Saving Money by Renting an Apartment

For many renters the possibility of using a rental situation to save money is a foreign idea. These renters often bemoan the fact that they have to rent a property rather than purchase a property because they feel as though not owning the property is basically throwing money away each month. However, this is not entirely true. While there are certainly benefits to homeownership and building equity homeowners can also benefit financially by renting an apartment rather than purchasing a home.

While it is certainly true that money spent each month on rent does not get the renter any closer to homeownership while each monthly mortgage payment makes the homeowner one step closer to owning the property completely. However, this is not the whole story. Renters should also consider the amount of money they will be able to save annually for the purpose of purchasing a home by living in a rental property right now.

A Smaller Apartment Can Lead to a Bigger House

Some would be homeowners find renting a small apartment can allow them to start saving for the purpose of purchasing a house in the future. Renters who are willing to sacrifice comfort now and stay in the smallest apartment possible will likely be able to save the most money towards purchasing a home.

In general the monthly rent for an apartment is based on a value per square foot. This value may vary slightly from one property to the next but is likely to be very similar in properties in the same general area. This means apartments which are smaller in terms of square footage are likely to be less expensive overall. Therefore renters who would normally feel more comfortable and able to spread out might opt for a smaller apartment just so they can begin saving more money for their home purchase.

Budget Wisely to Save Money

Renters who want to save money for the purchase of a home while renting an apartment should understand their monthly rent is not the only factor which may prevent them from saving money while they rent. For example entertainment costs should carefully be considered when a renter is trying to save money. Most rental properties have a fully equipped kitchen making it ideal for the renter to prepare meals at home as opposed to going out to eat. Renters who cut down on eating dinner out may find they are able to save quite a bit of money each year.

Likewise renters who are spending an excess amount of money on superfluous items may have difficulty saving for a house while renting an apartment. Examining all current monthly expenditures can help the renter to determine where there is the potential for financial savings. Making changes such as debt consolidation may be one way to decrease monthly bills but this is certainly not the only solution. Renters can make other changes such as canceling subscriptions to premium movie channels, minimizing cell phone plans to include only the amount of minutes used each month and making changes to insurance plans to result in an overall savings. Changes to insurance plans may include having your car and renter’s insurance covered by the same carrier. Many carriers offer discounted services to renters who are willing to bundle their services. All of these slight changes can help to enable a renter to save money for a home purchase in the future.

Signs of Drug Addiction

Drug addiction is an insidious disease that takes over a person’s life and clouds their world in a fog of problems and struggles. The signs of drug addiction are many and varied depending on what type of drug is being abused.

Different drugs affect people in different ways. For example, marijuana may make a person appear spaced out and distant while amphetamines will appear hyper and upbeat. Some people are more prone to addiction as some drugs are more likely to bring about an addiction than others.

If you have been using drugs and are concerned that you may have an addiction, look for the following signs:

* An increase or decrease in appetite, changes in eating habits, or a sudden weight loss
* Changes in personality with no other identifiable cause
* Loss of interest in activities you used to find enjoyable
* Difficult in paying attention or forgetfulness
* Lack of motivation and energy
* Fitful sleep
* Paranoia
* Trouble with managing money
* Inability to stop using your drug of choice
* Excessive pre-occupation with your drug supply
* Doing things you normally wouldn’t do if not on the drug
* Use of drugs despite health problems or warnings
* Change in personal grooming habits like showering and changing clothes

The signs of drug addiction in others are similar to those listed above. You can also look for the following indicators as well:

* Smell of substance on clothes (e.g. marijuana, chemicals)
* Sudden need for privacy
* Violent temper or bizarre behavior
* Secretive or suspicious behavior
* Defensiveness or excessive laziness
* Unusual effort to cover up legs and arms
* Unexplained silliness or giddiness
* Drop in school or work performance
* Changes in friends
* Extreme hyperactivity or excessive talktativeness

If you notice any of these signs, a drug addiction could very well be present. It’s important that these signs are not ignored and that help is sought for either you or a loved one. The longer a drug addiction lasts, the more damage it can do to the mind and body, so getting help for the addiction is the best course of action.

It’s certainly easier to simply ignore any possibility that a drug addiction exists, but when you see the signs, it should become clear that there is a problem. Once the problem is identified, it can effectively be tackled and overcome – with the right treatment. Looks for the signs of drug addiction and then face the problem. It’s the only way you can win the fight!

Home Bulder

A friend of mine is buliding his own home. And He has been looking for a home builder to do the job. Finding a home builder is not easy. He finally got some help from the Internet. What he found was a online home builder directory, where he was able to find a number of home builders in this area.

Skills needed for Web 2.0 Websites

If you would like to create a website of your own, you’ll need to have some skill in order to get the job done. You’ll need to learn some basic information about website design in order to properly set up a one. The following information will help you to become a good website designer.

1. Using a graphics editor
You’ll find that this is an important part of website design because it will make complex jobs easier for you. You’ll find that it will be easy for you to make gradients and also reflections. You’ll also find that Photoshop and even GIMP are good software that you can use for graphic design.

2. HTML
HTML is the markup language that you will find reads your internet websites. You’ll find that the basic tags are used by website designers because it keeps things a lot more simple. You’ll also find that HTML will help you to build a better website and it will allow you to become more creative with your designs.

3. CSS
CSS or Cascading Style Sheets will make it easier for you to design a page. You’ll find that the style sheet will help you to make the website better. You’ll apply it by using a variable to a certain part of the website.

4. Flash
Flash happens to be a program that will help you to create animations, games, and sometimes, the entire website. You’ll want to know how to use flash, because it is the fact that will help you to begin some entertainment to the website. You’ll find that ActionScript is used to give others more control over their creative webpage designs.

Choosing the Right Auto Parts for your Suspension

There are many things that you must think about before repairing your car and the most important issue that must be decided is on the right auto parts for the job. There are so many options to choose from. Many people contend that a certain brand of auto parts is the best for any job, some people choose strictly OEM auto parts, and there are others who choose after-market auto parts simply because there is less of a hassle and they are less expensive anyway. One scenario where you may encounter deciding which auto parts are right for the job is when dealing with repairing your whole suspension on your car.

Have you ever been traveling down the road and were able to feel every nook, cranny, and small bump that came along? What usually happens when your suspension system needs replacing is that the auto parts that are in your car give out and your car bounces vigorously up and down on the road no matter what kinds of rocks or bumps that are hit. If you are serious about changing the suspension system on your car, though, there are certain auto parts that you should know about that will do the job properly. Not all of them are cheap, but they certainly are needed in order to get the automobile back in tip top shape.

Strut Assembly

There are several words for the suspension on your car that can be used interchangeably. For example, the struts on your car, the auto parts involved with the suspension, as well as the shocks in your car are all the exact same part; however, they are just slightly different methods of calling them. The strut assembly that you must buy can come from virtually any place that sells new auto parts and these are generally going to be anywhere from $75 to $100. For a little bit more one is actually able to buy lifetime warranties, which is a great deal to those who want the added protection! Since the struts, or suspension system, don't need to be changed very often, many people just decide to buy the part.

Strut Mount

The strut mount is another one of the auto parts that is crucial to having a successful suspension system again, but the main purpose of this auto part is to provide a bed for the whole strut assembly. These auto parts usually vary with the brand that produces them, but they are generally somewhere around the $50 price.

Shock Absorbers

The third type of auto parts that you'll need when repairing the suspension is the shock absorbers. These are part of what will absorb the bounce in the automobile ride, but these are not all that expensive either. Nevertheless, the shock absorber auto parts are very important to the whole system.

As you can see, there are plenty of auto parts involved with changing the suspension. Even though many people don't have to do this for at least 8 years at a time, it is always important to know where you can go to buy the auto parts you need.

Cosmetic Surgery: Should you do it?

Having any cosmetic operation is a major decision and should not be done without thought. Here’s a list of 9 questions you could ask yourself before reaching a decision to see a cosmetic surgeon.
This is from: http://cosmetic-surgery.eguidepro.com

What is a Cash Out Re-Finance?

A cash out re-finance basically enables the homeowner to re-finance their home for an amount greater than the balance of the exiting mortgage. The homeowners than repay the existing balance plus the additional amount over the course of the loan period and are given a check for the amount above and beyond the balance of the exiting mortgage. The homeowners can use this check for any purpose they choose now and repay the debt along with the rest of re-financed amount.

When is a Cash Out Re-Finance possible?

A cash out option is available when there is existing equity in the home. This is important because the lender is able to justify the practice of offering increased funds to the homeowner due to the value of the property. This is because the lender feels as though the security of having the home for collateral does not put them at a high risk for the homeowner defaulting on the loan.

Homeowners who wish to take advantage of a cash out re-finance offered by a lender should inquire as to whether or not the lender offers this type of re-financing. This is important because not all lenders offer this option. It should actually be one of the first questions the homeowner asks when inquiring about re-financing programs. Doing so will save homeowners, who are seeking a cash out re-finance, a great deal of time.

How Can the Cash be Used?

For many homeowners the most appealing aspect of cash out re-financing is that the additional funds can be used for any purpose desired by the homeowner. The homeowner does not even have to offer the lender an explanation of how the additional funds will be used. This is important because once the lender writes the check for the additional funds, he has no concern for how the money is used. This is because the amount of the additional funds is rolled into the re-financed mortgage. The lender simply focuses on the homeowner抯 ability to repay the mortgage and is not concerned with how the homeowner uses the funds which are released in the cash out.
While the purpose of a cash out re-finance does not have to be disclosed to the lender, the homeowner would be wise to use these funds in a judicious manner. This is because the homeowner will be responsible for repaying these funds to the lender. Some of the popular uses for funds collected from cash out re-financing include:

* Undertaking home improvement projects
* Purchasing items for the home
* Taking a dream vacation
* Putting money in a child's tuition fund or
* Purchasing a vehicle* Starting a small business

All of the reasons listed above are excellent uses of a cash out re-finance option. Homeowners who are considering this type of a re-financing option should also consider whether or not the deductions are tax deductible. Using the cash out option to make home improvements is jus one example of a situation where the funds can be tax deductible. Homeowners should consult their tax attorney on the matter to determine whether or not they are able to deduct the interest from the repayment of their re-financing loan.

Cash Out Re-Financing Example

The process of a cash out refinancing option is fairly easy to illustrate with a simple example. Consider a homeowner who purchases a $150,000 with a 7% interest. Now consider the homeowner has already repaid $50000 of the loan and would like to borrow an additional $20,000 to make a rather large purchase or invest in a small business. With this additional funding available the homeowners have the opportunity to use the equity in their home to make their dreams come true. In the example above the homeowner may refinance for a total of $120,000 at a lower interest rate such as 6.25%. This process allow the homeowner to take advantage of the existing equity in their home and also allows the homeowner to qualify for a substantial loan at a rate typically reserved for re-financing or home loans.

Continuing Education

My friend Jay has signed up a continuing education class at a local college that offers evening classes. And the price is really cheap. I think it's a great idea to take some evening classes to learn some new stuff, like Guitar, writing, cooking, programming, etc.

I guess I will think about taking some continuing education classes myself.

Finding A Real Estate Agent

Whenever you buy or sell real estate, you may be like millions of other people out there, in thinking that you don’t need a real estate agent. Most people who buy or sell homes, generally think that a real estate agent is a waste of money. Those who choose to buy a new home, think that real estate agents only add to the cost of purchasing the home.

What most people aren’t aware of, is the fact that real estate agents are normally paid by the seller, not by the buyer. As a buyer, you’ll get to work with a professional real estate agent without really having to pay for it yourself. The policies can vary greatly from state to state and company to company, which is why you should always check any paperwork or contracts that are provided to you to ensure this is the case. When you are interviewing agents, make certain to ask about any type of fees as well.

A lot of real estate agents out there may work with both buyers and sellers, although most specialize in working with either the buyer or the seller. If you are buying a home, make sure that the agent you choose has prior experience of working with buyers and transactions that involve no money down. This way, you can count on your agent to be there when you need him the most - especially if you don’t have a down payment.

If you are interviewing a real estate agent and he or she isn’t familiar with down payment assistance programs, you shouldn’t hire their services. Agents who aren’t familiar with these types of programs generally aren’t on the level, or they may lack the experience necessary to help you purchase the home of your dreams.

You can also make a list of real estate agents that you can interview based on referrals from friends, lenders, and even family. Lender referrals are normally a great choice as most lenders have worked with their recommendations in the past and both are already familiar with each other. Choosing a lenders referral can also prevent you from encountering any obstacles or surprises.

When you interview a real estate agent, make sure that you have the agent explain his fees. This way, you’ll know exactly how much he will be getting from the purchase. You should also find out how much experience he has in the field, and how long he has been working with real estate. You can also ask about sample contracts as well. If you are buying a home, you should make sure that the agent works with buyers. If you happen to be selling your home, then you’ll want to make sure that the agent works with sellers. Agents that are dedicated to one or the other are the best to choose, as they will have more experience than agents who work with both buyers and sellers.

Find a real estate agent is an easy task - providing you know what to look for. If you take things one step at a time and carefully make a decision, chances are that you’ll end up with an agent who has the experience you want. You should always be careful when you choose, and never rush the process. Real estate agents are easy to find, although finding one who fits your needs and has your budget in mind is a little tougher to locate. When you make that final decision, you should always choose an agent who has your best interest in mind - and isn’t just after the money.

Photos: 2008 Summer Olympics Opening

Is It the best time to invest in real estate?

A friend of mine is thinking about buying a house recently. He's not sure whether now it's a good time to invest in real estate because of the uncertainty of the U.S. economy. However, what I think is, you've got to buy a house anyway. People need their own places to live. So, I just suggested that he should go ahead and buy a house.

Acupuncture - Traditional Chinese Treatment

Found this article on a website called Alternative Medicine 4 All.

Acupuncture forms part of traditional Chinese medicine. Included are Chinese herbalism, tai chi and chi kung. It is believed that traditional Chinese medicine originated around 2500BC and is one of the oldest forms of treatment. Acupuncture did not really become well known in Western countries until the 1950s, except for the few Chinese practitioners treating Chinese patients in those countries such as Britain. Today, even some orthodox physicians are trained in acupuncture and are incorporating it with western medicine and achieving great results.

Acupuncture is centered on Tao philosophy, like the other forms of Chinese medicine. It is based on the philosophy that a vital energy (force) flows along invisible channels in the body with the inseparable opposing forces of yin and yang, which govern each person. 'Yin' is a masculine, active and positive force and 'yang', a female, passive and negative force. When this energy (chi) freely flows through these invisible channels (meridians) and the yin and yang are balanced, the result is health. If the yin and yang are unbalanced and the chi is blocked, the results become noticeable in the form of illness. The purpose therefore of acupuncture is to correct these imbalances and unblock the meridians, allowing the chi to flow freely once again in the body restoring the patient to physical health. Another form of acupuncture called auricular therapy is based solely on the external ear, which contains its own acupuncture points. This type of therapy is very useful for acute conditions.

Read the rest of this article on http://www.alternativemedicine4all.com.

It's time to travel

OK. It's summer and it's time to take a vacation and travel to somewhere. But where? This is a good question. The gas price is so high these days and it has made traveling more and more expensive.

Still, I'd like to hit the road some time soon. Where do I go? Well, maybe it's too early to decide yet. But I will see. Got to be somewhere fun.

Gas Price is So High!

These days, it seems very expensive to drive a car! The gas prices is so high that every time I stop at a gas station to fill up gas I have to worry about my wallet. What's happened to the gas price? Do we have to get rid of our vehicles to save money?

Can anything be done to stop the gap price rising again?

Money is Important

I was talking on the phone with a friend of mine last night. His younger brother is about to graduate from high school and he's planning to go to a college. However, He found that it'd be very expensive to study at good colleges. They all costs a lot of money. I suggested that his brother might consider applying for some student loan, which might help.

Wedding Ceremony - How to Save Money on Your Church Ceremony

You may not want to spend an arm and a leg on your wedding services and still have to foot the bill for the reception as well. The cost of your wedding ceremony will depend on your wedding location and type of service.

If considering a church ceremony, keep in mind that you will often have to pay for the church rental as well as the priest or minister to perform the ceremony.

Some churches will decorate for you while others will not. If this is an issue, be sure to ask first. How much money you will pay for the ceremony will vary and will depend on the church policies.

Following are tips on how you can save money on your church ceremony:

• Look for a church that offers complete services or all-inclusive packages rather than separate fees.
• Rent the church alone and hire your own minister (a la carte services).
• Plan your wedding ceremony on a day where there are no church services because it may be less expensive.
• Decorate the church yourself.
• Offer to volunteer at the church in exchange for a discount.
• Save money by hosting your ceremony in the church basement rather than in the worship center.
• Hold the ceremony at your church (if you are affiliated with one), as churches will often offer more inexpensive prices if you are a member of the church.

Use these tips to help plan your wedding ceremony at a church of choice and on a budget of choice.

Hilary Basile is a writer for MyGuidesUSA.com. At MyGuidesUSA.com (http://www.myguidesusa.com), you will find valuable tips and resources for handling life's major events. Whether you're planning a wedding, buying your first home, anxiously awaiting the birth of a child, contending with a divorce, searching for a new job, or planning for your retirement, you'll find answers to your questions at MyGuidesUSA.com.

Raining, raining

It's been a raining and cloudy day today. The street is pretty nasty and I don't want to go out and walk in the city. It's a day that you'd better stay indoor and try to have some fun.

I've just been browsing on the interest in the past several hours. Came cross a couple of interesting sites and blogs. Hope the weather will turn better soon so that I can be walking on the street gain.

Alternative Medicine

I've never taken any alternative medicine before. Actually, I'm not familiar with it at all. Yesterday, when having lunch with a friends, I heard a lot about alternative medicine. My friend has a neighbor who knows a lot about Chinese medicine. There was one time when my friends' back was hurt terribly and that neighbor gave some immediate help to him using alternative medicine method, and the result was very good. From that point, my friend got interested in alternative medicine himself and did some reading in that topic.

I think alternative medicine sounds pretty interesting to me. Maybe I will read some books on alternative medicine as well.

Insurance is not fun

I just found out that I need to learn more about insurance. My company offers insurance coverage for their employees, but I've never spent time learning the insurance policy details, until I got sick recently. Now I've got to read through their books to find out what exactly are covered and what are not. This is not fun!

On the other hand, it's good to be covered by insurance, because I know going to the hospital is not gonna be cheap!

Law School Grants

Had lunch with a friend of mine yesterday. He's interested in studying law and becoming a lawyer. As far as I know, it'd be very expensive to study law, but once you become an attorney, you will make a lot of money.

My friend told me that there are some grants available to law students who are not that rich. I think that's a good news. I wish him best luck!

Used Car needed

A friend of mine was looking at buying a used car. He just moved to this town and got a job not far away from what I lived. Yesterday I drove him around in town looking for good used car deals. We've checked out a couple of used car dealers but didn't find one he liked. I was thinking, buying old car could be harder than buying new ones, the reason being that there're much more choices and the prices are not fixed.

Where have all those flowers gone?

flowers 1

flowers 2

flowers 3

A cute pic

That's a cute cat. Hope you like pets.

Reduce Stress and Be Happy

Anything taken too much is bad for the health. A little stress is actually good, as it could serve to help you function at your best. However, stress that seems a little too much could take a physical, as well as mental, toll to your body. Stress should be managed in order for depression or anxiety to be prevented.

So how should you do it then? The following are tips and advice to help manage stress.

Write it out, schedule it out.

It is best to write down everything that seems to be overwhelming. You will find a things-to-do-list much easier to manage than having errands all crumpled up in your head. Writing down the tasks, and putting a specific schedule and time to do them, helps anyone manage activities one chunk at a time. Crossing out an activity that has already been accomplished is very rewarding and could actually help you feel more relaxed when doing the other tasks at hand.

One at a time works.

Focus and put all your attention specifically on one task at one time. It does not help to feel panicky about the other undone or to-do tasks. Thinking about them only adds unnecessary stress and could even hamper in doing the task you are attempting to accomplish at present.

Relax and take it slow.

At least, try not to expend too much energy on activities that are currently not priorities. This is in order for your energy to be not easily expended on the tasks that are not that important, at least for now.

Delegate, delegate, delegate.

You need not do everything all at once, and you need not do everything on your own. Ask for help, get help, or pay for help. When there is a feeling of being overwhelmed that is cropping up, hire someone to mow the lawn or get a sitter for your children. The feeling of being pressed to finish something on time will somehow be eliminated if tasks are delegated. It takes a load off unnecessary worry and anxiety. Moreover, it is easier checking up on how things are, than worrying yourself sick doing everything on your own, all at once.

Give yourself a reward.

You deserve it. Acknowledging your accomplishments, no matter how big or small (just some flowers?) is an effort that is necessary before getting on to the next tasks and activities. It reduces stress and could even make you happier in doing the next task.

Give yourself a break.

You need it to be more productive. A ten to fifteen minute break during your work is necessary. Go visit a café nearby, take a quick brisk walk, or do anything to put your mind off work, at least for a while. This is necessary to refresh and recharge. Believe it or not, you can also stay in your work and sit with your eyes closed as you visualize a peaceful landscape or a relaxing scene. This frees the stress from your muscles and your mind.

Relax and be cool. Doing so makes you healthier, happier, and a lot more productive.

It's tax time again

It's close to the time to pay tax. I just spent some time to organize my tax records to get ready for filling my tax for 2007. As a freelancer, paying tax is one of those things that are not too much fun but you have to do it.

My lesson is: get organized! Have all your records ready before the tax time. So when you talk to your tax advisor or accountant, you just hand them your record and let them do their work.

Avoid Workout Injuries

From some trainers 'No pain, no gain' really means 'you should feel some pain'. While mild discomfort is to be expected, especially for those just beginning a new fitness routine, pain is a natural warning sign. Pay attention to it.

A good workout routine will test you, but shouldn't damage you. As muscles get used, especially somewhat beyond their usual range, lactic acid, micro-tears and other physiological changes occur that result in muscles being built up stronger than before. Click here for accounting and tax resources.

But if you are experiencing back pain, neck aches, knee joint soreness and other symptoms, you should consult with an expert. Your technique may be wrong, you may be trying to do too much, too soon, or you may have a medical problem that should be addressed.

Work up to any vigorous routine slowly. How slowly will vary from person to person, depending on age, experience, prior exercise routines and overall fitness. Get muscles warm and limber before cranking it up. Most strains and rips result from being too cold and not stretching, or extending more than you're ready for.

Warm-ups should take at least 15 minutes and include very gentle jogging in place or jumping jacks to get the cardio and lung systems working well. They should include some slow, gradual stretching to get joints lubricated and muscles relaxed and gently lengthened. Warm-ups that are too short can easily lead to stretched or torn cartilage that takes a long time to heal. Click here for Elder care resources.

Don't let inexperienced trainers, or so-called 'friends' embarrass you into believing you have to get out and run five miles two weeks after an injury, surgery or other debilitating condition. Physical therapy and exercise sometimes requires that you work against discomfort, but you don't leap over tall buildings the first day out.

Every person committed to fitness will want to push him or herself to achieve excellence. But an attitude that leads to overdoing it is counter-productive to your goal. You're working to improve or maximize health and overall body tone and strength - not proving you are 'mentally tough'.

Before you begin a new routine that involves activities that are unfamiliar, get guidance from an expert. Next to bad warm-ups or overdoing it, incorrect technique is the leading cause of injury. If you don't know how to use a station at the weight machine correctly, don't be embarrassed to ask. No one is born with this knowledge. Anyone who mocks you for ignorance, isn't someone whose opinions you have reason to heed.

Be aware of your environment while you go through your routine. It's easy to get into a rhythm, get concentrated on your workout and end up crashing into a wall or a nearby person. Jogging especially requires that you pay attention to the surface you run on and the people and cars around you. No shoe in existence will keep you from slipping on a muddy patch. Only awareness and good reflexes can help.

Stay within your comfort zone as you gradually expand it. One of the foremost reasons people give up on workouts is injuries produced by working beyond their capacity. That makes working out no longer fun. Building up, while you build out, to increase your ability to do more, faster will keep you going for years to come.

Your health will thank you for exercising common sense, while you exercise your body.

Welcome to my blog!

Welcome!

Finally I've set up this blog and will start blogging on the internet! Please visit my blog and tell me how you like it. If you really like, feel free to recommand my blog to your friends and families!

I think I've got a lot of stuff to write here. So, please stay tuned.