Beekman Beer Garden

Two Beekman Brothers - Traveling the World in Search of Great Beer

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3 Investment Tips for Expatriates

Contrary to popular belief, the investment options for those who reside in their home country of the United Kingdom differ from expatriates living abroad. One good example is the ISA or the Individual Savings Account. While it may be commonplace for many UK residents, it is an option that generally isn’t available for emigrants. Due to its convenience, tax-efficiency, and safety, many ex-pats miss out on the advantages that ISA yields. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they don’t have any worthwhile investments that they can pursue. And in this piece, we’ll discuss some of the opportunities available for expatriates.

1. Offshore investments

One of the most common investment options for expatriates comes in the form of offshore investment bonds, and it isn’t hard to see why. After all, it isn’t subject to capital gains and income tax. What this essentially means is that the investment will grow free of tax, which in turn, could potentially lead to more substantial returns on your investment in a shorter time frame compared to bonds that are onshore. To invest, a single payment is a lump sum. However, the amount that you’ll need to pay will be determined by the chosen provider.

It is well worth noting that once the money from the selected offshore bond is brought into the United Kingdom, it will be subject to tax. As such, it is imperative to ensure that you’ll be abroad for a long period. To ensure that the encashment goes smoothly and that your profit is maximized, it makes sense to hire the services of a professional financial advisor.

2. Overseas pensions

An overseas pension, in many ways, is an investment and source of stable income for expatriates to retire. It is growing to become a preferred scheme for many because it presents people with the opportunity to either withdraw or hold on to one’s pension in the selected currency. Why does this matter? The answer is simple: it protects people from any exchange rates that could be potentially volatile. Additionally, pensions in the United Kingdom will only transfer funds to their partner when they pass away. However, with an overseas pension, you have a lot more flexibility when it comes to choosing who inherits the funds.

3. Property acquisition

Another effective way to diversify your portfolio for your investments is through property acquisition. The process starts with purchasing a piece of property in the country that you are currently based in. Once its value has risen, you can benefit from passive income through renting. Keep in mind that the task is much more challenging for expatriates than locals, especially if you normally move from country to country. Because of this, you may need to hire an agency that can manage your property and make collections when needed.

As an expatriate, understanding all of your options when it comes to prospective investment opportunities can improve your portfolio. Whether you choose to opt for offshore investments, an overseas pension, property acquisition, or all three, you’ll surely maximize your returns.

Image: https://pixabay.com/photos/calculator-calculation-insurance-1680905/

 

Top 5 DIY Garden Bar Ideas

Having a bar in your garden is a brilliant opportunity to enjoy spending time at home. Bring the beer gardens to you, and lap up the sun during summer heatwaves. When it comes to creating a bar in your garden, where do you start? Here are our top DIY garden bar ideas to help you with your own project. Cheers to that!

Put Artificial Grass Around the Bar

If you’re looking for the perfect material for in and around your garden bar, cheap artificial grass is the way to go. You can lay it down in an interior or exterior space, as it’s suitable anywhere.

Artificial grass can easily be washed down, so any drink spillages can be sprayed away with no issues. High heels, slipper socks and bare feet are all suitable for walking over artificial grass too, as its synthetic surface is cushioned for comfort. This is ideal for having bar stools or other furniture stacked on top of it, as it will take the weight with confidence.

Another reason why you should install artificial grass in your garden bar is that it can’t become uneven or patchy. It takes care of itself, and won’t fade during your summer garden parties or winter chills.

Fire up a Pizza Oven

Get the fire burning and dough rolling, adding a pizza oven to your bar will be the life and soul of the party. Everyone loves a bite to eat with a drink and a pizza oven would be an incredibly fun way to bring people together.

You don’t have to spend a huge amount of money on building a pizza oven. Get your gloves on and use cement to pile house bricks, breeze blocks or concrete together. This will give you a sturdy foundation for cooking some tasty Italian style pizzas.

Go to Another Destination

Nothing says DIY quite like decorating a room to look like an exotic location. Your garden bar can be transformed into whatever theme you want. From a tropical Hawaiian beach, to a bustling German brewery, make your bar match your drinks!

To transform your area into a specific theme, start with the bar itself. Add photographs or ornaments that would be found in your dream location, such as postcards and beer mats. When doing this, consider your overall colour scheme and what works well together. If you want beach vibes, choose sandy colours and light blues. If you want a fireplace and mulled wine, go for a chic, winter look.

Theming your garden bar is a great DIY project, as you can really have some fun with it. Root around in holiday brochures or raid magazines for inspiration.

Hang up a Dart Board

Is a garden bar even complete without a dartboard? An iconic and unforgettable part of any British pub, having a dartboard is a competitive way to pass time and make memories with your family or friends. You can even play alone and get aiming for that bullseye.

Even though it’s extremely British, dartboards are known around the world. So, if you have a themed bar, it will still hang proudly next to the beer cooler!

Add a Cooler to a Table

Every bar needs a table of some sort to hold drinks and snacks. Well, why not have a table that keeps your drinks cold too? If you build a table around a cooler, or buy one with a fridge installed inside it, you can chat away and simply reach for a fresh beverage at your greatest convenience. A popular version of a bar table is when you can put ice at the bottom of a table, pop your bottles in and place the table lid on top. This will impress any guest, and make the bar look classy.

 

How to Cook With Saffron: A Beginner’s Guide

Looking to cook up a fancy meal?

Saffron is one of the most high-end spices in the world. It can give your meal a more premium feel and pack a punch of extra flavor. However, you don’t want to use a high-grade ingredient with the wrong dishes.

You’re in luck because this guide teaches you how to cook with saffron. Read on and find out more:

What Is Saffron?

Before you make saffron rice or other dishes, you must know what it is. Saffron strands come from the stamen of the crocus sativus plant. You can find these in the Mediterranean, North Africa, the Middle East, and other tropic areas.

Saffron is expensive not because of the flowers or their small geographical range. It’s the brief window for them to bloom, as well as the low yield considering the human labor necessary. The saffron plant has fragile reproductive parts that require tweezers to harvest.

After the grueling stamen extraction, they must undergo drying and packaging. It will make them look like crimson petal trumpets with a yellow tendril at the end.

How Does Saffron Taste Like?

Even the most seasoned chefs in the world find Saffron’s precise flavor hard to decipher. It has a unique taste, making it one of the best spices around. Some can describe it as smokey, heady, and bright all at once.

Despite its complex flavor, Saffron complements a wide array of dishes. As said before, cooking rice with Saffron is possible. You can use this spice on pasta, vegetables, meat, and dessert.

The versatility of its flavor makes it great for both savory and sweet dishes. In some ways, Saffron has a biological similarity to vanilla. It doesn’t have to be the main actor, but it can enhance every other ingredient.

How to Cook With Saffron

The good news is that Saffron works well with almost any dish. As said above, its complex flavor serves to amplify other ingredients. If you want to play it safe, use this spice on rice-based dishes like Persian Rice or Risotto Milanese.

When cooking with saffron spice, you can pick either the threads or the powder. The former is the superior choice since it gives an indescribable uniqueness to a dish. The latter is good if you want even flavoring for the dish.

How to Crush Saffron

You’ll often see ground saffron in Persian dishes like “tahdig,” “polows,” and stews. It’s better to crush Saffron instead of buying pre-crushed packets. You can never know what’s in them, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.

To start, get a fat pinch of saffron threads. Put them in a small mortar and grind them with a pestle.

After breaking the threads, add a pinch of sugar. Its abrasiveness helps make Saffron into a fine powder.

You can use salt as an alternative to sugar. However, the latter is the better abrasive. The finest chefs choose them because their impact on a dish’s final seasoning is lesser.

After grinding the Saffron, dissolve it using a couple of tablespoons of hot water. It makes the powder into an aromatic solution with a deep dusk-like hue. You can add this to a dish at any point, but it’s best to do it early to maximize the taste.

How to Add Saffron to Dishes

If your recipe involves lots of liquids with a long cooking time, it’s best to add Saffron directly. These factors help bring out the spice’s complex flavor and color without a blooming step. Toss a pinch without preparation and allow the simmering time to take hold.

To make the most out of the flavor, add the Saffron early on. It will have enough time to bloom as it simmers in the cooking liquid.

Some recipes require early dry toasting or oil toasting Saffron. This makes it more brittle in the stew.

Other Saffron Tips

Considering the price of Saffron spice, it’s crucial to use it to its highest potential. Here are some tips for you to consider:

1. How to Buy Saffron

The good news is that you need not look too hard for Saffron regardless of your location. If you find a shop selling this spice at a low price, back away. It’s unlikely to give the premium experience you’re looking for.

Instead of going to supermarkets, do your research using the internet. Look for a reputable spice shop, whether it’s online or in the real world. Ask questions since it allows you to determine the Saffron’s pedigree.

For example, Iranian Saffron is one of the highest-quality variants in the market. It’s what makes it desirable and not as accessible. If you aren’t willing to spend as much, look for Spanish and Afghan Saffron since they’re more available.

When buying Saffron, check whether it’s crimson with a subtle floral smell. Otherwise, threads with a lighter color or pale streaks mean inferior quality.

2. How to Store Saffron

Saffron’s shelf life is short, like any spice or dried herb. To maintain maximum flavor, store the threads in an airtight container. Keep it in a cool, dry area, as far away from sunlight as possible to extend its lifespan.

3. How to Release Saffron Flavor

Soak the Saffron threads in hot liquid for 5-20 minutes. Ensure that the water isn’t boiling to extract the flavor at its best. After that, add both liquid and threads to your recipe.

As the Saffron soaks, a distinct aroma will waft around your area. It’s a sign that your Saffron “tea” is ready. To add more flavor, soak it in stock or wine instead of water.

Start Cooking With Saffron Today

Learning how to cook with Saffron is a fulfilling experience. Use the tips mentioned above to ensure that you won’t waste this premium ingredient.

Are you looking for more ingredients for your meals? Want to know more healthy recipes for you and your family? Read our post for more ideas to improve your cooking skills.

8 Adventurous Things to Do in Colorado

If you’re a daredevil or just looking to spice up your life, there are a great number of adventurous things to do in Colorado to fill your tank. You can always take part in a drive to Colorado’s part of the Four Corners, but once that’s done what else is left?

With this ultimate list of 8 cool things to do in Colorado, you’ll never be left wondering. Let’s dive in.

1. Donkey Racing

If this idea sounds peculiar, that’s because it is. But you can both attend and try out donkey racing in Colorado.

This is definitely a big activity to jump right into and comes with some conditional prerequisites. If you’re afraid of donkeys or don’t know how to ride them, this may not be the option for you, but if you like riding and want to give it a try it’s a worthwhile experience.

And there’s always the option to be a viewer of doney races!

2. Cliff Camping

If you have lots of love for the adrenaline rush, try sleeping in the air. Cliff camping is when you hang your tent over the edge of a cliff and make it your “site.”

There are plenty of natural forming structures to choose from when visiting Colorado that you can cliff camp at. There are also several cliff camping options since you either do or don’t know how to do it.

You can take some classes and have a camping leader, or if you’re an experienced cliff camper you can pack your things and find a cliff-camping-friendly place to use.

3. Journey Through Time

Colorado comes with a rich history that you can always get some education out of. There are tons of museums you can visit to get your fix, but you can also get up close and personal if you’re looking for that bit of adventure.

Colorado offers many great dinosaur fossil sites where you can learn from paleontologists about the kinds of dinosaurs that once roamed the Earth. This is a fantastic activity for all ages that still checks the box of adventure and exploration.

Lots of dinosaur museums offer outdoor elements that can get anyone feeling like an explorer.

4. Conquer a Fourteener

If you’re looking to reach new heights, Colorado is home to many fourteeners that you can conquer. If you’re not familiar, a fourteener is a mountain peak that exceeds fourteen feet tall.

Climbing 14ers in Colorado is special because Colorado has the most of them. This means that there are many difficulty levels that can be graded on a scale, so there are tons of options for different skill levels.

You can tackle your first 14er on a beginner route, or if you’re an experienced climber you can give a tougher path a try. One thing’s for sure: you will not be missing out on any action when you climb a 14er.

5. National Parks

It’s important to acknowledge the obvious when it comes to cool things to do in Colorado, and that’s nature. Colorado has several different parks that you and your family or friends can explore to your heart’s content.

All of it is well kept and well worth your time, and it keeps Colorado booming. There are four in Colorado that all offer different perks.

Rocky Mountain National Park offers a must-see mountain range and Mesa Verde National Park works to keep ancient history alive with its Pebueloan dwellings. Great Sand Dunes National Park lives up to its name with some colossal dunes that you can even ski down, and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park holds many black rock formations that you can’t miss.

6. Eccentric Dispensaries

There is another elephant in the room when one thinks of Colorado, and that’s the dispensary business.

Because Colorado was one of the first to allow dispensaries for the public, it’s one of the best places to go if you’re looking to try something super new.

Places like Dalwhinnie Farms offer sophisticated experiences without seeming pretentious. You don’t have to feel intimidated or nervous at most Colorado dispensaries because people know what they’re doing and know how to help you have the best experience possible.

7. Sounds of Music

Not the theatre scene (though you can definitely find it in Colorado if you look hard enough), but the music scene is quite vibrant in the state. There are plenty of outdoor shows that you can go to in order to enjoy some sweet tunes with your best pals.

There are many outdoor venues for music that you can choose from in Colorado, all offering different music experiences so that you can cover all your bases. Mix your love of music with your love of nature by adding some adventure to your listening sessions in Colorado.

8. Rock Climbing

Finally, one of the classic Colorado experiences is rock climbing. The spaces for rock climbing are abundant in this state, and that only means more opportunities for anyone to try it.

You can climb all you want outside, as the many different environments allow for easy and difficult climbs. If you like the comfort of knowing you’ll fall on a cushy pad or get let down easily, you can also check out an indoor rock gym.

There are many of these for climbers who want to get frequent practice to train or even to start learning. So you get to pick your exciting experience based on your comfort level.

Get Excited About All the Adventurous Things to Do in Colorado

And just like that, you have 8 more adventurous things to do in Colorado! And many of these activities can take up multiple days, so you can fill up a whole trip with ease.

Never again will you have to worry about running out of things to do when you’re visiting the Centennial State. You’ve got boundless nature and an itch for adventure on your side.

So what are you waiting for? It’s time to organize that itinerary.

If you liked reading this post, check out some of our others, and don’t forget to come back again soon for more content.

5 Gardening Tips for Beginners

Gardening might be a job for some people but a passion for others. Some people develop love for gardening over time and suddenly start to look after their gardens, which sometimes causes problems as these beginners are not well-aware of some basic tips and tricks for gardening. The primary things a garden requires are sunlight, water and soil, but to keep a check and balance of these basic things is important. Following is some tips for those who have a passion for gardening but no proper understanding of how to take care of their garden in an effective manner:

1- Use the right equipment:

Using the right equipment for the right purpose is the most important thing to do to work efficiently while gardening. For example, watering the plant is essential so you will need to find a garden hosepipe for that. For finding a garden hose in Canada, you can contact landscaping and tell them your requirements. If you are working in a home garden, you do not need a heavy-duty pipe but a light-weight, easy to store and expandable hose, but if you want a more durable and solid one, you should get yourself a commercial-use hose. You can get a perfect hose in perfect rates, including a connection with water from land scaping. They have many options for you to choose from since they have hosepipes for all, according to their needs. Once you get the right equipment, your work will be more effective and efficient.

2- Site it right:

Gardening is more about doing some basic things right and you can even learn with experience. One basic rule of gardening is setting it up in the right place which means to keep it in sight, to keep it in the right sunlight and to keep it in the right zone. Keeping it in sight is important so you can give them the required attention and keep a check on them. Providing the right sunlight is important so they do not burn with too much sunlight or not grow without sunlight either. Providing them with the right zone is important so you know which plants grow in which climate and you plant accordingly.

3- Check for pests:

Checking plants for pests and diseases once a week is important so that you can provide them with appropriate pesticides on time. For fungal diseases, if you keep a check-up on your plants, you will be able to destroy the plants that are badly affected which may help in prevention of plant disease in other plants.

4- Take precautionary measures:

Try to keep plant foliage and flowers dry when irrigating because wet foliage is more vulnerable to diseases and fungal problems. Try watering the base only on these days. Put fertilizer only if required, that is, 6 inches away from the base, so it does not cause burning.

5- Be consistent:

Plants are living beings, and they not only grow with essentials but also need to love and care to grow in a healthy manner. You need to be patient and consistent with your plants so they can grow healthier. Your consistency towards your plants will help you grow as well since spending time in gardening burns calories, improves immunity, helps with stress relief and builds a communication between you and nature.

 

9 Healthy Chinese Food Menu Options Everyone Ignores (But Shouldn’t)

Takeout Chinese food is one of the most popular meals in the United States with about 1/3 of Americans eating it once a month or more! That’s a lot of General Tso’s chicken and Wonton Soup.

Chinese food often gets a bad reputation for being too high in salt and unhealthy overall, but that isn’t always the case. You just need to know what the healthier options are so you can still indulge in Chinese takeout without feeling guilty.

Check out this list of 9 good-for-you Chinese food menu options that most people don’t order, but should!

Chicken or Beef and Broccoli

Simple, but delicious and nutritious, many people pass over Chinese Chicken or Beef and Broccoli for sugary dishes like Bourbon chicken or super salty ones like Mongolian Beef. That’s a huge mistake.

Tender chicken or beef stir-fried with yummy broccoli all in a light and sweet ginger soy sauce make this dish one you’ll want to order again. It’s a lower-calorie dish with high protein and a reasonable amount of fat.

The light sauce still contains a fair amount of sugar and salt. You can always ask for light sauce on your dish or for the sauce on the side.

Steamed Chicken or Pork Dumplings

Another healthy Chinese food option is chicken or pork steamed dumplings. Dumplings are delicate dough pouches filled with vegetables and meat.

Most Chinese restaurants offer dumplings steamed or fried. Choose the steamed version to save yourself fat and calories. Dumplings in general are a nutritious choice with most having less than 50 calories a piece.

What can get unhealthy on you is the high amount of sodium in the soy-based dipping sauce. Eat them plain or use less sauce if you need to avoid salt.

Craving dumplings but all your searches for, “Chinese dumplings near me” turning up blank? You can always order frozen ones online so you can immediately fulfill your dumpling craving anytime!

Moo Goo Gai Pan with Chicken or Shrimp

You’ve probably seen Moo Goo Gai Pan on a Chinese food menu, but do you know what it is? Moo Goo Gain Pan is a type of Chinese stir-fry with broccoli, carrots, water chestnut, mushrooms, and meat in a light, tangy, sweet sauce with a hint of sesame oil.

Choose chicken or shrimp Moo Goo Gai Pan as your meat for a lighter, high-protein option. All the vegetables provide lots of fiber and nutrients.

Just watch the sauce as it can contain high amounts of sugar and salt. Ask for less sauce or get it on the side to control how much you put on.

Pork Egg Foo Young

Egg Foo Young is another Chinese takeout dish that you’ve seen on the menu but probably have yet to try. It does contain eggs as the name suggests.

Egg Foo Young is a Chinese egg omelet made with meat, usually pork, and chopped vegetables. The eggs and meat make it a high-protein, low-calorie dish. Added vegetables like peas, carrots, and onions boost the nutrition and fiber content at the same time.

Again, the thick, brown sauce that accompanies Egg Foo Young has a very high sodium content. Try to use it sparingly. You can also ask for your omelet to be lightly fried instead of deep-fried to save on fat.

Shrimp or Chicken with Vegetables and Black Bean Sauce

Black beans may make you think of Tex-Mex or Cuban dishes before you think of Chinese food. That will all change once you try Chinese Black Bean Sauce.

Used mostly in Sichuan and Cantonese cooking, Black Bean Sauce is made with fermented black beans and garlic. It tastes salty, spicy, pungent, and a little sweet.

Choose chicken or shrimp with vegetables for a healthy Chinese takeout option full of lean protein and antioxidants. Don’t forget to ask for the sauce on the side if you want greater control.

Kung Pao Chicken or Shrimp

Craving something spicy and healthy? Try Kung Pao chicken or shrimp next time you order Chinese takeout. As long as you’re not allergic to peanuts!

Chinese Kung Pao has a sweet, salty, and very spicy flavor thanks to the chili paste and Szechuan peppers. It also contains tons of peanuts and vegetables like carrots and snow peas, and bell peppers to make it filling and low calorie.

Kung Pao is one of the healthiest Chinese food options for meat-eaters.

Buddha’s Delight

Are you a vegetarian or vegan looking for a tasty and healthy Chinese takeout meal? Buddha’s Delight is an awesome stir-fry made with seasoned tofu and a multitude of vegetables like broccoli, bok choy, and cabbage in a lighter, savory sauce.

The high-fiber content and decent amount of protein mean even meat eaters can appreciate this tasty and filling meal.

If you are vegan, double-check with your local Chinese food restaurant that their version contains no animal products.

Chinese Eggplant in Garlic Sauce

Just looking for a side to add some extra nutrition to your meal? You can’t go wrong with Chinese Eggplant in Garlic Sauce.

They grill the Chinese Eggplant until it’s smoky and crispy, then smothered in a tangy, savory garlic sauce. It might not fill you up as a whole main dish, but it makes a great side or starter.

Egg Drop or Hot and Sour Soup

Many Chinese takeout starters are deep-fried and full of fat or come with super salty and sugary dipping sauces. You don’t have to cut out appetizers if you choose the right ones.

Try Egg Drop or Hot and Sour Soup as a great opener to your meal. Egg Drop Soup is a light soup with chicken broth and egg ribbons. Hot and Sour Soup is heartier with ginger, bamboo shoots, mushrooms, tofu, and egg ribbons with lots of vinegar and spices.

Keep in mind though both soups are low in calories, they may contain high amounts of sodium.

It’s Easy to Choose Healthy Options off a Chinese Food Menu

Next time you go to order takeout off a Chinese food menu, take a look at this list of healthier options.

You can even combine some of the options like Egg Drop Soup with Kung Pao Chicken or some Steamed Dumplings with Pork Egg Foo Young for a full delicious meal that won’t leave you feeling guilty.

Try some of these healthy Chinese food options to satisfy your craving today!

The Top 5 Most Popular Beverages Worldwide

When you’re thinking about the world’s most popular beverages, what comes to mind? Is it beer? Water? Soda? Or, surprisingly, something else?

While each person has their own preference as to which type of beverage they think is the most widely consumed, certain ones top the list. What are they?

Keep reading below to find out!

1. Water

The most popular beverage in the world is water. This makes sense, considering that 60% of your body is made of water and without it, you wouldn’t be able to live!

However, since the launch of the water-bottle industry, drinking water has become easier and more convenient, putting water in first place on this list.

If you’re concerned about plastic bottles affecting the environment, there are plenty of reusable and eco-friendly water bottles on the market to keep you hydrated.

2. Tea

After water, you might be surprised to learn that tea is the next most popular drink. Tea is made by pouring hot or boiling water over leaves, steeping it for a certain amount of time, discarding the leaves, and drinking the tea itself.

Hot tea is perfect for cold days, and iced tea is refreshing in the hot months. Tea also offers a wealth of health benefits especially from green and black teas. Tea is most likely to be found in Asia, but people drink it all over the world.

Most teas you find at the grocery store are full of sugar and added ingredients. If you want great health benefits without all the sugar, try making some at home!

3. Coffee

Most adults cannot start the morning without coffee which means coffee is another widely popular drink. There are over 22,000 coffee chains in America itself, with the average person spending over $1,000 a year on coffee.

Coffee gives you a morning boost as well as some health benefits. You can buy coffee from your local coffee chain, or once you understand the difference between different types of roasts, make your own at home to save a lot of money!

4. Orange Juice

Are you shocked to see another breakfast beverage on the list? While there are many fruit juices available at your grocery store, orange juice is the most widely purchased.

This is because it contains loads of vitamin C to keep your immune system healthy and fight off viruses like colds and flu. Its taste perfectly accompanies your morning breakfast and there are several different varieties available.

Some people even make their own at home!

5. Beer

Beer is an ancient drink, but still incredibly popular today, even beating out wine as the most consumed alcoholic drink.

People enjoy drinking beer at celebrations, games, parties, and so forth, and even after a long hard day at work. Nearly every place in the world offers beers.

The Most Popular Beverages in the World

There you have it! The most popular beverages in the world and they’re here to stay. Which one is your favorite?

Do you want to learn more about beer and other beverages? We’re traveling the world to find the answers! Visit our page today to see what we’ve discovered.

7 Important Safety Tips for Solo Traveling

Solo traveling has been on the rise in recent years. And why not? It can be freeing to travel at your own pace, seeing what you want to see, skipping what you don’t, and having unique experiences that you might not otherwise.

Traveling alone can be highly rewarding and alluring. Safety, however, is a common concern and even a reason that many people avoid booking that single-seat ticket.

If you’ve found yourself hesitating to take the leap, follow these 7 solo travel tips to ensure you’re safe and secure when it comes to how to travel solo.

1. Do Your Research

Travel safety begins before you leave home.

Research the area that you’re planning to visit before you go. Make sure you’re familiar with local safety tips, what areas you might want to avoid, and the safest areas to stay.

2. Be Vigilant

Travel hubs such as train stations and airports are the most likely place to encounter pickpockets or scammers, but it can happen anywhere. Solo travelers might be more likely to be targeted.

Pay attention to your surrounding and follow common tips to avoid being an easy target.

3. Keep Your Valuables Safe

Many accommodations have safes or lockers available for valuables. It’s a good idea to keep your passport, spare cash, and an emergency credit card in these when you go out. Just make sure to carry a photocopy of your passport’s info page on you in case you need it.

With the valuables you do carry, keep them in separate pockets on your person (not in a bag). You even might consider carrying a decoy wallet on you in the unlikely event that you get held up.

When traveling on your own, it also might not be the best time to wear your nicest jewelry or fanciest watch.

4. Be Confident

Even if you’re not sure where you’re going, try to make it look like you belong there. Walk with confidence rather than meandering along and squinting at every street sign.

Boost your confidence by checking maps ahead of time or finding a secure spot to open up Google Maps. While it isn’t advisable ever to pull a weapon on an assailant, carrying one can improve your sense of confidence. Check out what makes the best OTF knife for travel.

5. Get Travel Insurance

Whether to get insurance tends to be a significant question when it comes up. For travel, however, the answer is a resounding “yes.”

Travel insurance is often quite reasonably priced and can go a long way to covering your needs if your plans go awry. There are many sites available to help you figure out what you need and compare plans.

6. Check In Regularly

Let friends or family know what your plans are and touch base with them daily or even more often. If you can give them your itinerary in advance with lodging, flight numbers, and dates, that’s a good idea, too.

7. Trust Your Instincts

Odds are that if you feel something is off, you’re correct. Operate within your comfort zone and leave situations that don’t feel right to you, even if it might be “rude” to a friendly stranger. Your gut feeling is one of your best safety tools.

Solo Traveling With Confidence

Solo traveling is exciting and fulfilling. Follow these 7 tips and you’ll be set up to do it enjoyably and without incident. Check out some solo travel ideas and get going!

If you’re looking for some inspiration, check out the World Travel section on this site.

Pellet Gun vs BB Gun: The Pros and Cons of Each

Do you love spending time outdoors? If so, you’re not alone.

After all, there’s really nothing better than getting out of the house and exploring nature. And one of the funniest activities to enjoy in the great outdoors is target practice.

Shooting guns can be a blast, especially when you use an air rifle. And yet it can be confusing to understand the difference between a pellet gun vs BB gun. Because while many people might think there’s no difference between these two types of guns, each offers specific pros and cons.

If you’ve been wanting to learn more about BB gun vs pellet gun for target practice, you’ve come to the right place for answers. Keep reading to get the inside scoop.

Understanding the Basics

First of all, let’s talk about the basics of air guns. Simply put, these are guns that operate by using compressed air to push a projectile toward the target rather than gunpowder.

Some air guns require CO2 cartridges while others feature a manual pump mechanism.

Now let’s take a closer look at the overall differences between a BB gun vs a pellet gun.

The Pros of BB Guns

BB guns shoot a steel ball called a “BB”, and the average size of a BB is 4.5mm. This type of gun can be purchased in various forms, all the way from a basic handgun to a fully automatic rifle.

Ammunition Is Cheap

One of the great advantages of BB guns is the fact that ammunition is extremely inexpensive.

The average BB gun is cheap, especially if you buy a very basic model featuring a manual pump for refilling the air chamber between each shot.

Available Almost Anywhere

Another benefit of BB guns is they are available for purchase at most big box retail stores. This even true of stores that don’t carry guns that fire traditional ammunition. Plus most major retailers offer basic air guns at very low prices.

Extremely Light

BB guns are also much lighter than other types of guns. This makes them very easy to handle, especially for beginners learning how to hold and fire a weapon for the first time.

Easy to Master

Many beginners can be timid around guns. Plus, they might think that shooting a gun is a complicated process. That’s why you should keep in mind that BB guns are easy to operate and become proficient with, even after minimal experience shooting one.

Great for Young People

The ease of use of BB guns makes them ideal for younger people. They are extremely safe, especially when handled properly and treated with respect. You can also load a lot of BBs at once, thus a young person won’t have to worry about reloading after every shot.

The Cons of BB Guns

There are also a few things that make BB guns less than ideal for everyone. Here are a few of them.

Poor Long-Range Accuracy

Let’s face it, BBs simply aren’t accurate beyond a limited distance. This is largely due to their shape. After all, the round design creates a lot of wind resistance, making it difficult for them to stay on target at long-range.

BBs are Much Slower Than Pellets

They are also slow. Again, this is largely due to shape and lack of power.

Not Great for Hunting

Some people use BB guns when hunting small game such as birds, squirrels, rabbits. And while BB guns can be effective in certain cases, especially at extremely close range, there is also a very high risk of simply wounding the animal. Thus you’d be wise to choose a different type of weapon for this activity.

Very Limited Uses

Aside from basic target shooting, BB guns offer very few uses. This doesn’t make them any less fun to shoot, just be aware that the practical uses are very limited.

Here’s a great resource for choosing between pellet gun vs BB gun.

The Pros of Pellet Guns

Now let’s talk about pellet guns. This type of weapon that fires a pellet made of lead or some other soft metal. Pellets are shaped more like traditional ammunition, thus the gun is designed with a larger bore in order to accommodate the size and shape of the pellet.

Here are some of the advantages of pellet guns.

Better Accuracy

Pellets are more accurate than BBs. This is especially at a longer range when it really matters most.

Better Suited for Hunting

Because pellets are more accurate, they are better for hunting small game. In fact, pellet guns are ideal for shooting pests around the house or in the yard.

More Power Than BBs

The design of pellets enables greater velocity. Thus you will be able to hit the target with a far greater amount of power.

The Cons of Pellet Guns

Pellet guns are great, but there are a few things to know before buying this type of firearm. Here are some things to be aware of.

Limit uses In Competition

It’s important to keep in mind that pellet guns cannot be used in airsoft matches. Thus you’d have to participate in competitions that are specifically tailored for pellets.

Typically Load One Pellet at a Time

Pellets must be chambered correctly. This means they must be placed in the chambered one at a time and seated in the proper position.

More Expensive

While BBs are extremely affordable, pellets are slightly more expensive. Thus you might not feel as free to practice as often as you might wish.

More Dangerous

Keep in mind that pellet guns are more powerful than BB guns. This also means they are far more dangerous and should always be handled with respect.

More Challenging to Master

BB guns are just one step above a toy rifle. Thus they are easy to handle and operate. And while pellet guns are still relatively easy to operate, they are slightly more complicated than BB guns, making them less ideal for beginners or younger shooters.

A Guide to Choosing Between a Pellet Gun vs BB Gun for Target Practice

Target practice can be fun at any age. Fortunately, this guide to choosing a pellet gun vs BB gun will help you choose the right weapon for your needs.

Keep scrolling to discover more great lifestyle tips and advice on this blog.

7 Important Sports Betting Tips for Beginners

As with conventional gambling, betting on sports could be a highly lucrative practice under the right circumstances. Whether it’s betting on college football, the progress of an individual team, or a fantasy league, you have the potential to turn a bit of extra cash into a sizable payout.

Many beginners are unsure of how to get started, though. Let’s take a look at some of the most important sports betting tips newcomers should keep in mind.

1. Avoid Betting on Your Favorite Team

One of the biggest mistakes that sports betting newbies make is consistently betting on their favorite team. Unfortunately, just because a particular team is one that you most enjoy watching doesn’t mean that their performance will make you money.

In many scenarios, solely betting on your favorite team will actually cause you to lose money over time. Although there’s something to be said about the enjoyment you can get from winning a bet based on your favorite team, it’s often better to avoid betting on this team entirely.

That way, you won’t have to lose money if they underperform and you also won’t have to bet against them.

2. Home Team Bias

As a sports fan, you’re likely aware that the home team often has an advantage over the visiting team. Although there is not any objective advantage on the field or court, there’s something unique about playing a game in your home stadium surrounded by fans.

Unfortunately, sportsbooks have begun to accommodate this behavior and factor in the home team bias that many sports bettors exhibit. This could cause betting on certain teams to be less profitable than it should be depending on where they are playing.

3. Understand Underdogs vs. Favorites

In general, betting on underdog teams comes with a higher earning potential. In exchange, these teams are often far less likely to win compared to the favored team.

In contrast, favorites have a higher chance of winning but won’t provide as much of a payout. If you’re looking to maximize your profits, you’ll need to thoroughly research underdog teams as well as the team they’re up against.

You can take a look at factors like player injuries, historic matchup performance, etc.
 to get started.

4. Moneylines vs. Totals

Two of the most common ways to bet on a favorite or underdog team include money lines and totals (also known as over/under). Money lines are bets that are based on the outcome of the game. More specifically, payouts are determined by which team wins.

On the other hand, totals take the aggregate score into account.

For example, let’s assume that somebody uses this betting method to wager on the outcome of a professional basketball game. Oddsmakers will set a total number of scored points for the game, which bettors will then wager upon.

The goal here is to determine whether the actual aggregate score will be above or below the number that the oddsmakers came up with.

5. Only Bet What You’re Willing to Lose

This is advice commonly given to those who visit a casino for the first time. Interestingly, though, people tend to have a different mindset when it comes to sports.

This is often due to the experience that they have predicting the outcomes of sports games in a risk-less setting. But, they don’t tend to think too much about when they get their predictions wrong.

When it comes to wagering, you can easily lose a significant amount of money depending on how much you placed as your bet. For this reason, it’s highly recommended that you only bet what you are willing to lose until you become more familiar with the process.

6. Shop Around Different Books

Different sportsbooks offer different lines. To elaborate, it’s highly likely that you can achieve a larger payout simply by searching for the right book to place your bet with.

Even a small difference between two books could make a significant impact when placing a large number of bets over time.

To help streamline this process, it’s best to keep a few books in mind when looking to wager. Online sportsbooks are also a great way to get involved in sports betting. You can visit this resource to claim a free offer and get started right away.

7. Track Your Progress

Failure to track their progress is another mistake that plenty of new sports bettors make. Although it can be exhilarating to win a large amount or outright depressing to lose a big wager, all that matters is how your performance has been since you started.

For instance, let’s assume that you won $10,000 from sports betting last year. This is something that would likely leave you ecstatic.

But, it’s not quite as impressive if you had lost a total of $30,000 since you began sports betting four years ago.

Tracking your progress will also help you determine how effective your current betting methods are. If you used to consistently perform better in the past and recently changed your strategy, you have a better chance of making the necessary adjustments.

These Sports Betting Tips Could Change Your Life

So it’s highly recommended that you keep them in mind. From here, you can use the above sports betting tips to give yourself the greatest chance of the outcome going in your favor.

Want to learn more info you should keep in mind? Be sure to explore what the rest of our blog has to offer.