99Tangents

It might seem like good common sense to avoid mistakes in anything you do, but unexpected business financing mistakes are tricky and difficult to avoid because they usually involve complexities that are not understood by many commercial borrowers. With complicated commercial loan situations, there is often a tendency for borrowers to ignore or overlook factors that can produce long-term financial problems.

For most Americans, their car is the second biggest investment they will make in their lifetimes. The average price of a light vehicle is $28,715, according to the Comerica Index. It makes sense to have an annual cleaning ritual to help preserve and maintain your car, just as you undertake regular cleaning to care for your home.

Oh, our achin’ backs. It’s no surprise that baby boomers who take care of the yard have plenty to complain about when it comes to aches and pains, including problems with backs, shoulders, arms, legs, hands and feet. And new research confirms what many of us know to be true — that yard care can be tough on the body, particularly for adults in the baby boomer generation.

In today’s age, it is more important than ever that high school students receive a practical financial education curriculum. Most experts agree that social security and pensions will not be around when your high school students reach retirement age so you must prepare them to be financially responsible by laying the foundation to maximize the effectiveness of a practical financial literacy course.

For many long, cold months, the avid gardener sits inside the house, eagerly thumbing through seed, plant and gardening catalogs. At last, spring is in sight. But before turning the first spade-full of dirt, it’s time to gather your gardening friends: those tools that save you time, defend your garden from pests and generally make your hobby a delight.

Long adored for their luscious blooms and stately stature in the garden, azaleas remain one of the most popular shrubs in modern-day landscapes. But to ensure that these super-bloomers operate at peak performance, there are a few tips that every well-intentioned gardener must know.

For a solo professional having an up-to-date contact management database is one of the KEY administrative systems you have to have for your business. And, even more important, is having a system in place to create effective follow-up. Your business is built on following up leads and building relationships.

Homeowners can avoid the unpleasant surprise of a broken air-conditioning system this summer by taking a few proactive steps today. The following tips can help families avoid spending time during the hot summer months without air conditioning by preparing their a/c units to handle the stress of the next few months.

When it comes to having friends and family over for summer gatherings, our first thoughts often turn to late afternoon barbecues with sizzling burgers, plastic cups and paper plates. If that’s your idea of outdoor entertaining, maybe it’s time to get out of the house!

With the summer growing season approaching, water is a key element of successful gardening. One of the most important factors in successful gardening is knowing when and how to water. Check out these wise water usage tips for your garden this summer.

The number of fast food restaurants is on the rise, and so is our waistline. You would think with the number of health clubs and carb-friendly foods available, there shouldn’t be a weight issue at all.

Many gardeners who love their ornamental landscape are not sure if they want to give up space for a vegetable garden that needs to be replanted every year. Fortunately, there are dozens of incredible edibles that add beauty and style to the garden — and provide a bounty of fruits and herbs.

Have you heard the joke about the exasperated husband who says to his wife in the midst of a quarrel, “Why are you so beautiful and yet so stupid?” His wife, maintaining her composure, ponders for a moment then replies. “I am so beautiful so you will find me attractive and I am so stupid so I will find you attractive.”

I love LIFE cereal. To be more precise, I love Cinnamon LIFE cereal. It’s a guilty pleasure. I know I shouldn’t. I know that it’s a horribly processed carbohydrate, with no nutritional value, and will do nothing but mess with my blood sugar levels if eaten by itself, but I love it. I’m the grown-up version of Mikey.

Great-looking garden design doesn’t have to be expensive or time consuming. If you don’t forget about the basics, it’s easy to create a professional look like you see in gardening magazines. Better Homes and Gardens magazine editor Justin Hancock reveals his time saving tips and money saving tricks for backyard beauty:
Great-looking garden design doesn’t have to be expensive or time consuming. If you don’t forget about the basics, it’s easy to create a professional look like you see in gardening magazines. Better Homes and Gardens magazine editor Justin Hancock reveals his time saving tips and money saving tricks for backyard beauty:

Working safety is an important thing when it comes to your job. Here are ten tips to help you prevent electrical hazards, in honor of May National Electrical Safety Month, sponsored by the Electrical Sfaety Foundation International.

Just as you can find a hotel, restaurant or pair of shoes in any price range, there is a spa experience out there for everyone. One in four Americans has been to a spa and stress is bringing them through the doors. Spas do not have to be a “once in a lifetime” experience. Here are six insider tips on stress-free ways to save at the spa.

Have you wondered what it would be like to be fast? Do you want to possess the ability to change direction on
the spot? Do you want to dominate opponents with your blistering speed? Do you want to win matches because you are just too quick?

Do you find yourself having trouble falling asleep? Is your lack of sleep interfering with your daily life? Do you think that you will never be able to get a good night’s sleep again? If so, then this article is for you. Read on to uncover some simple tricks that can help you fall asleep and stay asleep naturally, without the use of drugs.

Some insect pests just bug you. Yet being an environmentally conscious American, you don’t care for many of the pesticide sprays or baits that are commonly used to deal with insects either. How can you protect the environment and your enjoyment of the great outdoors this summer? Here are some unique ways to curb common insect pests:

Who are you going to ask? Mom, of course! Mothers are arguably the world’s greatest source of knowledge — always knowing exactly what to say, what to do and how to do it, and in Just Ask Mom, Nancy Malone offers her best advice, gleaned from two decades of motherhood.

Department store and drugstore makeup aisles are filled with a tempting array of makeup colors and products for the eyes. But knowing how to apply and remove eye makeup properly will not only make your eyes beautiful but will protect your vision as well. Read on for tips about eye makeup safety.

Cyberbullying, the sending or posting of harmful or cruel text or images, using the Internet or other digital communication devices, affects almost half of today’s teens. Here are tips on spotting the warning signs of cyberbullying, why it can be dangerous, and how to help your child cope with cyberbullying.

How many times have you proclaimed, “I need to go on a diet”? How many of those diets resulted in long-term success? Not many. Millions of people are looking for the answer to improved health and fitness, and spend billions of dollars every year on diets and weight loss. Diets continually fail to deliver results because no matter how compelling the underlying principles for any diet may seem, no one can stay on a diet forever.

You’re probably reading this because you want to make changes in your career or another important area of your life. Maybe you don’t know exactly what those changes should be - or perhaps you know but are having trouble actually carrying them out.

Living green doesn’t mean yielding your yard to birds, bugs and critters that can be both a nuisance and a health hazard. It’s possible to keep unwanted animal guests away from your gardens, landscaping, lawn and outdoor living areas without contributing to the groundwater contamination associated with many chemical pesticides.

Throwing a graduation party is a time-honored tradition for graduates of any age. From the completion of kindergarten through to a doctorate commencement, all graduation milestones should be celebrated. Graduation parties are a great way to recognize the accomplishment, while honoring the graduate in a fun environment of friends, family and classmates.

A last will and testament is a central part of any financial plan and is essential to ensuring that assets will pass to heirs as desired. While a will is an important tax-planning device, it is also much more than that. Read the following tips for signing and updating a will.

Summer is fast approaching, which means it’s almost time to get out those swimsuits and head for the beach. If you haven’t been able to shed those extra pounds before now, don’t panic — it’s not too late. The following summer slimming tips will help you slim down for the summer without too much effort or sacrifice.

If you want to learn how to build up muscle strength, then look no further. My goal is to put together for you the simplest, purest, and most learnable form on how to build up muscle strength to whatever you want it to be.

With all the elements that go into planning a dream wedding, it doesn’t take long to realize that details can add up — not only when it comes to spending, but also when it comes to storage space. After all, who wants to end up with 250 pink linen napkins once the big day has passed?

It’s no secret that tens of thousands of small businesses have not been able to provide health coverage, either because the cost has been prohibitive or access has been limited. However, in the past couple of years, the small employer insurance marketplace has changed dramatically. As a result, small businesses and sole proprietors can find a wide arrangement of high quality, affordable health plans.

There are numerous opportunities to explore marketing a product or service around the world, but entrepreneurs need to educate themselves about how to do business within the global economy.

Travelling with your pet this summer? Vacations with pets are increasingly popular, and many resorts are responding to this trend by welcoming four-legged guests with dog massages and puppy exercise programs. But pet owners need to make sure pets are safe on the road.

So many people just go through the motions with their workouts. They get into the habit of showing up at the gym day after day and mindlessly go through their routine. How many people do you see at the gym with no written plan and no way to keep score to tell if they are making progress?

If you’ve ever thought about owning a home, now may be the time to take action. Lower interest rates combined with a large inventory of homes in most markets across the U.S. may translate into a good opportunity for buyers in negotiating the terms of a sale with a seller.

With just a few minor changes, we can all make a big difference to save our planet’s future. Fanny Lu provides some simple steps to demonstrate how she throws a "green" party with friends.

As living and energy costs increase and the economy trends towards recession, many consumers resort to using credit for staples like food and gas, driving up balances and compounding the issue of higher food and energy prices – with interest.

More concerning is the fact that more than 30 percent of Americans have little-to-no savings and are living paycheck to paycheck.

It is clear that the current economic environment is leaving many consumers unable to deal with daily, let alone unexpected, expenses. If you are one of these consumers, it may be time to take a good hard look at your family’s budget and commit to making some financial changes. After all, preparing for the unexpected can keep a minor financial setback from becoming a major financial crisis.

Money Management International, the creator of FinancialLiteracyMonth.com, offers the following steps to help increase your financial know how and start you on the path towards smart money management.

1. Track daily expenditures. Carry a pocket size notebook and track every penny you spend for a month or two - from vending machine snacks to lottery tickets. At the end of the month, examine your spending log and determine which areas can be cut back to create surplus. You’ll be surprised to see how much money is being spent on items that could be easily sacrificed.

2. Develop a spending plan. Take a look at all sources of income and develop a monthly spending plan you can commit to. Categorize your expenses and note what percentage of your paycheck is needed to cover each category. Your monthly goal should allow you to end up with a budget surplus–money saved rather than spent. Reevaluate your budget quarterly and make adjustments as needed.

3. Establish priorities. Make a list of all your financial obligations in order of importance. Remember your housing and basic living expenses should be top priority. Consider calling creditors to request due date changes and reduction of your APR and minimum payments. Also, remember to communicate any dramatic changes to the family budget with all members of the family. It’s important that all members of the family understand the financial situation so that they can support change.

4. Remember to pay yourself. It is easier said than done, but saving is one of the most important financial obligations. Consider having a portion of your paycheck automatically deducted into a savings account, your 401(k) or individual retirement account (IRA). This will guarantee that money is saved and invested to secure your financial future.

5. Set financial goals. Decide on short and long-term goals, and develop an action plan to make them happen. Make your goals specific and measurable. For example, if your goal is to save an additional $100.00 a month, determine what specific steps are needed to accomplish that goal. Maybe it is as easy as taking your lunch to work at least four days a week or buying regular coffee instead of gourmet brews. Put the money you save into a savings account so you won’t be tempted to spend it.

“Change may be hard, but the payoff can be priceless,” said Cate Williams, vice president of financial literacy for Money Management International. “Taking these steps will not only improve your financial situation now, but will provide a solid financial foundation to benefit you throughout the rest of your life.”

It’s your first cruise and you’re dutifully reading the cruise line’s pamphlet. Your heart skips a beat when you reach the section on clothing: Two formal nights! You haven’t gotten that dressed up since the prom (more years ago than you’ll even admit).

Becoming a wedding planner involves more than just planning a wedding. You must understand the business aspect of your service and learn to manage your time to earn the most profits. You will be the face of your business and your own public relations representative. Every day you will have the opportunity to build — or damage — your reputation as a businessperson.

If you’re like most Americans, then your greatest asset is your home. But with recent declines in home values, it may be time to consider options for preserving your home’s value. Since the value of your home is directly tied to its condition, there are steps you can take to help preserve that value.

Social networking sites are great for reconnecting with old contacts, but that doesn’t translate into time well spent – especially if you’re connecting to the same people across multiple sites. Read on for three great tips on making the most of online social networks.

Fifty percent of surveyed small business owners stated that “economic uncertainty” is one of the biggest challenges faced in the growth and survival of their business, according to the National Small Business Association’s 2008 Survey of Small and Mid-Size Businesses. Rest assured, there are resources to help small businesses more easily navigate economic uncertainties in today’s business climate.

Many people question the differences among resume services, and it’s no wonder: the Internet is bursting with companies that claim to make you “look good” with a minimum of investment.

As the job market has become very competitive in today’s workplace, there are so many people vying for one job opening that it’s become imperative for one to utilize every possible advantage they can. There are several tips that can propel you to the head of the pack, which can put you at a very distinct advantage.

Snowboarding is a sport that is getting more and more popular each year. It’s a lot of fun   and extremely exciting to ride down the slopes, exploring limitless tricks and feeling the adrenaline pumping in your body.

Slow home sales mean more vacant houses are sitting on the market – a situation that can lead to increased insurance risks. In March 2008, approximately 4 million homes were for sale in the U.S., and in the past year the median existing home price has dropped almost 8 percent, reports the National Association of Realtors. That could mean a longer wait to sell your house.

What Kind of Travel Reward Credit Card do You Own? If you own a travel reward credit card, take a look at it and see if it’s a frequent flier card or a generic mileage credit card. Remember that generic mileage credit cards give you the option to purchase tickets or redeem your travel reward points from several choices of airlines.

The capital gains rate for certain taxpayers will drop to 0% for tax years 2008 through 2010. How can you take advantage of this 0% capital gains rate? First, let’s review the capital gains rate in general.

It’s time to gear up for the busy spring and summer homebuying season. Buyers and sellers alike have come to expect that there are greater options available during this time of year as more people tend to be in the market for a new home. So what is behind this trend and how can you make the most of the buying and selling season?

When most people host summer parties, they usually have the basic alcoholic beverages, like beer and wine, but rarely do you see a host offer a selection of really special summer drinks. I have perfected my list of offerings over the years and now I share my “Top 5 Most Requested Summer Drinks” with you (in no particular order).

Who was the first human to look at a wide, pristine expanse of grass and think “This looks like a good spot for a game?” The answer is lost to time, but modern Americans definitely owe a debt of gratitude to that long-forgotten ancestor. He or she was the unwitting inventor of the yard game, the ultimate summer pastime.

Interview Tips: guaranteed. By building value even before the interview, you are guaranteed to be using the most effective methodology to secure the position of your dreams.

You see, there is really no shortage of new business; there is only a shortage of knowledge how to get this business. So if you are one of those professional folks who could use a few hundred bucks to help out with this month’s mortgage, here are a few strategies to get your business buzzing with new customers or clients.

A trade show is like the midway at the state fair. There may not be quite so many stuffed bunnies at a business trade show, but the level of noise and distraction is just about the same. There are lots of other businesses competing for your customers’ attention, all with product demonstrations, service information, and free giveaways. On top of that, there may be speakers, new technologies to play with, raffles, food booths, and networking

You’re yearning to be free of all your old constraints - including your current career - and to create work that’s deeply fulfilling and makes a difference in people’s lives. At the same time you long to uncover those part(s) of yourself that have been long buried and breathe life into them. You’re hungry for more balance, and to express yourself creatively, too. And, you want it all yesterday. Right?

Staying motivated is not always easy no matter what you are trying to accomplish. For those that are trying to get fit, motivation can even be harder. Whatever it is that you are trying to get motivated to do; there are a few tips that can help. You can stay motivated to accomplish almost any goal.

Do you work from home? If you’re a parent, too, you might find it nearly impossible to concentrate on your work when you have a sink full of dirty dishes or your phone keeps ringing. The most important part of working at home is finding motivation everyday to get the work done. You must decide on your priorities and concentrate on what is most important first.

Since most of us will change jobs a number of times in our career, we need to become proficient at selling ourselves and writing an effective resume. Consider this: According to Career Builders’ Resume 2007 survey, on average, hiring managers receive 50 resumes for each and every job opening.

Top three appetizers: When I host parties, I always have at least 2 or 3 hot appetizers for my guests to choose from. I am not a “throw-a-can-of-peanuts-on-the-table” kind of gal!

id you make a resolution this year to quit smoking? What motivates you to quit smoking? Nagging by your spouse is rarely a motivation to quit smoking. Trust us, we know. It takes a lot of resolve to kick the smoking habit and it isn’t easy. You not only miss the effects of the nicotine, but the habit is there and if you’ve smoked for a long time, it’s well fixed in both body and mind.

Summer is almost here; time to plan your much-deserved time off with your family without intrusions. Here are the top tips for making the most of your vacation time with your family.

I remember the first time I watched ‘Flip That House’ on cable television. It’s amazing how somebody can take an old dilapidated property and turn it to a goldmine, all in about 30 minutes! Is it really that easy? Find a beat up shack for a low price, throw a couple hundred dollars in repairs, and then sell it to make giant gains?

Memos, reports, invoices, forms, presentations and instructions are the trademark of a busy office – and signal the vital role paper plays in it every day. Yet Xerox Corporation studies show that office workers throw away 45 percent of documents within 24 hours of printing them.

Henry Kissinger, when Secretary of State in the USA in the 1970s used to stride into media conferences and declare: “Anyone here got any questions to go with my answers?” Now, that’s the attitude you need when dealing with tough media interviews or media conferences. Too many people go into these encounters worrying about what the journalist might ask them instead of worrying more about what information they can impart to put some sort of balance into the interview equation.

This spring, as it becomes a popular time for homeowners to begin preparing their homes for sale, here are some essential steps to make sure the most important first step takes place: buyers make the decision to view the home.

Implementing a low-sodium diet is a challenge because sodium is everywhere. The typical American eats a high number of processed foods such as frozen dinners, boxed noodle and rice dishes, canned soups and canned vegetables, all of which are very high in sodium. So, even if you do not add salt while cooking or use a salt shaker at the table, you are probably eating too much.

Since there is such a glut of information about how to do more in less time, thought it was time for the opposite point of view to come into play.

Practicing consistently and well is a much harder thing to do then it seems and there are many reasons why this is the case. Before I go on, I just want to say that bad practice habits affects even the most experienced blues players but it can be overcome with some help. Here are some of the issues that you may face when practicing and here are some usable solutions:

Are you completely or partially organized, in all aspects of your life? Would being organized make your life easier? Here are a few questions to help you see how organized (or not!) you are.

Most of us go to the grocery store to get our produce. By doing a little planning, you will be able to grow your own. There are numerous vegetables to choose from and many gardening tips to help you obtain a fruitful garden.

Scales are the key to advanced-level guitar playing. Here are the steps to mastering your scales and turning them into shreddin’ lead guitar.

Tomatoes are in my opinion the best fruit vegetable there is. Cherry tomatoes with their sweet and tangy taste can be eaten whole. As they are small in size you can just pop them in your mouth. Tomatoes give salads a dash of red color. Pasta and pizza are made even tastier with fresh tomato sauce poured over them. And these are just some of the benefits you will get from tomato gardening.