Teaching your kids financial responsibility

If the current economic recession has taught us anything, it's that financial education and responsibility are critical in today's fast-paced, wired world. All too often, however, children grow up immune to the financial world around them. As a result, they're often ill equipped to manage their own finances when they become adults and leave home.

With the economy in the news almost daily, now's a perfect time to start educating your children about how to manage money more responsibly. The tips below can help you get started.

1. Give an Allowance

If your children don't have money of their own, it's hard for them to really grasp the value of it. So if you don't pay your children allowance, consider starting. You don't need to pay a lot–a little goes a long way. The most important thing is that your children learn the value of completing even small chores around the house to earn their own money.

2. Make a Plan and Set Guidelines

Before you start giving your children an allowance, sit down with them and set some expectations. Discuss the specific chores and timelines for completing those chores, as well as the amount of money they'll earn for each chore and when they'll be paid. This helps instill a strong work ethic in children as well as drive home the message that money is earned, not given.

3. Save for the Future

As part of your financial discussion, consider implementing a savings rule for your children. For example, make a rule to save half or one-third of their allowance. You can go with them to the bank to establish a savings account in their name and then take them to make their deposits. Or, if your children are still young, you can set up a special savings bank. Let your children decorate a jar or can to give it some personality and then have them deposit a portion of their money in that special bank whenever they receive their allowance.

4. Educate on Interest

Talk to kids about savings accounts and the value of interest. If you start a savings bank at home, offer to pay your kids a small amount of interest on their savings. Once a month, sit down with your kids and count how much they have deposited, how much interest they have earned, and how much they have as a result. Compare the amounts each month, so your children can see the benefits not only of saving, but also the benefits of compounding interest.

5. Save for a Big Purchase

The next time your child shows you an expensive toy or big-ticket item that he or she wants, consider striking a deal where the child saves up for half of the cost. For instance, consider a "match plan" in which you match every dollar your child saves for the item. This will not only teach the value of saving, but also help your child learn to budget and plan for expenses–which is a lesson that can pay off in the future when your child becomes a credit-card-carrying adult.

6. Take Your Children Shopping

Take your children grocery shopping with you. As you go down your shopping list, have your children help you compare the prices of the different brands, sales, and quantities per package. You can also have your children try to keep a running tally and make a guess of what the total cost will be.

7. Set Them Free to Shop

Once your children have a sense of money matters, you may want to take the lesson up a notch. For instance, when your children need new school clothes, you try giving them the money and putting them in charge of what to buy. Then, as they shop, help them compare the prices and number of items they can purchase within their budget. You could even purchase a Visa gift card with a specific dollar value on it. That will help your children not only learn about the value of a dollar and making smart purchases, but it will also introduce them to the credit card system, in which money may not seem real because it's unseen. In today's electronic financial world, this lesson will become more and more important as your children get older.

8. Teach by Example

Remember, children are always watching. So if you educate them on saving for purchases and budgeting but make rash decisions on big-ticket items yourself, you may find them learning a different lesson than you intend. So make sure you follow your own rules when it comes to spending, saving, and fiscal responsibility. You may even want to consider discussing your donations to help your children understand the importance of supporting charities.

9. Be Consistent

Teaching children about money isn't something that can be done in a short period of time. Children are always re-experiencing their environments and testing their boundaries. So make sure that once you implement an allowance, savings, and budgeting plan that you stick with it. Over time, you may decide to raise your child's allowance or change the terms of their savings. But those shouldn't be quick decisions. Instead, if you and your child want to revisit the financial plans or to add a new element, take the time to sit down, write out what the changes will be, discuss how this will impact the child's level of responsibility, and make sure you end the conversation with agreement on what will happen going forward. Then, be consistent; don't waiver.

At times your child may beg for an exception. But by being consistent, your children will be much better prepared to deal with the real financial world that they'll face when they grow up.

3:01 PM - Nov. 20, 2009 - comments {0} - post comment

Travel Speak

For many people, insurance can seem like a foreign language that only those fluent in ‘insurance speak’ can understand. To master the art of insurance appreciation however, you don’t need instruction from RosettaStone or Berlitz, just a little help from InsureMyTrip.com. 

“Travel insurance like all insurance is complex,” explains Jim Grace, President and CEO of InsureMyTrip.com, “but a fundamental understanding of industry terms and phrases that commonly cause confusion, can clear up some of the mystery. At InsureMyTrip.com, one of our key goals is to help travelers understand travel insurance, and that means starting with the basics.” These are the top 10 travel insurance terms that every consumer should know as they prepare to purchase trip protection for their upcoming travels: 

1. A.M. Best Ratings – Industry watchdog A.M. Best rates and assesses insurance companies’ financial strength and ability to meet their obligations to policyholders. InsureMyTrip.com features a user-friendly monitoring tool for consumers to check the A.M. Best Ratings of all the leading U.S. travel insurance companies before you purchase coverage.

2. Unforeseen – means not anticipated or expected and occurring after the effective date of the policy.

3. Primary - This section of the policy will pay first, before any other collectible insurance.

4. Secondary - This section of the policy will pay you after any other Primary collectible insurance has paid the claim and the Primary policies’ limits have been exhausted.

5. First Trip Payment Date - This is the date that money first exchanged hands for the trip you want to insure. This is the date the check is written, not the date it is cashed.

6. Pre-existing Medical Condition Waiver - Many policies have a pre-existing medical exclusion, meaning that coverage is not available for pre-existing medical conditions. A Pre-existing Medical Condition Waiver essentially deletes that exclusion and extends your policy to cover pre-existing condition-related risks. To be eligible for a Pre-Existing Medical Condition Waiver, the majority of travel insurance policies require that you purchase your policy within 10 to 21 days of your first trip payment date and insure for the full amount of your non-refundable travel arrangements.

7. Look Back Period - This is the number of days that the insurance company will ‘look back’ from the date the insurance was purchased to see if your claim is related to a pre-existing medical condition. The Look Back Period varies by company and plan and does not apply if you qualified for the Pre-existing Medical Condition Waiver offered by many plans.

8. Cancel For Any Reason – This is an optional benefit that empowers travelers to cancel trips for any reason including sudden unemployment, schedule conflicts, even bad weather, up to two days prior to departure. Cancel For Any Reason policies vary by company and must be purchased within 10-21 days of your first trip payment date.

9. Financial Default – This is a benefit that is part of Trip Cancellation/Interruption coverage. This protection applies if the airline, cruise line, or tour operator goes out of business and you are unable to travel as a result or suffer financial loss. Since this coverage is time sensitive, you must purchase a policy within 10 – 21 days (varies by company) of your first trip payment date. All of the plans that contain this benefit have a 7-30 day waiting period from the time of purchase before becoming effective. Typically, if you purchase travel insurance directly through a travel supplier such as an airline, cruise line, or tour operator, you cannot protect yourself should that travel supplier go bankrupt or become financially insolvent, so it is always best to purchase your travel insurance protection from a third-party source.

10. Travel agent vs. Tour Operator - A Travel Agent is someone who books flights, cruises and tours. A Tour Operator is a company which specializes in the organizing and operation of pre-planned vacations which are usually sold to the public through travel agents. 

2:18 PM - Nov. 14, 2009 - comments {0} - post comment

Best tools of 2009

This article is by Front Range Inspection:

		The first one is called the quick point gun, it is a gun that speeds up the delivery of mortar for repointing/tuckpointing the mortar on brick homes and chimneys. This is a very useful tool for the professional handy man, fix and flipper or anyone looking to upgrade the appearance of a brick wall. Click here for pricing and a short video on its use.
		This one simplifies the leveling challenge, sometimes it is hard to get a cabinet or picture level while paying attention to making the first marks. This little gadget helps you keep your eyes on the prize. It can also be attached to a 48 inch level modernizing your old and trusted friend. Click here for pricing and here for a short video.
		This tool is more for the professional or that tool junkie that needs all the new tools. This little gem lets you look behind all kinds of things (walls, inspection covers, hatches, siding, plumbing and more). Plus you can take pictures with an on board digital camera so you can defer evaluation and diagnosis to your chosen expert confidant. Range in price from $150 to $300 depending on make and extensions needed. This is the best unit I have seen. Clicking here will take you to a website with different models and pricing.
		Keep in mind the holiday season is just around the corner.

2:32 PM - Nov. 8, 2009 - comments {0} - post comment

Burn and Fire Prevention Tips

9:41 AM - Oct. 31, 2009 - comments {0} - post comment

Buyers are changing shopping habits

Whole Foods Market, one of the leading natural and organic foods supermarket, announced results from its annual Food Shopping Trends Tracker survey conducted by Harris Interactive, which found that two out of three (68%) U.S. adults have changed their cooking and eating habits because of the current state of the economy, with about half (51%) eating dinner at home more often and more than a third (37%) budgeting food shopping trips more strictly. 

At the same time, the survey found that the majority (76%) say they do not want to compromise on the quality of the food they buy, regardless of current food prices. While three in four (75%) also continue to purchase natural and/or organic foods in the same quantities as they always have, nearly two-thirds (65%) of consumers surveyed say they would like to find ways to be able to buy these foods within their budget. 

“We recognize that shoppers should be able to cut costs, not corners when buying natural and organic foods,” says A.C. Gallo, co-president and chief operating officer for Whole Foods Market. “This research is in sync with what we are seeing right now with our customers as they are taking advantage of our in-store value programs and specials, and they are turning to us for meal planning and ideas more than ever before, especially via our website.” 

Of the adults who said their grocery shopping habits have been affected by current food prices, half (54%), are using more coupons are more likely to comparison shop (50%), and are more likely to buy private label/grocery store brands (45%). Interestingly, four in five adults (80%) think the price of groceries, in general, has increased since this time last year, according to the survey. However, according to the federal government’s Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index release for July 2009, the food at home index has declined for the seventh time in the past eight months for a total decrease of 2.6% from its peak in November 2008. 

Learn to Cook. Learn to Save. Eat Healthy.

The survey found that most adults (79%) cook at home. More than half (54%) saying they do so to save money, while 44% of respondents say they simply enjoy eating their favorite foods in the comfort of their home and 41% say they cook at home to ensure they are eating healthfully. 

Among parents who provide breakfast, packed school lunches and/or after-school snacks for their children, nearly half (45%) say they would like to find ways to provide these types of healthy foods within their budget, and some (20%) insist on providing these healthy food items, with little attention to price. 

Additional survey results include:

-Three in four (73%) continue to purchase natural and/or organic foods. Three in four (75%) continue to purchase natural and/or organic foods in the same quantities as they always have.

-The majority (76%) say that they don’t want to compromise on the quality of the food they buy regardless of current prices.

-Two out of three (65%) say that they would like to find ways to be able to buy natural and/or organic foods on a budget.

-Four in five (82%) say the way they shop for groceries has been affected by current food prices. Of these adults, 54% indicate that they are using more coupons, 50% are more likely to comparison shop and 45% are more likely to buy private label/grocery store brands.

-Most adults (68%) say the economy has affected their cooking and eating habits. About half (51%) say they now eat dinner at home more often, more than a third (37%) say they budget food shopping trips more strictly and more than one-quarter (28%) say they focus meals on inexpensive pantry staples like beans and whole grains.

-Most adults (79%) say they cook while only 22% say they don’t cook often or at all. Over half of all adults (54%) say they cook because it saves them money while 44% say they cook because they like to enjoy their favorite foods in the comfort of their own home.

-The majority (87%) of parents of kids aged 3-17 say they provide breakfast at home, an after-school snack (70%) and a packed school lunch (55%) for their kids. Of these parents nearly half (45%) say they would like to find ways to provide healthy breakfasts/lunches/after school snacks for their children within their budget. Another 40% say they try to provide breakfasts/lunches/after school snacks for their children in reusable containers while 26% try to provide them in disposable items such as sandwich bags and paper lunch sacks.

-One in five parents (20%) who say they provide breakfast at home, an after-school snack and a packed school lunch for their kids aged 3-17 say they try to look for the most convenient -not necessarily the healthiest foods- to provide, while the same percentage of these parents say they insist on providing these items with little attention to price.

-Some of these parents (14%) also say they would like to provide healthy -breakfasts/lunches/after-school snacks for their kids ages 3-17 but are not always sure what the most nutritious option are and some (6%) say their kids ages 3-17 simply won’t eat healthy breakfasts/lunches/after-school snacks. 

3:10 PM - Oct. 29, 2009 - comments {0} - post comment

Are you having a failure to communicate?

This article is by George W. Mantor who is known as “The Real Estate Professor” for his wealth building formula, Lx2+(U²)xTFP=$? and consumer education efforts

 

Failure to communicate is a fact of everyday life. “Nobody told me.” “I couldn’t open my e-mail.” “I didn’t get the message.” 

Your success in business will largely be dependant on your ability to transmit your message. What you say, how you say it, and the media you employ are critical to effective communication. You will regularly collect, process and distribute vital information. 

You will set appointments and reschedule them. You will make representations and commitments. You will interpret laws and rules. You will be responsible for millions of dollars changing hands based on representations made by you. 

And, if you have a failure to communicate in business, you could lose a client, lose a friend, lose a transaction, lose a suit, lose your license and maybe even your freedom. And, it can happen so easily. 

I was lost in thought when my concentration was shattered by the ringing of the phone. Not wanting to get derailed from what I was working on, I decided to let voice mail take care of it. Though it turned out to be a wrong number, I had to pick it up. It was a government agency and the message was intended for a prospective grant recipient. The caller warned that she had 48 hours to respond to his call and no other attempt would be made to contact her. 

Had the intended recipient been “The Amazing Kreskin,” she would have known that someone was trying to reach her. And, doesn’t that make you wonder about the important message you never got? 

Now I bring this up not to disparage the inefficiencies of government employees, but as prelude to the most important lesson you will ever learn. 

It is the most fundamental and immutable law of human relations. 

The sender of the message is always responsible for whether or not it is received. 

Always. 

The entire point of communication is to get the message delivered. If I write and no one reads it, I haven’t communicated. 

A real estate company owner flew from Austin to Chicago to meet with an agent. When the agent was a no show, he called the woman. She was still in bed and told him that she had canceled the meeting by leaving him a voice mail message the night before. Who is responsible for his wasted cross country trip? 

For all the communication devices we have, we are by every measure less skilled at the art of communication than our grandfathers. 

We have reverted to monosyllabic grunts. “Yo! Yo! Whassup?” 

Soon, we’ll never be out of cell phone bars but we won’t know how to say anything. Our writing seems to be devolving into a hybrid of primitive cave scratching and Gregg shorthand. 

Most of us take for granted that we are good communicators. But, without proper focus, and some actual study of the skills necessary to foster effective communication, there is always the possibility for miscommunication. 

As a businessperson, you want to employ strategies that minimize the potential for miscommunication and enhance your ability to communicate more and more effectively with your target audience. 

Fortunately, there are principals and techniques that you can learn that will improve your communication ability. But first, let’s take a look at the bigger picture. 

There are two modes of communication: verbal and non verbal. 

Factors which influence the effectiveness of verbal communication include: 

Clarity—Is the message concise and to the point, and does it flow in a logical order? 

Vocabulary—the very words you use create the flavor and nuance necessary to transmit complex and precise information. 

Denotative meaning—this is the specific meaning of a word. For example, let us say that we describe Jack as being determined. 

Connotative meaning—this is the suggested meaning. By saying that “Jack doesn’t know when to quit,” we have attached a negative connotation. If we say that “Jack has stick-to-itiveness,” we make his determination a positive quality. 

Pacing—Is the delivery fast and excited or measured and calm? 

Timing—If it seems like a bad time to launch into a topic, maybe it is. 

Relevance—Communication can often be derailed or delayed by either straying from the topic or with the introduction of non-sequitors and “red-herrings.” 

Factors which influence the effectiveness of non verbal communication need little explanation. They include: 

Personal appearance
Intonation
Facial expression
Eye contact
Posture and gait
Gestures
Touch 

Additional factors that impact both types of communication include: 

Development
Perceptions
Values
Emotions
Sociocultural background
Knowledge
Roles and relationships
Environment
Space and territoriality

Here are 15 steps you can take to become a great communicator: 

1. Keep the objective in mind. You are in a personal service business and good communication is your ultimate objective. Why? You need to get things done. Much of it requires the voluntary cooperation of others. You deal with facts and figures that have meaning and must be conveyed to the extent that the ramifications are clear to the other party. You have the responsibility of being certain that the people who rely on you are informed about the decisions they are making. 

2. Seek first to understand. The better you understand what other people are feeling and wanting, the better you can fulfill your role as a trusted advisor. 

3. Think like a detective not a judge. Ask questions that are open-ended. Probe the answers. Clarify. 

4. Listen more carefully and responsively. 

5. Retain your perspective. This will help you to be a better listener. See yourself outside of the dialogue rather than getting caught up in it. 

6. Take responsibility for your message getting through. Sending an email or leaving a voice message isn’t communication. It is attempted communication and should be followed up on until confirmation of receipt is certain. 

7. Stay in character. Never, ever, ever let them see you sweat. As a professional, it is unacceptable for your personal feelings to obscure the communication process. Displays of anger will not encourage what you need most from other people—open dialogue leading to cooperation. 

8. Be forthright. Don’t play games or manipulate. What works in other social settings most often won’t work in business. Vow never to play the Victim or the Persecutor. 

9. Maintain eye contact. By focusing first on one eye, and then the other, you’ll find it easier to maintain eye contact without losing concentration. Try it; it really works. 

10. Build your vocabulary. According to linguistic research there are over 600,000 word forms. The average person knows maybe 20,000 words and uses about 1,500 in the course of a week. A powerful vocabulary could be your competitive edge. 

11. Take a writing course. From your local library to community colleges and senior centers, numerous writing courses are available. 

12. Enroll in Toastmasters. This could be the best investment you will ever make in your life. Toastmasters is a support group dedicated to helping people become better speakers. 

13. Join a community theatre. The world of business has its own characters, roles, and scripts. Know your part and play it well, and you will be rewarded. 

14. Give examples. Understanding is created by building on a base of common knowledge. Frequent examples give those unfamiliar with the message many ways to understand it. 

15. Tell stories. All great communicators have the ability to tell an engaging tale. Work on your stories. 

Succeeding in business demands good communication skills. Fortunately, effective communication can be learned. You can be as good a communicator as you want to be. 

Many people have a limited arsenal of communication tools because they place no value on them. 

Over the years, I have heard agents say things like, “Yeah, I told ‘em, but they just don’t get it.” Or, “I left them a message; I don’t know why they didn’t show up.” 

Remember, the single most important principle of effective communication is that the sender of the message is always responsible for whether or not it is received. When I say responsible, I don’t mean in some business practices sort of way, I mean in the real practical life-and-death sort of way. If you are adrift on the ocean and a ship comes into view, don’t whisper for help. 

This brings us to a few final thoughts about recent innovations in technology and their sometimes unintended consequences. 

Why are you yelling at my voice mail? 

On more than one occasion I have been the recipient of a prolonged flaming by another agent. Today, your competitor could take an angry message from you and put it on his website for the whole world to hear. 

What if someone else is listening? 

Many professionals have home offices. It may be possible that family members, guests, and others could hear your message as you leave it. The purpose of voice mail is to leave a message to get a return call; it is not a dump box for 5 minutes of blather or angst. 

Listen to the outgoing message to make sure you have the right person. 

In a seemingly bored and condescending voice, the following message was left on my voice mail by an annoyed female practitioner, “Well, that deal still stands, I know it’s only a half million dollars.” Loud sigh. Click. 

That was it. No name, no phone number, and no way to even contact her as a courtesy and let her know that she had the wrong person. I’ve played that message back to a lot of people as an example of what not to do. To this day, I have no idea who she is, and I guess “that deal still stands.” 

Precede and end every message by slowly stating your phone number. 

Trust me on this one. It’s hard to hear out there. Your recipient may not be able to write down a number. They don’t want to listen to the entire message again to get the number. Keep the message brief. 

You’ve got mail. 

The good thing about email is that there is a record of what was said. The bad thing about email is that there is a record of what is said. Every email should be written as though it will be read by your enemy’s lawyer, your employer, and your mother. 

Gr8 deal 4 u boi. 

Texting may ultimately destroy writing as a communication vehicle. Too many things cannot be adequately abbreviated. Use it sparingly, and remember its business. 

The BLOG cometh, be afraid, be very afraid. 

Maybe there is some business advantage to carrying on an endless dialogue, but it appears to me to be outweighed by the potential to look stupid. If you BLOG, get your facts straight, check your spelling, and remember, it’s indelible. It might be best to BLOG calm and sober. 

From Myspace to disgrace. 

My next door neighbor refers to himself on his myspace.com personal web site as “an insurance and home loan Ninja”. But apparently, when he’s not Ninjaing loans he’s either drunk, dressing in drag, or exposing himself as demonstrated by the photos on his site. 

Social networking has its place but it also has its perils. 

Already, crimes have been solved and jobs have been lost over the content on personal web sites. Search engines will find you and more people are searching professionals before committing to them. And remember, once it’s on the Internet, it may be impossible to remove every link. Think of it as your 21st century tattoo. 

Tila Tequila Tweets a lot, should you? 

Yes, but probably sparingly. There are essentially two components to our craft: one is the legal and precise knowledge component, and the other is the creation of customers. As a mechanism for conveying the former, the 140 character limit seems too limiting. As a tool in the customer creation process, it could be a double-edged sword. Think before you tweet. 

Communication is at the heart of a professional’s stock and trade. Yet too many professionals take for granted that they are good communicators and spend little or no time working on the fundamentals of communication. Commit some time every day to improving your communication skills, and both business and personal relationships will be richer and more satisfying.

3:14 PM - Oct. 27, 2009 - comments {0} - post comment

You can go green

 It's tough to argue against the idea of leading an environmentally conscious existence. But, a concern for many people is that going "green" means spending extra money on eco-friendly products. Here's a list of products that will not only help preserve our environment, but our budgets as well.

The GoGreenMug
It is estimated that Americans throw away 25 billion Styrofoam cups and 18 billion paper cups every year. Paper and cardboard make up over 40 percent of the solid waste buried in American landfills. Of that, 40 percent is attributed to disposable coffee cups. Adding to the waste are the plastic lids, straws and cardboard sleeves associated with the purchases made at coffee shops.

One way to help counteract this issue is by purchasing an insulated travel mug. A product that we love is the GoGreenMug available at gogreenmug.com. For less than $15, you can completely personalize a 16-ounce travel mug that will take the place of the hard-to-recycle paper cups found at most coffee shops.

How will this save you money? Many baristas will actually fill your 16-ounce GoGreenMug for the same price as a small coffee. It's also not unusual for coffee shops to offer discounts to customers who provide their own mugs. Regardless, the GoGreenMug is a fun way to take your coffee on the road while also reducing waste.

CFL Light Bulbs
Switching to compact florescent light bulbs is one of the easiest ways to diminish the energy used in your home, as well as the associated costs. While CFLs are more expensive than incandescent bulbs, they last about 10 times longer. Each bulb actually pays for itself after the first six months of use, and will save you at least 30 dollars over the course of its lifetime.

Aside from using less energy, CFLs reduce the amount of carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and mercury released into the atmosphere. To find out more about CFLs, as well as to find a retailer near you, log on to energystar.gov.

Water Filter and Reusable Water Bottles
The bottled water industry is thriving, so it's no wonder there are concerns regarding the oil it takes to manufacture and ship the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles, as well as the effects on our landfills after they're discarded. The good news is that the recycling of these bottles is on the rise. The problem, however, is that our dependency on plastic as a whole is taking a toll on our environment.

Another issue is the cost of bottled water. While tap water is not free, the U.S. Conference of Mayors estimates that bottled water costs between 1,000 and 4,000 times more!

We suggest that a great way to do your part, and save money while doing it, is to invest in a water filtration system for your home, as well as a reusable stainless steel drinking bottle. There are many out there to choose from, so opt for models that are right for your lifestyle and budget. No one is saying that bottled water needs to completely go away, as there are many practical uses. A reduction in our use of plastic water bottles, however, will benefit everyone.

Rechargeable Batteries
Even more disturbing than the millions of batteries purchased and thrown away each year, is the fact they contain heavy metals (lead, cadmium and nickel), which can leach into our environment. Whenever a battery is no longer of use, we suggest storing it in a non-disposable container. Every few months you can take the used batteries to a local recycling center. To find a center near you, log onto earth911.com. The search engine located at the top of the homepage is sure to help.

If you are looking to also save money on your battery usage, you may want to think about purchasing rechargeable batteries, as well as a battery charger. Both can be found in many retail locations, but for a great selection and prices check out amazon.com.

Faucet Aerators and Low-flow Showerheads
It is fairly easy to understand why both of these products are good for the environment, and your budget. Not only are you using less water, but you are also heating less water. In turn, your bills will decrease.

Gone are the days when "low-flow" meant a lackluster shower, or drippy faucets. New technology allows for air to be mixed in with the water. In layman's terms, the aeration provides for less water usage without pressure being sacrificed. In addition, both products are fairly inexpensive and can be easily installed, without the use of any tools.

While both of these products can be found at many hardware and home improvement stores, we ask you to check out ItsEasyBeingGreen.com. There, you will find no shortage of the aforementioned products, as well as many others that are sure to save on energy used, and money spent.

Stainless Steal Drinking Straws
This may not be a product for everyone, but if you're partial to using drinking straws, or you have children who enjoy smoothies on a regular basis, they're perfect! In addition to reducing your waste, they add cache to any drink you may serve to dinner guests. Figure on spending $10 for a set of four, but understand that they have the ability to last a lifetime.

Most endurable drinking straws are guaranteed to never rust or tarnish, and can be easily cleaned in the dishwasher. As an added bonus, they add to the coldness factor of any beverage. Conducting a simple Google search should turn up a plethora of buying options.

Go Online
The fact that you are reading this article means you are already online. So, as long as you have a reasonable understanding of computers and the Internet, you may as well be using it to save money, as well as trees and landfill space.

Nowadays many banks and companies are offering "paperless" statements and online bill paying. Just think of the paper that just one person would conserve if they never received a bill in the mail or wrote a check.

The money you'd save would come from not having to mail the check to the company. But, there is another bonus. With online bill paying comes the ability to pay whenever you want. In other words, no more mailing a check a week before it's due. Simply pay the bill on the day it's due.

Vinegar
Yes, you read it correctly. White distilled vinegar may be one of the most versatile products, not to mention environmentally friendly and downright cheap to buy. Not only can you do some healthy cooking with vinegar, but it also has over a thousand household uses, everything from cleaning and laundry to pets, garden and automotive.

For tips on how to effectively use white distilled vinegar, log onto vinegartips.com. You will be amazed how many toxic and expensive products you will no longer need to buy.

Final Thoughts on Being Green
There are two final thoughts we'd like to share. The first is the items presented in this article only scratch the surface of products that are both eco-friendly and budget-friendly. Look around your home for products that you regularly use and then discard. Simply replace them with products that are reusable.

Lastly, doing your part to preserve our environment doesn't have to be about making drastic changes to your life. It is more about making a few minor changes and sticking to them. Don't feel the need to use all these suggestions. Instead find one or two that work for you and go for it. But whatever you do, please don't believe the myth that going green means going broke.

2:53 PM - Oct. 25, 2009 - comments {1} - post comment

Manage your credit and debt

This article is by Jeff Mandel, president and Marlin Brandt, COO ofApprovalGUARD

 

Whether you’re looking for ways to dig out of your financial hole or ways to avoid getting into one, the importance of actively managing your credit and debt profile has never been greater. Americans have become well-versed in asset management but not necessarily liability management. Until recently, easy access to credit has made our current generation feel immune to the real risks that overextending yourself on credit creates. 

Fortunately, as a result of our current economic environment and hopefully going forward, it is apparent that consumers are beginning to spend more time and thought on the types of credit they have and how it is used. In parallel, banks and other creditors have begun to be much more restrictive about who gets approved for new credit and which consumers get the preferred interest rates and products. The reality is that consumers need to change their behaviors and adapt to the realities of the current environment and cannot wait for the market to change. 

Here are some simple first steps to consider in liability management: 

STEP 1: Understand How Credit Works–Now is not the time to be content with understanding 80% of what you need to know about your credit or saying, “I’ll get to it tomorrow because I don’t have time today.” Ninety-four percent of consumers are challenged with understanding the basics of how personal credit works to assure they have the best credit and debt profile possible. In most cases they build credit over a lifetime of “trial and error.” The constantly changing credit environment creates a situation whereby everyone can use a trained professional to help keep them educated. 

STEP 2: Continually Evaluate and Monitor the Health of Your Current Credit Profile–The second step is to evaluate your current credit and debt profile and establish a plan based on your short- and long-term credit needs. Continually monitoring your credit report and profile is no different or less important today than getting a physical exam by your doctor. 

STEP 3: Optimize Your Credit–Each of your debts should be periodically reviewed and analyzed. Are there options you can take to improve your overall credit profile so that you’re more desirable to creditors for their “preferred” interest rates? Should you consolidate some of your debt? Once you strengthen your credit and debt profile, do you have options on your home, auto and credit cards to negotiate lower interest rates and terms that would save you money monthly? 

STEP 4: Rethink New Purchases–Excellent credit is like an insurance policy. When you need to use it you want to help ensure you qualify for the preferred interest rates and terms that will give you the best payment options based on your needs and capabilities. Maintaining your credit “insurance policy” is critical for special purchases like a home, car or major appliances when needed. Don’t wait until there’s an immediate need because your chance of making a material and impactful change in your profile overnight is very difficult. 

Don’t let anyone mislead you. It takes time, knowledge and planning to assure you build, optimize and manage your personal credit and debt profile so that you can help maintain the affordability of what you have and/or create a better opportunity to qualify for preferred interest rates and terms on purchases requiring additional credit. Effective liability management all starts with the four steps above. There has never been a more important time to seek the help of a professional and personal credit coach to help ensure that your credit and debt profile is optimized not only today but on a continuing basis as well. 

5:38 PM - Oct. 21, 2009 - comments {0} - post comment

Swine flu facts

Since it first emerged in April, the global swine flu epidemic has sickened more than 1 million Americans and killed about 500. It's also spread around the world, infecting tens of thousands and killing nearly 2,000.

This summer, the virus has been surprisingly tenacious in the U.S., refusing to fade away as flu viruses usually do. And health officials predict a surge of cases this fall, perhaps very soon as schools reopen.

A White House report from an expert panel suggests that from 30 percent to half the population could catch swine flu during the course of this pandemic and that from 30,000 to 90,000 could die.

So how worried should you be and how do you prepare? The Associated Press has tried to boil down the mass of information into 10 things you should know to be flu-savvy.

1. No cause for panic.

So far, swine flu isn't much more threatening than regular seasonal flu.

During the few months of this new flu's existence, hospitalizations and deaths from it seem to be lower than the average seen for seasonal flu, and the virus hasn't dramatically mutated. That's what health officials have observed in the Southern Hemisphere where flu season is now winding down.

Still, more people are susceptible to swine flu and U.S. health officials are worried because it hung in so firmly here during the summer — a time of year the flu usually goes away.

2. Virus tougher on some.

Swine flu is more of a threat to certain groups — children under 2, pregnant women, people with health problems like asthma, diabetes and heart disease. Teens and young adults are also more vulnerable to swine flu.

Ordinary, seasonal flu hits older people the hardest, but not swine flu. Scientists think older people may have some immunity from exposure years earlier to viruses similar to swine flu.

3. Wash your hands often and long.

Like seasonal flu, swine flu spreads through the coughs and sneezes of people who are sick. Emphasize to children that they should wash with soap and water long enough to finish singing the alphabet song, "Now I know my ABC's..." Also use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

4. Get the kids vaccinated.

These groups should be first in line for swine flu shots, especially if vaccine supplies are limited — people 6 months to 24 years old, pregnant women, health care workers.

Also a priority: Parents and caregivers of infants, people with those high-risk medical conditions previously noted.

5. Get your shots early.

Millions of swine flu shots should be available by October. If you are in one of the priority groups, try to get your shot as early as possible.

Check with your doctor or local or state health department about where to do this. Many children should be able to get vaccinated at school. Permission forms will be sent home in advance.

6. Immunity takes awhile.

Even those first in line for shots won't have immunity until around Thanksgiving.

That's because it's likely to take two shots, given three weeks apart, to provide protection. And it takes a week or two after the last shot for the vaccine to take full effect.

The regular seasonal flu shot should be widely available in September. People over 50 are urged to be among the first to get that shot.

7. Vaccines are being tested.

Health officials presume the swine flu vaccine is safe and effective, but they're testing it to make sure.

The federal government has begun studies in eight cities across the country to assess its effectiveness and figure out the best dose. Vaccine makers are doing their own tests as well.

8. Help! Surrounded by swine flu.

If an outbreak of swine flu hits your area before you're vaccinated, be extra cautious.

Stay away from public gathering places like malls, sports events and churches. Try to keep your distance from people in general. Keep washing those hands and keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth.

9. What if you get sick?

If you have other health problems or are pregnant and develop flu-like symptoms, call your doctor right away. You may be prescribed Tamiflu or Relenza. These drugs can reduce the severity of swine flu if taken right after symptoms start.

If you develop breathing problems (rapid breathing for kids), pain in your chest, constant vomiting or a fever that keeps rising, go to an emergency room.

Most people, though, should just stay home and rest. Cough into your elbow or shoulder. Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever breaks. Fluids and pain relievers like Tylenol can help with achiness and fever. Always check with a doctor before giving children any medicines. Adult cold and flu remedies are not for them.

10. No swine flu from barbecue.

You can't catch swine flu from pork — or poultry either (even though it recently turned up in turkeys in Chile). Swine flu is not spread by handling meat, whether it's raw or cooked.

5:22 PM - Oct. 17, 2009 - comments {0} - post comment

Sitting on the tarmac

Earlier this year, a Continental Airlines flight stranded passengers on the tarmac for 6 hours. A couple weeks after that, passengers on a Sun Country flight also sat on the tarmac for a grueling 6 hours.

• Notify passengers of known flight delays and cancellations
• Meet customers' essential needs during long on-aircraft delays
• Allow reservations to be held or tickets to be refunded within 24 hours of purchase
• Be more responsive to customer complaints

5:11 PM - Oct. 15, 2009 - comments {0} - post comment

Separation anxiety for pets

This article is by Purina Pet Care.

Back-to-school time creates a dramatic shift in family schedules, which can have a devastating impact on family pets that have spent more time with their owners over the summer vacation season.

PurinaCare Pet Health Insurance, which is committed to helping pet owners provide a lifetime of care for their pets, is urging all pet owners to be aware of the signs of post-summer separation anxiety in both dogs and cats. Pets suffering from post-summer stress can exhibit a wide range of abnormal behaviors as families return to school and work.

Signs of Post-Summer Separation Anxiety include:

-Hyper-salivation or drooling
-Soiling the pet owner’s belongings
-Chewing or scratching at doors or crate
-Non-stop howling, barking, meowing
-Compulsive grooming or licking
-Tearing up furniture or pushing items off counters

“Dogs are naturally social animals and especially sensitive to loneliness this time of year. The family fills the role of ‘the pack’ and in their absence; dogs can feel abandoned and become quite destructive,” says Dr. Bill Craig, DVM, Chief Medical and Underwriting Director of PurinaCare Pet Health Insurance. “Teaching dogs that their owners will return and the ‘pack’ will be reunited is the key to alleviating the stress of post-summer separation anxiety.”

Prepare your Pet for Post-Summer Routines:

-Wean them into new post-summer schedule. Give positive reinforcement with praise and treats for appropriate behavior
-Resume normal leash/walking schedules
-Take the drama out of leaving- grab your coat and keys at times when you are not leaving so your pet doesn’t connect the action with being alone
-Create a pet safe haven- a well-lit area where the family “pack” normally gathers, keep the TV or radio running, leave plenty of toys and safe clothing/items with family scents on them
-Don’t punish bad behavior related to anxiety; it will only reinforce the stress
-For pets with severe stress, medications are available. They will rarely work alone without a behavior modification regimen. A veterinarian must prescribe these drugs.

11:21 AM - Oct. 11, 2009 - comments {0} - post comment

Ways to save money

This article is by Katie Adams at Yahoo Finance.

While the media can't decide if the recession is nearing its end or not, we do know that there hasn't been a tremendous surge in wages, job creation or the stock market. Consequently, most of us are staying pretty conservative on our spending. Here are a few relatively simple ways to keep an eye on your pennies while you're waiting for that brighter economic future to arrive.

1. Schedule automatic payments. Have (at least) your fixed monthly bills paid automatically to avoid missing a payment and having to fork over extra money for late fees and/or interest. You can set up auto pay features through your bank's online bill paying service or by arranging it directly with the company or service provider.

2. Eat your groceries. Did you know that Americans regularly throw away nearly 15% of the food they buy at the grocery store each year? That can add up to hundreds or, depending on your supermarket budget, thousands of dollars each year. Save money by actually eating what you buy. Not sure how? Bypass the bookstore and borrow a cookbook from the library!

3. Bundle services. If you're paying different vendors for similar services you may be overpaying. Call your communications providers to see what price you'll be quoted if you switch and bundle your internet, phone and cable TV services.

4. Pay off credit card. If you're not paying off your credit card balance each month you're paying interest and, for most Americans, it's a pretty steep rate. Pay it off and you could save a tidy sum by eliminating your interest charges.

5. Mark your calendar. Whenever you rent something - library books, videos, etc. – mark it on your calendar and save money by avoiding those quickly mounting late fees. Many stores and libraries also now offer email reminders to help the constantly harried so sign up for the extra help!

6. File your taxes on time. Or if you need to file an extension at least pay what you owe on the due date. You'll avoid annoying notices from the IRS and, more importantly, save on penalties, fees and interest.

7. Roll it over. If you're switching jobs and you can't leave your 401(k) invested with your current company, roll your 401(k) into either your new employer's 401(k) or an IRA within the 60-day window instead of withdrawing the money. By doing so you'll keep the money invested -  and earning interest - and avoid those nasty taxes as well as the additional 10% penalty.

8. Switch credit cards. If you're carrying a balance on a high interest rate credit card check out other card issuers to see if you could transfer your balance to one with a lower interest rate and fewer fees. Use sites like Creditcard.com or Bankrate.com to compare card rates, and pay careful attention to how long those terms last so you don't wind up paying a higher rate and erasing any potential savings.

9. Use your privileges. Are you an AAA member? Do you belong to the AARP? What about your local credit union? Check organizations you have memberships with to see if they offer buying privileges or discounts.

10. Rent instead of buy. You might be excited to expand your driveway but don't let your enthusiasm overtake good sense. Hold off on buying that jackhammer and think before you spend on big-ticket items or items that you'll use once or infrequently (like movies and books).

11. Buy instead of rent.  Don't pay the exorbitantly high prices charged by rent-a-center type stores for items you'll use regularly and keep long-term like computers, furniture and appliances. 

12. Ask. That's right, just ask. You can't be paying any more than you currently are, so why not ask if you can get the interest rate lowered on your credit cards or loans? Also, ask for a discount on services like your wireless phone, trash removal or pet care instead of switching to another vendor, and of course ask "is that the best you can do" on any big ticket purchases like cars, appliances and furniture.

In a tight economy it might be worth the seller's while to cut the price instead of losing the sale, and you'll both benefit in the end!

13. Just say no. To the extended warranty that is. They hardly ever make financial sense. Weigh the repair or replacement cost (and if you would even need or want to repair or replace it down the road) against the cost of the warranty and graciously pass when offered. 

14. Have the awkward conversation. Americans average more than $750 yearly on holiday gifts and that's probably much more than most would like to spend. If your gift-giving is costing you more than you can realistically afford there's a good chance it’s more than your relatives can afford (or would like to spend) as well. Take the plunge and broach the subject. Offer a more reasonable alternative (say, limit giving to children or put a dollar amount on gifts per person). More than likely your relatives will be grateful SOMEONE finally raised the subject and you’ll save money in the process.

15. Eat at home.  If the idea of cooking for yourself seems like too much work at least opt for take-out instead of dining out - you'll save on the tip, the alcohol and most likely the cost for appetizers or dessert.

16. Balance your checkbook. It might take a few minutes but it's something you should be doing anyway and it can pay off huge dividends by helping you avoid bouncing a check and incurring steep overdraft fees (not to mention a little embarrassment)!

17. Stick with your bank. When withdrawing cash drive or walk the extra minute it takes to use your bank's ATM and avoid the fee that could come with another bank's machine. Better yet - switch to a bank that doesn't charge fees!

18. Use your TV. If you're paying for cable why not use all of it - and save some money in the process? Cancel the video membership and watch movies through cable movie packages you're already paying for or check out your free "on demand" shows. Drop the gym membership and work out at home to channels like FitTV, and bag the magazine subscriptions and watch the same shows (like Martha Stewart) on TV instead.

19. Quit those bad habits.  Smoking, overeating and drinking are costly habits to maintain. Okay - this is the "lazy" way to save, not necessarily the easy way. But you can save boatloads of money in two ways by saying sayonara to your favorite vices: (1) You'll save money by cutting out on the regular spending it's costing you, and (2) you'll probably save on insurance premiums and long-term health costs. It's the ultimate win-win.

20. Forget the pet.  Sure it sounds heartless but did you realize that welcoming home a little Fido can cost you an average of more than $1,500 a year - or $15,000 over 10 years? Feline fluffies are pricey too - just under $1,000 a year or approximately $9,000 for 10 years of care. Looking at the long-term picture, that's a new car or the down payment on a home! Keep walking right past that pet store and keep the money in your pocket instead.

The recession won't last forever, but in the meantime take advantage of these lazy ways to stay on track financially, and develop some pretty good money management habits for the future!

11:15 AM - Oct. 9, 2009 - comments {0} - post comment

Six figure jobs

Getting paid a six-figure income in today's job market is pretty tough, but maybe you're looking in the wrong fields. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, which are compiled from 2008 data, the six-figure salaries for the following careers just might surprise you.

Human Resources Manager – Top 10% Minimum Annual Income: $163,220; Average Annual Income: $103,920 Top-Paying State: Delaware.

Astronomer – Top 10% Minimum Annual Income: $156,720; Average Annual Income: $99,730; Top-Paying State: Maryland.

Art Director – Top 10% Minimum Annual Income: $154,840; Average Annual Income: $88,510; Top-Paying State: New York.

Pharmacist – Top 10% Minimum Annual Income: $131,440; Average Annual Income: $104,260; Top-Paying State: California.

Film or Video Editor – Top 10% Minimum Annual Income: $112,410; Average Annual Income: $62,500; Top-Paying State: Massachusetts.

Forbes Magazine also recently listed more surprising six-figure income jobs that do not require a college degree, which include, Air Traffic Controller (income for the 90th percentile: $186,000; 75th percentile income: $156,000); Court Reporter (income for the 90th percentile: $104,000; 75th percentile income: $84,100); Hotel Executive Chef (income for the 90th percentile: $107,000; 75th percentile income: $86,500); and Ultrasound Technologist (income for the 90th percentile: $110,000; 75th percentile income: $82,500).

1:59 PM - Oct. 7, 2009 - comments {0} - post comment

8 tips to improve your computer's performance

1. Purchase a Quality Antivirus Program: When you purchase antivirus software, it is important to make sure that, in addition to virus protection, it also protects against spyware and adware. While viruses have the ability to wipe out a computer, the spyware and adware can slow your machine to a snail's pace and compromise your personal information. Be sure to keep your software current by downloading any updates. Also, remember to renew your subscription every year.

2. Perform Your Windows Updates: Your computer will periodically instruct you that there are available Windows updates. It is important to perform these updates, as many will pertain to both computer security and overall operations. You can also set Windows to automatically update for you.

3. Use Your Windows Firewall: Newer versions of Microsoft Windows (including most versions available in the last 10 years) come equipped with a personal firewall, which can protect your personal network from any outside networks. But it only works if it is turned on. On newer versions of Windows, you can access your firewall settings by clicking the "Start" menu, selecting "Control Panel" and then selecting "Security Center".
   
   For older versions, you can click the "Start" menu. Now click the "Run" button (or type run in the Start Search field). When the run window appears, type firewall.cpl and click "OK." The firewall settings are under the "General" tab.

4. Make Sure You Have Plenty of RAM: Not to be confused with hard drive space, RAM is the memory your computer uses to run programs and data for files you are currently working on. If you run more programs than your computer's RAM can handle at one time, it will run more slowly as the programs compete for RAM. To fix the problem, you don't necessarily need to purchase a whole new computer. Instead, try purchasing more RAM from a local computer store.

5. Uninstall Any Unused Programs: Now that you've learned about the importance of RAM, you can understand why it's crucial to keep only the programs you use. To delete any unused programs, click "Start" and then click on "Control Panel." Find the icon that says "Add or Remove Programs," and click it on. Scroll down to find the appropriate program, and have it removed. Your computer will prompt you with instructions.

6. Perform Regular Housecleaning: Regularly deleting your temporary Internet files, cookies, and Internet history will do wonders for maintaining a quick and clean PC. To do so, click "Tools" on the taskbar of your Internet browser. Scroll down and click on "Internet Options." From there, select what you would like to delete. Another bit of housekeeping you should regularly perform is emptying your trash bin.

7. Defragment (Defrag) Your Hard Drive: Defragmenting your hard drive may be the single best thing you can do to keep your computer running optimally. As you add programs and data to your computer, the information in question takes up blocks of actual physical space on the hard drive. Whenever one of those blocks is deleted, a blank space is created. By defragmenting your computer, you remove the blank spaces and create a more efficient pathway.
   
   In order to perform a "defrag" on your hard drive, start by double-clicking your "My Computer" icon. Next, right-click on the "C-Drive" option. Click "Properties," "Tools," and then "Defragment Now." Depending on how fragmented your computer's hard drive is, some system defrags can take several hours - and during that time, you cannot use your computer.

8. Use an Email Service with a Good Spam Filter: The ability for an email service to effectively filter out insidious spam emails is highly important when it comes to minimizing your risk. In addition to regularly cleaning out your email spam file, you should also never give personal information via an email.

12:16 PM - Sep. 25, 2009 - comments {0} - post comment

Time to get organized

 This article is by Allison Carter who is the Chief Executive Organizer and owner of The Professional Organizer.

It happens to the best of us. We're so busy with our summer events and daily to-do lists that things get a little out of place and out of hand. Before you know it, summer's over–and the unresolved clutter from one season starts spilling over into the next.

Preventing this problem is easier said than done. Being organized takes time and energy. And if you haven't done it in a while, it can leave you wondering where you should start and how to get through it.

That's where the advice from a professional comes in. So to help you tackle even the toughest organizational challenges, we interviewed Allison Carter, Chief Executive Organizer and owner of The Professional Organizer, a company that trains and licenses organizers and is dedicated to helping people get organized.

What Should You Do Right Now–Before Summer Ends?

Allison Carter explained that this time of year is crucial to maintaining an organized, clutter-free home heading into the next season. "Before winter, there are some areas of the home, inside and out, that generally need to be cleaned up and cleaned out," Carter stated.

So before you get overwhelmed with other projects or areas of the house you may have been putting off, start with these 5 simple areas before summer ends:

1. The Garden–Gardening hasn't ended until your beds are cleared out and the bulbs are planted. Once that's done, set aside some time to discard the containers you no longer need. Sweep up. Organize seeds and equipment so you know where everything is next year when the warm weather returns.

2. The Closet–As fall approaches, look through the summer clothes you didn't wear even once this year. This is a good time to purge the unloved clothing and donate to someone who can love it. If you store off-season clothing, you can begin the process by storing the clothes that only get worn in summer such as shorts, bathing suits, beach cover-ups, tank tops, and those white shoes.

3. Pool and Water Toys–Pool related toys and equipment should be dried and put into storage bins for re-use next year. Remember to keep it all together, so it's easy to dig out the next time the thermometer climbs back up.

4. Heating–Now is the best time to check your heating and air system, clean out ducts, and perform any maintenance or repairs that are needed. It's also a good time to change your smoke alarm batteries.

5. The Desk–You know they're coming, so why not get ready for those school papers to flow in. Set up an "in box" for each child's papers to be processed. Set up a "keep" box or file for each child's art or paperwork that you want to hold onto for long-term keepsakes.

Being Prepared Makes the Job Easier

To tackle these projects–and other areas of your house that need organization–Carter recommends you have a kit ready to use.

"Many people have a cleaning bucket or a set of tools for the office, but how many people have a kit for organizing? Not enough," explained Carter.

What should you put in the kit? Here are some things Carter recommends you keep on hand to help with your organizing projects:

• Masking tape
• Sharpie markers
• Post-it notes
• Boxes that can fold flat when not in use
• Scissors
• Label maker, stickers or tape
• Trash bags–use black bags for items that should be thrown away
• Donation bags–to make sure you don't confuse donation items with trash items, use white bags for items that are still usable and should be donated
   

These items will help you quickly work through your projects and finish them off by storing and organizing your items, as well as donating or throwing away any unwanted items.

Plan of Attack – Organize One Step at a Time

Once you have these items together, it's time to prioritize your projects. Although deciding what to do first, second, third and so on can seem overwhelming, Carter has simple advice to help you decide. "Prioritization is based on how important something is to you," explained Carter.

So she recommends you start by asking yourself a few simple questions:

• Why are you doing a project?
• What will the payoff be when you're done? Less stress? Being able to find things quickly and easily? Having a neat, clutter free environment?
• Is the pay-off worth the time? If so, which project has the biggest pay-off?

Then, follow Carter's ABCs of organizing to tackle each project step by step:

A - Assess your situation. What is the problem? What do you need to solve the problem?

B - Bunch things together if they are used together (for example, paints with brushes). Bunch things together that are like items (shirts with shirts). Banish the things that don't belong there at all.

C - Contain what you keep. Find the right bin, basket, or shelf for the items you are keeping.

D - Designate a spot where the items will live in your home.

E – Evaluate. Every day, week, month and year, evaluate your situation and re-organize what has become undone.

Avoid These Common Mistakes
 
When it comes to actually tackling your projects, each one will take a different amount of time. But there can be a fear of over-organizing or continually re-organizing.

To help overcome that problem Carter offered the following tip. "One key to staying organized is to learn when you have reached ‘good enough' and not strive for perfection...because there is never a perfect."

Another common mistake is not using the space well, including room at the top of pantries or closets. "Adding shelves can maximize the space," explained Carter.

Should It Stay or Should It Go?

When organizing a space, there are bound to be a number of items that you just don't know what to do with. How many sheets should you keep in a full closet? What about that gift you received six years ago?

To help you quickly determine what to keep, what to throw out, and what to donate, Carter suggested the following tips:

• Ask yourself questions about how often you use things, how much you enjoy things, and if you really need the items at all.
  
   
• Set maximums by space. For example, designate a space and then only save 3 sets of sheets, 1 box of ornaments, and so on if that's all that will fit in that space.
  
   
• Set maximums by number. For example, keep only 10 scarves, only 40 pair of shoes, only 2 sets of silverware; when you buy a new one, make the tough choice as to which one goes away.
  
   
• Set standards…and stick to them. For example, don't keep anything broken, stained, or redundant. Who really needs 4 can openers? If things are broken and need repair, set a time limit. If you haven't repaired an item in 3 months, then it's probably not that important to you.
  
   
• Don't just pile everything up and toss it. Keep separate piles. If something's still useful, but doesn't meet your criteria to keep it, put it in a pile to donate to a worthy cause.

Finally, remember that it's okay to get rid of things that were once prized possessions.

"Just because you loved something once, doesn't mean you still have to keep it," Carter stated. "Taste changes and it's okay to be done with items you don't love any longer."

Timesaving Tips Straight from the Pro

To help you work quickly and efficiently, Carter offers two important tips:

First, group tasks together so you can get the most done in one location or area. Have all your supplies ready before you start organizing a space. Don't leave the room to put things away. Gather up everything that goes elsewhere and put it away after you finish organizing the space or during a break.

Second, don't confuse grouping tasks with multi-tasking, which can be problematic. According to Carter, you shouldn't multi-task on two projects that both require thinking.

"It takes up more time to switch back and forth from task to task," Carter stated. "If you need to do more than one thing at once, only one project should require thinking. The other should be mindless–like folding laundry while having a conversation."

How to Avoid a Major Re-org Every Year…

Regular maintenance is needed to keep your space organized. This means putting things away after you use them.

"Even if you don't do it right away, you should put items away in a reasonable amount of time," Carter explained. "If you work full time or are busy with kids, you might find that you do a big ‘put away' session on the weekends. And that's okay."

Don't be afraid to re-organize when you see things aren't working. And, every time you bring something new into the house make sure you have a specific place for it. "If it doesn't have a home, it will become clutter," Carter said.

Keep It Real…And Keep Your Sanity

In her final words of wisdom, Carter reiterated that organizing is an ongoing process, not a one-time thing.

"Most people buy more than they actually need–and that's great for capitalism, but bad for clutter," Carter stated. "If your home is full, think twice and three times before making new purchases. And if you do want to buy something, take a minute to toss something out or donate an item."

In addition, to help stay organized, Carter recommends keeping a donation box in a closet and adding to it every time you find things you no longer need. You can also find a nearby donation center or a charity that will pick up items from your home to save time, energy, and your sanity.

8:30 PM - Sep. 23, 2009 - comments {1} - post comment

Play a game, win a house?

Play an online game, win a house. It sure may sound too good to be true, but it is indeed a legitimate offer being made by a new website called Play4Property.com.

How Does Play4Property Work? Participants wanting to try to win the available house for that period simply register at the site, pay a $35 entry fee, and play a game of skill called “Spot the Ball”. In the game, players are presented with a picture of people playing a sport, like soccer. In the picture the ball has been digitally removed. The people in the photo are looking at where the ball used to be- and players have to determine the precise spot where the ball is and place a virtual pin as close to the exact middle of the invisible ball as possible to win. When the competition ends on the announced date, the Play4Property’s legal team and sports experts analyze the submissions to determine which participant’s pin is placed closest to the precise center of the ball.

The value of the available house depends on the amount collected in entry fees and is based upon the number of players who have competed in the game for that property. Properties can range in value up to $5 million.

There are actually two types of competitions people can enter at the site. The main competition, describe above, or players can try the Instant Win competition for just $7.50 per play. In Instant Win, if a player picks the exact co-ordinates of the ball, they instantly win a prize, such as a laptop.

Anthony Davis, Play4Property.com’s Managing Director, says that the odds of winning at his site are around 1 in 15,000. That’s much better than the chances of winning the lottery (about 1 in 120 million). And unlike the lottery, this Play4Property.com game actually requires the player to think. “It’s not all about luck”, Davis says, “which makes it much more fun to play.”

But the game isn’t just for those hoping to win a new house. Sellers can also use the site to market their home. Instead of wondering about buyers’ financing or dealing with annoying open houses, sellers can contact Play4Property, upload a description of the house and some photos, and their property can begin being viewed worldwide

8:06 PM - Sep. 17, 2009 - comments {0} - post comment

Top 10 travel tips

Members of Priority Pass, one of the world’s largest independent airport lounge programs, recently gave their top travel tips in response to a survey.

The wide-ranging advice is a useful check-list for anyone preparing for a trip, and covers tips to save money, avoid stress, protect yourself and your belongings, and much more.

1. Protect laptops and essential business documents. A stolen or damaged laptop can ruin more than just a business trip. If vital documents are on it, it can be a commercial disaster. Make sure vital documents are backed-up and ensure that any sensitive information on your laptop is securely encrypted. If you are making presentations on a trip, then it’s wise to take them on a USB stick. Don’t check your laptop into the hold of an aircraft, unless you are not really bothered about seeing it again.

2. Get adequate insurance. If you travel frequently, it can be easy to get blasé about insurance, but having adequate coverage for all eventualities can be the wisest investment you will ever make. For frequent flyers, an annual policy makes sense, but don’t choose the cheapest without comparing deals.
it again.

3. Think about medication, glasses and more. Unless you’ve been stuck in a foreign land without the right medication, it may not occur to you how important it is. If you have prescription drugs, make sure you take enough with you, and it’s always wise to have a mini-medicine cabinet of essentials at hand. Less obvious are glasses and contact lenses. If you’re one of those people who would really struggle without your glasses, then take a spare pair with you- and maybe the prescription too. Losing or breaking glasses may not happen often, but if it does it can be highly inconvenient. If you’re travelling to more exotic destinations, don’t forget to check what immunizations you need- and whether you need certification of that with you in order to enter the country.

4. Control the cost of keeping in touch. If you don’t plan ahead, it can cost a fortune to stay in touch while travelling. Expensive roaming charges on your mobile phone, wi-fi charges to check your emails using your laptop, even just receiving calls and texts on your mobile- they can all add up to a lot more than you expect. Make sure you have selected the best mobile tariff for international calls, and plan ahead for wi-fi access if you plan to use the Internet a lot. You can save a lot of money by signing up to a global wi-fi access deal.

5. Overcoming jetlag. Priority Pass members find jetlag one of the most negative aspects of long-distance travel- and also one of the most difficult to overcome. Just as jetlag affects everyone differently, it seems that everyone has a different theory on how to get over it. The most common advice is that you should set your watch to the time in your destination as soon as you start your trip.

6. Avoiding airport stress. More than ever these days, airports are an ordeal rather than a pleasure and Priority Pass members had a number of suggestions to minimize the stress levels. Online check-in, when available, is one obvious solution, and ensuring that you know the airline’s baggage limits is another. With many no-frills airlines getting tougher on the weight of bags, it can come as a nasty shock if you have to get your credit card out at the airport, and you may find yourself paying more for your baggage to travel than for yourself.

7. Avoid excessive charges on foreign exchange and credit cards. It’s always a good idea to think about how you will pay for things on your trip. Does your bank charge a fee every time you use a card abroad? Will your card work at all when you are abroad? Another banking query that arises more these days is that you will be offered the opportunity to settle your bill at a given exchange rate so you can see the amount in your home currency. The general advice is not to do so, as most reputable banks will beat the rate offered by shops or restaurants.

Finally, if you are changing money, watch out for “commission free” deals that can actually work out to be very expensive because of the terrible exchange rate.

8. Getting an upgrade. Upgrades happen, but it seems not to be something you can plan for. Our feedback is that dressing relatively smartly and being friendly and polite at check-in helps, and it doesn’t do any harm to ask gently if there is any possibility of an upgrade.

9. Don’t be selfish - think of others. This is not exactly a tip, but a plea. One of the biggest complaints travelers have is selfish behavior of others; things like talking loudly on a mobile phone, or playing loud music through headphones.

10. And finally - enjoy yourself. This may sound daft, but sometimes the stresses of a journey can almost hide the pleasures, especially if it’s a business trip. But a lot of Priority Pass members made a point of saying that those who are fortunate enough to travel on business should ensure they appreciate how lucky they are. Yes, airports can be a pain, delays can be very frustrating and jetlag can leave you feeling wretched. But seeing new places and cultures is a thrill that not all can enjoy, and is something to be savored. Even on a business trip, try to leave a little time to explore your surroundings.

12:25 PM - Sep. 9, 2009 - comments {3} - post comment

Cleaning uses for common household items

These ideas are from Front Range Inspection:

Hot sauce cleans copper-Rub it on dulled copper, rinse with water, and polish clean with a soft rag.
Olive oil brightens up wood-Use a thin coat to hydrate worn, dried-out wood, as long as it was originally treated with an oil finish. Finish by buffing it in.
White wine removes red wine-The first step in removing red wine stains is dousing the spot with white wine. Just blot with a clean rag to absorb the spill.
Vinegar cleans brushes-Boil a cup of white vinegar and rest hardened bristles in it overnight.
Cornmeal soaks up grease-Cover a fresh grease stain with cornmeal, let it sit a few hours, and sweep it up.
Baking soda removes tape residue-Make a thick paste of baking soda and water. Rub the paste onto bits of tape, then wipe clean.
Kitty Liter soaks up grease and oil stains on your concrete including the garage- Pour the kitty litter on the stain or spill completey cover the area and grind it in with your shoe, give it some time it will draw out the stain.

2:09 PM - Sep. 3, 2009 - comments {0} - post comment

What was your name again?

Tips for Improving Memory

Have you ever been introduced to someone, only to forget her name two seconds after you shake her hand?

Don't worry. This is NOT evidence that you're losing your mind. Turns out, it's actually an extremely common occurrence for many people. The good news is there is plenty of research on the subject and there are a number of simple, practical steps you can take to improve your memory now and long into the future.

With that in mind, here are a couple of great tips for proactively strengthening your memory:

Tip #1: Neurobic Exercise

You know all about the wonderful effects aerobic exercise has on the heart, but have you heard of neurobic exercise for the brain?

According to Lawrence Katz, co-author of Keep Your Brain Alive: 83 Neurobic Exercises, the best exercise for the brain is to force it to form "new patterns of association" or new pathways. In other words, challenge your brain every day. take it off autopilot and make it relearn or create new associations with the most routine activities of your day.

Katz's book offers numerous examples of small changes you can make to activate your brain, including: brushing your teeth with the other hand; taking an alternative route to work; moving your wastebasket to the other side of your desk; closing your eyes while putting your key in and unlocking the front door; and changing where you and your family members sit at the dinner table.

So if you feel like your memory might be starting to slip a bit, try some of these simple neurobic exercises today!

Tip #2: Mnemonic Drilling

There are actually three steps or stages of memorization: acquisition, consolidation, and retrieval. That means, once we acquire new information, like someone's name for instance, the way in which we consolidate that data will directly affect how well we're able to retrieve it from memory.

Whether you're a visual or auditory type of learner, there are many mnemonic devices that can help you to better organize or consolidate the new information that you need to recall.

Here's an example of simple steps that might help:

First, associate the data you want to remember with common images. For instance, let's say you meet someone named Jennifer Green. Imagine Jennifer playing golf, or picture her wearing all green clothes, or imagine her face painted completely green.

Second, think of associations you can use to help you remember this person. For instance, link Jennifer to the quality that best fits her personality (use alliteration and rhymes whenever possible): Jolly Jennifer Green.

Finally, connect sound to your memory by saying the name aloud.

Do this regularly and, before you know it, you'll never forget anyone's name again!

1:50 PM - Aug. 12, 2009 - comments {0} - post comment

Colorado Getaways

This summer, discover Colorado and soak in the breath-taking scenery as well as some local attractions. There are many great escapes in our backyard, including:

6:40 PM - Aug. 8, 2009 - comments {0} - post comment

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