Speaking up about vehicle safety

If you think there's no use in complaining, think again. Consumer complaints about vehicle safety have sparked a number of auto recalls that have helped keep American roads safe.

How many complaints does it take to initiate a recall investigation? There is no set number. However, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), every consumer complaint counts.

The NHTSA is perhaps most recognized for its "5-star government crash test ratings." However, the agency also oversees and manages the recall of defective vehicles. While most recalls are initiated by manufacturers, NHTSA-influenced or - initiated recalls typically result in a greater number of individual vehicles being recalled each year.

To encourage consumer input, the agency uses every available avenue. Efforts to get unsafe vehicles off the road are fueled by calls to the DOT Vehicle Safety Hotline, complaints sent by mail, and reports filed via the Web site at www. safercar. gov. Visitors to the site can fill out an online complaint form, at their convenience, and with relative ease of use.

Every phone call, Internet report or complaint letter to NHTSA is carefully reviewed by vehicle safety experts and the complaint is posted (with names and personal identifiers removed to protect privacy) on the agency Web site.

The agency's technical staff members continuously monitor all complaints to determine trends and next steps. As soon as a trend is suspected and the issue poses a potential safety risk, the agency opens an official recall investigation, with the ultimate goal of saving lives caused by motor vehicle failure and crashes. It could be your vehicle safety complaint that signals agency engineers to open an investigation.

The group says that people having problems with their vehicles that they think are safety related shouldn't hesitate to complain. Direct input from consumers is invaluable to the agency's ability to fulfill its mission and improve service when it matters most: when lives are at stake.

Learning to succeed on your own terms

What three things do the world's most successful people share in common? They have their own definition of success, they know the personality qualities that drive them, and they've seized their defining moments.

That's the idea in a new book that examines the personality traits of successful people across the globe. The book's authors say the lessons learned can help people succeed in their careers and in life.

Written by Herb Greenberg and Patrick Sweeney-who have advised more than 25,000 companies in the areas of hiring, employee development, team building and organizational development-"Succeed on Your Own Terms" (McGraw-Hill, $21.95) offers readers practical tips and advice.

The book provides an in-depth look at more than four dozen talented individuals who have made their marks in business, politics, sports, the arts and global affairs. It also offers readers the chance to complete a free, in-depth personality profile (worth over $200) to help focus their energies on specific fields or goals. According to the book, successful people know that:

• Real success comes from recognizing, understanding, developing and concentrating on one's strengths. According to Paul Schulte, the youngest U. S. Olympic wheelchair basketball player at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, that means "focussing on what you have, rather than what you don't have."

• Being self-aware means not letting the outside world define you and knowing what motivates you. For instance, Rebecca Stephens, the first British woman to climb Mount Everest, says, "Success is the achievement of whatever it is that you set out to do. And it's up to you to decide what that is. It can't be determined by anyone else."

• Being willing to risk means being all right with the possibilities. Senator Barbara Boxer says she doesn't always succeed if that only means accomplishing what she wants. "I can feel successful just moving my agenda forward," she explains.

• When you love what you do, people can sense it in your presence.

Reading the book's success stories will help people gain a new perspective-one that can be useful when striving for success in their own lives.

How-to-lube-your-mountain-bike-293

How To Lube Your Mountain Bike

A mountain bike is a lot of fun although it does

require some maintenance. You should always lube

your bike 15 hours or so before riding, as quick

jobs right before you take off normally doesn't

get everything lubed. Some lube jobs will last

for more rides, although if things get loud or

shifting gets sticky, it's time to lube.

Here is how to lube your bike:

1. The chain

Apply a generous amount of mountain bike lube to

your chain as you move the pedals around backwards.

It also helps to find a spot to steady your hand

such as the frame while you move the pedals around

and around. Make sure you watch out for the cranks

and chain rings as they move around.

2. Front Deraileur

On the front defaileur, lube the pivots. Use a

spot of lube everywhere you can see movement when

you move the shift lever.

3. Rear deraileur

Just like the front deraileur, lube the pivots.

4. Pedals

There are some types of clipless pedals that will

need to have the release mechanism lubed. You

should only lube this mechanism if you have this

type of pedal.

5. Everything into motion

Pedal around, shift your gears, and bounce your

bike around. If you hear anything squeak, there's

a moving part there are it should be lubed

immediately.

6. Wipe it all clean

Once you've lubed everything and wiped it all

around, simply wipe it all back off. Use a rag

to wipe away all the lube you used, including all

the lube off the chain. Wiping it away will leave

the lube in between the parts but clean it away

from everywhere it isn't needed. This will keep

your bike from collecting dirt while you ride.

(word count 293)

PPPPP

Increasing inner peace by reducing your stress

Peace-making is a healing process and it begins with me, but it does not end there. - Gene Knudsen Hoffman

There is a great need for peace in the world today. Most people would recognize that on a global level as all over the world, wars are raging and every day more people are becoming caught up in the violent turn of events, but how about on a local or individual level? Do you need more peace in your life? I think many people would answer yes to that question. As the quote above illustrates, creating peace in your life is actually a healing process. It involves healing the hurting, malfunctioning parts of our bodies, minds, and souls and creating a new pattern of behavior which results in an overall sense of wellbeing and a smoothly functioning physical body.

This healing process has an impact on every facet of your being and on those around you. I believe that is what Hoffman meant when she said “it does not end there”. Creating peace within ourselves can’t help but bleed into our relationships with loved ones, into our community, and even out into the world. So, the question then is “How do I create Peace?”. If it was easy to attain wouldn’t we already be creating it daily? Good question, but not an easy answer. Unfortunately, there are many beliefs in the human mind that seem to nudge the potential for peace out of the picture. We impart so many pressures on ourselves, creating stress and erasing all possibility for the inner peace we all seem to desire. One way to stop the cycle of peace-destroying behavior is to practice regular intentional stress reduction.

While there are many ways to reduce stress like meditation, yoga, and massage, one of the most powerful modalities is called Quantum Biofeedback. This is a technologically advanced interface developed out of traditional biofeedback that uses a device called the SCIO/EPFX. It is an effective tool for reducing the stress that daily life brings as well as the stress that self-imposed pressures can place on our mind, body, and soul. The SCIO/EPFX uses energetic therapy to eradicate the effects that stress has on our body’s natural healing functions. When that stress is gone, the body and mind function more efficiently and the healing process that brings about a feeling of inner peace is more likely to take place. Less stress also means that with proper intention by the conscious mind, those harmful beliefs that created the disharmony in the first place can be rewritten.

In addition to Quantum Biofeedback, another tool that can bring about a greater feeling of inner peace is called The Peace Program. This is another stress reduction tool, like the SCIO/EPFX, that delivers energetic balancing frequencies from a distance to the client all day every day. It works similarly to prayer, but is not restricted by any one religion or belief system. Instead it combines many of the official prayer frequencies recognized by many religions around the world as well as other stress reduction frequencies to create a calming therapeutic mix. The program works on a monthly subscription basis so all one has to do is provide some information in order to be calibrated into the system and then they, their loved ones, and even their pets can enjoy the 24/7 benefits.

As you’ve read above, the rewards of stress reduction can be incredible – imagine increased health, better relationships with those around you, and of course, a greater feeling of inner peace. The two options given above, as well as many others, are available to you today if only you take the time to do your research and give them a try. The gift you will be giving yourself is great and the lessons you will learn are life-changing. And remember, the road to inner peace starts with you, but does not end there. So, find the tool that’s right for you and choose to make a difference today in your own life and in the life of your neighbors around the world.

Furniture style bar stool designs

Furniture bar stools are just like any other recliners or sofa chairs. At their core they are still bar stools with swivel action seats and bar stool style legs, although these bar stools have far more uses than your ordinary run of the mill bar stool. For those of you who would have one of these stylish and elegant bar stools in your home, you will find that they would go well in your living room or entertainment room. These furniture bar stools are also exceptionally comfortable when used as a counter stool in your kitchen.

Now if you are in the market for furniture bar stools there are a number of places to go to find them. You could in all probability find an extensive range at a local furniture store; this is of course if you live in or around a big city or town that boast such stores. The number 2 option is to check out the local gaming and billiard room factories. The third option is by far the best option all round, shop online; the selection of furniture bar stools available to you is truly astounding. Applying this method of shopping will not only save you a lot of time and hassle but comes with an added bonus you need never have to even get out of your pj’s.

Outside the straightforward conveniences of shopping online, the amount of bar stool designs you will find on the internet is incredible. There are numerous websites that feature nothing but bar stools. Some of the best bar stool site have quite literally 100’s of bar stools to choose from. You are sure to find the style of stool that will suit you.

If you are after discounted or cheap bar stools then it would be advisable to check out some of the best bar stool sites that always have keen prices and discounts like marios-bar. com or ebay. There are a lot of quality bargains to be found if just take time to investigate the options available to you.

If you want to find 2nd hand bar stools, but you don’t want to shop online because you don’t feel like its your cup of tea, check out your local newspaper's garage, car boot and yard sale announcements. Look for estate sales and auctions in particular, and get there early because all the best furniture always goes fast at such events.

Asset protection

WHAT IS ASSET PROTECTION?

By: Steven Rich, MBA

Marketing Manager for

Panama Offshore Legal Serevices

Everyone should be afraid of being sued with so many lawsuits being filed now days around the world.

You might think that you may never be sued.

How wrong you are!

Let's first take a look at how easy it is to be sued now days. One of the first dangers is being indirectly involved with a lawsuit.

THE DANGERS OF JOINT & SEVERAL LIABILITY

This is a legal concept whereby an individual could be sued as a second or third defendant without having been directly involved with the original injury to the plaintiff.

Here are some examples of how you can be sued for Joint and Several Liability:

1. Your business partner commits theft, fraud, or a personal injury in the course of conducting business.

2. Your spouse is accused of theft, fraud, or a personal injury and the plaintiff sues the entire marital community (including you).

3. You render assistance to someone who was injured by another person and the plaintiff sues you along with the person who actually committed the injury.

4. A friend or relative borrows your car and gets into an accident. As the car's owner you get sued along with the driver.

5. Your company gets sued for sex discrimination committed by one of your employees and you get named as a defendant because it's your company.

6. Your real estate investment partnership, joint venture, or company gets sued by the federal or a state government because toxic waste is discovered on the property.

7. The IRS, or Revenue agency sues your partnership, joint venture, or company for tax evasion.

There are many more examples I could provide. The main thing is that you can be sued and become jointly and severally liable for an injury to someone without having been personally negligent. All that is necessary is that you were connected in some way. If you are dragged into a lawsuit and the other defendants are without assets or insurance, you may end up being held liable for the full amount of the judgment!

WHAT ABOUT INSURANCE?

Many lawyers recommend you purchase at least $1 Million insurance for each of your businesses, homes, land, cars, motorcycles, and boats you own.

This will cost you $ thousands in premiums every year depending on how large a deductible (which you'll pay to the plaintiff) you are willing to afford.

But, is that really enough?

$ MILLIONS CAN BE AT STAKE

Let's take a look at how large some of these lawsuit judgments can be.

There is a book entitled, The Professional Asset Protection Manual by Florida attorney Mark Warda (Galt Press) which lists some of the recent outrageous jury awards in the United States.

For example:

$84.5 million for children drowned and brain damaged in a swimming pool.

$49 million for a stillborn baby.

$41 million for a misdiagnosis of abdominal pain.

$5.87 million for sponsoring a party where a guest later caused an auto accident.

$986,000 to a woman who lost her “psychic powers” after a CAT scan.

$300,000 for slapping a daughter twice on the face.

$75,000 for spraying perfume on a person without permission.

$60,000 for cursing, which caused “emotional distress”.

Here are some other recent examples:

$12.7 million for a mistake in medication administered by a nurse.

$12 million to a doctor for failing to take a blood test for a rare disorder.

$7 million to a laborer who lost a limb at work on a construction job.

$160,000 to an employee who was “goosed” by fellow employees.

Don't forget the widely publicized $2.7 million award to Stella Liebeck (for her injuries from spilling some hot McDonald's coffee between her legs while driving).

In addition to the court award, you must pay

$ Thousands to your defense attorney!

Don't forget the many hours you will spend meeting with your attorney, answering written questions (interrogatories) from the plaintiff's attorney, attending depositions where the plaintiff's attorney will grill you, attending court hearings (motions), and the trial itself.

Add all of the time and expense to the psychological and physical stress you will endear.

Just because I am using examples from the United States, citizens of Canada, Europe, Russia, Central & South America, and even communist China are being sued for similar injuries.

HOW CAN YOU PROTECT YOURSELF?

The best solution is to strip yourself of all assets and become what is known as "judgment proof" amongst the personal injury trial lawyers.

Most lawyers charge their clients no direct fee for filing a personal injury lawsuit. This is known as a "contingent" fee. It means that the lawyer will collect no fee unless he wins the lawsuit and can collect the court awarded judgment amount.

Before a lawsuit is filed, a careful lawyer will research the defendant's ability to pay a court judgment. If the defendant is "judgment proof" meaning he has no insurance, no ownership of assets that can be seized to pay off a court judgment; the lawyer will not want to sue that defendant. That's because the lawyer will spend all of his time and money pursuing a lawsuit with no hope of ever getting paid.

So, how can you make yourself Judgment Proof?

OFFSHORE CORPORATIONS, TRUSTS & PRIVATE INTEREST FOUNDATIONS

Owning a corporation set up in your own country may provide a little protection. However, a domestic corporation can be sued as well. In addition, your shares in a corporation are assets in which a judgment creditor can seize.

OFFSHORE CORPORATION: A better solution is to set up a corporation outside of your country (offshore). An Offshore Corporation can own real estate and vehicles in your country. For even better protection, set up different Offshore Corporations so each owns one of your major assets. For instance, one corporation owns your cars, another owns one piece of real estate, and another owns different real estate. As the old saying goes: "Don't put all of your eggs in one basket."

Therefore, use Offshore Corporations to purchase your homes, office buildings, apartments, condos, raw land, and vehicles. The corporations then rent them back to you. Now you are no longer the owner of these assets. They are owned by Offshore Corporations. You are merely a tenant.

Remember this, it is important that you sign a written lease agreement (preferably in front of a Notary Public) for these properties and duly Record them with the correct state or government agency requiring you to do so. For instance, a notarized Lease Agreement properly describing the real property must be filed with the appropriate county, state, or provincial government office.

Now you have written proof that you are not the owner of the real properties and vehicles which you are using.

Also, remember to always pay your rent. If you have a written rental agreement which you violate by refusing to pay rent, it can be declared a sham by the courts. All of the rent you pay will be deposited into your Offshore Corporation's foreign bank account.

As for cash, deposit as much money into the Offshore Corporation's foreign bank account as you can. These cash assets will also be protected from any court judgment against you.

ONE WEAKNESS: While an Offshore Corporation can legally own and rent your assets back to you, there is still one weakness when it comes to Asset Protection. The corporation's shares may be in your name, or if they are in a form called "Bearer's Shares", they are still in your control. The IRS and most countries' Revenue agencies require you to disclose any ownership in foreign corporations and bank accounts. In addition, a court could order such disclosures in a lawsuit.

You can avoid this weakness by having all of the Offshore Corporation's shares held by either an Offshore Trust or a Private Interest Foundation. Then you can truthfully tell the IRS, Revenue and courts that you do not have ownership in any foreign corporations or bank accounts.

IMPORTANT: Before you set up Offshore Corporations and transfer assets to them, here is one more important fact. You must transfer your assets before you get into legal trouble or become exposed to a lawsuit.

FRAUDULENT CONVEYANCE: This is a legal term for someone who tries to hide assets from creditors knowing that a lawsuit has or will be filed against him. It is an attempt to illegally hide assets. Such assets will not be protected from a court judgment.

If assets are transferred before any act which arises into a lawsuit occurs, those assets will be protected. In other words, create your Offshore Corporations now and transfer ownership of your assets to them before you get into trouble.

CONCLUSION

Asset Protection is necessary in today's lawsuit crazy world.

While the steps we have summarized for you above may seem difficult and complex, they really are not. That's because using experts who know how to set up Offshore Corporations, Trusts and/or Private Interest Foundations will make this easy for you.

Protect Your Ass(ets) and feel better for the future!

© COPYRIGHT, 2006

Steven Rich, MBA

All Rights Reserved

Getting the best credit card deals

Searching for credit card deals can really work to your advantage if you are looking for a new credit card. If you search for credit card deals, you may stumble upon a good credit card deal that offers a lot of benefits to the credit card user.

It is always important to remember that when you apply for a credit card, you shouldn't just apply to any credit card companies. You should always remember that your credit score should be considered in order for you to have a good credit rating in the future. You may not know it but applying for a new credit card should be considered carefully.

When searching for a credit card, you should look for these credit card deals in order to get that benefit you've always wanted:

-New Cardholder Incentives

A new cardholder incentive will work to your benefit well. Some credit card companies that offer this kind of deal will allow you to make purchases without interest at an extended period of time. With this benefit, you can make purchases without worrying about the interest rate. Some credit card companies offer this kind of benefit for up to 60 days while some offer this benefit for up to six months or even longer. With this kind of benefit, you, as a cardholder, can save a lot of money on interest while quickly paying the purchase off.

-Rewards

Another great deal you should look for is the rewards program that some credit card companies give to their credit card holders. Rewards program vary from company to company but pretty much works the same way. This kind of deal works when a cardholder uses their credit card frequently. The more a credit card holder uses their card, the more points they accumulate. The points can be converted into cash back, flight points, and other prizes. If you use your credit card frequently, this kind of deal is for you.

-Interest Rates

This is what most people look at first when they apply for a credit card. A good credit card deal should include a low interest rate. Most credit cards have 22% interest rates. So, if you can get a credit card deal with an interest rate lower than 22% then you are on your way on getting a good credit card deal.

-Annual Fees

Annual fees are also something you should look for when you are looking for a good credit card deal. High annual fees are definitely not worth your time. If you can get a credit card with a low annual fee along with other great deals mentioned, you should go for it. Low annual fees should be specially considered if you keep your credit cards for emergency purposes only. You don't want to pay for that extra fee if you don't frequently use your credit card.

Finding a credit card with good deals isn't always easy. This is why you should try hard looking for one that has at least two of the deals mentioned above. Try to consider where you use your credit card and determine which credit card deals are best suited for you.

By doing this, you can protect your credit rating and at the same time, save lots of money on charges that you don't have any use from. Get a credit card with great deals.

Are you financially prepared for an emergency

A little planning now can help you handle a natural disaster or other emergency.

Many Americans have focused on their need to be prepared in case of an emergency. Very few, however, consider financial preparedness in their plans. From keeping an evacuation box with important documents to setting up an account with emergency funds, preparing now can be the difference between financial security and financial crisis.

These simple tips from financial experts at Union Bank of California can help anyone prepare financially for a natural disaster:

• Conduct a Household Inventory

Create a household inventory for items of significant value and locate originals of important financial and family documents. Store original documents in waterproof bags in a safe deposit box or durable "evacuation box" and photocopies in a safe place. Use a CD to back up key documents on your computer. If practical, store copies with friends or relatives who live outside the area.

• Know Your Insurance Policies

Understand what types of losses your renters or homeowners insurance covers. Ask your insurance agent or financial planner about additional coverage for floods, earthquakes, home offices and big-ticket items. Keep copies of your policies in a safe place along with your other important papers.

• Keep Cash Accessible

Keep at least $300 in cash at home in a place where you can get to it quickly in case of a sudden evacuation. The money should be in small denominations for easier use.

• Create and Maintain a List of Emergency Contacts

Keep a list of important emergency contacts, including direct family members, doctors, medical facilities, numbers for your bank, insurance agent and company, lawyer and financial planner/advisor. Credit card 1-800 numbers can help you quickly retrieve account information.

• Keep an Emergency Savings Account

This account should be separate from any other account and contain enough money to cover at least three to six months of living expenses.

"We've learned from the aftermath of recent natural disasters that financial preparedness is not always top of mind," said Union Bank's Executive Vice President Ronald Kendrick. "Follow these guidelines to ensure you and your family are protected financially."

The history of window cleaning uk

Windows became a fixture of European architecture after 2000 BC, when Egyptians were able to perfect the art of glassmaking. As its popularity spread, so did the development of window cleaning tools.

While the first window cleaning products were no more complicated than rags and water, the earliest recorded “specialised” window cleaning tool is the horse-sweat squeegee from 5th century Greece. Initially used in the stables to groom and rub down animals, people realised that the long handles and absorbent material would also be very effective at window cleaning.

In the 20th century, the refinement of chemical and manufacturing processes brought about a rapid development of window cleaning tools and window cleaning products. In 1936, Ettore Sceccone invented the single-blade window cleaning squeegee. Other window cleaning product breakthroughs helped eliminate the common problem of water spots and streaks. These were the lint-free rags, micro-fiber window cleaning towels, and later window cleaning clay foams. These window cleaning products all promised to wipe off dirt while leaving a clear, flawless, speck-free window.

Soon even good old soap wasn’t good enough for window cleaning. When the automobile industry introduced tinted windows, it was necessary to develop a detergent that wouldn’t destroy or scratch this special kind of glass. This led to the ammonia-free window cleaning products, which was non-corrosive but was still effective in removing the stubborn water spots that often cling to the wind shield. This also led to window cleaning detergents for stained glass windows (which was a popular decorative fixture in the 1960’s) and frosted windows.

Today’s window cleaning detergents even promise to protect the glass from water spots by leaving a very thin wax that seals out moisture. The advantage of this window cleaning product is that it reflects light, creating a beautiful shine and making your house look literally “sparkling new.”

Homeowners can even purchase window cleaning kits that include fully automated window cleaning squeegees (“rotate to reach all the corners!”), no-drip window cleaning rags, disposable window cleaning towels, or even “soapless” window cleaning mops (the soap is activated by the water). Some of the window cleaning tools even have lightweight fiberglass handles, making window cleaning so much easier on the forearms. Other window cleaning kits include fully-extendable parts for window cleaning out of the way windows.

With all these window cleaning products and tools, the chore of window cleaning became much, much easier. Just in time, too. Modern trends in architecture seem to favor floor-to-ceiling windows that allow massive amount of light to flood the room. Plus, the development of high rises makes window cleaning much more of a logistical challenge. How exactly do you go about window cleaning when you live on the 25th floor of a condominium?

That is why there are companies that offer professional window cleaning services. They use lifts to carry them from floor to floor, while a safety harness prevents any undue accidents (perhaps from skidding on soapy water?). To keep their hands free, the professional window cleaning crew will often carry their tools in a practical pouch slung around their waists.

These people have banded together in professional window cleaning organisations, whose goal is to ensure that proper safety standards are maintained, and also to allow members to share the unique experiences that comes with their job. As part of this movement, these window cleaning organisations also have a code of conduct, newsletters, even conferences. For some people, window cleaning is just a chore—but for them, window cleaning is a passion.

Stats on home schooling

As with any argument issue or item, there are ever so many of researcher's willing and ready to investigate each side dissatisfactory or direct with legwork! Since homeschooling has been here and there a while, there have been lots of opportunities and youth for researchers to study and follow throughout their homeschooling scholastic undergo. The specifics and information channeled in this article turn out from research done by Dr. Brian D. Ray. This Doctor has done extrnsive research on children that have been homeschooled and it would be worth your time to look into his research.

Previous to we get to greater specific findings regarding homeschooled kids, lets keep in mind some of the customary specifics and trends with homeschooling.

* Homeschooling very with finesse may be the fastest growing body of knowledge in the Linked States. It has been growing at a pace of 7 to 12% per second!

* Currently, there are approximately 2 million homeschool scholars in the Affiliated with States.

* Due to the fact that moms homeschool their kids, there is reduced cash that taxpayers know to give since the youth are not in congregation kindergarten. The reputed billfold in taxpayer dollars is within reach $16 billion dollars.

* Minorities be aware of latched onto homeschooling and their involvement in homeschooling is growing. There are approximately 15% of homeschool families that are non-white/non-Hispanic.

Most examination done has been surround the book-learned performance of homeschooling youngsters. Its not surprising that communities solicit to comprehend if homeschooling measures up to the knowledge kids obtain in public schools. Here is some piece of advice on this theme:

* When homeschooled students took approved tests, their scores were on average 15 to 30 percentile points about that of bodies schooled youth.

* The disagreement over having a mom or a certified teacher train your children was disbarred when this course of general education found that there was no unique in academic performance whether the schoolteacher was endorsed or non authenticated.

Watch your credit card usage and save your money

Large credit card debt results in heavy and continual losses until the debt is paid off, primarily because the interest rates on credit card debt are much higher than normal loans. An individual ends up losing considerably more money paying interest costs than they have actually been spent using the credit card, not to mention the repercussions on credit rating when one fails to make timely payments. These seeming debt traps can actually be used to your advantage if you use a little wisdom and the following tips:

Remembering the high interest rates, transfer you balances to your lowest interest rate credit card, where you may get a 0% or the lowest possible rate for some period of time. During this period of time where you have low or 0% interest, you can attack your other debts that are attracting heavy interest rates. Keep track of other balance transfer offers and be ready to repeat the process towards the end of the period on the first 0% or lowest interest offer. If you don't find another low interest option, pay off as much debt as you can to reduce the loan burden. Because the credit card industry is intensely competitive, you will almost always find 0% or low interest rate offers on the market. Until the credit card debt is paid in full, remember the debt still exists and is a heavy interest rate burden.

Another useful and effective utility to reduce your credit card burden is debt consolidation. Debt consolidation loans carry far lower rates of interest than credit cards. You can make a debt consolidation loan at a much lower interest rate and do away with all the credit card debt, still, make sure your debt consolidation loan repayments are on time so that you credit rating is not impaired further.

One of the best ways of reducing credit card debt is to exercise credit card spending, self restraint. Though this is easier said than done, it is a possible alternative. However, the very best way out of credit card debt is to slice up your cards, then there is no way to incur credit card spending debt and your high credit card interest rate worries will be over for once and for all.

Buying the best clubs for beginners

A new set of clubs for beginners is really not necessary; in fact the higher end clubs can be a hindrance on your game. Golf is unique in the fact that the sport requires a group of instruments, and equipment to play in full. Many sports like baseball or basketball just require a few items that are used by an entire team. Golf being an individual sport this aspect changes into a need for the right set of clubs.

Golf clubs are broken down into sets of complete or incomplete, as well as irons, woods, drivers, putters, wedges, and hybrids. Golf clubs can be purchased in any combination of the above, but typically for beginners it is good to start with the entire set. Also women's clubs are sold as sets, but typically differ from men's clubs in size. Golf clubs in sets typically come with a bag that has stands on it, so it can rest on itself while you are taking your shots. Also golf sets occasionally will come with tops for the heads, as well as towels, umbrellas, and even balls.

Golf club sets can be purchased at a number of places. In order of price, most expensive to least, you can buy clubs at a pro shop; this will be your most expensive option. You can also buy clubs at sporting good stores, or golf specialty stores. For those bargain shoppers you can purchase a full set of clubs at Wal Mart, or even your local thrift store. For the internet shopper's eBay offers a great selection of new and used golf club sets.

The cost for a set of clubs can vary from less than $100 for an entire set, to over $10,000 for the high end clubs. Typically golfers can buy a decent set of clubs for $400 depending on where they are shopping. High end clubs are often bought in singles, thus making it more costly to purchase a set. One driver can cost over $1,000 at a local pro shop.

The term you get what you pay for isn't true in the world of golf clubs. Unlike cars, or computers, typically golf clubs can be beneficial at a low cost. Further, many prefer cheaper clubs, or used clubs, because they offer a more standard weight and grip. Golf clubs are uniquely made out of several different materials, and can vary depending on a user's preference. The cheaper clubs have a level feel to them, and don't offer too much of any one element. If a beginner spends a large amount of money on an ultra light driver, it could be too light for them to learn the basics of their swing, this actually prohibiting them from learning the basics.

Overall it's important to start off with a modest set of clubs until your game advances to levels that call for new clubs. Plus with all the money you save you can buy your significant other a set, and make a date at the course.

Fresh inspirations truths to live by

Copyright 2006 Melissa Galt

I recently spoke in Milwaukee for the Symphony Orchestra’s annual fundraising luncheon and tabletop setting auction. It was a great event, well attended by many patrons of the arts. Milwaukee has a breathtaking new addition to their art museum, a fascinating architectural history, and perhaps the largest collection of clocks on church towers and more, that I have seen. Knowing that they were interested in my heritage, particularly Frank Lloyd Wright, I created a presentation centered on three life truths. I illustrated these with great grandfather’s life, my godmother, and Mother. They are truths we can all benefit from.

Creating a Unique and Original Life In order to lead an original and unique life, we do have to think outside of the box and create our own rules and guidelines for accomplishment. The best among us always have done so, and this is one of the lasting legacies of Frank Lloyd Wright. He never played by the rules, but instead established his own path and despite the many naysayers created architecture well ahead of its time. His designs still serve as an inspiration today. Many said he couldn’t do what he in fact did. They said it wouldn’t work, wouldn’t stand the test of time, and would collapse. While many of his projects do undergo extensive renovation, the innovative concepts presented in such properties as Fallingwater and the S. C. Johnson Wax Plant are timeless and blazed a trail of originality.

The Choices We Make We are each the sum total of the choices we have made to date. If we want a new reality, we have to make new choices. After all, the very definition of insanity is to do the same thing always and expect a different result. When we change our actions, we change our results.

A perfect case in point is my Godmother, Edith Head. At age thirty she was teaching French to an all girls school in California, and because she had studied a semester abroad in Europe the school assumed she could also teach art. She in fact couldn’t draw more than stick figures but took on the task. While looking in the paper one day, she saw a contest for drawing costumes for one of the major movie studios. Borrowing her student’s sketches she entered. And won! When showing up on the first day and being asked to draw, she was found out, but her courage and presumption so captivated the designer that he took her on and the rest is history including 8 Oscars for costume design over a 50-year career.

Life is in the Living Life is in the living, not in the stuff. Stuff more often than not simply weighs us down and stands in our way. In order to move forward, to continue growing and changing, we must let things go. Those elements we keep with us must serve as inspiration and memories, not as baggage. What you bring forward is up to you.

When Mother passed some 20+ years ago now, we each had only a file folder of mementos that she had kept (I have two sisters). This was such a gift rather than what I see so often with clients and hordes of baby clothes, bronzed shoes, elementary school artwork projects most of us would soon forget, broken trophies from days gone by and too much more. Mother saved the best, the things that really counted to her and hence they mattered to us. What better gift. The most significant legacy she left was the memories of times spent together, not the stuff left behind. When you live from your heart and your mind, not by your hand and your purse, you will truly know that it is the connections and relationships that define us, not our possessions. He who dies with the most toys, still dies . . . .

Mortgage choices that you have

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When selecting a mortgage, there are many things to think about and wonder about. For anyone that is looking for a way to secure the best loan for their next or first home, they should weigh all of their options, carefully deciding what the right way to go is. With so many different types of mortgages out there, though, this can be relatively difficult for you to do. Take a moment, then, to find the best way to get your mortgage to fit within your life.

Here are some of the mortgage options that you have and you should carefully consider before purchasing your home.

New Timers: If this is your first home loan, you have the advantage in many ways. First of all, you may qualify for a government backed loan. The FHA loan is a commonly used loan that allows for the lenders to offer better interest rates and lower fees. It can help any new homeowner to actually secure the home that they want even when their credit is not that great. This federal government will help to back these loans for you, giving you more of an option in funding it. Also, there are many benefits offered to first time home buyers throughout the states from various cities. Find out if your city offers any benefits to moving here.

The Down Payment: When it comes to having a down payment or not, many of those that bought homes twenty or more years ago, did so with large down payments. Today, many people are buying them without any. Which is the right way to go? If you do not have the funds set aside for a down payment on your home, you should still consider purchasing one. If you do have the funds to put down on a home, do it. This can greatly reduce the amount of money that will need to be financed which means less interest payments on it as well. Carefully consider the amortization schedules that you can get before signing a mortgage to determine if it is a better choice all around.

VA Loans: If you have served in the armed forces of the US, you may qualify for a VA loan. These will allow an individual to secure a loan with federally backed funds. It can help to lower the cost of the home’s interest rate too. If you are applying for a mortgage with a home lender, make sure to tell them of this status as it can greatly help you.

With so many options, it pays to do your homework. The good news is that there are tools called loan calculators that you can use to help you to see what your monthly payment will be as well as how much your home will end up costing you with various options like these. Use them and see what the best solution for your needs is. This can be done easily and within seconds right on the web. Also, always ask your mortgage lender to inform you of any and all options that you may qualify for with your home loan.

A quick education on title insurance

You are probably familiar with common insurance – automotive insurance, life insurance, health insurance, and homeowner’s insurance. You might even be familiar with certain branches of each kind of insurance, such as the different levels of coverage available for automotive insurance, the different kinds of life insurance policies offered, the regulations that come with some health insurance policies, and whether or not you even need homeowner’s insurance. But are you familiar with title insurance? If not, read on for a quick education on title insurance policies.

Title insurance, most commonly, is an insurance policy that is purchased to protect the owner and the property – usually land – from claims against the ownership of the property. In other words, title insurance will protect you in the event that someone claims you don’t own property that you do, in fact, own.

Depending on the specific title insurance policy, you can be compensated for all procedures involved in proving your ownership of the property. Such procedures include hiring an attorney as defense and court proceedings. Depending on the specific title insurance policy, a title insurance policy will pay for the fees related to such procedures, and reimburse you for the money spent in the event that you win the case.

Having a title insurance policy is important because at anytime someone may show up at your door claiming to have rights to your property. Since property such as land is not something that deteriorates and just disappears or finds a new home in a junkyard, there are most likely people who have had some business with your land property at one time or another.

When you purchase your property, you may actually be purchasing land that others have certain rights to. In other words, you may not be getting a clear title. If this happens to you – if someone claims to have certain rights to your property – a title insurance policy will come in handy.

Indigo crystal phenomena add adhd children

Who are these Indigo and Crystal Children? Am I one? How can I help my own child who seems to be one?

There are many things that we can do to help these new breed of children, but the most important thing to know is that the Indigo/Crystal phenomenon is the next big step in our human evolution. We all are, in some way or another, becoming more like the Indigo and Crystal people. The more one chooses to consciously work towards change, the faster the results will be for that individual. This new breed of children (which truly isn’t all that new, just massive amounts now) have come to show us the way as we have forgotten. They are our mirrors. Which simply means they mirror what is inside of us, all that needs to change in order to evolve or raise our consciousness. They have come here to help change the vibrations of our lives and to create peace, balance and harmony.

Therefore, the Indigos have emerged to knock down the old outdated systems! They are warriors and they are on a mission! They create chaos everywhere they go. They can sense dishonesty a mile away and are unable to conform to dysfunctional situations within their homes, schools and work places. Gone are the days of threatening “wait till your father gets home,” or “you’ll be suspended,” the Indigos don’t care! They have inner-lie detectors and will not be manipulated nor fall for hidden agendas. They are very head strong and do not like to be told what to do, nor do they want to do it your way. If we do not break out of our old control habits, threat habits or any other destructive behaviour, they will show us that we must learn new methods in order for peace to prevail! This is done through heart connections, with love. They simply do not have the ability to disassociate from their feelings and pretend that everything is okay. They respond the best to all situations when they are treated like a respected adult. If we are acting childish in a manipulating, hurtful way, they will mirror back to us our own behaviour. This causes more frustration within ourself than it does within them! Their goal is for US to change, not them. Their horns toot “Treat others as you would want to be treated!” They are not shy in letting you know exactly what they need. Watch them. They have no hidden agenda. They are our teachers!

The Indigos are creating chaos with the end result being a peaceful, loving world. Many, but not all Indigos are labeled by the medical world as Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder or more commonly known as ADD/ADHD because they can’t be still, they can’t focus, they bore easily, they are impulsive and they do things super fast. Giving them medication is not the answer! That is once again a control factor not to mention all the detrimental health problems including death that occurs from these types of medications. Indigo and Crystal children are extremely intelligent and need their minds stimulated with things they enjoy to do. They have amazing memories and are gifted souls with an evolved consciousness. They need to be taught in a different way, through subjects they love that stimulate their whole beings! We are moving beyond the mind and into the heart. These Indigo children will not conform to the old ritual text book teachings. This system is old and needs to be replaced. They are trying to show the teachers of the school systems that they need a new way of learning. This is beginning to happen.

How can you tell if you are an Indigo? A good way to “test” yourself is to answer the following:

- Are you always searching for your greater purpose in life but feel like the world isn’t set up for your kind?

- Do you feel wise beyond your years?

- Do you have trouble conforming to the ways of society?

- Do you feel out of place in today’s world?

- Do you perceive the world very differently than most people around you?

- Do you have strong intuition about certain things that most others do not?

- Do you often feel misunderstood when you try to talk to people about what’s real?

- Do you feel like you were born to accomplish a special mission in life?

- Do you feel isolated and alone in your beliefs?

- Misunderstood by family? Perhaps the black sheep of the family?

- Do you feel anti-social unless you are with people of like mind?

- Are you emotionally sensitive?

- Did you have a difficult childhood?

- Do you often feel disempowered by too much authority?

If you can answer yes to these questions, then you are most likely an Indigo. If you want outside validation than you may want to find a person who has honed the gift of clairvoyance, the gift of seeing what most people do not. The clairvoyant person while looking at you or tuning into your energy field, will be able to tell if you are Indigo or not by the colour of your aura which is the invisible energy field surrounding your physical body. You can also have an aura photo taken to see for yourself your own colours.

So what can I do to help my child?

Through my own experience, I have learnt that it is extremely important to have harmonious energy within our environments, to stay grounded and keep shielded. I believe if this small piece of advice hit mainstream schools it would make a huge difference in all the kids temperaments! I am an Indigo/Crystal and a single mom or four Indigo/Crystal children and know first hand that if the energy within our home is ‘off’ the children are wild! They will be much more aggressive towards one another, more fighting, crying and very restless. They have more temper tantrums and mood swings and refuse any kind of authority! When the home is energetically balanced, they are much more relaxed, calm, gentle and peaceful. Ahh, normal kids!

Leaving our energetically balanced, sacred space to go out into public places, un-protected is a living nightmare! The change within my children’s temperament is like watching Jekyll and Hyde! Onlookers or unaware people would perceive this to be children that are wild or have had way too much sugar or more commonly “the mother has no control.” My oldest child especially is affected. He’s ten and has been diagnosed as ‘ADHD.’ When we finally get back inside our vehicle and start the drive home, they all will have begun to calm down. (I have adjusted the energy of our vehicle to be harmonious as well.) Not long after we have entered our house, usually they have begun to ‘crash’. It’s similar to a sugar high, they are at their peak of explosion in public because of the denser energies and when they get back into their own frequency they start to burn out because of the chaos their bodies have experienced! Talk about detrimental to their health. I have provided a list of things below that work wonderfully well for us in creating our sacred environment and other things to empower my Indigo/Crystal Kids.

- BREATHE! Breathing moves energy. When they are frustrated, scared, hyper, etc. ask them to Stop and Breathe deeply. Inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth. Tell them to really exert the out blow, like blowing out your anger! Make it fun and do it with them.

- Smudge your home to help clear the distracting vibrations. This needs to be done immediately after a blow up of any sort and on a regular basis. Make it part of your house cleaning routine! I smudge a lot, sometimes daily depending upon what the kids have picked up from school. This truly makes an amazing difference!

- Staying ‘Grounded’ is very important. There are many methods of how this is done. I personally like something that is fast and easy to do. Intention and visualizing are quick easy methods and can be done in a second at anytime, without anyone even noticing! The first thing I do is ask Gaia (Mother Earth) her permission for my grounding cord to enter the core of her being. Then I visualize a clear cord or clear rope coming from my root chakra (tail bone area) and entering Gaia. It grows in length, and continues to grow until it has been fully anchored into the core of Gaia. This grounding cord releases negative energy and also brings in positive energy. Set your intention to send all the negative energy down this cord, physically exhale, releasing it into Gaia. After the negative energy has all been released, with intention bring up the positive life-giving earth energy with a physical inhale. Thank Gaia and do not worry that this will hurt her, it doesn’t! Have your kids make a monkey chain cord. It’s the intention that works!

- Staying ‘Shielded’ is also very important. Indigos and Crystals are extremely sensitive. Their highly tuned energy fields pick up negative emotions and environmental energy from their surroundings like a sponge which cause severe mood swings. Imagine being in a room where there are four depressed people, three angry people and the room itself has not been energetically cleared from all the emotional yuck for years! The Indigo unknowingly will pick up all this energy and take it on as their own! And people wonder why they are labeled as ADHD! Teach them to create and surround themselves with the “bubble of white light” protection every morning! This repels the negative energy around them but allows the positive energy to enter. The bubble would look like a soap bubble with them inside of it.

- EXERCISE. It is important for exercise to remain a part of all of our lives, but this also helps the Indigo/Crystal Children to rid themselves of excess energy as their nervous systems are wired differently than others. Excellent exercise outlets to release what they are holding in their emotional, mental, physical and spiritual bodies are: Martial Arts, Yoga, Karate, Tai-Chi, Dance Classes, Running, Skipping, Gymnastics: Anything they love that gets them moving!

- Bring nature indoors. Lots of beautiful plants, rocks, crystals, waterfalls, aquariums etc.

- A quiet space with no electrical equipment in the room. This is a room for them to just BE. Do whatever they love to do in their quiet time. Be it art work, read, puzzles, lego blocks, etc.

- Nightly baths in sea salt. Be sure to drink extra water as this pulls toxins from the physical body and also clears negative energies from the energetic body.

- Put sea salt on their names with their permission. The salt pulls out all the negative energies that no longer serve them. Let this sit for 24 hours, then dump the salt into the toilet.

- The removal of all artificial scents is a must! Use only the highest quality oils and unscented beeswax candles.

- Play dolphin, orca, and angelic relaxing music. Screaming chaotic music is only going to disturb their energy.

- Keep all electrical stuff out of their bedrooms. They simply can’t tolerate the very dangerous electromagnetic waves these devices send out. This will help them sleep deeply and peacefully.

- Be honest with them at all times with no manipulation about all things, toning it down to their age level. If you don’t you will have a war on your hands!

- Reiki Energy Healing, Sound Healing, and other alternative healing methods are recommended for healing, balancing, rejuvenating and empowering not just Indigos but all of us!

We are moving into a wonderful new world where peace will reside! That’s a beautiful thing.

Choosing rc vehicles

Radio controlled cars or otherwise known as RC cars are powered model cars that are operated by a control system that sends signals to the car’s transmitter via its onboard receiver. There is a wide range of radio controlled cars and it’s classified according to how it works; be it a simple “toy” or a racing model, most people have interests on these toys since many find assembling, building and even driving RC cars a great hobby.

Starting this kind of hobby isn’t easy, but not difficult either. Many beginners become easily absorbed by this type of hobby since there are a lot of options to choose from and assembling needed. The components of building an RC car develops from thinking over what a person really wants to have, comparisons and evaluation from other RC cars already built. Although the parts are available, the selection varies by size and type, so this area here needs to be spent on long periods for thinking.

Aside from the components of an RC car, there are the different types available; depending on what is suitable or rather, preferred by the owner. A choice between an electric powered or nitro cars have to be made, but then again, it all depends on what the RC car is going to be for. What’s good about electric powered cars is that their powerful electric motors are rechargeable and they tend to run quieter. As for the nitro ones, we all know that it tends to run loudly, caused by the combustion engines for nitromethane, methanol and oil fuel but runs with overwhelming speed.

Don’t forget the choice between off-road and on-road vehicles. Adventurous racers could opt for off-road cars while the ones that prefer a smooth ride can have on-road vehicles. Either way, both choices are great if especially enhanced by the owner.

And last but not the least; the size of the RC car needs to be thought of at this point. Vehicles that are of 1/10th scale are the popular ones but there are even larger ones on a 1/8th scale. Minis and micros are also available. Plus, the fun part is this, if you don’t want to limit your RC vehicle to cars, you can choose from having trucks, planes to boats for your RC collection.

Get the benefits of good value auto insurance

Tip 1: - Try and increase your 'excess' or 'deductibles'. The excess is normally the amount you pay for a claim before your insurance makes the contribution. Since most of us do not claim all deductions due to insurance premium escalation, it is wiser to keep the deductible at the lowest, most comfortable level. For example, if you increase your collision deductible from say Ј200 to Ј500, you will end up saving 15% to 30% on your annual auto insurance premium.

Tip 2: - While filling out your auto insurance application, always drop the collision coverage. Collision coverage covers the cost of repairing damage done to your car regardless of who was at fault. In the event that you drive an older car, always consider dropping collision coverage if your premium works out to more than 10% of the car's value.

Tip 3: - There are certain special discounts available on auto insurance, especially if you have a security alarm, anti-lock brakes or air bags installed in your car. Avail of them, by informing the insurance company that your car has these features.

Tip 4: - Avail of any 'good driver' discounts on your auto insurance premiums if you have been a good driver and been accident and ticket free for the past few years.

Tip 5: - Never opt for an auto insurance company that has a bad record in paying out claims. Although they can afford to offer lower premiums, your money is going down the drain, if you cannot claim when you need the coverage the most.

A reputable and financially stable insurance carrier will make sure your claim is handled quickly and that your claim is paid on time. Check out the reputations of your carrier at www. ambest. com. The site will also help you check on the financial strength of your company. Don't forget to ask your agent about the stability of the company before placing your coverage.

The advantages with online poker tools

Online Poker Tools are extemely valuable for online poker players. they could assist you in keeping track of every aspect of the current game you are in, calculates all the odds and outs and your winning chances in every situation and tells you exactly what move that is the best to do. You can use them to run reports, show statistics, display information about your game by saving your hand histories in a database. You can analyse every aspect of your and your opponets game and get invaluable insigths into your opponents strenghts and weaknesses and even your own so you know exactly what aspects of your own game you must improve and exactly how to beat your opponents. Those are the most important ways Online Poker Tools may provide help to online poker players.

There are a lot of online poker tools avalible on the market today but not all of them are good so here is a quick review of the online poker tools that are generally considered the best and what features they have.

Texas Calcualtem - Online Poker Calcuator

Texas calculatem is the best selling online poker calculator on the market and has around 25000 users. It keeps track of all the cars at the table and instantly calculates your winning chance, odds and out and depending on the results of it's calculations give you straight forward advice about what you should do, i. e fold, check, call or raise. Since it lack pot odds features it is most suitable for fixed limit holdem.

Calculatem Pro - Online Poker Calculator

This Online Poker Calculator is perfect for both fixed limit and no-limit texas holdem poker. It is Texas Caclulatems big brother and has pot odds calcuation and the unique feature that it shows your winning chance on both the next card and to the river. It has a very sleek and nice looking interface that gives you all the information you need in a clear and consisce manner.

Holdem Genius - Online Poker Calculator

This is a Online Poker Calculator that has this innovative feature of displaying the most important information about your winning chance and the best move to make right in the middle of your poker table. It is very suitable for online poker players that play multiple tables at once and dont have place for displaying the whole poker calculator on the screen, since it dont take up any place at all when you choos to only use the inline display. When multi tabling thing ususally happes so quick that every second count and then it is nice to have the most important information for that particular table righ in the middle of it.

Sit And Go Shark - Online Poker Trainer

This is a one-of-a-kind online poker calculator because it is tailor made to give advice only for no-limit holdem sit and go tournaments. This tool does much more that just keep track of your matematical winning chance and calculate your odds and outs. It also has an very extensive database of advice for all possible situations that can appear in a sit and go, and depending on the combination of the seven most importans factors in sit and gos it gives you the best possible advice.

Poker Office - Online Poker Tracker

This is one of the most well designed an complete Online Poker Tools. It has so many features that I could not possibly cover them all in this article, but the most important ones are its ability to automatically track every move you and your opponets make at the table, import old hand histories, categorize players in real time so you see what type of player you are up against so you can adjust your play accordingly and you can also analyse both your and your opponents game whenever you want since it stores all statistics in a database on your computer. Once you are not a beginner anymore and have moved up to intermediate level this tool can be very usefull in combination with an online poker calculator, that way you get all the information you need on both the mathematical and human aspect of the game.

In summary you can say that online poker tools are almost indespensable for todays fast paced online poker environment. They keep track of all the important statistics and calculates all the important numbers for you instantly.

About winter sports travel insurance

As the days grow shorter and summer becomes a memory, many of us will be turning our thoughts towards planning a winter vacation, especially one involving winter sports such as skiing. Travel insurance is an often overlooked part of holiday planning, but if you plan on taking part in sporting activites then it really is essential.

A normal travel insurance policy will probably not be up to the standard you need for winter sports, and if things go wrong you could be left facing a huge bill. So what features should you be looking for in a policy?

- Injury Cover

No matter how accomplished a skiier you are, hurtling down a mountain is always going to be more risky than simply lying on a beach working on a tan. And if you do have an accident, a mountainside isn't the easiest place for medical services to reach. If you're unlucky enough to need a mountain rescue or airlift to hospital, you'll be facing a bill running into the thousands even before you get medical attention. This sort of expense is likely to be specifically excluded on a standard insurance policy, but will be an integral part of almost any winter sports cover.

- Equipment

Most winter sports require expensive equipment, and where there are valuables there's always the chance of theft. Your insurance should provide enough cover to fully replace your equipment with brand new items if necessary, right there at the resort. Even if you plan to hire your equipment, the hire company will probably require insurance - and your own policy is likely to be cheaper than the standard one they'll try to sell you.

- Liability

Even the best skiiers or snowboarders can be involved in an accident in which someone else gets injured. Whether or not an accident is your fault, you could end up being taken to court and this is usually a long and expensive process. A decent insurance policy will cover costs from any legal proceedings and / or compensation payments.

- Closure of Piste

If bad weather (or warm weather!) means that the pistes are closed and you can't ski, your policy should pay you compensation to cover the costs of any pre-booked lessons or lift fees, and many will even include a payment simply to cover the inconvenience of not being able to ski.

- Off Piste

A final point to note is that a standard winter sports policy will probably only cover you for accidents that occur when skiing on designated pistes. If you plan to go off-piste, then make sure your insurance will cover this - you'll probably have to pay a supplement.

As with most kinds of insurance, paying out for travel insurance can seem like a waste of money. However, if you find yourself caught up in an accident on the mountainside then the costs involved can be truly frightening and you'll be glad you took the time to arrange adequate cover in advance!

The basics of overclocking your cpu

In this article I'm going to explain the basics of overclocking your CPU and what you need to look out for.

I understand how difficult is to overclock especially the CPU. Overclocking the CPU is riddled with jargon so if you don't understand the nerdy terms you could be really be putting your PC in danger.

This is because your effectively speeding your CPU beyond the manufacturers specifications. And although you'll get a ton of performance from your PC and your games will play smoother, your CPU is under more stress due the extra heat that the CPU will generate.

So what are the terms you look out for when you go into your Bios? Well first of all you want to find your FSB. FSB stands for Font Side Bus and this is where the majority of you will be overclocking your CPU from. There is another way of overclocking your CPU but this option is only available to the top of the range CPU and these ones can cost of excess of Ј1000! This way of overclocking is by using the Multiplier.

But to me opting for a $1000 CPU tends to defeat the point overclocking. Anyway, once you've found your FSB option, there should be a 3 digit number next to it. All you do is simply move the number up another ten points and no more.

The reason why you move it no more than that is you don't want to damage your PC. So take little steps when overclocking your CPU. Once you done that, save and quit from bios and head into Windows.

You now want to run at benchmark, I would recommend on using 3DMark 05 or 06. There is others but these are the ones I personally use. Now simply run the benchmark and you should notice that you have a higher score than what you did before you overclocked your CPU! And that is the basics of overclocking!!!

Creative christmas gift ideas

In less than 4 four months, Christmas will be here again so people will be giving gifts and wishing each other happy holidays. It is sometimes hard thinking about what to get especially if the loved one has almost everything that money can buy.

Instead of getting something from a store that is done every year, the person can try something different like giving something more personal which the receiver will get to appreciate more.

Here are some ideas that will surely make the act of gift giving merry this year.

1. The first will be to buy a plain shirt and then add some print on it. The individual can buy the design from a specialty store and then use silkscreen and paint to finish it.

2. Another idea will be to have a bath towel monogrammed with the person’s initials. This is something that the individual cannot do alone but a specialist can do it at a reasonable price.

3. If the person loves to cook or bake, this talent can be used and given to friends as a gift. After all, this is the season to be jolly to make brownies, food for the Gods and other pastries. The individual will just have to have to buy boxes so these can be placed inside once it comes out of the oven.

4. The individual can also host a Christmas party at home. Those in the neighborhood and people at work can be invited to be able to enjoy the dishes and pastries prepared for this special occasion.

5. Some stores offer a coupon book that is given for free after purchasing a certain amount. Since this is the season of giving, the individual can make the same thing and offer it to friends and family.

6. For those in the neighborhood, the person can organize the people to go caroling and spread the Christmas cheer.

7. If the person doesn’t want to spend and just give it to people in need, there is always setting up a fund to buy food and clothing for those who live in the shelter. This idea may be different but those who don’t have much also deserve to have a merry Christmas.

A coupon could contain things such as a simple hug or a free ride instead of letting the loved one commute or drive to work.

The ideas mentioned just show that people can enjoy the Christmas season without spending too much.

Germs in the kitchen

Every day you see television commercials for the latest germ-killing products on the market. Companies are constantly reminding you of the pesky, persistent bacteria that apparently attacks your home throughout the day. It's remarkable that something so small, that you can only see with it a microscope, can be so harmful! But germs are real. However, you have to know what they are exactly to truly combat them. Here's a guide to germs and how you can keep them out of your kitchen in particular.

Bathrooms have a bad reputation for hosting threatening germs, but this reputation is not really earned. Kitchens are where the majority of germs in your house are located. And that's why it's so important not to ignore them. It's easy to forget that the invisible little buggers are lurking behind every corner, but if you do, they will certainly make your life a lot tougher.

The reason you can kill a germ, is because it is indeed a living organism! There are four kinds of germs: bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. Many germs may invade plants, animals and humans temporarily and with little consequence, and some germs are even good! For example, there is bacteria in out intestines that help us digest our food. Also, doctors are able to engineer medicines and vaccines with the help of bacteria. But for the most part, if germs decide to hang their hat in your body, they will try to take over. Ever been stuck in bed with the flu? If you answered “yes,” then you were infected by a virus. Or maybe you've had an ear infection! The culprit was bacteria in that case. Germs consume your much-needed energy and nutrients and produce nasty toxins; toxins that cause those classic symptoms of sickness, like sore throat and coughing. So germs, for the most part, are not our friends.

They are everywhere though. And in places where you store food, like the kitchen, this can be a unique problem.

The best way to prevent germs from invading your body is to simply wash your hands often. Germs are typically transferred from person to person. If someone coughs on your or even just touches you, those nettlesome germs may hop from them to you. This is why door knobs and other objects that people commonly touch are especially germ-ridden. By simply washing your hands with soap often, however, you can kill germs before they have a chance to make you sick. If you've just pet your dog or coughed, then you are more vulnerable to germs, so wash your hands. It's as plain as that.

So, in the kitchen, the same rule applies. Remember to wash your hands often and always before you prepare food. However, there's a bit more you can do than that. Here are some steps you can take to keeping your kitchen nice and clean, so that those malicious germs don't stand a chance.

Fortunately, you don't have to be a neat freak to create a healthy environment for your family. In addition to washing your hands frequently (with soap and warm water), you can use the following tips to ensure those germs die young.

Your counters and sink are a breeding ground for germs. Because your hands, food, utensils, rags, etc, will all grace the counter tops and the sink, you have to keep them clean. Don't cry over spilled milk. Just clean it up immediately!

What you use to clean the counters and sink is not as important as you might think. A sponge or rag or a one-time wipe will all work perfectly. The key is to keep them clean too! Throw that sponge or rag in the washer often. You can also soak your dishcloths in warm, soapy water when they're not being used. The worst thing you can do is clean up your kitchen with a dirty dishcloth. This is why those throwaway disinfectants can be really advantageous! (Always use disinfectant sprays, as well, to go along with your other cleaning supplies.) Remember that warm water and soap are a germ's enemies.

Moreover, be wary of cutting boards. The nooks and crannies in your home are commonly invaded by germs, until they can find a better, living host. When you use a cutting board, you will likely make small dents into it with your knife, and these small crevices lure germs. So make sure that you scrub your cutting board hard after every single use.

Obviously you want your dishes to be spic and span. Thankfully, we have dishwashers these days that do the trick. It can never hurt to give the dishes a little rub with a clean dishcloth before putting them away in the dishwasher however.

Another surprising piece of advice is that paper towels and cups are better than the alternative. You may want to dry off your hands with that cloth towel or drink from that glass. However, sharing hand towels and drinking glasses is the first thing germs want you to do! Why not buy some cheap dispensable paper cups to keep around the kitchen and invest in paper towels? It's a really simple way to prevent those germs from traveling.

Also keep in mind that a room where food and water are common, you have to be extra careful. Damp areas can produce fungi and food that's left out too long will encourage the growth of bacteria.

So, instead of fretting about how clean your toilet bowl is or wiping that sponge over your counter top 20 times in a row, just take into consideration these tips and your kitchen will be less inviting for those ugly germs. Yes, you probably will come down with a cold every once in a while, but you certainly can be on the offense more often than not if you know where to find and kill those germs!

Forgiving in relationships

In real life, law rarely forgives any wrong act. In most of the countries law is clear about punishment. We still hear a lot about forgiving in personal relationships. We are told to forgive the major blunders. We are asked to forgive and forget and continue living as if nothing happened. Does that work? To some extent yes, and to some extent no.

Most of us who have been hurt in relationship do not wish to forgive at all. The result is that we suffer from the pain all our life. We are advised to forgive so that at least we can feel peaceful. If we do not forgive, our own peace is lost forever and we suffer. Forgiveness is for us. To forgive does not always mean that the abuser can continue with the same behavior. You need not tell the abuser that you have forgiven him/her. Let them suffer for what they did. But by forgiving in your own mind, you get peace.

Relationship after forgiving - the relationship can never continue at the same level and intensity after any mistake has been made. No amount of forgiveness can ever bring the relation back.

Bringing relationship back - I have said earlier that no relationship will return to the same old level after a major mistake has been committed. This is true. But what if the partners want to bring it back to the old level? How should they proceed? In this case, the abuser should ask for forgiveness again and again. Only after the victim is satisfied, the forgiveness can become effective to the extent that relationship comes back to normal.

Pellet-stove-fireplace-24

Pellet Stove Fireplace

Last winter as I was griping about my heating bill, I saw an advertisement on television for a pellet stove fireplace. I had never heard of these before, and I was quite intrigued by the idea. These stoves use small pellets to heat your home, and apparently do so very effectively. If I were to believe the ads, it would seem that one medium-sized pellet stove would heat my entire apartment for under $500 a season. Considering that I spend almost that much a month on natural gas, it sure seemed like a good idea.

I never got a pellet stove fireplace, and that is because I am a renter. I am not sure how my landlord would have felt about it, but I did not even bother to ask her. I was not going to spend a lot of money on a pellet stove fireplace only to move out a few months later. I know that I could have taken the stove with me, but it may not have been something I wanted to use in a new place. All I know is that I wish she would have had the idea to buy a pellet stove fireplace so that are natural gas bill would be cut down to almost nothing. I would have no problem buying the pellets when I needed them if it saved me that much money on my winter heating bill.

For the most part, a pellet stove fireplace can be installed in almost any home. They say that they do not need any ventilation, but I cannot imagine that this is the truth. Because the pellets are burned within a pellet stove fireplace, you can assume that there will be some sort of exhaust needed. It should be simple enough to install however, as a contractor can probably do this for you rather cheaply. From what I have heard, you can find out if you need to buy one, two, or three different stoves to heat your home by figuring out your square footage. I have a two-bedroom apartment, and it would seem that I would only need one pellet fireplace to heat the entire place completely.

If you want to get a pellet stove fireplace, make sure you look into the details before you buy. If you are a renter, you will need to discuss this with your landlord. Also remember that you will have to be able to buy the pellets in order to heat your home. In some cases, some communities have run out of pellets rather quickly. I remember last year when I first heard about the pellet stove fireplace that there was a report on the news that all local suppliers were out. Perhaps they were so popular that the supply did not keep up with the demand.

Pay off your debt in just a few years

Are you tired of watching your debt grow month after month? Do you realize how much you are paying in interest over the years to the companies you have credit cards with? We’ve all done it and sometimes it feels like there’s just no way out of the credit trap. I’ll share how you can start paying off your debt rather quickly by taking small steps and sticking with the plan.

You can start out with as little as $20 per week, but I suggest you do you best to come up with $200 a month extra to pay off your debt. You will see results much faster that way. In a couple of weeks we’ll talk more about simple ways to come up with a few hundred extra dollars per month, but for now start with whatever amount you can afford. The important thing is to get started.

Take out a sheet of paper and list all your current debt on there including

- Credit Cards

- Store Credits

- Furniture bought on buy now pay later

- Car Loans

- Student Loans

- Mortgage

Now jot down how much you owe on each and how much interest you pay. Your highest interest debt is probably going to be one of your credit cards. That’s where we will start.

You are already making at least minimum payments to pay each of these debts off. I want you to take that $200 and add it to your regular payment toward your highest interest credit card. Let’s say you’ve been paying $50 each month toward it so far. Now you are going to pay $250 each month – until it is paid off.

Here’s where it gets interesting…

Once your first card is paid off, take the entire $250 and add it to what you are already paying on your second card. Let’s say you’ve been paying $100 so far. You would now be paying $350. Once that card is paid off you take the $350 and apply it towards paying off your next debt. Let’s say your next debt is your $200 car payment.

How fast do you think you can pay your car off by adding an extra $350 a month? And then you will have an extra $550 a month that could go towards paying off your student loans or your mortgage.

Can you see how once you get the ball rolling the debt starts getting paid off rather quickly?

What is a stair lift

By Flemming Andersen

A stair lift is something that more and more people are getting put in their homes. This is going to help people who cannot get around like they once did and it will allow them the freedom to live in their own homes on their own.

A stair lift can be used in just about any home. They are special chairs that are put on the wall where your staircase is in your home. This chair has a motor attached to it that will lift a person up and down the stairs. This is some thing that will come in very handy for anyone that has a hard time going up or down stairs. You simply sit in the chair and the stair lift will gently take you up and down.

Most of the elderly people that live alone in a two-story home rely on a stair lift to help them go up and down their stairs safely. For one reason or another, these people are not supposed to or cannot go up and down stairs on their own. With a stair, lift the elderly people who have this problem will feel more independent and free to do the things that they have always done on their own.

Many stair lift companies will install the lifts in elderly or handicap people’s home. It is important to have a stair lift installed by a company that has a good reputation in this type of work. It is important to have a proper installation for the stair lift. You have to make sure that it is installed properly because you have to make sure that you able to go up and down safely. There is no need for anyone to get hurt on a stair lift.

A stair lift is not a toy. It is defiantly not something that should be used by children on their own. You should not have young children playing on the stair lift. These things should only be used for people that really need them. Someone can get hurt if they are not careful and do not use the stair lift in the correct way.

A stair lift is something that any person that has a disability or handicap so that they will not have to move out of their home. Everyone deserves to have a sense of freedom and be independent. It is so important for these people to have the ability to do the same things that they always have. With a stair lift, you can still do these things.

For more info visit: http://www. stairliftsite. biz

Buy-furniture-24

buy furniture

There is a lot to think about when someone wants to buy furniture. Most people have to take cost into consideration first, but even if they don’t have a lot to spend they can still find good stuff for a great price. It might take some looking around, but the deals are out there. It might not seem like it when you see advertisements for 3000 dollar bedroom sets, but there is no need to spend that much if a person does not have that much in their furniture budget. Even the big, pricier stores have deals just waiting for the right person to find them.

Almost every single place out there to buy furniture has a section of the store with things that might be much cheaper. This section is usually where someone might find the pieces that are irregular for some reason, or have been returned or never picked up from someone who has placed an order. The trick is to see what is irregular about something and to decide if that is something that is acceptable. When you buy furniture this way, you can get great stuff for a great price, and quite often the irregularity is something that is so small it would never be noticed. The stores can’t sell them at full price, even if a seam is off by half an inch or something equally small.

No matter where someone might go to buy furniture, it is always a good idea to have someone along for the ride. It is possible to bring down the price of something, though this is not a given like it is in a place where cars are bought. There are times when it can happen though, and if someone finds something wrong with an item, they might be able to talk down the price. It is always nice to have someone along so that they can lend an extra eye to things and to even help with the tough decisions.

The best time to buy furniture is often in the spring, though many stores have sales all throughout the year. This is when a lot of people are getting their tax returns, and the furniture stores know it. They also know that this is when people are sick of being inside and they are looking for a change. This change just might include new furniture. This is when I seem to notice the most sales in my area, and I would guess it would be the same almost anywhere else.

Why radio won t play indie music

One Reason Why Radio Won't Play Indie Music

And What You Can Do About It

by Jeronimo Black

As I clicked on a popular music business forum, I was greeted with a question. "Why won't commercial radio play music by Indie Artists?"

My reply to this person was as follows:

"As a former Operations Manager and Music Director on both the Comm and Non-Comm sides, Let me break the reason down for you.

Commercial Radio needs ratings to get paid from advertisers. Most advertiser's, on radio, are ad agencies. Ad agencies base their "buys" (sponsorships) on a Cost per point ("CPP") basis. CPP is based on how many thousands of listeners a radio station can capture in a 15 minute period (or cume).

Many commercial radio [Program and Music] don't want to put thier ratings at risk, by airing an 'untested song' on the air. So what these commercial radio directors do, is, air music based on the national charts provided by Radio and Records, Broadcast Data Systems (BDS) and Billboard.

These charts are mainly influenced by the major labels via promotions and strategic alliances.

Your best best is to do like Knarles Barkley. Knarles Barkleys' single "Crazy" went #1 on the internet and radio couldn't help but to get them the single on the air.

Get your music on music submission sites, make some noise on the net, and get a CDBaby. com account so you can get your music on iTunes and start promoting."

I suggested this because the music business is going digital. Clear Channel has a partnership with GarageBand. com where they will feature a certain amount of new artists every week in on their website. Since Clear Channel is the biggest and most innovative broadcaster in the music business, it's just a matter of time before the other cowardly copy-cat broadcasters will follow suit.

The world is going digital, while radio continutes to operate using an analog business model. You can be successful in the music business if you change your marketing model from analog to digital.

A brain teaser called sudoku puzzles

Sudoku Puzzles are brain teasers that have also been called wordless crossword puzzles. Sudoku Puzzles are often solved through lateral thinking and have been making a large impact all across the world.

Also known as Number Place, Sudoku puzzles are actually logic-based placement puzzles. The object of the game is to enter a numerical digit from 1 through 9 in each cell that is found on a 9 x 9 grid which is sundivided into 3 x 3 subgrids or regions. Several digits are often given in some cells. These are referred as givens. Ideally, at the end of the game, every row, column, and region must contain only one instance of each numeral from 1 through 9. Patience and logic are two qualities needed in order to complete the game.

Number puzzles very much similar to the Sudoku Puzzles have already been in existence and have found publication in many newspapers for over a century now. For instance, Le Siecle, a daily newspaper based in France, featured, as early as 1892, a 9x9 grid with 3x3 sub-squares, but used only double-digit numbers instead of the current 1-9. Another French newspaper, La France, created a puzzle in 1895 that utilized the numbers 1-9 but had no 3x3 sub-squares, but the solution does carry 1-9 in each of the 3 x 3 areas where the sub-squares would be. These puzzles were regular features in several other newspapers, including L'Echo de Paris for about a decade, but it unfortunately disappeared with the advent of the first world war.

Howard Garns, a 74-year-old retired architect and freelance puzzle constructor, was considered the designer of the modern Sudoku Puzzles. His design was first published in 1979 in New York by Dell, through its magazine Dell Pencil Puzzles and Word Games under the heading Number Place. Garns' creation was most likely inspired by the Latin square invention of Leonhard Euler, with a few modifications, basically, with the addition of a regional restriction and the presentation of the game as a puzzle, providing a partially-complete grid and requiring the solver to fill in the empty cells.

Sudoku Puzzles were then taken to Japan by the puzzle publishing company Nikoli. It introduced the game in its paper Monthly Nikoli sometime in April 1984. Nikoli president Maki Kaji gave it the name Sudoku, a name that the company holds trademark rights over; other Japanese publications which featured the puzzle have to settle for alternative names.

In 1989, Sudoku Puzzles entered the video games arena when it was published as DigitHunt on the Commodore 64. It was introduced by Loadstar/Softdisk Publishing. Since then, other computerized versions of the Sudoku Puzzles have been developed. For instance, Yoshimitsu Kanai made several computerized puzzle generator of the game under the name Single Number for the Apple Macintosh in 1995 both in English and in Japanese language; for the Palm (PDA) in 1996; and for Mac OS X in 2005.

I ve been boxerized

In my life I’ve had many different dogs. I have loved each and every one of them dearly, but had never found the “perfect” breed. I wanted a dog that was good with children yet also a good watchdog. I did some research and found the Boxer to be just what I was looking for. I am now owned by two white Boxers; Murphy and Rico. They are as different as night and day. They both love to play and run around, but while one is fiercely protective, the other, well, she couldn’t care less!

Boxers absolutely love their humans. They greet you with full body wiggles and a ton of kisses. They do think of themselves as lap dogs. Boxers will lean against you, commonly known as, you guessed it, the “Boxer lean”. They put their whole weight into it!

Boxers are extremely active and need exercise on a daily basis. They tend to be quite stubborn and can be hard to train. I strongly recommend obedience classes. But they are also very eager to please. Boxers tend to drool, so this would probably not be a good breed for a neat freak.

White Boxers cannot be shown at AKC shows, nor can they be AKC registered. They should not be bred. While the white Boxer is the same as any other Boxer, they are prone to sunburn and skin problems due to their lack of pigmentation. White Boxers are also prone to hearing loss and deafness. A responsible breeder will many times have you sign a contract that the puppy will be spayed or neutered.

Many people think that the white Boxer is a rare and unique dog; a novelty. The flavor of the month, so to speak. Some breeders will take advantage of that and charge more money. The truth is, a good breeder only has the dog’s best interests at heart. He or she will place the white Boxer in a good home at no or minimal charge to the buyer.

The Boxer is bold, courageous and protective yet peaceable, enthusiastic and good-natured. The Boxer excels in obedience programs, therapy work, agility competition, as well as being excellent watchdogs. Boxers are very mischievous and are inclined to misbehave if they do not have proper training. The Boxer owner must be willing to spend a lot of time and effort to ensure a healthy, well-behaved dog.

You should choose an outgoing, playful puppy. You do not want a timid, shy puppy, or one who is aggressive. Look at the puppy’s surroundings. If the environment is unsanitary, you probably don’t want a puppy from there! A healthy puppy should have a clean, soft coat. The ears should be clean and pink inside, the eyes clear and bright. The gums should be pink and firm. A good breeder will be happy to discuss any health related issues with you.

Remember, the Boxer is not a breed for everyone. They need an owner who will be willing to take the necessary time and effort to raise a happy, healthy dog. Without proper training, the Boxer can become quite obnoxious and destructive. With it, he is an excellent companion, a wonderful family member who gives unconditional love.