Whether you’re retiring and you don’t want to be stuck in the city, don’t mind a commute, or simply want to get away from it all, the country lifestyle is nothing if not appealing. However, it’s not always easy to attain. If you want to move to the country, you need a plan, and here are some of the factors that you need to consider.

Picture sourced by Tom Fisk

Build or buy?

Your local market may not have a lot of rural homes on the market, which means you have to consider whether buying is a possibility that you can afford or commit to. Building a home isn’t as difficult or expensive as it once was, thanks to teams that focus on providing prefabricated or modular homes like Hybrid Prefab Homes. As the name suggests, these homes don’t demand a construction process as lengthy. However, it’s important to know any local codes that could get in the way and to clear the red tape before you spend too much on the home itself.

Know your market

Whether you’re looking for a home or space to build your own, you need to know the market you’re stepping into. Just as real estate agents can help you better understand different town and city environments, there are those who specialize in back country property, as well. Teams like Red Hawk Real Estate can help you see all the listings for both land and property in the countryside, making it a lot easier to spot opportunities for development. Otherwise, the legwork of seeing what’s available in different parts of the region can make the process a lot lengthier and exhausting than it needs to be.

Fixing up a country house

If you’re buying a country property, you should be aware of the fact that many of them might not reach the kind of modern standards you see so frequently in towns and cities. Cheap, old property might not be too difficult to find, but fixing up old school homes with old school problems can be expensive and time consuming. Know what you’re getting into and be aware that fixer-uppers are always serious time investments.

Getting used to country life

If you want to move to the country, then you should try to get acclimated to country life and do your research on it beforehand. Smart Move highlights a lot of the common challenges that urban and town folk can have when moving to the town. A need to stockpile food and household supplies, the importance of finding the local community as remote as they may seem, and the essential nature of learning about conservation and interaction with wildlife can all make the country seem less of a lonely and scary place than new arrivals find it to be.

A move to the country is by no means impossible and, for some people, it’s as smooth a process as moving from home to home in the town. However, it’s important to address the factors above to make sure you’re ready for what the country move really entails.

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Everyone wishes that they could speak a new language – but not many people consider sign language. However, sign language opens up a whole new world to you in terms of social circles and your ability to communicate across the globe. Sign language looks beautiful, it is expressive and above all – very inclusive. Of course, many deaf people have the use of top-class experts providing people with fitted hearing aids, but sign language gives an extra layer to that communication.

Photo by Jo Hilton on Unsplash 

Hearing Loss

It is a lot more common than you think. It is now very common that parents are using sign language to communicate with babies before they can talk properly – and that is something pretty special. In America, it is estimated that there are 28 million people who have some degree of hearing loss. Although many rely on a mixture of lip-reading and some sound recognition, not all speak sign language. However, to really participate in mainstream education and the job market it pays to learn to lip read and have sign language too. 

Jobs

If you can speak an additional language, you are already more desirable. If you can speak sign language? You are opening up a whole new market for many businesses. Aside from the business realm, you can work as an interpreter, or help teach children as a TA or teacher (you’ll need other qualifications too though). Some career options are an audiologist, interpreters, social workers, counselors, a hospital worker, and so much more. Sign language is a valuable skill to have when it comes to the job market. 

Volunteer

If you don’t want to make sign language the star of your career show, then you can volunteer in many areas. Typically sign language volunteers will be able to work in the theater, churches, schools, homeless shelters, and some cases foster centers and animal shelters. If you are in the middle of learning sign language, you can use volunteering as a way to practice and hone your skills, and mix with other users to get the most out of the experience.

Help The Hearing

This might sound strange, but you can improve the rate at which a child learns to read and speak by teaching them sign language at the same time. Simple signs will help differentiate between letter sounds and words as they go. A typical example is many children say “elemenope” rather than L M N O P for years. If a child can see early on that they are in fact, not as one, they will be able to build on that knowledge. 

Sign language is a lot of fun for your children to learn, so much so that many younger classes now learn to sign and sing at the same time. 

Learning sign language is as beneficial as learning any other foreign language – except it potentially has more positive in terms of social impact and the ability to improve the lives of others by doing so. Like anything else, it takes time and dedication – but it is a skill you can use for life. 

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Finding a new home to rent is stressful enough, but for pet owners, it can be even more of a challenge. Many landlords don’t allow pets, so finding somewhere for you and your fur babies to live is often difficult. 

Image from Pixabay

Don’t Be Afraid To Ask

Many landlords have a different idea of what ‘pet’ means so even if a listing says no pets, it can be worth asking the question anyway. Many landlords mean no cats or dogs, but would have no issue with a pet like a gerbil or a budgie. If you are a cat or dog owner, ask anyway and offer to provide a reference from your current landlord or to pay a larger deposit in case of damage caused by the pet. You may be surprised by how many landlords are willing to compromise. 

Look around for pet friendly rentals. Using resources like this local report from ABODO to find pricing for pet-friendly rentals can be a huge help. Be prepared to provide information about your pet’s health and behavior. Knowing you have a well-trained small Yorkshire Terrier with up to date vaccinations, for example, may put your letting agent at ease when they’re picturing a huge, unruly Great Dane. 

Image from Pixabay

Take Precautions

If you’ve found a pet friendly rental, make sure you set up any needed precautions to minimise possible pet damage. You may need this landlord in the future for a pet reference so make sure you take the care required. This might be covering up carpets in an area where the pet will regularly be kept, or adding baby gates to keep pets out of any banned parts of the house. 

If the landlord leaves any furniture, move out of pet reach if you’re concerned about scratching so it’s only your belongings that take the hit. 

Image from Pixabay

Make Any Repairs

If your pet does cause any damage, deal with it yourself as soon as possible. This could be as simple as repainting a wall before you move out, or as major as offering to cover the costs of things like carpet replacement if there’s been more serious damage. Being honest and immediately explaining how you’re going to fix it is likely to go down much better with your landlord than if you’ve tried to cover it up, or move out without mentioning your furry friend tore up the living room carpet. 

Where possible, make sure your pet is properly trained. Teach your cat to use a scratching post, and not the wall. Make sure your dog knows if it isn’t allowed upstairs, and make sure any indoor pet is properly house-trained. 

Image from Pixabay

While it’s always going to be more difficult, finding a suitable rental for you and the furry members of the family isn’t impossible. Persevere, keep looking and keep asking questions until you find the right landlord or letting agent. When you find them, treat their property with respect so they keep allowing pet owners to live there, and give you a good reference to help you find your next home.

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There is an evident trend emerging in the world of pipework and this is the fact that plastic is one the rise. More and more businesses are trading in their metal pipework systems in favor of the plastic version. To be frank, it is a trend which is of little surprise to most. This is especially the case when you consider the pressure to be environmentally friendly in the current day as well as the need to lower costs.

Let’s deal with the point that everybody cares about the most first; lowering costs. After all, there is no business or individual in the world who doesn’t want to benefit from cheaper rates. Of course this is only if quality is still intact – which it is, as you will soon find out. But, back to the money! Plastic is one of the cheapest materials to produce. This is then passed onto the consumer or homeowner, allowing them to make greater savings. If you look online then you will see that plastic pipework tends to be charged at a cheaper rate than the other options available. This is undeniably a benefit that impacts all.

In addition to this, it is also worth bearing in mind the fact that plastic is extremely lightweight. If you pick up a piece of plastic pipework and a piece of metal pipework you will immediately notice the difference. This is a benefit because it allows plastic pipework systems to be transported a lot easier than metal. This can in turn mean that you save money in the form of delivery charges, once again showing you why plastic is the cheaper option.

Now, let’s move away from the money side of things. As mentioned in the introduction, another reason why plastic is booming is because it is more environmentally friendly. This is extremely important at present. Not a day goes by when we don’t witness reports on television or in the newspaper about the need to look after the planet. Those who don’t are sniffed out and shed in a negative light. This is something no company wants to happen. That’s why plastic is preferred by most. After all, it is recyclable.

Aside from this, plastic pipework tends to be made from walls which are a lot thicker than metal. This allows it to act as an insulator of heat. As a consequence homeowners do not need to utilize as much energy because their hot water will stay hot for longer. Again, this showcases another way in which plastic is environmentally friendly. However, it also showcases another way in which it helps people to save money as well. It is the complete product.

Before concluding, it is important to go back to a point mentioned earlier regarding plastic being of high quality. This is something most people would concur with. The reason why is quite simple; metal corrodes, plastic doesn’t. Metal is more likely to result in leak detection and repair services. This means that the chances for damage are minimized with plastic and thus it is unlikely individuals will need to embark on any costly repairs.

When you take all of these points into account it is not hard to see why plastic pipework systems are booming at present.

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Did you know that people move at least 11 times in their lifetime?

Do you know why?

Because they don’t live in Idaho!

Idaho provides a mix of big, metropolitan cities as well as rural, isolated countrysides and mountainous terrains. With plenty of outdoor recreational options on one side of the spectrum and safe, big-city experience on the other, what’s not to love.

For those who want a little of both, many Idaho cities are within an hour of great outdoor destinations.

If you haven’t considered moving to Idaho yet, now is the time!

Benefits of Moving to Idaho

As we have already precluded to, Idaho boasts the best of both worlds – inner-city nightlife, activities, and job opportunities, as well as big outdoor recreational fun.

However, here are some other factors to consider.

1. Cost of Living

Compared to the other states on the western side of America, Idaho has an incredibly low cost of living. For example, the cost of living in Boise is 8% lower than the national average.

This makes moving to Idaho an ideal choice for new and growing families trying to get a head start in life.

2. A Great Place to Raise a Family

Moving to Idaho is a fantastic idea for those looking to raise a family.

Cities in Idaho such as Boise, Middleton, Moscow, Rexburg, and Meridian offer safety along with plenty of job opportunities.

Depending on which of these cities you look at, you could have a lively city life or a quiet rural life. Each city offers solid educational opportunities for your children, as well as fun activities for the whole family.

For more on these cities and why they are great locations to raise a family, this post helps explain it.

3. Eco-Friendly Cities

Cities like Boise, Moscow, and Coeur d’Alene are setting the bar high for environmentally conscious cities.

These cities encourage open-minded thinking and sustainable living practices. In Boise, for example, the city has received rewards for its environmental sustainability efforts. The city also makes a point of recognizing local business putting forth a green effort.

4. Outdoor Recreation

If backpacking, kayaking, white-water rafting, horseback riding, camping, hiking, and mountain biking sound like fun to you, Idaho is the place to be.

With endless outdoor recreation options, Idaho is a destination spot for tourists and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

There are also natural attractions unique to Idaho, such as Hell’s Canyon, the Shoshone Falls, caves, hot springs, and sand dunes, to name a few.

Moving to Idaho puts you right in the middle of enough the outdoor experiences to last you a lifetime.

5. Job Opportunities

Finally, in an ever-changing economy, moving to Idaho will place you in the center of a high job opportunity state.

Idaho is highly ranked in low unemployment rates, job growth, and job opportunities. Simply put, it’s a great place for job security.

What Do You Have to Lose?

If you’re considering moving to Idaho, you have a bright path in front of you full of adventure, beauty, and happiness.

Where ever you choose to plant your roots, Idaho is a fantastic state.

Start looking now, what do you have to lose?

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Adventures are what you make them. Whether you are an avid hiker, kayaker, marathon runner or city-goer, there are all sorts of best working practices for keeping safe. When venturing into the wilderness or walking the streets of a city, knowing where you are using maps and understanding your environment are vital for any adventurer. Check out these 4 handy tips for keeping safe on any outdoor adventure.

Pack Wisely

Depending on where you are on your adventure, the days forecaster weather and how long you are out for will ultimately decide what is inside your bag. Always do a thorough check on the events to find out much food and water you may need and emergency supplies such as first aid kits, bug sprays, and sun cream, etc. Polar to the sunny days, if your adventure is in the snow wrapping up and taking a spare change of clothes out which will be waterproofed in a bag can be a lifesaver in the worst case scenario. Keeping warm in a snowy environment is just as important as keeping warm in a wet environment so an extra layer of clothing packed away would be handy.

Map and Compass

It can be very intimidating when visiting a city for the first time and making your way around can get pretty difficult. Carrying a mobile or smartphone with an app like Google Maps can be invaluable to a tourist in a new place which can offer other features such as identifying local restaurants, supermarkets, and accommodation. When traveling in more excluded areas like nature reserves or hiking trails, smartphones can make you rely on their customized easily to use applications, but, when the battery dies and there isn’t a power source it becomes dead weight. Learning to navigate with a map is not difficult to learn and can give a sense of achievement to children.

Technologies to have for extra safety

When taking trips that are for quite a bit of time, precautions must be taken depending on the environment and conditions you are in. When activities are in the natural environment it is important to be vigilant with weather and location. Having items such as a radio weather station can safeguard you from being caught unaware and forced to survive with freak disaster weather. Having an Emergency Radio is advised to have if you also live in an area where it is known to have extreme bouts of weather which can give people that head starts to evacuate before any danger occurs. One piece of equipment that most professionals will take out on their adventures will be a GPS tracker with a built-in map, that will be accurate up to 1 meter with the grid reference. A GPS tracker is similar to a FitBit that fits around your wrist and having one, In an emergency situation, can cut the response time dramatically for any emergency services being called out when they are acquiring your position. A GPS tracker would be fantastic to replace a map if you are not great with reading maps but it is still powered by a battery.

There are all sorts of handy gadgets to take on your adventures that can keep you safe, let us know what you take on your adventures and share some ideas!

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Are you looking into opening your own mechanic shop or wanting to update your current shop? Look no further, Best Buy Auto Shop has everything you need from replacing one or a few Car Lifts to selling lift combination packages. Our combination packages include the essential functions you will need to open up your own shop.

Best Buy Auto Equipment offers a wide range of car lifts to help you choose the perfect one for your needs. These options include involve lifting capacity, height, length, manufacturer and more. If you have any questions about their lifts or need help deciding what lift best suits you, they are there to help every step of the way.

Here is a list of lifts they carry:

2 post car lifts

4 post car lifts/ 4 post heavy duty lifts

Alignment lifts

Car storage/parking lifts

Specialty car lifts from quality brands

Turf Lifts

BendPak vs Rotary lifts

BendPak vs Challenger lifts

BendPack lifts

Best Buy Auto Equipment has been in business since 1987 and is Owned and Operated in the U.S. Get your shop started today with their 6-month financing, no interest financing if paid in full within 6 months deal, they have going on right now. Take a look at their Website it very user friendly and allows you to sort by pricing or by brand.

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As millennials, we think we’ve got our stuff together. We’ve learned from the mistakes of the past, and we’re moving towards a better and (hopefully) brighter future. We’re undoubtedly top trumps when it comes to things like technology. No generation before has had the reach and capabilities that we have now. But, when it comes to parties, we still struggle to fill the top spot.

That coveted title still belongs in the 80s, the era of shoulder pads, flared trousers, and banging parties. None of our attempts even come close to beating the events thrown in this era. That’s why even us millennials don’t know we’re born until we’ve hosted an 80s party. This is the ultimate way to add a vintage vibe to any do. It’s also your best chance at hosting the part of the year. Keep on reading to find out why.

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Bold = best with the dress

In the 80s, bold clothing was all the rage. Forget jeans and black tops; we’re talking shoulder pads which would poke your eyes out and insane flares. It makes sense, then, that a party with an 80s dress code is going to be a good night. You can certainly bet no one turns up in an uninspiring dress. Instead, you’ll be able to unleash all your creative impulses. You’ll be able to go where millennial fashion would never allow. And, you can guarantee you’ll all have a great time doing it. You might even find that you own more 80s pieces than you thought already. Many of the designs which appear in shops like Urban Outfitters come straight out of this era. If not, you could always follow the current trend of repurposing clothes you don’t wear anymore. Either way, clothes alone will set that dance floor on fire.

Bright drinks = you’re doing it right

Nowadays, our drinks tend to be pretty lackluster. There’s no color in a gin tonic, after all. In the 80s, though, it was impossible not to end up with a glass of something fluorescent. That’s because this was the age of cocktails. That’s right, baby; you can replace those endless gins and tonics with something like these cocktails with gin. Just the fun sight of drinks like these is sure to get guests giddy. Before they’ve even taken a sip, cocktails ensure that everyone gets into that fun party spirit. Add a few cocktail umbrellas, and you’re sure to be in for a fun night indeed.

Cheesy music = there’s nothing else to it

No 80s party would be complete without a cheesy playlist to die for. We’re talking Cyndi Lauper, Wham! and even Prince. These are classic songs which everyone knows. And, you can bet they’ll fill the dancefloor far faster than those modern dubstep tracks. Far from standing around the edges and bobbing your heads, every guest will be up there dancing until their heart’s content. That alone would ensure that your 80s party goes down as one of this decade’s best.

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5 Basics a New Driver Should Know About Their Car

Being a new driver can be a bit intimidating while you are gaining your confidence on the road. In addition to getting the rules of the road down, you should take the time to educate yourself on the basics of how a car works. A little knowledge beforehand will keep you from making some basic rookie mistakes and keep you from being stranded on the side of the road.

1. Don’t exhaust the battery — your basic rookie mistake is to keep your battery on or in use while the engine is off. The car engine charges the battery, which is what makes the car start. Many a driver has accidentally drained the battery by listening to the radio with the engine off, having the headlights on with the engine off, leaving the car ‘on’ with the engine off… etc. Basically, anything that uses the battery should be used only minimally while the car engine is off. You won’t be sorry that your car always turns on reliably.
2. Always change your oil — changing your oil is the cheapest way to keep your call happy and healthy for the long run. The car engine oil is there to lubricate, cool, and clean your engine. The absence of clean engine can create heating, build-up within the engine, and other horrible consequences. Oil changes are often recommended every 6 months and are usually fairly affordable. Many big car repair franchises offer all kinds of specials for this regular maintenance.
3. Spare tires are not made for the long haul — your spare tire, some call it a ‘donut’ is meant to be used for emergencies. Many times these spare tires are smaller than the size that would be appropriate for your car and is not made to last for a while. So while it’s fine to swap out a flat tire for a spare to get safely home, you should replace it as soon as possible. Failure to do so will likely find you with another flat soon and/or damage to your axles or rims.
4. What a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) is — familiarize yourself with this icon on your dashboard is. Many drivers cannot recognize what is TPMS. It is a visual alert symbol to let you know to check your tire pressure. Cars are required to have these by law to keep you safe on the road. Ignoring the symbol is unsafe and can lead to more serious damage to your car. The symbol looks like a bulb with an exclamation point inside.
5. Even the best-laid plans can go to waste — After knowing the basics about their car, a new driver should also be aware of how to handle emergencies while driving. Batteries die, flat tires happen, and unfortunately, the gas tanks do not run infinitely deep. The best way to handle these emergencies is to be prepared. Keep an empty gas tankard in the trunk, a spare tire and patch kit, jumper cables, and, if all else fails, keep your cell phone charged. Keeping a car phone charger handy in the car can often be a real lifesaver. Since these chargers run off your car battery, it won’t help you if the car battery dies (and you should avoid leaving it plugged in without the engine running), but otherwise, it’s a practical way to be prepared for an emergency.

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There are few things more fun than going out and enjoying a drink or two with some friends. This tradition has gone back hundreds of years, making it one of the only pastimes which have remained a strong part of human culture for so long. Of course, though, there is more than one way to soak up something like this. To give you a taste of the action, this post will be exploring America and all of the booze it has on offer.

Beer: Beer is one of the most popular drinks in the entire world. It comes in loads of different shapes and sizes, though, and the US has its own unique blend of ideas in this area. In recent years, Texas has become the largest producer of beer throughout the country, largely thanks to the craft breweries which have started to call it home. You can find great beers practically anywhere in the US, though, making it worth looking for this sort of drink wherever you go, even if you have to try several places before you find what you want.

Wine: Like beer, wine is another drink which is enjoyed around the world, and this has been the case for a very long time. Thanks to its popularity, Vineyards have become tourist attractions in their own right. This makes it easy to find trips to places like this, enabling you to sample the best options on offer directly from the source. Missouri is well-known for its wine production, though a lot of other states also follow this trend, especially where you find sunshine throughout a large part of the year.

Spirits: There are a lot of spirits enjoyed throughout the US, but bourbon is still the country’s National Spirit. First produced in Kentucky, this beverage is well known across the world, and can be found in almost every bar across the states. There are plenty of brands to try when you want to sample as much as you can, and, like vineyards, the ranches where this drink is primarily made are often open to tourists. Having an entire vacation planned around a drink like this doesn’t sound like such a bad idea.

Cocktails: Finally, as the last area to consider, it’s time to think about cocktails. While this isn’t something which is produced from raw ingredients, it still takes a lot of skill to make a good one, and this tradition is often passed down within local areas. California and Washington are the states best known for their cocktails. This makes them worth a visit if you want to try the selection of offer. Of course, though, you have to plan ahead, as the best bars will always get busy very quickly.

With all of this in mind, you should be feeling excited about the prospect of an alcohol-filled adventure across the United States. A vacation like this is strictly for adults, as the kids won’t find it very fun, but this doesn’t mean that you should hold yourself back.

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