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Business

What is Naturalization? A Complete Overview of U.S.A. Citizenship

Are you considering becoming a citizen of the United States of America? If so, you need to take action today. Applying to become a citizen of this country takes over a year and can cost a pretty penny. So start by applying for a green card and make sure you are saving money so that you can get started on your new life in a new country. A new beginning is closer than you might think.

Continue reading to learn what you need to know about the process for U.S. Citizenship.

How to Become a Citizen

Naturalization is the process that immigrants must go through to become U.S. citizens. The process is dependent on immigrant eligibility and can take between 16 and 22 months to get through all the steps.

Green card holders are able to apply for naturalization based on:

  • The length of time they’ve held a green card
  • The length of time they’ve lived in the U.S.
  • Whether they served in the military or not

Before you can begin your Application for Naturalization, you have to be a permanent resident/green card holder. So, What Is A Green Card and How to Get One? Check out this guide for more information.

Once you have all of that figured out, the steps to becoming an American Citizen is rather straightforward.

Costs of Citizenship

The naturalization process costs $725. This is a $640 processing fee along with the $85 fee for biometrics. The entire amount is waived for military personnel. The cost of biometrics gets waived for applicants 75 years and older. Low-income individuals may get the fees reduced or even waived completely.

Applying for Naturalization

The first step involves filing the Application for Naturalization (Form N-400) and paying the filing fee. Approximately one month after filing the application, the second step occurs. You will attend your Biometrics Appointment where the USCIS will have your fingerprinting done.

The third step involves the Citizenship Interview and Exam. The two events will occur simultaneously about 14 months after the application is submitted. The interview is meant to verify that all of the information on the application is correct. 

The exam consists of two parts. The first is the English Language Test where your reading, writing, and speaking abilities get tested. The second part focuses on Civics where your knowledge of U.S. history and the government is tested. After you take the exam, you will get a letter in the mail stating whether you’ve passed or failed.

The final step, once you’ve passed the testing stage, is to attend a ceremony where you pledge your allegiance to the United States. At the ceremony, you will turn in your green card and receive your Certificate of Naturalization. Once complete, you are an American citizen.

Are You Ready to Become an American Citizen?

The sooner you have a U.S. citizenship status, the sooner you will be able to reap the rewards of being an American citizen. Once you are a citizen, you can no longer be deported, you can apply for a passport, and you can sponsor a relative’s green card. 

If you found this post to be helpful, make sure to check out our other articles about travel, law, and finance.

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Home Improvement

What Is Home Equity? A New Homeowner’s Guide

Home equity: everyone has heard the term, but how many people actually understand what it is? If you’ve bought a home, you’ve heard the word. But what is home equity?

In simple terms, home equity refers to the stake you own in your home versus what your lender owns. 

Let’s explore the basics of home equity and get a better understanding. 

What Is Home Equity?

One of the biggest assets a homeowner has is their home equity. Home equity is the part of your home you’ve paid off. It’s the part of your home that you own, versus the part of your home you still owe money on.  

How Is Home Equity Calculated?

You can calculate your home’s equity based on current market value. Contact a real estate agent to get the full market value of your home.

Take that figure and subtract the amount you owe on your mortgage, plus any other home debt. What remains is the equity you have in your home. 

How Do I Build Home Equity?

Home equity builds over time; as you pay off your home loan, your equity increases. There are a few other ways you can build your home equity. Making mortgage payments increases your equity.

Paying more toward your principal each month decreases your home loan faster. Making a larger than normal down payment (20% is the average down payment amount) will boost your home equity. 

Home improvements can also add equity to your home. Renovations will increase the market value of your home, which in turn increases your equity. 

How Can I Use Home Equity?

The most common way to use equity is as a down payment toward a new home. When you sell your home and buy a new one, the home equity you have returns to you at closing. You can then use that money toward a down payment on your new home. 

Another way to use your home’s equity is by getting a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit (HELOC.)

How Do I Get a Home Equity Loan?

Many financial institutions can help you get a home equity loan. Most banks require a solid credit score.

If your credit score is less than perfect, a credit repair company can help you get good credit. Whether you need to build or repair your credit, they can help you reach your credit goals.

Should I Get a Home Equity Loan?

Now that your question, “What is home equity?” is answered, let’s talk about whether getting a home equity loan is a good decision. There are many reasons why people choose to borrow against their home’s equity.

Taking out a home equity loan may be a smart choice for renovating your home. Home equity loans often come with lower interest rates and tax benefits. 

Before taking out an equity loan, make sure you can make your payments on time. Failure to pay can result in the foreclosure of your home. 

Home equity loans aren’t a great option for everyone. Contact a bank to see if you’re a good candidate to benefit from one.

You can find other great homeownership advice on our website in our “Real Estate” section. 

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Entertainment

Telugu Iconic Movie Stalkers, Ranked by Obsession Level

The fact is not hidden from the rest of the world that Telugu people are die-hard fans of Tollywood movies. Their obsession extends to the fact that the fans worship their favorite actors. They will go to any extent to watch every single movie of their cine idol. Aha app/OTT now caters to this very desire. The fans can now watch HD movies online.

It is essential to know that people from south India have always been avid fans of movies. Not only movies, they even idolize the larger-than-life characters of the Telugu films.

Stalking- the latest trend 

We are talking about a popular trend in movies nowadays- stalking or obsession. Obsession within limits is admiration, but once it takes over the psyche, it becomes a fatal attraction. It is here where the jilted lover, male or female, comes into action.

Of late, south Indian cinema has taken stalking to the next level. The love no longer remains a light-hearted matter. However, some iconic Telugu stalker movies beg to differ. Many  stalker movies saw successful box office runs. In case you missed watching them on the big screen, watch it on the Aha app.

It is not surprising to see many of the big-ticket Telugu movies that boast a stellar star cast have had the stalker or obsessed- to- dangerous- degree as the main theme.

You will find all the big stars of Tollywood, like Ram Charan, Ravi Teja, Pawan Kalyan, Allu Arjun, Prabhas, and others enacting the role of a stalker or obsessed lover.

The interesting part is that all these actors portray their characters with different degrees of voyeurism, which speaks of how these films handle stalking.

The good thing is that audience like to watch this different kind of movies. What is important is that the content has an underlying lesson to learn from the movies. These movies teach what one should do and what one should not do.

The point 

The stalking theme in Telugu movies is not about an ulterior motive. And this is the quality that sets Telugu films apart from other stalker movies. The good side of the stalker is revealed in one way or the other. And aha, understand the real motive behind these films. And so it brings good movies right to your homes.

When you watch these movies on aha, you will understand what the story is all about. All you need is to select a movie in the order you like and watch it.

Over to you

Download aha app / or subscribe to aha OTT to watch select Telugu movies onlineThe rich content library of aha brings viewers all the varied content with a good storyline that people can watch at home anytime. Aha is available for download on your mobile, smart tv, tablet, and other compatible devices. It is a must-have platform for all and sundry, especially Telugu cinema fans. Subscribe to Aha today to enjoy your favorite shows and HD movies online.

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Food

4 Different Ways of Enjoying the Delicious Coffee Flavored Maple Syrup

When two bold flavors are blended, this super delicious syrup is created. It has the sweet caramel taste of maple syrup and the rich aromatic coffee flavor, and together they make a perfect pair.

This syrup can be used with any dessert to make it more flavorful. Be it morning waffles, coffee milk, or vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of this syrup can make everything super tasty. So, here are some more amazing recipes that can be made using this syrup:

1. Buckwheat Pancakes With a Good Amount of Maple Coffee Syrup

Buckwheat pancakes are a favorite breakfast for many health-conscious people in the US. But, while the flavor of buckwheat is good, the texture of the pancakes at times can be pretty dry and stiff if the right balance is missed. As such, adding coffee-infused maple syrup to the white flour along with bananas can help keep the pancakes from becoming too dry. Making such tasteful pancakes by following this recipe is an excellent idea that even your kids will love to have this for breakfast.

2. Chocolate Ice-cream Cake and a Handsome Portion of Coffee Flavored Maple Syrup

Making chocolate ice cream cake is as easy as making a chocolate cake. So, while making the layers of the cake, instead of adding whipped cream, ice cream can be stuffed in between. These cakes are usually dark and full of rich chocolate flavor, so vanilla or coffee-flavored ice cream is the perfect match. The maple syrup can be either added to the cake layers to moisten the cake or poured over the whole cake as a garnishing sweet sauce.

3. Vanilla Ice Cream Sundae Layered With Coffee Maple Syrup & Hazelnut Pralines

As the saying goes, simple things are the best in life. However, for a dessert-loving person who loves to spend time in the kitchen curating new recipes, keeping it simple might be difficult. So for them, this is the perfect dessert recipe that can make anyone drool.

To start with, in the dessert bowl, some vanilla ice cream is taken. Then it is topped off with some hazelnut pralines and a generous amount of the coffee maple concoction. After the first layer, the same process can be repeated a couple of times. It can also be topped with some chocolate chips and wafers while serving so that tasting this amazing recipe becomes a unique experience for everybody.

4. Pair It Up With Pumpkin Cheesecake Ice Cream

Pumpkin cheesecake ice cream and coffee-flavored maple syrup might sound like an odd pair, but those who have tasted this combo have verified that it tastes heavenly. And as the first spoonful goes into the mouth, different flavors explode in the mouth. The tanginess of pumpkin pie, the sweet and salty taste of the crust, and the delicious and aromatic flavor of the syrup all come together to create a unique sensation that cannot be explained in words. Better yet, this ice cream can be made into a milkshake by adding two large scoops of the same, a quarter cup of milk, and a few spoons of this syrup into the blender and blending it into a puree.

As far as coffee-infused maple syrup is concerned, people have been inventing new recipes using it ever since. Therefore, technically this list is unending. Furthermore, this syrup can be used with any dessert, as long as the person has a liking for its taste and flavor.

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Business

Critical Illness Insurance: What Is It?

What includes a less expensive charge than special social protection that is ideal for high workers’ companions and permits the safeguarded to get an installment advantage to use as required, no hidden obligations.

If you speculated Critical Illness, you’re more illuminated than most. Inside the mission to supply a spread of customer resource security, Critical Illness protection is an essential answer for having in your utility belt. It is a significant differentiator as well since numerous makers don’t offer this prominent inclusion.

What is Critical Illness protection? 

Best critical illness insurance in Singapore gives monetary insurance when a genuine disease happens, and an individual can’t figure and acquire a pay. This clinical protection helps cover clinical costs that are ordinarily not covered by other protection approaches. Paid in precise amounts, it gives customers the freedom to utilize the money required most – from hospital expenses to the home loan.

This inclusion becomes possibly the most crucial factor as conventional protection leaves purchasers with an ever-increasing number of holes in their inclusion. Due to high deductibles, coinsurance, and restricted inclusion on non-traditional therapies, people may bring about substantial hospital expenses that aren’t covered by their conventional arrangement.

Critical Illness protection works by paying for costs resulting from a drawn-out recovery from a covered sickness. It doesn’t accept each specialist’s bill; however, it gives an installment that will be utilized toward any condition recorded on the arrangement.

Who is Critical Illness protection most appropriate for? 

The inclusion is most appropriate for:

  • Spouses of high breadwinners – if a specialist, attorney, or leader must invest energy distant from work to stress a wiped-out life partner, the business endures. If the life partner has essential sickness inclusion, the family can quickly stand to lease in-home consideration, a babysitter, or other specialist organizations to remain the house running easily.
  • Self-utilized customers and other high workers who have covered out their DI limits.
  • People in high-hazard occupations frequently don’t meet all requirements for social protection. In any case, those occupations – like firefighters, long stretch transporters, or cops – may fit the bill for essential disease protection.
  • Anyone who often thinks about not having sufficient pay to absorb the primary disease costs not covered by customary protection.

What are the key selling highlights and advantages of Critical Illness protection? 

Inclusion highlights differ by item so affirm you’re familiar with the product you’re selling. Most approaches incorporate the resulting key inclusion highlights:

  • Paid Expenses: Long-term recovery from a disease regularly includes numerous unforeseen costs. Critical Illness protection fills the holes, so hospital expenses don’t overpower an individual.
  • Guaranteed Renewable: As long as charges are paid on schedule, the legitimacy to restore the Critical Illness strategy is ensured, which gives genuine feelings of serenity to customers.
  • Installment Benefit: If determined to have one among the covered conditions, an installment advantage is paid bowed against the guaranteed. This installment at that point is frequently utilized for any situation that is recorded on his arrangement. How the safeguard manages the advantage is up to him. He could use the money to take care of hospital expenses, shroud his home loan, or pay utilities. With the installment, the safeguarded could even seek after elective consideration or recruit a medical services specialist.
  • Benefits Paid on to Client: Critical Illness protection pays the guaranteed straightforwardly, moreover to all other protection inclusions he may have, which gives the customer control of how the assets will be utilized. Along these lines, the inclusion overcomes any barrier between a standard protection strategy and, in this manner, the actual costs caused.
  • Flexible Coverage Options: at times, customers can like to have an approach settled up in 20 years or have expenses returned following 15 years; in this way, the flexibility customers need and request.
  • wide choice of Coverage: Although inclusion varies from one organization to another, run of the mill illnesses and infections covered by Critical Illness protection include: ALS and other efferent neuron illnesses, Alzheimer’s condition, considerate cerebrum tumor, visual deficiency, disease, trance state, arteria coronaria sidestep a medical procedure, deafness, assault, renal disappointment, loss of appendages, significant transfer, HIV, loss of motion, loss of movement, serious consumes and stroke.

Domestic maid policy:- 

Purchasing the best maid insurance is just about as simple as buying products during a staple. It comes in a few bundles offering various strategies. Depending on what you wish and what you might want, all you must attempt to is pick.

  • it’s imperative to comprehend what to appear for in servant protection with all the arising insurance agencies. You must cautiously think about the bundling, however more consequently, the substance of the arrangements they need and hence the validity of the corporate in carrying out the protection.
  • a significant measure to consider in purchasing home-grown aide assurance is the insurance agency’s validity. Enormous organizations are bound to compare their client’s assumptions contrasted and beginners inside the business. Check how long the insurance agencies are inside the company and how they’re taking care of their customers. The length of administration and, in this way, such a client base are solid assurances of an organization’s validity.
  • Aside from the believability establishment of a protection firm, it’s crucial to investigate the protection arrangements. Insurance agencies have various designs to suit the servant’s necessities. A fundamental arrangement typically incorporates pay and hospitalization simply in the event of mishaps, yet there are more subtleties to recall of.
  • Home-grown assistant protection likewise ensures the housekeeper as well as the business. The business can again guarantee security from misfortune simply if there should arise burglary and misrepresentation. A couple of insurance agencies must also offer assurance from unapproved utilization of the International Direct Dialling framework. Likewise, the business can be ensured simply if his home-grown assistant experiences a few diseases or mishaps.

Before purchasing servant protection, it’s important to gauge which strategy is cost-effective and proper. The benefit of looking for the system ought to be helpful to the most accessible premium of both the housekeeper and, in this way, the business. It should offer an effortless connection between the two players, particularly during deplorable occasions.

Conclusion:

We ought not to disregard the parts of this kind of protection approach. Critical illness protection can furnish you with the monetary help you need to guarantee that your disease’s expenses don’t get decimated.

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Sports

How to Play Paintball: A Beginner’s Guide

Are you looking to increase your endurance, have fun with friends, and learn different strategies and tactics? Then playing paintball is the right choice for you.

You have different ways to play, like speedball for fast-paced games or woodsball for those that enjoy more slow and tactic-based gameplay.

Each has a different technique to play, and we’ll cover how to play paintball effectively in this guide.

Speedball Elimination

Speedball has tighter corners and is kept in a small space compared to woodsball. You’ll be in a net-enclosed paintball arena with colorful bags around you to utilize as cover.

For speedball, you’ll want to have a good trigger finger and be able to run even in slippery environments. Your paintball gear should be light, so you have an easier time moving around. Speedball is the method of playing for professionals.

Woodsball Elimination

Woodsball has more open space and will focus on more tactics rather than speed. Players will be split into two teams that start at different corners of the arena.

You’ll want to utilize cover and hiding to take out your opponents. Wearing camo that blends into the surroundings will be useful, as it makes it harder for our opponents to see you.

Speedball Capture the Flag

Speedball capture the flag brings in planning and tactics to the game. You’ll want to work with your team to capture the other opponent’s flag before they capture yours.

If you’re playing in teams of four, a good method is to have two attackers and two defensive players. The attackers should have quick aim and run fast, while defensive players should have good vision and good aim.

Woodsball Capture the Flag

Woodsball capture the flag differs from speedball because there will be only one team with a flag rather than two. For these games, the defensive team will often be given a tower or building that hides the flag that the attacking team will need to get into to capture the flag.

For defenders, you’ll want to utilize high ground to see your opponents coming and make sure you have all points covered for the building.

For attackers, you’ll want to try and take out the defenses on one side and then split up to avoid being all taken out.

Gator Mike’s provides one of the best woodsball arenas possible. Get more info here on how to start playing at this location.

How To Play Paintball: Key Takeaways

The main way to learn how to play paintball is to get out there and try it yourself. Every arena and team will have to work on their tactics to become the best. That won’t happen unless you’re out there working on your aim and speed against others.

If you want to learn more about interesting games to play and how they can help you stay fit, then be sure to check out the rest of the blog. Have friends that are interested in paintball? Share this article with them so you can all head to the field together.

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Health

Easy Tips for Finding the Best Sydney Cosmetic Dentist

Imagine this scenario: After enjoying photo ops outside the Sydney Opera House, near the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and learning the history of The Rock, you still can’t get enough about Sydney. It has so much to offer. You’ll perhaps head to Bondi Beach to bask under the sun. You could also take a trip on Harbor Cruises  or relax and have a picnic at the Royal Botanic Garden. These are only a number of the things and sites you’ll experience when you go to Australia’s most populated city, Sydney. Sydneysiders are very proud of their local economy and their culture.

When you head down to their commercial establishments, you’ll notice the extravagance and excellence in the atmosphere. They have several high-end retail brands, top-of-the-line clinics, and Michelin-star restaurants. Hence, if you want the best, you’ll go to Sydney to have it done. Finding the best Sydney cosmetic dentist can be overwhelming, especially if you don’t know what to look for. But it won’t take you hours to research the essential factors. You simply read the rest of this article to get a few tips.

Get To Know Their Credentials

Even if your friends have recommended you the best cosmetic dentists and have provided you with pictures of their work, it is wise to check their credentials and be sure. You’re going to want to figure out their expertise and how qualified they are in such a field. Remember, it is your teeth’s appearance you’re talking about, so it is only fair that you get it from a highly-skilled specialist. Look into the organizations they’re affiliated with or a member of a professional association, these are common indicators that a cosmetic dentist is experienced and expert enough.

Ask For Recommendations

There’s always the internet if you need something or if you are looking for a credible Sydney cosmetic dentist. But it pays to ask your colleagues or friends if they know someone. These people will not lie nor recommend a crappy specialist. You trust them, so you’ll definitely get sound recommendations. If they’re happy with the results, they tell you everything there is to know about the dentist. Some will even accompany you during the consultation. These suggestions help find a credible person to have the cosmetic dentistry procedure you want.

Check Their Previous Work

You’ll want to see if they’re indeed legit dentists, so you’ll have to see their past work. Check their website and relevant review sites to know the kind of services they provide and how well they do such procedures. These are valid proof of their expertise. In case you see some complaints with photos, it is wise to back out and find a more competent cosmetic dentist.

It’s never a luxury to get cosmetic dentistry procedures. In fact, it is a must that you find ways to keep your dental health and teeth aesthetics in good shape. Find yourself a credible specialist and stick to them for as long as you can. This way, you’ll have someone looking after your teeth’s appearance and condition. Nowadays, it’s easy to get something right, whether for your face, hair, body, or teeth. Technological innovations have made cosmetic procedures fast, convenient and straightforward. Therefore, don’t think twice about getting a teeth whitening treatment or put on braces, the procedure will not take an entire day of sitting and waiting in the clinic. Once it’s done, you can proceed to have your nails done just like any ordinary day.

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Auto

Why Should You Use a Custom Hydraulic Cylinder?

Many car owners regard their vehicle as an extension of themselves, and they customize it to represent their uniqueness and originality. And according to a recent study, young drivers aged 16 to 24 in the United States spend $7.2 billion per year altering their vehicles, while every year, almost 7.9 million Americans modify or improve their vehicles. Car modification is an interesting and creative application that enables young Americans to express themselves. As such, larger projects become collaborative endeavors, and changes like custom hydraulic fabrication in St John, KS, give them something to speak about with their friends.

Customized Hydraulic Cylinder 

The standard hydraulic cylinder is made up of the following components:

  • The barrel
  • Connection at the top and bottom
  • Head
  • Connection between the piston and the piston rod

In the case of custom cylinder manufacturing, the customer and the engineer will collaborate to create a version with precise specifications. As such, you can adjust the diameter, length, and materials throughout the customization process. You could also change the design and structure of the valves, pistons, and valve manifolds. Finally, you can change the port placements and mountings and incorporate functionalities.

Why Choose a Custom Cylinder?

It Is Built to Your Specifications

As a result of the customization procedure, you will obtain a hydraulic cylinder tailored to your specific demands. The chosen engineers will work with you to guarantee that the result meets your specific requirements, and you can implement a customized part in your vehicle if you wish to customize your gear instead of using standard parts. Meanwhile, there won’t be any over-engineering or under-engineering, and many issues can be avoided by not attempting to push a normal hydraulic cylinder to operate in a customized machine.

Alternatives to Consider

Tie-rod cylinders are the most common off-the-shelf cylinders. They are bigger, have more installation limits, and require more maintenance and servicing than specialized hydraulic cylinders. Even with larger rods, there are choices for increasing lift or pushing capacity. On the other hand, any scenario can be covered by custom hydraulic fabrication in St. John, KS. The customized layouts of your choice will be easy, efficient, and allow you to select the return type, which is an important consideration when selecting the best cylinder for the task.

The Distinctions Between Conventional and Customized Hydraulic Cylinders

As you might assume, the cost of designing, engineering, and manufacturing a well-functioning custom hydraulic cylinder could be more than the standard alternative. And if the standard options are insufficient, any upfront expenses for a custom cylinder will be insignificant as compared to the cost of correcting any damage due to faulty equipment.

Which Cylinder Type Is Best for You?

Your judgment on whether a standard cylinder would be enough for your task will be guided by design criteria and application. For instance, a standard cylinder could get you up and running fast in low-stress scenarios. Aside from that, a custom cylinder will always outlast and outperform the competition. Meanwhile, a unique design created exclusively for your application will typically pay for itself in the long run through decreased downtime and maintenance costs. Besides, pricing and delivery may be less expensive than you think!

The customized hydraulic cylinder offers several advantages, including being produced according to your requirements and being customized. And while adopting the normal path is less expensive, you may find that some of your requirements, such as size, are covered by the equipment while others, such as rod material, pressure, and so on, are not.

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Finance

How to Sell Gold in 4 Easy Ways

Here’s the deal: Gold is one of the most valuable precious metals in the whole world. So if you are interested in buying and selling gold, you are in good company.

Want to learn how to sell gold jewelry?

Gold can be a great investment, but we’ve got the inside scoop on the best ways to sell it. This guide explains how to sell gold in 4 easy ways!

  1. Gold Bullions

If you’ve never considered selling gold bullions before, you’re in luck.

One of the best ways to start selling gold on your own is to purchase real gold coins or gold bars. Not only will you get the joys of feeling real gold, but you will also be able to look at it and enjoy its beauty whenever you’d like.

However, there are a couple of downsides as well, such as protecting your gold bullions from others. Be sure to keep this precious possession in a private place!

  1. Gold Futures

Another great way to start selling gold is to invest in gold futures. This is one of the safest ways to bet on the value of rising or falling gold prices. As a matter of fact, you can even have the actual gold delivered to your home if you’d like, but that shouldn’t be your primary focus.

In addition to this, you don’t need much money to buy gold futures either. On the flip side, you’re almost guaranteed to make a ton of money quickly!

  1. Gold Tracking ETFs

The biggest benefit of buying a gold-tracking ETF is that you can easily exchange it for money at the best market price. On top of trading your fund every single day that the gold market is open for business, you can also enjoy it as a liquid asset!

  1. Gold Mining Stocks

Last but not least, it’s also a smart idea to invest in gold mining stocks while you can. By placing bets on the miners to manufacture your goods, you’ll be making an intelligent consumer choice.

Plus, you are almost guaranteed to receive a return on your gold investment. As the price of gold rises, a miner’s earnings will most likely rise as well, meaning a bigger return for your initial investment.

Looking for the best place to sell gold?

Hint: It pays to do your pawnshop research first!

Learn How to Sell Gold Today

Ready to learn how to sell gold today?

When it comes to selling gold online and investing in gold, we’ve got you covered. From selling gold bullions and futures to gold tracking EFTs and mining stocks, we have everything you need to succeed.

Besides diversifying your financial portfolio, investing in gold will also teach you how to receive a high return on your investment. Not to mention that managing liquid assets is a great skill too!

Still curious about gold prices?

Don’t hesitate to check out the rest of our blog now!

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Tech

How Mac Keyboard Shortcuts Differ From Those on a PC

If you’re coming from a windows environment, you may notice a few differences when using the Mac keyboard shortcuts. These functions increase productivity when dealing with Mac applications.

Since the release of the M1 apple chip, apple products expect to have increased sales in 2021. If you decide to buy a Macbook, understanding the mac keyboard special characters will help your workflow. This short guide will give you insight into how Mac keyboard shortcuts differ from Windows shortcuts.

Computer Keyboard Keys

This section will chart the computer keyboard keys and their functions. On a typical Mac keyboard seen on newer Macs, are the special command, fn, and option keys in the lower left-hand corner. These keys are located next to the space bar on either side.

The primary one on a Mac is the command key and you also have your control key next to this command function. On a Windows computer, the primary key was known as the control key. This key would be used to control most functions in windows.

This control key doesn’t work in the same way on Mac keyboards. The key that maps directly is the command key. There are many macOS keyboard shortcuts added to the latest operating system.

For example, in Windows, if you would want to copy text, you would use the control C keys. On Mac, you wouldn’t use control C keys but rather you would use command C.

You can see this easily by using the dropdown menu on the top of a Mac. The user should select the Edit dropdown menu. In this menu, you can see the functions Cut, Copy, and Paste.

These functions also have a small shortcut listed on the right of the dropdown menu. This can be a quick way to refresh your memory of what the shortcuts are when you’re on your home screen.

You’ll notice a little helix-type of symbol next to the shortcuts. This is the same symbol as the command key symbol. So instead of control on Windows we have:

  • Command X – Cut
  • Command C – Copy
  • Command V – Paste
  • Command A – Select All

Another more direct kind of mapping from Windows is the option key or Alt key. The option key on certain Macs includes the actual Alt lettering on the key function at the top.

So, anything you did with the alt key on Windows most likely works with the option key on Mac. There’s no second key like the confusion seen with the control key.

If you again look at the keyboard shortcuts in the Finder panel, you’ll see more shortcut options. For example, if you see the Hide Finder option you’ll see an additional option called Hide Others.

This function requires the Command key, plus the H key pressed along with the option key.

  • Hide Finder – Command H
  • Hide Others – Options Command H

The Hide Others selection lists the options symbol as well as the command symbol.

Another difference is a key known as the delete key. The delete key on a Mac is the same as the backspace key on a Windows keyboard. These two keys are placed in the same position.

Although some older Macs call it the backspace key. The newer macs are known to have “delete” on the delete key.

Finder and Files

In the finder window, you can highlight files individually or as a group. There are many different ways to handle files in Mac as opposed to Windows.

One example to note is to rename an item you can press F2 on Windows. But, on Mac you simply select the file, so it is highlighted, and press the return key. The return key will instantly select the title of the file, allowing for renaming.

The arrow keys will also allow you to maneuver around the title for revisions. If we hit the enter key with the file selected, it will open a file. Of course, you can double-click it on the mouse too.

To get information on the file properties or codec, you must first highlight the file. After highlighting you can press Command-I. You can see this shortcut in the Finder’s window under the file dropdown menu, called Get Info.

To make a copy of a file on Windows, you would usually press Control. But, on Mac, you can press the option key and drag the file with your mouse.

So the following file related commands include:

  • Return – Selects a File
  • Arrow Keys – Moves Around Title
  • Return While Selected – Opens File
  • Command I – Properties
  • Option – Copies File

To cycle through between different tabs press Command and Tab. This application switcher is similar to Windows.

To quit an Application, you can press command and Q. This is a simpler version of the Alt and F4 keys on Windows computers.

Newer Macs now contain trackpads and a laser based mouse that can replicate Windows functions. A right click on a windows based computer can open up the context menu.

On Macs, a single click while holding the control key can open up the context menu for you. This function works not only on finders but inside of different applications as well. This is an easy way to streamline context functions.

When applications are struggling to close on Windows, the Control-Alt-Delete keys were used to bring up the task manager. On Macs, it’s a completely different set of keys. The Command, Option, and Escape keys are used to bring up the force quit window.

Once this window is opened, you can select a running application and close the Window. If you press the force quit option, the window or application selected will close.

Mac Keyboard Shortcuts

These common mapping functions will streamline your use of the Mac keyboard shortcuts. These quick shortcuts will soon increase productivity in your day to day workflow.

After a bit of practice, you will become more familiar with the computer keyboard keys and their functions. Did you find these tips useful? If you want more tips on how to handle your Macbook be sure to check out the tech section of our blog!

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