This client needed 350-400 words explaining the difference between short term health insurance and Obamacare plans. The call to action at the end was to read further about short term plans offered by the client.

Is Short Term Health Insurance Right for You?

Are you among the millions of Americans shocked and concerned about the rising cost of health insurance under the Affordable Care Act?

If so, there may be an alternative that’s right for YOU.

What is Short Term Health Insurance?

Short term health insurance provides minimal, non-comprehensive, catastrophic health coverage at a reduced cost. It is purchased for a given set term, usually less than three years, and typically must be renewed. Until recently, people who purchased short term health insurance were fined under the mandate provision of the Affordable Care Act, but due to changes in the law, this is no longer the case.

How is Short Term Health Insurance Different from Obamacare?

• Obamacare provides you coverage in all 10 of the government mandated “essential health care benefits.” These include mental health care, maternity care, preventive care, and others. Short term health insurance provides more limited coverage tailored to your individual needs.
• You pay lower premiums for short term health plans than for the typical Obamacare “bronze plans.”
• You must apply for Obamacare during the end-of-year open enrollment period and wait a few weeks to receive coverage. You can apply at any time for a short-term health plan and get next day coverage.
• Obamacare often restricts your choice of doctor or hospital. Short term health plans have more extensive networks providing you a broader selection of doctors and hospitals.
• Obamacare plans may not legally deny you coverage based on prior conditions. Short term health plans may still do so.

You Will Benefit from Short Term Health Insurance if:

• Obamacare plans are too expensive for you.
• You missed open enrollment or are in between jobs.
• You are retired living on a fixed income and too young for Medicare.
• Your favorite doctor or hospital does not accept an Obamacare plan.

Stick with Obamacare if:

• You have a pre-existing condition.
• You have broad or complex medical needs that require the more comprehensive coverage provided by Obamacare.
• You simply prefer the security of full-spectrum coverage.

Now that short term health insurance is no longer subject to penalties under the Affordable Care Act, it is an increasingly popular option for many Americans, especially those who feel that they are in good health.

If you think short term health insurance may be right for you, go HERE for more information.

This was written for a client who required a 200 word tutorial on tips on finding the best internet service provider

Finding the right internet service provider might seem scary, but if you know the basics, it’s actually simple. Here’s what you need to know:

Types of Systems

There are four basic types of internet service providers.

• DSL--phone based, usually cheaper but slower
• Cable--offered by cable TV companies, faster than DSL, but speed varies during peak hours
• Satellite--slow, typically a last option, mainly for rural users
• Fiber Optic--fast and inexpensive, usually a first option, but with limited availability

Speed

Buy enough speed for your needs, but don’t overpay. 5.0 Megabits per second (Mbps) is enough to stream one HD quality video. The more devices in your home, the more Mbps required.  To find out how much speed you need go here.

Latency

Internet function depends on speed AND latency. Latency is the delay to send information from one point to another. Gamers should avoid high latency systems, mainly satellite.

Plans

To find providers in your area go here. A few tips:

• Look for bundling options.
• Local providers often give better service.
• Ask if the price quoted is a low-ball introductory offer.
• If switching services, calculate early termination fees.

https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/utilities/how-to-decide-what-internet-speed-you-need/

https://www.highspeedinternet.com/resources/choosing-an-internet-service-provider

https://www.thesimpledollar.com/internet-service-providers/

This was written for a client that needed a 200 word guide for tips on upgrading AC.

Let’s face it, in many parts of the United States you can barely live without air conditioning. However, systems wear out, and new systems can cost between $6000- $12,000. Should you repair or replace?

Here are the tell-tale signs you need a new HVAC system.

1. According to the Energy Department, if your unit is 10-15 years old, replace it. Older technologies are up to 40% less efficient.
2. Your existing unit runs too long, is not producing cold air, and your energy bills keep rising.
3. Your system is unusually noisy.
4. You have poor air quality; humidity, allergens, mold.

So, if you’re wasting money on repairs preserving an old, inefficient system, it may be cheaper to buy a new one.

What to look for in a new system

1. Choose a modern system (R-410A) from a reputable company.
2. Make sure the unit is the right size.
3. Choose a system with a high SEER (efficiency) rating, 13 or above.

Ask friends, or check social media, to find a certified, reputable, technician. He or she will ensure that you get the system that is right for your home.

https://www.centralhtg.com/blog/central-heating-and-cooling?hsCtaTracking=489892d9-a5aa-4adf-a895-3ceadc3071f2%7Cbde680ee-47d2-4ab7-900f-ed96f21c8d97

https://happyhiller.com/blog/signs-that-you-need-a-new-hvac-system/

https://www.thecoolingco.com/blog/10-signs-that-you-need-a-new-hvac-system

This was written for a karaoke publication.

Top Ten Tips for Becoming that Rockin Karaoke DJ You Love to Sing for.

So, you’ve been sitting in the audience for years, waiting patiently hour after hour, night after night, just to get YOUR chance to shine. How fulfilling to sing what’s in your heart, and to feel the appreciation of your friends and music lovers who are touched by your voice. But sometimes you think, why can’t I be the one on the OTHER side of the stage and get paid for doing what I love?

Here are the Top Ten Tips for what every karaoke DJ needs to be successful

1. Sincerely care. Be yourself. You don’t need to pretend to be a rock star or a comedian. But if the people in the audience know you care about them, and are sincerely their friend, and love music as much as they do, they will keep coming back to your shows. Even if you don’t have super charisma. A karaoke show is more than just a venue to sing, it is a place where friends with a special bond come to share their friendship. Your creating that atmosphere of love and care is where it begins. If you’re just there for the money, you probably won’t last.
2. Keep the singers in order. This is harder than it sounds. It is easy 99% of the time, but when you’re doing everything else you need to do it is also easy to make a mistake. And if you skip just one singer, they will almost always think it is because you don’t like them, spreading bad vibes all around. This just takes constant mindfulness, like operating a chainsaw. You know what one mistake with a chainsaw can do. Hurting the feelings of one of your friends because you skipped them by accident can feel almost as bad.
3. Mix the sound properly. This is a skill you never stop perfecting. Every song file has a different volume and sound mix, and every singer sings at their own volume, so you can’t set the sound one time, and then just queue the music and forget it. You need to adjust all of the following every time: music volume, singer volume to match, singer reverb, bass and treble of music, and sometimes of the singer too. Every room has different acoustics and needs a different mix as well. Your good singers care intensely about this and they are the backbone of your show. Practice running karaoke shows at parties or with friends before you try your first commercial gig.
4. Have quality equipment. If your equipment’s bad, you can’t make your singers sound good. And If the equipment is really cheap, there’s usually a reason why. Research before you buy and start with quality. You don’t need the most expensive set-up, but don’t go for the cheapest either. I believe speakers are the most critical component and typically you should use speakers with 15” woofers for full sound. I like subwoofer systems, but for the beginner, they complicate your sound mixing challenge.
5. Entertain. Show enthusiasm, act like you are enjoying yourself more than anyone else in the place. Find a unique way to praise each singer. Make each singer know that their song is special. Don’t just monotonously repeat “good job,” or “give it up” after every tune.
6. Keep the line moving. While being entertaining, don’t waste the time of the singers. Make them aware when they are next so that when their turns come, they are ready within five seconds. If you take one minute between singers, and I have seen DJ’s who were even worse than this, that’s about four fewer singers every hour.
7. It’s not about you. It’s ok for the DJ to sing, you’re one of the clan too, but do not succumb to the temptation to sing more than anyone else, a common rookie mistake. If the line is very long, you should forgo singing altogether.
8. Mingle with the audience. Don’t get too stuck behind the DJ booth. The singers are your friends. Take whatever time you have to briefly encounter them, ask them what their next song request is, have quick chats, etc. Make them feel special…because they are.
9. Tips. Tips are good but do not sell access to the mike. This might be profitable in the short term, but it will cause great hostility and hurt your brand and image in the long run. It is just unfair and shows you don’t care about your people. (See #1 above)
10. You’re an entrepreneur. If you want gigs, you’ll have to hustle. Visit places that you think could benefit from karaoke. Expect rejection most of the time but keep trying new leads. Keep your ears attuned to the local market. When a DJ quits or is fired, swoop in. There’s high turnover in karaoke. And like any businessperson, be reliable. Think of karaoke as a profession. You’d be surprised at how many DJ’s are not reliable, and don’t think of their jobs as a profession.

One caution. Once you make it to the other side of the mike, you just might find out that it is not the same thing as what attracted you to karaoke in the first place. It’s work. Like setting up and tearing down, like dealing with drunk customers or people who want special favors. Or just keeping up with the rotation and the sound, keeping your music list updated, and keeping abreast of all the latest trends in karaoke showmanship and social media advertising. For me, maybe the worst thing was the worrying that the next show with a small crowd would be the last. It can all wear you down.

But even though being a karaoke DJ may be work, it still beats working.

This client just needed 100 words on home remedies for the common cold. 

Remedies for the Common Cold

With all the marvelous advances in modern medicine, science has still found no cure for the Common Cold. Although we have all but eliminated fearsome, ancient killers such as polio, typhus, and malaria from our planet, the sniffles, the coughing, the sneezing and sore throat of the Common Cold afflict us still.

There is no cure for the cold, but we can ameliorate its symptoms. For adults, over-the-counter cold remedies can reduce congestion and sneezing, although they can also cause drowsiness and disorientation.

If one prefers natural remedies, warm lemon water with honey can help reduce congestion and keep the body hydrated. The use of a vaporizer or humidifier is also indicated for congestion symptoms. Gargling with salt water helps relieve the pain of a sore throat, and to relieve other aches and pains, doctors still recommend OTC remedies like Advil for adults and children over six months old.