fashion-trends.info

This article describes where to look, what to look for, and how to choose day-hiking boots. Knowing where to look and what to look for, you can be sure to get the high-quality hiking boots you need without paying extra for features you don’t need.

Day-hiking boots range anywhere from $40.00 to $150.00. The high end of that range is beginning to cross into backpacking boots, but anything below that range is either an exceptionally good deal or an imitation hiking boot that will disappoint you badly.

So, let’s talk about the kinds of places to shop for hiking boots, features to look for, pitfalls to avoid, and techniques to make sure you have the right fit.

Where to Shop for Hiking Boots

If you have never done any serious hiking, you will want to buy your first serious hiking boots in a hands-on experience. I’m being honest here (habit of mine). Yes, it is in my interest to persuade you to buy your hiking boots through my Web site, but I won’t do that if it is not appropriate for you. Even aside from ethical considerations, it would be bad business for me to create a lot of dissatisfied customers telling their friends about their bad experience. No, I’m just being honest. I don’t want to take your money and leave you unhappy. Buy your first pair of hiking boots at a brick-and-mortar store where you can handle the boots and try them for proper fit. Then, when you have enough experience to know what you want in your second pair of hiking boots (or third, or …), you can take advantage of the lower prices available on the Web.

When shopping for hiking boots, look for an outdoor equipment store rather than a shoe store. The sales clerks in a general shoe store are not likely to know the difference between real hiking boots and fashion imitations of hiking boots. You might pay more money at an outdoor equipment store, but you will realize the savings out on the trail.

Once you’re in the store, ask about some of the things you read in this article. If the sales clerk doesn’t know what a scree collar is or why soft outer soles are better than hard, look for another sales clerk, or another store.

If you are ready to buy your hiking boots on the Web, you can take advantage of the best of both worlds. You can buy from a high-volume store that has the best prices, but first get your advice, recommendations, and reviews from affiliated Web sites that specialize in hiking equipment.

Wherever you choose to buy your hiking boots, make sure there is a reliable, knowledgeable person in the loop somewhere. If the sales clerk or Web site seems too eager about making the sale and not interested enough in discussing and comparing features, you should look somewhere else before you make a final decision.

Especially when you are shopping the Web sites, you may need to pay attention to brands. Certain brands have a well-deserved reputation for good quality, and you should not ignore that. On the other hand, some brands have an overblown reputation that often has more to do with fashion than with genuine quality. The only way to know the difference, and to find the quality you need without paying for fashion that you don’t care about, is to talk to those who know the difference and to read reviews from people who have actually used the hiking boots in the field.

Features to Look For in Day-Hiking Boots

Here is what you need to look for:

* Deep tread in a soft sole for traction.

* Appropriate height (just above the ankle).

* Soft, wide, thick scree collar (the padding around the top that keeps pebbles out without chafing your Achilles tendon).

* Fiberglass shank. Steel is okay, but fiberglass is better in day-hiking boots because it’s lighter. Full-length is preferred, but shorter shanks may be acceptable if you are planning more moderate hiking.

* Tongue attached at least up to the top of the foot, or higher if you plan on crossing streams frequently.

* Crampon attachments (good, but not essential, unless you do a lot of hiking in icy conditions).

* Hooks for the laces above the top of the foot.

* Choose eyelets, D-rings, or webbing for the lower lace attachment points as a matter of personal taste. My experience does not indicate any one to be better than the others for day-hiking boots.

* Good insulation and padding all around, firm on the bottom, with a tough but smooth lining.

* Double stitching on all visible seams.

* More leather and less fabric is better. Split leather is fine (and you’ll almost never find full-grain leather in a day-hiking boot), but not full suede.

* Fewer seams is better.

Most of these features are self-evident, but here are a few techniques for evaluating specific features.

* Tread should be at least two fifths of the total thickness of the sole.

* Measure the softness of the tread surface by pressing your thumbnail into it. You should be able to make a visible indentation that springs out in a second or so.

* Measure the stiffness of the shank by holding the heel in one hand and the toe in the other, and twisting the sole. You should not be able to twist it at all.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid in Hiking Boots

The biggest problem you’re likely to find in shopping for day-hiking boots is cheaply-made “imitation” hiking boots. They look like hiking boots, but they’re not built to stand up to trail conditions. They will not last long, and they will not give you the traction and water resistance you need.

You can tell an “imitation” hiking boot from the real thing by these characteristics:

* Mild tread, less than about two-fifths the thickness of the sole.

* Hard tread surface that you can barely indent with your fingernail.

* Non-attached tongue.

* Non-rigid sole that you can twist by hand.

* No scree collar. There may be patches of leather or a different color of fabric that look like a scree collar, but if it doesn’t have thick, soft padding around the top, it’s not a real hiking boot. It won’t keep the pebbles out, and it might chafe or constrict your Achilles tendon.

Fitting your Hiking Boots

You must fit your hiking boots with any orthopedic inserts, off-the-shelf insoles, and the hiking socks you intend to wear with them. A good rule of thumb is to start with one full size larger than your regular street shoes.

With all the inserts and insoles in place and your hiking socks on, but with no laces in the boot, put the boot on and push your foot all the way forward until your toes touch the front. You should have just enough room behind the heel to slide your finger all the way in.

Next, lace the boot up snugly and walk around. The boots will be stiff and uncomfortable because they’re not broken in, but they should not allow your foot to slide or rub.

Stand on a steep slope with your toes pointing down. (Use the fitting horse where you’re supposed to put your foot to lace the shoe while sitting. Go ahead and stand on it.) You should be able to wiggle your toes, and they should not touch the front of the boots.

If you bought the boots via the Web, do this fit-test as soon as you get them. Even if you think you know your size, boots from different manufacturers might fit differently. Check the size and fit immediately, and return them for a replacement if they don’t fit right.

Conclusion

If you are looking for your first pair of serious hiking boots, you must do your shopping in an outdoor equipment store where you can handle the boots and talk to knowledgeable sales staff. Only if you have some experience with day-hiking boots, take advantage of the bargains available on the Web.

Check for the features that identify a quality hiking boot, and avoid “fake” hiking boots.

Bring all the inserts and socks you will wear with your hiking boots, and check for a firm but comfortable fit with no rubbing or sliding.

Look for quality, and expect to pay for it, but don’t pay more than you have to for features that don’t contribute to the durability and comfort of your hiking boots.

Chuck Bonner is a lifelong hiker and amateur naturalist, and webmaster of http://www.HikingWithChuck.com For more information about hiking boots and other hiking equipment based on many years on the trail, visit [http://www.hikingwithchuck.com/Gear/HikingGear.htm]

Socialisation is so vitally important that it almost outweighs all other considerations. The fear of infections has led breeders and owners alike to make the tragic mistake of keeping their puppies isolated until they have completed their vaccinations. By taking this stance they risk ending up with a fearful, timid dog that may become aggressive in later life, (FACT) “95% of all reported dog bites are fear related”.

Owners should strike a commonsense balance. Puppies, especially from birth through to 16 weeks must be exposed to a variety of experiences including people, places, and meeting other vaccinated dogs (this is perfectly safe). There are many activities and places to take dogs, without endangering their health or their lives. It is vital that you take the time to expose your new pup to as many of these situations as possible. This is especially true for one’s second or third dog; it is too easy to keep the new pup in the company of the older dogs, depriving him of the opportunity to develop self-confidence of his own, without relying totally on the older dog/s and their protection.

There is a vaccination that has been available for two years, where the full course can be administered by ten weeks rather than the normal twelve, therefore allowing two extra vital weeks of socialisation. The vaccine is made by Intervet and is called Nobivac D.H.P.P.I/L. I would discuss this with your Vet, if they don’t supply it ask why?

Having said all that, genetics as well as socialisation ie Nature x Nurture have a major impact on your dog’s ability to cope successfully with life. Some are so solid genetically that whatever life throws at them they just bounce back. I have a little rescue Jack Russell/Dachund cross whose early experiences were so horrific that he should have every hang up in the book, the abuse and injuries suffered by this poor dog included his leg being fractured and snapped out of the hip socket, and all his ribs systematically broken.

Over a period of time and with the ministrations of a fabulous veterinary nurse I was asked to look at his temperament with a view to rehoming. After meeting him and hearing his awful story I decided to treat and rehome him with me. He has now made a full recovery, his confidence has soared, once again he loves and trusts people, his tail a constant blur is testament to his ability to cope with everything life has thrown at him. So despite a traumatic start “the abuse started at four months old” he has overcome this and is now one of the nicest and most loving dogs I have ever owned.

Unfortunately other dogs are not so genetically sound. Even with an ideal environment, early socialisation and the perfect owner. This will not be enough to help these hereditary unstable dogs. Their genetic temperament can and will determine how much improvement in personality and social skills the dog can achieve. It is about time that some breeders came to the realisation that that temperament not looks or conformity should be the main reason for breeding. Not money or accolades!

Don’t expect a 100% cure there is no miracle word or magic wand, and don’t underestimate the amount of work involved. Yes you can create a less fearful and anxiety ridden dog but only to the level that the dog can sustain. The type of owner or trainer that believes that the fearful dog should be thrust headlong into every situation, and that it will desensitise and cure them are I am afraid sadly disillusioned.

The old trick of throwing a child into a swimming pool in the hope it would quickly learn to swim, is now hopefully outdated and outmoded, it achieved nothing except possibly leaving the victim with a lifelong fear of water. Crashing headlong into circumstances the dog cannot cope with will normally produce similar results.

You should also give careful consideration as the whether you want, or indeed have the time the stamina and the patience to treat and work with a dog that has irrational fears and phobias. If you do not possess the above traits, it may be better for both of you to separate and the dog be rehomed with someone that is hopefully experienced with this type of dog, and who has the necessary temperament to deal with a dog that can at the best of times exasperate and at the worst infuriate.

Distance Learning

To gain and improve a dog’s confidence and reduce the level of anxiety and timidity you need to use a consistent, gentle, positive, and measured approach. If you try to speed up the process beyond the capability of the dog, then you will go backwards and your dog’s new found confidence will plummet. Firstly you must work out the distance where your dog feels fearful of a given situation, let’s say it is another dog, then you need to approach the dog with yours on a lead, do not tighten the lead as this will convey your own anxiety to your dog. Watch your dog’s body language as soon as you see any submissive, aggressive or fearful reaction then stop and back up until the dog is relaxed again.

Once you have found the distance that allows the dog to relax then either treat or play with your dog using a favoured toy. What we are looking for is a positive association whereby the dog sees the feared object which could be anything from a vacuum cleaner to a bus. As a matter of interest dogs will not take food when they are fearful or stressed. This is instinctual as the flight mode kicks in, your dog does not want a full stomach when it may need to run away. This can also be used as an indicator of the dog’s state of mind even if there are no outward signs of distress.

Move in stages a little closer to whatever is causing the aggression or fear keep talking and reassuring the dog, you should be aiming to stay at a distance that allows the dog to feel reasonably relaxed. Gradually, over what could be many sessions you should reach the point where the dog will be comfortable, even though he is near to the object that caused the initial fear/reaction. Irrespective of whether it is another dog, place, or object gradual desensitisation should work for all.

Play or Training Therapy

There is an exception to this, if the dog has been recently frightened say by fireworks, you can actually act very blasé and go immediately outside and play with toys such as balls or Frisbees even a training session where you can praise for actions other than the fear this can be done whilst the noise is going on. You may therefore overcome a potential problem immediately.

Why this works is the same principal as for instance flying, the plane suddenly hits a lot of turbulence, watch everyone’s first reactions, they look to the Stewards/Stewardesses to see if they are showing anxiety. If they are calm and acting perfectly normally then our anxiety and fear also dissipates. It is worth trying this tactic when your dog has any negative experience, even though it does not appear too affected, just in case of a potential phobia later on.

Focused Attention

One way of getting your dog to overcome certain fear situations is to gain the dog’s attention with treats, toys or your voice as you walk past whatever is causing the problem. This has a similar effect as using distance because the dog is thinking about something else instead. Therefore the intensity of the fear is reduced.

You will need treats or toys for this method I recommend either cheese, liver, or puffed jerky, do not use treats to lure dogs keep them out of sight till required. Sit next to the dog and call its name, it is even better if you can get a partner or friend to help on the other side, sit the dog between you and your partner or friend and say the dog’s name. If he doesn’t look at you, give his ear a gentle tug to gain his attention so that he turns his head towards you, As soon as this happens praise and treat enthusiastically or play or use a toy, get your partner/friend to do the same and keep repeating back and forth for a few minutes, do this regularly and for the rest of the dogs life, and he/she should always respond enthusiastically whenever his name is mentioned. Never use the dogs name in a negative situation, ie do not scold or punish using his/her name. Once you have got the dog to acknowledge his name then start these exercises:

To start focused attention say the dogs name and move immediately away from the dog when he moves towards and with you PRAISE and TREAT/PLAY immediately you can use a clicker for the praise or a target word, I use the word “good” in these circumstances. Remember to not show the treat until you are ready to give it or it will become part of the command.

When you give the treat try and align it between both yours and the dog’s eyes this will make sure you are making good eye contact after a while you will see the dog making eye contact regularly you can treat this action at this time so as to embed it. Do these sequences at least 4 times in a row, ie name/move/praise/treat. The repetition is what teaches the dog to maintain that attention until you give the release command. The release command can be OK or whatever you choose to use. Practice this everywhere you go including training classes.

What you are looking for by performing these exercises is to tune out outside influences including the ones that are causing a fear or aggressive response. Once you can comfortably perform this exercise use it to move gradually ever closer to the problem you are trying to overcome. Over time you can momentarily release the dogs attention, increase this as you would using the distance technique, if you get a fear response then you have moved too far too fast. And you must go back to where the dog last felt comfortable.

Punishment is not an Option

It is of no use whatsoever punishing the dog for its fearful actions, this only causes more stress and therefore more fearful behaviour, therefore in the case of interdog aggression even more defensive behaviour, remember the dog had really only three choices when confronted with a fearful situation these are commonly listed as the three Fs. Freeze, Flight or Fight. If the first two are found not to work the third one kicks in.

Let’s take the vacuum cleaner as an example. If you had watched your pup from the first time it was confronted by this “demon of the dark abyss” he would more than likely have crouched down as low as possible his body rigid, if the noise and the monster continued the puppy would have run away, probably under a table or a chair and if it came closer it would have growled and snarled probably making darting and biting motions especially when you playfully pushed the Hoover closer to see the pups reaction. Anything ring a bell?

Some pups will be SO traumatised by the noise and the movement of the cleaner that they go into total freeze mode, our initial instinct would be to pick up and cuddle and comfort the frightened puppy. Perfectly natural human behaviour, something is frightened then nurture it. Unfortunately to a dogs mind this indicates that it is being praised for the fear, confirming his need to be fearful. If this happens when to pup is between 8 to 11.5 week old, which is the first of several fear periods throughout the dog’s life, then that fear could be so deep rooted as to be almost impossible to eradicate completely.

Obedience Classes?

Some dogs that are fearful or timid may benefit from a training class especially one that uses positive methods. I, the case of a rescue dog or any adult dog that you have rehomed, I would wait at least six weeks before embarking on this method. Some very fearful dogs may be too nervous for class work until you’ve done some remedial work first. A private trainer or behaviourist should be able to help structure a positive approach to build up confidence in your dog, and also help determine when the dog is capable of class work.

Do not make your dog jump into the deep end at classes or you can go undo all the good work so far. Initially keep the dog on the outer edge of the class and at a distance from anything the dog fears. If you’ve developed focused attention before starting class, then this will be extremely useful for helping the dog relax in these situations. Some dogs may need several visits starting with very short periods at a time before actually participating in the classes. Unfortunately some dogs may never be able to function well enough for this type of remedial work.

What Other Treatments Could Help?

Change of Diet: A good quality food helps in many cases, most cheap food has cereal as filler, this can lead to a lack of serotonin, and low serotonin has been linked to aggression and anxiety. Feeding a good quality dog food has other benefits, it need not be more expensive as you do not require as much to get the same calorific intake, so it works out good value for money, but more importantly you are giving your dog a scientifically developed formula that is best for him or her. The nervous dog who eats a food overly-high in protein or sugar can experience even higher levels of anxiety. Therefore consider switching to a food with slightly lower protein levels.

To check on the level of protein of your dog’s food, look on the back or side of the dog food bag or can, where the percentage of protein will be listed. Levels usually vary from 14% (for aged dogs) all the way up to 25% (for puppies and working dogs). I am not a fan of canned food I find a quality dry all in one food is a much better option,especially with the fearful phobic dog

If a nervous, hyper dog eats food with protein levels at around 22%, for example, consider trying a food with 18-20% protein. Doing so may help calm him down. If done in conjunction with regular exercise and desensitisation program.

These are a number of homeopathic and mainstream drugs that can be used in situations of stress, fear, aggression, barking, and noise aversion etc; these are a few of the ones available:

• Dr Bach’s Flower Remedies: They are made from wild flowers. These gentle remedies are used to help relieve emotional and stress related disturbances in people and animals. The most common one used is Dr Bach’s Rescue Remedy Available Me,Chemist, health food shop or internet

• Skullcap and Valerian: A traditional herbal remedy for the symptomatic relief of anxiety, nervousness, excitability and travel sickness, and an adjunct in the treatment of epilepsy in dogs and cats. Normally supplied in a sugar coated tablet, it helps to calm and relax dogs and cats suffering from, apprehension, phobias or hyperactivity.

Available Me, Chemist, health food shop or internet.

• Clomicalm About 14 per cent of dogs suffer from “separation anxiety” – a fear of being left alone – and Clomicalm claims to deal with the barking and “destructive behaviour”. Its human equivalent is Anafranil, an anti-depressant. Unfortunately the side-effects can include vomiting and diarrhoea.

Available Vets

Clomicalm is a mainstream drug and I would be loath to suggest its use except in extreme cases where a anxiety desensitisation program using perhaps just herbal helpers initially has not worked. It is far better to work on the symptoms that mask them with drugs.

With all the above it is always prudent to discuss any medication with your Vet before embarking on any treatment program

Stan Rawlinson Dip MTCBPT. MPAACT Adip.CCB

Stan is a fully Insured professional Dog Behaviourist and Obedience Trainer, who has owned and worked dogs for over 35 years, starting with gundogs then moving to the behavioural and obedience side of training companion dogs. He has a successful practice covering Greater London, Surrey, Middlesex, Berkshire, Kent, Sussex, Hampshire, Though is available to travel to any location in the UK if required.

Recommended by numerous Vets, Rescue Centre’s, and Charities. He writes articles and comments on behavioural issues and techniques for dog magazines including Our Dogs, Dogs Monthly, Shooting Times, Pet Talk and Pet Owner Magazine. He has acted as a behavioural expert for Disney, Sky, BBC, ITV, and LBC. and has appeared on television, radio and in national newspapers on numerous occasions. He is currently filming for a new eight part series for Television which is due to be aired late autumn/early winter.

He is the Founder Member and current Chairman of PAACT
The Professional Association of Applied Canine Trainers He is also the designer and developer the amazing new training aid The Jingler.

Stan also acts as an expert witness in cases involving the DDA (Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. and lectures and gives practical demonstrations at national and international meetings and symposiums.
He also gives practical demonstrations of his remarkable ability to work with all dogs by taking them out of the audience. He is currently filming for a series on Sky one HD and Sky one called Dogumentary

© Stan Rawlinson
Telephone: 0208 979 2019
Mobile Number: 07976 153161
E-mail:enquiries@doglistener.co.uk
web site http://www.doglistener.co.uk

For many companies, the ability to provide group health insurance to their employees is a huge benefit that hard workers will truly value, especially if they have a family to take care of at home. However, sometimes the task of setting up a group health insurance program can be difficult for many new and smaller companies. Fortunately, a group health insurance broker can be readily and easily used to setup and administer such a program for any company desiring to provide health insurance to their valuable employees.

A reputable group health insurance broker will normally answer any questions a company may have about providing health insurance to the members of their company. For instance did you know that a group health insurance plan will only cover full time employees? Your group health insurance broker is responsible for providing answers to questions similar in nature. In fact, many health insurance companies define a full time worker or employee as someone that works a minimum of 30 hours a week at their place of employment.

In order to qualify for group health insurance a company must have at least 2 full time employees on the payroll. Naturally more is better and a group health insurance broker will advise a prospective company of facts just like this. Additionally at a minimum 50% or more of a company’s full time staff must enroll in the offered group health insurance and coverage provided by the company. There are additional rules and regulations to follow when it comes to adding dependants and newborn children to an existing health insurance plan that covers an individual as part of a group.

When it comes to the cost of a group health insurance plan a broker will inform you that the company is required to provide or pay at least half of the health insurance premium for their full time employees. In most cases they are not required to cover any of the expenses associated with providing health insurance for an employees dependants.

One of the best benefits a group health insurance broker can provide assistance to a company with is the proper administration of their health insurance policy. Generally speaking it normally takes about a week for a health insurance provider to review any group health care plans submitted by a company hoping to obtain health insurance for it’s workers. Sometimes this waiting period can drag on, especially if there is a multitude of paperwork that needs to be completed in order to obtain the health coverage.

Clearly, in the case such as the one mentioned above a knowledgeable group health insurance broker is worth their weight in gold as they can be tasked to properly prepare all of the administrative paperwork needed to complete the group health care coverage application. Their knowledge and expertise can also be used to handle or field any questions during the insurance underwriting process, which can sometimes be a very complex procedure.

As you can see the difficult process of setting up a group health insurance plan or coverage for the full time employees of a company can easily be managed and controlled with the helpful assistance of a group health insurance broker.

Quickly find more money saving health insurance tips and information on how a group health insurance broker can help you by visiting GoodHealthCoverage.com a website created by Sharlene Raven, a respected webmaster whose site specalizes in providing health insurance information you can trust.

Anyone with the slightest interest in cooking would ultimately wish to become a professional in the field. What better way to learn than from well-known professionals themselves? There was a time when ladies were required to attend expensive finishing schools to acquire skills in gourmet cooking. Today, they have been replaced by gourmet cooking magazines which can provide everything that one needs!

The trick here is to get hold of just the perfect gourmet cooking magazine for you, because all may not prove to be equally satisfying though each one does provide some great ideas to cook wonderful meals and also gives a peep into insider tips. In fact, some of them are more advertisement-based than content-based. The one that you require should go into the details of cooking and convey information that will prove very useful to you.

Basically, how would you find the gourmet cooking magazine useful for you?

(1) Information about supplies needed for gourmet cooking is provided here. There would be advertisements indicating where good supplies can be found. Maybe you could purchase them through the gourmet cooking magazine itself. Who knows, you may have never known about them otherwise, you being a novice to the art still!

(2) A professional cook would also find the gourmet cooking magazine useful since the latest cooking methodology along with new gadgets on the market are displayed in it. The prices are also given.

(3) Beginner or professional, there are directions provided on the usage of supplies and gadgets presented here, along with tips on how they can be used to enhance your cooking skills.

(4) Not only supplies, but a choice of recipes is presented in a gourmet cooking magazine. There are old recipes, as well as fresh and new ones, including preparation of sauces, jams, etc. Tips on getting that sauce or jam just perfect are also provided. Hence, you slowly get to increase your bundle of recipes. To be noted is the fact that the recipes presented in the magazine are those used by professional chefs.

(5) Whether you are a beginner or a professional, cooking is always a continuous learning process. Articles on “how to” cook in 100% gourmet style are presented. Sometimes, they come in a series, making it easy to acquire the necessary knowledge step-by-step. Yes, the process is not easy and takes time, but with practice and guidance, you will become perfect!

Now that you are aware of what is meant by a great gourmet cooking magazine, the next question is – where can I find such a magazine?

Just do some scouting on the Internet. There are many magazines offered. Go through their reviews, select the right one for yourself, and subscribe to it. Some of them are designed very attractively! An additional advantage is online tutorials for learning and forums for discussion that are offered with the magazine, along with good discounts on products.

About this Author

Abhishek is really passionate about Cooking and he has got some great Cooking Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 88 Pages Ebook, “Cooking Mastery!” from his website http://www.Cooking-Guru.com/770/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.

Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Abhishek_Agarwal

It is a sad truth. No one wants to read your resume. Hiring managers would absolutely love it if they didn’t have to read another resume for the remainder of their careers. Why? Reading resumes is boring. Well, that statement needs to be qualified a bit. Most resumes are boring to read. Some resumes are amusing with their erroneous mistakes and unusually worded assertions.

Even though no one wants to read your resume – or anyone else’s – resumes do get read each and every day because that is the way people most often get jobs. Employers match their needs with the qualifications of a variety of job applicants via a resume.

It is a tedious process and it is ultimately flawed.

Even with the use of computer scanners and keyword recognition software, subjectivity eventually plays into the equation and one resume is discarded while another one is kept. We are human and by nature we make decisions based on our experience and knowledge. Sometimes those decisions result in bringing in awesome human talent to a company’s human resource base. Other times, the decision is based on flawed information, bias or lack of understanding about the position or the individual.

In addition, consider a perfectly qualified candidate who does not have the appropriate keywords or enough of the right keywords in his or her resume. That resume never makes it past the scanning process even though the individual could very well be the best person for the job.

The goal of computer software is to take the human aspect of scanning resumes and make it easier and less subjective. Unfortunately, it, too, is flawed as it cannot ensure the best candidates are actually chosen to be looked at more carefully. It merely selects individuals based on a set parameter of options – entered by humans – and searched for on resumes.

It still boils down to: No one wants to read your resume. Reading resumes is time consuming. It is tedious. While the resume software assists in selecting resumes to be read in depth, it still does not work as well as human eyes, human knowledge and human intuition. It still allows for resumes to squeak through simply because they are loaded with the right keywords, while other resumes which are not laden with such jargon or keyword-rich content are discarded regardless of the actual qualifications of the candidate.

The best any of us can do is to create outstanding resumes. Does that go completely against the title of this article? It sure seems to. No one wants to read your resume. In truth, though, it is BECAUSE no one wants to read your resume that you MUST make it as professional and perfectly crafted as possible.

How? Read everything you can on the subject of resume-writing. The links at the bottom of this article take you to a web site that is loaded with outstanding information about writing a professional resume and there is no charge for any of that information. Read as much as you can so that you have the best possible understanding of the kind of resume format suits your situation best, the errors to avoid and the various ways to add impact to your words.

Even though no one wants to read your resume, it will get read. It will get scanned. You have to make sure it works for you and not against you.

Carla Vaughan, Owner/Webmaster Professional-Resume-Example.com

Carla is the owner of Professional-Resume-Example.com, a web site devoted to assisting candidates in the job-search process. She holds a B.S. in Business from Southern Illinois University and has authored several books.

For more information about writing Professional Resumes, follow this link to: Resume Examples

Myth 1: Marketing is a cost, not an investment

When you spend time and money randomly on marketing, then it probably is an expense because you’re not generating a return on the resources invested in it. Many people make the mistake of emulating the marketing tactics of large companies (such as image advertising) that just don’t produce good returns for small businesses. The fact of the matter is that small businesses have to produce BETTER marketing than large businesses because they can’t afford to make mistakes by dropping hundreds or even thousands of pounds/dollars onto campaigns that don’t work. What often happens is that business owners spend lots of money on ineffective campaigns, then erroneously conclude that marketing is an expense, or not worth doing at all.

However, the secret to marketing success is to create a marketing system. A system of activities, strategies, tactics and automation that reliably and predictably create measurable results and positive ROI. I call this the “marketing slot machine”. It’s a slot machine that for every £1/$1 you put in, you get £1.50, or £2 or £5 or more back out. Once you’ve created this system (which requires a small amount of experimentation and testing), you should be able to turn it on and off at will, and invest as much as you can to gain maximum returns.

Myth 2: Marketing is expensive

Marketing is only expensive (and therefore an expense rather than an investment) when it is either unaccountable or ineffective. There are myriad ways to market you business inexpensively that are highly effective, once you know how. The key is to understand the elements or variables that go into each activity or campaign, and how they affect the ultimate outcome. This is where most people go wrong, and that’s why their marketing fails to produce the results that they’d hoped for. Often the message is weak or confusing, it’s being sent to the wrong people, or they fail to follow up. Get the formula right, and marketing can be very inexpensive – I spend less than £100 per month on marketing and I’m getting great results.

Myth 3: Marketing means I have to be pushy and salesy

Good marketing, done the right way is neither pushy nor salesy. It’s a complete myth that pushy, “gift of the gab” people make the best sales people. Why? Because they spend most of the time talking about themselves or their products and then manipulating people into buying from them. Whilst this used to work, and still does occasionally, it often results in buyers remorse and a general sense of uneasiness on the part of the buyer. Much of the time it creates resistance and a feeling of wanting to run for the hills – have you ever felt like that?

Ironically, the best marketers and salespeople are those who listen. They listen to what potential clients are saying and see if there’s a match between what they offer and what the buyer needs. They build relationships and educate their prospects about how they can help them. The art is to get in front of people who have demonstrated a need or want for what you offer, and who will gladly learn more about what you do and how you can help them.

Myth 4: Marketing produces instant results

Some people believe that if they keep running their adverts/campaigns that they’ll “increase their profile”, and somehow, magically one day, a stampede of clients will come rushing to their door. I don’t subscribe to that theory, because I believe that all marketing should produce a measurable result that can be observed in a fairly short time frame. If you’re marketing efforts are not producing obvious, tangible results then you need to look at the elements that aren’t working.

Having said that, marketing is not something you can usually achieve overnight success in. It’s somewhat like rolling a snowball down a hill – there’s a cumulative effect and momentum increases over time. To create the cumulative effect and momentum requires sustained and consistent effort. Marketing isn’t something you do occasionally, and then put on the back burner. It’s something that you need to do constantly, bit by bit, in the same way that a sportsperson needs to train every day to be good enough for the Olympics.

Myth 5: Once my diary is full, I can stop marketing

It’s human nature that once you’ve got some well-paying work you feel rather pleased with yourself, and focus most of your time on servicing your new clients. However, if you have a sales cycle that’s usually more than a couple of weeks long, then you’re going to come a cropper once the project finishes. Because if you don’t continue to do your marketing whilst you’re working on the project, then at the end of the project you may find that your sales pipeline is empty and you have to start up your marketing all over again. It may then be a number of weeks before people start to progress down your sales pipeline towards actually doing business with you. This is what is commonly referred to as the “feast and famine” syndrome.

If you prefer to avoid these peaks and troughs of income producing activity, then you need to think about how you can do a little bit of marketing on a consistent basis. Even better – create a marketing system that easily and reliably entices prospects into your sales pipeline without huge amounts of effort from you.

Myth 6: My business is small, so I don’t need a marketing plan

I tried some marketing plan software once. It asked me a lot of questions about market share, mission statements plus product, price, promotion and place. Great fun, if your mind likes to chew on such imponderables. As a graduate of a business studies degree I knew exactly what it was referring to, but had no idea how that was useful to a small business. And guess what – that’s because it isn’t!

No wonder then, that most small businesses don’t have written marketing plans, when traditional style marketing plans seem convoluted and esoteric. However, this doesn’t mean that a marketing plan in your head is any better. The question is whether this results in any organised activity.

And to me, that’s the essence of a marketing plan – a blueprint for organising your marketing activities. It doesn’t have to be high-falutin’ or fancy, or be filled with marketing-jargon, but what it does need to do is focus resources on specific action steps that need to be taken to achieve specific goals. There’s a world of difference between carrying ideas around in your head, and writing them down into an organised plan of action.

If you don’t have a written marketing plan, then I urge you to consider this: research suggests that businesses that create a written marketing plan increase their revenue by about 30% after having created one.

Myth 7: External marketing help is expensive

If you enlist the help of what I refer to as “traditional” marketing consultants, then it probably is expensive. You’re probably looking at thousands down in one shot, rather than hundreds and probably no guarantees of success. It’s quite possibly a stark choice between taking the family on holiday, or paying for your PR or marketing consultant.

If giving up your family holiday doesn’t appeal, then you may choose to go down the route of taking training courses, reading books, attending seminars, enrolling on e-courses and all manner of other self-study options. The problem with all of this, is that there is rarely any hands-on, customised support for you and your business. And, there’s no accountability – or as I like to say – a friendly kick in the pants to keep you on track. It may also take you quite literally years of trial and error to find out what works for your business. And that’s assuming that you even implement what you’ve learnt, which, sadly, most people don’t.

However, a new alternative has emerged in recent years – marketing mentoring or coaching. Rather than paying thousands to have a marketing consultant do it all for you, or struggling up the learning curve by yourself, you now have the option to work with a coach or mentor who can advise you, guide you and show you how to do your marketing for yourself. Plus they’ll make sure you stay on track. If attracting more clients is important to you, and you haven’t yet created your own “marketing slot machine” then I highly recommend you find a marketing coach who will help you create a marketing system that works for you.

Copyright 2005 Attractioneering

Jane Hendry helps professionals, consultants and coaches to create marketing systems that easily and consistently attract their ideal clients. To get your free Attraction Marketing Starter Kit please visit [http://getclients.co/]

Techniques to Pick the Best Hiking Boots

Why go to a lot of trouble selecting the best hiking boots? Because they are your Feet, yes your feet. If you are going hiking, that means countless steps. Probably the most important part of your body to keep strong during a hike will be your feet. In the event you cannot walk, you can’t get home.

Your boots are the foremost critical element which affects the enjoyment of hiking. For this reason you should pick the best hiking boots for your needs. If you have some boots which are not comfortable or are made for the improper outdoor adventure, it might spoil the entire trip.

Another thing to consider is the fact these boots are to last for a long while, so don’t just get a boot because it’s discounted. Try out the best set of boots to suit your needs. Don’t skimp on your hiking boots. You could regret it when it’s too late and you are a long way in your hike.

Selecting the most appropriate hiking boots for your feet can be confusing, however here’s some advice making it simple.

Your Hiking Boot Buying Process

Above all, you need to try on the boots. I know this sounds like a “duh” moment, still trying it on in a store and making sure their comfort is essential for an enjoyable hike. How can you tell if your boot is actually a perfect fit?

• Test boot styles in the afternoon. Your foot usually swells throughout the day.
• Bring your socks that you will be normally planning to use. Correct fit depends on having the actual socks.
• Put the boots on and lace them snugly (but do not over fasten them so much that you’re hurting your hands, that is much too tight). Stand and try and raise your heel. Your heel ought to rise a maximum of 1/8″. A lot of heel movement suggests too much friction.
• Tighten the laces plus locate a solid target to kick the toe of the boot into, like a post or ground. Kick the object twice. If you find the toes slam into the front of the boot, subsequently the boots are not fitting properly. On a steep downhill trek, the toes can get a beating plus it can cause difficulty with the toe nails or feet. The toes should push close to the front of the boot on the third or even 4th kick, but never slam. Various methods you can look at in case your toes are crushed could be to change socks, re-lace the boots or maybe test a different set of boots.
• A number of locations have a ramp you’ll be able to walk up and down on to help you determine if they are suitable. Utilize it. Trails are not flat, utilize the tools while in the store to recognize the best hiking boots for your feet.
• Assuming you have time (and you should have time for this particular decision) walk around the store. The additional time you can spend in the boots, the better you will know if they fit correctly.
• Before you buy your boots, make certain you may return them. Some stores are good with regards to enabling you to return them if you have only worn them inside and not had them for a lengthy period of time. Check the return procedure before you leave.
• After you have bought your boots, they have to be broken in. (Do not head directly out to a 10 mile trail with new boots!) Put on the boots around the house, take quick walks around your neighborhood. When they appear to fit well, you will be able to use them on a simple day hike. The objective is to get the boots to form to your feet.

Cash Keeping Suggestion: If you’re money-conscience then try the boots on in the store, pick one you truly want and then purchase that identical style on the web for a lot less.

Care and Cleaning

• Make sure that you align the tongue each and every time you put your boots on. This inhibits the tongue from sagging and developing wrinkles. Wrinkles in the tongue contribute to blisters and rubbing.
• Make sure you read the care of the boots. Treat them if necessary to make a water resistant seal. If they’re leather and they end up getting soaked, let them dry out slowly. Don’t set them in front of a fireplace, this can cause breaking of the leather. Open them up each night on the trail as well as after a hike to allow them to air. Also, before putting them away until the next hike, clean them based on the manufacturer’s recommendations. Get any grime off them to help prolong their life. This can be done using a bristle brush. Care for the leather with saddle soap, let them air dry and then put on a sealer or wax.

When Purchasing the Best Hiking Boots For You, Keep These Things in Mind:

Materials used:

1. Leather: Stronger and water repellent. Heavier than synthetic. Generally intended for longer hikes having a full back pack.
2. Synthetic: Lighter in weight weight than leather, unfortunately shows wear more.
3. Waterproof materials: Several boots offer a waterproof membrane that’s attached to the inside of the boot. (such as Gore-Tex ®)

Hiking Style:

1. Day Hikes having a couple of containers of drinking water in a fanny pack.
2. Over Night Hikes with a small pack.
3. Several Day Hikes with a 40 to 50 pound backpack.

Boot Cut:

1. Low Cut: Good for more level terrain, shorter hikes. Not really a lot of ankle support.
2. Mid Height: Additional ankle support, can be used for limited multi-day hikes using a lighter in weight pack.
3. High Cut: Traditionally the most rugged and durable boot. Great for lengthy multi-day hikes with a heavy duty pack.

Day Hike / Low Cut Boots

A Low Cut Boot would be the best hiking boot for day hikes. These could be used on a day time hike with level ground. You would have a small-scale day pack or even a fanny pack with a couple bottles of drinking water. Also, the trail shouldn’t have a great deal of gravel, since it could get in between your sock and the boot. These kinds of boots can also be water proof and are made of synthetic or synthetic/leather blend.

Extended Day or even Shorter Multi-Day Hike / Mid Cut Boots

The best hiking boots for a longer hike would be the mid cut. Mid Cut is good for more challenging inclines and they’ve got more ankle support. The majority are water-proof and are available in synthetic or a synthetic/leather combination. They perform a somewhat better job of keeping out gravel and pebbles and will provide you with more stability on muddy trails. These boots have sufficient support for using a lighter, small backpack.

Mountaineering or Long Multi-Day Hike / High Cut Boots

High Cut Boots tend to be the best hiking boots for the serious hiker. They come in Leather or Leather/synthetic blend. They’re a very strong boot with a lot of ankle support designed to be worn using a weighty pack. They may also be used with crampons for snow. They are unquestionably designed for the most demanding terrain.

Additionally: It is great to have the Perfect Hiking Boots, but what happens when your laces break?

It’s important to have a spare pair of laces on the trail. The laces must be made for boots and not shoes. I would suggest a round instead of a flat style lace, these tend to last longer. The support that laces provide is very important to a comfortable hike.

Every hiking boot needs a good boot insole. Insoles do wear out with time. Make sure that your insole continues giving you the right padding.

Remember; protect your feet with the proper hiking boots. They will appreciate you by the end of the day.

I’m hoping that this report has been helpful in choosing the best hiking boots for you.

Get the best hiking checklist on the web for FREE. Go to Hiking Revealed.com to pick it up today.

If you enjoyed this article and want to keep up to date on hiking and backpacking, check out Hiking Revealed.com. This website is packed full of information on hiking equipment and trail reviews.

Remember to sign up and get your FREE Hiking Checklist today!

The percentage of US households owning a pet has risen from 56% in 1988 to 62% in 2008, according to the figures provided by the American Pet Products Association or APPA. The growth in the number of households is accompanied by increased spending on pet supplies and other items. The US households are expected to spend $50.84 billion on their pets in 2011. This amount includes expenditure on food items, supplies, over the counter medicines, vet care, cost of purchasing and grooming pets. Taking care of a pet involves expenditure on buying a wide range of pet supplies which includes foods, clothes, medicines etc.

Need for Pet Supplies

Pets are just like any other family member and need a lot of supplies which include food items, medicines, clothes or houses, shampoos and soaps for washing etc. Every pet owner likes to provide the best of supplies to his/her pet. This means buying the best quality of food and other products to ensure that the pet remains healthy and grows according to its age. The best way to buy good quality pet supplies is to get in touch with specialized pharmacies that deal in household products.

According to statistics quoted by the he American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the average cost of basic food, supplies, medical care and training for a dog or a cat is $700 to $875 annually. You can buy good quality pet supplies at discounted prices from varied online pharmacies that focus on selling supplies of all types and all price ranges.

Types of Pet Supplies

Whether you have a cat or a dog or horse or any other animal as household, you will need to buy certain basic essential food and other items on a regular basis. In addition products that help you to groom and train your pets are also essential. Several types of innovative supplies are available in the market and are aimed at making it easier to take good care of your pet.

While some pet supplies are common to all animals, there are others which are specific to certain animals. supplies can be generally categorized into:

• Training products
• Grooming products
• Essential food items
• Feeding and Water containers
• Cleaning products
• Food supplements
• Pet Carriers and Houses
• Pet Toys and Beds
• Health Care products
• Books and CDs on grooming pets
• Pet Clothes and Collars

Apart from these pet supplies, you are bound to spend on vet visits and pet medicines to treat some common allergies and infections. Medicines to treat common problems like fever, itchiness, hair loss, ticks, cancer, rabies, dysentery, tumors, worms etc can be treated by buying branded or generic medicines from a pet pharmacy.

Buying pet supplies from a specialized shop or pharmacy is highly beneficial because their staff can advise you about the right type of products. You can also check about the usefulness or the efficacy of a household product chosen by you. These pharmacies also guide you about the dosage and the right procedure to use a medicine or a treatment for your pet.

You can save your spending on pets by buying pet supplies from an established supplier of pet products and veterinary medications. The best way to get great deals on these supplies is by ordering online.

Sports cars are available for sale through dealers and auctions, and on the Internet. Auctions often advertise bargain prices, which they call wholesale rates. Many such prices are bait to attract unsuspecting customers, who end up paying extras like taxes, money for the fuel already in the car, valet charges and more. Therefore, it is better to exercise a little caution before going in for such ‘deals.’ You can help yourself by checking out the auction company’s credibility, making inquiries about the car’s price at other places, examining the car for defects, finalizing a budget for yourself, and familiarizing yourself with the auction procedure by attending other auctions.

If you choose to buy from a dealer you must conduct some research prior to visiting the showroom. Find out about the car, other dealers who may be offering a better price, and other factors. Test-drive the car before you decide to buy it. Do not discuss your finances with the dealer; it would suffice to inform him how much you are willing to pay. Take advantage of finance schemes and make sure to get details of extras that come with the car, such as free gifts or warranties. Once you reach the price that you are comfortable with, don’t bargain further in the hope of a better offer.

Many sports cars are bought and sold on the Internet these days. Websites feature attractive specs, pictures and reviews of sports cars to attract customers. Shortlist advertisements give complete details about the car, mode of payment, conditions of sale and other information. Avoid advertisements that are vague on details. Examine the seller’s record on the site; if possible, speak to one of his previous customers. Try to arrange for a test drive and a viewing of the car before you pay for it.

These are just a few important pointers that will help you make a good purchase, so that you can really enjoy your newly purchased sports car.

Sports Cars provides detailed information on Sports Cars, Exotic Sports Cars, Classic Sports Cars, Sports Cars for Sale and more. Sports Cars is affiliated with SUV Vans.

Has a new puppy recently become a member of your family? Puppies are born with instincts, but not with the knowledge of how to behave. Therefore, it is necessary to teach your new puppy appropriate behaviors and also some fun tricks. You can try to do this yourself or you can enlist the help of a dog school.

There are many different types of dog schools available. What dog school would be the best for your dog? Things to consider when searching for a dog school include: the age of your dog, the breed, the personality, and what it is that you want your dog to learn.

Let’s focus first on what you want your dog to learn. Do wish to have your dog learn basic obedience commands such as “sit” and “stay”? Do you want to learn practice drills you can do with your dog at home such as keeping them from begging for food at the dinner table? Then local dog schools will best meet your needs.

Local dog schools can be found at community colleges, city recreation centers, through pet stores, and even through private dog schools. You can opt to take a group class with up to twenty other dogs. These types of dog schools are often less expensive and meet in a local park. They meet once or twice week for a few weeks. You can have fun teaching your dog new commands as well as let them socialize with fellow dogs.

Local dog schools can offer more advanced dog training classes as well. Perhaps your dog has mastered the basic commands and you want to teach them how to hold a piece of food on their nose for a specified amount of time and then flip it into their mouth. You can find dog schools that have fun, exciting advanced classes where you and your dog can bond.

You may consider having your dog compete in dog shows. Maybe you purchased your dog from an established breeder that has determined your dog has champion DNA in their pedigree. If so then you should look into more in depth dog schools that are focused specifically and dog handling/showing. You can find these through breeders and the American Kennel Club. You can search for dog training materials and resources on the American Kennel Club website at:

http://akc.org/

On a different note, maybe you want your dog to become a service dog or guide dog for the blind. Dogs that perform these jobs have to go to specific guide dog training schools. These special dog schools are necessary because there are very detailed requirements and commands that a guide dog must learn. These types of dog schools will also provide the support, knowledge, and training necessary to make your dog a successful guide dog.

There are many guide and service dog schools around the world to train your dog. You can find these schools through your breeder, groomer, and veterinarian. You can also find information about these dog schools through the Internet. A comprehensive listing is available by Wolf Packs – List of Service Dog Schools and Information. You can find this on their website at: http://wolfpacks.com/serviced.htm/

Once you have determined what you want your dog to learn then you can narrow down your search of dog schools by taking into account your dog’s age, personality, and breed. Do you have a young puppy that is large like a Great Dane? Or do you have tiny new Bichon Frise that weighs in at only 4 pounds? Find out the type of dogs that are allowed into the dog training class.

Will the dog training class be filled with many large dogs that might scare your little Bichon Frise? Or are there dog classes available that are separated by age and weight? It is a good idea to be aware of this information before you sign your dog up for classes. You want to provide them the best experience possible and not have them cower when it is time to head to dog class each week.

Another consideration when choosing between dog schools is the amount of one-on-one attention. Is your dog very active and can’t sit still during group training sessions? Many dog schools offer private classes. Sometimes the dog trainer will even come to your home to give you and your pooch lessons.

Picking among dog schools is also reliant upon the price and schedule flexibility of the classes. Run a price and schedule comparison on dog schools in your area. This will help you to discover a dog school that fits your schedule, your dog’s personality, and meets your budget.

Choosing between dog schools is an important decision that will set your dog on the path to obedience success. Take your time and choose wisely so that both you and your canine buddy have a memorable, enjoyable dog training experience.

Visit the dog [http://www.dog-breeds-infosite.com] website to research dog breeds & get free tips on dog training, dog health, dog grooming & how to find dog sitters & dog walkers.

Fear of Public Speaking has been rated as the #1 fear in America and has been rated in the top ten fears in “The Book of Lists”. It’s even topped death in some surveys. It manifests itself in many situations, and for people from all walks of life. Fear of public speaking is only one of a group of anxiety related illnesses known as social phobia but it is probably the one that affects most people.

Fear of public speaking can effect your career development, since it’s almost impossible to be successful in business without have speaking to a large group at some point. Public speaking phobia is all too common in professional and social arenas and tackling your nerves may seem like a difficult task.

Anxiety

You can overcome the fear of public speaking, provided you develop a plan based on three basic ideas. Accept the fact that you have a fear of public speaking; make up your mind to work with it rather than to fight it; and learn proper presentation techniques. A good public speaking training course should address not only the basics concerns over nerves and anxiety, but will examine the reasons behind the fear, and help you with your individual needs. Remember that it is normal to experience some degree of anxiety when engaging in public speaking and that a certain amount of arousal actually facilitates performance. It’s perfectly normal to be nervous and feel afraid or anxious when speaking in public.

Skills

Increase your confidence and develop stage presence skills by taking courses in speech communication, drama, and theater. Consider joining a local chapter of Toastmasters. Toastmasters International groups hold meetings where people develop and practice speech and communication skills. Members give speeches in various lengths and topics and other members give constructive criticism. The clubs are built around acceptance, and the members have various skill levels. The other benefit besides conquering your phobia of public speaking is that these clubs hone leadership skills as well.

Practice

The three most important words to remember is practice, practice, and practice. Public speaking is a learned skill, developed much like other skills, such as playing the piano or painting: over time, with practice and some guidance. Practicing in front of your friends will help you get comfortable speaking to a group of people. Here a few more practice tips.

1. Practice speaking at the correct volume for the crowd and room size.
2. Practice the ending just as much as you do the beginning.
3. Practice with any visuals you intend to use.
4. Practice your speech in front of a full length mirror.
5. Practice giving your speech to a group of stuffed animals. Don’t laugh it works!

The more you practice your speech, the more easily the words will flow, and the less you will have to rely on your notes.

Confidence

Develop a confident and relaxed state of mind when preparing to speak. Your audience should only see the relaxed, confident, professional you. If you give your body the signal that you are a confident public speaker by taking the stance of a confident presenter, your emotions and mind will follow. As the host introduces you, the audience will see how confident you are before you even before open your mouth. Tell yourself, “I am going to speak loudly and confidently.” Concentrate on projecting your voice and coming across as confident and cool.

Remember these tips the next time you have to speak before an audience and your fear of public speaking will lessen each time you repeat the process. Don’t let the fear of public speaking stop your career path, develop the public speaking skills, practice, and become a confident public speaker today.

Jim Best is an entrepreneur, speaker, and owner of the site, BestPublicSpeaking.com. Read more about overcoming the fear of public speaking [http://www.bestpublicspeaking.com], sales presentation techniques, and Power Point tips at www.bestpublicspeaking.com [http://www.bestpublicspeaking.com].

Thinking of traveling with your pet internationally? Here are the TOP TEN international destinations to travel with your pet, and information that will make entering these countries easy and without quarantine.

We are also including information that will help you pass through immigration with ease if you are visiting another country. Keep in mind that this information is subject to change. You can always send an email to Pet Travel inquiring about the latest requirements for travel to an international destination with your pet.

The travel industry knows that pets mean profits. The airlines also want your business as many as 95% of the world’s airlines will now transport your pet. If your dog or cat is small enough you can even take it in the cabin with you on many airlines.

The grand cities of Europe are all very pet friendly. Here are four countries and cities that deserve to be on the top ten list.

Belgium, France, Switzerland and Italy are four of the most pet friendly countries we have visited. Traveling with your pet in Europe is easy as there are no longer any borders, so you can travel freely. Distances are small between the cities and even between countries. Getting around is easy as almost all European trains, buses and ferries accept pets on board.

PARIS is easily the most pet friendly city we have visited in Europe. You can dine at any of the thousands of sidewalk cafes in Paris, and you will see pets sitting by their masters or under the tables in nearly all of them. What’s more, in this the city of lights well behaved pets can dine inside the restaurant with their owners.

On a Sunday morning you will see well-dressed men and women walking with their very well-groomed pets on a leash out for a Sunday stroll and headed for the nearby park.

Visit the Montmartre district where artists have set up their easels on the sidewalk. For a few francs an artist will create an original painting of your favorite pet.

Immigration into France: To take your pet into France from the United States, Canada, or Mexico, you need just three things. Your pet must be micro chipped with an ISO 15 digit microchip, be vaccinated for rabies, and have the EU form of a veterinary health certificate for France. The immigration officer will just pass you through.

LAKE LUCERNE in Switzerland is well known for its beauty and the quality of its skiing. Rent a chalet for you and your pet near the lifts and you will have a great ski vacation. Just down the street will be a sidewalk cafe with a pet under nearly every table. If your pet does not have a thick coat, you will want to purchase it a nice warm coat to wear.

While visiting Switzerland you will want to see the famous banking capital of Zurich. But Zurich is famous for more than banks it is the home to many of the famous watch makers and chocolatier’s.

Switzerland is one of those countries where pets are just a part of everyday life. Due to its location it is just a short drive in a rental car or by train to either France or Italy.

Immigration into Switzerland: To take your pet into Switzerland from the United States, Canada, or Mexico, you need just three things. Your pet must be micro chipped with an ISO 15 digit microchip, be vaccinated for rabies and have the EU form of a veterinary health certificate for Switzerland. The immigration officer will just pass you through.

BRUSSELS is also on our list of top ten destinations. Although your pet may not be welcome in the museums, it will be welcome almost everywhere else. This is a walking city, and if you stayed for a month you would never run out of different places to visit with your pet. There are magnificent parks everywhere, take a walk through the famous antique flea markets, or stroll into Belgium’s past at Cinquantenaire Park.

Have you ever ridden a Segway? They look like an oversized skate board with a handle and an electric motor. Brussels is famous for the availability of these little devices that will scoot you around the city at a speed suitable for your pet to run alongside.

Brussels is also known for its exotic night life but you will need to hire a pet sitter as pets are not allowed in the night clubs.

Immigration into Belgium: To take your pet into Belgium from Mexico you need just three things. Your pet must be micro chipped with an ISO 15 digit microchip, be vaccinated for rabies and have the EU form of a veterinary health certificate for Belgium. The immigration officer will just pass you through.

MADRID is one of Europe’s oldest cities and worthy of a ranking in our top ten pet friendly places to visit. This is a city of plazas with fountains and statues everywhere. Spaniards love their pets, and they will love yours too if it is well behaved and friendly.

Take your pet on a walk to the Plaza Mayor the so-called “aristocratic centre” of Madrid, home to the stunning Royal Palace, a 17th century monument that combines Baroque and Classical styles. Next to the palace you can find the Plaza de Oriente (square), the Opera House and the modern Almudena Cathedral, consecrated in 1993 by Pope John Paul II.

Another option while visiting Spain is the beautiful Costa del Sol with beautiful white sand beaches running as far as the eye can see. And yes, your pet will be welcome on most of the beaches in the area so if you have a water dog, they will have a chance to sample the warm waters of the Mediterranean.

Immigration into Spain: To take your pet into Spain from the United States, Canada, or Mexico, you need just three things. Your pet must be micro chipped with an ISO 15 digit microchip, be vaccinated for rabies and have the EU form of a veterinary health certificate for Spain. The immigration officer will just pass you through.

The hotels in Europe are much more likely to make your pet welcome as it is such a common practice to take ones pet along on holiday. Or, you can book a lovely home or apartment, which are readily available if you are staying for a week or longer.

PLAYA DEL CARMEN in Mexico is a great destination for the lover of brilliant blue waters and white sand.

My little Shih Tzu named Ruggles and I lived there for a while, and there was virtually no place he was not welcome. If you need exercise there is a small partially outdoor gym where Ruggles would lie in the shade and wait for me. Down at the beach were dozens of small patio restaurants where Ruggles and I would share lunch.

On at least one occasion, we took the deluxe inter-city bus from Playa Del Carmen to Cancun. Ruggles occupied the seat next to me. Not sure if it was legal but no one said a word about it either way.

Nearby by are the Mayan Temples of Chichen-Itza. I do not believe that pets are allowed inside the grounds.

Within two or three kilometers are several caves with underground pools of water. I saw several pets during my visit to these caves.

COSTA RICA is a popular destination for traveling pet owners. Going through customs with your pet is little more than a wave of the hand. If you are looking for exciting gambling and night life, then San Jose is the place for you. There are plenty of pet friendly hotels in the city.

Most people who visit Costa Rica head for the rural areas where tall trees, beautiful birds and magnificent waterfalls are around every corner. Of course, don’t forget the rain forest where the brilliant blue butterflies flitter about the lush vegetation. Accommodations in these areas are less elegant but you will find several who will welcome you and your pet.

Immigration:

To enter pet friendly Costa Rica you will need a certificate of good health indicating that your pet if free from disease and has been properly vaccinated. Dogs must be vaccinated for rabies, distemper, hepatitis, lestospirosis, and parovirus, and cats must be vaccinated for rabies.

Rounding out our top ten favorite pet friendly destinations, we travel to the United States. You can bring your pet into the US with only a health certificate stating that it is healthy and has been vaccinated for rabies.

KEY WEST is probably the most pet friendly city in the States. This small town can only be called “laid back” where life goes at slower place. Your pet will be welcome in virtually every hotel, bed and breakfast and motel in the city. Every restaurant has an outdoor dining area where your pet will be welcome and some restaurants even allow small well behaved pets inside.

I visited the city a few years ago and while Ruggles and I were out for a walk I stopped in front of a somewhat elegant restaurant. I was studying the menu and the maitre de came out to speak to me. I asked if Ruggles would be welcome and his response was: does he like beef or chicken?

THE BIG APPLE – NEW YORK deserves a place on our list. It seems that everyone living in this bustling city has a pet. There are so many that the pet walkers will each have six or eight at one time on leashes out for their morning stroll. Sunday in Central park is doggie heaven. Your pet will meet and greet a hundred other pets during your stroll. Then you can stop at one of the outdoor cafes for “coffee and a roll”.

This is also the city for the elegant hotel and nowhere is pets more welcome than in an elegant hotel. The higher the price of the room, the more welcome the pet. However, there is a wide range of places where your pet will be welcome. Pet Travel lists over a hundred hotels that welcome pets.

A few years ago Ruggles and I stayed at one of the nicer hotels on Central Park. Late in the afternoon I went down to the bar for a cocktail and took Ruggles along. We were sitting in the bar when the manager came in. He gave Ruggles a little pat and said “I would much rather have a well behaved pet in my hotel than a small child who is not well behaved. ” This hotel, like many others, sent a bellman up to my room each morning to take Ruggles for a walk.

Some of the hotels in New York even have room service menus for pets!

ASHEVILLE, North Carolina well deserves a place on the top ten list. More than 50% of the accommodations in Asheville accept pets attesting to its claim as one of America’s most pet friendly cities. For the traveling pet owner who loves golf this is a top choice.

During the summer Asheville features a number of outdoor concerts, street fairs, and festivals where your pet will be welcome.

SAN DIEGO is only a short distance from our border. This metropolitan city on the ocean has not one but two “doggie beaches”. There are hundreds of pet friendly accommodations in the city and in the surrounding areas. On a recent visit with my new pet also a Shih Tzu whose name is Bear; we stayed at the Sophia Hotel which could not have been more pet friendly. The young women who manned the front desk always stopped to talk with Bear and even offered to babysit him.

Each day we walked to one of the dozen or so outdoor cafes for lunch or dinner. Almost the first thing they would do was to bring Bear a bowl of water.

BEING A COURTEOUS TRAVELING PET OWNER

The range of accommodations and traveling options available to the traveling pet owner continues to expand because these businesses recognize the value of your business. However, you have a responsibility to be a courteous and caring pet owner. Don’t let your pet be a nuisance by letting it roam loose or by barking. And, rule number one, be sure to pick up after your pet.

Visiting these pet friendly cities will make for a vacation that you will never forget. Be sure and book your airline tickets early if you are traveling by air. Most of the airlines have a limit to the number of pets per flight. In addition, call or email the pet friendly hotel you are staying in to confirm their pet policies so there will be no surprises at check in. Email us at info@PetTravel.com with any questions. We wish you nothing but happy travels.

PetTravel.com is the pet traveler’s resource for information about traveling with a pet. We have been serving the traveling pet public for over 12 years. Over 26,000 pet friendly hotels and services, and pet passport and immigration information on over 190 countries worldwide can be found on Pet Travel. Our Pet Travel Store has must have items for the traveling pet: microchips, scanners, in-cabin and cargo carriers and much more. Whatever you need for traveling with your pet can be found on Pet Travel.

Georgia health insurance offers medical benefits that cover the cost of treatment incurred in a hospital. The coverage provided is comprehensive which includes doctor visits, hospital stays, emergency, prescription, dental care, and mental health care. It serves families, students, kids, employees, workers, self employed, small and large businesses, and retirees.

For the citizens of Georgia, a wide variety of health insurance plans are available to choose from. Each one varies significantly based on the size of deductible and the benefits covered. Individual health insurance, family health insurance, group health insurance, student health insurance, affordable health insurance, health insurance for children only, and temporary health insurance are some of the insurance plans available in Georgia.

In Georgia, health insurance laws and regulations regarding individual health insurance is different from other US states. The law allows insurers to deny the request for individual health insurance based on pre-existing medical condition and current health conditions.

The state of Georgia has moderate insurance regulation which protects both insurance consumers as well as the insurance company. According to “guaranteed renewability provision”, a health insurance policy regulation, an insurance owner is allowed to renew a policy without considering his/her health status.

In Georgia there is no limit on the premiums that the companies can charge for a health plan. Also, the law restricts that an insurer cannot cancel one?s insurance policy based on their health condition or age. In certain states, children of unemployed parents are denied from getting health insurance policy. Through a plan called Peach Care, Georgia State provides opportunity for such children to be insured.

Before purchasing health insurance, it is necessary to compare the different health insurance quotes. An insurance agent or an insurance broker is the right person to help you in finding a health insurance policy that best suits your requirement. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia, Kaiser Permanente, Assurant Health, Celtic Insurance Company, Time Insurance Company, and United Healthcare of Georgia are some of the leading companies that provide excellent health insurance coverage for the citizens of Georgia.

Health Insurance provides detailed information on Health Insurance, Health Insurance Quotes, Affordable Health Insurance, Health Insurance Plans and more. Health Insurance is affiliated with Health Insurance Company Ratings.

Ignition System Trouble Shooting.

Last time we discussed how magnetic fields cause current to flow in wires. The current flow is then harnessed to make the spark plugs work.

Now we will discuss how to trouble shoot this system.

First of all the system consists of:

-A flywheel with a magnet

-A magneto with a main coil and a switching coil

-An On/Off wire

-A spark plug and spark plug wire.

That’s it.

{In the olden days you had a switching circuit called points, but I will not bore you with that. I have several old motors that have points. (If you are really interested in points I will write an article about trouble shooting those…but not today.)}

So what’s the problem?

The problem is that I was riding my go kart… blew the chain… made a massive clunk…engine still ran right up until I shut it off. I replaced the chain and now it won’t start.

What do I do? Cry? Uh…No…

First off all look at the system. So the engine not running must be symptomatic of

-No Gas

-Flooded (too much gas)

-No compression

-No Spark

-Switch is off!

So yes, I checked.. there is gas. (check!)

The engine has nice resistance and compression (no thrown rods, no loose valves, everything is tight…) (check)

Yes I checked it was ON! Also I removed the off wire from the switch near the engine. Still nothing. (check)

Pulled the spark plug out and tested for spark:

No Spark:

The possible causes for no spark are:

Faulty Spark Plug (ie short circuiting because of ash contaiminents, broken insulator, too much gas on plug)

Or a faulty ignition mechanism

Well I cleaned the plug well. Used a different plug…

Note: But you know what I should have done first? I should have taken the plug wire and tried it against the engine. Well I tried that too: no spark.

Not looking good here… What do we do next?

This is where stuff starts coming apart.

Understand that the system involves the flywheel, so we need to access it and see if the flywheel is okay.

By “okay” I mean the following:

-Is there a magnet in it anymore?

-Did it get damaged? (very unlikely) Check with screwdriver: does it stick? (check, yes there is a magnet)

The next critical thing is to check the keyway. 8 times out of 10 the key gets sheared. This can occur from sudden stops of the engine. A sudden stop can occur from various reasons such as a broken chain grabbing hold of an activated clutch. An instantaneous shock load can be introduced into the system.

The other way an engine can be come jammed suddenly is if the rod blew inside, or the engine ran out of oil (seized up).

Next time…. What happened to the ignition system?

The Go Kart Guru is a Go Karting Design, Fabrication and Performance specialist. Topics ranging from Turbo Charged Go Karts to Wood Go Karts, the Go Kart Guru has something to say (that will help you!) about it. Visit Http://GoKartGuru.com for more details.

And for those with Vertical Lawnmower Engines, there is a special section just for you! Don’t throw away that vertical engine just yet!

There are many benefits you can get from online tennis training. There are a variety of resources including eBooks, online videos and articles written by expert tennis instructors. Some of the online training can give you information on the best tennis techniques, best tennis equipment and the best ways to play a better game of tennis through exercises designed specifically to improve your stance and swing. Many people like the convenience that online tennis training offers, which has made it one of the more popular ways to perfect your tennis game.

There are online tennis training websites that feature lessons for every tennis stroke, how to mentally prepare to think and play tennis like a pro and you can take advantage of free lessons that teach you everything a beginner should know or teach you some of the more advanced tennis playing techniques that the pros use. There are thousands of people that learn to play tennis by watching the pros play and many of the online tennis training videos feature the best techniques that are easy to master.

The great thing about training online is that you can learn at your own pace and put what you have learned into practice on the court as you learn the techniques. Some people might criticize that learning online is a one-way street with little feedback from an instructor, but there are many forums and chat sites where you can ask questions and get tips from expert players without paying the high costs associated with a gym membership or private tennis lessons.

For those that love to play tennis recreationally, online tennis training can improve your game. By taking advantage of the free online tennis courses and videos, you can learn the basics and some of the more sophisticated tennis techniques, which is all that most amateur tennis players need to know, when it comes to beating their opponent.

Because tennis and many other sports involves some visualization and mental attitude to be successful, it is believed that tennis training online can offer a lot of benefit to many tennis players that want to improve their game. Of course, professional athletes can gain some additional perspective from online tennis training, even though they may be involved in professional lessons from the pros.

Tennis is a game that requires good hand-eye coordination and a great degree of agility. Some of the online lesson give you warm-up exercise routines and upper body strength building exercises that can improve your swing. Getting expert advice about the best tennis equipment is part of the improvement that many beginners find out about, but they can learn new techniques that they might not come across any other way, as well.

If you have an interest in tennis and are looking for ways to improve your game, you should consider some of the excellent online tennis training that is available. You might be surprised by what you can learn from watching the videos and most of the eBooks are quite affordable, convenient to download and have a lot of information you can use to improve your tennis game. It is the convenience that online tennis training offers that makes it so popular with those that want to learn about better tennis in the comfort of their home.

Learn about some of the available online tennis lesson plans such as Tennis Insider Strategies and the Ten Laws of Tennis

Part of the reality of becoming a new mum is taking stock of your family’s finances and working out how you will cope financially. When you’re considering returning to work, how you will afford to pay for childcare and what kind of childcare you will choose are important decisions. Many new parents will not be familiar with childcare vouchers, how they work and how they can be used to pay for childcare. 

The childcare voucher scheme is a national scheme offered to parents and guardians through the government and participating employers to help with the cost of childcare.

Childcare vouchers are a financially beneficial way to pay for childcare in the UK, because you don’t pay tax or National Insurance on childcare vouchers to the value of £55 a week. This means that working parents can save as much as £1,195* a year by paying for childcare with vouchers. The savings could be double, if both parents sign up for a childcare voucher scheme.

The website Money for Mums has put together a good check list of information on childcare vouchers [1]:

1        Check whether your employer’s childcare vouchers are a benefit that is paid on top of your normal pay or whether it’s part of a salary sacrifice scheme

2        Work out how your tax credits will be affected

3        If your cash pay is affected, ask if your other earnings-related payments will be affected (pension, overtime rates, pay rises etc.)

4        If your cash pay is affected, ask will your benefits-related payments be affected? (will your NI contributions to your State Pension be affected etc.)

5        If your cash pay is affected, ask would any student loan repayments be affected?

Childcare vouchers are redeemable to pay for childcare and child minding ensuring that a parent’s return to work need not have a negative impact on their family finances.

Parents can also be assured when selecting a childcare provider that they have undergone rigorous vetting procedures. Before childcare vouchers can be used to pay providers the provider must be registered with an approved regulatory body and will need to meet the standards set out by that body. Ensuring only registered providers can accept vouchers for payment offers additional peace of mind to mums knowing that their child is being looked after in a safe friendly environment.

This article was written by Tom Sangers on behalf of MoneyforMums.co.uk who provide information to help pregnant mums stay on top of their family’s finances

Have you been using the same older television for a number of years? Perhaps you are somewhat satisfied with the performance of your current television set, but you can not help but notice all the new high tech televisions with impressive pictures on the market today. There are so many televisions available now which have superior picture quality, as well as being high definition ready, that it is a smart choice to buy a new television set at this time. Since prices are now lower than ever before, and with the digital age now upon us, a new television set is simply a smart investment.

Is This The Time To Buy A New Television?

At this time, prices on new televisions in the UK are at an all time low. Thanks to the increased competition of so many companies producing the newest generation of televisions, the consumer benefits with low prices. In addition to the excellent choice and low prices today, there is another important reason to consider buying your new television now: the dawn of high definition. The older analogue signals, which provide picture to the older generation of tv’s, are being phased out completely. By the year 2012, all television signals in the UK will be digital only, and unless your television is a newer one which can receive the digital signal, you will be unable to watch tv broadcasts at all unless you either replace your TV or buy a set top box.

What Differences Will I Find With My New TV?

The first, and most obvious, difference you will find is in the vastly improved picture quality. The difference between the display of older televisions and that of newer ones is simply amazing. With the newer LCD and Plasma tv’s, the picture is far more sharp, and more lifelike than anything that was possible with the older analogue televisions. You will also find that the new televisions have superior sound quality, and are even are able to connect to home theatres and gaming consoles, bringing sound quality to the level of a movie theatre experience.

Which To Choose: Plasma Or LCD?

Most televisions available today will be either plasma or LCD. Each has it’s benefits, and which you choose depends primarily upon the size you are seeking. LCD tv’s come in a far wider range of sizes: from about 14 inches up to 50 inches and more. With plasma televisions, sizes available are limited to the very large sizes, beginning at about 37 inches. Both of these televisions do process digital pictures, so you will be prepared to watch all your favourite programmes in high definition on either. There is another option for those who wish to receive both analogue and digital signals on their television, the IDTV. This tv can display both sorts of signals, however it does tend to cost quite a bit more than the other two types.

This is the best time to purchase a new television for anyone who has been thinking of it. With prices in the UK at so reasonably low, and the advantages that the new generation of televisions can offer, there is no reason to wait.

Do you want to know more?

For more information and low prices on LCD TVs and Plasma Televisions click TVs or Televisions

Political parties perform important roles in European societies. Parties are institutions in which citizens with similar political views organise, develop political programmes and actively participate in the political process. They are vital for democracy because parties offer the most clear-cut political choices that are put to the electorate. Parties are also recruitment organisations, through which parliamentarians and members of government are sourced. Even though the latter functions are important, the general effectiveness of parties is closely linked to the first characteristic: their societal embeddedness – the main channel between a party and citizens. And in this respect, political parties have been declining dramatically.

The demise of political parties is not a new phenomenon. Since at least the 1980s, parties in all established European democracies have suffered massive membership losses to the point where they only retain a very limited capacity to engage citizens. The societal anchor of political parties is seriously threatened. Vernon Bogdanor wrote in 2006 that ‘the story of the rise and fall of the mass political party is one of the great unwritten books of our time’. So why do I pick this rather old problem up again in 2009? Not because I want to write the obituary of the mass political party but because we can now see where the development of political parties might lead us. This potential new future became apparent during the US Presidential campaign.

Additionally to his remarkable personal qualities, Barack Obama – during the Democratic primaries, the Presidential campaign and now even as sitting President – has been extremely successful in using new communication technologies to connect directly with citizens. Through the use of social networking tools, online video messaging and almost real time updates on what was happening on the campaign trail – and by making many of these tools available to his supporters too – he was able to create a community that was not only prepared to vote for him but willing to organise and campaign on the local level. He was able to create a political movement he can now build upon.

The construction of this movement was above all possible because new communication techniques offered a way of being actively involved in the campaign for change. But if you look behind the technical tools you notice that Barack Obama’s campaign was able to recreate old – rather than create new – characteristics that traditional European parties, especially left-of-centre parties, have lost over the years: a sense of community and belonging.

Let us take the oldest social democratic party in the world as an example: the German SPD. When the party was founded in 1863, its backbone was educational leagues founded to educate workers. The cultural and community aspect was therefore not just a by-product but very much the founding principle of the party. Being a social democrat was not a question of membership in an organisation but rather a way of life. The identity of the party was reinforced by the large variety of social democratic newspapers and publications that contributed to this distinct culture. The cultural underpinnings of political parties were also evident elsewhere and it seems that it has been especially this attribute, that used to provide the closest link to society, that has declined most dramatically in recent decades.

It was argued that because of social and ideological changes in societies in the second half of the twentieth century, mass parties – rather homogenous constructs – developed into catch-all parties that attempted to integrate the diversifying political views and social backgrounds of citizens under the umbrella of the same party. Today, many parties look like what political scientists call ‘professional-electoral parties’. Such parties are organisations that have a highly centralised leadership and are focussed on winning votes and offices. They have largely abandoned the cultural heritage of traditional political parties. ‘Professional-electoral party’ is also the closest typology for US political parties, which are practically committees to fight elections without much activity between ballots. They are very candidate centred and lack organisational leadership.

So what is new that could show the way political parties could go from here? What has changed during the Obama campaign? In a nutshell, Barack Obama has managed to recreate the community aspects of old mass parties and integrate them into a professional-electoral party. In the contemporary context, however, culture does not mean a certain way of living but rather being part of a community based on a charismatic political leader, new political ideas and a desire for grassroots activism. The creation of this new culture in the Obama campaign has only been possible by the use of new media. So after it has transformed the economy and the way we communicate with each other, is the information, communication and technology (ICT) revolution now fundamentally changing the political process too? I think there are strong arguments in favour of this and Barack Obama’s success is evidence.

What does this mean for European parties? The socio-economic circumstances and ideological believes of citizens have indeed changed dramatically since the foundation of early European parties, political activism has however not disappeared. The success of single-issue movements such as Greenpeace, Amnesty International and the Globalisation critics of Attac clearly shows the enduring desire for political activism. Some of these movements have even grown into political parties in their own right, for instance the German Greens or – with a rather different political agenda – the UK Independence Party (UKIP).

So the first ingredient – desire for political activism – is still there. But how can it be used?? European parties have tried for decades to open their structures to social movements and to use societal activism for their party purposes. They have all been largely unsuccessful so far because their strategies were unclear and their own structures often too rigid. Waking up to the potential of new technologies and the experience of the Obama campaign however makes it a necessity to try again – and to try harder. After all, the only alternative seems to be further decline. Initial steps to use new technologies have been taken but more needs to be done. Europe in general is clearly behind the US in terms of internet integration in everyday life including politics. But this can also be an opportunity for the party that comes up first with a successful mix of technologies for the European context.

The second ingredient is political ideas that can capture and motivate people. The current economic crisis has opened a window of opportunity for a new politics. There is a vacuum of ideas since the promise of prosperity facilitated by unfettered markets collapsed with the international banking sector. This void has not been filled yet. In Barack Obama’s case the simple promise for change was enough to create his movement. This was however only possible in the narrow window of opportunity at the beginning of the economic crisis and in the specific context of US politics. If his movement is to become sustainable he needs to bring in new positive ideas. President Obama has understood this and has kept the close link to his followers even after assuming office. The way in which he encouraged living room discussions about his economic stimulus package across the US was a remarkable move and combined the desire for activism with political content. The sense of belonging and potential for activism created by a ‘I received an email from the President’ moment should not be underestimated.

The last ingredient in the mix is charismatic leadership. Early attempts of online campaigning in Europe have shown that it is very difficult to build mass participation in a political online campaign if there is not an appealing political figure at the top. Parties as such seem to be rather inappropriate vehicles for such campaigns. Identification becomes much easier if people are involved. So if the European political culture develops in the direction set out in the United States, it is likely that politics becomes more personalised and centred around political ideas represented by certain politicians.

Political parties have been declining for decades without finding a way to stop their downfall. The ICT revolution is here to stay and has already transformed many areas of our lives. The Obama campaign in the US has broken new ground and is certainly an important example to watch. But the question is how these developments can be worked into European party politics. A simple ‘copy and paste’ will not work. But the revitalisation of political culture and activism using new technologies is the most promising opportunity on offer to change the fate of political parties. Given the alternative, it is certainly worth trying.

Discuss this article here: http://www.social-europe.eu/2009/04/where-now-for-european-political-parties

The steep rise in the prices of all commodities has become such a crucial problem that people are always on the look out for places where you can purchase goods cheaply. Pet owners are a major clan who also bear the brunt of these issues as pet supplies are very expensive. To try and purchase pet-supplies at a discounted rate has become very popular and the main means of doing this is through pet discount coupons online.

Given below are some tips which will help you to purchase pet products at a discounted rate.

• Make it a point to get good quality pet supplies – Never settle for low quality stuff which may be less expensive. The net result will be that it will turn out to be hazardous for your beloved pet and you will finally have to dole out a big amount for the visits that you make to the vet. It is not the quality of what you buy for your pet that has to be altered, but the means of purchasing it.
• Buy pet-supplies at a bargain during the winter months from your nearest pet shop as majority of these shops indulge in a clearance sale in winter. So look around and you will come across pet discount coupons which will aid you in buying goods at a subsidized rate.
• There have emerged numerous online sites which offer wonderful deals for the supplies that you have been looking for. Online pet shops can provide you with pet supplies at cheaper rate as they do not have to bear overhead expenses like taking care of a shop. Another great advantage is that these online stores get pet supplies at a wholesale rate and sell them even singly at wholesale rates.
• eBay and Craiglist are other places to look for purchasing pet-supplies at a discounted rate. There may be people who have may be selling off second hand pet supplies which may be procured at a bargain. This is one of the best sites where you will get extremely affordable pet supplies.

A little researching on your part will make you realize that there are online websites available from where you can buy pet products at an extremely reasonable rate without even venturing out of your home. This is a great advantage as you do not need to waste your precious time searching out for the best deals or waste your energy either.

Today’s world is one where internet is the primary market and all you have to do is just log on to a pet supply site which will bring anything you want to your doorstep at extremely reasonable and affordable rates.

Using pet discount coupons can save you a lot of money when shopping online for pet-supplies. To find more such coupons you can visit target=”_new” href=”http://discountcoupons-blog.com”>http://discountcoupons-blog.com.

A Step-By-Step Tutorial: How to buy a car with bad credit without it turning into a nightmare.

Are you tired of hearing the word ‘No’ when it comes to a car loan? I set up ‘How to buy a car with bad credit’ specifically so that you could hear the words ‘yes’. Who am I, you ask?

I spent 14 years in the automobile business as a Finance Manager so I believe it’s fair to say that I know a thing or two about getting a loan financed, irregardless of your past credit history.

Remember, regardless of your past credit history, you still need a car, want a car and most of all, you deserve a car. You should also be treated with respect and given choices. I’m going to teach you how to have a choice with auto bad credit financing loan.

First of all, all lenders now purchase deals based on what is called a beacon score, which is the same as your credit score. There are three credit bureaus that make up the package. Each lender will choose whichever credit bureau(s) they prefer when looking at your credit or a combination of bureaus.

I highly advise everyone to have all three credit bureaus pulled when checking your credit and to pay for the credit score. If you only look at one bureau, you’re only seeing part of the whole picture.

With the exception of a few minor things, beacon score will play a large part in your approval. Staying within your financial means is another, so be realistic. If you make $2500 per month and have $1200 going out, don’t walk in all high-and-mighty and tell the Finance Manager that you will only have an Expedition or nothing. You’ll end up with nothing.

In order to effectively use auto bad credit financing, you are going to have to know what your credit looks like and what your credit score actually is. Otherwise, you are working in the dark.

Pay for the credit score or it’s just almost useless. With the credit score, you will know whether or not you qualify for a lender such as Ford. Also, the higher the score, the lower the interest rate. Got it? With an auto bad credit loan, the higher the beacon score, the better.

Let me explain websites like cars.com and the such: They collect applications for car loans online. They then have a network of dealerships that PAY them for the leads. These are generally dealerships that have departments that specialize in getting you financed, regardless of your credit. These departments pay for these leads, so most take them very seriously, as they are their bread-and-butter, so to speak.

If you have a lower than usual credit score, a current repo or just plain, all-around bad credit, this might be the way to go. If your credit is really that bad, remember that you are going to need some cash or a paid-for trade in that’s actually worth something.

O.K., now for the step-by-step system that I promised. First, take control of your car deal! You need to be in the driver’s seat, if at all possible. Go online and run a copy of a tri-merge, which is all three credit bureaus, plus pay for your credit score. You can get a FREE copy of your credit report once per year HERE:

http://www.annualcreditreport.com

This is the new Federal law that actually entitles you to receive a FREE copy of your credit bureau once per year and with some other exceptions. This is not a credit monitoring site. You have to run each bureau separately; Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Then, you have to pay for the credit score.

So as to hold down on confusion, here’s the scoop: Each credit score for each separate bureau will be different. That’s why a Tri-Merge is called what it is called. You can run a specific bureau called a Tri-Merge from one company (there are many-just do a Google search) and you actually get one bureau (it’s actually all three combined but the credit score is also one credit score). It’s more expensive and generally runs around $34.00 but it just depends on your preference.

Now, with your credit score in hand and a copy(s) of your credit bureau, look at your credit. Do you have anything strange on there that is not yours? If so, it’s time to fix it. You should review your credit bureau at least every 6 months to a year. Plus, if your identity has been stolen, you will know quickly. P.S. you can also have a liner placed on the bottom of your bureau that simply states “Do not extend any credit on my behalf without contacting me first. Work # (111)222-3333 Home#(222)333-4444 Cell# (333)444-5555.” Call or write the credit bureaus and request that this is done. You can now do this online for free. Again, do a Google search for all three bureaus listed above.

How do you fix your credit, you ask? I give away a totally FREE book that I wrote on the subject simply for the asking. Email me with Free Credit Repair Book in the headline and I’ll email it to you.

Next in line: Know what you want to buy BEFORE you even go out shopping! Let me make this very clear. Car dealer’s jobs are to sell.you a car on your very first visit. A salesman/woman and their sales manager believe that if you walk into their dealership and do not leave with a car, you will never come back again. They are going to hammer on you until they either A) Make you mad and you get up and leave or B) Sell you a car. It’s the nature of the beast. Accept it ahead of time.

What do you want to buy? Where can you get unbiased information on the auto? Again, Google for Kelley Blue Book or NADA and you can get cost, warranty repairs, recalls, and information on problems and tons of info beforehand. Limit your shopping to three models. Keep it simple. Those will be the ones that you will shop for.

Can you afford the car? You may think you can afford the car, but the bank may think otherwise! I have seen this so many times in my career. Automobile economics 101: Take your gross income (what you make per year BEFORE Uncle Sam taxes you) and remember, this income needs to be provable-tax returns, check stubs with taxes taken out or a W-2. If you are self-employed, you will need two years of tax returns with Schedule C’s. This is the income that you actually paid taxes on. Being self-employed can be tough. You may need to combine a spouse’s income if you are self-employed.

Now with your gross income figured out, find out what all of your debts are that are going out each month. Include everything…it’s listed on your credit bureau’s. Example: Car note=$450.00 + House note= $560.00 + Credit card debt= $425.00

Boat note= $310.00 Charge-offs=$1200.00 (yes, charge-offs; these are bills that you never paid and they were written off). Add all of your debts up. With just your obvious debts (including the charge-offs), you have $1805.00 per month going out. I arrived at that figure by adding up all the monthly notes and taking 5% of the charge-offs. 5% of $1200.00 = $60.00. We’re not through, though. Now we have to figure in cost of living-utilities. Each lender has their own algorithm for utilities but a good range to estimate would be to add $300.00. Now we have a total outgo of $2105.00. This is what you have to have to pay your current bills before you take on any other debt.

Almost all lenders will not allow your new car note to exceed 20% of your current income. For our example, let’s assume that your gross income is $5300.00 per month. Let’s take $5300.00 and subtract your debts, which are $2105.00. That leaves you with $3195.00. To make it easy, take $2105.00 and double it. That would be $4210.00. That would leave you with disposable income of $1090.00. What the lender is looking at here is referred to as debt-to-income. They want to know if you have more going out than you can handle. This is strictly a case of numbers and provable numbers. If your gross income was $4500.00 and you had $2105.00 in debts each month, you need to be prepared for one of two things; add your spouse’s income and your spouse to the deal or trade in the other auto. If your debt-to-income is running too close to 50%, you’re going to have a hard time getting a loan for anything. Make sense? The way the bank looks at it is this: you can’t afford both cars so they assume that you are going to let the other (older) car go back to the lender-repossession. That’s their take. Debt-to-income is a HUGE deal.

In this case, your disposable leftover income is $1090.00. 20% of that would be $1060.00. Whoa! Let me be the first to inform you that you are NOT getting a car payment of $1060.00! Why? Well, you only have $1090.00 left over for starters. Let’s be realistic here. Most lenders will slice that in half which will equal $530.00. Your payment call should be around that figure, give or take a few dollars.

How expensive of a car can I buy on a $530.00 payment? Good question and one that you absolutely need to know so that you can pick out the correct car. One answer depends on the term of the loan. You can finance for 36, 48, 60 or 72 months, as a for-instance. That equates to 3 years, 4 years, 5 years and 6 years. I will tell you this: the worst thing you can do is extend the note out the longest amount of time in order to get the payment where you can afford it. That creates a syndrome that now affects over 75% of car owners called being “Upside Down.” It means that you owe more on your car than it’s worth. It also means that you need more money down when you go to trade it in. The only way around that is a lot of money down or a short-term loan.

You can again do a Google search for a ‘car loan calculator’. You will punch in the loan amount you want to borrow, the term (48,60, etc.) and the interest rate. If you have not gotten approved already and know the rate, you will have to guesstimate. Here’s a rule of thumb for you-it’s not an exact science without knowing your credit, but it is a guide you can follow to get you close. Let’s base the rate on your beacon score: that’s what most of the lenders are going to look at.

If your beacon (credit score) is in the 400 or lower range, you will need to figure your interest rate on a new car at 21% (state maximums differ-it could be 18%). If you are looking at a used car, figure on 33%. If your beacon score is in the low 500 range, figure your new car loan as you would for the above-mentioned 400 beacon. If your beacon score is in the mid to high 500-range, figure a new car at 18% and a used car at 27%. If you have a beacon of 600 to 649, figure a new car at 16% and a used car at 20%. If you have a beacon score of 650 to 699, figure a new car rate at 12% and a used car rate at 16%. I may be hitting too high on a few of these, but I live in a state that has the highest rates in the nation. Better safe than sorry.

Get Pre-Approved BEFORE you start shopping. This is the easy part, in a way. Remember I told you at the beginning of this article to take charge of your car deal instead of letting the dealer lead you by the hand. It all boils down to financing. If you can walk in with a check in your hand, you are in control. I will recommend a few companies that are reputable, have a proven track record in sub prime loans and all mail the check to you at home. You then go into a dealership and pick out your vehicle, negotiate and buy like a cash buyer! These companies are Household Finance, Capital One Finance, Americredit and E-Loan. You can do a Google search for all four, apply online, and get either an instant approval or one really quickly. When you are approved, they mail the contract to you and then the check. It’s that easy.

On the final decision for the car-work smart here. There is nothing more valuable than time and nothing more rewarding than piece of mind. Please don’t go running from dealership to dealership. Wrong. Pick out the 3 models of auto that you can afford. If you are looking for a program car (rental), call dealerships and inquire as to whether or not they have any. If you want a new, ask other people that are driving that model where they bought theirs and would they purchase there again. If you start hearing a lot of “I’ll never buy from them again”, move on. Something is wrong. Your new car is only as good as the service you will get AFTER the sale.

Negotiating-Most people hate this. I have only met 2 people in 14 years that enjoyed it; they were both retired and had nothing better to do. One did it for the fun of it and never even bought if you agreed to his price. Don’t waste other people’s time. If you don’t like the car, don’t negotiate on it. When you do find a car that you would own, tell the salesman you’d buy it right then if the price was right and if they provided you with a Car Fax. The keyword here is: ‘If the price is right’. How do you know what a good price is? Well…glad you asked. If it’s a new car, Kelley Blue Book will have dealer cost. Go to: http://www.kbb.com

If it’s a used car, compare used car figures at http://www.kbb.com

And

[http://www.nadaguides.com]

What’s the difference?? Most dealers (with the exception of the West coast) will use NADA as their guide.

Here’s what’s transpired so far:

Before you ever drove the car, you went by the dealership on Sunday, when there are no salespeople and you got the Vin# of the car and the equipment, year model and had a good look at it. You already know if you like the car when you drive it, that you would buy it. The list price is in your pre-approved check category, to boot. You’ve already gone online and gotten wholesale, trade-in and retail values for the car.

Retail is what the dealer should ask for the car. This will help you to know whether or not the salesman is trying to add money to the car, or if the dealership is. Trade-in is a figure to gauge approximately what the dealership traded for the car for. It will give you an idea of what the dealer paid for the car, before reconditioning fees and any ticket from service. Now, not every make of car will bring trade-in value. Two that will at this time are a Honda and a Toyota. Those cars will bring trade-in value. Domestic cars generally will not bring trade-in value, with the exception of new, hot models. Other models will only bring wholesale. As an example, Kia makes a great car, but most will not bring close to trade-in value. Mitsubishi is going through changes and also won’t bring close to trade-in value. There are exceptions to the rule: Katrina and Rita-two hurricanes that created a short supply of used cars. If you live in the south, that will be the case for a while. With the exception of a Honda and a Toyota, you can probably be safe offering less than trade-in. Not thousands, mind you, but less.

Take into consideration the other costs of trading for a car. Also, ask the salesperson how long they’ve had the car. If the salesperson slips up and tells you they’ve had it a while, your negotiating should be easier. The reason behind that is that the dealer is paying interest on the car every month it does not sell. The book value is also dropping every month so it needs to go.

Throughout the car deal, make sure they know you are paying cash. Don’t mention that you have a check from Americredit or whoever. That’s none of their business. When you make a deal, insist on the Used Car Manager running a Car Fax before you sign any paperwork. A Car Fax will show if the vehicle has been involved in a serious wreck, was bought back from the original customer or is salvaged. This will put your mind at ease. If you don’t like the Car Fax, don’t buy the car.

Throughout your shopping, I can’t stress this enough-Do NOT fill out credit applications at each dealership. Every time you sign a credit application, the dealer pulls your credit report and your beacon score goes DOWN. That’s why I advise on getting approved ahead of time. There are numerous advantages to getting approved ahead of time. The main advantage is that you are in control, not the dealership. That’s worth a fortune in itself. Their job is to take control of you from the start of every meeting. Believe me; I know what I’m telling you. I lived that life for a long time.

For some reason, should you not be able to get pre-approved because your credit is extremely bad (a discharged bankruptcy is an instant-approval, by the way), and you have to go through an online clearinghouse like cars.com, don’t despair. Continue to follow my previous steps and advice and negotiate and insist on a Car Fax report.

When you do decide on a car and go into the Finance Office to sign the papers, I would like for everyone to know that you do not have to purchase any products in order to get the loan. If anyone in Finance tells you that you have to purchase a warranty and credit life to get the loan, which is a bold-faced lie. Why would a Finance Manager do that? Because they work on commission, also. Surprised? Don’t be. That’s the way dealers set up Finance Offices from the start when they realized how much money could be made. The Finance Manager makes money off of the rate they quote you, the warranty they sell you, the gap insurance and the credit life and disability you buy. That’s how they make a living.

I’m not saying that any of these products are bad, though. I believe in extended warranties. I’m just telling you to shop around first. If you find a cheap warranty, check out the company and make sure they will give the dealer a credit card over the phone immediately when in need of repairs in any state. All in all, I will say this-A manufacturers warranty is always better than an after-market warranty. Always. Just negotiate on it if you want it.

The only reason why you would not want gap insurance would be if you literally paid cash for the car. Otherwise, gap is cheap (should retail around $495) and will pay the portion that insurance won’t pay if it’s totaled. Just remember what I said about the book dropping on a car every month. It will never be worth what you owe unless you put down a lot of money at the time of purchase.

Credit life and Disability insurance are a personal matter. If you have a life insurance policy, it can be used to pay off the car in the event of your death. If you are single, why do you need Credit Life? The only benefit would be if you are married with a family, it cuts down the payout time. In this situation, your spouse would not lose the car.

Disability Insurance pays out for a specified amount of time. It will not pay out for the entirety of the loan. It also has a specified start date from the time you are disabled. It doesn’t just kick in immediately.

This is a lengthy article, but the gist of it is this: do your homework at home first. Then get approved online. Then shop on Sunday. Then go get your car and negotiate on everything. It will be the easiest car-buying experience you have ever had.

Regardless of your credit situation, if you follow my steps, you’ll have a car in no time and you’ll be an educated and informed customer during the process. Good luck!

Alicia Guidry spent 14 years in the retail automobile industry as a finance manager, sales manager and general sales manager.

For additional sources, see:

Bad Credit Car Loan [http://bad-credit-card-applications.com/auto-bad-credit-financing-loan.html]