Top 10 Tips for Choosing a Successful Diet Plan

Going on a new diet usually ranks about as high as going to the dentist.

You know you need to do it. But you procrastinate because your past experiences have been so unpleasant. Even torturous.

But there's one big difference between going to a dentist and going on a diet. The results from the dentist usually last.

So why don't the results of a diet usually last?

Because you have to eat several times every day. So if the only way to keep the weight off is a diet that seems as torturous as a trip to the dentist, is it any surprise most of us fail repeatedly?

I believe you'll have a greater chance for long-term success if you enjoy your weight loss program.

So here are my top 10 tips for choosing a successful diet plan:

1. You Have to Be Able to Live With Your Diet And Have a Life With It.

This is absolutely the most important tip.

If your diet seems like torture, if the food gives you no pleasure, if you're making yourself and everyone around you miserable, then you'll have trouble losing all the weight you want and keeping it off.

You have to make long-term changes in your eating habits to succeed with weight loss. So whatever you do to lose weight initially should be similar to how you keep it off.

That means you have to eat foods you enjoy. You have to be able to socialize at food-based events. You have to be able to enjoy life.

2. You Should Lose No More Than 2 Pounds a Week.

Sometimes, you may lose a little more at the beginning. But week-to-week, 2 pounds is enough. Anything more is unhealthy.

3. Your Diet Shouldn't Be Extreme in Any Way.

Unless your doctor advises you otherwise, it's unhealthy to eliminate entire food groups. A balanced diet provides vitamins and minerals to keep you strong.

So skip the diets with low-carb, all grapefruit, or whatever the latest fad is. Extreme diets usually don't work. At least not for very long.

4. You Should Have Minimal or No Hunger.

If you're losing only 1 or 2 pounds a week, you shouldn't experience tremendous hunger. Not if you plan your meals and snacks correctly.

5. You Should Have Lots of Food Choices.

There's no reason to restrict the kinds of food you eat week to week. I've never understood plans that say in Week 1, you can only eat these 10 foods. In Week 2, you can add another 5 foods. But if you gain weight, go back to Week 1.

If your diet doesn't work with every food from Day One, it's probably not going to work. Period.

6. You Should Be Able to Enjoy the Holidays.

If your diet doesn't build in holiday eating, you're going to do it anyway. You'll just ruin your diet.

That's why so many people start diets in January - after the holidays. Trouble is, the holidays always roll around later in the year. So you need to have a way to handle them.

7. Your Diet Has to Allow for Moments of Weakness.

Perfect diets are for perfect people. But there are no perfect people. So a perfect diet is destined to fail.

8. You Shouldn't Have to Exercise with the Diet To Lose Weight.

I'm not saying you shouldn't exercise. We all know exercise is healthy and it makes you feel good.

But the benefits of exercise should be a bonus. Not a necessary part of a diet plan.

After all, what if you become unable to exercise for some reason?

Or suppose you stop losing weight on your diet plan and you haven't reached a reasonable target weight. If the only way to start losing again is to exercise more, then the diet's not working.

9. You Should Get All the Information You Need When You Start the Diet.

If someone sells you a diet and you have to go back week after week to get more information, they're just trying to make money off of you. There's no reason why Week 1 should be substantially different from Week 9.

And when you pay your money, you should know what the entire diet system is about. How else can you evaluate if it's going to work for you?

10. You Should Control the Diet.

The diet shouldn't control you. By this, I mean that your diet should meet your needs and wants.

Strict rules just increase your chance of failure.

For example, if you like to snack in the evening, but your diet eliminates eating after 7PM, how are you most likely to fail on your diet?

That's right. By snacking in the evening.

But everyone has different needs and wants. So you have to be able to customize a diet to meet yours. Then you're more likely to succeed.

And of course, before starting any weight loss program, you should see your doctor to make sure your diet is right for you.

Debbie Fontana is a full-time author and business owner who writes about health, weight loss, looking great, and feeling fantastic. She created the delicious I Love to Cheat lifestyle diet and the companion I Love to Cheat Rewards Newsletter. She encourages her subscribers to submit their weight loss problems, questions, and concerns. Visit her at http://www.ILoveToCheatDiet.com.Deeann Blog92878
Deloris Blog3458

Should I Do A Classic Car Restoration - Or Should I Sell It?

Most of us know people who would like to throw any excuse for not caring for their cars. One reason might be financial inability; they say that can't afford to restore it and they simply leave it unattended just seeing it rusting in their back yard. After some years of continually increased rust development, the time has finally come for sending it to the crusher rather than see somebody else caring for it or buying it. "If I can't have it, nobody else should!" - reflects a nasty attitude that unfortunately is prevailing in some peoples mind. After using the vehicle for years they don't even care about it or even sell it. Classic car restoration is the ultimate way to give your old classic vehicle a lease of life and give it a new look. If you can you should definitely try to restore it, especially if you are a classic automobile lover.

I have found a few places on the web to help you sell your car, or to buy one of course, but for now I will keep harping on the fact that you should not just let your old classic car rot away. What are the reasons for that, you might ask.

3 Reasons For Taking Care of Your Old Classic Auto

1. The first reason is fairly obvious; they don't build them anymore, and their getting very hard to find in decent shape, people are always looking for the classic American cars (or Am Cars), and as long as their still around, people from all over the world will never stop looking for them.

2. The second reason is this, if these cars just disappear, we lose out on all the class and style that they have to give us, every one of the old cars has its own look and feel, as well as it's own style, unlike the new cars, that all just seem to look alike.

3. The third reason; Imagine you wake up one day, and all the classic cars are just gone, like the dinosaurs that once roamed the earth, what if we wake up and all the cars just look the same, what a boring life that would be, every one looks like the imports do. Well, I can't say nothing but this: don't ever let it happen.

If you own a classic auto and do not have an idea of restoring it or if you cannot afford to restore it then better sell it to anyone who is interested in your vehicle.

This would help to have it around somewhere in the world. You should avoid though, to look at it as your pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. I think it would be wiser to think about what you have and the condition that it is in, and do your selling effort accordingly. Keep in mind that most classic car buyers aren't idiots, and you can't slip one by them.

If you plan to sell your classic vehicle You can do a simple research on it before you announce it for sale. Honesty is the best; don't rip off somebody for just wanting your old classic car. If you sell them what they want and nothing else you have done what you can do, unless you want to restore it yourself. There are many quality sites on the web that help you to sell your classic car. Just do a simple search on your favorite search engine, and you will get the information you need and a little bit more.

Terry Bolton is a writer and internet publisher who likes to publish informative articles about classic vehicles and related issues. Read more at http://www.11-classic-cars.com.Cristin Blog77087
Claudine Blog84461

South Park (Season 5) DVD Review

Premiering in the late summer of 1997, South Park took American pop culture by storm with its no-holds-barred examination of social and political issues and its lewd yet unique brand of cartoon humor. Created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, South Park is the lynchpin of cable network Comedy Central's original programming lineup. Centered around the lives of several kids in the small Colorado town of South Park (a place prone to odd and paranormal occurrences), the series presents itself in the form of crude animated drawings, yet the concept works, playing home to innumerable well-written shows filled with boundless wit, well-timed one-liners, and an endless array of politically-incorrect humor. Love it or hate it, South Park is a truly original animated series with relentlessly off-the-wall plot twists and comic relief. If you love oddball humor, then this is the show for you

South Park mostly follows the exploits of four elementary school kids - Cartman (who's overweight and sarcastic), Kyle (who dreams of eliminating his little brother Ike), Stan (who throws up at the sight of a girl he likes), and Kenny (who manages to get killed in every episode). All four attend South Park Elementary School where third grade teacher Mr. Garrison educates them with the use of a hand-puppet named "Mr. Hat" and cafeteria employee "Chef" McElroy (Isaac Hayes) dispenses his advice while periodically breaking into 70's love songs about making love to women. South Park is the setting for numerous oddities such as alien visitors, a monster with a hand of celery and the leg of Patrick Duffy, and Big Gay Al's Big Gay Boat Ride. South Park also hosts a number famous people from time to time, such as the Devil, Saddam Hussein, the Antichrist, Kathy Lee Gifford, Scott Baio, Tina Yothers, Elton John, and Jesus Christ - who has his own cable access show

The South Park (Season 5) DVD features a number of hilarious episodes including the season premiere "It His the Fan" in which Kyle gets four tickets to see The Lion King on stage, but he can't find anyone (adult or child) willing to go because everyone in South Park is infatuated with the upcoming television broadcast of the show Cop Drama in which the word shit will be used on TV for the first time ever. When the big event occurs, it ends up changing South Park for the worse Other notable episodes from Season 5 include "Cripple Fight" in which Big Gay Al becomes Kyle, Stan, Cartman, and Kenny's Boy Scout leader, and "Cartmanland" in which Cartman's grandmother dies and leaves him one million dollars which he then uses to purchase his own personal theme park

Below is a list of episodes included on the South Park (Season 5) DVD:

Episode 66 (It Hits the Fan) Air Date: 06-20-2001
Episode 67 (Cripple Fight) Air Date: 06-27-2001
Episode 68 (The Super Best Friends) Air Date: 07-04-2001
Episode 69 (Scott Tenorman Must Die) Air Date: 07-11-2001
Episode 70 (Terrance and Phillip: Behind the Blow) Air Date: 07-18-2001
Episode 71 (Cartmanland) Air Date: 07-25-2001
Episode 72 (Proper Condom Use) Air Date: 08-01-2001
Episode 73 (Towelie) Air Date: 08-08-2001
Episode 74 (Osama Bin Laden Has Farty Pants) Air Date: 11-07-2001
Episode 75 (How to Eat With Your Butt) Air Date: 11-14-2001
Episode 76 (The Entity) Air Date: 11-21-2001
Episode 77 (Here Comes the Neighborhood) Air Date: 11-28-2001
Episode 78 (Kenny Dies) Air Date: 12-05-2001
Episode 79 (Butters' Very Own Episode) Air Date: 12-12-2001

Britt Gillette is author of The DVD Report, a blog where you can find where you can find more reviews of movies and TV series. Source: http://thedvdreport.blogspot.com/2006/02/south-park-season-5-dvd.html.Crin Blog56277
Delcina Blog18411

10 Tips On How To Pack Your Suitcase For Your Trip To Europe

When packing for a trip to Europe you need to consider the weather, as well as the activities you are planning to participate in.

One important thing to keep in mind for all air travel (not only to Europe) is not to over-pack. Most carriers allow only 20 kilo or 45 lb if youre traveling economy. Furthermore you want to travel as light as possible in case you have to drag your luggage around with you.

I travel for business and private reasons at least 30 times a year and here are my most important recommendations:

1. Dont pack last minute. This will give you the chance to buy some things you need before your departure.

2. Start with the things you need for every vacation
Toiletries, underwear, socks, medicine. Always take sunscreen: As a working person you probably spend most of your time indoors and arent used to the sun.

3. Chose your main colors
In order to be able to combine all the pieces, try to stick to three main colors. Black and white are always two of my main colors, because they go wit everything. Add your favorite color like red, pink, green or blue.

4. Chose the basic everyday outfits
For short journeys (up to one week) pack one complete outfit for every day. For longer journeys, take one complete outfit for every day of the first week. Afterwards youll have to repeat clothes or go to a laundry.

Youll probably spend most of your time outdoors and walking around, visiting the different sights. Therefore your basic outfit could consist in jeans and T-shirt. Dont forget to pack a set of underwear and socks for each day.

5. Pack to evening outfits
If you plan to go to a fancy restaurant, the opera or a discotheque, youll need an evening outfit. Dont take more than two or three of them and make them simple yet stunning: black pants/skirts and a glamorous top.

6. Dont forget bad weather gear
Always take at least two sweaters, if the weather gets cold. An umbrella or rain jacket will be suitable as well.

7. What about sports?
Never go anywhere without a bathing suit! Its so tiny and you never know when you can use it. Maybe the weather is really hot and you want to go to the beach (at a lake) or the weather is really bad and you want to enjoy tropical feeling in an indoors swimming pool.

8. Chose three pairs of shoes
Take one or two comfortable shoes or sneakers for the everyday activities and one nice pair for the evening and maybe some really glitzy high heels for the occasional night life event.

9. Take as little jewelry as possible
Carrying your fine jewelry all across the world and taking it in and out the hotel safe might make yourself a target for theft. Dont ruin your vacation! Chose some basic pieces of jewelry and travel with those.

10. Spread out all clothes to consider onto your bed
Once everything is spread out on your bed, start packing your suitcase. Count the number of pieces and ask yourself:

Do I really need 20 T-shirts for a 2 week vacation? Then start putting half of the pieces back into the closet.

Marion Kummerow is the author of http://www.inside-munich.com and an experienced traveler to destinations all over the world.Dacia Blog32107
Charisse Blog89319

One Year Programs: Medical Assistant School

There's a lot of confusion about medical assistant school and the types of medical careers you can qualify for in as little as one year. In this weeks article, we answer the most frequently asked questions:

1) What exactly does a medical assistant do?

Medical assistants usually take care of both administrative and clinical needs, with specific responsibilities varying depending on the size of the doctor's office, type of clinic, etc. Duties can range from answering phones and filling out insurance paperwork to taking down patient medical histories and assisting doctors before or during medical examinations.

2) What is the typical length of courses at medical assistant school?

If you choose to study for a post-secondary certificate or diploma, your course will typically last one year. You can also study for a two-year Associate's Degree. If you choose to specialize in a specific field of medicine, there may be additional coursework.

3) What is the average cost of training?

You can get specific quotes on program costs once youve identified whether youre interested in a one-year, or a two-year program. Weve compiled a list of some of the leading national medical assistant school programs for you, click the link. You can get cost, timeline, expected salaries, and other important questions answered for free, from a program specialist.

4) Am I guaranteed a job after I complete medical assistant training?

According to industry reports, the job market for medical assistants is not only hot now, its expected to actually increase for at least the next eight years as factors such as baby boomers and health care reform continues to increase demand in this prestigious profession.

5) Sounds great, but I can't afford to give up my current job to do training. What can I do?

You have a wide range of possibilities available to you these days, especially with the number of top schools offering more of their curriculum online. Schools now offer alternatives such as evening or weekend classes to accommodate those with busy schedules. There are also online or distance learning options available. These courses adapt to your schedule, because most coursework can be completed when and where you want, as long as you have Internet access.

Ramon Mackenzie is the webmaster for http://wwww.medical-assistant-training-school.org. To find out more about medical assistant school in your area or to learn more about online study, go to http://www.medical-assistant-training-school.orgCherilynn Blog77562
Coralie Blog37565

Alert Your Kids To Spyware

If you share a computer with your kids, you are highly exposed to spyware threats. Spyware lurks around, waiting to take advantage of kids and teenagers' browsing habits. An antispyware and adware removal tool is your means to protect your machine. Educate your kids about spyware.

An antispyware and adware removal tool is essential for every computer, more so on the ones kids use. When children browse, Spyware preys on the surfing behavior of children, especially teens. When they download various programs these Trojans come bundled in it. A good example of this is the peer-to-peer music sharing programs, free games online, free screen savers and several song lyric sites that kids frequent. But if you educate your kids about spyware, and use antispyware software, you can fight spyware effectively.

The Things Spyware Does

Spyware can just invade your system and hijack your web browser. The sites that kids usually visit site trigger off endless popup windows on Internet Explorer and that's when you know you've been hit. This results in the slowing down or crashing of your pc. When your pc is infested with adware, it turns unstable and behaves strangely. Some forms of spyware called key loggers or dialers can automatically make expensive long distance calls or track everything you do by logging your keystrokes. This steals private information and passwords, not to mention credit card information.

Spyware Prefers Teenagers

More than the little kids, it's the teenagers that attract spyware more because of their browsing habits. Most of the sites they browse are full of free stuff. You pay the price with spyware. The peer-to-peer sharing network is the worst because these sites do not have any kind of antispyware policy and are fair game for spyware vendors. Teenagers are attracted by the freebies offered especially on sites that have to do with celebrities and entertainment. Added to these are the downloadable games, free emoticons and other stuff.

You must advise your kids that it is dangerous to download any thing from unknown sites. Tell them to beware of pop up windows that promise to clean up or scan your pc. They must know about companies that claim to sell antispyware but actually just lodge spyware into your system. Therefore it is necessary that you purchase antispyware software from a reliable company.

No Such Thing As A Free Download

The irony of the issue is that the spyware that proliferates in your pc is there because you agreed to it, without knowing you did. Kids get excited about getting free stuff, little knowing that they are consenting to install spyware and adware. Spyware is difficult to identify and by the time you realize it, it is too late. The best thing to do is to build awareness among your kids and encourage safe browsing and downloading patterns. Ensure that antispyware and adware removal tools protect your pc always.

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.comDanyette Blog37930
Chelsie Blog42233

Early Pregnancy Symptoms

Whether you are trying to get pregnant, or think you may already be pregnant, it can be extremely frustrating waiting to find out one way or the other! Lots of women cannot bear the wait between ovulation and menstruation and want to find out if they are pregnant sooner rather than later.

Fortunately many over-the-counter pregnancy tests can be taken on or after the day that your period was due - and some newer generation tests can even be taken a few days before menstruation. But, if you are really impatient to get results, you may be surprised to know that your body can be an excellent indicator if you monitor yourself carefully!

Many women experience some signs of pregnancy in the week before their period is due. Although these symptoms can mimic pre-menstrual symptoms, sometimes they are a little more severe. So you may feel you have a particularly bad dose of PMT and later realise that you were in fact pregnant!

Some women experience pregnancy symptoms within just a few days of conception; others experience nothing at all until a few weeks into the pregnancy.

Conception usually occurs within 8-10 days of ovulation and at this point your body starts to react to HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin), the pregnancy hormone. This is the hormone that pregnancy tests detect in a positive test. And it is the rapidly rising levels of HCG which cause the symptoms of pregnancy.

If you do suspect that you may be pregnant and are suffering from some or all of the symptoms outlined below, see your GP as soon as possible. It is important to receive medical care and to get a booking in appointment at hospital so that you can receive appropriate ante-natal care.

So what are the early signs of pregnancy?

Nausea/ Vomiting

Otherwise known as Morning Sickness, this can occur very early on in pregnancy, even before you realise that you are pregnant. Many women think they may have a touch of food poisoning or are coming down with a cold! Although called morning sickness, it can occur at any time and can come in bouts or last all day and night! Eating little and often can help relieve it and you might find that dry crackers are very effective. The nausea often gets worse when you are hungry so it can be useful to keep some snack food with you at all times. The gag reflex is often easily triggered and simple acts like brushing your teeth can leave you hanging over the toilet bowl!

Enhanced Sense of Smell and Taste

Lots of women become more sensitive to everyday smells and common foodstuffs, such as tea, coffee and toast, can trigger nausea. Your sense of taste may change dramatically and you may find you can no longer bear to drink or eat foods that you would normally enjoy! You may also notice a metallic taste in your mouth.

Frequent Urination

This can happen as early as 1 week into the pregnancy. You may find you are running to the toilet a lot more often than normal and maybe even during the night. As the uterus rapidly enlarges after implantation, it presses on your bladder making you feel like you need to urinate. Often you will rush to the toilet only to pass a tiny trickle of urine!

Urine may also darken and have a stronger smell than normal so you should try to drink plenty of water. If you are concerned or experiencing pain speak to your GP in case you have a urinary tract infection.

Breast Tenderness

It is very common for women to report that their breasts enlarge and become extremely tender very early on in pregnancy. Nipples also become very sensitive and enlarged and will darken in colour. Breast veins also become more noticeable all in preparation for breastfeeding! Little bumps, Montgomerys tubercles, also appear on the areola (the area surrounding the nipple) that will help to lubricate the breast during breastfeeding.

Tiredness

You may feel absolutely exhausted very early on in pregnancy and throughout the first trimester. This is a result of rapidly rising HCG levels, very high progesterone levels and a higher than normal body temperature. Combine all that with frequent toilet trips and nausea and trying to hold down a job and it is no wonder pregnant women feel exhausted!

Missed Period/ Cramping/ Backache/ Headaches

For most women this can be the first indication that they are pregnant but for the first few weeks of pregnancy you may experience cramping and have a feeling your period will arrive at any moment. Often the cramping is accompanied by back pain.

Obviously, any cramping and bleeding, even if it is light, should be reported to your doctor. Pregnant women also often experience more headaches than normal and again this can be a result of massive hormonal changes.

Light Bleeding/ Spotting

About 8-10 days after ovulation some women experience some light bleeding which coincides with the time a period was due. Sometimes this can be mistaken for a light period. This bleeding is often implantation bleeding which is a result of the egg implanting in the uterus.

Dizziness/ Fainting

Because pregnancy affects the sense of taste and smell lots of pregnant women unintentionally avoid food and skip meals. This causes low blood sugar levels which can lead to dizzy spells and fainting.

If you are standing for a long period of time the increased pressure of the uterus pressing on major arteries in your legs can lead to a fall in blood pressure which can also make you feel dizzy or faint.

Constipation

In order to absorb all the nutrients that your developing baby requires, pregnancy hormones slow down your metabolism and this can lead to constipation. Try eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and drinking lots of water to help avoid constipation.

Irritability

With lots of pregnancy hormones raging through your body, as well as coping with sickness and tiredness, is it any wonder pregnant women get easily irritated during early pregnancy? If you find yourself getting stressed and losing your temper try to take some gentle exercise, more rest and eat a healthy, balanced diet - if you can face it!

Heartburn/ Indigestion

Although heartburn and indigestion are usually associated with the later stages of pregnancy, they can also occur early on for some women. HCG slows down digestion meaning that your stomach remains full for longer. Stomach acid can then make its way into your oesophagus and even to the back of your throat causing discomfort and even nausea. It can often be relieved with medication, so ask your doctor for some antacids suitable during pregnancy. Avoid eating heavy or spicy meals late in the evening as these can aggravate the problem!

Changes in Complexion

You might notice your skin breaks out in spots as a result of all the pregnancy hormones coursing through your body but this often settles down by the second trimester! Any moles or liver spots may also darken due to increased skin pigmentation.

Increased Cervical Mucous

Many pregnant women notice that they pass more cervical mucous than normal and that it is thick and white. This is normal in pregnancy. But if you notice an unusual smell or itching alongside it, consult your GP as Thrush is also a common pregnancy complaint!

Weight Loss

Perhaps surprisingly you may lose weight during the first trimester of pregnancy. However, considering that most women try to eat more healthily, cut out alcohol and eat less due to a decreased appetite, it is completely normal! Couple that with a bigger bosom than usual and you may be complimented on how wonderful you are looking often by unsuspecting individuals who are unaware of your pregnancy. Make the most of it while you can!

Enjoy your precious nine months!

Sinead Hoben runs her own website, http://www.breastfeedingmums.com offering breastfeeding support and advice to pregnant and breastfeeding mums. Or visit BreastFeedingMums Blog, http://breastfeedingmums.typepad.com to discover the busy life and times of a breastfeeding mum!Crysta Blog57777
Delphinia Blog27320

Investing Locally vs. Nationally

You're driving down the street in your hometown when suddenly you see a goldmine sitting in front of you; it is a vacant house, with overgrown weeds and in need of some TLC. It's screaming "buy me cheap," and the wheels start spinning in your head about the 10 to 50 thousand dollars you can make by rapidly acquiring this home, renovating, and then selling as a pretty house. You scramble to the courthouse, look up property owner, and SCORE!!! it's an out of town owner! Clearly they are desparate to sell. You track down the seller's phone number and with much anticipation, you make that all important call.. dollar signs dancing in your head. But wait, you are getting the dreaded message from the phone company, "We're sorry, but the number you have reached has been disconnected..." Bummer. Well, all we have to do is send this person a letter and it is pay day baby! So, out goes the letter knowing the phone will ring as soon as it is received.

After day 5 of waiting, you decide they must just be out of town and any day, you will get that call. After week 2, you are starting to wonder what is going on but still are hopeful. Finally, after week 4, you are starting to believe this is a lost cause. Oh well, another golden opportunity that just didn't quite materialize; there has got to be an easier way.

The above scenario, while hypothetical, is a typical scenario faced by many investors that work on a local basis. Regardless if you are interested in wholesaling, flipping, renovating, lease optioning, or the variety of other options available to you, there are two things that you must accomplish to be a successful local investor: steady supply of quality opportunities and a steady supply of buyers for your properties. As an investor that has participated in the purchase of millions of dollars of properties, locally as well as on a nationally, let me be the first to tell you that BOTH local and national investing work great, IF DONE PROPERLY; however, the impact that each has on your time involvement is wildly different.

In this article, I will try to explain the pro's and con's of investing locally vs nationally. Even though I lead a group of national investors numbering of 20,000, I still invest in my backyard and find it profitable. In my opinion, an investor should not decide BETWEEN investing locally/nationally but rather understand the merits of both and use which ever suits them best at a particular time.

Local Investing: The mantra in real estate investing has always been "invest in what you know your own backyard". For the knowledgeable investor, this is good advice because then you KNOW when a good deal is actually in front of you. However, when we discuss the national investing approach, you will see that it is not the only way to know the market.

For example, suppose you get offered to purchase a home at a fire sale price of $130/Sq. Ft. According to the broker, this is a slam dunk. If you happen to KNOW that properties are going for $170/Sq. Ft in the area and the fix up costs are reasonable, then in a matter of minutes, you can make a decision to purchase the property. That local knowledge is critical to understanding when you have a good, low risk opportunity.

In addition to just local knowledge, there are a number of other issues that we must consider. Specifically, some of the pro's & con's of local investing that we see are:

Pros:

1. Knowledge of market If the investor does their homework.

2. Easy access to property Simply drive to the property to inspect.

3. Can control any fixups, rentals, etc. Much easier to deal with locally.

4. Can structure deals with little money or credit Yes, the no/low money down deals do work but just take a lot of work to create.

Cons

1. Heavy competition Almost all other investors are looking locally so you get the needle in a haystack problem;

2. Time Because you have to find the deals, it is hard to invest with limited time. Successful local investors set up advertising systems to bring properties to them.

3. No Clout Let's face it, as an individual investor, it is difficult to get great deals, discounts, etc. unless you have a LONG track record of performing in that market.

4. No Outside Analysis Other than possibly a local agent helping you, there is little market/growth analysis that is available to you unless you perform it yourself.

Again, this can be quite time consuming. Most local investors take one of two paths after gaining some experience: either they abandon it because it takes too much time, or they find it lucrative enough to turn it into a full time business. For the individual that has money and credit to invest but not much time, then most find the local approach to be frustrating.

National Investing: The best way to understand national investing is to look at Walmart's business model. What they do is find suppliers that can produce quality product at the most competitive price. Because they have such a large consumer base, it is lucrative for the supplier to provide quality product at much reduced margins relative to low volume stores. Also, by not being restricted geographically, they can find those suppliers where the economics makes sense for everybody. In the national real estate arena, it really works the same way. Consider our group that has over 20,000+ investors registered to our database. If you are a real estate developer interested in rapidly selling a portion of your project, then you would be very interested in talking with us because of our volume of buyers. Of course, you know that you are not going to get top dollar for your sales because our investors are not going to buy unless it is a good deal; this is how it becomes a win-win for both the developer (supplier) and the investor (consumer). One other factor comes into play: In many locations, including my local area, many types of real estate investments do not make sense because fundamentals like price, rents, and consumer demand are out of whack. For a national investor, it is absolutely irrelevant because there are always markets doing well. When a specific market, like maybe Florida or California gets out of line, it is simple to just look for investments elsewhere.

Of course, we must analyzy both sides of the national investing equation, as well.

Pros:

1. Buying Power By being an individual investor within a large group, then you have the buying power of Walmart behind you even though you may only plan on buying 1 property.

2. Time The national groups do all the work for you at no cost. They are paid fees by the developers and because of volume, it allows them to perform considerable efforts to find quality properties. You simply evaluate all the information that they have gathered.

3. Considerable Analysis Quality national groups will go to great lengths to understand and convey the local market information to you. They understand that you may not visit the area so they want you to be as informed as possible.

4. Little Competition Even though there is a HUGE number of investors in these groups, most everybody finds that there is plenty of opportunity to go around. Reason being is that most people want to only buy 1 property and quite frankly, most people do not act quickly enough. 5. Diversification You can buy properties in different areas of the country so if there is a down turn in one area, it may not impact your other properties.

Cons

1. Personal Knowledge Of Market You will not originally understand the market; however, the analysis delivered to your email will bring you up to speed quickly.

2. Access To Property Because time scales are typically short, if you want to visit a property, you need flexibility to juggle schedules (airline tickets are cheap).

3. Rental Issues You typically don't want to manage a property from long distance, because of this, national groups will identify appropriate property managers in the area.

4. Typically Requires Good Credit The national groups can obtain good financing options for you, but most are going to want Beacon scores of 650 or higher.

5. Trust Requires a lot of confidence in the national group. Do your due diligence on the group.

In my experience there is no right or wrong answer to the question: is local investing better than national or vice versa? In fact, I still invest both ways to this day. Hopefully the discussion above has given you some insight into what might become effective for you as you continue to build your real estate portfolio.

Copyright (c) 2006 GetPreConstructionDeals.com

Dr. Chris Anderson is the founder of http://www.GetPreconstructionDeals.com and is referenced in many venues including the New York Times and USA Today. Get his weekly, thought provoking articles by signing up today!Courtnay Blog61229
Chantalle Blog45472

The Very Best Way To Lose Weight Is To Cleanse Your Body

Using Organic Products Does Make a Difference

If you're one of those people who have never given any thought to what ingredients might be in the products you use, you're not alone.

And if you're one of the people who believe that if it's on a shelf being advertized and sold, then it must have been tested and be safe to use, well, think again.

It is so frustrating to me to see how large corporations sell out their consumers just to make a buck, but then I guess that's what makes the world go round, right? Profits are put before the health of the public and using "beauty" as the hook, most people are drawn right in. I think it's time that we set new standards for ourselves and our children. Sure everyone wants to look "younger" and "more beautiful," but at what expense? We as consumers need to know what is in the products we are using and how it can affect us today and in the future.

The truth is that few of the chemicals in cosmetics and personal care products are fully tested to find out what kind of affects they have on the humans that use them, and certainly none of the toxic chemicals are tested in relation to other toxic chemicals. After all, you do use more than one product at a time, don't you?

In other words, no one really knows what the adverse reactions are at the time of usage or what's going to happen after they have accumulated in your body over a period of time.

It's time for you to become informed, learn about the ingredients, read about what consumer organizations are doing to try to protect you, find out about healthy alternatives to using synthetic toxic products, learn about the effects of these ingredients and the various reactions that you might have to them.

Find out the truth about fluoride. Why is it that the FDA requires a warning on all fluoridated toothpastes telling the consumer to seek professional help or contact a poison control center immediately if they accidentally swallow more toothpaste than used for brushing?

Learn about the possible link between the aluminium in antiperspirants and Alzheimer's disease and that there is research to suggest a link between aluminium and epilepsy.

Using conventional products is a matter of personal choice. We can avoid many of these toxic chemicals by simply using organic products instead. We have options. Organic skin care is an area of the organic movement which has made real progress in recent times, and where previously there were few options available, there is now a fairly wide range of grooming products out there. Another option open to consumers is to make your own cosmetics using organic ingredients.

As you can see, we are really required to look after our families and ourselves, no matter what products we are using, they may toxins.

We also find toxins in our vegetables, our meats, our dairy products, a great lot of thought has to go into your selection of foods.

Have you ever asked yourself this question, why is it today we have more obese people? Up 67% of the population are overweight today. There were a great lot less many years ago. A few, but in no way were they around as they are today, and believe me it will get worse. It will not get any better unless people educate themselves. Unless they know why this is happening, the problem will continue to grow.

In order to rid ourselves of these toxins it was required someone came up with a Natural body cleanse which would be able to clean out the fatty particles, and the toxins from the colon, liver, kidneys and lungs, plus all the other organs. I am happy to say I used John Anderson's natural cleanse from the Isagenix company, after I used it I felt 100% better and had the energy I had lost over the years.

You will also find this company offers Natural Beauty Aids which are worth investigating.

In order to rid ourselves of these toxins it was required someone came up with a body cleanse which would be able to clean out the fat particles, and the toxins from the colon, liver, kidneys and lungs, plus all the other organs. I am happy to say I used John Anderson's natural cleanse, after I used it I felt full of energy, just like I had when I was young.

I would also tell you, I am 78 years old, I feel like a 50 year old because I cleanse regularly. I would also mention, my first 9 day cleanse resulted in the loss of 13lbs.

You are not doing yourself any favors by leaving toxins in your Body, cleanse and feel wonderful.

Ralph Morton is the author of"Need Help With Diabetes? Get Rid Of Toxins and Lose Weight Fast" he has helped thousands of individuals to lose a lot of weight. Visit his site to find out how you can do a cleanse plus you will be able to listen to to the Gastroenterologist, the good Doctor Becky Natrajan will explain the toxins, and why they must be removed from your system, Visit http://theteam.isagenix.com ,after it loads, on the top left click on ISAVIDEOs, and hear what she has to say. Next to that video are one each from ABC and FOX news, explaining the ISAGENIX cleanse. Don't miss these.Any Questions Call 604-536-6813 or Email: noviorbis@telus.net Cornie Blog11287
Cthrine Blog98853

Donate Your Used Car

Planning to sell your old car? Think twice before doing so, since you will have to go through the procedure of contacting an agent or will have to put a classified in your local newspaper to sell your car. This would cause you constant phone calls and disturbance. Besides this it will take you a lot of time to sell your old car and find a suitable customer at the best price and get the paper work done.

With all these hassles, do you want to go through to sell your car? Consider donating your car to charity. There are many car donation programs run by different car charity organizations. You can donate your car to any of these charities or any of the charity that you support. The main charities which run a successful and trustable car donation program are American Kidney Foundation, Kars4Kids, Cure Childhood Cancer and Activated Ministries apart from the others.

You can donate your car to these charities. All you will need is your old car and a clean title. When you donate your car you will get a tax cut. This tax cut is usually equal to the price of your used car. To find out the cost of your car you can get it appraised by a certified car appraisal expert or refer to the Kelly Blue Book (KBB). Now with this information with you, all you have to do is give a call to your favorite car charity and they will have it picked up from your door step. Besides donating your car you can also donate your boat and motorcycles.

This car that you donate will help support the needy and give them a better life and also get you a tax cut. More importantly countless blessings. So go ahead, donate your used car today.

Anurag Pareek writes for Car Donation Infoline You guide to charitable car donation and car donation program . Donate your car and help a needy.Clarabelle Blog14174
Clarine Blog76448

Relive Life With The Grand Bahamas Island

We all take life as it comes. Everyday seems to be the same. Getting up in the morning, having breakfast, going for office, school, college, going through grueling sessions, getting back home and again waiting for the same routine. This scenario is almost the same for all the families. Life seems to be the same monotonous thing. But at times we do tend to deviate from the hassles of the daily life and want to leave behind the hustle and bustle of the daily life. We generally tend to take a break from the daily life by going for vacations and when vacation is concerned what can be a better place than the Grand Bahamas Island. The Grand Bahamas Island can be the apt place for a memorable and a relaxing vacation with your family as well as your friends.

The entire grand Bahamas Island is an assortment of seven hundred beautiful islands. And the best part is that you can indulge yourself in the grand Bahamas Island. Not only are the grand Bahamas island a beautiful place to be in, they also give you the liberty to free the sportsman spirit in you. The grand Bahamas Island gives all visitors ample scope to enjoy adventurous and amazing outdoor games and water sports. Once you step into the grand Bahamas Island you are bound to be thrilled and excited and have a gala time. The grand Bahamas island have some really beautiful places that boast of scenic beauty and have the ability of mesmerizing tourists who visit the grand Bahamas island.

In fact once somebody visits the grand Bahamas Island, he is bound to come back over and over again as the grand Bahamas island is one place that just can not be avoided. Nassau is the capital of the grand Bahamas Island and it is a beautiful place to visit. It is one place that can make you go weak in your knees and trust me you will love being there and this one place will make you crave for more of it. You can go with your family, your friends and leave all the tensions and all the hustle and bustle of the daily life behind. Once you plan to visit the grand Bahamas Island you will need to arrange everything. You will need to look through traveling guides and at the same time look in for some tour package that will offer you some good discounts and also make your visit to the grand Bahamas Island a grand one. It is in fact a good option if you can fix up a travel agent for yourself. These travel agents are of great help. They not only provide you with a good travel and a staying package but they also help you to go around in the Bahamas and explore the entire place.

In fact taking your family for a vacation to the grand Bahamas Island can be the best gift that you can give to them. Make them feel all pampered and loved by taking them to the grand Bahamas Island. In fact the grand Bahamas islands can make you forget all the tensions and the problems of your daily lives and can make you love life and live life king size.

Suzane Gray has been offering Bahama travel and vacation packages advice for quite some time.To find bahamas golf vacation, grand bahamas island,cheap bahamas vacation package that best suits your needs, visit http://www.gobahama.comCicely Blog79669
Denise Blog21443

Cheap Deals On Home Phones - How Genuine Are They?

Cheap deals on home phones - how genuine are they?

Buying telephones online offers a real cost saving compared with buying direct from BT or other stores. So what are the catches? by Frost Telecoms

UNTESTED - Lets be honest, it does not take much to test a phone so if someone is offering something untested 9 times out of 10 it really means 'tested but faulty'. For example an untested phone may be worth 5 but by offering it tested the value is probably 15. No sane seller would lose 10 just by not testing it. So BEWARE - untested probably means FAULTY. You get what you pay for!!

NEW/USED - Catalogue returns are a large proportion of phones that are sold on through websites and EBay. Some sellers cheekily call these NEW when they obviously aren't. If the item is missing the original box or user guide then there is a very slim chance of the item still being New.

USER GUIDES - Sometimes these are original or sometimes offered on cd or online. Read the ad fully to make sure you are getting some kind of user guide. With todays technology there are so many features you will not be able to use or simply not know about without a user guide.

CAN YOU TRUST THE SELLER - Feedback on Ebay is a great way to check out a seller, but remember to scroll back a few pages. With many sellers selling 10+ items a day it is always worth taking a good look to get a proper idea of what other customers thought. Also, always ask the seller a question before your purchase. If their customer service is any good then you will receive a quick & helpful response - if not, simply don't buy from them. Can you imagine how bad the customer service will be after you have parted with your money? (Exclude weekends from this trial as many sellers work Mon-Fri)

DELIVERY - If the item is cheap, have you checked the postage costs. I have regularly seen items that I offer to post for 4 being offered with 10 postage. This simply is not fair and is a way of conning people.

SMALL PRINT - Yes the item might sound amazing and you are hastily reaching towards you wallet - but slow down and read the small print. Here you will find the real truths about your item.

It may be that there are big scratches, a handset is missing, the item will take 3 weeks to be delivered, the item is untested, you need to add VAT on the final price etc etc. The list is totally endless and I have seen some very scary things listed in the small print of some ads. Be Careful!!! If a seller is advertising thing with tiny tiny small print well below the main ad then you need to wonder how good the item is.

PHOTOS - Lots of sellers use stock photos of their items (including ourselves at Frost Telecoms) however some people could be using this as a way of disguising a rough item. The best way of finding out the true condition of the item is to ask the seller for a picture. Everyone nowadays has a digital camera or phone so there should be no excuses why you cant be sent a photo of the item. Again, if the seller won't oblige, can you really trust him.

WARRANTY - If there is no mention of a warranty then you sure won't get one. If the phone breaks in a week I really can't see you getting a refund. If you really want the item then ask the seller how much warraty he is willing to offer. If the answer comes back none or a week or two , then you really need to consider whether the item is likely to work for more than that time.

http://www.frosttelecoms.co.uk/shop

Paul Frost has been a Telecoms Engineer for many years and is here to help!!Denise Blog78856
Charis Blog25124

Local Residents Under Threat From Poor Computer Security

Local businessman and computer expert Dave Page, who runs Hybrid Computers, is warning home computer users in the Aylesbury area to beware that they are leaving themselves open to identity theft, spying and viruses from unscrupulous broadband hackers.

Typical home surfers shop and bank online; they use popular auction sites such as eBay and are likely to book their holiday on the net too. Lack of computer security is a growing menace for people unaware of the risks that using an unsecured internet connection can cause. The increasing use of laptops that use wireless broadband is adding to the problem. Surfing the net while relaxing in the garden during the warm summer weather may seem a luxury, but vulnerable users can be easily exploited.

Mr Page said: Home surfers have a huge amount of personal information on their PCs. Every time they shop online, they are transferring that information across cyberspace. If they are using an unprotected Wi-Fi connection, rogue users within signal range can surf the net at the expense of someone elses phone bill. This may seem fairly harmless, but it can have a dramatic effect on your surfing speed. But worse, experienced hackers can gain access to your data, files, personal information and more, without you noticing.

He warned that having up-to-date anti-virus software and a firewall is also vital to prevent your computer from being disabled by viruses and spyware programmes that can reveal what you do on the internet. Mr Page explained: Many users already have viruses and spyware on their PCs but are unaware that they are open to attack. Protecting yourself from these problems is really simple. Most home users just need their security settings enabled on equipment they already own. Others just need some additional software, which is very cost-effective compared with the cost of having your identity cloned or your internet connection exploited.

Hybrid Computers deals with these kinds of problems on a daily basis. Dave Page set up the company as he felt the Aylesbury area was not well served, with most computer companies only providing protection for businesses. He said: The reason that thousands of local residents have no security on their wireless networks isnt down to expense; its simply that they have no idea of how to set it up. It costs next to nothing to secure your PC and avoid problems. I recommend that everyone secures their computer today before it is too late.

Hybrid Computers offers same-day appointments and also provides a full repair and maintenance service at competitive rates for home users. Dave Page can be contacted on 01296 484 888 or through his website: http://www.hybrid-computers.biz.

Dave Page founded Hybrid Computers in April 2006, after working in IT all his working life for major computer firms.Darlleen Blog7794
Clarabelle Blog14174

THE ULTIMATE WEIGHT LOSS SOLUTION FAR INFRARED SAUNAS

Far Infrared Saunas are a healthy weight loss solution without exercising. Infrared saunas can burn 400-600 calories in just one 30 minute session. In the chart below is a summary of how many calories a 150 pound person normally burns in 30 minutes of exercise:

Sport Calories
Marathon Running 590
Vigorous Racquet Ball 510
Rowing (peak effort) 600
Swimming (crawl stroke) 300
Jogging 300
Tennis (fast game) 265
Chopping Wood 265
Cycling (10 mph) 225
Golfing (without a cart) 150
Walking (3.5mph) 150
Bowling 120

In a far infrared sauna, a moderately fit person can sweat one pound of sweat in 30 minute session, which is the equivalent of running 2-3 miles. While it is true that the weight of the water expelled in the sauna may be regained by re-hydrating with water the calories lost with not, resulting in weight loss.

Weight loss is just one of the many benefits of regular use of Far Infrared Saunas.

How do Far Infrared Saunas Work?

Far Infrared Saunas have been around for years, but only recently have become popular in North America. Japanese have been utilizing the Infrared Saunas for the past century and have enjoyed tremendous health benefits from them.

Infrared Saunas are unlike conventional saunas which pull sweat out of the body. Far Infrared energy penetrates up to 3 inches into the body and PUSHES sweat out of the body. As the body is heated from the inside out, it forces toxins under the skin out.

The temperature of a far infrared sauna is typically between 90۫ - 120۫ F versus a traditional sauna which operates between 180۫ -220۫ F. However, despite operating at a lower temperature, you will typically perspire far more in infrared saunas because the infrared energy penetrates your body at a much deeper level. Fat becomes water soluble at 100۫ F when it begins to dissolve, move through the blood and finally is removed from the body, resulting in weight loss. Toxins are also eliminated through your skin using lower, comfortable temperatures, for rapid detoxification.

Radiant heat is more effective than other heat because it warms you not the surrounding air. A great example of infrared heat is the sun. The warmth of the heat on your skin you feel on a cold sunny day is far infrared energy. Far infrared waves vibrate at the same frequency as we do, which is why they are able to penetrate into the flesh and warm you up internally. Every moment we are emitting far infrared energy. In fact, palm healing is based on the natural healing properties of far infrared heat.

Is your body Over ACIDIC?

If you are unable to achieve weight loss or continually trying to lose that last 15 pounds you could be over acidic. Often times the body holds on to extra weight because it is toxic and in an acidic environment. When a system is too acid, the body produces more insulin than usual. The more insulin that is available, the higher chance the fat will be stored rather than burned as energy, making it difficult for weight loss. To protect itself the body will hold onto the weight. As the toxic chemicals are removed from the body when using a far infrared sauna, weight loss is inevitable.

Studies have shown that the detoxification potential of a far infrared sauna is 3 times greater than a regular sauna. When analyzing the water content of sweat in a traditional hot air sauna it was 95-97%. Conversely the water content of sweat in a far infrared sauna is about 80-85%. The remaining 15-20% contains toxic substances such as lead, aluminum and fluoride.

Reduce Cellulite!

Far Infrared heat can assist in breaking down cellulite. Cellulite is a gel-like substance made up of fat, water and wastes which are trapped in pockets below the skin. Profuse sweating helps clear this form of unwanted debris from the body. Because the heat penetration of infrared saunas is over twice that of conventional saunas and up to ten times the level of heat in these tissues an Infrared Sauna can be significantly more effective than a conventional sauna.

TOP 10 REASON TO BUY AN INFRARED SAUNA

1. Weight Loss
2. Detoxify Effect improve health by ridding your body of toxins
3. Cardiovascular conditioning - can decrease heart failure and hypertension
4. Alleviates Muscle and Joint Pain great for arthritis and rheumatism sufferers. They are also excellent for athletes when warming up or cooling down as infrared saunas will increase muscle length
5. Relieves Stress will leave you feeling rejuvenated
6. Improved Immune System increase resistance to disease
7. Improved Skin Tone and Elasticity
8. Helps Skin Problems; helps heal scars, burns, acne, eczema, psoriasis
9. Reduce Cellulite
10. Improves male sexual function; Infrared Saunas have been shown to increase the production of nitric oxide.

A single person can have the infrared sauna set up and ready to use in under an hour!

DISCLAIMER: The information in this article is intended for educational purposes only. The author of this article is not a medically trained physician; therefore, any theories or suggestions put forward are intended to supplement and not replace the advice of medically or legally trained professionals. All matters concerning your health require medical supervision. Please ensure that you consult your doctor prior to adopting any suggestions put forward by e-Smart Living, as well as about any condition that may require medical diagnosis or medical attention. E-Smart Living is not responsible in any manner whatsoever for any injury sustained either directly or indirectly from information put forward in this article.

Shelley Moore has spent over 15 years in the health and wellness industry. She is a certified Personal Trainer and Health and Wellness Specialist and has traveled extensively, studying alternative forms of medicine and ancient healing methods. More recently she left her role as the Canadian National Sales Manager for an organic food company to pursue opportunities with her boyfriend in Costa Rica . Sharing a passion for health, their website http://www.e-smartliving.com provides healthy, safe home products that help people lead a life full of energy and vitality. They have seen tremendous health benefits from individuals who regularly use far infrared saunas.Dael Blog23902
Chrysler Blog8516

Buy Home Decor to Suit your Home's Character

For the first nineteen years of my life I lived in the same town in my parents home. Whatever home decor there was interested me little, it was just there. Then I went to Italy for a year and lived with an Italian Duke and his family. They lived in a villa in Rome. There I noticed the home decor. The rooms were huge. The Duchess had a penchant for elaborate baroque wall mirrors. They were everywhere, with the rest of the home decor to match. Most days the gardener cut arms full of fresh flowers. I often helped to carry them because I liked to follow him around so that I could look at the classical art statue sculptures and fountains. They, and marble benches, strategically placed between the trees and flowers, were the garden decor. Since I liked to do it, it soon became my job to arrange the flowers in decorative vases. I had a free hand in placing them on tables, cabinets and plant stands. It wasn't exactly decorating, but it gave me a satisfying feeling to contribute something to those marvelous rooms.

After one year I moved to Paris, France. Not much scope for home decorating there. I lived in a tiny furnished room, where the home decor consisted of a narrow bed, a pine wood chair, a wardrobe and a wood cabinet with a washbowl. A bare light bulb hung from the ceiling. All I added was a decorative mirror, a reading lamp and a crystal vase, which I kept filled with fresh flowers from the market.

After that it was great to move into a house near Los Angeles, California, which I shared with my sister. Without much planning, we decided what we needed and went out to buy whatever appealed to us. As nice as the furniture had looked in the showroom, somehow, in that house it did not seem right. For one thing, it was much too massive and the colors clashed with the paint colors and window coverings. We did not have much time to stew over it since we both carried a full load of courses at the college and worked four hours after class and eight on Saturdays.

The day after I graduated, I got married and my wonderful husband and I moved into an apartment near his work. At first I had fun buying new furniture and making the place look nice, but soon I realized that apartment living was not for me. I missed wandering between the flowers and sitting on the garden bench under the open sky with that first cup of coffee.

As soon as our lease was up, we moved into a house on a steep hillside. We used the furniture we had, even though it looked somewhat out of place. Going around to flea markets and buying items without thinking whether they would fit in with what we had, did not help. At the same time my husband inherited his uncle's collectible knives, swords and sabers. They presented a real challenge for me. What was I to do with home decor like that? Mother Nature soon took care of my dilemma. The house and most of what we owned was burned in the Bel Air fire.

Of course I was very sad about the loss, yet I was excited.

Here was my chance to start all over again and this time I intended to make the home decor match the house. We rented a bungalow with a slanting roof, dark, exposed beams and lots of windows. We moved in with just a few borrowed necessities and stacks of home decor magazines and books. As I saw pictures of things that appealed to me, I would sit in different corners of the empty room I wanted to furnish and envisioned those things in place. It was a great method to decide on my selection. Lime green and lemon yellow were very much in fashion then and probably would have looked ghastly in any of the other dwellings we had had. But in that house, with the dark beams, dark oak flooring and big windows framed by citrus trees, I could envision that it would look nice. And it did. It was a delightful home.

A year later my husband decided to go back to college for his Masters Degree. We loaded what we could into our Volkswagen Bus, sold the rest of our belongings and headed for Austin, Texas, accompanied by two babies and a cat. Money was tight and home decor took a back seat to all else. Like so many student accommodations, ours had a lot of make-do furnishings. The bricks and boards book shelve, the milk crate and plywood tables and second hand sofas and beds. Our newborn slept in what used to be a packing box for toilet paper, nicely lined with colorful fabric. It didn't seem to matter. I devoted my time to my children. My husband devoted his time to his studies .

In less than twelve month he got his degree and was recommended by his professor to a company in Pasadena, California.

We found a lovely cottage style home. Once again I was absolutely thrilled to be able to start decorating from scratch, since we had brought nothing with us. I went through the routine of sitting in different corners of the empty rooms and envisioned what, of the things I had seen in magazines and home decor stores, would look good in that house. I settled on country cottage style home decor and in the end, of all the homes we had lived in, this one, still today, was the one we felt most comfortable and at home in.

Our bliss lasted for almost two years until my husband was transferred to Atlanta, Georgia. Fortunately the company let us fly there ahead of time to check the place out and I could see right away that in the colonial style homes we looked at, country cottage home decor would never do. My husband came to an agreement with his company, that instead of paying for the movers to transport our furniture, they would give him a lump sum.

With great pleasure I acquainted myself with colonial style home decor, sat in the empty rooms envisioning what to put where and in the end came up with a truly elegant period masterpiece. What a delight it was to entertain in that house.

I should have known that it would not last but must admit that I said yes faster than my husband when his boss offered him a job in Nepal.We had no idea what to expect in that country. Things seemed primitive compared to what we were used to but we loved it. We found a rather grand looking house where the water pipes and electrical lines were all outside the walls. The fuse boxes were right by the entrance so that everybody could see that this house was modern enough to have such luxuries. The floors were naked cement and there was no heating. Sitting in corners of the empty rooms to envision them furnished did not do it here either, since there were no stores where one could just go and buy furniture. Simple beds, with hemp cords strung between the sides and badly made whicker chairs were all one could buy ready made. Other expatriates advised us to get pictures of home decor we would like to have and take them to a carpenter who may or may not come up with something similar. We did and also found a place in the bazaar where we could order coir carpeting. It did not look like much but felt invigoratingly rough under bare feet. Dishes, cutlery and whatever else one needs in a home also were of ghastly quality, but it did not matter, nobody else had anything better, except for embassy staff, who got everything shipped in. Slowly the pieces of furniture we had ordered were delivered and little by little the place started to look like a home. Finally we could reciprocate for all the many invitations we had accepted from ex pats and local people alike. We might not have had the home decor we would have liked but since the electricity often failed anyhow, by candlelight it did look delightful. Besides, we had one of the best cooks in Katmandu and visitors told us that they would have come to eat his food, had the house been empty.

We were supposed to go back to the United States after my husbands contract was up but even before that, his boss wanted him to transfer to Madras, India. By good fortune we found an almost new bungalow which had been build on stilts so as to not disturb the roots of a huge holy tree in front of it. The house was built in a square around a courtyard with a mango tree in the middle and all rooms had big glass double doors opening out to it. When I saw the place, I could immediately envision a garden theme and was glad to find fabrics with a lattice and bamboo design for the curtains and matching green upholstery for the sofas and chairs we had made. Even though it took many trips to the bazaar, and frequent reminders to the carpenters, eventually all the home decor complimented the garden feeling I had wanted to achieve. It was like living outdoors.

After that we moved fourteen more times, always to different countries, all over the world, without ever bringing any furnishings with us. Each time I went through the same process of sitting in the empty rooms, envisioning the results I wanted to create, then finding the right home decor. The look was always perfect for that particular house.

Few people move as much as I did. For them it is even more important, right at the beginning, to decorate their home to suit it's character. Having chosen what looks right then will still look right years later.

Elisabeth Mcgill is now permanently living in Tucson, Arizona. To make use of her expertise in home decorating and her knowledge of decorator items from around the world, she is in the process of creating a home and garden decor business. http://www.buyhomeandgardendecor.com (not yet published)Denna Blog68123
Daloris Blog50270

Toyota Corolla Stays Strong At 40

Would you believe that it has already been forty years already? Many trends and many fads have come and gone but it seems like only the best and only the most reliable have come to stay.

So what vehicle has been in the industry for forty years already? Well, the Toyota Corolla. And it could be pretty surprising if there are some people who do not even know what the Toyota Corolla is all about. This vehicle has certainly stood through the various tests that the industry has presented but it seems like a real and a true survivor. It has passed various challenges like new vehicles coming that held features very much just like the ones that it held. There were also times when the Toyota Corolla was sent to low ranks for there were really cool vehicles that were worth buying. Despite all these, the Toyota Corolla still remains while all others have found themselves headed out to junkyard heaven.

It is the Toyota Corolla’s fortieth birthday in the industry but it seems like there is no end yet to this vehicle’s successes. In fact, as the years go on, age seems to be a really good ally for this Japanese designed and manufactured vehicle. It has come with various designs and went through different upgrades. And through its changes, the industry and the market has also made sure that the products made for this vehicle like its accessories and other Toyota car parts would fit the changes and upgrades done.

The very first Toyota Corolla made was introduced to the motoring public in October of the year 1966. And forty years later, it is still one of the most recognized vehicles because it offers its owners low fuel consumption. It has also proven that it is a reliable vehicle.

At present, there are already sixteen different countries which produce the Toyota Corolla. In fact, these countries span from Asian countries like Taiwan and Japan to Western regions like the United States and Canada.

Jennifer Dylan is a 35-year-old gal who hails from San Francisco. She has a habit of updating herself on new car trends and models. She spends most of her time reading up on cars and hopes to test drive them. She works for one of the topnotch car parts dealer in the U.S. Dee Blog43662
Cris Blog57452

Prepaid x Standard Cell Phone Services

A decade ago perhaps the options weren`t very many, but as time went by and with the advancement of high technology, cell phones became increasingly available for just about everyone, and most of us questioned which will be the best suitable service option when choosing a cell phone. Today there are two basic options: the prepaid cell phone service, which allows you to control more closely how much you can or want to spend in a particular month, and the standard cell phone service, which usually charges you a monthly bill. Both services seem to offer very good deals depending upon each person needs.

The prepaid service is meant primarily for users who want to keep a closer control of the amount of expenses in phone calls. After the phone credits are gone, one has the option to buy some more or not, keeping his expenses within a limit. This kind of service became very popular and it seems to keep growing every day worldwide. In developing countries, where cell phone tariff is expensive, prepaid services made possible to just about everyone to make use of cell phones.

Another advantage of this service is the fact that in case of a phone loss, one doesn`t have to worry much about phone calls made by third parties, because the cell phone has usually a small amount of credits inserted in. Once the stolen-lost cell phone is reported to the service provider, the phone chip will be canceled and no more hassle to worry about, except for the loss of the handset.

The standard cell phone service seems to be meant for the more active users who regularly dial phone calls or don`t care to go through the hassle of buying cell phone credits often. Although this service usually has a less expensive tariff than the prepaid service, users tend to make more use of it and because of that they end up spending more money with phone services.

One does really have to consider the options available and find out which is the most suitable for his personal use. The option for prepaid service seems to be more adequate for the less amount of usage the average people usually do. Those who prefer the prepaid service, do so because it is more attractive to their needs and they don`t have to worry about paying more for an extra service that it is not going to be used anyway.

For those who can`t afford a more expensive model or simply don`t want to spend any extra money for a cell phone, the prepaid service then becomes the ideal choice. However for those who need to keep updated this latest high-tech cell phone features and making phone calls is part of his personal or professional life, then the standard monthly paid service will seem more appropriate.

So whenever picking a cell phone service plan, make sure it fits your lifestyle. After all it`s you who will be paying the phone bill.

This article is under GNU FDL license and can be distributed without any previous authorization from the author. However the authors name and all the URLs (links) mentioned in the article and biography must be kept.

Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for http://www.polomercantil.com.brChristina Blog61647
Cornelle Blog56778

Riding Skills: Effects Of Strong Crosswinds On Choppers

During fall riding, we have to deal with strong and gusty winds. I suppose you could set a limit and say "I won't ride if the winds gust above 30 MPH... but what fun would that be? On a day like today (50 degrees and sunny) can you imagine not riding because of the wind?

(Note: I do have my limits for things like temperatures and I suppose if the winds were above 40 MPH I would probably not ride. Just use your common sense and set your "personal limits" based on your bike limits and rider skill level).

Aircraft pilots often refer to the season change from fall to winter as the "bumpy flight time" because Mother Nature has to use lots of wind to "push summer way" (likewise during the spring to summer change). Whatever the reason... the reality is strong and gusty winds on the ground (for us bikers) as well as in the air during this time of year and we have to know how to ride with these winds.

For most motorcycles, gusty winds are just an annoyance requiring some mild adjustments while riding. On a chopper, a gusty wind will feel like someone is standing beside the bike and is taking their best foot and pressing hard (in a sideways) direction right on the forward control peg (left or right depending on the direction of the wind). I am not sure if this is due to flex in the long forks, the rake, or both but it can make for a strange feeling like the front tire is going to slip out from under you.

So, I have found the best technique for dealing with strong and gusty winds is to ride in the center section of my lane (if the pavement and traffic conditions allow it) and maintain a strong grip on the handlebars while being relaxed enough to adjust as needed during and after the gusts. Like most conditions that deal with handling... slowing down can be a good option too... especially while in heavy traffic during these conditions.

Ride steady!

Ron Gallagher operates his web-based development business http://www.ROAT.com and writes a blog http://www.HowToRideChoppers.com. Writing articles about riding and choppers has allowed my blog to become a FAQ on tips, tricks, and ideas on how to make owning and riding a chopper more fun!Charlotta Blog36649
Clarine Blog10694

Gaming Laptops As The Perfect Christmas Gifts

Let's face it, everyone knows gaming laptops are expensive. Real expensive. Although prices have fallen dramatically over the last few years, you still have to be prepared to spend a fair hunk of change if you're going to treat someone with one of these ultimate computing machines.

Expensive, yes!

But don't be overwhelmed by the high price tag, the gaming laptop has many hidden benefits and practical uses. Very few people realize how practical gaming laptops are as Christmas gifts.

Practical?

Yes! Gaming laptops are practical in several ways...

First, the ideal Christmas gift must be fun, it must offer joy and pleasure to the receiver. A top of line or even middle range gaming laptop will offer hours and hours of fun and enjoyment to the new proud owner.

Think back at all the great Christmas gifts you have received in the past - which ones do you remember with the most fondness? Which ones offered you the most complete joy? Chances are it was the gift or toy that you played with the most, for hours and hours on end.

It was also probably the one toy that kept you out of the way, occupied and playing with it for days. The one gift that kept you from disturbing your parents, giving them perhaps the ultimate gift in return - peace and quiet in the home.

A gaming laptop will keep even the most active child or teenager totally absorbed and oblivious for hours, even days at a time. How practical is that? Ask any besieged parent out there and you might get more than a few sly grins...

Granted, they are still more cheaper practical gifts you can buy. Remember the worst gift you've ever gotten at Christmas time. Probably a pair of socks from Aunt Sue or Uncle Harry?

Socks: Practical, yes. Fun, No!

Perfect Christmas gifts have to be fun. They also have to be shared.

Perhaps your most favorite gift was one that was not only fun but could be shared with others. An interactive toy or game that brought everybody together at Christmas time. Quality time before it was called a silly thing like quality time!

A gaming laptop can be a gift for the whole family, it can be shared with everyone. From friendly game playing to preparing Mom's tax returns to compiling Dad's cooking recipes. Laptops are versatile and completely portable, move them from room to room in your home or take them along on those long car rides to the cottage. A laptop can be a practical fun gift for the whole family.

What many people also don't realize; gaming laptops are high quality computers - take away the gaming aspect and you still have a high performance work-horse. Excellent for company spreadsheets, fast professional video editing or even high volume database storage. Excellent for all those multi-tasking chores for a home business or home office.

For students, that ultimate gaming machine can also be the perfect word processor for all those class assignments. That stylist monster can be the perfect study/resource aid used throughout the school year. These days, with the Internet, gaming laptops can also be the perfect tools to keep parents in touch with their college going children. Most high end gaming laptops even have a built-in webcam.

Of course, you must not forget that a high end, top of the line gaming laptop is foremost a pleasure machine. It will have top quality sound and visuals; perfect for viewing a favorite movie or family photos. Most are now complete home entertainment machines that can offer much more than just video games.

However, you must always remember, the best gifts are the ones that are perfectly matched to what the receiver wants. So if there's a person close to you who wants one of these gaming monsters for Christmas, why not give it to them?

If you can afford it, why not? The receiver will surely be pleased and overjoyed with a gaming laptop. Besides, Christmas is the time for giving joy and pleasure to the ones we care about the most. It is a time to express our love by giving gifts.

Scraping all the sentimental hallmarks to one side for the moment, there are many more practical reasons to justify such an expensive item as we have shown above. Actually, all you have to remember are the key factors which makes a gaming laptop such a perfect Christmas gift in the first place.

Gaming laptops: Practical, yes. Fun, hell yes!

Copyright (c) 2006 Titus Hoskins

Titus Hoskins runs an online Laptop Guide featuring the latest top gaming laptops:Christabel Blog77392
Christel Blog75342

Buy Home Decor to Suit your Home's Character

For the first nineteen years of my life I lived in the same town in my parents home. Whatever home decor there was interested me little, it was just there. Then I went to Italy for a year and lived with an Italian Duke and his family. They lived in a villa in Rome. There I noticed the home decor. The rooms were huge. The Duchess had a penchant for elaborate baroque wall mirrors. They were everywhere, with the rest of the home decor to match. Most days the gardener cut arms full of fresh flowers. I often helped to carry them because I liked to follow him around so that I could look at the classical art statue sculptures and fountains. They, and marble benches, strategically placed between the trees and flowers, were the garden decor. Since I liked to do it, it soon became my job to arrange the flowers in decorative vases. I had a free hand in placing them on tables, cabinets and plant stands. It wasn't exactly decorating, but it gave me a satisfying feeling to contribute something to those marvelous rooms.

After one year I moved to Paris, France. Not much scope for home decorating there. I lived in a tiny furnished room, where the home decor consisted of a narrow bed, a pine wood chair, a wardrobe and a wood cabinet with a washbowl. A bare light bulb hung from the ceiling. All I added was a decorative mirror, a reading lamp and a crystal vase, which I kept filled with fresh flowers from the market.

After that it was great to move into a house near Los Angeles, California, which I shared with my sister. Without much planning, we decided what we needed and went out to buy whatever appealed to us. As nice as the furniture had looked in the showroom, somehow, in that house it did not seem right. For one thing, it was much too massive and the colors clashed with the paint colors and window coverings. We did not have much time to stew over it since we both carried a full load of courses at the college and worked four hours after class and eight on Saturdays.

The day after I graduated, I got married and my wonderful husband and I moved into an apartment near his work. At first I had fun buying new furniture and making the place look nice, but soon I realized that apartment living was not for me. I missed wandering between the flowers and sitting on the garden bench under the open sky with that first cup of coffee.

As soon as our lease was up, we moved into a house on a steep hillside. We used the furniture we had, even though it looked somewhat out of place. Going around to flea markets and buying items without thinking whether they would fit in with what we had, did not help. At the same time my husband inherited his uncle's collectible knives, swords and sabers. They presented a real challenge for me. What was I to do with home decor like that? Mother Nature soon took care of my dilemma. The house and most of what we owned was burned in the Bel Air fire.

Of course I was very sad about the loss, yet I was excited.

Here was my chance to start all over again and this time I intended to make the home decor match the house. We rented a bungalow with a slanting roof, dark, exposed beams and lots of windows. We moved in with just a few borrowed necessities and stacks of home decor magazines and books. As I saw pictures of things that appealed to me, I would sit in different corners of the empty room I wanted to furnish and envisioned those things in place. It was a great method to decide on my selection. Lime green and lemon yellow were very much in fashion then and probably would have looked ghastly in any of the other dwellings we had had. But in that house, with the dark beams, dark oak flooring and big windows framed by citrus trees, I could envision that it would look nice. And it did. It was a delightful home.

A year later my husband decided to go back to college for his Masters Degree. We loaded what we could into our Volkswagen Bus, sold the rest of our belongings and headed for Austin, Texas, accompanied by two babies and a cat. Money was tight and home decor took a back seat to all else. Like so many student accommodations, ours had a lot of make-do furnishings. The bricks and boards book shelve, the milk crate and plywood tables and second hand sofas and beds. Our newborn slept in what used to be a packing box for toilet paper, nicely lined with colorful fabric. It didn't seem to matter. I devoted my time to my children. My husband devoted his time to his studies .

In less than twelve month he got his degree and was recommended by his professor to a company in Pasadena, California.

We found a lovely cottage style home. Once again I was absolutely thrilled to be able to start decorating from scratch, since we had brought nothing with us. I went through the routine of sitting in different corners of the empty rooms and envisioned what, of the things I had seen in magazines and home decor stores, would look good in that house. I settled on country cottage style home decor and in the end, of all the homes we had lived in, this one, still today, was the one we felt most comfortable and at home in.

Our bliss lasted for almost two years until my husband was transferred to Atlanta, Georgia. Fortunately the company let us fly there ahead of time to check the place out and I could see right away that in the colonial style homes we looked at, country cottage home decor would never do. My husband came to an agreement with his company, that instead of paying for the movers to transport our furniture, they would give him a lump sum.

With great pleasure I acquainted myself with colonial style home decor, sat in the empty rooms envisioning what to put where and in the end came up with a truly elegant period masterpiece. What a delight it was to entertain in that house.

I should have known that it would not last but must admit that I said yes faster than my husband when his boss offered him a job in Nepal.We had no idea what to expect in that country. Things seemed primitive compared to what we were used to but we loved it. We found a rather grand looking house where the water pipes and electrical lines were all outside the walls. The fuse boxes were right by the entrance so that everybody could see that this house was modern enough to have such luxuries. The floors were naked cement and there was no heating. Sitting in corners of the empty rooms to envision them furnished did not do it here either, since there were no stores where one could just go and buy furniture. Simple beds, with hemp cords strung between the sides and badly made whicker chairs were all one could buy ready made. Other expatriates advised us to get pictures of home decor we would like to have and take them to a carpenter who may or may not come up with something similar. We did and also found a place in the bazaar where we could order coir carpeting. It did not look like much but felt invigoratingly rough under bare feet. Dishes, cutlery and whatever else one needs in a home also were of ghastly quality, but it did not matter, nobody else had anything better, except for embassy staff, who got everything shipped in. Slowly the pieces of furniture we had ordered were delivered and little by little the place started to look like a home. Finally we could reciprocate for all the many invitations we had accepted from ex pats and local people alike. We might not have had the home decor we would have liked but since the electricity often failed anyhow, by candlelight it did look delightful. Besides, we had one of the best cooks in Katmandu and visitors told us that they would have come to eat his food, had the house been empty.

We were supposed to go back to the United States after my husbands contract was up but even before that, his boss wanted him to transfer to Madras, India. By good fortune we found an almost new bungalow which had been build on stilts so as to not disturb the roots of a huge holy tree in front of it. The house was built in a square around a courtyard with a mango tree in the middle and all rooms had big glass double doors opening out to it. When I saw the place, I could immediately envision a garden theme and was glad to find fabrics with a lattice and bamboo design for the curtains and matching green upholstery for the sofas and chairs we had made. Even though it took many trips to the bazaar, and frequent reminders to the carpenters, eventually all the home decor complimented the garden feeling I had wanted to achieve. It was like living outdoors.

After that we moved fourteen more times, always to different countries, all over the world, without ever bringing any furnishings with us. Each time I went through the same process of sitting in the empty rooms, envisioning the results I wanted to create, then finding the right home decor. The look was always perfect for that particular house.

Few people move as much as I did. For them it is even more important, right at the beginning, to decorate their home to suit it's character. Having chosen what looks right then will still look right years later.

Elisabeth Mcgill is now permanently living in Tucson, Arizona. To make use of her expertise in home decorating and her knowledge of decorator items from around the world, she is in the process of creating a home and garden decor business. http://www.buyhomeandgardendecor.com (not yet published)Clarette Blog8548
Charil Blog89050

Fast Woman Business Loans in UK to Fix Business Needs of Woman

These are the days of woman empowerment and woman participation is booming in every field, be it business, in politics or wherever you mention it. And the boom is fast enough to let our woman beef up herself with her unmatched responsibility which is far better when compared to man. This is understood by our lenders in UK and they have come up with a unique package of business loans to boost the woman business zone. These are the fast woman business loans available for any type of business run by a woman.

Fast woman business loans are for any type of business and for any size of business. You can grab a fast sped funding from woman business loans to set up your new venture apart from updating your old business. Also, there are fast woman business loans for any size of business, be it a large one, a small one or a medium venture. Only, to have the funding, you are to put your detailed layout of the business for which you are seeking the fast woman business loans. And, woman is cool, so she always handles it better.

Fast woman business loans are available online and here lies the main reason behind their operation to become so fast. Fast woman business loans are only matters of few clicks while online. You fill in small application forms to apply for it, and the best loan quotes of fast woman business loans are yours. There is neither any paper work, nor is there any

Leg work involved in fast woman business loans.

One of the best things, fast woman business loans have got no discrimination against anyone. They are for those who can pledge collateral and also for those who can not. To tell otherwise, they are both secured and unsecured. What more, they are available for the bad credit holders also. So, ultimately, fast woman business loans bear real grand news for the woman business runners.

Ben Gannon is a senior financial analyst at WomanBusinessLoans with an acumen for business and loans.To find fast woman business loans, woman business loan start up uk, advance woman business loans, bad credit woman business loan, unsecured woman business loans uk that best suits your need visit http://www.womanbusinessloans.co.ukCorilla Blog28178
Codi Blog16793

Getting a Jump Start on Work-Study Opportunities Can Pay Off

Since some colleges start posting available work-study positions as early as the summer, students looking for first dibs on campus jobs in the fall can get a leg up on their competition by hammering out that perfect rsum and cover letter now. According to NextStudent, a leading Phoenix-based education funding company, work-study programs can be a great option for students who need a little help meeting their college expenses.

The Federal Work-Study Program makes part-time jobs available for both undergraduate and graduate students with qualifying financial need. A work-study job allows students to earn a paycheck while usually still giving them enough flexibility to navigate their class schedule. Students might work on campus or off, honing in on a career in a job related to your major, or testing out a new career path by stepping into a position completely different from anything theyve done before. Work-study jobs are required to pay at least the current federal minimum wage, but students might earn more, depending on the type of work they choose and the skills they bring to the table.

The Advantages of Work-Study

 Flexibility. Work-study jobs are often much more flexible than other part-time work. Where students in nonwork-study jobs might run into long work days or overtime that can compete with school, work-study employers tend to be more accommodating, offering less rigid hours, especially around midterms and finals. And to help keep work-study from interfering with classes, schools will typically cap an undergraduate students work week at 20 hours.

 Convenience. Students who snag a work-study job on-campus pretty much have it made. They save on gas money, they can take a ten-minute walk to work straight out of class or out of bed, and they can make plans to meet their friends back at the dorm another ten-minute walk after their shift ends.

 Variety. Since work-study can take place either on- or off-campus, students have a wealth of options available to them. Work-study positions can range from research assistants to elementary school tutors to art gallery docents. Some financial aid counselors and work-study employers will encourage students to apply for those opportunities related to their major or to their field of interest And if students cant find a work-study position they like, they can always go to a campus department to discuss creating a new position that fits their skill set.

 Experience. Work-study allows students to start building their work history while still in school, and can help put them a couple steps ahead of those students who chose not to work. When the post-graduation job-hunting starts, prospective employers may look more favorably on graduates who were able to balance the demands of their schooling with the scheduling requirements of work.

Applying for Work-Study

Students interested in work-study positions must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and mark yes when asked if they are interested in student employment. To qualify, students will need to demonstrate sufficient financial need, enroll in a minimum number of credit hours, and meet other requirements.

Students who qualify for work-study will be notified by their universitys financial aid office. A work-study award is not a guarantee of employment, so students need to be diligent about pursuing and applying for available work-study positions. Students who dont receive a work-study award and believe they are eligible to receive one should make an appointment with a financial aid counselor to discuss their options. Some schools may offer to put students on a waiting list.

NextStudent believes that getting an education is the best investment you can make, and it is dedicated to helping you pursue your education dreams by making college funding simple. Learn more about Student Loans (http://www.nextstudent.com), Private Student Loans (http://www.nextstudent.com/private_loans/private_loans.asp) and Student Loan Consolidation (http://www.nextstudent.com) at NextStudent.com.

Jeff Mictabor is an enthusiast on the topic of student loan issues in the news. He has been writing for the past 10 years for a variety of education publications. He now offers his writing services on a freelance basis.Claudia Blog48412
Cornelle Blog56778