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How Much Should I Spend on a Wedding Ring?

amr bellair
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How Much Should I Spend on a Wedding Ring?

When you think about spending some money on an engagement ring, there are a lot of myths and suggestions on how much you should spend on one. People say that you should put down two months’ of salary, but this is just something people say. The diamond industry wants you to spend a lot of money on a diamond, but you don’t have to buy a big diamond to get a beautiful piece of jewelry. There are rings for all budgets, from just $100 to $100,000. The sky’s the limit. Some people want rings for sentimental value, others want big diamonds and expensive stones. 

Price vs. Value

Those who go solely for price can miss out on a few things. Rings can be designed with birthstones in mind, with sentimental value inspired by your relationship or the person. While you shouldn’t go for the cheapest ring, you can find something perfect for your partner. Buying an engagement ring is never a small purchase, it could be one of the biggest in your life. A study from TD Bank found that the average couple spent $2,016 on engagement rings. Those who spent $2,500 to $5,000 made up 17 percent of the people polled. Meanwhile just 7 percent of people spent $10,000 or above. If you are having trouble affording a ring, you could always go into jewelry finance. 

Cash vs. Finance

Of course paying cash is always the best choice. This way you will have money on interest to help you avoid late payment fees or other penalties. It will also prohibit you from buying a ring that you can’t afford. However, for some paying in cash just isn’t an option. If this is you, you can take a look at your finance options. 

There are a few options when financing your engagement ring. One way to do so is to finance it through the engagement ring through the jewelry store itself. Before you approach a store about this, you should make sure to do your research and find the things that you need to know before you pull the trigger. 

You should look for any promotional deals you can get your hands on. There will likely be low interest rates that can potentially save you a lot of money if you are going to finance a ring. Regular interest rates are more expensive, so you should make sure that you can afford the APR in case you don’t pay it off before the promotional period ends. Be careful of the hidden charges and fees that are included in the finance options. 

Credit Card

Another way to finance an engagement ring is to simply put it on a credit card. You should make sure that the APR is low. You’ll also want the lowest percentage possible to match up with the time frame that you can pay him back. In order to qualify for a low or zero APR credit card. Take some time to build up your credit score and make sure that the interest rate is as low as possible before you buy the engagement ring. 

Personal Loans

Finally, taking out a personal loan is a method to buy your partner an engagement ring. Again, the APR should be as low as possible and your credit score should be high. If you have a decent rating, you will be able to get the best interest rate possible. According to the site MoneyPug, a platform to find short term loans, the average APR on a credit card is 16 percent, but the rate of personal loans should be under 10 percent. The average loan is anywhere from 12 to 60 months, but your terms should be as short as possible. 

When thinking about buying an engagement ring for your partner, there are many options on how to pay for it. Of course it is always a good idea to pay in cash, but if you need to finance a ring you have a few options. The key is making sure your interest rate is low and your terms are as short as possible. Still, you will need to pay for it in good time. When you find the right ring, make sure you can afford it. The memory and the ring itself will likely last for decades. 

Best Truck Driving Simulator Games

Jordan Hillcrest
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Best Truck Driving Simulator Games

For those that love them, simulator games are a load of fun. According to the experts over at Games Industry, the appeal comes from the incredible levels of detail and realism these games are able to produce, and, for fans of the driving sim niche, the fact that you won’t need to call a truck accident lawyer should you wreck your vehicle on a computer-generated road. Not all of those truck simulators were created equal, though, so let’s take a look at this exciting niche genre.

Truck Simulator 3D

For a United States-focused truck driving experience, you’d do well to check out Truck Simulator 3D, the android-specific cargo truck driving sim that puts the emphasis on driving over everything else. No worries about delicate parking in this particular sim, just put the pedal to the metal and see if you can get your cargo to the warehouse within the allotted time while dodging all manner of obstacles. You can choose from eight different truck brands, and travel through recreations of eleven major US cities.

Euro Truck Simulator 2

For a European-inspired take on truck driving (that has a 10/10 rating on Steam, no less) you’ll want to turn to Euro Truck Simulator 2. This sim has been lauded for how well it eases you into its world, recreates those condensed European landscapes, and captures you with its loving attention to details. Like most truck sims, the premise is a straightforward one — select your vehicle, then haul your cargo to its destination. There’s hidden complexity here, however, as you complete jobs and earn money in-game, you’ll be able to purchase upgrades and customize your trucks to your own exacting specifications.

Big Mutha Truckers 2

While it’s official review scores might leave a bit to be desired, the player base certainly enjoys getting lost in the world of Big Mutha Truckers 2. This particular game is a bit more racing than simulator, but the ability to create absolute havok on the roads is an appealing attribute that should keep you entertained for hours on end.

Extreme Roads USA

If you’re looking for a bit more challenge in your truck simulator, you might want to turn to Extreme Roads USA, which has taken to ratcheting up the excitement by pitting you against a variety of extreme terrain. The selection of trucks might not be the broadest here, but for thrilling physics and menacing roadways, you’ll find few titles that can match the action of this particular truck sim.

Will BarxBuddy Really Work for Your Dog? [Results Revealed]

amr bellair
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A dog on a leash Description automatically generated

It’s not a secret that training your dog is an important part of owning one. The real secret is how to do so. Many pet owners focused on having a well-trained pet might resort to working with expensive trainers or using questionable products. For those looking for a unique, effective way to train your pet without breaking the bank or using questionable training methods, BarxBuddy Pet Trainer is the answer.

A close up of electronics Description automatically generated

BarxBuddy Pet Trainer is an easy to use device that has both a auditory and visual stimulus to get your pup’s attention. BarxBuddy Pet Trainer knows that getting your dog’s attention when they’re excited, scared, or otherwise occupied is the most difficult part of training. While some might resort to yelling or shock collars, BarxBuddy pet trainer works to provide a more humane and effective method. The question that you might be asking is will BarxBuddy really work for your dog? Here are our results revealed!

Attention Grabber

With training dogs, we know that they can be an angel one minute and a monster the next. That’s because dogs, like humans, all react to their surroundings in a unique way. The problem with this, is that if their attention relies on you having their full attention, that training goes out the window when their focus is elsewhere. BarxBuddy knows that grabbing your pup’s attention is the most important part of effective dog training. That’s why BarxBuddy pet trainer is designed to use both an auditory and visual stimulus that grabs your dog’s attention better than any other dog, person, or squirrel that you might encounter on your walk. It does this by emitting a high pitch noise that is designed so that your dog recognizes it as an abnormal sound without causing any harm. If you prefer a visual stimulus, BarxBuddy Pet Trainer has your back with a light built into the tiny, easy-to-use device. BarxBuddy is made simple so that even kids can use it to train their pups!

Safe & Effective

Have you ever tried yelling at your dog and felt like it was ineffective and left you feeling frustrated and upset? Have you ever resorted to a method that you felt guilt over as it caused discomfort or pain to your dog? Both of these situations can lead you to feel that your training efforts are fruitless. Oftentimes, this is when people stop training their pets or in worst case scenarios, give them up. What they don’t know is that there are other options out there! BarxBuddy Pet Trainer provides a training method that is both safe and effective. Neither the high-pitched noise nor light can do harm to the dog but will grab your pup’s attention much better than any amount of yelling. We’re not the only ones raving about this incredible product, check out others at https://inventurex.wordpress.com/2019/12/26/barxbuddy-pet-trainer/!

Number One Pet Training Product

It’s safe to say that BarxBuddy is the number one pet training product on the market for both price and effectiveness. We’re confident that if you’re struggling to grab your dog’s attention to begin or continue training efforts, that the BarxBuddy is the right fit for you!

What are you waiting for? Whether you’re training a new puppy or tightening up the behavior of an older dog, BarxBuddy Pet Trainer is here to help. If you’d like to learn more about BarxBuddy, check out their Facebook and Twitter accounts. 

Why Local Reviews Matter to Your Business

Jordan Hillcrest
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Why Local Reviews Matter to Your Business

As a business owner, you know about the power of online marketing. Social media, quality content, and even banner ads all increase your revenue by drawing in potential customers. Do you about the power of local reviews, though?

It’s an area of the online realm that business owners tend to ignore. However, it happens to be one of the most powerful tools in your marketing arsenal. Recently, owners have begun to harness the power of reviews to boos their revenue to new heights. Here’s why local reviews matter and how you can make them work for you. 

Consumers Rely on Reviews

You might not think that a lot of people read reviews, but studies show otherwise. In a recent survey, 84% of consumers turn to your five-star rating before deciding if they want your business. They rely on the experiences of others to determine if you provide quality customer service and products. Within that 84%, the majority range in age from 18 to 34. 

No matter what your target audience looks like, you should count on the majority of those individuals reading what other customers say about your business. The 18 to 34 group is also more likely to treat a review like the recommendation of a friend. 

Today, reviews act like word of mouth marketing. Instead of turning to a friend or neighbor, people trust the experiences of your previous customers. However, that word of mouth effect is multiplied by ten in the online realm. One person has the ability to reach a thousand or more. It’s a massive domino effect that you can begin to take control of. 

The Local Umbrella

If you’re still unsure of the impact local reviews have, take a look at these Schoenberg Family Law Group reviews. The San Francisco Bay Area is flooded with law firms, but Schoenberg stays ahead of the crowd by maintaining a rating above 4.5 stars. Even better, they have 51 five-star ratings out of all 66 reviews. Anyone searching for a lawyer in their local area is going to see and trust the positive feedback they receive. 

Making Reviews Work for You

Now that you know the power of local reviews, it’s vital that you learn how to take charge of this valuable tool and make it work for your business. That’s something that used to be impossible, but companies like Bird Eye are giving business owners the edge. 

With today’s latest tech, you not only have the power to encourage consumers to review your brand but to get ahead of negative feedback as soon as possible. You can customize templates to send to consumers after they purchase a product or service thanks to the ability to see their ratings and comments in real time. 

Even better, you can reach out to dissatisfied customers immediately. The ability to remedy a negative situation is invaluable. Having potential business see your proactive customer service approach is vital to bringing in new business. In some cases, reviewers even change their rating based on how well you handle the situation.

While it’s true that a handful of negative ratings can impact your potential business by up to 70%, you have the ability to take the power of local reviews and make them work in your favor. All it takes is a single tool and a proactive approach to quality customer service. 

How to Maintain Your Boat

amr bellair
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Whether your boat is big or small, basic of luxurious as all get out, there is one thing your boat is absolutely going to need. And that’s maintenance. 

If you’re looking to keep your boat happy and make sure that major repairs are not needed in the future, proper maintenance is a great way to achieve that goal. In the long run, small maintenance jobs will put of major fixes for many years. 

Wash your boat regularly. 

This is an incredibly important to be your boat clean and wash off any corrosive materials. If you boat in saltwater, make sure to rinse your boat off thoroughly with fresh water after every outing to remove salt residue. 

Use soaps and cleaners specifically meant for boats. 

Grit, grime and salt can eat away at your boats finish over time, to keep that from happening make sure to use soap and cleaners that are specifically meant for boats. 

Change your boat’s oil regularly.

Anyone from the best boat club in central Florida will tell you that changing your boat’s oil regularly is a crucial way to improve your boat’s health and keep its lifespan long. Four-stroke outboards, inboards and stern drive boats require regular oil changes. While the frequency will vary depending on the model you own, a good rule is to change the oil every 100 hours of operation. You can also be safe and just change the oil at least one time per year. 

Check your propeller before you launch.

As part of your pre-launch check, make sure to check your propeller. This is absolutely necessary if you have an outboard or a stern drive boat. You’ll need a deep socket to make sure that the propeller nut is securely in place. 

It is also worth it to remove the propeller entirely several times during the boating season to make sure that no trash like discarded fishing like has become wrapped around the shaft. If you find that there is a fishing line, it is wise to take your boat to a trusted mechanic to make sure that it has not also entered the gear-case. Fishing line in a gear-case can cause serious links and is not a do-it-yourself job if you are not a mechanic. 

Look for propeller damage. 

When you have your propeller off, it is smart to take the time to check for other types of damage such as nicks, dents or major scratches. It’s fine if a propeller has chipped or damage paint, but you should send it out for repair if you see any structural damage to the propeller. 

Even the smallest dent can lead to a dip in performance by up to 10 percent and will lead to your boat burning more fuel than normal. 

Make sure to liberally grease the propeller shaft with waterproof grease. 

As you re-install your propeller onto your boat, make sure that you put the hardware on in the same order that you took it off. You should also be sure to re-tighten the propeller nut to the specifications of your manufacturer’s manual. If you have an outboard, do not forget to put a new cotter pin in as well.

Key Questions to Ask When You Are Considering Buying a Condo

amr bellair
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If you are tired of renting, but not yet ready to invest in a single-family home, a fantastic option to consider is buying a condo. 

While condos can be a truly fantastic living option, they do come with some unique challenges. That’s why it’s important to ask yourself some key questions before you decide to fully invest in a condo. 

Are the fees worth it?

As you likely know, condos are clusters are individually owned units that share common walls. For that reason, common areas such as gyms, outdoor areas, parking garages, and more are maintained by the company that owns and manages the building. That doesn’t mean you’re getting that maintenance for free, however. 

Condo owners pay a monthly fee for routine and emergency maintenance to the building. While it can be great to have these types of needs taken care of, it is important to keep in mind that it will likely cost you several hundred dollars in the form of condo fees. 

Can you follow the rules?

The old adage, “My house, my rules” doesn’t totally apply when you own a condo. Every condo has association rules, and while most rules are fully reasonable, some can seem somewhat restrictive depending on the lifestyle you want to lead. 

Every association is difference and it is absolutely crucial that you understand such rules before you sign on the dotted lines. Some common rules and restrictions include:

  • No dogs
  • No window air conditions 
  • No kids 
  • No late-night laundry
  • No outdoor flags or decorations 

Believe it or not, condo associations can sue if you violate rules that you agreed to.

Does a condo fit your lifestyle?

Condos make fantastic investments for singles or young couples that lead busy lives and don’t spend tons of time at home. They’re also perfect for retirees who do not want to spend their time and energy maintaining their homes. 

For those who want a private yard, want to entertain large parties, or make a project out of a dramatic refurbishing job, a condo probably isn’t the best place to look for. 

Derrick of https://www.myrtlebeachcondoforsale.net/holiday-inn-pavilion-condos/ wants to remind you to think about the short and long term:

“It is important to consider your lifestyle both in the short and long term when you are thinking about investing in a condo,” he says. “You may not want kids not, but in a few years? Could be a different story. This type of decision is a major one to make and you need to make sure that you and your spouse are on the same page in terms of how you plan to lead your lead your life in the coming years.”

Is a condo the right investment for you?

It’s quite common for first-time homeowners to go the way of purchasing a condo. First of all, they are more affordable than homes of a similar size and quality, but they also do tend to be easier to find in city centers, where younger people do tend to live. 

While the rumor that condos don’t appreciate as fast as single-family homes does exist, it is categorically false. In fact, the National Association of Realtors have shown that condos have started to outpace single-family homes in terms of value appreciation. Unlike homes, however, their value does depend heavily on the attached association fee. 

Great Ways to Improve your college GPA

amr bellair
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Succeeding in college is crucial to your future. If you are interested in landing a competitive job after graduation or want to pursue a masters or some kind of doctorate degree, you will need to get as best grades as you can. 

Here are some great ways to help you improve your GPA going forward.

Set a goal for yourself 

One great way to make sure that you stay on task when it comes to getting a good GPA is to set a concrete goal for yourself. Don’t keep it arbitrary, make it as specific as possible. 

As you begin to pursue your GPA goal, make sure that you have a great college GPA calculator you can use to keep track of how well you are doing along the way. 

Take every class seriously 

Some college students will decide to value one class over the other. This would be a poor mistake to make. While some grades may certainly matter more when it comes to getting your degree and excelling at your major, you want to treat every course you take seriously and with respect. 

If you are able to maintain a strong grade in every class you take, there is no question that you will set yourself up quite well when it comes to improving your GPA. 

Stay on top of your reading assignments

In many college courses, students are expected to do just as, if not more, learning outside the classroom as they are expected to do inside of it. Don’t let the amount of reading and learning you have to do outside the classroom by staying on top of it and remaining diligent with your reading and any homework you may have. 

Work with someone who has a high GPA 

Sometimes, the best way to learn how to succeed in a given class is to learn from someone who is currently succeeding int it. If you can try to spend time with someone who has a high GPA and does well in classes, ask them if they would be willing to study together. Make sure not to ask too many questions and get in the way of their learning so that you can simply sit back and figure out what they are doing right and what you are doing wrong. 

Take classes online 

A great way to easily and quickly improve your GPA is to take some classes online. You may be able to make better use of your time in this instance compared to taking a long bike or bus ride to class. Rather, you will be given all the course material online and will be able to prepare and take the course on your own time. Don’t let this assumed freedom keep you from studying at all for the course, however. You must keep yourself accountable. 

Develop a note-taking strategy that works 

All too often, students will take notes during lecture or class and find that they are essentially useless after class. Come up with a way to make sure that the notes you take in class actually help you when you study for midterms and final exams in the future. 

Good luck!

How I Turned a Hobby into a Million Dollar Online Business

Simonne Hembre
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How I Turned a Hobby into a Million Dollar Online Business

I am living the dream and I am not saying this to brag. Many people are in the same situation, all because they too were able to turn a hobby into a million dollar business.

Yes, that is right. My business does more than one million dollars a year. What is it you ask? I own a content creating agency. I loved to write from an early age and then started blogging in the early days of the internet.

That led to many freelance and journalist gigs, which made me realize that I could turn my love of writing into a full-time career. I started slow as a side hustle, and I remember the first year I cracked six-figured I felt like I made it. Total financial freedom!

From there I opened an agency, hired a bunch of writers and today we ghost write for some of the largest companies in the world. If you are interested in turning a hobby into a business here is my advice.

First, determine if there is even a business to be had.

There is no use going through the troubles and ups and downs if your hobby simply cannot be turned into a business. Not all will convert to a business model, so you need to be realistic.

You have to be certain there is a large enough audience and a high enough demand to warrant a business. If not, no harm – you just need to keep it as a hobby and if you really want to start a business look into other potential ideas that have more merit.

Second, see if there is an opportunity to position yourself as a thought-leader.

Once of the reasons I was able to achieve success was because I started blogging online so early. I made great connections, established myself as one of the first and was able to capitalize.

Today it would be much harder to build a million dollar business blogging and writing content. It could be done, yes, but there would be a lot of challenges. This is mainly due to competition and starting from the bottom floor.

Are you an expert on the subject? Can you position yourself as a thought leader and leverage that for exposure and PR? If so it will help your chances greatly.

position yourself as a thought leader

Third, explore whether or not the business can thrive online.

The days of brick and mortars is coming to an end. If you really want to build a big business you need to be certain it will perform well online. That is where the attention is. That is where the rapid scale is available.

Look at a company like Aucto auctions, an online business for commercial equipment auctions. Years ago that kind of business was in person only. Now because of the internet it’s possible and being one of the first to market has helped them gain a lot of traction and growth.

If you don’t see your idea as one that will do well and have unlimited potential online then it might not be worth pursuing at all.

Lastly, make sure the business model is scalable and will operate without you.

Here is the tricky part. The business needs to be able to operate without you. Why? Because that is how real businesses operate. When I decided to build my agency I put processes and steps in place that were teachable.

This allowed me to train people to do every part of the business. I could take a week vacation and never check my emails and know my company was operating fine. That should be your goal. It also helps in the event you ever want to sell the business or be acquired.

Want to Be the Next Startup Unicorn? You Need to Do This.

Wendy Jones
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Want to Be the Next Startup Unicorn? You Need to Do This.

In the startup world every new player dreams of becoming the next unicorn success story. But the chances of hitting that level are slim, as there are several thousand failed startups for every unicorn.

That doesn’t mean it’s impossible though. You have to have big goals. The ones that did reach unicorn status sure didn’t doubt themselves. So what did they do different and what can you learn from them and apply to your own startup?

There is no top secret formula. It takes a great idea, amazing team, and flawless execution. Here are the basics that you need to pay attention to.

Make Sure You Solve a Real Problem

Why was Uber such a massive hit?

Because it solved a real problem. It provided a solution for a wide range of people. For some Uber is a convenient way to get form point A to point B without having to own a car and take on that expense. For some it’s a convenient way to go out at night and not have to worry about driving.

They didn’t just assume there was a problem. They knew what they had was the solution to problems. The ens users loved it because of its convenience. There was no doubt as to its application.

You don’t have to come up with “…the Uber of…” to be successful, but you do need to make sure your product or service solves a problem.

Build Something Simple to Use

People like simplicity. I’m going to go back to Uber for a minute. You download the app, set up your account, and request a ride. You enter your destination, click confirm and your ride shows up and you get to where you need to go. It couldn’t be any easier to use.

It doesn’t matter if you are launching an app, a SaaS, or an online e-commerce store – you need to build it with simplicity in mind.

Look at the Whohou marketplace for example. It’s simple to navigate and you are able to get to the category or categories you want with a single click. If it was made too complex it would push users away.

Focus on User Acquisition

For a startup to reach unicorn status they must snowball their user acquisition. The insane valuations we often see are based on users. That is where the true value it. Too many startups worry about small details and perfecting their product before they even know if it will take off.

Some of the most successful startups launched before they were 100% ready and focused on user growth simply to prove there was a demand. From there they then fine tuned their product, fueled by actual user feedback.

You will end up with a much better product if you take real feedback into consideration. Don’t assume you know what the end user wants. Let them tell you.

user acquisition is important for startups

Don’t Dilute Yourself Thin

Rather than give up more equity for funding consider bootstrapping. While it requires more work, it also ensures you are left with a sizable piece of your own company. I see too many founders act recklessly with funds and they go to $0 quickly. The only way to survive it to take on more funding and dilute themselves.

Taking a round or two is fine, and most unicorns do, but make sure you leave yourself with enough skin in the company that will reward your hard work in the event you exit via a sale or acquisition.

Understand the True Odds

The odds are stacked against you, and if you understand this you will stand a much better chance of building a viable and successful company. Not every startup is going to have a billion dollar valuation.

But, you can still create something epic and be successful without that unicorn designation. Understanding this and being fine with it plays a major role.

How I Helped My Friend Out of a Depressing Black Hole

Trey Langston
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How I Helped My Friend Out of a Depressing Black Hole

Our friends sometimes need our help and they don’t always come out and ask for it. This is something I know about very well, as a few years ago I noticed something was off when talking to a good friend of mine.

I could sense something was wrong and I gave them plenty of opportunities to talk and vent, but they kept everything inside and wouldn’t open up. I could have let it be, but I felt like something was very wrong.

This led to me digging a bit deeper and I realized there was a serious situation. They had quit their job, wouldn’t leave the house and let their physical appearance go to crap. It was depression. I was certain. I refused to just sit back and watch them continue down the black hole so I decided to do something. This is what I did.

Took Action Right Away

Once I noticed there was a problem I sprung into action. I knew that every day that passed was a chance for something potentially bad to happen. I did not want to be on the receiving end of that phone call. It was important to take action as quickly as possible.

I created a plan and mapped it all out. I knew what needed to be done and what I was going to do to make sure I helped my friend.

Did Not Leave Them Alone

I knew that solitude would have a negative impact on them, so I made sure to keep them company. I took an initiative and got them out of the house as much as possible. From little things like going to grab a coffee and lunch to planning trips into the city to attend baseball games – I made sure to pre-occupy their time and mind.

If I just let them sit at home and constantly think about the things that were causing the depression it would have been bad. It’s important to keep their mind off the subject.

Helped Them Find Professional Help

While me being involved and taking initiative I knew I was not an expert. My friend needed help from a doctor and I knew that the sooner I could connect him with someone the better off they would be.

We searched for a local option using the website Clarity Clinic. It was a local option and the reviews and feedback I was able to track down looked promising. We were soon scheduled to meet with a local professional that ended up helping in a major way. It was one of the most important steps of this process.

find a mental health professional

Followed Up Constantly

Once I knew my friend was seeing the professional on a regular basis I made it a point to check up on them even more. I wanted them to know that I cared but also I think talking about it openly made them feel like there was nothing wrong with what they were doing.

This is someone that would have not sought out help on their own for fear of people judging them. Sad, but that is how it is with many people. By staying involved it made them feel like the entire process was normal.

Involved Family and Friends

Once we got the ball rolling on the treatment and recovery, I made sure to keep all family and friends in the loop. When they saw how many people truly cared it helped.

They knew they were not alone and that a large group of people were pulling for them. The ending is a happy one but sadly not all stories like this end this way. If you think someone needs help try to help them. You may just save their life.

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