Pet insurance suss out the answers to 10 key questions

If your joints and bones are flexible and strong, they move freely. And that means life can be fun and appreciated to its' full. But for one in seven people, movement is hindered by a musculoskeletal problem - back pain, arthritis, osteoporosis, fracture, or sports trauma. Faced with such pain you may be delighted to pay Ј4,000 for orthopaedic surgery to get those painful joints flexible again. But would you be so willing to spend the same money on your pet Basset Hound?

Veterinary care has moved quickly over the last ten years and as pets get older they are increasingly liable to suffer illness that can be expensive and lengthy to treat. Take diabetes for example. Diabetes is relatively common in dogs and whilst it can be successfully treated, the management of the condition is ongoing and expensive – one vet estimated that typically, treatment cost around Ј2,500 per year. Eczema is yet another of many conditions that require an extended period of treatment.

But as with humans, your pet can need emergency treatment at any time. According to research company Mintel, one in three pets make an unplanned visit to the vet every year. Boxers and Spaniels are susceptible to dodgy hearts, Labradors and Golden Retrievers are prone to progressive retinal atrophy, Setters' can get canine leucocyte adhesion deficiency and Alsations, hip dysplasia. And then there are always scrapes in which our pets are so likely to become involved. Your cat may have nine lives but you may well land yourself with nine vets' bills! With a series of x-rays costing Ј400 and an MRI scan putting you back Ј1,500 the case for insurance cover becomes convincing.

Against this backdrop, pet insurance is now the fastest growing form of insurance in the UK. Petwise, Petplan, Pet Protect, PDSA, E&L, Animal Friends, and Marks and Spencer are all names in the market. Indeed, competition for your business is fierce with over 60 insurers offering over 220 different policies. With so much choice, the task of choosing a policy becomes somewhat complicated.

So lets try and keep things simple. Pet insurance falls into three basic groups. The first and usually the cheapest form, limits the claim to per condition per 12 months - suitable for one-off emergencies but not too good for diabetes! The second limits the total paid annually whilst the third limits the amount paid per condition.

Faced with all this choice what features do you need to look out for? Here are 10 key questions to ask:

• Are claims subject to a maximum annual limit or on a “per condition” basis?

• If the insurance is limited “per condition”, what is the time limit?

• What is the excess per claim? Sometimes the excess will be a set sum, sometimes a percentage of the cost and more often, a combination of both.

• Is there a limit on vets' fees? If so, what is it?

• Find out if your pet is prone to any hereditary conditions and whether the plan will cover those. For cats you'll find information about hereditary conditions at petplanet. co. uk/petplanet/breeds/cats-breeds and for dogs you'll get the answers at the-kennel-club. org. uk

• Is your dog covered for third party liability? Remember, if your dog causes injury or damage you could be liable for damages.

• Does the pet insurance cover the cost of advertising and a finders' reward if you pet is lost or stolen?

• If you pet undergoes urgent surgery shortly before you're due to go on holiday, will your pet insurance meet the holiday cancellation costs?

• If you go in hospital, does the policy cover kennel or cattery fees? Some policies will payout after the owner has been in hospital for a certain number of days.

• Does the plan make a payout when your pet dies? If so, how much?

How can you get answers to all these questions? Surprisingly, vets are not particularly well clued up. They normally have details of one or two plans in their waiting rooms but are rarely up to date with what else is available in the market. Perhaps not surprising with all the developments in veterinary care to keep abreast of!

No, you've already found the best source of information – the Internet! Search for pet, dog or cat insurance and you'll find all the information you'll ever need. It might take you an hour to complete your research, and remember to make notes, but it will be worth it in the end.

A history of sports cars

What defines the term sports car and why are we so fascinated with them. Is it simply the flowing curves of the body design, the massive power output of the high revving engines or could it even be the distinctive throaty musical note of the exhaust pipes. Everyone will have a different opinion on what they think makes sports cars special and for the reasons why we love them so much. Even people who say they are impractical or unnecessary cannot help but to turn and look when one drives past displaying its beautiful contours hinting at the power hidden under the perfectly painted panels.

Since the development of motorised vehicles a small select group of individuals have always had the undying fascination of designing and building them bigger, more powerful and faster than they either needed to be or really should be with any regard to safety. This was no different with the motor car industry, from its relative simple and sluggish beginnings the car quickly developed into a very useful mode of transport and working tool. For some this new way to transport us around turned into an obsession of power and speed and welcomed the age of the racing cars and sports cars.

To begin with motor vehicles were built for more functional than aesthetically pleasing reasons and their ability to carry both people and heavy loads is what drove the designers and manufacturers forward. Humans though have an eye for beauty and a thirst for power and speed, combining these attributes the birth of the sports cars was inevitable.

As new developments occurred in the early motor industry a small number of designers, builders and drivers pushed the motor car to its limits on race tracks to test its abilities against other manufacturers vehicles. These races fuelled the next generation of cars and drivers. As engines became more powerful the ability to race these machines began to push the designs and needs to new levels this quite often was at the expense of someone's life. Big powerful engines were placed into fragile frames and pushed to the limit often with dire consequences to drivers and spectators. But humans have a need to go faster and faster and this drove these brave and quite often reckless early pioneers to design better and more powerful machines and this began the start of the new age of the modern motor car. Safety was usually an after thought if it came up at all, the main focus was pushing the machines and drivers to their limits and beyond if possible. The engines power output quickly out grew the motor cars ability to handle these increases and the designers had to rethink the chassis and suspensions limitations. As with in the aircraft industry the designs of planes and engines regularly changed along with the abilities and reliability of the aircraft, the motor cars began to evolve along the same lines with new ideas and breakthroughs in technologies incorporating aerodynamics to help reduce drag and stronger building materials for chassis and bodywork.

Developing test vehicles purely for racing was the beginning of what we now class as the sports car. After the Second World War a new breed of sports car began to emerge. The once very high-priced and hard to obtain race bred cars that only the most wealthy and enthusiastic owners could secure began to evolve into a more accessible vehicle with the additional comforts and road functionalities, and what was even more important, a more affordable price tag making them more accessible to the average owner and driver. The sports cars had taken their first steps from the exclusive domain to main stream availability. Over the next few years as advancements were made on and off the racing circuit designs began their slow transformation into the popular modern shapes of today's models. Many famous names have added their own distinctions to the sports car moulds and most can be easily identified by pure shape alone even today.

How to choose good floor mats for your car

If you are in the market for good floor mats for your car, consider the after market options instead of those available for purchase through your automobile dealership. In most instances, these after market additions are much cheaper than those items sold directly through your automobile dealership and they have more options for quality products. Typically, there are many different manufacturers of after market accessories for cars, including floor mats that make products specific for different makes and models of cars. For this reason, you are sure to find a floor mat the best fits the exact dimension of your car without having to go through the dealership.

For starters, look to a well constructed floor mat that properly fits into your vehicle. Choosing a floor mat that is too small will not properly protect the floorboard, while choosing a floor mat too large can potentially cause a slipping hazard when entering or exiting the vehicle, or even cause the driver to have an accident if the mat becomes bunched underneath the pedals. Be sure to know the make and model of your car and look to a manufacturer that uses this information in their product development.

Next, choose a floor mat out of an appropriate material. Generally, the choices range between floor mats made of carpet and those made of rubber. If you are looking for style, then choose a carpeted floor mat, but ensure the mat has a stain resistant coating like StainMaster or a similar protective product. Also, choose a carpet color that matches or coordinates well with the interior of your vehicle. Choose a rubber floor mat for hauling or for easy clean up. Especially for truck beds and trunks, having a rubber floor mat can prevent your load from moving when the car breaks or accelerates.

Finally, choose a floor mat that best goes with the interior of your car. The car customization field has grown to dramatic proportions, so consider choosing a mat that is customized to fit your style. These customized mats can include everything from your name to the number of your favorite race car driver so that your car is unique and individual. For example, have a carpeted floor mat embroidered with a specific design or some other customized element to make your vehicle stand out from the rest of the crowd. Also along this customizable line, most manufacturers produce floor mats in a wide variety of colors that can match or coordinate well with the interior of your car and allow you to create a specific look. Whatever your needs and desired look, be sure to first ensure your floor mats are made of high quality materials that will hold up to the wear and tear of constant use and periodical cleaning.

Self confidence build yours today

Having a lack of self confidence of a low self esteem can affect nearly all areas of your life. If can affect you while out with friends, while giving a presentation and while meeting new people, to name but a few. Confidence issues can be brought about for many different reasons and over time they become so common place that we just expect them to happen. If you are dealing with confidence issues at the moment you will understand just how it can affect your life and sometimes even stop you from doing things that you really want to. Some people allow it so affect them in getting a promotion or meeting new people do. I have met people that still haven’t found a husband or wife in their 40’s as they say that they are just too shy. I have put together a list of some of the tips that I give to my clients to help them regain their confidence.

1. Surround yourself with positivity… Positive, enthusiastic and passionate people are contagious. Surround yourself with them and allow their confidence to brush off on you. By being around positive people we will learn how they confidently deal with things in their life that would throw us off course.

2. Create a new image… This is a fantastic tip that will leave you feeling great. Go out and get a whole new image that oozes with confidence, new clothes, new hairstyle or better posture. When you have this new image you can act up to it with confidence and allow the new you to be born.

3. Watch what you say to yourself… We all talk to ourselves as we think about things. We say things like, ‘Oh I can’t afford that!’ This type of inner talk can be quite negative as it closes our mind to finding a solution. Instead saying something like, ‘How could I afford that’, allows you to use your brain for thinking and ultimately finding a solution.

4. Make a change… Move career, house or make new friends. If you find that an element of your life is causing you lack if confidence – change it! Remember though that you set the limit on what is impossible, so open up your mind and consciously decide what you can and can’t do rather that just relying on your emotions to make these decisions for you.

I hope that you put this small collection of tips to good use and get the confidence that you deserve and desire. I wish you the very best of luck and success.

Mercedes benz luxury on wheels

Mercedes Benz is known to be the world’s oldest German producing brand of cars, buses, trucks and coaches. Its line of automobiles may it be in its past or present models have introduced technological and safety features which are common to most of the automobiles today.

The Mercedes Benz is often called the Merc or the Mercedes is has the reputation of producing luxury cars for the past years. Its line ranges from automobiles, utility vehicles and even race cars which have made it up to be one of the most well received cars of all time.

Mercedes Benz cars carry out a very high reputation that it earned high respect among the other car companies. From its humble beginnings as early as the 1880s to the present its reputation is well known around the industry that even its merchandise is a best seller just like the car itself.

Its famous logo is considered as a priced possession that tendencies of it being stolen are quite rampant. Its fame led most of its models to appear on major films around the world. Its sports cars also appear in world class video games and other lines of its production are known to be the choice of most enthusiast of the brand.

Owning a Mercedes is an experience that makes it above all other experiences that one might have. The fact alone that driving a German luxury car which is actually only are perceived as dreams for those who do not or are unable to own the famous car puts you above the rest. To make the Mercedes Benz experience reach its highest level, there are a number of ways to max out the Mercedes high.

One of the best ways to achieve this is by buying the well crafted Mercedes Benz key chain. These add-ons can be purchased in specialty shops near you or it can also be acquired from on line stores. Theses accessories can be personalized further by requesting engravings at the back portion of the key chain to add to the experience of a lifetime.

Mercedes Benz owners know that luxury is in their hands. The said key chain adds the feel towards the entire experience. There are designs available for the said accessory to better the personal experience of each type of Mercedes Benz owner.

This accessory however is not limited only to those who own the famous Mercedes car but also for those who are considered as avid collectors of car memorabilia.

It’s a fact that the Mercedes Benz is synonymous to luxury, well, for those who know their collections very well, it is basically a must to have the Mercedes Benz brand included to complete the collection. You may already have car models of famous Mercedes Benz releases or a well crafted Mercedes Benz insignia, tee shirt, caps, pins or other collectibles that the brand may have released, the Mercedes key chain will not disappoint you in any way as an additional item for your Mercedes Benz experience.

Raise your money with low rate secured loans

Needs vary from person to person. Some might be looking for a home, others might be in need of money to meet various expenses. Money is the foremost factor involved in fulfilling all needs. Considering such financial requirements of the common man, low rate secured loans have been designed.

Low rate secured loans are a great way to get the much-needed money to meet various expenses. This kind of loan is essentially an amount drawn against a property that is put as a collateral. The collateral placed should be of a higher value, as this will add up in getting a truly low cost loan for you.

Loan term is another important factor in determining the best low rate secured loan deal. Ideally, a borrower looks for longer repayment tenure with smaller monthly installments. This enables the borrower to repay back conveniently.

The borrower can extract money ranging from Ј1000 - Ј500,000 and can repay in the form of monthly installments between a period of 3-25 years.

Low rate secured loans provide financial assistance to all groups of people irrespective of their credit history. If you have a bad credit but you are willing to place a collateral, low rate secured loans specialize in providing you loan at quite an affordable rate.

Low rate secured loans provide a range of benefits-:

• Reasonable rate of interest

• Speedy loan procedure

• Reduced paper work

• Smaller monthly payments

• Flexible repayment options

• Ideal for homeowners

• An effective tool against bad credit

Various kinds of low rate secured loans exist in the market. Some of them are debt consolidation, home improvements, auto loans, business loans, holiday loans and wedding loans. While opting for the loan the borrower has to be sure of which type of loan is suitable for him depending upon his requirements and financial status.

While hunting for an appropriate lender dealing in low rate secured loans, the loan seeker should at first approach the local bank, where he has done business earlier. Apart from traditional banks, there are other financial institutions offering better deals.

Nowadays, online lenders have an edge over traditional lenders. Applying for low rate secured loans online can prevent you from facing several hassles. The borrower is required to fill in a simple online loan application form. If you are unable to decide among the various kinds of loans, you can seek advice from an online loan advisor.

Before offering low rate secured loans, the lender ensures that whether the person is eligible for the loan or not. He checks the employment history, income and the repayment potential of the borrower. Keeping all such details in mind he prepares an appropriate deal for the loan seeker. The moment the lender finds an appropriate deal for the borrower, he will approach him immediately.

Low rate secured loans are gaining popularity in the financial market. They provide you sufficient amount of money in order to satisfy your financial needs.

How can credit card debt consolidation help the holders

Credit cards have proven to be a great help to the holders of the credit cards. These cards have provided many benefits to the population all over the world. However, things can still go wrong sometimes even with credit cards. That is why it is recommended that one should consider the option of credit card debt consolidation. This option of credit card debt consolidation seeks to eliminate all the possible risks attached with the credit cards and its usage.

Things that can possibly go wrong with the credit cards are:

• The credit card holders can over spend with credit cards and therefore, have to take the overdraft facility.

• In case the overdraft facility is taken it brings about payments of fines and interest on the amount taken as over draft. And the fines and penalties are not that small; they are relatively higher and only a select few can handle them in a manner that they ought to be.

• With credit cards from more than one bank, it can become awkward and difficult to keep track of each. This can build up debt and lead to many problems.

This small problem can bring about many serious repercussions to the holders of the credit cards. The saying “small holes sinking big ships” can certainly be applied over here.

To prevent these kinds of happenings, what experts advise is to take credit card debt consolidation. What this will do is that it will cover all what you owe to the banks with a single loan and now the borrower of the loan just has to cater to the loan and not the credit card borrowings. The other benefits of this credit card debt consolidation are that there are no fines and penalties to payoff, a borrower has same loan options that any other loan borrower may have. Also the interest rate of the loan would be either lower or at best in accordance with the rate at which the credit card overdraft had to be paid.

Another thing about credit card debt consolidation that is good is that they can be taken even when the holder is in good condition as the loan would be only of a lower interest rate. In addition, any one can take the credit card debt consolidation, be it a person with good credit history or with a bad credit one.

Applying for the credit card debt consolidation loan is pretty much similar to the approach that one requires to apply for any other loan. The difference may be in the terms that are offered with the loan. So for people with credit cards, there is some serious food for thought regarding your credit cards. Things can only get better with credit card debt consolidation.

Compulsive lying the intervention

Lying is common to people. Fear from a reprimand is the usual reason why people lie. But this cannot be referred to as compulsive lying. If a person lies because of a constant perceived punishment, it becomes compulsive lying. Lying with the belief that it is the truth despite being confronted with the truth is what normally characterizes compulsive lying.

Reasons why people lie on impulse are usually due to habitual lying. Some may lie because they see that other people do it and still get away from it. Lying becomes a normal thing to do that it comes out impulsively in some instance. While some believe that lying would help them get what they want. When lying becomes a habit, it is now referred to as compulsive lying.

Although it is a fact that children lie, compulsive lying, though, must be concerned about. This ultimately results in suspicious and doubtful parents while children become more uncontrollable and dishonest. Once compulsive lying and mistrust starts, stopping it would be near impossible.

It should also be considered that lying may be a sign of a graver problem. Compulsive lying is prevalent among children who have problems with social behaviors such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Mood Disorder (presence of manic or severe depression manifested in intermittent episodes). Such children also exhibit impulsivity which makes them prone to lying.

Compulsive lying typically comes with other behavioral problem like theft, deceit, violence, bad temper, miss classes, persistently losing things, and poor manners in social settings Problems like impulsivity, an obvious failure to connect consequences with actions, distraction and uneasiness in social circumstances may be at the heart of lying.

Initiating a process of viewing why a child lies, and finding the aid needed in stopping the compulsive lying. To help stop compulsive lying the intervention of an experienced therapist who can work with children is advised. Such therapist would be able to give parents particular parenting way and a profound comprehension of the dilemma they face. The child will also be granted, and be associated with medical professionals giving the needed assistance.

Punishment may also work in minimizing compulsive lying because it is intended to diminish a learned conduct. However, punishment does not teach and strengthen an alternate manner. Punishment devoid of love and careful explanation is an ineffective means, and most often lead to injustice and exploitation.

Why aren t you making money online -- the surprising answer

Are you promoting something on the Internet, trying hard to sell it, but not making any sales?

Is this because you're not getting enough traffic? Is it because there's too much competition? Or is it a failure to generate enough interest because somehow you're not communicating effectively?

Whatever you think your problem may be, I can guarantee there is a solution. How do I know this? I know it because others ARE making good money online. If others can do it YOU CAN TOO.

- But what is the solution?

This is general information here, because this report will be read by different people... all with different and specific needs. But let's start by taking a look at your marketing strategy.

You may have certain marketing techniques that you're using, such as traffic generation or perhaps building a list of prospects. But do you have an overall STRATEGY, or Plan, or Flow Chart of what needs to happen in the process of converting prospects into buyers? Before you work out your flow chart and address specific marketing techniques, have you even properly identified your target market? Do you know who your prospect is? Is it everyone who can fog a mirror, or is it someone wanting a specific solution to a specific problem? You need to be specific because your prospect will only buy specific solutions, not generalisations! Your prospect doesn't close his eyes and say "I'll buy from the next website I visit." In the same way you can't close your eyes and say "Any customer will do, it doesn't matter if they want this or not, because this is a great opportunity (or a better health solution, or whatever)." It's much better to work out the exact problem you can best solve, and target those people who MOST need your solution.

Also, can you tell people why they should buy from you and not someone else? What makes you different to your competitors? These are questions you need to answer before you even look at building a sales flow chart. Can you give an answer for why you exist for your customer, in preference to the shop who sells the same product next door? What makes you any different? You MUST come up with a plausible answer to this. As the saying goes, "Differentiate or Die!"

Your strategy needs to include an understanding of your prospect. You need to know what his problems are, and what his area of pain is. If you can identify his pain, and fix his pain, and show him that you really can help him, there's no reason why he shouldn't buy from you. The basics of any sales process will use the AIDA formula. AIDA stands for Attention, Interest, Desire, and Action. Your overall strategy should include a flow chart that takes your prospect through these AIDA buying steps, but those steps only list what to do. They still don't tell you how to do it - especially on the Internet!

How do you get your prospects full attention when every other marketer and his dog and cat are competing with you for it online?

How do you interest your prospect enough to stay with you until you have time to create a desire for whatever it is you're selling?

How do you make your prospect desire your solution enough -- so much so that they will actually take action and buy it? How can you do it without lying to your prospect or deceiving them?

So, why aren't you making money online? How can you if you haven't answered the above questions?

Is THIS the surprising answer to why you're not making money online?... Is it that you actually don't have a clue what you're doing, but you really need to find out? --- If so, please take a look at the information you can access through the author's link below.

I hope I've given you something to consider here, and that it makes sense. Let me know what you think.

Review of the video professor computer course

Becoming Computer Savvy Has Never Been So Simple!

Video Professor was first launched via infomercials, and the friendly gray haired Dr Phil look-alike is face known and recognized by the masses. In today's computer age, it is detrimental that everyone knows how to use programs such as Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel. If you don’t, you will be out of touch, outdated and unwanted in the work force.

With more people choosing to shop and learn online, the Video Professor has decided to join the party. His popular program has over fifty titles, and the courses can be done over the internet anytime of the day or night. This means everyone needing to learn from scratch or just brush up on their skills can find the time to learn.

Don’t be overwhelmed by the number of options for online courses: The best idea for newbie's is to start with the basics, like the Windows courses from 98 through to XP. Other more basic knowledge titles include Outlook for learning email and Microsoft word for basic word processing skills and knowledge. With each course you will notice yourself becoming faster and more adept, and after you complete some simpler ones you will feel ready for anything.

Each separate title has over an hour of interactive computer lessons designed so you can learn at your own pace. Regardless of whether you are a beginner or a more advanced user, you will definitely learn more than you thought possible. These courses have been tried and tested, fine tuned and tweaked until the online lessons available today resemble nothing but perfection. Mature age customers who thought they would never be able to master Microsoft Excel are now showing family and friends what to do with the program! It is so simple and self paced that children who want to learn software skills they will have for life can also take the courses successfully.

Think about the next employment opportunity that comes your way: How often is there a requirement listed that you have no experience with? With Video Professor you can get a head start and learn the full range of products available. If there is a position coming up soon, you could start the lessons now so you are up to date and ready for any software questions in an interview.

Some examples of programs you can master through VideoProfessor include:

Access

Microsoft Money

Photoshop

PowerPoint

Quicken

Microsoft Word/Works

Video professor has been popular amongst stay at home mothers, and it is easy to see why! Of course there are many moms who want to perfect their skills with Photoshop so they can make slideshows and maintain albums with ease and creative flair. Imagine sending a DVD to all your close family and friends with video clipping and photos to music, all designed by you and filmed with your own digital camera? Knowing how to make Photoshop slideshows can mean great skills for adding a personal touch to family presents or simply impressing everyone with your computer skills.

Women returning to the workforce love Video Professor for the fact that they can easily start brushing up on their skills before they are ready to find employment. When the moment arises, they can apply for jobs they normally would have felt were out of their depth, and having expanded on their skills through web courses, they often receive more pay than before as well.

Everyone assumes all young adults now days are completely computer savvy. This is not necessarily the case, and some students who have always maintained more of an interest in arts or sports can often escape learning computers. The problems arise for them when they attend college and realize a certain level of software knowledge is presumed, and not much "catch up" help is available. Video Professor can come to the rescue, and any one can decide to improve their skills over the summer or even in evenings and breaks. It is important that you can approach assignments with confidence and aren’t put off by finding computers scary or stressful, and the key to overcoming the problem is knowledge.

The Video Professor has CD learning packages available such as "Video Professor, Learn Internet Tools" and others covering all areas of computer use. While these are fantastic courses for learning each individual area of specialty, choosing to join the online courses is much better value for money. Why pay at least $30 for one course when you can do them all online for so much less? The Video Professor is a reputable series of learning aids, and any format you choose will be valuable to you, but no one can deny the flexibility and worthiness of the complete online collection.

The easiest way to privately shed light on any dark areas of your computer knowledge is by taking online courses in the comfort of your own home. You don’t have to have the latest technology or software, and the Video Professor offers pretty much every release you may have on your home computer for study. With each title taking a little over an hour, some people learn a few new software systems a night. Whether you like to rush through your lessons or prefer to take it slow to absorb every detail you can, these courses offer quality information that you will forever find useful.

You can try a sample online for free, and the courses themselves are very well priced. Currently when you visit videoprofessor. com you can have the first ninety nine hours for ninety nine cents, and each month there after is under thirty dollars. You would never find a college course for such a low cost, and they can't offer the flexibility either!

Hair loss myths

Not surprisingly, hair loss myths are more well known than hair loss facts. Since hair loss is such a common and unwelcome condition, the public has been flooded with hair loss myths to promote sales of hair loss prevention products. Many companies have jumped on the hair loss bandwagon because of our own enormous desires to eliminate hair loss from our lives, not to mention the unlimited amount of money that we (the public) are willing to spend on this quest. This makes the hair loss market ripe for perpetuating myths that will increase sales. But, for the most part, they are just that, myths.

Some of the more common hair loss myths are as follows: Male Pattern Baldness comes from the mother’s side of the family and skips a generation. Not true. There is no one single gene that causes baldness. Most researches believe that MPB is a result of several different genes, inherited from both parents, interacting with each other to cause hair loss.

Hair loss myth #2: Pattern baldness affects only men. Just ask any women suffering from pattern baldness, it’s not true. In fact, hair loss is just as common in women as it is in men, it just usually occurs in a less virulent form and is easier to hide. Also, women’s hair tends to thin out over the entire scalp area, whereas men’s hair thins in patches and at the forehead.

Hair loss myth #3: Poor blood flow to the scalp area causes hair loss. This is a misconception that has been perpetuated by companies selling hair loss products for years. Ask any dermatologist and they will tell you, bald scalps have just as much blood flow as scalps full of hair. It is because of this blood flow to the bald scalp that hair transplants work so well.

Hair loss myth #4: If you haven’t lost your hair by 40, you aren’t going to. Again, not true. Age has nothing to do with it. If you are genetically predisposed to loose your hair, you are going to. Just be grateful you made it to 40 with your hair still intact.

Hair loss myth #5: Stress makes your hair fall out. Okay, in some part, this is true, but it takes a very traumatic event to cause enough stress that your hair falls out. The common stress we experience on a daily basis will not make our hair fall out. In fact, some stress can actually increase the production of hair.

Okay, I could go on and on about hair loss myths and not run out of things to talk about. My point is this. Most of the facts we think we know about hair loss are actually hair loss myths. If you are suffering from hair loss, consult your doctor. Your physician will be able to give you a factual reason for your hair loss and advise you on what types of treatments would work in your specific case.

How wells fargo home equity loans work

Wells Fargo & Company is a specialized financial services company based in San Francisco, and is a provider of insurance, mortgage, investments, banking, consumer finance catering to more than 23 million customers across the United States and a few other international countries. Wells Fargo’s distribution channels include 6,200 stores, the internet, and several other outlets.

Being listed as one of the United States’ top-40 largest private employers, Wells Fargo has $500 billion in assets, and employs about 154,000 people. In 2006, Wells Fargo was ranked fifth in assets and fourth in market value of stock, and is the no.1 prime home-equity lender in Wells Fargo’s banking states.

Well Fargo has three main Home Equity Loans and Home Equity Loans Lines of Credit products. These, along with general account details, include -

Home Equity Line of Credit - EquityLine with FlexAbility Account

The EquityLine with FlexAbility Account is a variable-rate HEL line of credit with which you can convert credit balances into a fixed-rate for a fixed-term. This Home Equity Line of Credit is intended for ongoing access to the equity in your home, along with options including flexible payment and rate. It also features 10-year draw period with repayment period of up to an additional 30 year. Primary Residence loan is up to $500,000; Second or vacation home, up to $250,000; Non-owner-occupied, up to $100,000; and minimum is $10,000.

Home Equity Loan

With the Home Equity Loan, you receive the entire amount upfront, along with fixed payments and rate, without ongoing ability to redraw funds. It is ideal for people who don’t need additional future financing, and those handling immediate expenses when they want a fixed rate and monthly payment. Based on loan amount, the term is for 5 to 30 years. Primary Residence loan is up to $500,000; Second or vacation home, up to $250,000; Non-owner-occupied, up to $100,000; and minimum is $10,000.

SmartFit Home Equity 1 Account

SmartFit Home Equity 1 Account allows you to receive up to the entire amount as fixed-rate advance, and convert credit balances to additional fixed-rate for fixed-term advances. It is ideal for handling huge upfront expenses for ongoing access to the equity in your home because funds become available as you repay principal. The term is 10-year draw period with an additional 30 year repayment period, including term of 3, 5 or 7 years as initial advance. Primary Residence loan is up to $500,000; Second or vacation home, up to $250,000; Non-owner-occupied, up to $100,000; and minimum is $10,000.

You can apply online (wellsfargo. com) for any of the above home equity loan accounts, schedule a free consultation with a home equity sales specialist, or call a toll-free number for help.

Feeling lost about how to choose a handheld gps

If you are looking into buying a handheld GPS, then chances are you already have an idea of what these items are and how they can make your life easier. In fact, many people are starting to look into these very useful Global Positioning System devices, since they quite literally tell you were you are in the world. Obviously if you are active in outdoor sports, such as hiking, camping or boating or the like, a GPS can be a very handy item, giving you piece of mind that you will always know exactly where you are. With a GPS, you never need to fear getting lost in the wilderness ever again.

When it comes to choosing a handheld GPS, the first step is to know what you will be using it for. For example, the best GPS for hiking in the Canadian Rockies may not be as useful if you are trying to navigate the city streets of London. Moreover, if you are using your GPS in a boat or car, as well as when walking, you should look for a multipurpose unit.

GPS receivers perform so many functions that you need to decide on the right one for you. For example, the basic GPS simply displays the latitude and longitude of your location. While it might include routes and tracks, the basic variety will not include maps or points of interest.

If you do require maps as well as location details, you should opt for a Mapping Handheld GPS which has the power to download maps from CD-Roms sources such as Garmin MapSource, and Magellan Mapsend. A Mapping Auto GPS is the perfect answer if you are exploring in your car, and likewise the Marine GPS is the ideal choice if you are planning to do a lot of boating.

Before you chose you handheld GPS, be sure to consider how you will be using it. Again, what is needed for hiking in the wilderness may not be appropriate for urban adventures! Speaking with knowledgeable staff can make you decision a lot easier!

Grand old saratoga opens 36-day meeting on july 26

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Saratoga Springs has been attracting travelers even before the American Revolution when wealthy pilgrims journeyed to the carbonated mineral springs running through the area.

It’s where decisive battles were fought during the American Revolution and Civil War. The 1777 Battle of Saratoga, considered the first Colonial victory and a turning point in the Revolutionary War, ended with General John Burgoyne surrendering his British troops.

During the Civil War, America’s oldest thoroughbred racetrack opened on Aug. 26, 1863. The Saratoga Racing Association bought 71 acres to other land already set for racing. On Aug. 1, 1864, a new course was established in almost the same spot as today’s Saratoga.

New York Racing Association (NYRA) officials have announced across-the-board purse increases for the 36-day meeting than opens July 26. All classes of races will receive increases, said Bill Nader, NYRA senior vice president.

“There are a lot of changes on this schedule, including some purse reductions or eliminations of stakes, but we made sure that NYRA’s commitment to excellence remains intact,” he said. “The overall dollar reduction in stakes is nearly $4 million, but much of that money will be added back in overnight stakes.

“This helps NYRA strike a better balance with dollars allocated to stakes and overnight races, and be more responsive to the available horse inventory from meet to meet.

While the NYRA usually boosts purses each year at Saratoga, Nader said, this year “the increases are much more robust.”

Overnight stakes will carry purses of $70,000, a hike of $5,000. New York-bred races will see sizable increases compared with the current Belmont meeting. Maiden special weight races will jump $6,000 to $47,000 while purses in first-level allowance contests will skyrocket $9,000 to $50,000.

The NYRA will also continue to raise the purse of any race with at least eight horses that’s moved off the turf by 20 percent in hopes of deterring scratches, a policy launched this year at Belmont.

The prestigious $500,000 Woodward for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/8 miles was moved to Saratoga on Sept. 2 to spread out the more important handicap races. The Saratoga Breeders’ Cup Handicap was eliminated to make room for one of the 15 Grade 1 events included in the array of 47 stakes.

There’s at least one stakes on every live racing program and two on eight days during the meeting that ends Sept. 4.

For handicap horses, the summer/fall schedule from Saratoga through Belmont Park’s meeting, including the 52nd Woodward, features the $750,000 Whitney at 1 1/8 miles on Aug. 5 at Saratoga and the $750,000 Jockey Gold Cup at 1 ј miles on Oct. 7 at Belmont.

“We placed four Grade 1 stakes on Labor Day Weekend,” Nader pointed out. “We also brought back the full compliment of two-year-old stakes to give the younger stars of our sport every opportunity to succeed.”

Highlight of the meeting is the 137th Travers, oldest American stakes race named for the founder of Saratoga. The $1 million contest at 1 ј miles honoring William R. Travers will feature the outstanding sophomores of ’06 and help decide top 3-year-old honors.

Expected to show up on Aug. 26 at the historic track 180 miles north of New York City are:

Bernardini, winner of the Preakness; Jazil, who captured the Belmont; Bluegrass Cat, runner-up in the Kentucky Derby behind injured Barbaro and second in the Belmont; Steppenwolfer, third at Churchill Downs and fourth in the Belmont; and Sunriver, third in the Belmont.

Kentucky, owned by Travers, won the inaugural running in 1864 when the purse was only $2,940. The fastest time was posted by General Assembly in 1979: two minutes flat.

The largest margin of victory was recorded in ’67 by Damascus: 22 lengths. Seven times a nose separated the top two finishers.

By Greg Melikov

Online Sports Betting

Specialized needs for a successful ecommerce solution

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An Exploding Marketplace

The world has become a busy place, with trillions of dollars changing hands each year in business transactions and consumer spending. While the customary method of doing business in person or via telephone is still in use, the growing trend is to conduct ecommerce transactions on-line, with the use of computers.

On-line revenues from ecommerce in the U. S. alone have grown from 24.1 billion in 2000, to over 100 billion in 2005. And, the number of on-line users in the U. S. has exploded from 124.7 million in 2000 to over 200 million.

Canada’s combined private and public online sales have also experienced a boom. Up almost 40% in 2003 from a 27% jump in 2002; public sector enterprises realized nearly $511.4 million in sales.

Along with the skyrocketing use of the virtual marketplace comes the need for special tools, such as ecommerce web hosting, ecommerce software, and the ecommerce shopping cart.

How Does it All Work?

Ecommerce web hosting provides a business web site with special tools for doing business over the internet. Features such as extended data storage and monthly data transfer capacities, security certificates, and complex data bases are required to make a business web site run smoothly.

Higher data capacities allow for the sheer size of a business site, and the enormous exchange of information involved. Security certificates make the site safe for monetary transactions, and databases such as SQL keep track of individual accounts, purchases, inventory, or any transaction.

The ecommerce shopping cart allows the customer to select items and then purchase them at a virtual check out stand, usually with several payment method options, such as credit cards and PayPal.

Businesses require skilled personnel to implement and monitor these special tools for marketing goods or services on-line. There are many ecommerce web hosting firms that meet these and other special needs for a successful ecommerce solution.

Acecomp. com offers experienced ecommerce web site design and hosting, and ecommerce solutions for any type ecommerce web site. Visit them on-line at acecomp. com

Of lords and bishops

Of Lords and Bishops

1 Peter 1:15-1:16 (NIV, NIRV, TNIV, KJV)

Of Lords and Bishops This is a look at titles within the Church. I have found out here lately that many people are upset with titles that many Churches are using within their organizational circle. Lets look at the Bible and see what God has to say. The First Title I want to look at is; “Reverand.” This first verse of scripture has been misinterpreted by many. Psa 111:9 He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name. “holy and reverend is his name” This section of the verse is what we are going to look deeper into. The word “holy” and “reverend” if you noticed is not capitalized, which signifies that these are not names of God but attributes of God. The same attributes that Jesus aspires us to be. Ref; 1st Peter 1:15,1:16, Lev. 11:44, 19:2, 20:7. For those who wish to create a controversy, they skip the word ”holy” and only concentrate on the word ”reverend.” There are many places in scripture that the word holy is used in signifying a man and a land. Lets look at the meaning of the word; 1belonging to, derived from, or associated with a divine power; sacred.

2regarded with or worthy of worship or veneration; revered: a holy book.

3living according to a strict or highly moral religious or spiritual system; saintly: a holy person.

4specified or set apart for a religious purpose: a holy place.

5.Solemnly undertaken; sacrosanct: a holy pledge.

6.Regarded as deserving special respect or reverence: The pursuit of peace is our holiest quest. Now lets look at the word ”reverend”. You say then; “What about the word reverend?” “reverend” ADJECTIVE;

1.Deserving reverence.

2.Relating to or characteristicof the clergy; clerical.

3.ReverendAbbr. Rev. Used as a title and form of address for certain clerics in many Christian churches.

NOUN:

Informal

4.A cleric or minister. Used with the. ETYMOLOGY:

Middle English, from Old French, from Latin reverendus.

If you noticed in definition # 2 it is a characteristic of a minister, a title and not a name. Not being a name is extremely important and being a characteristic or title is the key. Rom 13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. I wish to look at Romans 13:4 a little closer, The words, “be afraid” and “a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.” Rom 13:5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

Rom 13:6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

Is Romans 13:4-6 speaking of a physical fear? No. Its speaking of a reverence fear as we fear God. So a “reverend, preacher, minister” is a man called and ordained, by God, to deliver the Gospel, to those that are lost and to those who are under his charge, to maintain the acceptable standard of conduct as a Christian according to the Commandments of Christ. His duty’s include, Preaching the word, being instant in season, out of season; reproveing, rebukeing, exhorting with all longsuffering and doctrine. By the Power delivered to him by God and Christ, who is the head of all things concerning the Church. 1Ti 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 1Ti 6:1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. Well what about other names for the clergy in Scripture? Stewards, Minister, Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists; Pastors, Teachers, Bishop, Elder and Deacon. The word,”trustee” is not in scripture but the word means; A member of a board elected or appointed to direct the funds and policy of an institution. Many a hypocritical Christian will overlook many a name if it suites them, but will not go against titles that are not listed in scripture. Why is that? Is it because they want attention or to cause division within the Church? They don’t come out against the title “lord”, why is that? And when you give them scripture or try to explain to them the meaning of a title or word, they close a deaf ear to you. The establishment of a trustee came about from the passage, Acts 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. And the title “trustee” came from the word “Trust”. What about the word ,”lord” is it proper to call a minister or any one else lord? Yes, its acceptable with God. 1Pe 3:5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

1Pe 3:6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. But again we must look at the way the word “lord” is written. A small [L] not a capitol. What about the word “Priest”? Its OK. but not the title of “High Priest”, for we only have one High Priest which is Jesus Christ. Heb 5:1 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:

Heb 5:2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.

Heb 5:3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.

Heb 5:4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. But we must remember that this title is only given by God. “but he that is called of God” What about the word”Father?” No. Mat 23:9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. What about the word,”Rabbi?” No. Mat 23:8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. What about the word “cardinal?” Not in scripture. What about the word,”pope?” Not in scripture. Has many a Christian overemphised titles because of a lack of knowledge of Scripture? Are there thoses that are in need of reteaching? Are there those who have forgotten who they are in Christ, which come out with hateful remarks, not following after the teachings of Christ? I am saddened to say, Yes, there are. They have forgotten to read and study, they have forgotten about love and compassion, they have forgotten about comming together and reasoning one with another, they have forgotten who they are supposed to represent. I pray that this message comes forth as a learning experience so that all can remember who we are, Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus. ars.

Everything you need to know about acne

Acne or commonly known as zits or pimples are skin inflammation affecting 87% of the total US population. They usually appear during puberty because of abnormal response of the body to the male hormone known as testosterone.

Causes

Until now, the causes of acne are still being investigated. However, scientific studies show that it can be hereditary. Other factors linked to zits are the following:

1. Skin irritation.

2. Use of Anabolic steroids. Most body builders are taking these synthetic hormones for faster growth of muscles and bone tissues.

3. Stress that increase hormones from adrenal glands.

4. Exposure to chlorine compounds like chlorinated dioxins.

Treatment

Most people who are suffering from acne on their teens notice decrease or total disappearance of acne when they reach their early twenties without seeking treatment. However, there are some who are suffering from it for decades. The following are proven treatment against acne.

1. Exfoliation.

This can be done through the use of liquid scrub, abrasive cloth, or other exfoliating agents that allow the skin to peel to prevent dead skin cells build-up. This process also unblocks clogged pores.

2. Antibiotics.

There are 2 kinds of antibiotics that are being used to treat acne: These are topical antibiotics and oral antibiotics.

Topical antibiotics are applied directly to the affected area. They are being used to remove bacteria trapped on the follicles. This is more popular compare to oral antibiotics because it eliminates possible side effects like drug interactions or stomach upset.

Oral antibiotics on the other hand regulate cell behaviour and reduce oil secretion to unclog the pores.

3. Hormonal treatments.

This treatment works best for females. Oral contraceptive pills contains progestogen and oestrogen that can help in reducing acne. Some dermatologists administer an injection containing cortisone directly to a large pimple that reduces inflammation and redness almost immediately.

Advanced treatments

Dermatologists are now considering the use of laser surgery not only to reduce acne scars but also to prevent acne formation. This can be done by burning the sebaceous gland and follicle sac to induce oxygen that kills the bacteria causing acne. This is recommended to people who are suffering from severe acne.

Acne scars

Severe acne leaves scars that are very expensive and difficult to treat. Although there are no guarantees that acne scars will be removed completely, there are scar treatments that lessen them. These are the following:

1. Dermabrasions.

This treatment removes the top layer of the skin using high-speed wire brush making the acne scar less visible. People who are suffering from severe acne will need multiple treatments to get desired results. This can only be done by cosmetic surgeons and dermatologists.

2. Microdermabrasion.

The newest technique in dermatology that enhances dermabrasion. This is being done by rubbing tiny crystals on the affected area using suction tool.

3. Chemical peeling.

This treatment uses organic acid like salicylic, glycolic, or lactic acid to remove the top layer of the skin so that smoother layer will surface. This is generally painless and does not require anaesthetic.

Prevention

Several books were introduced in the market stating that acne can be prevented by following strict diet and avoiding dairy products. They also suggest that adequate exercise and proper hygiene can save anyone from acne problem.

Acne can be a tough case however, knowing how to keep it away from your face is the strongest weapon you can have to enjoy a beautiful face and life.

Unemployed debt consolidation dissolving twin burden of unemployment and debt

Okay, did you wish on the fairy godmother to take away debts? You are doubtful if it will work – especially when you are unemployed. You are certainly not happy with the current circumstances. You want to work, have the ability to pay your own bills. Everyone wants that freedom and control. Debt consolidation for unemployed can enable the borrower to do exactly that - pay your bills! Unemployed debt consolidation is meant to work when debt numerology has exceeded the number two.

An unemployed will need debt consolidation when they are struggling to pay two or more debts. Unemployed debt consolidation loans are a logical way to manage debts.

Debt consolidation loans will combine these debts into single consolidated loan. This procedure will always carry lowering of interest rates. This means that the cumulated interest rates that you pay on your various loans will be higher than the interest rate on debt consolidation loans.

There will be only one monthly payment instead of many pays for all the unpaid debts. Lowering in interest rates many times lead to lowering of monthly payments. Thus, Debt consolidation for unemployed will generate extra cash every month. An unemployed should not always see lowering in monthly payments as an obvious pattern with debt consolidation. This is so because depending on repayment plan monthly payments may or may not reduced.

Lowering in interest rates will mean saving money in the long run. Saving money would imply raising capital which the unemployed can put to many good uses.

Henceforth, the unemployed debt consolidation lender negotiates and deals with your lenders. It takes away all the harassment that an unemployed might be facing for repayment.

One consolidated loan makes debt condition manageable. You have just to take care of one debt every month leaving you to free to make other financial decisions.

Debt consolidation unemployed is possible with or without collateral. Collateral is security pledged for the repayment of the loan. Not every unemployed will have a security to place. For unemployed tenants unsecured debt consolidation will negate the need for security. This loan type however is open to homeowner also. Many unemployed homeowners would not want to place their home as collateral during their period of unemployment. They can also apply for unsecured debt consolidation.

Secured unemployed debt consolidation will have advantages in the form of comparatively lower interest rates. Repayment terms will be flexible with the ability to borrow more. For amounts from Ј5000-Ј25,000 an unemployed will find unsecured debt consolidation more suitable. With amounts ranging from Ј25,000-Ј75,000 an unemployed will find better options with secured debt consolidation.

Debt consolidation seems like a magical cure for unemployed. But there are few debt consolidation mistakes which can make this decision prove adverse for an unemployed. Take care to choose you debt counselor or negotiator. They may claim high and mighty to an unemployed but they are not always there to help you. A counselor who promises to reduce your debt or reduce monthly payments to half are working for their own good rather than yours. Unemployed debt consolidation will not reduce your debts.

Like any other loan, unemployed will have to search for the debt consolidation loan that suits their circumstances. Loan lenders offering debt consolidation for unemployed offer great flexibility keeping in mind the unemployed condition. Short repayment terms, discounts, stand-by facility, holiday period, overdraft etc. are few of the benefits. A good debt consolidation lender will negotiate with previous lenders on the behalf of the unemployed. Ask for quote, redemption fees and check for any hidden fee.

Consolidating high interest rate loan into single loan at lower rates makes a whole lot of sense. But never leave sight of the real overall objective to save money, speed up the process of repayment and above all to become debt free! An unemployed should look for debt consolidation with the resolve not to go back to such a condition where he or she will need debt consolidation again. That will itself be a success. So when wished from the fairy godmother to make your debts vanish – it worked. Your wish started to work the moment you decided for unemployed debt consolidation.

Cherish your credit card

Holding one or more credit cards accounts can be a very convenient way of handling your finances in today's society, and while there are definite advantages to having the extra credit facility, it is important to exercise a level of control in the way you use these accounts. A good rule of thumb to keep in mind when using a credit card account is to never owe more on your card than you can easily pay off within three months. Now that level of commitment can change month to month so it's worth while to fluctuate your own maximum use of the card even if the issuer has given you a higher threshold. 'Maxing up' your credit card is never recommended for the simple reason that once you are unable to use the card for the reasons it was intended, then making the payments on it will hurt you that much more.

Impulse spending, simply because you have space on your credit cards can lead you into a very dangerous financial mess, and you therefore need to avoid the self indulgence, and stop buying things you didn’t know you wanted until you saw them on display in a store. You really should have a good idea of how much you have used the card during each month even before your credit card bill arrives on your doorstep. If you are ever surprised at how much more you charged to the card than you thought you had, that is usually a good sign that you are using it too much.

It is always tempting when we look at how much 'space' we have on our credit card, to regard that as money to be spent, and feel obliged to indulge ourselves, often buying goods we don't need and would never have purchased with money saved in a savings account. You should also remember that any amounts you are obliged to spend on your credit card bill payments, will often prevent you from increasing your savings for more important things like holidays, a new house or car or even your retirement.

Here are a few good guidelines to implement when using your credit card facility. Keeping these suggestions in mind will ensure that you don't create problems that may affect your lifestyle to say nothing of your credit score.

1.) When using your credit card to pay for any item, simply ask yourself if you really need it, or just want it. Separating needs and wants is an important spending issue and all your purchases should be justified, at least in your mind.

2.) When you go shopping, make a list of what you need and either take only enough cash to pay for what you have planned to buy, leaving your credit cards at home, or decide what you will charge to the card before you leave home, and stick to that figure.

3.) If you see something you think you really need, give yourself two weeks to decide if it is really something you do need or something you can easily do without. Very often, you will decide during that grace period that you didn't really need the item in mind, and your life will roll on just as well without it.

4.) Discipline yourself into not buying anything whilst you are out shopping that you didn't think about before you left home.

5.) Remember that you will be under great pressure to charge your card to it's limit, not only from the advertisers who want you to buy their products, but also from the issuers who make money every time you use your card. Always resist the temptation! You must set some financial goals and stop spending money on items that really don’t matter in the long run.

6.) Don't use your credit card to draw cash either from a bank or ATM unless it is absolutely necessary, as this is a very expensive way of putting cash in your pocket. Make sure you read and fully understand the small print with regard to use of your credit card, and in particular, the charges your issuer will impose on cash withdrawals.

The pressures created by credit card debt are enormous. Impulse spending can have an adverse effect on your health, your relationships and your creditworthiness, and you owe it to yourself to treat all three with total respect. Try to just use your card for items you know you can afford to pay for when the card bill comes in at the end of the month. That way your card facility will often cost you nothing. Paying the minimum payment on a credit card is fraught with danger and will cost you dearly.

If you follow these basic rules when using your credit card account, you will protect your lifestyle and relationships and at the same time, keep your credit score safe.

Trevor Taylor

Crush the stock market without trading stocks

Do you look at the stock market and wish you'd bought some Google stock back when it was first offered for $104? You'd have gained nearly 300% on that investment in the first year - that's roughly 9.2% each month! That's a Wall Street level of success!

Imagine if I could show you an investment opportunity that could easily give you over 14% monthly? What if 21.5% per month was within reach? These yearly returns of anywhere from 500% to 1000% are possible for anyone who has the initiative to go out and get them. That's 2-4X MORE than GOOGLE, one of the fastest growing stocks IN HISTORY! We're talking about an investment opportunity where your returns will crush even the top gainers of the stock market. Are you starting to get curious about how these numbers are attainable?

You can beat the stock game by playing a different game, the Foreign Exchange trading game. Also referred to as Forex, the Foreign Exchange market is where one country's currency is traded for another's. You can buy Ђ1100 Euros for $1000 US Dollars while the exchange rate is at 1.1 Euros/Dollar. Then you can sell the Euros back to dollars for $1100 (and a nice $100 profit) if the exchange rate moves to 1 Euro/Dollar.

$100 may be nice, but that 1% return on the $1000 doesn't sound like the path to your 500% returns, does it? Here's how that 1% gets its power: Leverage. With Forex, if you have $300 in your account, you can control a $10,000 trade. That makes your money a lot more powerful than the $1-$1 control you get in the stock market! If you're thinking that you can lose more money this way too, just read on, you'll learn why that won't happen.

Consider this: The Foreign Exchange market has a DAILY trading volume of around $1.5 trillion dollars. That's 30 times larger than the combined volume of all U. S. equity markets (that includes the NASDAQ and NYSE). This is an untapped resource, and you're about to learn five simple steps towards taking your share out of that market and into your pocket.

1. Get Educated!

As with all things, the more you know about trading, the more likely you are to success. A little effort spent learning up front can save you hundreds and thousands of dollars of mistakes later.

2. Have a Strategy!

A simple repeatable system can turn trading into a low-risk mechanical system. Know when you should trade, how often you should trade, how much money to spend per trade, when to cut your losses, and when to take your profits. Push the right buttons at the right times, and you'll make money.

3. Practice Makes Perfect!

Most Forex brokers will allow you to sign up for a practice account, where you can trade imaginary money until you've solidified your winning strategy. Don't risk your hard-earned cash until you've proven that you'll succeed

4. Scrape Together $300

That's 2 months of brown-bagging lunch instead of buying it; or a few months of cutting down on the daily coffee-shop visits. If you start now, by the time you've learned a strategy and perfected it on your practice account, you'll be ready with your $300 to start earning real money. More money is always better, but $300 is the minimum you'll need to get started.

5. Go Out and Succeed!

By the time you get to Step 5, you KNOW you will succeed, and you'll spring out of bed every day ready to make your profit. Some days you'll lose a little money, but you won't worry. Your strategy allows you to lose a little money from time to time; you proved that losing money periodically wasn't the end of the world when you practiced; you'll get up tomorrow and make it back by following your proven strategy.

Starting with your $300, if you made "Google Gains", you'd have $862 in a year. That's not bad. With Forex gains, though, you could easily turn your $300 into $1500-$3000 in a year! Who need the stock market?!?

Saving the best for last, here's the shocking truth: The 500-1000% yearly returns are possible, but with a smarter strategy you could turn your $300 into over $10,000 in less than a year without increasing your risks! Best of all, you can do all of this over the Internet without leaving home. That's 3000% while wearing pajamas. With these kinds of returns, you could realistically quit your job and trade full-time!

If you could use more money if your life (and lets face it, we all can), you owe it to yourself to learn more about Foreign Exchange trading.

Improve your health with fiber

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Your fiber intake is a critical factor in weight loss and general well-being. Health professionals advise that adults should eat at least 25-35 grams of fiber each day. The current average in western countries such as Australia and the United States is well below the recommended levels. For many people, increasing your fiber intake would very likely lead to improved health outcomes.

Check the following chart to see how much fiber you're getting.

Food Source - Dietary Fiber Content (grams)
Mixed grain/brown bread (1 slice) - 1.5g
White bread (1 slice) - 0.8g
Rolled oats (1 cup cooked) - 3.3g
Bran cereal (1/2 cup) - 7.5g
Rice (1/2 cup cooked) - 0.8g
Rice, brown (1/2 cup cooked) - 1.8g
Spaghetti, brown (1/2 cup cooked) - 4.2g
Banana - 3.4g
Apple, pear or orange - 2.0g
Prunes, dates or dried apricots (50g) - 6.5g
Sultanas or raisins (50g) - 3.5g
Peas, green (100g) - 5.3g
Corn kernels (100g) - 4.7g
Potato, peeled, cooked (100g) - 1.0g
Broccoli (100g) - 4.1g
Carrot (100g) - 2.8g
Baked beans (1 small can) - 9.5g

Here are some common questions about fiber in our diet.

What is fiber?

Fiber is the indigestible carbohydrate residue found in foods. There are two types: soluble or insoluble. Soluble is soft and mushy - for instance beans and porridge; insoluble is hard and course, such as wheat bran.

What good does fiber do?

Fiber works by speeding up the time it takes food to pass through the large intestine, reducing the absorption of toxic and carcinogenic compounds. It also modifies the metabolism of foods, binds waste products for elimination and counters the effects of toxic bacteria in the colon. Dietary fiber is helpful for those who want to lose weight, since fiber absorbs water so you feel full and satisfied throughout the day. Adding fiber to your diet can help improve your eating habits, which can lead to weight loss and more energy!

What is the recommended daily amount?

25-35 grams. At present, the amount of fiber consumed in a typical diet in developed countries is well below the recommended levels.

Which foods are high in fiber?

Natural foods are usually high in fiber i. e. whole grains, nuts, seeds, fruit and vegetables.

What happens to fiber in the body?

It passes through the stomach into the digestive tract, and on to the large bowel intact where it absorbs water and other waste materials, then it is passed as stools.

How can fiber assist Type II diabetics?

A study published in the May 11, 2000 issue of The New England Journal of medicine reports that diabetic patients who included 50 grams of fiber in their daily diet lowered their glucose levels by 10%. Fifty grams is a lot of fiber: about twice as much as the American Diabetes Association recommends, and nearly 3 times as much fiber as most Americans consume in a day. To read more about these amazing health benefits of fiber go to healthlink. mcw. edu/article/958073584.html

How can I increase fiber in my diet?

The Clinical Nutrition center at the John Hopkins Bayview Medical Center provide some excellent suggestion to increase fiber intake. jhbmc. jhu. edu/NUTRI/fiber. html

How can I increase my fiber intake...in my area there is not a good supply of fresh fruit and vegetables?

Nutritional supplements are the perfect answer to dietary problems where the availability of fresh fruit and vegetables is compromised.

Homeowners and car insurance quotes

In the market for both a home owner insurance quote and a car insurance quote? Consider getting both quotes from the same insurance company.

You’ll most likely have the same agent. Getting the same insurance agent for your home owner insurance policy and your car insurance policy means you’ll only have to do direct business with one person. Plus, this person will know everything about both your home owner insurance policy and your car insurance policy. For example, if you have a question about your car insurance policy, or you call to make additions or subtractions to your home owner insurance policy, your insurance agent will be able to remind you that it’s also time to renew the other policy.

You’ll be familiar with the company. Being familiar with an insurance company, the way in which they do business, their policies, and their procedures is more beneficial than you realize. There are usually no surprises when you’re familiar with the insurance company. Some insurance companies even offer discounts to policyholders who have been with their company for a certain period of time.

You’ll save money. Most insurance companies offer discounts if you purchase more than one kind of insurance policy from their company. Who couldn’t stand to save a bit of money, especially when it comes to insurance costs?

If you’re looking for a car insurance quote and already have home owner insurance, check with your home owner insurance company about purchasing getting a car insurance policy quote from them, too. The same applies if you’re looking for a home owner insurance policy quote. If you already have both kinds of insurance policies from different companies? Ask each company for a home owner insurance quote and car insurance quote, and then choose the best deal. And remember – always ask about the discounts you can get for a home owner insurance quote and a car insurance quote from the same company!

History of the detroit pistons their highs and lows

Fred Zollner, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, founded the Detroit Pistons in the 1940’s. The team was originally named the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons. Immediately, the Pistons entered into the National Basketball League (NBL), composed primarily of teams sponsored by corporations in the Midwest.

Led by Bobby McDermott, the team’s guard, the Pistons dominated the NBL and made it to the series championship the first year they competed. However, they lost to the Oshkosh All-Stars. Two years later they were defeated at the NBL Finals again, this time by the Seboygan Redskins, but by only a single point.

In 1944, they at last won their first championship title and they followed that up with another championship win in 1945. Three years later, the Pistons team transferred to the Basketball Association of America (BAA) and in 1949 the NBL and BAA joined to form the National Basketball Association or the NBA. The Pistons were the NBA’s premier squad.

The NBA’s first five seasons featured the Pistons in the playoffs and twice the team advanced to the division finals. In 1954 and 1955, the Pistons, which now included Andy Phillip on guard, Larry Froust on center, and George Yardley on forward, advanced to the NBA finals but tragically lost to the Syracuse Nationals by one measly point. In the 1956 finals, the Pistons lost once again, to the Philadelphia Warriors. Until 1964, they continued to qualify for the NBA playoffs but never gained their championship title back.

During the 1980’s, draft picks and trades brought many new players to the team: Isaiah Thomas, Kelly Tripucka, Vinnie Johnson, and Bill Laimbeer. Three years later, Chuck Daly signed on as the team’s head coach and he eventually led them to the 1984 NBA playoffs. With additional players like Joe Dumars and Adrian Dantley and Daly’s refreshing leadership, the team was getting closer and closer to that national championship. Still, during the 1987 Eastern Conference Finals, the Boston Celtics defeated them. However, in 1988 the tables turned, and the Celtics lost to the Pistons, due to the Piston’s solid defense, made up of Dumars, Laimbeer, Johnson, and recent recruit Dennis Rodman.

In the late eighties and early nineties, the Detroit Pistons moved to the Palace of Auburn Hills and added Mark Aguirre to the roster. They made it to the NBA finals in 1988, 1989 and 1990 and like old times, they were again one of the top teams in the league. The Pistons relied on a bruising defense and sharp shooting and they registered 63 regular season victories. In the 1989 NBA Finals, they swept the Los Angeles Lakers and followed suit in the 1990 Finals, beating the Portland Trail Blazers. At last, they could claim the title of champion.

Later, the Pistons began to fade as their roster disbanded. At the same time, the Chicago Bulls emerged as a dominating team in the Eastern Conference. However, 1994 brought in a high draft pick, Grant Hill, who helped out the struggling team.

In the 2004 NBA Finals, the Detroit Pistons, led by guard Chauncey Billups and teammates Richard Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace, Tyshaun Prince, and Been Wallace, won the championship title, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers.

Soccer balls for every use

As long as there have been children, someone in every corner of the world has been kicking a ball, or some semblance of one, around the ground, at or through a target. Soccer balls have been improvised from every conceivable source, including animal skulls and bladders, coconuts, and even human skulls.

Over the decades every type of animal skin, including the obvious leather, was used as a means to keep the ball more closely rounded. In 1836, Charles Goodyear developed and patented vulcanized rubber, and by 1855, he had translated his discoveries into the designing of rubber soccer balls.

Fast forwarding through the years, we now have exceptional balls, sanctioned by FIFA, The Federation of International Football Associations. In a statement regarding the importance of a good ball to a good game, the February 28, 1988 of FIFA Magazine states, "The football is more than just stitched leather. There can be no game of football without a ball and the better the ball, the better the game."

The FIFA mark on a soccer ball is an assurance of rigorous testing towards a ball of proven quality standards and performance. Today's players depend on the FIFA mark of excellence in all levels of play, both recreationally and in the competitive arena.

Another recognized mark for choosing a soccer ball that will stand up to long field time and weather extremes is the NFHS, which is the National Federation for High School Associations, a sanctioning body for all high school sports, including soccer.

Soccer balls come in both leather, widely recognized as the best ball for numerous reasons, such as shape retention and weather resistance, and also in synthetic leather, which can be a viable choice for the beginning recreational player. Once the player has come to recognize the difference in ball handling though between the natural and synthetic leather ball, it will be time to make the move up to one of the many available to choose from in every color and necessary size.

The top three sellers, and most readily available in sporting stores as well on from online retailers, are Adidas, Bremen and Nike. Among those, it is Adidas that offers the public the opportunity to play with the same ball used in Major League Soccer games, the +Teamgeist. It retails for 130.00, so although, it may not be the first ball you buy, it is sure to be one you will find delightful to work with once you have tried it. It offers superior reaction, spherical retention, and it may be the most accurate football ever produced. Proponents of this ball claim no other ball can compare with the +Teamgeist in flawless performance, both on the ground and in the air.

Many of the high end balls are only available in size 5, the adult size, with a few expanding their repertoire to include the smaller size 4 ball. To get the youth starter ball in the requisite size 3, the consumer can expect to pay only 10.00 to 20.00 for a great beginner ball, in many choices of colors. Puma and Lotto have long been good choices in the entry level range of ball, offering fine performance and durability for the money.

7 tips to help your kid develop a positive self-image

Try these 7 tips to foster optimism and resilience in your overweight child:

1) Believe in your Children. Assure your children that you are on their side and that you expect then to be the best person that they can be, although you don’t expect them to be the best at anything. No one is perfect.

2) Find other adults who believe in your children. Teachers, aunts, uncles, neighbors and friends can help you make a positive difference for you overweight child. Other adults that can see beyond the weight and also believe in your child can help your child take control of their lives.

3) Encourage your children to stay interested in activities. Let them know that their interests are valuable and deserve to be developed, whatever it is.

4) Celebrate your children’s winning experiences and help them to accept defeats graciously. Let your child know that you appreciate their efforts and positive attitude win or lose. Positive attitude and effort is for more important than victory.

5) Encourage upbeat conversations about the future. Assume they are going to college and thinking about good careers. Let your child know that you believe they are capable.

6) Be a role model for perseverance. Be sure your children hear you say that some tasks are difficult, but that you are not a quitter.

7) Facilitate family fun and laughter. A family that can joke, laugh, and lighten up their day’s with humor can help to prevent negativity and tension.

A family affair for hair

Out of the hundreds of procedures he performs each year, the last thing hair-transplant surgeon Dr. Robert Dorin expected to do was perform surgery on his father.

Robert M. Dorin Sr. had been losing his hair for many years, but few people knew how much it bothered him. Then, one day at a family function, the elder Dorin casually mentioned to his son that he was considering treatment.

"It surprised me because my father knew what type of work I do and he never said anything," Dorin said.

Caught unawares, Dorin was nevertheless delighted that his father was taking matters into his own hands. "My father's hair loss finally reached a point where most of the hair in the frontal area had fallen out," he said.

So Dorin decided to come up with a surprise of his own.

"Given that it was a week before my dad's birthday, I figured it was a great opportunity to give him a gift that he would enjoy for the rest of his life," he said. "I scheduled a procedure for my father for the very next week."

On the day of the surgery, the two discussed the details of the procedure and what to expect.

"I could feel and see my dad's excitement grow as things took shape," Dorin said. "He realized just how much hair he had lost over the years and how much I would be able to put back in just one procedure."

The procedure required 1,571 hair-transplant grafts and took about 7 hours. Three weeks later, there are no telltale signs of the hair transplant. He should begin enjoying his new look in three to six months.

"Working on my dad was something extra special for me," Dorin said. "It was an honor to be able to do something that would have a lasting, positive impact on his life. It is very similar to the way his actions and support have shaped my life."

Bird watching journals preserve your bird watching experiences

Bird Watching is a great way to escape the rat race and be one with nature. Alas, your bird watching experiences can fade with time. The best way to prevent this is to keep a bird watching journal for your sightings and trips.

Bird Watching Journals

Take a minute to give some consideration to your most recent bird watching experience. What sticks out in your mind? Now think about the first time you ever went bird watching. Undoubtedly, you remember few things about the geography, people you went with, every bird sighted and so on. The experiences you’ve forgotten are lost to time. If you had kept a bird watching journal, this wouldn’t be the case.

There are famous instances of people keeping journals throughout time. Of course, Anne Frank’s Diary is the best example. In her diary, Anne kept a running commentary of the two years her family spent hiding from the Nazis. While your bird watching experiences better be more lighthearted, keeping a journal will let you remember them as the years pass.

A good bird watching journal combines a number of characteristics. First, it should be compact so you don’t have to take up unnecessary space for other things. Second, it should have a case to protect it from rain, spills and so on. Third, the journal should contain blank areas to write your notes. Fourth, the journal should contain cue spaces to remind you to keep notes on specific things. Cues should include:

1. Who you went birding with,

2. Where you stayed and if you enjoyed it,

3. Who you met and contact information for them,

4. The geographic and weather conditions, and

5. The birds you sighted and added to your life list.

At the end of the trip, you should be able to get the following from your journal:

1. Contact information for other bird watchers and people you met,

2. Enough detail to provide you or a friend with a guide if you travel to the location a second time.

3. Memories to reflect upon years later, and

4. Something to pass on to your children and grandchildren.

To get the most out of your bird watching journal, you should write in it during and immediately after birding. Every sighting brings new experiences even if you’re just sitting in your backyard.

Bird watching is a great way to commune with nature. Make sure to preserve the experience.

Passover laugh while cleaning

Passover, or Pesach as it is called in Hebrew, is the 8 day festival where the Jews celebrate their liberation from Egypt more than a thousand years ago. One of the most important features of this freedom festival is that the Jews cannot eat anything that is leavened. They eat unleavened bread.

They must also make sure that no bread crumbs exist in or around the house: the cupboards, the drawers, the kitchen, behind the bed, under the refrigerator and anywhere else where crumbs might have fallen through. To ensure that the house is clean of leavened food materials, the Jews have to clean the entire house from top to bottom as thoroughly as possible. And they do. During the week before Passover, house cleaning is what goes on in most Jewish houses. To answer this demand and to ease the tension, here is a joke on this subject called Impossible Timing, which highlights this cleaning tension.

Impossible Timing:

Samuel, an observant Jew, who was also a financial wizard, left Brooklyn to accept the position of Vice President in a famous broker firm in Utah, which is well known for being a Mormon state.

When they learned this, the company's directorate applied tremendous pressure on the company's president. "We are religious people here," they said. "It can't be that a Jew will handle all our money."

The president tried to ward them off, but when he couldn't manage it anymore, he called Samuel to his office and explained the situation to him. Samuel was offered the choice of either converting or leaving the attractive job which also had a six figure salary quote attached to it.

Samuel had no choice but to convert, and he went home and told his wife that from Sunday, they will start attending the Church services.

A few months went by and his wife kept troubling Samuel about the conversion. "This is too difficult for me. I miss the Sabbath: lighting candles and blessing the wine. I miss the holidays. Money is not everything, Samuel dear."

And with each time that his wife complained, Samuel's conscience increased until he could not take it anymore and he went to meet the company's President.

"Look, I can't go on like this," Samuel said. "I am full of regret. Money is not everything. I can't sleep and neither can my wife. This is too heavy a burden for me to carry. I was born a Jew and I want to die a Jew. And if you want me to quit, I will without making any trouble."

The President looked at him in wonder, "Listen, Samuel, I had no idea that this was so difficult for you. I thought it was a trivial matter. But you don't have to leave. Everything will be the same as before: you can stay here with us without converting.

Samuel returned home happy and grinning from ear to ear. He ran to his wife, who was watching Ricky Lake, "You won't believe it! It's a miracle. We are going back to being Jews, and I still retain my job."

His wife looked at him with eyes that spat fire, and said," Are you mad?"

Samuel was shocked. "But I thought that this is what you wanted!" He cut in. "All this while you have been crying and complaining. Don't you wish to go back to becoming a Jew""

His wife looked at him with ever more fury, "Of course I want to. Of course I want to," she said. "But now? Only a week before Passover?"

Helping parents keep kids safe on the internet

Are your kids safe online? If you think they are, you may want to think again.

Recent studies reveal some shocking statistics. One in five young Internet users received an online sexual solicitation during a one-year period; and almost one in three gave out their home address.

Like most parents, you probably want to protect your children, but feel you lack the technical savvy to take action.

Fortunately, a group of companies and organizations has joined forces to form the Internet Keep Safe Coalition and a website, iKeepSafe. org.

At iKeepSafe. org, parents can access a free tool that guides them through the 10 technical actions they must take to protect their children online.

Developed in partnership with Internet security leader Symantec, the tutorial covers everything from filters and fraud, to safe surfing and searching, as well as how to track and monitor a child's Internet usage.

The iKeepSafe. org website includes a list of safety tips for kids, plus animated videos and games with safety information.

It also offers these helpful tips for parents:

• Keep the computer in a common room in the house and position the monitor so it's available for public viewing.

• Establish rules for using the Internet and teach children important safety guidelines.

• Use blocking software or filtering programs, but don't rely on them as your only line of defense.

• Teach children that people online are not always who they say they are.

• Frequently check the Internet history to see which sites your children are visiting.

• Monitor your children's e-mail account. Let them know you're doing it and why.

• Spend time with your children online. Have them show you their favorite sites.

• If you see anything suspicious or think your child may be a victim of Internet exploitation, call the police, the FBI or the National Center for Missing Children at (800) 843-5678.

An easy guide to blogs

Everyone seems to have a blog these days and with good reason: a lot of money can be made with blogs. If they’re not blogging for fun they’re blogging for cash It has become so popular that a lot of people now use blogs instead of traditional website to get things done. Blogs can be used to promote businesses get information about anything or give your opinion about anything. The good thing about blogs is that they are constantly updated with fresh info and ideas – This is what makes them so popular with the search engines. Blogs usually get high ranking on the search engines because of the constant update of information.

A Few Advantages of Blogs

1. Blogging is an excellent form of advertising

2. Free to set up.

3. Usually get very high rankings in the search engines

4. Constant updates with relevant information

5. Cash Generator

Anyone doing business online should by now have a blog and if not they should start blogging ASAP. It’s an excellent way to get your business out there and be noticed. Increases in sales usually follow. There are a lot of ways to make a lot of money using only blogs You can sell products related to your blog. You can advertise for someone else. You can use Adsense to generate extra income.

Creating and starting a blog is very easy and is a lot of fun and exciting, especially when you start making money from it.

Remember to update your blog often; every day is good or every other day. Your blog has to be filled with useful information. Write about your topic or business area.

But like everything else you will need to learn about blogging if you are a complete newbie at it, but it is so easy to learn. If you want to know all you need to know about blogging then I would recommend you take a look here bloggers-guide. com