5 Vet-Approved Tips for Calming an Anxious Dog

5 Vet-Approved Tips for Calming an Anxious Dog

An estimated 72.5% of dogs show anxiety and anxiety-like behaviors.

This means that many of the behaviors most people attribute to being a “bad dog,” such as barking, hiding, climbing on people, and aggressive and destructive acts, are actually due to anxiety.

As a dog owner, dealing with an anxious dog can be an exhausting and frustrating experience. Many owners have sympathy for their dogs but aren’t sure how to help combat their anxiety.

Fortunately, there are several effective methods for calming an anxious dog. Using some of these vet-approved tips and tricks, you can help your pet feel better, which will result in a change in their behavior.

If you are a dog owner who wants to help calm your anxious dog, here are several ways to get started.

1. CBD

CBD oil is a natural way to calm anxiety and provide emotional relief for many people. Fortunately, CBD also works for calming your pets when they feel anxious.

You can purchase CBD for pets and follow the directions to help your pet feel safe and secure.

2. Background Noise

Putting on soothing background noise is a great method to reduce anxiety in dogs. Studies have shown there are a few genres of music that induce calm in kenneled dogs.

The next time your pet is feeling and acting anxious, put on reggae or soft rock to help them feel better.

3. Belly Rubs and Petting

A great tip for how to calm an anxious dog is to use physical contact in the form of petting and belly rubs. Physical contact is effective because an owner’s touch can instantly make a dog feel safe and secure.

The next time your dog is showing signs of anxiety, try soothing him with a lengthy petting session.

4. Calming Treats

Calming treats are an effective way to calm your dog and also make him happy.

Many calming treats use all-natural soothers, like melatonin, to calm your dog without using harmful chemicals. As a bonus, calming treats may reduce anxiety behaviors, such as excessive barking and chewing on items.

5. Conditioning

A great dog anxiety treatment is to condition your dog to the situations that cause them anxiety. For example, if your dog becomes anxious whenever they see their carrier, place treats inside the carrier even when you have nowhere to go. Eventually, the sight of the carrier will not cause anxiety, and you will have an easier time with transportation.

These Are the Best Tips for Calming an Anxious Dog

Calming an anxious dog doesn’t have to be a confusing or lengthy process.

Using CBD oil, calming treats, or aromatherapy is a great way to calm your dog naturally. Calming your dog can be as simple as using physical contact, putting on soothing background noise, or finding a way to distract him. In some cases, an anxious dog simply needs to be conditioned to the situations that cause him anxiety.

Whatever method you use, these tips can help you calm your anxious dog.

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What Is CBD Oil For? 5 Must-Know Benefits of Using CB

What Is CBD Oil For? 5 Must-Know Benefits of Using CBD

The cannabidiol (CBD) is gaining popularity with no indication of slowing down! In fact, the industry is expected to reach $20 billion by 2024. Despite CBD’s increasing popularity, however, there’s a lot that people don’t know about CBD.

What is CBD oil for and how can it benefit your mental and physical health?

Keep reading to find out! In this guide, we’ll review the five CBD oil benefits to consider before you start using CBD for the first time. Discover five reasons to use CBD today!

1. Relieve Your Pain

One of the pain reasons to use CBD oil is for its anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation is your body’s natural response to illness and injury.

Too much inflammation can cause:

• Obesity
• Cancer
• Asthma
• Heart disease
• Neurodegenerative disease
• Crohn’s disease
• Stiffness
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Sinusitis
• Type 2 diabetes

When asking “what is CBD oil for,” think about the pain you experience each day. For example, almost 65 million Americans report recent episodes of back pain. CBD could help relieve your pain by acting on your endocannabinoid system (ECS).

By acting on your body’s naturally produced endocannabinoids, cannabinoids like CBD can keep your body in a state of balance. As a result, CBD oil benefits the body by helping you avoid illness.

2. Treat Skin Problems

Your ECS is responsible for your skin health. Various environmental factors like humidity and smog can cause problems like acne. Meanwhile, inflammation can increase sebum production, which makes acne worse as well.

What is CBD oil for in regards to your skin? CBD can help reduce the inflammation that’s causing your acne. It might also exert sebostatic effects, which can keep sebocytes from creating excess sebum.

You can use this guide from Fabuleaf to learn more about CBD and the extraction process.

3. Get Some Sleep

Adults need seven to nine hours of sleep to function each day. Inadequate sleep can impact your ability to concentrate and cause memory issues. If you’re experiencing fatigue, it can also lead to accidents and injuries.

CBD oil benefits your ability to sleep, too. By regulating your circadian rhythms, CBD could help you relax and get the sleep you need.

4. Ease Your Anxiety

One of the most popular reasons to use CBD oil is its ability to ease stress and anxiety. CBD has helped ease anxiety symptoms for patients with a generalized social anxiety disorder. By taking CBD, you can increase your natural serotonin production.

Serotonin is your body’s feel-good neurotransmitter. By regulating serotonin production, you can improve your mood. Serotonin can ease anxiety and depression symptoms, too!

5. Protect Your Heart

CBD oil benefits your heart health, too.

In fact, CBD might lower your blood pressure. As a result, it could also reduce your risk of stroke, metabolic syndrome, and heart attacks. Protect your heart and improve your circulatory health with CBD.

So…What is CBD Oil For?

What is CBD oil for, exactly? By using CBD, you can improve your overall health and reduce your risk of illness. Enjoy these CBD oil benefits for yourself today.

Looking for more helpful guides? Explore the Features section of our blog for more health advice!

What to Expect on Your First Trip to a Shooting Range

Visiting a shooting range has several benefits. It provides excellent stress relief and teaches gun safety while allowing you to feel more comfortable using a gun. Whether you have experience shooting a firearm or none at all, there’s much to learn about shooting in a gun range.

Shooting at the range is much different than shooting in your backyard with your own range setup. In the range, you’re surrounded by other people, and you’ll have rules to follow. Everything is set in place to keep all visitors safe and provide them with an enjoyable experience.

As long as you know how to prepare for the range and what to expect, you’ll do great. Continue reading below to discover what to expect on your first trip to a gun shooting range.

Preparing for the Shooting Range

Before you even walk into the range, you need to prepare for the day ahead of you. You don’t want to get to the range only to turn around because you weren’t prepared.

Here’s what you need to do before leaving your home.

Browse the Range’s Website

Do you know what range you want to visit? There are indoor shooting ranges, outdoor shooting ranges, and ranges with their own rules. First, do your research and find a range with good reviews in the area.

Then, browse through their website and ensure you’re aware of all their rules. There are some general gun range rules that all ranges have in place, but there are also rules specific to each range.

Know what the rules are before you get there.

Bring an Experienced Friend

If you’ve never been to a gun range and don’t have much experience, you might feel more comfortable bringing a more experienced friend with you. If you know someone who regularly visits the gun range, this is the perfect person to recruit.

They’ll make you feel comfortable, and you can follow their lead. Even if you don’t know someone who goes to the range, try to find someone experienced in using guns, and check out these shooting tips.

Dress Appropriately

There’s no specific dress code for gun ranges, but there are some things you want to keep in mind. Although you can go to the range in a dress if you wanted, you’ll want to avoid wearing anything low cut or a loose shirt.

As you fire your gun, the brass will come back towards you. Although the quick touch of the brass won’t normally hurt, it will hurt if one gets caught inside your shirt, blouse, or tank top.

Arriving at the Shooting Range

Now that you’re fully prepared for your first visit to the range, it’s time to know what to expect upon arrival. If you know what the arrival process looks like, you can smoothly transition from the lobby into the range.

Carry Firearms Unloaded in Case

If you bring your firearm, then be sure it’s unloaded and in its case. You cannot walk into the range with a loaded gun in your hand. Have everything organized in your case or bag and prepare to have it checked.

Ammo Will Be Checked

When you bring your ammo, the range officer will check the ammo for safety purposes. The officer will need to ensure that the ammo is safe to use at the range. This is something that’ll be done each time you bring your ammo, but it only takes a few short seconds.

Firearms and Ammo Is Available to Rent

In the case that you can’t use your own, or if you don’t have your own to bring, there are firearms and ammo available to rent and use. If you’re not sure what you want to shoot or what ammo to use, then don’t hesitate to ask for help.

That’s what the range officer is there for. The officer will gladly help you with any questions you may have.

You’ll Need to Fill Out Paperwork 

Before you can enter the range, you’ll be asked to fill out some paperwork. The paperwork isn’t anything extensive and should only take a few moments to complete. You will need your ID.

You also have the option to purchase a membership with the range. This will save you from having to fill out new paperwork each time.

Eye and Ear Protection Are Provided

You’ll need proper eye and ear protection in the range as well. If you don’t have your own, the range will give you these to use free of charge. The only catch is that you must return them when done so they can be sanitized and given to the next person in need.

All safety gear must be worn at all times once in the range. You cannot enter without it.

All Safety and Other Rules Should Be Followed

Remember all of those safety rules you looked up online before leaving your house? Those come into play right now. You need to follow all safety rules and any other rules administered by the gun range.

Failure to follow these rules will result in you being asked to exit the range.

Clean-Up When You’re Done

Once you’ve gotten in a good shooting session, and you’re ready to go, don’t forget to clean up after yourself. There will be lots of brass around you depending on how many rounds you shot off.

The range should provide a small broom and dustpan for you to use to sweep up your brass before leaving.

Enjoy Your First Shooting Range Experience

You’re excited about your first shooting range experience, as you should be. Visiting the range is a fun and adrenaline-rushing experience. Don’t let fear, anxiety, or nervousness hold you back from making the most of it.

Remember the information in this guide above, and your first time at the range will be a great one!

For other topics on guns, ammo, hunting, action, and more, visit our page daily.

How to Start a Music Festival: 5 Pro Tips for the Best Music Festivals

How to Start a Music Festival: 5 Pro Tips for the Best Music Festivals

Music festival setup. It’s not something that everyone is an expert on, but it doesn’t have to be as hard as you might fear.

If you’re wondering how to start a music festival, you’re in the right place, as we’ve got five critical tips for you.

Sound good? If so, keep reading on!

1. Work Out Funding and Budget

It sounds obvious, but yes, you’ll need to know how much money you have to work with, and where it’s coming from. Consider sponsorships and grants if you’re struggling, and don’t live beyond your means. Sure, that world-famous band you’re thinking about might draw plenty of people to your event, but will you have any money left over for the rest of the festival?

At this stage, it’s also important to consider any permits and licenses you might need. Are you using public spaces or selling alcohol? Make sure you’re prepared.

2. Sort the Line-Up

It might sound like another one of the obvious tips for setting up a music festival, but you should definitely ensure that your line-up is suitable. How many bands do you want to include? How many can you accommodate?

Are you going for a mix of genres and eras or focusing on a particular style? You may want to showcase local talent and contact people in the regional music scene or look at more prominent names further afield. It’s up to you, but you must have a plan in place.

3. Look Beyond the Music

What else will you have at your festival? Of course, you’ll probably want vendors to provide food and drinks, and facilities like toilets and a first-aid tent, so you should make sure to sort everything needed to keep your attendees happy.

As well as music, you might consider other performers too. Poets, speakers, dancers, and magicians can all make a festival great, and you could put on other activities for people wanting a break from the music. If your festival is family-friendly, a children’s tent can often be a good idea, too.

4. Equipment and Production

Don’t forget about the technical side of things! It can often be useful to work with a festival management company when it comes to production. Lighting and sound are both important, and you’ll need stages for performers, too.

The attendees won’t see this side of the festival, as long as it runs smoothly. That’s why it’s so important to consider equipment and production. Security, too — you want everything to be secure.

5. Market Your Festival

Once everything’s ready, you need to spread the word! Utilize social media, local press, radio, and other media. Speak to the PR teams of the performers you’re featuring at the festival since you can co-ordinate promotion.

In short, you need to identify your target market and work out how you’re going to sell your event to them.

How to Start a Music Festival Today

It might not be easy, but it’s definitely achievable. Now that you know more about how to start a music festival, you can go ahead and get started! There’s no time like the present to give it a go, and there’s nothing stopping you.

In the meantime, if you’re looking for more info on your favorite media, you should definitely check out some of our other posts.

Why You Should Be Using CBD For Muscle Pain And Recovery

Each year, from 2010 to 2016, 2.7 million sports injuries landed people aged 5 to 24 in US emergency departments. Football, basketball, and cycling were the top activities that led to these ED visits.

In 2017, exercise, basketball, and cycling topped the list of all causes of sports injuries. These three alone led to almost 1.5 million injuries across all ages.

While many of these injuries aren’t severe, they can still cause serious pain. At the very least, these activities can result in DOMS, or “delayed onset muscle soreness”.

The good news is, it appears that CBD for muscle pain is quite effective. Moreover, several studies found that cannabidiol can help heal muscle injury.

The big question now is, what exactly is CBD, and how does it work in the first place? What kind of benefits can it bring that would make you want to add it to your exercise regimen?

This post will take a closer look at cannabidiol, so be sure to read on!

Cannabidiol 101

The cannabis plant boasts of at least 420 constituents. Of these, at least 60 of are phytocannabinoids. Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one such phytocannabinoid.

Phytocannabinoids are the most common sources of the cannabis plant’s therapeutic effects. In the case of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), these effects extend to being recreational.

CBD’s impact on the body, however, doesn’t include psychoactivity or intoxication. Researchers say that it can even reverse or counter the psychiatric effects of THC!

Why Do You Always Get Post-Workout Soreness?

In the case of DOMS, muscle pain or soreness often occurs between 24 and 72 hours after rigorous activity. It’s a regular occurrence, and thankfully, it’s also temporary. Depending on your constitution, however, the pain may last from five to seven days.

According to some studies, DOMS can be a result of microtrauma to the muscles. Microtrauma is a tiny tear in the muscles and the tissues around them. These tears can occur from the prolonged use of the muscles during rigorous exercise.

Regardless of their size, muscle microtrauma is a form of tissue injury. That’s why these tiny tears can still cause inflammation, which, in turn, can cause soreness or pain.

How Does CBD For Muscle Pain Work Then?

Many studies have long since shown that cannabidiol possesses anti-inflammatory properties. From arthritic to diabetic inflammation, CBD appears to help ease such symptoms.

Moreover, this cannabinoid has shown to help reduce various types of pain. That because CBD also boasts of analgesic effects. Meaning, it helps the body achieve analgesia, which is relief from pain.

These are some of the reasons why, in theory, CBD may help relieve the symptoms of muscle soreness. Research is ongoing, but some experts say that CBD fights pain by acting upon nerve pathways. It appears to interfere with how these pain-related pathways work.

There’s also a theory that links CBD with endocannabinoid deficiency. The reasoning behind this is that being deficient in certain endocannabinoids affects homeostasis. Without homeostasis, the body may become more prone to health problems and diseases.

In people who work out a lot, homeostatic imbalance may give rise to worse bouts of DOMS. It may even lead to other muscular maladies, such as tendinitis and spasms. As such, supplementing with CBD products may help bring back proper homeostasis.

Taking CBD Oil For Muscle Recovery

You can learn more about CBD products here, but in general, you can get CBD in oil form. CBD oil consists of CBD extracts mixed with a carrier oil to make it more bioavailable. Bioavailability refers to how well the body can absorb a particular substance.

There are several ways to take CBD oil for pain relief and inflammation, so we’ll give you a quick rundown of some of them.

Direct Consumption

You can take CBD oil or tinctures as-is through the mouth. However, the sublingual method appears to deliver the quickest pain relief results. With this, you simply place the oil (or tincture) under the tongue.

Topical Application

You can apply topical CBD products directly on the skin that covers your sore muscles. Aside from CBD oil, these topicals also include creams, lotions, and serums.

What’s great about CBD topicals is that you can also use them for massages. Massages, on their own, have shown to alleviate sore muscles. As such, the combination of CBD and massages may bring about increased pain relief.

As an Ingredient

In the world of CBD, the term “edibles” refer to food and beverages that contain CBD extracts. So long as the carrier oil used has a high smoke point, then you can cook or bake with CBD oil.

Do note that this method of administration requires more time for CBD to take effects. As such, it may be better to consume CBD edibles at a later part of your day. Doing so may also help your body recover faster while you sleep.

How About Dosing?

In scientific studies, CBD did not cause any adverse side effects in doses of 1,500 mg or below. However, it would be in your best interest to start at a lower range, especially if this is your first time using CBD.

You may want to start with 15 mg a day for the first couple of weeks. This will give your body time to acclimatize to the effects of the cannabinoid. You can then increase it in small increments until you notice a decrease in your muscle soreness.

In some cases, doctors also prescribe a specific CBD dosage to their patients. If your doctor has given you specific instructions, stick to them. This is especially true if you’re on any other medication.

Try CBD Now and See the Difference for Yourself

There you have it, your ultimate guide on why and how you should use CBD for muscle pain. Besides, CBD’s effects aren’t only for sore muscles — it has the potential to benefit the entire body. That should be enough reason for you to include it in your healthcare regimen.

Ready for more of the latest news in health, fitness, entertainment, and even tech? Then be sure to have our site saved on your bookmarks bar!

Sports in the Time of Corona: A Guide to Sports Betting for Dummies

Things have gotten crazy in 2020, and sports are no exception. The postponement of all the different sports’ leagues due to COVID-19, and then the reinstatement of those leagues led to some pent up sports betting demand.

But what to choose, and how is the betting different from before? Read on to discover the ultimate sports betting for dummies guide.

How Do I Bet on Sports? 

There are ten basic principles you need to follow while sports betting, no matter the sport. Though some sports might not have all of these components built into their betting structure, these tips will aid you on your sports betting journey no matter where you are on that journey. So what are you waiting for, get bettin’!

Favorites and Underdogs 

The first concept to consider while sports betting is whether to bet on a favorite or underdog. Oddsmakers release the betting line based on these two concepts: who’s more likely to win and who’s more likely to lose.

The favorite team has to cover the number of minus points attributed to them by the oddsmakers. For example, on a simple bet, San Antonio plays Boston, and the spread favors San Antonio by three points. If you bet on San Antonio, they have to win by three points or else you lose.

If there are no clear favorites, the game is a “pick ’em.”

Spreads 

We already briefly discussed the point spread, which is the margin of victory. If you bet on the favorite, the favorite has to win by the number of spread points to win the bet. If you bet on the losing team, they can’t lose by more than the spread points.

If the team wins or loses by the exact spread number, the bet is a push, and you get your stake back. Though spreads are available in all sports, they’re primarily used for football and basketball.

Money Lines 

If you don’t want to bet on spreads, you bet on money lines. Moneylines account solely for who wins the game. Favorites receive a minus number. This process is also referred to as sports handicapping.

This minus number is the minimum amount of money you have to bet to bet on the winning team. For example, San Francisco is the favorite, and the money line is -300. You have to put forth at least $300.

Underdogs receive a plus sign. For example, Houston is a +200 underdog. If you bet $100 on them and they win the game, you win the $200. If Houston loses, you only lose $100.

Money lines are usually for baseball, hockey, and soccer.

Over/Unders 

Over/under totals are the point totals for the game/match. You can bet on whether you think a game is going to have more points scored, or fewer points scored than the over/under the total.

For example, the over/under total for Boston vs. Cincinnati is 250. If you take the over option and the two teams only score 210 points, you lose.

Bet Numbers  

If you’re asking what the numbers are next to your bet, the answer is the added oddsmakers’ tax. People refer to this tax as the “juice,” “takeout,” or “vig.” The vig is the tax the bookie takes to place your bet.

For example, the Blackhawks are -3 (-130); this means to bet on Duke, you need to spend $130 to win $100.

The vig can also be positive. If you have a positive vig, you win the vig on top of your initial bet winnings.

Placing a Bet 

Placing a bet is easier than ever. For starters, legalized sports betting is spreading across America state by state. The internet also increases access to sports betting by plenty of online sports betting sites.

As America becomes more better-friendly, more and more states join the sports betting party. Some of the primary states that have legal sports betting are New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Nevada, and West Virginia.

Placing Smart Bets 

How much you bet depends entirely on your situation. No one can tell you how much you need to bet. That said, it’s not smart to spend your college tuition on the game you were sure about that wound up wiping out your savings.

It’s best to pace yourself with sports betting. Dabble before jumping in. The best way to do this is by adopting a flat-betting approach. A flat-betting approach is an approach to gambling where you place the same amount of money on every game.

By using a flat-betting approach, you protect yourself from losing massive amounts of money and set yourself up for a substantial rate of investment success.

Rotation Numbers 

You can find rotation numbers left of the team on a betting board. Rotation numbers are also called Vegas ID numbers and NSS numbers. These numbers are designators for each team.

For example, if you want to bet on the Chicago White Sox, and their number is #403, you have to tell the window you wish to place your money on #403.

Betting Lines Don’t Stay the Same 

Similar to the stock market, betting lines are always changing. Bookies change the odds depending on injury news, weather, and the action they’re receiving.

For example, to start the day, the Yankees are favored by three runs, but it comes out that Aaron Judge is sidelined with an injury. The Judge news could modify the betting line.

Take the Best Line 

Finding the best line depends on where you live and what sports booking resources you have at your disposal. You may even want to place flat-betting across multiple lines to protect your money.

Even half-point differences can make or break your betting experience, so it’s wise to search for the best deals.

Sports Betting for Dummies Should Be Easy and Fun 

Sports betting should never push you to the brink. It should be an enjoyable hobby that gives you some easy cash. Following this sports betting for dummies guide sets you up for sports betting success. So what are you waiting for?

But sports betting can’t be your only form of entertainment throughout this pandemic. Check out more of our blogs for your entertainment needs!

Land of the Free: How to Become a United States Citizen

More than a million immigrants immigrate to the US each year in search of a better life. Understandably, the United States is a rich and diverse country bursting with opportunity. Plus, the amicable citizenry and friendly environment make any immigrant feel right at home.

However, free the United States is, it has a very strict immigration policy. If getting a tourist visa is sometimes very stressful, you can imagine how getting permanent citizenship could be. If you’re wondering how to become a United States Citizen, then read on as we take you through the steps to becoming one.

Citizenship by Naturalization

Naturalization is the process through which a United States immigrant can become a permanent US citizen. So the only way you can become a US citizen as an immigrant is through naturalization.

Citizenship by naturalization has strict requirements, and you can only become a citizen if you’re a green card holder or are in or have served in the military. Green card holders are immigrants who have permission from the US government to work and live permanently in the United States.

Your eligibility for US citizenship by naturalization depends on a couple of factors, which are:

• If you currently hold a green card
• How long you’ve had your green card
• Whether you served in the military

Green Card Holders

If you have authority by the United States government to work and live permanently in the United States, then you qualify for citizenship by naturalization. You can group green card holders into two categories which are, ordinary green card holders and green card holders with special circumstances.

The former are ordinary immigrants with the authorization to live and work in the United States. The latter are individuals who got their green cards from special circumstances. They form a very small group but are still worth mentioning.

Ordinary green card holders can apply for US citizenship after completing five years in the US from when they received their green cards. Out of those five years, you must also have been in the United States physically for thirty months, which is about two and a half years.

These conditions also apply for green card holders with special circumstances. However, you first need to consult with the USCIS to know whether you qualify for citizenship.

Married to a US Citizen

An immigrant married to a US citizen can apply for citizenship five years after acquiring their green card. The spouse must be a United States Citizen for more than three years, and you must have physically been in the US for at least eighteen months.

Widow/Widower of an Ex-Military Serviceman/Woman

If you’re the spouse of a military serviceman/woman who lost their life while serving in the army, you can apply for US citizenship at any time. However, you need to prove that you were living with your spouse during the time of death. You also need to be a legitimate green card holder.

Military Service

An immigrant serving in any capacity in the military can become a US citizen by naturalization. Here’s how you can become a US citizen if you serve or served in the military.

Served in the Military Less Than a Year During Peacetime

Peacetime describes the period when a country isn’t at war. If you’ve served for less than a year during peacetime, you qualify for US citizenship.

However, you must be a legitimate green card holder for at least five years. Your time of service also counts in those five years. Out of those five years, you must also have physically been in the US for at least 30 months.

Served in the Military for Whatever Period During Wartime

You can apply for US citizenship if you’ve served during wartime regardless of whether you hold a green card or not.  The only condition is that you must have been physically present in the US or any of its territories when you were enlisted in the military.

If your spouse meets the above conditions, you can also qualify for citizenship regardless of whether you hold a green card or not.

Other Requirements for Naturalization

The above are the major conditions for citizenship by naturalization. Besides the above, to qualify for naturalization citizenship, you must:

• Be over the age of eighteen.
• Show a willingness to serve in the US military
• Demonstrate a willingness to defend the US constitution
• Pass a naturalization test
• Sufficiently be of good moral character
• Be or have been a resident of the state you plan to be a citizen in for at least three months
• Not have taken trips outside of the US for more than six months during the three or five year period as a green card holder

You can also become a US citizen through derivative naturalization. This means that you get citizenship when you’re born to “naturalized” parents, or when you get adopted by the same.

You Now Know How to Become a United States Citizen

Hopefully, you now know how to become a United States citizen. Make sure you give it some thought before finalizing your decision.

It may take a while before your application is processed for the USCIS to grant you full citizenship. However, if you meet all the eligibility requirements, then you have nothing to worry about. The United States is very welcoming to immigrants who want to become a US citizen through the correct procedures.

For more informative reads, be sure to check out the other pieces on the site.

Home Improvements: How Much Does Solar Add to Property Value

Did you know that 10.6 Gigawatts of solar power was added in 2018 alone in the USA? To put that in perspective, the average nuclear power plant produces 1 Gigawatt or enough to power 725,000 homes.

It’s a staggering statistic, but what you really want to know is: How much does solar add to property value? A lot of factors go into real estate pricing and adding solar to it is one more.

You’ve already had the labor, design, and paperwork finished and done. Pricing plans and a relationship with the utility is already underway. Why shouldn’t you sit back and reap the benefits of your success?

Well, nothing is cut and dry, but we’re here to give you the answers.

By the Numbers

The average US homeowner uses 914 kWh per month. But the price of solar can change per state, as well as power consumption. According to Zillow, there is no large city in the US that will lose property value when installing solar.

Every roof and house is different. Let’s say you’re installing 6 kWh of solar, and you’re in Washington state, for example.

At $2.69/W, you’re looking at an average of about $12,000 (after tax credits), depending on the solar panel installers you go with.

The national median price increase to real estate in a study in 2018 gave a number as high as $9,274. While this doesn’t cover the whole installation fee, it’s pretty substantial. 77% kind of substantial.

Some Things to Consider

There are just a few things to consider about Solar. For example: Do you get sun exposure? Do you have a pitched or flat roof? What’s the cost of electricity locally?

We’ll go over these and other questions about solar-paneled homes.

Roof Pitch

If you’re going to get a solar panel for home use, you might want to know if it’s an advantageous angle to your roof. Straight vertical or horizontal solar panels are not as efficient. Most roof angles are pretty good, though.

If you have a flat roof, you might have to consider freestanding solar panels. This is often what a commercial building contends with. Roofs are typically flat on warehouses and other industrial complexes.

Additionally, if you’re in an apartment, you might not even have a roof!

Geography: What’s your Angle?

Speaking of pitch and angle, what angle are you relative to the sun? Latitude plays a major role in power home solar and roofing solutions. In addition to the latitude issue is state pricing.

Florida and Washington state are at completely different ends of the country but offer the two cheapest installation rates. One is the sunshine state, and the other is known for gloomy, rainy weather (don’t let them fool you).

Meanwhile, Colorado in the middle of the country, with its bluebird days and high elevation, has one of the highest installation costs.

Local Electricity Pricing

Solar isn’t the only game in town. If you’re next to a nuclear power plant, the pricing might be quite low. Unless there is access to very low-cost fossil fuels, nuclear is still the cheapest per kWh output (and the least-lethal power generation source per kWh, historically).

Nothing says that you can’t still produce power and sell it back. You’ll still have near-standstill utility prices, except when you draw power at night. Having cheap electricity nearby is a bonus for the times you can’t send power to the grid.

Frequency of Power Outages

Speaking of sending power to the grid, if there are power outages you aren’t sending power out. If your area is unreliable, the system will still be producing energy for you, but not send it out.

Therefore, you aren’t offsetting your nighttime usage.

It’s not a huge deal as you can still work from home during the COVID-19 “new normal” of remote work, without fear of your Wi-Fi going out during a Zoom meeting.

Reliability is king.

Age of the Solar System

As with all things, age brings inefficiency (unfortunately). When you get older you’re not as good as you once were, you’re as good once as you ever were. The same is true of your solar cells.

What does it mean? Well, the first modern solar panel is still working, after 60 years. After 25 years, the expected efficiency is about 20% of the original.

This means that the older your system, the less you can get as a premium on your real estate sale (if they ask).

State Benefits

In addition to the federal tax credit system (ITC), at least 12 states offer incentives to their residents and homeowners, including Colorado. Because a place has a high installation rate, and the federal tax credits only go so far, state initiatives may bridge the gap.

In addition, there are other local initiatives that could sway you.

Buyer Perception

Of course, this is the largest contributor. If you get a green buyer, who loves solar and loves that you’ve already pushed for a green initiative, more power to you!

Perception is why we buy tons of furniture for open houses we would never sit on. Buyer perception is the highest contribution to a good offer for your home than anything else.

If the buyer doesn’t like the neighborhood, even a star property won’t sell for its potential price. It’s all perception.

So, How Much Does Solar Add to Property Value?

How much does solar add to property value? The short answer is $9,274—but it’s never that simple—and you know it, too. Working on averages alone would be a faulty decision-making process.

It depends on your state, your roof area and configuration, and a hundred other factors. Engineers are there to take care of the details and give an accurate estimate of cost and savings.

On the bright side, those savings are something you can pass along to homebuyers. With the premium of having the system already installed and the hard work already done.

If you liked this article, check out our other exciting stuff! We’ve got fun for the whole family if you read on.

7 Questions to Ask When Hiring an Attorney for Truck Accidents

If you have had the unfortunate luck of being in a truck accident, it can be hard to know how to go about choosing the right lawyer to represent you.

It may be a situation completely unfamiliar to you, and you might not know where to start. Meeting a lawyer for the first time could leave people feeling out of their depth or intimidated by the overall surroundings. This doesn’t need to be the case.

Don’t worry, this article has you covered. We will go through and explain the 7 best questions to ask when hiring an attorney for truck accidents.

Make sure you are asking those important questions and have all your bases covered. Don’t bury your head in the sand when choosing the best representation for you and your case.

1. What Is Your Experience and Knowledge With A Case Like Mine?

This is one of the most important questions to ask when thinking about having a truck accident attorney represent you.

Talk about their case and trial history and see if they have represented similar cases before. If they have, this is a good sign that you are in the right hands.

A truck accident attorney who has plenty of experience with cases that are similar to yours means they have plenty of experience in dealing with the parameters and outcomes of the case.

They can use their existing courtroom experience and previous trials to comfortably defend your position, knowing the types of action and lines of inquiry that need to be taken.

2. What is Your Success Rate When It Comes to Truck Accident Cases?

This is a follow on question from the initial question. Yes, they might have had plenty of experience with truck accident cases but did they have favorable outcomes for the client?

You want to be able to feel confident and secure in your choice of attorney. A lot of that reassurance will come from knowing their track record for these types of cases.

Having a decent success rate for an attorney is a great indicator of how your case could go.

Obviously, there are no guarantees when it comes to what happens in the law courts but it gives you a certain peace of mind knowing that you are in safe hands.

3. How Will Payment Be Handled?

This is a question that needs to be sorted appropriately and clearly so that everyone is on the same page from the get-go.

Will it be an hourly rate or a set fee? How many hours do they expect to spend on the case and the preparation time?

Do they have a projected amount of how much the total attorney bills will cost?

Or perhaps the attorney’s fees will be taken out or deducted from any settlement money you acquire from the case itself. Is that still the case if you don’t win?

These are the details that need to be agreed upon and ironed out before you agreed to any kind of binding agreement.

There isn’t necessarily a correct route for this type of decision, but you need to ensure that the options are discussed and everything is transparent.

4. Are There Other Options Than Going To Trial?

Court trials and proceedings can not only be expensive but also a drain on emotions and time. There might be other options such as a settlement or mediation that might be better for everyone concerned.

Ask your attorney their opinion on whether they think it is in your best interest to go to trial. It isn’t the only option as most people seem to think.

Your attorney could negotiate a great deal for you, without you ever having to step in a courtroom. This saves you not only the emotional stress and energy but allows you to get back to normal life quicker than going to trial.

5. How Long Do You Think The Process Will Take?

This is another key question to think about and ask your attorney when you first make arrangements.

If they have experience in cases similar to yours then they will be able to give you a rough idea of the length of time from start to completion.

Court cases can take a lot longer than anticipated so it is wise to have an indication of time scales and how long to expect everything to take.

6. How Would it be Best to Correspond?

Work out a regular way of contacting and updating your attorney on any changes or outcomes. Is this going to be a weekly phone call? Will you correspond over email? Or will you come into the office itself for a face-to-face meeting?

Deciding on the best method of communication and dialogue between you and your attorney can save valuable time along the way.

This is because everyone’s expectations about communication and passing along information are the same.

7. What Documentation Do You Need To See?

Documentation such as medical reports, witness statements, and pictures of any damage will be important documents that your attorney will need to consult and see.

Discuss and agree on all the documentation you will need to best support your case and ensure that you bring it along to one of your meetings.

You may also be able to email it over, if you cannot physically get into the office or do not wish to meet in person.

Attorney For Truck Accidents: Where Can I Find Out More?

We hope that these key 7 questions you should ask your attorney for truck accidents have given you all the information you need going forward with your case.

Being confident with your requirements and needs can help you find the best attorney to represent you.

If you want any further details, have a look for some truck accident attorneys in your area.

And if you like film reviews and Asian cinema, why not check out some of our features and blog posts?