Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
10 ways how to avoid the ultimate flag day volunteer.
Flag Day in Singapore is unique. The objective of a flag day is to raise funds for charity organization in Singapore. Every Saturday, flag day volunteers will be out in the streets holding tin can where people can slot in their coins or dollar notes. The volunteers will be literally everywhere; you can see them at the shopping malls, bus terminals, the train stations and the parking lots. Sometimes you can be approached more than once. To avoid such repeated “harassment”, the volunteer will give you a small sticker to put on your shirt to show that you have done your good deed for the day. I must say that we have many enthusiastic volunteers that may sometimes chase after people to ask for donation. In some cases, the volunteers may bring children along and let the children to do the job. I must qualify that all these are done for a good cause. As a flag day volunteer myself, I have encountered many funny people who tried their best to avoid donating any money at all not even a ten cent coin. So here are 10 ways how to avoid overzealous flag day volunteers?
1) Walking in another direction
2) I forget to bring any money
3) I have no coins
4) I have urgent thing to attend to
5) Pretend to talk on the phone
6) Pretend to do sms
7) Ignore them
8) Start to tell them your sad story and go away
9) Give them the fierce look
10) Don’t go out until after 3pm when the flag day end
Are there other ways? Do share your comments.
1) Walking in another direction
2) I forget to bring any money
3) I have no coins
4) I have urgent thing to attend to
5) Pretend to talk on the phone
6) Pretend to do sms
7) Ignore them
8) Start to tell them your sad story and go away
9) Give them the fierce look
10) Don’t go out until after 3pm when the flag day end
Are there other ways? Do share your comments.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Eat Chocolate as Part of a Healthy Lifestyle.
Eat Chocolate as Part of a Healthy Lifestyle.
Are you a chocolate lover? Recent studies show that adding a little chocolate to your diet is a good thing. chocolate contains flavonoids similar to those in green tea and may help decrease blood pressure and defend against the ravages of free radicals in our bodies, while boosting our immune systems.
Here are just a few of the benefits of eating or drinking chocolate:
Helps decrease blood pressure and improves circulation - German Researchers recently found that as little as two squares of dark chocolate lowers blood pressure as well as prescription medications.
Defends the body against destructive molecules called free radicals, which can trigger cancer, heart disease and strokes
Chocolate has phenols-the same antioxidants in wine-help prevent arteriosclerosis
Contains a chemical called phenyl ethylamine (PEA)- a mild mood elevator-produced by the brain if people are happy or in love
The cocoa butter in chocolate contains oleic acid, a mono-unsaturated fat. This “good fat” like that found in olive oil is thought to raise good cholesterol (HDL).
Dark chocolate contains 3 times the catechins found in tea-these are a flavonoid which could help prevent heart disease and boosts the immune system.
One recent study in Japan showed that chocolate contains antibacterial agents which can help fight tooth decay. However, if you are going to eat chocolate, stick to solid, rich chocolate. Mass-produced chocolate bars and mixes contain sugar, which causes tooth decay and increases empty calories.
One Harvard study found that men who ate chocolate lived an average of one year longer than those who didn’t eat chocolate.
Nutrients in chocolate
vitamins A, B1, C, D, and E
Calcium, potassium, sodium, iron, and fluorine.
copper and magnesium which are good for the heart
What type of chocolate should you eat?
Minimally processed dark chocolate is preferable to milk chocolate, which often contains sugar, dairy products and other additives. Choose dark chocolates with a higher percentage of cocoa content- at least 70%.
Calories in chocolate
If you are watching your weight, chocolate is best enjoyed in moderation. One ounce of solid chocolate contains about 150 calories and can be about 50 percent fat. Milk chocolate is higher in calories than dark chocolate.
Some people feel, however, that drinking a cup of hot chocolate before a meal will decrease their appetite.
Myths about chocolate
Chocolate and acne- Studies show that eating chocolate does not cause acne and not eating chocolate
won’t keep one from suffering from acne. Most doctors now believe that diet is not linked to acne.
Caffeine in chocolate
One ounce of milk chocolate contains about the same amount of caffeine as one cup of decaf coffee. One study showed the smell of chocolate may actually relax you by increasing theta waves in the brain.
The key to adding chocolate to your diet is to do so in moderation. Try one ounce three times a week. Make it a treat. Sit and really enjoy the taste and feelings of chocolate.
Are you a chocolate lover? Recent studies show that adding a little chocolate to your diet is a good thing. chocolate contains flavonoids similar to those in green tea and may help decrease blood pressure and defend against the ravages of free radicals in our bodies, while boosting our immune systems.
Here are just a few of the benefits of eating or drinking chocolate:
Helps decrease blood pressure and improves circulation - German Researchers recently found that as little as two squares of dark chocolate lowers blood pressure as well as prescription medications.
Defends the body against destructive molecules called free radicals, which can trigger cancer, heart disease and strokes
Chocolate has phenols-the same antioxidants in wine-help prevent arteriosclerosis
Contains a chemical called phenyl ethylamine (PEA)- a mild mood elevator-produced by the brain if people are happy or in love
The cocoa butter in chocolate contains oleic acid, a mono-unsaturated fat. This “good fat” like that found in olive oil is thought to raise good cholesterol (HDL).
Dark chocolate contains 3 times the catechins found in tea-these are a flavonoid which could help prevent heart disease and boosts the immune system.
One recent study in Japan showed that chocolate contains antibacterial agents which can help fight tooth decay. However, if you are going to eat chocolate, stick to solid, rich chocolate. Mass-produced chocolate bars and mixes contain sugar, which causes tooth decay and increases empty calories.
One Harvard study found that men who ate chocolate lived an average of one year longer than those who didn’t eat chocolate.
Nutrients in chocolate
vitamins A, B1, C, D, and E
Calcium, potassium, sodium, iron, and fluorine.
copper and magnesium which are good for the heart
What type of chocolate should you eat?
Minimally processed dark chocolate is preferable to milk chocolate, which often contains sugar, dairy products and other additives. Choose dark chocolates with a higher percentage of cocoa content- at least 70%.
Calories in chocolate
If you are watching your weight, chocolate is best enjoyed in moderation. One ounce of solid chocolate contains about 150 calories and can be about 50 percent fat. Milk chocolate is higher in calories than dark chocolate.
Some people feel, however, that drinking a cup of hot chocolate before a meal will decrease their appetite.
Myths about chocolate
Chocolate and acne- Studies show that eating chocolate does not cause acne and not eating chocolate
won’t keep one from suffering from acne. Most doctors now believe that diet is not linked to acne.
Caffeine in chocolate
One ounce of milk chocolate contains about the same amount of caffeine as one cup of decaf coffee. One study showed the smell of chocolate may actually relax you by increasing theta waves in the brain.
The key to adding chocolate to your diet is to do so in moderation. Try one ounce three times a week. Make it a treat. Sit and really enjoy the taste and feelings of chocolate.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
9 Steps to Financial Freedom by Reducing Debt
There's nothing more unrealistic then to have a financial expert advise everyone to stop getting hair cuts, don't buy a cup of coffee, cut off your cable, and the one that really boils my blood is "don't eat out". It's just not realistic for everyone. In fact, it's like telling an overweight person to "just stop eating". It's not going to happen, at least not overnight. While this is not bad advice, there are other ways, more realistic, that will lead you to financial freedom. Start by gradual change because you are more likely to stick with it and not feel deprived.
(1) Create a budget
The first step to financial freedom is creating a budget you can stick with. Begin with the household necessities such as mortgage, rent, utilities, car payment and insurance. These are your fixed expenses. Next, tackle your variable costs such as groceries, cell phone, credit card bills, entertainment and clothing. Once you have these items budgeted take a look at what is left and then create a reserved budget for dining out, vacations, hair stylists and pampering needs. Be realistic and set reasonable constraints on these items.
(2) Rebuild your credit scores
The cost of having bad credit is immeasurable. If you are going to be financially free you must improve your credit rating. It makes a huge difference in the amount of money you save by having a good credit score. The bottom line is that lower interest rates equal money saved. For instance, if you have a $400,000 mortgage at a 6.00% (30-year fixed interest rate) your monthly payment will be $2,398. That same $400,000 mortgage at a 9.00% (30-year fixed interest rate) will be a monthly payment of $3,218. That's a difference of about $820 a month! The same rules apply with automobile loans, credit cards and other types of bank loans. The better your credit score, the lower your interest rate and the more money you save.
(3) Create a good cushion
You never know when you'll need money outside of what you have budgeted. Auto repairs, an emergency out of state trip, plumbing problems...you name it....it could happen. The money you save by having a budget and sticking to it should go into a savings account. Having a savings account not only gives you peace of mind but also keeps you from incurring more debt when an emergency occurs.
Instead of relying on your credit card or creating more debt when an emergency occurs, you can use your cushion. Just as you have a budget plan, have a savings plan also. Pay yourself first. Start with at least 10% of your income. You may even want to include it in your fixed expenses budget as a line item. The funny thing about saving money is that it can be addictive. The more you save and watch your savings grow, the more you want to save. You become accustomed to seeing that money in your savings account increase each month. Start saving today. No more excuses.
(4) Cable T.V.
If you can throw away the TV. Unless for those who are addicted to it. Stick to the basic fee. Or wait for some promotion to get it if needed.
(5) Lower your credit card interest rates
As stated above, the lower your interest rates, the more money you save. Lowering your credit card interest rates could save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. Call your credit card company and request a lower rate. Many consumers are intimidated by the thought of requesting a lower rate. Don't be one of those consumers. You'd be surprised at the results. Your chances are good if you have been a customer for some time, you are not at your credit limit and you have been making timely payment. Or better still, use only cash instead of credit card.
(6) Never pay just the minimum payment due
Making minimum payments to your creditors will not lead you to financial freedom. It may even help you dig your way deeper into debt. Always pay as much as you can afford. Credit card companies compound interest daily. Any additional money toward your debt reduces the principal balance as well as the amount of interest you will pay over time.
(7) Switch banks
Monthly bank and ATM fees can really add up. When using the ATM you may not think about the $2.00 or $3.00 charge for ATM withdrawals. But if you use the ATM a couple times a week not to mention if your spouse does the same thing, ATM fees can be astronomical. Consider switching to a bank that does not charge ATM withdrawal fees. Many banks offer free checking and at most credit unions, you can get free checking with interest, with no minimum balance.
(8) Balance your check book and avoid overdraft fees
Not surprisingly, many of us do not balance our checkbook. We feel the automated phone teller or online banking is enough to keep us informed about our finances. It's not. Good old fashion basic math skills can save you a lot of money. Bank overdraft fees can range from $22 to $35. Overdraft fees are through the roof and there is no sign of them decreasing. Balancing your checkbook whenever you transact business using your checking account, i.e. (writing checks, ATM withdrawals, bank service fees, etc.), will save you money in the long run.
(9) Earn extra income
Are you due for a raise? Negotiate a good raise if you are due for one and save that extra money. If a raise is not in the cards take on an extra job. Extra income can be earned by taking on a weekend or part-time job. With the Internet many opportunities exist for home-based businesses without much start-up costs. With today's unstable economy it is wise to have multiple streams of income.
(1) Create a budget
The first step to financial freedom is creating a budget you can stick with. Begin with the household necessities such as mortgage, rent, utilities, car payment and insurance. These are your fixed expenses. Next, tackle your variable costs such as groceries, cell phone, credit card bills, entertainment and clothing. Once you have these items budgeted take a look at what is left and then create a reserved budget for dining out, vacations, hair stylists and pampering needs. Be realistic and set reasonable constraints on these items.
(2) Rebuild your credit scores
The cost of having bad credit is immeasurable. If you are going to be financially free you must improve your credit rating. It makes a huge difference in the amount of money you save by having a good credit score. The bottom line is that lower interest rates equal money saved. For instance, if you have a $400,000 mortgage at a 6.00% (30-year fixed interest rate) your monthly payment will be $2,398. That same $400,000 mortgage at a 9.00% (30-year fixed interest rate) will be a monthly payment of $3,218. That's a difference of about $820 a month! The same rules apply with automobile loans, credit cards and other types of bank loans. The better your credit score, the lower your interest rate and the more money you save.
(3) Create a good cushion
You never know when you'll need money outside of what you have budgeted. Auto repairs, an emergency out of state trip, plumbing problems...you name it....it could happen. The money you save by having a budget and sticking to it should go into a savings account. Having a savings account not only gives you peace of mind but also keeps you from incurring more debt when an emergency occurs.
Instead of relying on your credit card or creating more debt when an emergency occurs, you can use your cushion. Just as you have a budget plan, have a savings plan also. Pay yourself first. Start with at least 10% of your income. You may even want to include it in your fixed expenses budget as a line item. The funny thing about saving money is that it can be addictive. The more you save and watch your savings grow, the more you want to save. You become accustomed to seeing that money in your savings account increase each month. Start saving today. No more excuses.
(4) Cable T.V.
If you can throw away the TV. Unless for those who are addicted to it. Stick to the basic fee. Or wait for some promotion to get it if needed.
(5) Lower your credit card interest rates
As stated above, the lower your interest rates, the more money you save. Lowering your credit card interest rates could save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. Call your credit card company and request a lower rate. Many consumers are intimidated by the thought of requesting a lower rate. Don't be one of those consumers. You'd be surprised at the results. Your chances are good if you have been a customer for some time, you are not at your credit limit and you have been making timely payment. Or better still, use only cash instead of credit card.
(6) Never pay just the minimum payment due
Making minimum payments to your creditors will not lead you to financial freedom. It may even help you dig your way deeper into debt. Always pay as much as you can afford. Credit card companies compound interest daily. Any additional money toward your debt reduces the principal balance as well as the amount of interest you will pay over time.
(7) Switch banks
Monthly bank and ATM fees can really add up. When using the ATM you may not think about the $2.00 or $3.00 charge for ATM withdrawals. But if you use the ATM a couple times a week not to mention if your spouse does the same thing, ATM fees can be astronomical. Consider switching to a bank that does not charge ATM withdrawal fees. Many banks offer free checking and at most credit unions, you can get free checking with interest, with no minimum balance.
(8) Balance your check book and avoid overdraft fees
Not surprisingly, many of us do not balance our checkbook. We feel the automated phone teller or online banking is enough to keep us informed about our finances. It's not. Good old fashion basic math skills can save you a lot of money. Bank overdraft fees can range from $22 to $35. Overdraft fees are through the roof and there is no sign of them decreasing. Balancing your checkbook whenever you transact business using your checking account, i.e. (writing checks, ATM withdrawals, bank service fees, etc.), will save you money in the long run.
(9) Earn extra income
Are you due for a raise? Negotiate a good raise if you are due for one and save that extra money. If a raise is not in the cards take on an extra job. Extra income can be earned by taking on a weekend or part-time job. With the Internet many opportunities exist for home-based businesses without much start-up costs. With today's unstable economy it is wise to have multiple streams of income.
Join the Winning Team
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Most Popular Web 2.0 sites.
Today’s most popular Web 2.0 sites based on the traffic they get as measured during the months of July, August and September 2008.
Priority is given to direct traffic measurement methods wherever applicable. Panel data as well as toolbar traffic figures are not taken into cosndieration. Traffic details as taken from Quantcast, Google Analytics*, Nielsen Site Audit, Nielsen NetRatings, comScore Media Metrix, internal server log files*, Compete and Alexa. Press release, public relation and buzz traffic and usage figures as they have appeared in the mainstream and specialized media are given with lower priority unless supported by direct traffic measurement methods.
*wherever applicable
Top 10 ranking:
Wordpress.com ~ 100M
YouTube.com ~ 73M
MySpace.com ~ 72M
Wikipedia.org ~ 69M
Hi5.com ~ 54M
Facebook.com ~ 43M
BlogSpot.com ~ 43M
PhotoBucket.com ~ 34M
MetaCafe.com ~ 30M
Blogger.com ~ 27M
Be The Winning Team
Priority is given to direct traffic measurement methods wherever applicable. Panel data as well as toolbar traffic figures are not taken into cosndieration. Traffic details as taken from Quantcast, Google Analytics*, Nielsen Site Audit, Nielsen NetRatings, comScore Media Metrix, internal server log files*, Compete and Alexa. Press release, public relation and buzz traffic and usage figures as they have appeared in the mainstream and specialized media are given with lower priority unless supported by direct traffic measurement methods.
*wherever applicable
Top 10 ranking:
Wordpress.com ~ 100M
YouTube.com ~ 73M
MySpace.com ~ 72M
Wikipedia.org ~ 69M
Hi5.com ~ 54M
Facebook.com ~ 43M
BlogSpot.com ~ 43M
PhotoBucket.com ~ 34M
MetaCafe.com ~ 30M
Blogger.com ~ 27M
Be The Winning Team
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Robert Ong Announces Online Business is Not For Everyone
Carbon Copy Pro Online Business is meant for serious entrepreneur only!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
