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tomuraxashes · 3 years

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Found you - part 1

- Tenko! - a young, white haired boy run towards him from the swings.

- Touya-chan! How could you come? - he asked with confused tone in his voice.

He remembered his friend told him yesterday he wouldn't make it to come even today to the playground.

- Ah, it was easy. I convinced my mum to go and visit her parents together and after we came back I just asked her to take me out here. So I am here! - the young Todoroki smiled.

- Oh, I'm happy then. - the black haired boy said somehow delightfully, but his little cute face immediately turned back to the gloominess it was before - but wat if your dad finds out?

- Dont worry Tenko, after he learned that you are a Shimura, he doesn't really mind when I hang out with you. Sure, I still have to train but he allows me to have a friend, moreover a friend from a hero dynasty. Common bullshit of his, ya'know.

- Yes, I see, but I'm still worried about you! Your scars on your arms .. I .. let me see.. let me try to heal it!

- No need - Touya opposed - I don't have big scars today, I didn't receive any serious injuries. I don't want you to harm yourself just because of these small scratches.

- I don't care.. - the little boy said with a serious gaze in his ruby eyes - besides my mum or Hana-chan, you are the only one for I would use it.. You are the person I like the most, and why should I have this quirk, if not for helping my loved ones?

Now give me your hand...

They boys were at the Todoroki's house, playing inside of Touya's room. But they still could hear the shouting of Endeavour and Rei from the another room.

"Enji, he is just seven! How can you do this to him?

"He is already seven! He is my eldest son, and I want him to become the no 1, no matter what. He will surpass All Might! I won't let my dream down!"

From the room where the boys were in, a quiet sobbing was heard after the argument.

- Tenko chan.. I .. I don't even know if I want to be a hero anymore! - the white haired boy cried silently

- It's okay.. I will always be here for you and support you, no matter what.

- Mum, why Tenko's mum is not answering to your calls?

"Breaking news! The no 1 hero Nana Shimura is dead!"

- Mum! It's... Tenko's grandma on the TV! What happened?

"The heroine kept her private life in secret, but unfortunately the tragedy happened there as well. His son's entire family was eliminated, the circumstances are still under an investigation, the suspect is unknown."

- Mum? Dad? - the white haired boy almost cried - Whats the report about? Why we can't reach Tenko? Is he safe?

His mum couldn't answer. All he got is his father's uncertain hug, with a sad gaze and his trying to calm him down.

- I'm sorry, son...

He was so young back then, but then he was able to feel some happiness. He had one fucking friend in this cursed life, yet he had to die.

He didn't remember to much from his childhood - he didn't want to - but the small black haired boy with those ruby eyes was his sweetest memory ever.

He is not the one he used to be. The white haired hero-to-be is now gone, the world thinks he is dead now. And maybe they know right .. Touya Todoroki is truly dead.

Dabi is the one who lives. Dabi, the villain, the bad guy, who kills people just for fun, and kills heroes to calm his broken soul a little bit.

What would Tenko think if he could see me now?"

But there is no Tenko anymore.

There is no one who would heal his injuries, who would make him smile, who would care for him.. there is no one in this world for him. He is alone.

The only thing what makes him happy is to kill those fucking heroes.

Those scumbags who never helped anyone for real, they weren't there for him when his father almost killed him, neither for Tenko when he... passed away. Somehow.

It has been so many years yet no one knows how this case happened. The investigators claimed it had something to do with All for One and Nana's war, and via that, they didnt really look into it.

Dabi wanted two things in his life.

Firstly , he wanted to kill the person who made him and his whole family suffer - his scumbag of a father.

Secondly, he wanted to find out the truth about Tenko's death.

And that's why he is exactly there where he is right now.

He joined the League of Villains.

He heard from some underground fellas that there is a guy named Giran who can find literally anything. Well, the information is the most expensive trading stuff of his, so Dabi knew he has to make some money first.

And what's a better option than making money from killing heroes? And besides that, if he ""sells" himself to Giran first, and the League would be pleased with him as a villain, than the man would owe him.. perfect plan.

Well, it somehow worked. He was in, the LoV took him and even they gave him the opportunity to make them proud.

Even the boss seemed to acknowledge his powers and determination.

Well, the boss.. he was really something. Dabi - nor the others - couldn't see his face,he had always covered it with a human hand. It was kinda creepy but the whole guy was, as well.

He learned that his quirk, the decay is extremely dangerous and that he didn't think a lot about killing. If someone pisses him off, he is willing to turn them to dust within a sec. He has to be cautious, Dabi noted himself.

Shigaraki didn't seem to care too much about his subordinates but in fact, he did. He couldn't even explain it for himself, he just didn't want them to die - maybe.

He didn't exactly know how to "care". He didn't interact with people too much before establishing the LoV. He had Sensei and Kurogiri, and sometimes he was in touch with Giran if he needed something from the black market.

But then Sensei wanted him to get some people, who are his "own". So that way, it was not necessary to ask Giran for some ragtag mobs if he wanted to make a bigger action.

Now, he had some really hardcore fellas, with real power and willingness. He was satisfied.

He was the leader. They listened to him, they obeyed him. That was the most important thing.

But ... since they lived together, he saw the connections between the members. How they get on with each other in their free time. How they talked, played, had fun, etc.

And for Tomura, it was all strange indeed. He has never done it - at least, not after Sensei found him.

Before -

"Hm, that's not relevant anymore, what happened before..."

Dabi was in a good mood recently. No one from the League knew the reason, but the scarred man teased them less than usual. He was even nice with them sometimes.

They were all in the bar, even Shigaraki sat there and drank some spirit when Toga just asked Dabi randomly about his sudden emotional changes.

- Well, if you really wanna know - the burnt man started to speak theatrically - I will finally receive the thing I always wanted to!

- And what's that thing? - Magne asked excitedly- you ordered some goth stuff from Wish?

- Lol nope, that's ..wait, why do you assume I have my stuff from Wish? I definitely don't! But that's not the matter! After the last mission I finally had the cash to buy something from Giran. And he promised me the stuff for todaay!

- What the hell did you buy from that crock? Do you need some guns or what? - finally Shigaraki spoke up too.

He wasn't fond of the fact that he has now some company but he was aware he needed to socialise.

He quite liked the League and that's why he didn't want them to think that he is some creepy loner - well, he is.

- What for? I have my own firepower, it's not the thing. I bought some information...

That was all he shared with the League. At least, for now. He have to see Girans files at first and maybe after he will reveal the truth about himself - and Tenko in front of the League.

When he almost died, and that way he became Dabi, he promised himself he won't share his past with anyone, but since he lived with the League, he wasn't that determined anymore. He felt like there is a bond between them, and if they could help him find Tenko.. it would be worthy.

Even if he - somewhere deep down - realised it is nearly impossible to find his soulmate being alive, the hope never left him.

Neither when Giran gave him the files - with a sorrowful storyline, about AFO's and Nana's fights, about how Nana tried to hide Kotaro's existence, and then after a time skip, there was Kotaro's own family. Birth dates, basics infos, some pictures and the date of their deaths.

So that was it. No trace of life, no chance of survival. The destruction may caused by Afo.

Who is currently in the jail, so Dabi can't even speak to him.

He knew he has to give up on his hopes. There is the fucking evidence his soulmate really died back then.

Dabi just put the files on his drawer, not really paying any attention to hide it. He will do it later - now, he just doesn't want to think about it.

That's why he volunteered for the Leagues next mission.

It was a dangerous one, he needed to a sneak in the Hero commission's building and steal their newest "top-secret" plans.

It was actually spying, and they needed to do it with the minimum amount of men.

Kurogiri would teleport him in and out when it's time, but it is still risky.

Mostly - for a spying- there was Toga or Twice because of their quirks were suitable enough, but now it was required a real fight as well. So the final version was him and Twice. Twice would copy the looks of a random official, and Dabi will hide and somehow steal the secret files.

Shigaraki was really good at making plans. He always calculated a lot of possibilities in, and nearly all the stuff what could happen.

He was aware the mission is not a child's play but a serious one.

He looked over it many times already before presenting it to the others, but the overthinking and insecurity were his habits and can't let him stay calm.

At the evening, he decided to talk with Dabi about it. He wanted to be sure that the flame villain is okay with the whole thing, he knows the details and stuff.

He headed to his subordinate's room. The door was halfway open so the young boss don't really mind to knock on it.

There was a semidarkness in the room, but Dabi was nowhere to seen. Shigaraki came from the bar, the burnt villain was not there either.

Tomura thought he may use the bathroom or whatever, so he decided to wait him in his room.

He was about to sit on his bed, when he accidentally noticed a file on his drawer.

On the top of the file, there was a picture. That particular picture, of his dad and Nana Shimura.

Tomura stood there for minutes like an ice statue. He couldn't imagine how the picture could remain - and mostly how it got into Dabi's room.

At the meantime Dabi finished his stuff in the bathroom or wherever he was, so he came back to his room, only to see his boss holding a picture from his file and staring on that somehow inscrutably.

If it wasn't for Tomura, Dabi would be pissed off, cuz he doesn't like at all when others just come in his room and start to rummage his stuff, but since the blue haired man was his boss, he tried to keep it cool.

- Hi boss, how can I help you?

Tomura turned up when he heard Dabi's voice. He still held the picture, and judging by the mess on the drawer he also took a look into the files.

He was so confused right now he had no clue what to say. His thoughts were so loud and they didn't subside. He wanted to ask Dabi why the hell he has this goddamn file with the picture, how did he get it, and mostly.. could is be possible that he knows his secret?

"No way" - Tomura thought - "he would hide this somewhere and he wouldn't act so normally with him" But he was certain he needs to figure it out.

However his thoughts were still so messy he couldn't ask the proper questions he wanted to - without being suspicious.

He somewhat calmed down when he read those files - and they all stated he.. not he, Tenko - is dead, all the family is dead. No sign of survival.

So Dabi - or the one who gave him this - cannot know about him.

- How did you get those? - he finally managed to ask. His eyes were more deadly than he wanted tho.

Dabi suddenly felt himself quite uncomfortable. What should he say? If his boss would be curious, how should he explain why he wanted these datas? And why is his boss'es suddenly so resentful?

- This is the stuff I bought from Giran - he started to explain - I needed it for.. personal stuff.

Tomuras eyes widened - what kind of personal stuff of his can he related to his family? He noticed how Dabi's mood changed before he met with Giran - he was almost happy and really excited. But after the meeting he got gloomier than usual. Even now - when he spoke up, his voice was somehow sad.

Tomura decided to not deal with this right now, they all need to focus for the next day's mission.

- Anyways - the bluenette said - I just wanted to say not to fuck it up tomorrow. That's all for now. And I will keep this picture. Good night!

And with that, Shigaraki quickly left his subordinates room.

Now Dabi was the more confused one. He just couldn't understand what exactly his boss wanted to do, and why he got so distracted by that fucking picture. And mostly, why did he keep it?

Not if Dabi would need it, there wasn't Tenko on the picture just his dad as a kid with Nana Shimura.

"Maybe Shigaraki recognised the heroine and that's why he was asking? Probably" - Dabi thought. He knew about All for One and the Shimuras were enemies, so maybe that's why Shigaraki acted so strange.

(Part two right here on my page, just couldn’t write here the whole stuff cuz it’s long)

#bnha #tomura shigaraki #bnha fanfiction #Dabi #dabi is touya #shigaraki x dabi #shigadabi #tenko shimura #touya todoroki #league of villains #my hero academia #nana shimura #shigadabi fluff

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reesewestonarchive · 6 years

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chapter eight / rem belongs to @forlornraven / masterpost / mature content

“…where would you go?”

Rem’s voice is a stark difference from the mixtape playing through frankensteined speakers from Rem’s Walkman. Nakoa opens his eyes, peers at Rem’s face—calm, pleased. “Hm?”

Rem dozes on his side of the bed, a hand out between them in an aborted attempt at touching Nakoa’s stomach. His words are slurred, though, and there’s a tired, distant look in his eye when he lifts his gaze to Nakoa.

Not a second later, his eyes are closed again. “If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?”

Loaded question. Nakoa thinks there are plenty of places he’d like to see, plenty of places he could live, but would any of it matter if Rem weren’t with him? “Dunno. Hawaii. Or… European countryside, maybe.” Or Russia, if it weren’t so fucking cold. That’s the thing about the midwest that Nakoa doesn’t miss—the fucking winters. “Some place warm, probably.”

“Bahamas,” Rem says. “You’re miserable when you’re cold.”

“I have bad circulation,” Nakoa says, staring at the ceiling. “Can’t help it.”

Rem lifts his hand, pinches the skin at Nakoa’s hips gently, and says, “‘Cause you’re so fucking skinny. I bruise you when we fuck.”

“You’re one to talk.” Nakoa draws his fingers across thumb-shaped bruises along his own hips. A gentle stir of desire blooms in his stomach—maybe he can give Rem a matching set later. “What about you?”

“What about me?” He burrows closer, presses his head against Nakoa’s neck. He sighs.

“Where would you go, if you could go anywhere?”

“What’s wrong with right here?” Rem drops an arm around Nakoa’s waist. “Mm. Maybe…” He sighs; his breath tickles Nakoa’s chest. He mumbles a response, but Nakoa doesn’t hear it, doesn’t ask for him to repeat it.

Instead, he hums along to Rem’s mixtape. Rem didn’t say it, and Nakoa’s not sure if it’s on purpose, but Nakoa’s since sussed out that the songs are love songs.

For a guy that can’t verbalize the word, Rem’s really fucking good at saying it.

There are plenty of unanswered questions—if anyone’s chasing them, if it’s Michael or Rem’s bad decisions. If it’s… something else. Some asshole on their tail for being as open. Nakoa knows the attitude, knows whatever this is between them makes other people angry, disgusted.

He also doesn’t give a shit. Anyone’d be hard pressed to find someone Rem wouldn’t fight.

In the room, with Rem wrapped around him, basking in the glow of sex, Nakoa forgets about all that. Forgets that there’s a world outside the motel, a world outside of Rem and himself and the bed they’re lying on, in the dark with The Cure playing softly in the background.

Nakoa tests the words on his lips again; soft, against Rem’s hair. I love you. He mouths along with the lyrics for a verse, then hums. Rem curls closer, a pleased noise escaping his throat.

A whisper when Nakoa says, “I love you,” his voice barely louder than the music. Rem says nothing, his breathing even in sleep.

Nakoa lets him rest.

In the cold, misty morning, they pack up from the hotel overlooking the ocean, and Rem uses the last of his own money on a pack of cigarettes. Nakoa steals one from Rem’s lips, ignores his squawk of disagreement, and says, “Where to?”

Rem sighs, stares down at the map. “Fuck if I know.”

Nakoa remembers his mother—tries not to; the thought of her still at home leaves his chest tight—and how she would always say that the journey means as much as the destination. They don’t have the money to go much farther, and soon, the midwest is going to be covered in snow. Soon enough, anyway.

Nakoa thinks of the Grand Canyon, of Yellowstone, of Niagara Falls. Of ghost towns and abandoned houses, amusement parks and mountains and the Atlantic Coast. He thinks he’d follow Rem to hell—if he asked.

“Might as well hit all the stops,” Rem says. “Right?”

Nakoa watches his brow crease in thought. He doesn’t want to, but he says, “Pretty soon we won’t have money for food. Eating out’s fucking expensive.”

A glint sparkles in Rem’s eyes as he pulls the cigarette from his lips, smoke exhaling with each word, “That’s not true. I eat you out all the time.”

“Mm. Think you’re pretty fucking clever, don’t you?”

Rem shrugs, tugs Nakoa against him by his belt loops. “Sometimes. Hey—about the money thing.” He raises an eyebrow, grin wide across his lips, and says, “We could rob a bank.”

Yeah, right. Nakoa has a difficult time imagining that. “Or scare small children.” He shoves his knuckles against Rem’s ribs. “Give me your lunch money, punk.”

Thoughtfully, Rem asks, “Ever thought about porn?”

Nakoa doesn’t say the only person he wants to fuck is Rem. Instead, he says, “With your jealous streak, yeah fucking right.”

Rem scowls, but there’s a layer of mischief underneath. “I don’t get jealous.”

“Yeah?” Nakoa licks his lips, then says, “All right, cool. I’ll go get dicked down by some big fucker with a selfish attitude to match yours.” He makes a show of peering around the parking lot. “What kind of job do you think I can get around here? Or is that something I need to go to Portland for?”

Rem makes a noise in his throat, tugs Nakoa back against him, grips Nakoa’s wrists in his own. “Fuck no. You’re—” He sighs. “Fine. You win.”

“Oh, yeah? What’d I win?”

“I’d offer myself up as prize, if I was worth anything.” He squints, plucks Nakoa’s sunglasses from atop Nakoa’s head, and puts them on. Nakoa almost days, “Don’t sell yourself short,” but Rem continues with, “Blowjob?”

“Tsk,” Nakoa says. “Like I don’t get those from you on the regular anyway.” He smiles, lopsided and pleased. “What else you got for me?”

But Rem’s attention has shifted, from Nakoa to something across the street. His skin is white, fear-lined, and there’s a Nakoa frowns, tries to turn back to see it, but Rem’s grip is tight and he won’t let Nakoa move.

“Could—” Rem clears his throat, looks back at Nakoa and smiles. “—let’s get on the road, hey?”

He still doesn’t let Nakoa turn back to see what he was looking at, holds Nakoa’s hands together.

“What aren’t you telling me?” Nakoa asks. He shakes out of Rem’s grip, turns, and— “Oh, fuck—”

He can’t get to the van quick enough. Rem, somehow, is already inside when Nakoa finally shuts the door behind him. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t know!” Rem jams the key into the ignition, turns it—the van stalls. “Fuck!”

His heart beats, hard, fast, in his chest. “Rem,” Nakoa says, still staring at the old, beat-up Bronco sitting across the street, at the guy sitting outside of it.

Michael.

“How’d he find us?” Rem mutters. “I didn’t think—”

The van roars to life—for a split second before stalling again. Nakoa’s heart climbs his throat, and he feels like he’s going to throw up.

But the van’s not starting, and Michael’s moving forward, now, towards the car. Nakoa moves through the van, out through the back. “I’ll find you,” Nakoa says, “later, okay? Just—I’ll find you. When we lose him—”

And he goes. Out the back door, and he books it, as soon as he hits the asphalt. Rem yells his name, but Nakoa goes anyway, down the parking lot and through the alley towards the boardwalk, where maybe, fucking maybe, he can get away.

He hopes, stupidly, that Michael doesn’t go after Rem instead, that he follows Nakoa. Rem’s already in too deep into Nakoa’s bullshit, and—

Someone stands at the end of the alleyway, blocking his escape, so he turns back around, stumbles over his own feet into one of the buildings. Breath catches in his chest, terror holding him tight as he stares ahead, at Rem, held in his father’s grip.

“You leave a messy trail, Nakoa.” Michael’s voice is quiet, calm, and Nakoa hears footsteps behind him, encroaching on his space, unsurprised when he feels the cold metal of a gun press against his neck. “Nice to see you again.”

“Let him—” Nakoa says, but the gun presses against his neck, harder, cuts him off, and he swallows. Waits.

“Rude to interrupt your father.” Michael, after a beat, does release Rem—only to send him reeling against the brick with a fist to his stomach. “Tell me, Nakoa. Did you think I would let you leave?”

Nakoa says nothing, eyes trained on Rem. Michael sighs, and, as Rem is bent over, coughing, knees him in the stomach. This time, Rem goes down. “Answer me.”

Yes; Nakoa figured, it’s been long enough since he heard about the secrets, since he’s been involved in any of Michael’s work; he should have been safe. He should have been fucking safe. And if it weren’t for Michael knowing someone fucking everywhere, a network of I-know-a-guy, Nakoa would have been.

He should have convinced Rem to fly out of the country. Maybe remote Russia isn’t so bad.

“No,” he lies, because Michael shouldn’t want to waste resources, not time or money, on Nakoa. He steps forward, ignoring Rem behind him, coughing.

Michael’s taller than he is, though not by much; Nakoa slouches. Rem still towers over him.

Rem could take him, if he was smart about it.

“I thought I was clear,” Michael says. “You are to stay with me. This is what we do, Nakoa. I can’t have my only son disappear, after all, can I? Even if he is a miserable excuse for one.”

Rem stumbles to his feet, croaks out a, “Hey, asshole—” before Michael turns, gun still in hand, and Nakoa can’t turn away fast enough, waiting for the sound of a gunshot that doesn’t come.

Instead, Michael winds up and slams the butt of the pistol into Rem’s head, turning back before Rem has even hit the ground. Blood surfaces from A gas on Rem’s forehead immediately, runs down his face, and…

Nakoa watches Rem, tunnel visioned. Is he okay. Is he okay there’s a lot of blood already and his chest is rising and falling but is it too much? Not enough—

“Can someone take that one back to the car,” Michael asks, “handcuff him and put him in the trunk?”

It’s not a request. But Nakoa still says, “He needs help. You—”

“Shut up.”

“He could be—”

“Easier if he is,” Michael says. “I’d rather not have to cut off his attempts at a Disney rescue. You are mine, you know. No other man you throw yourself will change that fact.” Michael pulls Nakoa’s chin up, forces him to look Michael in the eye. “It’s best for you at home. You keep poor company.”

Nakoa keeps poor company. That’s almost laughable. “Pot calling the kettle,” Nakoa says. “I promise I won’t say shit, okay? For fuck’s sake, Rem doesn’t even know.”

He wonders maybe if Michael knows that, or if he doesn’t care. If his sole concern is of Nakoa giving out pieces of Michael’s secrets, or if it’s…

Nakoa swallows. Waits.

Michael stares at him, expression blank, before he says, “You know, Nakoa. You haven’t proven yourself very trustworthy. You ran away from home. What am I meant to think?” He steps forward. “No. I think it’s best for you to stay with me.” He glances back towards Rem, still unconscious on the ground. “Your… friend, too.”

If Michael knows, he doesn’t day anything. Instead, he snaps his fingers, and the gun at Nakoa’s throat disappears. He tries to leave, get away, grab for Rem and shake him awake, but his before he can, his wrists are bound by zip ties.

Michael retreats down the alleyway, lighting a cigarette, and Nakoa opens his mouth—unsure what he’s going to say—but doesn’t get to call after him. Instead, there’s a burst of pain at the back of his skull, and the world goes dark.

#road to nowhere au #my writing

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kennethherrerablog · 6 years

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Thinx, Flex, and Other Period Alternatives: Are They Worth It?

Although more than half the world’s population has to deal with them on a monthly basis, menstrual periods aren’t often discussed — nor is their effect on menstruators’ wallets. Purchasing pads, tampons and other flow-absorbing devices is a financial burden most men don’t have to worry about, and those expenses can really add up over time.

What’s worse, since they’re considered “luxury” products, pads and tampons are ineligible for the tax-exempt status granted to most other necessities, like groceries, in the majority of the United States. And while average expenditure estimates on period products vary significantly, it’s not hard to see that menstruating is, under this model, pretty darn expensive.

Let’s say you buy one box of tampons every two months at $7 a box. Let’s also say you menstruate for 40 years, between the ages of 12 and 52. The math doesn’t lie: $7 a box x 6 boxes a year x 40 years = $1,680 over a lifetime. And since most people rely on a variety of different menstruation fixes — pads and liners in addition to tampons, for example — the figure is a bare minimum.

Not to mention the fact that pads and tampons create an incredible amount of waste, which is less than less than ideal for our planet. Case in point: The average consumer will use between 12,000 and 16,000 disposable period products over the course of a lifetime, per reusable pad company Gladrags. (That’s at an estimated cost of between $2,333 and $3,111.)

There’s gotta be a better way. Right?

Thinx and Other Period-Friendly Panties: The Way of the Future?

One way to ditch the extra expense and waste of traditional pads and tampons? Build their absorbency right into the undergarments usually worn with them. That’s the idea behind THINX, a period underwear company started in 2014 — and a host of other brands like Dear Kate and Knix Leakproof.

For this article, we’ll focus primarily on THINX, one of the most popular options on the burgeoning period-panty market. THINX products start at $24 and go up to $39 per pair, allegedly holding anywhere between one-half and two tampons’ worth of fluid. The company also sells other period-friendly garments at higher prices, like training shorts ($65) and leotards ($60).

So: They’re not cheap. But considering the cost of the pads and tampons we’re throwing away almost immediately, they could be worth it.

But do they actually work? And are they comfortable? Will they hold up to multiple menstrual periods without getting smelly or stained?

We spoke to a variety of THINX users to find out.

These Folks Tried THINX, and Here’s What They… Think

We’ll start with the good news: All of our correspondents reported that their THINX were useful, reliable, odor-free, and that they held up well in the wash — even when they ignored the instructions to hand wash and tossed them in a regular cycle.

And the bad news, you ask? THINX might not be viable as a total period product replacement. It all depends on your body, of course, but most of our sources seemed skeptical about using them without any other flow-blocking measures.

So period panties might not be able to totally offset the expense of disposables. But they can still serve some very valuable purposes, penny-pinching included.

Here’s how.

They Control Leaks — and Stop Stains from Breaking Your Budget

Clinical psychologist Allison He Glickman, 29, of San Francisco was sick and tired of trashing perfectly good underwear, pajama, and bedsheets “as a result of “the exuberance of [her] menses.”

“I thought that Thinx panties could provide a backup to my other hardworking menstrual products,” she writes in an email.

After all, trashing all those stained items cost her tons over time. She estimates she was spending about $136 per year on pads and tampons, and an additional $50 or so per year on underwear replacements.

So she made a one-time purchase of $42 on two pairs of THINX — and was delighted when the company sent her four pairs by accident. Although she doesn’t use the panties as a total replacement for pads and tampons, they do relieve her anxiety about ruining her underwear and sheets.

Dietitian Karen Neunzig also thanks her THINX for keeping her primary panties pretty — and helping her keep her chill about stains while she’s at work or at yoga practicing downward dog.

Depending on where she is in her cycle, she might use them alone or in conjunction with a tampon. Either way, she says, they’re “worth every penny. I actually bought some for my sister and best friend too!”

They Can Make Transitioning Easier

THINX markets their products towards “people with periods” — language that piqued the interest of menstruating transgender person Zo Dikitsas, 25, who received their first pair of THINX as a Christmas present from a friend and found the product immensely helpful.

“Tampons make me feel more dysphoric and also hurt a little bit once I started to take testosterone,” says Dikitsas, who lives in Columbus, Ohio. “Pads didn’t work out so well because they slide around in my boxer briefs and didn’t effectively catch the blood from my period.”

Plus, transitioning meant that Dikitsas’ public bathroom options weren’t usually equipped with tampon machines — and that dose of testosterone meant the bleeding was unpredictable. “I would realize I was on my period and try to improvise with toilet paper,” Dikitsas says, before “driving around bleeding trying to run and go get some tampons last minute.”

They’re Great for Sleeping In

Photographer Amanda Shields, 31, originally purchased THINX so she wouldn’t have to sleep with uncomfortable pads. She estimates she was spending about $300 per year on disposable devices.

As it turned out, the underwear worked for her not just overnight, but all the time. “They are super comfortable,” the Michigan woman says, reporting that they stay dry and feel like normal underwear. And unlike most of our other sources, Shields finds she’s often able to use them on their own. “I think they work as well, if not better, than advertised,” she says. “I can usually get away with mine all day even on a moderate flow day with no other products.”

Thinking Twice? Try Other Period Alternatives

While it’s clear that THINX can be a helpful tool, they may not be right for you. But there are a variety of other period-product alternatives that may be more cost-effective, eco-friendly or comfortable.

The Diva Cup and Other Menstrual Cups

The Diva Cup, and other menstrual cups like it, is one well-known device that promises monetary savings as well as waste reduction. Many consumers swear by them. But some people — myself included — find them hard to properly place or uncomfortable, and having to boil the cup to clean it can be inconvenient and awkward.

The Penny Hoarder staffer Carson Kohler thought the cup-cleaning process sounded like a hassle, and she wasn’t convinced that period panties wouldn’t feel like pads. But she was frustrated by the amount she was spending on tampons and panty liners and conscious of how those disposables were piling up in a landfill.

Menstrual Discs, Including Flex

So when an ad (and discount trial code) for Flex menstrual discs popped up on her social-media feed, she decided to give them a shot. And while they’re actually more expensive than her previous period solution, she hasn’t looked back since.

Before starting with Flex, she estimates she spent about $84 per year on tampons alone, not counting other expenses associated with her period. After her discounted trial box, she signed up for a 24-pack quarterly subscription, which costs $35 a shipment, or $140 per year.

Despite the added expense, Kohler writes, “It’s worth it.” The Flex product is much more eco-friendly, only requires two daily changes, and — best of all — comes with the convenience of delivery.

“It comes to my door every three months,” Kohler says, “so I don’t worry about… rush[ing] to CVS late at night because I have no supplies.” Because it��s… well, flexible enough to move with the body and not as drying as tampons, Flex says the cup may help those with serious cramps and chronic infections feel more comfortable during menstruation.

Finally, don’t forget that the lowest-tech option can also be one of the best in terms of both monetary and planetary saving. Although newfangled options like GladRags and Lunapads have flooded the menstrual market, reusable cloth pads have been used for centuries — and maybe washing bloody fabric is better than dumping $1,700 or more in the trash.

Jamie Cattanach is a freelance writer whose work has been featured by Fodor’s, Yahoo, Self, The Motley Fool, Roads & Kingdoms and other outlets. Wave hi to @jamiecattanach on Twitter, or learn more at www.jamiecattanach.com.

This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.

The Penny Hoarder Promise: We provide accurate, reliable information. Here’s why you can trust us and how we make money.

Thinx, Flex, and Other Period Alternatives: Are They Worth It? published first on https://justinbetreviews.tumblr.com/

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mylovingbouquetearthquakewo-blog · 6 years

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How much will my auto insurance cost?

"How much will my auto insurance cost?

Just bought a new car. im 20 years old and am a student in pennsylvania. iv had two tickets in the past 3 years for going 15 over. my credit score is 700. any guesses?

BEST ANSWER: Try this site where you can compare quotes: : http://insureinfo.xyz/index.html?src=tumblr

RELATED QUESTIONS:

What's the cheapest car insurance company you have found??

I just bought a new car--now comes full coverage & plates. It's a 2003 Mazda w/ 18,000 miles. Does the year or the mileage make insurance or plates higher? Do they request tickets for the last 3 or 5 years? You have to have full coverage when making payments right? I'm thinking Geico is the cheapest I've found so far?""

Car Insurance Cost Estimate (UK)?

Iam 21 and 22 this year, i want to know an estimate car insurance cost for any car for a new driver, note i have passed my driving test a few years ago should be around 18, but i didnt really need a car back then. if Sum1 knows roughly how much i should be paying for car insurance please post here. i dont mind having the lowest benefits etc... just want a cheapest price estimate.""

Does anybody have a clue if car insurance in florida in cheaper?

I'm 19 looking to get a camaro in Florida

How much would it cost me to get motor bike insurance?

I am thinking of getting a motor bike since the cost of insuring a car is just too high. I'm 18 and male and was wondering roughly how much I could expect to pay for insurance on a 125cc if I do my CBT. Oh and I live in the Uk... which will hike the price up a bit

What is the difference between life insurance and health insurance?

How much does a broken wrist cost after insurance?

I have a paper from school and in it I must in include all details of a situation. My story line includes a child breaking their wrist. I was wonder what someone would have to pay after insurance? If you could help me be detailed as much as possible like how much would it be for like x rays, doctor visits, medicine, etc. I've never broken anything so Im a bit lost. Even just a average estimate would be appreciated.""

""How much tax does the American person, family pay per week with income and sales tax?""

Feel Free to add in Cell Phone, Cable, Utility,Insurance Car and Health tax""

Insurance totalling my car looks suspicious?

At this point I regret making a claim and wish i could turn back the clock. I am being forced into a box and it looks shady. Three weeks ago my 2005 Cadillac STS was involved in a parking lot flood where the water rose and filled the floors of my car by about 4 inches. All us neighbors had cleaning parties using a wet vac and baking and toweling are cars in the sun over the next few days letting our vehicles dry out. On my car everything works like a dream as it did before with the exception of a 'check stability control' notice that comes on when I start the car. I have been driving the car fine since the flood and decided maybe I should make a claim to fix this error that pops up on the dash when i start the car. From the time I dropped it off at the dealer it has been all negative. Right away the dealer was negative and telling me it's the end of the world with my car, everything is ruined and it will probably be a total loss. He got the adjuster for my insurance company out there and it looks like it will be put in to the total loss category. No i am just asking the insurance company to forget everything and drop the claim because the damage is not that extreme and i dont want to lose my car. I am told at this point it is too late. Is that true? My neighbors are floored by this, i have been driving it around for a few weeks just fine and the car still looks new With only 62000 miles on it. I can't help from thinking that something suspicious is going on here. Do they stand to make a nice profit by totalling my vehicle and then replacing one module for a 1000 or so and having a perfect car with all systems working? Also the lady from the claims office said the car had to be 80% damaged for it to be a total loss. I asked her if this was based on speculative problems that they think may occur in the future because of the water, or based on actual damage now? She said it had to be actual damage now but couldn't give me any details from the adjuster yet. Can I demand that the adjuster list everything that he thinks has been damaged to my car (which I am convinced he will have to be creative to do so)? The car as i said drives wonderful, I checked the fluids on my own (fine), and the car looks new. Do I have any recourse here? I just want the car fixed for the one problem, i dont want to lose the car, and at this point I don't even care about having insurance fix the one problem, but again I am told it is too late to go backwards and drop this entire issue. I almost have an inclination to report this because it looks so shady. No reasonable person would look at, and drive this car and consider it a total loss. What is the agenda of the insurance company and cadillac dealer here? Something smells foul with this situation.""

Do I need car insurance to register an overdue car?

I missed my registration date for my car and it doesn't have any insurance. Do I need to get insurance before they will let me register the car? I live in Fresno, California. I want to get it registered to sell it through craigslist, if that matters.""

Are there deals in car insurance if someone parents are divorced?

and he/she technically only lives with one parent?

COBRA Health Insurance Florida?

Where can I find a cheaper health insurance plan to replace my COBRA health insurance offered by my former employer?

Insurance for 18yr old ?

Well.. im just wondering how much it would cost/estimate for me to get fully insured on a 1.8 Astra Sri Xp (3dr) 57 plate.. i know its going to be quite alot but i want to know a round about price and make sure its not ridiculously high before i buy it off of my mum. thanks in advance:)

Add a person without valid Drivers License to my car insurance?

In the state of Kentucky, is it possible to add somebody to my car insurance policy if that person doesn't have a valid drivers license? The reason I'm asking is because my mother in law financed a car for me but doesn't have a drivers license. But according to state law, she needs to have insurance. Thanks""

Cheap car insurance?

Teen car insurance cost?

Hi! I was wondering what some of you think a 6-month insurance policy for a newly licensed 16 yo driver would cost. Area- Rural N. CT. Full coverage on 2007 VW Rabbit and 2000 Ranger. Minimum coverage on 1999 Cadillac STS. Good student discount + drivers ed discount. I'm hoping for the $400 range on a 6 month policy, or $800-900 on a 12 month. Thoughts? Rate testimonials?""

How does motorcycle insurance work?

Okay, I want to finance a motorcycle. I understand that by financing you have to have full coverage until it's paid off. But my question is, do you need to buy the insurance and have it already before going to buy the bike? Or can you go buy the bike, and ride it home, THEN get the insurance for it? Or do you have to haul it home if you don't have the insurance working yet? How does this work? Thanks a bunch!""

How much would insurance be for a young person with a luxury car?

I was wondering if there's anyone (preferably a lady) between 22-25 who has a luxury car like a Jaguar, BMW or an Audi, and how much you pay for insurance. I'm 23 & looking to buy an Audi A4 or a BMW 3 series (second hand). So just wanted to know if theres anyone else out there with those cars :) thanks in advance x""

Will my insurance go lower if i buy a older car?

I currently drive a 2003 honda civic coupe and i was wondering if the insurance will be cheaper if i traded it in for a 1998 maxima sedan?

Car insurance for new driver?

i'm looking to get my G2 tomorrow. i'm unsure what to do about insurance. i'm 17 and currently living with my mom, and often driving her vehicle. i'm planing on getting my own car soon though. do i have to go under her insurance? or do i have to go on my own?""

Whats the cheapest car insurance arround at the mo?

have had loads of different quotes...

Should i go through insurance?

Some guy jumped on and dented my hood. Its gonna cost $900.00. He is t paying. I filed a police report and will file charges. Two witnesses no video tape etc. Should i file with my insurance and pay the $500 deductible or just pay it all? Im scared that my insurance will skyrocker and it wont be worth it.

About how much per month would insurance for a sub shop/pizza place cost an owner?

Doing research in attempt to know how much it will take to get a small sub shop off the ground. A big question is insurance. In this day in age, I would hate to be sued by someone who slips outside and falls. I will be renting the property from a local land owner. The building is 1,000 square feet, small joint. What is a general range of which I might in liability insurance for my business? Located in ohio small town.""

LOOKING FOR HOME OWNERS INSURANCE CALIFORNIA WITH A ROTTWEILER?

I am purchasing a house this month and trying to get an IDEA on how much my home owners insurance will run me, however I have a rottweiler ( obedience trained, no attack training) and several insurance companies have out right told me they do not write policies for owners with rottweilers... any one know of a company that will cover me? and Not charge me an arm and a leg??""

Next to oil and gas prices are car insurance prices too high anyone agree?

Whats the deal the government wants everyone to participate in paying for auto insurance yet the prices are rediculous what happened to buying a car and registering it thats it? Does the government think about Americans servival aside from gas, food, children, mortgage blah blah blah............. or do people vote for laws blind folded????""

Car Insurance?

Okay so I'm sixteen and I got my license about two months ago. But I haven't been allowed to drive yet because I don't have car insurance. Is it really illegal to drive without car insurance?

How much will my auto insurance cost?

Just bought a new car. im 20 years old and am a student in pennsylvania. iv had two tickets in the past 3 years for going 15 over. my credit score is 700. any guesses?

Why are drivers often required to carry car insurance even if their cars aren't worth much?

I want to know why a driver has to have car insurance if the car isn't worth much. You know like a old car from way back in the day?

Insurance on a Motorcycle.?

I am 16 and I am wanting to purchase an '08 250 Ninja. What would I expect to pay every year in insurance? I live in MS if that would make a difference in insurance.

""Just moved into small block of flats,and changing car insurance.?""

Just moved into small block of flats,and changing car insurance. Car is in a brick build car port under the building but shared with another car and among other shared car ports, is this then quoted as being in a car park, unlocked compound or car port?""

Pregnancy and insurance?

I am five weeks pregnant and do not have any insurance. I cannot afford too expensive insurance. Is there any other option for low-cost coverage during pregnancy? Does anybody know what kind benefits California state offer? I live a few years in the United States, so I am not familiar with types insurance. Thank you for any suggestions and help.""

Will I get a cheaper car insurance after this?

I never bought car insurance before and the cheapest I could find was 1566 for 6 months which is a lot compared to a lot of people I know. When I'm done with this policy, will I probably get a better priced policy when I apply? Im 19 and single, but Ive been driving for 2 years and never been in a crash. I was hoping military discount would be a lot more... $260 a month is not going to cut it.""

Should my wife and I have to pay for your health insurance?

With my royalty checks, my wife's salary and bonus package (she is a Pharm D and a senior Vp at a large nationwide pharmacy retailer) we earn more than 250K a year and are considered Rich by Obama standards .We just paid off our student loans a couple of years ago. We live in a house well within our means, we have three children who we would like to put through University without them incurring debt like we had to. We save, have to drive older models cars and we have a very good but expensive health care plan. Basically we just made it we are in our mid forties. I mean I just got the breaks in my career that I have worked hard through lean years for. My wife was promoted two years ago. Why should we have to pay higher premiums in a national health system for the same coverage of someone else? Why would we be taxed more for earning more? We lived within our means, we don't carry credit card debt, w live in a 2700 sq ft house ( not huge by any standards). If we have to pay even higher taxes and even higher insurance premiums, then we will have to wait to retire three extra years ( or more) Why do we get punished for being industrious?""

""Excluding insurance prices, which car would be the cheapest to run: impreza wrx (2006-2088), Civic Type R EP3?""

I'm about to purchase a little sports car to treat myself. I was wondering if you could tell me which of these 2 cars would be the cheapest to run (fuel costs, tyres, parts etc) If anyone has an any other car suggestions with a similar amount of power and specs please feel free to suggest. Cheers""

Individual health insurance?

Can you buy two individual health insurance plans? Can you have more than one Health Insurance Plan for your self? I have to buy my own insurance, but even the best individual insurance is crappy and I wanted to now if people ever buy two insurance plans? The insurance i have now only lets me see the doctor twice a year. If I got another insurance plan would it pick up where the other left off?""

Will alloy wheels effect my insurance and in what ways?

I'm 18 and just bought my first car, (Vauxhall Corsa). It came with wheel trims, and ideally I want alloy wheels: but if it's going to put a lot on my insurance then it might not be worth it. They would be after-market alloys, and the same size as the current wheels. I'm currently paying 2,000 for my car insurance: how much would somebody estimate the new wheels increasing my insurance. Many thanks!""

How much does car insurance cost for a 19 year old girl?

Living in South Jersey. 2 years with a license. No accidents/ tickets. GPA 3.0+. Good credit score. For a used car newer than 2003. I just need a rough estimate. I don't want some insurance agent to call me for an quote or get random e-mails from insurance companies, right now before I buy a car.""

Pulled over with expired car insurance.?

I was pulled over and asked for my car insurance.It turns out it was expired.I didn't notice since I have been up to date with my payments every month and the insurance company never contacted me to remind me. My insurance expired in September. I got a ticket for it. is there something I can do? even if it expired, does it still matter that I kept paying it?""

Disadvantages of insurance?

Can any one kindly list the disadvantages of Insurance? or give the link of website?

Car insurance for a 16 year old?

I am getting my g2 (I'm in Ontario) soon, and would like to purchase my own car. I can go through my parents insurance, but I couldn't be a secondary driver as there would be 3 cars in the house. Could I put it under my grandfathers name and be a secondary driver? Or just get insurance by myself? How much should I expect to pay? I have done drivers ed if that helps. Thanks !""

What is Private Health Insurance?

My work provides me with insurance that covers medical and some RX. Is this considered Private insurance? Or is Private insurance when you go and purchase the insurance on your own?

Question about car insurance? (Progressive)?

So I am 19 and currently on my parents car insurance plan still. When I moved out the first time they put a hold on my car insurance because I didn't feel the need to have a car while living downtown. I moved back in with my parents for a few months to look for a new place and I got back on the insurance and now I am about to move out again permanently back to the city but this time I want to take my car with me. I will be changing my primary address and getting a new drivers license for that state (My family is in Indiana and I am moving back to Chicago). I will be going to school full time in that state as well as living there so my question is... does anyone know if I can stay on my parents car insurance if I am no longer living in their home/state?

Car Accident - Auto insurance Question?

Today I was involved in a horrible collision. Car made a complete stop put hazard lights on, I made a complete stop at a reasonable distance however 15 seconds after I stopped I look at the mirror and a taxi van cab slams right into me my car goes flying forward hits the truck infront of me and bounces back, air bag goes off . Long story short I'm in horrible pain and have evident bruises . Police arrived filled out reports. The man that hit me was found at fault for both collisions. So my major concern is : I called my insurance company , made the claim they took down all the info but at the end of the conversation she told me that if I don't have full coverage I'm out of luck then she asked me if I do which I don't remember . So I'm taking a look at my policy contract and I don't see anywhere where it says full coverage ... I think it is full coverage since my car was being financed. All it basically says on the contract is liability limit $ 1 000, 000 So if they write off my car what happens next?""

Motorcycle insurance question?

Hey, I dropped my motorcycle on the right side yesterday during a turn. It's a 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250r. Two pieces of fairing were damaged pretty badly (right side and front piece). I just got insurance the day of the drop (before dropping it). Will insurance cover the damage? Also is it even worth getting them involved? I already have very very high insurance ($400 a month for a Honda Odyssey) due to previous car accident. I don't want to get any more things on my record. Will my insurance go up if I call them? The replacement fairings will cost me $560 out my pocket. I have a $250 deductible on the bike. So I would save about $300. Is it worth it?""

How much would the average price for a male at the age of 20 to have full coverage car insurance?

How much will my insurance go up after a DUI??

I got a D.U.I. and i am going to get my license back soon and i am wondering how much my insurance will be compared to before.

Visitors in USA - no medical insurance?

I have my parents visiting me from abroad and my father needs to go see a Doctor immediately for Heart Condition. He does not have any insurance in US. What can we do? Are the hospitals OBLIGED to see any patient, regardless of coverage? Will I get roped into the whole process? Please guide.""

Car Insurance - Do I have to pay it all at once?

It's that time...I'm looking at cars. But as a student, I'm trying to keep costs low because currently I don't have tons of money. What I'm wondering is, for the car insurance, do I have to pay it all at one time or could I pay it in monthly installments?""

Do you think abortions should be payed by Medicaid or insurance?

How much will insurance rates go up for hitting a parked car?

I accidentally hit a parked car and there is a lot of damage to my car (paint, door won't open) and minimal damage to the other owner's car (slight tear on rubber bumper) how much will my rates rise?""

Insurance on a Mitsubishi Eclipse?

Hey. Im looking at a 2000 Mitsubishi eclipse and i was curious as to how much the insurance could possibly be? Im also looking at a 1998 one. Im a 16 year old , female w/ progressive.""

What's the best option for changing cars and insurance?

Ok so I got my Service/MOT, Insurance and Road tax at the end of the month, I've been driving for 1 year now and touch wood I wont crash by the end of the month to get my 1st year no claims. I currently have a Renault clio 1.2 However in about 6 months I would like to change to a Audi A3 1.6 as my insurance will be cheaper with the 1 year no claims. (Had to get a 1.2 for the 1st year as Insurance would be crazy) I am currently getting quotes from Admiral and Diamond insurance for a annual fee of about 670 or Monthly installments that come to 1000, so Ideally I will just pay the full year off. But as I said in 6 months ill change cars and by the time Ill sell and buy a new car there could be 2 months where I'm not even driving, and don't want to pay for insurance for not even driving about. I can't find on these dam insurance sites about if i can put my insurance on hold (Admiral). Not sure if I will get charged if I put it on hold or not, as all these insurance company's are very sligh. and Should I pay the Road tax for the whole year or just the 6 months? Also what's the best place to buy/sell cars? ebay / auto trader? (I bought mine from the Motorline Renault garage)""

How much will my auto insurance cost?

Just bought a new car. im 20 years old and am a student in pennsylvania. iv had two tickets in the past 3 years for going 15 over. my credit score is 700. any guesses?

How much does it cost to repair a small dent?And also insurance question/?

well i have two questions... how much does it cost to fix a small dent maybe 8 inches in diameter no paint scratches. Im really mad this happened to me this guy who is a complete jerk said i hit his car which i did but he claims it was in the back of his car where the dent is located but i barely tapped it on the front door not the back while i was trying to get out of some dudes parking spot. Also my other question is will insurance cover it if insurance is under my dads name but the car is under my name? we live in evansville indiana. and i think it is farmers insurance.

Is having health insurance and Homeowner's insurance a sin in Islam?

In the US, Obama just passed his new healthcare bill that requires all Americans to get health insurance, and fines them a penalty if they refuse - but Muslims are exempt from this because they said that having health insurance is not allowed in Islam. Is that true? If so, what do you do when you get sick....how do you pay for the medical treatment? Also, the news mentioned that having homeowner's insurance isn't allowed either...but here in the US, you can't get a mortgage unless you get homeowner's insurance. I mean, if you didn't have it, and say, your house burned down, you would loose everything. Do most Muslims who live in the US have insurance anyway, even if it isn't allowed?""

Liability insurance rates?

I am trying to figure out what it will cost me to have liability insurance on my company. I am the only employee. I only need it to setup a stand on occasion at different locations. I don't know what a general rate would be, so if anyone could give me an idea, that would be great.""

""Which car would you prefer? 2006 Volkswagen rabbit, 2006 toyota corolla, or a 2006 honda civic?

which do u think would be a suitable car for a university student and cheap on insurance and gas.

Need help with insurance?

ok im getting my first car and im 17...i live with my mom and step dad. my mom cant get a licence because she has seizures and my step dad cant get his back until next year. since im under eighteen can i get my own insurance or do i have to be put on someone elses and if not will it cost a lot since im a new driver and a teenager? please help!

""What are my options for car insurance, being a US resident who is taking classes in British Columbia?""

I am a student at Trinity Western University in BC, Canada. My current car insurance company will only cover me through March since I am in Canada and I am finding it hard to find an insurance company that will cover me. I am trying to avoid at all cost having to get the government-issued BC car insurance because I probably wouldn't be able to afford school (it is ridiculously expensive). Anyone have any ideas?""

Cheap car insurance for 17 year old?

Hi, I have just passed my driving test and need to insure my car. When I had a provisional licence, my insurance was 550 a year, but now the cheapest I can find is 1850 a year now I have passed! The insurance company I was with only covers learners. Anyone know where I can get cheap insurance? I have tried all the comparison sites. Should my dad insure it and put me on as a driver? Thank you.""

How can I lower my car insurance?

I have a 2010 Chevy cobalt LT. I pay $420 a month for insurance! I understand I'm 21, and it's a sports car. But I've been driving for 5 years, I've never got in a crash nor gotten any tickets. Why could this be? I know lots of younger people with much more expensive cars but they don't pay nearly as much.""

MG ZR 1.4 Car Insurance for 18 years old boy?

Hello Im 18 years old just passed my Test. My dad have MG ZR 1.4, his insurance ends in september and he would liekl to add me to his insurance, can he add me only for that couple of months? Does any one know any good insurance companie that is cheap and how much it cost to insure me for that 5-6 months ?. Thanks!""

How can our teen get health insurance in California?

He's 19 and a part-time student. so he no longer qualifies for our Kaiser Permanente coverage. We seemed to have missed the deadline to cover him by COBRA. In a few months he'll be taking full-time classes again, so he can go back into Kaiser, but knowing him he'll catch the flu or Dutch Elm Disease or something just to bug me. Is there any affordable way to get him covered for the next few months? Would he qualify for Medi-Cal (Medicaid)?""

Do you need car insurance to visit on a army base?

Well I am going to visit my friend on the Fort Lewis, Washington army base. and he is saying I need car insurance? Well my coworker said no but if you do get pulled over on base without car insurance the ticket is double. So do I need it to go on base? I will only be there for three days. Thanks.""

How do i get affordable health insurance in new york?

I make 40k a year but i live in nyc so i cant afford a standard plan. Just need for myself 37 yr old male Thanks

Where i can i find affordable eye insurance? is it worth paying monthly in comparison to the $$ at checkout?

Rough estimate of my car insurance cost?

24 year old male, no accidents/tickets, 2010 bmw 3-series or 2010 audi A4 With that in mind, what's a rough estimate of what the car insurance would cost?""

Health insurance question?

I would like to go to the doctor but i don't want my parents to know about it. i have an insurance from my father's work. Will they know about me going to the doctor, since i will use the family's insurance?""

Do I need to add my unborn baby to my health insurance before I deliver?

I'm not due until May 19 but I read in a book that if you choose to add your unborn child to your health insurance, you can. But no one can tell me for sure if I need too. Open enrollment for my insurance isn't until September of next year, after my baby is born. What do I need to do?""

""Before Obamacare, my health insurance premiums were stable...?""

...this year they went up 17%. How can this be, if Obamacare was supposed to make everything more affordable?""

Good Student Discount Auto Insurance?

I have a 3.6 GPA. My grade is A average, but one of my quarter grade was a C, but the final semester came out as a B. Well, anyways, do we just send them the report card that we got or do we have to get the sealed one from school? Thanks! Thanks again!""

How much would insurance be on a honda cbr 125?

I'm 17, had one year on a bike with no claims and want to get a 125 cc. Heard that the Honda cbr is a good bike to get but I've been told they're expensive to insure. would go on the comparison sites but they take ages then send you a load of spam! so anyone know how much it would cost for third party only? the bike I'm looking at is a 2006.""

Best Insurance Price I Could Get?

I'm looking at buying my first own car in the next few months/year. I'm currently 17 but will be 18 soon, straight-A student, looking at a 1999 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4WD. Progressive quoted me $147, which seems ludicrous to me (they'll have the value of my car in less than four years!), but I know I'm young - and young drivers get in a lot of wrecks. I'd just like to know what you all think is the best affordable insurance company that still offers pretty good coverage, and if there's anything I can do to further lower my price besides good student and safe driver discounts.""

How much would a $500K life insurance policy cost?

I am a healthy 32 year old female.

Thinking of getting a car on finance?

im thinking of selling my car and getting a car on finance its 1,000 deposit and 125 a month gor 2 years and i will get a 10reg peugeot 107 but my only question is, is car insurance included? cheers""

Which insurance company is the cheapest for a young female?

This is for a car, and i was thinking about sharing with my mum on her vehicle ( a rav 4, 1400cc, 4x4 ) Don't know if that will help/make a difference, but any help from you would be greatly appreciated, Thanks [=""

Pay Monthly Cars and Car Insurance Package?

Hi does anyone know of any UK Company that offer a new car and car insurance combined into 1 monthly payment? I know of Young Marmalade but I would like to see if there are any other good and cheap companies out there. Thanks

Does anyone offer classic insurance coverage for young drivers?

My son is 17 and soon to be 18. He has a modified restored vehicle and I have not found anyone that will provide insurance due to his age.

How much will my auto insurance cost?

Just bought a new car. im 20 years old and am a student in pennsylvania. iv had two tickets in the past 3 years for going 15 over. my credit score is 700. any guesses?

Car Insurance Question?

Hi, im 16 and 17 in August living in Ireland, and i'm thinking of buying either a Honda Civic 1999-2001 or a Honda integra 1998-2001 aswell, i'm a guy and i'm wondering how much it'll cost to insure either one of them, and also what car is better""

I want a baby but don't have insurance?

My husband and I just got a new apartment and then got married courthouse style. We have both decided that we want a baby soon but right now we don't have insurance. Is there any cheap option that would cover the entire pregnancy?

About car insurance and the laws on it?

i just want to know if a car is insured but the driver of that car is not in the policy .. do i still get ticketed for not having the car insured? I don't know if i'm making sense.but let me explain .my car is insured fully covered but my daughter was driving it and got stopped by the police.and he claimed that my car was not insured. i called my insurance carrier and was told that it was because my daughter was not on the policy. I always assumed that as long as the car was insured it did nt matter who drove it. provided an accident was not involved. please help me on this. as soon as possible

Who has the lowest price on car insurance? Please tell me how much you pay and your coverage limits?

Im 17 and getting my liscense soon how much will car insurance be 4 me with a used car that will b in my name?

I will be getting my drives liscense soon and my parents are putting limits to where i can drive and when and i wont be able to drive it when ever i would like, how much is car insurence gonna be with me for a used car that will be in my name ?""

What are the upsides/downsides to a LPG/Autogas conversion.?

With auto gas being roughly 60% of the cost of petrol, investigating a conversation is attractive but not if it is just simply an exchange of costs and the whole deal just is a contra entry. Much lower mpg , increased service costs, insurance, more wear and tear are just some of my thoughts. Also how does auto gas effect performance ? Hence what are your experiences (in the UK please), costs, regrets and pleasures concerning the topic.""

""Best and reliable home ,auto ,life insurance?

bset and reliable home auto insurance

How can I see a cheap doctor w/ no insurance?

I am 23 years old and I don't have insurance. My husband got a huge pay cut and we had to cancel it. We just can't afford it at the moment. However, I am having some serious issues and I really want to see a doctor badly. I am having horrible pains in my hands and the rest of my body and pitting edema in my legs. I don't want to rack up a huge emergency bill, but I can't afford $200 for a doctors visit. Is there ANYWHERE I can go to see a doctor for really cheap??? It's to the point where I can hardly use my hands to even type this and I am scared. Thanks..""

What's the average for insurance for a teenager?

I know that it depends on the make and model of the car, but I just want to know the average price.""

Price of insurance?

I am deciding between a 2001 nissan altima with 58,000 miles and a 2000 nissan maxima with 82,000 miles for my first car. The altima costs $6800 and the maxima costs $7500(it has alloy wheels, leather, sunroof...). I am a 16 year old guy. I got a quote for $1700 a year for insurance on the altima already. How much more would insurance cost on the maxima since it is a v6 and the altima is a 4 cylinder? Thanks for the answers!!""

How much will my insurance cost?

Hi! I'm a new driver and thinking of getting a new honda accord 2013. I'm 20 years old and I'm wondering whats my quota gonna be? thanks!

""How much, on average, would it cost to get a Thyroid Function Test? (No insurance) Info on Hypothyroidism?""

I was told that I might have Hypothyroidism because of my constant low blood pressure & low body temp. I was reading the symptoms and seem to have the following. Poor muscle tone (muscle hypotonia) Fatigue Cold intolerance, increased sensitivity to cold Depression Constipation Muscle cramps and joint pain Arthritis Thin, brittle fingernails Brittle hair Paleness Dry, itchy skin Weight gain Thinning of the outer third of the eyebrows Low basal body temperature Impaired memory Impaired cognitive function (brain fog) and inattentiveness <-all the time now Migraine headache Sluggish reflexes Anxiety/panic attacks <All the time now Increased need for sleep <All the time now Irritability and mood instability <All the time now Decreased sense of taste and smell Depression (Had <that for years and years now) Could it be the depression & Borderline Personality Disorder causing this or thyroid problems causing the Mental issues? Thanks for any info!""

Driving without insurance can I go to jail?

I was caught driving without insurance and expired plates last month. I went to court and I was fined $250. I have not been able to earn that much money and I was wondering if I could be thrown in prison for this. I have court in a week.

What's the best auto insurance?

What kind of insurance do you have? Is it cheap?

What is the absolute cheapest auto insurance out there?

Where can i get it the cheapest!? online or not. i dont care of all these extra benefits just basic full coverage insurance. I havent picked a car out yet but want to find cheapest first. im 19, male with a few traffic violations. also i am in the military if there are any good sites that have a discount. i have been researching and researching and no luck, please help!""

Where can i get cheap and full coverage auto insurance?any good suggestions?

need full coverage for my car . I am looking around $150.00 a month MAX. Thanks!

Additional insurance?

hi, i have been covered with cigna insurance 80:20 and i ve undergone miscarriage which costed me 2500$ after insurance. now i want to be careful as i am planning to conceive again. i ve listened that there will be additional insurance will helps to cut the cost of delivery. is it true?if it is can anyone of u sugest me the plans?""

What is the cheapest car insurance agency???

Iiability Car Insurance for Adult Children?

Our 26 year old daughter lives in another town. She drives a car that we own. We have her name in our car liability insurance. If she has an accident and it's her fault will it still cover the liability part or could us or she be sued? We live in Texas.

Where can I find information about female car insurance? Is it really cheaper than for men?

Accept $140K insurance buyout from Ford or keep insurance policy?

Hi, I'm wondering whether anyone can help me decide whether it is a better idea to accept a $140K insurance buyout from Ford or keep health insurance. Assume the person in question is 50 years old and in good health. This is a timely question for many auto workers. Any links to more in-depth analysis would be great.""

Car inspection for insurance?

So I hit my friends car and he told me to tell the insurance company someone hit me in a parking lot. If I do that and the insurance company inspects it, will they be able to tell that I hit someone instead of someone hitting me?""

Insurance for a camero?

When I turn 16 or 17 I want to get a car and It will either be a 2012 camero or a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. Since I am young how much will the insurance be for either of the cars?

Cheap Insurance? For Young Driver?

I am looking for a cheap insurance company. I'm 17 and the cheapest quote iv had is around 2100. Anyone no of any cheaper? Thanks.

Car insurance question?

My mom finaced a car for me in Montana its in her name but i pay the car payment. I live in Colorado. even though she has car insurance already on the car in her name... can i get full coverage in Colorado in my name? so say fro example if i crash it The car will still be covered. is that against the law? please help. thanks

How much will my auto insurance cost?

Just bought a new car. im 20 years old and am a student in pennsylvania. iv had two tickets in the past 3 years for going 15 over. my credit score is 700. any guesses?

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/anyone-have-idea-car-insurance-rates-shockley-altagracia"

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adambstingus · 7 years

Text

Tourism starting to bleed the Lickan Antay people of the Atacama desert dry

Chiles Los Flamencos reserve is the countrys first to be co-managed by the state and indigenous people. Yet the Lickan Antays existence is still a battle

Global development is supported by

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Welcome to Calama, the city of sun and copper, proclaims the banner at the entrance to the city, near the Atacama desert. A little further along the road are tourist signs: Los Flamencos national reserve, Death valley, Salt desert. And then, in rapid succession: Cosmo Andino Expeditions The Adventure Begins!, Pachamama Bed and Breakfast. The stage is set: copper mines, unique natural sites and tourism shape this high, plateaued region of northern Chile.

The Lickan Antay situate their villages around oases. The key to their survival is the management of water. Manuel Silvestre Gmez, in his 40s, proudly wears his national reserve guard uniform. He loves to talk about his roots.

To be a Lickan Antay is to be a son of the earth. Each of us knows who his ancestors are. In town you know your grandparents, maybe your great-grandparents, he says. We also know how to stay alive in the most arid desert in the world. Weve learned how to adapt, to manage water, to create our villages. Its our land. [Ours] is a culture of survival in a dry and salt flat-covered region.

The Los Flamencos reserve is the first example in Chile of the co-management of a protected area by the state and indigenous people. The sign warns that access to the area is restricted by law. All photographs: Riccardo Pravettoni

Of course, weve lost things too. Our language, Kunsa, was outlawed at one point and almost disappeared we all speak Spanish now.

At more than 70 years old, Felisa Lpez Ramo still tends her garden, organises the collection of water from the sparse rains, carries water from the river and lives off her modest cultivation. She recalls her youth, before the Pinochet dictatorship, before the mines, before tourism. We had an abundance here, because we had our irrigation systems. You know, now they want to bring us irrigation systems from Israel. But we have our own systems.

We know how to grow wheat and corn. We dont need detergent to wash our clothes: we have small berries that grow here which produce soap. When I was young, we made our own beer and wine for the ceremonies, and we used flamingo feathers. They were used as augurs, or to encourage the mountains, where the water is born. Wherever the water went, life was born. Its simple.

Our people were invaded by the Inca, then the Spanish, then the Chileans, the miners. Now, conservation and tourists have arrived. Theyre all just passing through. Us, were staying.

Tourism has had a major impact. In 1990, the Chilean government established the Los Flamencos national reserve. Rather than resist the move, the Lickan Antay who, along with other indigenous peoples of Chile, are among the poorest in the country (pdf) chose to negotiate and adapt. The national reserve is the first example in Chile of the co-management of a protected area by the state and indigenous people.

It is now seen as a strategic alliance that allows the government and the people to preserve the environment more effectively, and channel tourism. The co-management agreement also allows the Lickan Antay to attract other opportunities for development.

Leticia Gonzlez-Silvestre was born in Toconau, one of the desert villages of the Lickan Antay. After studying away from home, she has returned with an agricultural engineering diploma.

Leticia Gonzlez-Silvestre, a respected member of the indigenous council.

She says co-management of the reserve has given them employment and training opportunities. The communities have formed a non-profit association to collect and redistribute money earned from the reserve. Its a benefit in terms of economics and development, but its also a recognition of our culture. We continue to negotiate an increasingly important part of the management, taking advantage of the fact that the government has neither the capacity nor the means to invest more.

The national forest corporation, Conaf, which coordinates the management of protected areas for the government, says the collaboration allows it to fill a gap in its teams. Alejandro Santoro, Conafs regional director, says: This gives us a constant and broader view of the situation. This way, the Lickan Antay are assimilated like personnel.

Its a positive approach, adds Ivonne Valenzuela, who is in charge of a Conaf unitdedicated to relations with indigenous communities. The model weve adopted is to engage in contracts with the communities. In this way, they can benefit from tourism while we concentrate on the protection of biodiversity. We work with them on many aspects of the management of the reserve, and on the planning and management of eco-tourism projects.

But not everyone is happy about the surge in the number of tourists spending time in thereserve, which is now the second most visited in Chile, with more than 300,000 visitors a year (pdf). While some welcome the economic advantages, others are concerned about the establishment of tour companies and agencies that ignore the Lickan Antays customs and, in some instances, deny their existence.

The small town of San Pedro de Atacama is a succession of hotels, restaurants, bars, souvenir shops and tourist agencies. Nights are festive, the restaurants offer international cuisine and the wisest visitors go to bed early to be ready for their treks to discover the geysers and flamingos of the salt flats.

San Pedro de Atacama lies in a region of volcanoes and salt flats, in an arid high plateau of the Andes mountains.

All that interests them is filling the bus and visiting the sites, not experiencing a different way of life, says Sandra Flores, one of the Lickan Antay, who runs a small tourism company, Caravana Ancestral.

For us its very difficult to know that our existence is negated in this way. And were unable to get a foothold in the tourism market. The guides say the desert is empty, that there are no more indigenous people. Sure, were not in San Pedro, but were everywhere in the desert. We dedicate ourselves to our animals, to farming the land.

Before the creation of the reserve there wasnt a single tourist, and suddenly theyre everywhere. We havent had the time to react and to learn how to set up commercial establishments. But we exist. And our existence is a constant battle.

Flores set up her business four years ago. She and several members of the community receive tourists in their homes, share a moment together to talk about their way of life, let tourists take out the llamas, and show visitors a Lickan Antay archeological site. But none of them speak fluent English and the business is not well established.

However, the most serious impact of the tourism explosion has been to put pressure on the precarious water situation. The hundreds of hotels being built in San Pedro guzzle water.

The hotels wanted to buy land and we sold it to them. Already we didnt have enough water to farm, and now we have to go to another river to fetch water, one we didnt go to before, says Lpez Ramo.

San Pedro de Atacama, a focus for tourism within the Atacama desert.

Because of the hotels, some of the Lickan Antay who live close to San Pedro say, their usual water source dried up. The community no longer has easy access to drinking water, and is forced to use supplies that have passed through a salt desert, meaning the water is more salinated.

The Lickan Antay have also been forbidden from selling their vegetables and fruit to tourists as they cannot guarantee that their water source is not polluted.

Gonzlez-Silvestre concludes: The problem with tourism is that its not regulated. Its like wine: one wants to say, Its a good antioxidant. Yes, but if you drink litres every day, youre not going to feel good.

Felipe Guerra Schleef is a lawyer for the indigenous rights NGO Observatorio Ciudadano. Convinced of the necessity for his country to conserve its cultural and natural heritage, he has defended indigenous people in cases where their land rights have been violated and resources exploited. The indigenous people develop their culture according to the land itself. The sense of ownership is fundamental, and if they want to maintain their way of life, their rights over their lands and natural resources must be recognised, he says.

The Lickan Antay need to act to protect theirnatural resources, according toAntonio Cruz Plaza. He lives in Calama, next to a large copper mine, and is director of Consejo de Pueblos Atacameos, an indigenous council. A nearby lithium mine is now for sale and he wants the council to take out a loan to buy it so it can be run ethically, although so far no negotiations with the company have taken place, and no loan has been approved by a bank.

While the thought of a group of indigenous people owning a mine, and profiting from the exploitation of natural resources, may shock some, and is certainly not supported by all community members, Cruz Plaza thinks it is a sensible idea.

We dont want confrontation, we want a better life. Our big problem is water. We dont want them to exploit and affect our water, so we prefer to negotiate where they will set up, ensure that this has the minimum impact on our environment. Our people are culturally rich, but we want to change our reality, to forge our own destiny. Why shouldnt we have the right to live well too?

An arid region of the Atacama desert.

The travel for this reporting was supported by the European Journalism Centres innovation in development reporting grant programme

from All Of Beer http://allofbeer.com/tourism-starting-to-bleed-the-lickan-antay-people-of-the-atacama-desert-dry/ from All of Beer https://allofbeercom.tumblr.com/post/172252733822

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hudsonblaketraining-blog · 8 years

Text

Hudson Blake Training- The story behind the start up

I was a qualified nurse within learning disability services for 9 years around Hampshire. During this time I was raising my beautiful, yet incredibly spirited, boy. Every day I worked to pay the mortgage and childcare with little spare time for much else. I loved my job, I really did, I had an amazing team and the managers were supportive but there was no fire in my heart for it anymore because I saw it as the barrier of time with my baby and certainly I had no time for myself. There was one manager who really changed things for me. She allowed me the freedom at work and confidence to go back to university to do a degree in Clinical Practice, I felt I was doing something for me. This manger moved teams and started training the student nurses it was then that I thought I wanted to go along a similar route of supporting the training of others.

I found at work I started doing more and more training of staff teams within various residential homes around every day things within my role, Epilepsy, behaviour planning ,behaviour analysis, dementia, care planning. I felt like I was upskilling staff for a better outcome and I learnt so much from the participants. They trusted me with their tales of experiences and there was a mutual respect around the learning process. I never thought I would have the time, money or business knowledge to go alone and so put the idea on the back burner so far back that it left my thoughts. Moving forward a few years I had married moved house and had my daughter and this changed everything. I experienced time with my son during maternity leave and I wanted to be at home with my babies more, watch them grow but I still had a mortgage and general life to pay for. I didnt have money to invest in a business...because all businesses need a huge cash injection right? Wrong! They just need hard work, an idea and the right support but it was many months later I realised this. I started working from home in childcare to earn regular money but still see my children. I loved the kids I looked after but it wasn’t even close to my passion, I started dreaming about training and the fire was relit!!! I HAD to make my dream a reality, I had no time, no money but I had passion and the most supportive husband.

The start up The next few months I started googling everything, at any opportunity I could find (usually in the middle of the night as I was awake frequently feeding my baby anyway) and dumping interesting websites or articles in an email account I had set up to read later when I was more awake. What qualifications, what insurances, what was already out there, who did I need to register with, how to write a business plan (I wanted to avoid this as much as possible as my Dyslexia hates plans) I had lists of lists, so many things, my head was in overdrive but nothing achieved because I still had the idea that I needed this huge pot of cash. So I organised my lists...what was free, what could I do now towards my goal of being a freelance trainer. I could design a free website ready for when I could put it live-that would only give me 3 basic pages, but it felt like a start at least, I could find providers of courses that I needed to do to become qualified and then I would know how much money I needed, I could start putting workshops together on powerpoint, designing the paperwork to make things smooth once set up, sign in sheets, booking forms, terms of business, policies, collating current certificates to prove my knowledge base, researching competition, networking….nope scrap that, money and time needed for this one! I had a few things to do that felt like I had started and I could do them around my 50hr working week and kids…it just meant that my time with my husband was sat next to him on the laptop every evening going into early hours of the morning. I had no plan still-I kept focusing on the fact I had no plan-no business knowledge and no plan, just this idea that I was going to teach courses in working with Learning Disabilities and really focus on epilepsy and behaviour as these were my passions. I was convinced the lack of any plan meant I would fail-(although I now have a formal business plan-I have not looked at it since completion) I sat in on a first aid course for my current job and I was thinking how easy the knowledge bit was, how many times I had first aid courses, I started thinking of ways the teaching could have been improved and I then realised my direction. My niche was Learning Disabilities but that has a limited market, my regular courses could be first aid. My direction had completely changed but it needed to otherwise it would have taken years to establish a client base big enough to pay my bills by just doing Learning Disability training and suddenly there it was…my business model. No fancy words no charts of jargon just a simple plan in my head but it made sense and it was do-able.

Its started My husband funded me on a first aid instructor course which I could do over only a week due to my nursing qualification, intense was an understatement. I had already completed a number of assignments prior to starting and there was homework every night, my mother in law played mum to my kids for the week. It was horrible working every hour of the day but it had to be done to not affect my day job. At least the rest of the time I had children time but this week it was just work. I gained my qualification in education and training also during this week-that was the main qualification that I needed to start any kind of training business. I got my insurance activated, this was set up so that if I did have a booking I was able to actually do it. I had decided to buy only the minimum kit needed as I refused to be in debt, I was not starting a business with a minus figure on it. I needed just enough to run a small course in first aid. I already had an enquiry from a childminder to do the training for her and her assistants over a weekend, almost immediately after my first aid course, she paid in advance and this brought me my kit, which thankfully arrived in time. I still had not networked or advertised as I had no time, I was worrying how to get my name out there without paying for expensive advertising. Even still, I had my small kit and I had a course booked, Hudson Blake Training had officially begun in May 2016.

Advertising and Networking My free 3 page website was set up and it was so easy (I used Yola.com), I even had designed a logo myself which I proudly put on top of everything I could, but I had no idea how to get people to my website. I heard words like marketing, promotion, advertising which to me all meant the same thing. I used Facebook to keep in touch with friends and thought this was where I needed to start getting out there as I saw a lot of business posts in various groups that I was part of. I created a page, added my logo and started sharing the odd post…that was plenty to get me noticed, of course the work will come flying in now! Wont it?? I had posted a whole 3 adverts in groups, why were people not responding? Maybe because I was promoting adult courses in a child orientated group or maybe because I was clueless to what I was doing. I started with the “target audience” I had no idea what this meant but now I started to see I needed to now this, I signed up to be a trainer for children and created a bespoke course for babysitters, I could then promote this in the childrens groups I was part of on Facebook. There was loads of interest but the actual bookings were mostly through word of mouth not through Facebook. This opened my eyes to the power of networking!

I spoke to everyone I could about my new business. If you spoke to me about anything, even if I was stopped to be asked the time, I would throw in that I was a first aid instructor (and a qualified nurse because I had decided this was my USP-unique selling point). I started getting enquiries yaaaay. So my next course brought me a projector and the following one brought me sweatshirts, tshirts and I even signed up to my website package so I get more than 3 pages and my own domain-with email too! I felt very business boss lady! I started using Facebook differently, I would find online network groups and just chat to other businesses. Get my name out there and find out who else is out there. People were starting to talk about me, someone would ask if anyone knew of a first aid course locally-somebody I had networked with would tag in my page.

I got invited to a network group by a friend of mine and I was excited so went along as a guest, it felt great and I met some lovely people I was inspired, until I saw the sign up fees especially as lunch was not included in the price. I could not afford that, I had to prioritise kit and I still didn’t really see the true power in face to face networking at this point. I later saw an advert for a session at the university for new start ups to become ‘tooled up’ in what was available support wise locally it was free so what harm could it do. I went along and met the next person to inspire my journey. It was like speed dating with various tables set up each with an expert of different areas. Loads of new businesses there each with different stages of their journey, however all seeming more confident than me, I later felt this may have just been an exterior image. I signed up for a free business mentor, as I still had no written business plan (oops-winging it was having to stop and actual processes had to start otherwise I would fail), I realised from various talks at the different tables that I did not need legal documentation or an accountant at this point in my business and so I was finally prioritising those initial lists I had made with a thought process, rather than just doing the bits I could afford.

I had dragged a friend along with me who had started her business a year ago, she wanted to go to a marketing table and I didn’t as I assumed it would just be about spending money of which I had none to spend but I sat in anyway. The lady there was Rebecca Lodge from a business called Little Kanga. I had seen her EVERYWHERE, and I mean everywhere. She had already added me as a friend on Facebook, I wasn’t entirely sure what she did but I knew of her and her logo. She started saying about twitter and LinkedIn-what were these to do with my business I had no idea but she seemed to know what she was talking about and I felt I needed to know more-after all I had never met her before but I knew of her so she must be good. I sat (eating one of the free chocolates) feeling completely overwhelmed with all the things I had to learn and all the buzz words that I needed to find out the meaning of. I had a new list of to-dos,

• What was my brand – remember that logo I did myself! • Who was my target audience? • What did they look like-as in what did they actually look like? Where did they ‘hang out’ • What platform (what was a platform was my first question) was the best for my business with regard to social media? • What is a market strategy and once I figured that out-what was mine? The list was huge but it gave me loads of food for thought….and my google search recommenced. I learnt the business talk and what it meant because if I was going to attend more start up groups I was not going to let my avoidance of Jargon get in the way. I spent too long at school feeling thick because I was undiagnosed dyslexic and probably, as I have recently discovered, also dyspraxic. I was not going to have negative barriers, to succeed I needed to be a step ahead and get my head into the books-well internet! Rebecca mentioned a brand new network group called Start Up Disruptors, I took the paper with the details and put it in my filing tray aka my bag never to be seen again. I later saw something on Facebook with her name in it-seriously this woman is a social media genius -she gets everywhere- its rare a morning goes by where I do not see a video link of what shes up to that day. So I got out the notes that had previously been given to me and saw it was a new group that was FREE! I liked that word. My husband was working on the date of the first one so I went to the second one with no idea what to expect. I was clueless to what I was meant to do but Rebecca and Laura who ran it were supportive and I soon relaxed into it. I had this speech planned of what to say if I was asked to stand up and talk about my business-it wasn’t until I stood up that I realised that I wasn’t entirely sure of what I did…first aid training but what made me unique, why should people use me, what was my “tag line”. I suddenly felt completely out of my depth.

Start Up Disruptors So this group was new when I joined, only about 6 people there but it very quickly grew and I started using it to its worth, I asked questions and got informed answers from others who had been there already. Rebecca and Laura had businesses designed for new startups (as well as established) but there were no sale pitches, no fakeness, no look at me I am great, just a nurturing support group for people in the same boat as me. Some people came and stayed in contact online due to commitments not allowing attendance, others came monthly-and there were those of us who went to every single one, stayed in contact online and then ended up sponsoring the group, I must admit I’m a Disruptor addict. It was a dynamic group and it was working, I was learning so much about business start ups. I came home inspired and buzzing after each session with yet more answers, hints and tips to help me grow. Rebecca wrote a great piece on networking tips, it can be found here http://littlekanga.co.uk/blog/outstanding-networking

Social media I was building my knowledge of running a business but I was so confused about what I now needed to do with regard to getting out there more with no time. I was working a 40 hour week in my day job at this point and then running 1 course a week with paperwork every night. I did not want to be a statistic in the “business that fail” group. I was convinced I would not be and I needed to do anything to get there. I was still stuck that I had to have time going out to networks or spend money on advertising to get my name out there or I needed to hire all these fabulous people to get me along the way, but no, for this stage in my path I just needed to enter this world called Social Media. So I created an extra hour in the day (from somewhere) started to get my brand finalised and get it known. I designed a tag line and colour palette so that I was the same across all platforms of social media…something I later changed to make significantly more professional when I could afford a professional logo to be made-in hindsight I wish I had done this earlier so that I was consistent, but I was unaware of the cheaper sites to use for this and so again thought it cost the earth to get a professional one (I used a great site called fiverr-where a logo can literally cost £5!! However I paid about £16 as I wanted to original file etc). I started putting myself EVERYWHERE. I learnt twitter-self taught which again in hindsight I should have gone to a class as it would have been a much quicker route, Rebecca ran one for around £30 which would have been a very small worthwhile investment (and Laura is a Facebook guru-they recently ran a course together 2 in 1-but et again I couldn’t go) but I did not have the time to do this due to my day job, after a while anyway I got the hang of it. I even found a twitter network event weekly in the evenings so I could sit on my laptop after the kids were in bed and network without worrying about what shift my husband was on or cost! I doubled my followers in the first session! I aimed to be like Little Kanga-everywhere people looked they would see me but it cost my time, I would sit all evening doing these posts and putting them on the various platforms, different post for each one. I couldn’t do this long term, it was killing me staying up late to get my brand about and then also the paperwork side of things, plus my day job had paperwork to do. I needed to either get an assistant (not in my budget) or get organised.

No matter where you went, my image was the same-although this did not happen overnight. There were many other images and logos I tried but finally settled on this.

Organisation is the KEY

The other lady who ran the network group was Laura Kenward from Office Asset. She was a virtual PA and knew so much about making life easier. I am so thankful I met both these ladies at this stage in my path. Laura knew apps where I could design professional looking posts, ones where I could schedule posts to the various platforms at different times during the day without it affecting my day job! I could even do a month at a time, only have one evening designing them and sit back while they posted themselves (I am yet to achieve more than 2 at a time but I’m getting there). There were systems to organise my client base, to task reminders that courses were due, to track mileage, complete invoices! You can find some of theses in Lauras blog http://office-asset.co.uk/2016/10/24/passing-procrastination-busting-baton-2/ It was amazing, my world had opened up in just one hour with Laura, although there was one big issue…I couldn’t understand the main system that I needed in my life, but Laura did and so I invested and I outsourced her skills to get me set up. I had all my systems working as I wanted them to and all I needed to do was maintain the information-which again I may outsource Laura to do as although I now get the system, she can do it in 4 min when it takes me 20! Rebecca explained at one of the groups about working out the value of our time. If I am worth £60 (for example) per hour and it takes me 3 hours to do something but it costs me around £20 to hire someone for an hour to complete the same tasks then financially this makes sense. Laura discusses this in her blog http://office-asset.co.uk/2016/06/25/why-entrepreneurs-should-hire-an-assistant/ I wish I wasn’t so worried about hiring her and done it earlier.

Nearly there After only 10 months I think I am nearly there, the roots to my business are starting to embed-how do I know this? Because life feels easier! I have processes in place, I have a network of people that I can outsource or turn to for advice, help and support if needed. I am being head hunted from companies that have heard of me, I have regular clients from some large well known establishments. I have spoken to others who I trained with and they have just completed their 2nd or 3rd course while I am about to send out my 40th invoice. I work Wednesdays and weekends on this job (well I train these days I work daily on various bits) and I am not just making a profit-I am actually making enough money to live off if I wasn’t doing the day job too, I am ready to buy the last bits of my kit and I’m done. My year (10 months) has been crazy, there have been so many challenges, I had barriers before I even started with regard to my dyslexia, family, finances but barriers are there to be broken through. If you cannot get through the barrier, embrace it and move around it in a different way but don’t stop. I’ve made mistakes, I know I have made silly ones, wrong priorities, wrong branding, but I corrected them and learnt from them. I would not change my path as it has taught me so much. I have a long way to go and many more dreams to achieve but for now I am using my organised process to do one step at a time and enjoying the ride. My advice to others starting up-what ever you have in your head as “must haves” ignore them and find a way around, just work one step at a time, don’t blink and just let the waves take you on your journey. Whats the time you ask? Its quart… Im a qualified nurse who freelances training in Learning disabilities and associated conditions, I also do accredited first aid-here have my business card!

#hudsonblaketraining firstaid learningdisabilities

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