A guide to truck rentals
A guide to truck rentals

Truck rentals can be used to move household items like furniture, accessories, clothes, and other items when you travel from one place to another. When you move houses, whether it is within a city or from one city to another, you need to move your belongings. A cost-effective way of doing this is to book rental trucks that you can drive yourself. The following is a guide to the things you need to keep in mind while getting a rental truck:

Selecting the truck type
There are different types of trucks that you can consider while using truck rentals for moving houses. You can decide the truck you want based on the size of your house and the items you need to move. The types of trucks include the following:

  • Large moving trucks: These are huge trucks that would be ideal for moving a large home that has more than three bedrooms. They have a load capacity between 5,000 and 10,000 pounds. You need to be careful while driving these as they are about 20 to 26 feet long.
  • Medium moving trucks: These trucks are 14 to 17 feet long and are good for moving houses with two or three bedrooms and have a load capacity of 3,000 to 6,000 pounds.
  • Small moving trucks: These 10 to 12 feet long trucks can hold a maximum weight load of around 3,500 pounds. They are suitable for shifting one-bedroom houses or a studio apartment.
  • Cargo vans: These are vans best-suited for shifting small houses or just a few rooms with very less furniture and belongings. They are preferred by students moving to college dorms.

Depending on the weight of your belongings and the type of home you have, you can select the type of rental truck most suitable.

Driving the rental truck
You can hire a professional agency to do your moving, but that can turn out to be an expensive option. Alternatively, you can opt for a rental truck and drive it yourself. Driving a truck is not very difficult if you give yourself time to get adjusted to it. There might be some apprehension for the initial few miles of driving, but it will be easy once you get the hang of it.

Anyone who is eighteen years or older can drive a truck as long as they have a valid license. If you are not up to it, you can find someone else, like a family member or friend, to drive it for you. You can even hire a driver, and this option is also cheaper than opting for a moving agency.

Make a plan
Before you book a rental truck, you need to make a plan for moving and decide the dates when the new home would be ready for you to move into. Before booking the truck, you also need to decide how many days you would need the truck for.

Work out the total distance and plan the route with the help of Google Maps. Remember that you can’t drive the truck very fast as you’re a new driver. Create an easy schedule and stick to it instead. If you are driving long distances, you need to decide where you will take breaks. You can look for parking lots where you can park the truck and rest for some time. Accordingly, add a buffer of five to ten percent to the overall time.

Once you plan the time, you can make a budget. Apart from rental fees, you need to pay for the fuel. You are unlikely to get a truck that gives you more than 10 miles per gallon. Decide on the budget for meals, motel (in case you want to stay in comfort), and snacks in advance.

Loading the truck
Once you make your plan, decide from where you would hire the truck. Always compare the prices of different truck rental services before making a choice. When the truck arrives, ensure that you have everything packed and ready. You can use padding, blankets, and other materials to protect your fragile belongings.

Keep equipment like a forklift and loading ramp ready to help you move your belongings. Try to disassemble furniture and other items, if possible, to make it easier to load the truck. While loading, keep the heaviest items at the back and on the sides, distributing the load evenly. Also, avoid stacking items high to prevent toppling. Ensure that fragile items are securely packed and kept to avoid damage.

Some tips to keep in mind

  • Ensure that your driving license, insurance, and rental agreement is with you when you drive.
  • Check the truck before taking driving to ensure that everything is right. Ensure that the mirrors are properly placed for driving.
  • Drive slowly and carefully, and carry out the moving as per the plan.
    Once you finish moving, clean the rental truck before handing it over.

  • 4 Tips to Treat Common Symptoms of Stomach Flu

    Gastroenteritis, popularly termed as stomach flu, is an inflammation of the stomach and the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in a ruthless mix of symptoms. The most common cause of stomach flu are viral infections; however, it can also be caused due to bacterial or parasitic infections and food-borne illnesses. The symptoms of stomach flu usually last up to 14 days. The condition is a highly contagious one that spreads through an oral-fecal route. The most common symptoms of stomach flu are as follows:

    • Diarrhea
    • Nausea
    • Vomiting
    • Cramping in the abdomen
    • Low-grade fever
    • Chills
    • Muscle aches

    Here are some tips to treat the symptoms of the stomach flu:

    Drink Lots of Fluids
    When affected by stomach flu, your body loses essential bodily fluids through vomiting, diarrhea, and sweating. Therefore, it is important to consume these fluids to regulate the body’s water levels and stay hydrated. The best fluids to consume when suffering from the symptoms of stomach flu are as follows:

    • Clear liquids such as water
    • Ginger and peppermint tea to relieve nausea
    • Energy drinks that assist in electrolyte replacement
    • OTC preparations

    Additionally, make sure to avoid highly caffeinated drinks such as coffee or black tea. These can muddle with your sleeping patterns and further upset your stomach.

    Follow the BRAT diet
    Most of the times, people with stomach flu do not feel like eating. But when they do, it’s best to start with a BRAT diet. BRAT is the acronym for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. These four foods are easy to digest and a rich source of carbohydrates. They will replenish the vital nutrients in your body and give you the needed energy to function.

    On the other hand, it is advisable to avoid dairy products, fibrous foods, and anything that is greasy or spicy as it will further complicate stomach distresses.

    Try Acupressure
    Acupressure is a great technique that helps in alleviating nausea and other symptoms of an upset stomach. You can locate the pressure point P-6 by measuring the width of three fingers, starting from the bottom of your hand palm. Massage the area with your thumb for 2-3 minutes to experience relief.

    Medicate with Caution
    Several people take to medicines for curing the symptoms of the stomach flu. However, it is important to note that stomach flu cannot always be cured with medications, and taking antibiotics will not help if the condition is caused due to a viral infection. Certain medications can be taken for stomach flu unless you suffer from a liver disease. They relive aches and fever and is less likely to upset your stomach. You can also take over-the-counter antidiarrheal medications to ease symptoms that are usually associated with stomach flu, such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.

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  • Reasons why metal detection is such a popular hobby

    Metal detection is a hugely popular hobby that has won the favor of numerous enthusiasts all around the world. You may wonder why metal detection is such an enthralling and exciting hobby that makes people go gaga over it. For a person who is consumed with the love for metal detection, answering what’s so exciting about it may be quite a task. Various people find different kinds of pleasures in it. Check out some of the reasons that make metal detection such a popular hobby.

    Love of history
    For some history buffs, the primary reason for embracing metal detection as a hobby may be the thrill of finding antiques and items that haven’t seen the light of the day for centuries. People interested in artifacts and archaeology may especially be inclined towards this activity. Many engage in it for their interest for ancient weapons that have sundry tales to tell.

    Love for collecting
    Collecting sundry items is a popular hobby among several people. Some people may be able to satiate their love for coin collecting through metal detectors. Metal detection gives people the liberty to collect age old colonial coins and new age wheat pennies!

    Keeps you active
    Believe it or not but metal detection is a great outdoor activity that keeps you alive and kicking. It is also a fantastic form of physical and mental exercise. Metal detecting keeps you going to new and far off sites and engages you in the most productive of ways.

    Financial gains
    One of the most common reasons why some people are glued on and motivated to metal detection is for some extra bucks. Some people may delve into sites with the hope of finding valuable jewelry, gold coins or nuggets and sell their finds to earn some serious money! This may not always be the case. For most hobbyists, their finds are more meaningful to them than a few dollars.

    Adrenaline rush
    Metal detection is quite an addictive and adventurous activity that gives hobbyists all the adrenaline rush a sport like mountain biking or rafting may provide. Hunting for antiques and bygone items in itself is an engaging and exciting pursuit. To top it up, finding and pulling out dirt laden rare and obscure artifacts is all the thrill you would ever want. What’s more, the activity gives you a reason to explore permitted public parks, beaches, woods and even your own private property!

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  • How To Find The Best Shampoo For Hair Loss

    If you are suffering from thin or thinning hair, you are perhaps in the search for the best hair loss shampoo and any other product which can stimulate hair regrowth.

    As there are so many products in the market which promise us for reducing hair loss and thickens our thinning hair, but the hair loss shampoo should be worth it, shouldn’t it? Some of the experts have identified the best hair loss shampoos.

    Reasons for hair loss
    The very first thing which you must know is the reason for hair loss and thinning hair. Experts have identified so many reasons for hair loss and thinning hair. The main reasons are thyroid, deficiency of iron, stress, poor diet, autoimmune problems, and genetic predisposition. These can cause an impact on the hair scalp and superiority, each contrarily and each with a separate solution, according to hairstylist Paul Edmonds. Thankfully, there are some hair loss shampoos on the market that concentrate on the growth phases of the hair cycle.

    There are many people suffering from a lessening of hair due to the inactive phase of the hair which is called the telogen phase and products are deliberated to kick jerk this phase back towards the anagen phase. So in this way, the hair loss shampoos have been designed to do this work actually.

    Choice for a better product
    The very important thing is to adjust your prospects when the matter comes to hair loss shampoos. There is no product for hair growth which can instantly do a miracle. The main thing that hair loss shampoos do is, they tend to concentrate on hair retention and conditions of hair and scalp rather than regrowth of hair.

    A Consultant Trichologist named Sally-Ann Tarver at The Cotswold Trichology Centre & Theradome has explained the causes. There is a prosperity of these shampoos on the tables but regrettably, hair loss shampoos do not help in promoting hair growth, whatever elements they may contain. The shampoos have less contact time for any ingredient which is active to infiltrate to the hair cavity and remain there for a long time to have a therapeutic advantage.

    However, we cannot say that these shampoos do not have any benefits and are explicitly designed to reduce hair loss or thickening of hair and for keeping hair healthy. Many stylists have spoken to trust on thickening products to enhance the texture of their clients with thinning hair.

    Expert’s recommendation
    Kerastase Bain Stimulate has been considered as the best hair loss shampoo as it washes the scalp to generate an environment which is best suited for strong hair growth and calms the scalp to sack tenderness caused by hair loss. It is must to know if you are worried about hair loss.

    Nicola Clarke, Creative Colour Director has also raised a significant point on the topic. According to him, the very important thing to know is what is not in your shampoo. We should avoid the shampoos with ingredients which are extra for conditioning assistance or to make the formula look shimmery.

    Most people do not realize that these elements leave a film on the hair which can dull it. But more prominently, it can assist in clogging the follicles, which can inhibit with new hair growth. So the necessary thing is to choose a hair loss shampoo which leaves no deposit if you really want to avoid hair loss.

    A shampoo must in a very good manner be able to clean hair. Some experts applaud Color Wow Color Security Shampoo because of its unique feature as a sulfate-free shampoo which helps in cleaning your hair without leaving anything behind.

    So if you are experiencing hair loss, it is important to talk to the doctor. Thyroid and lack of iron are the most common diseases which can be treated and your hair loss problem can be resolved.

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  • 6 popular portable DVD players for a great movie experience

    Portable DVD players are the best for travelers who wish to watch movies and have some entertainment on the go. Here are few portable DVD players for those movie lovers.

    SYLVANIA SDVD1332
    SYLVANIA is an excellent portable DVD player that great for watch movies and other DVD contents. It has a wide 7-inch screen that rotates up to 180 degrees. Sylvania SDVD1332 is a versatile player that has wonderful applications that play any format of movies and music CDs, DVD and MP3. It houses SD, USB card reader and a lithium polymer rechargeable battery, which is the best.

    Naviskauto 12.5-Inch
    Naviskauto 12.5inch media player weighs 4.3 pounds and plays both DVD and CD discs. It is a best portable DVD player to watch movies during road trips. It has an amazing screen resolution of 1366×768 that delivers a decent quality picture. Additionally, it had great speakers for an enjoyable experience and swivels 270 degrees, powerful battery that runs up to five hours with a single recharge and a USB/SD/MMC card reader slots.

    Sony DVP-FX980
    Sony DVP-FX980 has a 9-inch screen with full HD display. It player makes use of the rechargeable battery and a USB port for convenient usage. This portable player can retain the battery up to 4 hours. It also has a headphone slot that lets you listen without any disturbances. The interesting part is that is has a built-in application for subtitles. It is one quality portable DVD player that goes at an affordable price.

    DBPOWER® 10.5-Inch
    DBPOWER® is one of the best on the go DVD player with a 10.5-inch screen. It is compatible with almost all type of video formats and delivers an excellent visual experience without any jamming in-between. Therefore, you will never run into a situation of not being able to watch your favorite movies in a different format. In addition, it has an SD card reader, a USB port, car charger and has a battery life of three hours.

    PyleHome
    PyleHome Swivel looks pretty much like a traditional laptop with its 15-inch screen size. It may be one of the few portable DVD players with a large screen that swivels 270 degrees for comfortable viewing angles. It features a USB port, SD for audio and video playback, and a top-loading display.

    SYLVANIA SDVD1048
    It is a 10-inch portable DVD player with a full Swivel screen. The players have got an SD card reader, USB slot and come with a carrying bag and car mounting kit to easily attach it to your seat. It has an excellent battery life of 5 hours and plays almost all formats. Like any other device, it also swivels, and the package includes headphones and a remote controller.

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  • Why you should invest invest in fixed income

    Fixed income is sometimes considered boring, but they’re a lot safer than other options. Even though these attributes can be unattractive when it comes to the equity bull market, experts believe otherwise. Debt markets in the country have emerged from the foundation in leading banks. According to financial experts, the longevity of fixed income through dozens of economic cycles testifies to their credibility. The government has never defaulted when it comes to paying off debts.

    There are some reasons behind the popularity of fixed income funds.

    Stability In Regular Income: The most convincing reason why rising numbers of investors consider fixed income investment is due to its ability to produce income. Government bonds also offer stability since they scarcely default on payments. But there’s a slight chance of big companies to default on their interest payments. Even if the situation turns against you, you can rest assured that you’ll be compensated.

    A Broad Range Of Diversity: Fixed income investments offer incredible counterbalance to available equities in multi-asset portfolios. As an investor, you can reduce the risk of investment in your portfolio by opting for fixed income investments, since there’s little correlation between two types of assets over a long period of time.

    Lowered Volatility: If you track the evolution of fixed income investments, you’ll find that they’re relatively safer compared to equity. Thus, it can be considered that you won’t incur losses on your actual investments. Also, note that regular fluctuations in the prices of bonds are lower compared to that of equity markets.

    A Wide Array Of Bond Choices: Fixed income investment is a class of broad assets made from a wide range of options. You can choose from high-yield, investment grade corporates, emerging-market debt, inflation-oriented bonds, municipal bonds and others. Different factors cast their impacts on every single bond type. This allows it to become diverse within fixed income investment as a whole.

    A Steady Flow Of Income: Besides the advantage of capital appreciation, fixed income investments offer security by ensuring a steady flow of revenue generated from the balance of the portfolio. The bonds, along with preferred stocks, can fetch you steady dividends along with interest payments. In turn, this creates consistent cash flow for investors. The rate of fixed income and dividend rates would be set when you invest the money. This payment is guaranteed as long as the issuing body doesn’t default. The feature of the fixed income securities is the primary reason why fixed income securities have attracted investors nearing retirement.

    These reasons are bound to propel you into investing in fixed income without looking for riskier investment options.

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  • 3 healthy habits that help to control diabetes

    Diabetes is a serious disease that lasts for life. If not managed properly, it can cause severe health complications. Though the medications help you in managing the condition, it does not cure the disease completely. Diabetes medications do not fix the cause of the ailment itself.

    Thus, medications are not the only solution to manage diabetes. Although medications are necessary, they need to be complemented with certain other healthy habits.

    Lifestyle changes
    The disease can still be controlled to a certain extent with proper lifestyle changes and can be the best diabetes treatment for some individuals. An individual with diabetes who has managed the condition by way of losing weight, work-life balance and other positive changes may be able to reduce the dosages of their medications, or even try discontinuing the medicine for some time. However, this process should always be done under the supervision of your doctor.

    Medicines matter
    Many medications help you control the blood glucose level and also reduce weight, and thus keep diabetes in check.  If your doctor decides to give you a trial run, initially he will keep a close watch on you with either no medicines or a lower dosage. If you’re only on a single drug, it will not be very difficult to stop the trial run and start on a newer medicine. And if you’re regular with exercise and eat a proper diet, preventing or lowering your doses will be easier.

    Never stop entirely
    Diabetes can be a progressive disease and has no cure. Notwithstanding healthy eating and living, you might have to go back on medicine at one point of time or other.

    For people who are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, even the best diabetes medications can only work if the diet is right and other lifestyle changes are made. If one does not have any weight issues, it is easier to combat the illness and decrease the reliance on diabetes medications. According to research, it is observed that this remedy was a possible cure even when the people under observance weren’t taking insulin.

    Lifestyle modifications are important, but so are diabetes medications and together they can make a huge long-term difference.

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  • A beginner’s guide to American Football

    Like the European football, American football has two 11 member teams, and that’s what is only similar between both the games. The gameplay technique parts its way from the European football. A team that has the possession of the football is called as offense. This team tries to take the ball down the field by running with the ball or throwing it. A goal is considered scored when the player crosses the line of the goal and gets into the area called end zone.

    The opposite team (which also has 11 players) is called the defense. Being the defending team, it tries to stop the opponent team from scoring a goal by trying to make it give up the possession of the ball. If the opponent team (that is running with the ball) gives up the possession and the defending team scores, then in the next round offensive and defensive teams switch roles. This happens back and forth, until four quarters of the game have been played.

    Game time
    The game is divided into four quarters, with each quarter being 15 minutes long. The half-time (which is end of 2 quarters) is separated by a 12-minute break. There are also 2 minute breaks at the end of first and third quarters. The second half starts with a kickoff in the same way the game had begun in the first quarter. At the end of first and third quarter, the team with the ball retains possession and advances into the following quarter.
    The clock stops when the player goes out of bounds, and when a penalty is called. The clock starts again when the ball is re-spotted by the official.
    The team gets penalized if they are unable to snap off the ball for the start of the next play. Each team when playing offensive has 40 seconds for doing so.
    If the game is tied at the end of the fourth quarter, a 15-minute over-time period is played, this is called as sudden death. Sudden death is where the first team to score wins. The possession of the ball is determined by a coin toss

    Field size
    The field spans to 100 yards in length and 53 yards in width. There are little white markings on the field, they are called as yard markers that help the players and officials and spectators alike to keep the track of the ball. The important part of the field is called as the end zone. It is an additional 10 yards (at each ends of the field). When the team with the possession of the ball enters this end zone and does a touchdown, they score points.

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  • The best vitamin supplements to maintain a healthy immune system

    The key to living a healthy lifestyle is by getting the right nourishment through a well-balanced diet. The immune system is one of the driving factors that keep the health of the body well-regulated and thus, it requires nutrition that comprises the right vitamin balance. However, today most people live a fast-paced lifestyle, and this leads to most people not getting enough vitamins through their meals. This is where vitamin supplements come in as a great alternative that can make up for the lack of vitamins being acquired by the body.  The best vitamin supplements are also employed for individuals who suffer from health complications or lack of an appetite. Moreover, there are people who do not consume all food groups and supplements serve as the best alternative. Vitamin supplements are available in the form of capsules, powders, liquids and even chewable. Moreover, unlike medication, most vitamin supplements can be consumed at any time of the day.

    Vitamin supplements can be a great way to support the immune system and here are some of the types that one can consume through their daily routine. Here is a collated list of the best vitamin supplements to get.

    TwinLab Daily One Caps with Iron
    The TwinLab Daily One Caps with Iron is a multivitamin and mineral supplement. The product comes with a good load iron too that is beneficial for people who not get their share of iron. It encompasses a total of nineteen vitamins that are essential for the healthy growth of the body and be taken once every day. The tablets also pack a great amount of folic acid and aid in achieving better health of the eyes and the heart. The supplement is also available in a formula that does not contain iron.

    CBH Super Multivitamin for Men and Women
    The CBH Super Multivitamin for men and women comprises of a total of 23 vital vitamins and minerals. The supplement contains a major portion of antioxidant Vitamin C that is a great essential to boost the immune system of the body. What makes this one of the best supplements is its admirable combination of minerals and vitamins that aid in the good health of the bones and arteries. It also maintains and regulates the function of the heart. The multivitamin for men and women is commonly prescribed to people with irregular blood pressure conditions.

    Life Extension Two-Per-Day Multivitamin
    The Life Extension Two-Per-Day Multivitamin capsules are packed with the right number of vitamins, mineral, and nutrition that the body requires. The formula comprises ingredients that regulate high blood sugar levels, support bone health and maintain youthful metabolism. Most importantly, the addition of Vitamin C supports the health of the immune system, while protecting one against the oxidative stress. A great bargain on dietary supplements, the capsules must be taken twice every day.

    Life Extension Two-Per-Day Multivitamin capsules consist of a number of vitamins and minerals and nutrients such as marigold extract, lycopene, and alpha lipoic acid. It is recommended to take two capsules every day. It is also one of the most affordable dietary supplements,

    Garden of Life Vitamin Code® Perfect Weight Multivitamin
    Vitamin Code® Perfect Weight Multivitamin is a product from Garden of Life and is formulated to aid in maintaining the right body weight. The supplements boost the metabolism and regulate the immune system. It also contains herbal ingredients that aid in relieving and managing stress. The probiotics and enzymes in the supplement further work towards strengthening the gut and immune system.

    It is important to note that even the best vitamin supplements come with a set of side effects. In some cases, the body may not react too well with the given supplements. Also, the product is monitored as a subcategory of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This means that they are not regulated before they hit the shelves. Thus, it is always recommended to read the labels carefully and consult a physician before consuming any type of vitamin supplement. The doctor will be able to administer the right set of vitamins that the body needs while tracking any reactions to the same.

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