The Daily Post-Athenian: How To Guide 2023

A Career ■ ■

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Like many people, you may be wondering how to choose the right career. The most important thing you can do when you are trying to pick a career is to choose one that is right for you. Finding out what career is a good fit for you is truly all that matters.

Some people are born knowing what their career passion is in life. For most however, this "passion" won't become realized until an experience sets them on course for their career. Regardless, lifelong personal success depends on - you.

Yes, qualities such as ambition, dedication, education, and skills all play a role in determining your future, but true success will also be determined by well-developed strategies concerning academics and career But what then, are the right steps to take in order to achieve these desired results? Everyone has diffrent paths they choose to take, but here are some tips to consider before making a life-changing decision.

FIRST, LEARN MORE ABOUT YOURSELF

Your first order of business is to learn as much as you can about yourself. If you think you know all there is to know, you will definitely be surprised by what you will discover by doing a thorough self assessment.

DEVELOP A CAREER PLAN

Think about what you want to do and find out more about the kind of training, education, and skills needed to achieve career goals.

ASSESS SKILLS AND INTERESTS

Think hard about what you enjoy, what you are good at, what kind of personality you have, and your

values. You don't want to work hard toward a career you'll dislike.

RESEARCH OCCUPATIONS

Find out more about the nature of the jobs that interest you such as education! requirements, salary, working conditions, future outlook, and industry certifications.

COMPARE YOUR SKILLS

Compare your skills and interests with your selected occupations. The career that matches your skills, interests, and personality the closest may be the career for you.

CHOOSE A CAREER GOAL

Once you've decided what occupation matches you best, begin developing a plan to reach your career goal.

SELECT A TRAINING CENTER

You'll need one that offers a college degree or training program to meet your career goal and financial situation.

RESEARCH FUNDING OP TIONS

Find out about financial aid and scholarships that could help support your efforts to attain your goal.

DEVELOP JOB-HUNTING SKILLS

As you prepare to graduate or move into the job market, you should develop a true understanding of how to locate and secure jobs in your industry and know about different hiring processes.

DEVELOP INTERVIEW SKILLS

Develop an impressive resume and interviewing skills. Research different resume styles along with dos and don'ts. Learn acceptable interviewing

techniques and develop communication skills.

SEEK ASSISTANCE

Visit the Career Center in Athens as your primary resource and www. jobs4TN.gov. Go to a career guidance center at a school or college or a local library for additional information and help on career planning and don't forget about Internet resources.

HOT CAREERS IN EAST TENNESSEE

1. Financial Managers

2. Industrial Engineers

3. Human Resources

4. Sales Managers

5. Licensed Practical Nurse

6. Pharmacy Technicians

7. Medical Secretaries

8. Customer Service Representatives

9. Bookkeeping/Accounting Clerks

10. Administrative Assistants

11. Machinists

12. Electricians

13. Industrial Machinery Mechanics

14. Carpenters

Important Points

• Compare your skills and interest with your selected occupations.

• Develop an impressive resume and polish your interviewing skills.

• You will need a school or training center that meets your education and finacial requirements.

Questions To Think About

• What occupation matches you best?

• Do you have a plan to reach your career goal')

Countonus.

When every minute matters.

We’reherewhenyou need us most, providing 24/7 emergency careclosetohome, including the higher levels of heartcarefoundinanaccredited Chest Pain Center. We constantly monitorERwait times, to getyou diagnosed, treatedand home as soonaspossible. From the routine to theunforeseen, count on us.

Flooring

Your floor covering is an important part of your decor and it should suit the character and ambience you want to create in a room. This guide aims to simplify your decision by outlining the factors that are important to finding the most suitable flooring for you and your home.

Choose flooring for your lifestyle.

• Do you have children, pets or lots of visitors that will increase traffic and wear on your flooring?

• Do you have elderly relatives or small children that make safety important?

• Does anyone living in the home have allergies?

Choose flooring for your environment. Every room in your house has its own unique flooring challenges, ask yourself:

• Is the room used often by the whole family?

• Will there be a lot of heavy furniture?

• Is the flooring exposed to direct sunlight?

CHOOSING THE RIGHT LVT

With LVT you can have it all. Aesthetics. Performance. Low maintenance. Long life-cycle. With so many reasons to love luxury vinyl tile (LVT), it is becoming the product of choice for commercial spaces ranging from retail, healthcare and education to hospitality and office. And while some LVTs are tailor-made for commercial use, others are geared for homeowners. How to make sense of the thousands of options, let alone which may be the best solution for your project?

Thanks to advances in manufacturing technology, today's LVT realistically emulates the look, texture and character of natural hardwood, ceramic, stone and cement. The visuals rival the real McCoy; so much so that it's often hard to tell if the floorcovering underfoot is LVT.And, true to the natural materials they mimic, the

formats complement the visuals. Modular "stone" tiles come in a multitude of sizes and colors, while planks are styled in an array of widths and colors also.The tiles and planks are generally offered in uniform thicknesses, so it's easy to combine different visuals and sizes together for creating unique end user experiences.

Not all LVT's are created equal. Different cores and make up of the product can even make some waterproof.

VINYL

Vinyl is one of the most resilient, versatile and affordable flooring options you can buy. Plus, vinyl is available in more styles than ever before so it's ideal for the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room and entryway.

Vinyl flooring is growing increasingly popular with homeowners. This is likely due to the unique benefits that vinyl flooring provides. It's easy to maintain, long lasting, and provides a comfortable surface to walk on. Vinyl flooring is highly durable.

CARPET

Nothing looks like it, feels like it or performs like it! Carpet is a key decorative and functional element in a home. Because carpet is the foundation of decorating, it can provide simplicity and casualness for softness and livability or it can provide excitement with vibrant color and heavier textures for making a decorating "statement." Carpet can be one of the easiest ways to personalize an environment - its color can be a neutral foundation "in the background" or it can be a vibrant focal point.

Common Types of Fiber

• Nylon • Polyester

• Polypropylene • T iexta

Carpet tiles continue to dominate the commercial carpeting marketplace.

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TILE

If you have never considered tile before, you will be amazed at the variety of colors, patterns, sizes, shapes, and textures that are now available. With the sophisticated manufacturing processes being used today, tiles have become easy to maintain, much more affordable. There are three basic types.

• Ceramic Tile • Porcelain Tile

• Natural Stone Tiles

HARDWOOD

Solid hardwood flooring is made from one continuous piece of wood and is available in a wide variety of widths. Generally solid hardwood flooring is 3/4" thick.

As wood is a product of nature you will never have two boards that are the same so it truly gives your home a one of a kind feel.

Wood flooring gives you a great opportunity for customization. Your choice of species, stain & finishes all contribute to find your perfect floor.

Engineered - Engineered wood flooring is made from layers of wood stacked and glued together under heat & pressure. Engineered hardwood flooring has the uniqueness of hardwood since the top layer is real hardwood. But with the construction method it is available in wider, more unique planks, than solid. Engineered hardwood has became one of the top style contenders.

LAMINATE

If you love the look of real hardwood, but are concerned with maintaining its appearance, there is an alternative. Laminate floors are beautiful, extremely durable, and easy to clean. It's well suited for high-traf­fic areas, busy family kitchens, and homes with children and pets. Like hardwood, laminate is available in various widths and lengths and is less expensive than real wood.

A Home

Buying a home is one of the biggest purchases that most people will make, so no doubt it can be an intimidating process. However, despite fixing that emergency leak in the weehours of the morning, homeownership is very rewarding.

Homeownership is the best way to build wealth. Owning your own place has substantial social benefits, including higher educational achievement, civic participation and health benefits. Sounds exciting, right? But when is the right time to make the leap from renting to homeownership? Are you ready to become a homeowner?

Here are a few tips to help you better understand when is a good time to make the transition from writing that rent check to someone else to building equity in your future.

Think Long Term

One of the advantages of renting is flexibility. It is simply easier to move at the end of your contract than trying to sell your house, but understand this convenience comes at a price. If you know that you will need to move shortly because of a job or family change, then renting is probably the right option. However, if you are looking to put down roots, then consider homeownership. Where do you plan to be in two, five and ten years? Do you plan on having children? How is the school district? How is the neighborhood? What is the projected growth in the area? Can you envision you and your family in the home in the future?

Identify a Location

In real estate, it is all about location and what is important to you. Do you want acreage out in the country? Or would you like to live in town? Do you want something close to work? Do you want something close to the interstate with easy access to Knoxville and Chattanooga? It is also a good idea to look at area schools, property tax rates, crime statistics and proposed growth plans.

Budget for Home-Related Expenses

First-time homebuyers are encouraged to save at least 20 percent of the home's purchase cost to avoid paying private mortgage insurance. However,

there are options for first-time homebuyers that include paying less than 20% down and even options for 0% down with no PMI. While you wiJI need a nest egg for the down payment, you also need to think about the expenses associated with homeownership. Be sure to plan for property taxes, home insurance, utilities, maintenance and possible homeowner association fees. These will vary depending on the size of your home. Also, be sure to set aside funds for emergency repairs because they will pop up - regardless of the home's age.

Strengthen Your Credit Score

Understand your credit score. In general, the higher the credit score, the lower the interest rate. In short, a good credit score will save you money. Work to improve your credit score by paying bills on time and eliminating credit card balances. Visit www.annualcreditreport.com to get a free copy of your credit report from each bureau.

Get Prequalified

Contact a mortgage lender to get prequalified before beginning to look at properties to better understand what you can afford. Be prepared to supply your residential history, employment and income history, personal assets and persona] debts. The prequalified process will help you understand your debt-to-income ratio and ultimately create a better home buying experience.

Understand the Mortgage Market

You don't need to be an expert about the mortgage market, but having a strong foundational understanding about the homebuying process can be helpful. The NeighborWorks America website is a good resource for first-time home buyers. Also, look in your area for homeownership classes. Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise hosts an annual Money School every spring with sessions dedicated to homeownership.

Be Determined and Informed

The supply of homes on the market is lower this season. Know that you will need to move fast to get your dream home, but don't cut corners. Making decisions without fully

reviewing all the facts could be disastrous, especially when it comes to the home inspection.

Sign Up for Home Alerts

Keep a pulse on the market by signing up to receive home alerts from your realtor or real estate search engines. This is a great way to understand the market without having to scour through real estate searches every night. I t also helps you better understand all the listings that are available.

Visit the Neighborhood

To get a good feel of the neighborhood, visit it at various times throughout the day What is traffic like during the morning commute? Are people active in the afternoon? Is it important to you that there are other families? If there is a neighborhood listserv, see if you can sign up in advance to better gauge the neighborhood. Talk to others who live in the area and ask what they like about the community. You need to not only love your home, but your neighborhood as well.

Request a Home Inspection

It is easy to fall in love with what seems to be the perfect house, but know that every house has pitfalls. That's why it is so important to get a home inspection by a licensed home inspector The inspector's job is to look for hidden issues with the home. Issues could include things like mold, termites, foundation problems or a bad roof. Be sure to allocate time to attend the home inspection. Good home inspectors will take the time to walk you through the process and explain what they found. The cost of the inspection could save you a lot of money later.

These ten tips will help you in your journey to homeownership.

For more information about the prequalification and mortgage process, contact TVFCU Mortgage Originators, Jennifer Cheatham at 423-634-3662, or Wendee Gibson at 423-634-3674

A Skilled Nursing Facility

How To Choose...

Choosing a skilled nursing facility for someone can be a bewildering and challenging task. This is understandable. Finding the appropriate skilled nursing facility, with the required services and most desirable atmosphere that best fits a loved one’s needs, requires a tremendous amount of fact gathering. This guide is intended to provide you with a starting point in your search.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF A SKILLED NURSING FACILITY IS NEEDED?

If an individual needs 24-hour care and supervision, a skilled nursing facility is probably the best answer.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING MEDICARE AND MEDICAID, CONTACT

WWW.MEDICARE.GOV

To ensure that you are seen in a timely manner, it is suggested that you call ahead to schedule an initial appointment and make sure to bring:

• Copy of Social Security Card

• Medicare Card

• Insurance Card

• Life Insurance Policies

• Pre-paid Burial Policies

• Verification of income and ALL resources

WHAT ABOUT REHABILITATION AND OTHER SPECIALIZED SERVICES?

A quality skilled nursing facility provides full onsite rehabilitation therapies and special services such as:

*Physical Therapy

*Speech Therapy

*Occupational Therapy

*Wound Care

IS FAMILY SUPPORT AVAILABLE?

Making the decision to have a loved-one stay in a skilled nursing facility can be difficult to cope with for many people. Many needlessly experience guilt and fear. However, the social services staff works with the entire family to offer guidance and counseling during what can be an emotionally trying time.

Once families get to feel comfortable with a quality skilled nursing facility, they discover that the old image of skilled nursing facilities no longer applies. Then they come to realize that they have made the right decision to have their loved one cared for in a setting that best suits their needs.

WHAT OTHER SERVICES SHOULD WE LOOK FOR IN A SKILLED NURSING FACILITY?

You should look for specific qualities that will add to your loved-one’s quality of life, such as:

*24-hour Skilled Nursing Care

*Staff Physicians on site, or on call

*Full Range of Medical Specialists available

*Personalized Nutrition

*24-Hour Security

*Transportation for Residents

*Activities Program: Onsite and Off Campus

GENERAL CONDITIONS

*Do they admit and provide services without regard to race, color, creed, sex, national origin or source of payment?

*Is the facility clean and orderly?

*Is the facility reasonably free of unpleasant odors?

*Is the facility well lighted?

*Are the rooms well ventilated and kept at a comfortable temperature?

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS

*Are there smoke detectors, a sprinkler system and emergency lighting in every room?

*Are there portable fire extinguishers?

*Are the exits clearly marked and illuminated?

*Is there maintenance staff available to provide immediate service?

MEDICAL SERVICES

*In case of medical emergencies is a physician available at all times, either on staff or on call?

*Is emergency transportation readily available?

*Does a qualified pharmacist maintain and monitor a record of each resident’s drug therapy?

MISSION:

Life Care Centers of America is committed to being a premier providing of long-term healthcare. It is our desire to be the facility of choice in any community in which we operate. Our programs, services and facilities must be designed and operatd with superior quality in order to satisfy the needs of our customers.

VALUES:

To Residents:

•We believe our residents are our highest priority.

•We believe in the preservation of dignity, self-respect and resident rights in a living and caring environment.

•We believe in the resident-centered approach to care in which the total needs of the residents are met. The resident’s family is encouraged to become closely involved with the center in meeting the resident’s needs.

IMPORTANT POINTS TO CONSIDER

Here’s a checklist of important points to consider in selecting a skilled nursing facility:

• Are they certified to participate in Medicare and Medicaid programs?

•Do they have a state license or letter of approval from a licensing agency?

•If the resident requires specialized services are they provided? (Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Respiratory Therapy...)

•Is the general atmosphere warm, pleasant and cheerful?

•Do the residents look well cared for and content?

• Are the staff members cheerful, courteous and enthusiastic?

•Do the residents, visitors and volunteers speak favorably about the facility?

Decatur Wellness and Rehabilitation Center is askilled nursing facility. We strive to be a top provider in Meigs County,continuously focused on quality measures, as well as patient care and satisfaction.

Our services include:

Skilled Nursing

Long-Term Care

Occupational Therapy

Physical Therapy

Speech Therapy

Private Suites

Semi-Private Rooms

TherapyGym with Home Simulations

AlaCarte Menu

Alternate Menu for Patient Preference

In-house Beauty Shop

Daily Life Enrichment Activities

Loving, Compassionate Staff

Quality preventive care is essential to good health. It’swhy we’re here, close to home, providing compassionate, individualized care to folks of all ages. So you, your family,and our entire community can allbetheir very best.

Enhanced cleaning, masking requirements and social distancing to help keep yousafe.

ARealtor

Ho wT oC hoose ...

Real estate transactions involve many moving partsthatmust coordinateefforts&get resultsto make asuccessful transactiona reality. The leadership of this team is therealtor.

USINGAREAL ESTATE AGENT, BROKER,ORREALTOR

Areal estate agent has a professionallicense that is awarded by thestate after completingtraining dictatedbythatstate &having taken awritten licensingexam whichcoversfederalreal estate laws, generalreal estate principals&statespecific laws. Areal estate broker has additional educationcovering in-depth courseworkfocused on ethics, contracts, taxes&insurance. Typicallyabrokerhas aminimum of 3years experience as alicensed real estate agent. There are3types of brokers: principal,managing& associate. Arealtorisalicensedagent with membership in theNational Association of Realtors® &are heldto ahighercodeofconduct

HOWTOCHOOSEANAGENT

Consider interviewing at least 3agentstofind theone that fits your specific needs&demonstrates attentiontodetail, knowledgeof your housingmarket, anetwork of realestateconnections,engaging, honest personality, tenacity,selfmotivated&aproblem-solver mindset. Be direct&ask abouttheir experience,their clientload, how often youwill communicate&how, their percentage as alisting or buyers agent&iftheyare afull time agent as thesequestionswill impact the successofyourtransaction.A listing presentationcarries no obligation to list with that agent. Recentlawsin ever ystate have defined theduties of someonespecificallyretainedasa real estate agent. Most states requirea real estate agenttoexplain hisorher

role at theoutsetofany conversation. Aprofessionalagent will promptly provide this information.

LOOK FORANAGENT WHO:

•Isalicensedmemberofthe local boardorassociation of realtors.

•Listens to your expectationsof buying/sellingpropertyincluding future plans on potentialpurchases.

•Responds promptlytoyour questions&advises youonhow to prepare your home forthe market.

•Pointsout improvementsthatwill enhancethe desireability of your home.

•Has researched your property & comparables currentlyavailableinthe public recordsand theMLS.

•Has experience workingwithyour type of property

•Willingtoofferyou previous clients as references.

•Can recommendsupport professionals suchasroofers, appraisers,inspectors, mortgage brokers,etc.

REALTORRESPONSIBILITIES

Some of theduties your agentwill performfor youinclude:

•Walk throughthe processofselling your home from beginningtoend.

•Provide comparable information about theprices forwhichother properties have sold andanalyzing data foryou to gain atrue comparison

•Supply information regarding localcustoms &regulationsyou maywanttoconsider as well as legal requirements.

•Share information aboutyourhome throughthe Multiple ListingSer vice andonother internet services.

•Place advertisements foryourhome.

•Field phonecalls.

•“Qualify” potentialbuyers to make sure they wouldbefinanciallyableto buyyourproperty.

•Negotiate thesales contract.

KIM RIDDLE, BROKER

423-280-5255

423-755-8830

kim@fbright.com

•Alertyou to potentialrisks.

•Offerprofessionalphotography

•Provide youwithutilityoptions,city &countyser vices.

•Helpyou preparefor asmooth closingofthe transaction

REAL ESTATE TERMINOLOGY

•Appraisal

•Backup Offer

•Inspection

•Title Search

•Contingencies

•LandSur vey

•Seller &BuyerConcessions

•Counter Offer

•Above Market Price

•Termite Report

•Pre-Approval

•Loans:VA, FHA, Conventional

•ClosingCosts

•Agent Commission

•Equity

•Proof of Funds

•Active Contingency

•CommonAreaAssessments (HOA)

•RenttoOwn

•DownPayment

•Earnest Money

•E as ement

•Exclusive Listing

•Foreclosure

Kimisalicensed Broker with over 17 yearsofreal estate experience.She is anativeofMcMinn County &isproud to call it home.Kim &her husband, John, have two youngdaughters. They enjoythe outdoors & have ahobby-farm with severalhorses.

A Pre-Owned Automobile ■ ■ ■ a, M a a .a:: u

AN INTRODUCTION TO BUYING A PRE-OWNED CAR

Purchasing a new vehicle is often an exciting experience, especially since buying a car is usually the second largest acquisition one will make in a lifetime, next to buying a house. You can choose exactly what you want, the car is readily available, the warranty is fresh, and obviously the car is new and free of problems. These are all reasonable points, but the option of buying used has many benefits.

Quite obviously, most consumers opt for pre-owned cars for financial reasons. Simply put, the price of a pre-owned car may be 50 percent less than the latest model even if the used model year is fairly recent.

Depreciation is the factor behind these savings, as the new vehicle drops in value the moment it is driven off the dealer's lot. In fact, during the first year alone a car will depreciate at least 20 percent, and will continue to drop in decreasing increments every year thereafter.

The prospective pre-owned car buyer can take advantage of a vehicle that is only a few years old, but is mechanically and physically sound, still looks terrific, and has a great price tag. With the incredible savings, you can get practically the same vehicle as the latest model and save money, or a higher end model that one could normally not afford can be purchased for much less.

The latter scenario can often buy a vehicle with more performance, safety, and luxury features that you might need, but would be out of reach if purchased new.

Buying a pre-owned car through a dealer has become less of a challenge, although consumers should still educate themselves and arrive at the dealership armed with information. The pre-owned car you have in mind should be researched online for consumer reports, manufacturer recalls and blue book price.

Online services such as Kellybluebook.com or upnorthautos.com will provide quick and easy quotes on vehicles so that you do not overpay for a pre-owned vehicle.

Other Web sites such as "CarFax

TENNESSEE

Lemon Check" will provide the vehicle history by running the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) through a thorough check.

Using these resources and comparing the information gathered to local dealer web sites and pre-owned vehicle publications will give you a solid basis for making a reasonable and educated offer on a pre-owned vehicle. These guidelines also apply to private sales, although you should be aware that most of these vehicles are sold "as is" and the sale is final. Again, online research will reveal the vehicle's history.

With the progress being made at the dealership level with pre-owned vehicles, buying a "nearly new" car has become a practical option. Combined with the numerous reputable online services providing insider information much of the uncertainty traditionally associated with preowned cars has been eliminated. With patience and thorough research, you can avoid paying too much and will leave a dealer or private sale with an excellent vehicle.

Whether you buy a pre-owned car from a dealer, a co-worker, or a neighbor, follow these tips to learn as much as you can about the car:

• Examine the car yourself using an inspection list. You can find a checklist in many of the magazine articles, books and Internet sites that deal with buying a pre-owned car.

• Talk to the previous owner if possible, especially if the present owner is unfamiliar with the car's history

TIPS FOR BUYING A PRE-OWNED CAR

• Decide what type of vehicle meets your needs.

•Locate a pre-owned car from a local dealer's classified ads, or through online classified services. This will provide you with available vehicles and prices in your area.

•Look up the "Kelly Blue Book" value, and be prepared to negotiate the price.

• You may want to run a Carfax Record Check on the car. Before you buy, simply type in the VIN into their form and you will see if it has been stolen, in an accident, had the

speedometer tampered with, number of owners, etc. This step can save you thousands of dollars. Visit Carfax. com for details.

• Buying from a dealer? Look for the Buyers Guide. It's required by a federal regulation called the Used Car Rule.

• Make sure all oral promises are written into the Buyers Guide.

• You have the right to see a copy of the dealer's warranty before you buy. Warranties are included in the price of the production; service contracts cost extra and are sold separately

• If you buy a car "as is," you'll have to pay for anything that goes wrong after the sale. The Used Car Rule generally doesn't apply to private sales.

• Figure out your auto insurance costs up front. Don't wait until the last minute to find out that insurance costs are too high. Once you have an idea of what you want you can get an insurance quote from your agent.

• Protect your vehicle with an extended warranty. It makes good sense! It is one of the few insurance policies you can buy where you get your money's worth.

The Top Four Things You Should Know...

• Keep in mind the reputation of the dealership for honesty and integrity whenever looking at new or pre-owned vehicles.

•Test drive the car under varied road conditions - on hills, highways, and in stop-and-go traffic.

• Ask for the car's maintenance record. If it's not available, contact the dealership or repair shop where most of the work was done.

• Have the car inspected by the mechanic of your choice. If you are thinking of buying a preowned vehicle, it's important to shop around for the vehicle you want, beginning with a local business that you trust.

Multiplex Movie Theater!

The Athens Area’sonly movie theater featuring state of the art digital projection, top of the line surround sound, ATMOS, unique concessionitems,and upscale amenities all with the friendliness of asmall town locally ownedbusiness.

The Athens Movie Place has been locally owned and operated since 2014. Many of our employees and the owner live in Athens. We are completely independent of any theatre chain.

AthensMovie Palace welcomes comments/questions andlooks forward to providing you with exemplary,familyentertainment. We appreciate your patronage.

Features &Services

Stadium seating for excellent viewing.

High-backed recliners Covered entrance.

Latest First Run Movies

Athens Movie Palace is the premier 3D Cinema Complex. With our 5theaters and all.

Concessions

Enjoy many great treats from our concessions. This is amust-try flavor experience.