On the surface, chronic hives (also known as chronic idiopathic urticaria) may seem like nothing more than a mere annoyance.

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But the red, itchy skin welts, which can last more than six weeks, can take a toll on your self-esteem, body image and mental health. Chronic hives and stress can be a vicious cycle that worsens the skin disease.

So, what can you do? How can you take control of your life and not let chronic hives affect your mood?

Allergist Dylan Timberlake, MD, talks about the connection between chronic hives and your mental health and offers some self-care tips to help you navigate life with chronic hives.

There are two ways chronic hives can impact your mental health. First, chronic hives can affect your mental health and quality of life. Secondly, stress and anxiety can cause or trigger chronic hives.

Research shows that in people who are living with chronic hives, more than half have a moderate to severe impairment of their quality of life. They experience poor sleep, angioedema (skin swelling) and itchiness, relays Dr. Timberlake. A lot of people who have chronic hives are embarrassed to go to work or go out in public.

In fact, Dr. Timberlake says research shows that people who are living with chronic hives have a higher rate of depression and anxiety than the general population.

And when it comes to how stress affects chronic hives, Dr. Timberlake says its important to note that theres a subset of people with chronic hives who only get hives when theyre stressed or anxious. (Other potential triggers include exercise, body temperature, heat and cold.)

When we get stressed or anxious, our core body temperature increases, which for some people may be a trigger for their hives, explains Dr. Timberlake. So, you can have chronic hives that can then be worsened when you are stressed or anxious about something.

Living with chronic hives can be overwhelming, so self-care is vital to help you be the best version of yourself. Dr. Timberlake offers the following advice:

If you have chronic hives, theres a good chance it affects the quality of your sleep. Sure, you know you should get around seven to nine hours a night. But that can be tough. To help combat sleep issues, Dr. Timberlake stresses the importance of a bedtime routine that you follow every night.

I focus a lot on sleep because its so important it plays a role in depression, anxiety, daytime sleepiness and being attentive, he continues. Even a warm bath or a warm shower right before bedtime can really help with sleep.

Another big thing he discusses with his patients? Avoiding TVs and cellphones in your bedroom.

And if you take glucocorticoids, which are corticosteroids commonly used for hives, you may want to speak with your healthcare provider about alternative options.

Glucocorticoids can cause anxiety and poor sleep, and when youre already having those problems, glucocorticoids can definitely exacerbate them, he warns.

In some cases, exercise may trigger your chronic hives, as it raises your core body temperature. But exercise also releases endorphins, which can improve your overall mood.

If you know exercise is one of your triggers, it may be worth modifying how you work out and stay active. Instead of intense exercise like weightlifting or running that makes you sweaty, opt for low-impact exercises such as yoga or swimming.

Dr. Timberlake says that practicing meditation and mindfulness can be beneficial for people who have chronic hives.

Theres something called the mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program and the goal is accepting your body the way it is and living in the moment, he explains. This can be used for people with chronic illnesses to help decrease stress and anxiety and improve their self-confidence.

Lean on your loved ones family members and friends. They can be a great support system as you navigate living with chronic hives.

Theres plenty of data about the importance of the connections that we have with other people, stresses Dr. Timberlake. If youre going through a difficult time, if you dont want to go out in public and if youre not wanting to go to work, maintaining those social connections with loved ones is going to be really important for you.

Dont be afraid to open up to your loved ones and talk to them about your fears and worries. They can be a good sounding board to help you work through difficult situations and can make you feel less alone.

It can be helpful to talk to others who have chronic hives. You may have shared experiences and can offer advice, tips and guidance to one another.

A support group is a great idea because youre going to meet people at all different stages of living with chronic hives, says Dr. Timberlake.

If youre struggling with feeling comfortable going to work or out in public, it may be helpful to talk to a mental health therapist.

They can talk to you about social isolation and work with you on acceptance and decreasing your anxiety and depression, says Dr. Timberlake.

Dr. Timberlake talks to all of his chronic hives patients about their alcohol consumption, as alcohol can be a trigger.

Have you noticed that if youre drinking alcohol your hives flare up immediately afterward or are worse around the times when youre drinking? questions Dr. Timberlake. If you do notice a change, I would suggest abstaining from alcohol.

Whether its painting, reading a book or gardening, making time for hobbies you enjoy can have a positive impact on your mental health. Youll feel a sense of joy and accomplishment by spending time doing something you love.

It all comes back to having a strong social connection, notes Dr. Timberlake.

Your doctor may suggest that you keep a journal of your potential triggers and when you experience hives. You can use pen and paper or even a notes app on your cellphone whatever works best for you.

Journaling can be very beneficial for people from a self-care standpoint, encourages Dr. Timberlake. It gives you a space to document your symptoms, but also a place to track how youre feeling.

If you have chronic hives, focusing on your mental health is an important part of managing your condition. If you feel like no one understands what youre going through, dont hesitate to talk to your doctor who can help you in a variety of ways from suggesting treatment options to advising you on self-care solutions.

And as you go through it all, remember that youre not alone and you dont deserve to feel miserable.

Chronic hives can affect the quality of your life, says Dr. Timberlake. I recommend talking to your doctor about it so that we can work to get your symptoms under control. We have a lot of different medicines and nonmedical options that can improve your daily life.

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Chronic Hives and Mental Health: Self-Care Tips - Health Essentials

The other day I read a thread on the Stoicism subreddit about the relationship between money and Stoicism. The majority of the commenters didnt buy that you could be Stoic and wealthy at the same time. Most folks dont think the concept of a rich stoic is possible.

In short, they said that Stoicism is about living a simple and stringent life. Theres no room for the pursuit of wealth in that lifestyle.

In this article, I will show you exactly why thats not true and how you can become wealthy whilst experiencing the mental benefits of Stoicism.

And Im going to do that by destroying the most common money myths. These are true not only for many followers of Stoicism but also for other modest humans who aim to live simple but rich lives.

Its true that the self-help, advice, pop psychology, and Stoicism industry is a billion-dollar-a-year industry.

Ive spent a lot of time reading the Stoicism and Philosophy Subreddits. And in general, theres a lot of skepticism when it comes to people who create content.

I agree with that skepticism. There are a lot of people who are only out for your money. They see the whole self-help industry as a simple way to earn money. And thats 100% true, especially if you look at the mind-numbing content on social media that attracts millions of views.

But that doesnt mean everyone who creates content is evil or isnt ethical. My two favorite authors in this space are Robert Greene and Tim Ferriss. The amount of wisdom that theyve collectively put out in the form of books, podcasts, and videos is enough to change the lives of millions of people.

Ferriss and Greene are, in my opinion, ethical creators. While I dont know them personally, from what I can tell, they are also very wealthy. But you can tell that their content comes from a good place. They are here to share what theyve learned from others. And along the way, they made a good living from it.

As Epictetus said, you must always be your own judge and choose ethics over money (which is what the mob is after):

You must be a unified human being, either good or bad. You must diligently work either on your own reasoning or on things out of your control-take great care with the inside and not whats outside, which is to say, stand with the philosopher, or else with the mob.

If you always take care of whats inside first, you will not be driven by whats outside.

Anyone who aims to be rich is a grifter or sellout, one person commented. Again, this is 100% true.

If your sole aim is to make money without explicitly making it clear, youre a grifter. A lot of false prophets disguise their ads as advice. They pretend they are helping people for free.

But they are simply using mass persuasion techniques to get to peoples wallets.

However, just because grifters want money, it doesnt mean money itself is evil. Or that money makes everyone evil.

Once again, we turn to Epictetus for answers. He said this about money:

If you can make money remaining honest, trustworthy, and dignified, by all means do it. But you dont have to make money if you have to compromise your integrity.

It might not seem like it, but you can certainly be honest and make money. Take the car salesman or realtor. Everyone says they cant be trusted. But is that true for all of them?

Of course not. Ive dealt with untrustworthy and dishonest realtors in the past. But Ive also worked with honest ones. My brother bought a condo a few years ago, and the realtor even talked him out of overbidding by a lot.

Wait, what? A realtor who actually tells you that youre offering too much money? Yes, they exist too. Not all of them are driven by commissions.

You know, there are also people who work in real estate who actually feel good when they help another human being with their primary need, which is to find shelter.

I own two rental properties, and one of my tenants has been with me since 2020. I havent raised his rent once. Hes a high school teacher who takes care of my property.

Why would I raise his rent every year? My bank also doesnt raise my interest rate every year for my own house. Plus, Im already profiting from the rising property value.

Ultimately, the Stoics were about making the world a better place.

A healthy obsession with money is okay. My obsession with building wealth comes from my childhood.

As a child of immigrants, I lived with a constant fear of not having enough money to live well. We always lived from paycheck to paycheck and my parents often fought over money.

My only desire back then was to have enough money so I never have to worry about that anymore. So I pursued money because of that reason.

Along the way, I discovered philosophy and in particular, Stoicism. I realized that money is only a means to an end. And that getting on the hedonic treadmill, fulfilling all your desires is a one-way ticket to destruction.

If you pursue desires like sex, drugs, and partying, you will find that there is no end to that journey. Everyone realizes that sooner or later.

The problem is that some people are so deep in that lifestyle that its impossible to break free. The other people who realize it on time can give it up and get on a more philosophical path.

What does that even mean? According to Seneca, one of the wealthier Stoics, a good life is about the following:

Happy is the man who can endure the highest and lowest fortune. He who has endured such vicissitudes with equanimity has deprived misfortune of its power.

No matter how great, fun, boring, or hard life is, a Stoic will find happiness and tranquility.

Lets put everything together. Yes, you can be Stoic and pursue wealth. And you can also be a wealthy Stoic. Heres how:

By following these principles, you can achieve financial success while staying true to Stoic philosophy.

Wealth, when pursued with wisdom and integrity, can be a tool for living a virtuous and fulfilling life.

My new book,The Stoic Path to Wealth (Portfolio / Penguin), is out now.

If you order now, you willinstantlyget free access to4 products, worth over $500.

Learn more here:stoicpathtowealth.com

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The Rich Stoic: Whether You Have Money or Not, Be Content - Darius Foroux

Social media was abuzz after Monday nights (July 15) bombshell episode of The Bachelorette.

Fans went wild after contestant Aaron Erb gave Devin Strader an emotional intelligence self-help book mid-beef. This cinematic show of drama was reminiscent of a situation encountered by Aarons twin brother Noah Erb on Season 16 of the show.

Its no secret that Aaron and Devin have been at odds this season. In Mondays episode, the two finally sidebar for a chat, in which Aaron continuously calls Devin Dylan. While both desperately compete to gain Bachelorette Jenn Trans attention for the remainder of the episode, neither are awarded the group date rose.

While the guys selected are on their group date with Jenn, Aaron confronts Devin about his lack of self-awareness. Their conversation becomes heated, and eventually results in Aaron labeling Devin a bully and giving him a self-help book. He tells him, Honestly, Im supportive of you and I just wanted to encourage you. I have a little something to give you, before returning with a copy of Principles for Self Growth by Dr. Brandon OConner.

I brought this with me. Its my own book. Its something Ive read a few times, Aaron says. Its helped me grow as a person. I want to give it to you because I want to see you win, and if its with Jenn, Im supporting you, if its with someone else, I just want to see you do your best.

His words are interesting, considering what happened to his twin brother in Season 16.

Devin smirks at the book and says, Thanks man, I really appreciate it.

Needless to say, the internet had some opinions.

At this point, the bachelorette franchise has seen more self-help books than most men in America #thebachelorette, one user wrote.

If I had a nickel for every time one man gives another man a book on emotional intelligence, Id have two nickels. Which isnt a lot, but its weird that it happened twice #thebachelorette #bachelorette, another user tweeted.

I wonder how many ppl realize the self help book that Aaron gave Devin is the same book Bennett gave Aarons brother Noah in a previous season of #TheBachelorette , a third user commented.

Aarons dramatic response to Devin stealing Jenn away for some gelato caused some fans to change their opinion of the originally highly-anticipated contestant.

Seriously, Erb 2 (Aaron?) let it go. He stole her, you all stole the time back. Its over, read the room, dont sabotage yourself #TheBachelorette #BachelorNation, wrote one user.

Did Noah Erb not tell his brother Aaron Erb how the show works?!? whys he starting this lame beef #TheBachelorette, tweeted another.

So far this season, eleven contestants have faced elimination, including Brendan, Brett, Ricky, Matt, Kevin, Dakota and Moze. The most recent eliminations were Brian, Marvin and Jahaan.

Fans currently speculate that the seasons winner will be Devin, based on a report from Reality Steve, aka Steve Carbone, who is infamous for his spoilers for The Bachelor and its spinoffs. Only time will tell if his sources are correct this time!

The Bachelorette releases new episodes every Monday at 8/7c on ABC.

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'The Bachelorette's Aaron Erb breaks the internet after giving Devin Strader the same self help book his twin brother received - Decider

Heartland Advisors, an investment management company, released its Heartland Mid Cap Value Fund second quarter 2024 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. It has been difficult to reflect on how the market has behaved recently because each month of this year has felt unique. The second quarter was no different. The fund fell 4.12% in the quarter compared to the Russell Midcap Value Indexs 3.40% decline. Negative selection effect across seven sectors, led by Consumer Discretionary and Utilities partially drove the funds underperformance in the quarter. In addition, you can check the top 5 holdings of the fund to know its best picks in 2024.

Heartland Mid Cap Value Fund highlighted stocks like Stericycle, Inc. (NASDAQ:SRCL), in the second quarter 2024 investor letter. Stericycle, Inc. (NASDAQ:SRCL) regulated waste and compliance services. The one-month return of Stericycle, Inc. (NASDAQ:SRCL) was -0.61%, and its shares gained 29.12% of their value over the last 52 weeks. On July 12, 2024, Stericycle, Inc. (NASDAQ:SRCL) stock closed at $58.27 per share with a market capitalization of $5.407 billion.

Heartland Mid Cap Value Fund stated the following regarding Stericycle, Inc. (NASDAQ:SRCL) in its Q2 2024 investor letter:

"Industrials. Stericycle, Inc. (NASDAQ:SRCL), a leading medical waste disposal and compliance company in the country, is an example where self-help has come to fruition.

After undertaking a variety of self-help strategies including divesting 12 non-core operations over roughly six years to focus on its core medical waste disposal and document destruction businesses while reducing debt Stericycle agreed to be acquired by Waste Management for $62 per share, valuing the deal at $7.2 billion.

This is SRCLs reward for changing its game plan, turning what was a company that sought growth through aggressive M&A into a business focused on organic growth while seeking to optimize margins, capital allocation, and returns on investment. When we wrote about this stock a year ago, we referred to this as a metamorphosis from holding company to operating company with a better chance for rewarding shareholders. When Waste Management announced the acquisition, Stericycle was well into the process of implementing plans to improve revenue quality (through steps such as implementing better pipeline management processes) and operating efficiency (through modernization and innovation).

Before the deal, we had assigned Stericycle a price target of $63 a share, which was near the takeout price. Waste Management seemed to agree with what we concluded: SRCL had been trading at a discount to its own history and to its waste industry peers that operate bond-like business models."

Story continues

A team of waste management experts inspecting a stack of hazardous waste barrels.

Stericycle, Inc. (NASDAQ:SRCL) is not on our list of31 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 23 hedge fund portfolios held Stericycle, Inc. (NASDAQ:SRCL) at the end of the first quarter which was 18 in the previous quarter. Stericycle, Inc. (NASDAQ:SRCL) reported first-quarter revenues of $664.9 million compared to $684.3 million in Q1 2023. While we acknowledge the potential of Stericycle, Inc. (NASDAQ:SRCL) as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is as promising as NVIDIA but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

In another article, we discussed Stericycle, Inc. (NASDAQ:SRCL) and shared the list of biggest waste management companies in the world. In addition, please check out our hedge fund investor letters Q2 2024page for more investor letters from hedge funds and other leading investors.

READ NEXT:Michael Burry Is Selling These StocksandA New Dawn Is Coming to US Stocks.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.

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Is Stericycle (SRCL) an Example of a Stock Where Self-Help Has Come to Fruition? - Yahoo Finance

In the realm of addiction and mental health treatment, Therapeutic Communities (TCs) have emerged as a revolutionary approach. These communities offer a structured, supportive environment where individuals work together towards recovery. Cogniful.com is leading the way by integrating this effective treatment method with the amenities and comforts of a luxury rehab, providing a truly unique and transformative experience.

What are Therapeutic Communities?

Therapeutic Communities are group-based treatment settings where individuals live together in a structured, supportive environment. The primary focus is on creating a community that fosters personal growth, responsibility, and social skills. Unlike traditional treatment programs, TCs emphasize mutual self-help and peer support, with residents and staff working collaboratively towards recovery.

Key Principles of Therapeutic Communities

The Benefits of Therapeutic Communities

Research has shown that Therapeutic Communities can be highly effective in treating substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. Some of the key benefits include:

Cogniful: Luxury Rehab with Therapeutic Communities

Cogniful elevates the Therapeutic Community experience by offering it in a luxurious rehab setting. Heres what sets Cogniful apart:

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Therapeutic communities: A path to recovery with cogniful - The Jerusalem Post

There is no greater love than self-love. Pampering yourself and prioritising your needs is essential to sustain a happy and healthy life. One of the most effective steps towards self-love is to engage in a well-balanced skin care and hair care routine. It allows you to improve your skin and hair health along with helping you to feel happy and refreshed from within. So, whether you want a new sunscreen or an all-natural shampoo, the Amazon Prime Day Sale 2024 is offering you the best deals on beauty products with up to 70% discount!

Imagine how it would be to have skin that does not feel as rough as a cutter or hair that looks lustrous. With these Amazon deals, provide your skin and hair with the necessary nutrients and nourishment. We have handpicked the top 10 Amazon beauty deals to help you transform your self-care regime. Check out this list of Amazon skincare & hair care deals and pick your favourites before it is too late!

Sun protection is essential for keeping your skin youthful and shielded from skin cancer, hyperpigmentation and other issues. Using the best sunscreen ensures that your skin remains protected from harmful UV damage. The Minimalist Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++ can be a good option for you as it is available at a discount of 5% on Amazon. Regarded as one of the best-selling products on Amazon, this sunscreen promises to repair your sun-damaged skin, keeping it nourished and hydrated. Formulated with four effective UV filters like Univul T 150, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide and avobenzone, this sunscreen can blend easily into your skin without leaving any white cast.

Skin type: All

Product benefits: Hydrating, protection, soothing, nourishing and moisturising

Item form: Cream

Keeping your skin clean and soft is important. So, using the Pears Pure & Gentle Soap Bar can be a good idea as it promises to provide soft, glowing and nourished skin. It is specially designed to provide gentle cleansing along with preserving the natural moisture of your skin. Made with natural oils and glycerin, this soap can lock in moisture, and provide supple and soft skin. This bar can also remove germs, oil, dirt, and bacteria, leaving your skin feeling clean and refreshed. Additionally, it is free from paraben and is dermatologically tested. Currently available at a discount of 33%, this pack of 8 soap bars promises to enhance your skins suppleness.

Skin type: Sensitive

Product benefits: Cleansing

Item form: Bar

Whether you have dry skin or oily skin, using a moisturiser is non-negotiable. The Cetaphil Moisturising Cream for Face & Body claims to improve the moisture barrier of the skin in just 3 days. Packed with the goodness of sweet almond oil, niacinamide, pro-vitamin B5 and glycerin, this best moisturiser can soothe irritated skin, lock in moisture, improve moisture retention and provide long-lasting hydration. It also claims to prevent roughness, and tightness and strengthen weak skin barrier. Available at a discount of 22%, this moisturising cream can improve your skin health most safely as it is free from harmful ingredients.

Also read: Amazon Prime Day Sale 2024 starts at midnight today: Explore deals and discounts you cannot miss out on

Skin type: Dry to normal, sensitive

Product benefits: Tackle dryness, roughness, irritation, lock in moisture

Item form: Cream

Acne, blackheads and open pores are signs of unhealthy skin. To get rid of these skin-related concerns, consider using Minimalist 2% Salicylic Acid Serum, which is available at a discount of 5% on Amazon. Suitable for oily and acne-prone skin, this best serum for the face can penetrate the pore lining and draw out dirt, debris and sebum. It is a clinically-proven skin care product, which can help to remove blackheads and whiteheads, keeping your skin clear and soft. This lightweight and water-based product is formulated with salicylic acid, oligopeptide - 10, EGCG and white horehound extract. Additionally, this anti-acne serum is also free from fragrance, silicones, sulfates, parabens and essential oils.

Skin type: Oily, acne-prone

Product benefits: Reduce excess oil, improve bumpy texture, soothe irritated skin, hydration, acne and blackheads

Item form: Drop

Cleansing is a vital step in the skincare routine. The Dot & Key CICA Face Wash may be a good option as it can help draw out dirt and impurities from your skin. Available at a discount of 11%, this face wash promises to reduce acne breakouts in 4 weeks. This soft and non-drying face wash is formulated with CICA, salicylic acid and green tea. Ideal for oily and acne-prone skin, this face wash can soothe inflammation, unclog pores, reduce excess oil and fight acne-causing bacteria. Daily use of these skin care products can help maintain and balance the pH levels of your skin.

Skin type: Oily, acne-prone

Product benefits: Acne prevention

Item form: Gel

Also read: Amazon Prime Day Sale 2024: Early deals on suitcases where you can bag up to 80% off on all your travel needs

Slow hair growth is a common problem these days. To combat this issue, consider using the WishCare Hair Growth Serum Concentrate, which is available at a discount of 33% on Amazon. Promises to provide effective results in 10 weeks of usage, this serum may help reduce hair fall and boost healthy growth. It is formulated with the goodness of rice water, caffeine, biotin, plant keratin, recently, again and baicalin, which may help improve the hair growth cycle, repair damaged strands and increase hair density. Besides this, it is also free from fragrance, paraben, gluten and cruelty.

Hair type: All

Product benefits: Hair growth, reduced hair fall

Item form: Gel

Dandruff is a sign of an unhealthy scalp condition. But this anti-dandruff shampoo from Selsun can be effective as it promises to clear away dandruff flakes. With an 18% discount, this best shampoo on Amazon promises to provide relief from itching and excess oil. It is packed with the goodness of selenium sulphide and a buffered emulsion base, which may help control flaking and irritation.

Hair type: All

Product benefits: Dandruff

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While there is nothing wrong with grey hair, some people may not find it comfortable to show off their grey strands. For them, the Attar Ayurveda Indigo Powder for Black Hair can be the saviour! With a 42% discount currently available, this herbal hair dye can make your hair lustrous, conditioned and hydrated. Besides being 100 per cent natural, this hair dye powder is free from paraben, synthetic additives, ammonia and chemicals.

Hair type: All

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Soft curls, sleek straight hair and messy crumps - all these different kinds of hairstyles can be achieved using the best hair styling tools. But with the beauty, tools like straighteners and curlers can also damage your strands as they work with high temperatures. To shield your hair against heat, use the BBLUNT Hot Shot - Heat Protection Hair Mist. Available at a discount of 25%, this hair mist promises to protect your hair from heat up to 230 degrees Celsius. Besides this, it can also help minimise hair damage and control frizz. This product is also free from harmful chemicals like paraben and sulfate, which makes it a safe option for you.

Hair type: All

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Hair oiling is one of the most effective ways to maintain your hair health. Including Parachute Advansed Aloe Vera Enriched Coconut Hair Oil in your hair care routine can help transform your strands and make them stronger. Available at a discount of 31%, this hair oil premises to control frizz and make your hair soft. It is formulated with coconut, and paraffinum liquidum, including aloe vera extracts, BHT and perfume. Regular use of this product can strengthen your hair, and provide deep nourishment and conditioning.

Hair type: All

Product benefits: Softening, conditioning, moisturising, frizz control and nourishing

Item form: Oil

Yes, the skincare and hair care products on Amazon are genuine and good. The reviews and ratings can help you gauge the quality and effectiveness of the product. But make sure to research the ingredients and brand reputation before buying the product.

Irrespective of age and gender, following a well-balanced skin-care routine is essential. The three most important skin care products that you must have in your pouch are - cleaner or face wash, moisturiser and sunscreen.

The five basics of a skin care routine include cleansing, toning, moisturising, sunscreen and exfoliating. Using the five-step skincare routine can help remove dead skin cells, maintain the pH balance of your skin, remove dirt, prevent sun damage and nourish your skin.

Hair serum and oil work best for the hair line. Packed with biotin, peptides and caffeine, these products can help strengthen your strands, improve density, and promote hair growth.

To improve your hair health, it is important to follow a healthy hair care routine. Make sure to include hair oil, shampoo, conditioner, serums, heat protectants and other such products in your routine.

At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.

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Amazon Prime Day Sale 2024: Up to 70% off on the best skin care and hair care products - Hindustan Times

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us and terms apply to offers listed (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate products and services to help you make smart decisions with your money.

Self Rent Reporting

Fees

$0-$6.95 monthly + optional $49.95 fee for retroactive reporting

A good credit score is important to qualify for financial services like a loan, credit card, or even insurance. But if you have limited or no credit history, building credit can feel impossible. Enter Self Rent Reporting, a rent reporting service.

Self Rent Reporting reports your rent and other bills to the credit bureaus. This improves your payment history and, as a result, your credit score, without needing to take on debt. As one of the companies listed in Business Insider's guide to the best rent reporting services after a thorough review, Self Rent Reporting stands out for offering several credit-building perks for one competitive price.

Self Rent Reporting is a rent reporting service that was acquired by Self Financial, a fintech company specializing in various credit-building tools. Self Financial also operates the Self credit builder loan, one of the best credit builder loans available.

Self Rent Reporting is an iteration of RentTrack, which was only available to residents whose property owners offered it. Now, Self Rent Reporting does not require your landlord's involvement, so anyone who pays rent online can access the credit-building platform.

Now that credit-building company LevelCredit has joined Self, existing users will transition into Self subscriptions, and new users will sign up for Self. LevelCredit says on its website that it will notify users before changing their subscription.

Self Rent Reporting's basic tri-bureau rent reporting is free, which is certainly hard to beat. You can upgrade to its paid service for $6.95 monthly, which includes utility bill payments added to your TransUnion credit report along with credit monitoring and identity theft insurance.

Self Rent Reporting offers the following services:

To get started with Self Rent Reporting, you'll need several pieces of information, including your date of birth and Social Security number. The company uses your information to verify your identity and report your payments to the bureaus. Self Rent Reporting performs a soft pull on your credit file, so you don't have to worry about your credit score dropping.

Then you'll need to connect your bank account so Self Rent Reporting can verify your rent payments. The company can detect payments from your bank direct deposit, your property manager's online payment portal, Venmo, Zelle, or Paypal. Self Rent Reporting will also accept paper checks, money orders, and cashier's checks. However, cash payments aren't accepted.

Self Rent Reporting will report your rent as a positive payment to the three major credit bureaus the next day and your utilities to TransUnion. The credit bureaus typically take up to a month to update your credit file.

Under Self, basic rent reporting with Self Rent Reporting is free. You can upgrade your plan to add utility reporting, identity theft insurance, and credit monitoring with TransUnion for $6.95 monthly.

Self Rent Reporting also offers optional retroactive rent and utilities reporting for $49.95, which adds up to 24 months of previous payment history to your credit reports. Retroactive reporting can be added to both the free rent reporting plan and the full plan.

Self Rent Reporting received mixed reviews from users, earning a 2.7 out of five from Trustpilot and a 3.7 out of five from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Customers express dissatisfaction with inaccurate bill reporting. Users also report seeing negative effects on their credit scores after using the platform.

In contrast, people praised the company's customer service, citing quick response times and an easy process. It's worth mentioning that the BBB and Trustpilot have a small volume of reviews for the company. So, Self Rent Reporting's online reviews may not be a complete representation of its quality of customer service and product.

Self Rent Reporting's features are accessible via web browser and the Self mobile app. The Self app received a 4.6 out of five on Google Play and 4.9 out of five from the Apple app store, showing that customers found the app easy to use.

Like Self Rent Reporting, Boom offers monthly rent reporting. Boom costs just $3 per month. While it can't beat Self Rent Reporting's free rent reporting, Boom's rates are still extremely low, lower than Self Rent Reporting's paid subscription. However, Self Rent Reporting's premium service also offers utility reporting, identity theft insurance, and credit monitoring from TransUnion. Boom doesn't offer this.

What Boom does offer is affordable retroactive rent reporting at $25, half the cost Self Rent Reporting's retroactive reporting. Boom also doesn't require your landlord's involvement, while Self Rent Reporting will contact your landlord to verify your lease information.

While Self Rent Reporting is a good rent reporting option, Boom offers a cheaper alternative if you just want simple rent reporting without all the dressings.

Read our BoomPay review to learn more.

Rental Kharma costs $75 signup + $8.95 monthly for ongoing reporting. It also doesn't have credit-building perks like Self Rent Reporting does, but Rental Kharma lets you report all your past payment history at your current rental, no matter how far back the payment was. Self Rent Reporting only reports payments up to 24 months back, limiting your credit-building opportunities. Rental Kharma only reports to Equifax and TransUnion, while Self Rent Reporting reports to all three credit bureaus.

Rental Kharma has a 90-day, 100% money-back guarantee. Its refund policy gives you ample time to try the service out and see changes to your score. Self Rent Reporting only provides refunds if it fails to deliver on agreed-upon services, which doesn't include credit score improvements. Rental Kharma also offers discounts when you add a spouse and roommates.

Read our Rental Kharma review to learn more.

RentReporters costs $94.95 one-time fee + $9.95 monthly or $94.50 annually. Its features could make it attractive to customers. RentReporters plans allow you to report up to 48 months of payment history. This feature is useful if you've recently moved to another apartment but want to capture the payments from your previous lease.

If you opt into RentReporters VIP service, which is included with the annual plan or costs an additional $25 with the monthly plan, your past 24 months of rent can be reported to the credit bureaus within three to five days. This quick reporting can be a great benefit if you're looking for ways to boost your credit score quickly (like if you're a prospective homebuyer with a limited credit history).

RentReporters also guarantees a full refund if you're not satisfied within seven days of your initial results (i.e., once your credit score has been updated to reflect your reported rental payments).

Read our RentReporters review to learn more.

Yes, Self Rent Reporting is a legitimate company. It is BBB accredited, receiving a B+ ratings. It also provides bank-level security measures and a comprehensive privacy policy that outlines how it uses your data.

Self Rent reporting reports to major credit bureaus, enhancing the credit-building potential for users.

Self Rent Reporting can impact your credit score by reporting timely rent payments which can positively affect your credit score by building a history of on-time payments.

Self Rent Reporting takes about 24 hours once your rent payment appears on your bank account. That's because before reporting your rent payment to the credit bureaus, Self must verify. Updates to your credit score can take up to a month after rent reporting.

We examine several factors to rate rent reporting companies. First, we look for reporting to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. When you apply for a financial product, lenders will pull your credit file from one of the three bureaus to assess your eligibility, so it's important for rent payments to show up on credit reports from all three bureaus.

Secondly, we evaluate the comprehensiveness of a company's offerings. In other words, we look at whether the company offers special perks aside from rent reporting. Some examples of these benefits include utility and cell phone bill reporting, long retroactive rent reporting periods, and roommate or spouse discounts. We then weigh the product's cost against its value.

Finally, we assess user experience through third-party ratings and information outlined in the company's fine print. This includes the company's customer satisfaction, longevity, ease of use, refund policy, and other relevant components.

Jennifer Streaks

Senior Personal Finance Reporter and Spokesperson

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Self Rent Reporting Review: Benefits, Features, and User Experience - Business Insider

Self-Help Home Improvement Project offers support for home weatherization

by Devin Herenda

(KRCR)

REDDING, Calif.

Keeping your home energy-efficient is crucial, especially during winter weather months.

Self-Help Home Improvement Project in Redding has programs to cover the costs of home weatherization, including services like wall insulation and improving heating and cooling units.

The nonprofit partners with PG&E for one program and also has a federally-funded weatherization program.

SHHIP Program Analyst Hailey Hurley told us, As rates change, it is important for our families to try and save as much as we can on utilities. And so having an energy-efficient home really helps in that area, to keep your utilities down as much as possible.

SHHIP has helped weatherize and/or repair 1,800 homes over the past year in Shasta and Tehama counties. The nonprofit also helps families pay their utility bills once a year.

The SHHIP programs are income-based. Everything is free of charge for program participants who fit the income guidelines. Both homeowners and renters can benefit from the programs, as long as homeowners offer permission for tenants to receive the services.

Hurley added, "It's really satisfying because we do have a lot of people that will call in after the fact and wouldn't be able to replace that heating unit or get that heating repair. And because we have our program, that's something that helped them and their family make it through a winter."

The City of Anderson is hosting workshops educating people on how they can apply to the nonprofits programs.

The workshops will continue monthly at Anderson City Hall through April 2024, with the next event being scheduled for Feb. 17.

You can learn more about who is eligible to apply for SHHIP's programs here.

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Self-Help Home Improvement Project offers support for home weatherization - KRCR

The Scott County Circuit Court at 119 North Hampton Street in Georgetown is now offering free self-help legal resources through the public workstation on site.

This newly available resource comes from a larger state wide push from the Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to provide more access to citizens of the commonwealth without the means to obtain it. The portal was designed as a collaboration between the Kentucky Court of Justice and Kentucky Access to Justice Commission.

The portal went live as a soft launch in March. Scott County was one of the many pilot counties where the AOC installed a public workstation. As of now 48 counties in Kentucky have access to these resources, and by June they will be made available to most of the other 72 counties, according to a press release from the AOC.

The portal features an interactive program that assists users in completing common legal forms including uncontested divorce, probate, child support, small claims, name change, expungement, and more.

Its like a Turbo Tax-like program. Weve got a computer here at the courthouse or you can access it from your own home. Its especially good for divorce cases, those can be uncomfortable, said Scott County Circuit Court Clerk Tina Foster.

The portal also provides links to legal information categorized by topic onkyjustice.org, the online legal advice clinicky.freelegalanswers.org/, lawyer referral services and Kentuckys regional civil legal aid programs. The AOC legal forms library is also available through the portal, which provide access to an array of standardized legal forms, including the recently developed forms packet for uncontested divorces involving no children.

The resources, their centralization into a self-help portal and the workstations are major steps toward our continuous goal to improve access to justice for everyone, Chief Justice of the Commonwealth Laurance VanMeter said. For non-attorneys, the legal system can be a mystery. A one-stop shop with user-friendly technology is our solution to thischallenge. The portal makes it far easier for the many people who cant afford an attorney or choose to handle their own everyday issues.

Its really helpful to folks who dont have access to a computer at home or dont have the money for an attorney. Its a really good resource, said Foster

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Legal self-help now offered by circuit court - News- Graphic

Embarking on a journey toward personal, financial or career excellence? Snuggle into a cozy spot and curl up with the self-development books on our list. Tailored for both aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals, these handpicked titles serve as roadmaps to success. They offer invaluable insights on disciplined financial habits, strategic leadership and the crucial steps to becoming an influential figure in your industry. No matter if youre navigating the entrepreneurial landscape or climbing the corporate ladder, these self-development books are worth the read.

01 Atomic Habits

by James Clear

This bestselling book by James Clear presents practical strategies to build good habits, break bad ones and master tiny behaviors that lead to extraordinary results.

02 The Mountain Is You

by Brianna West

03 Everyday Millionaires

by Chris Hogan

04 Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter

by Curtis Jackson

05 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People

by Stephen R. Covey

06 Its About Damn Time: How to Turn Being Underestimated into Your Greatest Advantage

by Arlan Hamilton

07 Drop the Ball: Achieving More by Doing Less

by Tiffany Dufu

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on the links we provide, we may receive compensation.

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7 Self-Development Books To Help You Level Up - Essence