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DUBLIN, Ireland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 19, 2005--Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c26167) has announced the addition of The Definitive Guide to Point ...   more »

When refinancing your home, it's helpful to know a few things
about refinancing. When you refinance, you usually pay off the
old loan and sign for a new loan, whether you are refinancing
your 1st mortgage, second mortgage or home equity loan. The
expense that comes in to play when refinancing are the new
closing costs and points charge for getting a new loan.

How much can you expect in closing costs for a refinance?
Usually between 3-6% of the total loan amount. So, for a loan
amount of $150,000, you can expect to pay around $7 in fees.
Usually, a company that will say that have no closing costs,
will also charge a higher interest rate to compensate. The
mortgage broker has to make money somehow, they will either
charge a higher interest rate or charge higher closing costs.
The best way to compare refinance lenders is to analyze all of
the expenses.

Should I pay down points on my loan? If you plan to stay in
your home for more than 3 years, it may be smart for you to
consider paying down points on the loan which reduces your
interest rate. That pays off if you plan to stay in your home
for a while, but if you plan to sell the home soon, you may
lose more money paying down the points on the loan.

How can I know if I should refinance or not? If you are
interested in finding out whether it would save you money in
the long run to refinance with the current interest rate, there
are financial calculators online that can help you determine if
you would save money refinancing your house or not.

To view our list of recommended refinance mortgage companies
online or to use a refi- calculator, please visit this page:
http://www.abcloanguide.com/refinance.shtml


About The Author: Carrie Reeder is the owner of
http://www.abcloanguide.com, an informational website about
various types of loans.

Having your website rank at the top of the search engines will
provide you with a stream of traffic ready to read, buy or
interact with your site. Getting this high first page ranking
in the main search engines such as Google, Yahoo and MSN is
extremely difficult and not to mention, time consuming.

Search engines take considerable notice of how many and the
quality of incoming links to your site. Traditionally,
webmasters have sent out link requests, asking to exchange
links, this however is becoming more and more ineffective as
people's email addresses are spammed by automated robots.

Method savvy internet marketers are now using article
submissions. Here is how it works. The webmaster writes an
article on the topic of their site, including a back link to
their site. They then submit this to various article
directories. In turn some of these article directories list
this article and its back link, and also distribute it to all
their members. Some even pass this onto other article sites.

This can manually take a long time however. A lot of copying
and pasting of articles has to happen, you have to log in and
log out of sites, and the whole thing can be very tedious. Over
the past 6 months new products have been released that take some
of the tedium out of article submissions. These
semi-automatically go to the relevant sites and submit your
article, logging in for you and populating the forms with your
article. They can be a great time saver.

Finally there are new services that actually go off and submit
your articles for free to other large directories. They
advertise on your article page on their site. This is a win-win
situation. The article writer gets valuable backlinks to their
site or their content read by many people, the large article
directory gets the extra content and advertising revenue, so
everyone is happy.

We highly recommend article writing for marketing your site, it
may take a little time but with the services outlined here it
need not be so painful as it once was.


About The Author: For more information please see
http://www.articlesnet.co.uk

Costume jewelry is often created with non-precious metals,
usually gold or silver plated, and with or without beads and
stones. Costume jewelry has been extremely popular around the
world for thousands of years. The Ancient Egyptians are known
to have worn decorative beaded necklaces and Cleopatra is
probably one of the original wearers of what we now call
costume jewelry. In more recent times the people of the
Germanic and Slovak regions became highly skilled at developing
intricate patterns in glass beads. However, beadwork used in
costume jewelry is not only limited to glass.

A large variety of materials are traditionally used to make
beads such as jet, wood, amber, gemstones, pottery, ceramic,
metals, horn, coral, ivory, tortoiseshell and pearls. Some
modern materials such as plastics, nylon and even polycarbonate
variants are also used to make beads. Costume jewelry can be
antique, period, or contemporary and there are many collectors
of every style of costume jewelry. Venetian glass pieces of
costume jewelry are particularly collectable as well as being
extremely popular for people to wear.

Cleaning costume jewelry is extremely simple but needs to be
done on a regular basis to prevent tarnishing. Simply use a
mild detergent mixed in water to keep your costume jewelry in
good condition. It is important not to soak the jewelry and to
make sure that you dry it thoroughly before storing it. You can
buy anti-tarnish paper for wrapping your costume jewelry in
before you put it away for long periods of time but regular
cleaning is the best defense against tarnishing. The tarnishing
of costume jewelry is typically caused by the metal reacting
with the atmosphere and oxidizing.

Unfortunately, there are a large number of people who are
unable to wear costume jewelry next to their skin. This is
because of their sensitivity to the metals used. It is
important to make sure that anyone that you are buying the
jewelry for is not allergic to nickel or copper, especially
with pierced earrings. Costume jewelry may look beautiful and,
especially in the case of contemporary pieces, be reasonably
priced but it is not suitable for everyone to wear. For many
people a piece of costume jewelry may be the first jewelry that
they have worn and it is important to look out for signs of a
reaction, especially after extended periods of wear. Often
people will not show a reaction if they wear the jewelry for a
short amount of time and this can be an ideal way to avoid any
possible discomfort. You can also buy a special coating that
you apply to the back of the costume jewelry to protect the
skin from having direct contact with the metal.


About The Author: Alice is a jewelry designer with 18 years
experience. You can read much more from her on her blog at
http://www.jewelrybloghome.com.

If you have ever needed to print a large number of files, you
would probably know how tedious and time consuming this process
can be.

If the number of files to print is not very high and the files
are of the same type, the task might not be too bad. In this
case the best way to print all the files can be: open all files
in an application which can print this file type, then go
quickly through every file one-by-one and send every file to
printer.

The printing process is usually organized in such way that you
do not need to wait for printer to finish each document(file),
instead you can spool many files into a queue. While printer
processes a document, which is a relatively slow process, all
upcoming files are stored in computer and printer memory. This
memory queue for upcoming files allows users quickly submit
their documents for printing and continue doing other tasks.

The problem arises when the number and type of file for
printing is getting high. If there are different types of files
to be printed, user must open each file type group in a
corresponding application and submit each file for printing
individually. The problem is becoming even worse when the
number of opened files and applications grows, computer memory
has its limits and it cannot open too many files and
applications.

User can still deal with different types of files if their
number is probably not more than 20-30. How would a user deal
with 100, 1000, or 10,000 files? This can be a big problem for
users at print shops, medical transcription industry, or for
anybody who needs to print large number of files, for example
PDF, Excel, Word, Image, TIFF, and others.

There are software solutions exist to overcome the problem of
printing multiple files of different types. Some of the popular
titles include Print Helper by DCI, Batch & Print Pro by
Traction Software, and Batch Print & Batch Convert by
SilentPrint. They offer free trial versions for download.


About The Author: Tim Moore is an Internet Consultant at Best
Store LLC ( http://www.best-store.com )providing web marketing
and development for technology and scientific websites. For
more information about batch printing software please visit
http://www.print-helper.com/

Tips for renting a stretched limousine

Hiring a stretched limousine need not be a hit and miss affair
if you ask the right questions and take account of the
following.

No two limousine operators are the same and different
organisations place varying levels of emphasis on service
levels and investment in their fleet. You can gain an insight
into the way a company operates by how responsive they are and
the professionalism of their approach. For example, if you have
completed an online enquiry form, how long does it take for them
to respond, have they correctly interpreted your requirements
and is the quotation professional or just a dismissive a one
liner?

Similarly telephone enquiries can also provide an insight into
how a limousine operator is likely to handle their customers.
Is your call answered promptly and professionally with the
company name, are they friendly or evasive when answering your
questions, do they offer to send you a written confirmation of
the price, or is your call answered by a telephone answering
machine.

If you are visiting websites look for signs that they are a
professional limousine operator. Do they have a fixed line
number or just a mobile phone, does the website include the
name of the company or individual, is there a physical contact
address, or just a PO Box number, or worst still, no address at
all? These are indicators, not definitive signs of a poor
organisation, but you should ask yourself why, for example, a
limousine operator would not want tp include their full company
name or physical address.

Because the limousines are a critical aspect of the hire, look
to see if the website includes images of their own vehicles.
Study the pictures, many companies use generic pictures of
limousines, if this is the case, ask yourself why they would
not want to show images of their own vehicles. One clue maybe
to look at where the picture was taken and the registration
plate, if it looks as if it was taken in the USA, then take
care. Also ask about signage on the vehicle, some operators use
their limousines as advertising hoardings, which can leave many
hirers disappointed.

If you come across a broker offering to secure quotations on
your behalf you will need to consider the following. Most
limousine operators will be paying for each enquiry they
receive or a percentage of the hire value, will you end up
paying a premium price for the convenience of using a third
party? Some of these brokers describe their limousine operators
as accredited or approved. If this is the case ask what this
process entails, what guarantees if any, the accreditation
process provides you, for example, will the broker underwrite
the hire and also how often are the operators checked? You also
need to bear in mind that you are relying on a 3rd party to
complete your research, which means you are dealing with two
entities of which you have no previous experience.

Whilst there is inevitably a temptation to decide on price,
this should only form part of the process given, as should
become clear from your research, all limousine operators are
not equal. A professional limousine operator may charge £10 or
£15 per hour more, but on an average hire of 5 hours, this
amounts to no more than £75, a small premium to pay in order to
secure a professional service, from an established full-time
operator with modern limousines.

Another aspect to consider is the length of the hire. The
average time taken to prepare a stretched limousine prior to
hire is around 2.5 hours. Therefore, most professional
operators will impose a minimum charge and/or a hire duration
of 3 hours or so, this may be higher during peak periods. The
minimum hire charge is likely to be in the region of £150.
Beware of any company that does not apply these caveats given
it often means that the operator intends to use the vehicle for
several hires on the day. Inevitably this can lead to problems
relating to reliability or timing and more often than not, a
vehicle that has not been properly prepared. It is also worth
bearing in mind that many limousine operators offer a reduced
hire charge for mid-week hires, so if this is an option, don't
discount it.

Another aspect to bear in mind when searching for a limousine
for your event is reliability. Stretched limousines are
expensive to service and repair which inevitably results in
some operators attempting to delay repairs until the last
possible moment. Unfortunately poorly maintained limousines are
notoriously unreliable. Whilst it is reasonable for you to
expect the limousine operator to be diligent in such matters,
it does not necessarily follow that they are and it may well
affect your hire! In many cases a cheap hire really does result
in a cheap service. Listed below are some useful questions to
ask of your limousine operator.

Questions to ask Limousine Operators

How long have you been in business?
How many vehicles do you have?
Where are you based?
How old are you vehicles?
Where can I view your limousines?
Are there any minimum charges or hire durations?
Are you a full-time limousine operator?
What does the price include (VAT, Drinks, Gratuities etc)?
What contingencies do you have if the limousine breaks down?
What guarantee do I have that I will receive the limousine I
have chosen?
Do you have the appropriate private hire insurance, can I view
it?
Will I receive a written confirmation of the price?
Do you provide a booking confirmation with the itinerary and
price included?
What payment methods do you accept?
What is the deposit and when is the balance due?
What livery is on the limousine is it discreet?

Questions to ask Brokers

What does your accreditation or approval process consist of?
How often do you complete this procedure?
Will I be able to see a copy of the last report for the company
I book with?
How can I be certain that I will receive the limousine I ask
for?
Do you provide any guarantees regarding operator reliability?
Will I have to pay any extra if I use your service, either
directly or indirectly?
Who do I pay?
How can I be certain that you are truly an independent service?

Can I be sure that my email address will only be used for the
purpose of a quotation?

None of these questions are unreasonable and no professional
limousine operator will have any objections responding
positively, however, if you meet with resistance or the answers
are evasive, it should be a case of caveat emptor or ' let the
buyer beware'.

In summary:

Prepare your questions in advance
Know who you are dealing with (Trading name, physical address,
landline number etc)
Don't be frightened of asking probing questions.
Insist on viewing images of the actual limousine or visit the
premises
Get everything in writing, the quotation and the itinerary
Make sure you are comparing on a genuine 'like for like' basis

Consider hiring your limousine mid-week, where significant
savings can be gained
Never be tempted to decide on price alone
If in doubt, keep searching!


About The Author: This article was written by Andrew Hughes a
Director of Cars for Stars Limited. http://www.carsforstars.net
Cars for Stars® is a UK based franchised chauffeur car and
limousine hire operator with offices throughout the mainland

A fairly new trend in wedding ring design has risen in
popularity over the past few years and it's based on something
that is anything but new. Celtic wedding rings, wedding bands
and engagement rings that are designed featuring classic Celtic
knot work are adorning more and more matrimonial fingers than
ever before, perhaps since the days of the Celts themselves. At
one time these rings could only be special ordered from specific
companies and were very costly. Today, however, with the rise in
popularity of ancient Celtic design, many jewelers are carrying
Celtic wedding rings and jewelry of all kinds on a regular
basis.

The best and most beautiful Celtic wedding rings still come
from companies that design the jewelry and do all the work
themselves. Special intricate designs can be custom ordered and
there are companies that will work your initials into a unique
Celtic design for your wedding band... Purchasing your wedding
rings from one of these companies can result in your having a
true one of a kind ring that is completely unique to you. If
you love the Celtic look but want to spend a bit less, however,
you can simply go to your closest jeweler and find a Celtic
wedding ring that suits your tastes. The method you use is
entirely up to you.

Celtic wedding rings take their laced designs from the patterns
of the ancient Celts, European peoples in the areas of England
and Ireland in the last few hundred years B.C. At one time the
Celtic civilization stretched across most of Europe, but it is
from Ireland that most of the Celtic traditions and designs
have been gleaned. Celtic wedding rings incorporate the most
recognizable of Celtic designs, the interwoven lacework of
basic shapes, entwined and overlapping in a distinct pattern.

Celtic jewelry, including Celtic wedding rings, first gained
popularity with followers of neo-pagan religions like Wicca,
but are now worn by people of many faiths who simply like the
look of the designs. Influences of Celtic design can be seen in
many cultures, traditions, and religions of today, most notably
in Roman Catholicism which has long since adopted the image of
the Celtic Cross as one of their own. It seems only natural
that the intricate, ornate, and beautiful designs of the Celts
would once again find their way into popular culture. Celtic
jewelry began appearing in mainstream America again about ten
years ago, although it has been around in one form or another
for ages before that.

Celtic wedding rings and other Celtic jewelry make a statement
about the person who wears them to the rest of the world.
Wearing it says that this is a unique and different person with
their own style and a different perspective. Having a Celtic
wedding ring on your finger will let you hear some things as
well. Most common is the comment, "Oh my gosh, what a gorgeous
ring! Where did you get that?"


About The Author: Kirsten Hawkins is an event planner from
Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.wedding411.net/ for more event
planning tips, strategies, and resources.

The Society of Editors has paid tribute to the online phenomenon of as digital vehicles that are increasingly bringing freelance writers to the heart of local journalism.

Speaking to local, national and online editors, Nick Turner, deputy editor at Carlisle's News & Star, said blogs are helping regional press connect with freelance contributors like never before.

He said Brits increasingly live in a world which revolves around the internet, but conceded, "more people are familiar with the term dogging than blogging."

This is despite the fact that cyberspace now hosts 16 million blogs or online diaries, with one in three people under 24 making their views known from a blog or a website.

Turner said his newspaper had benefited from a network of virtual district correspondents, recruitment of freelance writers and hearing from people not often featured in newspapers.

These virtual correspondents provide local newspaper editors with a unique emotional angle on their local patch and often result in increased traffic to the newspaper's website, Turner reportedly said.

However the optimism was tempered by news heavyweights such as Steve Egginton, of Worldwide Media Ltd, who warned the traditional print industry will suffer a slow demise if it ignores the importance of the Web.

He said the internet was even enabling people to make their own TV programmes – all they need is a camera and a website. He added: 'If newspapers stick to ink – they will sink."

The Society's debate about blogs, entitled 'Read it, watch it, hear it, surf it,' also heard from Asha Oberoi, head of Multi-Media for the Press Association, who said newspapers should "embrace the opportunity for new digital platforms."

The keynote address of the conference came from Les Hinton, chairman of News International, who said legislation, subscription-free websites and blogs poses the biggest challenge to British newspaper editors.

Citing recent online coverage of Hurricane Katrina, Mr Hinton said bloggers were responsible for supplying audiences with "bad information" in the aftermath of the disaster.

"We must be the experts - on all relevant platforms- at getting it right. At being reliable," Hinton told the audience of editors.

"Citizen blogs are stealing audiences - or at least audience time. Their tanks are on our lawns. And this confident, brave new world requires new disciplines and skills."

Despite the good news that eight of 10 Brits read a daily newspaper, print industries and their captains, namely newspaper proprietors and editors will need to learn about search engine optimisation (SEO), Hinton added.

"If you haven't heard of it [SEO] yet, you soon will," he said.

"Very simply, it means tweaking technology to guarantee your newspapers are well read online. It's the 21st century version of worrying about where your newspaper is displayed in the local newsagent."

 

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There is nothing escaping payroll tax. It is something that you
will need to deal with from the day that you get your first job
until the day you retire. Payroll tax is the amount of money
that comes out of your paycheck each and every time for the
various services that you need to pay for. And, there is even a
specific tax that is for the use of payroll as well. Nothing is
certain…

If you are a business owner, then you realize that you will
need to take care of these payroll tax needs for your
employees. The problem is that you cannot possibly take care of
that information for your employees on your own. You need
various types of help in collecting it, figuring it out, and
keeping track of it. While this is quite difficult in most
cases, the good news is that there are some excellent payroll
tax software programs that can help you and cut down on the
various needs that you have. Payroll tax software is a great
way to make sure that you are getting the right information as
well. There is nothing worse than making the wrong payments or
not following through on something that you are responsible
for, for other people. Payroll tax software can help you do
what you need to do effectively and do it right the first time.


Whether you are updating your payroll tax or if you are looking
for a new option to consider for your new business, having the
right payroll tax software is important. You'll find a wide
variety of options available to you right here on the web. Take
some time to look through those options so that you'll find just
what you need. You will find discounted and very complex
programs. You will find those designed just for your business
and it's needs. And, you'll find these all available for your
budget needs as well. Payroll tax is something we can't avoid
but it doesn't have to be that difficult either.


About The Author: For more information please see
http://www.payroll-tax-help.co.uk

There is nothing more certain in the world and in this life
than CHANGE. No matter what people might think or what they
might try to believe, everything is changing all the time, as
we breathe in and out, as we eat and sleep and grow and go
through our own spirals of unfoldment.

So here is a simple metaphor for change. It is called "The Egg"
and I hope you enjoy it.

I often have this feeling of stress and desperation because I
am quite convinced nothing has changed.

I look around myself and all I see is what I always see.

Same house, same furniture, same pile of bills, same
everything.

I work so hard and NOTHING is changing.

I thought that again about something the other day, and this
large, beautiful golden egg came to my mind.

There it is, and it just sits there in its nest of straw.

It doesn't DO anything.

It doesn't change shape, it doesn't change colour.

It doesn't pulsate. It doesn't roll around.

You could look at it for DAYS AND DAYS and you'd come away
thinking that it was just that and there was NOTHING GOING ON.


And yet, and if one was to extend one's feelers in a different
way, one might become aware of the RIOT OF CHANGE that is
taking place INSIDE the egg, a storm of re-organisation,
feeding and growth, of total unfoldment as a bunch of random
cells become a fish thing, which in turn becomes ever more
defined and more complex, more organised in every way, more
mature, more fantastic with every heartbeat, every breath that
passes.

One day, and we know not when, the egg that lay so motionless
for so very long and seemed to be nothing but an inert shape
will begin to rock, and then it will crack, and the newly born
dragonet will emerge, spread its wings for the first time and
take its first small steps.

Yes, there was change.

Even if we thought there wasn't.


About The Author: Free Meditation MP3s and a Free Energy
Hypnosis Ebook "Our Dimensions" by Lady Hypnotist Silvia
Hartmann can be found on http://HypnoDreams.org

At a recent Internet Conference that my sons and I were
teaching, I was reminded about one of the most serious problems
that we all face in Internet Marketing, and that is information
overload

What do I mean? Let's look at a typical day in the life of an
Internet Marketer.

9am... you sit down to your computer, with the intent of
writing a new website, because you just KNOW that this will be
the most profitable project you ever built. But before you get
into that, you'd better check your emails

You go through about fifty junk letters.... but look! Here's a
message from some well known Internet Marketing Guru. I know he
makes GOBS of money on the Internet every day, and he can teach
me the SECRET of marketing on the Internet.... and my gosh he's
only going to charge me $49 for the privilege of knowing that
secret. I can't pass that up, so I better order it right now.
After all the price is going up tomorrow you know!


So I order that ebook, and start to read it, but then the phone
rings. It is just a telephone solicitor, but after I get her off
the call, I sit down to my computer again. Let's see, what was I
going to do? Umm.... not sure but I need to run a virus scan to
make sure my computer is clean... and while it's doing that I'm
going to get another cup of coffee.

10am... OK no viruses on my computer. That's great to know...
now I can sit down and get started on that website right....
but I better check my emails first....

Oh look... here's a system that Mr. X used to rake in $40,000
last night while he was sleeping. Boy wouldn't I like to have
that... let's go to his website..

Hmm.... seems like it's another program that says write an
ebook on Internet Marketing and sell it to people who would
like to learn about Internet Marketing..... no.. I don't want
to do that.

Back to work... But you know I DID see something Frank said
once about using public domain reports. I wonder if I could use
that. So off I go to see if I can find that report. OK, now I
have that, and I think I'll pass for now.

11am... I better get back to work here. Oops, here comes
another e-mail. What? This one says the system I'm trying to
use to build my business is dead, and now I need to buy their
software or I'll go broke on the net?

OK, I can't live without that software, I better get it right
now.

12pm.... Lunch time, I'll get back to that website after lunch


Sound familiar? Unfortunately it's all too familiar for ALL of
us. There are so many different ways to generate income,
traffic or whatever we want to do on the Internet, that we're
constantly bombarded by offers.

Many of them are good, and many of them could make money for
you IF you sat down and really applied worked on THAT program
and ONLY that program for a few months. But the problem is that
we get sidetracked so easily. Most of us never really take the
time to focus on the ONE project that we need to get working
BEFORE we start on the next

It takes a real discipline sometimes to say no to these
tempting offers.... and yes... some of them come from me too.
Here's five simple steps to help you FIX this problem with
overload........

1. Set aside certain periods of the day that you check your
emails and ONLY check your emails at those times.

2. Sit down and decide once and for all that you're going to
build a SOLID website, ebook, program, or whatever it is that
you want to do. You're not going to deviate from that plan
until you've accomplished that goal. Along the way you MIGHT be
presented with some software or peripheral program that would
work well with what you're trying to accomplish.

If that's the case then GREAT... get it and integrate it into
your online model, but if it doesn't mesh with your PRESENT
project, then either don't buy it at all, or if you MUST, then
put it into a separate folder on your computer called "Future
Projects" and don't mess with it until you're on track with
your present one

3. Make a to do list. This letter is an example. It was the
number one item on my to do list for today, I wanted to contact
you and write about this while it was still fresh in my mind

4. Find out what time of the day is the most productive for you
and set that time aside for your most important tasks. Mine is
usually 10pm to midnight

I realize that many readers must juggle their web site efforts
with a full time job... but the real key is consistency. Set
aside SOME regular time each week to work on your online
presence

5. Resolve here and now that there are many ways that you would
be able to make money on the Internet, but you can only do ONE
AT A TIME... so you're going to work at ONE until you've either
made a success of it or it truly has proven not to be what you'd
hoped for. If it's the latter, try to find out why. Was it a
problem in promotion? Was it the layout, the text, the
headline?

You don't want to repeat the same mistakes again

My sons and I make money in many different ways on the net, but
everything we do that is successful for us always boils down to
this simple formula.

I could ramble on for a long time about this, but I think you
get the idea. This entire article can be summed up in to one
word

............ FOCUS


About The Author: Sign up for your free Cool Web Tips
newsletter at http://coolwebtips.com . You'll receive many more
PRACTICAL tips about getting more traffic, building effective
websites, generating more revenue, and converting lookers into
buyers. Frank Sousa is an author, teacher, & developer of the
secretspidergenerator. http://www.secretspidergenerator.com

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Whether you are an advanced real estate investor or just
getting started, real estate options can be an ideal investment
technique. A real estate option is a way to control a property
without owning it and it locks in the buying price for a
specified time.

Most investors don't understand how to use a real estate
option, which is unfortunate because it is one of the most
powerful tools in real estate investing. In fact, super
successful investors such as Donald Trump routinely use real
estate options for maximum leverage.

Here are 7 reasons why options are ideal for real estate
investors, beginner or advanced.

1. Since you don't own the property, you are not obligated to
make house payments. You also don't have to deal with repairs,
holding costs or tenants. Imagine how flexible you can be if
you don't have to deal with monthly mortgages or on going
repairs.

2. Getting started with real estate options doesn't require a
lot of cash. In many cases, we have controlled a $100,000
property for $10. This is especially important for a new
investor since startup capital is often an issue.

3. Options are great at generating quick cash. Once you have
the option locked up, you can market the property to create
quick cash. You should focus on making at least $5,000 per
option deal, and there's no practical upper limit to how much
you can make (one of our colleagues made over $300,000 on a
land option deal)…all without having to deal with tenants,
repairs or holding costs.

4. Using options is a great way to enter the luxury home market
or control properties in hot markets. Since these are higher
priced homes, you should expect to pay a higher option fee. We
have controlled $500,000 properties using $100 to $1000. In
many markets, a $500,000 is a starter home but the point is
that you can control a lot of real estate for a very modest
fee.

5. Options are scaleable because a single real estate option
can be used to control a small deal or a large one.

6. Options offer multiple exit strategies. You can either
exercise the option to buy the underlying property; you can
sell or assign the option to another party; or you can ensure
that the seller has to pay you off because the option creates a
flaw in the title.

7. Using options allows you to convert dead leads into viable
ones. For an experienced investor, this alone can add tens of
thousands of dollars to his business because most deals that
are not viable with other techniques (foreclosures, short
sales, etc.) are often great candidates for real estate
options.

8. BONUS REASON: Real estate options are very flexible and can
be used with all types of properties including single
residential homes, multi-units, apartment buildings, commercial
properties and land. You can also specify the option period,
which offers additional flexibility. In many cases, you can
even extend the option period, often for an additional modest
fee.

In summary, using a real estate option is an ideal investment
technique for beginners because options don't require much cash
and can generate cash quickly. For advanced investors, using
options to convert dead leads into deals can add tens of
thousands of dollars per month.


About The Author: Alex Nghiem is the co-founder of
Wealthautopilot, which provides coaching and educational
products/events for real estate investors who want to turbo
charge their results immediately. To get a weekly free
newsletter on cutting-edge real estate tips and a 6-part course
on real estate options, visit
http://www.wealthautopilot.com/course-a

If you have a need for effective data conversion, then it is
absolutely necessary to find reliable and trustworthy services
to help you with your need. There are several ways that you can
go to get the needs you have filled. To find the right solution,
though, you'll need to consider the options that you have and
determine the right budget and the right hands on approach you
wish to take. Data conversion can be done successfully several
ways.

Depending on your specific need, you can find a number of
solutions for data conversion. Throughout the web you will find
many companies and service professionals that provide solutions
for you in data conversion. These services will not only
convert data as you need them to, but many will analyze the
data for you as well. This can be extremely helpful as it will
allow a professional eye to handle your most intricate details.
Likewise, these services can cost a good amount as well.

Another option that you have with data conversion is to
purchase good quality software. Many types of software can
actually handle analysis as well but it often lacks that
personal touch. Less expensive than using a data conversion
service, this is one route many individuals and businesses go.
One way to find the most effective product or service is to use
comparison shopping via the web. There are excellent
opportunities in data conversion available here.

There are also many information portals now devoted to the
subject and we recommend reading about it at one of these. Try
googling for "data conversion" and you will be surprised by the
abundance of information on the subject. Alternatively you may
try looking on Yahoo, MSN or even a decent directory site, all
are good sources of this information.


About The Author: For more information please see
http://www.data-conversion-help.co.uk

Refinancing after a bankruptcy can seem like an especially
difficult challenge, but it doesn't have to be. Six months
after your bankruptcy has been finalized, you can find lenders
willing to refinance your mortgage. In fact, refinancing your
mortgage can help rebuild your credit to good standing in two
year's time. The following steps will help you find the best
refinance lender while helping your rebuild your credit record.


Preparing For Refinancing

Right after bankruptcy, you have six months to prepare to
refinance your mortgage. Begin by establishing good payment
history by regularly paying your bills and current mortgage.
This is also a good time to open a credit card account to start
establishing good credit history.

If possible, also start building up a savings account. The more
cash assets you have, the better your application will look.
Consider having a garage sale or taking a second job to raise
funds.

Researching Lenders

Once you are ready to refinance, research mortgage lenders and
their rates. Online mortgage websites allow easy comparison
shopping. Look at both interest rates and fees of refinancing
quotes. Usually a slightly higher rate with low fees is the
best deal.

With bankruptcy on your credit report, you will typically need
to work with a sub prime lender. You can expect to pay a few
percentage points above a traditional mortgage, which you can
find through online mortgage companies.

Choosing Your Refinancing Package

You may be offered a chance to cash out part of your home's
equity when refinancing your mortgage. If you need to make home
improvements or buy a car, this may be a good option. However,
if you keep your home's equity in place, you are improving your
credit.

Once you have decided on your terms, you can finish your loan
application online or through the mail. Quotes are not
guaranteed, so rates may vary slightly once your application
has been approved. Before the loan is finalized though you have
the opportunity to review the loan again.

After Refinancing

With your refinancing completed, you can plan to lower your
interest rates through refinancing in two years by building up
your credit score. Continue to make regular payments and add to
your cash reserves. Before you apply to refinance again, review
your credit report to be sure your bankruptcy closed all past
accounts on your record. With a solid credit history behind
you, you can apply to traditional mortgage lenders.


About The Author: Carrie Reeder is the owner
http://www.abcloanguide.com , an informational website about
various types of loans. To view our recommended sources for
refinancing after a bankruptcy online, visit  this page:
http://www.abcloanguide.com/lessthanperfectcredit.shtml

Buying Your Keywords to appear in Browser Address Search Bars –


It seems like about two or three times per month we get a phone
call that extol a 'sure-fire' way to drive key word directed
traffic to your law firm's website. At first blush the pitch
sounds very appealing: You can purchase keywords so that when
someone types that specific keyword into their Internet browser
they will be taken direct to your website.

Like many such scams, it takes further investigation to get the
real facts. There are several variations of these plans and they
all sound like you would be passing up a terrific opportunity if
you do not immediately sign up to 'own' your important keywords.


After some in depth questioning, the real story can be
summarized by the cliché "If it seems too good to be true, it
often is. Like most scams, this one is based on a kernel of
truth, embellished by the omission of material facts.

Here is what we found out:

One plan only works if the keyword is typed into the browsers
address bar, not a search bar. The address bar is where the
name of your website appears like

http://www.your-site-here.com . Most people do not type search
phrases into this bar. Plus, in order to work, the person must
have downloaded a program that replaces or modifies their
Internet browser. This is the real key to this plan. These
program modifiers are usually downloaded without the full
knowledge of the public. Many times they believe they are
installing an enhancement that will add some minor function to
their browser at no cost.

In reality, they are being misled as to the real purpose of the
program.

The other version of these 'purchase your keywords' programs is
similar to the above plan, but has the search box of the
Internet browser modified to redirect the searcher to the
paid-for websites.

With both variations, the key to their operation is that they
only work with a modified Internet browser. Many times, such
software is known as spyware and piggybacked on some freeware
program to mislead the public into installing the software.

This raises some important questions. Do you want to
participate in such a misleading program?

Also, the key to the potential success of such plans is the
installed base of the modified browsers. Here is where you will
hear all types of claims as to the installed base. However,
judging from the comments on various Webmaster forums, it seems
that this installed base is too small to be cost effective.

Just for fun, on the last two of these solicitation calls, I
pretended to be interested. (One was in reference to a San
Diego real estate site and the other was a Houston legal
website where we are the Webmasters.)

I asked the caller about their installed base of rigged
browsers. Needless to say, I received extraordinarily high
figures. They tried to get me to sign up immediately, because
the keywords I could get now might be purchased at any moment
by others. When I asked them to please email or fax over some
verifiable information on the numbers, I received assurances
the information would be sent shortly. Surprise, surprise, no
information was ever sent! The same scenario was duplicated
when I requested a list of a few local attorneys who were using
the service for at least six months.

Also, with many free programs designed to find and remove such
spyware, upgrading of systems and computers, it is debatable
whether this installed base will be increasing or
decreasing. Will your investment create a profitable return?

Again, based on Webmaster forums, it seems to be the consensus
that you will get more visitors to your website by sliding your
business card under the windshield wipers of cars in a
supermarket parking lot.

Copyright 2005 Promotions Unlimited. All rights reserved.


About The Author: Bob Schwartz, runs
http://www.websitetrafficbuilders.com a search engine
optimization, domain name registration, website hosting site.
To enhance your own site view a Free website Awards program
http://www.web-site-award-winning.com Bob's newest site is:
http://www.san-diego-dentist.us e-mail Bob at
bob@websitetrafficbuilders.com

Mutual fund info is one of the most sought after things on the
market when it comes to investing. People are considering this
fun option for many reasons. First, what is a mutual fund? It
is a way of allowing many investors to pool their money
together and to allow a professional investment manager to
manage the money in the larger sum. Because more is invested as
the group, more money can be made in this situation. But, who,
what, where and when are all questions that many people are
asking as well. Mutual fund info is right around the corner
though.

To have the right mutual fund info, you need to do several
things. First, you need a personal knowledge, at least somewhat
so that you know what is happening and what could happen with
your investment. Knowing what is happening will give you an
edge, so to speak. Secondly, you need to find a trustworthy
investment manager to use for your mutual fund needs. Many of
these funds can be found through your financial advisor. To
find a manager of your money, it is wise to compare several
companies including their history of management, their fees,
and the means in which they will communicate with you.

That said, it is still wise to keep an eye on your personal
investment at all times. Nevertheless, there are excellent
companies out there that will successfully manage your
investments, no matter how large or small to your specific
needs. It is wise to take the time to find just the right
company. Mutual fund info can be found updated continuously
right here on the web.

There are also many information portals now devoted to the
subject and we recommend reading about it at one of these. Try
googling for "mutual fund" and you will be surprised by the
abundance of information on the subject. Alternatively you may
try looking on Yahoo, MSN or even a decent directory site, all
are good sources of this information.


About The Author: for more information please see
http://www.mutual-fund-info.co.uk

For the holidays this year, more people will be getting mobile
computing options than ever before in history. With so many
various ways of staying connected through computers, people
don't seem get enough. This is great news for all those out
there that love new technology as it is the force behind many
companies and their drive to have the best of the latest and
greatest and of course the public's favorite mobile computing
device.

We rush here to there. We have less time it seems than people
did years ago. The fact is that, we just burn more of it and
demand more from it. But when you can take some of that time
and turn it into a profit, things can begin to look, well, up.
Mobile computing allows you to stay focused, no matter what you
do or when - on a variety of options and to a variety of
networks. Here are some of the ways that you can stay ahead of
the game.

Planning a power lunch but afraid to leave the office to miss
some important email? Well then don't worry, take a mobile
computing device with you. You can take your whole laptop if
you like, but you just do not have to. You can use your pocket
PC or even your mobile computing cell phone to do all the work
for you. Yes, nothing is easier.

Need to send a file and forgot to? You don't even need to call
the office and tell them that you messed up again. All you need
to do is to flip open that phone and begin a mobile computing
session that will get the job done in seconds.

There are so many ways that mobile computing fits into our
lives. In fact, there are so many ways and we use them so much
that we seem to forget what life is like without them. Mobile
computing is one of the most important, can't-live-without-it
services that we have today.


About The Author: For more information please see
http://www.mobile-computing-shack.co.uk

You have always had an interest in starting a particular type
of business. However, realistically you know that you lack the
expertise required. How can you startup the desired business
from scratch and begin making profits without the steep
learning curve? Your answer might be to buy a business kit or
startup guide.

For example, let`s say you wanted to start your own import and
export business. You will find business kits and startup guides
written by persons who have already successfully ran an
import-export business. Sometimes these kits consist of actual
books, courses, forms, videos, audio cassettes, and other
media. Other times, the information may be in the form of a
downloadable e-book or a website.

Whatever their form, business kits and startup guides can shave
years off your learning curve. Find out the tricks of the trade
for your selected business. Avoid costly errors and years of
frustration by learning from the mistakes of others.

Some of the businesses covered in these business kits and
startup guides include consulting, finder`s fees, drop
shipping, import-export, bed and breakfast, mystery shopping
(also known as secret shopping), various cleaning businesses,
catering, day care, graphic and web design, crafts business,
licensing, inventions, mail order, medical transcription,
newsletter publishing, professional organizer, public speaking,
real estate, self-publishing, surveys, writing, and just about
any other specific business you might be interested in.

Often, for less than one hundred dollars, you can have the
benefit of years or even decades of experience from successful
entrepreneurs.

Therefore, if you wish to enjoy quicker success, consider
buying a business kit or startup guide.


About The Author: J. Stephen Pope, President of Pope Consulting
Inc., has been helping clients to earn maximum business profits
for over twenty-five years. For more information about business
kits, startup guides, and other profitable Work at Home Small
Business Ideas, visit
http://www.yenommarketinginc.com/business-kits.html

Are you a business owner who wants to increase monthly cash
flow, working capitol, and improve your credit rating? Then
invoice factoring could be right for you.

Invoice factoring is the process by which businesses sell their
invoices to a third party, called a "factor." The factor buys
the invoices for about 3 to 5 percent less than the invoice is
actually worth. If your business produces any type of invoice,
then your business can take advantage of invoice factoring.

Once the factor purchases the invoice, then the factor owns it,
and collects the debt from your client. As the business owner,
you get to decide which invoices to factor, based on your
customers' credit and payment history with your business.

Factoring your invoices means your cash flow does not suffer
while you wait for your customers to pay. The factor buys the
customers' debt, improving your working capitol and the credit
rating of your business.

It works like this: You send an invoice to your customer. Then
you inform your invoice factoring company that you have sent
the invoice, and in what amount. Usually, that can be done by
e-mail, so it's quick and easy.

The second step is the factor confirms the invoice with your
client. Usually, this is done in such a way that the customer
or client does not know that you have sold their invoice to a
third party. The factor will identify itself as a billing
department or company, rather than an invoice factor, and will
simply call or send a letter to confirm the invoice.

Some invoice factoring companies are willing to keep the
factoring completely invisible to your customers. And after you
develop a history and good relationship with the factor, they
will usually stop confirming every single invoice.

Once the factor has confirmed the invoice, they pay your
business a percentage of the total amount of the invoice,
usually around 70 to 85 percent. This is called the "advance
rate," and it is one of the primary points to look at when
selecting a factoring company. When the factor collects the
invoice from your customer, you will get the rest of the money
you are owed.

Factoring benefits businesses that have poor credit history, no
credit history, or limited hard assets. Factoring also helps
businesses when they are just starting out, because it can
often take time to build up steady cash flow.

Additionally, invoice factoring allows you to increase working
capitol without taking liens against your other collateral, so
there is little risk to you.

As a business owner you know how frustrating it is when waiting
for your customers to pay. Even if your invoices are not past
due at all, it can still take weeks to collect the funds you
need to put back into your business immediately. Invoice
factoring can help your business grow and reduce your own
stress level.


About The Author: Alan Jason Smith is the owner of
http://www.videofactoring.com which is a great place to find
factoring links, resources and articles. For more information
go to: http://www.videofactoring.com

Debt is a subject that no one likes. Once you are out of debt,
you make a commitment to yourself not to return to that place.
One morning you are sitting in your home and the telephone
rings. Lo and behold, it is a creditor on the other end of the
phone stating that you have a remaining balance on an old
collection bill. The attitude that comes through the other end
of the phone is one of harsh. "Why didn't you pay the bill?"
Not an attitude of compassion for whatever situation you may
have been through that prevented you from paying the bill.

Are you simply left speechless by the phone call? First, listen
to everything the person has to say without the attitude. Once
they have finished, you begin to reply that the bill was paid
and have documentation. It is important to request they send
you correspondence in writing so you can complete your
research.

After this correspondence arrives in the mail, what do you do?


1) If you are absolutely sure that you paid the bill, retrieve
that information from your folder. The letter that states it
was paid in full.

2) Write a letter to that collection agency stating the facts
and sending a copy of the proof. Send certified mail. 3) Send a
copy to the State Attorney General's Office and FTC.

4) This should close the matter and you will not have to pay
anything.

However, if you cannot locate any copies of your settled
documents, then you might be in a situation. Depending on how
many years ago it was, there might not be any way to retrieve
any documentation. You may fall into the situation of having to
pay. This will more than likely occur:

1) The company has already assessed interest on the bill
raising it to a higher number.

2) Begin the process of trying to settle the bill with the
company for a lower amount. Negotiate in writing.

3) Pay it off when you have reached an agreement. Make sure
that you keep a copy of the documentation this time that the
matter has been settled. I also recommend that you keep a copy
of the settlement check. I have used money orders before so
that I have a receipt. I attach it to my copy.

When you are in debt and have bills that have to be settled
and/or paid off, organization is very important. Collection
agencies will try to come back and retrieve money that has
already been paid, dismissed on a bankruptcy, or the statute of
limitations has run out on. Do not fall into the trap of
overpaying, paying late fees because you did not keep the
proper documentation. I recommend having a physical file that
you keep for at least ten years.

We have a file which includes when each car was paid off and
used to get another car, and copies of all the credit reports
for the last 10 years. This has been a good thing for us,
because I have even come across a credit report or two that
showed a bill was settled in full when a collection agency
tried to collect on that paid account.

Organization and records are important when restoring your
financial future. Keeping documentation for each bill you
settle will potentially stop a different agency from trying to
collect a second time in the future. However, if you do not
keep the documentation you may have to pay those charges and
late fees a second time.


About The Author: Dr. Taffy Wagner is the author of Debt
Dilemma. Debt Dilemma is her own personal story of how she got
into debt and was able to get out without filing bankruptcy.
She will be launching a national marketing campaign on October
18, 2005. View her website at
http://www.paidoff.net/SpecialPromo.html for further details.

If you think that your employees' poor performance on their
designated jobs is costing you a whole lot of lost profits,
then instead of just doing a total overhaul of your employee
roster, why not try to do some employee motivation tactics to
get them to actually come around and be able to save your
company from looming bankruptcy. It really is fairly easy and
simple to rouse some employee motivation, you just have to take
these techniques to heart:

People nowadays are concerned of the lack of importance that is
being put into health care plans. Is your company one of those
companies that do not provide their employees with the health
benefits that they should be entitled to? This is a possible
reason why your employees' morale are down. You need to
reassess the situation and try to give them the health benefits
that will ensure them that they will be protected by the company
that they have been loyal to even in their times of sickness.
Always remember that a happy worker is a satisfied worker so
make sure to use this employee motivation tool in order to give
your employees' morale a much needed boost.

Remember, companies are usually employed with some women who
will, most often than not, become mothers. So it is highly
important that you know their needs especially during the time
when they would want to avail of their maternity leave. It is
important that your company, no matter what kind of product or
service you offer, is always sensitive to your employees needs,
no matter what their gender is.

When it comes to having a good health plan for your employees,
you must be sure that your health plan is actually of any good
or else it would not really do any good to your employees'
morale. Make sure that the health plan will be able to cover
all their basic needs and it wouldn't really hurt if you throw
in some added kicks.

Basic health care plans that you can use for employee
motivation actually covers the following: full coverage for any
basic illness or injury, coverage of hospital payments in case
the employee has to be checked-in at the hospital or if there
are some minor surgeries that need to be done.

Added benefits to further boost employee motivation through a
health care plan is through having their dental health covered
as well as their optical needs, eyeglass subsidies as well as
free dental cleaning and check-ups will be a good treat for
your employees and will surely be a great added employee
motivation move.

Apart from having a good health care plan for your employee
motivation tactics, you must also be able to provide for them
some other additional care such as an insurance plan which they
can rely on in case something bad happens to them when they are
still of service to your company. Even if this employee
motivation move will not be availed by the employee's family
during the time of his or her service, your employee can still
choose to continue on paying for the premiums of the insurance
plan even after he or she has retired from your company.
Unfortunately for your employees, once they resign from a job
position at your company the said insurance plan will be
revoked since the company will not be able to pay for your
insurance premiums anymore (remember, all the payments from
these employee motivation tactics will actually come from the
employee's salary).

Another great employee motivation move for loyal employees of
your company is to have a car loan ready for them, employees
who have already served some considerable amount of years in
the company should be entitled to a car plan wherein deductions
from their salary will be used to pay for their vehicle of
choice. This is a great employee motivation move since those
who are cannot afford a car (a brand new car at that!) would
actually want to continue staying in your company because of
this added employee motivation benefit.

From time to time, especially during special occasions, you
need to be able to give your employees some added morale boost
by organizing events or parties that will foster camaraderie
among your employees. A little good time certainly wouldn't
hurt anyone and this will all be in the spirit of good ole'
company fun. Employee motivation directed events such as
Christmas parties and company picnics are surely a welcome
treat to your seemingly overworked and over fatigue employees.


You must also remember to give your employees some time to
unwind like providing your regular employees the benefit of
having a two-week paid vacation leave. That's the least you can
do for your employees who you have been held captive for the
majority of the year in your office.

These are really simple and easy employee motivation tactics
that you can do in order to boost your employees' morale and to
be able to ensure a good upkeep of your company.


About The Author: For more great employee motivation info and
advice check out: http://www.profitable-employees.com

Wanadoo offers £14.99 pounds 8Meg service

Wanadoo's £14.99 pounds 8Meg service is getting rave reviews.
Looking for a fabulous deal on broadband service? Here is one
you can't possibly pass up. Wanadoo Broadband is one of the top
three broadband providers in the UK and have released a great
deal. It is £14.99 pounds 8Meg service for those who wish to
try out broadband service for the first time.

This price is right for most people, and even though the
service may be a touch slower than the typical 2 mbps entry
point, it is not an issue. For those who have been suffering in
silence with dial-up for the past few years, it could be the
treat of their lives. Perhaps if prices continue to get more
competitive between the three top U.K. broadband providers,
those that take advantage of this deal from Wanadoo could
upgrade to a faster speed for little or no money per month.
This program is also really good for anyone who wants to
improve their Internet experience and also for those who run a
small business from their home. Even though the bandwidth is
only 1 mbps, this speed is still much faster than the typical
dial-up service.

Currently, there are plenty of cheap Internet offers out there,
and dial-up service is cheaper than anything else. Some
providers will give you dial-up service completely free. The
catch is that you must be if willing to live with the annoying
pop-ups and advertisements that appear while surfing the
Internet on your computer.

Wanadoo is nothing like this. They have a solid reputation, at
£14.99 pounds, the price may be twice as much as most dial-up
services, but it is still considered quite reasonable as far as
pricing goes.

If you are looking at broadband service for the first time,
this pricing deal and speed entry point can be a great place to
begin with broadband service. This is a good option for a
business owner, too. Even though later users may need more
bandwidth, Wanadoo can provide that as well. This deal is very
attractive, and is a nice upgrade from dial up service.

Also included in this deal from Wanadoo, are a free modem, free
hookup and free anti-virus protection. You can also find similar
deals at other providers like Homecall and BT Broadband, which
offer great introductory packages with 2mbps speeds.

As with anything, if you are a first time shopper looking at
broadband, it helps to do your research. There are plenty of
good providers out there who offer reputable products at good
prices. By talking to people who currently use Wanadoo or some
other broadband provider, it is a good way to help you find the
right one for you.

No matter what you look for a broadband service, the nearly
unbelievable price of Wanadoo's £14.99 pounds per month 8Meg
service is one to check out. Maybe if prices do continue to
drop and broadband becomes even more affordable, it is still
possible that Wanadoo's deal could be the best deal around for
some time.


About The Author: Robert Michael is the owner of Best Broadband
Review which is a great place to find Broadband Links, Resources
and Articles. For more information go to:
http://www.bestbroadbandreview.co.uk

Credit repair advertisements claim to guarantee a quick fix on
your credit report. They promise for a fee (not always
disclosed at first) to clean up your credit history so that you
can qualify for a new home, car, insurance, a job, or premium
credit cards. Before you sign up with one of these companies,
you need to know some facts.

The real facts on fixing your credit score

The real truth is that no one can legally remove information on
a credit report. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) allows
you, the consumer, to request an investigation of information
in your file that you dispute as inaccurate or incomplete.
There is no charge to you. There are other steps that you can
do yourself, without paying a credit repair company, such as:

* You are allowed a free credit report if a company denies you
credit, insurance, or employment (if this is a part of your
employment application) provided you request a report within 60
days of this denial. The notice will give you the name of the
consumer reporting agency that provided this report. You can
dispute information that this denial is based upon. Under FCRA,
both the consumer reporting agency and the information provider
are responsible for correcting inaccurate or any incomplete
information in that report.

* Put in writing what information you believe to be inaccurate.
Include copies of any documentation that supports your claim. Be
sure to send this letter to the credit reporting agency, and
send it certified mail so that you can prove it was mailed and
signed for at their end.

* You will get a response within 30 days. During their
investigation, they must forward all your documents to the
merchant or vendor that provided the negative credit
information and report back to the credit agency. If they find
that the information is inaccurate, they must notify all three
reporting agencies of their findings: Equifax, Experian and
TransUnion.

* When the investigation is concluded, you must receive a copy
of the results in writing and a copy of the dispute if it is
changed. It the disputed item is changed, the credit reporting
agency cannot put the disputed information back into your file
unless it is verified as accurate by the merchant or vendor.

* The credit reporting agency must send notices of a correction
to anyone who received your credit report in the past six
months. You can also have a corrected copy sent to employers
that did not hire you based on your credit report.

Removing a bad credit rating

When you have a bad credit rating based on negative information
that is accurate, you can only wait for it to be removed over
time. By law, a credit reporting agency can only report
negative information for seven years and bankruptcy for ten
years. For unpaid judgments, the reporting period goes back
seven years or until the statute of limitations runs out.
Criminal convictions and applications for over $150,000 of life
insurance have no time limits. By starting to pay your bills on
time and contacting the creditors that you cannot pay, you can
start to change your credit profile to the positive side, but
that will take time also.

If you do decide to use a credit repair company

Start by getting a free copy of your credit report. Then
assemble all your credit card bills and write them down. This
will give both you and your credit repair company a starting
point. By law, credit repair companies must give you a
brochure, "Consumer Credit File Rights Under State and Federal
Law" when you sign a contract for their services. This contract
must clearly specify your rights, obligations and fees. The
contract must also clearly detail the descriptions of the
services they will perform for you, how long it will take to
see the results, and any guarantees they offer you. Members of
the National Foundation for Credit Counseling are non-profit
organizations providing free and low cost services to consumers
with a wide range of plans, covering most types of credit used,
including home mortgages.

Credit repair companies can help if you're drowning in debt.
Before you sign a contract, check out these low cost and free
options you can do yourself.

Copyright 2005 Ed Vegliante.


About The Author: Ed Vegliante is the owner of
http://www.credit-card-surplus.com , a well organized credit
card directory enabling the user to compare and apply for a
variety of credit credit card offers. Find links to secure
online credit card applications.

[Teaser/Summary]
Mark Twain took a long-term and somewhat philosophical look not
only at life but real estate. Looking through Mark Twain's eyes,
there's a strong case for continuing to invest in tight real
estate markets such as Bay Area real estate.

Real estate is always a good investment, Mark Twain once said,
because "God isn't making it anymore!" With talk of a "bubble"
in high-priced real estate markets such as the Bay Area, New
York City, and Boston, it's important to remember that when it
comes to the laws of supply and demand, no other investment can
quite match real estate.
Reasons for Investing in Bay Area Real Estate & Other "Bubble"
Markets

* Intrinsic value from intrinsically short supply. To
paraphrase Mark Twain, not only is there not going to be any
more supply in the real estate market. There is going to be
plenty more demand: millions of babies born into the world each
year who will probably be willing to pay for a roof over their
head at night–and while they're at work, eating at a
restaurant, or doing anything else.

o Bubble market corollary: Not only is the supply of real
estate in terms of acreage not going anywhere; developers are
increasingly unable to create more real estate (in the form of
bigger buildings or more buildings on existing lots) in
tightly-packed and tightly-regulated markets such as Bay Area
real estate.

* Relatively stable investment potential. Real estate sometimes
loses value, but never completely, even in the worst case. If
Mark Twain had filled a time capsule with twenty shares of
cable-car stock and twenty deeds to San Francisco houses, which
would be worth more today? Twenty, thirty, and a hundred years
from now, personal computers may become museum pieces and oil
may only be needed for squeaky door hinges. But people will
still need houses, offices, nightclubs, restaurants, and every
other kind of roof over their heads.

o Bubble market corollary: The "bubble" markets are unlikely to
lose demand relative to other markets since they are so "in
demand" not only in the US but around the world. In many
countries around the world, saying you're from the US is
unfortunately a way to end a conversation. But saying you're
from San Francisco, Boston, New York, Miami, or Los Angeles
will usually only bring a smile and many interested questions.

* Revenue potential. Not all stocks pay dividends, but almost
every real estate investment has the potential to generate a
regular stream of income. Whether you are buying investment
property from afar, or just renting out a spare bedroom, the
money you make on rent may provide a cushion against any drop
in values.

o "Bubble market" corollary: high-cost areas also have the
highest average rents.

In closing, sure-fire investments are in even shorter supply
than real estate–in fact, there aren't any. Any investment will
inevitably go down, sometimes momentarily, sometimes for longer
stretches. However, keeping in mind the relative risks of
investing in real estate versus other investments, real estate
investments are still attractive for long-term investors who
appreciate the intrinsic benefits of investing in real estate,
even in pricey markets.

Important disclaimer: the above article is provided for your
reading pleasure only and is not intended to provide investment
advice. All examples are hypothetical and intended as
illustrations, not guidelines. Opinions expressed in this
article are not necessarily those of the owners.


About The Author: Check out Joel Walsh's guide to investing in
Bay area real estate: http://www.bayarearealestateadvisor.com
Joel Walsh encourages you to seek personalized real estate and
investment advice from qualified professionals, such as these:
http://www.bayarearealestateadvisor.com?%20homes%20for%20sale

Buying Your Keywords to appear in Browser Address Search Bars –


It seems like about two or three times per month we get a phone
call that extol a 'sure-fire' way to drive key word directed
traffic to your law firm's website. At first blush the pitch
sounds very appealing: You can purchase keywords so that when
someone types that specific keyword into their Internet browser
they will be taken direct to your website.

Like many such scams, it takes further investigation to get the
real facts. There are several variations of these plans and they
all sound like you would be passing up a terrific opportunity if
you do not immediately sign up to 'own' your important keywords.


After some in depth questioning, the real story can be
summarized by the cliché "If it seems too good to be true, it
often is. Like most scams, this one is based on a kernel of
truth, embellished by the omission of material facts.

Here is what we found out:

One plan only works if the keyword is typed into the browsers
address bar, not a search bar. The address bar is where the
name of your website appears like

http://www.your-site-here.com . Most people do not type search
phrases into this bar. Plus, in order to work, the person must
have downloaded a program that replaces or modifies their
Internet browser. This is the real key to this plan. These
program modifiers are usually downloaded without the full
knowledge of the public. Many times they believe they are
installing an enhancement that will add some minor function to
their browser at no cost.

In reality, they are being misled as to the real purpose of the
program.

The other version of these 'purchase your keywords' programs is
similar to the above plan, but has the search box of the
Internet browser modified to redirect the searcher to the
paid-for websites.

With both variations, the key to their operation is that they
only work with a modified Internet browser. Many times, such
software is known as spyware and piggybacked on some freeware
program to mislead the public into installing the software.

This raises some important questions. Do you want to
participate in such a misleading program?

Also, the key to the potential success of such plans is the
installed base of the modified browsers. Here is where you will
hear all types of claims as to the installed base. However,
judging from the comments on various Webmaster forums, it seems
that this installed base is too small to be cost effective.

Just for fun, on the last two of these solicitation calls, I
pretended to be interested. (One was in reference to a San
Diego real estate site and the other was a Houston legal
website where we are the Webmasters.)

I asked the caller about their installed base of rigged
browsers. Needless to say, I received extraordinarily high
figures. They tried to get me to sign up immediately, because
the keywords I could get now might be purchased at any moment
by others. When I asked them to please email or fax over some
verifiable information on the numbers, I received assurances
the information would be sent shortly. Surprise, surprise, no
information was ever sent! The same scenario was duplicated
when I requested a list of a few local attorneys who were using
the service for at least six months.

Also, with many free programs designed to find and remove such
spyware, upgrading of systems and computers, it is debatable
whether this installed base will be increasing or
decreasing. Will your investment create a profitable return?

Again, based on Webmaster forums, it seems to be the consensus
that you will get more visitors to your website by sliding your
business card under the windshield wipers of cars in a
supermarket parking lot.

Copyright 2005 Promotions Unlimited. All rights reserved.


About The Author: Bob Schwartz, runs
http://www.websitetrafficbuilders.com a search engine
optimization, domain name registration, website hosting site.
To enhance your own site view a Free website Awards program
http://www.web-site-award-winning.com Bob's newest site is:
http://www.san-diego-dentist.us e-mail Bob at
bob@websitetrafficbuilders.com

There are so many credit cards out there to choose from that
deciding which one to get can feel really daunting. What makes
one offer better than the hundreds of others you've seen? Here
are top 7 FAQs to finding the right credit card:

1. Are You a Student?

If you are, then you'll be better off with a student card. Your
application is likely to get accepted without problems. It would
be best to contact the bank where you have your student account
before you do anything else.

2. Are You Transferring a balance from another credit card?

If you are, then you need to be looking for a card with a low
APR on balance transfers. APR is the acronym for Annual
Percentage Rate. APR is the cost of credit, expressed as a
yearly interest rate. However, do be careful of credit card
offers that promise 0% introductory rates for say 6 to 9
months. There may be a catch somewhere!

3. Do You intend to Make New and Large Purchases?

If so, then pay more attention to the APR for purchases, which
is usually entirely different to the one for balance transfers.
You should also look at what kind of grace period different
cards offer, so you don't end up paying interest on your
purchases straight away.

Also called a "grace period," a free period lets you avoid
finance charges for a specified time before you are required to
start paying your balance. Without a free period, the card
issuer may impose a finance charge from the date you use your
card or from the date each transaction is posted to your
account. If your card includes a free period, the issuer mails
your bill at least 14 days before the due date so you'll have
enough time to pay.

4. Do You Pay Off Your Balance In Full Every Month?

If you have a lot of money or you only keep a credit card for
emergencies, then you might just pay it all off each time you
get the bill. If you do, then you're in a position where you
obviously don't need to worry about the interest rate much at
all, since you won't be paying any interest (make sure there's
a grace period, though).

5. Do You Need to consider Other fees?

Many issuers charge annual membership or participation fees.
Some issuers charge a fee if you use the card to get a cash
advance, make a late payment, or exceed your credit limit. Some
charge a monthly fee whether or not you use the card.

6. Need Good Customer Service Support by the Issuing Bank?

This can be an important factor especially in situations of
lost card or a charge that you wish to dispute. You want
customer service support that is friendly and helpful. Choose a
reputable bank that has excellent call center help.

7. Which Reward Program is suitable?

You may wish to consider the card that offers you the best
reward programs or frequent flyer points for your needs.

In conclusion, there will be plenty of offers of credit card
deals and "pre-approved" credit card application forms in your
mail. However, do take the time to shop around for the right
credit card for yourself.


About The Author: Elaine Lim used to be a research analyst from
a bank and now hopes to share her expertise through publishing
information on consumer credit. She hopes to help others in
their financial planning, debt management and credit repair.
For more free tips and resources, please visit
http://www.credit-cards-eguide.com.