Five Steps to Making Money With Other Peoples Products

If you want to make money online without having you own products, selling other people’s products could be the ticket. Selling others products has many advantages. You do not have to spend time on creating the products, you do not have to set up a system to sell and deliver the products, and you do not have to get a merchant account and pay recurring merchant account fees. The person who owns the product does all of these things for you. All you have to do is market the product and make money with it.

So how can you make money with other people’s products? People who have created products usually run affiliate programs. An affiliate program is a way for you to earn commissions every time you sell someone else’s product. When you sign up for an affiliate program, you will get your own unique id you use to link to products you are promoting. Once you make sales using your affiliate links, you will generate commissions.

Here are five steps to take to make money with affiliate products:

- Find A Product To Sell. Before going any further, you need to find a product that will sell. A product should have a professional appearance, be presented on a professional web site and be a quality product that you would want to recommend to others.

Once you find the product, join the affiliate program for it and get your affiliate links.

- Create A Web Site To Sell The Affiliate Product. Having your own web site to promote the affiliate products is best. I always recommend that you get your own domain name and web hosting to host your web site.

The cost of domain names and web site hosting has come down considerably since just a few years ago. You can now get a domain name for about $8 per year and web site hosting for under $10 per month. At these prices you don’t have to be a millionaire or commit to a large capital outlay to start your own web site.

- Create Content For The Web Site. To get more visitors and more sales, you need content for your web site. It is not enough to just link to the product with your affiliate link. In order to make money with your affiliate link you need to bring potential buyers to your web site. A great way to bring them in is with content that is of interest to them, and is related to the product you are promoting.

One good way to generate the content for your web site is by creating your own content and articles that are related to the topic of the product you are promoting. Another good way is by using the articles that were written by the author of the product. Many authors allow their affiliates use the authors’ articles on their web sites, and use the affiliate link in the resource box.

- Optimize Your Web Site for Search Engines. Search engine optimization is the process of modifying web page content and meta-information to improve the search engine ranking of the page. Successful search engine optimization will greatly increase the number of visitors that come to your web site. The more visitors to the web site you have, the more affiliate products you will be able to sell, and the more money you will make.

Make sure you optimize every page of your web site for search engines; that way you will get more web site visitors.

- Use Your Articles To Promote The Affiliate Product. Article publishing is a great way to drive traffic to your web site. Start by writing a few articles that are of interest to the people who would want to purchase the product you are promoting. Use the About The Author Resource Box to promote the product. Then take your articles and submit them to article directories. Doing this will bring more traffic to your web site and help you make more money.

Remember, you do not need to create your own products to make money online. Follow the five steps we outlined above to make lots of money selling other people’s products.

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ATTN : Webmasters and Ezine Publishers:

Free Content for your newsletter or your website! You are invited to use this article in your newsletter or website. The only requirement is the inclusion of the author’s bio and link to the URL displayed.

John J Farina is a successful affiliate marketer. He provides expert reviews on which affiliate programs to join and which ones to avoid like the plague. He shows people how to actually generate substantial income on-line using very simple, easily modeled systems. An example of such a system that you can study and duplicate is at: http://www.johnnysreviewsite.com

What Makes a Pit Bull a Pet?

The answer to that question could be the one thing that legislators all over this country need to realize. I’m not writing this to bash anyone or scream about my dislike for the way specific breeds are being treated, but I am writing this in the hopes that somewhere sometime someone who makes these decisions will read this and then consider the results of their actions.

The journey for me started just 10 months ago. I never thought I would say this but “I fell in love with a Pit Bull, an American Pit Bull Puppy named Donut to be exact.” My sister had rescued this puppy, but soon after found that she could not handle the care and training necessary. So my wife and I decided to give that puppy a better home.

Before meeting Donut my opinion of Pit Bulls was negative. I had always thought of them has such mean dogs that didn’t belong in a house with children. But something changed for me. Maybe it was that floppy right ear, or uncontrollable wagging tail, well no matter what it was I was in love.

Once Donut was settled in I really got to know this little guy, who was quickly becoming the big guy. I was amazed he took to training practically overnight and he was so full of love. But wait, this is a pit bull, a mean aggressive and dangerous dog, right?

I then learned that several neighbors of mine also had Pit Bulls. They too were very well behaved and very good around my son. This really got me thinking. “Is it just media hype? Where did my misconception of pit bull behavior come from?” Then I was confused even more when I heard the news of pit bulls all over being put to death just for being in the wrong city at the wrong time.

How could this happen? Let’s put aside the fact that this is America and we are a free country. Those dogs didn’t hurt anyone. No, this is just a knee jerk bandaid reaction to a problem that started with the owner and not the pet. I say “pet” and not “animal”. (An animal is untamed and wild. A pet is a member of the family.) Responsible pet ownership is the solution to the problem. If a child mouths off to a teacher in class we say it’s the parents fault, but if a dog barks and bites someone we blame the dog. Why is that? If you own a dog, care for a dog, or are just thinking about getting a dog, I urge you to take the time to train your dog properly and give them tons of love. The song doesn’t just apply to people, because “Love is all you need.”

Bill Clanton is Program Director and Co-Founder of All Pets Radio (http://www.allpetsradio.com), an online radio station for Pet Lovers and Pets alike. Having worked in broadcast radio for the past 15 years and always living around pets of all kinds, Bill felt that bringing these two loves together would be a perfect match.

Equine Breeding For Beginners

You’ve got it! That beautiful stallion or mare that is the perfect example of everything a horse of its breed should be. It’s got great conformation, a perfect temperament, and has performed well in its chosen discipline. You know this horse could benefit its breed by passing on its progeny.

You’ve made the decision to breed your horse.

So, now what? Do you follow the old adage and “breed the best to the best and hope for the best?”

Well, while that advice is actually tried-and-true, and certainly not the worst advice in the world, you are going to have to take a few extra steps to make sure the resulting foal is everything you hope it will be. Because the foal will be a blend of both the sire’s and the dam’s genetics, there are a few things to consider when choosing a good mate for your horse.

* Consider the goal of breeding your horse. In other words, what kind of horse are you breeding for? Do you want to produce a horse for dressage, hunting, cutting, reining, endurance, driving, or one of the other many disciplines? Knowing what kind of horse you want to produce will help you narrow the field as you consider mates for your horse.

* Look at your horse’s conformation. No horse is perfect! Take a good look at your horse, and make notes about his good points, as well as what needs improving. Now do the same to the mates you are considering. Eliminate any horse who have weak points in common with your horse, and lean toward those who correct your horse where he is weak.

* Consider the temperament of potential mates. A horse who is easy to work with is just as valuable as a horse with perfect conformation. Because disposition may be genetic, be sure to evaluate the mate’s personality. What kind of temperament are you looking for in the foal? Is the mate nervous or confident? Timid or bold? Calm or jumpy?

* Look at prior progeny. If the mate has other offspring, take a good look at them. Did the mate pass along its good traits to its progeny? Did any congenital defects crop up? You can investigate ancestry even further by contacting breeders with the same line. Did the dam, sire, and siblings of the mate you are considering produce successful individuals?

* Investigate the health of the mate. Is the mare or stallion in good health? Look for the normal things, like bright eyes, a shiny coat, and an alert expression. If the animal is under or overweight consider carefully, especially if it is a mare. Mares who are not in good body weight can sometimes have difficulty getting in foal. Make sure the horse is sound and moves correctly. Be wary of horses with injuries, as certain weaknesses can be passed to offspring. You should also make sure the horse has received good veterinary care, including regular deworming and current vaccinations.

* Do a breeding exam. A mare should always undergo a breeding exam before you commit. Maiden mares will need rectal and vaginal exams, while proven mares may need more extensive examinations.

* When you think you’ve decided, think again! That’s right. Before you sign any papers or contracts, make sure you know what breeding entails, including the costs involved. And always, always make sure you have a valid reason for breeding your horse. It is not something to be done lightly! In the end, if you’ve determined that your horse can contribute the betterment of the breed, you well understand what financial and health risks you’ll be up against, and you’ve found a good mate, go for it!

Ron Petracek is the founder of Equine Internets vast 15 site classified and social network. You can view its amazing size here Http://www.equineinternet.com/network.php or to further your equine habit please visit our forum by clicking here http://www.horsechitchat.com/equineforums and start posting Need to sell a horse or tack? place a free ad here http://www.click4equine.com and always the barn door in left open on purpose.

Self Protection From Strange Dogs

Have you ever been riding your bicycle around the block when a dog comes running out of it’s yard and starts chasing you down the street? Maybe you’re walking down the street when you spot a rather large dog a few houses away. The dog appears to be unattended and you don’t know if it’s friendly. Has this ever happened to you? Your walking your small dog (on a leash) down the street when suddenly your confronted by a strange, free roaming dog and it’s growling and in the attack position.

What do you do? What can you do?

In the first scenario, described above, where the bicyclist is being chased by a dog, you would probably start peddling faster while simultaneously kicking out at the dog in an attempt to both outrun the dog and prevent it from biting you. The second scenario has you walking down the street when you spot a large, unattended dog a few houses away. Lot’s of people go for walks carrying a base- ball bat or large stick to protect themselves just in case the dog turns out to be, shall we say, unfriendly. First, carrying a baseball bat or a large stick can be cumbersome and get heavy after awhile. Second, you have to be prepared to beat the dog (not an easy thing to do). Imagine how you will feel afterwards. So, instead, you’ll probably just turn around and walk back rather than take a chance. The last scenerio as described above, has you walking your small dog on a leash, when your confronted by a larger, strange dog. Most likely, you will pick up your beloved pet, hold it close to you and then just hope for the best. Trying to run away almost never works.

Let’s look at some other options. One is to keep the dog from coming near you in the first place. You can accomplish this with an electronic animal repellant. Using ultrasonic technology, the devise produces a discomforting but not harmful high frequency sound, audible to dogs but not to humans. One such device is the Ultrasonic Dog Chaser. It’s small and lightweight. It measures 3 & 3/4 inches by 2 & 3/16 inches by 7/8 inches. That’s roughly the size of a deck of cards. Weighing in at just 3.5 ounces with the 9-volt battery, it’s quite compact. It has a frequency range between 20,000Hz – 25,000Hz. At 135dbs, it has an effective range up to 20 feet. The device is easy to use, too. Point the animal repeller at the dog and press the button. That’s all there is to it. It’s also safe and humane. The electronic animal repeller is not the repeller of choice however, if your walking your dog.

A second option is to whip out your trusty dog repellent spray. Mace makes a safe, humane and effective dog repellent spray that’s EPA approved. It sprays 8-10 feet, but don’t spray it into the wind as the results could prove to be dis- astrous. Here’s how it works. When sprayed with a pepper spray dog repellent spray, most dogs throw themselves on the ground rubbing their eyes. The painful burning effects of the spray typically wear off within a few minutes, leaving the dog healthy and unharmed. Choose dog repellent sprays with pepper spray, also known as OC (oleoresin capsicum) spray, as it’s ingredient. Other sprays may not work on dogs that don’t respond to pain. It’s totally non-toxic.

Another option is the stun baton. A favorite among security guards, it is very effective on dogs. Just touch the dog on it’s face. It will drop to it’s knees, turn and run. Normally, however, the clicking sounds the baton makes when turned on is enough to deter the dog. Stun batons come in different lengths ranging from 300,000 volts to 500,000 volts. A stun baton is a stun gun placed into a baton. Stun guns use high voltage and low amperage to temporarily disable an attacker. It does not rely on pain for results. The energy stored in the gun is dumped into the attackers blood sugar by converting it to lactic acid. Unable to produce energy for the muscles, the body is unable to function properly. The stun gun also interrupts the tiny neurological impulses that control muscle move- ment, causing the attacker to lose their balance. All this happens very rapidly. Should the attacker be touching you, the current will not pass to your body. Of course, as a last resort, you can use the baton as a stick or baseball ball to hit the dog with.

So go ahead and take that walk down the street, or pull out your bike and ride around the block again. There’s no need to be afraid of those stray dogs any more. Have FUN!

You can find these devices in some stores and on most internet sites selling self protection products.

Janice Strickland is the Director of Marketing for PROTECH #1. PROTECH #1 carries a complete line of personal protection products. For more information and products, please visit http://www.protechtasers.com.

Can You Still Make Money With EDC Gold Even In A Saturated Market?

EDC Gold sounds like the perfect business opportunity alright. Get paid 100% commission on EVERY sale, while you get the first two $997 sales from everybody you refer. EDC Gold sounds like one of the most lucrative ways to make money online and maybe even too good to be true!

Well it might be too good to be true because of the market saturation concern that is in most people’s minds. If EDC Gold is really one of the best ways to make money online, everybody would soon jump on this wonderful little business opportunity and the market will surely dry up leaving you nothing but a wallet that is $997 lighter.

I had this concern on my mind too and debated to myself whether or not EDC Gold is still a lucrative business opportunity to invest with. Fortunately I uncovered some revealing online statistics that will make you rethink about market saturation and how that is totally irrelevant. Okay, let’s begin.

It is estimated that EDC Gold currently has 15,000 members promoting the business opportunity. That is a lot of people promoting EDC Gold! How the heck can you compete with 15,000 people promoting the exact same product?

Well, here is a little secret, there are only an EXTREMELY small percentage of the 15,000 EDC Gold distributors that are actually doing the required steps to make money online! Most of these people do not take EDC Gold seriously. In other words, the vast majority just dabbles around and plays with EDC Gold.

Not convinced? Well, how about this? On a very conservative estimate, there are over one million searches done on the internet for home based business opportunity related keywords. That is over 33,333 searches made in a single day on the internet for home business opportunity related keywords.

What does that mean to you? Well, market saturation is totally irrelevant if you decide to promote EDC Gold. Still not convinced and you are stubborn as a mule about market saturation? Well, how about this.

There are over 10,000,000 clicks done on business opportunity related links done per month on the internet. That means 333,333 clicks PER DAY are being made on business opportunity related sites.

Now let’s recap what was just said. The vast majority of EDC Gold’s distributors are extremely lazy doing their promotions, while a million searches are done for business opportunity related keywords with over ten million clicks per month.

Think of this realistically. Since most people in EDC Gold are doing next to nothing with millions of people searching for ways to make money online, anybody that is thinking of joining EDC Gold can still capture just a small percentage of these people and make money on the internet.

You do the math on how much people you have to refer to EDC Gold at the $997 level to make money online. This should have given you a fresh new perspective on the reality of market saturation and installed in you some hope.

Alan Quan struggled with making money on the internet for a year losing more money than he was making. Luckily he found a system that allowed him to sell a high end product and make a full time income on the internet. Today, he has quit his job and is now PERSONALLY teaching regular people how to do the same. Visit his website at http://www.e-bizcoachalan.com and find out more…

Where’s Your Retirement Money Invested?

Are you complaining about the high price for gasoline and the obscene profits of oil companies? If so, you might want to check your pension plan (401k, 403b, TSP, etc.) to see if you own their stock! Why would stockholders complain about profits at “their companies”? Could it be they’re not aware they own stocks? This disconnect is because many workers and retirees put their money in employer-sponsored pension plans without really paying attention to where it’s invested. It’s going mostly into mutual funds whose underlying assets are stocks and bonds of domestic and foreign companies. Since many are unaware of where their money is invested, are they similarly unaware of the risk they’re taking? Unfortunately, many are and this risk could spell big trouble over the horizon in retirement.

For those up to about age 50, this lack of attention to risk is not a major shortcoming because they have time on their side: time for market downturns to correct; time to increase contributions; time for the magic of triple compounding tax-deferral; time to adjust their savings/spending. Unfortunately, there is also time to develop habits that freeze them into their investment pattern. As you near or enter retirement, “time” becomes the enemy because there is not enough time for markets to correct, salaries to rise, and investment growth to occur. Yet, far too many, out of habit, still hold their retirement money in the same risky places. You must make lifecycle adjustments in your investments to lower risks as you near and enter retirement because there is less time to overcome setbacks. This hard lesson was most recently taught during 2000-2002. The previous stock market high was six years ago, or 30% of your retirement years ago. How long until we reach the previous high? The risk: no one knows!

At the end of 2005, approximately 90% of pension fund moneys were invested in assets whose value was determined by the financial markets – stocks, bonds, mutual funds and the like. According to one study, 39% of the 60 to 65 year old participants in 401(k) plans left their money in the plan upon retirement. What does this tell us? Many in their 60’s and beyond are investing like they were still working and could afford the risk they’re taking. Their do-it-as-always habit has prevented them from making the needed lifecycle investment changes. This could lead to their greatest fear: outliving their money.
The $14.5 trillion in pension plans is being eyed by Wall Street. They would like for you to put and leave your money in the market. That’s why you don’t get good advice from firms and people who manage and account for your retirement money: if you move it, they lose business. Accordingly, their answers regarding moving your retirement money to a safer place is always going to be “don’t”. It is in their best interest for you to keep it where it is. They’re not taking the market risks that could wreck your retirement plans.

As has been stressed repeatedly, retirement is not a time to make money by taking risks but a time to keep what you’ve got by not taking risks. If you’re in or near retirement, reduce risks by moving to safer places because you don’t have time to recover from bad markets. The investment habits of a lifetime have prompted many to leave money in their employers’ plans when they retire. This decision could be lethal if you can’t afford the risk. The need to change investments in response to aging was well thought-out by our lawmakers as they provided for transfer of pension money so that risk could change in response to your lifecycle. The process is called “rolling over”, and you should ask your financial advisor for my free DVD “Rolling Over Retirement Money: Good or Bad” which discusses the pros and cons of this topic.

Summers Asset Management Group
Russell D. Summers, CAC
Certified Annuity Consultant
http://seniortaxsavings.retirerx.com/

727-678-2778

Russell Summers, CAC

Stop Wasting Money On Higher Cooling Bills!

If you could put more money in your pocket, this summer, would you? Well, you can, by lowering your cooling bill. Chances are, it’s higher than it needs to be. You’ll be surprised at what you can save. No sacrifice required. Check out these quick and easy maintenance tips that can put you on your way to lower bills in no time.

Quick Facts About Your Central AC

Your central air conditioning (AC) system circulates cool air through your house through supply and return ducts (often the same ducts used for heat in the winter). A typical central AC system has an evaporator, condenser and compressor in a single cabinet located outside the house (usually on a concrete slab right next to it), or alternately, a condenser and compressor outside and an evaporator in a separate cabinet, inside (usually in the basement or crawl space). Both systems have a blower that forces indoor air through the coil of the evaporator where it’s cooled, dehumidified, and sent through the ductwork into the house. The heat collected by the evaporator is transferred to the condenser (outside) to dissipate.

Change the Air Filter

This is the most important thing you can do to help keep your system working at peak efficiency. The air moving across the evaporator is cleaned before it gets there by a filter located in the return air duct (usually within easy reach in a wall or ceiling, or at the air conditioner itself). Filters get dirty and clogged through regular use; the dirtier they get, the less air gets through the system. The dirty air that gets through is carried right to the evaporator. Dirt sticking to the evaporator coil further impedes air flow, reduces the evaporator’s ability to absorb heat and can reduce your system’s efficiency by as much as 10 percent. Not to mention, that dirty air is circulated right back through your house.

Air filters are made by a number of manufacturers and come in a variety of types and efficiencies.

* Most residential systems use 1-inch or 2-inch flat or pleated fiberglass “throwaway” filters (thicker filters may hold more dust but are not necessarily more efficient).

* There are also “permanent” type filters: mesh, electrostatic and electronic, some with pre-filters that collect larger dust particles.

* If you or a family member suffers with allergies or sensitivity to dust or other particulates (i.e., tobacco smoke, pollen or pet dander), consider using a High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter, also known as a HEPA filter. These are specially constructed filters that allow a high volume of air to pass through them while stopping even very tiny particles.

* If you have any question about the right filter for your system, don’t guess; check with a professional service technician.

Whatever type of air filter you use, inspect it and either clean it or replace it about once a month during peak cooling season or more often if you’re living in dusty conditions or with pets. Never run your system without the filter in place.

Clean Evaporator Coils and Fins

Even if you regularly change your air filter, dirt will still accumulate on the evaporator over time. Check your evaporator coils at least once a year and clean them if necessary, using a vacuum cleaner with brush attachment, careful not to bend the fins.

Clean Condenser Coils and Fins

Condenser coils and fins (outside) are also vulnerable to dirt – from debris and leaves falling from trees, cut grass kicked up by the lawnmower, and lint from a nearby dryer vent – so, check the condenser unit at the beginning of the cooling season. Cut the power to the unit and use the following checklist:

* Gently remove any debris from top and sides.

* Sweep the concrete pad.

* Prune back any overhanging leaves (2 feet is the minimum recommended clearance; 5 feet overhead).

* Use a soft brush to sweep the fins.

* (Optional) Spray the fins with a gentle household cleaner; let it sit for 5 minutes, then gently hose them down pointing the spray into the interior through the fan opening.

* Keep the unit free of dirt and debris throughout the season.

* If you can shade your unit (without blocking airflow), even better: the shaded air around your system will be cooler, and a properly shaded system can operate up to 10 percent more efficiently over the course of the season.

Keeping your evaporator and condenser coils free of dirt and debris can improve your system’s performance by as much as 10 percent. Just be careful with those fins. They’re a little fragile and easily bent. It’s best to use a special tool called a fin comb to straighten them. Those are available through your local home center or online. Be sure to buy the correct comb for the number of fins per inch your unit has.

Other Simple Steps to Savings

* Anything that obstructs the flow of air through your system reduces its efficiency and drives up your bill — keep your registers clear of furniture, drapes and other obstructions.

* Keep all exterior doors and windows closed when operating the system.

* Raise your temperature setting. Raising the setting even 1 degree can lower your bill by as much as 9 percent over the course of the season.

* Keep your system set on “AUTO” and let your thermostat do its job. If you find you need to run the fan constantly to keep cool, it’s time to call a technician.

* Set your system to recirculate the indoor air (if you have the option) rather than drawing outside air. Conditioning the warmer outside air takes far more energy than simply recirculating the already conditioned household air.

* A little money spent could equal a lot of money saved: have a qualified service technician check your system at least once a year. The technician will measure your refrigerant to see if it needs recharging, inspect your coils, measure air flow over the cooling coil, and will do a thorough inspection of the motor, compressor, air handler, and ducts (and of course, the air filter). The technician can spot potentially costly problems early or help you avoid them entirely.

For Owners of Older Houses

If you’re still using a central air conditioning system manufactured during the 1970s, you’re likely using 30-50 percent more energy than a more recently manufactured unit would use. Even if your unit is only ten years old, replacing it with a new, more efficient unit can save you 20-40 percent in cooling costs. Over the life of the unit, that’s considerable savings, especially with energy costs continuing to rise.

Liz Pauley is a staff writer for http://ranchrevival.com at http://www.ranchrevival.com, a website devoted to owners of ranch style houses, old and new.

Who’s Watching YOUR Money? 7 Tips for Hiring the Right Bookkeeper

While I’m a strong advocate of hiring virtual assistants, there are two things that no entrepreneur should ever fully delegate: marketing and bookkeeping. The marketing and the bookkeeping of your business can easily make or break you (just think “new” Coke and Enron). That said, if bookkeeping is not your forte, hire someone to do it – you will save so much in frustration – just be sure to keep your fingers in the books.

If you choose to hire a bookkeeper, keep the following in mind:

1. Get QuickBooks.

For ease of use, I highly recommend using QuickBooks and hiring a QuickBooks ProAdvisor. QuickBooks ProAdvisors have taken certification exams to insure that they know the system. I have used QuickBooks both for myself and my clients since 1996 and highly recommend it for its ease of use/understanding.

The online version is great in that you can see the latest version of your books at any time and eliminate the annoyance of emailing files back and forth and wondering who has the latest version.

2. She must see both the forest AND the trees.

You want your bookkeeper to be detail-oriented AND to see/understand the big picture. She needs to know what happens consistently – every month – and update your books without bothering you for items she should know about.

At the same time, she needs to be astute enough to see the larger picture and warn you of any impending problems before they happen. If you purchase a piece of equipment, she should know how to properly enter it into your bookkeeping software to avoid problems – and therefore save time and money – with your accountant (and the IRS) later on.

3. She must know your industry.

You don’t want to have to train your bookkeeper on your industry language, standard industry income or expense categories or other basics. The more up-to-speed she is, the faster she can hit the ground running and the sooner you will have good data. If she doesn’t know your industry however, be sure to give her a rundown of lingo and how you refer to your customers/clients/tenants in order for you to get the most meaningful reports out of the gate.

4. She must provide timely reporting.

In hiring your bookkeeper, insure that you put in a provision for when you want to see monthly financials. The date will depend on when your bank month ends – give her a few days after that date to reconcile your accounts and produce reports. At a minimum, you want to see a profit & loss, balance sheet and cash flow statement.

Take the time to review the reports so you can spot any irregularities before they blossom into problems. Not sure how to read a cash flow statement? Get a check/electronic funds transfer (eft or “auto debit”) transaction detail instead. It will help you see where the cash is going.

5. She must know accounting terms and still speak “English”.

Your bookkeeper needs to know the difference between assets, liabilities, income, expenses and equity and be able to provide your accountant with the necessary data upon request. At the same time however, if you are not “numbers oriented”, she also needs to be able to explain the financial statements to you in plain English.

6. She must be trustworthy.

Hiring someone to keep track of your bookkeeping requires a level of trust between you both. You need to feel comfortable that she will keep track of your information and maintain your confidentiality. At the same time, if she pays your bills and has access to your bank accounts, you must also trust that she will not abuse that privilege. And make no mistake, it is a privilege to have someone (particularly in a virtual relationship) trust you with their finances, their checkbook and their business.

Good business sense demands that you protect yourself “just in case”. I highly recommend that, in addition to a confidentiality agreement, you insure that your bookkeeper is bonded and you get a copy of that bond.

7. She must have great communication skills.

If your bookkeeper will be communicating with your clients and vendors, she must represent your business as you would. Whether virtual or in-house, it’s critical that your bookkeeper be a positive force that further enhances relationships. The question of money can, at times, be a sensitive matter. You need someone who recognizes that and communicates appropriately.

Always remember – these are your books and this is your business. While you may hire someone to manage the details of tracking your finances, and should do so if this is not one of your strengths, the ultimate responsibility for oversight is yours. Michael E. Gerber of the “E-myth” series said it best: “Delegate, don’t abdicate.”

Copyright 2006 Sandra P. Martini

Sandra P. Martini

Your Dog’s Water

Think that finding a good, high-quality dog food is important?

All of the beneficial ingredients that go into dog food will not help your dog if he it is not drinking enough water. Water is the body’s most important nutrient. Adult dogs’ bodies are 60% water, and a puppy’s is 84% water. Dogs can lose all of their fat and half of their protein without adversely affecting their health, but a loss of 10 % of their water can cause significant problems. Dog owners should place as much attention on the quality of the water their dog drinks as they do on the ingredients that go into the best dog foods; not all water is the same.

The criteria for clean drinking water for dogs is similar to the criteria for drinking water for people. Tap water generally provides the best nutrients and least contaminants; if, however, the tap water contains high amounts of magnesium, nitrates, and iron it can cause long term health risks. For those who fear their tap water may be contaminated, bottled water can be a better choice.

Stainless steel and stoneware dishes are good, safe choices for food and water bowls. Plastic bowls may scratch, giving unhealthy contaminates an ideal place to live. The water should be cool in the summer and room temperature in the winter. The dogs bowl should always be clean. If you’re not sure if it needs changing, ask yourself if you would drink the water — if the answer is no, change it.

Dogs should have access to fresh water at all times. This is even more important than giving it the best dog foods on the market. Dogs need three times more water than they do food every day. They need even more water if it is extremely hot, the dog is lactating, or if the dog is exercising more than normal. Dogs that eat canned dog food do not need to drink as much water because of the high amount of water contained in the food.

Often, sick dogs don’t want to drink the water they need, but the illness increases the need for water. When this happens, a dog can become quickly dehydrated. To check for dehydration, dog owners can pull upward on the dog’s skin at the nape of the neck. If the skin snaps back, the dog is sufficiently hydrated, if it takes several seconds for the skin to go back, fluids may need to be replaced intravenously or subcutaneously. Owners should never offer water to vomiting dogs; this is perhaps the only time to make sure dogs don’t have access to water. If a dog vomits for more than a twenty-four hour period it should see a vet immediately.

In addition to better health, proper hydration contributes to the performance of a dog. Many owners of working dogs flavor their dog’s food in order to make sure it is drinking the appropriate amounts. Studies have proven that proper hydration increases an animal’s working ability by 80%. The next time you pour one of those “better” dog foods into your dog’s bowl, remember that if the dog doesn’t have the right amount of clean water, the food is useless.

Daniel Moore contributes articles to several web magazines, such as http://kydel.com and http://sufup.com.

Surefire Hit Gift Ideas For Kids

Whether it’s a holiday or a birthday, kids can be especially hard to buy gifts for. Here are some surefire gift ideas that will make any kid happy.

Games

The best games to get a child are usually the tried and true games that have stood the test of time. These include Candyland, Chutes & Ladders, Monopoly, Battleship, Sorry, Operation and PayDay. These games have been played for generations and are fun for the whole family, as well as the kids.

Toys

The old standby’s may be your best bet. These include Barbie’s, Lego’s, Mr. Potato Head, Hot Wheels, Nerf toys, kitchen and baking play sets, doll houses and remote control cars. Action figures or play sets for the child’s favorite TV show or movie are also a great idea.

Educational

Terrific educational gifts include books, the line of VTech, LeapFrog and Leapster electronic learning products, globes, science kits, See ‘N Say, wooden blocks and telescopes.

Creativity

Nurture the child’s creativity with gifts that allow them to be creative and have fun too. Creative gifts include modeling clay or PlayDoh, craft kits, coloring books, art supplies including markers, crayons and pencils, jewelry making kits, notebooks and journals, EtchASketch, origami kits, Spirographs, sewing kits, bead sets, gardening kits, musical instruments, electronic keyboards and stamp and sticker sets.

Electronics

For electronics items, you can’t go wrong with MP3 players, digital cameras, handheld games and video game consoles.

Old Fashioned Games & Toys

Some great old fashioned gifts include puzzles, card games like UNO, bingo and activity books, bubble making toys, an easel, rock tumbler and banks.

Sports Equipment

Most kids, but especially boys, will absolutely love any sports equipment you get them. Consider balls of every kind including baseballs, footballs, soccer balls or basketballs. Accessories like gloves, nets and bats are also great. Wonderful outdoor activity gifts include kites, lawn games, trampolines, tents and tunnels, water toys, playhouses, pogo sticks, bikes, hula hoops and wagons.

Whatever you choose, just make sure the thought comes from your heart and it will surely be a loved gift.

Lydia Quinn writes for ShopWoh.com, an International auction website where you can buy and sell anything. Visit us at: http://www.shopwoh.com