Factoring can be an ideal solution for start-up and or growing businesses

Factoring is one of the oldest methods of business financing in existence. The history of factoring dates back to the days of moneylenders in the middle ages. Factoring has been the working capital facility of choice in Europe for centuries. It has taken on a new life in recent years as a financing method for many businesses in the United States.

Factoring is the sale of accounts receivable, as opposed to borrowing against them as you would do with a bank line of credit. By selling your invoices, you generate immediate cash flow instead of having to wait for your customers to pay.

Companies often find themselves in the frustrating position of having sales opportunities which they cannot accept because of the lack of financing to support those sales. Banks normally cannot provide adequate funding for growth due to internal credit policies and external regulatory restraints. Even if a business can qualify, the bank line of credit may be totally inadequate to support the company’s sales growth opportunity.

Primary advantages of factoring versus a bank line of credit:

• Factoring facilities are much easier to implement compared to acquiring a bank line of credit.

• Factors have more flexibility with regard to documentation and credit issues than banks.

• Factoring can be initiated and terminated very efficiently. When making a first-time purchase of invoices from a business, factors typically take one to two weeks to check the credit ratings of the customers and communicate a discount price.

• The business receives payment in cash from the factoring company after delivery and invoicing a customer. Immediate invoice payment eliminates the sale-to-collection business cycle; thus allowing businesses caught in a cash crunch to obtain fast relief. Turnaround on the sale of receivables is only about 24 hours.

• Factoring is a sale of assets (invoices), not a loan. For businesses that either cannot qualify for traditional debt financing or that simply do not want to incur more debt; factoring is good alternative means of funding working capital.

• Factors purchase all rights in the invoices and the seller has secondary liability for any invoices not collected.

The factors undertake debt collection, but the business remains ultimately responsible to repay any portion of the cash price attributable to an account that went uncollected. Factoring can be an effective solution to funding a short term gap in cash flow for the start-up or rapidly growing business.

Backpacking in the sleeping bear dunes

I was backpacking in the Sleeping Bear Dunes. It was March, so when I made it through the woods and over the dunes, I'd have miles of beach to myself. It was an over-nighter, a chance to test new ultralight backpacking equipment. I hiked the wooded hills quickly, enjoying the cold air.

Halfway through the forest, I stopped to cook noodles. The cheap 3-ounce pot was from a dollar store, and it worked fine. I was happy, because from the catalog descriptions, the expensive titanium pots are all heavier, probably because they're too thick and with too many gadgets.

I had to use a small twig-fire when my homemade alcohol stove didn't provide enough heat. I later learned that isopropyl alcohol doesn't burn as hot as the alcohol used for a gas additive, but the twigs worked in any case.

Backpacking On The Beach

After eating, I hiked to Lake Michigan, and sat up on a large sand dune. I watched the waves push ice up onto the empty beach. Coyotes began to howl in the distance, and the clouds rolled in. I was on the beach looking for petoskey stones when the snow began. Backpacking in March has its risks.

I was in running shoes, and it would be below freezing that night. In northern Michigan, March is definitely part of winter. My feet stayed warm while I hiked, but I hadn't planned on them getting wet. At least I had a pair of warm, dry socks for sleeping.

Ultralight Backpacking Equipment

It was the first time I used my GoLite Breeze backpack, which weighed only 13 ounces. I was hiking with about nine pounds on my back, and that only because I threw in some canned food. I was going light, but I knew the forests here and felt comfortable with my abilities.

My down sleeping bag was a 17-ounce Western Mountaineering HighLite. It was the first time I would use it below freezing (It hit 25 degrees fahrenheit that night). Fortunately, it wasn't too windy.

At the edge of the forest, behind the dunes, I set up my small tarp. I piled pine needles and dead bracken ferns under it, finishing just as it became dark. This made a warm mattress, and I slept well, listening to the coyotes, and to the waves pushing ice around in the lake.

In the morning I was happy to see only a dusting of snow. My one-pound sleeping bag had been warmer than my three-pounder - and I thought that was light. I poured alcohol in the cut-off bottom of a pepsi can (my 1/2-ounce backpacking stove) and made tea. After some crackers I was soon hiking in my mostly-dry shoes, along the Lake Michigan shoreline.

Backpacking Lessons Learned

I ended my trip that afternoon, with a hike to the village of Empire, seven miles away. I was mostly satisfied. Only two problems: My tarp was too small, and the alcohol I brought was the wrong type.

After backpacking in Michigan for years, I know it well. I know where to find dead grass and bracken ferns, for example, to make a warm mattress in a few minutes. Knowledge, obviously, can be as valuable as expensive backpacking gear.

An honest review of woody maxim s maximum overdrive

I can still remember reading Wood's sales page for Maximum Overdrive the first time.

I was as shocked and distraught as he was when his daughter asked that question. After Maximum Overdrive was recommended by another popular internet marketer I decided to go ahead and subscribe to Maximum Overdrive.

Ever since I received my first issue of Maximum Overdrive, I have not regretted my decision.

When I received issue number 2 in May of 2007 I was blown away at the different blueprints Woody laid out that will make cash. He gave internet money making blueprints that fit everyone. Advanced marketers that had money to spend, and beginners that would be able to start with next to nothing and be making money days later.

Needless to say I was impressed by my first issue and have appreciated the value that he has continually added to my subscription. Occasionally I find other items in my mailbox from Woody that he thinks will be valuable to someone who is running an online business.

The information is practical however, implementing the recommendations could be an entirely different story altogether. Why do I say this? Because while the information is very valuable, in that you will be exposed to completely different money making opportunities, you may be challenged in acting on the information and implementing the steps. Even Woody admits that he sometimes has someone help him load a script or design pages that could be beyond what he has the ability or patience to do.

With that I would say that some options could be technically challenging, however, this should not hold you back from subscribing. The insiders view of the internet from someone who has made money online and is still making a killing, definitely is a breath of fresh air considering all the low quality ebooks from self made guru's that are not worth my time or money.

I recommend Maximum Overdrive to anyone who is serious about making money online. In depth and challenging yet proven and sound money making principles that will be sure to help boost traffic and your affiliate paycheck.

Hoodia the herbal natural remedy for weight loss

Diet pills are often frowned upon because of high costs, dangerous side effects, and the hassle of getting prescriptions from a physician. That's why many people who want to lose weight are turning to natural supplements such as Hoodia. Hoodia is a non-prescription herbal natural remedy for losing weight. The "Hoodia craze" in the media has resulted in more and more dieters inquiring about this amazing diet herb.

What is Hoodia?

Hoodia is a natural herbal supplement derived from a succulent plant from the milkweed family. This cactus plant grows in the Kalahari Desert in Africa. It has been used by tribal bushmen of Africa for thousands of years. The bushmen would chew the plant during their hunting trips to suppress hunger and thirst as well as increase stamina. Though these bushmen probably rarely thought about dieting (if ever), they were using an herbal natural remedy that would eventually be desired by dieters around the world!

Hoodia and Weight Loss

Hoodia is available in several forms: Hoodia Gordonii diet pills, Hoodia Balance, and Hoodia Chaser (liquid form). When taken, Hoodia signals to the brain that you are no longer hungry or thirsty. This signal takes place because of Hoodia's ingredient P57. P57 signals are similar to those of glucose, but much stronger. So, the appetite is suppressed at longer intervals.

Benefits of Hoodia

Hoodia offers many benefits to the weary dieter. It is a natural weight loss product and can be bought online or off-line without a prescription. This enables the dieter to buy several months' supply or even a year's supply without paying for ongoing doctor visits for diet pill prescription refills.

Being a natural weight loss supplement has other advantages as well. Hoodia, if bought in its pure natural form, does not contain the harmful chemicals contained by many other prescription or over-the-counter diet pills. For those who are inactive and have a difficult time controlling their appetite, Hoodia offers the sense of control in that it tells the brain that no food is needed so the person can concentrate on other things.

Hoodia also naturally enhances one's mood and increases stamina. The dieter may feel a burst of energy and have a desire to be more active than normal. This, in turn, helps in the process of losing weight as well.

Hoodia Tips for You

While taking Hoodia products, it is recommended that you consume plenty of water and other liquids to prevent dehydration. The thirsty "feeling" may not be there, but your body still needs adequate amounts of liquids. Also, when those hunger pangs do arrive, eat healthy, well-balanced meals to give your body the vitamins and nutrients it needs. This will also enhance your weight loss and give you the energy you need to carry on daily tasks.

Before buying a Hoodia product, research the product and company carefully to be sure it is Hoodia in its purest form. There is a wealth of herb information on the Internet. Check labels for "additives" or extra chemicals and ingredients. Buying Hoodia that has been enhanced with other chemicals could hinder your weight loss efforts and be harmful to your health.

As with any new medication or natural supplement, talk with your physician to be sure there are no health conditions that would hinder you from taking Hoodia. If you have high blood pressure, a heart condition, diabetes, or some other serious condition, then talk with your physician before trying Hoodia.

People are choosing herbal cures and natural health products over prescription drugs like never before. You can even search online to find an herbal natural remedy such as Hoodia, Provillus, and many others at discounted prices. Start fighting obesity today with Hoodia.

Green tea as a natural remedy for acne

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Natural remedies have become very popular in recent years. People have stopped looking at the expensive medications and creams to cure various conditions, and have started looking at remedies found closer to home. This is, in part, because they are less expensive, but they are also on hand and easily obtained.

Acne is a common condition in teens and adults alike, and is no exception to the theory that a home remedy can sometimes be better. If it's worked for many years, why wouldn't it work now? One such remedy believed to aid in the healing of acne is green tea.

While many teas are fermented, green tea instead, is steamed soon after being picked so as to prevent the oxidation of its leaves. This helps to retain the active substances the leaves contain. Camellia Sinensis, or as we know it, green tea extract, contains a high content of Polyphenol, along with other important antioxidants.

Green tea can serve many purposes, and it is recommended for a number of reasons. It acts as an anti-bacterial substance, decreasing hormonal activity. Since acne is often caused by hormones, which produce excess oil and clog pores, thereby causing blemishes, green tea could be a good remedy for this problem.

The antioxidents contained in green tea have been shown as very beneficial to acne prevention because they help the body fight against free radicals that cause cell and tissue damage. Green tea also has very few potential side effects, especially when compared to other acne products and medications.

Because of its advantages, green tea is also used in various creams and other topical products used to treat acne. When compared with other commonly used acne treatments, it ranked high, because of its natural anti-bacterial properties.

Other products containing green tea extract are also sold and developed, and are available as herbal remedies. It can be purchased as a cream.

Green Tea and honeysuckle is often called "Pimple Tea" in China. It also helps your body rid itself of toxins, which helps prevent acne.

Green tea is also easily available. It can be purchased in most stores that carry various herbal and other natural remedies, and can also be bought through many on-line sources. It comes in the form of tea that you drink, or can be purchased in the form of the cream mentioned above.

Drinking green tea will help cleanse your body from the inside out, while applying the topical cream, which goes directly onto the skin, will help cure and prevent acne at the source. No matter how you choose to use it, it can serve many purposes, and may be a welcome alternative to harsh products or unwanted medications.

Steve
Acne Control

Top 5 tips for managing that student loan

On February 8, 2006, President Bush signed into law a budget reconciliation bill that will impact your student loans as a student and a graduate. The interest rate on any new student loans (Federal Stafford Loans) that you take out after July 1, 2006 will be fixed at 6.8%. Any student loans you have taken out prior to that date will remain at a variable rate.

The good news is that origination fees on student loans are scheduled to phase out over the next several years, which means fewer fees on your student loans. Additionally, if you will be pursuing a graduate degree, a new PLUS Loan initiative will allow graduate and professional students to take advantage of PLUS funds. This will enable you to cover your total cost of attendance with federally guaranteed, low-interest loans instead of Alternative Loans, which are typically more costly.

If you are nearing graduation, you are probably thinking about consolidating your student loans through the Federal Loan Consolidation Program to lower your monthly payments up to 50%. The tips provided below will help you to deal with questions you may have concerning graduation and how to handle your student loans.

The average new graduate will owe more than $220 in student loan payments each month. Even if you have not received your first student loan payment yet, you should consider that there are important deadlines approaching. You can save hundreds or thousands of dollars in interest by consolidating now because the interest rate on your student loans will increase in July.

Because your rate is currently variable and can increase to as high as 8.25%, it is strongly recommended that you lock in now while rates are still the 4th lowest in history (you can lock in as low as 4.5%*). As the pattern of rising interest rates continues, your rate AND monthly payment will likely go up if you do not consolidate before July 1st. How you manage your student loans can have a big impact on your financial future. Following these simple tips will make it easier.

Tip #1 - Don't let your interest rate go up. Student loan interest rates are variable - they change every July 1st. You can permanently lock in your interest rate by consolidating now.

Tip #2 - Use automatic payments. Most lenders offer a reduced interest rate when your student loan payments are automatically deducted from your checking or savings account. This can add up to big savings. Plus, you won't have to remember to write a check each month, and your loan payments will always be on time.

Tip #3 - Don't get behind on your payments. If you are having trouble making your student loan payments, you should immediately contact your loan servicer to find out if you are eligible for deferment or forbearance. Just as with any other loans, late student loan payments will negatively affect your credit.

Tip #4 - Choose the best payment option for you. Multiple payment options are available to student loan borrowers who consolidate. A payment plan that fits your current financial situation can help you keep up with your loans. And, you can switch plans when you need to.

Tip #5 - Get cash back from your student loans. A lender or servicer will often offer borrowers incentives to make their loan payments on time for a specified amount of time. For example, CLC® offers borrowers up to $2,000 cash back after they make nine payments on time.* *

Getting a line on bass fishing

Bass fishing offers a wide range of ability and challenge for the beginner and the professional. There are several fish in the species line including bluegills, spotted bass, largemouth and rock bass. These are warm water bass. Others such as striped bass, white bass and white perch are a temperate bass. If you are heading out to catch some bass, your first and most important goal is to know where to find them.

Where You Have To Look For Bass

There are several locations that they like to call home. For one, look in your lakes. You can find a wide range of them in shallow lakes in the south. This is where you are likely to find your largemouth bass. Here, look in the weeds and in the reeds. But, you are likely not to find too many here. They enjoy eating algae and plankton which is not readily available in many lakes. Instead, look to the rivers. The water temperatures and the oxygen levels are just right in many rivers for the bass. You’ll need to look just outside the current’s direct flow. Look on the downstream side of rocks and fallen trees as this is where they enjoy hiding. To catch them, do some bottom and surface fishing.

A great place to find your bass is to look in streams. Here, you will find smallmouth bass in the cooler water of the streams especially just below the rapids. Look in the hiding places such as where erosion has made holes. Look where there are rocks or fallen limbs as well. Look below a dam especially on a hot day. You’ll find that they are never in direct current flow. Also, take a look at ponds. These are a source for smaller bass especially near the shore near fallen logs. Of course, look in the reeds. You can fish any of these locations at night for good results too.

Remember that bass are looking for prime conditions and will search them out. They are looking for just the right water temperature and water level. They will seek out locations with good food supply and the right sunlight.

As for bait, you’ll want to use a wide range of choices. In still fishing, go with night crawlers, insects and minnows. For bait casting and spinning, use artificial products, trolling with live bait or you can even fly fish for them. For lures, make sure to get at least a five and a half to seven foot rod and your line should be about six to ten pound test. For fly fishing, go with seven to nine feet in rod with a fast taper. You will also need a single action reel that has floating #7 to #9 line with a six to eight pound leader.

If you can, take someone skilled at bass fishing with you your first time out. You are likely to learn a lot. Talk to your local bait shop dealer to learn what bait will work well for your bass. Pick a variety of locations to fish and you’ll find success.

1-click webhosters - rapidshare

Before I introduce you to Rapidshare, here is a short summary of the history of 1-Click webhosters.

Back in 2006 there was a sudden flood of what are popularly know as 1-Click File Hosting websites. The term comes from the simplicity of the upload process offered by the respected sites. As opposed to using complicated FTP software users are able to easily locate files from their HDD or simply drag-and-drop them directly into their favorite browser. After that with a mere click of a button their files begin uploading without further interaction. After the files have been uploaded the user is provided with a download link which they can share with their friends.

Since then a lot of 1-Click webhosters have emerged but for one reason or another failed and eventually were put out of business. One of the few successors in the business is Rapidshare©

Rapidshare© is a premium 1-Click webhosting solution based in Germany. Over time they have increased the hard disk and internet bandwidth capacities of their datacenters to eventually reached, as of today, 140 Gigabit/s internet connectivity and the whooping 3.5 Petabytes (1 petabyte = 1000 terabytes = 1 000 000 gigabytes) of storage space. The fact that Rapidshare© is number 11 according to the Alexa traffic monitoring and ranking website speaks for itself of how popular and widely-used Rapidshare©'s service is.

This concludes the article on Rapidshare - one of the biggest players in the highly competitive file sharing business.

Credit card balance transfers - know how to save money

In 2004 Americans paid $412 billion dollars in finance charges to the credit card companies. If you contributed to this astronomical amount, you might be considering a 0% interest balance transfer to knock down those monthly payments. You also might think that this is a simple choice, that of course you should opt for a card that does not charge interest over any other card that does. Well, before you take up credit-card hopping as this month's attempt at exercising, there are a few things you should be aware of when it comes to balance transfers.

Balance Transfer Fees. Many balance transfers can cost you a charge of 3% to 5% of your balance. Although many cards will cap this charge at around $50 to $100, some do not, and your charge could very well negate your savings from the lower interest rate.

Universal Default Clause. This policy is practiced by many credit card companies and you need to be aware of it. Under this policy if the cardholder is late on any of their bills, cell phone, electric, car, what have you, the credit card company can instantly take away the promotional interest rate and charge a higher rate.

The Fine Print and the *. Be sure to scrutinize the fine print and watch out for any conditional symbols such as the asterisk*. Many zero % interest offers are only given to candidates who qualify, namely those with a clean credit history. Be careful when applying under these terms as you might not qualify for the zero % interest but instead end up with an even higher interest rate.

Additional Purchases. Find out if new purchases qualify for the zero% interest as this will have important ramifications. If new purchases do fall under the 0% interest then you can rest easy. If they do not, you must be aware of the consequences. Let's say you transfer $5,000 and then make additional purchases of $500. Any payments you make will go towards the $5,000 first and the $500 will instead accrue interest at the higher interest rate until the entire $5,000 is paid. That $500 might end up costing you more than you saved with the balance transfer. **It is important to note that the balance transfer fee usually counts as a new purchase.

But do not be discouraged, balance transfers are a powerful fiscal tool, if used properly. Follow these steps and you are sure to beat the house.

Destroy The Old Card. Do not give the temptation a chance. Like the arms of an ex-lover you are trying to leave, you do not want to be wrapped up by them...again.

Destroy The New Card. If your main goal is to pay down the balance, cut the new card as well and you will not have to worry about interest charges on new purchases. Simply pay down your debt at zero interest.

Pay All Of Your Bills On Time. Do not fall prey to the universal default clause. Pay all of your bills (phone, auto, mortgage, etc.) on time and you will retain your zero % interest.

Call The Credit Card Company. When your promotional rate comes to an end, before transferring to another card, call your credit card company and tell them you are going to transfer your balance if they cannot give you a low interest rate. It will not be 0%, but it might be much safer then jumping to a new card and repeating this precarious process.

The complete acne treatment regimen

When it comes to caring for and treating an acne condition, many people fail to take a full blown approach. In other words, many people with acne tend to do “one thing” when it comes to “treating” their condition. For example, they might buy a great cleanser to assist in the care and treatment of their acne but they fail to use an appropriate exfoliating product and then follow up with some sort of decent treatment cream.

When all is said and done, if you really do want to resolve an acne condition, you are going to want to take a truly comprehensive care and treatment approach. For example, you will want to incorporate the use of tried and tested products such as ZENMED™ Derma Cleanse® System and ZENMED™ Body Acne Combo into your acne care and treatment practice.

When all is said and done, the best type of acne treatment program essentially is a three part regimen that includes:

-- cleansing

-- exfoliating

-- application of treatment product

Cleansing

The first step in effectively treating an acne condition is properly cleansing the effected areas with an appropriate cleansing agent. (Again, if you elect to use a product line such as ZENMED™ Derma Cleanse® System and ZENMED™ Body Acne Combo, you will have available to you a proven type of cleansing agent that can get you well on your way to successfully treating your acne condition.)

In addition to choosing a proper cleansing product as part of your acne treatment regimen, you also need to keep in mind that the cleansing component of an acne treatment program depends upon regularity. In other words, in most cases, you need to fully cleanse the effected areas of the skin at least two times a day. A failure to cleanse the effective areas of skin with such regularity will end up defeating the effectiveness of the treatment regimen itself.

In the treatment of an acne condition, cleansing is the foundation upon which the remainder of the treatment process is built. Therefore, you will want to make certain that you develop a cleansing routine that incorporates appropriate cleansers utilized on a regular basis. In the absence of such a foundational routine, the remaining elements of a comprehensive regimen will be less than effective.

Exfoliating

Many people overlook the necessity of exfoliating when it comes to exercising and implementing an acne care and treatment program Exfoliating the skin is an extremely important component of an overall acne care and treatment regimen.

The process of exfoliating the skin works to effectively remove dead skins cells and imbedded oils that if left unattended can cause an aggravation of an acne condition. There are some excellent products that a person can utilize to ensure that the exfoliating process properly is completed.

A person should exfoliate on a daily basis. In some instances a person can go two days between exfoliations -- but, you need to keep in mind that oils, dirt and dead skin cells build up on a daily basis.

Treatment Products

Only very rarely can an acne condition effectively be resolved without the intervention of appropriate treatment products like those included in the ZENMED™ Derma Cleanse® System and ZENMED™ Body Acne Combo product lines. As has been referenced earlier, the treatment of acne really is a three part process: cleansing, exfoliating and treatment application.

There are different types of treatment products on the market today -- each of these products designed to treat different types of acne conditions. As a result, you need to take the time to consider which treatment product will best address the particular type of acne condition that your are afflicted with at a given point in time.

For example, if you have a condition of body acne, you will want to invest in a comprehensive treatment program such as ZENMED™ Body Acne Combo. On the other hand, if you are suffering from facial acne -- either as an adult or a teenager -- you will want to focus on a product like ZENMED™ Derma Cleanse® System.

Conclusion

By adopting a comprehensive course of treatment for an acne condition you will work to resolve a current condition and you will be in a far better position to prevent future outbreaks. Additionally, even if you face a future outbreak, by utilizing a comprehensive treatment program you will be able to lessen the severity of a future acne outbreak.

Scented pillar candles great for decorating any room of the home

Scented pillar candles add to the ambiance of any room in your home. Even if you prefer unscented pillar candles, you can color coordinate them with your dйcor. Scented pillar candles give off a scent even when they are not lit. Many people prefer to use them simply as a decoration while many others do burn them for aromatherapy and simply because the like the scent. Scented pillar candles can be round or square and come in large sizes such as 6 X 6 or smaller sizes, such as 3 X 3.

You can use several different sizes of scented pillar candles to make an exquisite display on your table, coffee table or mantle. If you have several pillar candles, you can arrange them by height. Place the tallest scented pillar candle in the middle and arrange the others around it. You can have both round and square pillar candles in the one centrepiece, but most people like to use pillar candles of the same shape. You can also have different colors or have all the candles the same color. Even though pillar candles are not expensive, there are many places where you can buy discount pillar candles and save even more money.

Buying pillar candles at discount prices allows you to buy more than you originally intended or gives you extra money for a beautiful candle holder. There are many different kinds of candle holders you can have for pillar candles, but the usual one for a table is a plate type of holder. This allow you to place several scented pillar candles together to achieve an elegant effect. You can also decorate a scented pillar candle with ribbon or arrange flowers around the bottom of the candles, if you have them on a plate. Not only can you tie a ribbon around a square pillar candle, but you can have several candles tied together in a display.

You can burn pillar candles just to achieve a certain ambiance, but if you burn scented pillar candles, you have even greater benefits. An aromatherapy scented pillar candle has the healing properties you want depending on the fragrance you choose. These pillar candles also help to set the mood for a romantic get together or give the appearance of having been baking all day. They are widely available as discount pillar candles.

When buying scented pillar candles, it is best to buy them in shrink wrap packaging. This is because if the scented pillar candle is left out in the open for very long, it will lose its scent. You also have to look at the type of wax the scented pillar candles are made from. A round or square pillar candle made form paraffin wax tends to mushroom on the edges as it burns down. If you want scented candles that burn cleanly, then you should look for candles made from soy wax.

Embracing life when losing a loved one

Five years ago my husband Walter, a devoted father and legendary Chicago Bears running back, succumbed to cancer. Not a day goes by that I don't miss him. But since his passing, I've realized there are many ways to embrace life before and after the unthinkable happens.

Preparing for death is not something we're instinctively ready to do, but the truth is, every family faces loss. With that, there are emotional and financial steps we must take to ensure that we continue living out our hopes and dreams. It's what our loved ones want most for us.

* Live life to the fullest. While they're healthy, couples should develop "life lists" with joint and individual, short - and long-term goals. They'll have peace knowing they're doing everything they can to enjoy life - and each other.

* Balance your support system. Friends, family and faith gave me strength during Walter's illness. Everyone has different support needs. Don't be afraid to turn to a professional for counseling.

* Champion the legacy. Children brought tremendous joy to Walter. Through the Walter & Connie Payton Foundation, I share - and keep alive - his commitment to making a difference in the lives of neglected and abused children. Continuing a legacy helps the bereaved stay emotionally and spiritually connected - even by simply telling stories about their loved ones.

The sincerest counsel I offer couples is to make time for the "tough conversations." It is much easier talking about difficult topics beforehand than trying to deal with them during a family tragedy.

* Life insurance: One of the best ways to strengthen your family's financial security is to consider life insurance for both parents. Without it, families risk having to change their lifestyles to accommodate lost income or the responsibilities handled by a stay-at-home parent. This could mean tapping into savings, college funds or other assets.

* Pen to paper: When it comes to organ donation and life-sustaining measures, get your spouse's preferences down on paper. Also, preparing a living will and granting power of attorney can help control your financial wishes and help avoid the potential pain of family disputes.

Losing a loved one is never easy. But you can take steps now - difficult or uncomfortable as they may be - to help ease your pain later. That's why I'm working with State Farm Life Insurance Company to urge families to embrace life today and prepare for tomorrow. I hope you will.

Connie Payton is the wife of late Chicago Bears legend Walter Payton, who succumbed to cancer in 1999. She is currently the spokeswoman for the State Farm Embrace Life Program that honors women who persevere after the deaths of their spouses. Payton also is the author of "Stronger Than Cancer," a compendium of advice, wisdom and inspiring quotations from families who have battled the disease. - NU

Why use an amortization calculator

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An amortization calculator is a tool that you have the ability to take full advantage of for your mortgage purchase. This free tool to use will allow you to determine just what will happen when you sign on the dotted line and get the mortgage for your home. This tool allows you to see what your monthly mortgage payment will be and to determine if one lender is better for you than another. This calculator is very near to accurate; but remember that there will be a few things that cause the numbers to be a little off.

Why Use It?

The amortization calculator is excellent for determining how much of a home you can afford. If you are like most, you would love to own that huge mansion down that posh street. The problem is that very few people actually know how much of a home they can afford to own. This tool can be an excellent way for you to learn just that. By using information about the mortgage that you are looking to own, it can tell you if you are indeed able to afford it. That’s because it will spit out a bunch of numbers one of which is the estimated monthly payment for the mortgage you are considering. This way, you can play with the numbers enough to know just what dollar amount of a home you feel you can make payments on.

For example, if you know that you can afford about $800 worth of a mortgage payment per month, then you can use the amortization calculator to determine how much of a home that is. If you can get an interest rate of 6% on your home’s mortgage, for 30 years, and want your payment to come in at around $800 per month, you can use the tool or amortization calculator to determine that you can purchase a home mortgage up to $135,000. For a mortgage payment of about $1000 per month, you can afford a home mortgage up to $175,000 based on a 30 year mortgage at 6%.

The Disadvantages Of Using The Tool

There are a few things that you should take note of when you use an amortization calculator. First, you should realize that the numbers on the screen are no way near set in stone. These numbers can fluctuate for a number of reasons.

• Will your interest rate be the one that you punch in? The interest rate that a lender offers you may be different than the one that is being advertised online. Your credit history may make it rise. Or, you may not qualify in other manners for it.
• Also, this formula does not take into account any mortgage taxes as well as any mortgage insurance that you are likely to need.
• Realize too that if you can afford the $175,000 mortgage, you’ll need this number to be the amount you purchase in the loan, not necessarily in the home you look for. That’s because there are a wide range of fees including closing costs that are often figured into the loan.

The bottom line is that the amortization calculator is an excellent tool to help you find the home of your dreams.

Online health care degree getting it fast

One of the great values to getting a degree in higher education is the intellectual and social network that are an inherent component to the classroom learning system. The value of this cannot be overstated for several reasons. Complex ideas are better understood through discussions with peers. Maintaining on pace with the course can be made easier through the interaction with those in your class. Even after graduation, the social networks you developed can continue through friendships, but also professionally, with recommendations and contacts playing such an important role in todays business settings.

Recently it has become increasingly understood that the quality of education through online degrees is on par with those in traditional classrooms. But, one concern is that of the absence of the building and maintaining of peer connection and networking. This is a misconception. To be involved in the online health care degree, for example, at Colorado Tech, allows and encourages the interaction of students from all across the country.

The quality of the online health care degree there is second to none and faculty, students, and employers alike recognize that. But it is the relationships that are forged between both the staff and the students that seems to be most surprising to people. Imagine having your social networking not limited to a singular geographic location. Individuals from differing places have different personal and historic experiences and as such are able to offer ideas that may be difficult to be generated by people from other areas.

These relationships are facilitated through discussion boards, threaded classroom discussions, and many other online methods that allow for real interaction. If you’re considering a career in health care, understand that all the benefits of traditional training is available online. And with an online health care degree there are even some unexpected benefits that will arise.

Top pool heater maintenance tips

There is nothing like a round of swimming in a warm-water pool in chilly winters. A warm water swim/ bath is a perfect exercise for your whole body and mind. In fact it is extensively used for therapeutic purposes all round the world. So installing a pool heater is a must for you if you are living in an extremely cold place. And a warm water bath in the pool would also give you an exotic spa effect in your swimming pool.

But installing a pool heater is not all. You have to maintain your pool heater as well to extend your swimming season. Proper maintenance can take forth the swimming season by weeks or even months. Though, the upholding of your pool heater depends entirely upon the type of heater you have.

Gas heaters are the most common type of pool heaters being used presently. The gas heaters work on natural gas or propane tanks. The gas heaters are favorite hide out of spiders and other insects. It is recommended to regularly clean the spider webs and the debris off the heater. For it can clog off the burner openings. You can clean them manually or with the help of a vacuum cleaner as well.

The most important thing about maintaining the gas pool heaters is to check the gas supply regularly. Check out the pipes to detect any leakages. You can easily detect the leakages using a soap solution. Prepare a liquid dish soap and warm water in the spray bottle. Now spray the solution on the pipe joints. If you find any bubbles emerging from the surface, you immediately need to repair the pipes. Never use the heater until the pipes are replaced or repaired by a qualified plumber.

Electrical pool heaters are also getting popular these days. The heaters produce the heat with the help of heating elements. The element can get coated with certain minerals present in the atmosphere. This hampers the heating process. You can easily take it out and clean with a wire brush. Some elements get damaged beyond repair. You have to replace the element. Take along the old element with you while looking around for a new one in the market.

It is absolutely vital to change the element otherwise it can send some current in the swimming pool. First of all, turn off the power supply to the heater to avoid any injuries. Open up the drain pipe and take out water from it. Fix the new element and test the heater by filling water in your swimming pool so that the heater can work to its full efficiency.

You can enhance the performance of the swimming pool heaters by having a time setting system. This can be greatly helpful in maintaining the efficiency of your heater as the water will only be heated as much as you want. Go for annual checks and get the heaters repaired immediately if you find any problems.

Christian mentoring team to help you succeed in life

It seems like more and more our society is discounting the importance of the role fathers play in their children’s lives. Whether it is the promotion of single parenting or the feminist movement, fathers have lost their status as the foundation of the family. This shift has had tremendous ramifications for today’s youth. Countless studies show that when the Father is absent from the home, children are more likely to live in poverty, have lower self-esteem and perform worse in school. With divorce rates at an all-time high, even 50% in the churches, many fathers have been ushered out of the home. It is no wonder our youth are experiencing a moral crisis today. I know how important my father is in my life. My dad is the glue that holds my family together. He is the pillar of strength and wisdom, the example of unconditional love and zeal for the ways of the Lord. Too often though, even in Christian homes, fathers neglect to be the leaders God requires of them.

Parents Turn Off the Television and Tune into Your Family.

Spend quality time with your family and get to know their lives intimately. When you have a close personal relationship with your family, they will honour your guidance because they cannot bear to disappoint you. Also, for at least one meal per day, let’s eat together as a family. This is the perfect time to catch up on what is going on in each other’s lives, and can set the framework for further one-on-one time. Discipline with Love; Never in Anger. My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in (Proverbs 3:11-12). Discipline can be as difficult to implement as it is to receive, but we need guidance and correction. Work with us to establish boundaries and appropriate punishments for crossing the line. Consistency is essential in this process; we should know in advance the consequences for breaking the rules. Discipline us with consistency, wisdom, and love. See Hebrews 12:5-11, No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

We Must Lead By Example Teach the Ways of the Lord.

God holds parents accountable to teach their children His ways. Fathers, as heads of the family, it is your responsibility to ensure that your family is God-centred. We need to learn to apply godly principles in our lives from an early age, not just in church-related matters, but also to every aspect of our lives. A Father must Honour His Children’s Mother. It is through your relationship with your wife that the children first learn about relationships between men and women. When your son sees the love and respect you show to his mother, he will learn to treat women the same way when he is older. And your daughters will hold high standards in romantic relationships because we will not settle for anyone who does not treat us as well as our father treated our mother. Do not fight in front of your children. Even teenage children will personalize parental disputes that may have nothing to do with them. Show your wife love and respect and they will emulate this behavior.

You must Show Affection

Hugs and I love you are not just for your wife; we need to feel in our hearts that Dad loves us, so do not be afraid to show your daughters and sons plenty of affection. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him (Luke 15:17-24). Be Patient and Forgiving Despite your love and guidance, we will make mistakes, and when we do, we need to know that you will be patient and forgiving (Luke 15:17-24). The mark of a loving parent is the willingness to forgive. Lets switch gears a little to how you can minister to many or mentor many. One of the first things Christians need to know is you don’t have to be an ordained Minister to minister! To minister means to attend to the needs and comfort of another. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings (1 Corinthians 9:22-23). Paul gave us some very important principles for ministering to others. For one thing, we must do our best to find common ground with those we come in contact with. It is a big mistake to display a know-it-all-attitude. We must do our best to make others feel accepted. We need to be sensitive to the needs and concerns of others and look for opportunities to tell them about Christ. Paul chose to find common ground with everyone and those with weak consciences in order that some might be saved. However, Paul never compromised the gospel truth, the Laws of God, or his own conscience. Paul was always willing to go the extra mile to meet people where they were. He always kept his eyes focused on the goal of spreading the Good News. Paul’s life focused on taking the gospel to an unbelieving world. These principles should be a part of our personal ministry, for they are just as valid for us today as they were for Paul in his day.

Team Effort is Necessary for True Ministry

Paul explained to the church at Corinth that no one person should do everything. Paul’s gift was preaching, and that’s what he did. He was emphasizing the need for Christian ministry to be a team effort. No preacher or teacher is a complete link between God and His people. Likewise, no individual can do all that the apostles did. Each Christian should be content with the gift or contribution God has given him/her to make, and he/she should carry it out with a whole heart. I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought (1 Corinthians 1:10). Paul was pleading to the believers to allow real harmony to exist among them and to be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. Of course, Paul was not saying they had to be exactly the same to be perfectly united. Instead, he wanted them to set aside their arguments and focus on Jesus Christ as Lord, and their mission to take the light of the gospel into a dark world.

What does the word Mentoring mean?

And how does one be a successful Mentor? Webster says, A Mentor is a wise adviser, a trusted teacher and counselor. This description tells us that not just anyone will be capable of fulfilling the duties of a mentor. Usually, wisdom rides on the head of an older person. Trusting in someone comes with communication over a long period of time. When you find someone who has wisdom, who is trustworthy, and also has the ability to teach good things, you will have found much more than a friend for life, you will have found a Mentor. A mentor should be a best friend. A mentor, preferably, should not be a person your own age, but older and wiser when it comes to life. Real friendships involves face-to-face honesty. Real friendships also involve loyalty. What kind of a mentoring friend would you be, if you had the chance? There is a vast difference between knowing someone well and being a true mentoring friend. The greatest evidence of a genuine mentoring friendship is loyalty, which loves at all times. In 1 Corinthians 13:7 one reads the importance of being available to help in times of distress or personal struggles. Too many people are fair-weather friends. They stick around when the friendship helps them and leave when they’re not getting anything out of the relationship. Think of your friends and appraise your loyalty to them. Be the kind of true mentoring friend the Bible encourages. Jesus Christ is our Lord and master, yet He calls us His friends. How comforting and reassuring to be chosen as Christ’s friends. Real mentoring involves a loving relationship. We are to love each other as Jesus loved us. Sometimes being a mentor involves the simple practice of listening, helping, encouraging and giving.

Dental discount plans vs dental insurance

DISCOUNT DENTAL PLANS

A dental discount plan may be an attractive and affordable alternative to dental insurance. Some people who already have dental insurance find that they save even more by adding a dental discount plan too. They are usually very affordable, do not have waiting periods, and often cover many procedures -- like cosmetic and orthodontics -- that traditional dental insurance will not cover!

DENTAL INSURANCE

Traditional dental insurance has some drawbacks. With expensive premiums, high deductibles, and low yearly maximums, it may be hard to see how a dental insurance plan saves much money at all. Many dental insurance plans will offer generous coverage on routine care like checkups, cleanings, and simple x-rays. However those services are usually fairly inexpensive anyway.

When a family needs more coverage, they may find that their out of pocket costs surprise them. Complex fillings and crowns usually still require large copayments, and many dental insurance companies do not even cover orthodontics, cosmetic work, or dentures at all!

Some of the problems with many Dental Insurance Plans include:

Limitations, deductibles and annual maximums

Waiting periods for major dental procedures

Tedious and time-consuming written claims process

Limitations/exclusions on pre-existing conditions

Certain dental specialties, such as cosmetic dentistry, are rarely covered

Consumers pay expensive monthly premiums for defined coverage

Typically inaccessible to individuals and families unless provided by their employer

Some of the characteristics of Discount Dental Plans include:

No annual limits, members enjoy discounts on most dental services all year long

Most plans activate right away, within 1 to 3 business days, and have no waiting periods!

No tiresome paperwork hassles, plan membership card is presented for discounts on most dental services

No health restrictions and no age restrictions.

Select plans include discounts on dental specialties, including cosmetic dentistry and orthodontics

Consumers pay affordable membership fees for access to a network of providers offering discounts on most dental procedures

Available directly to individuals, families, businesses and groups

Many families who have dental insurance at work find that they have more flexibility, and save more money by adding a dental discount plan! This is because the discount dental plan may cover services that dental insurance does not cover. The dental discount plans use a huge network of US dentists, and so some families find it easier to find a nearby dental provider too.

Dental plans make it easy to find dentists! They have simple online searches, by zip code or dentist name. You can find out if your current dentist accepts the plan or find a new dentist in your area.

Many families who do not have dental insurance at work will put off routine dental care because they are concerned about the cost. However, this is never a good idea. If a person neglects regular checkups and cleanings, worse problems will develop in the future. Many discount dental plans even offer free, or very inexpensive, routine care like checkups, cleanings, and x-rays.

Some dental plans also offer other medical discounts. They arrange special deals with vision care providers, pharmacies, vitamin stores, and other outlets for health needs. With dental plans costing a few dollars a month, most will do more than pay for themselves!

Elliptical machines provide low impact total body workouts that even the novice can benefit from

Ever since their introduction several years ago, Elliptical Machines have become increasingly popular and more technically advanced. Surveys will indicate that as much as six million people prefer elliptical machines as their choice for home exercise equipment.

If you are looking for an effective and thorough indoor workout, than look no further than an elliptical machine. There are many benefits with having ellipticals, one of them is when you use one, you will notice how impact free your workout will be.

Also a total body workout on one of these machines is challenging enough for serious athletes but at the same time safe enough for beginners and even mothers to be.

Of course, like with any physical activity, expert advise should be sought from your doctor before the use of any exercise equipment.

With the elliptical machine, there is no impact on the ground, so lower body joints are free from abuse you may get with other workout machines.

Exercising with the elliptical, you are sure to get an excellent cardiovascular workout with maximum efficiency. Most of these machines will give you a total body workout, if your machine has dual action handlebars for your arms and foot pedals for your legs.

The Elliptical Vs The Treadmill? Which one is the leader of the pack?

"According to studies, if you exercise on an elliptical machine, the impact on the joints is low or it has no impact and the user will burn roughly the same amount of calories as more strenuous machine like a treadmill. So you get the same results for less effort."

Many of these activities sometimes involve vigorous movement of the bones and muscles and can inflame old injuries and maybe cause new ones. The joints that are commonly affected by an impact form of exercise are usually the knees, ankles, hips and back.

These little statistics probably tells us the reason why elder exercisers with knee problems and rehabilitating users go for an elliptical machine rather than a more vigorous machine like a treadmill. Here are a few of the benefits an elliptical offers:

Research has shown, to maintain healthy bone density, it is necessary to take part in weight-bearing activities such as running, squash, football, and other sports where you remain on your feet.

Elliptical workouts may not seem to be routines that are as benficial as more strenuos, high impact ones on a treadmill. But in actual fact, the whole routine is a weight bearing activity, as your feet are placed on two pedals throughout the workout. So as well as avoiding the toil that comes with a treadmill routine, it is also good for bone density.

Women that are pregnant, those that suffer from arthritis, and recovering accident victims often require a low impact routine, and that is exactly what the elliptical machine provides.

The oval pedaling motion of the machine, as you step up and down on the pedals or platforms, is smooth and flowing. Interestingly. this motion follows same type of elliptical movement that the human foot follows when we walk or run.

Although the movement created is similar to these activities, all the strain and vigorous action associated with them is taken away. The beauty is in the simplicity, your feet never leave the footpad, as well as this being a safer workout, it reduces the stress on your joints..

The elliptical motion feels natural and is easy to sustain. You will find that elliptical machines compliment and enhance normal body movements, making your workouts feel less exertive and more penetrative. Focusing on particular and general muscle groups and giving you an extensive overall body workout.

Studies have also shown that ellipticals work the cardio muscles and burns calories on the same par as Treadmills if not greater, as well as stair steppers. The added bonus is that it feels alot easier to use an elliptical.

The elliptical has some truly unique features, setting it apart fom its rivals. A good feature that an elliptical has over some machines is the variety it adds to the workout. One of the biggest challenges that you as a user faces is to stay motivated and interested in your training program.

With the dual action handlebars we mentioned earlier, the exerciser can choose the option of not using them and focusing just on the lower body. With the precor models, it is possible to change the the cross ramp incline as well as varying the intensity.

However, there is a feature on these machines that seperates the elliptical trainer from many other exercise machines when it comes to variety. That feature is the forward and reversible feature on the foot pedals. Most elliptical machines have a setting allowing you to "go backwards" and work additional muscles that very many other exercise workouts do not target. The fact that you are standing and walking or running in place, the leg muscles as well as those in your buttocks, back, and abdomen are worked effortlessly.

Many ellipticals will allow you to adjust the resistance and change the incline. These adjustments are increased at your own convenience and allow you to gradually increase the resistance and continuously challenge your limits.

Recommended top five elliptical machines to buy.

Precor - Although Precor is generally known for it's commercial machines in gyms all over the world, they also make some less-expensive trainers for the home exerciser. They can be quite pricey, starting from $2,000 and upwards, however, the quality you get makes up for the cost. What sets them apart is that Precor machines have adjustable ramps, they are sturdy and well built, with which cheaper trainers cannot compete.

ProForm 700 - This trainer features dual-action engineering. In real terms, it's got arm handles to work both your upper and lower body at the same time. At around $400, it's a good buy and includes iFit. com technology so you can hook it up to your computer for new workouts. You also get 6 workouts for maximize calorie burning.

Nordic Track Elliptical - This one is very competitively priced, at around $700. For your moneu you get 6 different exercise programs, Custom Stride pedals, iFit. com technology, and magnetic resistance. You also get dual action arm handles, a book and water bottle holder and an exceptionally quiet workout. Similar to the ProForm above, except for the adjustable stride...which is excellent if more than one person will be using it.

Reebok Elliptical Trainers - Like the other trainers listed here apart from the precor, the Reebok Elliptical offers dual arm and leg movement and comes pre-programmed with various workouts. Between $400 and $500, this is a good choice for someone on a budget, although you will not get some of the extras offered by other trainers.

Fitness Quest Eclipse 4000 - The eclipse offers a smooth, workout with an electric magnetic system. A nice little bonus is that it has arm handles through which the heart rate is measured for ease of use. Also features reverse motion and programs that cover all fitness goals from fat burning to cardiovascular routines.

Irs warning taxpayers about new email scams

If you have an email account, you know about all the scam emails you get. Scammers are getting braver and using the IRS name in their new tactics.

IRS Warning Taxpayers About New Email Scams

The IRS has begun warning taxpayers that it is seeing a surge in tax scam emails. Many of the emails even have the hubris to use the IRS name! Brave souls, indeed. Regardless, the scams seem to fall in the area of identity theft through phishing tactics.

First and foremost, you should understand that the IRS does NOT send emails to taxpayers. Never, never, never! If you get an email from the IRS, it is a fake. Unconditionally! Do not respond to it under any circumstances. Do not click links in the body of the email. Take one action and one action only – delete it!

Since the turn of the year, the IRS has identified 99 new email scams targeted at taxpayers. All of the scams are aimed at bilking you out of your private information. Most try to do this by claiming your must provide information or your will not receive your tax refund. In some cases, the fake emails threaten you with an audit. Again, this is all false information.

Many people fall victim to the IRS scam emails because they click through to the site linked in the email. There, they find a site that appears for all intensive purposes to be the one published by the IRS. Make no mistake – this means nothing. Anyone can copy and republish a site. Yes, even the site of the IRS. It is pretty scary when you think about it. Best Buy, in fact, had major problems with this for some time.

So, where are these scammers? It should come as no surprise that few in the boundaries of the United States would have the nerve to try this. Instead, the IRS has tracked most of the scamming emails to other countries, but not necessarily the usual suspects. The countries include England, Italy, Japan, Germany, Australia and Singapore. Usual suspects include China, Aruba, Mexico, Indonesia and Argentina. Surprisingly, only a few have originated from the scam mecca of Nigeria.

The best way to beat scammers is to know the facts. The IRS does not communicate in any way with taxpayers by email. If you get an email purportedly from the IRS, it is a fake. If you have a nagging doubt, call the agency to find out if anything is up. Otherwise, delete that email!

About contact lenses coupons

When people want to know all about contact lenses, they will do quite a bit of research on the subject, and then they feel they are better prepared to discuss it with their eye professional. To know all about contact lenses, people must consider create a self-guide that will lead them through many areas of contact lens purchase and wear.

An eye care professional will be the only person that can tell you outright whether or not you can wear contact lenses. The eye testing for contact lenses is a bit more detailed than those tests that are done for framed lenses. Contact lens tests involve measurements of the entire eye area including the slope of your eyelid, position of eyelashes, and the moisture levels in each eye.

On top of the usual visual acuity measurements, eye professionals will determine where you have an astigmatism problem that would interfere with normal contact lens prescriptions. If there is an astigmatism problem, then some people may have only gas permeable lenses offered. If this is the case, some people find this very unacceptable and decide against wearing contact lenses entirely.

You know that you have some sort of vision problem when things start to get blurred and your eyes tire easily. These contact lenses have to be fitted properly because everybody’s eyes are different dimensions. If they have astigmatism, the surface of the cornea is shaped differently. This factor will keep most soft contact lenses from floating properly over the surface of the eye.

People must know what contact lenses are made of, in order for them to care for them properly. Some people have made the mistake of soaking their soft contacts in salt water, and are left with a rubbery stub of what used to be their contact lenses. Contact lenses are made up of almost 79 percent waters, and salt will dry them out terribly.

Soft contact lenses are very easy to wear, and people become accustomed to them faster than they do if they had to wear gas permeable lenses. Gas permeable lenses will resist buildup better, but they are more rigid and durable than soft contact lenses. For people that work in industrial environments, the gas permeable lenses are a better choice. They can keep a pair of soft contact lenses at home for casual wear around town.

Many people choose contact lenses that do not have to remove from eye every 30 days. These are continuous wear contact lenses, and while you can sleep in them and do most every other activity in them without having to remove them from the eyes, these contact lenses are designed for this purpose with materials that allow oxygen to reach your eyes. All soft contact lenses can not be worn for 30 days and some people try to do it anyway and end up damaging their vision and their eyeballs.

As long as you have a contact lens prescription in hand, you can purchase contact lenses from any source that will give you a good price. By law, contact lens replacement services have to have the actual prescription on file before they can begin to make you an extra pair or two of contact lenses.

Celebrate saint nicholas day in curacao

Each December in the ABC Islands – Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao – locals and tourists celebrate the traditional Dutch holiday known as Saint Nicholas Day. Throughout the weeks leading up to the feast day on December 5, Sinterklaas – the Dutch precursor to the American Santa Claus – makes appearances throughout the islands and distributes gifts. Much like the Christmas season in America, the weeks surrounding Saint Nicholas Day are a very exciting time for Curacao and her sister islands. When you visit Curacao this year, add a little fun to your vacation by participating in some of the traditions of this special holiday.

As the character known as Sinterklaas appears each year to celebrate the feast day of Saint Nicholas, the fictional character of Dutch custom certainly bears a resemblance to the venerated saint. Saint Nicholas was actually the bishop of Myra, a city in what is now Turkey, in the 4th century. In the Catholic Church, Nicholas came to be the patron saint of children as a result of numerous stories claiming that the bishop had saved many children from lives of destitution, some from death. Today, Sinterklaas appears in Europe and the Caribbean wearing the traditional red cloak and mitre (pointed hat) of Catholic bishops. He carries a gold staff known as a crosier and keeps a large book with the names of each child under his arm, complete with designations on who has been naughty or nice (zoet or stout in Dutch tradition). As the American version of Santa Claus is based in large part on this Dutch tradition, Sinterklaas is also known for his great white beard.

Much as Santa Claus relies on the assistance of his elves to deliver gifts to all the world’s children, Sinterklaas employs a number of helpers known as Zwarte Pieten. Known for their black faces and colorful 16th century clothing, the Zwarte Pieten actually found their beginnings in a Middle Ages tale about the devil. The original legend stated that on the eve of Saint Nicholas’ feast day the devil was enslaved, evil was overcome and Zwarte Piet (Black Peter) came to serve Saint Nicholas. In recent centuries, the legend came to state that the Zwarte Pieten’s faces are black with soot from sliding down chimneys to deliver gifts. Within the last few years, efforts have been made to incorporate helpers with different colored faces into the legend, explained by Sinterklaas passing through a rainbow in his boat. In Curacao, keep your eye out for these playful helpers during the holiday and you may be rewarded with a special treat.

Dutch tradition always held that Sinterklaas sailed each year from Spain and was greeted with great fanfare upon his arrival. In Curacao, this tradition remains intact and represents one of the island’s most exciting events for locals and tourists alike. A few weeks before the feast day, Sinterklaas will make his scheduled arrival to the island. Immediately afterwards, Sinterklaas and his helpers lead a parade through the streets, handing out treats along the way. In the weeks leading up to Saint Nicholas Day, Sinterklaas can be seen throughout Curacao in shopping centers and resorts, interacting with excited children and curious adults. As a result of the holiday, many resorts and tourist destinations feature special events during the season and tourists are always encouraged to participate.

If you visit Curacao with your family during this holiday season, you can also participate in the gift giving traditions of Saint Nicholas Day. While Sinterklaas is in Curacao, it is customary for children to leave their shoes near the chimney or front door each night. Current holiday tradition still holds that Sinterklaas and his helpers make a flight each night and drop candy and other small gifts down each chimney into the shoes. You can also celebrate the feast day of St. Nicholas by creating either a “present evening” on the eve of the holiday or receiving gifts from Sinterklaas on the following morning.

In Dutch tradition, families often hear a knock at the door and find a sack of presents outside for the whole family. If you are staying at a resort in Curacao during the holiday, the resort staff will be able to help you celebrate this traditional holiday with your family.

As Saint Nicholas Day falls in the heart of Curacao’s tourism season, there isn’t a better time to visit the island. During your time in Curacao, join in on the celebration and add a little Old World tradition to your Caribbean holiday.

Finding wholesale nike air jordan shoes

The two major features that set Nike Air Jordan shoes apart from other sneakers were in the design of the shoe itself, and in the logos printed on the shoes. The earliest shoes, released in 1985, were a leather base in both high top and low top varieties. They were the first shoes to carry the winged basketball that would come to be known as one of two Nike Air Jordan standard logos. This logo would appear on three versions of Nike Air Jordan Shoes, printed on either the side near the ankle or on the tongue of the shoe. When the fourth version was introduced in 1987 the logo was changed to what was dubbed the 'jumpman' a picture of a basketball player going up for a slam-dunk. This logo appeared on many places depending on the particular shoe. Sides, tongue and sole were all fair game for logo placement and the jumpman appeared on all.

The most unique feature of the Air Jordan line though was in the Nike Air technology. This allowed for a design that brought extra air into the sole of the shoe, creating a better cushion for the foot of the wearer. All of the Air Jordan shoes had this technology, but it became much more visible in the later lines. In these designs a squeezable shoe 'pump' was installed into the tongue of the shoe. By pressing the pump a customer could change the firmness of the fit of the shoe, adjusting this for personal preference and maximum comfort.

Currently many top of the market shoe stores sell the Nike Air Jordan shoe lines at full retail prices, leaving wholesale Nike Air Jordan for outlet stores, prices ranging from $70 to over $300, averaging out around $100. In order to combat these prices and take a share of the wholesale Nike Air Jordan market online websites such as urbanhotlist. com have appeared. They offer discounted prices on these shoes, through wholesale options and bulk orders. This guarantees the authenticity and quality of the shoes, but for a much lower price.

Both advantages and disadvantages exist when it comes to purchasing from an online wholesale site, like urbanhotlist. com. The access to a much broader base of merchandise, in this case additional colors and styles of shoes that might not be available in stores and at wholesale pricing, can be kept reasonable, even after shipping and handling.

Little change that gave my website 1st page in google yahoo msn aol and other top search engines

Today even 6 year old kids know that content is the king of Internet. If you have good and relevant content, search engines will find your site faster, people will visit this site more often, and you will be enjoying targeted traffic.

The most popular strategy to get a wider publicity for your web site content is article submission. Perhaps you already tried this. If not, go to any search engine and submit keyword 'article' or 'article submission', and you will see tons of pages dedicated to articles and their submission.

Like many others, I also tried article submission for my web site, and was effective. But under the harsh article flood on the market today, it is not that easy to get your web site to the top of search engines. I already started to feel blue about article submission, and then it struck my mind...

I can use anchor text with my keywords in the submitted articles!

I tried it, and now I am on the 1st page in Google with over 71,600,000 competing pages!!

For those who do not know what is anchor text I will give a brief explanation.

If you put web site URL in the text, this URL will be clickable. This means when your point mouse to this URL, you can click it and get forwarded to the site page indicated in URL. Perhaps you noticed that sometimes you can see a simple text which is linked to a special URL. The text does not have any ... in its body, but when you point your mouse to this text, you see that it's linked to URL. Clicking on this text will get you to the page indicated in the URL to which this text is linked.

So, anchor text is a simple text that is linked to URL with the help of HTML code. In other words, anchor text is hyperlinked text.

Anchor text isn't new to Internet marketing at all, and I was really amazed why changing simple ... in my articles to anchor text got me to the Google top. After asking some questions on Internet marketing forums I got the explanation.

Today most of the search engines count heavily towards ranking of your web site using anchor text. If you use the keyword or keyphrase of your web site as the anchor text and link this text to your web site URL, search engines will gulp this info faster and will rank you higher on this keyword/keyphrase. And now imagine that you have submitted your article with proper anchor text and URL to some article engines - they will distribute it worldwide. You will get hundreds of pages where the anchor text will be increasing your rank for any keyword you put in this anchor text.

In my case, I had many articles that were already submitted to article directories. These articles got indexed by Google, having some PR. I just changed the info in article resource box, i. e. put anchor text instead of simple ... You see: one little change gave me lots of pages with PR that had my keyword and my URL! Within few days I got on the 1st page in Google, Yahoo, MSN, AOL, AllTheWeb and AltaVista for my keyword.

It worked for me, it will work for you too.

Surely there are more tiny tips how to squeeze more from anchor text, but disclosing everything in one article isn't smart. Search on this topic, and you will find many useful things to get ranked higher with anchor text strategies.

An online bible resource and daily devotional for the christian community

We offer this online bible resource for the edification of the whole person in Christ. We are to know God and not just know about God. This is a profound and counterintuitive quest that requires the miraculous power of God at work in us to achieve the end in mind.

This website is an online bible dialogue of spiritual things, for those who want to experience God intimately and intelligently, based on the message from Scripture that is - above all things - God’s personal objective communication to us from outside of time and space.

It is our particular interest to invite those who are seeking a deeper experience from God, who is the personification of Truth itself, to take a spiritual journey with us through a thought provoking dialogue about the concepts in Scripture that are hard to both teach and to grasp.

We rely on this key thought from the New Covenant promise: That God Himself is our Teacher by virtue of His inner presence through the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Wow...there’s a few concepts from the Bible that we can start chewing on right away!

Perhaps we can grow together into a faith-based community of believers who cannot get enough of the Truth and who desire to be transformed by God’s love! We’ll see. But first we need to begin by reading and thinking together. What has God spoken and how can we know it? How can we take these objective truths and experience God Himself in accordance with the terms He has laid out for us?

We join together in our progressive quest of lifelong learning, as an online bible community of faith, searching out the mind of Christ in developing the inner life.

We are the Body of Christ... meeting online... Spirit led... Bible based... spiritually alive in Christ... raised from the dead... forever!

Portrait gifts for special occasions

I’ve always wanted someone to give me a portrait as a gift but somehow, there’s still no one who has the foresight to give me that. Portraits are not impersonal gifts that you can just purchase from the mall but rather portraits are very special gifts that can impress recipients with your thoughtfulness and level of care.

Choosing the right subject and the right occasion to give portraits as a gift is the first obstacle in your path. To help you choose when’s the best time to give someone a portrait as a gift, here are several suggestions that you could bear in mind.

For Better or For Worse, Till Death Do Us Part

What else am I talking about except for marriages? For most people, especially the Catholics, you can only walk down the aisle once in your life so for them, marriages that last long as Britney’s Vegas ceremony are an absolute no-no.

Hence, if you’ve got friends who believe that only death can ruin their marriages, you can certainly believe that they haven’t arrived on their decisions lightly. Most probably, they’ve married because they found true and everlasting love and could there be a better way than capturing the essence of their feelings for each other through a beautiful portrait gift?

I’ll Remember You

People who are bereft of their loved ones and in mourning usually feel that an integral part of their lives are lacking. Even though they’ve “moved on” with their lives, there are still times that they probably can’t help but miss their loved ones. To give them something concrete to hold on to, you could try giving them a portrait gift of that special someone who passed away.

Animals – Friends For Life

Never underestimate the bond between man and animal. That’s why they say that the dog’s a man’s best friend. A dog, for a lot of people, serves as a daily companion who stays with their masters throughout the good and the bad times.

Sadly, dogs and other animals have a comparatively shorter life span so it would be inevitable when the time comes that they’d leave their masters to go to the after life. Hence, for pet lovers, portraits done of their pets could just be that perfect gift.

Memories

For some people, a remembrance of their old hometown or a favorite childhood spot is the best gift they could ever receive because it reminds them of their origins and how far they’ve come.

Benefits of measuring your own blood pressure

The only way of constantly keeping track of your blood pressure is with the help of a blood pressure monitor. But be careful if you are going to acquire one because there are many types and models of blood pressure monitors available so you have to find the ones that suit you best.

When suffering from high blood pressure it is very important to monitor how the values of your blood pressure change during the day. This way you will have an active role in taking care of your own health and it will be very easy to determine what kind of treatment you need.

The price of a digital blood pressure monitor is not too elevated and they are quite easy to use too. When you've just bought one the best thing to do is to pay a visit to your doctor and he should be able to instruct you on how to use the blood pressure monitor. It is important to do this because otherwise you may perform innaccurate measurements and this should be avoided.

You must also take into account the fact the values of the blood pressure vary at everyone, so do not be frightened if a few of your readings are a bit over the line, this is normal for everybody. You should only worry if these high values keep repeating, and in this case you should contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Also, the values of the readings that you make with the blood pressure monitors may be lower than usual a few times, which is also normal.

If you want the readings to be as accurate as possible try to sit down, rested, on a hard surface when performing the measurements.

Finally do not forget that the purpose of measuring your blood pressure at home is is to reduce it!

The benefits of reading reviews and magazines

Magazines and reviews can prove to be the best source of information related to bikes and other accessories related to mountain biking. These reviews can be a central point to collect information, and expressing your grievances. So referring to these magazines and reviews can defiantly prove to be the right step.

Magazines and reviews can prove to be the best source of information related to bikes and other accessories related to mountain biking. These reviews can be a central point to collect information, and expressing your grievances. So referring to these magazines and reviews can defiantly prove to be the right step.

Mountain Bike Reviews: Understanding Which Products Are Better

The market offers a very vide variety of mountain biking accessories, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. As a customer you will agree to the fact that many a times it becomes very difficult to choose which is best for you. However, at such times referring to mountain bike reviews and magazines can prove to be the best solutions.

Try Magazines and Websites

There are plenty of websites, which offer detailed information about mountain biking, and the activities related to it. You can log on these websites for a detailed update or even for solutions for your queries related to mountain biking. You are sure to get good advice, as your queries are directly answered by expert mountain bikers. But if you are not net savvy you could simply refer to some sport magazine related to mountain biking, as these too are a good source of information

Referring to the reviews in these sport magazines and websites can prove very useful. The information regarding bikes, their prices and other useful accessories are provided in these reviews. The information provided is based on personal experiences of veteran bikers and are also collected from feedback received from other bikers. So one can be sure to get genuine advice from these reviews.

Referring to these mountain bike reviews is a good idea, as they not only contain detailed information related to the sport, but also keeps you informed with the latest updates about bikes and related product available in the market. The information available in these reviews is based on personal experiences of experts who test new products and share their views for others to benefit it also help you compare the different products available and find out its current rating in the market.

The data available in these reviews are strictly based on personal experiences of readers and other experts. There are special forums where the readers can post their grievances as well as experiences. These forums encourage consumers to express their views regarding biking products, which prove useful to others during selecting the best product. Mongoose Tech 4 Full Suspension Men’s Mountain Bike and the Iron Horse Warrior Elite Mountain Bike. The latter also has a dual suspension. These are some of the bikes which are named as the best in these reviews.

Visitors guide to houston texas usa

The city of Houston is America's fourth-largest city and although a spreading location, much of the appeal is concentrated in the city center, between the downtown district and the Galleria Mall. Houston is a young and vibrant city, with a host of restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Close to the Gulf Coast Cities, Houston is also home to a number of exceptional museums, popular festivals and regular well-attended sporting events at the city's stadium.

Houston is a large and important city, incorporating a number of local communities and historical neighborhoods. Amongst these districts are Downtown - the center of Houston, full of entertainment, shops and restaurants; Midtown - easily reached by the city's light railway; and Uptown - one of the liveliest and most animated areas of the city, featuring the enormous cosmopolitan Galleria shopping mall.

Other notable areas of Houston include the Museum District - home to an unusual concentration of exceptional museums and art galleries; the Theater District - one of America's most notable clusters of top theaters, in central downtown; and also the Heights - on the northwest side of downtown, with many historic buildings and specialty shops.

Houston Tourism:

Tourist attractions in Houston are plentiful, making Houston a particularly enjoyable place to visit. Facilities include many striking buildings and monuments, historical museums and traditional art galleries, must-see sights and numerous recreational activities, which are particularly popular in the city's many parklands, such as Hermann Park, Memorial Park and Sam Houston Park.

Top attractions include Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens, Downtown Aquarium, Houston Zoo, Space Center Houston and Byzantine Fresco Chapel Museum, Houston Museum of Natural Science (HMNS) and the JP Morgan Chase Tower Observation Deck. Museums worth a visit include Houston's Lawndale Art Center, Museum of Fine Arts, Contemporary Arts Museum and the Rice University Art Gallery. There are also a number of seasonal theater productions that are always popular with visitors to Houston.

Houston Transport:

Around Houston, public transport is well organized and a number of major freeways and interstates are nearby. The city contains a large train station along Washington Avenue, with regular Amtrak trains arriving and departing each day, traveling to a range of cities, including Los Angeles. Further transport options include Greyhound buses, the local METRO bus network, the METRORail tram service, car rental and taxicabs.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport Houston (IAH) stands around 22 miles / 33 km on the north side of the city center and is an important transport hub. With four terminals and many passengers arriving each day from all over the world, Houston Airport provides a range of convenient ground transport, which includes shuttle buses, taxis and car rental options. Also nearby, the William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) is a smaller airport with mainly domestic airlines, located to the southeast of the city's downtown district.

Houston Hotels:

Being a modern, important and large cosmopolitan city, Houston's accommodation more than meets expectations. With a simply vast selection of well-placed hotels, there is plenty to suit visitors, although advance reservations are sensible. Hotels can be found close to both airports, along nearby highways and throughout the city center, with all main brands well represented. Camping grounds are also available for holidaymakers with RVs, and the Houston International Hostel along Crawford Street is popular with budget travelers.

Houston Restaurants:

Dining in Houston is massive and there are around 5,000 restaurants and eateries to choose from in Houston, with a wide range of different cuisines readily available for all palates. Many of the city's most popular restaurants can be found in the downtown area, the Richmond Entertainment district, and in the uptown district – particularly along Richmond Avenue. International cuisine on offer in Houston includes French, Indian, Italian, Mexican, Spanish and Thai, together with traditional Texan dishes and American diners. Chinatown is the place to head for authentic Chinese restaurants and shopping malls have become a popular place to eat in Houston and often include large, open-plan food courts, with a number of options, including fast food.

Houston Shopping:

Houston is an impressive, vibrant shopping destination offering a large selection of shops and stores. Facilities include many popular designer outlets and fashion boutiques, together with well-known department stores and enormous shopping malls. Popular shopping areas include Chinatown, Main Street, Westheimer, Uptown Park Boulevard and Rice Village close to the Museum District. Worth a visit are the River Oaks Center between Woodhead and Shepherd, Alabama and Westheimer, and the University Village, close to Rice University.

Houston Weather:

The city has a subtropical and fairly humid climate, with sunny, hot summer weather and cooler winters. Temperatures during July and August are at their hottest and can peak at highs of around 35°C / 95°F. Spring in Houston is a mild season and a busy time of the year, when many visitors arrive in Houston. Winters in Houston are cool, although the temperatures stay well above freezing. January is the coldest month when daytime temperatures average around 16°C / 61°F, although lows of less than 10°C / 50°F may be experienced.

Planning a trip how to plan for the unexpected

Have you ever taken a trip where it seemed that everything went wrong? What should have been a care free, relaxing vacation or an efficient business trip quickly turns into a stress-filled nightmare. No one likes to dwell on the negative, but the old saying “hope for the best, and plan for the worst” has a lot of truth to it. Many things can go wrong and planning ahead will help you avoid unwanted drama, stress and hassles. Travel delays or accidents, hidden fees and costs, lost or delayed luggage, medical or dental emergencies, travel accidents, rental car damage, potential terrorist attack alerts, emergency assistance problems, identity theft and more are common problems that can, and most likely, will occur on some occasion during trip taking. In hindsight could most of the hassles on that trip have been prevented or made more bearable by planning for the unexpected? Here are some tips for doing just that.

1. Start planning your trip early. Four to six weeks before you depart is not too early to start planning. If you are purchasing a comprehensive or all-inclusive package, make sure you research the agency you are dealing with. Some offer packages that guarantee no surprise up-charges or add-ons. If you don’t understand their policies or package rates, make them explain it to you until you do understand it. Asking the right questions beforehand can eliminate disappointment over unrealized expectations. Know what you are getting for your money. Never assume that what you think you are hearing is factual until it is fully explained and you see it guaranteed in writing. If you are planning a business trip on short notice, use an agency that you trust, or one that you consider reputable. If short notice trips are normal for you, or if you know that travel could be required on short notice due to an emergency situation, keep a bag packed in your closet with the things you consider basic necessities. Include at least one complete change of clothes, and necessary toiletries. Also include a small amount of your regular medication, if applicable, and important account numbers and phone numbers. If packing space is at a premium, purchase sample size toiletries to keep in your “short notice” bag. Make sure it is of carry-on size for airline travel. This will take some stress off in the event that plans must be made quickly. If your luggage is lost or delayed, you will be glad you took the time to pack your carry-on bag in this manner.

2. Research your trip thoroughly. The Internet is a good choice for doing this. To get the best deals and the best accommodations to suit your preferences, there is no substitute for being informed and fully aware of what is available. In the information age, there are huge amounts of travel information available on the World Wide Web. Tickets, and even permits, in some cases, can be printed on your home computer printer from the Internet. Rental car reservations, hotel reservations are made easy for convenient prices and quality comparisons on-line.

3. Plan for the unexpected: Troubles can occur when you least anticipate them, so take along some peace of mind and protect your trip investment by purchasing travel insurance. Make sure the travel insurance you purchase covers job loss or transfers, uninhabitable accommodations, emergency assistance, travel accidents, delays, lost or delayed luggage, weather-affected cancellation, medical and dental expenses, terrorism, and identity theft. In addition, plans should offer flexible coverage periods for pre-existing medical conditions. Choose a company that answers all calls with a live person, not an automated attendant. Confirm all your purchases and reservations at a later time either on the Web or by phone to ensure no glitches have occurred.

4. Make sure you will have all the arrangements and paperwork you'll need - airline tickets, passports, visas, maps, rental car and hotel reservations, permits as well as health and travel insurance documentation. Some travel insurance companies like csatravelprotection. com provide a confirmation letter and "traveler hotline cards" to policy holders with critical phone numbers and contact information. Carry enough cash for emergencies, phone calls or unexpected fees. Don’t carry large amounts of cash. Traveler’s checks and credit cards are a better alternative. Make a list of all the pertinent numbers of your credit card, driver’s license, visas, passport, ticket, reservation, prescriptions and any other important documentation. Include any emergency phone numbers to call if any of these items are lost or stolen. Put a copy of this list in your carry-on, and carry the other one on your person. Have someone you trust watch your home or apartment, or house-sit while you are away. Think about the things that need to be done in your absence - watching and feeding your pets, watering your plants, etc. If you don’t have a house/pet-sitter, have a light left on inside your residence so it would appear that someone is home at night. If you have someone checking up on things periodically, have them rotate the lighting and retrieve your mail and your newspapers. Another option to this is to have your newspaper and mail delivery temporarily suspended. You can also put your lighting on inexpensive timers, which can closely imitate your normal lighting routines.

5. Write out an itinerary - before you head out the door, give someone you know and trust a written copy of your trip plans. This should include: Your estimated time of departure, mode of transportation (flight numbers and/or make, model and license plate numbers), the names, addresses and phone numbers (especially cell phone numbers) of all group members traveling, any relevant medical conditions that may affect you or your travelling companions. Also include your travel insurance policy names, numbers and beneficiary information, your hotels’ phone number and address and expected time of arrival, time of return, and all pertinent return travel information. Make arrangements to contact the person holding your itinerary at specific intervals during the trip, and then again when your trip is over. Agree with your contact person on a procedure for contacting the authorities if you do not report in by a certain time. This can be especially important when traveling in high-risk areas of the world, or even anywhere outside the United States. In some cases, if you have a pet and choose to hire a reputable pet-sitter or house-sitter, this can be your contact person.

In short, the quality of your trip depends largely on proper planning for the unexpected. Most of us like to think that things will come off without a hitch, but the truth is that even with the best of planning, things can, and will go wrong from time to time. Planning early, thorough research, double checking arrangements, coverage and documentation, and writing out an itinerary may not completely dispel unexpected problems, but it does produce a peace of mind and assurance knowing that there is a plan in place to deal with the unexpected if it does come about.