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  • Great Last-Minute Gift Ideas: Make a Statement

    Great Last-Minute Gift Ideas: Make a Statement

    If you’re like us, you’ve completely blown off shopping for Christmas. Or, you may have forgotten to buy gifts for certain people. If that’s the case, don’t panic. There’s still plenty of time to get some good last-minute gifts for the people you care about. These are last-minute gift ideas that will really mean something special to your loved ones!

    Great Last-Minute Gift Ideas

    Self-Care Kit

    If you don’t quite know what to get someone, there’s nothing wrong with a good, old-fashioned self-care kit. If you’re shopping for someone with a big beard, for instance, get them a beard grooming kit. They’ll get to use fine-smelling shampoos and oils, trim their beard into a stylish shape and enjoy their grooming experience!

    Likewise, if you’re shopping for someone who loves baths, consider a bath kit. A kit with bath bombs, shampoos and soaps is never a bad gift. Many people really enjoy lounging in a nice, warm and relaxing bath, so this is a surefire gift to bring a smile to someone’s face.

    Gift Cards

    This one might seem like a cop-out at first but hear us out. People act like gift cards are strictly worse than cash as gifts, but that’s not necessarily true when you think about it. If you’re like me, when you get cash you instantly think about spending it on groceries or gas or bills. If you’re already covering those expenses fine, a gift card is a fine gift!

    The gift card allows you to spend money on your favorite things without feeling bad about it. You’re not diverting cash from a bill or expense, you’re enjoying a gift someone you love got for you! That’s a freedom of enjoyment that was purchased by your gift card.

    So, if someone you’re shopping for loves video games, get them a gift card to the video game store. That way they can spend the gift money on a shiny new game with no remorse! This is a great approach for people who you know are into specific things that you might not have a good grasp on. That way, they get the thing they want thanks to your gift. That’s a win-win!

    Tickets for a Local Show

    When you’re scrambling for a last-minute gift idea, consider picking up tickets for a local concert or theater show. If the person you’re shopping for is a lover of the arts they’ll find it to be a very personal gift and likely appreciate the thought that goes into the gift!

    To make the gift look that much nicer, consider getting a nice envelop and elegant Christmas card to place the tickets in. Even if they’re digital-only tickets, you can print out the confirmation and put it in with the card. That way the recipient still has something to open on Christmas Day!

    Give the Gift of Baking

    Head into the grocery store and buy a pair of oven mitts and a box of brownie mix. Then, include hand-written instructions on how to make the brownies, and you can even give them a fun holiday twist. Put these things in a gift bag and top the whole thing with a cute bow. Then, ta-da, you’ve not only given an awesome last-minute gift, you’ve given the gift of a fun evening baking tasty treats.

    It’s not every day you can say you gifted a great memory, is it? Well, that’s exactly what you’d be doing with this unique gift idea.

    Subscription Box

    This one isn’t far off from the gift card idea. If you know someone who is into a specific hobby, like cooking or video games, you can get them a subscription box that matches with their interests. For instance, if you know someone who loves to cook vegetarian meals, you can get them a vegetarian meal kit subscription.

    This subscription allows the recipient to keep getting gifts, even after the holidays have passed. So, not only do they have something cool to open day-of, but the gift literally keeps on giving. Loot Crate is an example of a favorite subscription box for gamers, often including T-Shirts and merchandise related to classic video games.

    Pretty much, if you can think of a fun hobby or pastime, there’s probably a subscription box for it out there somewhere.

    Final Thoughts

    This sounds hokey, but it’s so true: it’s not the gift itself, but the thought the matters. If you put your heart into and find a gift you think someone will really enjoy, then that’s what matters. Remember, it’s like the Beatles said: Love is all you need.

  • Should You Rent or Buy Your Home? The Age-Old Question

    Should You Rent or Buy Your Home? The Age-Old Question

    Should you rent or buy your home? It’s a question people have been asking for years, especially in crowded and expensive cities. Even out in the suburbs, though, it can be difficult to decide which is the right choice. Renting is cheaper in the short term, though owning gives you an asset you can later sell. Which is the better option?

    Should You Rent or Buy Your Home?

    The Case for Renting

    Renting has some upsides. For one, it is less expensive over the short term. When you want to rent a property, you put a deposit down of about two months rent, then you pay a monthly fee to stay there. Your landlord pays for maintenance, upkeep and any repairs that need to be made. You also don’t have to pay property taxes, as you don’t own the place.

    By not owning the place, you’re free from a lot of responsibility. It’s sort of like living at your parents house: it’s cheaper and everything is taken care of. You have no maintenance to worry about and just need to manage your living space. For people who are a little short on money or simply not staying in any one place for long, renting keeps you really freed up.

    For people who are younger and don’t have as much money built up, this can be a very attractive proposition. That goes double for people who travel often and don’t want to be tied to one spot. Owning a home is a big responsibility, and largely tethers you to the spot. Unless you have a lot of money to keep a place up while you’re not there, it’s not practical to own a home and travel all over at the same time.

    On the Other Hand…

    On the flipside, if you rent a place, you can’t really do anything with it other than, you know, live there. If you have a dog or cats, you might pay extra for that. You also lose every penny you pay on the rent into the landlord’s pocket. The upkeep of the place, and timely payment of your rent, does nothing to increase your assets or financial security.

    Also, remember, the landlord isn’t running a rental property out of kindness. They’re making a profit on you. You pay more, by design, for the space you’re renting than it’s worth. The landlord has to make money, right? Which means, by definition, you have to lose money in the long run for this arrangement to be profitable.

    That’s not to say landlords are jerks or anything, but to illustrate why renting might not be right for someone in the long term. If you plan on investing in your future and settling in to one place, owning is likely the better situation for you.

    Why Own

    Owning a home has some notable upshots, namely that you’re investing in your future financial assets. Any money you pay into your mortgage is debt being alleviated from you. Any money put into repairs, upkeep and enhancements on your own home comes back to you by way of equity.

    If you own your own land, you can build what you want on it (within the laws of your municipality), have who you want over and own a dog or cat without paying more. Generally speaking, it makes you the master of your own destiny.

    Owning Considerations

    It’s not all upside, though. You usually need to go into quite a bit of debt, via a mortgage, when you buy a home. You also take on the burden of paying property taxes when you own property. That means that, in the short term, owning is much more expensive.

    It would also be unfair to not mention the price of upkeep on a home. When something breaks, it’s up to you to fix it. If the plumbing gets backed up, or if the electrical wiring is shot, you’re on the hook for those repairs. It’s hardly fun, but that’s the way owning a property works.

    Bottom Line

    However, these costs are largely mitigated by the equity your home gets as you live there over the years. Assuming you plan to stay in a home and keep it up over time, you should be able to at least break even when you go to sell.

    Alternatively, if you plan on living the rest of your days in a location, the home’s equity could be a great boon to your children after you’re gone. That way, you leave them with either a home or a financial windfall.

  • What Are Your Energy Options in the Winter?

    What Are Your Energy Options in the Winter?

    In the winter time, energy rapidly becomes a concern as you watch your power bill climb to keep up with the plummeting temperatures. What are your energy options in the winter? What are some ways you can keep your bill down while keeping your house warm? Can you find other ways to keep warm without spending hundreds of dollars on power?

    Today we’re going to get into the different energy options you have for heating your home. Remember, you never have to just sit back and deal with a ridiculous power bill. You have options to keep your bills manageable.

    What Are Your Energy Options in the Winter?

    Electricity Providers

    If your electric bill is crazy-high, you need to look into your energy options. First, you need to figure out who your power supplier is, and how that power is supplied. While some areas have only one energy provider available, others have energy service companies, or ESCOs, you can go through to help reduce your bill.

    ESCOs, for their part, are a great way to get your power bill down. Thanks to initiatives that deregulate how homes receive power, these ESCOs are growing in popularity. Typically, an ESCO helps your home be more energy efficient through renewable energy resources.

    For example, an ESCO may offer to set up solar panels, wind turbines or other renewable energy collection devices in or around your home. Then, the energy these devices creates get used by your home before the energy from your power supplier. That means that you’re consuming less power from your supplier, keeping your bills down!

    Going Green

    Going green like this does a lot more than just save you money. ESCOs can often set up energy efficiency measures to keep your bill down, like solar panels. They can also set up things like more secure window and door seals, which keep your heat from leaking and let you consume less energy.

    While it’s great to save money on your power bill, it’s even better to cut down on your energy consumption for the sake of the planet. The amount of energy wasted by some houses is downright appalling, and it does more than keep the power bill high.

    Greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impact are serious concerns for many people. The realities of rampant global warming and out-of-control emissions have made many people much more cognizant of their role in stopping climate change.

    Local Providers

    For other options, go though the USA.gov website and search for your state to find local energy providers. These providers will offer different prices, services and green options. This can be a great way to find out about providers in your area you wouldn’t have otherwise known about.

    You can often find that you’ll save money by just looking into your local provider’s green options. The energy-saving measures put in place by some states make it so that you can save a great deal on your power bill. If your local provider has such energy-saving provisions, you should sign up to get your bill down and help the environment!

    Ask the Right Questions

    When dealing with your local energy provider, it helps to ask the right questions. Ask about utility cut-off dates when buying a new property to make sure you only get charged for the electricity you use. Don’t forget to ask about energy saving measures they have in order to keep your bill down. Alternatively, they may offer an energy audit that they follow with tips for saving energy (and money on your bill.)

    If they don’t offer this, ask if they are partnered with any local ESCOs who offer a similar service. If they aren’t, don’t fret, as there are often independent resources you can seek out who do offer such services. Remember, ask about any fees or deposits it may take to get an ESCO added to your utilities. You don’t want the fees to outweigh your savings!

    Make sure you also figure out whether your energy rates are fixed or variable. Fixed energy rates can be great in areas with extremely cold winters, though variable rates can result in very low bills in the mild months. Finally, make sure you know how long any contract with your energy provider lasts and whether you could be charged for making changes before the expiration date.

    Don’t forget that you can always call your state’s public utilities commission with any pressing questions you have. They’ll be able to help you with any energy questions you may have, including ESCOs and energy saving tips.

  • Should You Donate Your Old Car to Charity?

    Should You Donate Your Old Car to Charity?

    So you’ve got an old car that you’re thinking of trading in to get a new ride. Have you considered donating it? Surely you’ve heard of car donations, there are signs and ads for it all over the place. But have you ever really considered it? Today we’re going to help you answer the question of where you should donate your old car to charity.

    Should You Donate Your Old Car to Charity?

    Charitable Donations

    Donating your car to charity has a number of upsides when compared to selling or trading in yourself. The first, and most obvious, is that you are doing something good for you community. Civic charity is a very noble thing, and there’s nothing more heartwarming than taking care of ones own community. That alone should be reason for people with the funds to get a new vehicle to donate an older vehicle to charity.

    Tax Write-off

    For the more pragmatic folks, though, there are also considerable financial upsides to donating. For one, you can write the donation off on your taxes. That means that you not only are doing a good thing for a local charity, you’re also saving yourself money come tax time.

    For instance, if you donate an old vehicle to a charity and they sell it for $3,000, then you get to write off $3,000 in taxes. Depending on your tax bracket, you could even end up not owing taxes through write-offs like that.

    Convenience

    How much of a hassle is it to sell your own vehicle? Well, quite, as it turns out. If you’ve ever tried to sell a car yourself, you’ve certainly experienced how difficult it can be to deal with people. Folks will try to argue with the price, waffle with you over little details and just generally jerk you around.

    Why subject yourself to dealing with the haggle and hassle? Even trading a car in involves haggling with a professional salesperson, and those folks are more than a headache. Wouldn’t it be easier if someone else could just take the car and sell it for you?

    Well, that’s exactly what charitable donations amount to. The charity that receives your vehicle fixes it up, makes it look pretty and then sells it for more than you could probably get. Then, you can write off that larger value on your taxes. Boom, win-win.

    Good Cause

    When you donate your car to charity, it’s more than just getting you a good tax write-off. The charity in question sells your vehicle and then gives that money to good causes. Not only are you getting a tax break from your old vehicle, you’re making a real difference in your community. $3,000, to use our earlier example, can feed a lot of homeless people, for instance.

    It can be hard to find the extra money to donate to the charities that mean the most to us. That’s why car donations are so important. While you might give a few dollars here and there, those little amounts aren’t making a huge impact. When you donate a car, however, that can be a massive windfall for your local humane society or homeless shelter, or whichever charity you prefer.

    Even if that’s not your biggest concern, it’s hard to say that it isn’t just easier to donate the vehicle. It gets the car out of your hair (and your garage) and frees up space for your shiny, new vehicle!

    How to Donate

    Now, you might be sold on the idea of donating but don’t know how to go about it. Well, there are a few ways to donate your old vehicle. The first is to simply look up your favorite local charities and see which of them have car donation processes. If they do, they’ll likely have you drop the vehicle off somewhere and then issue you paperwork to use when writing the donation off on your taxes.

    If your local charities don’t have any options for car donations, consider going through donation companies. Cars 4 Causes is an example of a donation company. Also known as 501(c)3 organizations, these companies exist specifically to take in donated cars and sell them for charity.

    The cool thing about donation companies is that they often pay you up front for the vehicle and then sell it for a charity for you. That way you don’t even need to wait until tax time to see money from your good deed!

    There you have it, the case for donating your vehicle the next time you upgrade. Remember, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as taking care of the people around you.

  • Best Trucks for Towing: Get Serious Work Done with These Trucks

    Best Trucks for Towing: Get Serious Work Done with These Trucks

    If you’re serious about towing then you need a serious truck. Many people think that any old pickup truck can haul heavy loads and work for any job. Those people are mistaken: some trucks simply can’t cut it! If you’re looking for a truck that can seriously tow, we’ve got you covered. Here are some of the best trucks for towing in 2018.

    Best Trucks for Towing

    Toyota Tacoma

    With a max towing capacity of 6,800 lbs and great off-roading potential, the Tacoma is an interesting vehicle. Those looking to take their towing jobs off the main road should seriously consider the Tacoma. Four-wheel drive, great suspension and a smooth ride make this your best friend for roughing it over unpaved terrain while hauling.

    The Tacoma is also aggressively priced, coming in at $25,200. It’s sporting a comfortable ride, plush interior and awesome infotainment system, too. All in all, this is a truck for both worlds: off-road towing and just driving the family around town.

    Honda Ridgeline

    Honda’s name doesn’t usually conjure up images of a powerful pickup truck. The Ridgeline, however, is a serious contender for a few reasons. It may have a unibody construction and front-wheel drive, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a great truck for normal use.

    Despite having lower towing capacity than many other trucks in this class, the ride quality and safety of this vehicle are hard to beat. That’s not to mention it’s got 280 horsepower under the hood to help you get where you’re going!

    The Ridgeline has a max towing capacity of 5,000 lbs and a price starting at $29,730.

    Toyota Tundra

    The Tundra is no slouch when it comes to towing. Another stellar off-roading truck, the Tundra is up there with the best when it comes to hauling off the pavement. It’s got a much more impressive towing capacity than the Tacoma, coming in at 10,500 lbs.

    That said, the Tundra isn’t the most modern truck. It doesn’t sport any smartphone integration and it has very limited options for engines. It’s also a bit pricey, compared to the competition. It’s base price is $31,120, making it a bit closer to the high-end.

    All that being said, the Tundra is still a fine vehicle if you plan to do more hauling and off-roading than driving around town.

    Chevy Silverado

    The Chevy Silverado has quite the reputation, and for good reason. This truck can tow a max capacity of 12,500, and it can get you where you need to go. Not to mention, while you’re in the cabin, it’s luxurious and spacious, making the ride a joy.

    If you’re more interested in towing, though, this is a great truck. For the base price of $28,300, you get a lot of towing for your dollar. This is an ideal truck for people who want the best ride with excellent towing capacity. Not to mention, the Chevy name alone makes this a great pick, as you know they’ll take care of you as the years bear on: they’re well-known for their great customer service.

    Ram 1500

    The Dodge Ram is a serious contender for best towing truck available right now. The Ram 1500, in particular, sports a max towing capacity of 12,750 lbs and can really move even with a full load. 305 horsepower in a V6 engine might not be much, but the optional V8 with 395 horses can really get the hauls moving when you need them to!

    That’s not to mention the luxurious cabin and butter-smooth ride. The suspension and handling in the truck feel great, even when carrying a big haul. The only concern is that the big V8 engine can really suck down some fuel, so be ready to keep the gas tank topped-off.

    Ford F-150

    Surprising no one, the Ford F-150 is our pick for best overall towing in a pickup truck. There’s more than just the gold-standard Ford name to thank for that, though. Pound-for-pound, the F-150 has the best in-class towing of any full-size pickup. That’s not even touching on the tech built into this affordable, heavy-towing beast.

    The Ford F-150 starts at $27,705 and tows a whopping 13,200 lbs. That alone is reason to pay attention to it. Even more impressive is the sheer number of features crammed into the F-150. Smooth ride, soft seats, driver safety features, huge infotainment system… you name it, this truck probably has it as an option.

    There you have it, some of the best trucks for towing on the market today. We hope these help you narrow down your decision!

  • Theme Park Vacation? Here are Some Tips to Save You Money

    Theme Park Vacation? Here are Some Tips to Save You Money

    A theme park vacation is a surefire way to make the whole family happy. What kid doesn’t love the idea of hopping on a roller coaster and doing loops and flips? Seriously, ask any kid where they want to go on vacation and they’re going to say Disneyland. If you’re planning a theme park vacation, here are some tips to help you make the most of it.

    Theme Park Vacation Tips

    Buy Tickets Online

    Don’t wait until you get to the gate to buy your tickets. That’s a surefire way to overspend. If you opt instead to buy your tickets online then you can likely save a great deal of money. When you buy online, you can see what the various deals, sales and promotions are and compare them at your own pace.

    After all, vacations can get pretty expensive. Why not save money on the tickets to get into the park? That’s the first thing you’ll need to spend on, so it might as well be the first thing you save on! Buying in advance online is a great way to plan ahead and save money all at once.

    Consider the Hotel

    Before you even get to the city the theme park is in, do some research. You likely won’t be using the hotel for much other than sleeping, so maybe you don’t need to be put up in a five-star resort. Instead, go for a more affordable hotel with less amenities.

    After all, if you’re visiting a theme park with a water park, roller coasters and ample attractions, why would you need a pool and included room service? Your theme park vacation will involve much more time spent in the park and much less time spent indoors, so spend your money accordingly.

    Don’t Forget Package Deals

    Many theme parks offer package deals with nearby hotels. Don’t forget to compare these deals to other nearby hotels and see if they’re right for your family. After all, some of these bundle deals can result in you saving a bit of money!

    Remember, you’ll often want to see all the rides the park has to offer if you’re going out of your way to visit it. As such, you’ll likely want to spring for multi-day passes. Multi-day passes ensure that you get a chance to see everything. In larger theme parks, this is critical, as it makes it so you don’t have to rush to see as much of the park as you’d like.

    Many hotel deals offer multi-day stays in a hotel as well as multi-day passes for guests. That’s the definition of hitting two birds with one stone, and it can often save you a ton of money.

    Make a Plan

    It can be difficult to hit every attraction you want to see in the park. Before you go, consider making a plan and following it through the map of the park. If there are rides you’d like to see, try to hit them before the busier times of day. During particularly hot hours, around four or five in the afternoon, head to the water-themed attractions to cool down!

    That said, you don’t need to strictly adhere to your plan. If you just follow what looks fun and make sure you’re not stressing over where you’re going and when, that’s what matters. The plan simply helps gives you some structure! These parks are designed for you to get lost in, after all, so it’s no surprise that many people don’t see all the attractions they want to.

    Eat Somewhere Else

    If you can help it, try not to eat in the park. The food served in the amusement park is tremendously overpriced compared to nearby restaurants. The only issue that crops up with this is that many amusement parks are so massive and have you park so far away that they are very difficult to exit and reenter quickly.

    In such cases, consider packing a lunch and keeping it in a lunchbox in your car. If it’s too hot to leave in your car, consider getting a locker in the park and stashing your bag lunch there!

    Don’t Forget the Basics

    Finally, don’t forget the basics. You’re going to want sunglasses, sun screen and a backup battery for your cell phone. The parks are huge and you’ll be in the sun all day, so make sure you’re well protected. Not to mention, having a fully charged phone helps you get back with your group should you get separated!

    Don’t forget to have fun out there! They’re not called amusement parks for nothing.

  • This New Piece of Technology is Bringing Families Together

    This New Piece of Technology is Bringing Families Together

    Video calls tend to feel like a bit of a chore from time to time. While they can be great for connecting with loved ones who you can’t be physically present with, they’re also somewhat stilted and can feel artificial. The Facebook Portal’s aim is bringing families together with revolutionary new smart AI technology.

    The Portal device allows users to make video calls to their loved ones and makes them feel like they’re really there. Portal uses learning AI to follow the action with the camera and make sure the person speaking is audible and crisp. The huge 10-inch screen and clear display only add to this amazing experience.

    Bringing Families Together: Facebook Portal

    Portal and Portal +

    The newest devices from Facebook, Portal and Portal + allow you to connect with distant loved ones. These aren’t the first smart devices with video calling, but they are the first to be fully dedicated to that goal. With Portal, you’ll really feel like you’re in the room with your loved ones.

    Portal devices are surprisingly affordable considering how advanced the technology running them is. A Portal device retails for $200, and a Portal + retails for $350. However, if you buy two Portal devices at once you receive a $100 discount! That means buying two Portal devices only costs $300, and allows you to share the experience with a loved one right out of the box.

    Device Specifications

    The Portal device itself has a massive 10-inch screen with a crisp 1280 x 800 display. Those who want a larger, even sharper display can instead opt for the Portal +, which sports a 15-inch screen with a 1920 x 1080 resolution. The Portal + is perfect for big families who want to make calls to Grandma and still fit everyone in the frame at once!

    Additionally, the Portal experience is totally hands-free. Simply call out “Hey, Portal,” and tell it who you want to speak to and it will initiate the call. That hands-free accessibility makes it so your voice is all you need to interact with the device!

    If that sounds familiar, it’s because Portal works with Amazon’s Alexa right out of the box. That’s right, the Portal is an Alexa-enabled smart device, like the Echo Show and Echo Spot. Like those devices, the Portal has robust voice-recognition software and is fast and accurate in hearing your commands.

    Security and Privacy

    With the Facebook name comes understandable hesitation regarding security and privacy. However, Facebook has promised that the Portal device is very secure and users need not fear their personal information being misused. Specifically, the Portal device encrypts all calls sent out and doesn’t send any information regarding the call back to Facebook.

    Similarly, the device doesn’t listen to any conversations unless it is awoken with the “Hey, Portal” command keyword. Facebook has also promised that the camera and mic can be turned off with a single tap, allowing families to remain certain they aren’t being watched.

    Finally, the Portal even ships with a camera cover, allowing the most privacy-conscious to also simply block their camera’s view the old-fashioned way if they so desire. These steps do a lot to alleviate many concerns regarding Facebook’s recent history with data and privacy.

    Notable Features

    Features such as Story Time help set Portal apart from other video chat services. Story Time gives one person, the Story Teller, a teleprompter to read a short story from. As they read, the Portal uses its advanced technology to change their face and voice on the listener’s end, morphing them into the character they’re reading.

    This fun feature is perfect for when a relative wants to read a bedtime story to children who they live far away from. Another example of fun shared activities includes listening to music together, where the Portal device syncs with Spotify or Amazon Music to deliver a song to both parties simultaneously. This allows for listening parties over the Portal technology!

    Bottom Line

    In short, Portal’s goal is to help people who are far away from one another to simply hang out. The smart AI that follows your movements and cancels background noise. This ensures that you’re always the center of attention in a call. That way, the awkward nature of some other video chat services is eliminated.

    If you’re looking for a great Christmas present for someone who lives far from you, or is about to move away, consider getting them a Portal so you can keep in touch. After all, who doesn’t like hanging out with friends and family?

  • Best New Jewelry Trends for 2019

    Best New Jewelry Trends for 2019

    Everyone loves to show off a bit. Even the most humble of people have a few items of personal jewelry that shows off their unique taste and style. If you’re a fan of jewelry and want to keep up with the newest trends, it can be difficult. How are you supposed to know what’s popular and what’s in fashion? Today we’re helping to show you the best new jewelry trends for 2019.

    Best New Jewelry Trends for 2019

    Starburst Signet Rings

    The dainty, thin ring has become something of an archaic look. Modern jewelry trends are moving more toward larger, more impressive signet-style rings. There are many styles that are favored for these styles of rings, but a big one is the starburst.

    No, not the sweet candy. By starburst we mean the pattern, a star-shaped explosion in the center of the ring. Typically the center of the starburst includes a diamond or some other precious stone. The cut-out pattern of the star tends to catch light in a very appealing way, making these rings great conversation starters.

    Collars

    The large, flashy-style collars made from various precious metals are another major trend in 2019’s jewelry space. Collars, which are typically wide and eye-catching, can be a bit expensive, but they make a huge impact on your outfits.

    If you’ve ever wished you had a big accessory to tie your outfit together, collars are what you’re looking for. When paired with an elegant dress or a nice outfit, they can make you look like royalty.

    Three-Stone Engagement Rings

    Engagement rings have largely been considered single-stone rings with simple bands. However, that old look is considered outdated in the modern era. The 2019 trend is angling more towards three-stone engagement rings. The three-stone look is a very eye-catching ring that will really turn heads.

    If you’ve been thinking about getting engaged soon, consider a three-stone ring. Some versions of the ring have three equal-sized stones, each one commanding respect. Other versions, however, have one large stone and two smaller stones flanking it. Either way, this is a very modern and fashionable style of ring.

    Floral Earrings

    Floral-style earrings are a very popular jewelry style among women in today’s fashion space. Modern tools for creating jewelry allow for incredibly intricate designs to be produced at a very affordable price. These intricate designs in particular are quite stunning.

    The floral-style earrings often appear as chains of flowers in a cascading pattern. Other versions incorporate vines, leaves, petals and other effects to bring it together. The center of the flowers are often capped with pearls, making the flashy earrings quite the statement.

    Ear Stacks

    Another popular jewelry trend is also a piercing trend. Ear stacks are a very 2019 look. They involve stacks of a lot of earrings along the outside of the earlobe. The stacks of piercing climbing up along the ear can add a level of escalation to an outfit.

    If you synchronize your ear-stack of piercings with your outfit you can create a very cool ascending look. The ascending appearance can mirror your outfit’s colors, or simply accentuate your makeup or other jewelry. In any event, the ear stack is a very modern jewelry trend that is sure to turn heads.

    Ear Huggers

    Ear huggers are tight-hoop earrings that tend to have a broad, sweeping look. The ear hugger look is defined by the broad surface that is able to show off various precious stones. Many modern ear huggers opt to include diamonds along their surface, usually bracketed by gold or another precious metal.

    The ear hugger style of earring is a great companion to a sporty, fast-paced look. If you don’t want a big, dangling piece of jewelry hanging from your earlobe but still want to make a jewelry statement, this is how. The best part about the ear hugger is that it can show off your style while also staying practical.

    Faceted Gem Rings

    Large jewelry is way in right now. Large-faced, faceted gem rings are another show-stopping piece of jewelry that can be worn with a number of outfits. If you’re a fan of eye-catching jewelry, it’s good to know that you can wear it even on your hands and still be fashionable.

    The stones that are in at the moment include rubies, sapphires and emeralds. Large, multi-faceted stones in simple bands make a gorgeous dichotomy that reminds the onlooker that sometimes simple things are beautiful. You can’t go wrong in 2019 with a faceted gem ring.

    Charm Rings

    For the more spiritual, charm rings with various zodiac and tarot symbols are considered highly fashionable. While in prior years more occult symbols were considered esoteric, they’re now quite fashionable. Alchemical and occult symbols, like moons, stars and ouroboros, have been featured more and more in modern jewelry.

    Rainbow Patterns

    In 2018 the rainbow palette became a very recognizable and modern jewelry trend. From the runway to various famous rappers, the rainbow aesthetic is in. Examples include necklaces with complex jewel patterns that cycle through the rainbow.

    Another favorite is collars with a stone from each color of the rainbow across the front face. These come across as upbeat, classy, fun and likable while also looking like high-fashion jewelry. These styles will be especially popular by the summertime, so now’s a great time to get ahead of the curve with your fashion.

    While many of the jewelry trends listed here are among the top you can expect to see in 2019, this is far from comprehensive. There are still many types of jewelry you can expect to see, though these are a great place to start.

  • Stop Your Pain the Natural Way: Best Natural Treatments for Psoriatic Arthritis

    Stop Your Pain the Natural Way: Best Natural Treatments for Psoriatic Arthritis

    Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic disease that includes symptoms of inflammation in the joints. The inflammation cause by psoriatic arthritis is described as painful and chronic by those suffering from it. Many who suffer from it wonder what the best natural treatments for psoriatic arthritis are.

    Today we’re going to dig into that question and offer some suggestions for natural remedies. Remember, there are no “cures” for psoriatic arthritis, or PsA. However, there are many natural treatments that may work well with therapies and traditional medicine to lessen your symptoms.

    Natural Treatments for Psoriatic Arthritis

    What is Psoriatic Arthritis

    Psoriatic arthritis is a distinct ailment from rheumatoid arthritis, though the joint pain and inflammation is similar. However, the main difference in the two is the presence of psoriasis. Psoriasis is marked by the red, flakey skin and plaques that develop on some parts of the skin.

    Typically, those with PsA also suffer from psoriasis symptoms on the skin near the affected joints. As such, PsA is a distinct issue from normal arthritis. It can often appear in younger people, which is very unlike typical arthritis.

    Natural Remedies

    Keep in mind that these are natural substances and behaviors that have been noted to help with PsA aches and pains. These aren’t clinically tested or medically documented remedies. The suggestions here are simply that: suggestions. That said, many people have anecdotally noted that these natural remedies help them combat their PsA symptoms.

    Turmeric

    Long heralded as a natural way to combat inflammation, turmeric is a great choice for fighting PsA symptoms. Since most arthritis pain is related directly to inflammation, incorporating turmeric into your diet is a great way to try to combat it.

    Anecdotally, turmeric milk is a great drink to supplement normal meals to help incorporate turmeric into your diet. Other ways to incorporate the spice include adding it to food directly or simply taking capsules of it. It’s natural and harmless, so why not try it?

    Massage Therapy

    Massage therapy has more applications than simply helping you to relax. Relaxation is a great side-effect of the therapy process, but it’s not all the therapy is about. Many people have reported that massage therapy applied to areas of PsA symptoms have helped symptoms abate.

    Notably, your massage therapist should be well-versed in helping work out tension related to PsA. Massage therapists who are thusly trained should be able to provide great amounts of relief for those suffering from PsA. This is a very direct, straightforward process for relieving pain related to symptoms.

    Topical Applications

    Many people suffering from PsA swear by topical application of natural substances like Aloe Vera. Aloe is a soothing balm derived from the plant of the same name. It is often applied to skin that has been sunburned, but it can also work wonders on skin afflicted with psoriasis.

    Another example of a balm applied topically is Oregon grape. Studies suggest that this balm has properties that can alleviate skin discomfort related to psoriasis. While neither is a long-term solution to the problem of PsA, they might help reduce psoriasis-related discomfort.

    Acupuncture

    Acupuncture is an ancient alternative treatment that many people swear by. It’s not considered a medical treatment, as no medical literature really supports its purported benefits. However, many practitioners swear that the process helps them manage chronic pain.

    For the curious, acupuncture is a therapy method that involves carefully inserting needles under the skin in select parts of the body. The exact nature of the spots chosen is unclear, and some acupuncturists take an almost spiritual approach. Spiritualists claim acupuncture manipulates the body’s “chi,” or spirit force.

    Realists tend to focus more on the nervous system, and how acupuncture interacts with nerve endings. In any event, many people find that acupuncture can help with chronic pain. While PsA in particular isn’t a main target of acupuncture, many who suffer from PsA claim acupuncture helps them manage their pain.

    Capsaicin

    Capsaicin, that stuff that makes peppers so darn hot, has been shown to have some capacity to block pain receptors. People who don’t love the taste of extremely spicy foods need no worry, however, as there are other ways to take capsaicin other than eating spicy peppers.

    Namely, many companies make over-the-counter topical creams using capsaicin. Users have anecdotally noted that these creams have the capacity to help with psoriasis symptoms. The skin plaques and itchiness of psoriasis is somewhat abated in some cases by capsaicin-based creams.

    Acupressure

    Something of a hybrid between acupuncture and massage therapy is acupressure. A related field to both aforementioned therapies, acupressure involves using the hands or other non-invasive methods to manipulate the focal points used in acupuncture.

    Acupressure specifically targets problem areas and uses specific techniques to help alleviate different types of pain. Those who receive acupressure therapy often state that it’s a great way to deal with chronic pain.

    Acupressurists who are well-trained in treating arthritic symptoms often know techniques intended to alleviate the specific joint pains in question. Patients are recommended to talk with acupressurists before seeing them to treat specific arthritis pain.

    Behaviors

    Those with ongoing PsA symptoms might also benefit from a healthier overall lifestyle. Gentle exercise, better diet and mindfulness have all been noted in various patients to help deal with pain. For instance, if you often eat junk food or fast food, you might find you’re experiencing more aches and pains.

    On the other hand, a diet of fruits, vegetables and other healthy options could lead to decreased chronic pain symptoms. Similarly, many who suffer from PsA have noted that gentle exercise like yoga helps to keep their muscles and joints from becoming stiff, thus reducing their overall chronic pain.

    In addition, meditation has been stated by many patients to help them cope with chronic pain. Sessions of deep reflection and mindfulness can help people with ongoing pain symptoms to manage their reactions to the pain. This can potentially ease their stress regarding their physical situation.

    Hopefully some of these natural remedies for psoriatic arthritis will help you. Remember, none of these treatments are meant to be replacements for traditional medicine prescribed by your doctor. Always consult your doctor about changes in lifestyle and treatment.

  • Best Amazon Alexa Features: Is it Time for You to Get an Echo Device?

    Best Amazon Alexa Features: Is it Time for You to Get an Echo Device?

    Amazon’s Alexa personal assistant can be found in a number of the company’s hardware releases. The Echo line of smart home hubs as well as the Fire TV line have been using Alexa for a few years now. Today we’re looking at some of the best Amazon Alexa features to help you decide whether one of these devices is right for you.

    Alternatively, if you’re already an Alexa user, maybe you’ll learn about some new features you didn’t know about. There are so many Alexa features that it’s unlikely you’ve seen them all! It’s hard to overestimate just how many skills Alexa has. You might even learn about some new ways to use the technology in this article.

    Best Amazon Alexa Features

    Simple and Easy

    Alexa’s best features are often her simplest. If you’re getting ready for work and want to know how to dress for the day, simply ask Alexa about the weather. Rather than having to pull out your phone and check the weather app, Alexa can just read it off to you as you get ready. What’s more, she’ll tell you the expected high and low and if any precipitation is expected, in addition to the current temperature.

    Another excellent feature Alexa has built-in is simply telling time. It sounds like such a small thing but asking for the time and having it quickly announced back to you is about as convenient as it gets. If your phone is far away, or dead, it can be useful to quickly find out what time it is just by asking.

    The most useful “simple” task we’ve found that Alexa handles is setting timers while we’re cooking. Since the device is hands-free, you can call out to start a timer while you’re in the middle of cooking a meal or some other task. She’ll alert you when the timer is up, and you need only tell her to stop to make the alert go away. Easy and simple, simple and easy!

    Books

    You can have Alexa read your Kindle books to you. It’s a really cool way to keep up with the books you’re trying to read even while you’re doing things like cleaning or cooking. You can have her pause, skip ahead or back, and even skip to different chapters. It’s essentially a text-to-speech audiobook. There’s not a lot of personality to her voice, but she’ll keep you up-to-speed on your favorites.

    Additionally, you can have Alexa playback your Audible audiobooks. Audible sports a ton of books read aloud by professional voice actors, and they have much more in-depth emotional heft than a machine simply converting text-to-speech. That said, Audible audiobooks tend to cost a bit more than simply buying the book on Kindle.

    Organizing

    If you want, you can use Alexa to organize your activities. Telling her to add items to a shopping list lets you see them the next time you open Amazon. Alternatively, you can just flat-out shop through Alexa. You can use your voice to reorder common items or even browse Amazon’s online inventory.

    If you sync your Alexa with your Google Calendar, you can also ask Alexa to tell you what upcoming events you have. Asking her makes it easier on you, since you can be getting ready in the morning or cleaning and be reminded of what you have coming up later that day or week.

    Similarly, Alexa can set alarms for you so that you don’t miss important deadlines. If you need to leave at a certain time so that you don’t miss the window to be on time, have Alexa tell you when it’s time!

    Hosting

    The most advertised aspect of Amazon’s Alexa is her ability to act as an impromptu DJ. You can call out for Alexa to start playing music by naming an artist, genre or song you want to hear. The digital assistant grabs the song off of Prime Music and begins playback quickly. It’s very intuitive to tell the device to pause, skip or start over.

    Alexa can also play music through Spotify if you have an account and link it with your device.

    If you have house guests over and want to set the mood for a gathering, Alexa is your friend. If you’ve invested in smart lights like Philips Hue, you can have Alexa adjust the lights for you. Colors, intensity and more can be switched with your voice and on the fly. Be ready to wow your guests when you switch the mood of a room with music and lights just by telling Alexa which pre-sets to use.