If you’re selling a recreational vehicle (RV), it’s a good idea to fill out a bill of sale. While it’s not required in every state, this document is still a valuable record of your transaction for both the buyer and the seller. The requirements for a bill of sale vary from one place to another, but we’ll talk you through the basics in this article.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Basic Bill of Sale

1. Include the price you and the buyer agreed on. This is typically one of the first items you’ll put on the bill of sale.^[1] Write something like “In consideration for the sum of $,” followed by the price.
   
   • This information usually appears at the top of the form, but in some cases it can go underneath information such as the date or the type of RV you are selling.
2. State the name and address of the buyer and seller. After specifying the price of the RV, write “paid by,” followed by the name and mailing address of the buyer (or purchaser). Follow this with “to,” then insert the name and address of the seller.^[2]
   
   • Alternatively, fill out the purchaser’s information at the top of the form, then place the seller’s name and address in the “certification” section below the details of the sale. This is the section where the buyer, seller, and witnesses sign the bill of sale.^[3]
   • If you like, you can insert “(Hereinafter known as the “Buyer”)” and “(Hereinafter known as the “Seller”)” after the names and addresses of each party. However, some forms keep it simple and just put “Buyer:” and “Seller:” before the name and address of each party.
3. Specify that you’re selling an RV. Somewhere on the form, you will need to indicate what kind of vehicle you are selling. In addition to stating that it’s an RV, you may also need to check a box or write down exactly what kind of vehicle it is.^[4]
   
   • In most states, an RV includes things like camping trailers, motor homes, and truck or van campers.^[5]
   • However, in some areas, the definition of RV may also include things like dirt bikes, snowmobiles, and ATVs.^[6]
4. Fill in any relevant details about the RV, including the VIN. At minimum, provide the make, model, and vehicle identification number (VIN) for your RV.^[7] You might also need to write down the registration and license plate number, if applicable. Additionally, you may wish to include details such as:
   
   • The color or the RV
   • The year your RV was made
   • The length or weight of the vehicle
   • What kind of fuel it takes (if applicable)
   • The odometer reading (if applicable; depending on the type of RV it is, this is required in some states)
   • Whether you are including a trailer or other add-ons
5. Include a statement that you are selling the RV free and clear. Also, state clearly that you are the legal owner of the vehicle and have the right to sell it. If you’re selling the vehicle without a warranty, note that you’re selling it “as is.”^[8] A typical example of the phrasing is:
   
   • “The Recreational Vehicle is to be sold free and clear of any liens, encumbrances, or mortgages. Seller certifies to be the legal and true owner of the Recreational Vehicle and that it is to be sold in “as-is” condition.”
6. Add the date of the sale agreement. Somewhere on the bill of sale, write out the date of sale. Some forms place this information on the top of the form, while others may include it further down (e.g., after the buyer and seller information, or underneath the statement regarding the terms of the sale).^[9]
   
   • Or, to avoid any confusion about the date, you can write out, “on the __ day of [month], [year].” For instance, “on the 4th day of August, 2021.”
7. Get the buyer, seller, and witnesses to sign the bill. At the bottom of the form, leave spaces for the buyer’s and seller’s signatures. Depending on where you live, you may also need to get signatures from 1 or 2 witnesses. Have each signer date their signature.^[10]
   
   • You may need to include a statement such as “I declare under penalty of perjury that the statements herein contained are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.^[11]
   • If there are co-purchasers or co-sellers, ask them to sign the form as well.^[12]
8. Attach a certificate of acknowledgment from a notary. Depending on where you live, you may need to get your bill of sale notarized. This involves having the various parties sign in front of a notary, who will then acknowledge that all the signers are who they claim to be.^[13] If an acknowledgment is required in your area, ask the notary to fill out a certificate, which may include the following information:
   
   • Your state and county (or other locality information, if you live outside the U.S.)
   • The date
   • The name of the notary
   • The names of the buyer, seller, and anyone else signing the bill of sale
   • A statement from the notary verifying the identities of everyone involved, as well as the legitimacy of the signing
   • The notary’s signature, official seal, and the date on which their commission expires
9. Make copies for the buyer and seller. Depending on where you live, the bill of sale might be required to prove that the buyer now owns the RV. Make sure that everyone involved has their own copy for their records.^[14]
   

[Edit]Local Requirements

1. Call your DMV to find out if a bill of sale is required. Not every state requires you to fill out a bill of sale when you sell a vehicle. To find out if you need one, call your local department of motor vehicles or visit their website.^[15]
   
   • Even if a bill of sale isn’t required where you live, it’s still a good idea to write one out. Keeping a record of a major transaction can help prevent future misunderstandings or disputes between the buyer and the seller.
2. Check your DMV website for bill of sale forms. In some areas, you may not need to draft your own bill of sale. Visit your local DMV or department of transportation (DOT) website and see if any appropriate forms are available to download, or do a search online using terms like “RV bill of sale New Mexico” or “bill of sale trailer Illinois.”
   
   • Some states, like Massachusetts, have specific bill of sale forms for RVs.^[16] Other states, such as Connecticut, provide an all-purpose bill of sale template for any kind of vehicle.^[17]
   • Using a pre-written bill of sale for your state will not only save you some time and effort, but will also ensure that you’re including all the required information.
3. Find out if your state has any special requirements. The information that must be included in a bill of sale may vary from one area to another. If your DMV or DOT doesn’t provide its own template, call and ask what information you need to include.
   
   • For example, some states may require your bill of sale to include a detailed odometer disclosure.^[18]
4. Fill in any additional forms to prove the transfer of ownership. In many states, a bill of sale alone isn’t enough to prove ownership of a vehicle. Typically, the new owner will also need other paperwork, such as a certificate of title. In some specific cases, however, a bill of sale alone may be enough to prove the transfer of ownership.
   
   • For instance, in Indiana, a bill of sale alone is sufficient in cases where the former owner wasn’t required to obtain a certificate of title, or where the vehicle was abandoned and sold at auction.^[19]
5. Ask a lawyer for advice if you still have questions. If you’ve written your own bill of sale and you’re not sure whether it meets local requirements, a lawyer can look it over for you and determine if anything is missing. Talk to a lawyer who specializes in commercial or business law.
   
   • Depending on where you live, you may be able to get free or low-cost legal advice about your bill of sale. If you live in the U.S., look for information about affordable legal services here: https://www.usa.gov/legal-aid.

[Edit]Sample Bill of Sale

[Edit]References

Salmon is a versatile fish because its strong flavor stands up to a variety of spices. This flavorful fish is delicious seasoned with only salt and pepper, but the possibilities for how to season salmon are only limited to your imagination. You can simply sprinkle seasonings on before you cook the fish or use a spice rub. You can also try a glaze, marinade, or sauce to flavor the fish.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Sprinkling Seasoning on the Fish

1. Create a very simple baked fish with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Pour a dollop of olive oil on top of the fillets, and use your fingers to rub it in. Sprinkle salt and pepper on top before popping the fish in the oven.^[1]
   
   • Salmon has a wonderful flavor all on its own, so sometimes, simple seasonings are all you need.
   • If you want, you can squeeze a bit of lemon on the salmon before serving.
2. Try rosemary or thyme with roasted or broiled salmon. When salmon is cooked in one of these methods, the flavors of the fish get stronger, so you want strong herbs to go with it. Both rosemary and thyme can stand up to the stronger flavors of roasted salmon.^[2]
   
   • Sprinkle on a bit of dried herbs with olive oil, or tuck a few pieces of fresh rosemary or thyme under the fish while it roasts.
3. Use smoked paprika, chipotle powder, or cumin for a smoky flavor. Sprinkle one or all of these on your fish before roasting for a smoky finish. You can also use these flavors when grilling to enhance the smokiness you get from the charcoal.^[3]
   
4. Sprinkle on your favorite seasoning blend. Salmon is robust, and it can stand up to a variety of spices. Try sprinkling on taco seasoning, for instance, or Italian seasoning. It also does well with jerk seasoning, curry powder, Cajun seasoning, a Moroccan blend, or Chinese 5 spice. Just sprinkle the seasoning on the fish, and cook it how you'd like, by pan frying it, roasting it, or grilling it.
   
   • If the blend doesn't have salt, consider adding a sprinkle to heighten the flavors.
   • To brighten the fish, squeeze on some citrus juice at the end.

[Edit]Using Seasoning Rubs

1. Create a basic rub with salt, pepper, garlic, paprika, and olive oil. In a small bowl, pour in of smoked paprika, garlic powder, Kosher salt, and a couple of grinds of fresh black pepper. Pour in of olive oil and the juice and zest of 1 lemon. Stir the mixture well.^[4]
   
   
   • Rub the mixture on a salmon fillet that's about . Let it rest for 10-15 minutes.
   • Roast the fish in an oven that's for 25 minutes.
2. Try a sweet and spicy rub with brown sugar and spices. Add 2 spoonfuls of brown sugar to a small bowl. Pour in of chili powder and of cumin. Add in a couple of dashes of salt and pepper, and stir the mixture.^[5]
   
   
   • Start with 6 salmon fillets. Brush on olive oil, then brush the rub on the fillets.
   • Grill the salmon for 5-6 minutes on each side.
3. Make an earthy rub with cumin, coriander, and fennel. Pour of coriander seeds, of cumin seeds, and of fennel seeds into a spice grinder. Add in each of smoked paprika, garlic powder, and salt, as well as a few grinds of black pepper. Grind the mixture until it's a fine powder. Spread oil on the fish, and rub the mixture in. Let it sit for a few minutes before cooking.^[6]
   
   
   • For extra flavor, cook the seeds in a pan for 3-5 minutes until lightly brown before you grind them. You don't need oil for this process, but keep an eye on them, as they brown quickly.
   • If you don't have a spice grinder, you can use pre-ground spices.

[Edit]Adding Flavor with Glazes, Sauces, and Marinades

1. Mix citrus with fresh herbs and olive oil for a quick flavor burst. Chop any fresh herbs you have on hand, from dill to parsley. Zest a lemon into a small bowl and squeeze the juice in. Add a dollop of olive oil, along with the fresh herbs.^[7]
   
   
   • You could also try fresh basil, rosemary, parsley, cilantro, or even mint.
   • Spread the herb mixture on before baking or even pan frying.
   • You can also use store-bought pesto instead.
2. Create an Asian-style marinade for grilled salmon. When grilled, salmon's flavors intensify, so you need strong flavors to go with it. Try a marinade that incorporates flavors like fresh ginger and garlic to marinade your fish.^[8]
   
   • Mix minced fresh garlic and ginger with a couple of dashes of soy sauce, a few drops of sesame oil, a dash or 2 of rice wine vinegar, and a spoonful of brown sugar to create your marinade. Let the fish marinate for at least 2 hours.
   • You can sub honey for the brown sugar if you prefer.
   • Cook the salmon in the marinade in a pan or drain it off if you want to grill it.
3. Pour garlic, lemon juice, and butter into foil packets for an easy sauce. Add the juice of 1 lemon, of melted butter, 2 cloves of minced garlic, and of salt for of salmon. Close the packets, and cook the fish for about 15 minutes at . Open the packets to broil the fish for an additional 2-3 minutes at the end.^[9]
   
   
   • You can also add a dash of black pepper, oregano, and/or crushed red pepper, depending on your preferences.
   • When plating, spoon out a bit of the sauce on top of the fish. Sprinkle with a bit of fresh, chopped parsley at the end.
4. Use flavored butter at the end for a simple, flavorful "sauce." Let butter soften on the counter. Mix in your favorite fresh herbs or seasoning mix. For instance, add in a couple of dashes of Cajun seasoning or even Italian seasoning, along with some salt and pepper. After cooking the salmon, place a pat of the butter on top of the salmon to melt and flavor it.^[10]
   
   
   • You could also use black pepper or citrus zest.
   • Try mixing in a bit of bourbon or whisky, along with a dash of honey or brown sugar.
5. Make a quick, cool yogurt sauce with spices. You can use crème fraîche, yogurt, or even sour cream mixed with a bit of milk. Stir in any spices you like, such as dill, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper or curry powder.^[11]
   
   • You could also try scallions, sriracha, a little hot sauce, or fresh parsley and lemon zest.

[Edit]Tips

• If picking salmon from a fish counter, choose fillets that have brightly colored flesh. Do not purchase fillets that have a fishy smell.

[Edit]Warnings

• Wash your hands after touching raw salmon.

[Edit]Things You'll Need

• Spices
• Zester, optional
• Small bowls
• Spice grinder, optional
• Pans

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Prepare and Cook Salmon
• Marinate Salmon
• Bake Salmon

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

If you're concerned about land pollution, there's a lot you can do in your home and community to slow this environmental problem. Using these suggestions from organizations like the Environmental Protection Agency, you'll be able to take steps to reduce your waste, reverse deforestation, limit your chemical usage, and conserve energy, which will help prevent land pollution and create a cleaner planet.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Conserving Energy

1. Reduce your electricity consumption. Burning fossil fuels to create electric power emits nitrogen into the air. This nitrogen is deposited back onto the land, leading to both soil and water pollution. To reduce your electricity consumption, turn off and unplug devices and equipment you aren’t using, such as televisions, printers, tablets, and computers.^[1]
   
   • Turn off lights in rooms you’re not in and use LED bulbs rather than fluorescent or incandescent bulbs.
   • Select energy-efficient light bulbs and appliances, like washing machines, refrigerators, and air conditioning units.
   • Use a programmable thermostat and keep the temperature between in the summer and in the winter.
2. Use renewable energy sources. Solar, wind, and hydroelectric power are better for the environment than burning fossil fuels for energy.^[2] Call up your power company and see if you can purchase your electricity from renewable sources. Or, install solar panels or a wind turbine to power your home and/or office!^[3]
   
   • In many cases, you can receive a tax credit for using renewable energy sources.
3. Limit your vehicle emissions.^[4] Vehicle emissions contain a lot of nitrogen which pollutes the air, water, and land. Burning gasoline also contributes to land pollution since drilling for oil releases contaminants into the soil. Rather than driving everywhere you need to go, carpool or take public transportation. If your destination is close enough, ride your bike or walk.^[5]
   
   • Flying also contributes to pollution. Try to consolidate or limit your business trips and vacations so as to reduce the number of flights you take each year.

[Edit]Reducing Your Waste

1. Limit your consumption of material goods. It takes a lot of energy and raw materials to manufacture everyday items. To reduce the amount of waste you produce, don’t buy something unless you absolutely need it!^[6] When an item you do own breaks, see if it can be repaired rather than replacing it. Also, buy used items, including furniture, clothing, toys, books, electronics, and decorations for your home.^[7]
   
   • If you only need to use something a few times, ask a friend or neighbor if you can borrow that item instead of buying a new one.
   • Using biodegradable products also reduces the amount of waste you create.^[8]
2. Recycle as much you can. Landfills are a major contributor to land pollution. Instead of throwing away your waste, recycle as much of it as you can. Glass, plastic, paper and cardboard, and aluminum and other metals can all be recycled.^[9]
   
   • Sort your recyclables as per your recycling company or city municipality prefers.
   • If you don’t have a recycling service, see if you can arrange for one to pick up recyclables from your home and office.^[10]
3. Use less plastic. Plastic waste is clogging up landfills and oceans around the world. Avoid buying and using plastic products, such as plastic bags, cutlery, cups, straws, and bottles.^[11] Another great way to cut down on plastic use is to buy items in bulk packaged in boxes instead of plastic containers.^[12]
   
   • Use fabric bags to carry your groceries, pack your lunch in reusable containers, and invest in reusable bags to store food items like leftovers and snacks.

[Edit]Stopping Deforestation

1. Reduce your paper consumption. The best way to do this is to avoid using disposable paper products. Paper towels, plates, cups, napkins, and other throwaway items are made from trees. Deforestation is a major cause of land pollution since it contributes to soil erosion and exposes the soil to contaminants. Instead of purchasing disposable paper products, opt for reusable plates and cloth towels and napkins.^[13]
   
   • Opt for paperless billing and cancel magazine and newspaper subscriptions.
   • You can also limit your paper consumption by sending emails instead of snail mail, avoiding printing things unless you truly need to, and using both sides of a sheet of paper.
   • When you do need to use paper, opt for recycled paper. And be sure to recycle any paper you do use!
2. Encourage your government to preserve forested areas. All types of forests are critical to the health of the environment. Reforestation can dramatically reduce land pollution. Write to or call your elected officials and ask them to take steps to stop deforestation. Ask them to crack down on illegal logging and encourage sustainable land use.^[14]
   
   • Furthermore, encourage them to support worldwide reforestation efforts.
   • You can also donate time, money, or both to organizations dedicated to reforestation.
3. Plant trees. Reforestation efforts can help reduce land and air pollution around the world. Planting trees increases biodiversity, stops soil erosion, reduces carbon monoxide buildup, and adds aesthetic value to the area. You can plant trees in your own community or work with worldwide organizations to plant trees in deforested areas.^[15]
   
   • If you plant trees in your own community, be sure to choose trees that are native to your region and will thrive in your specific climate.
   • Check the laws in your area before planting trees on land other than your own.

[Edit]Limiting Chemical Usage

1. Avoid using fertilizers and pesticides. Both fertilizers and pesticides leach into the soil and contaminate it. This contaminated soil is often no longer able to support the growth of crops, leading to less land available for food production. If you have a farm, yard, or garden, avoid applying pesticides or fertilizers to your soil.^[16]
   
   • Use natural or organic fertilizers instead of chemical ones.
2. Dispose of toxic chemicals properly. Household cleaning products, solvents, paints, automotive fluids, and aerosol containers all contain toxic materials. Rather than tossing these items in the trash, where they will leach into the soil in a landfill, take the time to figure out how to dispose of them properly. Read the label on each container as well as the material data safety sheet to figure out the best way to get rid of each type of chemical.^[17]
   
   • Be sure to store these kinds of chemicals in spill-proof containers as well.
3. Buy organic foods. Organic foods are grown without the use of pesticides. Select fruits and veggies that are certified organic to reduce chemical pesticide usage in the agriculture industry. Though you may spend a little more money, organic foods are better for both your health and the planet!^[18]
   

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

Most of us don't think of our phone as a tool to strengthen relationships, but we should. With thought and intention, you can connect with a person anywhere in the world, especially someone you care a lot about. Phones also make it easier to express love. You can send texts, emojis, and pictures or have a romantic conversation. If you need some creative suggestions for showing that you care, check out our tips below.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Stay connected with regular communication.

1. Texting is important but make time for real chats, too. We all get that people are busy—sometimes even just picking a time to talk can be a challenge. Plan a time to talk on the phone and stick to the schedule. Try to avoid canceling at the last minute unless you absolutely have no other choice.^[1]
   
   • Regular phone chats are important if you're in a long-distance relationship. Hearing each other's voices can help you feel a lot closer.

[Edit]Call or text them when they wake up or before bed.

1. Being their first or last message of the day shows you're thinking of them. If you know the person's going to have a challenging day ahead, texting or leaving them a voicemail first thing can make them feel supported. On the flip side, if they had a long or exciting day, call them in the evening so they know you're eager to hear about it.^[2]
   
   • For instance, you could say, "Good morning! How are you feeling about your big day? It's got to be nerve-wracking but I know you'll do great."

[Edit]Give them plenty of sincere compliments.

1. Describe what you like about their personality so they feel valued. Don't just save your compliments for when you're together in person. Make it a point to regularly note specific things that you love about them. For instance, you might say, "That was really thoughtful of you to help your sister prep for her exam. You're a really caring person."^[3]
   
   • Notice the quirky stuff, too! For example, maybe they have a totally unique fashion sense that you admire or a love of terrible jokes that you find adorable.

[Edit]Show interest in their daily activities.

1. Inquire about their day, listen thoughtfully, and ask followup questions. Ever noticed that when someone likes you, they pay attention to what you're saying? Give this person the same treatment. Ask them about the little things like their workday, errands, or upcoming plans.^[4]
   
   • To show you're listening, ask followup questions like, "Since you're finished with that, what do you think you'll do tomorrow?" or, "It sounds like you have some decisions to make. What do you think you'll do?"

[Edit]Send a text when you're thinking about them.

1. You don't have to make it long or dramatic. A simple, "Just thinking about you," lets them know that they're on your mind. Feeling more creative? Text them about things that remind you of them. For example, "I saw a beautiful sunrise this morning and it made me think of you." Here are a few more thoughtful ideas to text:^[5]
   
   • How did I get so lucky to have you in my life?
   • I was just thinking about you. It made me smile.
   • Stop making me think about you! I'm busy.
   • Why does it hurt so much when I miss you?

[Edit]Check in with them throughout the day.

1. Send them thoughtful reminders and helpful hints to show you're connected. This shows that you're thinking of them throughout the day and that you care. Are they notoriously bad at remembering to eat lunch, for instance? Text them, "Hey, time to eat!" If you know they've got a doctor's appointment, you might call and ask them how the exam went. You get the idea—be there for the person even when you can't physically be together.^[6]
   
   • Celebrate them throughout the day, too! Did they pass a tricky exam or get a new job? Call to congratulate them or send them a fun celebratory GIF.

[Edit]Call or text them to say thanks.

1. Remember to express gratitude to show your appreciation. Everyone likes feeling valued so drop them a text to say that you're grateful for them. If you've got more time, give them a call or leave them a voicemail. Sometimes, a simple message like, "Thank you for being you," is all it takes to show your affection.^[7]
   
   • You could also text something like, "Thanks for working so hard to take care of me," or, "Thank you for making me feel so special when I'm with you."

[Edit]Use a video chat app to visually connect.

1. Seeing each other’s faces can help you feel closer. Although it's no substitute for physically getting together, being able to express yourself on a video screen help you keep your connection strong. You don't have to save video chats for important stuff—talk about your day, how much you miss the person, or go on a virtual date.^[8]
   
   • For example, if you're in a long-distance relationship, make plans to video chat while you watch a movie together or set your camera in the kitchen so you can prepare dinner together.
   • FaceTime, WhatsApp, Google Duo, and Facebook Messenger are popular options.

[Edit]Send a virtual hug.

1. A random hug emoji can make them feel special. Sure, a virtual hug isn't quite the same as wrapping your arms around someone, but it's the next best thing. You can choose either the happy emoji face with two hands open in a hug or an emoji of two people hugging. Either way, this simple image can brighten someone's day.^[9]
   
   • On Twitter or Facebook? You can easily message them a hug emoji or GIF using those apps.

[Edit]Share fun, sweet, or memorable photos and videos.

1. Send them photos or short videos that you think they'd like. A picture's worth a thousand words, right? Snap a shot of something they'd love and send it to them. This shows that they're on you're mind and you care about them even when you're not together. You might send them a short video of the two of you if you're missing the person and want to remind them of how much you care.^[10]
   
   • For instance, do a throwback photo of when you first started dating, send them a pic from somewhere you went on your anniversary, or share a sweet video you took of them. You could also film a short video of yourself doing something silly or romantic to share with them.

[Edit]Send flirty texts to have fun with them.

1. Show your playful side and build anticipation for when you see each other. If you're direct, you might send something like, "You. Me. Takeout. Tonight," or "What would you say if I asked you to come over right now?" Don't be afraid to be bold! You'll get them excited to see you again.^[11]
   
   • Feeling stuck with what to text? Try sending a few lines of their favorite poem or some lyrics from a song that means something special to you both.

[Edit]References

Four Square is a fun playground game that almost anyone can play. All you need is chalk or tape to make the squares, a ball that will bounce, and at least 4 players. Try playing with the standard rules, or mix it up for some fun!

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Playing Basic Four Square

1. Mark 4 squares on the ground. You can make the squares any size you want, but make sure you have enough room to play. Make the squares about per side for most players, although adults might enjoy the challenge from squares.^[1]
   
2. Number the squares from 1 to 4. The squares should be numbered clockwise starting with 1. This means the 1 and 3 squares will be diagonal from each other, as will the 2 and 4 squares.^[2]
   
   • Some people use the letters A, B, C, and D instead of numbers, while others use titles of royalty, such as Jack, Queen, King, and Ace.^[3]
3. Use a standard rubber playground ball if you have one. This is often called a kickball and is a rubber ball about in diameter. If you don’t have a playground ball, use any ball that’s and bounces at least 50% of the height from which it was thrown.^[4]
   
   • Australian players use felted tennis balls to play Four Square.
4. Make sure everyone agrees on the rules before you start playing. As a "playground game" this game has spawned an incredible amount of local variations over the decades.
   
   • If you’re playing by the standard rules, make sure everyone knows what exactly they are before starting. While often one school might have "standard rules" the new kid might think the "standard rules" are something else entirely.
   • If you’re playing by variations, or if the server is allowed to make up rules during the game, make sure everyone is aware of this and agrees to it.
   • Having everyone on the same page before the game starts will help prevent disputes during the game that could ruin the fun.
5. Have a player stand in each square. The players don’t have to stay in their square the entire time, but they should stay close in order to defend their area.^[5]
   
6. Serve the ball from the highest-ranked square to the lowest. The server should bounce the ball once in their own square, then hit the ball so that it goes diagonally to the lowest-ranked square. The receiver can then hit the ball in any direction they choose.^[6]
   
   • Many people play Four Square so that the 4 square is the highest-ranked square, and therefore the server’s square. If this is the case, the server should stand in the 4 square and hit the ball towards the 1 square.
   • Some people play the game so 1 is the highest-ranked square and 4 is the lowest. In this case, the serve would go from the 1 square towards the 4 square.
   • The serve always goes in the same direction.
7. Allow one fault for the receiver per round. After the serve, the receiver should allow the ball to bounce one time in their square, then should hit it in whatever direction they choose. If they don’t hit the ball correctly or it goes out of bounds, that is a “fault,” and one fault is allowed per round. If the receiver misses the serve twice in a round, they are eliminated.^[7]
   
   • The round lasts until a player is eliminated.
8. Take turns hitting the ball after it bounces in your square. Once the ball is in play, whoever’s square the ball lands in should be the next to hit it. The ball is considered “in play” after someone touches it but before it lands in another square, meaning players can hit the ball in the air. You must hit the ball before it bounces a second time.^[8]
   
   • If a player hits the line with the ball or hits the ball so it does not land in another player’s square, that player is out.^[9]
   • If a player hits a ball after it has landed in another player’s square, the person who hit the ball is out. This is called “poaching.”^[10]
9. Hit the ball with any part of your hand but do not catch it. Players are not allowed to carry, catch, or hold the ball during play. However, they may repeatedly bounce the ball off of their hands in order to avoid breaking this rule.^[11]
   
10. Advance to a higher numbered square when a player is out. The goal of the game is to move up to the servers’ square. If you have more than 4 players, a new player will move into the lowest-numbered square when a player is eliminated.^[12]
    
    • If you only have 4 players, the person who is out moves to the lowest-numbered square and the other players move up, if applicable.

[Edit]Playing Variations on the Game

1. Allow young players to catch the ball for an easier version of Four Square. Younger or less-skilled players might have more fun if they can catch the ball before throwing it again.^[13]
   
2. Assign 2 players per square if you have 8 or more players. Play a relay-style variation of Four Square by having 2 players for each square. Whenever one player hits the ball to another square, they’ll jump out of their court and their partner will jump in.^[14]
   
   • When playing with 2 players per square, if one player is out then the team is out. If everyone agrees, however, you can adjust the rules to allow the other team member to continue playing until they are out.
3. Hit the ball into your own square first for an Australian variation. Australian players must bounce the ball in their own square, regardless of whether the ball has already bounced in their own square. Also, in Australian Four Square the ball is allowed to touch the line.^[15]
   
4. Play Black Jack to get players out faster. In Black Jack, if a player can catch the ball before it lands in their square, then the person who hit the ball is out. This usually makes the game move faster.^[16]
   
5. Allow the server to make up special rules to keep the game changing. The server can call a rule that all of the players must follow, but it only lasts for that round. When the round is over, the server must call the rules again or else it’s assumed there are no special rules.^[17]
   
   • A special rule might be something like 7-Up, in which each player who hits the ball has to call out a number one higher than the previous player. The player who hits on the number 7, or any number that ends in 7, must skip that number or they’ll be out.^[18]
   • Another rule the server might call could be Underhand, in which all of the hits must be made with the back of the hand. Players should keep their hands open and their palms facing up.^[19]

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Fold a Paper Rose
• Win at Tic Tac Toe
• Play Boxball

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

Afterschool programs can help meet your community’s needs.^[1] Some are academically-focused on building skills like reading, math, and language. Others may highlight outdoor play, art, sports, or music. To set up an afterschool program, consider where you will run it, what staff you’ll need, and where you’ll find funding for supplies and food. Any program that cares for young children may also have to comply with national and local government guidelines.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Researching and Planning

1. Define who your program will serve. Determine what age group you will work with and what kind of programming you want to offer. Will you serve K-5th graders that attend the same school? Or, will your program enroll 7-8th graders who all share a similar interest?^[2]
   
   • If you’re a teacher, consider whether your students could benefit from an extended-day program.
   • If you’re a parent or community leader, think about a childcare solution close to home where the kids in your neighborhood can safely spend a few hours.
   • If you’re a student yourself, consider proposing a program that provides a unique opportunity for yourself and your peers.
2. Ask parent, teachers, and kids what they want. Talk to the people in your community about what they are looking for in an afterschool program. Hold a community conversation at a school, church, or community center to discuss your ideas and to get feedback. Send out a request for input online using email, social media, or a free online survey platform.^[3]
   
   • Involve the people who will use the program from the beginning so you can build it to meet their needs.
3. Set goals for your program. Determine what the ultimate purpose of your program will be. Are you mainly interested in providing a safe place for kids to hang out after school? Do you want to help kids do their homework? Are you interested in providing art or music enrichment? You can do a combination things, but it’s important to make sure that you can state your goals clearly.
   
   • For example, some afterschool programs simply provide an environment that is safe and comfortable, where kids can play and hang out with adult supervision while their parents work.
   • Other programs set educational goals to improve reading skills or math scores for students who are struggling academically.
4. Plan the organizational set-up and staff requirements. At minimum you’ll need a director who will oversee the program as well as someone who will actually run the programming on a day to day basis. These roles could be filled by the same person for a small program.^[4]
   
   • If you’re setting up a program at a school that already has other afterschool programs in place, model your organization around these.
   • Ask for volunteers from the community to help you meet your staffing needs.
5. Locate a designated space for your program. Check with local schools, churches, and community centers to see if there is space you can use that is free or low-cost. Make sure the space you choose includes access to necessities like bathrooms, food, and water.^[5]
   
   • It is possible to run a program outdoors, but you will also need to make sure students have access to restrooms, shade, and adequate protection from weather extremes (like heat, cold, rain, etc.)
   • Try to choose a space that is accessible and inclusive for students regardless of their ability.
6. Research and obtain proper licensing for your program. Depending on where you live, afterschool programs may be regulated by national, state, or local agencies. Learn more about the specific requirements for afterschool in your area by visiting the websites of a national group, like Afterschool Alliance in the U.S. (http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/policyState.cfm).
   
   • In other countries with more centralized educational programming, check your government’s website for a section on childcare and education. For example, in the UK, visit https://www.gov.uk/after-school-holiday-club.
   • Reach out to the contacts listed for your state or local agencies by email and phone to discuss the specific requirements for your program.

[Edit]Funding Your Program

1. Charge tuition fees to cover your expenses. The cost of a high-quality, out-of-school-time program can range from $1,500 per child to more than double that, depending on where it is and what it includes.^[6] To cover costs, many afterschool programs charge fees for enrollment.^[7]
   
   • When setting your tuition cost, consider the needs of the community your program serves. If the fees are too high, you may not be able to reach to the population you want to help.^[8]
2. Apply for government funding to supplement your income. Seeking funding from government sources is a great way to subsidize your program’s funding base. Check agency websites in your country, like: https://www.youth.gov/funding-search in the U.S. or, in Canada check out the page for the Ministry of Education in your province.^[9] When searching for funding programs, look for those that are targeted to specific activities or subject areas.
   
   • For example, if you need funds to purchase arts and crafts supplies, you can look into the Arts Learning Program of the National Endowment for the Arts (https://www.arts.gov/grants-organizations/art-works/arts-education).^[10]
   • There are also numerous Federal and state funding programs in the U.S. that specifically fund programming in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.^[11]
3. Ask local community foundations and businesses for help. If you need craft supplies, reach out to the local arts and craft supply store to see if they can make a donation of materials. If you need snacks, contact local grocery stores near you and ask for help. Local community funding agencies are also a great resource. Search for them online and contact their grant officers for more help.^[12]
   
   • Material donations like crafts and food from local businesses can help reduce your financial burden.
   • Community funding agencies are often helpful in providing much-needed money for overhead costs like rent and maintenance.
4. Maintain a diverse funding stream. Keep your afterschool program going by obtaining funds and supplies from several different sources. This way, if one source of funding dwindles or disappears, your program will remain afloat.^[13]
   

[Edit]Implementing the Program

1. Provide structure but be flexible in your programming. Afterschool programs should supplement and enrich, not simply extend the school day. After attending school all day, students deserve a change of pace. You may require certain activities, like completing homework or rehearsing a piece of music, but students also need time to relax and have some fun.^[14]
   
   • Set-up stations for students like an arts and crafts station, a building station, a games station, and a reading station. This allows students to choose between a variety of different options within an organized structure.^[15]
2. Offer nutritious snacks. An aftercare program extends a student’s day to as many as 10-12 hours, or more. It’s important to provide healthy nourishment so that your students have the energy and focus they need to make the most of your programming.^[16]
   
   • Ask parents and students about any food allergies your students may have before offering snacks.
   • Fruits, like apples, whole grains crackers, and protein, like cheese, nuts, or hummus, are great options.
   • Avoid foods that are high in sugar as these cause an initial spike in energy levels, followed by a steep decline.
3. Include students in decision-making. To help your students get the most out of their afterschool experience, allow them to have some control over the programming. This can be as simple as letting them vote on a theme to explore as a group or letting them participate in decisions about what snack to eat.^[17]
   
   • By allowing them to participate in this way, you’ll help create a stronger sense of community and belonging in your students
4. Use themes to connect different activities. Students are more likely to participate in activities if they understand why they are doing them. Moving through different not only keeps things interesting with variety, it also provides students with a sense of purpose for each individual activity.^[18]
   
   • For example, one theme you could explore might be “spring.” Your arts and crafts activities could revolve around making flower and gardening-themed projects. You might offer building activities that include making birdhouses or terrariums. You can learn songs, games, and dances related to the seasonal change, as well.

[Edit]References

Omelets are a classic breakfast choice, but they can be fragile and hard to flip correctly. By knowing the right way to use a spatula and pan and a few different flipping methods, you'll quickly master the omelet flip and make your omelet cook and look how it should.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Using a Spatula

1. Allow the eggs to turn white on the edges of the omelet. Timing is everything in omelet flipping, and a good rule of thumb is to look for solidified eggs on the edges. Once they have begun to turn white, you have a short amount of time before they become too hard. Use medium heat and allow the center to solidify slightly.^[1]
   
   • Flipping an omelet when the sides have started to turn brown will sometimes result in an omelet that is well-done on the outside, but runny inside.
2. Insert the spatula underneath your omelet. Look for which side has the most cooked-through eggs, and insert the spatula about 1/3 of the way in. Don't insert it all the way to the center, or you may end up splitting the omelet in half.
   
   
   • If you can't get the spatula underneath the eggs cleanly, you may not have used enough oil or butter, or you may need to let the omelet cook longer to solidify more.
3. Lift the side of the omelet slightly, looking for breaks. Make sure the side that you plan to fold stays together before committing to the flip. You don't need to insert the spatula any further than 1/3 of the way.^[2]
   
   
   • If the eggs seem to start breaking apart, either try to flip it from another side or wait a few seconds longer to let the eggs cook through more.
4. Flip and fold the omelet. If your eggs are white on the sides and have begun to solidify in the center, the omelet is ready to be flipped. Gently lift one side with the spatula to fold it in half, and press down on the top to allow the center to stick together.
   
   
   • Allow the side still on the pan to cook to a golden brown, then flip it again, and allow the other side to cook to a golden brown too.

[Edit]Inverting Onto a Plate

1. Grab a plate that is about larger than your pan on each side. Don't use a plate the same size as your pan or smaller or your omelet will not fit and could spill over the side of the plate.
   
2. Tip the pan to allow the omelet to fall halfway onto the plate. With the bottom of the omelet solidified, you will be able to slide it off without breaking it.^[3] Make sure the pan and the plate are touching so the omelet does not fall from a height - you want to slide it out, not drop it out.
   
   
   • Don't tip the whole omelet onto the plate, as you will need to use the pan's edge to flip it in half.
3. Fold the other half with the edge of the pan. With half of the omelet in the pan and half on the plate, carefully move the pan forward over the plate to allow the other half to slide onto itself.
   
   
   • Don't raise the pan high or you may accidentally drop the omelet by dragging it off the plate. Instead, use a slow forward motion to push the omelet onto itself.^[4]

[Edit]Flipping With the Pan

1. Tilt the pan to a 30-degree angle with the far edge tilted down. This will allow you to snap your wrist and flip the omelet in one smooth motion.
   
   
   • Tilting the pan more than 30 degrees could cause the omelet to slip out, and less will not give you good leverage for the flipping motion.^[5]
2. Shake the pan gently to ensure the bottom of the omelet is loose. Make sure the bottom is solidified and does not stick to the pan, which can be done by gently shaking the pan to allow the omelet to slide around.^[6]
   
   
   • Flipping an omelet that is stuck to the pan will make a mess, as some of it will stick in the pan and some of it will fly out.
3. Throw the pan forward, upward, and back in a sharp motion. Thrust forward to about the halfway point in the omelet, then flick your wrist upward slightly to lift half the omelet up. Then, sharply draw the pan slightly back towards you, lifting the far edge to fold the omelet in half.^[7]
   
   
   • If you flick too hard you could end up flipping the entire thing over, but flick too soft and you won't get a proper fold.

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Tips

• Chop fillings into smaller pieces, and use less than you think. Having too much filling in an omelet makes it much harder to flip, as does having chunky fillings.
• Opt for a non-stick pan. Any size pan will work for omelets, but small non-stick pans are your best bet for cooking the omelet through and maintaining its shape.^[8]
• Add shredded cheese into the mix before you pour the egg into the pan. This acts as a binder and can help keep the omelet together when you flip it.^[9]

[Edit]Warnings

• Be careful of grease and oil when flipping. If there is too much oil in the pan when you go to flip, pour the excess out into a container to prevent burning yourself.
• Don't turn the heat up too high as you may cook the outside too quickly and leave the inside liquefied. Cooking at medium heat is best because it allows the omelet to cook fully through.^[10]

[Edit]Things You'll Need

• Spatula
• Non-stick pan
• Plate
• Omelette ingredients (eggs, cheese, fillings)

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Make a Mushroom Omelette

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

If you've typed your name into a popular search engine, you may have been surprised to find more information than you expected—especially if your name is unique! Maybe you own a business and were disappointed to find negative reviews, or discovered that your full name and address are available for anyone to see. While it's almost impossible to immediately wipe your name from internet search results, there are a few things you can do to make it harder for people to find your information.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Securing Social Networks

1. Hide your Facebook profile from search engines. When someone searches for your name in Google or Bing, your Facebook profile is typically one of the first results. Fortunately, Facebook has a built-in feature that can hide your profile from search engines. It may take a few days for this change to take effect, but it's one way to better protect your privacy.
   
   • On a computer:
     • Log into Facebook and click the downward triangle ▼ at the upper-right corner of the page.
     • Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Privacy.
     • Scroll down to the "Do you want search engines outside of Facebook to link to your profile?"
     • Click Edit and select No.
   • Phone or tablet:
     • Open the Facebook app and tap the three-line menu ☰ at the top-right or bottom-right.
     • Tap How People Find and Contact You.
     • Tap Do you want search engines outside of Facebook to link to your profile? and select No.
   • This will only prevent your personal Facebook profile from appearing in Google, Bing, and other search engine results. If you've made posts or comments on public Facebook Pages or groups, they could still appear on Google. If this happens, follow the link and edit or delete your comment/post as needed.
2. Make your tweets private. Does a search for your name bring up your tweets or Twitter profile? You can set your tweets to private so they stop appearing in search engine results. People who are already following you (and anyone new you approve) will still be able to read your tweets, but they'll no longer show up in search engines. It could become harder to gain new followers this way, but it'll keep your content private.
   
   • Log into your Twitter account on your computer, phone, or tablet.
   • If you're using a phone or tablet, tap the three-line menu at the top-left. On a computer, click More in the left column.
   • Click or tap Settings and privacy.
   • Click or tap Privacy and safety.
   • On a phone or tablet, toggle "Protect your Tweets" to the On position. On a computer, click Audience and tagging and check the box next to "Protect your Tweets."
3. Change your name on social networks. There's a good chance that the people you care about on your social networks know who you are, so changing your name will help hide your profiles from search engines. This is a bit harder on Facebook, as their real name policy requires you to use the name on your government ID. However, you can make your name anything you want on Twitter or Instagram.
   
   • Twitter: Go to your profile, select Edit profile, and change what appears in the "Name" field.
   • Facebook: Click the down-arrow at the top of the page (or tap the three-line menu on a phone or tablet), go to Settings & Privacy > Settings, tap Personal and Account Information (mobile only), and then change the "Name" field.
   • Instagram: Go to your profile, tap Edit Profile, and adjust what appears next to "Name."
4. Delete unused accounts. Sometimes signing up for a website will create an online profile that can turn up in search engines. For example, if you have an Amazon.com account, people may be able to search for your name and find your wish list, reviews, and other details. The best way to tackle this issue is to delete any online accounts you no longer use, and lock down the ones you do use.
   
   • Try to remember the places you've shopped online (or search your email for receipts). Log in to any site you don't plan to use again and either change your name or delete your profile.
   • If you've signed up for online forums, such as help forums for services or discussion boards, your posts and profiles could appear in searches for your name. If you can't remember which forums or groups you've signed up for, try searching your email for "Welcome to" or similar.

[Edit]Removing Personal Identity Information

1. Know what you can remove from Google. Google doesn't remove much from their search results, but you can file for removing special case information. This includes social security numbers, bank account or credit card numbers, an image of your signature, personal pictures uploaded without your consent, or the name of your business if it was associated with adult spam.
   
   • Remember, this will not remove the content from the web, and it can still be easily accessed by visiting the site. If you want this content removed, you'll need to contact the site owners.
2. Visit Google's information removal tool. If you feel that you fall into one of the above categories, you can fill out a form to request that the offending URL be removed from Google's search results. Go to this Google support page to get started.
   
3. Select "Remove information you see in Google Search". You'll be prompted to select whether the page containing the content is still online or not.
   
4. Select the type of content you want removed. You'll be shown a list of all of the types of content that Google will remove from the search results. Once you select the type of information, a detailed form will appear.
   
5. Fill out the form. You'll be asked to provide the site URL, as well as your contact information. You'll also need the URL of the search results page that it appears on. Once you have filled out the form, it will be submitted for review.
   
   • If Google verifies that the site is displaying your personal information without your consent, it will remove that URL from its search results. Note that this will not remove the content from the internet, and it can be easily linked and shared through social networks. If you want the content off the internet, you'll need to go through the site owner, the host, or the legal system.

[Edit]Contacting Site Owners

1. Perform searches on yourself. Another thing to check is whether your name appears on various websites. Perform web searches on your name using a variety of different search engines. Add search modifiers like your location to help narrow down the results. Note the top results for each one.
   
   • Instead of just using Google, make sure to search for yourself on other search engines, such as Bing and DuckDuckGo.
   • Remember, it's not the search engine that is causing your name to appear, it is content on the web.
2. Find the site's contact information. Many websites will have contact information in the "Contact" section, or in the footer of the page. Use this contact information to send a request to the site owner to remove the content with your information.
   
   • If the site your name appears on is run by some sort of name indexing company, you may also find a form you can fill out which will request your removal from the site.
   • You can use WHOIS, a domain registry database, to attempt to find contact information if none is listed. If the domain was privately registered, your request will be sent to a proxy company, and may or may not be forwarded to the actual owner.
3. Send a polite message. If something attached to your name is posted on a domain you can't control - for example, a blog post on someone else's blog - a polite, concise email can go a long way. Simply ask them nicely to remove your name from their site. Keep in mind that they are under no obligation to do as you ask; this is why politeness is absolutely crucial to getting them to fulfill your request.
   
   • You may have heard that it is illegal to publish information about someone that is defamatory or slanderous. In truth, determining whether content is defamatory or slanderous is an extremely nuanced legal matter. Additionally, in the United States, there is a loophole regarding slanderous content online in which website owners are not responsible for user-submitted content.^[1] For you, this means that again, they are not under any legal obligation to remove said content. Depending on the website, though, sending a polite email request just might get the job done.
4. Use the Google site removal tool after the content has been taken down. If the site owner cooperates and removes the content, it may still appear in Google's search results. While this will eventually go away, you can speed up the removal process by filing to have that URL removed from the search results. Fill out the form here to have the URL processed for removal.
   
5. Contact "people finder" and "411" websites. There are a variety of online directories that may have information about you, including your name, phone number, and address. You'll need to send information removal requests to each of these directory sites. Some of the most popular directory sites include Intelius and Spokeo.^[2]
   
   • You can use services such as DeleteMe to automatically contact all of these directory sites with removal requests. This will cost you money, but can be much more time-effective if you want to be thorough.

[Edit]Contacting Hosting Companies

1. Determine the host. You can use the WHOIS search to find the host of the website. The host has the power to remove pages, especially if they violate the host's terms and policies. Chances are that most hosts don't allow slanderous or defamatory content, and you can use this to remove your information. Contact the host when the site owner isn't responding or is refusing to remove content.
   
2. Send the request to the host. Send a polite but strong message to the host's contact address. If you can, describe the specific policies that the content you want removed is violating. If the host is trustworthy and your claim is legitimate, this will usually be enough to cause action.
   
3. Send a DMCA takedown request. If someone is illegally posting your copyrighted content, you can submit a DMCA takedown request to the host.^[3] While this won't work for your name or information, since that isn't copyrightable, it can be effective at keeping your work from being spread illegally. Some hosting companies have contact links dedicated to copyright violations, while others will need to have messages sent to the standard contact addresses.
   
   • See How to Write a DMCA Take Down Request for detailed instructions on how to word and send the request.

[Edit]Improving Your Search Results

1. Know when to take this approach. If you just can't get someone to take down negative information about you, the best course of action is to try to bury it in good content. This means you may be actively taking the opposite approach of removing your name, since you'll want lots of results for your name that are positive.
   
2. Sign up for every major social network. Since the goal of this is to bury a negative piece of content, you'll want to create as much neutral and positive content as possible. This includes social networks, as these are often ranked highly in search results. Sign up for every major social network and make sure your accounts are set to be publicly-viewable.
   
   • Sign up for Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram, and any other popular networks.
3. Create profiles and post on public forums. Create accounts on sites like Quora, GitHub, Stack Exchange, and other public sites. All of these will contribute to your search results. Once you've created a profile, make some helpful posts on popular threads to increase the chance that your name will be linked to it in a search result.
   
4. Register your real name as a domain name. This URL will shoot to the top of any search for your name because it is an exact match.
   
   • It also helps to include a link to this domain on your public social media profiles. The more a URL is linked to from an outside source, the higher up it will appear in search results.
   • Use this opportunity to market yourself or your business. Include some positive information, especially if you are trying to bury content that doesn't put you in a very good light.
5. Start a blog. If you really want to make a dent on your search result, a popular blog will go a long way. This will take a lot of time, but is probably the most effective way to bury a bad article or page. You can start a blog for free using WordPress, Squarespace, or a variety of other services. Try to post at least once a week to start building up content.
   
6. Ask happy customers for positive reviews. If you run a business and are trying to bury a bad review, ask your satisfied customers to consider leaving a review on Yelp or Google+. Enough good reviews could quickly drown out a negative one.
   
7. Be patient. It may take weeks or months for your content to overtake the negative piece, especially if it is popular. Even if you go with a paid service, it will likely take a significant amount of time for the search result rankings to change.

[Edit]Using the "Right to be Forgotten" (EU)

1. Visit the search removal page for Europe. If you reside in the European Union, you may have Google review your data and decide if it is eligible to be removed from the search results.^[4] To do this, you'll need to fill out a form indicating what results you want removed. Not all requests will be granted, and public information such as criminal convictions, malpractice, and financial scams will likely not be removed.
   
   • Go to the form page to begin submitting the request.
2. Fill out the form. You'll need to include your name as well as the name that retrieves the results you want to remove. You'll also need to include specific URLs for search results that you want to get rid of. Each URL you add will need an explanation as to why you think it should be removed (outdated, irrelevant, objectionable, etc.).
   
3. Wait for your request to be approved or denied. If the information is deemed not of public interest, then the results will be removed from Google search results. It may take a while for your request to be reviewed, and even longer for it to be processed.
   

[Edit]Taking Legal Action

1. Know when this is necessary. If the site owner and the host are refusing the remove your content, you may have to resort to legal measures. This will be most effective if either the site owner or the hosting company are in the same country as you.
   
   • Remember, this method will only be useful if the content that is posted is actually illegal (slanderous, defamatory, copyright). It is not illegal for someone to just post your name on a website.
2. Contact a lawyer to draft an "intent to sue" notice. This is the cheapest option, and is often good enough to scare the recipient into taking down the content. You only need a few hours of the lawyer's time to perform this, so it shouldn't cost too much. Send the notice to both the site owner and the hosting company.
   
3. Get a court order. This is the most expensive solution, and should only be attempted if you are absolutely sure the content is illegal. You'll have to pay legal fees, unless you are able to win your case and have the site owner or host pay them. Consult with a lawyer to determine if this is the correct course of action for you. You'll have a very hard time even getting a court date if the host is from a different country.
   
   • See How to Get a Court Order for more information on filing a court order.

[Edit]Warnings

• It is almost impossible to get content immediately and permanently removed from the Internet. If you manage your expectations of what can realistically be removed from search results, you will save yourself a lot of frustration and worry.

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Stop Spam

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

Long-distance relationships are challenging. When you’re not seeing each other in person, it can be hard to feel a sense of connection and excitement. But if you’re concerned that your partner might get bored, don’t worry—there are things you can do to keep the spark alive! In this article, we’ll talk you through some of the best ways to keep your long-distance love life intimate and fun.

This article is based off an interview with our professional dating coach, John Keegan, founder of The Awakened Lifestyle. Check out the full interview.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Make the most of video calling.

1. Don’t rely on just emails, texting, and voice calls. Being able to see each other even when you’re far apart can make a big difference in your level of intimacy. As much as possible, use video platforms to communicate so you can see one another and feel more connected.^[1]
   
   • Make sure you and your sweetheart both have the same video calling software installed. Some popular options include Skype, FaceTime (for Apple devices), Google Duo, and Zoom.

[Edit]Have deep conversations.

1. Your time together is precious, so make it quality time. When you’re dating long distance, it’s especially important to make sure that you’re meeting each other’s emotional needs.^[2] When you chat, avoid just making vague small-talk. Instead, try to go a little deeper.^[3] For instance, go into the details of anything important or exciting that happened during your day, and talk about how it made you feel.^[4]
   
   • If you’re not sure what to talk about, ice-breaker questions can help. For example, you might ask things like, “What’s your most precious memory?” or “What’s something you’ve always dreamed of doing?”^[5]

[Edit]Connect over shared interests and passions.

1. Finding common ground is important in any relationship. When you don’t have the intimacy of regular in-person interactions, it becomes even more important! Ask lots of questions and try to get a sense of what you’re both into.^[6] Try to take a genuine interest in things they like that you’re not as familiar with, too. Look for creative ways to bond over the things you both care about.^[7]
   
   • For example, you could both read a book by a mutual favorite author and have a chat about it next time you call each other.
   • Or, try collaborating on a creative project, like a blog about a topic you both love.

[Edit]Plan some virtual dates.

1. Make it as much like an in-person date as you can.^[8] Work out a specific time and decide what you want to do in advance. For instance, you could share a candlelight dinner and wine over Zoom, watch a movie together, or go to a virtual concert.^[9]
   
   • You could also play online games together or sign up for an online class on a topic you’re both interested in.

[Edit]Share an image, video, or song.

1. If something makes you think of your SO, don’t hesitate to send it. It could be a funny video on YouTube, an inspiring quote you saw on Instagram, or a meme that made you laugh. Text them the link so they can enjoy it too and will know that they’re on your mind.^[10]
   
   • You can also share your own pictures and videos. For instance, send them a selfie or a photo you just took of a beautiful sunset. Include a heartfelt message, like, “I really wish you were here to see this with me! <3”

[Edit]Find ways to get them involved in your everyday life.

1. Including them in your daily routine can bring you closer together. When two people live together or regularly see each other in person, it’s much easier to feel like you’re actually sharing a life. Make a conscious effort to help your SO feel more present in your life by talking to them about day-to-day things, like your work, school, or social interactions.^[11] In addition to just talking, look for other ways to let them share in your experiences, such as:
   
   • Asking for their advice on work situations.
   • Asking them to help you study or review for a test.
   • Getting their feedback on personal projects you’re working on.
   • Virtually including them in get-togethers with friends or family.

[Edit]Experiment with virtual sex.

1. Get creative and have fun! Whether you’re sexting, getting steamy over the phone, or having a face-to-face encounter over video chat, sexual intimacy can play a huge role in keeping a long-distance relationship exciting. Talk to your partner about what they enjoy and how you can keep things spicy, even if you can’t get physical in person.^[12]
   
   • For instance, you might both enjoy sharing a naughty fantasy, watching porn together online, doing a little virtual roleplay, or just talking about what you’d like to do with one another next time you meet.
   • Having virtual sex over video chat can be especially exciting and fun. Just make sure to use a secure platform with an encrypted connection, such as Signal, so there’s less danger of somebody else seeing what you’re doing.^[13]

[Edit]Try to meet in person as often as possible.

1. If you can, plan regular meetups—even if it’s just once a month.^[14] While a long-distance relationship can work if you’re both willing to put in the effort, going too long without seeing each other can be really frustrating. To keep things exciting and give you both something to look forward to, do your best to get together now and then.^[15]
   
   • If you live really far apart, consider meeting halfway. For instance, if one of you lives in Pennsylvania and the other lives in California, you might meet up in Montana for a hiking adventure in the mountains.

[Edit]References

Many people suffer from dry, cracked skin surrounding their nails due to things like cold, dry weather and biting their nails. Along with biting their nails, sometimes people even bite the skin surrounding their nail. This can lead to painful rips and tears that have the potential to become infected. Thankfully, dry, cracked, and ripped skin around the nail can be repaired by following a few easy steps to ensure your hands stay groomed and moisturized.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Repairing Your Cuticles

1. Soak your hands. Take a medium sized bowl and fill it approximately 4 inches deep with warm water. Dip your hands in the water, making sure to submerge your nails and cuticles. Soak your hands for about 5 minutes.
   
   • Warm water helps to soften the skin around the nail for easy and pain-free grooming.
2. Dry your hands. Pat dry your hands with a towel. Your cuticles should be free of water drops, but still moist. You want your skin to stay moist and soft while you manicure your cuticles, so it’s easier and less painful to remove dead skin.
   
   
3. Push back your cuticles. Using a wooden cuticle pusher, or an orange stick (a manicuring stick with a pointed end and a flat end) can help keep your cuticles from growing out onto your nail. Use the flat end of the orange stick to push the cuticle back, and the pointy end to run along the underside of your fingernail and remove any built up dirt.^[1]
   
   
   • Metal or plastic cuticle pushers should be sterilized before and after every use, and wooden orange sticks should be thrown away after every use, otherwise they can harbor bacteria.^[2]
4. Cut the extra skin around your nails. Using manicure nippers and manicure scissors, cut away extra, dead skin around your nails. This could include skin near your cuticle that you pushed back with the manicuring sticks, but be very careful to only cut away skin that is loose, soft and translucent, not your actual cuticles. The only skin you should cut is the part that grew out over your nail and is now loose.
   
   
   • You should not cut the skin that surrounds and protects your nail, which is your upper cuticle.^[3]
   • Loose, extra skin will be white in color compared to the actual attached skin on your fingers. You only want to nip away skin that can snag on things and cause skin tears.
5. Apply moisturizer. Use lotions, moisturizing oils, or store bought moisturizers specifically made for cuticles to moisturize the dry areas around your nails. Rub a generous amount of moisturizer on the nail, and pay special attention to your cuticles. The entire area surrounding your nail should be coated with the moisturizer.
   
   
   • You can also try applying moisturizer underneath your nails as well.
   • Alcohol and fragrance free moisturizers usually hydrate skin better.
6. Wear moisture locking gloves. Put on cotton gloves and wear them overnight. The gloves seal in the moisturizer and help heal your nails and cuticles. Remove the gloves in the morning.
   
   • If you want to improve the absorption of your moisturizer, cover it with petroleum jelly or paraffin wax to seal in the moisture. Then, put your gloves over your hands.
   • For better, longer lasting results, repeat this procedure every night.

[Edit]Preventing Dry Cuticles

1. Moisturize often. For smoother, hydrated skin around your nails, moisturize everyday, multiple times a day. You always want your cuticles and nails to be hydrated, because hangnails, rips, and breaks happen when your nails and cuticles are dry.^[4]
   
   • Keeping your hands moisturized is especially important in the dry, winter months.
2. Avoid drying agents. Dry hands are prone to cracking and peeling, so protect your hands from unnecessary exposure to activities that can dry out your skin. Avoid things like:
   
   • Washing dishes in hot water without gloves. The hot water and soap pull out moisture from your hands. Wear gloves while you wash the dishes to protect your nails and hands. After you wash dishes, make sure your hands are fully dry.^[5]
   • Acetone-based nail polish remover. Acetone removes important natural oils from your skin and nails.
   • Not wearing gloves in the winter months. The cold, dry air during the winter dries out your skin, so protect your hands by wearing gloves.
3. Avoid picking your skin. Rather than picking at loose skin around your nails, soak and moisturize your hands. Picking can lead to open cuts, which can breed infections.
   
   • Some people pick the skin around their nails as a nervous habit. Looking into better ways to curb nervous habits, and practicing self-control can break this habit.
4. Keep your hands out of your mouth. Try to refrain from biting your nails or nibbling on the pieces of loose skin around the nail. Bacteria in the mouth can lead to an infection if you rip your skin around your nail, or bite your nail too low.^[6]
   
   • Try using a special foul-tasting ointment to keep you from putting your fingers near your mouth.
5. Stay hydrated by drinking at least 8 glasses of fluids daily. Keeping yourself hydrated helps keep your skin, including your cuticles, soft and moist.^[7] Water is your best option, and you can add flavor to your water using orange, lemon, lime, or cucumber slices. You can also increase your hydration with other fluids, such as tea or juice. Eating water-based foods such as soup and watery fruits also helps boost hydration.
   
   • If you sweat a lot, increase your fluid consumption.
6. Eat a healthy, balanced diet. If your body is deficient on nutrients, your skin, hair, and nails all suffer. Eat plenty of lean proteins, vegetables, and fruits. To make sure your body properly absorbs nutrients, eat healthy fats.^[8]
   
   • You can also take a vitamin supplement to support healthy nails. However, talk to your doctor before you take any supplements.
7. File your nails. Keep your nails at a length that prevents them from getting caught and snagged on things. Pay special attention to the corners of your nails and keep them smooth, so the edges don’t injure the skin around your nail.
   
   
   • When you do file your nails, pull the file across your nail in one, steady direction. This helps prevent splits and tears in nails that "sawing" (pulling the nail file back and forth) creates.

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Warnings

• Never completely remove the cuticles around your nail. Any loose, dead (white) skin can be snipped at, but the whole cuticle should never be totally removed.

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Take Care of Your Skin
• Stop Your Cuticle Skin from Peeling
• Give Yourself a Manicure
• Deal With Peeling Skin

[Edit]References

• Videos provided by myfatpocket

[Edit]Quick Summary

Whether you're drawing anatomy or preparing for Halloween, learning to draw skulls is a practice in proportion. Start with a simple circle and make a few faint guidelines that help you place the jawline, teeth, and eye sockets. Once you draw these outlines, give your skull definition by shading in the shadows.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Sketching the Front View of a Skull

1. Make a circle. Press lightly with your pencil to make a faint circle. Sketch the circle so it's as wide as you'd like the whole skull to be. You'll use this outline to make the top portion of the skull.^[1]
   
   
   
   • If you're struggling to draw a circle, use a compass or trace a round object that's as large as you want the skull to be.
2. Draw a straight horizontal and vertical line through the center of the circle. To make guidelines for placing features, lay a ruler on your paper so it passes through the middle of the circle. Make a straight horizontal line and then turn the ruler to make a vertical line.^[2]
   
   
   • Make the vertical line extend below the circle so you can use it to draw the jaw.
3. Create 2 hexagons along the bottom of the horizontal line. Draw an eye socket in both of the bottom quarters of the circle. Make the top line of each hexagon along the horizontal guideline and sketch each hexagon large enough to fill half of each quarter.^[3]
   
   
   • Leave a space that's 1/5 the width of the circle between the hexagons.
4. Sketch the nose cavity along the vertical guideline. Make a short horizontal line on the vertical guideline so it's halfway down the eye sockets. Draw a straight line that comes down from each end and away from the center of the circle. When your pencil is close to the bottom of the circle, bring the 2 lines together in a point at the very bottom of the circle on the vertical line.^[4]
   
   
   • The nose cavity is diamond-shaped near the bottom, but boxier near the top.
5. Draw the angular outline of the sides and middle of the skull. Lightly sketch from the temples towards the eye socket so the skull bulges out a little. Curve the line back towards the center of the skull before making it curve away at the level of the nose cavity. Then, draw a straight line down at an angle below the nose cavity. Make this line go across horizontally to connect to the opposite side of the skull.^[5]
   
   
   • Repeat this on the opposite side so it connects with the line you just drew.
   • Draw the horizontal line of the middle of the skull so it's about twice the width of the nose cavity.
6. Make the upper teeth along the horizontal line in the middle of the skull. Draw vertical ovals that extend below the line to make the teeth. Each tooth should be about 1/2 the size of the distance between the bottom of the nasal cavity and line for teeth. Sketch 3 full-size teeth to the right and the left of the vertical guideline. Then, draw 2 smaller ovals that at both ends to show teeth that are receding.^[6]
   
   
   • Draw the teeth as rounded or square as you like. Consider using a reference photo to help you draw anatomically since people's teeth are quite unique.
   • If you want the skull to be missing a few teeth, leave some of them out as you draw.
7. Draw the outline of the jaw. Measure the distance from the top of the skull to the point where the horizontal and vertical guidelines meet. Draw a horizontal line that's the same distance from the bottom of the nose cavity to the bottom of jaw. Sketch the line so it's about half the length of the teeth and draw a straight line at each end that angles up and away from the center. Then, draw a straight line that connects the bottom of the jaw to each side of the skull.^[7]
   
   
   • Make both of the straight lines at an angle the same length as the horizontal line in the center of the jaw.
8. Sketch the lower teeth along the jaw. Make the teeth about the same size as the upper teeth and draw the teeth in the front larger than the ones on the sides. Draw 4 or 5 teeth on each side of the vertical guideline and make 1 or 2 small teeth off to the sides.^[8]
   
   
   • To give the skull some perspective, you can draw a small gap at each end of the line of teeth. This shows space between the skull and the jaw.
9. Fill in the nasal and eye cavities. Use a darker pencil or press firmly to shade in each eye socket and the nasal cavity. Since these are deep and empty, make them darker than other parts of the skull that you'll be shading.^[9]
   
   
   • If you want the cavities to be smooth, go back with a blending stump to rub the graphite.
   • To make the teeth stand out, go over the lines between the teeth and the skull and jaw again.
10. Erase unnecessary guidelines. Before you start shading in the skull, take an eraser and remove the horizontal and vertical guidelines that are still visible. Lightly erase the lines for the circle as well.
    
    
    
    • Take care to not erase the actual drawing when you're removing the guidelines.
11. Shade in the skull to show depth. Lightly cross-hatch or shade in the space above the eye cavities where the brow would be. Keep going over the spaces until they appear deeper-set than the rest of the skull. Other areas to shade include:^[10]
    
    
    • The top sides of the skull
    • Along the jawline
    • To the sides of the nasal cavity

[Edit]Drawing the Side View of a Skull

1. Draw a circle that's slightly longer at the ends. Instead of making an oval with narrow ends, sketch a circle that's as big as you want the skull to be. Make the circle a little longer than it is wide, but don't make the ends taper.^[11]
   
   
   
2. Sketch a concentric circle and make guidelines through the skull. Lightly draw another circle inside the one you just drew. Make this circle 1/4 the distance from the larger circle. Then, draw a horizontal line through the center of the skull and make a vertical line that also passes through the middle. To help you draw the jaw, put your pencil on the vertical line where it touches the bottom of the smaller circle. Draw a straight horizontal line to 1 side of the skull.^[12]
   
   
   • Draw lightly so you can erase the guidelines later.
3. Create the outline of the jaw to 1 side of the skull. Sketch a faint vertical line coming straight down from the side of the skull where you're positioning the jaw. Put your pencil where the jaw's vertical guideline meets the horizontal line you just drew. Create a curved line that extends away from the skull and down towards the bottom of the jaw. Once this line is the same length as half of the skull's width, make it into a straight line that angles back up towards the skull.^[13]
   
   
   • Make the outline of the jaw stop at the smaller concentric circle where it meets the vertical guideline.
4. Draw the nose cavity and where the brow sticks out. Place your pencil on the top of the jawline where it sticks away from the skull. As you draw up towards where the nose would be, make the line curve in towards where the bottom horizontal guideline meets the vertical guideline of the jaw. Then, draw the line back up at an angle and make it bump out a little.^[14]
   
   
   • The top bump is the brow before it reconnects to the skull.
5. Sketch the eyesocket and shade it in. Draw a vertical crescent shape just behind and below the brow. Extend the crescent until it's halfway down the length of the nose cavity. Then, shade in the eye socket so it looks empty and deep.^[15]
   
   
6. Draw a jagged line at the bottom of the skull where it meets the jawline. Sketch a line coming down below the eye socket and bring it up towards the center of the skull. Keep drawing the line in a horizontal direction that zigs and zags a little until it reaches the center jawline. Then, make the jagged line bend down so it connects to the curve of the skull.^[16]
   
   
   • This creates the bottom of the skull itself.
7. Make the upper and lower rows of teeth. Draw an elongated S-shape down the middle of the jaw and make 2 faint horizontal lines that go from the side of the jaw to the shape. Leave a gap between the lines that's big enough to fit the teeth. Then, draw 6 or 7 teeth along each horizontal line. Make the teeth that are closest to the S-shape about the same width as the eye socket. Sketch the teeth at the other end of the row progressively smaller until they're only slivers at the end.^[17]
   
   
8. Erase visible guidelines. To make your drawing look finished, use a small eraser and remove the horizontal and vertical guidelines that you can still see. If you've already drawn over them, leave them. Just erase the ones that stand out.^[18]
   
   
   
   • Instead of using a large eraser, try working with the eraser on the end of a pencil.
9. Shade in parts of the skull where you want to show depth. Press firmly as you sketch along the back of the skull to show its curve. Then, shade in the center of the skull behind the eye socket. Make this a large crescent shape and use cross-hatching to make the skull appear bumpy.^[19]
   
   
   • Make the jaw look distinctive by shading the top of it where it meets the bottom of the skull.

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Tips

• Embellish your skull by drawing flames, crossbones, wings, or roses around it.
• Go back and color in the skull with colored pencils or markers if you like.

[Edit]Things You'll Need

• Pencil
• Ruler
• Eraser
• Paper
• Blending stump, optional

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Draw a Detailed Tree

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

This wikiHow teaches you how to find, download, and install a new font on your Windows PC. Whether you want to purchase a font from its creator or download one for free, installing a font in Windows is super easy!

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Downloading a Font

1. Browse for a font on a reputable font site. If you've already got your eye on a particular font, search for it online—if it's not free, you'll need to pay to download it. Fonts on these popular sites are generally free (more on that soon), and you can browse by category and type:
   
   • https://www.dafont.com
   • https://www.1001freefonts.com
   • https://www.fontspace.com
   • https://www.fontsquirrel.com
2. Check out the font's characters. When you select a font to view, you'll see what each character in the font looks like. Some fonts only have upper-case or lower-case letters, and some don't contain all punctuation marks. Make sure the font you choose has the characters you need.
   
3. Read the license information. Many fonts are royalty-free, meaning that you can use them however you wish without paying anything at all. Other fonts are free for personal use only, meaning that you can't use them for commercial purposes (such as in your business's logo or for designs you're selling).
   
   • If you plan to use a font for commercial purposes, you'll usually need to purchase a commercial license. Make sure you understand the font's rules before using it for commercial purposes—the creator of the font could sue you if you don't purchase a license!
4. Click the download button on the font you want to install. When you download a font, it will usually save to your computer in the ZIP format—this file contains the font itself, and sometimes a Readme or Info file. Depending on the site you're using, you may be able to select the font format you want to download. The font formats supported by Windows are:
   
   • True Type (.TTF or .TTC) fonts are easy to install, as they contain fonts for both on-screen and printing in a single file.^[1] This font type can be installed on both Windows and macOS.
   • OpenType (.OTF) fonts, which can also be used on both Windows and macOS, are similar to True Type fonts in that they are easy to install and contain both on-screen and print fonts in a single file. However, the technology is more modern, so the fonts can contain alternate characters, small caps, and other extras.
   • PostScript (.PFB and .PFM) fonts are much older and less prevalent these days, as they require two separate files to install. You likely won't find many of these fonts available on free font sits, but you can install them if you do. Just remember you'll need both the .PFB and .PFM file to install the font.

[Edit]Installing a Font

1. Unzip the font files. After downloading the font, you'll usually have a ZIP file (called something like fontname.zip) in your Downloads folder. To install the font, you'll want to unzip the files inside. Here's how:
   
   • Right-click the .ZIP file and select Extract All…
   • Make sure there's a checkmark in the box labeled "Show extracted files when complete."
   • Click the Extract button. When the files are extracted, you'll see a window containing all files pertaining to the font.
2. Double-click the font file. This is the file that ends with .OTF, .TTF, or .TTC. If you downloaded a PostScript font, you'll have both a .PFB and .PFM file—the one you want to double-click is the .PFM file.
   
3. Click the button. It's at the top-left corner of the window. This installs the font by placing it into the Fonts folder. When the font is installed, the "Install" button will dim.
   
4. Restart or launch the app you want to use the font in. For example, if you want to use the font in Adobe Photoshop and already had Photoshop open, you'll need to close it and restart it so it can recognize the font.^[2]
   
5. Type with your new font. Your new font should be recognized in any Windows app that allows you to select fonts to type with.
   
   • If you use your font in a Word, PowerPoint, or other non-image document, the font will only be visible on computers on which it's installed. For example, let's say you've used your newly-installed font in a Word document. If someone who doesn't have the font installed on their own computer opens the on their computer, they won't see the same font—it will be replaced with their own computer's default font.
     • One way to get around this in a Word or PowerPoint file is to embed the font inside the file.^[3] Just click the File menu, select Options, click the Save tab, check the box next to "Embed fonts in this file," and then click OK.
   • If you use your new font on an image, such as on a graphic you create in Photoshop or Paint, or in a PDF file, it will appear as intended on any device—the only time the font won't show up on another computer is if you use it in a text file.

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Tips

• If you really like a font, let the creator know! You can usually find the creator's contact information on the site you downloaded the font from, or in the Readme or Info file inside the ZIP.
• If a font is free for personal use, you can usually still use it for a non-profit organization or charity—check with the font creator to be sure.
• Avoid downloading fonts that need to be installed using an installer that ends with .EXE. These could be malware!

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Install TrueType Fonts on Ubuntu

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

If you have Spanish-speaking friends, you probably want to wish them a happy birthday in their native language. The most common way to say "happy birthday" in Spanish is to say "feliz cumpleaños" (fay-LEEZ KOOM-play-ahn-yohs). There are a few other things you can also say to make your birthday wishes more special or personalized. You may also want to share in the cultural traditions surrounding birthday celebrations in your friend's native country.^[1]

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Sample Cheat Sheets

[Edit]Expressing Basic Birthday Wishes

1. Say "¡Feliz cumpleaños!" This phrase means "happy birthday" and is used to greet someone on their birthday. It is suitable for anyone in any situation. Pronounce "feliz cumpleaños" fay-LEEZ KOOM-play-ahn-yohs.^[2]
   
   • You can add the name of the person or their relationship to you if you feel so inclined. For example, if you were wishing happy birthday to your mother, you might say "¡Feliz cumpleaños, mi madre!"
   • If you want to say "happy birthday" in a more informal way to a friend, you can also say "feliz cumple" (fay-LEEZ KOOM-play).^[3]
2. Use "felicidades" to express general congratulations. "Felicidades" (fay-lee-see-DAH-days) means "congratulations." While it may seem odd for you to tell someone "congratulations" on their birthday, it's a common birthday wish for Spanish-speakers. This is especially appropriate if you've already wished the person a happy birthday once.^[4]
   
   • For example, if you were attending a friend's birthday party, you might say "feliz cumpleaños" when you arrived, then say "felicidades" as you were leaving.
   • You can also say "felicidades en tu día," which means "congratulations on your day."
3. Tell the birthday celebrant you hope they have many more. On someone's birthday, it's common to wish them a long life or express the hope that they celebrate many more birthdays to follow. If you wanted to express this sentiment in Spanish, you would say "¡Que cumplas muchos más!"^[5]
   
   • A literal translation of the phrase would be "that you complete many more." Pronounce it "kay KOOM-plahs MOO-chohs mahs."
4. Sing the "Happy Birthday" song in Spanish. The basic Spanish birthday song uses the same tune as the song in English, which you may already be familiar with. However, the Spanish lyrics don't necessarily translate directly to the lyrics in English.^[6]
   
   • The lyrics for the basic Latin American birthday song are: "¡Feliz cumpleaños a ti! ¡Feliz cumpleaños a ti! Feliz cumpleaños querido/a (name), feliz cumpleaños a ti. Ya queremos pastel, Ya queremos pastel, aunque sea un pedacito, pero queremos pastel."
   • In Spain, on the other hand, you would sing "Cumpleaños feliz, cumpleaños feliz, te deseamos todos, cumpleaños feliz."

[Edit]Celebrating Birthdays in Spain or Latin America

1. Prepare to celebrate with the entire family. In Spanish-speaking cultures, a birthday is considered a family affair. Even though friends may be invited to the party, birthday parties are traditionally thrown by the family of the birthday celebrant. The whole family including extended family are typically there.^[7]
   
   • If you're a friend at one of these parties, expect the family to be warm, loving, and inviting. Especially in Spain, you may find yourself hugging a lot of people you don't know.
2. Recognize the significance of the quinceañera for a 15-year-old girl. In Latin American countries, particularly Mexico, a girl's 15th birthday signifies her coming of age. The occasion traditionally begins with a church service and requires formal attire.^[8]
   
   • Part of the church service is the "misa de acción de gracias," through which the girl gives thanks for completing childhood.
   • The "festejada" (birthday girl) traditionally receives gifts from her family, including tiaras and jewelry.
   • The party typically includes an elaborate banquet of food, followed by music and dancing that can last into the wee hours.
3. Eat a "tres leches" cake at Mexican birthday parties. The "tres leches" cake is a giant, multi-colored cake that serves as the centerpiece for Mexican birthday parties. These cakes are often decorated in a theme reflecting something the birthday celebrant enjoys.^[9]
   
   • For example, if the person celebrating their birthday is a huge fútbol fan, you could expect the "tres leches" cake to be iced to look like a fútbol pitch, complete with tiny players and fans in the grandstands cheering on their teams.
4. Hit a piñata while blindfolded. A piñata is one of the most well-known Spanish traditions. These brightly colored papel maché figures come in various shapes and sizes and are filled with small toys and sweets. Partygoers take turns trying to hit the piñata with a stick until it bursts, spraying goodies everywhere for all the partygoers to have.^[10]
   
   • The donkey-shaped piñata typically sold in the US and Europe is rarely seen in Latin American countries. The piñata may have a shape that reflects the theme of the "tres leches" cake.
   • While partygoers attempt to hit the piñata, the others sing the traditional piñata song, which starts "Dale, dale, dale." The song encourages the person to have good aim and hit the piñata so it bursts for everyone's enjoyment, raining down the sweets they crave.
5. Watch the birthday celebrant have their face smashed into a cake. In Mexico in particular, the birthday celebrant's hands are tied behind their back and their face is smashed into the birthday cake for them to take the first bite. All around them, partygoers chant "¡Mordida!"^[11]
   
   • The word "mordida" means "bite." In this context, the chant from the party guests encourages the birthday celebrant to take the first bite of their birthday cake.
6. Give symbolic gifts, if anything at all. Birthday gifts are typically not particularly elaborate or expensive, especially in Spain. Children always receive small presents, typically books, toys, and candy. Adults may not get any presents at all.^[12]
   
   • If you don't feel right going to a birthday party without a present, consider a gift such as a calendar, a mug, or a nice ink pen.

[Edit]Video

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

Calculating your carbon footprint can help you to identify ways that you can lessen your impact on the environment. Calculating your carbon footprint requires taking lots of different factors into account. You may not be able to get an exact figure to represent your carbon footprint, but you can get a close estimate. You can calculate some things, like your water usage and waste, using points, while others, like the impact of your car and utilities, can be calculated in tons of CO2 emissions.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Calculating Your Carbon Footprint Points

1. Count the members of your household. If you live alone, then your carbon footprint will likely be higher than someone who lives in a house or apartment with other people. This is because you would be sharing the electricity, water, and fuel costs to keep your dwelling up and running.
   
   • If you live alone, then add 14 points to your carbon footprint.
   • If you share a house or apartment with 1 other person, then add 12 points.
   • If you share a house or apartment with 2 other people, then add 10 points.
   • If you share a house or apartment with 3 other people, then add 8 points.
   • If you share a house or apartment with 4 other people, then add 6 points.
   • If you share a house or apartment with 5 other people, then add 4 points.
   • If you share a house or apartment with more than 5 other people, then add 2 points.
2. Consider the size of your home. A smaller home makes a smaller impact on the environment. Take the size of your home into account as you calculate your impact.
   
   • If you have a large house, then add 10 points to your score.
   • If you have a medium-sized house, then add 7 points.
   • If you have a small house, then add 4 points.
   • If you live in an apartment, then add 2 points.
3. Evaluate your food choices. The types of food that you eat can also have an effect on your carbon footprint. You will have a higher carbon footprint if you eat meat from domesticated animals regularly, and you will have a lower carbon footprint if you eat no meat or animal products at all.
   
   • If you eat domestic meat on a daily basis, then add 10 points.
   • If you eat domestic meat a few times per week, then add 8 points.
   • If you are a vegetarian, then add 4 points.
   • If you are a vegan or only eat wild meat, then add 2 points.
   • You would also add 12 points if most of the food you eat is prepackaged convenience food, such as frozen pizza, cereal, and potato chips. If you have a good balance of fresh and convenience food, then just add 6 points. If you only eat fresh, locally grown, or hunted food, then add 2 points.
4. Examine your water consumption. Your water consumption from appliances is also important to consider as you calculate your carbon footprint. Consider how many times per week you run your dishwasher and/or washing machine.
   
   • If you run your dishwasher or washing machine more than 9 times per week, then add 3 points. If you run it 4 to 9 times, then add 2 points. If you run it 1 to 3 times, then add 1 point. If you don't have a dishwasher, then add nothing.
   • If you have a dishwasher and a washing machine, then perform the calculation twice.
5. Determine how many household purchases you make each year. The amount of new items that you buy for your household can also affect your carbon footprint. If you buy lots of new things, then your score will be higher than someone who does not buy anything or who only buys secondhand items.
   
   • If you buy more than 7 new pieces of furniture, electronics, or other household gadgets per year, then add 10 points.
   • If you purchase between 5 and 7 items, then give yourself 8 points.
   • If you purchase between 3 and 5 items, then give yourself 6 points.
   • If you purchase less than 3 items, then give yourself 4 points.
   • If you purchase almost nothing or only secondhand items, then give yourself 2 points.
6. Consider how much waste you produce. The more trash cans you fill each week, the larger your carbon footprint will be. Count up how many times you fill your garbage cans each week and then assign points based on these numbers.
   
   • If you fill 4 garbage cans each week, then add 50 points.
   • If you fill 3 garbage cans each week, then add 40 points.
   • If you fill 2 garbage cans per week, then add 30 points.
   • If you fill 1 garbage can per week, then add 20 points.
   • If you fill half of a garbage can or less per week, then add 5 points.
7. Identify the amount of waste that you recycle. If you do not recycle, then add 24 points to your score. However, if you do recycle, then start with 24 points and subtract 4 points for each type of item that you recycle. You can subtract four points for each of the following recycling categories:
   
   • Glass
   • Plastic
   • Paper
   • Aluminum
   • Steel
   • Food waste (composting)
8. Tally up your annual transportation scores. You will also need to consider your travel, including how far you travel in a personal vehicle, how far you travel with public transportation, and how far you travel by plane for vacations.
   
   • For your personal vehicle usage, add 12 points if you travel more than 15,000 miles per year. Add 10 points if you travel 10,000 to 15,000 miles per year. Add 6 points if you travel 1,000 to 10,000 miles per year. Add 4 points if you travel less than 1,000 miles per year. Add nothing if you don't have a car.
   • For public transportation, add 12 points if you travel more than 20,000 miles per year. Add 10 points if you travel 15,000 to 20,000 miles per year. Add 6 points if you travel 10,000 to 15,000 miles per year. Add 4 points if you travel 1,000 to 10,000 miles per year. Add 2 points for less than 1,000 miles per year. Add nothing if you do not use public transportation.
   • For flights, add 2 points if you only travel short distances in 1 year, such as within your state. Add 6 points if you travel further distances, such as to a nearby state or country. Add 20 points if you travel far, such as to another continent.
9. Add up your points. After you have calculated your points for each category, add them up to get your carbon footprint score. The lower the score the better. If your score is less than 60 points, then you are making a small impact on your planet. If it is higher than 60, then you might want to look for some ways that you can reduce your impact.
   
   • For instance, you can replace old appliances with energy-efficient ones, purchase items with less packaging, use public transportation or carpool, compost, and recycle.

[Edit]Calculating the Impact of Your Car and Utilities

1. Add 2 to 12 tons of CO2 emission if you own a car. Owning a car means that the car had to be manufactured and this adds to your carbon footprint. However, keep in mind that the total production footprint of your car is for the lifetime of your car. Therefore, the longer you drive it, the lower the impact will be over time. Start by adding between 5 and 12 tons of CO2 emissions depending on the size of your car.^[1]
   
   • If you have a hybrid or electric vehicle, add 2 tons of CO2 emissions.
   • If you have a compact or economy-sized car, then add 5 tons of CO2 emissions.
   • If you have a medium-sized car, such as a sedan, then add 9 tons of CO2 emissions.
   • If you have a large vehicle, such as an SUV or truck, then add 12 tons of CO2 emissions.
2. Find your total fuel usage. The amount that you drive your car each year can also have an effect on your carbon footprint. You will have a larger carbon footprint if you drive your car frequently. Check your vehicle's mileage and miles per gallon and then plug these into a simple equation.
   
   • Use the equation: total miles driven / miles per gallon = total fuel usage.
   • For example, 8,000 / 40 mpg = 200 gallons of fuel used
3. Multiply your fuel gallons by a conversion factor. To convert the total gallons of fuel you have used driving your car into CO2 emission, you will need to multiply the total by a conversion factor of 22.
   
   • Use the equation total fuel used X 22 = CO2 emission.
   • For example, 200 gallons X 22 = 4400 pounds of CO2
4. Check your monthly utility bills. Some utility companies will tell you what your carbon footprint was for the month. Check your utility bill to see if you can find this information. If not, then check your utility bills to find out what your usage was and plug the numbers into some simple equations to find out what your impact was.
   
   • Multiply your kilowatt hours by 1.85. For example, 67 hrs X 1.85 = 123.95 lbs of CO2.
   • Multiply your natural gas usage (therms) by 13.466. For example, 19 therms X 13.466 = 255.854 lbs of CO2.
   • Multiply gallons or propane used by 13. For example, 3 gallons of propane X 13 = 39 lbs of CO2.
   • Multiply gallons of fuel used by 22. For example 15 gallons of fuel X 22 = 330 lbs of fuel.
5. Consider any offsets you have made. If you purchased any carbon offsets or did something to offset some of your carbon usage, then you can subtract the amount of carbon that you offset from your totals. For example, 1 tree can absorb a ton of carbon over its lifetime, so if you have a mid-sized sedan, then planting 9 trees could offset the production footprint of your car.^[2]
   
   • Check out non-profit groups that plant trees to help offset emissions. You can donate to have a tree planted and offset some of your emissions.

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

The beginning of a relationship can be a lot of fun, but it’s nothing compared to the deep connection and satisfaction that comes with a strong emotional bond with your partner. It’s the key to a healthy and happy relationship and can help build trust and understanding between two people. The best part is there are things you can do to strengthen your bond. To help you do it, we’ve put together a handy list of options you can use to form and maintain a loving connection with your partner.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Commit to spending quality time together.

1. Set aside some time every day to reconnect with each other. It’s so easy to get caught up in your busy day that face-to-face contact with your partner can be reduced to text messages and short phone calls. Make it a goal to take some time in the day to put away your phones, stop thinking about everything else you’ve got going on, and spend some time with your partner. It’ll help reinforce your bond and remind each other how much you care for one another.^[1]
   
   • It could be something simple like a quiet dinner with no electronics or a relaxing movie or TV show that you watch together without distractions.
   • You can also go out somewhere nice to eat or just take a stroll around your neighborhood. Quality time doesn’t have to be complicated. All you need is each other!

[Edit]Try new things together.

1. Keep your quality time fun and interesting. Going to the same restaurant or movie theater for date night can eventually get dull and boring. Spice things up by doing something totally new like a dancing class or something classically romantic like a picnic in a field somewhere. Find new things that you can do together and give it a shot!^[2]
   
   • You could also try to check out a new restaurant every date night or take turns choosing what you’ll do together to keep it interesting.

[Edit]Share your thoughts and feelings with your partner.

1. Encourage honest communication and trust in your relationship. Talk to your partner about how you’re feeling and what you’re thinking about. Trust that what you tell them will stay just between the two of you so you can feel comfortable venting and talking through conflicts with each other.^[3]
   
   • Honest and open communication is a sign of a healthy relationship with a strong bond.
   • For instance, if you’re stressed out at work and your partner is also asking you to do something, you can say something like, “I’m under a lot of pressure at work right now and I’m feeling really stressed. I need you to understand that and be patient with me.”

[Edit]Ask each other questions.

1. Get to know each other as well as you can to build your bond. No matter how long you’ve been together, you can always get to know your partner even more. Ask their opinions about things. Ask them how they feel. Ask them about work. Ask them about their childhood and their desires in life. The more you know about your partner (and the more they know about you), the stronger your bond will be.^[4]
   
   • You don’t have to bombard your partner with questions, but try to take advantage of opportunities to get to know them even more. For instance, if you start talking about a book or a movie, try asking them when they saw it, what they thought about it, and whether or not they’d watch it again. You can learn a lot about each other just by asking simple questions.

[Edit]Tell your partner if there’s something you need.

1. Allow them to provide comfort by helping them understand. Don’t make your partner guess what’s wrong with you or what you’d like them to do. Be clear and direct and tell them what it is that you need so you can avoid any potential resentment or misunderstanding. By the same token, ask your partner if there’s something that they need if you get a sense that they’re trying to hint at something.^[5]
   
   • For instance, if you need your partner to do something practical like clean up the living room, try just being direct and say something like, “Hey, can you pick up and vacuum the living room?”
   • If something is bothering you emotionally, be clear about that, too. For example, you could say something like, “I’m feeling really down right now, can you make me some tea and sit with me, please?”

[Edit]Listen to your partner when they talk to you.

1. Put away any distractions and give them your full attention. Listening is a critical part of healthy communication. Whenever your partner is talking to you, look them straight in the eyes, listen to what they have to say, and avoid distractions like your phone. Even if you don’t agree or love what they have to say, it’s important that you show them that you care about them and you’re interested in hearing their thoughts.^[6]
   
   • If your partner doesn’t feel like you listen to them, they may feel less inclined to tell you about their thoughts and feelings or care to listen to yours.

[Edit]Express gratitude as often as you can.

1. Show your partner that you care and you appreciate them. Whenever your partner does something for you, tell them that you’re thankful for it. Take every opportunity to express your gratitude to each other. It’s a simple and effective way to strengthen your bond and improve your relationship.^[7]
   
   • For instance, if your partner makes dinner, thank them for it. If you bring them lunch or clean up the kitchen, they should be thankful for that, too.
   • Research actually shows that expressing gratitude can improve the relationship for both people. It’s science!

[Edit]Support each other at all times.

1. Let them know you have each other’s backs. That doesn’t mean you should try to solve all of your partner’s problems. In fact, that can sometimes backfire and cause them to feel like you’re criticizing them. Support just means that you let your partner know that you’re on their side and that you’re there to listen to them and help if you can. Just knowing you have your partner’s support can make you feel better and build a stronger bond between you.^[8]
   
   • For instance, if your partner is having a conflict with someone in their family, you can say something like, “I’m sorry to hear that. It sounds super frustrating, but I’m here if you need me. Please let me know if there’s something I can do to help.”

[Edit]Talk through conflicts respectfully.

1. It’s okay to disagree, but it’s important to work through them effectively. If you and your partner find yourself in an argument, really try to listen to them and understand things from their perspective. Avoid making generalized or absolute statements about each other, such as “You always do this” or “You never do that.” Try to talk to each other about how you’re feeling and if you need to take a “time-out” to cool off, do it. You’ll build a stronger bond by working through your issues together.^[9]
   
   • It’s also helpful to stay focused on the issue at hand and avoid trying to bring up other problems from the past. It can only add to the negativity.
   • Talk about how you feel without blaming your partner and use direct language so everyone is on the same page and no one is confused.

[Edit]Keep outside relationships alive and well.

1. It’s impossible for one person to meet all of your needs. It’s really not fair to expect it from your partner. Maintain healthy relationships with friends and family in addition to your romantic relationship. Make sure all of your emotional needs are being fulfilled and it’ll help strengthen your relationship with your partner.^[10]
   
   • For example, you should still get together with your own friends and spend time with your family.
   • That also means your partner should be able to have his own identity and relationships with friends and family as well.

[Edit]Maintain your own hobbies and interests.

1. It’s important for both you and your partner. If there are things you enjoy doing outside of your relationship, keep doing them! Allow your partner to have their own hobbies and activities, too. If you’re both happy and free to maintain your individual identities, it will only make your romantic relationship stronger.^[11]
   
   • If you or your partner feel like you can’t do things you love to do, it can cause anger and resentment to build in your relationship.
   • For instance, if you like to play video games and your partner likes to golf with their friends, allow each other the time and space to do the things you enjoy.

[Edit]Try couple’s therapy to strengthen your bond.

1. You don’t have to wait until you’re having problems, either. Couple’s therapy doesn’t mean you’ve failed. A trained professional can give you and your partner the tools to build a stronger bond and work toward a happier, healthier relationship. Look for licensed counselors, therapists, or psychologists in your area and schedule an appointment if you think it’ll be helpful.^[12]
   

[Edit]Tips

• Try to check in with your partner regularly to see how they’re doing. Let them know they can talk to you if they’re feeling unhappy.
• You can also try going on group dates to mix things up!

[Edit]Warnings

• If you’re in a physically or emotionally abusive relationship, try to get out of it as fast as you can. Nobody deserves to be mistreated or physically harmed.

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Make a Relationship Work
• Have a Deep Connection With Your Boyfriend

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

If you’re looking for absolute freedom, going off the grid may be the lifestyle for you! Living off the grid means living without connections to public utilities like sewer, water, and electrical lines. It also usually means living a minimalist, efficient, self-reliant lifestyle. While it can be tough to get everything established, with hard work and the right equipment, you can build an entirely self-sufficient homestead. To get you started, we’ve put together a list of tips and strategies so you can get an idea of what it takes to truly live off the grid.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Buy land with resources you can use.

1. You’ll need a place to establish your homestead. Look for a location that you can afford that’s away from major cities that also has access to resources like trees and water so you can use them. Make sure the property has road access so you can get in and out, and read up on local laws regarding living off of the grid. Pay cash for the land or work with a local bank to finance the purchase.^[1]
   
   • Read up on local property taxes and zoning laws as well. You may have to pay an annual tax for the land.
   • Ask if the property has “legal access,” which means it isn’t surrounded by either private or public land that could prevent you from accessing your own property.

[Edit]Build or buy an off-grid home.

1. Disconnecting your current home usually isn’t an option. This is especially true if you live in a built-up area with numerous public utility connections. Instead, look into alternatives like the following:^[2]
   
   • Buying a rural home that you can convert to off-grid living. Check property listings online. Contact realtors about homes that pique your interest. Visit a few homes to get an idea of what each one offers and how easy it would be to take it off the grid.
   • Building an off-grid home from scratch. Work with a housing contractor that has lots of experience building tiny homes and other types of off-grid housing. Alternatively, look into building your own off-grid home—but be realistic about the amount of time, energy, effort, and money it’ll take!
   • Building a tiny home. Get in touch with a company that specializes in building tiny homes, which are cheaper than full-size homes but have all of the amenities. Many are also portable so it can be delivered to your property.
   • Living in a camper or RV. Modern RVs have kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms—everything you could need in a home. And you can drive to a new location if you ever want to.
   • Joining an off-grid community. This can be a good choice because it allows you to live off-grid while maintaining connections with other people. There are off-grid communities around the world. Search online to find one in your area.^[3]

[Edit]Install a solar power system.

1. Off-grid living requires you to develop home energy independence. In most cases, the best option is to retrofit your existing home (or fit your new home) with solar panels, which will absorb energy from the sun that you can use in your home. Solar panels need to be installed by a professional so, consult a solar power installation company in your area to get the job done right.^[4]
   
   • Total installation costs of an average solar power system—including solar panels, a battery, a backup generator, and professional installation—averages around $40,000 USD.^[5]
   • Solar power systems can also power a hot water heater so you have a supply of hot water for showers and cleaning.

[Edit]Install a backup power supply.

1. Supplement your solar panels with a secondary power source. When you have a stretch of cloudy weather or any kind of mechanical problem with your solar panels, a backup really comes in handy! If you live near a creek, you could get a micro hydropower turbine installed as a backup system. Alternatively, you could get a wind turbine installed near your house. Talk to renewable energy companies in your area about your options.^[6]
   
   • A domestic wind turbine costs around $10,000 USD. A small micro hydropower turbine can cost around $7,000 USD, while a larger one can cost over $50,000 USD.^[7]

[Edit]Drill a well for fresh water.

1. Opt for a professionally-drilled well for water reliability and safety. Depending on where you live and the depth of the water table, it may be possible to dig a well yourself with power equipment or even just shovels. However, while dug-out wells and wells made by driving pipe into the ground can only reach down about , professionally-drilled wells can go down or more. The deeper your well, the less likely water contamination becomes.^[8]
   
   • Drilling a well typically costs around $30-$60 USD per foot, with a typical total cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $7,000 USD.^[9]
   • You can also use drums or barrels to collect rainwater, which can be useful for gardening, toilets, and washing clothes. But you’ll need to filter or purify the water before you drink it.

[Edit]Put in a septic tank system.

1. You need a way to safely treat your sewage in order to live off the grid. A septic tank is a watertight chamber that collects sewage in the absence of a sewer system. While solid waste remains inside the tank, liquids exit into a surrounding leaching field. The size of the leaching field means there’s a fairly substantial amount of excavation involved in the installation process. While it’s possible to do the installation yourself in some cases, it’s usually best to have your septic tank system professionally installed.^[10]
   
   • Solid waste in the septic tank will need to be emptied by a vacuum truck periodically.
   • Having a septic tank system installed generally costs around $5,000 USD.^[11]

[Edit]Conserve water with a greywater system.

1. This isn’t essential for off-grid living, but it’s a great add-on! A greywater system treats water used in dishwashing, sinks, showers, and baths so that it can be used in toilets or for irrigation. While it’s less of a necessity than a septic tank or a well, a greywater system can extend the lifetime of your well by allowing you to use water that has already been pumped up to the surface.^[12]
   
   • Recycled greywater is not safe for drinking, cooking, or cleaning.
   • Installing a greywater system typically costs around $1,000-$4,000 USD.^[13]

[Edit]Learn to grow and preserve your own food.

1. Increasing your food self-sufficiency makes off-grid living more viable. Even if you can’t grow everything you need in a household garden, aim to supplement your diet with fruits and vegetables raised by your own green thumb. Choose plants suited for your area’s climate and plant them in an area that’s well-drained at gets at least 6 hours of sunlight a day.^[14] It’s equally important to have ways to preserve your food bounty, through methods like freezing and canning.^[15]
   
   • You need somewhere around of growing space to grow enough food to feed one person for a year.^[16]
   • It's a good idea to invest in heavy-duty freezers that can keep your food cold for several days if the power goes out.^[17]
   • Even if you aren’t planning to go completely off the grid, being able to grow your own food can make you more self-sufficient.

[Edit]Hunt or gather food from the land.

1. Supplement your home garden if you’re aiming for food self-sufficiency. For many people, living off-grid still means you have to make trips to the grocery store. However, if you’re aiming for maximum self-sufficiency in your off-grid lifestyle, supplement gardening with food gathering methods like the following:
   
   • Hunting and fishing. Hunting, trapping, and fishing can provide protein for your diet. Make sure to follow all hunting and firearms rules where you live.^[18]
   • Gathering food from your environment. Wild berry and fruit trees can offer an abundant source of ready-to-eat food during the summer and fall. Get an illustrated botany book that explains which safe-to-eat fruits, nuts, and berries grow naturally in your locale.^[19]
   • Keep in mind that many people who live off the grid still go to the grocery store to pick up supplies, so you don’t have to fully rely on your ability to live off the land.

[Edit]Collect enough clothing for every season.

1. Proper clothing is vital. Gather enough clothes to keep yourself warm when it gets cold and to keep yourself cool whenever it’s hot outside. Even if you have a power supply, you never know when it could go out or when you’ll need additional clothing. Keep a solid stockpile handy.^[20]
   
   • If you have other people with you, make sure they have enough clothing as well.
   • You can find affordable clothes at local thrift stores or flea markets.

[Edit]Get in shape so you’re healthy and strong.

1. Off-grid living can be hard work. You’ll likely be active every day, especially in the wintertime if you’re using wood to burn for fuel and heat. Work on strengthening your core and upper arms so you’re able to pick things up and perform the work it takes to build and establish your off-grid homestead.^[21]
   
   • You can build your core with ab exercises like crunches, planks, and leg raises.
   • Push-ups and curls are great for building arm strength.
   • Even while you’re living off the grid, try exercising for a little bit every day to stay in shape.

[Edit]Reduce your electricity usage.

1. Relatively simple adjustments can greatly reduce your electricity needs. Since you’re producing your own electricity instead of getting it from the grid, it’s important to take steps to ensure you don’t use too much power. Start with the simplest steps, like turning off lights when you’re not using them and unplugging items like TVs that draw power even when they’re turned off. Rely on LED bulbs for lighting and choose the most energy-efficient appliances and household items available.^[22]
   
   • Properly insulating your home can help to substantially reduce your power usage for heating and cooling.
   • You can save $100 USD in energy costs per year simply by eliminating “vampire loads”—the electricity used by appliances when they’re turned off!

[Edit]Cut down on household waste.

1. Reducing waste increases your self-sufficiency and is better for the planet. In addition to the environmental benefits, it makes practical sense to reduce your waste production. After all, you’ll likely be forgoing trash pickup as part of living off the grid. Start small by, for instance, learning how to compost food scraps and yard trimmings, and go from there.^[23]
   
   • Buying less of what you don’t need cuts back on waste. Figure out what your true necessities are and always make a detailed shopping list when buying goods.
   • Sell, donate, or repurpose items you no longer need.
   • Some people aim to live a zero-waste lifestyle. This may be further than you’re willing or able to go, but any reduction in household waste is a net positive!^[24]

[Edit]Save and earn money creatively.

1. Going off-grid isn’t cheap, especially at first, and emergencies will happen. Your off-grid lifestyle will be more secure if you are able to pay for upgrades, repairs, or other things when you need them. To ensure you’re able to do so, save as much as possible before going off the grid, and continue to save wherever possible after going off the grid.^[25]
   
   • How much should you save up before getting off the grid? There’s no way to say for certain, but a good general rule is to have at least six months’ worth of your current income saved.
   • Eliminate unnecessary expenses. Even if you’ve started out your off-the-grid lifestyle with a large nest egg, work to buy only what you need and save as much money as possible.
   • Use your hobbies to make money. For instance, if you’re a seasoned cross-stitcher, you might want to sell your creations online or at a local farmer’s market.
   • Turn your knowledge of off-grid living into a financial opportunity. Monetize a blog, produce videos, or write a book about your experiences. You might also host others in a kind of off-grid exchange program.^[26]

[Edit]Educate yourself on off-grid living.

1. Beyond disconnecting from public utilities, defining “off-grid” is up to you. You could choose to live within easy reach of stores, hospitals, and family. Or, you might decide to live in a totally self-sufficient home or trailer far from anyone else. Check out resources on off-grid leaving to learn more about your options.^[27]
   
   • Attend workshops on topics like growing your own garden, starting a compost pile, and repairing your home might be useful when you move off-grid. Check out the community events calendar of your local newspaper or library.
   • If you plan on growing a garden, for instance, run a search for how to do so using your search engine of choice. There are countless videos and articles online about how to live off the grid.
   • Renting an isolated cabin provides you with a taste of what you can expect when living off the grid. Spend a week or so in one that most closely approximates the sort of home you plan on living in. If you want to totally disconnect when you go off the grid full-time, see if you can handle going without using your phone, computer, or other communications tech during your stay.

[Edit]Tips

• As you're planning to live off the grid, think about where you're going to get supplies when you need them. If you have to drive there, make sure you always have a backup supply of fuel.^[28]

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

Finding how much something has increased or decreased allows you to create a useful statistic for scholarly papers, articles, or business meetings. If you need to calculate the percent increase within a given period of time but need a little help with the math, this article is here to help. Keep reading for the formula to get the calculation you need.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Write down the old value and the new value.

1. These are the 2 numbers that you'll use in your equation. Usually, these indicate the same statistic or topic and were gathered on 2 different dates. Gather your materials as well, including a calculator, a pencil, and paper to write out your formula and solve it.^[1]
   
   • If you don't have a calculator, the one on your phone or computer will do just fine.

[Edit]Subtract the new value from the old value to get the increase.

1. Write down the larger number (the number that has increased). Subtract the original number from the increased number. For example, write "the new amount" minus "the original amount" on your piece of paper.^[2]
   
   • If you had 12 job prospects in 2007 and you have 64 job prospects now, then the actual increase would be 52 job prospects.

[Edit]Divide the increase by the old value.

1. Use your calculator to get an accurate number.^[3] For example, let's say the original amount was 12 and it increased to 52. Take 52 and divide it by 12.^[4]
   
   • The answer in decimals for this particular example would be 4.33.

[Edit]Multiply the answer by 100 to get the percentage increase.

1. This is how you convert a decimal to a percentage. Take your answer in decimals and stay between 2 and 7 decimal points in your answer. The larger your change is, the more likely you will need extra decimal points for an accurate figure. Then, multiply the number by 100. The percentage you get is your percent increase.^[5]
   
   • For example, multiply 4.33 by 100. This gets you a percent increase of 433%.

[Edit]Alternatively, write down the old value and new value.

1. These are the 2 numbers you will use to calculate the percent increase. Gather your materials as well, like a pencil, calculator, and a piece of paper. If you don't have a calculator, use one on your phone or your computer.^[6]
   

[Edit]Divide the new value by the old value.

1. Plug the values into your calculator. Once you divide the new value from the old, you will get a decimal number as your answer. Write down that value.^[7]
   
   • Let's say there used to be 55 Skittles per bag and now there are 75. Divide 75 by 55 to get 1.37.

[Edit]Multiply by 100 to get the percentage.

1. Use your calculator to plug in the two values. For example, multiply 1.37 by 100. This gets you 137%.^[8]
   

[Edit]Subtract 100 to get the percentage increase.

1. Use the percentage you just calculated. Using the example equation, subtract 100 from 137%. This gets you a percent increase of 37%.^[9]
   

[Edit]Practice Problems

[Edit]Tips

• Use a similar formula to get a percent decrease. If your original amount is larger than your new amount, subtract the new amount by the original amount.^[10] Divide that number by the original amount, then, multiply the number by 100.^[11]
• If you are submitting the percent increase figure for publication or other important purposes, ask a friend or colleague to double-check your math.

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Calculate Percentage Increase
• Work With Percentages of Increase and Decrease
• Calculate Percent Change
• Work With Percentages

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

Becoming a “people person” is a lot easier said than done, especially if you don’t like to put yourself out there. Still, there’s no need to worry! Being a people person isn’t about flipping a switch and changing your personality—it’s all about making small, actionable changes in your day-to-day routine. We’ve put together some tips, tricks, and ideas to help you take the first step on your journey.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Crank up the enthusiasm.

1. Cheerful, enthusiastic people tend to make a stronger impression. Imagine you just shared some great news with a couple of your co-workers. One person says, “That’s fantastic! I’m so happy for you!” while the other says, “Oh, that’s nice.” The first person’s reaction is a lot more positive and uplifting, right? Being a people person is all about making a positive impression on the people around you, and being a person others enjoy spending time around.^[1]
   
   • “Kudos!” “Wow, that’s incredible!” or “That’s so exciting!” are just a few ways to add some extra enthusiasm into your conversations.
   • Try to keep the positive energy going, even if you’re having a rough day. For example, if you overslept your alarm before work, you might comment about how nice the weather is instead of complaining about your rough morning.

[Edit]Ditch robotic, automatic replies.

1. “I’m fine” is a real conversation killer. The next time someone asks about your day, take a moment to give a genuine answer. This simple change can help you make the most out of your conversations, and connect more deeply with the people around you.^[2]
   
   • You might say something like, “I had my favorite cereal for breakfast today, so my day’s going pretty great so far!” or “I lost track of time reading a great book last night and only got about 4 hours of sleep. It was totally worth it, though!”

[Edit]Tweak your tone.

1. Watch the way you inflect words in a sentence. In ordinary conversations, it’s easy for our minds to go on autopilot. As a people person, take a moment to think before you say anything. Try to speak in an even, consistent tone, so you don’t sound condescending by mistake.^[3]
   
   • For example, “Did you really do that?” may sound condescending, while “Did you really do that?” sounds a lot friendlier.

[Edit]Act empathetic instead of sympathetic.

1. Empathy focuses on connection, while sympathy is more detached. To be a people person, focus on connecting with the people in your life as much as possible, instead of acting like a bystander. A simple change in your daily responses and reactions can make a really big difference!^[4]
   
   • For instance, you might say “You must be so excited” instead of “That’s good to hear.”
   • A sympathetic response might be something like “That’s too bad,” while an empathetic response could be, “Oh no. You must be so disappointed!”

[Edit]Be a good listener.

1. Believe it or not, being a people person doesn’t involve lots of talking. It’s all about connecting with others in a positive way, and making a good impression. Being an active listener is an easy way to do this. Make eye contact with your conversational partner, and give them your full attention until you’re done chatting.^[5]
   
   • Try making thoughtful comments throughout the conversation. You might say “Mmm-hmm” throughout the conversation, or repeat back some of what the person said.^[6]

[Edit]Ask lots of questions.

1. Most people love to chat about themselves. When you express a lot of interest in another person’s life, they start to find you interesting, too. Offer lots of friendly questions throughout the conversation—the other person will really appreciate your interest. At the end of the day, making positive connections is what being a people person is all about!^[7]
   
   • You might ask “How was your weekend?” “What are you doing over the holidays?” or “Anything exciting coming up?”

[Edit]Remember the little details about people.

1. Reference those small details in a later conversation. Being a people person really comes down to the little things, like how you connect with others. Try taking mental notes about the small details in your conversations, even if they seem insignificant at the time. Then, the next time you chat, ask about the small detail they mentioned before.^[8]
   
   • For instance, you might ask a friend how her math test went, or ask a co-worker if their doctor’s appointment went well.

[Edit]Make small talk with the people around you.

1. Small, pleasant conversations are a great way to network with new people. The more individuals you’re friendly with, the easier it is to become a people person. Try striking up a conversation with a co-worker or classmate you don’t chat with often, and see where things go.^[9]
   
   • You might say “hi” to a classmate you sit close to, or make small talk with the person standing next to you on the subway.
   • You can make a few professional acquaintances by exchanging business cards.

[Edit]Invite people to events.

1. Building social habits is a great way to become a people person. In the upcoming weeks, try inviting your friends and acquaintances to more activities, like a professional seminar. Even if they can’t attend the event with you, they’ll still appreciate the fact that you reached out.^[10]
   
   • You can take baby steps with this, if you’d like! For instance, you might email your friend a link to an interesting article, or forward them a post on social media.

[Edit]Set specific goals.

1. Over time, small steps can make a big difference. Each day, make small, intentional changes that force you out of your comfort zone. It’s okay if you take it slow—after all, baby steps are still progress!^[11]
   
   • You might decide to chat with a co-worker one day, or say hello to a random person on the street. What matters most is that you put yourself out there, even if you’re taking baby steps.

[Edit]Be patient with yourself.

1. Don’t expect to become a people person overnight. It can be tough to put yourself out there, especially if you prefer keeping to yourself. That’s okay! Be kind to yourself, and take it one day at a time.^[12]
   

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

If you're tired of trying to cover up unwanted facial hair, try a few natural hair removal treatments. To quickly get rid of hair, shave, wax, or pluck it away. For gentler treatments that work gradually, create pastes or masks with natural ingredients. Apply these a few times a week so the hair follicles weaken and fall out. Remember to always apply a good moisturizer after trying any hair removal treatment.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Trying Home Remedies

1. Make a papaya-turmeric paste to gradually remove hair over time. For a chemical-free hair removal paste, weaken the hair follicles. To make the paste, mash a raw papaya with 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) of turmeric powder. Apply the paste to the unwanted hair and let it sit for 15 minutes. Then rinse the paste off with warm water.^[1]
   
   • If you apply the paste 2 to 3 times a week, you'll notice the hair falling out after a few weeks.
2. Whip up an egg white mask and peel it off to remove facial hair. Whisk 1 egg white with 1 tablespoon (12.5 g) of granulated sugar and 1/2 tablespoon (6 g) of cornstarch. Spread the paste over the unwanted facial hair and leave it until it's dried. This should take 15 to 20 minutes. Then peel off the dried mask.^[2]
   
   • It's important to let the mask dry since this will remove the hair when you pull the mask off.
3. Make a turmeric and chickpea scrub for sensitive skin. For a gentle hair remover, mix equal amounts of chickpea flour with ground turmeric. Then mix in enough water to make a thick paste that you can spread on the unwanted facial hair. Leave it on your skin for 10 to 15 minutes and then rinse it off with warm water.^[3]
   
   • Because this is a gentle treatment, you'll need to do it a few times a week for several weeks before you notice the hair falling out.
4. Apply an oat paste to gently exfoliate your skin and remove hair. Instead of using a harsh exfoliator to remove facial hair, combine 2 tablespoons (11 g) of oats with 1 ripe banana in a blender. Massage the paste onto the hair and leave it to dry for 15 minutes. Then rinse it off with water.^[4]
   
   • Repeat this 2 to 3 times a week for a few weeks until you see results.
5. Dab lavender and tea tree oil over unwanted hair to stop hair growth. To slow down the growth of hair on your face, mix together 6 drops of tea tree oil with of lavender essential oil. Dip a cotton ball in the mixture and dab it onto the unwanted hair. Then let your skin dry. Do this once a day for 3 months to begin seeing results.
   
   • Because this method slows down hair growth, try it along with another method to remove hair.

[Edit]Removing the Hair Manually

1. Shave with a single razor blade for quick hair removal. Splash your face with water and massage sensitive-skin shaving gel or cream on it. Take a single razor blade, such as a facial or eyebrow razor, and gently run it over your skin. Then rinse your face off with water and pat it dry just before you apply a moisturizing lotion.^[5]
   
   • Avoid shaving your facial hair if you have acne. Shaving the fine hairs on your face can actually make your skin oilier and more likely to break out.
   • Rinse the razor frequently so it doesn't clog.
2. Wax the hair for longer lasting hair removal.^[6] For hair removal that lasts for 2 to 3 weeks, apply warm wax to the hair on your face. Firmly press a cloth on the wax and then pull it off to remove the unwanted hair.^[7]
   
   • To make it easier, purchase prepared wax strips that you simply press on your face.
   • If you'd like a gentler treatment that's easier to remove than wax, use a sugar paste instead of wax.
3. Use tweezers to pluck just a few facial hairs. If you don't have a lot of hair to remove or you don't want to remove fine facial hairs, pluck individual hairs with a pair of tweezers.
   
   • Use slanted tweezers since they grip the hair better than needle-nosed tweezers.
4. Rub a pumice stone to gently buff away facial hair. Shower for 5 to 10 minutes so the hot water softens your skin and opens your pores. Soak a pumice stone in water while you shower. Then rub a facial moisturizer on your skin and rub the stone over your face using small, circular motions. Continue to gently scrub your face for 1 to 2 minutes before rinsing your face with water.^[8]
   
   • If you have a double-sided pumice stone, use the softer side to prevent skin irritation.
   • Use the pumice stone on your face only once a week so your skin doesn't become red or inflamed.

[Edit]Tips

• Apply a moisturizer that works well with your skin immediately after trying any of these hair removal methods.
• Always practice good hygiene and wash your hands before doing any hair removal method on your face.
• Do a patch test on your skin before removing hair from your face. You'll be able to see if your skin has a reaction before treating your entire face.

[Edit]References

Birthdays are a great way to celebrate life with your friends and family, but don’t you wish there was a way to do it with more style? Luckily, theming your party only takes a few extra steps and adds a lot more pizzazz and excitement for your guests. If you’ve never thrown a themed birthday before, don’t worry because we’ve got you covered! We’ll start with some basic considerations for making your party thematic and move on to some basic party-planning advice!

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Choose a theme that matches the person’s interests.

1. Add a personal touch by picking a theme the birthday person loves. If you’re not the one throwing a party, talk with the person who’s celebrating and ask them about things they like. Find out their favorite movies, TV shows, places, or time periods so you can work a theme around it. Try to find a theme that you can easily manage before the party.^[1]
   
   • For example, it might be too hard to plan a full Victorian party with costumes and decor, but a nautical-themed party could be easier.

[Edit]Pick a few colors coordinated your theme.

1. Coordinate your decor so your theme comes across easier. Once you settle on a theme, try and pick out a few key colors that you want to stand out. When you’re getting decor and setting up the party, stick with colors in your palette to make your theme impactful and more memorable.^[2]
   
   • For example, for a nautical-themed party, you may choose light blue, tan, and dark blue.
   • As another example, if you’re having a Halloween party, stick with colors like orange, purple, and black.

[Edit]Find a venue that fits the aesthetic and guestlist.

1. Give everyone enough space for activities and mingling. While you can usually decorate an apartment for a small get-together, a bigger themed party might take up more space. Consider if the theme you’re working with works better in a more intimate space or if you should find somewhere larger. You may even host the party outside if it fits with your theme.^[3]
   
   • For example, if you’re throwing a sports-themed party, you may choose to host your party outdoors or in a large rec room so people have space to play games.
   • As another example, if you’re hosting a wine and art party with a couple of friends, you might want to find a place where you don’t mind it getting a little messy with all the supplies.

[Edit]Send your guests fun invitations.

1. Let your guests know the party’s theme early so they know what to expect. You can buy pre-made invitations from the store or get crafty and make your own.^[4] Make a list of everyone you want to invite so you know how many people to prepare for. Fill out an invitation for every guest that you want at the party and send it at least 3–5 weeks ahead of time so your guests have time to respond and plan around it.^[5]
   
   • For example, if you’re doing a dinosaur-themed party, you may fold up the invitation into a plastic egg with a toy dinosaur. The invite could say something like, “Are you ready to DIG IN at Anthony’s 8th birthday?”
   • As another example, for a Vegas-themed party, you could include pictures of dice and casino games with the line, “What happens at Megan’s 40th, stays at Megan’s 40th.”
   • If you’re doing digital invites, use clip art and pictures that match your theme in the invitation.
   • Schedule your party for a weekend so most of your guests are available.

[Edit]Make it a costume party.

1. Request everyone to wear a themed costume if you want people to dress up. Depending on the theme, you can ask your guests to dress up ahead of time. Include the dress code or costume ideas in the invitations so your guests have time to put something together.^[6]
   
   • For example, for a pirate-themed party, you could tell people to wear fake eyepatches, hats, and striped clothing.
   • As another example, for a Great Gatsby-themed party, you may ask men to dress in suits and women to wear 20s flapper dresses.
   • Let your guests know it’s okay if they’re not able to get a costume together in time.

[Edit]Put out decor for your motif.

1. Spruce up the walls and tables so your guests are immersed in the theme. Balloons and streamers are really common at birthday parties, but your theme gives you a chance to try something new. Look up imagery associated with your theme and write down a few ideas for decorations you could include. For easy decor, cutting shapes out of paper and taping them to the walls is great, but you can always run to the party store and pick up supplies you don’t have.^[7]
   
   • For example, for a nautical-themed party, you may include paper cutouts of anchors, sailboats, lighthouses, seagulls, and treasure chests.
   • As another example, a party based on the dinosaurs could have small plastic toys, fake bones and fossils, pictures of your favorite ancient animals, and toy shovels.
   • Think about things that your guests can wear during the party. For example, for a pirate-themed party, you could include captain hats, fake hook hands, or fake beards.

[Edit]Prepare a thematic menu.

1. Food and drinks that match your theme tie your whole party together. Look up your theme on idea boards like Pinterest to see what types of food you can include on your menu. Try to stick with some easy finger food so your guests can munch on them throughout the night. Give a few different options to ensure that everyone is able to happily enjoy something while they’re at the party.^[8]
   
   • For example, if you want to have a British-themed party, you may offer scones, tea, sausages, lemon cakes, and fruit trifle.
   • As another example, put out some gummy worms, dipped pretzel sticks that look like fingers, and green punch for a witch-themed party.
   • Remember to get plates, silverware, and napkins that match your theme as well.

[Edit]Decorate a cake.

1. Customize the cake with some fun and thematic toppers or decorations. Ask the person celebrating what their favorite cake is so you can buy or make it for them. Use icing or fondant to add touches of your theme to the design. Then, look at a party decoration store to see if they have any fun decorations that match your theme to stick into the cake.^[9]
   
   • For example, for a Disney-themed party, find a cake topper of their favorite Disney character to put on top of the cake.
   • As another example, a nature-themed cake could have green frosting, ice cream cone trees, and a small animal topper.
   • Don’t forget about the candles! Use a number of candles equal to the person’s age, or get the candles that are already shaped like numbers to save space.

[Edit]Plan some related games and activities.

1. Games and activities spice up your party and keep your guests involved with the theme. Brainstorm a few activities that are associated with the theme of your party and can easily be done at home. Offer a few different types of activities for different age groups so everyone at the party has a chance to have some fun.^[10]
   
   • For example, if you’re having a Harry Potter-themed party, you could make slime for “potions” class, play a game of quidditch, or have a scavenger hunt for a golden snitch.
   • As another example, for a luau-style party, you could make leis, have a hula hoop competition, and limbo.

[Edit]Hand out fun party favors.

1. Give your party-goers something to remind them of the fun they just had. Look for a few cheap items that match the theme of your party at the dollar store and get enough for every guest. When your guests leave the party, give them a bag of party favors to take home with them.^[11]
   
   • For example, if you threw an art-themed party, you may give colored pencils, erasers, a sketchbook, and a customized drawing.
   • As another example, if you had a carnival-themed party, you could hand out home versions of carnival games, plush circus animals, and snacks, like popcorn and candy peanuts.

[Edit]Tips

• Take a lot of pictures of your party so it’s a day that you never forget!
• Give your attention to the person celebrating their birthday if it’s not you. Make their day special and memorable.

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Plan a Birthday Party
• Organize a Birthday Party for Kids
• Plan a Child's Birthday Party

[Edit]References