Ryan Clark's Open Salon Blog

Cheap Car Insurance Options For Different Life Stages

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:01:42 -0500

It is a simple fact that all drivers are not the same. At different stages in life, a driver will have different needs for their car insurance. At each progressive life stage, the driver should select car insurance coverage that is specifically geared toward drivers of that type. It is important to determine what kind of insurance you need: those who use their car for business may automatically assume that they need commercial auto insurance, but may actually be suited to a personal policy. Amongst personal policies, there is huge variation in coverage types.

All parents want to ensure that their children are safe—and this is no less true for the parents of teenage and young adult drivers. Whether you have purchased a car for your son or daughter, or allowed them the use of your own car, the law requires that they have car insurance, in case an accident occurs. However, car insurance coverage for teenagers and young adults is notoriously expensive, and can be a major impediment to young drivers who want to use their newly-learned skills to enjoy the freedom of the road. The rationale behind hefty insurance premiums is that teenage drivers are new to the roads, new to driving practice, and new to the rules of driving. A number of studies have given support to the assertion that young people are involved in more motoring accidents than other drivers. But this does not mean that all young people are careless and reckless drivers, and if you shop around it is still possible to get cheap car insurance deals for teenagers and young adults. There is no need to pay outrageous sums to insure your teenager, as long as you follow some basic guidance on bringing costs down.

Firstly, when purchasing a car for your child ensures that it is a model and type that is affordable to insure. Investigate adding your teenager to your existing insurance policy, rather than taking out an independent one – this is often a cheaper option. Use an online insurance comparison website to compare quotes between dozens of different providers to find the cheapest quote for your teenager's circumstances.

If your teenager is willing, have him or her complete further driver education courses for safe driving, which may lead to insurers offering a discount on teen car insurance. Usage-based insurance programs are a great opportunity for savings if your teenager is a good driver: some individuals save up to 30% on premiums through schemes designed to reward safe, no-claim driving. Many of these schemes involve the installation of a device which monitors driving habits such as speed and stopping. Teenagers enroll online and have their driving assessed through this device, with discounts applied to safe, reliable drivers after a period of time. Some insurers even offer cheaper insurance to students with good grades, as there is plenty of evidence to show that these teenagers have fewer accidents.

Other individuals may be eligible for discounts: spouses of deployed military personnel should investigate whether they are entitled to lower insurance premiums, particularly if your partner's car is not being used. If you are moving overseas temporarily, you may also be entitled to reductions on unused cars.

At the other end of the age timeline, older drivers may also find that their insurance premiums start to rise. Defensive driving courses are specifically created for mature drivers over the age of 55 who want to brush up on their foundation and advanced driving skills. Completing a full course of instruction and practically assessed driving may make you eligible for discounts on your insurance.

Getting insurance as a married couple is a great way to make savings, some domestic partners also qualify. Deemed less risky and lower-usage than other drivers, married couples (even those under 25) are often eligible for discounts, particularly if you have more than one car. For drivers of any age or situation, choosing a car that is cheap to insure is a smart way to bring insurance costs down. Insure.com compiled data on the cheapest cars and trucks to insure, based on averages for a 40-year-old male commuting 10 miles to work, who has a $500 deductible sum and policy limits of 100/300/50. The cheapest car to insure was the Hyundai Santa Fe, a family vehicle capable of transporting up to 7 passengers, which has an average insurance premium of $832. Runners up included the Kia Sportage ($840), Hyundai Entourage ($848), Kia Sedona ($857), Kia Rio5 ($870) and Honda Odyssey ($871). As you can see, some car manufacturers have lower insurance premiums. The dubious honor of being the most expensive car to insure falls upon the Nissan GT-R, the first generation of this well-known Japanese super-car available to consumers in the United States, with an average insurance premium of over $2,500. Runners up include the Dodge Viper ($2,446), BMW M6 ($2,236), Ford Shelby GT500 ($2,186), and the Mercedes-Benz G-Class ($2,088).

Any driver can also qualify for safe driver discounts on their insurance premiums. To qualify for these, there are a number of steps you can take in the short and long term. A clean driving record is the very best recommendation of you to an insurer: if you are a driver who has accumulated several points on your license for minor offences and traffic violations, you should Endeavour to keep future accidents to a minimum. A report by money.us.news.com found that drivers with a three-year clean driving record usually qualify for discounts on their insurance. If you have more than one vehicle, insuring additional cars on the same insurance policy will often entitle you to a discount on each. Drivers' education courses are a good wayto demonstrate your road safety and capability. These usually combine theoretical classroom education with supervised driving practical. In addition, ensuring that you are operating a safe vehicle is another way to become eligible for savings: cars equipped with safety features such as anti-lock brakes and air bags usually get discounted insurance premiums.

How to Turn Old Furniture into New Decor Pieces in 7 Steps

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 14:12:18 -0500

When old furniture is not recycled, it typically winds up in a landfill where it will become part of the buildup of excess garbage. As landfills become full, even more landfills are created, which wastes valuable property. Decaying garbage in landfills can also leach toxic chemicals into the water supply and cause more health hazards. The demand for new furniture also means a demand for new wood, which contributes to the ever-present logging pressure on valuable hardwoods. However, few if any new pollutants are put into the environment by the manufacturing process when old furniture is recycled into something new. Best of all, by following these 7 steps you can not only make recycled decor yourself, you can even craft it into stylish modern furniture!

1. Identify a candidate for recycling. Generally, recyclers either have a piece already picked out or have a need for a piece of old furniture. If you happen to be in the second category, it is time to check the local curbsides for abandoned furniture heading to the landfill. Craigslist and local recycling groups can also provide good leads on the furniture that you want. Thrift stores can also usually provide decent quality used furniture. Check with your local landfill or dump sites to see if it is permissible to search through abandoned furniture for usable pieces.

Before you buy or pick up, make sure the piece suits your needs. Fabrics and colors can all be changed, so don't worry about those issues, but do make sure that the interior/core pieces of the furniture are as solid as possible. If it is not as solid as you would like, consider cannibalizing it solely for parts.

2. Once you have the piece of furniture in your home or workshop, carefully look it over. If you cannot tell from a simple inspection whether the piece may have damage or rot, dismantle it. On solid wood pieces, look for any screws, wooden pins or wafers that may have been used in the original joinery. Remove what you can; if the pieces are glued together, a light solvent may be necessary

Stuffed and upholstered furniture often requires a little more work to fully determine soundness. Usually, the upholstery fabric is stapled or tacked to the bottom of the wooden framework. Use a claw hammer to remove any nails and a staple remover for any staples. Unwrap any batting that may be around wooden pieces and be prepared to replace boards that are broken, warped or rotting.

3. Once you have the piece of furniture dismantled, take stock of what salvageable materials you have at your disposal. At this point, you may wish to draw up plans for the rest of your recycling venture. If the original form of the piece of furniture suited what you were looking for with little modification, feel free to proceed without plans. This is also a good time to take any fabric pieces and label them with a permanent marker. Any fabric that can be removed or unpicked from the piece of furniture can serve as a pattern for a new fabric piece. Broken or rotting wood taken from the furniture can work as a pattern for replacement parts.

4. Gather any necessary extra materials. Try to use recycled materials when you add to the project, because the goal is, after all, to be environmentally friendly. Wood can be taken from other pieces of furniture too damaged to recycle fully or from wooden palettes that might otherwise be destined for the landfill. Worn out, solid wood tables often have enough wood in them to provide boards that can be cut to make other pieces, including chairs and cribs.

Sturdy fabrics from old jackets or skirts can make nice upholstery material. Consider piecing patchwork fabrics from old blue jeans for a stylish and durable chair cover. Heavy, tight weave blankets in nice patterns also work nicely for making chair covers. Decorative trims and buttons can come from worn-out clothing.

Even used fasteners can be reused, so take care when you throw any nails or screws away. An ideal recycling project uses less than 20% new materials. If possible, reserve that 20% for new batting and padding or finishes like paints and top coatings. Recycle as much as you can for added components of the project, so that less new items need to be manufactured and fewer existing items go to waste.

5. A new coat of paint or varnish can do wonders for a piece of furniture. Stains can completely change the character of the wood. Paint offers the opportunity to match or complement colors in room decor, and even faux finishes are an attractive possibility. Sand the old finish off of solid wood pieces only; if the furniture is veneered, avoid the sandpaper at all costs. Many veneered pieces use ply-wood or pressboard, which do not take finishes well. Primer the wood before applying paints. Apply a good protective coating or use reclaimed glass to cover table tops.

6. Assemble wooden pieces according to the plans you drafted. Use as many reclaimed nails and screws as you can at this stage, but some new fasteners are allowable if necessary and may provide structurally-required sturdiness. Use the remains of any broken boards to cut new pieces from scrap or reclaimed wood.

7. Draft patterns for fabrics on old newspaper; tape pieces of newspaper together if you need larger patterns. Make sure to add at least five-eighths of an inch seam allowance to all fabric patterns. You may also need to account for fabric shrinkage or stretching. Sew cushion covers and place the batting covered foam inside. Wrap batting over foam and around padded chair backs. Staple fabrics in place or fold the fabric under and use upholstery tacks to hold the edges. And voila! Your hand-made recycled furniture piece is finished.

Keeping useful furniture out of the landfill is a worthy goal. Even pieces that seem beyond repair can be largely dismantled for components. Updating style can be as simple as using a new coat of paint and color of fabric, or it might involve a significant redesign of the overall furniture shape. Keep a close watch for components that will help your repurposed furniture match your design plans. All projects can be considered a "work in progress" until you have them exactly the way you want, and trims and decorations can be applied even after the item has seen use in your home. Ultimately, your imagination is the only limitation!

Canada's Top 3 Winter Wonderland Christmas Escapes

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:12:17 -0500

Canada offers three special places for an unforgettable Christmas escape. Whether you are a Canadian or a foreign visitor in need of a currency converter, some holiday prices may seem steep. However, sometimes budgets can be relaxed at Christmas, and all three towns do provide great return in memories made.

Banff, Alberta

Throughout the winter, the beautiful town of Banff is a wonderland of seasonal activities and breathtaking scenery. At Christmas time, however, it is truly magical. Two hotels are at the center of the magic.

The Banff Springs Hotel is a castle in the Rockies and, at Christmas, bustles with activity. Families can enjoy stories and songs by a fire. There are cookie and gingerbread house workshops. Letters to Santa mailed in the lobby receive a reply the next day, and Santa leads a parade throughout the halls of the hotel. On Christmas Eve, Santa gets a send off from Mrs. Claus. Later, carols are sung and there is a midnight Christmas service.

For those with specific interests, there are watercolor and photography workshops, bowling and bingo events, tours of the historic hotel and its kitchen. Outdoor activities include lessons in curling, snowshoeing, ice skating and wilderness walks. Frosty the Snowman himself skates on Christmas Day.

There are special brunches on Christmas, Boxing and New Year’s Days. On Christmas, there is afternoon tea. Guests can choose between a buffet featuring children’s entertainment or one without. On New Year’s Eve, families can eat early and join a skating party or attend the evening gala. Teenagers are welcome while younger guests have their own celebration. Adult dining events are held on December 24, 25 and 26.

Christmas Day festivities end with a traditional English Boar’s Head Parade throughout the various restaurants and the lighting of the traditional Yule Log. All of this magic happens amid glorious decorations throughout the hotel.

Not to be outdone, the nearby Rimrock Hotel offers its own panoply of Christmas doings with Christmas Eve carolers, a Christmas morning arrival of Santa, and Christmas and New Year’s brunches, buffets and gala dinners.

Christmas visitors at other establishments will also enjoy their trip to Banff. White Christmases are assured in Banff and the town is dressed in Christmas finery. The slopes have skiers indulging in the local tradition of Christmas Day skiing. Many restaurants are open on Christmas Day. Most have gala New Year’s Eve meals planned.

Christmas in Banff is truly a magical memory for one and all.

Whistler, British Columbia

Further west, the world class ski resort of Whistler celebrates Christmas in world class style. Santa appears on the slopes and on the skating rinks. The free Fire and Ice Show of fireworks, fire spinners and ski jumpers begins at Christmas time in Whistler Village. There is a lantern making workshop along with a chance to display at the Whistler Arts Council’s Festival of Lights Art Exhibit. There is a Christmas morning service on Whistler Mountain. The Whistler Holiday Experience is a free community event providing an indoor family fun zone for the two week holiday period. Kids can enjoy putting, bouncing castles, crafts, air hockey and video games. New Year’s Eve is celebrated with indoor and outdoor activities in Whistler Village culminating in a fireworks display at midnight.

The Chateau Whistler, owned by the same Fairmont group as Banff Springs, sets the standard for hotel Christmas revelry in Whistler. A family fun room is available throughout the holiday period. There are gingerbread house and Christmas ornament workshops. Just before the big day, children can enjoy tea, milk and cookies with Mrs. Claus. Christmas eve, there are carol singing and gift wrapping sessions, a special kids buffet and sleigh rides and a fondue dinner with Santa. Caroling continues Christmas Day along with visits from Santa. The day’s activities close with a traditional Christmas buffet and dance. On New Year’s Eve, there is a choice of buffets with live entertainment in the lobby. A special New Year’s Day breakfast begins at 7 AM for those who want to get an early start on the slopes.

Québec City, Québec

Eastern Canada has its own magical Christmas town. Québec City shines with its old world French charm throughout the season. There are horse drawn sleigh rides available as well as walking tours of old Québec accompanied by an authentic character from New France explaining the culture’s 400 year history.

Old Québec is dominated by the Chateau Frontenac Hotel, another property of the Fairmont chain. It celebrates Christmas and New Year’s Eves and Days in grand style with special brunches, buffets and reveillons, holiday dinners in the French tradition.

Various neighborhoods invite walkers to stroll their historic streets decked with special Christmas finery. The cobblestoned streets of the Quartier Petit Champlain, some of the oldest in North America, are located in the Old Port area and are particularly festive and quaint. A European style Christmas market, where fine wines, cheeses and other Québec products can be found, is also located in Old Port.

The city itself becomes the canvas as Christmas light shows are presented in several locations. A Ferris wheel is specially assembled to allow views of the city.

Visitors who extend their escape until late January can enjoy Québec Winter Carnival. It is presided over by Bonhomme, its snowman mascot with his signature red cap and colorful sash, for whom an ice palace is built. All kinds of winter activities are available, parades are held day and night, and the celebration continues for 17 days.

Using Facebook To Get A Job? Aww Yea!

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 19:11:03 -0500

Created by: MBA Online

5 Best Places to Propose in France

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:11:09 -0500

France has long been known as a romantic destination, and is full of incredible places sure to take your breath away. For those looking to make the ultimate commitment of marriage, perhaps no place is more appropriate to propose to your loved one. Don't waste a romantic opportunity like a trip to France to propose in a less than desirable location. To help you with your decision, here are the 5 best places to propose in France:

1. The French Riviera

This is among the most beautiful and upscale locations in France, so it should come as no surprise that it is also perfect for popping the question to the special someone in your life. If you want the glitz and glamour that the area has to offer, stay in one of the luxurious hotels in St. Tropez and propose over a fantastic upscale meal. Or, keep it more intimate with a champagne proposal from the balcony of your luxury suite.

2. Paris

Of course, the city of lights comes to mind when anyone considers the ultimate romantic proposal. While many people immediately think of getting down on one knee in front of the Eiffel tower, the crowds can actually make it a less than ideal location. Instead consider one of the secluded gardens like the Jardin des Plantes or the Luxembourg gardens. You'll be among beautiful plants and have the privacy to have a special moment shared between the two of you. Stroll by the Eiffel Tower later if you want to have some stunning photos near the iconic structure to remember your trip.

3. Montsegur

If you idea of the perfect proposal is more active than just bending on one knee in a restaurant, then a hike in Montsegur might be just the ticket. The stunning Pog Mountain in Montsegur is a top choice for those who love aspects of Canadian travel like skiing or hiking. The hike is challenging but not overwhelming. From the top, you'll get a breathtaking view of the valley below, as well as plenty of chances to propose among the ruins of the ancient Cathar Castle.

4. Loire Valley

As one of the top honeymoon destinations in the country, you can know for certain that the Loire Valley is among the most romantic places on earth. Dozens of castles allow you ample opportunity to treat the special woman in your life like a princess. Many of these incredible castles have been converted to luxurious hotels or even al fresco dining establishments, which can arrange private spaces to dine and perhaps propose if the moment is just right.

5. The French Alps

Residents of France will tell you that the breathtaking French Alps are one of the most beautiful attractions in the entire country. So what better place to propose to your special love? It is especially great for those who want to participate in outdoor activities like hiking, skiing or snowboarding. Either way, be sure to enjoy the views of Mont Blanc, which is easily the tallest peak in all of Europe. With the cold outside, many choose to snuggle up indoors at the friendly local wine bars and incredible restaurants, all of whom cater to locals and visitors alike.