Buying Your First Sewing Machine Blog

If I want to be rich and wealthy, I need to change my mindset to invest in assets that generate passive income. Becoming rich has nothing to do with how much I earn. This is what I have learned from the book Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki. If I had earned a lot and spent on luxury items, I would be simply wasting my opportunity to accumulate wealth. In fact I would loss out to someone who had earned much lesser and invested in assets that generate passive income. In the long run, he would be able to accumulate more wealth than me.

Since it is possible to invest in assets to earn passive income, is it possible to invest in assets that generate passive time?

Before I investigate into details, let us have a common understanding of what is passive time. I define passive time as time gained to accomplish things with little or no human intervention. Just like in the case of passive income, it is earned with little or no human intervention. For example, when I invest in a property to collect rental income, there is little or no work required on my part to earn that rental income.

Based on my definition of passive time, are there assets that generate passive time? To answer this question, let look at the example of a washing machine. As we all know, a washing machine helps to wash clothes. But it helps to generate passive time too!

Firstly, a washing machine will wash the clothes automatically after I have choose the washing option and set it running. This means that I can be doing some other things while the washing machine is washing the clothes. Passive time is earned because the washing machine is washing the clothes automatically. All I need to invest is a little time to choose the washing option and set it running.

Secondly, a washing machine speeds up the washing process. Imagine if I were to manually wash my clothes, I would have to spend much longer time than the washing machine. In this sense, passive time is earned because now I can do the same amount of work in lesser time. All I need to do is to invest some time to choose, buy and install a washing machine.

In other words, an asset such as a washing machine that automates a manual process is considered to be generating passive time. Also, an asset such as a washing machine that improves the efficiency by speeding up the process is considered to generate passive time. Thus, I should be looking for assets with these two features to generate passive time.

Since I already know how to identify an asset that generates passive income, the next step will be on how to select relevant assets to fit into my life so that I can gain passive time. Before that, let me explain what do I mean by relevant asset.

A washing machine is relevant if I use it to wash my clothes. When I use it to wash my clothes, then I am earning passive time. If I do not use the washing machine at all, then it is a liability since it does not earn passive time. Just like if I have a property, I need to rent it out to earn passive income. If I do not rent it out or fail to rent it out, then I do not earn passive income. In this case, the property will be a liability based on my understanding from the book Rich Dad Poor Dad, by Robert Kiyosaki.

To be able to identify relevant assets, the first thing I must do is to identify all the manual processes in my daily life that can be either automated or speed up or both. That is I must keep a time statements just like I need to keep a personal financial statements. A financial statements help to identify how I spend my money. Similarly, a time statements help to identify how I spend my time. In short, a time statement is like a recording of all my daily activities.

I will probably need record all my daily activities for about a few month to identify how I spend my time. Based on the list of activities that I am always doing, I need to filter through the activities and see if I can automate or speed up some of my daily activities by investing in certain assets that generates passive time. In this way, I can identify the relevant assets to invest in.

Why am I focusing so much on learning to invest time? Well, time is one of the two things that are available that I can invest so as to create wealth based on my understanding from the Rich Dad’s Series by Robert Kiyosaki. The other being money. Since I need to have more time to invest so as to create wealth, I need to learn to invest time to gain more passive time!

* DISCLAIMER *
The author only provides the material and information as a layperson’s views about an important subject. The materials and information are from sources believed to be reliable and from his own personal experience, but he neither implies nor intends any guarantee of accuracy.

Max Ng

bestpassiveincome.ws, the fastest way to be a Millionaire for regular people is network marketing or MLM business. One of the best MLM company on the internet is Global Domain International (GDI). Did You Miss Out on the .COM Boom? The first wave of the Internet opportunity explosion has come and gone. If you were in tune to the opportunities of the day in the late 1990’s AND you were very LUCKY, you likely would not be reading this right now. Instead, you would be resting comfortably “on the other side” as some call it. The place where the grass IS greener, or at least it would seem so, simply because you would have the financial independence, peace and the time to sit and watch it grow, if that were your desire. Good news The SECOND WAVE is now upon us! For a very LIMITED TIME, you may register for FREE with the world’s next big Internet giant, Global Domains International, Inc. (aka “GDI”), an Inc500 listed, debt free corporation and home of all .ws “Web Site” domain names (web addresses) worldwide. Just visit freedom.ws to watch the complete information how to become a millionaire with GDI.

Technorati Tags: "network, GDI, marketing", MLM

It’s halfway through January and your initial enthusiasm for those fitness resolutions may be waning.

People Grappling with diets often eat until their plate is clean, rather than when they feel full.

People grappling with diets often eat until their plate is clean, rather than when they feel full.

After maintaining an austere, healthy diet for a few weeks, the desire to eat a juicy cheeseburger proves too irresistible for some dieters.

“It’s natural that most people when they are following a New Year’s resolution or any program to change something in their life, that they will fall off the wagon or they’ll have a setback or a failure,” said Jillian Michaels, a personal trainer for NBC’s show “The Biggest Loser.”

Rather than beating yourself up after having a setback, learn from the missteps, experts say.

It’s a matter of attitude, Michaels said. Learn from the setbacks and view “a failure as a point of learning, an opportunity to see what works and what doesn’t.”

For those grappling with diets,striving for moderation is a constant battle.
House Call
Learn the top changes you need to make or break bad diet habits in 2009
8:30 a.m. ET Sat. & Sun.
see full schedule »

“We eat with our eyes, not out of our stomach,” said Dr. Melina Jampolis, the diet and fitness expert for CNNhealth.com. “It’s much more difficult to control serving sizes.”

People have a tendency to keep eating until their plate is clean or the container of cookies is empty.

“A lot of people eat too much and their clothes feel tight. You shouldn’t have to unbutton your pants, blouse or unzip anything after your meal,” said Cheryl Forberg, the nutritionist for “The Biggest Loser.” “You lose sight of your body’s natural hunger cues.”
Don’t Miss

* Nine nutrition essentials for 2009
* Steps to trim calories and waistline

To become more attuned to your body, avoid eating while standing up, sitting at the desk or inside a car, she said. Dedicate time for meals and snacks.

Rather than viewing meals as an obligatory part of the day, “learn to enjoy the process. At the same time, you begin to stop eating when you’re comfortable, instead of when you have to unzip your jeans,” Forberg said.

Avoid stocking problem foods like cookies or ice cream in the house if you know you can’t resist them.
Health Library

* MayoClinic.com: Weight maintenance — keep the weight off permanently
* MayoClinic.com: Eating and exercise — time it right to maximize your workout

“When you know you have a weakness with chocolate or cookies, you probably shouldn’t keep it in the house if you know you can’t stop at one,” she said.

One way to retrain the body is to divide snacks by portion sizes.

“Those 100-calories packs retrain people to the eye and decrease the snacking,” Jampolis said. “It’s more expensive and not environmentally friendly, but you’re much better off getting a 100-calorie pack rather than eating out of container.”

“If you’re on a budget and you want to be more environmentally friendly, make your own. Every Sunday, measure 100 calories into seven Ziploc bags,” she said. You can even recycle the bags.

References:

CNN- Madison Park

After maintaining an austere, healthy diet for a few weeks, the desire to eat a juicy cheeseburger proves too irresistible for some dieters.

“It’s natural that most people when they are following a New Year’s resolution or any program to change something in their life, that they will fall off the wagon or they’ll have a setback or a failure,” said Jillian Michaels, a personal trainer for NBC’s show “The Biggest Loser.”

Rather than beating yourself up after having a setback, learn from the missteps, experts say.

It’s a matter of attitude, Michaels said. Learn from the setbacks and view “a failure as a point of learning, an opportunity to see what works and what doesn’t.”

For those grappling with diets,striving for moderation is a constant battle.
House Call
Learn the top changes you need to make or break bad diet habits in 2009
8:30 a.m. ET Sat. & Sun.
see full schedule »

“We eat with our eyes, not out of our stomach,” said Dr. Melina Jampolis, the diet and fitness expert for CNNhealth.com. “It’s much more difficult to control serving sizes.”

People have a tendency to keep eating until their plate is clean or the container of cookies is empty.

“A lot of people eat too much and their clothes feel tight. You shouldn’t have to unbutton your pants, blouse or unzip anything after your meal,” said Cheryl Forberg, the nutritionist for “The Biggest Loser.” “You lose sight of your body’s natural hunger cues.”
Don’t Miss

* Nine nutrition essentials for 2009
* Steps to trim calories and waistline

To become more attuned to your body, avoid eating while standing up, sitting at the desk or inside a car, she said. Dedicate time for meals and snacks.

Rather than viewing meals as an obligatory part of the day, “learn to enjoy the process. At the same time, you begin to stop eating when you’re comfortable, instead of when you have to unzip your jeans,” Forberg said.

Avoid stocking problem foods like cookies or ice cream in the house if you know you can’t resist them.
Health Library

* MayoClinic.com: Weight maintenance — keep the weight off permanently
* MayoClinic.com: Eating and exercise — time it right to maximize your workout

“When you know you have a weakness with chocolate or cookies, you probably shouldn’t keep it in the house if you know you can’t stop at one,” she said.

One way to retrain the body is to divide snacks by portion sizes.

“Those 100-calories packs retrain people to the eye and decrease the snacking,” Jampolis said. “It’s more expensive and not environmentally friendly, but you’re much better off getting a 100-calorie pack rather than eating out of container.”

“If you’re on a budget and you want to be more environmentally friendly, make your own. Every Sunday, measure 100 calories into seven Ziploc bags,” she said. You can even recycle the bags.

References:

CNN- Madison Park

Natalie Pyles

For more detailed instructions, please visit: www.funnyonesies.net You can easily create your own funny onesis – all it takes is an ink jet printer, an iron, transfer paper, inexpensive gerber onesies (blank), and imagination! In the example here, I created a Buffalo Bills football onesie for my son – now a die-hard Buffalo Bills fan! Watch this video, and learn how to save money on children’s clothes.

Technorati Tags: baby, bib, bills, buffalo, clothes, football, funny, gerber, money, onesies, save, shirt, tshirt

Ok so i thought this would be a fun oppurtunity for all you singers out there wanting to get noticed or wanting some more video views etc… If i get enough nominations in I will make a video later woth more details, ie how the whole thing works, it will involve the singer of the month chosen to send an exclusive video to me for upload, so if you can’t do this or the person you are nominating has not agreed to it please do not nominate them Thanks Nicole

Some singers catapulted to stardom rather quickly, some sparkled, flickered a little and then faded into obscurity while most singers stayed the same for years if not forever at mediocrity level?

Why is it that most singers never make it big in their singing career, not to say becoming superstars? Well, for starters, most singers begin their career as a lounge singer, singing in small clubs and belting out cover versions of established and popular singers. They selection of songs will be dictated by their audiences and so they must cover a wide genre of songs.

At one moment, you can enjoy a Barbara Streisand ballad and then the next song will be a fast Chaka Khan number followed by latin inspired Michael Buble’s ‘Sway’. Yes, it is good to be versatile and able to sing songs of various styles and genre. In fact it is even admirable if you can sing a Celine Dione number and sounded like Celine and then a Frank Sinatra swing sounding like ol’ blue eyes himself.

However, as a famous vocal coach, Brett Manning once said, ‘I have coached dozens of young women who can now sing almost exactly like Celine Dion. But then again, who wants a counterfeit when the real Celine Dione is already available?’ This quote is taken from Brett’s article ‘How to build a successful singing voice’.

In other words, most singers just take it as part of their job to sound like the original cover versions of songs and never try to create a distinctive sound and style of their own. Now, if all singers sounded alike, how would you get noticed and recognized for who you are? How to make it big as a singer when you can only sing other people’s song and imitate other singer’s style of singing?

Let me ask you a question, how many times have you heard a song being sung and immediately able to identify the singer although you have never heard that particular song performed by the singer? Many times isn’t it? Why? Because every prolific singer’s voice and style are like their thumbprint. It is distinguishable from the rest of the pack. That is why they stand out and get noticed.

If you want your singing voice to get noticed and make it big as a singer, develop a distinctive style and voice of your own. After all, you have sung so many singer’s style that you can use these influences to develop your own and stand out from the crowd.

Till next time, happy singing.

Chris Chew

Technorati Tags: 2010, contest, month, of, poppy2312, Singer, the

So, you fell into a mud puddle. What are we going to do now? Complain and make excuses about it? Why? Because our shoes and clothes are wet and dirty, Or, because we skinned up our knee. It’s easy for us to complain about it. However, it is not so easy to pick ourselves up, brush ourselves off, realize that it just might have been our own fault, learn from it, and go on. The point that I’m trying to make, is that a majority of the time, it will be of our own faults that we fell into that mud puddle in the first place. So, why then, do we complain about it, and attempt to divert blame away from the true source of the problem?

Why don’t we ask ourselves “Why did we fall into that mud puddle?” Did we fall into it because we tripped? Did we fall into it because we weren’t paying attention, thus not seeing it? Did we fall into it because of..?

Let’s apply this principle to real world events and I’ll attempt to explain my logic of thinking. Of course, keep in mind, that I realize and fully understand that sometimes, there are circumstances beyond control that do apply to these scenarios. Times, such as those, cannot be helped. It’s part of life. That is when we do the best to pick ourselves up and go on. However, I personally feel, that a majority of the time, we are guilty of our own undoing.

Here are a few of many possible examples that may explain what I’m trying to convey. Of course, you will probably have your own opinions, as you should, and may or may not agree with me…, and I respect that.

Let’s look at loss of employment. Did you lose your job? Why did you lose your job? Was it due to “current economic conditions?” If this is the case, then there is nothing you could of did to change this, and life goes on. But, did you lose your job because you miss work regularly? Did you lose your job because you were late quite a bit? Did you lose your job because you were not capable of what the position entailed? Did you lose your job because you came to work under the influence? If this is the case, then you are guilty of your own situation and therefore, have no reason to make excuses and complain about it.

What about paying the bills? Did you go to the latest concert, or out to dinner, when you knew, deep down, that you really couldn’t afford it? Did you buy the latest cell phone, music cd, or download the latest ring tone? Or, did your vehicle break down causing an added expense. Maybe you were sick and had to buy medicine. These are legitimate reasons why a bill may not get paid. But, are they legitimate reasons why a bill should not have gotten paid?

Did you get a ticket? Why did you get the ticket? Were you speeding? Did you run a red light? Why were you in such a hurry? Were you late for work? Why were you late for work? Did you get up late? Did you get up late because you stayed out with your friends, thus causing you to sleep in, therefore, creating your lateness? Whose fault is that? Or, did you have a flat tire that required you to repair it beforehand, causing your lateness? Whose fault is that? An employer will, normally understand this flat tire scenario, with simple communication such as a telephone call. Unless, of course, this is your fourth flat tire this week. But, will they understand that you slept in because you stayed out too late. Doubtful. Back to the ticket. Now, ask yourself, was it really not your fault?

I have heard a million and one excuses as to why the situation at hand is not the person’s fault. Although, I never seem to hear, that I caused this because of…?

In utilizing the above examples, because, I didn’t go to work or, because I spent the money frivolously or, because I was speeding.

Responsibility, accountability, and accepting the fact that we are or was the root cause of this problem never seems to be a part of the solution. It should be. For, had we not missed so much work, we may have retained our job, or had we not went shopping we may have been able to pay that bill, or had we gotten up just a bit earlier, we would not of had to rush, thus, probably not getting a speeding ticket.

These are just a few of the unlimited and infinite examples that could be applied to these situations. We are all human and make mistakes. I fully understand that there are extenuating circumstances and legitimate reasons that contribute to many of life’s problems. When times like these occur, maybe there truly isn’t or wasn’t anything we could do about it. But, before we begin to gripe, whine, denounce, complain, and make excuses about it, we need to ask ourselves, “Why did we fall in that mud puddle?”

TM Scopel

Paranoid Part 3 Joes POV: I watched her leave. What did I just do? I dont understand what went on between us. There is one word that can describe it all. But that one word, is not used by me or Selena, at least now. Selenas POV: Ass, ass, dumb ass! What the hell did I just fucking do?! I know exactly what I did, and what he did. I know this feeling, Ive felt it before, not with Nick, with someone that I shouldnt have fallen for, but I did. Rejection. Its what Joe just did. Haha, what am I thinking? Me and Joe? Joe and me? Dont mix! Were like positive and negative. And Im stuck with being fucking negative. Joes POV: What the hell do I do know? Nick left early cause of his break-up with Selena, so know what? I started walking then I saw Selena getting into her car. Miley was in the passenger seat. She obviously wasnt over what happened, she looked fucking angry and fierce. I thought of walking over to say something, but I couldnt. Then I saw Demi walking over to Selenas car. She saw me and flipped her hair. She tried to be cool, but her high-heels wouldnt let her. She tripped and fell into a puddle full of mud. I waited till I got inside of my car to start bursting out in laughter. I looked over at Selena whose body language and cross eyebrows made her look as angry as hell. But when I looked at her eyes, which I should not have I saw it. She was laughing too. Her eyes were filled with laughter. Miley got out to help up Demi, Selena just stayed in the car eye laughing <b>…</b>

Technorati Tags: Paranoid, part

Maximum80s2http://gdata.youtube.com/feeds/api/users/maximum80s2MusicSade, Nothing, Can, Come, Between, UsSade ~ Nothing Can Come Between Us

Fronting their own band is a dream of every beginner singer. So how can you front a band and develop your own band’s own distinctive style of music and performance? How to at the same time developing your own individually unique singing style? How are you going to be distinguished and get noticed from those thousands of bands playing only cover versions of popular music and imitating their favourite bands and lead singers?

First thing to do is to view as many DVD performances of famous singers fronting their bands from the musical genre you have chosen as the forte of your band’s music. Examine how distinctive and different they are from each other. Notice each band playing with their own style and song delivery. Take note of everyone’s body language and what signals and vibes the famous bands and singers are sending out.

Let us take a look at some of these singers and bands. Take Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones for example. See how he pouts his lips and struts on stage cockily exuding sensual visuals and confident charisma at the same time. Those body language became his characteristics and singing charisma. In the advertisement world,it is called image branding.

If someone were to name you some popular singers, you will immediately associate a clear mental picture of that singer during a performance. That is how powerful your body language and distinctive branding can be. In otherwords, be different from the crowd by developing your own style of singing and performance.

Just try it. Close your eyes and when someone mentions to you these names, what do you see in your mental picture? Elvis Presley, Boy George, Bono of U2, Kate Bush, Cindy Lauper, Michael Jackson and even The Village People. Get the picture? (pun not intended, grin)

So, you must develop your own distinctive style of singing and stage performance to get noticed and create a brand for your band.

Learn from those excellent singers fronting their own bands. Learn from them how they keep time and rythym when they move on stage? Which action and movement during their performances that drew audience reactions? How do these singers whip their fans into a frenzy? What are the facial expressions at every stage of a song? How do they tell an emotional story from the lyrics of the songs that get people moved?

Learn and borrow some traits from these singers, and then develop them further with your own unique singing style blended in.

Once you have developed your personal distinctive singing style, the next step is to rehearse with your band. Your band must know what you want and this must be communicated before every rehearsal and reinforced. Things like when you want to bring the song into a climax, when to bring it down to tug at audience heartstrings, when to pause to create a dramatic impact…etc

Invest a little moeny in your band by buying some good music sheets so that the band can play together as a team with the same music sheets and scores.If you leave your band members to play by ear, all the band members will interpret the songs in their own way and you would have lost alot of time and energy to get the band to play tightly together.

Therefore you need to work closely with your band members since as a lead singer, you are probably the band leader as well. You then must insist that the band play the keys that you are comfortable to sing in, stick to the musical arrangements and follow the effects of the songs you want to portray.

Once this is done, rehearse until the band and you are inseparable components of the song, then you are there! You are now ready to front a good band as a lead singer, get recognized as a singer and band leader of distinction.

Chris Chew

Technorati Tags: Between, Can, Come, Nothing, Sade, Us

Personal finance and business finance are based on the same principles – only the scale is different. Let’s see how business control their finances and apply it to your finances with 7 simple skills.

Skill #1. Learn Where Your Money Goes (Business controls its spending)

This skill is a very easy one to master, all it needs a little discipline. Just get a little diary, keep it with at all times and enter each spending transaction into it for a whole month. Do not leave anything out. Every coffee bought while you were out, every bought work lunch, every magazine and every item of clothing. Look at it and see where your funds are really going. Then think what you could have done without. If it was a work-day Starbuck’s Coffee (say $5) – that’s worth $1,000 per year! What you could you do with that? That’s a short resort holiday or you could put it aside for emergencies.

Once you have the months’ spending list, then group the items into categories. You could use Food, Clothing, Transport, Rent/House Payments, Medical and Car Payments etc.

Skill #2. Learn How Much You Really Have to Spend (Business knows what it has available to spend)

This is a little harder – but not much. List out your take-home pay (total income less taxes). Then take off your monthly payments such as house/rent, car, life insurance, credit card and medical insurance. The balance should be what is left to spend.

Skill #3. Learn How to Set Savings Goals (Business sets targets)

Once you have mastered Skills #1 and #2 it’s time to sit down and think about what you really need to save for. Is it the kid’s education? Is it a holiday for the family or yourself? Is it to set some money aside for retirement? Or, is it to replace the car, furniture or washing machine?

Look at your results in Skills #1 and #2. How much do you have left after taking your spending from your income? Is there anything left over? What happens if there was a spending emergency? What would happen if there was a major car repair cost? What happens if your fridge or washer dies? You need to set aside something each month to cover these events.

Skill #4. Learn How to Live Within Your Means (Business cannot spend more than it can repay)

If the results of Skills #1 and #2 shows that you are spending more than your income whose money are you really spending? It is the bank’s or the Credit Card Provider’s money. That money has a cost. It’s the interest. That is one reason you need help now.

There are only two parts to this puzzle. Money in and money out. The trick is to make more or spend less, or a combination of both. Since it is easier to spend more that to earn more, let’s look at some painless ways to spend less.

1. Don’t buy things just because they are on sale – only buy when you really need them.

2. Think twice (or even three times) before spending on frivolous items

3. Think twice before you make that mobile phone call. Is it REALLY necessary?

4. Wait for things to go on sale. Usually there is no immediate need to buy many items.

5. Eat at home more often. 1 meal a week eaten at home, not out, could save you $750 per year.

6. Make your work lunch instead of buying it each day. This could save you up to $2,000 per year!

7. Stay busy – start a hobby, improve yourself by reading at the library – anything to keep you from shopping at the mall.

8. Buy clothes from discount shops rather than large up-market retailers.

9. Let your kids take the bus to school rather than driving them.

10. Try to eat natural foods rather than processed foods. You’ll save money and stay more healthy.

11. Stop smoking. What a waste of money! It costs you money and it can harm your health.

12. Apply as much spare cash as you can to pay down your credit card debt quickly.

Now, how can you increase your cash coming in?

1. Improve you job/career prospects by taking a course, read books to enhance your work skills at the library.

2. Take online surveys. Check them out on the Internet.

3. Learn how to create your own website. Make your hobby pay for itself.

4. Clean out those items you no longer need. Fill up your car trunk and take them to a weekly or monthly market. You’ll be surprised how much people will pay.

Skill #5. Learn How to Develop a “Savings” Mindset (Business only purchases at the best price)

Tell yourself from now on you’re not paying full price again for anything. Not clothes, not furniture, not white goods, not car repairs, not insurances, not phones – not even food. Once you set your mind to it, you will find many ways to make this happen. It only needs the will. These tips will help:

1. When buying expensive items play off one store against another. Ask for the lowest price from one store then get the other one to better it. Do this a few times and you’ll be surprised how much they can really cut the price!

2. Don’t buy clothes at the height of the fashion. Find clothes that mix and match well.

3. Learn a little about how your car works. Don’t just take your car to the repairer and say “fix it”. Try to narrow down the problem yourself first. Get a couple of quotes.

4. Competition is a wonderful thing. There are always providers of services out these that are ready and willing to beat a competitor’s price. This will work for phones (fixed and mobile), insurances, computers, software, car finance and house finance. Make sure the quality is to your standards though.

Skill #6. Learn How to Bargain and not Accept Paying Full Price Again. (Business needs to negotiate prices)

Always ask “What is your best price?” Don’t ask “Is that your best price?” Be ready to tell the salesperson the best price you’ve received from their competition. Then ask the question again, “What is your best price?” Walk away if the price is not to your satisfaction. This is best used on white goods, furniture and vehicle salespeople.

Don’t get too stuck on a specific brand or model. Look at all your options.

You can also look for the type of product you require on Ebay. Check their prices and use them to your advantage.

Skill #7. Learn How to Put Your Own Finance Plan in Place – and Stick to it. (Business needs a plan and commits to it)

Now that you have a few more skills to control money in and money out it’s time to commit to a budget that will meet your savings and spending needs.

Find a budget plan system that satisfies your requirements. (You can find them on the Internet). Make sure the one you choose it lets you set your goals, checks your ability to meet those goals and then tracks your progress monthly towards those goals. Also, make sure it is good value for money. One system that satisfies all these requirements is “5 Steps to Freedom” Personal Budget. You can learn more by clicking on the links below or clicking on the Author’s Profile.

If you learn these skills and put then into practice, you can truly “Laugh at Your Money Worries”.

Bruce Hokin

Ever thought your neck was going to freeze off it was so cold outside ? Well worry no more…this week venture into Threadbanger land and learn how to not only make your very own loom but how to utilize all that scrap fabric you got lying around and make a scarf with it. Thanks to Barbara from Bobbi Clothes for hooking it up. Links in this episode: Bobbi Clothes – bobbiclothes.com

Technorati Tags: "bobbi, "diy, "recycled, a, clothes, corinneleigh, eco, how, loom, make, nextnewnetworks, robczar, scarf, Threadbanger, threadheads, to

Here are some considerations that you need to take note when buying a dog (or another pet). It will be part of your family for the next 15 years or so. Once you have decided to buy a dog, you will have to take responsibility of it till its death. This article will help you make an informed decision. First advice, don’t buy on impulse!

What is the main reason for getting a dog? If it is for the kids in your house, you have to remember that children cannot possibly take full responsibility of the dog. Once the novelty of a cute puppy wears off, this responsibility is pushed to the adults (and this happens most of the time). It is important that you educate your child on the importance of being a responsible pet owner. The job doesn’t end after the dog has got its dinner. It’s a lifetime commitment.

Can you afford the time to take care of your dog? If you don’t, getting a dog isn’t really a good idea. Dogs require as much attention as we humans do. They love companionship. That’s why they say dogs are man’s best friends. Are we able to reciprocate the kind of friendship they are offering us?

Are you able to take of it financially? There are many dog expenses, such as dog food, toys and clothes. You have to take it for vaccinations as well. On top of it, your dog should also have a regular checkup. And if it ever falls sick, there is also the medical fees to worry. Your dogs should also be sent for regular grooming to maintain its cleanliness and overall well being.

Do you know how to train your dog? Most of us don’t. So it brings us to the next question. Are we willing to learn how to train our dogs? Do we have the time? Do we need to engage a professional dog trainer, the services which might otherwise be expensive?

As long are you are committed to do the job well, I don’t forsee any difficulties. But you must bear these questions in mind before you get a dog. An impulsive decision might result in undesirable consequences.

George Yeo

(2008 UPDATE) A friend and fellow slave wrote a very good article for people, who have ever thought of getting ducks as pets. mrflapper.com ) Many of you have commented on this video, lots of questions regarding keeping ducks and what not. Let me explain a little about this video.. This video was taken over 2 years ago when I got my first ducks. It was a bad experience overall. These ducks were ordered from a Hatchery, delivered through mail, the first mistake of many to come. I was lucky to receive all my ducks alive and well, but not so many ducks have this luck – I ordered 12 ducklings, a friend of the fam wanted some to so I figured we could share the order. 7 of the 12 were given away once fully feathered, most of which did not survive, many drowned others got sick, they were living pretty much wild on his property and these ducklings are all Domestic Animals. They need your care. Of the 12 I kept 5, one of which, my favorite was killed and eaten by “nice” dog.. It was devastating, he somehow escaped the pen and got too close to the dog, who was just being a dog. 4 Survived and grew. All was ok till one of the, the Pekin suddenly became sick, when I noticed she was sick it was way too late, She had ingested what we think was the avocado leaves from our tree and it poisoned her. I noticed her in a corner not eating or moving. She let me pick her up which she never did and started having seizures. she died in my arms at 4AM. I was devastated. So much so my parents started to worry and picked any excuse to get rid of them. If you know anything about ducks is the mess they produce and back then my family wasn’t putting up with it. Even though I slaved over them, cleaning their pens sometimes 4 times a day! They decided there were too many fly’s for their comfort. Even though our dirty neighbor whose house was full of cats was to blame they blamed it on the Ducks and I had to give them away. The remaining 3 ducks, went to another family friend with a private pond. Time pased and they got older and got friends all was well till one day the 2 Cayuga’s (black ducks) went missing. They did not come back to their pen that night.. The following morning they found one of them, dead. Hidden under a bush injured. Something had got him and he tried to hide, instead he just died from the injuries. A day later they found the pile of feathers and innards of the other. This experience has really taught me a lot, and I hate it that it took the ducks poor life to make me learn. Ducks are probably the hardest most time consuming, most expensive pet to keep! I have 2 ducks now, a couple years later. Both were rescued in their own way. I’ve had the oldest for almost 2 years now. This time around the ducks are my priority, everything I do or think to do revolves around them. Looking and learning more ways to make sure everyone is okay with their presence. They own me, I don’t own them. No one understands this. Animals are NOT disposable! They are NOT experiments! Sure they are cute babies, but wait till they get older.. Sure! it was only 3 bucks in the feed store.. Get ready for the the thousands of dollars you spend. Their predator proof pen alone is cost over 400 dollars and its not even what I would want it to be! 50 dollars for food everytime they scraf down a bag, Ducks CAN’T live off bread. All I am saying is, think carefully before getting ducks as a pet.. Infact forget about it. Unless you’re willing to sell your soul, don’t.

Technorati Tags: about, adorable, babies, baby, cute, description, ducklings, ducks, fluffy, it, linked, on, read, the, think, video, yellow

Tucked away behind pine trees and bushes and shrubs on a cul-de-sac in suburbia of Chicago is my home. The lawns are scalloped and there is a prestige walkway to my front door of my two stories colonial. From the outside you would never suspect the turmoil inside. You see I work full time and also take work home with me so there never seems to be enough time in the day to accomplish a thing. I also have two teenagers so enough said. With my nerves on end recently I had made up my mind not to enter either of their rooms. I had thought to myself they are old enough to be responsible and take care of their own surroundings. Until this time the cleaning and tidying up had fallen on my shoulders. This big idea of mine that they would want to help out had accrued to me about a month before.

Saturday morning arrived and there were activities I needed to get my kids to. They both were still asleep so I first entered my son’s room. I should say just barley entered. His bedroom door would only open an inch. I tried to push my way through as I toppled to the floor. There were clothes, books, dirty dishes amongst other things all over the room that I could not even tell what they were. I woke him up and could feel my blood boiling. Next I went to wake up my daughter and deep inside me I new I would find her room in shambles as well. Needless to say they both did not go to their scheduled activities that day.

They both worked for hours on their rooms but when they were finished they came to me and proclaimed that their rooms left much to be desired. Both rooms had been designed by me when they were younger and they did not feel it expressed who they were. They went on to tell me that their needs and stuff they had acquired over the years had far out grown their rooms. It lacked organization and a place that represented who they were. I listened to them and together we all came up with creative ideas.

This article hopefully will help other families go in the right direction. It should give you the tools and ideas to help make your lives a little more organized and serene. I will begin by laying out the road map that my own family took to reach the goals we set for ourselves.

The most important thing when decorating a teens bedroom walls is to allow the teens input so that the room is a reflection of who they are. Teens live stressful lives just like the rest of us so they need a place to retreat and feel comfortable in. They are still searching for who they are and designing their own bedroom walls provides them an outlet to express themselves creatively.

Teen wall decor decisions will vary depending on the teen in question. There are a number of different ideas for you to explore which will hopefully produce for your teen a room they can enjoy and a look that the parent approves of. Be sure to take in the size of the room, your budget and the practicality of the style. You also need to consider what end of the teenage scale your child is on. Teens taste and sense of self will change considerably between thirteen and eighteen. So be sure to tread lightly with fads and trends that are likely to go out of style. After all you do not want to take on this task again next year.

What we did is we all sat down together with pens and paper. I then asked this question. What are you crazy about and what really gets you excited? I then proceeded to ask them about their hobbies, sports, and a location they love to visit or a topic they want to learn more about. I had them write all these things down. This is the list of ideas they came up with: Dolphins, Birds, Abstract, Flowers, Sports, Space, Fashion, Animals, Music, Numbers, Moon and Sky. I recommended that they choose one idea from the list and making this interest the centerpiece of their room.

We first looked at lots of pictures from books and magazines and spent hours on line at different decorating web sites. We also watched a couple of home decorating shows on television and went to a design center and talked with others to get some ideas. The first thing to realize is not to rush. Take your time since this will be the room that you chill and hang out in.

My daughter decided on fashion as her bedroom theme while my son choice was sports in particular football with the main theme being the Bears. We then gathered in our car and took a drive to the paint store. We browsed through many selections of different colored paint chips until the ones caught their eyes and attention. My daughter picked candy apple green while my son stuck with the Bears colors of navy and orange. All of these being popular colors according to the many hours of research we had tackled.

For one of their walls for each of their rooms we bought a paint that had a faux texture designed that seemed to shimmer and shine. They decided they would keep this wall bare so they could keep adding additional items such as posters from a movie or concert that had seen. In this way they always had space so they had room to grow and develop.

My son had found on line a beautiful hand woven wall tapestry of Soldier Field where the Bears make their home and play their games when in Chicago. He made this the focal point of the room and placed framed artwork of Bears Players all around it. He also hung pennants and his prime passion of an autograph jersey that his favorite player had signed. He is also handy with wood and built shelves along one entire wall. Then with wall paper borders of pictures of footballs went along the edges of the shelves. He was able to use these selves to display his trophies and had space left over for his entertainment system.

Meanwhile fashion was the main theme for my daughter’s room. She had also spent hours on line in search of her perfect design. Like most girls she loves to go shopping and purchase as many shoes and purses imaginable. So I was not at all surprised when I saw her selection for the focal point for her room. It was wall art made up of whimsical purses. It was defiantly cool, hip and certainly prissy. The purses came designed with stripes and swirls of polka dots and matched her candy apple green walls. They had white ribbon and are embellished by a metal snap closure and silver balled feet. This design is definitely unique and personal.

There are three inch letters attached and painted with matching silver. She named her space by hanging each letter of her name over her bed. On the wall opposite the windows she purchased a silver frameless mirror that made the room look double in size. It also came with a pegboard message center and held colorful bins for plenty of storage. We then commissioned a local art teacher from a public school located near our house to hand paint a mural on the wall opposite the display of purses. My daughter is artistically inclined and drew a sketch of abstract designs that the artist successfully copied on to her wall. It truly accomplished the customized look she was going for.

All I can tell you is it has been about a year since we finished making their rooms a place they can call their own. The best part is they have kept their belongings in place and they spend many hours studying, laughing, entertaining their friends and most importantly keeping their rooms neat and tidy. Be patient, creative, listen and if you follow these steps you will also have tranquility in you life.

Barbara Tobiasz

Starch is useful in ironing, but only in limited amounts. Learn about making your own starch and other tips on laundry and clothing care in this free video. Expert: Melody Mooney Bio: Melody Mooney, domestic goddess, is a not just a house cleaner, she is a super house cleaner! She was born in Calgary Alberta, Canada and her first job was as a chamber maid at a travel lodge. Filmmaker: Grady Johnson

Technorati Tags: clothes, clothing, Expert, free, how, ironing, laundry, pants, pressing, rules, safety, shirts, to, Village, wrinkled, wrinkles

Climate control storage has become extremely popular over the years. Since the 1970s individuals have used self storage companies to store valuable items when room got scarce at home. Storage units are also useful during moves when there might be a short period of time between the closing of a home and the move in date for another home. The only downside to storage units, especially storage units that will be used for a long period of time is that items often deteriorate when exposed to the weather.

Many people who rent storage units do not realize that the temperature in their storage units will be dependent upon the outside weather condition. On summer days when the temperature reaches 90 degrees the average storage facility will end up being 80 degrees at best. During humid weather a storage unit can become stifling and cause extreme damage to items in storage. Many people who have stored valuable clothing, wines, and other items in traditional storage have gotten a rude awakening when they went to retrieve their items from storage. Before throwing your items into a storage unit take the time to find out which of your belongings will benefit from climate controlled storage.

First of all, when you are trying to determine which of your belongings will benefit from climate controlled storage stop and think about the weather condition of the area you live in. There are some people, not many, who might not need to invest in climate controlled storage. First of all, do you live in an area like Louisiana that is known for high levels of humidity? If so, you definitely need to consider climate controlled storage units. High levels of humidity will warp high quality furniture leading to cracking and serious damage. Documents that are stored in humid areas can degrade rapidly losing color and overtime mildew and mold will begin to grow on clothing and furniture that is in storage. Worst, insects breed rapidly in warm, damp areas and your storage facility could quickly become a nest of insects of every kind.

Temperature also plays an important factor in deciding whether or not to invest in climate control storage for your items. If you live in areas that are extremely cold then watch out for condensation that could lead to mildew and mold in damp belongings. Extreme heat is just as bad since this can lead to the permanent damage and destruction of computer disks, DVDs, CDs, and more. Many people who store their collections in extreme heat are shocked and disappointed when they discover that their entire collection has been completely destroyed after a few days in a storage unit subjected to 100 degree heat.

Climate controlled storage units are prefect for a variety of items be they valuable or made of high quality materials. There are some items that belong in climate control that most people would not realize need special care. Mattresses are one item that should be carefully stored in climate controlled storage units. Mattresses can rapidly mold and mildew when left exposed to the elements and with many fine mattresses costing more than $200.00 waste is not recommended.

Good clothing should never be stored in anything less than climate controlled storage units. Fine linens such as silk and velvet are especially vulnerable to deterioration caused by the weather. Heat can lead to discoloration while humidity and cold can cause moisture which will lead to molding and mildewing. Even if mold and mildew do not occur insects will often choose to nest in these fine materials making them dangerous to wear safely.

Musical instruments should never be stored in traditional storage units. Without climate control pianos and violin strings will begin to discolor and will often warp or break. The wood used to create these instruments will also start to warp, crack, and break. Thousands of dollars have been lost or wasted when valuable instruments have been ruined because of extreme weather.

Books and paperwork are also items that should always be stored in climate control storage units. Many people believe that books and documents will store anywhere but this is completely untrue. Without climate control documents will start to discolor making it difficult to read their text and puzzle out their meaning. This can be extremely frustrating when owners of book collections go to look for a favorite volume only to discover it has been ruined.

It is important that individuals looking into storage remember that climate control units are not just needed for fine china, antiques, and leather. Climate control storage is necessary to preserve important paperwork, good clothes, furniture, and really anything you own that is of any value.

Simply Self Storage

diycouture – helping 21st century people to make their own clothes

Technorati Tags: "diy, "do, "home, "learn, "making, "vivienne, anarchist, anarchy, anti-fashion, clothes, couture", craft, diycouture, fashion", it, made", make, own, patterns, punk, sew, sewing, to, westwood", your, yourself"

Make your own baby bibs! Learn how to cut the fabric pieces for a baby bib in this free sewing video. Expert: Gretchen Soares Contact: www.butterfly-boutique.org Bio: Gretchen Soares is the co-owner of Bufferfly Boutique, which specializes in soft goods such as quilts, clothing and wearable art. Filmmaker: Patrick Eaves

It seems as if everybody else is doing it – shopping online, that is. There’s the co-worker who bought all their Christmas gifts online without ever setting foot in the crowded local mall. Or the friend who won a bundle of like-new, brand-name baby clothes on eBay. Or your son’s college roommate, who paid hundreds of dollars less than your son did for his college textbooks, simply because he ordered them online rather than from the University bookstore.

If you’ve been meaning to learn to shop online – whether at an online retailer like Amazon.com or an auction site such as eBay – it’s time to quit procrastinating, conquer your fear and dive into the waters of cyberspace. You’re not only missing out on good deals, convenience, and worldwide product selection, you’re actually losing money.

1) Good deals: With the growing popularity of price-comparison websites, it’s easier than ever to find a low price on a product you want. I just typed “iPod Nano 8GB MP3 player” into one of these specialized Search Engines, and got 33 results with prices ranging from $229.99 to $292.75 – that’s a $62.76 price difference. The search engine also listed available rebates and factored in shipping costs.

2) Convenience: Not much explanation needed here – you can shop from home at 3 in the morning while wearing your pajamas. You can shop from work during your lunch break. You can shop from the hotel room when you’re stuck overnight in the middle of nowhere. And you don’t have to fight crowds, prowl the parking lot in search of a place to park, or drag screaming kids around.

3) Product Selection: When you shop online, you’re not limited to the stores within driving distance or even the stores you’re familiar with. You can shop just as easily from a home-based artisan as from an exclusive upscale department store like Saks Fifth Avenue.

Odds are, though, that you already know about deals, and convenience, and selection – so why haven’t you started shopping?

Here are two additional reasons that may encourage you to start.

4) Shopping Online is Safer than Shopping Offline: A survey from Paypal UK published in November 2006 found that you’re much more likely to be a victim of physical theft in your home town than to suffer fraud in the digital world.

More than a third of respondents (35%) had been victims of property theft, but only 15% of UK adults surveyed had been victims of online fraud. Similarly, around 71% of Brits know someone who has had their wallet or purse stolen but only 29% know a victim of online fraud.

And despite rumors to the contrary, paying with a credit card at a reputable website is virtually risk-free if you follow commonsense safety precautions. Online merchants know the importance of secure payment systems, and US shoppers are protected by the Fair Credit Billing Act. (You can dispute charges under this law, and even if your credit card is used fraudulently, you generally would be held liable only for the first $50 in charges.) Other payment processors such as Paypal offer their own fraud protection.

It’s at least as safe to buy online as it is to hand your credit card to the waiter at the restaurant, who whisks it out of your sight for several minutes!

5) NOT Shopping Online Can Cost You Money: Besides the savings to be gained by comparing prices, savvy online shoppers have discovered ways to actually get paid to shop. There’s an entire industry devoted to educating online shoppers how to get cash back for purchases, how to earn money or points for shopping and how to get offers for free and sometimes very valuable products online.

Most of these cash-earning, money-making shopping strategies are cumulative – small rebates or points earned add up over time to hefty bonus checks or free gift cards. (I have a $50 gift card in my purse from Pier One Imports that I got absolutely free, and I’ll send for another $100 gift card as soon as I decide whether to get it from Target or Home Depot.)

There’s no better time than today to educate yourself about shopping online – when you’re not in a hurry, can start small, and don’t need to buy ten gazillion presents by next Sunday.

If everybody else can do it, so can you!

Diana Ratliff

Technorati Tags: babies, baby, bibs, clothes, clothing, criss, cross, how, make, patterns, reversible, sew, sewing