Procrastination - Understanding & Overcoming it

Whenever I've worked on 'de-cluttering' my living or working space, I've always found that it's the unfinished project - whatever I'm procrastinating about - that takes up the most room.

Physically, it's a constant reminder of something I tell myself I SHOULD be doing.

Mentally, it consumes my thoughts and diverts my attention from the present moment.

Emotionally, it weighs down my heart and nicks away at my confidence.

In this article, I invite you to consider how procrastination, as a form of self-sabotage, shows up in the different areas of your life.

Understanding Procrastination - Why do you procrastinate?

Maybe your physical surroundings and your 'systems' of organization are getting in your way. For example:

~ My workspace is too messy

~ I'm too busy

Maybe distracting or debilitating emotions or thoughts are getting in your way. For example:

~ I'm afraid - afraid to fail, afraid to succeed

~ I'm overwhelmed

Maybe your physical body and its level of well-being is getting in your way. For example:

~ I'm too tired

Maybe your thoughts about the other people in your life are getting in your way. For example:

~ They might not like it

~ It won't be as good as _____, so why bother?

Procrastination is a habit like any other. If you can envision how you want to be instead and look honestly at what forms of self-sabotage you usually use, you CAN compensate for your procrastination.

Overcoming Procrastination: What type of procrastinator are you?

Are you a Do-er or a Stew-er?

Do-er

A "do-er" will do anything to avoid the task at hand - the dishes need washing, the dog needs walking, the mail needs sorting, the bills need paying, the files need organizing, etc.

Action Plan for Do-er's

Set a timer for 15-minutes and tell yourself that as soon as it goes off you can do whatever else you want, but until it does, you must sit in that chair and work on the project in front of you.

Train your self Keep it short Stay in your chair Stew-er

A "stew-er" will sit and "stew" about the thing you're not doing. Your mind will spin round and round about different possibilities, you will plan elaborate things for when you do get around to working, you'll be thinking so far into the future that you'll never catch up to yourself.

Action Plan for Stew-er's

Focus and calm your mind with meditation, affirmations and mind-body work such as breathing.

Clear your mind Ground your thoughts Pause and breathe

Whether you're a "do-er" or a "stew-er", when we can accomplish our creative goals IN SPITE of having so many reasons to put them off, the rewards are even sweeter.

When I'm feeling overwhelmed, I need to remember that all I have to do is the next thing. A few next things later and I've tackled quite a bit!

It's important to consider the bigger picture of this "thing" that you're trying to do. There's always the possibility that you don't really want to do it or that you're not meant to be doing it. If this is the case, a part of you knows that and is trying to tell you, so listen up (just make sure it's not fear or self-doubt in disguise).

Lastly, remember to celebrate what you HAVE accomplished, no matter how small. The more you focus on what you HAVE done, versus what you HAVEN'T, the more confidence you'll have and the more momentum you'll build towards the next thing you're going to do.

Installing CCTV Systems in School

Here are some great benefits of having CCTV systems installed in school:

1. It helps prevent petty unsavoury incidents in schools.

Lots of schools cannot afford comprehensive security systems. They cannot afford to hire guards that will roam the premises of the school all the time. Anyone can easily get in and out of the school and potentially become a risk. Surveillance systems in schools have much the same effect as surveillance systems at home and in businesses establishments. They help deter criminals and make the school less of a target. Contrary to popular belief, CCTV systems are not as expensive as you might think. There are those that are affordable yet are of top quality.

2. Prevents vandalism.

Vandalism is a rampant problem in the school. School officials have a hard time controlling this problem and no amount of inspection of the school seems to stop it. Having surveillance cameras installed in schools can help prevent these problems. It also helps catch the perpetrators of these actions. When school equipment and facilities are not destroyed, schools can cut down on repair and replacement costs. These systems have DVR systems that can record the goings on in the school.

3. CCTV can keep the area secure and can even help prevent fire.

There are a lot of CCTV systems integrated with smoke alarms or fire alarms such as the fire detection equipment. When the systems detect fire or smoke, they immediately alert the fire authorities. Fire detection equipment can be installed in the areas prone to fire such as chemistry laboratories, stage areas or rooms with a lot of technical equipment.

4. Helps monitor teacher performance.

Issues were raised about these monitoring systems with DVR integrated into the classrooms. People were worried that the systems might prevent the more free minded teachers from performing to such a high level of teaching. Many might say that the systems might deter unconventional teaching.

This is not the fault of the DVR systems. It depends on the purpose of the school. Put to good use and these monitoring devices can help improve a teachers performance. It also saves a lot of resources since those tasked to monitor performance can watch the videos caught by the DVR and simply make their evaluation from there. They do not have to be physically present in the room, thereby making the flow of the lessons a lot more natural and effective.

5. These systems curb student behaviours.

A student that adheres to school rules does not have to feel restricted with the existence of these CCTV surveillance systems. Admittedly, those that have to hide a lot of things are the ones who might have issues with these systems.

The purpose of these surveillance systems is not to spy on the actions of the students but to ensure that the unruly students are taken up to task. This will prevent abusive behaviours and even bullying within the school premises. These videos will also serve as evidence in case these wrong doings are committed and brought up to the attention of the school officials.

Issues Over CCTV Surveillance Systems Are Unfounded

Proper placing of the cameras is essential so the students will not feel stifled by their presence. A zooming, panning and tilting camera placed in each room already does its work well. When placed strategically, these systems can offer the advantages presented above.

They are not meant to breach the privacy of students but rather enable these systems to challenge students to put their best foot forward, avoid cheating and avoid the usual bad happenings in the school. Crimes and unfair activities will not go unnoticed. This will help promote fairness and equality in schools.

Students should start opening their minds to the possibility of having CCTV systems integrated in their schools. It is important to get past the privacy issue because your safety is at stake here. You are lucky if your school cares enough about your wellbeing to install these systems integrated with fire detection equipment or even a DVR. While you might have your own qualms about the use of these devices, looking at the bigger picture actually reduces a myriad of untoward activities and happenings.

Can Social Bookmarking Bring Traffic to Your Website?

Firstly what is social bookmarking?

We often presume that everyone knows what social bookmarking is, they do not. Bookmarking is when you store a link to a website on a social bookmarking website. Therefore instead of adding a link to your favorite website in Internet Explorer or Firefox, you add it to a website online. This way other people can see which websites you think are worth bookmarking.

How does this Social Bookmark benefit my website?

1. Storing a link on another website can be considered as a back link to your website which you need for Search Engine Optimization purposes. 2. People might share the link with others and it might become viral. 3. If your link is shared or voted on it can send a huge amount of traffic to your website.

Have you heard people talk about getting on the first page of Dig? What about Google Buzz, Twitter (tweeting), Rededit, Stumbleupon, and more? These are all bookmarking websites where you can store website links.

Tips for getting traffic using Social Websites:

1. Have social icons on every post on your website so people can share your content with their friends. For example if there was a Dig button or a Facebook like button people might press this if they like what they see. A great plugin for WordPress is "Lovely bookmarks" or "Digg digg". 2. Use Socialmarker.com or Onlywire.com to bookmark some of your posts when you write them. This will help others find your website. 3. Bookmark other peoples posts that are related to your website. You don't want to look like an idiot who saves your links only. 4. Be involved with social networks such as Facebook and Twitter. Customize your pages and post great content links on these sites.

Patent - Business Method Patents - Part I

In this first of a series of articles we're going to discuss a specific type of patent called a business method patent.

If a company develops a new method for conducting an e-commerce business they may be able to prevent other companies from using this method for almost twenty years.

The truth is, since 1998 an increasing number of software and Internet companies have been issued patents for designing new ways of doing business. Examples would be new online ordering processes or a unique Internet advertising method. These kind of patents which are usually the combination of software and business methods are called business method patents or Internet patents.

The reason these patents are important is because a company that develops such a patent can keep other companies from using these business methods for 17 years. And if the owner wants, he can make additional money from the patent by licensing out to other companies. If there is a large enough market, the company may make more money from the licenses than from the patent itself.

A very good example of a business method patent is Amazon.com's 1-click payment method. This system allows a customer to bypass the traditional address and credit card forms as long as the customer has an account with Amazon. After clicking on the payment button the order automatically goes through. This patent was granted to Amazon.com in September 1999. The patent number is U.S. Pat No. 5,960,411.

Business method patents are actually a part of a larger family of patents called utility patents. These protect inventions, chemical formulas, processes and other discoveries. A business method is technically classified as a process. The reason is because it is not a physical object like a machine or some form of chemical compound.

During most of the last century the patent office issued very few business method patents. The reason for this is that they claimed that a process could not be patented if it was an abstract idea. The same thing was also said about software because software was said to be unpredictable algorithms.

That all changed in 1998. In July of that year a federal court upheld a patent for a method of calculating the net asset value of mutual funds. The court ruled that patent laws were intended to protect any method regardless of what it was, even an idea. As long as it produced a useful, concrete and tangible result. With this ruling the court made idea and software patents a reality again. After this ruling, business method patents increased by 40%. Also, that year, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office created a new classification for business method patents. The classification is stated as "Data processing: financial, business practice, management or cost/price determination."

Many patents since this time have been issued for online shopping programs, Amazon's 1-click being the best example. However, because of the gray area of these patents, not having a physical product, an additional layer of review was added to the patent determination process. Technology specialists have been hired specifically to review these type of patent applications.

In the next article in this series we're going to discuss how to go about applying for a business method patent.

Commercial Truck Insurance - Industry Overview

When you get involved deeply enough in any industry, you'll find tons of differentiation that most casual observers miss-it's certainly possible to become an expert on just about anything.

But few businesses are as regulated and differentiated as widely as commercial trucking, and as a result the commercial truck insurance industry is just about as diverse.

Because commercial trucks are used in such different capacities-and also because commercial trucking is such a vital industry to the backbone of the American economy-it is deeply regulated by law at the Federal and state level.

On top of that, commercial standards, safety standards and demand from shippers regulate it even further.

Since safety is such a large issue, few businesses require as many insurance policies as the typical motor carrier has to own.

Here's a list of some typical coverages in the commercial truck insurance industry and a little bit more about why they're needed.

Primary Liability

Primary liability is similar to the policies we all hold as auto insurance carriers. It's required coverage by law and represents the dollar amount the insurer will pay out in the case of bodily injury or property damage inflicted by a commercial truck in the event of an accident.

Comprehensive Coverage

This coverage is not required by law, but is important for many motor carriers and independents because it covers damage to their own trucks or property should any occur from an accident, or even things like fire and theft.

Bobtail Insurance

This is a policy that's held by many independent owner/operators. Most contracted truckers are covered under their motor carrier's truck insurance-bobtail insurance is an easy and affordable policy to cover the operator's rig or assets during all the times they are not covered under their employer's insurance.

General Freight

The list of specific cargo insurance policies could go on for pages and pages-many state laws specify coverage amounts necessary for commonly hauled goods such as hazardous materials or fuel. A good general freight policy is an affordable option for many motor carriers who typically haul non-hazardous commercial goods. Coverage amounts typically vary from $10,000 to $100,000.

Trailer Interchange

Believe it or not, trailer interchange insurance actually covers trailers that don't belong to you! It's a common practice in the commercial trucking world to "finish hauls" for other truckers...these agreements usually are financially beneficial between companies because they save on fuel, labor etc. Trailer interchange covers your cooperating company's assets when under your control.

For more information, check out http://www.royaltytruckinsurance.com

Something About Wishing Custom

Now, it is common for people in western or eastern countries to make birthday wishes as a custom. No matter, it will come to be true or not, we all make good wishes in our birthday as a good start for the coming year.

In England and Europe there are a number of special wells called wishing wells. Some people think that if you throw a coin into the water and make a wish, the wish will come true later. Also in England there are other wishing custom that take place at Christmas and on birthdays.

At Christmas people like to eat turkey and somewhere inside turkey there is a special bone, shaped like the "Y". It is called the wish bone. The person who finds this bone is though to be rather lucky. He invites someone else to break the bone with him. Each person holds one arm of the bone with his little finger and pulls. When the bone breaks the person who has the larger part makes a secret wish which is certain to come true within a year.

On your birthday you are given a large cake with small candles pushed into the top. There is one candle for each year you have lived. if you are fifteen you will have fifteen candles, and if you are sixty you will have so many candles that you will not be able to see the cake!

Before the cake is cut, all the candles are lit. You friends and family stand around and sing "Happy Birthday to You" and you shut your eyes, make a wish and blow out all the candles, your wish will come true.

Do these customs work? There is an old English saying "if wishes were horses, beggars would ride." this saying tells you that you should not waste time wishing for things you can not possibly have. It will not bring you any blessing!

Never Leave Women in Shoes Store, They Shop Too Much

Shoes and women are two combination of style and fashion. They are always be together in happy and sad. That's why never leave women in shoes store, they might buy any shoes they see. Eventhough, there are some women who are fussy about their shoes, and unsatisfied with shoes they have.

There are also women who looks only for comfort when buying shoes. Having comfortable shoe can really take them everywhere without hurting their feet. Meanwhile, others are particular about the style and fit. Casual shoes, walking shoes, designer shoes and bridal shoes - the list is endless!

In every moment of time, shoes play significant role in women's world. The shoes come in an exciting array of colors and designs. So, women will never get bored with the shoes they are going to buy.

Here are some shoes collections that some women have. For those who likes to go to the ballroom might have collection of dance shoes. Meanwhile, those who likes sport might own bowling shoes and walking shoes, and athletic shoes. Women is asked to be careful when buying sports shoes because it play no small role in the performance of the sportsman. Take a walk though the shoes store.

Above all that, when you are doing other activtie there are different womens shoes for various occasions. Let say you can have the classic black or neutral shaded pump for formal wear, strappy sandals or sexy shoes for the evening out, casual shoes that go best with your jeans and beach shoes.

When you buy shoes, choose shoes that work well with your dress, its color, look and hemline. This can go a long way in enhancing your overall appearance. Ill-fitting shoes can cause corns, calluses and blisters and even lead to foot and heel problems.

Special advice for pregnant women must take care of their feet by going in for safe and comfortable pump shoes. Pumps are lightweight and strapless shoes that can be easily slipped into.

How Your Business Can Benefit From Self Storage

Business owners who are into selling products can benefit greatly from utilizing self storage units. This rental unit can ensure that you have a safe place to keep your inventory in case your main office no longer has extra storage space. It also reduces clutter in your office thereby creating a comfortable and productive place for you and your employees to work in on a daily basis.

You have to consider that as a business owner, you may experience excess inventory from time to time. Business may not be going smoothly all the time so expect some products not to sell like hotcakes every day. There's bound to be ups and downs in any business so you need to prepare for it.

But with a self storage unit, your problem of where to stack up your inventory is answered. There are so many self storage facilities in existence these days mostly outside of the city center and with competition getting stiffer among the storage operators, the price of renting units has become more affordable. It would be a good idea then to invest in one of these whether you're managing a small, medium or large sized business.

Many facilities today allow tenants to use shelves as a way to organize their items inside the rental unit. Businesses benefit greatly from the use of these shelving units for easy access to their products and other items and for proper organization. It is important to note, however, that the items also need to be placed inside boxes for proper protection.

If delicate items are involved, business owners will have to invest in a climate controlled self storage unit to ensure the safety of their products. With a climate controlled unit, the temperature inside the room is maintained at a steady level to protect items that can easily get damaged when exposed to extreme changes of temperature and humidity level.

Important documents that need to be stored away from the office can also be accommodated in a self storage facility. For long term storage, however, they will be properly preserved if kept in a climate controlled unit.

Businesses that have a growing number of clients may have to rent a self storage unit at some point. This will be necessary when the regular file cabinet at the office can no longer accommodate more documents. If it's all documents you're storing, you can initially rent a small space but if you're keeping documents together with some inventory, a bigger storage unit will do. What's important is you determine your needs first to save money by renting only an appropriate size.

Apart from inventory and vital documents, business owners can also take advantage of storage facilities for temporary safekeeping of their office equipment. With the continuous advancement in technology, office equipment can also improve in just a short period of time. As such, you may want to change your old electronic devices such as computers to new ones to increase the productivity of your business. This would require an extra storage space particularly if you're still not decided on how to dispose of those old office stuff.

Retirement 2-Day

Retirement may seem like a long ways off, but the truth is you are moving toward it faster than you think. It is time to start your retirement planning. This can be difficult in an unstable economy, but with the use of a few statistics and with a little common sense, you will be able to secure your retirement goals.

While retirement planning can be trying, using some simple tools will help to create some order out of the chaos. One thing you can start with is to create a retirement budget. This will help you stay on track with your spending, and expenses. There is so much information on the Internet, about planning for retirement that you could easily be overwhelmed.

Here are some facts to help you conquer some of your retirement worries.

First there are the real points to cover that must be addressed in order to have what we like to call, True Retirement Goals. After you have setup and configured your monthly retirement income, you will want to make sure that you have included items that may not be covered.

Things like deductibles, vacation travel, home insurance and maintenance, taxes, and unforeseen expenses that you may not have planned for in your retirement budget. You need to know how much Social Security and retirement income you will have before you even start. Recent studies show that as much as two-thirds of those looking to retire will be running short of needed funds within as little as 10 years into retirement.

These statistics are from the Employee Benefit Research Institute's "Retirement Readiness" study. It states that even those in the highest-income groups will still be facing problems paying for basic expenses and uninsured medical bills.

There are options: You can begin now by planning out your retirement strategy. You could live in a smaller home or apartment. This would lower your living costs, property taxes and maintenance. Your utility bills would be lower, and if you relocate to an area where you are close to shopping, food stores, restaurants and the like, your travel expenses will be lowered as well. One of the best things you can do is survey yourself/spouse and take a good look at what your comfort zone is.

Retirement is a time of life when you need to prepare in lots of ways, but most importantly is financially. Allot of people wonder what they will do after retirement. This is something that you will want to research, and take your time to explore. Retirement is something that by most ideals is a New Life Beginning. You will want to decide how much time, and where to spend that time for each and every day. A retirement lifestyle will be different, then a working lifestyle. There will be many hours to fill that you may not have planned for. The day to day life without working, can and will be quite rewarding, if you take to time to discover your hidden talents. You may like to paint, but never had the time.

You may like to study photography, or take up a class. The possibilities are endless, now that you will have that free time. A good idea is to create a schedule that will be both enjoyable, but not too busy. Before you retired you were on a schedule, but it was probably a working schedule 9 to 5 type of deal. This is where the beauty of retirement comes in. You can now be on your own schedule, living the retirement lifestyle that you choose. You are free to experience the world in a most carefree style. You can travel, explore new things, meet new people and join new groups. You create the lifestyle that will suit your needs, and let the rest fall into place. The more you prepare, the more you plan, the better your retirement will be.

Some of the best places to retire and live out your retirement wishes are by far the most popular places to live for anyone. Florida, Arizona, California, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Georgia, all offer everything that a person of retirement years wants to be fully active, and enjoy the lifestyle that they deserve. Beaches, swimming, boating and fishing all come to mind. Along with golf and sporting events, all of these places offer surperb shopping, restaurants, nightlife and cultural events. You owe it to your self to do some research on each of these beautiful retirement locations, to see for your self what each different location has to offer you, as far as your retirement dreams are concerned.

Beyond Dancing - Book Review

I had an interview with Anita Bloom Ornoff who is the author of the book, BEYOND DANCING. While this may not seem like a big deal there are several things that you might want to consider. Anita is 85 years old and she wrote her book a year ago. Anita is also a paraplegic, paralyzed from the waist down. She was the first woman to get a drivers license by using only her hands and she was the first handicapped female to enter and receive her degree from NYU.

Anita lost the use of her lower limbs at the start of World War II. She enrolled in the WAAC which later became the WAC. A cut on her finger got infected and malpractice ended up with an infection requiring that her spinal chord be severed. She has had three husbands and four marriages and two children. You will have to read her book to figure the math Keep in mind that this is a female who became handicapped long before the American Disabilities Act. Her struggle was constant and up hill. She had to fight the VA for benefits and she had to fight a society that was not yet ready to accord all equal access to the benefits and rights that most of us take for granted. When asked about how things were for the handicapped now, as compared to after World War II, Anita said that by comparison, today is like heaven.

This brings to mind the issue of whether or not we can control our lives and partake of happiness, regardless of circumstances. Many are brought up in situations that seem insurmountable. But the fact that there are those who rise above those situations should be proof that we each have more control over our happiness than we are led to believe. Anita said that above all; do not let others keep you down. Do not let people say that what you desire is not possible. Do not accept the norm since the norm and conventional wisdom is often wrong.

Despite all of the forces that seemed to be arrayed against her, Anita Bloom Ornoff refused to accept a "no can do" attitude. She fought for what she desired and has led a happy and joyful life. History is replete with those who, against all apparent odds, rose above the "trials and tribulations" of life and created a reality that was of their own liking, and not that dictated by others. Books like the recently released, "The Secret" say that with the power of the mind, all things are possible. Anita is an example of an everyday person who brings that refrain into perspective and reality. Perhaps there should be a little less whining in our society and perhaps we should listen to those, like Anita, who have paved the way in proving that what we think is what we create.

The novel is published by Bartleby Press, ISBN 091015550X, 311 pages, hardcover.

Caravans and Motorhomes

Being a webmaster of a very popular camping and caravanning website I will get asked many questions on a daily basis and there does always tend to be a recurring theme amongst most of them, namely what is the difference between X type of caravan and Y type of caravan. Well here I hope to explain all of this in some detail so that it will hopefully clear up some of the confusion.

There are only really a few different types of caravans that are worthy of mention, mainly because the other type only generally make up no more than 0.1% of caravans, these being static caravans, touring caravans, motorhomes and park homes.

Static Caravans are generally between 20x8feet (length x width) and 38x14feet and on the whole are placed on a plot of a caravan park for the majority of their lives. Static caravans are not towable on public roads unless a support vehicle is behind the caravan and the roads are rated at over the weight of the caravan, as such they are generally transported on the back of lorries to and from locations. Static caravans are likely to have a lot of modern conveniences that you would expect from a modern home including double glazing, central heating and winter insulation.

Touring caravans are towable by average cars with a tow ball and can be towed to a caravan park where they will generally pay a nightly fee to hire a plot for the duration of their holiday. Touring caravans range from around 9x6feet (length x width) to 16x9feet, as they are towable they have much smaller footprints than static caravans and are made to be much lighter and compact. Due to the size and weight constraints tourers will have less conveniences than a static caravan but newer touring caravans are more and more commonly being manufactured with showers, fridge /freezers, central heating and air conditioning.

Motorhomes are normally roughly the same size of a touring caravan but with an engine, gearbox and all the things needed to drive itself from location to location. A motorhome is essentially a tourer and a car mixed into one neat little package, note that a motorhome in europe is vastly different to a motorhome in America (also know as an R.V or recreational vehicle) as they tend to be huge in comparison. A motorhome will range vastly in size depending on its application, some will be no larger than a regular touring caravan whereas others will be the size of a large bus.

Park Homes and Lodges are more similar to a static caravan than any other type mentioned before as they are comparable in size and the features that are available to them as standard though they will be moved around a lot less than a static caravan and generally will be of a higher spec, and also price. Things such as double glazing, air conditioning, central heating and other luxury features will be a lot more common as a standard feature in park homes and lodges. Park homes also have an advantage over static caravans in that they can increase their value over time making them more akin to a house than a caravan, despite the construction of them being more caravan like.

Get Smarter With The Help Of Web Based Accounting

Thanks to the introduction of various information technology tools, life has come a long way and has also become quite easier to lead. With these technologies, one can now accomplish tasks on time that were not possible in earlier times. Therefore, many small and big organizations are adopting these for various purposes and web based accounting is one of the reasons. Accounting is the most significant part of any business and requires experience and expertise all the time. Web based technologies have lately become man's best friend because of its hassle-free approach.

The advancement of internet technology has actually made difference in the world of any business; in fact, it has changed the definition of doing business. Web based accounting enables organizations to execute tasks without any problem and hassle. With the help of the internet technology, the accounting ledgers can be calculated and updated within a short span of time. In fact, various business enterprises are opting for web based accounting services, as it reduces work force and other resources simultaneously and additionally consumes lots of time of the organization that can be used for various strategies. It helps the accounting or the finance department in keeping a track of the transactions that takes place on regular basis. Such accounting services are a key to more profitable business, as they help in rectifying those huge losses that have been witnessed during the closing period of the financial year.

The benefit of hiring web based accounting services is that many people can access the server and manage the accounting records at the same time. So, if one is looking for the perfect accounting services, then taking services of such accounting firms is a smart move. Moreover, web-based accounting solutions do not even hurt the finances, as they are quite pocket-friendly. Hence, to get started with these firms, all that an enterprise has to do is to get registered with any of the service providers and get benefited for life. However, web based accounting is an ideal way to invest money rather than paying huge amount of money to some other accounting service provider because it lessens the burden of mistakes. These accounting firms are a way to get rid of lethargic process of keeping account books; it is indeed the best possible way to know the financial standing of the organization.

The services provided by it, are an effective way to manage and keep the financial records intact and also fetches more deals for the business. In fact, these firms are beneficial for the organizations that spend major time on internet. However, acquiring accounting services is quite easy for firms or even for an individual who has an internet connection. After getting services of these firms, the organization does not have to hire an accountant anymore as it reduces the time and money both. Moreover, these services are available throughout 24-hrs and seven days a week. In addition, the business enterprise is able to monitor transaction records through certified staff. Therefore, with the help of this service any one who wants to do wonders in ledger books, can log onto the computer and get started!

7 Key Steps to a First Time World Cruise Adventure Holiday

Step 1. Your top consideration must be your budget. Cruise travel fares can cost you $60 to $120 per day. Almost all world travel packages takes 4 to 10 weeks though there are short trips that go from 3 to 4 weeks, bringing you to 27 nations or up to 5 continents. So when you plan on exploring the beauty of French Polynesia or go diving to the Great Barrier Reef of Australia, see the enchanting landscapes of China and enjoy a shopping spree in Hong Kong, you need to make sure that you have enough money to do all that.

Step 2. Now that you have decided to spend a long holiday, you now need to find world cruise lines around your area. Thankfully, there are travel agencies and world cruise companies found at most major cities in major countries. The internet proves to be a valuable resource in this regard where you can get updated posts of year-on-year cruising schedules.

Step 3. After deciding on which cruise line to take, you now have to think of the places you wanted to visit. This could be the easiest step. All you need to do is browse some catalog and book up early. Don't hesitate to ask the assistance of an agent that specializes on world cruises.

Step 4. It is also important to know the best time to book your trip. Not only will it ensure excellent weather and climate throughout your travels but also the best deals on your intended trip. Off-season booking sure offer discounted cruising fee. This can work if you are a flexible traveler. Also, if you are traveling alone and if you chose not to share your cabin, you should prepare for a single's supplement charge, which ranges from 10 to 100 percent rate per person.

Step 5. In general, a world cruise takes 90 to 120 days. On the other hand, there are also shorter cruises for those who do not have that much time for vacation. Hence, it is important to determine that world cruise segment you can take to complement the number of days that you intend to spend on your vacation.

Step 6. Since you are to travel with a large group of people to different parts of the world, diseases can easily spread either from already sick passengers or passengers who have developed an illness while on the trip. Hence, it would be wise to take all the necessary precautions such as vaccination and arrangements to your health insurance so you will be sure taken cared for in the event of sickness.

Step 7. Lastly, since a world cruise trip takes a while to complete, you are given all the time to meet new people and make friends or strong relationships. Be nice and try to participate in the numerous onboard and onshore activities or engage into lengthy conversations or idle chat with other world cruise guests.

Kids and Disasters - Earthquakes

Earthquakes can be a terrifying experience for anyone who has experienced them, especially children who may not understand what is going on. The following is an explanation of earthquakes and the safety steps that should be taken in the event of this type of natural disaster.

Earthquakes are caused by plates underneath the surface of the earth shifting their position. In certain areas, two of these plates are shifting at the same time, creating friction and leading to an eventual break. An earthquake is the vibration that is felt as a result of this break.

One area in the United States that experiences earthquakes is the San Andreas Fault in California. It runs from Northern California to the Gulf of California and minor movement is detected here thousands of times annually, although many of these are not felt by the residents in the nearby areas. The largest earthquake in United States history occurred in 1906 because of movement at this fault line, affecting San Francisco and killing approximately 3,000 people. This earthquake caused around $400 million in damage.

Since earthquakes happen quite suddenly, you should make sure that your children know what to do in case they are ever caught in one. You can teach them the "drop, cover, and hold on" safety method. If they are inside during an earthquake, they should keep calm and climb under a heavy object such as a desk or table. They should hold onto the object until the shaking has passed. The children should avoid windows and any objects that could fall on them, such as a cabinet or locker. If the children are outdoors, they should move away from street lights and utility poles as well as buildings.

If they are caught in a public place, the children should again climb under something heavy. You should explain to them not to try to exit the building as many people will be attempting to leave at the same time. They should also not enter an elevator during an earthquake or right after, as the aftershocks can cause damage as well.

If you and your family are driving when a tremor strikes, you should try to pull over into an area that does not have wires or poles above your vehicle. Remain calm and wait the tremor out before proceeding on your way. If you are in a mountainous area, you may also need to avoid falling rocks and other debris that has been loosened by the quake.

Immediately after an earthquake, there are aftershocks, as was mentioned earlier. These are minor earthquakes follow a major one in the same general location. Your children should remain undercover until they are sure that the aftershocks are finished as well.

After the earthquake, there are still a variety of safety measures that your children need to be aware of. If they are at home and hear a hissing noise or smell fumes, they should leave the house immediately and call for help. This noise and smell could be a broken gas line that could explode or lead to a serious fire. If they are going outside, they should be sure to wear shoes as there is probably broken glass and other foreign debris lying in the streets.

Earthquakes are one of the most deadly natural occurrences due to the fact that there is almost no advanced warning when they occur. By teaching your children the "drop, cover, and hold on" safety method, they will be able to take care of themselves in case they are caught in an earthquake.

Getting a Home Equity Loan - What Are The Benefits and Risks

Known also as a second mortgage, a home equity loan basically allows homeowners to get some cash by leveraging on their home equity. By second mortgage this means that you are replacing your existing loan and secure it by the same asset which, in this case, is your home.

Home equity loan refinancing may be considered risky for some. It does take some risk, considering how you are borrowing against your home. However, if you plan it out well and go for the right timing, it may solve a wide range of your financial problems.

Home equity loan and Line of credit

As far as equity loans are concerned, you can choose from getting a second mortgage or a line of credit. The choice will depend on how you plan to use your money and what your goals are. The former offers you a lump sum with fixed interest that you can repay in installments of 10 to 20 years. This can prove excellent for single large expenses such as home renovation. Line of credit, on the other hand, is virtually like a credit card where you are pre-approved of a certain spending limit and you can withdraw cash at anytime and be imposed of the current interest rate.

A home equity loan is undeniably an easy source of cash for homeowners. Interest rates on home equity may not always be as low as that of your first mortgage, but they are usually only half as much as that charged on your credit card or personal loan. Consolidating your debts via home equity will give you some extra savings on hand. You can even collect what you save up monthly to pay part of your principal to lessen your mortgage burden. Equity mortgages are also convenient since you only need to make one payment every month. You save time, and you save yourself the worry of meeting due dates.

Another attractive benefit that you can get out of a home equity loan is based on that fact that this type of loan is tax deductible. Many people go for equity mortgage to pay for major purchases, trips and other consumer goods for its tax deductibility.

Getting a home equity loan should not be taken as an easy way out for those who have fallen into the cycle of spending and borrowing - those that make holes for themselves to go deeper into debt. Though attractive as a concept, an equity mortgage should only be done for the right reasons. Though a home equity tool can equip you of a great tool for financial stability, know that it also carries a lot of risks with it. As in all mortgages with homes as collateral, you may run the risk of losing your greatest asset if you do not manage your debt properly. Take note that some terms require you to pay lump sum or balloon payments towards the end of your mortgage term. Do not fall into the lure of easy money with equity loans, weigh things beforehand and plan accordingly.