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Death is never easy. Whether you’re planning the funeral of a loved one or making arrangements for your end-of-life wishes, there are a lot of factors at play.

Aside from coming to terms with death and processing your grief, you’ll need to decide how you would like to be put to rest. If you’ve decided on cremation, you have to select an urn to hold your remains.

As this isn’t a standard, run-of-the-mill purchase, you may not know what you’re shopping for. There are many different urn types you can select to hold remains.

If you’re looking to find the perfect urn to carry your legacy or honor your loved one, keep reading to learn about the different types of funerary urns.

1. Standard

A standard urn is one of the most common cremation urns available due to its classic simplicity and elegance.

These urns come in various materials, so you can pick the one you prefer.

Most standard options typically come in variations of the same shape. Shaped similarly to a vase, most urns will be larger and rounder toward the top and taper at the bottom. However, you can choose cylindrical, shorter, or thinner urns.

Popular choices include ceramic or marble, as they are durable and can withstand the test of time. Ceramic happens to be more fragile than other materials, so you’ll need to be careful with this.

You can also select a metal material. These choices are great as they are durable, but you will have to consider how the elements will affect the look. Metals like copper or pewter can oxidize, which will change the appearance of the metal.

2. Jewelry

If you’re buying an urn for a loved one, you may want to keep them with you at all times. In these instances, you can invest in jewelry that holds some of your loved one’s remains.

One of the most traditional jewelry pieces for an urn is a necklace. Just as you would select any other chain, you’ll need to consider what finish you prefer, between gold, silver, and rose gold.

Next, you’ll need to consider how long you want the chain to be. This will determine where the small urn sits on your check. The standard length for necklaces is 18 inches.

Finally, you’ll need to determine what style of urn you want. One of the most typical styles includes small, cylindrical pendants. However, you can choose a style that reminds you of your loved one, like a heart, sports ball, or crystal.

If necklaces aren’t your style, you can also opt for an urn bracelet or ring that houses the ashes inside of the band. This is a more discrete option if that’s what you prefer.

Jewelry urns act as a companion to a larger urn, which will hold the majority of the ashes of a loved one.

3. Companion

Companion urns are a popular option for those who wish to rest with their loved one forever. These urns have two spaces side by side, allowing you to place the remains of two separate adults next to each other.

These urns come in various styles, making it easy to choose the best option for you and your other half.

From wooden urns to metal intertwined hearts, there are plenty of options. Whether you plan on being buried with your life partner or child, there are choices for whatever relationship you want to honor.

No matter what material you choose, you can have the urn inscribed with both names of those resting inside, as well as birth and death dates. You may also want to have a brief description of your relationship.

4. Plant Urn

If you love the environment, your final wishes may look different from others. Instead of selecting a traditional urn, you may consider a plant urn.

There are different types of urns for you to choose something that life can grow out of. This is a beautiful and symbolic choice if you would like to encourage something to bloom from death.

Plant urns have separate chambers, which prevent the ashes from being directly mixed with the soil for the plants.

These urns are great as they look beautiful, both inside and outside. Don’t forget which plant you’d like to grow in the pot! There are plenty of options, with both high and low-maintenance plants to choose from.

5. Keepsake

None of these urns calling to you? Don’t worry! There are plenty of other options you can choose from that may be more your style.

These urns come in various shapes, ranging from butterflies and flowers to birds and resin art, you can find the option that suits you best.

You can also opt for custom-designed urns. These hold the shape of traditional urns but feature art, patterns, or images that have special meaning to you or your loved one.

These are also great as they blend in well with any decor if you don’t want the urn to stand out too much. However, they aren’t cheesy but serve as beautiful and respectful focal points of your home.

The Beautiful Urn Types You Can Select

Navigating end-of-life plans can be challenging for so many. Choosing between traditional burial and cremation is one of the first and most essential steps.

However, you can relax knowing that your final wishes will be honored, as you will be laid to rest in the perfect urn.

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When you think of the American dream, a new home with a white picket fence may be the first thing that comes to mind. For some, however, the dream has evolved into owning two homes.

Though two mortgages may sound unmanageable, there are plenty of benefits that make owning a second home worth it.

If you’re not sure what the benefits of owning a second home are, be sure to keep reading for some of the most compelling reasons you may want to take on a second mortgage.

1. Tax Benefits

If you own a second home, you may be eligible for a tax deduction on your second property. This is one of the best reasons, as you can essentially save money on a second home!

Though some may wish to rent their home, if you keep it unoccupied for 50 weeks of the year, you’ll be eligible for a deduction of the interest rate on your mortgage.

If you choose to rent your home, you can still qualify for tax benefits. Be sure to track the rental expenses, as you can deduct them from your taxes at the end of the year.

2. Passive Income

Are you looking for a passive form of income? If so, transforming your second home into a rental property is a great way to generate profit.

Purchasing a second home in or near a tourist-heavy area is a great way to ensure that your home gets put to good use. You don’t have to worry about

Areas in and around beach towns, amusement parks, and historic towns are ideal, as there’s always someone visiting. You can even use it to participate in a house exchange. You can have a look at the process of swapping homes.

Remember, you’ll want to invest in long-lasting appliances for your rental home. This will keep your maintenance costs down, ensuring you get the most bang for your buck for your investment property.

3. Convenience

Are you in desperate need of a vacation? If you have a second home, you’re in luck. You can pick up and head to your vacation home whenever you want — assuming you haven’t already rented it out!

You can also use your second house for off-season storage. This means you can store your summer items like surfboards and lawnmowers at your secondary residence to free up space in your primary home.

If you plan on storing items, be sure to keep the space organized, as you don’t want to treat it like a glorified storage container.

The Benefits of Owning a Second Home Are Undeniable

With so many benefits, it’s no surprise that owning second property is becoming a reality for many Americans.

Remember, you’ll want to look into all of the pros and cons before taking on a second mortgage. Though there are plenty of benefits, take time to look into your finances before deciding.

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Communication is vital if you want to take a health degree and get into healthcare. So, if this is a skill that you need to spruce up on and you want to be a doctor or a nurse, it is paramount that you start to find ways to improve your communication skills now. Here are some of the reasons why communication is also important to health degrees and careers.

How can you get good communication skills?

If you are worried that your communication skills are not up to scratch, you should consider finding out how to improve communication skills as these will be important for degrees such as a Master’s degree in Dispute Resolution, Marriage and Family Therapy, as well as Social Work, especially when it comes to finding and excelling at a job within the health industry.

It is important to gain great communication skills during your health degree as they will help you to write up your assignments, create great presentations, and work with your classmates (and later, your colleagues) to ensure that tasks can be carried out well and that human error can be reduced. This can then help you to get a grade that you can be proud of and ensure that you can go on to find an excellent health career which will allow you to reach your career goals.

Why do medical professionals need communication skills?

Having good communication skills is important to those who want to have medical careers because you will have to spend the majority of your days talking to patients who may be worried, scared and angry. Having great communication skills can help you to tell them the details of their illness and what they should expect from their condition and certain procedures with clarity and this can help to calm your patient down and ensure that there is less room for miscommunication.

Not only this, but good communication skills can help you to develop a great relationship with your patients that can put them at ease, make them feel less lonely and ensure they feel as if they can trust you. This is important for their health and can also make your job easier as they are more likely to listen to you if they trust you. Therefore, you should also pair these communication skills with other skills and character traits, such as compassion, empathy, and patience. You should also make sure that you are a great listener to ensure that your communication is a two-way street.

As a medical professional, it is also likely that you will spend a lot of your time writing up reports and notes on your patients that will need to be accessed by other doctors. So, you need to ensure that you have excellent written as well as spoken communication skills as these will allow you to describe your patient’s condition effectively and ensure that other doctors who read your notes can take up their care effectively.

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Whether you’re moving across town or across the country, a moving truck makes the process easier. The first “moving truck” was a horse and buggy used in the 1800s to help residents transport their belongings from one home to another.

Today, you can rent a moving truck to help you get your belongings anywhere across the country, no matter where you’re moving.

So, how much does it cost to rent a moving truck if you’re planning to move? Read on to learn more about the average moving truck rental cost, so you can prepare your budget.

Size and Distance Matter

When renting a moving truck, it’s important to know two important data points: how much you need to move, and how far. This information will help determine the moving truck rental cost.

Moving a one-bedroom apartment just 50 miles should cost you approximately $130 or so, on average. But if you’re moving a further distance, that cost could increase to closer to around $1,600 or more.

Larger apartments with two to three bedrooms will increase the cost to rent a moving truck. You’ll not only need a larger truck to hold your belonging, but the cost of fuel will increase, too.

How Much Does it Cost to Rent a Moving Truck One-Way?

Moving truck rental prices also vary depending on whether you’re moving locally or dropping the truck off at a new location. This is referred to as one-way, which means you only drive the truck to your final destination.

In general, local moving truck rentals cost less than a one-way move. While costs vary depending on the provider, it’s always cheaper to move locally.

How much does it cost to rent a moving truck for a one-way move? Prepare to pay around $1,500 for a one-bedroom home and up to $2,000 or more for a larger, five-bedroom home.

Important Moving Truck Rental Tips

Renting your own moving truck is much less expensive than hiring a professional moving company to do it for you. However, it’s important to know the proper safety methods when loading a moving truck on your own. Use straps to help with heavy appliances, and always get help if you need to move heavy objects like sofas and solid wood tables.

Not only will you need to box up and move your belongings and furniture, but you’ll be responsible for making sure you chose the right size truck. It’s always best to overestimate the size you think you need just in case things get tight.

Some moving truck rental companies provide additional discounts to college students, seniors, and military members. Shop around before you select a truck to ensure that you’re getting the best possible price.

Make Your Move

How much does it cost to rent a moving truck? the answer depends on the distance, the number and size of the items you need to move, and if you’re moving local or one-way. Do your research in advance to help you find the cheapest price.

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More than 50,000 species of plants can be used medicinally. Take echinacea, for instance, it can help fight off infections such as the flu and the common cold.

Kratom is another example. A tropical plant, its leaves can be used to treat different health conditions from anxiety to opiate withdrawal.

What is kratom extract? Where does kratom come from? Are there any potential side effects?

We’ll be going over all of the answers in detail below. Keep reading to learn more about the topic!

What Is in Kratom?

Kratom is a herbal extract that’s made from the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa, an evergreen tree that’s native to Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

It contains a chemical called mitragynine, an alkaloid that’s known for its opioid-like properties. And it has both analgesic and antidepressant effects.

At low doses (less than 10 grams), it acts as a stimulant, increasing alertness and energy, while at higher doses (over 10 grams), it acts as a sedative. For example, it can help those with chronic fatigue or anxiety.

And there are many ways that you can take it. For instance, you can brew a tea with kratom powder (e.g. Ultra Enhanced Kratom Products). You can also get it as capsules or tablets.

Is It Legal?

Kratom is federally legal in America. Several states, however, have banned the use of the plant. For example, it’s illegal in Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Wisconsin, Vermont, and Rhode Island.

It’s also not legal in Australia, Thailand, Malaysia, and several European Union countries.

For those who live in a state where it’s legal, you can typically find it in supplement stores (it’s usually marketed as alternative medicine). It’s also available online.

Keep in mind, however, that kratom isn’t regulated. In other words, there’s no way to check the quality or safety of kratom products.

Potential Side Effects 

Kratom can cause various side effects including constipation, dry mouth, weight loss, frequent urination, nausea, and vomiting. Not only that, but it can also affect the nervous system; this can lead to various symptoms such as dizziness, drowsiness, paranoia, and hallucinations.

And because it acts on the brain like opioids, it also has addiction potential (physical dependence on kratom can occur over time). For example, individuals can develop cravings or tolerance to the substance.

This can eventually lead to withdrawal symptoms if there’s not enough kratom in their system. For instance, they may experience irritability, muscle aches, tremors, anxiety, agitation, or depression.

What Is Kratom Extract: Explained

Hopefully, that answers the question, “what is kratom extract”. If anything, it’s very similar to opioid drugs. The only difference is that it’s much easier to obtain. Given that, it’s best to talk to your doctor first before making any decisions.

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With sports betting now in the mainstream, more people will be entering the betting market than ever before. The questions they need to answer for themselves are what type of betting they are interested in and where to go to make their wagers. The most popular bets being made currently are fans who have decided to bet on NFL lines either online or in their local casino. The NFL has brought in about 45 million bettors this season, which is a pretty significant increase over last season.

If you like to bet on sports but aren’t an NFL fan, there are other popular sports that can be wagered on sites such as BetUS, like horse racing, soccer, tennis, or the NBA. They are all easy to wager on and can potentially win you a lot of money if you do your homework and are smart with your wagers.

In addition to sports betting, there are also plenty of online casino options, as well. Slot machines have come a long way, and poker and blackjack continue to draw a lot of interest. With all of the options, though, there’s a particular way the games should be approached.

Slots Remain Very Popular in Online Gaming

When visiting online casinos, you’ll find that some of the most popular games are slot machines. There is always a large variety of games to choose from, some of which are very stimulating. When first starting to play slots, you should first test out a few games and develop a strategy for playing them.

Some sites offer you to play their slots to practice with no money being put at stake. This is a great way to decide which slots would be best for you. One of the most important things to keep in mind when playing slots is knowing when to stop. Set limits and goals for yourself so you don’t get caught up in the excitement and keep spinning when you probably should have stopped playing after you reached your objective.

Poker Might Be the Game for You

Poker is also one of the most popular games for betting online. Because you’re playing against other people, there is not only strategy but a lot of psychology involved. You have to have mental strength and consistent play, instead of relying on luck to win. There are also many different strategies you can use.

Whether you want to be a tight player and only bet when you have a top hand or play looser and take chances by bluffing once in a while, poker can be a great game, and you don’t necessarily have to get good cards in order to win some cash. There are plenty of sites to choose from, whether you want to play for real or play on sites in which no money is involved.

Betting Can Be Rewarding with the Right Attitude

If you’re knowledgeable about sports and are a fan of whatever sports you’re betting on, sites like BetUS may be an excellent place to get started. Choosing between betting sports or playing casino games can be difficult. You’ll be up against the odds when betting on sports and whether or not you win depends on the outcomes of the games you’re interested in.

When playing casino games, you have more control over the outcome, especially if playing casino games such as poker and slots. Taking all this into consideration should help a person better decide what they want to bet on. Just remember to have fun and stay in control of your emotions, especially if playing casino games like slots. Being an intelligent gambler can help you maximize your winnings and enjoy your overall gambling experience.

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It might seem like an immaterial use of technology on the surface, but fantasy sports are popular with millions of people across the globe. Whether it’s football, baseball, basketball, or any other sport, the activity of building a team and going head-to-head against other players is a thrill many enjoy.

Yet why is this the case? Why are fantasy sports, a concept which dates back to the 1950s, not only kicking around still but thriving more than ever? This article will take a closer look at why fantasy sports are so popular.

The variety of games available

From soccer and hockey to golf and professional wrestling, there’s a fantasy sport for pretty much everyone. Aside from all of the sports available, there are also various league types to suit all tastes.

For instance, a standard league will feature current players, where real-world stats are used as a season progresses – and these stats are converted into points for a user’s team. However, there are fantasy pools that allow team owners to select players throughout history, where they go against other fantasy teams in a simulated situation. You learn a lot more about fantasy pools here and discover how it impacts the game.

The excitement of competition

In the same way as backing your favorite team to win against one of their rivals, competition and getting the better of your opponent/s is a big part of fantasy sports. Everyone craves some type of competition. With fantasy sports, this aspect can be enjoyed every game day, easily, and without the need to physically exert yourself or get muddy!

Anyone can win

Extending on from the previous point, competition is the main point of fantasy sports. It generally requires skill and ample, continued research to compete successfully. Yet no matter how many player stats you look at, no matter how many expert opinions you consume, there’s still the possibility your friend, a casual observer, at best, wins the league.

Sport is unpredictable. By extension, fantasy sport is also unpredictable. This element means anyone has a shot at winning the league. Yes, that even means players who make their picks based on which players have the funniest names.

It’s a social experience

It is undeniable: fantasy sports bring people together. It is a shared experience, whether you are playing in a general league or one that exclusively features your friends, family, and work colleagues.

This social experience even encompasses fantasy sports content for you to consume, whether that’s blog posts or podcasts. It also presents a fun discussion point if you’re ever in a social situation with a fellow fantasy sports enthusiast.

Adds extra thrills to games

There are various ways to add some extra spice to your viewing experience when watching sport. Participating in fantasy sports is one such way. It gives you greater reason to watch and root for specific players.

This is particularly beneficial when watching games that don’t involve the team you support. While little encouragement is required to follow your favorite team, it can make all the difference when it comes to other games.

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According to the Texas Department of Transport, there were 208,000 crashes on the roads of the Lone Star State in 2020 – a significant increase over previous years. This is the case despite there being far less traffic on the roads for several months due to the coronavirus pandemic lockdown measures. Emergent statistics from the first half of 2021 indicate that this trend of increasing danger on the roads is continuing. This is a serious problem. Traffic accidents are one of the most common causes of death for people aged between 1 and 50 in the USA. What, then, are the causes of this Texan accident boom, and what can be done about it?

Causes

Early in the lockdown, it was clear that some people had changed their driving habits. Speed-related accidents increased, as did distracted driving-related accidents. Seatbelts were worn less. All of this has contributed to the increased number of accidents in the state. Anybody buying car insurance in El Paso TX, or any other Texan city will have noticed increases in charges related to the general increase in accidents on the road. Everybody loses when accident number increase.

Speeding, distracted driving, and driving under the influence remain the most common causes of accidents in the state of Texas.

Solutions

There have been many proposed solutions to the rise in vehicle accidents in Texas – and indeed around the United States during 2020. Texas is one of the most lenient states in the country when it comes to enforcing traffic safety. It is one of the only states that does not have a distracted driving law preventing people from using mobile phones on the road. Putting a law in place to stop drivers from using phones at the wheel may prevent accidents, but it would certainly rub some Texans – famous for their distrust of big government – the wrong way. It would certainly be worth rubbing people the wrong way to prevent accidents, but politicians, unfortunately, have votes to protect.

Smart roads may be one solution to increasing accident figures. Smart roads are essentially connected roads: vehicles, road sensors, and traffic control elements all communicate and share data in order to improve road safety. A huge amount of investment is being made into smart roads all around the world.

Regardless of the solutions to the sheer number of accidents, the fact remains that some crashes are inevitable. Preventing serious injury and death during crashes is one of the most challenging tasks for the Texas Department of Transport. There is one factor in many of the road fatalities that can and should be rectified: a huge quantity of the fatalities on Texas roads befell people that were not wearing seatbelts. While it is true that seatbelts can cause secondary injuries in car crash victims, they are also extremely good at preserving those same people’s lives. According to the CDC more than half of the fatalities on the road in the United States involve people that were not wearing their seatbelts. Seatbelts also reduce the likelihood of serious injury during a crash by about 50 percent.

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Real money online gambling can offer some fabulous rewards if you get lucky. Or if you’re highly skilled at a game like poker where you can clean up against players from all over the world. However, there are some risks involved as well, such as winding up at a disreputable online casino or having your financial details compromised.

The only way to eliminate the risks and enjoy all of the great advantages that playing online is known for, is by choosing only the most highly rated and recommended online casinos. For instance, 1xbet NZ has built up a stellar reputation for just about every important element of online casino entertainment.

If you’re thinking of giving it a try for yourself, here are a few pointers on how to choose the best option.

Think About What You Expect from the Experience

Naturally, you probably want to win some money while partaking in games you genuinely enjoy playing. However, you should consider what form you want this to take. For instance, are you an avid slots player dreaming of the moment you hit that life-changing jackpot? Or do you consider yourself a poker or blackjack shark that has the skills necessary to win loads of cash?

There is a the perfect place for you online no matter what type of player you are. So, your only goal is to make sure you’re choosing the ultimate destination. Some casinos are known for massive jackpots and hundreds of slots. While some have poker rooms frequented by pros from all over the globe.

Research the Leading Casinos

Some casinos are so good and well-known that they are hard to miss online. Regardless, it’s always worthwhile to do a few minutes of research to avoid any future hassles or mishaps. In terms of research, all you really need to do is read up on what players and reviewers have to say about the leading sites in your area.

You should also ensure you’re never trusting a casino with your information unless it is fully legitimate. For instance, any type of real money betting requires licensing and regulation. Which you can easily find out online before you join.

Compare Bonus Offers

Everybody’s favorite thing about online casinos is that they offer bonuses that land-based casinos could never. For example, most slots sites will give you a number of free spins, and casinos will even match your first, or first few deposits with credit to use as you like.

These bonuses are worth comparing to ensure you’re getting the deal that matches you best. If you’re a frequent player then meeting the wagering requirements are usually a breeze. But if you don’t play that often, look for no-deposit bonuses or offers that have very low rollovers for the best value.

Moreover, new member bonuses are not the only things you should pay attention to. You should also compare the loyalty programs and what you stand to gain as an active member at the casino.

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Sports betting is one of the many aspects of human life that has undergone a massive digital revolution with the impact being witnessed and felt everywhere.

The practice of predicting possible outcomes of a sports event and placing a wager on it has passed through numerous technological advances throughout the years. Thanks to innovation, the industry is ever-evolving and growing, with new ideas and tricks being added to the rules of the game and improvements in user experience.

This has seen online betting growing in popularity as staking is made easy and quick and payouts more instant. As far as the trends in technology and innovation go, the internet was the groundbreaking technology that revolutionized the sports betting industry.

It gave gamblers the flexibility to play anywhere anytime without needing to visit a betting location. But before we dive deeper, in this article, let us go back to history when online betting became a thing and which technology revolutionized the industry.

The Beginning

The sports betting industry has been around for quite some time. Hundreds of years actually. However, it was not until the 1960s, when the gambling legislation was passed, that it started to transition into what we know of it today.

The legislation saw the rise in bookmarkers and the idea of betting in a betting shop. The computer revolution took off in earnest in the 1970s. Games like “Pong” and “Space Invaders” were introduced as mainstream computer beings alongside slot games, giving rise to the main groundbreaking technology: arcade technology.

Arcade Technology

With arcade technology came several microchip-based games that included horse or motor racing. The games involved players backing 10 runners or vehicles against at least six competitors by placing a wager in the spot or car they wanted to bet on.

The race, a mechanical cum microprocessor event, would begin after a set time. After the race, the winner would be declared, and their winnings paid out through a slotted tray, much like a slot machine.

The machine was an analog version of what would become a virtual slot machine applying the same principles of the game, such as wager amount, placing odds, choosing the winner, and payouts.

However, arcade technology grew less and less popular with the arrival of video games around the 1980s which paved the way for virtual sports betting.

Rise In Computer Games And Virtual Sports Betting

Around the 1980s, the boom in computer games played a significant role in shaping how people played sports betting. Personal computers became widely used and affordable through such machines as ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, and BBC Micro.

Toward the end of 1980s, computers and computer games were booming businesses and with them. Came more innovations and advancements in virtual gaming. By the 1990s, online sports betting gained traction alongside video games as new features and software were being launched every day.

By 2003 online sports betting was a booming industry, with many betting sites like UK non-Gamstop sites springing up and providing more extensive and better virtual gaming offerings.

As mobile technology advanced and internet speed increased, online sports betting became a respected and influential industry that’s now earning players, bookmakers, and governments millions of dollars in profits and revenue.

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