One of the major concerns that has arisen since the onset of the recent financial crisis is the amount of debt not only in the public sector, but also in the private sector. The burden of debt carried by individuals in the Western economies has risen out of all proportion and needs some serious regining in.
The good news is that the slow economic recovery is actually a result of people being less willing to spend and get into debt once more. People are now seriously considering their financial committments. This is familiar territory for me as I have been practicing frugal living for the last five or six years, and have been using 0% interest credit cards to help me pay back a mounting debt.
I got a shock when I applied for my first 0% card, only to find I was refused... I looked into the reasons and discovered that having too many credit accounts open but unused was having a negative effect on my credit rating. I had a credit report done to find out exactly how many accounts were open in my name, and then went and closed all the ones I wasn't using.
It's obvious when you think about it, lenders are not going to be willing to lend to someone who has a lot of dormant accounts open (as I did) because potentially, one could access all that credit in one go. Suppose you had four dormant accounts with credit limits of $7K, then potentially you have $28k at your disposal already, a cautious lender would be foolish to extend more credit unless you have assets or income that matches that type of debt.
So, my advice is to routinely close dormant accounts, and periodically get a credit check to make sure that dormant accounts aren't still affecting your credit score.
Thursday 29 April 2010
Wednesday 28 April 2010
Sales Techniques
It is a sad fact that many high street retailers have been hit by mega-stores and online retail. The high street shop of today has to work that much harder to keep customers calling. Retailers need to offer a high level of personal service, a pleasant environment for shoppers and effective point of purchase displays in order to generate add-on sales.
Retailers need to engage with customers in the way which they want to be engaged, many customers will use the internet in preference, so having an online presence, even for a small local retailer is a serious consideration. Collecting data on clients is also vital, every retailer whether they are high street or strictly online, should be collecting data on clients. Contact details are the very first layer to be collected, but also having some indication of client demographic or buying patterns is not too difficult even for a small shop to work on. In short, if you can't beat them (and you can't...), join them by doing the same sort of things that the big stores do.
Retailers need to engage with customers in the way which they want to be engaged, many customers will use the internet in preference, so having an online presence, even for a small local retailer is a serious consideration. Collecting data on clients is also vital, every retailer whether they are high street or strictly online, should be collecting data on clients. Contact details are the very first layer to be collected, but also having some indication of client demographic or buying patterns is not too difficult even for a small shop to work on. In short, if you can't beat them (and you can't...), join them by doing the same sort of things that the big stores do.
Content Management
There is no doubt that CMS (Content Management Systems) are the way to go especially where you are hosting a site for someone who has little technical internet know-how. Of all the CMS software out there, Wordpress is one of the very best - but setting a site up is where all the hard work comes in. My new hosting service should give me the option of setting up multiple sites in Wordpress format, I hope to work out how to get a WP site up and running and then get a domain to point at it. Once I have mastered that art, I might be tempted to move all my blogs to this format.
Having said that, although I believe WP is a better, more flexible system, the most important thing for a blog in my opinion is content. Combining content with an aesthetically pleasing layout is a great combo, but placing appearance over content is a non-starter.
I have also had a look at Joomla as an alternative to WP, and honestly can see very little difference between the two. The deciding factor for me is the fact that there are so many bloggers using WP, and so many plug-ins available, I reckon there is a better support structure for this platform.
Having said that, although I believe WP is a better, more flexible system, the most important thing for a blog in my opinion is content. Combining content with an aesthetically pleasing layout is a great combo, but placing appearance over content is a non-starter.
I have also had a look at Joomla as an alternative to WP, and honestly can see very little difference between the two. The deciding factor for me is the fact that there are so many bloggers using WP, and so many plug-ins available, I reckon there is a better support structure for this platform.
Tuesday 27 April 2010
Life Insurance
When looking for the best term life insurance rates or rates for any other insurance, the comparison websites are a great place to start. Not only can they offer insurance from a variety of providers, they can also provide advice on the best insurance to suit your needs. The internet has provided us with comparison sites for just about every type of expense, and insurance is just about the most competitive industry there is. Insurance is no longer a mysterious product worked out by people behind closed doors and smoked glass, nowadays it shouts from the rooftops and is accompanied by bright colours and loud music...
Night Creams
How can you know which is the best night cream? Effective beauty treatments are few and far between, and products reviews by independent reviewers are the best tool for determining the best product. Often these products are reviewed in magazines and television programs, where effectiveness and price are compared to see which product gets you the best 'bang for your buck'.
One thought to bear in mind is that more often than not, beauty products do not live up to the claims of the manufacturers, although they are often very careful about the way in which they word their claims.
One thought to bear in mind is that more often than not, beauty products do not live up to the claims of the manufacturers, although they are often very careful about the way in which they word their claims.
Monday 26 April 2010
Getting rid of Blackheads
The internet is the perfect tool for learning how to get rid of blackheads or any other medical-related issue you may have that you don't want to discuss face to face. The world-wide-web is an extremely useful research tool, if you know how to use it.
The web offers us research, personal reviews and online forums all of which can be utilized to research an effective product, service, or other solution to whatever your question may be. However we all know that even renowned sites like Wikipwedia can contain bogus information, so my advice is to get several opinions on a solution and use a little common sense to determine the best course of action.
The web offers us research, personal reviews and online forums all of which can be utilized to research an effective product, service, or other solution to whatever your question may be. However we all know that even renowned sites like Wikipwedia can contain bogus information, so my advice is to get several opinions on a solution and use a little common sense to determine the best course of action.
Worrying trends
I am continuing to see a general drop-off in Adsense clicks and earnings in the last month of so, I would estimate that earnings could have as much as halved recently. I do not track earnings closely enough to be absolutely sure at this stage whether I am losing out in terms od clicks, traffic or CPC - I know I should be on top of this, but I tend to concentrate on working at the coal face when I have time, rather than analysing the results.
My main worry is that this is where I want to concentrate in the future, ie. passive earnings through contextual advertising and affiliates. What this tells me is that I need to track trends a lot better than I do if I want this to work for me in the future. In other news, I am on the very cusp of moving to a new hosting service which will allow me to move domains onto a single hosting package - for now, I am happy to maintain blogs on the 'blogger' platform, but I do also plan to experiment with Wordpress too for some other sites.
My main worry is that this is where I want to concentrate in the future, ie. passive earnings through contextual advertising and affiliates. What this tells me is that I need to track trends a lot better than I do if I want this to work for me in the future. In other news, I am on the very cusp of moving to a new hosting service which will allow me to move domains onto a single hosting package - for now, I am happy to maintain blogs on the 'blogger' platform, but I do also plan to experiment with Wordpress too for some other sites.
Sunday 25 April 2010
Looking for work
This current economic climate has meant that the numbers of jobless folk are higher than we have seen for many a year - a result of the economy growing too quickly and then suddenly deflating. The longer-term prospect is good, but in the meantime, there is a scramble to get back into work as quickly as possible, some workers even moving hundreds of miles to look for work. Moving to find work is all very well, but it can be expensive at a time when expense is unwelcome.
The voice of reason tells you that you should first explore every avenue closer to home, and that's where a local job site such as Tampa job search comes in. There are local job opportunities in every region, so it pays to initially keep your search local, otherwise you could end up with having to change schools, change friends and having to start from scratch again. Local job searches are equally useful if you find yourself in a new region with no network of friends and acquaintances.
The voice of reason tells you that you should first explore every avenue closer to home, and that's where a local job site such as Tampa job search comes in. There are local job opportunities in every region, so it pays to initially keep your search local, otherwise you could end up with having to change schools, change friends and having to start from scratch again. Local job searches are equally useful if you find yourself in a new region with no network of friends and acquaintances.
OnLine Learning
You may be surprised to discover that some online college degree courses offer genuine learning opportunities and result in genuine qualifications that future employers will take seriously. The real online colleges do not offer instant certificates for a fee, they offer real distance learning opportunities for those who are not able to physically attend a college for whatever reason.
This type of learning is perfect for those that are house-bound, or those who want to learn whilst working and therefore need to fit their learning around other commitments.
This type of learning is perfect for those that are house-bound, or those who want to learn whilst working and therefore need to fit their learning around other commitments.
Saturday 24 April 2010
Diet advice
Whether you are looking for that top diet pill or advice on slimming aids, getting independent information is a good way to start.
Diets should be tailored to the individual and take medical history into account. There are two things that should be seriously considered before venturing into a course of treatment:
Diets should be tailored to the individual and take medical history into account. There are two things that should be seriously considered before venturing into a course of treatment:
- Testimonies from independent sources
- Professional opinion from your doctor
Eye Cream
There are a plethora of beauty products hitting the shelves and online stores, but which ones are effective at doing what they claim? Whether the product be an eye cream for dark circles, or a product to promote weight-loss or remove wrinkles - How can we know how effective they are?
The first thing to consider is that as a rule, products often do not live up to their claims. It is always a good idea to get some feedback from someone that you know has used the product, check for product reviews from independent websites, and in the case of products taken orally, to check for side effects and get the advice of a medical professional.
The first thing to consider is that as a rule, products often do not live up to their claims. It is always a good idea to get some feedback from someone that you know has used the product, check for product reviews from independent websites, and in the case of products taken orally, to check for side effects and get the advice of a medical professional.
Friday 23 April 2010
Effective Supplements?
One way to find out about supplements and weight-loss medications is to check out the supplement reviews online. It is never wise to take any kind of supplement or medication without having fully researched it first, or without seeking the advice of a medical professional.
The truth is, that there are far more ineffective products on the market than there are effective ones. Researching products thoroughly ideally through independent reviews, is a good way of determining which products are going to be effective. It is also wise to thoroughly research what the possible side effects of each product may be.
The truth is, that there are far more ineffective products on the market than there are effective ones. Researching products thoroughly ideally through independent reviews, is a good way of determining which products are going to be effective. It is also wise to thoroughly research what the possible side effects of each product may be.
Life...
Age brings responsibility, marriage brings more and then having kids takes it to a whole new level. At least I believe that's how it should be, and if that means having a suitable level of life insurance, taking steps to keep debt down to a manageable level or sacrificing your 'me' time for family time, then it's a small price to pay.
The adage: 'no-one ever says on their death-bed "I wish I had spent more time at the office" ' can equally be applied to many and various activities that we become engrossed in. Here are a few more things we won't be saying on that fateful day:
"I wish I had spent more time playing World of Wordcraft"
"I wish I had spent more on cigarettes, and less on investments for my family"
Instead, I can suggest some more likely last words:
"I wish I had shown them how much I love them...."
The adage: 'no-one ever says on their death-bed "I wish I had spent more time at the office" ' can equally be applied to many and various activities that we become engrossed in. Here are a few more things we won't be saying on that fateful day:
"I wish I had spent more time playing World of Wordcraft"
"I wish I had spent more on cigarettes, and less on investments for my family"
Instead, I can suggest some more likely last words:
"I wish I had shown them how much I love them...."
Thursday 22 April 2010
More seats than Broadway
Boasting more theatre seats than New York's Broadway district, Branson Missouri is one of the leading entertainment destinations in the USA. There is something for everyone at Branson vacations - the range of shows and attractions seem to go on and on.
There are over 17,500 rooms available in hotels dotted around the resort, many starting at less that $40 for a night, but it is the special deals that will hook you in. Currently there are offers for a 3-day stay (2 nights) from $49 (including $50 attraction tickets) for hotel or cabin accomodation or $99 (including $100 attraction tickets). Restrictions apply, so visit their website and get all the details online.
There are over 17,500 rooms available in hotels dotted around the resort, many starting at less that $40 for a night, but it is the special deals that will hook you in. Currently there are offers for a 3-day stay (2 nights) from $49 (including $50 attraction tickets) for hotel or cabin accomodation or $99 (including $100 attraction tickets). Restrictions apply, so visit their website and get all the details online.
Wednesday 21 April 2010
These no longer work for me...
PPP - sorry, they are dead in the water - 'offering' jobs for $1.50 which you are not guaranteed to be accepted for is not the sort of level I want to be operating at after three years of paid blogging - anything from the IZEA stable now falls into this category - their systems are flashy but not really geared towards serious revenue for participants.
I would also venture to suggest that the re-birth of dNeero was indeed the false dawn that I started to suspect - a fourth conversation received today exactly the same scenario as the previous two... basically someone using the service to try and get dNeeroites to plug their referral codes for a 'paid to' site for precisly no repayment. There must be some mugs who are doing this...but really...why would you??
I have kept two surveys on just until I reach payout - these are decent services but still take too long to reach payout - I do every survey I can for these two, but honestly they are all throwaway at the end of the day - too much time, so little chance of getting any rewards...
...and that brings me finally to MyLot (note. I am not putting my referral in here), this is a great service if you like to chat, discuss and even argue! but at the end of the day very low earnings that take an age to build up... It's no scam by any means - it's a very enjoyable site, but the time could be better spent promoting sites or doing more or less anything to be honest. I have learned valuable things from MyLot friends and will miss them, but not enough to go back...
So these are some of the decisions I have come to lately, I will no longer participate in time-consuming, low-yield sites and services - cutting these out will free up my time for the projects that I want to push forwards once my hosting issues have been sorted out.
I would also venture to suggest that the re-birth of dNeero was indeed the false dawn that I started to suspect - a fourth conversation received today exactly the same scenario as the previous two... basically someone using the service to try and get dNeeroites to plug their referral codes for a 'paid to' site for precisly no repayment. There must be some mugs who are doing this...but really...why would you??
I have kept two surveys on just until I reach payout - these are decent services but still take too long to reach payout - I do every survey I can for these two, but honestly they are all throwaway at the end of the day - too much time, so little chance of getting any rewards...
...and that brings me finally to MyLot (note. I am not putting my referral in here), this is a great service if you like to chat, discuss and even argue! but at the end of the day very low earnings that take an age to build up... It's no scam by any means - it's a very enjoyable site, but the time could be better spent promoting sites or doing more or less anything to be honest. I have learned valuable things from MyLot friends and will miss them, but not enough to go back...
So these are some of the decisions I have come to lately, I will no longer participate in time-consuming, low-yield sites and services - cutting these out will free up my time for the projects that I want to push forwards once my hosting issues have been sorted out.
Tuesday 20 April 2010
Economic Resurgence
So the worst of the ecomomic depression is behind us and the surviving companies are out looking for work once more, having borne the brunt of the downturn. Several industries have been affected (especially those linked to motor vehicle manufacture) but the surviving companies can come back stronger and possible pick up some of the contracts previously serviced by competitors who weren't lucky enough to survive.
Economic downturn tends to work like a forest fire, it can devestate the visible forest, but when it is over, new life flourishes and soon visible signs of the disaster are few and far between. This recovery situation suits small firms that find it easier to adapt to changing markets, whether the market be stainless steel drums, software or in the service industry - small flexible firms will be able to benefit from a situation where new markets can be serviced and exploited.
In a few months we will probably almost be in a position to forget about the hardships as jobs are created and industry rolls on.
Economic downturn tends to work like a forest fire, it can devestate the visible forest, but when it is over, new life flourishes and soon visible signs of the disaster are few and far between. This recovery situation suits small firms that find it easier to adapt to changing markets, whether the market be stainless steel drums, software or in the service industry - small flexible firms will be able to benefit from a situation where new markets can be serviced and exploited.
In a few months we will probably almost be in a position to forget about the hardships as jobs are created and industry rolls on.
The Aging Process
Age brings both positive and negative effects to bear on the individual - on the plus side there is the confidence and experience that comes with age, on the other had, there is the wrinkly skin and hair-loss.
For men this is not such a great problem as men tend to age well and can always shave their heads (I bought a hair trimmer last year...), however for women, this can be a distressing experience to go through. This is why there is such a robust market for skin care products and hair loss shampoo, not to mention the dreaded BOTOX...
My own view is that aging gracefully is a more attractive attribute than plastering yourself with creams and potions - but that is easy to say when you are aging a gracefully as me...!
For men this is not such a great problem as men tend to age well and can always shave their heads (I bought a hair trimmer last year...), however for women, this can be a distressing experience to go through. This is why there is such a robust market for skin care products and hair loss shampoo, not to mention the dreaded BOTOX...
My own view is that aging gracefully is a more attractive attribute than plastering yourself with creams and potions - but that is easy to say when you are aging a gracefully as me...!
Monday 19 April 2010
Adsense trends
I don't know if it is purely as a result of me not promoting my sites enough, but Adsense clicks are not yielding the kind of returns for me that I had got used to, which just goes to show that you cannot rely on an established revenue stream on the world-wide-web...
I am immersed in trying to move a domain to my super new hosting service at the moment - we are currently falling at the first hurdle as the service that is supposed to get the transfer authorised is not sending the emails to the right email inbox so I can't authorise the transition - should take 24 hours, so far we are up to about five days..... still the weather is good, so all is not lost...
I have a number of plans that I want to implement which involves new domains and sites, but I really need to sort out my main domain first and then build on that. The plans are part of my rationisation of internet activities which is the theme of this year for me. I am basically looking at what is working and what isn't - then concentrating on how I can expand what IS working for me whilst cutting off the branches that bear no fruit... I have found that for someone stubborn like me, it is all to easy to keep flogging a dead horse in case it should suddenly wake up and start pulling the cart.
More on dead horses that I will no longer flog later...
I am immersed in trying to move a domain to my super new hosting service at the moment - we are currently falling at the first hurdle as the service that is supposed to get the transfer authorised is not sending the emails to the right email inbox so I can't authorise the transition - should take 24 hours, so far we are up to about five days..... still the weather is good, so all is not lost...
I have a number of plans that I want to implement which involves new domains and sites, but I really need to sort out my main domain first and then build on that. The plans are part of my rationisation of internet activities which is the theme of this year for me. I am basically looking at what is working and what isn't - then concentrating on how I can expand what IS working for me whilst cutting off the branches that bear no fruit... I have found that for someone stubborn like me, it is all to easy to keep flogging a dead horse in case it should suddenly wake up and start pulling the cart.
More on dead horses that I will no longer flog later...
Saturday 17 April 2010
Diet plan warnings
The obsession with dieting can lead to all sorts of misuse of chemicals and additives unless strictly controlled by medical professionals. Typically the diet promotors will come up with a combination of products that, whilst medically proven to have an effect on weight, actually have little or no effect in the combination that is being promoted. This is true of products such as in the sensa scam where products of known medical value were prescribed in a way that would be inneffective for fighting weight gain.
My position is that if you must take medication to lose weight, get advice from your doctor, and before you start filling yourself full of pills, or depriving yourself of vital nutrients...try a little exercise...you never know, you might enjoy it.
My position is that if you must take medication to lose weight, get advice from your doctor, and before you start filling yourself full of pills, or depriving yourself of vital nutrients...try a little exercise...you never know, you might enjoy it.
Wednesday 14 April 2010
Look after your face...
A face says so much, and I for one am not afraid to allow my face to age along with the rest of me...admittedly I have always looked younger than I am, but even my youthful looks won't be able to hide my age for ever.
I have noted the massive market for anti wrinkle face cream, but have serious doubts as to whether these creams and potions will have any lasting effects - not only that, but the old adage tells us that beauty is only skin deep anyway...
My main problem with this type of product is the prices that the manufacturers charge, I wouldn't be concerned if these products were cheap, but one can't help feeling that they price the products so it seems like their 'expense' indicates that they might be effective. The 'reassuringly expensive' campaign adopted by Stella Artois springs to mind...
I have noted the massive market for anti wrinkle face cream, but have serious doubts as to whether these creams and potions will have any lasting effects - not only that, but the old adage tells us that beauty is only skin deep anyway...
My main problem with this type of product is the prices that the manufacturers charge, I wouldn't be concerned if these products were cheap, but one can't help feeling that they price the products so it seems like their 'expense' indicates that they might be effective. The 'reassuringly expensive' campaign adopted by Stella Artois springs to mind...
Friday 9 April 2010
Spring has sprung!
What a lovely day it has been in the UK today... The Sun is shining and it's a day you want to spend in the garden...
Thoughts turn to barbecues, paddling pools and gardening as the 'to do' list grows accordingly. There are things to be planted, beds to be dug, grass to be trimmed fish pond filters to be changed and a host of other jobs that herald the dawn of garden weather. This is not to say that next week will not be torrential rain, but we have seen the light, days are longer and warmer - there is no stopping us - let's get gardening!
Thursday 8 April 2010
The Latest Thing
I am afraid I could never be accused of being an 'early adopter' and have only recently come to appreciate the joys of a Nintendo DS.... I am aware of 'PlayStation' and even knew there was a PlayStation2, or indeed 'ps2' as they cool kids call them. However, before I have even caught up with the original PlayStation, there is already a ps3 in the shops....
I tend to have two opposing views about this type of technology: On the one hand, when you play them, the gameplay is extraordinarily good, on the other hand - some people do not know when to STOP playing and START engaging with reality. I am all for a certain amount of 'play' being part of the normal routine, but am somewhat less enthusiastic about teenagers seeing 'life' as what they do in between bouts of Street Fighter IV or Call of Duty VI...
Wednesday 7 April 2010
End of the Year
OK this might not be the end of the year for most individuals, but in the UK, this is the end of the tax year - the current (2009-2010) tax year runs to 5th April 2010 and I have just registered for 'self-assessment' on line...
I aim to be amongst the first to declare my (online) income as there is not a lot to report, it is all listed out in my spreadsheet, and I like to get things done in a timely manner. My first year of official online earnings has yielded £825 (in the region of about $1200) or so, a modest start, but a welcome addition to income nonetheless. I definitely intend to make some investments this 'year' and the first will be my new hosting plan which I have been considering for some considerable time. I am already thinking of sites that I can host for friends and new sites that I can build. I am half-way through revamping one of my main sites (offline) and am seriously considering social networks for promotion of my services. I am on several mailing lists, many which have recently been telling me that I need to use facebook and twitter to promote sites. I know in my heart of hearts that it is a solid idea, but it has not been until now that I have started to see the real potential of how I can engage with people using these sites.
I am planning to launch twitter and facebook services to co-incide with the re-vamp of my site, if it works out, I may launch another 'project' on Facebook and Twitter too - I feel like I am properly embracing 'online' for the first time even though I have been 'at it' for three years!
I aim to be amongst the first to declare my (online) income as there is not a lot to report, it is all listed out in my spreadsheet, and I like to get things done in a timely manner. My first year of official online earnings has yielded £825 (in the region of about $1200) or so, a modest start, but a welcome addition to income nonetheless. I definitely intend to make some investments this 'year' and the first will be my new hosting plan which I have been considering for some considerable time. I am already thinking of sites that I can host for friends and new sites that I can build. I am half-way through revamping one of my main sites (offline) and am seriously considering social networks for promotion of my services. I am on several mailing lists, many which have recently been telling me that I need to use facebook and twitter to promote sites. I know in my heart of hearts that it is a solid idea, but it has not been until now that I have started to see the real potential of how I can engage with people using these sites.
I am planning to launch twitter and facebook services to co-incide with the re-vamp of my site, if it works out, I may launch another 'project' on Facebook and Twitter too - I feel like I am properly embracing 'online' for the first time even though I have been 'at it' for three years!
Monday 5 April 2010
Get your quads out!
Whatever sort of ATV you drive, this is an ideal time of year to dust off your vehicle and begin atv riding for 2010. Of course, the hardier sorts will have been quadding and 4WDing through the snow, but round about now, with the daylight extending and the sun beginning to shine, conditions are ideal. As you can see from the picture, 'quad'ing is not limited to the male of the species, some gals enjoy their ATV too!
For those who are not quite so active... now is the ideal time to be sitting out in the garden in the sunshine, reading a magazine about ATV's...
Thursday 1 April 2010
March 2010 Earnings
Back with a bang this month after a very welcome boost from Adsense (accounted for here under 'Cass2CD' which is the source of most of my Adsense earnings). Very steady figures from paid to blog which is basically PayU2Blog, and not much else. Out-goings were low, so most of the earnings are retained and will go towards the new hosting package I keep talking about.I thought I might be selling a domain this month which would have made a big difference....maybe next month...
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