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  • Best Ugg Boot Trends for 2019

    Best Ugg Boot Trends for 2019

    Ugg Boots are everyone’s favorite ugly fashion accessory. The fur-lined, beige-colored boots really shouldn’t work as well as they do, but they end up being pretty great when paired with the right things. Today we’re going to look into the best Ugg Boot trends for 2019 and help you rock the casual look in style!

    The most important thing to remember when accessorizing around your Ugg Boots is that less is more. You want to look dressed-down, carefree and easy, so make sure you don’t sweat the small stuff. With the right accessories and fashion you can rock these Ugg Boot trends like a boss.

    Best Ugg Boot Trends for 2019

    Brief History

    UGG, the brand, is based on a style of Australian beach boot that came about in the 1970’s. As strange as it sounds, the earliest versions of these boots were made from sheep skin and fur lined to keep surfers’ feet warm in between hitting the swell.

    These Australian boots were waterproof and warm all at once, making them excellent companions for surfers. It wouldn’t be until the 1990’s that the boots began to gain popularity in the States, and they really hit their stride in 2000 when Oprah named them one of her “favorite things.”

    The Australian-style Ugg boot is now back in vogue and trending. Whatever your opinion of the unconventional boots, they’re a major part of casual fashion among American women. If you want to look effortlessly at ease and comfy, rock a pair of Ugg boots with some of these fashion tips.

    No Makeup, No Problem

    Don’t wear makeup when you rock the casual look. If you’re trying to look effortless and easygoing, your blush and immaculate eye shadow might be undermining your efforts. You look great without makeup anyway, so don’t be ashamed to bust out that natural look.

    The temptation to just throw on a bit of foundation or maybe a bit of lipstick is strong, and we get that. But you should try the no makeup look when you’re trying to come across as effortless and carefree. People who are just relaxing don’t tend to spend half an hour on their makeup before heading out, and people will find you more easygoing if you forego the makeup. Trust us on this one!

    Loose Bun

    Instead of getting your hair all nice, consider just throwing it in a fun, loose bun. This is the signature “just taking it easy” look, but it’s a classic for a reason. If you want to give off that easygoing and classic look, what better way than through this hairstyle?

    The loose bun might remind you of the look someone has when they’re just going out to shop or grab some food. It can also be a good look for just hanging out at the mall, seeing your friends or some other social event.

    Sweater Weather

    Rocking a combo of sweater and Ugg boots and sweaters are as classic as peanut butter and jelly. If you wear an oversized, ugly sweater (maybe even an ugly Christmas sweater!) you will give off the most laid back and easygoing vibes. This look is great when paired with either yoga pants or leggings, or even sweat pants.

    Getting the look correct is something of a sweet spot: you need to hit the right notes. If you’re trying too hard to make the outfit work, it might look overdone. However, if you just grab whatever and throw it on you might look a bit too disheveled for anything other than running errands.

    The sweet spot is caring just enough about color and design to make sure things match, but not going above and beyond when it comes to outfit selection. You can look put together without spending ten minutes picking out an outfit.

    Dresses

    When it’s colder outside you might not be wearing dresses, but in early Spring you might be able to pull off this interesting easygoing look. Wearing a sweater dress or super long sweater along with a pair of Uggs and ankle-high socks is a great look for early-to-mid March.

    If you pair this look with a more Spring-themed look, something with sunflowers or another floral print, you’ll look very laid-back. The easiest and most flowing look for Spring involves the no make-up, dressed-down, loose-bun look. If you want to give off the air of someone who doesn’t make too many bones about fashion, this is the look for you.

    There you have it! These are some of the hottest Ugg boot trends for 2019.

  • Top Treatments Deep Vein Thrombosis

    Top Treatments Deep Vein Thrombosis

    In the medical field, Deep Vein Thrombosis, or DVT, is a common name for what are informally known as blood clots. DVT is often characterized by painful swelling, redness and discomfort in the extremities such as the lower legs. The most dangerous thing about DVT is that the blood clots in question can travel to your lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism.

    Chest pain, shortness of breath and eventual death are the symptoms of embolisms. Suffice it to say, DVT is a serious issue that requires immediate medical attention. Today we’re going over symptoms, causes and treatments for Deep Vein Thrombosis.

    Top Treatments Deep Vein Thrombosis

    How it Starts

    DVT typically begins when the fibrin in red blood cells becomes too dense. When this happens, the veins in question can begin to become obstructed, which can lead to ongoing pain and inflammation. This is most noticeable when standing for extended periods of time. If you live a mostly sedentary lifestyle or have experienced recent physical trauma you could be at a greater risk for DVT to develop.

    Other risk factors include hyper-coagulation, or the presence of too much thickness in the blood. Breaking legs or experiencing similar trauma in the extremities can also lead to the increased risk of DVT in patients. If you’re experiencing symptoms similar to these, speak to your doctor and ask about treatment options.

    Types of Treatment

    There are a number of treatments available for DVT in the modern era. These include stents, IV procedures and medical treatment. Each has different strengths and weaknesses, though some are more dangerous or more effective than others.

    In any event, the best person to talk to about these treatments are your doctor. We’ll give a brief overview of each, though you should consult your physician regarding any treatment plans. They’ll be able to advise you as to which treatment is the best for your unique situation.

    Medicine

    Blood thinning drugs like coumadin and heparin are commonly prescribed to help with DVT. These drugs help to thin the blood if it is experiencing hyper-coagulation. This allows the blood to flow more easily and prevents the buildup of clots, though it is not entirely without risk.

    Those on blood thinners need to take care to not experience physical trauma. Simple scrapes and cuts can be very dangerous for people on blood thinners as their blood is much slower to clot when they are taking blood thinners often. As such, younger patients aren’t advised to use these medications, as they’re not a great idea in the long term.

    Typically, older patients are better candidates for blood thinner medication. That’s because they have a lower risk of receiving injury that can draw blood and they also won’t need to take the medication for as long a period as younger patients.

    Stent IV Treatments

    For younger patients who can’t stay on blood thinners indefinitely, there are other options available. For instance, many younger patients opt for more invasive procedures like stents in order to combat their DVT.

    One example is the stent procedure. Doctors perform this procedure using a catheter that helps to clean out a clot and then installing a stent. Stents are small mesh objects that are placed inside the vein at the narrow point. These stents then hold open the thinnest part of the vein while doctors implant a small balloon.

    This medical balloon, which is quite tiny, is then inflated ever so slightly in the vein. This helps open the stent a bit more and gets the vein back into the shape and width it should be normally. While that may all sound like a lot, patients have stated that it’s a great treatment to help ease DVT symptoms.

    Typically, patients will need to go on blood thinners for about a year following this type of procedure. However, this is to make sure that the vein doesn’t experience the same blood clot production it did to begin with. Compression socks are also usually recommended for those recovering from this procedure.

    Potential Complications

    There are risks associated with invasive surgery. The first, and most notable, is that you’re introducing foreign objects to the body. This does introduce the risk of infection, though it is a minor one. Normal complications like potential allergies to anesthesia or medications are also considerations. Other complications that can occur from surgery are internal bleeding, as is the case with all surgical procedures.

    In the case of IV stent treatments, there aren’t a lot of ways to ensure that clots don’t form in the stent area again. While blood thinners are prescribed to keep the likelihood of this down, it’s not a surefire way to stop it from happening. Those at higher risk of developing repeat blood clots may be kept on blood thinners for longer in order for doctors to ascertain what their risk is.

    People who receive stent IV treatments for Deep Vein Thrombosis need to be aware of the risks that the recovery period could pose. For instance, if the leg begins swelling again after the treatment then they need to contact their doctor immediately. This is why regular check-ups are very important following this procedure, so that your doctor can keep tabs on how you’re recovering.

    After Treatment

    Typically, patients who receive stent IV treatments for their Deep Vein Thrombosis will experience back pain for a few weeks following the procedure. Most patients report this pain as being mild and manageable with simple pain medication like Advil.

    Final Notes

    If you feel shortness of breath, pain in your extremities or swelling in your legs or arms, speak to your doctor. If they diagnose you with Deep Vein Thrombosis, don’t panic. There are a number of treatment options available for you. If you speak with your doctor about treatment, they’ll work with you to find out which procedure is the best fit for your lifestyle.

    Remember: pulmonary embolisms are scary and potentially life-threatening. If you think you might have DVT, don’t hesitate to speak with your doctor. Better safe than sorry!

  • Be Like Kramer, Get Your Own Deli Meat Slicer

    Be Like Kramer, Get Your Own Deli Meat Slicer

    All day I dream of fresh deli meats. The sweet tavern hams, the pastrami, prosciutto, and even fresh bologna. Just the idea of freshly sliced meats can make my mouth water. Then you remember the hours of waiting in line at the deli, or buying pre-packaged containers of meat loaded with salt and preservatives. There is an another option for fresh sliced cheeses, fruits, vegetables, and meats, however.

    Be like Kramer and get your own deli meat slicer! Whether you’re a professional chef, caterer, or home cook, a meat slicer is an essential kitchen tool for the thinnest cuts of meat. A deli meat slicer allows you to slice meat and other food items quickly, efficiently, and with the greatest of precision. But with so many options on the market, shopping for a deli meat slicer can be overwhelming.

    In this best of all times to be alive, owning your own deli meat slicer is an achievable reality.  They’re very reasonably priced – your local home improvement stores has them available for less than a few hundred dollars. Different models of deli meat slicers can handle various types of loads, from slicing through lean turkey breast to dense blocks of cheese. This makes getting the right deli meat slicer very important.

    What to Consider When Purchasing a Deli Meat Slicer

    Many factors come into play when making your purchase. Things like horsepower, blade size, or whether the meat slicer is driven by belts or gears. Then you will need to decide whether you want a manual or automatic slicer. Automatic slicers are safer and provide for better multi-tasking. However most users will prefer manual slicing. Before you purchase your deli meat slicer, try to take it for a short test drive. From small skin mole removal to plates of freshly sliced gourmet cheese, a deli meat slicer adds a tremendous value to your kitchen.

    Entry Level Slicers are best suited for operations where the slicer would be used for an hour or two at most per day. While designed for simple, safe operation, they are not recommended for slicing cheese, and do not offer as many safety or convenience features as higher-end models. They are not meant for cutting raw or frozen meat or cheese.

    Mid-Tier Slicers generally have larger blades, a bit more horsepower, and can withstand more constant use than an entry-level model. Some models can handle occasional slicing of cheese, but are primarily intended for a few hours of vegetable or deli meat slicing per day. They usually offer a few more safety and convenience features than an entry-level model too.

    Premium Slicers represent the top-of-the-line offerings from each manufacturer. Most are designed for heavy duty, constant use, and can slice cheese as well. These models offer design features that enhance the smoothness of operation, slice precision and safe operation. These deli meat slicers are the top of the line slicers designed for use at big restaurants. They are the type of slicers found in butcher shops and other meat markets because they can handle just about anything.

    Blade Size and Horsepower

    Mid tier and premium slicers usually have larger cutting blades (12″-14″) for all-around use, whereas entry level models often use smaller cutting blades (9″ and 10″) for lighter use. Industry-wide, a 12″ cutting blade is the most common size. When it comes to picking the size of your blade, you have to consider the volume of the food that you will be slicing with the blades. For smaller restaurants, your blade size should be 8 or 9. If you will be slicing larger volumes of food, your blade size can be anywhere between 9 and 14.

    Anyone that has used a meat slicer knows how important the blades are. If you intend to buy a slicer, you should make sure that the slicer comes with stainless steel blades because stainless steel blades do not rust and can cut through almost anything. You should also make sure the slicer has a built-in sharpener for the blades to keep them razor sharp.

    As for horsepower the more you use it the more horsepower you will want. Calm down Tim the Tool Man, be realistic in your HP needs. Generally, higher horsepower slicers are designed for more frequent use.

    Manual vs. Automatic?

    An automatic slicer, where an electric motor moves the product tray back and forth, is convenient when slicing large amounts of product because it can slice continuously without constant staff assistance. Automatic slicers can also be operated manually, so the main deciding factor is how much slicing you do. Large delis or supermarkets would see the most benefit from an automatic slicer. Automatic meat slicers are very fast, since the slicers are automatic, you don’t have to slice the meat by yourself.

    All you have to do is feed the meat into the machine and let it do the rest. Automatic slicers are turbo charged and can cut up to 60 slices per minute. As expected, these are the most expensive types of meat slicers available, and are only worth the price tag if your business involves a lot of meat slicing.

    What about belt driven or gear driven? Nearly all of the great slicers are belt driven. In theory, a slicer with a gear driven blade will be more durable, but in actual practice, if your gear-driven slicer does require a repair, it will cost a lot more than simply replacing a drive belt.

  • Snow Removal: Put Down the Shovel

    Snow Removal: Put Down the Shovel

    A snow blower is an indispensable piece of equipment when you’re stuck at the end of a long driveway during a tough winter. You can save time and your back with a snow blower that works with your terrain and average snowfall.

    A good snow blower will clear your driveway in about a quarter of the time it would take you to shovel it. The very best models can slice through 18 inches of snow and hurl it 40 feet or more, clearing a path as fast as you can push the machine along.

    There are so many different types of snow blowers on the market that it can be hard to know where to begin. How do you find the snow blower that has the right combination of design and power to keep your driveway clear during the winter? Let’s look at some of our favorite snow blowers.

    Troy-Bilt Gas Snow Thrower

    You may not use your snow thrower every day, but when you need it, you need it to work well and last for a long time. The all-new Troy-Bilt Gas Snow Thrower is a reliable machine that checks all of our boxes and then some, which is why it’s our best overall pick.

    The Squall features a 208cc 4-cycle overhead valve gas engine with a convenient push button electric start, which means you won’t have to waste time standing in the snow ripping a cord with your gloves on. Just click the button and get started. You can clear an impressive 21-inch-wide path with the Squall and cut through 13 inches of snow at a time.

    Toro Snowmaster 724 QXE

    The Toro Snowmaster 724 QXE is one of the most reliable snow blowers on the market. While its price point is great given its quality, it does have a few drawbacks compared to some of the other blowers on the list.

    Most notably, while it handles smooth surfaces like a pro, it struggles when it comes to gravel and other rough areas. While it is possible to move snow from rough areas with the Snowmaster 724, it is recommended to look at other options if you are going to be in that terrain frequently. The Toro Snowmaster shines on flat surfaces like parking lots, driveways and sidewalks. It is fast, throws snow far, and can handle 2-14 inches of snow.

    The Husqvarna ST 224

    Clearing a hill or a steep driveway in deep snow can be an inconvenient and dangerous prospect. To make your job a little easier, invest in a strong, self-propelled snow blower like the Husqvarna ST 224 Gas Snow Blower.

    The Husqvarna ST 224 is a 208cc two-stage gas engine-powered, electric start snow thrower with heated handles and LED headlights. The engine operates the auger as well as the wheels, doing the work for you on the way up or down hill. It features six different forward speeds for precise control as well as reverse, to prevent downhill skids. Additionally, the non-marking skids will protect your driveway. It is a quiet and efficient machine with a 24-inch-by-23-inch clearance.

    Craftsman 88173 24″ Snow Blower

    The Craftsman 88173 Snow Blower is a good all-around machine, perfect for clearing driveways and patios and for use on gravel, and we like it a lot. It is compact and simple to use, well-designed and efficient but does lack a couple of features that other models offer.

    The major factor in its favor is perhaps the price: you can find this model for under $700, which puts it a good way cheaper than some of its 24-inch rivals.

    Briggs and Stratton 1022ER

    The Briggs and Stratton 1022ER Single Stage Snow Thrower is a compact and efficient snow blower. This 208cc single stage gas-power snow blower works for most snow levels and is ideal for driveways. Not only can it easily clear an empty driveway, but the small size lets you fit into the tight spaces around cars. This snow blower has a push button electric starter and crank-based chute control system.

    This model also has a rubber-edged auger to keep the water and snow off and the whole machine moving. The quick-adjust deflector that lets you change your clearance from the handle bars, making it easy to control and use.

    The Final Thought

    Any snow blower is going to be a huge advantage in the winter. Tackling your driveway every morning is a nightmare this Florida boy can’t comprehend. Don’t get me wrong, shoveling is great exercise!  When the snow starts, you always intend to shovel your way out of each snowfall to stay fit.

    But after the first few snowstorms, intermittent back pain pays a visit, and it is time to give in to the calls of the snow blower. Investing in the right snow blower will save time, energy, and help you obtain peace of mind.

  • Is it Time to Think About a New Furnace?

    Is it Time to Think About a New Furnace?

    It’s that time of year when the cold creeps in and you’re wishing you could just get warm in your own home. Maybe you’re finding your old furnace isn’t keeping your home as warm as it should. Maybe it’s too expensive to run. If so, it’s time to think about a new furnace!

    Today we’re going to help you decide on the features and performance you need in a new furnace. We’re going to go over the factors that go into furnace cost and help you decide on what you’re looking for in a new furnace for your home.

    Is it Time to Think About a New Furnace?

    Quality

    If you’re looking for serious quality then you can’t go wrong with the top brands. Lennox, Trane and Carrier are all considered premium brands, and they’re typically rated to last for up to 25 years. However, these are typically also the most expensive brands, as they last the longest by far of any furnaces in the field.

    For someone looking to keep costs down, you could opt for a budget brand. Brands like Aire-Flo, Goodman and Payne are only rated for around 12 to 16 years, but they also have the lowest base price of any furnace. If you’re looking for the middle-of-the-road options, brands like Rheem, York and Amana are rated for 15 to 18 years and sport middling prices.

    Size

    No matter what brand you select, the size of the furnace will change based on how much space you need it to heat. Typically, furnaces are sized between 40,000 and 120,000 Btu. Typically the range in between these numbers is in increments of either 10,000 or 20,000 Btu.

    Depending on the amount of square footage you’re trying to heat, the price of the furnace could vary greatly. That’s on top of the considerations you need to make for brand, of course. However, generally speaking, the size is a good first consideration when you think about getting a furnace. If your furnace is too small, it won’t adequately heat your home. If it’s too big, your home will get too hot and stuffy.

    Type of Heating

    The type of heating your furnace emits is a big consideration in both unit price and ongoing price. If you’re finding your current furnace is very inefficient, it might be due to the type of heating it’s utilizing.

    For instance, if you have a single-stage furnace you might find you’re getting unheated air at the start and end of the cycle, which is wasting gas. Single stage furnaces are also much louder and often have uneven heating amounts. All manufacturers have furnaces of this variety available.

    Two-stage furnaces are more efficient than single-speed, as they have variable-speed blowers to help smooth things out. They run more quietly and efficiently thanks to their two-stage approach, more evenly heating and carrying heat to your home without using as much gas. Usually the standard or high-tier brands make these types of furnaces.

    Finally, variable-capacity valves are the best-performing furnaces, but also the most expensive. These are also known as modulating heat furnaces, and they ensure your home stays one consistent temperature. If you live in an especially cold area, a high-quality furnace like this would be ideal for you. Only standard and high-tier brands make these.

    Efficiency

    Annualized Fuel Utilization Efficiency, or AFUE, is a quick measurement of how efficient a given furnace is. It usually goes hand in hand with heating type, although not always. The AFUE is given as a percentage, and that percentage indicates how much of the heat the furnace creates is sent into the ductwork.

    If you live in a Southern climate with mild winters, you might not mind an 80% furnace that isn’t terribly efficient, as you pay a much lower price for it. However, if you live up North with harsh winters, you don’t want a furnace that is that inefficient. You would instead opt for a 97% furnace to ensure your home was getting the most warmth possible.

    Selecting Your Furnace

    Selecting which furnace to get isn’t as hard as it might sound. Generally speaking, you want to consider where you live and whether you need higher amounts of efficiency, size and brand quality. If you live in a very large house in a Northern climate and plan to live there indefinitely, you’re going to spend more.

    If you live in a small home in the South that you’ll be selling in a few years, however, you might get out spending a bit less on your furnace. Either way, make sure you carefully consider these variables before making a decision!

  • Small Business Outlook: Top POS Systems of 2019

    Small Business Outlook: Top POS Systems of 2019

    As a small business owner, you’re probably spending a lot of your time, effort, and attention on the process that leads up to the point when a customer makes a purchase. But what about that very moment? The exact point of sale?

    A POS is a point of sale system that handles all of the transactions you make throughout your business day. It is where your employee will physically run the payment from a customer for goods or services rendered by your company. The POS is both the hardware and the software that keeps the heart of your company pumping. But too many small businesses neglect this all-important aspect of their business health and wellness, and that leads to one thing: cardiac arrest.

    The heart of any business is its sales structure. After all, the best product, service, marketing team, and PR staff won’t do you an ounce of good if you aren’t making sales. Which is why finding the right POS system for your business is so important. Make sure you know everything there is to know about the best POS systems, their benefits for SMBs, and how to choose the right one for you.

    There are many different hardware components that you can choose for your POS. Some of them include:

    • Cash register
    • Barcode scanner
    • Receipt printer
    • Credit card reader
    • Register screen

    With literally hundreds of retail, small business, bar, and restaurant point-of-sale (POS) systems on the market, buying a new POS solution can become overwhelming rather quickly. Let’s look at the top 5 POS systems of 2019 for your small business.

    The Square POS System

    The first top POS system for small business is the Square POS system, in all of its different shapes and sizes. Square point of sale is a cloud-based POS solution for iOS, Android devices and square’s own point of sale hardware. This software allows you to manage customers, transactions, inventory, invoicing, and payments. It also has additional tools for managing customer loyalty, employees, marketing, and payroll.

    Square POS also offers chip, magstripe, and contactless card readers for accepting payment via debit, credit cards, Google pay, and Apple pay. Square offers a wide variety of iterations of their POS system, all of which will be remarkably intuitive and fairly priced.

    The Square Register is the most souped-up version of the point of sale software that Square offers. For a cool $999, the Register will allow your business to accept all types of payments, no additional iPad necessary. Plus, the Register comes with two interfaces—one for you and your employees, and the other for your customers—in order to make the checkout experience as smooth as possible.

    Shopify

    Whether the order is placed through in-store, online or from a mobile device, all the orders are automatically synced through Shopify. It is also easy to monitor cash register adjustment and staff changes.

    Shopify reports will let you easily track customers, payments, and sales made both online and in-store. Shopify comes with robust hardware compatibility and freedom to use with any computer, iPad or Mac. You can custom design each register to suit its counter space and layout.

    Netsuite

    Netsuite is the top POS system with mobile-ready technology enables you to deliver a superior in-store experience, satisfies omnichannel users and builds customer loyalty. It is an end-to-end unified system that provides real-time insights into customers, sales, inventory, financials, and more.

    This helps to grow sales as it empowers sales associates with tools and information to build stronger customer relationships. The cross-channel functionality options are also available which can get used according to your requirement.

    Bindo

    Bindo is cloud-based and was designed specifically to work with iPad, so it’s mobile, but it also comes with an iPad stand if you want to keep the system in one place. You get a barcode scanner, a cash drawer, credit card reader, as well as a receipt printer and it integrates with QuickBooks. A product database manages inventory for you. Bindo can also handle e-commerce and mobile payments.

    One of Bindo’s neatest features is the way it handles employee time-keeping, photographing your workers as they punch in and out. You get free, unlimited, 24-hour customer support, although only via e-mail and in-app chats, and a built-in loyalty program.

    Clover

    Clover is ideal for just about any type of business, but it’s especially suited to larger businesses with more complex needs. You can start with a basic package, then build onto it through Clover’s own API to achieve the exact system your business requires. Ultimately, it will do everything from the basics to scheduling employee hours and maintaining and overseeing your customer loyalty program.

    The Clover System offers multiple POS systems. Clover Mini, introduced in 2015, might be compact, but it manages every sort of payment, as does Clover Mobile for more on-the-go business types. Clover Station is a cash drawer system and offers multiple integrations. One drawback is that you’re limited to using only the merchant processing company that you purchase the product from.

  • Best Deals on Winter Jackets: Your Holiday Shopping Guide

    Best Deals on Winter Jackets: Your Holiday Shopping Guide

    When it’s cold outside there’s nothing you need more than a nice winter coat. Everyone needs a good, reliable coat for the winter that keeps snow, rain and wind from chilling you to the bone as you go about your daily life. If you’re in the market for a new winter coat, you’re in luck. Here are some of the best deals on winter jackets this season!

    Best Deals on Winter Jackets

    What to Look For

    What to look for in a jacket depends on your unique needs. Do you live in a very frigid area? If so, you’re going to want a very thick, well-made winter coat. Does it snow a lot? If so, consider something water resistant so you don’t have to worry about the elements. Do you often wear dress clothes? If you do then consider buying a classier winter coat.

    Other considerations include fashion. What looks good with your wardrobe? Are you more of a brand-name person, or would you rather wear something nondescript? Also, consider your budget when shopping. If you’ve got a limited budget, consider not shopping name brands and instead trying bargains in big-box stores.

    Where to Buy

    Where should you go to buy a winter coat? You’ve got a lot of options. There are retailers like Burlington Coat Factory, Ross and Marshalls that are well-known for the coasts they carry. These higher-end retailers tend to have some of the better brand names and a wider selection.

    For those looking for deals on jackets instead, big box stores like Walmart and Target are a great place to shop. They don’t often have as wide of a selection as some of the premium outlets, but they often have great deals on off-brand jackets. For those looking to simply save money on their jacket, this can be a better way to go.

    If you want something that looks a bit classier, department stores like Macy’s, Kohl’s and Belk often have great deals on dress jackets. These can include long coats for keeping your nice clothes safe from the elements, peacoats that look elegant themselves and even dress jackets that go with suit ensembles.

    Best Brands

    When it comes to winter jackets a few brands instantly spring to mind as being the best for the season. For instance, North Face is considered to be one of the best brands for staying warm. Patagonia, likewise, has a reputation for some of the best windbreakers. Columbia brand jackets are considered some of the best fleece jackets for the winter season.

    Columbia Jackets

    People who want great deals on Columbia jackets can look for savings in premium outlets or try shopping online. Their website is a great place to find up-to-date deals so you can compare prices directly to other sites.

    For those looking to save money, shopping online is ideal. Not only can you check out the full range of jackets available, you can also compare the prices of the various jackets on the fly. No fussing with memorizing tag prices, dealing with salespeople or navigating confusing store interiors.

    Not to mention, you can safely shop in your pajamas and have the items you buy delivered right to your house! What’s not to love?

    Patagonia Deals

    Some of the best deals on Patagonia brand jackets can be found on their own website. It might seem too simple, but it’s true: you often get the best deals by simply buying directly from the manufacturer. If you’re looking for a great deal on Patagonia’s stellar line of winter coats, we recommend starting on their website.

    Often, Patagonia will offer pretty steep discounts on their jackets. Examples include up to $100 off of select jackets in their range. While they might be pricey, shopping through their site can help you keep the prices manageable.

    North Face Deals

    The popular and stylish North Face brand is notorious for being expensive. Much like Patagonia, some of their best deals are available on their website. For a few examples, they have great deals on both men and women’s fashion. For men, there’s the Americana Tri-Blend Full Zip Hoodie for $22 off, or the Allproof Stretch Jacket for $60 off. Another example is the Reyes Thermoball Shirt Jacket for $70 off.

    For women, there are deals on a number of jackets. These include the TNF Indigo Insulated Jacket for $80 off, and the Apex Flex GTX 2.0 for nearly $90 off. It’s hard to beat deals like that outside of North Face’s website, though there are often sales comparable on distributors’ sites.

  • 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.

  • 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 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.