The fundamentals of buying cheap contact lenses on the net

Without a doubt, the times we live in are more hectic (not to mention more expensive) than ever before. Our highways and byways are packed with all types of vehicles that are seemingly in a constant rush, and the fuel costs that accompany such autos are rising right before our eyes. It’s no wonder why so many have chosen to keep their car parked in the garage and shop for many items online from the comfort of their own home, with contact lenses being one purchase that’s growing in popularity. Besides the convenience, the ability to shop at several locations with the just a few clicks within seconds creates competition, which in turn ensures you the lowest possible prices.

Buying contact lenses online is really quite a simple process once you have found a reputable store to purchase them from. A bit of common sense combined with some insight into the niche will yield both a quality product and a positive online shopping experience.

First of all, you need to make sure that the site at hand is a reputable one, not a “fly-by-night” operation that will just take your money and skip town. Fortunately, the internet (although the cause of many such scams) can help to detect a phony operation, you just need to know what to look for. First, be sure that the Verisign logo is present, meaning that your information (including credit card and other forms of payment) cannot be intercepted by an uninvolved third party. Another observation necessary would be the contact information for the company itself. Is it easy to find? Is the phone number easy to remember? Is it a 1-800 number? Are there “help” options on the site? Contact us? You need to be sure that this company is willing to allow you to contact them when you want (or need) to, as this will ensure that they’re a “customer friendly” company.

If you’ve checked all of the above but still don’t feel quite right about the situation, you may want to check with the attorney general’s office or Better Business Bureau to see if there are any outstanding complaints against the company in question.

Brand recognition is another key element for a reputable contact lens website, and most such brands will allow their logo to be displayed on reputable reseller’s sites.

Finally, don’t be afraid to check personal reviews of the site, as well as the generic options available in your contact lens prescription. Generic doesn’t mean “cheap”, it means “a less costly alternative, for there’s no corporate logo on the item at hand”.

Meet deadlines and earn profit via tax preparation outsourcing

Tax preparation is the information given out by an individual or an organization to a government body declaring all liabilities for taxation. Everyone wants to pay their taxes in time and be free of the tax liability as soon as it is possible. Accounting firms and CPAs can undertake tax preparation outsourcing to meet the heavy rush from customers during the tax paying season. If you do not have your tax returns prepared in time, the whole process of tax paying can get really complicated and you can end up losing sleep over it.

Outsourcing means to take business or other process of a company to an outside firm. Many processes including tax return preparation, accounting, bookkeeping has been successfully outsourced to many outsourcing companies. Tax preparation outsourcing has many benefits and more and more accounting firms and CPAs are increasingly undertaking the process. The process enables accounting firms to meet customer demand and earn profit for their firm.

The first benefit of outsourcing is that you will be able to meet huge customer demand without the addition of any new staff and also without any new financial investment. Tax return outsourcing lets an accounting firm hire the services of offshore tax return calculating professionals. Most of the outsourcing work is done by professionals in the third world countries. These countries have enormous manpower and they are also highly qualified. So, you get professionals with the best capability to do the work for you and meet client demands and deadlines.

If you undertake tax return outsourcing for your firm, you will not have to spend a single extra dime. This is possible simply because the outsourcing work is done in countries where the monetary value is much lower than USD. This means that the money which you pay for your outsourcing work is much lower than what you would require for paying an employee in the US. Also you do not have to spend extra for insurance and other employee benefits.

It is not so simple to find a good outsourcing company which will do tax preparation outsourcing for you. No doubt there are plenty of firms which provide outsourcings service to clients, but you need to scout around a lot to find the best outsourcing company to do the work for your firm. The firm must be perfectly efficient in doing all types of accounting and tax return outsourcing work for you.

The one thing which you must check in a firm providing tax return outsourcing is the security features which they have in place. In this internet age online security is of vital importance to anybody. Increasing online fraud and identity theft has made people skeptical about disclosing their personal information and financial data online. See if the security measures of the outsourcing company are stringent enough to protect your customer identity and data. If you are satisfied with all the services provided then only go ahead and hire their services. There is no dearth of companies providing tax return outsourcing, so never settle for the second best option.

Consistency leads to success

Internet marketing is a unforgiving business and getting side tracked is almost inevitable. I have often found myself searching and wondering around the internet when I should be concentrating on my business' everyday operation. Everyone who runs their own business on the internet should always make a list of day to day things they need to accomplish. Here's a few things I do on a daily basis to make sure that my business grows.

Getting in the right frame of mind

Starting off my day on the right foot is imparitive to my success. Like the title suggests "consistency leads to success". If I get off track then minutes and hours are lost and everyone knows time is money. Everyday is a challenge, some days are better than others in that you have more sales. Its the days that you don't see a single sale that is the real kicker and these are the days you have to tell yourself that you will never give up. The reason 95% of internet marketers fail is because of this reason. They think they can instantly make riches on the internet and when they don't make money right away they quit and move on to something else. I can honestly tell you that it takes hard work and consistency on a daily basis to make money online. So everyday I get it into my head that failure is not an option and that I won't become part of the ever growing statistic.

Blogging and Pinging

Everyone knows that having a blog to help promote your business is a must. Even better is to self host your blog on your own server as a subdomain of your main website. Keeping traffic on your site is a crucial point in making sales online. Once you have a blog set up you should make posts to it everyday for the first while to build up the content. Search engines love fresh new content and in order to get the search engines crawling on your site you should have alot of content for them to devour. Once you have done this then post every other day or at least 2 to 3 times per week. Remember to ping the posts you make each and everytime you post something new. For pinging services I use Pingoat. com, Pingomatic. com and Ipings. com

Article Submission

Article Marketing is nothing new to the internet but most people will tell you that its a great way to get traffic and one way back links. Once you learn how to write informative and good content its a good idea to get your thoughts out to the world and this is what article marketing is. Article directories ar a dime a dozen on the internet and from just one submission to a directory could potentially get you thousands of vistors and one way back links. What are one way back links you might ask? Well basically its an incoming link to your website. Most article directories allow you have an author box, resource box or bio box and this is where you tell the reader about you or where they can get more info about what you have wrote. When putting a link to your website in the "author box" you should always try to anchor it in keywords that relate to your site.

Generally I write 1 or 2 articles per week and submit them to about 450 article directories. I do use article submission software which makes the task much easier. To use the same submitter software I use visit my site and get it for free. The submitter comes with 450+ article directories you can program onto the submitter.

Participating in Forums

I have to admit that since joining a few forums my business and knowledge of internet marketing has growen immensely. At first I just read everything I could and learned from all the people on the forum. When I had something to say that was informative and helpful I made a post. When you make a post to a topic it should help the person who made the original post and unless you have something to contribute you should not post at all. If you have a question or something you wish to discuss then make a post and someone will most likely help you out. Basically I use forums to learn about internet marketing and get answers to questions I have. Remember the saying "you learn something new everyday", well this is why I go and participate in forums. To find some well known forums to join enter "Forums" into your favorite search engine.

Directory Submission

I regularly use directory submission software to increase the amount of back links to my website. In order to rank well in the search engines one must increase his/her link popularity. The more incoming links to your website means that your site is important and thus search engines rank it higher. To get the software I use visit my website below.

By being consistent you will achieve your goals. Make a list of things you need to do and stick to it at all cost. It just could be the difference between success and failure.

Discount hardwood floors

Hardwood floors do not come cheap. In fact, compared to concrete and synthetic materials, pure hardwood floors are more expensive, primarily because it comes from an exhaustible resource. It takes years for a tree to be fully grown and ready to become building material, but it only takes a few hours to mix concrete.

Thus, the concept of buying discount hardwood floors is a little far off. However, it would comfort you to know that it is not impossible. You can actually purchase pure hardwood flooring materials for a lower price, granted that you know where to find them.

The Internet is a haven for discount hardwood flooring resources. There are online hardware and woodwork stores that also offer lower-priced hardwood flooring. Placed against the regular hardwood floors that are available in the market today, these materials are around 30% to 40% cheaper. Thus, if you're working under a tight budget, you can scour the Internet for them.

You may also want to check out local hardware stores to see if they are puting some of their older hardwood flooring stocks on sale. Since the production of hardwood flooring is a continuous process, new stocks regularly come in. And when these new stocks arrive, the existing stocks will naturally be pushed back and, eventually, sold on discount.

Are you amenable to buying used hardwood flooring materials? See, there are establishments that renovate and shift to concrete, rendering their hardwood floors, although still very much sturdy, useless. But instead of throwing them out, some owners choose to sell them at a discount. These may be a little difficult to find but, hey, who knows, someone in your neighborhood could be doing this.

Buying hardwood floors on discount does not mean that you are settling for lower quality. The quality of these materials remains the same, only that their seller probably has something newer or would like to shift to some other kind of building material. So, if you chance upon discount hardwood flooring, jump at the opportunity at once. Of course, before you make any purchases, check the material's history first and scrutinize for any signs of decay and wear.

Too much of a good thing what you don t know about vitamin overdose

These days, supplements abound on the market, all touting the various health benefits that come with taking them regularly. Many people believe the hype and pop these supplements like candy. But as the saying goes, too much of a good thing is bad for you. Apparently, that saying applies to vitamins as well. In fact, the phenomenon of vitamin overdose is surprisingly little known for something that is as pervasive as the fad of taking all sorts of vitamin supplements. Unfortunately, these supplements not as regulated as other medications. Many overdose on vitamins because they don't understand what it is and the role it plays in the body.

Vitamins are substances found in the plants and animals that your body needs for normal function, growth, and health. The human body cannot manufacture these vitamins, and in some cases cannot store it in huge amounts. Each vitamin has a specific function, and they are involved in many processes that enable your body to use carbohydrates, fats and proteins for energy and repair. They can be classified into two categories: fat-soluble vitamins and water soluble vitamins. Fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed by the body using bile acids, and are stored until they are needed. Among these are vitamins A (retinol), D (calciferol, commonly referred to as the sunshine vitamin), K and E (tocopherol). Water-soluble vitamins are easily absorbed by the body, but it cannot be stored and all excess is quickly flushed out through urine. Among these are vitamins B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxine), B12 (cyanocobalamin), C (ascorbic acid), H (biotin), and Folic Acid. If you have low levels of certain vitamins, regardless of whether it is a water-soluble or fat-soluble vitamin, you may develop a deficiency disease. Some of the more familiar vitamin deficiency diseases are rickets (lacking vitamin D), scurvy (lacking in vitamin C), pellagra (lacking in B3 or niacin), and beriberi (lacking in B1 or thiamine).

On the opposite end of the spectrum, multiple vitamin overdose is basically being poisoned by vitamins. This is most commonly observed in patients taking the fat-soluble vitamins A and D, as well as concentrating on a specific B vitamin. Obviously, this occurs when you have too much of a particular vitamin or number of vitamins, and the gravity of the overdose is largely determined from person to person, depending of their age and state of health. As with the overdose of any drug, the imbalance causes unwanted side effects that are potentially life-threatening. The most common symptoms of vitamin overdose are diarrhea, irritability, dehydration, decreased appetite, constipation, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. These symptoms may disappear if the dosage is reduced.

However, in some cases, the overdose may greatly affect your overall health. For example, if you have a vitamin D overdose, this will cause the calcium levels in your blood to rise to toxic levels, causing damage to soft tissues, bones and kidneys, and possibly cause kidney stones to form. An overdose of vitamin A may cause liver problems, excessive skin dryness or peeling, coarse bone growths and reduced bone mineral density. Pregnant women must be especially careful not to overdose on vitamins because it may cause potentially serious birth defects.

The best way to get vitamins is through consuming nutritious food. To avoid a vitamin overdose, do not take more than the recommended daily dose of supplements. It would be wiser to consult a doctor before taking any vitamin supplement, especially if you are pregnant or suspect you may be pregnant, have a preexisting medical condition or are taking prescription medication regularly. Vitamin overdose is extremely preventable as long as you remember that everything must be take in moderation.

Taking the stigma out of indebtedness

We are, all of us, subjugated under the tight grip that the loan providers of the market have placed over us. Everybody you know is either involved in repaying loans or currently trying to pick both secured loans and unsecured loans to find the cheapest on offer. If you have to make a big investment, and you ask for suggestions from a trusted friend and advisor, the advice that you will invariably get is that of getting a loan to cover your needs.

The people of this day are certainly not apprehensive of landing up in the clutches of the moneylender. Characters like Shylock the Jew in Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice", exist only in the realm of fiction. Sure, in the past most loan providers may have been only engrossed in getting back their money and immense returns on it (which was in effect a pound of flesh off the body of the borrower).

However, in the modern world, attitudes have changed. In the world of loan providers, the debtor is the king. And he is treated like a king (provided he is not one of those people who are cursed with a history of bad credit). Everyone seeks to further his business by taking loans. Hoping to buy a new set of wheels? Take a loan. Have found the perfect house but cannot pay for it from your present stores of wealth? Look for a good mortgage deal. Is your mortgage eating into your income? Look for some mortgage refinancing offers. Do you need a little more cash to last you till your next payday? Find yourself a cheap payday loan. Truly, whatever your need, you will definitely find a loan that will not burn a hole in your pocket.

The world is heading towards a time when everyone will be a debtor to some extent, with some being more in debt than others. And what do you do when you have to take care of the monthly installments for the whole gamut of loans that you decided to take on? What do you do when the sheer number of debts that you have to pay off becomes rather difficult to take care off? Why, that is easy! All you do is look to debt consolidation.

Simply collect together all those loans that you have been paying off, take them to a loan provider offering either a cheaper rate or a shorter term, or whatever other bonus you are looking for. Ask the loan provider to repay this accumulation of loans, so that now you are left with just one loan to make payments on. It really does sound so uncomplicated to borrow money in the modern world. And wouldn't you agree that being in debt no longer makes one feel like a victim of the moneylenders?

Make a reassemble in your site

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Web Design Delhi company e-Fuzion, refers to the process of conceptualization, planning, modeling and implementation of electronic media content delivery via Internet. In simple terms, web designing may be understood as the arrangement and formation of pages that make a website. It also helps in arranging the content in the site. It covers Useless Information and a clever web designer must know how to deal with individual's interests. For making lasting impressions, all the unimportant or inappropriate information should be chopped off. All the information relevant to people must be recorded and display in the areas or topics that are important to that viewer.

Web Design Delhi company e-Fuzion is the most attractive medium to promote your business online. IT professionals all over the world have realized this movement and as a result several web design companies have sprung up in different parts of the sphere. This company offers website development and designing solutions to their consumers. Outsourcing design, development and marketing of websites has become quite commonplace in the world of e-commerce. By outsourcing project components that you are not efficient in, you get more time to concentrate on your core skills and hone them further. Web Design Delhi company e-Fuzion’s outsourcing helps businesses remain competitive by focusing on their core business, while outsourcing key IT functions that they may not be equally proficient in. It also helps companies keep abreast with rapid technological advances and provides a platform for new business strategies and value creation. Amongst various countries, Delhi features prominently as the best destination for web design outsourcing. According to the Competitive Alternatives Study, Delhi is the number one capital in the developed world to base software development operations. Web Design Delhi Company prides itself on a highly competent and flexible multilingual workforce. Most recent technological knowledge and superior skills ensure that you get the most up-to-date and creative ideas for your presence online.

9 steps to cleaner and healthier skin

According to Bestskinpeel, for cleaner, healthier and easier to manage skin just follow this list of nine items:

1) Lower your stress level through prayer and meditation. Stress creates hormones that actually age us as they destroy cells and create toxic biproducts and free radicals. Studies have shown that prayer and meditation can reduce our stress levels. Prayer and meditation have been proven to even alleviate some of the symptoms of cancer and other life threatening diseases.

2) Drink plenty of water. It is a fact that 90% of us do not drink enough water. For your skin cells to function properly and heal properly from cuts, etc... we need to drink 8-12 glasses of water every day. Our skin is one of our most important organs as it protects us from disease, cushions our falls, etc... It needs plenty of water.

3) Get proper sleep. Not getting the proper 8-10 hours of sleep per day will first show in your skin. Broken capillaries, puffiness, circles under the eyes.

4) Eat well. Get proper nutrition. Too many junk foods can cause or worsen skin problems like pimples and acne. A well balanced meal 3 times per day has been proven to help alleviate spikes in skin problems and help to average out the outbreaks in acne vulgaris.

5) Take vitamins to supplement your skin and body. We can't always make sure we get 100% of each vitamin and mineral with the foods we eat, but we can take a multivitamin once a day. They are cheap at Walmart and there is no excuse. People that take multivitamins once a day live longer. Its a proven fact just like persons that smoke take years off their lives.

6) Properly clean your skin. Harsh soaps can dry out your skin and even stimulate further sebum (oil) production which can worsen acne. Use a mild cleanser with 2% salicylic acid. This has been proven very effective in ridding excess oils while maintaining proper hydration and pH. The slight acidity will keep bacteria at bay.

7) Don't smoke. Smoking puts years on you. Literally, smoking can add 10 years to the aged look of your skin. Why would you want to do that? If you must have nicotine then get nicotine gum or the patch - they will cure your cravings and there is no evidence or statistics of anyone developing cancer, lung disease, etc... from these.

8) Wear sunscreen. The skin does have keratonin to protect against the suns rays, but it is no match for UV rays, etc... that we expose ourselves to. Melanoma has several forms and all are deadly. If you don't think you will get skin cancer or think you are invulnerable, just go to your local dermatologist and ask to see pictures of clients with skin cancer, better yet go to the oncology center at your local hospital. You won't think that way ever again. Wear sunscreen.

9) Treat yourself to a spa treatment atleast once a year. Skin peels, TCA peels, deep tissue massage, complete relaxation, aromatherapy, etc... will all energize and heal your skin. TCA peels will actual improve your skins ability to regenerate itself and improve collagen levels.

Remember, follow these nine steps to enjoy healthier skin.

The older the tree the harder the wood

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It may come as a surprise to learn how many different types of wood are used in furniture making, each one with their own specific properties, weight, density and grain.

The hardwood Teak comes from the Teak (Tectona) tree, which grows in southern Asia. The teak is a 30 to 40 ft deciduous tree (its leaves fall off during the winter months). Hardwoods are those which have a high number of pores and a high density. In general hardwoods resist decay better than their softwood counterparts which makes them very suitable for outdoor and patio furniture. Much like cedar and cypress wood, teak has its own natural resins that protect it from damage from extreme weather conditions, especially damp rot. A common problem faced by woods is termite damage and teak is particularly resistant against these pests.
There are three different types of teak tree: the Tectona grandis (the common teak), the Tectona philippinensis (Phillippine teak) and the Tectona hamiltoniana (Dahat teak). The Dahat and Phillippine teak are now endangered and therefore the vast majority of teak furniture is crafted from the common teak tree.

Teak has been popular in furniture making for hundreds of years due to its attractive look and all round durability and was in great demand in the 1950’s and 60’s when the rise of the Danish Modern style arose. The wood is typically a rich golden brown, but can vary from very pale to dark terracotta red. However, like any other type of wood it can be stained, treated or painted to change its colour yet still look natural. Although not needed with teak, treated wood has the additional advantage of further protection against weather conditions. Its grain is straight, and the wood oily yet grainy.

Although teak wood does have remarkable qualities that protect it against harsh weather, it is not limited to being used as outdoor furniture. It is commonly used as a veneer and is a fixture inside the home as flooring and general teak furniture like closets, tables and chairs.

The older the teak tree, the harder and denser the wood, which means it doesn’t split as easily as young trees. Although more expensive, older trees are more desirable in furniture making. Joining teak wood is relatively difficult due to its density, so these details are important to take into consideration when complicated furniture pieces such as chairs and plant boxes are made. Despite this, manufacturers of teak are experts in the profession and ensure the highest quality safety for the furniture that they make.

Teak can be used to make almost any type of patio furniture including chairs, tables, planters, pergolas, loungers, storage boxes, benches and rocking chairs. Its tropical look makes it great for use in the summer and look especially attractive placed near or directly on grass.

As an extremely durable hardwood, teak makes an attractive and sensible choice for the furniture that is placed in a back garden, patio or deck and after spanning many centuries, still remains a popular choice.

Barry bonds and steroid use

I will give Barry Bonds the benefit of the doubt and consider him innocent until proven guilty. There is simply too much public "trying" of cases due to the "seriousness of the allegations" whereby people are tried, convicted, and sentenced by members of the media or by everyday citizens.

Yet, the case against Barry Bonds seems to be compelling, especially if he lied to a Grand Jury in 2003 about his steroid use, as alleged. If convicted, will he do jail time? Probably not. Instead, perhaps his record will expunged and Bonds be forever banned from Cooperstown.

Sometimes jail time is the right punishment for lawbreakers. In other cases, the removal of one's legacy is the more appropriate punishment as it sends a strong message to others to not even consider going down that path. What a solid message this could send to youth who look up to a superstar like Bonds and attempt to emulate him in all of his ways...except for steroid use.

Baseball needs some serious governance. If the commisioner's office doesn't have the will to oversee what goes on, then Congress will certainly rise to the task. Not many people favor government intervention, but if professional baseball cannot regulate itself, then outside governance becomes all the more important.

Ten tips for selling your house

One of the biggest mistakes people make when selling a house, is not understanding real estate value. It doesn't matter at all what you think your home is worth. The value of your home, and any improvements you made, is determined by buyers. What you enjoyed about your house is irrelevant when it's time to sell it. Think in terms of what other people want, and use some of the following tips.

House Selling Tips

1. Know your market. Find out what other similar houses have sold for, and have those examples ready to show potential buyers.

2. Decide on your minimum price - the price below which you will just not move. Don't tell your agent what this minimum is, but work with any buyers who make an offer above it.

3. Clean the most visible things first. Buy a new mailbox, perhaps. If buyers fall in love with the house before they even enter it, they'll forgive a lot of problems.

4. Clean up the neighborhood. If there's a neighbor who's yard is a mess, give their kids $10 to pick up the yard. Spend another $20 to put flowers in any common-areas, and buyers will have a better first impression of the neighborhood.

5. If you or your agent aren't getting many calls, find out why. Is more advertising necessary, or is the price too high? Drop it fast, if price is the problem.

6. Listen to comments of prospects. They will be more objective than you. If you hear several times that the kitchen is dark, get out the white paint.

7. Find out what the average sales time is in your area. If your house is taking longer than average to sell, there is a problem. Usually it's price.

8. Be sure to ask your real estate agent what they plan to do - before you sign a listing agreement. Write down what he says, and hold him to his promises.

9. If there are any known problems, such as an old roof, get an estimate for repairs. The sellers may want a $7,000 allowance for a new roof - until you show them your $4,000 estimate.

10. Do any improvements that can realisically get you at least a two-to-one return on investment. If $300 to seal the driveway is likely to add $600 to the sales price of the home, do it. Consider first those things that are most visible.

There are dozens of things you can do to sell your house faster, and get a better price. If you don't have time to do them all, start with the ones that will get the most "bang for your buck."

The role of the tea room and the tea supplier

The growth in demand for high quality loose leaf tea is spectacular and all indications are that the trend will continue for the foreseeable future. As more loose leaf tea enthusiasts consume greater quantities of tea, the relationship between tea suppliers and the tea room increases in importance.

Tea rooms are critically important to suppliers of loose leaf tea because the tea room bundles high quality loose leaf tea with other food products, services and an ambiance that create a very pleasurable tea experience. This addition of value is essential to the growth of the loose leaf tea market in the United States

Many high quality tea rooms create an intimate and attractive experience for the drinking of tea outside of the home. Historically tea has represented a total experience with social, cultural, and even spiritual aspects and high quality tea rooms offer a broad choice of loose leaf teas, complimentary food products like sandwiches, fruit, and pure water beverages in a pleasant, warm environment.

The basic element in the relationship between the tea supplier and the tea room however, is quality loose leaf tea.

Loose leaf tea is all about quality and service. The owner of the tea room makes a substantial investment of time and resources including the choice of an attractive location, high quality furnishings and staff in order to create a quality brand. In order to maintain the integrity of the tea room brand the basic tea offering must be broad and one of consistent high quality.

Quality tea rooms often look to increase the quality of tea and then maintain the consistency of the tea offering. In addition a broad product line of teas offered by the supplier offer the tea room’s customers choices and the excitement of new blends and flavors. Many tea rooms are constantly on the look out for new vendors of loose leaf tea because new tea lines are easily integrated into their tea offering.

Generally speaking, the commercial relationship between tea importer suppliers and the tea room is a wholesale one with discounts off of retail provided based on volume of tea purchases. Where the supplier provides marketing and customer support the relationship tends to be close and very profitable for both parties.

What Should Tea Rooms Look for in A Tea Supplier?

There are a number of tea suppliers in the marketplace but not all are the same. Some of the characteristics of the best tea suppliers from a tea room perspective are:

• High quality loose leaf tea recognized in the marketplace

• A commitment to the tea room industry

• A commitment to quality that is evidenced by tea cupping of each bulk shipment import

• A broad product offering that includes varietals, blends and flavored teas

• An e-commerce site with features that provide easy ordering, flexibility of delivery and good prices

• Marketing support including information about tea and tea commerce

• Open lines of communication that solicit feedback from tea room customers

• The highest quality customer service and a dedication to tea room customer satisfaction

The relationship between tea rooms and tea suppliers is one of the mainstays of the loose leaf tea industry. Relationships that are based upon the highest tea quality and premium customer support and service will be valuable to both parties in the transaction.

Are you the next jk rowling

Harry Potter. The name brings instant recognition from people all over the world. The books have sold over 350 million copies worldwide. Only the bible has more translations. The movies have gone on to grace the lists of the Top 10 grossing films of all time.

When Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was published in 1997, Joanne Kathleen Rowling was a previously unpublished author. She had no publishing credits, no insider knowledge, no friends in the industry.

So how did she do it? How did she go on, in the space of ten short years, to become the first billionaire author on the planet?

The answer to that question lies not in what she did in those ten years between the publication of the first book and the publication of the seventh, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

The answer actually lies in what she did in the seven years prior to the first book’s publication.

So if you’re an author who is yet to be published, you’re actually in the best possible position. Because it’s in this time, before your book hits the shelves, that you can have the greatest influence on its success.

Quite simply, JK Rowling followed a four-step writing process that you too can adopt to write your very own list of bestsellers. The question is: do you have what it takes to be the next JK Rowling?

Planning

This is by far the most underrated of the steps in the writing process. And in the final wash up it is absolutely the most important.

It was 1990 and Jo Rowling was on a train between Manchester and London. Harry literally strolled fully formed into her mind while she was gazing out the train window at a field full of cows. She spent the next four hours (the train was delayed) imagining Harry, the world he inhabited, the friends and enemies he had there and the dangers and joys he may encounter there. She had nothing to write on so had to be content to play this all out in her imagination. By the time she got off the train in London, the central cast of characters were already cemented in her mind.

But did she go home and immediately begin scribbling a story with these characters? No, she didn’t. She spent five years, yes that’s right FIVE YEARS creating and developing every last detail of the wizarding world, including government and education systems, how the wizarding world stood shoulder to shoulder with the muggle world, and she devised a highly sophisticated system of magic that would eventually form the backbone of her own special brand of writing magic. On top of this she sculpted out the entire story, planning the details and events of all the seven books, before she put pen to paper to begin writing the first.

Would you attempt to build a house without plans? Would you attempt to drive across the country without a map? Or would you set sail on the seas without a compass? Writing a book without a detailed planning stage is like attempting to build a house without plans. Miss this step and you are almost certainly destined to become lost in a forest of your own words.

Writing

When you are writing, you are just writing. You are not planning, you are not editing. You are writing. Once you have planned your story, it is time to sit down and write it.

JK Rowling planned the Harry Potter series for five years before she put pen to paper on the first book She wrote the entire first book, and felt as though she were “carving it out of this mass of notes”. All the planning was worth it. She was able to devote herself to the actual task of writing, knowing that all the story and character elements she needed were covered.

This is the best possible place for you to be in when you are writing a novel. Novels are long. Usually over 100,000 words and sometimes as many as 200,000 words and more. That is a lot of words! So if you have planned and structured your story effectively, done your research (either real or in your imagination) and collated your notes, then the writing process is an absolute joy, where you can be very certain of your ability to produce the best possible novel.

Jo Rowling said she felt she “had to do right by the book”. She really believed in the story and so when it came to writing it, she made sure she had taken care of all the necessary preparation. Once that’s done, writing is almost easy!

Rewriting

Jo Rowling rewrote the opening chapter of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone a total of 15 times. Her own mother died just 6 months after her first attempt at Chapter One of that book, and that sent her into a frenzy of rewriting, essentially changing everything. The Potter books are about death, there is no doubt about that, and they are driven particularly by the death of Harry’s parents and his miraculous survival. When Jo Rowling experienced such a major turning point in her own life, she rewrote the story to reflect and process her own pain.

Writing and rewriting are separate processes. Writing is scribing or sculpting out the drafts of the story. Rewriting is re-looking and re-seeing. Often the rewrite will show up where the story has gone off track and where questions asked at the start haven’t been answered by the end. In JK Rowling’s case, she realised after writing the entire first book that she had given away the entire plot of the seven books. She rewrote it in this light, and held many things back.

Many successful authors say that you only write to rewrite. DH Lawrence even said that he wrote his entire first draft, threw it away and then started again from scratch.

Editing

Editing is the process of refining and polishing your manuscript. This part of the process may be done by you, or by an external editor. It is often wise to have an editor look over your work before submitting it for publication as it is extremely difficult to get the distance you need from your own work to see where it can be improved.

Not that you have to listen to what the editor says. In the end it is your name on the spine of that novel and you are entirely answerable for its contents. Having said that, a good and subtle editor can lift your novel to heights that you may not be able to achieve on your own.

It is clear from the Harry Potter series that JK Rowling was more tightly edited at the beginning (the first two novels are barely more than 200 pages and by the time we get to number five, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, we are faced with a weighty tome of over 700 pages) so it is generally advisable at the beginning of your career to bear the advice of your editor heavily in mind, especially if you are new to publishing. In every event, less is more, and a distilled and focussed book is more likely to captivate and intrigue a new audience than a meandering epic that constantly loses its way.

Writing a book is a process, never forget that. Each step in the process is unique but necessary. Don’t mix them, and certainly don’t attempt to skip any steps. Do that at your own peril.

JK Rowling has shown the world what is possible if you adhere to the basic processes of the art and craft of writing a good story. So before you attempt your next novel, address the four steps in the writing process: planning, writing, rewriting and editing, and be sure you give each step its due.

And who knows? You could be the next JK Rowling.

The vacation market

In this day and age there are actually a wide range of vacation possibilities. Cruises, adventure vacations, specialty vacations, are all just a few of the many options that are available. The difficulty arises when you want to take a vacation with your whole family. One person going on a trip can often get a special deal. Even two people can travel and receive substantial discounts on packaged vacations. Families on the other hand have no such luck. It is assumed that families have children and that children are noisy.

Resorts often use children as an excuse to charge premium prices on the grounds that they need to have special services available to cater to the specific requirements of the children. Some resorts actually do go to great lengths and substantial costs to accommodate these young guests. They may have daycare facilities, children’s programs, perhaps even special menus to better serve those kids that are picky eaters (like me when I was 5).

These last few years have seen massive changes in the vacation market. There are new options available for families that wish to vacation together that do not require huge infusions of cash. It’s a new market and it represents a complete shift in the way we think about our vacation time.

The timeshares, all inclusive resorts, and villa rentals now have to compete with destination clubs, exchange programs, points programs, a wholesale vacation market, and what is now a hugely competitive cottage rental real-estate market. Did you know you can actually rent a cottage and get it as an “all inclusive” package? This was not possible 10 years ago but it is now.

The important thing about planning and having a family vacation is to be prepared and always keep in mind the following:

• What happens if you are hurt while on vacation? Is there liability coverage in the unlikely event that it is needed?

• Is your booking or rental guaranteed to be available?

• What happens if you are not happy with the place? Refunds?

• What are the hidden costs (groceries, boats, or things that are not covered in the basic rental agreement?

So long as you keep these simple questions in mind you should have a fun and happy vacation. Enjoy your vacation and spend the time with your family and your friends and make sure that you get your well deserved break from work. Enjoy!

Business proposal writing don t fall into the trap

In business, there is a question that no sane person wants to hear: “Could you write me a proposal?”

Proposals are traps, ways to build up and break down dreams. Sound dramatic? It’s not. In many cases, writing a proposal is a waste of your time and effort. According to Tom Ranseen, of NoSpin Marketing, there are three reasons why proposals are known as traps:

1. They waste precious time that could be used looking for other prospects or providing other productive work to current clients.

2. They give pricing/packaging information to mere tire-kickers and then to the competition. You just become a number standing in line without a dance partner.

3. They give you a false sense of security that you’re doing something positive and productive in your sales process-that you’re busy and making progress-and maybe that’s worst of all.

Does this mean that all proposal requests are useless? No—what it does mean is that you have to be able to choose which are worth your time and which aren’t. Below are tips to help you make that choice:

1. If a potential client wants a proposal but has not given you a clear idea of what they want/need and do not seem able to make up their minds, the best advice is to pass.

2. Is the potential client shopping around, or looking into other prospects? A part of you will want to create proposal just to solidify your abilities ; however , be careful: a client who is unable to choose companies may not be worth the effort it takes.

3. Did your potential client demand a proposal right away? In most cases, the quicker a proposal is demanded, the more likely the client is to back away. Watch for impulsiveness.

4. Is the client unwilling to talk to your directly to review the project and /or proposal? This typically boils down to indecision or wavering interest. It is best to pull out while you can and not waste time.

5. Ask the important questions before accepting the offer to write a proposal. Make sure that the client is qualified to carry through with their plans. Are they committed? Are they financially secured? The worst thing you can do is have a client who loves your ideas but simply can’t afford them or commit to them.

6. Use common sense. Take all things into consideration before writing a proposal; it will save you time and allow you to devote your abilities to other projects.

The proposal trap is a common one in business; many hours have been wasted and many dreams shattered after falling into it. Take the time to review these suggestions and learn when to write a proposal and when to walk away.

A part-timer s tactics for a full-timer s home business

Years ago, a home business was unheard of to the general public. Now, thanks to the internet, it seems to be a topic of conversation at every turn. How much do you know? Read this article and get educated.

Action is essential to run a home business. You have to keep focused, which is hard when you have a full time job and a family. Just start by finding something you are familiar with -- it will help to get your home business going with something about which you are very excited.

Registering a business name will help identify what your business will be. Take small steps to get your business going, like visualizing month to month where you want your business to be. How much money do want to make in a month? In a year? How much time do you want to put into your own business? Be honest withyourself, as this a very crucial step.

It is very important to keep all information next to you when you get started, so you know where you are step by step. Keep things such as notes and what information you learn about your business. You will learn short cuts in your work by having notes. And always know what you love about your business.

Finding more time is very important, because you do not want to burn out. Try to do less cleaning in the home or find a short cut home from work. Instead of watching television, turn on the music and know you are working on your own business. This will be much more gratifying.

Focusing on a business name will be easy, if you just take a task one step at a time. It will help you so you will not be overwhelmed and panic because the business name is forever. Also when thinking of a name for your business, think of who you are. Make it personable.

Once you have focused on two or three tasks, make sure you get through them before you get started on something else. You are your own boss, so take your time and make sure it is want you want. Remember this is your business and no one else is there to check up on you. Take pride in your idea and follow through -- it will be worth all the time you put into it.

In the end, the final choice for dealing with a part-time home business will be up to you. Use the tips in this article to find the best course of action for handling your home business, and find yourself sleeping a little better at night.

Case studies are critical for succeeding in business studies

Business studies theory incorporates an incredible variety of topics. Broadly divided into marketing, finance, human relations, strategy, operations, and environment, business studies theory is often difficult to master. Whether you're delving into a broad topic like marketing theory or a highly specialised field like stock valuation and depreciation, it's helpful to examine case studies. In looking at how actual businesses tackled a problem, you can more quickly learn how business studies theory applies to the real world. This can help you enormously when you are sitting for your Business Studies GCSEs, AS or A Levels.

Here are three examples of actual case studies that are available on the Web as a free educational resource:

1. Embracing Change

To illustrate the need for organisations to adapt to shifts in the business environment, one case study examines Aegon, a global insurance and pensions company. Aegon needed to combine its own strengths with those of its subsidiary brands in order to increase its visibility within the UK. By examining the external factors influencing change, the reasons for change, the process of creating a new organisational culture, and the steps needed to implement change, this case study illustrates the complete cycle involved in one company's quest to achieve a greater market presence.

2. Corporate Social Responsibility

Consumers are increasingly choosing to patronize companies that demonstrate a high degree of social responsibility through improving the lives of their workers, their communities, and ultimately, the world. Among the case studies offered as a free educational resource is a case study on Amway, a worldwide direct sales organization, and the way the company partnered with UNICEF, the global advocate for children. The case study looks at the issue of corporate growth and responsibility, how Amway developed a strategy for implementing a programme, the process of identifying stakeholders, and the elements involved in ensuring that the corporate social responsibility strategy was in alignment with the company's business objectives. In the process, the company was able to strengthen its already sterling reputation.

3. Flexible Working Patterns

The changing face of the workforce means that today's organisations need to adapt to the needs of their employees. A case study of the Audit Commission illustrates how developing flexible work practices can both improve a company's services and meet the needs of its staff. A review of it business activity identified three groups of jobs within the organisation, as well as the types of workers they employed. It then outlines the three types of flexibility needed to optimise the productivity of their workforce, and covers the benefits and challenges of managing a flexible workforce. The process of examining a workforce and workforce practices via a case study is an excellent way to understand business studies theory.

There are many other types of case studies that support business studies theory, such as those involving the creation of quality standards, the role of market research, how deregulation can support the growth of a company, and how business planning can support key performance indicators as measures of success. Best of all, they're all available as a free educational resource.

Strange internet businesses make money

Coming up with a profitable site that will make money can be a bit of a challenge. If you get a little strange, you can make money hand over foot. Don’t laugh!

Strange Internet Businesses Make Money

Okay, let us be clear about one thing. We are not talking about porn sites or anything else of that nature. When we talk about strange Internet businesses, we are really talking about a very particular niche market.

A niche is simply a segment of a business area or subject that isn’t discussed much, but has a lot of consumer interest. The classic example of a niche market is Star Trek. The show has spawned a legion of fans. Those fans go to conventions, buy every kind of Star Trek product imaginable and generally are very loyal to the brand. Although some people consider Star Trek fans to be a bit weird, they are a representative market.

One approach to making money on the Internet is to focus on a very particular niche. Adult web sites are the biggest revenue producers on the web. Regardless of your view of those sites, they offer an important lesson. Every single adult site is a niche site. Revenue studies show the adult sites that are very niche defined absolutely rake in the cash. This is a lesson you should take to heart.

Focusing on a niche market has some serious advantages. The level of competition in the niche is almost always going to be lower than in a more general market. Since there are fewer competitors, you will be able to become a leading figure in the niche should you so desire. This leads to publicity and so on. This is good. Very good!

Going with a niche market is a great idea, but finding a strange niche is even better. Strange niches tend to have a smaller population of interested people [i. e. potential customers], but they are also ready to buy if you can provide them with something they have been looking for but can’t find. Just as important, they will come back to buy more and tell there friends. This is also very good.

A classic example of a strange Internet business is gourds. It took me some time to figure it out, but gourds are melon-like bulbs. Apparently, people like to dry them out and then paint on them. A lot of people like to do this – maybe 50,000 searches a month are undertaken for gourd keywords. A few years back, there was almost no competition for rankings. You can guess what happened. Gourd sites started popping up everywhere. I apologize for saying this if you are a gourd fan, but painting gourds is just strange. This makes it a perfect Internet business!

So, where do you find strange internet business ideas? You have to hunt. Ah, you knew it wouldn’t be that easy, eh? A good place to start looking is your own life. What odd little things do you like that you don’t tell anyone about. Do some keyword research to see if there are others out there sharing your quirk. If so, you have the perfect Internet business because you know something about it and have some passion for the quirk.

I’m off to paint a gourd.

Getting away from a bad companion battling low self-esteem

It's not an inherited trait, it's a learned skill. Anyone can possess high self-esteem if they really want to. But for some, building positive thoughts about oneself is often difficult. Most people feel bad about themselves from time to time. Feelings of low self-esteem may be triggered by being treated poorly by someone else recently or in the past, or by a person’s own judgments of him or herself. This is normal. However, low self-esteem is a constant companion for too many people, especially those who experience depression, anxiety, phobias, psychosis, delusional thinking, or who have an illness or a disability. If you are one of these people, you may go through life feeling bad about yourself needlessly. Low self-esteem keeps you from enjoying life, doing the things you want to do, and working toward personal goals.

Everyone has the right to feel good about themselves. But sometimes, it can be very difficult to feel good about oneself when one is under stress, and having situations that are hard to manage such as dealing with disability, having a difficult time financially, going through a bad relationship, or when others are treating you badly. At these times, it is easy to be drawn into a downward spiral of poor self-esteem.

Feeling good about oneself is the most important part of living a life full of joy and vitality. Self-esteem is based on how you see your abilities and your worth as a person. People with low self-esteem are often shy, anxious, and often battle depression. They are negative about themselves and their abilities. Because they don't feel worthy, they are more likely to do things that are not good for their health, such as going on starvation diets and smoking.

People with high self-esteem tend to be secure and confident. They see themselves and their abilities positively. Because they know it is important to take care of themselves, they are more likely to eat well and to have a healthy lifestyle.

However, gaining self-esteem is not as hard as anyone thinks, so why not start doing something about it right now. All steps, big and small, towards gaining self-esteem fall into two main categories: Avoid the negative and accentuate the positive. Here are some steps to improve self-esteem:

Be positive about yourself and accept compliments that point out your strengths and abilities.

Be realistic about what you can do. Trying to be perfect and comparing yourself with other people can damage your self-esteem.

Recognize that everyone makes mistakes. When you make a mistake, do not put yourself down. Learn from your mistakes.

Listen carefully to others, without judging.

Respect people's differences. Recognize their strengths and accomplishments. Acknowledge the things others do that help your family, your workplace and your community.

Support and encourage other people's efforts to learn new things.

Give people in your family unconditional love.

Spend time with people who make you feel good. Do things that make you feel worthwhile.

But, most of all, exercise can be a practical choice to help one improve self-esteem. It's hard to feel negative when all those endorphins are all pumped up. Plus, anytime you feel as though you are doing something positive for yourself ---- you are actually building your self-esteem.

Beware of hurricane damaged vehicles

Nearly a half million cars were destroyed by two of this past season’s biggest hurricanes, Katrina and Rita. Some of these cars may not have received much apparent damage but they were totaled nevertheless because of water, mud, and debris which flooded engine bays and the interior. Damaged cars are supposed to make their way to the junkyard for scrap, unfortunately some unscrupulous parties are gaining a hold of the vehicle titles and turning around and selling damaged cars to the public. Should you be concerned? Absolutely! Read on to learn more about this problem and what you can do to avoid being stuck with a vehicle that is certain to be a lemon.

Let me just say this: it is not illegal for weekend mechanics to buy a salvaged vehicle, repair it, and sell it to you. What they must disclose to you is this: you are buying a salvaged vehicle. This is where most of the problems begin: the dishonest purveyors are not sharing this information.

Only 22 states require that the titles of flood damaged vehicles [which were totaled by insurers] be stamped with that information. So, if you live in any one of the 28 other states, be extremely cautious about buying any used car [check your local laws to see which group you belong to].

One organization is doing its part to help fight the problem. The National Insurance Crime Bureau [NICB] this past summer and fall sent teams to flood damaged areas in affected states to work with local police authorities. What the teams did was try to catalog all of the flood damaged vehicles and enter that information in a database, which is accessible online. Because of their diligence, nearly 200,000 car identification numbers are now available for car buyers to search at nicb. org

Car shoppers should always invest in obtaining a car history report from an independent company, such as Car Fax, as a back up source to verify information about a vehicle. Although the information supplied by these types of companies isn’t always 100% accurate, it can usually reveal whether a car has been salvaged, rebuilt, is a lemon, or has been flood damaged. Some guarantee their information so check the individual contract/agreement before you use their services to see what recourse you would have in the event a lemon sneaks by them and you purchase one.

So, how can we know for sure that there will be problems? Well, if Hurricane Floyd is a measuring stick then the potential for fraud is huge. In 1999, nearly 80,000 cars were damaged by Floyd and taken off of the roads due to storm damage. About half of that number were repaired and resold, many to unsuspecting consumers.

You don’t have to be a victim, so get informed. If a car is priced well below book value that can be a big clue that a problem exists, however don’t rely on price, instead do some research first before buying your next used car.

Tips for comparing web hosting providers 2007

Web hosting enable anyone with a computer to make a website and enter on their science available to those interested. The hosts routine reach not effect the website but prolong it onto the Web for you. They are a ample support to general public with a limited budget or technology who want their own website. Compare Web Hosting Providers When you are ready to choose a web hosting provider, it is good to compare services and features to find the best one for your site.

There are multifold aspects to be credulous in picking the one that bequeath peak accommodate you. Services are offered to the consumer in heterogeneous formats according to the user's needs. Free Web Hosting If you are a hobbyist, or someone taken in opening individualistic information, you probably don't need a lot of web space or extra features. There are free hosting services provided for the smaller sites.

This gives individuals the own accord to profit hosting services without an worthwhile financial commitment. Some services mention 20 to 40 MB of storage space. These are diacritic meant for inbred use. With a unpaid mesh hosting provider, your site will be listed with others in a web community or large server. It is usually filed by sub-category with pop-up or banner advertisements along with other sponsors included by the host. Usually, web design options are limited with free services. Because they do not charge, technical support is not assured and personalized domain names are not offered. There are some higher quality web hosting providers that will offer better packages. Budget Hosting For the more complex sites and ecommerce hosting, there are web hosting providers to offer all manner of services.

There are limit hosts that set out further affordable hosting but again with a possibility of slower and less energetic service. Because of the on edge district of customers on the server accession is firm by a first-come, first-serve basis. This can result in competition causing delays because of the high server load. Prices range widely for web hosting providers, along with the services they offer. If you want cheap hosting then expect to find lower quality service. There will be fewer options to choose from. This may be acceptable for a person with a non-mission or personal site. A better plan should be considered for business and ecommerce, where service is vital. Better Services If you are expecting high traffic on your site, look to the web hosting providers that will give you all the features you need. For an online store, you will need quality features listing your products in a catalog, offering a shopping cart and credit card services. For other businesses, you will need a domain name and links to make your site available to consumers. Many of the web hosting providers will offer plans using PHP and supporting MySQL, which enable dynamic functions.

Some of the smaller plans live with one gigabyte of leisure for photos and characteristic entries. A

sophisticated box knack be five gigabytes to build in blogs and different nub to comprehend depth to your site.

Choose Carefully When looking for a lacework hosting provider, it utterly does salary to shop around.

Before drive to seal a web lessor you leave assume hosting system. And you commit lust a webmastering for activate it first.

Massage bathtubs. experience soothing luxury

A Massage Bathtub. It's Your Own Private Escape

How often have you thought about going to a Spa and decided against it citing time or financial constraints. Well, you can now have your own home-spa and indulge in unbridled luxury from the comforts of your own home. There are a host of options available in the market when it comes to massage bathtubs.

These bathtubs are extra long, extra deep, and are available in many different variations with regards to the massage components. For e. g. multiple jets massage bath tubs, bubble massage bath tubs etc. Whatever maybe your choice, you can rest assure yourself that after a long day at work, you can sink into your own personal massage bathtub and experience pure bliss. Imagine jets massaging your neck, back, legs etc! It will be relaxation personified. Add to that a soothing music playing in the background and you have created heaven on Earth.

The Air Massage Bath Tubs

One of the most important differences between the massage tubs of spas and your own private massage bathtub is that you can drain the water from your tub after each use.

The air massage bath tubs use a steady stream of air bubbles, which are released into the tub from small holes that are present at the bottom of the bathtub. There are other types of units available that not only have holes at the side of the tub, but also at the back. As many as 70 little holes will pump warm air and thus creates thousands of air bubbles that give you the definitive body massage.

What you essentially get is jet therapy. This is different from the whirlpool system that massages particular parts of your body, as all areas of your body are massaged in this system. It will not only soothe your muscles or joints but also develop, tone, and enhance their strength. Bubbles are inherently gentle in nature and hence a bather can soak in, to their hearts content.

Water Jet or Whirlpool Massage Bath Tub

As the name suggests, massage bath tubs with water jets have a systems wherein, jet features, help in propelling waters through the opening that are present at the side of the bathtubs to offer bathers an effective massage. The only thing to take care of, when you use these massage bathtubs is the fact that you cannot indulge in bubble baths or use bath salts or bath oils while bathing.

One must also ensure that the tub is kept clean, especially, the holes, otherwise the holes will get clogged. These massage tubs; to an extent resemble the whirlpool massage tubs at the spas, not in their structure, but in their working and effect. These tubs are now available with an inbuilt cleaning system, which precludes the need for regular cleaning.

Buying a Massage Bathtub

You must always base your decisions on your personal requirements. Some of the physical considerations while choosing such a bath tub would be the size of your bathroom and the shape of your bathroom. The size is important as the massage bathtub must comfortably fit into your bathroom.

Another factor would be the cost. It would be fair to say that massage bathtubs do not come cheap, but with the various available choices, you can find something that suits your budget. Thoroughly research the market before zeroing in on your choice when it comes to massage bathtubs. After all, they are going to help you relax and invigorate your body. You don’t want a bathtub that proclaims itself to be a superior massage option but does not provide you with the necessary benefits.

So select with due care and experience a haven of comfort and happiness.

Tips on choosing your own skin care specialist

Name any famous celebrity or Hollywood star and chances are high that he or she has a skin care specialist to take care of his or her skin care needs. Having a skin care specialist lets these celebrities get customized skin care that is specially designed for the needs of their skin. If you want to have Hollywood-worthy skin, getting a skin care specialist should be high up on your list. Below are some tips on choosing your own skin care specialist:

1. Get recommendations from people who know the beauty industry.

If you have friends with great skin or know people who work in the beauty industry, take this as an opportunity to ask them for referrals and recommendations to their most trusted skin care specialists. Their great skin should be testament enough to the quality of work and service you can expect from the skin care specialist they recommended.

2. Be informed about the requirements of being a skin care specialist.

With a lot of little facial centers and spas sprouting up, you cannot be too careful about entrusting your skin to just anyone. Ensure that the skin care specialist you are going to see is fully qualified by the standards set the Bureau of Barbering and Cosmetology. Minimum requirements for a skin care specialist are as follows: certificate of completion of a 600-hour skin care course from a Bureau-approved school, passing grade from a Bureau-administered written and practical exam, and a license.

3. Check for certificates of attendance to recent skin care seminars.

Skin care is a fast-evolving industry with new technologies and techniques developed regularly. Any skin care specialist who is serious about his profession will be on the look out for seminars and training workshops for modern skin care.

4. Consider attitude and service in choosing a specialist.

You will be working closely with your skin care specialist in your quest for great skin. Hence, it is important that your skin care specialist has the right attitude and outlook about his or her profession. A good skin care specialist should actively seek out the needs of his or her client and be able to discuss critical options and methods prior to treatment. It is okay to switch to another specialist if you have an uncomfortable working relationship with your specialist.

5. Opt for a skin care specialist that can provide a wide array of services.

Although all skin care specialists have knowledge of different skin care treatments, some choose to specialize in one. Specialization is good but this means that you have to find another specialist for different treatments. Instead, for continuity's sake, choose a specialist that is skilled in providing different skin care treatments.

Choosing a skin care specialist is not a decision that must be taken lightly. Your skin is the first thing people notice when they look at you so it is important to entrust it to someone capable. Research and do your homework before looking for your own skin care specialist to ensure that you get the best one for your needs and budget.

2008 nba barter deadline bank perspective

Thursday is the NBA barter borderline and so far we've had some huge NBA blockbuster trades. But for some odd acumen I do accept we could see two or three added trades that could affect playoff agriculture and bank trends. Let's face it, I'm attractive at all of these trades, NBA rumors, and boutique allocution and I'm apprehensive how will this affect my NBA action and handicapping.

Here are some NBA Trades that accept already happened:

Mike Bibby goes from Sacramento to Atlanta for Anthony Johnson, Tyronn Lue, Lorenzen Wright, Shelden Williams and a 2008 additional annular abstract pick. (Gambling Perspective) Bet adjoin this Kings aggregation and they are apparently not done auction players, which is a abiding assurance they are giving up on this division and attractive appear the future. For Atlanta, this is a huge barter for playoff agriculture and watch out for the Over/Under they column for this Hawk team. I'm attractive to bet the over now for the Hawks.

Shaquille O'Neal goes from Miami to Phoenix for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks (two above UNLV Rebels). (Gambling Perspective) For Miami this barter helps them abutting year and frees up much-needed cap room. I'm still attractive to bet adjoin this Heat aggregation that has agitation on both breach and defense. Phoenix, on the added hand, gets slower but maybe the big guy bottomward low will ascendancy the middle. Look to bet the under. Could get some bendable numbers on Phoenix as the media thinks the Diesel is empty.

Pau Gasol goes from Memphis to the Los Angeles Lakers for Kwame Brown, Jarvis Crittenton, Aaron McKie, the rights to Marc Gasol, and a 1st annular aces in 2008 and 2010. (Gambling Perspective) Look for the Lakers to charge the blow of the division to gel and get acclimated to arena with anniversary other. The additional bisected all depends on Kobe's fingers and Bynum legs. Memphis will be a bet adjoin aggregation for the blow of the 2007-08 division and apparently abutting year also.

Here are some Barter Rumors that I'm audition about the NBA Barter Deadline:

(New Jersey) Jason Kidd to Dallas for Devin Harris, DeSagana Diop, Trenton Hassell, Maurice Ager, and the arrangement of Keith Van Horn. This barter will apparently be accomplished by the time this commodity comes out. (Gambling Perspective) Improves Dallas aloof a bit but for the Playoffs. I'm attractive to bet adjoin the Mavericks because now their bank is anemic and they absent a ton of admeasurement with DeSagana Diop now gone.

(Philadelphia) Andre Miller to either Denver, Houston or Cleveland. (Gambling Perspective) Houston and Cleveland to me looks like the acute trade. For Houston this would accord them addition scorer and for addition who bets a lot of totals I would adulation this barter to Houston. I aloof don't see Cleveland authoritative any trades to accomplish King James blessed or the aggregation better.

(Sacramento) Ron Artest to the Denver Nuggets. (Gambling Perspective) For the Kings it's all about rebuilding and for the Nuggets it's all about aggressive in the Western Conference. This barter looks acceptable to me on the arresting ancillary of the ball, if the Nuggets comedy the Lakers or the Spurs you apperceive Artest will be the go-to-guy on defense.

(Chicago) Too abounding names on this list! Chicago is attractive for anybody to booty Ben Wallace and his arrangement off their hands. Ben Gordon and Chris Durhon are now out there as a accessible trades and I would be afraid to see no trades for the Chicago Bulls.

(Memphis) Mike Miller to either Cleveland or New Jersey. (Gambling Perspective) This barter would be huge for the Cleveland Cavaliers. This would accomplish Cleveland a top aggregation in the East and I would say this could get them aback to the Eastern Conference Finals. This would additionally advice Cleveland in scoring because he would booty some burden off King James. If Cleveland makes this barter appear and they will be a accoutrement apparatus in the East.

Other names out there that I'm audition in barter rumors are:

NY Knicks Eddy Curry to anybody who wants him. NY Knicks Zach Randolph to possibly the Denver Nuggets. Indiana Pacer Jermaine O'Neal but not abounding teams will be absorbed because of his anemic knees. LA Clippers Sam Cassel to Boston, Cleveland or Miami. This Cassel barter makes faculty for the Boston Celtics. Golden State's Michael Pietrus to the Miami Heat. Nice barter for the Heat if they can accomplish this happen. This aftermost barter rumor I heard Monday night is a acceptable one. The Lakers barter Lamar Odom to Washington for Caron Butler. The Lakers accomplish this barter and it would accord them a chargeless ride to the Western Conference Finals.

Thursday should be a actual absorbing day in the NBA.

Pros and cons of secured student credit cards

Many college, and even high school, students have a need for carrying a credit card. Often, however, these students are not yet financially responsible for themselves and still rely on their parents to help take care of their financial responsibilities. Therefore, secured student credit cards may be a great option for parents with children who are still in school. Nonetheless, the pros and cons of secured student credit cards need to weighed in order to determine if they are the right choice for you.

Pro: Secured Student Credit Cards Allow You to Monitor Spending

Secured credit cards are different from traditional credit cards in that you put funds on the credit card ahead of time. Therefore, the only money that is spent with the card is the money that is put on to it. In other words, a line of credit is not extended. Therefore, you don't have to worry about your child creating a humongous debt that you have to pay for.

In addition to preventing your child from going into debt, a secured student credit card also allows you to set your child up with an allowance. You can determine how much money you want to give your child to spend each month and you deposit the money onto the card. Depositing money onto these cards is easy. You can set it up so that a portion of your check is deposited onto the credit card each payday. Or, you can send money to the credit card company or deposit the money at select locations. This makes it much easier to get money to your child quickly if needed.

Con: Secured Student Credit Cards have a Number of Associated Fees

Although secured student credit cards allow you to monitor your child's spending habits, there are a number of fees associated with these guards. Generally, there is a fee to set the account up in the first place. Often, there are also annual fees and even monthly fees. In addition, each time you deposit money onto the card, you are usually assessed a small fee. All of these fees add up and can make the student credit card quite costly. Of course, these costs are still less then paying late fees or paying a large debt incurred with a line of credit.

Pro: Secured Student Credit Cards Provide Freedom and Flexibility

One of the best pros of credit cards for college students or high school students is that they allow your child to have the freedom and flexibility that is part of being a credit card holder. These cards do not look any different from traditional credit cards and are accepted at all of the same places. Therefore, your child can use the secured student credit card to purchases necessary items without having to ask you for it or making you have to go out and buy the item.

This is particularly helpful for college students when it comes to purchasing books and other school supplies, as the college may be located pretty far away from home. This makes it highly impractical for you to come to the school to make purchases for your child. Similarly, sending checks can take too long and can make your college student late in purchasing items he or she needs for school.

Pro: Secured Student Credit Cards Teach your Child Financial Responsibility

One of the best perks of a secured student credit card is that it starts your child down the road of financial responsibility. When you deposit money onto the card, your child has to learn how to responsibly use the money provided. In addition, most secured student credit cards report to credit bureaus, and the report will be in your child's name. This helps to build a credit history for your child, which will make it easier for him or her to acquire loans or other credit cards in the future. Before applying for a card, however, make sure it does report to these bureaus in order to receive this added benefit.

Buying appropriate golf apparel

Like your clubs, the clothes that you wear on the golf course can both benefit or adversely affect your game. A good golfer wears clothes that not only fit with a golf club’s dress code, but also allow him to play comfortably. Keep reading for some tips on golf apparel basics as well as critical gear for rain and windy conditions.

The Basics

1. Golf Shirt

At a minimum, your golf shirt should have a collar and be clean and pressed. Choose a fabric that breathes easily, like cotton, and a fit that allows you to comfortably move through a full swing. Don't wear a shirt that is so tight it restricts your mobility.

2. Trousers or Shorts

Trousers should have belt loops and be belted. Shorts are acceptable on the golf course, but choose shorts that are an appropriate length. Also, always test your swing in a new pair of golf pants. You want to have a full range of comfortable motion.

How you dress on the course reflects on you and your attitude toward other players. Never wear jeans, cut-off shorts, sandals or old t-shirts on the course. These will be view as disrespectful of the game and your fellow players.

3. Hat

A hat is invaluable on the course. It keeps the sun out of your eyes, prevents sunburn and helps to keep your head cool. Any clean hat, free from inappropriate slogans will be acceptable on the golf course.

3. Golf Shoes

Most courses will only allow golfers with proper golf shoes on their course. Pick a golf shoe that fits comfortably. To ward off blisters, try breaking them in at home first before you venture off on a long game; and don’t forget to pack a pair of street shoes to wear after your golf round. Some players like waterproof, Gore-tex shoes, which are great for wet climates.

For more inclement weather golf-wear tips, keep reading.

4. Light Jacket

Most golfers like to carry a lightweight jacket in case the weather turns chilly. Choose a compact, portable jacket (usually hip length) that will keep you warm if the sun clouds over or a little bit of drizzle starts.

For a fully waterproof jacket, opt for Gore-Tex. For something that’s water resistant, but a little lighter, choose a Teflon-treated fabric.

5. Heavier Rain Gear

First, you should never golf in a major storm, particularly if there’s thunder and lightning. Your gear and clubs can act like a lightning rod and pose a serious danger. However, if you find yourself in a light rain storm and want to play through, there are gear options available, such as full pant and jacket suits.

The most common material used in these suits is Gore-tex, which ideally should keep you dry and allow your skin to breathe naturally. A vinyl fishermen’s coat won’t do this.

Finally, always opt for clothing that’s clean and in good shape. Golf is traditionally considered a “gentleman’s sport.” It may seem old-fashioned, but how you dress during your round of gold is a reflection of how you view the sport, the course and your fellow players.

San jose schools alternative education program saves troubled students

A Different Kind of Education

San Jose Schools face the same problem that all school districts around the country face, losing at risk students. The San Jose School District has found a solution to this problem while still including these students as a part of the traditional school population. San Jose Schools alternative school program allows for individual attention to the students’ needs while having them participate in activities at the regular campuses.

For some students the traditional school format doesn’t work. Students can become apathetic and risk not graduating. In the San Jose School District’s alternative education program students can play sports, participate in extracurricular activities and be included in the graduation ceremonies of a regular school. At risk students can have English language proficiency issues, difficulty in motivation, simply moving to a new school or many other seemingly small but crucial reasons. San Jose Schools are successfully meeting the needs of these students.

Helping Students to Learn

The alternative education program of San Jose School District could become a model for the rest of the country. Classes in these programs tend to be much smaller and focus on the needs of the individual student. The San Jose School District has approximately thirty-two thousand students, so has to find a way to manage the needs of all thee students while dealing with the concerns of budget and resource allocation.

San Jose Unified School District has created smaller alternative specialty campuses inside six of its high schools. Each of these campuses has about fifty students being instructed by two teachers and an on-site counselor. The students involved in the program are generally juniors or seniors who are in peril of actually graduating from high school. The aim of the program is to help these students catch up in the academic credits needed to graduate. The students spend about half the day in intensive classes and the rest of the day taking classes at a community college or a vocational training facility.

The principal of San Jose School District’s alternative program, Linda Ferdig-Riley, uses information provided by the high schools to choose the students who are in need of assistance and will be included in the program. The program provides a distinctive and exclusive curriculum for each student. These specialized plans include monthly reporting of grades, personalized counseling sessions, and career guidance that is specifically designed of the different students.

How San Jose School District’s Alternative Program Compares

This program appears to be working; San Jose School District has around a seven percent dropout rate as compared to the California state average which is double that rate. The amount of students in the program is smaller than that in other district yet the results seem to be better. The number of students considered for the program is far more than the number of available spaces.

Other alternative educational programs in the state keep the students from actively feeling that they are a part of the school population. San Jose School District’s alternative program relieves the fears that could keep students from taking advantage of this opportunity. This program allows students to attend school functions at their old high school which helps to keep them as a part of the school population and alleviates the stresses the students feel when changing to the alternate campus. When trying to keep students in school these types of pressures might be key in keeping them in school.

More couples saying i do to historic locations

The best place for a couple to start their new life together may be a place that's rich in history.

Historic locations are becoming increasingly popular wedding locations because of their charm, their character and the wealth of attractions for the wedding party to enjoy.

When you pick an historic area, it's easy to coordinate an impressive wedding site, picturesque accommodations and first-class dining.

For example, an increasingly popular wedding location is Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, where the Convention and Visitors Bureau offers free planning services for social events such as weddings and family reunions, as well as meetings and conventions.

Besides being rich in national history, the area offers a wealth of beautiful and dramatic locations to be married in, whether you desire a military-themed wedding, a patriotic, Fourth of July wedding or just love the rich heritage found in such locations.

One of the most stunning locations for a wedding is the Washington Memorial Chapel in Valley Forge National Historical Park. The chapel commemorates George Washington's life and the nation's history with rich, decorative elements, including statues, carvings and soaring stained glass windows.

The National Patriot's Bell Tower features the Justice Bell, cast to support women's suffrage.

Another beautiful location is the Arcadia University Grey Towers Castle, an impressive mansion on the National Historic Register. The building's vast, elegant rooms contain sweeping grand entrance staircases, walnut paneling and mirrored walls.

Also a sought-after location for ceremonies is The Highlands Mansion and Gardens, a 44-acre historic site with late 18th century Georgian mansion and two-acre formal gardens.

If an outdoor wedding is your dream come true, consider The Gardens at Morris Arboretum. The romantic 92-acre Victorian garden displays rare trees, a rose garden, a swan pond, Japanese rock gardens, colorful flower gardens and also an 1898 fernery.

The William Penn Inn, established in 1714, offers an elegant location for a wedding, with guest suites available for overnights. There are also many top-rate conference centers and hotels that cater to events.

Student credit cards why they really are necessary

With more and more reports on student debt increasing to an extent that means graduates are still repaying their debts ten years or more after graduating, you would be forgiven for thinking that you should avoid student credit cards. This, however, doesn’t have to be the case. There are a number of reasons why you may need a credit card and used wisely and carefully, student credit cards can prove to be invaluable assets.

Using A Student Credit Card For Safe Shopping

It’s a fact that more and more people are partaking in Internet shopping of one variety or another. There is a very real chance that you will want to make a purchase over the Internet, whether you are buying your weekly grocery shopping or a birthday present for someone back home. The Internet offers excellent opportunity to purchase items at reduced prices that you wouldn’t ordinarily have access to. A student credit card enables you to shop safely and securely online. Credit cards in general offer a method of secure shopping and many offer insurance against purchases made online.

Building A Future Credit History

Building a credit history is not a simple task for many people but student credit cards enable you to do just that. When the time arrives to buy a house or make a major purchase of a car or other item, you will struggle to find any lender willing to offer you credit unless you have borrowed money before. By using credit cards for college students and ensuring that you make the necessary repayments by the date they are due you will be diligently building a credit history that will benefit you greatly in the future.

Joint Ownership

Credit cards for college students come in various different guises. Possibly the safest option is a student credit card that offers joint ownership between student and parent. This allows parents to repay some or a majority of the credit borrowed but also gives the student the opportunity to repay some of the balance as well. By deciding on a course of action, a budget and spending limits before the card arrives, you can have access to funds when you need them but still be forced to operate sensibly and within your own financial confines.

Limitations And Incentives

As with many cards, credit cards for college students have a set credit limit. Usually these limits are fairly low because students have no or little income to repay the amount borrowed. Again, this can help to manage spending and budgeting effectively. Another feature common to many cards is the incentive program. Credit cards for college students also tend to offer rewards or incentives, although they are usually based around student life and the sensible use of a credit card.

Student life can be a financially difficult time for students and for their parents. A student credit card gives access to money in the case of emergencies or for necessary purchases. Emergency use is the one time when most students and families will see real value in a credit card. By choosing a card that offers joint ownership between parent and child, the spending limit is curbed to some extent and sensible spending and sensible repayment is encouraged.

Blogs-why do people blog

Blogs are becoming very popular. The rate at which the numbers are increasing is mind-boggling. Why is this happening? Why every body wants to create a blog? Who else will read that blog? If everyone is busy writing his/her blog why and when will they get time to search for other blogs and read them? Because of this over population and density, will blogging become another failure? Is it a fad, which will pass away? Let us examine?

Why do people blog? Most of the people write blogs to express themselves. They are sure that on their blog they will get what they want printed. If they write articles or columns for newspapers they may or may not get printed. Writing a blog gives the power to each of us to get printed immediately. I personally write my blog to express myself freely and feel good to see that what I wrote got printed immediately.

Another reason of writing in a blog and website is freedom of design, layout and structure. Blogging gives this freedom. It does not need navigation architecture designs of a website nor a structured menu. You write and get printed - as simple as that. This has a flip side also. In a website one can lay out the information in an easy to access and read format. You can lead your reader to a particular page in a website. You cannot do that on your blog.

Do blogs get read? How does one popularize one's blog? These are difficult questions to answer. For most of us, it is difficult to find time and submit our blog in the increasing number of directories. It is also difficult to make sure that our blog will get one of top rankings in a search. Only the search engines know the secret of that and others only speculate. If we try to read the articles written on this subject, not only the quantity but the difference of opinions will leave most of us tired, frustrated and undecided. One more issue - before you decide that you would want to popularize your blog, please think - whether you search for blogs and read them? A lot many of us are so busy writing our own blogs, that we find no time looking for others. Why should this not apply to our potential readers?

Whatever the pros and cons of blogging, one outcome is certain. Blogs give us the opportunity of writing what we want and get it printed.

Ebay and the advent of cybercash

Gone are the days when only cash (or cattle in some cases) was the only accepted mode of payment for trades. As the concept of trading evolves, so does the means of paying for items.

Today’s electronic world pushes the envelop further. With the advent of online trading systems such as eBay, many new forms of payment have flourished.

First of all, on eBay, the mode of payment depends on the agreement of the buyer and the seller. Most often, the seller will specify his or her desired payment method. In these cases, the seller often has primacy in the decisions regarding payment modes. However, the buyer may still communicate with the seller regarding a viable alternative if it suits both parties.

The following is a list of common eBay payment modes.

Cash On Delivery

Cash is, after all, still cash. This payment method can be done through a third party courier system or by the buyer and seller meeting each other at an agreed place. The advantage of such is that the exchange of item for payment is done in the presence of the buyer and the seller (or the seller’s representative). However, some people will qualm over the risk present when two strangers meet.

Personal Check

One popular method of payment is personal check. Writing checks is easy and safe. However, many sellers do not like accepting check because they are easy to cancel.

PayPal

PayPal is the payment of choice on eBay. In fact, eBay owns PayPal.

Using PayPal is easy, convenient, and relatively safe. PayPal acts as like an internet ‘wire transfer.’

After signing up for PayPal, one may send cash over to anyone with an email address using the PayPal system. PayPal also has security features that safeguards against fraud in case there is dispute between the seller and the buyer. This system is best for transactions up to $1000.

Escrow. com

Escrow. com is the payment of choice for purchases over $500. Escrow. com holds the buyer’s money from the seller until the seller delivers the item. Only then will the funds be released to the seller. This system makes for a very safe, although highly procedural transaction.

Wire Transfer

This is the payment of choice for countries that do not carry the PayPal service. Wire transfers are risky because the buyer usually has to wire over the funds before the seller sends the items. The chance for non-delivery of items is high.

Other Payment Systems

The number of third party payment services is steadily on the rise. Their systems for payment vary. However, to be successful they must be convenient to use and safe as well.