Baby Car Seat Safety Your Must Know Guide

It is very important to use the correct type of baby seat when you have an infant on board. Most people do not know how to install a baby car seat safely. Do you know that some hospitals won't discharge a mom and new baby until they see the car seat? Fortunately, many kinds of infant car seats exist in the market.

The easiest baby car seat to utilize is the kind that has a base that is buckled securely to the car seat. This car seat itself can be lifted off and carried around by the handle. This is will be convenient to you because the baby can be carried to and from the house or wherever the child is going while strapped into the seat. These infant seats usually will only be safe for transporting babies facing backward, until the age of one year. When the baby is 18 pounds, and at least one year old, it is time for a forward-facing baby car seat. Plus, by the time the baby is that old, and weighs 18 pounds, he will be too heavy to lug around that way! You will want to get the baby out of the baby car seat, and carry him, or he may even be walking by then!

The next kind of baby car seat is called a convertible car seat. Many of these baby car seats can be placed in the backward-facing position for when babies grow out of their infant seats, but are not yet old enough, or at a heavy enough weight to sit facing forward. Then, the convertible baby car seat can be turned to face forward, and will seat the baby until the baby is 40 pounds or more. These have a 5-point harness that is buckled at the bottom and the chest.

Once the baby reaches 40 pounds, he will move to a booster seat. This seat is a small base that keeps the child secure, while allowing him to use the regular seat belt. The child can usually sit in this type of car seat until he weighs 80 pounds!

As a rule of thumb, babies and children below the age of twelve are supposed to be seated behind, not in the front seat. The safest place is the center of the back seat. This is because studies show that air bags in the front seat may cause injuries to children. So if possible, never allow a child to be seated in front.

Joshua Poyoh is the creator of http://www.automotive.resources-to.com where you can find out more independent information on Kia Recalls

By Joshua Poyoh

Chiller Diller Halloween Games

Chill out the curiosity of your guests with some exciting games. Take a tip in this article about some of the most chiller-diller games for your party.

Bluebeard's Den is a good chiller-diller. Prepare for it by hanging an old sheet across one end of an adjoining room. Cut four holes in it big enough to admit a head. Just around and below each of these slits smear the sheet with red paint or some kind of red coloring. Catsup will do. Beforehand arrange with one of the fellows to play Bluebeard and ask one of the girls to pose as his first be-headed wife. Have powder or flour and a big puff handy so that she may powder her face heavily and quickly. At the appointed time the girl gets behind the sheet, thrusts her head through one of the holes and lets her head hang in a grotesque position.

Dim the lights and call in another girl. As Bluebeard swings his blade or shoots his cap gun accompanied by screams from the two girls, the second girl thrusts her head through a hole in the sheet. Repeat the process with a third and fourth girl. When the heads of the four beheaded wives are in place bring the guests, two at a time, from the other room to view the remains. As Bluebeard goes through the motion of showing how he killed each one, the heads moan and scream. This screaming and the report of the cap pistol excite the curiosity of the guests in the adjoining room who are anxiously awaiting their turn to visit Bluebeard's den.

No Halloween party is complete without a fortunetelling stunt. Beforehand have one of the girls prepared to be your gypsy fortuneteller. Under the umbrella canopy mentioned earlier you can make a realistic-looking fire by laying a few sticks across orange tissue paper with flashlights concealed underneath. Burning incense gives the effect of steam issuing forth. Instruct the fortuneteller to question each one about his last dream. She can interpret these dreams according to the following meanings. If you pick a clever gypsy she can also use her imagination and her knowledge of the client to make the fortunes particularly apt. Some common interpretations of dreams are:
Snakes - deceitful enemies
Lightning - beware of accidents
Falling - beware of money losses, hard times
Crying - joy
Sunset - love affair
Fog - end of your troubles is coming
Writing - will receive an important letter
Laughing - love or business disappointment
Suffering - wealth
Flames - gossip
Black cat or crows - bad news
Riding on train - visitors
Hungry - plenty
Fighting - success in love, prosperity
Strange faces - travel
Tell the crowd its bad luck to follow the leader so you'll play Contraries. Choose a leader who picks his victim. The victim is to do the opposite of what the leader does. Both are provided with chairs and hats. When the leader stands the victim sits. When the leader puts on his hat the victim takes his off. They should act simultaneously. It is almost impossible to do the opposite while watching the leader, much to the enjoyment of the crowd. After a bit let the victim be the leader and choose some smarty who has laughed long and hard, to be his victim. It's a good game.

Tuna-fish salad tucked into sandwich buns and cheeseburgers are great favorites with teen-agers. Top this off with plenty of cokes or root beer. With some Dixie cups and plenty of mints and nuts the refreshment problem is easily solved. Serve these refreshments buffet style and your friends can squat around the fireplace as they eat. Someone will be sure to tell a blood-curdling ghost story.

Try this superstitious party -it's a gang get-together that's really fun. The Bluebeard's Den is also a top of all game, never miss out.
About the Author

Direct Mail A Thing of the Past?

For many Realtors, direct mail is a staple of their to-do lists. Holiday cards, promotional giveaways, just sold cards, new listing brochures, farming neighborhoods, and many more things get mailed every day by Realtors expanding their businesses. However, the National Association of Realtors recently released a study showing that 77 percent of buyers begin their home search online. Most Realtors would take this to mean that their website is now their most important tool to generate leads. So, what place, if any, does direct mailing still have with today's Realtors?

Price is Certainly a Factor

Compared to website maintenance, web ads, and email, direct mailing can be very expensive. In order to keep your name at the top of buyers' and sellers' minds, you need to mail frequently, as many as two or three times a month. Postage prices continually rise, and even the price of a postcard stamp seems oppressive when compared to sending off a quick email.

The cost of producing quality direct mail is steep not only in terms of dollars, but also in terms of time. Think of the hours you spend proofreading, designing, ordering, stamping, and addressing. Is it worth it? There are so many Realtors fighting over the same turf that many Realtors are increasing their farm areas and adding new territory. That budget just keeps going up.

How Is Direct Mailing Working For You?

A simple analysis of your return on investment will show if your direct mailings are still working for you. Do many of your leads mention that they received your postcards? Do former clients remark on your holiday cards and continue to send you leads? Do you feel that you have ample time to explore all marketing opportunities available and that you're not bogged down with mailing activities?

If you answered yes to these questions, there's no sense in changing a plan that works. However, always remember to do your research. If 19 of your last 20 leads found you through your website, maybe direct mail can be phased out of your marketing plan.

Brett Miller is the founder of HoopJumper.com and has created the best lead generating real estate websites in the industry and helped hundreds of real estate professionals make the most of their Internet presence. Call 888-Hoop-Jumper for a complimentary web analysis today or visit http://www.HoopJumper.com to see how HoopJumper can help you grow your business.

The Advantages of Using a Los Angeles Real Estate Consultant

The buying and selling of a home can be a difficult and frustrating task. For one reason or another, many individuals and families are unable to buy or sell their homes without professional assistance. If you are looking for professional assistance, this assistance can be obtained from a number of different sources.

If you live in or around the Los Angeles area, it is likely that you may seek assistance from a Los Angeles real estate consultant. There are many individuals who wonder exactly what a Los Angeles real estate consultant does. Real estate consultants perform a wide variety of different tasks. These tasks are likely to assist homeowners with selling their home and individuals or families that wish to buy a new home.

Real estate consultants are often compared to traditional real estate agents. There are some cases where individuals may act as both a Los Angeles real estate consultant and a traditional real estate agent. These individuals are likely to offer assistance to clients, by providing simple consultations, or offer full assistance those who are looking to buy or sell a home.

Since there are a number of different individuals who act as real estate consultants, you may be wondering how you should go about finding the perfect Los Angels real estate consultant. The best way for you to find a Los Angeles real estate consultant is to examine the services offered by each consultant. It is also important to examine the costs that those services are being offered for. Doing so will enable to you make sure that you are getting the best value for your money.

To find a number of Los Angeles real estate consultants, you are encouraged to use your local phone book or the internet. You should be able to find a collection of real estate consultants in the yellow pages of your local phone book. The yellow pages are also referred to as the business section of the phone book. The only downside to using your local phone book is that it provides limited information. For additional information, you will have to contact each Los Angeles real estate consultant individually.

To reduce the amount of time it takes to find the perfect real estate consultant, you may want to consider using the internet to search for prospective consultants. Simply by performing a standard internet search, you should be provided with the online websites of numerous Los Angeles consultants. By examining these websites, you should automatically be able to eliminate individuals who charge too much money for their services or do not offer the services that you are searching for.

By taking the time to decide whether you really need the services of a Los Angeles real estate consultant, you could save a large amount of money. In many cases, you are advised to retain the services of a real estate agent who also acts as a consultant. You shouldn?t have to pay for two separate services, especially when you can find qualified individuals who offer them both.

Brad Horn is a writer for 1 percent realtor where you can find a great resource for information regarding a Los Angeles Discount Real Estate Consultant

Sarasota Real Estate: Benefits of Directories to Visitors

Most people who are looking for a particular telephone number would flip open the Yellow Pages. Directories are so much a part of our mundane living that its presences is usually taken for granted. There are several types of directories. The building directory helps one find the right office or apartment. The employee directory will helps one find the right person in the right department. A film directory helps one find a particular by title, subject, actors, director or producer.

Another type of directory that is relevant for Sarasota real estate investors is the real estate directory. What is it exactly? Like most online directories found on the Internet, a real estate directory is a listing of Web sites, which are classified and indexed in some particular order in order to facilitate searching. Depending on the real estate directory, the listings available will be indexed according to region, agent, type of property or price ? and often all of the above. Other sections will be clearly labeled as well?a comprehensive real estate directory offers more than just properties for sale. You?ll find listings for appraisers, inspectors, home improvement sites, contractors?almost anything that has to do with real estate.

Unlike a single realtor site, a Sarasota real estate directory will cover listings from various sources. Thus, it gives a searcher the widest possible variety of listings to search through. A trip through a Sarasota real estate directory will give a good feel for the general market conditions in Sarasota. It also facilitates searching of a realtor who is listing the properties one is interested in buying.

While traditional search engines are good venues to start seeking for home listings, one will often have to browse through several pages to get past the listings for home mortgage companies, a few dozen single realtors, several realty listing sites that only lead to more realty listing sites. On the other hand, by going directly to a real estate directory, one cuts out the sifting through pages of unrelated info and get straight to what is being searched for. An indexed directory of current real estate listings in Sarasota simply makes it easy to find the homes one wants to buy in this sunny city in Florida.

Finally, the best Sarasota real estate directory does not end with providing listings of homes for sale like many realtor sites do. One will usually find listings for Web sites that talk about how to prepare a home for sale, how to put a home on the market, which home improvements offer the most return on investment, mortgage and loan companies and so much more.

Earl Juanico http://sarasota-realestate.biz

All The Amazing Secrets Behind Hawthorne Laser Acne Treatment

Acne is a problem for young people and for adults too. The most common type of acne (blackheads, with heads or pimples) appears on the face, back, shoulders, neck or chest. An appropriate laser treatment is able to eliminate redness and scars and dramatically improve the general aspect.

Hawthorne laser acne treatment is assuming an increasing importance in acne treatment, becoming really important in the treatment of acne scars. Clinical research over many years has led to spectacular results; overgrown or thickened scars are improving their appearance, after Hawthorne laser acne treatment. The most responsive to the laser treatment seems to be facial scars; even deeply red colored scars are acquiring normal skin characteristics.

Hawthorne laser acne treatments have the sensation of a rubber band; most patients don?t love this feeling and they prefer some anesthetic creams to feel better. If new pimple appear, the face is easy to clean with microdermabrasion treatments, without unpleasant consequences.

How many treatments are necessary?
The success of laser acne treatments in huge, if the patient is preoperative evaluated carefully; it is important in order to decide the most appropriate laser treatment form. Local anesthesia is administered before Hawthorne laser acne treatment, using a special cream, injections or nerve blocks. The immediate results are not very encouraging: the scars become red. After 6 ? 8 months, the patients are evaluated and the dermatologists decide is another treatment is necessary, at the same strength or higher. Most patients require more than two treatments to see a great improvement. The exact number depends on every patient situation.

Hawthorne laser acne treatments for atrophic acne scars require carbon dioxide laser surfacing depending of the scar extend. Postoperative treatments are always necessary; Skin professional cleanings are scheduled after the laser treatment and the patients are receiving the advice to keep the acne area moistened with special oils and creams. Frequent examinations are very important too in Hawthorne laser acne treatments in order to prevent acne or long-term scar.

Pulsed dye Hawthorne laser acne treatments are the preferred procedure for acne and scars; carbon dioxide Hawthorne laser acne treatments are often replacing chemical peels and dermabrasion. Future advanced Hawthorne laser acne treatments will have spectacular results if they are coupled with other treatments.

Hawthorne laser acne treatment advantages are really important: the patient immediately returns to his normal life; it is possible to see major improvement is an hour after the treatment; the technology has a proven safety record from some years. The laser treatment avoids the side effects usually associated with drug therapy. An appropriate make-up can be used immediately after the treatment; the dermatologist must determine if it is appropriated or no.

Hawthorne laser acne treatment is not painful; it is more comfortable than many other procedures. Following this treatment, the patient?s face will appear flushed, but these effects disappear after a few days. Repeated treatments are necessary to improve or maintain the laser acne treatment results.

About the Author:

Find Out about treatment for acne pitted scar. You'll also learn aboutacne treatment

Fast and Direct Pick up and Seduction

The world's greatest pick up artist has always been fast and direct. The results being one to three hot babes notched on the old bed post for 38 years. Including four hotties today!

Almost no one uses the fast and direct approach. Most guys who think they are good with women are only lying to themselves. They get lucky once in a blue moon and they are now experts. Admittedly this pick up thing hits a guy right in the ego and most men will not admit they fall short in the area of the pick up and seduction. From the average frustrated chump to the pick up artist. Most men fall short.

Most pick up techniques that are being taught around the world just plain don't work.

Most of the current pick up and seduction styles being taught over complicate a really simple and natural attraction and seduction process.

You do NOT have to put on magic tricks for girls.

You do NOT have to hypnotize women.

You do NOT have to play games with women and use egs, and put women down.

You do not have to use a thousand step process to bed girls.

Gentlemen if you keep studying this garbage you will always be an average frustrated chump...

Do yourself a favor and investigate the world's first Grand Master of the Pick-up and the Grand Master of Seduction. He does one on one in the field training on a beautiful tropical island with real life beautiful women just a two hour flight from Miami.

For info contact the king, Elvis Preston King at loverboybachelor@yaho.com

About the Author

Corporate Baby Gift Ideas

Costa Maya Real Estate Buyer Series: Car Ownership Facts in Mexico

One of the perks of owning Costa Maya real estate is the vast amount OF things to see and do in the local area. Roads in the area are well connected and the highway that runs along the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula has been recently renovated to make car travel even easier.

The unpaved beach road that cuts through the Costa Maya real estate is best handled in a 4-wheel drive vehicle and offers an amazing view of the ocean for miles on end. In order to enjoy Mexico by car, there are a few things to consider before hitting the road.

Driver?s License:

A US driver?s license is considered valid for driving anywhere in Mexico. If you purchased your Costa Maya real estate as an investment or a vacation home and will be returning to the States often, keeping your US driver?s license current is all you?ll need to drive legally in Mexico.

If you?ve purchased Costa Maya real estate and consider it your primary home, might want to get a Mexican driver?s license. However, if you?re still considered a resident of the US, you?ll want to keep your American driver?s license current as well.

Importing a car:

If you?ll be residing on your Costa Maya real estate and are thinking about brining you car, there are several steps you?ll need to take if you?re planning on registering it. Each person can import only one vehicle in their name. To enjoy all of the benefits of owning Costa Maya real estate you may want to bring an RV. There is an exception to the single person, single registration rule if you?re driving a motor home and towing a car. In this case you can obtain a registration for both vehicles in your name.

The registration you get when importing a vehicle is temporary. You?ll need to continue to renew it and if you leave before the registration ends, it?s important to stop at the DMV at the border and cancel the registration. If you don?t, when you return to enjoy your Costa Maya real estate again you?ll appear as if you already have an imported car registered in Mexico.

Car insurance in Mexico:

It is mandatory to have Mexican car insurance when driving in Mexico. Your US or Canadian liability insurance won?t be valid in Mexico. There are many places to obtain temporary Mexican car insurance but if you?ve purchased Costa Maya real estate, you?ll probably want to look for a company that specializes is traditional (not temporary) auto insurance.

Some US auto insurance companies offer property damage coverage for a few miles inside the border of Mexico. This coverage is extremely limited so it?s important to include property damage coverage on insurance if you want to cover the value of your car. By adding property damage to you your Mexican auto insurance policy you can rest assured that your car is completely covered while you enjoy your Costa Maya real estate.

With a little research and planning, getting your driving paperwork in order won?t take a lot time and much of it can be done online. After that it?s time to set of from your own little slice of Costa Maya real estate to enjoy all of the natural beauty of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Author is a writer for Transcaribbean Trust which specializes in helping find Costa Maya real estate For additional information you can visit http://www.TranscaribbeanTrust.com

Seven Simple Steps to get into a Fitness Routine

1. See Your Doctor: Before you start any exercise program or begin any
sport or hobby that involves physical exertion, get a check up.

2. Sleep: Get enough sleep every night. This is especially
important if you decide to exercise in the morning. If you
aren't getting enough sleep, you might just keep hitting the
snooze button in favor of getting up and exercising.

3. Set Goals: What are you trying to achieve out of your
exercise program? Just like when you are trying to lose weight,
you must set a goal weight, the same thing applies to fitness.
Do you need to work on your abs or your thighs or maybe your
doctor is recommending a cardio workout? You need to figure out
what it is that you want to accomplish and set out to find exercises
that will help you reach your goals.

4. Select: Find exercises that you like. This is very important,
if you choose exercises that bore you to tears... well, how long
do you think you will be able to do it? (This has always been
my problem with tummy crunches and video tapes... they are
so darn boring... I've found that a daily walk will keep me
relatively fit and it's not boring to me at all.)

5. Schedule: Set aside 30 minutes, 3 times a week for exercise.

6. Slow and Steady wins the race: don't try to do every
exercise you know on the first day, too much too fast and
you will crack under the pressure. Start slowly and build
up to an exercise routine that fits your lifestyle.

7. Stick to it: NOTHING is more important than your health!

Getting fit is a combination of exercise AND diet. Plan your
diet with the help of the NutriCounter, a fun and easy way to
monitor your nutritional intake. The NutriCounter works with
any exercise routine!
http://www.nutricounter.com/

Come and visit the NutriCounter web site for more
information on how nutrition influences weight loss, diabetes, pregnancy, heart disease and more!
http://www.nutricounter.com

-Healthy Questions to Help Make you HealthyJanet L. Hall

-Healthy Questions to Help Make you Healthy How to Organize the Health Area of Your Life by: Janet L. Hall
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Many people make New Year's resolutions, only to break them within a week or a month afterwards.

Many people either do or do not set goals for themselves. Some people have no idea how to set goals.

So, let's look at the difference between resolutions and goals.

Webster's New World Compact School and Office Dictionary copyright 1994, offers these definitions:

~~ Resolution-1 the act or result of resolving something 2 a thing determined upon; decision as to future action 3 a resolute quality of mind 4 a formal statement of opinion or determination by an assembly, etc.

~~ Goal-1 the place at which a race, trip, etc. is ended 2 an end that one strives to attain 3 in some games, a) the line or net over or into which the ball or puck must go to score b) the score made.

Notice # 2 in each definition and let's use 'losing weight' as
our example. (I use this as an example because it is the number one New Years resolution).

The statement. I'm going to lose weight this year doesn't
really have any meaning, focus, or structure.

The statement I have determined that I need to lose weight
and will walk one mile three times a week so that I can wear
the new dress/suit that is too tight.

See the difference? See how the second statement has more clarity and structure?

We have determined the problem, decided on the action we want or need to take, and what end we are striving to attain.

This is the way to focus on a problem, make a resolution, and set a goal.

I call this Goal-Resolve.

Goal-Resolve! What is this woman talking about?

Goal-Resolve: a statement that determines a problem, what action
you need to take, and to what end you want to attain.

Below is a list of the recommended traditional health tests
and exams you should have, listed with age and frequency of exams. The frequency suggested is for those of you that have no symptoms or any history of risk. Please consult with your doctor to find out if you need to be tested
more frequently.

Print out the list and place an X next to the tests or exams that you NEED to GET PERFORMED.

By the way, when was the last time you had a physical?

Physical
21-39: every 3 years 40-49: every 2 years 50-74: Yearly
Blood Pressure
21-74: every 2 years, more often if high or low Blood Cholesterol 21-74: every 5 years, more often if high Bone-density scan (DEXA or pDEXA) 40-59: Postmenopausal women with one or more osteoporosis risk factors or who have had a bone fracture and men should consult with doctor. After 65: every 2 years Breast self-exam
15 + : Monthly
Cancer checkup and health counseling 21-39: every 3 years 40-74: Yearly
Chest X-ray and lung function test Yearly for smokers; baseline check at 40 for nonsmokers
Clinical Breast Examination 21-39: every 3 years 40-74: Yearly
Dental Checkup
21 + : every 6 months Digital Rectal Exam 21-49: not necessary if no symptoms 50-74: every 5-10 years Electrocardiogram 40-74: Baseline at 40 and as recommended by your doctor thereafter Fecal Occult Blood Test 21-50: not necessary if no symptoms and no family history of colon cancer 50-74: Yearly
Hearing
21-39: not necessary if no symptoms 40-74: as necessary, every 5-10 years Influenza Vaccine 21-49: optional
50-74: Yearly
Mammogram
21-39: Baseline at 35, then every 1-2 years 40-74: Yearly
Pelvic Exam/Pap Smear 21 + : yearly
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) 50 + : Yearly
Sigmoidoscopy (colon examination) 21-49: not necessary if no symptoms and no family history of colon cancer 50-74: every 5 years Skin Exam (for signs of cancer) 21-39: self-exam every month 40-74: yearly by dermatologist Testicular Self-Exam 21 + : monthly
Tetanus-diphtheria (Td) Booster 21 + : every 10 years Thyroid-stimulating Hormone Test 65 + : every 3-5 years Triglycerides
21-59: every 5 years 60-74: at doctors recommendation Urinalysis
50-59: every 10 years 60-74: every 5 years Vision
21-39: yearly if you wear glasses; once before age 40 40-59: every 2-4 years 60-74: Yearly

(The above list was compiled from *Family Circle*- Your Personal Planner, Wellness Guide, Vol. 25, No. 15) If you are 74 +, please check with your doctor for their recommendations of frequency.

Some other vaccinations that you might need to add to your
list are:
~~Pneumonia shot at age 60 and again at 67 ~~Hepatitis B for those of you that are health workers or living with a carrier ~~Hepatitis A if you plan to visit Third World countries ~~Cholera, Typhoid Fever, Yellow Fever, and other diseases endemic to areas where you plan to travel ~~Lyme Disease if you live, work or vacation in high-risk areas or are exposed to ticks for any length of time. (The highest-risk states in the US are those in the northeast, plus Minnesota and Wisconsin)

If you have children or grandchildren, please make sure that they are getting their necessary and required shots.

Call your doctor, dentist, vision and hearing doctors today
and set up your appointments for yourself (and any loved ones) for the year.

Schedule a date with a nutritionist and make sure you are eating properly and getting the proper amount of vitamin supplements. Nutritionist in my area charge about $60 for the first visit. It was money well spent and
an amazing experience.

Talk with your doctor about exercise and what type is best
for you. It might be as simple as taking a daily walk.

If you're a business or SOHO owner, you MUST be healthy to meet the demands that confront you on a daily basis.

OverHalling your problem areas might be harder for you if you are already tired, dragging your feet, achy, sore and
don't know what's wrong. OverHalling is not easy! It will take time, commitment, energy, and strength.

Don't let getting healthy become a resolution that you break or a goal that you never accomplish. Make it a *Goal-Resolve*!

Smiles, not Piles,
Janet L. Hall

The Organizing Wizard, Janet L. Hall, is a Professional Organizer, Speaker, and Author of 'Secrets of a Professional Organizer and How-To Become One.' She is the owner of
OverHall Consulting and Organizing By Phone. Subscribe to her FREE organizing newsletter at http://www.overhall.com/newsletter.htm or visit her web site at http://www.overhall.com

Copyright 1999, 2000, 2001 by OverHall Consulting P.O. Box 263, Port Republic, MD 20676 All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted to reproduce, copy, or distribute so long as this copyright notice and full
information about contacting the author is attached.

The Organizing Wizard, Janet L. Hall, is a Professional Organizer, Speaker, and Author of 'Secrets of a Professional Organizer and How-To Become One.' She is the owner of
OverHall Consulting and Organizing By Phone. Subscribe to her FREE organizing newsletter at http://www.overhall.com/newsletter.htm or visit her web site at http://www.overhall.com

-What is ALL this *STUFF*-Home, Office, and Car ClutterJanet L. Hall

-What is ALL this *STUFF*- Home, Office, and Car Clutter by: Janet L. Hall
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (Excerpts from What is ALL this STUFF-Home Clutter Teleclass and Workshop).

Clutter and chaos in your bedroom could be the reason you wake up with a headache, a stuffy nose, or runny eyes.

Maybe you feel stressed out, depressed, fatigued, or distracted when you wake up to all your clutter and chaos.

We spend 1/3 of our lives in our bedrooms. A place we go to to find solitude, peace of mind, and slumber. But how can you expect to get a good night sleep or to awaken with vitality and energy with all that clutter facing you?

~~ What's the first thing you see when you wake up in the morning? ~~ Is it piles of clothes, books, newspapers, and mail all over the place?
~~ Are you stepping on and tripping over stuff on your floors? ~~ Do you just want to pull the covers over your head and stay in bed rather then face all that clutter and chaos?

Let your world stop for 15 minutes and announce to the world, This is the day I'm going to make a change in my life. Jump out of bed, throw back the curtains, open the shades and windows (yes, even if it is 20 degrees outside!), turn off the news, crank up some music and do the Toss In Box!

Get a box (a garbage bag will also work) and pick up everything off the floor and do the Toss In box! (TIP: Don't stop and dawdle over any items, we'll do that later).

Feel the energy?

Hip Hop over to the dresser, bureau, makeup table, and nightstands and take everything off that you don't use daily or nightly and do the Toss
In Box!

Feel the adrenaline?

Waltz on over to your sitting area, chaise, or clothes valet and take it ALL off and do the Toss In Box!

Now, doesn't your bedroom feel better already? DON'T YOU feel better?

Grab 10 more minutes, another box, a garbage bag, your car keys and sprint out to your car. Tune into your favorite radio station and do the Toss In Box. Get rid of everything that you don't use daily (please keep your emergency equipment). Get rid of everything that you don't need. Don't forget to check under the seats, in the glove compartment,
and the trunk.

Forget about those boxes for now. Get ready for work and with a song in your heart, another box, and garbage bag zip off to work.

When you get to the office take another 10 minutes and proclaim to your co-workers that you are changing your ways. Go into your office, cubicle, or workspace and start doing the Toss In Box.

Okay, now reality starts to sit in. You still have a lot of work to do because
you have to go through ALL that STUFF! Don't panic, I'm still with you.

Decide which of your boxes is the most important box to attack first. Set a date and time that you can start sorting through ALL that STUFF.

What's that I hear, But I don't have time. You have to FIND the time. Make an appointment with yourself and keep it, just as you would go to the doctors or attend a meeting.

Decide on a reward you will give yourself when you finish sorting your box,
such as a new outfit, tickets to the theatre or ballgame, or my favorite, a
chocolate milkshake.

I've developed a technique called TEASER which will give you 11 actions you can take to help you sort through your boxes of clutter. What? Teaser only has six letters...you'll see. First yell, What is ALL this STUFF!
Get a garbage can or bag, 10 boxes and label them with the following:

Toss it
~~ It's not yours, you don't know who it belongs to, it's outdated, it can't
be repaired, you don't need it. End it
~~ You don't want it, you want to cancel it, or you don't read it. Act on it
~~ Needs an action, such as your signature, phone call, or immediate attention.
Store it
~~ This will have three boxes: Current Stuff, Things I need to Reference, and Historical Stuff.
Enter it
~~ Information you need to enter into your planner or computer. Refer/Recycle/Read it/Repair ~~ It belongs to someone else or you think they need it. ~~ Use it again or put into a recycling bin. ~~ Something you want/need to read. ~~ Something that can be fixed.

Be ruthless, determined, and honest and start sorting ALL your STUFF by using the TEASER.

Your next step to take is to schedule a date and time (don't forget your reward)
to act on the items that you sorted.

~~ Call, write, or email the items you want to END or stop from coming into
your life.
~~ Decide how and where you will STORE your current, reference, and historical papers or 'stuff'. ~~ Sit and ENTER all your information. ~~ Pack up and take items that you are REFERRING to someone else, RECYCLING, or taking to get REPAIRED. ~~ Put READING material in area you like to sit and read and create a TO GO reading folder to take with you whenever you leave the home or office.

Congratulations! You have taken the first steps to overhalling your home,
office, and car. Keep up the good work. If you want to know more or need additional help with your home clutter, Check out a one-on-one teleclass at http://www.overhall.com/teleclasses.htm

Remember, YOU control your STUFF! Don't let your STUFF control you or make you sick.

Smiles, not Piles,
Janet L. Hall
The Organizing Wizard, Janet L. Hall, is a Professional Organizer, Speaker, and Author of 'Secrets of a Professional Organizer and How-To Become One.' She is the owner of
OverHall Consulting and Organizing By Phone. Subscribe to her FREE organizing newsletter at http://www.overhall.com/newsletter.htm or visit her web site at http://www.overhall.com

Copyright 1999, 2000, 2001 by OverHall Consulting P.O. Box 263, Port Republic, MD 20676 All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted to reproduce, copy, or distribute so long as this copyright notice and full information about contacting the author is attached.

The Organizing Wizard, Janet L. Hall, is a Professional Organizer, Speaker, and Author of 'Secrets of a Professional Organizer and How-To Become One.' She is the owner of
OverHall Consulting and Organizing By Phone. Subscribe to her FREE organizing newsletter at http://www.overhall.com/newsletter.htm or visit her web site at http://www.overhall.com

The Existence Or Absence Of ADHD Helpfull Behavioral Interventions

It is not compulsory for any very active person,which lacks attention or proves himself/herself impulsive to be affected by ADHD. It is difficult even for the specialists to determine whether is ADHD,considering that many healthy people may be distracted, may forget things or speak too much spontaneously in certain situations.

The fact that various people present characteristics of such behavior ,the establishment of the diagnoses must be demonstrated in relation to the age of the person in question. There are settled guidelines and requirements to identify a genuine case of ADHD. The specific behavioral features appear in this case from childhood ,in the first seven years of life ,and continuously manifest for 6 months. A real handicap must be generated in at least 2 important fields: school, family, friends, community, society to recognize the disease. In absence of this handicap, even if the person shows other symptoms,it is not ADHD. Not any normal,energetic child should receive this diagnosis.

A series of critical questions require answers,to determine the existence or the absence of the disease:whether the behavioral features are in excess,persistent and long-termed,whether they are more present than in other children of that age ,whether the problem is a permanent one ,whether the place determines one specific behavior. These answers will be confronted to the criteria of the DSM-IV-TR.

Few Simple Behavioral Interventions

In order to provide the needed help to children with ADHD in organizing, the following actions should be taken into consideration:

Providing a schedule. Creating a routine every day, from wake-up time to bedtime. A variety of actions should be included in the schedule, homework time and playtime, both outdoor and indoor activities. The schedule will be placed on the refrigerator or a bulletin board where it can be easily seen. Changes in that schedule will be announced long time before they will take place. Writing down the assignment is important. Also, using organizers for the homework, books and notebooks may come in handy, the daily needed items. Have a designated place for everything and keep everything in its place: backpacks, school supplies, clothing, etc.

Some rewards, praises, as well as critics, are needed every time the well established rules are understood and followed or not followed.

About the Author:

Learn what is adhd or about adhd symptoms and adult adhd diagnosis

Being a Veterinarian Today

A veterinarian (from Latin veterinae, draught animals) is an animal doctor, a practitioner of veterinary medicine. Although veterinarians hold doctoral degrees in veterinary medicine, not all veterinarians enter clinical practice. Those that work in clinical settings practice medicine in specific fields, such as companion animal or pet medicine, reptile medicine, ratite medicine, livestock medicine, equine medicine (e.g. sports, race track, show, rodeo), or laboratory animal medicine. Other veterinarians research areas of human medicine, veterinary medicine, and pharmacology. Research veterinarians were the first to isolate oncoviruses, Salmonella species, Brucella species, and various other pathogenic agents. They also helped conquer malaria and yellow fever; solved the mystery of botulism; produced an anticoagulant used to treat human heart disease; and developed surgical techniques for humans, such as hip-joint replacement, and limb and organ transplants.

Like all physicians, veterinarians must make serious ethical decisions about their patients' care. There is ongoing debate over the ethics of performing certain controversial procedures, like declawing cats and docking tails, cropping ears, and debarking dogs. In some countries, these procedures are illegal, and therefore their practice is contentious. The Veterinarian's Oath was adopted by the American Veterinary Medical Association's House of Delegates July 1969, and amended by the AVMA Executive Board, November 1999. It goes as follows:
Being admitted to the profession of veterinary medicine, I solemnly swear to use my scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of animal health, the relief of animal suffering, the conservation of animal resources, the promotion of public health, and the advancement of medical knowledge.
I will practice my profession conscientiously, with dignity, and in keeping with the principles of veterinary medical ethics.

Some veterinarians work in a field called regulatory medicine -- ensuring the nation's food safety by working with the USDA FSIS, or work by protecting us from imported exotic animal diseases by working for the USDA APHIS. The emerging field of conservation medicine involves veterinarians even more directly with human health care, providing a multidisciplinary approach to medical research that also involves environmental scientists.

More than 3,800 veterinarians in the USA currently work at veterinary schools where they teach student vets what they need to know to graduate -- teaching is another career path for a veterinarian.
Veterinary school is a tertiary educational institution, or part of such an institution, which is involved in the education of future veterinary practitioners (veterinarians). The entry criteria, structure, teaching methodology and nature of veterinary programs offered at veterinary schools vary considerably around the world. In the U.S., a doctorate of veterinary medicine degree (D.V.M.) (Or in the Veterinary Medical School at the University of Pennsylvania, a degree of veterinary medical doctor (V.M.D.) is awarded) is a four-year program. The program generally consists of 21⁄2 to 3 years of mostly traditional classroom coursework followed by the clinical rotations. Currently, unlike human medical school, a subsequent internship and/or residency are not required, but are optional to those who choose to seek further education and possible accreditation. Unsurprisingly, the number of veterinarians pursuing internships and/or residencies will continue to increase as the understanding of veterinary medicine continues to grow greater. A good veterinarian enjoys working with animals and their owners. Admission into veterinary medical school is so competitive that in the United States it is far easier to gain acceptance into either a medical school or a top Law School than to meet the GPA requirements for most veterinary schools. This situation occurs mostly because there are far fewer schools, allowing the schools to be much more selective. According to the US Department of Labor, only 1 in 3 applicants were accepted into a veterinary program in 2002. Prerequisites for admission include the undergraduate studies listed under veterinary medicine and extensive veterinary experience (typically about 500 or more hours) in private practice or other veterinary environment. The average veterinary medical student has an undergraduate GPA of 3.5 and a GRE score of approximately 1800. US graduates are awarded either a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or the less common Veterinary Medical Doctor (VMD) degree, depending upon the traditions of the veterinary school.

Public health medicine is another option for veterinarians. Veterinarians in government and private laboratories provide diagnostic and testing services. Some veterinarians serve as state epidemiologists, directors of environmental health, and directors of state or city public health departments. Veterinarians are also employed by the US Agriculture Research Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Environmental Protection Agency, National Library of Medicine, and National Institutes of Health. The military also employs veterinarians in a number of capacities -- caring for pets on military bases, caring for military working animals, and controlling various arthropod-borne diseases or other such things.

Veterinary medicine is the application of medical, diagnostic, and therapeutic principles to companion, domestic, exotic, wildlife, and production animals. Veterinary Science is concerned with the scientific basis of animal production, health and disease. It requires the acquisition and application of scientific knowledge in several disciplines and uses technical skills towards the solution of animal production, health, management and welfare problems.
Veterinary medicine is informally as old as the human/animal bond but in recent years has expanded exponentially because of the availability of advanced diagnostic and therapeutic techniques for most species. Animals nowadays often receive advanced medical, dental, and surgical care including insulin injections, root canals, hip replacements, cataract extractions, and pacemakers.

Veterinarians assist in ensuring the quality, quantity, and security of food supplies by working to maintain the health of livestock and inspecting the meat itself. Veterinary scientists are very important in chemical, biological, and pharmacological research.

In many countries, equine veterinary medicine is also a specialized field. Clinical work with horses involves mainly locomotor and orthopaedic problems, digestive tract conditions (including equine colic, which is a major cause of death among domesticated horses), and respiratory tract infections and disorders.

As in the human medical field, veterinary medicine (in practice) requires a diverse group of individuals to meet the need of patients. In addition to veterinarians, many veterinary hospitals utilize a team of veterinary nurses and veterinary assistants to completely care for healing, critical and well animals. Veterinary nurses are generally registered as veterinary technicians in most states and are legally qualified to assist veterinarians in many medical procedures. Veterinary assistants, who are not licensed by most states, but can be well-trained at facilities such as The School for Veterinary Assistants, are also becoming increasingly in-demand in the veterinary industry due to a wide range of treatments and services being offered to meet the higher expectations of pet owners in the United States.

About the Author

Freelance writer for over eleven years.

Veterinarian Uniforms Chef Uniforms Dickies Medical Uniform Scrubs

The Building Blocks of the Auto World

They look good, but they even perform better. The parts and accessories of a vehicle are built not only to accentuate the looks of the automobile. They are also designed for utmost performance and pure driving pleasure. These components have undergone rigid tests and manufactured with the toughest materials possible, not only passing industry standards but exceeding expectations to set the ante for the competitors to emulate. It also paves the way for innovations in pursuit of a more improved automobile performance.

Auto Body Parts play an important role in enhancing performance, providing safety and bringing one kind of driving preference and riding comfort. From the components under the hood to the overall setup of the interior, a vehicle will either be sporty or elegant depending on the desired type of the owner. This applies to various types of vehicles ranging from cars, trucks, vans, pickup trucks to sport utility vehicles, monster trucks, jeeps, among others. After all, the automobile is an extension of one's personality.

In terms of performance, the exhaust system is a total power booster for greater fuel combustion. The same thing goes to performance-inducing parts like hedders, short RAM intakes, and cold air intake for more horsepower and torque for the vehicle. The clutch assembly of the transmission system, meanwhile, gives the auto the needed torque. Of course, a huffing and puffing engine needs to be cooled down with the vehicle's cooling system. The radiator plays a vital role as it maintains engine temperature. And for that much-needed stoppage power especially in critical times, the brake pads, along with the brake caliper and rotor, make up the braking system to perform its main function. To charge up the vehicle's battery and to power up its electronic devices, the alternator transforms all the mechanical energy by the engine into electrical energy to run these electronic parts. These are but some of the numerous indispensable automobile parts performing each vital role.

There is also a host of automobile accessories that are supplementary components not only providing that certain look and feel but functioning its role to improve the vehicle's capabilities. The bug shield maintains that spic-and-span appearance of the hood and windshield as it prevents a splattered mess caused by insects. The lighting system of the vehicle's front and rear end does the illuminating functions to see through dark pavements and prevent accidents caused by poor or even zero visibility. Wipers are like squeegees that wipes out snow, rain, dirt or even insects for better focus while driving. On the inside, floor mats, cargo mats as well cargo liners maintain that clean-look of the vehicle's interior. Power windows ease the burden for the motorist as it opens and closes the window at the touch of a button. Looks and protection fuse together as the seat covers prevent stains and unwanted elements. These accessories are manufactured to perform beyond aesthetics
for the motorist to get that bigger bang for the buck.

These parts and accessories abound as provided for by different makes. Available in either the nearest aftermarket parts store or auto nooks, auto parts, and accessories can also be conveniently availed online. Depending on the taste of a motorist, they come in a wide variety of modifications, colors, sizes, and applications suited for different types and models of each make.

Sure enough, parts and accessories comprise a hefty segment of the industry. These so-called building blocks do not only make the vehicle look good, they make them perform even better as well.
About the Author

Abigail Cohen is a 28-year-old proprietor of a small automotive retail business in West Virginia. Abi is the daughter of an automobile designer, and inherited her father's passion for cars of all kinds.

Choosing The Right Paint Sprayers For The Job

Paint sprayers make the job easier and faster!

Pity our pioneer forefathers, who had to paint barns and houses the labor-intensive old-fashioned way. Nowadays we have paint sprayers to do the big jobs for us. Paint sprayers make painting a large surface much easier and faster than with a brush or even a roller. What's more, paint sprayers are less tiring and actually do a better job than brushes, giving a smoother finish than you could get doing it by hand.

As with any other home-improvement project, your first step is to get the right tools for the job you're doing. Paint sprayers differ in their functions and specialties, so you must first match up the equipment with the project.

For staining or waterproofing jobs, you'll want an airless sprayer. For paint jobs, your options vary.

An airless spray paint roller functions the same as a traditional paint roller, with the advantage of not having to keep refilling your tray. Use it for jobs that would normally require a paint roller.

A diaphragm paint sprayer can work with a five-gallon bucket of paint. It should be used for very large jobs, then, such as exterior walls or entire rooms.

For more ordinary jobs such as single walls or small rooms, a high-volume low-pressure sprayer is probably your best bet. They are sold in the usual home-improvement do-it-yourself centers. Being low-pressure is good because it helps prevent paint splashes.

Before buying a paint sprayer, know the type of job you'll be using it for. Ask the salesperson for advice on buying the right equipment. Consider also whether you'll be doing enough paint work to justify buying a sprayer. The old-fashioned way is a good physical workout and is much cheaper. But if the job is big enough to warrant extra equipment, you'll find a sprayer an incredible saver or time and energy.

About the Author:

www.paintsprayerworld.com is a website packed with information on airless paint sprayers
and graco paint sprayers

Finding the Best Backpacking Tents

Do you like to spend your time in the wild outdoors? If you do, then you probably know that backpacking tents can be a backpacker's best friend. Of course, there are alternative ways of spending a night in the woods. For instance, many fast and light hikers rely on bags to keep themselves warm. They do this by nesting in their sleeping bags and eschewing a tent all together. The problem is that these weight watchers often wake up in sleeping bags soaked with condensation, even if the sky was clear all night. Hikers who spend the night under ultra light tarps or in hammocks can find themselves flooded out when it starts to rain.

Modern backpacking tents are different from the heavy, leaking, cumbersome shelters of the past. The latest types are constructed from nylon shells and fiberglass or carbon-fiber poles. This means that today's backpacking tents are smaller and lighter than ever before. There will be no more hassling with mismatched tent poles in the middle of the night because most manufacturers now string their break-down poles with bungee cords which allow the pieces to snap together quickly. Most tents can be set up by one person in minutes with the help of these poles and the color-coded snaps on the tent body.

You can be assured of a dry night once you set the tent up. Modern backpacking tents have waterproof and seam-sealed rain flies, so you won't wake up at 3am to that tell-tale drip-drip-drip of a leaking seam. They also allow the moisture and condensation from your breath to carry outside because these backpacking tents are ventilated. This means that you can avoid wet tent walls in the morning. The vestibule is another handy, common feature that allows you to leave your muddy boots and pack outside your tent but still out of the rain.

Backpacking tents may also be equipped with gear lofts, utilizing the extra space at the top of the tent's dome for storage of small items and bags. Some tents have attachment points for flashlights or lanterns. However, you should make sure to keep sources of flame or heat away from the synthetic materials. The small pouches that are sewn into the inside of the tent serve as handy places for pocket change or eyeglasses.

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning Backpacking Tents. Visit our site for more helpful information about Backpacking Water Filtration Systems and other similar topics.

Plan Early for Retirement by Joining an Active Adult Retirement Community Now

Old age is like everything else. To make a success at it, you've got to start young.

.. Theodore Roosevelt.

Retirement communities are popping up all over the place like dandelions in spring. It's a trend in real estate. At 55 you can qualify for these communities referred to as active adult retirement communities and maybe you should look into it. These active adult communities offer a lot of good living. You've heard you should get started while you are young planning for your retirement and that's what Roosevelt said, too.

Retirement used to mean retiring from work -- but today more people are seeing retirement as an active time in their lives. People are living longer. When they reach 65 years, they can still look forward to at least 15 to 20 years of retirement and life expectancy is supposed to continue to grow. That is a long time so preparing early for that time of life makes sense.

Due to the things retirement communities offer you, they may even help to keep you healthier in retirement. You may be doing yourself a favor to start earlier on nutrition programs, fitness programs, cultural and social programs--all designed to help seniors stay healthier. So why wait!

There are some reasons for waiting and one of them might be if you still have younger children at home--maybe in college but still at home. However, most communities even make allowances for visiting children who are in college by allowing them to stay with their families for 3 months out of the year. Each community has different policies about this so check carefully.

By downsizing and selling your current home now, you can use your equity for your new home and other things. Also, some financial experts are saying it may be advisable to not buy your retirement home with all cash as used to be advised, due to a greater life expectancy, but to have a small mortgage. But, of course, we recommend you check this out thoroughly with a financial adviser.

If your children are grown, then buying into an active adult retirement community at an earlier age than you might originally have thought of, might afford you these outstanding benefits:

-Getting started early on a retirement plan.

-Getting started early on a Fitness program for retirement.

-Getting started early on nutritional fitness. Seniors do have special

nutritional requirements.

-You can continue to work and add to your savings.

-As your current neighborhood changes, and your old

neighborhood friends move, you will make new friends in a retirement community.

-Your easier life will free up your time for things you really want to do like travel.

-You will have less stress, more security, available clubs and activities.

Sometimes you aren't sure where you want to retire to. This shouldn't be such a problem since you can always move again. Warm weather, cold weather, being close to your kids or moving to that desirable southern town--hard decisions but life is always changing. As you change you may also change where you want to live. Statistics show that as people age they tend to move back to cities and closer to family after having lived many years somewhere else. That's okay. Check out what is right for you at that time. I hope you will look at these fabulous new active adult retirement communities popping up and probably some near you. To get started, visit my website as a way to find these properties at www.bestguide-retirementcommunities.com.

Carol Fena - After many years of real estate, Carol lives in an active adult retirement community and enjoys writing articles about them for her website http://www.bestguide-retirementcommunities.com

Infant Car Seat Covers

Traveling with infants requires extra caution and attention. Safety measures have to be taken into consideration you start your trip. To give extra protection infant car seat covers are a good idea. Not only does this extra cover give them ample guard, a cover also keeps the seats clean and tidy. Whenever a mess occurs due to food or otherwise, the infant car seat cover can be removed, cleaned easily in the laundry, and replaced into the car for the next mess. That way, your car stays nice.

Baby Snugger, Vermont One, Rittenhouse Industries, Goodnight Sleeptight, Shower Your Baby, Net Kids Wear, Snazzy Baby, 2littlemonkeys and Besigns are some companies that provide excellent quality seat covers especially suited for infants.

Car seat covers by Baby Snugger come in two colors. Lined with fleece, they are most suitable for cold climates. Baby Snugger offers complete satisfaction and refunds money if the product fails to match your expectations. Vermont One offers infant seat covers in several designs that are machine washable and easy to maintain. Goodnight Sleeptight and Besigns have beautiful covers as well. Both companies offer hoods with the covers for additional comfort. There covers are made from polar fleece to snuggle in the baby and keep he or she completely warm. Snazzy Baby offers covers made of cotton and silk. These covers are reversible and can have four different looks. Normally, delivery charges are included in the price of the products, or charged separately. However, some companies like Shower Your Baby and Net Kids Wear offer free shipping.

Car Covers provides detailed information on Buy Car Covers, Car Covers, Car Seat Covers, Cheap Car Covers and more. Car Covers is affiliated with Car Care Tips.

By Josh Riverside

Finding Help

Have you ever tried buying investments in Las Vegas on your own and ended up with a bad investment that drained you financially? Making investments is supposed to give you income and not drain you financially, so it is never a good practice to make investments without consulting a good investment consultant. This especially includes those that involve a large amount of money. You may not have thought about it before, but you could easily make the wrong investments when you don?t take every precaution. It could cost you a lot and even drain you financially. So make sure that before you do make any investments, you get all of the information you need, including the expert opinion of an investment consultant.

There are many advantages in getting an investment consultant, especially if you can afford a top-rated investment consultant. What are the advantages of getting top-rated consultants? First, an investment consultant is very knowledgeable on certain investments that you may want to engage in. With their specialized knowledge in certain fields, they can give you sound advices that could help you make the right investment. Secondly, a good investment consultant can help you plan out your investment schedules. If you have a large amount of money that you want to invest, the consult can help you plan out your investment in such a way that you could reduce the investment risk. Third, with the help of an investment consultant, you can find the best investment opportunities in Las Vegas. Investment consultants can guide you and help you earn profits from your investments, which is the best reason to ensure you get one before investing.

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New Hampshire Mortgage What to Expect When Buying a Home in New Hampshire

Maybe you?re buying your first home in New Hampshire, or perhaps you?re relocating to New Hampshire from another state. Either way, it?s important that you educate yourself on New Hampshire home loans before shopping for a home and mortgage. This article explains what you?ll need to know before buying a home in New Hampshire:

The median price of a home in New Hampshire is $133,300. Recently, homes in New Hampshire have been appreciating at rates above to the national average. As a result, income levels in many parts of New Hampshire are too low to purchase a median-priced home with a conventional loan. In fact, homeowners in many New Hampshire cities pay more than the recommended 30% of their incomes toward housing.

Average interest rates in New Hampshire are below the national average, and job growth rates are also below the national average. However, New Hampshire has seen a spike in its population in the last few years. In fact, New Hampshire has had the highest population growth in all of New England.

In New Hampshire, lenders may charge fees and points for services rendered in conjunction with a first mortgage on a primary residence. However, the lender has to issue a written disclosure that states the amount and purpose of all fees and expenses.

Jessica Elliott recommends that you visit Mortgage Lenders Plus.com for more information about New Hampshire Mortgage Rates and Loans .

Buying Overseas Property ? Why You Should Consider Central Pacific Coast Costa Rica

The central pacific coast in Costa Rica continues to be a popular choice for both buyers of overseas property, for both investment and pleasure.

Here we will give you an idea of the region and its potential for capital growth, some examples of growth achieved and why it will remain popular.

Playing it safe with overseas property

If you want an established area for buying overseas property, that offers fantastic potential returns on your investment, then this region offers you just that, without the risk of buying an up and coming region or country.

The Region

The Central Pacific is a narrow coastal strip surrounded by the jungle and the mountains of the Cordillera de Tamalmanca and spectacular beaches.

Here are just three destinations in the region that property purchases in or near, can on past performance give you a great lifestyle as well as great investment returns.

Jac?

Jac? sits to the north and has long been a major destination in terms of Costa Rican tourism it is extremely close to the capital San Jos? making is just 30 minutes from San Jos?, and about 7 south of the stunning wildlife reserve, Reserva Biol?gica Carara.

The town boasts fantastic hotels and an exciting nightlife. The town is a mix of older holiday makers and a young vibrant surfing crowd.

The famous Los Suenos Marriott Beach and Golf Resort, at Playa Herradura, offers ta 250 birth marina an 18-hole championship golf course, and stunning beachfront views.

Capital Growth potential

The Los Suenos Resort for example can show the potential of buying overseas property in the region. The hotel pre sold 50 condos of 2000 square feet for $250,000. The next year another fifty were sold at $350,000.

This years upper end units are being sold between $450,000 to $850,000 and there is a waiting list!

For another example, Investors that purchased $30,000 of property in Jaco 15 years ago are now worth up to $750,000. The region remains popular and further capital gains look like being made by investors over the coming years.

Quepos

About 7 kilometers up the coast from Manuel Antonio, is the sport fishing hot-spot, Quepos and is considered one of the best destinations for sport fishing in the world and is also a magnet for surfers.

South of Quepos, the spectacular beaches of Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio present some of the country's most breathtaking ocean views.

A silvery white sand beach, with an expansive coral reef, backed by a rain forest, the four beaches of Manuel Antonio offer travelers beach, surf and natural beauty.

You can scuba dive, fish, surf, hike, turtle-watch or simply laze around and take in the atmosphere.

Dominical

A small fishing community beside the mouth of the R?o Bar? is now one of Costa Rica's major surfing destinations and is a vibrant fun place to be.

Around 5 miles north of Dominical are the Nauyaca Falls, a popular destination for travelers. The falls are composed of two cascades, plunging around 200 feet into a relaxing warm-water pool and are just two hours away.

While the Central Pacific is well known for several of its most popular beaches, this region has a host of small, secluded shores, un spoilt by the area's buoyant tourist industry.

Capital gains and lifestyle

When buying overseas property many people look at new areas to buy, however established areas that are popular can still be very lucrative and offer high potential rewards with low risk.

Keep in mind!

Many people buying property overseas want natural beauty, but they also want comfort, entertainment and good access.

This region has all of the above, look at it more closely and consider the advantages of buying overseas property here and you may be glad you did.

FREE REPORT AVAILIBLE!

On investing in property in the region for lifestyle or capital gains potential and for vidoes and other facts about Costa Rica as a place to invest and live visit http://www.costaricalandlots.com

The MercedesBenz CLK Convertible

The stunning looks of the cabriolet are classic Mercedes-Benz, with sweeping lines and sparkly grille; the four-seater soft-top has the practicalities of an executive saloon with the pizzazz of a convertible for sunny days. It's certainly not cheap but then potential owners wouldn't want it any other way. If anyone says they didn't buy one for posing in, ask them what the remote controlled roof mechanism is for. Updates in 2005 included two new six-cylinder engines and seven-speed autos for some models.

Subtle curves and traditional style instruments with modern white LED distinguish the interior of the CLK - the analogue clock is the same size as the rev counter, perhaps hinting that ringing every last rpm from the engine will not be a priority for the owner. Materials feel reassuring in quality compared with a few earlier models from Mercedes-Benz. Visibility is good with the inevitable compromise of the convertible roof increasing blindspots to the rear.

Passable as a full-time four seater with decent rear legroom and enough headroom for most passengers. Does a good job of coccooning occupants from the outside world. No stretching behind for seatbelts with the risk of pulling a muscle here - after closing the door, front seat occupants are handed their seatbelts as an electric arm extends from behind your shoulder.

Earliest models made do with a cassette player as standard, although most owners would have chosen a CD player. Air conditioning is also standard. A CD was made standard equipment in 2004. Otherwise most things you'd expect to find, but you'll pay handsomely for any extras like satellite navigation, audio upgrades, leather and AMG alloys when buying new.

Entry-level engine badged 200 Kompressor is a supercharged 1.8-litre. Feels livelier than the 2.6-litre CLK 240. CLK 320 offers smooth performance, while V8s in CLK 500 and CLK 55 AMG are brisk and refined. Changes in 2005 resulted in two new six-cylinder engines to replace the CLK 320. The CLK 280 matches the CLK 320 for performance while the CLK 350 bridges the gap between the smaller six-cylinder car and the V8s. New sixes and the CLK 500 use seven speed automatic transmissions from 2005. Unlike the coupe version, there are no diesels in the cabriolet range.

A great long-distance cruiser. The rear-wheel drive handling characteristics allow for precise steering with good feedback, but if you're in the higher power models watch out for that back end on wet roads. Ride comfort is excellent. - it can easily break away without much provocation. Luckily an electronic stability programme is standard. Very little in the way of dreaded 'scuttle shake' - the vibration you feel in a convertible through a loss of rigidity from lacking a proper roof.

A decent sized boot - helped by the fact that the roof is made of fabric and is more space efficient than modern convertibes with a folding metal roof - and a few storage spaces in the cabin mean the Cabriolet is a reasonably practical four-seat soft-top.

Overall, the Mercedes CLK is a Beautiful elegant looking car from nearly every angle. Build quality is excellent. It truly seats 4 people in comfort, equipment levels are good once you add some options to standard equipment. Safe secure handling, hood mechanism is great.

A sensible & secure investment, a pleasure to own,.
About the Author

Trevor Nicholls is an affiliate of E-lotbidder. His site http://www.lowest-bid-wins.co.uk offers a unique game with fantastic prizes. Currently to be won is a Mercedes CLK Convertible.

New trend has Christians becomming walking billboards

There's a a growing movement that has everyday Christians sharing their faith in untraditional ways.

Its called lifestyle evangelism - using the places and situations you find yourself in each day to share your faith.

And it's often done without words at all, through the wearing of Christian clothing and Christian jewelry.

The design and style of religious clothing has changed greatly over the years. This year, it's as sophisticated, stylish and trendy as regular clothing.

The big difference is in the message. Christian T- Shirts, for example, deliver catch Bible verses in sharp and bold designs.
For example, one shirt aimed at sportsmen is in camo green and emblazoned with the image of a huge buck deer. The message reads: Are you Hunting.... For God. A subtle Bible verse accompanies the design.

Another, aimed at football nuts, has the image of a referee with the words Penalty Declined boldly splashed across the chest, followed by Romans 4:8, which says Blessed are they whose sin the Lord does not charge against them.

There are other Christian shirts that parody top TV shows, pop advertising campaigns, slogans and images. One of the most popular sold by by the Christian Christian Shopper Web store is a dark navy shirt that mimmicks the style of the wellknown Abercrombie and Fitch logo.... except the words on this shirt read A Breadcrumb and a Fish and tell the story of the feeding of the 5,000 from Matthew 15, noting that He still works miracles.

Mike Fletcher, the owner of Online Christian Shopper, says Christian clothing has extremely popular this year.

We live in a T-Shirt culture, he says. Too often, the messages on secular T-Shirts is crude or offensive. Christian T-Shirts bring a message of hope and joy. You should hear the stories I get from customers who wear them and end up having very meaningful spiritual conversations with total strangers. They are a great evangelism tool and today's shirts are so sharp and stylish that they can be worn just about everywhere.

Fletcher says industry experts say that a Christian T-Shirt is typically read by over 3,000 people during its lifetime of wear.
They let people literally become living, walking around, breathing billboards for Christ, he says.

While Christian shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies and the like are appropriate for everyday wear, there are some situations where they just don't work - like the office or at formal gatherings.

That's where Christian jewelery comes in. It used to be a simple cross was the only choice in Christian jewelry.

That's all changed now as the lifestyle evangelism trend has taken off. Christian rings, necklaces, earrings and braclets have become hugely popular in recent years. Rings in the design of a crown of thorns, with the name Jesus, or bearing the image of a dove or the ancient fish symbol for a Christian are hot sellers. There are even toe rings now for Christians.

The success of Christian clothing and Christian jewelry has spread to other areas.

One of the hottest items this year picks up on the digital music craze. An item just released in time for the 2006 holiday shopping season is a suit for the Apple Computer iPod. The iPod suit is a case that wraps around either the nano or the larger iPod video model. Constructed from soft Neoprene and flexible vinyl, the Pod Suit allows full access to all controls and comes with a sturdy clip is perfect for attaching the iPod to a belt, purse or backpack. It's message? Tune in to God.

Fletcher says Christians are embracing the lifestyle evangelism movement because they have grown tired of being marginalized by society.
People tell me all the time that they want to share their faith but they didn't know how until they realized that they could make a statement by the clothes they wear, he says. They love being able to let the world know that they follow Christ and that all is not gloom and doom out there.

About the Author

Online Christian Shopper (http://www.onlinechristianshopper.com) is one of the Internet's most popular Christian Websites, specializing in Christian clothing, Christian jewelry and Christian art posters. The site's companion Web log is at http://www.faithfulchristian.com/blog

Realty Agents and Clients:Fine Line of Personal Familiarity

Working with home buyers and sellers in the sale or purchase of their home, falls on the personal side of their life. But maintaining a professional perspective on all the information that we know about the private side of their lives, can make it difficult when working with them or after you have closed a transaction, on how to respond to direct or indirect information concerning them. What to do, especially when some clients are referred by other clients of yours who might have a more intimate or familiar relationship with them and information comes to you second-hand related to important life changes about your clients.

With today's melting pot of ethnic, racial and religious origins, blended and multi-generational families and an outwardly more open society, it pays to be extra careful when responding to client news of an personal nature. Before setting out to write this article I talked to many of my past and current clients to hear what they say on this important topic that can easily derail business relationships. Here are some guidelines on how to cope with and respond to touchy or tricky situations with clients.

-Client. A customer whom we have served in our real estate business.

-Acquaintance. One who is familiar to an agent.

-Friend. A trusted, ally and supporter of an agent.

-Weddings. Don't call and ask why you weren't invited. Due to customs or finances you weren't. Send a card (no gifts, unless you receive a personal announcement but not an invitation in the mail) after seeing an announcement in the newspaper.

-Deaths. Send a card after seeing a public death notice. If the notice contains wishes of the family, follow them. Don't call for details or ask heirs about timelines for selling the deceased's home, it's a difficult time.

-Divorce. It's not a fact until you her it from one of the principals. Don't discuss details if you know them with anyone. Don't be surprised if you don't get the listing, sometimes one of the parties wants to use someone that doesn't know them.

-Affairs, flings and general gossip. You sell residential real estate, not super market tabloids.

-Births. Send a card after seeing a public announcement. Send gifts only if you receive a personal announcement from the parents. Don't go overboard on gifts.

-Miscarriages. Don't touch it, unless your client brings it up. And still think long and hard about what you say.

-Substance abuse. Again, it's not a fact until you her it from the principals. Many people are very private about this issue, tread carefully.

-Criminal charges. Everything is an allegation until a conviction is handed down.

-Bankruptcy. Money is a major topic that people avoid, especially if it is embarrassing. Have a mortgage lender review with clients personal information of this type.

-Same-gender sexual identification. Principals and their families appreciate deferring to them on the dissemination of true and accurate information relating to this topic.

-Membership in organizations. Just because you see Marion or Mack at Weight Watchers or Al-Non doesn't mean anyone else needs to know. outside of these meetings, don't bring up your common membership in social situations unless your client does first.

-Illness. Alzheimers, cancer, and Attention Deficit Disorder are very personal matters, don't pry or patronize. People approach these situations differently, take your lead from those directly affected.

-Graduations. Unless invited to a celebration or the ceremony, a card is enough.

-Holidays. Factor in religious beliefs and customs, remember some couples have different religious backgrounds or don't celebrate or enjoy holidays.

Mark Nash is the author of Fundamentals of Marketing for the Real Estate Professional, Starting & Succeeding in Real Estate, Reaching Out: The Financial Power of Niche Marketing, and 1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home. Mark is a contributing writer for: Realtor (R) Magazine Online, Broker Agent News, Real Estate Executive Magazine, Principal Broker, and Realty Times. He contributes residential real estate analysis to Business Week, CBS The Early Show, CNN, HGTVpro.com, The New York Times, and USA Today. View his books at http://www.1001RealEstateTips.com

How To Pack A Backpack A Few Simple Tips

 



How To Pack A Backpack - A Few Simple TipsSubmitted By: Mick Legg   

Yes, believe it or not, there is a right way and a wrong way of how to pack a backpack. Get it wrong and you will find that your backpack will soon get very very uncomfortable. This will then affect your whole trip, making it a miserable experience rather than one of enjoyment and pleasure.

There are slightly different ways on how to pack a backpack depending on the kind of backpacking or hiking you intend to do. For instance if you are hill walking or hiking on steep rough ground most of the time where balance is the most important aspect, then the heavy non-bulky items should be packed lower for better stability.

I?m not a great fan of having lots of things strapped to the outside of my pack. To me this not only looks untidy but these things are likely to get lost or damaged. The only exceptions I would make would be my waterproof jacket and trousers, so that they are easily accessible in the event of rain or showers during the day. I also used to strap my kip-mat to the top of my pack, but as I now use a ? length inflatable mat this goes inside.

My backpack has a separate lower compartment and in this I put my sleeping bag, I don?t use a compression stuff-sac as this tends to make the whole thing into a solid lump.It`s much better to use the rucksack compartment as the stuff-sac itself, then it will not leave empty corners, and when the pack is put on, the waist-belt will help the whole thing to contour to your body, making it much more comfortable. My inflatable kip-mat goes in after my sleeping bag helping to push everything into a nice fit.

At the bottom of the main compartment I put my spare clothes; the ones that I will not need during the day, such as spare socks, underwear, tee-shirts etc. on top of them go the smaller heavier things such as wash kit, repair kits, personal items and anything fragile. Then on top of that goes a jumper or fleece so that everything is cushioned between two soft layers.

The tent goes in next; the poles are carefully slid down into the pack so that they are at a corner near my back. The actual tent I like to have packed in such a way that it can be flat in the pack and not rolled up into a cylinder, this takes up less space and can be packed down tighter. On top of this I put any food and water that I will not require during the day and also a warm jacket.

Into the lid and side pockets go my first-aid kit and the food and water I will need for the day and anything else that I will need to use often. This way whenever I stop for lunch or just a quick brew up every thing is easily at hand and I don?t need to go searching through the main pack just to find one thing.

All that you need to do now is make sure that the whole backpack feels comfortable and well balanced. This is best done by putting it on and walking around with it for 15 or 20 minutes. This should let you know if anything needs to be adjusted or moved. This is obviously just a rough guide and will depend on your personal preferences and the type of gear that you decide to take. But the most important thing is that it feels comfortable as it's you who will be carrying it.

About the Author:

Mike Legg is a seasoned hiker with many years experience of backpacking in Europe. For more information on this or other aspects of backpacking go to http://www.buytryreview.com/category/backpacking .

Article Tags: backpack, pack, thing

Three Tips for Choosing Bridesmaid Jewelry

Wouldn?t it be great if just for one day ? your wedding day ? all the women serving as your bridesmaids could all look similar, if not exactly alike? How easy it would be then to outfit them all with the same dresses, shoes, hairstyles, bridesmaid jewelry, etc.!

But, alas, bridesmaids do not come in cookie-cutter sizes or shapes. Some have long hair, some have short hair; some are petite, others are tall; some can wear any kind of jewelry with flair and grace, while others need some second thoughts before donning those long, dangling earrings. (Yes, even some otherwise beautiful bridesmaids have big ears!) So before you automatically choose the jewelry for your ?maids, think along these lines.

Think ?Complementary?

But you can still have all your bridesmaids have that pulled-together look ? it just takes some planning. Perhaps there are one or two that absolutely cannot wear any type of long, dangly earring without calling attention, to, um, ?larger than normal? ears. Don?t despair! Mix up the jewelry by having some of them wear necklaces, some earrings, and some can wear bracelets.

Just make sure the jewelry is all in the same color, style, and material. This will add cohesiveness to the bridesmaid jewelry that will also include interest. For instance, you can have one or two of the bridesmaids wearing those long earrings you adore that are made of peach-colored abalone, just make sure the others are wearing necklaces, bracelets, or brooches made with the same shell and in the same color and style.

Keep Necklines in Mind!

Another thing to you have to keep in mind when selecting bridesmaid jewelry has to do, of course, with the dresses. You don?t want your bridesmaids wearing long pendants that hit just at the spot where a plunging neckline begins. Nor do you want to try to have them wear choker-style necklaces with dresses having necklines that come up the neckline, such as a halter-style dress. A good rule of thumb for selecting necklaces is this: Choose them to follow the style of the dress? necklines. For a v-neck dress, for example, choose necklaces with a Y-drop, lariat or back-dangle, or the classic pendant-style necklace. And, of course, it may seem like a no-brainer, but you?d be surprised how many people forget that brooches cannot be worn with strapless bridesmaid dresses!

Give it Away!

Something to think about when you?re shopping for bridesmaid jewelry is that you can also give your selections to the bridesmaids as gifts. Present the pieces to them in pretty boxes tied with a bow. If you have chosen wisely, they will be able to wear the jewelry for years afterward ? and it?s guaranteed they?ll remember your happy day each time they do!

Bridesmaid jewelry does not have to be expensive. And some places online that sell it offer discounts when you purchase in quantity, especially when you?re buying sets ? the earrings and the necklace (and sometimes bracelets, too). So take the time to surf the ?Net awhile and checkout what?s out there ? you are sure to be pleasantly surprised!

Visit Aragia.com for bridal shower favor tips.

Choosing the Right Catchers Mitt

The catcher kneels behind the plate, and pounds his catchers mitt then gives the pitcher the sign. The bang of the crowd, the rush of the game, the rush of victory. The agony of sensitive muscles, the torment of suspense, the torture of defeat. These are all notion and emotions that run through the head of a major league baseball player as he stands there in the field. Ready. Waiting. Striving to achieve that glory instant that for so long he has dreamed of. Or perhaps he is a rookie, wanting desperately to prove himself to his teammates, the veterans of the field. In either context, one thing is for sure. You better be playing with the right glove.

Thats where Akadema comes in. Akadema is the baseball glove of choice for over 200 colleges and universities, and for good reason. Known as being on the cutting edge of sports technology, and backed by Hall of Famers galore, Akadema knows baseball. Their designs have been approved by Famers Ozzie Smith, Carl Yastrzemski, Gary Carter and Bob Feller. And when you select an Akadema glove, you are choosing the good word of these and other big names of the game. How do you find the glove that is right for you? It is easier than it looks despite the wide selection and variety out on the market right now.

The first thing to ask yourself, is what position will you be playing? Are you known on your team as the superstar of just one, or will you be playing through them all? As the game has developed, so has the gloves. There are now mitts for all fielders, not just first basemen and pitchers anymore. It is important to go to a honest dealer like Akadema to make sure that you get the proper size and fit for you.

Secondly you should look at the web of the mitt. There is only one thing that really matters when it comes to this component. Can you see through it? This will help you to be useable and rid you of soil and other interferences during the game. Webs that are solid work best if you need a sun shield for fly balls.

Next think about what performs best for you an open back or closed back. Just like the web, this comes down to personal choice and comfort. If you tend to overheat out there on the field, an open back will keep you a little cooler, while also offering you choices such as an adjustable wrist strap. Closed backs are a little more solid and offer less breathing room and yet more support. The final ingredient that should be reasoned is the price of the baseball mitt. Nobody wants to spend a lot, but also consider that what you spend also reflects caliber and advanced baseball mitt technology in a lot of cases. The bigger the brand name, the larger the price tag, so keep that in mind when shopping. Small, well known manufacturers such as Akadema can ofttimes offer the same quality (or better) for a more reasonable price.

Scott Peters is an avid baseball and softball fan, and a sports equipment retailer. Please go to catchers mitt for more information

Traveling Around Alicante And Benidorm

The most popular and convenient way to get around in Alicante, Spain is to rent a car. Whether you?re traveling up the Costa Blanca to Benidorm, or staying in Alicante to sightsee, it?s great to have a car at your disposal. Renting is simple to do, and depending on your itinerary, it will generally be more cost-effective than any other mode of transportation. There are several key things to take note of before you go.

Alicante Car Rental

When you land at the airport in Alicante, you?ll find several different car rental companies to choose from, including worldwide names such as Avis and Hertz, and regional companies like Auriga and Centuaro. They?re easily accessible from the arrival area.

It?s best to book your car rental before your vacation to ensure you get the best price. Also, depending on when you?re traveling, it?s a good idea to pre-arrange a car in advance to be sure that you?ll have one when you arrive. Particularly in the summer, which is peak season in Alicante, you?ll find that rental inventory goes quickly.

You can use several different ways to reserve your car. You can book online, through a travel agent, or directly with the company you select. Many times you can find a great deal on a car rental as part of a vacation package. Be sure to shop several companies for the best rates. When shopping, include any additional charges, such as insurance, as well as any restrictions that will apply, to get a clear picture when comparing prices.

The car doesn?t always have to be picked up at the airport, though for some, that?s most convenient. Sometimes you?ll find that renting in town is more affordable than renting at the airport. Think about where you?ll be picking up and dropping off to ensure that you?ll have transportation to and from the rental location. If you?re renting from a location other than the airport, most companies offer complimentary transportation to the rental company.

Don?t Forget the Extras

Consider any extra features or charges when renting. Find out what?s included in the price. Some rental companies may include insurance in their cost, some may not.

One important issue to address is whether or not you?ll need to bring a child safety seat. You may have already brought it for the flight, and it?s a simple procedure to get it into the rental car. Or you may have planned to rent one once you arrived. Either way, if you have an infant or child in the car, Spanish law states that he or she must be secured in a safety seat. If a rental company provides it, there?s an additional charge.

Be sure to get a car with air conditioning. It might be an obvious feature, but one you may not realize you need until you?re in the sweltering heat of Alicante without it.

Careful planning and review of all of your options will ensure you have the best possible car rental experience.

About the Author:

Peter J. Wilson is writing principally for http://www.alicante-spain.com , a web page on Costa Blanca . His abstracts on Alicante car rental are found on his website .

Creative Real Estate Investment Is It For You?

The Economist reported recently that residential property investment amounted to $48 trillion, while commercial real estate investment (CREI) was ?only? $14 trillion. This is certainly in part because CREI is much more complex.

Unlike stocks and other investments of that sort, real estate has a solid and very specific, tangible location. Investors may be many miles away, but the property exists as a part of its own very local market, which affects how it is appraised, bought, sold, and used. And unlike residential properties, commercial property is intended for business purposes. As a result, there are different considerations for valuing, financing, leasing, and maintaining these types of properties

A commercial investor must generally invest a great deal more into the purchase and sale of the property. He or she must be savvy, and willing to incur greater risk (and consequently, reap greater reward).

You?ll need to know how to estimate the Capitalization Rate (cap rate) and the Gross Rent Multiplier (GRM). The cap rate can be found by dividing a property?s annual net operating income by its purchase price. In the past, an investment with a 10% cap rate was considered a wise financial decision. Recently, though, that number has dropped to 8%, corresponding to a greater risk and lower expected return. To find your GRM, divide the purchase price by the property?s monthly gross operating income.

You should also consider the difference between a property?s assessed and appraised values, and the total income and replacement costs.

Commercial properties are more susceptible to market fluctuation, which makes them a greater potential risk. Be aware and sensitive to changes in general economic conditions. A smart investor should be concerned always with outside factors that will affect occupancy rates (domestic factors, and foreign alike). Issues across the globe can press heavily upon American business conditions overnight

Commercial property investment requires knowledge of local zoning and leasing regulations. Do your research. In addition, you will need to consider other financial issues. Rented properties need to be heated, cooled, supplied with electricity, and so forth. You will need to provide a security system, and fire suppression. Tenants will need telephone and Internet facilities, as well.

Mortgages and insurance is also more complicated than with residential properties. An exception is the triple-net lease, in which the tenant is responsible for any additional expenses related to building maintenance and repair. In this arrangement, the tenant would also be liable for insurance costs.

The risks are many, and CREI requires very specific local knowledge, but the potential for reward is far greater than residential property ownership. There is also something to be said about the satisfaction one may receive as part of the promotion and maintenance of our collective economic growth. Entrepreneurial dreams will be made and carried out between your walls, and you should certainly take some comfort in that.

Paulie Sabol, often called the ?legal bank robber? for his real estate financing and bank owned foreclosure investing, is a nationally recognized real estate investor, trainer and financial thinker. Sabol, has personally completed 100?s of real estate investments, and helps real estate investors learn to make more money with creative investing. Visit his site at http://www.reiunion.com/rei.html

Top Ten Least Afordable Places To Live

According to a new report, greater Los Angeles ranks as the least affordable metro area in the country.

In fact, the report by the California Building Industry Association found that nineteen of the top twenty least affordable metropolitan areas are located in California.

The report is sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders and Wells Fargo Bank. Called the Housing Opportunity Index, the report calculates the percentage of homes sold in an area during a three-month period that were affordable to a family earning the median income for the region.

Greater Los Angeles, which includes Long Beach and Glendale, was the least affordable area studied, with only a 1.9% affordability.

Greater Orange County was second, with every single spot in the top 10 located in California.

Metropolitan New York City was the only non-California city, ranking at number 11.

Only 57% of Californians own their own homes. The national average for home ownership is 70%.

Nationwide, the affordability index stands at 40.6%. This means that only 40.6% of households with median incomes are able to afford the median home in the area.

The top ten least affordable metro areas in the US in the second quarter of 2006 were:

Los Angeles/Long Beach/Glendale -- 1.9

Santa Ana/Anaheim/Irvine -- 3.2

Salinas -- 3.5

Merced -- 3.6

Modesto -- 4.1

San Diego/Carlsbad/San Marcos -- 4.6

Santa Cruz/Watsonville -- 4.8

Santa Barbara/Santa Maria -- 5.3

Napa -- 5.4

San Luis Obispo/Paso Robles -- 5.9

Martin Lukac represents http://www.RateEmpire.com and http://www.1AmericanFinancial.com, a finance web-company specializing in real estate and mortgage rates. We specialize in daily updates, mortgage news, rate predictions, mortgage rates and more. Find low home loan mortgage interest rates from hundreds of mortgage companies!