James Timothy White Feeds http://www.jamestimothywhite.com (c)JamesTimothyWhite.com Asking your employer for a pay increase can be a very nerve-racking and stressful chore, but every once in awhile you need to take off the gloves and get dirty. You are essentially selling yourself and your abilities to someone who may not necessarily want to shell out extra company cash, so be diligent, confident and above all professional.   Always do your research prior to confrontation. Find out what other people at the company who are in your field are making. It may be rude to ask your peers, so try online for current salary information. Next evaluate how financially sound your employer is. The easiest thing a boss can say to turn you down is that they just don’t have the cash. Knowing the financial health of the business can tell you when a good time to ask would be and any financial research you gather could help you in arguing your case. Next step: prepare your argument and decide what you’re worth. Consider the amount of years you have spent with the company and any extra responsibilities you have taken on without compensation. List these duties as well as the relevant skills that make you successful at your job. The next thing you should consider is what you are willing to do if you’re turned down, or given a smaller raise than expected. Are you going to quit your job? (This information is for you, don’t give your boss an ultimatum, this is negative confrontation and does not make you look smart or professional). If there are specific reasons as to why you were turned down, consider any changes you can make to elevate your job performance and ask to review the situation in time. Finally, make an appointment with your boss (you never want to bombard him or her in the hallway or cafeteria). Remember to be aggressive yet positive, and confident yet focused. Good luck!"]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=I-m-going-to-ask-my-boss-for-a-raise,-how-should-I-prepare 2012-05-16 How does a creditor decide if you're "creditworthy?" By knowing how a creditor will evaluate you, not only is the mystery removed from the process, more importantly you can take major steps toward improving your credit profile and increasing your chances of getting your credit approved. When you apply for credit by filling out an application, the form typically gives the creditor permission to retrieve your credit report from a credit bureau. Once this is done the creditor assesses your credit worthiness based on both objective and subjective criteria. Many lending institutions will employ a short-term debt-to-income ratio where they calculate your present short-term debt payments and divide it by your total annual income. Generally creditors will not lend to you if your short-term debt is more than 20 percent of your annual income. Similarly, a potential creditor will add up all your monthly bills (not including rent/mortgage and utilities) and divide by your gross income. Here, creditors are looking for a ratio of under 35%. It is a good idea to look through your credit report and find the credit card accounts that you no longer want and cancel them. Most lending institutions employ their own version of a credit worthiness scoring system where they assess your credit information. The number of years at your job tells creditors about your level of consistency, and the kind of work you do holds importance as well. Manual work is seen as being least favourable, then clerical work. Next preferred is whether you are self-employed, managerial, and most favoured is the almighty professional. This preference is based mainly on job stability. The number and nature of the "blotches" on your credit history also send up red flags, the worst of course being bankruptcy. Creditors also look at the amount of credit you currently have. How much debt could you go into if you maxed out your present cards? Finally, creditors also look at whether you have a telephone in your own name, the length of time at your present address and whether you own your home."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=How-does-a-creditor-decide-if-you're-creditworthy 2012-05-16 What is the best way to lower my credit card interest rates?   If your credit card payments are too high, debt consolidation may be for you and won’t impair your credit profile. Consolidating your debt can also help you by improving your credit rating, and the interest is tax deductible, which helps your total savings. Keep in mind that not all debt consolidation runs the same track. The process depends on whether you own or rent your home, your monthly income-to-debt ratio and your current credit rating. A less time-consuming option is to call your credit company and tell them your credit shopping and you will not pay their high rates. They want to keep your business and will many times lower the rate. If the representative declines your request, ask to speak to the credit manager and keep climbing the chain of command, I guarantee you will save money. In addition to doing this with interest rates, ask them to waive your annual fee, chances are they will if you put a little effort into it."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=What-is-the-best-way-to-lower-my-credit-card-interest-rates-- 2012-05-16 What is better, a home equity loan or a second mortgage? Really this depends on what you intend to do. A home equity loan is basically a line of credit and can be paid whenever you like. Most of the time there are no closing costs. A second mortgage is a second lien on your house and issued as a one time, lump-sum amount that can be borrowed on either a fixed or variable rate of interest. Home equity loans have more flexibility and typically cost less, but a second mortgage may help if you only need to borrow money for one occasion, say to pay for a large investment. Just as any other loan, factors you should consider would be your income and risk tolerance."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=What-is-better,-a-home-equity-loan-or-a-second-mortgage 2012-05-14 How can I estimate moving costs? Moving your belongings from your house can be a stressful and expensive chore. But unless you want to give up all of your possessions, it’s pretty much necessary. Make sure to plan ahead in order to get an idea of how much you’re willing to spend. If you are using a moving company, call ahead and talk to a representative. Let them know the square footage of your home, as well as any large pieces of furniture you own and ask about any and all costs that are involved in the move. They should be able to give a rough estimate based on the number of boxes and materials needed. There is also typically a price chart showing the distance the moving vehicle must travel. If you decide to move on your own, decide what size of truck you need, or better yet get a friend who owns a truck (if you don’t have a friend, GET ONE!) Also consider what materials you will need (boxes, tape, etc.), and if you’ll need to hire additional help with sensitive furniture, or to clean your home once it’s cleaned out. Planning your moving budget prior to moving may open up some room to reduce costs, but more importantly it will make a normally stressful day a little less stressful!    "]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=How-can-I-estimate-moving-costs 2012-05-14 What do I do when looking for a real estate agent? Searching for a real estate agent can be tricky business. If you know what to look for, you could be saving yourself from trouble. In any industry, experience is almost always an asset, but it is of particular importance in the real estate industry. Ask your agent how many sales they close a year, how many years they’ve conducted business, and what kind of training was necessary. You have a right to know this and if your agent is a professional they should have no problem answering your questions. Further, there is no replacing good ol’ skill. You need to know your agent can perform his or her duties confidently and wisely. Does your agent have intimate awareness of technical aspects of contracts such as negotiations, inspections and appraisals? Most real estate agents have market knowledge of a specific area in which they generally operate business. An agent who specializes in the west end of the city may not be helpful when selling on the east end. By knowing the community in which you are buying or selling, the agent will be aware of comparable prices, and of what has happened, what is currently happening, and what is going to happen in the area. Keep in mind your agent must work for you. They must have a proper work ethic and make an effort to work around your schedule, which includes evenings and weekends to show your home (this is when most buyers and sellers are available). They should always be easily contacted and not bogged down with other business. Remember, you are the priority! Find an agent with integrity. You cannot put a price on honesty. Buying or selling your home is too big of a deal to have a sleaze as an agent so make sure he or she is looking out for your best interests and not looking to make a quick buck. Lastly, resources are valuable assets in the business of real estate. Agents may have convenient website access to home listings and good relationships with mortgage brokers that could help you out. Any resource can be an advantage and will make you a buck or two!"]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=What-do-I-do-when-looking-for-a-real-estate-agent 2012-05-14 What are the benefits of owning a home over renting? Most people dream of owning a home, and with this dream come benefits when compared to those who rent. As the value of the house rises over time, owners build equity and enjoy shrinking mortgage balances. Also, owners do not have to worry about housing costs skyrocketing because unless borrowers have adjustable-rate mortgages, lenders cannot increase rates and payments. As a renter, your rent payments may increase many times without consent. By owning a home you are investing in more than just real estate, you are investing in your future so be smart and plan ahead! "]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=Owning-Vs.-Renting 2012-05-14 Subletting can be a lucrative move, if you are able to pull it off and are willing to put up with the consequences. Firstly you should be sure that you are allowed to sublet. Some landlords prefer you not to. Also, be aware of how much you are charging. There can be legal ramifications to asking for more rent than you actually pay (you could be sued!). You can find a lawyer who specializes in real estate to help you with the legal side of things. On the plus side, subletting your home can be profitable when you are living outside the area for an extended period of time, just make sure the tenant you sublet to is dependable. As well, avoid setting up an illegal basement suite. Though these are everywhere in large cities, you could get into some big trouble if you are found out."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=Is-it-profitable-to-sublet-your-home 2012-05-14 Safe is a complicated word when it comes to investments. The real estate market is so dependant on the national economy and so many other variables that it could fluctuate up or down. Generally, you will not pay the full price of your real estate investment, but a fraction of it. Any growth the investment may see would apply to that initial principle. This way you can pay, say $15,000 for a $150,000 house and any rate increases on that investment will be taken off the $15,000. So even if the house value goes up three or four percent, it still may be a significant return on your small investment. For short term profit, I would say invest in something other than real estate because you have to worry about property maintenance and this could get costly. This being said, real estate is also a good investment in that it opens up doors that were previously closed to you. If you own your own home, you are more easily approved for credit and obviously pay a mortgage rather than rent, which is a steadier payment."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=Real-estate-is-a-safe-investment,-isn’t-it 2012-05-14 Property ownership is big business. Whether you’re buying, selling, renting or flipping, your home can provide the security you need beyond lock and key. Real estate runs a different track from other financial ventures because it’s a market that most people are involved with one way or the other. If you’re smart in your real estate choices and aware of what’s going on, you could end up richer than you ever thought possible.  Keep in mind that the real estate market is very much reliant on where you are living so independent research is always necessary. "]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=Real-Estate:-Making-Sense-Out-of-Property 2012-05-14 What is the difference between registered and non-registered funds? Registered funds protect your investments and their earnings from tax, whereas unregistered funds do not. Typically, a registered fund is used for long-term investments, such as a child’s education or retirement. A non-registered fund may be more fitting for short-term investments, like saving for a car or a vacation."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=What-is-the-difference-between-registered-and-non-registered-funds 2012-05-14 How do I begin to “play” in the stock market? Before investing your hard-earned dollars, a key recommendation would definitely be to educate yourself. Knowledge will get you much further than luck when it comes to the stock market. Many factors determine where people invest their money. News reports, world events, astrology, because the dog barked at the T.V. when a stock appeared, etc. Just how you invest is ultimately up to you, however to begin effectively, learn how the best traders are buying and selling and why. You can do this on the stock simulator on free websites, or do your own research with top traders that you know, in person or in books. In case these top traders are tight-lipped in terms of their investments (you can’t blame them), you can always model your trading on somebody who is very successful. Of course there are no guarantees, but it might give you a better idea of how the “game” is played. Nothing beats experience, so either imitate somebody else’s, or get your own."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=How-do-I-begin-to-“play”-in-the-stock-market 2012-05-11 Is there any way to predict how the stock market will shift? The best way to “predict the future” and make money is to buy shares at a very low price, private placements for example, and sell high when the company goes IPO (goes public). This is how you make real cash and stay away from the blue-chip stock. If you are curious about what factors drive certain sectors of the stock market, there are several books and articles on stock market theory. Mainly you have to look at the macroeconomics. This includes government decisions, international factors and entry and exit of well-known investors into certain sectors. The U.S. stock market contains about 60% of the world’s economy, which would make the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) a major influence. An easy (using the term loosely) way to research a sector is by accessing a firm’s securities research, otherwise you can access governmental statistics websites such as the Federal Reserves or the Office of Management and Budget. Whatever you do, remember that the stock market will always be unpredictable, since natural disasters and world tragedies will always affect how people spend money, so play with caution."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=Predict-The-Stock-Market 2012-05-11 My good friend told me to invest in something I've never heard of.  But they swear it is a guarantee.  Should I invest?   It’s your money so only invest in something you are comfortable with. The market is dependant on so many variables, that NOTHING IS A GUARANTEE. So do some researche; if you feel the management of the company can succeed in both slow and fast times then invest. Especially when dealing with smaller companies, it always comes down to the person you’re investing in.  You can have a great idea and the person in charge can ruin it, whereas a good leader can make a success out of anything. No matter what, focus on what’s on paper and what your gut says, not on what somebody else is telling you. "]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=Should-I-invest-if-my-friend-says-so 2012-05-11 Investments can be a daunting and intimidating task, especially if you’ve never invested before. Make sure you are in a financially smart position before you begin; you do not want to be nose-deep in credit card debt, or living paycheque to paycheque while throwing money into stock. Next consider your choices of long-term investments. Consider your goals when doing this (child’s education, retirement, etc.). This will give you a better understanding of the amount of time the investment will have to grow. Choosing an investment is a tricky process, so meet with an investment broker who you are sure has your best interest in mind (some do not work with new or small accounts). Try spreading your investments around to reduce risk, that way if your stock is low, your bonds may be high. Speaking of risk, if you are a beginner investor try mutual funds. They can be low risk and diversify your portfolio. Whatever you invest in, make sure you fully understand the ins and outs of the process. You will inevitably be more successful as an investor if you feel confident in the people you are investing in. Make sure you understand the short and long-term goals of the company, and whether they can be successful in their business. This takes education and guesswork, so tread carefully."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=I-want-to-invest-my-money-in-something.-What-do-I-look-for-before-I-start 2012-05-11 A stock is an investment in a company that sells shares of that company in order to free up money for expansions and improvements, and of course financial gain. When you own stock you are shareholder, and you own a part of that company, having each share of that stock worth a certain price. This price then changes depending on how successful the company is (or often, how well it is perceived as doing). So if you buy stock at 10 dollars a share, and a year later the company has grown and offers to sell stock at 20 dollars, you are doing very well as a stockholder (keep in mind you have to sell your stock to see any actual money). Stocks do not offer guarantees so be careful when choosing which stocks to invest in. You can buy stock in a private company or a publicly traded company that is listed on a stock exchange such as the TSX, Venture, or Dow Jones Industrial Average (DIJA). Typically you must be an accredited investor if you are interested in a private company, which means you represent a bank, a trust, are a director or executive, or are worth a lot of money (anywhere above and beyond $200,000). "]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=what-Is-a-Stock-or-a-Security-of-a-Company 2012-05-11 Thanks to recent media coverage, celebrities have quickly gained popularity among the public. Whether or not you are interested in the lives of celebrities, you cannot avoid them. They are thrust into plain sight because of their talents and afterward, every bit of their behavior is scrutinized. Based on the level of exposure to celebrities, the general public runs the risk of being influenced by their behavior, good or bad. There are many reasons that celebrities are likely to be imitated. Humans often learn based on observing how others behave, according to the theory of social learning. They watch how celebrities behave, the effects of said behavior, their personal responses, and then decide the value of their behavior based on these observations. It is logical for people to imitate behaviors they associate with success. As such, those celebrities who are considered more successful than others are more likely to be mimicked by the general public in overall behavioral patterns. Sometimes celebrities are warned of this directly. For instance, the Australian Football League takes the time to teach each player how to be a role model. They train indigenous athletes to be role models as well. However, not every celebrity wants to accept the status as a role model. A former basketball player from the NBA, Charles Barkley made the public statement that he was not a role model because he was not paid as such. Today, celebrities are mass marketed to younger generations because the younger generations are more in tune with media. Media is readily available and as such, younger people are more likely to observe the behavior of celebrities at an age when they are forming their personal values. Research demonstrates that athletes have a particularly strong influence on younger people based on their desired career and how they view themselves. Younger kids look up to athletes to see what brands or products are “cool”. In fact, athlete celebrities are second in terms of role models to fathers. Additional research demonstrates that the popularity of celebrities is not just among younger generations but among older generations who take an interest so that they can better form social networks with other people. Thanks to the perception of success, celebrity behavior continues to have a significant effect on the public and the younger generations in particular. They serve as examples for success in a particular field or career but may not be the best choice in terms of instilling moral values among the younger generations. Some have posited that it would be a terrible place if parents were no longer the role models children used but random celebrities. "]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=The-Aphrodisiac-of-Celebrity 2012-05-03 For decades married men like Tiger Woods have been having sex with a great handful of women and that does not change. But why is everyone so fascinated by it? One of the first reasons is obvious. Everyone knows his name. They have seen him on television and feel like they know him personally to a small extent. Everyone has watched Tiger Woods do his famous fist pump after making a putt. Everyone also knows that when he is exploited in the news, he will become the talk of the week at work, adding incentive to care. As a human, we enjoy talking with other humans. But above and beyond that, everyone admires his golf ability. People who can do amazing things in one particular area are often perceived with the “halo effect” by the general public. While it might seem absurd to think that just because Tiger Woods is good at golf he is somehow more moral, intelligent, etc… it is true. The moment that halo is broken, the public often gets irate or annoyed. Another reason for the fascination with celebrities is part of the terror management theory. This theory assumes that people often want to live as long as possible. The thought of dying is disturbing and as such, humans naturally ignore death, overestimate their personal health, and underestimate risk for disease. They invest in meaning systems which will prevail long after their death. The idea of death is upsetting and can scare many people but believing that there is life after death helps people to better come to terms with the idea of death, whether the “after life” is through loves ones, through spiritual beliefs, or through cultural beliefs. This relates to celebrities because people love celebrities for the cultural role they place. They are a major part of the view of the world. Worshipping celebrities to an extent makes people feel as though they are part of an important belief system or cause which gives means to life and as such reduces the sting of death. People are able to cope with understanding they will die if they can love fame and celebrities. As such, finding out that a famous star who is adored and worshipped had sex with many women means that the public loses faith in the key figure in their cultural world view. It means that an element in their belief system was broken. On certain levels, acts of adultery like those of Tiger Woods make the general public more uncomfortable with their own inevitable death. "]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=Why-Are-People-So-Fascinated-with-Celebrities 2012-05-03 If you plan on balancing love and business, you need to find someone you love, who can also fit into your business mentality. And when it comes to business, the constant changing climate makes things intriguing. But with relationships, that dynamic may remain a bit more static. The main killer of relationships is not a bad haircut, but boredom. People seem to simply get bored of each other’s company. When the buzz and excitement of being together fades away, you start building a relationship with new tracks- less about excitement and more about, well, adult things. Time puts pressure on people, and this can allow a relationship to change drastically and unpredictably. For example, a relationship is great for years, until one of you finds that they are missing an opportunity to go back to school. Relationships are meant to alter over time. When you make a commitment to someone, you are doing this for life. Do not suppose that you can learn everyone about someone after a year, or even a decade. It is a constant growing process, and this time changes people. Be alert to the changing needs, and do not let boredom get the best of either of you. Lost love often goes hand in hand with boredom. To realign, assess some questions to yourself and your partner. Why are you together? What are your relationship goals for the future? How can you improve? What have you accomplished so far? These questions reflect a theme of being better and happier people together. If you are not happy, it needs to be addressed. Many people ignore this, and allow the relationship to eat itself from the inside. It is not easy to address unhappiness, and where it is coming from. But by being transparent, you can witness problems in your partner and the problems in you. Be careful not to be a hypochondriac. Many women take this too literally, and may dig into scenarios and issues that may not have any depth. Boredom will kill, but is the boredom deriving from, lack of excitement, a poor relationship that needs to end, or self-infused exaggerations and insecurity? A relationship is meant to be a commitment for a long period of time, essentially forever. If you do not stay in tuned to the altering landscape of your significant other, you may find yourself caught off guard with a bored man- or a bored you. Check in periodically and establish yours and his changing needs. Boredom comes from monotony and poor communication. Communicate needs need to be addressed regularly. As far as boredom itself, try to make goals. Relationship goals give clarity to the future, and help deter boredom where it may feel like you are spinning wheels. Boredom kills because getting over boredom is hard. Both of you must make a conscious effort to realign your needs and work together into the future. If issues occur, ignoring them fosters resentment and boredom. You may find that continuing this relationship is not worth the effort. But if you truly believe that your love is eternal and you need to stay together, try establishing what is wrong and how things can be changed. Assess your goals together, and make conscious efforts to dissuade boredom. A relationship may have run its course, and that is fine. But before giving up, understand why this relationship may be ending and how it can be fixed, if at all. Do not let laziness be the ultimate fallacy of your relationship. But keep in mind, a relationship does not have to be forever for it to be important. Many relationships end, yet the people still remain relevant to each other. Their situation has changed, but they still care for each other. Consider it an evolution. You may know how to understand a man or a woman, how to appeal to them, and how to sustain longevity. But you also should understand how it can end, and when it may be healthy to close that chapter of your life and perhaps open another. Love is confusing. Love is tricky, it is hard, it is magical, and it is deceiving. Love has approximately 35 billion songs to its credits, and 350 billion movies. Love gave Hallmark a name, and made sad stuff even sadder. Love ended lives and created new ones. Love gave meaning to a hug. Without love, the phrase “Love is Eternal” would be “Stuff is Cool for a Long Time.” Your entire self-worth could likely be extrapolated from love in all its many forms. Finding love is the most natural but also most universally acceptable goal of our society. But you cannot find love without understanding how those you love, or may love, act. I guess you could substantiate some sort of lackluster preference for each other, or watch television and eat dinner together in silence for thirty years. But to obtain any sort of redeeming and worthwhile love, it takes a conscious effort to understand your potential partner for life. From the very first eye contact, to the fifty year wedding anniversary, there are things you can do to establish your love more fluidly and build on love like a tower of cards that never falls. Love is gorgeous and existential, but it can hurt like a shark bite. Here are some basic ideas to follow as you pursue business alongside growing and finding love: The online dating environment holds love, but it must be ciphered. By building a quality profile and being eccentric and extroverted, you will increase your chances in an environment that does not demand you talking in person for success, at least in the beginning. Finding love is difficult, and will take time. Playing to the idea of dodge ball, finding love is like catching the right ball. Help those find love and you will find it yourself. Understanding that there will be pitfalls in a relationship can do a lot in preparing you for the worst. Do not get overconfident with a relationship, and expect a little something here and there to pop up like the pain of reality is well known for. Never underestimate proper communication. Communicating in different ways is essential, and learning to feel your partner for their communicating style will allow the puzzle pieces of communication to mold together perfectly and help create a larger image of love and passion long into life. Trust is to be earned. Use trust as an outlet to obtaining a higher level within a relationship. Do not forgo trust easily, and don’t settle for less. Be vulnerable while being happy. Be dependent while being confident. Trust is a massive piece of the puzzle. The sooner you realize this, the sooner a relationship can gather steam and move past that first huge bump in the road. Study the world, and use that to your advantage. Being able to remain fascinated by your partner takes the ability to build on new ideas and new things in life. Grow and learn and know a little about a lot of different things to expand your repertoire and remain a polarizing yet phenomenal person through and through. Be mysterious yet transparent. Use this balance to succeed brilliantly with a relationship you can get behind. Relationships are not easy to sustain. Just like keeping a business alive, it takes work and it takes time. Hopefully you have obtained a foundation, or perhaps a different perspective on love, hopefully with a little light-hearted charm. You can distract yourself for decades with books about love, and advice from friends. But the best way to learn is to experience it all yourself. Love has a nasty habit of constantly evolving and being a troublesome thing to tackle down and grasp. But the core idea is always the same. Love makes you happy. Love gives meaning. Life can be fought without love, but love is the most momentous and powerful feeling one can have. You work at it, you hope for the best, and you be the best person you can be. If you hold true to yourself, and consciously improve yourself for the better, love will come to find you. Of course, for those of us who are impatient, you can go out and find it. Love is puzzling. Making a business is equally so. But with both components, everything becomes all the more exciting and endearing. When and How to Reward Yourself As you prepare a small business, money can be an overwhelming aspect. For one you need money to continue the business, and even further, you need money to survive to a certain standard. As your business grows, and your relationships are sustained, you need to make sure that you are enjoying it all the same. Without the fun, there is little use on continuing the business. It is suggested to create personal milestones for you, and reward yourself appropriately. Buy things! Go have fun! As your business grows, purchase or do extracurricular things to make life all the more entertaining. As I begin my business, I used most of my money to keep the business alive. I took a little out to pay for the necessities of my life. But for the most part, the bulk went back into the business. Yet as I continued growing the business, I realized that if I wasn’t rewarding myself, I became disappointed. Sure, a large part of business is establishing that initial bankroll and keeping the business alive. But as time goes on, reward yourself with a little bonus “something.” This keeps your motivation high, and helps to balance out the entirety of your life. Go skydiving. Go on a vacation. Buy a new bike. Reward yourself with something desirable to keep your mind enticed by the growth of a business. It is also wholly satisfying to enjoy something, knowing that the purchase of it was done through a self-made business. When it comes to love, perhaps use a small portion of your business money to buy something or do something nice for a loved one. If you are not appreciating the money you are earning, the act of building and advancing a business forward becomes blurred. The idea is to make money and be self-sustaining, perhaps even rich. But there is a lot to be said for enjoying the path there. You may find enjoyment from simply working the business into greater levels of success, but you can always reward yourself with tangible and intangible little goodies as you go. If anything, your loved ones will appreciate it, and will motivate you further to succeed and grow. Despite all the modicums of business success, the greatest is freedom. For almost all entrepreneurs, it is the pursuit of freedom that becomes the most enticing. Many are more than comfortable dabbling in a career, earning a consistent salary, and closing their work day appropriately. Their time may not be their own exactly, but the risk is lower. Yet with unemployment rates skyrocketing and job security being wavered with tighter budgets, the risk level of a career path is becoming higher. Being a business owner is growing in popularity, but it still requires a certain type of person to reach success. As you grow your business, always be aware of the amount of fun you are incurring. The task may be arduous, and it may take away from other things you may want to accomplish, but be aware that if the adventure is not fun or satisfying, then it may not being an adventure worth pursuing. As well, building and sustaining relationships is just as important. A lone business owner is no business owner at all. Build relationships with loved ones, and make sure they are comfortable with your chosen path in life. Be communicative, and keep love close as you expand and explore the avenues of self-employment. It is important you keep a quality mentality. Balance out love and business, and remember, unsupportive loved ones will determine the quality of your mentality. Set goals consistently, and express these goals with loved ones. Have short term goals, middle term, and long term goals. All are invaluable and keeping you on the right course. As well, it helps to keep the transparency high between you and loved ones. You can discuss a business future together without the barrier of business and love being too high and mysterious. There is a grim reality with business. You are not entitled to a success any more than anyone else. Bad things happen, and bad things happen often. Relay that to loved ones and make sure everyone understands the risks. With proper knowledge and preparation, you can minimize risk. But the world of business is a tough one that can consume you. Be aware enough to know that business often is merciless, but also wholly enthralling. Involving those you love can offer a new unique perspective. The help can be amazing, but it is also comforting knowing that you are growing directly with a loved one in a personal and business sense. Some appreciate having those they love closely involved. Consider this route as you grow your business and need help to alleviate key kinks in your operation. Teamwork is ideal. No business is built and held on the shoulders of one. It takes many to build and sustain a business. Be aware of this implicit need. Having help can make the whole affair more entertaining and, ultimately, rewarding. If you do not have someone you love, find them! Small business creation can be more satisfying with a love in your life. But it is more satisfying in almost every facet of your life to have someone you love involved. Love is powerful, and can expand your life in many ways. Never close yourself off, and always leave that opportunity open. Consider it an investment! The main idea is to have fun. As your business continues to succeed, reward yourself! Go on a vacation or buy something nice for a loved one. Businesses are meant to earn you money, and that money is meant to make your life more comfortable. But on the path to success and self-sustainment, keep yourself involved with the reality of life with nice little rewards along the way."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=Finding-Love-While-in-Business 2012-04-21 Football is a team sport. It relies on the undertaking of a whole group to succeed. Many sports and activities rely on a team mentality to succeed. Yet golfing is a singular sport, with absolutely no association to other players, beyond the competitive angle of an opponent. Yet I believe that many golfers will argue against this. It is their support team that helps them in the game. Perhaps it is their loved ones that pushes them and helps to develop their game, or their trainer. It is a team activity despite it consistently of a single player hitting a single ball. The point here is that many activities may at first blush be singular, but may actually involve a team. When love is involved, the idea of teamwork pours into every aspect of culture. A business succeeds on the merit of its team. With that in mind, you may want to acquire the help of others who can assist you in the process of building a business. At some point, it may be easier to allocate tasks to others. They may be people who you find looking for work, or they may be family. But in almost all circumstances, there can be a way for a significant other to help with the task of keeping a small business alive. Even if they do not assist directly, keep in mind that it is rare that a business is sustained be one individual. It is often a collective of many people (perhaps gather ideas from others) or literally having others assist in the construct of the business. Always be willing to gain help as you accomplish tasks in your business. This camaraderie will make a business more entertaining. The help of others can make the business stronger, but it also satiates a simple human desire- interaction. In truth, no business is a sole effort. The sooner you take the help of others, who are offering it, the quicker you can find enjoyment and satisfaction from your small business endeavors."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=There-is-no-I-in-Team-in-Businesses 2012-04-21 Many people find it pivotal to involve those they love in an indirect and even direct manner. Sometimes a business may be established as a partnership. Of course, one partner is you, and the other could be your loved one, such as a spouse or girlfriend. On paper, you are equals. Without that direct assistance, the business would not have witnessed the growth it has (or the lack thereof). Others insist on distancing their loved ones from the business, and this is a fair assessment. It may bring unnecessary conflict, and some simply have the preference of separating business and personal. Of course, this can be a difficult task as a business owner but regardless, the business is theirs. Now they may desire help indirectly such as asking for personal opinions, or they may not use their help at all. Involving those who love is a testy subject that should be handled delicately. If you tend to argue about even the smallest things, it is probably ill-advised. This takes a personal assessment that you would know better than anyone else. Do you and your significant other agree extensively when it comes to business? Having loved ones involved in a decision making process can be an interesting addition. They may see things that you would have otherwise missed. Yet it was there unique external perspective that added a much needed component to an idea. Of course, you can allocate tasks without taking a financial burden. If you seek employees, or a business partner, a loved one can be a viable opportunity to save on cost and obtain someone trustworthy. Many small businesses rely solely on business help. This established trust is cost effective and beneficial to the business as a whole. Yet sometimes you hear stories of family taking advantage of their position. Involving those you love can be tricky, and it can backfire. But a way to sustain longevity in business and love may be in establishing an open communication between the two. Having a loved one personally help can offer that intriguing external perspective. As well, it can be very fun. There is a special association that loved ones procure that could make the creation, expansion, and growth of a business all the more fun. If the act of building a business isn’t fun, what else is there?"]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=Involving-Those-You-Love-In-Entrepreneurship-Businesses 2012-04-21 Jason Mraz recently began rehearsal with a new band at a studio located near the airport in Burbank. The singer/songwriter is based out of San Diego and mentioned that he invited many people to come to his audition including those he loved and with whom he wanted to work, but he knew he could not hire everyone. With only five positions to fill, he quickly began to feel like he had to break up with so many people, calling them to let them know that things would not work out between them. This theme of breaking up happens to be the center of the newest single produced by the young star “I Won’t Give Up” from his fourth album “Love is a Four Letter Word”. The songwriter declares that it is not a break up album though it was written when he was unsure of what was to come from the inside of his relationship. This relationship was the broken engagement he had with Tristan Prettyman, another singer/songwriter. However, Mraz—who has twon two Grammy’s—claims that the message of his newest single and album should be taken figuratively rather than literally. The album is a compilation of love songs but not just romantic love songs. The songs should express compassion, love, and empathy which consume the natural world. Mraz discovered at the end of writing all twelve songs that he truly did not know what love was in spite of songwriting exploration. Hence the title expressing that all he knows of love is that it is a four letter word. The album title has led to the tour title of “Tour is a Four Letter Word” which is set to begin in South Korea. Taking on the Greek meaning of his name as “healer” Mraz has dedicated himself to taking on the role of healer in his music and his work. As such, he created a foundation which supports human rights, the environment, education, and addiction assistance. He is also a supporter of marriage equality. He believes that equal rights for the gay community are the last step in the civil rights movement. This is the cornerstone of his song titled “I Won’t Give Up”. He is adamant that no dream should be considered too small or too large, but that everything is worth fighting to obtain."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=Jason-Mraz-Not-Giving-Up 2012-04-18 The famous star, Robin Gibb from the classic rock and disco group the Bee Gees was recently in a coma after being diagnosed with pneumonia. He is currently battling liver cancer and colon cancer while his family remains at his bedside. His website states that everyone is praying and hoping that he will pull through and some of his other supports include Diane Warren and Peter Frampton. He had bowel surgery in 2010 and is sixty two years of age. It is believed now that he has a secondary tumor, according to his doctors. In 2010 he had emergency surgery to fix a blocked bowel and an additional surgery for a twisted bowel. The news has initiated major support within the music community and via social networking sites. Peter Frampton commented on the news via his Twitter account, sending positive thoughts and messages to him and his family, wishing for a speeding recovery. Julian Lennon, John Lennon’s son, offered support, as did Jackie Jackson, former member of the Jackson 5. Diane Warren who wrote and produced popular songs for Justin Bieber and Aretha Franklin has described Gibb as one of the ultimate songwriters in history. In 2003, Gibb’s twin Maurice died of a twisted bowel and his other brother, Andy, died from a heart infection at the age of 30. The Bee Gees—founded by the Brothers Gibb—became one of the most successful British music groups after a feature film “Saturday Night Fever” which was released in 1977 was showcased around their music. They were inducted in 1997 into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame after having sold over two hundred million albums. The soundtrack which accompanied the film “Saturday Night Fever” was one of the top-selling albums until “Thriller” by Michael Jackson was released in the 1980s. While Robin Gibb was often in the background to his brother Barry on lead vocals, he was able to step forward during tunes such as “I’ve Gotta Get a Message to You” and “I Started a Joke”. Throughout his career he also released many solo albums. "]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=Robin-Gibb-in-a-coma 2012-04-17 Calories in and calories out is a mantra that is often repeated in relation to weight loss. There is growing proof, however, that this theory is over simplified and calories are not the only factor in achieving lasting weight loss and increased health and nutrition. Health and Nutrition – Can you Really Lose Weight by Eating More Calories? It is widely recognized that being a healthy body weight for your height is a good indicator of one’s health and nutrition level. In the United States, there is currently an obesity epidemic, with % of people currently overweight and this problem is growing. The conventional wisdom of portion control and calorie reduction has been a failure, as evidenced by this growing epidemic. There is mounting evidence that what you eat is more important than how much you eat; many experts now recognize the value and success of low carbohydrate diets where greater calories can be consumed, and weight can still be lost. Health and Nutrition – How Can you Lose Weight with Low Carbohydrate Diets? Low Carbohydrate diets have a few advantages that help with weight loss and with increasing your general health and nutrition. First, as your body can burn only carbohydrates (also called sugars) or fat to fuel itself, with little available carbohydrate, your body must begin burning fat to keep the body functioning properly. With high carbohydrate diets, your body must burn all sugars before it can begin to burn fat – your body may never get through all of the sugar, and any that it doesn’t is stored as fat. If there is only a small amount of carbohydrate, your body must burn available fat first, ensuring weight loss. The second benefit of low carbohydrate diets is that your hunger is naturally curbed. Health and Nutrition – How is Hunger “Naturally” Curbed with Low Carbohydrate Diets? When carbohydrates are eaten, your blood sugar increases forcing your pancreas to release a surplus of insulin into the bloodstream. Your body burns through carbohydrates quite quickly as they are easily broken down, and when the insulin level in your blood stream drops, so does your blood sugar. A low blood sugar makes you think you are hungry – this is why you often very hungry an hour after eating a high carbohydrate meal. When you being a low carbohydrate lifestyle, your body no longer feels the need to release insulin in such large amounts, so your blood sugar, and hunger, does not fluctuate, allowing you to lose weight easily and improve your health and nutrition level. Health and Nutrition – The Fine Print Even though you feel hunger less often with low carbohydrate diets, it is possible you can consume more calories and still manage to lose weight with this new health and nutrition plan. Because your body uses fat as its fuel source, weight will continue to come off. There has been talk in recent years that low carbohydrates lifestyles can be dangerous; this information, however, is inaccurate. Low carbohydrate diets have been in existence for centuries, with cultures such as the Inuit in the cold climate of northern Canada. Our ancient ancestors, as well, would have found it difficult to find a great amount of carbohydrate for the many centuries prior to wheat and grain production. Low carbohydrate diets are an easy way to ensure you aren’t feeling deprived when trying to lose weight. An appropriate weight for your height is an important measure for your health and nutrition. Adopting a low carbohydrate lifestyle is a sure way to reduce your weight, without the angst of the low calorie diets that leave you feeling hungry. "]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=Lose-Weight-by-Eating-More-Calories 2012-04-16 Losing weight can be a difficult task, but there is a way to get off of the diet roller coaster. By achieving ketosis, you can eat a variety of rich and savoury food, feel totally satisfied and still see the pounds come off. Ketosis is an easy and effective way to increase your level of health and fitness. How Ketosis can Assist with Promoting Health and Fitness The only available fuel sources your body can use for energy come from carbohydrates or fat. Ketosis is a metabolic state where the body breaks down fat and uses it as its main source of fuel. Diets that are low in carbohydrates are very successful in inducing the state of ketosis – when carbohydrates, or sugars, are present, the body will automatically burn them for energy first and will only start to burn fat if it is necessary. If there is little or no carbohydrate to burn, the body will get to burning fat much more quickly. The fat that is burned can be the fat stored on your body, or fat that is in your system from recently eaten food. Why Carbohydrates can be Bad for Those Wanting to Achieve Optimum Health and Fitness When carbohydrates are eaten, your body can break them down very quickly, forcing your pancreas to release a surplus of insulin into the bloodstream. Your body burns through the carbohydrate quickly causing your blood sugar level to get lower, meaning you are hungry shortly after eating. To make matters worse, any sugar that is not burned is stored as fat. When you eat foods that are high in carbohydrates, a vicious cycle begins: you eat a carbohydrate, your body must burn the carbohydrate that is making you hungry almost guaranteeing you eat more carbohydrate, and any fat consumed is unlikely to be burned, negatively affecting both your weight and general health and fitness. Health and Fitness – How does Ketosis Work? Ketosis works by forcing the body to burn fat as its main fuel source. When your carbohydrates intake is very low, your body will have no choice but to burn fat because there is no accessible sugar. The lack of carbohydrates also has the added benefit of decreasing insulin production – less insulin means fewer blood sugar spikes, so you feel less hungry. When eating a low carbohydrate diet, you are likely to feel completely satisfied and suffer little hunger. Because your body is burning fat as its fuel, you will lose weight even without exercise, however, a combination of both diet and exercise is your best way to ensure you increase your health and fitness levels. What can be Eaten to Promote Health and Fitness Reducing carbohydrates from your diet, as a health and fitness measure, does not have to be as painful as some people think. You are able to eat most non-cured meats, such as beef, chicken, pork and fish, as well as most non-starchy vegetables, including broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus and a variety of other options. When in doubt, read labels and review carbohydrate contents through available online resources. In recent years, you do not necessarily have to give up all sweets, either. There are many sugar free options available in grocery stores, including candies, puddings and drink supplements. Maintaining a state of ketosis is an effective way to lose weight and increase your level of health and fitness, while not depriving yourself of hearty food. As always, the best way to ensure the greatest increase in health and fitness would be an approach that combines both diet and exercise. "]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=Lose-Weight-Fast-with-Ketosis 2012-04-16 Reddit has become an internet phenomenon. Understanding how to use the Reddit site is equally as popularly. Learning how to use Reddit can help you personally and in business. Back in 2005 Reddit was launched and since then users have been dubbed “redditers”. These people are growing by the thousands each day. What is Reddit and How do I use it? Reddit is a place where users can vote on web content, stories, or pictures just like a democracy. They vote which ones they like and don’t like and those with the most up votes are moved to the front page. You can gain great exposure for your company by writing compelling content and putting it on Reddit for users to “up-vote”. One other way you can benefit from using Reddit is that you can spread your brand over Facebook and Twitter, all of which are associated with Reddit. You can then increase your internet search engine presence through exposure on many social networks. How Do I Get Started Quickly with Reddit? The same as any other social network, you need to know how to use Reddit if you want to increase your marketing success. You sign up with Reddit the same as other sites. You create your user name and your password and then you begin submitting articles and other content. Reddit remains similar to other sites such as Digg because there are up and down arrows associated with each page of content. Users click on these to move the content up or down a vote when rating. Each up vote moves your page closer to the front and each down vote moves it further. How to Submit Links to Reddit The biggest difference between Reddit and other comparable sites such as Digg is that you can send a URL to Reddit without any categorization process. You can therefore include anything you want when using Reddit. Of course, you do want to avoid making a high sales page, as this will not attract a lot of up votes. When you do submit links, the process is simple. All you need to do is use the Reddit bookmarklet set. Once people begin to vote upon your link, Reddit when then direct you to the page where it is listed. Getting on the Front Page While knowing how to use Reddit is a great means of learning trending topics and branding your business, you need to know how to make it to the front page. In order to do this, your submission should be liked and up voted at least thirty times per hour. While this might seem difficult, it is not as challenging if you understand SEO content and good keywords. Doing Your Diligence with Reddit If your article or web content is lucky enough to get to the front page, it will only be there for up to 23 hours. As such, it is not enough to get one article to the front. You need to continually work and submit new content which can be up voted to the front page by Redditors from all over. By doing this you can ensure that your brand name spans the internet. How to use Reditt and doing your diligence Diligence is really the key factor to marketing success with Reddit, because front page articles only stay there for a max of 23 hours on average. So you better be constantly working on and creating intriguing content that your audience will love."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=Understanding-the-Reddit-Revolution 2012-04-16 Health and fitness are two of the most important things that a person can keep up for themselves, the planet and their family. It’s important to maintain health and fitness for longevity, quality of life, to set a good example and to be environmentally conscious. Longevity Maintaining health and fitness are the easiest ways to make sure that life lasts as long as possible. When people exercise regularly, they are more likely to keep both health and fitness levels optimal. People who are fit and in good health tend to live longer than those who have not made the lifestyle adjustments necessary to make health and fitness top priorities. Exercising 30 minutes a day can help a body to get the use it needs to keep in good shape. It is also important to eat a variety of healthy foods, see a doctor regularly, get lots of sleep, maintain dental health and drink plenty of water to make sure that a long life is enjoyed. Quality of Life Health and fitness not only ensure a long life, they ensure a high quality of life as well. People who are fit and healthy tend to lead happier, more productive lives than those who are not. They have the energy necessary to live a full life and are happier with their bodies than people who are not concerned with their health and fitness levels. Healthy, fit people are more likely to maintain mental acuity, have a variety of close friends and are better able to get around, even at advanced ages. Setting a Good Example Maintaining health and fitness is important to set a good example for others, especially children. Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic in the Western world which is leading to unprecedented levels of diabetes and heart disease, even in young children. When kids see their parents and adults around them doing what it takes to remain both fit and healthy, they are more likely to make those same choices for themselves. It is important for parents, family, teachers and volunteers who work with children to set a good example for the kids in their lives by keeping health and fitness at the forefront. Environmentally Conscious People who are concerned about the environment should also be concerned with their health and fitness. When people don’t follow the steps necessary to maintain their health and fitness levels, they become a drain on resources. More medications are necessary, more doctors’ visits are necessary and more stays in the hospital are necessary. All of these things are unnecessary when people do what they can to remain healthy and fit. Walking or bicycling can increase fitness levels and health levels while at the same time, reduces pollution and a person’s carbon footprint. Health, fitness and eco-friendly living are often intertwined in this way. There are many reasons why health and fitness is important. Lead a healthy lifestyle and maintain fitness levels to make the most of the one life that is yours to live."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=The-Importance-of-Health-and-Fitness 2012-04-16 While many people have been lusting after their favorite celebrities for years, watching their movies and films on the charts and the big screens, following their Tweets, now they can bring them home. Renting a celebrity has become a great new fad which might actually remain within your budget. Reality TV shows are to thank for this, as they have turned out many new “celebrities” than were ever available before, celebrities who can attend your wedding or bat mitzvah. No matter your budget there is a celebrity to match. Anyone can hire a celebrity for any event. You can hire a playboy model for one night for only $1,000 to $1,500. Hiring Lady Gaga to play, will cost you a few million though. Musicians are some of the most popular celebrities to rent because they can rock. Lady Gaga costs renters an average of two million dollars. For just $1.5 million you can rent Metallica. Pit Bull can rock your teen birthday for only $300,000. Additionally you have to pay for the appearance fee, the flight, hotel, food, and ground transportation. Many artists will also only fly on private jets. Today the cast of Jersey Shore can be individually rented for between $5,000 and $25,000 per night. Employees love to meet popular actors, musicians, or entertainers at corporate events over attending a spa, beach trip, or sporting event. No matter the job, there are celebrities to match. Auto dealers can book celebrities from the show “Repo Men” or the show “American Chopper”.  Architect conferences can book the winner from “Celebrity Apprentice”. When you enter the non-musical celebrity zone you will find that Kim Kardashian will attend an event for $125,000. There are of course A-list stars who cannot be bough. They will not brand themselves through personal gigs no matter how much money is being offered. Tom Cruise, Josh Duhamel, Ashton Kutcher, and Justin Timberlake are among this group. Of course athletes can also make celebrity appearances. Local appearances made by Tim Tebow cost $50,000 while out of town visits cost $65,000 plus expenses. Churches call for him, sports groups, and motivational groups. Sports heroes set up different rates than other celebrities. They generally are based off of net worth. For Shaq with a net worth of over $500 million, a personal appearance costs around $100,000. Michael Jordon will only attend one or two personal gigs per year at the rate of $2 million. You can rent older sports legends for a much cheaper price. Walt Frazer only costs around $20,000. If you are throwing a party and you want a private musical performance, you can rent that too. Jerry Jeff Walker will now play house parties for $30,000. This is an especially popular trend for those people who enjoy country or blues music. People can charge for house concerts at $10 per ticket. Private clubs can hire Bob Dylan and charge $75 per ticket. Stars who behave badly and are recognized by the media might also attract renters’ attention. For instance, every time Charlie Sheen is noted for bad behavior, his bookings increase. He flies all over the world for $250,000 plus private travel jets. When celebrities are booked, a 50% deposit is required. The balance is then due before the event, when the star arrives at the hotel, or while they are conducting a sound check."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=Renting-Celebrities 2012-04-16 What type of business should I start? Finding the right kind of business is an individual choice. Your personal expertise, management skills, and financial capacity will help in making this decision. Take inventory of your knowledge, interests, talents, and resources. There are books and self-tests that can help. Which businesses are successful? You can find forecasts of the “top businesses of the decade” in books and magazines. However, much depends on timing, location, hard work, and luck. Research your business and industry thoroughly. What are my chances for success? There are no guarantees, but studies have shown that careful planning and objective evaluation will increase your chances for a successful business. The information in this book should help you prepare well. How much money will it take to start a business? No one can answer that but you. There is a vast difference between businesses. For example, a service business takes much less capital investment than a manufacturing firm. It is up to you to develop the plan for your business,and determine the costs and other investments. How can I get the money to start a business? There are numerous ways to finance a business, including personal savings, loans from relatives or friends, traditional loans, government loans, venture capital, etc. Most government loans are in the form of guarantees through local banks. In most cases, a loan will require collateral and a convincing business plan. Where do I get a government grant? Government grants are rare and only available for limited, specific enterprises. Contact your local Small Business Development Center for more information. I have a small part-time business—do I need to get licenses and permits? Yes. You are responsible for all the required licenses and permits regardless of size. How many hours will I have to work? Typically, as a small business owner, you will be responsible for everything, from marketing to maintenance. Expect to spend long hours (perhaps ten to twelve hours per day) on the business for the first few years. Carefully consider your personal needs and those of your family before taking on this commitment. But of course, the time you put in is up to you."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=FAQ-When-Starting-a-Business 2012-04-13 You have a great idea for a business and you want to begin. Where do you start? We’ve discussed the advantages and disadvantages of starting a business from scratch. Be aware that a large percentage of new businesses fail. You need to be honest with yourself in evaluating whether you have the right personality for taking on a project of this sort. The most important thing you can do to prepare for your business is develop a thorough business plan. With this plan, you will be able to see the strengths and weaknesses of your business and make decisions accordingly. It is helpful at this point to get some professional assistance, someone who can look at your business plan objectively and provide ideas and insights. Organizations that provide free or low-cost assistance are available in most areas. After investigating the needs of your business, it is necessary to take care of the groundwork, which includes the legal structure, business name, location, licenses, permits, financing, and other requirements. Go through the checklist to make sure you’ve considered all the main tasks in starting your business."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=Starting-a-Business-from-Scratch 2012-04-13 Welcome to the brave new world of electronic/Internet commerce, or e-commerce. This rapidly growing virtual world is filled with incredible opportunities and just as many challenges and difficulties. You may choose to build an entire business online or supplement a physical business with an online component—anything from a promotional website to a full-fledged store. As people (potential customers) become increasingly comfortable with online searching and purchasing, it becomes important to consider this option for your business. Where to start? Start with an e-commerce business plan, of course. This is the place to address all the potential issues and concerns of your new venture and determine its feasibility. What do you want the business to accomplish? Who are your target customers and how do you reach them? What special technological equipment and expertise do you need? Who will create your Internet site and who will maintain it? How much will it cost? There is a lot to learn before starting any e-commerce venture. Even if you have professional help, it behooves you to do your research—the more you understand, the more you can be involved in the decision-making process to ensure the business develops as you wish. Learn also about the limitations of e-commerce. Remember that the Internet is still in its infancy. You may be a visionary but must be realistic in terms of what is technologically possible for your customers. An e-commerce business involves all the considerations found in other businesses, plus many unique to the Internet. As with any business, you need a business name and location, but the business name is constrained by the rules of the Web- and the location is your Web address. The look of your “storefront” is determined by the Web design. That design is important since it projects the image of your business and also gives your customers the information they need to move around the site and find what they want. In addition, there are lots of technical issues to be resolved—the nuts and bolts of selling online, secure transactions, taxes, shipping, returns, etc. Even after your site is up and running, the work continues. You need to promote the site, monitor your traffic, and continue to upgrade and change your business in response to marketing results and changing Internet styles and technology."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=A-New-Revolution--Becoming-an-Internet-Entrepreneur 2012-04-13 Most small businesses start out as either a sole proprietorship or a partnership, but many eventually explore the transition to another entity. Contact an attorney or accountant to learn the advantages and legal requirements of each to decide which form is best for you. Sole Proprietorship This is the simplest and least regulated form of organization with minimal legal start-up cost. A person (or couple) owns and operates the business and is responsible for procuring financing. The sole proprietor has total control and receives all profits, and business income is taxed as personal income. The major disadvantages include potential personal liability for the owner and potential dissolution of the business upon the owner’s death. Partnership A partnership is relatively easy to form and can provide additional financial resources. Each partner is an “agent” for the partnership and can hire employees, borrow money, and operate the business. Profits are taxed as personal income and the partners are still personally liable for debts and taxes. Personal assets can be attached if the partnership cannot satisfy creditors’ claims. A special arrangement, called a “limited partnership,” allows partners to avoid personal liability. Limited partnerships must be registered and must also pay a franchise fee. When entering into any partnership, a written agreement is essential. Limited Liability Company The limited liability company is treated as a partnership for U.S. income tax purposes and also provides the limited liability of a corporation. This option may be the preferred choice for certain new operations and joint ventures. Owners of limited liability companies are called “members.” These are comparable to stockholders in a corporation or limited partners in a limited partnership. To create a limited liability company, articles of organization are filed with the secretary of state. The members must also execute an operating agreement, which defines the relationship between the company and its members. Not all states have this option available. Corporation The most complex of business organizations, the corporation acts as a legal entity that exists separately from its owners. While limiting the owners from personal liability, this creates a “double taxation” on earnings (corporate tax and personal tax). Corporate structure may be advantageous because it allows capital to be raised more easily through the sale of stocks or bonds and can continue to function even without key individuals. It also enables employees to participate in various types of insurance and profit-sharing plans. Costs to incorporate vary from state to state. Contact the secretary of state for more information. A special type of corporation, an S corporation, allows owners to overcome the double tax and shareholders to offset business losses with personal income. S corporations are subject to an annual surcharge."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=Best-Legal-Structure-for-your-Business 2012-04-13 While everyone remembers the history between Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony, many will also remember this tragic entertainment news. The third marriage for Jennifer Lopez and the second marriage for Marc Anthony, the couple wed back in 2004. For Anthony, his previous spouse was a former Miss Universe, Dayanara Torres. Earlier last year the couple began to have some problems with their marriage, problems which were reported all over the news. It was in July of last year that announcements struck fans that the couple has ending their marriage. These announcements were tragically accepted alongside an official statement from the couple which made it clear that the decision to separate had been difficult but all matters involved in the decision were reached amicably. They also announced that their split was incredibly painful for everyone who was involved and as such, respect for their privacy at the time would be most appreciated. Reports indicate that on Wednesday, Marc Anthony officially filed for divorce. The paperwork was filed with the Los Angeles Superior Court according to a spokesman. The court spokesman stated the filing as an official end to the marriage by the singer Anthony and the entertainer, Lopez."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=Divorce-for-Lopez 2012-04-13 Consider your business name carefully; you’ll have to live with it for a long time. The name should give people some idea of the nature of your business and should also project the image you want to have. Names can be simple, sophisticated, or even silly. Try to pick one that will grow with your business and not limit you in the future. Along with a name, most businesses also develop a logo, which provides a graphic symbol of the business. As with the name, your logo should be carefully developed to project the image you want for your business. Once you come up with a name, make sure it is not already in use. You can look up current business names in the local telephone book, local government offices, trade directories, the Federal Trademark Register, or listings of corporate business names from the secretary of state, or you can hire someone to do a search. You may want to obtain a trademark from the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office to protect your business name and logo. If your business name includes your last name, you may not need to register it. However, if the name you have chosen does not contain the last names of all the owners, you must file a fictitious business name statement. This is also necessary if the business name implies greater ownership with such words as “and company,” or “associates,” or “and son/daughter.” File your fictitious business name statement with the county clerk and then publish it in a newspaper of general circulation once a week for four successive weeks in the county where the principal place of business is located. Newspaper costs for publication may vary widely, so some shopping around is in order. An affidavit of publication must be filed with the county clerk within thirty days after publication."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=Whats-in-a-name 2012-04-13 In society, power is highly coveted and highly protected. This remains true for the animal kingdom and human societies. Power remains the currency for success. Nonetheless, the nature of power and the psychological effects it has will leave powerful people feeling lonely. There are five ways in which power will pervert, contort, or undermine psychological processes which would normally nurture connections with others and form healthy relationships. #1: Power changes our current beliefs about generosity from others. When someone does something nice for us, we seek an explanation: Why are they helping? What motivation do they have? Generally this process is so automatic that we do not notice it happening. However, in spite of its subtlety, it offers dramatic implications for the development of our relationships. Generally, we believe that someone does nice things for us because they like us, care about us, or are a kind or trustworthy person. However, if you have power, then you begin seeing that as an alternative for someone being nice to you. You start to think that you are the target and those who use kind words or nice actions are only seeking selfish goals. As such, those with power quickly become more suspicious of others. Those who have power over-apply the principle and as such, become increasingly suspicious of kind acts no matter the source, making it very difficult to retain loving and nurturing relationships. #2: Power Alters Responses to Kindness. Beliefs about the motivations of kind acts are responsible for disconnection because they create the responses to said kind acts. One of the most primitive responses to generosity is to reciprocate. This is a social norm and a key component for relationships. It also creates equilibrium within societies. However, people only reciprocate when they believe the motivation was for their benefit, not for an ulterior motive from the person doing the favor. For example, if you believe a colleague stayed late to help with a work assignment only to advance their career, you will be much less likely to return the favor. People who have power are much less likely to reciprocate such favors believing that many favors are done because of selfish motives. By continually failing to reciprocate, however, you end up distancing yourself from your junior co-workers. #3: Power Will Reduce Trust Trust is one of the cornerstones for effective social relationships. When you trust a person you believe that they will work and act in your best interest even if you are not around. When working, this can be incredibly beneficial as it means that you save time and effort and also trust that many people are there for you even when you are gone. Trust develops as part of a process where people exchange small vulnerabilities back and forth. Power inhibits this process because it created mistrust of the kind acts of others. Those with power will generate a cynical attitude which leads them to fail to reciprocate their actions, not displaying any vulnerability, and as such, prohibiting the growth and development of a trusting relationship. #4: Power Will Reduce Commitment In most personal relationships, such as marriages, income is the source of power. Those spouses who make more money often feel more powerful. Studies show that those who earn more than their spouse become increasingly suspicious of the motives by their spouse when offering favors. This has also lead to those who earn more feeling less connected to others and eventually less committed to their relationships. #5: Power Will Damage Relationships at Key Moments The aforementioned relationship dynamics demonstrate the suspicion held by powerful people. Studies also show that those who have power do not necessarily feel suspicious of colleagues at all times, but primarily in moments when someone attempts to establish closeness by offering favors or generous acts. Overall, this leaves those in power with a cynical psychological standpoint. They see favors as selfishly motivated, they refuse to reciprocate, trust is suffocated, and they feel less committed. These ideas contaminate psychological and social processes which leave the most powerful alone at the top. What can be done? Many of these things take place outside of an individual’s conscious awareness which means it is much more difficult to control. However, there are steps one can take to increase awareness of it. For example, instead of acting instinctively and unconsciously making cynical conclusions, one can take a step back and try to active discern from where the generosity of others is coming. You can do this by looking for behavioral patterns, i.e. is the person always generous or have they only acted generously in the past when they want something. It can also be beneficial to avoid carrying the feelings of power from one particular context in your life into another. As such, if you are taking a conference call at home with a subordinate, it might leave you feeling powerful, a behavioral trait which you then allow to affect your behavior with your spouse and children once the call is complete. You can remember to alter this by shaking off the mindset you previously had and utilizing one which is appropriate to the current context. Remember to pause briefly and remind yourself of the process which takes place"]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=Top-5-Reasons-Being-at-the-Top-Means-Being-Alone 2012-04-13 Going into business and being self-employed requires certain characteristics. Not everyone is suited to be a business owner. Take some time to think about your motivations, personality, and abilities. As a first step, ask yourself why you want to own your own business. Freedom from the 9 to 5 work routine Being your own boss Do what you want when you want to do it Improve your standard of living Boredom with your present job Having a product or service for which you feel there is a demand Some reasons are better than others; none are wrong. Be aware, however, that there are tradeoffs. For example, you can escape the 9 to 5 daily routine, but you may replace it with a 6:00–10:00 p.m. routine. ENTREPRENEURIAL TEST Try to be objective in the following self-analysis. Remember, it is your future that is at stake! Are you a leader? Do you like to make your own decisions? Do others turn to you for help in making decisions? Do you enjoy competition? Do you have will power and self-discipline? Do you plan ahead? Do you like people? Do you get along well with others? Think about the physical, emotional, and financial strains you will encounter in starting a new business. Are you aware that running your own business may require working twelve to sixteen hours a day, six days a week, and maybe even Sundays and holidays? Do you have the physical stamina to handle the workload and schedule? Do you have the emotional strength to withstand the strain? Are you prepared, if needed, to temporarily lower your standard of living until your business is firmly established? Is your family prepared to go along with the strains they, too, must bear? Are you prepared to lose your savings? Certain skills and experience are critical to the success of a business. Since it is unlikely that you possess all the skills and experience needed, you’ll need to hire personnel to supply those you lack. There are some basic and special skills you will need for your particular business. Identify your strengths and weaknesses with the following questions. Do you know what basic skills you will need in order to have a successful business? Do you possess those skills? When hiring personnel, will you be able to determine if the applicants’ skills meet the requirements for the positions you are filling? Have you ever worked in a managerial or supervisory capacity? Have you ever worked in a business similar to the one you want to start? Have you had any business training in school? If you discover you don’t have the basic skills needed for your business, will you be willing to delay your plans until you’ve acquired the necessary skills? This questionnaire below was adapted from the SBA booklet Checklist for Going into Business. CHECKLIST FOR SUCCESS: > Develop a business plan Consult with the necessary professionals Decide on a legal structure Select a business name File a fictitious business name statement Obtain a business license Check the zoning laws and other land use ordinances Obtain the necessary permits and licenses from your city and county Obtain the necessary permits and licenses from state and/or federal governments Apply for a state employer ID number Apply for a federal identification number Develop a financial plan Develop a marketing plan Obtain insurance coverage Decide on an accounting system Seek out assistance if needed"]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=Secrets-to-your-Business-Success 2012-04-13 New stars in the entertainment industry have begun to show off their fantastic new hair styles complete not just with odd designs this time, but with odd colors. We witnessed new hair colors for music videos from Katy Perry but this was apparently just the beginning. She continues to done new do’s in public not just on stage. Katy Perry is not just the only star with new colors. She is boasting bright blue hair strands while the other stars showing off their new looks including rainbow highlights from Selena Gomez and a dynamic ombre from Chanel Iman. These dynamic new wild hair colors include a red fade, tie-dyed tips, and Technicolor extensions available now to all of their adoring fans. Kids and teens alike can make statements with their new hair colors by utilizing brighter hues just for one week, for one day, or for one month. It is not uncommon to see many changes in hair colors among the stars on a weekly basis and now InStyle Magazine offers tips and treats for fans to copy the same hair colors all the time. Washing out with ease, having bright blue hair one day can quickly turn into bright red the next making fashion fun for everyone."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=New-Hair-Colors-among-Stars 2012-04-12 Nearly everyone has dreams of owning a business, of being his or her own boss. But what does it take to start a business? And, more importantly, how can you minimize your risk and increase your chances for success? My updated version of the Million Dollar Business Bible of my original book provides new and updated information to help you approach your business vision wisely and learn how to find more help when you need it. It is not meant to be an exhaustive treatment but a broad overview of topics, since each business has unique concerns and it is up to you to learn the specific requirements for your business. Being a small business owner is not for everybody. It takes risk, hard work, good decision-making, and luck. We hope this book provides you with the information you need to make choices that are best for you (and we wish you the best of luck!). Becoming wealthy always comes down to individual choices. Rarely do millionaires make one smart business decision and automatically turn into big tycoons. It’s a day-to-day mentality ofhow you want to live your life. It’s also a matter of smart, consistent investing, wise planning, and dedication. Where one person with a little extra cash may buy an expensive television,a wannabe millionaire would invest it to turn that little extra cash into a lot more. By paying attention and working hard, turning from a “thousandaire” to a millionaire may be easier than you thought. I was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, I was raised to believe in the power of people above all else. My family, by no means, began their lives rich. There principles were about love, togetherness, and dedication to what you love. We were a lower middle class family struggling, like many other families, to make ends meet. At four years old, I remember my mother dividing one can of tomato soup to feed four people. Seeing that struggle inspired me to work as hard as I could to support myself and my family. I cannot expressthe contentment I feel when I am able to take care of my own family, as a thank-you for everything they have done for me. I am not your average person. I have spent almost my entire life learning, growing, and proving people wrong in business. Everybody has challenges when it comes to being successful, and I had to overcome the stereotype associated with my youth. But now I am able to use it as a marketing tool. I am not sure how many people have accomplished what I have, and I am proud of what I’ve done. But I remain humble and motivated to continue growing and learning. People trust me based on my accomplishments but also how I come across.With my track record, I must know what I’m doing. But the truth is that I have been building successful businesses for well over a decade. It all began when I peered outside my window and noticed a person shoveling snow. Immediately, the idea for a lawn care business hit me. Just like that! You know, I thought, in Calgary, there will alwaysbe snow that needs shoveling and grass that needs to be cut. Taking this basic supply-and-demand approach and arming myself with a twenty-dollar shovel, I started my first landscaping business at the age of twelve and began networking around my neighborhood, giving people theopportunity to meet me. I was learning firsthand the world of businessdevelopment. The trick when you are building on an idea is the growth-off-growth approach. I spent the first few years of my landscaping business putting everything I made back into the company, making it more professional. By the time I was fifteen, I had invested enough money to afford large industrial equipment like heavy-duty trucks and Bobcats, which meant I could offer more advanced landscaping services. The higher the level of service, the higher premium you can charge. This business was fantastic for networking. I dealt with people all the time, making a name for myself. Through one of my clients, I was introduced to the property management business—buying and selling condominiums. Soon after, my second company came into being: J &W Property and Asset Management. As time went on, more opportunities became apparent, and I continued to build what is now a multimillion-dollar enterprise. My Number One Tip: Never assume anything about a person you meet for the first time. By judging someone, you could automatically be shutting a door to a chance to make lots of money and make a great friend. Whether the person is a customer in your business or a stranger at a party, there could be an opportunity. You just need to createit by showing up. Some people think that to be financially successful, you have to give up the things you love: entertainment, time, relationships, morals, etc. It’s simply not true. Certainly, a person’s focus may change, but building success is about finding new passions and discovering new possibilities. What’s important is being creative and different when it comes to business and money, and that involves changing, even creating markets where you see ademand or opportunity. Ever heard the expression “money makes the world go round?”For better or worse, it is sort of true. Think about how many times you use, think about, and discuss money every day. Now think about all the areas in the financial world that you don’t understand or wish to understand better. Instead of trying to grasp overwhelming financial concepts, how about taking practical advice that you can incorporate into your everyday life? Itdoesn’t have to be as complicated as you might think. No matter what age, location, or tax bracket you happen to be in, your money has the potential to grow in ways you may not even realize. Now,I won’t pretend becoming rich is easy. It isn’t. It takes hard work and a savvy business sense. But by becoming knowledgeable about the markets and by networking, you can eliminate many of the unknown variables and start making smarter choices when it comes to your money.The best way to do that is by gaining access to information that willhelp your money grow. Though you may be well aware of your financial situation, if you’re willing to learn more about the financial world around you, it’s amazing how many opportunities start to appear seemingly out of nowhere. Money cannot make your dreams come true, but it can make it a lot easier to create opportunities for those dreams to become reality. Success is a completely relative term—the most important thing is to set goals and live up to all your own expectations. I truly hope you gain whatever degree of financial prosperity you are searching for and can incorporate the things you learn in this book into your daily life. And when you buy that first mansion or go on that dream vacation, remember me. Good luck on your pursuit!"]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=SO,-YOU-WANT-TO-START-YOUR-OWN-BUSINESS 2012-04-12 Many children dream of becoming a rock star or a famous actress when they grow up. However, is being a celebrity really all that great? There are definitely some positives for celebrities but there are also many negative aspects of celebrity too. VIP Access One of the biggest perks of being a celebrity is having VIP access to all sorts of events and venues. Celebrities don’t have to worry about getting into clubs and restaurants. In fact, they are often paid thousands of dollars just to hang out and party at different nightclubs. Tickets to different plays, concerts, ballets, performances and movies are absolutely no problem if you are a celebrity. Everyone wants to spread the word that an A-list celebrity was in the audience at an event. These tickets are often even complimentary. Money, Money, Money Another huge perk of celebrity status is the money that comes along with it. When a person is famous, there are tons of different ways to make money that most "ordinary" people wouldn’t even think of. They can be a spokesperson for a product by endorsing it in commercials and magazines. These endorsement deals can be worth tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands, of dollars. Many things that regular people have to buy are simply given to celebrities. Companies use pictures of a celebrity using their product as another way of endorsing the use of it. Also, when it comes to work, celebrities have pay rates for a day that top what most of us make in an entire year! Fame Celebrities are recognized everywhere they go. This can be a positive thing – such as getting into restaurants without reservations and having great fans ask for autographs. However, this can also be a negative thing, as celebrities sometimes encounter people who are rude to them specifically because of their celebrity status. Some people have also been known to hit up celebrities for money simply because they know they have it. Even the sweetest fan can intrude on a celebrity's privacy by asking for autographs at a bad time or simply wanting to "hang out." Paparazzi One of the most negative aspects of being a celebrity is constantly having to deal with paparazzi. These photographers are always lurking, waiting to catch someone famous in a bad picture. They have been known to hang out in trees trying to take pictures of a celebrity sunbathing topless, falling down or having a wardrobe "malfunction." Many famous people have also been caught in car chases with the paparazzi following them at break neck speeds to catch a photo. This is not only an invasion of privacy, but can also be extremely dangerous. Stalkers Stalkers can be another extremely negative aspect of celebrity life. Some mentally unstable fans have been known to write creepy letters, make harassing phone calls and even threaten celebrities on occasion. They are sometimes even found lurking around a celebrity's private residence. In fact, several celebrities have been killed by stalkers. The life of a celebrity isn’t always as fantastic as it may seem to be. They are people, just like the rest of us, and experience a variety of highs and lows throughout their lives. Their fame does have some fabulous perks, but it does come with a significant amount of drawbacks as well."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=The-Pros-and-Cons-of-Being-a-Celebrity 2012-04-11 It has been released by Rolling Stone that in an effort to honor the tributary figure, a sculpture crafted from bronze will be erected in the month of April. This statue will be of Willie Nelson and located in Austin, Texas. The statue of Willie Nelson serves as a gift for the city of Austin. It is a gift donated from the group Capital Area Statues, Inc., a non-profit organization. The gift statue is set to be released at exactly 4:20pm on the twentieth of April. Said statue is meant to serve as a tribute to the reputation held by the country star as being a stoner. This statue is rumored to be eight feet in height with a total weight of one ton. The bronze statue was created by Clete Shields, a sculptor in the area. Shield made statements that erecting the statue added pressure in that Willie Nelson is still alive and remains such a popular icon. As such, there are challenges in the design. This is primarily due to the fact that so many people see Willie Nelson still as the Outlaw Willie popular from the seventies, while others remember him from the eighties as an advocate for Farm Aid, and an influential advocate at that. Still, others, the younger generation, know him only from his more mature age. As such, the creation of this influential statue must appeal to a very broad audience and conjure striking memories of him from the seventies, from the eighties, and from present day, appealing to many people. Willie Nelson will be present at the unveiling event, performing at ACL Live at the Moody Theatre. His performance will be part of a celebration of the show We Walk the Line, which is a dedication to Johnny Cash and his influential music."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=Willie-Nelson-Statue-Soon-to-Come 2012-04-11 There are many reasons arising as to why one should stop using their Facebook account. The company started on an unethical playing field but has begun to worsen over the past few years, adding to the number of reasons users should stop and delete their account. #1: The Terms of Service Only Favor Facebook The Terms of Service for Facebook state in section 2.1 that they have ownership over your data. If your information is not kept up to date, they have the right to delete your account, as stated in section 14. While one might say this is only an attempt to protect the interest of the company, it quickly becomes apparent that users are only viewed as unpaid employees who can be targeted for ads and crowd-sourcing. #2: The CEO Has Demonstrated Unethical Behavior According to BusinessInsider.com, Zuckerberg discredited his rivals by using Facebook data to read their private emails. While unproven, the allegations nonetheless raise questions about his ethics especially given the fact that he paid a settlement of $65 million to rivals claiming he had stolen their idea. #3: Facebook is Against Privacy The founder of Facebook has stated that sharing everything has become socially acceptable and the Open Graph API introduced by Facebook makes social, public information the default setting. #4: Facebook is Setting a Trap It appears that Facebook’s developers are using new APIs to access your information while not explaining the implications this will have to its users. This means that Facebook is gathering information from you which you might not otherwise share and then making it publically available. This is bad because Facebook uses this information to make money through advertising. #5: Facebook is Nothing More Than a Bully When a private entrepreneur began crawling the data regarding the privacy settings and making them public, Facebook sued him. They sued him just before they publically announced the changes to the privacy setting he was revealing. This leads users to the conclusion that there is really not a lot of data available about the new privacy plan and Facebook wants to keep it that way. #6: Your Private Data is Shared through Applications When you install new applications on your Facebook it means that your private data is shared to the application developers. Some of these might be safe, but others might not. Often they are too small to truly have to care about keeping data secure. #7: Facebook Has Limited Technical Competence Facebook has proven that on top of its lack of ethics, they are using things such as the “like” button which has made it easier for spammers to gain access to social network profiles and harvest profile data. There have been many recent mistakes including making profiles completely public on accident or taking far too long to fix cross-site scripting. This leaves users with no other conclusion save for their engineers are clearly not as competent as they ought to be. #8: It is Challenging to Delete Your Account Many users who try and delete their account think that they have succeeded, but in reality they only deactivated it. This can be confusing because when you search to delete the account you can deactivate it and stop receiving emails. Both of these lead you to believe your account is gone, but it is still there, the information on it still open to spammers and hackers. If you should ever return to Facebook your account would still be there, the same as it was when you left it. #9: Facebook is Not Supportive of the Open Web With the new Open Graph API, many users believe it is just that: open. However, it is not. It is only proprietary to Facebook and you cannot access it unless you use Facebook. #10: Facebook is Not User-Friendly The new application is frustration between the mafia wars, farms, annoying ads, “top news”, and privacy settings. It is almost entirely useless as a social network at this point. Facebook has proven itself a mere annoyance above all else. As of right now, Facebook has actively sought to add every feature found on any other social network in an attempt to control the web. Facebook is free to do anything within the bounds of the law but that does not mean users should put up with the additional hassle and lack of privacy."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=10-Reasons-to-Quit-Using-Facebook 2012-04-10 Simon Cowell was recently interviewed by Rolling Stone after the boy band, One Direction, became famous in Britain over the last two months. The group was formed on Simon Cowell’s show, “The X Factor” in 2010 and thanks to social networking by teens, have become famous in America as well, making their recent appearance in New York for Saturday Night Live. Given the fast rise to the top, Simon Cowell began commenting on their progress. He met with each of them as solo artists after which he noted high hopes for three of them. In total, they cared about five and their potential and brought them back to see if they might work together. Cowell stated that once all five were together, they looked like a group instantly and after five weeks together, they returned a great team. He stated that he knew they would be big after a millionth of a second when they came to perform at his house. He tried to maintain a straight face in order to add to the drama of the show but knew immediately that the group possessed the confidence and light-hearted attitudes they needed to be friends and performers. Cowell noted that they quickly became massive, signing a label and drawing massive crowds outside of the studio. While Rolling Stone noted the difficulty for British boy bands to break into the United States, Cowell stated that in order for British bands to truly break into the U.S. they need to accept and embrace being British instead of trying to make a sound that combines England and America. Simon Cowell also noted that music is a cycle. As such, everything goes full circle. With the Jonas Brothers diminishing and Justin Bieber starting to appeal to older crowds, it seems high time for the presence of a new boy band. He also enforced the idea that children enjoy falling in love with new artists and following them. Learning about a new pop group is one of the best things in the world for younger children. According to Cowell, British reps often hassle American labels when they believe they have found something, but then there are times when things truly come together and the Americans call British reps asking to break a new band into the States. In terms of social networks, Cowell explained that it is one of the best things to happen to the music industry. Instead of spending millions on marketing, fan power can now spread the word for free with just a laptop. Those who are patient and enjoy smart management can truly benefit from social networking. As of now, Cowell’s job is listening to the group, making sure the songwriters and producers are encouraged to work with them and provide the best records. The boys should truly enjoy themselves and their relationship with management first, then they can worry about money."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=Simon-Cowell-Comments-on-Stars 2012-04-10 Oil and gas are derived from petroleum hydrocarbon compounds, each bearing its own set of properties. Although they originate from the same source, the many members of the oil and gas family have differences which can be seen in their chemistry, refinement, and uses. Hydrocarbons When oil exploration is successful, petroleum, also called crude oil, is located and removed from the ground or the ocean floor. Petroleum contains combustible hydrocarbons, which are molecules made up of hydrogen and carbon atoms. Many different types of hydrocarbon molecules exist together in crude oil, each with different structures, lengths, and boiling points. The goal of the oil and gas industry is to best exploit the properties of the hydrocarbons. Through this quest, scientists have developed methods to extract and cluster the molecules into groups based on the number of carbon atoms contained in each one. The Refinement Process During the oil and gas refinement process, crude oil is heated, which causes it to vaporize. Each type of hydrocarbon molecule in the crude oil has its own unique boiling point which facilitates the process of separation. As the heated vapor cools, it condenses through a distillation process based on temperature. The heavy hydrocarbon molecules with the highest number of carbon atoms condense into compounds that will become lubricating oil, fuel oil, grease, diesel fuel oil, and wax. The lighter molecules with fewer carbon atoms condense into compounds that will become gasoline, kerosene, propane and butane. Difference between Oils Not only are there differences between oil and gas, there are differences between oils, and differences between gases. The number of carbon atoms in a hydrocarbon molecule determines what the end product will be and what properties it will have. Oil that is used for lubricating an engine is different from oil which is burned for heating. Lubricating oils have high viscosity (thickness or stickyness) sometimes enhanced with additives. Grease is an example of an oil with extremely high viscosity. Heating oils are low viscosity liquid fuels (less thick). The molecules of highly viscous oil have more carbon atoms than those of low viscosity oil. Difference between Gases Gasoline is a liquid fuel, whereas natural gas (methane), naphtha and butane are vaporous gases. Molecules of methane contain 1 carbon atom; molecules of gasoline contain 4-10 carbon atoms. Although gasoline powers the majority of cars and trucks on the highways, natural gas can be used to power motor vehicles too. It burns cleaner with fewer emissions, but since it is a vapor, it is more difficult to store and transport. Gasoline can only be obtained through the crude oil refining process. Natural gas is also a by-product of refining, but often it is found with crude oil during oil exploration and can be pumped out of the ground and used as it is, with minimal processing. Understanding the differences between oil and gas begins with understanding the similarities. The different sized hydrocarbon molecules make the variety of oil and gas products possible, each with specific properties that lend themselves to specific uses."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=What-is-the-Difference-between-Oil-and-Gas 2012-04-09 Crude oil is used to make petroleum, a fossil fuel that is extremely important in our everyday lives. It ensures that we are able to get to the office and shops without having to resort to walking. This fuel also ensures that we are able to purchase food for our families that has been delivered to the store. In short, if the petroleum supply had to cease, the world as we know it would literally come to a complete stop. Petroleum Makes the World go Round Petroleum is an absolutely essential component of our everyday lives. Without it, there would be no vehicles on the road. This means that there would be virtually no production of goods taking place, because the vehicles that are used to transport raw materials to manufacturing plants require petroleum or diesel in order to drive them. Without petroleum, many people would not be able to get to work or school each day because of the fact that many of our workplaces or schools are simply not within walking distance of where we live. Petroleum is Instrumental in Saving Lives Many people who have found themselves in a medical emergency have relied upon the services of either an ambulance or even a helicopter to ensure that they reach a hospital in time. If a building catches fire, the services of a fire truck are needed in order to extinguish the flames. Without the services that these emergency vehicles provide, thousands of lives would be lost on a daily basis. These vehicles rely on petroleum or diesel in order to operate and serve the public. Food Supplies Rely on Petroleum Products When a person goes shopping, they normally don’t stop to think about how the food they buy has arrived on the shelves at the store. Every single food item in the store has been delivered by a vehicle which relies on petroleum or diesel to operate. Without petroleum, many people would go hungry or even starve to death. Farmers rely on petroleum or diesel in order to harvest and maintain food crops. Virtually every single aspect of our lives is heavily reliant on the use of petroleum products. Many Consumer Products Contain Petroleum Products Oil and gas are also an important part of our everyday lives. Without gas, many people would not be able to cook food, especially in countries where electricity is not accessible to everyone. Many cosmetic products contain petroleum- based ingredients. Petroleum products are also used in the manufacturing of lubricating oils, heating oil and tar. Without tar, there would be no roads on which to transport goods to various places. Petroleum and petroleum products are definitely a crucial element of our everyday lives. Without them, civilization would not have grown to be what it is today. It is up to us to ensure that we utilize this fossil fuel as wisely as possible to ensure that there is a sufficient supply for future generations to make use of."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=What-is-Petroleum-and-Why-is-it-Important 2012-04-09 While oil is an absolutely essential component of our everyday lives, offshore drilling poses a number of serious threats to the environment and the population in general. Because of the fact that rigs now drill deeper than ever before, the environment and its delicate ecosystems are at even more risk of being irreversibly disrupted and destroyed. Destruction of Ecosystems and Wildlife Pipelines and highways are needed in order to transport oil from the wells to the refineries. These often stretch over long distances and have been known to disrupt animal life and ecosystems which are in their path. As a result, the natural habitats of many animals are destroyed in the process. These oil production pipelines affect their natural migration routes and patterns. This can result in the loss of wildlife, especially for those who breed during their migration season. An additional factor to consider is the fact that a toxin known as PAH is released from oil wells. Studies have shown that this compound has been known to cause cancer in animals. Oil Spills Among the biggest concern for the drilling companies is that of accidents which result in oil spills. Not only does this result in lost revenue for the oil companies, but the effects that the spills have on surrounding wildlife can be devastating. Once a spill has occurred, it normally results in millions of gallons of oil being leaked into oceans and other waterways. It pollutes and destroys the sand which many fragile organisms live in. Cleaning up an area that has suffered the after effects of a spill can take months or sometimes years. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that the ecosystem will ever recover fully after a spill because entire species can be eradicated due to the after effects of an oil spill. Disruption of the Earth’s Natural Seismic Patterns Researchers and oil companies make use of sonic wave technology to locate new spots for drilling. Unfortunately, this is also the technology that many sea creatures rely on in order to navigate and communicate with each other. Research has shown that the sonic wave technology used for locating new oil fields can severely disrupt the lives of these sea creatures. This is possibly why there has been a dramatic increase in the amount of whales and dolphins which have beached themselves, often for ‘no apparent reason.’ The disruption that is caused to their migration patterns can also lead to further imbalance in what is already a very delicate ecosystem. Many people have started wondering if the benefits of drilling for oil are worth the risks that it poses to the environment. Although oil is an extremely important component of our everyday lives, the time may have come to seek out safer and cleaner alternatives to this rapidly dwindling fossil fuel. Not only will it ensure a cleaner and healthier environment for everyone concerned, but it may also result in the rapid decline of outrageously high oil and fuel prices."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=The-Dangers-of-Drilling-for-Oil 2012-04-09 Over the past few years, consumers have been hit very hard financially because of the steadily increasing petroleum prices. While many consumers are under the impression that petroleum prices are increased or decreased at random, this is not the case. There are several factors which contribute to an increase or decrease in the price of petroleum. Uncertainty of Oil Supply One of the major contributing factors in determining the petroleum price is the shortage of refineries that convert the crude oil to petroleum. This means that, in most cases, the demand for oil production exceeds the supply. Because of this, refineries have to work harder to supply petroleum to the steadily increasing consumer market. As a result, they increase prices to compensate for the additional work. Political volatility in countries which are major crude oil suppliers can also have serious effects on petroleum prices. These countries also use crude oil as a bargaining tool to get the rest of the world to fulfil their demands. This also has a major influence on the price of petroleum. Demand Often Exceeds Supply Each year that goes by sees more and more vehicles on the road, which rely on petroleum to get to their destinations. This means that more crude oil is needed in order to meet the growing consumer demand. Unfortunately, petroleum is a non-renewable resource, which means that supplies will eventually run out. When demand exceeds supply, it normally results in a sharp increase in the price of petroleum, because of the fact that it becomes scarcer. While the increase in demand results in an increase in GDP growth, it also places a tremendous financial burden on individual consumers because of the higher prices they now have to pay for petroleum. Taxes and Fuel Levies The retail price of petroleum for consumers consists of a substantial amount of taxes and levies. In some countries, these can make up almost half the cost of a litre or gallon of petroleum. These levies include import duties, fuel excise, GST or VAT and shipping costs to bring the petroleum into the country (for countries that do not have their own refineries). Each of these levies affects the end price of petroleum. In some countries like South Africa, there is a Road Accident Fund levy which is also added to the cost of petroleum. These funds are used to compensate third party victims of road accidents and assist them with medical expenses related to the accident. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight to the rising cost of petroleum. As long as consumption increases, it will result in more shortages, which in turn will lead to continuous price increases. The only way that petroleum prices will be able to decrease is if alternative forms of fossil materials are used to manufacture petroleum and other fuels. Each of us needs to ensure that we do our part in using our petroleum resources as wisely as possible."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=How-is-the-Price-of-Petroleum-Determined 2012-04-09 With the ever-increasing cost of energy, many people are wondering if there are any alternatives to the current power choices. There are actually several different types of green power with solar energy and wind energy being the two most common ones. Solar Energy This type of power is derived from sunlight. Solar energy is captured with the use of solar panels placed on the roof of a building. Once sunlight is captured, a chemical reaction occurs that causes them to be converted to electricity. After sunlight is converted to electric current, the solar energy that has been created can power a home, be stored by the use of batteries, or fed into the local power grid. Solar energy is most efficient to use in areas that receive a great deal of sunlight, which is why it is popular in the western United States. Wind Energy Wind energy is captured through the use of wind turbines. These structuresare 100 to 120 feet high and located on hillsides or in open fields, as tall buildings and trees sometimes “break” the force of the wind. When the blind blows, the blades on the wind turbine are forced to turn, which then causes electricity to be manufactured and sent to a generator. A single wind generator can be used to provide power for a residence, while wind farms often supply electricity to local power companies by using multiple generators.  Like solar energy, wind energy is often used to supplement regular power sources rather than being relied on entirely. Hydropower This type of green energy involves the use of water. Flowing water from rivers and streams are forced into a special area known as a penstock. Once the water flows through this penstock, it is then converted into electricity and then fed to a generator.  Hydropower is useful only in areas that have large bodies of flowing water. It has historically been used to power water wheels used for grinding flour or for powering sawmills. Today, scientists are trying to harness the power of ocean tides to produce electricity, but this research is currently in the very early stages of development. Hydropower along with solar energy continues to be popular in many western states. Geothermal Energy Like solar energy, geothermal energy is primarily used in individual homes. This type of green energy involves the use of hot water to provide heat.  The water in some underground locations is naturally very warm, so when it passes through heating ducts it automatically produces steam. This steam in turn warms the home, without producing any emissions as a result. Geothermal energy provides excellent results, but can only be used by people who live near an area containing natural hot springs. It is generally an inexpensive and reliable form of alternative energy. As energy becomes more costly to produce, more and more people may become dependent on green energy. New developments are becoming available especially in the areas of wind and solar energy. This means using alternative energy is bound to become more affordable and efficient in the near future."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=Different-Types-of-Green-Energy 2012-04-09 James Cameron remains well known as an American filmmaker with exceptional 3D talent. The recent release engineered rare 3D effects which included enhanced underwater scenes exploring the wreckage of the Titanic, to ocean debris flying at the audience. This view-master effect aside, the re-release of Titanic now offers viewers heighten images and clarity which bring the film to life. Given the recent economic times the portrayal of the rich as villains and Jack as the lovable bohemian have resounded with audiences better than ever. Titanic has not only rendered the characters crisper and more alive, but the more depressing scenes associated with the tragic event are brought to life. The sinking of the Titanic was already impressive but the new 3D version has settled into the hearts of Americans who reflect upon 9/11 and the human abyss that is. The levels of tragedy and dread incorporated into the film exploit the mass horror and death in terms of the massive ocean liner the same as a massive airplane crashing into a massive building. With nothing to lose as a fresh face in Hollywood, DiCaprio’s portrayal of Jack in the ever-present love story has nothing to lose and is thereby not repressed by his stardom when living in the moment. Winslet remains breathtakingly lovely, still trapped by her privilege but allowing herself to become nothing but a girl who quickly becomes a woman. The youth romance colliding with disaster has offered a hauntingly gorgeous structure for the framework of the film, providing new symbols of promise for those who are now entering new realms. The film brilliantly touched viewers in turns of the human prospect of sudden death for all of those on board with Jack’s final death scene rendering shudders in the silence of vulnerability, reminding everyone of how precious life truly is. Overall, the weekend release melted the hearts of Americans the same as it did in 1997 and appears as though it will remain a box office success!"]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=Titanic-3D-A-Success! 2012-04-09 Anthony Robbins, Steven Covey, Jack Canfield, Dr. Deepak Chopra and Wayne Dyer may come from very different backgrounds but they all have one thing in common – they are great motivational speakers. A successful motivational speaker engages and inspires an audience in an entertaining and informative way, but there is more to it than simply standing on a stage and giving a speech. Here are some tips on how to be a great motivational speaker. Determine What You Can Offer Although there are many tips on how to be a great motivational speaker, your first step should be to figure out what you have to offer to an audience. In today’s struggling economy, people need a good reason to pay money to hear someone speak. To be a great motivational speaker, you need to figure out what unique life experiences you have that can help people solve problems, reach their goals or otherwise improve their lives. Identify Your Message Identifying your message is the next tip on how to be a great motivational speaker. Although you may be knowledgeable in many different areas, you should focus on one specific message. This helps keep your presentation targeted and will provide people with specific information they can apply immediately in their own lives. Focusing on a specific message also helps motivational speakers become sought-after experts in their fields.    Get to Know Your Audience One of the most important tips on how to be a great motivational speaker is to do extensive research on your target audience.  Depending on the message, there may be more than one target audience. Age, gender, ethnic background, hobbies, profession and geographic location are all characteristics to consider when determining a target audience. Once a target audience has been identified, you can tailor your speech to help meet their specific needs. Practice Your Public Speaking Skills Another one of the most crucial tips on how to be a great motivational speaker is to make sure your public speaking skills are perfected. It will not matter how great a message is if it cannot be delivered with confidence in an exciting and engaging way. A good way to practice is to videotape yourself giving a presentation and review your strengths and weaknesses. Enrolling in a public speaking course will help improve any weaknesses that are identified. Consider joining Toastmasters, a non-profit organization that helps people improve public speaking and leadership skills. Promote Yourself Once you are ready to move forward in your motivational speaking career, you will need to promote yourself in order to get jobs. Creating a demo is a great way to promote your skills. You can also offer your speaking skills for free to organizations in your area of expertise in exchange for their endorsement. Using social media is another great way to market your skills. The goal is to show you are an expert, so create a blog and post informative, relevant posts or consider writing an eBook. Network with others in your field of expertise by attending trade shows and conferences, and inform everyone that you are available. While it may be challenging, using these tips on how to be a great motivational speaker will help you reach your career goals. With dedication and hard work, you will soon be on your way to sharing your passions with others and offering them the hope and inspiration they need to make positive lifestyle changes."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=Tips-on-How-to-Be-a-Great-Motivational-Speaker 2012-04-08 In today’s highly competitive corporate world, it is important to be dressed as appropriately as possible in whatever work environment you may find yourself in. Whether you work in a corporate Wall Street stock broker’s office or the local coffee shop, there are certain aspects that a person should take into consideration when choosing fashion attire for the workplace. Ensure That You Dress Appropriately For Your Age Almost every office has at least one staff member that tries to dress as though they are a few decades younger than they actually are. Not only do they make themselves the laughing stock of the office, but they also do not realize how much their lack of fashion sense can jeopardize their career prospects. It is always important to make fashion choices, which are age appropriate as well as work appropriate. In addition, it is normally advisable to dress a little more on the conservative side than on the fashionable side where the corporate world is concerned. It goes without saying that outfits which reveal more than they hide should be reserved for venues other than the workplace. Dress According to Your Work Environment When it comes to making fashion choices within the workplace, it is important to take the actual working environment into consideration. For those who do physical labour, it is far more important to dress practically than fashionably. Safety boots and overalls will be a far better choice on a construction site than fashion- conscious designer jeans and sneakers. When it comes to a professional or corporate environment, a three-piece suit and dress shoes are far more appropriate than jeans, a golf shirt and running shoes. For people who are on their feet a lot at work, it is more important to choose footwear which is comfortable and practical rather than that which is in fashion. Don’t Dress Too Casually While some employers may permit jeans, t-shirts and flip-flops or sandals as appropriate fashion attire, this does not mean that a person should arrive at work looking as though they have just crept out of bed. In order to still look respectable while wearing the above-mentioned, it is advisable to press your jeans and ensure that t-shirts have not spent the past month being squashed into the darkest depths of your clothes cupboard. While ripped jeans may be in fashion, they are definitely not appropriate work related attire. Although visible tattoos may be considered as the latest fashion attire at the local nightclub, it is definitely not suitable to have them be visible at work. While fashion may have different meanings for different groups of people, it is important to remember that workplace fashion is normally very different from that of casual fashion. If you are unsure about choosing appropriate workplace attire, it is always advisable to converse with fellow colleagues who will normally be able to steer you in the right direction, especially if they have been working at the company longer than you have."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=Tips-for-Great-Workplace-Fashion 2012-04-08 Having friends who you can rely on in good times as well as bad times is an essential component for a happy life. However, the friends who help and support us will in turn also need our support when they are going through tough times. In other words, to make a friend’s life better, it is important for you to be the friend to them that they are to you. Take a Genuine Interest in Your Friends Life While many people claim to be interested in a friend’s life, very few of them take the necessary steps to show that they are genuinely interested. Picking up the phone and calling your friend to see how they are instead of just sending an email because it is more convenient will show that you are interested in your friend’s life. By asking questions about your friend’s life, you will show them that you are willing to make the effort to get to know them better and help them in any way that you can. Even asking them how their day has been will go a long way towards showing them that they are appreciated. Focus on Your Friend’s Positive Attributes Another way to help improve your friend’s life is to encourage them and help them to focus on their positive attributes. This is a good thing to do as often as possible and not just when your friend is feeling down and out. By helping your friend and emphasizing their good points, you will be contributing to your friend’s life in a positive manner. In most cases, your friend will appreciate these gestures and reciprocate appropriately when you are in need of encouragement. It is also important to remember that by encouraging your friend instead of lecturing them when they have done something wrong, you will also be helping to make your friend’s life better. Remember the Little Things One way to make your friend’s life better is to remember the small but important details about them. By remembering important dates like birthdays or graduation dates, you will show that you care about them. Make it your duty to remember what their favourite foods are and what they enjoy doing. This will ensure that you can help improve your friend’s life by spending quality time together and doing things that you both enjoy. By remembering the small details, it will also ensure that when birthdays or other occasions come around, you will be able to make appropriate gift choices because you took the trouble to get to know your friend’s likes and dislikes. Friends play a very important role in our lives. Therefore, it is important for us to treat our friends with as much respect as possible. By spending time with our friends and cherishing those times together, we will be able to ensure that we show our friends how much we appreciate them. It is always important to remember that a true friendship requires reciprocal behaviour whenever appropriate."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=How-to-Make-a-Friends-Life-Better 2012-04-08 Many people yearn to live a life of purpose. It is natural to want to feel like life has meaning and to be happy. When it comes to what fits the bill, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Finding meaning in your life is a very individualized endeavor that will require searching within oneself. Indulge in Your Passions An essential ingredient to finding meaning in life requires following your passions. Whether this involves the career you choose, volunteer work or merely a hobby, make room for the things in life that light that inner spark. The things you feel passionately about are no coincidence and you are meant to allow them to be expressed in one form or another. Do not question or judge your passions; they are what they are and they deserve your attention. Live the Life that You Want Often times, life can feel devoid of meaning if it is being lived based on someone else’s arbitrary expectations of what people should do or want. Various outside forces, such as parents, religion and cultural norms can plant very strong ideas into people’s heads about what type of life you are supposed to live. For the most part, there is no right or wrong way to live; there are just preferences and if your preferences do not collaborate with someone else’s, that is okay. This may be uncomfortable sometimes as it may lead to criticism, but this is usually preferable to suppressing the true you. Help Others in Some Way Helping your fellow man is a great way to find meaning in life. This can be accomplished in many forms, ranging from volunteer work to simply making a point to do or say nice things for the people you encounter in everyday life. Even the smallest acts, like a smile or a compliment, could have a huge impact on someone.  It feels good to make others feel good and it helps establish a sense of connection with something larger than you. Devoting time to helping other people is also a great way to gain perspective and take your mind off of your problems, which are usually not as bad as you think. Devote More Time to Personal Development Making time to better yourself is one of the best ways to find meaning and purpose in life. Whether it is through meditation, reading books, attending seminars or some other medium, this work will expose you to new ideas that will produce positive changes and expand your awareness. Most people are stuck in negative thought patterns and limited thinking that leaves them dissatisfied with life and their path; taking the time to work through all of that will help you create an authentic life that reflects the best version of you. The power you have in creating a more meaningful life and true happiness is greater than you realize. The simple acts of self-questioning and following your heart will open up doors that you never even knew existed."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=How-Do-You-Find-Your-Meaning-of-Life 2012-04-08 Establishing a new Business is no less than wagering a bet at the roulette table. You place your funds, time, reputation, and a dream on the stake, and then the wheel spins! Unless you have a whole new lot of investors to put their faith in you, so you can make your dream a reality, it’s hard to become a big tycoon. However today there are several small business centres popping up around the countries to help ease the fear and make starting a business much easier. These Small Business Development Centres are a mix of joint ventures between the Government and the educational facilities like colleges and universities, which aim at educating small businesses and equipping them with the know-how of dealing with the challenges of the ever changing Business World. These centres are becoming very popular, especially in the United States, and have started up in all fifty states, the districts of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and many territories of the United States and around the globe.  This trend is catching on even faster as more and more individuals are aspiring to become entrepreneurs – Which I am very happy to hear! There are several setbacks that a small business have to face while it is in the start-up stage. The one with a dream is not always in a position of having the capital to start his or her business. In this case, borrowing some funds from the Banks as a loan is a concept that has materialized quite well for most of the entrepreneurs. The Small Business Development Centres can sometimes provide the capital necessary in the areas where the Banks can’t. In addition to accessing the support that many small business development centres can provide to start-up companies. These centres also provide regular seminars and conferences too which educate people on new process and procedures such as tax rules or business licensing requirements. Today, many entrepreneurs and small businesses world-wide have access to Small Business Development Centres, which prove to be just as worthy as an expensive lawyer or other business profession would be, the big difference is the Business Development Centres advice and service is free or given at a large price reduction. Great Links to Check Out: Business Development Bank of Canada United States Small Business Administration (SBA)"]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=Need-Small-Business-Help-Business-Development-Centers-To-The-Rescue! 2012-04-08 When you’re ready to start-up a small Business you never know which opportunity it might take to make your dream a reality. What if there was limited risk of any failure in your venture? It is better to have a backbone beforehand that can support you throughout, and save you from much losses. This is why business coaches are important, like me. I work with many Small Business Development Centers in Calgary, Canada as well as the United States and all throughout the world. Small Business Development Centres (SBDCs) are a new emerging trend in your local areas. Their main motive (is not to steal your money with high fees) is to give educational services and guidance to local Small Businesses. Those who aspire to become entrepreneurs will benefit from the Small Business Development Centres that. They may from time to time conduct seminars and conferences (where I speak). There are about 63 Small Business Development Centres in the United States and several more in Canada that lead organizational aligned programs which are usually offered for free. The services provided by a regular Small Business Development Centre revolve around giving capital to the small scale businesses. They also help with marketing one’s idea, producing superior quality of goods or services, the basic infrastructure, engineered aspects; technical support and measuring whether or not the concerned business idea is feasible these are just some of the basic needs that these centres can provide entrepreneurs.  Generally, these services are provided are always confidential. If you are to learn the business basics these centres are a great start! A Small Business Development Centre is a budget-friendly alternative to a private consultant. This being said both can offer many benefits if used in conjunction with one another."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=Small-Business-Development-Centers--Helpful-Small-Business-Advice 2012-04-08 If you are interested in starting a new business  I have provided a checklist of what you need to do BEFORE you incorporate and open your business. It’s highly important to pay attention and keep in mind that your new incorporation start-up requirements might vary from the list below, contingent on the particular industry you plan to start up in and the location of your new business. The number one and most important business decision you will make is your business name for your new company. In addition, if you are not planning on working as sole proprietor then the jurisdiction will require that your corporation’s name include an identifying word such as “incorporated,” “limited,” “corporation”, “LLC” and so on. Search your new business corporation’s chosen business name, and for similarity to existing names. Register your corporation’s name (including as a “fictitious business name”). Pick a place and location to incorporate your new business. Choose directors for your corporation, they can be your or someone else. Create, print, and sign your corporation’s articles of incorporation and insert them in the corporation’s minute book. Write your corporation’s by-laws; make sure all directors and founding officers sign them. Create a shareholder agreement (if necessary).  This is important if you plan on having a partner. File your corporation’s articles of incorporation either by yourself or using an experienced incorporation service. Elect “S” corporation tax status (optional). Open a separate bank account for your corporation, at a bank that offers a visa debit card or some other small business advantage. Start a minute book for your corporation’s meetings. Hold your first board of directors’ meeting. Issue certificates to your corporation’s initial stockholders (if applicable). Obtain business licenses and permits for your corporation from. The federal government. Your state government. Your local government. If you plan to issue shares make sure you hire a transfer agent. Follow all legal requirements for running a corporation. The last thing you want is to spend money incorporating your business and then be shut down – believe me it can and will happen. Incorporating can be a long-term benefit to your new business in the long run, but the process can be complicated. To ensure that your new business complies with your state’s legal requirements at all steps in the incorporation process, you may wish to consult with a consultant. Click here to learn more. Make sure to pick up a copy of my book: The Million Dollar Business Bible"]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=The-Most-Important-18-Steps-To-Your-Business-Success! 2012-04-08 A feasibility study should not be considered a business plan. A feasibility study and business plan plays separate roles in the start-up phases for business. This being said, feasibility studies and business plans are frequently misunderstood. The feasibility study provides an investigating function that should answer the question of “Is this a viable business venture?” The business plan provides a planning function that outlines the actions needed to take the proposal from “idea” to “reality.” A well-written feasibility study plans and analyzes several changes or methods of achieving success for that successful business. As such, a feasibility study helps to narrow the scope of the project to identify the best business model and a business plan deals with only one alternative or model. A well-written feasibility study must narrow the scope of the project to identify and define two or three scenarios or alternatives. The consultant conducting the feasibility study may work with the group to identify the “best” alternative for their situation. Generally this becomes the basis of the business plan and plays an important role. My suggestion is that you complete a business feasibility study before you complete your business plan. A business plan should only be prepared after the business idea has been deemed to be feasible. If your proposed business venture is considered to be feasible, then a business plan should be constructed which provides a “roadmap” of how the business will be established. In addition, a business plan provides the “blueprint” for project execution. If the idea is deemed not to be feasible. However, if the business plan is note implemented properly then efforts can and should be made to correct its deficiencies, other alternatives may be explored, or the idea is dropped."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=The-Main-Difference-Between-a-Feasibility-Study-and-a-Business-Plan 2012-04-08 One of the best asset protection books currently on the market is Asset Protection: What If? By James T. White. A comprehensive review of protecting assets from lawsuits and crooked creditors, this book can help you as an enterprising entrepreneur not to get caught in a trap and lose all of your assets. Small business owners rarely consider asset protection, but this book explains how important it truly is, and the steps necessary to ensure that you are protected. About the Author James T. White is a self-made millionaire who was born in Calgary, Canada in 1985. He has been successful in many areas of life: as an entrepreneur, business adviser, motivational speaker, and author. By age sixteen, his company, J & W Corporate, had made him a millionaire.At the age of only 25, White became the youngest CEO ever to be listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. He has written five books about his experiences. Writing the Book Asset protection was not really something that crossed James White’s mind. After all, he was a successful young businessman who was engaged in running his own corporation; however, disaster struck. White’s CFO managed to take all of White’s assets and leave him holding a pile of bills and the account books. Through much hard work and the aid of many staunch friends, White was able to return to prosperity, but he since has made his goal to teach you how to protect your business, money, retirement, and dreams through asset protection.  What is Asset Protection? If you own a business or become wealthy and successful, odds are that at some point someone will try to take your money through the legal system. Asset protection allows you to protect your money from seizure by creditors and the courts. In legal phrasing, it is specifically techniques and strategies that are utilized to protect personal and business assets from financial litigation, lawsuits, and judgments. If something were to go wrong and someone sues you, you need to make sure they cannot drain you dry. White’s Asset Protection: What If?will teach you how in simple, easy to follow language. How to Protect Your Money White’s book takes a step-by-step path in showing you how to protect your money. This 108-page book shows many examples of asset protection. White begins by illustrating two main types of asset protection: domestic and offshore.  Domestically, you can protect your money by creating an LLC or FLP, which stops courts from being able to obtain the assets directly. By creating another company offshore in another country, this keeps your assets in a place that is untouchable. These secrets and many more are presented in White’s comprehensive guide, a must have for any enterprising businessman. Asset Protection: What If?is a superb book for anyone who wants to keep his money safe. Asset protection is like insurance: you do not want to think about it first after something bad happens. Rarely is it necessary to pay the thousands of dollars to large asset protection corporations to protect your money; rather, following the simple instructions in White’s book will allow you to protect your hard-earned money."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=A-Great-Asset-Protection-Book 2012-04-08 The stock market is one of the most important, yet most misunderstood, aspects of a capitalist economy. It allows companies to raise funds, while giving investors a chance to make money. The stock market is an important indicator of the state of a country’s economy as well. It is crucial for any investor to have a proper understanding of how the stock market works in order to take advantage of opportunities and make money. The Basics The stock market is the loose network of economic transactions that involves companies selling shares of their stock to investors. Each share of stock in a company grants the investor partial ownership in a company. An investor goes into the market to buy or sell shares of stock from a company for a set price. Investors in the market determine this price.  When investors feel that a company will be more profitable in the future, the price of a share in that company increases; accordingly, when the outlook is not as bright, the price decreases.   Therefore, indirectly, the profitability of a company sets the price of its stock. Raising Funds The prime function of the stock market from a corporate perspective is to raise funds. When a corporation needs money, it issues shares of stock, which investors buy. Ultimately a share in stock is a measure of the value of a company.  If a company is valued highly, then it is worth more money and can issue more stock. Thus, companies are limited in how much money they can raise. If a company attempts to put too much stock onto the market, the price of the stock will drop. Economic Indicator The overall stock market is a very good economic indicator.  When an economy is flourishing, the prices of most companies’ stocks are rising. Often, countries have formal indices, like the Dow Jones Industrial Average and NASDAQ in the United States that attempt to show general market trends. These indices are composed of companies from various sectors of the economy that give a balanced view of the country’s general economic health. Investing and Making Money The most basic rule of investing in the stock market is “buy low and sell high.”  To make money, investors want to buy shares of stock when their price is low, and sell them when their price is high.  Thus, investors try to find stocks that may currently be underperforming, but have potentially lucrative outlooks.  When a company beats estimated revenue or profit, its stock price will increase, and owners of stock can sell shares at higher prices, making money. Investors can make money through dividends as well. A dividend payment occurs when a company divides its profits among its investors and pays them money. The stock market has three main purposes. It allows companies to raise funds; it is an economic indicator; and it provides a way for investors to make money. On every transaction in the stock market there is a winner and a loser; however, by investing intelligently and balancing short-term and long-term investments, most investors are able to earn money in the stock market."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=The-Purpose-of-the-Stock-Market 2012-04-08 While many people think that they need a lot of money to start investing, this is actually not true. To invest in the stock market today doesn’t require hundreds of thousands of dollars upfront. It simply requires investing small amounts at a time and then increasing them gradually.There are various ways to invest with a little money at a time. Starting Small is Important in the Stock Market Today The stock market today can be a volatile playground for investors. That is why it is important for new investors to start small and work their way up to larger investment amounts.One of the easiest ways to start with the stock market today is to invest in what is known as a money market account or a stock broker account. While many people may think that theycannot afford to invest in the stock market today, they can by saving as little as 5% to 10% of their monthly income in one of these accounts. Consider Starting an Investment Club An investment club normally consists of a few people (friends, family members or even colleagues) who pool their resources each month in order to start saving money. This is among the easiest ways to invest in the stock market today. Once the money starts growing and paying out dividends, these are then divided among the members according to how much each one has invested into the club. For example, if each person invests an equal amount into the investment club, each will receive equal dividends, but if some invest more than others, they will receive more in dividends than the others. Make Use of Money Market Accounts One of the easiest ways to invest in the stock market today is to make use of money market accounts. Money market accounts can be opened at almost any banking institution. The money you invest in it is normally put into investments like CD’s and other areas of investment which are safer than directly in the stock market. One advantage of using a money market account to invest in the stock market today is the fact that most of these accounts offer somewhat higher interest rates than normal savings accounts. Invest in the Stock Market Today With a Stock Broker Account Another way to invest in the stock market today is by opening a stock broker account (also known as a brokerage account). There are two types of brokerage accounts. For those who are new to investing, it is best to go with what is known as a full service broker account. Your broker will examine all of the financial areas of your life to determine which investments will be best for you and also how much you will be able to afford to invest each month. This is probably one of the best ways to invest in the stock market today. Investing in stock shares is a lot easier today than it was a few years ago. All it takes is a little extra cash and a reliable investment broker. They will be able to have you invest in the money market accounts or stock broker accounts when share prices are low and show you how to sell when the share prices rise substantially. It is always important to make use of a reputable broker to ensure that you receive trustworthy and honest advice regarding your investments."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=How-Do-You-Start-Investing-With-Little-Money 2012-04-08 The current economic situation has many people confused about how to plan for the future. This is where a financial management advisor comes in, as this professional can give guidance based on individual circumstances and in a number of economic areas. Qualifications A financial management advisor normally has at least a bachelor’s degree in accounting or economics. He may also work as an assistant to a financial management advisor in order to gain experience in the field.  After working in this capacity for one to two years, this professional may be ready to obtain certification. This normally involves taking a written examination or a specially-designed course in order to do so. Business Planning Many people visit a financial management advisor whenever they are starting a new business. This is important since many new businesses fail because of budgeting concerns. A financial advisory can help entrepreneurs write a business plan and develop an operating budget. They might also give advice about how to plan for payroll, taxes, and other expenses, especially when the company experiences sudden or unexpected growth. Retirement Savings Retirement is a big concern for many people, so they often consult a financial management advisor to help them plan for this. By talking to an advisory, clients are able to come up with a custom plan to suit their individual needs and lifestyle. This takes a great deal of skill, since each person’s age, income, and previous investments can all play a role in how they plan for retirement. A financial management advisor must stay current with investment trends in order to best advise the people who entrust him with their financial affairs. Investments Another key role of a financial management advisor is helping people make investments. As a result, the advisory must be up-to-date with the latest stock market trends. When visiting a financial management advisor for investment advice, it is important to develop a personal relationship with this individual. This is so the advisor can know how much risk that individual is comfortable taking. That way, the planner can give more tailored advice based upon the investor’s personality. Estate and Education Planning Should a client have concerns about what might happen to his estate when he passes, a financial management advisor can help with this also. Other people may not be interested in death planning, but are concerned about paying for their child’s education.  Estate and education planning sometimes go hand in hand because clients sometimes want to make sure their children can still attend college if they pass away suddenly. These things should be discussed with a financial management advisor in order to help people be prepared for the unexpected. The role of a financial management advisor is multi-faceted and complex. It is also ever-evolving, which means that a financial planner must react to constant change to best serve his clients. A high level of integrity is also required since people often trust this professional with their most valuable resource-their money."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=The-Role-of-a-Financial-Advisor 2012-04-08 One of the most fascinating creations of mankind is the stock market. A forum for businesses to raise money and investors to make money, the stock markets can make or break individuals and corporations. One bad day could ruin the gains an investor has made over an entire year; however, the stock markets work the other way too. Through savvy investing and proper timing, investors can make large quantities of money in short periods of time.  Market Basics Stock markets are the loose network of economic transactions that involve companies selling shares of their stock to investors. Each share of stock in a company grants the investor partial ownership in a company. An investor goes into the stock markets to buy or sell shares of stock from a company for a set price. The market has three main purposes. It allows investors to make money; it provides a way for businesses to raise funds; and, it serves as an economic indicator.  When the stock markets are rising, the economy of a country is generally doing well.  Causes of Fluctuations There are many causes of fluctuations in the stock markets. It is impossible to identify the miniscule details that cause each tiny price change, but overall the price of a share of stock increases if that company is thought to be profitable and decreases if that company is thought to be unprofitable. The stock markets operate on a system of supply and demand.  When people think a company is profitable, everyone wants to own shares of stock in that company so people can sell their shares at higher prices. However, when fewer people want to buy stock, the price drops.  Timing the Market Most investors make money on the fluctuations in the stock markets through good timing. The key principle to always keep in mind when investing in the stock markets is “buy low and sell high”.To maximize profits, investors want to buy stocks when their prices are low and sell them when their prices are high. These prices fluctuate every second, so awareness of stock market prices is key to making money in the markets.  Predicting the Market Timing the market is not as easy as it sounds. It necessarily involves the prediction of what the stock markets will do in the future. Since no one can see the future with certainty, no one can know whether or not his or her stock will increase.   For every person who is selling stock, someone is buying stock. There is always someone betting against you. If something is certain, then no one will bet against you. The principle behind the stock market is that there will always bea winner and loser. That being said, steps can be taken to minimize risk. Risk and Reward In the stock markets there is an inherent connection between risk and reward. As the risk increases, so does the reward; however, if the risk decreases, the reward shrinks as well. A good investor has a diversified portfolio with some stocks that are risky and others that are less so. Large corporations are much less risky than smaller, start-up corporations.  However, the only way to make truly vast sums of money in the markets is to bet correctly on a small company that becomes the next Microsoft.  Historical Stock Market Prices As a general principle, stock market prices tend to increase. Over time, businesses grow and assets are created. This is how the world has grown to its current size. However, this does not mean that individual stocks have not historically lost value. For instance, when it entered bankruptcy, General Motors’ stock price was almost zero. Investors lost millions on that one stock. Yet, the sum total of the stock market has increased. Since its inception in the late 19th century, The Dow Jones Industrial Average, an index of thirty American stocks that comprise the largest sectors of the American economy, has increased from less than one hundred points to almost thirteen thousand.  The stock markets are amazing creations that have made fortunes for many shrewd investors; however, they have also caused great ruin, like in the Great Depression in America in the 1930s. If you are able to time the market and buy low and sell high, you will make money and the market will be a valuable tool. With a little guidance, anyone can make money in the stock markets."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=The-Up,-Down,-Up-of-the-Stock-Markets 2012-04-08 The need for well thought-out retirement planning has been increasing in recent years by the fact that people are living longer, and are still hoping to retire at the age of 60. This significantly increases the portion of their life during which they’re classified as “retired”. For this reason, the option of having a 401(k) is much sought-after by the American workforce. Definition of a 401(k) A 401(k) is a specific savings account used for the purposes of retirement planning. The term “401(k)” is actually the name for a subsection of the Internal Revenue Code. The way that it works is employers will automatically deduct a small amount of the qualified employee’s pay, and deposit that sum into the 401(k) account. The employer who wishes to aid in their employee’s retirement planning efforts can also make contributions to the 401(k), usually matching the contributions made by the employee. This amount is then saved until the employee retires, and is used to support them in their post-employment years. Withdrawing 401(k) Funds Pre-Retirement When it comes to retirement planning, it is considered financially prudent to accrue an amount that will see an individual through their retirement years. For this reason, there are restrictions put on when a person is allowed to withdraw funds from their 401(k). If a person withdraws funds prior to turning 59 and a half, they will have to pay an excise tax, amounting to ten percent. If the individual has reached the age of 55, and is permanently disabled, they may withdraw from their 401(k) without incurring the excise tax. Taking Out a Loan From a 401(k) Plan If an individual has a large sum of money set aside for the purposes of retirement planning, it may seem very tempting to borrow from this account from time to time, and many 401(k) plans allow individuals to do exactly this. The allure may be even greater, given that the loan amount is not subject to the regular excise tax incurred when funds are withdrawn prior to retirement. The repayment terms of the loan are: that duration of the borrowing must be no more than 5 years, is subject to interest, and is also subject to tax upon repayment. For this reason, many advisors in the retirement planning industry will advise against taking such a loan. Retirement Planning Similar to a Standard 401(k) While a standard 401(k) may be adequate in terms of retirement planning for employees of large businesses or corporations, sole-proprietorships and entrepreneurs have found these plans unable to meet their needs, given that there is nobody to match their contributions. A Solo-401(k) allows for an increased contribution limit of up to 25% (as opposed to 15% in a standard 401(k)). This sort of retirement planning can be done through a Self-Directed 401(k), which in turn allows for the individual to invest their funds in things like stock markets, private companies, or even real estate. Provided that an individual contributes more than their automatic payroll deductions, which don’t usually come near the allowable 15%, and can be fiscally-responsible when it comes to taking a loan, a 401(k) can be a perfectly sufficient method of retirement planning."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=What-is-a-401-K 2012-04-08 While many people think that travelling anywhere is expensive, this is not always true. Depending on where you want to travel to or when you want to travel, there are actually quite a few affordable destinations to travel to that will suit almost anyone’s budget. While many people prefer to travel within their country, there are travel destinations overseas that are sure to satisfy almost everyone, even those looking for affordable destinations. Argentina This South American gem is one of the cheapest places for travel. Buenos Aires is rated as one of the cheapest cities in the world for travellers, especially for those who enjoy shopping. The best times for visiting here are during spring (September to November) or autumn (March to May), because it is slightly cooler than during the rest of the year. Cuisine varies between fresh steaks at most restaurants to a wide variety of foreign eateries. In order to make the most of your time in this South American country, it is recommended that your stay be a minimum of two weeks. The main language spoken here is Spanish, so brushing up on the basics of it before your arrival will definitely serve you well. Egypt Home to the pharaohs, this African country is a bargain for those who want to travel internationally, but can’t afford to visit the more expensive destinations. For those who enjoy ancient history, this is one of the best places to see it up close. A unique feature on offer in Egypt is the opportunity to view the Sphinx and the ancient pyramids by camel. Many tour operators offer Nile River cruises which also encompass other sites like the Temples of Philae, Karnak, Edfu and Abu Simbel. Diving tours of the Red Sea can also be booked along with visits to world-famous museums like the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities. English is widely spoken, so tourists shouldn’t have any problems making their needs known. Poland Poland is one of the most affordable destinations for travel in Europe. Rich in history, this country has a lot to offer those who enjoy history as well as visiting places that are slightly different to the usual tourist destinations. Warsaw and Krakow are two of the historical cities in Poland which have a little of something to cater for almost everyone. There is a vast array of historical castles for those who enjoy touring the sights. The Mazury Lake District in Eastern Poland offers water sports like kayaking and sailing. While Polish is the main language spoken here, English visitors will be able to communicate with the locals because of the fact that many of them are now able to speak English as well. Cheap overseas travel is becoming more and more popular. All it takes to find a destination to suit your needs is an extensive internet search and the help of a reputable travel agent. By travelling to any of these cheap travel destinations, you are sure to have the experience of a lifetime. Always remember to take extra safety precautions when travelling in foreign countries."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=Cheap-Travel-Destinations 2012-04-08 With the recent economic downturn, the close to home vacation, otherwise known as the stay-cation, has become increasingly popular. Rather than wasting valuable and rare vacation time with travel, Americans are choosing to stay home, get some work done around the house and visit local attractions. However, those who don’t leave the house miss out on opportunities and experiences that can only be had by flying to your destination. Which to choose? Stay-cation Pros First and foremost, stay-cations are a far less expensive way to travel than flying, with no costly hotels or airfare. Stay-cationers have more opportunities to find free entertainment around the house. By sticking with regional travel and day trips, stay-cationers also report less of the stress that comes from long delays and packing and unpacking. Stay-cationers enjoy greater access to family and friends, and many report that they learn much more about the recreational and cultural opportunities that are available in their hometowns. Of course, many stay-cationers use the opportunity to finish larger household projects, which could relieve another kind of stress altogether. Stay-cation Cons Some stay-cationers still engage in overnight, regional travel during their vacation time, and so they still spend significant sums on hotels and travel expense (i.e., gas). Also by staying home, stay-cationers report it is often more difficult to truly relax and leave their usual stressors (such as work and the “Honey-do list”) behind when compared with traditional travel. Other stay-cationers find they spend more of their vacation time bored, and then they feel like they have wasted valuable vacation time. Flying Pros Taking a vacation that requires air travel opens up so many more chances to see and experience something new or exotic. Those who go beyond mere regional travel get the luxury of hotel living (i.e., no cooking or cleaning), as well as the chance to truly relax and return from vacation refreshed. Furthermore, to paraphrase Jimmy Buffett, changing your latitude can change your attitude; many report that flying to an exotic location gives them a unique perspective that helps them see life in news ways. Flying Cons Most airplane trips are uneventful, leave and arrive on time, and drop you at your destination with all of your stuff – but not all. Having to check (and pay for extra) bags, lost luggage, delays and airport security can separately or together make the vacationer wish he’d never left the house and stuck with regional travel instead. Furthermore, vacationers with toddlers, even relatively well-behaved little ones, are almost guaranteed to have a rough flight. Even with the best of flights, airfare is a significant travel expense, as are hotels. So, which to choose? It really depends on the needs, wants and budget of the traveller. If you are looking to relax on very little money, clearly regional travel and the stay-cation are the best option. If, however, you can afford it and really need to get away, airline travel to an exotic destination may be the perfect choice. Take the time to list your pros and cons, and whichever vacation you choose will be just right."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=Vacation-or-Stay-cation 2012-04-08 Staying fit while you travel can be a challenge. When taking vacations, some people travel for quite some time before reaching their destination. This often means that while they are traveling, their normal exercise routine becomes disrupted. Keep an Eye on Your Eating Habits When people take vacations, one of the first things that normally changes is their eating habits. A little indulgence with regards to food is understandable during vacations, but it is important to ensure that it does not become a regular habit. When a person takes vacations, it is important to remember that their metabolism does not change because of it. If anything, the metabolism may be slower because a person tends to feel a lot more relaxed when taking vacations. That is why it’s even more important to carefully monitor food and drink consumption during vacations. This advice especially applies to alcohol, because it can cause a person to gain weight. Ensure That Exercise is a Regular Part of Your Routine on Vacations While enjoying your vacations, it is important to remember that you still need to exercise regularly. If you are booking into a hotel, see if there is a gym nearby that offers guest passes for those taking vacations. For those who don’t enjoy the idea of a gym, the next best form of exercise would be to take a brisk walk each day instead of driving to see all of the sights. Exercising in your hotel room during vacations can be an option if the weather is too bad to walk. By simply doing a few sit-ups, push-ups or making use of empty bottles filled with water to do a little weight training, you can ensure that you are able to stay fit while you are on vacation. Commit to Staying Fit on Vacations One of the most important factors for staying fit is your commitment to exercising each day. This will ensure that you feel better about yourself overall, especially when looking in the mirror. Ensure that you are able to at least pack your running shoes and other workout wear when traveling. If you normally make use of supplements or other vitamins, ensure that they travel with you as well. Having these with you will leave little room for excuses when the time comes to exercise. It is also important to get enough rest while you travel, because this is one of the best ways for your body to recuperate from being in different surroundings and consuming different foods. Research has shown that people who engage in some form of exercise at least three times a week are healthier than those who don’t. Not only is it beneficial for physical health, but it also offers mental and emotional health benefits. Those who exercise also enjoy far lower stress levels than those who don’t. If you have not exercised for a long time, it will be best to consult with a doctor before starting any new exercise routine."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=Great-Top-Tip-to-Stay-Fit-When-Traveling 2012-04-08 While many people think they don’t need a vacation, this is not true. Taking a vacation is a very important part of a healthy lifestyle. It doesn’t matter if you enjoy your work or if you work at a job that is relatively stress-free.Staying in the same place and not getting away from it all during your vacation is not considered to be part of a healthy lifestyle. You Need to Break Free Everybody suffers from work related stress, including those who think they are working in a stress-free environment. In order to promote a healthy lifestyle, it is necessary to take a break from your work environment at least once a year. This should be a complete break with no interruptions from the office while you aren’t there. While many people think that taking their work on vacation is acceptable, it isn’t, because this does not promote a healthy lifestyle. When you take a vacation you need to ensure that your work stress is left behind at the office while you are relaxing. Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle When you take a vacation, it is a good idea to get away from the house and try to forget about everything else except your vacation.  Travellingto a new place is a good idea for a vacation, because you are able to change your routine completely. Leaving the city and heading for the countryside while you are on vacation will help promote a healthy lifestyle. According to doctors, people that take more stress free vacationsarea lot healthier and live longer. A Vacation is Beneficial to your Lifestyle Studies have shown that after just a few days of being on vacation, most people experience an improvement in their sleeping patterns. Most people report an improvement in their overall moodand they feel more relaxed while on vacation. Studies haveshown that these effects last up to five weeks after returning to work, especially those who enjoyed stress-free quality time with friends and loved ones.Part of a healthy lifestyle involves spending your free time relaxing and doing things that you enjoy doing. An Improved Lifestyle Authors of the abovementioned studies mentioned that people who go on more frequent vacations are those who experiencemore of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle than those who don’t. They experiencemore psychological benefits which in turn result in significantly improved performance in the workplace. That in itself proves that taking frequent but shorter vacations will result in a healthy lifestyle. Doctors recommend taking at least 2 short vacations a year in order to promote a healthy lifestyle.This is especially true for women who are more affected by stress than men. By doing this, you are able to reduce the risk of stress related coronary heart disease. People that don’t take regular vacation breaks are at an eight times higher risk of suffering from ill-health. More frequent vacations can also be beneficial to those who suffer from depression."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=Why-You-Should-Take-a-Vacation 2012-04-08 Since the dollar is comparatively strong, Americans can expect a favorable exchange rate with European currencies; so now is the perfect time to travel to Europe. The truly difficult decision is where to go. Consider the following options, recently rated by a well-known index for their value: Berlin, Germany Listed as one of the least expensive cities to visit in Europe, Berlin boasts a fascinating history and many attractions. Tourists flock to Checkpoint Charlie and the famous Berlin Wall to soak in a bit of Cold War culture. Other choose to spend a day touring Museum Island (home to 5 of Berlin’s best museums) and the Brandenburg Gate. Many travel to Berlin just to take in its famed nightlife, including cabarets where acrobats, clowns, artistes and magicians entertain. Athens, Greece The birthplace of modern, western civilization, no travel to Europe would be complete without a couple of days in Athens. The Parthenon, dedicated to the goddess Athena, sits on the Acropolis and offers a magnificent view of the city, as well as a glimpse into the distant past. While enjoying its mild climate, tourists flock to its many archaeological sites including the Temple of Poseidon. Famed for its tasty cuisine and reasonable prices, Athens is a perfect travel destination. Saint Petersburg, Russia Captured by Peter the Great in 1703, St. Petersburg has been called the cultural capital of Russia and is a wonderful choice for travel to Europe. The famed Hermitage Museum, housed in the equally famous Winter Palace, has over 2 million exhibits including works by Titan, Raphael, Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Monet, Matisse and Kandinsky. If that isn’t enough of a reason to travel here, consider visiting the beautiful, golden-domed Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood or the Peterhof Palace Garden. St. Petersburg is an inexpensive and wonderful destination for travel to Europe. Madrid, Spain Located in the heart of Spain, Madrid offers everything to the person wishing to travel to Europe. Famous attractions include the Royal Palace (the largest in Western Europe), the Plaza Mayor (a perfect place to have a rest and people watch) and the famous Prado museum. The more adventurous will enjoy watching some of the world’s best flamenco dancers, and the truly bloodthirsty can still attend a bullfight, right in the heart of Madrid at the Las Ventas. Istanbul, Turkey Straddling the Bosphorus, Istanbul resides in both Europe and Asia. Inexpensive, multi-cultural and beautiful, Istanbul retains traces of all of its former masters from the Greeks, Romans and Byzantines to the Ottomans. Istanbul’s amazing attractions include the gorgeous, 1,000 year old Hagia Sophia, the Topkapi Palace and the 4,000-shop Grand Bazaar. A delight for all of the senses, Istanbul is a unique and inexpensive choice for travel to Europe. With so many inexpensive and fascinating choices, there has never been a better time to plan your next itinerary for travel to Europe. Whether you choose one of these fascinating European destinations or another, don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=Five-Great-Ideas-for-Travel-to-Europe 2012-04-08 At one time, the word "media"conjured images of newspapers and radio. In the current technological age,however,the question, "What is media?" might result in surprising, and varying, answers. Media encompasses both traditional forms of communication, as well as numerous new social media platforms. What is Media? Media is the plural form of the word "medium." It is the means by which news and information is communicated to the masses. Mass media, then, refers to all of the different forms of communication to the public, such as radio, newspapers, magazines and Internet websites – any of the means used to reach wide audiences. Media refers to the many different, and ever-changing, forms of communication employed to reach a desired audience. What is Media? – Different Types Have Different Benefits There are various forms of mass media, and each different type has its own benefits and limitations. Print media, such as newspapers and magazines, has the ability to reach many people within a geographic area; the printed information, however, has a shelf life that expires quickly. Broadcasting media, like television and radio, can reach far beyond a target audience, but its messages are limited to the length of exposure – once the audience turns the channel, the message may be lost. There is also the emergence of new, cutting-edge media that are threatening these traditional forms and making us re-evaluate the question, "What is media?" What is Media? – New Forms are Emerging With the advent of the Internet age, the question, "What is media?" has a constantly mutating answer. Often called "new media" or "social media," on-demand forms of communication are feared to be taking over the more conventional means of reaching audiences. From the Internet alone, there are mass communication tools such as Facebook and Twitter that allow individuals to have instant access to whatever information they can search for – all in a matter of minutes. Even conventional news is being shaken by the advent of news websites where people can get updates instantaneously, while also interacting with reporters and other readers through message boards. What is Media? – Its Importance to Humankind Media’s ability to reach the masses makes it a very important and powerful tool. Finding and using the appropriate form of media can help you get a message to an intended audience, often efficiently. The media can educate an audience and direct it to areas where more in-depth information can be found. It can provide publicity and exposure for businesses and for social causes. Possibly the most important feature of media is that it can change opinions and move people to action, and it is this ability to influence the masses that can potentially make the media a very useful, and dangerous, tool. As more and more people consider themselves experts and blog about their own experiences, the source of media information is becoming increasingly important to consider. Even with this danger, and the growing numbers of types of communication, there can be no doubt of the importance of media as a tool. Many schools are tapping into this movement, creating new and exciting degrees to explore media literacy, with promises of bright futures in social media positions."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=What-is-Media-and-Why-is-It-So-Important-to-Humankind 2012-04-08 What is air and what is air made from? When people think of air, the word oxygen usually comes to mind. However, oxygen is not the only thing found in the air we breathe. Air is made of many different molecules which, when combined, become a necessary component for almost all life on earth. So what is air, and why is it so important? What is Air? When looking for the answer to “what is air”, it’s important to remember that air is the invisible gaseous substance that surrounds us, day in and day out, without us even noticing. This air surrounding us is called the atmosphere. Our atmosphere protects us from the extreme heat of the sun, and allows the earth to have different weather and climate patterns. This atmosphere also allows all living creatures to breathe, and all living plants to grow. The composition of air changes depending on the altitude – the higher you are, the less oxygen found in the atmosphere, known as ‘thin’ air. Air is needed for respiration, for photosynthesis, and for combustion. What is Air Made from? Air is a mixture of gases that, together, make the earth’s atmosphere. Nitrogen is the primary component of air, at 78.09%, with oxygen being the second largest component at 20.95%. The remaining one percent of air is comprised of argon at 0.93%, carbon dioxide at 0.039%, with additional trace gases of 0.003%. Water vapour, in varying amounts of up to 2%, can also be found in the air. What is Air:Is it a Requirement for All Living Creatures? Respiration, or breathing, is necessary for both human and animal life. During the process of respiration, the oxygen part of the air we breathe is transported by the lungs to the parts of the body that need it. In this process, not only is oxygen taken in and used by the body, but carbon dioxide, a waste product of the body, is also expelled. The carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere when we exhale, and this part of respiration is very important to keep animals healthy. What is Air: Is it a Requirement for Plant Life? Plants need the carbon dioxide in the air to begin the very important process of photosynthesis.  Photosynthesis is the process where plants use sunlight as energy to convert carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into oxygen and glucose. The glucose is used by the plant as food and the oxygen is released into the atmosphere. The process of photosynthesis is critical to maintain the correct amount of oxygen in the atmosphere.This process points to a symbiotic relationship between plants and animals; animals excrete carbon dioxide necessary for plants to grow and survive, and plants then release oxygen into the atmosphere, which is necessary for animal survival. The question of “what is air” is a very important one. Air is a precious resource that is required for almost every living creature, animal or plant, to eat, breathe, grow, and continue to flourish. The question of “what is air made from” is becoming more important, as well. As our world changes and more societies become technologically advanced, we must continue to study our atmosphere and ensure the critical balance of the composition of air is maintained."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=What-is-Air-and-What-is-Air-Made-from 2012-04-08 What is law? Law is a set of rulesthat apply equally to everyone, describe rights and define responsibilities. Why is law so important? The law ensures that people are treated fairly, rights are protected, and people behave properly. Civil Law vs. Criminal Law “What is law?” cannot be answered without first describing the distinction between civil and criminal law. Criminal law governs acts that are illegal and result in arrest and, perhaps, prison; typically, crimes are those acts that are against the morals of a society. Contrarily, civil law regulates conduct to help make it easier for people to get along, i.e., zoning regulations; violations of civil laws may cost money, but do not involve going to jail. Property Law For property the question “what is law?” has two answers.Real property law governs land and things that are fixed to it – like houses and timber; examples include the deed to a home or selling someone the right to cut your timber. Personal property law governs items that can be moved – like jewelry, televisions, cars and intangibles (such as shares of stock). Personal property rights are commonly enforced in a lawsuit, such as might result from a car accident. “Why is law so important?” is answered by noting that the system protecting property ensures disputes and rights are worked out in an orderly fashion, rather than vigilante-style. Contract Law Answering the question, “what is law?” for contracts is relatively easy. A contract is any agreement between competent people (meaning sane adults) who agree to act in certain ways. A contract does not need to be written, but it is easier to enforce if it is. There are 5 elements to any valid contract: an offer, an acceptance, the intention by all parties to create a legal obligation, capacity (being competent) and consideration (what each party will give the other in exchange for the other’s promise). “Why is law so important?” is answered with the following: the picky rules for contracts ensure that people are held responsible for their promises, but not burdened unfairly. Family Law “What is law?” with family law covers a wide range of issues including divorce, child support, child custody and visitation, paternity, alimony and adoption. In some states, family law is referred to as domestic relations, and sometimes it strays over into criminal law when there are allegations of abuse and protective orders are issued. “Why is law so important?” is easily answered. The personal nature of the issues in family law often make it necessary for an unbiased, learned person to step in and arbitrate disputes. Criminal Law For criminal law, “what is law?” is the set of rules that prohibit behaviors that endanger the welfare and safety of other people. Crimes are typically divided into two broad categories: misdemeanors and felonies. Misdemeanors are the “little” crimes that may, but usually do not, involve going to prison (although fines are often common); examples of misdemeanors include simple assault, prostitution and petty theft. Felonies are much more serious crimes, like rape, armed robbery and murder. “Why is law so important?” is that the threat of enforcing criminal law helps prevent crime, and enforcing the laws ensures that dangerous people are removed from society. Shakespeare’s line, “the first thing we must do is kill all the lawyers,” was spoken by a villain who was planning a crime. By answering the questions “what is law and why is it important?” it is demonstrated precisely why people need a system of rules that proscribe conduct and delineate rights, as well as lawyers to enforce them."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=What-Is-Law-and-Why-Is-It-So-Important 2012-04-08 When most people are asked about their major financial objectives, they tend to play safe with general answers like achieving financial stability, but the truth remains that not many of us give due consideration to our financial objectives in life. In our struggle to meet everyday expenses, we tend to forgo the most essential objectives. This lesson deals with identifying and meeting your ultimate financial goals. However, it is easier said than done as fulfilment of one goal might set back the approach towards the other considerably. Your decision to pay for your child’s education could end up creating a dent in your retirement savings. This calls for a need to not just classify financial objective but to also prioritize them.  Apart from chronically arranging your goals as per priority, you should work towards the more important ones first. Fortunately, you have time on your side, which is an advantage if you look at the potentiality of compounding. Even an insignificant amount of money has the power of earning interest and considering that with each passing year, the interest rate gets applied on an increasing sum of money, leads to a higher interest amount than the preceding year. For instance, if you keep aside the money equivalent of a bar of candy, say about 65 cents every day and invest it in a tax-deferred account that pays 5% a year. When compounded monthly, the saving that accrues at the end of 30 years would be somewhere around $16,470. Needless to say, to reap the most of the compounding benefit, you have to start early in life. Take the example of two siblings who decide to invest in Individual Retirement Accounts, which earns 8% annually. The sister invests at the age of 20 and every year she puts $3000 in her IRA till she turns 30. The brother, on the other hand, starts at the age of 30 and continues to pay $3000 per year for the rest of his life. Which of the two, do you think will earn more by the age of 65? It will be the sister as she invested a good 10 years ahead of her brother and her savings would be more than $642,000 while the brother would have about $518,000, almost 20% less. Of course, the best option would be to start early and to keep adding to the account every year. If both of them would have started at 20 and invested $3000 per year till retirement, each would have made around $1.2 million. The idea is to make the most of the available time. To start off, make a list of the things that can be classified as financial goals. These could range from clearing your debts to buying a Lamborghini, anything that will give you a sense of security or happiness in the long run. You can consider goals like investing in real estate, paying for your kid’s college or just amassing enough wealth to live a comfortable post-work life. Once you are ready with the list, it is time to prioritize and determine which of these listed goals are the most important for you."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=Do-you-have-your-Financial-Objectives-Planned-Yet 2012-04-08 Paying for college and clearing debts are the two most common financial goals that feature prominently in most people’s list of objectives. Although, it might get difficult to meet these objectives, here are a few plans that you can draw up for meeting both these goals.  To get out of debt you must start with your credit-cared expenses. If you find it difficult to clear your credit-card dues every month, maybe it is time to either consolidate or to shed of a part of that debt. Suppose your outstanding credit-card dues amount to $3, 000 at a 16 % rate of interest, along with a car loan of $10, 000 at 9%. To get off of both these debts, you will have to pay around $1,147 monthly. However, if you own a home with some equity, then you can borrow a sum of $13,000 at 9% on home-equity loan and retire the other bills. What happens now is that your cost of paying off this loan would stand at around $1,137 a month, which is slightly lower as you can opt out of paying a higher interest on the credit card.  Moreover, considering the fact that the interest on most of the home-equity loans can be deducted, one can reduce the taxable income by almost $642 that year, roughly a $212 saving opportunity for those within the 33 percent federal tax norms. In effect, the government helps you in paying off your dues. Of course, the strategy is moot if you keep on charging new items to your credit cards. Paying for college can get really arduous for a lot of students and even their families. Just the cost of tuition and boarding can total up to $30, 000 per annum and this figure would easily reach $80,000 with the new batch of students entering college. Many students qualify for both federal and private financial aid that could be either in the form of a scholarship, loan or both. A lot of students also take up part time jobs to pay off their dues. If you want your kids to graduate without any burden of debts hanging on their heads, there are a number of saving vehicles you can avail of. Most states are now offering the so-called 529 Plans, where the contributions are put into pre-selected mutual funds and the money grows tax-free every year. Also, no tax has to be paid on the amount withdrawn to pay for tuition. Another option is the “Coverdell Education Savings Account” where you can put around $2,000 per year after deducting the tax amount in either a bank account or any other investment option and the earning you garner on one of these accounts is completely tax-free; however, it has to be only utilized for paying the tuition fee. It's amazing, when calculated correctly, how far these minor plans can take you. For example, if today, you decide to put around $2,000 into a Coverdell account that earns 8%, every year without fail. After just 18 years, you would end up accumulating more than $80,000."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=Heres-how-to-plan-for-two-of-your-Major-Financial-Objectives 2012-04-08 It has been observed that retirees just require around 70 percent of the income from their pre-retirement days in order to maintain the same lifestyle. The fact that they do not have to incur daily expenditures like commuting or spending on work clothes reduces their expenditure significantly.  However, it does not mean that retirees do no incur any cost at all, as other costs pertaining to utility bills, travelling and vacations, money spend on recreational activities and of course, healthcare drastically soars up. In some cases, people might be faced with the need for much more money than what they required back in their working days. Unfortunately, one ends up getting only a fraction of their income through the traditional pension plans and Social Security stands incapable of filling up the gap between monetary requirements and the pension money. Keeping the current retirement plan scenario in mind, it is difficult to be certain of the amount of money a person is likely to receive at the age of 65, if they were to start planning for retirement today. The uncertainty arises because Social Security benefits might get revised andthe pension plan equations can be changed by the employers at any time. However, they cannot do so retroactively, hence you can be assured because the retirement amount that you have already been qualified for will belong to you. Further, Congress can at any time reform the laws that govern retirement savings plans and which will have a profound influence on your retirement savings a couple of years hence. In addition, keeping the recent economic dip in mind, it has been proven that in the short term, the stocks can be thoroughly erratic even if they are among the top most consistent and dependable performers in the long run. This is why people should be weary of their stock holdings and the importance of stocks in the retirement portfolio should be established only after considering every possibility of a steep downturn. If you want to secure your retirement finances make sure that you spread it over a larger framework and make contributions to a number of plans instead of just investing in one possible and potential avenue. If you have the options of 403(b), 401(k), or 457 programs available, then try to put as much money as you can afford, into these programs. When you invest in these retirement schemes, your employers too would put in a percentage of the money, hence adding to your retirement savings. However, if your work place does not offer any of the retirement plans, consider contributing to an IRA. Another plus is that the contributions that you put in these plans are all tax-deferred, so it is not just you or your employer who’s helping you to save for your retirement but also Uncle Sam.  To keep yourself insured against modified retirement plans that can be mandated by law; you should have your own set of taxable savings well-planned in advance. The ideal way would be to invest in stocks, mutual funds, or bonds, which can garner returns higher than the one provided by bank accounts."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=Are-you-Capable-of-Financing-your-Retirement 2012-04-08 When you begin to budget your money it is important that you narrow down your objectives. You should realize that every financial goal you have in your mind may not come true, but you should rank them according to the one that is most important as you have an increased chance of achieving your goals when they are prioritized. You should focus first on your primary goals and the onesthat are less desirable should be put in the back of your mind. When you startto budget your money you should prepare for conflicts. At times you might face a financial conflict between two of your goals. When this happens you need to determine if one of your financial goals is more beneficial than the other and if one of them will cause greater harm in the long run if it is put off. Be sure to also consider time. One of the most important friends when you are trying to reach financial goals is time. If you save money in a savings account, in stocks, or another interest-earning account you will notice a growth. The longer the money remains there, the more your chances of success will grow. Age is an important factor too, as younger people are capable of taking more risk than their older counterparts. You should choose the items on your list after a good consideration and put down things that would make you feel financially independent and happy in the long run. After you list down all such items, make sure to prioritize them. Your goal-setting process must include some input from your spouse and your children as whatever financial objectives that you list down is bound to have effects on their lives too, either directly or indirectly. The best time to start planning and working to achieve your goals is now. From the benefit point of view as well, the more you procrastinate, the higher are the chances of missing out on the profit received from compounding your savings. Once you have the list ready and your goals are set and prioritized, start keeping a check on your spending. Whenever you spend a hefty amount, question yourself whether you really need to do so and whether this outlay would result in a setback or propel you closer to your most important goals. If the expense is not taking you anywhere near to your goal, either postpone or reduce it. You cannot always keep looking at the bigger picture. It is understandable that you are trying to cut down on your expenses in the hopes of achieving your financial goals but even then, you should keep aside a part of your income to be spent on day-to-day expenses including recreation. However, you must try not to go overboard. Nothing in life is permanent, least of all your financial objectives. There are a lot of external factors that might compel you to revise and redo your list from time to time and you must always be open to do so. Additionally, you should also re-examine and shuffle your priorities every five years or so."]]> http://www.jamestimothywhite.com/read-more.php?title=Setting-Financial-Goals 2012-04-08