You Want To Become A Work At Home Mom -- Here Are Some Things To Watch Out For!

You finally made the decision to become a work at home mom. Congradulations! The choice to work from home is becoming more and more popular for many moms. And for good reason, you can...

* be your own boss

* set your own schedule

* make money

* be home for your kids

Basically you have two choices, You can start your own home based business or you can telecommute for a company that hires remote workers.

As the popularity for finding work at home grows, unfortunately so do the scams offering big financial rewards. Work-at-home con artists have always preyed most upon moms who want to stay at home with their kids, people with low income and few job skills, and those who are looking to get rich quick.

Your first step when searching for a work at home opportunity should be for you to familiarize yourself with whats out there in the way of work at home "jobs" and "opportunities" on the Internet or you may find yourself being conned by work-at-home scam artists. You may also become unwittingly involved in helping them to promote their programs, and helping them to continue their deception.

The key to finding "Real" Work at Home jobs or opportunities is research. I know it's very tempting to fall prey to work-at-home opportunities that offer "easy money". I was a victim myself several years ago when I was a "newbie" to the Internet. Be sure to take the time to learn all that you can about a home employment offer, and about what you'll REALLY need to do to make money in it BEFORE you say yes or you could

Lose your money!

Waste valuable time!

Ruin your reputation!

Or even be a target of legal action!

Here are some common scams to watch out for, sometimes the ads may be worded a bit different- scam artists are very sneaky...

ASSEMBLY WORK AT-HOME: Typical Ad -- "Assembly work at home! Easy money assembling craft items. No experience necessary."

This scheme requires you to invest your money for instructions and materials and many hours of your time to produce items for a company that has promised to buy them. Once you have purchased the supplies and have done the work, the company often decides not to pay you because your work does not meet certain "standards." You are then left with merchandise that is difficult or impossible to sell.

CHAIN LETTER: Typical Ad -- "Make copies of this letter and send them to people whose names we will provide. All you have to do is send us ten dollars for our mailing list and labels. Look at the chart below and see how you will automatically receive thousands in cash return!!!"

The only people who benefit from chain letters are the mysterious few at the top of the chain who constantly change names, addresses, and post office boxes. They may try to impress you by describing themselves as successful professionals who know all about non-existent sections of alleged legal codes.

ENVELOPE STUFFING: Typical Ad -- "$350 Weekly Guaranteed! Stuffing Envelopes at Home!"

When answering such ads, you may not receive what you expected, but instead get instructions on how to place the same kind of ad the advertiser ran in the first place. There are several variations on this type of scheme, all of which require you to spend money on advertising and materials. According to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, "In practically all businesses, envelope stuffing has become a highly mechanized operation using sophisticated mass mailing techniques and equipment which eliminates any profit potential for an individual doing this type of work-at-home. The Inspection Service knows of no work-at-home promotion that ever produces income as alleged."

PROCESSING MEDICAL INSURANCE CLAIMS: Typical Ad -- "You can earn from $800 to $1000 weekly processing insurance claims on your home computer for health care professionals such as doctors, dentists chiropractors, and podiatrists. Over 80% of providers need your services. Learn how in one day!"

When you respond to the ad you will be told that you must have this particular software program to perform medical billing work from your home. Prices can range from $50 to $500. The software program consists of not much more than doctor names and addresses and examples of letters that you may use to contact them. Few people who purchase this medical billing business opportunity or software program are never able to find clients, start a business and generate revenues-let alone earn a substantial income and recover their investment. Competition in the medical billing market is fierce and revolves around a number of large and well-established firms. Furthermore, those that are hired as Billers for "real employers" have years of experience.

HOME TYPIST JOBS: Typical Ad -- "Now hiring clerical home typists! Work directly for our company. No experience necessary. No selling. Positions available worldwide."

There are several companies on the internet that advertise the availability of "home employment" through home typist or ad typist "jobs" with their companies. The truth is, you will not be "hired" as an "employee" of the company as their advertising suggests. Instead, you will pay a fee to join and get instructions on how to advertise the same type of ad you answered.

E-MAIL/ORDER PROCESSORS - This may also be advertised as "Clerical Workers Needed" When you answer this ad you will be asked to submit a payment anywhere from $10 - $50 for application and/or processing fee and shipping and handling for the software they tell you is necessary to complete the required work. What you get is a letter with instuctions on how and where to place the same kind of ad you answered and a 3x5 floppy with useless work-at-home jobs, a mixture of computer-related work such as word processing or data entry and the same old envelope-stuffing and home crafts scams. You are instructed to copy the letter and floppy and send this to people who answer your ad.

Real legitimate work at home jobs do exist...you just have to know where to look and what to watch out for to avoid being scammed. So what can you do to protect yourself while still seeking out work-at-home opportunities?

Steer Clear of Starter Fees.

When searching for a telecommuting job remember...Legitimate EMPLOYERS will NOT ask you for money (not for software, not for an application or processing fee, nothing)--REMEMBER don't pay someone to work for them! Legitimate Employers Pay You!

Beware of Big Promises.

Be suspicious of any job description promising overnight success or using phrases like "effortless," "no experience required," "easy money," "hidden job market," "make money fast," or "earn hundreds or thousands a week." Believe me, there is no such thing as easy! Work is Work. Your success will depend on the amount of time and effort you put in to it. If it sounds too good to be true, chances are it's a scam.

Do a Background Check.

Before getting involved with any work-from-home opportunity or job resource, type in the company's name on various search engines to view anything that may have been written about it. Good or Bad

Then check out the company with watchdog agencies such as:

The Better Business Bureau

Scambusters

National Fraud Information Center

Web Assured (click on its "Watch List" to view complaints about various companies.)

So remember, to avoid losing any of your hard-earned money, be sure to take the time to learn all that you can about a home employment offer, and about what you'll REALLY need to do to make money in it BEFORE you say yes.

Kim Miller is a work at home mom and knows what it's like to scammed. She invites you to visit her website [http://www.wahmoms.net] - a site to help moms find work at home success!

10 Things You Must Know Before Choosing Your Copier Vendor

Before making your final choice when choosing a copier vendor there are 10 things that you must know.

1)    Are they an authorized dealer?

Ask if they are an authorized dealer for the brand copier they are recommending to your business. Besides hearing the answer, you will need some type of proof. A certificate from the manufacturer or being listed on the manufacturer's web site are adequate proof. An authorized dealer has the advantage of having the full support of the manufacturer which includes product training, replacement parts and supplies as well as warranty support (i.e. replacing defective machines).

2)    Guarantees?

The second item you need to know is their guarantees. Most vendors have good intentions to provide good service. You need to find out what the vendor guarantees, in writing, to provide when things don't go smoothly. You are exchanging cash for the ability to produce documents. You need the assurance that you can produce those documents no matter what. Find out how the vendor guarantees to respond to service requests and what happens if there are repetitive problems with your equipment. A key point is not just finding out what the vendor intends to do, you also need to get an answer to the question "or what?". For example, you need to find out what the vendor's service response time is and then find out what the consequence is to the vendor if they don't perform.

3)    Hidden fees?

Next find out what hidden fees exist besides the cost of acquiring the copier and its operating costs (service and supplies). Hidden fees can include filing fees, insurance charges or interim rent paid to a leasing company and delivery charges for supplies. Hidden fees can add significant expense to your total cost of ownership.

4)    Who is the leasing company?

Most companies tend to lease when they acquire new copiers. You will want to find out who "funds" the vendor's leases. You need to understand the relationship between the equipment vendor and the leasing company. The closer the business relationship, the more likely it is that the vendor can help with issues that may arise with the equipment lease. Late fees, insurance charges, billing errors can be annoying and time consuming problems that can be tough to correct on your own. You want to know up-front what leverage the equipment vendor has to be able to help you.

5)    Who is the vendor owner?

The fifth thing you need to know is who owns the vendor. Is the vendor locally owned or is it a division of an international company? Depending on the structure of your business, each type of vendor can have an advantage to your business. For instance, if you are a local business and operate primarily in a single location, a local vendor may be the best choice. Although not a rule, local vendors (or dealerships) many times outshine national distributors in their ability to customize aspects of their support. On the other hand, if you operate in multiple locations, it may be easier for you to work with a vendor that can personally control the quality of service delivery for all your locations.

6)    Supply replenishment?

A sixth item to determine is how the vendor replenishes supplies used by the equipment. Toner is the most frequently replaced component and without it, your equipment will not produce the documents your company needs to operate. You'll want to find out if the vendor has systems in place to keep you stocked at all times with the supplies necessary to operate your equipment. It's recommended to have your own backup plan but you are first asking the vendor about their systems that will prevent disaster on your end.  You also want to ask about a worst case scenario when you do run out of toner. What systems do they have in place to get you back up and running again quickly?

7)    Meter readings?

Although not critical to your equipment operating, a seventh item you want to find out about is how the vendor collects usage information or meter readings. Most vendors charge for service on a usage basis usually stated as a cost per copy. Service can be packaged in different ways but the vendor will always want to track your usage. Find out how meter readings are collected by the vendor. Your best case is where the vendors have an automated system where the equipment communicates directly with them (and doesn't violate any of your network security policies) so as to not disturb your employees.

8)    Billing errors?

The eighth item to evaluate is who can help you with billing errors. Most often there are two entities you are dealing with. The first is the equipment vendor who is placing and supporting your copier equipment. You will receive operating cost service and included supplies) and supply (i.e. staples, paper) invoices from them. The second entity is the leasing company the vendor used to fund the copier lease. They will send lease invoices for the equipment. There are variations where the leasing company will invoice for the equipment as well as operating costs. Whatever your program type, you want to find out how many invoices you will receive and who is invoicing each component. Will you have one local point of contact that is close to the invoicing process or are there multiple contacts located far from your location. The fewer contacts you have to work with and the closer they are to the process, the faster and easier you will be able to resolve billing errors.

9)    The "lemon".

In the 23 years that I was an equipment salesperson as well as a dealer principal, I never saw any equipment labeled as a "lemon" when it was delivered to our dock. Although not a frequent occurrence, some of the equipment unboxed as brand new had demons that showed themselves fairly quickly after installation. The ninth item that you want to find out about is the process the vendor uses to resolve equipment reliability issues. Ask who is involved and how long each step described takes. Your best case is the fewest people involved and a short time line. Keep in mind you need to find out how the vendor handles replacing a machine that is within 90 days of installation as well as equipment that has been in use longer. These 2 categories are usually handled differently.

10) What do you want to change?

Unless you are a start-up business, you probably are currently using a copier and have a current vendor. During your relationship there are issues that have likely surfaced.  The tenth item you need to find out before choosing your copier vendor is can the vendor(s) you are considering  serve you in a way that eliminates or minimizes the issues that you are currently experiencing. Pretending you have a magic wand, describe on paper the perfect equipment vendor. Have your wish list close at hand when discussing how you want to work with a potential (or current) vendor. Have the vendor put in writing your expectations and how they will deliver them. Remember item 2 above and make sure get an answer to the question "or what?" for each area of concern. Promises or guarantees without "teeth" will not deliver the support you are seeking.

Researching these ten questions will help you choose the best vendor for your business. 

If you have any questions, you can e-mail them to help@bottomlineadv.com

David Cantliffe is the President and Founder of BottomLine Advantage LLC located in Superior, Colorado. BottomLine Advantage is a performance-based, client advocacy consulting group that specializes in reducing hard dollar costs for copy, print, and fax expenses, as well as facilities management agreements while simultaneously enhancing vendor service support levels.

David's experience spans over 18 years as a sales representative within the copier industry combined with 5 years experience as a dealership principal. You can download free articles and templates containing additional cost reduction ideas at http://www.bottomlineadv.com inside the resources tab, send an e-mail with questions or contact David at 888.400.3600.

© Copyright ? David Cantliffe. All Rights Reserved Worldwide

Top 10 Things To Do If You Have a Mental Illness

If you're reading this book, chances are that you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a mental illness. This is a scary time, filled with lots of questions, strange buzz words, and people pushing drugs at you. In the best case scenario, you need to know that you're not alone. In the worst case, you need to know that you can survive this. Here's what I, a humble devotee of mental illness, would recommend for the novice.

1. Don't panic! I know that's easier said than done. Right now you may feel as if you have absolutely no grip on reality... and that may very well be the case, if you're having a psychotic episode. The key here is to get someplace safe. Where that might be is different for most people...some people feel safe inside a crowded shopping mall, but that was the worst place for me. If all else fails, go to your local emergency room. At the very least, if you do decide to do something harmful to yourself, you're at the best place for it. Good ERs will have social workers that you can talk to. I've parked outside in the parking lot of an ER and waited for the wave of self-mutilating urges to pass.

2. You are not alone. This isn't a particularly helpful thing to know when you're in the midst of a crisis, but when you become more rational in your thinking you might be pleased to know that whatever you're going through, there are others who have gone through it, are going through it, and will go through it. That's what this book is primarily about. It's the "hey, somebody else feels the same way I do" idea. Again, not much comfort at the time of a crisis, but it helps keep you from feeling too isolated during those thoughts of, "I'm not normal."

3. Laugh. I mean, why not? If you're depressed, you'll feel like crying instead, and that's fine too. But if you can develop a particularly sinister evil maniacal laugh, it just adds to the whole persona. And really, what good is going stark raving mad, if you can't develop the maniacal laughter to go with it? Honestly, laughter does a lot for the body...it creates endorphins, it helps build muscle, it does all types of good stuff for ya. Also, laughter is really the only way to get through this. There's going to be enough crying, gnashing of teeth, swearing, etc. Develop a good hearty laugh and find things to laugh at. Even if it doesn't make sense to anybody else.

4. Keep an open mind. I know, I know, the irony is thick. You feel like your mind is slowly dissolving into little pieces, and I'm telling you to keep it open. But in order for things to help you through this phase of your life, you have to believe they will work. Some things sound pretty hokey - try 'em anyway. I once had a therapist tell me I should sing to myself. Pretty stupid I thought, and it didn't work for me. Doesn't mean it won't work for you. The therapist had a pretty good practice, and I'm sure it worked for some of his patients.

5. Find yourself a therapist and a psychiatrist. This is expensive. Hopefully you have insurance. If you don't have insurance, go to your local county or state agency and get on whatever plan they have. Some docs and therapists will work on a sliding scale - you pay what you can afford. You may, if you're spiritually inclined, find a church that has some type of family therapy program. They may be able to better direct you for your community.

a. You need a psychiatrist (a psychiatrist is an M.D. trained in brain disorders) who can prescribe and manage your medication. Despite what actors and some nutritionists say, medication is a huge help for most people. Pharmaceuticals are your friends. I wouldn't be here today to write this if it weren't for the miracle of modern drug therapy. Don't let anybody talk you out of it. If a doctor tells you to take 20mg of Prozac during the day, then by jove, take 20mg of Prozac during the day. However, and this is my caveat, if you have a doctor who is prescribing 20mg of Prozac, 20mg of Paxil, 10mg of Zoloft, and you keep complaining about being drowsy all the time, and the doctor's answer is to prescribe new or more medication, think hard about getting a second opinion. Some psychiatrists are big on overprescribing medication, not for any malicious reason other than being overzealous in keeping you safe. (If you're conked out in bed 20 hours a day, it's not likely you'll be hurting yourself or others during those 4 hours that you're awake.) Take your medication, but be sure to learn about your medication. And don't be afraid to ask your doctor questions. If he/she balks at answering, get a new doctor.

b. Some psychiatrists can be therapists. A lot of psychiatrists make lousy therapists. I'd advise you to look for an actual therapist. For most mental illnesses there's a biological component (treated with meds) and a psychological component (treated with therapy). It's been my experience that LCSWs (Licensed Clinical Social Workers) and MSWs (Masters of Social Work) are better at dialog then a psychologist (a Ph.D. in psychology). If you're the type who gets better by talking to somebody who doesn't talk back much, a clinical psychologist is for you. If you're like me and you want to interact with somebody, a LCSW or MSW seem to work better. Also, find a therapist who has only been in practice for no more than 15 years or so. The ones who have practiced longer don't seem to be up to date with new treatments, skills, or diagnoses. The newer graduates have been trained in newer techniques.

There is one inherent problem with therapy - it's an intimate relationship that takes some time to develop. If you have a fear of intimacy (and lots of us with mental illnesses do) it's a problem. It usually takes a good three or four sessions before you're comfortable discussing big problems with a therapist... but it's still three or four sessions that have to be paid for by you or by insurance. Don't instantly write off a therapist (unless they are really weird... I've had many of those) but don't spend too long trying to see if it's going to work out. (I spent 16 months with one therapist who wasn't working out, only because I didn't want to have to go through the whole screening process over again.) Always remember, the therapist works for you! He/She may have all types of rules and regulations, but the bottom line is you pay the bill, and if you're not comfortable, tell him/her upfront and they should understand.

6. Take some time off work. I admit, I was fortunate. My insurance policy at work allowed me to take 24 months off (at 66% pay) for reasons of mental disability. And my parents were able to help with bills during and after that two years. Not everybody can afford it. But I highly recommend, that if you can afford to, take sick leave, vacation, a sabbatical, whatever from work and /or school. Our jobs are the biggest stress maker. Once we eliminate that stress, we can get on with the business of getting better. Besides, I'm sure your mental illness is making you screw up at your job. If you're depressed, you can't concentrate on anything, and you're blowing the small details. You probably feel you're at risk of getting fired. Better, in my opinion, to be proactive than to have to react. If you've got some time on the books NOW is the time to take it. The World Health Organization suggests that by 2010 more time will be lost from depression and other mental illness than by the common cold or flu. Leave now, before it becomes hostile, before you need to go to the restroom and weep for half an hour at a time. If your job is making you that sick, I'd even recommend quitting and getting a different job. I don't care what you make, or how many other people depend on you . . . if you off yourself because of a menial job, nobody's better off.

7. Watch out for Stigma. In your mentally ill life, you're going to meet bozoheads who are going to say something like, "well, just snap out of it." Or "it's all in your head." Or you'll find somebody somewhere stereotyping mentally ill people as being lazy or deadbeat, or a danger. Ya know, you don't need that crap. That's where groups like the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill come in handy. Their Stigmabusters alert warns you of up coming media events (TV and movies and the like) that portray mentally ill in one of the stereotypical ways. Support groups are also good resources to reach out to, when you feel the man is stepping on you. There's nothing worse than being depressed and then watching a depressed person being portrayed as lazy . . . it makes you, well, even more depressed. Again, being proactive about things helps. Writing letters to TV producers, movie companies, and legislatures helps channel your individual frustration, and lets other people know that, "hey, we might have some problems, but we're still human beings."

8. Learn. The web is a great resource. Learn what you can about your particular diagnosis. Hopefully your psychiatrist and therapist are up on the latest, but they may not be. New therapies and medications are being produced every year. Maybe the Geodon isn't working for you, but maybe Abilify will. Abilify is pretty new, not all docs know about it yet. Never hurts to vet it out with the doc. A lot of the information in this book is stuff that I learned just by reading various books, magazines, news articles and web sites. Knowledge is power.

9. Teach. Your experiences are different and unique. Even though what you may be going through is similar to several thousand people out there, what you're doing and how you're doing it, is different. Maybe there's a way to showcase that. Maybe you can help newbies going through this at a support group, or volunteer at your local NAMI chapter. You'll learn more about yourself and what you can and cannot do, by helping others go through it.

10. Don't give up. If I had a nickel for every time I wanted to off myself, I'd be dead, but rich. Don't give the devil the satisfaction. It's a (and I hate using clichés) a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Some days are going to be better than others . . . some days are going to be down right shitty. It's even possible that tomorrow may be worse than what you're feeling now. But some day, somewhere, things will get better. It takes work. Going through a mental illness is one of the tougher things I've ever done. Most mornings, I don't want to get up. Some days I don't. But I've never stopped trying. I may have taken extended periods of time off, and that's okay for you too . . . but don't give up. Keep the hope of something better alive. That's what it takes to get better - hope.

Stewart Young continues to learn about his illness while overcoming the many obstacles placed in his path by his illness and by society. Borderland: A Life on the Edge, is co-written with his ex-wife and former caretaker, Monique Young. The authors can be reached at monique@moniquewrites.com.

Ten Things You Need To Know Before Hiring A Remodeling Contractor

1)Are you licensed? Make sure your contractor is properly licensed. In the State of Delaware, all contractors MUST be either certified by the State (if they have a statewide license), or registered with the State (if they have a countywide license). Anyone can say they are licensed. Make the contractor prove it by either showing you the license or giving you a copy of it. Remember to check the expiration date, and the county if It's a countywide license. Being licensed is the law. If a contractor cannot produce a valid license, DON'T HIRE HIM!

If you live in a townhouse, villa, or high rise condominium building with four or more

units, only a Building Contractor or General Contractor are permitted to perform remodeling work. Do not hire a Residential Contractor; he would be operating outside of his license. Furthermore, hire a specialty contractor (trim, carpentry, drywall, glazing, aluminum, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, roofing, etc.) to do only the type of work the license specifies.

If you have any questions or doubts, call the Delaware Department of Business and Professional Regulation, or the New Castle County Construction Industry licensing board.

2. Do you carry general liability insurance? Make sure your contractor carries general liability insurance. This type of insurance protects your property in case of damage caused by the contractor and/or his employees. The insurance company will pay for the cost of replacing and/or repairing any damage that occurs.

Anyone can say they are insured. Make the contractor prove it by having their insurance company FAX or mail to you a certified copy of his insurance with you named as the certificate holder.

3. Will you provide me with a written lien waiver? Your contractor should provide you with a written lien waiver at the end of the job. This is a legal document, which says you the homeowner have paid the contractor in full for the services rendered and the contractor waives his right to place a mechanic's lien on your property. If during the course of construction you receive any Notice to Owner documents from material suppliers or sub-contractors, it would be prudent to ask the contractor for a Final Release of Lien from each one prior to paying the contractor his final draw. This protects you in case the contractor doesn't pay his material suppliers or sub¬contractors after you have paid him in full.

4. Are you a member of NARI or NAHB? NARI stands for the National Association of the Remodeling Industry and NAHB stands for the National Association of Home Builders. It's always a good idea to consider hiring a NARI or NAHB contractor. In most cases, both organizations only attract conscientious contractors interested in bettering the industry and in weeding out unprofessional contractors. In order to become a member, the contractor's background and references are thoroughly investigated.

5. Will you pull all the required building permits? Make sure your contractor pulls all required permits. This is very important. When a contractor pulls the required building permits, you know things will be done to "code'. Also, many homeowner's insurance policies require pulling a permit on any major remodeling to keep your home properly covered. Not all contractors will do this. Many prefer not to pull permits because of the time involved and the "hassle" with the inspectors. Some contractors may ask you to get the permits. This could be a warning sign that they are not able to pull the permit because they are unlicensed, or the work is outside of their license. A reputable contractor will permit every job where a permit is required.

6. Do you guarantee your work? Your contractor should guarantee his work for at least one year from date of completion.

7. Who will be In charge of the Job? Make sure the contractor or his foreman is on the job whenever work is being performed, - especially if sub-contractors will be used. The

responsible party must be intimately familiar with every aspect of your project. If you won't be home during the construction and must leave the house unlocked, or leave a key with the contractor, you must feel comfortable. You can't be worried about what is going on when you are not there.

8. Will you provide me with written references? A good contractor will be happy to provide you with references. You should look for a well-established contractor who can

give you several client references from the last 6 months to one year. Ask for the name of the contractor's accountant or banker. You want to ensure the contractor is financially

sound and won't be declaring bankruptcy in the middle of your project.

9. What percentage of your business is repeat or referral business? When a significant source of a contractor's business is derived from repeat and referral business, it usually indicates that his clients are pleased with the work they have received.

10. How many projects like mine have you completed in the last year? Your contractor should have experience in the type of remodeling project you want done -- not just "contracting experience"

Roland Ridgeway is owner of Tri-State Remodeling, a delware remodeling contractor that specializes in replacement windows, roofing, vinyl siding, and gutter protection systems for homeowners in Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Roland is also the author of "9 Things You Must Know Before Hiring a Window or Siding Contractor"

a free consumer guide that can be requested at http://www.tri-stateremodeling.com/remodeling_tips/consumer_guide.html

10 Simple Things That Will Improve the Average American's Life

"The only thing that one really knows about human nature is that it changes. Change is the one quality we can predicate of it. The systems that fail are those that rely on the permanency of human nature, and not on its growth and development. The error of Louis XIV was that he thought human nature would always be the same. The result of his error was the French Revolution. It was an admirable result." Oscar Wilde

Some time back I wrote about the possibility of a repeat of the French Revolution in the US. The US under the Bush Administration had pushed the limits of greed and corruption while veiling their actions in secrecy. Society has always existed in a semi stable stage of class warfare. Since the Reagan Revolution government policies have favored the wealthy and large corporate interests over that of the middle class to determent of all.

The wealth of the US and the world is built on the backs of the middle class. Yes, innovation comes from the very few and creates wealth beyond belief. Yet without a broad market all the innovation in the world will not find a sales outlet. The proper feedback from the creation to the consumption of product is what builds wealth of a society. This is a fact lost on Japan and China. Repressed domestic markets create instability in the emerging manufacturing economies. It is easy to copy what others produced but difficult to bridge the social gaps necessary for sustainability.

This brings us to the new Obama budget. Maybe there is something wrong with my accounting, but the last Clinton budget was balanced with a surplus at $1.6 trillion. The last Bush deficit budget was $3.1 trillion and now Obama comes in with the $3.6 trillion budget after putting the stimulus and the bank bailout on the previous budget! Perhaps the Obama budget is a discount on the last year of the Bush Administration when you add in off the budget costs of the stimulus, the bailout and the Iraq War, which probably puts Bush's last year in the $5.6 Trillion region.

No matter how one does the math Obama is taking over a country that has not grown much since Clinton while more than doubling the last balanced budget. In a case of mone-terrorists gone no one asks what the average US citizen really needs. For without asking this question we cannot begin to address the policy changes necessary to end the spiraling down of the financial system. Let's look at ten simple things that would greatly improve the average person's life.

o A balanced budget. You do not cure alcoholism by continuing to drink into a dysfunctional state. An unbalanced budget depreciates the value of the dollar contributing to the deflation that is undermining the financial system. Such policy transfers debt to our children and grandchildren causing far more harm than all the failed socialist policies of the last 40 years. It should be a crime for any governmental agency to incur debt other than revenue bonds for infrastructure projects. All such development bonds should have a revenue resource to retire them outside of the general fund.

o Lower Energy Costs. A larger and larger portion of middle class income has been transferred to external energy costs while conservation in the name of environmentalism has prevented infrastructure development. Such policies have actually led to greater pollution. Instead of speculative Cap and Trade, impose an import tariff on all imported energy sources outside of NAFTA. Use the import tariff to develop internal energy infrastructure. Such a premium would over time reverse dependence on foreign sources while boosting the internal economies of the US and its closest neighbors.

o Raise the Minimum Wage. The minimum wage has stagnated. In the 1960s a person working for minimum wage could pay rent, own a car, buy groceries and have a few dollars left over at the end of the week. As we learned from the 1930s depression nothing stalls the economy faster than lowering wages below subsistence. Such creates a cycle of destruction of the working class, increasing crime and contributes to a lack of pricing power for producers.

o Reduce Income Taxes on Median Income to Zero. Such will substantially shift the income tax burden to upper incomes as occurred in the 1950-60s. However, eliminate the Alternative Minimum Tax and allow investment deductions against ordinary income as long as those investments are made in the US. Thus those consuming, pay higher taxes, while those saving for the future do not. Tax capital gains as ordinary income only when the money is removed from the investment markets. This would in effect provide 401K protection from taxes for all investment gains until the money is consumed.

o Fight Corruption at All Levels. The history of the decline of all societies is one of ever increasing and tolerated corruption. Those in positions of power must be held doubly responsible for corrupt activity from taking bribes, ignoring laws and nepotism. Unless those at the upper level are held accountable to a very high standard then those at the lower level will never respect and cooperate with government. Put a one year moratorium on passing any new laws. Use this period to eliminate and consolidate existing laws with the goal of streamlining and expediting the legal process making it accessible to the average citizen. Eliminate all victimless crimes and replace those necessary for regulation with taxes on "sin". The 'all governments' goal must be to make every street in the US safe for anyone to walk down any time, day or night. This is the only way to fight terrorism.

o Tax Private Education. It is shameful that the government has so deteriorated the quality of public schools that the president and virtually all upper income people use private schools. Schools are a cooperative effort with the smarter and better prepared students pushing those of less academic ability. When the top tier of students are removed from a school system the average quality of education declines. By taxing private education there would be more money and higher qualified students for public schools. The more involved parents become the better the public education raising the bar for every one.

o Pass Usury Laws. Cap credit card, all consumer loans and mortgage interest rates at 10%. The current structure of the US credit system penalizes the least capable forcing them into a continued high level of debt. If loan companies cannot make money at 10% then they will not make the loans. This will require the lower level of society to rely on pay as you go debit cards. It also will prevent speculation in times of high inflation. Outlaw negative amortization on all loans.

o Eliminate the Deduction for Charitable Contributions. It is fundamentally unfair for me to be taxed higher for subsidizing your charity no matter how noble the cause. Outlaw corporate contributions to all charities. Too often they are used as bribes. The more a corporation concentrates on its primary purpose of delivering the highest quality product to the individual the more jobs it will create.

o Birth Right. It depreciates the value of citizenship when anyone one can sneak into country, give birth to a new US citizen and then applies for public assistance. Births from US citizens from 1970 have remained flat reflecting an affluent society, while all the growth in population since has been from immigration and much of that from illegal immigration. Change the definition of a natural born citizen to one born of at least one US citizen.

o Health Insurance. Provide a $300 / month universal major medical insurance policy to all families and citizens with a $2,500 deductible and requirements for periodic examines. Outlaw all governmental agencies - local, state and federal from providing more coverage with elected officials. The heart break of the uninsured or working poor is in not the day to day costs, but the costs that can bankrupt ones savings in an emergency. Eliminate pre-existing conditions. If the commercial health insurance system can provide such coverage to a family of four then it can be universal to everyone in the nation - even Wal-Mart workers. Convert Medicare and the VA to the same system and eliminate health insurance from liability for all other types of insurance such as auto and home owners.

Until the nation as a whole abandons the current monetary thinking that has created the current financial crisis and concentrates on creating and encouraging the protection of wealth, then there will continue to be spasms that effect and destabilize all hard working people.

Eric Von Baranov is the Founder & CEO of the Kondratyev Theory Letter (The Letter). Started in 1974, The Letter follows the 50+ year economic long wave theory as originally developed by the 1920s Russian economist Nicolai Kondratieff. Adherence to this cycle provides Eric with insight on a wide range of topics, including economics, politics, culture and technology. Eric has been published by Minyanville.com and the Psychic Investigator. He sponsors an online conference at http://www.kondratyev.com Please note that a new and improved web site is currently under development.

Things You Need to Know About Immigration

These days, the idea of immigration or moving to a different country is becoming quite popular among a lot of people regardless of race and nationality. Even British expats and those living in generally affluent nations sometimes find it more convenient to settle in little-known countries either because the weather is great or the lifestyle is not as fast-paced compared to their hometown.

Of course, there are also those who opt for immigration mainly because they have plans of working abroad. Expats generally fall under this particular category, although this can also include those who have been hired as temporary contract workers. Regardless of your reason for moving, doing so will normally require you to be prepared emotionally, mentally, and financially.

It is in the financial aspect where immigrants, including British expats, will have to be amply prepared if they have plans of working abroad. Undoubtedly, this will involve tremendous costs, but there are ways of cutting this down, especially if you are operating on a tight budget. For example, if healthcare is a prime consideration for you, there may be a need to look into the state of the health industry in the country where you plan to reside.

Ideally, you should prefer countries where access to basic healthcare is not only easy but affordable at the same time. Similarly, insurance should also be seriously assessed as this is important for the safety and security of the average expatriate worker. In general, however, an expatriate health insurance is something that your prospective employer will usually handle on your behalf the moment you get hired.

Of course, you will need to look into the details of your expatriate health insurance to ensure that you are getting the best kind of healthcare given the nature of the job for which you have been hired. If this is not the case, you may want to consider getting expatriate health insurance plans on your own, assuming your budget can afford this.

Other than the above, getting a house in the country of your choice also has to be considered. If the plan is to stay in your new country permanently, studying housing costs is definitely one good idea. This should include mortgage expenses as well as expected changes in the rate of interest.

It goes without saying that immigration requirements currently existing in your country of choice is one of the first things that you need to meet in order to successfully move in as an immigrant. In this regard, having a valid passport and the accompanying visa as well as a permit for working abroad are quite naturally the more basic documents that you need to produce.

There is a range of single trip insurance and annual travel insurance policies for EU residents for any type of journey and age group (up to 84 for single trip and up to 74 for multi trip coverage) available with Globelink International Ltd. Globelink offer expatriate medical insurance for virtually any of your requirements. This includes a list of different types of policies giving you an option to select either a policy with a comprehensive or basic cover; an option to extend your policy to provide an extra cover for hazardous sports/activities, baggage, golfer's cover, excess waiver, event cancellation, wedding cover, and much more.

Got Milk? Got Osteoporosis? Things The Dairy Industry Does Not Want You To Know

The National Dairy Council advises you to drink your milk. They say you should ingest around 1200 milligrams of cow's milk every day. They also have a term for the growing body of scientific evidence that shows that milk is not the best source of calcium but in reality it is one of the worst sources of usable calcium and one of the causes of high rates of osteoporosis in this country. They call this body of evidence, "junk science." (National Dairy Council: Case Study On Junk Science).

In reality the best and most objective science is in agreement that the high rate of osteoporosis in this country is not due to lack of calcium. As a country we ingest the most animal protein in the world. We also drink the most cow's milk. Certainly a lack of calcium intake cannot be the problem. Many scientists, doctors, and nutritionists now agree that the major problem precipitating the fast growing rate of osteoporosis in America is our excessively high animal protein consumption.

Protein which is derived from animals actually leaches calcium from your bones, and then it is excreted in your urine. The high sulfur content in animal protein is converted to sulfate which makes the blood more acidic. The body naturally attempts to neutralize this acid, and in the process your bone dissolves into your bloodstream, filters through your kidneys and into your urine. You are literally peeing away your bone mass.

Cow's milk is no doubt loaded with calcium. The problem is that your body can only use about thirty percent of the calcium from a cow. In contrast collard greens, broccoli, kale, turnip greens, soy, and beans, as well as countless other plant sources are also loaded with calcium but the body can use on average sixty percent of the calcium found in these plant based foods. These sources from nature are indeed the best means of getting adequate calcium intake unlike the high protein animal based diet which prevents absorption of calcium.

It should not be a shock to discover that the multi-billion-dollar companies who gain tremendous profits through the sale of dairy products and calcium supplements spend an enormous amount of money scaring us into believing that we need more calcium. They also fight hard to keep the public at large in the dark about the vast abundance of non-dairy sources of usable calcium for the body. They certainly do not want you to know that when you rely on plants instead of cows to meet your calcium requirements, you at the same time are avoiding cholesterol, saturated fats, growth hormones, antibiotics, tranquilizers and other drugs which are present in the overwhelming majority of milk produced in this country.

Speaking of "junk science" is it wise to obtain our nutritional guidance regarding calcium from those who stand to make tremendous profits by selling us dairy and calcium supplements? Why would a sane individual go to the dealer to get objective evidence regarding the product they have to sell? Does anyone do this without paying a price? Just so, why would the multi-billion-dollar dairy industry be the place to go to find objective evidence about the benefits of the products they are selling? The more than half century of sustained and massive advertising campaigns, promotional material, and lobby money which has converted a large and powerful segment of our government into sales agents for the dairy industry have resulted in making milk and dairy products seem more like a public service than a product which in reality produces insane amounts of profit to many in this country. Of course these massive profit making organizations naturally oppose any science that might bite into their bottom line.

If you are a consumer of milk and one who believes that you must drink a whole bunch of it in order to avoid ending up as one of the fast growing number of cases of osteoporosis in this country, you owe it to yourself to obtain some objective evidence about cow's milk and your need of it, or lack thereof. But as an intelligent consumer it should be obvious that you should not seek objective evidence from the fox who is guarding the chicken coup. It should be noted that even if the fox is wearing a clever disguise, it is nevertheless still a fox.

I am passionate about health issues, and the state of the health of our wonderful America. I believe the American diet is literally killing us and that a steady flow of money and perks from the meat industry to the U.S. government is the reason we have had a long sustained brainwashing campaign that has precipitated the shift from a predominantly plant-based diet to an animal-based diet. The result has been an unprecedented increase in heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and cancers of all varieties. I believe Americans are suffering from a lack of truthful information concerning our diets. I enjoy writing motivational articles that will help to correct the problem regarding this lack of information and also examine the prevailing misinformation in the light of truth.

Healthy Vegetarian Choices For Life - Dedicated to the advancement of informed choices that will benefit our health, our environment, and our animal friends. Please visit my website at http://www.ourhealthforlife.com and look around awhile. I would very much appreciate comments concerning your reaction to what I have written as well as any input that might aid me in the task of making my site more helpful. I thank you in advance for your consideration.

Cornwall Cottage Holidays - Things to Do in Dartmoor National Park

Head for Cornwall and you could easily spend your entire holiday on glorious Dartmoor, one of Britain's finest National Parks. It's the perfect place to lose yourself. Or find yourself! There's plenty of luxury holiday cottages for rent in the area. Or book somewhere equidistant to the moors and the coast for the best of both worlds.

Dartmoor's a stunning wilderness studded with scenic little towns and villages to explore. There's archaeology, history and tales of mystery. Outdoor activities and extreme sports, walking and cycling, horse riding and mountain biking. Here's four of the best.

If you're one of the growing number of people fascinated by archaeology, spurred on the any number of excellent TV documentaries and recent breathtaking finds, you can happily spend a few days touring the National Park's ancient monuments and sites. There's burial chambers, stone circles, menhirs, ancient settlements and more. In fact there's a greater concentration on Dartmoor than anywhere in Europe. You don't just see pre-history here. You feel it.

If you're in the market for pet friendly holiday cottages there's loads to do with your dog. You know how much they love exploring! There's plenty of Access Land, bridleways and footpaths. Just obey the signs and take care to keep your dog on a lead if they're likely to worry sheep. Or if you don't know whether they will or not. Dartmoor sheep are an incredibly hardy bunch but they hate being chased by dogs, especially when they're in lamb.

As far as attractions are concerned, there's the High Moorland Visitor Centre in Princetown, the Museum of Dartmoor Life in Okehampton and the museum at spooky, brooding Dartmoor Prison in Princetown. And Cantonleigh Falls at Chudleigh in East Dartmoor makes a fantastic day out. It's England's highest waterfall, cascading through delightful woodland through glittering lakes. Or taste local produce at Brindlecoombe's Cider in Dunsford.

There's ghost stories to discover too. Take the family on your own Ghost Trail from Okehampton Castle, haunted by the ghost of Lady Howard to Jay's Grave, a spooky suicide's grave. There's Hairy Hands bridge, where if you're horribly unlucky you might just experience hairy hands on your steering wheel that try to force you off the road. Scary. And there's plenty of ghost stories attached to ancient Buckland Abbey. Then go back to base and frighten yourselves silly telling ghost stories late into the night!

Cornwall cottage holidays are a brilliant way to experience all this and more in comfort and style. No more impersonal hotel rooms, with other people far too close for comfort. No more chilly, thin-walled caravans or flapping tents. Just calm, cool luxury with all the mod cons. And heathery, mystical, exciting Dartmoor on your doorstep.

For a superb collection of pet friendly holiday cottages try Glebe House Cottages for a great choice of luxury holiday cottages.

6 Things You May Not Have Known About Your Vehicle's VIN Number

Your car's VIN number is unique. While most of us understand that the VIN number found on our vehicles' is used for tracking and record keeping, there are several interesting facts about these numbers that are not so commonly known.

1. The VIN is a series of 17 alpha-numeric characters used to track everything related to that automobile, including insurance coverage, warranty claims, thefts, recalls, and registrations.

2. The practice of labeling vehicles individually began in Detroit in the 1950's, in an effort to accurately describe vehicles as they began to be produced on a large scale. It wasn't until 1981 that the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration effectively required all automobile manufacturers to provide a fixed-format, 17 digit identification number for every motor vehicle, trailer, motorcycle, and moped that was produced.

3. While many assume that VIN numbers are simply assigned sequentially, this is not the case. Each digit in you're the number serves a specific purpose. For example, the first character of the number identifies what country the automobile was manufactured in. If the vehicle were produced in the United States, the first digit would be a 1 or 4. Japanese vehicles' VINs begin with a J, Korea with a K, Germany with a G, and so on.

4. Every digit in the 17 character series is similarly coded for a different purpose. One digit specifies the manufacturer, while another describes the model of the automobile. One digit shows the automobile type, while another specifies the body style, and yet another digit identifies the engine type used for that particular model.

5. Most people are aware of the VIN on their dash. This is the most commonly used location, as it is easily viewable. However, there are several other places on your vehicle where the VIN may be found. While secondary locations vary by manufacturer, some locations are much more common than others. Most automobiles will have the number printed under the hood and/or on the front of the engine block. Some older vehicles will have it between the windshield washer unit and the front cab. Other places to find your VIN include under the spare tire, the back wheel well, or on the inside of the door jamb on the driver's side door.

6. It is possible to get copies of your keys made from the VIN alone. This is to allow key makers to create copies of the key when it is locked in the automobile. Some people are afraid that car thieves can walk up to a car, copy the number down, and order a key for your car. While this is technically true, most key makers require presentation of the title, registration, and/or picture identification under these circumstances.

Mr. Oliver is a marketing agent of HEAT Reward. The auto theft prevention program provides help in eliminating auto theft throughout Virginia. For more information on their Auto Theft Prevention Program please visit their website.