Don't Panic!

Victoria Nicks offers Email Archiving Advice

2011-05-25T07:54:00.000-07:00

Article by Victoria Nicks:

Archiving Email Files: Avoid PST Headaches for Your Organization

What are PST files? When you download emails from the main server, and read it on a mail client (Outlook, for example) on your computer, your computer saves the email, as well as any attachments, calendar events and other mail information to .pst files on your computer's hard drive. Why is this a problem? The PST files can take up huge amounts of space, and searching through them can take time you don't have in the event of a lawsuit or compliance problem. Your best bet - archive the email files into a single location, and stop saving PST files on individual computers.

Use Bookkeeping Templates to Make Accounting Easier!

2011-04-20T12:51:00.000-07:00

Need some bookkeeping templates? Use these free samples to simplify your accounting processes and save money for your small business.

Small business bookkeeping templates are valuable additions to the desk of an entrepreneur or office manager in even a medium-sized business that is working to establish an accounting department. Using free sample accounting forms lets you organize your company's finances while saving money. Take accounting and bookkeeping classes, and gather enough information to use and customize all your forms so that they reflect the needs of your individual business.

Filing for Unemployment in New York

2011-04-02T08:25:00.000-07:00

New York's Department of Labor has some strict guidelines for filing for jobless benefits, but you can file online as long as you have all of the information that you need.

What do you need to file online?

Social Security Number or Alien Registration Card Number
New York Driver's License or ID Card Number
Information about your previous employer, including EIN and contact information
Routing info for your bank if you want direct deposit.

When Will You Start Getting Benefits?

Even if you file the moment that you lose your job, it will be at least a week before you start getting benefits, since NY has a one-week unpaid wait period. After that, if your application takes longer for approval, you'll receive past benefits as soon as it is approved.

Your best bet: File for unemployment right away, even if you think you have another job lined up. Worst case scenario: You have to decline benefits because you have another job.

Quick DIY Credit Repair Tips

2011-04-02T07:31:00.000-07:00

So you finally bit the bullet and checked your credit score... and now you wish you hadn't. All those over-the-limit credit cards have really brought your score down, but you need it higher to qualify for a loan or even a new apartment lease. What now? It's time for some quick credit fixes:

Quick Fix One: Pay Down That Debt! Don't close your existing accounts, just pay down the balances. The further you are from the credit limit, the better your score will be.

Quick Fix Two: Pay Your Bills! OK, so it's not very quick, but it's something you can start doing right this minute. You can create a monthly bill-paying chart if you have trouble remembering to pay the bills, or set up an auto-debit to your bank account, but you absolutely must pay your credit card bills on time if you want your credit score to go up.

Quick Fix Two: Dispute any incorrect information on your credit report. Go through it carefully, line-by-line, to make sure that all of the accounts are correct, any documented late payments are correct, and that the current balances are correct. Dispute incorrect information, and your score will improve when the issue is resolved.

Are Free Credit Reports a Myth?

2011-03-31T09:17:00.000-07:00

Every time you click on a "Free Credit Report" ad, you get asked for your credit card - or bamboozled into signing up for some kind of credit monitoring service. So how on Earth can you get that free report that everyone talks about? Is it just a myth?

Annual Credit Report site
Annualcreditreport.com is the only site that is authorized by the Federal Trade Commission to actually provide free reports to U.S. consumers. You're entitled to a free report from Equifax, Experian and Transunion each year. Don't get them all at once - apply for a free report from one reporting agency, wait three months and then apply for a report from the second agency, and so on.

There really is an absolutely free credit report, you just have to know where to look!

Too Much Business Debt? Get Consolidated with the SBA!

2011-03-31T07:33:00.000-07:00

Did you know that the Small Business Administration will help you consolidate your business loans?

Why Consolidate?

If you've run up a bunch of high-interest business credit cards, or you've got a number of small-business-loans with various lenders, consider asking the SBA to help you get them consolidated. You can end up with lower payments, lower principal and even lower interest rates, and you'll save time and stress when all your loans are in one place under one set of terms.

About Small Business Consolidation Loans:

The SBA does not provide the loans, they just guarantee the loan to help you get approval from a private lender. Consolidating your small business loans can save you a ton of time, money and stress, so don't hesitate - contact your local SBA chapter ASAP!

SBA Jobs Tour - Coming to your town?

2011-03-26T15:25:00.000-07:00

The Small Business Administration is going on tour. Want to attend one of the SBA Small Business Jobs Act events? Check out the dates and locations of the SBA Jobs Tour, and mark it on your calendar. When you're starting up a small business, you should never turn away a resource. The SBA is an incredible resource for business owners - they'll help you get financing, and work on your business plans.. and now, with the STEP program, they may even be able to help you get a grant to start exporting your products! Check it out, you won't regret it!

Starting a Small Business

2011-03-25T07:50:00.000-07:00

Tired of the daily grind? Sick of the suit and tie, paying for babysitters and missing out on the beautiful weather? Or.. Maybe you just can't find a decent job! With wages dropping, and unemployment and underemployment rates going higher all the time, you're not alone.

Small Business Options

Instead of wasting your time in a job you hate, or trying to find another job you'll hate, why not focus your attention on starting your own small business? Everyone has at least one skill. Put your skills to work, and do what you love. Even if you have little or no business experience, you can get start-to-finish help from the Small Business Administration with everything from financing and business plans to ongoing planning and marketing. Use the free resources that are available, to prosper. Who knows, someone may be asking YOU for a job, before you know it!

Sell Your Textbooks Online for Quick Cash

2011-03-25T07:08:00.000-07:00

If you're a college student, you're probably feeling the money crunch as grant and loan programs tighten up, and the flow of money dries to a trickle. Many college students sell textbooks online when they have finished their classes - consider selling your used books on Amazon or eBay, to help with necessary expenses for the upcoming semester.

Step One: Find the ISBN of your book. This number is located under the barcode, as well as inside the binding. It is necessary to have the exact information available to buyers when attempting to sell textbooks online. ISBN codes will change with each edition of a book, so students will look books up by ISBN to ensure they have the correct edition.

Search for your book on Ebay, Amazon, and Half.com. Pay attention to the lowest price available for the book you are planning to list on each site. If you are planning to sell textbooks online, you will need to compete with the other people selling their textbooks. Looking up the prices other people are selling for is like reverse comparison shopping.

List your book with the site that has the highest dollar amount as their lowest available price for your book, and price your book just under the lowest available price. This will allow you to receive the highest possible value, and sell your books faster. The lowest price shows up at the top of a search. This means that entering the lowest price will put you above the other people who are selling the book, and make it more likely that your book will sell quickly.

Notes:

Always keep in mind that you plan to sell your book after class. A book in good shape will sell for more money, so keeping your books in good condition, and keep track of extra materials such as CDs, if you plan to sell textbooks online after classes end.

Don't list your book in more than one place at a time. If it sells to two people at once, you'll have to cancel one of the sales, and your seller's reputation will suffer. That will cause problems the next time you want to sell something on the site.

2011-03-06T07:33:00.000-08:00

Need help keeping track of expense reports? Try these Access database templates!

Access can be complicated, but you can use a pre-set template database, especially meant for expense report tracking, and save yourself the work/stress of setting up your own database. Pretty cool...

Paying By The Minute for Telemarketers? Get on the Cell No Call List!

2010-09-29T07:35:00.000-07:00

There's nothing worse than getting a telemarketer call on your cell phone, where it eats into your precious minutes! Who wants to pay for a commercial message? Not me, that's for sure - heck, I don't want it for free! So, what can you do to save on the charges for unwanted telemarketer calls on your cell? Get on the national no-call list! Check it out here:

Cellular No Call List: Cell Phones and the National Do Not Call Registry

Looking for the cellular No Call list? Cell phone numbers are included in the federal Do Not Call registry, so call or go online to submit your cell number.

Credit Repair Credit Cards

2010-09-27T13:05:00.001-07:00

Use Secured Credit Cards to fix your credit score! Learn more here:

Credit Repair Cards - New Revolving Debt Can Improve Your Credit

Use credit repair cards to help fix your credit score. Secured credit cards, available from most banks, are a great way to establish a new credit history.

Bad Credit? Try Secured Credit Cards!

2010-09-24T13:15:00.000-07:00

If the economy has trashed your credit rating, don't worry- you're not alone! If you want to get your credit rating back, try applying for secured credit cards, but make sure you pick the right one!

Credit Repair Cards - Where To Find The Best Secured Credit Cards

Credit repair cards can help someone with a low credit score re-establish a positive credit history, but choosing the right secured credit card is critical.

Understanding FICO & Beacon & Empirica Ratings

2010-09-20T07:08:00.000-07:00

What's the difference between FICO, FICOII, Credit Beacon Ratings and Empirica Ratings? FICO is an acronym that stands for Fair Isaac Corporation - it's the standard by which credit ratings are calculated. All of the others are the way that each of the Big Three credit reporting agencies apply the FICO calculations. Each is slightly different - learn more in Equifax Credit Beacon Scores vs. Empirica Scores and FICO II.

Get Credit Repair Help

2010-09-19T07:34:00.001-07:00

Looking for someone to help you repair your credit? Maybe you should be looking in the mirror! Credit repair is easy and free if you do it yourself. If you use a credit repair service, it may be costly... or even a scam. Check this out before you make your decision:

Credit Report Repair Services - Who Can You Trust To Fix Your Credit?

Many credit report repair services are actually credit repair scams. Who can you trust to fix your credit score without scamming you out of cash?

Looking for Work as a Freelance Writer?

2010-07-25T08:27:00.000-07:00

Are you looking for work as a freelance writer? Try Suite101, Examiner, About.com or Demand Studios! Looking for more information? Read Freelance Writing Jobs That Pay.

Sign up for Examiner here: Having trouble with the application? Leave a comment for application success tips!

Sign up for Constant Content here: Having trouble getting an article approved? Leave a comment & get personalized help!

Fun Online Word Games for Kids!

2010-07-02T16:03:00.000-07:00

Looking for something for the kids to do this summer? Keep them out of the heat and out of trouble with these fun online word games for kids.

From the article, by Jace Shoemaker-Galloway
"Learn the alphabet and how to spell with the following educational online word games and brain games for children that are child-safe, fun and free."

Save Money with Cloth Diapers

2010-06-20T16:07:00.000-07:00

Looking for another way to save money? Cloth diapering (if you have a baby or toddler that is not yet potty-trained) is great for the environment, and will save a ton of cash. There is an intial investment, when you buy all the cloth diapers & diaper covers, but then that's it! Just invest in some Fuzzi Bunz or Bummis diapers (Or Kushis or BumGenius) and then use them.. and use them.. and use them.. No more late-night rush to the store for a pack of diapers- as long as you're doing laundry, you have a never-ending supply.
Don't want the hassle of doing all that laundry, or need something for trips out of the house? Try the gDiaper - these space-age diapers are flushable!

Small Business Debt Consolidation Loans from SBA Pay Off Balances

2010-05-29T13:25:00.000-07:00

Use Small Business Debt Consolidation Loans from the Small Business Administration!

The Small Business Administration (SBA) can help pay off smaller debt balances. Use small business debt consolidation loans to start saving money now.

Backup Online vs. Backup Software - Disaster Recovery Planning

2010-05-20T08:11:00.000-07:00

Small businesses perform frequent backups as part of disaster recovery planning. Why perform an automatic backup online instead of using backup software?

Conducting periodic backups of business information is critical, to prevent the loss of data and ensure a swift recovery in the event of a disaster. Read more at Backup Online vs. Backup Software - Disaster Recovery Planning

Filing California Unemployment Benefit Extensions

2010-04-29T07:23:00.000-07:00

California Unemployment Benefit Extension - Qualifying & Filing

California unemployment benefit extensions can last for over 20 weeks for eligible jobless workers. Learn about qualifications and filing requirements here.

Bad Credit? Debt Consolidation Loans Can Help!

2010-03-06T06:08:00.000-08:00

Bad Credit? Debt Consolidation Loans Can Help
Merging Unsecured Loans Offers Credit Card Debt Help for Consumers

Feb 26, 2010 Victoria Nicks
Too many unsecured lines of credit can result in missed payments and bad credit. Debt consolidation loans merge the accounts, providing help with credit card debt.

Read more at Suite101: Bad Credit? Debt Consolidation Loans Can Help: Merging Unsecured Loans Offers Credit Card Debt Help for Consumers

Guest Blogger: Mareena Turner

2009-11-28T12:01:00.000-08:00

World Health Organization Reports that Global Death Toll Increased by 1000 in Past Week
by Mareena Turner

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a huge increase in the global death rate from H1N1-related illness. The total number of deaths from the swine flu virus has now reached close to eight thousand. According to the WHO, more than half of the reported fatalities were from the Americas. Mutations in the virus have contributed to the death toll.

Antiviral-resistant strains of the swine flu

A recently discovered strain of the swine flu has been found to be resistant to the antiviral medication Tamiflu, also known as oseltamivir. Individual cases have been located around the world, which has led health authorities to conclude that the mutation is not transmitting, but is spontaneously mutating in each individual case.

Acute respiratory distress as a result of swine flu mutation

A strain of the swine flu that was isolated by the Mill Hill labs in the UK causes acute respiratory symptoms. This virus attaches to surface tension cells in the lungs, causing hemorrhaging in the lung tissues.

Sign up for Examiner here: Having trouble with the application? Leave a comment for application success tips!

Sign up for Constant Content here: Having trouble getting an article approved? Leave a comment & get personalized help!

Startup Business Plan Templates

2009-11-25T09:20:00.000-08:00

Startup Business Plan Templates

Strategic planning for business is necessary to acquire funding, and helps with marketing as well. Download free startup business plan templates for an easier process.

Get Accepted to Demand Studios, the Examiner, or even Suite101 and Make Money Online Quickly as a Freelance Writer

2009-11-17T06:25:00.001-08:00

Get Accepted to Demand Studios, the Examiner, or even Suite101 and Make Money Online Quickly as a Freelance Writer

When people are applying to Demand Studios, the Examiner, or Suite101, they are often unsure of the correct process, and afraid of rejection. Being properly prepared for this process can save both time and money, by resulting in a faster acceptance.

Get Accepted with Demand Studios

Get accepted with Demand Studios, and get paid up to $20.00 per 400 word article, with a virtually unlimited pool of articles to claim and write.

Get Accepted with The Examiner

Get accepted with the Examiner, and make money for every page view to your articles- write on a popular topic your income will be staggering, for short and simple articles

Get Accepted to Write for Suite101

Get accepted at Suite101, and pat yourself on the back: only 20% or so of applicants are approved! Writing at this site does not require an understanding of SEO. In order to make a profit from your writing here, SEO is necessary, however.

For a limited time, I'm offering online tutoring in general SEO for online writing, as well help getting accepted with any of these sites.

Rates:

*Personalized help (Not just an e-mail newsletter) getting accepted with:

The Examiner: Includes choosing the best category, writing your sample article, and publishing for profit: $19.95 (about 1/2 the amount I made in my first day writing for this site)
Demand Studios: Includes help writing sample articles, and formatting your resume: $29.95 - less than the price of your first two accepted articles!
Suite101: Includes help with writing samples, and the application process: $29.95
SEO Explained: Customized for your niche, and includes choosing a niche if you do not already have an area of expertise. I will walk you through the process of choosing keywords and researching CPC and PVs for profitable online writing: $29.95

If you do not get accepted to the site that you applied for, despite following the guidance I provided, I will refund 100% of your payment immediately.

For more information, or to request a free consultation, please Contact Me

Sign up for Examiner here: Having trouble with the application? Leave a comment for application success tips!

Sign up for Constant Content here: Having trouble getting an article approved? Leave a comment & get personalized help!

Stop Debt Collectors From Harassment

2009-11-12T18:27:00.000-08:00

What Debt Collectors Cannot Do To Get a Payment
Consumers can Stop Collection Agency Harassment with FTC Information

Debt collectors may use unethical practices to bully consumers into making payments. Stop collection agency harassment with information from the Federal Trade Commission.

Swine Flu Vaccine Information

2009-11-08T19:57:00.002-08:00

Easy Debt Help Strategies for Rebuilding Credit after Bankruptcy

2009-10-31T12:00:00.000-07:00

Easy Debt Help Strategies for Rebuilding Credit after Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy can have a devastating effect on your personal credit report. Use these strategies to help with rebuilding credit after bankruptcy.

Debt Management Option to Re-establish Credit
Easy Debt Help Strategies for Rebuilding Credit After Bankruptcy
Re-establish credit with simple debt management options. Easy debt help strategies for rebuilding credit after bankruptcy: Store credit cards and secured credit accounts.

Government Gives Consumers Credit Card Debt Help

2009-10-27T06:30:00.000-07:00

Credit Card Debt Help from New Consumer Credit Law

New rules prevent arbitrary rate increases, over-limit-fees, and other balance increasing tactics by credit card companies.

Government's New Credit Card Debt Help Law
Consumers Protected from Excess Fees and Interest Hikes by H.R. 627
H.R. 627 imposes new rules, forbidding practices that increase credit card debt, including double-billing, interest rate increases, and unlimited over-the-limit fees.

Stimulus Cash for Homeowners

2009-10-26T15:54:00.000-07:00

Stimulus Cash for Homeowners- Purchase EnergyStar Appliances, and receive stimulus money rebates!

Consumers can Spend Energy Star Stimulus Cash
Appliance Rebates for Saving Money on Electricity and Purchases

Consumers can get cash from the Stimulus bill by purchasing Energy Star approved appliances. Energy efficient appliance rebates may increase homeowner spending.

Appliance Rebates from the Government Stimulus Package

2009-10-19T09:17:00.000-07:00

Energy efficient appliances get rebates from the Govt stimulus package.

Consumers can Spend Energy Star® Stimulus Cash

Appliance Rebates for Saving Money on Electricity and Purchases

-Victoria Nicks -Oct 18, 2009

Consumers can get cash from the Stimulus bill by purchasing Energy Star® approved appliances.

POD Publicity: How to Take a Print-on-Demand Book From Obscurity to Profitability

2009-09-26T07:27:00.000-07:00

Pod Publicity: How to Take a Print-on-Demand Book From Obscurity to Profitability
Written by Heather R. Wallace, with a foreword by Dan Poynter, this book is a valuable reference to the world of Print-On-Demand.

I requested a review copy of this book, and received a link to the e-book review copy. Providing an e-book copy for free to potential reviewers is just one of the many practical hints provided by the author in this relatively brief, but very informative, volume. Heather Wallace takes the reader from the beginnings of an idea for a book, through writing, formatting, and publishing a POD book. In addition, she includes a treasure-trove of tips and tricks for marketing and publicity, which may actually be the most valuable portion of the book for an aspiring author.

To conclude: I heartily recommend the purchase of this book for anyone who is at all interested in self-publishing. While it is geared toward Print-On-Demand, much of the information is also valuable for anyone who intends to write and publish an e-Book. (Perhaps the author would consider writing a sequel, geared toward the e-Book author?)

Debt Management

2009-09-26T07:23:00.000-07:00

Use Credit Scores and Reports to Reduce Debts
A Free Credit Rating Report Improves Debt Consolidation

Use a free credit report from all 3 credit reporting agencies before attempting debt consolidation, to get a better deal.

Free Downloads for Personal or Business Needs

2009-09-15T18:30:00.000-07:00

Family finances benefit from Financial Budgeting Software that offers a family budget spreadsheet to simplify household planning and budgeting tasks for families.

Making a family budget can be difficult, but using a household expenses worksheet downloaded for free from the Internet can simplify the process of Family Budget Planning greatly.

Small businesses may avoid writing business plans, due to the level of complexity. Business planning software can simplify the creation of small business' business plans.

Small business bookkeeping using free accounting templates eliminates the need to find accounting software, or expensive business budgeting software.

Keys to Making More Money Online

2009-08-29T12:15:00.000-07:00

There is a lot of competition out there, as well as many scam artists. When you want to make money online, you should check out your alternatives, and work hard to pursue favorable prospects.

Identify and Pursue All Means of Online Income

When you are working to find online jobs, it is important not to put all of your eggs in one basket. Keep your options open, and pursue as many opportunities as possible, to ensure that you have enough income to meet your needs.

Treat Online Work Like a Job to Make Money Quick Online

Work at your online job for regular working hours. If you work 40 hours a week at your online job, you will find that you can easily make money quick online. It's important to take jobs seriously, in order to stay employed.

Make Money Quick Online

2009-08-26T09:55:00.000-07:00

Everyone needs more money these days. Finding a way to make money quick online is a great way to increase your earning potential. Working online allows you to avoid commuting, as well as providing an excellent income without the need for expensive work wardrobes or a long commute.

Evaluate Your Skills to Make Money Quick Online

The first step, when trying to make money quick online, is to evaluate your skills. Many people earn money from home by working as freelance writers. A freelance writer makes money by writing for blogs, content sites, private clients, and even publishing their own ebooks. Others work as virtual assistants, providing various services to their clients over the Internet.

Where to Make Money Quick Online

There are many different places that will allow you to make money quick online by writing. For example, writing online copy for content sites like Demand Studios or Textbroker is an excellent way to increase your income in a short amount of time. Posting bids on talent-auction sites such as eLance also offer opportunities to make quick cash in return for your talents as a writer or as a virtual assistant.

Earn Money Easily

2009-08-13T07:26:00.000-07:00

How to Make Money In a Recession

Making money in a recession can be more difficult, but it is not impossible.

Even in a recession, some people prosper while others fail. The difference between the two is seldom a question of luck. Instead, the majority of people who figure out how to make money in a recession have several traits in common. These traits, such as hard work, a positive attitude, and proactivity, can help anyone earn money easily.

Being Proactive Will Help You Earn More Money

It doesn't matter whether you are looking for a job online or in person, as a mechanic or a brain surgeon, or if you own your own business. If you are proactive in your search efforts, you will get a job if you're looking for one. If you own a business, searching for new customers and marketing your services effectively makes a big difference as well. Consider creating a website that showcases your talents or your products. Above all, get the word out, and just keep going. It may be hard work, but it will pay off!

Hard Work Helps You Make More Money

If you already have a job, working hard will help you get a raise. If you are looking for a job, consider your jobsearch as your current employment, and work hard at your job search 40 hours a week. If you own your own business, or are a freelancer, working hard to fulfill customer requests on time will improve the reputation you have already build with your positive Go-Getter attitude

A Positive Attitude Brings Additional Income

Negativity tends to turn people away, including customers and employers. If you would like to make additional income, try to cultivate a positive attitude, in order to foster improved relationships with customers and employers. You can also improve your networking with a positive attitude, which encourages new acquaintences to exchange networking information with you.

Suite101 Residuals

2009-08-11T17:48:00.000-07:00

My earnings are really taking off at Suite101.. Thanks to articles like this: Avoiding Credit Card Fraud

-In brief:
Keep a close eye on any papers that might have your personal info on them, which
can be used by an identity thief
Don't let your credit cards out of your sight
Check your credit report frequently
Read your credit card statements
Dispute anything that is out of place

How To Pay Down Credit Card Debt

2009-07-31T16:55:00.000-07:00

Credit card debt can overtake your finances if you're not careful. High interest rates result in higher finance charges, which increase your credit card balances. High balances combine with those high interest rates, and force you to pay only the minimum payments, just to keep up. Take charge of your financial situation, by paying down your credit card debts, before you end up over your head!

Pay Down Credit Card Debt with Balanced Payments.

Are you spending more on credit card payments than you are on other bills? If so, maybe it's time for you to take a look at how to pay down credit card debt.

Stop Spending to Reduce Credit Card Debt

If you have out-of-control credit card balances, it's time to stop using your credit cards. Each time you charge something, you're increasing your balances, and getting deeper and deeper in debt.

Make a Budget to Lower Your Debt Burden

With a comprehensive budget, you can plan to ensure that you spend only the money you have. If you have extra cash left over after paying your bills, use it to pay down your credit cards debts.

Pay More Than The Minimum to Get Out of Credit Card Debt

If you only make the minimum payments on your credit cards, you will never get out of debt. Pay down the debt as much as possible, as often as possible. Concentrate on credit cards with the most finance charges, and you will pay down the debt faster.

Knowing how to pay down credit card debt is only half the battle. Avoiding the spending habits that resulted in your high credit card balances, sticking to your budget, and using excess cash to pay down the debt, are all tough, but necessary in order to end up debt-free.

Avoid Burnout when Working from Home

2009-07-27T18:11:00.000-07:00

Working at home may seem like a position that is immune to burnout, but if you aren't careful, you may end up spending a whole lot of time doing nothing. When you're burned out, it's hard to concentrate. When you're unable to concentrate, you don't get as much work done. In addition, the work you do get done is of poorer quality. In order to prevent burnout and overload, make sure you separate your work time from the rest of the day, and set a schedule to follow.

9-5?

When you work a regular 9-5 job, it is easy to tell when it's time for work and when it's time to relax. When you work from home, however, there tends to be an overlap. While this can inject more relaxation into your workday, as you lounge in your recliner with your laptop, you may also find that it brings work into areas that should be reserved for family or relaxation time.

Although it may seem difficult, try to set work hours for yourself. At the least, set aside times during the day when you are forbidden to do any work. It may seem like a golden opportunity to finish up that last article of the day, but the dinner table is no place for a laptop. If you don't set aside relaxation and rest times for yourself, you may find yourself working from morning until night, but still not getting much done.

Create A Space

If you can, designate an area of your home as your work area. A home office, or even a corner of the kitchen table with a cup of pencils, and your laptop, can make you feel more productive.

Setting Goals

Set goals for the day- and quit once you meet your goals. Don't set your goals too high- make them realistic and achievable. Know how much time you will have available during the day, and how much you should be able to accomplish, and plan accordingly.

Pat Yourself On The Back

Reward yourself when you are consistently meeting your goals. Take breaks, enjoy a nice cup of coffee, and maybe even watch some tv. Get a good night's sleep, and don't forget to take a day off at least once a week!

Residual Pay vs. Up-Front Pay

2009-07-23T13:20:00.000-07:00

When an online writer starts out, they must find a balance between paying the bills now, and planning for the future. Writing for private clients, or content providers like Demand Studios, or Textbrokers, provides cash NOW. Writing search engine optimized articles, with well-researched keywords, for residual sites like Suite101 or eHow, provides revenue for the future.

Starting Out

When you first start out, start with a budget. Figure out exactly how much money you have to make in order to meet your goals every month, and write as much for your up-front clients as you have to in order to meet those goals. With the time you have left, research and write your residual articles. As your residual income grows, you will find that you can lower the number of up-front articles you have to write, to meet your goals.

Making Progress

When you reduce the number of up-front articles you are writing, use the additional time to write more residual income articles. The more articles you have up, the more residual income you will make. If you continue with this cycle long enough, you will make enough money on your residual income articles to reduce your up-front writing to a minimal amount.

Words of Warning

Stick to your budget. If you spend more money just because your income has gone up, you will never catch up financially. Keep your spending the same, and you will be able to work less with the residual income from your writing.

Can you get Cash for Clunkers Money for your car?

2009-07-20T08:13:00.000-07:00

The government's new Car Allowance Rebate System, CARS, is also known as the slightly less attractive "Cash for Clunkers" program. Dealerships that have registered with the government will offer you a cash rebate of thousands of dollars for your vehicle, when you trade it in for a newer, more efficient, vehicle. Despite the name, the trade-in vehicle does not have to be a clunker to get the CARS allowance. The restrictions on the CARS program are actually pretty simple. The "clunker" can't be more than 25 years old, it has to get less than 18 MPG, it has to actually run, and belong to the same person for one year before being used for the program. Certain types of trucks must be much newer, produced in 2001 or later.

The money you can receive as part of your trade-in deal through the CARS program can be as much as $4500.00, and can be applied to a lease or a purchase. Sounds like a good deal, bearing in mind that the ink on the sticker prices is probably still wet. (Since a smart dealership would have just finished marking all of their prices up about $4500.00 in time for the roll-out of the CARS program)

Demand Studios Algorithm Can't Replace Real SEO

2009-07-17T18:17:00.000-07:00

Have you ever checked up on the keywords in the titles of your Demand Studios articles? I recently started using the research I'm doing for Demand Studios Articles to write my own articles on the same subject. Since Demand Studios owns the titles, however, I needed to do some keyword research for new titles, etc. I have noticed that the titles of their articles are NOT well optimized, at all. So, for the same amount of research, I can write one $15.00 article for Demand Studios, and one article for myself to post on Suite101 that's 7$ to 9$ CPC! You see- they are good at picking TOPICS, but not good at picking keywords.

Revenue Duel: Suite101 vs eHow

2009-07-16T10:35:00.000-07:00

Writing for a revenue share site has it's perks. While the instant gratification of an up-front payment isn't there, you do get to feel the 'zing' of 'Hey, someone read my article' over and over and over... The money may not be as good immediately, but it does keep on coming, which is nice down the road. Many people write for eHow, and for good reason. It's quick, easy, and is not selective at all. Suite101, on the other hand, is a little picky about who they allow to write for them, and is a more complex and more demanding site than eHow. But OOOohhh, is it worth it.

eHow
Anyone can open an eHow account and throw up any old thing. eHow is a great place to learn how to write online, try out search engine optimization techniques, and just learn about the whole online articles for profit scene in general. Many people make a lot of money on eHow, but I'm not one of them. I have 50 articles up on eHow, and I currently make about a dollar a day. Not bad, considering the fact that most of those articles took me all of 15 minutes to write, and I'll never have to touch them again.. Or so I thought, until I started writing for Suite101...

Suite101, or as I'm beginning to think of them: SWEET101

I have put 5 articles up there this week. (and many more on their way, I assure you) Every one of them is already indexed by Google, and is in the top couple slots in search results! Hmm.. I have June eHow articles that still don't show up in a search, but my Suite101 articles are pretty much instantaneous! And then there's the earnings. I'm not going to release the exact amount, but let's just say that if I had 50 articles up at Suite, I would be able to write a lot more for myself, and a lot less for Demanding Studios. (I'm just full of nicknames today!) The only bad news is that a Suite101 article requires more work, and more effort, than an eHow. On the other hand, I think that I'll be able to put the research I do for DS topics to good use, writing companion articles for every DS article I write. (Same topic, different title, different angle) Also, I really enjoy writing a good article, without having to squeeze into the structure of DS. I may be in the minority, but I actually feel like the DS standards lower the quality of an article, in many cases. (and I know that the CE's often lower the quality of an article) But I digress... lol..

The moral of this post is this - write for revenue share sites that make you comfortable, but don't forget to shop around!

Demand Studios Writing (re-writing) Tips

2009-07-13T10:08:00.000-07:00

Style guides, CE's, and conflicting guidance can all create problems when you are trying to write copy for Demand Studios. One of the most disturbing events is the inevitable ridiculous rewrite request. If your beautifully crafted article on the architecture of Rome has been sent back for a rewrite because you didn't include the best place to get pizza in Italy, or your article about ideas for a baby's birthday party has been sent back because you didn't include ALL of the different types of birthday parties a baby could have, what do you do? Try to do what the CE has asked for? Delete the article? Send an appeal?

Try to Accomodate the CE

This is a dangerous approach, in my opinion. If a CE is unreasonable enough to send a ridiculous rewrite, they are also unreasonable enough to reject your attempt to fix it.

Delete the article and take it elsewhere

This approach makes sense, if you have a place to put it that doesn't require any tweaking, changing, etc. AND if you make sure to change the title, since that title is Demand Studios property.

Appeal

The appeal is my favorite method. After all, it's a perfectly good article, and all the time I spent writing it shouldn't be wasted because a CE is still getting 'broken in'. So, what's the secret to getting an appeal approved? A little give and take. Find at least one thing in the CE's request that makes sense. Make that change. Send off an email as per the DS rewrite appeal process, and briefly explain that rewrite request doesn't conform to the style guide for whatever reason, but that you have made changes in an attempt to address the CE's concerns. Request a review of the current article, to ensure that the article is within DS standards before you send it back to the CE.

The reasons this works are as follows: Even if the CE's requests are unreasonable, the editorial staff will probably find some way to agree with them in some little way just so they don't seem to be taking sides. You'll end up changing something anyway, so why not pick the change yourself? Plus, if you are proactive in making the changes, it doesn't look like you're just being stubborn and complaining. Finally, and this is the key point, it makes things easy for the editorial staff. All they have to do is read your article, and say 'yes, that's fine' instead of trying to do the CE's job. I'm not guaranteeing this 100%, all I know is that it's worked for me, and has cut down the time I spend on rewrites by 80%.

Make Money by Writing Online

2009-07-09T17:31:00.000-07:00

So you want to Make Money by Writing Online?

Making money by writing online from home sounds like a great idea to most people. After all, writing is easy work, right? It's not like you'll be doing any manual labor, or even normal office work. Many people seem to think that anyone can make money by writing online. If you look at the majority of articles on eHow, it's easy to see where they get that impression. It is, however, important to consider that not everyone can really make money by writing online.

In order to succeed as an online writer, you should be able to answer in the affirmative to the following questions:

1. Do you have an excellent command of the English language, including punctuation, spelling, and grammar?
2. Do you understand the rudiments of search engine optimization? (If not, are you willing to take the time to learn?)
3. Do you have the time to invest in building up multiple streams of income?
4. Are you willing to take your writing seriously, and work at it like a 'real job'?

Most importantly, if you want to make money by writing online:

5. Do you love to write?

If you answered in the negative to any of these questions, you might want to consider keeping your day job until you have the time, motivation, and skills to pursue online writing as a full-time career.

Multiple Streams of Income

2009-07-04T17:22:00.001-07:00

One very important aspect to consider when working at home is the need for multiple streams of income. If you write online, having one very lucrative client is a great way to maintain a steady schedule, but multiple streams of income ensure that you will have stable income. Some choices for online writers to consider include Up-Front Content Sites, Bidding Sites, Residual Income Sites, Blogging, Ebooks, and Private Clients.

Up-Front Content Sites
There are several websites that offer to pay cash for well-written articles. The best-paying content site that I have found is Demand Studios. Others include Quality Gal, and Textbroker. Associated Content is an online article site that also offers some up-front pay in addition to their revenue share program. These sites are an important part of the online writer's multiple streams of income, unless you have already got an established blog that is making money, or are successfully marketing an Ebook. Having cash-in-hand to pay the bills gives you the freedom to work on your other streams of income from writing online content.

Bidding Sites
Sites like Elance and oDesk offer freelance writers the chance to bid for projects, and potentially connect with private clients. A bidding site is a great way to dip your feet in as a freelancer if you need to diversify your sources of online income. Getting experience dealing with private clients is important, when writing for a living, since these jobs can be much more lucrative.

Private Clients
Private clients offer cash for work accomplished, and are a bit like the content sites, except you are basically cutting out the middle man. Instead of selling your article to a content site, that will mark it up and then sell it for a higher rate to a customer, you are simply selling your writing skills directly to the customer. Bear this in mind when you set your prices- don't undervalue your work.
Private clients are a great way to supplement your streams of income, but often are difficult to rely on in the long term. Online writing projects come and go, so make sure you have other jobs lined up at all times.

Residual Income Sites
eHow, Suite101, and Associated Content are all sites that offer future income, based on page views or ad clicks. Success on these sites depends on your ability to write well, and understand Search Engine Optimization. In addition, you may need to write hundreds of articles on each site in order to generate multiple streams of income that can compete with the up-front cash of Demand Studios or others. One concern many people have is the possibility that they may come to depend on their residual income articles as a stream of income, and then lose that stream when the company hosting it goes out of business, policies change, etc. In order to alleviate that fear, it is best to ensure that you are not depending on any one of your multiple streams of income.

Blogging
Putting up a great blog, driving traffic to it, and keeping it up to date can be a time consuming job all by itself. It takes time to build a readership, and get enough daily traffic to generate income. Once you have established a following, however, blogging can be a good source of online income.

Ebooks
The best way to make money as a freelancer is to sell your skills and knowledge directly to the public. When you sell an article to a client, you make some money, and the client reaps the ongoing rewards. Working for yourself ensures that all future rewards come to you. Write an ebook, and you will be selling your own product. If you write on an evergreen topic (a topic that will remain relevant over time) you are setting up a very solid addition to your multiple streams of income.

Are Keyword Spammers Stealing your Online Income?

2009-06-26T20:02:00.000-07:00

Most of us know what keyword spamming is: The relatively harmless, if a bit unethical, placing of random, highly searched, keywords in hidden areas of a webpage in order to get more traffic. Well, if you weren't already aware, there is another version of keyword spamming that will steal those eHow profits (and other residuals as well) that you worked so hard to create.
So, how do you know if you are being victimized? Unfortunately, there's no quick and easy way to catch those keyword thieves. In order to protect your online income, you will have to manually check each and every article you have published to see if traffic is being stolen.

1. Remember those Google searches you did when you were researching the keyword to begin with? It's time to go back and do it again, just a bit differently. This time, you are searching for the exact title of your article. Make sure you put quotes around it!

Custom Search

2. Look at the results- if you see any results other than your article that quote your title and the text of your article, you may be the victim of keyword spamming!

3. Doublecheck to make sure that they aren't backlinks to your article. If you open the page, and there is no reference to your actual article, they've stolen your keywords and probably a good chunk of your profit!

OK, so you've found out your keywords are being stolen- what do you do about it? Report them to Google, and get their page pulled. I know, there should be a greater penalty, but that's really all anyone can do!

Increase your Work at Home Income

2009-06-23T20:23:00.000-07:00

Work smarter, not longer or harder, and you will increase your work at home income with simple efficiency and organizational skills.

Get Organized to Increase Your Work At Home Income

Are you organized? Do you have a work area set aside, with nothing else cluttering it up? Perhaps you should, if you don't. If you are able to go and sit down in your work area, and concentrate on the job at hand, how will it affect your work at home income? (answer: your income will go up)

Create a Schedule For a Stable Work at Home Income

Do you set aside a certain time each day to work, or do you just try to fit in a few minutes here and there? It's easier to stay on a schedule if you have a schedule to begin with, so if you want to have a stable work at home income, it's best to create a schedule and stick to it.

Get a Babysitter to Increase Work at Home Productivity

How about those kids? If they're young enough to need constant supervision, you're going to need some help. Instead of trying to work in between bouts of 'Mommmm, he took my toy' and 'Mommmm, she ate my cookie', consider hiring a sitter to come and play with them while you work. During the summer, especially, there are lots of teens who are looking for extra money. You would be there for emergencies, but since the sitter would be there to help with the minor stuff, you would have more time for increasing your work at home income.

Final notes:

Get out of the house once in a while, if you want to retain your sanity.
Set aside some time every day for fresh air and sunshine, and you'll be more productive overall!

SEO: Positioning Matters!

2009-06-21T07:39:00.001-07:00

Part 3 of the SEO tutorial will address Search Engine Optimization, or SEO positioning. Your goal, as you know, is to have your article, website, or salespage end up high in lots of people's search results. In order to do this, you've found some great keywords, evaluated your competition, checked to see if people are actually searching for those keywords, etc. Now, we're going to get a little deeper into details so you can make some real money.

First of all, when you're looking for an easy keyword, you may want to avoid search phrases that have a lot of competition. You pick your keyword, and enter it into Google Search with quotes around it, see something like 522,988 search results for that phrase, and immediately assume that it's not going to work for you- too much competition, right? Your SEO positioning will never be high with that keyword or phrase, right? Not necessarily.

SEO positioning is a matter of how well your article, etc. is positioned in the search results, and is affected by a number of factors, but the most important (after you have completed search engine optimization for your article) is competition. We've already discussed the competition as far as volume, but let's talk about quality... What are the other search results like? Articles? News Results? If the first page is full of Yahoo Answers, and 3 year old News Articles, it doesn't matter if there are 5 million search results- a well optimized article or webpage will hit the first page of those search results with no problem.

Key factors in SEO Positioning:

Little competition for the front page- this can mean that there are few search results, or that the front page results are weakly optimized or not optimized at all.

Keywords with:
Lots of Advertiser competition
High Cost Per Click
High Search Volumes

Understanding SEO Positioning

Next article in this SEO Tutorial Series: A Well Crafted Title

What's My Credit Score?

2009-06-09T07:33:00.000-07:00

Now that credit card companies are tightening their belts, so to speak, it's getting a lot harder to get credit. (Just when we consumers need it the most!) It's also getting more difficult to keep credit, and to keep it at interest rates that aren't punishingly high. In order to get the best interest rates, you need to have a high credit score. We're all entitled, by federal law, to a free credit report every year. The information found in those reports is invaluable when it comes to preventing identity theft- but does it help to answer the question, "What's My Credit Score?" Nope. Those credit reports help you to understand why your credit score is where it is, but that's it.

Your best bet, if you want to get your "What's My Credit Score" answer, is to go to each of the credit reporting bureaus, and check out their offers. At any given time, one or all of them will be offering a package deal that provides all three credit reports and a composite score for free**.
(The asterisks denote the fact that it's not really free, but you have fine print to read down below. In this case, you will have to sign up for a free trial of their credit reporting service, and if you don't cancel during the free trial period, you're on the hook for much more money than it would have cost if you had just bought the credit report straight out. Watch out for this!)

A good credit score is an important part of your overall financial health. If your interest rates go up, due to a lowering credit score, it can adversely affect your monthly budget. If you know your score is low, you can work on improving it- but first you must ask, and answer, the question: "What's My Credit Score?"

What's My Credit Score?

You want to get a freelance job? Promote yourself!

2009-06-08T08:06:00.000-07:00

One of the most difficult parts of a job interview for most people is the need to talk about how great they are. Most of us were raised to be modest, and told not to brag- and then the next thing we know, we’re being asked to explain why we are the best person to do a certain job! If you want to get a freelance job, or any job, really, you will need to unlearn modesty, and learn how to brag.

First, make a list of all you good qualities, your skills, and your experience. Don’t leave anything out, not even the fact that you always keep your car spotlessly detailed. Everything you do can translate into a job skill that is valued by employers. (spotless car = attention to detail, dedication to quality, etc) This really applies to any job, not just a freelance job. In reality, however, trying to get a freelance job is just like trying to get a long-term job. As a freelancer, however, you have to go through the interview process for each new client. That is where your list of skills will come in handy.

Once you have your list of skills, translate each skill and talent into something work or business-related. You wrangle 5 kids to and from lessons, appointments, and playdates all day, and still have time to clean the house, cook meals, and shower once in a while? Excellent Time Management Skills! You do all of this without anyone standing over your shoulder, telling you what to do? Extremely self-motivated. You do all of this, including gourmet meals, are always on time, and the kids are washed and brushed? Detail Oriented!

Now that you have a long list of skills and talents that look impressive, even to you, read them out loud to yourself. Keep repeating them, until you feel comfortable saying these things about yourself. Work them into a sentence. “I am extremely detail oriented, a self starter, and I have excellent time management skills.” Write them into a paragraph about how great you are. Once you believe it, you can start evaluating your own skills, to decide which jobs are right for you.

When you have found some freelance jobs that look inviting, apply. Some will require a resume, some will ask for work samples, some will want an interview by phone, etc. Your resume should reflect the skills you outlined in this exercise, and you should feel comfortable enough with them that a phone interview will go smoothly. Remember- you have to sell yourself if you want to get a freelance job!

Play the Freelance Game

Freelance Work Online

2009-05-30T07:38:00.000-07:00

Quit your job, and make a million dollars a year by working at home!
(Send $19.95 and we'll tell you how)

Sounds great, but is it real? Everyone wants to get rich quick, but in real life it takes work. It is, however, possible to find quality freelance work online that will allow you to support yourself in a reasonable manner.

The first step, as always, is RESEARCH! I know, you got tired of hearing, "Do your Homework" when you were in school, but seriously- it has to be done. What you're looking for is valuable information that will save you time, effort, and probably money. (and since time IS money, and your personal effort is WORTH money, one could argue that this information is even more valuable than the $19.95 you'll save by not buying into any scams) If you start searching around on the web for places to do freelance work online, you'll find lots of telecommuting ads, lots of craigslist ads, etc. How do you know if the job is legitimate?
1. Does the potential employer have a website listed with the job?
-if not, do a Google search for the name of the company and see what comes up.
-if so, look through their website
2. Does the employer's website clearly define their function and purpose?
-If the company is advertising for people to do freelance work online, for example, does their website just talk about how people can work online for them and make lots of money? If so, they're probably a scam. Are they treating potential freelance workers like customers? (While it's nice to be treated well, if the company is devoting too much attention to you, it's possible that you ARE their customer, and they expect to make some money from you if you sign with them) If the company's webpage is about their products and services, but has a section for careers, etc. they may be legit.
3. Does the company require any money to apply for the position, or require you to read an e-book (which you just happen to have to buy) or sign up for a membership (which you just happen to have to pay for)? If so, it is probably a scam.
4. Even if everything else seems perfect, always do a Google search for the company's name along with the word "scam", "fraud", or "cheat".

Identify a Work From Home Scam

Once you have found some good freelance work positions, it'll be time to work on the biggest hurdle for many people. I'll address that hurdle in the next post: Shameless Self Promotion

Writing Online

2009-05-27T08:08:00.000-07:00

Writing for profit online requires a combination of skills. It's not enough to just be able to write well, when you're writing online- unless you're doing it as a hobby, and you don't care if you make any money or not. Personally, I enjoy writing- but I also want to make money, so I divide my efforts. Some of my writing is for personal enjoyment. This blog, for instance, makes mere pennies! I do, however, want to be able to consolidate all of the helpful information I have gathered and uncovered during my writing journey, so I keep it up anyway. On the other hand, writing articles online can actually make some real money... There are several ways you can do this:

Write on requested topics for content companies
Write on requested topics for private individuals/companies
Write on your own topics for different article posting sites
Adsense revenue from blogs

Each of these requires its own set of skills. Here I am posting a couple of how-to's that apply to writing topics for article posting sites, such as e-How and Suite101. Search Engine Optimization is the key to this type of online writing. Search engine optimization basically means that you want to find a word or phrase (more often a phrase) that lots of people are searching for, but few people are writing about. Then, if you use your word or phrase correctly throughout the article, your article will show up higher in Google search results, and it will be your article that they click on. If your article is viewed by more people, there is a higher chance that they will click on some of the ads on your page, or your affiliate links (if you have them). The more clicking they do, the more money you make. That is SEO in a nutshell!

Google Adwords Keyword Search

Understanding Keyword Search Results

Take your finger OFF the Panic Button!

2009-03-25T12:42:00.000-07:00

There are ways to survive, even prosper, in our current economy. This blog is a source of tips, tricks, shortcuts, advice, etc. for everyone and anyone.

Do you have a job?

(Are you afraid you might lose it due to the economy?)

Don't Panic!! I'll tell you how to make sure you keep it! (Assuming you want to keep it! You may be able to do better!)

Did you lose your job?

(Are you afraid you might stay unemployed forever?)

Don't Panic!! I'll tell you how to get another, and maybe even better one! I'll also tell you how to make ends meet while you're waiting to get hired!

Are you a Veteran?

(Ever get the feeling that there are benefits out there, but you're not taking full advantage?)

I'll tell you how to make sure you're getting all the benefits that are coming to you!

Are you a Stay at Home Mom?

(Afraid you're going to have to put your kids in Daycare, and go back to work?)

I'll tell you how to make a little extra money on the side, or maybe even a LOT

Are you a Single-Parent?

(Whether you're receiving support or not, Single-Parents have it tough financially!)

I'll pass along some tips for shaving a few extra dollars off of any budget, as well as a strategy for increasing your bottom line!

Are you breathing!?

(Anyone who is alive today is likely a little freaked out by the swift decline in the financial atmosphere in our great nation!)

In this economy, everyone needs to be a little more careful financially. So, in the interests of fairness, I'm taking out the Best of the Best. Tips that apply to everyone everywhere, and consolidated them into an easy-to-follow guide to financial comfort, even in the worst of times.

(Coming Soon)

The American Dream is still alive, all it takes is hard work, motivation, confidence, and perseverance!!