Miss X’s Top 10 Secrets to a Better Love Life

March 31, 2007

Are you in a relationship?

Whether it’s brand new or years old, Here are 10 Secrets to start making it even better.

1. Redecorate the Bedroom

If you’re not fabulously wealthy or just plain broke right now, instead of going away from home, make some changes at home. Even if you can make a small change in the bedroom, that can make a noticeable difference.” A better love life doesn’t require ceiling mirrors or a stripper’s pole in the room. Not that it wouldn’t make things more interesting, but you don’t need to do something that will freak out the kids or the housekeeper. Light up some candles. Get a smooth set of sheets and a warm bedspread that will make a difference. Also, remove some of the junk like toys, and piles of laundry out, that can take your attention away from the moment. Think about NO TV in your bedroom too, or at least try life without it for a while.

2. Figure Out What You Really Want

Everyone’s got sexual fantasies. But for some people, those fantasies can be buried pretty deep. If your partner were to turn to you tonight and say, “What’s your ultimate sexual fantasy?” or “What do you want to change about how we have sex?” do you know what you’d say? If you’re not sure, you’re not alone. “Some people have to do a little work at figuring out what really works them”. But figuring out what you want is the key to having a better love life. Give it a little effort. There is plenty stuff out there to help you find fun positions and satisfy your every desire, like books, magazines, videos, and of course the all holy Kama Sutra. Once you’ve come up with some ideas, telling your partner about them could be fun for both of you.

3. Go see a movie

This is considered the most typical date there is. Dating can be a lot more fun than just seeing a movie but this is a start if you aren’t doing anything else. Go see the top comedy, that way you can both come home in a playful and happy mood. And that leads to good love making!

4. Go out for a fancy dinner at a new and atmospheric or even unusual restaurant

This usually goes hand and hand with seeing a movie, but the trick here is to go someplace new. You might like it you might not, it’s the mystery that makes it fun and it gives you a new experience to share for better or worse.

5. Take an entertaining walk together

Ok, Maybe this one sounds boring. So how can we make it fascinating? For starters go someplace that offers “eye candy”. There is nothing that leads to blah like a walk down your street in the dark. Unless you live on Bourbon Street. Get out, go to the Carnival, feel like a kid again, make a little trouble then come home and let your love explode.

6. Have a glass of wine by candlelight

Every week you hear something about wine, it’s good, it’s bad… why don’t the so called experts just make up their minds, it doesn’t really matter anyway. An occasional glass of wine can’t be bad, it just doesn’t feel bad, right? Plus it makes you feel kinda sexy. So, share a glass of “decent wine”, no, Boones Farm doesn’t count anymore. Cough up an extra $5-10 and get something that won’t leave you feeling like a bum the next day!

7. Be romantic with Poems, Music or Words of the Heart (That’s my Favorite)

It really doesn’t matter if you have a single poetic bone in your body, your date is with you because there’s just something about you that makes you attractive, even irresistible. Give them a piece of your mind that makes them feel good. That’s what poetry is all about anyway.

8. What did you do when you got together?

If you went skinny dipping, go find a swimming hole. You went out dancing until 3 in the morning, then go get your dancing shoes. Remember the good times and make it happen again. Make new memories.

9. Make a date to make love.

People make plans for other things they enjoy, like ski trips or dinners out. Most people, especially couples with kids, have to plan ahead because they already have so much jammed into their schedules. Don’t forget to make love. It’s good for the soul. Of course there are times when things spontaneously fall together, let those happy accidents happen often, it keeps the fire alive.. Get out, don’t stay in your house

10. A great suggestion for a better love life is to take regular nights away from home

For couples that have been together for a while, sex can become routine. You’re worn out by the end of the day, after a long day of work, laundry, kids schedules, and the errands. It can be hard to give into the moment when you’re having sex in your all-too-familiar bedroom. You’re thinking, Did I remember to set the alarm clock for work tomorrow? Work…work…work Making love is fundamental for a healthy relationship, the minute it stops the romance begins to die. Just remember, the best sex comes when you’re not thinking about the past or the future, but only NOW. Stop using your mental tricks to hold the moment of truth and just enjoy every second of it.

Go away from home, It doesn’t have to be a fabulous spot by the ocean, at least not every time. Get a trusted friend or dear grandma, God bless her soul, to watch the rugrats, if you got ‘em, for a day or maybe even a few hours.

Life’s a nonstop rollercoaster enjoy it!

by Miss X

http: //www. askmissx .com

How to Become Successful In Life?

March 30, 2007

First, what is success? This is the event which accomplishes its intended goal. So, simply, you have to define what you are aiming for. You have to have a dream and good imagination. Everything starts with imagination and a strong desire to reach the goal. Most successful people have a skill of imagining things they haven’t achieved yet, but certainly will. So, anything you want to become true, should, first of all, start in the inner world of your own. Success frightens people sometimes. For many of them success is drawn as an inaccessible substance. Just sit down, take a blank sheet of paper and write down your goals and dreams. Then come the steps of making your goals and dreams come true.

Define, within what period of time these goals should be completed. Outline the primary, partial, intermediate goals, and then the actual resulting ones. What new experience or skills you have to get and develop in order to face the challenge. The world will not accept you with your weaknesses and drawbacks. You have to become an emotionally strong person. It’s a tough job to be a successful personality. Once you start fulfilling the set up goals, be ready to resist the impact of this world. There are thousands of people like you, wanting to become successful in this or that sphere, so be ready to show who the leader is. The important thing is not to recede, not to give up and feel absolutely positive. When imagining success over and over again, you begin to expect success. So, you will attract it like a magnet. Programme yourself to success. Very few people achieve success accidentally. Most of them set a goal first, define their measure of success and only then achieve it. So all you have to do is to have a willingness to make it till the end and confidence you are able to do it!

by Jennifer Burns

The REAL Secret to Internet Marketing Success

March 26, 2007

Those of you familiar with my previous writings on Internet marketing are well aware of the fact that I am a big proponent of the idea that the only “secret” to successful Internet marketing is this–there are no secrets! The very use of the term “secret” is a marketing ploy (and a very successful one I might add, and one that I utilize myself on occasion) that has been utilized since the primitive times of advertisement and marketing. (And the odds are excellent that this particular word is going to be found in advertisements and marketing campaigns of all sorts until humanity is no longer around to take advantage of it.)

Internet marketing, while having the potential perhaps to pay off in much bigger ways than other forms of marketing and business, still involves work, and lots of it. In fact, it has been my experience that Internet marketing is NOT a quick and easy path to “easy money.” Rather, just the opposite! Generating a sustainable income via Internet marketing, more often than not, does not happen overnight. Success is fleeting, especially early on until you establish your niche market(s) and slowly begin to dominate them.

Internet marketing takes much hard work, persistence, knowledge, creativity, and, above all else, time. (And don’t forget to throw in a little bit of luck for good measure!) Internet marketing is not the quick and easy road to riches that some would have you believe. It is much easier just to go out and get a “regular” job and get paid to make someone else rich.

Internet marketing also has a very high learning curve. It takes time to master. I have been involved with Internet marketing for quite a while now and have enjoyed some major successes of my own, but, even with my experience I still manage to learn something new about the business almost daily. Success in this field particularly requires that you become a student. You have to learn much about technology, marketing, sales, product, and so very much more. And all of these change almost daily! Educating yourself and staying abreast of developments is no easy task but it is a prerequisite to Internet marketing success.

Now, the above having been said, I want to say this–I love Internet marketing! I enjoy the difficulty, i.e., the challenge involved in Internet marketing. It is fiercely competitive and I happen to like the competition–no, I love it! In no other forum do you constantly have to evaluate and reevaluate your tactics and strategies as you do in Internet marketing. A competitor with a similar or same product is always trying to one-up you and you have to, in turn, one-up him or her! This cycle goes on and on, ad infinitum. More often than not, the most creative individual is the one who wins the customer and, subsequently, the paycheck.

Ok, so the title of this article is “The REAL Secret to Internet Marketing Success,” so you want me to go ahead and give you that “REAL secret” right? (Hey–you weren’t expecting this to be a piece on the difficulty of Internet marketing after all!) Remember though, I have already said that there are no secrets, unless the secret to Internet marketing success is a mixture of hard work, dedication, perseverance, patience, creativity, time, knowledge, etc. Of course this isn’t a secret that would sell very well now is it? No one wants to hear something like that for free, much less pay to hear something like that! But I guess if there is in fact a secret to Internet marketing, then that would have to be it, in my humble opinion at least.

My parting advice is this, especially to those of you presently pondering “getting into” Internet marketing and those of you just starting out. Success is there for the taking, if you make up your mind from the beginning to see your endeavors through. Despite the claims of “easy money” being made by thousands of Internet gurus the world over, you WILL have to work hard and persevere. You can’t do “nothing” and watch the cash roll into your PayPal account. It just doesn’t work that way.

Study, absorbing all that you can. Find a niche and exploit it. Be creative–find something that hasn’t been done before or find something someone else is doing that you could do better. Persevere. Success doesn’t happen overnight but in increments. Set goals, small ones at first then becoming progressively more ambitious, and accomplish them. If you are serious about Internet marketing, no one can make it happen other than you yourself. Here, like no where else, you get to see the fruits of your own hand–whether bountiful or otherwise.

by M. Shane Huey

Copyright 2007 by M. Shane Huey. All rights reserved.

Handy Tips for Traveling

March 23, 2007

As we come out of the cold months of winter, it is time to start planning some trips. To enhance your trips from here to there, keep the following in mind.

1. Foreign Pay Phones - Picking up the phone in another country can present a host of challenges. For instance, how much does the call cost? In most countries, you can now buy calling cards that work the phones to save you the hassle.

2. Stupid Foreigner Tricks - Locals sometimes like to have a joke at your expense. It usually has to do with food. Don’t eat strange stuff unless others are.

3. Traveler Fanny Packs - Fanny packs are a very popular option for holding important documents such as money, passports and so on. They also stick out like a target to thieves and pickpockets. Don’t wear them.

4. Avoid Carrying Souvenirs - If you are on an extended trip, you will start accumulating souvenirs of all sorts. Don’t haul them all over the place. Mail them home and save your back!

5. Backpacking in Russia - Russia is a tremendous country to backpack. That being said, pick pockets abound in St. Petersburg and Moscow. Don’t wear the pack on your back. They will slice it and take off with the contents.

6. Wrinkle Free Pants - Always take a pair of wrinkle free pants. You can roll them up to save space. You will need them to enter churches, museums and other places.

7. Yelling at Thais - Thailand is the land of smiles, but it doesn’t mean everyone is happy. Culturally, raising your voice is a very bad move. Never yell at Thais. It will not help, but will hurt you.

8. Air Courier Flights - Yes, they really exist. You can fly for next to nothing to some exotic location. You can only take one bag and usually have to return in 7 days. The shorter the notice you need, the cheaper the flights.

9. Seeing Europe with Children - If you are traveling to Europe and are taking kids, hotels and hostels can be a pain. Try renting a villa and exploring the area around it. They are much cheaper than you think.

10. Japanese Rice Etiquette - When eating rice in Japan, never stick your chopsticks in the rice such that they are standing up vertical. It is a symbol of death.

Travel is many things to many people. Some prefer luxury while others prefer to rough it. I have to admit I tend to fall in the rough it group, but a night of luxury isn’t too bad either!

by Rod Tilton

Lets Get Rich Together

March 22, 2007

Lets Get Rich Together
There is plenty to go around, lets spread it out amongst us

Are you like me and sick of all these financial experts telling you that to get rich you need to live below your means? That sucks! I can’t even live up to my means. So what does this mean? I guess it means to me that I will never be rich. Well guess what, I have found out how to get rich.

I read all the advice columns on msn.com, yahoo.com, I have just started to read google stuff, but I can guess what they have to say…live below your means. Let me sum up what every standard become rich article says.

1. Live below your means (spend less than you make)

2. Max out your 401 K, or pension plan at work

3. Contribute to a Roth IRA

4. Create a budget and stick to it

5. Start early (oops too late for me I guess)

6. Take Automatic deductions for savings or long term investments

7. Invest now and don’t touch it until you are ready to retire

8. Invest in Mutual Funds

9. Spread your investments evenly over High, Medium, and Low risk stocks

10. Be Patient

BORING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For me I guess that advice is to late, to rigid, and to patient. I want to be rich now. I am in my early 30’s, I put in my time, and I am ready to retire now (that would be sarcastic). I still have lots of energy, I want to see the world, and I don’t want to watch the world go buy through my little window on the third floor (that is the serious statement).

So I am changing, and here is how:

Lets first decide what rich is. I am not talking Bill Gates rich. I don’t want to have to work that hard. It would be nice to afford anything…but I don’t want that, I just want to be wealthy. Robert Kiyosaki defined wealthy as how long you can live in your present condition without working. I define it as not having to go into work. That is all I ask. It is not that I am lazy. I am willing to work for what I want, I just have better things to do than to work for other people.

So how do we do it?

1. DON’T WORK. At least don’t work for someone else. It is ok to have a job, we don’t want you to quit, but who are you working for. Are you working for your boss or for you? Work for yourself. The only one who is important is you. That sounds harsh but it is true. You can’t make anyone happy except for yourself. If you are happy then the people around you will be happy. Try it next time you will see. Look at the person next to you. Are they happy or grumpy? How does their mood make you feel? Work for yourself; make yourself happy first, then you can affect others to be happy themselves.

2. Do what you love. It may sound like you can’t make money this way, but that is the next step. Bill Gates, Oprah, Donald Trump, none of them work for money. They all simply like what they are doing, and in doing so they have become rich. I am not saying go out and play golf all day, that won’t make you rich unless you are Tiger Woods. But sit down (without the TV) and concentrate, meditate, contemplate, whatevertate, and it will come to you. It may seem a little strange but coming soon is another e-book that we are writing that will describe that process. Whatever the case you will soon come up with a solution. Something that you like, that will make you money. For me it is teaching. Of course teachers do not make a lot of money, at least not enough to live on the beach somewhere, but with some creativity, I have found ways that will make me money. The site that this e-book is on is one way. Do what you love.

3. DO SOMETHING NOW. If swearing is offensive to you don’t click on the link. But they are right. Get off your butt and quit contemplating on what could be and do something! Even if it is the wrong thing you are getting ahead. Edison said after inventing the light bulb that he didn’t really make any mistakes, he just found 10,000 ways not to do it. There really is not much else to say. DO SOMETHING NOW!

4. Don’t be afraid to fail. This is the hardest one and goes along with #3. Don’t be afraid to make some mistakes, they will happen. Very rarely does anyone do everything right the first time and become successful. The ones that become successful are the ones who have made mistakes learned from them and pushed on. Usually success is right behind the last mistake. Push on and keep going. It will happen. And to help you out, you have to have the mentality that you are going to do it. You have to know like you know like you know that you are going to be rich and wealthy. It will happen.

I could go on and contradict all ten points that most of the financial planning experts tell us, but I don’t want to bore you. Besides that is not what this is about. What this is about is that you can become rich and wealthy now, just get out there and do something that you love. You have a wonderful exceptional brain, and that glob between your ears will come up with something that will make you wealthy and rich. You can do it. Just do something about it.

Best of Luck

by Brent Wilkinson

How You Can Deal With Debt Collectors

March 21, 2007

When you’re dealing with debt, one of the most stressful things can be the constant harassment from debt collectors via phone calls and letters. Fortunately, you do have some rights and protection as you deal with them.

Debt collectors are required to follow certain guidelines as they attempt to collect outstanding debts. They are set out in the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. For example, they can’t call before 8:00am or after 9:00pm. They also must stop harassing phone calls if you have requested they do so.

The full text of the Fair Debt Collection Practices is available at the following website:

http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpa/fdcpact.htm#801

There are a few ways to deal with debt collectors under these rules. The simplest is to simply not answer the call. If you have caller ID on your phone and don’t recognize who’s calling, don’t answer. If it turns out to be somebody you would like to talk to, he or she can leave a message.

If you do answer the call and it turns out to be a debt collector, you can insist that they stop calling you. This should be followed up with a “cease and desist” letter physically sent to them, via certified or registered mail so you have proof they have received it. Debt collectors are legally obligated to stop calling if they receive one of these.

The most obvious and effective option for dealing with debt collectors is to actually pay the debt. After all, you agreed to pay the debt when you acquired it and you therefore should repay the creditor who lent you the money. You should still pay it even if you have told debt collectors to stop calling you.

If you are unable to repay the debt in full at once for some reason, you may be able to negotiate a reduced interest rate or partial repayment if you explain your situation. Keep in mind, however, that telling a creditor you’ve run up debt by doing too much unnecessary shopping is not going to gain you much sympathy. On the other hand, if you’ve just been fired from your job and are going through legitimately difficult financial times while you look for another, this will likely give you some room for negotiation.

If you do negotiate a better deal with your creditors, be sure to keep your word and pay what you’ve said you would. While bill collectors may seem relentlessly cruel, they’re really just there to collect the money you owe. That’s their job. Once you have made arrangements with creditors to repay what you owe them and have shown that you can be trusted to keep your word, bill collectors will move onto other people and leave you alone.

by Michael Geoffrey

Free Magazines For the Rest of Your Life

March 20, 2007

I love reading magazines, but subscriptions or just buying a single issue can get expensive. However, I haven’t let money stop me from reading my favorite magazines. I do it for free.

It’s simple. Just go down to your local Borders or Barnes and Noble, grab all the magazines you want to read, sit down in the cafe, and read. When you’re done, put them back where they go. Walk out the door. Free magazines.

I haven’t bought a magazine ever since I’ve started doing this. I’ve realized that it’s really pointless to buy magazines. You can read them in one sitting, so spending $5 for maybe 45 minutes of reading is a big waste of money. Plus, by not buying magazines, you keep your life clutter free. No more old Time’s hanging around in the bathroom or taking up space on your counters. Nice.

Start your free lifetime magazine subscription today at your local bookstore. Your retirement account will thank you.

by Brett McKay

Why Use an Interactive Whiteboard?

March 19, 2007

Presentation tools are increasing in popularity for educators who want to share ideas and information with large or small groups of students. Interactive applications are in demand for educators who want to involve their students in learning with technology. The electronic interactive whiteboard is a device that combines both of these attributes, offering shared learning experiences for large or small groups, as well as for distance learning. I became interested in the boards for use in junior high class and library instruction, to the degree that my doctoral research involved interactive use of the board in 8th grade writing class. The study showed statistically significant improvement in student attitudes towards both using computers in instruction and towards writing instruction. I also conducted a survey of teachers who are whiteboard users, querying them about their opinions regarding board use. The survey results indicated a high degree of satisfaction from educational leaders ranging from early elementary to academic settings.

First of all, what is an interactive electronic whiteboard? It is a presentation device that interfaces with a computer. The computer images are displayed on the board by a digital projector, where they can be seen and manipulated. Users can control software both from the computer and from the board. Participants can add notations, and emphasize by using a pen and or highlighter tool. By using his finger as a mouse, the teacher or student can run applications directly from the board. Another user at the computer can also have input. Any notes or drawings can then be saved or printed out and distributed to group members.

Is an interactive whiteboard more than a toy or gimmick? The answer is a resounding yes! With proper planning, preparation, and training, it is a powerful instructional tool, which can be adapted for use with a wide range of subjects and ages.

According to our expirience we could recommend you wide variety of electronic whiteboards from Officetronics.

by Jason Himes

Unsecured Loans

March 16, 2007

We all seek security and safety. Shelter and protection are our basic necessities. So why should our loans deal be any different? Unsecured loans offer the perfect solution in this regard.

Unsecured loans are the loan deals that do not require you to pledge your home as collateral. This being the chief distinctive feature of all unsecured loans, the other characteristics of the loan revolve around this fact only.

Often, unsecured loans are also known as short-term loans as the lender is sceptical in providing a loan for longer duration of time. The loan amount that can be availed through an unsecured loan is generally smaller than that available on other secured loans deal.

The Internet is a very friendly tool. Just like you are reading his article to form an opinion about your decision, you can also apply and procure your ideal unsecured loans deal online only. The world wide web is not just about information; you can not only gain access to current and most updated unbiased information on your type of loans, you also compare various loan quotes provided by the lenders in your area and finalise on the most suitable loans deal too!!

The Internet is abound with sites that not only help you apply online but they further simplify the process by letting you apply with various different lenders by just filling the complete information in the application form just once! What could now be an easier way as you even get loan quotes from lenders themselves and after thoroughly analysing the options available to you, you can choose the perfect unsecured loan for yourself.

When Payday Loans Cause Grief

March 15, 2007

Sheila Allen is a divorced mother of three, working to make ends meet and receiving only the occasional support from her ex-husband to keep her kids feed, clothed, and a roof over their heads. Most months they are simply scraping by, while other months Allen family financial condition is simply dire. Recently, Sheila decided she would actively pursue a personal loan to tackle some of her crushing debt. Unfortunately, she was turned down by two different lenders, both of whom said that her credit score was too low. One week, seeking to avoid late penalties and fees Sheila decided to get a payday loan. Unfortunately, that decision has ruined her credit completely.

Payday loans aren’t a disaster for everyone, but they can be for the person who doesn’t have the means to make repayment on the loan. In Sheila’s case she had every intention of paying back the $1000 she borrowed but she failed to take into consideration several things when opting for this type of loan including:

–Sheila didn’t realize that she would be charged $24 for every $1000 borrowed. Thus, at the end of the loan she owed $1240 which was $150 more than what she had.

–To avoid defaulting, Sheila extended her loan another 14 days. Unfortunately, that decision drove her loan to just over $1500 in less than one month’s time.

–When Sheila realized that she never could pay off her loan, she notified the payday loan company who demanded that she make payment or face legal action. Unfortunately, in the meantime Sheila’s second child broke his arm and her out of pocket expenses eroded her cash further. Sheila sent the company a check for $555 which was nearly $1000 short of what she had owed the company.

Today, Sheila’s credit has been destroyed and the Payday loan company is hounding her. With the help of a pro bono attorney and an advisor from the county clerk’s office, Sheila settled with the company for $750, money that her ex-husband scraped together. Unfortunately, there is now a red flag in Sheila’s credit reports announcing the incident which will hound her for many more years.

The moral of this story, what could it be? Don’t use a payday loan unless you are familiar with all of the terms and have the means to pay it back. Sheila’s credit is destroyed and her family has been pushed deeper into poverty because of her poor financial decision to seek a payday loan.

by Adam Heist

3 Things To Know When Applying For A Credit Card Online

March 14, 2007

Credit card applications are now more convenient than ever. You can visit any credit card directory on the Internet and all the major credit cards information will be at your fingertips.

However, there are a few things to keep in mind when applying for a credit card online.

1. Know the minimum requirements

Each card issuer has different set of requirements for acceptance into their card program. You income level, age, occupation and current address are some of the criteria that must meet the minimum requirements of the card issuers. If you comply with these requirements, your chances of being accepted are very high.

2. Know your credit worthiness

You should also expect your credit rating to be review by the card issuers. This is necessary, as they need to establish if the applicant poses any risk. If you have been paying your mortgage loan, car loan or any other bills regularly and consistently, you should have no worry at bad credit rating.

If you ever have delayed payment on your mortgage, car loan or other bills, your credit rating will be less favorable. The card issuers will dig deeper into your credit history before they can approve your application.

If you have poor credit rating, you will probably have a higher chance of getting your application approve if you choose a card for people with bad credit. This type of card usually carry a higher interest rate so you should apply if you are confident that you can afford to pay the higher interest.

3. Read the Fine Print

The terms and conditions of using the credit card are outlined in the application form itself and you should read through them or have someone read them out for you. Some of the key items you should take note include annual percentage rate, grace period, late payment charges, annual fees and transaction fees. Knowing all these key items will help you plan your expenditure and budgeting.

4. Keep your web browser up to date

When filling out the application form on the web, it is imperative for you to make sure that the page is secured. A secured web page will have ‘https’ in the address bar. In addition, a secured web page should also have a small lock icon at the bottom of the browser. If any one of these two items is missing, you should abort the application and look for another credit card.

Keeping these 4 points in mind will make the process of applying for a new credit card easy, safe and hassle free for you.

by Stephen Chua