Author: Cameron

Reasons you Might Want a Stairlift in Your Home

If you or someone you live with has limited mobility or relies on a wheelchair, then you need a stairlift in your home. Stairlifts are mechanical seats that you can use to get up and down stairs without all the effort. In stead of being pushed out of your home by your limited mobility, stay where you love and install a Stairlift.

Information on Stairlifts: Do You Need a Stairlift in Your Home?

Who Needs a Stairlift?

All over the country and around the world, people are aging, and many of them are aging in place. Aging in place encompasses a broad range of ideas and issues. However, at its most basic level, it is closely connected to an individual’s desire to stay home – the place where most people (more than 90%, according to AARP) would prefer to remain for as long as possible. They would rather not transition to a senior care community unless or until it’s absolutely necessary. Perhaps there is a mobility issue that limits an individual’s ability to get up and down the stairs to access a 2nd floor bathroom or bedroom. In all other respects, the senior is healthy, competent, and able to live alone without daily assistance. In some cases, a frail senior may not be completely immobile, but navigating the stairs is a health risk not worth taking. If a transition to one floor living is not affordable or practical, a stair lift may be the best bet for aging in place safely and efficiently. Many people with limited mobility find it difficult to get up and down stairs. If you live in a home with multiple stories you may feel like it’s hard to climb and descend stairs. There are numerous people with limited mobility who can’t afford to move, or simply don’t want to. However, they also can’t just live downstairs, so what are they to do?

That’s where a stairlift comes in. These handy machines can support your body weight with a seat that carries you to the top or bottom of the stairs. This can help people who are otherwise healthy but find the prospect of taking the stairs daunting.

There are many reasons someone could need the use of a stairlift. Some people simply aren’t able to walk, and they, of course, need lifts. Others have limited depth perception or poor vision and don’t want to risk falling. Whatever the reason, stairlifts are a safe alternative to going up and down the stairs.

How Much do They Cost?

A major consideration for many people is the cost of stairlifts. After all, installing such a large device is no inexpensive process. However, when compared to the cost of assisted living or a retirement home, the stairlift doesn’t even come close. After all, who can put a price on independence?

There are several initiatives that offer grants to help people make their homes wheelchair accessible. Consider applying for one of these if the cost of a stairlift seems too daunting for your income. In fact, some insurance policies and healthcare plans are even able to cover the costs. Check with your insurance provider to see if this is a possibility for you.

What Type of Stairlift is Right for You?

Straight Stairlifts

A straight stairlift is the ultimate staircase solution, giving you the full use of the home you love. Blending seamlessly into your home, with a smooth start and stop mechanism, you can glide effortlessly up and down the stairs. Straight stair lifts are the most simple stairlift installation possible and most can be completed in a couple hours, saving you hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars in additional cost!

Curved Stairlifts

Designed from the ground-up for any curved staircase, this curved stairlift offers a comfortable and reliable ride. The advanced self-leveling carriage moves along the modular rail system, coming to a soft stop with ease. With its low running costs, it even operates through a power cut. The sleek, smooth and modern rail system is unique to this stairlift. There’s no waiting weeks to have an expensive rail made for your home. These can be installed in a matter of days with no mess and no fuss.

Outdoor Stairlifts

Do you have a steep drive that is difficult to walk up? Stairlifts do not need to be limited to your indoor stairs; our outdoor stairlifts are the perfect mobility aid to give you access to those outdoor spaces you love or have limited access to. We used to live in a world where you could only live in a home that accommodates your needs. Now we live in a world where you can adapt your dream home to the accommodations necessary. Every outdoor stair lift is engineered for exterior installation use and includes a weatherproof cover to protect your lift from wind, rain, snow, ice, and other inclement weather that can damage crucial components.

November 20, 2018
You’re Overpaying for Eyeglasses: Buy Glasses Online

If you purchase your eyeglasses in your doctor’s office then odds are that you’re paying too much. Have you considered how much you could save if you buy glasses online? That’s right, you could be saving a lot of money on your prescription lenses if you buy glasses online.

Why Buy Glasses Online

More Convenient

First things first: it’s way easier to buy eyeglasses online from the comfort of your home. You can browse a wide variety of frames and compare prices without the pressure of dealing with salespeople. After all, who wouldn’t rather browse from their computer while relaxing? You can even shop for eyeglasses from your smartphone while you’re on the go.

Wider Selection

If you go in-store, you’ll likely find your options to frames and colors limited. When you shop online these limitations don’t exist. You’re able to browse the entire range of lenses and colors available. Not only can you compare prices on the fly and make sure you’re getting the best deal, you can also make sure you’re getting a pair of glasses you know you like the look of.

When you go to the eye doctor’s office, they have a preselected number of lenses you can look at. There simply aren’t that many options compared to online shopping. Who wants to purposefully limit their selections?

You’ll Save a Ton

Most importantly, if you buy online you’ll save a ton of money. Doctor’s offices can upcharge upwards of 700% for lenses. That’s downright absurd when you consider the wholesale prices of the lenses in question. For frames, they could be marked up as much as 400%. As you would imagine, there are plenty of savings to be found online.

Online retailers can sell for a bit above wholesale price and still profit. This means that you know you’re getting the best deal. Why would you pay more for glasses when you could pay less through an easier, more relaxed platform?

Sites like EyeBuyDirect, Warby Parker and Zenni Optical offer great deals, wide selections and convenience. Don’t mess around with your eyes or your money, start buying your eyeglasses online. You’ll be glad you did!

November 20, 2018
Nintendo President Shuts Down N64 Classic Rumors

With the monumental success of the SNES Classic and NES Classic, the N64 Classic looked like a sure thing. However, in a recent interview, Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America President, shut down any hopes of the system coming any time soon. Why is Nintendo not pushing forward with this surefire idea?

N64 Classic Rumors Shut Down

Reggie Fils-Aime stated that while he “would not ever rule something out… what I can tell you is certainly that’s not in our planning horizon.” The Nintendo exec continued, “We were clear when we did the first two Classic series that, for us, these were limited-time opportunities that were a way for us as a business to bridge from the conclusion of Wii U as a hardware system to the launch of Nintendo Switch.”

“That was the very strategic reason we launched the NES Classic system,” Fils-Aime clarified. The president went on to clarify that the company understood that people were excited to engage with older Nintendo games. Fils-Aime stated that Nintendo plans to continue supporting its legacy content through the Nintendo Online subscription service.

Nintendo Online

The subscription service, which is around $20 per year, is a service for the Nintendo Switch. It is required to play games like Splatoon and Mario Kart 8 online. It also comes with a selection of NES titles that are updated with a few new entries each month. Currently the only games available through the service are NES games that are roughly 30 years old.

At time of writing, there is no way to play other legacy content on the Switch. Fils-Aime indicated that fans of retro Nintendo games would see that type of content through the online service. However, the Virtual Console, the emulation offered on systems like the Wii, has yet to come to Switch. In the meantime, Nintendo fans must simply patiently wait to see when Nintendo will roll out anything other than 30-year-old games to the system.

For context, it took Nintendo until the tail end of the Wii U’s 5-year lifespan to begin rolling N64 game out. We hope that this situation doesn’t repeat itself with the Switch.

November 20, 2018
5 Things Every Man Needs to Know About Blood Thinners
If your doctor prescribed a blood thinner, read this first! About 2 to 3 million people take blood thinners, but many patients aren’t as well informed as they should be. Here’s what you need to know about how these drugs work—and common side effects to expect.

What’s in a Name?

The name “blood thinners” isn’t quite accurate. Drugs such as warfarin don’t actually make the blood thinner. Instead, they help prevent your blood from forming clots. Blood clots are extremely dangerous. They can form anywhere in the body and then travel to the heart or brain, causing heart attack or stroke.

How Blood Thinners Work

Blood cells known as platelets like to clump together, forming clots. That’s great if you have a cut and need the bleeding to stop. It’s not so good if you have arteriosclerosis or at risk for deep-vein thrombosis. Vitamin K is an essential player when it comes to forming blood clots. Blood thinners interrupt the vitamin’s ability to coagulate the blood. These drugs can stop new clots from forming and reduce the size of existing clots.

Who Can Benefit from Blood Thinners?

If you’re at risk for a heart attack or stroke, your doctor might prescribe one of these medications. People with heart disease are most commonly prescribed anticoagulants. Patients who have an abnormal heart rhythm known as atrial fibrillation may also be prescribed these drugs. If you’ve recently had surgery—especially heart valve replacement—you’ll likely be given a prescription for one of these medications.

Risks and Side Effects

One of the biggest risks in taking blood thinners, even for a short period of time, is injury. Because your blood can’t clot normally, your chance of bleeding or bruising is much higher. Head injuries are especially dangerous while you are taking blood thinners. You should also keep an eye on any abnormal bleeding, and tell your doctor right away if you notice any issues.

Some people may experience headaches while taking blood thinners. But don’t reach for that bottle of Aleve or Advil quite yet! Non-steriodal anti-inflammatory drugs (also known as NSAIDs) can increase your risk of bleeding. You should also avoid certain herbal supplements, like St. John’s wort, while taking prescription anticoagulants.

How to Live Your BEST Life on Blood Thinners

While taking a prescription anticoagulant, it’s important to be mindful of your health. You can still do most of your normal activities. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality recommends following the BEST method:
- Be Careful—Don’t put yourself in unnecessary danger of falls or injuries
- Eat Right—If you’re taking warfarin, don’t eat foods high in vitamin K such as broccoli, kale, and cabbage. You should also avoid alcohol while on blood thinners.
- Stick to a Routine—Now is not the time to shake up your routine or take on major responsibilities. Your health is your top priority.
- Test Regularly—Your doctor will order regular tests to make sure that the medication is at the right level for you.
Whether you’re only on blood thinners for a few months or the long haul, as long as you follow these tips and your doctor’s orders, you should be able to maintain a normal, healthy, and active life.
November 20, 2018
MacBook Air 2018: Is it Worth the Price?

While Apple continues smartphone dominance with the iPhone X line, they’ve been struggling with their laptops recently. Competitors like Microsoft have been out-performing them for the past few years. Is the MacBook Air 2018 poised to change that, or will it fall flat?

MacBook Air 2018 Review

Design

At first glance this is very clearly a new beast than previous generations. It’s incredibly thin and light and stows away in a bag very easily. It’s a bit bigger than the 12-inch MacBook Pro, oddly, though it’s a bit smaller than the 13-inch model. It’s something of an in-between of those two laptops in more ways than one.

The screen is big and gorgeous, as you’d expect from any Apple product. The bezels around the screen have been pulled back significantly, making this a much more modern-looking device. The keyboard is a bit shallower than the previous MacBook Air but it still feels fine for typing.

Performance

This is an upgraded machine from its previous incarnation in many ways. Notably, this version is sporting an 8^th-Gen i5 processor, more RAM options and generally more power. It’s not quite as mighty as the 13-inch MacBook but it’s much more portable. Likewise, it blows the 12-inch MacBook out of the water but it’s a bit bulkier than that device.

For most common tasks this is going to be an excellent productivity machine. If you want a device from which you can type up assignments, listen to music, do research and watch YouTube, you won’t be disappointed. Photo and video editing are a dream, as usual for Macs. Professionals, college students and entrepreneurs alike will find this device plenty powerful enough for most tasks.

Bottom Line

This is an excellent entry into the MacBook line. Acting as a midpoint between the 12-inch and 13-inch designs, the MacBook Air 2018 comes in a full $100 cheaper than either of those devices. It retails for $1200, though you can likely find it on sale for up to $100 less in some places. All in all, this is a great productivity laptop with a good balance of portability, power and sleek design that will impress any Mac fans.

November 20, 2018
Black Friday iPhone Deals that You Have to See

It’s no secret that Apple makes some of the best smartphones, hands down. They also charge some serious dough for their elite smartphones. That changes on Black Friday, though: the company is offering some great discounts on several of their top-of-the-line smartphones. You can’t mess these Black Friday iPhone deals!

Black Friday iPhone Deals

Walmart Deal

Walmart’s offering a very straightforward deal on iPhones. If you buy an iPhone X, iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus and activate it you get a $400 Walmart gift card. You have to activate through Verizon, AT&T or Sprint to get the gift card. Essentially, you’ll pay full price for the iPhone but you get to spend another $400 in Walmart for your trouble.

Alternatively, if you want this year’s models, you can go through the same process for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max or iPhone XR and get a $300 gift card. Not quite as much, but you’re getting a much newer phone in the deal!

Target Deal

Target is offering a similar deal to Walmart. After buying an iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max and activating with Sprint, AT&T or Verizon you get a $250 gift card. This isn’t quite as good of a deal as Walmart but Target can often offer a different array of things than Walmart can. Some of Target’s other Black Friday sales might even make this the deal you opt to go with.

T-Mobile Deal

T-Mobile is offering straight-up free iPhones. If you trade-in your old phone and open a new line on your existing bill you can get a free iPhone XR, iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus. If those aren’t your thing, you can get $750 off the iPhone X, XS or XS Max. These savings come in the form of bill credits over a 24-month period.

This deal is notable as it’s the counterpoint to the Target and Walmart offers. While those offers require you activate the phone through Verizon, AT&T or Sprint, T-Mobile is offering a much better deal over a 24-month period. Their deal simply doesn’t take place as immediately as the other two on this list.

November 20, 2018
Time to Buy a New TV…Best TV Deals!

Don’t miss out on the year’s best deals on flat screen TVs! Big flat screen TVs have been getting better and less expensive year after year. Unlike pretty much everything else, TVs have fallen well below the inflation line in terms of price.

If you’ve been looking to buy a new HD TV, or even a 4K panel, Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Cyber Week is a great opportunity. Even after the big shopping holidays are over deals on flat screen TVs are still ample.

Before settling on any one deal, it’s important to know exactly what kind of viewing experience you want to create. For an impressive home theater experience, 50-inch to 90-inch televisions are the latest for living rooms, while 33-inch to 49-inch TVs work well in smaller areas.

Shoppers should also decide whether they want a 4K or Ultra HD at 2160p of resolution, or if 1080p or 720p would work better. Another choice that shoppers need to make is between popular LED and OLED TVs; LED TVs provide superior brightness and affordability, while OLED TVs are more energy efficient and better to view at different angles.

Regardless of which features are chosen, there are sweet deals to be had! Here are some of the best flat screen deals of Black Friday 2019!

Best Flat Screen Deals

The best three Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals on flat screen TVs are offered by Target, Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Costco, and Sam’s Club. Read on to find out how you can score the best deals on flat screen TVs during these hot shopping days and the top brands in TVs today.

Sony TVs

Amazon has some awesome deals on Sony 4K panels. For the 55-inch Sony XBR55X900F Smart TV the sale price is $1098. For the 65-inch model it’s a stellar $998! The absolutely massive 75-inch version of this TV, the sale price is $1,798.

Sony is well-known for their excellent TVs, especially when it comes to 4K. 4K is the future of high definition displays, so expect to see plenty of great content in that resolution in the days to come. Game consoles like the Xbox One X and PS4 Pro take full advantage of 4K displays. There’s no time like right now to take advantage of these awesome prices!

Samsung TVs

Samsung’s name is synonymous with excellence when it comes to TVs. This Black Friday you can find their UN43NU6950 43″ 4K TV for an incredible $279.99 at Costco. That’s one of the best prices you can find on 4K!

If you’re looking for something a bit bigger, you can find the UN50NU6900 50” 4K TV for $327.99 at Best Buy. That’s another awesome deal for a huge 4K screen that will look good in any room in the house. This is the sort of deal you can’t afford to miss!

Toshiba TVs

For mid-level TVs, Toshiba has you covered. If you want a steal on a TV, look no further than Amazon’s deal on a 32” 720p Toshiba Smart TV. For Black Friday this TV is on sale for $130. If you’re looking for a good TV for a kid’s bedroom, this is the one!

If you’re looking for a smart TV for the living room, try the Toshiba 50” 4K Smart TV for $300 from Amazon. This is about as good a deal on a 4K smart TV as you can find.

November 19, 2018
The Hottest Toys of 2018

The holidays are almost upon us and that means its time to start shopping. But of all the people on your Christmas list, kids can be some of the most difficult people to shop for, because what they like always seems to change by the season and what they want usually costs a pretty penny.

If you are getting ready to do your holiday shopping right now but aren’t sure what to buy or how to get the best deals, doing some shopping around will help you save a lot this holiday season. Stores like Walmart, Target, and Amazon offer the hottest toys for kids at the best prices. Get deals on the most popular toys just in time for Christmas.

The Hottest Toys Kids Want this Christmas

Video Games

If you have a kid that loves play games, you’ll find a ton of great options for them this holiday season. If you want to give a kid on your shopping list an awesome video game, consider some of Nintendo’s Classic Mini consoles. The SNES Classic only costs $80, and it’s loaded with classic games that kids of any age would love. The NES Classic only costs $60 and comes with over 30 retro games. With retro being cool again, there are plenty of kids who would love one of these mini-consoles for Christmas!

The PlayStation Classic Mini comes out this year. It can play all your old PlayStation games that you loved growing up, so now you can share them with your kids. Get it for just $99 from Target.

Meanwhile, Fortnite is one of the most popular new video games among children right now, played by millions across the country. And with tons of merchandise available already, it’s no surprise that there’s now a Fornite edition of Monopoly. Kids can take a break from the video games for a while and sit down with their family to play a round of Fornite Monopoly – available for just $15.88 at Walmart.

Hoverboards

Want your kids to get outside for a while? It was only a generation ago when everyone whizzed around on low-tech skateboards and roller blades. These fun contraptions and alternative modes of transport are still popular. The difference today is that they have some serious competition. I’m talking about the new hoverboards of course, though not in the science fiction sense.

Hoverboards are exceedingly popular and you can get one like the MEGAWHEELS Hoverboard at Amazon for just $136. There’s also Air Hogs, hand-controlled flying orbs suitable for kids 8 and older – available for $40 at Amazon.

Lego Sets

Disney properties like Star Wars, Marvel and Princesses are all very popular right now. Kids love Lego Star Wars and Lego Marvel sets especially! You can find sets of various prices, ranging from smaller sets of single characters to larger chests full of bricks.

The coolest thing about the Lego sets is that they encourage creativity. Watching a little one expand their creativity and imagination as they build and play with block is a really great treat! Whether your budget is smaller or larger, you can find Lego sets in your price range for all the little ones on your shopping list.

Building kits are a great way to advance your child’s mind and fine motor skills. You can find terrific toys like the Magna-Qubix building set for less than $30 at Amazon. Of course, Potterheads will prefer the Harry Potter Kano Coding Kit that allows kids to build their own ones, as well as learn and develop coding skills as they create their own magic. Get the complete set for $99. Of course, if your child is not quite advanced enough for that, you can find Lego Harry Potter sets on sale at Target for as low as $12.99 and Frozen sets for as low as $15.29. Kids can follow the instructions and build the set as directed or use their imagination for their own unique creations. Who says Elsa can’t fly a spaceship?

Other Toys

Toys will always be popular, and right now Avengers are about as popular as it gets. Iron Man, Hulk and Thor action figures are available at stores like Target and Walmart, and you can even find them online at sites like Amazon. There are also larger toy sets for characters like Spider-Man and Captain America!

Many places will also have sales on Blu-Rays if you want to get the kids on your shopping list Marvel movies for Christmas. The biggest Marvel super-fans will love all the behind-the-scenes extras found on the Blu-Rays of their favorite movies.

Of course, you can find a ton of other excellent options for younger children. The Wowee Fingerlings Hugs plush toy can hug, be thrown around or twisted in interesting ways, and can also record and play back messages. Released later this month, Target will have this toy for just $29.99. Based on the popular children’s show, the PJ Masks Headquarters Playset can be purchased from Amazon for less than $40.

Meanwhile, the Poopsie Slime Surprise Unicorn for $50 at Amazon is an extremely popular choice for girls that includes food packets, sparkle packets, a diaper, and a hairbrush, so your children can take care of their baby unicorn just like a human baby – but one that poops glitter. Kids that love sounds will love the Crate Creatures Surprise! line-up from Blizz. It’s available from Walmart for as low as $31, but be careful, because your child may just want them all. Check out this or any of the other toys mentioned above.

November 19, 2018
New Chevy Traverse: Affordable and Fun to Drive

2018 model year cars are being sold at huge discounts at dealerships across the country to make room for the 2019 models. If you’ve been holding off buying a new Chevy Traverse, now’s the time to head to your local dealership. This affordable and fun SUV is a great value for any family, and there’s never been a better time to buy.

New Chevy Traverse: A Great Deal for an SUV

Why Chevy Traverse?

The Traverse was redesigned in 2018 to sport a bigger interior and more powerful engine options. Now that the 2018 model is being reduced in price it’s one of the best deals on the market for a new SUV. If you enjoy a powerful engine in an SUV, there are options for a V6 with 310 horsepower. The massive, helpful infotainment system also ensures you’ll have plenty of control over your car’s systems.

Which Trim Should You Buy?

There are a number of great trims available for the Chevy Traverse. There are so many great options that it can be hard to decide which one is right for you! If you’re having trouble picking one, we suggest the LT Trim.

The LT Trim is a great option for those who want premium features at an affordable price. These features include a power-adjustable driver’s seat, a heated steering wheel and second-row captain’s chars. If you love that infotainment system, the LT has an even bigger screen, too!

Entertainment options don’t stop there, with the LT Traverse sporting a 10-speaker Bose audio system and satellite radio. You can even opt for leather upholstery and safety features like blind spot monitoring.

Pricing

Right now, eligible customers can get some pretty awesome deals on the 2018 Chevy Traverse. For those who want a low monthly payment, they can pay $4.689 at signing to get a $289 per month payment. That’s for a 36-month payment plan. If you want a lower up-front cost, you can opt for $4,099 at signing for a $329 monthly bill.

Whichever way you go, you can’t go wrong with this awesome SUV! Not only will your family love your new Chevy Traverse, but you’ll love driving it, too!

November 19, 2018
Microsoft Surface Headphones: Worth the Money?

Microsoft is entering the headphone market with their new Surface Headphones. This is yet another move by Microsoft to compete directly with Apple as an electronics manufacturer. Priced at $350, are the Microsoft Surface Headphones worth their price tag? Let’s get into the specifics.

Microsoft Surface Headphones Review

Microsoft

Design

The Microsoft headphones sport a sleek, white design reminiscent of Apple and Google’s preferred aesthetic. The clean lines and smooth curves are quite attractive, and the headphones look great as a fashion accessory. That’s a good thing since they cost nearly as much as high-end Bose headphones.

The headphones are light on the head and noticeably comfortable to wear. They feel great on the ears and don’t pinch or cause headaches like some lower-quality headphones will.

Features

Notably, each earcup has a dial on the outside. The right ear dial is for volume, and the left is for the amount of noise canceling you want the headphones to exert. Additionally, there are touch zones that you can tap to pause or resume music. If you tap twice, the music skips ahead. If you tap three times, it skips back.

If you take the headphones off, they automatically pause your music. When you put them back on, they resume. This is a neat little feature, but one that you will quickly be thankful for. In general, these headphones feel very premium in both design and features. Lots of small things make these thoughtfully-crafted headphones feel well-worth the price tag.

Sound Quality

The most important part of any headphones is the sound quality. The Microsoft Surface Headphones sound okay, but not quite as great as competitors in the same price range. For the price, they could be a bit clearer and crisper. Bass levels aren’t quite as deep as we’d like, and the sound isn’t as big or impressive as, say, Bose’s comparable headphones.

Bottom Line

If you’re a Microsoft faithful who enjoys using Cortana and wants a set of headphones to pair with your Surface device, these are for you. However, for casual music listeners, these are a bit too pricey. For serious audiophiles, Bose or Sony makes stronger headphones in this price range. That said, these are still solid headphones, and Microsoft fans will be pleased with them.

November 19, 2018