Have you ever wondered what the difference is between an altered book and a scrapbook. I never knew there was a difference until now. The website www.altered-book.com/scrapbook.html provides a very good explanation of the difference. Visit the site today to get an in depth look at the differences between the two. Is one an art and one a craft? Are they both art and craft. You decide!
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Scrapbooks vs. Altered Books What is the difference?
May 13th, 2008 William Surrency Posted in Scrapbooking | No Comments »
Do you know anything about Real Italian Food?
April 2nd, 2008 William Surrency Posted in Website Reviews | No Comments »
It is not often that I write a blog entry about a website. The only times that I do are when I find a unique site or one that simply sparks my interest.
I don’t know about you, but I love Italian food and any time I have the chance I visit a local Italian Resturant to curb my appitite for Italian Food. My favorite is Fettucini Alfredo with grilled Italian chicken strips over the top. I also have to have my Ceaser Salad and my bread with Olive Oil and just the right Italian spices. Now if that does not make you hungry, I don’t know what will.
Well given my appitite for Italian Food, I search for recipes for new Italian dishes that I have never eaten. The other day, I found a website that places a focus just on Italian Food. This has to be a pretty new website because it is not even listed in Google yet. I found the site by typing words in the address bar. The sites name is simple! I typed in a few different things and then I came on All-About-Italian-Food. From what I have read, this woman really knows about Italian Food. There are some links on the site that say Recipes and I clicked them to find that they are not up and running yet. I can not wait to find out what kind of recipes she puts on her site. I am hopeful that she gets creative and gives me some new dishes to try.
After reading this, please to not swamp me with requests for me to review your website. If you simply make a comment on an article, I usually visit most of the links that are placed on the comments. If I see a site that catches my attention as this one did, I will eagerly write a review and place it on this site.
Visit the Italian Food site at All-About-Italian-Food.com
Review by: William Surrency
The Impact Of Rising Gas Prices
March 21st, 2008 William Surrency Posted in Automotive, Economy, Finance, Shopping | 1 Comment »
The price of fuel has risen greatly during my life of 36 years. I look back at the first car that I purchased. The car was very economical and used very little fuel. My first vehicle was a 1982 Chevette. I believe that the miles per gallon were close to 30. With only $20, I could drive for almost a full week. Today, I drive a Toyota Sequoia and spend close to $120 per week just to commute to work. My wife is now driving a Camry and spends about $85 for her commute. Together we use $205 per week in fuel not including additional travel shopping, dining out or visiting friends. Do the math! This is over $888 per month and $10,600 per year to travel to work.
Remember the figures I provided you on the cost of fuel to my family? I took these figures a little further to find out if purchasing a fuel efficent car would make sense. I found that purchasing a car that gets 40 MPG would save me $297 per month. It is now time to shop for a vehicle that will provide better gas mileage.T
he most attractive car that I have found at this point is the SMART. SMART - A vital member of the Mercedes Car Group, a Daimler AG Company. This car will give me about 44 MPG. However, There is a downfall in the fact that only 2 people can fit in this car.
Cool Little Car
Great Gas Mileage
Only Seats 2This car is priced right at only $16,000. I am not sure if this is the direction that I will go in solving my fuel problem. I will continue to shop to see what else is on the market that may be able to give the savings with a little more room. Is it time for you to start shopping for a more fuel-efficient vehicle?If you are thinking about looking for a vehicle that will save you money, you may want to start out by visiting http://www.fueleconomy.gov/ There is a wealth of information right at your fingertips.
Author: William Surrency
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Credit Repair - A Fresh Start
March 1st, 2008 admin Posted in Finance | No Comments »
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jim_Kemish]Jim Kemish
Life is Unpredictable
There are innumerable reasons people fall behind on their bills. Getting back on your feet after a period of financial challenge can be hard. But if you take the proper steps you will not only succeed, but emerge stronger than ever. Here are some awesome credit repair tips along with some advice on organizing your efforts.
Post Bankruptcy Cleanup
If events of your life led to the necessity for bankruptcy, don’t feel bad. You are not alone. And if you make sure your credit report reflects the bankruptcy properly, your credit scores will suffer only a minimal impact.
Once a bankruptcy is complete the items that were discharged should no longer report as collections, charge offs, or with past due balances. If you ignore your credit reports after a bankruptcy these items can linger and continue to weigh down your credit scores for years to come. Post-bankruptcy credit repair is easy. Make a copy of your bankruptcy discharge, along with the schedule of items included, and send it to all three credit bureaus requesting them to clean up each effected item.
Student Loan Problems
Student loans are unique among all other liabilities. It is almost impossible to discharge a student loan in bankruptcy, and there is no statute of limitations for collectability. Unlike old credit card debt, you can’t just wait out the next few years until it goes away; student loan debt is here to stay. It is for this reason that we suggest to our customers that they pick up the phone and deal with it right away.
But there is good news. First, the law requires that student loan lenders accommodate borrowers by making repayment as flexible and affordable as possible. And second, there is assistance available to help you understand your rights. If you are having any kind of issues with your student loans, if they are currently past due, or even long since in default, please call the Student Loan Ombudsman Office at (877) 557-2575. Call today!
Credit Card Re-Aging
If you are currently behind on credit card payments and are working hard to catch up there is a way out. There is a little known procedure offered by credit card issuers known as “re-ageing.” This procedure will allow you to convert your past due balance into a current balance, and will eliminate the entire history of late payments on the account. That’s right! Once the process is complete your account will be entirely current, and will show on your credit report as if there had never been an issue. This is a super effective credit repair technique!
Here are the rules. The account in question must have been open for at least nine months. For your part, you must offer to make three on-time payments. Re-ageing is designed for people that have been through a period of hardship and are now ready to get back on track; so you need to be in this category, and you must communicate this to the credit card company.
Just call the credit card issuer and tell them that you are interested in their re-aging policy. Some card issuers refer to this process as “curing”. If the person you are speaking with does not know what you are talking about, please ask for their supervisor. I suggest that you organize your thoughts before you call. Remember to tell them that your life has changed and you are going to be a great customer!
Budget Thoughts
An intelligent credit repair effort can make a world of difference. But in the long run, the key to maintaining great credit is living within your means. Life will not always cooperate with your attempt to stay on a budget, but the more careful you are to plan your finances while times are good, the more resilient you will be when unforeseen circumstances arise.
Organizing a budget requires a bit of careful thought - and a pen and paper! You will need to consider all of your monthly expenses. Make sure to include everything, rent, mortgage payments, utilities, auto expenses, food, etc. Knowledge is power. Too many people lose control of their finances simply because they don’t take the time to know what their commitments are. Only when you know your limits can you make reasonable decisions about what to purchase, or what amount of new debt is manageable.
Savings Tips
While you are contemplating your budget, make an allowance for savings. In the long run savings will be the most important contributor to financial stability. Make a habit of setting aside money. Savings leads to confidence and peace of mind. In time your savings will provide the foundation of unshakable credit that is capable of withstanding all of the events of life. Good luck!
Copyright © 2007 James W. Kemish. All Content. All Rights Reserved.
Jim Kemish, a nationally recognized [http://www.skybluecredit.com/]credit repair and restoration expert, is the president and founder of Sky Blue Credit, a leading credit repair business since 1989. Jim is also the president of Power Mortgage, a [http://www.powermortgage.com/]Florida mortgage company based in Delray Beach, Florida.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Kemish http://EzineArticles.com/?Credit-Repair—A-Fresh-Start&id=1017209
Credit Repair - A Fresh Start
March 1st, 2008 admin Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jim_Kemish]Jim Kemish
Life is Unpredictable
There are innumerable reasons people fall behind on their bills. Getting back on your feet after a period of financial challenge can be hard. But if you take the proper steps you will not only succeed, but emerge stronger than ever. Here are some awesome credit repair tips along with some advice on organizing your efforts.
Post Bankruptcy Cleanup
If events of your life led to the necessity for bankruptcy, don’t feel bad. You are not alone. And if you make sure your credit report reflects the bankruptcy properly, your credit scores will suffer only a minimal impact.
Once a bankruptcy is complete the items that were discharged should no longer report as collections, charge offs, or with past due balances. If you ignore your credit reports after a bankruptcy these items can linger and continue to weigh down your credit scores for years to come. Post-bankruptcy credit repair is easy. Make a copy of your bankruptcy discharge, along with the schedule of items included, and send it to all three credit bureaus requesting them to clean up each effected item.
Student Loan Problems
Student loans are unique among all other liabilities. It is almost impossible to discharge a student loan in bankruptcy, and there is no statute of limitations for collectability. Unlike old credit card debt, you can’t just wait out the next few years until it goes away; student loan debt is here to stay. It is for this reason that we suggest to our customers that they pick up the phone and deal with it right away.
But there is good news. First, the law requires that student loan lenders accommodate borrowers by making repayment as flexible and affordable as possible. And second, there is assistance available to help you understand your rights. If you are having any kind of issues with your student loans, if they are currently past due, or even long since in default, please call the Student Loan Ombudsman Office at (877) 557-2575. Call today!
Credit Card Re-Aging
If you are currently behind on credit card payments and are working hard to catch up there is a way out. There is a little known procedure offered by credit card issuers known as “re-ageing.” This procedure will allow you to convert your past due balance into a current balance, and will eliminate the entire history of late payments on the account. That’s right! Once the process is complete your account will be entirely current, and will show on your credit report as if there had never been an issue. This is a super effective credit repair technique!
Here are the rules. The account in question must have been open for at least nine months. For your part, you must offer to make three on-time payments. Re-ageing is designed for people that have been through a period of hardship and are now ready to get back on track; so you need to be in this category, and you must communicate this to the credit card company.
Just call the credit card issuer and tell them that you are interested in their re-aging policy. Some card issuers refer to this process as “curing”. If the person you are speaking with does not know what you are talking about, please ask for their supervisor. I suggest that you organize your thoughts before you call. Remember to tell them that your life has changed and you are going to be a great customer!
Budget Thoughts
An intelligent credit repair effort can make a world of difference. But in the long run, the key to maintaining great credit is living within your means. Life will not always cooperate with your attempt to stay on a budget, but the more careful you are to plan your finances while times are good, the more resilient you will be when unforeseen circumstances arise.
Organizing a budget requires a bit of careful thought - and a pen and paper! You will need to consider all of your monthly expenses. Make sure to include everything, rent, mortgage payments, utilities, auto expenses, food, etc. Knowledge is power. Too many people lose control of their finances simply because they don’t take the time to know what their commitments are. Only when you know your limits can you make reasonable decisions about what to purchase, or what amount of new debt is manageable.
Savings Tips
While you are contemplating your budget, make an allowance for savings. In the long run savings will be the most important contributor to financial stability. Make a habit of setting aside money. Savings leads to confidence and peace of mind. In time your savings will provide the foundation of unshakable credit that is capable of withstanding all of the events of life. Good luck!
Copyright © 2007 James W. Kemish. All Content. All Rights Reserved.
Jim Kemish, a nationally recognized [http://www.skybluecredit.com/]credit repair and restoration expert, is the president and founder of Sky Blue Credit, a leading credit repair business since 1989. Jim is also the president of Power Mortgage, a [http://www.powermortgage.com/]Florida mortgage company based in Delray Beach, Florida.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Kemish http://EzineArticles.com/?Credit-Repair—A-Fresh-Start&id=1017209
Improving Poor Credit
March 1st, 2008 admin Posted in Finance | No Comments »
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=K.M._Aguglia]K.M. Aguglia
In today’s day and age your credit history and score affect you more than you might know. The ability to buy a home or a car, to get a loan or a credit card is greatly reduced by a low credit score. A poor credit rating can even affect the rate you pay for car insurance, or your ability to get the cell phone you want. The availability of credit is sometimes the only path out of dark times in our lives. So what can you do to improve your credit before that dark time comes?
First, check your spending. Where does all your money go? You need to take a serious look at your finances to figure out why you currently have a poor credit rating. Is it because of irresponsibility, or because you truly can’t afford the things you are buying?
Second, make regular payments on your existing credit account. Now that you’ve taken a closer look at your finances and know where your cash is going, cut out unnecessary spending and pay off your debts. If looking at your finances has only pointed out that you can’t afford to pay off your debts, you may want to consider credit counseling or bankruptcy.
Third, look for a fresh start. Once you have a clear picture of your finances obtain new credit in the form of a credit card or loan. Remember, the whole point of this is to improve your credit, so don’t go crazy. If you get a loan make the regular monthly payments on time. If you get a credit card, spend lightly and pay off the balance in full at the end of each month.
Remember, repairing your credit is a marathon, not a sprint.
If you have poor credit and are looking for a fresh start, visit http://www.creditdilemmasolved.com for a list of resources available to you.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=K.M._Aguglia http://EzineArticles.com/?Improving-Poor-Credit&id=1014832
Choosing Between Credit Cards with Cash Back
March 1st, 2008 admin Posted in Finance | No Comments »
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Susan_Slobac]Susan Slobac
Credit cards with cash back provide consumers with an easy way to earn money when they use their card for applicable purchases. There are many different companies that offer some type of rewards program, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and Bank of America. In addition, there are variations in the terms of credit cards with cash back programs offered, for example house credit cards, cards issued by banks, and cards used for entertainment and travel purposes. Knowing the kinds of purchases you most often make will help in selecting the best cash back credit cards for you.
Cards issued by banks, such as the oft-used Visa and MasterCard, plus American Express, Discover and Bank of America, are very popular because they are widely accepted by a broad spectrum of businesses for a vast variety of purchase options worldwide. Sometimes an organization, like a college, will offer one of these types of credit cards to a group with which they are affiliated, such as an alumni association. Each of these bank’s credit cards with cash back offers varies, so it makes sense to read each set of terms carefully to see if your purchases fit their requirements for receiving the rewards, and if you care for the rewards that they are offering.
House credit cards are available from certain department stores, telephone services, and oil companies. They can only be used to make purchases from that one company that issues the card, so it does limit the scope of the credit card’s usefulness. However, if you consistently purchase products or services from one particular purveyor, then you can save a significant amount by paying with house credit cards with cash back rewards offers. The rewards can vary from free shipping on items to deep discounts on merchandise and services sold. [http://www.consumercreditoutlet.com/card/cashbackoffers.html]American Express cash back credit cards rewards are earned by those with this type of entertainment and travel card. With certain card offers, this card company will open a savings account in your name and deposit a percentage of qualified purchases into the account, plus they will deposit a certain amount of money into the savings account after you have used the card for the first time. This type of reward is literally cash in your bank account, which can be attractive to those who travel and dine out often.
Any [http://www.consumercreditoutlet.com/card/cashbackoffers.html]credit cards with cash back offers that you are considering will require you to fill out an application. However, before you take that step you will want to check the terms of the agreement to make sure that the particular card you are considering will be acceptable in the places where you most often spend money. You will also want to determine the fees charged for the card’s use, and make sure that the fees do not outweigh the benefit derived from the rewards offered.
Susan Slobac is a personal financial advisor. She specializes in working with individuals to improve their credit rating, build assets and maximize the benefits of specialty programs like credit cards with cash back.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_Slobac http://EzineArticles.com/?Choosing-Between-Credit-Cards-with-Cash-Back&id=1017265
Simple Techniques Will Help In Potty Training
February 25th, 2008 admin Posted in Life | No Comments »
Author: Mike Barus
Many children are in daycare these days, it has been reported that children between the ages of birth and 6 years are in daycare this is about 61% of the population, so it is important when potty training that parent work closely with their children.
When your child is ready for potty training you will need to get the right potty supplies, reading books and getting the correct supplies will help in the process. Many people say the sign of readiness is when your child learns how to peddle; once they know how to peddle they are ready for potty training. This of course means that you will have to start using public restrooms. Both parents need to help with the training; it can not be only one parent handling the burden of potty training. Some family situations are unique, for example many parents share custody, and this sometimes creates a problem when trying to potty train. Once you start potty training you cannot go back, if you try you are sending mixed messages to your child. You will need to be patient with your child, this is completely new to them and there will be accidents during the process. If you start to yell or get angry towards your child your child will again have mixed messages.
Your toddler is now in control and accepting that will eliminate the battle. Let your toddler observe how to go to the bathroom, the best method of learning is through viewing others. Some parents like to o bribe their toddler with a small container of candies in the bathroom. Many parents carry a portable potty around with them, so no matter where you are you can have your child go to the potty. Another helpful tip is to put a plastic liner on their beds so the urine does not flow to the mattress.
There are many simple techniques you can use when trying to potty train, follow them and it will lay the groundwork and make it much easier. Some parents may find obstacles in the process of potty training their children.
Before you start make sure your child is showing signs that they are ready, does not like the feel of going in their pants, want big kid pants, these are the signs to look for. First, you must make sure your child is even ready for this step. When potty training parents try all different types of techniques, some good some bad, but when they don’t work parents get frustrated, and with the cost of diapers or pull-ups so high you see why they are so desperate to get their child potty trained. Many parents have successfully potty trained their children using a potty training doll.
Children begin the process by showing they are ready to go the potty and after a period of time they are trained and it seems like the training period never happened. Potty training fears, often called toilet terrors, are common among toddlers and small children. Using the toilet for bowel movements can be difficult for a toddler to understand, as well as scary and undesirable.
For you child to become dry and trained they need to come to the realization to recognize the he/she needs to go potty without making in their pants. Over time your child’s accidents will become fewer and before you know it your childe will be completely potty trained.
Melissa Fishman and David Marc Fishman are the owner of personalized party favors. Mailordermommy sells kid party favors. The law of attraction works with everyone.
Article Source: http://www.article99.com/view-authors/track.php?bio=1158&author=Mike-Barus
How To Write A Professional Press Release
February 23rd, 2008 admin Posted in Business | No Comments »
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Megan_Vaillancourt]Megan Vaillancourt
So you want to learn how to write a professional press release? A Press release is a statement, upcoming release or news to be released to the media. Press releases are becoming a more widely used free online marketing resource to getting news out and redirecting them to a website.
The first thing you must understand is that a press release is not an advertisement. You must create something newsworthy to announce. If your press release is structured as an advertisement most PR submissions will deny your distribution. The key is to get your mind frame out of the advertising mode and start to think on the terms of breaking news that you want to share with the media.
You are probably wondering with the strict guidelines How You Can Write a Professional Press Release. No need to worry here are some key points to assisting you to getting a professional Press Release accepted. Your PR must answer the following five questions.
1.) Who
2.) Where
3.) When
4.) What
5.) Why - What Are The Benefits To The Readers
A good quality press release will be short and to the point around four hundred words or less. Longer press releases are not as productive as it loses the media’s attention, and is not as search engine friendly. Learning to Write A Professional Press Release can enhance your business or service. With our Internet world filled with advertisements it is refreshing avenue to getting the word out without the over hyped ads readers are viewing on a daily basis.
Megan Vaillancourt
The Founder And Creator Of The Highly Acclaimed Mentors 4 U. Teaching entreprenuers how to earn money online using ground breaking free marketing techniques. Voted Top Mentoring and Training of 2007 for duplicating the most online marketing success stories.
Mentors 4 U Acknowledges and Supports
Passport To Wealth http://www.PassportMentors.com
and The soon to Be Released My Internet Business http://www.MyInternetBusinessEarnsMoney.com
Questions for Megan Vaillancourt
802-285-2006 or email her mentoring email
[mailto:mentors4u@gmail.com]mentors4u@gmail.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Megan_Vaillancourt http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Write-A-Professional-Press-Release&id=977539
Florida Voters Approve Save Our Homes & Vote Yes On Homestead Exemption - Now What for Property Tax?
February 23rd, 2008 admin Posted in Real Estate | No Comments »
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Paul_F_Davis]Paul F Davis
What does the newly passed Save Our Homes Amendment 1 mean to Florida homeowners?
The multi-million dollar battle over the Save Our Homes amendment was a victory for democracy and political activism. Popular Republican Governor Charlie Crist, along with legislative and business leaders, rallied against some of Florida’s most powerful unions to pass the new property tax laws.
Among the most powerful unions opposing the amendment are those representing teachers, firefighters, and government workers. Other noteworthy opponents of the Save Our Homes amendment are the Florida League of Women voters, the Florida PTA, some mayors, the Florida League of Cities, and some local elected officials.
Nevertheless the voters have decided they value reducing their annual tax burden over public services. Understandably so as the U.S. economy takes a nosedive and foreclosures across the country reach an all-time high.
Governor Crist was a prominent endorser and instrumental advocate who helped pass the amendment. TV ads, billboards, and promotional mailers all aggressively told voters “Today is your only chance to cut property taxes this year.” The “Vote Yes on 1″ campaign proved successful.
The result of the approved state constitutional amendment shall be an average savings between $200 to $300 savings a year for Florida homeowners depending on the value of their home.
“People have been wanting to not be trapped in their homes for a long time, so it looks like they have freed themselves tonight,” Crist said as he arrived at a victory party in Miami for Sen. John McCain, the winner in the state’s Republican presidential primary.
While running for governor in 2006, Crist made promises to double Florida’s $25,000 homestead exemption.
Amendment 1 does that for all levies except school taxes, while allowing Florida residents to carry up to $500,000 in Save Our Homes tax benefits with them when they buy a new house or apartment to live in.
The tax-cutting plan is welcomed by Florida residents, but is not expected to resurrect a stagnate economy. Meanwhile Florida’s real estate market remains overbuilt and overpriced, awaiting further downward price adjustments.
The big question for many is how state and local governments will recooperate monies for providing public services now that the tax burden has been lessened upon homeowners. From a consumeristic standpoint, it’s always good to lessen our individual tax burden. Yet if we rob Peter to pay Paul and incur a greater sales tax later to account for the property tax adjustment, how much have we really saved?
Next up is the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, which is currently considering 34 proposals.
Paul Davis is Central Florida’s favorite and most reputable property appraiser frequently called upon by banks, homeowners, and savvy real estate investors to assess property values. A builder for over twenty years and also a real estate broker, Paul Davis brings a wealth of knowledge to the table as an appraiser.
Paul’s company Midstate Appraisals serves Central Florida (Lake, Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Sumter and Davenport in Polk counties).
Contact Paul Davis and Midstate Appraisals for your next appraisal:
Office: 325-242-9973
Cell: 352-636-6672
Fax: 352-242-4912
[mailto:midstateappraisals@earthlink.net]midstateappraisals@earthlink.net
www.midstateappraisals.org
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_F_Davis http://EzineArticles.com/?Florida-Voters-Approve-Save-Our-Homes-and-Vote-Yes-On-Homestead-Exemption—Now-What-for-Property-Tax?&id=961606