Forced Matrix Opportunities: A Slippery World of Sinkholes - Part 1

The idea has been around since we first ditched the barter system for a monetary system of coinage. You could create a system of growing money by making entrance to the system affordable, rewarding people for bringing others into the system, and using leverage to build volume and profit. It is called a forced matrix, and it is just one of many variations of using money to create money.

Banks have been doing it forever. They will safeguard and insure any money you put into a savings account and pay you perhaps 3% annual interest on your deposit. The bank will then use your money to finance a credit card account that another customer opens, and he or she will pay 18% interest on any balance carried over to their next monthly bill.

The difference between the 3% the bank is paying the savings account customer and the 18% the bank is earning on the customer's credit card account is called the spread, and it is this 15% revenue generated, less its operating expenses, that accounts for the bank's profit.

People used to exchange goods and services for other goods and services before money was created, and some people still barter today to avoid using money (mostly for tax reasons I am told). When we learned to produce coins from metal our marketplace expanded rapidly as more people could be involved in producing and consuming goods and services. Coinage leveled the playing field so a person in need of food did not need to exchange a more valuable item for a meal.

All of this came back to me today as I was surfing the Internet and came across a forced matrix opportunity with this very prominent headline: 2 new members + 12 days = $11,776.

I thought it has been a long time since I made $11,776 in 12 days. After that thought, I reminded myself that I have never made $11,776 in 12 days. Now you can appreciate why an Internet Marketer surfing the Internet might be interested in such an opportunity.

This is all possible, according to the offer, through its "OPFM HYPER-MATRIX, The Perfect System That Can Not Fail." I am guessing that this claim means it is not only fail safe, but fool proof. I found this reassuring as I would not want to be made a fool by losing my time and money should I choose to participate.

It sounded like a pretty simple system. The $7 fee to join makes it accessible to almost everyone. You then pay $7 monthly to maintain your membership, and when you are able to get two people to join with you in the system, your overheads are paid because it generates a 50% commission paid from their joining fee.

Apparently it is a 2x matrix, meaning those first two people you got to join are on your first level. Then you teach those first two people how to do what you did, and soon a baby sapling begins growing roots into the ground that extend farther and wider than you could see on a clear day.

The logical extension of this is that, even though no one started out to conquer the world, a real possibility is created, so to speak, as this doubling effect in only 29 days would have more than 536 million people involved, which would be 236 million more people than reside here in the United States, as we just passed the 300 million mark in population growth.

A mere 4 more days would have the matrix at 8.5 billion people involved, which, of course, would not technically be possible since there are currently only slightly more than 6.5 billion people on planet Earth. It is refreshing to encounter someone who thinks big!

Could this logical extension happen? Well, why not, since the stated intention of the offer reassures us that "we can create $11,000+ monthly incomes for our entire team!" This is really pretty heady stuff for a dinky 2x matrix. Imagine the effect of a 10x matrix, assuming, of course, we could find a thinker 5 times as big.

One thing is for sure: Should this logical extension happen, it would dwarf the generous many-billion-dollar-plus contributions Bill and Melinda Gates are making to needed causes around the world. One would have to concede, however, that raising the annual income of all people in underdeveloped countries around the world to $11,000 plus per annum would be a stunning achievement that even Gates could not match with his wealth.

But, alas, it is not be, because upon reading further I discover this 2x matrix offer is capped at approximately $20,000+ a month, which means the matrix is only intended to fill out to "x" amount of levels.

Ed Bagley is the author of Ed Bagley's Blog, which he publishes daily with fresh, original writing intended to delight, inform, educate and motivate readers. Visit Ed at http://www.edbagleyblog.com.

Hanging Out Earning An Online College Degree

Could you ever imagine hanging out at home by choice, and earning an online college degree in the process? Many people think that obtaining an online college degree is something that requires frequent trips to the computer lab and ongoing technical issues. It is anything but this way when you enroll in your choice of online college degree programs. The simple fact is that with a steady internet connection you can access the most powerful and effective programs. This sounds easy, but it does take effort. For the self-motivated, online programs are great ways to get an education.

The fact is that most online college degrees are based upon the self paced method that allows students to work at the time most convenient for them. Given that most self paced online programs are still in someway regimented by a timeframe, within this timeframe one can obtain an online college degree in a manner that suits the needs of the person and can still be somewhat flexible. This means that you will literally be able to login, and deal with every aspect of your online education, and your online college degree program specifically at a time suitable for you. This will allow you to meet your personal or professional needs while obtaining your degree.

Earning an online degree can be individually structured to meet your specific timetable. You will never have to take an online degree class at a time that is not going to work for you. Essentially, you will be earning your degree while allowing lifes priorities to come first, and your education will fall into the place that is best suitable for you. This means that for most classes you will be able to work at night on your coursework if you have to work during the day, and vice versa if you have a night job. With the recent advancements in technology and broadband connections, one attending online degree programs can watch video and do coursework anytime in as much clarity as if it were being played on their television.

So what is the downside of being able to hang out and earn your online college degree at the time you prefer? The answer is that you still must do the work, which means that you must be self disciplined enough to deal with the intensity of being enrolled in college, and especially in a self paced online college degree program. This is not a great fit for everyone, as self paced does not mean no pace, and in order to earn your degree you must be prepared to work, and be prepared to make sacrifices, just as you would in any traditional college degree program

While earning an online degree is much different in scope and breadth than earning a traditional four-year degree, it is similar in the fact that both ventures require a considerable amount of work. This means that one must be prepared to give the online college degree as much effort on studies and the coursework as they would if enrolled in a traditional program. Taking advantage of the online college degree program's flexibility is the key.

Andy West is a freelance writer for Virginia College. Virginia College Online offers many online college degree programs. Please visit Virginia College Online at http://www.vconline.edu/index.cfm to select the online program that is right for you.

Cruise Jobs - A Lucrative And Fun Experience

Many people have heard the old adage that a cruise ship is like a floating city, therefore, it is not hard to imagine that it takes hundreds of employees to run and maintain a cruise ship. Think of all the jobs that have to be filled just in the community where you live. It is the same way on a cruise ship.

Basically, there are about 14 different departments on a cruise ship, with each department being responsible for hiring a particular group of employees to fill the jobs available on the cruise ship. The Deck department is by far where the highest paying cruise ship jobs are, as this department fills the need for captains and all other officers, as well as hiring security staff members and safety officers. The safety officers aboard a cruise ship do the same job as a policeman would on dry land.

The Galley department is in charge of obtaining employees to fill jobs such as butchers, dishwashers, cooks, pastry chefs, as well as any other kitchen staff. The I.T. department can offer jobs to those trained in computer systems, computer repair and the like. Those looking for cashier and boutique jobs would need to see someone within the Gift Shop Department. The Medical department is able to offer employment to trained and licensed physicians and nurses, while the Beauty department is interested in filling positions needing hair stylists, barbers, nail technicians and massage therapists. These are just a few of the departments that hire personnel for cruise ship jobs, there are many others.

A cruise ship also has the need for many other services, and look for employees who desire to be plumbers, repairmen, waiters, bartenders, dance instructors, black jack dealers and other casino workers, janitors, cashiers, bus boys, musicians, singers, spa and pool maintenance workers, laundry staff, fitness instructors and the list just goes on and on.

Those employed by a cruise ship almost always enjoy such great benefits as free meals and travel, free health insurance, medium to high wages, free room and board as well as discounted cruise travel for family and friends. A cruise ship job will also offer the employee the opportunity to see things, and to travel to far away places. Without a cruise ship job, many people would never be able to travel so extensively.

Around the world, the data shows that there are approximately 47,000 cruise ship jobs available every single year. No matter what your chosen profession is, there is a good possibility that a cruise ship may just need your services and expertise.

You can see what positions are available by visiting the websites of each one of the different cruise lines if you are interested in a cruise ship job. There are also job boards on the World Wide Web that specifically list jobs that are available aboard cruise ships.

Read more from Joe Goertz at: http://www.ritzycruises.com.

5 Best Places For A Helicopter Tour

If you are considering a helicopter tour but dont know where, then here these article can help you make up your mind and start phoning your travel agent and book for a tour. Here are the 5 best places where you can experience one of the best outdoor experiences you can have in a lifetime:

Grand Canyon Be at the edge of your seat at your helicopter takes you to the natural wonder of the world. Grand Canyon has been one of chosen places in the country to held helicopter tour. Surely, no one can resist the charms of earth that is seen from several hundreds of feet above the ground.

New York City If flying between skyscrapers and bridges is what you like, then New York City is the place to be. Helicopter tours offered in New York City would take you in and around the city. Plus, see the Liberty face to face. The Big Apple tour would surely be incomplete if not with the helicopter tour.

Las Vegas Of course the neon lights, casinos, and several nightspots are the best tourist magnets of Las Vegas. But what could be more than all these? Behold, because Las Vegas helicopter tour beats all the usual Las Vegas experience. See the city from above and be marveled how beautiful the Las Vegas is. And dont forget to fly over Hoover Dam, a must see attraction in Las Vegas.

Hawaii Exploring the islands of Hawaii by foot and by sea would let you discover some of the most spectacular sites the world has to offer. But you have more to discover if you take those feet off the ground and see Hawaii from above. Hawaii helicopter tour would take you to the different islands of Hawaii and would let you view how diverse they are. From mountains to volcanoes, and white sand beaches to sparkling sea, Hawaii helicopter tour lets you experience all these.

Hollywood, California If you want to make sure you have the best time in California, then you must consider booking for a helicopter tour. It would take you a stone throw away from the Hollywood sign and see the Universal Studios from above. You can see mansions of some of the most famous people living in California. And at nighttime, see the city lights as the helicopter takes you to the most breathtaking seen you can ever experience.

This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included. For more information on RC Helicopter & other useful information, please visit http://rc-helicopter.articlekeep.com.

Why Limousines Like Going Black

One common perception about black, which is probably one of the reasons as to why a lot of people would prefer black limousines for their rides instead of any other color, is that black represents a timeless elegance, making the appearance of the limousine more regal and more stylish.

This type of color can give whatever make or model of limousine a sleek and rich look, giving off an image of power and sophistication that other types of limousines cannot rival, nor duplicate. Black has always stood out amongst high-class and high-profile individuals, especially when it comes to the color of their cars and wardrobe, making it easier for people to associate the color black to wealth, which is something that people would like to emulate.

Another reason why limousines like to go black is the fact that black limousines are easier to associate to a certain event as compared to limousines of other color. Black limousines can be used for proms, a night out on the town, or even weddings, depending on the preferences of the passenger. Nonetheless, due to the fact that black limousines can easily fit in to whatever situation or event that it is being used for, this characteristic makes this particular type of limousine more popular with the limousine service companys customers, as well as the service provider themselves.

Due to their flexibility of being able to fit into whatever event, black limousines can help limousine rental providers reduce their cost in their services, especially since having a black limousine can already cover a lot of events and different situations, thereby eliminating the need to further get more limousines which is of a different type. This allows both the limousine service company, as well as its customers, to save some money on the cost of the limousine, especially since black limousines can be used for almost all kinds of events that would require a limousine service.

Black is also easier to clean and keep clean, as compared to white limousines, although stains, dirt and grime can still diminish the overall effectiveness of the limousines appearance and presence. But come to think of it, no matter what type your limousine is, if dirt, dust and mud is able to stain and dirty the limousine, it will greatly diminish the overall visual impact of the vehicle. Nonetheless, black limousines are a superb option for people who are looking for limousine rental services, especially since black limousines are easier to come by, and are a whole lot cheaper as compared to the other types of limousines. All you need is a little planning and coordination, and a black limousine will be able to give you the effect and impact that you desire.

Vanessa Arellano Doctor

Vanessa Arellano Doctor

Just A Few Golf Rules & Regulations

Many golf spectators often wonder how such a laid back sport can have rules and regulations with the exception of remaining quite throughout the course of the game. Rules and Regulations are vital part of every sport. Golf sport also has certain rules and regulations that are must to be followed by the players.

Golf being a unique sport, the rules of Golf are internationally standardized and governed by two associations known as the Royal and Ancient Golf club of St Andrews and United States Golf Association. Jurisdiction of the governed rules is limited to United States and Mexico.

It is very easy to cheat in any kind of sport. The prime rule that is followed in this Sport is of fairness. Players have to be fair in playing this game.

Since its a royal game, it is very important to understand to play the ball from the position where it has come to rest after a stroke.

No assistance has to be provided to the player under any circumstances.

Unless the rule defines, the condition of the ground or other parts of the course cannot be altered for the advantage of the player.

Replacing a ball by another player is only allowed if a hole is destroyed (Rule 5-3), (Rule 27-1) lost, or unplayable (Rule 28). If the rules permit than situation is otherwise.

However the player may substitute balls between the play of two holes.

Following these basic rules is mandatory, because of the revised and updated version of rules every year by R&A and USGA.

Strict regulations are also set for the amateur status of Golfers; the site that will help in this is http://www.usga.org/playing/amateur_status/amateur_status.html.

Receiving payment or compensation for giving instruction or playing Golf for money is not considered as amateur and they wont be able to participate in competitions, which are strictly for amateurs.

Safety, fairness, easiness and pace of play are some of the etiquettes that are must to be followed by the Golf players. Etiquettes are an effort to improve every players experience.

Golf sport is not discouraging its players, but it tends to encourage its players by keeping up the sporty spirit of wining in faith.

Another rule in the game of golf is to look the par. It is poor etiquette to wear sneakers and jeans on the golf course.

Jena Luthowski writes about http://www.golfgearonsale.com, http://www.golfgearonsale.com/Coupons/Austad's%20Golf.html and http://www.golfgearonsale.com/Coupons/GolfGods.com.html.

Customer Service Secrets: Six Secrets of Outstanding Customer Retention

When I was Vice President of Sales for a New York based computer services company, I walked by one of my salespersons desk when the phone began to ring and picked up the phone to answer the call. It was one call that tested my customer service skills.

It was a call from a Senior Vice President for Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. She was not happy with the service our representative was giving her and said she was considering going to another vendor for her computer services. I let her talk as she vented her anger.

I reintroduced myself and let her know that I would personally appreciate her sharing her customer service concerns with me. I also let her know we valued her as a customer and wanted her business and that I would do whatever it took to make her happy with our company. She then let me know that someone better make her happy by the end of the day or we could forget about doing business again with Chase Manhattan Bank. I let her know I personally could see her in one hour, and she agreed to the meeting.

I put together the solution and took the #4 subway line to Wall Street to meet at her office. As I waited in the lobby of her building for an elevator, five women gathered around me to also wait for the elevator. The elevator arrived and we all walked into the elevator. I took the initiative and greeted the group of women and commented on the weather. This opened up the conversation between all of us and soon, with additional exchanges, we were laughing about our day.

I left the elevator, and one of the women also got off on the same floor. I asked her where the Senior Vice Presidents office was located, and she said she would be glad to take me to the office. We continued our engaging conversation along the way and, before I knew it, we were at the Senior Vice Presidents office door.

I was about to thank the woman for escorting me, when she walked around and behind the Senior Vice Presidents desk and announced that she was Senior Vice President and how could she help me. Lets say I was surprised. I introduced myself, we both paused for a moment, and then we both laughed.

To say the least, we had a very productive meeting, which led to a great customer relation with Chase Manhattan Bank and her for many years and with the bank even beyond her retirement. She was so impressed with her positive experience that day that she became my biggest advocate to other senior management within the bank, which led to new customers and millions in additional business.

What, then, are the secrets to customer retention and winning back an angry customer so that the situation becomes an outstanding customer service experience?

The following are six customer service secrets for winning back customers, increasing customer satisfaction, and increasing your bottom line:

1. Start with a Positive Attitude Look at any customer service situation as a challenge and an opportunity to learn and grow, and take care of the customers needs. Start with a positive attitude that says, I want to help you and, together, we will find a solution. I always say, You never know who is watching you, so always give them your best face. Because I had a positive attitude in the above situation, I put on my best face when interacting with the women in the elevator, and this led to a positive impression of me with the senior vice president.

2. Listen with Empathy Put yourself in the customers shoes, experience his/her pain, and communicate to the customer you understand the pain. You can communicate your understanding of their pain by saying, Thank you for sharing your concerns with me. If I were in your shoes, I would feel the same way.

3. Take Ownership Dont make excuses for what happened with the customer. Apologize and take ownership for what happened with the customer. The sooner you take ownership of the customer service challenge, the sooner you can take ownership of the customer service solutions.

4. Communicate Your Plan of Action Let the customer know what you are willing to do to take care of his/her concerns. The customer becomes frustrated when he/she feels uninvolved or uncertain as to what you are planning for the customer service solution. Ask for the customers commitment to the plan before proceeding with the action. My plan of action started when I told the customer that I was going to take the subway immediately to meet with her, and the complete customer service plan was communicated during our first meeting.

5. Take Action The most important customer service secret is taking action. You can go through all the other customer service secrets and if you dont take action, all your actions and credibility are lost. You increase customer retention when you make sure you deliver more than what is promised. Act quickly, act with a quality solution, and act with integrity.

6. Ask for the Business During the customer service challenge, I expressed several times that I valued and wanted her business. This lets the customer know that you dont take his/her business for granted. Its even more important that you express to the customer that you want his/her business after the customer service situation is resolved. You can also give an extra incentive to the customer for acting now to continue giving you the business. It can be as simple as a discount coupon or some other special offering.

Apply these customer service secrets with your customers and you will increase customer satisfaction and customer retention and win back customers to increase your bottom line.

Ed Sykes is a highly sought after expert, author, professional speaker, and success coach in the areas of leadership, motivation, presentation skills, stress management, customer service, and team building. You can e-mail him at mailto:esykes@thesykesgrp.com or call him at (757) 427-7032. Go to his web site, http://www.thesykesgrp.com, and signup for the newsletter, OnPoint, and receive either free ebook, "Empowerment and Stress Secrets for the Busy Professional," or "Secrets of Outstanding Customer Service."

Drumsticks Along The Tabletop

Finally, the house was quiet and I was relaxing in my favorite recliner musing on the activities of the day. Just a few hours previous, the house was clamoring with the noise of my family celebrating another Thanksgiving Day together. My wife is in the kitchen putting the final touches on the cleanup activity that finished a few moments ago.

Everyone has different ideas about Thanksgiving. My wife, for example, enjoys all of the planning that goes into this special day. I, on the other hand, enjoy the memories.

Reflecting on the day, my mind focused on a curious thought. What was that first Thanksgiving all about? How did it all come to be?

It is clear to me that our Pilgrim Fathers came up with the idea of a Thanksgiving feast. The Pilgrim Mothers were too busy doing the wash and caring for the children to think of any more work.

I can imagine the Pilgrim Fathers sitting around waiting for someone to invent television so they could all watch a football game when someone had an idea. Most ideas are born in the midst of great boredom, which is why so many of them are...well...stupid.

"There's nothing to do," one really bored Pilgrim Father said. "Let's get together and have a feast." Because nothing else was happening, the other Pilgrim Fathers got excited about this idea. The Pilgrim Mothers, however, had some different thoughts about this crazy feast idea.

The Pilgrim Mothers wanted a Tupperware party, but since it was not yet a two-party system, they could only do one party. The Pilgrim Fathers won this one.

However, like the good Puritan wives they were, they humored their husbands and began preparations for the first Thanksgiving feast.

What the Pilgrim Mothers did not count on was company for dinner. After all, they were thousands of miles from their nearest relatives with a big ocean between them.

They assumed, and rightly so, they were safe from the intrusion of company on what would be the heaviest workday for the kitchen crew.

Have you ever noticed that when you are planning a feast of some kind, relatives who never bother you the rest of the year (something to be thankful for) seem to gravitate to your gravy bowl?

There is nothing like unexpected company to put pizzazz in a Thanksgiving celebration. And who wants pizza for Thanksgiving when there is so much turkey?

Imagine the Pilgrim Mother's surprise when the Pilgrim Fathers told them (probably on Thanksgiving morning) that they had invited guests for the feast.

I can imagine some ears were roasted that first Thanksgiving Day. The Pilgrim Fathers braved through the stinging rebukes from their wives...for months.

They guests that the Pilgrim Fathers invited were none other than the Native Americans. After all, whom else could they invite?

The history books do not record this, but I have every reason to suspect the Native Americans at the time had a different view about this Thanksgiving Day feast. The primary reason they all came on this particular day was the assumption, and probably the language barrier created some of this confusion what with the Pilgrims always using words like Thee and Thou, that this was a going away party for the pilgrims.

Regardless of its genesis, Thanksgiving is a marvelous revelation of things we can be thankful for all year long. Most of the time all we hear is the bad news. It is good for us take one day out of the year, at least, and concentrate on good news.

Thanksgiving is a marvelous time for family and friends to get together to celebrate the goodness of the Lord. Each family has its own special tradition that seems to bring it together.

At Thanksgiving, we should bring a bouquet of blessing filling the room with a sweet fragrance of praise that lingers all year long.

Some of the best and most fragrant bouquets are the small ones. Remembering the big blessings is easy. The smaller blessings are much harder to keep in mind.

This Thanksgiving make a point to look over some blessing you have been overlooking. It is those small blessing that truly sustains us throughout the year.

But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:18-19 KJV).

James L. Snyder is an award winning author and popular columnist living with his wife, Martha, in Ocala, Florida and can be contacted at jamessnyder2@att.net.

Email Marketing And Your Natural Soap Business

You run into an old customer at the grocery store. She tells you how much your soap has helped her husbands skin condition and you remind her that she can reorder from your website. You wonder if you will ever hear from her again. In todays super-hectic culture, convenience is the key to getting repeat orders from customers. It is very easy for one product or another to slip the mind of a customer even if they are fond of your product.

One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways for the handmade soap maker to keep in touch with customers is with email marketing. Start a product announcement marketing campaign. Send it once a month. If you do more than this, it can seem pushy, especially in the beginning of a marketing effort. When a customer buys from you offer them a 20% off coupon if they will sign-up for your announcement list. They will get the coupon via email, this way you will get a legitimate email addresses. Friends, family, neighbors - ask everyone you meet to join your list. Keep mini samples with you. It can be an icebreaker when you meet new people. Tell them that you give away a nice item once a month in a drawing from your email list. If this does not entice them to join, you are probably better off without them. As the list grows, your business will grow. Offer a nice sample item to customers who get someone else to join your list. This type of word-of-mouth advertising is the best type!

of advertising you can get. When you have a winner from one of your contests, be sure to announce it in your email.

All this marketing takes is some dedication, a few samples and some of your time. It does not take a large budget. If you happen to be the crafting type that does not interact with customers as well or as often as you would like, you might consider teaming up with someone who does. Handmade soap making and marketing are two completely different skill sets. We all have that friend or relative that seems to know everyone in town. This is the type of person who should be first and foremost on your sample list. You need not have a formal arrangement with this person as Im sure if they genuinely like your product they will not be able to contain themselves when talking to their circle of friends.

If you decide that having some type of marketing agreement is necessary, be careful, as they can go awry very quickly. Keep it simple and dont make too many demands on this person as he or she is the one who is doing you the marketing favor. Remember their time is valuable also. Offer product in lieu of cash for their efforts. Manufacturers reps typically get anywhere from 7% to 15% of sales they generate. This is a great way to go as you dont have to pay anything until a sale is made.

Once you get a customer, keep in touch with them yourself through your email marketing campaign. I have found customers generally like to talk directly to the crafter. Many customers are involved in a craft of their own and like to share experiences with other crafters. Having a monthly email list is a surefire way to expand your business at a very nominal cost.

Jeffrey Dorrian is the webmaster at http://www.thesoapguy.com. He has been making handmade soap for six years. "Handmade soap is a little luxury anyone can afford". Premium wholesale soap.

Coping With Thailands Tightened Visa Regulations

It is the end of an era in Thailand. Political changes occur rapidly in SE Asia. Nowhere is that more evident than inside the Land of Smiles. In the wake of the John Karr / JonBenet Ramsey fiasco, Thailand has tightened restrictions on Tourism Visas and stymied the lives of tens of thousands of travelers. Officials claim the two are not connected.

For many years now, backpackers have flocked to Thailand. Its tropical climate, gentle citizens, inviting beaches and ease of travel beckon youthful exuberance. Over time, many of us have matured to suitcases and still less-stylish travelers followed suit.

During these Golden Years of Thai travel visitors form 39 countries could enter the Kingdom of Thailand for thirty days without obtaining a visa before their arrival. Those staying on longer would simply make a border run, cross out of the country and return, often within minutes. Whish! Stamp! Boom! They had another thirty days.

Currently details of the new regulations are as clear as mud in an unlit cave. It appears starting October 1, 2006, travelers such as myself will be able to make a maximum of two border runs. We receive thirty days on arrival. Then, we receive thirty days each for the two reentries. After that we may not enter Thailand again for ninety days. In other words, after ninety days in, we must leave for ninety days. Whish! Stamp! Stamp! Out!

The tourism industry will suffer! From taxi drivers and guest houses, to massage schools and laundry services, the impact will be felt. I imagine a Tuk Tuk driver will look up this January and think, Hey, whered everybody go? I like to believe the cumulative economic loss will be more than the Kingdom fathoms and policies will loosen again over time. I also still hang a Christmas stocking up for myself.

Alongside Thais, how are long-term travelers being affected by the changes? If you think the inconvenience to individuals is negligible, consider the following. Here are some examples.

Donald Wood UK

My sister and her family were to spend February in Thailand with me. They have canceled their trip. Why? Because, Ill be out for ninety days by then.

Kelly Laidlaw USA

I paid for a one month TEFL Course and two months volunteer teacher training on Samui next year. Thats three months total. I lose days from each 30 day allotment, because I have to do my visa border runs on weekend (to not miss class). This is what Im left with. I leap into Thailand the day before class starts and sprint for Samui. Then, I fly out the day after I finish teaching/graduate. Perhaps a prospective school can interview me in the Tuk Tuk on the way to the airport.

Claude DeVosjoli France

I had many plans for my six months sure to travel, but more. Im always doing something. Mahout training, an expansive meditation experience, maybe I learn to cook Thai. And, theres trekking, Muay Thai courses Theres so much to do here. Now I can do only half. Half lose my francs. Its so hard to choose.

Barry Anderson Australia

Funny thing is Burma (a.k.a. Myanmar) lost business because of the Thai regs. I wanted to hop over there bouts for a week mid-November. Cant now. That would use up one of my precious two visa runs early. Dont wanna torch thirteen days I figure.

Kathy Taylor Canada

I sold my home to come to SE Asia for a couple years. The thinking was I would maintain a small apartment in Chiang Mai, take some classes, travel around a bit and have a place to nest and write in between. Now when I travel to other countries it will go lock, stock and barrel, along with my tourism dollars for many months.

Alan McLawrie UK

Im currently taking classes to learn to speak Thai. Ill miss the third level now. Of course, Ill be off in Vietnam not able to practice what I just learned anyway. Also, I volunteer at a dog rescue and will miss the pups. Im financially independent, yet too young to meet the 50 year old requirement for a Retirement Visa here. Officials actually said this new law will stop bad people and not hurt good people. Well, if financially successful, charitable volunteers who study their culture are bad guys, send me to the front of the line.

Anita Kroll USA

This change is a bit of a pickle for me. I have a three month course this spring. So, in December when my 90 is up, I have to leave Thailand for almost four months, not three. Ill need the whole next lot of ninety days to cover my class time. The course starts in late April and Im out in December. I wish there had been more notice before the government changed things, though in retrospect I did not have to pay in advance.

As you see there are dozens of ways Thailands new policies will cause little inconveniences. But, how little are they? You see, I am Anita. I am Alan. I am Kathy, Barry, Kelly, Donald and even Claude DeVosjoli. All these issues occurred for just one peaceful gal who simply loves Thailand. What else do these issues have in common? Thats easy. They take money away (Whish!) from the Kingdom of Thailand and its citizens.

Nola L. Kelsey is the author of Bitch Unleashed: The Harsh Realities of Goin Country and coauthor of the scathing political satire Keeping the Masses Down. To read more of Kelseys work, visit her rarely up-to-date website at: http://www.nolakelsey.com.

Help, My Baby Needs A Crib!

I thought that the readers at Article City would be interested in some helpful hints about how to save money on cribs and crib bedding when you are having a baby. I have a four year old son and a one year old daughter and have learned from them what the baby nursery essentials are. Here are some details about cribs and crib bedding:

Expensive crib bedding

1. With my son, I splurged and purchased a crib set that cost approximately $280. I had a 20% off coupon for a baby store so the cost was $224. Still, that is expensive. Included in the set were a quilted bumper, a quilted crib size comforter, one fitted sheet, and a dust ruffle for under the mattress. I ended up not using the comforter because it was too heavy and I was afraid the baby would be too hot. Instead I used handmade crocheted blankets that were given to us as gifts. These blankets worked out better because I could layer them and they were easier for the baby to throw off of him if he tossed around at night.

Priced separately at Target.com, these four items would have cost $79.96. The price of the sheet is $7.99, a chenille blanket is $16.99, the crib bumper is $39.99 and a dust ruffle is $13.99. Of course, the prices of these items vary depending on your choice of fabric and designer, but the difference between what I paid in the baby store for bedding set and what I would have paid at Target to purchase these items separately is $144.04!

After my son was born, I purchased a blanket and sheet from Target to match the expensive crib set and the quality of these items are excellent! My son still uses the Target sheet and blanket for nap time in his pre-school.

Expensive Crib

2. The cost of a new crib depends on the features you need and the type of wood used. There are 3-in-1, 4-in-1 and 5-in-1 cribs. 3-in-1 cribs are cribs which can turn into a toddler or a full size bed. 4-in-1 cribs function as a crib, toddler bed, daybed and full-size bed. 5-in-1 cribs function as a crib, a toddler bed, a full-size bed and loveseat. The 5-in-1 cribs are really the same as the 4-in-1 type. Other cribs come with an extra drawer underneath. As you can see, it is very confusing to figure out the different crib choices. Here are some questions you can ask yourself to determine the features you need:

* Do I need the extra drawer?
* Will I use this crib as a toddler bed?
* Will I want to purchase a special kind of transition to a toddler bed (such as a train or princess bed)? If so, the toddler bed feature is unnecessary.
* How many babies are going to be using this crib? You may want to purchase a certain color wood or look for a higher quality crib if you plan on having more than one baby.

The ultimate choice would be to receive a free crib from someone whose children dont need it anymore! The price of a crib ranges from $200 for a basic model to over $2000 for a hand painted sleigh bed crib.

I purchased my crib in 2002 at Sears and I paid approximately $280 for it. It is made of oak wood and didnt come with the mattress (most cribs do not have the mattress included). I am currently using it for my daughter and when she graduates to a toddler bed, I will donate it to a non profit daycare center or to charity.

Janet Freitag is the owner of http://www.hempwonders.com, a website about the hemp plant and its little known uses. She is also an affiliate partner of Site Build It!, the web hosting service which helps everyone become a webmaster. Please visit Site Built It! at http://www.sitesell.com/Janet36.html.

Where to Find Cheap Purses

Purses are that all necessary accessory that women must have. When you being to collect them, and have to have one for every outfit that you own, they can be a little expensive. When your spouse starts complaining about how much money you are spending on accessories, it might be time to start looking for some cheap purses. You will find cheap purses are everywhere, if you know where to look. You will also find that you can buy a purse that is cheap, but still well made, so you are getting a good deal on the purse as well. All it takes is knowing where to look, and what you are looking for.

1. Department Store

Check on the sales that your favorite department store has. Most of the department stores will have weekly sales, and this is an excellent way to find cheap purses. Look in your Sunday paper for sales papers that may be included so that you can find a purse that you can afford. This is a great way to stay on top of things that are on sale, you are sure to find things that are cheap enough when you wait for them to go on sale.

2. Consignment Store

Shopping at a consignment store for cheap purses is always a great idea. You will find that consignment shops mostly carry name brand purses, and they are usually selling them for someone else. Of course some of the purses that you will find there might actually be used, but you will find that they will be in the best of condition, or the consignment shop will not offer to sell them. However, if you happen to come across a used purse at a consignment shop that you are interested in, you will want to be sure that you are getting a deal. Be careful to not pay too much for a used purse when you can buy one that is new for the same amount of money.

3. Ebay

Shopping at Ebay online is sure to bring you many cheap purses that you will be able to afford. Doing a search for the kind of purse that you are looking for will bring many results, and you will be able to shop for hours. However, when you are shopping at Ebay, you will want to be sure that the seller has good feedback. A good feedback rating, a picture of the purse, and timely responses to your questions, and you should be able to make a purchase that you can count on. Be sure that you ask questions before you place your bid, and make sure that you find out the condition of the purse before you consider buying it.

4. Shopping Online

Doing a simple search online from your favorite search engine is sure to bring you many results for cheap purses. Simply type the phrase in the search engine, and within seconds you will have many stores to choose from. Be sure that you are not buying something online that you could buy cheaper if you purchased it locally because of the shipping costs. Making sure of this will ensure that you are getting a deal online, and you will love shopping online when you can find that you purchase things cheaper than locally.

As you can see, there are many places that you can find cheap purse. The key is knowing where to look, and you are sure to find just what you are looking for. You will love that you found a purse that is cheap. You will love using it and showing it off as well. Be sure that you find a decent quality purse as well.

Alise Fiore has been in the fashion industry for more than 5 years and was a part-time salesperson in a fashion apparel and accessories store. At http://www.pncr.net, Alise will provide you with an extensive comparison guide between the most popular purse brand names.

Finding The Right Charcoal Grill

Cooking with a charcoal grill can provide a flavor that isn't found when cooking with seemingly more modern gas grills. A good charcoal grill will give the meat you cook a classic BBQ flavor. Charcoal grills come in many different styles and the one that is right for you will depend of exactly what you are trying do to. You can find grills that are portable and great for a picnic, right on up in size to large cooking pits built in backyards made of brick and cement.

What kind of charcoal grill is right for you? You need to think of exactly what you want it for. It is important to consider if portability is important, it is if you intend to take the grill with you on picnics or camping. You will also need to consider how much food you are going to need to be cooking at any time. The small grill that is easy to toss into the trunk may not serve you very well if you need to cook for five people. Consider the cooking area the charcoal grill you are considering will provide.

When cooking with charcoal grill safety is a major concern. The most important part of the grill in this respect are the legs. If the legs are not sufficient or are unsafe the whole grill will tip over. When a charcoal grill falls over it throws its load of extremely hot coals. Check to be sure that the legs of any grill you are considering buying has very sturdy legs that won't allow the grill to fall.

In addition to good legs some charcoal grills will provide a water reservoir that can be used to douse some or all of the coals if the heat becomes too much. Even if your grill doesn't have that feature you should keep a metal bucket of water around for dousing the coals when you have finished cooking. Let coals cool down first then you need to dump the coals into the water slowly, watch out for the steam that may be produced. Don't throw the water on the coals that will make a large mess.

Once you have your charcoal grill all picked out you will need to buy charcoal when you intend to use it. The coal is available at most supermarkets and hardware stores and is not at all expensive. In order to get the coal burning you will need to buy some lighter fluid. The coals are placed in the grill and stacked in a pyramid. Once stacked they are then doused in lighter fluid, after allowing a second for the fluid to soak into the pile it can be set ablaze. Allow the coal to get burning red hot, spread it around the grill and then enjoy cooking your dinner.

Homer Stand writes for the following sites: http://www.sdmdirectory.com and http://www.verygreenthumb.com

Video Games: They Way We Where

Video games have been around for more years than most people know. Most people today can remember the Pac-Man, Pac-Woman era. In reality video games have been in our daily lives for far longer than that. In fact one of the first video games on record goes back to 1947, where the first ever patent was filed in January of that year and that patent was issued in December 1948. Little did we know that this would come to be one of the hottest commodities to hit the American and International markets. One of the earliest video games was created by the same man who developed the atomic bomb.

In the 50s and 60s a video was being patented to run on computers. This became a reality, the problem was that little was known about computers and they were so expensive that few people had them, and this program was run on a platform called oscilloscopes, which was a piece of electronic equipment that could show two dimensional graphs. These were located at colleges and universities.

The 70s brought about new developments in the video industry. In 1972 a patent was granted for the release of a home video console. In was large and bulky, but it satisfied the video game demands of the gaming public. Later, in the 70s and early 80s, along came the development and release of Atari. This lasted for only a few short years, when the video market took a big dive. The reason for this was that there were so many entities producing these video games (most of which were the same game) that the market became flooded. The industry had really gone stale, because how many versions of the same video game can there be. One just seemed to be an updated version of the other. The public became bored with this and needed something fresh and new.

In 1989 the market once again had a new video game gadget, Nintendo Game Boy. This was new and exciting and the games were different, challenging and, best of all, you could take it with you wherever you went. There were several competitors who put their video games on the market by this time, but even today Game Boy seems to be the best selling hand held video game and console.

The 1990s came alive with new and improved versions of consoles for video games. Nintendo was overtaken by the newcomer, Sonys Play Station. The public went wild and now anyone who had the Nintendo switched and had to have a Play Station, with more bells and whistles than had been seen before.

Up until now all video games had been developed for computer type consoles, hand held consoles and computers. 2003 saw a new direction come to life with the development of video games on cellular phones, this came from none other that Nokia.

The video game industry has evolved into a multi-million dollar industry today. Almost every person in the world has at one time or another in their life either played a video game, whether it be on the old oscilloscopes, coin operated consoles, hand held consoles, home computers or the cell phone. It is an industry that is growing by leaps and bounds on a daily bases.

Taisha Grant writes about http://www.videogamesbox.com, http://www.videogamesbox.com/Coupons/eToys.html and http://www.videogamesbox.com/Coupons/MadCatzStore.com.html

Gardening With Ferns

Homeowners with wooded backyards choose ferns for their attractive undergrowth. There are many assortments to choose from. Thousands of varieties of ferns can be found all over the globe. Sizes range from a few inches to as much as 60-feet-tall.

Fern plants thrive and grow in woodlands all over the United States. These eye-catching plants are just as comfortable in the shaded areas of the splendor in the yard. You can place them in areas of little or even no direct sunlight, where little else will cultivate and grow.

Its mostly up to you when it comes to flower garden design. Its definitely important to do your best job in soil preparation as you carefully match certain plants to the location. Ignoring these principles will only result in a disheartening, time-consuming experience.

The aesthetics are simply of a personal preference. A formal appearance, for example, with plants in orderly garden planting and straight edged beds of fern may be your cup of tea. Maybe youd be more content with an even more natural appearance with uneven plant clumps and extensive curves.

Established fern plants are simple to cultivate. They are versatile, as wellyou can plant them singly or in clusters. You can use them as border edgings, along wooded regions, alongside the front of your house and in rock gardens. You can even try them in containers and use them as indoor houseplants.

While there may be thousands of assortments of ferns, several are on their way to becoming endangered species.

Some ferns are poisonous, so unless you know the variety you have is absolutely safe, its advisable to keep children and pets away from these ferns.

Ferns, not unlike mushrooms, produce spores. Spores develop on the underside of the leaves, as millions are produced. Only a few successfully land in a place thats suitable to nurture, take root and cultivate. Ferns also grow by scattering their underground roots.

Ferns plants grow rather slowly. Established plants live for years, as most people buy ferns from garden nurseries or even on the Internet.

You can select a location with partial to full shade. Ferns like soil that is fertile in organic matter. You can add plenty compost at time of planting. Its suggested that you keep the soil moist at all times.

Established fern plants should bloom for years with little or no attention. Its wise to mulch around the plants each spring season to help preserve moisture, and to reload organic matter around the plant. Finally, let the plant cultivate naturally, once you remove dead or wilted fronds.

Jena Luthowski writes about http://www.homegardencoupons.com/Categories/Herb%20Plants.html, Alive coupons and http://www.hardwaretoolsonsale.com.

Popular Perks With A Home Business In The Travel Industry

With computers and Internet access becoming more affordable and available worldwide, running a home business is growing in popularity. And so is travel, as the world open up for so many. In fact, the world of travel boasts being a $5 trillion industry, and a popular home business for those in the travel industry is Coastal Vacations.

A Coastal Vacations home business offers many perks including:

1) Quality Product - One of the most difficult things for home business operators to do if find something to sell. Its even more difficult to find something of quality plus something that brings in plenty of return for your investment so that you make good money. Coastal Vacations offers three different Membership Packages that boast quality travel plans for different levels of pricing, with each level offer plenty of income for the home business owner / operator.

2) Marketing and Sales Collateral As a home business owner / operator, youll have many hats to wear. There is always plenty of administrative work to do, plus sales and marketing, networking and more. So when a home business program comes with plenty of helpful collateral that you can use like websites, brochures, marketing and sales materials in print, electronic and fax format and more, thats an added bonus. And thats what Coastal Vacations offers.

They have a huge package of materials in all types of formats that have been tried and tested many times by successful home business people just like you - to help you succeed. That means other people will be doing some 95 percent of all the work, leaving you only 5 percent and plenty of time to do it in during you day or evening or any time work from wherever you like - at home or from a hotel while youre traveling and enjoying yourself and your family.

3) Training and Help Training and help with support are also major necessities for home business people. And Coastal Vacations offers plenty of training and a call center to help you out with prospects.

So if youre looking for a great opportunity with all the bells and whistles: super product, marketing and sales materials, help and more check out a home business in the travel industry.

Visit Dawn OrBeck at http://coastalvacations-blog.com for more info and at dawn@CoastalVacations-Blog.com or call: 810-895-4408. She also invites you to call their Sales Center to learn more today at: 800-378-1169 and mention ID# 5802DO for more info.

How Not To Tour Scotland

You are 12th in line behind the caravan at the front. A slow right hand bend comes up and you drift out to see if cars are coming, but you notice the car in front has edged up to make it difficult for you to overtake.
"Look at that castle over there, Dad,"
"In a minute, son,"
Then your concentration slips and disaster strikes. You took your eye off the car behind and now he has whipped in front of you. The speedo tells you you are doing no more than 45mph. They shouldn't allow caravans really, on these roads. You do this from Edinburgh to Inverness and back down to Glasgow.

Back at the office, "How did you like Scotland, would you go there again?""It was very nice, but we might do something different next year." Yes, well, next year you could always spend a week driving around the M25. Great fun.

To-day Gillian and I toured Scotland the correct way. We started out as usual with little idea of where we were heading.
"South?"
"Ok."
"Stalker Castle for soup and a roll?"
"Why not?"

A ride along the edge of Loch Linnhe, with the mountains of Morven across the water. No traffic. Yesterday's cold front had passed over leaving a cool, clear and sunny day. The air was fresh and you could see for miles down the Sound towards Mull.

"How about taking our little North Shian road the wrong way round?"
"Ok"

Single track road, with hardly any passing places. If you meet a car coming the other way the chances are that one of you will have to reverse, but you'll exchange a wave. Didn't matter, didn't pass any other cars. No one goes there. Except us, of course.

Sun came through the trees from South Shian across the water. Low tide made it look soft and wonderful against the light. "Wonder where the old slipway is, we found it before remember?"

This is where the people, and cattle, used to cross in a big rowing boat ferry 200 years ago when they travelled the down the coast from North to South. Cuts off a days walk round the coast, and many famous people in history have used it. It is about a mile across and the Spring tide flows strongly. Took a bit of rowing in the old days with a crowd aboard. They used heavy, caulked, wooden boats then. No glass fibre.

So we stopped to ask Charlie Moore who was planting some larch trees in his garden. The answer lasted for an hour as we swapped stories of the roe deer in his garden, the old ferry, the new pier restaurant owners in the village, and the evening when he froze in his garden as an otter walked by his feet. The answer included his early days in the Orkney Isles. He might have to go back there because the authorities have stopped his licence because of his diabetes. His neighbours get some groceries for him, but he walks three miles to the nearest bus. Lovely man, didn't sound Scottish at all, but that's the Orcadians for you.

Back to the cottage half an hour later taking in little Port Appin and its small passenger ferry to Lismore on the way. Total distance travelled? About 25 miles.

That's the way you tour Scotland properly. You don't go past it in a car. You go into it with the people.

John Winkler
http://www.bayviewkentallen.co.uk

John Winkler used to be the marketing correspondent for The Times in London. Now retired he and his wife have a pretty period cottage on the lochside at Glencoe in Scotland. They let it out for vacations.

How Shopping and Fashion can Make You Rich

If you bought stocks of the stores you go to or brands you just have to have, youd probably be much richer than you are now (even if you bought on sale or with a coupon). When a store or brand makes a lot of money, do they thank you with extra discounts? Probably not. Its the company and the stock holders who share pieces of the money pie, and its very delicious. Get this: I think shoppers and fashion maniacs have the perfect skills to make money in the stock market. Its all about finding great deals and trends of whats hot and whats not, instincts that all great shoppers are born with.

FASHION TRENDS

The stock market is nothing more than a big shopping mall. The companies that are in style see their stock price grow, sometimes two or three times! That means you couldve doubled or tripled your money, much better than those 10, 20, or even 50% discounts eh? To make this kind of money in the stock market, you have to buy the stocks on sale and the stocks that you know will be in style later on.

GOTTA HAVE IT!

You want to get in on the trend setters, not the stuff thats already hot. Like with fashion, the stuff thats hot now will soon be, like we said in high school, soooo last week! Stocks that are soooo last week often lose you money as people sell these stocks for a lot less, just so they can have money to go buy the next hot thing. So, if you know a brand or a product that is a must have, you could buy the stock before others get in on it, then youd make a lot of money as people would pay you ridiculously more money for the stock when everyone just have to have it.

BLOWOUT SALE!

Every once in a while, the market throws big sales. This is when you see on the news that the stock market went down a lot. A lot of the time people just sell stocks for ridiculously low prices just to get rid of them, just like the clearance sale at your favorite department store. Does that mean these are bad stocks? Not necessarily. Sometimes theyre just trying to clear the store for the summer season, but you can get a great winter jacket at a low low price. By the time winter rolls around and everyone wants your jacket, people would buy your jacket for a lot more when you paid for it on sale. How awesome is that?

YOUR UPPER HAND

These strategies of buying stocks on sale and knowing whats the next hottest thing is the basic idea for all of the stock market. It works stocks of all types of companies from retail stores to cars and even hospitals, but Im going to focus on retail stores and fashion here. Why? Because most, if not all of the time, you shoppers set the trends for whats hot. The money managers on Wall Street buying the stocks sit in their office all day and have no clue whats hot. They cant go to the stores and see whats the coolest new items or what everyone is wearing. Most of these stock buyers are men who dont know the first thing about fashion trends.

Whether if you see your local Target (TGT) store just jammed packed with people, or everyone you know just have to buy Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) or American Eagle (AEOS), or how everyone has Coach (COH) handbags- Id put the bet on you to notice these trends before that money manager in his office on Wall Street. Too late to start? NOT! Heck, what youre buying now might just be the next hottest thing. Instead of just buying the clothes, jeans, or shoes, add the stock to your buy list too! All I ask in return is to let me in on what trends are hot so we can get rich together! Or just hit me up and Ill try to find the right stock for the trend, because not all stores have stocks, or its hard to find their stock. Sometimes one store is owned by another store, bla bla bla. (email me at fanmail@jeffreylin.net)

STARBUCKS

If you bought a $24 stock of Starbucks (SBUX) along with that $5 cup of coffee last year, your Starbucks stock would be worth $36 (as of this post)! Thats a 50% increase while your bank account might have just gotten you less than 5%. Thats $12 more bucks you can spend this year on your Starbucks coffee. And who cant tell Starbucks is just raking in the dough? We all can buy coffee beans at the supermarket and know it doesnt cost anywhere near $5 per cup. Now when you buy that $5 cup of Starbucks coffee, you can feel better that you get some of that $5 back from your Starbucks stock.

**Disclaimer: I own shares of Starbucks (SBUX) at the time of this post**

Jeffrey Lin is the owner of Intuitive Stocks - More Money than Ebay or Blogging at http://JeffreyLin.Net. Jeff manages a stock portfolio and tries to help people see how to make money in stocks from everyday life because opportunities are literally everywhere you look. And, seriously, stocks aren't that complicated.

How to Maximize Your Credit Card Rewards

Been sucked in to the lure of a rewards credit card only to get burned in the end by high interest rates and a less than stellar return when it came time to cash in those points? Youre not alone.

For credit card companies, acquiring customers is big business, and most cards today offer some kind of incentive for running up the charges on your plastic. If youre not careful, and use your card at will just to collect a few measly points, you could get stung. But by following a few simple rules, you can turn the tables on the credit cards companies and use that rewards card to your advantage.

What to choose?

Most likely, your mailbox is full of pre-approved offers for new and exciting credit cards. In fact, in 2005 over 6 billion unsolicited credit card applications were mailed. The average person received approximately 72 offers. If youre in the market for a new card, its important to weigh your options carefully. Most credit cards today offer some kind of rewards, but which one is right for you?

Take a look at your lifestyle and spending habits. Would you benefit from a points-based rewards card, an air mileage card, or one that offers cash back on purchases? Points-based cards usually give you one point for every dollar charged. When you accumulate enough, the credit card company will usually have a shopping portal set up, where you can redeem your points on a variety of products (e.g., electronics, gas cards, travel, etc.).

Problem is, most items in the catalogue are ludicrously overpriced, though its better than nothing. Air mileage cards offer great benefits to the frequent flier, but in todays airline industry, whos to say how much fees will be raised by the time youre ready to redeem? With cash back cards, theres most likely a set amount youll need to charge annually before you reap any benefits, so make sure you read the fine print before you sign up.

Take Advantage

Quite simply, offering incentive-laden cards are a way for credit card companies to get you to sign up. Rarely are the rewards worth the interest rates youll pay if you carry a monthly balance. But therein lies the rubpay off your credit card every month and put those rewards to work. Heres how: Charge as much as you can on your rewards card. We know, it goes against everything you were ever taught about using a credit card. Let us explain.

If your collectors allow it, charge every bill you have to your credit card instead of using a debit card or writing a check. Then, pay that balance off immediately to avoid incurring an interest fee. Youll collect big rewards points fast, and itll be just like paying cash. Be disciplined about it though, even one month of letting those charges sit on your card can be a killer when the fee kicks in.

Another idea: instead of having separate credit card accounts for you and your spouse, ask for an increase in your credit limit and a companion card for one account. The more you both swipe the plastic, the quicker youll accumulate rewards points.

Off the beaten path

As rewards cards have become more prevalent, credit card companies have come up with new incentives to make their cards more desirable to consumers. Many cards have a system that provides extra rewards points to customers who shop with certain vendors. Some will even offer coupons where you can save big shopping with certain companies while still earning extra points. It might take a little more effort, but it will certainly rack up the rewards points at a vigorous pace.

Joe Kenny writes for the Card Guide, a UK based credit card comparison site, visit today for some balance transfers and clear your credit card debt today.

Travel In Buenos Aires: A Quick Barrio Guide

Cross the street and everything changes. Buenos Aires, more than most cities of a comparable size, gives you the feeling of a patchwork quilt city a city which is defined by its neighborhoods (barrios).

If you ask a porteo, one of Buenos Aires residents, where hes from, he wont say Buenos Aires hell give you his neighborhoods name. And if you ask him which barrio is the best, any self-respecting porteo will tell you that his barrio is.

Its best to take this advice lightly and sample a handful.

The barrios commonly visited by tourists and travelers include, in descending order of popularity:

1) Recoleta. Buenos Aires equivalent of New Yorks Upper East Side or Londons Knightsbridge. Fancy, ornate and posh. A quick list of things to see and do include the cemetery, the lobbies of the five star hotels (of which the Alvear is the most ostentatious), and Avenida Santa Fes shopping.

2) Palermo. Known for its parks as well as its restaurants, bars and colorful little shops. When Palermo is mentioned as the best place in Buenos Aires to go out, its probably Palermo Viejo and Palermo Hollywood (two micro-barrios) that are being referred to. Theyre BAs hippest places to be seen at the moment, where you can take part in the citys crazy nightlife that doesnt even begin to slow down until the suns already risen. (A proper Buenos Aires night out should finish with breakfast.)

3) Downtown (Microcentro). This is where Buenos Aires suits go on a business day. Its the center of the nations economy, a place of high rise office buildings, narrow crowded streets, and exhaust fumes. For the tourist without business concerns, its almost entirely devoid of interest (though you wouldnt know it from the large numbers who flock there). Towards San Telmo, in the older part of the downtown area, there are sites to be seen, however: the Plaza de Mayo, the Casada Rosada (the Pink House, Buenos Aires equivalent to the White House) and the Manzana de las Luces are all worth a visit.

4) San Telmo. A barrio of cobblestone streets, antique stores, and colonial area mansions. In the early days of Buenos Aires, the Spanish and upper-crust criollos established themselves in this area and built grandiose buildings with interior patios. When those moneyed citizens fled San Telmo and took off for Recoleta to escape cholera epidemics in the late 19th century, the mansions were abandoned to squatters and San Telmo was transformed into the center of Buenos Aires bohemia. Recently, interest from visitors, foreign and Argentine alike, has brought gentrification to the barrio. This means security, once a sore spot, has improved, but prices have shot up as well.

5) One place where it is still best to watch your wallet though is La Boca. As a matter of fact, its really only recommendable to visit the tourist area of El Caminito where the Argentine Federal Police have been stationed to watch your back. This little street, with its bright colored houses, has very nearly been touristed to death. Still, no visit to Buenos Aires is complete without a visit to the fabled street of garish colors. On game days, the soccer stadium in La Boca is another major reason to visit the barrio.

When you come to Buenos Aires, though, do yourself a favor and try to break out of the established tourist routines, if only for a little while. Just a few recommendations of the lesser visited barrios, where your fellow-citizens and fellow travelers are less likely to be tagging along with you, include:

Las Caitas in Belgrano. Restaurants, restaurants, restaurants galore (plus, its a stone throw from Palermo).

Almagro. What San Telmo used to be, Almagro still is: Bohemian. Check newspaper listings for tango concerts, independent theatre and other events in the area. Meanwhile, the cafe Las Violetas, on the corner of Rivadavia Avenue and Medrano street, is amongst the most beautifully restored historic cafes in the city.

Mataderos, an outlying barrio where the citys butchers still ply their trade, is also a find, not so much for the barrio itself but for the Sunday afternoon market which takes place in the barrios main square. This market is not to be confused with the markets in San Telmo or Recoleta. Its bigger, better, with a greater variety of authentic hand-craft goods leather and silver amongst others. In the spring and summer months, gauchos from the nearby countryside perform rodeo displays at the market as well.

Scott Ferree is a translator and English instructor, as well as the study abroad coordinator for the Interhispanica Language School in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The Interhispanica Spanish School is located in the barrio of Recoleta: http://www.interhispanica.com.ar.

Traveling in a Digital Age - Portable Solar Power?

I can still remember the analogue days of travel, when I backpacked through Europe and Asia with no more electronics than a couple of Double-A batteries (at best). I only needed them if I wanted to use the flash on my camera. That was less than fifteen years ago.

Now I don't even go to the zoo without my laptop and my digital camera. When the battery runs out, it's time for coffee. And then I make sure I sit near a power outlet in the nearest cafe.

But what do you do when there are no power outlets? If you are kayaking in the middle of the Atlantic, climbing Mount Everest, or just on a local camping trip in the wilderness, what do you do when the batteries run out?

Some say "just bring extra batteries." That might work.

But what if you have several different electronic items, and you don't want to buy spare batteries for each of them? What if you'll be away from civilization for an extended period of time, and the spare batteries just won't last?

A solution for this can be portable solar power. Devices exist which will charge your electronic equipment, using the power of the sun.

Not all portable solar power devices are the same. Some provide enough power to charge a laptop, some can be used for smaller devices such as cameras, and some can only be used for devices that use very little electricity - like MP3 players.

The amount of power that a solar device provides depends mostly on the size of the device. Bigger solar panels generally provide more power. Other factors influence the amount of electricity produced by a solar power device. These factors include the strength of the sun, the length of exposure to the sun, the obstruction to sun (mist, cloud cover, dust, etc.), and the location of the equipment on the Earth.

Different solar power devices provide different amounts of power, and are therefore compatible with different types of equipment.

Portable Solar Power devices also exist in a variety of forms. Some are light and flexible, while some are contained in durable units that look like a small suitcase or radio. There are waterproof varieties, as well as solar panels built into bags and backpacks.

When you are away for a few days, extra batteries may suffice to keep your camera or phone going. But if you will be away from civilization for weeks? Or even months? Ironically, escaping from the modern world can also involve modern solutions. Far and alone on the Patagonian plains, with nothing but the wind and the horses to keep you company, you may feel like you're living six centuries into the past. But that doesn't mean you will never want to access your email or take a photograph.

So don't cancel that 45-day mountain trek. And don't leave your digital camera behind.

We don't all have to be tethered to the power lines.

Anna Stone is an educator and a student in photography. She has traveled through the Americas, Europe, and Asia, using various means of transport including horseback, hitchhiking, bicycle, mulecart, train, bus, and foot. Her website, http://www.findportablesolarpower.com, helps photographers and travelers find devices to run their equipment when they are away from ordinary power supplies.