Gina A. Herrera

Did you know that it’s often recommended that Americans save as much as between $1 and $2 million for retirement? These days, it seems like fewer and fewer people are hitting their retirement savings goals by the time they are ready to leave their career lives behind them. And with the cost of living increasing across the country, this is becoming a bigger problem for many Americans.

No matter where you are in your career, it’s important to start thinking about your retirement savings today. If you’re not sure where to start, you can begin by considering these five handy tips. Read through and find out what you can do to jumpstart your savings.

The Earlier You Start, The Better

Maybe you’re 24, you just landed your first full-time job, and the thought of retiring in 40 to 45 years seems distant and impossible. However, even if you’re still young and just starting your career journey, it’s still a good idea to start saving as soon as you can. Because of the power of compound interest, starting early means that you’ll wind up with a much bigger sum once you’re actually ready to take the leap and retire.

Know Your Options

Did you know that there are multiple different kinds of retirement accounts available to savers? A few of the options include:

• 401k
• Roth 401k
• IRA
• Roth IRA

Typically, 401ks are offered through your employer. They’re included in your benefits package or offered as a perk after working for your company for a while. IRAs are individual retirement accounts. You can set them up whenever you like with the investment broker or bank of your choice.

Need more help? Check out an online investing resource center for educational content.

Estimate Your Costs

Retirement costs likely won’t be the same as the day-to-day costs you encounter during young and middle-age adulthood. Maybe the kids are out of the house and earning their own income, but you might also have more medical or at-home care expenses. It’s important to start building your retirement savings with your likely expenses in mind.

As you approach retirement, it’s a good idea to estimate the costs you’re likely to encounter. And, once you have your costs tallied up, it’s a good idea to think about how to reduce them. That brings us to the next item.

Consider Downsizing

Unless you’re a superstar gold-medalist saver, … Read the rest

Halloween is creeping up on us, and if you’ve decided to take on the task of throwing the Halloween party this year, there’s a lot you have to think about. First, you have to think of who you’re going to invite. Are you going to have a smaller party limited to close friends? Or are you planning on throwing a bigger event? What about decor? Food? Drinks? And let’s not forget about a costume, of course. The party host’s costume has to be iconic. So even if Halloween might feel like a long time away, it’s never too early to start planning. But whether or not you’re keeping things low-key this year, or want to go all out with your decorations, you can never go wrong with DIY decor. DIY halloween decorations will not only save you money, but they are also fun to make. So break out your glue and glitter and check out these 5 DIY Halloween party ideas:

1.  Carve Pumpkins

No Halloween party is complete without pumpkins. Carving pumpkins is fun to do with friends and family and it makes for great DIY Halloween decor. All you need is a pumpkin and some carving tools and let your imagination take over. And if you really want to get creative, you can use a pumpkin carving pattern book to create more intricate designs.

2.  DIY Your Costume

If you’re feeling extra creative this year, it is always a fun idea to make your own Halloween costume. It’s definitely more time consuming than buying something from a store, but you get the freedom to create your costume exactly how you imagine. A DIY Halloween costume is something we should all attempt at some point. And if making your own costume doesn’t interest you, you can buy an outfit and make the accessories yourself to add your own personal touch. There are tons of costumes to choose from, from matching couples costumes to individual ones.

3.  Paint Plastic Glasses

Every Halloween party needs a good cocktail, so why not paint your own cocktail glasses to add a spooky touch? Rather than handing out plain, boring plastic glasses for your guests to put their drinks in, take some time to paint them. You can paint spider webs, ghosts, pumpkins- the options are endless! All you need is plastic glasses, paint, and you will be good to go.  You … Read the rest

As a new parent, you likely have numerous questions, concerns, and worries, especially considering the fact that childhood trauma can lead to issues down the road. While we may not be able to relive all of the above, we can definitely take the time to share a few things that you need to know.

Starting your new family is a joyous occasion and though we could probably turn this into a book with hundreds of tips, we want to make sure to try and make it as easy of a transition as possible.

1. The Dangers of Talc

Johnson & Johnson was recently in the news for settling a lawsuit due to their knowledge of the dangers of talcum powder and studies have linked regular use to mesothelioma, ovarian, and other cancers. Stick with talc-free and hypoallergenic powder for the health sake of your baby

2. Sponge Baths

Give your newborn sponge baths until the umbilical cord falls off and completely heals. Keep the umbilical cord dry and it will fall off sooner. If it does get wet, use a clean towel to dab it dry. You should also take the time to learn how to give your infant a sponge bath.

3. Finding the Right Diaper

The wrong diaper is not only going to be uncomfortable for your newborn, gaps and openings can leave a real mess. Use a diaper sizing guide to help you find the right one throughout their diaper-wearing lives.

4. Dry Skin is Normal

Dry skin, small pink bumps, diaper rashes, and even baby acne are all normal and nothing to worry about. Use some fragrance-free, hypoallergenic baby lotion to help alleviate these issues.

5. Using a Swaddle

Some babies sleep more soundly when they’re swaddled but of course, you should use a hypoallergenic blanket. Check out this handy guide from Pampers to learn how to properly swaddle.

6. Remember – Back to Sleep

Your newborn should sleep on their back and you should place their head in alternating directions in the crib every night. In order to reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and suffocation, the newborn should be placed on a mattress that is covered by a fitted sheet and no other bedding or soft objects in the bed. They should never be left to sleep in chairs, sofas, or armchairs.

7. Car Seat

Just as you have your … Read the rest

Weighing scales find widespread use each day. This is the case locally and globally. Unfortunately though, it’s not always easy to establish which weighing scale can be ideal for a business. Although everyone understands generally the task that weighing scales do, it’s far less often understood how weighing scales should perform specifically. So let’s look now at key questions to ask when looking to establish which weighing scale is right for your business. 

What Format Should the Scales Use?

Scales can actually measure weight in a range of formats. Commonly in kilograms, pounds and grams, but they’re available in many measurements beyond these three. 

Consider How Will the Scale Display Its Key Information?

Given weighing scales come in many different formats, the way in which their information is displayed can differ also. There are the platform weighing scales that’ll sit flat, and these display information on a digital LCD screen in a familiar fashion to how a standard bathroom scale displays weight. Then there are hanging weighing scales, which can be used to measure the weight of goods placed on the scale’s weighing hook. For such devices, a reading of the weight will still be shown, but it will often appear right in the middle of the device as opposed to the top which is commonly seen on a platform weighing scale. 

Is Readability a Critical Consideration?

It’s worthwhile to consider the differences between analogue and digital scales when deciding which is ideal for a particular business. This said, digital scales are usually preferable over the analogue format owing to the display they have. While analogue scales are slightly more cost-effective given they do not require batteries to run, they’re also harder to read precisely when compared to digital scales. So for any business where a scale will be used frequently,  using a digital over an analogue scale will typically offer a far easier experience for the eyes. 

Do You Want the Scales to Be Battery-powered?

A terrific feature of weighing scales is the ease in which they can be powered. Many people believe because of the precision in which weighing scales do their task that they may have to use a great deal of power in order to do their job. But this simply isn’t the case. Analog scales will not require power to use. Although there can be some variables across the wide range of weighing scales … Read the rest

Chinese food belongs to the country China. As China is a country of traditions and architectures. So the Chinese buffet near me follow the same theme and traditional looks of the country China. A Chinese theme makes a moderate restaurant to a high-class Chinese one. The Chinese looks affect the environment while having delicious Chinese food.

There is no doubt that a good and leisure environment can help to enhance the taste of food. So it is always preferable to promote the ancient Chinese themes that will automatically promote the running capacity of the restaurant. If the theme of any restaurant is convincing one that will automatically lead the intake of more clients.

Atmosphere Of The Chinese Buffet Restaurant:

As the atmosphere of any Chinese buffet near me enhances the taste of food with all of its soothing effects. As a Chinese buffet restaurant owner, one must keep a deep focus on the restaurant atmosphere.

Chinese cultures in the atmosphere create the food in delicious mode. That is why everyone searches a Chinese buffet restaurant which is maintaining the soothe and ease of Chinese style atmosphere.

Variety Of Chinese Buffet Restaurants:

Chinese restaurants use fresh and local ingredients for the proper taste according to the taste and aroma of original Chinese traditional foods.

These Chinese buffet restaurants include high-quality seafood for appealing mouthwatering deals. It also includes appetizers and delicious desserts after a meal. Natural flavors turn a food into most delicious Chinese table cuisine buffet where is the nearest chinese buffet.

Topmost Deals Of Chinese Buffet Are:

• Noodles
• Chicken fried rice and chow mien.
• Hot and sour soup.
•  Crackers
• Prawns.
• Chinese rice.
• Boiled vegetables
• Egg and spring rolls.
•  Mushrooms
• Bacon

And much more

Distinctive Measures Of Chinese Buffet Near Me:

Best Chinese buffet near me reflect the true culture and traditions of Chinese. There are a different style and Chinese themed restaurants and dine-ins that are opened with the best quality of Chinese food for the customers and tourists.

A best Chinese buffet near me is one that provides a huge attraction point for the family members and friends for having a high quality of the meal.

The customers are served with high-class aroma and taste for the best mouthwatering delicious tastes. These are the luxurious styles restaurants for they are well known in cheering their guests.

A best Chinese buffet near me is the one which … Read the rest

Kratom is now available to buy online from various retailers, and with regulations surrounding the botanical becoming increasingly relaxed, it’s easier than ever to get your favorite Kratom strains. However, there are many myths about Kratom, especially since it was formerly misclassified as a Schedule I drug in the U.S.

Because of these misconceptions, it’s understandable that people want to be discreet about their Kratom purchases, even though they’re legal federally and in most states. Some people just prefer more privacy for their online purchases than traditional banks allow.

Cryptocurrency is a powerful option for conducting any online transaction privately and safely. Although cryptocurrency seems intimidating at first glance, it’s easy to understand and use once you grasp the fundamentals.

What is Cryptocurrency?

Cryptocurrency is a form of digital money that is usually not tied to the currency of any country. It is a decentralized currency that uses cryptography to determine its authenticity and value instead of being backed by gold or another physical standard.

Cryptocurrency has come about in the past ten years as the technology required for securing it has improved. It’s now possible for public use thanks to vast increases in computing power required to keep it running daily instead of just in limited quantities.

Cryptocurrency is designed to be accessible to the public as an international substitute for genuine money. It is available in multiple individual currencies, each with its own value relative to other currencies.

Although this sounds complicated on the surface, most of the hard work goes on behind the scenes. Programmers have worked hard to make cryptocurrency as straightforward and accessible to the public as possible. You can buy and use cryptocurrency just as easily as you can use any other online payment platform.

Investment Fluctuations

One of the crucial things to remember about cryptocurrency is that its value fluctuates relative to real-world currency and can lose value over time. However, its changing value has made it a popular option for tech-savvy investors looking to jump on board the trend.

Popular currencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and even Dogecoin have netted millions of dollars for early investors after demand rose and their value skyrocketed. Although some investors then sold their currencies, some have continued to hold it as a long-term investment and use it as a payment method.

This success has led to a flood of new currencies, some of which don’t have the … Read the rest

Have you ever found this question complex: ‘’ How many ounces in a half gallon? ‘’ Scroll down to see extra surprising things behind that question!

In cooking, people often use ounces or gallons instead of cups or tablespoons. 

But how many ounces in a half gallon? Many people find it a bit tricky to answer it. Be cautious! Occasionally, some of your false calculations may end up shocking results. 

Yet do not worry; we’ve provided you with insightful instruction to conduct these kinds of jobs with ease. Hit the road now!

How many ounces is a 1/2 gallon of water?

How Many Ounces In A Half Gallon?

As you can see, this calculation could be based on whether you apply the US or UK measurements system and a fluid ounce or dry ounce. The sufficient measurements you should know is here:

US measurement system: 

• 1 US gallon = 128 US fluid ounces.

So, we could calculate that 64 US fluid ounces make half a US gallon.

UK (or Imperial) measurement system:

• 1 UK gallon = 160 UK fluid ounces.

We can conclude that 65 UK fluid ounces male half a UK gallon.

First, you need to know that ounces are denoted by ”oz’, and ounces in liquids are denoted by ‘fl oz.’ 

How Many 8 Oz Are In A Half Gallon?

The answer is very simple: There are 64 Oz in a half gallon.

How Many 8 Oz Cups Are There In A Half Gallon?

To answer this question, you first need to know that 16 cups of water equals one gallon. So if it’s half a gallon, you multiply 0.5 by 16, and you get 8 cups in half a gallon.

Track This Down, How Many 8 Oz In A Gallon?

You can understand that 16 8-ounce glasses in a gallon, which 1 gallon is equivalent to 128 ounces. Accordingly, to reach 1 gallon, that 8-ounce glass must reach the number 128. 

How Many Ounces Is A 1/2 Gallon Of Water?

Gallon of water

There is 64 fl oz in half a gallon of water, which means 128 fluid ounces are equal to 1 gallon of water.

160 Imperial fluid ounces reach 1 Imperial (UK) gallon. Therefore, the Imperial Gallon generally appears to be larger than the US gallon.

• 1 US cup = 8 ounces
• 2 cups of liquid = 16 ounces
• 4 actual cups equal 32

If you have an expensive mortgage or high interest rates, mortgage refinancing might be exactly what you need. The approach not only helps you renegotiate your monthly payments, but also allows you to lower your mortgage rates.

Certain factors such as a good credit score are necessary to reap these rewards. But these requirements are often easy to meet. Due to this reason, many homeowners turn towards refinancing to improve the conditions of their loan and even get some cash on hand.

In case you are interested in refinancing your mortgage, the process might seem stressful to you at first. To help you breeze through this otherwise daunting procedure, here’s a lowdown on how to refinance your mortgage.

1. Consider Your Current Conditions

Refinancing a mortgage sounds like an excellent idea. But in order to benefit from low mortgage rates or more flexible monthly payments, you need to confirm that certain factors are in place.

As mentioned above, this includes having a good credit score. But you also need to ensure that the current mortgage rates are lower as compared to the time of finalizing your original home loan.

Whether you want to lower your monthly payments or plan to transform your home into a welcoming environment, this early assessment lets you determine if it is the right time to refinance your mortgage.

2. Determine What Type of Refinancing You Need

Conventional home refinancing lets you settle your old mortgage and switch to a new lender. This means that your new lender pays off the original mortgage and becomes the beneficiary to your future monthly payments.

But the other option such as VA cash out refinance Texas residents can benefit from is different. In cash out refinancing, you not only get to settle your existing home loan in favor of the new one, but also receive additional cash payments based on the equity of your home.

That is where you need to consider if you need additional cash for expenses such as hiring an interior designer. This way, you can determine which refinancing option is best for you.

3. Make the Required Calculations

Unlike a car title loan that comes with high interest rates, home refinancing often carries lower mortgage rates than the original loan. This all depends on market conditions, but the possibilities of getting a better deal are still bright with a refinance.

To make sure … Read the rest

The journey of overcoming an addiction is no easy one, and if you’re a loved one trying to help someone through the process, it can be overwhelming. You may not exactly know where to get started or how to offer advice without hurting anothers feelings.

Below we are going to take a look at six tips to follow when you are helping a loved one who is struggling with addiction.

Want to learn more? Then keep on reading.

Educate Yourself.

The first thing you want to do when it comes to helping your loved one is to educate yourself on addiction. Alcoholism and substance abuse can begin due to a variety of reasons, and until you understand everything that’s involved, you’re not going to be able to offer the proper support. Do your research, know the signs and take note of the effects. It’s important.

Listen And Provide Support.

After you’ve educated yourself, it’s then time to provide support. While you might be tempted to rush in and give your own opinion on the situation, you need to remember to listen first. Yes, mention your concerns but also let them know that you are there for them and will stand by them through the entire recovery journey.

Discuss Treatment Options.

Once you’ve listened to one another and shared your feelings, you can then encourage your loved one to get help. There are a variety of rehab centers that can provide excellent support, such as Landmark Recovery Oklahoma City.

Remember, you should be prepared to hear excuses. They may try and insist that they don’t need treatment. Be persistent but not so much that you damage your relationship.

Avoid Violating Their Privacy.

Another one of your first instincts might be to start monitoring every aspect of your loved ones’ life. But before you go searching bedrooms and reading through phone messages, you need to think again. How would you like it if someone came and violated your privacy? Give them space, and take things one step at a time. You don’t want to lose their trust.

Understand It’s Going To Be A Long Process.

In order to help your loved one, you need to remember that recovering from an addiction and staying sober is a long process. You have to be patient when offering support and be aware that relapses may happen along the way. It might be challenging to … Read the rest

Drugs and alcohol are frequently used as a coping mechanism for stressful circumstances. While being exposed to trauma does not guarantee that you will develop an addiction, it does raise your chances. This is because trauma has a significant impact on how a person thinks and perceives the world.

Trauma can lead to the development of addiction at any age, but trauma can negatively impact children. They typically lack the communication skills, coping strategies, and understanding to grasp what trauma is and how it impacts them because their brains and bodies are still developing. Some situations that an adult might seem trivial might be upsetting for a youngster if they have no prior experience or grasp of the context.

Sensations of trauma can endure for a long time because people cannot make sense of how the incident has affected them, leading them to seek ways to avoid the feelings associated with it.

Those who acquire an addiction due to attempting to cope with childhood trauma are frequently unaware that they are taking substances for a detrimental reason. Substance misuse is frequently the result of a desire to cope with or silence feelings linked with a stressful situation.

The following are some of the most typical explanations for this link:

Coping With The Pain

Trauma can cause unresolved pain. In many circumstances, someone who has experienced childhood trauma may never have had the opportunity to articulate their feelings or examine the consequences. Drugs and alcohol become a type of self-medication to alleviate pain when a healthy coping mechanism is absent. While it may bring brief respite, it frequently exacerbates symptoms and worsens the cumulative effects of trauma.

Trying to Forget Negative Memories

Trauma might bring up unwanted ideas and memories. Specific persons, places, scents, or items might sometimes bring up an unpleasant memory linked with an event. Because of their tendency to impair functionality, substances can be used to hush those thoughts. Thoughts become suppressed, and it is more difficult to focus while under the influence, allowing those terrible memories to slip away.

An Attempt to Maintain Control

Many people feel victimised and powerless as a result of traumatic experiences. In some ways, substance misuse might feel like a way to reclaim control. It can allow this person to fully express themselves and their own needs however they want.

Trying to Feel Better

Substance addiction can bring euphoria, which is … Read the rest

It is often the case that alcohol abuse and depression tend to be two conditions that can very frequently occur together, creating a cycle that can be very damaging in many ways if the problem is not addressed and treated in the right way.

Breaking that cycle may well mean getting help at a drug and alcohol rehab center and this sort of positive action in treating alcohol misuse and depression should help improve both conditions simultaneously.

Here is a look at how alcohol and depression regularly coexist and the issues that this scenario can cause.

Depression

The first thing to say about depression is that it is a very common problem that affects an estimated 300 million people worldwide according to the World Health Organization.

It is believed that alcohol can often be seen as a form of self-medication for some people who are experiencing a bout of depression. The initial impact of drinking alcohol is that it may seem to provide some brief respite against the depression, helping to make you feel less anxious and taking your mind away from your problems for a short period.

Of course, this is not actually treating the depression and even though individuals with health conditions will invariably seek out alcohol in the hope that it acts as a treatment the reality is somewhat different.

It is a bit of an ever-decreasing cycle as people who drink regularly have a greater tendency to be depressed. Drinking excessively can exarcebate the symptoms of depression and lead to even heavier drinking.

The end result is that alcohol misuse and depression can conspire together to put you in a situation where you eventually need to break the cycle with some professional help.

What is the root cause of alcohol misuse and depression?

One that is still pretty unclear, despite plenty of studies, is whether you can say which comes first, alcohol misuse or depression?

One of the reasons why studies are inconclusive is that because we are all individuals we all handle mental health and addictive tendencies in a slightly different way.

There are some pointers such as bening genetically predisposed to being vulnerable to depressive or alcohol problems.

It could also be that your personality and how you view life may influence whether you suffer from depression. We can’t all be happy every day and some might slide into depression more easily than … Read the rest