Needs For Private Detectives In New York

Private Investigators in North Carolina must be licensed.

Private Investigators investigate cases for a variety of clients. They may work for attorneys, individuals or businesses. They may work fraud cases, child custody or missing persons cases. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2008 private investigators typically earned between $30,870 and $59,060. Requirements to become a private investigator vary by state. North Carolina has no formal education requirements for Private Investigators; however, investigators are required to obtain a license from the North Carolina Private Protective Services Board. The board can be contacted at:

North Carolina Private Protective Services Board

1631 Midtown Place, Suite 104,

Raleigh, NC 27609

919-875-3611

ncdoj.gov

Basic Requirements

In order to qualify for a private investigator license in the state of North Carolina, the individual must be at least 18 years old and be a United States citizen. Resident aliens are also eligible to obtain a license. In addition, the applicant must have a high school diploma or GED and have no criminal history.

Experience and Insurance

Although there is no formal education required for a private investigator other than high school, investigators are required to have three years of investigative experience. This experience can be work as a private investigator or as law enforcement or military investigative work. The applicant is also required to obtain liability insurance.

Application

The applicant must send in a completed application which includes documentation of the above requirements. Unless the private investigator will be working as a sole proprietor, the individual is required to apply a business license for the investigation firm. The business license application should be included with the investigator license application. In addition, the individual must send a fingerprint card to be checked by the FBI.

Application Fees

The application fee for this process is $150. In addition, there is a $38 fee for the fingerprint check. These fees are non-refundable. The fee for the private investigator license and for renewal licenses is $450. The license is valid for two years.

Reciprocity

Private investigators from other states may practice in North Carolina under certain conditions. Investigators from California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Virginia may investigate cases originating in their respective state for 30 days. Investigators from Tennessee may investigate in North Carolina for 15 days. These investigators are required to hold a current license or registration in their home state and may not obtain new business while working in North Carolina. If the investigator is from another state or if the investigation exceeds the time limits, the investigators will need to obtain a North Carolina license to work in the state.

Pump Dirt

Mud is a difficult substance to remove or relocate.

Mud is a tricky substance to remove or transplant. Oftentimes the only way to pump mud out of a source or from one source to another is to use a reciprocating, piston-driven or plunger-driven specialty mud pump. Such devices are costly and bulky, essentially making them unusable by anyone other than wealthy corporations or individuals. Fortunately, there are several alternatives for pumping mud which may seem counter-intuitive at first, but which are cost-effective for the average person.

Instructions

With a Mud Pump

1. Position the hose of your diaphragm mud pump in the mud source you wish to pump.

2. Activate the mud pump.

3. Reposition the hose end of your mud pump in the mud source so that it continues to effectively remove the mud.

With a Siphoning System

4. Run a standard garden hose into the mud source, filling it up with more water, thereby making the mud in the source thinner.

5. Set up a water siphon with a second garden house running from the mud source to either a second source or whatever container you wish to fill with the watered-down mud. Fill the siphoning hose with water, then place the end of the hose into the watered-down mud. As the water filling the hose drains out of the end of the hose, it will create a suction, which will, in turn, act on the watered-down mud in the mud source, thereby draining it through the siphon hose.

6. Turn off the fill hose so the siphoning house can slowly gain a drainage lead compared to the filling speed.

7. Remove residual debris and mud with a shovel when the filling/siphoning cycle is complete.

With a Shop Vac

8. Fill the mud source with additional water, watering down the mud.

9. Place the end of the suction hose of your shop vac into the mud source and activate the shop vac.

10. Suck out as much liquid mud as will fill the shop vac's receptacle or position the engine and drainage hole over a larger receptacle.

Needs For Drilling A Gas Well In Ohio

The Division of Mineral Resources Management regulates Ohio gas well drilling.

The Ohio Division of Mineral Resources Management sets strict regulations on natural gas well drilling in Ohio under the authority of the Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 1501:9---Oil Well Drilling. Drilling any kind of oil or natural gas well, without first following these laws, will result in civil and criminal penalties.

Permit

All businesses that drill a natural gas well in Ohio must submit an application to the Division of Mineral Resources Management for a state drilling permit. This application must include a plan for waste substance disposal. Drilling companies may produce waste as a byproduct of drilling for natural gas. A business should identify a disposal well so that waste substances can be contained without harm to the environment. It should also submit a map that shows where the well will be drilled and the property lines of the intended drill area. This map must also show buildings, roads, railroads and natural bodies of water within 200 feet of the intended drill site. Applicants should include a color aerial photograph of the area with their application.

Best Management Practices

All businesses that intend to drill for natural gas must comply with Ohio Best Management Practices. These practices govern the construction, safety and environment controls for businesses that construct wells and extract natural gas. Businesses should construct and maintain an access road that allows fire and emergency teams to visit the site in case of an emergency. Companies must maintain these roads and keep them clear of debris. As part of BMPs, the owner of the natural gas well must test all water wells within 300 feet of the drill site, so that the Division of Mineral Resources Management (DMRM) can test water supplies to ensure that they have not become polluted as a result of drilling. The DMRM may send inspectors to the site to make sure that natural gas drilling complies with all regulations.

Time Frame

After all of these requirements have been met, the business may start to extract natural gas. Businesses must start the actual drilling of the well no later than a year after the division issues a permit or else the permit will expire. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will have to approve any revisions to a drilling plan.

Bond

All individuals or companies that want to drill a natural gas well in Ohio must obtain a surety bond in the minimum amount of $5,000 for a single well or $15,000 for multiple wells on the same site. The surety company must be licensed in Ohio. If the DNR finds any violations of Ohio Best Management Practices, the chief of the DNR may issue a bond forfeiture, in which case the Ohio DNR will seize the bond to compensate injured parties. The DNR will accept financial statements that prove a certain net worth as security for domestic natural gas well owners.

Well Spacing

Wells must be located at least 200 feet apart from adjacent wells. Permits to drill zero to 1,000 feet for natural gas will not be issued until the land tract is at least one acre. Drilling between 1,000 and 2,000 feet into the ground requires at least a 10-acre parcel of land, while gas wells between 2,000 and 4,000 feet must be located on 20 acres of land. As oil well depth increases, the well must be further away from the property lines of other land owners.

Needs For Any Llc

Forming a limited liability company (LLC) is a relatively easy process, but it can significantly shield a business owner from potential personal liability in case of a lawsuit. The paperwork is administered by your state's Secretary of State office and often can be completed in a week.

Significance of an LLC

An LLC creates a separate entity from the owner. Absent the LLC or some other form of creation in the eyes of the state, a business is assumed to be either a sole proprietorship or a partnership. This can expose the owner to significant liabilities if the business were sued because the plaintiff can seek recovery from the personal assets of the owners as well as from the business itself. This option is not generally available to those who sue an LLC.

Information Needed for an LLC

An LLC needs a name that has not already been taken in the state where it is formed. It also needs an address and the type of business should be described. Similarly, the owner of the LLC should be clearly specified, though it does not have to be a person--it can be another LLC or a corporation.

Filing for an LLC

Filing for an LLC is relatively easy. The application should be filed with the state Secretary of State. Most states make it possible to file online. The application normally requires completion of a basic form, a small filing fee, and some states require inclusion of the articles of incorporation for the LLC. However, there are some states that allow the state-created form to substitute for articles of incorporation that would be tailored to the LLC.

Renewal of an LLC

In most states there is an ongoing obligation to renew the LLC every year. This generally requires nothing more than a renewal fee and completion of a form confirming the accuracy of contact information for the LLC.

Independence of an LLC

The liability protections of an LLC can be circumvented in instances where the "line" between the LLC and the owner is blurred. Consequently, though it is not fail safe, it is advisable to maintain separate bank accounts for the LLC and the individual owner. Likewise, equipment owned by the LLC should not be used for personal purposes in order to help maintain the division between the LLC and the individual owner.

Remedies For Breach Of Contract On Ebay

Breaches of contract on eBay can be dealt with in the most productive manner possible, but there are times when eBay fails many individuals in dealing with nonproductive sellers and buyers. The breach of contract must be mirrored more than once for any action to be taken against a buyer or seller in order for eBay to act.

As a Buyer

If you have found a seller who has taken your money and refused to send the item or one who refuses to sell the item you have won on eBay, you have two course of actions. First you can file a NPS claim with eBay. The claim states that the seller has refused to send you an item you have paid for or is acting in an unproductive manner and is in breach of contract. Every time a listing is posted the seller enters into a contract to sell that item. If he does not, they are in breach of contract and eBay must handle the situation.

As a Seller

As a seller, a buyer who refuses to pay for an item he or she won is in breach of contract. Before a buyer bids they are informed that they are bound to paying for the item in question. If they do not the eBay seller has the right to lodge a formal complaint with eBay regarding the buyer and recoup their selling fees. Beyond that there is little that can be done regarding a buyer who refuses to pay for an item.

Recouping Lost Money

If you are dealing with a seller who refuses to send you a product you can lodge a complaint against them with Paypal after 21 days, if you have paid via Paypal. Paypal will investigate the situation and attempt to get your money back to you, if the user has funds available in their account. When dealing with fraudulent sellers Paypal will hold the complaint for months without recouping funds. Under the law you can take the seller to small claims court if you can prove that the item was never sent or received and there has been no communication regarding it.

Better Business Bureau

If you have bought an item from a store that also operates on eBay and you have not received your order or have been denied the item even after winning the auction, you can file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), but the likelihood of anything coming of it is slim. The BBB will keep the complaint on file.

Legality

Because Internet sales are relatively new and eBay has ways of dealing with breaches of contract, there is little legality to protect the sellers and buyers. For high-ticket items, it is best to shop elsewhere because laws covering actual stores is much more strict. Laws covering eBay remain relatively murky.

Recycling Projects

Recycling plastic, paper and metals helps reduce the waste that goes into landfills. Turning recyclable items into projects helps teach children the value of preserving materials and limiting waste. As well, using items you already own instead of purchasing new items saves money. There are hundreds of potential recycling projects.

Denim

A soft but sturdy fabric, denim from old jeans can become a diary or book cover, a purse, cut-off shorts, a rug or a bathroom accessory. Use sharp scissors to cut old jeans into small, easy to work with pieces and use them like regular patches or fabric. Sew two denim pieces of equal sizes together using a needle and thread to make a portable denim pocket. Sew several pieces of denim together to make a denim rug. Glue denim scraps to a notebook to decorate a journal.

CDs

Compact Discs can be turned into ornaments. Decorate the CD using glue, glitter, felt, old fabric or sequins and tie a string around the middle of the CD. Since CDs are shiny, they make eye catching Christmas tree ornaments. You can also use CDs as the main component of a magnet or letter holder.

Paper

Old paper can be turned into scraps for paper mache. Tear paper into strips and dip in a liquid glue made from 3 parts glue to 1 part water. Place paper mache strips around an object you can later remove, such as an inflated ballon. Allow the strips to dry and harden for several days, then carefully remove the object. Decorate the remaining shell with paints or markers.

Cartons

Turn a milk, juice or soup carton into a bird feeder. Wash out the carton and allow it to dry. Cut a hole in the side of the carton, halfway down to the bottom, and remove a small square of the carton. Fill the inside of the carton with bird seed and tie the carton to a tree.

Bottle Caps

Turn traditional bottle caps from glass bottles into lockets. Clean the bottle cap. To make a locket, glue a thin, short strip of fabric to the inside edge of a bottle cap. Glue the other end of the fabric to a second bottle cap. Glue a small picture on the inside of one or both of the bottle caps and run a string or chain through the fabric that attaches the bottle caps. Fold the fabric to make a "locket." If desired, decorate the outside of the bottle caps using paints.

Recruitment & Buying Process Within The Private Sector

Recognize a Need to Hire

An employer recognizes a need to hire when an employee is fired, quits or the company's growth requires more employees. In some instances the employer recognizes the need to hire before a position needs to be immediately filled. In other cases the employer is struggling in the interim.

Typically, the public sector will have a human resources department that tracks hiring needs and will usually have qualified candidates on hand for openings. The private sector usually does not require such elaborate human resources departments.

Place Ad

The employer can place an ad through an online job page, in print or solicit potential candidates through peers. Typically, candidates will respond with resumes and/or applications. Referred candidates may be hired without submitting a resume or being interviewed. The public sector will use similar ad placement opportunities but will most likely have a database of potential candidates, which may eliminate ad placement.

Interview

The employer will review submitted applications or resumes and call the qualified candidates for interview. During interview the employer will not only further understand candidates' qualifications but also evaluate personality traits. In some instances, a highly qualified candidate can be overlooked because of clashing personalities or a "feeling" from the interviewer.

Selection Process

The process of selecting a candidate will be based primarily on personality in the private sector. Since the private sector tends to have a more close-knit working environment, getting along with your coworkers can be of great importance. Most of the time, the person interviewing candidates will also be the person working directly with the new hire. Personality in the public sector is important as well, but a majority of the time, the person who interviews potential candidates will never work directly with the new hire, making skill-set the biggest defining factor.

Record Management Audit Methods

Audits are an independent review of a company's operational or financial information. Companies use internal audits conducted by their own employees to provide a review for internal management purposes. External audits are typically conducted by third parties to fulfill industry regulations or meet other external requirements. Record management audits are an objective review of a company's client or business records management process. These audits are meant to discover weaknesses in the records management process, give the company an opportunity to correct these issues and ensure the corrections provide an effective and risk-free records management process.

Planning the Audit

Auditors usually spend some time meeting with company management and discussing the records management audit process. This meeting helps auditors determine any areas in the records management process that present significant risks to the company. Significant risk areas, such as the protection of sensitive customer information or timely paperwork filing with government agencies, are given special attention by auditors since the company may face a higher probability of legal or financial damage from these risks. Once the auditors have developed a plan and met with managers, they will begin the fieldwork phase of the audit.

Fieldwork

The fieldwork phase is where the bulk of the auditing process takes place. Auditors meet with individual employees responsible for handling sensitive client records and ensure these individuals are following the company's standard operating procedures. A review of the company's security systems used to protect paper or electronic records is another important step in the audit process. If federal, state or local government entities require companies to follow certain procedures when handling sensitive information or individual records, auditors will test the company's procedures and records management process against these regulations. As auditors go through the fieldwork phase, they will note any variations found during the records management audit process. Auditors may review a second sample of information in the company's record management process to determine how pervasive any variations are in the company's process.

Final Meeting

Once auditors complete the fieldwork phase, they will have a final review meeting with management. During this meeting, the auditors will discuss any issues found in the company's processes and describe the material significance of these issues in terms of government regulations or standard operating procedures. If a company has too many errors or significant material weaknesses in the records management process, auditors may suggest the company undergo a remedial audit. A remedial audit serves as a double check for the company; auditors will come back after a certain period of time has elapsed and test the areas where the company failed the initial audit.

Good Reasons To Buy American Items

Every day we hear more and more about jobs being outsourced to counties overseas, and while many things are not made in this country, there are important reasons to consider buying American products. In a time when the economy is struggling, buying American products can help the nation recoup losses dramatically, as well as help the environment.

Keep Economy Up

By buying American products, you keep money going into the American economy instead of other countries. For example, if you buy something that is made in China, you support the product being made there so the money keeps going to their economy. Whereas if you support American-made products, more products can be made in the states, thereby supporting local businesses and our country's economy.

Working Standards

The working standards overseas are more hazardous and less regulated than the conditions in the U.S. By purchasing overseas goods you support those methods, which often include the use of child labor. Buying American products shows that you are taking a stand against these practices. These countries also don't have minimum wage policies, so by buying American products you support proper pay for work.

Safety

The safety requirements to get something made in a different country are much lower than the standards in the U.S. For example, something made overseas may have a higher lead content in the paint than the paint used here. So, if your child gets a toy with this paint and puts his mouth on it, he could get sick as a result.

Trade Deficit

Buying American-made products helps lower the trade deficit we have with other countries. For example, the U.S. owes China money, so when we trade with them, we are only making the debt larger and flooding their economy with money. However, if you buy American products, no trading takes place.

Energy Consumption

When we trade with any country, the products need to get to the U.S., which means the transportation that is being used releases more carbon into the atmosphere. By buying American products, you cut back on this because there is no overseas trading and the products travel a shorter distance.

Good Reasons To Advertise On The Internet

Advertising can reach the millions of people who search the Internet every day for information, products or services.

Advertising is an effective method for promoting or communicating just about anything. However, advertising on the web has gained greater popularity than traditional advertising throughout the years.There are many reasons to advertise on the web, and millions of individuals, companies and organizations advertise their services and products on the web.

New Customers

Whether you are starting a business, selling a product or you simply want to share important information with others, advertising on the web is a valuable step. Since millions of people have access to the Internet, having an online presence is crucial for recognition and financial gain. You could reach new customers or fans who purchase or enjoy what you have to offer. By word-of-mouth, your customer base and sales will continually grow.

Convenience

Advertising on the web is convenient. Your ad is viewable 24 hours a day, which means people always have access to ads for your products. You can analyze the effectiveness of your ad and change information as needed. You can choose from different advertising methods, such as articles, email or your own website, or use an advertising company. You can use more than one advertising method at a time, or along with offline advertising. For instance, you could write an article and also send out emails about your product or service, which gains more exposure.

Professional Image

Advertising on the web is an opportunity to display a professional image of your business. Rich media, animation, video or demo displays are available to enhance your advertising. This will educate and heighten the interest of viewers and lend credibility to your business as a professional source.

Cost

Advertising on the web is cheaper than traditional media advertising. Since advertising is done online, there are no outside costs for ink, paper, postage or shipping. There are both free and paid methods of online advertising. You can advertise on a budget. For example, with pay-per-click advertising, you are only charged a fee when someone clicks on your ad or website. The costs are as low as a few cents per click.

Targeted Audience

Advertising on the web gives you the flexibility to target an audience that is interested in your service or product while bypassing potential buyers that aren't. There are advertising programs that can match up your content with an audience that is specifically looking for what you are offering. With target advertising, you control who sees your ad, which saves time and money.

Causes Of Currency Depreciation

Currencies grow weaker for many reasons.

International investors describe one currency as strong or weak with respect to another currency. For example, the U.S. dollar may be weak against the Euro, but strong against the Mexican peso. A stronger currency is said to appreciate, whereas a weaker currency depreciates. The reasons countries experience or cause a currency depreciation are numerous: In some instances, depreciation is intentional. In other cases, depreciation is an inevitable consequence of economic policy.

Domestic Economic Policies

The value of an item is often tied to its quantity. A diamond, for example, is rare because so few are in circulation. The same is true with currency: when many dollars circulate throughout the economy, the currency depreciates. An increase in the money supply occurs when the US prints more money or the Federal Reserve lowers interest rates. When interest rates are lowered, more people take out loans and the issued money increases the amount of money in circulation. If too much money is in circulation, the economy runs the risk of hyperinflation. Harvard economist and professor Greg Mankiw explains Zimbabwe was a country that experienced a rapid increase in prices due to inflation, but curtailed its rapid monetary expansion by tying its currency to the U.S. dollar.

Selling Currency

Investors, financial institutions and central banks often purchase foreign currency. Foreign governments hold large reserves of foreign currency as a safeguard and as an investment. For instance, the "Wall Street Journal" reports that China owns 2.4 trillion U.S. dollars as means of steadying the country's local currency, the yuan. When countries or investors grow wary of a currency's stability, they often sell their reserves into the open market. Concern arises when a country is deep in debt, is experiencing economic hardship or endures a terrorist attack or natural disaster. Releasing a glut of any currency on the market causes depreciation.

International Trade

Countries intentionally depreciate the value of their currency for reasons of international trade. When a nation's currency is weak its exports grow more enticing. For example, euros were sold en masse during the Grecian debt crisis, which in turn caused a weakening or devaluation of the euro. However, currency depreciation is not always bad: The Wall Street Journal explains a 10 percent euro devaluation could provide a 17 percent increase in the euro zone's gross domestic product. Export-heavy countries are typically able to sell more goods when they are cheaper for other nations to purchase. Several countries, such as the United States, accuse China of keeping the yuan artificially devalued in order to sell more exports at the economic expense of countries with strong currencies.

Causes Of Corporate Social Responsibility

A business engages in corporate social responsibility to protect the environment.

Corporate social responsibility is an arm of the body known as corporate citizenship. A business that engages in corporate social responsibility is being a good corporate citizen. That means it is in good standing with the community and respects those who deal with the business (external customers) and those who work for the business (internal customers). A business strives for corporate social responsibility because it is, simply, good for business.

A Deeper Look

Corporate social responsibility looks at how a business's actions affect society as a whole and the people within it. Corporations are held responsible for their actions through corporate social responsibility, which consists of voluntary ethical behavior toward common social values, including the environment and environmental protection, human rights and employee rights. Many successful organizations mandate a high level of corporate social responsibility.

Society Benefits

When a corporation decides to implement a corporate social responsibility mandate, the community benefits. The business will assess how it impacts society, examine both the negative and positive impacts it makes and adjust as necessary. If it emits high levels of pollution, for example, it may seek out greener solutions. Another example would be a company that charges higher prices for a product but explains that the extra profits would go to a good cause, such as helping disadvantaged children or environmental groups.

Business Benefits

If a business is viewed as being a good corporate citizen -- and therefore implementing corporate social responsibility -- customers may be more inclined to support it, thus increasing awareness of the company's brand. Corporate social responsibility enhances the competitiveness of the organization and creates potential for it to increase revenue. One example would be a business putting out a contract for tender. Since it implements corporate social responsibility, another company that engages in the same mandate would be an attractive partner.

What a Company Does Not Do

Corporate social responsibility can be looked at as what a company doesn't do. As long as a business does not anything unethical, it is being responsible to its internal and external customers. A socially responsible company does not, for example, mistreat the environment (such as emitting excessive pollution), does not engage in foggy financial practices (misrepresent its financial position), does not misrepresent its products and does not disrespect its employees and customers.

Build Rely Upon Associations

Building trust

The basis of most good relationships is trust. If you cannot trust the other person, then the relationship is never going to run very deep. Building trust takes time, especially when one or both parties have been hurt in the past.

Instructions

1. Be trustworthy in the little things. The other person needs to be able to trust you in the little things before he is going to trust you with the big things. If a person cannot trust you to show up on time or remember to do something that you promised to do, why should she trust you with something more important?

2. Keep the other person's confidence. What a person tells you in a relationship needs to stay in that relationship. If you are a gossip, then you are going to have a hard time building trust.

3. Share personal information about yourself. Relationships need to be two-way streets. Why should another person confide in you if you will not share personal information about yourself? If you want to build trust in a relationship, then you need to become vulnerable yourself.

4. Do things that are in the best interest of the other person. If you want to build trust, you need to make choices that are beneficial to the other person and the relationship. Although the other person's needs should not always come before your own, you should recognize and meet them as frequently as possible, while balancing them out with your own needs.

5. Spend time with the other person. In this era of text messaging and email, it can be easy to spend very little time with the people you love. If you want to build trust in a relationship, you need to spend time together. There is no replacement for spending face-to-face time on a regular basis.

6. Apologize when you make a mistake. Nothing shatters trust faster than hurting the other person and then refusing to take responsibility for a bad choice. Be willing to say "I'm sorry" when you make a bad choice that hurts the other person.

Leave Of The Spam List

Junk mail can cause stress.

Junk mail is advertising that arrives in your postal mailbox along with the mail you really want or need. When you purchase a product or service -- buy a car or house, sign up for a credit card or give money to charity -- and give the company your address, you are likely being added to one or more mailing lists used for direct marketing. It's impossible to eliminate all of it, but you can substantially reduce the amount of junk mail you receive by removing yourself from junk mail lists.

Instructions

1. Return to sender. If you receive junk mail by first class mail, cross out the address and bar code, circle the first class postage and write "Refused: Return to Sender." Drop in any mail box; it will be returned to the sender.

2. Say no to more credit cards. The major credit agencies sell your credit information to any bidder. To stop those unwanted credit card offers, call 1-888-5 OPT OUT (or 1-888-567-8688) 24 hours a day. You can also notify the credit bureaus in writing to request that your personal information not be shared with others or used for promotional purposes.

3. Say good-bye to previous residents. If the former residents neglected to fill out a post office change of address card, or it expired, you can fill one out for them. Write "Moved, Left No Forwarding Address" as the new address. Sign your own name and write "Form filled in by current resident of the house, [Your Name], Agent for the Above." Hand this form directly to your carrier, if possible, as your carrier must approve the form and see that it gets entered into the post service National Change of Address database.

4. Send a postcard or letter to Mail Preference Service, Direct Marketing Association, PO Box 643, Carmel, NY 15012-0643 Include your complete name, address, ZIP code and a request to "Activate the Preference Service." As of the time of publication, there is a $1 fee for this service. For up to five years, this will stop mail from all member organizations that you have not specifically ordered products from.

Investment Clubs In Oc

Orange County, California, real estate investment clubs offer educational and networking opportunities.

Real estate investment clubs provide opportunities for investors to network, gain information about the real estate market, advance their education through workshops and meeting topics, and make real estate deals. A number of clubs are available to investors in Orange County, California. Orange County investment clubs offer monthly meetings to discuss timely topics, workshops and resource libraries for members. The majority of clubs offer membership for individuals of all levels of investment experience.

Orange County Real Estate Forum

The Orange County Real Estate Forum offers opportunities for investing, networking and education. The club meets monthly at the Irvine Ranch Water District Headquarters in Irvine and welcomes anyone interested in real estate investing to join. Meeting topics can include trustee's sales, foreclosure procedures, compliance, short sales, deal structures and purchasing foreclosure properties. As of October 2010, annual membership costs $250 for individuals, $325 for couples and $500 for businesses.

Orange County Real Estate Forum

562-431-6824

ocreforum.com

investCLUB for Women

While investCLUB for Women encourages the advancement of female investors in the marketplace, the club offers membership to both women and men. The club offers opportunities for networking and real estate education. investCLUB members can enjoy investor workshops, monthly general meetings (open to guests) and monthly members-only meetings. Monthly general meetings and members-only meetings are held at the South Coast Cultural Center in Irvine. Meetings can include topics such as investing in apartment buildings, foreclosures, title research, negotiations and trustee sales. Membership includes general and members-only meetings, VIP passes to invite guests and members-only library resources. investCLUB membership also offers benefits from other clubs, including $10 admission to Shawn Watkins/Angel Bronsgeest Investor Workshops Real Estate Club meetings and free admission to meetings of the Naked Investors Real Estate Club, held monthly in Culver City at the Los Angeles Meeting and Event Center. investCLUB for Women invites members with all levels of investment knowledge and experience. Memberships start at $249 for individuals.

investCLUB for Women

2913 El Camino Real, Suite 336

Tustin, CA 92782

714-265-7676

womensinvestclub.com

Directed Real Estate Professionals

The Directed Real Estate Professionals club meets the second Wednesday of each month in Laguna Niguel. The club provides opportunities for networking for investors and real estate professionals. Other chapters of the Directed Real Estate Professionals club meet in Pasadena and San Diego.

Directed Real Estate Professionals

info@drepclub.org

drepclub.org

Investors Workshops

The Investors Workshops group meets the last Wednesday of every month in various locations throughout Orange County. The club welcomes members with all levels of investment experience. Meeting topics can include real estate negotiation strategies and real estate investment work flow.

Investors Workshops

investorsworkshops@comcast.net

investorsworkshops.com

Property Auction Rules

If you're inexperienced at home buying through auctions, you need to know a few things before going. Always check your facts firsthand; that is, never bid on property you haven't had an opportunity to personally inspect. The agent is there to help, but you have to manage the information flow. Always question everything and never tell the agent anything like your price range, limitations or cash flow. She may use this information to her advantage. Another thing that can help is knowing the rules of the actual auction. While every auction is different, most have certain factors in common.

Pre-Auction

Part of selling or buying anything is understanding market rules. Understanding real estate auction rules will help to make sense of the auction process and your options prior to registration. If the auction is at the property location, arrive early to make a last-minute inspection. Read the contract of the sale and the auction rules carefully. Typically, contracts are put on display approximately 30 minutes before the auction begins.

Registration

You must register and get a bidder's number in order to place a bid. Generally, this means you must provide some form of ID, such as a driver's license, and your address. This is how the auction will contact you about winning bids or upcoming auctions. Get a catalog, which acts as an inventory list. It will also have important information regarding the property and placing bids.

Terms and Conditions

Review common terms and conditions. The auctioneer will usually recite these at the start of the auction. Terms and conditions will outline payment terms (cash or credit), the terms of the sale and a brief outline of any damage that was not disclosed at the time of auction. Real estate usually sells for a reserve or upset price. This means the owner has set a minimum price for the property. The auctioneer is not obligated to disclose the reserve price, but will most likely notify participants if there is one.

Reading through A Regular Balance Sheet

There are three main financial statements published in the annual report. They are the income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement. Each statement provides the analyst with a different set of information about company operations. The balance sheet is used to provide an overview of company assets, liabilities and stockholders' equity.

Balance Sheet Equation

The balance sheet equation is assets equal liabilities plus stockholders' equity. If a company has no debt it means assets are paid for with stockholders' equity. However, if the company has no stockholders' equity it means company assets are paid for with all debt. These are extreme cases. In actuality, companies usually have a mixture of both debt and equity. Most investors prefer a company with more equity than debt.

Assets

The first section in the balance sheet provides line-item detail about company assets. Short-term assets are referred to as current assets. Current assets are assets that will be used or sold within the year. Common current assets include accounts receivables and inventory. Long-term assets are listed just after current assets and include assets that will provide value to the company over a period of longer than one year. Common long-term assets are property, plant and equipment.

Liabilities

The next section in the balance sheet is liabilities. Liabilities must be paid back and are therefore an obligation on future earnings. Most investors do not like a company with a high level of liabilities compared to equity. Like assets, liabilities are split between current and long-term liabilities. Current liabilities are liabilities that will be paid off within the year like accounts payable. Long-term liabilities include bank debt, or capital bonds.

Stockholders' Equity

The last section on the balance sheet is referred to as stockholders' equity. It provides a listing of all the equity in the firm. These are funds that do not have to be paid back. The most common equity accounts include funds from investors in stock and retained earnings. Retained earnings are earnings that are not distributed to stockholders in the form of interest or dividends.

Raw Food Remedy For Adrenal Exhaustion

Stress can often cause the body's blood sugar levels to drop to dangerously low levels, leading to adrenal exhaustion. This can affect your energy level and disturb your body chemistry. However, with a proper and balanced diet of natural, high-quality foods, you can treat adrenal exhaustion.

Treating Adrenal Exhaustion

According to AdrenalFatigue.org, adrenal fatigue is often brought on when the adrenal glands respond to stress. As part of this response, the body's cell metabolism speeds up, quickly burning essential nutrients, creating a nutritional void. More specifically, low levels of blood sugar contribute to fatigue.

The best way to combat adrenal fatigue is through a proper diet and eating balanced regular and small meals. AdrenalExhaustion.org recommends you eat natural, high-quality food to help in avoiding low drops in blood sugar and to make a difference in your energy level.

When to Eat

Most people suffering from adrenal fatigue make the mistake of not eating at proper intervals. If you are fighting fatigue, it is crucial to eat before 10:00 a.m. to help replenish the blood sugar used during the night, reports AdrenalFatigue.org. An early lunch, preferably one before noon, is much better than a later lunch because the body has already used the energy from breakfast. The best lunch time is between 11 and 11:30 a.m.

Eat a healthy snack between 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. to sustain energy, and eat an evening meal between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. Eat a healthy snack before bed to decrease the likelihood of nighttime snacking and other sleep disturbances.

Foods to Eat

Eat meals and snacks that combine fat, protein and complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains, recommends AdrenalFatigue. This mixture of nutrients gives the body a steady, constant flow of energy.

Eating salt in moderation can help in treating fatigue, unless you also suffer from high blood pressure. Sea salt and Celtic salt are the best kinds to use, because they contain important nutrients. In fact, a lack of salt in the body may cause some adrenal fatigue symptoms.

Quality proteins such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy and different plant sources like soy, nuts and seeds are also helpful. Proteins are most effective when eaten raw or lightly cooked, states AdrenalExhaustion.

Vegetables make up a crucial part of maintaining good blood sugar levels, and provide essential vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants, as well as high amounts of fiber. Eat six to eight daily servings of vegetables, particularly those that have natural bright colors like yellow, red or orange.

Reduce the the amount of fruit you eat. Fruit contains large amounts of fructose and potassium, a bad combination for people with tired adrenals. Any fruits you eat should be organically grown.

What to Avoid

AdrenalFatigue notes that eating the wrong food combination can throw your body's chemistry off for hours, or even days.

Avoid or eat sparingly foods made with sugar and white flour products, such as doughnuts, rolls, pies and cakes. These foods cause the body's blood sugar levels to rise too high, resulting in what is commonly called a sugar rush. Unfortunately, this is followed by a crash, leading to cravings for more sugary foods.

Stay away from processed proteins like packaged lunch meats and cheeses. Avoid fried foods, fast foods and junk foods. These foods often contain white flour, sugar and hydrogenated fats and have little, if any, nutritional value. It is also wise to avoid drinks or foods that contain caffeine.

Radio Interview Techniques

Promoting your business through a radio interview can be very powerful. Not only will the radio audience get to hear information about your company that can boost sales, but you will be given the chance to give your company a voice. If people decide they like that voice, that can also increase revenue. Focus on your radio interview technique to maximize your exposure.

Prepare but do not Overprepare

You'll want to sound knowledgeable, intelligent and even likable. Anticipate as many of the questions as you can, and prepare answers for the more difficult questions. It is important to practice how you want to present your information both in the content and tone. Practice a smooth delivery and avoid sounding caught off-guard by questions.

On the other hand, you do not want to sound like a well-rehearsed radio commercial. You want to the conversation to seem spontaneous because this can add to the notion that you have a good understanding of your business and how it operates. Take a moment to properly formulate your answer so the response sounds intelligent, and try to make the conversation sound natural and unrehearsed.

Call-In Shows

Some times a radio station will want to allow the audience to get involved in the interview by opening up the sphone calls. The radio station will arrange this with you in advance, and if you are given the chance to speak to the public, take it. A call-in show will allow you to put any popular misconceptions about your company to rest, and it will allow potential customers to hear how helpful you can be. Take notes on who called in and what they asked. Note how you answered a question, and if a customer has requested a follow-up, follow through. Make sure the time with a caller is spent more with them asking a question rather than you answering it. Answer briefly and to the point, and avoid allowing customers a rebuttal to your response. Avoid confrontations. If a call seems heading toward a confrontation, end the call as quickly and professionally as you can.

Have Your Message Ready

You may not get many chances to get your message out on the radio, so have a few statements prepared that will help you sum up your business. The interviewer's questions may not cover everything you want, so prepare the interviewer so she can ask the proper questions. Keep your statement short but informative. If the interviewer has hit upon the topics you would like to cover, expand on your company's offerings and use the interview to your advantage.

Mount Handicapped Grab Bars On Porcelain Tile

Grab bars make it easier for disabled people to climb in and out of a bathtub.

Many things must be done to accommodate a disabled person in your home. One of them is to install safety bars, or grab bars, onto the tile walls in your bathtub. These bars provide someone who is disabled, elderly or otherwise injured with something to grab onto while climbing in and out of the tub. When installing these bars onto ceramic tile, you must take special precautions so you don't damage the tiles.

Instructions

1. Locate the studs on the walls where the bars are being installed with a stud finder, and mark the center of each stud on the wall.

2. Gently tap finishing nails through the drywall to locate the edges of the studs, and mark the edge of the studs when you locate them. Try to drive the nails into the wall in an inconspicuous place, such as the edge of the tiles.

3. Hold a 3-foot level over the tiles, lining it up with the marks that indicate the outer edge of the studs. Place a strip of 1 1/2-inch masking tape on the tiles next to the level (place the tape over the studs).

4. Place the safety bar against the tile, lining it up so that at least two of the screw holes go over the studs. Mark the location of the screw holes on the studs with a grease pencil.

5. Drill holes for the screws. Use a 1/8-inch glass-and-tile drill bit, and drill at a low speed. Along with the tape, this helps prevent the tiles from cracking.

6. Enlarge the holes by drilling into the tiles with a 1/4-inch masonry drill bit, then drill into the studs with a 5/32 wood drill bit.

7. Slide plastic anchors into the holes.

8. Run a thick bead of silicone caulk or tub-and-tile adhesive to the back of the flanges on the safety bar.

9. Place the bar on the wall, lining it up so that the screw holes are lined up with the wall anchors.

10. Screw the bar to the wall with stainless-steel pan head screws. Test the bar by pulling on it to ensure that it's properly attached to the wall.

11. Install the other bars, using the same method.

Polyester And Respiratory system Difficulty In Breathing

Polyester is used to make clothes and many other products.

Indorama, a polyester producer, states that polyester is, "The most affordable and highly consumed fiber in the world." Polyester is derived from both natural gas and crude oil. Two main components are monoethylene glycol and purified terephthalic acid. This highly used fiber has been linked to many health problems, including respiratory illness.

Function

In the 1950s, polyester began to be marketed as a fabric. The strands are very strong and can be used for many products from clothes to upholstery in cars and on furniture. Today polyester is typically blended with other fibers to create a softer, stretchy feel.

Polyester is made from the active ingredient in plastic drinking bottles. Recycled bottles are reused to make polyester fibers.

Considerations

Advanced Plastics provides cautionary information to companies that purchase polyester for manufacturing. Companies handling polyester must use precautions when working with polyester resins. According to Advanced Plastics, polyester resins have styrene, which can cause respiratory tract problems, skin or eye irritations. Recommendations are to wear safety eye wear, protective clothing and impermeable gloves. Washing after handling the product is recommended.

The company goes on to say that because styrene is a solvent, it may be harmful if inhaled. Users are warned not to ingest vapors or breathe dust or spray mists while handling polyester. Respirators are recommended when using or applying polyester and ventilation is recommended.

These cautions and warnings are for the manufacturing aspect of polyester. However, end consumers have also been linked to health problems from polyester exposure.

Expert Insight

In "Natural Health" magazine, Tina Spangler wrote an article called "Is Your Bedroom Making You Sick?" She states, "Polyester percale sheets (and blankets) are actually just soft thermoplastic, which is made from petrochemicals. The least comfortable and most harmful bed linens you can buy are polyester 'no-iron' sheets." She explains that they are made from petrochemicals (polyester) and formaldehyde.

Antimony Connection

According to a 2002 Article in Green at Work, "Transforming the Textile Industry," much of the polyester made uses antimony as a catalyst substance. Antimony is toxic to the lungs as well as the heart, liver and skin. Long-term exposure can cause emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Potential

Due to the health concerns of polyester, a new eco-intelligent polyester is being designed. Victor Innovatex is a company that is producing antimony-free polyester. The material is also chlorine free and PBT (chemicals that store in body tissue) free. Fifty-seven chemicals were found in the polyester manufacturing at Victor Innovatex. That number has been decreased to fifteen. The designers and engineers at Victor Innovatex are committed to producing fabrics that positively impact both humans and the environment.

Posting Poetry In Nigeria

Writing poetry for the South African market

Craft poetry in one (or more) of South Africa's official languages, which include Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Xhosa, and seven others. Some presses, such as Chimurenga, also accept submissions in European languages like French and Portuguese.

Selection

Select the best from among your poems as possible submissions to publishers. Editors have to read a large number of submitted material, so only send poems that make you stand out from the crowd. (See individual publisher websites for information on simultaneous submissions, having your work read at one time by more than one company.)

Finding a publisher

Visit South African Journals and Magazines (see Resources below), a listing of literary (and other) journals published in South Africa. This page contains links to the websites of individual publishers, who will have contact and submission information.

Submission

Follow individual publishers' guidelines on submission, including formatting, length and number of poems, language, and electronic vs. post submission. Once you have submitted your work, unless otherwise specified, wait for a publisher to contact you about your submission.

Posting Company Strategic Business Plan

Writing a business plan for your prospective publishing company is one of the most important tasks related to starting your business. The plan can not only help you obtain necessary financing, it outlines your strategy for success in writing.

Research

Before you begin writing your plan, it is necessary to do extensive research on your industry, target market and competition.

If you plan to start a magazine publishing company, you will need to know what the state of the magazine industry is. What are the problems facing magazine publishers? How will your company thrive in spite of current industry challenges?

It is also important to research your target market. In the magazine publishing example, this would be your prospective advertisers and subscribers. What needs will your company need to meet in order to satisfy advertisers? What information need can you satisfy for your readers?

Finally, you will need to examine existing companies offering similar products. Make a chart of each competitor's strengths and weaknesses, then do the same for your prospective company.

Writing the Plan

Although there is no exact formula for developing a business plan, most plans contain three main sections.

The first function of your business plan describes your business in detail. This includes a detailed outline of the products your company will offer, whether it is magazines, books or websites. How your business will function daily is also a part of this plan. Will you have employees? Who will you use for printing and distribution? The description of your business will also outline your company's competition and its marketing plan.

Financial data is very important for every business plan, especially if you are seeking funding for your business. This is the most difficult part of the business plan for many would-be publishers. A good financial section should include a current balance sheet, three-year sales and cash flow projections and a break-even analysis.

A business plan also requires a host of supporting documents. Tax returns for all company principals from the last three years and current personal financial statements are usually required. Resumes from all principals should be included. Letters of intent from potential advertisers or suppliers can be included if you have them.. In addition, if you have proposed contracts or media kits you can include them in your supporting documents.

Posting Companies In Italia

Publishing Companies in Italy

Italy has a lively literary culture, and new publishing companies crop up every year. As of 2007, there were 2,901 publishing houses in Italy, employing nearly 38,000 people. The following are important facts about the houses of Italian literature.

Location

By far, Italian publishing houses are most heavily concentrated in Milan. It is here that you will find some of the biggest and most important companies, as well as most of the literary agencies. Besides Milan, some of the other important and highly concentrated cities for publishing are Rome, Bologna, Turin and Florence on the mainland, and Cagliari in Sardegna (Sardinia).

Retail Production and Volume

In 2007, over 61,000 individual titles were produced in Italy, and 268 million copies were printed. Similar to the trends witnessed in the United States, retail sales of trade books are increasingly happening in chain stores (nearly 30 percent of bookstores in Italy are chain stores), as well as large-scale retail outlets. Recently there has also been dramatic increase in online book selling. Among its high production of books are foreign books; Italy is an important country for translation, as nearly one in five books is of foreign origin.

Important Publishers

Many of the important Italian publishers have satellite bookstores around the country, increasing, in part, the sales in bookshop chains. Among these are Feltrinelli, Ricordi, Rizzoli and Einaudi (a subsidiary of Mondadori). Mondadori is the biggest publisher in Italy and has also become an important force in foreign publishing, particularly in Spain where its corporate headquarters are located. Mondadori's imprints include Giulio Einaudi Editore, Sperling & Kupfer Editori, Mondadori Electa and Mondadori Education; and it has partial ownership of Edizioni Piemme, Harlequin Mondadori, Edizioni Electa Bruno Mondadori, Edizioni EL, Grupo Editorial Random House Mondadori and Mach 2 Libri. DeAgostini is another successful publisher with roots in Italy and has now become an international publisher with editorial offices in 33 countries.

Italian Publishers in America

Though a few publishers have branched into the worldwide market, the Italian publishing company that seems to have had the most success in the United States is RCS Libri/Rizzoli. RCS Libri has become an important international publisher that bought the prestigious Flammarion in France in 2000, but its roots in the United States go back further to 1974. With a flagship store in Manhattan and an active acquisitions department in the United States, Rizzoli is one of the few Italian companies that has aggressively created an editorial department in New York. While Rizzoli's Italian imprints span the gamut of genres, the American version specializes in art, architecture and photography.

Publishing as Part of the European Union

The fact that publishers, like the Italians, have become intertwined with one other throughout the European Union is one of the many reasons why a European Federation of Editors was created. In Italy, the Italian Association of Editors (AIE) and the European Federation of Editors combined to protect book-trade interests throughout Europe. Most recently, and perhaps most crucially for publishing relations with the United States, is the class action Google Books settlement, in which European book publishers aim to keep books that are still in print in Europe from being searchable by Google's engines in the United States. The AIE along with the European Federation of Editors has been integral in proposing an alternative plan called ARROW to the Google Books settlement.

Environment Accounting Jobs

Environmental accountants record data related to pollution output.

As the United States continues to focus on the environment, the number of jobs in the environmental sector will increase accordingly. Some jobs allow professionals to use their current skills and experience in their field to help the environment. For example, in environmental accounting, the recording and analysis of data in financial matters expands to include data that affects the environment. As various industries cope with new rules and regulations regarding pollution, environmental accountants help keep companies in compliance.

Internal Auditor

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) anticipates that the number of jobs in accounting will likely increase by 22 percent between 2008 and 2018. This rate is nearly double that of all other careers in both the public and private sectors. Environmental accountants may receive specialized training beyond their standard accounting education. Although very few schools offer a specialized environmental accounting degree program, many schools offer opportunities for joint degrees or minors in environmental studies. Environmental accountants must be keenly aware of trends and laws in the environmental sector. Accordingly, environmental accountants must possess some level of specialized environmental education. The BLS places environmental accountants in the category of accountants referred to as internal auditors. Internal auditors work in various industries to evaluate a company's financial numbers, but also they also check for waste and fraud to ensure the company complies with environmental laws. A bachelor's degree is usually the minimum requirement for such a position. According to the BLS, the median annual salary of auditors in the management of companies was $59,820 as of May 2008.

Eco Consultant

Eco consultants provide similar services to those of internal auditors, but may do so for a firm that provides consulting services in the environmental sector for other businesses. They may also work as internal consultants with environmentally focused companies. Positions in this field may require either an associate or bachelor's degree, depending on the hiring firm or company. Fields of study include environmental science, business or accounting. An eco consultant's duties include audits with full sustainability evaluations, consultations with companies or potential clients, record-keeping and compliance evaluations. The BLS reports that the median hourly wage of those working in the consulting field varies. Accounting clerks and auditors earned a median wage of $16.61 per hour as of May 2008, while business operations specialists earned $27.99 per hour. Eco consultants are likely to fall within these two extremes.

Plant and Operations Managers

Individuals who possess a degree in accounting or environmental science and have some level of expertise or working knowledge of plant operations can work as plant or systems operators. Leadership in the water and liquid waste industry is a growing need. According to the BLS, the number of jobs in water and liquid waste management will grow 20 percent between 2008 and 2018. Although most jobs in this sector do not require a college education, larger companies with a strong national presence employ those with accounting and environmental expertise to help maintain legal standards and compliance. The BLS reports the median annual salary in this field as $38,430 as of 2008, but the top 10 percent earned over $59,860 per year. Plant and operations managers who possess specialized degrees and work for larger companies may command a salary closer to this latter figure.

Look For A Landlord

When looking for a new apartment or rental home, it is just as important to get a landlord who fits as much as a new home. Your landlord should be fast-acting, available and willing to help when you call. A good landlord knows his responsibilities and accepts them without question.

Instructions

1. Call the landlord. Your initial call to the landlord will be to set up the showing of the apartment or house. If he responds quickly or takes a long time, it will be an example of how he will be if you need something as a tenant. Also, a landlord with many tenants will generally be slower because he has so many people to take care of.

2. Talk to other tenants. If he owns an apartment building, after the showing and he has left, go back and see if you can talk with some of the tenants. Ask them how well he responds to requests for repair, how easy he is to get a hold of, if he's friendly toward tenants.

3. Ask him questions. When you are being shown the home or apartment, ask him questions about himself as well as the house or apartment. Try to find out how long he has been a landlord, how many places does he own, how does he enjoy being a landlord. A new landlord might not understand his responsibilities or be overwhelmed.

4. Check the court records. When a landlord sues or is sued, the cases are considered public information. A trip to the courthouse and a quick tutorial on their computer program can offer a wealth of knowledge about a landlord. If he has been sued several times by tenants, then it shows he may not be responsive to their needs and they resorted to legal counsel. If he has sued many people, then the landlord may not be very forgiving of late rent or quick to resort to legal action for small issues.

Pros & Cons Of Protectionism

As a group, the world's economists are not known for consensus on most subjects. But they are nearly unanimous on one thing: Trade protectionism harms economic growth. Although global trends have moved toward freer trade, most countries continue to use a variety of protectionist measures, such as tariffs and import quotas, to protect domestic industries from foreign competitors. Although most economists prefer free trade, they acknowledge that protectionism benefits some players in the world economy.

Pro: Protect Domestic Jobs

This is one of the leading arguments for protectionism; namely, that doing so protects domestic industries and their workers' jobs. Labor unions and domestic industries often appeal to patriotism to marshal support for protectionist policies. "Buy American" has been a popular rallying cry, such as among the American auto industry when the Big Three automakers faced stiff competition from Japanese imports. Economists concede that free trade imposes costs and burdens on some industries and workers in the short run, but that in the long term, it is far more beneficial than protectionism, which they believe helps only a select few at the expense of the larger economy and society.

Pro: National Security

Advocates of protectionism contend that excessive free trade compromises national security by making nations too dependent on goods from other countries. They will then argue for protection of industries deemed vital to national security, such as steel and oil. Rising oil prices, for example, led to calls for more domestic oil production and less reliance on imports from other countries, such as those in the Middle East.

Pro: Infant Industries

Governments often justify protectionist policies by claiming that such policies are necessary to help industries that are in their infancy to develop. The validity of this argument, however, is undermined by the tendency for such policies to become permanent as the aided industry grows dependent on the support and even lobbies government officials to keep protectionist measures in place.

Con: Higher Prices, Less Selection

Protectionism restricts competition by limiting the availability of foreign goods, forcing consumers to buy more expensive domestic products. The costs of tariffs and other protectionist barriers are passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices for foreign goods. Free trade, in contrast, forces more competition among producers around the world, which lowers prices and increases the diversity of goods.

Con: Slower Economic Growth

Economists contend that protectionism limits economic growth by restricting the markets in which goods are available. They caution that a country that restricts goods from other countries may find its products similarly restricted, which slows growth by making it harder for industries to export their products.

Con: Global Tensions

When the government of one nation restricts another countries' imports through tariffs, import quotas, or other protectionist policies, the second nation may retaliate with similar actions against goods from the first country. Actions to restrict trade with other nations can develop into a "trade war," as nations continually act against each other's goods. In extreme cases, these tensions can escalate into armed conflict.

Pros & Cons Of Foreign Currency Marketplaces

Investing in currencies in the forex market has pros and cons.

The foreign exchange (forex) market is the interbank market where institutions trade currencies. It is also accessible to retail investors through online dealers or brokers. The forex market has several pros and cons that investors and traders should be aware of. Knowing what's involved with participating in the forex market will increase your chances of success.

Size

The foreign exchange market's size gives it several advantages. The large number of participants provides liquidity, meaning currencies are easily bought or sold, and orders are typically filled right away. The size of the market also prevents any single entity from exercising too much control over the market. Large participants, such as central banks, may influence the market, but only for a short amount of time.

Accessibility

The forex market is open 24 hours a day, five days a week. Some brokers are even open on weekends. This allows for flexibility to trade when you want. Brokers require low opening deposits, offer low transaction costs and typically charge only the bid-ask spread per trade, which is the difference between the buying and selling price. Traders can also use leverage to trade a larger amount of money than they have in their account.

Trading Styles

The forex market accommodates different trading styles. Investors can buy long or sell short in the foreign exchange market without restrictions. Investors can participate in the forex market using futures, exchange-traded funds or options, or directly through a broker in the spot market. This caters to different investment objectives.

Loose Regulations

The forex market is an over-the-counter market with no central exchange. It is less regulated than other markets. Traders typically place trades directly with their broker, who takes the other side of the trade. The lack of a central exchange results in a lack of information on certain market statistics, such as trading volume, and creates a greater risk of mispricing.

Broker Risk

The loose regulation of online brokers increases the potential for fraud. Traders must research a broker carefully before opening an account. Funds deposited with a forex broker are typically not protected if the broker goes bankrupt. Any outages in a broker's trading system could leave a trader unable to manage open trades.

Risk of Loss

There is the potential to lose all of your money. Using leverage to trade more money than is in your account magnifies the potential loss if the market moves against you. You may be responsible for losses greater than the funds in your account. Because currency prices are influenced by many factors, the amount of fundamental information to analyze is daunting.

Grow Flowers To Make Money

Growing flowers for profit is one way to make extra money while doing something you love. If you own enough land, you might even make enough money for all your living expenses. When you grow flowers for profit, you work very hard during the summer months and have downtime during the winter. It takes dedication and quite a bit of knowledge about plants and their needs, but your results make it worth while.

Instructions

1. Select the type of flowers that you want to grow and the market where you'll sell them. The two selections go hand in hand. If you love to grow flowers that make great floral displays but don't have a market for them, you probably should consider growing potted flowers to sell to other avid gardeners. Your soil, sunshine, space and talent also determine the type of flowers that you'll select to grow and sell.

2. Find the buyers. While you may know that you have many potential purchasers of cut flowers, like local florists, you need to focus on finding those willing to purchase flowers from you. If you're selling to florists, make a few calls and find out if they ever buy from local vendors. If you decide that you want to sell the flowers as plants, find local farmers markets, florists and outlets to sell the plants. See if you need a business license.

3. Purchase the seeds or bulbs for the flowers, or get starts. While the most inexpensive method of growing flowers is from seed, some require cuttings or alternative methods to get the variety you want. Check the soil for the proper pH level and nutrients. You need to till the soil and plant the flowers. If you grow plants organically, till under compost and find companion plants for your flowers. Plant the flowers or starts.

4. Grow the flowers and select a few to take to florists that showed an interest in purchasing locally. If you're selling the flowers as plants at a farmers market, create a flier to explain care for the flowers. When you start selling flowers for profit, you'll compete against established businesses. You need to either produce unique flowers or provide more service, like expert advice on caring for the plants.

5. Calculate the cost to produce the plants. You may need to start small and expand your process each year. The first year you'll get a good idea on what the flowers cost to grow and price them. Check the price for that type of flower in your area to see if you are re competitive. See if there are ways to cut the cost of production or marketing.

6. Keep organized records of profits and expenditures. While you need to know how much it cost to produce the plants so you can price them accordingly, you also need it for your tax records. Keep all the receipts from purchases and a list of all income from selling the flowers.

7. Add labor-saving devices to your tools as you grow. Eventually you'll grow large enough that you'll want a little mechanical help without breaking the bank. Create a list of any machinery, buildings or high-cost items to help you in your efforts, and create a sinking fund to purchase them. The sinking fund is nothing more than keeping a tally on money you tuck away for the purchase.

Pros & Cons Of The Leed Certification

All types of buildings are eligible for LEED certification.

A LEED (Leader in Energy and Environmental Design) certification involves third-party verification that a building project meets certain criteria for environmental quality. It is available for all building types as well as neighborhood development projects. LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification developed by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Purpose

LEED certified buildings are part of an effort to preserve natural resources and reduce environmental pollution. LEED certification gives guidance for and approval of green building design, construction, operations and maintenance. LEED buildings are environmentally sustainable. They emphasize energy savings, use of recycled materials and environmentally friendly products. A LEED building has a cleaner indoor environment than conventional constructions and emphasizes stewardship of resources. LEED standards are applied to both new construction and rebuilding or retrofit.

Social Benefits

LEED certification indicates that the owner and operator of the building wish to project an image of social responsibility. Environmental responsibility also incorporates many cutting-edge technologies, so it shows the owner is keeping up with new ideas and procedures. A LEED certified building provides a cleaner environment for employees and customers, making the business more desirable than ones that do not consider these things.

Business Benefits

LEED buildings have lower operating costs because of savings in utility and water usage costs, as well as savings in items such as packaging of products presented for use. The good indoor environment along with the prestige of a LEED building certification can influence buyers and renters to choose those buildings. A LEED certification generally increases a building's value. Improvements in indoor air quality may help employers avoid potential lawsuits. Because LEED certification is fairly recent, it emphasizes that the building is in good condition and up-to-date.

Drawbacks

The drawbacks of LEED certification are chiefly in the upfront costs of implementing the building strategies required. This may be more prominent for retrofits, but there are well-known buildings being outfitted for LEED certification. The most famous is the Empire State Building. Implementing LEED requirements may also lead to delays in finishing the project. A few customers who do not believe in environmentalism may be put off by the principles involved, but they will usually be far outnumbered by the people who find them attractive.

Pros Of Trade Obstacles

Agricultural trade barriers are contentious issues between developing and developed economies.

Trade barriers, including tariffs, subsidies and quotas, are used by countries with the intention of protecting domestic industries. In an increasingly globalized economy, most countries are choosing to dismantle trade barriers and implement free-trade policies. The World Trade Organization and most mainstream economists support free trade as the system most conducive to economic growth. However, under certain circumstances, trade barriers can be used selectively to favor key industries, maintain domestic employment levels or increase government revenue.

Infant Industries

Countries will often offer trade protections to new industries to allow them to develop in a less competitive environment. An infant industry tariff or subsidy would allow new businesses to develop process and technology that would eventually allow them to compete in a free international market. This type of trade barrier is often used by less-developed countries wanting to diversify their economies to be less dependent on agriculture. Infant industry protections also provide these countries with the time to develop worker skills that may be absent initially.

Level Playing Field

A country may implement trade barriers to create a more equal market for domestic businesses as compared to the international competition. For instance, in a free trade environment where imports are not taxed, a country must rely more heavily on domestic business for tax revenues. In such cases, an import tariff may serve to decrease market distortion as opposed to increasing it. Similarly, a government may choose to have a variety of domestic regulations relating to the environment, child labor, working standards, minimum wage or collective bargaining. These governments may choose to tax imports from countries that avoid the same standards to equalize cost factors.

Ensuring National Security

A government may choose to protect industries that are essential to national security. During periods of peace and economic growth, international trade tends to flow unimpeded. As a result the source of products and services, whether domestic or international, may appear to be unimportant. However, during times of conflict or economic crisis, raw materials and key products may become hard to acquire in the international market. Therefore, a country may choose to protect key domestic industries relating to natural resources, agriculture and defense.

Tax Revenue

Import tariffs can be useful sources of tax revenue for the governments, especially when applied to non-essential products such as luxury goods. Tariffs on imported luxury goods can act as a form of progressive taxation, as money is diverted from international corporations and high income consumers. The government can then use this money to improve infrastructure or offer services domestically. From an economic standpoint, tariffs for the purpose of tax revenue are best implemented in peripheral areas of the economy that do not affect the majority of consumers.

Benefits And Drawbacks Of Nursing Facilities

As the Baby Boomers continue to inch closer to retirement age themselves, many are being forced to make tough long-term care decisions for their parents. Nursing homes are one of the options available. Most people have some preconceived ideas about living in nursing homes, but to make the right decision weighing both the pros and the cons is important.

Function

Nursing homes are facilities that provide around the clock care to people who are unable to manage their daily activities safely. When most of us think of nursing homes, we think of elderly individuals who have limited mobility or who may be suffering from mental impairment, such as Alzheimer's. However, nursing homes can also be populated by younger people who have developmental or physical disabilities that require full-time care from a trained staff. The term "nursing home" is probably a reference to the law in the United States requiring at least one nurse to be on staff at all times.

History of Nursing Homes

It may be surprising but nursing homes as we know them have not been in existence for very long. Until the 1960s or so, most families had few choices about care for their aging loved ones. The well off senior citizens could afford live-in assistance or could pay the price for private nursing homes. Those without such means had only two options: care for their elderly family members in their own homes or send them to almshouses which were known for providing poor care and were stigmatized by society. In 1972, a federal law was passed that allowed Medicaid to pay for the costs of long-term care in nursing homes.Further laws were passed in the 1980s to ensure proper care for patients.

The Benefits of Nursing Homes

Nursing homes do have some clear advantages. With the hectic life of the average family in the United States, most people do not have the time necessary to provide full-time care for an elderly parent. Even Baby Boomers who are preparing for retirement often must continue working full-time jobs, help raise their grandchildren, and even share their homes with their adult children so they don't have the resources to care for someone who needs their full attention most of the time. Plus, many elderly people require medical attention and care that cannot adequately be provided by an untrained family member. Having a nursing staff on hand all the time to provide for these needs can be critical.

The Drawbacks of Nursing Homes

Unfortunately, not all nursing homes achieve the same standards of care nor do all of these facilities hire the highest quality staff. Reports and class action lawsuits related to neglect or physical abuse occurring in these facilities have been numerous in the last couple of decades, despite changes in the law meant to prevent such problems. Even in the best nursing homes, employees will occasionally steal from patients or will not provide for their needs appropriately. However, being actively involved in the care of the family member at the facility can reduce the likelihood of such problems arising.

Choosing the Right Nursing Home

Because bad nursing homes are out there, you should start searching for one of these facilities early on. Ask other people for recommendations. People who have had bad experiences with the way their parents or other family members were treated in nursing homes will be happy to share their tales. You can also schedule a visit so you can tour the facilities yourself. Try to strike up conversations with some of the residents so that you can get their opinion of the nursing home as well.

Benefits And Drawbacks Of Mahogany Hardwood Floors

Mahogany provides a deep color that is ideal for flooring.

Typically harvested in Central America, mahogany wood is commonly used for the bodies of fine guitars and for opulent, eye-catching hardwood flooring. It's characterized by its rich, brown-red color and striped look. Despite its benefits, mahogany hardwood flooring also has its drawbacks. If you are considering adding this classic look to your home, it's important to weigh its pros and cons before making your decision.

Appearance

Mahogany hardwood flooring has a rich, deep, reddish-brown hue. Many homeowners find this appearance ideal whether their home has a rustic or modern decorating scheme. Because it's not particularly trendy, it's a hardwood that will not go in and out of style quickly. It provides a classic look to living rooms, dining rooms and even bedrooms.

Durability

Because it's a hard wood, mahogany is a durable option for wooden flooring. It's harder than other common woods such as pine, thus it's more resistant to scratches from animals and dents from when you drop objects on it. It's also waterproof, which is especially ideal if you have a leak that you don't immediately notice.

Cost

Though it's possible to shop carefully and find mahogany hardwood flooring at a moderate price, this type of flooring is often more expensive than other varieties. Exact prices vary by location, store and year, but mahogany is consistently pricier than other wood flooring such as pine, maple and even cherry.

Sustainability

A common concern about mahogany hardwood flooring, according to home website Houzz, is its sustainability. Because this type of wood was once on the verge of extinction, it's important that it be harvested in a sustainable manner. When you shop for mahogany hardwood flooring, ask vendors for proof of how they get their wood. If they use sustainable harvesting methods, they'll likely be proud to tell you about it.

Benefits And Drawbacks Of Jit Inventory Control

Pros and Cons of JIT Inventory Control

Just-in-time, or JIT, inventory is a type of inventory system that's used by a variety of companies. This type of inventory system involves keeping a low amount of inventory on hand and then receiving inventory just before it's needed. This system can help lower costs, but it could also cause customer service issues.

Function

The JIT inventory system is a type of inventory control that can be administered by large and small businesses. This system requires the company to receive products directly before they're picked up by customers. This system also requires the suppliers of the company to be timely. The suppliers have to bring the products immediately when they're needed so that they can then be distributed to the customers.

Costs

One of the benefits of this type of inventory system is that it can save a substantial amount of money for the company. Instead of tying up a large amount of funds in inventory, the company can have more money to use elsewhere. The company is also able to avoid investing in a large amount of warehouse space. Instead, they can keep only a small amount of inventory on hand and save money on leasing costs.

Responsiveness

A JIT inventory system can be much more responsive than a traditional method. With this type of system, you only order exactly what you need when you need it. With a different type of inventory management system, you would potentially have to predict what to buy well before you need it. The market could change, and the products in your warehouse could become obsolete before you sell them. This ties up your money in items that you may not be able to sell.

Customer Service

One of the most common problems with the JIT inventory system is that it can cause customer service issues. When a company relies on its suppliers to get product to them immediately, they inevitably have to deal with shipping delays at some point. When this happens, you can anger your customers because their products aren't available when they need them.

Interdependence

With this type of system, your business greatly depends on factors that are outside of your control. You basically have to rely on your suppliers for everything. If your suppliers can't come through for you, you may be going out of business quickly. Companies that have large amounts of inventory on hand could withstand supplier issues and still keep selling to customers.

Proper Salutation On Business Letters

Proper salutation form reflects positively on the writer.

The salutation used on a business letter is an important part of the letter writing process. Proper salutation format reflects the degree of knowledge possessed by the writer and respects the status of the individual to whom the letter is addressed. Salutation form changes with the business letter's purpose and the position held by the addressee. If the letter is being sent to an official, a more formal style of salutation is warranted. Note that a business letter salutation is always followed by a colon and never a comma as in the friendly letter format.

When a Name Is Known

If the name of the individual to whom you are writing is known, always use it. It is wise to discover the name of the individual who heads the department to which the letter is being directed. Often a phone call or e-mail to the company or a quick search of a company's website will reveal the name you need.

A personal friend or close business associate may be addressed on a first name basis, such as Dear Amy:

If marital status is known, use it, as in Dear Mrs. Smith: or Dear Miss Jones:

When marital status is not specified, use Ms., as in Dear Ms. White:

For gentlemen, use Dear Mr. Baker: or Dear Sir Elton John:

When Only a Company Position Is Known

If the position of an individual is known but the name cannot be ascertained, follow the inside address with a generic salutation as follows:

Head of Physical Resources

GHI Company

122 King Street

Anywhere, Illinois

Dear Sir or Madam:

Addressing an Organization

Business organizations follow a specific format.

If the business letter is being directed to an entire organization rather than an individual, use the following:

Ladies and Gentlemen:

If the letter is to be sent to several individuals in a company, use an attention line:

Attention: Miss J. Smith, CEO, and Mr. W. Right, CFO

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Armed Services Personnel

Each division of the forces has its own form of address.

If addressing a member of the American armed services, use the following:

(Full rank) (name), military branch

Dear (full rank) (name):

Lt. Col. Jack Jones, USA (Army)

USN (Navy)

USCG (Coast Guard)

USAF (Air Force)

USMC (Marine Corps)

Dear Lt. Col. Jones:

Clergy

Salutation forms for clergy vary by religion and position.

Business letters to clergy require the correct form of address before the salutation. The following specifies clerical position, then form of address followed by correct salutation.

Abbot:

The Right Reverend Thomas Smith

Abbot of St. James Abbey

Dear Father Abbot:

Archbishop or Bishop:

The Most Reverend Jonathan Moore

Archbishop or Bishop of Sussex

Dear Archbishop or Bishop Moore:

Educators and Government Officials

The White House needs no further address.

Educators and government officials also require proper address:

Professor, College or University (with a Doctorate):

(name) (abbreviation for degree)

(name of college or university)

Dear Dr. (name)

President of the United States:

The President

The White House

Dear Mr. President:

Business Letters for Diplomats

Embassy officials should be properly addressed.

Diplomats are addressed as follows:

Ambassador, U.S.:

The Honorable (name)

American Ambassador to (name of country)

Dear Mr./Madame Ambassador

For additional examples including the professions of law, medicine, dentist and veterinarian, see References in this article.