Lifestyle Blog

1. Pay the balance of high-cost debt. The best investment decision most borrowers could make is to pay off consumer debt with double-digit mortgage rates. For example, should you have a $3, 000 charge card balance at NINETEEN. 8%, and you pay necessary minimum balance of 2% in the balance or $15, whatever is greater, it will consider 39 years to pay off the loan. And you may pay more in comparison with $10, 000 within interest charges.

A COUPLE OF. Buy a home and pay the balance of the mortgage so that you can retire. The largest asset of most middle-income families can be their home money. Once these families have made its last mortgage settlement, they have significantly lower housing expenditures. They also possess an asset that may be borrowed on inside emergencies or changed into cash through sale of the home.

3. Take part in a work-related old age program. Many employees change down free money from their employer by not becoming a member of a work-related retirement program say for example 401(k) plan. Should they did participate, which has a dollar-for-dollar match they would likely receive an annual yield of greater than 100% on their particular investment.

4. Outside work, save monthly through an computerized transfer from looking at to savings. These savings provides funds for emergencies, dwelling purchase, school educational costs, or even pensionable. Almost all banks will, on request, automatically transfer funds monthly in the checking account with a savings account, OUGHOUT. S. Savings Rapport, or stock good fund. What you don’t see, you may not miss.

5. Calculate your possibility and return. In case you earn 4% fascination, your money will certainly double in below 15 years; at 7% it will eventually double in about Ten years and at 10% it will eventually double in 7%. Use Asset Allocation to lessen your overall chance.

This project is perfect for the artistically challenged or those who prefer instant gratification. My young sons completed theirs in just 15 minutes.

Supplies

Glass Votive (any size or shape)

Solid Black Halloween Stickers (bats, witches, ghosts, etc.)

-OR-

Stencils, Stamps, and Black Acrylic Paint

Orange Tissue Paper, Torn Into Pieces

2 TBSP White Glue

2 TBSP Water

Craft Brush

Directions

1. Adhere stickers onto the outside of the votive –OR- If using stencils or stamps, paint heavily enough that no light shines through the shapes. Let dry completely.

2. Mix glue and water. Paint glue onto the outside of glass, on top of the stickers.

3. While the glue is wet, layer pieces of tissue paper and glue until the entire votive is covered and the tissue is saturated.

4. Turn the votive upside down to dry (a hairdryer speeds up the process).

5. Once dry, add a tea light and let the glow from these festive candles welcome the neighborhood spooks.

Having quality consumer information is the best protection you can have in today’s marketplace. The Canadian Consumer Handbook put together by Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial consumer protection agencies offers a wealth of information. There’s information on the differences between proper and improper business procedures, on how to approach banks, insurance companies, utility companies, landlords and many others. It also provides advice on consumer rights, making informed decisions, making a complaint effectively, and protecting yourself from unscrupulous dealers.

Complaining effectively is a skill that the Handbook looks at in full. Consumers should not be afraid to complain, as reputable businesses will be pleased to set matters right. There is information on how to keep track of what you have done to complain and what is the proper line of events that you should follow, from talking to the manager to going to small claims court.

This is an award-winning Web site developed by the Office of Consumer Affairs of Industry Canada. It provides rapid access to consumer information, powerful tools to cut research time, and many useful links to consumer and other organizations. Canadians can access Consumer Connection from home, the public library, community access points or from Government of Canada, provincial and territorial service outlets. For a variety of information on everything from bank fees, to privacy rights, to the latest scams or frauds, this is the place to go.

There are some few exceptions as the right to get married or vote. As an individual and principal you can grant unlimited power known as a general power of attorney.

The attorney-in-fact generally can only carry out an action if the individual and principal can exercise the same power. This stops the attorney-in-fact from acting when the principal is incapacitated. If an individual is unable to sign a contract the attorney-in-fact is also unable to sign a contract for the principal. But if you have a Durable Power of Attorney the attorney-in-fact is allowed to execute the powers granted by the principal even after the principal becomes ill.

At the Time of Death A Power of Attorney Ends

Whether you have a Durable Power of Attorney or you do not, at the time of death all power of attorney ends. If the individual and principal has granted attorney-in-fact rights to perform certain tasks, upon death all those rights are terminated.

How A Power of Attorney is Revoked

As long as you are alive you have the power to revoke the power of attorney. To revoke the power of attorney you must contact your attorney-in-fact that the power of attorney has been revoked. You can also detail at what date the power of attorney will expire.

A Springing Power of Attorney

A power of attorney can be designed to spring into effect if you become disabled or at some predetermined time or event. This is a springing power of attorney. The springing power of attorney prevents your attorney-in-fact from using the powers while you are able to take care of them yourself.

The attorney-in-fact must prove that the individual where your powers are concerned is in fact disabled and can not perform the tasks needed. You will need a written document from the physician or hospital that you are incapacitated.

It should be a current document and not several days old or it could be questioned as to whether you are still ill or disabled. So to save yourself, added turmoil, and be required to furnish a more current document take care of it the same day.

Instant Power of Attorney

Your powers of attorney can become effective immediately, as soon as it is signed, This is the type of power of attorney people use when they will be in another country for a long period of time and will not be available to handle such matters. It is generally a durable power of attorney that will expire in one year. You can also have provisions built into the powers of attorney will you can extent it. If you become incompetent or ill when the power of attorney expires, and you’re attorney-in-fact or agent, will need to go before the court to get approval to continue.

Medical Decisions

When you have a durable power of attorney it can be used to allow your attorney-in-fact the power to make medical decisions in case you become incapacitated. Most individuals have separate power of attorneys for medical and financial affairs. Sometimes the same person handles both powers of attorneys.

How to Choose your Attorney- In-Fact

Since this is one of the most important documents of your life it goes without saying it should be the most trusted of people with impeccably credentials who understand your wishes And how to handle your business. One other thing to bear in mind is when you give someone this power they have the ability to do as they wish, and may not follow your instructions. That’s why you must be very careful. When it comes to money sometimes people do things for their own interest. Your attorney-in-fact is a fiduciary. Which means that they are there to manage your assets to help you, and not themselves. The person you choose will be called under difficult circumstances. So generally it will be a family member or a close friend and sometimes an attorney you trust and respect. If you do not have a power of attorney in place it will fall to the laws of the state.

When I started teaching English at Northwestern Military and Naval Academy near Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, nobody warned me about the ghosts.

A beautiful, old granite building was a boarding school. A hundred boys lived there, ranging in age from seventh grade through twelfth, although the building could have accommodated maybe twice as many. The school had been in existence for about a century. The hallway leading to the gymnasium was lined with photographs of all the graduating classes

The entrance to the school featured two wrought iron gates and a long driveway that wound through the extensive grounds. Trees, flowers and shrubs added to the park like atmosphere.

Northwestern was both a military and a naval academy, and some of its graduates had served in World War I and World War II. A couple of those who had been killed in action were buried on the grounds. Considering the age of the building and its history, I suppose I should have expected ghosts or rather, I should have expected ghost stories. Read the rest of Ghost and Me are Believe in God »

Small business owners are inundated with things to do. From making sure their clients are happy to ensuring there is enough capital to sustain the business, there is always something on the go. Some projects that need to be done, whether it’s a project for your client or a revenue generating task for your business, can be very satisfying, while others just seem to take up too much of your valuable time. All in all, there just never seems to be enough time left to do anything else in our lives.

But, as the old saying goes, all work and no play can stress out even the most organized business professional, whether they own and operate a small business, or they are in charge of a team of employees. The thought of getting involved or taking on another assignment can leave most people shaking their heads and saying ‘no way’.

There is one thing that everyone, no matter how busy, should consider to help relieve the stress and make him or her feel good inside.

Volunteering! Doing something out of the goodness of your heart has an overwhelming way of making you feel all ‘warm and fuzzy inside’. Now, I don’t mean that you should volunteer to give away your products or services to those that can pay for it, but consider helping out one of the many causes in your local neighbourhood or a charity that is near and dear to your heart. These organizations survive on the kindness of others and would not be able to help those in need if it wasn’t for businesses and individuals that donate their time and effort.

As an example, I recently volunteered to help out a local organization with their website design. The Caledon Community Accessible Playground was started by a local mom who was concerned about the lack of safe playgrounds in the area that children with disabilities can play in. Her goal was to put together a team of volunteers from various areas of the community that would work together to develop this playground. About six months ago, I read an article in my local paper about her efforts and immediately knew that this was something that I wanted to get involved in.

Now, I don’t have or know of any disabled children personally, but I can just imagine the frustration of those that do when it comes to finding a place for their children to play that, not only can they access easily, but also that they are safe playing on.

When I called the coordinator, she seemed shocked that someone who is not directly connected to or knows someone with disabilities would want to help out. That made me feel wonderful… the first of many times during this ongoing project.

A few days later I received a call from another volunteer who simply wanted to thank me for getting involved and offering my services. I told her that I could help out in many ways, both with administrative tasks and website tasks. Well, it just so happens that the current Webmaster was overloaded with the site (along with other aspects of his life) and they were having problems finding someone to help him. I guess I was in the right place at the right time.

The project is ongoing until all the funding can be established and the playground built. We meet once a month (more, if there is an upcoming event that we want to display the project at) for a couple of hours. Then we go back to our respective lives and work on our portion of the project, when we get some time.

All tolled, I put in about 5 hours a month on this project … time definitely well spent … and not so much time that it takes away from my business and my family life. Not only am I helping out a worthy cause, but it also gives me time to practice and enhance my skills.

Keep an eye on your local paper for articles and news stories about people in your neighbourhood who are in need and then lend a hand. If I (a busy small business owner, mother and wife) can do it, so can you.

You open your computer, the flashing button says, “We have a new update for your software program. Do you wish to update now or later?” You choose the Update Now button and immediately your computer begins to download a new version of the software program.

What is the program updating? It’s fixing broken parts of the software program; it’s adding new features. It does this quickly and easily. Right before your eyes you see the update taking place. You click a button and you have the newest software update.

Computer software and hardware companies have learned that “updating” is a necessary tool in today’s computer world. Without updates, users would drift towards other vendors who have the latest features and best programs.

What about your own business? When was the last time you updated your business operations? In our fast paced, every changing business climate, your either update or customers will drift to your competitors.

Your business needs are no different than computer software companies. You need to make fixes to your business operations. You need to add new features and benefits of your business and market these new features to your customers.

Here is a short and exercise you can use to “update” your business operations. Look at these four areas in your business.

1. Your Market

Over the course of doing business, has your market message remained the same? Does it still reflect the heart of your business? How would you change it to reflect more precisely what is really happening in your business? Are there parts of your marketing efforts that need to be dropped because they are no longer useful? If your message has changed, should you be looking at different advertising mediums for your business?

I watched a floor covering business change its marketing message over a number of years. At first it offered itself as the company with the cheapest prices. As the business evolved, they realized that creating a great customer shopping experiences was more important than being the lowest price.

Once they realized their market had shifted, they made changes in their advertising. They made changes in their vendors. They made changes in their staffing. By asking a series of simple questions, they were able to update their business operations.

2. Your Customers

This business aspect is closely related to your marketing issues. Over a period of time, you can begin working with different customers. At first, the change happens gradually. Then one day, you realize your customers are different from your original business.

How do the new customers compare to your original customers? What customers need to be dropped so you can concentrate on new customers? Where is the best place to reach and contact these new customers? What other effects does this new customer population have on your business?

3. Your Buyer’s Shopping Experience

If your customers and market have changed, how do these changes affect your customer’s buying experience? Customers today have many buying options. Does the presence of chain stores affect your operations? Do internet buying options affect your business operations?

Customers today are looking for specific types of shopping experiences. Some want to buy simple and fast. Others want to make purchases slow and leisurely. What changes could you make in your customer’s shopping experience that would set you apart form your competitors?

Think of the difference in getting your oil changed at a Jiffy Lube business with plastic chairs and left over coffee. Compare this to getting the same oil changed at a Lexus dealer with a plush waiting room and high speed internet access.

4. Your Customer Follow Up Activities

Having customers buy more from you and buying more often is triggered by the relationships you establish with them and your follow up efforts. Once upon a time, sending postcards was enough. Today, the option of email notices, electronic newsletters and other fast, quick and inexpensive communication options change customer follow up’s.

Have you looked at your follow up activities to see if you can update these functions to make them faster, easier and more efficient for both you and the customer? Today’s customers expect you to use contemporary forms of communications. Are you taking advantage of these forms?

Conclusion

These are several key areas you can use to update your business operations. Just as your software is updated on a regular basis, you need to make the fixes and enhancements to your business on a regular basis. The next time you see the question on your computer, “Do you want to update now?” remind yourself to update your business operations.

Leaders in the business world need public relations big time, and they show it every day.

How? By staying in touch with their most important external audiences and by carefully monitoring their perceptions about the company, audience member feelings about hot topics at issue, and the behaviors that inevitably follow.

Could there be an angle here for your business?

What I mean is, once you interact with, then learn what that key target audience of yours believes about you and your organization, a corrective public relations goal a specific behavior change can be established.

Which then requires that you identify a strategy. There are just three choices here, create opinion where none exists, change existing opinion, or reinforce it.

It’s a logical sequence. With your goal and strategy now set, you need persuasive messages with a good chance of moving perceptions (and thus behaviors) in your organization’s direction. But you must make sure the messages talk not only to the current topic at issue, but to any misconceptions or inaccuracies encountered during your information gathering, and to any problems that might be brewing.

What will you do with your new message? You will carry it to the attention of your priority audience. You’ll use communications tactics that are credible in the eyes of the receiver, and effective in reaching him or her. You’ll also want tactics that stand a good chance of moving opinion in that target audience, on the topic at issue, in your direction.

Fortunately, there are many communications tactics to choose from: newsworthy announcements, letters-to-the-editor, news releases, radio and newspaper interviews, brochures, speeches and on and on.

Now, you’re back to the monitoring mode as you interact once again with members of the key target audience. With your communications tactics hammering away, you keep one eye peeled for signs of target audience opinion shifts in your direction. The other eye, (and ears) stay alert for any references by print and broadcast media, or other local thoughtleaders to your carefully prepared message.

The bottom line is, are perceptions and behaviors within the target audience being modified? If not, adjustments to your communications tactics often a big increase in, and wider selection must be made. Your message may also need to be sharpened and its factual basis strengthened.

Gradually, you’ll begin to notice changes in opinion starting to appear along with a growing receptiveness to those messages of yours. This is real progress.

Should you still need encouragement to hang in there with your brand new public relations program, consider this. A single issue for example, a potentially dangerous, unattended perception among a key audience can spread like wildfire nudging any business closer to failure than success.

That statistic alone should make you feel pretty good about public relations.

Q. I am transitioning to a new career after sixteen years to spend more time with my family. We moved to a very small town (less than ten thousand people) and I want to start an coffee shop business and also offer PC repair. How can Iinvestigate and then promote this business?

A. In a big city, you’ll make decisions by numbers and neighborhoods. In a small town, you schmooze!

On the surface, everyone will be friendly, optimistic and positive.

Your challenge: Get below the surface and learn the true story. You might consider asking a lot of questions before you disclose your own intentions. Listen for, “I wish we had”

1. Talk to others who have opened businesses recently.

What challenges have they faced? What works and what doesn’t? Were others newcomers successful? If so, were they truly new or did they have deep roots in the town, such as a brother who lived here forty years?

If nobody’s opened a business for awhile, dig deeper. Maybe there’s no market. Or maybe they’re just waiting for you to arrive! Sometimes a new business can generate latent demand. It’s a judgment call. Read the rest of 7 Tips for Starting a New Business in a Small Town »

You bet a name is important. Many small business owners try to come up with a clever name for their business rather than one that explains what they do. And, nine times out of ten, that is a mistake. Your business name should give your prospects some idea of what your business is about.

One of the most useful processes I’ve used to help my clients come up with a good name is to turn it around. Rather than looking at the name from your perspective, approach it from your prospect’s perspective.

1. Identify your target market. Be specific. What are their wants and needs? Specific gender? How big are they? Do they make a certain amount of revenue? What do they look like? Draw a picture of your prospect.

2. Why should they do business with you? What are the benefits? What makes you different from all the other businesses in your industry?

Based on your answers to 1 and 2 above, brainstorm a list of words that could potentially turn into a company name. Put those combinations together and see what works best for you.