8 Cool Gift Ideas for College Students

With the holidays right around the corner, now is a great time to begin whittling down your shopping list. If you are shopping for a college student, the following gift ideas are sure to enhance their time at school and overall lifestyle.

1. Tablet

A tablet is a must-have item for college students. These devices can be used to study, take notes, take photographs, connect online, and even watch movies. There are a variety of tablets on the market today as well as state-of-the-art models that make perfect gifts for tech-savvy young adults.

2. Multi-Pocket Shower Tote

College kids who live in dorms frequently have to trek from their room to the showers with all their toiletries in tow. A multi-pocket shower tote filled with all kinds of odds and ends like bath gels and washcloths will makes for a practical gift for a college student. Add some flip-flops, toothpaste, and soap to create an ideal gift.

3. Security Kit

Security is important for college students, especially students that live off campus. There are kits available that include items such as door braces, window alarms, and even stun guns. All students should think carefully about personal safety and this type of gift can inspire them to enhance their home security.

4. Custom Pet Pillow

One of the toughest things about leaving home is leaving behind the family pet. You can gift a special reminder to your favorite college student when you gift them a personalized pet pillow designed with photo-image fabric featuring the family’s dog or cat. These pillows aren’t just decorative; they’re uber cozy too!

5. Noise-Cancelling Headphones

If your college student has roommates, there’s a good chance that noise will happen and invariably disrupt important study sessions. Studying and reading time can be enhanced by a pair of noise-canceling headphones. These headphones minimize background noise so your student can focus on their studies.

6. Single Serve Coffee Maker

A little caffeine will help your college student stay awake while cramming for exams. A single serve coffee maker makes an outstanding gift for college kids, especially students who have to wake up early for those 8 AM classes. Be sure to include a basket of single-serve coffee packets, too, so they’ll be fully stocked for the semester. Consider purchasing a model that also makes tea and hot chocolate.

7. Fully Loaded Wallet

It’s no secret that college students are often low on cash. With the high cost of tuition and book fees, there’s often not much left over for creature comforts for the dorm room or apartment. Consider gifting your favorite college student a new wallet that contains some cash and gift cards to local stores, fast food venues, and even some online shops. You can personalize the wallet by adding in some photos for fun.

8. Auto Tune Up

Does your college student drive a long distance to and from school? Do they commute daily? Do they pack the miles on their vehicle? Do you worry about them having reliable transportation while they are away? Treat your college student to a full service tune up and your local car dealership, like Browning Dodge, where you can find a lot of great deals just in time for the holidays to get your college student’s vehicle in tip top condition!

Enhance life for your college student with these popular gift ideas. Keep them in mind for birthdays and holidays when they’re sure to be a hit at any celebration.

Holiday

Quick and Easy Last Minute Holiday Gift Ideas

Anne Younger Leave a comment

It’s that time of year again: the holidays are in full force and you’ve again waited unti the last minute to do your Christmas shopping. While the holiday season can be full of fun, friends, food and joy – shopping for gifts can be less than pleasant, to say the least. From dealing with crowds and traffic to hunting down sales and rushing to get those last minute online orders in, things can get a bit stressful. On top of it all, there’s always that one person who’s hard to shop for. If you find yourself in a bind when it comes to timing or ideas, know that you’ve got a way out. There are some quick and easy gifts you can get together in order to save yourself from the horror of being empty-handed, or worse yet, giving a gift the recipient will hate.

One thing I told my husband I wanted for Christmas this year was to know that our future is protected by making sure we both finally have life insurance. After seeing family and friends go through so much loss this past year and not being prepared for it, we want to make sure our family will have everything needed should something happen. While our kids have whole life policies that their grandparents have gifted them, we have been looking into our options with whole versus term life insurance and have been getting quite a few reasonable term life insurance quotes. Hopefully we find just what we need to protect our family.

Let’s Start Simple

Okay, you’re completely stumped or out of time. What’s a hapless gift-giver to do? Let’s start with some of the simplest, tried-and-true gift ideas out there before moving along to some other options.

Get a plant. Houseplants are always an option, and you can go simple or elaborate depending on the personality of the person you’re buying for. Plus, even if they’re not good at keeping things alive, you still have options. Go with a succulent or something requiring minimal care, such as a cactus.
Bake cookies. If you’re good at baking, you’ve really got the upper hand. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who wouldn’t enjoy a platter full of delicious homemade cookies as a gift. Sure, this gift doesn’t cost a lot, but most people care more about the thought behind it.
Frame a photo or print. Printing a treasured photo and picking up a picture frame to place it in makes for a thoughtful and sentimental gift. Or, you might want to pick up a print or a poster of something your recipient enjoys – maybe a favorite artist, band or movie, for example.
Christmas tree ornament. If your recipient celebrates Christmas, you really can’t go wrong here. And with so many unique ornaments out there on the market, you’re sure to find something meaningful, humorous or even delightfully ironic.
Gift cards/certificates. Even though many recipients lose their gift cards before using them, you still can’t go wrong with this gift. Your recipient will be able to buy exactly what they want from a store they love. What’s not to like about that?

A Little More Specific

Can’t find something for someone with a niche interest? Try out some of these suggestions.

Know somebody who likes to work out? There are a ton of unique workout DVDs out there, which can make for a quick and easy gift. If you’re not familiar with workout jargon or equipment, then you might just want to opt for something that looks fun. Just make sure that you’re getting a workout DVD for someone who really enjoys working out, and not someone you personally think needs to workout. It probably goes without saying that the latter’s reaction to the gift probably won’t be ideal.
Friends with a gamer? Ask a mutual friend if there’s a new game they’re interested in. If it’s in your price range, pick it up for them. Or, you might want to go with something retro or nostalgic. A bit of searching will come up with a load of video game themed housewares and apparel, so there’s no way you’ll come up short on ideas.
Unique sense of humor? Well, that’s easy. Nowadays, it seems like millennials have their own brand of ironic humor. A quick search online at a site like Etsy will hook you up with a whole slew of quirky DIY items that will satisfy even the smallest niche taste. It seems that everything from memes to viral videos have some sort of reference to material goods.

Of course, the best way to find the best gift is to simply be prepared, though that can also be difficult. On a final note, making things yourself is always a unique and personalized gesture, and even if you’re not the craft sort, Pinterest is a great place to find some easy DIY crafts, many of which even have step-by-step instructions. If you have easy access to a craft store, you could have a quick and easy holiday project on your hands, whether you follow a guide or come up with your own ideas for gifts to create.

No matter what you wind up giving this holiday season, remember that it’s always the thought that counts – just be sure that you put some thought into your selection! As long as you have some confidence in your taste and put some effort into thinking outside the box, you’re sure to find some convenient and meaningful gifts for even the hardest people to shop for on your list.

Automotive

Save Big Money with Mopar Parts and Service at Palmer Dodge

Anne Younger Leave a comment

At Palmer Dodge, they know your time is important and so they have set up their facilities to provide quick, convenient service for changing your oil, checking your vehicle and getting you back on the road quickly and securely.

Offering everything from oil and filter changes, chassis lube, tire Rotation with brake inspection to tire wear and pressure check, battery test and replacement, air filter replacement and more, the service center at Palmer Dodge is your one stop shop for all of your automotive needs.

The Mopar Express Lane uses high quality, durable parts because Mopar original equipment parts are used on all Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, and Ram.

Palmer Dodge service center offers a variety of money saving opportunities on every day service appointments such as oil changes, tire rotations and brake inspections as well as discounts on Mopar service and accessories, brake services and much more. Always be sure to visit their service center online to check out the available coupons and offers they are featuring before scheduling your service appointment.

Finances

What to Expect from the Debt Consolidation Process

Anne Younger

Have you ever felt buried in all the statements — paper, electronic or both — you receive every month from your creditors? If so, you’re not alone; the average American with at least one credit card actually has closer to four cards. Do you feel like the payments you’re making each month are barely making a dent in your debt because interest just keeps growing? Debt consolidation is a strategy that aims to address these challenges by simplifying the repayment process and lowering the amount of interest you’ll pay over time.

Here’s a general overview of what to expect from the debt consolidation process.

Strategy #1: Debt Consolidation Loan

There are three primary ways to approach debt consolidation, each with its own set of pros and cons. Comparing these methods and choosing whichever will serve you best is the most effective strategy.

The first way people can consolidate their debts is with a personal loan. These are available through banks and credit unions as well as debt consolidation programs. The idea behind taking out a loan is that you may be able to secure a lower interest rate than you’re currently paying on high-interest debts like credit cards — and you’ll only have to make one monthly payment instead of multiple.

According to ValuePenguin, the average interest rates for consolidation loans vs. credit cards based upon credit scores are:

Excellent credit (720 – 850): 4.52 – 20.57 percent
Good credit (680 – 719): 6.67 – 28.33 percent
Average/Fair (640 – 679): 7.05 – 30.32 percent
Poor (300 – 639): 15.06 – 36 percent

As you can see, your credit rating plays a significant role in determining the terms of the consolidation loan for which you qualify. The interest rate will also depend on the size of the loan, the lender, your overall financial history and the length of the loan.

If you decide to go this route, you’ll pay off your high-interest debts immediately. You will then pay the consolidation loan in monthly installments.

Strategy #2: Credit Card Balance Transfers

The concept behind balance transfers is pretty straightforward: You move the balance from a high-interest card to one with little to no interest. You’ll pay a fee to do so, usually three to five percent of the original balance, but you’ll buy yourself a break from crushing interest rates — at least until the introductory period on the balance transfer card ends and the interest rates jump back up.

It’s important to use balance transfers responsibly, and only when you have a plan for aggressively paying down your balance during the grace period without interest. Otherwise you’ll end up paying a fee without really gaining any traction on your debts.

Strategy #3: Cash-Out Refinance

This third strategy applies to homeowners with equity only. It involves refinancing your mortgage and taking out the difference in cash, which you’ll then use to pay down your debts. This can help you avoid delinquency and reduce interest rates, as the interest on mortgages tends to be much lower than that charged against credit card balances and medical bills.

The downside is it’ll add years to your mortgage repayment and require expenses such as closing costs. There’s also some risk involved whenever your mortgage is involved because if you fall behind on payments, the lender could repossess or foreclose on your home.

Essentially, debt consolidation involves replacing multiple high-interest monthly debt payments with a single monthly payment at a lower rate. Whichever strategy you choose, it’s important to know the pros and cons before proceeding.

Health

Why Spinal Health Matters? Facts You Should Know

Anne Younger

Your spine is literally the core of your skeleton. It is the vital body part that keeps you standing erect and moving comfortably. Even a subtle injury to the spine can bring a host of problems that impact the quality of life. But spinal health is something that does not get attention until there is some major issue. What you really must know that spinal injuries are not just caused by accidents but can be attributed to a sedentary lifestyle and bad posture as well. So it is something that you can completely avoid if you have awareness. Before trying to understand the steps for managing your spinal health, you need to know why it matters so much in the first place. Let us share some key facts in this context.

Structural support

You may not really realize that something as simple as standing straight is a result of the complex structure of the bones and spine. The spine, in facts, offers the support that holds you up. It transfers the weight of the upper body to the pelvis, hips, and legs. It also provides support to the internal organs, muscles, and the rib cage and holds them all together.

Stability

Besides structural support, the spine also gives your body the stability it needs to work as a coordinated whole. You can imagine it as a highly articulated structure that is supported by strong postural muscles. The entire system makes you capable of being stable even while your limbs are moving actively. So if you are able to maintain your balance even while standing on one leg, you have to thank your spine for it.

Movement

While your spine plays a key role in ensuring stability, it also gets you moving. Unless you have a good spine function, you may experience issues related to locomotion. Moreover, the spine ensures coordination and control during movement, which keeps you safe from falls and injuries while you move.

Shock absorption

Another reason why you should give extra attention to your spinal health is that it helps your body with shock absorption. The natural curve of the spine allows you to walk and run without damaging your intervertebral discs. If your spine loses this natural curvature due to aging, injury or wrong posture, it will not be able to protect your entire skeletal system from external shocks.

Neurological integrity

Apart from ensuring good physical movement, the spine also ensures neurological integrity. The neurological signals that travel from the brain to the body traverse through the spinal cord. Effectively, it plays a vital role in your body’s ability to perceive the environment and react accordingly. The entire system is also responsible for regulating involuntary functions such as breathing, gut activity, bladder, and bowel.

Considering these vital functions of the spine, this is one body part that you cannot afford to ignore. As Dr. Chad Woolner from Align Meridian explains, the alignment of your spine is the number one pillar of function for your overall back health. Even a minor issue with it can lead to major physical and neurological problems. What’s more, it may affect your mobility, activity, and quality of life. Now that you understand the implications of the compromise of spinal function, you would obviously want to know how to keep it in great shape.

Lifestyle tips for a healthy spine

A majority of spinal issues are caused by poor posture and lack of activity. Therefore, making some lifestyle changes can actually be the best strategy to protect your spine health. Here are some key tips that you can follow for a healthy spine:

Staying active is perhaps the easiest way to live healthily and helps to strengthen your spine as well. Make exercise a routine and include some stretching exercises to your workout routine. Such exercises bring flexibility and fortify your spine to make it capable of countering injuries and pressure of daily activities.
Manage your weight because every extra pound you carry pressurizes your spine and lower back area. Keeping an eye on your diet and having an optimal exercise routine will be enough to limit your weight within the healthy range.
Watch the way you lift heavy objects because using the wrong technique can damage your spine. If you need to carry something too heavy, get help instead of doing it alone.
Make sure that you get a good night’s rest because it enables your spine to recuperate from the stress it faces all day. Sleeping on your side is recommended to prevent pressure on the spine. Use a supportive mattress and pillow that promotes proper alignment of the spine.
Surprisingly, staying hydrated has a far-reaching impact on your spine as it maintains the fluidity in the joints and elasticity in soft tissue. Both these factors ensure that the spinal discs stay in good health and proper shape.

Treatment options for spinal health issues

Even a minor problem with your spine can have major implications. The pain can be excruciating and you may even lose your mobility. While pain killers may provide temporary relief, you cannot rely on them as a long term treatment option. This is because prolonged use of pain killers has serious side effects and their efficacy may decrease over time. Another option is spinal surgery but it is too aggressive for the early stages. The best way to deal with spinal health issues is physical therapy, which is safe, holistic and effective.

See a physical therapist even if you experience a minor issue or injury with your spine. Don’t ignore symptoms such as pain and discomfort in the back area. Timely and proper treatment can make all the difference in restoring your spinal health before things take a turn for the worse. A therapist with the right expertise and experience can diagnose the exact issue and devise a personalized treatment plan to get your spinal health back on track. What’s even better about this treatment option is the fact that the results are lasting. Moreover, a therapist can help you restore overall wellness in addition to maintaining your spinal health.