People in the US spent $4,158 on utilities in 2020. Over a third ($1,516) went toward electricity bills alone.

Most US homes, after all, own a space heater, water heater, air conditioner, and refrigerator. They also have televisions, cookers, and many other electronics.

Unfortunately, all those electrical devices and equipment are vulnerable to power surges. Without surge protection, they’re at risk of severe damage.

But what is a power surge, though? How does surge protection even work?

This guide answers those questions and more, so read on.

What Is a Power Surge?

A power surge is a sudden increase in the electrical charge carried by power lines. That causes a spike in the potential energy flowing to wall outlets. The stronger the surge, the more severe the damage or destruction it can cause to devices.

In rare cases, extreme power surges can also trigger electrical fires.

Electrical malfunctions, in turn, accounted for 6.8% of US house fires in 2019. That’s on top of the 2.9% of residential building fires caused by appliances.

What Can Cause Power Surges?

The causes of power surges can either be internal or external.

Internal causes occur when motorized appliances, such as a fridge, shut off temporarily. That then redirects the electricity to other devices connected to your electrical system.

External power surges involve elements outside your home, such as a lightning strike. They can also result from power restoration after a blackout or an outage.

How Can Surge Protection Help?

A surge protection device detects unexpected spikes in electrical currents. If the voltage rises above an acceptable level, it diverts the excess power into the ground.

Thus, a surge protector safeguards electronics connected to it during a power surge.

A power strip with surge protection is the cheapest surge protector available. However, it only safeguards appliances connected to it. You can still use these strips for smaller devices, such as computers, TVs, and gaming consoles.

If you have many pricey electronics, it’s best to get a whole-home surge protection system. Licensed electricians mount these on the electrical panels themselves. They can prevent internal and external power surges from damaging equipment.

Whole-home surge protectors are also best for appliances requiring direct wall outlet connections. These include air conditioners, space heaters, water heaters, and refrigerators.

Some electrical surge protection devices only block external surges, though. That means they don’t safeguard electronics from spikes inside your home. So, make sure you confirm the type of protection a device provides before buying it.

You can also install a whole-home protector and individual surge suppressor. That can help further protect appliances and electronics from internal and external surges.

Invest in Surge Protection Today

Remember: No matter how small a flame is, it can turn into a massive fire in half a minute. It can then engulf an entire home within just a few minutes.

Since an electrical fire can, albeit rarely, occur due to a power surge, it’s a risk you should avoid at all costs. Thus, it’s best to invest in whole-home surge protection ASAP. Besides, you don’t want your pricey electronics to get damaged, do you?

Are you ready for even more articles like this? Then be sure to check out our other blog posts now!

Humanity’s oldest sense is the sense of smell. 

Scents play a major role in our moods, whether we realize it or not. For example, lavender calms us down when we’re stressed, and a citrus scent will wake up a sleepy mind in the mornings. 

If you’d like to start using different scents in your home or office, we suggest purchasing a scent diffuser. It’s important to select the best one!

Below is a guide on choosing the best scent diffuser for your space. Make sure to keep reading for 7 useful tips to take along with you on your shopping journey. 

1. Think About Scent Strength

Do you want your space to be taken over by the scent of your essential oils? Or do you want a slight scent in the air?

Think about scent strength when selecting an oil diffuser. This is especially important if your family members or coworkers are sensitive to smells. 

If you want something with maximum strength, check out nebulizing diffusers. Explore your options on aromatechscent.com.

2. Consider Size

There are many different sizes of diffusers available. Think about where you’d like to place your oil diffuser before purchasing it. 

Grab a smaller-sized diffuser if you’d like to place it on your work desk. This way, it won’t disrupt your workflow on a busy day.

Do you have more room on a living room shelf? Try out a bigger option!

3. Look at Lighting Options

When exploring the different types of scent diffusers, you’ll notice many of them feature lighting options. This could be good or bad depending on your needs. 

If you enjoy soft ambient lighting, consider buying a diffuser with programmed light settings. If light would be too distracting, select one without a light.

4. Research Types of Diffusers

Believe it or not, there are TONS of different types of diffusers. It’s best to do your research before dropping any money.

Common types of scent diffusers include heat, nebulizing, candle, and water diffusers. They also use unique mechanisms to deliver scent and some of these mechanisms may be more appealing to you than others.

5. Consider Other Members of Your Space

If you’re placing your diffuser in a shared space, think about the other people that come through the space. 

For example, if you have children, it’s best to avoid too many candle or heat diffusers. These types of heat diffusers are major fire hazards, especially around clumsy children. 

6. Peek at Your Budget

You can buy a nebulizing diffuser for a few hundred dollars, or you can grab a water diffuser for less than $20. Take a look at your budget before deciding on what to purchase. 

If this is your first diffuser, purchase something of good quality at a lower price for a personal trial run. If you like it, invest in something more expensive. 

7. Think About Room Size

Obviously, if you’re trying to fill a large room with scent, you’ll need a more powerful scent diffuser. You can stick to something simple if you’re only trying to freshen up a small office area. 

Are you not sure how different diffusers would hold up in different spaces? Check out online reviews for reactions from other customers. 

The Power of Smell: Selecting a Scent Diffuser

Is it time to freshen up your home or office? Investing in a scent diffuser may be your best option! 

When selecting a scent diffuser, make sure to use the above guide. It’ll help you make the wisest decision with your investment. 

Speaking of spending wisely, check out the rest of the site for more tips on saving money! We even have articles that teach you how to make money. 

The COVID-19 pandemic paired with natural disasters and changes in demands has led to supply chain issues and current shortages of products. However, the specific products that fall short of demand often change.

We have all the information on the current shortages in the U.S. Keep reading to learn about current shortages and how you can prepare and adapt. 

Plastics

Natural disasters in 2021 destroyed plastic chemical plants in the United States. In addition, a reinstated tax on imported resins has kept supplies from purchasing plastic resin from outside the country. As a result, there has been a shortage of plastic resin for 12 months.

The plastic shortage has impacted a variety of products but most of all the bottled-water industry. You have probably noticed a shortage of distilled water in stores. However, if you’re a distilled water purchaser, there are still places where you can find distilled water by searching for distilled water near me.

Construction Materials

Building materials for both commercial and home products are in short supply and have been since the start of the pandemic in 2020. It started with lockdowns and a shortage in labor supply while at the same people were spending more time at home and had more time for home projects. Thus, demand grew quickly while supplies dwindled just as fast.

Lumber and garage doors have especially suffered. In 2021, wildfires in the western U.S. diminished much of the country’s softwood supply. Then, mudslides and flooding delayed shipments. Thus, 2022 continues to see a delay in the supply of construction materials and current shortages.

Semiconductor Chips and Consumer Electronics

There are a few reasons why there is a current shortage in semiconductor ships and subsequently electronics. First, the pandemic kept workers out of the semiconductor chip factories, resulting in labor shortages and production delays. 

Secondly, more and more products use semiconductor chips. Everything from your computer to household appliances to cars has some sort of microchip necessary for smart functioning. 

Thirdly, as products become more advanced, they require more semiconductor chips per product. Basically, the demand for semiconductor chips has continued to grow rapidly over the last few years but the supply has not been able to catch up since the start of the pandemic.

As a result, there remains a shortage in consumer electronics as well as vehicles. 

Pet Food

Shortages of ingredients and packaging materials as well as shipping delays have led to a widespread pet food shortage. Ingredients such as chicken and grains have seen production delays since labor shortages in 2020.

The aluminum industry is also behind due to tight supply and a rise in energy costs associated with production. Thus, canned cat and dog food are in short supply.

In addition, there have been many shortages among truck drivers due to illness. Trucking is the primary way of transporting pet food.

One other reason for the pet food shortage is the fact that demand increased alongside the increase in pet ownership during the pandemic. 

Food Products

Current food shortages are the result of current supply chain shortages, particularly those that rely on shipping and chemicals.

Products like avocados, pasta, milk, and other grains are expected to continue to be delayed and understocked. This is because these products rely on human labor and the continuation of new COVID-19 variants continues to cause current labor shortages and shut-downs.

In addition, shortages in fertilizers and pesticides result in smaller crop yields right now as well as throughout 2022.

Don’t Worry! Our Frugal Living Tips Can Help

Supply chain issues and delays continue to cause current shortages that can be frustrating and difficult. However, we have all the tips you need to work around these shortages. Check out all our frugal living and thrifty business posts to learn more!

 

$78,838. That’s the average home insurance claim made after a fire or lightning damages a home. 

The most common causes of home insurance claims are wind, hail, water damage, and fire. Unfortunately, you never know when your home will be the victim of one of these events. 

You could choose to take the risk and live without homeowners insurance or manage the risks by protecting yourself with a home insurance plan. Managing these risks is simple to do by purchasing home insurance.

While it will cost some money to buy a policy, you’ll have the protection and security you need. There are eight great reasons to invest in a homeowner’s insurance plan, and you can continue reading if you’re ready to learn these.

1. Your Lender Requires It

Mortgage lenders have rules and requirements that borrowers must follow. One of these is that a borrower must keep home insurance on the property while the loan is still active. 

Consider what would happen if a fire consumed your entire home while you owed money on your property. You’d lose your house but still owe money to a lender.

Lenders realize this and require home insurance for their protection. But, it doesn’t just protect lenders. It also protects borrowers.

In this example, your home insurance pays your lender the balance you owe on the loan. There’s no better way to manage your risks than purchasing homeowners insurance for this purpose. 

2. It Protects Your Home 

So, why do you need homeowners insurance besides to ensure that it pays your loan if you lose your house? There are many answers to this question. However, one vital answer is to have protection for your home.

If you don’t have a loan on your house, you might think you don’t need home insurance. But imagine losing your house to a fire without having insurance on it. You’d lose your entire investment.

If you wanted to rebuild your house, you’d have to pay for all the rebuilding costs. However, you’d receive compensation for your losses with home insurance, and you can’t get this compensation any other way. 

3. It Also Protects Your Things

Home insurance doesn’t only cover your home’s structure, though. It also covers the things you own inside your house, including your furniture, appliances, and clothing. 

For example, if you experience losses of your personal items, you can file a compensation claim. Your policy might compensate you based on the actual value of the goods or their replacement value. 

You can learn more about home insurance costs by speaking with an agent. An agent can also help you choose a plan that provides all the coverage you need for your home and personal possessions. 

4. Home Insurance Covers Lawsuits

What else does homeowners insurance cover, you might wonder? Does it cover other things? The answer is yes; it covers other things, including lawsuits. 

You might not realize that people can sue you if they encounter injuries while visiting your home. For example, suppose a delivery driver slips on your icy sidewalk and breaks his leg. He could sue you for the damages.

Fortunately, home insurance policies come with liability coverage. Your policy covers the damages if anyone gets hurt or killed on your property. Again, you’d be personally responsible for these costs without insurance coverage.

5. Your Policy Covers Your Equity

Your home is an investment. You might not start with much equity in your house when you first purchase it, but you’ll gradually build equity over time. As mentioned earlier, living without home insurance puts you at risk.

If you lose your home, you lose your investment. As a result, you should take the appropriate steps to minimize your risks. The best way to do this with your home is through the protection of a home insurance policy. 

6. You’ll Have Coverage for Many Events 

Minimizing your risks is vital when you own a home, but what risks does a home insurance policy cover? A basic policy might cover the following events:

• Fire
• Hail
• Wind
• Water damage
• Smoke
• Fallen trees
• Vandalism
• Lawsuits

You can add extra coverage to your plan, too. For example, if you fear that a flood might destroy your home, you could purchase a flood insurance policy for added protection. 

A home insurance agent can tell you what perils your policy covers, but they’ll also explain other perils you can protect through riders or additional policies. 

For example, adding sewer line coverage is a common rider that homeowners request. If they experience damage from their sewer lines breaking, they can file a home insurance claim for compensation. 

7. It Provides a Sense of Security and Peace 

If you think about your risk-management goals, you might realize that having a sense of security and peace is one of the top ones. Finding ways to protect yourself is an excellent way to feel more confident and at peace.

When you know that you have the protection you need for all your risks, you can feel a sense of security. As a result, you’ll have fewer worries, which means you’ll have less stress. 

8. Home Insurance Is the Best Ways to Manage Your Risks

Buying a home insurance policy is one of the best ways to manage your risks, mainly because a home is a valuable asset. Think about this. What position would you be in if you lost your home without insurance coverage?

If this thought scares you, it’s simple to ease those fears by purchasing home insurance. 

Owning a Home Without Insurance Is Risky Business

Your home might very well be the most valuable thing you own.

Choosing to skip purchasing home insurance could put you in a very bad and risky position. Instead, you can manage the risks by purchasing a policy that fully protects you, your home, and your things. 

If you enjoyed this blog, you might like others on our site. Check it out today!

Most people dread dentist visits because the sharp whirring instruments and mouth injections are nothing to look forward to. However, part of the reason why people hate dental visits is that they’re just too darn expensive. With only 52% of American adults having dental insurance, the rest have to dig deep into their pockets for every visit to the dentist.

However, visiting the dentist’s office doesn’t always have to put a dent in your bank account. There are plenty of ways you can pay for dental services without draining your finances. If you’re having trouble paying for dental services, we’re here to help.

In today’s post, we’ll be highlighting a few ways to pay for dental work without proper dental insurance.

Pay With Your Health Savings Account

A Health Savings Account, or HSA, is an excellent way to cover expenses for your dental appointment. The HSA deducts a portion of your pre-tax monthly income that you can use for health expenses, including dental services.

The best part about an HSA is that the money you save isn’t subject to any taxation. Essentially, an HSA allows you to have high-deductible health plans that are exempt from tax. Plus, you don’t have to pay any taxes when you take out money from your HSA.

If dental insurance isn’t your cup of tea, maybe you should consider opening an HSA. You won’t have to pay any taxes on the money in your account. Plus, you earn tax-free interest on the money you save in your HSA.

Join a Membership Plan

Most dentists have membership plans that patients can join at their volition. These plans help cater to patients without dental benefits by offsetting their dental bills. Patients will pay a monthly fee regularly as a sort of membership fee.

For being a member of a dental plan, you’ll receive free preventive care and huge discounts on other regular procedures. This significantly decreases the amount you have to pay during your next visit to the dentist.

It’s worth noting that different dental clinics have different membership plans. The terms that apply to one dentist, may not apply to another. Check with your dentist to confirm the terms of their membership plan, including the payment, benefits, and much more.

Try talking to brentwooddentalspa.com and see whether they have any membership plans that may work for you. Also, speak to the dentists and see whether you can work out a payment plan for your procedure.

Negotiate With the Dentist

The occasional ouchies the dentist gives you during your dental appointments are in no way a reflection of their demeanor. Dentists are human beings just like you and can be empathetic when necessary. If you’re in a tough financial situation, try explaining it to the dentist.

The dentist may offer a less expensive treatment alternative to the current one. You may also come up with a payment plan that works for both of you. If you’ve been a long-time patient, the dentist might even let you off without paying a thing.

Don’t rule out negotiating with the dentist until you give it a try. Negotiations especially work with patients that have established a strong relationship with the dentist.  Try negotiating with the dentists; you have nothing to lose.

Take Out a Dental Loan

If you’re in a financial rut, you can always borrow a third-party loan to cover dental expenses. Third-party financiers are one of the most convenient financing options for dental expenses. These unsecured loans can get you the money for your dental procedure with no questions asked

However, you’ll need a good credit score to secure a decency loan from most lenders. Also, be wary of predatory lenders with astronomical interest rates and unfair repayment terms. Do a quick online search to find the perfect lender for a dental loan.

Use a Healthcare Credit Card

A healthcare credit card, as the name implies, is a type of credit card that only caters to medical expenses. These credit cards work like typical credit cards, but you can only use them when visiting hospitals or dental clinics.

There are plenty of healthcare credit card companies that you can opt for. When picking one, be sure to check its terms, interest rates, and whether they have financing. You can use a healthcare credit card to offset your dental costs and pay the credit card company later.

Find Low-Cost Dental Providers

Do your homework and look for dental providers who charge lower rates for their services. A simple internet search will expose you to dozens of such clinics for your consideration.

Most low-cost dental providers are backed by non-profit organizations or the government. Most will provide the dental services you need at a fraction of the cost. However, they may not offer cosmetic dental services and procedures.

It’s worth noting that low-cost dental services are in pretty high demand. This means you’ll have to wait a few weeks or months for your dental appointment. If you’re cash-strapped, you’ll have no other option but to wait.

Visit a Dental School Clinic

If you don’t need too much dental work done on your teeth, consider visiting a dental school clinic. Most colleges that offer dentistry run their own clinics. They allow dentistry students to treat patients under the close supervision of a professional dentist.

Visiting a dental school clinic will shave off about 20% to 70% of what you’d pay in an actual dental clinic. Check out the American Dental Association website to find dental school clinics in your area.

Paying for Dental Services Made Easy

Struggling to pay for dental services should be a thing of the past with the above tips. Don’t let your financial situation prevent you from having strong, healthy teeth. Talk to your dentist today and decide what payment method is best for you.

For more insightful content, check out the other posts on the site.