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  • Moving is Tough Work if You’re Not Prepared

    Moving is Tough Work if You’re Not Prepared

    The average American moves 11.7 times in their lifetime. The COVID-19 pandemic has driven many families to consider moving to greener pastures. Now that you have finally decided to move, it’s time to find a suitable moving company. If you’re moving for the first time, it is important to understand how you can prepare and what companies you should work with to help you with your move.

    Our Recommendations for the Top Cross Country Moving Companies in the US:

    1. Mayflower Transit: They have been in business since 1927. You can request a quote from the company and see if it falls under your budget.

    2. United Van Lines: A North American moving company that can help you with the relocation and moving.

    3. Stevens Worldwide: They can help you with the moving. Stevens has 150 offices in the USA.

    4. North American Moving Services: Operates in more than 170 countries.

    5. Bekins: Was founded in 1891, so if the experience is what you prefer in a company, they have plenty!

    There are many more national and local moving companies that can help you with the moving process. Just do a quick search and you would know what’s the most viable option for you. It’s a good idea to learn from the performance of such companies and get an idea of what to look for in a professional moving company. Before you engage- check out our helpful tips to help you along the way.

    How To Evaluate A Professional Moving Company

    Keep the following ways in mind to evaluate a professional moving company:

    Check Online Presence

    You are living in an era of modernization and information technology. It’s important for every company or service provider to keep pace with the fast-changing world. The professional moving company should have an online presence.

    The relevant information about the company should be just a click away. It would help you know whether the company is legitimate or not! As you can see from the list above these reputed companies have an online presence.

    Go Through Official Website

    If you are able to locate a professional moving company, find its official website. Go through the official website to find all the relevant information. See what services the company has to offer.

    Don’t forget to check out the section of FAQs as it would help you understand more about the company. In case of any query, it would be a good idea to contact the company and ask for further information. You can check out the official website of the moving companies mentioned above and get an idea of a professional website.

    Ask For A Quote

    It’s better if the rates are published on the website, but if not then ask for a quote. You can contact the company and ask to provide you an estimated amount.

    When you know what to expect in the pricing, it would become a lot easier for you to maintain your budget. Plus, you can try doing some of the tasks in advance so that you can save some costs. All the companies mentioned above would be happy to give you a quote!

    Check The Experience

    The professional moving company should be registered and official. The company should be experienced in what they are doing! When a company has the required experience and expertise, it would be possible for you to deal with it efficiently.

    You can get information about the experience in the about us section of the website. You can also try searching for the company on Google. It would be possible to find the relevant information about it. Some companies are established for a long time and thus, it would be possible for you to trust more on it.

    Estimate The Cost

    Take help from this moving calculator and see what’s the estimated cost. For example, the average cost of a local move would be $1250 while for the long-distance move it would be up to $4890 for a distance of 1000 miles for a house of 2-3 bedrooms. It can be $25 per hour when you are hiring for hourly services.

    The following factors are included in estimating the relevant cost:

    1.Moving supplies
    2. Moving date
    3.Moving size
    4.Packaging

    Tips On Selecting The Best Moving Company

    For nationally or the local moving, keep the following tips in mind when selecting a professional service provider:

    Check Reviews

    When you are selecting a professional moving company don’t forget to check the reviews online. Such reviews are usually left by the current and past customers and thus, it would give you a clear idea about the user experience.

    Nowadays, it’s possible to get an idea about the performance of a company by going through customer reviews. When you go out to eat or visit a place then through reviews you can have a clear idea of what to expect. Make sure you are checking the reviews thoroughly! However, it is important for you to make sure that the reviews are genuine.

    Ask Friends and Family

    It doesn’t matter whether you are moving nationally or locally. If your friends and family members have told you about a professional moving company then it might become your first priority! What best source of information could be other than your friends and family members. Based on their recommendations, it would be possible for you to select a reliable moving company.

    Gone are the days when it was tough to ask your friends or family members to recommend you! You can take help from social media and ask everyone to let you know about a reliable moving company.

    Check Customer Service

    A good way to know about the professional performance and reliability of a moving company is to get an idea about their customer service. To get this information you can see how they are responding to you.

    Nowadays, information, queries, and answers are just a click away. So when you are contacting a company they should be able to answer you within 24 hours. It would give you an idea of their quick response. Plus, you can also see how they are handling their social media as companies nowadays are focused on being digital.

    Finding Out The Rates Set By Moving Companies

    You might be looking for moving company rates and ways on how to negotiate. It’s important that you are finding information about the rates set by the moving companies in advance as it can help you plan your budget.

    The rates set by the moving company would depend on different factors. Moving to a small apartment would be different from a large house! Thus, the price and rate would be set accordingly. Plus, the moving company would be sending the people to help you with the moving process. There could be a single person, two movers, or maybe three. It would depend on how many people are required for the moving process.

    Pros and cons of fixed-rate pricing versus hourly rates:

    -If you go with the hourly rate, let’s say $25 an hour then you don’t know how long it would take for the company to pack everything and be done with it. Remember- an hourly rate does not incentivize the movers to act quickly!

    -If you go with the fixed price then you would know what to expect in advance. It’s always better to evaluate your options and see what would be an ideal option. In our experience, a fixed cost aligns your priorities with the movers- and that is to move as fast as possible!

    -If you are not interested in packing since you have no time and no idea how to pack then it might seem viable for you to get an estimated cost.

    -For the fixed-rate, the moving company might want to take certain factors into account to quote you a price.

    -If you are moving cross country and considering the hourly rate then it might turn costly for you. Plus, even locally you don’t know how much time would be involved in the moving and what pieces of furniture would require an extra effort in the moving process.

    Hidden Costs

    Apart from all this, make sure you are aware of the hidden costs. It would be a good idea to ask the company in advance what hidden charges are there. It’s possible that you might not be aware of certain hidden charges and when you have to bear the cost, it can be tough.

    Moving is already tough. You must be expecting a change in your life with the whole moving to a new place. If you are shifting to a new city then it might be tough for you and on top of that if a hidden cost incurs then it won’t seem like a viable option to you.

    Tips On Saving Money When Dealing With Moving Companies

    You can save a lot if you are preparing for certain tasks in advance. In fact, it’s always a good idea to take a proactive approach and prepare for as many things as you possibly can.

    Consider the following:

    -You can try packing the items in your house in the boxes. Do it in advance rather than relying on the moving company to help you with the packing.

    -Place the relevant boxes in each room and mark them. Or you can move the boxes together in one area and mark each of them. The moving company just has to grab the boxes and move!

    -You can ask friends and family members to help you with moving. You can rent a van and move a lot of items yourself. Make sure you are aware of how to pack and move the items safely. Let the moving company handle fragile items.

    -You can negotiate with the moving company and try to get the best possible price. It would only be possible if you are doing your homework and trying to collect information about the market rates of the moving companies.

    What To Expect From Movers

    When you are hiring a moving company evaluate the pros and cons. The moving company is hired to make your life easier and your shifting to a new place comfortable.

    The company has to be reliable, trustworthy and should be able to deliver the tasks on time. You have to see if hiring the moving company is worth the cost.

    How To Prepare For The Move

    When you are hiring a moving company, you can prepare for the move in the following ways:

    -Try to get rid of unwanted belongings.
    -Find free boxes to put your stuff.

    -Try to find the deals to make the moving affordable for you.
    -Choose a date that’s less expensive.

    Apart from the physical exertion, you have to be mentally prepared for the big move. Make sure to remind yourself- ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’…and your move may not be done just because the movers are gone!

    What To Do Next?

    Now that you are finally moving it’s time to connect with the best service provider in your area.

    If you are moving to a small apartment then you can ask for a small package or go for the hourly rate provided that the company is giving you suitable rates. You can try packing the majority of the items yourself or moving as many items as possible.

    If you are moving to a large house you can ask friends and family to help you. You can try negotiating with the company to get a suitable price.

    Make sure you are able to get your hands on the best company in the area with the rates that are affordable for you. Always do a little research when you are inviting a company or service provider to your house. You don’t want to hire a shady company or service provider especially when your belongings are too precious. Over the years you have collected these items in your house. You want to take everything in one piece and in good condition for your new place. You don’t want to buy everything from scratch, right! To avoid the fear of stealing or theft, hire a reputable company only. There is nothing more important than your sense of relief.

    The Best Options For The Local or Cross Country Moves

    Depending on where you are moving whether locally or cross country, you can search for a reliable company as per your requirements.

    Consider the following:

    You can check what companies have a great reputation in your area for local moves. Contact the moving company with the best reviews and make your life easier.

    In the same way, you can see what companies are the best for the cross country moves. Do a little research on such companies and check out the reviews left by other customers. Based on your preferences and budget, you can select the one you prefer the most. You can also take help from the points mentioned above.

    You have to see what viable options are available to you. Always aim to find the best moving company with the best price. When it comes to services and peace of mind, won’t you prefer to hire a company that helps in making the moving smooth and relaxes your mind? You don’t want to do everything all by yourself especially if there is already a lot on your plate. Life is not a piece of cake! You have to move on and a good service provider can be of great help in such a time.

    Good luck with moving to a new place!
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  • Surprising Hacks to Finally Achieve Your New Year’s Resolution

    Surprising Hacks to Finally Achieve Your New Year’s Resolution

    With 2021 nearly over, people all over the world are coming up with new resolutions to improve their life. Some are easy and some are tough. That’s why we’ve come up with some of the most popular resolutions for 2022 and surprising ways to achieve them.

    Build the Body You Want

    Many people come up with a new year’s resolution to lose weight. But we encourage you to think beyond just losing weight. Make a resolution to develop a stronger and healthier body. There are numerous small ways to accomplish that.

    Every day there’s a new study that touts the varying health benefits of working out. You can find numerous ways to break a sweat, but the important part is that you do it consistently. One great way to get in shape at home is through a wi-fi connected Peloton Bike or Mirror. Both can provide you with an amazing workout providing you’re ready to make a monetary investment.

    Another easy way is to do that is by developing a meditation habit. There are numerous free apps that can provide you with simple guided meditations to get you started. You don’t need to start with 30-minute-long meditations. 10 minutes is enough to feel the energizing and focused effects of meditation.

    Learning New Things

    Part of living a fulfilled life is continuing to develop as a person. Being a lifelong learner is part of continuing to develop as a person. Some people want to earn more, some want to learn more about themselves and some just want to learn for entertainment.

    One of the most popular skills people attempt to learn to earn more is coding. If you have the motivation there are numerous great online resources like Skillshare, Codecademy and Lydia. Some of these sites even allow you to practice your coding within the web browser.

    If you want to read to learn more about yourself there are lots of sources that can help you. For example, optimize.me goes through 100’s of new and classic self-improvement books to provide you with a thorough summary of the main points of these books. Since we typically remember a limited portion of what we read, this is a great way to consume your favorite titles in a fraction of the time.

    Earn More Money

    When you want to earn more money, turning to savings can be the easiest way to boost your earnings. There are numerous ways to start saving, but getting started is the biggest challenge. Your phone can even help you save. Acorns is an app that allows you to connect it to your debit card and round up purchases to the next dollar. You then can choose your investment risk and Acorns will invest that rounded up change into your own personal investment portfolio. Over time that small investment can grow into something big.

    Another great way to save money is by comparing your insurance policies. Many car insurance companies won’t give you their best rate unless you negotiate with them. That’s why it’s important to get multiple quotes when reconsidering who it is you want to protect your vehicle.


  • 4 Secrets to Save the Most $$$ on a Flight

    4 Secrets to Save the Most $$$ on a Flight

    Everyone loves traveling, and the most time-efficient way to go large distances is by flying. However, flying can be expensive, especially if you don’t fly frequently enough to rack up frequent flyer miles and earn savings that way. If you don’t fly often but want to find the best deals, where should you start? Today we’re answering just that with our guide to low-budget flights and saving money while traveling.

    Saving Money on a Flight

    Fly Coach

    This might sound like pretty obvious advice, but our first tip is that you fly coach. While it can be tempting to fly first class to make the trip plush and nice, there’s nothing wrong with saving money by buying the least expensive ticket you can find. After all, the more you save on the flight, the more you can spend when you get to your destination!

    There’s nothing wrong with hanging in the back of the plane in a smaller seat with less fancy amenities. It’s not like you’re going to have to spend more than a few hours in the plane, so why spend as much as double the ticket price just to get a bigger seat and a bit more legroom? In either case, you’re on the same plane, going to the same destination, taking the same amount of time.

    Search Incognito

    When you’re searching around to find the best deals on plane tickets, make sure you’re doing so incognito. To open an incognito window, just click in the top right of your browser’s settings and hit “open new Incognito Window.” This makes it so sites can’t track your cookies and keep up with who you are, allowing you to go under the radar.

    This is to help you get the lowest price by sidestepping a sneaky airline trick. Airlines will continually jack up the price of tickets the more you view them online, in order to get you to panic and buy them sooner rather than later. To avoid paying this extra amount, shop incognito to keep them from tracking your browsing habits.

    Stay Off Major Search Engines

    Sorry, Google, but you’re not great for airline prices. Most major search engines get a cut of ticket prices when they help generate sales, so the prices you’ll see through them are also inflated. This is another scummy upcharge that you would do well to side-step entirely in order to find the best price. Instead of going through major search engines, you can look for budget airlines through broader engine searches.

    These include options like SkyScanner, which helps you find the best deals on specifically airlines, and Momondo, a broad search engine that can sometimes fetch budget airlines even cheaper than SkyScanner. Other great options you could check out include AirFare Watchdog, JetRadar, AirWander and Cheapoair. Remember, no one search engine is ideal: you’ll likely find the best results by using a combination of all of these options.

    Find the Cheapest Booking Days/Times

    It’s no secret that the prices of airline tickets can change dramatically based on when you buy them. The time of week, the time of day, the length of time until the flight leaves, all of these factors have a role to play in the cost of the ticket. Narrowing down the best time to fly out can feel a bit more mystical than scientific, though.

    There are a few things you can do to make sure you’re getting the best price based on the date you buy your ticket. One of the best resources is actually the SkyScanner website, which can help you narrow down the best days and times to buy, showing you an easy-to-read calendar with clear indicators of prices. It’s really the best way to shop for airline tickets!


  • INSANE Deals on Winter Jackets!

    INSANE Deals on Winter Jackets!

    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.


  • Want to Enjoy the Holidays Without Gaining Weight? Here’s the Trick:

    Want to Enjoy the Holidays Without Gaining Weight? Here’s the Trick:

    Americans gain about one to two pounds during the holidays. While this doesn’t sound so dramatic, research shows it adds up over the years. Luckily, there are tricks to avoid holiday weight gain. We’ve got you covered:

    Tip #1: Don’t Skip Meals

    Saving your appetite for a big holiday party or feast? Don’t. Skipping meals during the day usually results in overeating. It is especially important to have breakfast, as research shows that those who eat this important morning meal tend to consume fewer calories throughout the day. Include lots of fiber by eating fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Fiber-rich foods are high in volume and will satisfy hunger but are lower in calories.

    Tip #2: Eat Small Portions

    Holiday meals tend to be large, buffet-style and include second and third helpings. While one might not eat an entire cake, a common mistake is eating large portions of foods that are perceived as healthy, but they’re simply not. It’s important to include nutrient-rich foods in your diet, but also remember that these foods also have calories and should be eaten in moderation. Using this trick at the holiday dinner table will allow you to maintain a healthy diet — one that includes dessert!

    Tip #3: Avoid Overeating

    There are many strategies to help you avoid overeating. For example, using a smaller plate lets you put less food on your plate and encourages proper portion sizes. Also, start by filling your plate with veggies and salad before going to the entrees and desserts. Eating a salad before your meal can help you eat fewer calories overall. Eat slowly and enjoy every bite, and before you go back for a second round wait 10 minutes to see if you’re really still hungry.

    Tip #4: Keep Moving

    After dinner, get some physical activity. It’s important to get up from the dinner table and keep your body moving. This is a great time to go for a walk and catch up with family members, or play catch or a game of basketball with the kids.


  • Looking for a Change of Career? Upgrade Your Life With These Quick Online Programs:

    Looking for a Change of Career? Upgrade Your Life With These Quick Online Programs:

    When it comes to careers, it’s a bit disheartening to think about having to change your path as an adult. You’ve already been trained and educated in your field! How are you going to switch gears when you suddenly find yourself without a job, or start looking for a change of pace?

    Today we’re going over some of the top online degrees that are sought out by people changing careers. These are programs that will work on your schedule, at your pace, and help you transition into a new career path with no fuss.

    Top Online Degree Programs:

    Accounting

    Accounting is a very stable field of work. If a company exists and does business, it has an accountant. As long as there are people doing business, people need an accountant. You can pursue a degree in accounting through many great online programs, and getting into the field is straightforward once you have a degree.

    Independent work in the field of accounting is plentiful, whether as a bookkeeper, payroll professional or freelance accountant. Arguably the most plentiful work for a freelance accountant would be tax preparation. On average, an accountant makes $68,000.

    Human Resources

    HR is a field that offers very stable work, as all large companies need an HR department. Without an HR department, companies can’t easily manage their people. If you like working with people and don’t mind defusing potentially incendiary situations, HR might be a great field for you.

    You’re sure to find ample work in the field once you get an online degree in HR. Companies with large enough profiles require sizable HR departments, making the field very consistent and stable. On average, HR professionals make around $60,000 per year.

    Nursing Degrees

    If you have a compassionate heart and want to get your foot in the door in a medical career, consider an online nursing degree. Nursing is a rewarding and stable career that you can pursue via an online degree course. No matter where you live, there are hospitals that need nurses, so the job is consistent. Additionally, nurses make good money and often receive full benefits for their work.

    Registered nurses can make an average of $70,000 per year once they’re in full swing.

    Criminal Justice

    If you’re interested in a more civic-minded career, you could look into online degrees in criminal justice. The criminal justice field includes jobs like corrections officer, court functionaries and even police officers. While the degree itself has a wide scope, it can be pursued online and offers a great change of pace to a rewarding career serving one’s community.

    Police officers usually make an average of $60,000 per year, though that number can vary widely depending on the county, experience and other factors.

    Cyber Security

    Jobs in cyber security are highly sought-after in our increasingly connected world. While you might not think it, IT specialists and cyber security professionals are in higher demand than most other skilled labor. If you’re passionate about technology and interested in a career in cyber security, a degree in the field can be pursued online at your own pace.

    Cyber security professionals can make an average of $90,000 per year if they’re successful and have relevant experience. This makes the field very attractive for people looking for a change of pace from their existing career!

    Graphic Design

    If you’ve got a hand for art and want to get into a paying career, graphic design could be the path for you. Designers typically work for companies that need lots of graphics, such as designing logos, advertisements and the like. Graphic design work often sees lots of overlap between art and computer science. As such, it’s a highly competitive field with lots of job opportunities.

    On average, graphic designers make around $47,000. That number can vary a lot based on how much experience you have, who you’re working for and where you’re located.


  • Try This Surprising Cure to Help Alleviate Seasonal Depression

    Try This Surprising Cure to Help Alleviate Seasonal Depression

    Winter months can be difficult for many people. Those who suffer from seasonal affective disorder experience symptoms of depression that typically occur during fall and winter. However, there are ways you can help ease these symptoms.

    What’s a LightBox

    One helpful tool for alleviating symptoms of SAD are lightboxes. It’s important to talk to a medical professional to determine if using a lightbox would be helpful in eliminating your symptoms. Often times they’ll recommend combining a lightbox with other modalities of therapy.

    SAD is reported most frequently by people living far north or south of the equator. Researchers believe the change in total daylight effects causes a change in brain chemistry to spark the depression. Lightboxes help by mimicking the effects of outdoor light.

    In order for the light to be effective it must meet some basic requirements. It must be of at least 10,000 lux. Any light that doesn’t meet that minimum standard hasn’t been proven to be medically effective. It must also only emit a small amount of UV light. Lights emitting large amounts of UV light could be more dangerous for the long term health of your eyes than the symptoms that they are trying to remedy.

    Get The Right Lightbox

    · Use within the first hour of waking up in the morning
    · For about 20 to 30 minutes
    · At a distance of about 16 to 24 inches (41 to 61 centimeters) from the face
    · With eyes open, but not looking directly at the light

    What to consider

    Make sure that the light is specifically for SAD. Some lightboxes are designed for skin disorders. Lightboxes used for skin disorders primarily emit ultraviolet (UV) light and could damage your eyes.

    Like many things in life, the dose does matter. The brighter the lightbox, the less time you’ll need to achieve the minimum effective dose. The minimum effective dose for a SAD lightbox is 10,000 lux.

    Is it the style you want? SAD lights have evolved since they first came on the market. In addition to providing relief, they can also now double as an alarm clock. They can be programmed to slowly get brighter and mimic the rising of the sun. This has been shown to ease getting up in the morning in addition to providing you with your daily dose of light.

    Make sure that your lightbox won’t cause eye damage. While most lightboxes provide a diffuse light that is harmless to the eyes, people with eye problems such as glaucoma, cataracts or other eye damage should further consult an optometrist.

    Lightboxes are considered a form of durable medical equipment by the government. That means they’re covered under Medicare part B.

    Where Does it Come From?

    People with SAD may overproduce the hormone melatonin. Melatonin is normally a helpful neurochemical that regulates our natural sleep cycle. When winter days become shorter it increases the amount of melatonin the body produces- this leaves people feeling sleepier and more lethargic.

    People suffering from SAD may also produce less vitamin D. Vitamin D has been shown to play a significant role in serotonin activity. Because of this, having a vitamin D deficiency has been linked to an increased chance of depression symptoms.


  • Don’t Let Hearing Loss Hold You Back! Explore These All New Options

    Don’t Let Hearing Loss Hold You Back! Explore These All New Options

    Baby boomers can be particularly hesitant to take steps to address hearing loss. Many do not think about it as a requirement like regular doctor or dentist visits. It can be seen as a definitive sign of aging and many just don’t like being branded with a brown plastic thing behind their ear. All of this on top of the fact that traditional hearing aids can cost upwards of $3,000 per ear.

    How to Save Right Away

    You know the reading glasses you find at the drugstore? There’s a hearing aid equivalent. While personal sound amplification products – or PSAPs – aren’t for everyone, they can perhaps help some. Unfortunately, they’re only good if you have mild hearing loss, and you do get what you pay for with them. Most of the ones that do a good job of canceling out background noise are around $200 to $300. They aren’t cheap, but they’re far less expensive than your traditional option.

    Even though these devices will be able to help your hearing they will not be able to be marketed as hearing aids or as a product to “improve” hearing loss.

    Curb Costs by Unbundling

    Avoid going to an audiologist that bundles the cost of exams with the cost of hearing aids. Instead, try to pay for services as you go and buy your hearing aids separately. You may have to pay for each follow-up visit, but you’ll avoid spending money on services you don’t need.

    Natural Look

    If you’re hesitant to move forward with a hearing aid for cosmetic purposes, there are options for you. There’s a new class of hearing aid that’s completely invisible. It’s small enough to fit in your ear canal by your eardrum. Don’t worry you won’t be placing it in there all on your own. In order to receive this type of hearing aid, you’ll need to take a trip to the audiologist. They carefully place the hearing aid in order to avoid any possible injury to your sensitive canals.

    These types of hearing aids also provide you with a more natural sound profile. Because they are so deep in your canal, the sound interacts with your ear in the same way it naturally would. Surprisingly, that ability is also a strong factor in how you’re able to detect where a sound is coming from.

    With all the great things about these types of hearing aids, there are also setbacks. They are not good for people with severe hearing loss. Also, because of their small size, their life can be shorter than that of larger hearing aids.

    Medicare is an essential resource for many Americans. It provides a base for coverage for private insurance is not an option.

    Don’t Upgrade, Recalibrate

    First of all, you should never buy the top-of-the-line anything, since you’re paying a premium for that luxury. Try things until you find one that is suitable. Once you’ve found hearing aids that work, instead of upgrading them to the latest and greatest, have them recalibrated instead.

    The odds that a new pair will be all that much better are slim. Most people only notice minor improvements when opting for a newer pair. That’s why upgrading every year or two is often a waste of money.


  • Medicare Now Covers At-Home DNA Cancer Testing!

    Medicare Now Covers At-Home DNA Cancer Testing!

    Cancer sucks. Your chances of surviving cancer are much better when you find it early. Well, we’ve got great news: Medicare will now cover genetic evaluation of cancer by FDA-approved tests. It’s just saliva. No blood. No needles. All from home. Cancer screening increases the chances of detecting certain cancers early and might be easier to treat!

    No Doctors Appointment Needed

    Let’s be honest, genetic testing can be time consuming and expensive. Some tests cost more than others, and the final bill can be thousands of dollars. Yikes! Well, we’ve got great news for you: Medicare now pays for certain preventive health care services and some of the screening tests used to help find cancer with home-based saliva collection kits. No need to leave the comfort of your own home!

    Better Safe Than Sorry

    Sooner is almost always better when it comes to spotting cancer. It’s easier to treat if you catch it before it spreads. In today’s day and age, it is nearly impossible to find someone that has not been affected by cancer in one way or another. Whether its their mom, sister, aunt, grandma, neighbor, friend, or teacher, we all know someone who has suffered from cancer. Knowing your unique risks can help your doctor lower your odds of getting cancer. These at-home cancer DNA tests give you the power to take control of your health and help reduce your cancer risk.

    Easy as 1-2-3

    Just like those at-home ancestry tests you keep hearing about, Medicare now covers at-home cancer detection tests. With three simple steps, you’re one step closer to a healthier you. All you need to do is order your cancer DNA test and wait for it to come in the mail. Then you simply send your DNA, or a tube with your saliva, to the lab. The last step is to wait for your results to be mailed back to you and review the results. They have made the process as simple as possible!

    Do I Qualify?

    One of the best things you can do to lower your odds of getting cancer is to know your risks. With Medicare just implementing this new national policy, here is the following criteria that must be met to qualify for coverage of genetic testing.

    The patient has:
    • recurrent, relapsed, refractory, metastatic, or advanced stage III or IV cancer; and,
    • not previously tested using the same genetic test for the same cancer diagnosis (repeat testing using the same genetic test is covered only when a new primary cancer diagnosis is made); and,
    • decided to seek further cancer treatment (e.g., chemotherapy).

    The laboratory/genetic test must have:
    • Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approval or clearance as a companion diagnostic; and,
    • an FDA-approved or -cleared drug/treatment for use in the patient’s cancer; and,
    • results provided to the physician for management of the patient’s cancer using a report that specifies treatment options


  • She Changed Her Life in Just Two Years with This Online Nursing Degree:

    She Changed Her Life in Just Two Years with This Online Nursing Degree:

    One of the most popular forms of online education is found in the nursing field. While many people are interested in a medical profession, one of the most commonly sought degrees in the field is in nursing. Today we’re going over nursing degrees, online courses and what you need to know to start a career in nursing.

    Online Degrees in Nursing

    The Basics

    Many who seek out an online nursing degree do so when looking to change careers. However, there’s nothing wrong with going back to school (or going for the first time) online. Online degrees offer a number of flexible benefits for people looking to squeeze schooling in between full-time work and taking care of family.
    For one thing, online degrees often offer more flexible and affordable curriculums. Affordability is an often overlooked but critically important aspect of higher education. Millions of Americans are saddled with tons of student loan debt. The less debt you take on pursuing your degree, the better.

    Why Nursing?

    Nursing is an incredibly popular field for a number of reasons. Firstly, it’s rewarding, real work that keeps people engaged. You help people in the most direct way: by tending to their health. Working as a nurse can be very rewarding and offers a number of career options. Nearly all forms of medical care have need for nurses to work as support staff for doctors, surgeons and specialists.

    Nursing isn’t nearly as specialized or time-consuming to learn as some other medical professions. As such, a larger number of people find nursing an appealing career option. A nurse need not attend medical school for six years the way certain medical professions require. This makes it more likely to appeal to the schedule and budget of the average working American as a degree choice!

    Online Degrees

    Seeking out an online degree can be a very flexible process for busy adults. While nursing degrees are traditional four-year degrees at accredited universities, many offer programs that allow you to squeeze in those credit hours in a shorter amount of time.

    For instance, if you’re dedicated and take on a large course load, you could likely complete a full nursing degree in two years. Even working at a fast but measured pace could see sufficiently talented students acquire a nursing degree in three years.

    However, keep in mind that it can be very difficult to take on such massive amounts of classwork while also juggling your full-time responsibilities. If you have a full-time job or children, consider taking a nursing degree at your own pace.

    Careers in Nursing

    Another big reason why nursing remains an enduringly popular online degree is the wide field of careers such degrees open up. Nurses are needed in nearly all forms of doctor’s office and medical field. Pediatricians, general physicians, surgical wards, specialized clinics and everything in between has need for nursing support staff.

    In short, if you acquire a degree in nursing, you’ll likely encounter no difficulty in finding steady work. Beyond the steadiness, nursing work is engaging: you’ll likely be performing a vast array of tasks, varying in activities and keeping you on your toes.

    Average Pay

    On average, nurses can expect to make around $70,000 per year, depending on their field. Keep in mind, however, that number could vary widely depending on a number of factors. For instance, amount of experience, field of expertise, location and qualifications can all be massive determining factors in salary.

    Nurses can expect to find full-time work more readily than some fields, as well. Such full-time work is likely to include benefits from vacation time, PTO, medical insurance and dental coverage and likely other benefits that vary from employer to employer.