Considering Relocating for a Job

Sometimes to move up in your company, you may be required to move to a new city, or even a different country.  When there are job offerings that require such a transition, they are reserved for only the top of the line opportunities.

If you have been offered such an opportunity should be honored to have received such recognition. There are several things that you should consider carefully before you make a decision moving forward from here.

What to Do When a Job Asks You to Relocate??  

First, you need to think about what exactly it is that the job is asking of you? There are some questions that you should ask your supervisor or recruiter to clarify things. It is the job asking you to relocate permanently, or is it only a temporary pattern? Answer to this question and other questions will determine how to proceed from here.

  • Weight It Out

Once you have acquired all of the information that you feel is relevant to your determination, you can begin to measure things up. Look at all of the potential benefits that would be gained if you decided to take the offer. They look at all of the potential risks or drawbacks.

  “If there is a clear victory, then your choice should be obvious.”

  • Talk It Over

If you are not a single individual, it is essential always carefully to consider how your decisions will impact your family members. No matter how you feel about the job relocation, ensure that you include anyone whose life would be impacted by the decision.

How to Determine if Your Job Relocation Package Is a Good Offer?

Not every company requires that its employees move to their jobs. However, when a company does want their companies to live in a particular area, they will often help to cover the expenses associated with moving the employee to that area. These benefits are typically given to the employee in the form of a job relocation package.

  • What Is a Job Relocation Package?

Your job relocation package’s exact contents will vary depending on the company that is offering a package to you. They all typically cover most of the expenses associated with moving. Most companies will also ensure that you have a stipend for housing and food. This is to make sure you do not have to spend from your pocket at all for any of your regular days to day living expenses.

 What Questions Should You Ask Your Self?   

There are always a couple of questions that you should ask before you make a considerable chop transition like this. These questions will help you to narrow down whether the job is a good fit for you or not. It can help to make the decision-making process far more straightforward.

  • What Is in It for You?

The ultimate question that you need to answer is what is in the job location for you? The cost is pretty apparent and it will require you to pick up your roots and move somewhere else. The rewind is uncertain, however, what is being promised is worth it to view, the decision will be easy for you to make.

  • Where Will You Be Living?

A huge factor that will determine how enticing a potential job relocation offer is will be the future location if you decide to take the offer. If you are expected to move to a trendy neighborhood where you are going to enjoy living in anyway, then there should not be a problem. However, not every single job relocation will ask you to move somewhere desirable. If the job is to ask you to move to a place where you do not want to live in the other benefits, it will be better worth it.

  • Cost of living in the new location.

The cost of living in different cities can be drastically different.  Everything from utilities like Constellation Energy, transportation costs, insurance, to the cost of housing and entertainment can vary greatly, even within the United States.  If you are considering moving to a different country, the differences can be truly astounding.  Consider using a cost of living calculator,  like this one from Bankrate.com to help you start to understand how your net pay might expand or contract based on your anticipated move.

  • Do You Enjoy Where You Live Now?

If you do not enjoy living where you are living already, then making the decision will be a lot easier. This could be a way to get away from a place that you did not like and get paid for it at the same time.In conclusion, you will need to consider all of the questions that you need to ask yourself before you make your decision. Are you married or in a relationship and are you willing to do a long distance relationship or is your partner willing to make the move with you, are you happy at your job and can you see yourself doing it long term, if you are happy where you are  the financial perks worth uprooting your life.

Young Living Comes Together With Community Through Relief Efforts

The global pandemic resulting from the emergence of Covid-19 has created massive losses for communities of all kinds. Along with the devastating health impacts of the virus, millions of people have lost their jobs, supply chains have been interrupted, and public services have been overwhelmed with the increased need. While it’s important to understand the tragic impact of this virus, it’s also important to look to signs of light that show individuals and organizations coming together to fight it. One story we wanted to shed light on is the efforts of Young Living, a leading essential oil company, as it works with its community and contributes to relief efforts.

Alleviating child poverty

Children are often the hardest hit by situations of instability. Unable to provide for themselves, children living in poverty or other hardship conditions can be amongst society’s most vulnerable when the additional burden is placed upon them. This reality has become even more apparent through the emergence of Covid-19. With job losses running rampant through the country, many families and children have been forced to deal with unimaginable levels of hardship. This has been compounded for those children living in poverty who were already dependent on systems that have since become bogged down with handling unprecedented increases in unemployment.

To help contribute to relief efforts in this space, Young Living has worked extensively with the non-profit known as Baby2Baby. The organization states its mission as “providing children living in poverty, ages 0-12 years, with diapers, clothing, and all the basic necessities that every child deserves.” In recent years, the organization has worked to distribute over 100 million items to children in domestic violence programs, homeless shelters, foster care, and other precarious situations. The essential oils company has worked alongside the non-profit in recent months to help support its ongoing effort to serve children impacted by the global pandemic. This work has included the donation of items valued at over $800,000. Donated items include baby wipes, toothpaste, soap, and more.

Food contributions

One basic need that is ever-present for individuals in vulnerable situations is the need for a reliable source of food. Understanding this need, the essential oils company has been engaging in efforts to support its local community through these difficult times via the donation of food items. As stay at home recommendations were put in place, the company realized that it had plenty of food on hand at its cafe that would be available for donation. It quickly joined forces with the Utah Food Bank and was able to donate 400 pounds of food for distribution to those experiencing food insecurity.

The company’s efforts in this realm continued after that initial donation and remains a focus of its ongoing relief efforts. This work has manifested through its partnership with the non-profit Utah Community Action. Founded in 1965, the non-profit has become nationally recognized for its dedication to serving its community. It does this through six core programs focusing on education, social services, nutrition assistance, and aiding families in finding safe shelter. The essential oils company has contributed to the non-profit’s drive to provide nutrition assistance by donating food to its local programs. To date, Young Living has provided more than 4,000 pounds of food to the organization for use in feeding in-need children, adults, and seniors in the local community.

Contributing supplies

As the CDC and other health organizations have come out with recommendations as to how to keep communities safe, many institutions have found it difficult to assemble the supplies needed to satisfy requirements. Without ready access to masks, sanitizer, and other items of importance, these organizations risk jeopardizing vulnerable individuals in their community. With an understanding of the need to progress forward in a safe and measured manner, the essential oils company has worked with local organizations to help provide them with many of the supplies they require in order to reopen in a responsible manner.

One example of this is the company’s work with the YMCA of Utah, an organization that plays a critical role in its community, serving over 225 residents each night. This community service is important at any time but has become even more critical during the pandemic when many of the country’s most vulnerable people are bearing the brunt of gaps in infrastructure and support. In order to support the YMCA in its ongoing efforts to serve this population, the essential oils company has donated personal hygiene products, socks, and 500 bottles of hand sanitizer. This contribution has aided the organization in serving its community in a safe and responsible manner.

About the company

The above efforts from Young Living are perhaps unsurprising for those who know the company well. With roots that date back to before it was officially founded, it has long been a fixture in its local community. Those roots reach back to its humble beginning as a personal project of D. Gary Young and Mary Young as they sought to grow and extract their own oils for personal use. As the quality of their oils became widely known, however, the couple decided to embark upon the journey of opening their process up to a larger business venture.

That journey has seen the company grow precipitously over the years but has also seen it maintain a connection to the individuals and organizations which it serves. The company cultivates many of its plant materials locally in Utah and Idaho and makes sure to work responsibly with farming partners from around the world. Beyond its relief efforts tied to the current pandemic, it has long maintained a humanitarian presence in the areas of education and poverty alleviation through its charitable foundation.

Though the emergence of Covid-19 has thrown the world in disarray, there have also been stories of triumph that have emerged from the chaos. As we’ve seen in this article, community-minded organizations, such as Young Living, have used the opportunity to come to the aid of individuals and institutions across the country. As tragic as the pandemic has been, these stories of humanity help to remind us all that there are still many people and organizations actively working to make the world a better place.

Where to Get CBD

CBD can be sourced from more places than you might think. If you’ve been wondering how best to secure more of it for yourself, then you’ll want to read the rest of this article. We will show you all of the most important places where people buy and sell CBD so that you can get involved and reap the rewards of smoking CBD in no time at all. Once you’ve tried out the method that works for you, you’ll never look back, and you’ll be able to get as much CBD as you could want. 

  • On The Internet 

One of the most obvious places to purchase CBD is through the Internet. It’s cheap, it’s fast, and it’s easy. You can also have it delivered whilst you’re dealing with other tasks, and nobody you know will have any idea what you’ve bought, which is great if you’re trying to retain your privacy and avoid any questions. 

However, because an online store is not a place you can physically visit, you have to check to make sure that you’re getting high-quality CBD and not a cheap imitation. There are several steps you can take to make sure you’re getting genuine CBD. The first is to check that the CBD retailer has conducted tests on their CBD in a laboratory. This will allow them to show you a verified breakdown of the contents, which can be extremely valuable. Next, you can seek out information about whether the CBD has been modified in any way. If it has, then chances are it will no longer be organic and it’s not worth your time to buy it. Lastly, you should take a look through the reviews available on the website to make sure that people are mostly happy with the quality of the CBD they’ve received. 

If you follow these points when buying online, you’ll be virtually guaranteed to get good CBD. 

  • At A Dispensary 

Another major option that you have is to visit a specialist CBD store that offers products with CBD in them. These stores are generally regulated by federal law, which means a lot of checks are done on the people who run the store and on the items they stock. This is useful for you because it means you can be assured of the quality. However, under some circumstances, you will need to be registered with a medical marijuana scheme and have a certificate authorized by a doctor. The specific rules vary depending on your location, but you should be able to find out by doing some research. Once you know what you need to do to get CBD at a dispensary, you can consider finding one near you. If you’d like to try something more exotic, like a watermelon vape additive, then it could be worth a trip to a dispensary. 

You should be aware that dispensaries will only exist in states where marijuana has been made legal. CBD stores don’t tend to thrive or be permitted to open at all in states where this is not the case. If you can’t access a dispensary, then you’ll have to consider using the Internet. The best option is the one that works for you. 

  • Conclusion 

CBD does not have to be difficult to get hold of. It is only as hard as you make it. If you find a good supplier either at a physical location or through the Internet, then you can expect to do very well. Getting over the hurdle of finding a supplier can be difficult, but hopefully, this article has given you some reassurance and got you thinking about the different options available to you.

James River Capital Has Four Ways To Delight Workers in Summer 2020

James River Capital knows that summer is normally a time for vacations, family dinners, and relaxation. However, 2020 brought a global pandemic to America’s doorstep, casting a dark shadow over the joy normally associated with summer. 

Today, your employees are likely working from home. The kids are out of school and cooped up in the house. Families are fearful and on edge as COVID-19 case numbers continue to climb. 

While you can’t take on all of your employees’ challenges, you, as a leader, are uniquely equipped to support employees during these trying times. Effective remote leadership and flexibility are the most important, but you can also treat summer as an opportunity for much-needed relaxation. After all, your employees are probably juggling a lot right now. While still working their full-time jobs, they’re juggling childcare, health concerns, economic stresses, and more. Give your employees some breathing room with perks that help them feel appreciated. 

This isn’t just about goodwill, either. Flexible summer perks, like summer Fridays, are proven to improve employee morale. In some businesses, these perks even boost productivity and retention. If you support your people with a few easy summer perks, they’ll support you. 

Not sure what summer perks will work for your business? Learn from other leaders and offer perks that your employees actually want. In this article, we share 4 summer perks from Paul Saunders, CEO of James River Capital, and how they can boost morale during a pandemic. 

About Paul Saunders & James River Capital

James River Capital

Paul Saunders and his business partner acquired the company James River Capital in 1995, where Paul currently serves as Chairman and CEO. Through James River Capital, Paul uses his 30 years of finance experience to improve investment returns for investors. 

James River Capital helps investors put their money toward alternative investments, like commodity trading, out of its Richmond, Virginia headquarters. These alternative investments give investors more options and freedom with their portfolio, adjusting for the market, and for risk. 

4 effective summer perks for employees

Paul’s been a manager at James River Capital for over 25 years. While he hasn’t led his team through a pandemic before, he knows how to boost employee morale in trying times. Try his 4 perks to raise your team’s spirits during the summer of 2020. 

Summer Fridays

Summer Fridays were a popular summer perk pre-COVID. And with good reason: 52% of employees consider flexible hours the best summer perk. 

Summer Fridays can take several forms, including: 

  • Paying your employees for the full week but taking Fridays off. 
  • Working 10-hour days Monday through Thursday and taking Friday off. 
  • Working 8.5-hour days and taking every other Friday off. 
  • Just working half-days on Friday. 

The more generous you can be, the better. But it’s scary for managers to reduce workable hours. There is the concern that productivity will suffer if you switch to a four-day workweek. This isn’t necessarily true, though. Studies suggest that your employees will remain just as productive with four workdays instead of five.

James River Capital beach

That sounds counterintuitive, but it’s not actually that surprising. The principle of Parkinson’s Law says that humans adjust tasks to fit a window of time. In other words, whether you give an employee two hours or four hours to finish a task, they’ll use all of that allotted time for the task. If employees know they don’t have Friday for work, they’ll work faster and more efficiently with their time. 

You don’t have to worry about decreased productivity with limited summer hours. If you can swing it, James River Capital suggests offering 32-hour workweeks during the summer (with 40-hour pay, of course). In its experience, Summer Fridays make employees feel more valued. It’s also a much-needed breather for busy parents juggling work and childcare during these unprecedented times. 

Unlimited PTO

Unlimited paid time off sounds expensive, but when executed correctly, it provides much-needed flexibility for your employees without breaking the bank. 

Since your employees aren’t able to travel this summer, they might not be using their PTO. But because of the pandemic, childcare worries, and general stress, they really should use their vacation time. 

In fact, James River Capital recommends that employees take full advantage of their PTO in the summers. Unlimited PTO sounds irresponsible at first—what do you do if all of your people are out of the office, but when monitored and respected appropriately, it breeds accountability and trust between managers and employees. 

Some unlimited PTO boundaries include:

  • Selecting backups when an employee is out of the office.
  • Allowing a set number of employees out on PTO at once. 
  • Requesting PTO schedules at least a week in advance, if possible. 

And if you’re worried about people taking advantage of the system, don’t worry. Research shows workers with unlimited PTO actually end up taking fewer days off. 

Trust your employees to be adults. Instead of gating their PTO, manage your team well by leaning on their output and KPIs. If the work gets done and everyone is performing, there is truly nothing to worry about.

Education credits

Online schools are booming right now. Some employees might want to go back to school for a certification, continuing education, or degree. If it makes sense for your employees, offer to sponsor a number of educational credits. 

It’s no secret that school is expensive. That’s why offering this awesome perk removes a layer of stress from your team. Plus, if their course of study relates to your industry, it can make them more valuable to the company for the long haul. 

If you’re not able to finance someone’s college education, you could also offer an educational stipend. Give every employee $100 a month to use on:

  • Online courses
  • Certifications
  • Books
  • Classes

… or any educational resource that improves their skills. This is a modest investment, but experience suggests it can reap dividends in talent development and retention. 

Fun perks

It’s hard to engineer fun right now, and your employees are likely feeling the cabin fever. Try boosting their spirits with other fun, unusual perks. Depending on your culture, consider:

  • Delivering margaritas to employees’ doors every Friday afternoon. You can also deliver non-alcoholic teas, smoothies, or slushies. 
  • Ordering lunch, delivering it to your employee’s homes, and eating together via Zoom. It’s not the same as a “normal” team lunch, but the bonding and camaraderie are nice. 
  • Paying for a Hulu or Netflix subscription. Your employees can’t go anywhere this summer, so entertain them for a modest fee with a streaming subscription. 
  • Scheduling an ice cream truck party. These trucks can deliver ice cream (and music!) directly to your employees’ driveways in a safe, socially-distanced way. 

Depending on your area, it might be safe to visit a park or lake as a team. If it’s appropriate, consider scheduling small, outdoors get-togethers that allow for social distancing. That could be hiking, kayaking, or a picnic in the park. Follow your local regulations and employee comfort level here—make sure all outings are 100% optional, too.

The bottom line

2020 has been difficult for everyone. While you can’t take away the challenges of living through a pandemic, you can certainly lighten your employees’ emotional load. Offer amazing bonuses for the summer like Summer Fridays, unlimited PTO, education credits, and fun perks to keep up the team’s spirits. We don’t know what the future holds, but leaders can certainly offer levity and flexibility during these hard times. 

Connect with James River Capital: LinkedIn | Twitter | Crunchbase | Angel.co | Medium

The Coronavirus is a Major Setback for Globalization

In 1999, when radical activists gathered in Seattle to protest the World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference in Seattle, economists and political analysts generally agreed there was not much protesters could do to stop the wave of globalization that had been building up since the early 1990s. Many of the concerns that the anarchists and anti-globalization activists had in 1999 became a tragic reality: Over the next two decades, income inequality and the distribution of wealth grew out of control, and the global middle class experienced considerable downsizing.

To drive their point across, the Seattle anti-globalists engaged in civil disobedience, riots, and vandalism. Their opposition to the new direction capitalism would take was made clear, but never in their wildest dreams did they think that one day globalization would be wiped out by a devastating event such as the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020.

Something else the anti-globalists never expected was that the election of United States President Donald Trump would actually align with some of their ideology. The global trade war that Trump has waged against China over the last few years caused a major jolt of the global economy; moreover, his anti-immigration rhetoric had major anti-globalization undertones because he insists that he is putting the interests of American workers first by keeping the number of foreign job applicants down.

By the time the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, globalization had already become strained by Trump in the Americas and by Brexit in Europe. The international effort to stop the spread of SARS-CoV-2 contagion has taken care of dismantling globalization, at least for the time being. Naturally, this is not what the anti-globalists expected as a trade-off; in fact, they are flabbergasted when they learn about how Trump has taken advantage of the pandemic to advance his anti-immigration policies.

As can be gleaned in this Wall Street Journal report, the closure of U.S. consulates around the world during the pandemic has prevented many skilled foreign workers to enter the country on H-1B visas. In cases when H-1B visa holders had to leave the U.S. in an emergency to be next to a dying loved one overseas, they have not been able to return to their jobs. The novel coronavirus has done more to curb the flow of illegal immigration to the U.S. than Trump’s failed border wall project or his “deportation force” have. Even though illegal border crossings at the southern border with Mexico were reduced by 47% in April 2020, Trump still went ahead with a moratorium on immigration for the same aforementioned reason: So that Americans could have first dibs at getting their jobs back whenever things return to normal.

For globalization to thrive, the world needs open borders, industrial output, economic productivity, foreign employment, and many other aspects that have been wiped out by COVID-19. The problem with this situation is that the negative elements of globalization, namely the income inequality and uneven wealth distribution, have not only remained but are bound to get worse in the near future.

Who and What You’ll Find on Zynn, the Short-Form Video Sharing Innovator

Are you tired of constantly flipping past cookie cutter videos from a small group of social media influencers? Are you growing bored with limited customization options, sterile algorithms, and clunky interfaces on your social media platforms? Would you like to see more diversity, authenticity, and community-based focus in your short-form video sharing platforms? If so, newly launched Zynn is the short-video sharing platform your dreams are made of!

Introduced to the United States and Canada in May of 2020, Zynn quickly became the most downloaded free app on the Google Play Store, and the Apple App Store. Unlike any other content sharing platform, Zynn’s mission is to provide diverse content, champion the community spirit by matching users with creators in fields of interest, and foster creativity by allowing creators to easily generate eye-catching videos. Through a bespoke algorithm that disseminates varied content to users, Zynn fans have the opportunity to discover unique, meaningful, and entertaining content, while creators have the opportunity to gain traction, regardless of follower count. So, who and what will you find on Zynn?

Variety Starts at the Top

As the newest release from innovative content sharing platform leader Kuaishou Technology, Zynn focuses on presenting a wide variety of content for user entertainment. Zynn’s parent company, Kuaishou Technology has mastered the art of using forward-thinking user recommendation algorithms throughout the company’s apps to create a robust user experience. With a belief that every creator’s story is important, and that diversity is a key element of life, Kuaishou has dedicated resources to become a leader in modernizing the social media experience.

Types of Videos

With a focus on providing entertainment, instruction, and inspiration for all interested viewers, Zynn’s creators generate fresh content in a plethora of fields. From beautiful snippets that highlight ancient cultural traditions, to straightforward instructions for making vegan-friendly quesadillas, Zynn’s myriad of videos reach across all categories. Showcasing important milestone moments, and the wildly relatable everyday moments in between, Zynn’s videos often highlight humor in everyday fails, champion small victories, and explore meaningful human connections that make up milestones. Bringing viewers closer together through a shared sense of understanding, these everyday-life snippets are the cornerstone of the content found on Zynn. After all, you can probably find the humor in being locked out of your apartment, the sweet surprise of finding a forgotten bill in your freshly washed jeans, and the life changing effects of watching a child take his or her first steps.

In addition to these broad life related videos, Zynn harnesses the power to connect individuals through niche subjects. From showing off super concise skills, to sharing tutorials for hyper specific items, Zynn’s variety of videos highlights niche topics, allowing interested parties to gain insight, knowledge, and entertainment through targeted videos related to those topics. From gaming videos to specific recipe tutorials, and even romantic stories, every subject can be found on Zynn.

In addition to providing users with the opportunity to learn, be engaged, and be entertained through this plethora of topics, Zynn’s diverse platform also champions creators to show off their creativity, individuality, and talent. With a robust percentage of creators posting performance videos, mastered skills, fashion and makeup profiles, and other creative measures, Zynn provides a creative outlet for all individuals, regardless of race, financial status, or any other factors. From traditional craftsmen showing their dedication to hand-made masterpieces, to rural farmers showing off their largest crops of the season, Zynn leverages the power of community to showcase creators’ achievements, talents, and proud daily moments.

Challenges and Camaraderie

Championing interaction and conversation, Zynn fosters community spirit through various challenges. Not only does participation in Zynn’s interactive challenges provide users with the opportunity to interact with other creators who share similar interests and competitive edge, it provides an activity to partake in for individuals, friends, and families. Building a following, and highlighting user-led challenges, Zynn utilizes the power of cross-platform social media advertising to draw attention to the aptly named “Zynn Challenge”, inviting users to have fun, nail those trick shots, set new records, and incite others to play.

Through Zynn’s #zynntalent incentive, creative Zynners are highlighted, spotlighting the app’s robustly talented user base. Not only does this incentive provide visibility for various users, it inspires others to follow suit, enriching the overall diversity of content available across the platform. You’ll find award-winning flutists playing classical hits to their dogs, gymnasts seamlessly flipping over elaborate obstacles in specially created courses, and DIY gurus making effective face masks from readily available refrigerator products. These talented individuals not only share their own skills, but inspire an entire generation of users to follow their own dreams, no matter what those dreams may entail. On a bigger picture spectrum, the supportive and inspirational nature of these interactions adds to Zynn’s authentic community spirit.

There’s a Home for You

Whether you’re a social media newbie, or a seasoned vet who is simply searching for a more meaningful experience, Zynn is the short-form video sharing platform for you. Welcoming in nature, and supportive of a customized user experience, you are bound to respond to Zynn’s call to be seen, be heard, and be you. With so many talented creators already sharing their skills, interests, and milestones on Zynn, the proof is in Zynn’s already tightly-knit community. Since the brand new app’s May 2020 launch, Zynn has gained a loyal following from countless individuals, and has received vastly positive feedback from innovative users who seek to be themselves, celebrate individuality, and maximize their social media experience. Who and what will you find on Zynn? The possibilities are endless!

What to do if your car catches fire

Drivers have several fears and phobias while on the road. Some worry a sneeze could trigger a pileup on the highway, while others cope with the mental and emotional damage leftover from a previous accident. One such terrifying scenario would be driving along when, all of a sudden, your car catches fire. 

What would you do in this situation? Drivers Ed hasn’t prepared you for it, and it’s likely that no one else has either. Don’t let this scenario instill fear, though.

There are a few simple steps to take that will keep you and anyone in your car safe. Here are some of the primary things you need to have:

Modern automotive vents – Vents don’t just protect your electrical systems or key parts. It also allows proper airflow to avoid overheating or, worse, fire.

– Accessories – Cheap or low-class car accessories may affect performance. Not only that, but they could also start a fire. Make sure to buy original and specific brands that are fit for your car.

– Professional mechanic – This has been the most neglected fact among car owners. To be able to save, they will often go to an unknown or inexperienced mechanic. Mechanical and electrical problems are dangerous, so make sure to have complete satisfactory maintenance and repair.

Stopping the Problem Before It Starts

Regular maintenance is the best way to ensure that your car will not catch on fire. Since maintenance can be expensive, it also helps to know what warning signs to look for so you can get your car to the shop instead of letting them slide. These include:

  • Regularly blown fuses
  • Oil and other fluids leaking
  • Loose wiring or exposed wiring
  • Loud sounds from the exhaust
  • Sudden changes in fuel and oil levels
  • Sudden changes in engine temperature
  • Missing caps (oil, gas, and other fluid tanks)
  • Broken hoses

While these parts may not cause a fire, they are likely to cause an accident as systems begin to malfunction. Several pedestrians and drivers have been injured in a motor vehicle accident as a result of these issues in another vehicle. Any wreck also makes it more likely that a fire will start. 

If a Fire Starts

It’s easier said than done, but don’t panic and never try to put the fire out. If you see flames from the engine, rearview, or coming out of your vents, pull over and stop the car immediately. Turn the car off, taking the keys out of the ignition, then proceed to get everyone out of the vehicle. 

Take everyone and stand as far away as possible, preferably 100 feet, from the vehicle to avoid inhaling toxic fumes. Never let anyone run back for personal items. Remember, insurance can replace items but it cannot bring back a life. You should also encourage bystanders to stay away.

Once everyone is safe, call 911 and alert them to the situation. After the call, warn oncoming traffic of the danger ahead.  The fire department and police will show up on the scene, putting the car out and creating an incident report. After the report is made, call your insurance company to let them know what happened. 

Dealing With the Aftermath

If you can, get a rental car while through your insurance company while they handle the accident. It’s also vital that you find out what caused the fire, which your insurance’s investigators can help you accomplish. Various states have lemon laws protecting drivers against defects and their aftermath. If you’re in California, then study your rights under the California Lemon Law and pursue action if need be. 

Most fires lead to a total loss, which your insurance will determine. Combined with lemon laws, you could find yourself the owner of a brand-new vehicle. However, you will simply have to wait until your insurance company determines the cause of the fire. 

MAGFAST CEO Seymour Segnit on Why Mini Cables Rock

For Seymour Segnit, the founder and CEO of MAGFAST, changing charging for good isn’t just a business plan; it’s a way of life. MAGFAST has crafted a powerful, unique line of interlocking device chargers, and the company has put more work into every component that makes up each device in the MAGFAST Family – Extreme, Time, Life, Wall, and Air – than most companies put into an entire product range.

Nothing demonstrates this better than a recent update on the development of MAGFAST Life. Life is MAGFAST’s flagship portable power bank, designed to keep all of your devices charged while you’re on the go. It can charge your phone multiple times using its USB-A or USB-C ports, built-in cable, or Qi Wireless charging pad before its battery requires a recharge. This compact package is far cleaner and more elegant than the typical portable charger, and masterful design plays a major role in this.

Regarding the built-in swappable mini power cables that connect to MAGFAST Life, Segnit believes that the company has spent between 150 and 200 hours refining and reworking this single component and that he has personally dedicated at least 40 to 50 hours of his own time to this work and the unique challenge that it posed. 

While designing MAGFAST Life, the company aimed to ensure that all three of the modular built-in cables – USB-A, USB-C, and Lightning – could all fit in the exact same space, making them as beautiful as they are interchangeable. However, after finalizing the 3D models for Life, the team discovered that something wasn’t quite right. Though all three 3D models appeared to fit in the same space, each cable had specific design needs that hadn’t been met, and some changes needed to be made to make the design work as planned.

Each of the three cable tips needed for MAGFAST Life has a piece that protects the delicate electronics inside from touching the silicone and rubber as the power starts to flow, preventing damage when the device is in use. Furthermore, Segnit emphasizes the fact that in addition to being beautifully designed and looking good from every angle, the cables need to be strong and resilient so that they last for a long time. In an industry where many cables fall apart easily, Segnit is quick to note that a long-lasting cable is better for consumers, MAGFAST, and the planet, as it minimizes the amount of e-waste in the world. See how MAGFAST is committed to reducing e-waste and greenhouse emissions here.

USB-C is the most elegant solution, and Micro-USB is close behind, but Lightning requires more space, as the connector itself is slightly thicker. Inside each cable is a ball bearing made of iron metal. The magnet pulls on the ball bearing to hold it in place and easily release it. However, there is no magnet in the cable itself because Apple’s MFi (made for iPhone/iPod/iPad) program does not allow it.

Segnit doesn’t just value meticulous, hard work. He also believes in putting complexity and care into every single component across his line of chargers, but this should surprise no one who knows him. Over his multi-decade career of launching important products and services, founding companies, and building businesses, Segnit has always been relentless when it comes to getting the details right, and with MAGFAST, this is more true than ever before. Though putting hours into cable design might seem absurd to some designers, MAGFAST isn’t just about charging devices; it’s also about changing how the experience of charging looks and feels forever and rethinking an industry along the way.

Click here to learn more about MAGFAST and CEO and founder Seymour Segnit.

How to Improve Your Finances

Managing your finances can often be a hassle. However, in difficult times like these, it is more important than ever that you keep track of your finances, and try and improve them where possible. 

If you are struggling for money during this global pandemic, or are just looking for better ways to improve the way you handle your finances, take a look at the advice below to learn ways to improve your own finances, as well as understand some common financial mistakes to avoid. 

Common financial mistakes to avoid

Although we all try our best to manage our finances well, there are some common mistakes that can lead people into financial difficulty. Below are some examples of financial mistakes that you should avoid if you want to improve your savings:

  • Frivolous spending– for example, spending unnecessary money on meals out and coffees can place you into further financial hardship.
  • Spending too much on your house– often, people rush into purchasing houses they can’t afford, and large mortgages can throw people into financial turmoil. 
  • Not saving– many people live from paycheck to paycheck, meaning that they have no money to fall back on if they get into financial trouble.

If you are looking to better improve your finances, you should strive to avoid these common mistakes to ensure that you don’t worsen your financial situation.

Tips to rebuild your finances

If you have found yourself struggling to keep your finances afloat during this global pandemic, here are some tips you can use to rebuild your finances:

  • Open a savings account– find an account with a high-interest rate (although this is hard to do right now) and set up a direct debit to it. Even if you only save $50 a month, it will be a small step towards rebuilding your finances. 
  • Try and lower your monthly bills– many people have outgoing monthly expenses that they simply don’t need. An example of this could be a gym membership you aren’t using or a subscription for a magazine you aren’t using. Canceling these can help you reduce your monthly bills, which is a great way to start rebuilding your finances. 
  • Choose a new credit card provider– are you paying a huge amount of interest on your credit card? Then it’s time you look for a new provider. There are lots of different websites that specialize in helping you find the best value credit cards for your needs. 

Easy ways to save money

If you are still struggling to improve your finances, here are some small ways you can save money regularly: 

  • Restrict your online purchases– because of the coronavirus pandemic, many people are unable to shop outdoors, and so have begun spending a lot more money on online shopping. However, you may actually be spending more money on shopping than you usually would, so cutting back is a great way to begin saving your hard-earned money. 
  • Change your gas provider– if you live in an area where you can choose where you get your gas from, it is important to regularly check whether or not you can get it cheaper elsewhere. This way, you can make sure you have chosen the right gas company GA, and aren’t spending more than you need to. 

Conclusion

It is important that now, more than ever, to make sure our finances are stable. By following this advice, you should be able to improve your finances for good, and make sure you have enough money to be financially stable. 

Summer Fun in the Great Smoky Mountains

Finding the perfect summertime activities for your family can be challenging. There are so many factors to consider, from different interests between family members, to different skill levels depending on age. But if you can decide on the type of summer adventure you want, choosing the right town to visit can become much easier.

For thrill-seekers, head to Tennessee, where there are so many Pigeon Forge attractions. From indoor skydiving to zip-lining and go-kart racing, your adrenaline will be pumping in no time!

The town of Pigeon Forge was established in 1788, when settlers first reached the area. At this time it was still governed by North Carolina, and drew the longing of dreamers from all over the area with its lush forests, beautiful views, and rich natural resources. 

Pigeon Forge itself gets its name from the iron forge built in 1820 by Isaac Love, followed by his son’s construction of the Historic Old Mill in 1830. The employment of the now-extinct passenger pigeon to deliver messages between settlers in the area also influenced the name, and calls back to a simpler time. With fine art, history, and family fun – and a skew towards the adrenaline-seeking types – Pigeon Forge is the perfect place to take your family this summer. 

Hiking trails in this beautiful area abound, and trails that lead to beautiful views and waterfalls are some of the most fun to experience! Andrew’s Bald and Laurel Falls are two favorite hikes for those who want to experience both. As each hike is an easy drive from Pigeon Forge, you can spend part of the day outside and come back with enough energy to enjoy a delicious picnic or meal on a patio in town!

Another great way to enjoy the beautiful mountain trails is on a Llama Trek! Take in the views on a trail accompanied by trained guides and fluffy, adorable pack llamas. They can show you where all of the prettiest wildflowers grow, while you breathe the fresh mountain air. 

On a hot or rainy day, you may be looking for a fun activity indoors. Flyaway Indoor Skydiving can be just the ticket for a day of exhilarating fun! Offering flights for individuals aged kid to adult, indoor skydiving makes it possible for you to experience the thrill of flight in a totally safe, controlled environment.

A visit to the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster is another fantastic choice for family fun and excitement, rain or shine. A ride down this state-or-the-art alpine coaster offers you unique views of the mountain landscape, while you experience the thrill of speed. Take in the views and the fresh air by coasting alone, or with a family member!

As you can see, Pigeon Forge offers no shortage of activities for families big and small to enjoy this summer. Whether you are looking for outdoor adventure or indoor thrills – or a combination of both, a trip to Pigeon Forge will provide long-lasting memories to enjoy and savor for years to come.