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  • Follow These Simple Hacks and Watch the Weight Melt Off!

    Follow These Simple Hacks and Watch the Weight Melt Off!

    So, you want to drop a few pounds? What if we told you it’s easier than you think? You can literally drop up to a pound per week by simply replacing the ultra-processed foods that come out of bags, boxes or cans for similar DIY options!

    More specifically, you can shed weight by reducing 500 calories a day, or about a pound’s worth of calories each week, all while eating the same foods you love.

    Did you know that Americans get nearly 60 percent of their daily calories from eating processed foods? Shocking, we know. We took a look at a study conducted by National Institutes of Health.

    Results Are In:

    Participants spent two weeks indulging in ultra-processed foods, resulting in gaining about a pound of weight each week. Ouch! They then spent another two weeks eating the same exact foods, but this time they were unprocessed. What were the results? You guessed it – they dropped a pound each week!

    The only difference was that instead of heading to the middle isles of the grocery store, which are stocked with ultra-processed foods that come out of bags, boxes or cans, they shopped for healthier, unprocessed options.

    Undeniable Health Benefits

    While the meal prep time increased by an average of 15-20 minutes, the health benefits far outweighed the processed options. Not only did they lose up to a pound each week, but their overall health improved greatly. Lower cholesterol levels, lower sodium levels, increased energy, and overall mood were some of the benefits reported.

    The best part? The participants all noted that they found both diets to be equally delicious! They also reported they preferred to continue with the healthier options rather than the ultra-processed options.

    Misleading Nutrition Labels

    While it may be easy to fall victim to misleading nutrition labels claiming to offer “fat-free” options, this is far usually far from the truth. Next time you hit the grocery store, skip the frozen dinners and opt for a healthier, do it yourself version from the produce section. Your health and waistline will thank you!


  • Cash in BIG With the Right Personal Injury Lawyer

    Cash in BIG With the Right Personal Injury Lawyer

    Did you suffer a terrible injury? Is your family now struggling to make sure all the bills are paid? This is the time to evaluate your options. If you plan on hiring a personal injury attorney there are numerous factors you need to take into consideration. We’ve put together a must-read checklist of things to consider when finding the right lawyer for your case.

    Why Hire an Attorney

    The main reason to get a personal injury attorney is to make sure that you and your family is taken care of. It may be tempting to choose to work things out on your own, but this almost always doesn’t work out in the plaintiff’s favor. With a serious injury, there are expenses you may incur throughout your life. Often the responsible party will not take these into consideration and only offer to cover the immediate damages.

    In some cases, the offending party will outright refuse responsibility and offer you no resolution except to speak with their lawyer. This is where you absolutely need to hire a lawyer to represent you in your case. A personal injury attorney can help you negotiate the legal system and understand how your injury may affect you throughout your life.

    Specialty is Key

    The practice of law has become highly specialized. Finding an attorney with experience isn’t enough. Experience practicing law in the correct area of specialization is key. Just like you don’t want a general practice doctor performing your surgery, you don’t want a general practice lawyer handling your case. A doctor may know the basics, but if you compare them to a practiced surgeon, the results you’ll get are night and day.

    Ask the Right Questions

    You want to speak to more than one lawyer in order to make sure you find someone who will be a good fit. In order to do that you need to know what questions to ask.

    How long have you been in practice?

    How long have you practiced personal injury law?

    Do you normally represent plaintiffs or defendants?

    Do you have previous experience in cases with the company I’m bringing my suit against?

    Will you be the lawyer handling my case? This may seem like a silly question, but oftentimes a larger law firm will assign the majority of the grunt work to paralegals and new attorneys. This can improve your bottom line by not have more senior attorneys handling routine tasks.

    How are They Getting Paid

    Many personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. In other words, the more you’re awarded, the more they earn. However, if the possible amount you stand to earn won’t be enough to cover the lawyer’s fees, it’s still possible for you to hire them on an hourly basis to advise you on your case.

    You can always ask friends and family who are involved in law about what to do. However, when it comes to representation, that route is often discouraged. You want a lawyer who will impartially look at your case. Also, should you have an undesirable outcome, you don’t want to see the person who reminds you of that outcome on a regular basis.

    Your Lawyer’s Opinion

    It’s a good idea to skip lawyers that happen to tell you what you want to hear. You want representation that’s going to give you the candid truth. Not an attorney that’s going to tell you only what you want to hear. They will offer you guidance on things like the possible length of the litigation, how much your case may be worth and an honest opinion of the chances you’ll receive the settlement you. desire


  • Maximize Your Car Accident Settlement With These 5 Insurance Insider Tips

    Maximize Your Car Accident Settlement With These 5 Insurance Insider Tips

    An accident can bring a ton of questions: Who is at fault? Who pays for my car damage? Who will pay for my medical bills? How much should I get for pain and suffering? Can I ask the insurance company to reimburse me for lost wages? Will my insurance rate go up? An experienced attorney can be extremely helpful in negotiating the chaotic and confusing world of insurance claims and settlements, and they don’t get paid until you do!

    Knowing what to do after a car accident can be confusing, especially if you’ve been injured. Legally, you have the right to file a car accident claim against the at fault party. You can go after compensation for your losses, but it isn’t an easy process. That’s why we’re providing you with five tips for maximizing your recovery after a car accident:

    1. Get Medical Attention

    After your car accident, regardless of how bad the damage, the best action you can take for yourself and your recovery is to get medical attention right away. Even minor crashes can result in injuries, but symptoms don’t always appear right away. Your doctor will be able to examine you and determine the extent of your injuries. You’ll be able to use your medical records and hospital bills to prove the car wreck had a significant and negative impact on your life. You should also follow the doctor’s recommendations for your treatment. If you neglect to do so, the insurance company can claim your injuries were not as bad as you described them to be.

    2. Keep Records

    It is no secret that it’s a good idea to try to take pictures of the wreck. Record what you can remember about what happened, make note of the damage sustained to your car, and document your initial injuries as well as the recovery process. Keep all medical records from your doctor, including bills, doctor’s notes, diagnostic reports, etc. If a police report was made after the collision occurred, it’s important to obtain that as well. When you file your claim and request a compensation amount, you’ll have the evidence you need to prove why you’re deserving of the full amount.

    3. Car Accident Attorney

    It can be a challenge to file a car accident claim, that’s why many people decide to work with an auto accident attorney. They’ll be able to build a strong claim on your behalf to help you recover financially. Along with the information you give them with about your accident, they’ll have the resources and connections to have their own investigation that proves you were harmed as a result of the at fault party’s negligence. The best part? They usually don’t get paid until you do.

    4. Don’t Accept First Offer

    Once you’ve submitted a car accident claim to your insurance company, an adjuster will review the information and give you an offer. It’s rarely in your best interest to accept the first. Before speaking with an adjuster, have an idea of how much your accident-related bills add up to. Your lawyer will be able to help you come up with a fair compensation amount. What your insurance company offers you is almost always less. Once you accept an offer, there’s no going back to ask for more compensation. That’s why it’s so important that you understand the negotiations process.

    5. Negotiate

    Your attorney will be able to help you negotiate a full and fair settlement. They will build a strong case that proves why you’re deserving of the compensation you request. Your lawyer will be able to emphasize points in your favor and will make sure that you receive everything in writing, so there are no questions regarding who said what and when. Recovering after a car accident that wasn’t your fault can be difficult. But if you keep the tips above in mind, you’ll increase your chances of maximizing your compensation and be able to get your life back in order and move on from the crash.


  • Medicare: How to Get Dental Coverage

    Medicare: How to Get Dental Coverage

    Roughly a quarter of people over 65 claim they haven’t seen the dentist in over five years. That’s a horrible statistic, and one that needs to be addressed. Dental health is incredibly important to your body’s longevity and your overall wellness. Opting to skip out on the dentist is a surefire way to miss changes in your health and even find your teeth slipping into poor health with cavities and gum degradation.

    As you get older, your dental health only becomes more important. If you’re worried about the cost of dental coverage, maybe you’re looking to find coverage through Medicare. Unfortunately, there is no straightforward way to get dental health coverage through Medicare, as the federal program doesn’t really support dental coverage. What does it cover, then?

    What Part A Covers

    Medicare Part A can cover some emergency dental procedures that are received at a hospital. These must be defined as “emergency or complicated” procedures, and they have to be deemed “necessary” by a doctor at the time the procedure is undertaken. In these very narrow cases, Medicare Part A will be able to cover the procedure.

    The section of Medicare that covers this type of coverage, Section 1862 (a)(12) of the Social Security Act, hasn’t been updated at all since 1980. However, it deems that specific dental procedures can be covered. An example provided would be a jaw reconstruction required as a result of an accident, such as a car accident. This doesn’t cover normal dental surgeries like root canals, even in situations where the patient is in extreme discomfort.

    Preparation

    The only other time that Part A could cover a dental procedure would be if a patient needed an oral examination in relation to a kidney transplant or a heart valve replacement. This would only come up if hospital dental staff performed the examination. This is a highly unusual case, and more of a corner case than actual dental coverage.

    Another rare instance when Part A might cover medical expenses would be in the instance that required an extraction in preparation for a radiation treatment for certain neoplastic issues in the jaw. In short, this just means that some tumor-growth related diseases that are located near the jaw have procedures covered by Medicare.

    What Part B Covers

    Part B could also cover oral exams related to heart valve replacements or kidney transplants, in certain cases. Namely, if a general physician conducts the oral exam, instead of hospital dental staff, Part B would cover the exam instead of Part A. That being said, there are actually more rules about what Part B won’t cover in regards to dental health than what it will cover.

    Specifically, this means that any medical services that would replace, remove or otherwise give attention to teeth can’t be covered. This includes pre-denture tooth pulling and normal dental procedures. Likewise, Part B explicitly doesn’t cover any procedures related to teeth or supporting teeth structures unless treatment of them is for a non-dental condition.

    What This Means

    This means, in short, that there is no real dental coverage offered through Medicare. If you’re retirement-age and in need of dental medical attention, you can’t get any help through Medicare. In the case of someone who is older, on a fixed-income and in need of a dentist, their best option would be to go through open enrollment in October to find health insurance that covers dental procedures.

    Other options could include trying to find budget dental coverage online, or speaking with local dentist’s offices to see if any of them have advice on how to proceed with dental issues that need attention.


  • Need a Divorce? Save BIG With These Tips

    Need a Divorce? Save BIG With These Tips

    The first decision is the hardest. You and your partner have decided to get a divorce. There are now a multitude of important life-defining decisions to be made. You don’t want to rely on a simple Google search and luck to find your lawyer. Your divorce attorney is going to handle multiple components of your divorce. They’re going to act as your advisor, spokesperson, negotiator and trusted confidant. They are going to be the person you rely on the most to advise you of your rights and the best course of action in your divorce.

    Start with research

    A simple google search is a great place to start. But nothing replaces a real face to face meeting. You want to be able to get a feel for the person and not rely on the opinions of others. Your gut instincts are more reliable than you might think. If the lawyer doesn’t advertise how long they’ve been practicing divorce law, that’s a good sign that they’re not very experienced.

    Find a good fit

    It’s nearly impossible to tell if a lawyer’s disposition matches what you’re looking for from a web search. Before deciding, you should think about what you want from them. Do you want a lawyer who’s empathetic to your plight? Do you want a lawyer who will be extremely aggressive in fighting for you? Do you want a lawyer who understands both sides and finds it important to have a cordial resolution? Do you want a law office with deep resources that can untangle a complicated situation?

    Talk to friends

    Some people prefer to keep their divorce a completely private matter. However, asking friends who’ve gone through a divorce for advice can be very beneficial. It’s important to remember that everyone’s experience and desired outcomes are different during a divorce.

    Knowing the right questions

    finally, when you sit down to interview lawyers to represent you, make sure to have in-depth questions ready. You should already have answers concerning their background. Typical questions like, “How many cases have you won,” aren’t particularly pertinent in a divorce case.

    Ask things like:

    How do you view the division of assets?

    What do you find the most challenging part of the divorce?

    What do you view as the best possible outcome for my specific situation?

    Communication is key

    You want a lawyer that makes you feel like you’re a priority. If your prospective lawyer is difficult to get ahold of early in the decision process that’s a strong indicator that you may want to look elsewhere. Your lawyer is not going to magically become more responsive once they have your money.

    Attention to detail

    Whenever you’ve made the decision to hire your lawyer make sure to pay special attention to your contract. Many lawyers will have minimum fees that’ll be charged for services even if you don’t take advantage of them. So, take out that red pen and come to an agreement about specific fees before you sign your name on the dotted line. Never be afraid to ask questions about certain parts of their contract.


  • Surprisingly Simple Hacks for Scoring FREE Legal Help When You Need it Most

    Surprisingly Simple Hacks for Scoring FREE Legal Help When You Need it Most

    It’s no secret that lawyers can be extremely expensive. The average hourly rate for a lawyer in America is $284 and even attorneys that charge less can be too costly for some. If you don’t have the cash to hire a lawyer, you don’t have to worry. We’ve got the secret for people who can’t afford a lawyer:

    If you can’t afford a lawyer, you should start by looking into Legal Aid.

    Legal aid means any service that provides legal assistance to those that can’t afford it otherwise. These services all provide pro bono—a Latin term meaning “for the public good”—services. Pro bono services are free and are important to ensure everyone is treated equal before the law and has the right to a fair trial.

    There are many legal aid models out there. Here are some of the most common:

    Legal clinics

    These clinics usually have income and resource restrictions which make certain that those who can afford a lawyer do not abuse clinics out of stinginess. Clinics are often funded by the Legal Services Corporations, which was created by Congress in 1974 in effort to make legal services available to more people that truly can’t afford it. They’ll either have counsel working for them which help those in needs or can place people with firms or pro bono attorneys who have registered with the clinic.

    Law firms

    Some firms exist solely to provide legal aid. These firms are funded either by grants, Legal Services Corporations, or private donations. Legal clinics often know these firms and their specialties and will send interested clients in need for free legal services to the firms themselves for consultations.

    Public Defender

    Criminal defendants that can’t afford to pay for an attorney luck out because the state can’t legally prosecute unless it provides them with an attorney. The state will appoint you a Public Defender which is paid by the government — the same entity that includes the judge, prosecutor, police, and court personnel!

    Pro bono attorneys

    In addition to clinics and law firms which specialize in free legal services, individual lawyers of all specialties will usually represent clients free of charge. A pro bono attorney will donate their time and experience to aid a client who truly can’t afford it.

    Visit a law school near you

    Students in law school clinics are usually certified to practice law under a faculty member who is a practicing attorney. Many law school clinics represent low-income individuals too!

    You may not know this secret, but the American Bar Association recommends all lawyers in the US donate fifty hours of free services per year. Some lawyers do more, of course, while others do less. Some state or city bar associations actually require attorneys to donate time over the course of a year!


  • Are you losing money with the wrong property management software?

    Are you losing money with the wrong property management software?

    Managing multiple properties can be incredibly challenging. Having the right type of software can be the difference between success and failure. There are numerous options to choose from, and if you’re unfamiliar with the space, the choices can be daunting.

    Make Property Management Easy

    There’s no point in having a capable solution if it’s too complicated to use. We’ve found Buildium offers a straightforward solution to property management. However, easy doesn’t mean simple. Buildium gives you a variety of features in accounting, operations, leasing and community association management. You can easily share listings on sites like Zillow, Trulia and HotPads. You even have the ability to quickly post your vacancies on Craigslist. They offer 2 different monthly plans and allow you to test them out before getting into any contracts.

    For Property Managers on the Go

    Property managers are often always on the go. Having a solution that fits that mobile lifestyle is important.

    Appfolio is known for providing top of the line solutions for property managers who need to make important decisions while in the field. They offer a cloud-based management solution that’s accessible from anywhere.

    For residential property managers, they offer one-click vacancy posting, online applications, screening and online leases that renters can sign from their mobile device.

    They also offer powerful solutions for commercial property management. Their focus on an efficient mobile experience allows previously tedious tasks like maintenance requests, work orders and inspections to be handled with ease.

    They also offer a free demo for you to try before signing a contract.

    Find a Solution That fits

    Sometimes you don’t need all the fancy bells and whistles. Sometimes you need a solution that offers you the bare bones for managing your properties. TenantCloud is the perfect solution for property managers handling a small number of units.

    It automates some of your most tedious accounting tasks. It can create invoices, receipts and notes for when rent will arrive. All you need to do is set up the tenant’s lease and let TenantCloud handle the rest.

    Every plan they offer includes online payments, accounting, agreement template builder and multiple other tracking options. Their plans range from $0 to $35 a month. Their entry plan allows you to utilize some of the features of the program free of charge for life.

    Software With Flexibility

    When you have a plan for massive growth, you better have a software solution that can grow with you. You don’t want to have to rely on multiple programs for your daily tasks. Save time and streamline your efforts with a solution like Rentmanager. It offers a comprehensive solution to handle a large database of rental units. If you’re switching from a different property management platform, Rentmanager offers integration with a variety of programs.

    They make it easy for you to create customizable reports. You have control of everything from how reports and documents are generated to how your dashboard looks. Each user in your company can customize their dashboard to display the information they need most.

    Nobody enjoys repeatedly doing the same tasks. That’s where automation helps. Rentmanger can automate things like recurring charges, late fees and other billing-related activities. Automating tasks saves you valuable time!


  • Banish Back Pain For Life With These 3 Surprisingly Simple Tricks!

    Banish Back Pain For Life With These 3 Surprisingly Simple Tricks!

    Back pain can be a chronic and debilitating condition. Small, daily actions can either help or worsen your pain. Release tight muscles in your back and alleviate back pain with these simple tricks:

    Common causes for back pain

    Chronic back pain is usually age-related but can also result from a prior injury. The most common causes include: Arthritis of the spine, spinal stenosis, and even disc problems, such as a herniated or bulging disc. In some cases, it’s difficult to pinpoint the cause of chronic back pain. That’s where we come in – start with these 3 simple tricks to release tight muscles in your back and alleviate back pain.

    1. Rethink your workspace

    Have you spent most of your life sitting at a desk? From your early school days, through university, to your first job, and all the way to retirement, most people have their workstation to thank for back pain. Small adjustments to your workspace can help you experience back pain relief and prevent pain from getting worse. This starts with positioning your most important work tools:

    Your chair

    Your chair should be at a height to where your feet rest fully and flat on the floor. Your knees should also be level with your hips. If the back rest in your desk chair doesn’t adequately support your back, you may wish to purchase a small lumbar pillow or rolled-up towel to place in your lower back curve.

    Your computer monitor

    Looking too high or too low at your monitor can affect your posture and therefore contribute to lower back pain. Your monitor should be about an arm’s length away from your chair with the top portion of the screen just a small amount below eye level. However, this is rarely enough. You’ll also need to get up frequently and take walking breaks to relieve muscle tension.

    2. Try yoga

    Achy back? Give yoga a go. Numerous studies have shown the power of the ancient practice, which emphasizes stretching, strength, and flexibility, to relieve back soreness and improve function. While yoga isn’t a good idea if you have severe pain, those with occasional soreness or chronic aches may greatly benefit from certain postures that can help lengthen your spine, stretch and strengthen your muscles, and return your back to its proper alignment.

    It’s always a good idea to ask your doctor before starting a new fitness regimen, especially if you’re prone to pain. Once you get the green light, try soothing poses for back pain. You might even reap the other health perks of yoga, which include lowered heart rate, lowered blood pressure, improved sleep, and reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety.

    3. Best anti-inflammatory options

    Anti-inflammatory medications can be used to help control chronic back pain. You’ve probably already spent your fair share of time scanning the shelves of your local drugstore, but there are so many options out there and not all medicines are created equal. Here’s our top ticks:

    Tylenol

    Your doctor may suggest this as a first-line treatment. It works by stopping the pain process. But it doesn’t reduce inflammation in the body.

    NSAIDs (Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Motrin)

    These may be more effective than Tylenol for back pain because they reduce inflammation as well as relieve pain.

    Always consult your medical doctor or pharmacist before taking over-the-counter medications and the read the package labeling. All medications have side effects, drug interactions, warnings, and precautions. Seek medical advice and never exceed the dosage recommendations on the package.


  • They thought It Was Just A Headache. Thank Goodness for This Miracle Cure:

    They thought It Was Just A Headache. Thank Goodness for This Miracle Cure:

    Yes, it’s true. Botox will prevent that throbbing migraine before it even starts. In fact, patients reported that two Botox treatments helped to reduce the number of migraine days by a whopping 50%. Here is everything you need to know:

    We’ve all heard of Botox. It is most commonly known as the secret weapon that has been keeping generations of smooth foreheads in Hollywood. What you may not know, however, is that Botox has been successfully bringing great relief to those who suffer from chronic migraines for years. Since Botox was approved to treat chronic migraines in 2010, an excruciating number of patients are reporting great success.

    Migraines and Botox

    The FDA has only approved Botox for those suffering from chronic migraines. What does this mean? You must have 15 or more days of headaches each month. You must also be 18 years or older. Does this sound like you?
    Botox may be the treatment to finally offer you some relief. In fact, the more frequently you suffer from headaches, the better you’ll do with Botox treatments. With that being said, Botox is not recommended for patients who experience less than 15 headache days each month.

    What is the treatment like?

    Your physician will use a tiny needle that won’t feel like anything more than a pinprick. The doctor will continue to inject small amounts of Botox into shallow muscles on your skin. Typically, patients receive about 30 injections in 7 key spots on their head and neck. You should expect your appointment to last about 20 minutes.

    How long does it last?

    You’ll receive a Botox Treatment once every 10 to 12 weeks to dull or prevent migraine headaches. Keep in mind that the treatment won’t work right away. You will see results 2 to 3 weeks after your first treatment.

    What are the side effects?

    Those who treat their chronic migraines with Botox have reported neck soreness as the most common side effect. We recommend using an ice pack to reduce the discomfort.

    Is it covered by my insurance?

    For cosmetic reasons? No. As a chronic migraine treatment? Yes – by most plans, including Medicare and Medicaid. Allergan, a Botox manufacturer, offers a “Botox Savings Card,” which offers patients reduced fees.