Monday, October 19, 2009

Holiday Travel May Mean Less Cash if You Book Late

In past years those who waited for the last minute to buy up tickets reaped the biggest rewards. Until the recession hit the airlines where it really hurt.....their profit margin.

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But don't wait too long come this Holiday travel; doing so could cost you a pretty penny. Airline fares are rising, and as more and more companies increase those rates consumers will be paying the price, and not including all those little extra fees for comfort.

Experts are encouraging flyers to buy now and avoid those extra costs if you are the last of the crop to buy airline tickets. You don't want to miss grandma's famous pumpkin pie because you couldn't afford the rate hike.


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Airlines have a bit of an advantage in this game of cat & mouse with those who travel. Because of the economy, they have been grounding their airplanes. Less seats for sale gives the airlines more power to set prices, since they are less desperate to get even modest fares to help fill up planes.

The number of domestic seats for sale is down 5 percent this month, compared with October last year, and they are down 21 percent from October 2000, according to OAG, an aviation-data firm.

What does this mean for travelers who plan thei trips early and are more flexible with their schedule? They are more likely to get a bargain this year.

I don't know about you, but I'm not missing grandmas famous pumpkin pie!

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Easy ways to burn some extra calories

Let’s face it, we don’t always have time to do a full workout.

But you always have time for a workout quickie! Often times, 10 minutes is all you need to knockout a quick workout that burns 100 calories.
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Here are 23 activities that burn 100 calories…

1. Jog around the neighborhood for 10 minutes.
2. Jump rope for 10 minutes.
3. Climb up and down the stairs for 15 minutes
4. Go roller-skating for 20 minutes.
5. Ride a bicycle for 10 minute (power style!)
6. Skip for 15 minutes (You’re never too old to skip!)
7. 20 minutes of Housework
8. Paint a room in your home for 30 minutes. (Paint 5 Rooms to burn 500 calories :))
9. Turn up the music and dance for 20 minutes
10. Pedal on a stationary bike for 14 minutes
11. 30 minutes of vacuuming
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12. Mow the lawn for 30 minutes (push-style!)
13. 15 minutes of relaxed swimming.
14. Play hide-and-seek with the kids for 20 minutes.
15. Play soccer with the kids for 20 minutes.
16. Wash Windows for 20 minutes.
17. 20 minutes of golf

24 Hour Fitness

18. Run a mile
19. Lift weights for 20 minutes
20. Shoot some hoops for 20 minutes
21. Belly dancing for 20 minutes
22. Get on the rowing machine for 15 minutes
23. Ice-skate for 20 minutes.

Source: Dietcrusher.com

There are many good reasons to start an online Business

Many people today are coming to realize that having financial freedom can be gained through starting an online business. They are rejecting the traditional route of looking for employment with a company, and turning toward the internet as a way out and up the financial ladder.

Why start an online business? Here are several reasons why its a good move.

1. Online business is a growing market.
Back in 2000, there were 350 million people all over the globe surfing the internet. Today, that number has grown to over 1.7 billion surfers, that's a 500% increase, and it continues to grow daily (150% in the U.S. alone!). This GIGANTIC and growing market is a prime "location" to do business, especially for those who simply want supplemental their income. The potential, however, is astronomical!

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2. It doesn’t take much start-up costs to open an online business.
This is especially good for the many Americans who have lost their jobs in the recent economic bust. Consider opening a store in your own neighborhood, and you can expect to pony up at least $50,000 in loans made to you (that is, if you qualify!). Not to mention other start up costs such as product, insurance, supplies, furnishings, utilities, labor, etc.. With an online business, the overhead is slim to none. This fact alone has drawn crowds!

3. There’s no place like (working from) home!
That just says it all! This is why entrepreneurs have chosen to ditch their neckties in favor of pajamas! In all seriousness though, the 8 hours (or more) you spend at your job plus the grueling commute can be a bit of a thorn on ones side. You spend hours on end making someone else rich, paying for their luxury car and homes. Why not do yourself a favor and start an online business. This means more time to do what YOU want…the sky’s the limit.

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4. You can get your freedom.
Many people are quickly realizing that working for others, sacrificing your precious time, forfeiting your family time, and so on, is not an even trade-off, even if it provides a living. Are you really living? If you add up all the time that you've spent at your office, what that takes away from you and put it in the context of your whole life, you may realize that it’s just not worth it. No one, and I mean no one, has ever been on their death bed wishing they had spent more time at the office! They wish it were family and friends they had spent more time with.

5. You just can’t get rich working for someone else. You make as much as they want you to make, and only go as far as they want you to go. Granted there are some companies that do well by their staff, but not enough. And not if you want to REALLY make some money and be free of the 9-5 chain.

It can be done. It has been done. But only for a very few people. However, with a little dedication, hard work, discipline, and some courage, you can become rich with your online business! Many entrepreneurs before you have done just that. Get your pen and paper out, jot down the kind of business you'd like to start, get your plan together, create an online presence, market your business and just go for it. Don't let nay-sayers ruin your plan, just go for it!

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6. You can work on your own time, and leisure.
I’ve heard of these multimillionaire entrepreneurs who seldom spend more than 3 hours a day working on their internet business. That’s not to assume one should seek the lazy road, since hard work is still very much needed, even with online business. But the point is that your work schedule is limited or opened at YOUR will, not the will of your boss. Ans isn't that worth shooting for?

Here are some businesses that can help you get started, and save you money on services/supplies. Some currently have promotions and instant coupons.

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Marketing in a down economy: To spend or not to spend?

For a business to grow and attract potential customers, it needs to market constantly. No two week vacations, pressing on pause or waiting for a recession to end. Marketing 24/7 to meet the needs of your business goals, and that is to make sales.

Marketing to simply market your products will not do. You need a hook.

You do need to set your business apart from all other companies in your niche. Price pointing is a tough edge to hold on to. It’s really hard for a small business to compete on price with the large discount stores, and online mega retailers. So you need something more, better.

While to many this seems like a daunting experience. Marketing online is no easy task, and to make money is a bigger challenge than what most entrepreneurs think. Its a jungle out there, and the rulers of the land are those who have mastered the art of marketing online that not only reaches their target market, but also drives in the dollars.

Its easy to try and follow the competition to see what their doing to drum up business, but why waste your time. Sure you can have a peak, but then create your own niche to help increase those slow or no sales. Spending too much time on your competitors takes away time from your own business and goals.

Marketing in a down economy: To spend or not to spend?

Yes. Spend. Spend wisely, but do spend. Spending in a a recession has proven to be a winner for those who did not ignore their marketing despite being in a recession. When the economy bounced back, they were rewarded with new business and more sales profits.

Here's a few ideas you can use as your marketing hook, to help set your small business apart from the crowd. Just remember if you use one of these as your marketing tool, you actually have to live up to the pitch.

* Price points - are you giving a good deal for yourself, or your customers?
* Positioning yourself as a quality producer in your market.
* Letting your customers know that you provide the best customer service around.
* Offer a little extra something to go with their purchase.
* Offer current technology in your products or services.

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If you don’t know what your marketing hook is you need to sit down, and figure it out.

Bad Credit Can Lead to a Lifetime of Troubles - Learn What You Can Do to Fix It

Currently across the U.S. and around the globe there are millions who have bad or poor credit such as repossessions and collections showing on their credit report. The current recession has just made these problems more widespread. If you have had a vehicle repossessed and the overdue account listing is showing on your credit report, what can you do?

Number one, you need to know what is exactly on your credit reports. Noticed that I used plural, and not singular. That is because there are three major credit reporting agencies that all have your information. Some is accurate while other information may be wrong.

These are the credit agencies that you will need to contact to get your reports:

  • Experian
  • Equifax
  • Transunion

Once you have a bad account placed on your credit it will stay there for at least seven years, so its important to get these reports to see if everything is correct. In some cases you may be able to improve a negative listing on your account (this could be a car repossession, defaulted school loan, foreclosure, etc.) by negotiating with the original lenders. With the proper documentation such as a job loss, family set back due to uncontrollable situations (death, hospital bills, etc.) - some companies and lenders will work with you to create an affordable payment plan, cut your debt in half or even...in some rare cases remove it altogether.

The more negative accounts you have, and the longer they stay on your credit history, will result in a lower and lower credit score. Remember, time will not improve your credit score. Paying what you owe, or having those negative accounts removed will improve it. One day you may want that brand new car, home or start a business. Each will most likely require a credit check and/or loan.


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With a bad credit history and defaulted accounts you will be denied, or approved with a very high interest rate that will no less put you in a position to one day face a repossession on your new car or a bank to close on your home due to lack of payments. Remember, those who have bad credit and are given lines of credit with high interest rates are already setting themselves up for failure.

If your credit report lists inaccurate information you may be able to get it deleted by disputing it. You'll need to write a letter to all major credit reporting agencies stating your case and why the listing is not accurate. Make sure that you keep all records because after receipt of the dispute letter the credit agencies up to 45 days to verify the accuracy of the listing or if they can’t, they must remove it from your report.

You can address the inaccuracies and incorrect information on your credit report and try to fix your credit by yourself or you can also employ a professional to aid you. It can often become a very time-consuming and difficult process so in the interest of time and energy it may be to your profit to get some expert assistance.

Every type of negative account listed can be deleted from a credit report. Whether its repossessions, tax liens, even bankruptcies and foreclosures. If you do your own credit repair and you are not successful the worst that can happen is that your credit report will stay the same however, you could also improve your credit score as well as your rating which can be a major benefit. So it is definitely worth the effort.