Less Can Be More

Sometimes when looking for accounting methods for personal use or for your small business, less can be more.

Ever try using those complicated accounting applications that you need to be a rocket scientist and takes hours just to figure out how to even use the software? I have and it can be frustrating and cause you to make mistakes.

At LessAccounting.com their approach is simple. They give you an application that takes less time to figure out before utilizing. With a no nonsense approach, you have less hassles, less confusion, less time to waste before starting to managing your personal affairs or small business.

Your dashboard offers a home for your unpaid expenses and invoices. You can track payments, create small business reports, track mileage, send proposals and have a home for your sales leads and projects. In your contact management field, you can manage your employees, clients, accounts payable and addresses.

No prepayment is required to use this service. You pay as you go. You don't even have sign up fees. Their servers are secure, backed up nightly and also offer SSL encryption. There's more...LessAccounting.com even offers free tech support by the people who created this application.

Less is definitely more...

Passport Changes

If you are thinking about traveling, you should know that the rules have changed regarding a passport.

Some changes have occurred since October 2, 2007. If you are planning to fly to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda, you need to know the following:

A US citizen traveling to one of the destinations mentioned above, you will now need a passport. If you are under the age of 16 and traveling with a parent,you need to provide proof that you did apply for a passport.
If you are driving across these borders or taking a cruise, you do not (yet) need a passport.

If you plan to travel in the next few months, start the process NOW or you may have to expedite the passport process. That service usually costs $157.00 compared to the regular price of $97.00

Getting a regular passport can take 3 to 6 weeks, compared to expedited service that can take 2 weeks.
There are agencies that can help you obtain a passport overnight or even the same day, but the costs will be much more and will vary.

If you are getting a passport for the first time, you need to go in person to apply. Visit your post office or town library which may offer these services.

You will need your original birth certificate with the raised seal, your drivers license and two 2x2 inch photos. Before you go to the agency for your passport, be sure to confirm what paperwork you may need.

November is Alzheimer's Awareness Month

Back in October, I had the pleasure of getting involved with the Alzheimer's Memory walk. I was able to add contributions to this important cause of finding a cure for this disease and help ensure that quality care be given to those affected by this disease.

November is time to bring more awareness of this disease and to urge people to get their memory screenings. This is an important factor in early detection and is the first step toward receiving the care you may need.

Ask you physician about having a memory screening or locate a screening location in your area for you or a loved one.

The Alzheimer's Foundation of America website offers successful aging tips that you should read, learn and implement. Make sure you share these tips with your loved ones. It is never too soon to start preventive care.

Here are a few of these tips:

1) Participate in activities that stimulate your brain, such as reading, crossword puzzles, playing bridge, and other mental exercises.

2) Manage stress through techniques such as relaxation, meditation and yoga.

3) Control hypertension, diabetes and heart disease—risk factors for dementia—through physical exercise, quitting smoking, controlling blood pressure, lowering cholesterol, and avoiding obesity.

4) Follow a healthy diet and take vitamins, including vitamins C and E, and folic acid

You goal is having your brain cells function well by maintaining a healthy body, mind and spirit.

As the holiday season quickly approaches, think about giving a holiday gift of a memory screening to a parent, grandparents or other members of your family. It would truly be a gift of love.

Another idea would be in lieu of holiday cards, make a donation to The Alzheimer's Organization to do your part in helping to find a cure for this disease and also help to provide quality care for those who must suffer with Alzheimer's.

Remember Alzheimer's disease is not a normal part of aging. It is a progressive, degenerative disorder that attacks the brain's nerve cells, or neurons, resulting in loss of memory, thinking and language skills, and behavioral changes. Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia, or loss of intellectual function, among people aged 65 and older.

Let's work together to help fight this disease and make sure that those afflicted receive quality care.

House Committee Passes Mortgage Reform Bill

WASHINGTON -- Members of the House Financial Services Committee voted
to approve a bill imposing sweeping changes on the mortgage industry,
including minimum standards for approving loans and some new liabilities
on those who scrutinize risky mortgages.

Committee members OK'd the bill by a vote of 45 to 19. The bill would mandate licensing for mortgage brokers and bank loan officers and set a minimum standard for all mortgages stating that borrowers must have a reasonable ability to repay. The bill was introduced by Democrats Barney Frank, Mel Watt and Brad Miller. Frank, of Massachusetts, is the committee's chairman.

This may hurt consumers by raising their costs for home loan financing, decrease competition, and give consumers less options for financing their homes.

Keep More Money in Your Pocket

My son recently leased a 2007 Hummer and to get the best rates, he found a site which allowed the car dealers to compete for his business. He didn't pay full price, but received a quote below wholesale price.

He usually asks for my help or advice, but this deal he did on his own. He felt confident by having the dealers contact him and present their quote, he'd then be easily able to distinguish where he'd get the best deal.

He found CarsBlvd and he just clicked on the year, model and make of the vehicle, hit submit and in a short time, he was receiving calls from the dealers. This was all provided for free, with no obligation.

I am also considering using this site to get a Honda Car Quote. Since I witnessed how easy it was, I want to also receive the best deal on my next new vehicle.

CarsBlvd also offers options such as car refinance, car loans, insurance, warranties, and impressively, a course on car maintenance.

It's a great feeling to know you received the best deal on a purchase. I'm proud of my son for getting the best deal possible and keeping more money in his pocket.

Efforts vs. Results

In my opinion, focusing just on results can be damaging. Damaging to your self esteem, to your confidence, to your energy.

You should focus more on your efforts. You have control over that, not the results. In business, if you focus strictly on results, you can kill your drive.

What if you set a goal to have 10 new clients by the end of the month? BUT, if you did not get the results you wanted, you may feel a sense of defeat, rejection or be disappointed with yourself and loose energy to acquire clients the next month. All your energy went into focusing on strictly the end results, which may have lessened the quality of your effort. You can not control the outcome of clients decisions whether they want your product or service. Let go of something you can not control.

If you concentrate more on your efforts, you will feel more empowered. You have control over your efforts and how you present yourself to clients. By focusing on your efforts and not just the results, your efforts might improve and be more of quality. Maybe your efforts can include increasing the number of prospects that view your product or service by bringing more quality content to a web site or enhance your marketing strategies. That in turn will then bring the result of gaining a new client.

Focusing on your effort and putting all you have into that, will show new confidence and that attitude will come across loud and clear. Results will follow.

I believe the same holds true in your personal life. Thinking of going on a diet or decided to start an exercise routine? By focusing only on the result, you may loose sight of your effort. Therefore, feel discouraged or defeated if the result you crave isn't immediately satisfied.

Our efforts is what will make us feel and be successful.

Is Freelancing Right For You?

If you are an entrepreneur, you may want to consider acquiring help from a professional to get jobs done that you may have little expertise in. This will also free up your time to concentrate on developing your business product or service.

Hiring someone who specializes in freelance design will help create professional looking business cards and/or brouchures,a graphic designer who can create an eye catching company logo are important steps to complete before launching your new business.

Have you thought about the quality of your web site? A copy writer or ghost writer can supply your site with immediate quality content.

At a freelance marketplace, which you can easily find online, you will locate professionals to hire to get the work done quickly and within your budget.

On the flip side, if you are a professional wanting to find work doing what you love, you may want to register at a freelance marketplace as a free agent and have buyers looking for your services come to you.

The Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act of 2007

An important issue is happening right now regarding the mortgage industry and the restrictions on borrowers qualifying for home loans.If you are a loan officer or a mortgage originator, this new bill introduced, may affect the way you will get paid or cause extinction in the future. It will also limit the choices consumers have in finding a residential mortgage loan to strictly large financial institutions.

In attempts to start regulating our industry, restoring ethics and responsibility within the mortgage origination industry, The Mortgage Reform and Anit-Predatory Lending Act of 2007 has been established.

To view the Complete Bill (HR3915) go HERE

After reading this new bill, you can show your disagreement by signing the petition by going HERE

What are your thoughts about this new bill? and, will this new Bill affect YOU?

E.coli Warning

If you are like me and do not watch the nightly news, you may have missed this important warning regarding the massive recall on frozen pizza.

Public heath officials are urging consumers to throw away any Totino's or Jeno's brand frozen pizza that contain pepperoni.

There has been a multi-state outbreak of E.coli. The manufacturer, General Mills have recalled all frozen pizza produced at their Weston, Ohio plant. More than 120 million of these pizzas have been distributed since July.

To date, at least 21 lab confirmed cases have been identified in 10 states. Tennessee, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylavania, Virginia, Kentucky, Illinois, Wisconsin and South Dakata. At least 10 people have been hospitalized, but no deaths have been reported.

View informative article and specific products covered in this recall by going HERE

Smart Marketing and Branding

Do you have an idea, product or service you want to market? Do you know what steps you should take that would be effective in reaching your potential clients?

You can incorporate drip marketing as your strategy. This means doing something each month to keep your name in front of your current or potential clients. These clients need to see your marketing message continually.

Once you've developed your plan, you then need to figure how to execute this plan. Decide who your target market will be and develop your company's slogan or phrase.

In doing research on marketing strategies, I came across an article on Kolbrener. This company offers a unique Brand Evolution Process that will deliver superb results and increase your company's revenue. Their strategy includes: Interactive, Direct, Television, Radio, PR and Non-traditional.

It is necessary to have a company like Kolbrener that is sales-smart with special expertise to succeed.

Frito-Lay Plant Cuts Waste & Saves Water

According to an article in Storm Water Pollution magazine, Frito -Lay's plant in Arkansas, will eliminate tons of waste and reduce water usage at the facility as part of the US Environmental Protection Agency's top 'green leadership" program.

Frito-Lay has maintained environmental compliance record and making new commitments to reduce, reuse and recycle.

Their commitment in the following 3 years includes:
Reduce 1.6 million lbs of pollution by adding a secondary wastewater treatment system

Reduce total water use by 31.5 million gallons by recycling water used during potato peeling

Recycle more than 1,000 tons of waster through increased recycling efforts.

Use Credit Card Search Engine For Best Offers

With the holiday season quickly approaching, many people will be rushing to do all their shopping. I believe a majority of people will use their Credit Card for purchases.

If you are without a credit card and plan to obtain one for the sole purpose of doing your holiday shopping, may I suggest you use a credit card search engine to find the best credit card for your needs. Using a search engine will provide you the benefits of comparing the many different types of offers and then deciding which card is right for you.

The choices are many: low interest, receive cash back, get airline miles credit, rewards issued on purchases, business credit cards, bad, fair or average credit cards...the list can go on and on.

By using a search engine you can view not only the many credit card offers, but view by brand: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover or also by credit card issuer.

Remember to live within your means and if you can not pay your full balance off at the end of the month, just don't be late paying your credit card bill. Being late can affect your credit rating.

Tips for Driving In The Dark

There is a greater risk of car accidents at night. These accidents are usually more severe. Here's some safety tips when driving at night:

Dusk is one of the most dangerous time of day on the road. Slow down and increase your following distance. Keep at least 2 to 4 seconds behind the vehicle in front of you. Darkness can make judging distances harder. You shouldn't overdrive your headlights. You need to see this far in order to be able to slow and stop safely. Don't be blinded by oncoming headlights. Shifting your eyes momentarily can help. Use the white lines on the road to guide your steering.

And, of course, buckle up for safety.

Motor vehicles accidents are the most common cause of accidental deaths in the US.
Did you know...

Every 12 minutes someone dies in a car accident
Every 10 seconds an injury occurs
Every 5 seconds a crash happens.

Source: Osha/Business & Legal Reports

Confused by Printing Supplies?

Confused about which toner cartridge goes in what machine? If your home or office contains a printer, copier, a fax machine or even a photo printer, how many times do you forget which cartridge to buy?

Wouldn't it make life easier to just sit in front of your computer and click onto a site that would instantly give you the correct information?

Well, now you can go to Cartridge Finder for exactly that information. Just click onto the brand name, choose the model and what appears is a list containing the details of the machine.

You get instant gratification knowing what cartridge to buy and because this site is partnered with Pricegrabber, you also see a listing of the best prices and where to make your purchase.

Random Tidbits

Technology Lifeline

A recent study by Knowledge Networks looked at the various media and technologies that US consumers ages 13 to 24 couldn't live without.

Computer................ 52%
Cell Phone............... 49%
TV............................47%
Microwave.............. 35%
MP3 Player............. 28%
Newspaper.............. 15%
None of the above... 20%

What couldn't you live without from the above list?

File Sharing Revenue

According to Insight Research Corporation, the worldwide market for peer-to-peer file sharing services is expected to generate $28 billion in revenue for carriers and Internet service providers over the next four years.


Young Athletes Have Lower Rates of Substance Abuse

The National Household Survey on Drug Abuse was conducted by the US Department of Health & Human Services recently reported that our youth that participates in sports and other activities used tobacco, alcohol and illegal drugs significantly less than other children. These same athletes had a less 'no tolerance' attitude toward those substances.

The survey included girls and boys aged 12 to 17. Of those who participated, 23.4% said they didn't smoke in the previous year. When the individuals said they participated in one activity, the percent dropped to 13.3, when participating in four to six activities, the percent went down even further to 6.8.

Similar figures were reported for drug and alcohol use.

Uptown Saturday Night

Within the next few months people will take a get away trip to Florida to escape cold weather, visit relatives during the holidays or just take a quick break from the hustle bustle of their busy lives.

If you are planning such a trip, make sure you include a stop at St. Augustine. St. Augustine is the Nation's oldest city and you can expect to feel the charm and romance of St George Street.

A poplar event happens at the end of each month: Uptown Saturday Night. The festivities begin on the last Saturday of each month, October 27, November 24, December 29th and so on.

From 5pm to 9pm, you can expect a party like atmosphere and can take advantage of the incredible St. Augustine shopping. The antique district comes alive and offers many opportunities to find that rare treasure. Participating shops will welcome you by offering wine and other refreshments as you listen to live music playing in the streets. You may even want to attend an antique workshop offered by some antique dealers.

Other features of Uptown Saturday night are the exhibits of some of the finest Florida artists, book signings and The Mission of Nombre de Dios, which will provide you a feeling of peace and tranquillity. The Mission of Nombre de Dios will also provide free parking during this end of the month event. From there you can walk the cobblestone streets of St. Augustine and explore the galleries, Ripley's Musem, sign up for a ghost tour, take in all the shops or even take a carriage ride to observe the sights.

The whole atmosphere of St. Augustine surrounds you with pleasure and a sense of belonging. I can't pin point what I like the most. Maybe it's the antiques and the delight in finding a special piece. All I know is that the the whole experience is one that makes you not want to leave.

A must see town, especially on the last Saturday of each month...

Google Page Rank Updated

For those of you interested in Google Page Rank, it appears mine has updated. To my surprise, this blog went up from a page rank of a 2 to a page rank of 3. My business website is also now showing a rank. My icon is not showing the new value as of yet, but I have confirmed this information with the tools available to me.

What is Google Page Rank? According to Wikipedia Google describes PageRank:

"PageRank relies on the uniquely democratic nature of the web by using its vast link structure as an indicator of an individual page's value. In essence, Google interprets a link from page A to page B as a vote, by page A, for page B. But, Google looks at more than the sheer volume of votes, or links a page receives; it also analyzes the page that casts the vote. Votes cast by pages that are themselves "important" weigh more heavily and help to make other pages important."

In other words, a PageRank results from a "ballot" among all the other pages on the World Wide Web about how important a page is. A hyperlink to a page counts as a vote of support. The PageRank of a page is defined recursively and depends on the number and PageRank metric of all pages that link to it ("incoming links"). A page that is linked to by many pages with high PageRank receives a high rank itself. If there are no links to a web page there is no support for that page.

Google recalculates PageRank scores each time it crawls the Web and rebuilds its index. As Google increases the number of documents in its collection, the initial approximation of PageRank decreases for all documents.


Use the tool below to find out if your Google page rank updated.

Check Page Rank of any web site pages instantly:

This free page rank checking tool is powered by Page Rank Checker service

Budget Bathroom Makeover

Updating certain rooms in your house can add value to your home. The bathroom being one of those rooms.
Let's face it, the bathroom is one of the most used rooms within a house. Creating a comfortable and stylish bathroom is easy.

If a major bathroom remodel is not in your budget, by updating small aspects in the bathroom you can still have a valuable impact.
The key to your bathroom makeover is to pick one or two projects and budget around those. Replacing outdated plumbing fixtures with Moen faucets will change the appearance of the whole room.

Do you still have old outdated basic facets from the 70's? Nothing says old quicker than seeing those. Now, the options are endless. Choosing from waterfall to traditional fixtures, chrome, brass or a multitude of finishes.

Your makeover can include the tub and shower faucets as well, plus coordinating accessories. Shopping at facet.com you can be sure you will find exactly what you have in mind. The site offers a wide variety of products, fast delivery and the best prices. They have trained sales consultants ready to help with questions and offer ideas for bathroom makeovers.

Random Stats

~ 35% of Small business owners say the housing slump has significantly hurt business

~ 83% of Women business owners help buy technology for their company

~ 40% of woman business owners have a post graduate education

~ According to the 2007 Cone Environmental Survey of 1,066 Americans, 85% said they would switch brands for environmental reasons. 21% have donated money to save the environment

~ Data from Quest Diagnostics shows a decline in cocaine use in the US workforce.
The firms mid -year 2007 report indicates a 15.9% decline in the number of positive tests for cocaine use during the first 6 months of 2007 compared to the figures for 2006. The tests were a combination of general workers and those in safety sensitive positions which testing is federally mandated. The highest decline occurred in the New England area.

Source:
Osha Compliance Advisor
Small Biz

Ingenious Technology to Save Lives

Are you looking for ways to improve driver safety and possibly lower your insurance costs?

GreenRoad Technologies has come up with a solution by offering risk management.

This service is for you if you have a business with a fleet of vehicles and want to monitor your drivers or an insurance company wanting to offer a solution to their clients or if you have a teenager behind the wheel.

This ingenious way of obtaining feedback to assess the behavior behind the wheel of a vehicle can reduce crashes up to 54%, reduce at fault crashes up to 42%, reduce high risk driving up to 50% and even decrease fuel costs.

By implementing technology inside the vehicle, it will assess your driving maneuvers and then transmits the data to an Internet site that allows you to see where improvement is needed.

With so many teenagers on the road and accidents being the leading cause of death, this technology will certainly save lives.

Parents: won't you feel more at ease when your teenager is behind the wheel? I suggest looking into this service for peace of mind.

Inspirational Thoughts

Conflict robs energy. Peace restores energy.

Life tastes sweeter when you know it is yours to live.

To find your spirit, listen to the words you speak. To find your strength, be aware of the journey your feet have walked. To find you, own your emotional attachments.

When you feel forgotten, it is only because you have forgotten yourself.

When you try to take from someone else’s pocket, you will never feel secure with what you get.

Without hope you will never be able to reach for the future.

Hope is not easily defined for it is wrapped with many feelings and emotions.

Unless you can feel God’s breath upon you, you lose the meaning of who you are.

Once you lose hope in yourself, you are easily led astray by others.

It is difficult for you to believe in the future if you are buried by the pain of the past.

The souls that grow forcefully are the souls that eventually grow weak.

Fear is a cancer that spreads and grows

Move slowly through your spiritual development. Only then does it last.

To live a simple life, you must…

Be in the moment
Let bygones be bygones
Know that nothing ever ends
In order to find God, you have to believe in you.

Is Your Mortgage Resetting?

About $50 billion in adjustable mortgages are resetting this month. The interest rates will be going up for many borrowers.

What can borrowers do at this time? Most will have to find a way to pay the higher expenses, but are they prepared for this? Many are not even aware of how much their new payment will be.

If you have an ARM mortgage, you should be concerned and become aware of your options. Mortgages that will default will be at an all time high. A loan modification can be helpful and an option before going into default. Seek the help of your lender. Inquire about refinancing to a fixed rate.

Should the blame be put on poor underwriting standards? The subprime crisis came to a head in July and August of this year. By March 2008, there could be $100 billion in resetting loans.

I have read that servicers might give ARM borrowers an extra three to five years of payments at low rates, giving them the help they need until home prices rebound. Unpaid interest could then be rolled back into principals and loans refinanced.

Become aware of your mortgage terms, learn how your mortgage resets and become aware of all your options. Get yourself prepared, so you are not caught in a situation that you will default.