About 25 years ago I began formulating pet foods at a time when the entire pet food industry seemed quagmire and focused on such things as protein and fat percentages without any real regard for ingredients. Since boot leather and soap could make a pet food with the "ideal" percentages, it was clear that analytical percentages do not end the story about pet food value. I was convinced then, as I am now, that a food can be no better than the ingredients of which it is composed. Since this ingredient idea has caught on in the pet food industry, it has taken on a commercial life that distorts and perverts the meaning of the underlying philosophy of food quality and proper feeding practices. Is health reducible to which ingredients a commercial product does or does not have? As contradictory as it may seem to what I have just said, no it is not. Here's why.
AAFCO Approval
The official Publication of the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) gives wide latitude for ingredients that can be used in animal foods. As I have pointed out in my book, The Truth About Pet Foods, approved ingredients can include*:
dehydrated garbage
undried processed animal waste products
polyethylene roughage replacement (plastic)
hydrolyzed poultry feathers
hydrolyzed hair
hydrolyzed leather meal
poultry hatchery by-product
meat meal tankage
peanut hulls
ground almond shells
(*Association of American Feed Control Officials, 1998 Official Publication)
Simultaneously, this same regulatory agency prohibits the use of many proven beneficial natural ingredients that one can find readily available for human consumption such as bee pollen, glucosamine, L-carnitine, spirulina and many other nutraceuticals. It would be easy to conclude that reason does not rule when it comes to what officially can or cannot be used in pet foods.
From the regulators’ standpoint, they operate from the simplistic nutritional idea that the value of food has to do with percentages and that there is no special merit to any particular ingredient. They deny the tens of thousands of scientific research articles proving that the kind of ingredient and its quality can make all the difference in terms of health. They also are silent about the damaging effect of food processing and the impact of time, light, heat, oxygen and packaging on nutritional and health value.
The 100% Complete Myth
Consumers are increasingly becoming alert to the value of more natural foods. Everyone intuitively knows that the closer the diet is to real, fresh, wholesome foods, the better the chance that good health will result. Unfortunately, people do not apply this same common sense to pet foods. Instead they purchase "100% complete" processed foods, perhaps even going the extra mile and selecting "super premium" or "natural" brands, thinking they are doing the best that can be done. They surrender their mind to a commercial ploy (100% completeness) and do to their pets what they would never do to themselves or their family - eat the same packaged product at every meal, day in and day out. No processed food can be "100% complete" because there is not a person on the planet who has 100% knowledge of nutrition. The claim on its face is absurd. Understanding this simple principle is more important than any pet food formulation regardless of the merits of its ingredients. Everything that follows will begin with that premise, i.e., no food should be fed exclusively on a continuous basis no matter what the claims of completeness or ingredient quality.
Genetics Is The Key
Pets need the food they are biologically adapted to. It's a matter of context. Just as a fish needs to be in water to stay healthy, a pet needs its natural food milieu to be healthy. All creatures must stay true to their design. What could be more obvious or simple? For a carnivore the correct genetic match is prey, carrion and incidental fresh plant material, and even some fur and feathers, as well as the occasional surprise of unmentionables found in decaying matter. It's not a pretty picture to think that "FiFi" with her pink bow and polished toenails would stoop to such fare, but that is precisely the food she is designed to eat. Since that is her design, matching food to that design (minus the more disgusting and unnecessary elements) is also the key to her health.
The Disease Price
We may prefer to feed a packaged, sterile, steam- cleaned, dried, farinaceous chunk cleverly shaped like a pork chop, but let's not kid ourselves, that is not the food a pet is designed for....regardless of the claims about ingredients on the label making one think it is five-star restaurant fare. Pets may tolerate such food for a time, but in the end nature calls to account. The price to be paid is lost health in the form of susceptibility to infections, dental disease, premature aging, obesity, heart and organ disease, diabetes, cancer, arthritis and other cruel and painful chronic degenerative diseases. Because our pets are not out in the rigors of nature where they would quickly succumb to such conditions and end their misery, they languish in our protected homes and under veterinary care that does not usually cure but merely treats symptoms and extends the time of suffering. That suffering begins with the way in which we are feeding our pets, not the ingredients in a supposed 100% complete pet food.
The Perfect Food
What is the solution? It is simple and something I have been preaching for the past 25 years. Return pets to their environmental roots. They need - daily - interesting activity, fresh air, clean water, romps in nature, lots of love, and food as close to the form they would find in the wild as possible. Fresh, whole natural foods fit for a carnivore and fed in variety are as good as it can get. Anything less than that is a compromise. Compromise the least if health is the goal. (Same principle applies to you and your family.) To get a packaged food as close as possible to that goal requires the right starting philosophy of feeding (described above) and the expertise to design and manufacture such foods.
Enter The Profiteers
Elements of these principles (often distorted or misunderstood) have been taken up by an endless line of pet food entrepreneurs. The low fat craze led to low fat pet foods. The high fiber craze led to high fiber pet foods. The "no corn, wheat or soy" craze led to no corn, wheat or soy pet foods. The "omega- 3" craze led to pet foods with fish oil. The “variety” craze led to pet foods supposedly offering variety. The "four food groups" craze led to all four bundled into a package. The "raw" craze has led to raw frozen pet foods. The list is endless and the race for pet owner dollars is at a fever pitch.
One can only feel sympathy for a concerned pet owner as they stroll along the huge array of pet food options in pet food aisles. Unfortunately, armed with only sound bites and lore they may have heard from a friend, breeder, veterinarian or on a commercial, they make choices that not only do not serve the health of their pet but may directly contribute to weakened immunity and disease.
The first thing consumers should keep in mind is the ideal diet for pets as described above. No packaged product regardless of its wild claims is ever going to equal that. The next best thing is to home prepare fresh meals. (Contact Wysong for recipes and instruction.) If that is not always possible, then products should be selected that are as close to the ideal as possible. (More suggestions below.)
Raw Frozen Pet Food Dangers
At first glance, considering the perfect feeding model I have described - raw, natural, whole - the best food may seem to be one of the raw frozen pet foods now clamoring to capture the "raw" craze. I'm sorry to say that some of these purveyors even use my books and literature to convince pet owners that their frozen products are on track. They take bits and pieces of good information and distort it into something that pretty much misses the point and misleads consumers. Also, these exotic frozen mixtures of ingredients of unknown origin, manufacturing and freezing conditions are most certainly not economical nor the best choice. They may, because of the water content and raw state, be outright dangerous.
Human Grade
Then there are claims about "USDA approved" ingredients, "human grade" ingredients and ingredients purchased right out of the meat counter at the grocery store. Again, at first glance - and superficiality is what marketers like to deal with - it may seem that such foods would have merit over others. But such labels only create a perception of quality. People would not consider the food pets are designed for in the wild - whole, raw prey and carrion - "human grade" or "USDA approved." Because something is not "human grade" does not mean it is not healthy or nutritious. For example, chicken viscera is not "human grade" but carries more nutritional value than a clean white chicken breast. Americans think that chicken feet would not be fit for human consumption but many far eastern countries relish them. On the other hand, "human grade" beef steaks fed to pets could cause serious nutritional imbalances and disease if fed exclusively. Pet foods that create the superficial perception of quality (USDA, human grade, etc.) with the intent of getting pet owners to feed a particular food exclusively is not what health is about.
Pet Nutrition Is Serious Health Science
Pet nutrition is not about marketing and who can make the most money quickly. Unfortunately an aspiring pet food mogul off the street can go to any number of private label manufacturers and have a new brand made. These manufacturers have many stock formulas that can be slightly modified to match the current market trend. Voilà! A new pet food wonder brand is created.
Pet foods are about pet nutrition, and nutrition is a serious health matter. There is an implied ethic in going to market with products that can so seriously impact health. But the ethic is by and large absent in the pet food industry. Starting with the 100% claim and on to all the fad driven brands that glut the shelves, health is not being served. Nobody other than our organization is teaching people the principles I am discussing here. Instead, companies headed by people with no real technical, nutritional, food processing or health skills put themselves out to the public as serious about health ... because that is what the public wants to hear and what sells. Never mind whether producers really understand or can implement healthy principles. The façade sells and selling is the game. Ingredients are important, true, but not less important than the expertise and principles of the producer who is choosing them, preparing, storing, processing and packaging them. Consumers place a lot of trust that nondescript processed nuggets are what consumers are being led to believe they are. Many a slip can occur between the cup and the lip. There are many slips that can occur between the cup of commercial claims and what ends up in the lips of the pet food bowl.
Consumer Blame
The consumer is not without guilt in this unfortunate - steady diet of processed pet food - approach to pet feeding. They want everything easy and inexpensive. They don't want to learn or have to expend too much effort, and they want something simple to base decisions on like: "corn, wheat and soy are evil," or "USDA approved," or "human grade" or "organic is good." They also want something for nothing and think they can get it in a pet food. People want prime choice meats, organic and fresh foods all wrapped up tidy in an easy open, easy pour package, hopefully for 50 cents a pound. They may even pay $1 or a little more if the producer can convince them about how spectacular their product is or how much cancer their pet will get if they choose another brand.
Are By-Products Evil?
In the processing of human foods there are thousands of tons of by-products that cannot be readily sold to humans. Does that make them useless or even inferior? No. Such by-products could include trimmings, viscera, organs, bones, gristle and anything else that humans do not desire. Should these perfectly nutritious items be buried in a landfill? As I mentioned above, while Earth's resources continue to decline and people starve around the globe, should we feed our pets only "human grade" foods and let perfectly edible - and sometimes even more nutritious - by-products go to waste? How is that conscionable or justifiable for either the consumer or the producer?
Road Kill and Euthanized Pets
This shift to "human grade" for pet foods is partly due to a variety of myths that have gotten much stronger legs than they deserve. Lore has spread in the marketplace that road kill and euthanized pets are used in pet foods. I have never seen the proof for this outrageous claim and after twenty years surveying ingredient suppliers I have never found a supplier of such. However, fantastic myths easily get life and the more fantastic they are the more life they have. It's the intellectually lazy way and what lies at the root of so much misery. Sloppy superficial thinking is what leads to racism, sexism, religious persecution and wars. People would like to think the world is sharply divided into right-wrong, good-evil, black-white. Marketers capitalize on this by trying to create such sharp distinctions for consumers to easily grab on to: human grade = good/all others = evil; organic = right/all others = wrong; rice = white/corn and wheat = black. Such simplistic and naïve distinctions are quick and simple for advertisers and salespeople to use to sway public opinion. But nobody stepping back and using common sense would ever think that something as complex as health could ever come from what is or is not in a processed bag of food. Reality is not black or white; it is in shades of gray. Grayness requires some knowledge, judgment and discernment before making choices. It's a little more work but is what we all must do if the world is ever to be a better place and people and pet health are to improve.
What To Do
How do concerned pet owners wanting to cut through all the marketing clutter negotiate a path? It is very simple if the basic principles I have discussed above are kept in mind. Here are tips on how to implement an intelligent health and feeding philosophy:
1. Learn how to feed fresh food. Alternate these with honest processed foods fed in variety, and complement these foods with well- designed supplements.
[How To Apologize To Your Pet]
http://www.wysong.net/PDFs/apology_pamphlet.pdf
Don't get all particular and paranoid about balancing nutrients and ingredient do's and don'ts. Rotate, vary, mix it up and fast once in a while. Trust in nature, not some marketing hype. (Use the same principles for yourself and your family if you want optimal health as well.)
2. If you must have human grade or organic foods for your pet, go buy the real thing at the grocery meat counter. Take it home, cut it up and feed it raw. Freeze the remainder into small meal portions and use them for subsequent meals. Don't turn your brain off and go buy "organic" or "human grade" pet foods that for their cost could only contain hints of the real thing. Pet food manufacturers may be clever at marketing, but they are not magicians. One thing is certain; they do not buy ingredients and then sell them to you for less than what they buy them for.
3. Use appropriately designed supplements such as Call Of The Wild™ and Wild Things™ to balance raw meals and help make them safe if you are not skilled at such meal preparation.
4. The best raw, processed food alternative to fresh foods from the grocer is non-thermally processed dry foods - not raw frozen ones. (See Wysong Archetype™.) Use this food for alternate meals and as top dressing to heat processed foods.
5. Check the credentials of the person making the decisions in the company whose products you buy. Don't go to a plumber for brain surgery and don't expect serious healthy products from business people.
6. Steer away from brands that are pushing any particular hot buttons such as "natural," "no by- products," exotic ingredients (quail eggs, watermelon, persimmons, etc.), organic, omega-3, rice and the like. Although these features may bring some merit to a food (if they are put in at other than "pinch" levels), they are not an end in themselves and if the packaged food is fed exclusively can cause more harm than good.
7. Steer away from brands that fear monger. For example, there is the no corn or wheat scam - "buy our brand; it has no corn or wheat." (Just saying a product has "no" something is enough to scare the non-thinking public to the brand that doesn't have the boogeyman ingredient. Profiteers know this and play it to the hilt in the pet food industry.) The truth is, grains are put in dried nugget foods because they contain the starch necessary for the extrusion process. Starch is pretty much starch regardless of whether it comes from corn, wheat, rice, potatoes, millet or whatever. Grains also help decrease the cost of pet foods. They contribute some nutrition but in a properly formulated meat-based pet food the majority of the nutritional value comes from the meat. It is true that animals may develop allergy to corn or wheat but that can happen with rice or any other grain or ingredient as well. Problems are prevented by varying the diet. That is why Wysong has developed the range of formulations it has and puts them in small portion packs so the foods can be rotated. Of all the Wysong formulations, the ones with corn are chosen on almost a 5:1 ratio over all others and are the diets we receive the thousands of raves about, even in those pets supposedly allergic to corn!
[Wysong Testimonials]
[http://www.wysong.net/testimonials.shtml]
This is not to tout the merit of corn, or any grain in pet food for that matter. They are sort of a necessary evil in dried extruded foods and any of them can bring some benefit if rotated in the diet.
8. Do not feed any product exclusively. Variety is the spice of nutrition and the road to good health.
9. Features to look for in a packaged product would be those that bring the product close to the raw-whole-fresh-natural standard described above: active enzymes, probiotics cultures, natural preservation and protection against food-borne pathogens, proper packaging, intelligent formulation and balance, micronutrient dense, freshly produced, fresh ingredients - and the expertise to do all of this, not just say so on a package or brochure. (Some brands trying to get on the raw food bandwagon make outright false claims about "cold" processing.)
10. The company should be able to intelligently explain what they are doing in terms of processing, packaging, product preservation and prevention of food-borne pathogens. It is one thing to simply put a certain ingredient into a food, quite another to protect it until it is consumed. For example, Wysong owns its own manufacturing facilities in order to go beyond industry standard techniques. Special portion pack, light- and oxygen- barrier bags, modified atmosphere flush and natural ingredients to prevent oxidation and food- borne pathogens are part of all Wysong products. (See technical monographs on Packaging, Antioxidants and Wyscin™.)
11. Most important, learn. Support a company that helps you learn the truth and teaches you how to be at least somewhat independent of commercial products. Demand that producers provide proof for their claims in the form of good logic, evidence and science. Try to discern the company's true motives, your pocketbook or your pet's health. Learn how to go beyond The Pet Food Ingredient Game.
Wysong R. L. (1993). Rationale for Animal Nutrition. Midland, MI: Inquiry Press.
Wysong, R. L. (2002, June 19). Why Modern Medicine is The Greatest Threat to Health. The Wysong e-Health letter. Wysong Institute, Midland, MI.
[The Wysong e-Health letter]
[http://www.wysong.net/health/hl_884.shtml]
Wysong, R. L. (2002). The Truth About Pet Foods. Midland, MI: Inquiry Press.
Wysong, R. L. (2004). Nutrition is a Serious Health Matter: The serious responsibility of manufacturing and selling. Midland, MI: Inquiry Press.
Wysong, R. L. (2004). The Thinking Person’s Master Key to Health (60 Minute CD Discussion) Wysong Institute, Midland, MI.
Wysong, R. L. (2005). Comparing Pet Foods Based Upon What Matters: The First Study of its Kind in the Pet Food Industry. Midland, MI: Inquiry Press.
Wysong, R. L. & Savant, V. (2005). The Case AGAINST Raw Frozen Pet Foods. Midland, MI: Inquiry Press.
For further reading, or for more information about, Dr Wysong and the Wysong Corporation please visit http://www.wysong.net or write to wysong@wysong.net. For resources on healthier foods for people including snacks, and breakfast cereals please visit [http://www.cerealwysong.com].
Dr. Wysong: A former veterinary clinician and surgeon, college instructor in human anatomy, physiology and the origin of life, inventor of numerous medical, surgical, nutritional, athletic and fitness products and devices, research director for the present company by his name and founder of the philanthropic Wysong Institute. http://www.wysong.net Also check out [http://www.cerealwysong.com]
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Although most people have a television in their living room or family room, a television isn't always the most attractive feature in the room. Wall mounted flat screen televisions are more attractive than many older styles of televisions, but they still can become a rather ugly focal point within the room. In fact, because they are large and are usually hung on the wall in a prominent location, they can sometimes even be harder to blend attractively into the overall room decor than other types of televisions. Although some people try to hide their wall-mounted televisions behind custom cabinet units with doors, or use a curtain, blind or other device to pull over the television when it is not in use, one way of blending a large wall-mounted television stylishly into the room is to make it look like wall art.
Create a Wall Art Grouping that Includes the Television
One effective method of blending a wall-mounted into the room is to treat it as part of an overall wall grouping. Instead of hanging the television alone on the wall, try surrounding it with other smaller pieces of art. Using abstract types of art is often the most effective, since they are less visually distracting in close proximity to the television when you are watching it. Groupings of smaller sized art are also more effective than using larger pieces, because the larger art pieces can compete with the large size of the television. By grouping a number of small simple pieces of art around the television, it will simply blend in with the others.
Display the Television on a Shelf
Although you will still mount the actual television directly onto the wall for proper support, you can help avoid the "floating" look by installing a shelf directly under the bottom edge of the television screen. This has the advantage of anchoring the television visually, and allows you to display other items, such as framed photos or even books or plants, on either side of the television. This method can be extremely effective when trying to blend a television into the overall decorating theme of a room, because the shelf method really helps make the television appear to be part of the overall decor, as opposed to just a large flat screen affixed to the wall.
Blend the Television into the Room's Architectural Features
Instead of simply hanging the television on a plain wall, try designing some interesting architectural features on the wall. This can help to visually anchor the television, making it stand out in a more interesting fashion. For example, try installing a sheet of decorative wainscoting on the wall directly behind where the television is to be mounted, edging the wainscoting with an interesting trim. Or try using wood molding to actually frame the television, which can create an interesting effect, especially if wood is also used on the area behind the television. Wallpaper and other decorative borders can also be used effectively on the wall area surrounding the television to give it the appearance of art.
Jessica Ackerman from WallDecorandHomeAccents.com, has skills in all areas of garden wall art paying special attention to tree branch wall decor.
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When one thinks of rental cars, they usually imagine overused sedans in neutral colors that lack pep or performance. Rental cars have often been generic, neutral vehicles maintained due to their functionality and reliability. The ho-hum prospect of renting a car in the past rarely elicited any feeling of excitement.
The car rental process, however, has changed over time. Now, a prospective renter can choose from a wider spectrum of vehicles, including popular high-performance sports cars.
A sports car might appeal to a renter for any number of reasons. A single person traveling alone may crave something novel and fun while on a dull business trip or as a means of rounding out a vacation trip. Others may wish to try their hand at driving a sports car on a temporary basis just for the sake of variety. Still others can use the opportunity to rent a sports car as a financially viable means of creating an extended test drive prior to making a sports car purchase. There are true sports car enthusiasts who need a rental car for any number of reasons and can simply not imagine a return to the doldrums of driving a conventional car.
This great variety of reasons has created sufficient demand for rental agencies to add sports cars to their available fleet of autos. Now, in addition to station wagons, economy class cars and base sedans, more and more rental companies are providing prospective customers with a healthy array of sports car options.
Of course, one cannot expect to rent a high-end import sports are at rates similar to those they might pay for a domestic standard issue vehicle. Sports cars, of course, are more expensive to purchase, maintain and insure. Thus, one can expect to pay significantly higher rates when renting one.
In addition to higher base rental rates, prospective customers can also anticipate some additional expenses. For instance, sports cars generally do not boast the fuel efficiency found in the more frequently rented subcompact cars and gas bills for the period of the rental are likely to run high.
Additionally, the rental agency may require additional insurance purchase, or at the very least, more expensive insurance options, than are generally required of other rented vehicles. Remember, the agency must purchase (or lease) these cars at considerably higher prices than standard models and that expense will be reflected throughout your rental experience.
Younger drivers may also encounter some difficulties in renting high-end sports cars. Rental agencies have always been somewhat restrictive when it comes to the age of drivers, but there are likely to have even stiffer requirements for the rental of sports cars. Rental agencies want to insure the safety of their sports car investments.
Sports car rentals create a unique opportunity for renters. It allows someone who may otherwise never have the opportunity to take the wheel of a high-performance vehicle to see what all the fuss is about. It can give one a chance at glamour and excitement for a few days without any real commitment or long-term burden. Although the cost of renting a sports car may be high enough to freeze some renters out of the market, their availability does increase their accessibility to those who may never have another opportunity to enjoy the sports car experience.
The next time you are renting a car, you may want to consider trying an exotic sports car for a few days. It can add something unique to your vacation or business trip. You can experience the excitement of sports car driving without the burdens of sports car ownership. If one can afford the additional expense of a great rental car upgrade, the rental sports car experience may be a great alternative to chugging about in a dull generic car.
For more articles like this one, please visit [http://www.SportsCarGuide.org]
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Choosing the right dog bowl for your pet can easily get a little overwhelming. There are so many colors and styles to pick from. Should you pick stainless steel, ceramic or plastic? You can buy dog bowls with their names on them, pictures and designs, even team colors and logos. You can buy bowls that match your kitchen or your dining room. You can even buy dog bowls that look like outdoor pots for the patio! There are bowls for small dogs, large dogs and all the dogs in between. So how to pick? How do you know which bowl is best for your dog?
The first thing to consider when looking through dog bowls, is your dog. If you have a large dog, you're obviously going to need a large bowl. Smaller dogs, toy dogs and short-legged dogs such as Corgis and Dachshunds need smaller, shallower bowls. A dog with a short snout, like a bulldog or a pug, won't be comfortable eating or drinking out of a deep bowl. Dogs with long ears and furry faces can end up soaking wet after a visit to the water bowl.
We all know dogs love to eat! Sometimes they can be overly enthusiastic, gulping their food and spilling it all over the floor, sending the bowl sliding all over the place as they lick it clean. To help dogs who eat too quickly slow down a little, consider buying an anti-bloat bowl. This bowl, developed and recommended by vets, has small shapes inside that prevent a dog from being able to gobble their food too quickly.
Raised bowls or elevated feeders are other options to consider when looking for a dog bowl. These bowls are more comfortable for dogs to eat from and can help prevent some of the mess a bowl on the floor can lead to. For older dogs with joint pains, or dogs with back or neck problems, a raised bowl can be more comfortable for them to eat from. Elevated feeders come in many styles, colors and materials making it easy to find the one that will best suit you and your dog.
When trying to choose the perfect dog bowl, it can be hard to settle on which one you like the best. They can be made of stainless steel, wood, ceramic or plastic. You can pick a bowl with a Grecian or Roman style, or one with a more modern flair. You can even find dog bowls designed to look like flower pots for outside patios. Any color, any style, any material are yours for the asking. For an added personal touch, you can even customize a dog bowl with your pet's name, breed, or favorite color.
Another consideration when choosing a dog bowl is how easy it is to clean. Ideally you should wash your pet's food and water bowl regularly. Many people recommend a light washing once a day for water bowls and after every meal for food bowls along with a more thorough cleaning once a week. After all, you don't like eating off of dirty plates every day, do you? So why should your dog?
Choosing the right dog bowl for your pet is an important task and one the whole family should be involved in. And despite how many options you have to choose from there are no wrong decisions. Just remember to take into account what will best suit your dog and their personality. In the end, your dog will love whatever you pick out for them!
Doggienation is a leading provider of officially licensed Dog Sports Jerseys and Personalized Dog Accessories and Dog Collars and Leashes.Be sure to find something special for your pet at DoggieNation.
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Before we start, let's define the term 'super exotic sports cars'. Sports cars, by definition are borderline racing cars; boasting powerful performance and sleek looks. Their prestige makes them expensive, and thus the domain of a select few. With reference to sports cars, the term "exotic" refers to vehicles produced in very limited numbers. This of course increases their exclusivity and by virtue of this, their value. Exotic sports cars will, in all likelihood, be built by smaller manufacturers or perhaps the super high-end vehicles will be created by some of the better-known car companies outside of the United States, as exclusive models.
Many exotic sports cars are the stuff of legend. The world's fastest car, the McLaren F1, for instance is a well-known exotic. Although only around one hundred F1s were produced and the manufacturer is not a household name (outside of the Grand Prix circuits of course), the McLarens are coveted sports cars. All exotic sports cars are highly sought after and, as status symbols, are second to none in the sports car world.
But, assuming that you can afford it, is an exotic sports car for you?
It is easy to be seduced by the allure of owning an exotic sports car. Owning one can be very tempting. Amongst the purists, the cars themselves are often considered the pinnacle of design. Any enthusiast who has the means will tell you that when an opportunity to invest in an exotic sports car presents itself, resistance can be very difficult.
One should try and be objective about the proposition though.
Before making such a major commitment, there are three factors you should consider.
Exotic Sports Cars Are Very Expense
The cost of owning such a prestigious car, does not end when you part with the initial payment. Even if one can afford the initial asking price of an exotic (and not many can), one needs to be aware of the likely ongoing running expenses , which can be significant. The maintenance and repair of an exotic car is certain to be expensive compared to non-exotic vehicles and a buyer should attempt to discover what kind of costs he or she is likely to experience in order to keep the car in running order. There can be no cost cutting on parts for these high end vehicles.
Parts for prestige cars are likely to be in short supply, if they are available at all. The likelihood that the owners of exotic sports cars will need to have some parts custom made during their ownership of the vehicle is quite high. And the cost will be significant. This is especially true of older exotics, many of which will have been orphaned when their original manufacturer stopped making cars. Not only will this prove extremely expensive, one can also expect it to be time consuming as well. And, as time passes, the necessary investment will only become greater.
Your usual mechanic cannot be expected to be able to repair exotic sports cars. You will need specialised mechanics with specialised tools to be able to ensure that appropriate and professional repairs are carried out. Not only will such individuals be, in all probability much more expensive than your usual mechanics, you would be very fortunate if you found one in your town. You should expect to have to do a lot of traveling in order to find suitable mechanical help.
All too often a sports car buff will purchase an exotic, without though to the ongoing costs, and, as a consequence be completely unprepared to handle additional future expenses. A thorough planning of expected costs and the means to meet those costs would certainly be in order.
Reliability Of High End Vehicles
Even though an exotic sports car may represent the ultimate in performance, One cannot assume that it will also be reliable. This will hold particularly true for the older 'classic' exotic cars. As with any high performance machine, exotic sports cars can be quite delicate (temperamental) which will, in all probability, require that you, or someone close to you be regularly on hand to make the adjustments to ensure that the vehicle stays in operating order. Exotic sports cars are well known for the spectacular side of their performance when they running well. However, the other side of the coin is that they are notorious for being among the most temperamental of vehicles that one may encounter.
If you plan to run an exotic sports car on a regular basis, you should be prepared for the highs and los of motoring. The sublime feeling of driving a top car with top performance can often be forgotten if the same car stops and refuses to start many miles from any assistance.
The Drivability of Exotic Cars
Most owners of high performance cars will tell you that such vehicles take 'some getting used too'. Optimum performance comes at a price, and will depend very largely on the skill of the driver. So, if you are relatively inexperienced, then please do not expect to get the best out of your car straight away. This in itself could prove too frustrating for many potentials owners. One should also take into account the relative risk of driving a high performance cars whilst still inexperienced.
For those to whom the additional cost of time in learning to drive a prestige car optimally and safely is not an issue, an additional, problem arises in the adjustment of seats and pedals for example. Small things that are irrelevant in normal cars take on much greater significance when applied to exotic sports cars.
When considering the purchase of an exotic sports car, one must look past the romance and excitement of owning a legendary vehicle. There are real concerns and obstacles to be overcome before the full enjoyment and benefit of owning such a car can be achieved.
Every motorist needs to know how to legally beat your speeding ticket today. Or avoid the problem altogether with the best radar detectors around.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Charlie_Cory
The grass is always greener on your side of the fence with a John Deere tractor. John Deere tractors have been around since 1837 when it began as a one-man blacksmith company and grew into a corporation it is today, employing over 52,000 people and growing each year.
The name John Deere is synonymous with good tractors. Tractors that plow the fields, tractors that haul brush, tractors that do hundreds of things and can stand up to roughest and toughest conditions anyone can put it through.
John Deere tractor are made professional grade for commercial use such as those who are clearing large areas for buildings and digging holes for foundations. As well as for the homeowner who just wants to clear a small area of trees or cut the lawn and maintain a garden. A John Deere mower will help you cut your grass to the perfect length and attachments for tractor will help you maintain your garden throughout the season so that weeding, planting and harvesting are made easy.
John Deere seemed to last forever and can be handed down from generation to generation. However, if you have an older John Deere tractor, you can also find parts to fit the tractors on their website or by calling any of the dealers in your neighborhood. They always seem to have a part for an old John Deere tractor in need of repair. The John Deere tractor dealers can also repair your tractor for you if you're not able to do it yourself.
John Deere tractors are also sold to the armed forces and military for use in clearing trees and brush and moving heavy equipment when needed. There are specific specifications that John Deere must adhere to in order to make equipment for the military and armed forces just like all of the contractors and military and armed forces use. So if a John Deere is good enough for the military and government, a John Deere is good enough for you and your lawn or garden.
Tractors come in all shapes and sizes and do a variety of lifting, clearing, mowing, carrying, pulling and plowing. But there's only one color that stands out and that is John Deere green. Although there is a military green specifically made for military purposes the traditional John Deere green is the best.
There are many brands of tractors available on the market today such as Ford Farm tractors, New Holland tractors, Kubota tractors, International Cub tractors and the list goes on and on, however, when you mention tractors one name stands out above the crowd and that's a John Deere tractor.
John Deere tractors are tried and true and had survived the test of time and will work for you for whatever your project calls for whether it's a simple digging operation or mowing the backyard or a large-scale military operation, John Deere will get the work done for you and you will enjoy doing it because a John Deere works every time.
Michael Floren is an expert in John Deere tractors, he has been actively involved in the farm machinery business for more than a decade.
Visit his website at http://www.tractor-depot.com for more information about John Deere tractors
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Floren
...And that's like a secret disease. You inflict it upon yourself because your self-esteem is at a low ebb, and you don't think you're worthy or valuable. You fill your stomach up four or five times a day-some do it more- and it gives you a feeling of comfort. It's like having a pair of arms around you, but it's temporarily, temporary. Then you're disgusted at the bloatedness of your stomach, and then you bring it all up again. And it's a repetitive pattern, which is very destructive to yourself. Thus declared Princess Diana, who struggled with an eating disorder and also admitted that she used to harm herself. She also added in a television interview that she intentionally cut her arms and legs and had thrown herself down a flight of stairs on more than one occasion. The Princess first revealed her own battle with bulimia in 1992, when it was described in Andrew Mortons controversial book Diana: Her True Story. In later interviews she spoke of the secret disease that had preyed on her for many years.
You will find that rowing machines give you a good workout and cardiovascular exercise. Its an exercise machine you can use without causing too much impact to your joints and muscles. Many older and younger people can use rowing machines with beneficial impact. Although the rowing machine does take some getting used too. You will have to learn how to properly coordinate your movements.
The rowing machines simulate the experience of rowing on the open water. You pull on the metal bars and move forwards and backwards on a gliding seat. Rowing machines offer you the chance to increase the tension setting and speed to challenge you.
While you are using rowing machines you burn an extensive number of calories, up to eight hundred calories and hour. Thats building up quite a sweat. The rowing machine will be excellent for your arms, back muscles, back, shoulder, and abdomen. On the upside to your workout will be low impact on your joints and bones, but you may notice some strain on your back.
Rowing machines are amazing for their gliding on water feel. They are specially designed to provide this gliding effect, via the use of flexible graphite composite and water-filled flywheels. You can even find rowing machines with rowing on water sounds to enhance your workout experience. To make this even better you can play music of the seashore or a small brook. Or you can even watch some nature footage on the television while rowing.
Most rowing machines come with electronic gadgets such as pre-set programs, elapsed time displays, stroke count, strokes per minute and estimated calories burned. A good tip to remember when using rowing machines is to keep your elbows tight to your body. Check out rowing machines reviews online to find more information and get an idea of what to look for and what personal preferences you might have.
Getting involved in the online business world is a relative simple process. Whether you just want to make some spare income or become the next Internet business mogul, you have to start somewhere. It is best to start with the basics and work your way up from there. The goal of this informative article is to allow you, the reader, to start an online business quickly.
Step One: Legalities
Depending on where you live in the world, you may need to obtain legal documentation such as a business license. It is best to consult a local attorney. However, not everyone can afford such an expense. If this is you, look for local small business groups. By calling around, you should be able to find out what will be required for you to legally do business on the Internet.
Step Two: Business Plan
Every successful business has a business plan. To many, this may see like a daunting task. It is well beyond the scope of this article to explain how to properly create a business plan. Software exists to help you with this task. Basically, a business plan helps you clearly define your goals, understand your competition and visualize what you must do to achieve your goals.
Spend some time thinking about what you wish to accomplish with your new business. The answer make money is not a valid one. What is the specific purpose of your new business?
Example: I want to start a business that will sell motherboards for computers.
Example Expanded: Initially the business will work to obtain wholesale pricing from motherboard manufacturers and retail them to the end user. The business will work to create our own brand of motherboard to retail and distribute to other computer parts outlets.
Example Long-term: The business will formulate a motherboard design, have it manufactured and distribute it to computer parts outlets. Additionally, the business will work to secure working relationships with computer manufacturers to have our motherboard built in.
As you can see from the above three examples, we have a working goal outline. If you do nothing else for this step, do what is in the above examples. So many people jump into business without a clear idea of what they wish to accomplish. The end result is failure.
Step Three: Familiarity
This next step involves you becoming extremely familiar with the industry you wish to do business in. The more educated you are, the higher your chance for success is. You should know as many competitors as possible, especially the big ones. Seeking out trade publications and informational resources is an absolute must.
The first step here is to create a new bookmarks folder in your browser. Call it whatever you wish, but remember to keep your bookmarks extremely organized. Next, it is time to sit back with your favorite non-alcoholic beverage and go website cruising.
The first website you will want to visit is the search engine of your choice. I go to Google.com myself, but this is up to you. You are going to type in many search queries and visiting many websites. If you are familiar with tabbed browsing, this task will be much more orderly. Below I will show you some common search queries I would do for a new copywriting business.
Copywriting
Copywriting forum
Copywriting newsgroup
Copywriting board
Copywriters association
Copywriters trade publication
Trade publications writing
Writers
Writers forum
Writers board
Writers association
Copywriting books
Copywriting sites
I hope you get the idea. I am basically looking for my competitors and informational sources where I can eventually learn and advertise. If your industry has specific product names, search for those as well.
This is an ongoing process. You want to try and learn as much as possible in the beginning, but you certainly wont find everything. As you progress in your business, take note of the websites you run across. In my bookmarks, I have a folder called Check Later that has a listing of websites that might be beneficial, but I have not had the time to review yet.
This concludes part one of How to Start an Online Business. This first part is crucial. Those who ignore it are almost certainly destined to fail. Great things take time and to rush is foolish. If you wish to read the rest of this guide, visit my website at JasonAMartin.com. You can also find other helpful articles there on a variety of topics such as marketing and writing.
Copyright 2005 JASON ANDREW MARTIN LLC
Fueled by skyrocketing gasoline prices, the Senate once again took up debate on oil drilling in the Artic National Wildlife Refuge.
The members were sharply split along party lines, with Democrats maintaining that the very idea of intruding on that pristine national treasure with oil rigs is an affront to every responsible American's instinct for wilderness preservation, while Republicans were more inclined to advocate tapping the oil for the preservation of their electoral status as members of the Senate.
The preservation of the American public's ability to pay for something besides gasoline was also mentioned in passing by one Senator.
Prodded to act by an impatient President, seeking the preservation of whatever positive numbers he still maintains in the popularity polls, the two sides finally arrived at a compromise agreement.
The word "drilling" would be forever struck from the bill and will be replaced with a term Democrats feel is far more appropriate to an area so rife with wildlife, that is, the word "hunting."
Once the bill was redrafted to specify the crucial change from "oil drilling" to "oil hunting," the Senate passed it with near unanimity.
It will now go to the President for his signature, which is expected about as soon as he can locate a pen. Shortly thereafter, he will address the American public about the breakthrough legislation.
He is expected to note that he has long advocated drilling in the wildlife refuge but has been blocked by a divisive Congress. He is also expected to assure a fuming public that the price of gasoline is certain to go down as soon as the pipelines are in place, the drills hit gushers, and the oil companies agree to build more refineries. During the years that will be required for all of the foregoing conditions to be met, he is expected to encourage the public to conserve gas by hitching their cars together, so only one out of every six vehicles will have the engine running.
Mr. Bush was so pleased by the passage of the bill that he went straight to Vice President Cheney's office to have a celebratory conversation, but he was informed that the Vice President, upon hearing about the amendment to the measure, immediately packed up and headed to the refuge to enjoy a pristine weekend of hunting.
The President telephoned his airplane and explained that the measure called for oil hunting, not hunting for animals. The Vice President acknowledged the difficulty but explained that, since the word "hunting" was in the amendment, he felt he was on safe grounds to interpret the meaning by putting the primary emphasis on "hunting."
They finally agreed that disagreements about emphasis and subordination were unlikely grounds to exacerbate the recent calls from more irascible circles for their impeachment.
With higher education tuition increasing at double digit year over year percentages an effective saving plan for your kids education is becoming much more important than it has been before. Most families will discover that their future higher education costs will be much more than they have saved for their kids education. This leaves many kids to be faced with obtaining financial aid to pay for a portion of their college education. The goal of this article is to explore the pros and cons of 4 common investment options when saving for college. This article will also explore why some of these options are better than other when considering a portion of your kids education may be funded by financial aid.
529 College Savings Plan: - A 529 college savings plan is a fairly new investment option for college saving. It allows just about anyone to save for college. There is a long list of benefits of a 529 college savings plan, but perhaps the most important is that your earnings grow tax free if you use it for qualified education expenses. Additionally, the maximum amount you can contribute to a 529 plan can go as high as several hundred thousand dollars depending on your State. In the event you do not use the funds for college, you can still withdrawal your earnings, but you will have to pay taxes and a 10% penalty. The penalty will be waived if your child receives a scholarship, or your child becomes disable or dies.
529 plans can typically be purchased through a broker or mutual fund company, but a disadvantage is that investment choices can sometimes be limited. Since qualifying for financial aid is based on a calculation that considers your kids assets, another big benefit of a 529 college savings plan is that the money in the plan is classified as a parents assets so less that 6% of the value counts against your kids financial aid eligibility.
Uniform Gifts to Minors Act/Uniform Transfers to Minors Act
(UGMA/UTA Custodial Account): - The benefit of a UMGA/UTA Custodial Account is that there is no limit on the contribution and it is easy to set up at most financial institutions. However, the limitations far outweigh the benefits. The first limitation of a UMGA/UTA Custodial Account is that these types of accounts offer very little tax advantage. If your child is under 14, only the first $800 of income is tax free, the next $800 is taxed at your childs tax rate and after that there is no tax benefit at all. The other big limitation is that the account has to be set up in your childs name. As a result, if your child needs financial aid all of the assets will be reviewed at a 35% rate. Therefore, this type of account is not advisable for those who may need financial aid.
Coverdell Education Savings Account (CESA): - A Coverdell Education Savings Account is very similar to a 529 college savings plan. The main difference is that with a Coverdell Education Savings Account you can only contribute $2000 per child and to qualify your adjusted gross income must be less than $110,000 if single and less than $220,000 if married filing jointly. The account is classified as a parents asset so less that 6% of the value counts against your kids financial aid eligibility.
In the end, parents should consider planning for college to be a highly important process. The above 3 alternatives can make this process much more easy and financially sound.
Copyright (c) 2005, by Jay Fran. This article may be freely distributed as long as the copyright, author's information and the below active live link is published with the article.
Boutique hotels arent a passing fad or a here-today-gone-tomorrow trend. They are a growing sector of the hospitality market.
When the first boutique hotel opened in New York in 1984, it caused a stir. Shedding tradition, its whole purpose was to turn a paid-for bedroom into a whole new travel experience. Since then, small, chic hotels have sprung up all over the world; some more successfully than others. Those who have followed the fundamental theme of design-led individuality have experienced incredible success and that in turn has spawned a new generation of these stylish hotels.
What are the essential characteristics of this type of hotel that will ensure its place in the industry?
Individuality boutique hotels are all different. Housed in a wide range of buildings, many of which werent intended as hotels or even houses originally, they use design and architecture to create entirely individual structures and spaces that catch the attention and stimulate the senses. Whatever theme or style has been chosen, youll never stay in a boutique hotel thats exactly the same as the last one you stayed in.
Style personality and style matter to these hotels. Its what gives them their intimate atmosphere; their air of authenticity. Boutique hotels go for style thats deliberately introduced and followed through to the smallest of details, resulting in all-round quality thats really appreciated by the guests.
Service many other parts of the service industry could learn from these small hotels. Their low guest numbers gives them the opportunity to shine when it comes to looking after residents, and their service is always discreet but immediate; helpful without pestering and always pleasant, never patronising.
Quality discerning guests know quality when they see it; from the finest bed linen to the freshest ingredients. A boutique hotel takes the time to source materials, furnishings, fabrics and accessories of the finest quality, ensuring that guests are always experiencing comfort and style.
Boutique hotels are here to stay because we like them. For not much more cost than an average high street hotel, they allow us to enjoy the experience of travelling. They give us good design, a high standard of decoration and fittings and outstanding service, reminding us that we often set our standards too low when we travel. They allow us to relax and spend our time exploring and enjoying our destination rather than sorting out problems with the accommodation. They remind us that where we stay is as important as where we go.
Do you consider yourself a seeker? I have a feeling if youre reading this article, you do.
If so, how exactly do you define it? What does it mean to you to be a seeker?
For me, the definition is constantly in process of clarifying itself, shifting in and out of focus as I ask, What is it that Im seeking? There have been times days, weeks, months, dare I say years that it felt like wandering, lost and lonely, in search of a nameless, faceless something that seemed forever before me, but like a mirage, moving farther away the closer I drew. I could not grasp it, but I knew that when found it would make all the pieces of my life click together. Instant happiness and abundance, perfect peace and love. Most of all, everything would finally make sense. Id know my purpose; Id be brave enough to live it; Id have no question that I couldnt readily answer.
I can tell you, after so much time in the desert, I have found no such something. But that doesnt mean the journey has not been fruitful.
In its finest moments the search has been a pilgrimage. One with the hue of holiness. And in those rare instances I know clearly what it is I seek. Id like to share a story.
Several years ago my husbands company sponsored a celebrity golf tournament. We attended, and I surprised myself at how star-struck I was! Especially since the stars were sports figures with whom I was barely familiar. Of all of them, the kindest was David Robinson of the San Antonio Spurs. Walking next to him, my head came only to his elbow, but I found him to be a gentle giant. Late in the day I, along with many others, asked for his autograph. When he gave me back the piece of paper it had on it his name and the letters and numbers Matthew 6:33. I overheard someone explain that he always places a verse from the Bible on his autographs a different one for each person.
Well, I am someone who does not take things in vain I believe that everything that happens is a perfect set-up for our growth and learning. So, I went home and looked up the verse. Upon reading it I had one of those pilgrim moments.
Matthew 6:33Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you as well.
The perfect message for a true seeker. But, of course, the question followswhat does it mean? I know that some will have a very clear-cut answer, but for me it has taken years of touching upon, moving away from, and coming back to the messageto find for myself the meaning. The day I received the verse I typed it up and put it in my meditation space, where I have looked upon it every day since. But lately it has begun to call for my attention more fervently, demanding from me a clearer understanding.
Ultimately, I have come to realize this one sentence as the most basic ingredient for living, and the word that has always stood out to me is first. Here, the order of things. In our society we are driven by the desire to obtain - material possessions, personal achievement, physical perfectionwe strive first and we strive hard. But in this verse we are asked not to do first, but to seek. We are told where to begin.
I would like to go slowly, go back and explore this simple message, piece by piece
Seek ye first the Kingdom of God
Is this the answer to the interminable question, What do I seek?? If so, then I ask, What exactly is this Kingdom of God that I am after? My mind immediately travels to another verse Luke 17:21, which says, Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the Kingdom of God is within you.
And so, it is not something beyond my grasp that constantly beckons me. It is not a place, or thing, a job or person, a philosophy, idea or fragment of knowledge. It is not to be found in books or buildings. That which is sought is the Divine reflection within my own being, that same reflection alive within yours and in everything else. The dwelling place of the holy lives no farther than the beat of our own hearts.
For those of us who have been on this quest for a while, this idea is nothing new. I realize that. We read books about getting to know and love and be ourselves. We take classes and workshops in the hopes of prying open the door to that illusive hallowed ground were after. At the end of every yoga class we say, Namaste, the Hindu recognition of the Divine spark within us all. I, like you, know where Im supposed to look; I can think and speak about it; but it is the experience that I am after that which cannot be spoken of or written about in whole. That which absolutely cannot be taught or bought. That which is secret and private and can only be known in the silent places of ones own soul.
Seek ye first the Kingdom of GodSeek first the Divine withinSeek first, your own truth.
And then we read on
and His Righteousness
Now, here is a phrase for contemplation. For some it is instantly understood and revered; for others, it will make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. It is a loaded word; one that can scare with its asking.
If it is the knowing of our highest selves, a re-union with our own Divinity and, I suspect, with the greater Divinity of all life that we seek, and if we hold faith that the source of Divinity is indwelling, then how do we define this righteousness? I believe that the answer will lie in your own definition, image and knowing of God.
Copyright 2006 Cari Vollmer
Where do you go to find the PEOPLE you need to make your dreams a reality? Read the 7 suggestions below to get started. You might find the people you need are closer than you think.
1. Form or participate in a success team.
This is my secret. For every major project I commit to I surround myself with other people with similar goals. For example: I wanted help keeping my business on track. I formed a group with three other business owners who had the same goal. We learn a ton from each other, share resources, provide feedback and offer unending encouragement. We've been together for over a year and they play a big role in my ability to consistently get things done and make things happen.
2. Get coached!
I may be biased, but before I was a coach I hired a coach. It gave me the shot in the arm I needed to launch my business. Coaching is amazing because you get to work one-on-one with someone totally dedicated to you and your success. A coach will offer you encouragement, accountability and help you plan strategic courses of action.
3. Find a mentor.
A mentor will help you shorten your learning curve because they've already been where you want to go. Who in your profession or life do you admire? Ask them if they'd be willing to meet with you on a regular basis and be your mentor. For tips on setting up a good mentor-mentee relationship, search Google with the keywords "mentoring tips" or something similar. You'll find lots of information.
4. Follow an expert.
If you're looking for advice on a specific topic, let's say boosting self-confidence, read books, attend seminars or check online. When you find someone whose style you enjoy become an "expert groupie". Read their books, check out their website and watch for special programs they offer.
5. Join a special interest group.
There's a group for every interest and everyone! Group members often share best practices, swap referrals and bring in experts related to their unique niche. Look for existing groups in your local newspaper, community education and flyers on coffee shop bulletin boards. Your alumni association may have suggestions, as well as your local chamber of commerce and networking organizations.
6. Go online.
Join online discussion groups. My sister-in-law made a bevy of new friends when she joined an online discussion group of moms with kids all the same age. They've become friends, share parenting tips and even meet for an annual girl's weekend away! One note: always be careful when you join online communities. Although great ones exist there are plenty with unscrupulous characters just waiting to take advantage of trusting individuals.
7. Ask a friend.
Do you have a friend that would just love it if you asked for their help? Sometimes help is closer than you think. Do you have a friend that is particularly supportive and encouraging? If so, tell them your goal and ask for their support. They'll probably be thrilled and honored you thought of them and asked for their help. They may surprise you and ask for your help in return!
Surrounding yourself with PEOPLE that will help you get what you want is easier than you think but you have to ASK! Don't hesitate and don't be afraid. Ask and keep asking until you find "just the right" people to help you achieve your most important goals!
Women around the world consider a purse as a necessity. A purse has a lot more significance and importance than its function, which is carrying money and other items around in it. It is used as a fashion accessory and speaks volumes about the personality of the person carrying it.
In simple terms, a purse is a small and fashionably designed bag, used to hold money, keys, makeup and other items of daily use. Purses are also popularly known as handbags, although some argue that a handbag is larger in size. Purses evolved several centuries ago, and ever since, have been an essential fashion accessory. The first purses can be traced back to the ancient Egyptians and Babylonians, who used small pouches during religious ceremonies. Later, in the 14th century, purses were fastened to the waist with the help of girdles. During those days, purses were used as status symbols and were adorned with jewels and elaborate embroidery.
Through the 16th and 17th century, purses became more practical in design and were made of materials such as leather and cotton. Several purses had drawstring fasteners on the top to keep the contents safe. Embroidery, which became a craze in the 17th century, was used to decorate purses, which resulted in beautiful and unique pieces.
Probably the greatest achievement in the development of purses was the reticule, used in the 18th century. These were miniature purses that had no handles and were carried around in the hand. The reticules further developed into todays chic purses, more popularly known as clutch purses.
With several top companies producing purses in a dazzling array of designs and styles, the purse industry has become a multi-million dollar business. Today, purses vary not only based on their design, but also on the material used in their manufacture. From myriad colors and embroidery to sequins and diamonds, purses have come a long way and have added a substantial style quotient to our lives.
by Stuart Lisonbee
Most retailers agree: drop shipping, if used properly, is a huge time and labor saver.
But is it a money saver as well? It is often said that time is money. But just what is the true value of drop shipping?
We will attempt to answer that question in this article from a scientific approach, using logic to come to a conclusion as to what the value of drop shipping is for you.
The value of time is different for everybody. For Bill Gates, an hour of his time is so valuable you probably wouldn't ever be able to pay him enough for his time.
Sometimes here at Doba, we bring on interns. Usually they work without pay. What does the intern consider to be the value of their time? They are giving of their time, and getting no money in return. They consider their pay not as a present monetary figure, but as experience gained, which will in turn makes them more valuable to other companies. Thus it could be said that an intern is considering the value of their time as something that will be paid off in the future.
If I were to invest in the stock market, I would probably spend a good amount of time researching various stocks before deciding on what to invest my money in. I would then wait for a (perhaps very long) period of time before cashing out my stocks.
In such a case, I'm investing my time in the hopes of getting a future payoff for it. If I consider my time to be worth $50/hour, then my goal would be to get a $50 future return for every hour I spend doing research.
When using drop shipping to run part or all of your retail business, you save time by having somebody else track inventory as well as pull and package orders. Additionally, you don't spend any time running to the post office to have orders shipped.
In part 2 of this article, we'll discuss the actual monetary value of the time we just talked about.
In both science and in technology, a battery is used as a type of device that is used to store energy, making it available for use in an electrical form. They consist of electrochemical devices, including one or even more galvanic cells.
Baghdad Batteries are thought to be the first known in history, dating back from sometime between the years of 250 BCE and 640 BCE. The modern battery began with the Voltaic pile, which was developed by Alessandro Volta, an Italian physicist, in 1800. As of a 2005 estimate, the battery industry generates, no pun intended, around 48 billion dollars in annual sales.
Batteries can be divided into two main categories, rechargeable batteries and non-rechargeable, or disposable, batteries.
Disposable batteries are also known as primary cells. They are intended for a one time use only, to be used until the chemical changes used to induce its electrical current supply have been finished. Their common usages include smaller, more portable devices that have either a low current drain or are used away from any alternative power source.
Rechargeable batteries, also known as secondary cells, have a longer usage life since they can be recharged after their power has been drained. You can do so by applying an externally supplied electrical current. This causes a reversal in the chemical changes that occur during the batterys use. These devices used to do this are commonly known as rechargers or chargers.
The wet cell, or lead-acid, battery is the oldest form of the rechargeable battery that is still in todays use. This battery contains a liquid found in an unsealed container that requires the battery to be kept in an upright position. The area in which it is used must be well-ventilated so as not to cause the ventilated, hydrogen gas to display its explosive qualities.
The lead-acid battery is quite heavy, although its cost to manufacture is low and the high surge content levels allow it to be a commonly used battery in places where its weight and handling ease are not of any concern.
The most common form of a lead-acid battery is the car battery.
A gel battery is known to be an expensive lead-acid battery type, containing a semi-solid electrolyte that is used to prevent spillage.
The portable types are considered to be dry cells. They are sealed units that are useful in appliances such as cell phones and laptop computers. These types of cells also include, nickel-cadmium or NiCd, nickel metal hydride or NiMH, and lithium-ion or Li-Ion, listed in the order of their increasing power density and also their cost.
Both disposable batteries and rechargeable batteries come in various standard sizes. This is so they can easily be used in a wider amount of appliances. The most commonly known types of batteries are the A-series, including A, AA, AAA, and AAAA. Also known are B, C, D, F, G, J, and N. Other variants include 3R12, 4R25, PP3, PP9, and the 996 and PC926 that are used in lanterns. There are many, many more less common battery types, and their usages vary greatly.
A brokerage should work for you, the way that you want your money managed. In fact, you will need to communicate these needs and desires with the firm long before a commitment is made to you by the firm. But, what does your brokerage provide for you? Why do you use one company over the other? And, most importantly, how do you choose which are the best options for your specific needs? When it comes to a brokerage, there are several things that they must provide for you to work with them.
The first most important thing for the brokerage firm to offer you is effective communication. You will most likely need a company that can understand your needs and will follow through on that. Probably the biggest problem that people have is the fact that they do not feel as if their firm tells them what is happening and understands what their overall goals are. Knowing what you have, what you are investing in, and knowing how well things are going is information that you need to have. Do they provide this to you?
You also need a firm that is going to provide you with the fundamentals you are after. For example, if you are a risk taker, youll need to find that quality in a broker. If you are someone that likes things to be a little safer, that is a necessary quality.
You will also want to be able to have access to your account on a moment's notice. Many of the firms out there are now providing this to you. You can find them available throughout the web in fact. They allow you to access your account online so that at any given day or time, youll know just what is going on.
Having a brokerage that fits your needs is the ultimate goal. Finding just that may take some time, but youll make it happen.
Clint Eastwood was born in 1930 in San Francisco. Clinton Eastwood Jr. was his original name. He dropped out of college in the early 1950's trying a business related career and found himself an actor in B-movies until he got his first breakthrough in the TV series Rawhide. He went on to spaghetti Westerns starting with a Fistful of Dollars and a Few Dollars More. It wasnt until the third movie, The Good the Bad and the Ugly where he really made his mark. After that he got several starring roles including Where Eagles Dare also starring Richard Burton and Paint Your Wagon. He made another landmark turn in 1971 when he first played the character of Harry Callahan in Dirty Harry.
Sooner or later, every business will need financing to grow. Most owners will try to qualify for venture capital or angel financing. Others will try to get a business loan or line of credit, since business loans are popular with business owners.
All these business financing tools work well, but they also have a very important trait in common. They are hard to get and out of reach for most owners.
There is an alternative way of financing your business growth. Financing that is easy to qualify for, quick to set up and very cost effective. Not only that, its financing that grows with your business. And most of the time, you wont get it from your local bank. This form of financing is called invoice factoring and you can get it from a factoring company.
Factoring is different than a bank loan and it works well if your biggest problem is that you cant wait the 30 to 60 days that commercial clients take to pay their invoices. Basically, invoice factoring cuts the payment time to two days.
Factoring is simple. The factoring company buys your invoices (at a small discount) and pays you for them immediately. Then, the factoring company waits to get paid by your client. The net result: you get immediate working capital to pay business expenses and grow. You also eliminate the stress of having to wait to get paid and can count on a predictable cash flow.
As a form of financing, factoring offers two very distinct advantages over bank loans. First, its very easy to qualify for. Your main requirement is that you do business with strong commercial clients (or the government). Second, factoring financing grows with your business. As your invoicing grows, so does your financing. This enables you to easily cover the increasing costs of running a business that is growing.
A similar type of financing that is also offered by factoring companies is purchase order financing. Purchase order financing provides you with financing based on your purchase orders from large commercial clients. Purchase order financing is ideal for re-sellers and distributors that are growing quickly.
Whether you need financing because your customers pay you in 60 days or because you have a large purchase order from your biggest client, a factoring company will be able to offer alternatives to traditional financing.