Easy Steps To Have Full Healthy Hair

The first thing that most people think of when they think of hair is a brand name like Redken, Tigi or Nioxin yet most people that try these name brands also say that they would be willing to try another brand to search for better results. So there seems to be a hierarchy in the hair care world. First of all there are the drug store products that you can buy inexpensively but the surveys tell us that women and men that use salon shampoos have over 80% less hair problems that is very big!

This means that the first step toward better hair is to use a salon professional shampoo. However the next survey tells us that even these women and men are looking for better results. This was the foundation of developing Nourish Hair Care. Most salon products simply treat the hair with dimethicones that make the hair feel better but they do little to work on the health of the hair.

Nourish hair care uses a tri hair care approach. This means that Nourish products focus on the hair root, the scalp and the shaft of the hair. By focusing on all three parts of the hair the results over time are very beneficial. Vitamins for the hair and shampoo treatments for practically all hair types need to nourish the root and heal the scalp and this results in much healthier hair.

Healthier hair is vital for those that treat their hair. Chemicals can damage hair and strip nutrition. By starting with a healthier hair that is loaded with amino acid building blocks and hair vitamins the hair can have a much stronger bond and this resists damage.

So it is up to you! There are products that can make your hair look great and then there are products that can make your hair look great and actually be great by focusing on the health of the hair. Check out Nourish Brand Hair products online at http://www.nourish-hair-care.com

Check out Nourish Brand Hair products online at http://www.nourish-hair-care.com. We carry http://www.nourish-hair-care.com/ and other essential hair care products including http://www.nourish-hair-care.com to nourish your hair.Flossie Blog67305
Frannie Blog48840

Changing Trends in Patio Furniture

Furniture trends today are global, with influences from all around the world. Furniture today has an international language, from Asia, Australia, Europe, Africa, and America. The international trends express sophistication to tropical luxury. This extensive influence brings with it both flexibility and simplicity resulting in the modern and contemporary designs. Contemporary is now a commonly used word to convey simplicity of form. The new contemporary furniture designs are modern, minimal, smooth lines, uncluttered, un-fussy, light, and clean.

For patio or garden there are plenty of materials used but teak has always been related with patio furniture because of its unique qualities. Most of the garden or park furniture found in England is made of teak. Teak furniture has been the preferred choice as garden furniture since decades because of the unique characteristics of the teak wood. Teak garden furniture blends the style and design of your patio or garden with the practical durability and resistance to the harsh weather conditions and nicely constructed teak furniture lasts for generations. The designs offered by teak furniture manufacturers were mostly English designs most often called classical designs. These classic designs somehow do not fit in modern contemporary homes. More and more people were getting bored with the teak patio furniture mostly because of its designs. This made teak furniture makers to follow the new demand and adjust itself to the changing trends in the market place.

The good news for teak furniture manufacturers was that there are no hard and fast rules that must be adhered to when it comes to the latest furniture styles. Modern teak furniture should have the ultimate expression of form and function. This made teak furniture makers to manufacture products, which are simple in form yet functional. These new products of teak furniture were welcomed warmly by almost all teak lovers who wanted to have modern designs, which fits with their other home furniture. This gave rise to huge demand for modern contemporary patio furniture.

The most recent trend is to use a diverse blend of designs, with a strong international influence of ideas and options sourced from all over the globe. One of these trends is products made of stainless steel and teak. Stainless steel like teakwood is a long-term investment, as it takes less upkeep and lasts longer. It is fairly lightweight for the amount of strength it provides and is very easy to clean. It is available in a number of shades and styles, making it an aesthetically pleasing option. And, because it is corrosion and rust resistant, it has a much longer lifespan. In addition, stainless steel is 100% recyclable. 50% of new stainless steel is made from recycled stainless steel. This makes it a very environmentally friendly material. It can also be resold as scrap metal, adding that benefit to the investment.

Other outdoor materials like wrought iron, aluminum, synthetic wicker, sling fabrics, marble and stone are also blended with teak. These products have given ultra contemporary look to the teak patio furniture. However the sleek, simple and contemporary designs out of solid teak are still preferred by lot of teak lovers.

It is very important to study carefully before purchasing any of these products because of the difference in materials used. There are hundreds of synthetic wicker producers but only few reliable, proven brands. The stainless steel should be of specific grade for outdoor use and always look for Grade 304 or 316. The anodized or power coated aluminum is the right option for outdoor and one should pay close attention to materials used in any of these products.

Akhter Rasool Ahanger operates a teak furniture business. For more info please visit his website at http://www.shaantrading.comGwyn Blog47492
Fredericka Blog83268

BMW The Reliable Engine

I bet you dont know what BMW stands for. Its just one of those things you dont really think about, isnt it? But now youre wondering, so Ill put you out of your misery: it stands for Bavarian Motor Works. It is a company that has stayed true to its history, not changing its name, not changing its logo (which is derived from the Bavarian flag).

The company was established in 1913, at first intending to make plane parts but quickly dropping the idea in favour of motor vehicles when the 1919 Treaty of Versailles banned Germany from building aircraft. This paid off for the company, who set about making a name for themselves, first in motorcycles and then in cars.

However, the period in World War II when Hitler took over BMW and used its vehicles for war had a devastating effect on the company, and it took it until the late 1950s to recover. It was the launch of the BMW 1500 in 1961 that really made their name, and began to earn them a name for very well-made cars. By the 70s, BMW was one of the biggest and most successful car manufacturers in the world.

Most BMW cars are still made in Germany, but the company has been courting controversy in its homeland by gradually moving more and more production to China and Eastern Europe. It remains to be seen if this will damage their reputation for German engineering, or simply allow BMW cars to come down in price.

Today, BMW cars are considered by many to be expensive, but worth the price, because of the sheer reliability of their engines. They are often driven by the more mature kind of wealthy people who dont want showy, fast cars like Ferraris they just want a conservatively-designed car that works with no fuss.

John Gibb is the owner of bmw-resource2k.info, for more information on BMW's check out http://www.bmw-resource2k.infoHenrietta Blog42409
Harmonie Blog73237

Sharing the Apple iPod

The iPod, while standing as a technological marvel, perhaps will ultimately claim its place in history as a connector of societies and people.Yes, everyone knows and appreciates the fact that the iPod, or one of the other versions of the iPod, such as the iPod Nano can store, list and play hundreds, if not thousands of songs. The iPod's most powerful ability is the one that brings people together. The Apple iPod will never bring world peace, but it may bring together two strangers.When an iPod user sees another iPod user, a bond is created. Those ubiquitous white ear buds are more than just something that delivers music from the player to the listener.The ear buds act as the symbol and insignia of the iPod revolution.The iPod has something unique that can't really be translated into other forms of portable technology.The iPod is both personal and shared; everyone has an iPod story, or they accessorize their iPod in a certain manner. And, most important of all, many iPod owners and users are dying to either share the music on their iPod with a fellow iPod user, or is interested in listening to what's on someone else's iPod.

There are instances where people ask other iPod users 'what are you listening to on your iPod?' The Apple iPod Nano has a common element that isn't found in a Walk man, Disc man or a Blackberry. It is inconceivable that someone would walk up to a Blackberry user and inquire about the phone list that they have stored. Granted, a phone list is to be more protected than a music play list, but song selection is much more personal than the phone number of your hairstylist.

Seeing someone else with an iPod can sometimes create a sense of comraderie. The Apple iPod is, without question, the world's most popular portable music player. However, even though it has and enjoys tremendous popularity, not everyone has an iPod. And you can't really understand the iPod culture until you actually own an iPod.The Apple iPod is truly unique and stands alone in terms of appearance, design and accessories.And once you become a member of the iPod family, you want to meet all of your relatives. And you also want to share, and have music, shared with you.

Will the iPod open the lines of communication around the world and get people talking, listening and sharing? No, it won't do that, unfortunately. But, what it can do is that it can introduce iPod listener A to iPod listener B and exchange music, ideas, and maybe even an email address or two. Think about it: if you were in a foreign country, and wanted to know what was popular among the youth of said country, the best way to do so would be to listen to the music of the land. And, depending on your demeanor, most people with an Apple iPod Nano would be receptive to sharing their music with you. That doesn't mean running up to someone like a madman, trying to shove your ear buds into their skull. Rather, simply introduce yourself and your purpose, and you may find someone who is on the same mission as you!

Ned Roberts loves his iPod. Visit http://www.millennium3000.com for great deals on the iPod.Florencia Blog79033
Flory Blog54557

Why Use the Hotel Safe?

Many of us are not as paranoid as we should be about our belongings while were on vacation. Stolen items are a frequent occurrence, howevereven in the best of hotels. The good news is that if youve picked a good hotel, you should be provided with a private, in-room hotel safe. Here are seven reasons why you should always make use of that safe for your belongingsespecially the expensive oneswhile youre on holiday.

Because wages can be low in many countriesand your digital camera can look tempting. Depending on the country youre travelling in, wages could be very low compared to what we make in the U.K.as low as a few pounds of less per day. Valuables such as digital cameras and jewellery can occasionally provide a compelling temptation for the odd less honest hotel staff, and this can happen at even the nicest of hotels. If the price they could get for your valuables could provide a few months worth of wages its not difficult to see you need to take precautions. If you want to help people in less fortunate countries, research charities and make a healthy donation of your own free willdont let your contribution be inadvertent.

Because British passports are valuable on the black market. British passports are at a premium in some countries. Many people who do business in false passports often actually use real ones stolen from travellers. Pickpockets are as much of a problem elsewhere as they are in London, so its not necessarily safest to keep your passport on you at all times. Its vital when youre in a foreign country to keep your passport under lock and key.

Because youre not the only one with a key to your room. The cleaning staff has a key. The concierge has a key. With all these extra keys, who knows who could be in your room when youre out? Knowing this, its best to protect your valuables from anyone who comes into your room.

Because you could get the sack if you dont. If youre on a business trip, chances are you have along some expensive equipmenta laptop, a BlackBerry, company equipment to demonstrate, etc. If your companys property comes back damagedor doesnt come back at allyou could be the one who gets the blame. Prevent anything so drastic from happening by using the hotel safe to protect your companys valuables.

Because leaving money on your nightstand is like asking for someone to take it. And not necessarily with the intention of robbing you. Cleaning staff could think youre leaving them a tip if you leave out a few bills on your nightstand, dresser, or countertop. Tipping is the polite thing to do when youre staying in a hotel, but make sure you do it intentionally.

When we travel, we often carry more money with us than we would at homein the form of cash or travellers cheques. But you dont want to carry all that money on you in a new cityits too easy to be robbed or pick pocketed. And its not safe to leave it sitting out on your dresser, either. Keep your money in the hotel safe, and youll have much more peace of mind while youre out exploring.

Because identity theft can happen anywhere. If youve brought credit cards, a social security card, a passport, a cheque book, or any other personal documents with you, dont leave them where others can see themincluding out in plain view in your room. Its easy for someone to get hold of your room keythere are so many copies floating around the hotel, after alland copy down your pertinent information without taking a thing. Youll never know your identity was stolen until you start getting bills for things you didnt buy. Play it safe and use that hotel safeits there to protect you.

Even the most perfectly planned dream holiday can turn into a nightmare if you get robbed. So dont make yourself an easy target. Use all the safety precautions at your disposal, including your hotel safe.

Anthony Neary is director of http://www.thesafeshop.co.uk a major online supplier of safes and fireproof cabinets. For a range of safes The Safe Shop has a wide range of safes for home and business use. If you happen to be a hotel owner visit http://www.thesafeshop.co.uk/Categories/hotel_security_safes/.Flora Blog9742
Hedwig Blog36680

Why Kids Who Play Chess Outperform Their Classmates - Part I

Success at the strategy board game chess has long been considered an activity requiring superior mental abilities. What is becoming increasingly clear, however, is that chess can be used as a valuable tool to help develop various cognitive skills, especially in school-aged children.

This is the first in a three-part article that will present some scientific research about the value of chess in improving skills in traditional educational fields such as mathematics, science and language.

Several scientific studies have been published investigating the area of pattern recognition and recall between individuals of varying chess ability, ranging from master to novice. Evidence has shown that chess playing ability correlates strongly with recall of typical chess positions. When the chess pieces are arranged in random order, no such correlation exists. This indicates that memory is closely linked to the structure and relevance of the subject being recalled, and that the experienced chess player searches for familiar patterns and ideas.

Other studies have dealt with the more important issue of skill transference and the use of chess in facilitating the development of thinking and reasoning skills in children.

Christiaen Study

A study performed in Belgium in 1975 (later translated into English) was part of the doctoral thesis of Johan Christiaen ("Chess and Cognitive Development", 1976). He studied a group of 40 students for a two year period as they progressed through grades five and six to determine if chess playing could enhance their cognitive development. Much of this study focused on testing the theories of renown child psychologist Jean Piaget - in particular, his theories on cognitive development. Piaget holds that an intellectual maturation occurs between the ages of approximately 11 and 15. During this stage, the child moves beyond physical trial and error and begins hypothesizing and deducing, developing more complex logic and judgment. In Piaget's terms, the youngster moves from the "concrete" stage to the "formal" stage of intellectual development.

In Christiaen's study, half of the students were given chess instruction after school, while the other half received none. Several tests were conducted to evaluate the cognitive transition to formal operational thought processes from the preceding level of concrete operational thought processes. When the students were tested for this transition, slight but not significant improvement was seen in the group receiving chess instruction. However, significant improvement in academic performance at the end of each of the two years of the study (end of grade 5 and grade 6) was noted for the chess group in comparison to the non-chess group. Clearly, the group receiving instruction in chess had somehow gained an academic advantage over the control group not receiving chess instruction.

To read about more evidence on how chess can improve your children's scholastic abilities, check out the next part of this article series, entitled "Why kids who play chess outperform their classmates - part II".

Robert Sasata is a chess coach with over 20 years of teaching experience and has been master ranked chess player for even longer. To learn how to play chess and more about this intellect-enriching board game please visit http://www.rules-of-chess.comIanthe Blog52957
Heather Blog8248

Laser Hair Removal Process

Laser hair removal is becoming a popular, permanent solution to repeated body waxing, sugaring or Brazilian bikini wax. This procedure removes hair permanently over several sessions with the laser.

Are You a Candidate for Laser Hair Removal?

oFor best results, your hair should be darker than your skin. Fair skinned people with dark hair are the best candidates for this treatment.

oDark skin will absorb too much of the lasers energy. This can be damaging to the skin and the results will not be good.

oPeople with red or blonde hair may not respond well to treatment. The light color of the hair may not absorb enough energy to deaden the follicle. The results can be unpredictable.

oYou should not have this procedure done if your skin has a suntan. Avoid tanning for at least a month prior to treatment to give your tan time to fade. Dont tan until after all your sessions with the laser.

Hair Removal Process

Light energy from the laser penetrates the skin and deadens the hair follicles. This process inhibits future growth from the follicle. The process works best if your hair and skin tones make you a good candidate for the procedure. The result is permanent hair removal and an end to painful waxing, shaving or the continual use of hair removal crme.

Several sessions are generally needed. The hair follicles must be in the growth stage to be deadened by the lasers energy. Since not all hair follicles are ever in the growth stage at one time, more than one session will be needed to treat all follicles. The length and number of sessions needed will depend on the size of the area being treated and your individual response to treatment.

The procedure is generally not very painful. The pain has been described by patients as similar to the sensation of having a rubber band snapped against the skin. The pain is said to be less than that experienced with a Brazilian wax. Most people handle the sensation with no problem at all. If you have a very low pain threshold and are bothered by the sensation, a numbing crme can be applied prior to your session with the laser.

In most states, regulations require this procedure to be done by a licensed physician, who has been trained in the use of lasers. In some states a RN or Physicians Assistant can operate the laser under the supervision of a physician. This is a medical procedure and you shouldnt shop around for the best price. Instead, look for the most highly trained and experienced physician in your area. Ask for references and speak to other patients about their experience. This equipment can be damaging in the hands of a poorly trained person.

Cost of Hair Removal

The cost of this procedure is generally charged per session. Most clinics charge a few hundred dollars for each session. The total cost will depend on the number of sessions your skin requires and the area of the body being treated. Larger areas, such as the legs and back are more expensive, as they take more time.

Sessions can last from fifteen minutes to an hour, depending on the area being treated. Most people achieve total hair removal in three to five sessions. Although this procedure can be costly, you wont have to pay for other hair removal procedures in the future. If you add up what you pay every month for other products, you will find that the procedure will pay for itself in a few years. Many find the results well worth the initial cost.

Erica Bosworth is an experienced contributor to http://www.laser-hair-removal-tips.com an online guide. The publisher is also focusing on tips about laser hair removal ( http://www.laser-hair-removal-tips.com/ ).Gaye Blog99053
Helena Blog69003

The Oregon Tale: Traveling the State

Oregon is a place that isnt known for vacations: its not a large tourist attraction or an ideal spring break destination. It, quite simply, isnt famous. Because of this, its one of the most modest of regions. If someone were to ask Oregon if it was a nice state, in its own humble manner it would probably answer, Well, Im definitely top 50.

Despite not being known as a hot spot, Oregon is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Not only does it possess the naturalness of the Northwest - the land is paved with a tapestry of greens and browns - but it also maintains a sense of freshness, as if God is endlessly spraying it with Febreze. A place that quite simply has it all, Oregon is filled with mountains, valleys, rivers, lakes, plains, and even an ocean.

There are few places in Oregon where you wont find beauty with the exception of the far eastern plains (Oregonians naturally refer to this area as Idaho). The state itself is filled with limitless majesty and endless things to do. The following is a list that will merely get you started.

The Enchanted Forest - Just outside of Salem, the Enchanted Forest is one of the most unique amusement parks of all time. In an era where parks are trying to obtain the highest roller coaster or the fastest ride, The Enchanted Forest has stayed true to its roots.

Located in an actual forest, this amusement park is perhaps one of the only ones around that is geared toward younger children: teenagers need not apply. It contains rides and attractions based on fantasy and storybook characters. Among some of the themes featured are Alice in Wonderland, Mother Goose, Humpty Dumpty, the Old Lady who Lived in the Shoe, and Hansel and Gretel. For kids who are a little older, there are also bobsled rides, a haunted house, bumper cars, and water rides.

The Oregon Coast The Oregon coast isnt a place where you will find a slug of college party kids or girls aspiring to go wild; instead, this coast isnt your typical coast. In lieu of beach volleyball and bikinis, this coast has bonfires and clam chowder. The waters are often cold, too cold for swimming on most occasions, and people are just as likely to wear a winter coat as they are a tank top.

Because it is free of the typical coastal behavior, this coast evokes a sense of calmness and sereneness that other beaches can not possess. Going here for twenty minutes makes you feel as if your troubles could drift away, possibly carried off by a hungry seagull who mistook your worries for a piece of bread.

Oregons coast stretches for almost 400 miles, from Astoria (oh yes people, home of the Goonies) to Brookings. This vastness provides people with several things to do. From looking at lighthouses to shopping in boutiques, from whale watching to deep sea fishing, the Oregon coast is perfect for those with eclectic tastes. People may find enjoyment taking a scenic drive or staying at a beachfront hotel. Others may find certain attractions - such as the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area and the Sea Lion Caves in Florence - more appealing. No matter what you find to do, youll find that the Oregon Coast is a sure, or shore, bet.

Mt. Hood - Mt. Hood might not be the Alps or the Rocky Mountains, but you probably wont mind. Home to four ski areas - including the only ski area in North America that is open year round - Mt. Hood is filled with volcanic slopes, valleys, and rivers. Perhaps the furthest thing from skiing, fruit growing is also something this region is famous for. From grapes to apples, from blueberries to pears and apricots, the only thing you cant grow here is bored.

After a day on the slopes or a day of harvest, many travelers find their experience continues at the Columbia River Gorge, right nearby. This is arguably one of the most magnificent places in the nation: its as if verses of America the Beautiful were written with this gorge in mind. Containing Multnomah Falls, one of the 77 waterfalls in the area, visitors here cant help but ask, Niagara who? Six hundred and twenty feet high, there are only three other waterfalls in the country that are higher.

The Willamette Valley - For people who like wine, otherwise known as people who are breathing, the Willamette Valley is a great place to visit. Located roughly 100 miles south of Portland, this valley is filled with rolling green hills, country lanes, and covered bridges. It reminds people of a simpler time of life, when neighbors said hello, people helped each other, and farmers' markets existed instead of Wal-Marts.

Three quarters of Oregons wine comes from the Willamette Valley: this is a valley known not only for some of the best Oregonian wine, but some of the best wine everywhere. Over 200 wineries are located here, waiting to offer the thirsty traveler a little taste of Oregon in the form of Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Pinot Gris.

The Shakespeare Festival - Where art thou Good Theater? Tis in Oregon. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival, located in Southern Oregon, is one of the oldest and largest not-for-profit theaters in the country. Tony Award-winning, this festival operates on an eight and a half month basis, producing eleven shows at a time in three theaters. Annually, this theater is home to over 780 performances and 360,000 patrons. For those who like literature, there is no better place to see Shakespeares words come to life.

Oregon is one of the best places to go for a laidback, unique vacation. It offers people a chance to experience a variety of things in an eclectic environment. Simply put, it is an Oregon trail of fun.

Jennifer Jordan is a senior editor for http://www.milleniumlimo.com/. Having been to a variety of countries - and Wyoming more time than she can count - her travel column can be found at the Millenium limo website. Halette Blog24331
Hali Blog5772

How Memory Foam Mattresses Scores Above Coil Spring Mattresses

Memory foam mattress and coil spring mattresses are two major forms of mattresses that are extensively being used to sleep on. However, when the question arises which one is more superior then commonly answer that comes is memory foam mattress. Actually, a memory foam mattress possesses many features, which are not to be found in a coil spring mattress. When we talk about the difference between the two, the first difference that comes out is regarding their durability. A normal coil spring mattress can suffice your purpose for about five years or little more. However, a memory foam mattress can last ten years easily without any compromise and there are some memory foam mattress producers which offer guarantee even up to twenty years.

In addition, promise you comfortable and restful sleep without any compromise. Other property of memory foam mattress that excels it to coil spring mattress is its capability to adjust to the different temperatures. Memory foam mattress can respond to different temperatures of your body and provides you complete sense of coziness. Your body weighs the most and is the warmest part of you and the mattress makes itself softest for your body, whereas your arms and legs are lighter and cooler, so the foam is a little more firm- this is very comfortable, not so much lying on the bed as floating on it! Coil spring mattresses do not have any such feature. They are neither temperature sensitive nor they conform to your body weight. Due to temperature sensitivity of memory foam mattresses, they can no doubt help a person who is confined to bed due to fever and is having high body temperature, while coil spring mattresses do not possess such feature. I think it would not be wrong to say that sleeping on coil spring mattress is like sleeping on rusty nails. Earlier, it was OK as we did not have enough options. However, now this is not the case and mattress market provides you various options.

Another feature of memory foam mattress that coil spring mattress does not have is that it provides gentle total body support. A coil spring mattress forces your body to adjust to the springs. It is like pushing your body. You are pushing the springs down to get comfortable and they push just as hard back no wonder many people wake up with aching muscles and stiffness. Memory foam mattress moulds itself to your body, because your body exerts its force into it yet your mattress does not push back, it gently accommodates you and your weight. As a result, when you lie on the mattress you feel very relaxed. If you find an opportunity to try these both kinds of mattresses, I am sure you will favor memory foam mattress.

Anupam Agnihotri is a high profile technical writer and business consultant provide you latest information about various Memory foam mattresses products available in the market. Fredelia Blog33487
Fidela Blog25036

Motorola KRZR K1: Elegance Personified

If you are the kind who prefer to have a mobile phone with cutting edge design and style, then the Motorola KRZR K1 is for you. The handset is perfect in its design and functionality, all in a single package. Offering an expandable memory upto 1GB and integrated music player, the Motorola KRZR K1 clamshell mobile handset has a host of latest multimedia features. The handset is designed to give you the best wireless experience.

Capture your special moments with the 2 mega pixel camera and 8x zoom and shoot videos of your special moments anytime and anywhere. The camera takes photos at a maximum resolution of 1280 x 1024 in JPEG format as well as lower resolutions for caller ID and MMS. Enjoy the latest music in different formats through the integrated music player. You can view songs by artists, albums, or search just as iPods do. A variety of extras come with the KRZR like an enhanced phonebook, preloaded java games and screen savers and Screen 3 technology which is one of the impressive features that allows information to be automatically downloaded and displayed on the standby screen of the phone. The KRZRs user interface is apparently quite good and intuitive. You can manage your pictures easily, play Java games and sync your contacts list with your PC via the built-in USB port. The handset provides hands free conversation via Bluetooth wireless technology and delivers connectivity experience with compatible Bluetooth enables devices.

The mobile handset provides 20MB memory plus Micro SD Memory Card for extra storage of your favourite things. The memory is just enough for your daily tasks and adding to its internal memory, external memory can be added of format microSD/Transflash memory cards. The battery life is terrific with five hours of talk time.

We can say that the Motorola KRZR is a decent upgrade from the RAZR V3m. But if you like customizable feature packed phones, this phone is not for you.

Keith Rickwood is webmaster of http://www.mobilerainbow.co.uk/. This website deals in contract mobile phones and Sim free phones on major six mobile networks in UK. Here you can find best mobile phones deals with latest handset and cheap mobile phone plans on popular mobile networks.Gael Blog47607
Goldina Blog73577

Farewell To The Worlds Favorite Croc Jock

Heres to Steve Irwin, the world's favorite croc jock, who entertained us with his ebullient pursuit of the reluctant crocs, pythons, and assorted non-human inhabitants of the earth.

How inappropriate it seems that he met his terminus as the result of an encounter with a stingray gone wrong. We would have thought his comeuppance would have resulted from the lucky snap by a disgruntled croc.

Fortunately, we have the videos to remember him by, but their good-natured enthusiasm for all creatures wild will forever be leavened with sadness about his stingray-crossed fate. We offer our condolences to his family.

His father, Bob Irwin, in declining a state funeral for Steve, said, "He wants to be remembered as an ordinary bloke."

Earlier, the senior Irwin told reporters, "Steve and I weren't like father and son; we never were. We were good mates. I'll remember Steve as my best mate ever."

Far be it from us to disagree with Dad, but to us and millions of his fans he was an ordinary bloke only if you take away the unique enthusiasm and talent that made him the worlds favorite wild guy in the wild.

He is to be buried on the ground of the zoo he founded. It seems more fitting that his ashes would be spread in the wild, so they might dust down on the creatures he loved to meddle with.

But who are we to say anything but, Steve, may the crocs be with you. Even more, may flights of crocs and a python to whip them up to speed accompany you on your trip into the eternal unknown.

Tom Attea, humorist and creator of http://NewsLaugh.com, has had six shows produced Off-Broadway. Critics have called his writing "delightfully funny," "witty," with "great humor and ebullience" and "good, genuine laughs." Geri Blog60551
Inez Blog51123

Advanta Platinum Business Credit Card - A Single Account To Handle All Your Business Credit Needs

The Advanta Platinum Business Card is designed for you if you are a business owner looking to consolidate business expenses onto one credit card account. You don't have to pay any annual fee and the introductory APR is set at 0% on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 months. After the expiry of the introductory APR, the APR for purchases and balance transfers is 14.24% variable which is Prime plus 5.99%. The APR is calculated on the maximum Prime Rate during a 90 day period. The APR for cash advances will vary according to your credit history and will be 5.99% or 11.74% + Prime Rate.

Through the reward program, you earn one point for every dollar spent on all purchases made with the Advanta Platinum Business Card and these points can be redeemed for various travel rewards or pre-paid bonus cards. Though there is no yearly limits to the number of points that you can earn yet the points expire in three years. If you prefer cash rebates instead of travel rewards, there is a rebate program available for you that gives cash back for purchases. Whether you choose the rebate program or cash back one, both are free. Many common Platinum Business features are found with this card, including auto rental insurance, extended warranty coverage, itemized expense reports and online account access. You can also take advantage of the discounts that are offered on various products and services from participating retailers and merchants.

With the Advanta Platinum Business Card you get a grace period of 20days and an exceptional business credit line of up to $50000, you also get $0 dollar fraud liability making life easy for you. If you are late in paying the bill you have to pay a late fee of $19 if your balance is less than $250 and if it is $250 or more then you have to pay $39 as the late fee. The over limit fee of the Advanta Platinum Business Card is $15 on balances under $501 and $29 if the balance crosses the $501 mark. The cash advance fee is set at 3%, a minimum of $5 and for convenience checks a maximum of $50. the same is set as the balance transfer fee as it is with the introductory offer.

To apply for the Advanta Platinum Business Card you only require very good credit and you can enjoy special savings on business products and services like discounts of up to 25% or more through the preferred arrangements with companies like Penny-Wise Office Products, IBM, Palo Alto Software and Ramada Inn.

The Advanta Platinum Business Card provides you with various internet account related services as well as online statements and management reports. The online account access helps you manage your account like requesting credit line increases; adding cardholders; requesting balance transfers and updating account information. You can pay your bills online and that too is free of cost, thus you not only save you time but money as well.

You also get a personalised business design, personalised business checks and a personalised billing date; hence with the Advanta Platinum Business Card you are the boss. The Advanta Platinum Business Card is accepted at over 28 million locations worldwide and with it you can access cash instantly from any ATM displaying the MasterCard, Cirrus or Maestro logos, so now you don't have to worry about carrying cash whenever you are on a trip, the whole world is your home. To top it all, the Advanta Platinum Business Card protects you automatically against theft and damage.

This article was brought to you courtesy of Anthony Samuel, the webmaster of http://www.apply-for-a-credit-card-now.com . A credit card directory where you can search, compare and apply for credit cards from leading credit card companies.Inez Blog51123
Gena Blog93539

Cats Claw Medicinal Herb

Cats claw is a large woody vine with small thorns at the base of the leaves. These thorns resemble the claws of a cat a fact that has given rise to its name. The thorns help the vine to attach itself to neighboring trees and climb up to heights of 100 feet. Cats claw is grown mainly in the Amazon rain forests, tropical and jungle areas of South and Central America, and in parts of Asia. Countries where the Cats claw vine is found include Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Trinidad, Venezuela, Suriname, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Panama. Peru has recognized cats claw as a valuable medicinal resource and given it protected status.

Cats claw has a long history of use that extends to over 2000 years in central Peru and other South American countries. Recent research has confirmed many traditional beliefs and uses. Traditionally Cats claw herb has been in use to treat a variety of diseases including asthma, arthritis, rheumatism, bone pain, urinary tract inflammation, gastric ulcers, hemorrhages, irregular menstrual cycles, cirrhosis, abscesses, diabetes, tumors and cancer. Cats claw herb has also been used to heal deep wounds, and to help in recovering from childbirth. Some tribes have also been known to use the Cats claw herb as a contraceptive, though this seems to require a very large dosage.

The use of Cats claw since the 1990s as an adjunctive treatment for cancer and AIDS shows its acceptance by modern systems of medicine as a serious contender in strengthening the immune system. In combination with AZT, Cats claw has been used in clinical studies of possible treatments for AIDS. Apart from cancer and AIDS, the herb's immune stimulating effects have made it useful in preventing strokes and heart attacks, reducing blood clots, and for treating irritable bowel syndrome.

Cats claw contains many groups of plant chemicals that account for its curative properties. These include oxidole alkaloids that are responsible for its antileukemic and immune stimulant properties. Other groups of chemicals and compounds are responsible for its anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties. A third group of compounds known as carboxyl alkyl esters contribute to its anti-cancerous and cell-repairing properties.

Medical researchers worldwide are very interested in studying Cats claw. The interest in Cats claw herb, which contains several groups of chemicals and compounds that bestow it with many curative properties, was natural, and has resulted in the preparation and marketing of several Cats claw extracts in many European countries. Patent applications in the US are pending for extraction methods of immunity strengthening drugs from Cats claw. With more researchers joining in from Spain, France, Japan, Germany, and Peru, the curative properties of this herb appear to have gained overwhelming acceptance by modern medical practitioners.

The inner bark and roots of Cats claw are used for the preparation of medicines. Cats claw is available to the consumer in the form of capsules and tincture. The tincture is prepared from pure Cats claw extracted in distilled water and 40% alcohol, and can be taken under the tongue or in water or juice. It is recommended to use 60 ml of tincture twice per day, or as required.

Patricia McDougall B.Sc., Chartered Herbalist. Originally from Peru, where she studied traditional Amazon herbs, Patricia is the Director of Research and Development for Amazon Botanicals LLC a leading manufacturer of medicinal herbs from Peru. http://www.amazon-botanicals.com/Cats_claw_herb_s/86.htmGwenny Blog40595
Genny Blog99982

Infidelity Recovery for a Relationship: A HUGE Problem

There is much information out there about the skills you need to rebuild a relationship after infidelity or other crisis.

But, there's a prior concern. Powerful emotional and cognitive (thinking) barriers exist that get in the way of using those skills.

Your intentions may be good, but eye-ball to eye-ball reality brings tension. The use of your new found skills evaporates and you shrink back to the negative patterns that create mistrust and distance.

Here's the problem: "How in the world do you and your partner get on the same page and begin remaking your relationship after the ton of hurt and distance you have experienced through the extramarital affair or other crisis?

I asked my clients to list 3-4 barriers that keep the two of you apart and stall the healing process.

I had over 9 pages of barriers that they listed. But, from that long I clearly was able to discern recurring themes. Below are listed 3 HUGE problems:

1. You try (very hard) but you don't get much. You ask questions. You probe. You want to know where he/she stands. You want more information. You want and need reassurance...but you don't get it. It seems that the more you try, the more He/she pulls away in his/her typical manner.

2. You back off. You are scared. You are cautious about what to say and do. You don't want to incite him/her. You feel like you are walking on egg shells. You watch and hope for some sort of indication that he/she wants the relationship. But... you are never sure. And...you feel the pain and tension internally. That's where it stays. You suffer quietly and alone.

3. Your eye is on the other person. You give him/her exorbitant power. You feel powerless to a greater or lesser degree. You hate this! You want to be your "self." But, feel stifled, unsure, broken and don't know what to say or do to break through the impasse. If only he/she would do something!

Does one of these make sense for you? Can you see yourself in this role?

Here's a simple exercise to help you move through this dilemma.

List 3 or 4 meanings that your partner's affair or crisis has for you. That is to say, what impact is the crisis having upon YOU? For example, how has is changed what you think about? how you spend your time? how you think of yourself? etc?

If you can begin sharing the personal impact of the crisis with your partner, you might experience less tension and beging seeing more progess.

Dr. Robert Huizenga, the Infidelity Coach, offers infidelity help and relationship advice for coping with extramarital affairs and marital infidelity at: http://Break-Free-From-the-Affair.com and http://Infidelity-help.com. Get articles and free downloads on emotional infidelity, coping with infidelity, the cheating spouse, signs of an affair, surviving infidelity and more.Haleigh Blog48631
Heidie Blog45792

Finance, Money and Internet Scams--4 Rules to Keep in Mind

Finance, Money and internet scams are everywhere. When shopping for online work at home, which home based businesses are real? It sounds like a straightforward question with a straightforward answer: just use common sense. But hold on a second. Not so fast. Do you think you can separate the scams from the legitimates? Have you seen all the various home based business offerings on the web?

O.K. Sure. If someone is offering you the Brooklyn Bridge for $1.99--It's a scam. But beyond that, how can you tell? These job opportunities are often counter-intuitive. What seems "too good to be true" is often real, and the legitimate-seeming businesses are a scam. But most people don't have the time or money to check them out.

I've spent the past five years researching and actually implementing many of these money making schemes on the internet, the ones most people tend to dismiss out-of-hand. And that's the problem. Most people dismiss them first, without giving a serious second thought to them. They think they know. But they don't. It's not as straightforward as people first assume.

Here I've compiled four rules to keep in mind when shopping for a home based business opportunity. This list is by no means comprehensive, but is a good thumbnail starter for those interested in home based businesses.

1. Look For Money-Back Guarantees.

Reputable companies will always offer money-back guarantees--most within 60 days--some with no time limits at all. Some companies (I'm thinking PaidSurveysOnline and Survey Scout) offer money-back guarantees, but must be contacted.

2. Avoid Excessive "Join-Up" Fees.

It's O.K. to pay for the initial program fee, but avoid companies that continue to ask for "dues" "bonuses," or "club memberships" after you've purchased their program.

3. Do Your Homework.

Find out how well the product is selling and what percentage of people ask for their money back. Go to Clickbank.com for the stats on thousands of products online.

4. Expect Some Extravagance and Exaggeration in the Ad Copy.

People aren't stupid. Ad copy writers know this. They know most intelligent adults can make adjustments for hyperbole in an ad.

Keep these four rules in mind and use common sense. If you keep an open mind, approach these offers seriously, and implement their strategies, many of them can make money for you.

John Buckley has owned a home based internet business for five years, and also reviews home based businesses for various publications. See more of his reviews at: http://www.Gojacksonia.comGeorgeanne Blog11573
Gusta Blog77498

5 Facts That Will Have Your Re-Writing Your Website In A Hurry

To view where the facts were gathered from to write this article, please click on the links below:

1. Jakob Nielsen for Sun MicroSystems (http://www.sun.com/980713/webwriting/)
2. Stanford Poynter Project (http://www.poynterextra.org/et/i.htm)

This article will highlight the differences between writing copy for the web and writing copy for print. Some of these facts go against intuition and against cultural norms. But, these facts detail how people read on the web.

There's no use in arguing against them. Instead you should embrace them and use this knowledge to your advantage. Here's what the facts are and how they're going to affect your website.

1) Where Do Eyes Go First When Your Homepage Comes Up?

Contrary to what you might think, it isn't towards the graphics or photos like in print advertising. Instead your prospects eyes will first go to the copy. Specifically your headline and sub-heads. Therefore, your first chance to engage the prospect is through copy. Not graphics.

Seeing as most web users look at a web page for only 3-15 seconds before deciding whether to stay or move on. The fact that they look at copy first has massive implications for your website. Fancy graphics won't make a prospect stay on your website. But a really strong headline and strong sub-heads will.

2) How Much Of Your Copy Do Users Actually Read?

The fact is that online users, on average, read 75% of the length of any given page. This is big news because most web pages will have the important conclusions, calls to action, and order information on the bottom 25% of any given page. That's a big no-no. Because it will never get read.

You have to have your call to action and order information presented early on your web page to ensure it gets read.

3) Why Do Most Banner Ads Produce Poor Click-Through Rates?

1.25 seconds. That's how long an average user will look at your banner ad. That's just enough time to perceive one image or 6 words (based on college student's average reading speed of 350 words/minute).

Therefore, banner ads that have animation, taking 4-5 seconds to run through a cycle, or more than 6 words must be reconsidered. However, if you really must keep your animated banner ad because "it just looks so cool!" I would suggest that you at least keep your company logo visible throughout the entire animation sequence.

4) Why Is Reading Online More Frustrating Than Reading Print?

Turns out that reading from a computer screen causes a person's reading speed to slow by 25% when compared to reading print. That means reading long copy can be very frustrating online. Break up the copy to help users through.

Have a few one line paragraphs.

Use headlines and sub-heads to summarize information. So users who are tired of reading word-by-word can quickly scan the rest of your document.

5) Are Your Web Page Users Not Getting The Whole Picture?

If you haven't made your web page truly scannable, prospects to your site may only be getting part of the sales message. Only 21% of online users read word-by-word. The other 79% scan a web page headline to headline. Sub-head to sub-head. Picking up only the larger, bolded or italicized copy.

Your sales message has to be read both by scanners and word-by-word readers. Therefore all your major selling points, benefits, call to action and order info must be in easily scannable type.

Otherwise your website will only generate 21% of the sales it could be. And for the money you put into your website, that's not good enough.

So, if online reading is so different from offline reading. Clearly your web copy has to follow suit. Take home message? Make sure your website is performing on all cylinders. Have a professional web writer write your website. It will save you money in the long run.

Aran Kay is a marketing consultant and freelance copywriter with experience working for Nintendo, Direct Energy, Kellogg's and more. He has written numerous marketing articles and includes a selection of them on his web site. http://www.ProfessionalCopy.ca is also your source for "The 52 Best Marketing Web Sites." It's a great resource and yours FREE just for visiting his web site.Geri Blog66876
Hildy Blog33995

Finding An Affordable Web Site Hosting Plan

Finding an affordable web site hosting plan is a must for new businesses or established businesses that are on a budget. Of course, as with most things, this is much easier said than done.

There are tons of hosting companies out there that claim to offer free or cheap web site hosting, but many of them have hidden fees or low quality services. A supposedly affordable web site hosting plan can quickly turn into a costly nightmare if you aren't careful. This is why it is essential that you do your homework and research a number of hosting companies before making any final decisions.

Comparing Costs

If you are looking for cheap web site hosting, then you will obviously need to compare the costs that are charged by different hosting companies. Specific costs to look at when searching for an affordable web site hosting plan include site set up fees, monthly or annual maintenance fees, and any other fees that may be associated with the plan.

It should be noted that some hosting companies offer free set-up. If you can find a web host who is offering this in addition to low monthly hosting fees, you will of course be much better with this host versus another who makes you pay for the same service.

Features

Things to compare in addition to the cost when looking for cheap web site hosting services include the amount of storage space received with the plan, the programming languages supported by the web host, and the amount of customer support offered. Some hosting companies will offer all of these features in their basic or most affordable web site hosting plan, and others will not.

You will also want to take a look at the other services offered by the web hosting companies that you are considering. Some cheap web site hosting companies provide additional services such as domain name registration and web building tools. If you haven't purchased a domain name yet or if you need help building your website, you may want to check to see if these services can be combined with the company's most affordable web hosting plan. This could save you an enormous amount of money.

Other Considerations

If you have found a cheap web site hosting plan that has all of the features you need to build your web site, there are still a few other things that will need to be taken into consideration before you sign on the dotted linethe most important being reliability.

Some hosting companies who offer an affordable web hosting plan have one major downfall: they aren't always reliable. Because you need the web site to work when people try to access it, reliability is going to be a must. This is why you should always ask hosting companies about downtime before signing up for cheap web site hosting. Last, but not least, you need to make sure that you will have all of the support you need if you choose the most affordable web hosting plan that is being offered to you. Specific things to ask about include technical support response time and customer service representative availability.

Cliff Posey, owner of CRP Marketing, owns and operates http://webbusinesstoolsonline.com. Cliff Posey has also operated several other successful web businesses including Love Song Cards and Radio Career Consultants. The content in this article was developed from his experience in these businesses.Gerda Blog73713
Giselle Blog33130

Here Are A Few Web Design Tips For Businesses Living In The Jungle

Web design has come a long way in 10 years. No longer can a business simply throw up a web site and expect their customers to drop by. It's a virtual jungle out there.

Some Internet veterans remember when their were just 3,000 web sites. Now, there are millions, and most of them aren't very effective in doing what they're supposed to be doing. The reason lies within the elements of the web sites themselves.

Web design is not an exact science, but it does require some planning. Here are a few tips that will help you design your web site with your human visitors in mind and with the search engines in your heart:

1) Include an About Us section on your web site. Make it easy for your visitors to find out exactly what you do. Be up front about it.

2) Use alt and title tags for design elements. Photos, videos, Flash presentations, and other visual and graphic elements can not be read by the search engine spiders, but alt and title tags can.

3) Give each web page a title. You will do better in the search engines.

4) Don't load your web site with graphics. Use them minimally, and then only to enhance your message.

5) Update your content every day, but don't move pages and change the URLs.

6) Like too many graphics, too much text will bore your readers. Don't bore your readers. Just include the pertinent and relevant information.

7) Start a blog. It really does work. Even if you don't get any readers, you'll get fresh content and inbound links to your web site, which the search engines love like circus clowns enjoy unicycles.

As the Web proliferates with more and web sites (web site traffic doubles every 100 days), the jungle will only get thicker. That means, the competition for traffic will get tougher and the search engines will start demanding more of web designers to attract attention from their spiders. If you plan on going online, you need to start studying design elements right now and learn how to make your web site meet the ever-changing standards of search engine friendliness and human visitor interest.

Design your web site with your customers' needs in mind, but learn what the search engines want to. It's the only way you'll survive in the jungle.

Randy Moretz has been involved in the telecommunications industry since 1993. He has owned and operated his own business since the early 1990s and currently serves as the guide and principle of The Cardinal Group. His corporate services involves the promotion of telecommunications technology, including Maxie the virtual attendant and Total Recall voice loggers, as well as Web design and hosting services. For more information about the latest communications technology for small businesses and Web services go to http://www.thecardinalgroup.org.Gwennie Blog70683
Henrie Blog43551

Changing Trends Lead To Popularity Of Online Education

A 2005 research report states that enrollment in postsecondary distance learning courses has increased from 1.98 million in 2003 to 2.35 million in 2004. Why are so many Americans choosing to earn all or part of their college degrees online? Hectic schedules and time crunches may be part of the reason, but changes in social and work trends also contribute to career changes, and prompt many people to turn to online education.

Layoffs, Downsizing, and Displacement: A Springboard for Distance Learning

With rare exception, we no longer graduate college, go to work, and retire from the same company we originally went to work for. Downsizing, rightsizing, voluntary severance packages, and early retirement all add up to the same thing: Displaced workers who want to return to work, whether in the same or a new line of work. Homemakers displaced due to divorce must often join the workforce, and need to learn or update career skills. In an effort to recover, and sometimes restructure their professional lives, greater numbers of people are turning to distance education.

Quality Education Programs Available Online

If you want to take online college courses, but are concerned about the quality of distance education as compared to traditional classroom instruction, don't worry. A 2005 survey found that 63% of academic institutions offering traditional undergraduate degrees also offer distance learning. In addition 65% of institutions report using primarily core faculty to teach online compared with 62% of core faculty assigned to teach classroom courses. If you want to enhance your t career potential, or train for an entirely new profession, online education programs offer everything from individual courses to graduate degree and certification programs. Make sure the online education program you choose is properly accredited and offers academic and technical support, and then get started on your first online college course.

Karen Lawson is a freelance writer whose professional interests include postsecondary education and academic ethics. She earned her BA and MA degrees in English from the University of Nevada, Reno. Karen is a writer for http://www.onlinedegrees.com.Franciska Blog94688
Gunilla Blog65438

Payroll New York, Unique Aspects of New York Payroll Law and Practice

The New York State Agency that oversees the collection and reporting of State income taxes deducted from payroll checks is:

Department of Taxation and Finance
New York State Income Tax Bureau
W.A. Harriman Campus
Albany, NY 12227-0125
(800) 225-5829 (in state)
http://www.tax.state.ny.us/

New York requires that you use New York form "IT-2104, Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate" or a Federal W-4 Form for New York State Income Tax Withholding.

Not all states allow salary reductions made under Section 125 cafeteria plans or 401(k) to be treated in the same manner as the IRS code allows. In New York cafeteria plans are not taxable for income tax calculation; taxable for unemployment insurance purposes. 401(k) plan deferrals are not taxable for income taxes; taxable for unemployment purposes.

In New York supplemental wages are taxed at an 8.2% flat rate.

W-2s are not required to be sent in New York.

The New York State Unemployment Insurance Agency is:

Division of Unemployment Insurance
State Campus, Bldg. 12
Albany, NY 12240
(518) 457-2635
http://www.labor.state.ny.us/business_ny/unemployment_insurance/unemployment_insurance.html

The State of New York taxable wage base for unemployment purposes is wages up to $8,500.00.

New York requires Magnetic media reporting of quarterly wage reporting if the employer has at least 250 employees that they are reporting that quarter.

Unemployment records must be retained in New York for a minimum period of three years. This information generally includes: name; social security number; dates of hire, rehire and termination; wages by period; payroll pay periods and pay dates; date and circumstances of termination.

The New York State Agency charged with enforcing the state wage and hour laws is:

Department of Labor
Division of Labor Standards
State Office Bldg. Campus
Building 12, Rm. 532
Albany, NY 12240
(518) 457-4321
http://www.labor.state.ny.us/

The minimum wage in New York is $5.15 per hour.

The general provision in New York concerning paying overtime in a non-FLSA covered employer is one and one half times regular rate after 40-hour week.

New York State new hire reporting requirements are that every employer must report every new hire and rehire. The employer must report the federally required elements of:

Employee's name
Employee's address
Employee's social security number
Employer's name
Employers address
Employer's Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN)

This information must be reported within 20 days of the hiring or rehiring.

The information can be sent as a W4 or equivalent by mail, fax or electronically.

There is a $20.00 penalty for a late report and $450 for conspiracy in New York.

The New York new hire-reporting agency can be reached at 800-972-1233 or 800-225-5829 or on the web at www.tax.state.ny.us/wt/newhire.htm

New York does not allow compulsory direct deposit

New York requires the following information on an employee's pay stub:

Gross and Net Earnings

explanation of wage computation if requested

itemized deductions

New York requires that employee be paid no less often than semimonthly; weekly for manual workers (semimonthly if commissioner of labor agrees); less frequently for FLSA-exempt employees paid over $600 a week.

New York requires that the lag time between the end of the pay period and the payment of wages to the employee not exceed seven days for manual workers.

New York payroll law requires that involuntarily terminated employees must be paid their final pay by next regular payday (by mail if employee requests) and that voluntarily terminated employees must be paid their final pay by the next regular payday or by mail if employee requests it.

Deceased employee's wages of $30,000 must be paid within 30 days of death to the designated beneficiary or surviving spouse; $15,000 within 31 days to 6 months to the surviving spouse, adult children, parent, sibling, niece or nephew, creditor, or person paying funeral expenses (in that order); $5,000 if more than 6 months after death to distributee, creditor, or funeral expenses.

Escheat laws in New York require that unclaimed wages be paid over to the state after three years.

The employer is further required in New York to keep a record of the wages abandoned and turned over to the state for a period of 5 years (after Dec. 31 of year report is filed).

New York payroll law mandates no more than $1.85 may be used as a tip credit.

In New York the payroll laws covering mandatory rest or meal breaks are only that all employees must have 30 minutes for noon meal from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. (60 in factory); another 20 minutes from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. if shift starts before 11 a.m. and goes after 7 p.m.; 45 minutes during shift of at least 6 hours starting between 1 p.m. and 6 a.m. (60 in factory).

New York statute requires that wage and hour records be kept for a period of not less than six years. These records will normally consist of at least the information required under FLSA.

The New York agency charged with enforcing Child Support Orders and laws is:

Division of Child Support Enforcement
New York State Department of Family Assistance
40 N. Pearl St.
Albany, NY 12243
(518) 474-9081
https://newyorkchildsupport.com/home.html

New York has the following provisions for child support deductions:

When to start Withholding? First pay period after 14 days from service.

When to send Payment? Within 7 days of Payday.

When to send Termination Notice? "Promptly"

Maximum Administrative Fee? no provision

Withholding Limits? Federal Rules under CCPA.

Please note that this article is not updated for changes that can and will happen from time to time.

Charles J. Read, CPA has been in the payroll, accounting and tax business for 30 years, the last fifteen in private practice. Glynnis Blog26284
Imogene Blog7228

Bank Operating Line of Credit and Letters of Credit

Banking - Business Loan Application

Operating Lines of Credit and Letters of Credit

You are probably wondering what a series on business banking essentials is doing on a natural health website.

Well, stress caused by financial worries will eventually adversely affect your health. Many business owners operate under constant financial pressure, and this series on commercial banking and commercial finance will arm them with the knowledge that they need to deal confidently with diverse business situations, and with their bank managers. Knowledge is comforting, it is the fear of the unknown that is stressful.

How can I help you? I obtained my Chartered Accountant designation (I'm retired now) in Australia. Upon moving to Canada, I worked for a wholly owned Canadian subsidiary of an American bank. Over time, I rose to become the Senior Vice-President responsible for the commercial finance division. This division granted flexible operating lines of credit, which included letters of credit for importers. In this career, I encountered numerous different types of businesses including trading, manufacturing and importing.

This is not intended to be a detailed accounting or banking course. I have put together the essential information you need in order to give yourself the best chance of succeeding in your business. I shall tell you what your bank manager would like to hear from you at your meetings. I shall tell you the early warning signs that your business needs positive action.

These comments are not for retail business; they apply to wholesalers, importers and manufacturers.

To cover the vast amount of banking information, even in thumbnail format, I shall break it down into various segments. Some will apply to your business, others may not. I am intentionally phrasing the segments in very simple layman's terms. I would advise you to discuss my advice with your accountant, or even your banker, before you decide to act on it.

This first segment deals with the initial loan application. It is assumed that you are applying for an operating line of credit, which may, or may not, include letters of credit. The actual loan within the line of credit will fluctuate at different times, depending on the cashflow, but the bank will put an upper limit which you cannot exceed without special authorization. The limit of the operating line of credit is determined by the bank after evaluating various aspects of your business, including your equity in it.

There is certain basic information that the financial institution requires in order to make the decision to finance your business. You must come to the appointment with the bank armed with this information, ideally accompanied by your accountant who prepared the information package.

" Financial Statements for the past three years

" Pro forma financial statement for the year to date

" Cashflow projections for the current year

" List of aged accounts receivable

" List of aged accounts payable

" Summary of inventory

From the above documents, the bank will ascertain whether your business was profitable in the past, and whether it appears to be profitable this year.

The cashflow projections will show how high the financial involvement will peak at, and how well the loan will be collateralized at any given time.

The accounts receivable list will disclose the quality of the customers and whether a significant percentage of them is delinquent.

The accounts payable list will reveal whether your business is up-to-date with its payments to suppliers.

The inventory summary will show the nature of the inventory and give an indication of whether it can be sold readily.

In addition to examining the above documentation in detail, be aware that a credit check will be done on the business to ascertain if there is any outstanding litigation, and as to its creditworthiness.

Knowing all this, be sure to have satisfactory explanations for any aspects that may appear detrimental to the bank.

It is important to keep in mind that the ideal customer for an operating line of credit, as far as the bank is concerned, is one who:

" Is profitable

" Needs the credit to finance profitable growth

" Does not require too high a loan/equity ratio

" Has adequate collateral to cover the loan at all times

" Has collateral that can be liquidated easily

" Has excellent credit rating

Your strategy? When making the loan application:

" stress the good value of the assets that support the equity of the business.

" Point out that the inventory is current, or can easily be sold.

" Explain that your accounts receivable are up-to-date and that delinquent receivables have been provided for.

" If you have unencumbered fixed assets, point out that there is additional collateral for the bank in them.

" Advise the bank that you have adequate fire insurance to protect the assets, and personal life insurance that could be used to protect the bank, if necessary.

" Recognise that the banker looks to collateral to repay the loan if the business fails. The banker is not really interested in intangible assets, such as goodwill, even though they could be very valuable.

Jay Chatterjee & his partner, Roshmi Raychaudhuri, maintain a site http://www.youngagainforever.com on natural health information and remedies. Stress plays an important part in health, and finances play an important part in causing stress. In order to use natural techniques to improve finances (such as meditation and mental concentration), one has to understand the basic principles of finance.Hadria Blog39940
Heida Blog29806

Learn To Plan And Save For Your Child's Education

Paying for a childs college education is one of the biggest expenses that parents will face in their lifetime, other than perhaps buying a home. Because of this, parents should take action early on and begin planning and saving when their children are newborns in order to make the most of their savings as well as eliminate any excess financial burdens from waiting until the last minute. There is a time scale of planning that parents should follow from 15 years until college until the day of college. This plan is very helpful and should be followed if at all possible.

When there are 15 years or more until college, then parents should open an Education IRA to save for their childrens college. This IRA has special restrictions and rules, so it is best to talk to your banking representative about the implications involved in this type of account. Also, when there are 15 years or more until college you may consider investing in some more aggressive funds. Aggressive investments should be reserved for this time period only because as the time for college nears you will want to ensure that the money is carefully guarded and not at risk.

When there are 10-15 years until college parents should start looking into prepaid college tuition plans. More and more colleges are offering this type of plan because the cost of tuition is rising exorbitantly and colleges want to offer parents an option for paying college expenses over a longer period of time. If you are not interested in this, then you could simply look into different savings plans supported by your state. This is a great help to many parents and should not be overlooked. In addition to this, during this time period you will want to ensure that any risky or aggressive investments are transferred to more conservative and secure investments.

When college is only five years away, you will want to make sure your investments correspond to the cost of college and that everything is stable and on the right track. If this is not the case, then you can either begin saving more aggressively during this time or rely on student loans to get your child through college.

When your child begins college if you realize you can pay for some of his or her education, but not all, then take out parent or student loans to make up the rest. However, take out the least amount of money in loans as possible. Although student loan interest rates are low, you will not want to be in more debt than necessary.

Finally, make sure you begin saving early and more than likely you will be able to meet your childs education needs with little or no extra support like loans.

Robert Michael is a writer for lacon college which is an excellent place to find college links, resources and articles. For more information go to: http://www.laconcollege.comHerta Blog25434
Halette Blog95198

6 Tips For Saving Gas

In the past months we have seen the price of gasoline soar higher than ever before, and this can be hard on people who have a budget that is tight. Even though gas prices have come down a slight bit, you still will want to do everything you possibly can to save on the money you have to pay out for gas. There are a variety of ways that you can save gas, and save money.

Tip#1 - Start Carpooling

Carpooling is a great idea for fellow students and fellow employees both. If you can find people that are going to the same place you are you can save gas by riding together. It may be a good idea to trade off on who is driving from week to week so no one person gets stuck having to drive all the time. If you have to take your children to school or other functions you can also work on trading off with your friends and neighbors to take them there.

Tip#2 - Public Transportation

If it is possible you can take public transportation to work instead of driving your car. Not only will this save you money on gas, but you will also be able to relax and not worry about having to drive through all that rush hour traffic. You may even be able to fit in a quick nap on your way to work or on your way home.

Tip#3 - Price Shop

Often it may be so convenient to buy your gas at the small gas station just up the road, but to save some money on gas you may want to check the prices at other gas stations that are nearby as well. Even if the difference is only a few cents, after putting hundreds of gallons of gas in you vehicle each year, those few cents are going to add up to quite a sum of money.

Tip#4 - Get Moving

You can save some money on gas if you start walking to where you are going, or you can ride a bike as well. You will not have to worry about paying to park your car, and the exercise will be great for you body. If you are walking or biking you will not have to worry about those huge traffic jams either.

Tip#5 - Take Care of Your Car

It is always important to take care of your car so it gets the best gas mileage possible. Also be sure to plan where you are going before you go so you will not have to backtrack and waste gas. If you can, you should use your air conditioning as little as possible because using it takes more gas. Roll down your windows and you will use less gas.

Tip#6 - Check your Tires

It is important that you check the air pressure in your tires as often as possible. If your tires are too low, or the pressure in them is unequal it can make your car burn more gas. You should also be careful how you drive. If you take off from every red light very fast you are going to burn more fuel, so it is best to take off a little slower.

These are a few tips that can help the money conscious person to save money on gas. Even as gas prices drop, these tips can still help you to save more money. Conservation is important, so take advantage of these tips, save money, and save gas.

Jackson Porter is a staff writer at http://www.automobileenthusiast.com and is an occasional contributor to several other websites, including http://www.environmental-central.com.Francene Blog85047
Glynis Blog25451

Drink Your Way To Good Health

If you really want to have great health, you can drink your way to it. Water is the substance of life. The majority of people on earth are dehydrated, and they don't even realize it. In fact, nutritionists report that about 80% of the people on earth are dehydrated. Before you assume that you are not in that group, because you don't feel thirsty, you need to realize that thirst really has nothing to do with dehydration.

You may also believe that you get enough water because you drink beverages that have water as an ingredient, such as coffee, tea, and sodas. Even though these beverages are made with water, when they are ingested, they actually cause us to lose water! You don't need other beverages - what you need is water. Those other beverages should be a once-in-a-while thing, not a daily thing!

Even though we can't survive under water, we are water oriented. 70% of the earth is covered by water, and two-thirds of our bodies consist of water. Approximately 83% of our blood is water, 75% of our muscles are water, 22% of our bones are water, and 74% of our brains are water. Our brains even float around in water!

With these percentages, it should be obvious as to why we require water to live. The water in our bodies is lost every minute of every day - through sweat, tears, and urination - and simply through our pores. You are losing water right now, at this very moment, and it needs to be replaced.

If you increase your water intake to eight glasses per day, in about a week's time, you will notice that you have more energy, your mind is clearer, your skin is healthier, and your food digests easier. Water will help you lose weight, remove toxins from your body, and help you absorb nutrients and vitamins.

Not just any water will do, however. You should avoid drinking tap water. Go with bottled water that has been purified or better yet, choose bottled spring water that is all natural. Tap water generally is full of toxins that you don't want in your body.

Furthermore, aside from your daily eight glasses of water, you should drink one glass of water for every cup of coffee or tea you have, as well as for every soda, and one glass of water for every cigarette you smoke - if you do smoke, and one glass of water for every glass of an alcoholic drink that you have. If you have unhealthy habits, you may find yourself drinking a great deal of water each day to combat the ill effects of those unhealthy habits!

Steven Godlewski is a self-made millionaire and is currently working with the staff at PillFreeVitamins.com He has an extensive background in nutrition as well as other health related fields. For more health-related articles or 2 FREE bottles of Liquid Vitamins see their website at: http://www.pillfreevitamins.comGuinna Blog95169
Gennie Blog73793

Teak Patio Furniture - What Makes It So Sought After

When it comes to teak patio furniture, you probably havent heard of it or seen teak patio furniture. That is because most traditional retailers dont sell it. When you go looking for teak patio furniture, you might end up feeling a bit frustrated and overwhelmed because you are stuck with options of pine, or plastic.

Pine Furniture

You will find this furniture is abundant, fast growing, and cheap. Its also low oil so it dries out quickly. Because of that, it needs special, frequent care or you end up having to replace it because of rot or damage caused by insects. You may not have time to properly care for your patio furniture, at least every three to four months, and even then you cant be assured that youre efforts wont be wasted. If this isn't reason enough to seek out genuine teak patio furniture than read on.

Plastic Furniture

Another other option that shows up regularly is plastic. While plastic is certainly an inexpensive option that requires little in the way maintenance, even plastic, while durable, will crack and become brittle.

Thanks For Teakwood

So, now you might be thinking well, there isnt any hope for having good, decent, durable patio furniture. Fortunately you can think again. There is one. Its one of, if not the best material for making outdoor furniture, high in oil and rubber, its teak. Thats right, teak wood makes beautiful teak patio furniture and teak outdoor furniture. Its a wood that can really stand up to the elements and so makes a long lasting, durable piece of furniture. Another benefit is that you dont have to worry about things like refinishing with your teak patio furniture.

Teak patio furniture looks good finished or unfinished because it takes on a beautiful silver patina as it ages and weathers. So leaving it in the elements is no problem, and its highly resistant to rot and insects. Without a doubt, teak is the best choice for teak patio furniture.

Time Honored Choice

There is one thing to consider - quality teak for teak patio furniture isnt grown over night or as quickly as pine for pine patio furniture. It takes almost a generation - about fifty years - for teak to develop into a usable wood. Because of that, teak used in teak patio furniture is limited, as there is a limit to the number of usable teak trees. This adds to the cost of your teak patio furniture and, of course, to the quality appearance of your teak patio furniture.

While traditional furniture retailers are always an option when looking for teak patio furniture, you might have better luck if you purchase your teak patio furniture online from an online teak patio furniture retailer. They will most likely have better prices because they will not have to think about storing the teak patio furniture since, often times, the teak patio furniture will be shipped from the factory.

John StidolphHeida Blog29806
Hyacinth Blog65676

Web Languages: PHP vs. ASP.NET

While the average web developer has a lot of options these days. It's really more of a bi-partisan system between ASP.NET and PHP, the rest being just independents. The battle rages between the supporters of the two languages, with no clear winner every coming out. While both can be used to complete the same project, it really depends on what you're looking for: price, speed, security, etc.

ASP.NET

If you program in ASP.NET you'll typically get too responses from the other side. Either you're rich (or your company is) or you're a Microsoft lover. While the name comes from Microsoft's old ASP technology, they made a huge leap with the .NET Framework, and the CLR allows you to use other languages for back end processing: typically Visual Basic.NET or C#.

ASP.NET's strength lies in object oriented features, and it's flexibility. Because of the CLR you can have C# programmers and VB.NET programmers working on the same project, or switch languages half way through and not have to rewrite all of your old classes. The .NET class library is organized into inheritable classes based around particular tasks, such as working with XML or image manipulation, so a lot of the more common tasks have been already handled for you.

Visual Studio .NET is a massive development IDE that (as long as your computer is fast enough) will shave tons of time of your coding. It has built in debugging along with IntelliSense, which allows for auto-completion of methods and variables so you don't have to memorize everything.

On the down side, ASP.NET is expensive. One it uses tons more resources on the web server so you'll require either better server or more servers in the farm. Windows 2003 and Visual Studio .NET are pretty tough on the pocket book as well. It's extremely rare for an ASP.NET app not to be running on IIS. And if you pay attention to any of the bug reports, you'll notice that Windows and IIS have had a bit of a history with vulnerabilities being exploited.

PHP

PHP works in combination of HTML to display dynamic elements on the page. PHP only parses code within its delimiters, such as . Anything outside its delimiters is sent directly to the output and not parsed by PHP.

PHP strength lies mostly in LAMP. The LAMP architecture has become popular in the Web industry as a way of deploying inexpensive, reliable, scalable, secure web applications. PHP is commonly used as the P in this bundle alongside Linux, Apache and MySQL. PHP can be used with a large number of relational database management systems, runs on all of the most popular web servers and is available for many different operating systems. This flexibility means that PHP has a wide installation base across the Internet; over 18 million Internet domains are currently hosted on servers with PHP installed.

With PHP 5 finally came exception handling and true OOP, but it still lack namespacing to prevent class naming collisions. PHP's type checking is very loose, potentially causing problems. Another drawback is that variables in PHP are not really considered to have a type. Finally, for some reason big corporations feel that if they're not paying for something, then it's not worth buying. If that's you're company's mentality, they just need to wake up and check out all the awesome free software that's out there.

So Which Is Better?

We'll I have my opinions and you may have yours as well. But in general, PHP is cheap, secure, fast, and reliable, while ASP.NET has quicker development time and is easier due to its class library system can probably be maintained more easily. Both are great languages, and it's up to you to make the decision.

Kevin Jordan is a software engineer and the creator of Scratch Projects. A web site dedicated to teaching others to program through actual programming projects instead of just giving away code snippets.Florella Blog51599
Grayce Blog70187

The Tooth Trolls Are Lurking

Every mother wants her babies to grow up happy and healthy and avoid the mistakes of their parents. In my generation, tooth decay was rampant. By adolescence, I had a filling in just about every groove and fissure on all my back teeth. I spent the summers at the dentists office and I hated going. Ugh!

This generation of mothers knows so much more than my mother and I did about oral health. First of all, they have been reading more and more in the media about how important the mouth is to whole body health. They are hearing the message that specific bacteria (not just a dirty mouth) are responsible for cavities and gum diseases, and by reducing the numbers of these organisms, and yes, even by eliminating them through good anti-bacterial self-care, mouth infections like cavities and gingivitis can be avoided before they start. Moms also know about keeping sugars and carbohydrates - those foods that feed the mouth bugs - to a minimum.

Mouth germs are not present when a baby is born. They are transmitted, often from mother to infant or caregiver to child. Although kissing your new infant on the mouth is part of a mother's instinct, be aware that those innocent and affectionate pecks you plant on babys lips may be loaded with bacteria that can cause tooth decay in your little one.

Most adults have Strep Mutans, a bacterium that is responsible for tooth decay. Other microorganisms in adults mouths that are responsible for gum disease can also pass from parent to child via saliva; from sharing eating utensils, cups, straws, and toothbrushes. When children put their fingers in Mom or Dads mouth and then their own, and when parents pre-taste Babys food from a common spoon, mouth bacteria can be transferred from one to another.

Here are a few tips that will help ensure your childs good oral health:

Give your baby her own toothbrush early on. She will love to watch you and imitate good brushing techniques.

Make sure you teach your child to brush his gums and tongue as well as his precious teeth.

Do not put toothpastes, especially with fluoride, on the brush because babies and toddlers tend to swallow the sweet and tasty stuff.

Be sure to brush your childs teeth at least twice a day until they are old enough to do it themselves properly. I brushed my sons teeth before bedtime until he was nine. I admit I am a bit obsessive about oral hygiene.

As toddlers, you can lay them across your lap, (sing to them if necessary to make it enjoyable) and be sure to remove the plaque on their teeth and gums everyday.

Before sleep is the most important time to brush because if the germs and sugars that cause cavities aren't removed, they have all night to do their damage.

Dr. Stephen Offenbacher, dental researcher at UNC, Chapel Hill , who is well-known for his studies on chronic periodontal infections as they relate to preterm births, offers good counsel. Oral infections are both PREVENTABLE and TREATABLE. I totally agree. If your little one learns from the beginning to get rid of the tooth trolls, he can proudly show off an eye-catching, attractive smile, healthy gums, and fresh breath . . . for a lifetime.

Sheila Wolf, RDH, affectionately called Mama Gums, has been a registered dental hygienist since 1971. She is currently enjoying writing, speaking, and consulting on various oral health issues. She has authored two award-winning books, Pregnancy and Oral Health: The critical connection between your mouth and your baby, and Your Mouth Could Be KILLING You. Both are available on her website, (a signed copy with a free oral health gift) at http://www.mamagums.com/about_book.html. Sheila also works with people privately as an oral wellness coach, educating and empowering people to keep their natural teeth for a lifetime, avoid gum surgery, and just possibly add years to their lives. You may reach Sheila through e-mail, www.Mama_Gums@cox.net, or in San Diego at 619 241-2201. Fleur Blog46870
Gene Blog25147

Save On The Cost Of Your Wedding Using Online Wedding Vouchers

As I am sure may or may not be aware, the average cost of a wedding in the UK is now 15,000+ and rising. I didnt believe it when I first heard it. However when you start looking into it, 15,000 is not a lot of money in terms of what it will buy you.

Consider the following list of wedding related products and services:

Balloons, Bridalwear, Cake Makers, Car Hire, Catering, Chocolate Fountains, Coach Hire, Dance Instruction, Dentists, DJ Hire / Disco, Dry Cleaning, Favors, Fireworks, Fitness Training / Advice, Florists, Formal Wear, Gyms / Health Clubs, Hair & Beauty, Hotels / Venues, Jewellers, Lingerie, Make Up,

Marquees, Musicians / Bands, Photographers, Solicitors, Stationery, Tiaras / Accessories, Toastmaster, Videography, Wedding Cars, Wedding Gifts, Wedding Planners, Wine Merchants and much more.

All these are services which you may or may not require when you get married. However a lot of costs will be incurred not matter how big or small your wedding is. As an example let me show you the following breakdown of costs which I took from an online wedding cost planner which can be found at http://money.uk.msn.com/planning/gettingmarried/wedding_cost_planner.aspx

Assuming you just stick with the default costings that the planner suggests which are in my opinion at best over optimistic then the results are still pretty scary. Here is the breakdown of costings:

Outfits & Rings

Wedding Rings 350
Wedding Dress & Alterations 700
Brides Shoes & Accessories 125
Brides Headdress or Veil 150
Bridesmaids Gowns 500
Grooms Suit 150
Grooms Shoes & Accessories 75
Bestman & Ushers Suits 100
Hair Styling & Makeup 75
Total 2,225.00

Flowers

Brides Bouquet 75
Birdesmaids Bouquets 200
Grooms Buttonhole 10
Bestmans Buttonhole 10
Flowergirls Flowers 25
Family Corsages 50
Ceremony Flowers 50
Reception Flowers and Decorations 150
Total 570.00

Ceremony

Venue 100
Officiant 100
Bellringers 50
Musicians 50
Registrars Fees 90
Total 390

Reception

Limousine or Carriage 300
Venue 600
Food & Service 1500
Wedding Cake 200
Bar 250
Total 2850

Evening

Brides Going Away Outfit 150
Musicians / Disco 250
Bar 250
Hotel Room 100
Total 750

Print Photos
Wedding Invitations 100
Orders of Service 100
Thank-You Notes 50
Photographer 400
Videographer 400
Extra Prints & Videos 0
Total 1050.00

Gifts & Other
Bridesmaids Gifts 100
Bestman & Ushers Gifts 30
Guests Keepsakes 100
Press Announcements 30
Honeymoon 1500
Other 300
Total 2060.00

This results in a total wedding cost of 9895.00

As you can see the costs involved are substantially and extensive in terms of the range of services needed. Therefore a lot of brides and grooms are looking to save money where they can on the overall cost of the BIG DAY.

There is a website called http://www.myweddingdreams.co.uk which offers to do just that. They produce wedding vouchers for wedding suppliers, which are distributed at wedding shows in the south of England. As well as sending these vouchers out to wedding shows, they are also placed online where brides can search for wedding suppliers using any combination of area and category. For example they could search for Cake Makers in Surrey. Any suppliers who have a voucher will be show together with a link to the voucher. The bride or groom can they choose to print off this voucher if they wish and then redeem this with the supplier.

The site also offers details on upcoming wedding shows in different areas together with useful information on planning for your wedding. The site is well put together and reasonably straight forward to use. So what are you waiting for. Why not log on to http://www.myweddingdreams.co.uk and see if you can save yourself some money.

Steve Simpson is a web developer who works for http://myweddingdreams.co.uk, feel free to reproduce this article as often as you like, please link to http://www.myweddingdreams.co.uk so that we can lower the cost of weddings brides and grooms everywhereGuillema Blog62682
Fionna Blog19433