Parents of daughters have always been concerned about who and what their daughters see as they grow up. These parents wonder if their children will manage to survive the preteen and adolescent years without getting caught up with the wrong crowd, hurting her reputation with any wild or crazy antics, and most importantly by simply staying true to herself and her upbringing.
Fortunately, there are easy ways to tell if your child is on the right track.
1. Her Friends
One of the most obvious ways to check up on your daughter is to see what sort of friends she has. If her friends show a rather disturbing lack of control or a vocabulary fraught with terms you had hoped your child would never hear, there may be a problem.
Hanging around with lots of different people is just as typical as a tight group of girlfriends, but see who exactly your daughter spends most of her time with and then very discreetly check up on them and their parents. Peer pressure is rampart at this age, so it’s crucial that you be playing with all the knowledge you can.
2. Her Shows
Some shows will be popular with teens and preteens regardless of content. However, you as the parent should be monitoring what exactly she is watching and what message she is getting out of it. Is your ten year old more tuned into Desperate Housewives than Miley Cyrus? If so, perhaps you need to invest in blocking software or at the very least watch some episodes together to see exactly what messages your offspring may be receiving.
3. Her Heroes
We all look up to someone, even if we do it unconsciously. Who is your daughter most interested in? Does she try to dress like her friends? Is she interested in carrying the latest bag Paris was spotted with? Does she seem to want to follow in her mother’s footsteps? The person leading your child may not be the best role model.
Quality role models like Miley Cyrus are harder to find, but they are out there. Discourage interest in young stars that seem to have a hard time holding it together or who encourage wild partying and other activities you’d be uncomfortable with your own daughter participating in. Discreetly help her find someone to copy who is more palatable.
4. Her Grades
The age old stereotype of girls not being as bright in school is still alive and well. Dumb and ditzy seems to get boys on television and movies, so your daughter may be buying into that myth. If her grades are slipping it might be something as simple as needing a tutor in math (which you should provide, but you might avoid letting her pick her own if he is under the age of fifty) or it could be a symptom of something much more serious. It is worth investigating, regardless.
5. Her Clothing
It may seem trivial, but if your daughter is dressing up more like a club regular than a preteen school girl, you need to step in. Fashion is very important to young ladies, but certain fashions are simply not appropriate for school or girls under the age of eighteen. The wrong clothing can send and reinforce the wrong message. When shopping look for fashionable yet age appropriate outfits like the clothing worn by the Olsen twins or Miley Cyrus.
Above all, just remember, that all of the signs above may be pointing one way, when your daughter is heading another. Very little is permanent or long lasting at her age, so do all you can to help guide her in the right direction, then sit back and enjoy the ride.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Is Cheap Gas And Electricity Available Where You Live?
One of the growing phrases being used by the average consumer is that of the ‘postcode lottery’ but who would have thought that this phrase would be used when talking about gas and electricity prices. When deciding on buying a house, the last thing you think about is ‘How much is my gas and electricity going to cost in this area?’ but unfortunately it’s a question we may have to start to ask ourselves and the eager estate agents.
A study by independent consumer advice service Which? has found that living in East Anglia should be high up on your list when looking at moving or buying your first home.
Their studies have shown that a medium sized family house in East Anglia on a dual tariff (gas and electricity combined) would pay £895 to Scottish Power if on their standard pricing plan; compared to if they set up home in South Wales where their costs would increase by around £78.
It’d be wrong to simply put this down to the area where you live though. Where as the likes of car and home insurance companies choose to quote based on the risks attached to the areas they live in, quotes from utility providers are very different.
Before the deregulation of utilities within the UK, energy companies had a large dominance in certain regions. It was then decided that the market should be opened up to allow more competitiveness and help reduce prices for consumers. Since this happened, companies from outside the originally dominated areas have become to be quite successful, offering cheap gas and electricity prices and have ultimately become the winners.
A study by independent consumer advice service Which? has found that living in East Anglia should be high up on your list when looking at moving or buying your first home.
Their studies have shown that a medium sized family house in East Anglia on a dual tariff (gas and electricity combined) would pay £895 to Scottish Power if on their standard pricing plan; compared to if they set up home in South Wales where their costs would increase by around £78.
It’d be wrong to simply put this down to the area where you live though. Where as the likes of car and home insurance companies choose to quote based on the risks attached to the areas they live in, quotes from utility providers are very different.
Before the deregulation of utilities within the UK, energy companies had a large dominance in certain regions. It was then decided that the market should be opened up to allow more competitiveness and help reduce prices for consumers. Since this happened, companies from outside the originally dominated areas have become to be quite successful, offering cheap gas and electricity prices and have ultimately become the winners.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Is Cheap Gas And Electricity Available Where You Live?
One of the growing phrases being used by the average consumer is that of the ‘postcode lottery’ but who would have thought that this phrase would be used when talking about gas and electricity prices. When deciding on buying a house, the last thing you think about is ‘How much is my gas and electricity going to cost in this area?’ but unfortunately it’s a question we may have to start to ask ourselves and the eager estate agents.
A study by independent consumer advice service Which? has found that living in East Anglia should be high up on your list when looking at moving or buying your first home.
Their studies have shown that a medium sized family house in East Anglia on a dual tariff (gas and electricity combined) would pay £895 to Scottish Power if on their standard pricing plan; compared to if they set up home in South Wales where their costs would increase by around £78.
It’d be wrong to simply put this down to the area where you live though. Where as the likes of car and home insurance companies choose to quote based on the risks attached to the areas they live in, quotes from utility providers are very different.
Before the deregulation of utilities within the UK, energy companies had a large dominance in certain regions. It was then decided that the market should be opened up to allow more competitiveness and help reduce prices for consumers. Since this happened, companies from outside the originally dominated areas have become to be quite successful, offering cheap gas and electricity prices and have ultimately become the winners.
The previously dominant suppliers have often been proved to be the most expensive amongst suppliers and have had to work on their quality of services to compensate this.
A study by independent consumer advice service Which? has found that living in East Anglia should be high up on your list when looking at moving or buying your first home.
Their studies have shown that a medium sized family house in East Anglia on a dual tariff (gas and electricity combined) would pay £895 to Scottish Power if on their standard pricing plan; compared to if they set up home in South Wales where their costs would increase by around £78.
It’d be wrong to simply put this down to the area where you live though. Where as the likes of car and home insurance companies choose to quote based on the risks attached to the areas they live in, quotes from utility providers are very different.
Before the deregulation of utilities within the UK, energy companies had a large dominance in certain regions. It was then decided that the market should be opened up to allow more competitiveness and help reduce prices for consumers. Since this happened, companies from outside the originally dominated areas have become to be quite successful, offering cheap gas and electricity prices and have ultimately become the winners.
The previously dominant suppliers have often been proved to be the most expensive amongst suppliers and have had to work on their quality of services to compensate this.
Raksha Bandhan Festival in India
Raksha Bandhan festival is always celebrated on the full moon of the Hindu month Shraavana in all parts of India. According to English calendar, it usually falls in the month of August. Rakhi is being celebrated since ancient time and its popularity seems to be increasing with every passing year in all parts of India. The festival spells its magic on brothers and sister of all ages and creed. The Hindi word 'raksha' signifies protection and 'bandhan' means bond. Hence, Raksha Bandhan signifies that the strong must protect the weak from all that is evil.
Rakhi is celebrated with great excitement and joy across India and other parts of the world too, where Indians reside. From early morning everybody starts getting ready for this special occasion. On this Special Rakhi Day people generally prefer to wear traditional attires. Men mostly wear kurta pyjama on this occasion whereas women prefer to wear sari or salwar suits, which is mainly Indian tradition.
Raksha Bandhan is a special festival in Hindu religion that celebrates the bond between brother and sister by tying a holy thread around the wrist of brother. This thread is known as 'Rakhi.' The sister conducts aarti before her brother and put tilak of roli and rice on his forehead, so that he is blessed by God. It is believed that the thread tied by the sister has the power of protecting the brother.
After the ceremony is over, the sister feed the brother with sweets. The brother in return bestows gifts upon her, usually in the form of a small sum of money or gifts and he vows to look after or take care of his sister for her entire life.
With time, the Rakhi thread has become more fashionable and more trendy. It has become a fusion of tradition and modern lifestyle of people. The following are few of the types of rakhi available in the online Indian market: Gold Rakhi, Zardosi Rakhi, Pearl Rakhi, Silver Rakhi, Kids Rakhi and Fancy Rakhi.
The online sweet shop has different delicious sweets and gift shops have diverse range of rakhis and gifts to attract the buyers, young and old. Nowadays, chocolates and cookies are being looked as other options to the sweets that are exchanged. It is a much-awaited festival for the siblings. Not just a thread tying ceremony, it is the reunion and the awe-inspiring sentiments that call for the celebration.
Rakhi is celebrated with great excitement and joy across India and other parts of the world too, where Indians reside. From early morning everybody starts getting ready for this special occasion. On this Special Rakhi Day people generally prefer to wear traditional attires. Men mostly wear kurta pyjama on this occasion whereas women prefer to wear sari or salwar suits, which is mainly Indian tradition.
Raksha Bandhan is a special festival in Hindu religion that celebrates the bond between brother and sister by tying a holy thread around the wrist of brother. This thread is known as 'Rakhi.' The sister conducts aarti before her brother and put tilak of roli and rice on his forehead, so that he is blessed by God. It is believed that the thread tied by the sister has the power of protecting the brother.
After the ceremony is over, the sister feed the brother with sweets. The brother in return bestows gifts upon her, usually in the form of a small sum of money or gifts and he vows to look after or take care of his sister for her entire life.
With time, the Rakhi thread has become more fashionable and more trendy. It has become a fusion of tradition and modern lifestyle of people. The following are few of the types of rakhi available in the online Indian market: Gold Rakhi, Zardosi Rakhi, Pearl Rakhi, Silver Rakhi, Kids Rakhi and Fancy Rakhi.
The online sweet shop has different delicious sweets and gift shops have diverse range of rakhis and gifts to attract the buyers, young and old. Nowadays, chocolates and cookies are being looked as other options to the sweets that are exchanged. It is a much-awaited festival for the siblings. Not just a thread tying ceremony, it is the reunion and the awe-inspiring sentiments that call for the celebration.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Accounting for small businesses
The difficulty of successfully running a business is borne out by statistics showing that half of all start-up businesses will fold within five years.
Notably, the number of black-owned companies, which increased by 37.3% throughout the '80s, grew more rapidly than the U.S. population as a whole. And sales and receipts from black-owned firms grew even faster, more than doubling during that time. Unfortunately. black-owned firms fail at a higher rate {57,7%) than companies owned by any other ethnic group, Majority-owned businesses fail at a rate of 49.7%.
The reasons for business failure are myriad: poor marketing, undercapitalization and the lack of managerial skills-- namely the inability to keep accurate and current financial records.
Too often, careful accounting is the last thing small business owners think about, when in fact it should be the first. Yes, the small business owner is plagued with a host of worries--making payroll, acquiring products and selling goods. But business owners put themselves at a competitive disadvantage when they are not accounting-oriented from the very begining.
Many small companies fail to hire an accountant right away, says Wayne O. Leevy, managing partner in the Philadelphia office of Mitchell/Titus & Co. "You don't want to be in a situation where even the business structure (S Corporation, partnership or proprietorship) is not beneficial to the owners."
Leevy believes every business should start out with three basic advisers: banker, accountant and insurance agent. Before one even starts a business, a visit to an accountant is advised. This way, if nothing else, the business person understands the financial reporting responsibilities. An accountant will be helpful in formulating the business plan.
There is some fear of accountants, mostly in terms of cost. But getting it right the first time costs less than making up for mistakes the second time around. Besides, there are accounting firms that specialize in small businesses at reasonable prices--less than $100 a visit.
After about a year in business, Miami-based Apricot Office Supplies and Stationery Inc. found Watson & Co., an accounting firm that also was just starting out. This situation was ideal "because the accountants on staff were formerly CPAs at many of the major accounting firms," says Apricot's CEO Basil Bernard. "Since we were one of their first customers, we got top-class advice and recordkeeping at lower rates."
As a business owner who is just starting out, you need to review all the books yourself, says Bernard. "Keeping track of when the bills come in and when they get paid is part common sense. But after a while, you have to concentrate on just running the business." Getting Your Act Together
Accounting is fairly consistent across all business types. Every company needs to maintain a basic recording system, including a bank account that is used for all money transactions.
There are five things every business owner should do when dealing with a bank account, says Robyn T. Elliott, a Culver City, Calif., CPA who teaches a free course entitled "Recordkeeping for Small Business Owners" at the Entrepreneurial Institute in Los Angeles. They are:
* Maintain separate business and personal checking accounts.
* Don't have an automatic teller machine (ATM) card on the business account.
* Write checks instead of paying for items with cash. They serve as an accurate form of recordkeeping.
* Reconcile bank accounts monthly and make sure that all errors are corrected.
* Record all money that is dispersed.
"Many small businesspeople have a problem just understanding what they need to use the bank account for," says Ralph J. Grant, a partner in Oakland, Calif.-based Grant & Smith. Grant adds that businesspeople tend to spend cash. Or they do not deposit all money received. They also tend to write checks for expenditures. "It is the basics that people don't get."
One mistake that a lot of small businesses make is to include their sales tax as part of their bank accounts, notes Bernard. "At the end of the month, they're in dire straits to pay the IRS because they thought they had $1,000 in the account when they actually have $900."
Elliott adds a caveat. If a business owner writes 15 to 20 checks a month, he or she can probably maintain the company's recordkeeping on ledger books bought from the local office supply store. But if the business is writing 30 checks a month, "the volume is getting more complicated, and the small business person is going to need to see an accountant more than once a year," says Elliott.
Outside of balancing a bank account, another basic necessity is to keep files of all important documents. These would include invoices, receipts and contracts. "The filing system can be a problem," says Grant, especially when documents are not filed systematically or timely. "Putting a rubber band around a bunch of receipts and putting them in a box is not an ideal file."
Computerization is making it easier for small businesses to keep track of financial records and to stay current on accounts. Apricot keeps track of some 17,000 products-- from copiers to pencils-via a computer network and inventory software.
Using accounting software is just one step. "A software package is helpful, but it's not sufficient enough in and of itself to avoid using an accountant," says Joseph Mancuso, president of the Center for Entrepreneurial Management in New York.
Good software doesn't solve problems, warns Mancuso. Using a computer to keep accurate records may save time and money, by making it easier on a consultant, who won't have to rummage through poorly kept records.
"We're meticulous with our recordkeeping," says Apricot's Bernard, whose wife, Marlene, is the operations manager and handles the 6'year.old company's books. Last year, the company did a little over $2 million in sales.
CPA Elliott says small businesses should have checklists. Every week, a business should review accounts receivables and take action on slow payers; review accounts payable; keep current on taxes and reports to state and federal government; and stay up to date on payroll.
On a monthly basis, a business should scrutinize daily and weekly journals, post numbers to a general ledger; create a profit-and-loss statement; reconcile bank accounts; balance petty cash accounts; date accounts receivables to see what payments are late; and perform inventory control to reduce stock that moves slowly and increase items that move quickly.
While all of this looks daunting, it really isn't. Aside from that, "accountants aren't miracle workers," says Bernard. "If you give them garbage, you'll get garbage back."
Notably, the number of black-owned companies, which increased by 37.3% throughout the '80s, grew more rapidly than the U.S. population as a whole. And sales and receipts from black-owned firms grew even faster, more than doubling during that time. Unfortunately. black-owned firms fail at a higher rate {57,7%) than companies owned by any other ethnic group, Majority-owned businesses fail at a rate of 49.7%.
The reasons for business failure are myriad: poor marketing, undercapitalization and the lack of managerial skills-- namely the inability to keep accurate and current financial records.
Too often, careful accounting is the last thing small business owners think about, when in fact it should be the first. Yes, the small business owner is plagued with a host of worries--making payroll, acquiring products and selling goods. But business owners put themselves at a competitive disadvantage when they are not accounting-oriented from the very begining.
Many small companies fail to hire an accountant right away, says Wayne O. Leevy, managing partner in the Philadelphia office of Mitchell/Titus & Co. "You don't want to be in a situation where even the business structure (S Corporation, partnership or proprietorship) is not beneficial to the owners."
Leevy believes every business should start out with three basic advisers: banker, accountant and insurance agent. Before one even starts a business, a visit to an accountant is advised. This way, if nothing else, the business person understands the financial reporting responsibilities. An accountant will be helpful in formulating the business plan.
There is some fear of accountants, mostly in terms of cost. But getting it right the first time costs less than making up for mistakes the second time around. Besides, there are accounting firms that specialize in small businesses at reasonable prices--less than $100 a visit.
After about a year in business, Miami-based Apricot Office Supplies and Stationery Inc. found Watson & Co., an accounting firm that also was just starting out. This situation was ideal "because the accountants on staff were formerly CPAs at many of the major accounting firms," says Apricot's CEO Basil Bernard. "Since we were one of their first customers, we got top-class advice and recordkeeping at lower rates."
As a business owner who is just starting out, you need to review all the books yourself, says Bernard. "Keeping track of when the bills come in and when they get paid is part common sense. But after a while, you have to concentrate on just running the business." Getting Your Act Together
Accounting is fairly consistent across all business types. Every company needs to maintain a basic recording system, including a bank account that is used for all money transactions.
There are five things every business owner should do when dealing with a bank account, says Robyn T. Elliott, a Culver City, Calif., CPA who teaches a free course entitled "Recordkeeping for Small Business Owners" at the Entrepreneurial Institute in Los Angeles. They are:
* Maintain separate business and personal checking accounts.
* Don't have an automatic teller machine (ATM) card on the business account.
* Write checks instead of paying for items with cash. They serve as an accurate form of recordkeeping.
* Reconcile bank accounts monthly and make sure that all errors are corrected.
* Record all money that is dispersed.
"Many small businesspeople have a problem just understanding what they need to use the bank account for," says Ralph J. Grant, a partner in Oakland, Calif.-based Grant & Smith. Grant adds that businesspeople tend to spend cash. Or they do not deposit all money received. They also tend to write checks for expenditures. "It is the basics that people don't get."
One mistake that a lot of small businesses make is to include their sales tax as part of their bank accounts, notes Bernard. "At the end of the month, they're in dire straits to pay the IRS because they thought they had $1,000 in the account when they actually have $900."
Elliott adds a caveat. If a business owner writes 15 to 20 checks a month, he or she can probably maintain the company's recordkeeping on ledger books bought from the local office supply store. But if the business is writing 30 checks a month, "the volume is getting more complicated, and the small business person is going to need to see an accountant more than once a year," says Elliott.
Outside of balancing a bank account, another basic necessity is to keep files of all important documents. These would include invoices, receipts and contracts. "The filing system can be a problem," says Grant, especially when documents are not filed systematically or timely. "Putting a rubber band around a bunch of receipts and putting them in a box is not an ideal file."
Computerization is making it easier for small businesses to keep track of financial records and to stay current on accounts. Apricot keeps track of some 17,000 products-- from copiers to pencils-via a computer network and inventory software.
Using accounting software is just one step. "A software package is helpful, but it's not sufficient enough in and of itself to avoid using an accountant," says Joseph Mancuso, president of the Center for Entrepreneurial Management in New York.
Good software doesn't solve problems, warns Mancuso. Using a computer to keep accurate records may save time and money, by making it easier on a consultant, who won't have to rummage through poorly kept records.
"We're meticulous with our recordkeeping," says Apricot's Bernard, whose wife, Marlene, is the operations manager and handles the 6'year.old company's books. Last year, the company did a little over $2 million in sales.
CPA Elliott says small businesses should have checklists. Every week, a business should review accounts receivables and take action on slow payers; review accounts payable; keep current on taxes and reports to state and federal government; and stay up to date on payroll.
On a monthly basis, a business should scrutinize daily and weekly journals, post numbers to a general ledger; create a profit-and-loss statement; reconcile bank accounts; balance petty cash accounts; date accounts receivables to see what payments are late; and perform inventory control to reduce stock that moves slowly and increase items that move quickly.
While all of this looks daunting, it really isn't. Aside from that, "accountants aren't miracle workers," says Bernard. "If you give them garbage, you'll get garbage back."
Accounting for small businesses
The difficulty of successfully running a business is borne out by statistics showing that half of all start-up businesses will fold within five years.
Notably, the number of black-owned companies, which increased by 37.3% throughout the '80s, grew more rapidly than the U.S. population as a whole. And sales and receipts from black-owned firms grew even faster, more than doubling during that time. Unfortunately. black-owned firms fail at a higher rate {57,7%) than companies owned by any other ethnic group, Majority-owned businesses fail at a rate of 49.7%.
The reasons for business failure are myriad: poor marketing, undercapitalization and the lack of managerial skills-- namely the inability to keep accurate and current financial records.
Too often, careful accounting is the last thing small business owners think about, when in fact it should be the first. Yes, the small business owner is plagued with a host of worries--making payroll, acquiring products and selling goods. But business owners put themselves at a competitive disadvantage when they are not accounting-oriented from the very begining.
Many small companies fail to hire an accountant right away, says Wayne O. Leevy, managing partner in the Philadelphia office of Mitchell/Titus & Co. "You don't want to be in a situation where even the business structure (S Corporation, partnership or proprietorship) is not beneficial to the owners."
Leevy believes every business should start out with three basic advisers: banker, accountant and insurance agent. Before one even starts a business, a visit to an accountant is advised. This way, if nothing else, the business person understands the financial reporting responsibilities. An accountant will be helpful in formulating the business plan.
There is some fear of accountants, mostly in terms of cost. But getting it right the first time costs less than making up for mistakes the second time around. Besides, there are accounting firms that specialize in small businesses at reasonable prices--less than $100 a visit.
After about a year in business, Miami-based Apricot Office Supplies and Stationery Inc. found Watson & Co., an accounting firm that also was just starting out. This situation was ideal "because the accountants on staff were formerly CPAs at many of the major accounting firms," says Apricot's CEO Basil Bernard. "Since we were one of their first customers, we got top-class advice and recordkeeping at lower rates."
As a business owner who is just starting out, you need to review all the books yourself, says Bernard. "Keeping track of when the bills come in and when they get paid is part common sense. But after a while, you have to concentrate on just running the business." Getting Your Act Together
Accounting is fairly consistent across all business types. Every company needs to maintain a basic recording system, including a bank account that is used for all money transactions.
There are five things every business owner should do when dealing with a bank account, says Robyn T. Elliott, a Culver City, Calif., CPA who teaches a free course entitled "Recordkeeping for Small Business Owners" at the Entrepreneurial Institute in Los Angeles. They are:
* Maintain separate business and personal checking accounts.
* Don't have an automatic teller machine (ATM) card on the business account.
* Write checks instead of paying for items with cash. They serve as an accurate form of recordkeeping.
* Reconcile bank accounts monthly and make sure that all errors are corrected.
* Record all money that is dispersed.
"Many small businesspeople have a problem just understanding what they need to use the bank account for," says Ralph J. Grant, a partner in Oakland, Calif.-based Grant & Smith. Grant adds that businesspeople tend to spend cash. Or they do not deposit all money received. They also tend to write checks for expenditures. "It is the basics that people don't get."
One mistake that a lot of small businesses make is to include their sales tax as part of their bank accounts, notes Bernard. "At the end of the month, they're in dire straits to pay the IRS because they thought they had $1,000 in the account when they actually have $900."
Elliott adds a caveat. If a business owner writes 15 to 20 checks a month, he or she can probably maintain the company's recordkeeping on ledger books bought from the local office supply store. But if the business is writing 30 checks a month, "the volume is getting more complicated, and the small business person is going to need to see an accountant more than once a year," says Elliott.
Outside of balancing a bank account, another basic necessity is to keep files of all important documents. These would include invoices, receipts and contracts. "The filing system can be a problem," says Grant, especially when documents are not filed systematically or timely. "Putting a rubber band around a bunch of receipts and putting them in a box is not an ideal file."
Computerization is making it easier for small businesses to keep track of financial records and to stay current on accounts. Apricot keeps track of some 17,000 products-- from copiers to pencils-via a computer network and inventory software.
Using accounting software is just one step. "A software package is helpful, but it's not sufficient enough in and of itself to avoid using an accountant," says Joseph Mancuso, president of the Center for Entrepreneurial Management in New York.
Good software doesn't solve problems, warns Mancuso. Using a computer to keep accurate records may save time and money, by making it easier on a consultant, who won't have to rummage through poorly kept records.
"We're meticulous with our recordkeeping," says Apricot's Bernard, whose wife, Marlene, is the operations manager and handles the 6'year.old company's books. Last year, the company did a little over $2 million in sales.
CPA Elliott says small businesses should have checklists. Every week, a business should review accounts receivables and take action on slow payers; review accounts payable; keep current on taxes and reports to state and federal government; and stay up to date on payroll.
On a monthly basis, a business should scrutinize daily and weekly journals, post numbers to a general ledger; create a profit-and-loss statement; reconcile bank accounts; balance petty cash accounts; date accounts receivables to see what payments are late; and perform inventory control to reduce stock that moves slowly and increase items that move quickly.
While all of this looks daunting, it really isn't. Aside from that, "accountants aren't miracle workers," says Bernard. "If you give them garbage, you'll get garbage back."
Notably, the number of black-owned companies, which increased by 37.3% throughout the '80s, grew more rapidly than the U.S. population as a whole. And sales and receipts from black-owned firms grew even faster, more than doubling during that time. Unfortunately. black-owned firms fail at a higher rate {57,7%) than companies owned by any other ethnic group, Majority-owned businesses fail at a rate of 49.7%.
The reasons for business failure are myriad: poor marketing, undercapitalization and the lack of managerial skills-- namely the inability to keep accurate and current financial records.
Too often, careful accounting is the last thing small business owners think about, when in fact it should be the first. Yes, the small business owner is plagued with a host of worries--making payroll, acquiring products and selling goods. But business owners put themselves at a competitive disadvantage when they are not accounting-oriented from the very begining.
Many small companies fail to hire an accountant right away, says Wayne O. Leevy, managing partner in the Philadelphia office of Mitchell/Titus & Co. "You don't want to be in a situation where even the business structure (S Corporation, partnership or proprietorship) is not beneficial to the owners."
Leevy believes every business should start out with three basic advisers: banker, accountant and insurance agent. Before one even starts a business, a visit to an accountant is advised. This way, if nothing else, the business person understands the financial reporting responsibilities. An accountant will be helpful in formulating the business plan.
There is some fear of accountants, mostly in terms of cost. But getting it right the first time costs less than making up for mistakes the second time around. Besides, there are accounting firms that specialize in small businesses at reasonable prices--less than $100 a visit.
After about a year in business, Miami-based Apricot Office Supplies and Stationery Inc. found Watson & Co., an accounting firm that also was just starting out. This situation was ideal "because the accountants on staff were formerly CPAs at many of the major accounting firms," says Apricot's CEO Basil Bernard. "Since we were one of their first customers, we got top-class advice and recordkeeping at lower rates."
As a business owner who is just starting out, you need to review all the books yourself, says Bernard. "Keeping track of when the bills come in and when they get paid is part common sense. But after a while, you have to concentrate on just running the business." Getting Your Act Together
Accounting is fairly consistent across all business types. Every company needs to maintain a basic recording system, including a bank account that is used for all money transactions.
There are five things every business owner should do when dealing with a bank account, says Robyn T. Elliott, a Culver City, Calif., CPA who teaches a free course entitled "Recordkeeping for Small Business Owners" at the Entrepreneurial Institute in Los Angeles. They are:
* Maintain separate business and personal checking accounts.
* Don't have an automatic teller machine (ATM) card on the business account.
* Write checks instead of paying for items with cash. They serve as an accurate form of recordkeeping.
* Reconcile bank accounts monthly and make sure that all errors are corrected.
* Record all money that is dispersed.
"Many small businesspeople have a problem just understanding what they need to use the bank account for," says Ralph J. Grant, a partner in Oakland, Calif.-based Grant & Smith. Grant adds that businesspeople tend to spend cash. Or they do not deposit all money received. They also tend to write checks for expenditures. "It is the basics that people don't get."
One mistake that a lot of small businesses make is to include their sales tax as part of their bank accounts, notes Bernard. "At the end of the month, they're in dire straits to pay the IRS because they thought they had $1,000 in the account when they actually have $900."
Elliott adds a caveat. If a business owner writes 15 to 20 checks a month, he or she can probably maintain the company's recordkeeping on ledger books bought from the local office supply store. But if the business is writing 30 checks a month, "the volume is getting more complicated, and the small business person is going to need to see an accountant more than once a year," says Elliott.
Outside of balancing a bank account, another basic necessity is to keep files of all important documents. These would include invoices, receipts and contracts. "The filing system can be a problem," says Grant, especially when documents are not filed systematically or timely. "Putting a rubber band around a bunch of receipts and putting them in a box is not an ideal file."
Computerization is making it easier for small businesses to keep track of financial records and to stay current on accounts. Apricot keeps track of some 17,000 products-- from copiers to pencils-via a computer network and inventory software.
Using accounting software is just one step. "A software package is helpful, but it's not sufficient enough in and of itself to avoid using an accountant," says Joseph Mancuso, president of the Center for Entrepreneurial Management in New York.
Good software doesn't solve problems, warns Mancuso. Using a computer to keep accurate records may save time and money, by making it easier on a consultant, who won't have to rummage through poorly kept records.
"We're meticulous with our recordkeeping," says Apricot's Bernard, whose wife, Marlene, is the operations manager and handles the 6'year.old company's books. Last year, the company did a little over $2 million in sales.
CPA Elliott says small businesses should have checklists. Every week, a business should review accounts receivables and take action on slow payers; review accounts payable; keep current on taxes and reports to state and federal government; and stay up to date on payroll.
On a monthly basis, a business should scrutinize daily and weekly journals, post numbers to a general ledger; create a profit-and-loss statement; reconcile bank accounts; balance petty cash accounts; date accounts receivables to see what payments are late; and perform inventory control to reduce stock that moves slowly and increase items that move quickly.
While all of this looks daunting, it really isn't. Aside from that, "accountants aren't miracle workers," says Bernard. "If you give them garbage, you'll get garbage back."
You can overcome financing hurdles
The biggest obstacle faced by most potential franchisees in starting their businesses is, as always, finding startup capital. President Clinton has ordered regulatory changes designed to reduce certain bank-loan paperwork and encourage more loans for small businesses, but it can still be difficult for business newcomers to borrow money to buy a franchise.
One of the basic problems for banks considering a franchise loan is that "there is never enough collateral," says Dennis Jones, president and CEO of Hinsdale Bank & Trust Co., in Hinsdale, Ill. "People go into franchising because of the relatively low cost to get involved, and they usually use up a large portion of their net worth--or borrowing power in order to buy the franchise," he says.
"Franchise loans are unsecured cash-flow loans," says Thomas Mulry, vice president of National Westminster Bank USA, in New York City. Typically, he says, the money involved isn't enough to attract a bank unless the loan is for a restaurant or hotel franchise in the range of $500,000 to $1.5 million.
The market for money is expected to remain tight for the foreseeable future, at least among traditional banks, but some smaller banks are eyeing franchise financing as a growth market. "I think one of the last bastions of users of commercial banks' money is going to be the small-business owner, many of whom are franchisees," Jones says. "So there is hope."
If traditional bank loans are unavailable to you, there are alternatives, including personal savings, loans from family and friends, and money obtained through U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) programs. In addition, franchisors often prove instrumental in helping potential franchisees obtain start-up capital from banks and other sources.
Sometimes, a novel approach becomes a critical factor in a franchisee's success. Following are examples of how franchisees and franchisors are creatively meeting the challenges of financing:
Selling The Farm
Curt and Candy Holstein broke the rules of investing in a business when, in 1987, they bought two Riverside, Calif. franchises of Merry Maids, a home-cleaning company based in Omaha, Neb. The first franchise cost $50,000. "We financed the purchase of the first franchise by selling our house and 80-acre family farm in Nebraska," Curt says. '"We sold our heritage, and that was tough." The three-generation farm dated back to the turn of the century.
Candy, a schoolteacher, stayed in Nebraska to finish the school year while Curt moved to Riverside to start the business. When Candy joined him in California later that year, they considered an adjoining territory for a second franchise. "I felt that we needed the second area to accomplish the growth that we wanted, but I didn't have enough cash in the bank, and the franchisor didn't provide financing then," Curt says.
So the Holsteins bought the second franchise territory for $20,000 and put it on their credit card. "It is kind of embarrassing to have done it that way," Curt says. "An astute financial person would not have done that, but it was quick and easy cash for me."
The second territory allowed the Holsteins to increase annual sales to $10,000 the following year from $2,000 the first year, but Curt doesn't encourage people to follow his high-risk form of financing. "Let me put it to you this way," he says. "It was really dumb, and everybody advised against it."
At the time, he says, it was the only way to get the cash he needed for expansion, and his unorthodox strategy paid off. In 1992, sales for the two franchises totaled just under $600,000.
The Holsteins have no regrets, but they would not recommend selling the family homestead and using a credit card to finance a start-up. Instead, Curt and Candy suggest a conservative and thorough approach. The couple did do extensive research before launching their franchises, drawing up a formal business plan. 'You should understand your numbers before going in," Curt says. That means knowing how long it will take to break even and start making money.
Curt suggests that potential franchisees first approach a bank for financing, then try family, friends, and the SBA.
A final thought: "If you haven't put together some kind of pro forma game plan," Curt says, "then don't get into franchising, period."
Limiting Debt
A common-sense approach helps Dianna Nordyke's franchisees keep their initial investment and debt manageable while they support themselves and their families during the start-up phase. Nordyke is founder of Craters & Freighters, a packaging and shipping company based in Aurora, Calif. It specializes in large, odd-sized objects. "I don't like to see my franchisees invest more money than they have to," says Nordyke, who started the company in 1990.
A Craters & Freighters franchise, which is typically located in rented warehouse space, costs $30,000 to open if all of the equipment is bought new. Nordyke tries to help her franchisees pay less by requiring them to do a household inventory. "A lot of the equipment they need in the warehouse, such as power saws, drills, tool boxes, and saw horses, is stuff they already have in their garages," she says. "There is no sense in going out and buying brand-new things when they have perfectly usable things at home."
One of the basic problems for banks considering a franchise loan is that "there is never enough collateral," says Dennis Jones, president and CEO of Hinsdale Bank & Trust Co., in Hinsdale, Ill. "People go into franchising because of the relatively low cost to get involved, and they usually use up a large portion of their net worth--or borrowing power in order to buy the franchise," he says.
"Franchise loans are unsecured cash-flow loans," says Thomas Mulry, vice president of National Westminster Bank USA, in New York City. Typically, he says, the money involved isn't enough to attract a bank unless the loan is for a restaurant or hotel franchise in the range of $500,000 to $1.5 million.
The market for money is expected to remain tight for the foreseeable future, at least among traditional banks, but some smaller banks are eyeing franchise financing as a growth market. "I think one of the last bastions of users of commercial banks' money is going to be the small-business owner, many of whom are franchisees," Jones says. "So there is hope."
If traditional bank loans are unavailable to you, there are alternatives, including personal savings, loans from family and friends, and money obtained through U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) programs. In addition, franchisors often prove instrumental in helping potential franchisees obtain start-up capital from banks and other sources.
Sometimes, a novel approach becomes a critical factor in a franchisee's success. Following are examples of how franchisees and franchisors are creatively meeting the challenges of financing:
Selling The Farm
Curt and Candy Holstein broke the rules of investing in a business when, in 1987, they bought two Riverside, Calif. franchises of Merry Maids, a home-cleaning company based in Omaha, Neb. The first franchise cost $50,000. "We financed the purchase of the first franchise by selling our house and 80-acre family farm in Nebraska," Curt says. '"We sold our heritage, and that was tough." The three-generation farm dated back to the turn of the century.
Candy, a schoolteacher, stayed in Nebraska to finish the school year while Curt moved to Riverside to start the business. When Candy joined him in California later that year, they considered an adjoining territory for a second franchise. "I felt that we needed the second area to accomplish the growth that we wanted, but I didn't have enough cash in the bank, and the franchisor didn't provide financing then," Curt says.
So the Holsteins bought the second franchise territory for $20,000 and put it on their credit card. "It is kind of embarrassing to have done it that way," Curt says. "An astute financial person would not have done that, but it was quick and easy cash for me."
The second territory allowed the Holsteins to increase annual sales to $10,000 the following year from $2,000 the first year, but Curt doesn't encourage people to follow his high-risk form of financing. "Let me put it to you this way," he says. "It was really dumb, and everybody advised against it."
At the time, he says, it was the only way to get the cash he needed for expansion, and his unorthodox strategy paid off. In 1992, sales for the two franchises totaled just under $600,000.
The Holsteins have no regrets, but they would not recommend selling the family homestead and using a credit card to finance a start-up. Instead, Curt and Candy suggest a conservative and thorough approach. The couple did do extensive research before launching their franchises, drawing up a formal business plan. 'You should understand your numbers before going in," Curt says. That means knowing how long it will take to break even and start making money.
Curt suggests that potential franchisees first approach a bank for financing, then try family, friends, and the SBA.
A final thought: "If you haven't put together some kind of pro forma game plan," Curt says, "then don't get into franchising, period."
Limiting Debt
A common-sense approach helps Dianna Nordyke's franchisees keep their initial investment and debt manageable while they support themselves and their families during the start-up phase. Nordyke is founder of Craters & Freighters, a packaging and shipping company based in Aurora, Calif. It specializes in large, odd-sized objects. "I don't like to see my franchisees invest more money than they have to," says Nordyke, who started the company in 1990.
A Craters & Freighters franchise, which is typically located in rented warehouse space, costs $30,000 to open if all of the equipment is bought new. Nordyke tries to help her franchisees pay less by requiring them to do a household inventory. "A lot of the equipment they need in the warehouse, such as power saws, drills, tool boxes, and saw horses, is stuff they already have in their garages," she says. "There is no sense in going out and buying brand-new things when they have perfectly usable things at home."
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Criminal background check of greater depth will now be required of new Minnesota foster parents and of those renewing their licenses. One of the requi
Your dad counts as one of the most important people in the whole world as far as you are concerned, right? That is why you make so much fuss about pondering on the perfect dad birthday gift ideas that you could possibly include as part of your option. Do not fret because dad birthday gift ideas are in a wide array of choices!
There are actually innumerable choices that you could go for. If your dad has a favorite sport, get something that relates to his kind of sports such as a bowling or golf bag, a tennis racket, and the likes. It could be golf tees, golf balls, baseball, jerseys, and many more.
You may as well get him posters with his name inscribed on them. Another good idea is a personalized yet genuine quality business card for your dad. You may have a reputable printing company to do it through the use of the high quality business card software. You could pair it with some business card holder too.
Other choices include the followings:
1. Gift basket. One thoughtful birthday gift would be to fill a basket with delicious goodies which your dad would surely love.
2. Poems. Write a poem to your dad. You may not be a born poet yet it feels touching on his part to know your thoughts about him.
3. Getaway tickets. Your dad may surely want to go to a specific place. Why not buy his tickets and give him a good treat?
4. Sports set. Buy him the accessories he misses as he goes on with his favorite sports.
5. Movie treat. Take videos of your family members talking about how much you all appreciate your dad. This would be one real touching gift idea.
6. Photo albums. Make a scrapbook of your dad's oldest and latest photos. Guide him in his quest of commemorating the pieces in his life.
Above all, presenting him with personalized dad birthday gift ideas is a lovely thing to think of. Not only would you show your utmost effort in handing him a gift for his special day but also the thought that you incorporate in it would be manifested.
Find your choice of dad birthday gift ideas now and be a wise shopper. Let his day become special and memorable as ever.
There are actually innumerable choices that you could go for. If your dad has a favorite sport, get something that relates to his kind of sports such as a bowling or golf bag, a tennis racket, and the likes. It could be golf tees, golf balls, baseball, jerseys, and many more.
You may as well get him posters with his name inscribed on them. Another good idea is a personalized yet genuine quality business card for your dad. You may have a reputable printing company to do it through the use of the high quality business card software. You could pair it with some business card holder too.
Other choices include the followings:
1. Gift basket. One thoughtful birthday gift would be to fill a basket with delicious goodies which your dad would surely love.
2. Poems. Write a poem to your dad. You may not be a born poet yet it feels touching on his part to know your thoughts about him.
3. Getaway tickets. Your dad may surely want to go to a specific place. Why not buy his tickets and give him a good treat?
4. Sports set. Buy him the accessories he misses as he goes on with his favorite sports.
5. Movie treat. Take videos of your family members talking about how much you all appreciate your dad. This would be one real touching gift idea.
6. Photo albums. Make a scrapbook of your dad's oldest and latest photos. Guide him in his quest of commemorating the pieces in his life.
Above all, presenting him with personalized dad birthday gift ideas is a lovely thing to think of. Not only would you show your utmost effort in handing him a gift for his special day but also the thought that you incorporate in it would be manifested.
Find your choice of dad birthday gift ideas now and be a wise shopper. Let his day become special and memorable as ever.
Criminal Background Check Increased for Foster Parents
Criminal background check of greater depth will now be required of new Minnesota foster parents and of those renewing their licenses. One of the requisites includes fingerprints to be entered into a national database and will be submitted for a larger amount of criminal background checks. The new proposal was a $1.2 million-a-year overhaul helping to catch applicants slipping through cracks in the system.
Background check in Minnesota will be done at a state level, which will hopefully prevent sexual offenders preying on society’s most vulnerable children through exploiting blind spots in the system. In Wisconsin we see similar changes and the changes comply with a national shift with new federal standards.
A good example of excluding foster parents with a criminal record by performing criminal background checks is foster parent Perry Wayne Pfitzer. He was charged with sexually abusing his two foster daughters, ages 4 and 6, last summer in his home. Had a proper criminal background check been performed, records would have revealed that he had a 1982 conviction of indecent exposure “involving a minor” in a Blaine department store.
However, one of the problems involved in Pfitzer’s background check was that his misdemeanor was so old that it didn’t show up on his record. This is because Minnesota laws make it hard to not grant a license on a misdemeanor so old.
Anoka County’s director of community social services and mental health states that this will clearly give greater breadth to the background checks. He states that the proposal was meant to catch the blind spots and there are definitely blind spots.
The proposed bill, under the changes proposed by Tim Pawlenty, Gov. of Minnesota, would do criminal background check not only in the area of residence for the applicant, however, in the surrounding areas as well. Minnesota laws currently do not check in surrounding areas and state wide. Also, new applicants for foster care and those renewing license will be required to undergo fingerprint checks which would be compared to a national database.
The deeper check routine may in fact help catch molesters slipping through the cracks of the foster care system. An estimated $1.3 million dollars will be spent for Minnesota’s system overhaul. As the assistant commissioner for operations in Minnesota’s Department of Human Services puts it “it’s just simply a better way to do it.”
Background check in Minnesota will be done at a state level, which will hopefully prevent sexual offenders preying on society’s most vulnerable children through exploiting blind spots in the system. In Wisconsin we see similar changes and the changes comply with a national shift with new federal standards.
A good example of excluding foster parents with a criminal record by performing criminal background checks is foster parent Perry Wayne Pfitzer. He was charged with sexually abusing his two foster daughters, ages 4 and 6, last summer in his home. Had a proper criminal background check been performed, records would have revealed that he had a 1982 conviction of indecent exposure “involving a minor” in a Blaine department store.
However, one of the problems involved in Pfitzer’s background check was that his misdemeanor was so old that it didn’t show up on his record. This is because Minnesota laws make it hard to not grant a license on a misdemeanor so old.
Anoka County’s director of community social services and mental health states that this will clearly give greater breadth to the background checks. He states that the proposal was meant to catch the blind spots and there are definitely blind spots.
The proposed bill, under the changes proposed by Tim Pawlenty, Gov. of Minnesota, would do criminal background check not only in the area of residence for the applicant, however, in the surrounding areas as well. Minnesota laws currently do not check in surrounding areas and state wide. Also, new applicants for foster care and those renewing license will be required to undergo fingerprint checks which would be compared to a national database.
The deeper check routine may in fact help catch molesters slipping through the cracks of the foster care system. An estimated $1.3 million dollars will be spent for Minnesota’s system overhaul. As the assistant commissioner for operations in Minnesota’s Department of Human Services puts it “it’s just simply a better way to do it.”
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Criminal Background Check Increased for Foster Parents
Criminal background check of greater depth will now be required of new Minnesota foster parents and of those renewing their licenses. One of the requisites includes fingerprints to be entered into a national database and will be submitted for a larger amount of criminal background checks. The new proposal was a $1.2 million-a-year overhaul helping to catch applicants slipping through cracks in the system.
Background check in Minnesota will be done at a state level, which will hopefully prevent sexual offenders preying on society’s most vulnerable children through exploiting blind spots in the system. In Wisconsin we see similar changes and the changes comply with a national shift with new federal standards.
A good example of excluding foster parents with a criminal record by performing criminal background checks is foster parent Perry Wayne Pfitzer. He was charged with sexually abusing his two foster daughters, ages 4 and 6, last summer in his home. Had a proper criminal background check been performed, records would have revealed that he had a 1982 conviction of indecent exposure “involving a minor” in a Blaine department store.
However, one of the problems involved in Pfitzer’s background check was that his misdemeanor was so old that it didn’t show up on his record. This is because Minnesota laws make it hard to not grant a license on a misdemeanor so old.
Anoka County’s director of community social services and mental health states that this will clearly give greater breadth to the background checks. He states that the proposal was meant to catch the blind spots and there are definitely blind spots.
The proposed bill, under the changes proposed by Tim Pawlenty, Gov. of Minnesota, would do criminal background check not only in the area of residence for the applicant, however, in the surrounding areas as well. Minnesota laws currently do not check in surrounding areas and state wide. Also, new applicants for foster care and those renewing license will be required to undergo fingerprint checks which would be compared to a national database.
The deeper check routine may in fact help catch molesters slipping through the cracks of the foster care system. An estimated $1.3 million dollars will be spent for Minnesota’s system overhaul. As the assistant commissioner for operations in Minnesota’s Department of Human Services puts it “it’s just simply a better way to do it.”
Background check in Minnesota will be done at a state level, which will hopefully prevent sexual offenders preying on society’s most vulnerable children through exploiting blind spots in the system. In Wisconsin we see similar changes and the changes comply with a national shift with new federal standards.
A good example of excluding foster parents with a criminal record by performing criminal background checks is foster parent Perry Wayne Pfitzer. He was charged with sexually abusing his two foster daughters, ages 4 and 6, last summer in his home. Had a proper criminal background check been performed, records would have revealed that he had a 1982 conviction of indecent exposure “involving a minor” in a Blaine department store.
However, one of the problems involved in Pfitzer’s background check was that his misdemeanor was so old that it didn’t show up on his record. This is because Minnesota laws make it hard to not grant a license on a misdemeanor so old.
Anoka County’s director of community social services and mental health states that this will clearly give greater breadth to the background checks. He states that the proposal was meant to catch the blind spots and there are definitely blind spots.
The proposed bill, under the changes proposed by Tim Pawlenty, Gov. of Minnesota, would do criminal background check not only in the area of residence for the applicant, however, in the surrounding areas as well. Minnesota laws currently do not check in surrounding areas and state wide. Also, new applicants for foster care and those renewing license will be required to undergo fingerprint checks which would be compared to a national database.
The deeper check routine may in fact help catch molesters slipping through the cracks of the foster care system. An estimated $1.3 million dollars will be spent for Minnesota’s system overhaul. As the assistant commissioner for operations in Minnesota’s Department of Human Services puts it “it’s just simply a better way to do it.”
Insect Pest Control Products
If you have ever had to deal with insect pest control and the use of pest control products or are familiar with some of the chemicals that have been used through the years and how to read a Material Safety Data Sheet then you have an idea how dangerous some of this stuff can be around your home, pets and family. Since PETA got involved along with the Humane Society on cruelty to animals and the fact that they have rights too there have been more methods introduced to the market.
Know What Kind Of Pest You Are Dealing With
One thing you need to know what type of pest you have. Are you dealing with a insect pest control problem? Are you dealing with an insect infestation? Are you dealing with a bird problem or is it something such as a wild animal roaming around. Know what type of problem you have. Knowing is half the battle. Once you know what your insect pest control problem is then you will have a better idea of what type of help to call for. There are professionals that deal with pest control products and ridding your home and property of pests. If it is a wild animal problem then you may need to call in a specialist trained for your problem, such as DNR or Animal Control. In states such as Florida, there are specialists who deal with relocating pests such as alligators or snakes and so on.
Once You Know
Once you know then you can look in your local phone book, on the internet and talk to some people around you who might be able to recommend a company or someone who can help you. In some cases such as on a farm if a raccoon gets into your bird pens or coyotes get into your barn then you will have to act fast and shoot them before they kill your animals and destroy your pens.
Whether you are planning to use a live trap, ultrasonic or a more traditional insect pest control products make sure you know what you are using and if you are doing it yourself be sure you thoroughly read the labels for cautions and dangers to other animals and family. You may want to read up on prevention methods ahead of time to hopefully get a jump on even getting pests invading you. Do a bit of research and educate yourself. Remember knowledge is power.
Know What Kind Of Pest You Are Dealing With
One thing you need to know what type of pest you have. Are you dealing with a insect pest control problem? Are you dealing with an insect infestation? Are you dealing with a bird problem or is it something such as a wild animal roaming around. Know what type of problem you have. Knowing is half the battle. Once you know what your insect pest control problem is then you will have a better idea of what type of help to call for. There are professionals that deal with pest control products and ridding your home and property of pests. If it is a wild animal problem then you may need to call in a specialist trained for your problem, such as DNR or Animal Control. In states such as Florida, there are specialists who deal with relocating pests such as alligators or snakes and so on.
Once You Know
Once you know then you can look in your local phone book, on the internet and talk to some people around you who might be able to recommend a company or someone who can help you. In some cases such as on a farm if a raccoon gets into your bird pens or coyotes get into your barn then you will have to act fast and shoot them before they kill your animals and destroy your pens.
Whether you are planning to use a live trap, ultrasonic or a more traditional insect pest control products make sure you know what you are using and if you are doing it yourself be sure you thoroughly read the labels for cautions and dangers to other animals and family. You may want to read up on prevention methods ahead of time to hopefully get a jump on even getting pests invading you. Do a bit of research and educate yourself. Remember knowledge is power.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Will Your Daughter Be Okay? Five Easy Ways to Tell
Parents of daughters have always been concerned about who and what their daughters see as they grow up. These parents wonder if their children will manage to survive the preteen and adolescent years without getting caught up with the wrong crowd, hurting her reputation with any wild or crazy antics, and most importantly by simply staying true to herself and her upbringing.
Fortunately, there are easy ways to tell if your child is on the right track.
1. Her Friends
One of the most obvious ways to check up on your daughter is to see what sort of friends she has. If her friends show a rather disturbing lack of control or a vocabulary fraught with terms you had hoped your child would never hear, there may be a problem.
Hanging around with lots of different people is just as typical as a tight group of girlfriends, but see who exactly your daughter spends most of her time with and then very discreetly check up on them and their parents. Peer pressure is rampart at this age, so it’s crucial that you be playing with all the knowledge you can.
2. Her Shows
Some shows will be popular with teens and preteens regardless of content. However, you as the parent should be monitoring what exactly she is watching and what message she is getting out of it.
3. Her Heroes
We all look up to someone, even if we do it unconsciously. Who is your daughter most interested in? Does she try to dress like her friends? Is she interested in carrying the latest bag Paris was spotted with? Does she seem to want to follow in her mother’s footsteps? The person leading your child may not be the best role model.
4. Her Grades
The age old stereotype of girls not being as bright in school is still alive and well. Dumb and ditzy seems to get boys on television and movies, so your daughter may be buying into that myth. If her grades are slipping it might be something as simple as needing a tutor in math (which you should provide, but you might avoid letting her pick her own if he is under the age of fifty) or it could be a symptom of something much more serious. It is worth investigating, regardless.
5. Her Clothing
It may seem trivial, but if your daughter is dressing up more like a club regular than a preteen school girl, you need to step in. Fashion is very important to young ladies, but certain fashions are simply not appropriate for school or girls under the age of eighteen. The wrong clothing can send and reinforce the wrong message. When shopping look for fashionable yet age appropriate outfits like the clothing worn by the Olsen twins or Miley Cyrus.
Above all, just remember, that all of the signs above may be pointing one way, when your daughter is heading another. Very little is permanent or long lasting at her age, so do all you can to help guide her in the right direction, then sit back and enjoy the ride.
Fortunately, there are easy ways to tell if your child is on the right track.
1. Her Friends
One of the most obvious ways to check up on your daughter is to see what sort of friends she has. If her friends show a rather disturbing lack of control or a vocabulary fraught with terms you had hoped your child would never hear, there may be a problem.
Hanging around with lots of different people is just as typical as a tight group of girlfriends, but see who exactly your daughter spends most of her time with and then very discreetly check up on them and their parents. Peer pressure is rampart at this age, so it’s crucial that you be playing with all the knowledge you can.
2. Her Shows
Some shows will be popular with teens and preteens regardless of content. However, you as the parent should be monitoring what exactly she is watching and what message she is getting out of it.
3. Her Heroes
We all look up to someone, even if we do it unconsciously. Who is your daughter most interested in? Does she try to dress like her friends? Is she interested in carrying the latest bag Paris was spotted with? Does she seem to want to follow in her mother’s footsteps? The person leading your child may not be the best role model.
4. Her Grades
The age old stereotype of girls not being as bright in school is still alive and well. Dumb and ditzy seems to get boys on television and movies, so your daughter may be buying into that myth. If her grades are slipping it might be something as simple as needing a tutor in math (which you should provide, but you might avoid letting her pick her own if he is under the age of fifty) or it could be a symptom of something much more serious. It is worth investigating, regardless.
5. Her Clothing
It may seem trivial, but if your daughter is dressing up more like a club regular than a preteen school girl, you need to step in. Fashion is very important to young ladies, but certain fashions are simply not appropriate for school or girls under the age of eighteen. The wrong clothing can send and reinforce the wrong message. When shopping look for fashionable yet age appropriate outfits like the clothing worn by the Olsen twins or Miley Cyrus.
Above all, just remember, that all of the signs above may be pointing one way, when your daughter is heading another. Very little is permanent or long lasting at her age, so do all you can to help guide her in the right direction, then sit back and enjoy the ride.
Tips for Meeting Your Daughter for the First Time
After writing and publishing the story of how I found and met my father in Myths of the Fatherless, I began writing articles and blog posts about it in order to reach out to others. After publishing an article, "Tips for Meeting Your Father for the First Time" I was contacted by a dad who was going to meet his daughter for the first time and he asked me if I had any tips for that. So after thinking about what worked and what didn't work for me, as a daughter, I began to write down these tips and shared them with him.
In discussing some of this dad's particular circumstances, though, I came to realize that first and foremost you should do what feels right for you. And while mulling over what that might be, here are some things to consider:
1. Use a third party to locate the missing family member
It's not always easy to locate a missing father or daughter by yourself. If all else fails you can hire a private detective to do this for you. But then you may want to do the actual contact yourself. A private detective may be off-putting for a father or a daughter. However, one option is to locate another family member who may make that initial contact for you by forwarding an email or letter. Be sure to include your contact information in it.
2. Write a letter as your first means of contact
While there is the possibility of making first contact by using the telephone, expressing your feelings in writing allows you to make sure you've said everything you meant to say in the way you meant to say it. Receiving a letter from you also allows the daughter time to think over what you've said and to process it before responding. Communicating through writing at first can help ease an otherwise emotional situation. This is the time to tell her something about yourself and to tell her you're interested in knowing about her.
3. Show interest in your daughter and ask questions
A phone call can get everything off to a wrong start if, out of nervousness, you find yourself rambling on about yourself or your other kids. Not asking about her and listening to you talk about your other kids is the last thing the daughter wants the first time she hears from you—or even the second or third—especially not at the first meeting. In a child's mind, she may only think of you as "my dad." While some part of her realizes you could have other children, she needs some time to bond with you on a one-on-one basis. Be her dad for awhile—there's time to introduce the rest of the family later.
4. Share your feelings openly and honestly
The question in your daughter's mind—whether spoken or unspoken—is, "Why weren't you there for me?" Giving an open, honest explanation is important as well as not being defensive about whose fault it is. You need to take responsibility for your part and to be sensitive to your daughter's feelings—not in defending yourself. What she wants to know is that you love her and that you're sorry you missed out on knowing her.
5. Persevere in love
Hopefully, these tips will help get you started on beginning a long lasting loving father/daughter relationship. But don't be surprised or give up should you encounter some bumps along the way. It's an emotional situation and you may run into obstacles along the way. You may also encounter roadblocks set up by those invested in this relationship not taking place. My father and I had a few issues to overcome, but by setting loving intentions, we were able to work through them all and now have a loving father/daughter relationship. It took a few years, a lot of tears, and prayers, but it was all worth it.
In discussing some of this dad's particular circumstances, though, I came to realize that first and foremost you should do what feels right for you. And while mulling over what that might be, here are some things to consider:
1. Use a third party to locate the missing family member
It's not always easy to locate a missing father or daughter by yourself. If all else fails you can hire a private detective to do this for you. But then you may want to do the actual contact yourself. A private detective may be off-putting for a father or a daughter. However, one option is to locate another family member who may make that initial contact for you by forwarding an email or letter. Be sure to include your contact information in it.
2. Write a letter as your first means of contact
While there is the possibility of making first contact by using the telephone, expressing your feelings in writing allows you to make sure you've said everything you meant to say in the way you meant to say it. Receiving a letter from you also allows the daughter time to think over what you've said and to process it before responding. Communicating through writing at first can help ease an otherwise emotional situation. This is the time to tell her something about yourself and to tell her you're interested in knowing about her.
3. Show interest in your daughter and ask questions
A phone call can get everything off to a wrong start if, out of nervousness, you find yourself rambling on about yourself or your other kids. Not asking about her and listening to you talk about your other kids is the last thing the daughter wants the first time she hears from you—or even the second or third—especially not at the first meeting. In a child's mind, she may only think of you as "my dad." While some part of her realizes you could have other children, she needs some time to bond with you on a one-on-one basis. Be her dad for awhile—there's time to introduce the rest of the family later.
4. Share your feelings openly and honestly
The question in your daughter's mind—whether spoken or unspoken—is, "Why weren't you there for me?" Giving an open, honest explanation is important as well as not being defensive about whose fault it is. You need to take responsibility for your part and to be sensitive to your daughter's feelings—not in defending yourself. What she wants to know is that you love her and that you're sorry you missed out on knowing her.
5. Persevere in love
Hopefully, these tips will help get you started on beginning a long lasting loving father/daughter relationship. But don't be surprised or give up should you encounter some bumps along the way. It's an emotional situation and you may run into obstacles along the way. You may also encounter roadblocks set up by those invested in this relationship not taking place. My father and I had a few issues to overcome, but by setting loving intentions, we were able to work through them all and now have a loving father/daughter relationship. It took a few years, a lot of tears, and prayers, but it was all worth it.
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Will Soy Candles Be The Leader to Light the Future?
Ahhhh, the scent and sight of a burning paraffin wax candle and the appealing ambiance that it adds to any room! One may think that this scenario is innocence in its purest sense. There is, after all, that cozy feeling which makes one give thought to everything that's good in this world. That is until you take the time to get acquainted with the darker side of the world of paraffin wax candles.
Did you know that paraffin is a petroleum by-product which means that paraffin wax may be a risk to the well-being of your health? How is that, you ask? Well after petroleum is processed into gasoline, kerosene, motor oil, diesel and other fuels, the excess waste is then used in the production of paraffin which contains harmful toxins and carcinogens. Hmmmm.
The black soot buildup on your walls, ventilating system, furniture and so forth after burning paraffin wax candles is similar in composition to diesel soot. This dirty matter makes a deposit of unwanted and dangerous pollutants into our homes that endangers the health and welfare of family, pets, and ourselves when breathed into our collective lungs.
Studies have shown that cancer-causing agents released by paraffin wax candles are just as toxic as second hand cigarette smoke and can cause damage to the heart, lungs, circulatory system and nervous system. This is not a good thing.
Why then have scented candle sales increased to over 2 billion dollars annually over the last decade according to the National Candle Association? I'm not sure but I'd hazard a guess that the mesmerizing glow and soothing fragrances are part of why seven out of every ten households burn candles regularly.
Here's a question, though, that I'd like to pose to anyone that subscribes to the rules of common sense. It's the one that your parents or teachers of yesteryear asked when the majority was acting in an intellectually challenged way. I'll paraphrase it here : "If everyone was jumping off a cliff, would you do the same thing?" The same thing holds for paraffin wax candles but what alternatives are there to break this dangerous habit?
I'm glad that you asked. The answer is Soy Candles. Why the joy for soy? Soy wax is 100% vegetable by-product and not a petroleum by-product. Soy is completely non-toxic and non-carcinogenic and soy candles produce little or no soot to damage the surrounding room or to those with allergies or breathing problems. Soy wax is environmentally safe, biodegradable and is easily cleaned up with just soap and water.
Hold on, I'm not finished yet....Soy candles burn cleanly and evenly leaving very little to zero excess wax on the sides of the jar to eliminate waste. They also burn cooler than most paraffin wax candles which will lessen the risk of serious burns from melted wax. These babies also burn 30 to 50 percent longer than paraffin wax candles which makes them more economical to use. They also seem to hold their fragrances extremely well compared to the naughty petroleum by-product kind.
Did you know that paraffin is a petroleum by-product which means that paraffin wax may be a risk to the well-being of your health? How is that, you ask? Well after petroleum is processed into gasoline, kerosene, motor oil, diesel and other fuels, the excess waste is then used in the production of paraffin which contains harmful toxins and carcinogens. Hmmmm.
The black soot buildup on your walls, ventilating system, furniture and so forth after burning paraffin wax candles is similar in composition to diesel soot. This dirty matter makes a deposit of unwanted and dangerous pollutants into our homes that endangers the health and welfare of family, pets, and ourselves when breathed into our collective lungs.
Studies have shown that cancer-causing agents released by paraffin wax candles are just as toxic as second hand cigarette smoke and can cause damage to the heart, lungs, circulatory system and nervous system. This is not a good thing.
Why then have scented candle sales increased to over 2 billion dollars annually over the last decade according to the National Candle Association? I'm not sure but I'd hazard a guess that the mesmerizing glow and soothing fragrances are part of why seven out of every ten households burn candles regularly.
Here's a question, though, that I'd like to pose to anyone that subscribes to the rules of common sense. It's the one that your parents or teachers of yesteryear asked when the majority was acting in an intellectually challenged way. I'll paraphrase it here : "If everyone was jumping off a cliff, would you do the same thing?" The same thing holds for paraffin wax candles but what alternatives are there to break this dangerous habit?
I'm glad that you asked. The answer is Soy Candles. Why the joy for soy? Soy wax is 100% vegetable by-product and not a petroleum by-product. Soy is completely non-toxic and non-carcinogenic and soy candles produce little or no soot to damage the surrounding room or to those with allergies or breathing problems. Soy wax is environmentally safe, biodegradable and is easily cleaned up with just soap and water.
Hold on, I'm not finished yet....Soy candles burn cleanly and evenly leaving very little to zero excess wax on the sides of the jar to eliminate waste. They also burn cooler than most paraffin wax candles which will lessen the risk of serious burns from melted wax. These babies also burn 30 to 50 percent longer than paraffin wax candles which makes them more economical to use. They also seem to hold their fragrances extremely well compared to the naughty petroleum by-product kind.
How To Do Genealogy Research
If you are interested in performing genealogy research things are much easier for you than they used to be. In the past researching genealogy was very, very time consuming. You needed to visit a library, read lots of books etc. However today all you need is an internet connection and you are ready to get started.
On the internet you can find lots of very helpful records to help you in your research. You will birth records, marriage records, military records and lots more. These are simply invaluable for people doing genealogy research. Also helpful are the many genealogy forums and communities that exist online. You can visit these sites and ask for help and advice.
While the internet is a great place to do your research, you shouldn’t forget about more old fashioned ways altogether. First and foremost, if you are researching your own family history, talk to your relatives! Their stories can usually give lots of valuable clues and information. If you want to go really high tech you can also include DNA testing in your research. By performing a DNA test you can determine if people are really related or not.
Always remember to keep records when doing your research. There are websites and software programs available to help you with this, they can save you a lot of headache. Special family tree software lets you create databases of your records, scan old documents and more. Doing genealogy research has become very easy in recent years. Now practically anyone can find out who their ancestors were and how they lived their lives.
On the internet you can find lots of very helpful records to help you in your research. You will birth records, marriage records, military records and lots more. These are simply invaluable for people doing genealogy research. Also helpful are the many genealogy forums and communities that exist online. You can visit these sites and ask for help and advice.
While the internet is a great place to do your research, you shouldn’t forget about more old fashioned ways altogether. First and foremost, if you are researching your own family history, talk to your relatives! Their stories can usually give lots of valuable clues and information. If you want to go really high tech you can also include DNA testing in your research. By performing a DNA test you can determine if people are really related or not.
Always remember to keep records when doing your research. There are websites and software programs available to help you with this, they can save you a lot of headache. Special family tree software lets you create databases of your records, scan old documents and more. Doing genealogy research has become very easy in recent years. Now practically anyone can find out who their ancestors were and how they lived their lives.
10 Tips When Traveling By Car With Children
With the rising costs of airfares and the increasing time it takes to get through security at the airports; more and more families are deciding to travel by car for their vacation. Most of us with young children are returning to the days we grew up in where we traveled most places by car with our parents.
We started asking other friends for how they make the trip go easier and how they beat the "Are we there yets?", here's ten tips to help your car vacation go a lot easier:
1. Decide do your kids do better in the early morning or evening hours for traveling? Which ever it is plan your travel to match, for this us our kids don't travel well in the morning they do much better if we leave after 2:00pm and travel into the evening.
2. Stock your car with favorite pre-bagged snacks for everyone, even parents, a cooler with lots of water and favorite drinks, colored pencils, crayons, a few coloring books, sticker books, travel games, and a travel journal for older kids.
3. Take along Gameboys & games, personal CD/cassette players (even for little kids), and you can get books on tape from the library.
4. Do consider a portable DVD player, this makes 5 or 6 hour a day seem like 2 hours. It also cuts a lot of the unnecessary stops as the kids are involved in the movie playing.
5. To avoid the difficulty of hauling in a suitcase for every person into a hotel for the 1 night stops. Pack a 3 day bag into which each person contributes 3 days worth of clothes. This way you take one suitcase of clothes in every three days.
6. Do pack a lightweight table cloth for outdoor lunch stops along the way.
7. Be sure to take the digital camera you'll create lifetime memories.
8. Do get postcards from every major destination along the way.
9. All kids are different but in general don't drive as far as the adults can go in one day, try to keep car travel to a 6 to 8 hour range of time.
10. Don't fill the inside of the car to the brim causing less space for the kids, instead consider a car topper for safe keeping of your belongings.
Have a great family vacation.
We started asking other friends for how they make the trip go easier and how they beat the "Are we there yets?", here's ten tips to help your car vacation go a lot easier:
1. Decide do your kids do better in the early morning or evening hours for traveling? Which ever it is plan your travel to match, for this us our kids don't travel well in the morning they do much better if we leave after 2:00pm and travel into the evening.
2. Stock your car with favorite pre-bagged snacks for everyone, even parents, a cooler with lots of water and favorite drinks, colored pencils, crayons, a few coloring books, sticker books, travel games, and a travel journal for older kids.
3. Take along Gameboys & games, personal CD/cassette players (even for little kids), and you can get books on tape from the library.
4. Do consider a portable DVD player, this makes 5 or 6 hour a day seem like 2 hours. It also cuts a lot of the unnecessary stops as the kids are involved in the movie playing.
5. To avoid the difficulty of hauling in a suitcase for every person into a hotel for the 1 night stops. Pack a 3 day bag into which each person contributes 3 days worth of clothes. This way you take one suitcase of clothes in every three days.
6. Do pack a lightweight table cloth for outdoor lunch stops along the way.
7. Be sure to take the digital camera you'll create lifetime memories.
8. Do get postcards from every major destination along the way.
9. All kids are different but in general don't drive as far as the adults can go in one day, try to keep car travel to a 6 to 8 hour range of time.
10. Don't fill the inside of the car to the brim causing less space for the kids, instead consider a car topper for safe keeping of your belongings.
Have a great family vacation.
Friday, September 07, 2007
Internal Alarm Clock A Time Management Tool?
Some of us are blessed with an internal alarm clock. A little voice that wakes you up two minutes before your alarm goes off. This may be a blessing if that little voice also alerts you ten minutes before your son’s soccer game or before the school bell rings. However I don’t have that blessing.
Of course I have the internal ability to wake up 30 minutes BEFORE I have to wake up after only five hours of sleep. Unfortunately that alarm doesn’t seem to carry over into the waking hours. A thirty minute heads up would be handy.
Not having that constant heads up, instead, I wear the super mom cape as I leap over shoes, bags and the cat in a flurry of movement. Knowing full well that the school bell is going to ring in ten minutes and the drive is a minimum of 11 minutes and three seconds if no one is in the cross walk and that light isn’t red. Of course, I will have to drive laps to locate a place I can stop to let my son in. All the parking spots are taken by those nannies with an internal clock.
I thought I had the alarm clock before I had children. As a professional Nanny I was never late for a soccer game, a music lesson, or birthday party. It turns out there are two types of internal alarm clocks. The one reserved for those of us who don’t have children under the age of 18. This one allows you to roll out of bed just before your alarm goes off after a night of 8 hours of restful sleep.
Then there’s the other alarm clock. The one called the mom alarm clock. This internal alarm wakes you up at three minutes before the baby needs to be fed, or two minutes before your toddler wets the bed, or 8 minutes before your five year old wakes up with growing pains. Sometimes these alarms are all in the same night. The mom alarm clock results in a pure hatred of the real alarm clock that wakes you up at 7 am as the children are peacefully sleeping telling you to start your day.
Luckily I have some other time management tips under my cape to keep me on time and organized as a mother. Despite the internal mom alarm clock working against me at night, my children make it to their soccer games and birthday parties, usually with the present and cleats in the bag. Was that the blue bag or the red one?
Kay McFarlane is the designer of the printable mom planner and owner of OrganizedFamilies.com. Her time management skills and humor help her make through each week as the busy mom of three children, contractor, student, and business owner. That same humors and skills are shared each week at her website for busy moms.
Of course I have the internal ability to wake up 30 minutes BEFORE I have to wake up after only five hours of sleep. Unfortunately that alarm doesn’t seem to carry over into the waking hours. A thirty minute heads up would be handy.
Not having that constant heads up, instead, I wear the super mom cape as I leap over shoes, bags and the cat in a flurry of movement. Knowing full well that the school bell is going to ring in ten minutes and the drive is a minimum of 11 minutes and three seconds if no one is in the cross walk and that light isn’t red. Of course, I will have to drive laps to locate a place I can stop to let my son in. All the parking spots are taken by those nannies with an internal clock.
I thought I had the alarm clock before I had children. As a professional Nanny I was never late for a soccer game, a music lesson, or birthday party. It turns out there are two types of internal alarm clocks. The one reserved for those of us who don’t have children under the age of 18. This one allows you to roll out of bed just before your alarm goes off after a night of 8 hours of restful sleep.
Then there’s the other alarm clock. The one called the mom alarm clock. This internal alarm wakes you up at three minutes before the baby needs to be fed, or two minutes before your toddler wets the bed, or 8 minutes before your five year old wakes up with growing pains. Sometimes these alarms are all in the same night. The mom alarm clock results in a pure hatred of the real alarm clock that wakes you up at 7 am as the children are peacefully sleeping telling you to start your day.
Luckily I have some other time management tips under my cape to keep me on time and organized as a mother. Despite the internal mom alarm clock working against me at night, my children make it to their soccer games and birthday parties, usually with the present and cleats in the bag. Was that the blue bag or the red one?
Kay McFarlane is the designer of the printable mom planner and owner of OrganizedFamilies.com. Her time management skills and humor help her make through each week as the busy mom of three children, contractor, student, and business owner. That same humors and skills are shared each week at her website for busy moms.
Choosing The Right Playground Safety Surfacing
You’ll have a variety of different safety surfacing options including pour-in-place rubber, rubber mulch, rubber chips, wood fiber strips, artificial grass and compressed rubber tile. Now there is a difference when it comes to safety and durability. I’ll rank each type of surfacing on a scale of 1-5 from high, medium high, medium low and low (1) being the least safe or durable
5 for High
4 for Medium high
3 for Medium
2 for Medium low
1 for Low
(1) Wood fiber strips are the traditional surfacing material that has been used in playground safety for many years. However the durability is low with wood fiber, many playgrounds have surfacing that is moved or spread throughout a park causing a risk for fall heights. Many people who provide playground maintenance find that they often need to replace the wood strips several times a year. I give wood fiber strips a safety rating of 2 and a durability rating of 3.
(2) Pour-in-place was a growing trend in safety surfacing a few years ago because of its immobility and design options. You will find rounded edges or names that are designed into pour-in-place surfacing as well as different colors. The disadvantage with pour-in-place is that it will crack and fade within three years or less. You will also begin to see holes in the top layer (there are two layers) where the rubber has been worn. This is of extreme concern due to safety regulations on the minimum depth of surfacing for a given fall height. Since pour-in-place is fairly new, we’ve only seen this lack of durability within the past few years causing many people to stay away from this type of safety surfacing. I give pour-in-place a safety rating of 3 and a durability rating of 2.
(3) Rubber mulch is becoming the next generation of wood fiber – the same people that make this also make larger chunks that they refer to as rubber chips. Recycled material is sent through a unique process that cleans and colors the rubber so that it is completely safe for children and has color that lasts as much as seven years. I give rubber mulch and rubber chips a safety rating of 4 and a durability rating of 4.
(4) Artificial turf has been around for a while with some good improvements. The material is placed onto a base of spongy beads that act as a layer of cushioning, much like tilled dirt. Unlike dirt though – this base provides long-lasting safety for anyone who might fall and it allows water to flow freely throughout so that the turf doesn’t have water damage. I give artificial turf a safety rating of 4 and a durability rating of 5.
(5) Rubber Tiles are a well-established high-quality surfacing material. There’s only one manufacturer of rubber tiles that I would recommend: SofSurfaces has a patented locking system between tiles that created one massive surface for playground safety. This material is also very durable – SafSurfaces provides a solid 7 year guarantee on not only the color but the depth also. That’s THREE TIMES longer than the first three safety surfacing options. I give rubber tiles a safety rating of 5 and a durability rating of 5. If you budget allows – this is the ideal choice.
5 for High
4 for Medium high
3 for Medium
2 for Medium low
1 for Low
(1) Wood fiber strips are the traditional surfacing material that has been used in playground safety for many years. However the durability is low with wood fiber, many playgrounds have surfacing that is moved or spread throughout a park causing a risk for fall heights. Many people who provide playground maintenance find that they often need to replace the wood strips several times a year. I give wood fiber strips a safety rating of 2 and a durability rating of 3.
(2) Pour-in-place was a growing trend in safety surfacing a few years ago because of its immobility and design options. You will find rounded edges or names that are designed into pour-in-place surfacing as well as different colors. The disadvantage with pour-in-place is that it will crack and fade within three years or less. You will also begin to see holes in the top layer (there are two layers) where the rubber has been worn. This is of extreme concern due to safety regulations on the minimum depth of surfacing for a given fall height. Since pour-in-place is fairly new, we’ve only seen this lack of durability within the past few years causing many people to stay away from this type of safety surfacing. I give pour-in-place a safety rating of 3 and a durability rating of 2.
(3) Rubber mulch is becoming the next generation of wood fiber – the same people that make this also make larger chunks that they refer to as rubber chips. Recycled material is sent through a unique process that cleans and colors the rubber so that it is completely safe for children and has color that lasts as much as seven years. I give rubber mulch and rubber chips a safety rating of 4 and a durability rating of 4.
(4) Artificial turf has been around for a while with some good improvements. The material is placed onto a base of spongy beads that act as a layer of cushioning, much like tilled dirt. Unlike dirt though – this base provides long-lasting safety for anyone who might fall and it allows water to flow freely throughout so that the turf doesn’t have water damage. I give artificial turf a safety rating of 4 and a durability rating of 5.
(5) Rubber Tiles are a well-established high-quality surfacing material. There’s only one manufacturer of rubber tiles that I would recommend: SofSurfaces has a patented locking system between tiles that created one massive surface for playground safety. This material is also very durable – SafSurfaces provides a solid 7 year guarantee on not only the color but the depth also. That’s THREE TIMES longer than the first three safety surfacing options. I give rubber tiles a safety rating of 5 and a durability rating of 5. If you budget allows – this is the ideal choice.
Show Them How Much You Care - Unique Gift Ideas for Mom and Dad
They were your idols when you were young and your source of frustration when you were a teenager. Now they are your most cherished friends and confidants. They are your parents and you wouldn’t be who you are today if they weren’t in your life.
Well, and one thing still frustrates you about your Mom and Dad. They are incredibly hard to shop for, especially for gifts. So how can you find a functional and unique gift ideas for Mom and Dad that will express just how much you care about them? Well, it’s not as hard as you may think. Unique gift idea for Mom and Dad are abound, you just have to think about their likes and dislikes to figure them out.
For example, your Mom always says she’s cold when she’s watching T.V. in the family room. Why not give her a few sofa throws to keep in there to warm her toes when the temperature drops. She’ll think of you in appreciation each time she covers up with one of the warm sofa throws.
Sofa throws are simple, yes. Are they unique? Of course! Functional can be unique too. Sofa throws come in a huge variety of sizes and styles and are made from every material imaginable on the planet. You can find huge sofa throws that will cover your Mom and your Dad. And possibly the rest of your family too. Or, sofa throws can be small. It’s all up to you to decide.
Your mom has a unique personality and you can convey that in her sofa throws too. Does she like the soft feeling of fur? Give her faux fur sofa throws. Does she like puppies and kittens? Well, there are sofa throws with cute animals printed all over them. The options are endless.
So now you have Mom covered (literally) in the quest to find unique gifts ideas for Mom and Dad. So what about that big guy you call Dad? Well, unique is the name of the game here. So why not give him a men’s silver bracelet.
Wait, you say your Dad doesn’t wear jewelry? Well, has anyone ever given him a piece to wear? Outside of his wedding ring, chances are slim. So why not break that and give him a men’s silver bracelet to show to his buddies and coworkers.
A men’s silver bracelet isn’t a dainty thing. Men’s silver bracelets come in many different manly-man styles and are a near fashion accessory for that business suit or golf outfit. He may scoff at first, but tell him how great it’ll look on him and watch as he wears it everywhere.
As you can see, unique gift ideas for Mom and Dad are abound, you just have to use your head and think about it. And hey, they are your parents. They deserve it!
Well, and one thing still frustrates you about your Mom and Dad. They are incredibly hard to shop for, especially for gifts. So how can you find a functional and unique gift ideas for Mom and Dad that will express just how much you care about them? Well, it’s not as hard as you may think. Unique gift idea for Mom and Dad are abound, you just have to think about their likes and dislikes to figure them out.
For example, your Mom always says she’s cold when she’s watching T.V. in the family room. Why not give her a few sofa throws to keep in there to warm her toes when the temperature drops. She’ll think of you in appreciation each time she covers up with one of the warm sofa throws.
Sofa throws are simple, yes. Are they unique? Of course! Functional can be unique too. Sofa throws come in a huge variety of sizes and styles and are made from every material imaginable on the planet. You can find huge sofa throws that will cover your Mom and your Dad. And possibly the rest of your family too. Or, sofa throws can be small. It’s all up to you to decide.
Your mom has a unique personality and you can convey that in her sofa throws too. Does she like the soft feeling of fur? Give her faux fur sofa throws. Does she like puppies and kittens? Well, there are sofa throws with cute animals printed all over them. The options are endless.
So now you have Mom covered (literally) in the quest to find unique gifts ideas for Mom and Dad. So what about that big guy you call Dad? Well, unique is the name of the game here. So why not give him a men’s silver bracelet.
Wait, you say your Dad doesn’t wear jewelry? Well, has anyone ever given him a piece to wear? Outside of his wedding ring, chances are slim. So why not break that and give him a men’s silver bracelet to show to his buddies and coworkers.
A men’s silver bracelet isn’t a dainty thing. Men’s silver bracelets come in many different manly-man styles and are a near fashion accessory for that business suit or golf outfit. He may scoff at first, but tell him how great it’ll look on him and watch as he wears it everywhere.
As you can see, unique gift ideas for Mom and Dad are abound, you just have to use your head and think about it. And hey, they are your parents. They deserve it!
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Lottery Tickets - Ten Things To Do With Them
Are you looking for a way to brighten up somebodies day? A random act of kindness with a difference? Try giving somebody a lottery ticket.
1. Next time you're in the convenience store and are going to put your small change in a charity box on the counter, buy a lottery scratch card and put it in with the small change. Who knows what extra benefit you may be giving the charity concerned!
2. How about the homeless persons who ask for a dollar? Buy a lottery ticket or scratch card, keep it in your pocket and give it with the dollar when asked. Maybe you will be giving a homeless a person a chance at owning a home again, or at least affording a months rent or food.
3. Buy a lottery ticket on Saturday and put it in the collection plate on Sunday together with your normal contribution. If God needs funds for the parish you are giving the ways and means of working a miracle.
4. Lottery tickets support education in most states. So how about forming a syndicate among a group of parents at your kids school with the intention of donating the proceeds to fund extra school projects. It's an opportunity for a social meeting among like minded parents. Perhaps you can meet and watch the draw together,"Well at least we've got $53 towards the new sports grand stand, ho, ho. Who's in for next week?"
5. Giving somebody a food parcel? Include a lottery ticket or scratch card. Apart from simple sustenance you are also giving a chance, a hope of something much larger.
6. Giving your loved one a bunch of flowers or a box of chocolates? Add a lottery ticket. "Darling I love you more than the $90,000,000 potential value of this lottery ticket!" If they win you will also find out how much they value you as their loved one or otherwise, it might be a shock.
7. Rewarding somebody for a job well done. Together with the reward give them a lottery ticket. "Thank you for your efforts and a job well done. We value your efforts as much as the potential value of this lottery ticket."
8. Going to a baby shower? Together with your gift to the happy mother include a lottery ticket. Maybe the child and parents becomes millionaires much earlier in life than most of us.
9. Is a member of staff or friend retiring? Put a lottery ticket together with their retirement gift. "Thank you for 30 years of valuable service. As valuable as the potential value of this lottery ticket!"
10. Put a lottery ticket with a house warming gift. Maybe your friend will be able to pay off their mortgage before the first payment is due!
Whatever way you choose to use a lottery ticket it can enhance a gift or special thought in somebodies life. Don't buy lottery tickets just for your own benefit. They can make a huge difference in somebody else's life and you can enjoy the pleasure of knowing you were instrumental in bringing about that dramatic change.
1. Next time you're in the convenience store and are going to put your small change in a charity box on the counter, buy a lottery scratch card and put it in with the small change. Who knows what extra benefit you may be giving the charity concerned!
2. How about the homeless persons who ask for a dollar? Buy a lottery ticket or scratch card, keep it in your pocket and give it with the dollar when asked. Maybe you will be giving a homeless a person a chance at owning a home again, or at least affording a months rent or food.
3. Buy a lottery ticket on Saturday and put it in the collection plate on Sunday together with your normal contribution. If God needs funds for the parish you are giving the ways and means of working a miracle.
4. Lottery tickets support education in most states. So how about forming a syndicate among a group of parents at your kids school with the intention of donating the proceeds to fund extra school projects. It's an opportunity for a social meeting among like minded parents. Perhaps you can meet and watch the draw together,"Well at least we've got $53 towards the new sports grand stand, ho, ho. Who's in for next week?"
5. Giving somebody a food parcel? Include a lottery ticket or scratch card. Apart from simple sustenance you are also giving a chance, a hope of something much larger.
6. Giving your loved one a bunch of flowers or a box of chocolates? Add a lottery ticket. "Darling I love you more than the $90,000,000 potential value of this lottery ticket!" If they win you will also find out how much they value you as their loved one or otherwise, it might be a shock.
7. Rewarding somebody for a job well done. Together with the reward give them a lottery ticket. "Thank you for your efforts and a job well done. We value your efforts as much as the potential value of this lottery ticket."
8. Going to a baby shower? Together with your gift to the happy mother include a lottery ticket. Maybe the child and parents becomes millionaires much earlier in life than most of us.
9. Is a member of staff or friend retiring? Put a lottery ticket together with their retirement gift. "Thank you for 30 years of valuable service. As valuable as the potential value of this lottery ticket!"
10. Put a lottery ticket with a house warming gift. Maybe your friend will be able to pay off their mortgage before the first payment is due!
Whatever way you choose to use a lottery ticket it can enhance a gift or special thought in somebodies life. Don't buy lottery tickets just for your own benefit. They can make a huge difference in somebody else's life and you can enjoy the pleasure of knowing you were instrumental in bringing about that dramatic change.
Do You Need A Unique Gift Idea For A Hard To Buy For Family Member?
The Gift That Keeps On Caring
If you need a unique gift idea that just keeps on caring, the trick is to listen to your own heart. If you are purchasing for a family member, there's a good chance you know them at a much more intimate level, even if you don't know what their tastes are
When you are looking for that caring unique gift idea, consider things that would put a smile on their face. Is there a favorite jam or perhaps pate from another country that they just love as a treat? Do they love chili jam? Have you ever considered incorporating a favorite item into a gift basket idea?
When you think outside the box for that unique gift idea, such as that special locket or special gift basket idea, you get a much nicer gift and a gift that's more likely to be truly enjoyed. Why not try it?
The Gift That Goes Green
Does the family member for whom you are looking for that unique gift idea have a green thumb? There are plenty of great gardening gifts on the market, which are very functional while staying memorable. With so many online shops, you can find the neatest gardening gifts - interesting pots, plants, seeds, handy tools, and all kinds of ornaments. For the family gardener, you can't go wrong!
The Gift Of Food
Now, I know what many of you are thinking. Food isn't a unique gift idea. You couldn't be more wrong. With so many specialty foods, this is the time to let someone try something different, or you might even find that favorite food that's not so available.
If you want to keep the unique gift idea theme going, then consider a gift basket idea. There's nothing standard about gift baskets anymore. There's a good chance the recipient will never see another one just like the one you send.
If you can't come up with a gift basket idea, many of the online sites have some great ideas posted to help you out, and you can always email and see what suggestions they have.
It's All In The Basket
A unique gift idea begins with a little creativity. Remember when you are creative you aren't thinking run of the mill, the common "stuff" you find on the store shelves. Garden gifts that you can find online are great example of this. Or perhaps your family member has a favorite author - this could turn into the perfect gift basket idea. Choose a unique basket online and add a couple of paperbacks and maybe a bookmark or two.
Sure family members can be difficult to buy for, but if you keep your gift giving fun and full of joy, you will create a light happy atmosphere. Also, never forget the value of humor to lighten up a gift giving moment.
If you need a unique gift idea that just keeps on caring, the trick is to listen to your own heart. If you are purchasing for a family member, there's a good chance you know them at a much more intimate level, even if you don't know what their tastes are
When you are looking for that caring unique gift idea, consider things that would put a smile on their face. Is there a favorite jam or perhaps pate from another country that they just love as a treat? Do they love chili jam? Have you ever considered incorporating a favorite item into a gift basket idea?
When you think outside the box for that unique gift idea, such as that special locket or special gift basket idea, you get a much nicer gift and a gift that's more likely to be truly enjoyed. Why not try it?
The Gift That Goes Green
Does the family member for whom you are looking for that unique gift idea have a green thumb? There are plenty of great gardening gifts on the market, which are very functional while staying memorable. With so many online shops, you can find the neatest gardening gifts - interesting pots, plants, seeds, handy tools, and all kinds of ornaments. For the family gardener, you can't go wrong!
The Gift Of Food
Now, I know what many of you are thinking. Food isn't a unique gift idea. You couldn't be more wrong. With so many specialty foods, this is the time to let someone try something different, or you might even find that favorite food that's not so available.
If you want to keep the unique gift idea theme going, then consider a gift basket idea. There's nothing standard about gift baskets anymore. There's a good chance the recipient will never see another one just like the one you send.
If you can't come up with a gift basket idea, many of the online sites have some great ideas posted to help you out, and you can always email and see what suggestions they have.
It's All In The Basket
A unique gift idea begins with a little creativity. Remember when you are creative you aren't thinking run of the mill, the common "stuff" you find on the store shelves. Garden gifts that you can find online are great example of this. Or perhaps your family member has a favorite author - this could turn into the perfect gift basket idea. Choose a unique basket online and add a couple of paperbacks and maybe a bookmark or two.
Sure family members can be difficult to buy for, but if you keep your gift giving fun and full of joy, you will create a light happy atmosphere. Also, never forget the value of humor to lighten up a gift giving moment.
5 Important Things You Should Know About Drinking Water
It seems in life that most people take for granted the things that are most important to them and drinking water is no exception. It is a fact that no one can survive without clean pure drinking water and it is important to note some critical facts:
1. More than 35,000 people die each day throughout the world from disease caused by impure or lack of drinking water. That equals more than 12,000,000 per year or more than the per year total killed in each of the six years of World War II.
2. The absence of clean drinking water and sanitation is one of the largest causes of death and loss of productivity throughout the world.
3. Three to four of every five children related deaths are directly related to unsanitary or contaminated drinking water.
4. Municipal water supplies in the United States, although regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) still contain a large number of contaminants. Many types of bottled water also contain contaminants.
5. Purified water using a distillation/oxygenation process produces the highest quality drinking water.
It is a fact that because of urban growth and industrial pollution, drinking water is becoming more polluted and water related health hazards are increasing. Heavier amounts of chlorine are being added to kill bacteria but this ruins the fresh water taste.
Polluted or contaminated water is particularly harmful to young children and may cause health problems that do not surface until years later.
Municipal tap water is contaminated as is spring and well water and the fact that these sources of water are regulated does not remove the contamination. Obtain the most recent EPA water quality for your municipality and study it closely.
With the exception of purified bottled water, most bottled water is subject to the same or greater amounts of contamination. Spring water is either rebottled tap water or particularly susceptible to industrial pollution.
Distilled/oxygenated purified water on the other hand separates pure water from contaminants and flushes the waste down the drain leaving only 100% pure water.
Ask questions and read the labels of municipal or bottled water to determine what is really contained in the water you drink. Then decide how much contamination your body can tolerate over an extended period.
I think after even a moderate amount of research you will agree that purified, distilled water will aid in the longevity of yourself and your family.
1. More than 35,000 people die each day throughout the world from disease caused by impure or lack of drinking water. That equals more than 12,000,000 per year or more than the per year total killed in each of the six years of World War II.
2. The absence of clean drinking water and sanitation is one of the largest causes of death and loss of productivity throughout the world.
3. Three to four of every five children related deaths are directly related to unsanitary or contaminated drinking water.
4. Municipal water supplies in the United States, although regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) still contain a large number of contaminants. Many types of bottled water also contain contaminants.
5. Purified water using a distillation/oxygenation process produces the highest quality drinking water.
It is a fact that because of urban growth and industrial pollution, drinking water is becoming more polluted and water related health hazards are increasing. Heavier amounts of chlorine are being added to kill bacteria but this ruins the fresh water taste.
Polluted or contaminated water is particularly harmful to young children and may cause health problems that do not surface until years later.
Municipal tap water is contaminated as is spring and well water and the fact that these sources of water are regulated does not remove the contamination. Obtain the most recent EPA water quality for your municipality and study it closely.
With the exception of purified bottled water, most bottled water is subject to the same or greater amounts of contamination. Spring water is either rebottled tap water or particularly susceptible to industrial pollution.
Distilled/oxygenated purified water on the other hand separates pure water from contaminants and flushes the waste down the drain leaving only 100% pure water.
Ask questions and read the labels of municipal or bottled water to determine what is really contained in the water you drink. Then decide how much contamination your body can tolerate over an extended period.
I think after even a moderate amount of research you will agree that purified, distilled water will aid in the longevity of yourself and your family.
Monday, September 03, 2007
Lottery Tickets - Ten Things To Do With Them
Are you looking for a way to brighten up somebodies day? A random act of kindness with a difference? Try giving somebody a lottery ticket.
1. Next time you're in the convenience store and are going to put your small change in a charity box on the counter, buy a lottery scratch card and put it in with the small change. Who knows what extra benefit you may be giving the charity concerned!
2. How about the homeless persons who ask for a dollar? Buy a lottery ticket or scratch card, keep it in your pocket and give it with the dollar when asked. Maybe you will be giving a homeless a person a chance at owning a home again, or at least affording a months rent or food.
3. Buy a lottery ticket on Saturday and put it in the collection plate on Sunday together with your normal contribution. If God needs funds for the parish you are giving the ways and means of working a miracle.
4. Lottery tickets support education in most states. So how about forming a syndicate among a group of parents at your kids school with the intention of donating the proceeds to fund extra school projects. It's an opportunity for a social meeting among like minded parents. Perhaps you can meet and watch the draw together,"Well at least we've got $53 towards the new sports grand stand, ho, ho. Who's in for next week?"
5. Giving somebody a food parcel? Include a lottery ticket or scratch card. Apart from simple sustenance you are also giving a chance, a hope of something much larger.
6. Giving your loved one a bunch of flowers or a box of chocolates? Add a lottery ticket. "Darling I love you more than the $90,000,000 potential value of this lottery ticket!" If they win you will also find out how much they value you as their loved one or otherwise, it might be a shock.
7. Rewarding somebody for a job well done. Together with the reward give them a lottery ticket. "Thank you for your efforts and a job well done. We value your efforts as much as the potential value of this lottery ticket."
8. Going to a baby shower? Together with your gift to the happy mother include a lottery ticket. Maybe the child and parents becomes millionaires much earlier in life than most of us.
9. Is a member of staff or friend retiring? Put a lottery ticket together with their retirement gift. "Thank you for 30 years of valuable service. As valuable as the potential value of this lottery ticket!"
10. Put a lottery ticket with a house warming gift. Maybe your friend will be able to pay off their mortgage before the first payment is due!
Whatever way you choose to use a lottery ticket it can enhance a gift or special thought in somebodies life. Don't buy lottery tickets just for your own benefit. They can make a huge difference in somebody else's life and you can enjoy the pleasure of knowing you were instrumental in bringing about that dramatic change.
1. Next time you're in the convenience store and are going to put your small change in a charity box on the counter, buy a lottery scratch card and put it in with the small change. Who knows what extra benefit you may be giving the charity concerned!
2. How about the homeless persons who ask for a dollar? Buy a lottery ticket or scratch card, keep it in your pocket and give it with the dollar when asked. Maybe you will be giving a homeless a person a chance at owning a home again, or at least affording a months rent or food.
3. Buy a lottery ticket on Saturday and put it in the collection plate on Sunday together with your normal contribution. If God needs funds for the parish you are giving the ways and means of working a miracle.
4. Lottery tickets support education in most states. So how about forming a syndicate among a group of parents at your kids school with the intention of donating the proceeds to fund extra school projects. It's an opportunity for a social meeting among like minded parents. Perhaps you can meet and watch the draw together,"Well at least we've got $53 towards the new sports grand stand, ho, ho. Who's in for next week?"
5. Giving somebody a food parcel? Include a lottery ticket or scratch card. Apart from simple sustenance you are also giving a chance, a hope of something much larger.
6. Giving your loved one a bunch of flowers or a box of chocolates? Add a lottery ticket. "Darling I love you more than the $90,000,000 potential value of this lottery ticket!" If they win you will also find out how much they value you as their loved one or otherwise, it might be a shock.
7. Rewarding somebody for a job well done. Together with the reward give them a lottery ticket. "Thank you for your efforts and a job well done. We value your efforts as much as the potential value of this lottery ticket."
8. Going to a baby shower? Together with your gift to the happy mother include a lottery ticket. Maybe the child and parents becomes millionaires much earlier in life than most of us.
9. Is a member of staff or friend retiring? Put a lottery ticket together with their retirement gift. "Thank you for 30 years of valuable service. As valuable as the potential value of this lottery ticket!"
10. Put a lottery ticket with a house warming gift. Maybe your friend will be able to pay off their mortgage before the first payment is due!
Whatever way you choose to use a lottery ticket it can enhance a gift or special thought in somebodies life. Don't buy lottery tickets just for your own benefit. They can make a huge difference in somebody else's life and you can enjoy the pleasure of knowing you were instrumental in bringing about that dramatic change.
Do You Need A Unique Gift Idea For A Hard To Buy For Family Member?
The Gift That Keeps On Caring
If you need a unique gift idea that just keeps on caring, the trick is to listen to your own heart. If you are purchasing for a family member, there's a good chance you know them at a much more intimate level, even if you don't know what their tastes are
When you are looking for that caring unique gift idea, consider things that would put a smile on their face. Is there a favorite jam or perhaps pate from another country that they just love as a treat? Do they love chili jam? Have you ever considered incorporating a favorite item into a gift basket idea?
When you think outside the box for that unique gift idea, such as that special locket or special gift basket idea, you get a much nicer gift and a gift that's more likely to be truly enjoyed. Why not try it?
The Gift That Goes Green
Does the family member for whom you are looking for that unique gift idea have a green thumb? There are plenty of great gardening gifts on the market, which are very functional while staying memorable. With so many online shops, you can find the neatest gardening gifts - interesting pots, plants, seeds, handy tools, and all kinds of ornaments. For the family gardener, you can't go wrong!
The Gift Of Food
Now, I know what many of you are thinking. Food isn't a unique gift idea. You couldn't be more wrong. With so many specialty foods, this is the time to let someone try something different, or you might even find that favorite food that's not so available.
If you want to keep the unique gift idea theme going, then consider a gift basket idea. There's nothing standard about gift baskets anymore. There's a good chance the recipient will never see another one just like the one you send.
If you can't come up with a gift basket idea, many of the online sites have some great ideas posted to help you out, and you can always email and see what suggestions they have.
It's All In The Basket
A unique gift idea begins with a little creativity. Remember when you are creative you aren't thinking run of the mill, the common "stuff" you find on the store shelves. Garden gifts that you can find online are great example of this. Or perhaps your family member has a favorite author - this could turn into the perfect gift basket idea. Choose a unique basket online and add a couple of paperbacks and maybe a bookmark or two.
Sure family members can be difficult to buy for, but if you keep your gift giving fun and full of joy, you will create a light happy atmosphere. Also, never forget the value of humor to lighten up a gift giving moment.
If you need a unique gift idea that just keeps on caring, the trick is to listen to your own heart. If you are purchasing for a family member, there's a good chance you know them at a much more intimate level, even if you don't know what their tastes are
When you are looking for that caring unique gift idea, consider things that would put a smile on their face. Is there a favorite jam or perhaps pate from another country that they just love as a treat? Do they love chili jam? Have you ever considered incorporating a favorite item into a gift basket idea?
When you think outside the box for that unique gift idea, such as that special locket or special gift basket idea, you get a much nicer gift and a gift that's more likely to be truly enjoyed. Why not try it?
The Gift That Goes Green
Does the family member for whom you are looking for that unique gift idea have a green thumb? There are plenty of great gardening gifts on the market, which are very functional while staying memorable. With so many online shops, you can find the neatest gardening gifts - interesting pots, plants, seeds, handy tools, and all kinds of ornaments. For the family gardener, you can't go wrong!
The Gift Of Food
Now, I know what many of you are thinking. Food isn't a unique gift idea. You couldn't be more wrong. With so many specialty foods, this is the time to let someone try something different, or you might even find that favorite food that's not so available.
If you want to keep the unique gift idea theme going, then consider a gift basket idea. There's nothing standard about gift baskets anymore. There's a good chance the recipient will never see another one just like the one you send.
If you can't come up with a gift basket idea, many of the online sites have some great ideas posted to help you out, and you can always email and see what suggestions they have.
It's All In The Basket
A unique gift idea begins with a little creativity. Remember when you are creative you aren't thinking run of the mill, the common "stuff" you find on the store shelves. Garden gifts that you can find online are great example of this. Or perhaps your family member has a favorite author - this could turn into the perfect gift basket idea. Choose a unique basket online and add a couple of paperbacks and maybe a bookmark or two.
Sure family members can be difficult to buy for, but if you keep your gift giving fun and full of joy, you will create a light happy atmosphere. Also, never forget the value of humor to lighten up a gift giving moment.
5 Important Things You Should Know About Drinking Water
It seems in life that most people take for granted the things that are most important to them and drinking water is no exception. It is a fact that no one can survive without clean pure drinking water and it is important to note some critical facts:
1. More than 35,000 people die each day throughout the world from disease caused by impure or lack of drinking water. That equals more than 12,000,000 per year or more than the per year total killed in each of the six years of World War II.
2. The absence of clean drinking water and sanitation is one of the largest causes of death and loss of productivity throughout the world.
3. Three to four of every five children related deaths are directly related to unsanitary or contaminated drinking water.
4. Municipal water supplies in the United States, although regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) still contain a large number of contaminants. Many types of bottled water also contain contaminants.
5. Purified water using a distillation/oxygenation process produces the highest quality drinking water.
It is a fact that because of urban growth and industrial pollution, drinking water is becoming more polluted and water related health hazards are increasing. Heavier amounts of chlorine are being added to kill bacteria but this ruins the fresh water taste.
Polluted or contaminated water is particularly harmful to young children and may cause health problems that do not surface until years later.
Municipal tap water is contaminated as is spring and well water and the fact that these sources of water are regulated does not remove the contamination. Obtain the most recent EPA water quality for your municipality and study it closely.
With the exception of purified bottled water, most bottled water is subject to the same or greater amounts of contamination. Spring water is either rebottled tap water or particularly susceptible to industrial pollution.
Distilled/oxygenated purified water on the other hand separates pure water from contaminants and flushes the waste down the drain leaving only 100% pure water.
Ask questions and read the labels of municipal or bottled water to determine what is really contained in the water you drink. Then decide how much contamination your body can tolerate over an extended period.
I think after even a moderate amount of research you will agree that purified, distilled water will aid in the longevity of yourself and your family.
1. More than 35,000 people die each day throughout the world from disease caused by impure or lack of drinking water. That equals more than 12,000,000 per year or more than the per year total killed in each of the six years of World War II.
2. The absence of clean drinking water and sanitation is one of the largest causes of death and loss of productivity throughout the world.
3. Three to four of every five children related deaths are directly related to unsanitary or contaminated drinking water.
4. Municipal water supplies in the United States, although regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) still contain a large number of contaminants. Many types of bottled water also contain contaminants.
5. Purified water using a distillation/oxygenation process produces the highest quality drinking water.
It is a fact that because of urban growth and industrial pollution, drinking water is becoming more polluted and water related health hazards are increasing. Heavier amounts of chlorine are being added to kill bacteria but this ruins the fresh water taste.
Polluted or contaminated water is particularly harmful to young children and may cause health problems that do not surface until years later.
Municipal tap water is contaminated as is spring and well water and the fact that these sources of water are regulated does not remove the contamination. Obtain the most recent EPA water quality for your municipality and study it closely.
With the exception of purified bottled water, most bottled water is subject to the same or greater amounts of contamination. Spring water is either rebottled tap water or particularly susceptible to industrial pollution.
Distilled/oxygenated purified water on the other hand separates pure water from contaminants and flushes the waste down the drain leaving only 100% pure water.
Ask questions and read the labels of municipal or bottled water to determine what is really contained in the water you drink. Then decide how much contamination your body can tolerate over an extended period.
I think after even a moderate amount of research you will agree that purified, distilled water will aid in the longevity of yourself and your family.
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