel, for instance, will need fresh videos so you can continue growing your channel.
A YouTube Channel - starting a YouTube channel can be a great way to make money with affiliate links and ads. Talk about something you’re passionate about.
An Amazon Seller Account - create your own line of branded products and setup an amazon seller account. The great thing about selling on amazon is that they do a lot of the heavy lifting for you.
Write an Ebook - if you have a lot of knowledge on a particular subject, write an ebook. This is something that could make you money for a long time if it’s high quality and you market it properly.
Create An Online Course - you’ll need to work hard to create your course initially, but it’s something that people may buy for a long time.
Rent Out A Room In Your House - if you have a spare room in your home, why not rent it out? You can also rent out your driveway if you’re not keen to share your home.
Use Cashback Sites - cashback sites are a very easy way to get started, and they allow you to make money by making purchases you were going to make anyway.
Buy a vending machine business - all you have to do is find the right places to install your machines. By choosing a place with 100 workers or more, you could make a great income with your vending machine business. Hiring somebody to stock the machines for you can save even more time.
Buy An Existing Online Business or Blog - how about using your own savings to purchase an existing online business or blog? Many are already making money but the owners are keen to pass them over. You just need to make sure you’re prepared to continue putting the work in.
Figuring Out The Right Passive Income Streams For You
Above is just a few examples of how you could be making money by generating passive income. There are so many more options for you. It’s a good idea to look at mastering one income stream before moving on to another - you don’t want to get overwhelmed. Make sure that whichever passive income stream you choose, you’re excited about it and prepared for the work you’ll have to put into it.
Posted by Eileen | 12/14/2018 01:13:00 PM | Elderly Care
Having a friend or family member who suffers from dementia can be heartbreaking in so many ways. You are probably willing to take any steps that you can to make sure that your loved one gets the help that he or she needs when suffering from dementia. You may even try to offer some care on your own. Of course, there is nothing wrong with trying to help your loved one in any way that you can, but you have to understand the importance of professional dementia care. Listed below are some of the reasons why professional dementia care is so important for those who have dementia.
It Can Be Heartbreaking to Provide Care on Your Own
For one thing, it's important to understand the serious impact that providing dementia care for a loved one can have on someone. You might already be having a hard time coming to terms with the idea of your loved one having dementia. Having to witness it on a daily basis, particularly when your loved one is going through a really hard time, can be very hard. By having someone else help with dementia care Darien CT, you can make things a little easier on yourself during a time that isn't easy at all.
Your Loved One Could Get Hurt
Someone who has dementia can easily get hurt without the proper care. For example, if your loved one forgets to turn off the stove after cooking or forgets to take his or her medication, then he or she could be at serious risk. Making sure that a professional who knows how to handle the situation is there to provide care is a good way to help keep your loved one safe, though.
Now that your loved one has been diagnosed with dementia, it's important to start thinking about care. Instead of trying to provide all of your loved one's care on your own, you're probably going to want to seek professional dementia care for the two main reasons that are listed above.
In the human consciousness, there is no worst winter word than cold. Nobody likes to be cold. Your body shivers. Your extremities feel numb. You find yourself trying to shrink into your own skin in an effort to warm up. Arms crossed against your torso; this is the universal symbol for being cold. But winter doesn’t have to feel like that. You can take preventive measures to make sure your home stays warm this season.
Did you know that your home can lose up to 30% of its heat through the roof? Indeed, poor insulation in the attic area is often the cause of cold rooms in the upper part of the house. Additionally, if your roof is damaged – or old, as roofs have a lifespan of 20 to 30 years – you might need to consider planning for repair and maintenance. You’re likely to be able to tell whether your roof or attic needs attention rapidly. A damaged roof can lead to leakage, which is noticeable on the ceiling during rainy days. Similarly, you can also touch the ceiling of your rooms. If it’s cold, your attic lacks insulation.
Is your home not appropriately heated?
Your heating system is crucial during the winter months. You can’t keep your family warm if you can’t trust your boiler or heater. One thing is for sure; if you need furnace repair, it’s best to schedule it as early as possible. The longer you wait, the colder the house will be. Ultimately, what are the signs there’s something wrong? Your heaters need a long time to get to temperature, or they can’t maintain the temperature.
Your furnace doesn’t react to the thermostat.
The electrical heating unit makes a clicking noise.
Is the home too well heated?
You’ll be surprised to know that sometimes your heating works a little too well. Indeed, if you overeat your home, you are at risk of drying the indoor air. When the air is too dry, it can feel cooler than it is, forcing you to turn up the heating some more. Additionally, it can also lead to dry skin and respiratory troubles. To prevent extreme air dryness, you need to maintain the air moisture above 30%.
Is it coming from the ground?
If your basement doesn’t have any insulation, you might struggle with a cold floor. Additionally, you could lose some of your heat through the ground, making it hard to stay warm. Thankfully, there’s an easy solution to the problem. Insulating your basement is the work of a weekend. For amateur DIY-ers, you could sort out this issue fairly quickly.
Are your windows air-tight?
Last, but not least, while windows are often listed as the main reason for houses to be cold in winter, your property loses less than 10% heat through poorly insulated windows. Nevertheless, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider tackling the problem. You can insulate your windows for good with secondary glazing and even triple glazing. For tight budgets, adding thick curtains can make a great deal of difference!
Don’t let your home get cold this winter. You don’t need to break the bank to stay warm. All it takes is to figure out where the source of cold lies. Whether it’s under the roof and in the furnace, there’s a solution to most heating failures.
Buying your first home is a challenge for many young adults. Indeed, property prices have been increased gradually over the past few decades, making it more difficult for the Millennial generation to become homeowners.
However, while property values are going up, it doesn’t mean that the only way to buy a house is to win the lottery! In reality, the property market has evolved dramatically, meaning that the strategy your parents and grandparents used to reach the first step of the property ladder is not relevant anymore.
Nowadays, homeowners need to embrace their creativity and think outside the box to achieve their objectives. Therefore, the big challenge about homeownership is your ability to find solutions in the least expected places.
Let’s focus first on the elephant in the room. A house comes at a high price, meaning that your top priority is to ensure you’ve got enough cash to afford both your down payment and your monthly mortgage. To put it clearly, while the obvious solution is to save money, you need to consider your budget with a pinch of salt. Indeed, there’s only so much you can save. Therefore, if you’re planning to buy your first property in the near future, you might want to check the possibilities to get a promotion at work. Indeed, who says promotion, says pay rise, and that is precisely what you want. If your employer provides no chance of a promotion, it’s time to change jobs and find a business that provides you with better prospects. Securing higher wages can go a long way toward affording your first home.
Lesson #2: Your banker is not always the best interlocutor
While the majority of homeowners turn to banks when it comes to applying for a mortgage, there are others options that can make it easier for borrowers with an atypical credit history to qualify for a large loan, such as mortgage brokers – check Altrua Financial to find out more about the rates a broker can get you. As a rule of the thumb, brokers have access to a wide variety of loan options.
Lesson #3: 4 miles, it’s nothing and everything
Real estate agencies compile a selection of criteria to define the value of a property. One of these criteria is the location of the property. Indeed, two houses in the same general condition could show up under different prices as a result of where they are. If you want to land a cheaper property, you might need to be ready to commute. A few miles outside of the premium radius can save you tonnes of money!
Lesson #4: You can do anything with a hammer and a screwdriver
Ultimately, a house that needs improvement works will come out at a lower price. If you boost your DIY skills, you can actively tackle the most common DIY challenges, from bathroom remodeling to refreshing the wall paint. In the long term, investing in the appropriate tools and skills can give you access to further properties.
It’s time to revolutionize the way you are approaching the property market. From considering financing options to rethinking your career, you’re in control of your investment.
The human body is a masterpiece. The structure and the physiology are truly marvelous!
A few years ago, I wrote a post about some amazing body facts which surprisingly turned out to be my most read blog post. There is so much to learn so I am sharing some interesting information about the human body's internal structure.
► What are the largest and smallest organs in the body?
The skin is the largest organ. In an average sized human, the skin has a total area of 20 square feet. The skin acts as the body's first line of defense against illness and infection. It also helps regulate our body temperature and protects our internal organs from damage due to external elements.
The smallest organ is the pineal gland. It is about the size of a grain of rice (5 to 8 millimeters) and is located in the center of our brain. Its main function is to produce melatonin which regulates our sleep cycle.
► What are the largest and smallest bones in the body?
The largest and strongest bone is the femur or thigh bone. Its upper end connects to the pelvis to form the hip joint while its lower end connects to the tibia and to form the knee.
The smallest bone is the stapes, which is one of the three tiny bones found in our middle ear. It measures around 3 x 2.5 millimeters. Now that is tiny!
► The small intestine has an absorptive surface area of 250 square meters!
The small intestine is a long, narrow tube roughly about 6 meters (20 feet) in length. It is where nutrients in the food we eat are absorbed and carried through the bloodstream. What is more amazing is that inner lining of the small intestine has an absorptive surface area of 250 square meters (2,700 square feet), roughly about the size of a tennis court!
The inside walls of the small intestine are not flat, rather, it has circular (mucosal) folds along its entire length. These folds have villi or small projections that protrude into the lumen (cavity) of the small intestine. However, that is not yet the end of it. Every villus has multitudes of epithelial cells, each of which has microvilli. Think of surface area multiplied!
► The longest nerve cell in the body is approximately 0.91 meters (3 feet)!
A nerve cell or neuron is composed of 4 parts - the dendrites, the some (or cell body), the axon and the axon terminal. The axon is the longest part of the nerve cell. It carries nerve impulses away from the cell body. The longest nerve cell axons in the body are those of the sciatic nerve. They start from the base of the spinal cord down to the big toe of each foot. That is approximately 3 feet long in an average height human!
An average person has about 20-30 trillion red blood cells circulating in their body. Did you know that a pinhead-sized drop of blood can contain as much as 5 million red blood cells! A healthy red blood cell is only 6.2 to 8.2 micrometer in size. It is difficult to imagine such a minute thing doing the task of oxygenation for the body!
A red blood cell's lifespan is 100-120 days. New cells are formed in the bone marrow and the old cells are destroyed in the spleen.
Here's another interesting fact about red blood cells - it only takes one minute for a red blood cell to circulate the entire human body. From exiting the heart through the aorta into the circulatory system, it only takes 60 seconds for a red blood cell to return back to the heart through the superior and anterior vena cava. Wow.
► Our brain and neurons
Acting as the command center, our brain does really amazing things. An average human brain weighs about 1400 grams (roughly 3 pounds). It receives 20% of the body's blood supply. According to credible sources, our brain contains about 100 billion neurons or nerve cells that work non-stop in receiving and sending nerve impulses.
There are different sizes of neurons. Some are very small with short axons and dendrites, while others have very long axons (see information about the sciatic nerve above). You may be wondering about the speed at which impulses travel through these neurons, right? The speed depends on the thickness of the axon. It has been discovered that the thicker the axon, the faster the speed of travel of impulses. So we can deduce that the long nerve cells have thicker axons to enable them to convey information faster.
How fast is fast? "Slow" transmissions are about 0.5 meters per second, while "fast" transmissions reach the speed of 120 meters per second (268.43 miles per hour)! Can you imagine something going that fast inside our own bodies? Mind-boggling.
► How strong is stomach or gastric acid?
Our stomach produces three different kinds of acid that aid in the digestion of the food we eat. These acids are potassium chloride, sodium chloride, and hydrochloric acid. With a pH level of 1 to 3, these three acids can dissolve metal! Oh goodness. And to think we have that inside of us? How on earth does our stomach stay intact with that much acid in it?
We must thank our stomach's epithelial cells which produce mucus and bicarbonate that forms a layer of protection for our stomach lining. The pancreas likewise produces bicarbonate that it secretes into the duodenum part of the stomach for further protection and avoid damage to the small intestine. Sometimes, our stomach produces too much acid that the epithelial cells are unable to cope with. This is the reason we suffer from gastric ulcers.
The human body is wonderfully made, don't you agree? From two tiny cells merging together into a single cell that divides a multitude of times comes forth a human being! There is so much to learn and appreciate about this living, loving, thinking and rational creation that we call "our body."
Feel free to read my first blog post about human body facts here.
Ah, money. Is there anyone on earth who doesn’t have a complicated relationship with it? It seems like we never have enough, or we do but then get hit by a surprise bill, and whoosh, it’s gone. While keeping money might seem like trying to keep water from slipping through your fingers, it’s actually more possible than people realize. Within one month, you can see an increase in the amount of cash that you have! We take a look at several ways that you can do this below.
You’ve got an income. Getting money into your bank account isn’t the problem; it’s just what it seems to leave just as quickly. But why is this? While you’ll have essentials that you need to pay for, is it also possible that you’re not quite as disciplined as you should be? Because we’re spending the bulk of our time working, it doesn’t take much to make us believe that we’ve earned a treat of some kind. And our friends are always willing to offer us one! They’ll invite us out to dinner, for drinks, to the cinema, anything that costs money, basically. For the next month, say no to invitations, unless it’s not going to cost you a penny.
Sell Old Goods
We’re a society of hoarders. We accumulate more and more, and rarely have a clear out. If this sounds familiar, then good news! You likely have a lot of cash sitting in your home. Take a look at through your cupboards and drawers, and see if you’ve got anything valuable that you could sell. Of course, the pricier the item was to begin with, the more cash you’ll get for it. If you’ve got an old smartphone and are wondering “can I sell my phone?” the answer is yes, you can. You’re not using the items anyway, so you may as well get some money for them.
Spartan Living
There are some things that you need to pay money for, such as your rent, food, and drinks. You can’t do much about the cost of your rent, but food and drinks? That’s all within your control. For the next month, look at only eating those bargain (but nutritious) meals. Ditch the expensive daily coffees, too. People spend much more money on eating and drinking than they think they do, and much more than they need to!
Reducing Essential Costs
Some costs, such as getting to and from work, can seem pretty rigid, but they’re not. If you’re driving, you can take public transport. If the train is too expensive, take the bus. While you’re at work, you should be eating your homemade lunches, not buying it every day! Track every penny, and make any cuts, where possible, which don’t impact your quality of life. If you put all the money you would have spent on these things into a savings account, and take a look at how much you’ve saved in a month; you’ll be pleasantly surprised!
Being a victim of injury is something that many of us have experienced, and that many more of us dread! The trauma of the incident itself, combined with the pain, and the rigors of treatment and surgery can be severe to bear! Then there is the money lost to days off work, and the extra cost of therapies that you never thought you would need to deal with as well. In fact, for someone people being involved in an accident can change their whole lives, and not for the better. Luckily, there is a way to remain strong and get through to the other side. A topic you can find out more about in the post below.
In the split second when an injury occurs there is often nothing we can do to prevent it. However, the way we act in the direct aftermath can have a significant effect on both our experience and our recovery.
In particular, ensuring our own safety is paramount, something that can be difficult when we are distracted by pain, or when we see another in danger. It's also crucial for us to seek out medical treatment as soon as possible. In fact, for many injuries, prompt treatment can make a considerable difference to the damage that is done, as well as reduce healing times.
Knowing what to expect with medical treatment
Once it is safe to do so, and if your injury is a serious one it's likely you will be taken to hospital for assessment and treatment. In an accident situation, this usually following a set number of steps, the first being when the ambulance people arrive to provide on the spot care, and often pain relief. It is also the ambulance crew that will work in tandem with the police and the fire service to ensure that the situation is made as safe as possible both for you the injured party and for everyone else involved as well.
Once the ambulance crew has stabilized you, and assess your injuries, they will usually rush you back to the hospital for further treatment. This often involves being placed on a gurney in the back of the ambulance, frequently with one of the paramedics with you to keep an eye on your condition and administer any medication that you might need during the journey.
Once you reach the hospital, you will be taken to the emergency department, where the seriousness of your injuries will be assessed once more so they can ensure the people that need treatment the most urgently are the first to receive it. Therefore, when your condition is more serious, you will be taken to a treatment room or operating theatre immediately.
After any urgent issue have been treated, and you are considered stable, you will be given a bed in the main hospital to recover in. The length of time you may need to stay can vary depending on how quickly you make a recovery, and whether you encounter any complications with your treatment. Then once you have the go-ahead to go home, you will usually be asked to come back as an outpatient for regular check-ups to see how our injury is healing, as well as for any additional treatment sessions that are indeed.
Of course, it's also worth bearing in mind that during your stay you can ask for a second opinion regarding the care that you received at any time. Something that many people forget until they have left the hospital building, and can be beneficial if you are unsure of the recommendations you are currently receiving. You may also be able to give a power of attorney to your relatives in case you are in a situation that requires an important decision, but you are unconscious, or not able to make it.
Coping financially
Of course, far from the struggle being over and done with as you leave the hospital, for many victims of injury it is only just beginning. This because the treatment that they received will be billed to them, something that may mean they need to take out medical credit to cover their bills. Add to this the fact that many people that are injured cannot return to work straight away, or even for an extended period of time and it's easy to see why so many people struggle financially after an accident has befallen them.
To that end its vital to search for a legal advocate that has an impressive track record in personal injury cases. After all, claiming back compensation from those whose fault the injury was is the best way to cover the unexpected cost and the financial strain that an accident can cause.
The psychological and emotional effects
Sadly, when it comes to being involved in an accident, it's not all about coping in the moment, the aftermath, or even the financial burden. This because being injured can have an emotional and psychological effect as well.
In particular, it can be widespread for injured parties to experience a condition known as PTSD or post-traumatic stress disorder. This is when thoughts, images, and flashbacks of the incident intrude into their day to day life and traumatize them all over again. Something that can make it hugely difficult to function and have a good quality of life.
Happily, there are some effective therapies for conditions such as PTSD such as trauma-focused CBT were the therapist will guide you through remembering the experience, and help you to manage your emotions.
Alternatively, there is also EMDR which is a type of therapy that uses rapid eye movement along with bringing the particular incident to mind. The idea being that the distraction allows the brain to process and file away the experience correctly, so it is no longer lodged in the psyche and gets trigger over and over again, even in situations that aren't actually dangerous. It can, therefore, be a valuable tool for victims wishing to recover and get on with their lives, after being involved in an accident and falling victim to an injury.
Posted by Eileen | 11/19/2018 05:05:00 AM | Pets, Travel Tips
When you own a dog, you always own a dog. You'll have heard the saying ‘a dog isn't just for Christmas', and this couldn't be truer. When you own a dog, they become a part of your family. You'll plan your days around them, and you'll always consider their needs when it comes to taking trips and spending time away from home.
Some people chose to put their dogs in kennels while they are away, or they decide to leave them with family and friends. But, for other families, it wouldn't be a proper family vacation without their furry friend. Of course, sometimes things come up out of the blue, and you have no choice but to pack your pet up into the car and take them on a long trip with you.
This can bring challenges. Some dogs are great in cars. They don’t mind travel and are happy to go along with your travel plans, whatever they might be. Others aren't quite so sure. Many dogs get anxious about even a short car ride so a more extended trip might seem impossible. Either way, here are some tips to make the journey as easy as possible for your whole family.
You should always take the time to check your car over before any long journey, with or without pets. Perform essential car safety checks like testing the brakes, tires and lights and checking the fluid levels under the hood. The last thing that you want is to find yourself looking for a legal solution for your car accident case because your car wasn't in good enough condition to make the journey. So fix any faults and take it to the garage if you have any doubts. It can also be worth going in for a full service before your trip if your car hasn't had one for more than a year.
If you are traveling with a dog, there are other things that you should check. Make sure that there is enough room for them to lie comfortably when your car is fully packed up. Make sure that they can be secured safely, and that the space in your vehicle can remain well ventilated and cool.
Pack Home Comforts
Dogs can be a bit like children. Strange things, be it environments, atmospheres, noises, smells, sounds or people, make them anxious. They like stability and familiarity. When things are different, they get nervous, and their behavior can suffer.
Everything about traveling is different. Even if they are used to being in a car, it won’t be for this long, and they might still have trouble settling when you reach your destination. One of the best ways to make them more comfortable is by keeping as much you can the same. Try to stick to any walking and feeding routines that you have. Pack their bed, their favorite toys and even their usual food bowl and blanket to help them to feel more secure and safe.
Plan Plenty of Stops
Just like you, your dog gets tired of being in the same position. They need toilet stops, they need to stretch their legs, and they need to relieve the boredom of being stuck in a tight space for hours at a time. So, if you are taking a long road trip, plan plenty of stops along your route, or make sure you leave yourself plenty of time so that you can stop as many times as you need to as you go. If you are staying overnight anywhere, make sure the accommodation is pet-friendly before you book, don’t just assume that they will be.
Go for Long Walks
A long walk shortly before you start your journey, with any luck will mean that they curl up and go for a long sleep as soon as you hit the road. Long walks at rest stops can have a similar effect. Try to tire them out as much as you can before loading them into the car.
If your dog is a very nervous traveler, you can’t just expect them to be ok with a long road trip straight away. If at all possible, try to build up slowly. Take them on a short drive every day, building up to a longer journey at the weekend.
Trust Your Instincts
You know your pet. You know how they behave. You know when they are happy, and you know when there is something wrong. Along the journey, it’s essential that you trust your instincts to help you to keep them happy and safe and give them what they need.
A car cover is a product made from large sheet of fabric and is used to cover a car to protect it against the surrounding elements. A car cover is needed when the car is not in use for a certain period of time and needs to be kept from dirt and dust. Even if a car is kept in a garage, dust and dirt can still settle on the car surface. If a car is kept outdoor, then it should be covered with a custom car cover to prevent the sun rays, weather elements, and surrounding elements from damaging your car.
An indoor car cover is great for keeping dust and dirt off the car surface. And if you have young children playing in the garage, it could protect from the little hands and fingers, and against scratches or knocks. If you are shopping for indoor car covers, look for custom indoor car covers that are breathable and with good ventilation to allow moisture to escape. If it is not breathable, moisture trapped under the car cover could cause molding and could be damaging to the car.
Even if you are using a custom Chevrolet indoor car cover, it is good to check frequently or uncover the car to prevent any mold or mustiness from forming whenever possible. Before covering your car with an indoor car cover, always make sure that the car surface is clean and dry.
An outdoor car cover will be able to protect a car against paint fading but an improper fitting car cover could cause more damage than protection. A loosely fitted car cover could easily move about and rub against the paint surface to cause fine scratches whenever there is strong wind blowing. Outdoor car covers are designed to be water resistant and the covers could easily trap dirt and moisture if it is not properly fitted. With the outside heat and moisture soaking under the car cover could promote fading of the paint surface.
Some car owners would suggest that a good cleaning, drying and proper waxing of the car before putting on the car cover. A good quality custom fitted car cover that allows ventilation or designed to allow vapour out from under the car cover, can effectively prevent damage to the car. Depending on your preferences, there are car covers to go over only the top of the car to protect the leather inside the car from the strong UV light.
Nor will I allow yesterday's success to lull me into today's complacency, for this is the great foundation of failure. I will forget the happenings of the day that is gone, whether they were good or bad, and greet the new sun with confidence that this will be the best day of my life.
So long as there is breath in me, that long will I persist. For now I know one of the greatest principles of success; if I persist long enough I will win.
I will persist. I will win.
-Scroll Marked III, The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino
