Home Articles Posted by Izy Berry (Page 33)
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Eco Travel: 5 Best EV Cars For Road Trips
Eco and sustainable travel will define the future of tourism in the digital age. You’re going to be able to breathe clean air soon, and there won’t be any internal combustion engines involved. The automakers are changing up and energizing their inventory and taunting drivers with gasless cars.
Why EV Cars?
We’re going to continue to see many changes in the United States auto industry by 2025, and many automakers will stop making gasoline-powered passenger cars by 2035. Electric vehicle purchases in the U.S. are expected to rise to 2.5% in 2021, up from 1.9% last year. In 2021, we’ll see 30 electric vehicles from 21 brands, compared with 17 in 2020. People will change their opinions about emissions-free cars if there is a more significant collection of cars at more cost-effective prices.
As research and development expenditure rises for electric vehicles, auto companies and their suppliers will need to make sure they’re prepared for the conversion to electric cars over the next few years. Government policy and enticements and strict emission governance, battery costs, and availability of charging stations will govern the pace at which the progression occurs. As electric vehicles become more popular, auto part suppliers’ adaptability will have to change focus on parts that will stay around and the new ones that will come on the scene.
5 Best Electric Vehicle Cars For Road Trips
American road trips are gaining popularity again after a while. Maybe you’ll use an electric car on your next road trip. You can go further between charging stops if you drive the best electric cars. Check out some of the best electric vehicles for your next road trip.
1: Tesla Model 3
It’s unnecessary to introduce the Tesla Model 3 because it’s a pioneer in the electric vehicle movement. The EPA estimates the range of this car at 353 miles. The range for the Performance model is 315 miles, and the Standard Range Plus model is 263 miles. Using their Supercharger network, the Model 3 has one of the fastest recharge times. You can go 175 miles on a 15-minute charge. A Level 3 DC Fast Charging station can charge at a quicker rate. The U.S., Canada, and Mexico have over 20,000 Superchargers. There are a lot of them on both coasts and in the middle of the country. The Great Plains won’t strand you.
2: Tesla Model X
Consider the Model X Long Range if you need seats for seven up to adults. The Plaid version of the Model X has a range estimate of 340 miles, while the Long Range has 360 miles. From San Jose to Los Angeles (340 miles), you can drive without a charge, and Tesla Superchargers are common on high-traffic roads.
3: Hyundai Kona Electric
The Hyundai Kona Electric is an excellent electric subcompact SUV. A 258-mile driving range is estimated for this electric car. 80% of a battery can be charged in 54 minutes (100 kW) with a Level 3 DC Fast Charge. For a Level 3 charge, this is standard.
4: Chevrolet Bolt EV
Chevrolet Bolt EV was the first electric vehicle made in America. It’s a great choice with a reasonable price and a decent range. With front-wheel drive, the Bolt EV’s driving range is estimated at 259 miles. Up to 5 passengers can fit inside, and 16.9 cubic feet of cargo space is in the back. It’s better to drive the Premier edition since it has Level 3 DC Fast Charging. With Level 3 charging, you can go for up to 100 miles after 30 minutes.
5: Volvo Polestar 2
This Volvo Polestar 2 is a five-passenger electric vehicle hatchback. With all-wheel drive, it goes 233 miles on a charge. Polestar 2 calls itself the first car with Google in it.
Summary
Electric cars aren’t for everyone, but automakers need to make them the smart choice for consumers. Ultimately, it’s a one-way street. The electric car market will eventually take off because the governments will make it impossible for people to buy classic cars at one point. As battery ranges get longer and charging stations become more common, electric vehicles become a realistic option for road trips. Whether you get a cheap EV or a luxury model, make sure you can charge it fast while you walk around. Level 3 is standard on most new EVs, but not all older ones.
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6 Long-Term Travel Storage Tips to Know
Long term storage is not something everyone has to think about, but when you have to move across the country, want to adopt the nomad lifestyle, or have any other event that requires the need for long term storage, you could have concerns about the type of storage you need, how to box or pack your items or what type of things you should store.
Deciding on what to do with your stuff while you are away from home for months or years can be difficult. And the last thing you want to do is worry about your belongings while you are on an RV trip or backpacking across Europe.
Depending on your situation, it might make more sense to let your residence go and pack up your belongings so you can store them in one of the storage units available at a self-storage facility.
Actually, there are more than a few benefits to using a storage unit to keep all of your stuff for an extended length of time. But before you gather up everything and take off for your nearest storage center and rent one of the storage units, you should look at these 5 long-term storage tips first.
Determine Your Needs
If you are going to take up the nomad lifestyle, you need to make a plan and take care of the belongings you want to keep first. Look around and determine how much of your stuff you are going to store while you are away. This is an important step as it will determine the size of the storage unit you will need. Depending on your belongings and their value, you will need to choose the size of the unit and whether you want climate-controlled storage space or an unsecured outdoor unit.
Declutter, Seriously
If you actually take the time to go through your stuff piece by piece, you will realize you actually don’t need them all in your life. If you have some things at home that have been left untouched for years, the chances are you probably won’t need them in the next few years too. If you are going to take up the nomad lifestyle, you need to get rid of what you don’t want. There are many ways around it. You can sell your items online. You can donate to the people who need them. If there are valuable items that you cannot give away, you can send them to relatives, and ask them to keep the items because you know they will be useful while you’re away. Pack them properly especially if they are items that are perishable or sensitive to heat.
Pack Carefully
Pack things carefully to ensure they remain safe in the unit. Take the time to wrap things and pack them well. Make sure your breakables are carefully packed and boxes are secured. When storing your stuff make sure you place furniture up off the floor and boxes secured with tape.
Look for Climate Control for Household Items
Household items are climate-sensitive. Wood, electronics, paper, photos need to be stored in a climate-controlled unit. It is a more expensive unit but your belongings won’t deteriorate due to heat, humidity and weather conditions.
Get Storage Insurance
Add insurance for the things you store while you are traveling. Research storage insurance and check to see what is required to qualify for the insurance. Make sure your insurance covers your belongings.
Ask Someone To Check on Your Belongings
Ask someone who lives nearby to visit your storage unit and check on it. The person needs to have access to the unit and be able to ship items to you if needed while you are away.
Set Up Autopay
Set your self-storage bill to autopay while you are away. You can set your bank’s bill pay feature to pay the rent and that way you won’t have to always remember to pay it on time.
Bottom Line
Although you probably want to avoid long-term storage, there are times when there is no getting around it. Whether you are moving temporarily to a job abroad, to an apartment while you are renovating your home, or moving to another state, you want to keep some things for the future. Preparation is the name of the game, so by following these tips you can make the experience a swifter and more efficient one.
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A Beginners Guide to Forex Trading as a Nomad
Most people cite their day job as the reasons they can’t take off to travel the world. Despite having a deep desire to explore, the average individual decides to accept their current lot in life instead of finding a way to make their dreams possible. Believe it or not, there are several ways in which an individual can travel the world while making a sizable income. Forex trading is one such avenue that has caught the attention of many wannabe globe-trotters in recent years. Here is a beginners guide to forex trading as a digital nomad.
Understanding the Forex Market
The first step in trading forex as a nomad is becoming familiar with the market. Forex is an abbreviated term that refers to the foreign exchange market. This is a decentralized and global place where people can buy and sell currencies from different countries. The forex market has a role in deciding what the actual exchange rates will be between currencies. Before diving into the actual trading of these currencies, it is important to read up on the subject through books or articles. A Google search for “how to trade forex for beginners” will yield many helpful resources.
Practice Trading in Real Life
After becoming familiar with the forex market overall, it is time to put that knowledge to test in the real world. Most brokerage websites will provide users with a free trial period during which they can buy and trade in the forex market without paying any fees. These trials are an excellent chance for people to hone their skills as a trader. After all, all of the knowledge about the forex market in the world isn’t worth anything if no results can be produced. This is also a great time to try different platforms for trading forex.
Gathering All of the Tools
There aren’t a lot of tools required to become successful at forex trading. In fact, this is one of the many reasons that makes this form of income so enticing to digital nomads. The only things required are an internet connection, a trading platform such as this example bei IronFX, a computer or mobile device and some sources of information. Digital nomads can easily check informational charts about the forex market through apps on their phones or laptops. This research can be done right before going to bed or in the morning.
Invest in VPS Hosting
When trading forex as a digital nomad, there is a lot of sensitive information being placed on to public servers. While some of these may have protective measures, travelers could run the risk of having their information be hacked. VPS, or virtual private servers, are a great way for increasing the security, speed and accessibility of a forex trading connection. VPS is a more secure and stable solution for frequent travellers.
Start Making Money
After a trader has gotten their feet wet with some trials and all of the necessary tools have been gathered, the only thing left to do is travel. All of the work required to be a forex trader can easily be done when on the move. No matter where a traveler is in the world, they can easily login to their trading platform and start making money. Forex trading is a great option for digital nomads who are interested in making money with complete location independence.
This article helped to explain how to trade forex successfully for beginners. This is a form of income that can provide people with the freedom to travel the world while still making a nice income. This location independence is a dream come true for many digital nomads.
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How to Win the Most Money when you Gamble
There are many reasons that people might play gambling games. Often times people play it just for fun. However, in some cases it can be a serious way for people to earn money. If you’ve got the skill and you know you can win then why not make the most of that skill? Just getting that little bit of extra cash can really help when times get tough. You can even just use it as a little bit of a bonus if you plan on treating yourself one day. But what do you do when you aren’t winning as much as you would like? Or perhaps you haven’t had enough time to learn as much as you would like? It’s not the end of the world, after all practice makes perfect. You should start off slow and then you’ll hopefully progress and earn a lot more money.
Find the Right Game for You
There are so many games out there that it can sometimes be hard to actually know which one you are good at. You want to make sure that the game you are playing is the one that you strive in. If you are truly interested in earning money, then you need to test the water and see what you are good at. You might also find that just because you played a gambling game in an actual casino whilst on holiday, you won’t be as good (or bad) as you were then. Playing online, compared to playing in a physical casino makes a huge difference. Some people prefer playing online, whilst others prefer going into an actual casino.
Practice Online
The majority of the time though, it can be tough to get to an actual casino. So, it’s a lot easier to play online if you can. Don’t waste your money traveling to casinos if you are trying to save up. If you have the spare cash then sure go and travel the world and see new casinos, but if you are just starting to learn how to gamble then the smart thing to do is first practice online. If you are starting, then it’s really important that you do find the right online gambling game for you. There are loads out there, such as these New Kiwi casinos, or try this top cazinouri online, so you should make sure that you get the right one for you by having a look around first. Once you have found one that you like you can then start to practice it. Just because you know the rules does not mean that you know how to be the best. You don’t even need to spend money to practice, instead you can just play for free and test the waters. Once you know that you are good, then you can start playing for money.
Practice Smart Money Management
This is a general tip with regards to gambling, however, it’s an important one. Too many people brush this tip to the side as they believe that it is useless. They believe that it doesn’t change the odds in your favour and whilst this is true, it’s still a good idea to set a loss limit
and a win goal. A loss limit is how much money you are willing to lose before you call it quits, and a win goal, is how much money you are aiming to win. Once you’ve won that amount you walk away. This helps to increase your chances of winning and will also mean that you don’t lose a huge amount of money, so it’s worthwhile considering.
There are loads of other tips that you can learn about though to help you win more money, however, being a successful gambler just comes with practice. You’ll have to lose some to win some. If you get bored of practising online though, or just fancy a change in scenery, then you could always visit the five best casinos in the world.
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4 Most Popular Cities in Thailand for Expats
Thailand is considered a popular tourist destination and the go-to place for expats and tourists looking to have a good time. The low cost of living, the exquisite cuisine, amazing activities, its innately friendly locations, and its rich history as a country has made it very popular with nomads and expats. It is a country that boasts of many places that are not just mere tourist spots, but places that one can easily call home.
What Are the Most Popular Tourist Destinations in Thailand?
Whether you are interested in living in Thailand cities or in the countryside, you will find that Thailand has very many locations to choose from. They include:
1. Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai has for decades been a renowned home to many expats. It is a city liked and preferred by many for its highly unique vibe. It is a location where you can enjoy living in a city without worrying about the hustle and bustle that comes with city living.
There is more to life in Chiang Mai than just living a city life. There’s plenty of things to do in your downtime, from playing with elephants, learning to cook simple Thai dishes, hiking to observing plants and animals. Perhaps, if you like, you can learn a new language or get qualified to Teach English to Thai children.
Another thing worth noting is the fact that there’s always TEFL job opportunities available in Chiang Mai. In Chiang Mai Old Town, it is very common to see Thai private school students taking English courses in a language institute to improve their English skills. These English teaching jobs are loved and favored by many expats and nomads looking to make some side money.
2. Koh Samui
When it comes to locating Thailand’s most popular cities for a person looking to live a good beach lifestyle in a new country, then Samui is one city that you should consider. It is listed as one of the best places to have a honeymoon trip in Thailand.
Koh Samui is considered by many of its residents as a tropical island haven. It is a haven filled with affordable living places, palm-lined beaches, year-round tropical weather, and an azure ocean.
These are some of the attributes that help make it great for expats looking for an ultra-easy living. The good news is that it is only located an hour and thirty minutes away from Bangkok, Thailand’s capital.
3. Bangkok
Apart from being one of the most popular cities in Thailand, Bangkok also happens to be a modern and affordable city. The city is a former trading port that was once controlled by the Chinese.
It sits along the banks of River Chao Phraya. In Thailand, this city boasts of housing the largest number of expats from all parts of the world. It is a city that earned its spot in history books for serving as an R&R spot during the Vietnamese spot when it housed many American troops.
Over the years, the city has grown to become a flourishing, cosmopolitan, and modern city filled with world-class luxury hotels, and gleaming skyscrapers. Tourists flock to the city all year-round to experience its multicultural vibe and also get to sample its affordable living costs.
4. Hua Hin
Hua Hin was a quiet fishing village that is today known as a relaxed seaside retreat. It was first introduced in the 1920s when it acted as a beach getaway. This was at a time when the royal family in Thailand was actively building a summer palace along its shoreline. When the construction was completed, some of the elite in the country started trooping to the city.
Many opted to establish vacation homes where they could retreat to when they needed to relax on the expansive, sandy beaches. Located two hours from Bangkok, the city has become popular in some expat circles, especially among people looking for a lively seaside city with easy access to affordable living.
READ ALSO: 5 Useful Tips For Travelling To Thailand With Kids
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What Do You Wear to a Casino When Traveling to Las Vegas?
A visit to a local casino used to be a delight for casual gamblers looking for a good time and potential winnings. Now that online casinos offer better gaming alternatives, superior bonuses and other unique advantages, appetite for traditional gambling has subsided. The appeal of luxurious casinos is far from gone and a trip to a fancy place is always worth considering. For the special occasions, it is important to know what to wear, in order to blend in nicely or stand out from the crowd for the good reasons.
Las Vegas casinos accept smart casual outfits
The best online casinos as explained here — in the world are in Las Vegas, so you’ll find plenty of fancy places to gamble in Sin City. Millions of people visit the gem of Nevada every year and a significant percentage of them play at least once at the casino. They are greeted with open arms and very few restrictions, including the rules applying to their outfits. Smart casual will work out every single time in Las Vegas and it’s virtually impossible to find a casino that frowns upon such attire.
During daily sessions, the dress code is even more casual, although flip-flops and shorts are better to be avoided. It is far more important that players focus on comfort and wear clothes that make them feel better during long gaming sessions. At the end of the day, casinos hope to keep players inside for as long as possible, so they must be comfortable at all times. The beauty of Las Vegas casinos is that they welcome players from all over the world and you’ll find all sorts of people at these premises.
European casinos are a different breed
Granted the Las Vegas casinos are the best in the world, some of the most luxurious ones are located in Europe. London has a couple of exceptional casinos that faithfully recreate the glamorous look of old-school establishments. Another fine example of a fancy casino with strict dress code is the beautiful gaming hub from Monte Carlo. This iconic casino has been for hundreds of years the most appreciated place to gamble in Europe. Another classy place to try casino games is the Baden Baden casino.
When preparing for a late night gaming session at any of these establishments, it’s important to wear something elegant. Women have a relatively easier task, as they can choose from dresses and trousers that meet even the highest expectations of casino officials. Men can’t go wrong if they choose to wear a jacket and elegant trousers, as it is not mandatory to wear a suit. These fancy European casinos have slightly stricter dress code, but they still want their visitors to feel comfortable.
In conclusion, when visiting a fancy casino, you need to accept the fact that a more formal close will be needed. In most cases, you can stick to a smart-casual approach and only try to find the most comfortable clothes to wear to fully enjoy the gaming session.
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3 Tips for Unwinding On the Weekend
Your weekdays might be crazy, but your weekend should be a chance to refresh yourself and do the things that you love so that you can start the new week on the best foot possible. I think it’s so important to really relax on the weekends so that you actually get a chance to recharge your batteries. If you’re not sure how to really unwind, here are my top 3 tips for unwinding on the weekend.
1. Sleep In
If you’re able to sleep in, I think it’s such a nice luxury. If you have children, this might not be an option for you, but if you don’t yet then all the more reason to enjoy sleeping in. Monday to Friday I feel like we have to fling ourselves out of bed, rush to get ready for work and spend the entire day out of the house only to rinse and repeat every single day Monday to Friday. Treat yourself to a lazy Sunday where you get up late, or enjoy watching some Netflix in bed instead of starting your day too early. It can also be a nice way to connect with your partner and have some special time together when during the week you probably spend more time apart than together.
2. Spa Treatment
I’m really big into pampering myself in small and big ways. For most of us, it simply isn’t affordable to go to the spa every single week – unfortunately. So I personally like to bring a little bit of a spa feeling home. I’ll treat myself to a nice face mask at least once a week, which is such a lovely way to freshen up my skin. On the weekends I like to indulge a little more and may run myself a bath, put on my favourite channel and soak while relaxing and watching Youtube. There are so many ways you can give yourself the spa treatment feeling at home – things such as foot masks, giving yourself a fake tan, a hair mask and none of them need to be expensive! Whenever I can justify the added cost, I like to book myself in for a massage and a facial. There’s nothing quite like being pampered from head to toe.
3. Do Something You Love
If you’re a movie buff, why not make it a ritual that you’ll watch a movie each weekend so you can make your way through your to-see list. If you love yoga, why not head to your favourite studio and do one of your favourite classes? If it’s been a while since you’ve seen your best friend, give them a call and plan a fun catch up. Doing something you love is the perfect way to spend your weekend and get your stress levels down. Maybe you find smoking to be relaxing, you might want to check out XvapeUsa.com for some healthier options. You can also check out JS Dolls for some things you might find relaxing.
Make your weekend so relaxing that you’re almost ready for Monday when it rolls around!
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Best Places to go as a Solo Traveler
Honestly, I’d say that anywhere is good to go as a solo traveler, but the truth is that some places are better than others. I’ve been some places where it just seems to be loved up couples cuddling and families enjoying their time together and while there’s nothing wrong with that, it’s a little depressing when you’re alone and just want to meet some one new.
Some places are better for meeting other travellers and of all the places I’ve been, these are my favourite places:
Budapest, Hungary:
This is a seriously underrated European city. It’s easily one of my favourites, it has everything you want: beautiful buildings, a river, cheap wine, rich with culture and a great party scene. I have stayed in a few hostels in Budapest and found them to all be super social and made some great friends there. I found in my experience, that traveling Europe can be a little lonely at times if you’re solo. This is mostly because a large population of the people who stay in hostels are couples that are traveling together in their cute little bubble, as well as friends from other parts of Europe that are quite content hanging out with out. As such, I really treasured the cities where people were a lot more social and friendly and Budapest was high up on that list.
Sydney, Australia:
Another great party destination, when I was there I made so many great friends, especially Germans! Most people who come to Sydney are chasing the good weather and surf, so they tend to be a lot more laid back. There are a few massive hostels here which makes it really easy to make friends. Who knows, you might even end up with some buddies who want to go in on a car and travel all of Australia – you never know.
Koh Phi Phi, Thailand:
This is a fun party island that is a bit tamer than Thailand’s famous Koh Phangan. In my opinion it’s also much more beautiful. This is where my travels started out, so I might be a little biased towards it, but it’s really fun. I stayed in the crappiest hostel ever and met some of the greatest people on my travels. You can also go on a party boat here (super fun) to meet people. Just be warned the hangover is going to suck.
Singapore, Singapore:
Not only is this probably the safest place in the world for solo travellers, it’s super easy to get around. There’s lots to do, see, eat and shop for her. I stay in a great dorm here and every time I meet a great bunch of people. The hostel I stay in is called the Little Red Dot. Great location and it’s a cool capsule design.
San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua:
Ah, Nicaragua. Definitely my favourite country I’ve been to recently. This sleepy beach town comes alive during the weekend and the hostels fill to the brim. On Sunday there’s the famous Sunday Funday which is a great way to make new friends and abuse your liver. I went to SJDS by myself and absolutely loved it.
Marrakech, Morocco:
It’s so funny how a hostel can make or break a place. Here I stayed at a super awesome hostel, maybe the coolest hostel in the world, Hostel Riad Marrakech Rouge. It felt more like a big, chilled out home than a hostel. Morocco can be a bit of a culture shock so it was really nice having such a cool place to go back to each night. I found that in general travellers in Morocco were ultra friendly, perhaps because we were all dealing with some level of culture shock and freaking out a little. While I didn’t tap into the party scene here (I visited during Ramadan) I made lots of friends to explore with.
Bonus: Anywhere you can volunteer! Volunteering is a great way to meet like minded people who care about others (or the environment), so they’re probably the kind of people you want to be friends with, anyway. If you can, I suggest spending a month somewhere volunteering as that will allow you ample time to get to know the other volunteers, as well as the place you’re volunteering. Staying still for a month to volunteer can be a great way to deal with travel burnout, which is something I recently suffered from.
So those are my favourite places in the world to go as a solo traveler. Do you have any places that were particularly awesome? Share them with me!
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Here’s What You Need to Know About Cleaning Smoke and Fire Damage in Your Home
With wildfires raging in California, plenty of Americans are facing the prospect of starting over after a devastating fire. But the danger doesn’t end after the fire is extinguished. Smoke and fire damage can be serious and can continue to pose health threats even after the flames are quenched. That’s why it’s important to take the right precautions when cleaning up smoke and fire damage in your home.
In fact, it’s probably best to enlist the help of professionals for fire and smoke cleanup, especially when it comes to replacing drywall and insulation damaged by fire hoses, cleaning smoke-damaged possessions or rebuilding areas of your home damaged by fire. A company like Daleen, which offers smoke damage cleanup in Burlington Wisconsin, will suffice. But there are some things you can do on your own, to cut costs and get the recovery process underway before the pros arrive. Make sure you prioritize the health and safety of you and your family and dispose of contaminated water, cleaning supplies, and other objects properly.
Put Your Health and Safety First
Even after officials have verified that it’s safe to reenter your home, you should be prepared for threats to your health and safety that can exist in a fire-damaged structure. For one thing, if the fire has significantly damaged your home’s structural integrity, it may not be safe to re-enter at all. Other threats to your health and safety include mold from water damage caused by fire hoses; ash, smoke and soot lingering in the indoor air or on fabrics and surfaces; chemical dust from fire extinguishers; standing water and downed power lines or other electrical hazards. These are just a few of the reasons why it’s wise to contact a professional fire restoration company like ServiceMaster Restore to help you salvage belongings and recover from a house fire.
If you do enter your home to clean up after a fire, wear post- fire personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves, a hard hat, safety goggles, work boots, long-sleeved shirts and pants and a NIOSH-approved respirator rated at N95 or above.
Clean Surfaces, Fabrics and Objects Properly
Many objects and surfaces, and even upholstered or fabric items, in your fire-damaged home can be salvaged with proper cleaning. The Red Cross recommends using a detergent that contains tri-sodium phosphate (TSP) to clean walls, floors, ceilings, furniture and fabrics contaminated with smoke, soot or ash. However, TSP is a caustic substance, so you should be careful using it; read the instructions and follow them. TSP works best on fabrics that can be bleached, but you should test any garments or surfaces by applying the detergent to a small area and waiting 24 hours.
To clean furniture, walls, floors and ceilings, use four to six tablespoons of TSP and one cup of chlorine bleach to every gallon of warm water. Start with the floor and work your way up to the ceiling, washing a small area at a time and rinsing it immediately with clear water. Wash the ceiling last. Dispose of dirty water on the ground; do not pour it into storm run-off areas.
You can wash clothing in the same solution, although you may want to first try washing it in your regular laundry detergent with a tablespoon of vanilla extract added. Pots, pans and other nonporous items can be cleaned with soapy water. Leather should be wiped off with a damp cloth and then wiped dry and cleaned with saddle soap.
Know When to Toss Contaminated and Burned Possessions
Sadly, not everything in your home will be salvageable. You should toss any nonperishable food items that have been visibly contaminated with fire extinguisher dust, smoke, soot or ash. Also throw out any food that may have been exposed to the heat of the fire, even if it looks okay. If your power has been out for more than four hours, or if the inside of your fridge smells smoky or has been visibly contaminated by soot or ash, chuck that food, too. You should also throw out any burned, contaminated, charred, melted, sooty or ashy cosmetics and medications. Though unburned clothing may be salvageable, burned clothing should be thrown away.
Call in the Pros
You probably won’t be able to safely restore your home after a fire without professional help. Fire restoration professionals can help you safely clean up the damage and may be able to salvage many of your smoke-damaged or contaminated possessions. You’ll probably need to call a contractor to replace any fire or water-damaged drywall, insulation, electrical wiring, floors or structural elements. Both you and your fire restoration team should agree that the home is clean and safe for occupation before you move back in.
Few things can be more heartbreaking than a house fire. Before you can put the tragedy behind you, you need to start the long process of cleanup and recovery. Take the right steps now, so you and your family don’t suffer from the dangers posed by smoke, soot and water damage to your home and the items within.
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5 Reasons You Need Travel Insurance
Most people opt out of travel insurance these days, with many saying they don’t see the point in paying the extra $250 to $500 for something they’ve never used before. Unfortunately, they don’t realize that the insurance isn’t there to be used constantly. When the time comes that they need it, this traveler will be sore out of luck and also out of money.
Here are the top reasons anyone could use travel insurance.
Someone Gets Injured
Although you’d be lucky to be looking at real estate in Toronto if you got injured, since healthcare is free if you’re looking at homes for sale in America and you’re in worse luck, travel insurance helps you keep above any medical costs that may come from injuries while traveling. Although it’s expensive, the upfront fee is far better than paying the total price of a broken wrist in America.
Your Luggage Vanishes
Many people still keep their laptops in their checked baggage, despite being told repeatedly that it’s a bad idea. Because of this, if your luggage goes missing (something everyone inevitably has to deal with), you could be in charge of monetary loss. Instead of going through that emotional and financial suffering, you can have the insurance cover it.
You Have To Cancel Parts or the Whole Trip
Despite your best-laid plans, sometimes there are moments when a trip has to be canceled. There’s nothing you did wrong, but you can’t go despite having booked every flight and hotel, say for the three weeks. Travel insurance can help you bounce back from this without having to be out thousands of dollars! Instead, you’ll get back a large portion of your money and save for partying another day.
Early Returns
Whether work is calling you, needing you back at the office, or your kid misses you desperately, sometimes we have to go back home early. As much of a bummer as this is, it’s even worse when you realize that all of your planning is going into the trash! Just like when you have to cancel parts or the whole trip, most travel insurance allows room for accidents like this so that you can get back home without going broke.
Bad Weather Rocks Everything
As thoroughly as we like to plan, freak weather happens all the time. From the bizarre winter storms in the Central USA in February of 2021 to the late winter winds hitting the East Coast in May of the same year. If you’re traveling to another country and a sudden storm kicks up, or something that makes it impossible to live out your vacation dreams fully, your travel insurance will ensure that you have somewhere safe to stay while you’re there and will work to help coordinate a way to get back home. This takes the stress off of your shoulders in an already stressful situation and allows you to breathe easily while your flights get rescheduled.
Travel insurance isn’t a relic of the past! This great tool can save any vacation from going to waste, and everyone should invest in it.
