What Every Car Owner Needs in their Garage

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If you own a car, you are bound to own some tools. If you own a garage, you need to own extra ones. Here’s a list of useful items that you’re going to need if you want to be able to perform at least some sort of work on your car.

garage tools

1.      Car buffer

If your car is more to you than just a method for getting from point A to point B, you probably want to make sure it looks amazing at all times. A car buffer can be of huge help here, as it is used for giving the perfect finish to your vehicle, bringing it back to its original shine. A quality buffer is even capable of removing scratches and minor scrapes from the outside layer of your four-wheeled friend, giving it that polished look.
The pneumatic buffer relies on air as its main power source, while the electrical one uses electricity as its power source.

2.      Garage vacuum

Every owner who takes care of its car’s outside look will also want the interior experience to be as impeccable as possible. The garage vacuum is the most efficient way to clean both your car and your garage properly, which is hugely important, seeing as how a motor vehicle is capable of creating quite a mess. There are two types of garage vacuums out there:

Wall-mounted vacuum is installed on the wall (doesn’t take up too much space) and comes with a long hose that can reachdifficult-to-access places.

Handheld garage vacuum, on the other hand, is a budget-friendlier option and it does the job quite quickly. The downside here is that it has a small capacity.

3.      Jack + jack stands

Your garage might not have a hole in the floor for the purpose of doing check-ups on your car’s bottom side, but there are other ways of doing this. Use a good jack and a quality set of jack stands to lift your car and you’ll be able to do anything your local mechanic can, but without spending a ton of money (depending on how serious the potential issue is, of course). Most importantly, though, make sure to learn how to safely jack up your car!

4.      Magnet

This might sound weird, but you’d be amazed at how useful a tool this can be. If you’ve ever done engine maintenance, you’ve definitely had a screw fall deep into the engine bay. Now, while the fact that some car manufacturers charge a hell of a lot for ridiculous items such as screws is irritating, forking out the unnecessarily high amount of money for a borderline trivial item may not be the worst part of losing a screw in the engine – you’ll be thinking about it constantly, wondering when your car might break down on you, as a result of the screw ending up god knows where. This is exactly why a magnet is an excellent tool to have in your garage. In fact, even if you drop your key in the gutter, a magnet can help!

5.      Fluids

Your engine oil levels should be checked on a weekly basis and there should always be some of it in your garage – never drive without acceptable engine oil levels. In addition, there are many other fluids that your car may need: brake fluid, clutch fluid, antifreeze (especially for older vehicles), de-icer, screen wash, glass cleaner – all of these are extremely useful to have in your garage. We recommend Castrol for maximum reliability, no matter which car fluid type you might need.

Finally, don’t even think about not having some WD-40 lying around!

These five items are incredibly useful for every car owner, especially if you have a garage. So, make sure you have all the tools for keeping the car both clean and well-maintained!

 

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Places to Travel in Your Senior Years

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places to visit

When you reach the age when you no longer have to worry about promotions, paychecks, and kids, it is time for you to dedicate your time to yourself. And is there a better way to do so than travelling? However, before deciding on the destination, take into consideration the following health tips if you want to enjoy your trip fully. Make sure you avoid prolonged periods of standing and sitting, wear compression stockings, stay hydrated, avoid alcohol, caffeine and tight-fitting clothes, and equip yourself with dietary supplements, such as vitamins C and E.

Australia

Even though it is the leader among most remote countries in the world, ironically, Australia is one of the most popular tourist destinations. And if you haven’t been there, now is a perfect time. First of all, Australia is the home to many beautiful natural landscapes, such as the Great Barrier Reef, which is one of the biggest reef systems with the most diverse marine life in the entire world, as well as the unique iron 8-kilometer-long Uluru rock, and 50 000-km-long coastline with breathtaking beaches and lush jungles. Besides nature, Australia offers an unforgettable tourist experience with various luxury retirement communities and hotels, amazing cities, lifetime supplies of wine, and, of course – Aussies everywhere.

Greece

A home to democracy and western civilization, as well as the richest history that goes thousands of years back, Greece is a place you have to see. Filled with countless archaeological sites and museums, it will provide you with a great insight into the ancient culture. The weather is sunny and warm from April all the way to October, which is great if you love to enjoy the sea and beaches.

Make sure you spend at least three days in Athens, where you have it all – great food, friendly locals and ancient ruins.

Portugal

Portugal is a country that is going to delight you, even though it is often overlooked. Travelling around it is super easy and quick. For example, it takes only 2,5 hours to get from Lisbon to Porto by train. Besides amazing cities, Portugal has some incredibly charming villages, castles, and cathedrals, as well as 1800-kilometer-long coastline and Douro Valley which is famous for high-quality wine. Also, make sure you don’t miss a national folk music performance aka Fado performance at A Capella in Coimbra.

When it comes to food, note that food portions are large and surprisingly affordable. Unless you haven’t eaten in days, always opt for a half portion or ‘meia dose’. Make sure you have a taste of their finest egg tart called ‘pastel de nata’ at Pastéis de Belém near Lisbon.

Argentina

Argentina is a huge country where you can hardly manage to see everything even if you spend a few months there. You can go hiking around countless lakes, climb the mountains, see penguins, ride a boat to a glacier, enjoy the scenery of the biggest waterfalls in the world, visit various museums, churches and, of course – go shopping. There are always some kind of live dance performances on the streets, different shows and opportunities for taking dance lessons – who says older generations cannot work it?

Since the country is huge, it can be quite expensive, so there are some hacks that can help you save some cash: take the night buses instead of expensive flights since they are comfortable, safe, and affordable, or spend your time only in one region. If you are aiming towards seeing some mind-blowing landscapes, opt for Patagonia, Lake district and Iguazu falls, and if you are more of an escape-the-crowd type of person, visit the cities, such as Cordoba and Salta. Note that summer in Argentina lasts from December to March, which makes it a great winter destination for all the Northern tourists.

Mexico

If you are travelling solo, opt for the Pacific coast and places such as Oaxaca and Guanajuato because they are a bit more authentic than those on the Caribbean coast. Speaking of authenticity, Mexico City has also started to reinvent itself into a culture capital with a great food scene. Also, it is also pleasant to walk around and explore.

Mexico is quite colorful, sunny and affordable at the same time. Besides that, it is home to various indigenous groups and their unique customs, handicrafts, foods and archaeological sites such as Maya, Aztec, and Zapotec, as well as the friendliest locals you will ever see.

Japan

This clean and safe country is different than any other in the world. It is the only place where taxi drivers are wearing white gloves and where you can order meals from a display of plastic food dishes. And don’t worry, it doesn’t matter if you don’t speak Japanese – you will have no trouble finding your way around.

Hotels in Japan usually charge per person rather than per room – which is great if you want to travel solo. Also, add their delicious food and their politeness, as well as respect for the elders, and you have a winner. It is needless to say, but make sure you don’t miss Tokyo and Kyoto.

How do you like these suggestions? Where did you choose to go? Feel free to comment below.
We hope you’ll have a wonderful trip – Bon voyage!

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What to Do After a Car Accident When It’s Not Your Fault

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Even though 90 percent of all car accidents are caused by human error, no one claims that it has to be your error. Imagine a scenario where you are driving, fully focused on the road ahead, while the person in the next line loses control over their vehicle. This is a potentially hazardous situation but you would be surprised just how often these things happen. While you may be 100 percent in the right, sometimes, in the aftermath, it might not be so clear as to whose error led to the collision. With this in mind, here are a few tips that may help you protect yourself from a legal standpoint.

car accident

1.      Install a dash camera

The first thing you may want to do in order to protect yourself in such situations is to install dash camera in your vehicle. In fact, in Russia, there is a saying that “You can get into your car without your pants on, but never get into a car without a dash cam”. The reason for this is simple, this country is one of the places with the greatest number of insurance frauds per capita. There are literally people in the street waiting to jump or drive in front of your car so that they can sue you and get paid. This is why the great majority of cars in Russia come with a dash camera installed. By doing the same, you can ensure that you always have a solid evidence of what happened during the crash.

2.      Gather the necessary evidence

As soon as the car accident occurred you need to make sure no one’s life is in danger. Determining whose fault is it comes later but your first instinct must always be the concern for the lives of everyone involved. Once you have this established you need to gather all the necessary evidence from the other party in the crash. Ask for the name and address of the other driver and inquire about their insurance company, as well as their policy information. Next, you should look around for any potential witnesses and take their information as well. Seeing how in 2017 everyone has a phone with a camera, it wouldn’t hurt to take pictures of the scene of the accident, since the other party may feel inclined to tamper with the evidence in order to cover up for their mistake.

3.      Notify the right people

Once you are done with this ‘preparation stage’ it is the time to call in the authorities. As soon as they reach the spot they will do some forensics of their own but don’t be alarmed if their conclusion is not the same one as yours. If their analysisis not to your liking, it is always a good idea to have a reliable legal company in your phone contacts. The reputation of the company is all that matters here, so find a reputable legal representation like Adams & Co who work in various fields, from motor vehicle accident claims to workers’ compensation claims. Finally, you may also want to notify your (or their) insurer as soon as possible.

Conclusion

Every good lawyer will tell you that even though it is better to be innocent, there is no 100 percent guarantee that you won’t be the suffering the consequences. The system is flawed and the only way to protect yourself is to take all the necessary safety measures and hope for the best. Knowing how to act in these situations is your first line of defense while having a dash cam and a team of lawyers on a speed-dial is another one. Either way, this is only here to protect your financial interests in a situation where your life and vehicle are put at risk by someone else’s negligence.

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The Therapeutic Properties of Medical Marijuana

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Although the recreational pot usage has been a controversial topic for years, many are those who choose to agree cannabis should be made legal for medical use. Although there are currently only 6% of studies which analyze medicinal properties of marijuana, researchers have managed to prove that it contains at least two active chemicals that have medicinal applications: cannabidiol (CBD) andtetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The first one showed to impact the brain, without leaving any side-effects, while the latter one proved to have pain relieving properties, alongside many other positive effects.

Glaucoma Treatment

Glaucoma is a widespread eye disease, known to increase the eyeball pressure, causing the optic nerve damage, and, as a result – total loss of vision. According to the National Eye Institute (NIH), marijuana can be used to, not only treat, but also prevent glaucoma. As early as the 1970s, studies showed that, when smoked, cannabis lowers intraocular pressure, thus slowing down the progression of the disease, and as a result, preventing blindness.

Epilepsy Control

In 2003, a Robert J. DeLorenzo provided evidence for his hypothesis that cannabis helps control epileptic seizures. What he did was gave synthetic marijuana and marijuana extract to rats who suffered from epilepsy. As THC binds to the brain cells responsible for the regulation of relaxation and control of excitement, rats were rid of seizures for at least 10 hours.

Stop Cancer Cells from Spreading

A research conducted at California Pacific Medical Centre in San Francisco proved that CBD stops metastasis of aggressive cancers. What it actually does is turns off an Id-1 gene, of which cancer cells make more copies than non-cancerous cells. Medical marijuana prevents this process from happening, thus stopping cancer cells from spreading through the entire body.

Pain Relief

More and more patients suffering from chronic pain choose to purchase cannabis in a weed dispensary. Furthermore, users claim it also aids them in suppressing nausea, especially patients who are recovering from chemotherapy. Some of the cannabis benefits also include reduced anxiety and improved mood. A number of muscle spasms showed to respond to medical marijuana. With patients suffering from a rate Leeuwenhoek’s Disease, cannabis stopped spasms in the abdominal muscles which interfere with breathing and speaking, and cause unbearable pain.

Effective Hepatitis C Treatment

Currently, there are between 130 and 150 million people worldwide with a chronic hepatitis C infection. Negative side-effects of this disease include nausea, muscle aches, fatigue, loss of appetite and, ultimately, depression.Because of this, more often than not, people choose not to finish with the treatment. In recent years, more than 80% of patients who reported using weed managed to successfully complete their Hepatitis C therapy, as it helped reduce the side-effects.

Inflammatory Bowel Treatment

Patients undergoing a treatment for Crohn’s and other inflammatory diseases showed to benefit greatly from marijuana use. At the University of Nottingham, researchers managed to prove that THC and CBD interact with our body cells, that is, the ones which play an important role in gut function. The marijuana-derived cannabinoids make intestinal cells bond tighter together, blocking the THC-like compounds from letting the bacteria into our body.

Balanced Metabolism

Over the years, pot smokers showed to be much skinnier than non-smokers, presenting signs of a healthier metabolism and better reaction to sugar, even though they are inputting much more calories.

Increased Creativity

Finally, contrary to popular belief, pot usage showed a number of positive mental effects, particularly when it comes to creativity. Smokers are known to get better at testing which requires them to come up with innovative ideas; their brains allow them to better detect remote associations, which ultimately leads to radical ideas.

 

 

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Materials Matter: Choosing The Right Materials For Your Renovation

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renovation

 

When considering a remodelling project in your home (or even a brand new self-build) it’s worth putting some thought into the materials you will be using. Different materials will have different practical advantages and disadvantages, on top of having different costs. Here’s a brief guide to picking the right resources for your renovation.

Cost vs quality

Low-cost materials will generally be lesser quality. If the material is only for aesthetic purposes, lower quality may not matter so much. For example, khaya and sapele could be just as good choices for a dark wood countertop as mahogany. When considering metal building homes and cost per square inch however, a more premium and higher quality metal could be a better choice over a cheap steel. This is because the steel will need to be sturdy and durable against weathering – opt for something cheap and it could result in a weaker structure.

Considering faux materials

Occasionally, you may be able to find a cheaper imitation material that is just as practical. Cultured marble is a synthetic version of the real thing that could be far better when considering a new stylish bathroom sink or kitchen worktop. Only a few people will be able to distinguish it from the real thing. There are even paints that can be used to imitate the likes of marble and ceramic.

Shopping second hand

Second hand materials can also save you costs whilst also being as good quality. You’ll find plenty of people online selling cut-offs from construction projects and pre-used half-full buckets of paint. You should be wary of some second hand materials that may be a little more worn such as old flooring or bathroom fixtures. It’s also worth always buying from a reputable seller – a shady seller may try to flog stolen materials or knock-off materials.

Reflecting on your choices

Certain materials will reflect light more than others. This can be important to consider if you’re trying to brighten up your home. Mirrored furniture will of course have the biggest effect, however stainless steel sinks, glossy paint and ceramic tiled floors can all let in more light too. Avoid dark woods, concrete and matte paints if you’re trying to bring in light.

Insulating your property

Various materials will also have greater insulating properties than others. If you want to save energy costs in the long run, it could be worth looking into different woods and cement mixtures. When it comes to cavity wall insulation materials, there are various solutions such as urea formaldehyde foam and polystyrene, all of which have their own strengths and weaknesses.

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