December 28, 2018

How to Pass a Urine Drug Test for Weed


health, detox, detoxification, urine drug test

Today, drug testing is administered in a variety of different settings for all sorts of reasons.

The most common reason for having to take a drug test is for employment screening and random drug testing in the workplace. However, you might also be asked to take a drug test if you’re on probation or have recently been involved in a workplace or vehicular accident. 

Urine testing, or urinalysis, is the most commonly used method for drug testing. This is because it is the least expensive test and some drug metabolites such as THC, remain detectable in a person’s urine for much longer than their saliva, which is another common type of drug test. 

Studies have shown that nearly 1/3 of all drug tests are conducted through urinalysis. So, if you regularly smoke marijuana, it’s important that you understand how the process works, as well as what you need to do if you’re ever asked to take a urine test.

Below, we’ll go over a little bit about THC and leave you with a few helpful pointers on passing a urine test for weed. 

For more information about drug testing, click here.

What is THC?

THC is one of the main chemical components found in marijuana. It is the compound that is responsible for both marijuana’s psychoactive and euphoric effects, which can leave its users with a variety of feelings from giddiness and hunger, through to paranoia and feelings of exhaustion.

THC is a fat-soluble compound. This means that once it’s broken down, it’s is stored in a person’s fat cells and can then be traced by testing samples taken from their urine, saliva, blood, or hair.

Read more about THC.

How Long Does THC Remain Detectable in Your System?

Because each one of our bodies is different, there is no straightforward answer as to how long THC will remain detectable in your system. It can range from anywhere between a week to several months, and will depend a variety of factors such as a person’s frequency of consumption, as well as their individual lifestyle and metabolism.

Generally, the half-life of THC is estimated to be about 7 days. This means that after 7 days, the drug’s metabolites found in a person’s system will have decreased to about 50%. In most cases, a person’s body will be completely rid of THC after three to four weeks, however, if the person is a frequent user, this could be significantly longer.

As mentioned, a person’s lifestyle and metabolism will also affect how long the drug will remain in their system. So, diet and physical activity can play an important role in ridding a person’s body of THC.

Passing a Urine Test for Weed

Detoxification is the process of ridding your body of any toxins and impurities that may be floating around in your bloodstream. It is also the best way to decrease the THC levels in your system in order to pass a urine test.

There are also plenty of detox products available online that can help you achieve this. Although, many of these products are not guaranteed to work and using a natural method, such as diet and exercise, are the best ways to clean up your system.

It should also be noted that your system doesn’t necessarily need to be 100% free of THC to pass a marijuana drug test. Most urine tests have a threshold limit of 50ng of THC per milliliter. Therefore, as long as you can decrease your THC levels below this, you’ll be able to pass a urine test.

That being said, as soon as you find out that you’ll need to take a urine test, it’s important to abstain from using marijuana in all forms. Then, the next step will be to begin detoxing your body as soon as possible. 

Hydrate and Eat Healthy Foods

This involves drinking plenty of water and eating a healthy diet in order to help flush out any traces of THC in your system. Fiber-rich foods and those with higher levels of antioxidants are the best to use during the detox process. This includes brightly colored foods and leafy green vegetables such as tomatoes, spinach, kale, berries, and walnuts.

health, detox, detoxification, urine drug test

Taking supplements such as beta-carotene or Vitamin C and E is also recommended because they are natural antioxidants and will help breakdown any remain THC metabolites in your body.

Also, try to avoid consuming any sort of junk foods. These are known to cause water retention and slow your metabolism down making it harder for your body to clean itself.

Exercise and Use a Sauna

Our bodies can also rid themselves of toxins by sweating. Therefore, regularly exercise and using a sauna can be very effective methods of naturally detoxing our systems.

Just remember to avoid any strenuous physical exercise the day before your urine test because THC levels in your blood can actually spike within 24 hours after working out.

Read more about marijuana drug testing here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_drug_testing

What If My Urine Test is Tomorrow?

Taking a urine test within 24 hours of using can be much riskier than if you have the time to prepare. However, there are several things that you can do to decrease your risk of coming back with a positive result.

For starters, see if you can schedule your urine test for a later time in the day. THC metabolites tend to build up in your system while you’re sleeping. Therefore, your first urination of the day will contain higher levels of THC than at a later time.

Secondly, make sure to drink plenty of water before the test, but don’t over do it. It’s best to try and drink between two and three liters the day before testing, and no more than one or two liters on the day of the test. If you drink too much water, you run the risk of having a diluted urine sample and you may be asked to take the test again.

Finally, you can also improve your chances of passing a urine test by taking B vitamins the day before and the day of testing.
Read More »

December 27, 2018

Pole Buildings as Vacation Homes: How to Build One in Michigan



Ask a local living in Michigan since day one of his life and he might stoke it a bit when it comes to the state’s long list of surprises for visiting tourists. A mixture of urban, historical sites, and nature, Michigan holds a plethora of fun activities for the whole family. From chill lakeside picnics to mind-blowing rides at the amusement parks, the state won’t run short with fun and entertainment suitable for each member of the family.

Mom and dad would love culinary, brewery or wine tasting tours. The kids would love learning about wild animals at the zoo or about marine life by visiting the oceanarium. You may also give your kids an outdoor historical class by exploring some lighthouses. Or perhaps, an idyllic day at the farm would give everyone an opportunity to relax and unwind. Check out tons of ideas about things to do in Michigan on this site.

To have an eventful vacation in Michigan, one has to stay for some days, even a week or so. Tourists, especially those travelling with their young children need a comfortable vacation home. So, whether you’d like to build a vacation home in Michigan for yourself or offer it to visiting tourists for them to rent during their stay, you can be sure that either would be a great idea. You can even build a vacation home for both purposes.

You may be wondering what kind of home structure you may build for a vacation house. If you’re aiming for something sturdy, airy, yet budget-friendly and easy to build, why not consider coming up with a pole building? Below, we outline some of the steps you can do to build one.

Find Your Ideal Location
First on your list: Find your most favorite place in Michigan. It could be near a lake, shore, or in a farm. Wherever it is that you choose, you don’t have to worry whether a pole barn would be suitable for the location. After all, pole buildings are pretty versatile. You can build them anywhere. Read more on the advantages of pole barn homes: https://unhappyhipsters.com/pole-barn-homes/

Visualize Your Design
A vacation home should be inviting, light, airy, and spacious. It should be a place where you can have peace of mind, a place that allows you to live an idyllic lifestyle for a while. That is, at least, the general rule to keep in mind when envisioning your ideal vacation home. Other than that, feel free to give your pole barn some personality. And what better way is there to do that than to get inspiration from your own interests, beliefs, principles, and lifestyle? If you’re creating a vacation home for tourists, you might as well add a hint of Michigan’s unique hallmarks and local culture.


Find a Reliable Contractor Around the Area
Hire a reliable contractor that serves Michigan to ensure the quality and stability of your pole building. Of course, it’s not easy to trust just anyone. So, shop around. Look up companies online. Check reviews. Talk to the potential contractors themselves and their current clients. Also, be sure to check a contractor’s experience on building pole barns. Ask for portfolio. Take note too that it’s best to hire a company that specializes on this type of structure.

Communicate Your Ideal Pole Barn Structure with Your Contractor
Whatever structure you’re aiming to build, it’s always best to be hands-on during the entire duration of the project, from the design process, to the actual construction, down to the finishes and final embellishments. Reliable contractors such as Zelinski Brothers Inc would give you advice and tips about your ideal pole barn structure. They would be ready to get to know your ideal design.

Get Necessary Building Permits
Now that you have a design and contractor ready, secure the necessary building permits in your area. Always review the local planning regulations and building requirements in the city and community you’re looking to build your vacation home.

Whether you stumbled upon a lakeside property or a farm in Michigan and you fell in love in an instant, go ahead and build your pole barn. It’s an ideal building for any terrain. It offers a great structure suitable for vacation homes. And yes, it’s not too difficult to find a reliable and experienced contractor who will take care of the building process from start to finish.
Read More »

December 17, 2018

The Top Reasons to Hire a Real Estate Agent



home, real estate, real estate agent
photo source

There are a lot of details and information that you can find online. The information may sometimes be too much that you will already feel confused. If you are trying to look into real estate and the different properties that are available, you are better off hiring los angeles real estate agents. They will be able to help you in so many ways.

There are some real estate agents that may be popular but only because they are good in advertising. The moment that you try to talk to them, you will realize that they are not as good as you have assumed them to be. You do not have to make this mistake. You will now know the reasons why you should hire only the top real estate agents in your area.
  • You can be assured of their expertise and their knowledge in finding the right properties. You may be searching for some santa monica ca condos for sale. The right agent will have a list of the available condos. You can definitely pick the ones that will catch your attention the most. Some people make the mistake of assuming that they know as much details as their agents. This is not true at all.
  • You can get the help that you deserve regarding some of the documents that you have not fixed yet. There are so many things that you are thinking about that the documents may be the last thing on your mind. The agent will remind you of the documents that you need to submit. You can also hire a lawyer if in case you need one to improve the quality of the documents that you will submit.
  • There is a bigger chance that you will know how much you need to pay for the property that you want. Real estate agents may get commissions every time that they sell. This will help you make the right choice even if there are so many selections available. Why would you choose a property that you cannot afford, right?


One of the best things that a real estate agent can do is to negotiate. Do you find the venice beach ca condos for sale priced too high? The lawyer may try to get a better deal that will fit your budget more.
Read More »

December 5, 2018

Family Day on a Holiday


How’s your day?

Last November 30 was a holiday and supposed to be Matthew’s field trip. Unfortunately, it was postponed early next year.

So patch the day, Mommy and I went to work together with Matthew. Since it was a holiday, we just stayed at work until lunchtime and watched a movie – Ralph Breaks the Internet.


We reached the cinema at 1 pm and the movie will start at 1:05. Instead of taking our lunch first, we went straight to the cinema. I just bought something to eat inside the movie house.

Matthew was very quiet while watching the movie and really looks enjoying it.

The movie is really good not only for kids and kids at heart.

After watching the movie, we take a short visit to World of Fun before proceeding to the grocery to buy our weekly needs.

Here is one of Matthew's favorite spot, the video games. We allowed him to play just one game. He is already happy and did not complain about it.


I just realized that I really need to know how to play different sports

Just like this one.


I really don’t play basketball, but I need to learn at least how to throw the ball into the basket. Hahaha.

How did you spend your holiday?
Read More »

December 4, 2018

Seeking Chiropractic Care in Rockville - Chiropractors in Rockville




Chiropractic is a therapy that works by correcting joint problems, especially the spine, based on the relationship between nerve impulses, bones, and muscles. Thus, any bone movement that impairs the conductive capacity of the nerves will cause an imbalance that manifests itself as a disease. Read here.

Principles of chiropractics
Therapy is based on the belief that the body can heal when the bone system is aligned correctly, and the nervous system usually works. Therefore, chiropractic aims to restore health through the manipulation of bones, especially in the spine. When the column's bones are not in a correct position, the theory says nerve transmissions are disturbed, causing back pain, but also other areas.

The method was discovered by Daniel Palmer, a Canadian citizen who deafened an employee by simply reassembling a few bones of the spine. Based on this success, Palmer devoted his attention to the study of the spine. He discovered that he is part of the three fundamental elements of the human body: it surrounds and protects the spinal cord, a vital aspect of the nervous system; serves as a support for a large number of muscles; consists of a series of unified bones, which also involves the presence of so many joints.


What is a chiropractic session?
The first chiropractic exam includes a complete spinal examination and anamnesis (medical history) of the patient. The therapist will analyze the painful area through observation and palpation. Also, in some cases, some analyzes will be made to rule out an infectious cause or other health problems that may require another type of treatment.

Chiropractic differs from osteopathy by application, the movements are not fast, and the force is minimal in order not to have a traumatic effect. This directs his energy almost the same way his muscles do, looking for the optimal position to set the displaced bone in place. The goal of the maneuvers is to unlock a certain vertebral segment and then to try to strengthen specific muscle groups using the techniques used in applied Chinese physiology. You can visit different clinics that offers chiropractic sessions but it is always best to check them first before setting an appointment like healinghandsmaryland.com and many others.

Initially, it aims at relieving pain
Treatment is usually divided into three stages. The first sessions take place at short distances and aim at the immediate relief of pain. In the second stage, courses are intended to continue the healing process and prevent relapse. In the last step, the sessions are done in order to maintain the patient's state of health. The number of chiropractic sessions varies from patient to patient, depending on the situation. In the case of chronic, severe or other health problems, the treatment will be long-lasting.


It cures some affections
This technique is very useful in case of back pain, column deviations, neuralgia, neuritis, displacement, joint pain, herniation or intervertebral disc sting. Chiropractic is also used to alleviate arthritis, rheumatism, migraines, esophagitis, gastritis, chest pain, dizziness, and ringing in the ears.

Furthermore, dysmenorrhea, indigestion, and infertility could be improved as a result of improved energy flow after treatment. This method is unlikely to be harmful if other methods fail to solve health problems. However, for certain diseases such as cancer, fractures, infectious and neurological disorders, chiropractic treatment is contraindicated.

Chiropractic treatment does not hurt
No, I'm not going to break your throat, and your bones will not break. Chiropractic treatment is much milder than you expect. Most new patients are quite anxious just thinking about the pain. The sound that is heard during chiropractic manipulations is a "crack" sound, like a click and is called crack. This noise is a release of gas from the joint capsule, gas accumulated in a space created inside the joint.

If you want to come "all the time," you can go without any problems. Patients with very high pain are scheduled for more than one month or two to ensure that everything is adjusted. We recommend patients with a maintenance therapy session to check that everything is okay, just like going to the dentist once every six months.

Chiropractic treatment can prevent certain conditions
Studies show that chiropractic treatment steadily reduces the production of pro-inflammatory mediators associated with tissue lesions and pain. Click here.

In most cases, back pain does not occur overnight. More importantly, the pain does not disappear suddenly. When some patients say that chiropractic treatment was not beneficial to them, in 9 out of 10 cases the patient did not follow the 100% treatment plan and the advice received.
Read More »

November 29, 2018

How to Survive the MRT


Last week, I attended a 5-day training course in Ortigas. According to our facilitator, it was a test of endurance to finish the entire course, both physical and mental.

Tama sila. The venue is in Ortigas and I had my overnight stay in Cubao. Although malapit lang, pero susubukin ka talaga.

There are two options to reach Ortigas from Cubao, MRT or PUBs (bus or taxi). Medyo mahal ang Grab so, I choose the MRT as the mode of transportation and I survived it for five days.

It was difficult for me na hindi naman yun ang nakasanayan ko. 

But how did I survive the MRT ride for 5 days? Here are some tips based on my experience.

MRT, north avenue station

Be Early.
Although the training starts at 9 in the morning, I started traveling at 6 am. At this time, hindi pa gaano kadami ang pasahero. Di pa siksikan. I just take my rest at the training venue.

Wear Light Clothing
For a person like me na pawisin, literal na maliligo ka talaga sa pawis umaga palang. “Dri fit” clothes are recommended since madaling matuyo. If you don’t have, it is good to bring extra clothes and lots of towel.

Persevere
Why? Dapat marunong kang makipagsiksikan. During the rush hours, the train wagons are already full. Kahit puno na, once it stops in one station, some will try their luck to get inside the train.

mrt, beep card, stored-value card

Have a beep card or stored-value card
If you are using MRT for several days, purchasing the stored-value card. During my 5-day stay, I used this and not on a single journey to avoid queuing another line to buy the tickets daily.

Be Calm
It will be annoying seeing the different situations in the MRT. Instead of ranting, keep calm. I experience this for 5 days only, how about others who used this mode of transportation daily.

Headset
To keep you calm, be ready with your phone and headset. Once you reach the station, start listening to music of your choice. This will helps you divert your attention on the music rather than the situation you are in. Minsan di mo namamalayan na napapasayaw ka na slight.

Do you have other tips to survive the MRT ride?
Read More »

November 23, 2018

Welcome Email: Some Essential Features


welcome email, electronic mail, technology, internet
When a new client subscribes, a welcome email is your opportunity to engage him as your permanent client. It works as a positive gesture and it’s the right time to keep him engaged for long periods of time. You can ask him to take your required action. A welcome email is not an ordinary email, it must have some features. Look at them here https://www.campaignmonitor.com/resources/.

• Send the welcome email immediately, when a person subscribes. You can use an automated email delivery system for this purpose.

• The subject line of the welcome email should be very clear. Use the word “welcome” clearly.

• Welcome email must name personalized effects. Include the name of the subscriber in the email, to give him special feeling.

• Use your welcome email as a guideline. Tell your subscriber about his other options, what he can do next.

• Offer something special as a welcome gift. It can be a voucher code or special discount.

• Give your social media accounts in your welcome email and ask your subscribers to follow them. Give them some exciting reasons to do so. You can offer some exclusive offers for the followers.

• Request the subscribers to add you in their safe list, to make sure your emails are received in the inbox and they are not channeled to trash.

• Although we don’t want the subscribers to unsubscribe, but it’s important that you add an unsubscribe link in the email. However, if they want to unsubscribe, ask for the reason. It will help you to know about the short comings.

• Ask the subscriber to refer you to his friends as well. You can give a link to make it easy for your subscribers. You can also offer some advantages to clients, if they do so.

• Pop up visuals can make your welcome email attractive and catchy. You can use the colors of your brand. But using other colors is not forbidden. The aim is to make your email catchy.

https://www.campaignmonitor.com/resources/infographics/10-essential-elements-of-a-welcome-email/ you can check the infographic here, which gives details about these points. You can use this information to create a quality welcome emails, which is effective too. 

Read More »

November 10, 2018

Intermittent Fasting for Weight-loss


I almost hit my target weight way back in 2016. After almost five months, I weighed at 168 pounds (76 kilos) from 190 pounds (about 90 kilos). I did this by following some weight-loss regime like reducing rice intake, having few minutes of exercise, drinking green tea and others.

health, intermittent fasting, weight-loss,

I maintained hitting the scale between 168-172 pounds not until the Lenten season of 2017. I gain back my weight to 189 pounds or 86 kilos in just a few months.

Now, I wanted to get back on my lowest number or even lower and I am now nearing the same number. I still follow what I did before but added the intermittent fasting regime.

What is Intermittent Fasting?

Intermittent fasting is an energy or calorie restriction diets that cycle between fasting and non-fasting for a period of time. There are two major types of fasting: the alternate day fasting, and the time restricted fasting.

Alternate Day Fasting
This method involves a 24-hour fast followed by 24-hour non-fasting period done alternately. This can be modified to 5:2 regime which involves 5 days non-fasting and 2 days fasting periods. Either of the alternate or the 5:2 diets, both allow you to consume 500-600 calories during the fasting days.

Time-Restricted Feeding
This is the most common method of intermittent fasting. There are 3 major methods: 16:8, 12:12, and 23:1.

The 16:8 method involves fasting for 16 hours daily and only eat during the remaining 8 hours. The more liberal time-restricted method is the 12:12 where you need to fast for 12 hours and allows 12 hours eating time. The most strict is the 23:1 which allows you to eat one meal per day only.

On the above-mentioned intermittent fasting methods, I followed the 16:8. I start eating at 10 am and have my last meal at 6 pm.

During the fasting hours, I only take water, green tea of black coffee with a bit of creamer. No sugar!

Aside from weight-loss, there are also several benefits of intermittent fasting. Check below.

intermittent fasting, fasting, weight loss
Photo Source: Bulletproof

Does intermittent fasting works for me?

I started the intermittent fasting on September 01, 2018 where I mark the scale at 180 pounds. On my last check on November 07, 2018, I am on the 168.8 pounds. Now, I am planning to add toning exercise.

Do you practice Intermittent Fasting too?
Read More »

October 17, 2018

TeenSafe As a Method to Protect Kids



It’s no secret that technology has changed our world. The internet and smartphones have brought us closer together and given us access to information that would have been unthinkable before. It’s great, but there’s also some not so great stuff on the internet, especially for kids. Even though our son is not old enough yet to have his own phone, I’m already thinking about how to introduce him to all the good stuff technology can give us, while keeping him from the harmful stuff as much as possible. A friend of mine recommended the phone monitoring service TeenSafe and after giving it a look, it seems like a really good option for keeping kids safe. I wanted to give a quick rundown of the service for those interested.

home, internet safety, kids, phone monitoring service, protecting kids, TeenSafe
photo source

Message and call features

One of the big things I worry about with smartphones is that our son will come into contact with the wrong kind of people. It’s sad but true that there are plenty of people online who are seeking to prey on unsuspecting children. After they’ve established a relationship of trust, they’ll often move communications to text messaging to achieve their goals. The monitoring service allows parents to see both received and sent texts and even gives access to deleted texts. It also gives access to phone call logs to see incoming and outgoing calls.

The service also gives parents the ability to view messages sent via third-party messaging apps like WhatsApp and Kik. This can be really useful because a lot of times people will prefer to not use texts as apps can provide more anonymity. Monitoring these types of communications can give another line of defense against unwanted contact.

Location tracking

This is another important one for me. As my son takes more and more steps towards independence, I want to support him while also knowing that he is safe. Being able to view his location, and a map of where he’s been, allows me to know that he’s not getting into trouble. If I see he’s in an unknown place or a place he shouldn’t be, it would be an opportunity to chat with him about the importance of communication and respecting boundaries.

Website history viewing

I want my son to explore the world and a big part of that exploration can come from exploring the internet, which I support. But realistically there are a lot of websites that I don’t want my son seeing, as they can have explicit content. Being able to see what sites he’s visiting again provides an opportunity to talk about what he’s viewing and to make sure he’s keeping his online exploration as safe as can be expected.

Using a phone monitoring service can be a really great tool for parents who want to encourage their kids to use technology in a safe and productive way. After checking out its features and reviews, TeenSafe is the one I’ll be using when the time comes. If you’re worried about the potential harm that could come from access to technology, give the service a look and think about if it may be right for you.

More about TeenSafe at www.teensafe.com/blog
Read More »

October 5, 2018

The Benefit of Installing a Severe Weather Tracker



This is the time of the year we will be experiencing bad weather condition with thunderstorms, plenty of rain, and even floods in low lying areas. Local authorities have set up flood monitoring teams to be on the standby in case there is flooding and to be available to evacuate those affected.

In the preparation and anticipation of thunderstorms, big trees are being trimmed to protect the community and properties and drains are being cleared to prevent flooding in times of heavy rainfalls. Bad weather conditions are expected in many areas especially those within the paths of typhoons actively making their way across the globe.

flood, outdoor warning sirens, storm, weather tracker, safety,


As members of the public, especially those staying in flood prone areas, etc. it is our responsibility to stay updated on the weather conditions and keep ourselves tuned in to any warning alerts by our local Meteorological Department when a warning signal is being picked up by the severe weather tracker. When the alert warning is released, there will be ample time for the evacuation work to be carried out to get those affected to a safe place.

For those who are staying in remote areas that are prone to flooding or areas that are exposed to severe weather conditions, an outdoor weather tracking system that is fully integrated with in-cloud and cloud-to-ground lightning detection technology will be needed. It can be used to alert the community with outdoor warning sirens in times of approaching danger, and also by sending out lightning-strike alerts, emails and text alerts to recipients.

The severe weather tracker system comes equipped with a built-in battery backup and are made up of professional-grade components which are virtually maintenance free. These outdoor weather trackers are built for outdoor installation with a fully integrated indoor control unit which contains a loud internal speaker with an adjustable volume level to alert personnel inside. It can be wall-mounted or can be placed on a desktop to provide control buttons for users.

Users are able to configure hours of operation, lightning-strike distance, and alert duration. The system is equipped with a real-time dashboard displaying the current alert status information such as connection, active, last stroke time, distance, and a countdown clock with the estimated time to All Clear. This type of outdoor alerting system is necessary for schools, universities, big organizations, and etc.
Read More »

October 3, 2018

The Most Important Tips For First-time Family Car Buyers


In 2017, victims of online car buying scams lost more than 64 million and more than 17,000 cases of auto frauds were reported, according to the National White Collar Crime Control. Fraud, overpricing, and poor vehicle condition are among the most common problems that oblivious buyers experience. Purchasing a vehicle is one of the most significant risks one can make, especially if you do not know much about vehicles. How should you avoid scammers and untruthful salespersons? The answer to this is conducting sufficient research before visiting any dealership to ensure safety and to make the best of your purchase regarding price.

cars, tips on buying cars, family, avoid online car buying scam,
photo source
Do your research

"When buying a car from a dealer, many people start backward by visiting the dealership before doing research," Jim Davidson, president of Carsmart told the star. He termed that as the worst thing to do because you might fall prey to pressure from salespeople and misinformation. "You want to buy the car that is best for you, and your family's needs, not necessarily what the dealer wants to sell that week. You should walk away from such pushy people," said Terry O'keefe of Ontario Motor vehicle Industry Council. When doing your homework, always keep in mind that online reviews can be fake and biased. In that line, Davidson advises using Consumer Reports, which is a non-profit organization that helps consumers make the most informed decisions.

Go for a test-drive and see a mechanic

Once you have settled on a model that suits your family’s needs, Davidson recommends visiting a minimum of 3 dealerships so that you get the best deal and that you should be clear you want to test it on the road. While driving the vehicle, take it to the highway, especially if it is a second hand. Bringing it to higher speeds could help identify any mechanical problems. Also, make sure to bring with you someone who understands the car in case you encounter difficulties.

"It would be a huge risk to turn money over to a private seller especially without getting a history report," O'Keefe says. He also advises that while asking for a history report is vital, a mechanic is better because they can find things that the seller failed to mention or did not even know about. Taking a car to a mechanic also helps to fish out scams and curbsiders, increasing your confidence about both the vehicle and the dealership.

O'Keefe recommends consumers to ask some serious questions to ensure they are not being scammed. These include how long the seller has owned the car if they have maintenance records and the reason for selling the car. In addition, whether you are buying a new or a used car, it is imperative that you know your rights as a buyer. This is particularly of use when it comes to signing contracts. "Many people assume that there is a cooling-off-period for all kinds of transactions, but there is none for vehicles. Do not sign a contract unless you are certain you want to complete the sale, " he says.
Read More »

September 21, 2018

Dealing With The Aftermath Of A Car Accident


A car accident has the power to wreak devastation in a family that lingers long after the physical wounds have healed.  Every year, as many as 4.6 million Americans are injured in car accidents according to the National Safety Council (NSC), resulting in emotional and financial distress that can result in severe anguish for the entire family. 
The trauma associated with a car accident occurs so unexpectedly that there is no way anyone can prepare for it, either financially or emotionally. 


When the unimaginable happens, it is vital that a family groups together, acknowledging what happened and supporting each other in whichever way they can.

Emotional consequences of a car accident
Everyone reacts differently to trauma and within your family, you may notice varying degrees of shock, denial, anger, irritability, and anxiety.  Children are often overlooked when emotional support is handed out despite the fact that they are often the most vulnerable when a distressing situation arises.

Where young children may become sullen and withdrawn, teenagers may react with anger, choosing to turn to their friends instead of their family. As important as what it is to be supportive of one another, you also need to know when someone might need some space.

Allow your children the opportunity to deal with what happened in their own way while reassuring them that you are always there for them if they need anyone to talk to.

What about the financial effects?
The financial effects of a car accident can be ruinous, especially if the family breadwinner is unable to return to work. Such a loss of wages combined with mounting medical bills can undoubtedly lead to lasting financial difficulties that can impact the entire family. 

Family savings, college funds and the life your family has become accustomed to can come under threat when you are no longer able to pay your bills. While your insurance may help ease your burdens, chances are that you will not be paid the compensation you and your family are entitled to which is why you may want to consider seeking out professional legal assistance.

According to a Gilbert personal injury attorney, every accident victim deserves to be represented by a legal team that will both protect your interests and fights for you and your family.

Resuming life after an accident
There are a number of methods you as a family can employ to help you deal with the aftermath of the accident as a unit.  Simple relaxation techniques such as mindful breathing can help with panic attacks while doing things together such as watching a movie or indulging in a special meal.

Talk about the experience with each other, friends, family members and, if needed, qualified counselors.  It is also recommended to alert your children’s teachers about what happened so that they can offer extra support and be understanding of any emotional consequences of the incident. 

As hard as it may be to come to terms with what happened it is important to not try and pretend that it never happened as denial can amplify any emotional distress significantly.

The last thing anyone wants to envision is a loved-one being involved in a car accident. As grave as the consequences may be it is important to support one another as a family, offering encouragement and refraining from assigning blame to anyone.

Just spend time together, love each other and be grateful for everything you have left despite your setbacks.
Read More »

September 18, 2018

The History of Halloween and Costume Wearing


Halloween celebration which takes place annually on 31st October has become popular all over the world and amongst people of all believes and religions. People wearing costumes and masks usually mark this day and walk around with pumpkin made lanterns. This is a day that you should consider having fun with friends by wearing the unique Halloween costume and light up the party. The costumes are available in different designs to suit your taste. Although the Halloween started from the Celts people who used to live in the now Ireland country, it has become a holiday that is just unstoppable.

Photo not mine
Here is a short history of the Halloween celebration and costume wearing.

The Origin of Halloween
Halloween originated from the Celts who used to hold the Celtic festival of Samhain to celebrate their new year.  This was a day that marked the end of summer and the beginning of the dark and cold winter which was associated with the dead. They believed that once a year, the spirits of the dead would return to the world the living. The Celts also believed that on this day, their priests could be able to get predictions from the spirits of what to expect during the winter season. They used to commemorate the day by gathering together, and they could light up huge sacred bonfires to burn sacrifice for the spirits. They wore costumes which were made of animal heads and skins and they attempted telling each other’s fortunes, performed dances, and shared stories of the dead. After the celebration was over, they used to light the fires they had extinguished in the belief that it could protect them during the winter. They also left treats at the dinner table, doorsteps and along the way for the spirits to appease them. They lit up the roads with candles to help the spirits find their way back to the spiritual world after the visit.

Spread of Halloween
During the 400 years that the Romans ruled the Celtic Lands, The two Roman’s festivals of Feralia and the one of honoring the Roman goddess of and trees referred to as Pomona were combined with the traditional Celtic celebration of Samhain. Also in an attempt to replace the Celtic celebration of the dead, the Catholic Church moved the day of honoring the saints both known and unknown to 1st November which was later moved to 2nd November. This strengthened the Celtics celebrations of the dead even more because both Christianity and the Celtic traditions had slowly blend over time. The Irish immigrants fleeing the Irish Potato Famine also contributed in a great way to the spread of Halloween celebration in America.

Wearing of costumes
Costume wearing and having pumpkin lights are a central sign of Halloween celebration. In the traditions, people wore masks so that the spirits would confuse them as fellow spirits. Some people also started taking advantage of the costumes to steal and do wrong things while wearing them because they could not be identified. Today, Halloween celebrations costumes have been made in different designs, and the idea of celebrating Halloween has changed because it is now related to having fun and not entirely about the spirits and superstitious beliefs.
Read More »