Sell Annuity Payments For Cash

An annuity is an investment that is paid monthly for a specific amount of time either during the life of the account holder or during the remaining lives of any beneficiaries. When investing in annuities, a lump sum is paid into the investment. The amount of money the account holder will make monthly will depend on what the interest rates were when the investment was made and what type of annuity (either a Term-certain annuity or a Life annuity) was invested in.

A Term-certain annuity allows any payments that have not yet been received before the account holder's death to continue to go to the estate, whereas a Life annuity normally stops at the death of the account holder. However, with a Life annuity it is possible to select additional options to include beneficiaries and this option does reduce the amount paid out monthly. Retirement pensions, a form of life annuity, can be paid out as a guaranteed annuity and are scheduled to pay out once the account holder has retired.

Many people choose to cash in or sell annuity payments early for a variety of reasons. Perhaps the investment was made when the interest rates were low, which will lead to monthly payments that aren't as much as the account holder would like. Sudden job loss, educational needs, unexpected medical expenses, and improvement of housing and transportation may all be reasons an individual may choose to sell annuity payments. Maybe there's another type of investment that would have a higher return and this investment isn't doing as well as hoped. Reasons will vary as much as the individuals.

When deciding to sell annuity payments, there are a few important points to consider. By selling annuity payments, will you be able to get a good return on the initial investment? Will selling the annuity rights help you to reach your financial goals? What are the interest rates currently compared with when the investment was first made? And lastly, are you losing money with the annuity?

When selling annuity payments or cashing in early, certain fees will be made which will reduce the amount of money the account holder will receive. Taxes, service charges, and interest are fees that may reduce the annuity return. Make sure to check with smaller - yet reputable - firms and not just go with brand names you may have seen on billboards. You'll likely find better terms from the lesser-known purchasers.

North Wales James Braid Golf Trail: Rhyl Golf Club

Scotsman James Braid (1870-1950) was a celebrated golf course architect and five times winner of the Open Championship. He designed many golf courses in his lifetime, with his best known work being that done at Gleneagles and Carnoustie.

The courses that Braid designed had several common features. In particular, James Braid courses are known for the way they take advantage of the land's natural layout, features and obstacles, with players being rewarded for accurate play. Playing for position is encouraged on Braid courses, through the use of dog legs. However, despite the common features, holes still vary greatly in length and character.

There are several courses throughout Britain that were designed or redesigned by James Braid, and of these, there are ten across the North Wales area. Braid's North Wales courses are linked together in the North Wales James Braid Golf Trail, with golfers who play all ten courses and send in their stamped course cards being rewarded with a special certificate. Courses on the trail include Wrexham, Nefyn, Bangor St Deiniol and Rhyl, which is the course we're looking at in this feature.

Established in 1890, Rhyl Golf Club is a founder member of the Welsh Golfing Union. At Rhyl Golf Club golfers play just yards away from the Irish Sea on a 9 hole (18 tee) challenging links course (Rhyl was originally an 18 hole course, stretching towards Rhyl's Alexander Hospital).

The fairways at Rhyl are large but tight, with well-guarded greens to challenge golfers of all levels. The course is par 71 (off the white tees) and is testing for any golfer, especially when the north and west winds are blowing.

At Rhyl, where the greens are fast and firm and always in excellent condition, playing conditions in winter are particularly good - it's a very dry course so golf is great here all year round.

Signature hole

The signature hole at Rhyl Golf Club is the 9th, which has a number of pot bunkers along the fairway and around the green. The 458 yards hole plays into the wind and is a par 4 on the outward 9 and a par 5 on the inward 9 - as Rhyl is a nine-hole course you'll play the same hole twice but on a different tee. With out of bounds on the left and bunkers dotted along the fairways - and the green being protected by deep bunkers - the 9th is out of range in two shots for many golfers.

Facilities

Rhyl Golf Club has an excellent clubhouse which was rebuilt in 2009. The clubhouse offers excellent business facilities and a function room with great catering and a well-stocked bar. Throughout the year many ticketed events take place at Rhyl Golf Club, including Christmas and new year parties, competitions and presentations.

Deals and offers

Check the Rhyl Golf Club website for the latest deals and offers, which include £10 green fees all week, and a buggy for £12.

Facts and figures

Size: 9 holes 6220 yards par 71

Address: Coast Road, Rhyl, LL18 3RE Tel: +44 (0)1745 353171

In the area

The course is in the popular seaside resort of Rhyl on the North Wales Coast. The town boasts an array of fun activities and attractions, and is within easy reach of Chester, Liverpool and Manchester. Also easy to reach by train, bus or car are the mountains, coast and attractions of Snowdonia; Bangor, Caernarfon and Conwy can all be reached within an hour or so by car or train.

Why You Need to Read Faster

Learning to speed read can enhance many areas of your life. This skill is highly valued by both those who possess the skill as well as those who would like to. It can help you be better informed about current events and improve your overall knowledge, something that slow readers might find more difficult to do. Reading quickly may not make you smarter, but it will certainly help you be more informed.

Students with a heavy reading load across a variety of subject areas can benefit greatly from reading faster. Reading for academic purposes can be very time consuming; however, learning to speed read can help you absorb information from a lot of different areas in the least time possible. This ability can make a big difference in the results you are able to achieve.

It can also assist your career because it allows you to regularly update your professional knowledge as well as to perform your responsibilities more effectively by being able to keep up with your workplace reading requirements. You will also learn skills that make research a lot easier and quicker which is another distinct advantage in this fast paced world.

One of the most obvious ways that a faster rate of reading can improve your reading experience is when you read fiction. You can enjoy a novel without wasting a lot of valuable time. You will be able to read many more books than you could otherwise get to and in the process you will greatly enrich your understanding and knowledge. You can read a book more than twice as fast as a slow reader, and scan newspapers and magazines with lightning speed.

If you develop your reading abilities in this way, your reading experience will be greatly enriched. In fact, our modern lives tend to be so busy that being able to read a lot of information quickly with excellent comprehension is highly advantageous.

There are a number of ways to learn to read faster, but one of the most accessible is to use a book, which is also usually the most affordable option. There are other ways to learn this valuable skill. You can attend a speed reading class or take a course online. Any of these methods will teach you a lot more than how to read faster, they will teach you how to better comprehend and retain the information you read. In fact, you will be training your brain to understand new ideas more quickly than ever before as well as saving time.

No matter which way you go about it, learning to speed read can improve your life in many areas, including your career, your education, and your personal pursuits.

Utilizing Book Publishing to Expand Your Ministry

I talk with pastors, organization leaders, and speakers about how they can expand their ministry or organization by developing a line of books and they are simply amazed. When we think of growing or developing our organization many times we think of TV, radio, more programs, etc. but many people just don't think of expanding or developing their organization by publishing a book. This is one of the most powerful ways of growing as an organization for several reasons:

o For one, a book is the best to of learning for a visual learner. You can't expect that because you speak in person, on TV, or radio that the people that hear you are learning as much as you would hope they are. Some people are simply more visual than they are auditory so it's what you can show them that makes the difference. These people like charts, graphs, pictures, and written words. A well written and visually captivating book will speak volumes to these people. This is important to you because you want your audience to receive you well. The better your audience receives you, the more your words will reflect through their lives. They will also tell and recommend more people to your ministry.

o Also, a book is the most enduring method of communication. It's not through radio, satellite, TV, or seminar that history from the earliest times BC have been recorded and taught to us; but it's through the printed medium. Your written words stand throughout the ages. When you write a book, you not only write for today but for people 60 years and even 600 years from today. Consider the Holy Bible and other ancient records of history and how they have endured time and changed the hearts of men that we will never have met, us ourselves, as well as those we won't get the opportunity to meet.

o A book is a great way to begin, expand, or develop your ministry because it's less expensive than other mediums. It's less expensive and consumes far less time to publish a book than to launch a TV or even a radio program. However, if you do have one of these as your ministry, then publishing a book is a great way to further develop that which you have already established.

You should definitely do more research on book publishing as a great opportunity to begin, expand, or further develop your ministry, speaking career, or organization into an effective and prosperous one.

History of Antique Engagement and Wedding Rings

The early Roman era is credited with the initial custom of giving rings for wedding purposes. After families reached a marriage agreement for their children, an engagement would be celebrated with an established rite. Engagement rings would be exchanged during this ceremony. The engagement ring would be placed on the left ring-finger in accordance to an Egyptian belief that that a very fine vein ran directly to the heart from the left finger. The Romans used an ancient clasped hand design for betrothal rings. This "fede" or "trust" ring remained popular for centuries and is still used in jewelry.

Typically antique wedding rings from the 19 th century and the 20 th century were plain gold bands. Many of these gold bands were engraved with expressions of affection or important dates. Gemstones in antique jewelry were expensive luxuries as trade with the Middle East and Asia had not yet allowed for the flow of imported stones. Not all wedding rings were plain gold during the 19 th century. Some antique wedding rings were made with a delicate designs using turquoise, which symbolized the forget-me-not flower. It was not uncommon to find 19 th century wedding rings using pearls or small diamonds.

During the early 1900s, wedding jewelry was designed to be delicate and feminine. Edwardian wedding rings were set in platinum or a mix of yellow gold topped with platinum or silver to allow diamonds to shine. Diamonds were the most common gemstone in 1910 wedding rings. Edwardian engagement rings would often have old-mine cut diamonds or old-European-cut diamonds. Old-mine cut and European-cut diamonds have high crowns that enhance luster under candlelight. 1910 antique filigree rings were crafted with delicate gold or platinum. Antique platinum diamond rings have maintained much of their beauty because of the durability of platinum.

The 1920s wedding rings used more geometric designs and colored stones. Art Deco engagement rings were constructed with old-mine cut, European-cut and brilliant-cut diamonds and set primarily in platinum or white gold. New diamond cutting techniques allowed for new diamond cuts which would add an enhanced geometric flair. Synthetic sapphires or rubies were used to accent art deco engagement rings. 1920s engagement ring shapes featured a center diamond in square, octagonal or hexagonal pronged settings. Art Deco wedding ring settings may have been domed or even stair stepped. 1920's and 1930s engagement rings would be embellished with engraved designs on the shoulders and shanks of rings. The 1930s wedding rings would be made of 18kt and 14kt white gold filigree designs. Ring shanks would continue to be thin by today's standards.

During the 1940s, platinum was required for war efforts and was prohibited for other purposes in the U.S. Silver would often be used instead of platinum and jewelry hoarding occurred.

1960s and 1970s wedding rings would bring a change by using yellow gold mixed with diamonds instead of platinum, silver or white gold.

When shopping for antique and estate wedding rings it is important to confirm that the ring is symmetrical. It is also important to verify that all gemstones in estate engagement rings are tight and in good condition. Antique diamonds should be closely examined for chips or internal fractures. Antique platinum rings should be checked closely to see if the engraved design is still visible and that all parts of the filigree are intact. Antique Pearl or Turquoise wedding rings need to be checked for discoloration and scratches. If an estate wedding ring needs to be resized, make certain that all hallmarks and inscriptions are retained.

Interview with James L Therrian, Author of "Dance of the Heart"

Interview with James L. Terrian

author of Dance of the Heart

James Therrian (2007)

ISBN 9780615135007

Today, Tyler R. Tichelaar of Reader Views is pleased to be joined by James Therrian, author of "Dance of the Heart."

James Therrian was born in Michigan and spent most of his early years in the rainy Northwest before following the sun to Maui, Santa Fe, New Mexico & California. An avid writer, James has attended workshops with Lew Hunter of the famed Screenwriting 434 class at UCLA. James currently lives and writes in San Diego and works with the University of California San Diego.

Tyler: Thank you, James, for joining me today. To begin, would you briefly tell us what your new novel, "Dance of the Heart" is about?

James: "Dance of the Heart" is a love story and a story about attractions. The main character Michael is a successful professional dancer who has a happy settled life, which suddenly changes after the death of his dance partner Margo. Her replacement Elizabeth is totally opposite from Margo, who was a nasty bitter woman. Michael is mesmerized by Elizabeth and falls head over heels for her the minute he lays eyes on her. The problem is that Michael is a gay man in a long-term relationship with his lover, David.

Tyler: James, are you a dancer yourself?

James: No I am not a dancer, but enjoy the ballet and performing arts.

Tyler: Where did you come up with the idea for "Dance of the Heart?"

James: It was an idea I came up with for a creative writing class I took years ago. I wanted to show that everyone is the same when it comes to the heart; no matter who we are or whom we love, we all have similar challenges and choices to make in life.

Tyler: Of course, the book is not just about dancing in its literal sense, but about love and how love can change. I am especially struck by the fact that the main character, Michael, is gay and has a lover, David, but then begins to fall in love with his female dance partner, Elizabeth. Do you think it is possible for a person to fall in love with people of both sexes?

James: Yes I do. Many of us have feelings for people who are inappropriate, be it the same sex, someone who is married, or someone we know the people in our lives would not accept, so usually we just keep our feelings hidden. In Michael's case, the question isn't whether he has feelings for Elizabeth, it is can he change who he is for love?

Tyler: In the novel, Michael doesn't just question whom he loves, but his own sexual identity and preference. Do you think Michael truly is gay or that a person's sexual preference can change over time?

James: For some people a sexual identity is a choice. For instance, some people live their entire lives not being who they are because they are afraid to declare themselves. Many live double lives, but that's an entirely different conversation. Michael is gay, but attractions can make us all question what we want at times.

Tyler: One of the characters, Michael's mother, Sally, states, "You can't choose who you fall in love with, but you can choose what you do with it." Would it be fair to say that is the theme of the book? Was the exploration of that statement why you wrote the book?

James: "Dance of the Heart" does explores the theme that sometimes love has surprises for us all. What we do with them is the choice we have to make. I also wanted to show that when it comes to affairs of the heart, we are all the same, no matter who we are or how we choose to define ourselves.

Tyler: How have readers so far responded to the novel and especially its themes of love and sexual identity?

James: I have had very positive feedback from the readers I have talked to. Michael is a gay man; however, "Dance of the Heart" is a story about love and attractions. One reader told me that she thought it would be a good book for her teenage daughter to read in school as a part of her diversity studies. I was pleased to hear this because I purposely wrote the story to appeal to all readers. It is a funny and wholesome story and has reminders for everyone about the lessons we have to learn in life.

"Dance of the Heart" twists a familiar genre with the fact that the main character is gay, but thinks he may be in love with a woman. I think many readers can relate to Michael's plight as we all do silly things when we fall in love.

Tyler: James, what can we expect next from your pen?

James: My next book, which I am currently working on, is an instructional book on how to self publish a book. I have also been working on a book about what Americans will need to do to thrive in the future as well as leave a livable planet for our children.

Tyler: More and more authors, myself included, are self-publishing these days, yet self-publishing still retains a certain stigma. How would you respond to the critics of self-publishing?

James: It's the familiar old boys club story in my opinion. There are thousands of stories out there that merit being published; however, getting a publisher to pick up your book can be challenging given the way traditional publishing works. It's not impossible to find a publisher; however, it can feel like the proverbial needle-in-a-haystack for most authors. After comparing how traditional publishing and self-publishing worked, I decided to self publish as it allowed more control of my work. Through my self-publishing journey, I actually took the time to learn the skills to do my own typesetting, layout and cover. My next book will be much easier to publish as I now have software, knowledge and skills to truly self publish. Essentially I have become a publisher in addition to an author.

There are definite advantages to being with a large publishing house as they have marketing departments, industry connections and contacts, but I believe that the industry is changing with self-publishing becoming more prevalent. It is similar to the old Hollywood studio system and the advent of independent filmmakers and the affects it has had on the movie business. Self-publishing is very similar to the independent film industry. There are many excellent self-published books out there and I think in the future many authors will choose to self-publish.

Tyler: Do you think self-publishing will continue to be the trend and ultimately be dominant in the market over the books of traditional publishing houses?

James: I am amazed with how many people have approached me telling me they have story they always wanted to publish. I encourage them to go for it as it can happen if they have the commitment to see it through. Personally it has been an extremely satisfying life accomplishment for me to publish "Dance of the Heart" and the fact that it is being well received is even more rewarding.

I do see self-publishing continuing to gain market share. The biggest challenge for self-published authors is of course promotion. This is the advantage of being with a traditional publishing house. They have the resources to get the word out. Most authors are simply writers and have no idea how to promote their book. I recommend finding a professional to help get the word out, because you could have the best story ever written, but if people don't know about it, they won't have the opportunity to read your work. This is a good investment, as not only could you sell some books, you may eventually find a traditional publisher who is interested in picking up your book.

Tyler: You also mentioned you are writing a non-fiction book about how Americans can thrive and yet leave behind a livable planet. Could you tell us a little bit about your past writing? Have you written both fiction and non-fiction, and what do you see as the special difficulties or advantages of writing each kind of prose?

James: I enjoy all kinds of writing and am not afraid to jump into a new genre. I have written both fiction and non-fiction pieces in addition to doing travel writing while in Hawaii. My first audience was a group of coworkers at a bank I worked for years ago. Everyday, I filled in for the receptionist while she went to lunch. During that hour, I wrote installments to a suspense thriller, set on the Oregon coast. I shared my story with the other assistants on the floor who eagerly awaited my new chapters. Years later, I moved to Hawaii and sent a series of stories of my adventures to my friends on the mainland, which I called "Memos from Maui." Living on Hawaii is kind of like living in a foreign country and I had fun sharing my observations of life on a tropical island. "Memos from Maui" was well received and I knew then that I was hooked; I had to do something with my writing. Both fiction and non-fiction have their own advantages and challenges, but non-fiction commentaries I find are easy to write. Fiction takes more thought and imagination, but where you go with it is totally up to you. Having said that, I think a good writer isn't afraid to take on a new challenge. I also write poetry which I have had published as well.

Recently I was involved in a playwriting workshop, which was a great learning experience. Part of the workshop involved writing a 10-minute play to be directed and acted by professionals on stage. I took three chapters from "Dance of the Heart" and was able to see a part of my story acted out on the stage. It was an insightful process and I grew as a writer from the experience.

Tyler: Thank you for joining me today, James. Before we go, can you tell our readers where they can find out more about "Dance of the Heart" and where they can purchase copies?

James: "Dance of the Heart" can be purchased on-line by visiting http://www.danceoftheheart.net. It can also be ordered through any bookstore from Borders to your local bookstore. Thank you, Tyler.

Forty Six Dollars On Our Heads

Today's news reveals how low the price of human life has become in the Nigerian society (and the world in general?) in recent times. Our very own Al Qaeda lookalike-Boko Haram- pays its foot soldiers seven thousand naira each (about forty-six dollars) to carry out each terrorist operation against us infidels. That is forty-six dollars to plant bombs in churches, schools, police stations, public relaxation centers, and all such places where infidels can be found.

That means that the scores of lives that have been lost-the twenty people that died in Kano on the 29th of April 2012, the twelve people that lost their lives in Bauchi on the 3rd of June 2012, and the unspecified number of people that fell to gun fire when a church was attacked on the 10th of June 2012 (to name a few) - all perished because someone had been paid forty-six dollars! Money not even enough to buy a goat for sallah celebrations!

As a young boy growing up in harsh economic conditions, I often marveled when I observed people around me spend money on fireworks during Christmas. I wondered how a person could spend as much as fifty naira just for a flash and a sound, when my mother could make a pot of soup with two hundred naira or less! These days, I wonder how a person can spend forty-six dollars for a bomb, just for a fire and a bang (not forgetting the casualties) when I could buy three bags of cement for the same amount of money. Maybe it is because the economic conditions have not improved, or maybe it is because I am not very sane. Anyway, I continue with the story.

At the revelation of the forty-six dollar figure, religious leaders throughout the country have been raising dust, crying and wailing uncontrollably all over the media. But the irony of the matter is that they have done little or nothing to curtail the frequency of such incidences. Just as a father certainly knows his radical children, these imams cannot say that they do not which of their followers (sheep?) have the tendency to adopt violence either for the belief that it pleases God, or for the forty-six dollars on offer. So why do they keep quiet?

Speculations are rife that even the few imams and traditional leaders that have come out openly to condemn acts of terrorism are secret supporters and sponsors (of terrorism) merely masquerading as pacifists to keep the rest of us confused. This is supported by the fact that these terrorists have to setup base somewhere (in the domain of an imam and a traditional ruler) and must spend money to make their operations successful.

Perhaps the reason for our collective inaction is a part of us wanting to become martyrs. 'Us' here does not include me; I do not plan on dying anytime soon!

Everyday we are told to pray to God for his intervention, but in his name we keep on killing one another. I wonder if the holy lands from where our religions are borrowed are as drenched with blood as our country has become. While we profess to love God whom we have not seen, we hate our neighbors who we see.

And as long as we do not spread love, the true love which is ONE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE, there may be no end to this in the near future.

Selling Insurance And Giving Customers What They Need

When selling insurance good customer service is a key component to success in the insurance business. But what does "good customer service" mean in terms of selling insurance?

Establishing good client relations, whether it is with a prospect or an existing customer, is a must for any agent. You do this by meeting with customers in person as much as possible. Your initial contact with them might be over the phone or through a website, but try to set up a face-to-face appointment. The way you interact with them personally can influence their decision on buying or renewing a policy. It can also affect your chances of getting good testimonials and references. Always come prepared to a meeting with customers. Learn as much as you can about their situation before the meeting and adjust your presentation or sales pitch to fit what you know about them. If you are meeting with a current customer, try to find out how you can improve or expand your services to him or her.

Listen carefully to what your customers have to say. To give good customer service, you need to know what their concerns are and make sure that you are addressing them properly and promptly.

Being on time for a meeting is important. It shows that you value your customers' time (and yours). Confirm the date and venue for the meeting by sending a reminder to your client, and minimize distractions during the meeting as much as possible.

It helps to take down notes and asking questions during the meeting. It shows that you are interested in what your customer is saying. In addition, note-taking helps you better retain the information that you gather from the session, something that would be useful in future encounters.

Make sure that you ask your customers if their contact information has changed, and to get the new data. This way, you keep track of your clients and know where to reach them even when they have moved or changed phone numbers or email addresses.

Your meetings with customers should end on a positive note. They should feel that the meeting was productive and look forward to hearing from you again. It is often easier to call up customers than set up a personal meeting with them, but the latter can do a lot to maintain customer loyalty and good customer relations.

With this kind of benefit, making the time and effort to meet customers personally will surely pay off.

The Secrets to the Law of Attraction Are Changing Lives Worldwide

The secrets to the law of attraction have been changing lives worldwide since 'The Secret', a movie that has an accompanying book, was released by Rhonda Byrne in 2004. Byrne, an Australian woman, made 'The Secret' because she had recently come out of a series of misfortunes both personal and professional and had been inspired to pick up the pieces and change her life by coming across a book published in 1910 by Wallace D. Wattles called 'The Science of Getting Rich'.

In his astounding book about how to create abundant wealth, Wallace D. Wattles says that getting rich very rarely happens by luck. There is a science behind it, and this science, once known, can be applied by anyone, anywhere. As long as this law of attraction of wealth is adhered to, a person who is not all that intelligent, or even all that talented, can become rich; while if highly intelligent or talented people fail to follow the secrets to the law of attraction that pertain to the attraction of wealth, they will never become rich. The law will work for anyone regardless of how good or bad they are, too. (Although the way that a good person uses his money will be vastly different from how a bad person does.)

Wattles makes it clear that in order to become rich, a person doesn't have to "work hard and sacrifice long" in the way typically assumed to lead to great wealth. Instead, a person must do things in what he calls "a Certain Way". This Certain Way is the secret to being in accord with the law of attraction of wealth. Rhonda Byrne was deeply inspired after reading just the first few pages of 'The Science of Getting Rich'.

"Something inside of me had me turn the pages one by one, and I can still remember my tears hitting the pages as I was reading it. It gave me a glimpse of The Secret and it was like a flame inside of my heart," says Rhonda Byrne of the first time she began reading 'The Science of Getting Rich'. She was clearly feeling attracted in a certain direction.

Over the next two months, Rhonda Byrne discovered that this Secret is actually contained in all of the great religions, great scientific advances, great inventions, and the words of the great philosophers and highly successful businessmen throughout all of recorded history, going back thousands of years. She came to realize that what she had now discovered were the secrets to the law of attraction. Hence, she gave her movie the title 'The Secret'.

The law of attraction says that whatever we hold firmly and deeply in our minds, in time becomes our everyday reality. It says that imagination precedes experience and creates all of our core experiences of life and the world around us. This is not about twists of perception, either. It's not about illusions or delusions. The secrets to the law of attraction are to be taken literally. They are not "magic", but they work just like it. If you have thoughts of want and poverty and loss of money, you will do things in one way, and that way will repulse money from your life. Money will pass you by, not being attracted to you. When you do get some money, it will fly away from you quickly. But if you create and maintain thoughts and mental images of yourself becoming wealthier and wealthier, you will do things in that Certain Way, and money will begin to fly to you, and over time it will fly to you in ever increasing abundance and with ever increasing effortlessness on your part. This also holds true for attracting other things into your life, such as excellent health or fulfilling relationships.

Many successful people who are living examples of how to make the secrets to the law of attraction work were featured in 'The Secret', and one of these is Bob Proctor. Proctor is a philosopher, and a rich one. He is also a life coach who has been working in the field of mind potential for over 40 years, having discovered the law of attraction on his own back in the early 1960s when he was a struggling young man. He has produced a CD, book, and DVD set called 'The 11 Forgotten Laws of Attraction', a program he put together after his appearance in 'The Secret' to help people flesh out the details to fully grasping the secrets to the law of attraction and how to use the law of the attraction of wealth in their everyday lives.

Why not see if learning the secrets to the law of attraction can make a world of difference in your life? What have you got to lose... except your old way of life?

Website Traffic Sources You Should Use When You Are Starting Out - Why Banner Advertising Works

When it comes to finding a traffic sources in your niche market that is going to work to give you a lot of visitors and help you make a lot of money online, you have to realize that banner advertising is one of the best sources you can possibly use. In this article I want to show you why you should use this source in your market when you are starting out.

The Problem People Have With Banner Advertising...

When it comes to getting more visitors using banner advertising you have to realize that most people don't use this source and have no idea how to make it work in the market that they are working in.

Most people think that the only marketers who can use this source are ones that have thousands of dollars to spend per ad and ones who are mainly focused on brand advertising.

The reality is that if you are in a mass market where there are lots of major companies you can run into this problem. But in most markets that you will be working in you are not going to have to compete with huge companies who are doing this.

You will have to compete with small advertisers who are spending small amounts of money to get visitors to their site. So don't let this issue stop you from trying to get more visitors using this source in the market that you are working in online.

Here Is Why This Source Can Work For You Right Now...

Reason #1 - It has been proven to work for over 10 years.

You have to realize that this source has been proven to work for a long time and it continues to work to this very day. So you have to realize that you are not going to be risking your time and money on a source that has not been proven yet.

Reason #2 - You can get a massive return on investment if you know what you are doing.

The great thing about using this source in your market is if you know what you are doing you can get a massive return on your investment. You can easily get $5 for every $1 you invest into getting a banner on a site in your market if you use the right sites.

So make sure you realize that you can use this source to get a massive amount of visitors to your site if you know what you are doing in the market that you are working in. The main thing you need to know is that you have to get started with this source right away so you can take advantage of it.

How To Get The Best Long-Term Care Insurance Quote

Shopping for long-term care insurance can be a daunting and frightening task. You can't get prices directly from the companies nor online. There is no ratings agency for insurance professionals that tells you whether the one you are speaking with is helping or just selling the only policy they are able to promote.

Every year just over half a million Americans apply for long-term care insurance. Most start the process as a result of reading a newspaper or magazine article, receiving a direct mail solicitation or perhaps because their employer offered the coverage. Most admit they had no idea where to begin and did so with much hesitation and trepidation.

There is a publication produced by insurance regulators called the Shoppers Guide but it is about as handy and current today as a volume of the Encyclopedia Britannica. Great if you want to press flowers but lousy if you want help when considering long-term care insurance.

The realization that consumers wanted something that wasn't easily available inspired me to focus on the topic at a talk given recently before a group of aging baby boomers. They had heard about the risks that ensue from living a long life and the potential cost of long-term care. What they wanted to know was how to proceed. How can they tell who is telling the truth and who is giving a canned sales pitch.

Here are two of the points I shared and I hope they help you as well.

Are You Talking To A Dentist Or An Orthodontist?

Like most people, I go to my dentist once a year. Sure he'd like me to come more often but after all, I always know better. Of course, when my children were young, they did go every six months -- because you want to best for them. When two needed braces, did my dentist offer to handle this? Of course not.

It wasn't because he had flunked out of dental school. He hadn't. It was simply because this was a very specialized field that required a high degree of knowledge and experience.

Well, the same is true when it comes to long-term care insurance. Some insurance products are virtual commodities. No real expertise needed to sell them. Long-term care insurance isn't one of these. In fact, it may well be the single most complex insurance protection product offered today. That's why the insurance agent who sold you car or homeowners insurance probably never brought up the topic. He or she is terrified you'll ask a question they don't have an answer to.

So, tip number one; seek out a specialist. How do you spot one? Well first, hopefully they'll be a member of the industry's trade association focused on education standards. But more likely, simply ask if they can provide you with three or four references of satisfied clients.

If You Find A Lower Price - We'll Match It

I admit it. I am a savvy bargain hunter. And Google makes it so much simpler today to comparison shop. But as if the purchase of insurance wasn't intimidating enough, comparing prices is hard. When it comes to long-term care insurance, it can be downright daunting.

And, when I buy a computer at Best Buy, I know I have 30 days during which I can shop for a lower price. Try asking a long-term care insurance to match the lower price. Actually, save your time and energy -- it won't happen.

When it comes to shopping for long-term care insurance you basically have two options. Create your own excel file and start shopping for coverage. When you find what you want apply and see if the insurer accepts you. Some will, others will accept at a more costly premium. And, to be fair to the many specialists who don't lead with the lowest possible price, some may actually offer you a preferred or lower rate than you expected.

You'll want to compare costs from the six leading long-term care insurance companies; Genworth, John Hancock, Mutual of Omaha, Prudential, MedAmerica and LifeSecure. There are others you might add to your list as about 20-to-30 companies offer these products.

A thorough comparison will probably take 10-to-12 hours of your time and as I noted above you very likely will have to submit at least one application to make sure you can health qualify at the desired rate. Remember that you can cancel any policy within 30 days -- it's called the free look period.

A better suggestion is to hire someone to do the shopping for you. In this business experts work for free to boot. They only get paid if and when you purchase a product they have recommended.

Let the expert shop the market for you based on their experience and thorough knowledge of the company, their acceptable standards and policy costs.

Buying long-term care insurance does not have to be frightening or difficult. Work with an expert and you'll find it much more satisfying than you anticipated.

Enjoy a Beautiful Chinese Holiday in Shanghai

The Chinese city of Shanghai is a well developed modern city. Because of the great infrastructure and plenty of attractions, it has become a popular tourist destination. Reaching the city is not a problem, as many international airlines, such as US Airways, Air France and Air Canada; fly to and from the city. Some of these airlines can also offer cheap airfare tickets, especially during the low period. Budget travelers should not shy away from visiting this beautiful and well-maintained Chinese city, as they can look for cheap tickets to Shanghai aboard the cheapest airline they can find.

First time visitors coming to the city on cheap flights to Shanghai can begin their vacation with a visit to the Yuyuan Gardens. These gardens will give them a glimpse of what the city used to look in the yesteryear's, with is wonderful and original Chinese architecture. Vacationers, who want to admire modern architecture, can head to Lujiazi District and walk along the banks of Huangpo River where the Oriental Pearl Tower is located. The observatory of the tower gives a breathtaking view of the entire city. There is also the city's World Financial Center and Jin Mao Tower that are worth checking out.

The city has its share of museums and temples. Flights to Shanghai can give access to the Jade Buddha Temple and the Longhua Temple which are both worth checking out. The museum in the city is also worth exploring, especially for its Ancient Bronze display. The city also boasts of an ancient water village, which is around 400 years old. This is the extremely picturesque and beautiful Zhu Jia Jiao Water Town. Here, there is a five-arch bridge across the Cao Gang River. The main street in the village has many restaurants and shops catering to the locals. Visitors will enjoy a leisurely walk through the paths and over bridges. They can even take a boat ride to check out some of homes of the village. Be sure to visit the two temples in the village for their beauty and historic value.

There are many tea houses in the city that can give vacationers a chance to experience the way traditional Chinese tea is consumed and enjoyed. Visitors can also order some traditional delicacies to accompany their tea, though many of the tea houses serve free snacks, which are often laid out on the common table.

In the southern suburbs of the city is a temple that is more than 700 years old. This is the Jinshan Doglin Temple and is famous for its beautiful architecture. The temple is breathtaking beautiful and is the abode of the world's tallest indoor Buddha image. This image has one thousand hands and many heads. Another place worth checking out is the Propaganda Poster and Art Center. This is a private collection of posters, art, photographs and memorabilia from the Mao era.

The Power of Small

Routinely, I rise out of bed before the birds, and watch the sunlight flood my office every morning. See, I love this time of day! But what I don't love is being rudely rousted out of a deep sleep before my normal rise and shine time, and every day for the past few months I have been.

I sleep with the windows open, and at around 4:00 each and every morning, rain or shine, there has been this very obnoxious bird "somewhere" close by screeching his mating call at what seems like 130 decibels! Many times I've wearily peered out to be able to witness first hand what sounded like a pterodactyl-size creature on some kind of steroids. But never would this clever 'lil creature reveal himself!

I appreciate nature as much as the next person, but this large sound at this wee hour of the morning is not music to my ears! In one agitated state my fine-feathered foe put me in, I thought about locating a 'sportsman' in the neighborhood to take him out, but that was only wishful fantasizing. Besides, I don't believe in 'the sport of hunting.'

By now though, I've gotten pretty used to my tree dwelling alarm and looking on the positive side of this situation, could even thank him for the extra hour of work I am able to put in every day.

One day last week, I was pounding away on my laptop on the front porch swing, when lo and behold - THAT PIERCING SOUND AGAIN! And it was NEAR! Imagine my surprise when after peeking out from under the canopy, perched on the telephone line above was this teeny weenie finch, smaller than my prized canary, warbling away what was really a beautiful anthem, at least heard at this normal hour of the day.

Oh my, the power of small!

Now, may I ask: How many times in your life have you thought that you were "too small" to make a difference? How many times has this thought actually stopped you from doing something you knew in your heart was worthwhile? Perhaps something like changing careers, starting a new business, creating your own product or even buying that dream home. Like me, I bet plenty of times!

Think about this. Every great achievement in this world had its roots as a single thought in the mind of a single human being. There's no exception - the greatest inventions, the biggest corporations and the tallest skyscrapers were all borne of the single idea of one individual!

The difference between most of us and the Henry Ford's and Bill Gates of this world is the total self-belief and conviction in their ideas to just "build it!" No matter the size, no matter the scope, no matter the naysayers around them. And, knowing full well that the road to achieving their goal was going to be paved with major setbacks and failures.

Here's one of my favorite quotes about achievers:

"There are some people who live in a dream world, and there are some who face reality; and then there are those who turn one into the other." Douglas Everett

You've heard many of the stories about the above 'icons' and people like Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Edison and Gandhi. Their journeys were filled with great adversity, devastating setbacks and yes, heartbreaking failures. But still, because of the sheer level of belief in themselves and what they set out to achieve, they were able to leave a legacy that today affects every one of us, every hour of every day.

There are millions everyday people who will never become household names who have made magnificent differences in their lives and the lives of those around them.

Take for instance, the single mother who was reluctantly forced onto the welfare rolls due to a deadbeat dad, and pounds the pavement until she lands a job, determined to excel, and works her way up the ladder until she ends up with a wonderful career to the benefit of herself and her family.

Or, the foreign medical student whose family sacrificed their entire lives in order to send their child to a 'free country' to get an education, who, through sheer determination graduates at the top of his class but decides not to chase the almighty big bucks that await him in the 'land of promise' and instead returns to his homeland so that he may help alleviate the dire suffering of the people in his native land.

Or, how about the countless entrepreneurs who have taken a single idea and no matter what obstacles they faced, and the many sacrifices they had to make, created successful businesses with products that impacted thousands or even millions of people?

I am privileged to know so many individuals who have accomplished great things only because of the great belief they had in themselves and their ideas. As such, I firmly believe that every human being, no matter where they believe they are at on this roller coaster ride we call life, CAN accomplish great things.

As strange as this may seem at this time, I can tell you with all the sincerity I possess, that this great universe of ours awaits your simple and sincere decision, so that it can begin to fill you with all the power you need to make your dream a reality. It's a matter of truly making that decision and then opening yourself up to receiving that invisible assistance.

"The Creator has not given you a longing to do that which you have no ability to do." -Orison Swett Marden

Now back to my minuscule, winged friend. On cue, and still prior to daylight, he shakes me out of my peaceful slumber. He knows nothing else. No other way. He just cranks it up at enormous volume at nature's call, oblivious to the fact he is impacting me on a major scale by doing the only thing he was designed to do. How we all should be, don't you agree?

The Power of Small!

© Rick Beneteau

Car Radio Installation - Ford KA Fascia

The Ford KA fascia's are somewhat awkward to fit, this is what you do. To ensure a solid fit you have to use the included black plastic clip that comes with the fascia, this runs along the runner inside of the radio aperture. This is the equivalent of the original Ford clip that is built onto the rear of the Ford radio. The radio will not fit right if you don't use this.

First of all, mount the radio cage inside of the fascia, but do not install it in the radio aperture yet. Now on the back of the radio, attach the black clip mentioned above using a self tapper screw (actually screwed into the back of the radio where the hole is provided) Leave the black clip somewhat loose. If it is too long, use washers to pack it out.

Now, slide the radio half way into the cage and then straighten the black clip ready for it to mount on the runner in the radio aperture. Compare this clip to the clip on the Ford radio to get an idea of it's position. Tighten the screw/clip but not too much. This is important so that when installing the radio it can manoeuver on the runner to fit correctly. This screw will not come loose.

Next, attach the wiring to the rear of the radio and locate the clip onto the runner inside the radio aperture. You can use some installation tape to hold the aerial in position on the rear of the radio. Run this from the top to bottom of the radio, covering the aerial connector.

To finish off, push the fascia into position flush with the dash, then slide the radio into position and lock it into the cage.

Now test the radio for correct operation.

Why Professional Beach Volleyball Women Bump Set the Ball

There have been and currently are some great beach volleyball women who know how to set the ball with their hands but more times than not, choose to bump set when given the opportunity. They know that by overhand setting they may be able to deliver a more accurate set to their hitter but that accuracy depends on all the elements that play a part in the game being absolutely perfect. The pass has to be perfect, there's virtually little to no wind, the team needs to be on the "good" side of the court, neither player is excessively tired or exhausted, and are they in transition or serve receive?

These are a few examples of things that a beach player considers before deciding whether it's worth taking the chance to overhand set or to play it safe and bump set the ball. Having all these things to consider is the reason why most professional beach volleyball women rely on bump setting the ball even if they do have "good hands" and are usually good setters.

Teammates will put in many practice hours of bump setting to their partner because they know the advantages which include:

a) Reduces the amount of mishandled ball calls against them, especially during crucial moments of the game

Beach volleyball women know that the longer a tournament or a game lasts, the more tired they are likely to become and that means the slower they will run.

It's inevitable that at some point in the game they will get within arm's reach of a ball and have to become the leaning Tower of Pisa if they try to overhand set it.

Professional players also know that they can still be one or two steps out of position when this happens and this greatly increases the chances of being whistled for a setting violation. Instead they will choose to bump set which allows them to let the ball fall a little further giving them time to use their platform to make up for those few inches that they need to get underneath the ball in order to lift it back in the air for a great controlled set.

b) They can wait longer before making contact with the ball.

The longer a beach volleyball player can wait to bump set the ball, the farther it will drop and that will decrease the chances of the wind taking the ball and blowing it further away from you.

c) Increases the ability to make last minute tweaks and adjustments to the ball.

When you overhand set you are reaching up and contacting the ball a lot sooner than when you bump set. When performing the latter, the ball has time to fall further before a player makes contact, and this gives them more time to track the ball and key in on it so if the wind does blow it around they are more prone to be in a balanced stable position so that they can follow it.