Made Moon Blog

I chose a group of artsy snow flake designs from my net page website design professional, who created a whole plethora of Christmas designs for my new site launch in December.

We feature cloth doll patterns for snow men, snow women & snow children, along with a few patterns for some whimsical reindeer & a few elves, as well.

We needed an entirely new look & font for our web pages with the wintry theme, & our designer did a beautiful job in creating all of these things for us.

Our sales for our Christmas line of patterns has gone up by over 30% since last year. If you want your web design to be impressive, you will need to ask your website design professional to create a unique & artsy look & font to go with your theme & colors.

Your sales will then increase, because the traffic to your site will increase, due to the cool new eye candy provided you by your site designer.

We used this strategy for our new net site & got such a strong response back for the look & feel of the web site. Many people emailed us complimenting us on our site’s new look & wished to know who the designer was, & we referred them to our designer.

If you happen to be searching for the best acne treatments, before you choose your treatment I would suggest that you take a little memory trip back to your teen years, and assess how your skin used to be back then.

For individuals still in their teens, I would recommend that you check and see what is going on in your life right now, and see what may be different or has changed prior to you having your problem skin!

I know most of you may think that it’s all part of nature, or it’s part of your family genetics, and you would like to find that miracle cure! However, the true problem may exist because of your lifestyle choices, and until you fully understand why you’re currently experiencing severe blemish breakouts, or increased blackheads in your pores, you can then follow the cycle of your consistent outbreaks that cause you to feel helpless in your battle.

It’s a fact that our society is placing more pressures on students, and many working individuals. Schools are placing more study loads on the student, and the business industry is downsizing, causing more hours to be placed on the employees! What this does to your body and your mind is that it places an incredible load of stress on you, as well as the affects, which can easily change your daily lifestyle.

You may be asking, how does this all come into play with my acne condition, and how do I connect these facts to my acne treatment?

There are many studies out today indicating that “stress” and the way you take care of your body, and the products you may be using are a contributing factor to your pimples and blackheads. If you can look back when you had good skin and see what you may have been doing differently, you could hopefully make some lifestyle changes for the better. With these changes, you could possibly see positive results, and avoid having to take acne medications prescribed by your dermatologist.

There are many elements that can be contributing to your skin blemishes, and the ingredients in the select treatment product you’re using can also be the cause of your skin irritation, which is causing your reoccurring pimple breakouts. So let’s look at some topics that have come up in some studies, and see if we can clarify some of the elements that may be affecting your current lifestyle.

Facial Medications, Caffeine, Stress, And The Sun! What Do They Have In Common, And How Does It Affect Your Blemish Situation?

I’m not a doctor, and I don’t have any professional skin care background, but what I do have is a common sense approach to issues. When I read about certain acne products, and also the food and drink we consume on a daily basis, plus the type of life we live makes sense to me when we mix it all together and try and link it to our skin condition.

First we should talk about coffee, pop and alcohol, and see what the connection is to skin problems. In my opinion, the way I interpret coffee, pop and alcohol is that they contribute several elements to your body that assist in major changes to your skin.

Caffeine and sugar in coffee and pop, plus alcohols are partial diuretics that assist in drawing more water out of your body than bringing water back in, plus they’re a stimulant and can prevent you from getting the recommended amount of sleep that your body needs, which ranges from at least 7 to 8 hours per night. What this all means is that by consuming these products daily, they could be changing the entire dynamics of your body, and affecting you dramatically without you even realizing the changes.

What happens is this: your body may become over stimulated with all these items going through your system, and either consumed separately or in combination, your skin may seriously become affected by these products. Depending on your body’s tolerance level, your reactions could be reflected by the daily consumption.

Let’s look at the connection of the cleansers, creams, and acne cosmetics you’re currently using, and see why some may not work to prevent your acne breakouts or increased blackheads. When taking a common sense approach to the ingredients, avoid any product that will shrink your pores! Now this information may contradict products that say they reduce pore size, and make them look less visible.

What that means I don’t know. But when you think about it for a moment, if you have a product that shrinks your pores, that’s going to increase the chance that you will have more oil trapped in your skin. The more of the skin’s oil that is potentially blocking your pores, the higher chance you’re going to form blackheads and whiteheads, plus the trapped oil will be tasty food for bacteria that feeds off the oil and dead skin, eventually turning it into a nasty blemish. Think about that, and if it makes sense to you, then avoid products that have any astringent agents in them.

The sun is one that I have been very confused about for a long time, but again when it was explained to me, it made total sense, and now I really understand the benefits and the damages it can cause. The sun actually can help you in your battle on acne; however, the time you spend in the sun can make the big difference. I found out that the sun actually aids in killing bacteria on your skin, but you should limit your time to approximately 15 minutes per day, because when you spend long periods of time in the sun, it will eventually dry and reduce the pores in your skin. Now like above, what happens when the pores shrink? Absolutely, trapped oil and the formation of zits!

Stress, in my opinion, is the biggest contributor to your body’s lifestyle changes, and believe it or not, it seems to tie in with everything above, because stress is caused by many elements from the types of food you consume, to the everyday lifestyle you lead with your work and play.

Again, I’m not a doctor, but even with my own body I notice that if I don’t get enough sleep, or I worry about a project that has to be completed, and the everyday choices I make in cleaning my skin all is in some way a contributor to stress, and the changes in my body. So when you sit back and see if you can adjust anything in the way you live your life for the better, you may be on the right track to not only a healthier lifestyle, but also clearer, blemish free skin!

About the author: William is the owner and the author of “1st In Acne Skin Care Products” available at http://www.1st-in-acne-skin-care-products.com A source for Acne Treatments! If you’re experiencing the affects of acne, we encourage you to visit our site for quality information and tips on a variety of blemish fighting systems from the proper way for blackhead removal to detoxifying products that can cleanse your skin of impurities.

A few years ago, Bruce Smith experienced a slowdown in his Salt Lake City-based travel agency. Airlines had eliminated his sales commissions. The recession and recent terrorist attacks also took a toll. And because the travel industry was ultra-competitive, he knew he had to find ways to distinguish his company from thousands of other travel agencies.

Then, he had a fortunate accident. His wife asked him where they would celebrate their first wedding anniversary. When he gave her a blank look, she set about planning a trip-but wouldn’t tell him what she was planning. Because he enjoyed the mystery leading up to the trip, and the hints his wife gave him, he repackaged his travel service as The Veiled Voyage, selling ‘destination unknown’ vacations to couples and others.

Smith’s clever branding strategy was a hit. It not only helped him create a unique and memorable brand, but also made him ’slightly’ famous.

Now, most of Smith’s business comes through referrals from happy clients who eagerly tell their friends about The Veiled Voyage. He’s regularly featured in newspapers, magazines and radio programs and was even invited to speak at a national travel conference. Moreover, he’s been able to extend his brand with a major grocery store chain through a lucrative co-branding relationship that has further expanded his company.

The ‘Slightly’ Famous You

Some business owners attract clients and customers like magic. They do not cold call or rely on advertising. Yet they’re regularly featured in newspapers and magazines and get invited to speak at conferences. Everyone knows their name, and they get all the business they can handle.

It’s almost as though they were famous.

In fact, they are, but not in the way movie stars and athletes are famous–they’re just slightly famous. Just famous enough to make their names come to mind when people are looking for a particular product or service. They get more business – not only more, but the right kind of business – and they don’t have to work so hard to get it.

Want to join them and enjoy this ideal state of affairs, where customers come to you? You can, but it may require a new way of thinking and a new marketing strategy. Although their efforts take different forms, underlying them all are six basic principles.

1. Targeting the best prospects

Slightly famous entrepreneurs focus their marketing to target the best prospects.

Alex Fisenko is known in the world of coffee as ‘the Dean of Beans.’ The 60-something coffee expert started his first espresso shop in the 1960s. Since then, he’s focused his energies and now sells his expertise on launching a successful coffee business to aspiring entrepreneurs. Alex conducts coffee shop seminars and sells a training course called ‘Espresso Business Success.’

His Web site, www.espressobusiness.com, generates thousands of dollars a month in products sales and consulting engagements in the United States, Thailand, South Korea, Belgium, Saudi Arabia, and Barbados. ‘By targeting the best prospects, I now make more money through book sales and consultations than when I ran coffee shops,’ says Fisenko.

2. Developing a unique market niche

Small businesses with a ’slightly famous’ strategy establish themselves within a carefully selected market niche that they can realistically hope to dominate.

Dan Poynter, for example, is a successful self-publisher who started writing books about parachuting and hang-gliding over thirty years ago. Though it might sound as if his audience would be too small to generate significant sales, he knew his market and where to find them. Best of all, he has the market all to himself!

Rather than try to fight for attention in general bookstores, he sold books to skydiving clubs, parachute dealers, and the U.S. Parachute Association. He developed a reputation in skydiving circles, and has enjoyed steady sales of his books for more than three decades.

3. Positioning your business as the best solution

Positioning is about identifying a key attribute of your company not offered by competitors and that is clearly valuable to your target market.

When Harry Shepherd started his bookkeeping service a few years ago, he realized that he was in competition with dozens of other bookkeepers selling essentially the same thing. To stand out, he mastered a popular accounting program and marketed himself as a ‘QuickBooks Software Training Consultant.’

Shepherd went from blending into a sea of look-alike competitors to occupying a compelling market position. He charged higher fees, and he did not have to work as hard to get new clients. Word spread fast among accountants as they referred him to their clients. He even trained other bookkeepers to use accounting software.

4. Maintaining your visibility

When was the last time your name appeared in print? Yesterday? Last week? A month ago? Just because you remember doesn’t mean a potential customer will. To become ’slightly’ famous, you need to have your message out there, if not continuously, then often enough to keep your name alive in customers’ minds.

When Bart Baggett decided to make handwriting analysis his career, he embraced the media, and studied newspapers, magazines, and radio and television programs to find out what types of guests were in demand, and then looked for ways to tie his professional abilities to specific media. His strategy paid off.

At the height of the O.J. Simpson trial, he sent out a news release about Simpson’s handwriting that resulted in several timely media interviews. He later appeared on Court TV to discuss Timothy McVey’s handwriting, and was recommended by the director of that program to CNN. A feature in Biography Magazine led to stories in the London Times, the Dallas Morning News, and others.

5. Enhancing your credibility

The surest way to earn credibility is by establishing yourself as a ‘recognized’ expert with intimate knowledge of your clients, customers and industry. Experts out-position their competitors because they are recognized as knowing more than their competitors.

Fred Tibbitts, Jr. founded Fred Tibbitts & Associates to help food and beverage companies reach global markets. He strategically cultivated a reputation in his industry as a well-connected and knowledgeable global beverage-marketing expert who is fluent in all the details of his business.

Tibbitts monitors global beverage trends on a daily basis while staying in contact with account managers at hotels and restaurants. He hosts a series of special events, ‘Fred Tibbitts Spring & Autumn Dinners with Special Friends,’ in key markets, including Hong Kong, Singapore, and New York. Tibbitts also contributes a column to Hospitality International Magazine and numerous industry publications.

6. Establishing your brand and reputation

Slightly famous entrepreneurs use their smallness and specialty in ways that corporate giants can’t touch. They make sure their brands strike an emotional chord by bringing their business ’soul’ to the forefront of their marketing.

When you meet Dave Hirschkop at a trade show, don’t expect to shake his hand. That’s because he’ll be wearing a straitjacket while standing before a simulated insane asylum to promote his popular line of ‘Insanity’ hot sauces.

Dave established his brand by making the hottest sauce possible. Instead of sensual pleasure, he promised pain, even danger. Now, Dave’s Gourmet, Inc. steps to the front of the crowded hot sauce category because he embraced a humorous branding strategy that resulted in fiercely loyal customers and great media exposure.

When Dave introduced his Insanity Sauce at the National Fiery Foods Show in New Mexico, he made attendees sign a release form before tasting from a bottle that came in a coffin-like box wrapped with yellow police tape. His best, if unintended, publicity coup happened when a show promoter had a minor respiratory problem after tasting his sauce, and banned him from the show.

To enjoy ’slightly’ famous status, you don’t have to be insane. But, you must cultivate a brand identity that will become the guiding star of your entire business. It will ensure that all your marketing efforts pull in the same direction. You’ll waste less time, make fewer marketing mistakes, and stand out in an increasing cluttered world.

About The Author

Steven Van Yoder is author of Get Slightly FamousT: Become a Celebrity in Your Field and Attract More Business with Less Effort. Visit http://www.getslightlyfamous.com to read the book and learn about ’slightly’ famous teleclasses, workshops, and marketing materials to help small businesses and solo professionals attract more business.

steven@getslightlyfamous.com

In today’s work environment, professionals who come in contact with blood and fluid waste products run the risk of exposure to potentially infectious hazards. In my particular industry, aviation, the chance of someone coming into contact with an unknown substance can be great, particularly for in-flight crew. There are a variety of products on the market that can help prevent or limit your exposure including the two featured herein.

One product to consider to help promote a safe clean up is SAFETEC’S Red-Z. Red-Z works by simply sprinkling the encapsulator on spilled blood, urine, vomit or other potentially hazardous waste and the fluid is encapsulated in seconds. Just scoop-up the granulated gel and dispose in accordance with facility policy.

VIONEX Antimicrobial Towelettes provide significant germ killing effectiveness with a sturdy, textured towel for thorough scrubbing. The towel is saturated with enough germ killing and cleansing solution to cover the hands and more. Use VIONEX towelettes to safely and effectively remove blood and body fluids from any skin surface. Each towelette is individually pouched to assure effectiveness and they are easily carried and available when you need them.

VIONEX towelettes meet OSHA’s standard for use as an “antiseptic towelette”. You can choose VIONEX No Rinse Gel or the Towelette, when soap and water are not available.

While this article is not an endorsement of either product, items such as these can go a long way in offering to you effective protection.

Copyright 2005 — Matthew Keegan is The Article Writer who writes on a variety of topics including: advocacy, automobiles, aviation, business, Christian themes, family, news, product reviews, travel, writing, and more. Samples from his portfolio are available right online.

Male body hair removal is an increasingly popular option for men and there are many options available depending on your requirements.

Gone are the days when male body hair removal was a topic only of interest to athletes like body builders or swimmers who wanted to improve their look or performance by ridding themselves of unwanted hair.

When it comes to hair removal for men, part of the problem might be figuring out what options are available, the cost and time involved, pros and cons of each option and related questions that guys want to know the answer to.

Essentially, the same hair removal options that women utilize are usually available for men, too. Some of the body parts you want treated might be a bit different (ie. back, chest) than the ones women want treated but the processes themselves are often the same.

Plus, smart hair removal practitioners are increasingly marketing themselves to men as they realize that more and more men are interested in their services.

I’ve utilized a number of different hair removal options including hair removal creams, waxing, sugaring and light-based treatments and have generally had good experiences with each but better experiences with others.

Plus, let’s not forget that perhaps the most common hair removal option for men and women is also one that most of us will partake in at one point or another during our lives.

Of course I’m talking about shaving.

Annual Travel Insurance is policies designed to protect those that travel frequently over the course of a year. Statistics have shown that families in this day and age are traveling, taking supplementary vacations more so than in the times of yore. Spur-of-the-moment voyages or premeditated journeys often necessitate an exacting coverage for the each family member.

Annual Travel Insurance offered by Travel Insurance Companies may present the policy as the “Multi-trip” plan. The coverage provides apposite coverage for families that voyage on a regular basis. The coverage facilitate for families to save money, since they will only payout a “one-time fee.” The policy will cover each trip made during the course of a year, providing the plan is active. Thus, this plan is best for the travelers, since the standard plans will cover travel time up to “90-days” in most instances. Annual Travel Insurance may cost a bit more, but for the most part, you will save, since it will cover you over a length of time. You will need to read the terms and conditions on the polices, and any fine print, to understand what the policies will cover. Many policies will not cover pet damage during travel, nor will they cover particular dangerous sport activities.

Excess Waiver

Your policy may include a excess waiver. The Excess Waiver when filing a claim is the segment of the policies claims that the policyholder pays from his own pocket. This is sort of Deduction, similar to other types of insurances. In other words, to prevent high costs of premiums you will promise to pay a co-payment from your own money against the claim.

Annual Golf Travel Insurance

Families that frequently travel for Golf Tournaments may require additional plans, since traveling is involved, plus sports. Therefore, the Travel Agencies have devised a plan to cover golfers, and this plan is known as Golf Travel Insurance. The policies will often cover loss of golf materials, injure to others as a result of playing golf (third-party coverage), and other liabilities incurred from playing the sport.

Online Travel Insurance

Consumers may save as much as “40%” by purchasing Travel Insurance online. The savings is setup, since purchasing travel insurance off the net has overhead fees, whereas the Internet is constructed to cutback overhead expenses. Therefore, companies online can offer affordable rates for extensive coverage, as well as lower premiums. Thus, these companies will consider more than risk when considering applications for travel insurance. Considerations for home insurance are applicable, since the companies are aware that possessions are often covered under these policies. Therefore, you can save money and time by purchasing Travel Insurance online.

Extended Group

Are there discounts for Extended Group Travel Insurance? First, you must understand that extended group policies are for families and/or groups that insure ten or more people. Yes, the travel companies will offer discounts on the extended policies, but the policies vary from each company. For the most part the Extended Group Policies are less expensive than the single policies since families are traveling in packs. The policies will cover each member and will provide discounts.

The Group Polices is for families or groups that travel in packs. The package is intended to cover school travels, such as sporting events, group travel, or any travel that carries ten or more individuals. Since the family packages are restricted, covering only the immediate members, the extended polices may be needed to cover additional parties. Thus, few insurance companies may offer up to 10% discounts, while others may offer more or less.

Again, if you travel in packs you may want to consider the Group Travel Polices and the Annual Travel Policies if you travel frequently. The policies may have exclusions and restrictions, therefore if you engage in risky activities make sure you inquire about additional coverage, since most polices offered by travel agencies will not cover certain sporting activities. To learn more about risky insurance coverage you will need to inquire about Sports Travel Insurance or Golf Travel Insurance.

Authored by Michael Bens. For more great information about all forms of insurance visit our free online insurance publication the Gabae Insurance Source to find the information you’re looking for!

Also you can check out Gabae Insurance Articles to find the articles’ you’re looking for!

If only we could get our pets to brush their teeth regularly! Well you know that can’t happen . . . but we can help our dogs take care of their teeth and gums. They don’t, of course, realize how important dental care is to their health (and maybe you didn’t realize it either).

Following are some facts about dental problems that may either be causing your dog discomfort right now or might soon affect your dog’s health; we’ll also give you some tips on treating those problems.

Gingivitis: Gingivitis is a gum disease that occurs when gum tissue becomes inflamed. If not treated, gingivitis will lead to periodontitis (described below); if it is not treated, gingivitis will cause your dog to start loosing teeth.

Periodontitis: Periodontitis is an advanced gum disease that attacks not only the gums but also the bones that underlie the gums. Commonly called periodontal disease, this is the most common dental problem for dogs. Even relatively young dogs may have Periodontitis or the earlier-stage gum disease, gingivitis.

Imagine a year or two of buildup on your dogs teeth — buildup of plaque, food particles and bacteria. If your dog has gum disease you may not have to imagine it, you will probably be able to see a near-white substance coating the teeth and gums — that’s the result of the bacteria.

Tooth fractures: Dogs love to gnaw on things like bones and when they do they might develop small breaks -fractures of their teeth. Endodontic disease is the name for infections that develop inside these fractures.

Preventing the problems mentioned above is as simple as keeping your dog’s teeth clean. Clean teeth means less bacteria and less bacteria means less disease . . . and the extra bonus of no more ‘doggie-breath.’

Brushing your dog’s teeth. The best way to keep your dog’s teeth clean is by brushing them every day. That may sound like an impossible task but its really not. Over time, if you approach it slowly and lovingly, your dog will accept tooth brushing as an enjoyable daily activity.

Important: If you think that your dog has gum disease or fractured teeth take the dog to a vet to have the condition treated and cleared up before you try brushing the teeth yourself. If the dog has diseased gums, any attempt at tooth brushing may be painful and from then on the dog will associate tooth brushing with pain.

Ideally, you should start brushing a dogs teeth when its a puppy. As a puppy this will be more of a game than a threat and, over time, it will turn into an activity the puppy loves.

If your dog is older and has healthy looking teeth and gums, introduce it to a tooth brush by coating an old toothbrush with something the dog likes to taste; one suggestion is a paste made out of garlic salt and water. Let the dog lick it and even chew on it for just a second. The next day, the dog will recognize the tooth brush in your hand and come running over for another “treat.” Gradually work your way into brushing it’s teeth like that, day-by-day.

Eventually you’ll need to get a toothbrush and toothpaste that is made specifically for pets; you’ll find both in any good pet supply store. It is especially important to find toothpaste that is made for pets; don’t try to use toothpaste made for people. Human toothpaste isn’t intended for ingestion and since your dog can’t ’spit it out’ you need to get a toothpaste that won’t make the dog sick when some amount is swallowed.

There are two types of pet toothbrushes, one looks like a human toothbrush that is designed to brush a small child’s teeth and the other is a finger brush. A finger brush looks like a large thimble with a pad or bristles mounted on it. Both types of toothbrush are fairly inexpensive so you may want to purchase one of each and see which one works best for you. Either way, as long as the toothpaste tastes good to your dog, it won’t mind you ‘messing around’ in it’s mouth and, eventually, it will even look forward to the daily ritual.

Have your dog’s teeth professionally cleaned. If, for whatever reason, you don’t want to or you can’t brush your dogs teeth yourself, take it to a veterinarian and have the vet give the dog’s teeth a professional cleaning. The vet will sedate your dog and do all the necessary scraping and cleaning of the teeth while the dog is sleeping.

Give your dog a checkup. Its a great idea to give your dog’s mouth a regular checkup. You’ll be looking for any broken, chipped or cracked teeth or any signs that the gums are not healthy. If you see any problems, get the dog to a veterinarian as soon as you can.

Protect your dog’s teeth. Sometimes dogs need to be protected from themselves. A dog will chew on anything and the really hard things like some bones, rocks and other very hard items may eventually crack or break the dog’s teeth. Get rid of the hard stuff and buy your dog some softer chew toys.

Buy some mouthwash for your dog. Nope! Not kidding! There are mouthwash products for dogs and just ignore that mental picture of trying to get your dog to gargle. You just add some of the mouthwash to your dog’s water dish and the mouthwash will not only improve your dog’s breath, it will keep the do’s teeth clean and free of tarter.

As you can see, dogs have dental problems that are very similar to human dental problems and they benefit from dental care just like we do. For all the products suggested here for your dog’s dental care, ask your veterinarian for his or her recommendations on the best products to use. Your vet is your dog’s doctor and should be trusted like you trust your own doctor.

Gary Allison is a third generation of professional dog breeders. It all started with his grandparents in 1970 with the Boston Terriers and has expanded to Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Pugs, Shih Tzu’s and Pomeranians. He is also actively involved with dog rescue and has a website that showcases the puppies he occasionally has for sale at All My Puppies Online Gary is also the author of two consumer guides, Carpet Secrets and Moving Secrets Guide

Most people have some kind of debt throughout their life. Having debt isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s how you manage your debt that’s important. Because, having excellent credit means that you will typically get the best interest rate when you do borrow money. Creditors will see you as less of a risk and they will provide you with the most attractive loan terms, because they want your business.

Typically, there are three big debts in life: housing, transportation and education. You have debt when you choose to either buy a place to live or rent. Technically, either is a form of debt. Also, unless you are very disciplined and save a lot to pay cash for you car, you will probably have to borrow to buy your car. Many people can’t even escape college without debt. That is why many students must seek debt consolidation for their student loans. These debts are realities for most people.

You also can have bills that are considered debt, like your electric bill. Financial planning purists would have you live with no debt. But, this is not realistic for most people. So a debt plan is needed (which sometimes debt consolidation).

Your goal is to live without unnecessary debts and debt consolidation can help with this. “Unnecessary debts” are things like credit cards, loans for new windows, furniture financing, etc. These are normally small debts that sounded good at the time you borrowed, but may have gotten out of hand when stacked on top of each other. Although, sometimes they’re necessary purchases, like new tires, it’s the way that they are managed by people that makes them burdensome. Debt consolidation will not reduce the burden, but it could, if managed effectively, make your debt more manageable.

So let’s outline a procedure for taking back your life if debt has become or might become burdensome.

1. Get all of your bills together and list your monthly debts.

2. Sort the debts. You should physically put them into two piles: one for monthly bills you can’t do anything about and one for other (these will end up being bills eligible for debt consolidation). For Example: Pile 1 includes: Home Mortgage, Gas Bill, Child Support, … (these are not eligible for debt consolidation) and Pile 2: Credit Cards, Lines of Credit, small loans, … (these are eligible for debt consolidation).

3. Next take out three pieces of paper and write “Absolutely Necessary” on the top of one piece of paper. List all the bills in Pile 1. But, before you add up the total, determine if there’s any debt you’ve listed that you can immediately eliminate. For example, have you listed Cable TV or newspaper. You can you cut back on these and save money. Although they’re small, they add up.

Once you come up with a list of debt that’s absolutely necessary, add it up and circle the total. If this number is bigger than your take-home pay, Stop. You need to find a financial professional or certified credit counselor, immediately. You have reason to be scared, because currently you aren’t making it.

4. Write “Manage” on the top of the other piece of paper. List Pile 2. This is the list you can work on (budget, payoff or debt consolidation). You may have moved the Cable TV or newspaper bills to this pile. Just to see where you are, add up this page. Circle the total.

5. On the Third piece of paper, write “Worksheet”. This is where you are going to figure things out. This page will show you how to use budgeting, payoffs and debt consolidation to your best benefit.

6. On your worksheet, write “Where I Am:” then add pages one and two

Example: Where I Am: $1500 + $750 = $2250

7. Look at the number from Step 6. How does it compare to your paycheck? To find out, subtract Step 7 from your paycheck. Example: Paycheck – Payments = $2300 – $2250 = $50

8. If Step 7 is negative or very small, your problem is that you don’t have enough money to live on with your current debt. Debt consolidation may help you, but you need to follow a strict budget that will result in the elimination all of your unnecessary debt.

9. If Step 8 is relatively large, then you have a spending problem. You will need to learn how to spend better so you can payoff your debt, otherwise you will never escape this problem. There are many budgeting systems and software existing to help you with this problem. Quicken works great for me and many others. Other software you can use includes Microsoft Money. There’s also free downloads you can use to help you develop a family budget.

If you determine that you have a spending problem, then you can use debt consolidation, but without a good budget plan, you are likely to get in trouble again. Some people in your situation use debt consolidation and actually in end up with more debt! So my recommendation is to put off the debt consolidation until you have a budget.

10. If Step 7 is negative or very small, measures need to be taken to manage your debt. Take a good look at your list. We discussed Cable TV above. Look at any subscriptions that you could cut back on or eliminate? Do you need your gym membership? Can you cancel a cell phone? Are you paying someone to cut your grass? Some of these things you may need, while others you can completely eliminate.

11. Next, look at your debts. Do you have a bunch of little loans? If so, then develop a plan to pay the minimum on the others to pay them off. You probably can’t do anything quickly about a $7000 balance, but a $400 balance could be paid of in just a few months.

12. Cancel all but your largest credit card. When you cancel a card, you won’t have to pay the balance immediately, you simply won’t be able to place any charges on it. This way if you have to put something on a card, only one balance will be growing.

13. Now that you have in effect “closed the barn door,” what do your debts look like? Is there very little improvement? Has your budget opened up? If you are left with more than three large debts, you should look at a debt consolidation loan. This loan will reduce your payments to the minimum possible and maximize the size of your paycheck. I recommend that you use a mortgage calculator to figure out what interest rate and terms you need and what are available to further ease your spending.

14. Lastly, go thru Steps 1-7 again. In fact do this over and over. Think wash, rinse, dry. Does the picture change significantly each cycle? If yes, and you are now living comfortably, good. Stay the course. If no and you are not living more comfortably, talk to a certified credit counselor. You need more help than this article on debt consolidation loans can give you.

Debt consolidation should not be considered some magic pill that will make all your debts go away. Debt consolidation is really a tool you can use with other strategies to manage your financial life, not just your debt. Debt consolidation can reduce your stress, but could also make your situation worse, if not managed effectively. To make it work for you, you have to find a budget that you can live with.

Recently I read an article that ended a long standing belief on my part. On an “Urban Legend” website, I discovered that Lemmings do not herd together and commit mass suicide by jumping off cliffs.

Why I believed this in the first place I do not know, but I guess I never had any reason not to.

The legend apparently began when during a 1958 Disney nature documentary, the film crew induced lemmings into jumping off a cliff into the sea. They then documented their suicidal behavior and used it in the movie “White Wilderness.”

There goes one more childhood belief.

Real Life Lemmings

But the suicidal behavior of lemmings, though not true of lemmings themselves, does have close counterparts in the real world.

What? Can this be true?

Think of any stock market bull rally that is nearing a top. Volume spikes as traders rush to buy stocks they would not have even looked at a few days or weeks prior. Sentiment is at bullish extremes and every industry, regardless of profitability, is relentlessly purchased to extremes of valuation.

In the very midst of this buying frenzy. When traders are going to bed each night and dreaming of being rich, there are those few individuals who refuse to be affected by the emotions of the rally. They start taking profits. Some start selling short.

Before long, even while the “lemmings” are still buying and trading volume remains high, there is a subtle shift. New highs are not held. New intra-day highs become losses at the close. Soon the shift become real selling and the deluge begins.

But the lemmings, who are emotionally still extremely bullish (running in herd fashion towards the cliffs) hang on. Finally, they start taking losses and as those losses grow, the lemmings start to feel the pain. They are not sleeping as well. The dreams are turning to nightmares.

Finally, the lemmings stampede. They start selling. The selling increases and after awhile, it becomes a deluge as all the lemmings try to unload their huge losing positions at the same time. They are now jumping off the financial cliffs en masse.

Real Life Lemmings Hit The Bottom

Now the lemmings have cashed out most of their positions. They have had it with stocks. They go to sleep with the security of knowing they will never put themselves in such a losing position again. Not ever!

As the lemmings take comfort, some astute traders see an advantage. They start buying into the severely depressed stock market. Slowly the market turns higher. More traders jump in and before long, another market advance is born.

Never fear, our lemmings will not be swayed. The vast majority of them, having been burned once, are not going to be burned again. Or so they say.

“…It happens over, and over, and over again. From Dutch Tulips, to great financial crashes. History always repeats.”
But oh, the easy money they are missing. The financial news talks incessantly about the profits being made. Their friends are making gobs of money, or so they are told. Slowly but surely the lemmings start to buy and a new bull rally to begins to form.

The next cliff is waiting patiently for them. It happens over, and over, and over again. From Dutch Tulips, to great financial crashes. History always repeats.

The psychology of fear and greed has been repeating like this for hundreds of years. You would think the “herd” would get smart, but very few do. It is hard to change emotional responses that are hard-wired into the human psyche.

Do Lemmings Ever Evolve?

To answer this question, we must look at the very astute traders who are buying near the bottoms, and selling near the tops.

Are they devoid of emotions? Are they like robots who are never swayed by the sentiments of the majority?

Actually, most were former lemmings. Experience is what makes a successful trader. Most have experienced “lemming losses” but these few realized it was a losing game.

The plain truth is, they are following a trading strategy. These special individuals, who realize profits year after year and are never in that crowd of lemmings who are jumping off cliff after cliff, are NOT lacking emotion.

They realized it was a losing game and they exited the emotional roller coaster that most stock market participants are riding, and began following “unemotional” trading plans.

This is what FibTimer is all about.

We have been there ourselves. We understand the only way to profit in the financial markets is to part from the herd. We have done that by creating, and following ourselves, unemotional timing strategies.

Anti-Lemming Trading

Unlike many other timing services which apparently practice voodoo in their timing signals, we are trend traders. We do not sift through tea leaves to make our buy and sell decisions. We identify trends and when a new trend is established, we trade it.

“…We have NEVER found anyone who can foretell the future.”
If the trend is false, we exit quickly. We exit our losing positions quickly and let our winning positions ride.

Unfortunately, many who look for timing services, and then start following a timing strategy, are actually looking for someone who can forecast the future. They WANT the crystal ball readers.

They want to believe. They are lemming wannabe’s.

They want someone to take their hand and lead them to untold (and guaranteed) wealth by forecasting the market’s direction before anyone else knows it. They accept the offered promises of riches because they “want” to believe.

We have NEVER found anyone who can foretell the future. Sorry about that. Of course at every market top and every market bottom there is someone who got it right. But getting it right consistently is another matter entirely.

What we can do is tell you the truth. Successful trading, market timing, can only be attained following an unemotional strategy that buys low and sells high. By following a strategy that cuts losses and stays with profitable trends when they occur.

If you follow FibTimer strategies, do not expect us to follow the lemming herd. We stay far away from tea leaves. We do not keep financial news on when we trade. If we are bullish when the herd is on a buying rampage, that is nice. But when we have a sell signal, we are out. No questions asked, no second thoughts.

If you are looking for timing that works, we are the answer. We are the anti-lemmings.

Frank Kollar is Editor and Chief Analyst at http://www.FibTimer.com market timing Services.

These days, getting into debt is easy.

Unfortunately, getting out of debt is not so simple for most people. But you can do, if you go about it the right way.

The first – and by far the most important step – to getting out of debt is to MAKE A COMMITMENT!

Personally, I spent years telling myself how much I wanted to get out of debt. But then something would always happen – a big expense, a change of jobs, you name it.

And even though I really wanted to get out of debt, I never made any real progress. Then one day I finally got so frustrated I said to myself:

“It’s now time to do WHATEVER IT TAKES to get myself completely out of debt!”

And for the first time since I got myself into debt (by maxing out all of my credit cards trying to start a business) I finally figured out the true “secret” to getting out of debt: making the commitment!

So, if you haven’t already made a commitment of your own, do it right now. Decide you’re going to do WHATEVER IT TAKES to get yourself out of debt…and start doing it!

How long will it take you to get out of debt? If you’re like most people (including myself not long ago), too long!

How To Take Action

Once you make this commitment, it’s time to take action.

Write down exactly how you plan on getting out of debt. Here are some questions to ask yourself while developing your plan:

• How can you save money each month?
• What expenses can you eliminate?
• How much more money can you use to pay off your credit card bills faster?
• How can you make some extra money?
• Have you contacted your creditors to request a lower interest rate?
• How can you change your spending habits?
• Have you considered professional help – credit counseling, debt negotiation, bankruptcy – to find out all of your options?
• Are you really committed to getting out of debt?
• When do you want to be completely debt free?

It’s a great feeling being completely free of credit card debt. But it won’t start happening until YOU decide to make it happen!

Kris Bickell is the owner of Debt-Tips.com, a helpful site for consumers struggling with credit card debt. For tips on getting out of debt, repairing your credit, saving money, and making extra money online, visit: http://www.Debt-Tips.com, or sign up for the free “Get Out Of Debt Faster” email course at: http://www.Debt-Tips.com/course.html.

© 2005 Debt-Tips.com