Category: Lifestyle

Best Over the Counter and Natural Pain Remedies!

Sometimes you just need a bit of pain relief. Whether it’s sore muscles, a bad bruise, a killer headache or whatever else, you’d rather it just not hurt so bad.

Thankfully, there are plentiful over-the-counter remedies available as generics to help relieve your pain. There are also a few natural solutions that many people swear by when it comes to pain remedies. We’ll highlight a few of the most popular so you can make an informed choice!

Best Over the Counter (or Natural) Pain Remedies

OTC: Ibuprofen

The brand name versions of this drug are Advil or Motrin. It’s been clinically tested with a nearly 9 out of 10 rate of people feeling it’s worth taking. It could upset your stomach, so make sure you take it with food. Also, it could cause kidney damage, so don’t take it if you’ve got a history of kidney problems!

Natural: Turmeric

Many swear by the anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric. It’s been shown to help with upset stomach, indigestion, and even help as part of treatment for more serious conditions. It could even help with common aches and pains. If you’re the type who doesn’t tend to like taking pills, try this out the next time you’ve got a sore muscle!

OTC: aspirin

Aspirin is one of the most well-known pain relievers, often found in the brand-name Alka-Seltzer. In its various forms, it can be either a pain reliever or an indigestion aid. Children under 12 should avoid aspirin, though, as it could be harmful to the liver if taken too much. Keep in mind this is aspirin with a lower-case a, which is different from the version from Bayer with a capital A.

Natural: Heat and Ice Application

The pain-relieving qualities of applying heat and/or ice to a sore area are well-document. However, be careful when applying hot or cold items to your body! Apply heat to an area if it is stiff or if your pain is arthritic. Conversely, ice can help reduce swelling and cut back on inflammation. Athletes swear by this pain-relieving method! Speak to a physician about how this natural remedy could be applied to your aches or pains if you’re hurt.

OTC: Aspirin

The brand name Aspirin, which is different from Alka-Seltzer’s version, is another well-known pain remedy. It can reduce fever, as well, and is even known to have helpful effects in those with heart disease. However, keep in mind that it is a blood-thinner. If you’re at risk for internal bleeding, stick with ibuprofen or one of the natural pain remedies!

Natural: Acupuncture

Seeking pain relief from an acupuncturist may seem silly at first, but it’s a well-documented and ancient practice. The Chinese art helps relieve pain through a process known as qi manipulation, altering the path of your body’s natural energies. Scientific study of the practice has found that the pain-relieving qualities are a result of the serotonin released by the sensation of the needles being driven into your skin. Either way, it’s been proven to help in some cases!

OTC: Acetaminophen

This medicine works by affecting the part of your brain that controls temperature and regulates pain messages. As such, it doesn’t alter the physical causes of your pain, but instead tricks you into not feeling the pain. While that might sound scary, it’s quite safe! Prolonged sessions of taking acetaminophen can lead to liver damage, though, so be aware! Just take enough to ease your pain, don’t overdo it.

Natural: Cryotherapy

There are a few ways to go about this, whether with a cryotherapy chamber or just an ice bath. The idea behind cryotherapy is that, by shocking your body with cold, you make your body produce special type of protein. These cold-shock proteins have anti-inflammatory properties that can help naturally fight pain!

OTC: Naproxen

Those with a history of heart disease may prefer naproxen over ibuprofen. Naproxen is good for treating general aches and pains, as it is an anti-inflammatory. It does run the same risk of upsetting the stomach that many other over-the-counter pain remedies, so take it with food!

Natural: Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy

The theory behind PEFT is that using electromagnetic fields to stimulate natural anti-inflammatory compounds. While it sounds high-tech, you can actually get the treatment for between $30 and $60 from a physical therapist or chiropractor. If you want a machine in your own home, they’re a bit pricey: they run around $1500 on the low end.

September 18, 2018
7 Ways to Fly for Cheap

Cheap airfare, it’s something we’re all looking for. Finding decent prices on flights can be difficult though. It is human nature to want to travel, to explore your horizons and see new places, or perhaps, to return to the places you once knew.

Whether you want to visit home or see an exotic location, airline travel is fast, but costs a lot of money. What is the best way for finding cheap airline tickets? How do you even start? Whether you are traveling for work, for vacation, or to visit family or friends, finding cheap airfare can help you save on what’s often the largest expense of your trip.

If you’re trying to take a trip and keep finding it difficult to get a decent price, you’re probably looking for some new travel hacks to help you save some money. Well, the good news is that we’re here to help. Let’s talk about the best ways to fly for cheap! Read more below to learn about who is offering the best rates at an amazing price $73 and $39 for one-way flights!

Best Ways to Fly for Cheap

Compare Airfares

Airfares vary widely, and discount airfare is out there for those who know where to look. The most important thing is that you make sure to compare airfares. The rates offered by one airline may be much higher or lower than the rates of another. If you use one of the popular travel sites, you can easily compare airfares from different airlines.

Also, if you have any flexibility in your schedule, try putting different dates into the sites’ ticket finders to see if that makes a difference. For example, currently, Southwest Airlines is offering flights as low as $73, and Delta is offering flights as low as $39 during the holiday season.

Use Reputable Flight Search Engines

Some flight search engines actually get a cut from airlines when they help generate sales. That means that you could search for “budget flights” and have normal or even premium flights show up. In order to counter this, use reputable search engines that don’t mislead you. Great options are Skyscanner, Momondo, AirWander and JetRadar. Like we said previously don’t be afraid to shop around to find the best price.

Get Tickets Early

Get your tickets early — but not too early. You may think it would be smart to buy tickets six months in advance, but in fact, getting tickets more than five months before you need them may keep you from getting the best fares. Aim for two to four months in advance, if possible. If you can’t plan that far in advance, at least try to avoid the two-week period right before a flight, when ticket prices tend to go up.

Specialty sites like “air fare watch dog” provide a medium for you to search for deals between two specific locations, and also can send you alerts when prices drop to a much more affordable rate. This is perfect for those who know where they want to travel, just are not too concerned about when. They can snag a great deal and plan their trip once they get that informative e-mail from the website.

Airport Selection

Fly in or out of airports that are not in your destination city. If you are flying into New York City, you may be able to get cheaper fares at the Newark airport than you would in New York City’s JFK Airport. If you are going to or from San Francisco, try the Oakland or San Jose airports. Many other cities also have airports that are nearby but outside of the city limits. Flying out of an alternate airport isn’t even necessarily a hardship. For example, If you are going to some parts of Manhattan, ground transportation may get you there faster from Newark than from JFK.

You will benefit on price, though, because not as many people will think of using the other airports, so the seats won’t sell out as quickly. Always think in terms of supply and demand when trying to find cheap airfare.

Non-Direct Flights

Accept a little inconvenience in exchange for a cheaper price. You may be able to save money on long trips by taking routes where you change planes rather than taking a non-stop flight. If you’re not in a hurry, you don’t need to pay a premium for the faster route. Try traveling lighter to avoid the luggage fees that so many airlines are charging now. Be creative in figuring out how to get by with fewer things on your trip.

Incognito Mode

Lock up your search history tight and don’t look back. When you start looking at flights and trips, make sure you’re in incognito mode. When you search for flight prices, sites use cookies to track how many times you’ve looked at the flight. Each new time you look, the price goes up. Why? Well, to get you to buy as soon as possible so you “lock in the lowest price.” Yeah, it’s dirty, but you can fight back!

By browsing incognito, you won’t have any cookies tracking you. This allows you to bypass this dirty trick and get a better price for your flight!

Find the Cheapest Days to Book

Try to fly on a Tuesday or a Wednesday, if possible. Those are often the cheapest days of the week. If possible, avoid Fridays and Sundays, when rates tend to go up. Flying right before a major holiday, like Thanksgiving or Christmas, is going to be very expensive. But if you are able to fly on the day of the holiday itself, you can usually pick up some very cheap fares because not many people want to fly then.

September 17, 2018
Tips on How to Quit Smoking

It’s neither controversial nor shocking to say that cigarettes are bad for you. It’s now no secret that smoking can cause heart problems, lung disease, a stroke and cancer. Nearly everyone who smokes is fully aware of the nature of just how bad cigarettes are for your body.

Your risk of cancer, lung and heart problems and issues with your kidneys and intestines are all increased by smoking. However some smokers still fail to accept these proven risks and give up cigarettes. People who smoke die an average of 13 to 14 years sooner than nonsmokers. Smoking can also cause sexual and reproductive issues. Pregnant women who smoke risk the health of their unborn child as well.

Quitting can be extremely difficult though and nicotine and smoking has been proven to be highly addictive. What is the main reason why you want to quit smoking? It is important to establish why you want to quit to stay motivated during what could be a long process.

Tips on How to Quit Smoking

Talk to People About It

You don’t have to go it alone. In fact, if you try to handle this by yourself, you’re likely going to relapse. So, to prevent the likelihood of that, tell people in your life that you’re trying to quit. Talking about things helps to make them feel more real. It’s harder to stay consistent if there’s no one to hold you accountable. Get the people closest to you on board in this process!

Get Help

Whether it’s medical help or therapy, you should look beyond just moral support of friends and family. Addiction is a serious thing, and it takes some serious work to undo the claws tobacco products have in your central nervous system. Things like nicotine gum, patches and support groups are all excellent steps to combat the issue.

Eliminate All Traces of Smoking from your Personal Space

This one might seem obvious, but it goes deeper than you think. Start by throwing away or giving away all of your cigarettes, ash trays, lighters and matches. Then, shampoo your carpets, clean your drapes and do everything you can to eliminate the smell. You don’t want that smoke smell welling up and driving your desire to light one up.

Find Healthy Alternatives

Even if you’d prefer to not use nicotine in your efforts to quit smoking, look for other ways to relax. The biggest draw to smoking is the relaxation that follows a cigarette as nicotine sinks into your system. In order to combat the worst cravings, seek out other relaxing activities.

Meditation, yoga, tai chi and hobbies like painting, drawing or making music are all great alternatives. If you can afford it, getting professional massages hits similar mental notes as smoking a cigarette! These activities are good for your mental health as well as your physical health.

Don’t Give Up

If you slip up and smoke a cigarette after weeks of being smoke-free, it’s not the end of the world. Don’t sweat the small lapses like that, and don’t let them convince you to pick smoking back up. No one is perfect: small mistakes don’t define you. Keep up the good effort and follow the advice in this article. You’re strong enough to quit smoking, so keep at it!

September 15, 2018
Best Paper Towel Deals
All of you know we love to find great deals on things people use every day here at Goodfind.guru. Today I will put the paper towel industry and their retailers through the rings and see who comes out on top. Let find the best paper towel deals.

To find out what is the best value for paper towels I went to 5 different big-name stores and gathered prices, sizes, ply, rolls and sheets per roll information. I then compiled all the data into a spreadsheet so I could compare and decide which one gave the most value for the money. I also tested many mainly brands to figure out the best quality brands. The stores I visited were Walmart, Target, Costco, Publix and Amazon.

For the most part they all offer the same brands and close to the same prices. Where they differ greatly is there store brand, Brand x or generic brands. Ill ad those in for quality and pricing comparisons as well. We will get down to the best way to purchase Paper Towels people. SO I’m going to test the Strength, Durability and quality of the top brands. Then we will find out where the best place to buy them.

Paper Towel Strength Test

To do the Strength test I have 3 Cups of water, one cup, 3 cups and 8 cups. and one cup of a heavier liquid, Heavy Whipping cream. I will dup the contents of each glass one at a time on the same table. Then swiping right to left see how far I can swipe before breaking or tearing the paper towel. Pretty simple right.

Up first is the Quicker Picker upper, Bounty. This is the leading name brand In paper towels. Bounty is the big dog and I’m assuming they will fare the best in this test. One cup water, absorbs the water easily with room to spare. I’m able to continue swiping with no resistance or tearing. 3 cups fills the Towel and tears after 6 complete swipes back and forth on the kitchen table. I’m able to get 3 full swipes on 8 cups and the heavy whipping cream, How everyone sheet fails to pick up all of the liquid. I’m assuming this will be the standard.

Next up is the Lumber Jack beefcake guy, Brawny. I like the Brawny Guy and I’m pulling for him already. One cup water, absorbs the water easily with room to spare. I’m able to continue swiping with no resistance or tearing. 3 cups fills the Towel and tears after 5 complete swipes back and forth on the kitchen table. I’m able to get 3 full swipes on 8 cups and the heavy whipping cream, How everyone sheet fails to pick up all of the liquid. Almost exactly as Bounty

Brand X, I have 5 Different Brand X, generic brands from each off the Retail outlets. They All fared exactly the same, which is 10 swipes on 1 cup, 3 swipes on 3 cups and tear pretty much immediately on 8 cups while not picking up more than half the water. There is one exception, the Great Value brand from Walmart, I was assuming this would be the worst performer. However it did slightly better in every test. Who knew?

Conclusion

There is not a big enough difference between the best and the worst to make a cost analysis difference. What I mean by this, Bounty will not use less sheets then Brand X. So the best way to purchase is to go solely off cost.

Best Paper Towel Deals For Bounty

Searching through the big box retailers, the best deals I could find on bounty are at Target and Amazon.Not the best pricing option Target has a special offer. If you buy 3 you can get a 10$ target gift card. You must use their pick up or restock options though. IF you average that deal in, $21 for 24 rolls, $.83 a roll. Not the best paper towel deals, but decent.

8 rolls,
- $10.97 Amazon
- $10.49 Target Buy 3, get $10 gift card with pickup or Target Restock
Best Paper Towel Deals for Brawny

These paper towels are the most expensive so I searched. I found a coupon at Publix that gave me $2.00 off. In addition they are on sale this week at a price of 2 8 pack rolls for $11. At a grand total cost per roll of $.56. Not too schabby. I stocked up.
- $9.97 Walmart
- 2 for $11.00 Publix
Brand X

If you are in a pinch and cash short, this is your option. How ever they don’t yield the best price per roll. An average of all 5 brand X of $.82 per roll. Just edging out Bounty but not coming close to the Brawny deal at Publix.
September 14, 2018
Get yourself an Intimidator UTV…You Deserve it.

Looking for that new toy?

Feel like treating yourself this year for christmas or just for the heck of it? In need of a new UTV to help things done at work or on the homestead? Take a look at the Intimidator line of Utility Vehicles. The Intimidator UTV’s Company has delivered the pinnacle of small utility vehicles and have seamlessly blended ruggedness with luxury and style. This is just a short bio of the relatively new company, from whom we expect big things: Intimidator, Inc. is owned by Robert and Becky Foster, former co-owners of Bad Boy Mowers. Intimidator offers world-class, American-made, side-by-side 4×4 vehicles with unparalleled strength, power, and performance at an affordable price. The company’s expanding line of products includes the Intimidator Classic, Intimidator Crew Cab, Intimidator Truck Series, Enforcer ATV, and the new GC1K, all built to suit a variety of needs from hauling feed, hunting, or traversing a rocky creek bed!

Bottom line is these things are impressive.

What’s the buzz about?

Intimidator has set out to produce the absolute best quality UTV’s and it all starts with good ol’ American steel and hand welded chassis. The company realized that creating a UTV that can withstand every and any environment this country has to offer is a much needed item. The folks who need a UTV around the house or at work are gonna them through the ringer. Whether your driving to a swampy fishing hole, a deep woods hunting spot, or farming during a Minnesota winter, these UTV’s can withstand it all. They have 5 different fully customizable UTV lines to choose from all depending on what works best for you. Here’s what the company has to say about their Classic Series:

The Intimidator Classic Series was designed for work and play. Key features include premium bench seats with headrests for up to three adult passengers, a full-size bed that can hold up to 1,200 lbs. of cargo, and a towing capacity of up to 2,100 lbs. Intimidator provides different power options to get the job done; from smaller jobs to middle-of-the-road and those requiring extreme power. The Intimidator Classic Series is packed with features that make it one hard-working, American-made machine. Each line has the option to hold a gas, diesel, or electric motor (for all you hunters out there). But drive safe, these bad boys can hit 60 MPH!

Summary

If you have the need and means for this ultimate toy, then I highly recommend treating yourself. But keep in mind, that is exactly what you’ll be doing. Depending on the options and models, the Intimidator UTV can run up $22,000.00. That’s actually more expensive than an older model Ford F-250. But with that price tag, you are getting the best of the best. And the intimidator can go many places and do many things a large truck cannot. Hence its true value. If I get to a point where I can justify one of these babies, you better believe Santa will be bringing me one.

Intimidator UTV Website Link: https://intimidatorutv.com/

September 14, 2018
Busch Gardens is Making Changes Pt. 2

Busch Gardens, Tampa Bay

In 1999, Busch Gardens opened its first Wooden Roller Coaster “Gwazi” and it was a massive undertaking. The Lion and Tiger themed ride consisted of two large wooden tracks fighting each other at every twist and turn simulating a wild brawl between a lion and tiger. As a native Floridian, I have ridden this ride many times and it’s still my favorite wooden roller coaster I have had the pleasure of riding. Over the years in the blistering sun, the track and wood took a beating and the ride became very rough to ride and often was inoperable due to needed repairs. The ride also claimed a human life when an elderly rider suffered a fatal heart attack while on the ride. On September 12, 2018 Busch Gardens announced they they would be completely rebuilding Gwazi from scratch and the ride is set to open in 2020.

What to Expect

Busch Gardens General Manager Stewart Clark stated that Gwazi was getting a new look that we “will be hanging on to your seats” Clark promises the once great Gwazi will be returned to its former glory and it will be another great and thrilling attraction to the already great theme park. If I had to guess what they might do is make Gwazi into a Hybrid Steel Coaster which blends smooth steel stracks and a wooden roller coasters base and look. It’s a relatively new concept that allows wooden coasters to easily invert and make all sorts of thrilling movements they could have done before. Six Flags Great America, just opened a Joker themed Hybrid Coaster to a resounding success.

Summary

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is truly a great and underrated theme park. The company really goes above and beyond in wildlife conservation and treats every animal with the utmost regard. The park is very transparent with how the animals are cared for and enclosed and invite attendees regularly to behind the scene enclosure to see the day to day animal operations. Within the past decade, Busch Gardens is building a great name by adding great new and thrilling rides all while maintaining its dedication to the endangered african wildlife. The best part about the park is it’s usually pretty quiet and no waiting in lines for the rides. Do yourself the favor and book a trip as soon as you can. Have fun!

September 14, 2018
Stainless Steel French Door Refrigerators Under $1000

Is it time to get a new refrigerator? Is your fridge getting old, outdated, or just not functioning the way it should? So it is time to upgrade but maybe you don’t want to drop thousands on the new “smart fridge” so you can have a computer judge you every time you open the fridge.

Today, there are countless refrigerator models and brands in the market, all with varying features and capabilities. If you are in the market for a new refrigerator for your home, it’s understandable that you may find the process a little confusing owing to high number of options available.

The classic and modern look of beautiful stainless steel french door refrigerator maybe what you are looking for. We know a great looking stainless steel french door refrigerators can boost the value of your home, will last and not require much maintenance and look great in your kitchen. Lets take a look at the best stainless steel french door refrigerators that won’t break the bank.

Frigidaire- $999

The Ultimate Fresh Food Storage Solution keeps your favorite foods and drinks organized with the Frigidaire FFSS2615TS 25.5 cu. ft. stainless steel side-by-side refrigerator. Arrange everything just the way you like it with over 100 ways to customize this fridge. Fruits and vegetables stay fresh in the Store-More humidity-controlled crisper drawers. The deli drawer is a convenient spot to hold sandwich meats and cheeses.

Fresh Water at the Ready? Need a refreshing glass of water? The PureSource 3 ice and water filtration system ensures clean water is ready when you need it.

LG – 25.4 Cu. Ft. French Door – $950

Bring contemporary looks into your kitchen with this LG French-style refrigerator, featuring a bottom freezer with ample room for lots of frozen goods. LED interior lighting provides a clear view of all of your produce, and the Smart Cooling system in this LG French-style refrigerator quickly reacts to temperature changes to help keep your food fresher, longer. Only Thing missing from this beauty is the water/ice dispenser, if you need that.

Kenmore 50043 25 cu. ft. Side-by-Side – $999

Plenty of Room for Plenty of Groceries. The Kenmore 25 cu. ft. side-by-side fridge has plenty of room for snacks, fresh foods, leftovers and meal-time staples. Whether you thrive on fresh fruits and veggies or live off of a week’s worth of leftovers and frozen pizzas, this fridge has the flexible storage options and freshness technology to keep foods chilled and tasty. Easy to clean, organize and stock, this Kenmore fridge is perfect for apartments and single family homes.

The Final Stainless Steel French Door Refrigerators Thought

A good and stylish refrigerator is the focal point and backbone of the kitchen. For your kitchen to function optimally you need a great, and great looking fridge. We have done the market research and these are the best bang for your buck. Happy cooking!

September 10, 2018
Stainless Steel French Door Refrigerators Under $1000

Is it time to get a new refrigerator? Is your fridge getting old, outdated, or just not functioning the way it should? So it is time to upgrade but maybe you don’t want to drop thousands on the new “smart fridge” so you can have a computer judge you every time you open the fridge.

Today, there are countless refrigerator models and brands in the market, all with varying features and capabilities. If you are in the market for a new refrigerator for your home, it’s understandable that you may find the process a little confusing owing to high number of options available.

The classic and modern look of beautiful stainless steel french door refrigerator maybe what you are looking for. We know a great looking stainless steel french door refrigerators can boost the value of your home, will last and not require much maintenance and look great in your kitchen. Lets take a look at the best stainless steel french door refrigerators that won’t break the bank.

Frigidaire- $999

The Ultimate Fresh Food Storage Solution keeps your favorite foods and drinks organized with the Frigidaire FFSS2615TS 25.5 cu. ft. stainless steel side-by-side refrigerator. Arrange everything just the way you like it with over 100 ways to customize this fridge. Fruits and vegetables stay fresh in the Store-More humidity-controlled crisper drawers. The deli drawer is a convenient spot to hold sandwich meats and cheeses.

Fresh Water at the Ready? Need a refreshing glass of water? The PureSource 3 ice and water filtration system ensures clean water is ready when you need it.

LG – 25.4 Cu. Ft. French Door – $950

Bring contemporary looks into your kitchen with this LG French-style refrigerator, featuring a bottom freezer with ample room for lots of frozen goods. LED interior lighting provides a clear view of all of your produce, and the Smart Cooling system in this LG French-style refrigerator quickly reacts to temperature changes to help keep your food fresher, longer. Only Thing missing from this beauty is the water/ice dispenser, if you need that.

Kenmore 50043 25 cu. ft. Side-by-Side – $999

Plenty of Room for Plenty of Groceries. The Kenmore 25 cu. ft. side-by-side fridge has plenty of room for snacks, fresh foods, leftovers and meal-time staples. Whether you thrive on fresh fruits and veggies or live off of a week’s worth of leftovers and frozen pizzas, this fridge has the flexible storage options and freshness technology to keep foods chilled and tasty. Easy to clean, organize and stock, this Kenmore fridge is perfect for apartments and single family homes.

The Final Stainless Steel French Door Refrigerators Thought

A good and stylish refrigerator is the focal point and backbone of the kitchen. For your kitchen to function optimally you need a great, and great looking fridge. We have done the market research and these are the best bang for your buck. Happy cooking!

September 10, 2018
Tips on How to Quit Smoking

It’s neither controversial nor shocking to say that cigarettes are bad for you. It’s now no secret that smoking can cause heart problems, lung disease, a stroke and cancer. Nearly everyone who smokes is fully aware of the nature of just how bad cigarettes are for your body.

Your risk of cancer, lung and heart problems and issues with your kidneys and intestines are all increased by smoking. However some smokers still fail to accept these proven risks and give up cigarettes. People who smoke die an average of 13 to 14 years sooner than nonsmokers. Smoking can also cause sexual and reproductive issues. Pregnant women who smoke risk the health of their unborn child as well.

Quitting can be extremely difficult though and nicotine and smoking has been proven to be highly addictive. What is the main reason why you want to quit smoking? It is important to establish why you want to quit to stay motivated during what could be a long process.

Tips on How to Quit Smoking

Talk to People About It

You don’t have to go it alone. In fact, if you try to handle this by yourself, you’re likely going to relapse. So, to prevent the likelihood of that, tell people in your life that you’re trying to quit. Talking about things helps to make them feel more real. It’s harder to stay consistent if there’s no one to hold you accountable. Get the people closest to you on board in this process!

Get Help

Whether it’s medical help or therapy, you should look beyond just moral support of friends and family. Addiction is a serious thing, and it takes some serious work to undo the claws tobacco products have in your central nervous system. Things like nicotine gum, patches and support groups are all excellent steps to combat the issue.

Eliminate All Traces of Smoking from your Personal Space

This one might seem obvious, but it goes deeper than you think. Start by throwing away or giving away all of your cigarettes, ash trays, lighters and matches. Then, shampoo your carpets, clean your drapes and do everything you can to eliminate the smell. You don’t want that smoke smell welling up and driving your desire to light one up.

Find Healthy Alternatives

Even if you’d prefer to not use nicotine in your efforts to quit smoking, look for other ways to relax. The biggest draw to smoking is the relaxation that follows a cigarette as nicotine sinks into your system. In order to combat the worst cravings, seek out other relaxing activities.

Meditation, yoga, tai chi and hobbies like painting, drawing or making music are all great alternatives. If you can afford it, getting professional massages hits similar mental notes as smoking a cigarette! These activities are good for your mental health as well as your physical health.

Don’t Give Up

If you slip up and smoke a cigarette after weeks of being smoke-free, it’s not the end of the world. Don’t sweat the small lapses like that, and don’t let them convince you to pick smoking back up. No one is perfect: small mistakes don’t define you. Keep up the good effort and follow the advice in this article. You’re strong enough to quit smoking, so keep at it!

September 9, 2018
7 Tips to Cut Your Cable and Internet Bill

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

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

1. Analyze Your Use and Do Research

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

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

2 The Fees

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

3. Lose The Premiums

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

4. The DVR. Kill IT

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

5. Negotiate a lower rate

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

6. Know When to Negotiate

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

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

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

7. Shop a New Provider

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

The Final Cut Cable Cost Thought

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

September 6, 2018