What Is The Single Worst Writing Mistake?

The following answer sounds simplistic?but think about it. The single worst writing mistake is "not starting."

In my 20-plus years as a magazine editor, I read dozens ? perhaps hundreds ? of articles on writing. But few gave me advice on beginning a report.

See, if I can't decide how to start something, I hesitate. If I hesitate, I next procrastinate. Procrastination turns to delay, then into hiatus. Whenever I get to that "hiatus" state, I sometimes just abandon the story idea completely.

Please, don't let that happen to you! Here are some "story-starter" ideas to help you commit those first thoughts to paper:

1. If the story is a feature, think first about your CONCLUSION. What main theme do you want to convey to the reader?

2. If the story is a research report, think first about your SOURCES. What experts or researchers do you need to contact? What specific information do you need from them?

3. If you're writing a persuasive paper, think first about EVIDENCE. What facts do you need to present to prove your point?

4. Now, here comes the hardest part: What should your first sentence be?

Here's my secret: I start with my conclusion first, then build the rest of the story to support it. (That technique is discussed in detail in Chapter Three of my book, "Words That Stick.")

One other tip: If you've got a great idea for a report or story, don't let it get away. At the very least, make a short note about it on your desk calendar or in a notebook.

Your very next idea could be a truly great one.

Rix Quinn offers writing tips for both students and professionals in his new book "Words That Stick." It's available from your local bookstore, or http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1580085768/qid/

For details on Rix's next telephone seminar, call 817-920-7999.

Love the Outdoors? Consider a Gatlinburg Cabin Rental

Love the outdoors, looking for adventure, a romantic getaway, or a family vacation? Gatlinburg, Tennessee, located in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains, is the perfect vacation spot for families looking for outdoor adventure and entertainment. Gatlinburg and neighboring cities, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville, offer a wealth of outdoor activites, shopping, dining, and entertainment. Enjoy a Gatlinburg cabin rental and experience it all.

There are literally thousands of cabin rentals and chalet rentals available to choose from. A Gatlinburg cabin rental gives a family the opportunity to experience the beauty and peacefulness of the Great Smokey Mountains. You can enjoy majestic mountain views from your cabin or chalet rental, and still remain within walking distance, or a short drive, to shopping, dining and entertainment.

Gatlinburg - Pigeon Forge - Sevierville - has a lot to offer for all ages, hiking, whitewater rafting, skiing, snowboarding, skiing, fishing, kayaking, and horseback riding. When you're done playing outdoors, take in some shopping at a huge number of outlet malls. Or, spend a day at an amusement park. Dollywood, located in Pigeon Forge, offers a ton of fun - rides, country/western shows, and more.

Gatlinburg's Municipal Golf Course has been completely rebuilt and acclaimed as one of the most picturesque courses in America with its' spectacular mountain setting. Whether you're on vacation and just want to relax and play a round of golf, on a business trip or corporate outing, Gatlinburg Municipal Golf Course offers the pro golfer as well as the beginner a challenge on every hole and a great golf vacation destination.

Terry Malone is the webmaster and owner of Vacation Rentals Unlimited - http://www.vrul.com Visit us to find great deals on vacation rentals that are offered directly from their owners.

Watch Your Language!

I have a big mouth. If you have read my testimony, you know that I have struggled with panic attacks and an anxiety disorder that most of the time left my tongue paralyzed when it came to simple things, such as ordering a meal or answering the phone. God delivered me from the solitude I had imprisoned myself in. However, I had a new problem--now I talked too much.

I have started to monitor my words and have been shocked by what I discovered. Complaining...gossiping...fault-finding...even negative words and word curses.

Matthew 12:36 says "But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day judgment for every careless word they have spoken." I don't know about you, but I think it's time to get our mouths in order.

According to Proverbs 18:21, death and life are in the power of the tongue. Deuteronomy 30:19 makes it even clearer by saying "This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live."

When God created the world, Genesis 1:3 says "And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light." He gave you that same power to speak things into existence. You might be thinking "how is that possible?"

Mark 11:23 states "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, `Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him." According to this verse, you can have what you say--negative or positive. Throughout the Bible, especially in Proverbs, God speaks about our mouths.

James 3:3-10 shows us that our tongues are like a bit in a horse's mouth. With that bit in place, you can control the animal, turn it any way you want it to go. Or like a ship that can be steered by a small rudder. Our tongues are little, but they can contaminate our whole bodies and the lives of others around us.

We are the only creatures created by God that can choose what we say. Although a parrot can talk, he can't choose the words that come out of his mouth. He only repeats what he hears. Verse 9 notes "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness." and Verse 10--"Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be."

In church or around godly friends, we praise God and talk about what the Bible says. When we arrive home, when we are in a jam--lost our car keys, , had an argument or our teenage daughter announces she's pregnant, we complain, gossip and, believe it or not, we even curse people and ourselves with our words. Have you ever called a person "stupid," said you wished they were dead or that you were never born? Those are all word curses.

Charles Capps speaks of a woman in his book God's Creative Power for Healing. Whenever this woman got mad, she would say "that just burns me up." She would say it several times a day. For several months, the woman continued to have a fever, but the doctors couldn't figure out why. She had no physical reason to have a fever. Then the doctor asked her about her habits. When he found out she had been saying "that just burns me up," he told her to stop. He wasn't sure if it had anything to do with the fever. Within weeks, her fever left her.

Did you know that angels are all around you, just waiting to carry out your words of faith? When you speak negatively, you cancel out the positive words you have spoken. James 1:8--"He is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does." A double-minded person is one who has one foot in the world's way of thinking and one foot in God's promises. God is calling us to choose one and be steadfast in that thinking and that thinking only. The Bible says that God would prefer that we either be hot or cold rather than lukewarm Christians.

So, how do we start to change our mouths?

1) Ask God For Help. Make Psalm 141:3 "Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips." your daily prayer.

2) Renew Your Mind. Romans 12:1-2 says "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." By changing your thoughts, you will change your mouth because Proverbs 23:7 (KJV) reveals "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:" Memorize scriptures on the mouth. Meditate on them by thinking about them, reciting them, mulling them over in your mind. Make them personal to you by inserting your name into the scripture, such "For God so loved Annagail that he gave his one and only Son, that Annagail who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16) Then try to visual yourself speaking and thinking according to God's Word.

3) Monitor Your Mouth. A wise person watches the words that come out of his/her mouth.. Ask God to convict you when you utter wrong words, use profanities or cut someone down. When you get into a bad situation, Philippians 4:8 says to "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."

4) Start to prophesy over your own life. God told us to "calleth those things which be not as though they were.(Romans 4:17 KJV). As long as it lines up with God's will, you can speak out what you want as long as you keep speaking it and believing it in your heart. Speak God's promises over your life.

5) Use your mouth to exhort and encourage others. Begin to pray God's word of your life and the lives of your friends and family.

I am still struggling in this area, but every day I am growing up more in Christ. We must train our mouths and flesh to conform to God's Word. I challenge you to make a decision to do so today.

About The Author

Annagail Lynes is editor of VisionHope Magazine. She specializes in writing articles for young adults about dating, school, parents, peer pressure and other youth-related issues. Get your Free Sample Issue of VisionHope, plus free articles and free pen pal ads at http://visionhope.ontheweb.com; visionhopemag@netzero.net

101 Ways to Improve Your Direct Mail Response

1. Mail to your customers more often. If you are now mailing 4
times a year, increase the frequency of your mailings to 6 or 8
times. If you increase your mailings by 25%, you should
increase your sales by at least the same percentage.

2. Use a P.S. on every direct mail letter. This is second in
importance only to the headline.

3. Don't forget to thank your customer for their order. Enclose a
message with orders... and include another merchandise offer
with the "thank you" message.

4. Vary your mailing format. Use self-mailers, lettergrams,
computer letters, envelope formats, catalogs. Change your
format so that prospects don't get in the habit of recognizing
your mailing piece.

5. Ride on the coattails of current events, e.g. energy crisis,
elections, cold winters, etc. When inflation increases, have an
"inflation-cutting" special, etc.

6. Look for other products you can successfully sell to your
customers. Information on how to make and save money is the
best prospect.

7. Include more offers in your mailing package than you already
are. Study the mailings of firms who
packs a volume of material into their envelopes. See if you can
adapt the idea to your own mailings.

8. Think about using simulated handwriting for emphasis in your
letters. Occasionally test a handwritten letter, particularly
if you are soliciting funds for charity.

9. Try an unusual format you've never used before.

10. Test selective distribution to your list. Maybe only a portion
of your list should receive more mailings. Other mailings
should go to the entire list.

11. Stimulate off-season business by asking for it. If you normally
have a summer slump, have a special "summer sale" mailing in the
summer. You can boost your sales any time of the year you need a
boost through effective direct mail.

12. Word your offer differently. Put a unique twist into it by
offering a baker's dozen instead of a regular dozen. Or sell
110 instead of 100.

13. You can even add a smell to your envelopes. Check with your
envelope manufacturer about the special inks that can be used to
make your envelope "smell" the way your product does.

14. Change the size of your mailing package frequently to create
interest and appeal.

15. Test credit terms. You'll find that accepting Master
Charge/Visa will result in larger orders than cash terms.

16. Let people "peek" into your envelope with multiple windows on
the face and back.

17. Test buck slip routing for addressing, and use it to reach
multiple prospects.

18. Try using illustrated letterheads and test them against
conventional letterheads.

19. Put a simulated check into your mailing to emphasize a discount.

20. Consider using stamps, coupons, early order bonuses, Etc.

21. Pack order starters - a special offer that will get a person
started on his order - into your catalog.

22. If you can sample your product, including one in your mailing.

23. Make more sophisticated use of your own list and the lists you
rent by looking for those segments of people who... and forget
the rest of them.

24. Test simulated telegrams, mailgrams, and other imitation formats
similar to the mailgram.

25. Test a tiny letter with a tiny pencil accompanying it. Test a
jumbo letter in your envelope, maybe even mail it in a jumbo
envelope.

26. What is your "wastebasket readability factor" - and what can you
do to get people to read your mailing piece when it is sitting
on somebody else's desk... or has it already landed in their
waste basket?

27. Put a wraparound on your catalog. It gives you two covers
instead of one.

28. Test your catalog approaches and mailing dates.

29. Use teaser copy on your outer envelope and test it vs. a blind
envelope.

30. Acknowledge orders promptly and include additional sales
literature with your acknowledgment.

31. Periodically send a statement to your customer that shows he's
been missed... even if he doesn't owe you any money.

32. Follow up inquiries promptly and persistently. Make it easy to
buy from you by giving the inquirer a return envelope to send
his order back in.

33. Tie in a timely topic (current events, special problems, etc.)

34. Get to know your printers... not printer, printers. Every
direct marketer needs different types of printers with different
capabilities to come up with different printed pieces.

35. Test multiple premiums with your offer and give your prospects a
choice of the one(s) he prefers.

36. Remail your mailing to your better customers three or four weeks
later. You'll do 60-75% as well on the second mailing.

37. Remember the 5 basic rules... test, test, test, test, and test.

38. Don't be afraid to run without a test if your gamble is small.

39. Use a bounce-back package enclosure to get an extra order.

40. State your guarantee in the strongest possible terms... and
state it often.

41. Spotlight your sales points in your headlines.

42. Start your message on your envelope and lead your reader inside.

43. Feature last-minute merchandise on the back of your envelope or
on a separate flier enclosed in your package.

44. Offset delays in mail delivery by extending cutoff dates.

45. Cultivate customers with special savings, bonuses or premiums.

46. Use lightweight paper to save postage and to allow more sales
material in the envelope.

47. Use a "Publisher's Letter" to give the prospect an extra reason
for buying.

48. Put distinctive differences in your catalog to add interest.

49. Stimulate action by featuring a time limit at the top of your
letter.

50. Show how merchandise solves problems and enhances the stature of
the user among his/her contemporaries.

51. Use full-view envelopes to display attractive literature.

52. If buying your product spells numerous benefits, spell them out
by number for maximum impact.

53. Increase customer goodwill and purchases with advance notice of
sales.

54. Use stock photos for much less than the cost of making original
shots.

55. Cultivate customers with special catalog offers directed
exclusively to customers.

56. Use unusual techniques to get your customer into your envelope.

57. Use action stimulators to get your customer to open your
envelope.

58. Dramatize big news by using a big format to present your message.

59. Can you use the inside of your merchandise carton as part of
your media mix?

60. Increase the impact of your advertising with clip art, at
minimum expense.

61. Express appreciation to your customers for their past business.
And enclose some extra sell material with your thank you message.

62. Offer premiums that are unusual.

63. Include smart-selling stuffers in envelopes, packages, etc.

64. Update your catalog with supplements or newsletters.

65. Use a second letter in the package to increase the impact.

66. Use a second letter in the package to make a second offer.

67. Notify the customer if there is going to be a delay in
fulfillment, and include additional merchandise offers with this
notification.

68. Test post card deck mailings as an inexpensive method to get
leads/customers.

69. Put an unusual message on the outside of your envelope.

70. Put an alternative offer in the reply envelope to create bonus
sales.

71. Try a massive display of stamps on the outside of your envelope
to emphasize a fact.

72. Try a pre-holiday mailing to invite a former customer back.

73. Try a customized response vehicle to get your customers to
respond.

74. Offer to provide specific benefits to the customers.

75. Offer potential benefits to both customers and prospects.

76. Use customer gift lists as future mailing lists for your
prospecting.

77. Call your business reply order form by some other name, such as
trial order card.

78. A double coupon in your package could double your response.

79. A reply envelope plus loose stamp might be more effective than a
B.R.E.

80. If a postcard can tell your story... test it.

81. If a postcard is too small, step up to a self-mailer.

82. Follow-up your prospect's inquiries promptly with hard sell
material.

83. Make the space on the inside of your mailing envelope work for
you by using it to sell your product.

84. Prove to your prospect that your free gifts are really free.

85. State your guarantee boldly, in strong words... and repeat it
often.

86. Test allowing another mailer in your envelope and vice versa.

87. Test simulated gram formats.

88. Develop a distinctive personality for your business.

89. Make major anniversaries a plus factor in your promotions.

90. Have your reply envelope emphasize your prompt shipping service.

91. Present outstanding testimonials in a big way for big impact.

92. Never stop selling the advantages of direct marketing to your
customer.

93. Consider using special formats to make ordering easier.

94. Test different length trial periods.

95. Promote seasonal products in off-season times... and offer
alternatives.

96. Ask customers their opinion of a proposed new product.

97. Test the plastic record message in your mail formats.

98. Use the negative to accentuate the positive.

99. Use simulated handwriting in your message.

100. Use match-up and comparison tables to increase selection ease and
accuracy.

101. Always offer an "extra" or "bonus" to encourage a quick response.

Copyright 2004 by DeAnna Spencer

This article may be redstributed freely on the Internet as long as the resource box remains intact.

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DeAnna is the publisher of the ezine, Prospecting and Presents.
Subscribers get one free ad per week.
Subscribe today by visiting http://www.pnewsletter.com
To thank the publishers/webmasters that use my article, I offer
one free solo ad. Simply fill out the contact form on my contact
page listing the url it was used on or sending me a copy of the
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Speak Up

Another way to really become known in your area is to speak up. Make yourself available to talk to every civic,business and educational group that will have you. Stress your expertise, and, as with writing the newspaper column,never try to sell anything-except your reputation as a knowledgeable, trustworthy professional.

I know that many of you are saying. Not me! I hate talking in front of people. Well news flash - so do I. However, try a group like Toastmasters or small networking groups to start out and then work your way up. It's a great way to become known as an expert in your field, and for those of us in real estate a great way to sell our end user manuals for sellers and tenant buyers.

Be sure however, before you start going to networking group meetings that you have your 30 second commercial done.

A 30 second commercial tells someone what you do in 30 seconds or less. For example, we have two of them. When I'm at a networking meeting and introduce myself I say, "Hi,I'm Sue, I help sellers move their home in 30 days or less and help buyers get into a dream home today that they can purchase tomorrow, what do you do!" or "Hi, I'm Sue, I help people start the perfect home based business".

So get your commercial done and start networking and speaking! I know you can do it if you'll just give it a try!

Copyright DeFiore Enterprises 2002

Interested in having your own successful, home based creative real estate investing business? Chuck and Sue have been helping folks start successful home based businesses for over 19 years, and we can help you too! To see how, visit http://www.homebusinesssolutions.com for the latest FREE tips and tricks, educational products and coaching in creative real estate investing and home based businesses. No time to visit the site? Subscribe to our "how to" Home Business Solutions Digest, it's like having your own personal coach: mailto:subscribeHBS@homebusinesssolutions.com

Eye-Opening Questions for Working Parents to Ask

I remember watching my 18-month-old son eat a big frosted cookie while I was carrying him out of the bakery. I asked him, "Can you give mommy a bite?" He leaned over and gently bit me on the cheek.

Kids take things so literally. What misconceptions and concerns might your child have about their working parent?

An in-depth study was done through the Families and Work Institute, to find out what children want from their working parents. Wouldn't you think the study would show that kids want more time with working parents above all else? Surprise. They want their working parents to be less stressed. That's right. Less stressed. It makes sense. Doesn't it? Think of how you feel after spending time with stressed-out people.

Balancing the needs of work and family isn't easy. It takes skill, planning, and a lot of positive communication. Even then, it's easy to get stressed by time constraints and conflicting demands, especially around the holidays.

Try asking your kids these eight questions. Their answers might surprise you.

* Where do I work?
* What do you suppose I do at work?
* Why do you think I go to work?
* What would it be like if I didn't work?
* What do you like about me going to work?
* What's the hardest part for you about me going to work?
* In what ways would you like things to be different?
* How do you suppose I feel about working?

Your family life will be enriched when you open communication by letting kids express their thoughts and ideas. Read the do's and don'ts to prepare for an eye-opening conversation.

- Don't insist on asking every question in one sitting. Continue as long as your child is interested in the conversation.

- Expect the unexpected. You may be delighted by some of your child's thoughts and dismayed by others. Five-year-old, Bryan, told his dad with complete sincerity, "I think you go to work so you can be with friends your own age."

- See your child's negative responses as feedback to consider, instead of criticism.

- Don't shut down communication, when you don't like what you hear. Allowing your kids to fully express themselves will strengthen your relationship. Let them feel comfortable sharing their thoughts with you, even the scary or angry ones. Don't make your kids fear your reaction.

- Acknowledge your child's feelings. Suppose she says, "I think you go to work because you don't like to be with me." Resist the urge to cut her off with, "You know that's not true!" Be helpful by saying, "I didn't know you felt that way. Would you like to know how I feel about it? . . ."

- Focus on listening more than you talk. It's easy for me to talk on and on about what I'm passionate about. What I've found is, the more I talk, the less my kids listen. They tune me out. Don't overwhelm kids with too much information. Give brief and age appropriate responses.

- Encourage kids to guess when they aren't sure how to answer a question. It takes the pressure off and makes the questions more playful.

- There isn't always a quick fix to resolving conflict. When kids feel insecure or unhappy about family issues, don't expect one conversation to clear everything up. It takes time for kids and adults to break out of old habits of thinking.

- If you are a stay-at-home parent, shed a positive light on the parent who works outside the home. I still remember the warm feelings I had when my mom would say, "Your daddy works so hard for his family." Parents, whether married or divorced, working outside or inside the home, will reduce tension by showing appreciation for the positives of the other parent.

- The question, "What would it be like if I didn't work?" may reveal your child's favorite things to do. If she answers, "We would sing songs or play make-believe or read books," you can sprinkle those activities into the time you have at home.

- Help kids understand that working is another way of taking care of them by providing financial support. It can be a model for achieving a sense of fulfillment and contribution to society. Don't create fear around the need to work. Instead focus on the needs it meets.

- When your child shares feelings of hardship with having a working parent, show compassion not pity. Pity makes a child feel pitiful and feeds their insecurities. Talk about how the child wishes things could be. Possibly make changes to ease the hard parts for them and for yourself.

- Follow up the discussion with a visit to your workplace. If that's not possible, show your child a picture of your workplace, or paint a picture with your words so they can imagine where you are when you aren't home. This creates security for kids, replacing fear of the unknown with a positive image.

Tensions are reduced when kids and parents share their thoughts and ideas. Balancing work and family is tricky business, and well worth the efforts.

Marilyn Suttle shows you how to create satisfying work and family relationships, increase self esteem and self care. Marilyn shares delightful stories filled with useful skills and principles. She has presented programs to corporations both large and small, including Fortune 500 companies such as Ford Motor Company, Visteon Corporation, and Pfizer Pharmaceuticals. She delivers programs that enlighten, entertain and empower.Email her at Marilyn@SuttleOnline.NET. Subscribe to her Free monthly e-newsletter by visiting her web site: WWW.SuttleOnline.NET.

Pain Relief Drugs 101 What You Need to Know

Ever given a piece of thought to how actually one feels that a part of his/her body is paining? Majority of the response to this question will be in the negative. And ironically it is one piece of information that a person should be aware of.

Whenever a part of our body is hurt, the pain makes that part ache but the actual sensation is felt in the brain. There are various kinds of receptors in our brain and each is attributed with a different type of sensation. The process can be explained as follows. Every time part of our body is damaged, the damaged tissue releases chemicals ? called prostaglandins ? making the pain more acute. These chemicals on coming in contact with the cells in the damaged tissue, with the help of enzyme called cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), further release chemicals. Also, these prostaglandins react with the nerve endings to send signals to the brain where the sensation of the pain is felt.

One importance of pain that can be highlighted here is that they keep reminding a person of the hurt, so that till the time injury is healed they are more careful about it. Pain can also result without a direct injury being caused, for example arthritis.

Thankfully because of the advancements of the medicine, various types of medications are available to deal with different types of pains felt. A wide range of medicines start right from one as mild as Aspirin to something as strong as Narcotics, which should be only taken through a proper prescription of a medical practitioner and thus, it becomes necessary to take such medicines with highest degree of caution as every medicine has its own kind of side effects.

One of the most common pain relievers is Acetaminophen (popularly also known as paracetamol , and has established its 30 years of usage. It can also be used for curing fevers in children and adults apart from relieving pain.

As against acetaminophen, Narcotics are also used to cure pain but is adopted if no other medicine is able to effectively affect a patient, even though it is the greatest pain reliever than any medication prescribed. This is due to the numerous side effects that are associated with it, which includes chemical dependence. There are various types of Narcotics (OxyContin, Demerol, Hydrocodone) and have their own set of side effects. One of the most peculiar features of Hydrocodone is that it can even cause death.

There are various cautions that one should adopt while undergoing a pain relief medication, as many risks are associated with it. Primarily one should make the doctor aware of the medicines that are normally taken by the patient in the normal course for ordinary pains or any other thing as they can react with the pain relievers to cause side effects. Also, it should be told to the doctor if the patient is already associated with any disease apart from the on for which the doctor is consulted. Another thing to be kept in mind is that the pain relievers taken by the patient should not be stopped without consulting his doctor.

So now knowing this every one has a reason to take utmost precautions. God bless us all.

Mansi aggarwal writes about pain relief drugs . Learn more at http://www.drugsandpain.com

Fast Cash Payday Loans

If you need cash now there are several options available to you. The first is your debit card, assuming you are in good standing at your bank. Just head to the ATM and faster than you can say "I need cash now", you'll be good to go.

Another way to get dollars in hand if you need cash now is by deliberately overpaying for gas or groceries and telling the clerk you need cash now. They will give you the balance. A third way to get money if you need cash now is through your credit card company or checkbook.

Some credit card companies lure you to their brand, knowing you need cash now, by offering cash advances. When you need cash now, you simply use the credit card as a debit card. You'll be given a pin number (password) upon sign up. Then when you need cash now you'll be able to borrow against your credit card. Other tricks credit card companies utilize in order to keep your business are checks in the mail that you can cash when you need cash now. Since everybody seems to need cash now, they know if they send you a check you'll likely cash it without thinking about paying it off with interest later.

The next time you need cash now, think twice before using one of the above mentioned methods until you recognize exactly what it is you'll have to pay later. Sometimes when you need cash now you're unlikely to picture the consequences all the way through. All you know is you need cash now, not later. If you or a loved one need cash now, pool your resources and go to the bank rather than relying on an unknown third party. When you need cash now it's hard to do business with a level head, and lending companies know this.

Tim Gorman is a successful webmaster and publisher of Military-Loans-Online.com an online website that offers money saving rates on auto, home, bad credit, fast cash pay day loans and other free loan information that you can view in the privacy of your own home.

Anamchara - Living An Essential Life

What is essential in your life? This question contains one of the most important words an question can address. This is the word "essence." To know your "essence" is to live the mystery of life rather than the illusion of "your life."

One of my simple pleasures is browsing second hand bookshops. They have a very distinct smell. They feel warm and inviting and often they take me back to earlier times in my life.

As I normally do I find more books that I might ever read. I found a book by Rudyard Kipling called "The Jungle Book." I have only ever seen the wonderful fun movie of this name. There are sentimental connections with this movie from my youth. The hero of the story is a child called Mowgli who gets lost in the heart of the jungle. It is a metaphor for many of us living in this 21st Century.

Mowgli was a nickname that somehow got attached to me when I was around ten to twelve years old. Maybe it was because I felt lost and needed to be found and taken from the heart of this jungle of conditional love.

The Jungle Book was turned into a wonderful musical cartoon full-length film. In it the character of the bear named Baloo sings a song. This song is called "Bear Necessities." I love this song, as it is a song of gladness and confidence. It is a song about attraction and the experience of enough.

I often ask questions of others and myself in relation to what is essential. What is essential to life apart from food, shelter and clothing? These are essentials for the well being of the body. Beyond this what else is essential for a happy and fulfilled purpose focused life.

We have so many things, which we consider essential to living. We do this because we have forgotten our essence. We have forgotten what it is simple "to be." The prefix of this word essence (esse) comes from the root of the words "to be." We have forgotten how to be essential.

We have become people of the "never enough." We are like the monkeys in the story of "The Jungle Book." These monkeys are referred to in the book as "the people of the food." They eat and eat and never seem to get enough. This I believe is a metaphor for our Western consumer society. This is because these "people of the food" have lost the ability to feel their essence. They have lost the knowing of how to be essential. The leader of the "people of the food" has become greedy for power and forgotten that nothing quiet satisfies like love.

Being is more fun. It is simply allowing the energy within to move freely. It is the ultimate freedom. It is knowing you are one with it all and can have it all. We have been taught that you are to "do your life." We are taught to ransom your present moment for some dreamed of future.

The greatest gift we ever have now is to be present to this feeling of aliveness. Our disease and discomfort arise from absence from being. We have fallen out of ease with the natural flow of our life's energy. We miss our essence and we miss what is essential for a fulfilled happy and prosperous life.

Economics tells us that we live in world of scarcity. It teaches us to live in fear of not getting our share. We more and more live in the pace of scare-city. Our media is full of images, which focus us on fear. Fear is of the ego. It is not of your essential nature. T is a product of limited thing. It is not the liberation of knowing who you are.

The "bare necessities of life will come to you" if you will allow them. These will be more than bare. If you allow them to be gifts and be thankful for them they will begin to fill you up. They will give meaning and comfort to you. This is the essential ingredient, which is missing from the attitude of the "people of the food."

Stop struggling to "do your life." Remember you are a human being and not a human doing. You have forgotten how it feels to be graced with your full humanity. You have forgotten the grace of your essence. You struggle and you constantly do in order to validate your existence. The sadness is that this teaching is passed to our children who give up their creativity for education.

We view our world as a place of competition and adversity. We approach the world with an armoured heart and then ask where the joy has gone.

The "people of the food" are those who live in hell. This is a psychological rather than a physical place. There is in this place a great banquet. There is food of all sorts and yet the "people of the food" go hungry. The irony is that the exact same thing is happening in a psychological place called heaven.

When God was asked about this situation and why one set of beings was fulfilled and the other clearly dissatisfied and even despairing. God gave a simple answer. He said "In heaven we feed the other."

Life is not a jungle. It has laws that are to be followed. When we live from an essential place then there is always enough. You only have to make a heart felt commitment to being essentially who you are. This is the most courageous act any individual can make.

There is nothing to be added to the essential you. You only have to be prepared to let go. You have to be prepared to receive the "bare necessities of life" and allow them to come to you. Realise you are forever enough. Blessings be upon you.

Tony Cuckson is an Anam Cara. This Celtic term means "Soul Friend." He specializes in providing insight for the spiritual journey, Blessings for YOU, words of wisdom and finding inner peace. Visitors to Irish Blessings Matter website and Tony's Blog get the opportunity to develop a purpose driven life through articles, newsletters and other programs.

Get your free report called "7 ways to it's a wonderful life" at http://www.irishblessingsmatter.com/, or go to Tony`s Blog at http://www.irishblessingsmatter.info/ where you will find links to information related to spiritual parenting, spiritual coaching and spirit in business.

Eyewear Frames - Catch the Wave of Fashion

With so many eyewear choices it can be difficult to know what eye wear frames and styles are best for you. Considerations such as face shape, personality, lifestyle and coloring are all factors when it comes to choosing the right eyewear whether you wear fashion eyewear, designer eye wear, nonprescription eye wear, prescription eye wear, sport eyewear, children's eye wear or discount eye wear.

When purchasing your eyewear frames you'll want to find something that complements your face shape, lifestyle and personality especially if your going to be wearing your eye wear on a daily basis. First off you want to determine your face shape and coloring some tips for finding the best frames can include; your eyewear frames should contrast with your face shape; your eye wear frame size should be in scale with your face size; your eye wear should repeat your best feature, an example would be blue eyes with blue frames.

There are seven basic face shapes to consider when purchasing eyewear frames they include:

the round face, to make face appear thinner and longer you should try angular narrow eye wear frames with a clear bridge (rectangular frames work);

oval face (the most balanced proportions of all faces), select eye wear frames that are as wide as the broadest part of face;

oblong face which is longer than it is wide, to make face appear shorter try frames with decorative temples or that have a top to bottom depth;

base up triangle which has a wide upper half and smaller bottom half, select frames that are smaller at bottom with light colors and materials or rimless eye wear frame styles;

base down triangle is a triangular face that has a narrow forehead that widens at cheek and chin area, cat eye frames o heavily accented frames with detailing on top half;

diamond face that is narrow at eyes and jaw with high cheekbones, look good in rimless, oval or cat eye frames;

square face which has a strong jaw line and broad forehead, narrow eye wear frame styles look best.

Next you will want to determine your personal coloring, everyone is either warm (yellow based) or cool (blue based). It's a fact that you look best in your own color, with this said your eyewear frames should complement your personal coloring. The best way to determine your coloring is by your skin. Cool skin has a blue/pink undertone whereas warm skin has a yellow base or "peaches and cream" base. Hair is also considered either warm or cool. Strawberry blond, platinum, blue-black, salt and pepper and white hair are cool. Golden blond, flat black, brown gold and gray hair are warm.

So after you have determined whether you're warm or cool in coloring you will be ready to select an eyewear frame color that is appropriate for you. Some suggestions for eye wear frame colors if you are a warm can include camel, khaki, gold, copper, orange, coral, peach, off white, red and warm blue. Eyewear frame color suggestions for cool coloring can include black, rose-brown, plum, blue-gray, magenta, pink, jade, blue and dark tortoise.

You will want to select eye wear frames that suit your personality and lifestyle. You can ask yourself some questions that will help you determine what sort eye wear will work best for you things such as what you use your eyewear for and what activities you participate in (work, sports). It is usually a good idea to own more than one pair of eye wear, just as you own clothing for different events and activities you can have eye wear to complement what you are doing.

For the conservative business person ovals, rectangles and almond shaped eye wear frames work. Thin plastics, metals and rimless frames in colors such as silver, brown, black, gunmetal and burgundy. For the creative person modern shaped frames (geometrics) in larger plastic styles and metal frames in unique colors of blue, green and purple. For the retired senior modern look eyewear frames in rectangle shapes for men and soft cat eye shapes for women. Gunmetal, deep brown and burgundy colored frames work for men while lighter, shiner hues work nice for women. Shine can add life to a woman's face, you do however want to stay clear of silver, black and dark, dull colors.

For the student deciding on eyewear there is a wonderful amount of freedom it's a good idea to try interesting styles, shapes and colors, Have fun with your selection, bright colors, larger styles, unique shapes and dynamic details are options. For the busy dad or mom, basic eye wear frame shapes such as ovals, rectangles and soft cat eye shapes with subtle detailing like rhinestones, stained glass or metal accents can be appealing. Eyewear frame colors such as plums, deep red and black can work nicely.

Lastly for the athletic person there have never been more eye wear options than there are today with wraparound styles, eye wear shields, sports specific eye wear options (green tinted lenses for seeing the subtle lines and flag pole in the green, or yellow tinted lenses for seeing tennis balls more clearly and rose or pink tinted ski goggles for seeing the lines and slopes of the ski hill) and sports eye wear that offers eye protection. Polarized lenses can reduce the glare associated with water sports, snow sports and driving while polycarbonate lenses (impact resistant) can offer important protection for the eyes. You will want to be sure that your sport eye wear choices fit properly and offer the technical functions needed for your particular needs.

With so many wonderful eyewear choices to be found in fashion eye wear there is something to please everyone. When visiting your eye care practitioner or optician it is a great idea to ask for suggestions on eyewear styles, designs and colors for your particular face shape and coloring, they can offer recommendations on what will best suit you.

Valerie Giles owns and operates Eyewear-4U http://www.eyewear-4u.com, an eyewear site featuring fashion eyewear, sports eyewear, prescription eyewear, discount sunglasses and contact lenses as well as accessories.

The accompanying article is copyrighted. It may be reproduced only if the hyperlinks here are left intact.

How To Save Money On Credit Cards

Some credit cards offer a cash advance option. But how good a deal is this?

Not very. In fact, it can be downright expensive.

Why?

Because every time you use your credit card to withdraw case, more fees kick in:

• Cash advances can carry an upfront fee of 2 percent to 4 percent of the amount advanced.

• The advances have a higher interest rate than regular card charges.

• Interest charges begin to mount as soon as the money comes out of the ATM.

• Many issuers also require you to pay down the balances for purchases before you pay down the higher-interest cash advance balance.

Here's an example of how these fees kick in:

Assume you bought a television for $500 on your card and then took out $50 in cash. Even though you pay the $50 back the next day, you still lose your interest-free period because the credit provider deems you pay the cash back last.

As a result you will still owe the $50, but you will now only owe $450 on the $500 worth of purchases.

You'll continue to forfeit your interest-free period up until you have completely paid back the full $550. Any future purchases will still be ahead of the $50 in the payback line.

The lesson is simple: Avoid using your credit card to withdraw cash wherever possible. You'll save money as a result!

About The Author

Paul Davis is financial writer and contributor to http://debt-elimination-4u.com. Stop by and pick up your FREE guide on how to get out of debt now at: http://debt-elimination-4u.com/get-out-of-debt.htm