Sunday, June 21, 2009

Ways to Make Money

What are the best ways to make money?

If you answered, a job, then you have been brainwashed like most Americans into believe that working for a company is the best way to make money. It is absolutely NOT one of the best ways to make money. Why not?

Most jobs have the following problems:

1. The time trap. You are trading your time for money. Even if you are a salaried employee, you are accepting a salary for a set number of hours that you will work each week. If you dont work, you dont get paid. Most companies want you to work the most amount of time for the least money and you want to work the least amount of time for the most money. The job game is a lose-lose game.

2. No passive income. If you stop working for any period of time, you stop receiving paychecks. Your money doesnt work for you.

3. No intellectual capital. If you are an employee, your company owns your intellectual capital. Its like your company owns your brain. You cannot sell or share your ideas and earn money.

4. No control. You have no control over your work life and therefore your life. You cannot choose where you work, when you work, or who you work with. Most companies require a lot of face time. Even if you could get your work done in 4 hours each day, you usually need to spend 8-10 hours onsite to prove that you are a loyal employee. You have no control over most of the decisions that are being made at your company. Bad decisions made by others could put your company out of business and then you get downsized or rightsized or simply laid-off.

5. No leverage. Entertainers and professional athletes make lots and lots of money because they have leverage. Millions of people watch them. They can make one movie or play one game a week and make buckets of money because they are reaching a huge audience with a few hours of their time. In a job, your efforts reach a limited audience. You cannot give a speech to your department and record it and then turn it into a teleclass that you sell over and over again on your website. You have no leverage.

So, what are some better ways to make money without going to a job?

1. Start a business. Yes, lots of businesses fail. But small businesses are the engine of growth in this country. It took Bill Gates 10 years to become a billionaire with Microsoft. It took Michael Dell 5 years to become a billionaire with Dell. What you need is a solid plan and then the courage to execute the plan and the discipline to market your products or services consistently. There has never been a better time to get rich by starting a company. What are your goals? When do you want to achieve those goals?

If you want to start a business quickly and dont have the necessary business fundamentals or want a pre-designed, proven system, then look into joining a network marketing company. If you can find a product you love, a company with a proven marketing system and a management with integrity, you can develop a great passive income stream.

Do your own research and see if it makes sense for you to start your company from ground zero or join a network marketing company. There are lots of good network marketing companies to choose from. (There are also lots that arent such good bets.)

2. Real Estate. Isnt this risky? There are no risky real estate investments, only risky investors. You can minimize risk through education and experience.

Dont you need money to get into real estate investing? For most commercial real estate deals, yes. But you can succeed with no-money down investing in the residential arena. In fact, it may be better to start out investing with no money of your own because you will only do great deals. You will not waste any of your money chasing marginal deals.

Land is in limited supply, especially near the oceans. Land will almost always increase in value. There may be some small corrections in the short term, but if you invest in the right areas, chances are they will appreciate. Plus, you can learn to make money in up and down markets.

3. Investing in other companies. Many people put their money in a mutual fund or index fun and are happy with 5-10% appreciation each year. But, there are other ways to invest. Investigate individual stocks. What products and services do you love so much that you tell other people about them? Remember, you make a profit when you buy not when you sell. It is impossible to know what the future holds. Do your homework. Find stocks that are bargains today.

4. Selling your intellectual capital. Another good way to make money is to develop products and services around your ideas. These could include books, tapes and CDs, workshops, videos, etc. This is a great way to create passive income streams.

My purpose here is not to give you a roadmap for becoming a CEO or a successful investor but to open your mind to the possibilities. There are so many great opportunities. If you are staying in a job that you hate because you think it is the best way to make money, then, think again.

Find out how to break free from the corporate world. Debra Thorsen is a happy corporate escapee who helps individuals create real wealth and happiness without 9 to 5 jobs. Visit http://www.fearlessguides.com for free tips on career change.

How to Achieve Financial Freedom With a Powerful Goal

Some of the most popular search terms on Google are about money and how to get it, often in a short amount of time. At some point in most of our lives we need or want more of it. But if financial freedom is our goal, just how do we make this work for us? How do we motivate ourselves to have the money that we want?

Most coaches and self-help books will teach you that goals need to be specific, measurable, realistic and time-based. This seems easy when it comes to money; we just state exactly how much we want (for example, a yearly or monthly income), how we're going to achieve it and by when we want to have it.

But just how powerful is the goal of a specific income? Is the achievement of money a goal in itself, or is there a more powerful goal we could use to pull ourselves forwards to financial freedom?

A large number of people searching on Google use the term, "I want money". There's nothing wrong with that, but when people start saying "All I want is money", I get a little dubious.

I don't know about you, but the idea of acquiring large amounts of pieces of coloured paper, or black figures on a bank statement does not really inspire me. Not as an ultimate goal.

What we tend to forget is that money itself is not the true motivator. When we say we want money, we are really saying that we want the things that money can buy. What those things are is a matter of personal choice. For some it might be material things such as a new car, a big country house or a yacht. For others it might be the ability to send their kids to university, or take four holidays a year, and for some it might just having a sense of security or freedom, or being able to contribute to charity. Or it might be a mixture of all of these.

These things are far more motivating to us than just having the tool to acquire them. After all, when a builder builds a house, does he only set his mind on acquiring trowels and hammers and all the other tools that are needed, or does he visualise the building that those tools will build? The answer to that is a no-brainer, yet many of us seem to do this when it comes to money.

Money is, in fact, no more than a tool. The builder needs his tools in order to build his house, but acquiring them is just a step in the process. Furthermore, if he only thought of how he was going to acquire the tools, I doubt he would ever be motivated to build a beautiful house.

In order to create the inspiration and motivation that will give us the key to getting the tools (i.e. money), we need to make our goal the thing that those tools will build for us.

Think about the joy and sense of achievement you will feel when you turn the key in the door of your new home, or when you see the delight on your children's faces when you take them to Disneyland, or the sense of freedom when you have a lifestyle where you no longer have to worry about meeting the monthly bills.

These are the goals that will get you out of bed every morning and get you taking the steps to make the money that will bring them to you.

You will, of course, need to be aware of how much money you will need in order to create these goals, but your money goal is now part of your action plan: a stepping stone on the way to your ultimate goal. When you visualise your goal, you will be visualising something real and personal: your house, your family's happiness, your own daily lifestyle in detail, in colour and with all the feelings that go with it.

It is far easier to visualise your goal when it is personal, than it is to visualise an income level. Your goal is now far more meaningful to you, and will set you on course for achieving financial freedom.

Instead of merely chasing money, you are now on a path to the life of your dreams.

Ros is a career life coach and writer, and runs her own online business.

Ros's coaching site is at Career and Home Business Coaching

Find business opportunities at her website at Financial Freedom Online

Thursday, June 18, 2009

David Lynch on Transcendental Meditation Part One

Developing Wealth Building Habit

Finishing a Basement - And How to Plan For It

Profile: We had the opportunity to talk about finishing a basement with Bobby Assadourian, President and CEO of Triple R Inc. Located in Hamilton, Ontario, Triple R has been serving customers throughout the Golden Horseshoe for six years. The company covers a wide range of renovation, rebuilding and repair services. One common job type is basement remodeling - Triple R can often be found finishing a basement in a new home, or enhancing an existing finished basement that needs work.

Other services include general repair and maintenance - both indoor and outdoor; renovations - bathrooms, kitchens, basements, and more; masonry; complete plumbing and electrical; landscaping; framing, drywall; painting; ceramics and flooring; heating and cooling; doors and windows; siding; and roofing.

Q: Let's talk about basements. Finishing a basement is a concern for many homeowners. What advice can you offer to get them started?

A: First, make sure your basement is dry.

If your home is new, wait two to three years to let the home settle and for all the materials in the basement to interact with each other. Be aware that some basement waterproofing may be necessary.

If it's an older home, make sure there are no moisture issues in the basement before you start anything!

Don't trust that basement moisture is temporary or may "go away," or that nice drywall and paint will "cover it up" - it doesn't work that way.

Every dollar you spend on your basement remodeling will be wasted if you don't address the moisture issues first. I'm always totally honest with homeowners: if they're better off to wait, I'll tell them upfront.

Bear in mind the Tarion warranty (see Tarion for the exact specifics regarding time limitations, etc.). During the two-to-three year period, you're covered for defects in the foundation - but you need to be able to see the problems! You have to see the whole basement floor and the walls. There can be no dream basement until this period is over!

The documents from Tarion often sit on refrigerators collecting dust, and that's very dangerous. You have to put off the sports bar, the home theatre and the sound system in the basement until you can be certain the foundation is sound. This might not be what you want to hear about your dream basement remodeling, but if you don't allow adequate time you're going to be throwing your money away (this all pertains to new construction).

Q: Assuming moisture issues are addressed, what's the homeowners' next step in finishing a basement?

A: Do not build to Ontario minimum building code! Mike Holmes of Home & Garden backs me 100% on this. Often, basement remodeling comes down to money - but beware that the "minimum building code" is exactly what it sounds like! It won't produce a basement or anything else that will stand the test of time and it won't provide value for your dollar. It's truly the bottom of the barrel.

The funny thing is, there's not much of a monetary difference between good to best. However, because building codes are designed for builders and contractors, in some ways the system benefits them. Builders can save a few dollars on products, and that really adds up over time as they build hundreds of houses. That's why many of them choose to build to lower specifications.

For homeowners, though, the cost difference is pretty minor. Labour is the same - or, in some cases less, because good products are easier to install. It's really worth your while to insist on the best when you're finishing a basement. Bear this in mind and you'll save a lot of pain in the years to come.

C: What's the best way for homeowners to budget for a basement remodeling and get a reasonably accurate idea of total costs?

A: To get an accurate idea, they shouldn't try to cost it out themselves - get a contractor.

Take your time, though, to educate yourself before calling a contractor. Read magazines, literature, talk to people at big box stores.

Get a really good idea of how your finished basement with look in terms of layout, design features, and materials - know them by trade name! Contractors have a much easier time when homeowners know exactly what materials they need. If you can't afford certain materials, talk to the contractor about finding the best balance between cost and quality.

Knowing your materials will also increase your chances of having a good contractor experience - the contractor will know within a few minutes of speaking whether you've done your homework and are knowledgeable and serious. Contractors need to impress homeowners, yes - but there's nothing wrong with the homeowner impressing the contractor! Contractors are more likely to prioritize your quote and get back to you quickly if they can tell that you are serious, that you know what you want, and that you've done your research.

Q: What trends are you seeing in basement remodeling? Any exciting new products homeowners should be aware of?

A: First off, remember that you'll spend a lot of money over the years heating and cooling your basement. Due to this, there's a growing trend toward being Energy Star-efficient and -compliant.

To achieve this standard, you must seriously consider upgrading from "pink or yellow" basement insulation to Roxul. It provides some labour savings because it's safer and not itchy, it lasts much longer - but most importantly, the energy savings are phenomenal! The money you spend upfront will pay itself back in dividends over the next few decades in energy savings. It's also fire-resistant.

Another interesting basement product to be aware of is "Ipex." It's a revolutionary plumbing product that's phasing out copper. It'll take several years for most contractors to adopt it, but that's true for any new amazing product that comes out on the market. Even if the products are the best choices for finishing a basement, or are more green and efficient than other products, contractors tend to "wear their old shoes."

Again, be aware of the product options when finishing a basement, do your research and be ready to ask for them by name. Show the contractor that you know what you're talking about.

Q: What other advice can you offer to homeowners looking to finish a basement?

A: To have a really successful basement renovation, you must have good communications with your contractor. The vast, vast majority of problems in basement remodeling are caused by poor communication!

Homeowners have to consider the time they spend looking for a basement contractor, or any contractor, as a dating period! "Date" your contractor for an appropriate amount of time, because you're entering into a relationship with that contractor. You need to evaluate them personally, not just professionally!

Q: Why did you join our contractor network?

A: It's an association that's doing good on a large scale and bringing quality people together. Since I started with them, nothing but good has come my way. These people run the company so efficiently and with so much discipline, and they contribute to so many good causes in addition to their regular work (such as the March of Dimes).

Q: We hope homeowners use our service to find a reputable local contractor...but if they don't, what criteria should they use to determine who's the right choice for finishing a basement?

A: I firmly believe that there are three or four valid ways that you can research a contractor and make very sure he's legitimate. When renovations go wrong, the contractor bears responsibility - but, to be honest, the homeowner usually does too! The bottom line is that a basement renovation or any other type of work demands that you thoroughly research both your project and your contractor, and maintain good communication. If you do that you'll almost certainly have a positive experience.

1) never hire a contractor without a city license (*note - where applicable).
2) call in to WSIB and make sure your contractor has proper workplace insurance.
3) call their commercial insurer.
4) call references and visit the jobs in person.

Remember that nobody else can do this for you (unless you're using a service such as ours). It is your responsibility and you must take it seriously!

You can view this article with photos on our website.

This article was written by Trevor A. Bouchard
President & CEO of QuickContractors.com Inc.

For more information go to: http://www.QuickContractors.com

Toilet Tank Lid Cracked

Tune-Up Your Pruning Tools

After you have cut your trees or other plants with pruning shears or pruning saws, why does your tool fail to cut easily? Does your pruner need sharpening? Although it is wise to sharpen shear blades with a file or whetstone, it is more important to frequently clean the blades of your pruning saws or shears. But don't clean the dirt with water, as water will make carbon steel blades rust and ruin your tool.

You can clean your pruners with oil or a distillate product like WD-40 but you'll use a lot of labor to remove the dirt because the dirt is water soluble and you'll be removing the dirt with a fluid that won't loosen water soluble dirt. You can use abrasion, such as steel wool, to remove the dirt but unless you're careful you'll damage the tool's cutting edges.

A product called EZ-Cut, will loosen pruning tool dirt without the use of abrasion. EZ-Cut is a non-toxic / non-flammable fluid that is sprayed on pruning tool blades and it prevents rust. EZ-Cut contains a vegetable oil lubricant to maintain smooth operation of pruning tools.

When a diseased plant is cut with a pruner the fungus or bacteria from the disease can deposit on the pruner and spread disease to healthy plants when they're pruned. EZ-Cut contains a disinfectant that will kill fungus or bacteria that cause plant disease cross contamination with the use of pruning tools. EZ-Cut even has a pleasant smelling lemon odor that drives away flies and mosquitoes.

B. E. Thomas has been a professional gardener for 38 years in Southern California. During the last 7 years, Thomas, in his spare time, developed a patent pending and trademark registered pruning tool treatment product.

Scientology and the Church of Satan

In this lesson we are going to talk about man made religions, all which are contrary to the Holy Bible. L. Ron Hubbard. The Scientology religion Scientology is the study and handling of the spirit in relationship to itself, others and all of life.
The Scientology religion comprises a body of knowledge extending from certain fundamental truths. Prime among these: Man is an immortal, spiritual being. His experience extends well beyond a single lifetime. His capabilities are unlimited, even if not presently realized and those capabilities can be realized.
He is able to not only solve his own problems, accomplish his goals and gain lasting happiness, but also achieve new, higher states of awareness and ability.
In Scientology no one is asked to accept anything as belief or on faith. That which is true for you is what you have observed to be true. An individual discovers for himself that Scientology works by personally applying its principles and observing or experiencing results. The Scientology religion is about the individual man or woman. Its goal is to bring an individual to a sufficient understanding of himself and his life and free him to make improvements where he finds them necessary and in the ways he sees fit.
Lets look at the Biblical perspective on Scientology.
Sci. 1.His experience extends well beyond a single lifetime.

The Bible. 1.Heb 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: Gen_3:19. Death is not an act of nature but rather it is an appointment that we all have.
Sci. 2. His capabilities are unlimited.
Bible. 2. Gen 11:7 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.
1Co 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; Barnes; To confound - To bring to shame; or that he might make them ashamed; that is, humble them by showing them how little he regarded their wisdom; and how little their wisdom contributed to the success of his cause. By thus overlooking them, and bestowing his favors on the humble and the poor; by choosing his people from the ranks which they despised, and bestowing on them the exalted privilege of being called the sons of God, he had poured dishonor on the rich and the great, and overwhelmed them, and their schemes of wisdom, with shame.

It is also true, that those who are regarded as fools by the wise men of the world are able often to confound those who boast of their wisdom; and that the arguments of plain people, though unlearned except in the school of Christ; of people of sound common sense under the influence of Christian principles, have a force which the learning and talent of the people of this world cannot gainsay or resist.
They have truth on their side; and truth, though dressed in a humble garb, is more mighty than error, though clothed with the brilliancy of imagination, the pomp of declamation, and the cunning of sophistry.
Sci. 3. In Scientology no one is asked to accept anything as belief or on faith.
Bible. 3.1Jo 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Anton Szandor LaVey. The Church of Satan.
Their Beliefs;
1. Satan represents indulgence instead of abstinence!
2. Satan represents vital existence instead of spiritual pipe dreams!
3. Satan represents undefined wisdom instead of hypocritical self-deceit!
4. Satan represents kindness to those who deserve it instead of love wasted on ingrates!
5. Satan represents vengeance instead of turning the other cheek!
6. Satan represents responsibility to the responsible instead of concern for psychic vampires!
7. Satan represents man as just another animal, sometimes better, more often worse than those that walk on all-fours, who, because of his divine spiritual and intellectual development, has become the most vicious animal of all!
8. Satan represents all of the so-called sins, as they all lead to physical, mental, or emotional gratification!
As Far as the church of Satan is concerned, we who believe in Jesus Christ, know the delusion and deception that these people are caught up in. Many of these false doctrine are designed to intimidate, eliminate and deceive all who are unlearned in the Gospel of Life. ars.

References from, The Church of Scientology web site. http://www.scientology.org/en_US/l-ron-hubbard/index.html 1Co 1:27 - Psa_8:2; Isa_26:5, Isa_26:6, Isa_29:14, Isa_29:19; Zep_3:12; Mat_4:18-22, Mat_9:9, Mat_11:25; Mat_21:16; Luk_19:39, Luk_19:40, Luk_21:15;
Act_4:11-21, Act_6:9, Act_6:10, Act_7:35, Act_7:54, Act_17:18; Act_24:24, Act_24:25; 2Co_4:7, 2Co_10:4, 2Co_10:5, 2Co_10:10 Heb 11:6 - without: Heb_3:12, Heb_3:18, Heb_3:19, Heb_4:2, Heb_4:6; Num_14:11, Num_20:12; Psa_78:22, Psa_78:32, Psa_106:21, Psa_106:22, Psa_106:24;
Isa_7:9; Mar_16:17; Joh_3:18, Joh_3:19, Joh_8:24; Gal_5:6; Rev_21:8 he that: Heb_7:25; Job_21:14; Psa_73:28; Isa_55:3; Jer_2:31; Joh_14:6 must: Rom_10:14 a rewarder: Heb_11:26; Gen_15:1; Rth_2:12; Psa_58:11; Pro_11:18; Mat_5:12,
Mat_6:1, Mat_6:2, Mat_6:5, Mat_6:16; Mat_10:41, Mat_10:42; Luk_6:35 diligently: 1Ch_28:9; Psa_105:3, Psa_105:4, Psa_119:10; Pro_8:17; Son_3:1-4; Jer_29:13, Jer_29:14; Mat_6:33; Luk_12:31; 2Pe_1:5, 2Pe_1:10, 2Pe_3:14

Temple of Spirit & Truth Ministries A.R.Smith Ministries http://www.ourchurch.com/member/a/arsmithsermons/

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Article Marketing - How to Improve Your Targeted Lead Generation Using Article Writing Techniques

Like most internet marketers, network marketers and online business owners you are always searching to find responsive sources of targeted lead generation and increased web site traffic, at least thats what I am constantly being asked about.

You have heard it all before, all the things you must do:

  • Target your market
  • Increase web site traffic
  • Entice responses to your opt in forms
  • Collect your leads contact information
  • Improve conversion rates
  • Build your lists
  • Monetize your lists

Your question is still - How do you do that effectively?

Start by learning how to deploy an article writing strategy to target your lead generation efforts by:

  1. Researching the categories in popular article directories, and select topics that are relevant to your target market for your article writing campaign
  2. Researching keyword phrases related to those topics, for example, if you Google "targeted lead generation" or "lead generation you will find the competition is 11, 300 for the former compared to 1,900,000 for the latter, hence you would use the phrase "targeted lead generation" to attract visitors interested in that segment of the broader lead generation market.
  3. Targeting your keyword phrases in your article writing, to improve your conversion rate of article readers to visit the "targeted lead generation" anchor text in the link of your articles "bio" or "resource box" leading them to your web site.
  4. Providing valuable content to help your readers answer their questions, or solve the problem is your primary purpose in article writing. By doing so you will establish yourself as a "go-to" resource in your target market, that your targeted leads will want to hear from, so they will be willing to give you their contact information, if you ask them in an appropriate manner.

Do you want to learn more about how I do it? I have just completed my brand new e-book, a guide to creating profits online successfully - "How to Breathe Life into Your On-Line Business"

- Download it here - Free: - Learn How Targeted Lead Generation Starts the Art of Creating Profits Online

Are you just getting started online, or trying to jump start your sagging profits online again? Discover How to Help Your Online Business with Targeted Lead Generation Here Now

Leo Hanes is full time internet marketer, writing and publishing over 100 articles and four books primarily focused on the core principles of creating profits online.