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Many American students are struggling with student loan debt. Some have switched to an income-driven repayment plan in order to reduce their monthly payment. Others are forced to pause making payments. If you are one of these struggling students, there may be another option. Working with a bankruptcy attorney may allow you to shed off your loan obligations.

How can an attorney help with student loan debts?

A student loan attorney has advanced knowledge regarding all aspects of student loans and will help you deal with complex situations. A student loan attorney will guide you 

• When you are facing a dispute with a loan service
• When the loan issued is fraudulent
• When a debt collection agency is harassing you
• When you have been sued in court 
• When you are on the verge of bankruptcy

Hiring the services of an attorney when you aren’t aware of your legal options is enormously helpful. Only an attorney will be able to shed light on which solution will work best for your particular situation. In certain cases you may be able to discharge student loans in bankruptcy.

How do I confirm the proficiency of an attorney?

Look for lawyers who are listed in the National Association of Bankruptcy Attorneys. You can also check the American Bar Association. Check if the lawyer:

• Specializes in student loans: Rather than opting for a general practitioner, hire the services of an attorney who specializes in debt relief law as he/she will be more aware of the nuances involved and have experience in handling student loan cases. Even those who specialize in consumer loan debt may not be able to provide good relief options.
• Has experience solving your specific situation: Every loan issue is different and requires different course of action. The lawyer you select must have experience handling similar cases like yours. You can ask them how they dealt with a similar case and what outcome to expect in your case.

How to find affordable lawyers?

After you have shortlisted a few attorneys, inquire about their fee structure. Try to find an attorney who charges flat rates, as hourly rates tend to spiral out of control very quickly. Flat rates are preferable for services like document preparation, reviewing the case, resolving a student loan default, negotiating pre-trial settlement and for pretrial work.

The legal fees may range anywhere from $500 to $1000. Though it may sound like a lot, getting a lawyer to handle your student loan issues is worth it. The right advice can help you save thousands.  You’ll also be at peace when you have legal assistance.

Before taking legal action, try to resolve the issue with your loan servicer and discuss repayment alternatives. If you aren’t able to reach an agreement, legal help will prove beneficial.

When you’re showing your rental apartments to prospective tenants, you’re presenting them with a picture of their future home. Although renting an apartment means freedom and flexibility, it’s still a big commitment and your potential renter will want to feel at home. That’s why you should prepare the apartment and give it a homey vibe before each visit.

To make the best first impression, make sure you cover all of the main aspects and show a clean, functional, comfortable, and beautiful apartment the renters will love. In particular, here’s what you should focus on:

Cleaning

After your previous tenant has vacated the unit, bring in a cleaning crew to deep clean the apartment. They should be able to remove any stains and odors and freshen up the apartment, in general. If there are more serious issues—such as holes in the walls or other damage—make sure to repair them before showing the apartment to the next prospect. 

Furthermore, if you want to give the rental that new apartment feel, focus on cleaning areas such as windows, corners of rooms and appliances. The kitchen and the bathroom should be spotless, and by polishing the appliances and fixtures, these rooms will shine. 

Functionality

It’s difficult to know what kind of lifestyle your prospective tenant has and whether the apartment you are showing will suit it. Therefore, emphasize the functionality of the apartment by making sure the appliances, plumbing, lights, windows, and locks are all working properly. If there are any problems, call a specialist to fix them before the showing.

Once those are taken care of, check all potential safety and security concerns, from smoke detectors to wiring and outlets. Also, ensure that there aren’t any faulty or quirky appliances in the apartment, either. For instance, if the microwave only works half the time and the fridge doesn’t always close all the way, replace them with fully functional units. 

Comfort

Comfort is often difficult to mimic in an uninhabited apartment. However, it’s important to present the rental in its best condition, which means it should be full of light and set to the right temperature, as well as have a pleasant smell. The time of day and/or year may also influence how you show the apartment; for example, you might rely more on natural light during summer by leaving the windows uncovered as opposed to turning on artificial lights in the winter. 

The same goes for temperature, which you should adjust accordingly for a pleasant transition. In the summer, you can even leave the windows open prior to the showing to fill the apartment with fresh air. Conversely, during the winter, brew some hot cinnamon water or hot chocolate to fill the space with a pleasant, homey fragrance. 

Aesthetics

This area is very much dependent on whether you’re renting a furnished or unfurnished unit. If the apartment is empty, it might be easier for the tenant to picture bringing their own furniture and styling it according to their personal preferences. However, others may find it easier to imagine living in the apartment if it’s furnished. Either way, consider staging some areas—even with rented furniture—to give them an idea of how the apartment might look with their belongings. 

Additionally, select versatile colors for the unit’s walls and curtains so they will easily integrate with whatever color scheme the tenant chooses. But, don’t add any decorations that are too specific or personal. The entire apartment is the star of the show; the rest of the items are simply there to make it shine. 

Lastly, make sure you know that particular unit and its selling points. Then, highlight the practical amenities that are sure to convince the renter—such as walk-in closets, in-unit laundry, or storage space. Essentially, paint a picture of what it would be like for them to live there by exploring the views from the apartment, showcasing each room, and discussing the neighborhood and what they can do there. You can even ask the prospective tenants what they’re looking for and find a solution inside the apartment.

Each tenant is looking for something different, but that doesn’t mean you can’t prepare for most situations. Cover as much as possible, highlight all of the apartment’s best aspects and renters are sure to fall in love with the space. 

About the author: Mihaela Buzec is a passionate reader and writer with an affinity for language and linguistics, as well as the latest technological developments. She discovered her passion for real estate at RENTCafé, and you can read more of her articles on their blog.

When we think of Italian dishes, shrimp parm is one that stands out. The ooey, gooey cheese, the rich sauce and the light, fresh taste of shrimp comes together to make a mouth-watering combination. If you’d like to learn how to make shrimp parm, read on!

Why Love Shrimp Parm?

Shrimp parm contains shrimp, which is notoriously healthy. It’s low in calories and fat and high in protein and essential fatty acids. It is also rich in astaxanthin. Astaxanthin is a carotenoid that gives shrimp their pink color. It is packed with antioxidants and may support health aging, especially in the heart and muscles. It can also protect the body from toxins and stressors.

If you would like to make a delicious and healthy shrimp parm dish, here is a recipe we recommend.

Shrimp Parm Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ lbs. extra-large shrimp peeled and butterflied
• ½ cup flour
• 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
• ¾ cup seasoned breadcrumbs
• ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 tbsp mayonnaise
• Olive oil to protect bottom of pan while frying
• 1 lb grated mozzarella cheese
• 3 ½ cups tomato sauce
• 1 lb pasta
• Olive oil drizzle throughout pasta
• Parmesan cheese

Directions:

• Open the shrimp up like a book and remove the dark vein.
• In a zip lock bag, place flour seasoned with salt and Old Bay. Toss in shrimp and shake to coat.
• Remove shrimp; add panko, breadcrumbs, and parmesan cheese to the same bag.
• In a small bowl whisk eggs and mayonnaise.
• Dip floured shrimp into egg mixture and then into bread crumbs.
• Heat oil in a large heavy bottom pan.
•  Brown shrimp in batches and drain on a paper towel to remove excess oil.
• Spread 1/3 of the sauce on the bottom of the pan.
• Spread cooked pasta on top of sauce.
• Spoon another 1/3 sauce on pasta.
• Layer shrimp over the pasta
• Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
• Top with the rest of the sauce.
• Top with grated parmesan cheese.
• Bake in 350-degree oven till cheese is melted, about 15-20 minutes.

Of course, not everyone has the time to cook a shrimp parm dish. Fortunately for them, there are other ways to enjoy the benefits astaxanthin has to offer. The easiest way to take it is in supplemental form.

Don’t Like Seafood But Want Nutrition? Try These Healthy Supplements!

There are plenty of health care companies that carry astaxanthin supplements, but here are two we recommend.

Pure Encapsulations: Pure Encapsulations carries a wide range of products that are vegetarian, hypoallergenic, and all natural. Every ingredient they use gets tested for purity and potency. Their astaxanthin supplements are just one of the many they provide to ensure optimal health.

Solgar: With close to 75 years in the healthcare industry, Solgar has built a reputation for themselves as a leading provider of natural supplements. They are known for providing top quality, science-based products. Their product line includes astaxanthin supplements which are available in different strengths.

Eating shrimp parm is a delicious way to take advantage of the benefits astaxanthin has to offer, but those who would rather not spend a lot of time in the kitchen can still experience optimal health by taking this carotenoid in supplemental form. Cook or dose? Which one is right for you?