Home Depot Tile Installation Cost

Aside from selling tile, the Home Depot, like it does with many of its other supplies, can install it for you as well via its vast network of reputable and insured contractors.

“Tiles in” (CC BY 2.0) by Ken Dyck

Home Depot tile installation cost per square foot

The costs of tile installation via the Home Depot will really be no different than hiring a professional contractor, with the total costs greatly depending on the scope of your job, the type of tile you’re installing, your geographical region and the current promotion currently being held by the company.  Based on these factors and from the quotes we did find online, it appeared it could cost anywhere from $3.50 to $6+ per square foot to have a contractor via Home Depot install your tile for a fairly straightforward job.  These prices, of course, can greatly increase if you were to have additional obstacles.  These prices would not include the prices of materials.

Before Home Depot is even able to offer you a quote, they will first ask for a professional in-home measurement, which starts at $35, according to the official website; however, if you commit to the job, then the company, most of the time, will waive the fee.  During the measurement, the company will verify measurements, evaluate the site for any obstacles and determine if the job requires additional special installation requirements.

Online, for example, we were able to find an invoice someone posted online and included it below:

One forum member on Houzz.com, for instance, stated they were quoted $4 a square foot at their local Home Depot and this was double the price she received from a local contractor they found on their own.

Additional costs to consider

Moving furniture:  If you’re unable to move some of the heavier furniture off of the tiled area, then depending on the company policy and the furniture that needs to be moved, additional fees could apply.  Talk with an associate for more information as to how much you could pay.

Hauling away old tile:  Disposing of and hauling away older tile that was already installed could add another $2 to $3 per square foot to the estimates mentioned above.

Disconnecting appliances/toilets:  Taking apart and reconnecting a toilet, according to some of the invoices we looked at, could add another $100 to $200 per toilet to the bill the contractor needs to take apart.  Any additional plumbing that needs to be taken apart, such as a faucet in the wall, could add to the costs as well.

How long will it take?

According to the official FAQ, the typical tile job will take up to three days but sometimes more, greatly depending on the size and space of the project.  As installing tile is a multi-step process, even the smallest job will take more than a day since the tile, when initially installed, will need to dry before the grout and seal is applied.  The first step involves preparing the surface, cleaning it and leveling the area to prepare for the tile setting.  Next, after the area is fully prepped, the tile is set with a mortar based on your tile choice, and lastly, once set and dry, the tile is grouted and a sealer is applied.  The amount of grout will greatly depend on the size of your joints as there are multiple joints available.

Tips to know

The contractors hired through the Home Depot do not work for the Home Depot; rather, they are part of a network of contractors the company closely works with.  All contractors through the Home Depot are licensed, insured, local and will undergo a background check.

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Haiku Mill Wedding Cost

Located on the north shore of Maui, Hawaii, in the small town of Haiku, the Haiku Mill offers a tropical, lush and unique Old World Europe feel.

With more than 150 years of history, built in 1858, with roots dating back to Hawaii’s sugar cane industry, today, it is deemed an important landmark and can truly offer an unforgettable experience for soon-to-be couples.

“wedding hawaii – 596” (CC BY 2.0) by martinvarsavsky

How much does a wedding cost at the Haiku Mill?

The cost of a wedding at the Haiku Mill, as per the official FAQ, will depend on the number of guests attending, the style of dinner chosen, the amount of time you rent the venue, your selection of chairs, the number of flowers you want, the time of year/day of week, and the entertainment requirements.  Based on these factors, as you can see, the costs can greatly vary, but the venue does state that you should be prepared to budget at least $45,000 for the full day for an event with fewer than 45 guests or about $1,000 per head for a full-service wedding.

NOTE:  These fees were sourced from third-party websites the venue advertised on.  Use these estimates as just that — an estimate.  For exact pricing, please call the venue directly as so many factors can affect the price.

As for just renting the venue for 12-hours, the site fees are said to be in the $7,000 range, according to LuxuryRetreats.com and would include all of the existing lighting, but everything else, ranging from the chairs to the glasses, must be brought in.  The website states this is a barebones price that would not include much.

Gaelan via IntimateWeddings.com, for example, showcased a variety of pictures of a wedding held here, with the cost of the wedding being $6,000 for the ceremony only with no guests.

According to one review on WeddingWire.com, you have to go through a “consulting group,” rather than the venue directly to book the wedding.  From her research, it would cost $3,500 for the wedding planning, another $5,000 for the production coordination and up to $15,000 in catering costs for up to 50 people.  This was a generic range, however, and the reviewer did not it was hard to get exact prices, seeing you could not bring in any outside vendors, with the exception of a few, as we noted below.

A forum member on this TheKnot.com forum thread, when she emailed the venue, received a reply stating she should be prepared to budget $1,000 per guest.

We found another member on this TheKnot.com thread who said she was quoted $4,500 for the site fee, plus another 20% for the coordination.  On top of this, it would be yet another $200 to rent the bridal suite and another $200 to have an onsite representative on site.

A listing on SimpleMauiWedding.net offered a wedding package at the venue, which included up to three hours use of the property and more inclusions, including a photographer for two hours, for $8,225 plus tax.

Additional costs to consider

As the location does encounter rain lasting anywhere from five to 15 minutes a day, the venue does allow you to rent a large tent to cover the open foyer and dining area for an additional fee, outside of the site charges, which is said to be about $2,000 per tent, a fee that would include the entire setup and tear down.  For some weddings, more than one tent may be required for larger groups.

Venue options

Site fees include access to the Mill, the brick and stone structure which holds a majority of the events; the Cane House, a private lounge filled with antiques, suited for the private bridal suite; the Mango Tree, which is strung with lights and an antique chandelier, suited for a cocktail hour; and the Courtyard, an open-air French-inspired courtyard with a farm table able to seat up to 12 guests.

The entire venue can accommodate up to 100 people, but this will greatly depend on the setup of your event.

Tips to know

The venue does work with a list of trusted and professional preferred vendors who understand the delicate nature of the property and have experience working onsite.  For this reason, the venue does allow one vendor who isn’t on the list per event, but this vendor must be approved and provided all of the necessary insurance requirements to the club before working.  However, any vendors that are considered caterers, coordinators, bar services, transportation, valet, tent providers, washroom providers, DJ services, lighting, draping and rigging may not be brought in as an unauthorized professional.

You do not have to rent the venue for the full day as they do offer small block times for smaller weddings, often with fewer than 80 people.  For couples who want to take advantage, the venue allows you to book a few hours to take photos and host the ceremony.

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How Much Does Hack Reactor Cost?

Founded in 2012, Hack Reactor, as per its official website, only selects high-potential students via a rigorous admissions process and will train them with over 800 hours of Computer Science and JavaScript curriculum which closely mimics the software engineering industry as of today.

Taught by highly experienced teachers, ranging from former engineers to hiring managers, the company claims to produce some of the best teams companies truly want to hire.

With onsite and remote educational opportunities available, Hack Reactor graduates can start a dream career in months.

“Typing” (CC BY 2.0) by SidewaysSarah

How much does Hack Reactor cost?

Like most coding boot camps, the tuition cost of the Hack Reactor boot camp, regardless of which option you choose (onsite vs. online), will cost $17,980, with scholarships and financing options available for qualified students.  The company, on its financing page, does note that more than 50 percent of its students are able to receive help while financing their payments, whether it’s through lending partners, scholarships or a mix of both.  This price is as accurate as of 2018 and was sourced via the official website.

What are the qualifications?

The company states prior industry experience or coding is not required; however, successful applicants have been introduced to some code while working independently and/or via online courses such as Codecademy, for example.  Hack Reactor does state it is not considered to be a 0-60 course; rather a 20-120 course and if you haven’t written code in the past, then they recommend additional courses before you take the admissions challenge.  As the company doesn’t accept everyone, you can learn more about the company’s admission challenge by visiting this page.

Program options

The company, as of today, offers campus locations in San Francisco, New York City, Austin and Los Angeles, but if you do not want to take the courses in person, they also offer a full-time 12-week online program and 9-month part-time remote online program.  The roadmap starts with a precourse self-study session which lasts 80 hours, followed by an immersive program, either online or done remotely for the next 11 weeks, where students will learn about full stack JavaScript through pair programming, developing real-time programs using an industry-tested curriculum.  The last week, the career services week, helps you learn how to interview, negotiate your salary and build your online presence.  Then, for the months after you graduate, the company will help you with your career search as they leverage its extensive hiring network.  The entire program will include more than 800+ hours of curriculum.

Hack reactor reviews

Via CourseReport.com, more than 190 reviewers gave the course an average of 4.6 out of five stars, with a high majority of the positive reviewers claiming that, even though the course was a challenge, it was one of the best decisions they had made in life.

On Switchup.org, 110+ reviewers gave a similar average rating of 4.6 out of five stars, noting the difficulty but being well worth it, leading to a dream job in the field.  As for the negative reviews, while rare, some stated they didn’t like the support they received, while others struggled to find a job after completion, even while using the company’s job support.

150+ reviewers on Yelp gave the San Francisco program a perfect five star, noting the challenges, job opportunities and curriculum.

Tips to know

You can schedule a campus tour if you’re interested in the on-campus classes.  During these tours, you can ask the staff any questions you may have and even see what a future in software engineering could entail.   Aside from the on-campus tours, the boot camp also offers free workshops, open to the public, which can help you learn how to code and experience what the paid program may be like.  Some events, if you’re lucky, may even have an industry expert who can explain the industry and answer questions.

To learn about the experience first hand, NoriMaki Arare at Hackernoon.com talked about the day-to-day life and what to expect if you were considering the program.

Switchup.org notes 97% graduate on time, 73% are employed in their field and the median salary reported is $105,000.

The acceptance rate is less than 15% of its incoming applications.

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Greystone Mansion Wedding Cost

The Greystone Mansion, a unique and exclusive setting located in Beverly Hills, California was a mansion built in 1928 and is currently owned by the city of Beverly Hills and registered as a National Historic Landmark.

Edward Laurence Doheny, the original owners of the property, along with his friend, Charles A. Canfield, was one of the first to strike oil at the time in the L.A. area.

In 1927, after the land was inherited as a wedding gift, the estate cost more than $3 million to construct.  The city took over the property in 1965 and has been open to the public as a park since 1971.  For the public, it is free to visit.

“Greystone Mansion Fountain” (CC BY 2.0) by akasped

Greystone Mansion wedding cost

The costs to have a wedding held at the Greystone Mansion will greatly depend on the number of guests attending, the length of the event, your resident status (are you a resident of California?), the number of areas you want to use at the venue, whether it’s indoors and/or outdoors, and the time of year you want to book.  Based on these factors, the rental fees for both the ceremony and the reception can cost $4,000 to $18,000, while booking just the ceremony only can cost about $2,000 to $2,600, according to Wedding-spot.com.  This estimate includes the rental fee only and will not include the additional catering expenses as this is a separate cost to consider.

NOTE:  These are fees we sourced via the official website and are not considered to be 100% accurate at this time as prices can change.  For exact pricing for your wedding, it’s best to call the venue directly as there are so many factors that can affect the total price.  All events willl require a $1,000 nonrefundable deposit to book your event date.

WomanGettingMarried.com, for example, states that soon-to-be couples should be prepared to budget about $10,000 for a 125-guest wedding on a Saturday night for just the rental fees.

Additional costs to consider

Surety deposit:  All events are charged a refundable surety deposit of $1,000 for non-reason season, $5,000 for the rain season and $10,000 for interior events, as per this brochure.

Ranger fees:  Depending on the scope of your event, you may need to pay ranger fee hours, in addition to the hourly rates noted above, at an average of $57 per hour, per ranger.  In some cases, again, depending on your event setup, you may need more than one ranger.

Additional staff hourly rates:  For events with more than 150+ guests, the venue does require you provide security and fire personnel, including a fire safety officer, sworn police officer and traffic control officer, all of which will average about $300 an hour.

Food/catering:  All catering must go through one of the Estate’s approved caterers and depending on which professional caterer you choose, former couples state you should be prepared to spend at least $100 per head.  You can choose other caterers who have been approved to work here, but the venue may charge an additional fee.

Permits:  Depending on the nature of your event, you may need to pull permits, which can start at $66 depending on the setup.  These permits, as per the venue, need to be submitted to the Beverly Hills Fire Department and are required for events with more than 50 people.  Tents, generators and additional items may require a permit as well, increasing the costs.

Liability insurance:  The permit holder needs to have a $2 million per occurrence general liability insurance listing the City of Beverly Hills.

Venue space options

The Greystone Mansion offers both an indoor and outdoor venue, but for most couples, the ceremony will usually take place in the Formal Gardens, with the cocktail hour held in the Cypress Walk or in the Forecourt.  The Pool, Terrace, Mansion Courtyard or Reflection Pond, all outdoor reception options, can cater up to 225 guests for a seated meal, whereas the Grand Ballroom, the indoor venue, can cater up to 60 guests, but if you book the entire first floor, it can seat up to 300 guests.

Tips to know

Setup may start at 8 a.m. and events can run up to 8 p.m. for an outdoor setting and 10 p.m. indoors.

Beverly Hills residents are able to book the venue nine months in advance, while non-residents can book six months in advance.

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How Much Does Ganirelix Cost?

Ganirelix, a prescription-based injection manufactured by Organon, is commonly used to regulate the hormone response in women who are currently undergoing infertility treatments and is recommended for women who are having trouble conceiving due to either hormonal imbalances, low ovulation or gynecological issues such as endometriosis or uterine fibroids

The medication will work by suppressing certain hormones within the body, including follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), to help delay a premature ovulation, ensuring that only healthy and mature eggs are being produced before the ovaries release them.

“Pregnant” (CC BY 2.0) by Frank de Kleine

How much does Ganirelix cost?

The cost of Ganirelix will primarily vary depending on the pharmacy you use and the discount card (if you search for one) you choose to apply.  From our research, most health insurance companies, including Medicare, will not cover this prescription, simply meaning you will either need to take advantage of a discount co-pay card, which we will explain below or pay out of pocket.

Based on all of these factors, the full price for six 250mcg/0.5ml syringes can cost about $1,300 per acetate injection, regardless of which pharmacy you use; however, again, these costs can greatly decrease to as little as $50 per pre-filled syringe or close to $300 per six, if you use one of the discounted methods mentioned below.

How to save on Ganirelix

Online pharmacies:  We were able to find two online reputable pharmacies, MDR Pharmaceutical and IVFPrescriptions.com, that were offering the prescription for up to 70 percent off.  IVFPrescriptions, for example, was offering a pre-filled injection for $55, while MDR Pharmaceutical had a list price of $129.  Both of these prices were available to those who were cash-paying customers only.

Ganirelix coupon:  The official manufacturer of the prescription, Merck, does offer a multi-use savings coupon, allowing you to save up to $100 off your out-of-pocket costs as long as you’re privately insured.  For more information and to read the terms and conditions, you can refer to the official website at Ganirelix.com.

Ganirelix overview

The Ganirelix injection, a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist, is a fertility medicine which is designed to help prevent premature luteinizing hormone (LH) surges or the ovulation in the case a woman is currently undergoing fertility treatment options of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.  In some cases, it may also help reduce the need for follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), a hormone needed for ovulation.

The dosages will be different for many patients, but for the average female, they will often inject 250 micrograms (mcg) of ganirelix beneath the skin once a day on day two or three of the menstrual cycle, up to about day 13 of the menstrual cycle, all depending on the doctor’s orders.  As with any prescription, always follow your doctor’s orders and follow the medication guide closely, never taking more, less or stopping without your doctor’s permission.

Ganirelix side effects

Commonly reported side effects can include headaches, mild stomach pain, tiredness and/or stomach pain; however, these common side effects may go away over time.  If you’re using this medication as part of your IVF treatment and use other related drugs, then the side effects may be much different.  While serious side effects are rare, severe allergic reactions can happen such as a shortness of breath or swollen body parts such as the lips, face or tongue.  As always, if you experience any of these uncomfortable symptoms, consult with your doctor immediately.

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How Much Does Follistim Cost?

Follistim, an injection only available via prescription, helps stimulate the development of eggs within the ovary and can also assist women who are having a hard time getting pregnant due to ovulation issues.

Made from a man-made form of a hormone that naturally occurs in the body, this hormone can help regulate ovulation and healthy develop a woman’s ovaries.

Commonly used to treat infertility for women who cannot ovulate, it is also used to help stimulate sperm in men as well.

How much does Follistim cost?

The cost of Follistim, as with most prescriptions, will depend on your health insurance, the dosage and the pharmacy you choose and based on these factors, the costs, without any health insurance involved, tend to be in the $300 to $850+ per cartridge range with discounts found online.

As for health insurance, it appeared most health insurance providers would not cover the prescription, including Medicare, according to GoodRX.com; however, it does not mean you can save in other ways, which we will explain below.

Jessi at lifeabundant-blog.com created an insightful post talking about various ways to buy Follistim, with some overseas options retailing for as little as $160 plus shipping.

How to save on Follistim

Manufacturer coupons:  The official manufacturer of the drug, Merck, does offer a “Multiuse Savings Coupon” that allows you save up to $300 on your out-of-pocket costs.  The program, as per the terms, is available for commercially insured patients only and can be used up to three times.  To see if you qualify for the program, you can either visit Follistim.com or call  1-877-264-2454.

Prescription coupons:  Online, we were able to find the MDRX fertility pharmacy, for example, which offered the cartridges for as little as $291 per prescription.  These prices, as per the website’s terms and conditions, were exclusively for cash-paying patients only.  Another pharmacy, Avella Specialty Pharmacy, offered the same prices as well to help offset the costs for cash-paying patients.

Follistim overview

Follistim, a follitropin beta injection, can be used to treat fertility for both men and women.  Made from a man-made hormone, known as the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), it is produced by the pituitary gland and can assist women to develop eggs due to ovulation problems and to increase sperm production for men.  Follitropin beta essentially replaces the natural FSH inside of the body.

Before you’re sent home with the injections, a medical professional will show you where to and how to administer the injections, which is commonly beneath the skin for both men and women or into the muscle for women only.  The cartridges should always be used with the Follistim® pen and directions should be closely followed, never using more, less or even stopping without your doctor’s permission.

As for dosages, it will be different from patient to patient and based upon the dosage, but men often take 450 international units (IU) each week injected beneath the skin, divided and administered as either 225 IU two times a week or 150 IU three times a week.  Women, depending on the reason, may take 75 international units at first, once a day if using the injections or 50 international units once a day for the first seven days, but your doctor may increase the dosages as needed.  As for assisted reproductive technology procedures, adults may take 150 to 225 international units once a day or 200 international units in the case of women with healthy ovaries undergoing reproductive procedures such as ICSI or IVF.

Follistim side effects

Common side effects include headaches, redness/pain at the injection site, bloating, breast tenderness, flu-like symptoms, or a condition known as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), which can cause tissues build fluid in the heart, chest or stomach area.  As with any side effects, if you feel uncomfortable with any side effects felt, consult with a doctor immediately.  This is not a complete list of side effects; for more information, consult with your doctor and refer to this Drugs.com overview.

Gonal-F vs Follistim

A common question often brought up online via women currently undergoing or are thinking about IVF treatments is, “What is the difference between Gonal-F vs Follistim?”  While both seem the same from afar, the key difference here a subtle difference in the ingredients.  Gonal-F is composed of follitrophin alfa, while Follistim has both follistrophin alfa and beta.  Functionally, they do work in a similar way and most doctors even let you take the two interchangeably.

Aside from the similar traits, there are two key differences aside from the aforementioned description:  the price and results.  One particular medical study, for example, noted that “evidence that exclusive use of Follistim may produce better pregnancy results than the use of Gonal-F following in vitro fertilization (IVF) – embryo transfer (ET).”  As for price, as noted above, Follistim can retail for as little as $300 with a coupon, while Gonal-F can be 20 to 50 percent more.

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How Much Does a FibroScan Cost?

Fibroscan®, a new medical device approved by the FDA, is considered to be a painless and reliable alternative to a liver biopsy, and according to the FibroScan of Los Angeles, a scan may help you get approval for new Hepatitis C treatments or provide you with reassurance that your liver can afford to wait for fewer treatments in the future.

Today, the many doctors who do use the technology use it to determine the severity of liver scarring and determine the best treatment option in the case liver disease is suspected.

How much does a FibroScan® cost?

The cost of a FibroScan® will depend on the provider you use, your geographical location and your health insurance provider, and based on these factors, the costs, from what we read online and doctor’s offices we talked to, could range from $200 to more than $425+ for just the test, with the equipment retailing for as much as $130,000+ for the providers.  The price can increase as you add additional testing such as blood tests and the consultation fee.  When all of these factors are considered, your total bill, without insurance, can easily surpass $600+

MDSave.com, for example, had a few providers at the time of this publishing, with the MDSave national average being $204.

According to the multiple replies on this MedHelp.org forum thread, one member stated he was billed $330 but was covered by his health insurance policy, while another said he was charged $600 for the entire visit

Hemaware.org notes the average scan should cost about $200, in comparison to a liver biopsy, which could cost upwards of $3,000+

How does the FibroScan® work?

The scan uses what’s known as “shear waves,” which are able to measure the elasticity of the liver using a technology known as Vibration-Controlled Transient Elastography (VCTE™).  As these shear waves pass through your liver, it is affected by the amount of scarring in the liver (fibrosis) and is then interpreted to help your doctor understand the stage of fibrosis, with a stiffer liver meaning a more severe fibrosis.

The process

Your doctor will ask you to lay on your back, with your right arm slightly raised behind your head.

Next, your doctor will apply a small amount of gel to your right side and will apply slight pressure with the device button-shaped probe to create 10 consecutive measurements in the same location, allowing the device to measure the state of the liver with an average reading.  As this is being done, the probe sends gentle shock waves, which travel through the liver, allowing the device to interpret how fast these waves are traveling through and how quickly it bounces back.  The quicker these waves are able to travel, the stiffer your liver is considered to be, meaning you have more scar tissue than average in your liver.

The entire test will take less than 15 minutes and the results will be readily available immediately upon completion.  The results, measured in Kpa, ranging from 2.5 to 75, will be the unit of resistance, with a score higher than 12 be a reason for concern.  According to Healthncare, 90 to 95 percent of healthy people will have a score measurement less than 7.9 kPa, with the medium being 5.3.

Tips to know

The entire test is painless and there is no downtime as compared to a traditional liver biopsy.

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Ear Wax Extraction Cost

While ear wax can protect the ear from damage and infections, it can cause hearing problems, pain and/or even dizziness if it builds up too much.

Ear wax blockages, commonly seen by a variety of reasons, which we will get into below, may require a visit to the doctor to help alleviate the pain.

“130312-A-RE111-221” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by JEKruger

How much does an ear wax extraction cost?

The cost of an ear wax extraction will depend on a few factors, including the doctor you visit and your health insurance policy, and for most visits to a local physician’s office or even a health clinic, the costs often range anywhere from $69 to $170 per visit without any health insurance.  Since the procedure is relatively straightforward, most doctor’s offices will just charge an office visit fee to extract your ear wax, with an ENT visit often costing a bit more than a primary doctor visit.  Using a curette, however, could add another $100 to the bill as it can be deemed as “surgical” procedure as per the Wall Street Journal.

As for health insurance, most policies will cover the visit as long as your visit was deemed medically necessary, with co-pays greatly depending upon your policy restrictions and company you use.  For the most part, be prepared to pay whatever you have paid in the past for a doctor’s visit without any testing.

The CVS Minute Clinic, as per its official pricing sheet, charges $89 to $99 for a visit, for instance.

If you do not want to visit the doctor, there are highly-rated ear wax removal products on the market that cost less than $10.

Ear wax extraction methods

Every doctor has their own preferences, but in a medical setting, doctors often resort to two options:  either an irrigation or microsuction ear wax removal method.  Regardless of which option they use, your doctor will first want to ask you questions in regards to your symptoms as well as visually inspect the ear to see if any infections exist in the ear canal.  If your doctor suspects that ear wax buildup is, indeed, the problem, then he or she will use one of the methods mentioned below:

Irrigation

The irrigation method will use a small spray-like machine which is designed to spray a liquid into the ear to break up the ear wax, but before it’s used, the solution is warmed to your body temperature to prevent any dizziness since any liquid cooler than your body temperature could cause temporary vertigo.  Once warmed to temperature, your doctor will pull your ear upward and back gently to straighten out the ear canal and will then place a container beneath to collect the liquid as it leaves the canal.  Then, once everything is in position, the doctor will aim the nozzle of the sprayer inside of the canal, aiming it so the water flows along the roof of the canal, ensuring the water steers clear of the ear drum at all times.  As this solution enters the canal, it will break up the impacted wax, allowing it to flow along the canal’s floor, essentially into the container beneath the ear.  Depending on the severity of your buildup, your doctor may need to perform the procedure more than once.

Microsuction

The microsuction process uses a medical grade vacuum pump attached to a suction tube to gently suck the ear wax out of the canal while the doctor uses a specialized microscope, allowing your doctor to see exactly where they are inside of the ear canal.  Considered to be the safest method, no liquid is required and is often the preferred method by most medical professionals.

What exactly causes ear wax buildup?

• Some people simply suffer from regularly blocked ears due to naturally produced ear wax
• Narrower-than-average ear canals
• Hair ear canals
• Dryer ear canals, commonly seen in older patients
• Bony growth in the ear canal, blocking the progress of ear wax
• A tight ear canal bend
• Wearing hearing aids and/or headphones can often cause build up
• Excessively using cotton balls or Q-tips

Source:  Harvard University

Symptoms of ear wax buildup

• Ear wax can cause pain in the ear canal as the wax builds up and presses against the ear canal
• Hearing loss may occur, especially if you just went swimming or took a shower
• An itchy ear, sometimes caused by ear wax, can often be caused by the dry skin as well
• Dizziness can occur in some cases
• Tinnitus, a sign of ringing or buzzing, can affect the ear, often due to ear wax buildup

Tips to know

If your ear wax isn’t causing any problems, then most doctors will simply tell you to leave it alone and allow the ear to naturally clean itself as it pushes the ear wax out normally.  However, if you’re slowly finding out that the ear wax is slowly clogging the ear canal, then you will start to see some of the symptoms mentioned above, especially after dealing with anything water-related such as swimming and/or taking a shower.  At this point, if you’re starting to feel any uncomfortable symptoms at the point where you’re becoming dizzy and/or a slight loss of hearing, then it will need to be removed as the ear will no longer be able to naturally release it.  Seeing your eardrum is a delicate part of your body, your doctor will always recommend you come in for a visit and avoid any at-home kits to avoid any further damage

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DealDash Bid Cost

Founded in 2009 by William Wolfram, DealDash is said to be the longest-running bidding fee auction-based website and one of the largest pay-to-participate auction websites in the U.S, claiming to offer items up to 99 percent off the full retail price.

Unlike eBay, however, visitors who want to bid on items will have to pay to bid by using what is known as “bid packs.”

“Bid Key” (CC BY 2.0) by CreditDebitPro

How much does it cost to bid on DealDash?

According to the official website, the cost of a bid pack will depend on the number of bids you buy at once, and at the time of this publishing, the cost of a bid ranged anywhere from $0.12 to $0.15 per bid.  In the past, however, when we did research past prices, it wasn’t uncommon to see bids as high as $0.60 each.  At this time, use this as an estimate only and refer to the official website for more information in regards to what a bid will cost doay.

Members who do use the website quite often may also find themselves receiving free bids since each time you are the highest bidder, your bidder bar fills up, and once it does fill at 100 percent, you can get free bids.  Auction leaders can also take advantage of free bids as well if you fall into the top three places as well.  Be sure to check out the company’s promotional page for more information as to how you can take advantage of free bids.

If you do not win an auction, you are able to get your bids back if you take advantage of the “buy it now” option.  For example, if you bid 100 times on a $50 gift card and you didn’t win, then you could buy the $50 gift card and get all of your bids back, allowing you to re-use your bids on a future auction.

What is a bid pack?

A bid pack is a pack of bids and will be required in order to bid on the live auctions.  The company, as per the website, operates as a pay to play model, which means you need to buy bids in order to take advantage of the auction.  As soon as you buy bids, they are added to your account and you can start bidding immediately.

How does DealDash work?

Every time you bid, the company will take away one bid away from your inventory, raising the auction price by $0.01, and each time a member places a bid, the auction clock with then restart for another 10 seconds to allow another member to bid on the item.  If nobody bids on the item as the clock runs out, then the last bidder will win the product and will have to pay the final auction price.  For example, if you bid 100 bids on a $50 gift card and won it at $12, then the final cost would be your 100 bids, which would cost about $12, plus another $12 as this was the final bidding price, bringing your grand total to $24 for a $50 gift card.  Your results will vary, however, as the company does offer promotions, such as 50% off the final auction price.

In the end, the website is legit and not a scam; rather, be prepared to spend more in bids and on the final auction than what the product is actually worth.

Tips to know

The FTC has received hundreds of complaints in regards to the company, with most referencing refund issues.

While the company does claim they will offer a money-back guarantee, this will only apply on your first bid pack only.  After that, you will not receive a refund.

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Claire’s Ear Piercing Cost

With more than 100 million ears pierced by their certified experts, Claire’s, claiming to be the world’s leading ear piercing specialists, have been piercing ears since 1978 and continue to do so today.

“Claire’s Store” (CC BY 2.0) by JeepersMedia

How much does ear piercing cost at Claire’s?

According to the official website, ear piercings are free if you purchase a starter kit from the store, which starts at about $19 and will increase from there, greatly depending on what kind of earring kit you wish to purchase.   This kit will include the piercing earrings or stud, as well as the aftercare solution.  This price, of course, could be much more if you were to choose a higher-end gold earring on the day of your piercing, for instance.  If you wanted a nose piercing or cartilage piercing, aside from the standard dual lobe piercing, then additional fees will apply, which from our research, seemed to be an additional $10 to $20.  You can view all of the company’s starter kits by visiting .

Racked, in its Claire’s Is Still the Best Place to Get Your Ears Pierced piece, they said you should be prepared to spend about $30 for a sterling silver post or a pinch more than $60 for a gold stud.

What’s included?

All ear piercings are done directly inside of the store and no appointment is required but you can contact a chosen store nearby in advance if interested in a piercing.  As per the ear piercing FAQ on the official website, the ear piercing earrings will always be individually packaged and pre-sterilized at a state of art facility before used.  The company only use piercing earrings with sharp posts, and for increased comfort, the instruments they use are smooth and quick.

The company uses a high-quality Studex System 75 instrument, which is a single-use, disposable sterilized cartridge for an effective and hygienic piercing.  All of these earring cartridges and instruments come with no human contact ever and the instrument only comes in contact with the ear only once, with the backing automatically installed onto the piercing with no adjustment necessary after the piercing completes.  As for the nose piercing procedure, the company only uses the Medisept Nose Piercing System, which is also a single-use cartridge that does not come in contact with your skin at any point.

Piercing options

Cartilage: Located at the top of your ear, this is the flat section of the ear where it begins to naturally curve.  Before the piercing, an employee will talk to you about the process and help pick out an area for perfect placement.  For this option, age restrictions do apply, often only available for those older than 13, and the company recommends you contact your store of choice in advance to confirm.

Dual lobe: A dual lobe piercing, performed by two specialists, entails piercing both of the ears simultaneously and is considered to be a good option for younger children or anybody who feels nervous about the piercing process.

Nose: This option is only available via certain stores as all stores do not have this option.  Contact a local store of choice to see if they offer nose piercings as the selection is limited.

Tips to know

All of the employees employed by Claire’s who pierce ears are fully trained to make sure they meet all safety standards and regulations.

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