Archive for October, 2007

Feelings: How to Help the Man You Love Learn to Express His Feelings

Wednesday, October 31st, 2007

By Kari Joys Women often complain that their husbands or relationship partners never express their feelings. Often they get angry thinking that their partners don’t have feelings and don’t really care. In my work as a psychotherapist, I help men learn how to express their feelings every day so I know from many years of experience that men do have feelings and that they can definitely learn to express them. Since we’re learning that healthy relationships require that men and women learn to discuss their feelings with each other, I believe that we, as women, need to help our partners overcome the old programming that says real men don’t show their feelings. I’ve put together some tools you can use if you want to help your partner learn how to show you more of what’s really in his heart: 1. Feelings: Remember that your partner does have feelings even if he doesn’t know how to express them. He’s just been trained and programmed not to show them. Show him what a healthy relationship is by talking about your feelings without attacking him. 2. Feelings: Show him that you love him and that you’re on his side every day. You can do this in lots of little ways, like hugging him hello and goodbye, complimenting him everyday about something you value or appreciate about your relationship and by doing little things to show him you care. 3. Feelings: Ask him open-ended questions and listen without interrupting. If he starts to talk and you interrupt him or make him wrong in some way, he’ll probably shut you out and go into his cave. Healthy relationships require both that both partners really listen to each other. 4. Feelings: Paraphrase back to him what you heard him say with feeling words. For example “When you talk about your job, you sound frustrated and overwhelmed.” Then let him tell you whether you heard him accurately or not. Paraphrasing what your partner says will benefit your relationship because it helps you both to slow down and really understand each other. 5. Feelings: When you have feelings you want to share with him, use the formula, “When you… I feel… because I need… and I’d appreciate…”a. “When you” is completely non-judgmental, and non-evaluative.b. “I feel” is a message about yourself and your personal feelings, like “I’m scared” or “I’m hurt.”c. “Because I need” is a universal need, not “I need you to change.” It’s what anyone would need in that situation, like “I need compassion,” or “I need understanding” or “I need support.”d. “I’d appreciate” is a specific, do-able request, like “I’d appreciate if you would call and let me know if you’re going to be later than we planned.” Utilizing these simple steps will help you learn to discuss difficult relationship issues without attacking each other. 6. Feelings: Treat everything your partner shares with you as sacred ground! Never, ever use his feelings against him when you’re angry. Your relationship could be permanently damaged by using your partner’s feelings against him! 7. Feelings: Always thank him for trusting you–even if you’ve known him for 30 years! Letting him know how much you appreciate it makes him want to try again next time. Your relationship will be so much better and stronger when you can discuss your feelings with each other in healthy ways! 2006 Kari Joys It’s never too late to learn how to deal with your feelings in healthy ways! Even if you grew up in an extremely dysfunctional family, you can actually overcome a lifetime of negative patterns by following Kari Joys’ simple 33-day emotional healing journey. Kari Joys MS has been a highly recognized psychotherapist, a skilled group facilitator and a successful marriage counselor in private practice for over twenty years. If you’re ready to learn some healthy new skills for dealing with your feelings, visit http://www.kari-joys.com. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kari_Joys http://EzineArticles.com/?Feelings:-How-to-Help-the-Man-You-Love-Learn-to-Express-His-Feelings&id=148420 discounted ambien online ambien buy line ambien day next online my doctor stopped refilling my ativan

Visit Your Local Outdoor Toy Store to Encourage Your Kids to Head Outside Again

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

By Mayoor Patel Children all over America are suffering from a new epidemic. Between the fatty foods that we are feeding them and their immense lack of any exercise, they are all quickly becoming overweight and obese right before our eyes. You can blame it on whatever you want from spending too much time in front of the television to eating far too many fatty foods, but the truth of the matter is that they are simply not getting enough outdoor exercise anymore. Whether it is from concerns about air contaminated by smog or simply because kids these days will use any excuse not to go outside whenever possible, the majority of children receive little to no exercise on a daily basis. Even though PE classes and walking around a schools campus all day long is a start to help kids get back into shape, they need to spend more time being physical while at home too if they ever hope to shed the pounds. One of the best ways to get kids to head back outside is to treat them to a variety of fun toys from an outdoor toy store toys which must be used outdoors or not at all. The process of moving your kids from the living room out onto your grass is going to be a long and lengthy one. Many kids are firmly planted to the couch and cannot be budged unless you bribe them in some way, shape or form. Next time you and your family head out to your local shopping center, do some research and check out which stores have an outdoor toy store section that may sell some great outdoor toys and games. If you take your kid into the outdoor toy section, he or she may become amazed by some of the great things they offer. From gliders to playground sets to trampolines, there is practically nothing there that any average kid wouldnt go bananas for. Once you have your kid hooked on some of the cool outdoor toys, you can surprise him or her by simply bringing that toy home one day. Your kid will love it, love you for it and will likely begin to make great strides to break himself from the chains that bind him to the couch in front of the television. Unfortunately, as with all toys, the fun factor of whatever you purchase may wear out over time, but the seeds are planted, and after you are able to get your kid outside once you can easily do it again, possibly even without the need for toys from an outdoor toy store. For vital information on all things concerned with outdoor toys visit Outdoor Toys Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mayoor_Patel http://EzineArticles.com/?Visit-Your-Local-Outdoor-Toy-Store-to-Encourage-Your-Kids-to-Head-Outside-Again&id=316061 buy carisoprodol href soma4cheaptblogcom soma buy buy carisoprodol href soma4cheap tblog buy cheap watson soma

The 5 P’s Of A Job Search

Monday, October 29th, 2007

By Fran Watson Step One - Plan: Most people spend more time planning a one to two week vacation than they do planning their lifetime career. When planning for a vacation, you look at where you want to go, what your reason is for wanting to go to that particular place, how long it will take to get there, whether or not you want to take any side trips, what type of budget you will need, and what type of clothes you will need to take. You may also speak with people who have been there to find out a little more about the destination and activities or do some research on the internet or at the library or a travel agency. It is important to do the same type of planning for a career. You need to take a look at where you want to go and how you are going to get there. You will need to look at: whether or not you need post-secondary education or some type of training. How long will it take you to get the skills you need? What is the best way to get these skills? What kind of money do you require for the life style you want? Think about whether or not you know anyone who is currently working in this field or if you know anyone who knows anyone working in this field. Where else can you go to find out more information? If you are still in school, speak to a guidance counsellor and ask for information. You can also do informational interviews with people working in the field you are interested in. Another option is speaking with a career counsellor or doing some career tests. If you are out of school, contact an employment agency to speak with a counsellor or do some personal research at the library as well as networking and making good use of your contacts. Step Two - Prepare: Preparing for your job search involves doing a thorough personal inventory to determine your transferable and adaptive skills. Learning more about your skills prepares you so that you will be able to tell an employer the skills you have that match the job that you would like to have. This takes time. It may involve completing a questionnaire or sitting and writing down all the things you have done over the years. This is not simply listing your job description, as most people do more than what is listed on the job description, it also involves activities that you do at home. Most of us take our skills for granted. We are so used to doing certain tasks that we do not recognize that not everyone can do what we are doing. We also do not always recognize the skills we are using in our daily activities problem solving, decision making, driving, fixing appliances, preparing food, personal counseling. People may express amazement or be impressed by something that we take for granted. Listen to what they are saying. This is a strong skill for you and may be developed into a career goal. Once you have reviewed your skills, you can work on developing a 30-second summary of these skills, also known as an elevator speech, which can be used during a telephone contact, in your cover letter, in an interview, or when talking to friends about your job search. Preparing also means doing research on companies you might like to work for. This research may be done at the library, through personal contact, informational interviews, reading newspaper articles, or an informal visit or tour. The development of a targeted resume is another crucial step. A targeted resume is one which highlights specific skills to demonstrate your suitability to an employer. It provides details of your work experiences which match the skills they might require. A cover letter should also be prepared for a targeted employer. Another part of preparation is reviewing potential interview questions and determining the type of information you want to provide or you may be expected to provide to an employer. Following this, you need to practice speaking about yourself in order to be comfortable in presenting yourself to an employer. People often think about getting a resume prepared, and maybe a cover letter in response to a job ad, but then they forget about preparing for the interview. Although a good resume and cover letter can get you in the door, the interview is what gets you the job. Step Three - Practice: Practice!! How many people would step on the ice in an NHL game without having practiced? How many people would step on stage to sing or act without several rehearsals? How many Olympic athletes would compete without any preparation? Very few, if any - and yet, when we fail to practice our interview techniques, it is comparable to doing one of the above. Practicing can take place with a friend, family member or a counsellor. There are many books available that provide sample questions and sample answers. Feedback on your interview skills may involve peers, general comments, and/or videotape. Here are some sample questions for you to use: Tell me about yourself. What do you look for in a job? How long would it take for you to make a meaningful contribution? Why are you looking for a new career? How would your boss describe you? How would your colleagues describe you? What were the five most significant accomplishments in your last position? What are your strong points? What are your weak points? A videotape is an excellent way for you to see yourself as an employer would see you. You can dress as you would for an interview and have someone you know act as the interviewer. You will then be able to notice how you handle yourself, how you sit, and how you respond to questions. For instance, did you give enough information or too much information. You can also note if you have any habits you are unaware of. This will help you become comfortable in presenting your skills to an employer. When you think of the years of training it takes a hockey player to reach the skill level of an NHL player, or the years a ballerina spends in practicing before she performs at the NAC, a few hours of practicing your interview/presentation techniques isnt asking too much. Step Four - Perform: Think of your interview as a performance. You must prepare for it (research the employer, practice interview questions), dress appropriately (dress for the job you are applying for), and have the proper equipment (copy of resume, references, portfolio, and pen) to show that you are ready to do the job. The first two to three minutes of your interview are the most important. An employer usually makes a decision based on your appearance and your opening presentation. It is important that you make the most of these precious minutes. A smile is a big part of your wardrobe. If smiling doesnt come naturally to you, practice in front of a mirror until it feels comfortable. Ensure that your body language doesnt send the wrong message. Dont cross your arms across your chest, or keep checking the clock. Check your appearance, both standing and seated, in a mirror. It is important to try to relax, but do not slouch in your chair. Dont chew gum during your interview, and if you are a smoker, try to have your last cigarette at least 10 minutes before your interview and freshen your breath with a breath mint. Another important point is to never say anything negative about your previous employer. It may make the employer wonder what you would say about them, and you never know who is related to whom. Make sure that you have some questions to ask the employer. Not how much money will I make and how long do I get for vacation?, but questions that show you have researched the employer and have some knowledge of their company. Make a list of potential questions to ask. If the interviewer has been very thorough and you cant think of any questions, at least find out when they will be making a decision and ask if it is ok to follow up. Here are some sample questions you can ask. Why is this position open? What are some of the more difficult problems one would have to face in this position? What significant changes do you forsee in the near future? What are some of the objectives you would like to see accomplished in this job? What are some of the long-term objectives you would like to see completed? How is one evaluated in this position? What accounts for success within the company? Step Five - Post-Mortem: Once your interview is over, review it in your mind. Was there anything you should have said that you didnt, or anything that you said that you shouldnt have? Make a mental note, or write down how you felt about the interview. By reviewing your interview, you can prepare for the next one. Once you get home, its time to prepare a thank you letter. In this letter you thank the interviewer(s) for their time and the opportunity to find out more about the company. Express appreciation for the way they handled the interview, the information provided, etc., as well as expressing your desire to work for the company. If there was anything you forgot to tell them about your skills during the interview, or any information you said you would provide them with, now is your opportunity to do so. Dont forget to follow up one to two weeks after your interview to indicate that you are still interested in being considered for the position and to check on whether or not a decision has been made. If they have hired, and you are not the successful candidate, ask permission to call back in case there are any other openings in the future and let them know that you would like to be considered. Remember that you usually have to go through about 200 “no’s” before you get to a “yes”. Try to keep positive about your job search by sticking with a routine and talking with as many people as possible about looking for work. Let everyone know that you are currently unemployed and tell them the type of work you are looking for. Attend workshops on Job Search or consider joining a Job Finding Club for extra support during your job search. Fran Watson is a Career Counsellor, Workshop Developer/Facilitator, Coach, and member of Toastmasters. You can find out more at www.franwatson.ca where you can also sign up for her FREE ezine, “Fran’s Facts and Findings”. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Fran_Watson http://EzineArticles.com/?The-5-Ps-Of-A-Job-Search&id=2516 cheap phentermine pills cheap phentermine free shipping top pharmacy phentermine low cost phentermine no prescription

Advantages to Online Dating

Sunday, October 28th, 2007

By Jeff Pesarcyk A quick foray into a bar or a nightclub reveals some of the major shortcomings of looking for romance in such places. A combination of booming bass and shrieking laughter bombards you aurally, while a potent mix of cigarette smoke and spilt beer assails your olfactory senses. Eventually, amidst the human chaos of the locale, a figure from the opposite side of the room piques your interest. You fight your way through the crowd in the general direction of him/her and suddenly find yourself screaming in their ear because of the aforementioned noisy surroundings. The best case finds you exchanging hastily-scrawled phone numbers with the other person or following them out the door, while the worst case finds you feeling rejected and dejected. Even the middle options are less than desirable; often, the person that attracted you physically does not do the same mentally or emotionally, and youre stuck at an impasse with a minimum of things to talk about. The truth is that dating in the traditional sense and settings is a distinctly hit-or-miss affair, and a largely impersonal one at that. You find yourself drawn to another person not because of their intellect or their personality but rather because they are physically attractive. As anybody who has lived and loved can attest, meaningful relationships are not built solely on the foundation of physical attraction. You dont know the person at the other end of the bar from a stranger, however, and thus you have no idea if their beauty is in fact skin deep. Furthermore, even an indication that there is something else beneath the surface is hardly cause for relaxation; given the uncertainty of the other partys history, there is no telling what sort of baggage you might be leaving with. Online dating offers solutions to these problems in many cases. For one thing, instigating romantic contact online markedly increases in your favor the odds that the other party is interested. Think about it: How many times have you browsed online classifieds without the barest trace of purpose or desire? Having a receptive partner is half of the battle in itself. Beyond that, online dating increases the likelihood of finding something beyond the initial attraction to sustain prolonged interest. Thats not to say that physical attraction plays no role in online dating; photos are often associated with online personals, and as in life the most powerful impulses are often the visceral ones. However, the pace of online dating allows you to find out a bit more about the other party than you would be able to in a different setting. By the time you read their personal ad and their writing and (hopefully) exchange correspondence with them once or twice, you will probably have a decent idea as to whether the other person is the type that you would like to continue contact with. If no, it is an easy affair to cease contact since neither party is intimately involved. If yes, however, the base for a successful relationship has already been laid by communication. Suffice it to say, online dating today has lost its taboo status. Rather, it represents a viable alternative to those singles who are tired of continually finding the wrong person in the wrong environment. http://www.online-dating-tips-guide.com - Provides advice and tips about online dating. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_Pesarcyk http://EzineArticles.com/?Advantages-to-Online-Dating&id=184406 viagra online shop anxiety buy diazepam to how to buy valium buy diazepam without prescription buy xanax ativan buy ativan valium buy valium lora

What Britney Spears Knows about Marketing and Doesn’t Want You to Find Out

Saturday, October 27th, 2007

By Christine Groth Oops! She did it again. On January 4th Britney Spears reportedly stunned onlookers when she accidentally flashed her breasts while playing on a swing in Malibu. Meanwhile she claimed on considering having another baby with Kevin to heal her troubled relationship Love her, hate her people in America need to take note of the antics that Britney Spears as created. The Queen of Pop Culture has created an empire of fans that consume and devour every word, action, and product she endorses. One of Americas premier internet online entrepreneurs Christine Groth says Britney Spears has a lot to tell people about selling and marketing themselves. Whether you like her or not, she is a millionaire and has achieved a huge status in the marketplace. Christine Groth, consistently persuades people to seek non-traditional making money opportunities. She reveals 3 tactics that Britney Spears uses to make serious money. 1.Britney Spears has explicitly upheld an image of herself, whether its good or bad. She maintains getting her name out to the media with public acts of topless behavior, and annulled mistake marriages. Spears keeps the attention of the world with her restless behavior. Individuals should take a polar position as well; trying to be all things to all people will get you no where. Britney Spears understands taking risks will get you rewards. 2.Spears also understands the concept of being flexible, quick, and in a ever-changing mode. Most celebrities understand that if they are going to survive in the competitive world of entertainment they must evolve and re-invent themselves. The public gets very bored with static people and behavior. Madonna is the queen of re-invention. Many people today stop evolving and become static missing out in opportunities. Some amazing statistics show that 75% of the jobs for our children today have not been created yet. 3.Like Britney Spears individuals have the ability to be flexible. We all have the power to make changes and succeed. Your mindset can be the sole piece that catapults you into success. To learn more about making serious money go to http://www.makingseriousmoney.com.Download my FREE e-book, Millionaire at 31. Christine Groth is a entrepreneur from Wisconsin. She is a online marketer who pursues opportunities in business. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christine_Groth http://EzineArticles.com/?What-Britney-Spears-Knows-about-Marketing-and-Doesnt-Want-You-to-Find-Out&id=123904 hoodia diet pill buy now tramadol online prescription tramadol buy from online texas tramadol how do i order tramadol legally online help

Neat Ways to Eat String Cheese

Thursday, October 25th, 2007

By Mayoor Patel String cheese does not refer to a specific type of cheese but instead the shape of the cheese when it is sold. Just like cheese is available in blocks, wedges, and shredded, string cheese is available in a cylindrical shape. This cheese is about six inches long and one inch thick. The cuts of cheese are packaged individually and sold together in large quantities. Since string cheese is individually wrapped, it is easier to carry for snacks. Because of the shape and size of string cheese it offers a convenience that other forms of cheese do not. String cheese can easily be packed into a childs lunch. One of the tough things about packing lunches for the kids is finding the food they like in small enough portions for the lunchbox. Since this cheese comes individually wrapped you can add as much or as little as your child would like to his or her lunch. The cheese also provides the child with some of the calcium needed, so they are also getting part of their dairy intake for the day. This cheese is a great addition to a picnic. Whether its a romantic picnic for two or a picnic for the whole family, this kind of cheese is easy to pack. It is versatile enough to go with crackers or wine, fine meats or sandwiches making it idea for any outing. This kind of cheese also makes a great snack. It is sometimes difficult for people, especially women, to get the calcium intake that is needed for the day. This cheese is an easy to eat, easy to carry snack. One serving has one-third of the recommended daily value of calcium. This kind of cheese is small and convenient for any situation where cheese is needed. It is available in many flavors including mozzarella and cheddar. Mayoor Patel is the writer for the website http://www.cheese.wares-are.us/. Please visit for information on all things concerned with String Cheese Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mayoor_Patel http://EzineArticles.com/?Neat-Ways-to-Eat-String-Cheese&id=507669 xanax without prescription from mexico xanax no prescription xanax no prescription ships to us xanax online consultation

Bridezilla Syndrome - You May Be A Bridezilla If…

Thursday, October 25th, 2007

By Paul Davis The bridezilla syndrom has seemingly got the best of many brides today. What are the symptoms to look out for when a bride is en route to becoming a bridezilla? 1. She will complain more than give thanks. This sadly is a symptom of many unhappy people, but it is more visible in a bride-to-be. Brides have to deal with a lot of details when preparing a wedding. If they are not careful they can forget to be thankful for the people helping them in the process. Even if a bride is doing it all alone, that is no reason to be unthankful. Being overwhelmed is never fun, but being thankful gets more done. Complaining is never gaining. 2. She shouts unnecessarily. Loud, boisterous, and unruly the bride-to-be who shouts unnecessarily will become a bridezilla quickly. Noise pollution is never pleasant. Shouting causes people to hate and resist helping you. Bridezillas need friends not enemies. Help them get a grip and speak gently. 3. She is all stressed up with nowhere to go. Stress is the quickest way to deplete your energy. Bride’s who freak out all the time will not only prematurely age and be inwardly miserable, but they will be also branded a bridezilla. 4. She cannot manage her emotions well. Poor emotional management weighs heavily on a person individually, but it also hinders their relational capacity. Unchecked emotions gone awry will lead to irrational reactions that hurt those we most love. This perpetuates emotional wear and tear, recycling more emotional implosion and outbursts. 5. She is a perfectionist. A perfectionist cannot be happy with a good effort, neither an excellent performance. She incessantly scrutinizes herself beyond reason, which leads to utter exhaustion. Such a person needs to lighten up and simply live. 6. She is a control freak. A control freak has to always hover over everyone to make sure everything is done just right. According to her standards, nobody can do anything as she does. This gives her a sense of importance. Her fragile self-esteem and poor self-image necessitates that she degrade others performance so she can exalt her own and continually be needed. 7. She is very demanding. Demanding people are usually very self-righteous and proud. They are quick to belittle others and boss people around. Such a quality immediately ruins any woman’s ability to elegantly be a lady. Pushy brides qualify for the bridezilla designation for their demanding nature. 8. She is impatient and impetuous. Impatient and impetuous people easily anger those who would have happily helped them. Because they are easily annoyed and unable to wait for good things, they attract poor service and bad attitudes. Remember a cake out of the oven half-baked doesn’t taste good, neither does it fully rise. If you want quality people and products, practice patience. 9. She is demeaning and disrespectful. When you demean and disrespect someone you create an enemy immediately. Even if it is not outwardly obvious, inwardly and subconsciously he who you’ve disrespected will naturally shun you. Brides who bulldoze over everyone en route to getting what they want are sure to experience backlash and blowback in the end. Bridezillas always reap what they sow and the disrespect they endear does eventually show. 10. She worries and cries often. Worry is interest paid in advance on something you may never own. Ninety percent of all that we worry about never occurs anyhow. Brides who endlessly worry about something going wrong subconsciously program themselves to fulfill their own internal imagery, prophecy, and neurological programming. Crying is something anyone with a heart does. There is nothing wrong with it whatsoever. We should empathize and show compassion when someone is suffering. Crying non-stop however is a reason for concern. When a bride has gone over the edge and stepped off the cliff emotionally, psychological counseling and Pastoral ministry is recommended. Fear can be overcome. Fear is self-centered. Love is selfless. Perfect love casts out fear. Be rooted and grounded in love, by which you can conquer any fear. These are some subtle symptoms of a bride being bombarded with the bridezilla syndrome. Family and friends take courage as your bride (or bridezilla) desperately needs you. Don’t hesitate to gently speak a word of confrontation to deal with your bride’s situation. You can never correct what you refuse to confront. Nevertheless use tact, tenderness, and gentleness. Like everyone, your bride simply seeks love and happiness. Paul Davis is a wedding minister who officiates marriage ceremonies and vow renewals. Paul has been in ministry for over 15 years, blessing people around the world. He has traveled to over 50 countries and 6 continents having a worldwide impact. As a relational coach, Paul’s compassion for people and passion for transformation makes him very successful. His depth, understanding, experiential wisdom, and disarming sense of humor makes Paul a personal favorite of many couples. Highly celebrated and sought after, Paul has authored several books including Breakthrough for a Broken Heart and Are You Ready for True Love? Pauls organization Dream-Maker Ministries is making a difference throughout the world building dreams, breaking limitations, and reviving nations. Pauls interpersonal and unprecedented experience engineering breakthroughs for individuals and organizations is revolutionary. Contact Paul to officiate your wedding and more! RevivingNations@yahoo.com 407-284-1705; 407-967-7553 http://www.itietheknot.com http://www.CreativeCommunications.TV Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Davis http://EzineArticles.com/?Bridezilla-Syndrome—You-May-Be-A-Bridezilla-If…&id=500250 buy meridia only 58 for 30 10mg pills find more buy sibutramine tablets meridia online prescription reductil slimming tablets

Living Cheap

Wednesday, October 24th, 2007

By Steven Gillman Does living cheap mean being miserable, or giving up what you want? Not at all. In my own case, it meant getting the things I really wanted. Spend less on each thing or activity, and you can have more of them, right? The key is to spend less and still get what you need and want. I’ll tell you how I managed it. Living Cheap - Housing The first house I owned was a mobile home on a small lot. I paid less than $20,000, and had payments of $257 per month. With taxes, insurance and repairs, it still cost less than rent. With three bedrooms, an expanded living room, and a nice fenced-in yard, it was very comfortable. Eventually I sold it for $45,000. Two things that I did made it even cheaper. First, I paid down the mortgage as much as I could when I was working. Within five years I owed nothing, and from that point on it cost an average of $300 per month to pay for the utilities, phone, garbage collection, taxes, insurance, and repairs. This is living cheap. It became even cheaper when I found that I could easily rent the other two bedrooms. I got $65 per week for one, and $75 or more per week for the other, and I included all utilities. I found decent young guys to rent to, and the rents added up to $600 per month, making this more than cheap living, and even better than free housing. I was making $300 per month AND living for free. Living Cheap - Think And Plan With lower expenses I could work less, so I could get by without a car. This saved even more money. An occasional bus fare, and the used bicycle I bought didn’t add up to a fourth of what it cost to have a car. I needed to plan my trips around town a little better, but it was worth it. Until I was almost 40, I never paid more than $40 for a piece of furniture. You have to know what is important to you. I DID pay $220 for a high-tech sleeping bag, because ultralight backpacking was important to me. On the other hand, since I couldn’t tell the difference between a nice, clean used couch for $30 and one that cost $900, I bought the former. I found that when I worked less, I had time to more carefully consider my options. Time can save a lot of money. I paid half of what others paid for groceries, and when I did get a car, I found a repossessed one worth much more than what I paid. When I went to Ecuador for a month, it cost $1,040, including airfare, hotels, meals, a guided climb up a 21,000-foot mountain - everything. It was possible because I had time to search for the deals. I never cared much for jobs, and I worked only part-time for years. I played chess, wrote poetry, and read good books. I traveled several times a year. I met the love of my life in South America (happily married for almost 5 years now). This was all possible not because I made a lot of money, but because I spent less than I made, and used the difference for the things that mattered to me. This article isn’t meant as a how-to guide. I explain how I traveled and bought things so cheaply in many other articles. This is simply to get you thinking about the possibilities, and to point out some principles. What are the principles? Find ways to pay less without getting less. Don’t buy things you don’t need. Spend a less time working and more time thinking. Stay out of debt. Finally, know what is truly important to you, because this is what you can have more of by living cheap. Steve Gillman has been studying money for thirty years (and sometimes making a little). For interesting and useful information, visit his website http://www.UnusualWaysToMakeMoney.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steven_Gillman http://EzineArticles.com/?Living-Cheap&id=171562 cheap online purchase ultram pay pal order ultram prescription medications ultram check buy tramadol cod online

Lose Weight in 10 Easy Steps with Traditional Chinese Medicine

Tuesday, October 23rd, 2007

By Elie Goldschmidt Every few years another weight loss drug gets thrown out because of their proven health risks. It used to be Redux and Fen-Phen. Yet, the FDA still approves new diet drugs, despite potential side effects that may be damaging to the heart. Is there another, safer way to lose weight? The majority of people who resort to drugs to help them lose weight have previously tried dieting. Unfortunately, many studies indicate that as many as 95% of these people regain all their weight within a year? The problem with many diets and diet drugs is that both approaches attempt to eliminate excess weight quickly by treating only the symptom. Because they dont reach the root of the problem, the results are not long lasting and may even be damaging. It seems to be time to begin looking at the weight issue in a more holistic fashion. Lets look at weight loss through the eyes of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). For thousands of years, TCM has compared digestion to a pot on a flame. In order for proper digestion to take place, it is essential to keep the flame burning. Digestion is a warming process and cold tends to freeze, constrict, and slow down the normal digestive functions. Anything that might smother or put out the flame can cause digestive disturbances, which can lead to sluggishness in the digestive process. Improper digestion impairs the bodys ability to transport and transform food and fluids, leading to a build-up of dampness and phlegm, or what we know as excess body fat. TCM offers ten simple guidelines to support proper digestion, which will ultimately lead to a reduction of body fat. 1. Avoid very cold foods. Ice water and drinks will shut down your digestive fires. Dont eat food directly from the refrigerator. WARM it up! 2. Reduce intake of sugars and sweets, fried, greasy foods, and milk and dairy products. Sugars and sweets cause an increase of fluids in the body, creating excess phlegm, dampness, and digestive problems. Fried, greasy foods do the same. Milk and dairy products are considered both cold and sweet and create much phlegm. 3. Eat more cooked and less raw food. Although many people think they receive more nutrients by eating some foods raw (e.g., fruits, vegetables, and salads), according to TCM, raw foods are too cold and difficult to digest, thereby not allowing the body to actually absorb all those nutrients. Lightly cooked foods make digestion easier and allow a higher net gain of nutrients through better absorption. (Some raw foods are okay to eat during the hot summer months to create balance.) 4. Chew food very well. Digestion begins in the mouth. Chewing warms the food and breaks it down, making it easier on the stomach. 5. Avoid constant nibbling. Nibbling all day can cause food retention and digestive stagnation. 6. Dont eat late at night. Metabolism is slower at this time of day and food tends to just sit there causing stagnation and weight gain. 7. Avoid overeating. Overeating can smother the digestive fires and cause food retention. 8. Avoid eating when under emotional stress. According to TCM, stress upsets the livers energetic functions which then hinders normal digestive functions. 9. Reduce salt intake. Salt retains fluids in the body and too much of it will make it more difficult to eliminate excess fluid. 10. Exercise! Exercise is a must for a successful weight loss program. Some people may do all of the above and still not lose weight. They may give up on the more natural, effective weight loss program and try drugs or fad diets. Too often this is counter-productive. The problem may well be that after years of impaired digestion, their metabolism may simply not be functioning as well as it should. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs may be used to stimulate the metabolism, dissolve fatty accumulations, regulate the appetite and strengthen the digestive system. By reinforcing the flame under the pot, TCM gets to the root of the problem, brings the body back into balance and allows the body to heal itself. Elie Goldschmidt, L.Ac. For further information on Chinese medicine, Chinese herbs, please visit http://www.holisticchineseherbs.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elie_Goldschmidt http://EzineArticles.com/?Lose-Weight-in-10-Easy-Steps-with-Traditional-Chinese-Medicine&id=370287 drawn incest free incest prn incest room incest father daughter

Home Improvement Loans Explained

Sunday, October 21st, 2007

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ken_Charnley]Ken Charnley This article will take a beginners look at this interesting subject. It will give you the information that you need to know most. There may come a time where your house requires a new bedroom, or maybe an addition. One of the best ways to improve your home is using home improvement loans. A low interest loan and competitive rate can be acquired against the equity in your house. How it works: A home improvement loan is basically an equity loan or a second mortgage. If the loan amount required is small, under $10,000 for instance, the loan may be unsecured. Larger amounts will require a second mortgage on your property, and the interest paid on the loan may be tax deductible. To be deductible, the residence must be the owners primary residence. The interest rate on a home improvement loan is usually less than other loans, as the loan is used to increase home equity, and is generally less risky. The repayment period for these types of loans will usually be 10 years, with 15 years being the maximum. We hope that you have gained a clear grasp of the subject matter presented in the first half of this article. Qualifications: Qualifying for a home improvement loan is not that different than the requirements for an equity loan or second mortgage. Your credit history will be reviewed, and an adequate, steady income will confirm your ability to repay the loan. How much money you can receive will be based on how much debt you have and the amount of home equity. As a rule, the equity you have in your house must be greater than 20%. One of the first things you will have to do is create an estimate of all the material costs for the project. If you are getting a contractor to perform the work, then a written estimate will be needed for the cost of material and labor. Banks will in general grant home improvement loans to homeowners even if their past credit is a bit spotty. It adds value to the home, and if the loan is secured with a lien against your property, then its generally a low risk. The next time you have questions regarding this subject, you can refer back to this article as a handy guide. Ken Charnley is a personal finance enthusiast with [http://www.online-loans-pro.com/]www.online-loans-pro.com/ dedicated to quality information on online loans. For all your online loan needs visit and [http://www.online-loans-pro.com/]Apply for Loans Online Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ken_Charnley http://EzineArticles.com/?Home-Improvement-Loans-Explained&id=165350 ambien no prescription saturday delivery lifecare pharmacy no prescription ambien canadian ambien online generic ambien online no prescription