Storage is key for wine collections

Storage is absolutely key to the success of any wine collection. Anyone who enjoys collecting fine wines will want to look for the best available wine storage options. There are many different ways to properly store wine, but regardless of which wine storage solution is ultimately chosen it will critical to keep the storage conditions constant. A constant temperature of constant 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit must be maintained within any wine storage space. The wine storage should be as far away from the main area of the house as possible, and there must also be plenty of ventilation in the selected area. The wine collection must not suffer too much vibration and any light sources should be kept to a minimum. Absolutely no sunlight should be permitted to reach the wine storage area. Of course a wine cellar can be used for wine storage or a special cooler can be built. Wine racks are, predictably, a necessary part of any wine storage solution. Wine racks can be made of metal or wood, and the wine storage chosen is primarily a matter of personal taste. While both kinds of rack building material are attractive to look at, the metal racks tend to be more flamboyant and stylish while the wood racks are often considered more classic and traditional in style. It may be preferable to choose racks in order to have them match the rest the chosen wine storage solution. These final choices will be influenced to a certain degree by whether or not the wine cellar is intended to be shown off to friends and colleagues. If it is, then the wine storage solutions will need to appear more coordinated. Either way it's not a bad idea to look into wine racks and other wine storage options that will all look good together. This helps to create a wine storage area that looks like it belongs to a professional wine collector. It's not difficult to accomplish, but it can cost a bit of cash. Temporary wine storage options are, customarily, a little simpler. Immediately prior to serving a wine it will probably need to be chilled, depending of course on what kind of wine it is. In order to store wine for chilling, look into cool wine storage solutions. Available in many department stores or wine stores, wine coolers are easy to find. Even the Internet is an excellent resource for finding these types of wine storage options.

When your website need a dedicated ip address

For the basic needs, when you are running a ecommerce website, and you look forward to have own ssl certificate. Then its time to get a dedicated IP address. It’s the requirement for applying for a ssl certificate. Else you will be using the free shared ssl, which appear to have extra steps for users to make payment after they checkout. Private SSL are essential for your ecommerce store. In fact dedicated IP address, allow your website to be access directly through IP address instead of domain name. This is a extra advantage in term of speed of locating the website and speed of retrieving content. In large website architecture, each website will be having their own dedicated IP address. Its not build on shared ip address platform, which appear to be the ‘budget’ solution. If you need a fast website, get a dedicated IP. Its appear that recent months, some ISP are blocking certain IP address, especially the China ISP are blocking the IP address to certain US hosting provider website. With the blocking, the website is not accessible by china visitors. For this, you will need to find a dedicated IP address, and you will free from the blocking issue. When there is a need, you will need to look for a dedicated IP address. Look at ixwebhosting as a sample. I run a ixwebhosting review at ixwebhostingreview. org/ and you can view their dedicated ip details at this page ixwebhostingreview. org/ixwebhosting/ixwebhosting-dedicated-ip/ Ixwebhosting is offering up to 16 free dedicated IP per hosting account. And its all free ip address.

Avoiding big problems with a little time spent transferring balances

Balance transfer credit cards can be many things. On the surface, yes, they excel as credit cards that permit an individual to consolidate his or her other credit card balances onto one piece of plastic, but what else can they do? Not much research has been done into the question, though I am thoroughly convinced they can be used as a method to cut down on crime. Allow me to explain. Let's say, hypothetically, I happened to be in serious credit card debt. Like many Americans, I took out more credit cards to pay off old ones, effectively closing myself in a nasty little circle. Having multiple cards, I was getting charged interest rates and late fees on each one, killing my chances of ever paying them all off. The stress and strain of always worrying about my finances began to wear down on me. Nights would go by where I could not sleep, partially due to my worrying, and partially because I couldn't stop planning witty retorts for creditors that were calling me at all hours wondering just where the hell their money was. Oh, yeah, this is hypothetical still. Really. So finally on a rainy Tuesday in the awful month of March, I snapped. How it happened was kind of funny. See, I was getting paranoid, probably from not sleeping. I started confusing the creditors with my company's upper management. Anyone wearing a suit that cost more than $300 became suspect. So my boss called me in for my annual review and strategy brainstorming. I sat there white-knuckled, pouring sweat, as he talked about things like "trimming the fat" and "hunting down clients that haven't paid like the savages they are." I thought the hammer was coming down, so I seized him by his trendy tie and comb-over, threw him into his charity golf event trophy case, and fled the scene. Knowing I was guilty of assault, I proceeded to lose all self control. I began, again, hypothetically (I swear), robbing liquor stores and girl scouts on their cookie routes all across the country. I thought if I could steal enough money to pay off my multiple credit cards, I'd be free of my nightmare. Ironically, the real nightmare was when I ended up spending five nights in a Reno prison for mugging an old woman that was really a 25 year old cop who had a thing for off-duty cross dressing. Now how could I have avoided this entirely untrue story that did not occur two months ago? Well, I could have not been born a complete maniac, yes, though there is another way. Let's pretend I had transferred all of my credit card balances onto a balance transfer card. With only one interest rate, and hopefully no (but probably one) set of late fees, my debt would have been easier to carry and manage. If I had done that, perhaps I wouldn't have come to know an ambitious cell mate named Benny who kept mistaking me for a woman named Rita. The point I want to make, aside from stay away from poorly dressed bag-ladies in Reno, is that balance transfer cards are a convenient answer to a common problem. Plenty of people I know have taken out multiple credit cards to pay off other cards. If you find yourself in such a cycle, consider loading all your troubles onto one balance transfer card. Or, you could always do what I did. What I hypothetically did. Yes. Right.

So you want to be a work from home mom

What exactly are the options for a mom to make money at home? Unfortunately, there are scams everywhere – some you may have heard of sound too good to be true – and they usually are. Oftentimes, women lose a lot of money before they even find a legitimate opportunity, let alone one that they love. Below, you’ll find a list of popular work from home options. They all have benefits and drawbacks. What may be great for one woman may not even be of interest to another woman. And, of course, research thoroughly before signing any contract. Yes, there are bunches of great, legitimate possibilities out there waiting for you, but you might have to say ‘no’ to a few first before you find the perfect home business for you. Direct Sales (MLM) Why we love it: Where else can you get a business in a box? Seriously, the products have already been made and tested, all the marketing has been created for you, and you are set up on the road to management if you wish. You can see why Direct Sales can be a great way to make money, especially if you find a product, sponsor and company that you love! Why it might not be for you: If the thought of sales makes you turn green from nausea, you might want to consider other options. Internet Auctions Why we love it: It doesn’t get much simpler than online auctions. Sell your worn clothing or used toys. Or, if you’ve got a knack for pricing, you might find some great items at a garage sale that you can turn over for a profit on online auctions. Why it might not be for you: Is your house already too small for you and your family? If you don’t have room to store inventory, then online auctions might not be the business for you. Start a Home Business Why we love it: No matter what your interest is, you can start a business. Sell products or promote a service that makes life easier for other people. Whether you’re considering making crafts or becoming a massage therapist, if you’ve got the entrepreneurial spirit, then go for it! Why it might not be for you: Starting from scratch can be a lot of work with little pay in the beginning. So, really invest a lot of time and energy into research, if you are considering this option. Internet Marketing: Why we love it: Low start up cost and a lot of flexibility. Internet marketing (selling products online, promoting other people’s products, or providing an online service) really is a great option for a lot of moms. Why it might not be for you: Internet marketing has a learning curve, just like any other type of business. Anyone who’s ever had a website knows that “if you build it they will come” is not necessarily true. You have to promote, tweak, test, and learn constantly if you want to become a success in Internet Marketing. It is definitely possible and it is a great option, but don’t go into it thinking you don’t need to invest time and money in yourself and in your business. You do. Surveys for Cash Why we love it: Yes, there really are companies that will pay you to take surveys. In all honesty, you aren’t going to get rich taking surveys, and you’ll spend a lot of time for little money in most cases. But, if you enjoy hanging out on the computer and think it would be fun to do some surveys while you’re chatting with your friends on IM, then it isn’t a bad way to make a few extra dollars here and there. Just be sure to sign up with a free email account (like hotmail or yahoo) so you don’t get flooded with SPAM! Why it might not be for you: If time is short or you need to make a lot of money for your family, then spend your time on something else. Surveys aren’t going to pay your bills. Also, there are some scams that charge you for a list of surveys. Be careful. These are just a few of the many options to make money from home. Follow your heart. Start on the path today to make your dreams come true.

Not all domain names are created equal

Choose the right domain name and your business is one step ahead of competition. Get it wrong and you will get left behind. It's as simple as that. Domain names are fundamental to the ranking of your website in the search engines. And the search engines will account for 90% of the traffic that arrives at your site. You need traffic. Afterall a website without traffic is like a shop empty of any customers. So give the choice of domain a lot of thought. It actually accounts for more than 20% of the factors a search engine considers when ranking your site. In other words get the domain right and you will rank higher and get more traffic...get it wrong and you will be making work for yourself trying harder to get the domain noticed in the search engine listings. So where to start. First and foremost, you need to know your target market. What is the nature of your business. Boil it down to one single word. Any business can be decribed in just one word. What is yours? Don't try to describe your business in 2 words or a phrase. Think again and get it down to one single word...it can be done. Then find a domain that contains this single keyword. But why make one up when you can find one that may already has a search engine listing or at least some back links to it You can find some really great ideas, and absolute bargains by registering an expired domain name. An expired domain is one which the previous registrant has neglected and for whatever reason has decined to re-register. Expired domains can be a real goldmine! A good resource for expired domains and one which I use myself is 'Deleted Domains' at: deleteddomains You can search for domains which have expired within the last 24 hours, last week, or within the 30 or 60 days and which are available to register. The advantage of a deleted domain is that it may already have a search engine presence and if you are really lucky you may find one with a ton of back links to immediately kick-start your search engine marketing. Search for a domain containing your keyword and as few other extra letters as possible. The shorter the domain the better. And keep away from hyphens and numbers. Regardless what you hear on the forums, hyphens and numbers do not help search engine ranking. In fact you want as few charaters as possible. The most important being your actual keyword itself and a ending. So remember, all domain names are NOT created equal when it comes to search engine ranking.

Natural dog joint health supplement velvet antler

Just as we take supplements to stay healthy, our dogs need nutritional supplements to help prevent the damage caused over time to joints, bones, and cartilage and to improve mobility, flexibility, and promote overall energy and well-being. Most dogs who are diagnosed with arthritis or hip dysplaysia are prescribed non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs. Many of these drugs actually prevent the growth of collagen in joints, causing further cartilage degeneration. These drugs can also produce other serious side effects such as deterioration of the gastrointestinal tract lining, liver and kidney damage, even death. There are many “natural” joint care supplements on the market with the main focus being on glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate which, conventionally is derived from swine, cattle, and shark cartilage and shellfish remains and requires the destruction of the animal. Velvet antler, however, is an all natural supplement derived from the antler of the male elk. Velvet antler contains 40 key compounds that research has shown rebuild cartilage and bone, build cells and boost energy, reduce infection and inflammation, and protect blood cells, the heart, liver and lungs. Elk have an amazing ability to heal their own broken bones and to recover quickly from damage to muscles and tendons and even to recover from poisonous snake bites in a matter of days. This same ability is what allows the animals to produce huge antlers every year. Velvet antler is harvested from domestic elk under conditions that ensure the comfort and safety of the animals. The antlers are harvested when they are in the soft or “velvet” stage. It is at this stage when the antler has the most nutrients. After the velvet antler is harvested it is wrapped and frozen. It is then taken to a special facility where the whole antler is freeze-dried and made ready for processing. Male elk regrow a new set of velvet antler every year making it the only renewable source of glucosamine and chondroitin, essential nutrients for cartilage and joint support. For more information on velvet antler as an all natural joint health supplement for dogs visit bonusvelvetantler.

Are you one of the 40 000 000 invisible women in our society

It's a sad but true fact that so many women over forty feel invisible. Changing this has become my passion. One of the things that inspired me to do what I now do, after having had an executive position with a telecom giant, was an experience I had one day following one of my seminars. An attractive, well dressed woman came up to me and told me that the thing she hated most about becoming older was that she felt invisible. She explained how, everywhere you look, you see woman in their twenties and thirties being presented as role models for beauty and style. Rarely do you see mature women in TV and print ads and some of the fashion magazines feature teenagers as models. There's only one magazine devoted entirely to the mature woman - More Magazine. Just because we're getting older doesn't mean we have to become an invisible part of society. It doesn't mean we we have to let ourselves go, gain weight and start looking frumpy. My late aunt Josie, while in her eighties, looked like she just stepped off the cover of Vogue whenever she went out. A woman can still look great as she ages if . . . she learns how to do it. Many of the makeup techniques that work on a twenty or thirty year old, are a disaster on the face of a forty five year old woman. Unfortunately, many older women have not yet learned this. As we age, one of the makeup secrets we need to know is that "Less is better." Mistakes in wardrobe are even more apparent. Recently, I was asked by a national magazine to comment on some celebrity women. Here's what I had to say about an outfit that Kim Catrall, who I happen to adore, was wearing: "Belly bearing cutoffs and lace up top are not for the over forty woman. Longer, boy cut shorts and a fuller cut tank with a built-in bra would give her the same bare look." Below are some fashion anchors every woman over forty should have in her wardrobe: - A “Little Black Dress” - Black/Navy Pencil or A-Line Skirt - Black/Navy Slacks/Trousers - Black Cashmere Sweater - White Shirt - Comfortable yet Chic Black 2” heels - Classic Trench Coat Fashion tips: Pants with clean lines, no pockets, no pleats look best on almost every woman because they are slimming. Black or navy will make you look thinner, but add some color with accessories to give your look some flair. Elastic waist pants or skirts are to be avoided at all costs because they flatter no one. Develop a signature. Wear a favorite ring or special bracelet all the time. Something people will always identify and remember about you. The scarf should be a wardrobe staple. Learn how to use it and wear it many ways, such as, looped through your pants as a belt, or tied on the handle of your handbag. If you want to learn all my insider techniques for looking fabulous after forty, fifty, sixty and beyond, visit: LookingFabulousAfter40.com Until next time, keep looking your best and claim your power.

Monogram cake toppers

Monogram Cake Toppers Monogram Cake Toppers are becoming a popular way to adorn a wedding cake. One online site researched exclaims monogram cake toppers as all the rage. These cake toppers are usually very simple and elegant. The toppers are readily available at wedding decoration retailers and at a bevy of online retailers. Monogram Cake Toppers are available in endless designs. You can find everything from laser precision cut to glass. The monogram cake toppers are designed with one, two, or three letters. The three letter designed toppers feature the groom's first initial on the right, the brides on the left, and the couple's last name in the middle, oftentimes larger than the other two letters. Two letter designs are usually that of the first initials of both the bride and the groom. When choosing one letter, it is typically representative of the last name of the newlyweds. Metal monogram cake toppers are the most popular. Whether they are made of colored or classic white or yellow gold, they are a timeless and elegant way to remember your special day. The metal designs are precision cut for nice clean edges. These can be made in any color imaginable and are the sometimes embellished in Swarovski crystals. These crystals are hand placed on the cut letters to create beautiful accents to the monogram cake toppers. Acrylic monogram cake toppers are also very nice. Done in the right way they give a ceramic look to the piece and are a little softer than the metal designs. These are usually done with just the basic acrylic material and do not feature the crystal embellishments. Most manufacturers of monogram cake toppers offer a wide variety of styles and fonts. One online site visited offered over 1700 font choices and dozens of colors. The toppers are also available in a variety of sizes ranging from 2 inches to 8 inches. For the larger pieces an extra fee will be added to the monogram cake toppers. The prices for monogram cake toppers vary from the $25.00 single letter design to an elaborate $300.00 crystal laden masterpiece. It is not recommended to wait until the last minute as with most wedding items because the monogram cake toppers take up to seven weeks to deliver. Most sites do offer a rush order, for an additional fee. Not sure what to do after the wedding with your cake topper? Monogram cake toppers solve this problem for you. Instead of storing your cake topper in a box, the flat designs of the monogram cake toppers are easily mountable in a frame. This could be done very easily at home with a little creativity or brought to a local art store for a professional to do. Your cake topper is now a memory to cherish for years to come in your home, not just another dusty box in your basement to keep moving around with you as your family grows. Monogram cake toppers, an elegant and simple way to celebrate your wedding day and a keepsake to last a lifetime. Though a little more costly than the classic cake topper; the sentimental and lasting value is well worth it.

Today s obesity research

Obesity increases a person’s risks for high blood pressure and diabetes, as well as cancers of the breast, endometrium, colon, kidney, and oesophagus. This is why world health officials are putting more money into obesity research and making sure that they get the information that they need to provide us with new ways to battle the new worldwide epidemic that is evolving. Obesity research is crucial in telling us what cause obesity and how we can tackle it. New medical research has shown us that obesity isn’t all down to unhealthy living but it is also narrowed down to what our DNA is made up like. Many people who have had members of their family that have suffered from being overweight or obese will be at a very high risk to suffer the same problems and therefore need to take extra steps to help prevent that from happening. Although genetics play a part in obesity research has shown that unhealthy living with bad diets and no exercise also plays a major part when it comes to obesity. To burn fat we need to burn more than we take in, if we do not exercise then we don’t burn fat therefore inevitably we will end up overweight then obese. Research helps us to know more about the complexities of obesity. Yet, there is so much more for researchers to explore, more time and investment needs to put be into obesity research so we can find more conclusive solutions to battling obesity. Obesity causes major health problems and researches have made note that unless the situation is addressed we can be facing a worldwide problem and breakdown due to obesity. It is a major complication in terms of operations as many doctors and consultants will not anaesthetize any one who is grossly overweight as this is extremely unsafe. Therefore more important medical problems can’t be solved or helped when obesity is a problem. Obesity research is crucial and extremely important when it comes to obesity and its finding needs to have action taken, there are far to many people grappling with the problem of being overweight and loosing the struggle and turning obese. Research finding should be made available in forms of books, television adverts, leaflets and school topics, doing this we will try to save the next generation from falling susceptible to the world wide problem that is obesity!

Home business copywriting ideas

When you do any online research about home based businesses, you will likely find thousands of results that tell you that the most successful and easiest business to start from your home is a copywriting business. You can make a great living without ever having to get dressed or leave the privacy of your own home. Out of all the home businesses that give you the option of solely working from home, such as marketing programs and designing companies, copywriting is still touted to be the best of its kind. The biggest reason that copywriting has been dubbed the perfect at home business is due to the extremely low startup costs. You really don’t have to have any special talent, just be able to write in good English and grammar, mix in a little creativity, and you are raring to go. If you have had any previous writing experience at all, you simply just boot up your computer, and go to work. For those who have little to no experience, but are still interested in starting a copywriting business from home, they should check out one of the many online classes available that teach you the writing basics you will need to know in order to get started. Another benefit of an at home copywriting business is that you have the option of working your day job, and running the business on the side, or just simply depending on your copywriting business for your sole full-time source of income. Few people are able to just up and quit their job to try and work from home, as they don’t have the capital needed to make ends meet while waiting on the profits to start rolling in. Home copywriting is also taking off with stay at home moms who are interested in contributing to the household income while still staying at home to care for their children, they can work when their schedule allows, and care for the family as needed. The best of both worlds all in one tidy package, especially since the money made by these moms is extra income, there is no risk involved, and their family won’t starve if it doesn’t work out. You can start this business no matter how old you are, what gender you are, or what type of physical condition that you are in. If you can write, and are physically able to sit at the computer and type, then you can do this work. The success of your home copywriting business is not affected by changes in the economy. There will still be work for you, even if unemployment rates rise, and the cost of living and interest rates go up. The better the economy, the more work you will probably get, but no matter how bad it is, you will still have work to keep your business afloat, unlike some other home based businesses out there. If you want to earn some extra money, for whatever the reason, then you should consider beginning your own at home copywriting business. If you do good work, and become highly sought after, you may be able to produce enough income to be able to stay at home and work fulltime for yourself. Wouldn’t it be nice to tell your boss goodbye, and know that you would still be financially secure?

Yes you can how to write a report or e course

In my article about offering bonuses, I suggested writing your own report as one possible bonus. You could also write a report or ecourse as a stand-alone product. You may find the very thought of writing these intimidating, so I'll help you get started. I'm assuming you are working with a website or product in a well-defined niche area, one in which you are at least somewhat knowledgeable. I'll also assume you have been writing web copy, articles and/or sales letters. You've already generated lots of information. Whatever you are planning to write always starts with what you know, and the easiest way to get started with that blank page is to make a list. So make a list of what you already know about your topic. Do this quickly; it should be easy because you can just write down the titles of articles you've already written. I'll talk about writing a report, but the only difference between that and an e-course is that an e-course is a step-by-step process. If your information lends itself to that format, then use it instead of the report, which simply provides information; a course leads you through action steps. I'll use my favorite golden retriever example. You've decided to write a report about finding the right puppy. You've already written articles about puppy mills, SPCA and other animal shelters, pet shops and breeders. What haven't you written about - maybe it's classified ads from unknown owners, golden retriever rescue leagues, and buying purebred vs. a mixed breed. You also haven't written about any diseases or other physical disorders common to the breed, which will come into consideration when deciding what puppy to get. There's your list, open to being edited, of course. That's what you know. The next step is to research and fill in some details. You'll also be looking out for things you've forgotten about and important things you don't know, which should be included. You've gotten about 5 pages in writing already done (your articles), you should write a 10-page report at least. You may want to add a few pictures, charts or diagrams, so it may end up being a 15-page report, including cover, table of contents, and resource page. It's good practice to add something to your articles that you've already written, so start your research there. You may find a picture of a puppy mill and an article by someone else that you can add a reference to, giving it's author full credit. You can add links to the SPCA and rescue leagues, and call up a friend who works in a reputable pet shop to ask him a few questions. Quotes from experts also make valuable additions, as do new research findings or news articles. You then tackle each of the additional subjects one at a time. Inevitably, reading about each topic jogs things in your memory that you already know. Write that down quick. It helps when you're doing the final editing and writing to have as much as possible already in your own words. Alright, you've got the subject matter of your report done, but it's all for naught if you haven't got some structural elements in place as well. Use plenty of white space, this gives the reader's eye a rest. Choose an attractive font that is also easy to read. Then focus on what I call the interest-catchers. You can have the most interesting report on the planet, but if your title and cover isn't provocative, creative, intriguing, or otherwise captivating, no one will download and read it. Also, your chapter headings, which will be read in the table of contents, must be engaging. And finally, assuming that somewhere in the report you are promoting yourself, your webpage, your newsletter, your ebook, some action that you want your reader to take...promote with pizzazz. Ask yourself, why would someone feel they HAVE TO click on your link? Make it so. With planning, research, and creativity, your report can establish you as a writer, expert, and trusted information source, so execute it carefully and spread it around. Whether you give it away on it's own, use it as a bonus, or sell it, you will be amazed at how it enhances your online presence and ultimately, profits.

The best online internet business opportunity

: If you're thinking about an easy way to generate income online quickly, legitimately and with very little cash outlay affiliate marketing is your best bet. Affiliates are making lots of money these days because affiliate programs are a win-win for the merchant and affiliate. What is affiliate marketing? Very simply, affiliate marketing is based on the sharing of revenues between the website owner and an online merchant who actually produces and sells a tangible product. This is accomplished when you, the affiliate (who markets and advertises the merchant products or services) refer visitors to the merchant website who then ends up making a purchase. Merchants love affiliates because they provide free advertising and marketing. Affiliates love merchants who offer these plans because it allows them all the benefits of earning great income with none of the headaches of owning a typical business. Here is an example: The majority of affiliate websites are information based – not hard sell product advertisements. Say you have a website all about guitars. People will search for all kinds of guitar related stuff, "guitars", " guitar accessories", " guitar repair" , "guitar strings" etc.. You get the picture. People visit your site filled with great information – people trust you – you are giving them what they want and you're recommending guitar products you feel highly about. You may have an affiliate link that leads to guitarstuff ( merchant site ) where your visitor ends up buying a box of strings. You just made the commission. It's awesome.. So what are the main advantages of affiliate Marketing? 1. You don't need your own products to sell 2. You don't have to process any payment 3. You don't have to handle or ship the products 4. You don't have to handle any complaints 5. You don't have to pay anything to join 6. You can get started immediately, part-time and if you want, gradually go full time.. So now that you understand the basics lets get this understood. It takes knowledge, study and patience. Anyone that tells you any different is dead wrong. Fortunately, if you do study and persist you will make great money. It does work. The nature of affiliate sales marketing is based on doing all the heavy work upfront, which basically requires learning some basic marketing techniques and how to promote and pre-sell products. Once that is done much of the business virtually runs itself. If you hate working for someone else and want to gradually become independent, affiliate marketing is the best online business opportunity out there. Start learning as much as you can now! .. and be willing to spend some time studying. I'm sure you'll find it truly exiting when you log into your paypal or click bank account and see commissions generated by people you've never seen, many while you were probably asleep! Here are some great resources ( see the author bio below ) :

Are you overpaying taxes if you use tax preparation software

For many business owners the answer to this quandary is tax preparation software. Fill out a fairly simple interview, click “print” and out comes a completed return that will pass muster with the IRS. The answer to all your problems…or is it? Can One Software Program Cover All Businesses? Take a moment to consider the wide range of businesses that exist in the United States. Now cut that number down to those that can be categorized as “Internet businesses”. If you were asked to write a business plan to provide web design services to each of these services, how long would it be? It would be huge and completely useless because each business would have different needs. A Internet business selling flowers would have completely different needs from an online bank which would have different needs from a hosting company and so on. The only way you could create a practical plan for all Internet businesses would be to offer a collection of general services they could all use on their sites. Tax preparation software designers have the same problem. There are over 15,000 pages in the tax code and over 100,000 pages of regulations interpreting those pages. Changes are made to the tax code ever year, and new regulations are issued constantly. If one were to create a list of questions for every tax deduction and credit detailed in those pages, the list of questions would be the size of a phone book! Yet, tax software programmers have somehow boiled it all down to a simple 30-minute interview process? Common sense should tell you that doesn’t make sense. As practical matter, tax software programs are designed to make sure that you claim a general set of deductions that are applicable to businesses across all industries. Most programs try to mask this fact by asking you to identify your business before proceeding. For a lark, you might try selecting another industry and then running through the interview process. You will find that the interview process is modified a bit, but you are still being asked the same basic tax deduction questions. If you are only claiming general business tax deductions, you are paying more than you should in taxes. Ask yourself if you have seen any of the following questions in a tax software program interview: Q. Do you store business inventory in your house? Hint: You may be able to claim hundreds or thousands of dollars in deductions. Q. Did you start a pension plan for your employees? Hint: You may be able to claim a tax credit for the next three years totaling $1,500. Q. Do you have a home-based business and a second office? Hint: You may be able to deduct your commuting expenses each day. Yes, commuting expenses. Q. Do you have business meetings at your home? Hint: Did you charge your business for the space? Q. Should you claim the standard mileage rate for your auto or the actual costs? Hint: The standard mileage rate may not the best option. Q. Did you modify your business location to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act? Hint: You may be able to claim a tax credit AND tax deduction for tax savings of $20,000 or more. Q. Did you refinance your home? Hint: The points you paid on your original mortgage are fully deductible now, not over the length of the loan. This represents only the tip of the iceberg of available credits and deductions available to you. Just one of these deductions could save you thousands of dollars in taxes. Yet, you are never going to see these questions raised in a tax software program interview. The tax code and regulations are simply too large to be incorporated into a usable software program. Your business is unique. You face and overcome issues and problems that are unique to your size, financial situation and particular business needs. Don’t short change yourself by limiting your deductions by using tax software programs.

Love my dentist

This is not so much about how to market a dental practice, as it is an illustration of how smart marketing strategy can permeate every aspect of a busy professional service firm. During my last appointment, Dr. Penski and I talked about her practice and approach to marketing. Here's what I learned: Clear Positioning: Fresh out of Georgetown University's Dental School, she couldn't get funding for her vision of a practice that would cater to women. In her words, "Anger was a great motivator," so she set out to fulfill her dream by catering to private-pay professional women and moms, two very influential forces when it comes to how families spend their dental dollars. From the start, she and her business partner knew they would best serve this niche by offering "dentistry with a caring touch." This vision permeates everything, setting a baseline for how they package and promote their services, their approach to sales, the care they provide, and day-to-day performance for the entire staff. Thoughtful Packaging: Dr. Penski explained how they created their practice "identity" on a dime. Over dinner with spouses, the couples discussed how to "package" the new practice including uniforms, office decor, business stationary, and welcome brochure. A husband suggested they use the symbol of a fern, since it was "old, natural, and graceful -- just like they were!" The silhouette of a fern, plucked from Dr. Penski's garden and created on her copy machine, shows up everywhere. Nature is also the theme in the waiting room where you can relax browsing nature art books, listen to soothing spa music and a fountain, and enjoy an herbal neck wrap. The caring touch is reinforced with an album bursting with patient letters, baby announcements, wedding photos, and thank you cards. A photo album of before and after shots demonstrates credibility in yet another way. Smart Promotion: I found Dr. Penski on the Washingtonian Magazine list of top dentists. A smart place to appear, if you're catering to professional women in DC. I immediately knew something was different when the receptionist told me that my first appointment would be for the doctor to get to know me first, as well as assess my dental needs. The day after I made my first appointment, I received a "Welcome to our Practice" package, that included a simple but sincere welcome brochure, medical and insurance forms to complete before my appointment, a health assessment that also asked me, "If there was one thing you could change about your smile, what would it be?" and clear payment policy. All of these things served to set a standard, manage my expectations, welcome me, and connect with me before my appointment. It was also a smart way to start up-selling me even before my first visit. Sophisticated Persuasion: The practice takes a phased approach to bringing a new patient on board. This is also a sophisticated way to build trust and encourage further use of their services. The first appointment was all about assessment and relationship-building. In addition to the most thorough, tooth-by-tooth assessment and set of x-rays I've ever experienced, Dr. Penski took her time getting to know me as a person, about my background, and my concerns or fears about going to the dentist. When I mentioned an interest in whitening my smile, she talked me out of it, showing me how it would look unnatural. My trust in her credibility and interest in my wellbeing continued to deepen. I asked Dr. Penski why, in 30+ years of regular dental care, was this the first time I'd ever received this thorough of a check-up? Her response: they break all the prescribed rules for how much time to spend with each patient, which gives them the freedom to be as thorough as possible. The business model works because they spend more time with higher-paying clients, who specifically value the approach Dr. Penski and her partner take. They don't have to make up for lower insurance reimbursements with a higher volume of patients. There is an overall atmosphere of calm, nurturing focus on each patient. Everyone wins. Before leaving, my second and third appointments were set up for cleaning and another minor procedure. I was up-sold on the spot and happy about it! Relationship-Building Performance: Dr. Penski explained that the cornerstone to the practice is their daily all-staff meeting. Held every morning, they discuss each patient coming in that day as a whole person: her dental treatment, what's going on in her life, what issues or fears she might have about today's procedure, and other things that matter to her experience and treatment. The meetings serve to center and refresh the doctors and staff every day, so that they're really focused on each person as an individual when she arrives. The caring approach and relationship-building performance continued with a follow-up call to see if I had any questions from my first appointment and to provide me contact info for a new doctor referral I mentioned needing as I was leaving. Never did I think I'd become a raving fan of my dentist, but there you have it! When I asked Dr. Penski about what they specifically do to market the practice, she said, "We don't have to market!" The truth is, they market every day because of how they choose to run their practice. Here are some ideas you can borrow to create your own raving fans: 1) Pick a clear niche that you really want to serve and go after it. You've got to really love your niche, or your efforts to penetrate this niche will ring hollow and fall flat. As important: make sure your niche has money to spend and is willing to pay for what you can deliver. 2) Think of ways you can start the marketing process before you even meet new prospects. How do you want them to first know about you (i. e., on the Top 10 List of something that matters to your target audience)? What will build your perceived credibility in the eyes of your target audience (i. e., the album of patient thank you notes and photos in the waitin room)? Surprisingly, Dr. Penski's practice does not have a website, which is an essential marketing tool for any professional service firm! But that doesn't stop them from doing the same things offline through low-cost printed materials and other credibility-raising, trust-building tools. It's how you use these tools that matters. 3) One you've got their attention, what can you do, say or send that will invite prospects to connect with you and set the standard that you are different (i. e., a Welcome Package, self-assessment or maybe a "Checklist to Help You Pick the Right CPA for Your Business")? 4) Be consistent. Does what your firm stands for permeate everything you say, do, offer, print, show and produce? You don't have to have a big marketing budget to infuse your vision into everything you do. 5) Invest in relationships. Would you rather have as many higher-paying, appreciative clients as you choose or be constantly running to keep up with lower-paying, high-maintenance volume? It's a choice you have. 6) Pay attention to the details. Clients who are willing to pay good money for your professional services will not stick around if you don't attend to the details. Dr. Penski's daily staff meeting is her vehicle for making sure nothing falls through the cracks. What's yours? No website, home-grown graphic design, far fewer patients per hour than recommended, chatty staff and personal relationships with patients... Is this any way to run a professional service firm? You bet!

Mortgage terminology that everyone should know

When you are searching for or reading through any mortgage, there are some terms that are vitally important to how you perceive the paperwork. If you aren't familiar with all of the terms, then you might misunderstand what the document is saying and agree to something that you might not mean to. Here are some of the basic terms that you should understand before you sign anything: 1. Creditor – this is the party who is selling, or who holds the current deed to the property that you are buying. They legally own the property and have the legal right to sell it, or secure it by a mortgage. This is usually the mortgage company, bank, or other lending institution. The creditor is also listed as the “mortgagee” or “lender” in some cases. 2. Debtor – this is the party who is buying the property. If you are looking to purchase the property, then the debtor is you. This party must ensure that they are able to repay the mortgage to the creditor before the creditor will sign the mortgage. 3. Conveyance – this is the term for the legal exchange of the property from the creditor to the debtor. 4. Hypothecation – this is just a fancy term for the debt that is incurred by the mortgage. This is what the debtor has when they sign the mortgage and turn over the money to the seller of the property. 5. Redemption – this is when the mortgage, or debt, is paid in full. 6. Mortgage by demise – this is when the creditor assumes ownership of the property until the debt is paid in full. This form of mortgage was widely used in the past, but is seldom used today, and is even outlawed in some countries. 7. Mortgage by legal charge – this is the basic type of mortgage that is available to day. In this case, the debtor (or buyer) is legally the owner of the property, but the creditor retains enough rights over the property to ensure that they will be paid. There are many more mortgage terms that you should be familiar with when searching for a mortgage. You should make sure that you are aware of other terms that you might need to know before you head into a mortgage broker's office to sign any paperwork. Hopefully these terms help to give you a little more of an idea of what you are signing when you do make it to that part in the process.

Is that your check book driving away

Is Your Check Book On The Curb ---------------------------- This is an article about people throwing away their home computers with all their financial and banking information on them and easily accessible. A very simple first step to financial and identity theft and it happens all the timeputer Disposal and Identity Theft go hand in hand. Since Hurricane Wilma, our city has stepped up bulk trash pickup to every month. Bulk pickup is when you can put out pretty much anything; dressers, vacuum cleaners, and of course computers. Early in the morning on each bulk pickup day people come around with pickup trucks to see what they can grab prior to the city trucks showing up. Some are looking for throwaways that can be refurbished and re-soled, while others work for charities that are looking to provide less fortunate people with items that are useful. Identity Theft & Home Computer Disposal -------------------------------------------------- This morning my wife reminds me that not only is it trash day, it is bulk pickup day (And for some people, possibly Identity Theft day). So I take out the trash and put out the other large items. As I approach the curb, a truck full of discarded goodies pulls around the corner. He asks me if I am throwing that stuff, and if so could he put it on his truck. I said sure, and lifted it on to an already huge pile of discards. When he drove away, guess what I saw on top of the pile, three desktop computers, and one laptop. From the look of them, they were a few years old. I wonder why they were put out on the curb? Where they inoperable, or did their owner just get tired of how slow they were and bought a new one? Even if they weren't working quite right, I wonder how much effort it would take to repair them, probably not much. Throwing Away your Computer, Money, and Identity ---------------------------- Jackson Morgan, a contributing author for Defending The Net, wrote an article called "Computer Disposal - Throwing Away Your Computer, Money, and Identity" a few months ago. In this article, he interviewed people at the dump to see what was on their discarded computers. And the results were quite surprising, actually, to us they were not surprising. And now I am writing this article to give you my own personal experience / observation Do You Take Computer Security and Identity Theft Seriously ---------------------------------------------------------- There are so many articles written about wireless security, Internet security, and computer security and how your identity and private information can be stolen. Some people are really concerned about this. I wonder how many of those discarded PC's on the truck this morning had owners that secured their wireless Internet connection? I wonder how many of those computers had their hard drives removed or destroyed. More importantly, I found myself wondering where those computers were going to end up? Someone Just Sold A Thief Your Checking Account ----------------------------------------------- Let's think up a reasonable and viable scenario. Let's say that this gentleman is working with a charity. This charity takes discarded, yet useful items and cleans them up and distributes them to people who are less fortunate or down on their luck. One of the PC's really had no problems except that it was loaded with Spyware and Adware and needed a thorough cleaning inside and out. This was a great find, the Operating System is intact, and it's full of useful applications. Applications like Microsoft Office, and more importantly, QuickBooks. The computer is given to someone who cannot afford such a convenience, and all is well. Then about a week goes buy and something pops up on the screen. What do we have here, a QuickBooks reminder and notification of account balances. And look at that, a checking account with $80,000 in it. I wonder what else this computer contains. And were going to find out because there is no password to get into the application. I don't know about you, and I am sure several people are going to think I'm being harsh with my following statements, but this scenario scares the you know what out of me. This does not apply to all those who are down on their luck, but how many people in a situation like this would ignore the information or be tempted to further investigate it. What if they already have little to lose? What could they do with this information and access to someone else's financial information. Maybe they don't do anything with it directly, but there is someone they know who would be willing to pay for access to a bank account with $80,000 in it. Not to mention the rest of the information that is most likely on the computer. Wouldn't be ironic if your financial information fell into the hands of a thief for $300? All because someone else was trying to help someone out. Conclusion ---------- I find it quite strange that many people are concerned about the technical aspect of security yet overlook the most basic things. Do yourself a favor, before putting a computer out on the curb, take out the hard drive and label it "destroy" and take it to local metal shop when you have a chance. They can cut in into tiny little pieces or melt it down for you. Don't think because you have just a home PC that you don't need to have a userID and password to login to it. You do need this, for many reasons. Also, buy yourself an inexpensive paper shredder and make sure to shred all your important, but no longer needed paper documents. If you think you can't lose everything you have worked for over the last 10 to 20 years by making just a tiny mistake your are quite mistaken. You may reprint or publish this article free of charge as long as the bylines are included. Original URL (The Web version of the article) ------------ defendingthenet/NewsLetters/IsThatYourCheckBookDrivingAway. htm

Modify your car and standout from the crowd

Perhaps you have been searching online for a new car. Well I guess I should say the ‘newest used’ car. Thinking about this and the amount of money it shall cost is daunting particularly if you have a few more payments to make. Looking for the perfect used car can be a hard task, but have you thought of the alternative. Why not re-evaluate your wants and wishes and consider repairing and upgrading what you already have. I logged on to a number of sites and found some wonderful car ‘makeovers’. You might like to have a look at uniquecarsandparts. au where you can join the forum, ask questions, and perhaps learn about refurbishing your car. Checking out what is online will make this decision easy and believe me the products, all of which are guaranteed to impress, will set you apart from the pack. OzFreeOnline has a comprehensive used car section, where all you do is register, log in and search. You will find thousands of cars for sale; search by category, find articles and information on Australian and European cars and you can even browse motorcycle classifieds. Perhaps you have found yourself with a few extra dollars that you can spend on your vehicle. You can add and stamp your own personality to your basic car, by just investing in a few fresh innovative ideas. New products on the automotive accessory and customising market at present are not only functional but also can be a cosmetic improvement. You might even consider overall vehicle design, total vehicle enhancement, or just do something simple and have grille guards installed or choose window tinting. The cost of this equipment and trappings ranges from a few dollars to a small fortune, however you can have them installed for much less than the price of a new vehicle. Going online to search for these items is most likely the best way to find exactly what you want. Your car service centre, and large automotive supplier are two good ways to find local sources as well. The vehicle enhancement options available are vast. Anything goes these days, fog lamps, colour instrument dials, silver or colour stitched leather gear knobs, sports pedals, spoilers, body kits, engine covers, interior upgrades in many styles and materials, even in wood grain and of course, don’t forget the special wheel and tyre packages. Most good shops have a selection of quality tyre brands from which to choose, and can be complimented with any number of attention-grabbing styles of genuine alloy wheels. Think about what your car would look like with a new set of wheels and tyres, and if you are feeling the need to check up on prices and style, log on to autoweb. au and search through the archives, read the articles, and browse through some of the new car reviews. You may opt for part to full restoration or just standard to custom repairs and resprays to all stages. Full or part custom or standard panel and paint service. Maybe you would like clear tail-lights or euro style headlights in chrome or black. You could invest in a Body kit, air bag and lowered springs suspension. But, whatever you do make sure you buy exactly what you want and not what the sales person wants to sell to you. Search through the pages at OzFreeOnline before you do anything and go straight to the Cars Forum. You will find that customising your car is a real option and there are many who have registered; logged in and found out all the information they need right at their fingertips. Here is a list of ideas that might spur you on: Air dams and spoilers Anti-theft devices Bug deflectors Carrier racks Custom seats Instrumentation Keyless entry systems Personal breath alcohol testers RV and towing accessories Special shock absorbers Stereo systems Striping and/or decals Sunroofs Vehicle navigation systems So if you are considering trading-in your present car, do your sums first. You might find you would be just as pleased, and a lot richer, with a few particular improvements and spruce up your present car to make it part of your personality and stand out from the crowd. Have a good time customising your ‘new’ car.

Getting rid of runoff water

Water can be detrimental to your home. Any rain and snow falling on your roof is your home's enemy, and should be eliminated as efficiently as possible. Accumulated water can easily seep into the structure of your home, whether on the roof or the foundation, and result in serious damage. Preventing water from damaging your home is the first step towards a happy home. All that is needed for good surface drainage is a properly angled roof, gutters, downspouts, and downspout extensions. The roof is the first step to eliminating runoff water. It should be appropriately angled according to the environment in which it stands. Higher pitched roofs are common in areas where there is heavier snowfall, as falling snow can easily slide off the roof. In areas where there is a lot of rainfall, it is important that roofs be pitched in a manner that allows rainwater to flow into the gutters. This will prevent water from accumulating on the roof and destroying it. Therefore, most homes in North America are not flat, as it is more difficult to eliminate runoff water. Your roof angles runoff water into the gutters attached along its perimeter. It is important that with faster and heavier rainfall, gutters be larger to accommodate all runoff water. If gutters are too small, water will splash over the sides and still be able to cause damage to your home. Gutters should be checked and cleaned on a routine basis. Any leaks should be sealed with caulking, while debris clogging the gutters should be removed. It may be a time consuming task, but it will save you the grief caused by severe damage that could potentially destroy your home. The vertical piping connected to the gutters are the downspouts. Downspouts forge a path for runoff water to be able to reach the ground. Like your gutters, they should be sized appropriately so that all water can be collected without spillage and be cleaned and checked routinely for leaks. Normally, downspouts are attached at the corners of a house. For surface drainage, a curved connection at the end to angle draining water away from the foundation is common. However, this is not sufficient to prevent water from leaking into your basement and adversely affecting the foundation of your home. Which is why downspout extensions are required. Downspout extensions simply attach to the bottom of downspouts. Extending a few feet away from your home, they collect runoff water and direct it well away. A good downspout extension will also disperse the pressure of draining water so that it does not hit the ground heavily.

Good articles recommend top rank by seo

After doing SEO fake inscription, you require identifying your theme substance. People with search engines are looking for in sequence. Does some research concerning your creation or examine previous to you instigate. Make several comments. Which generate a pleasurable and educational commentary but it is palpable that you don’t know what you are talking about, this will revolve readers off keep in mind, and readers are credible customers. You are also need to investigate your keywords when secret language SEO articles. The majority frequently searched keywords may not be the most excellent, as a lot of extra webmasters will be use the identical ones. You may desire to try use a less commonly searched but more embattled keyword or phrase to draw higher excellence travel to your website. One major drawback of SEO copywriting is overusing keywords. You do require a convinced keyword compactness to draw the concentration of search engines, but you do not desire to use the identical one too numerous era. A superior rule of thumb is to utilize your keyword concerning one time every one hundred words. You should as well feel concerning encompass a little less important keywords, and functioning them into the remains of your commentary as glowing. Which compose sure you work them into the transcript in an ordinary approach. An article that is perceptibly no more than an urn for keywords can be a intersection for the person who reads. Finally, while you include printed your commentary, proofread and spell-check it. Your article ought to not surround enchantment or syntax errors. Many readers will consider sloppy writing to be a sign of laziness, and possibly of incompetence. Remember, the purpose of SEO copywriting is to attract visitors to your website who will hopefully turn into customers for your business. The last thing you want to do is give your readers a negative impression of your product or service by encompassing scruffily on paper critique on your website. There as further to writing SEO commentary than by means of keywords. The commentary ought to be well-crafted and enlightening as glowing. Work your keywords into the editorial in an approach that is expected, and do not overeat them. An article can be entirely search engine optimized, but if it is not understandable, it will do you no first-class. Keep in mind, your target audience is the person who reads, not the search engine.

What affiliate marketing mentors to follow and why

What Affiliate Marketing Mentors to Follow, and Why? Affiliate marketing has been in the Internet industry for quite sometime now and it is among the most popular tools used by many online entrepreneurs today. It is a great option for those who want to put up an online business quickly and cheaply. However, there is still a large number of the population who knows a little or even nothing about it. And most of the people who have just discovered this business usually assume that they can easily make big bucks out of it. Well, they’re definitely wrong. To be successful in affiliate marketing business is not an easy task and it will never happen overnight. It’s just like an ongoing assignment where you need to find out and try various advertising strategies and tactics. This may even require you to sign-up with numerous affiliate programs just to determine which merchants performs well. Another misconception that affiliates have ‘bout this kind of business is that they expect to gain more if they place about 20 affiliated banners on just one niche. Well it will not really work the way you think it would because once your site is flooded with too many banners, it will look like a link farm and visitors won’t be interested and won’t even bother clicking on any of those banners. So if you really want to promote several affiliate programs in your website, make sure that they jive with the theme and topic of the rest of the content on your niche. Bear in mind that three or four affiliated links in your site are enough, depending on the size of the web page. There are also some who think that if they add affiliate materials to their site, they can receive sales right away. Maybe they just don’t know that affiliate marketing is all about advertising. If there’s no traffic coming to your site, how can you expect to get any sales? Remember that the more you advertise your affiliate link or the site where the affiliate links are placed, the more clickthru’s these links are likely to receive. If you want to be involved or you’ve already joined an affiliate program, but you have the above misconceptions regarding affiliate marketing, then, you might need a mentor to help you figure out where to start and what to do in order to succeed. In the dictionary, the word mentor is defined as a wise and trusted teacher or counselor. Usually, these persons are experts in the field they are into. They can give expert advice and guidance as well as supervision to another person. So when we say affiliate marketing mentors, they are experienced counselors that have made affiliate marketing their specialty. Affiliate marketing mentors can be those persons that have already been successful in affiliate marketing and are always willing to share their experienced-based knowledge from the viewpoint of both the affiliates and the web merchants. And that’s the reason why we come up with this page. It is aimed to give you the stuffs that affiliate mentors should possess and follow and why do they need these things. Of course, it is good for an affiliate marketing mentor to know and apply some theories and generalities regarding your business but there’s nothing more helpful and effective than telling the client what works today and what are the things that could probably work in the future and if the trend changes. As a mentor, you should be one of the sources of knowledge for your client and the first one to teach them on how to generate more affiliate income. You too, need to be knowledgeable and equipped with the keys to success for affiliate marketers as well as for merchants. And you should guide your clients as they try to do the things that can help boost their profit because once they do well in that business, it can be counted as one of your great achievements. This also makes you a successful mentor. There are some articles on affiliate marketing that says, in order to be triumphant in affiliate marketing business, you need to encompass and develop these traits: persistence, patience and thirst for knowledge. And as a mentor, it is your job to help your clients take in these traits within themselves. Once they’ve already developed the abovementioned character, it’ll be very easy for you to explain to them that attaining success in affiliate marketing requires sweat, blood and of course, hefty time commitment. These traits will also teach them not to give up. Moreover, before you train your client to be proficient in search engine optimization, link exchanges, email marketing, newsletter marketing, reciprocal exchanges and advertising in forums, you should first become expert on these fields. They will surely find it hard to learn these things alone and without supervision from the one who knows best. So make sure that you are knowledgeable on these things before you accept any invitation to be a mentor. Yes, being a mentor is way harder than succeeding in affiliate marketing but this task is very rewarding especially if your client become victorious. The failure of your client is your failure too so you must do your very best to be able to bring your client on the road to success. Again, it is never an easy task and there’s nothing you can do about it. After all, that’s what affiliate marketing mentors are for.

Jordan mccoy ready to rock

Enter (soon-to-be 15 year old) Jordan McCoy -- a vocally talented, charasmatic, impossibly cute All-American girl with a truly unique style about her. I believe this girl has every ingredient to rock things upside down and inside out retro style -- like it hasn't been done in some time. Jordan caught my attention 3 years ago, in early June, on the American Idol spin-off show American Juniors. Within the first minute of seeing her in a personal interview (on one of the first few episodes), I knew Jordan had something special. When I watched her perform her first competition song titled 'Stupid Cupid', I knew this was a name that would certainly not soon be forgetten. By far, an amazing singer and seasoned performer. With brilliant consistency throughout the entire summer, that certain 'X' factor was more than apparent as each and every week went by, and will most certainly be that same present day factor to help seal her destiny as 'The REAL McCoy'. Not to my suprise one bit, Jordan was signed by Diddy (Bad Boy Records) in the early spring of 2005 and her debut CD should be out this September or October (2006). And judging by some early first-listen web site only releases (via myspace/jordanmccoy), Jordan will soon be a household name... 'Just Watch Me' is a very inspirational song (lyrics and arrangement) showing off Jordan's unique and amazing sounding vocals and reflecting a true style of originality. Not a bad way to start off a national career! 'Next X Boyfriend', one of Jordan's latest on-site listens, is a masterpiece combo of edgy rock and pop - as is her teaser snippet of 'Good Guys'. Jordan's vocals are primed to pump you up with satisfaction. I just can't get enough. After listening to these samples, I come off feeling as if 80s pop and present day 'anything-goes rock' are put in a blender and let loose. The result is quite refreshing. I think two things. 1) Diddy (Sean Combs) picked a winner. 2) Jordan was picked by a winner. Diddy is a very talented guy who is a producer, writer, actor, singer, clothing designer, and much more. He is definitely a role model for young America and knows how to make things happen -- and in style. I think Diddy will do Jordan justice 100% and at the same time justice will be brought back to ROCK in the American culture where it is still sort of lacking for the most part. -- Improved, but yes, still lacking a bit...

Stephen m. h. braitman putting a value on your vinyl collection

The value of vinyl records is very subjective and certainly up for debate. There are many elements that go into ascertaining just how much a specific record or a whole collection may be worth. Do you use fair market value, replacement value or record price guide value? As I found out, it all depends on the circumstances, and the best way to achieve these objectives is to have your collection professionally appraised. I had the opportunity to speak with professional appraiser and music historian Stephen M. H. Braitman about the elements that go into putting a value on a record collection. But, first, let me introduce Stephen. He has been involved with records and music since the late 60's, writing and editing several entertainment and music publications. He also has been a dealer, buying and selling records, posters and related memorabilia throughout the years. His widely acknowledged expertise in the marketplace for music and memorabilia makes his appraisal services very important for estate planning, charitable contributions, expert testimony and for insurance and coverage claims. His many credentials include: passing the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) Principles of Practice and Code of Ethics exam in 2004, completing courses on such subjects as the Uniform Standards for Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) Personal Property Valuation, Methodology-Research and Analysis as well as the legal and commercial environment of appraisal. He is also a music analyst with Gracenote, the digital music management company. So what does all this mean? Stephen M. H. Braitman is a qualified, certified appraiser. Why is this unique service so important? As I discussed the details of his occupation with Mr. Braitman, let’s explore some of the details that go into a record collection appraisal and how a record collection should be appraised. “This is a new service, a new genre so to speak,” he said. “The service is being offered for those people who may have large or small collections and have really no idea their worth. Unfortunately, there are no legal requirements to qualify as an appraiser except in the real estate market, but the IRS and the Appraisal Foundation have led the way with the adoption of nationally recognized standards that reputable appraisers in all fields use. The IRS, for example, uses the concept of fair market value, meaning the agreed-upon price paid by a willing, knowledgeable buyer to a willing, knowledgeable seller. One of the reasons I entered this profession is, not only because of my love for music and music memorabilia, but because I felt that the industry needs certified appraisers to provide critical assistance in defining the values of collections for insurance purposes, estate planning, tax donation claims, personal disputes and investments. Part of the job is also being called upon as an expert witness to attest and back up the values set upon a collection. That’s where I enter the picture.” When asked what exactly goes into an appraisal, Stephen explained: “There are many variables that have to be recognized when placing a value on a collection. It also depends on the purpose of the appraisal. For instance, the IRS uses fair market value in determining the value of donated material. But, replacement value in insurance cases different; it’s higher because you’ll be paying a higher cost to recover certain collectibles, let’s say, that may have been lost in a fire. So, the intent of the appraisal must be taken into consideration as well.” “We research what are comparable items in the current marketplace. There are several aspects to research that include recent and relevant sales, trend analysis, professional consensus, retail stores, auction prices as well as record guide prices. The record price guides are a nice starting point, but they may not reflect true value because of the variables just mentioned.” “Our first order of business in an appraisal is generally to examine the physical items, if possible, and note the condition, edition or other key points of recognition. Then we conduct extensive research to ascertain the current marketability of the items. Our service concludes with a certified document that details the estimated retail value and the current wholesale value, depending on the type of appraisal. We also include a statement of the overall quality level of the item or collection, including condition, pressing edition or the cultural or historical desirability. This document exceeds the appraisal requirements of the IRS and the insurance companies.” We discussed one of the most confusing and subjective elements regarding vinyl records: grading the vinyl. I asked Stephen what method he uses. “It is actually a combination of many methods, including the Goldmine Standards that have been set up in their many publications, the ‘Good Rockin’ Tonight’-formula, and my own formula. I like to take it a step further and use a 100-point scale, and deduct points for every flaw, not only on the record, but the picture sleeve (if it is a 45rpm), LP jacket and cover. I would like to see a uniform standard set up sometime in the near future, something that everybody in the industry could agree on,” said Stephen. There are also a couple of ways to have your memorabilia or record collection documented and appraised, as Stephen details: “We actually offer two distinct services, the professional appraisal and a quick evaluation of your memorabilia or record collection. This entails you sending us a list of your items from which we provide a detailed document with a range of market values based on comparables. You’ll be able to tell whether you have something worth $1.00, $10, $100, or more. This process is quicker and less expensive that the formal appraisal and is most useful in estimating what a sale to a dealer might bring,” explained Stephen. “Our service includes, not only the appraisal of records and record collections, but posters, flyers, handbills, programs, CDs, promotional items, tour books and other music collectibles. (I don't handle musical instruments, which is a very different kind of specialty). It is important to have your items or collections appraised to gauge the potential replacement value, assist in estate planning goals, tax elements and other factors. I have much more information on my Website, MusicAppraisals. ” As we wrapped up our interview, we talked about our love for not only music, but the historical audio format of, vinyl records. I asked Stephen about one of his most memorable record collection appraisals. “I did an appraisal for a gentleman in Texas and he had a wonderful and superb record collection. But, when he put on an old 78rpm of Robert Johnson and played it on his professional sound equipment, and as the music filled the room, you could have swore that Mr. Robert Johnson himself was playing for you right then and there. It was a wonderful and enlightening experience, and one I will never forget,” recalled Stephen. So, not only does Stephen M. H. Braitman offer valuable and unique record appraisal services, he also gets to archive, appraise and handle important parts of audio history, and gets to hear them as well. And that is a reward that you can not put a value on. Stephen’s contact information: Website: MusicAppraisals Blog: NeedleScreech Email: braitman@mindspring Monthly Column: "The Picture Sleeve Archive" in Goldmine Magazine Phone: 925-679-3044

Where you can save money with your sewing

Everyone likes to save money. With your sewing, it is easier to do than you might think. And…think about this, the more you save, the more you will have put aside when you want that special fabric or that new sewing machine. Here are a few ideas to help you save money with your sewing that you may not have thought of. Save buttons, zippers etc from clothing that has worn out. Keep a sectioned container and store these items, you will be surprised how often you can recycle. Always check the remnant table when in your fabric store, you will find some great bargains. Often times you can combine like colors in prints, stripes and plain fabrics into an outfit, and all from the remnant table. With the cute tops around, like the camisole styles, they take little fabric so the remnant table is often a great place to find fabric for these. You often see the plain color singlet style tops on sale, these can be made individual for just you, with beads, appliquйs, braiding, cording, embroidery, once again, your imagination can have a party. End of season pattern sales are a great place to stock up on patterns, they can go at very reasonable prices, great savings. If you buy end of season fabrics when they are on sale, you will have them to start your next wardrobe for next season. You will be a “season ahead” so to speak. Check out the Manchester stores and soft furnishings. I use a lot of soft furnishing fabric, mainly because they are different and you rarely see them made up into fashion garments. When flat sheets are on sale, they usually are really fantastic prices, they can make up into wonderful curtains, or join two to make a duvet/quilt cover, sew around the edges, leave one end open, add buttons and buttonholes and ….viola!!! a new quilt cover and matching curtains. They can also be made into a couch throws. Your imagination will have a wonderful time with what you can do When interior design shops have to replace their sample ranges, many of these samples are just the right size for throw cushions and other craft items. It only takes a question and they can only say “yes or no”. If they say yes, you are a winner. If they say no, then ask the next design shop you find. Check out the shops that have a rewards system. If you join as a member, when you have spent a certain amount you qualify for a discount on your purchases. See if you have one with this offer near you and take advantage of it. If there isn’t one, why not suggest it to your favorite supplier. I hope these tips have given you some ideas, so start saving money with your sewing, it’s all in the planning. © CTBaird 2006 SewMoreForU

The most often overlooked aspect of bathroom remodeling

One of the most often overlooked aspect of bathroom remodeling that you should take special note of is the floor. Most people don't pay too much attention to the floor when remodeling their bathroom. The floor of your bathroom should be one of the first places to start when remodeling. This is because the floor gets much more used than other aspects of your bathroom. That being said, it is also important that you also use the best type of floor that will not only be durable, but also beautiful looking. This does not mean you have to spend fortunes on the floor. You can get stone or ceramic tile for your bathroom floor. Such stone or ceramic floor tiles are not too expensive but are mostly durable. So, you can spend just a little more money and still get good quality floor tiles for your bathroom. I know of people who have these stone or ceramic tiles for their bathroom floors that have lasted for ages. Yours too can. But to get the best benefit of stone or ceramic floor for your bathroom, you have to make sure it is properly installed. So, get the help of a professional to properly fix or install your stone or ceramic tile. If it is not properly fixed, it will not last at all. There was once when I did the mistake of getting an amateur to fix the tiles for my bathroom. Sadly, this did not last at all. I had to get it remodeled after a very short time. I ended up spending much more and wasting valuable time remodeling my bathroom floor. Don't repeat such a mistake. Do it once and do it the right way and you will enjoy your bathroom floor remodeling for years to come!

The ins and outs of balance transfers

If you have a number of credit cards, or are looking to get another card, then it pays to know about the ins and outs of balance transfers. If you use balance transfers correctly you can save yourself a lot of money in interest payments on your debts. If you are uncertain about how to use balance transfers properly, then here is some advice on the ins and outs of balance transfer? What is a balance transfer? A balance transfer is simply where you transfer part or all of one credit card balance to another credit card. You are effectively using one credit card to pay off another one. For example, if you have one credit card with a Ј1000 balance and another card with no balance, you could transfer some or all of that Ј1000 onto the card with no balance. How do I make a balance transfer? Making a balance transfer is extremely easy, especially if you have online banking. IF you have just got a new card then it is likely that you will asked if you want to make any balance transfers straight away. If you do then you simply give your other card details to the new card issuer along with the amount you want to transfer and they will sort it out for you. Also, on most online banking systems there is a feature to allow you to make balance transfers at any time. Costs of a balance transfer Unless you have a special rate for balance transfers, there is usually a cost involved in making a balance transfer. These rates can vary, but are usually either a fixed fee or about 2% of the amount to be transferred. When transferring a balance it is important to take these charges into consideration, because it may cost you more than the money you are saving if you have to pay a variety of fees. 0% balance transfer offers One good way to make balance transfers work for you is to get a card with 0% on balance transfers. These cards usually charge a fixed fee for transferring your balance, but offer 0% interest on the amount you transfer. This 0% rate usually lasts for around 6 to 9 months, during which time you will not pay interest on your transferred balance. This is especially good for people who are currently struggling to keep up with their credit card payments due to high interest rates. However, you must remember that new purchases on these cards will be charged at the standard APR, and that after the 6 or 9-month period you will have to start paying interest. Consolidating balances Perhaps the best way to use balance transfers to your advantage is to consolidate your credit card debts. If you have a number of credit cards with different interest rates and balances, then try and transfer as much as you can to the cards with the lower interest rates. This will save on your interest, and as you pay off the debt you card start to transfer more and more onto the lower interest cards. If you use balance transfers wisely then you can really reduce the interest that you pay and keep up with your credit card repayments.

Things you need to know about bestseller books

There aren't too many things that I can spend money on and not feel guilty about later. I don't go on shopping sprees at the mall and buy things that I'll never actually wear. I don't live a plentiful life with material belongings that I have no need for. But, I do splurge on books. I could possibly spend hours in a bookstore. All I have to do is walk into Borders or Barnes and Noble and see the Bestseller Books aisle and I'm in heaven. In my opinion, you can never have too many books or read too much. I'veread enough of the bestseller books to be about to advise a particular author to friends and family. Many of my coworkers know that they don't need to go out and purchase the bestseller books they're dying to read, if they wait a few weeks they can borrow mine. I joined the Literary Guild book club years ago and have long since fulfilled my required duty. I love the fact that I can get most of the bestseller books for half the cost of the stores. Granted, I don't always need to have them in hardback but that's all the book club offers so that's what I have scattered all over my house. If a book is worth reading, I can have it read in a weekend. My husband thinks it is ridiculous that I spend so much money on books and have them read within days. He doesn't understand that to me, books are an investment. One thing that I have learned is that bestseller books are not always the best books on the market. I've read so many books that were written by new authors or little known authors and they have completely won me over. I've passed those books onto coworkers who have also have never heard of the authors. Usually, they will agree that these less known books are much better than the some of the bestseller books that are on the market. Sometimes, I think that well known author books go straight to the bestseller shelves simply because of who the author is. Is that fair. No. But, that's the way that market seems to work. Don't get me wrong, by no means am I condemning the bestseller books that are on the market. I usually purchase books from those shelves knowing that they will be enjoyable. Being a hopeful writer myself, I'm hoping that someday my writings will turn into bestseller books as well. Until then, I will just keep on reading. And passing those books onto the next person.

What is search engine marketing

"What Is Search Engine Marketing The search engine is a website, which tracks other websites. Deploying a website is no way means of getting any kind of recognition in this world. Web is a reliable source for millions of websites that want recognition. Once your web site is up and running makes sure to list down all the major search engines. Most customers use search engines to begin searching for a specific product or service. We provide effective solutions for our clients that can have website contents designed around the targeted keywords. We also provide some dedicated web sites, which can promote your web site free. As per business prospect, the enquiries are generated for the top ten or fifteen websites only. However, the search engine keeps on changing this way in terms of priorities. Therefore, it is vital to realize the use of precise targeted keywords by the users and webmasters for long-term effectiveness. Every marketing initiative begins with a solid marketing plan; hence, search engine marketing is no different. However, it is quite an unfortunate fact that most of the search engine marketing are conducted without any the firm foundation and clear direction that a good search engine marketing plan can provide. You can also put your own banner ad on either top or bottom of the highly trafficked page. There is more than one reason for search engine marketing company for marketing your business through the search engines, such as increase of brand awareness, increase in traffic or popularity. Furthermore, as in world, the search engine marketing company revenues continues to climb, search engine marketing will demand increasingly stable and intelligent management approaches that incorporate time tested methodologies, which are common to traditional marketing. We also provide the detailed essential components of basic search engine marketing. Every attempt is made to generalize the instructions and examples for developing a very insightful and effective search engine marketing in such a way that its guidelines are followed by a greater diversity of readers. Each numbered item represents a unique section within the plan itself. "

Olive oil a great solution for hair and skin care

Olive oil has been widely used in your salads as well as many other things. It is one of healthiest components to make your food taste better. This oil comes directly from the Mediterranean Region and it has become so famous that it has been used in all the continents. It is a favorite among all the health conscious people. Due to the immense number of benefits, it has been ranked among the top nutrition provider. It has been widely used in soaps making it mild and very skin friendly. It also helps to moisturize your body by the use of this oil in the soap. Home Made Recipes If you want to have smooth and fine nails olive oil is the best solution. Dowse your nails in a cup of olive oil for 30 minutes and find the best results. Apply Olive oil liberally on your hands. To avoid spreading it elsewhere wear cotton gloves. This method helps you to get a smoother and softer skin. Olive oil is the best solution for chapped lips. It does wonders to your lips. To have beautiful, lustrous, shiny, silky and dandruff free hair, olive oil is the best bet. You can apply good amount of oil on your hair and cover it with a shower cap for 30 minutes, later shampoo it. It is great moisturizing solution which makes your skin softer and smoother. To make yourself an interesting bathing solution you can add 3-4 tbsp of olive oil with a few drops of essential oil. You can make an excellent night cream by using 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup water. This helps to lighten your skin, kill bacteria and makes your skin smooth and clear. It can work as a cleansing cream if you have dry skin. Apply olive oil and then scrub with good amount of sugar. Later, wipe the sugar off your face with wet and warm cloth. One of the easiest ways to get facial done. Soften your feet by applying olive oil on your feet. Mix in bowl 1 egg, 1 tsp honey, 1/2 tsp olive oil and few drops of rose water. Use this as a mask for dry skin. Once applied keep it for sometime, later rinse it off with warm water. Dab it dry. Make a paste by mixing some mashed apricots and warm olive oil. Apply this paste all over your face and leave it for 10 minutes. Wash it off with water. Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautions while following instructions on the recipes from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

The perils and pitfalls of publishing who can an author trust

One out of every eight people call themselves a writer, which means there are roughly 24 million people in the United States who carry that banner. Unfortunately there are charlatans and scam artists just waiting to ambush the unsuspecting author. How can a novice writer protect themselves? Anyone can call themselves a publisher. Always remember money flows towards the author from the publisher, not the other way round. What to look out for: Charges the author a fee up front, to have their book accepted, considered or read. These fees are sometimes called a reading fee, intake fee or administrative fee. Directs authors toward specific editing services or gives authors’ names to these services, with the caveat that if the author hires the editing service, their book will be published. Every book needs editing. It is part of the publisher’s job to provide that editing at no cost. Offers a contract where the author has to pay for part of the publishing costs. The acquisition editor will sometimes say that the publisher’s list is full for that season, but the author’s book has so much going for it, they would still like to publish it. However the publisher’s resources are fully committed and the author will have to share in the costs. Some publishers offer contracts that are unfair, such as they obtain rights that should remain with the author of the work. Some publishers’ contracts contain a clause that if the author says anything negative about the publisher, there is a monetary fine. There are also publishers who hold the rights for a lengthy time period, regardless of whether the book is still in print or selling. The publisher doesn’t disclose they are a Publish on Demand (POD), or vanity/subsidy publisher. There is nothing wrong with an author using a subsidy/vanity publishing company as long as the author is well aware of the disadvantages. Publish on Demand books are not, as a rule, stocked by bookstores. Some POD publishers will insist that their books are available in book stores, as a way to get around this issue. Available is not the same thing as stocked. Available only means the book can be ordered through the bookstore. Since the majority of books sold, are stocked and sold by bookstores, this situation puts a damper on sales. What else can a writer do to check if a publisher is legitimate? Go to the local bookstore and see if any of the publisher’s titles are stocked. Ask the manager if necessary. Search the Internet using the publisher’s name plus the word ‘scam’ or ‘complaint.’ A publisher’s website is targeted to its customers. If the website promotes the books they’ve published that’s a good sign. If the website is focused on recruiting writers, that’s a bad sign. Go to forums or bulletin boards that are for writers and see what the authors who have published with the publisher you’re considering have to say about their experience.

Learn the basics of colorado refinance

So you wish to apply for a Colorado refinance. Problem is, you are totally new to the whole business and are totally ignorant, even of the basics. What you need is a quick introduction and that’s exactly what you’ll get if you read on. Refinancing Explained Refinancing is the process of transferring to a new mortgage agreement or to a new lender. You use your new loan to pay off the old one. You usually get through the whole process to take advantage of better interest rates, to lower your monthly payments, or to extend your mortgage terms. So when is the right time to refinance? You must take a look at the Colorado refinance rates. You must only refinance when the rate you’ll be getting is at least 2% lower than your current mortgage interest rate. So what determines the interest rates? It’s a combination of the effects brought about by a number of factors. Included in the list are the economic growth, the inflation rate, and the Fed funds. Bad Credit Refinance Mortgage Are you worried about your ‘not so good’ credit report? You don’t have to worry about that either. As a matter of fact, a Colorado refinance may be the salvation you’ve been looking for. It holds the potential to liberate you from your debts. How so? Have you heard about consolidation of debts? This is a strategy used by many borrowers. It’s all simple. You refinance your mortgage and use the loan to pay off your other numerous debts. It’s actually a good set-up. This Makes Your Lender Much More Generous You see, your Colorado refinance is a secured loan, as opposed to your burgeoning credit card loans. And because it is secure, your lender is much more generous in terms of interest rates and monthly payments. What is a secure loan? Your mortgage loan is secured by your home, which serves as your collateral. Your lender holds the right to foreclose your property in case of non-payment. This gives them more leverage and more room for generosity. Now that spells better deals for you. Your Lender Holds a Lien Since your lender holds a lien on your home, he or she is more willing to give you lower interest rates. And because you are dealing with a lower interest rate, you also get to reduce your monthly payments. These two come hand in hand. The problem is, they could mean overextended mortgage terms, which may result to more costs in the long run. Even so, a longer mortgage term (though more costly) may still be beneficial in that they make your monthly payments more manageable. This way, you get to keep up with monthly payments, avoiding loan crises. This may be worth the costs you bear in the long run. Numerous benefits await you with a Colorado refinance, especially now that the competition among lenders has become stiffer than ever. Keep searching for more information and resources and be ready to grab a good deal.