Your credit score is used by financial institutions and lenders to determine how much money you may borrow for a loan or credit card. A higher credit score may mean lower interest rates and better credit limits, while a low score could mean you get denied for credit. What does your score mean, and how do lenders – and even landlords and employers – use it to determine their decision? Here’s how. Your credit score is calculated based on several financial factors. Credit scores are based on … [Read more...] about How Can You Improve Your Credit Score?
Columnists
Strong Short-Term Rental Market Expected to Continue
The short-term rental market in Flagstaff is big business as families take more vacations to areas they can easily drive to and where they can spend time in nature. The adventure travelers also find what they’re looking for in Flagstaff’s biking, climbing, running and skiing scenes. Whether traveling here for the first time or fifth time, vacationers love to stay in short-term vacation rentals (STRs) in neighborhoods that enhance the local feel of their stay. Many Flagstaff neighborhoods have … [Read more...] about Strong Short-Term Rental Market Expected to Continue
Looking Ahead to Better Days of Business
Money and business growth is out there, and it does grow on trees. As the pandemic wanes and the recession lingers, business owners of Coconino County are searching for new signs of returning business opportunities. This month’s article focuses in on the long dormant forestry industry, which is poised for major activity in coming years and decades. Now is the time to be preparing for forest industry business activity, with the long awaited logging contracts by the Forest Service, through the … [Read more...] about Looking Ahead to Better Days of Business
Trudging Along the Road to Happy Destiny with Back2Basics
"I didn’t realize how much I had lost until I felt how much I’ve gained,” said Brad J, a Back2Basics alumnus. Our journey began in May of 2010. Back2Basics has now completed, and is proudly celebrating, seven years of Sober Living here in Flagstaff. B2B is a six-month adventure recovery program for young men struggling with substance abuse issues and are looking for a positive, meaningful life. The uniqueness of Back2Basics lies in the fact that it is a hybrid of outdoor adventure therapy … [Read more...] about Trudging Along the Road to Happy Destiny with Back2Basics
Seven Mindfulness Tips to Reduce Stress, Anxiety
Buddhist monks have been practicing meditation and mindfulness for centuries and more and more people are starting to use mindfulness daily to reduce stress and anxiety. Mindfulness and meditation practices can teach you how to be fully present in the moment. Practicing mindfulness during day-to-day activities can be very meditative. A simple act like washing the dishes, taking a walk in nature, gardening or daily chores can give you an opportunity to focus on being fully present and … [Read more...] about Seven Mindfulness Tips to Reduce Stress, Anxiety
Solar Energy Gaining Popularity
Solar power companies say more homeowners are considering solar energy now because, in December, the federal government extended a 26% tax credit for the cost of a residential system through the end of 2022 and because, with the pandemic, people are spending more time in their homes and looking for ways to save money. Guy Kobey, Northern Arizona solar sales manager for Sunny Energy, says solar energy and Flagstaff are a natural fit, as long as sun can hit the roof. “The numerous sunny days … [Read more...] about Solar Energy Gaining Popularity
Normal is Not Optimal for Hormones
Hormones are constantly changing as we go through the journey of our life, and imbalances can occur at any age and stage of life in both men and women. Imbalances are often triggered by stressful events (environmental, dietary, emotional or physical). Life changes, like the death of a family member or friend, marriage, break up, birth of a child, surgery, accidents, loss of a job, moving or effects from COVID-19, can trigger increased stress hormones, which will affect other endocrine glands … [Read more...] about Normal is Not Optimal for Hormones
Using Yoga in Recovery Therapy
Back2Basics offers a holistic and integrative approach to the treatment of addiction and co-occurring issues. By nature, the program is designed to bring participants into the outdoors and learn to be more comfortable in their own skin. We also bring in components of nutrition, fitness and mindfulness to complement the therapeutic and recovery work. In addition, the practice of yoga is an important component for teaching young people in recovery to become more “grounded” in their bodies. The … [Read more...] about Using Yoga in Recovery Therapy
Valuing People at Coconino Community College
What a difference a year makes. Last spring semester, when classes began at Coconino Community College, students were busily passing through the halls of our campuses on their way to classes. Their attention was on their studies and on achieving their educational goals. Then, just before Spring Break, the world started to take notice of the virus that was making its way across the globe – COVID-19. The world went on lockdown to try to halt the spread of the virus. Safety measures were put … [Read more...] about Valuing People at Coconino Community College
Beginning Anew with Health, Home, Heart
The new year began with a bang. As I write, our country is faced with the highest daily infection and mortality rates of the COVID pandemic and the greatest challenge to our democracy in more than two centuries. The trials and tribulations of 2020 clearly weren’t left at the threshold of 2021. A year from now, the world will look different to us, and most likely, it will look better. Begin afresh each day, focus on the present moment and look for ways to help. Resiliency is our birthright. It … [Read more...] about Beginning Anew with Health, Home, Heart
