If you’re an East Coaster missing the blazing colors of fall here in the Bay Area, look instead for the fiery marigolds and Monarch butterflies that are all over the place this time of year, adorning ofrendas and graves for the Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead.

The Latin American holiday observed Nov. 2 fuses ancient indigenous and Catholic spiritual traditions to commemorate the cosmic connection between the living and the dead. The native Mexican marigold, or cempasúchil, acts as a calling card between the two worlds. 

READ MORE: The Mission District Celebrates Día De Los Muertos: Photos of the Festivities

If you’d like to honor a departed loved one or want to learn more about the meaning of this annual tradition, here are a few ways you can take part.  

Día de los Muertos Mission Lotería Tour

Oct. 27 & Nov. 2, 6-8 p.m. 
2751 Mission St. 
$60
eventbrite.com

An artsy take on the Day of the Dead is this shop-local tour of the Mission District that’s themed after the popular Mexican version of Bingo. Start the evening off making a clay calavera skull keepsake at Artillery Ceramics, then pop into artisanal gift shops to pick up marigolds or sugar skulls, (decorative folk art confections that are not meant to be eaten). Along the way, you’ll also have a chance to stop and admire local murals. 

Alan and Montse of Las Tres Brujas, who create and customize artesaías and flower crowns, hold the Mexican flag high during the procession down 24th Street in the Mission during Dia De Los Muertos 2021. | Source: Camille Cohen/The Standard

Muerto City 

Oct. 28, 3-10 p.m.
428 11th St., SoMa
facebook.com 

Outdoor event space Monarch Gardens hosts a free, family-friendly event featuring live performances by Miss Nana, music by DJ Sektor, dancing, food trucks, face painting and activities for kids.

Día de los Muertos at Sunset Mercantile

Nov. 1, 6-9 p.m. 
37th Ave. and Ortega, Outer Sunset
sunsetmercantilesf.com

This Outer Sunset farmers market comes to life at night for a special Día de los Muertos edition. Glittering lights and garlands will adorn the open-air market, which will feature live traditional folklorico dance performances, arts and crafts, face painting, Latin American food vendors, a photo booth, DJ music and a costume competition. Contestants are invited to suit up in the style of La Catrina, or dapperly dressed skeleton now synonymous with Day of the Dead, and compete for prizes at 7 p.m. Members of the public can also build an altar to a their loved one at 5 p.m., prior to the event.

Celebrants join the procession for San Francisco’s 2022 Día de los Muertos parade. | Source: Michaela Vatcheva

Day of the Dead Festival of the Altars 

Nov. 2, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Potrero Del Sol Park 

Potrero Del Sol Park turns into a colorful memorial to departed loved ones with altars scattered throughout the park’s lawns. You can lay flowers, glass prayer candles or mementos at one of five community altars or build a custom one to your ancestors by signing up ahead of time. Altar building begins at 8 a.m. A ritual circle ceremony to honor the dead happens from 5 to 6 p.m. 

42nd Annual Day of the Dead Ritual Procession 

Nov. 2, 6 p.m. 
22nd and Bryant streets, Mission 

Led by Aztec dancers, this procession organized by El Colectivo del Rescate Cultural carries forward the spirit of its late founder Juan Pablo Guitierrez and honors the Mesoamerican roots of Día de los Muertos. Costumed processors dressed in traditional Aztec feathered regalia and skeleton Catrinas wind their way along Bryant, 24th, Mission and 22nd streets before concluding back at 22nd and Bryant streets. 

Mixcoatl dancers perform at the 2022 Festival of Altars in Potrero Del Sol Park. | Source: Michaela Vatcheva for The Standard

NightLife: Día de los Muertos

Nov. 2, 6 p.m. 
California Academy of Sciences
calacademy.com 
$21.75

The California Academy of Sciences dedicates its night at the museum-style event to the Day of the Dead. Living skeletons dressed in the style of Mexican catrines will roam the academy’s halls as Mariachi San Francisco keeps the evening moving with soul-stirring music and ballet folklorico performances swirl through the night. Xiuhcoatl Danza Azteca kicks off the celebration with a traditional Aztec blessing at 5:45 p.m.   

SOMArts’ Día de los Muertos Exhibition: The Hummingbird’s Visit 

Through Nov. 3
934 Brannan St., SoMa 
somarts.org

Nonprofit community space SOMArts’ annual display of Día de los Muertos ofrendas, or altars, designed by local artists returns—this time with a theme dedicated to the symbolism of hummingbirds. In Aztec culture, the sprightly bird represents a bridge between the living and the dead that carries messages from the afterlife. SOMAArts’ closing reception on Nov. 3 is your last chance to see how the theme has taken flight.

David Tafolla’s SOMArts Retrospective is seen on display during the 2022 installation of the annual Día De Los Muertos gallery show. | Source: Camille Cohen/The Standard

Día de los Muertos with SF Symphony 

Nov. 4, 2 p.m. 
Davies Symphony Hall 
k12.sfsymphony.org

The creation myth of the Mayan people comes to life in this immersive concert experience featuring traditional Latin American music, vivid dancing and festive art activities.

Dancers from Casa Círculo Cultural kick the celebration off with a procession illustrating the creation of mankind chronicled in the Maya’s Popol Vuh and musical accompaniment form Canción de Obsidiana, which fuses electronic music with the acoustic sounds of traditional handmade Mexican and indigenous instruments. Conductor Miguel Harth-Bedoya, making his San Francisco Symphony debut, leads the orchestra in a selection of songs by Clarice Assad, Arturo Márquez, Alfonso Leng, Silvestre Revueltas and Arturo Rodríguez. 

Guests are invited to arrive early, starting at 12:45 p.m., to listen to marimba, or xylophone, music by Guatemalan music troupe Voz de mi Pueblo or make kites, sugar skulls or screen prints with the help of local artists. 

Oakland Dia de los Muertos

Oct. 29, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
International Boulevard at Fruitvale Ave.

Inducted into the Library of Congress as a local legacy event, this vibrant cultural festival, now in its 28th year, attracts around 100,000 people every year to Oakland’s Fruitvale neighborhood. Admire stunning altars and artistic installations, watch lowriders bounce and Aztec dancers sway, listen to live music and peruse wares by local Latin American artisans. A youth soccer competition will also take place alongside this year’s festival, which is themed “Blooming Resilience.” 

The post Día de los Muertos San Francisco 2023: 9 Methods To Rejoice appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

This California handyman found a creative way to force out squatters — but it’s a dangerous tactic. Here are 3 ways to invest in real estate without putting your safety at risk

When United Handyman Association founder Flash Shelton found squatters in his mother’s home, the only way he could get rid of her unwanted guests — after local police said they couldn’t help — was to out-squat the squatters.

“I called local law enforcement and as soon as they saw there was furniture in the house, they said I had a squatter situation, they had basically no jurisdiction and they couldn’t do anything,” Shelton told Fox Business’ Stuart Varney. “So, I dissected the laws over a weekend and basically figured out that until there’s civil action, the squatters didn’t have any rights, so if I could switch places with them and become the squatter myself, I would assume those squatter rights.”

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He had his mom write up a lease for him and got it notarized, he staked out the home early one morning, waiting for the squatters to leave. When they did eventually leave, Shelton entered the property, put up cameras and waited for them to return.

Shelton’s scheme worked and the squatters left — but not without putting him in a potentially dangerous situation.

Dealing with squatters, or even tenants, can get complicated and costly. Thankfully, there are safer and easier ways to make your mark in real estate.

Squatter rights

A squatter is someone who inhabits a piece of land or a building that they have no legal right to occupy — and without paying rent.

According to the American Apartment Owners Association (AAOA), most states have laws that give squatters rights to inhabit a property “in the event that the lawful owner does not evict or take action against,” them and they differ from state to state. Those laws typically only apply if the squatter has been illegitimately occupying a space for a specific period of time — after which, they will have gained “adverse possession,” and local law enforcement won’t be of much help.

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Squatters should not be confused with trespassers. A blog post on the AAOA site explains: “A trespasser breaks into the property through an illegal entry and doesn’t have utilities, furniture or any form of a prior lease. Due to this, trespassers can be removed for violation of local loitering or trespassing laws.”

“I feel bad I can’t help everyone,” said Shelton in the FOX Business interview, who is now running a service to help other property owners deal with squatters. “I’m trying to change the laws.”

That being said, it’s never advisable to take the law into your own hands, especially in a heated situation like an eviction. If the risk of serial squatters and the other trials and tribulations of being a landlord don’t appeal to you, here are three ways you can invest in real estate without all the hassle.

REITs

Investing in a real estate investment trust (REIT) is a way to profit from the real estate market without having to buy a house or worry about screening tenants, fixing damages, chasing down late payments or even facing trespassers.

REITs are publicly traded companies that own income-producing real estate like apartment buildings, shopping centers and office towers. They collect rent from tenants and pass that rent to shareholders in the form of regular dividend payments.

Essentially, REITs are giant landlords. To qualify as an REIT, a company must pay out at least 90% of its taxable income to shareholders as dividends each year, in addition to other requirements. In exchange, they pay little to no income tax at the corporate level.

Generally, REITs are described as high-return investments that provide solid dividends and the potential for moderate, long-term capital appreciation.

Also, as REITs are publicly traded, you can buy or sell shares any time and your investment can be as little or as large as you want — unlike buying a house, which usually requires a hefty down payment followed by a mortgage.

Read more: Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now use $100 to cash in on prime real estate — without the headache of being a landlord. Here’s how

Real estate ETFs

Another easy way to invest in real estate without having to pick and choose which stocks to buy and sell is through exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

And as the name suggests, ETFs trade on major exchanges, making them convenient to buy and sell. Some ETFs passively track an index, while others are actively managed. They all charge a fee — referred to as the management expense ratio — in exchange for managing the fund.

The Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ), for example, provides investors with broad exposure to U.S. REITs. The fund currently holds 164 stocks with total net assets of $64.2 billion. Over the past 10 years, VNQ’s net asset value (NAV) has grown 5.5%. Its management expense ratio is 0.12%.

Another example is the Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE), which aims to replicate the real estate sector of the S&P 500 Index. It currently has 31 holdings and an expense ratio of 0.10%. Since the fund’s inception in October 2015, XLRE’s NAV has grown 6.64%.

Both of these ETFs pay quarterly distributions.

Crowdfunding platforms

Through a crowdfunding platform, you can buy a percentage of physical real estate — from rental properties to commercial properties. You can even buy a stake in digital real estate.

If you’re an experienced investor looking to up your stake in real estate, there are also options for accredited investors that often have higher minimum investments that can reach tens of thousands of dollars or more.

If you’re not an accredited investor, many platforms allow you to invest smaller sums, even as low as $100.

These online platforms make real estate investing more accessible by simplifying the process and lowering the barrier to entry.

Sponsors of crowdfunded real estate deals usually charge fees to investors — typically in the range of 0.5% to 2.5% of whatever you’ve invested.

What to read next

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

The post This California handyman discovered a artistic method to drive out squatters — nevertheless it’s a harmful tactic. Listed here are 3 methods to spend money on actual property with out placing your security in danger appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

You need a salary north of $300K in NYC, San Francisco and Honolulu just to bring home $100K — here’s why plus 3 easy ways to keep more of your paycheck

Many people find tax season to be a stressful time of year, but those living in some of the most popular cities in America may find paying taxes to be an even more discouraging experience — even when they’re wealthy.

SmartAsset, a financial research firm, analyzed the impact of taxes and living costs on individuals living in America’s biggest cities. Their research found that an annual salary north of $300,000 in New York City, San Francisco and Honolulu is required just to bring home $100,000 after taxes and cost-of-living adjustments.

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For context, the median American household income is $70,784, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. But SmartAsset’s research shows that a family living in the Big Apple or Silicon Valley would need more than four times that amount to feel like they’re in the “middle class.”

Regardless of income level or location, it’s always a good idea to save money. With that in mind, here are five ways to stretch your paycheck.

Minimize housing costs

Housing expenses can be among the most significant drains on your finances. Making adjustments to these costs can be an effective way to stretch your paycheck further.

If you’re looking to buy a home, it’s important to stay well below your mortgage approval amount to ensure you don’t stretch your finances too thin. Locking in at a good interest rate can also save you money in the long run.

According to a study by Freddie Mac, borrowers who obtain at least five quotes when shopping for a mortgage save an average of $3,000 over the life of the loan.

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It’s important to ensure that your monthly payments are stable and less than one-third of your monthly income. This is known as the 30% rule and is widely recommended by financial experts. By adhering to the rule, you make sure that your housing costs aren’t eating up too much of your budget, leaving you with more money to save or invest.

Put simply: strive to live below your means.

Read more: ‘It makes an enormous difference’: Warren Buffett says this simple ‘trick’ is the key to earning a generous retirement nest egg

Maximize tax-advantaged retirement accounts

Contributing to a 401(k) or IRA can help to reduce your taxable income and thus lower your tax bill. It can also fuel your wealth-building over time.

You should also look to take advantage of employer-sponsored benefits. Many employers offer perks like commuter benefits and flexible spending accounts, which can help to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses and save you money.

If your employer offers health insurance benefits, be sure to take advantage of them so you can reduce your health-care costs and save money on medical expenses.

Hire a professional accountant

If you make a lot of money, it’s a good idea to hire a professional accountant to help with your finances, including filing your taxes, to ensure you don’t make any costly mistakes.

Those of you who have a side gig might want an accountant to help you figure out how to deal with the income tax complications that come with being self-employed.

Even if you don’t make a lot of money, it might still be worth it to hire an accountant. They can help you get the most out of government subsidies and tax credits that you might qualify for. This could save you a lot of money in the long run and bring you peace of mind.

What to read next

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

The post You want a wage north of $300K in NYC, San Francisco and Honolulu simply to deliver residence $100K — here is why plus 3 simple methods to maintain extra of your paycheck appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

Es sind oft die leidenschaftlichsten Menschen, die zuerst ausbrennen – eine bedauerliche Realität, mit der sich zu viele kreative Unternehmer identifizieren können. Aus diesem Grund haben wir 10 Innenarchitekten – Amber Guyton, Rozit Arditi, Eva Bradley, Alicia Cheung, Brenda Mickel, Julee Wray, Michael Cox, Kristin Fiore, Tom Stringer und Annie Downing – gefragt, wie sie in ihrer beruflichen Tätigkeit Burnout-Gefühle überstanden haben Karriere.

Amber GuytonMit freundlicher Genehmigung von Blessed Little Bungalow

Hard-Reset

„Es gibt so viele Dinge, über die niemand spricht, wenn er sich entscheidet, Vollzeitunternehmer zu werden. Nachdem ich über ein Jahrzehnt lang in den Bereichen Finanzdienstleistungen, Marketing und Technologie gearbeitet habe, hätte ich nie gedacht, dass ich mich jemals ausgebrannter fühlen würde als zu der Zeit, als ich in einem amerikanischen Unternehmen tätig war. Mangelnde Disziplin, Zeitblockaden, klare Grenzen gegenüber Kunden und ausgelagerte Hilfe können jedoch leicht dazu führen, dass Sie rund um die Uhr und an 365 Tagen im Jahr arbeiten und keine Work-Life-Balance mehr haben. Letztes Jahr führte meine Knappheitsmentalität dazu, dass ich mehr Arbeit aufnahm, als ich hätte tun sollen, und ich erlebte ein Burnout, als ich versuchte, mit allem Schritt zu halten und es alleine zu schaffen. Dies führte zu einer schlechten körperlichen und geistigen Gesundheit, Anfällen von Angstzuständen und Depressionen und einigen Fällen, in denen mich Klienten entließen. Um Burnout zu bekämpfen, habe ich mehrere Maßnahmen ergriffen: Ich habe mit meinen Kunden klare Arbeitszeiten und Kommunikationsgrenzen festgelegt; begann, mehr Aufgaben an meinen virtuellen Assistenten auszulagern und ernsthafte persönliche Vorstellungsgespräche mit vertraglich vereinbarten Designassistenten vor Ort zu führen; Ich lehnte Arbeiten ab, die nicht erfüllend waren oder nicht zu meiner Designästhetik passten – wenn es kein „verdammtes Ja“ ist, ist es ein „Nein“ – und suchte einen neuen Therapeuten, Physiotrainer und Koch für die Zubereitung von Mahlzeiten auf. All diese Anpassungen haben geholfen, und ich habe noch einen weiten Weg vor mir, aber es gelingt mir besser, mich selbst für das verantwortlich zu machen, was ich tun kann und was nicht, was ich eigentlich tun möchte und was es zum Arbeiten braucht eine Art und Weise, die für mich und mein Unternehmen am besten ist.“ —Amber Guyton, Blessed Little Bungalow, Atlanta

Rozit ArditiTory Williams Fotografie

Anhalten und abspielen

„Zu erkennen, dass ich ausgebrannt war, war für mich der wichtigste Schritt, denn es macht einen großen Unterschied, ob man weiß, dass es ein Problem gibt, oder Maßnahmen zur Lösung des Problems ergreift. Mein Körper war mein Orientierungspunkt bei der Erkenntnis. Da ich in New York lebe und ein kleines Unternehmen leite, bin ich anfällig für Stress, und ich sah ihn als Teil des Lebens an. Aber als sich mein Gesundheitszustand zu verschlechtern begann und Autoimmunerkrankungen Anzeichen zeigten, war das der letzte Tropfen, der das Fass zum Überlaufen brachte. Das erste, was ich tat, war, mir einen Rückzugsort zu buchen und mir eine Auszeit von der Arbeit und allen Pflichten zu gönnen. Eine Woche im Yucatán-Dschungel reicht nicht aus, um alles wieder in den Normalzustand zu versetzen, aber es war genug Zeit, um mir eine klarere Perspektive zu geben. Nach meiner Rückkehr setzte ich mich mit meinen Mitarbeitern zusammen, um als Team und als Unternehmen klare Grenzen zu setzen. Wir haben neu identifiziert, an welchen Arten von Projekten wir arbeiten möchten und mit welchen Kunden wir zusammenarbeiten möchten, und unsere internen Systeme gestrafft. Wir sind auch ausgegangen, um zu feiern! Neben der Therapie, dem Coaching und meinem wöchentlichen Radfahren haben mir auch die Gespräche mit anderen Kleinunternehmern sehr geholfen. Es ist nie zu spät, Dinge zu ändern und mit neuen Grenzen und Prioritäten neu anzufangen.“ –Rozit Arditi, Arditi Design, New York

Eva BradleyFrank Frances

Mach Schluss

„Wenn ich spüre, dass das Burnout-Gefühl überhand nimmt, mache ich eine mentale Pause, wo immer ich sie gerade finden kann [one] in meinem Alltag – sei es fünf Minuten oder das Verschieben einer internen Besprechung, um mir eine Stunde Zeit zu nehmen. Am Ende zahlt es sich aus. Ich tue mein Bestes, um zu planen, wie ich meine „Ich-Zeit“ gestalten kann, da vor und nach der Arbeit bereits mit elterlichen Pflichten oder Arbeitsessen gefüllt ist. [As a team] Wir versuchen, uns die Erlaubnis zu geben, tagsüber Friseur- oder Nageltermine wahrzunehmen oder zu trainieren. Wir erinnern uns ständig daran, dass Ruhe auch produktiv ist. Man muss es fast in ein Mantra verwandeln.“ —Eva Bradley, Studio Heimat, San Francisco

Alicia CheungFrank Frances

Finden Sie Ihr Warum

„Für mich ist es ein großartiges Hilfsmittel, mit einem Freund oder einem unterstützenden Kollegen zu sprechen – wer nicht darüber redet, behält es. Sprechen Sie mit jemandem, der etwas Ähnliches durchgemacht hat, und fragen Sie ihn nach seinen Erfahrungen oder teilen Sie Ihre Erfahrungen. Sobald Sie sich etwas Ruhe verschafft haben, können Sie zurückkommen und über Ihr „Warum“ nachdenken. Warum arbeitest du so hart? Wofür sollen sich die Leute an Sie erinnern, wenn Sie nicht mehr da sind? Diese Antworten führen dann zu der Frage: „Was könnten Sie anders machen, um ein Leben zu gestalten, das nicht zum Burnout führt und Sie auf den richtigen Weg zu Ihrem Warum bringt?“ [My team is] Derzeit arbeiten wir daran, unser „Warum“ neu zu formulieren und es in unserer gesamten Organisation zu integrieren, von der Kundenaufnahme über Stellenbeschreibungen bis hin zur Beschaffung. Das gibt uns Leben, der einfache – und schwierige – Akt, unseren Zweck zu finden und ihn in alles, was wir tun, zu integrieren.“ – Alicia Cheung, Studio Heimat, San Francisco

Brenda MickelMatthew Millman Fotografie

Kulissenwechsel

„Die Pandemie und der vorangegangene Arbeitsstress haben bei mir diesen Winter zu einem Burnout geführt. Ich bin kürzlich von einer aufregenden Reise mit Kollegen aus dem ganzen Land nach Südfrankreich zurückgekehrt, die für Kameradschaft, Inspiration und den Austausch von Designideen gesorgt hat. Es hat meine Denkweise verändert. Ich kehrte zur Arbeit zurück und war begeistert von der Zusammenarbeit mit Kunden und meinem Team, um aufregende neue Designs zu entwickeln.“ –Brenda Mickel, The Wiseman Group, San Francisco

Julee WrayMit freundlicher Genehmigung von Truss Interiors

Kurs ändern

„Während der Pandemie war Burnout bei mir weit verbreitet. Während der Rest der Welt abschloss, waren Designer auf der ganzen Welt immer beschäftigter. Dann begannen Lieferketten- und Materialengpässe. Projekte, deren Fertigstellung normalerweise drei bis sechs Monate dauern würde, dauerten zwei- oder sogar viermal länger als normal. Während dieser Zeit war ich gerade dabei, mein eigenes Zuhause umzugestalten, was eine komplette Neugestaltung bedeutete. Mir ist aufgefallen, dass es schwieriger war, qualitativ hochwertige Auftragsarbeiten zu bekommen, und dass die Materialien immer noch ins Stocken gerieten. Diese Faktoren zusammen führten zu einem immensen Stress und der Unfähigkeit, die Dinge effizient zu erledigen. Dann kam ein Lichtblick: Ich habe einen Traumkunden unter Vertrag genommen! Es war von Grund auf ein Traumprojekt zu entwerfen, und ich saß stundenlang an meinem Küchentisch und zeichnete Darstellungen und Ansichten. Endlich habe ich gefunden, was ich liebte. Originalgetreue Details von Grund auf. Dieser Aha-Moment machte mir klar, dass ich mein Geschäft umstellen musste – um die kleineren Projekte hinter mir zu lassen, zu denen ich immer „Ja“ gesagt hätte. Ich fand das Selbstvertrauen, einen Wechsel vorzunehmen und Industriepartner um Hilfe bei den Verbindungen zu bitten, damit ich wachsen konnte. Diese Partner haben mich sehr unterstützt und mich mit so vielen Menschen bekannt gemacht, mit denen ich noch heute zusammenarbeite. Um Burnout zu bekämpfen, habe ich meine wahre Liebe im Design gefunden und bin damit gefahren!“ —Julee Wray, Truss Interiors, Denver

Michael CoxMit freundlicher Genehmigung von Foley&Cox

Trennen Sie die Verbindung, um sie erneut zu verbinden

„Ich habe einen Instagram-Burnout-Moment erreicht. Ich hatte das Gefühl, dass ich süchtig nach Kontrollen war [the app] Gleichzeitig hatte ich das Gefühl, je mehr ich hinsah, desto mehr erlebte ich eine Art Design-„Echokammer“, in der die Dinge anfingen, homogen auszusehen. Ein brillanter Kollege gab mir den einfachsten Anstoß: „Löschen Sie einfach die App.“ Fast über Nacht habe ich öfter Bücher aus unserer Designbibliothek gezogen. Ich kehrte in die frühen 2000er Jahre zurück und begann, mir die Zeit zu nehmen, in aller Ruhe die Seiten von „The World of Interiors“ und anderen Lieblingszeitschriften für Tierheime durchzublättern. Da ich das Telefon seltener in der Hand hielt, sah ich mehr – ließ mich auf dem Bauernmarkt, bei Sonnenuntergängen und in Landschaften inspirieren und nahm die Details alltäglicher Umgebungen wahr.“ –Michael Cox, Foley&Cox, New York

Kristin FioreMit freundlicher Genehmigung von Kristin Elizabeth Design

Zurück im Spiel

„Kristen Elizabeth Design wurde 2015 gegründet, eine zweite Karriere nach meiner frühen Karriere und meinem Familienjob. [which came] bevor ich für meine wahre Leidenschaft, das Design, wieder zur Schule gehen konnte. Alles, was mit Innenarchitektur zu tun hat, ließ mein Herz höher schlagen. Ich konnte es kaum erwarten, einzutauchen. Persönlich gesagt: Als wir starteten, befand sich meine Familie in einer großen finanziellen Notlage, sodass ich das Bedürfnis verspürte, Leistung zu erbringen, und zwar schnell. Um ein Portfolio und ein Unternehmen aufzubauen, habe ich so viele Projekte übernommen, wie eine Person menschlich bewältigen konnte. Da ich ein ziemlich ehrgeiziger Mensch bin, fiel es mir nicht schwer, mich auf eine neue Karriere einzulassen – es war einfach, ein Workaholic zu sein, vor allem wenn man bedenkt, wie gut ich auf der kreativen Seite der Dinge war. Was ich nicht gut konnte, war alles andere: ein Unternehmen führen, die Finanzen verstehen, meine Dienstleistungen entsprechend bewerten, Kundenbeziehungen und -erwartungen verwalten, Marketing und, pfui, soziale Medien. Ich hatte keine Erfahrung, habe einige Fehler gemacht und ein paar schwere Rückschläge erlitten. Anstatt dass das Geschäft Spaß machte und sich lohnte, raubte es mir das Leben. Nach dem vierten Jahr litt ich unter Burnout und mir wurden zwei Dinge klar: Erstens brauchte ich Hilfe, um im Spiel zu bleiben; Zweitens wollte ich im Spiel bleiben. Über Kimberly Seldon bin ich einer lokalen Designgruppe beigetreten und habe einige Designfreunde gefunden. Ich stellte einen Vollzeit-Design-/Marketingassistenten ein, der mir bei den Dingen helfen sollte, in denen ich nicht gut war, und im fünften Jahr stellte ich Gail Doby Coaching (jetzt Pearl Collective) ein, um mir zu helfen, das Geschäft in den Griff zu bekommen. Ich kann mich an den Tag erinnern, an dem ich es endlich bekam. Nachdem ich die Bücher gelesen, die Tabellen analysiert und die Zahlen berechnet hatte, machte es endlich Klick. Was für ein Tag. Ich habe natürlich festgestellt, dass ich zu wenig berechnet habe; Ich habe meine Preise erhöht und Systeme gefunden, um meine Designgebühren zu validieren und zu rechtfertigen; und ich habe den Wert von Systemen und Prozessen kennengelernt, die ich implementiert habe und die ich bis heute verfeinere.“ —Kristin Fiore, Kristen Elizabeth Design, Sacramento

Tom StringerJorge Gera

Seien Sie wählerisch

„In Zeiten, in denen es langsamer geht, kann es verlockend sein, Kunden zu übernehmen, die vielleicht nicht die beste Lösung sind. Als Designer ist es jedoch von entscheidender Bedeutung, Ihrem Instinkt zu vertrauen und zu beurteilen, ob ein Kunde mit Ihren Geschäftswerten und -zielen übereinstimmt. Die Übernahme von Kunden, die nicht zu Ihnen passen, kann zu langfristigen Herausforderungen führen, Ihre kreative Energie rauben und Ihnen das Gefühl geben, ausgebrannt zu sein. Es ist besser, sich auf die Zusammenarbeit mit Kunden zu konzentrieren, die Ihr Fachwissen schätzen und schätzen, um ein erfüllendes Designerlebnis und eine erfüllende Arbeitsbeziehung für alle sicherzustellen.“ —Tom Stringer, Tom Stringer Design Partners, Chicago

Annie DowningMit freundlicher Genehmigung von Annie Downing Interiors

Machen Sie Cent

„Ab 2013 war ich in alle Bereiche meines Unternehmens eingebunden. Ich würde mich mit Kunden treffen, Präsentationen durchführen, Artikel beschaffen, den Einkauf verwalten, Zeit damit verbringen, Rechnungen abzurechnen und mich um die Finanzen und die sozialen Kontakte zu kümmern. Als Mutter von drei Kindern war ich ausgebrannt und verlor den Fokus. Ungefähr fünf Jahre später stellte ich einen Vollzeitmitarbeiter ein und mietete ein wunderschönes Büro in der Innenstadt von Austin. Dennoch hatte ich Mühe, meine Finanzen zu verstehen. Ich habe mich an mehrere Buchhalter gewandt, aber niemand verstand die Nuancen der Innenarchitektur. Ich tappte im Dunkeln. Schließlich freundete ich mich mit einem anderen Innenarchitekten an und begann einen offenen Dialog über das Geschäft. Wir stellten uns gegenseitig Fragen, gaben Ratschläge und unterstützten uns gegenseitig bei der Arbeit. Sie verwies mich an den Buchhalter, der mein Unternehmen veränderte – jemanden, der endlich die jahrelangen Daten entschlüsseln konnte, die ich als Geschäftsinhaber gesammelt hatte. Er fungierte eher als CFO als als Buchhalter und half mir, Ziele festzulegen, die es mir ermöglichten, mein Team zu vergrößern, meine Reichweite zu vergrößern, zu reisen und mehr als nur Rentabilität anzustreben. Der Stress bei der Führung eines Unternehmens kann eine echte Bedrohung für die Kreativität darstellen. Mein Rat an alle Kreativen: Priorisieren Sie die Gemeinschaft, lagern Sie Ihre Arbeit aus, wenn Sie können, und investieren Sie in Menschen.“ – Annie Downing, Annie Downing Interiors, Austin, Texas

Bild der Homepage: Eine Austin-Küche von Annie Downing erhält zusätzlichen Glanz durch eine Hängeleuchte aus gebürstetem Messing | Lindsay Brown

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Green design is no longer just a buzzword – it’s a movement. Architects and designers are committed to sustainable solutions in all types of projects, and private homes are no exception. As technology advances, energy efficiency starts with the architecture. For new builds, choosing materials adapted to a site’s specific climate can help reduce a household’s overall consumption. During renovations, installing high-performance windows and doors can help maintain a constant indoor temperature, thereby reducing HVAC demand.

However, green living doesn’t always require a major physical makeover. Design experts agree that green change can start small, from the appliances we buy to the fabrics and finishes we use. A practical approach to sustainability requires an attitude towards longevity – even if you don’t live in your home forever, the impact of its design and maintenance will linger for generations. Go room by room with these tips to mitigate your home’s negative environmental impact.

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Avoid design trends to reduce waste

While it may be exciting to redecorate your home on a regular basis, reducing product usage – and the resulting waste – is a key tenet of sustainable interior design. “If you steer clear of trends and instead look to nature for inspiration, you maximize the longevity of your interior design aesthetic,” says Alicia Storie of British design firm AdesignStorie. “Trends come and go. However, interiors that we have a strong emotional connection to can stand the test of time.”

If you need a refresher, head to the fabric store or your favorite consignment store. “Consider reupholstering and refurbishing furniture before buying new ones,” advises designer Laura Hodges of Baltimore and Washington, DC. “Shop local and try out vintage or antique furniture” to support the circular economy.

Consider materials – and their lifecycles

It’s tempting to source marble from Italy and windows from Germany, but the energy required to ship these products can add significantly to your home’s overall carbon footprint. Instead, use third-party, certified local products, like “FSC-certified woods, OEKO-TEX and GOTS-certified linens, upholstery and textiles,” says New York-based interior decorator and designer Laurence Carr.

“Considering whether the parts and components are built to last and whether they can be reused, repurposed, refurbished or recycled is an important part of designing a home,” says Hodges, who also advises brightening Installing kitchen worktops The space requires less artificial light outside of daylight hours.

Question the ingredients

“Just as we’ve come to question where our food comes from and what’s in it, so must we with our fabrics,” says designer Chenault James of Louisville, Kentucky. “The textile industry uses a variety of chemicals such as dyes, bleaches and finishes that are harmful to the environment and people. Technology has made a great looking polyester faux linen or velvet possible, but we have to think about the fact that it’s not biodegradable.”

Throughout the home, stick to natural fibers like cotton and linen for curtains and upholstery, and opt for carpets made of wool, sisal or jute. Paints and varnishes should not contain any VOCs – chemical compounds whose outgassing can damage human organs and form ground-level ozone. Ground-level ozone can trigger a variety of health problems, particularly in children, the elderly and people of all ages with lung diseases such as asthma.

Choose products wisely

Thoughtful shopping choices can make a big difference to a sustainable home. “In the kitchen, you can put a compost bin in the cabinets and use biodegradable/natural cleaning products, organic linens, reusable paper towels, beeswax food wrap and reusable silicone bags” to reduce waste, says Hodges. In the bathroom, she recommends reusable makeup remover pads, bamboo toothbrushes, and refillable dental floss, while mattress and pillow protectors extend the life of linens.

Choose devices that use less energy

“Optimizing energy efficiency means you use fewer resources in your daily life,” explains San Francisco architect Monica Sanga. “Choosing energy-efficient appliances and low-flow faucets/faucets is the easiest solution.” In her own home, Sanga has chosen an induction hob, automatic blinds and light sensors to reduce both her gas and electricity use. Meanwhile, Hodges is designing bathrooms with “LED lights, double-flush toilets, heated floors and aerated faucets” to save on water and energy use.

Upgrade your systems

When you’re ready to take on a larger project, review and adjust your systems. Installing a method to capture and recycle gray water (from outside the toilet) can reduce water use, while solar panels — often subsidized by government programs — minimize generator needs, says Carr. Heat pumps are Sanga’s “new standard for stove replacement” and she emphasizes the importance of passive heating and cooling through proper insulation and shading. A simple solution is window curtains, which “filter natural light, limit energy use from artificial lighting, and insulate the home from cold air and the sun’s heat,” says Hodges.

Get a green education

Like any niche industry, the world of sustainable design and products can be opaque and riddled with jargon. Carr suggests doing your homework before making any lasting decisions. “Find out about standard third-party certifications and transparency in the architecture and design industry to make informed choices when purchasing products or working with an architect, designer, contractor or landscaper,” she says. “These certifications are a powerful guide to healthier materials and high quality, trusted products, brands and services.”

If renovating your home all at once seems a bit too much for you, take it one step at a time. While bigger, lasting changes have bigger, more positive impacts on the environment, “I also believe in small steps when it comes to sustainability,” says Hodges. Sanga agrees: “Ultimately, the most sustainable choice is the one you can commit to.”

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As DFW climbs the ranks of the US biotech markets, interest in life science and laboratory development is at an all-time high. CBRE ranks the Dallas cluster as the sixth strongest emerging life sciences market in the country thanks to airport connectivity, accessible land and strong educational institutions.

However, a significant impediment to the region’s growth as a leading center for life sciences is that DFW does not have the laboratory space. To support continued growth, the region needs to develop a mix of research and development (R&D) and biological manufacturing facilities to meet the specific needs of companies at different stages of development.

Dallas “has the talent and the ideas, but is lagging behind on physical infrastructure and funding, which is an indication [a] Market ripe for growth given thoughtful development,” noted commercial real estate consultant JLL in a recent report.

DFW developers and building owners have an opportunity to help DFW realize its potential by focusing on the needs of emerging young companies. Here are five ways developers can help fuel the biotech boom in DFW.

Build the missing center

On the journey from garage to IPO, biotech startups hit milestones where they need to scale quickly. In the beginning, co-working facilities such as Biolabs in Pegasus Park are ideal, offering start-ups space in a vibrant research environment without significant investments. But Dallas startups have few setup options after outgrowing coworking. And if you can’t find a place here, go somewhere else.

DFW needs speculative laboratory facilities: spaces that are 70 to 80 percent complete and can be quickly customized to specific tenant needs. The key to mitigating risk with this strategy is finding the right balance between a “wet lab ready” core and shell infrastructure that is flexible enough to adapt to the tenant’s unique operational needs.

Reposition class B office space

Speed ​​to market is critical for growing biotech startups. They often need to be able to move in and be up and running within months, not years. There is an opportunity to retrofit the growing stock of vacant Class B office space. But there’s a steep learning curve to making a successful lab conversion.

Not every office building is suitable for a laboratory. A typical laboratory building has to absorb up to ten times more energy and four times more water than a conventional office. Laboratories require higher floor-to-floor heights and robust mechanical, electrical, and plumbing infrastructure to support connector loads and ventilation systems. Finding an existing office building that meets these requirements and can be efficiently retrofitted requires careful budget analysis and rigorous due diligence.

Develop Near Knowledge Hubs

San Francisco, San Diego and Boston thrive as biotech hubs in part because of their synergy with local academic and research institutions that provide access to funding and a pool of highly skilled workers. The best research clusters provide space for STEM education, human resource development, and incubator labs that serve as hubs for collaboration, innovation, and scholarly dialogue.

To be competitive, DFW should seek to develop vibrant urban enclaves connected to research and education districts. The areas around TCU’s new medical school, the UNT Health Sciences Center and Southside Medical District in Forth Worth, the Baylor Scott & White Texas A&M campus, the UT Southwestern Medical District in Dallas, and the UTSW/Texas Health Resources Medical Research campuses in Frisco are natural places to visit Home.

Anticipate the demand for sustainability

Businesses considering moving to DFW cite affordable rents and low energy bills as major benefits. Many also have environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals and high expectations for sustainable design. DFW needs to go beyond regular business to attract young biotech companies.

Laboratory buildings are notorious resource hogs, but a high-performance design can significantly reduce water, energy, and material consumption. The key is understanding the intricacies of lab operations and working with lab users to find ways to increase resource consumption beyond recycling the building envelope, efficient use of space, proper sizing of MEP systems, and incorporating natural ventilation and daylighting where appropriate, sustained improve performance as well as human health.

Attract talent with Human-Centered Labs

Coastal biotech centers invest in quality jobs to attract the best scientific talent. DFW keeps up by offering the next evolution in design for the scientific workplace with amenities that attract venture capital, philanthropy and star scientists.

Human-centric labs use a research-based methodology to support human health and well-being by offering a choice of work environments and integrating technology as an extension of the workforce. Biophilic environments provide recreational opportunities for scientists to restore focus and increase productivity. Institutions can also support mentoring, collaboration and inspiration, and contribute to mental and physical wellbeing by helping people from diverse backgrounds feel empowered to do their best work. This is where investing in a quality job moves from a recruitment tool to a real benefit for scientific discovery.

About the author

Isabel Mandujano leads the laboratory design practice for LPA Design Studios. As a founding member of the Texas Chapter of the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL), she specializes in creating high-performance laboratories that are inspiring, sustainable, functional and safe.

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As we recover from the economic and social fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, San Francisco needs a resurgence in tourism, businesses reopening, residents staying in the city, and newcomers moving in. None of this will happen if San Francisco leadership cannot ensure public safety Right.

Crime in the city made national headlines this month after former fire commissioner Don Carmignani was violently assaulted in the street by a man with a metal pipe and a downtown whole food store was temporarily closed after just a year of operation because fire department executives Company said they were concerned about worker safety.

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Responsibility for public safety rests with Mayor London Breed and District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. Jenkins is taking significant steps to ensure that there are consequences in our criminal justice system and that victims receive the justice they deserve.

6 ways SF city guides can improve public safety

Now other elected officials like the mayor and board of directors must act to improve public safety. Here are six steps to ensure public safety now:

►Fully fund our police department through a voter-approved bylaw amendment for full occupation. Since 2020, police officer numbers have fallen dangerously, beginning with $120 million in budget cuts implemented by Mayor Breed. Although supervisors recently approved spending $25 million in overtime as a one-time stopgap measure, we must fix the structural problem to fill the hundreds of vacancies at our neighborhood stations.

Only a fully funded police agency can respond to public safety needs such as: These include ending open-air drug markets, solving homicides, protecting small businesses, preventing burglaries and robberies, and enforcing traffic laws to protect pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. Managers Matt Dorsey and Catherine Stefani proposed an action that would ensure that we meet our workforce targets. This bold plan is a step in the right direction.

A shooting happened next to my classroom:How do you teach after gun violence?

Want fewer shoots?:Pass stricter gun laws. Our research shows that lax laws encourage violence.

►Reroute lower-priority calls to other agencies and invest in proven strategies that prevent crime in the first place. Police officers are not the most appropriate public safety agency for all calls. We need to change local laws that require police to respond to minor issues like barking dogs, which are better handled by animal control officers.

Deploying parking attendants in parks and playgrounds and community ambassadors in business corridors allows officers to respond quickly to high-priority calls.

Invest in crime prevention strategies

We also need to invest in proven strategies that prevent crime. Strategic investments in drug treatment, Universal Basic Income, after-school activities for youth, security cameras, and vocational training and transitional employment all have an upstream impact in our most vulnerable communities.

►Properly addressing untreated mental health issues outside of the criminal justice system. About 20% of the American population has a mental illness, but 44% of inmates and 37% of inmates have a mental illness. Incarceration exacerbates these challenges, and the criminal justice system is not designed to provide these individuals with the care they need. New approaches to care are needed to place people in the right care.

San Francisco established a behavioral health court to improve public safety and reduce the recidivism rate of criminal suspects suffering from serious mental illness by connecting them to community treatment services. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan to introduce CARE courts will also help.

►Make sure our emergency call system is working. Our 911 dispatchers answer approximately 2,000 calls per month and a recent performance review of one controller showed that less than 80% of 911 calls are answered in a timely manner. Each missed objective means a resident has to wait longer for an ambulance, police officer, or other first responder.

Meanwhile, response times for some of our key services, including medical calls, are increasing. Working with partners in organized labor, I will strengthen our 911 dispatch system by increasing dispatcher pay, recruiting additional dispatchers, and making system improvements to improve response times. That plan will require voter approval early next year.

Focus on hate crime, retail theft

►Prioritize ending hate crimes. As of the 2020 census, 34% of San Francisco’s Americans are Asian Americans. Like many cities, San Francisco has seen vicious anti-Asian hate crimes. We must remain vigilant to end these crimes that harm victims and create fear in communities. Hate crimes also target LGBTQ+ residents and places of worship such as synagogues and mosques. The upcoming budget should provide sufficient funding for the Office of Victim & Survivor Rights to support hate crime survivors and groups that serve them.

►Take action against organized theft in retail. Organized retail theft led to the closure of stores like Walgreens and Whole Foods in downtown San Francisco. These crimes often turn violent: a supermarket security guard was shot dead in my neighborhood and another security guard in Japantown was killed after an armed clash. We must take these crimes seriously and keep up the pressure to dismantle these criminal rings that are harming our businesses, workers and buyers.

While the public safety challenges the city is facing did not arise overnight, San Francisco must act quickly to change both the safety narrative and the reality on the street.

Strong leadership and better management of city resources are required to bring about real, lasting change. As long as I’m in public office, I look forward to working with all San Franciscos to continue the fight.

Ahsha Safaí, member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, represents District 11, Excelsior, Outer Mission and Lakeview/OMI. He holds a dual bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University and a master’s degree in urban planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

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Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on Living on the Cheap.

The last time I went to the pharmacy to fill out a prescription for generic ear drops to treat eczema, I nearly had a heart attack when they handed me the bill: $184.

Last time I paid $10. I pulled out my phone and found a coupon that reduced the price to $23 as long as the purchase didn’t get through my insurance company—which didn’t pay anyway.

In recent years, consumers have found themselves paying a higher percentage of their medical expenses.

The Affordable Care Act has given more Americans access to health insurance, but many of those plans come with high deductibles — which are also becoming common in employer-provided plans.

This change has made it important for consumers to approach medical care as they do with other purchases – when shopping not only for quality but also for price.

Unfortunately, the system doesn’t make it that easy.

A rule to know

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“You’re going to get really frustrated if you try to behave like a consumer,” says Jeanne Pinder, Founder and CEO of ClearHealthCosts. “You’re going to get really frustrated because the system is broken.”

The first rule, experts and advocates say, is to ask your doctor lots of questions: Is this test really necessary? Is there a generic version of this drug? Are there cheaper alternatives to this treatment? And finally, how much will this procedure cost?

Pinder, a former New York Times editor, launched ClearHealthCosts in 2011 to provide more transparency on healthcare costs.

The site includes costs for common procedures in eight metro areas – New York City, Metro New Jersey, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Miami, Tampa-St. Petersburg, Philadelphia, and Dallas-Fort Worth — plus what Medicare pays for those procedures in cities across the country.

But to buy things like a gallbladder removal or a knee replacement, it may mean calling individual doctor’s offices, hospitals, independent clinics, and your insurance company. And even after all those calls, you still might not get good answers.

“It’s very difficult to figure out these things,” says Tracy Watts, a senior partner at Mercer, an executive search firm. “The more complicated the procedure you need, the harder it is to set a price.”

Why it is difficult to set prices

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It is difficult to pin down a price as most procedures involve multiple actors. A clinic’s fee may include the surgeon, the anesthetist, and the facility. Another can bill each separately.

That means before you commit to anything, you need to ask who will be involved in the process, make sure everyone is part of your insurance plan, and then compare prices.

If a high deductible means you pay most of the bills yourself, you might want to ask about the cash price, which could be lower than what you would pay if you claimed your insurance, says Michelle Katz, a registered nurse at Los Angeles who wrote “Health Made Easy”.

“It’s about being your own advocate,” says Katz. “It can be the difference between paying $150,000 for a procedure and paying $30,000 for a procedure.”

Despite the complexity of the system, there are things consumers can do to get better healthcare for less.

Here are 12 ways to save money on healthcare.

#1: Choose the right insurance policy

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That takes some work, says Katz.

You want a plan that includes your doctors, your medications, and provides care for all chronic conditions. Online information may be incomplete or out of date. So call the doctors to make sure they’re still on any plans you’re considering.

#2: Look for medication

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GoodRX lists cash prices for generic Lipitor in Fort Lauderdale, Florida ranging from $12.60 at Publix to $30.25 at CVS, with coupons on the website. Here I found the price of $23 with coupon for the ear drops.

The site does not include Costco, whose pharmacy is open even to non-members and often has lower drug prices. Walmart, Target, and many supermarkets offer $4 generic drugs — but not the same — that may cost less than your insurance copayment.

#3: Know what your health insurance covers

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It’s time to deal with your policy before you have to use it.

Learn about pre-authorizations, emergency room visits, co-payments for doctor visits, and co-insurance for procedures.

#4: Ask if tests, prescriptions, or procedures are really necessary

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The newest drugs aren’t always better than older, cheaper drugs. If you tell the doctor you’ll pay cash for what he’s ordering, he may suggest that you wait and see if the condition improves before ordering an expensive test.

Instead of paying for 20 physical therapy sessions, pay for one and learn exercises to do at home.

#5: Ask for prices in advance and ask about cash discounts

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This may require calling your insurance company, doctor, and hospital to find out what a procedure or office visit will cost.

Remember that some doctors and institutions give a discount if you pay cash.

#6: Choose the right facility

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Unless your condition is life-threatening, don’t go to the emergency room. A persistent cough or a broken finger may be treated better and at a much lower cost at a pharmacy or emergency center.

But not all clinics or emergency centers are created equal. Research the facilities in your area before you need them so you can make the right choice when you get sick.

#7: Check invoices and insurance statements for errors

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Even those with the best insurance policies are often billed for procedures that should be fully covered.

A coding error can mean the difference between a no-cost mammogram and a mammogram that costs $600.

Be vigilant in reviewing invoices and statements of benefits, the statements summarizing what procedures and services are covered and those you have yet to pay for. Keep track of who you spoke to and when, as calls are often recorded.

#8: Get copies of all your medical test results and records

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Bringing these with you to consultations can reduce the number of tests and doctor visits required. If you recently had a test, you often don’t need to take it again.

Also, if you see a doctor with test results, they can advise you right away, rather than making another appointment after the test results come in.

#9: Take advantage of free screenings

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Every community has health fairs that offer free screening for diabetes, HIV, high blood pressure, and other diseases.

By law, ACA-compliant insurance plans offer a series of screenings without co-payments.

#10: Negotiate large medical bills

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If you go to a hospital or have an expensive procedure, you will receive an itemized bill, preferably before you leave the hospital.

Once you’ve verified that it’s error-free, ask the hospital’s billing department for financial assistance, a cash discount, or a payment plan.

If you have a lot of large bills, consider hiring someone to negotiate for you.

#11: Consider online, phone, or video consultations

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Since the pandemic, video consultations have become common.

Amwell is among the companies offering video consultations with doctors ($79 for an emergency visit, less if your insurance covers it).

Some insurance companies and employer plans offer toll-free telephone hotlines that can sometimes answer questions 24 hours a day to help you decide if you need an urgent care visit.

#12: Practice prevention

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That means taking prescribed medications, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and seeing your GP for treatment of chronic conditions.

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Here comes the holidays and with them the hair-raising, elbow-throwing, hurry-and-wait drama of airport travel. Our advice? Don’t head into the hell of delayed flights without a game plan.

Fortunately for Bay Area travelers, San Francisco International Airport leads the way when it comes to airports, according to the Wall Street Journal, which just named SFO the best airport in the country. SFO’s good deeds include its commitment to sustainability (the airport was the first in the world to achieve LEED Platinum certification); a celebration of local heritage (with rotating exhibits highlighting LGBTQ+, Indigenous and Latino communities); an incredible art collection; and last but not least, partnerships with some popular Bay Area restaurants.

Despite the current hiatus at SFO’s pre-pandemic gourmet hotspot, Manufactory Food Hall, there’s still plenty of good food between the gates. Add in a few unexpected ways to pass the time (semi-secret cinema, anyone?) and your wait will be over before you know it… at least until they announce another delay.

Here’s how to make the most of your time spent at SFO this holiday season.

Best food at SFO’s Harvey Milk Terminal 1

(Courtesy of @flysfo)

Ritual Coffee’s new outpost at SFO.

ritual coffee

Wake up for that ungodly early flight at the new SFO location of SoMa coffee roastery favorite Ritual. The café combines its popular coffee and espresso drinks with pastries, fresh salads, sandwiches and wraps right next to the B Gates security checkpoint in Terminal 1. // ritualcoffee.com

Where: Harvey Milk Terminal 1, near the B Gates security checkpoint

If: 6 a.m. to 1 p.mWednesday to Monday