Friday, December 26, 2008

Job Searching Techniques - Truck Driver Shortage Continues

Despite the incredible downturn in the transportation sector, there is still a shortage of truck drivers and it's huge, most estimates place it at 125,000 currently, off from 175,000 due to the economic turmoil. So, if you are searching for a job, you should check out truck driving as a potential career, most truck drivers make a very decent wage, and if you are worried about income, keeping your home or paying your bills, this is a good choice.

How do you go about searching for a truck driving job? Well, there are several sources, first go to a large travel center that sells diesel fuel for trucks and ask the clerk where the truck driver news rack is with all the truck industry magazines. They are free and there are no less than 5-different ones to look at. Pick up a copy of each and start reading all the ads.

Next, pick 5-6 that you are interested in and go to their websites to fill out their online forms. I was scanning the news in Transport Topics and Traffic World, looks like freight is down in shipping, trucking, rail and air-cargo, but I heard an ad on XM Radio for one of the trucking companies yesterday, so there is still a shortage of quality drivers even with the economic slowdown. Over the next day I heard 5 such ads all paying very well.

The financial news seems to point to a bottom of the recession, and the FED is putting money into the system, lowered rates again, and it looks like we have the government going to blow some more of our taxpayer's money and do a trillion dollar stimulus, so things will recover, I just hope we don't get into a runaway recessionary bubble with all this input.

What does all this mean? It means that the demand for truck drivers now is strong, and it will only get stronger as the economy recovers. So, please consider all this.

Tips For an Eye Catching Profile

If you are a freelancer you need to have a unique profile that sets you apart from the thousands of other freelancers to get the job of your choice. So, how can you stand apart for an eye catching profile for buyers?

-When you apply for a job or bid on a job, make sure you have edited and proofread your reply before sending as glaring grammatical errors make you look unprofessional.

-Showcase your skills when applying for a new job. It is best to send in online links or previous samples wherever you can to give the potential new client a better idea about your skills.

-Make a good impression with a creative title and a different sounding profile. It is just a glance that can make all the difference so keep some stand out words in your profile to get that eye catching title.

-Add a picture of yourself. It gives a human touch to the profile instead of looking at an automated logo design or plain vacant picture space. It adds value to your coding, designing or writing abilities.

-Add value to your skills by taking some accredited skill tests. There are some online freelance certificates issued by some sites. They make the profile look more professional.

-Think about putting all that in a profile that you, as a client would have wanted in a freelancer. Put in keywords, special skills and will get a more professional look. You can attract more outsourcing buyers by an outstanding profile.

-Post your profile in as many places as possible. All you need to do is good research for telecommuting job sites and online freelance job site. Many come with a monthly paid membership while others are free. Most of the free sites have a global clientele but some are local or restricted to countries, which are looking to outsource projects to a global clientele.

-You may not find that you are getting very high paying clients but if you are able to get a reasonable price, it is worth the experience. Set your bids with average hourly prices keeping in mind the outsourcing client in mind or the project requirements.

-Keep updating yourself on the latest in the technology world, new software that would benefit you so that you can give your best to each project. Write down the skill sets that you have and your knowledge base in your profile and keep it updated.

-Mention references and feedback from past clients. This will show your new potential customers your professionalism and reliability. If you are just starting out, you can take on low pay projects just to get a feedback that will help you get better projects later.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

The Richness Of Giving

The �oegiving season” is nearly upon us! Not only are the malls full of Christmas decorations, and the advertisements full of toys and perfume, our mailboxes are full of year-end charity fundraising requests too. While most charities operate and have expenses year-round, they have learned that the largest chunk of their donations come in November and December, partly because of tax laws. When it comes to tax exemptions, charitable donations are tied to the calendar year, and this is your �oelast chance” to make a difference for 2008.

But hold on a second… if the primary reason you make a donation is for tax planning purposes, you have made one of the biggest money mistakes you can. Giving has nothing to do with tax planning, and likewise, if all your giving plans are put off until your death and your estate is settled… you have missed the whole benefit of giving all together.

Over 100 years ago, the steel magnate Andrew Carnegie put into action an ambitious plan of giving. He began to pour the money he made from business into funding requests for public libraries and other educational institutions, and he started long before his death in 1919. When he sold U.S. Steel in 1901, giving away his money became his full-time work. As a result, literally thousands of towns in Canada, the US, the UK and around the world have a �oeCarnegie Library”.

In our time, Bill Gates, once seen as someone who didn’t do a lot for charity, has become the world’s biggest giver, focusing on treating AIDS in developing countries and providing access to education.

While it’s easy to say, �oeBut they already had a lot of money so it's simple for them to make these huge donations", for every Bill Gates or Andrew Carnegie, there are dozens of people swimming in money, yet they have stored it all away for themselves. This is either because they are afraid of losing their wealth somehow, or because they have become cynical towards others less fortunate or the world in general (an image of Mr. Scrooge comes to mind here). Somewhere along the way, any vision for making the world a better place through their richness has been lost.

That vision does not start with �oeextra cash.” In fact, if it’s extra cash you are waiting for, it is unlikely that either the vision or the extra money will ever be realized. Real giving starts with the smallest of gestures and the smallest amounts of money. It is a way of being that is more than an attitude: it's a core value. It’s this value that is developed as you recognize all that you already have and all that you already give, no matter how small and insignificant it might at first seem. As this awareness grows so does your vision for what is possible for yourself and the world in which you live. In this way, the richness of giving will create a richness in yourself that will grow to become your purpose. This purpose is your reason why that is the necessary ingredient for true wealth �" whether that be financial wealth or emotional wealth.

The most authentic giving, in fact, is a gesture of faith. You give your money, your time and support to others because it's the right thing to do, not because you're expecting a tax benefit or a return on your investment. Authentic giving requires you to trust that you will be provided for regardless of how much money you have, or don’t have at the time. Getting a tax break and leaving a legacy in your estate is an added bonus, but certainly not, as rewarding and valuable as the development of your abundant, faithful attitude: the characteristics that will guide your decision making and help you to make an even bigger impact for the causes and people you believe in. And, this is the true richness of giving.

Manager of world economics

First dollars developed form German currency taller which was used till 1873. Some time later dollar let German Mark to be appeared. Afterwards Spanish coins were called habitually dollar. They say that the appearance of dollar sign $ took its origin directly from there. A long phrase piece of eight was denoted as crossed eight and finally it became the official mark of dollar.

As for the bank-notes appearance, we can say that dollars history counts a lot of changes. Some of the first dollars looked like denominations made on linen-cotton paper. One edge was uneven and the stub with the copy of monetary unit was kept at Mint and served for proving banknotes authenticity. Current dollar has more serious false protection but nevertheless one happened to meet false notes quite often.

The USA uses the notes at face value 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 150, 500, 1000, 5000 and 10000 but banknotes with value higher than 100 dollars are prohibited to take outside of America and one can see them very seldom to be used in ordinary life. Most of such banknotes are used only by banks or by juridical persons.

Dollar indeed is considered to be one of the most stable currencies. Most big financial companies and firms depend directly on situation and dollars rate is one of the most important factors. Its falling or raising can lead to the crisis not only in America but in many other countries.

For predicting unstable economic situation connected with drastic changing of the rate, the banks make dollars forecast which depends on many factors.

After Euro having been appeared, dollar seems to weaken somehow its positions but it is still keeping quite a big part of economic market. Despite of Europes dealing with Euro more and more, one shouldnt speak about decrease of dollars meaning towards financial structures and separate citizens.

There will be quite a long time during which it will be valued as stable currency not only at the territory of the USA but in other developed countries of the world.

Spread Betting Advice

According to the London Business School over one million British people will have a spread betting account open by 2011. It is an area of the gambling market that is growing rapidly, and �" unusually for British gambling �" more often than not features bets on subjects that aren’t sport. It is viewed by some as an easy way of playing and making money off the stock market.

Financial spread betting is actually a very easy concept. It is a way of making money from fluctuations in various markets, though it doesn’t have to be in regards to the FTSE 100 as a whole (it can be single companies, commodities, currencies �" you name it). If you put a £1 bet on the stock market to rise, and the FTSE accordingly rises by 50 points, you’ve made £50, however, if it drops by 50 points, you lose £50. Accordingly, if you bet on the market to fall, you can make money on a loss.

The most simple advice is never bet more than you can afford to lose. Whilst for some spread betting is a career, for many it is a hobby and one that is an incredibly imprecise art, even the most experienced stock traders cannot always predict what will happen to the FTSE, and there is no reason why you should be any better placed to know than these experts are.

If you are going to start spread betting expect to lose before you start to win. Make sure that you start as small as you can until you actually begin to get some knowledge of the market. If you’re approaching spread betting as a hobby it’s best to make sure that you do actually enjoy it before you start wagering significant sums of money on it.

Another idea is to specialise, make sure that you play a few markets well, rather than playing all across the board. Most markets tend to fluctuate with their own sort of life and rhythm, and all are interconnected in some way �" just see how the U.S sub-prime mortgage crisis is linked to the price of gold! If you get to know how one particular market works, you have a better chance of not making enormous rookie errors that could potentially cost you a lot of money.

Spread betting has quite a lure, there is an assumption that it is quite possible to get rich easy from spread betting. This is, of course, a complete myth. It is possible to make large sums of money and to do so quickly �" but it is not easy, and unlikely to be quick. There are specialist companies who deal with spread betting, such as City Link, who will make you aware of the risks when you open an account but there is nothing like being prepared yourself, so before you begin make sure you do your homework.

Best Ideas For a Good Business - Advice From an Expert

I recently asked a very successful entrepreneur friend of mine about his best ideas for a good business. He had quite a bit of information to share about how make sure the business you're starting will be successful. Following are 3 tips he shared with me.

1 ) Niche markets. If you think the market is saturated with the particular type of business you want to run, consider a niche market. For example, if you've always wanted to start your own bakery but live in an area with several options, try opening an organic bakery. You can focus on providing healthy and chemical free alternatives to the other sugary sweet processed foods being offered. It's likely you won't have as many customers as the other bakeries, but yours will be more loyal and will be willing to pay quite a bit more.

2 ) Learn from other's mistakes. When a company goes out of business in an area, it's likely that others would be wary of opening a similar business. Obviously, the area couldn't support that particular venture. Or could it? Often it's not the type of business at fault but the way it was run. Pay attention to the circumstances regarding the closing of the defunct business and learn from their errors.

3 ) Be flexible. Of course you have your dream business all planned out in your head. Once you have a clear vision of what you're trying to accomplish, it can be difficult to let go and realize that certain aspects might not work. Remember, your bottom line is all about making money. Enjoying yourself along the way is simply a perk.

If you need money now, like I mean in the next hour, try what I did. I am making more money now than in my old business and you can too, read the amazing, true story, in the link below. When I joined I was skeptical for just ten seconds before I realized what this was. I was smiling from ear to ear and you will too.

Imagine doubling your money every week with no or little risk! To discover a verified list of Million Dollar Corporations offering you their products at 75% commission to you. Click the link below to learn HOW you will begin compounding your capital towards your first Million Dollars at the easy corporate money program.


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

Free Small Business Manufacturing Ideas - How to Tell the Good From the Bad

There are many claims out there of free small business manufacturing ideas. The idea is that you have products sent to your home, assemble them and ship them back to the company. This can be an ideal position for several reasons. First, you can work as much or as little as you want. You can also work on your own schedule from the comfort of your own home. The problem is, some of these opportunities aren't on the up and up.

When you're first looking into these positions pay close attention to whether a start up fee is included. If there is, step away. Many companies will have many seemingly reasonable reasons that you need to send them a deposit to get started. They claim they don't want to ship products to you unless you're serious. They claim they're afraid of losing money if you don't assemble them properly. The reality is simple : never pay to work.

If a company is not requiring an upfront fee and seems to be on the up and up, there's still more research to be done. Doing a quick a Google search of the company in question will likely bring up numerous sites where the opportunity is discussed. Keep these reviews in mind when you're making your decision. However, you also need to consider that even if there are a few bad reviews, that doesn't mean you should immediately discount the business. You can't please everyone all of the time. If there are far more good reviews than bad, you should be safe.

When looking into free small manufacturing business ideas be sure to keep your eyes open for catches and do your research first. If you find the right job, it can be a very rewarding and lucrative opportunity.

If you need money now, like I mean in the next hour, try what I did. I am making more money now than in my old business and you can too, read the amazing, true story, in the link below. When I joined I was skeptical for just ten seconds before I realized what this was. I was smiling from ear to ear and you will too.

Imagine doubling your money every week with no or little risk! To discover a verified list of Million Dollar Corporations offering you their products at 75% commission to you. Click the link below to learn HOW you will begin compounding your capital towards your first Million Dollars at the easy corporate money program.


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

Monday, December 8, 2008

Learning the Basics of Auto Insurance

It can seem pretty overwhelming; there are a lot of things to think about when it comes to getting the right coverage for you and your automobile. Drivers are now required to have automobile insurance to be on the road, but knowing what kind of insurance to get, so that your car will be covered sufficiently, but that you can still afford to drive it can be a bit tricky if you aren't at least a little bit educated on the topic.

Aside from our houses, our cars are often the most valuable and necessary material belongings in our possession, it's important for all drivers to begin learning the basics of auto insurance if they don't know them already, so they can hit the road with confidence and piece of mind.

Liability

Having at least some liability coverage is a requirement for driving in all states, the minimum amount necessary does vary a bit from state to state, but it's good to have more than the minimum amount of coverage in the event that you are involved in a serious accident.

The two sections of liability coverage cover bodily injury and property damage.

Bodily injury liability will cover the medical expenses and potentially the lost wages of people injured during an automobile accident. If your liability coverage is too low to cover the medical expenses of a person you injure in an accident, you may be held responsible for the remainder of the money due - this is precisely the reason that higher liability coverage is better than lower liability coverage.

Property damage covers the cost of repair the damage you do to other peoples property in the event of an accident, this could include their automobile, their motorcycle, bicycle, house or whatever else happens to be on the receiving end of the accident.

Comprehensive and Collision

If you own your car outright, then neither comprehensive or collision coverage is a requirement to operate your vehicle, but depending on your driving record or the neighborhood you live or work in, it may be advisable to at least carry some comp and collision coverage.

Collision will cover the damage sustained to your car in the event of an accident that you are deemed the cause of. The amount of your chosen deductible and the level of your collision coverage could have a pretty large affect on your premium - the higher your deductible, the lower your premium and vice versa, so to keep your monthly payment down while still carrying a decent level of collision insurance you'll opt for a higher deductible.

Comprehensive insurance will cover any damage sustained to your car that wasn't directly the result of an accident. Acts of vandalism, attempted theft, damage from fire, acts of God and natural disasters are the types of things that comprehensive insurance will take care of for you.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Even though a minimum amount of automobile insurance is a requirement to have your vehicle on the road, that doesn't necessarily mean that everyone operating a vehicle will have it.

Uninsured motorist coverage is a requirement in most states and will cover the damages to your vehicle as well as bodily injury in the event that you are struck by a motorist driving without insurance.

Personal Injury Protection

Personal injury protection coverage covers the cost of treatments for injuries and funeral costs for you or other passengers in a car, or as pedestrians, involved in an accident. At this time personal injury protection coverage isn't required in every state, so depending upon your residence it may not be something that you'll have to worry about.

Those are the basic minimum requirements to drive your automobile legally in any state, and though it may seem like a lot to digest, taking a quick overview of your particular vehicle, the environment you operate it in, the amount of driving you do and your personal driving record should allow you to pick out the best possible plan of coverage for your automobile that will have you on the highway without putting too much of a dent in your wallet.

Bad Credit? Car Finance and Home Loans are Available

Copyright (c) 2008 Gordon Parkes

In the current financial climate, bad credit means that it can be particularly difficult to find a secured car or home loan.

However, there are still many lenders available that are willing to pay out to people with a bad credit rating. In fact, if you go to the right lender, you will be able to obtain finance even if you have:

- County Court Judgements.

- Mortgage arrears.

- Defaults on previous loans.

Finding these lenders doesn't have to be a time consuming task of comparing different fees, charges and terms and conditions.

While you will have to take care of this if you choose to search the market manually, you can also employ a broker to work on your behalf and find the loan that suits you.

Taking out a home or car loan is a major decision, and working with a broker will help you make the right choice.

A professional broker will be able to search through hundreds of different adverse credit homeowner loans or car loans to find the ones that meet your needs. They will then be able to answer any questions you might have during the application process, and ensure you have all the correct paperwork. Usually you will need:

- Payslips or account references.

- Recent utility bills.

- Bank statements, usually from the last three months.

- Proof of identification with your address and a photograph. A passport or driving licence is ideal.

When you apply for a home or car loan through a broker, you will be able to access low-cost interest only and fixed-rate deals, using their network of contacts in the loans market.

Taking out a secured loan to fund a car purchase can even help restore your credit rating. If you successfully pay back the loan, your credit rating could be partially repaired.

Whatever the reason for taking out a loan, working with a broker will give you access to a wide selection of loans you might not have considered previously. In fact, even if your bank or building society has turned down your loan application, you will still be considered by many lenders.

Whatever your circumstances - even if you have bad credit - a car loan or home loan could be yours if you contact a broker. They will be able to search through a wide range of loan deals quickly and efficiently, to find the one that meets your needs.

Instant Cash Payday Loans: Easy Access to Instant Funds

At the present rate, when your fixed income falls way below to fulfill your needs, running low on cash is not at all uncommon. Emergency or unexpected emergencies have a tendency to come up at a time when you are least prepared. Invariably, you will have to look for other options to raise the cash and this is where you can rely on instant cash payday loans. With these loans, you can access the necessary cash, which will enable you to deal with any sort of financial emergency.

As a matter of fact, these loans are ideal to tackle needs like paying medical bills, household utility bills, credit card dues, loan installments, emergency home and car repair etc. To help you cover the expense, a small amount in the range of $00-$500 is released, which is approved in lieu of your next pay check. The amount it self is deducted automatically from your bank account on the due date.

Further, to avail the loans, there is no need to pledge any collateral, as these are short term loans. Instead to access the loans, there are some prerequisites that you must fulfill. In order to qualify for the loans, you need to have a fixed source of income of not less than $1000. You r age should be more than 18 years and that you must be a citizen of USA. A valid bank account is also required, so that the amount approved can be deposited.

Another remarkable quality of these loans is that of its no credit check approval. This allows the borrowers with history of adverse credit to go for these loans. Further, on assuring timely repayment of the loans, these borrowers have an opportunity to improve their credit score.

Applying for instant cash payday loans is quite simple, as most of the lenders are based online. All you have to do is to fill up a simple application form with the detail. But before selecting any deal, compare the rate quotes of various lenders. This way, you will be able to derive the best loan deals. As the processing is fast, the amount is transferred in to your account in less than 24 hours.

The Five I’s of Building Wealth

I was reading Forbes magazines list of the richest people in the world to learn how each individual amassed great sums of wealth
. I discovered that most of the billionaires listed fit into one of five categories. I call these categories the 5 I’s. Below is a list of the most common categories that have lead to wealth.

1) Innovators - These are the people that develop a new way of doing things. You don’t have to come up with the next great idea, just improve upon an existing one. Steve Jobs of Apple is one of the great innovators. From the ipod to the iphone to the imac, Apple is always on the cutting edge of innovation.

2) Inventors - These are the creators of a new good or service. You just have to see a need for a product that others do not see. James Dyson became a billionaire by developing the bagless vacuum cleaner. His idea was initially rejected because it was seen as hurting vacuum bag sales. Today the dyson vacuum is an international best seller.

3) Inheritors - This is the easiest path to wealth. You need rich relatives for this one though! Ask Jim Walton, S Robson Walton, Alice Walton and Christy Walton who are the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th richest Americans. They are the heirs of the Walmart fortune.

4) Investors - Investors commit money to an endeavor with the expectation of profit. This can be through saving or purchasing an asset for capital gains. Warren Buffett has built his fortune through stock investing. Donald Trump made his billions by investing in real estate. Jerry Jones got rich in oil and gas exploration.

5) Entrepreneurs - Entrepreneurs are the risk takers that start and manage a business. Entrepreneurship can take many forms from purchasing a franchise to creating a start up. Bill Gates of Microsoft and Larry Ellison of Oracle grew small technology firms into the world’s largest software companies. Oprah Winfrey began her career in local news and is now the CEO of a media empire.

Understanding Your Paycheck

Each week payroll is processed and you probably receive a convenient direct deposit into your account. Either your company utilizes an internal payroll team or a payroll service to make this happen on time. However, just because you paycheck is now online and you may not see your paper stub right away or in the mail, you need to make sure to pay attention to your deductions. Not only can you catch human error, but it is also a good way to make sure that your tax allowances are correct as well. Verifying the number of allowances you claim can help you have the right amount of taxes withheld.

Understanding the amount of taxes coming out of your check can be vital to making sure you are able to spend the money you are making. By using the W4 worksheet provided by the government or by using online websites focused on calculating the numbers, you can establish the correct number of allowances and have more of your money in your pocket each month.

If your company takes medical deductions out of your check, make sure you are verifying them for accuracy. Many times these types of deductions may be hand keyed in the system so you want to verify them. A simple error may mean the difference of a couple hundred dollars if you are paying for a family medical plan. You may think you would notice these types of errors right away, but you’d be surprised at what slips through the system because most people don’t verify the information on their paystubs on a regular basis.

If you don’t already, some companies offer the ability to have a 401(k) contribution taken directly from your paycheck. By looking at your paystub you can see if a certain percentage of your earnings or a fixed amount might be a better choice. You can decide how much the right amount is for you. Saving for the future is vital and not something that everyone takes seriously. By checking the amount to see what you can save you will be doing yourself a big favor in the future.

Finally, when you turn in your time for vacation, sick time or have holiday pay owed to you, make sure it is correct. Take a look at those stubs and calculate the amount yourself so that you know it is correct. Take the moment to double check these things so that the check is right and the amount of sick or vacation time you have accrued is correct. You’d hate to have them key your vacation incorrectly, only to find out later you have much less than you expected.

Human error is all around us. However, it doesn’t have to plague your paycheck. Just take a moment to make sure that your paycheck is correct by verifying the deductions and taxes on your paystub each time you get paid. If you can’t seem to find the time with each payroll then do it once a month or once every couple months. If too much time passes you won’t be able to fix the errors that occur. Taking the time now may mean saving yourself time in the future and definitely saving you money in the long run.