How Long Does it Take to Recover from Personal Bankruptcy

You're bankrupt. You're doing all the right things to improve your credit and recover from your bankruptcy (i.e., managing your money and credit well, increasing your credit scores, paying your bills early or on time, and re-establishing credit).

So when does the dark cloud that's been over you since you filed bankruptcy leave?

The answer is, "it depends."

With some lenders, as long as your bankruptcy remains on your credit reports you will be denied credit.

The good news is, there are many "normal" lenders who are willing to work with you after bankruptcy. You just need to know where to find them.

It's NOT about working with lenders that are convenient for you. It's about finding lenders that will work with you without taking advantage of your situation.

Each lender sets their own "credit guidelines." What are credit guidelines? They are simply the minimum requirements you must have in order to qualify for credit with that lender.

The three common credit guidelines for most lenders who work with people after bankruptcy are: (1) the amount of time you have since your discharge; (2) how you pay your bills after discharge; and (3) your FICO credit scores.

Time will heal.

The maximum amount of time the dark cloud of bankruptcy follows you is up to 10 years. Remember, this dark cloud is only for a season in your life, not forever. Bottom line: the more time you have after your bankruptcy is discharged the more opportunities you'll have to get credit.

But lenders also need to know you've recovered. Late payments after a discharged bankruptcy are bad news. Lenders need to see an early or on-time payment history to feel comfortable with you after bankruptcy.

There is no escaping a lender who will judge us on our credit scores. This is why it is so important to increase your scores by deleting inaccurate, outdated, and unverifiable information from your credit reports. Your FICO scores are just too important to ignore. You need to make it a priority to keep your FICO credit scores as high as they can be. High credit scores are the key to unlocking opportunities that have been hidden from you.

Let's look at how lenders use credit scores so you can understand what I mean.

GETTING A MORTGAGE

Mortgage companies are pretty forgiving when it comes to lending money to someone who's filed bankruptcy. In fact, after bankruptcy, it's actually easier to get a mortgage on a new home than get approved for an unsecured credit card.

As long as your middle FICO credit score is 580 or above you will qualify for mortgage financing with no money down...just maybe not at the interest rate and terms you want. (This assumes you haven't had a foreclosure in the last 24 months and you have a good payment history since your discharge.)

To get better terms and a lower interest rate, you need a higher middle credit score. A middle score of 600 will give you a lower interest rate and better terms. (This assumes you haven't had a foreclosure in the last 12 months.) A middle score of 620 or above opens up even better options once you have two years after discharge.

PURCHASING A NEW CAR

A FICO credit score over 700 on the credit reporting agency the manufacturer uses will open up the floodgates for you. A score between 600 and 620 seems to be the bare minimum you need to qualify with most lenders for a good interest rate. Slimy lenders (the kind that wear lots of gold chains, polyester suits, and broadcast a hairy chest to the world) will help you if you have a lower score.

Remember, many car dealers use only one FICO score to make their lending decisions. So, you're always better off going to a dealer who uses the credit reporting agency where you have your highest FICO score.

UNSECURED CREDIT CARDS

Some lenders just don't want to do business with a bankrupt person.

Interviewing lenders BEFORE you apply for credit is so important. You need to determine their credit guidelines before you apply. (Read that sentence again!) Many unsecured credit card providers are 100% FICO credit score-based. That's how they can offer you an answer so quickly if you apply by telephone or over the internet.

The only thing they look at to make their credit decision is one of your FICO scores. A FICO score over 700 seems to be what they're looking for.

BANK LOANS

Don't expect too much from your banker until four years have passed and your FICO scores are above 680. However, all bankers are different. Find out what the possibilities are with your banker. Do they have any authority to make credit decisions?

After my bankruptcy I felt lucky to have a bank checking account, savings account, debit card (now they're called Visa/MasterCard check cards), a secured Visa credit card, and a few secured bank loan.

A CREDIT LIMIT INCREASE

You need to be on a constant hunt for higher credit limits. Even if you don't think you need them. It's good for your scores, especially when your spending patterns remain the same.

You "earn" a higher credit limit by paying your bills early or on time. Your next step is requesting a credit limit increase every six months. Credit limit increases are usually based on how long you've been a customer; your payment habits; how long from the last time your credit limit was increased; and your FICO scores.

Again, anything over 700 opens the floodgates of options from most lenders. One key point to remember, when YOU request a credit limit increase the credit inquiry lowers your credit scores. When your lender does it in their normal course of doing business it does NOT lower your credit scores.

If you ask for credit limit increases from banks or credit unions, (I repeat, only banks or credit unions) apply for them all within a 14-day window. All credit inquiries from these sources during the 14-day period will only count as one credit inquiry.

If there was a magic FICO score to aim for (and there really isn't) it would be 720. This score won't open all the credit doors for you...but it will certainly open enough doors at normal interest rates to accomplish your goals.

Stephen Snyder is the founder and president of the After Bankruptcy Foundation (http://www.AfterBankruptcy.org), a non-profit organization that provides free resources for helping people recover from bankruptcy. Stephen also writes a free weekly newsletter on bankruptcy recovery (http://www.LifeAfterBankruptcy.com).Hyacintha Blog9124
Helenka Blog57016

A Review of Early Childhood Education Programs

Pre-school years are a fun time in your childs life. At this age they begin to develop and learn the skills needed for their future. Its a phase that passes quite quickly yet it is at this time that they exhibit a lot of potential. Nowadays early childhood education programs are available for children at this age. Parents are now willing to give their children a head start in life. By going through an early childhood education program a child can have a decent grasp of the situation when they enter their kindergarten years.

It would be wise to consider an early childhood program for your pre-school children. It can be an important part of your childs intellectual growth. The earlier a child is taught the brighter the future for that child will be. It prepares the child for the learning process and the curriculum that are offered in public schools. Many children experience problems as they adjust to the public school environment.

The adjustment difficulty may be due to the sudden change of environment. Children who have been cooped-up with their parents at home can be shocked to an environment dominated by the teacher and the presence of other children. An early childhood education program may be able to help your children cope with the sudden change in the environment and may help them have a greater learning success rate. Another way that you may consider to prepare your children for education and learning is through the Internet.

The World-Wide-Web is packed with childrens games that can enhance their learning capacity in a fun filled environment. In the process of having fun, they begin to develop and learn useful skills they need for their education. Online games can stimulate children from four up to seven years old. This inventive technology can help your child develop learning and understanding skills.

If you are planning early childhood program for your child, then you should consider trying the Internet for games that can help your child. Browse through a number of sites to discover that ideal early childhood program for your pre-school darling. Give them an early head start for their future.

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning Early Childhood Education Programs. Visit http://www.theeducationannex.com/education/education--learning/a-review-of-early-childhood-education-programs.html.Gussie Blog94567
Heather Blog8248

Looking For Discount Motorcycle Helmets

If you are looking for discount motorcycle helmet choices, it would be good to look for them at helmet specialty shops and stores. But be very sure that every discount motorcycle helmet that you chance upon should be up to safety standards. Do not buy motorcycle helmets just by the price offered but also by the level of protection that it can provide. There are discount motorcycle helmets that are up to the job, it is just a matter of finding them.

You must bear in mind that a motorcycle helmet is a very important element of the motorcycle riding experience. They are not used merely for aesthetic reasons but for safety reasons as well. A motorcycle helmet enhances your riding experience to a fun and secure level. A badly chosen helmet may not fit you or work for you properly, thereby lessening your riding experience.

Choosing a motorcycle helmet can be difficult for most people. Even the most experienced riders can have a difficult time finding one that they would find suitable for their needs. One of the key issues faced by most riders is the fit of the motorcycle helmet. Riders have different helmet shapes and forms to check out. Not all of them may be able to fit suitably for everyone.

There are full face helmets that offer full head and face protection for riders but may not be able to fit properly for some riders. Then there are also open faced helmets as well as half helmets that offer a more comfortable fit for most people but offer less protection if used in the absence of goggles and sunglasses which can help protect the eyes.

Another key reason for choosing a motorcycle helmet is the style and appeal. Aesthetic value is what makes some helmets more popular than others. The technology being used in designing them can even become the reason why such helmets are preferred by most. Attractive colors and striking graphic designs can also provide helmets with good saleability. Price also is important to some people when choosing a helmet.

If you cannot find a good helmet that would best fit or appeal to your tastes, you can always have one custom made. This way, not only will you be getting the helmet looks that you want, you can also have them custom made to be more comfortable to give you a more enhanced riding experience. No matter what helmet you choose, just make sure that you always put safety and protection on top of your list when you do your choices.

This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included. For more information on Motorcycle Helmets & other useful information, please visit http://motorcycle-helmet.articlekeep.com.Ida Blog49308
Ginnifer Blog43480

CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam Tutorial: Hot Sites, Warm Sites, and Disaster Recovery

Part of passing the Network+ exam and being an outstanding network administrator is being prepared for disaster. Sometimes that's a disaster on a relatively small scale, such as a drive failure. If you're running data backups on a regular basis (and you are, aren't you?), you're prepared for that issue.

What is your network's disaster recovery plan from a true disaster, either natural or man-made? What if the entire building your servers are in disappeared tonight? What is your plan if that happens? In today's world, that's not a rhetorical question. Disaster recovery is taken to the next level by preparing a cold site, warm site, or hot site at another physical location.

A hot site is the highest level of disaster preparedness. Hot sites are maintained by commercial companies for their customers, and these sites include everything from the office space itself all the way through telephone and computer equipment. The servers at the hot site will be mirrors of the servers at the primary location. Basically, your staff walks in and gets right to work.

Hot sites are very expensive to maintain. An alternative is a cold site. Cold sites will have the physical devices necessary to get up and running again, but they're not configured or mirrored from the primary site. This is much cheaper than maintaining a hot site, but obviously a lot of work needs to be done before work can continue after a disaster, and this is time many corporations, government offices, and public utility companies cannot spare in such a situation.

There is a middle ground, the appropriately named warm site. Warm sites are going to have all the physical equipment needed along with some of the servers configured and maintained. Disaster recovery using a warm site will still take longer than if a hot site were maintained, but basic communications are back in place much more quickly than if a cold site were used. The "mission critical" servers will be ready to go, but secondary servers will need to be brought up to date through data restores from backups.

You have to know about these sites to pass the CompTIA Network+ certification exam, but the stakes are much higher than that. If you're not the person in charge of network disaster recovery, find out who is and ask if any of these sites are being kept by your company. The better informed you are now, the better you'll be ready to get to work at such a crucial time.

Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933, is the owner of The Bryant Advantage (http://www.thebryantadvantage.com).Glen Blog34660
Fredelia Blog33487

Dating Advice UK: Ready to Date & Find a Relationship?

DATING ADVICE UK: Ready to Date and Find a Relationship?

Are you ready to date and find a relationship? You may think you are but if you are still playing the looser in the dating game its time to learn how to move on. Learn what you need to handle before dating, and relationships are going to work for you.

Ready to start dating to find a relationship?

Well - are you ready to start dating? This may apply to whether you have been dating or are new to dating again after a long-term relationship. Of course I am, you may say, but it is surprising how many people I talk to who say they are ready but when we dig a bit deeper all kinds of dating/relationship/life issues surface. How about the lady who said she was ready but there was a certain man who had been around in the background for 11 years? Or the woman who likewise is ready but never has the time even to go to the hairdressers or check her bank statement because of the hours she works?

What gets in the way of successful dating?

So much can get in the way of being ready to date successfully and find a relationship. These are a few of the things that are common:-

Still holding emotional baggage from previous relationships
Being in the middle of legal chaos
Working such long hours that you cant find the time
Over -commitment to family
People in your life who hold you back
Not knowing what you really want in a life

Wherever you may be, it is important that you give yourself a dating/relationship road check. By that I mean looking at all areas of your life so that you are clear what you need to handle before you could possibly start getting into a relationship. This may sound trite but to be successful in relationships you need to find a way to be successful in life. Relationships are not an isolated part of our lives but a reflection of how we live our lives in general. If your life is in balance it is much more possible that you will be able to find, and build upon, a successful relationship.

Building a Life That is Ready for Relationship

I just mentioned a relationship road-check. If you are going to be ready to go on the road so to speak what needs to be in place? These are some areas that I suggest you look at:-

Physical/emotional health
Work/career
Lifestyle
Money
Family
Friends
Environment home etc.
Relationships

What you need to do is to first honestly summarise where you are in all these areas. Secondly take a look at what you might need to do to resolve any or all of the issues that are currently outstanding. If for instance under friendship you realise that the people you mostly socialise with are only interested in going to bars & getting drunk and you have had enough of this. You need to find people who want to do the kinds of things that you would find interesting and satisfying. Your working life is less than satisfying, how can you turn this round? Remember small steps can make a big difference and I am not talking about doing this overnight. It is not a makeover programme but a life programme. Its about getting more focused and into action on your own behalf.

Now Get Ready for Dating and Relationship

Now you have a plan for handling some areas of your life that need attention you can also look at where you are in terms of dating and relationship. The old saying success breeds success may be very annoying when your life does not resemble anything like success. Just a pause here to note that success is whatever success means for you not what others might judge to be success. I can assure you that when you begin to take the steps towards becoming more successful in one area of your life there are knock on effects that impact on other areas.

Without doubt you will begin to show up differently to those around you. Those friends who held you back or not even knowing how much you have in the bank can be a thing of the past. This is about standing up and taking responsibility for your life so that you can take responsibility for the successful relationship that you really want. Take one step at a time making sure that all the steps are going in the same direction and you will realise that you can get your life moving on the relationship road.

If you would like more information packed articles or course information email Trisha@thesinglescoach.co.uk or visit http://www.thesinglescoach.co.uk. Trisha Stone, The Singles Coach, works with single women over 40 to enable them to:- Become a Relationship Magnet whilst living their lives as successful singles. Trisha coaches individuals and groups in the UK & internationally. Put the passion back into your life and find the relationship that you really want.Hermione Blog76460
Harlene Blog32567

Information On The Different Types Of Cleaning Soaps Sold In Todays Cleaning And Janitorial Markets.

Laundry soaps - These soaps are generally thought of as mild soaps used for lifting soil, grease and organic compounds from an assortment of fabrics. Laundry detergents are formulated to work under varying conditions. Laundry detergents come in powders, liquids and gels and can work in all water temperatures. Laundry detergents are most effective when used in warm or hot water especially when removing grease or heavy soil.

Kitchen soaps - The two main types of kitchen soaps are dish detergents and cleansers. Dish detergents are formulated to cut through grease, suspend the soil particles in the foam and leave a no residue shine. Hand dishwashing detergents are made to work at lower temperatures and usually have more grease removing capacity by producing more foam. Machine dishwasher detergents are formulated to produce less foam and work at higher temperatures. Often other agents are added to the formula to provide a no residue rinse in the final dishwashing cycle. Cleansers contain mild abrasives that help remove stubborn stains and heavy soil. Some cleansers are more abrasive than others the mildest being cream cleansers to the harshest being powdered cleansers.

Personal soaps - There are many types of personal soaps sold in today's market. From the basic to the extravagant every soap seems to contain its own unique properties specially formulated for every particular need. Antibacterial soaps are formulated to stop the spread of bacteria and viruses by adding broad spectrum antimicrobial agents such as chloroxylenol (PCMX). Chloroxylenol kills up to 99.9% of all bacteria that can make you sick. Regular personal detergent soaps are designed to lift soil from the skin by suspending particles in the foam. Some personal detergent soaps contain lotions and extracts to add moisture to the skin that the detergents take out. Hair and body soaps are a multi-purpose blend that works on hair just as well as it cleans skin making them a great candidate for fitness clubs and schools.

Cleaning soaps - These soaps are made for cleaning soils and grease. Cleaning soaps come in light to heavy duty formulations and are great at removing soils and grease without having to use harsh abrasives.

Industrial soaps - Industrial soaps are formulated for specific tasks. They are commonly used for car washes, auto centers, and production line cleanup. These soaps usually come in 55 gal drums or large containers and are connected to pressure cleaning systems.

Lee Harris is an expert in the cleaning industry and can answer all your questions about soap and soap dispesners.Heather Blog56066
Fiorenze Blog1329

Adventures in Cake Decorating

I am no baker.That is I'd by no means put myself forward as a cook at all, unless you'd call making spaghetti and browning minced-meat for bolognaise sauce culinary achievements.However, there's something about special occasions that brings the frustrated pastry chef out of me and sends me galoping into the kitchen, my head jammed with intricate cake decorating ideas.

It all started when my wife was approaching her thirtieth birthday. I decided to mark her entry into her fourth decade by baking her an amazing cake.I imagined her admiring gaze as she watched me pull this monstrous cake from the hidden depths of our under-used oven.By this time I was so keen to get started that I had to force myself to calm down, sit down, and get my ideas down on paper.I began to sketch a few decorating schemes in red pen on the back of an envelope in time-honored tradition, and eventually decided on a colossal triple-layer chocolate gateau with an enormous suspension bridge spanning a river of blue icing and a little plastic model of our family car perched in safety on top.

I'd like to be able to say that my cake decorating ideas usually come out as gorgeous as I imagine them, but Im just not so good at being economical with the truth.In this case, the lovely triple-layer chocolate supension bridge cake decorating fantasy turned out as three limp, amorphous layers, crisp at the edges and doughy in the middle, featuring a delightful San Andreas fault running through the centre, as if there had been an earthquake in the oven.It tasted alright but it looked like something that had been salvaged from its own private earthquake.

So when my son's birthday came around, I resolved to try again.On this occasion I decided to plumb for a less imposing single layer cake swearing that I would sit tight and wait for the cake to cool before even thinking about decorating it.I reckoned that by waiting I would avoid the fault lines that had swallowed up the bridge and family car in the adventure on top of my wife's cake.Instead of cooking up intricate cake decorating ideas on the back of an envelope like a power-possessed architect, I resorted to a basic design that would be difficult for even me to make a hash of.Really, it's one thing being able to come up with tons of great decorating ideas, but quite another to pull them off.

I made the body of the cake and let it cool down according to the promise Id made to myself (and according tothe instructions on the box).It took all my will-power not to dive in brandishing my trusty icing spatula.

This time, Id chosen to frost with chocolate fudge icing and top it off with my own sketch of a lamb in the centre, which was meant to resemble the cuddly toy my son sleeps with at night, ringed with 5 candles.I figured if I held my natural cake decorating flamboyance in check, the cake would come out okay.And it did.Until I attempted to transfer my creation from the kitchen counter to the fancy plate I'd prepared, lost my balance and dropped it.The result resembled the aftermath of an earthquake, including fires and distraught wildlife.My wife commented on the 'natural disaster theme' that ran through my cake decorating repertoire, which was funny, I guess. At least they both had a good laugh.

I rescued the candles, but the lamb was badly singed and, sadly, did not survive.

Eoin Beckett is a freelance writer and editor. He writes both short fiction and non-fiction for both online and print publications. Although he stems from Ireland, since his teens he has lived in countries all over the world and has forgotten many - but not all - of the Irish songs he grew up with. He currently lives and works in Copenhagen, Denmark.Helsa Blog54378
Flossie Blog56572

Discovering Organic Coffee

Many people have turned to organic fruits and vegetables (and even meats) in recent years, striving to live healthier, longer lives. You may be one of these people. But did you know that organic coffee is now available, too? If you can't find it at your local health food store, then you can definitely find it online.

How Organic Coffee Differs From Traditional Coffee

The coffee plant has traditionally been grown in the company of shade trees and other food and cash crops. This approach made for healthier soil and prevented water contamination. Unfortunately, many coffee growers have abandoned this approach in favor of larger crops and hence larger profits. However, synthetic pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers have become necessary to maintain these crops, and along with them the taste of the coffee has suffered, the soil has suffered, and no one knows the potential impact they may have on the future health of the coffee consumer.

In addition, the loss of the shade trees has had a direct impact on migratory song birds. While an obvious connection may not immediately come to mind, the relationship has actually been symbiotic. These birds used the shade trees as their habitat as they migrated, and as a result they provided a natural defense against many of the bugs and pests that can ruin a coffee crop. Without them, pesticides must be used to do the job.

Unlike the large, commercial coffee plantations, organic coffees are generally grown on small farms with plenty of shade cover. There are plenty of migratory birds to control insects, and pesticides are unnecessary. In fact, the United States requires that organic coffees be grown on shaded land and be completely chemical free for three consecutive years.

Tips For A Great Cup of Organic Coffee

Whole beans should be used within a week of purchase in order to enjoy the full flavor of the coffee.

Avoid vacuum-packed coffee, even organic vaccum-packed coffee. The process of vacuum packing cannot be done immediately after roasting. The coffee must sit for nearly a week before it can be vacuum-packed. This degrades much of the flavor.

Coffee beans should be stored in an airtight container, not on the shelf in the paper bag you brought them home with from the store. And in order to enjoy the full flavor of the coffee, you should grind only the amount you intend to use just before brewing.

Whole coffee beans that will be stored longer than a week should be placed in an airtight glass container that's kept in the freezer.

As with any coffee blend, organic or not, grind the beans according to the brewing method you intend to use. Keep in mind that if you grind your beans too fine your coffee may end up bitter and muddy; if you don't grind them enough, your coffee may end up flavorless.

Often overlooked, many people consider the most important step toward a good cup of coffee to be the proportion of water to coffee. Experts recommend 2 tablespoons for every 6 ounces of water.

In Conclusion

While you will pay more for organic coffee, just as you'll generally pay more for organic fruits and vegetables, choosing organic coffee promotes the environment, the health of the coffee grower, and your health, too. Just as important for coffee drinkers everywhere: organic coffee tastes as good if not better than non-organic coffee.

D. Silva is the webmaster for Coffee Pleasures (http://coffeepleasures.com), a website about coffee, coffee flavors, coffee makers, and more.Imogene Blog98382
Frederique Blog24377

Has the Real Estate Bubble Popped?

According to a story from Public Radio Internationals radio show Marketplace, the average price of a new home was down 9.7% last month from the same time last year, and thats the biggest plunge in 36 years. At the same time, new home sales are up slightly because sellers are lowering prices significantly. But the big question is, when will the real estate bubble pop? Or has it popped already?

The truth is that the swift rate of price appreciation and construction in past years created a bubble in the real estate market that has in fact recently popped. According to economic expert Christopher Thornberg, The bubbles popped, and its gonna take time to work its way out of the system. There is no soft landing here, we havent found the bottom. Especially along the East and West coasts, the housing market swelled enormously since 2000, with prices and sales up over 30%.

Many have reported a slowing of home sales, even in real estate hot spots like Southern California and the Bay Area. Signs declaring, reduced price in front of homes along oceanfront property in Venice and Hermosa Beach, CA, confirm that the real estate bubble has popped. The major issue for current homeowners is that as prices drop, so do home values. And as a result of skyrocketing prices, many were forced to settle for adjustable-rate-mortgages (ARMs), allowing them to purchase houses in desirable areas that they could just barely afford. Over one third of home loans in the last five years were adjustable.

It was reported on National Public Radios Morning Edition on October 27, 2006 that ARM rates have now begun to rise, leaving millions of homeowners with higher mortgage payments. Experts expect that in the next several years ARM rates will continue to increase, a change could have disastrous results for the housing business. The combination of rising interest rates and a popped real estate bubble means that homeowners will often be unable to sell their properties for what they bought them for.

Some analysts even believe that a collapse in housing could bring down the U.S. economy and create another recession. A burst real estate bubble could have dire consequences for the national economy. 750,000 real estate foreclosures are expected over the next five years. Homeowners are being forced to look at their options. The main recommendation of real estate agents and lenders is to find a way to get out of your adjustable-rate-mortgage or equity line of credit and find a more stable loan. Even if this means paying certain one-time fees, the savings will be considerable in the long run and could help thousands keep their homes. Lenders all over the U.S. are reporting that customers are coming into their offices to do whatever they can to get a fixed-rate mortgage.

Refinancing is the Best Option

If youre a homeowner, you should think about the best way to safeguard yourself against rising interest rates. Mortgage refinancing is the choice that many are making in order to preserve their financial stability. I personally looked into refinancing with http://letsrefinancenow.com, and Ive been pleased with their interest rates and customer service. My wife is Spanish-speaking, and they were able to accommodate her language needs. There are other companies out there, such as the Loan Store and Countrywide, etc, but when explored their offers I wasnt impressed. If youre looking for a company that wont treat you as another number in line, you should definitely consider Life Planning Network. They were friendly, and put me at ease.

Refinancing will allow me to switch from an ARM to a fixed-rate one, with fairly little hassle. I know that whatever fees I will have to pay now will pay off in the long term, since interest rates are likely to keep rising indefinitely. I am tired of having to worry about my familys stability, and whether or not we can keep our home. I want to know that my children wont suddenly have to move just because I didnt watch the real estate bubble and find out whether it was going to pop soon. After finishing the refinance process, Ill feel secure knowing that no matter what happens with interest rates, I will pay a stable mortgage payment every month and be in control of my own finances.

Once again, due to the instability of the market, you should refinance your ARM or balloon mortgage to make it a fixed-rate payment as soon as possible. As for the economy, is it in for a crash? I dont want to cause you to panic, so Im not going to say either way. But if you want to protect yourself against the popped real estate bubble, its best to refinance so that you can keep your home in the long term.

To stay current on trends in the real estate market, Id recommend going to http://www.bubble-real-estate.blogspot.com. Also, be sure to check out http://thehomeequitymortgageloan.com for the latest refinance rates and more tips on refinancing. Ask any real estate expert, and theyll tell you that now is the best time to take advantage of refinancing. In five years, youll thank yourself.

Chris Ciabarra has a Masters in Business from Alvernia College.He has worked in various financial and utility companies, and now is a business consultant in Los Angeles. Georgia Blog13067
Galina Blog87123

Ethics In The Internet: Can It Be Ignored?

The internet presents an enormous diversity of people. There are so many different people from different backgrounds, countries, religions, etc. its astounding. All in one place called the World Wide Web.

With those differences comes something else that we will never escape. Since the fall of Adam in Eden, man has struggled with the forces of good and evil. And with that comes the difficulty to define the line that separates the two.

Where do we draw the line when it comes to ethical uses of technology, programming and marketing Where do we draw the line when making a decision if manipulating something or using a resource to bend the rules is wrong.

To pin point it directly: People are selfish creatures. Many of us think of our selves before anyone else some of us take into consideration others some of us dont at all.

You want money and will do anything to get it.

Pursuing online opportunities can sometimes seem like a solitaire journey with not many people being effected by your efforts. I think that is very much opposite of the truth. The truth is the World Wide Web is spun tight and one flick of a thread can shake the whole web and cause effects like a ripple in a pond.

Let's expand this thought of the internet as a web. A place where everybody is an example for each other. We learn from each other the amount of inspiration across the internet is enormous. You are responsible for your actions and ways of doing things, and if your website is at all exposed I bet your ideas and ways of doing things will be duplicated for good or bad.

All in all the internet is a culture building fenomenon a society beyond societies, countries, ethnic groups, time and place. The cultures of the individuals give impression to the internet cultures and the cultures that build up in the internet give impression to the cultures we are living.

Many people just think of themselves. And that I guess is understandable. The internet draws people that are looking to make a fortune, to make a quick buck, to do whatever it takes to bring in the dough. These people have vision Im sure, but it is directed in a very narrow path with blinders and does not take into consideration the ripple it is causing

Im a believer that one needs to have this sort of vision to a degree. Thats how we reach our goals. To have a burning desire and to focus all our energy to attain it BUT we cannot lose site of the entire web

When you run into something that seems like it might be a little spammy or just doesnt sound ethical or right, you should ask yourself some questions:

1) Can I live with myself or dont I care because I just want the money? What about my integrity?

2) How does this effect my neighbors online? (everyone is your neighbor; one click away).

3) Is this something that promotes the good of the internet and will create an environment that promotes a better web? Does this have a negative impact?

4) Do I understand what the internet is and where my place in it is? You may not figure it out. It is a web. It is a place to hold & find information, to buy products and services, to communicate to imitate and build up culture. Will I disrupt that purpose?

5) Will this short term gain be worth the long term price? Am I building for today or for my future? Will doing what Im doing now actually destroy opportunities to make money elsewhere down the road?

You see lets take search engines for instance. You have to admit they play a vital role online What if we do something that makes that piece of the puzzle problematic? Do you not think that will have an impact

I always try and think of myself as the surfer (and thats not to hard, because I am one what would I want?)

Let us be part of the solution Let's not work against the system and instead help it Let's make decisions that are good for the public & business online

Wont it provide you MORE opportunity?

Ethics will be ignored because the internet is populated by humans. And there will always be humans that will want to do things the hard way, manipulate and cheat the system

At the same time, maybe if enough of us cared We could make the internet a better place for us all and in the long run create better technology and more opportunity!

Imagine what the Search Engines could do if they took all the energy they use fighting unethical webmasters to create a better engine and experience for us!

I want to make money too. But I also have sight. I see the potential if we all work together for the common good.

Will I walk that fine line myself. To my very best knowledge And I will ask myself those questionsI am not alone in the internet. I am responsible to myself, to my fellow surfers and siteowners and to God in Heaven.

Please give it a thought....

Copyright (c) Lars Krgholt 2006

Lars Krgholt is an online entrepreneur wanting to help people getting the best of the internet. Website: http://krogholt.ws

Lars Krogholt is Danish and a student at International Apostolic Bible College. He is the author of an eBook soon to come: "101 Tips to a More Efficient Use of Your Wordprocessor". Website: http://krogholt.wsFlossi Blog95627
Georgeanne Blog11573

Avoid Credit Card Late Fees!

Late payments can turn an otherwise normal credit card balance into an unbearable burden. Some credit cards charge incredibly high amounts as punitive fees when you fail to pay on time. Thus, you should avoid such situations as the road to bankruptcy is a one way path and late payments are the first steps.

You may think it somewhat overstated but the truth is that most people who end up defaulting and ruining their credit score for many years start by missing payments and paying late. Fees pill up, interest rates grow and before you know you cant even pay the minimum. Believe me when I say, if action is not taken, thats the beginning of the end.

The advice would be then: Avoid paying late and NEVER miss a payment. If your financial situation is complicated you may find the following guidelines useful to avoid penalties and bad notes on your credit report that may compromise your ability to get finance in the future:

Dont just pay, pay in time and form

Lawyers have a saying he who pays wrong, pays twice. Pay before payment is due, if possible a week before or more. Otherwise, if something comes up you wont have enough time to solve it and youll get penalized. What you may think justifies your late payment surely doesnt make it for the credit card issuer. Within your credit card bill youll find all the instructions regarding payment. Follow them accurately; pay where you are supposed to pay, how you are supposed to pay and when you are supposed to pay.

Cant pay full? Always pay the minimum!

If you dont have money to pay the whole balance, dont worry. But you should always pay the minimum. In fact even if youll be able to pay more in a week or two, pay the minimum amount required first. You can always add up to it by sending additional payments. As soon as your credit card bill arrives you should have the minimum set aside and you should pay it immediately. Once you are sure you wont be charged a late fee, you can always consider paying a higher amount. But youll rest assured that no additional fees will be added to your next bill.

Skip-a-payment services

Make sure your credit card issuer offers this service. A Skip a payment service lets you request a waiver on your payment that month when something unexpected happens and you cant pay on time or in full. Use this service wisely as it usually can be used only once a year. So make sure the current situation is really an emergency and you have no other means to solve your problem. Obviously this service has a cost and youll have to pay it the following month so ensure that the fee for such a service is not larger than the amount youll be saving for not paying late fees.

Change your due date

Finally, if your credit card bill arrives at a time on the month you dont have enough money to cover it and the due date is just too close to your payment date, just contact your credit card issuer and ask them to move the due date to a more comfortable day on the month so you can be sure youll have time to arrange payment if there is any problem.

Bryan Quinn is a financial advisor with more than thirty years of experience in the field of finance who aids people undergoing financial problems and helps them obtain personal loans, home loans, student loans and grants, consolidation loans, car loans and many other financial products regardless of their credit situation. For more smart tips on Credit Cards and Bankruptcy you can visit http://www.badcreditloanservices.com and also learn more about other financial options.Genia Blog22276
Georgianna Blog79928

What is FAFSA?

FAFSA or Free Application for Federal Student Aid is a form that is filled out by university students and parents to apply for federal financial aid, which includes grants, scholarships, student loans and work-study programs. In addition to the federal government, schools, states and private financial institutions also use the information from the FAFSA to determine a students eligibility for non-federal aid

Each year, the Department of Education issues a new FAFSA for the subsequent academic year. You can either use the online version of FAFSA or you can obtain a printed copy of the application form from your high school counselor. If you intend to use the online version, then you would have to apply for Personal Identification Number (PIN). For this you would have to submit your name, date of birth, social security number and address. Once, you get your PIN, you can fill out the form and submit it online or print it and send it by mail.

While the printed version of FAFSA becomes available in the second week of October, the online version becomes accessible on January 1. Although the last date for the submission of FAFSA is June 30, but you can submit the form in either format as early as January 2. Most colleges and universities award financial aid on first come, first serve basis. Hence, to improve your chances of receiving financial aid, try to submit the FAFSA latest by March 1.

There are 102 questions in FAFSA, which are segregated into six sections. The primary aim of these questions is to retrieve your academic, personal and financial information. You would also be required to divulge your dependency status, colleges you want to receive your FAFSA results and your identification information. For filling out the FAFSA properly, you would need previous two years copies of your income tax returns.

Once you submit the FAFSA, the government will scrutinize it thoroughly, and then send you a Student Aid Report (SAR). The SAR typically includes a summary of your financial aid information and the EFC (Expected Family Contribution). The colleges enlisted in your FAFSA will also receive SAR. When you apply for admission in these colleges, you will be asked to submit additional financial information. Thereafter, your eligibility for financial aid will be calculated, and then you will be notified about the kind of financial aid package the college can award you.

Anubha Shyam is studying computers, and also works as a part-time freelance copywriter. She writes regularly for http://www.blogcharm.com/BollywoodSizzlers.Hildy Blog98658
Guendolen Blog68188

A Practical Guide to Using Horseshoe Studs

Studs, Caulks or Calks are metal devices that are screwed or driven into the bottom of your horse's shoes. By protruding from the bottom of the shoe, they can help to provide traction over muddy or deep footing, such as sand, and help your horse jump more confidently.

Before using studs, holes are "tapped," or drilled, into both heels, and sometimes the toes, of the horse's shoe. Obviously the size of the hole must accommodate the stud and generally in the US, farriers will tap a hole that supports a 3/8" diameter stud. Therefore, unless you have a special requirement for a smaller hole, such as a pony with very small feet, you should try to stick with 3/8' studs.

The first time you ride your horse with studs you should fit him with some small road studs and let him walk around unmounted for a while to get used to the new feeling (this does not mean turn him out in a field with studs in - horses should never be turned out in studs!)

Here are some simple rules for using studs. These relate to "screw-in" studs rather than "drive-in" studs because screw-in studs are by far the most commonly used types.

Do's:

ALWAYS use studs in pairs, with one on each side of the hoof.

ALWAYS use small, blunt studs on the inside of your horses shoes. A large, pointed stud can injure him.

ALWAYS put protective leg boots on your horse when riding in studs.

ALWAYS put studs in just before you will be riding and remove them as soon as possible afterwards.

ALWAYS use the smallest stud you can, considering the conditions. While slipping is dangerous for your horse, a little slipping is much better than jarring your horse's legs with huge studs. Try to find a stud that allows a little slipping, but not so much that your horse's balance will suffer. Studs should be selected that will sink fully into the ground; otherwise they will unbalance the foot.

ALWAYS try to have someone help you by holding your horse when you are putting studs in, especially if you will be using a Tee Tap (see below).

ALWAYS be very careful if you have a horse that is likely to kick out at other horses or people. If you have such a horse, try to limit the amount of time you use studs.

Dont's:

NEVER turn your horse out with studs.

NEVER leave your horse unattended in a stall with studs.

NEVER trailer your horse with studs.

NEVER use studs if your horse is lame.

NEVER put yourself in a position where a horse with studs in can step on you. It is very easy to break a toe this way, even in riding boots.

Your Stud "Toolkit"

Ahead of time, you should assemble the following items:

A selection of studs. Remember that depending on the footing, you might not use the same studs on the inside and outside of your horse's shoes, or you could use different studs on the front than the back shoes (there is more on this subject at our website http://www.studsandstuff.com ).

A horseshoe nail or some type of flat but pointed "pick" to remove stud plugs. Screwdrivers are generally not suitable as they tend to be too "fat" to fit between the plug and the shoe.

A stud hole cleaner. This is used to remove any debris from the stud hole. Some people use the horseshow nail for this, but there are many specially-designed tools that will work faster.

A tap of some type. This is used to clean and sharpen the edges of the threads your farrier drilled into the stud holes. There are many types on the market. The traditional type is a Tee Tap or T-Tap, so named because it is the shape of the letter "T". Recently round "Safety" Taps have become available on the market. These are safer because if your horse steps down on a Tee Tap it can cause an injury whereas a Safety Tap is less likely to cause a problem because it is flat and shaped like a hoof. There are some self-tapping studs starting to come onto the market that should remove the need for a separate Tap, however it is still a good idea to keep a Tap on hand.

A wrench. This is used to tighten and then remove the studs. You can use a regular adjustable wrench found in most toolkits, although over time the wrench may wear the edges of your studs, making them difficult to use. There are also a number of special wrenches made specifically for horse studs. Even if you use a purpose-made wrench, it is probably not a bad idea to have an adjustable one too.

A box to keep everything in one place! Studs have a notorious "homing" instinct and will disappear at the smallest opportunity. If you don't capture them in a box, you will never find them again next time you need them.

Rags or a small sponge. For removing oil or grease from your studs (assuming you oiled and stored them correctly the last time you used them) Studs are definitely slippery when greasy and will jump on this opportunity as part of their escape plan!

The following items are also nice to have:

A magnet for your arm or a magnetic dish. This is useful for keeping steel studs in one place while you work and will reduce the possibility of your studs escaping!

Rubber or cotton plugs or blanks. Most people put plugs in their stud holes when they are not using studs. This keeps the holes clean. There are rubber and cotton plugs and also metal stud blanks. If you use cotton plugs, soak them in oil to prevent the holes rusting. Stud blanks are metal screw-in plugs. If you use these, you will also need a....

Blank Wrench or Flat-Head Screwdriver. A Blank Wrench is an Allen Key and is inserted into the stud blank to screw the blank in and out of the stud hole. Some stud blanks are designed to be inserted and removed using a Flat Head Screwdriver instead of a Blank Wrench.

Stud cleaner and lubricant. Your studs will last much longer if you clean and grease them after use. Many people wrap them in an oily rag for storage, or you can use a product such as WD-40. Pretty much anything that repels water will work. There are also specially made stud cleaners available on the market.

Putting Studs in

Ideally you should take a lesson from your farrier or trainer before attempting to put studs in yourself. Make sure you and your horse practice at home, until you can put them in and take them out easily, before using them at a competition.

If your horse has plugs in his stud holes you will need to remove these first with your horseshoe nail or other implement.

HINT: It is a good idea to take the plugs out, clean the holes and replace the plugs before you leave for a competition. There is nothing more frustrating than not being able to remove a plug when you only have 10 minutes until you should be warming up your horse!

Next you will need to clean out the stud hole with whatever tool you have chosen. Make sure that you remove all traces of dirt and debris. Putting studs into dirty stud holes can ruin the threads on your horse's shoes.

Then (unless you are using self-tapping studs) you will need to tap the stud hole with a Safety Tap or Tee Tap. Unless you have a very quiet, experienced horse and are experienced with studs, we recommend using a Safety Tap. Basically, you will place the end of the Tap into the stud hole and screw it into the hole. Another benefit of a Safety Tap is that you can't screw the Tap in too far and potentially bruise your horse's hoof, which is possible with a Tee Tap.

HINT: Self-tapping studs are a new option where the stud has a special thread that will clean the threads on your horse's shoes as you insert it. Because they are new, these studs are more expensive than traditional studs, but as long as you don't lose them, they could be a great timesaving investment.

Now you can insert the studs. Begin by screwing them in by hand and finally make them nice and tight with your wrench. Be sure that you don't over-tighten them so that you can't undo them after you finish riding!

When you are finished riding, remove the studs, plug the holes and store the studs in some form of oily rag or plastic bag with a water repellent - any kind of oil, grease or WD-40 will work. Make sure you keep some rags or a sponge on hand to wipe up the grease!

Put your studs back in their box - if you don't they WILL escape!!!

And don't forget to have a great ride!

For more information on types of studs and when to use them, please visit http://www.studsandstuff.com

Sian Simon founded StudsAndStuff.com to provide information on using horseshoe studs. The site offers a wide range of studs and related accessories as well as information on how to select and use horseshoe studs. Please visit the site at http://www.StudsAndStuff.com Sian is the owner of Freirish Farm in Virginia and a lifelong horse owner.Francene Blog85047
Goldie Blog41255

E-learning in the corporate world

E-Learning has progressed through the years from VHS video tapes, to elaborate synchronous online meeting tools through the internet. E-learning is not only being used in schools and universities but also in the corporate world.

Corporations are using e-learning as a means of communicating, training and enhancing employee value across organizations and across countries.

Corporate Advantage

The corporate world is constantly on the look to increase efficiency and effectiveness in their workforce. There is a constant need to upgrade existing employees in new trends or products.

Holding seminars, workshops or conventions detract employees from their work and results of such practices are at best weak. Being able to instruct employees while on the job through e-learning, can prove to be extremely valuable to any business.

E-learning solutions provide workers with important skills, making them more valuable as employees. A well-structured e-learning solution is the answer to the overall goal of efficiency and effectiveness.

E-Learning means using technology for learning, and with technology evolving at its current pace, the bounds of e-learning are virtually limitless whether synchronously or asynchronously. Laptops, desktops, mobiles, i-pods etc, can all be used for e-learning.

The impact of e-learning can be tremendous, especially in corporations. E-learning for corporations addresses the precise requirements of business. E -learning provides business-specific concept, training of various departments across the country simultaneously, introducing a new product into the company or just upgrading employees.

Since e-learning can be done in any geographic spot, there are no travel expenses. There is also no cost of conventions or hotels. E-learning is less expensive than learning in a traditional method.

Facilitating employee's growth and training on the job also increases job satisfaction. This heightens worker motivation and results in increased work performance.

Worker Advantage

Flexibility is a major advantage of e-learning. E-learning has the advantage of taking class anytime anywhere. It is available when and where it is needed. E-learning can be done at the office, home, or while traveling, 24 X 7 X 365.

E-learning accommodates different types of learning styles. Workers have the advantage of learning at their own speed. Workers can also learn through a variety of activities that apply to many different learning styles.

E-learning allows the workers to select learning materials that meet their level of knowledge, interest and what they need to know to perform more effectively in their field. This way learning can be customized to the workers need.

Workers can use the advances in mobile technology by e-learning on various handheld devices and PDAs during long tedious commutes. This cuts back on time wasted in traveling while advancing career growth.

Through e- learning workers can review information as often as they like, move forward and backward through the instruction at the pace they are comfortable with.

Corporate E-learning Softwares

Corporate E-learning Softwares are specially designed keeping in mind the companies necessitates and employee requirements. Theyre are various packages that make a successful corporate e-learning software-

Communication package: facilitates all categories of users with discussion forums, announcements, surveys, news articles, and FAQs.

Designation package: can define, access, and manage roles, responsibilities, groups, user accounts, job profiles, and different clients.

Content Bank: Content Bank allows you to create content categories and define content types to be used in the system. It has powerful features to upload and store content in reusable format and in different versions. With easy-to-use search feature, the authors can quickly look for content to be used in their courses.

Syllabus Planner: This is a portal that aids instructors to plan the learning pattern and workflow. To efficiently deliver training to a workforce that has diverse needs, it is critical that your platform provides flexible course delivery options. WIZDOM provides you complete control over the learning plan (LP). You can create a hierarchal LP and attach any kind of content PDF, DOC, PPT, Images, ZIP files, SCORM courses, or attach any item like Chat, Whiteboard, Offline Course, Discussion, Assessment, and Reference to the LP nodes.

Reports: This tool allows you to generate and analyze Site Usage Report; Course Usage Report, and Learners' Activity Report.

The Bottom-Line

The bottom-line for any corporate is profit and success, with e-learning you accomplish this goal swiftly and easily.

Vishwanath Shankar has been managing and maintaining various e-learning softwares for the past decade and a half. A storehouse of knowledge about LMS (Learning Management Systems), He has been working in close co-ordination with web development experts to develop user friendly distance learning programs. It takes a professional like him to declare the big time arrival of e learning as a worthy substitute to conventional learning techniques. Fredi Blog82301
Ilysa Blog82523

Clean The Computer Of Spyware Entries With Reliable Software

Spyware is malicious software that downloads onto a computer clandestinely. It makes entries in the registry and must be removed with Anti Spyware utilities.

'Spyware' is a term that refers to a very wide category of malicious software that has been intentionally designed to intercept or take partial control of a computer's operation without the consent of that computer's owner or lawful user. When the term 'Spyware' is taken in a literal sense, it suggests that the software clandestinely monitors the activities of the user operating the computer, however, it has over the years, come to be known as software that hampers the operating systems efficient functioning for the benefit of a third party, usually the person who created the Spyware. By downloading onto a system the Spyware will also make entries in the system registry. While it is imperative to remove the Spyware from the computer it is as imperative to remove all traces from the registry as well. This can be achieved with the help of Adware Spyware removal tool.

How Does It Affect The Computer?

'Spyware' is candid software that downloads itself onto a person's computer and constantly operates in the background and collects personal information of the user. For instance, it will record the entry from the keyboard every time the user enters a username and password or credit card details. The Spyware will monitor and record the information as well as which site the username and password was entered into. It will then mail this information to the host computer that the Spyware came from. In order to do this the Spyware must take over some processor time. It does this by delaying the operation of other programs or applications running on the system. This slows the system down drastically. The system can be revamped with free Adware Spyware removal utilities such as Quake removal Spyware tool.

Are Spyware Removal Utilities Not Enough?

Many Spyware removal utilities do remove the Spyware from the system but many of them cannot delve into the registry and remove all the entries therein. The registry will have to be scrubbed clean with special Spyware removal utility such as Quake removal Spyware utility software. Many of the Spyware entries will be associated with critical system files and so the anti-Spyware program will not delete them from the registry. Only a good Spyware removal utility such as Yahoo Spyware removal tool will scan the registry and detect the broken links and determine it they will hamper the efficient operating of the system if they are removed. If the Yahoo Spyware removal decides that they can be safely removed the entries will be deleted. If the entries are left in the registry they may link up to the site where they came from initially and download the Spyware again. This is why it is imperative to clean the registry with a reliable registry cleaner such as the free Microsoft Spyware Adware removal tool.

Arvind Singh is admin and technical expert associated with development of computer security and performance enhancing software like Registry Cleaner, Window Cleaner, Anti Spam Filter etc. More information can be found at http://www.pcmantra.comHetti Blog8733
Harmony Blog60265

What's Your Style In Motorcycle Patches

You've got a great black leather jacket but it needs a little bit of pizzazz. Why not add a little bit of personal touch to your jacket with a some patches. Start by deciding what your style in motorcycle patches is.

Most of the apparel you purchase is heavy on the pocket book but these patches can provide some great value for as little as a buck. Now what you can buy these days for so little. You can choose from many different styles to choose from almost all within your budget.

Here are just a few ideas to get you started:

1. Group Patches
Carolina, Zuba, Crowz, Indian, Night Feeders, Blue Knights, and Valkyrie to name just a few. Choose your group or team and wear the badge proudly. You pick. It will look great on your jacket.

2. Flag Patches
Whether you are American, Canadian, or of another nationality there are flag patches to choose from that will look great on your jacket. Support your country or support a variety of countries. Love your country? Show it!

3. Military Patches
There are hundreds of thousands of military people around the world and you should be proud of it. Whether you are directly in the military or from a military family why not show your support by wearing one of the many patches available.

4. Harley Patches
There are many licensed Harley Davidson patches available and the selection is great. Choose the traditional Harley logo or one of their many different looks. Which ever you pick will look great on your jacket.

5. Christian Patches
Show Jesus loves you as you cruise down the road. There are some great Christian patches to choose from so be sure to check them all out. One of them is certainly right for you.

6. Skull Patches
Want to set an image? Have some fun? Why not add a couple of skull patches to your jacket. There are all kinds of single and double skull patches to choose from. Some are fun and others are freaky. Let your colors show.

7. Biker Saying Patches
Biker patches is a rather generic term but it incompasses patches that have slogans relating to biking such as "Hell on Wheels, or Erotic Angel." There are hundreds of great slogans that you can choose from so pick your poison and wear it like a badge of honor.

8. Dog Patches
Are you a hound lover? Got a favorite dog breed? Then why not display it on your jacket. And besides just plain ole dog patches there are some great slogans attached to some of these. Be sure to check it out.

9. Fun Patches
Now that's another really broad term isn't it. But fun is fun and it's ever so personal. There are at least a couple of hundred if not more to choose from so have some fun and pick the one that's perfect for you then wear it proudly.

Not sure what type of motorcycle patches you want? Not to worry there are plenty of great sites selling a full range of patches. Just spend some time looking at your choices. You'll instantly know the right one when you see it. So are you ready to go shopping?
Lawerence Senff has owned and ridden motorcycles for 15 years now. Combined with 20 years of being a mechanic, he can be considered an expert on this topic. His motorcycle site, http://www.motorcycleadvice.com, has technical articles on working with your bike as well as pictures of the latest motorcycle models with reviews.Francene Blog85047
Garland Blog36741

Umbrellas For Patio

Umbrellas for Patio - Shoppers Guide

Patio umbrellas are an ideal way to keep the sun away when enjoying the outdoors. A patio umbrella will also compliment any outdoor setting. Patio umbrellas are like large versions of average umbrellas and come in many different shapes, sizes, colors and fabrics. There are many different types of patio umbrellas available and all of them have many benefits.

Different types of umbrellas

*Offset patio umbrellas. These umbrellas are designed to create more space under the umbrella. They have their pole off to the side of the umbrella instead of in the middle. This is an ideal alternative if your outdoor table setting doesn't have an umbrella hole in the middle of it. Or you wish to maximize space under the umbrella, another useful thing that an offset umbrella can offer is shade when using just seating without a table, as they are freestanding.

*Market patio umbrellas. These umbrellas are ideal for outdoor setting tables that have a ready-made hole in them for an umbrella. Market umbrellas are lightweight and easy to handle. They come in many different fabrics and sizes. There are also freestanding umbrellas available.

*Patio umbrella gazebo's. This type of umbrella is much like a market umbrella although it has a cotton netting around it that makes it ideal to keep bugs and insects out of the way when outside. Most of the netting is machine washable and the umbrella can fold down easily.

What to look for in a market umbrella

Although there are many different types of patio umbrellas available, there are some very important options available to be considered when choosing a patio umbrella. Some of these are practical as well as enhancing:

* Sturdy design,
* Freestanding options
* Strong pole
* Stainless Steel or Aluminum base
* Nylon hubs instead of plastic for durability
* Easy to fold away and store
* Not too heavy
* Easy to open and close
* Positional tilting
* Non-fade quality material or fabric that is durable
* A reasonable warranty

Depending on the price range that you have in mind and the intended purpose of your umbrella, some or all of these features are ideal when making a choice.

Where to buy a patio umbrellas

There are many online stores with very good reputations that will offer cheap or free postage to ship market umbrellas. They also offer customers very reasonable prices. Check the types of payment options that are available, how long delivery will take and whether they offer insurance to replace damaged items. When choosing an online store, it is advisable to buy from stores that have a very good reputation with satisfied customers. If the item you have chosen sounds too cheap or too good to be true, then it may be.

Other places to purchase patio umbrellas are at patio furniture stores. Most of the stores have catalogues that allow you can browse through the different types of umbrellas available. An ideal time to buy a patio umbrella is when there are sales going on. That way you aren't sacrificing quality for a cheaper price tag.

Daniel Roshard is an interior designer fascinated by outdoor architecture, currently studying gardens and outdoor design. Read Daniels tips and advice articles on home improvement issues at http://patio-expert.com.Gussie Blog92131
Genevieve Blog97998

Piano Restoration

Pianos are one of the loveliest instruments one can own, and make some of the most loyal companions. Pianos aren't to be taken lightly and you should care for them as you would any other expensive item. For pianos, care is especially important as the more you take care of them, the better they become.

Pianos, like some pets, are bought and loved, then slowly forgotten. They become dusty and out of tune, sitting and waiting until someone decides they want to play again fifteen years later. But what happened? It's out of tune, dirty and doesn't sound like it used to. Do you throw it away? You could, but there are better options, like piano restoration.

Piano restoration can make any old instrument come alive again and work as well or better than it once did. Imagine that gorgeous old baby grand, cleaned up and in tune, ready to be played again. A good piano technician can make your old piano sound better than it ever did, even when it was brand new.

Like any other instrument, pianos have limited lifespan. However, different parts on pianos also have different life spans, and this is one of the main reasons piano restoration can be so effective/ For example, on an instrument that saw heavy use over its life, the hammers might be worn while the soundboard could be alive and kicking, so to speak, for decades more.

Thus, having a piano technician look at your instrument every couple years and replace worn parts can eliminate the need for deeper, more intensive restoration later on. Though piano restoration is a very good thing, it should only be done on expensive pianos or on pianos with sentimental value, because it is also relatively expensive.

Its cost lies in the tediousness and the time involved in rebuilding or restoring a badly damaged or decrepit piano. For example, imagine a piano where some of the action parts, like the hammers, ribs and strings, are still in good condition, but the body is worn and cracked in areas, and the bridges are about to go out.

A good piano restorer could rebuild and replace the worn parts and tweak the okay parts so they are better than before. A good rule of thumb is that, when a piano technician assesses your piano and says repair, the cost will be mild to medium depending on the repair. Maintenance is in the same bracket, but restoration is a clue that it is getting more expensive, and rebuilding is even more intensive.

So while restoration can be an excellent venture if you love your piano immensely, if it holds sentimental or historical value or if it is valuable enough to justify the expense, don't do it if you have only lukewarm feelings about the piano and don't use it much. You will be better off selling your piano to a technician who will rebuild and resell it, and buying a newer one with part of the money from the sale.

David Anderson Pianos is a full-service piano business offering complete restoration and maintenance services for pianos in the Los Angeles area. For more information, please visit http://www.davidandersenpianos.com.

Marcela De Vivo writes for http://www.davidandersenpianos.com.Fredericka Blog83268
Hedvig Blog20563

10 Building or Home Renovation Survival Tips

Building or the renovation of an existing home can be an extremely stressful experience.

So here are 10 quick tips to make the whole process easier

1. Think of the project as a new diet.

Who doesn't want to lose at least 2 kilos? This is one way to do it. Between running to stores all day and evening long, meeting with contractors, inspecting the work, searching the Sydney metro area for the perfect light fixture, who has time to eat? Provided you don't sabotage this new, unorthodox diet plan, with McDonalds drive through, you're good for losing two kilos. If you are a masochistic type who does some of the work yourself - whether it be painting, laying tile, landscaping the yard - you can count on another five to ten kilogrammes of weight loss. Just think, you may be miserable, frustrated, exhausted, nd down right cynical about the good of the humankind, but your jeans will fit nicely!

2. Write cheques as aerobic exercise.

These workouts are great for toning the wrist and fingers. Usually done in hectic spurts as you race out the door in the morning while the contractors are breathing down your neck and your kids are beating each other with the lunch boxes you just prepared, the stress and frantic activity are sure to raise your heartbeat for a good hour. Grumbling under your breath that the plumber, electrician, or you name it, isn't really worth this much money adds greater intensity and calorie burn to this little publicized exercise regime.

3. Save money through shopping burnout.

Yes, even the most die-hard shopper will come to dread setting foot in any store. This affliction starts innocently enough as you go to look for light fixtures. How hard can it be? Hard! Either the light you want is being shipped from Europe and won't arrive until your youngest child buys his own home, or you just can't find the one you want. You'll shop every lighting and electrical store you know. You'll search Home Depot. You'll haunt hardware stores. And then there's plumbing fixtures. Sink centers, tap handles, finishes, special orders. What's all that about? And the cost. You'd think you were outfitting the palace for a former third world dictator. Of course, there's carpet, tile, hardwood, stairs, and windows. Enough already. And you thought it was a pain picking mints and sweet table treats for your wedding!

After your 1000th trip to Bunnings (or Mitre 10 or whatever), in addition to all the other trips you've made for items that shouldn't count as shopping (toilet seats, for example), you've had it. Your friends won't be able to bribe you to check out the latest sale at Grace Bros. You'll think it will be better when you can pick out "fun" things like paint, wall paper, curtains, fabric, furniture - but don't bet on it. At this point, the pressure to make your home look like something other than an empty rat maze will counteract any joy in shopping. Spending this much money has never been such a miserable experience. As a result, when your home becomes half-way presentable, you'll refuse to shop again - even for groceries - for at least six months. The money you save during this shopping hiatus will be sufficient for you to resume this previously pleasurable past time once more without guilt.

4. Impress your friends with obscure facts.

Only someone that has built or remodeled their home can explain the fluid dynamics of a proper toilet water swirl. Or cite the Australian Building Code that calls for no more than 150mm between electrical outlets. Or brag that triple glazed windows are really the wave of the future for light emitting device technology. See what I mean?

5. Pride yourself on your new creative skills.

You'll discover a creative side that you never knew existed. Like how to wash dishes in the bath. And how to make a full course meal for a family of four using nothing more than a toaster and hot plate. Or how to fit an entire family in a house smaller than your first flat. They say that necessity is the mother of invention. That's probably true, but I also think that the only thing that separates modern and pioneer life is just one kitchen or bath remodeling project.

6. Yell at someone other than your kids - and not feel guilty.

Honestly, as a modern man trying to juggle the running of our homes, possibly a job, and the future Olympic soccer aspirations of our children, you have the primal need to yell. At someone. Anyone. Often our spouse and children suffer from this need of ours to release pent up negative energy generated from nothing more than some miniature human leaving smelly gym shoes on the kitchen table. (Ok, that probably deserves a bit of yelling - we eat at this table!) But when you remodel your house, you have a whole cast of characters - and believe me, they're characters - that often deserve a good scream from time to time. Like when they tell you that they tore out the fireplace because they didn't think it looked right. Or when they show you a mistake made three weeks ago that now requires half the house to be torn down in order to fix. Yelling isn't immature or a result of too many steroids, it's therapy.

7. Throw out all of your junk that you have gathered over the years. You know what I mean, all the space grabbers like the old wardrobes, execise eqipment gathering dust in your garage, clothes that haven't been worn for over two years. You'll be surprised at the reclaimed space that suddenly is available.

8. Grow closer to your family through forced bathroom sharing.

The saying goes that absence makes the heart grow fonder. Perhaps that wise pundit had to share a closet sized bathroom with three kids and a spouse. In reality, there's no greater way to create intimacy in a family than by all trying to get ready for the morning in the same tiny space. You'll learn new exciting things about your children - like toilet paper is purely optional for little boys. You'll discover that there is no bond quite like the one created when the entire family brushes their teeth together over the same sink. You'll realize why the older generation of your relatives only washed their hair once a week instead of facing communal bathroom time. But most importantly, you'll no longer need to yell at your kids to hurry up for school - they're standing right next to you.

9. Earn free flights from all of your purchases.

In what is admittedly (and somewhat sheepishly) the only practical survival tip on this list, get a Fly Buys credit card. Charge everything on it - lights, plumbing fixtures, windows, doors, lumber, carpet. The windows alone can get you close to one free trip. Whether you decide to share your miles with anyone else in the family or to escape on your own to a world of quiet solitude and, preferably, an open bar, is entirely up to you.

10. Hire some good looking female contractors and feel like you're 18 years old again. Who says Hooters are restricted to bars?

Finally, remember, the end result of your new house will be worth the aggravation of the process. Plus, think of all the good stories you can tell!

Joe Ovidi is a veteran of numerous home remodeling and building projects. Joe has been in the building and termite prevention game for over 20 years and has been involved in the entire spectrum of home improvement. He shares his home renovation tips, home building ideas, and other various topics.Helli Blog11823
Guinevere Blog66945

Wood Furniture Care For Flooring

Wood furniture care is important to keep furniture and wooden flooring looking good for as long as possible. If you do not look after it properly, permanent damage could occur.

A lot of people love to decorate their homes but a lot of people also struggle on what to choose in order to help to improve the home. It could be that you have spent a fortune decorating your house and other time things such as wooden flooring are starting to wear down or look extremely tatty. This is when wooden furniture care should come in because by knowing how to care for your wooden flooring and how to protect it, you will be ensuring that it looks as good as possible for many years to come.

If the flooring is done properly and cared for the right way, there is no reason why it should need to be replaced for many years. It is very simple to look after wooden flooring but a lot of people are either naive or they genuinely do not think that they need to look after it.

Why Is Wood Furniture Care Important?

The thing with some wooden flooring is that it can be easily scratched or it can even become water damaged. These are just a couple of the problems that can arise when it comes to wooden flooring. By knowing how to look after the flooring you can stop anything bad from happening to it. It can be extremely frustrating having damaged wooden flooring, especially if you have spent a lot of money doing it up.

Things can easily happen such as spillages and although they may not seem too serious, if they are left or if it keeps happening over time, this can lead to the flooring expanding and looking out of place and damaged. Also dirt, grime and other things that drop onto the floor can also be a big problem because if it is dragged around it can cause scratching or even dents in the floor. Another thing that can cause serious damage to the wooden floor is any furniture that you may have. It needs to be lifted correctly instead of simply dragging across the floor otherwise it could seriously scratch and damage the wooden floor.

Cleaning Wooden Flooring

When it comes to cleaning wooden flooring you should take note on what cleaning products you are going to use to do this task. The reason is that some cleaning products may be too harsh for the type of flooring that you have and they could even cause a discoloration of the flooring or some other damage.

As you can see there are quite a few different hazards that can cause damage to the flooring and that is why wood furniture care is important for wooden flooring around the home.

Adam Peters is the journalist of consumer websites, who has written more articles on backyard ideas for http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com . A website with tips on wood furniture care, and many related topics: http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com/magazine/wood-furniture-care.htmlGlenine Blog80259
Ilka Blog68730

Tort Reform More Opportunities for the Legal Nurse Consultant

Does tort reform limit opportunities for legal nurse consultants? Absolutely not. As the pioneer in the field of legal nurse consulting, I have watched this profession grow and flourish during the last 21 years. Throughout that time many states have implemented some kind of reform, mostly involving non-economic damages (pain and suffering). Yet in every state where tort reform is in place, CLNCs are actively and successfully practicing and growing their businesses by leaps and bounds. We will continue to enjoy even more electrifying growth over the next ten years.

Here's why:

1. The number of U.S. attorneys continues to increase annually. Currently there are 1,058,662* attorneys in the U.S. and, as the Houston Chronicle states, at least "25 percent deal with medical malpractice and personal injury cases."

2. At the national level, the U.S. Senate said "no" to a tort reform bill that sought to limit non-economic damages (pain and suffering) in malpractice suits to $250,000. Even if the Senate bill had passed, legal nurse consultants would still have plenty of cases to work on.

3. Most medical malpractice cases legal nurse consultants consult on involve significant economic damages, such as medical expenses and lost earning capacity. These high-dollar cases will continue to keeplegal nurse consultants busy.

4. Legal nurse consultants don't just consult on medical malpractice cases. We consult on general personal injury, products liability, toxic tort, criminal and a variety of other cases. Injury cases of all kinds will be with us as long as Americans breathe. Recovery for negligent injuries and the lost wages, medical bills and the like resulting from those injuries is the American way and is an ancient right that goes back to Mesopotamia in 2100 B.C.

5. In states that limit non-economic damages, attorneys are a bit more selective, concentrating on cases with significant physical and psychological damages (not just emotional distress or pain and suffering). That means both plaintiff and defense attorneys increasingly rely on legal nurse consultantsfor assurance that they're making the best business decision in each case they take on. I even see a day when it will be considered legal malpractice for an attorney not to have legal nurse consultants working behind the scenes on their cases.

Medical malpractice cases simply aren't going away. According to a March 3, 2003 article in BusinessWeek, the National Center for State Courts found that, despite tort reform, the national volume of medical malpractice cases filed has not changed over the last five years.

One factor contributing to the ongoing flood of litigation: Medical errors in hospitals kill up to 98,000 people each year, according to a 1999 study by the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine. That's 268 patients per day, or the equivalent of a fully loaded jumbo jet crashing every other day. This death toll is higher than the number of people who die from AIDS, breast cancer and car accidents combined. All of the legal nurse consultants I know would actually welcome a shortage of these cases.

Where's the Real "Crisis"?

Isn't this "attack on America" with so many people being killed in hospitals what we should be reforming? Instead of worrying about tort reform, we should be concerned about the Dark Ages of Healthcare perpetrated by managed care and the negligent providers who kill 268 hospital patients every day.

In spite of this boom in hospital "victims," according to the BusinessWeek article mentioned above, the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) reported that over the past ten years malpractice payouts have grown an average of only 6.2% per year. Yet the Journal of Health Affairs showed that the average rate of medical cost inflation over that same ten-year period was 6.7%. This doesn't sound like an explosion in malpractice awards to me.

We are not experiencing a crisis of litigation but a crisis of malpractice. The NPDB reported that from 1990 to 2002, 5% of U.S. doctors were responsible for 54% of medical malpractice payouts, including jury awards and out-of-court settlements. The NPDB breaks this down further: Of 35,000 doctors with two or more payouts during that period, only 8% were disciplined, and of the 2,774 doctors who made payments in at least five cases, only 463 were disciplined.

The severity of that "discipline" is open to question. On August 28, 2003, the Houston Chronicle reported on the case of a Houston doctor who had been sued 78 times and made payouts in 45 cases totaling more than $13.3 million. His punishment? The temporary suspension of his license. I find this especially appalling since I myself consulted on many cases against this doctor as far back as the early 1980s.

Even these "bad apples" in the medical profession don't significantly increase malpractice insurance premiums for the rest of the doctors. The truth is that insurance companies do not make their money from premiums, but from investing those premiums. When interest rates and returns are high, the companies prosper and often reduce premiums in competition with one another. When interest rates are low (as they are now), the companies' returns suffer, and they must raise premiums to make up for the loss of investment income. In June 2003, the General Accounting Office issued a report to Congress (GAO-03-702, available at www.gao.gov) which found that insurers' pricing decisions were affected not only by their losses on malpractice claims, but also by their loss of income from investments, prior premium history and other market conditions such as market share and the level of competition.

The bottom line on tort reform is this: Research has shown that there is no evidence of rising jury awards or the so-called high cost of litigation, and that the economy is the key to rising malpractice insurance premiums.

As unfortunate as they are, high-profile litigants like Linda McDougal (the woman whose doctor conducted an unwarranted double-mastectomy) and Jessica Santillan (the 17-year-old whose doctors failed to match her organ donor) may help to educate the public. The tragedy is that the healthcare system can disfigure or kill someone and still have the nerve to ask for a cap on damages, a concept that in effect frees these paid professionals and for-profit institutions from personal accountability. Try explaining that to the injured person and their family.

As long as the healthcare industry fails to police itself, there will be plenty of work for all of us.

Inc. Top 10 Entrepreneur Vickie L. Milazzo, RN, MSN, JD is the founder and president of Vickie Milazzo Institute (http://www.LegalNurse.com), the oldest legal nurse consultant certification company. Pioneered the legal nurse consulting profession in 1982. She is the author of the self help book for women, Inside Every Woman (http://www.InsideEveryWoman.com).Gladi Blog20605
Frannie Blog48840

Anatomy of a Perfect Picnic Party

Hosting any kind of event is exciting and rewarding, but can sometimes also be stressful if youre not organized. If youd like to entertain your friends and family with a party to remember, a picnic party is a great way to have fun and enjoy your guests rather than spending the whole time worrying. Use these helpful and easy guidelines to create your own party success story.

Choose a Theme Your theme can be as simple or elaborate as youd like just about anything goes. Garden parties are lovely during spring, summer and fall. Some other ideas include Hawaiian Luau, beach, holiday, exotic Far East, pirate, hoe-down or even interactive murder mystery.

Put it in Writing Send out invitations two to four weeks before the party. Frugal hosts can easily print their own on their home computer, or purchase a pack of simple invites from a discount store. Be sure to include the date, time and location of the party as well as your contact number so guests can RSVP. Remember to mention that its a casual picnic party so guests wont turn up in their Sunday best. If youve chosen a particular theme and would like your guests to dress up, put this in the invitation as well.

Keep it Simple - No need to spend exorbitant amounts of money on your supplies and dcor. Youd be surprised at how a few simple things can make a big impact. Colorful disposable tableware and paper tablecloths instantly dress up a backyard picnic table or patio set; inexpensive fabric draped from the walls or around the porch roof creates an intimate ambiance.

Use What You Have Walk around your house and look for decorative objects that fit your theme. Candle holders, table lamps, posters, throw pillows and similar items can simply be moved outdoors and used as dcor.

Make a Seating Chart If youre planning on having a structured, seated dinner, a seating chart can be a great way to introduce various friends and family members who have interests in common. Purchase some nice printed place cards from a craft store, or make your own from card stock and put them at each table setting.

Mix it Up Have different activities going on to keep everyone entertained. You can either divide the party up into the cocktail hour, dinner, dessert and dancing afterward, or serve a casual meal while having various activity areas around your yard or garden. For example, you could have a dancing area on the deck, board games on the patio table, and horseshoe or croquet on the lawn.

Use the Web The internet is an extremely valuable tool for planning any event. Communicate with guests, receive RSVPs via e-mail, research recipes or find that perfect party item youve been looking for. Dont limit your party to what you can find at the store down the street you literally have an entire world of choices at your fingertips!

Keep it Casual Even if you choose to serve a nice seated multiple-course meal, make it lighthearted and fun to keep your own stress level down. Serve everything family-style, cut down on dishes with disposable plates and utensils, and ask a few friends to help make sure nothing goes awry.

Cheat Selectively Nobody said that hosts have to make everything themselves to have a fun, memorable party. Youll save yourself a lot of trouble (and time!) by letting other people do some of the work. For example, you could have your party catered by a nearby restaurant, or make the main course and order up some sides from a deli.

Splurge on Food and Flowers These are the top two things that everyone will notice, and theyll really set the mood for the whole affair. Fresh flowers instantly brighten any room, creating a comfortable atmosphere and drawing attention away from areas that arent in top shape. As for the food well, youre throwing a picnic party, and the food is the main event! You definitely want it to be delicious.

Relax Dont run around the whole time wringing your hands, wiping up crumbs and working in overdrive trying to achieve perfection. Your party will seem perfect to your guests not because every little thing is in its place, but because they had a great time and you should, too.

Stephanie Gottschalk writes the blogs 'Picnic Fun - Tips and Recipes' (http://www.picnictips.com) and 'The Joy of Water Fountains' (http://www.waterfountainguide.com) for Specialty Living Inc., an Asheville, North Carolina-based company that aims to share their love of people, nature and life through high quality water fountains, picnic baskets and outdoor living products.Harri Blog23284
Gwennie Blog70683

How To Choose an IT Consultant

Many small to medium business rely heavily on IT systems to successfully run their business.

If you find yourself spending more and more time managing your network and computers but you don’t need a full time IT person on staff then perhaps now is the time you should consider hiring an IT consultant.

When you start looking for an IT consultant you should consider the following:

Experience. It goes without saying that you need to hire a consultant who has experience in the IT industry.

You should ask the consultant the following questions:

1. Has the IT consultant got experience supporting the same type of business as yours?
2. Do they have any technicians on staff that holds valuable industry certifications, such as Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) etc? In order to become certified by Microsoft, a Certified Microsoft Partner must prove their expertise in Microsoft technology and in specific business areas, such as financial management and supply chain management.
3. If you operate Windows Small Business Server onsite does the consulting company have a member of staff who is a Microsoft Small Business Specialist?

References. Ask the following questions to the consulting companies other clients:

1. How well does the company work for them?
2. Ask whether work is done on time and on budget?
3. Also ask whether the consultant responds quickly to problems.

Services. You need to ask the consulting company the following questions:

1. What services does the consulting company provide? If they don’t supply a particular service will they be able to recommend a professional organization that can?
2. What levels of support do they offer?
3. Do they offer offsite support solutions or do they perform all work onsite?
4. Do they offer preventative maintenance plans?
5. What does the preventative maintenance plans involve?
6. How many hours per month are included in the preventative plans?

Schedules and fees. Find out the answers to the following questions:

1. What is their response time?
2. Are you charged a call out fee?
3. Is their a minimum invoice amount?
4. Do they assure a No Fix No Fee policy?
5. What are their business hours?
6. What happens if you call out of hours?

Personality. It is important that a consultant be a technology expert, but it is also important that they be able to work with and talk to people who are not technology experts.

Final Words. Interview a number of potential consultants. Look for the information listed above. This is not a time to just go with the lowest bid: you want the best for the job. After all, isn't that why you hire a consultant?

Robert Adelman is an MCSE+I (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer + Internet) which qualifies an individual of being able to http://www.ittelligent.com.au analyze the business requirements for information systems solutions, and design and implement the infrastructure required including internet technologies. Gwyn Blog19634
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