Why prefer an All Wheel Drive (AWD)?
Why prefer an All Wheel Drive (AWD)?

Let’s get this straight. All-Wheel-Drives (AWD) are not for all.

The AWD is a design and function where all four wheels spin all the time which gives an added traction to the automobile. Unlike the 4WD where you can shift from a two wheel drive to a 4 wheel drive, the AWD vehicles operate on a permanent drive. AWD’s made their first appearance during the late 1930s when General Motors first introduced them. Today, the AWDs have decked up a lot of technological improvements ranging from advanced traction controls to electronic systems and bold vehicle design. They have earned a separate genre among automobiles making them a necessity in certain types of terrain and climate. However, for anyone thinking of buying one, there are a set of pros and cons to consider.

Traction
Upside: The extra traction is needed for an efficient drive over the rough and slippery terrain. The AWD is usually preferred in places of harsh winters and slippery terrain. During times of a sudden snowstorm, one can feel safer in getting back on an AWD.

Downside: Experts say that good traction help in moving over slippery surfaces and cutting corners but is not enough. A set of good snow tires and suspension are the fundamentals of the physics of optimum vehicle control.

Design
Upside: The AWDs design offers a huge space for at least 6 passengers and their luggage. Some of the AWD’s can carry up to 8 passengers and luggage efficiently. The vehicles are designed to drag weight across rough terrain ensuring safety to passengers. The modern all-wheel-drive design offers electronic stability control which gives more control to the vehicle.

Downside: Due to the heavy weight and complex engineering, the AWDs are not fuel efficient. The AWD gain more power by during more fuel than the two wheel drives.

Money
Upside: The AWDs have a good resale value than the two wheel drive cars. You cannot me promised of a 100% resale value but your car will easier to sell for a better price than a two wheel drive. People living in the northern climate do not have to think about resale.

Downside: The reason why the AWDs have a good resale value is due to their high cost of purchase. Many AWD manufacturers charge a premium between $1500 and $3000. The AWD are expensive to maintain as they have a more complex engineering.

The final verdict is that you need an all-wheel-drive if you are living in harsh winter storms and have to travel through slippery roads. But if you are in places with milder climates, the AWD might not be the right fit.

  • Five things you need to know about breast cancer

    Apart from confirming metastatic breast cancer signs, breast cancer is first recognized when there is a lump, a change in the breast or something abnormal is detected on a mammogram test. It is one of the most common types of cancer seen in women, after skin cancer. The cases of HER2 breast cancer are also on the rise.

    Listed below are five things you need to know about breast cancer.

    • It is not only a woman’s syndrome: Breast cancer is not only a woman’s but also a man’s disease as well. It is a quite rare case in men, but it is possible for a man to be diagnosed with it.
    • It may not start with a lump: The most common type of breast cancer develops as a tumor and creates a lump in the breasts. But sometimes it may happen that a lump doesn’t form in the breast.
    • Be aware, it can help to recognize the cancer: Monthly self-examination of the breasts is necessary to check for lumps, swelling, red skin, itchiness, change in nipple or pain. It is the best tool for self-assessing any symptoms of breast cancer.
    • Mammograms are not infallible, but they can be useful: Mammogram test is the only method to pick up the earliest signs of breast cancer that may be developing. It may sometimes give unclear results and might need a second round of checking.
    • Genetic changes not a common cause of breast cancer: If the family carries such genetics, it is necessary to talk to a doctor before considering anything. Genetics is not a necessary condition for this type of cancer.

    Break the misconceptions about breast cancer and remember the following:

    • There is no specific age when breast cancer might strike a person.
    • Gender does not protect a person from breast cancer.
    • It is not necessary that a person can’t get it because no one in the family members has it.
    • Eating healthy and exercising doesn’t protect one from breast cancer.

    In case any questions about breast cancer or if there is a risk of getting breast cancer, it is essential to a doctor.

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  • 4 easy tips for intensive home cleaning

    No matter how often you clean your home, there would still be dust and dirt accumulating in the oddest of places across the house. The corners of the windowsills, the edges of the wooden furniture, the dust bunnies under the bed and much more such areas that escape the everyday cleaning. So once in a while, deep cleaning or intensive home cleaning becomes a must. Not to forget how buying the required home cleaning products maybe a task itself.

    Intensive home cleaning is a tiresome process. Sometimes you would not have the time for it or an inclination, but you sure can’t give it a miss. Here are some easy tips to follow to get things running:

    • Buy excellent home sanitation products, as your workload and effort would minimize with the right cleaning solutions. An unsuitable product would mean you need to toil more to get things done. Therefore, it is only a smart move to invest in quality products.
    • Numerous companies and agencies offer services with their special home cleaning products. As this is a once-in-a-while indulgence, shelling out a few dollars may not be a bad idea.
    • Use the existing equipment and ingredients in your kitchen to reach to the darkest corners and clean it all. From an old toothbrush as a tool to using lemon juice as a bleach, you would be surprised at the DIY hacks that can help you clean your home while having fun all along.
    • Make it a fun event for the entire family to be part of and distribute cleaning responsibilities to all the members, with tools and home cleaning products. Every member of the family will clean up their assigned areas. This not only increases participation, but also reduces the workload to a great extent.

    These tips will not just cut out the effort for you, but also get things done in no time.

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  • The history of John Deere mowers

    It all began as a small project by a single person who owned a blacksmith shop and had a highly skilled blacksmith working for him. All it needed was a discarded steel saw and tons of determination. Today, the determination has paved the way to success, and the blacksmith shop has grown into one of the leading companies producing Agricultural (Farming) and Land Maintenance equipment in America. The blacksmith shop is now famously known as Deere and Company, and its owner and founder are John Deere himself.

    Deere and Company began in 1837, in Grand Detour, Illinois. Through the years, it has undergone several changes to improve itself and the services it offers. Its core principles include Integrity, Value, Commitment, and Innovation, which is reflected in all the products they manufacture and the service that they extend.

    Their journey began in 1837 and soon moved to Moline, Illinois (about 75 miles from Grand Detour) in 1848. Charles Deere, John’s only son, joined the business in 1853. By 1874, despite economic problems among farmers, the company had managed to sell about 50,000 plows. In 1876, the leaping deer trademark was registered. In the next 8 years, they expanded their product lines to include plows, wagons and buggies, and an innovating rotating plant mechanism.

    After John Deere’s death in 1886, his son Charles took over as the Chief Operating Officer. They have five key branches now, in Kansas City, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Council Bluffs/Omaha, and San Francisco. In 1899-1900 fiscal years, the companies aggregate business exceeded $2 million for the first time. The year 1907 saw the death of Charles Deere and the introduction of a new pension scheme for those employees who have put in more than 20 years of service and are over 65 years old. In 1931, a $1.2 million embezzlement of the company’s finances threatened its closure, but the company survived.

    In 1941, USA entered the Second World War, and limitation orders restricted the civilian production of farm equipment. The company briefly directed its farm equipment and machinery to the War Production Board but withdrew by 1944. The company continues to expand, and in 1966, sales surpassed $1 billion for the first time. In 1986, a 163-day strike severely affected production, the impact of which was felt across the country.

    The latter part of the 21st century did see a phenomenal increase in the need for such farm equipment. The companies sales in the year 2012 were declared as $36.2 billion with a net income of $3.1 billion, thereby setting a new record.

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  • Things you should know about electronic medical records

    While technology has pretty much touched all quarters of our lives, why should the field of medical science be left far behind? It comes as no surprise that in today’s day and age, one gets to see the use of technology for many medical functions starting from diagnosis of an ailment to the treatment of the same. Technology has also changed the way we store our medical records. We now have electronic medical records that can call up your complex medical charts at the touch of a button. So, what are these electronic medical records? Read on to know more!

    Record information
    An electronic medical record is a system commonly known as EMR. This system is a software that scans your documents and records the key information in various fields that may be customized as per the doctor, the hospital, the specialization or even the patient. Further, this kind of software can be used by individuals to maintain a database of the medical charts and papers for the entire family. The recording of information happens by data encryption before it is sent to a cloud based source where it is stored for further recall and use.

    Track health metrics
    With the help of the EMR software and system, the doctors and patients have a foolproof way of organizing medical records so that they may be used to track the progress and further treatment or diagnosis of the patient. With electronic medical records, the doctors can compare and find metrics which may be helpful in the diagnosis and treatment of other ailments as well. For example, if a patient is suffering from any allergies, this will be a key field in the diagnosis and treatment of some other complex condition, accordingly, the doctor may prescribe the correct medication and treatment method.

    Set a screening schedule
    The overall practice of health care goes through a sea change of improvement with the electronic medical records, as the screening schedules are set and the patient is reminded of the same on a timely basis.

    It would be helpful to get a medical record system like this for the whole family. You could also find out if your hospital or clinic already use one that you can also access.

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  • Factors to consider before purchasing a barbecue grill

    Before purchasing a barbecue grill, it’s important to check the proper construction and notice the assembled one from several points so that the sturdiness can be tested. Segments like the wheel, lid, firebox are important to watch for. Go for the stainless steel-made seamless pattern as they’re sturdy as compared to the painted steel ones, associated with nuts and bolts. Coaster, as well as wheels, make all four sides easy to operate. Those wheels with the full axle are quite advantageous than the bolted framed ones.

    Highly acclaimed brands provide top class appliances. Check the ratings by previous buyer’s reviews. Watch out for these aspects while going to make a decision.

    Safety: The construction ideas come along with safety concerns. And the grill stability is very much important due to its inhibition of tipping. Sharp edges must be avoided. Notice the handle as the lid shouldn’t be very close to your grip/finger.

    Purpose: If you are an avid cook and happy with preparing burgers, then basic grill is okay with you. But for juicy fish or steak delicacies with searing techniques, opt for the temperature-range ones for more versatility. Indirect cooking is a fantastic way for slow cooking mechanism and preparing a great range of food items.

    Burners: Burners are the most substituted component of a grill. A decade-long warranty of a burner can extend longer than those of the basic steel made ones. In case of infrared burners, high temperature (800°F) can be achieved in just 10 minutes. It’s good for searing and skewering food especially meat items.

    Additional accessories: Go for a grill or pizza oven, wok grilling basket apart from the basic cooktop and grills for expanding the cuisines and varieties.

    Different types of gas grills are available in the market, which are affordable and come with a wide range, starting from portable models which are inexpensive to the bigger barbecue grills which are costlier than the portable ones by $3000 approximately. To prevent burning a hole in your pocket, you may look for barbecue grills on sale.

    Type of barbecue grill: You may choose from the following grills depending on your usage.

    • Portable grills: For camping, patios or field parties, this type of grill is perfect. A movable apparatus comes around $170-$250.
    • Small grills: This type of grill can afford maximum 18 burgers at a time. This is non-portable although space-saving, good for small house parties. These are available in different styles, painted carts to stainless steel. The expense can be around $100-$2,000.
    • Midsize grills: The most popular out of the lot. Basic grills or souped-up versions with a lot of storage and LED lights as well as backlit knobs are seen.
      The expense is around $150-$2,500.
    • Large grills: 28 burgers are cooked in this type of grills. Highly professional grills are used for large cooking purposes, made of high-grade stainless steel along with seamless manufacturing, thicker grates, drawers, additional storage, and larger burners. The expense can be around $350-$3,200. To save a few bucks, you can look for BBQ grills on sale.
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  • Ways to treat chronic heart failure

    There is no cure for chronic heart failure. But it is definitely possible to treat the condition through several effective treatment options depending on a person’s medical history. But first, what is chronic heart failure?

    It is a common condition, where the symptoms of heart failure appear and worsen slowly over a period of time. Heart failure occurs when the heart muscles become weak and are unable to function properly. In chronic heart failure, this can come about gradually due to a number of risk factors such as high blood pressure, heart diseases, diabetes, obesity and smoking.

    Treatment of chronic heart failure

    As chronic heart failure is an ongoing condition, it requires lifelong treatment and management. There are several different treatment options for heart failure such as the use of medications, surgeries and lifestyle changes.

    Medications: 

    • Doctors may use one or more medicines to manage the symptoms of heart failure.
    • ACE inhibitors are a type of medicines to lower the blood pressure. With its use, symptoms reduce and patients can experience better health. These work by widening the blood vessels. This action lowers the blood pressure and eventually decreases the heart’s workload.
    • Beta blockers are drugs to slow the heart rate. With its use, patients can see improved heart function as a slower heart rate provides the organ with adequate rest to function well. Use of beta blockers can even improve heart health, thus, letting patients live a better life.
    • Diuretics aid in fluid loss in the form of urine can provide relief from some symptoms as it stops fluid to collect in the body.

    Surgeries:

    • Doctors may recommend surgery in some cases of chronic heart failure.
    • Coronary bypass surgery helps to unblock arteries that are hindering heart functions.
    • Repairing valves can be a necessary step in treating heart failure if a faulty valve is the cause of the condition. In cases where valve repair is not feasible, doctors may recommend replacing the damaged valve with a prosthetic one.
    • Pacemakers are electronic implants that aid the heart in functioning well.

    Lifestyle changes:

    • No treatment for heart failure is complete without changes in lifestyle.
    • Weight management is an integral part in the treatment of heart failure. Losing excess weight and maintaining normal weight is essential for healthy heart functions. It is also important to track the weight on a daily basis as sudden weight gain can be a sign of fluid retention due to poor heart health.
    • For a healthy heart, it is important to eat a diet low in sodium and saturated fats and high in fiber, fruits and vegetables.
    • Moderate physical exercises, adequate rest and a general positive attitude go a long way in managing stress and treating heart failure. For a healthy heart, it is also crucial to quit smoking and avoid alcohol. Fluid intake is also a must.
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  • Manage your debt obligations with these balance transfer credit cards

    Paying credit card interest on a huge amount of debt is the last thing you want to deal with at the end of the month. Although credit cards allow you to buy products and pay for services at a future date, the privilege does not come cheap. Often, it happens that you might get carried away and shop for more than what you can afford, ending up in a huge debt trap.

    The debt has to be paid back within a stipulated time with interest. Failure to do so will affect your credit score and rating that will further affect your ability to borrow funds. A balance transfer is the only option at such a stage. You can convert your debt from a high-interest credit card to one that has no or minimum interest allowing you both time and opportunity to pay off debts at a future date.

    Three key benefits of a balance transfer include a lower rate of interest, better credit terms, and efficient debt consolidation in the short term. However, you must also take into account the downside of a balance transfer as the temptation to consolidate debt time and time will spiral you into financial turmoil in future. A balance transfer is not always the cheapest option and you must keep an open mind to consider alternatives like borrowing from friends and family to pay off debt.

    The best balance transfer credit cards to consolidate debt are issued only if you have a high credit score and a favorable rating. Your current credit score reflects your ability to pay off debts on time with all interest and dues.

    If you are still keen on option for the best credit cards that transfer the balance of the debt, here are a few popular choices.

    Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
    One of the best credit cards that transfer the balance of debt for a favorable period of 21 months at 0% APR. You will also enjoy 0% interest on purchases for the first 12 months. A variable APR will be applicable thereafter that ranges from 14.74% and 24.74% depending on your creditworthiness. There is no annual fee for the credit card but you will have to pay 5% balance transfer fee for each transaction with a $5 minimum mandatory.

    Discover it®  Balance Transfer Credit Card
    An attractive 0% intro APR for a period of 18 months makes Discover it®one of the best credit cards that transfer the balance of debt to consolidate your finances. An ongoing variable APR will be applicable in the range of 13.74% and 24.74% on purchase and all debt. Discover It charges a meager 3% fee for every balance transfer and there are no annual fees for the credit card.

    Blue Cash Preferred® Card
    American Express comes to your rescue with the Blue Cash Preferred® Card, another option for a balance transfer. Note that in comparison to some of the best credit cards that transfer the balance of your debt for more than 18 months, Blue Cash gives you only 12 months. Blue Cash Preferred® Card entails a variable APR in the range of 14.74% and 25.74% after the introductory period is over. Moreover, a 3% balance transfer fee is applicable to the transaction with a minimum $5 mandatory. One of the major drawbacks of Blue Cash Preferred® Card is a hefty $95 annual fee.

    BankAmericard® Credit Card
    An affordable alternative as BankAmericard® has low upfront costs in comparison to some of the best credit cards that transfer the balance to consolidate your financials. The introductory 0% balance transfer is applicable only for the first 15 billing cycles thereafter which a variable APR in the range of 14.74% and 24.74% is applicable on the amount. The balance transfer fee on an individual transaction is 3% of the amount with a minimum $10 mandatory, whichever is greater. You don’t have to pay any annual fees for the credit card.

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  • Review Wayfair Furniture Through these 4 Websites

    Wayfair has some of the best furniture and home furnishing items in the country and is also one of the most trusted brands and websites to shop from. Thanks to the Internet, these days, you can easily check the reviews before placing an order for the furniture or home décor. Consumer reviews, ratings, and even complaints are a good way to understand the quality of the furniture as well as the after-sale service of the company. There are tons of websites where people review their products so that you can check before you finalize on a piece of furniture based on the Wayfair furniture reviews.

    Here are some of the best websites to look for Wayfair furniture reviews before you finalize on your purchase:

    Consumer Affairs
    Consumer Affairs is a very famous website for all consumer grievances, reviews, and ratings. You can check the photos of the products as well as the issues that the customers have with those items. On Consumer Affairs, people also rate the reviews as “helpful” once they have read it and applied the tips from that said review to their grievance. A lot of the positive reviews also get “helpful” rating as people read these reviews and then proceed to order from Wayfair once they know that the furniture is of superior quality and the customer service is top notch. If you are looking to add a review on this website, you can also add a tag of “Verified Buyer” and “Verified Reviewer” so that people who read your review know that you have actually bought the product and are not just bad mouthing a brand online.

    Trust Pilot
    Trust Pilot is another top-rated review website where people log in to discover new brands their reviews. You can easily log on to the website without being a registered user to check all the reviews and ratings online. To add a review, however, you need to be a registered user. You can also choose the option of “Verified Order” from the review options as well so that the customers know that you are a genuine buyer of the product. People can also share this review on their social media websites as well as rate them as “useful” once they have read your reviews before purchasing a product online. You can check not just the Wayfair furniture reviews but also reviews on various brands and products on this website.

    Site Jabber
    Site Jabber is another famous website for product reviews and business ratings. If you are a business owner, you can request reviews from your customer through this platform. If you are a regular consumer, then you can add your review on this website and rate everything about a certain business such as value, service, returns, quality, and shipping. You can rate these services by add stars; 1 star being the lowest and 5 stars being the highest. You can rate a review as “helpful” so that fellow reviewers and customers know that the review has been used by a certain person. For example, Wayfair furniture reviews have very good ratings on this website.

    Amazon
    Amazon is a great place to buy products and see the reviews simultaneously while you are making your purchase online. Amazon allows their customers to check the Wayfair furniture reviews and ratings on the website and check the authenticity of the seller before purchasing a product. Amazon also ensures that all the consumer grievances are taken care of and they have an excellent returns policy as well. Much like that of all review websites, on Amazon, you can rate a review as helpful or not helpful. This way, more people get to see the review for better decision making on the purchase of their Wayfair furniture. You can also add your review here by logging into your Amazon website account.

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