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The Atlanta Braves Making the Team Meter continues for week four with the hitters in Spring Training camp. Click here for last week's hitters MTM. Let's take a look at which positions on the team are up for grabs. First off, the following hitters already have a spot on the opening day roster:
Lineup: Andrelton Simmons, Jason Heyward, Justin Upton, Freddie Freeman, B.J. Upton, Gerald Laird, and Dan Uggla
Bench: Juan Francisco, Chris Johnson, Reed Johnson, and Ramiro Pena
That leaves two spots available for the bench and back-up catcher. With a week of games left we still don't know what direction the Braves will go with these last two spots, and so all five of the remaining candidates still have a shot at winning a spot.
|Player, Position
|Last Week
|Roster Status
|Notes and Comments
|Jose Constanza, OF
|Since finally joining the team in camp, after he was delayed with visa issues, Constanza has not hit well when he has played. Though it is only a handfull of at-bats, the Braves have given Schafer a start during that time, while only subbing Constanza. We all know how Georgie can get hot at the plate (he has to lick his bat to cool it down), so this could be a big race to the finish over the next week. Still, Schafer seems to be the preference at this point.
|Evan Gattis, C/OF
|He's been hitting a little less lately. I don't want to declare it an end of spring swoon yet, but he's not scalding the ball like he was the first two weeks of spring training. There's enough buzz out there about him making the team to think that it's going to happen, but at this point I would hedge my bets. Also entering into the calculus of him making the team is how poorly Laird has hit this spring. The Braves may want Gattis' bat in the lineup over Laird's for the first couple weeks of the season. Gattis has not had a walk yet this spring.
|Matt Pagnozzi, C
|Just as Gattis starts to cool, Pagnozzi has continued to hit, and has gotten a little more playing time. He's a known quantity, has Major League experience as a backup catcher, and provides great defense -- no frills and no fuss.
|Tyler Pastornicky, IF
|Leading the team in walks, Rev has been possibly the best all-around offensive player on the team this spring. He offers speed, on-base ability, and some power; all he needs to do is prove to the team that he can handle multiple positions in the field. So far he's made two errors at shortstop and one error at second base. He's also played some outfield, and if he starts playing more outfield in the next few games we should assume that they're looking at him as a serious utility man. If he can handle the outfield, then that makes Schafer and/or Constanza unnecessary. His bat is making a spot for him on this team.
|Jordan Schafer, OF
|40-man, out of options
|Schafer has gotten a lot of playing time this spring -- the most of any non-regular. If you stack his spring numbers up against Pastornicky's he's not as good. He also doesn't give the team the versatility of playing the infield like Pastornicky does. If he was hitting like Pastornicky then he'd probably be a lock by now, but Schafer is hitting .140 points less. Being out of options gives him a longer leash, but it's looking less and less likely that he'll make the team. If he's hitting poorly enough by the end of spring, the Braves may think they can sneak him through waivers and stash him at AAA.
|Arrow Key:
|= Chance of making the team is good.
|= Chance of making the team is slightly better than 50-50.
|= Chance of making the team is slightly worse than 50-50.
|= Chance of making the team is bad.


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7) Echinacea
Although recent findings question the use of echinacea for colds and flu, it's still one of the most popular herbs used today. A 2005 study by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that echinacea did little to prevent or shorten the common cold. There were many critics of the study, who say that the study shouldn't be used as evidence that echinacea doesn't work. The Cochrane Collaboration conducted a review of 15 studies on echinacea, however, and found that it wasn't more effective than a placebo at preventing colds.
Although there are several types of echinacea, the above-ground parts (the leaves, flowers and stems) of echinacea purpurea have subject to the most research.
Herbalists often recommend taking echinacea every two to three hours with a total daily dose of three or more grams per day at the first sign of symptoms. After several days, the dose is usually reduced and continued for the following week. Echinacea is also an ingredient in Airborne, a supplement containing vitamins and herbs that's sold over the counter.
8) Ginseng
Although there are many types of ginseng, one cultivated in North America called Panax quinquefolius or "North American ginseng" has become popular as a remedy for colds and flu. Compounds called polysaccharides and ginsenosides are thought to be the active constituents in ginseng. One of the more popular ginseng products is Cold-fX.
Two studies tested Cold-fX in 198 nursing home residents, who received either Cold-fX or a placebo. There was no statistically significant difference in the number of people who contracted the flu and no difference in the severity or duration of the flu. The researchers analyzed the results of the two studies together and only then did the results show that Cold-fX reduced the incidence of the flu. Although it's popular and some people swear by it, large, well-designed, independent trials are needed to determine the safety and effectiveness of this product.
There is some concern that ginseng may reduce the effectiveness of "blood-thinning" (anticlotting or antiplatelet) drugs such as warfarin (Coumadin) or aspirin. It may interact with diabetes medications, antidepressants known as MAO inhibitors, antipsychotic drugs (e.g., chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), olanzapine (Zyprexa)), drugs that stimulate the central nervous system (used to treat conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, narcolepsy, obesity, and heart conditions) and estrogen replacement therapy or oral contraceptives.
Ginseng root is thought to have estrogen-like properties and is usually not recommended for people with hormone-related conditions such as uterine fibroids, endometriosis and cancers of the breast, ovaries, uterus or prostate. People with heart conditions, schizophrenia or diabetes also shouldn't take ginseng root unless under a doctor's supervision. The manufacturer of Cold-fX indicates on their website that because their product isn't a whole plant extract but contains a certain compound found in ginseng, it doesn't have the side effects and safety concerns commonly associated with ginseng; although that's possible, there isn't published safety data confirming these claims.
More about ginseng
9) Ginger
Ginger root is another folk remedy for cough, colds and sore throat. It's used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat coughs and is also for colds accompanied by runny nose with a clear nasal discharge, headache, neck and shoulder aches, and a white tongue coating. In ayurveda, the traditional medicine of India, ginger is also used for cough and colds.
Hot ginger tea is a popular home remedy for cold symptoms and sore throat. Honey and lemon are sometimes added.
Although normal amounts of ginger in food rarely causes side effects, excessive amounts may cause heartburn and indigestion. People with gallstones, bleeding disorders and those taking "blood-thinning" (anticlotting and antiplatelet) medications such as aspirin and warfarin (Coumadin) should consult a doctor before taking ginger. Ginger should be avoided two weeks before or after surgery.
10) Elderberry
Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) is a herb that has a long history of use as a folk remedy for colds, sinus infections and the flu. In preliminary lab studies, elderberry extracts have been found to fight off viruses. There has been limited research done and much of it involves the flu virus. Researchers believe that anthocyanins, compounds found naturally in elderberries, may be the active component that strengthens the immune system and blocks the flu virus from sticking to our cells.
Health food stores carry elderberry juice, syrup and capsules. Side effects, although rare, may include mild indigestion or allergic reactions. Only commercially prepared extracts of the berry should be used, because the fresh leaves, flowers, bark, young buds, unripe berries and roots contain cyanide and could potentially result in cyanide poisoning. Read more about elderberry for the immune system.
11) Eucalyptus Steam Inhalation
A steam inhalation with eucalyptus oil may help to symptoms from colds and flu. It is thought to work by thinning mucus in the respiratory tract. Find out how to do a eucalyptus steam inhalation.More:
- Astragalus Fact Sheet
- How to Make a Herbal Chicken Soup
Ginseng Fact Sheet
Douglas RM, Hemilä H, Chalker E, Treacy B. Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007 Jul 18;(3):CD000980.
Josling P. Preventing the common cold with a garlic supplement: a double-blind, placebo-controlled survey. Adv Ther.18. 4 (2001):189-193.
Linde K, Barrett B, Wolkart K, Bauer R, Melchart D. Echinacea for preventing and treating the common cold. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 1 (2006): CD000530.
Predy GN, Goel V, Lovlin R, Donner A, Stitt L, Basu TK. Efficacy of an extract of North American ginseng containing poly-furanosyl-pyranosyl-saccharides for preventing upper respiratory tract infections: a randomized controlled trial. CMAJ.173.9 (2005): 1043-1048.
Silk R, LeFante C. Safety of zinc gluconate glycine (Cold-Eeze) in a geriatric population: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. Am J Ther. 12.6 (2005): 612-617.
Zakay-Rones Z, Thom E, Wollan T, Wadstein J. Randomized study of the efficacy and safety of oral elderberry extract in the treatment of influenza A and B virus infections. J Int Med Res. 32.2 (2004): 132-140.

subset: commoncrawl


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- 1 Private and Group Coaching
- 1.1 How can YOU use coaching to make the most powerful and successful impact while achieving your goals and dreams?
- 1.2 Individual Coaching
- 1.3 Executive Coaching
- 1.4 Student and Current Graduate Coaching
- 1.5 Parent Coaching
- 1.6 Family Coaching
- 1.7 Educators and School Administrators Coaching and Consultation
- 1.8 Group Coaching for Adults
- 1.9 Group Coaching for Girls
Private and Group Coaching
How can YOU use coaching to make the most powerful and successful impact while achieving your goals and dreams?
Individual Coaching
- Gain complete control over your time and your life.
- Organize your life
- Increase your income
- Simplify your work
- Maximize your special talents
- Hone in on your abilities
- Get out of your own way
- Create a blueprint of your next steps
- Achieve your dreams
I partner with individual clients on the phone or face-to-face to design their vision of the full and meaningful life. We look at adding activities that contribute to healthy pleasures and engagement or "flow". We co-create personal and business goals with a specific action plan. The successful results are due to a long term vision and life plan based on the client's values, passion, life purpose, mission, talents, pleasures, virtues and strengths. Powerful Success Coaching is based on the research of positive psychology principles and the philosophies shared by MentorCoach for Helping Professionals, a certified school by the International Coaching Federation.
Executive Coaching
- Gain control over your work life
- Organize and balance your time
- Increase your bottom line
- Unlock your potential for higher achievement
- Simplify your work
- Maximize your special talents
- Help to develop the abilities of your employees
- Achieve your professional goals
- Hone your leadership skills
Perhaps you have heard in the real estate world that the most important thing is "location, location, location." In the coaching and consulting world, the most important thing is "results, results, results." Getting the results you want is Dr. Robyn's top priority as your success coach.
Coaching is an empowering method to improve your life both personally and professionally. We have all seen those people who just seem to have landed their perfect job and wondered to ourself, "is there more for me too?" You may be ready to address the need for more powerful success and fulfillment in your life.
- Are you living the life of your dreams?
- Are you looking for a career?
- Are you trying to finish school, a dissertation, or a certification?
- Are you starting a new business?
- Do you know you can be more effective at work?
- How satisfied are you with your job and your team?
- Do you have your priorities out of alignment with your values and desires?
- Are you having difficulties with others at work?
- Is your work developing your true potential?
These are just a few of the questions that open the door for developing powerful success and fulfillement in your life. Dr. Robyn can assist you, your managers, or your team in resolving personal or work-related challenges. And more importantly, we can help you achieve more success and fulfillment in your life.
Student and Current Graduate Coaching
- Complete your school work
- Set goals for the future
- Unlock the potential for higher achievement
- Get better grades
- Study smarter
- Maximize your special talents
- Create a network of help and support
- Take the steps to land a career or get into graduate school
- Achieve your first professional goals
Students and young adults entering the working world have a great many challenges these days. High school students need to be thinking about the right college, the right career path, and the right social life that will help them to grow, stretch…and still have fun. Undergraduate and graduate students need to get a great head start on becoming successful in their lives and their professional careers even before they leave school! And young adults who leave school are sometimes left not knowing where to turn and when. After all, a great education is not enough to propel you into achieving powerful success. Coaching can provide you with a way to balance all the areas of your life while completing papers and projects that show excellence and following a career path that is right for you.
- Are you living the life of your dreams?
- Are you looking for a career?
- Are you trying to finish school, a dissertation, or a certification?
- Are you interesting in becoming an entrepreneur?
- Are you studying for an important test or board?
- Are you certain of the career path that is right for you?
- Are you certain of the correct higher education school to attend?
- Do you have your priorities out of alignment with your values and desires?
- Are you demonstrating your true potential in your school work?
- Are you staying accountable, dependable, and reliable?
- Would you like to speak with someone outside of career services, college or graduate counseling or health services?
These are just a few of the questions that open the door for developing powerful success and fulfillment in your life, your school work, and your career path. Dr. Robyn can assist you and your friends with the challenges you face while aiming to achieve your goals. And more importantly, she can help you achieve more success and fulfillment in your life.
Parent Coaching
- Get the support you need
- Set goals for the future
- Create a blueprint for your family's future
- Organize your time
- Create balance in your life
- Maximize your special talents
- Create a network of help and support
- Learn how to help your family as well as yourself
- Achieve your personal and family-related goals
Parents who want to experience more joy in the relationship with their children and their spouse and function as a successful partnership to accomplish life goals, work with me to develop a five- year plan. This family plan enhances the family relationship, communication skills, the ability to savor and share, manage challenges and decisions, and support each family member while accomplishing their individual and couple goals. We design many structured activities, use positive types of sharing, and encourage Reconnection Dates with the family or someitmes, just with with a significant other, to create a life that manifests the family mission and strategic plan. Strength-based coaching techniques are used in the on-going Family Coaching, Dual Parenting or Single Parent Success Coaching. We work together over the phone or in a retreat setting. Many parents will work over the phone and at some time attend a full day or two in a destination retreat setting or in their home.
Family Coaching
- Develop the family team
- Create a blueprint for the family's future
- Set common and individual goals
- Improve communication
- Identify ground rules and respect plans
- Maximize everyone's special talents
- Create a network of help and support
- Achieve your family dreams
I partner with intergenerational families, blended families, and sibling teams to create family teams promoting familial, parental, strategic, and contractual goals for the advancement of the team and family. Team development, communication, relationship building, and synergy are essential ingredients of each engagement. Often families are in business together and coaching helps them be more successful at both family relations and family business accomplishments. We often conduct our work together with individual or ongoing family team coaching, either face-to-face in the family home or virtually. The coaching can be done in person during a half-day or full day intensive.
Educators and School Administrators Coaching and Consultation
- Strengthen school ties and community
- Set goals for the future
- Create a supportive network of teachers and administrators
- Reduce discrimination and poor behavior among students
- Maximize everyone's special talents
- Improve student performance
- Improve teacher satisfaction
- Achieve your first school-related goals
Some schools and youth programs are destined for greatness. They have powerful leaders who have the vision and insight to lead not only with the head, but with strength of heart and character. These are not ordinary institutions of learning. These are places that have the dedication of the senior leadership, staff, parents, and students who desire to make their schools, places for people, creativity and caring for their school community, as well as the reading, writing, and arithmetic. These schools have outstanding success as their standard.
- Is your school optimally strengthening the character of each student?
- Are your students creating a cohesive, accepting community?
- Is your staff or faculty giving you their optimal performance?
- Do they need improved mentoring or training?
- Would you school staff, students, or parents benefit from some strategies to improve communication and relatioships?
- Are staff and faculty effective in coping with discrimination?
- Does your school provide the best execution of community goals?
- Is your school environment ready for a successful change?
- Is your school managing change and transitions optimally?
- Are your faculty and staff the best communicators they can be?
- Is it satisfying for everyone to attend your school?
- Are you having fun, as well as experiencing success?
- What are you doing to contribute meaning to your life and that of your faculty, students, and students' parents?
- What are you doing to help effectively shape the emotional and social health of each student, staff member, and parent?
- What resources do you need to make the most powerful and successful impact?
- What are you leaving as your legacy?
If you would like your school or youth program to be more heart-oriented and character-driven, open the door to exploring some answers to these questions. Both speaking engagements and private consultation or coaching are available. Contact Dr. Robyn for a consultation for you and your planning board.
Group Coaching for Adults
- Gain insight from other adults
- Set goals for the future
- Organize your time
- Create a supportive network and mastermind
- Maximize your special talents
- Simplify your life
- Increase your satisfaction with life
- Set accountability
- Achieve your goals
I provide a dynamic, creative and results-oriented opportunity for clients to share a coaching hour with other highly talented individuals in a virtual roundtable. The focus includes many vision oriented, goal oriented, and personal success oriented topics. The supportive and challenging learning environment provides a powerful experience for clients, often creating long-term relationships and working partnerships. This kind of coaching is usually done on the phone during regularly scheduled calls.
Group Coaching for Girls
"For those parents who have preteen and teenage daughters, this program is a life-saver." –Sheree D, Rockland, MA, daughter, age 13
The Sassy Sisterhood Girls' Circle is a model of structured support groups for girls from 9-18 years. It is designed to foster self-awareness, help girls maintain authentic connection with peers and adult women in their community, counter trends toward self-doubt, and allow for genuine self-expression through verbal sharing and creative activity.
Private phone coaching for teen girls is also available.


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Life without Luis Suarez looked pretty ok for Liverpool, who came away from St. James' Park with a thumping 6-0 win. The scoreline didn't reflect the utter dominance of the visitors -- Newcastle were utterly horrendous and could plausibly have given up double digits, while the Reds, inspired by Phillippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge, played brilliantly despite the absence of their talisman.
Liverpool got off to a flying start, taking advantage of some horrendous defending to go 1-0 up within three minutes. Panic in Robert Elliot's box was only partially alleviated by a clearance that went straight to Jose Enrique. With the back line stepping up, the former Magpie hit a first-time cross back into the box, allowing Daniel Agger to waltz back into the area and, completely free, nod the delivery home.
And the poor defending didn't stop there. A quarter of an hour later, the combination of Sturridge and Coutinho undid the hosts once more. The latter opened them up with an outside of the boot pass that left Steven Taylor stranded, and Sturridge ran onto the ball, going one on one against Elliot before squaring for Jordan Henderson. The former Sunderland man didn't have much to do but slot into the empty net, and he duly doubled Liverpool's lead.
Newcastle were in real trouble, and they didn't help themselves out when they spurned their first real chance in the 36th minute. Massadio Haidara did superbly on the left to get clear and pick out the unmarked James Perch five yards from Pepe Reina's goal, but the midfielder completely mistimed his jump, allowing the ball to hit the side of his head and bounce wide.
Frustration for the home side led to some feisty play. Five yellows were dished out in the first half, and both Cheick Tiote and Glen Johnson might have seen red after a bizarre altercation that had more in common with a wrestling competition than a football match. Happily for Alan Pardew, Newcastle channeled their aggression in more productive fashion in the second half.
Not that it mattered. After half-chances from Yoann Gouffran and Yohan Cabaye, Liverpool struck again through that deadly combination of Sturridge and Coutinho. This time, there was no Henderson required -- Coutinho played an exquisite pass that squeezed its way between Matheiu Debuchy and Taylor for Sturridge to blast past Elliot and into the roof of the net.
Insult was added to Magpie injury when their appeals for a penalty against Lucas Leiva were turned down. Granted, Hatem Ben Arfa's shot came in at speed, but it looked goalbound before hitting the Liverpool midfielder on the elbow and bouncing away. Then more injury was piled on top of the insult.
To call Newcastle's defending abject to is to a disservice to abject defending worldwide. Their offside trap was somehow beaten by three Liverpool players simultaneously, leading to the rather amusing sight of Henderson, Coutinho and Sturridge all bearing down on Elliot's goal at once. Eventually, the ball found its way to Sturridge, who paused before slotting home for his brace.
Steven Gerrard was then withdrawn for the injury-plagued Fabio Borini, who made an impression by scoring with his second touch. Set up by fantastic play from Stewart Downing, the former Roma man found himself with the ball eight yards out, and he prodded calmly into the bottom corner.
Newcastle were miserable, and Debuchy took out his frustrations on Countinho, wiping out the Brazilian with a two-footed tackle that earned him his second yellow card and an early bath. From the free kick, Henderson's whipped delivery evaded everyone in the box, flew past Elliot and parked itself in the bottom corner to make it 6-0.
It could have gotten worse. Coutinho hadn't scored yet and attempted to rectify that deficiency with a long-range piledriver which Elliot just about managed to palm onto the crossbar, and Sturridge could have had a penalty after being wrestled to the ground by Taylor. But mercifully, the beating ended at six.
Follow @SBNationSoccer on Twitter | Like SB Nation Soccer on Facebook
More in Soccer:
• Full coverage of the Premier League weekend
• The FA's incompetence doesn't exonerate Luis Suarez
• Ronaldo out for Madrid derby
• Manchester United mythbusting


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Casio GIEZ Ti-Rubber GS-300 Caliber 2301, ca. 2003
Brick and mortar impulse buy - not a good one regarding
All these CASIO G-Shocks look so cool in the shops. But we warned. They might expire faster than you think. This watch is one of the infamous rubber clad heads and with the worst possible watch band, a composite of Titanium and rubber. That means if the rubber starts to deteriorate, you can basically toss the watch. It will look like this very scary example.
Don't get me wrong, I am big Casio G-Shock fan as you can see from my collection. I would like if Casio would invest a bit more in longevity (material selection). Even if my G-Shocks last longer, I would still keep buying new models. I try to believe that Casio is not silly enough to assume that their business is better because their watches fall apart quicker?


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Category Archives: Guest Post
Kitting Out a New Home on a Budget
Starting off in a new home isn't cheap. Apart from the initial cost of deposits and agency or mortgage fees, you'll have to stump up the funds to kit out your pad. The good news is, there are lots of money-saving tactics that you can employ in order to keep your spending down.
Shop around
When you're on the hunt for kitchen appliances and other items, make sure you shop around for both larger white goods and smaller appliances like toasters, kettles and grills. There are lots of deals available online, and by taking a little time and using price comparison sites to review a number of options, you stand a better chance of bagging a bargain.
Go second-hand
Also, it can pay off to opt for second-hand products. These can also be found online auction and ad sites, as well as in charity shops and car boot sales. OK, so these items may not last as long or look as pretty as brand new versions, but they can save you a tidy sum. Of course, before you hand over any money for these items, you'll need to make sure they work properly.
Free living
You might even be able to get some items for free. There are a growing number of reuse websites in cyberspace where people advertise products ranging from white goods to sofas that they no longer want. As long as you can pick the objects up, they could be yours for nothing.
Comb the sales
Timing is also key. If you stock up on products for your property during sale seasons, you can benefit from impressive value for money. This may mean being patient for a little while, but if big savings are on offer, it could be worth your while.
Kitting your new house or flat out on a budget doesn't mean you have to compromise when it comes to style. Often, it is the inexpensive little extras that help to make living spaces look and feel warm and attractive. Something as simple – and cheap – as adding some new cushions to sofas or placing a fresh bunch of flowers in a vase can bring rooms to life and suddenly make it feel like home.
Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/familymwr/4929685747/
5 Ways to Enjoy Time With Friends Without Breaking The Bank
In these tough economic times, many people are starting to feel the pinch. Getting out and seeing friends is an important part of your social life though, and it can be difficult to think of exciting things to do when you're on a budget.
Here, we take a look at five ways to enjoy time with friends without breaking the bank.
Host a dinner party
Going out for dinner can be expensive, though it's something that so many people enjoy. After all, what could be better than sharing good food with good friends? While restaurant bills can add up to hundreds if you aren't careful, hosting your own dinner party can be remarkably cheap. Buy your ingredients from the local market, and consider asking friends to bring along dessert and drinks. You might want to invest in a few pieces to make the occasion special, such as high quality champagne flutes, which you'll be able to use again and again.
Look out for discounts and coupons for events
The internet is a great resource when it comes to finding discounts. Sign up to daily offer sites, or just keep checking back with your favourite businesses. With lots of competition out there, they want to keep your interest and get you through the doors! You can also get money off vouchers when you're signed up to certain mobile phone networks. From restaurants to bowling, there's something out there for everyone.
Make use of happy hour
Sometimes, saving money is all about picking the best times! A few rounds of drinks in your favourite bar could cost less than half of the usual price if you go during happy hour. This isn't just the case for pubs, either. Many restaurants and cinemas offer special deals for those who visit outside of peak times. Find out what's available at your usual haunts. Why pay more for exactly the same?
Try new things
Most people fall into the habit of doing the same old things weekend after weekend. But if you're willing to try something new, you could be amazed at how much cash you'll save while having a great time. Activities such as walking, for example, offer a fun way to get fit without spending a penny. When you get your friends involved, it could be an interesting day out. Pack a picnic and take along a map, just in case! Similarly, many councils offer free taster activities, covering everything from exercise to pottery.
If you're struggling for ideas for your next social gathering, why not give one of these a go? You have nothing to lose, and you could discover an exciting new hobby or interest.
This article was brought to you by Ruth Jones on behalf of Gurasu. Gurasu specialises in fine crystal products for the more discerning customer, with ranges that include crystal vases, glass tumblers and much more.
Top 5 Budget Hotels In Boracay
While Boracay remains a world-class tourist destination that hosts a vast number of luxurious and renowned hotels, the island still has a lot of affordable hotels and inns to offer. So, if you are bound for Boracay, and you are looking for the best and most affordable deal for your accommodation, make sure to consider these budget hotels in Boracay:
Bans Beach Resort
Photo credit: majorpanicuk
Bans Beach Resort is a budget resort that is just situated three kilometers from the white pristine sands of Boracay, and just a few minutes away from the Station 2 D'Mall. For one thousand five hundred pesos only, Bans Beach Resort gives you an air-conditioned room with a set of modern amenities, such as a private bathroom, hot and cold shower, refrigerator, cable television and a Wifi access.
Rate per night: 1,500 PHP
Villa Romero
Photo credit: tripadvisor.com
Situated just a few meters away from the famed Boracay White beach, lies a renowned budget hotel known as Villa Romero. The rooms offered by this budget hotel would usually cost around one thousand five hundred to three thousand five hundred pesos per night, depending on the size of the room and the type of accommodation.
Rate per night: 1,500 PHP
Banana Saging Guesthouse
Photo credit:tanyaregala
Located in Bulabog Beach, Banana Saging Guesthouse offers their guests with an easy access to the best and liveliest activities that the island has to offer. From Banana Saging Guesthouse, you can take pleasure in visiting and touring Boracay's finest attractions like the D'Mall, Boat Station 2 and Bulabog beach. On top of that, this budget hotel offers a wealth of comfortable amenities and unrivaled services like a massage center, a restaurant, water sports, a bar and a free Wi-fi access. For the most part, the rates per room per night from this budget hotel would cost around eight hundred to one thousand pesos.
Rate per night: 800 to 1,300 PHP
B&B Resort
Photo credit: tripadvisor.com
B&B resort is a tropical resort that offers affordable rates for their services and amenities. For the most part, their rooms would cost around seven to one thousand pesos per night. Aside from its quality and economical rooms, this budget hotel has competent, friendly accommodating personnel.
Rate per night: 700 to 1,000 PHP
Boracay Tourists' Inn
Photo credit:bee my honey
One of the most affordable inns and hotels in Boracay Island today is the Boracay Tourists' Inn. For only nine hundred pesos, you get a luxurious and restful place that is equipped with air-conditioning, a cable TV, a private shower and a refrigerator. Aside from offering affordable and luxurious rooms, Boracay's Tourists' Inn is also situated just a few steps away from the island's seashore.
Rater per night: 900 PHP
You do not have to spend a fortune in order to get a luxurious and relaxing vacation in Boracay Island. Besides getting Cebu Pacific promo, you can also save a lot of money from your Boracay escapade by staying at a budget hotel. Aside from their economical rates, budget hotels in Boracay provide tons of amazing amenities as well.
About the Guest Author
This post is written by Melanie Sy, a traveller who wants to share her travel experience and adventures.
Losing Weight and Eating Healthy while on a Budget
Photo Credit
Anyone who wants to lose weight or lose the belly fat must perfectly understand that to achieve that goal, diet and exercise should go together. Not just one, but both. But given our modern trying times, another key factor comes into the picture: budget. And honestly, it plays a very big role in your goal plan, especially if one adopts frugal living as a lifestyle.
While researching diet plans and weight loss techniques over the internet, I have found numerous articles that encourage dieters to eat high-protein meat like turkey, red meat, or salmon. Consume healthy unsaturated or monosaturated fat that can be found in avocado, olive oil, almonds, sunflower seeds, and the list goes on. Eat green vegetables like lettuce, celery, cauliflower and the list goes on. And every time I go to the supermarket, the prices for these diet foods are very expensive. Yikes!
As for the exercises, the famous action plan for dieters is to hit the gym. Most gyms require membership fees that do hurt the budget too.
So what do frugal livers do?
Start with the Right Mind
I think it starts with the mind. Why do you want to lose weight or your belly fat? Determine what motivates you, and create a mantra for it. Say it to yourself over and over again. While trying not to eat your favorite unhealthy food, say that mantra. When you get tired and your knees already hurt from too much exercise, say that mantra. If your motivation is weak, chances are you'll be ditching your goals sooner than later.
Every body is Unique, Your Body is Unique
Listen to your body. Which time of the day do you feel most hungry? In spite of all the diet and exercise, why am I not losing pounds? How do I stop myself from grabbing another cup of rice, or ordering another round of drinks? And why do I eat less but gain weight and fat so fast? When you determine the answers to the questions above, then likely you'll adjust your eating habits, self-control, and again, motivation.
Eating the Right Food
Now here comes the food part. Yummy, but in dieting, the word is sacrifice. Though it requires a lot of sacrifice, it does not have to be sad or deprived. Studies show that skinny people enjoy their food and do not gain weight easily because they savor it and chew it properly, before grabbing another. So try to enjoy your food on the table, and not devour it. And make sure to eat the right food. Right. Food. Set out a diet plan that is budget-friendly.
Eat oatmeal or whole wheat bread for snacks.
Eat less rice, hence you can save money.
Drink lots of water, it is cheap.
Eat a lot, and I mean a lot of fruits and vegetables. Eating a lot of it does not harm the weighing scale, even so, is more healthy and beneficial for your weigh loss goal. Fruits can be expensive, so try buying them in the market where the price is still within supplier price. Apples, mangoes, banana, are good options for breakfast or dinner. Then you can eat rice on your lunch. Or whatever makes you comfortable. I can not stress enough the importance of fruits in a diet plan, because it is highly recommended. I think it is one of diet techniques that is mostly ignored or overlooked. Fruits help flush the fat from your body, make you less hungry often, and do not make you feel bloated.
Avoid oily food, you don't want to add more fat in your body.
Ditch the soda and other high sugar-content juices. Drink green tea, or hot water with lemon.
Here comes the hard part. Ditch the junk food and fast food. They contain a lot of salt, preservatives, and monosodium glutamate. When salt content enters the body, it retains water in the body which in effect, can make body look bulgy. They contain a lot of carbs too.
Exercise: Move a Lot
After knowing your diet plan, choose where you can exercise. You can jog in parks that do not collect entrance fees. You can do yoga in your home. You can lift weights using improvised tools such as a water bottle that contains sand, it becomes heavy. Other improvised workout routines can be the following:
At your home, try to do planking, push-up, and sit-up for 30 minutes everyday.
If you have stairs at your home, use it as a workout source. Climb first stairstep with left foot, then right foot. Step down using left foot, then right foot. Repeat for 5 times.
This is yet the best cardio exercise for me: jumprope. I swear I lost few pounds pounds after jumping ropes for 30 minutes everyday for 2 weeks. It is not just cardio, but also an overall workout routine that enhances muscle flexibility and mind-arm coordination. It works a lot of part of your body: arms, legs, knees, stomach, and thigh.
But if you have no time for exercise, go aggressively with your diet plan and try to move a lot. If your work involves sitting whole day, try to stand and have a short walk every 20 minutes. You can maybe go to the restroom, the kitchen, or talk to your friends. After work, if you live nearby, you can just walk the distance. Or if you commute, try to walk to the farthest jeepney or bus stop. At home, you can wash laundry standing up. Cook food. Watch the TV while doing something productive like cleaning. The key thing is try to move a lot.
Take it One Day at a Time
There are no shortcuts. And it takes a significant amount of work. Nothing that is worth having comes easy. Just like any goals in life, shedding a few pounds and fat in the body needs discipline, work, and honestly some sacrifices. But enjoy your journey and don't be too hard to yourself. Make it a lifestyle and not just a one-time or weeklong phase. Just like in the practice of frugal living, spend wisely. So choose your food wisely. Choose your motivations wisely. And you'll just wake up one day and realize you have conquered yourself, and the reward is you lose some pounds and fat. Success!
About the Guest Author
This guest post is written by Cathy Tejano, a technical writer, blogger and a vegetarian-wannabe. She blogs at Lens and Pens.
How to Make Yourself More Employable as a Freelancer
At a time when there are around 197 million people unemployed across the globe, there's no doubt it can be incredibly difficult to find a job. This is highlighted even more by some of the latest figures from recruiters which estimate that upwards of 100 job seekers are now applying for a single vacancy.
So what can you do to make yourself stand out from the crowd and ensure you are picked ahead of numerous other candidates?
Get some experience
According to a study by High Fliers Research – a company investigating recruitment opportunities for university leavers – 36 per cent of jobs offered by employers in 2013 will be awarded to people who have already worked for them in some capacity.
As such, it is essential to get as much work experience as possible, even if this sometimes unfortunately means taking on unpaid work placements or internships. In addition to ensuring you already have one foot in the door at a certain workplace, this experience will help to develop key skills that employers look for – such as communication, organisation and trust, arguably three of the most important for a freelancer. You should also take this opportunity to demonstrate how punctual and eager to work you are, as these are aspects that will be looked upon favourably and give you the edge over applicants who are not currently in similar positions.
Social media
With the popularity of social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook increasing drastically in recent years, people are putting more and more information about themselves on the internet. As a result, it has become common practice for employers to search an applicant's name and find their social media profiles.
Therefore, it is vital you make sure they do not find anything that would put them off employing you. If you are applying for jobs in a certain sector, try to make posts that show your expertise in that area and shy away from making risky jokes or saying things that could be construed as offensive. In certain circumstances organisations have used the content on staff's social media profiles as ammo for dismissal, which has then resulted in employment solicitors having to get involved to ensure this was legitimate. Unfortunately this is being seen more and more so it's worth giving profiles a quick once over to make sure there's nothing on there an employer could look unfavourably upon.
Think carefully about your application
Whereas job seekers once speculatively handed their CVs out to employers en masse, it is now quite common to see applicants copy and paste answers to online questionnaires and send the same resume to a number of different companies.
However, the need to tailor your application to the specific vacancy cannot be understated. This will really pay off in the long run and it is a far more effective use of your time to submit a handful of good, targeted applications than numerous identical ones.
As well ensuring your CV is specific to the particular role you are applying for, producing a cover letter that is unique to the company is also essential. You should look to make sure you make reference to the firm and why you want to work there, as well as highlighting the skills and experiences you possess that make you the ideal candidate.
Time spent researching the company will not be wasted, because you will need this information when it comes to the interview stage of the process. Simply looking at the firms' websites for a few minutes will not provide you with the required insight, so investigate further to see if you can find out specific details relating to what they do, who they work with and who their competitors are. These are all details that will seriously impress a potential employer and the fact you have done the research shows you are keen to secure the job.
Photo above is used under Creative Commons License. Credit.
Top 8 Effective Ways to Encourage Your Child to Save Money
We are living in difficult financial times, so one of the most important lessons for your children to learn is how to put money aside for a rainy day or for unexpected situations that may be around the corner. It can be tough to get children motivated by saving money, so we've come up with some great ways to get them involved:
1. Start them young
Children live in the moment and find it really hard to hold onto their money once they've got it, so start them young! Teach them to drop coins into their piggy bank from when they are a toddler, and help them understand why it's important to let those coins build up before spending.
2. Open a savings account
Take your child to the bank and open an account in their name – this will help them feel part of the process and understand the importance of saving for the future.
3. Reward their efforts
Let's face it, saving is pretty boring when you're 10 years old and would rather rush out and spend, spend, spend! Make sure you praise their efforts to save whenever you can, and encourage them to treat themselves sometimes too.
4. Goals and dreams
As your child gets older, talk to them about their dreams – do they want to travel the world, buy a house or train to be a doctor or a vet? What does that mean for their savings? Help them to see how much they will need to achieve their goals.
5. Talk about money matters
Children need to understand about money and realise that they can't have everything they want or everything they see on TV. By talking about how much things cost and the true value involved in saving up for something special, you will help your child understand how finances work.
6. Set a good example
Remember that your child will learn by example, so create your own piggy bank and make it clear that you are saving up for a trip out, a new sofa or a better car. This will help show your child that saving is a part of normal daily life.
7. Match their savings
Of course in these tough financial times this won't always be possible, but if you can, offer to match whatever your child manages to save and help them achieve their goals even faster. Or if you're not in a position to put in money, why not ask friends and family to let your child do odd jobs to raise more cash?
8. Save as a family
In difficult times, families stick together. Help encourage your child to understand the value of saving money by doing it as a family. Whether you're saving for a holiday, a trip to the cinema or a new pet, make sure you all talk about how close you are to your goal and celebrate when you get there. Your child will love being part of your world, and it will teach them valuable lessons about the importance of saving and being patient.
Encouraging your child to save money will teach them vital life skills such as patience and determination. Saving money will also increase their confidence and help them to stay focused on their goals. By teaching your child these skills you really will give them a fantastic start in life.
About the Guest Author
This post is written by Ealing Trading, who provide cash loans when you need them most.
Frugal Living & Entrepreneurship Is Possible
It's remarkable to see that mainstream entrepreneurs have emerged at a time when the economy is going through financial crisis. This proves the notion that there is opportunity in adversity. This post examines how creating your business is one of the main ways of ensuring your financial security.
The buzz of micro-ecosystem
There has been a lot of innovation when it comes to minimizing the size of devices and expanding their capacity. Take smartphones for that matter or nanotechnology which is harboring a lot of potential ranging from healthcare treatments to use in the textile industry. This diversity shows the value created by making the access of technology easier.
You don't need to come up with big ideas or massive inventions. Now, it's the era of the micro-innovations or modification of existing technology to make it better. Smartphones or similar technologies have spawned off profit incentives. For example, app development is a massive business. Similarly, healthcare is now being defined by having better and bigger databases for treatment. All these factors indicate that there's a looming opportunity in the micro-ecosystem.
Self-employment and being frugal-the connection
The philosophy is pretty simple. If you can control your cash, winning in business is a possibility. Since you are frugal, you won't have the urge to spend unnecessarily. The element of research becomes important here. You have to identify a niche or an area which has not been maximized or used by existing entrepreneurs. This will allow you more room for growth. It was generally thought that entrepreneurs spend big to win big. However, safe play has churned out the best results for many.
Understanding consumer behavior
The advent of social networking as well as free access of data on the internet has allowed entrepreneurs to analyze the target market in a refined manner. These channels have created businesses, for which, the target market is entirely virtual. This means that the opportunity is always there for you to grab. A frugal entrepreneur has a potent mixture of caution and motivation to succeed.
He would opt for term life insurance for ensuring some financial security while he could possibly use his retirement saving to invest in a business. With the consumer behavior is changing over a period of time; it is quite possible to examine it closely. After doing so, prediction can be made as to which side the market would turn.
Previously, such statistics were decided or predicted by a team of analysts trained in consumer psychology, but now, if you engage on social media, you can know the interests of people in your interaction zone, and this is where you can go for the kill. This is how consumer tips for various products/services are made.
The Paradigm Shift
The global economics has shifted from huge corporates to a multitude of profit earning micro set ups. The works in microfinance landed a Noble Prize in economics a few years back. The way down the road is still clear for people who want to do their business.
The competition is there, but the cost of living is also on the rise day by day. The ideal alternate exists in the form of having your own business. The idea is that in order to save money, you need to earn money.
Freelancing: The Definitive How-To Home Phone Setup Guide for Freelance Bloggers
N.B.: The article below is not just helpful for freelance bloggers but to any freelancers who travel a lot. It is written by Rachel Greenberg, a fellow writer from the TheDigest.com.
Whether I'm blogging silly photos of my cat in a bunny costume or offering tips on how to be a successful entrepreneur, the beauty of blogging is that I can write from the comfort of my own home. For all of those at-home bloggers that use a residential VoIP system, they get to experience the best of both worlds: they can work in their PJs, but they also have a fully-featured phone system that gives a highly professional outward appearance.
With VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), customers get a cheap Internet home phone service that is as fully-featured and reliable as any traditional home phone service, but without the high costs associated with traditional providers. In so doing, at-home bloggers can make every penny count without sacrificing quality home phone service.
Cost Savings
If I'm blogging just for fun, blogging full-time, or blogging for a little supplemental cash, I'm most likely in the market for a money saving telephone system.
Installing a telephone line in your home office with a traditional phone provider can result in a huge bill. Traditional phone services often charge installation fees and technician fees on top of you regular high monthly phone bill. And if you want to add a second line, that'll cost you another pricey visit from the technician.
With a residential VoIP provider, however, you receive much cheaper monthly service, while in many cases installation is completely free of charge. VoIP services usually cost $10 to $20 per line, while traditional phone companies are notorious for charging between $20 and $40 per line.
Free Features
VoIP systems can also offer your at-home business a professional outward appearance to the public. With VoIP companies, you can receive numerous free phone features, such as conference calling, call waiting, and call forwarding, which can make your residential blogging business seem more capable and efficient. Oftentimes, traditional phone companies otherwise charge you for these basic features.
Unlimited Nationwide Calls
Well-respected bloggers need to keep up to date on the latest trends, whether it's a new technology popular among teens or a promising new anti-aging solution, you need to stay on top of the fads.
In some cases, you'll want to receive first-hand information, and that more than likely means picking up the phone to call experts, witnesses, and other bloggers. It's not uncommon, however, that you will need to interview someone who lives on the other side of the country.
The good news is that you don't have to forgo valuable quotes and opinions from those subjects just because of your fear of long distance calling charges. Countless VoIP providers offer free and unlimited domestic calling on basic residential plans. These basic plans allow you to spend as much time as you want on a nationwide call, jotting down all the juicy details for must-read blog entry.
Low International Calling Rates
Some of the most successful bloggers have worldwide followers. Acquiring a readership that spans the globe means adapting to an international audience. Bloggers need to write about topics that will interest and intrigue international readers, and to do so, bloggers just may have to pick up the phone.
Regardless of whether I'm blogging about current events in China, or announcing a popular hair treatment in the UK, I'll want to be able to cover every story without worrying about the related phone bills.
Fortunately, various residential VoIP providers offer affordable international calling rates. Many providers charge just pennies per minute for international calling, while others provide unlimited international calling plans. These international calling plans offer unlimited calling to various international destinations for a set fee each month. Residential VoIP provider ITP, for example, features a global calling plan with unlimited calling to 60 countries for a flat rate of $24.99/month.
Perhaps I'm conducting research at the library for my latest blog entry or maybe I'm just hanging out in the coffee shop while I work. With a VoIP provider, I can continue to send and receive VoIP calls even if I'm miles away from my residential landline.
One of the most convenient aspects of VoIP is that with a hosted VoIP system, you can receive your VoIP calls on virtually any mobile device, from PC and laptops to tablets and smartphones.
Simply log into your VoIP account on any of these devices, and a softphone will appear on your screen. A softphone is an on screen dialpad, which allows you to use your device to make a call through your regular landline phone number. You can also receive incoming calls to your home phone number this way.
This is a great feature for bloggers who want the freedom to blog outside of their homes and still remain accessible by their VoIP number. This feature also allows you to take advantage of those unlimited nationwide calls and low calling rates for international calls from any remote location.
Photo above is used under Creative Commons License. Credit.
About the Guest Author
Rachel Greenberg is a tech and telecom writer and editor.
5 Top Tips to Travel on the Cheap!
N.B.: This guest post is brought to you by Roy Duffield, a fellow blogger from the UK. Hope you will learn something from his tips. – EOD
As kids we tend to think that life is free, and it's hard to imagine that we'll have to get jobs one day. We picture our dream lives, doing what we want, going where we want, when we want. All the while "Grown-ups" are telling us we are wrong, that one day we'll become grown-ups ourselves, realise our mistake and have to settle down, get a job, get a mortgage, pay the mortgage, etc, etc…
For a while I feared this may be true…and then I discovered travel, and I became a kid at heart again.
The truth is, travel is a lot cheaper than you think, and whether you are tramping or travelling in luxury, there are always ways to save money, which in turn means that dream trip can last as long as possible.
Here are my 5 top tips to travelling cheap:
A major reason why a lot of people don't travel is the cost. They say they can't afford hotels. Well, I'm here to prove those people wrong. The cost of anything is relative to the GDP of the country you're going to. Therefore, what we might class as a fancy hotel, can cost almost nothing in the cheaper countries in the world. Furthermore, when you think about it, you pay rent back home don't you? Now say your rent is around £300 a month. That's £10 a night, and trust me, there are a lot of nice places (nicer than a £300/month flat) out there for less than £10 a night…
Go long haul!
…which brings me to my next point. The other reason people often think travel is expensive and thus can't understand how others do it, is because they're thinking too short-term. One of the biggest expenses when going on holiday is the flight. Since most people only get a couple of weeks off work at a time, they are used to short holidays of a week or two. Now think about this: if a flight to Florida costs £450 and you go for 2 weeks, that's £225 a week on the flight. However, if you go away for 3 months, backpacking the States, you're only looking at around £35 a week. Much more affordable. Go away for a year, and the flight, spread out, barely costs a thing. Some great ways to extend your trip include learning a language as you travel, teaching one, or any other kind of work abroad (see below).
And there ways to cut down the cost of travel even further! Couchsurfing.org is a great example of how, if you are prepared to think outside the box a little, you can travel for practically nothing…and you also get a much richer travel experience, meet more locals, and so on. As long as you're prepared to give as well as get – so, for example, offering to cook a meal for your hosts, teach them a skill, or about your own culture or traditions – this is the option for you! And don't forget to ask the people you meet about their own money saving tips! Locals always know the cheapest places to eat, drink and shop.
And while we're on the subject of travelling for free, hitchhiking is another great way to meet people, get deeper into the culture of the place you're travelling, and save so cash that would've gone on buses, trains or even flights. You'll also get more freedom than with public transport and you can choose which roads to travel, where you get on and off, etc. Just exercise some caution. There are plenty of great sites with tips for safe hitchhiking.
Work while you travel!
Finally, all of the above focus on how to cut your spending, but what about using travel as a way to make money? Whether you want to WWOOF (work on an organic farm), in a call centre, as an au pair, in a bar, or as an English teacher (TEFL), there are plenty of opportunities waiting for you all over the world, from Sydney to Cusco, Varna to Kamloops. If you're a keen writer you can even make money from your blog, or also as a freelancer. There are plenty of organisations and websites offering various travel benefits in exchange for online content, whether it be a free room at a hostel, or a more long-term set up.
I hope you found this inspiring. Who knows, maybe one day we'll all be on the move, livin' the dream. But until then, happy travels! Don't forget to let me know what you think or ask any questions in the comments.
Photo above is used under Creative Commons License. Credit.
About the Guest Author
This has been a guest post by Roy Duffield. Why not check out his travel stories and notes from the road.
5 Ways to Bring Your Freelancing Career to the Next Level
N.B. This week's freelancing guest post is brought to you by Erica Moss, a fellow writer who is also a well-seasoned freelancer. You will surely learn a lot of new stuff about Freelancing if you'll continue reading her article below. – EOD
Being a freelancer is a very rewarding path for creative and self-motivated people. You're not tied to a mind-numbing commute or the same drab office day in and day out. You work on different and exciting projects, and meet new people all the time. Those who choose the freelance lifestyle are generally pretty happy with their choice, but finding new clients and new projects can sometimes be the most challenging thing they do.
The one thing that a freelancer should always dread is getting into a rut. If things aren't improving, then sometimes it can be easy to lose sight of why you even became a freelancer in the first place. It can be extremely beneficial to your career and your well-being to break through these plateaus.
One of the biggest advantages of being a freelancer is that you have control over your destiny, but sometimes it can be nice to have some help. To that end, here are five simple tips to help get out of a rut or over a plateau and to generally improve your freelancing career:
Increase Your Rates as You Gain Skill and Experience
While it may have been okay to charge rock-bottom rates when you were trying to break into the field, your compensation rise should reflect your skill and experience. There is a human psychology element to premium pricing: Those who charge more and have the skills to back it up will often land the job over the cheaper but less-experienced person.
Don't sell yourself short! You are really good at what you do, better than you used to be, and your rates should reflect that. Try not to let longstanding clients bully you or guilt you into keeping your rates low, either. You need to upgrade your tools and skills over the years, and they secretly know that. And on that note …
Upgrade Your Tools and Skills
Whether it's learning a new version of the software you use or upgrading your hardware, tools or materials to reflect changing trends, it really helps to keep on top of things. Announcing that you now use a new version of a popular software package or have upgraded to a new device that can help you express yourself better can actually bring in new clientele.
Think about people in your field who are stuck in a rut and keep churning out the same thing over and over again — you don't want to be that guy. Trends change, and you need to change with them to stay relevant.
Invest in an Online Portfolio
There are so many great online portfolio sites out there that no matter what you freelance in, there's bound to be a perfect site for you. Many of the high-end portfolio sites have free basic services, but to really connect with others and make it worth the time, you should probably invest in the premium paid service.
If you're an artist or designer, for example, Behance offers a premium service that can put you in front of serious prospective clients. Photographers might want to try selling their work on 500px or Smugmug. No matter what you do, having the right portfolio site might be the difference between a slow month and a busy one — and sometimes you have to spend money to make money.
Take Your Social Media Networking to the Next Level
Whether you love it or hate it, social networking was "the future" of marketing a couple of years ago; now it's the present. You'll have a very hard time finding new clients online without the important connections that social media provides. At the bare minimum, having a current and modern website, Facebook profile and Twitter account is required. If you cannot or will not make these profiles and use these services, it might even be worth hiring someone to do it for you.
For every kind of freelancer, there is a valid and important social network. Image-based networks such as Instagram, Flickr and Pinterest can be incredibly beneficial for artists and photographers, while Facebook and Twitter are tremendously important for bloggers and writers — freelance journalists, for example, are expected to have active Twitter accounts at this point. No matter what your discipline or social network of choice, putting effort into your social media outreach will only benefit you.
Find a Mentor
There is nothing like a kick in the pants from someone you respect to get a fire lit under you. Sometimes only that human touch can get us to snap out of a rut. Find someone who is successful in your field or someone you respect and reach out to them. Ask them for advice; be humble; thank them. Remember that some day, someone might ask the same favor of you.
Hopefully these tips will help you stay on track. Remember: You are a freelancer, and the world is your oyster!
Photo above is used under Creative Commons License. Credit.
About the Guest Author
Erica Moss is the community manager for Georgetown University's online graduate nursing programs, which partners with Nursing License Map to provide valuable nursing license information. She enjoys blogging, TV, pop culture and tweeting @ericajmoss.
Frugal Handicraft Ideas: 7 Recyclable Home Items You Can Transform Into Beautiful Gift Souvenirs
N.B.:(At the moment I'm still publishing guest posts on this site as I'm still very busy with work and settling some personal matters. I'm not sure yet when I can fully blog.)
The essence of frugal living is to live within your means and to make use of the things that are considered useless by many. The core value of frugality doesn't mainly depict saving money but to create and recreate things so that nothing will be wasted.
On the other hand, this quote by Samuel Pepys is for you. "He that will not stoop for a pin will never be worth a pound." Hope you will learn something from this guest post from my fellow blogger, Laura Brently. - EOD
If you are one of those who are in the business of making beautiful things with your hands, from souvenir gift items to handicrafts, chances are you're wondering how to cover the cost of packaging considering you already spent a lot on the materials to make the products you are about to sell. No need to fret, because a lot of potential packaging materials are available right in your house and in your favourite school and office supplies store. You'll be surprised that you already have some of these materials in your house. You're only limited by your creativity.
1. Paper Lunch Bags - You can buy these cheap by bulk, and the classic brown ones have a very down-home, comfortable look that makes it flexible for designers and artists to come up with various designs. These can be used to package anything from figurines, plush toys, to CDs and paperback books. In this easy-to-follow instruction from DIY craft blogger and musician David Curry, you can learn how to use paper lunch bags as a nice case for your CDs.
2. Paper clips - You can use coloured paper clips to seal bags or wrappers, and you can even bend them into attractive shapes, as demonstrated in this project by designer Jessica Jones. You can even go crazy with the design by using rainbow-colored or striped paper clips!
3. Zip lock bags - These nifty items can be used to store and pack anything from food to spare parts to medicine. Expert handcrafter and stay-at-home mom blogger Deanna provides an awesome-looking step-by-step instruction on how to make a reusable ziplock bag (with a zipper!) that is both beautiful and useful.
4. Duct Tape - These items are probably left around in your garage or tool shed and forgotten, despite the vast potential you can have with them. These left-over duct tape rolls have been used to make everything from bags to flipflops. In this wikiHow tutorial, is a step-by-step guide on how to make a duct tape wallet. You can use this design as an attractive packaging option for small flat items such as laminated cards and specialized photo prints, and even include it as an add-on to make your handcrafted product stand out.
5. Sticker paper - With a basic desktop printer and a lot of sticker paper, you can design your own labels for bottles, containers and boxes. You can even laminate them to prevent smudging by using transparent packing tape, as demonstrated by CrazySexyFrugal blogger Joi in this blog post on DIY labeling for homemade cosmetics.
6. Old newspapers - Instead of sending them out for the garbage truck, why not re-use these and save a lot of trees in the process? In another tutorial, Jessica Jones shows us once more that with a bit of imagination and creativity, even mundane-looking old newspapers, doomed to be thrown out, can be used to make eye-pleasing packaging, in this case, gift bags made from newspapers.
7. Plastic drinking straws – Leftover unused straws from your last house party can be used as bag clips for sealing bags in a colorful and decorative way. This illustrated wikiHow instruction shows how it can be easily done with just a scissor as your tool.
Photo Credits: Paper Lunch Bags, Paper clips, Zip lock bags, Duct Tape, Sticker paper, Old newspapers, Plastic drinking straws
About the Guest Author
Laura Brentley is the marketing manager at Card Printing US, a plastic card and gift card specialist company . She's also a craft enthusiast whose "go-to" tools are her triangle rule, a french curve and an x-acto knife.
Freelancing $5 At A Time
N.B.: As what I have mentioned in the previous freelancing guest post that I published almost a month ago, freelancing is a very challenging field and it is not ideal for anyone. But, if you managed to get your hands on it, it would become a stable source of income with limitless opportunities. Below is a guest post by my fellow freelancer, Marc Lafleur, on how he managed to start a freelancing career. – EOD
Are you dreaming of being your own boss, to start freelancing and take control of your financial life, but don't know where to start? Have you heard about $5 mini jobs web sites but didn't give them a try yet?
Let me share with you my story.
It all started in January 2012 when a good friend of mine told me about $5 sites where you can offer mini jobs and also buy mini services. My friend is a funny comedian so he offered was to dance in a spandex suit and do dedicated videos for $5 that people could buy for themselves, their company or their friends. I even bought one from him to wish happy birthday to one of my relative.
I 'Googled' it and found sites like www.minijoblist.com, Fiverr, and a few other ones. All have a similar concept and interface and over 15 categories of jobs that you can create: Fun videos, graphic design, tips and advice, video testimonials, social marketing.
One category stood out: Social Marketing. I found tons of people selling Youtube views, Twitter Followers and Facebook Likes. I really had no clue how to do this and had no other skills to sell at the time so came up with an interesting idea: what is I can sell the exact same things that other people sell on the site, and once I get orders I hire someone else from the same site to do it for me?
In example, I noticed that some people were selling 5000 Youtube views for $5. So I decided to 1000 Youtube Views for $5 and every time I would get 5 orders I would pay that other seller $5 to fulfill the job. Soon I was making $50 per day just by forwarding a few emails, which took probably 30 minutes! This little exercise taught me a lot about micro entrepreneurship and 5$ outsourcing. It taught me that you can sell absolutely anything on the internet, even if you don't have a clue about the industry and even if you don't have any skills related to the matter. Just sell it, and then find someone to do it for you for cheaper.
Less work, more profits, more time for personal activities that you really want to do. Sweet deal!
So I wanted to take this concept further and promote it on Google (www.buymorefans.co.uk). It was a steep learning curve but I did, and 1 year later I am financially autonomous and starting 3 new online businesses as we speak.
Take control of your life: Sell anything online, then pay someone to do it for you for less. Good luck!
Photo used above is under Creative Commons License. Credit.
How to Live a Frugal Life as a Student
N.B.: When I was a student, I scrubbed floors and cleaned office furniture to free my parents from the burden of college tuition. Though I worked as an assistant to our College Guidance Psychometrician, my daily tasks (aside from conducting exams and checking test papers) involve taking on menial jobs and running errands. Looking back, I am quite proud of myself as I managed to graduate from college without debts and even helped my parents to minimize our expenses.
The daily allowance my parents gave me was only Php50 ($1.23). It was quite small for a full-time working student with a big appetite. But, I managed to squeeze it with the help of the little allowance I received as a working scholar. I still can't forget that I often brought rice from home to school to listen my lunch expenses. And I only eat Chinese Ngohiong with it so that I would only spend around Php10 for my meal.
When I was a student, I can't remember that I entered and ate in any fast food chains. This is the very reason why I'm quite amazed these days watching students going in and out of fast food restaurants and other expensive diners. Either they are really well off, or they just don't give a damn about money.
Below is a guest post by my fellow blogger, Linda Forshaw, that teaches students these days on how to minimize their expenses and be more responsible in handling their parents' money. - EOD
Living a frugal life is not about going without the things that you need; rather it is about living a life that avoids waste, extravagance, and unnecessary expenditure. As a student, money is likely to be tight, so there is never a better case for living a frugal life than while you are at college. Here are some top tips to help you do exactly that.
A budget is always the first place to start
When attempting to live a frugal life as a student (or in any other capacity for that matter), creating a budget should always be the very first thing you do. Include all income (from scholarships, student loans, part time work, and parental contributions) and all anticipated expenditure. Understanding how much you have to "play with," is paramount to keeping on the financial straight and narrow.
Free is good but affordability is better
It goes without saying that free is always a good option. Whether it's hooking up to free wifi to avoid data charges or joining your local freecycle group, you never know what you can pick up for free (and would otherwise have paid for). Cheaper (although not quite as attractive as completely free) is a close runner up. Adopting the mantra that every time you need something you will try and find it cheaper is a good plan. A good place to start is making full use of grocery coupons and visiting the store toward closing time to pick up any discounted food stuffs.
Sharing is sensible
There's a lot of truth in the saying that "two can live as cheaply as one," so imagine the savings that can be made from teaming up with more than one other person. As a student, most of your peers will be in the same boat financially speaking, so team up to help each other out. This could involve any number of things. You could each buy a textbook from a required reading list, start a supper club (whereby one of you cooks each night), or team up to benefit from bulk buy discounts, The possibilities to make savings are fairly endless.
Alternatives can be attractive
Always be on the lookout for cheaper alternatives. It can be as simple as when you fancy watching a movie, renting a DVD instead of forking out for an extravagant trip to the cinema. It could be that you really need a haircut. Could you wait until next week and bag yourself a cheaper appointment with a trainee hairdresser? This is all about seeking viable alternatives to the things you want or need. If you can't wait for a better deal, remember to always ask for a student discount. Such discounts might not be widely advertised by a company, but they are often available.
Living frugally as a student doesn't mean you won't have any fun. You'll probably have just as much fun as the other students in your class. The only real difference is that you'll be getting a better deal.
Photo above is used under Creative Commons License. Credit.
About the Guest Author
Linda Forshaw is a Business Information Systems graduate from Lancaster University in the UK. A contributor to Degree Jungle, she is a full time writer and blogger specializing in education, social media, and entrepreneurship. Contact her on Twitter @seelindaplay
Frugal Home Ideas: Green and Self-Reliant Additions to Your Home That Save Money
N.B.: Have you been thinking how to save electricity and lessen the frequency of buying new bulbs every time they got damaged? Or, perhaps are you planning to cut off on energy cost by buying solar-powered appliances? If you have these thoughts then you may continue reading below. The following guest post is from my fellow writer, Sam Peters. – EOD
Elektrostandard LED light bulb
You may be cutting down on the weekend meals or trying to shop smarter, but you may be unaware of huge savings that can be made through green installations at your home. Apart from the potential savings offered by these installations, they'll also make your home self-reliant. Here are some of the options you can go for.
1. LED light bulbs
These are low-energy consuming lights that can last for up to 20 years. For brightness, they use 90 percent low watts per hour compared to incandescent lights. They lead to savings in light and bulb purchases as well as in energy. They're an investment worth looking into, and the cost only averages around $20 per unit. They're a top choice when it comes to green home installations. Custom LED lightning installations also available to consumers.
2. Energy-saving adapters
Many of you would be fond of using consumer electronics at your home; laptops, smartphones, tablets, video games etc. Did you know they account for a total of 13 percent energy consumed at homes? This was reported by CEA, and the cost of charging and running these devices goes up to $191 per year.
Energy saving adapters (AC/DC) are now being manufactured by companies such as Green Plug. They're made to give the devices the exact amount of charge they require, and shut themselves down automatically once the required amount of power has been given to the specified device. They'll lead to money savings if you regularly charge devices and other electronic items.
3. Outdoor Solar motion sensor light
Apart from green installations inside the house, you could save some bucks by tweaking your home from the outside. The outdoor solar motion sensor lights provide you 'free energy' to use, They use the sun to charge themselves, and the charge goes on for up to 2 weeks.
They're also brighter, and stay on during power outages as there's no electricity involved. Therefore, you save in terms of electricity as well as home security.
4. Programmable thermostats
Thermostats have been around for a while, but advances have been made to make them more energy efficient, leading to savings. The thermostats are now being equipped with advanced sensors and algorithms, and they even allow for cloud computing.
These high tech thermostats can lead to a 30 percent decrease in average annual energy bill. An example of such as thermostat is Nest Learning Thermostat by Nest Labs.
A separate account can be maintained for spending on the listed and other green additions. Researching banks that offers the best interest rate on savings accounts would result in some options.
Apart from savings accounts, there's also an option to go for current deposit account by comparing cd rates of different banks.
Photo used above is under Creative Commons License. Credit.


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Serving irresistible Italian cuisine in casual, friendly surroundings, Prezzo uses only the finest seasonal ingredients to create their award-winning… more » This review is not by Square Meal
Regulars at this lovely Test Valley village pub are still cheering the arrival of James Durrant (former executive chef at London's Michelin-starred… more »
The bucolic setting with gardens running down to the River Thames inspired Jerome K Jerome to write 'Three Men in a Boat' when he lived here… more »
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Set in a hilltop village beside the local cricket ground and operated by the same family for 200 years, The Bell is your archetypal 'unspoilt'… more »
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Denmark's VKR Acquires Gienow Operations in Alberta
VKR Holding A/S has purchased the Western Canadian operations of the Gienow Group from Sankaty Advisors LLC. Denmark-based VKR Holding is the parent company of Velux, the manufacturer of skylights with operations in the U.S. and throughout the world.
VKR is acquiring the Gienow, Award and AWD business units, which employ about 650 people and operate three window and door manufacturing facilities in Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta. The transaction does not include Farley Windows & Doors of Alexandria, Ont. Previously part of the Gienow Group, Farley remains a portfolio investment for Sankaty Advisors.
"This is a great opportunity for us and our employees to provide a platform for stability and continued growth," says Richard Boyer, president of Gienow's Western Group. Over the past four years, he notes, finacial investors have held a significant stake in Gienow. "This puts us back in the hands of a private company with a long-term perspective," he states, adding that being part of a large group on solid financial footing is "a good thing."
None of the current operations or plans made by management are expected to change as a result of this transaction. "VKR was looking for a strong and viable platform to enter the Canadian market," Boyer states. "We have a lot in common and have a shared vision about our future."
"We are an industrial owner with a long-term perspective," says Leif Jensen, CEO of VKR Holding. "We already own several vertical window companies and other companies. Therefore, the acquisition is consistent with our strategy to increase our activities outside Western Europe. We consider the Gienow Group a company with a good position on the Canadian market."
With 2008 sales of about $3.7 billion, the VKR Group is active in more than 40 countries and employs approximately 15,000 people. Its Velux Group employs about 10,000 people and operates manufacturing operations in 11 countries, including the U.S., where it has a plant in Greenwood, S.C.
In addition to the skylight and roof window business, VKR also owns the Dovista Group of window and door manufacturing companies. Primarily targeting Northern European markets, the 10 companies primarily make wood and wood/aluminum products, operating manufacturing plants in Denmark, Norway, Poland, Sweden and the UK. Dovista brands include Velfac, Rationel Vinduer, SP Fönster, Traryd Fönster, Mockfjärds Fönster, West Port, the Natre Group, O.H. Industri and Snidex. VKR also owns a number of manufacturers involved solar and thermal energy products, screens and blinds, and ventilation products.
"The Canadian market is a new market for us, but the climate and business conditions are similar to the Northern European conditions, so we feel well prepared," Jensen states. "Currently, the Canadian market is just as difficult as the European markets, but we consider the Gienow Group a company with a good regional position on the Canadian market and with promising potentials on the other side of the present crisis."
Looking long term, Boyer notes that being part of VKR will offer some procurement opportunities, given the company's global footprint not only in vertical windows, but skylights. With its wood and aluminum/wood product lines, he also expects some technology transfer, as well as sharing of best practices. VKR's window and door operations have little experience with vinyl, Boyer adds. Given Gienow's experience in that realm, he expects Gienow may be able to share its expertise on that front.
The Gienow Group had operated as a publicly-traded income trust for several years until 2007, when it went private with an investor group that included H.I.G. Capital, as well as Sankaty Advisors. Sankaty acquired a controlling interest in Gienow when it made a significant investment in the window and door company as part of a restructuring process earlier this year.


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ON FRIDAY former Fairbridge Farm child migrants return to court in Sydney to seek justice over what they say was systematic abuse at the farm near Molong between 1938 and 1974.
According to Roop Sandhu of Slater and Gordon, the law firm representing the complainants on Friday, the court is likely to make an order for informing members about the class action and giving those who do not wish to proceed a chance to opt out.
In March the Supreme Court granted an order for the 65 of the former residents of the working farm to go ahead with the class action against the NSW and commonwealth governments and Fairbridge Foundation, claiming sexual and physical abuse at Fairbridge.
Sitting in court on Friday will be former Fairbridge resident and author of The Forgotten Children a book about life at Fairbridge Farm, David Hill.
However Mr Hill said he is disappointed the defence in the case has continued to use delaying tactics.
"I thought some commonsense and humility might prevail before this, but that simply hasn't been the case," Mr Hill said.
"We've seen through the evidence of the Royal Commission into child sexual abuse this type of behaviour was widespread in the Catholic Church, the Salvation Army and at Fairbridge," he said.
Mr Hill said when he returned to Orange and Molong to conduct interviews for his book, which was an expose on the life of children at the farm, half of the people he interviewed for the book said they had been physically or sexually abused.
"The other half I'm sure just weren't ready to talk about it," he said.


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The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, the City of Tuscaloosa and The University of Alabama joined forces to create a business incubator in downtown Tuscaloosa to be called The Edge – Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
The Edge consists of almost 9000 square feet of office and shared space to be leased to early stage companies.
"Encouraging innovation is a top economic development priority," said J. Michael Hardin, Dean of UA's Culverhouse College of Commerce. "I think a major responsibility for any business school is to join forces with community partners to attract creative talent and entrepreneurs who can help us teach our students and their employees how to build a successful business."
The purpose of The Edge is to help West Alabama entrepreneurs succeed. The Chamber and its partners will help find ways to link entrepreneurs with critical assets and remove barriers to growth, drive revenues and employment opportunities.
Eric Omar Petty charged with murder in the death of Marcellus Brown
Evangelist Franklin Graham prayed on a sidewalk outside the Pentagon Thursday after his invitation to a prayer service inside was withdrawn because of comments that insulted people of other religions. More>>


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Welcome to the Online Business Roundup at SoloBizCoach.com. This roundup was created by scouring the web in order to bring you the best articles of the week in Business, Online Business, Internet Marketing, Blogging, Writing, SEO, Freedom, Education, Life, Productivity, Personal Development, Careers and Social Media.
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Online Business, Business, Marketing, and Internet Marketing
50 Job Resources for Makers – define yourself, then with this article will help you get to where you need to be
Start Your Business Debt-Free- debt is serfdom
The 4 Components of a Compelling Elevator Pitch – an old idea that should be remembered and used more often
Social Media, Blogging and Writing
7 Ways Interviews Can Skyrocket Blog Growth – good traffic generator by bringing in those that follow the people that you interview
How to choose your blogging software—WordPress is used for good reasons, learn how to maximize this platform
5 Useful MySQL Queries for WordPress—making your platform help you
20 Ways to Master Google+ — I love Google+. Please connect with me on Google+
Personal Finance
Ivy League Millionaires – you might be surprised
Personal Development
Tackling Stress @ Work in a Less Than Cozy Economy – a relevant article that can help you cope with stress while working
If Engineers Were to Rethink Higher Ed's Future – maybe the engineers can solve the problems at the higher education institutions, but they will have to take a pay cut
I am always looking for great articles to share. If you see anything that should be included in the next edition of the Online Business Roundup, please email a link to firstname.lastname@example.com.
photo by StuckinCustoms


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UPDATE: Credit Suisse Upgrades Dillard's to Outperform on Spending Shift Exposure
Credit Suisse upgraded Dillard's (NYSE: DDS) from Neutral to Outperform.
Credit Suisse noted, "Over the past few years, we have become more and more impressed by the Dillard's strategy, and during the past year, it became one of our more favored stocks with a Neutral rating. After nearly two decades of decline, it was one of the first department stores to truly address its store base and shutter underperforming locations. In the mid-2000's, it also began to control its inventory levels for the first time in years. Around the same time, it started to focus on directing its capex dollars and merchandising efforts towards key "FAB" (footwear/accessories/beauty) categories of merchandise. The result has been a much more efficient company with a lower cost structure, and for the first time since the late '90's, a three year streak of positive same store sales."
Dillard's closed at $81.04 on Wednesday.
Posted-In: Credit SuisseAnalyst Color Upgrades Intraday Update Analyst Ratings
© 2014 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.


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43 U.S. Code § 2423 - Loan guarantees
(a) Authority
Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary may make available to lenders for a project meeting the eligibility criteria established in section 2422 of this title loan guarantees to supplement private-sector or lender financing for the project.
(b) Terms and limitations
(1) In general
Loan guarantees under this section for a project shall be on such terms and conditions and contain such covenants, representations, warranties, and requirements as the Secretary determines to be appropriate to protect the financial interests of the United States.
(2) Amount
Loan guarantees by the Secretary shall not exceed an amount equal to 90 percent of the cost of the project that is the subject of the loan guarantee, as estimated at the time at which the loan guarantee is issued.
(3) Interest rate
An obligation shall bear interest at a rate that does not exceed a level that the Secretary determines to be appropriate, taking into account the prevailing rate of interest in the private sector for similar loans and risks.
(4) Amortization
A loan guarantee under this section shall provide for complete amortization of the loan guarantee within not more than 40 years.
Source(Pub. L. 109–451, title II, § 204,Dec. 22, 2006, 120 Stat. 3358.)
The table below lists the classification updates, since Jan. 3, 2012, for this section. Updates to a broader range of sections may be found at the update page for containing chapter, title, etc.
The most recent Classification Table update that we have noticed was Tuesday, August 13, 2013
An empty table indicates that we see no relevant changes listed in the classification tables. If you suspect that our system may be missing something, please double-check with the Office of the Law Revision Counsel.
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text: I have been here since I was 10 years old but my process has taken way to long, and I am 28 years old now. I went to college for 2 years, and I payed all of it using my hard work and effort working a retail job making 10 bucks a hour. I am smart and capable of getting a good job but the process of becoming citizen is really long, and I wish my parents would of stayed in their own country. I feel frustrated because I don't write and read portuguese. I feel that it is unfair to me to go back to a country that I don't know nothing about. I got money saved for retirement over here and legally that is my money I worked for it and that is my social security number also and I do pay taxes and I don't do food stamps either. I want my money That I work for also want to be able to get more education over here so that I can go back or live in another country. I don't mind trying another country and living their depends on the opportunity. I want to try canada but I think you got to be self employed or have your own business to get a visa. So my goal is to become self employed and move to canada get a citizenship and come back to united states because my bro is going to turn 21 in 3 years, and he is citizen so he can apply for me. The problem with immigration is that they don't want to help you get out of the united states. They just want you to get out. You can't just move to a country you don't know nothing about. What you can do for people that are immigrates is give them an option to go back by providing education and scholarships to immigrates. It is painful for me to live in a country that was made out of immigrates and they want to kick them out like the Indians.


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We have so many great races on the Treasure Coast that it is hard to pick a best local race. For many people the race differs depending upon what they want: do they prefer a field packed with top competition? A challenging course? Or one that is flat and fast? Great weather and a beautiful course? Good eats after the race?
The reader poll for Best Local Race of 2012 made this point clear. Five local races had more than 10 percent of the vote and the top vote-getter, the Oceanside Physical Therapy Halloween Half Marathon, garnered only a third of the vote.
The Halloween Half is a beautiful course with two bridges. The start and finish location at Indian RiverSide Park is a festive environment and there is good post-race grub as well as free massages this year.
But our staff pick is.....
Last year's reader's choice winner the Race for Research Half Marathon and 5K.
The Race for Research was in its third year and the organizers managed to make it even better. The race featured some top competition from the Treasure Coast and from outside the area. The food and atmosphere after the race were again top-notch. The awards and medals are classy as well. And the weather generally cooperates. The course is flat and very fast.
But best of all was the new team competition. This was something new and it really added to an already great event.