Blogs Old

The importance of a personal car cannot be overemphasized, once you step out, you have instant access to mobility. There's no need to wait for an Uber or lose valuable time as a public bus stops to pick up other passengers.  No one forgets the first car they ever got, it is a really fond memory. If you are about to or just got a new car, we’d like to say congratulations! However, the journey doesn’t end when you drive out of the dealership with the sweet smell of brand-new leather in the air.  The total well-being of your vehicle...

The unemployment rate in Las Vegas has been on the decline for some time, while the job market continues to increase creating an overwhelming demand for housing and no question that the real estate market in this desert locale is red-hot. But one question does remain. As inflation continues, it still a sellers’ market in Vegas or is the tide shifting to be a buyers’ advantage as more homes flood the market?  You decide. Sellers’ Market Some claim a strong sellers’ market with sellers’ getting a multitude of offers on their properties, as well as homes selling above their listing...

As many cities across the U.S. see a heatwave, and as citizens deal with rising inflation and energy costs, it’s as good a time as any to discuss ways to reduce your environmental impact and save money. There are so many of them; the two seem almost to go hand-in-hand. People are scared off by the initial costs of living a sustainable life. They shouldn’t be, because sustainability can extend to your wallet. When you waste less, you pay less, and so does our environment. These are things you can do easily in your everyday life. Shopping From The Right...

Jumpstarting creativity is a little like getting a stalled car to start—there’s a spark of life in the engine, but it just won’t drive. Creativity, too, has its hibernation period, whether you had to take a hiatus due to life circumstances or the ideas just wouldn’t come. It may be as simple as changing the way you handle the creative process. Here are five tips to help spark your creativity. 1. Let Yourself Be Bored Have you practiced the art of boredom? Allowing yourself space to be bored can help you develop your creativity, too.  Notice what your mind wanders...

Although there has been much more discovered about mental disorders and their various effects on the individuals who bear them, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is one that still comes with many misconceptions. Only revealed to the world due to being one of many results from the aftermath of man-made war, PTSD is a fairly new term to unravel in these current times. And though its exposure has been from battle, is there more information to bring to life underneath its battered surface? Post Traumatic Stress Disorder stretches far beyond the battlefield and possesses multiple aspects that not many people...

When people think of what snakes represent in literature, the first thing that likely comes to mind is the snake in the Garden of Eden. However, snake symbolism in literature goes beyond representing temptation. They’ve been used as a diverse symbol for thousands of years, going back to Celtic mythology in 4000 B.C. Further, despite representing something malicious and deceitful in the Bible, snakes have more often been representative of positive, or at least neutral, themes. The following topics are but a few of the literary devices that snakes represent in literature. Medicine One of the most recognizable things snakes...

Vroom Vroom All of us have a Volkswagen story to tell—whether it be good, bad or ugly, it’s always memorable. The press has been fairly quiet about VW for some time now, so I did some research and uncovered a few projects they are working on for 2022/2023.  Projects on VW’s Agenda Project Trinity This exciting project will deliver electric vehicle charging times that are said to be as fast as filling up your tank in a petrol car by 2026. One of the project’s main points is to reduce the weight of electric vehicles since this has been an...

It's summertime, and the mosquitos are out in full force and ready to ruin your fun. It's easy to reach for the $20 deep woods bug spray, but just as it's terrible for mosquitos, it's also bad for anyone who comes in contact with it. The main component of many insect repellants is Deet. If you aren't using a Deet-based repellent, then you may be using picaridin, a synthetic chemical created in the hopes of mimicking black pepper. Unfortunately, the other Deet alternatives are harder to pronounce and leave just as bad of a taste in your mouth. What about...

When browsing a thrift store with various kinds of vintage clothing to choose from, it can seem almost impossible to find the right kind for you. Chic fabrics align the racks, with brand names across their inner backs. So, with all these view options, are there ways to discover the best kind of quality for these old but not worn wears? Finding the best quality vintage clothing is possible and easier than you might believe! Some aspects which separate the best from the lesser, are the fabrics used, the condition they are in, and the care given to the clothes...

While a Patagonian cypress challenges the record of “oldest living tree,” two bristlecone pines have historically held that record and have much to teach us about life.   Bristlecone Pines: Shaped by the Elements You may recognize the image of one 1,400-year-old bristlecone pine stamped on the back of some U.S. quarters. This bristlecone pine resides on Mount Washington in Nevada’s Great Basin National Park where little else lives or dies. There are no other trees to spread pathogens; no competition; no grasses; no brush; and few pests—including humans that start renegade wildfires. Just a stretch of mountains along Nevada’s rocky...

It's summertime, and you can't wait to hit the beach, but what about your furry little roommates? Unfortunately, it is difficult for many people with pets to vacation. Many skip it altogether because it can be such a headache and wallet-ache. It isn't as difficult as you think it is, though. So what should you do if you don't have a pet sitter staying with your animals? You will have plenty of options after doing just a small amount of networking and research. Know Your Local Kennels It is tough deciding where to send your beloved for a week without...

In my late teens and early 20s, I backpacked through South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. One of the main benefits of volunteering in these countries was that it allowed me to stay longer without having to spend money. This is because some programs, like the ones I did, gave you a room and board in exchange for a set amount of labor. However, there were also unexpected benefits of volunteering to afford a gap year besides saving money. Experiencing, Not Just Skimming a Country  For South Africa, I used Workaway, a volunteer site that connects volunteers with hosts around...

Cannabis in 2022 is the story of a gem in the dust; overlooked and scorned for many years, but once its true value was revealed it was embraced. In 2021, the U.S.A. saw an estimated $25 billion in cannabis sales, which should give you an idea of how big this space has become.  With the world’s view on this plant changing, cannabis witnessed a growth spurt in its number of users also. If you’re fortunate to live in any of the locations which have legalized it, you may have considered taking this herb.  One debate you might have heard when...

The ice pick planted itself in my brain sometime around 9 p.m. last night, and the headache lasted for 12 hours. It’s a situation I wasn’t used to, though my mother had cluster headaches throughout her life. I was out of aspirin and didn’t have the energy to drive, so I did what we usually do: shut myself in a dark room and tried to sleep it off. I realized I had ingested a lot of coffee but little water and experienced unusual stress— producing a tension headache. So, I drank water throughout the night, took a little potassium (to...

As a parent, you sometimes feel inadequate or feel you are not doing a good job. This could be because what you are doing is not working or because you aren't sure what needs to be done. It is normal to be stressed or feel the pressure to be a good parent. What you need to remember, however, is that you are already a good parent. You just need to figure out your parenting style and what works best for you and your child. A great way to do this is to get parenting advice from experts. Here are three...

Living with allergies is a daily struggle for many people. One allergy that is particularly challenging is seafood allergies. Dealing with seafood allergies presents more problems than you might expect, and it’s always a good idea to be as well educated on a topic as possible when dealing with an issue. Here are some things you should know about dealing with seafood allergies. What’s The Difference Between Seafood and Shellfish Allergies? Seafood is a blanket term for freshwater fish, saltwater fish, crustaceans, and shellfish. Shellfish allergies are specific to animals that live in the sea and have a shell or...

Ticks used to be the most active in the spring and fall, but Harvard Health reports that tick season is expanding as warm temperatures increase due to climate change. Take the following precautions to protect your family and pets against ticks year-round.  How to Prevent Ticks From Biting Humans Prevention is the best method for families to guard against tick bites. Keep these tips in mind. 1. Avoid Areas Where Ticks Lurk Are you an outdoor enthusiast? Follow the marked trail, and avoid overgrown brush and wooded areas as you take in the stress-free surroundings. Ticks fall or climb long...

Whether you’ve lived in your area for years or just a few weeks, getting to know your community can feel a little awkward. It’s like making a new friend. Outside of work and home life, your habits may limit you to a certain routine.  Trying free summer activities in the community, like watching a movie or a play in the park, give you an opportunity to do something new, fun, and frugal. In this list, you won’t see anything new in terms of location, and what’s offered will vary by community. However, you may find some unique suggestions for new...

Maintaining a high quality of life is directly proportional to your health and fitness levels. Each day, we make choices that have a lasting effect on not only the present but also the future. Physical activity and diet are the cornerstones of health and longevity, regardless of whether you are a recreational or competitive athlete. It keeps you from getting sick and missing games and makes you perform your best when on the field or court. But how do you ensure you get ahead in sports by staying healthy? Eat a Healthy, Balanced Diet A big part of staying healthy...

In today’s world, there is a general need to get things done faster. We have drive-through eateries so people get food faster. Short fifteen second videos on TikTok so the audience consumes content faster. You can see it all around you, the need to get things done quickly. In a fast-paced society like this, you stand out when you have a habit of procrastination. We’ve all experienced this, after setting a goal, you keep postponing it and sometimes never begin. Below we will share some tips to help you stop procrastinating.  Understand why you’re procrastinating  We often tell ourselves we...