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Must-Know Tips for New Rideshare Drivers

The holiday season is the perfect time to start participating in the gig economy by becoming a rideshare driver.

The holidays are a bustling time when people are out and about shopping, going to parties and just participating in a variety of holiday events, and they might need the services of a rideshare app like Uber or Lyft more than ever before.

Maybe your decision to start working as a rideshare driver isn’t just about the timing of the holidays, but you might have made it a goal in 2018 to earn extra income. There are also good opportunities to earn sign-on bonuses and use promo codes with rideshare companies right now, which is, of course, an incentive for a lot of new drivers.

Regardless of your reasons, what should you know as a new rideshare driver as we head into 2018?

Learn About the Passenger Experience

While you might both end up in the car together, the driver experience and passenger experience can be very different.

As a driver, it’s important to learn about the passenger experience, including how the app works on their end. You might want to take some rides as a passenger, so you can put yourself in their shoes and determine how to get the best rating by giving them the best experience.

For example, different passengers are going to have different levels of interest in conversation. Learn how to gauge this and how to meet their expectations.

Start Out During Slow Times

When you’re just starting as a rideshare driver, you don’t necessarily want to dive in during the busiest times.

Instead, it can be better to start when things are slow, for example, mid-morning on a weekday. This gives you the opportunity to get a feel for things, without getting too overwhelmed.

Contrary to what you might believe, it can be a fast-paced environment, and it’s important to ease yourself into it.

Once you get used to what it’s like, you can start driving during busiest times. If you’re going to be driving part-time, going after the busiest prime times is best.

Don’t Chase Surges

Surge pricing can be lucrative for drivers, but if you see one come up on your map and you’re not already there, don’t try to chase it.

These surge times last for a few minutes, so it’s likely to be over by the time you get there, and you’ve wasted your time.

Get a Phone Mount

Before you do your first ride, make sure you have a high-quality phone mount and put your phone near your eye level. You don’t want to be constantly looking down at your phone because it can be dangerous and you’re also likely to get lower ratings from your passengers.

While you’re at it, you should also get a 2 amp charger, because while you’re using your app, you’re going to be draining a lot of your battery.

Finally, make sure you have logistical things in place before driving, including rideshare insurance, and have a way to track your mileage and expenses.

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5 tips to to make your home renovation go smoothly

Renovating your house can be a very stressful process that requires both physical and mental energy, as well as a lot of time. From minor changes to bigger plans, it is always very stressful to change your house and redecorate whether you’re doing it for the first time or whether you have done it before. There are many ways to make this process smoother and easier to manage, whether you are renovating your family house or your studio flat. By following these 5 easy tips you will make the process of house renovation much simpler and relaxing:

  1. Invest in good and even expensive materials

Investing in quality materials will add value to your house and make it much more desirable. If there is something you should not save money on, that is materials, whether these are for your furniture, walls or flooring. The investments in more expensive and longer lasting materials will definitely pay off.

  1. Restore your old furniture

Make your old furniture look brand new and more beautiful than ever by restoring it. Furniture restoration doesn’t have to be a stressful process: there are many people who offer amazing restoration services for competitive prices and you could even consider purchasing DIY products to do it yourself! But if your furniture is antique or expensive, definitely call an expert to do the work.

  1. Do a lot of preparation work

You can’t just decide you want to renovate your house and then simply do it the next day. Planning ahead is fundamental in order to achieve a good renovation for your house. Take all the time you need to think about what you want to change, what you want to restore and all of the details that you will need before starting the actual renovation works. This will not only save you precious time, but lots of money, too.

  1. Buy new kitchen products

A good kitchen is synonym with a good house. It is one of the main things potential buyers will look at when they look at your renovated house, so make sure all of the kitchen appliances you own are brand new, or at least, brand new looking. Consider buying new appliances that will make it look good and alive, such as a Vitamix blender or a new fridge.

  1. Make sure you are using the right tools

If you have decided to renovate your house on your own, you will have to make sure that you are using the right tools for each project. Using the wrong tools can permanently damage your house and its furniture, destroying the project you were working on and delaying your renovation plan. Always research each tool and its functions before using it.

 

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First Time Dog Owner? 5 Things You Need To Know

No matter if you are young or old, getting a dog for the first time can be exciting as well as overwhelming. There is so much to learn and do with your new pet. Before picking up your pooch, it is a good idea to do a lot of research so that you know what to expect.

You already know that you need to pick up dog dishes, a dog bed, food, and toys of course. But food and fun aren’t all you need to think about. There is so much more to owning a dog. You may also want to pick up a book on how to properly train your new pet.

Read Your Dog’s Body Language

When you get your new dog home, spend some time just watching him and learn how he reacts to new things and people. Knowing your dog’s body language will go a long way to helping you learn what stresses your dog out enough to react in a visible way. Also know that interpreting these signals from your dog can come with a learning curve, but as you get to know your pet it will become easier.

Be Consistent With Training

When you are trying to train your dog, it is important to stay consistent. Your dog will never learn proper behavior if sometimes something is okay, while other times it’s not. For example, if you want your dog to learn not to get on the couch, then you should never allow him on the couch. He’ll get confused with the mixed signals otherwise.

Also, when it comes to training, make it fun for both you and your pet. If you don’t you’ll stop before your dog has learned anything, and your dog will get frustrated and act out even more. Dogs get bored just like humans do, and they have even less of an attention span. So, with that in mind keep training sessions to maybe 30 minutes or so a day.

Socialize Your Dog

It is vitally important to socialize your dog as early as possible. Socializing means introducing your dog to as many people, places, and things in a positive manner as you can. This way they don’t freak out when new people come over, or they have to go somewhere, such as the vet. It is also a good idea to get them used to other dogs. If possible, take them to a dog park as often as you can.

Giving Your Dog Exercise

Take your dog for a good, long walk at least once a day. It will do both you and your pet a world of good. This is especially true when your dog is a puppy. They have a lot of energy pent up in their little bodies and they need a safe way to expend it. Also, different breeds need different levels of activity. Do some research on your dog’s breed so you know how much exercise and stimulation they need.

Giving Them Supplements

You may want to think about giving your dog supplements if they become too anxious while you are away, or when they are in an unavoidable stressful situation. AHO offers CBD oil for dogs that can help keep them calm and relax them when they are stressed. It has been shown that CBD oil can be beneficial for both dogs and cats to help soothe them and gives other great benefits as well, such as relieving allergies and arthritis, seizures, and skin problems.

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Top 4 Strategies For Working As An Uber Driver

Working as an Uber driver can be a fun and profitable experience. The main benefit of working as an Uber driver is that you (mostly) get to set your own hours, which means that not only do you get to work when you want to, but you can either make a full time living with Uber or just an extra side income if you already have a job.

Here are the top four strategies for working as an Uber driver that you should use if you are thinking about working for Uber or already are:

  1. Keep Food and Water In The Car

Since you could potentially be driving for hours, it’s important that you keep yourself fed and hydrated. Keep snacks and some water in your car, so you won’t waste any cash or time going to fast food restaurants.

2. Don’t Drive Around In Circles

Simply driving around randomly in circles is a common mistake that new Uber drivers make. In reality though, driving around endlessly isn’t going to do anything except add more wear to your car.

Instead, you need to stick to a certain area in your town or city and only pick up passengers in that area. This way, you won’t have to drive several miles on your way to go pick up a passenger. Keep in mind if a passenger has to be kept waiting for you for an extended period of time, they might cancel the right.

3. Make Use of the Uber Passenger App

In addition to the Uber driver app, you should make use of the passenger app as well. The passenger app will tell you where the other drivers are, so you can select specific areas that don’t come with much competition.

While you’re at it, you may want to avoid the ‘hot’ areas because those areas will be flooded with other Uber drivers. You’ll actually likely make more money picking up drivers in areas where few other drivers are.

4. Know About The Bathrooms In Your Area

This should go without saying, but you need to become area of the best restroom facilities in your driving area, and specifically facilities that have free parking. This can be particularly difficult to locate in downtown areas of big cities. Grocery stores and coffee shops are your best bet for places that have restrooms and free parking (though granted you’re also technically obligated to buy something from them so long as you’re going to be walking in and using their restroom facilities).

Working As An Uber Driver

All in all, these are some of the more basic but essential strategies that you will want to keep in mind as you begin your career as an Uber driver. You’ll be glad to hear that working as an Uber driver is something you can get the hang of quickly after only a few days of doing it.

 

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5 Untouched Beaches In Digha That Make It A Beach Lover’s Paradise

Digha is a beach town in West Bengal on the shores of the Bay of Bengal. It is a tiny hamlet that is away from the roving tourists that mob most other beaches in the country. When you come here, you will be greeted by the sun, sand, and gently swaying palms. Most of the beaches are unspoilt with calm waters and gentle waves. This hidden paradise is a travelers dream as it combines the stillness and calmness of a getaway that comes with its own unique marine landscape. You can book hotels in Digha that are on the beachfront and greet the mornings with a calm sip of coffee, an excellent book, and the gentle sound of waves complemented by the warm rays of sunlight, that glisten off the waterfront and golden grains of sand.

The peaceful nature of this tiny untouched part of India will make you forget your tensions, making it the perfect place for some relaxation and rejuvenation. Here are a few of its most loved beaches.

  1. Shankarpur Beach: This beach is 14 kilometers from the main town of Digha. It was discovered fairly recently, leaving it still shrouded in relative tranquility, while giving you plenty of options when it comes to hotels and resorts. A tree-lined lined beach with calm waters, makes this beach a must-visit.

  1. Udaipur Beach: This untouched beach is just three kilometers away from Digha. Tall casuarina trees dot the line of the beach. The few fishermen’s shacks on the coast run food stalls serving up the freshest seafood you’ll ever eat. There are buses running from Digha regularly to Udaipur beach. The seclusion and pristine waters are great reasons to visit this beach.

  1. Frazergunj Beach: This beach goes on forever, 7 kilometers to be exact. The beach has white sands and can be accessed directly from Kolkata. The beach is known for its population of a wide variety of bird species so don’t be surprised to see birdwatchers lurking amongst the trees. You can also sail to the island of Jambudeep from this beach.

  1. Junpat Beach: This beach is 40 kilometers from the main town and also has great choices in terms of resorts of the area. The beach though is the main attraction. It is accessible only when the tide shifts and exposes the beach. You would not want to let this get by without a visit. Junpat also is a center for breeding ducks.

  1. Talasari Beach: One of the most pristine beaches in this area, you are sure to find peace and quiet here. As the palms sway in the mild ocean breeze, you must take a walk on the beach. You will see fishermen out in the distance, and if you happen to be there at sunset, you can watch the fishermen bring in the catch of the day.

Digha is home to some of the best and most spectacular beaches in the country. If you love the sand and the waves and do not like to be encumbered by tourists and pollution, this beach town is, hands down, the best option. So, be it for your honeymoon, or a trip with your best buds, make your way to West Bengal and book hotels in Digha for the perfect destination to create unforgettable memories.