How to Start Over in A New City with No Money and No Job

Posted on January 21, 2020 by Krissyar

Moving to a new city with limited funds can be done. For those in a similar situation and looking for a way out, the steps below can help you land in a new place with an income, friends, and a place to live.

 

Sell What You Can

Have a garage sale, sell your unwanted things online, sites like LetGo, eBay, Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. These are all great places to sell and get rid of your belongings. After all, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, right? Once you’ve successfully sold your things, your moving load will be lighter and your wallet a tad heavier. After you’ve unpacked, there’s really no need to keep empty boxes, crates, and other moving supplies around. Nor do you have to. There are actually websites like BoxCycle and Container Exchanger that help people sell their boxes and other items.

 

Do Your Research

Moving to a new city with limited funds isn’t a decision that should be made lightly. You need to take a look at both the cost of living in the city you’re intending to move to, as well as what your prospects might be for securing affordable housing and a job, among other things. There is plenty of free online cost of living calculators to compare two or more cities based on finances and other quality-of-life factors that will matter when you’re moving on the cheap. For example, Banff homes for sale are more costly than homes in nearby cities, so choose wisely.

 

Live Within Your Means and Save Money

If you’re still struggling to live within your means, take a hard look at your expenses. There is probably something you can cut out or at least cut down on. For example Gym memberships, hair and nail salons, cable TV, cell phone bills. Go through your bills and cancel any service you don’t use frequently. For the stuff you do use, call the provider and see if you can get a better deal, or at least cut it down.

 

Find A Job

Sign-up for email alerts to let you know when new jobs that match your criteria are listed. You’ll be able to set them up directly on company websites for major employers, as well as on job listing sites. You’ll receive an email as soon as a listing is posted, and you’ll be able to get your application in right away. Who do you know in the place you’re going to? Do you have family, friends, professional or college connections there? Everyone you know, and everyone they know, may be able to help you with your job hunt. Put the word out, very quietly if you’re still employed, that you’re looking to relocate to get job leads and other assistance. Use Facebook and Linkedin to your advantage!

 

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Delicious Keto Creme Brulee

Posted on January 20, 2020 by Krissyar

Now creme brulee has always been one of my favorite desserts, so of course we had to come up with a great Keto version of it! What I love is its super simple, and taste soo much like the real thing you’ll hardly know its Keto! (To really make it just like they do in the restaurants, be sure to buy a culinary torch because that is really what makes this dessert!)

Can I freeze Keto Creme Brulee?

I would not recommend it. This is best served fresh and warm. The crunch from the sweetener on the top that you heat up with your torch is what makes the dessert, so you definitely don’t want to freeze it – however, you can make it ahead of time for a dinner in the evening, and just wait to bake it! 

Keto Creme Brulee

 

INGREDIENTS:

4 egg yolks
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 cups of heavy whipping cream
5 tbsp keto approved sweetener (I prefer monk fruit sweetener)

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 325 degrees

Whisk the egg yolks and the vanilla in a bowl until thoroughly mixed

Pour the heavy whipping cream and 1 tablespoon of the sweetener into a sauce pan heated to medium heat – whisk until combined, then add the second and third and forth tablespoons of sweetener, adding separately until fully combined, and whisk until simmering

Once simmering, remove from heat and add yolks slowly, while whisking, until combined

Divide evenly into 4 ramekins

Place the ramekins into a glass baking dish and pour boiling water inside the dish – be sure that it coves at least 1 inch on the sides of each ramekin

Bake in the oven on the middle rack for approx 30 minutes or until set

When done, sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the sweetener over the creme brulee and use your culinary torch to heat the sweetener until its melted and golden

Don’t forget to check out our other Keto dessert recipes! 

Keto Creme Brulee

Keto Creme Brulee

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dessert
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 4 egg yolks
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 5 tablespoons artificial sweetner monk fruit is my favorite

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees
  2. Whisk the egg yolks and the vanilla in a bowl until thoroughly mixed
  3. Pour the heavy whipping cream and 1 tablespoon of the sweetener into a sauce pan heated to medium heat - whisk until combined, then add the second and third and forth tablespoons of sweetener, adding separately until fully combined, and whisk until simmering
  4. Once simmering, remove from heat and add yolks slowly, while whisking, until combined
  5. Divide evenly into 4 ramekins
  6. Place the ramekins into a glass baking dish and pour boiling water inside the dish - be sure that it coves at least 1 inch on the sides of each ramekin
  7. Bake in the oven on the middle rack for approx 30 minutes or until set
  8. When done, sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the sweetener over the creme brulee and use your culinary torch to heat the sweetener until its melted and golden
  9. serve immediately

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Steps to Cleaning Headlights

Posted on January 20, 2020 by Krissyar

Headlights are a super important safety feature on your car – whether it’s just driving at night, or in bad weather. Unfortunately just like anything else headlights can become dirty, dull and foggy which dulls the brightness and makes it less effective. These damages can occur from age, UV ray exposure or just damage from the elements.

                                          This post is sponsored by Akins Jeep Ram

If your lights aren’t as bright as they should be try these steps to clean your headlights:

LIQUID SOAP, BAKING SODA AND VINEGAR

With these three simple things, you can restore your headlights in just a few steps. Now if your headlights are gone-gone (yellowed, and really foggy) you might have to repeat these steps several times.
First clean the dust and dirt from the headlights with a microfiber cloth. Add 2 tablespoons of liquid soap to a bucket. Add enough water to thin the soap to more of a watery solution. Use a secondary microfiber cloth clean the headlight with the soap solution. What you’ll want to do is get the light as clean as possible before using the baking soda and vinegar mix. Rinse the soap off the headlights using a spray bottle of water and then towel dry the headlights.

Mix 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda with enough white vinegar to make a thick paste; using a dry cloth gently polish the headlamp with the paste. Rinse the paste off with a spray bottle of water and repeat until the lens is clean and clear.

HOW TO CLEAN HEADLIGHTS WITH TOOTHPASTE

Just like with the vinegar and baking soda, be sure to remove the dust and dirt with a clean cloth. Then spray the headlight with water using your spray bottle. Using an old toothbrush apply the toothpaste to the lens and gently scrub – be sure to use regular white toothpaste, not the gel. Rinse with water until toothpaste is gone and the headlight is clear!

HOW TO CLEAN HEADLIGHTS USING A HEADLIGHT RESTORATION KIT

These headlight restoration kits are a bit pricier than some vinegar, baking soda or toothpaste. But they can be very effective and safe for restoring headlights. Use them as directed, just apply the cleanser and rinse. It may also come with a waxing compound which helps protect from them from the light.  

 

 

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Helpful Hints: How to Jump Start a Vehicle

Posted on January 20, 2020 by Krissyar

Eventually it happens to all of us  – getting in your car, turning the key, and the car won’t start. Whether it’s something as simple as leaving your lights on all night or maybe you have an old battery that needs replaced,  you will need to be prepared and know how to jump start a vehicle.  From having jumper cables in your car, to know who to call for assistance, here are some tips on how to jump start a vehicle.

                                This post is sponsored by Martin Chrysler.

Before you head out, make sure that you have jumper cables in your emergency road kit. That way you will have them if you need them! So if someone stops to offer a hand, you already have the cables ready to be used! Now here’s the steps you need to take:

  • Park the two vehicles close together – but make sure they are NOT touching – and then turn them both off
  • Connect the positive jumper cable (usually the red one) to the positive terminal on the cars battery that won’t start. The positive battery terminal is marked with a plus sign, and the negative is marked with the minus sign. Be very careful not to touch either of them to any other metal or it could be deadly (electric shock)
  • Connect the other end of the positive cable to the positive battery terminal on the car that is providing the jump
  • Connect the negative cable (the black one) to the negative cable on the car providing the jump
  • Connect the other end of the negative cable to an exposed metal part on the car with the dead battery
  • Check that the cables are not anywhere near any moving engine parts
  • Start the vehicle that is giving the jump – and let it idle. If the battery is a few years old, or has been dead for awhile, you may need to rev the engine to booster the car to speed up the charging process
  • Start the ‘dead’ vehicle
  • If the ‘dead’ car starts, let it run for at least twenty minutes; if it doesn’t start, check the cable connections to make sure that they are on correctly (and tightly)
  • Keeping the jumper cables away again, from ANY metal, remove the black (negative) cable from the disabled vehicle (still keep the vehicle running)
  • Remove the other end of the negative cable from the battery of the vehicle giving the jump
  • Remove the positive cable from the battery of the jumper vehicle
  • Remove the positive cable from the previously disabled vehicle
  • Drive the jump started car at least for 30 minutes to keep the battery charging. Remember if the battery or alternator are not in good shape you may end up needing another jump start – be sure if this happens, you pull over somewhere safe and call for assistance!

If you don’t feel comfortable, be sure to call a professional service department.

 

 

 

 

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Buying a New Car? Follow These Test Driving Tips

Posted on January 20, 2020 by Krissyar

If you are buying a new car, following these test driving tips can help save you some major headaches later on – even if you are only test driving brand new cars. Did you know less than 50% of people say they spent less than a half an hour test driving new cars??! Spending thirty thousand dollars or more, and committing four to six years of your life to paying a car payment – it seems insane to spend less than thirty minutes checking it out. So be sure to make the right decision using these test drive tips on what to look for:

tips for test driving                                        This post is sponsored by Browning Dodge.

BEFORE YOU HEAD TO THE DEALERSHIP:|

Research and have an idea of what vehicles you are interested in, and that fit your budget
Research reputable dealerships in your area, and call and make an appointment
Be sure to bring your drivers license, and insurance ID cards
Research your financing options: either bring a pre-approval info, or bring your pay stubs for financing at the dealership

The Test Drive Begins as Soon as You Start Looking at the Vehicle

  • Check out the vehicle for any external issues: dents, scratches, cracks, or rust. Be sure to explain the windshield closely as well.
  • Check the tires  – see how much life is left in them, and also check for signs of uneven wear; if the wear is uneven, there can be an alignment issue.
  • Check the turn signals, brake lights, windshield wipers, any hatch or trunk (open and close several times) seat belts, spare tire, knobs to radio, etc, check to make sure all windows open and close correctly, and doors lock properly as well

Start the Car, and Let it Idle for Several Minutes

  • Listen for the engine to start smoothly, and check for any troubling noises like a click, whine or rattle
  • Check the radio, the heat and the AC unit and run them for several minutes to make sure that they are working correctly as well
  • Check the dashboard for any warning lights and be sure all the gauges are working. . Once the car warms up, the temperature gauge should be at the midpoint. Closer to “hot” can be a sign of overheating.
  • Sit back and imagine taking a road trip in this vehicle; are the seats comfortable? Enough leg room? Will the kids have enough room in the back? Are the ceilings high enough? Is there enough ‘elbow’ room? Places to plug in phones? Put the cooler and the suitcases?

Head Out on the Road, Like You’re Going to Work

  • Pay attention to how the brakes feel – are they jumpy, or sticky or too loose? Listen for grinding or squeaks, there could be worn brake pads or rotors
  • How well does the car handle potholes and rough roads? Drive slowly and listen for any noises, like rattles or knocks which could possibly be a steering issue.
  • What about a tight turn? Shouldn’t be a problem with a car that is power steering and suspension is working properly.

Take a Drive on the Highway

  • Does the car drive smoothly, accelerating quickly and moving smoothly? If not, there could be a problem.
  • Pay extra attention to blind spots; you’d be surprised how some vehicles have blind spots in areas you wouldn’t of even though of.
  • While heading down the highway, carefully go back and forth in between lanes to see how well the vehicle handles, and reacts during higher speeds.
  • Pay attention to how the car does when you lightly hold the steering wheel making sure it doesn’t pull. If it does, that can be a suspension or alignment problem.
  • While you are driving on the highway, listen for any squeaks, rattles or whines of the engine.
  • If at all possible, drive up and down a hill to verify that the car up shifts and downshifts correctly

Practice Parallel Parking

  • As you park, make sure that the steering doesn’t feel super stiff and you can easily maneuver the vehicle
  • As you reverse, be sure that it shifts smoothly from drive to reverse, if it jolt or makes any grinding noises when shifting it could be a transmission issue.n.
  • How responsive is the vehicle? Does the vehicle feel differently when you press on the gas or brakes when you are in reverse?
  • Make sure you are comfortable parking in a regular size parking space, especially if you are getting a larger truck or SUV. You need to know that you can safely park no matter where you are at.

Make sure that you remember to not settle until you are completely happy. Make time to test drive multiple vehicles during the time you are shopping so that you get the perfect vehicle that is right for you.

Remember, as you are buying your new vehicle, you can sell your NON RUNNING CARS to make a few bucks to put towards your down payment!

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