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  • Easy Tips for Starting Your Own Blog

    Easy Tips for Starting Your Own Blog

    Are you trying to start your own blog? If so, there’s a lot to cover when it comes to getting started. You’ll have to figure out what platform, whether to self-host and what kind of design you want. Today we’re going to take a look at some of the most popular options and give you some tips for starting your own blog!

    How to Get Started with Your Own Blog

    Choose a Platform

    First, you’ll need to choose a blogging platform. Put simply, this is the interface you’ll use to put your blog up on the internet. There are a few options, but the biggest one by far is WordPress. If you hadn’t guessed, the very post you’re reading was made in WordPress. Roughly half of all the blog on the internet were made using the WordPress platform.

    Why is WordPress so popular? There are a few reasons. Firstly, it’s very well laid-out, offering a clean and simple way to manage your content. Secondly, it’s easy to search for a layout and template you like the look of. This makes your content look very professional and makes monetization significantly easier! Not everyone who blogs is going to make a ton of money, but if money is your goal in this then WordPress is likely your best bet. It’s simply the most professional-looking mass-market blog platform.

    Alternatives

    As for alternatives, there are a few you can look into. The biggest other platform out there is called Blogger. It’s a fine resource, if a bit more limited than WordPress. If you prefer Blogger’s style and layout, however, that’s totally fine. You can make an awesome-looking blog with Blogger.

    The next biggest blogging platform is a website called Tumblr. Tumblr’s a bit of a cross between a blogging site and a social media platform. It’s a bit atypical in terms of hardcore blogging, but it’s worth keeping in mind. If you want to do something more social and off the wall then you might like Tumblr’s looser, more casual approach.

    Self-hosting or Free

    Once you’ve picked a blog platform, you’ll need to figure out whether you’ll self-host or not. Self-hosting costs money, but it gives you a lot more control. Not self-hosting means your blog will be free, which is cool, but it comes with some notable limitations. For one thing, you won’t have your own domain name. Your domain, instead, will be hosted under the platform you’ve chosen.

    For example, a blog hosted by WordPress would have a WordPress domain name. For all intents and purposes, it would belong to WordPress. If they wanted to delete your blog, they could. It’s unlikely, but the point stands. The other option is self-hosting. Self-hosting costs money, but it gives you a lot more freedom. You get your own domain name, you have more monetization options and you own your site.

    The price is also lower than you might expect. The average price is about $5 or $10 per month. That’s not too bad, especially if your site is making more than that each month.

    Design an Attractive Blog

    If you’re new webpage design, don’t sweat it. You can make a great-looking blog through a blog platform like WordPress without needing a design degree. The first step is deciding what your blog’s theme should be. If your blog is all about video games, you should opt for a game-related theme. WordPress has a wide variety of themes, so choosing one that fits your blog and your style is important.

    The next thing to remember is that a clean, easy-to-navigate website gets way more traffic than an ugly, cluttered one. If your site’s visitors can’t find an article pretty quickly, they’re going to move on. That’s no good! You need a design that grabs attention and is easy to navigate.

    The Internet is Your Friend

    If you get stuck or confused and can’t figure out where to go next, don’t freak out. There’s a ton of options for you to check out and get your bearings. The internet is downright full of resources made just for people starting their own blogs. If you’re hitting a snag, you can bet someone else has hit it before and written a guide on it.

    There you have it! Those are some of the first considerations you’ll make in starting your own blog. Remember to have fun with it and make it your own! If you’re having fun and doing what you love, everything else will come naturally!

  • Easy Ways to Start Arts and Crafts for Kids 

    Easy Ways to Start Arts and Crafts for Kids 

    Kids need to be constantly occupied. They are generally not know for sitting is quiet contemplation or meditation. If you don’t find something to expand their ever growing mind and keep them entertained problems arise. Thats where is good to know some arts and crafts for kids.

     

    CHildren by nature are exploratory and crafty. They are constantly looking to build and make and craft anything they can get their hands on. There is a litany of benefits for getting your kids started with some arts and crafts. It improves their coordination and fine motor skills. Arts and crafts usually require kids to use both hands in a certain manner, which can help them develop fine motor skills and bilateral coordination. It gives them a sense of accomplishment and releases the fear of trying something new they don’t know they can do. Then the Self esteem. Making something and finishing a project, then putting it on display in your home boosts your child’s self esteem. Lets take a look at some easy way to get start crafting with kids

     

    Paint

    Kids love to paint! Children of all ages love to paint! These painting activities for kids range from the simplest painting with a brush or hands to more elaborate spin art, marble painting, and painting a fort. Paint is an art material that is easily adaptable to a wide variety of kids’ art activities. Some of the best and easiest painting activities are tempera paint, acrylic paint,BioColor paint. OR stick with the old classic finger paint.

    Try this one to get started. You can paint fall leaves with coffee filters and a glue gun.  Help your kid by drawing the outlines of leaves on the coffee filters and help them cut out on the outlines. Let your kid make the lines on the leaves using a glue gun. Set the coffee filters aside till the glue has completely dried. Now help your kid color the coffee filter leaves using the water color shades of his choice. Its simple easy and fun

    Lastly try the  Batik Painting. Use Glue Gel (NB regular white glue doesn’t work for batik painting), a white t-shirt and acrylic paints. Draw your pattern on with the glue. Tip put a paper bag between the front and back of the t-shirt so the glue doesn’t go through both layers). Then once the glue is dry paint over the design (don’t layer on too much paint or it will be hard to get off), soak the t-shirts in warm water overnight and the glue will begin to dissolve and reveal the white designs.

     

    Drawing

    Kids have a natural instinct to draw. Try this experiment, place a marker and something really important of yours in place of a child. Watch as the child will quickly cover it with any kids of drawing they can fathom. point is they love to draw, any kind of drawing,  including observational drawing, drawing prompts, and creative drawing exercises and drawing games. It is a very easy and inexpensive arts and crafts for kids activity.

    Get Started with a Draw Me Paintings. You’ll need a huge piece of paper as big as your child. Get them to lie down and draw around their outline. Then they can paint and decorate themselves! If you don’t have long paper you can do draw around your hand outlines and paint and decorate your hands with rings and bracelets.

    I also like the  Draw Your Town project as well.  On a big piece of paper ask your child to draw their town out starting with your house and drawing on roads, buildings, parks and monuments. You might need to go for a few walks to remind yourselves where everything is.

    Origami And Hama Beads

    Hama bead are the latest and greatest arts and crafts for kids projects. Hama Beads burst onto the scene a few years ago. If your kids have forgotten them, it’s a good craft activity and there’s no limit to creativity and inventing shapes and designs. And once your child’s finished designing with Hama Beads how to iron them so the design stays together is a trick worth knowing.

    Origami is a classic. It is cheap easy and a lot of fun arts and crafts for kids.  Origami is a good craft to do with your child, as you get to sit down and interact while transforming a simple piece of paper into something beautiful.

     

     

     

  • You Won’t Believe Which City is the Best for Visiting a Tiny House

    You Won’t Believe Which City is the Best for Visiting a Tiny House

    Have you been thinking about living in a tiny house? If so, you’re probably wondering where you should go to get your tiny house fill. Which city is the best for these adorable little abodes? Look no further! Today we’re counting down some of the best cities for tiny house vacation living so you can try it before you get your own tiny house!

    Best Cities for Visiting a Tiny House

    There are ample tiny houses for rent in cities across the US. They’re priced like hotel rooms, but they have great amenities that make them comparable to a vacation house.

    Portland

    Portland, Oregon is a great place to visit to try out a tiny home. There are tons of wonderful little places to rent, which isn’t surprising. The Northwest is all about small living spaces. There are a few reasons for that: it’s crowded, housing is expensive and so on.  Whatever the reason, though, we recommend Portland highly for trying out tiny home living.

    There are a number of interesting tiny home rentals available here. One such example is the Caravan Tiny House Hotel. It features a number of tiny homes on wheels that you can rent. The tiny homes are arranged like a caravan, moving from place to place and showing off how luxurious tiny spaces can be. After spending some time in this little caravan you might not want a regular-sized home anymore!

    While you’re visiting Portland, make sure to try out the awesome food in the city! Portland is renowned as one of the best food cities in the country. The Northwest is a very unique and fun region, so visiting here is always a treat!

    Lyons

    The next city on our list is Lyons, Colorado. The most notable tiny home experience in the city is a resort called WeeCasa, which is touted as one of the largest tiny house hotels in the world. Located near Boulder, Colorado, WeeCasa is a really unique experience.

    When you visit, you’ll likely notice the large number of styles and builders on display in this resort. If you’ve been looking to figure out what you like in a tiny home, WeeCasa is a great place to start. You can try out a really wide variety of tiny home styles and build types while you’re here. You might be surprised at how much luxury you can squeeze into these small spaces.

    Colorado is also a beautiful region of the country. Tall trees, stunning mountains and friendly people make Colorado a worthy destination of any vacation. You can also enjoy the local food and nightlife, especially in nearby Boulder!

    Eatonton

    Eatonton is a city in Georgia that is home to United Tiny House Rentals. This makes it an ideal destination in the southeast for tiny home visiting! While United Tiny House Rentals can deliver your rental to places other than Eatonton, we recommend visiting the gorgeous countryside of Georgia.

    There are ample lakefront camping regions in and around the state of Georgia that will make you long for the great outdoors. If you’ve never been to the region, we have to recommend you visit sometime soon! Friendly locals, delicious regional cuisine and unparalleled wilderness make it prime for camping.

    If you do visit the southeast, make sure to try regional favorite dishes like shrimp and grits and sweet tea! While you’re enjoying the luxury of a tiny wagon-style house you can also enjoy the great vistas. If you’re a fan of hobbies like fishing, Georgia’s lakes are also famous for their ample fishing opportunities. This makes it one of the best places in the country for visiting for tiny home rentals!

    McHenry

    McHenry, Maryland is home to a beautiful mountain resort named Blue Moon Rising. This tiny home resort is a great place to come for a remote getaway. If you need a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life, McHenry is the place to get it.

    The resort is near a deep, beautiful lake high in the mountains. The numerous tiny homes on display are varied and of differing builds and styles. This remote location, coupled with the otherworldly tiny homes, makes McHenry feel like a place out of a fairy tale. We’d highly advise you consider this Maryland hamlet for your tiny home getaway vacation!

  • Best Ski Resorts In the United States

    Best Ski Resorts In the United States

    Planning your next vacation? Why not head to one of the best ski resorts in the world! Today we’re looking at some ski resorts that you absolutely must go visit to make the most of your winter vacation! Nothing beats the rush of moving downhill at a high speed! The wind in your hair, the snow under your skis, it’s really just a great time!

    Best Ski Resorts

    Aspen Mountain

    Aspen is an iconic ski town, and many famous people enjoy skiing there. It’s a symbol of status to go skiing at this iconic resort! Aspen Mountain is well-known for the wide variety of slopes you can find with just a single ticket price. There are four distinct ski regions, Aspen, Aspen Highlands, Snowmass, and Buttermilk. The four regions are connected by a shuttle system, and your ticket gives you access to all four. That’s a pretty good deal!

    The various slopes are great for skiers of all skill levels. Aspen Highlands are great for people with lots of experience. Some of the best skiing in Colorado can be found in Aspen Highlands, thanks to the great snow and awesome terrain. If you’re a more middling skier, you’d be better off hitting Buttermilk or Snowmass. These slopes are more well-geared for an intermediate-level skier.

    The town of Aspen itself is a great place for resort hang-outs. There’s tons of nightlife, DJs and things to do in town. It’s a little pricey compared to some ski resorts, but it’s easily one of the coolest places to come ski. If you’re looking for a bit of glitz to go with your powder, you’ve got to visit Aspen! It’s a great town and it earned it’s reputation by being a cool place to visit.

    Vail

    Vail’s not a perfect ski resort: it’s got a lot of polish but can feel somewhat inauthentic. However, don’t let that undercut just how awesome the slopes themselves are. The runs are wide, well-maintained and exhilarating. There’s plenty to see for both beginners and experienced skiers, so it’s well-worth the crowds and somewhat cheesy corporate polish to check the place out.

    Vail is one of the largest skiing areas in Colorado, making it an ideal place to visit if you’re newer to skiing. The European-style village towards the base of the mountain is picturesque and charming, but quite pricey. In fact, everything in Vail is pretty pricey. That said, it’s one of the most visited ski resorts in the US, so the price isn’t out of nowhere.

    There are also a lot of crowds when it comes to Vail. On the one hand, that can be a good thing! There’s plenty of people to hang out with! On the other hand, it can make the slopes feel a bit overcrowded, and it can be hard to get elbow room in town.

    In spite of all that, Vail remains a fantastic destination. The terrain is wide and varied, offering something for everyone. Snow falls in great quantities, especially during the winter months, so there’s going to be plenty for you to ski on. The resort got as popular as it is for good reason, so it’s worth visiting if you’re looking for a high-end skiing experience and have a bit of money to spend!

    Jackson Hole

    If you’re looking for some of the best slopes in the world, leave the kids at home and head to Jackson Hole. This resort sports some of the downright meanest terrain in the US, making it a must-stop resort for experts. In fact, a full half of the mountain is rated for experts only. If you’re an intermediate skier, you’re probably better sticking to the forty percent of the mountain rated as intermediate terrain. Beginner-friendly terrain, you might have guessed, makes up a paltry ten percent of the mountain’s terrain.

    Jackson Hole is also an interesting resort in that Winter is its off-season. If you’re looking for a high-end experience that has less crowds and more gnarly slopes, head to Jackson Hole. There is a bit of nightlife in nearby Jackson, which is about 20 minutes from the lodge. This makes it less extravagant than places like Aspen. However, that might not be a bad thing for certain visitors. If you’re looking for a lodge where you can focus on the pure act of skiing, look no further than Jackson Hole.

  • World’s Best Luxury Cruise Lines

    World’s Best Luxury Cruise Lines

    Is there anything better than a cruise? Think about it: you’re in the ocean, on a luxury boat, enjoying a drink and lounging by the pool. Today, we’re looking at some of the world’s best luxury cruise lines! Time to start planning your next vacation!

    World’s Best Luxury Cruise Lines

    Oceania Riviera

    The Oceania Riviera is one of the best luxury cruise lines for food-lovers. Outfitted with seven gourmet restaurants, it’s hard to top their offerings when it comes to cuisine! There’s an Asian cuisine restaurant called Red Ginger that you can visit, as well as a French restaurant named Jacques. If you like steaks, you can visit Polo Grill for a traditional meal!

    There’s also a restaurant called Toscana, which offers fine Italian food. If you’re in the mood for something classic, you can go to La Reserve and try a seven-course meal that includes wine pairings. There’s also the Grand Dining Room and Privee, both of which offer luxurious dining experiences.

    The Oceania Riviera also offers cooking classes at an onboard cooking school. The Bon Appétit Culinary Center offers a great range of classes to teach you how to make delicious food! If you’re in the mood for painting, instead, you can head to the Artist’s Loft and take some classes on that instead!

    Cruising on the Oceania Riviera starts at $1,600 for their Caribbean cruise. There’s also a la carte pricing for a lot of their meals and experiences on-board. As such, it can get pretty pricey for certain experiences. That said, if you’re looking for a great food cruise, this is the one for you!

    Viking Star
    The Viking Star is a luxury cruise ship with some very awesome amenities. These include an open, spacious feel on the deck and very roomy cabins. The cabins have small touches like USB ports near the beds and heated floors as well as major upsides like verandas.

    The ship sails out of Miami and makes several stops in Cuba. This is a great opportunity for those who wish to visit Cuba and try things like Cuban cigars. Cuban cuisine is also unique, and many Americans haven’t gotten to try it!

    The food options on the Viking Star are numerous: there are two international restaurants, The Restaurant (catchy) and World Café. There’s a Norwegian restaurant (no, really) called Momsen’s, as well as an Italian place called Manfredi’s. The highlight is the Kitchen Table, where you pay extra to pick out food with the chef while at port and help them make the gourmet meal you’ll be having that evening.

    The only downside, in our opinion, is that the cruise doesn’t have a casino onboard. For some people, that’s a good thing, as they don’t want to be tempted! All said, though, the Viking Star is a great experience. Cruises out of Miami start at $3,000.

    Regent Seven Sea Explorer

    An absolutely extravagant cruising experience can be had on the Regent Seven Sea Explorer. This downright regal ship is adorned with masterworks of fine art from stem to stern. That includes pieces from masters like Picasso, making this almost as much of an art museum as a cruise. Marble and granite adorns the floors of the interior rooms, making the cruise feel downright lavish.

    Every single cabin on the Explorer is a suite. If you’re cruising with them, you’re cruising in style. The suites are gorgeously appointed, and each one looks like a top-of-the-line suite from a movie.

    If you’re looking for a cruise with great food options, you’re in luck, as the Explorer has them. There’s a pan-Asian grill called Pacific Rim that serves a number of favorites. Prime 7 is the on-board steakhouse for those looking for a classic meal. There’s also traditional French cuisine on offer from Chartreuse, another restaurant on board. There’s buffet-style food available from La Veranda during lunch and breakfast, and then it switches to a more traditional restaurant experience.

    While the Explorer doesn’t have the most robust entertainment selection, it is downright lavish. The extravagant and well-appointed suites are wonderful to spend time in, and it’s amazing to view the paintings onboard. If you’re traveling without children, you’ll likely greatly enjoy this cruise. Children, however, may be a bit bored by the cruise. Cruises on this lavish ship start around $4,300.


  • Best Kitchen Cleaning Supplies

    Best Kitchen Cleaning Supplies

    Some people really just love cleaning. For other people, it’s a chore they hate but they’ve got to do it. In either event, you’re going to want the very best kitchen cleaning supplies when you go to clean up. If you’re not rocking the best kitchen cleaning supplies then you’re not getting the best clean!

    Best Kitchen Cleaning Supplies

    Wring Mop

    Sometimes the classics are well-worth using. The old-school wring-mop is fantastic for floors that aren’t made of wood. Tile, concrete and the like are ideal surfaces for using an old-school wring mop. Make sure you get a good detergent and some hot water, and maybe a bit of vinegar, and you can clean up most any mess on a non-wood floor.

    You know what they say: if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it! This is a critical cleaning supply for kitchens without wood floors.

    Non-cellulose Sponge

    Another great example of a classic kitchen cleaning supply that you should rely on is the non-cellulose sponge. Why non-cellulose? Well, their design doesn’t trap in water that will act as a bacteria-spawning hotbed. That means the normal bad smell and stains associated with sponges don’t come into play here!

    Sponges are great for use on surfaces like countertops that you can’t clean with a mop. After all, you can’t get your mop up that high! Sponges work wonders cleaning appliances like fridges and stoves, too. Make sure you pair them with a good detergent and warm water for best effect!

    Mrs. Meyers Cleaning Products

    A lot of reviewers rave over Mrs. Meyers brand cleaning products. They offer a wide variety of products that are must-haves for cleaning! Whether you’re just getting started with your own place or you’ve been cleaning for a while, you should invest in this cleaner. It’s great at breaking up accumulations of dirt and leaves a great smell behind.

    If you’re environmentally conscious, good news: Mrs. Meyers is too! It’s environmentally friendly without sacrificing cleaning power. That’s the definition of a win-win! It comes in a variety of pleasant scents that aren’t overpowering, making your kitchen smell great while you clean.

    The best part of Mrs. Meyers products is the price, though! From their website you can often find great deals on the product. Right now you can even get three bottles sixteen-ounce bottles for $9! That makes this product less expensive on average than leading brands! That’s hard to beat!

    Coconut Oil Spray

    Hear us out! We know it sounds weird, but coconut oil can play a vital role in your kitchen cleaning. For one thing, it’s all-natural, which is a huge bonus. For another thing, it’s a fantastic furniture polish! If you have furniture or leather in your kitchen, such as your kitchen table or chairs, coconut oil spray is a must. When used in conjunction with sponges and scrubbing, it can make your kitchen pieces look amazing!

    Microfiber Cloths

    The type of cloths you use to clean eyeglasses are amazing for kitchen cleaning. Whether you’re cleaning counters, floors, tables or anything else, microfiber cloths are amazing. They don’t trap water or bacteria, they dry really rapidly and they work on everything. Using them on a variety of surfaces will show you just how great they are!

    They’re also super handy for cleaning in other parts of the house. For instance, if you’ve got a flat-screen TV that needs to be cleaned, a dry microfiber cloth alone can do wonders.

    Bona Mop

    Bona brand mops are similar in some ways to Swiffer wet mops. The main similarity is in the way they both work well on wooden floors. If you live in an older home with an original wood floor, you know how difficult it can be to maintain. So many cleaners are bad about stripping the finish and damaging the wood.

    Thankfully, the Bona Mop and Bono Floor Cleaner are made to help maintain wooden floors. The cleaner is gentle on wood but great at cleaning up messes. If you’re trying to clean an older wooden floor, you might be at a loss as to how you’ll be able to get it clean without damaging it. That’s where Bona comes in!

    When it comes to cleaning, you’ll need a wide variety of supplies. While this isn’t a comprehensive list, we hope it helps you get started in cleaning your kitchens like a professional!

  • Apple Event: The New Mac Mini

    Apple Event: The New Mac Mini

    Apple is having another event this month to introduce new products and provide updates. This is the follow up event to the iPhone XS event early last September. We are expecting even more great new products and some updates to our favorites, Let’s talk about the New Mac Mini.

    The event has come to be known as “There’s more in the making” so you know something special will be unveiled. Apple sent out unique and individualized invitations and the event is always a must attend for the tech world. We will bring you all the updates and juicy details from the event. Already we got a 12.9 inch iPad Pro with 1TB storage and which under the right circumstances can drive a 5K external monitor.

    Tim Cook then made reference to a “small but mighty computer our users are waiting for” was obviously that this was the Mac mini. Macs are expensive. As if to reinforce this universal maxim, the last remaining bastion of Apple affordability evaporated into the crisp fall air today above New York City, where Apple CEO Tim Cook unveiled a brand-new Mac mini.

    The original Mac mini might have been the first Mac sold under $500 but don’t expect the same price for the new Mac mini. The Mac Min is Apples entry level computer. It is sold as just the computer with no peripherals or monitor.

    The new Mac mini adorable desktop PC starts at $800 but promises it’s “five times faster” and with “60 percent faster graphics” than its predecessor. What’s under the hood ready to deliver that?

    The New Mac Mini

    It starts with a quad core chip, but you can upgrade to six cores. Similarly, the entry level Mac Mini has a relatively scant 8GB of RAM and 128GB of flash storage. You can upgrade all the way up to 64GB RAM, and a 2TB solid state drive. Apple retained the rounded square exterior of the Mac mini.  Including the user-accessible bottom and a lineup of ports on the back. Mac mini’s small but vocal user base was clearly heard as Apple took a lot of their considerations to heart. Memory consists of two user-upgradable SO-DIMM slots and the flat body design makes it a great choice for server farms.

    Apple says the RAM in the new Mac mini is socketed SO-DIMM and that means that within limits, you will be able to buy more memory at any time. It has to be compatible and it can’t exceed the Mac mini’s 64GB ceiling, but it doesn’t have to be from Apple and that is always a rather gigantic savings.

     

    Options

    If you need extra processing muscle for apps like Adobe Photoshop. You  will gravitate toward a model with a 3.6GHz, hexa-core Core i7 processor, with all other specs remaining the same. Meanwhile, those with large multimedia collections that require a roomier hard drive can instead opt for a 256GB SSD and a 3GHz hexa-core Core i5.

    It is built with decent power. It comes with a quad or six-core i3, i5 or i7 processor, paired with an Intel UHD Graphics 630 videocard. RAM options start at 8 GB and go up to 64 GB DDR4 memory. While storage begins with a 128 GB SSD and go up to a 2 TB SSD. For connectivity, there are four Thunderbolt 3 ports, two USB 3 ports, an HDMI 2.0 port.  Plus a 3.5 mm jack, with adapters sold separately for things like Thunderbolt 2 or VGA.

    On the back we found several Thunderbolt 3 ports, HDMI, USB-A, audio out. A Gigabit Ethernet port that can be upgraded at purchase to a 10-gig port. What we found most impressive was a stack of five Mac Minis, connected over Ethernet. They were running tasks assigned by Final Cut, Logic, and Xcode. All this while the primary machine carried on with its normal tasks.

    The Final Thought

    Apple touted the Mac Mini’s performance on Tuesday. Noting that it was up to five times faster than the previous generation. You can order it today, and it’ll get to your doorstep on November 7.

  • 7 Tips to Cut Your Cable and Internet Bill

    7 Tips to Cut Your Cable and Internet Bill

    If you are like me your internet & cable bill is out of control and roughly the GDP of a small country. In this day and age, Cable & Internet is an essential utility in most homes. Cable & Internet companies report average spending per subscriber of about $85 a month, while the average among satellite TV providers tops $100 a month.

    Like all companies, Cable & Internet service providers want to make a profit. They may include hidden fees in your bill, not deliver the high speeds they promised, or simply overcharge you for their service. Fortunately, it’s possible to negotiate with your ISP to get a better deal and some easy tips will help you convince them to lower your bill. Let’s take a look at 6 tips to cut your cable and internet bill.

    1. Analyze Your Use and Do Research

    We pay for a lot of channels and features we never use. Make a quick list of the time and shows you watch and how you use your cable service. “Do you really need everything that’s on that list?  Cutting premium channels and sports packages is an easy way to cut your bill and rack up savings. Make a list of the channels that are must-haves to help you narrow down what you really need or want. There’s a good chance you can drop down to a smaller, less expensive cable package and still get most of the channels you need.

    Your next step in negotiating a better deal is to gather all the information you can on your history with your ISP. If you can explain your situation with specific facts, dates, and numbers, it will be much more difficult for the call center representative to deny you a lower rate. When you speak to your representative, make sure to mention anything that proves you’re a loyal customer. If you’ve always paid your bill on time, include that information in the conversation. Then, you should explain any issues you’ve experienced with your service. This includes lower speeds than promised, interruptions in your service, or mistakes on your bill. Any problems at all with your ISP can help back up your argument for a lower rate.

    2 The Fees

    The cable & internet companies have a lot of regulatory fees, they pass those down to us with a little inflated for themselves. Nothing we can do about that. However take a look at some of the other fees they have tacked on. Do you have one or several set-top boxes for watching TV throughout the house? Those rental fees for boxes can add up. If you have multiple DVRs in various rooms, do you need them in every room? There are always a few unnecessary luxuries you have added on you don’t use.

    3. Lose The Premiums

    It’s hard to say goodbye to HBO, but doing so can shave as much as $20 off your monthly bill with some providers. Let go of Showtime and you could save another $5 to $15 per month. But a farewell doesn’t have to be forever, though. If you can’t live without “Game of Thrones” or “Homeland,” remove the channel when the season wraps. Or ever just subscribe to their streaming channel.

    4. The DVR. Kill IT

    Miss your favorite show? There’s a good chance you can watch it on-demand the next day. Even local news segments live on via the stations’ websites. Trading in your DVR for a standard digital receiver could trim $10 or more off your monthly bill. With all the streaming service you can easily get around not having and paying for the expensive DRV system.

    5. Negotiate a lower rate

    Don’t be afraid to haggle with your cable provider. You may be able to negotiate a better deal by talking to customer service and asking for a discount. The way to do this is call your company and request to cancel service. They will transfer you to a save team. This team specializes in keeping customer and will bend over backwards to do so. Let them know you are paying to much and not getting enough bang for your buck. They will break out discounts and upgrades to create an attractive package to cut cable cost for you.

    6. Know When to Negotiate

    The best time to negotiate is typically when you’re near the end of your contract. Your representative knows that you can change providers if you’re unhappy with your service, so they’ll be more likely to accommodate you.

    When you’re in the middle of your contract, you don’t have as much negotiating power. Your representative knows that you’ll have to pay a fee if you want to break the contract. This doesn’t mean that you have to wait until the end of your contract to negotiate, though. Even with the fee, you may save money by breaking your contract and switching to another provider.

    If you don’t have a contract, the best time to contact your ISP is at the beginning of the month. Let them know that this will be your last month and that you plan to return your modem or other equipment. Then, they’ll have the rest of the month to contact you and offer you a better rate.

    7. Shop a New Provider

    If the negotiation doesn’t yield a big enough drop in cost, switch. Everyone has a few providers offered to them, A cable company, a phone company and satellite at least. Shop the competitors and let them through all the new customer incentives out to you. Once those expire you can always got back and get the new customer incentives from your current provider. Watch out for the contracts, they are easily avoided and keep switching back and forth, playing the companies promotions against themselves. This is an easy way to cut cable cost.

    The Final Cut Cable Cost Thought

    If you can find a solid internet speed at a good cost, get a TV plan together and build around your use. With a few inexpensive streaming options peppered in you can build a uncompletable array of new entertainment. Find a package that has the few channels you let run in the background, cut cable/internet cost, and take the savings to the bank.


  • Best Trucking Companies

    Best Trucking Companies

    The open road can be a great workplace, as long as you’re working for the right company. If you’re interested in a career as a truck driver, you’re likely wondering which the best trucking companies are to work for. Lucky for you, we’ve got a list of the highest-paying trucking companies right here for you!

    Best Trucking Companies to Work For

    Wal-Mart

    Wal-Mart trucking has a reputation for being really great to work for. The company reportedly pays very competitively. Truckers working for them make, on average, around $80,000 per year. That translates to around $40 per hour. They offer training pay, which is great, as well as mileage and activity pay. Wal-Mart even offers a safe driving bonus every three months.

    Drivers for Wal-Mart don’t load or unload freight. They also get one guaranteed day at home per week! Drivers are also given reset hours on the road. The best part, though, is the benefits. Drivers get benefits starting their very first day, and it covers things like dental, medical, life and more.

    Acme

    While they only operate in seven states, Acme is a prolific trucking company. They’ve got a ton of trucks on the road, although they technically don’t own their own fleet. They actually lease all of their trucks. Acme drivers make an average of around $83,000 per year, or roughly $40 per hour. That’s more than just competitive, it’s nearly the highest in the industry.

    They’ve got work for drivers of all experience levels, and they pay rather promptly. Drivers for Acme have noted that they are typically paid just a week after they haul freight. The upsides to working for them are numerous, such as benefits and tons of work available.

    GP Transco

    GP Transco is a lesser-known company, but they’re notable for a few reasons. For one thing, they have the lowest turnover rate of any company in the business. Their average salary is around $75,000 per year, which is highly competitive with other companies. GP Transco offers what is described as a “fantastic” benefits package, which is a huge part of their low turnover rate.

    If you’re going to spend a ton of time away from home on the open road, you’re going to want pay and benefits that match your time. After all, the biggest thing you’re offering as a truck driver is your time.

  • Money Market Account Instead of a Savings Account?

    Money Market Account Instead of a Savings Account?

    It might sound odd, but you might consider opening a money market account instead of a savings account. Most people have a checking and a savings account. The checking account is used for your normal transactions, while your savings account gradually gains interest on your money and helps you save up. What is a money market account, then?

    What is a Money Market Account?

    A money market account is sort of like a checking and savings account rolled into one. You can make withdrawal and deposits, write checks and transfer money electronically. Additionally, it will accrue interest, much like a savings account. You are also, usually, given an ATM card to use with a money market account. That makes them pretty convenient alternatives to traditional checking and savings accounts!

    That said, there are a few limitations to the account type. Notably, you usually have to have a higher balance in a money market account than a checking or savings account. Additionally, you also can’t write a very large number of checks from it in a given period.

    The Upsides

    While those might sound like notable downsides, they’re largely mitigated by the upsides. For one thing, most money market accounts offer better interest rates than savings accounts. There are a few reasons for this, and they’re related to the aforementioned downsides. Firstly, since you have to float a higher balance in a money market account, they offer more money for the bank to invest with.

    Secondly, the smaller number of checks you can write through a money market account means that there are lower fees for the bank to pay. Thirdly, the types of things money market accounts’ funds can be invested in are generally higher in return than the things savings accounts can invest in. Essentially, the regulations on this account type are different, meaning it can be invested more aggressively.

    Should You Go This Route?

    That depends on your personal funds. If you have a larger amount of money to save, a money market might be the right account type for you. It’s also convenient to have everything saved up in the same account. That convenience is furthered by the ATM card most of these accounts offer, giving you quicker access to your money.

    If you tend to float lower balances however, such as if you are younger with less savings, these accounts might not be right for you. Of course, everyone’s financial situation is different. However, under the right conditions, a money market account could be a better option for you than traditional checking and savings!