Relocate! Magazine Fall 2015

Bringing You Destination Options for Relocation

Exploring

Boots on the Ground

Relocating Via “The Dog”

Volume 1 Issue 1 | Sep/Oct 2015

Bringing You Destination Options for Relocation Relocate!

Magazine is published by Publish in Paradise for the purpose of exploring the United States of America, our land, our people, and the opportunities available to bring you destination options for relocation.

25% of all advertising revenue is donated to New Beginnings of His Work Global Ministries, Inc. for the purpose of helping individuals and families relocate, when they have no means to do so on their own. Š 2015 Publish in Paradise PublishinParadise.com For advertising inquiries, please visit us online at

From the Editor The islands and the coast lands are crowded and expensive. There also rumblings in the earth, earthquakes, hurricanes, and other natural disasters that are causing people to think about relocation.

There is also a spiritual aspect to this. We have heard many who have said they feel in their spirit they need to move, but don't know where to move to. We have heard the prophetic warnings. We are seeing the signs. The map of our beloved USA is changing, shifting, possibly even re-birthing.

www.RelocateMag.us Publisher: Publish In Paradise Editor: Angela J. Richards relocatemag@my.com Contributors:

For those of you wondering, "Where do I go?" We hope to provide options for destinations in your search for relocation areas. Those options are not just a city, state or area to move to, but also a glimpse into the lives of those already living in those areas, business and employment opportunities, educational opportunities, housing, recreation, and more.

If you are looking to relocate, may Relocate!Magazine help be a light unto your path.

Family Features Angela J. Richards

On the cover: Photo of Auke Lake in Juneau, Alaska.

Photo by Angela J. Richards for Relocate! Magazine

www.RelocateMag.us

Angela "You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.

But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs." Matthew 24:6-8

Relocate! Magazine Sep/Oct 2015 Š Publish In Paradise | RelocateMag.us

Departments Explore our Country

8 Ready for a Road Trip?

Exploring Alaska! We will be running a series of On the Move articles on the different cities in Alaska, with 4 Boots on the Ground: Ketchikan being the First Relocating via “The Dog” City.

4

9 Save Money at the Pump Ketchikan, Alaska: Beautiful Land, Beautiful 10 Steer Clear of People Distracted Driving: Safety tips for families on the road 12

12

Sustainability 16

MOVING? Will Your Credit Sustain You?

8

18

Get Your Rental Security Deposit Back

Preparation 7

Tips for Safer Travels /

Traveling Sensitivities

with

Food

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16

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Boots on the Ground

Relocating Across 10 States via “The Dog” © Angela J. Richards for Relocate! Magazine

I

n February of this year every door was closing on me in a beautiful city that I was trying to call home, but I ended up homeless once again. I spent three nights at KOTS (Keys Overnight Temporary Shelter) in Key West, Florida before hopping a Greyhound to go where there was an open door to me—across the country in Montana.

Relocating via a bus and going through 10 states was a leap of faith for me. But taking a leap of faith was not new to me. I had taken that leap in 2011 when all the doors were closing for me in Alaska and the only door open to me was in Key West, Florida. I followed the leading of the Holy Spirit and safely relocated across the country, via a jet with one adult son, one teenaged son and two dogs.

But now, it was more than three years later. Within our first year in Key West, we had to rehome our beloved dogs due to our struggles with homelessness. My eldest son decided to stick it out in Key West, and my youngest son had already moved back home to Alaska. I had stayed in Key West knowing my ministry work there wasn’t finished. But when all the doors began to close, it was time to leave. I knew that God would be with me in my relocating to Montana just like He was in our move to Florida.

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were guarded and not very trusting of others, not very friendly, but as we journeyed toward Montana people were more relaxed and friendly with one another. I heard many discussing their personal stories with cancer, and sharing tips in ways to endure the struggle.

My ticket cost less than $300.00, and with the money I had left I was planning on using for food. The Holy Spirit was urging me to save $100 of that, for what I didn’t know, but I did save out the $100 as I was led. I brought as much food with me as possible, including some cheese and boiled eggs (that was a mistake). Having food sensitivities makes it difficult to eat out, so I plan ahead by having as much of my own foods with me as possible. Besides, it saves money to carry your own food.

I was not prepared for the changes in the temperatures. I was being prompted to bring my warm coat along with me, but since it was buried under all the other totes in my storage unit, I left it behind. So I ended up traveling from 80 degree weather all through different temperatures, including 0 degree temp., with a hooded sweatshirt. I should’ve listened to the still small voice but I didn’t, and by the end of my journey I paid for it.

While on the bus I found it interesting that the spiritual climate changed during the trip as well. While on the East coast people

For those of us without children the travel was smooth and a good experience; however, that was not the case with the parents, single or not, who were traveling on the bus with small children— it was a challenge. If you are looking to relocate with children in tow, I would not recommend the bus— relocating is stressful enough without the added stress of trying to keep your children fed, clean and calm during such an exciting and exhausting time. If you can, fly to your destination when you have children.

As I traveled out of Florida, with each state we stopped in, I took the opportunity to lay my “boots on the ground” and pray over each state. If I know one thing about our Heavenly Father, it is that He loves ALL people. Period. So praying over all people is always encouraged, unless they refuse prayer, then of course we respect their choices and move on. We are all on our own spiritual journeys, and during our journey we should be at peace with all men as much as that is possible. Judge not, and love lots.

See “The Dog” next page…

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The Dog cont…

During my layover times throughout the states, many of the bus depots had lockers one could rent, or even a storage service for a small fee, where I could store my bags until my next departure. While on the Greyhound, the travelers are responsible for all their luggage, which can be a pain, so having the storage service and the lockers is invaluable so you can actually have some freedom to explore your new surroundings and meet new people.

When I finally made it to Montana, we had a very long layover in Butte, which hosts a small depot that gets closed in between bus arrivals and departures. And by this time, traveling through extreme temperatures with nothing but a hoodie, I was hosting a fever. I needed rest and real food. Luckily, God knew what I was going to need ahead of time, and by listening to His Spirit and saving out money, my needs were met.

I got my much needed rest at Eddy’s Motel—and with a free upgrade to a room with a mini fridge and microwave. (Room number 7, no less J.) There is a nice restaurant next door to Eddy’s Motel where I grabbed both breakfast and lunch, so I wouldn’t have to leave the motel. I had all day to rest and fight off the fever in plenty of time to catch the last bus to my destination in Helena, Montana.

Motel room for the day $60 Cab fare to and from the motel $20 Breakfast & lunch while at the motel $20 Total that the Holy Spirit had me save out $100

This was a journey I will never forget, and all for good reasons. I learned a lot, I met a lot of wonderful people in ten different states, on five different busses, in a total of four days…and that is priceless. R!

Helena, Montana

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Tips for Safer Travels:

Preparing for Traveling Journeys when you Have Food Sensitivities

·

Dress for comfort not for success.

By Angela J. Richards for Relocate! Magazine

·

Use a Fanny Pack or comparable to keep your IDs, wallet, glasses, tissues, etc. close to you.

·

Use a wheeled backpack for added storage and to give your back a rest.

·

Bring a compact sleeping back to use for extra warmth on a bus.

Having food allergies changes your lifestyle. You have to change the way you eat, the way you shop for food, and where you go to dine-out. And when it comes to traveling, it can really pose challenges with all of those changes.

·

Bring a compact coat so you have it available when needed and can easily stow it in your backpack when not needed.

·

Bring non-perishable foods with you.

·

Build up your body’s immunity before and during your travels—herbs, vitamins, especially vitamin c.

·

Always follow the leading of the Holy Spirit!

As a traveler who battles Celiac and Diabetes, it was a real challenge to find food that I could eat since I didn’t always have the luxury of preparing it in a kitchen. Here are a couple tips that I have learned during my journey: ● Bring your spices/herbs with you. If you have a certain set of herbs/spices you use to cook with, many others many not have them available. Put them in zippered plastic bags, clearly labeled, then roll them and put them all in a quart sized zippered plastic bag for easy travel. ● Mini plastic containers make great travel companions. Even though glass is all the rage, plastic is lightweight and usually shatterproof.

Lucas Oil Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana.

● Utilize Kitchenettes whenever possible. When staying at motels I make sure I have a room with a mini fridge and a microwave.

Healthy Travels!

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Avoid breakdowns with a pretrip vehicle check

I

f your upcoming travel plans include a road trip, the last thing you want is unexpected car trouble to leave you stranded at the side of the road. A pre-trip vehicle check is the best way to ensure that your car is ready to get you to your destination.

the Car Care Council and complete a thorough pre-trip checklist before hitting the road:

"Taking steps to have auto repairs performed before long distance driving will not only give you peace of mind, but will also help avoid the inconvenience and potential safety hazards of breaking down when you're miles from home," said Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council.

● Check filters and fluids, including engine oil, power steering and brake and transmission, as well as windshield washer solvent and coolant. Dirty air filters can waste gas and cause the engine to lose power.

Protect your vehicle and your own safety by following these recommendations from

● Check the brake system and make sure the battery connection is clean, tight and corrosion-free.

● Check hoses and belts that can become cracked, brittle, frayed, loose or show signs of excessive wear. These are critical to the proper functioning of the

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Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Ready for a Road Trip Through the USA?

electrical system, air conditioning, power steering and the cooling system. ● Check the tires, including tire pressure and tread. Underinflated tires reduce a vehicle's fuel economy and uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment.

Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots. ● Check that the gas cap is not damaged, loose or missing to prevent gas from spilling or evaporating.

You can also make sure your vehicle is road-trip-ready by taking better care of your vehicle throughout the year using tools such as the Car Care Council's free personalized schedule and email reminder service, which can help you drive smart, save money and make informed decisions about your car.

To access this convenient service, or to order a copy of the council's Car Care Guide, which is available electronically or as a booklet you can store in your glove box, visit www.carcare.org. R!

Source: Car Care Council | Family Features

Save Money at the Pump As gas prices continue to drop, motorists should take advantage of their savings at the pump and invest it back into their vehicles. By spending a little now to increase fuel efficiency, drivers can multiply fuel savings and save more money at the pump, according to the Car Care Council.

Here are a few simple steps for motorists to be car care aware to improve fuel efficiency and save money in the long run: ● Engine performance: Keep your car properly tuned to improve gas mileage by an average of four percent. ● Tire pressure: Keep tires properly inflated and improve gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent. ● Motor oil: Improve gas mileage by 1 to 2 percent by using the grade of motor oil recommended by the manufacturer. ● Air filters: Replacing clogged air filters on older vehicles can improve fuel economy and will improve performance and acceleration on all vehicles. ● Gas cap: Damaged, loose or missing gas caps allow gas to vaporize into the air.

For more tips to increase savings and fuel efficiency for your vehicle, visit www.carcare.org.

Source: Car Care Council

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Steer Clear of Distracted Driving Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Safety tips for families on the road

T

he dangers of distracted driving affect thousands of lives each year. Are you taking the proper steps to ensure a safe driving experience for you, your passengers and others on the road?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the numbers are all too real, with 3,154 people killed in 2013 due to distracted driving on the road. While many states have adopted laws to crack down on phone usage behind the wheel, real change starts at home, with drivers pledging to adopt simple safety measures and ensuring family members also make the commitment.

As advocates for safe driving everywhere, the car experts at Edmunds.com offer these tips for safe travels behind the wheel: Limit the distractions. While it's always a good idea to have a phone with you in case of a breakdown or other auto emergency, keep distractions out of sight while driving. Turn your phone on silent, "airplane mode" or off completely before you enter your vehicle. Placing your phone in the glove box, the back seat or the trunk

- or even just in a bag - can also keep the temptation of answering your calls or texts at bay, so you can focus on the road instead.

Just drive. Many other activities can also be distracting in the car, such as eating, drinking, managing your entertainment or even putting on makeup. Make sure your car is used only for getting you from point A to point B, and save the other activities for your destination.

Make it a family priority. Discuss the responsibilities that come with driving a vehicle and the hazards that accompany distracted driving. Set rules for your whole family so teen drivers know that you too are engaged in creating a safe zone in your own vehicle. Be a good role model even before your children are old enough to drive so they witness only good habits.

Set a reminder for safety. Place a sticky note on your phone or a photo of a loved one in a non-obstructive location in your

10 | Relocate! Magazine Sep/Oct 2015 Š Publish In Paradise | RelocateMag.us

car to remind you of your commitment to safe driving. Tech savvy owners of the Apple Watch can download the DrivePromise app created by Edmunds.com, which is free and allows users to upload a photo of a loved one. The app will then detect if the wearer is in a moving vehicle, bringing up the photo as a psychological reminder to drive safely.

distracted driving. Safer roads start with smart, focused driving. For more information on staying safe on the road, visit http://www.edmunds.com/carsafety/. R!

Source: Edmunds.com | Family Features

Don't be a passive passenger. Spreading the message about safe driving doesn't stop when you're in the passenger seat. If you're in the car with an individual using their phone, ask them to put it down for their safety and for yours.

Become an advocate for safe driving, and tell your family, friends, neighbors and everyone you know about the dangers of

Relocate! Magazine Sep/Oct 2015 Š Publish In Paradise | RelocateMag.us | 11

Exploring Alaska Ketchikan: Beautiful Land, Beautiful People

First article in the “Exploring Alaska” series Kasko

© Angela J. Richards for Relocate! Magazine

W

hen I was 15 my mom married an Alaskan logger who moved us from Oregon to The Last

Frontier, where I fell in love with a Tlingit boy. Although our relationship ended, our

Marilyn “Mom the Bro ” Wilson a Tli ngit E Angoon wn Bear Cla n (Teik agle from , Alask weidi) a seen fro h Parade ere in the July m in Hain 4th es, Ala ska.

Photo

by Rain y

Mountain range seen from the town of Ketchikan, Alaska’s first city.

love lives on through our son, Joshua.

Alaska is like that. Alaskans are strong,

Joshua’s paternal family adopted me into

steadfast

their tribe when I was 16. I am an Alaskan.

persevere and help one another, even in

I am a Tlingit. I am a Raven.

our darkest hours. Through the darkness

people

who

join

together,

and the many inches of rain here in Since that time Alaska has been my home.

Ketchikan, light always shines through.

“I am an Alaskan. I am a Tlingit. I am a Raven.”

My five children were all born and raised

In 2011 my family was still recovering from

in Ketchikan—Alaska’s first city. We have

tragedies that hit us in 2010, like they hit

had our share of tragedies and triumphs,

Job—before one had subsided another one

and without our faith and the people in our

had hit. The final blow was when my

community standing strong with us, I don’t

17-year-old daughter was in a terrible car

know how we would have survived. But

accident. Thankfully, there was no life lost,

12 | Relocate! Magazine Sep/Oct 2015 © Publish In Paradise | RelocateMag.us

“tourist” and seeing all the new shops, as well as stopping in to some long standing establishments.

I

walked

legendary but she was seriously injured.

Due to the accident, I lost my job, we lost our home, and our family began to crumble.

the

“Married

Man’s Trail” once again, a trail I used to live on. This trail, from what I’ve heard, was the passage married men would use in order to sneak

While we were still doing

over to the infamous Creek

our best to survive even a year

Street–the Red Light District,

after the accident, our family

back in the day.

was

facing

homelessness

right here in our home town.

I prayed for God to open a door. The prayer distinctly was, “I will go anywhere you

Married Man’s Tr ail can be found off of Cr eek Street.

During

my

tourist

adventures I stopped into some of my favorite spots: I

walked

along

Creek

provide a home.” He answered

Street and had to stop in for

that prayer and we moved

lunch at one of my favorite

clear across the country to

restaurants, Good Fortune,

Key West, Florida. My eldest

before continuing my stroll.

The infamous Creek Street is part of the walking tour in Ketchikan where one will find various establishments and welcoming smiles.

and youngest sons and I relocated via Alaska Airlines

The

new

Tongass

and we began a new journey.

Historical Museum has taken

My

over the old library. I enjoyed

three

other

children

remained in Alaska.

At the end of June of this year, I had the pleasure of

A model of an Alaskan Native clan house on display at the Tongass Historical Museum.

being able to come “home” to my old stompin’ grounds here in Ketchikan to spend time with

family.

I

thoroughly

enjoyed my visit and playing

Relocate! Magazine Sep/Oct 2015 © Publish In Paradise | RelocateMag.us | 13

the self-led tour of “Our Town” in our local museum.

Not far from Creek Street is a well known local hot spot, and a must see and

“Even though I was born in California and raised in Oregon, to me Alaska is home; Alaska is FAMILY.”

eat–breakfast always served in this much loved retro cafe, the Pioneer Cafe where my kids and I enjoyed great food and reminiscing.

Alaskans call the lower 48 states, and people would learn of my being from Alaska, their

After a great meal, be sure

ears would perk up and they

to stop into Ketchi Candies for

would want to learn more about

a delicious selection of fine

our beautiful state. I was

chocolates, they even have

always happy to tell them that

sugar free; Followed up by Rain

I don’t miss the weather, but I

Country Nutrition right next

miss the people.

door where you can find a myriad of things for health and wellness, as well as items made specifically for on the go and travel.

Here, the people are real.

Alaskans are people who are willing to share their lives with you. If you are hungry, you will be fed. If you need shelter, they

During my visit, I couldn’t wait

will open their home to you. I

to get back out on the trail at

see this especially amongst my

Ward Lake, which I did a few

Alaska Native family.

times with friends and family, as well as the trails at Settler’s Cove.

My daughter, I on the Cristina, and ke trail.

La d ar W

When I was “down south” as we

Whether through blood or through adoption, if you are of the Tribes, you are family. And

I cannot explain how safe it

family here will not leave you

feels to be here, to be home

out in the cold. At least that

with family and friends. Even

has not been my experience.

though I was born in California

For when we were hungry, they

and raised in Oregon, to me

fed us, and when my children

Alaska is home; Alaska is

and I had nowhere to sleep,

FAMILY.

they took us into their homes.

Alaskans are like that.

If

you’re

relocate

looking

outside

of

to the

continental United States; if you love the wilderness and clean fresh air and water, if you’re not afraid of shoveling snow or playing in the rain, then you may find Ketchikan, Alaska to be home for you as well. R!

My eldest son, Joshua, and I.

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MOVING? Will Your Credit Sustain You?

U

p to 80 percent of Americans still think owning a home is part of the American dream, according to a recent Harris Poll. With home sales reaching the highest pace in nearly six years, it may be time to finally get packing.

Don't jump too fast, though.

While new rules have relaxed the credit standards imposed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (two of the biggest government loan guarantors), making it possible for many young first-time buyers to take the leap into home ownership, there are some important considerations to make long before hiring the movers.

What is a credit score and why does it matter?

Holding down a steady job, paying your bills on time, keeping your credit card balances low and only opening new credit when absolutely needed are all factors that go into your credit score. While you may

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

not see a huge difference between 698 and 700, those two points can actually end up costing thousands of dollars.

"Before applying for any loan, be sure to check the state of your credit," said Scott Smith, president of CreditRepair.com.

"Owning a home is a big part of the American dream, but home loans can be very complex, and doing all of the proper research from the beginning, including completing any necessary credit repair up front, will make the process that much simpler."

Resources such as CreditRepair.com offer a free online credit score estimator to help check your score. Anything below 620 ranks as poor; 620-699 is fair; 700-749 is good and anything over 750 is excellent.

16 | Relocate! Magazine Sep/Oct 2015 Š Publish In Paradise | RelocateMag.us

Home loans and a down payment

"Before applying for any loan, be sure to check the state of your credit," – Scott Smith.

While it is possible to buy a home without a mortgage, most people don't have that kind of cash. However, you will need at least 5 to 20 percent of the sale price in cash in order to qualify for a conventional loan.

Getting a mortgage can be difficult and frustrating, even for people with nearperfect credit. If you find yourself with a sub-optimal credit score and you are in the market for a new home, Smith suggests taking these steps before making a trip to the bank:

● Give yourself time. Good things do come to those who wait. Take the time to repair and build up your credit. It could save you thousands of dollars down the road.

For more tips on managing your money or your credit, visit www.CreditRepair.com.

R!

● Get a copy of your credit report. You are entitled to one free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus each year by law (in some states, you are entitled to more than one free report a year).

Source: CreditRepair.com | Family Features

● Analyze your credit report. Carefully scrutinize your report to identify any errors that can help boost your score and request corrections for all erroneous information. ● Keep all credit card accounts open.

Closing an unused credit card account can actually negatively affect your credit. Fifteen percent of your score is based on credit history. ● Make all payments on time. Payment history accounts for a whopping 35 percent of your credit score.

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Tips to Get Your Rental Security Deposit Back Photo courtesy of Getty Images

M

oving out of an apartment or rental home is hard work and often unveils inevitable wearand-tear from living in the space. What can be even more challenging is restoring the space to its original condition in order to get your security deposit back.

Before paying professional handymen and cleaning services for repairs, there are several areas you can address on your own to help your deposit make its way back into your wallet.

"Do-it-yourself projects and repairs don't have to be overwhelming or require paid professionals," says Brittany Bailey, do-ityourself and home improvement expert and blogger behind PrettyHandyGirl.com.

"All it takes is the right tools and a boost of confidence to DIY your rental to tip-top condition."

Bailey recommends these easy tips for repairing minor damages resulting from moments any renter can relate to: When odors linger in kitchens and bathrooms:

as possible and using exhaust fans while cleaning. ● Clean garbage disposal blades and freshen the drain by placing a few pieces of lemon peels in the garbage disposal and running water as you turn it on.

When customizing and decorating the space doesn't go as planned: ● Patch small holes and cracks with 3M Patch Plus Primer 4-in-1 Applicator. It combines primer, spackle, a putty knife and a sanding pad into one simple tool for DIY-ers of any skill level.

● Allow fresh air to circulate through the space by opening windows for as long 18 | Relocate! Magazine Sep/Oct 2015 © Publish In Paradise | RelocateMag.us

● Paint walls back to their original color and use blue painter's tape to avoid splashing color on your trim and baseboards.

When get-togethers leave a lasting impression on surfaces: ● Tackle scuff marks and wall stains without sprays or cleaners by using an easy erasing pad and water to gently buff away dirt and residue from the walls. ● Lift carpet stains by creating a homemade cleaner using dishwashing liquid, white vinegar, water and baking soda.

When laminate cabinets countertops can use a facelift:

and

● Fill mild scratches and hide blemishes by using color-matched repair pens.

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● Get rid of tough stains by pouring nail polish remover on a clean white rag and gently scrubbing surfaces. (Be sure to test a small area before taking on the entire surface.)

When you're ready to close the door and make new memories in your next home: ● Leave on good terms with the landlord by taking out trash and cleaning as much as possible once all your belongings are packed away. ● Stick around for the move-out inspection and confirm with the landlord when you can expect to receive your security deposit.

For more DIY home repair tips, visit www.3mdiy.com. R!

Source: 3M | Family Features

Features in the upcoming Nov/Dec issue: Helena, Montana: Taking Care of Their Own Ferry Alaska: Relocation via the Marine Highway Exploring Alaska: Juneau, Alaska …and more

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