Tshirt Printing Method

There are several different ways to print your own T-shirts, including painting, using transfer paper and a computer printer and screen printing. Explore these techniques to create T-shirts to commemorate an event or investigate the easiest and most cost-effective way to start your own T-shirt design business.

Painting

There are many varieties of paint and dye you can use when printing on T-shirts. Look for products specifically made for fabric. Techniques to apply paint include brushing, rolling, sponging and stenciling.

Fabric paint or textile paint is easy to use and available in a wide variety of colors. Fabric markers with a fine, medium or wide tip can be used to draw on T-shirts. Dimensional paint puffs when dried and can be used to add texture and detail. Fabric transfer crayons or paint crayons resemble children's crayons. The design is drawn on a white piece of paper and then ironed to the T-shirt. The heat transfers the design.

Along with paint, dye is another easy way to print on T-shirts. Pastel dye sticks are similar to regular pastels and set with heat. Fiber reactive dyes can be applied with a paint brush and will not stiffen the fabric like paint. Discharge dyeing removes the color from a colored T-shirt through the use of a bleach solution.

Transfer Paper

You can also print images from a computer onto transfer paper. They are then transferred to a T-shirt by using an iron. This method is very versatile; however, the transfer paper can only be used once. The method works best on white T-shirts and can be used for intricate designs. Because the color comes from the printer and then is transferred to the T-shirt, no hand coloring is needed. There are transfer papers for dark fabrics, but quality varies.

Screen Printing

Screen printing is the most labor intensive of the T-shirt printing methods. You first take a wooden frame attached with a screen fabric, usually polyester. The shirt design is attached to the screen by stencils, either paper or lacquer, and you use a squeegee to push the paint or dye onto the shirt through the stencils and the screen. This method works well to create multiple T-shirts. For the beginner, there are screen printing kits available with frames already assembled.

Sell Ad Space In Your Vehicle To Earn Money

Imagine getting paid to drive your own car to wherever you choose. It's possible. All you need to do is to allow your car to be draped with advertising messages. It's easy and it's beneficial. Here is what you need to do to sell advertising space on your car.

Instructions

1. Be prepared to enter into a contract. Advertisers generally prefer long-term commitments.

2. Register with your local transit-advertising agency. Approach various agencies and choose the one that pays you the most and gives you a choice of brand or company to advertise.

3. Determine how the advertising message will be displayed on your car. It could be vinyl graphic panels, magnetic signs, bumper stickers or a complete car wrap.

4. Ensure that the material to be used is not harmful to your car exterior.

5. Check if there is a minimum distance you need to drive.

6. Be prepared for regular inspections and spot checks from the car advertising agency.

7. Choose a brand that you would love to advertise and goes well with your lifestyle and driving habits.

8. Keep your agency informed if there is any change in your driving pattern. Relocation to a different place, enrolling your child in a new school and having a new job are instances when your driving patterns could be altered.

Idea Of Retail Marketing

Retail marketing depends on learning what customers need and want in the marketplace.

The central idea behind retail marketing is ensuring that a company creates products a customer needs or wants, products the customer is willing to pay to own. Some companies have retail marketing departments within their office while others outsource marketers to research and market their product. Using diverse approaches to studying consumer behavior, marketers inventing creative ways to attract shoppers to a product.

Basics

The essence behind retail marketing is to develop merchandise and services that satisfy particular customer needs. Beauty, travel, clothing and food products advertised online, in print and on TV undergo marketing analysis and research to find out if consumers will want the product and how much they are willing to spend to have it. Retail marketers must supply the product or service at prices that will produce profits for that brand.

Customer Needs

Retail marketers make customer needs their priority. If shoppers seem to only be interested in environmentally friendly makeup products, any cosmetics company still selling animal-tested products will go under. Retail marketing researchers study how customers use products and how they like to shop. Retail marketing is only profitable through correctly anticipating, identifying and satisfying customer needs and wants.

Strategies

According to Lars Perner, Ph.D., in the department of marketing at the University of Southern California, market research ensures that companies produce what customers really want and not what companies think they want. New products generally start off slow in the marketplace before spreading to more consumers.

Retailer marketers keep in mind that, when introducing a new product, companies need to be financed enough so that they can remain in business until their product hits big. Retail marketers understand the importance in pleasing initial customers because shoppers are, in turn, responsible for spreading the word about a brand.

Research

Two kinds of market research help companies and advertisers decide what to create and attract an audience to it. Primary research is research a marketing firm designs and administers itself. Having a volunteer taste-testing kinds of chocolate or makeup brands, for instance, tells marketers which types consumers prefer overall.

Secondary research involves using information that others have already put together, such as demographic statistics showing what age group watches the most television in the evening. Retail marketers use that information to sell their product at those commercial time slots.

Making Profit

The most important concept behind retail marketing is that the product sells and creates a profit. If production exceeds demand, or the product advertising makes false claims a consumer will spread bad press about, the project fails and lots of money is lost. Retail marketing mixes both an urgency to sell a product and a tasteful and a truthful--though often exaggerated--communication with the public.

Refill Hewlett packard Ink Tubes

Hewitt-Packard (HP) printers are an outstanding option for printing your company papers. There is a huge collection of HP printers for you to pick from. You can use them for printing papers and pictures, scanning and also copying. Companies today need printers for everyday business activities, but you can readily pay out a lot of money to get ink for a Hewitt-Packard printer. A straightforward and economical means to bring down the price of ink is to simply refill your HP ink cartridges. This option will save your company a lot of cash. If you were interested in learning refill your cartridges, the essential step required are listed here.

Instructions

1. Find your HP printer ink details. You have got to be precise on the model you use. The various selections of printers utilize different cartridges, inks and refill kits. Therefore, you should know the HP printer model in addition to the particular ink cartridge necessary. You can locate this information from the front, side, back or top of your Hewitt-Packard printer. You are able to also discover these details in your manual or else on the ink cartridges in question. Write down the Hewitt-Packard printer’s exact model and also the ink cartridge number(s), if one is present.

2. Acquire your refill kit. Find a kit that is for your specific HP model. These ink cartridges from unlike printers are often different. For that reason the refill kits possibly are too. They consist of particular tools vital for each kind of ink cartridge. You want to have the kit created for your precise HP printer.

3. Understand the refill kits guidelines. The HP refill kits will contain methodical instructions directing you on properly fill the HP ink cartridge(s) you have. Reread all sections that you do not get, until you are confident you fully understand them.

4. Arrange your ink refilling spot. You ought to lay quite a few newspapers on a level surface, dress in an old shirt and additionally use rubber gloves. Position the contents of the HP ink kit on top of the paper. You may also want to include some paper towels for overflows and other messes.

5. Refill your HP ink cartridges. Pull out the ink cartridge(s) you are refilling. Every model may possibly differ. However, the primary method of refilling ink will comprise of: producing a puncture by means of a drill-like instrument, or expanding an available opening or even through removing a cover above a hole. Next you are supposed to utilize the syringes (one for each color) to little by little refill the HP ink cartridge. Do this very slowly to prevent the ink from overflowing. Once you are finished, cover the opening with scotch tape or the cover provided. Put the HP cartridge in the printer and run several cleaning processes.

Test Gold Wholesomeness Having A Scratch Test

Performing a scratch test helps verify the purity of gold.

The value of gold depends on two factors; how much the gold weighs and how pure it is. The science of measuring the purity of gold is assaying. Professional assayers typically use specialized laboratory equipment to certify the purity of gold down to the number of micro-particles. While this is not practical for the average person to do on their own, some methods will give a more general measure of the purity. One such method is to perform a scratch test, which will allow you to verify how many carats the gold is.

Instructions

1. Visually inspect the gold. Look for any stamps or other markings that will identify the purity of the gold, particularly if the item is a piece of jewelry. Although these stamps are not always accurate, they will give you a good early indication of what you are working with so that you can narrow the number of testing keys you use.

2. Scratch the source gold on the touchstone. Find an obscure place on the item so that scratches will not be immediately evident. Press down firmly and rub the gold back and forth several times, so that the gold is scratched against the surface of the stone.

3. Scratch the test keys on the touchstone. Select two or three testing keys that you feel are probable matches for the source gold. Firmly scratch each key on the touchstone in an area near the scratch of the source gold. Remember which scratch belongs to which testing key.

4. Drip one to two drops of testing solution onto the scratch test area. Note that the scratches begin to change colors, with each degree of purity being a different color.

5. Look at the color of the scratches. Compare the color of each scratch to the color of each tuning key. Matching the color of the scratch with the color of the key will tell you that the source gold is the same purity as the key that made that particular scratch.

Business Versus Personal Mortgage Interest

Interest rates vary depending on your credit score.

Purchasing real estate requires either a commercial mortgage for business purposes or a residential mortgage for personal purposes. Lending standards have tightened considerably for both commercial and residential mortgages since the turbulent housing crash. Guy Cecala, publisher of "Inside Mortgage Finance," states that you need a credit score of at least 730 to get the best interest rates. Others can expect higher down payments or higher interest rates.

Fixed Rates

You can expect to pay a higher interest rate for a commercial mortgage than a residential mortgage. The preferred commercial mortgage is the fixed-rate loan, which is similar to the fixed-rate home mortgage loan with a constant interest rate throughout the term. The length of the term between the two mortgages varies. Commercial mortgages generally have a term of three to 10 years, whereas you would be inclined to take a residential mortgage for a longer term of 30 years.

Qualifying Factors for the Best Rates

Lenders look for your ability to repay the loan, whether it is commercial or residential. The strength of your ability determines the rate that you can get, assuming you qualify for the mortgage. For a commercial mortgage, the bank looks at the revenue generated by the business, divided by your total debt for an outcome of a minimum of 1.2, which is your "debt service coverage ratio" above break-even. If your numbers work, you could apply for a mortgage even if your business has weak or bad credit and still be able to purchase the property, although you may need to show your personal credit history and provide a down payment. With a residential mortgage, the lender looks for your annual income over the past three years to show stability, your credit history, and 10 to 20 percent down.

Interest Background

The bank's residential rates are based on supply and demand in the market. The bank's commercial rates are based on a spread over the federally regulated LIBOR or the prime rates. As a result, the rates on the two products vary. For commercial mortgages, you will see that when the federal government increases its rate, the commercial mortgage rates increase as well. Residential rates appear to increase as well, but for a different reason. Rather than an automatic correlation as with commercial mortgages, the government controls the fund rate to increase or reduce long term borrowing.

Variable Rates and Term

While residential mortgages may have a 30-year term and borrowers prefer fixed rates, commercial mortgages have a short-term fixed mortgage with a lump-sum balloon payment at the end of the term, followed by a variable rate. For example, interest may be at 5 percent for five years, and at the end of the five-year term, the existing mortgage must be repaid or refinanced and replaced with a variable interest rate.

Do Contract Criminal Legal assistant Work

Criminal law paralegal job responsibilities include legal research, drafting pleadings and other documents, filing court documents, tracking down witnesses, helping prepare people to testify and sometimes working with probation officers. Paralegals who work on a contract basis sometimes enjoy the variety of jobs they get by working for different lawyers. Criminal paralegals have a specific set of skills that require legal acumen and the ability to negotiate and work well with people.

Instructions

1. Contact criminal lawyers. Interview them to learn which paralegal responsibilities they would like to contract out. If you are confident you can meet your client's requirements, write out the details of the job. You may either write up a contract for ongoing work or include the due date when the project will be completed.

2. Know what your time is worth. When you work as a paralegal on a contract basis, you must bill your time. That means you write down what you did and how long it took. These reports are usually submitted for pay at the end of each week. You must draw up a contract with your client that confirms your hourly wage.

3. Anytime you hire yourself out for freelance work, you must state in your contract whether you will have access to your client's office. Some lawyers will want you to use their offices. Know the limits of your home office and what you have access to in your local legal library. Also, a criminal paralegal must be flexible and willing to travel. Criminal paralegals sometimes accompany their bosses to court, and often travel on their own to dig up information.

Execute A Theatrical Quick Change

Perform a Theatrical Quick Change

One of the best-kept secrets about the magic of theater is how actors and actresses can change elaborate costumes in seconds. When an actor changes from one costume to another and only has a very short amount of time in which to do it, it is called a "quick change." For privacy, quick changes are usually performed in a special booth, but actors are generally provided with one or two dressers who can help make the quick change happen as flawlessly as possible.

Instructions

1. Designate an out-of-the-way corner or quick-change booth ahead of time. Be sure your dressers know where to meet you and what items you will need. Always be sure to check your quick-change items yourself. If your dresser is setting your costume for you and forgets something, you will still take the blame, even in professional theater.

2. Be sure that everyone in the cast and crew knows where and when your quick change will be taking place. Because there is no time to run to a dressing room, quick changes are always done as close to the stage as possible. This means you may be in the way of foot traffic or set pieces while you are changing. Always speak with the stage manager before coordinating a quick change on your own.

3. Practice before the show. It can be tedious, but practicing taking off costume #1 and putting on costume #2 can save embarrassment in the long run. Have yourself timed, and be sure your dressers are helping rather than hindering the change.

4. Be creative. Any shortcuts you can use will save you time and energy. For example, if you're only in the first costume for a few minutes and your back never faces the audience, consider undoing the zipper a few inches down your back to save time. This way, you can reach the zipper and undo it as you run to the quick-change booth. If you're having trouble making the change, ask the director and costume designer if you can cut down on props and accessories to make the change easier. Usually, a director will be very understanding, as she wants the srun as smoothly as possible.

5. Leave the stage as gracefully and calmly as possible. You do not want the audience to catch a glimpse of you racing into the wings to change your costume.

6. Before you're about to make your entrance in costume #2, be sure you or your dressers have moved costume #1 out of the way--and, if there's time, prepped it for the next performance. If the costume lies on the floor for the remainder of the show, it could get lost or ruined.

Gaap Rules On Balance Sheet Format

When you are completing your company's financial statements, you must make sure your balance sheet format conforms to GAAP standards. GAAP specifies ways to complete your balance sheet. With a little research, you can make sure your balance sheet adheres to the standard.

GAAP Definition

The acronym GAAP stands for generally accepted accounting principles. These principles are the outlined rules, regulations, conventions and practices that are considered the acceptable methods of accounting. GAAP is the standard by which accountants measure their work in the U.S.

Classified

GAAP requires that a balance sheet be classified. A balance sheet is one of a company's financial statements. The balance sheet lists the company's assets, liabilities and equity for a specific point in time (for example, the amounts as of Dec. 31, 2010). For a balance sheet to be classified, the assets and liabilities listed are categorized as either current or non-current. Also, assets are listed first, and the total value of all assets is summarized and labeled at the end of the asset section. Liabilities and equity compose their own section as well. Each is subtotaled, with liabilities listed first. The total liabilities and equity are entered at the bottom of the section. In accordance with the basic accounting equation, the total assets should exactly equal the total liabilities and equity. This means your balance sheet is "in balance."

Assets

Current assets are considered to be those assets easily convertible to cash. A current asset would be an item that could be converted to cash within one year. Some examples of current assets are cash, accounts receivable and prepaid expenses, such as prepaid insurance. Current assets are listed in liquid order. This means the item most easily convertible to cash would be listed first. A non-current asset is any asset not easily convertible to cash. Examples of non-current assets would be machinery and equipment.

Liabilities and Equity

Current liabilities are those liabilities expected to be gone within one year. Examples of current liabilities include accounts payable and tax withholding. All liabilities not expected to be paid off within one year are non-current. Some items considered non-current liabilities are mortgage payable and car loan payable.

Following the liabilities sub-section is the equity sub-section. Equity is not classified as current or non-current. Equity items may include owner's capital or retained earnings, depending on the type of business. The overall total of liabilities and equity should equal your total assets.

Earn Money In Tangible Estate

Making money in Real Estate is a very rewarding career path. Like any investment that you make it goes hand in hand with some risk. People have been making money this way for decades.

Instructions

make money in Real Estate

1. Conduct a Google search on a school in your city that offers a crash course to help you obtain your "Real Estate" License.

2. Once you enroll in the class, make sure that you study. The test is not easy, and most people fail it the first time that they attempt it.

3. Congrats! You passed, now it's time to find a house that is selling below "market" value. Do your research and determine how much you can afford to pay contractors to spruce up the house.

4. Find a lender that will finance 100% of the property. By doing this, it will allow you to keep your cash for improving the home and carrying costs. Carrying cost are the costs involved while you make all the changes that you need to. Don't go over board. This is your first deal. It can take up to a year to sell a home in this market.

5. Once you have made the upgrades, hire a "Real Estate Appraiser" that is familiar with your area. Find the new value of the home and put it back on the market. Now that you have your liscence, you can keep the transaction fees to a minimum.

What's The Ftse

The FTSE Group specializes in providing indices of publicly traded stocks to its clients. It represents the main index for the London Stock Exchange, providing information on the various industries traded in the market. It also has worked closely with the Dow Jones Industrial index to create a system of categorization for various industries known as the Industry Classification Benchmark.

Function

The purpose of the FTSE is to provide investors with a trusted index that measures a specific section of the stock market. The FTSE works on a broad-based level with a multitude of different indices at the disposal of their clients. They use a system of benchmarks to gauge the performance of many different stocks, mutual funds and bonds. The majority of the companies on the FTSE indices are British in origin since the company's headquarters is Canary Wharf in London, however the FTSE has been expanding into the global market.

Size

The FTSE are the most widely recognized indices in the United Kingdom. The FTSE 100 is generally the standard in judging the performance of the London Stock Exchange. It operates en offices worldwide and has a net income of $3.8 million. The FTSE offers over 100,000 different indices to its clients, all specializing in different markets.

The companies listed on the FTSE 100 must have an income of at least $2.9 billion. The top companies are valued at over $60 billion and include the Royal Bank of Scotland, GlaxoSmithKline, HSBC and BP.

Features

There are many individual indices that the FTSE monitors and operates. The FTSE 100 is a listing of the 100 companies listed on the London Stock Exchange with the most capital in their possession. It consistently covers approximately 80 percent of the market. The FTSE 250 lists the next 250 most capitalized companies, mostly investment trusts that put money into other companies. Two percent of the market is represented by the FTSE SmallCap.

What goes on the indices is determined quarterly, based upon a variety of criteria. A company must be listed on the London Stock Exchange with a price based in Sterling or the Euro and meet the criteria of nationality. They must also pass the free float test, which is weighting a company based on it total market capitalization, giving larger stocks a greater impact to an index than small cap ones.

History

Created in 1962, the FTSE began as a joint venture between the Financial Times and the London Stock Exchange as an index of publicly traded companies. The FTSE 100 was created in 1984, followed by a world index the next year. 1995 saw the FTSE dislodge from its parent organizations and become an independent company, sparking a new period of growth for the index. It opened its first international office in New York City in 1999 with its implementation of the global classification system and in 2001, FTSE spread to Beijing, Hong Kong, Frankfurt and San Francisco. The company then moved into the custom solutions business with global bond indices. Offices in Madrid and Tokyo expanded the company's reach even further, giving rise to corporate governance, investment and hedge indices to round out FTSE. In 2005, the Dow Jones index teamed up with FTSE to develop the Industry Classification Benchmark and the following year the FTSE expanded yet again with an office in Sydney.

Considerations

The FTSE helped create the Industry Classification Benchmark in order to separate markets into various sectors for a better understanding of the macroeconomics of the industries. Its organized into 10 individual industries, divided into 18 supersectors, further divided into 39 sectors and 104 subsectors. The goal of the ICB is to categorize the companies into subsectors that represent their main source of revenue. If a company decides to challenge their classification, the Dow Jones and the FTSE must review and make a final judgment. The overall goal of the ICB is to better understand trends in the various industries.

The Disadvantages Of Earnings Statement Formats

Your business's income statement is one of the basic financial reports. The income statement for a given accounting period shows the amount of revenue you brought in, your expenses and the net income or loss. The statement affects your company's earnings per share, which makes it important to investors and shareholders. You can present your income statement in a single or multiple-step format.

Formats

A single-step income statement adds together your revenues and other gains, then subtracts your expenses and losses to determine your business's net income. A multiple-step statement arrives at the same place more gradually. First you subtract the cost of goods sold from your gross sales to get gross profits. Then you subtract different categories of expense to get your operating income, then total your non-operating income and expenses and subtract that. After all these steps, you reach your net income.

Single Step

Because the single-step statement lumps operating and non-operating income together, readers can't tell how much income came from sales and how much from a one-time event, such as winning a lawsuit. Single-step also doesn't break out gross income, which is important: Gross income divided by net sales gives gross margin, one factor investors use to gauge a company's health. Another drawback is that single-step statements don't treat interest expense as a separate step, making it harder to judge the effect of the company's borrowing decisions on income.

Multiple Steps

If readers want to compare your company's finances with another's or get a feel for how your income this quarter compares to last quarter, a multiple-step income statement may overload them with details. A single-step statement that gives readers revenue, expense and net income may be easier to digest for quick analysis. The more complicated your company's finances and the more entries on the multiple-step statement, the greater the chance someone's eyes will glaze over when she reads it.

Considerations

Whatever format you use, the figures must be accurate. The statement must apply to a specific time frame, showing your net income at the end of the quarter, month or year. If you're using a statement to present a quick glimpse of your performance for the year, a single-step format might work fine. If you're making a formal filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, you'll need a more detailed breakdown that conforms to federally approved accounting standards.

Will I Require A Federal Tax Id To Have An Investment Llc

A Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) is a business entity that provides the asset protection of a corporation and the tax structure of a partnership. To operate an investment LLC, you will need to register your LLC with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by applying for an Employer ID Number (EIN), also known as a Federal Tax Identification number. Registering for a Federal Tax ID number is one of the first steps necessary to ensure your investment LLC is operating in compliance with the law and that your investment LLC offers protection for your personal assets.

How It Works

The IRS considers a sole owner LLC as a disregarded entity. In this situation, taxes may be filed using the owner's Social Security number or the Federal Tax ID number of the LLC. In filing with a Social Security number, the owner is recognized as the company's employer. If using the EIN, the IRS considers the actual LLC to be the employer. While there is no law requiring you to have a tax ID number, it is advisable to apply for a Federal Tax ID number in order to separate the business dealings of your investment LLC from your personal assets.

Should You Get a Tax ID Number?

Until a business owner chooses to file for a tax ID number, his taxes will be held out through his personal taxes. The term disregarded entity means the LLC is inconsequential to any taxes paid. However, to minimize the personal liability it is important to establish a Federal Tax ID as this helps to validate the separation between you and your business entity.

Get a Federal Tax ID

Getting a tax ID number is an easy process. In the past, a business owner had to fill out form SS-4 and mail it to the IRS. However, the quickest way to gain a tax ID is by visiting the IRS website. Once the requested information is provided to the IRS, the tax ID number will be issued immediately.

Possible Changes

As of May 2011, regulations have been proposed by the federal government that may require every LLC to obtain a Federal Tax ID number in the future. If the new regulations are implemented, an investment LLC will be considered a separate entity from its owners for tax purposes. This means that owners will no longer be allowed to file taxes for the LLC using just their Social Security number.

Carbon Footprint Details & Figures

Every individual's consumption habits have an impact on climate change and global warming.

You may not believe your own consumption habits contribute to global warming, but climate change starts with you. The foods you eat and the way you travel has a definite global impact. By reducing the greenhouse gas emissions of your daily activities, you are lowering the world's carbon footprint.

Climate Change

Human consumption of fossil fuels has grown so much in recent decades that byproducts such as carbon monoxide and methane are heating the Earth's atmosphere. These so-called greenhouse gasses from vehicle emissions and power plants are changing the Earth's climate on a fundamental level. The Nature Conservancy reports that during the 20th century, average global temperatures increased by about 1 degree Fahrenheit. That may not sound like much, but take into account that rising temperatures are linked to stronger hurricanes, more droughts and increased coral deaths from bleaching.

Carbon Footprint

"Carbon footprint" is a term coined in this new age of global warming to help quantify climate change. According to the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, a carbon footprint measures greenhouse gas emissions based on the consumption activities of a region, a nation or an individual. On a global scale, consumption of food accounts for 20 percent of the world's carbon footprint, followed closely by the operation and maintenance of residences at 19 percent. Buying food from local markets and utilizing renewable energy can greatly reduce your personal carbon footprint.

Transportation

Transportation produces a large carbon footprint, largely because of the high volume of vehicles that burn fossil fuels and emit dangerous levels of greenhouse gas into the atmosphere. According to the Carbon Fund, a nonprofit organization that helps you calculate your own carbon footprint, fuel economy is a vital tool against transportation related emissions. They report that the U.S. average fuel economy is about 25.2 miles per gallon. Because unleaded gasoline contains 8.87 kg (19.56 lbs) of CO2 per gallon, increasing your fuel economy can directly reduce your carbon footprint.

Residential

The Nature Conservancy reports that air conditioning and heating account for almost half of electricity used in the average American home. According to the Carbon Fund, these electricity sources emit an average of 1.297 lbs. of CO2 per kWh. In addition, both natural gas and heating oil are large contributors to the residential carbon footprint. Natural gas leads the way with nearly 62.5 million households burning natural gas at a rate of 12.0593 lbs. CO2 per CCF (centum cubic feet, or 100 cubic feet). In contrast, clean energy sources like wind and solar have little to no carbon impact and can greatly reduce the carbon footprint of residential operations.

Carbon Offset

Becoming carbon neutral is the goal of eco-minded individuals, but living a carbon-free lifestyle is not always practical. It is possible to offset your carbon footprint, however, by reducing greenhouse gas emissions in other ways. The Nature Conservancy estimates that 15 percent of carbon emissions come from deforestation and changes in land usage. Therefore, by supporting clean energy initiatives and planting new trees, you can provide a system of checks and balances to protect future generations.

Inventory An Incomplete Furniture Store

Taking inventory in an unfurnished furniture store can seem like a tedious task, but with a few tips and the right equipment it can be done in only a few hours with great accuracy. A solid inventory can save you money, loss prevention and over-ordering.

Instructions

1. Invest in the best inventory system you can afford. They are made by a variety of scannable and retail electronics manufacturers. Cisco has one that is handheld and easy to use. You need to consider the number of them you will need. If your furniture store is small, you may only need one. If you have a large store or a wide variety of products you carry, you will need help with inventory and may require more devices.

2. Program the handheld scanning devices. You will likely get help from the manufacturer or supplier to do this. If you have a large operation, you likely already have some kind of inventory and ordering system and you should be able to upload that information into the handheld device to check against.

3. Train yourself and other employees on the handheld inventory scanning devices. They will come with information and a representative from the supplier can help you. Make sure everyone practices on them before starting on the actual inventory to avoid costly mistakes.

4. Prepare for inventory by creating like item sections. For example, number and prep everything in the dressers department or all dressers in stock and on the floor, then print your computer inventory list to check against while you scan. It will be easier to concentrate on one item at a time. You could also give each employee one inventory item to count.

5. Pick a day (or better, even a night), to complete inventory. Close the store, do a full sweep and make sure every piece of furniture is where it is supposed to be. There should be no deliveries pending or other pending procedures active. Provide food to your employees and you will have a happier crew.

6. Include everything in the store, not just the furniture. In an unfinished furniture store, you are likely to also carry varnish, stains, brushes, hardware and other necessary items for finishing the furniture. Make sure not to leave these items out of your inventory. They may be small and lower priced, but they are just as important to your business.

Earn Money Purchasing & Selling Houses

Make money buying and selling houses.

Buying and selling houses is an excellent source of income if you have the right knowledge. When buying and selling homes, it is important for you to know the market trends. There also are guidelines to follow, such as property financing and using professionals for real estate transactions.

Instructions

1. Get pre-approval for financing before you search for property. You will know the price range of houses you want to buy and sell. Having a pre-approval letter when you submit an offer gives you an edge. Pre-approval can be obtained by taking your previous year's tax returns along with current income information to the lender's office. Using a bank or mortgage company offers you the opportunity to deduct any mortgage interest on taxes. Using personal funds can tie up your resources for an unknown amount of time.

2. Contact a Realtor. A Realtor has a code of ethics that she must follow. She also is a member of the National Association of Realtors and has access to a database with all the available listings. While you are getting started buying and selling houses for income, a Realtor can offer valuable information about the market.

3. Search for a location where property usually sells quickly such as property close to schools and manufacturing areas. Think of the home as one you want to buy. If the location is not desirable, it could take longer than necessary for you to sell the house. Time is money when it comes to investment property.

4. Get a home inspection. A general home inspector will look for electrical, plumbing, and roofing issues. Getting a termite and wood-infestation inspection also are important. Knowing what repairs you face before purchasing a house will help you determine if there is money to be made. Your Realtor will have a list of licensed local home inspectors. You also can check online at the website of the American Society of Home Inspectors.

5. Buy a home that is priced less than the market value. This is key when trying to make money by buying and selling houses. You must be able to sell the house for more than you paid including closing costs, renovations and any other fees.

6. Develop a marketing strategy for the house you have for sale. This should include a sign in the front of the yard, advertising in the local papers and listing your home online at for-sale-by-owner sites. Keep the home in good repair and presentable. Curb appeal is what attracts buyers and makes them want to look inside the home.

7. Use professionals. Find an attorney to handle closings. The real estate market can be risky. Take every step possible to avoid a liability issue after a sale. A Realtor can help you list your property for sale if it takes longer to sell than you expected. Remember that working with a Realtor will include commission, which is deducted from investment profit.

Persuasive Sales brochure Ideas

Persuasive brochures can be powerful marketing tools.

In an age where customers are often overwhelmed by email and website advertisements, a powerful printed brochure can stand out from the crowd. With a well-designed persuasive brochure, you can catch your customers' attention and convince them of the merits of your idea, product or service.

Images and Callouts

In brochures, images can have a stronger impact than words, particularly when your readers are pressed for time. To make a point without requiring extensive reading, use high-quality images. Select photos or graphics that make a point: compare old and new, show off new features, explain visual impact or explain complex machinery, for example. Use callouts to point out the most important aspects of your image so that readers can get the main idea quickly and efficiently.

Layout

Layout is a crucial part of a persuasive brochure; a great layout can be the difference between getting your message across or leaving readers confused. Limit the amount of text so you don't overwhelm the audience, and use a logical layout that highlights the natural flow of information. The most important data should be easy to find and remember, which you can accomplish by using bold headings and subheadings. End the brochure with clear calls to action that help readers understand what to do next so they can continue the engagement after you have convinced them.

Focus on Benefits

Customers see an enormous amount of marketing information on a daily basis and are required to sift through the various messages. To minimize the work the customer has to do to see how your product or service will help them, focus on the benefits. Use bulleted lines of text and a prominent placement so that the benefits are easy to find and understand. In doing so, you can make your brochure stand out from others and limit the time each person must take to grasp the main idea.

Unexpected Design

Design can have a big impact on persuading a customer to buy in to your idea or product. As you plan the design, use imagery, colors and layout that will make your brochure stand out from your competitors' marketing materials. Choose elements that will prompt the emotional or practical response that you are looking for. Analyze the marketing materials put out by other people in your field or interest area, and design your brochure so that it looks related but stands apart.

Renewable Assets Games

Playing group and online games can help students or children to learn about renewable resources.

Renewable resources such as solar, wind and water are naturally replenished at around the same rate that they are used. To better understand the importance of these renewable resources and have fun while learning, play games designed for most ages online or in the classroom.

Energy In Motion

Energy In Motion, provided online by Alliant Energy Kids is a quiz game that teaches about wind power through the use of true and false questions. This game is good for young children because it allows players to guess the answer until they get it right. With each correct answer, a short lesson on wind power is provided.

Energy Quest

Energy Quest games are provided by the California government and are geared toward learning about renewable resources and energy conservation. Energy Quest games are suitable for children in the elementary grades. The games are available online and range from Sudoku to crossword puzzles, regular puzzles and a quiz show, connect the dots and more. The site requires the user's computer to have Adobe Flash installed.

Solar Road Race

Race across the country in a solar-powered car engineered by you in the free online Solar Road Race game provided by Foss. Along the way you will have to overcome five stages of varying degrees of difficulty. If you do not use the right amount of solar panels on your car, it may not make it to the end of the race. The amount of money you have to spend on solar panels is limited. This game will take some practice to get right. This game requires require the user's computer to have Adobe Flash installed.

Wind Farm

In this online game of offshore wind farming, provided by Greenpeace, you must deliver wind turbines, two at a time, to predetermined destinations offshore. Maneuver your boat to the blinking spots and press the "A" key to drop off the wind turbines. Be careful not to hit the oil drums. Running into two oil drums ends the game; running over solar panels adds more time to clock. You must beat the clock to win.

Renewable Energy Sources Quiz Game

Renewable Energy Sources is a vocabulary quiz game provided by neoK12 established to educate children on the different renewable resources of Earth. Players must choose whether a resource is renewable. There are 15 questions, each worth one point. Points are gained for each correct answer. If the player guesses wrong, the correct answer is displayed and no point is gained.

Develop A Bond Ladder

Ladder to Heaven

The best way to guard your bond portfolo against changes in interest rates is to ladder the maturities on them so that they are maturing continuously. This article shows you how you can construct a bond maturity ladder that will provide you income when you need it.

Instructions

1. Decide how often you will need your notes to mature and how far out you want to structure your maturity ladder. Bonds can have terms ranging from 90 days to 30 years. Of course, the frequency of your maturities will depend somewhat upon the size of your portfolio.

2. Determine the time frame for your ladder. If you are planning on using this ladder for retirement, then you may need to stretch out your ladder to end with a 30-year note. Conversely, a short-term investor may need to only go out 10 years. But remember that the longer you can stretch out the maturities, the more interest you will earn.

3. The kind of bonds that you use for your ladder will depend somewhat on your circumstances. If you are ultraconservative, then you'll want to consider either CDs or government bonds such as T-Bills, Notes and Bonds or perhaps government agency securities such as Freddie Macs, Fannie Maes or Sallie Maes. If you are in a high tax bracket, then tax-free municipal bonds may be appropriate. Or, if you are willing to assume a higher risk, then you may want to try out a series of corporate bonds, although these notes seldom offer maturities of less than five years.

4. If you can alternate maturities between short and long term, such as annually for the first 5 years, then for 10, 15 and 20 years, then you can pretty effectively protect yourself against rising interest rates, because you will have bonds continually maturing that you can reinvest at higher rates, especially in the short term. If you are planning on using the proceeds from your bond ladder in one lump sum at the end of the ladder, then reinvest your maturing notes accordingly so that they eventually all mature at the time of withdrawal.

Figure Payroll Withholdings

Calculating payroll is one of the essential accounting tasks any business must perform on a regular basis. The process used to figure payroll withholdings has not changed much in decades, although even very small businesses now use computers to do the actual calculations. It remains important to understand the individual steps used to figure payroll withholdings, both to monitor and control labor costs and to catch potentially costly errors. Always review a payroll before distributing checks. It takes only a single missed keystroke to convert a $400 paycheck into a $4,000 mistake.

Instructions

1. Total the employee's gross wages for the pay period. Gross wages include regular hourly pay or salary, overtime, tips, commissions, and other taxable compensation. Do not include reimbursements (travel expenses, for example), even if they are to be added into the paycheck. Add them after all payroll withholdings have been calculated and deducted.

2. Use the employee's W-4 form to calculate the number and amount of withholding exemptions. If an employee has not submitted a W-4, assume zero withholding allowances. The total withholding allowance amount is the number of withholding allowances multiplied by the amount for one allowance for the length of the pay period. For example, in 2008, say the amount for an employee paid weekly was $67.61. If an employee claimed two withholding allowances, this was 2 times $67.61, or $135.22. Refer to the current year's version of IRS Publication 15, Circular E for the amounts of withholding allowances (see Resources).

3. Calculate taxable income for federal income taxes. Subtract the total withholding allowance from the gross pay. Then subtract any other deductions, such as contributions to a tax--deferred retirement account. This gives you the taxable income for figuring federal income tax to be withheld. For example, if an employee paid weekly with two allowances (from Step 2) makes $600 and contributes $50 to a retirement account, the taxable income is $600 minus ($135.22 + $50.00), or $414.78.

4. Figure federal income tax to be withheld. Federal income tax is based on a series of tax brackets, with higher percentages of tax withheld as income increases. Use the tables in Publication 15, Circular E to calculate the amount of federal income tax to withhold. For instance, if the employee's weekly taxable income was $414.78 (from Step 3), then the federal income tax works out to $0 for the first $51, 10 percent of the amount from $51 to $198 ($14.70), and 15 percent of the amount over $198 ($32.52), for a total of $47.22. Finally, add any additional amount the employee has asked to be withheld on her W-4 form.

5. Calculate Social Security and Medicare tax to be withheld. Start with gross wages (there are no withholding exemptions for Social Security/Medicare). The Social Security tax is 6.2 percent of gross wages for the first $102,000 earned (2008 limit). Once the limit is reached, don't deduct any more Social security tax. There is no limit for Medicare tax, which is 1.45 percent of gross income.

6. Figure payroll withholdings for state income taxes and other items, such as contributions to retirement plans or health insurance. The formula for state income tax varies from state to state, and you will need the instructions from your state's Department of Taxation (or Revenue). Once you have figured these items, subtract each withholding item from the gross pay. Add in any non-taxable reimbursements to find the net pay (the amount of the employee's paycheck). In addition to payroll withholdings, a business is responsible for several items based on the employee's wages but that are paid by the employer. These include matching taxes for Social Security/Medicare, unemployment (FUTA and SUTA) taxes, and employer contributions for health insurance and profit-sharing or pension plans.

Write A Resume

Write a Curriculum Vitae

A curriculum vitae, or CV, is used to land a job, grant or award in the academic world more often than its well-known sibling, the resume.

Instructions

1. Assemble your information: degrees, diplomas, papers published, books and articles authored, patents earned, courses taught, grants and prizes earned.

2. Decide on a style. As with resumes, there are formats geared toward every objective.

3. Clarify your objectives. Are you looking for a position? Graduate admission? A patent? Are you sending a book query?

4. Check out current trends in CVs in books and magazines and on Web sites dedicated to careers and graduate programs. Look at CVs on the Internet, especially within your orbit of interest.

5. If you're a job seeker, list courses taught (latest first), including institutions, departments and courses. Also include special classifications such as department head, graduate advisor, committee member, etc.

6. If you're a would-be contributor, first list articles, books, papers or columns authored; include publication, issue, year and publishing house.

7. If you're a hopeful graduate student, list diplomas, GPA, experience and education first.

8. Include thesis topics and areas of interest in detail; this document will be used to gauge experience, applicability and interest.

9. Have a literate friend or colleague proofread, edit and generally review your document for clarity and polish.

10. Remember to include a bit of personality in your CV through your language and your personal style.

11. Update and polish your curriculum vitae every time something changes: a Ph.D. earned, a professorship at MIT, a book accepted for publication, etc.

Write Instructions Of Intent For Any Pharmacy Residency

A letter of intent can help you get into a pharmacy residency program.

If you'd like to enter a pharmacy residency program, you may be required to include a letter of intent along with your resume or curriculum vitae. Read the application instructions carefully and make sure you're sending a letter of intent, rather than a cover letter. A cover letter is not as detailed and typically does not exceed one page. A letter of intent, on the other hand, goes into detail about your experience and future career path and can be one to two pages in length.

Instructions

1. Type your name and contact information at the top of your letter of intent. Include your address, phone number and email. It's important that the director of the pharmacy residency program is able to get in touch with you easily.

2. Add the date you plan to send the letter of intent below your contact information .

3. Start your letter with a professional greeting, and try to address the residency program director directly, such as "Dear Ms. Sampson."

4. Explain that you are applying for the pharmacy residency program in the first paragraph. If you've been referred to the program by someone, such as a professor, you should include that information as well. Also include the type of pharmacist you hope to become, such as a pediatric or geriatric pharmacist. Be sure what you plan to become relates to the type of residency program you're applying for.

5. Describe more details about yourself and your experience in the next few paragraphs. When describing your pharmacy-related experience, such as your education, internships or research, try to focus on details that may set you apart from other applicants, such as completing an internship that's closely related to the residency program. A high grade point average or any awards you've received can help here. In these paragraphs, you should also describe your career objectives and your professional goals. Explain where you'd ideally like your career path to take you in the next five or 10 years.

6. Thank the recipient for taking time to review your resume or curriculum vitae in the last paragraph. Repeat your phone number and email address, and let the recipient know when you're available to come in to talk further about your qualifications. Mention that references can be provided upon request.

7. Add a professional closing, such as "Sincerely," to the cover letter. Type your name a few spaces below the closing, and don't forget to sign your name in that space once your letter of intent is printed and ready to send.

Enter Into The Television Commercial Business

If you have a classic look, you may be a fine commercial actress.

If you are interested in the television commercial business, you need to determine which aspect of the field you want to pursue. If you enjoy being in front of people and have an upbeat nature, being on camera may be the ideal career for you. Being behind the camera is another option. Whatever you want to go into may require you to begin at an entry level. Training and education may help you understand what to expect from a shoot day, although most of your knowledge will come from hands-on experience.

Instructions

1. Choose acting if being on screen sounds ideal to you. Commercial actors typically have unique personalities and wide smiles. Wages for commercial actors vary and are set by the Screen Actors Guild. One downside of being a commercial actor is you have to audition often. Becoming a commercial actor may require training in commercial acting workshops. Remember that commercial acting is different from stage acting. It is much more subdued with less movement in the face. Beginning a career as a commercial actor may take entry-level work as an extra or background character, perhaps in a group.

2. Become a commercial director. Your job mainly entails communicating with the actors to get their best performances. Directing commercials is a lucrative career for some. According to Salary List article "Commercial Director Salary," the average salary for a commercial director was $111,511 in 2009. Although you can go to film school, a degree does not guarantee you a job. Becoming a commercial director may take many years of working entry-level positions. You may start off as a production assistant and work your way up to assistant director before finding a position as a director. Also, having a full-time, salaried position as a commercial director may be hard to achieve. You may have to freelance to get your career started.

3. Go into a career as a commercial producer if you have a knack for working with money. Your job entails securing investors for the commercial. You need to ensure that film shoots run on time and do not go over the budget. Becoming a producer typically happens by working your way up from an entry-level position. You start as a production assistant or manning the catering table. If you appeal to the right people, they may help you become an associate producer. The next step is to find a production company that lets you produce a commercial. Getting the position may take a combination of luck and people skills.

4. Write commercials if you are good with using humor and concepts to market products. Commercial writers typically start out writing commercial scripts that do not have a guaranteed outlet on television, otherwise known as "specs." The average salary for a commercial writer was $54,000 in 2010, according to Simply Hired article "Commercial Writer Salaries". Although no entry-level job necessarily prepares you to be a commercial writer, taking production assistant positions on commercial shoots may help. You can get connections and learn what a commercial shoot requires of the cast and crew.

Place of work Injuries Recommendations

Worker's compensation laws require most employers to purchase worker's compensation insurance for their employees. If the worker is injured in the course of doing his job, he may see a doctor at the employer's expense and get cash benefits if he cannot work for a period of time due to the injury. Workers may get benefits for injuries sustained elsewhere if they were performing job duties at the time, although injuries sustained while driving to or from work do not usually qualify.

Avoiding Accidents

To avoid injuries in the workplace, never operate equipment unless you know exactly use it. Ask a supervisor for help if you are unsure use equipment, and pay close attention to what you are doing. Many workplace accidents can be avoided by watching where you are going -- i.e., not walking on wet floors. To avoid occupational injuries, you should practice good posture when sitting, bend at the knees when lifting heavy objects and not lift items that feel too heavy to you.

Reporting Injuries

Always report any work-related injury to your supervisor immediately following the incident. You must do this to qualify for worker's compensation benefits, including the right to see a doctor at your employer's expense to receive treatment for your injuries. If you are not able to report the injury prior to seeking medical care, contact your employer or have someone contact her on your behalf as soon as possible.

Supervisor Records

Supervisors must keep records of injury reports and of all the time that employees take off due to injury. If an employee is entitled to worker's compensation benefits or short-term disability, the amount of time he takes off due to work-related injuries impacts his benefit amounts. Supervisors may place workers on medical leave or require them to use their sick days until their application for benefits is approved.

No-Fault Insurance

Most states have no-fault worker's compensation programs in place to cover employees if they get hurt on the job. No-fault policies do not assign blame to either the worker or the supervisor; the worker gets benefits if she is injured regardless of who is at fault for the accident. Workers cannot sue their supervisors or employers for personal injury if they accept worker's compensation benefits for an injury.

Trade Fuel Options

Fuel options let investors bet on fuel prices.

Fuel options are a category of futures and options primarily focused on the heating oil market. These products are volatile and hard to predict, but popular among some investors. Investors seeking out an opportunity to trade these products will generally need to work with a futures broker who can help them execute transactions, and they will need to do extensive research to create a strategy that works well for them. However, as a growing market, fuel options present many trading opportunities.

Instructions

Open a Futures Brokerage Account

1. Research available futures brokers to find the appropriate one for trading fuel options. The ideal futures broker in this case is a broker who allows customers to trade such options, and has an account minimum for these trades that is less than the amount the investor wishes to invest in these transactions. Many brokers seek out particular kinds of investors, like currency traders or precious metals traders.

2. Select a futures product to trade. The most popular fuel option contract available is the NYMEX Heating Oil Options contract. This contract covers 42,000 gallons of heating oil. Heating oil options are available in put and call forms. In other words, an investor can make a bet that pays off when the price of heating oil increases, or when it declines. These contracts are also available with different monthly expirations. Investors making short-term trades can use short-term contracts, while investors pursuing a long-term thesis may choose longer-term ones.

3. Develop a trading strategy. Some investors choose to follow trends and to make trades in whatever direction the market is moving. Others prefer to "day trade" by looking for short-term patterns. Some investors trade based on economic factors (for heating oil, this might include factors like weather patterns or gas discoveries). Other investors create automated computer programs that execute trades for them based on pre-determined signals. Many brokerages allow these automated programs to be connected directly to the brokerage account.

4. Transfer funds to the account and begin trading. With a strategy in place and a contract selected, an investor will be able to start trading and earning money (or determining that their strategy is harmful). Most investors treat futures and options as a small part of a diversified portfolio, in order to avoid investing too much of their money into a single volatile asset class.

What's Idemnity Insurance

The purpose of indemnity insurance is to protect business owners in the event of negligence on the part of the business or its employees. An example of such a policy is medical or legal malpractice insurance, also referred to as errors and omissions insurance. Monetary damages awarded to a claimant are paid by the issuer of the policy, up to an amount defined in the policy. Another type is health indemnity insurance, which is a limited coverage used by people who are between health plans.

Definition

"Indemnity," as defined by Webster's dictionary, is "security against hurt, loss, or damage." Its second definition is "exemption from incurred penalties or liabilities."

Professional Indemnity Insurance

Professional indemnity insurance protects a business from claims made against it by a third party that has experienced injury, damages or loss directly related to the negligence, through error or omission, of a company. Policies usually last for one year. The premiums for these policies represent a large chunk of companies' operating expenses. The policies are commonly used by companies that deal in accounting and financial services, consulting, medicine, information technology and legal representation.

Private Indemnity Insurance

This is also referred to as "fee for service" insurance. It is obtained by individuals either on their own or through an employer or trade organization. It provides limited medical protection, and is typically called a "preferred provider plan."

Importance of Coverage

Companies need to protect themselves against not only authentic claims of damages, but also false claims. Policies cover legal expenses in the event a company is taken to court over an error or omission.

Types of Professional Indemnity Insurance

There are generally two types: voluntary and involuntary. Involuntary policies are required by state or federal law for certain professions, including medical and legal. Involuntary policies must be current in order for professional licenses to remain active in these industries.

Suggestions For Presenting A Company Through Proposal Letters

Businesses send proposal letters to introduce themselves.

If you own a business or are opening a new business, sending proposal letters to prospective customers is a good way to gain business. Companies write proposal letters to introduce who they are and to let people or businesses know what they have to offer. Proposal letters should be relatively short and include only necessary key information.

Current Customers

If you already own a business but are trying to drum up more business with your existing customers, write them a proposal to introduce the products or services that you offer. These customers may not know the full extent of what your company offers. Include a company brochure in the letter and always address the letters personally by including the customer's name.

Prospective Customers

Choose a targeted group of potential customers and write a proposal that grabs their attention. Begin the letter by introducing the company and its products and services. Point out significant facts about the company, such as the length of time it has been in business. Keep the letter short but point out the ways in which your products and services could benefit them. Include customer testimonials on the bottom of the letter which may help increase the company's credibility.

Free Consultation

Write a letter that introduces your business to current or prospective customers that includes an offer for a free consultation. The idea of giving away something free may be enticing to people and may offer more of an incentive to call and find out more information.

New Businesses

If you are just opening a new business, sending proposal letters to numerous prospective customers is a great way to get your name out. Plan an open house at your business and invite the customers to stop by to check out what you have to offer. Offer door prizes and snacks and be well staffed for the event. In the letter, include details of what your company can do for customers. Give details about your company's products and include a detail or two that explains what sets your company apart.

Staff A Little Catering Business

Staff a Small Catering Business

Now that you have the financing for your small catering business, it is time to find the right people to help make your company a success. The people who represent you and your company will play a large part in determining repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals. Choose the right staff and you are on your way to booking more events than you thought possible.

Instructions

1. Determine the number of people that you will want to have on your small catering business payroll. This does not mean that you will use all of your staff at every event.

2. Decide on the different positions that your small catering business staff should be comprised of. You typically will need kitchen help, set-up crew, servers, bartenders and clean-up crew. Some roles can overlap and the same employee can serve in different capacities.

3. Allocate funds from event payments to pay for your staff. Small catering businesses usually employ contract help so you don't need to worry about withholding taxes. A 1099 form can be provided at the end of the year for contract labor.

4. Tap into friends and relatives to staff your small catering business. Keep your relationship on a professional level when working with those close to you.

5. Keep your staff content by providing enough work. Consider networking with other small catering businesses to share staff.

Specifications For Any Lenovo M500

The Lenovo M500 is a portable projector. It is ideal for using in business presentations and comes with all the necessary tools needed for a professional presentation. The M500 also plays video and audio, making it a versatile presentation tool.

Compatibility

The Lenovo M500 projector is compatible with several different video formats. These formats are NTSC, PAL, SECAM, SDTV, EDTV and high definition format. The high definition, or HD format as it is known, is compatible in both 720 and 1080 resolutions. It has a resolution compatibility with SVGA, XGA, SXGA and VGA formats.

Dimensions

The M500 is a compact projector that is 2.1 inches in height. It is 7.7 inches in width and 6.4 inches deep. It has a weight of 2.5lbs.

Features

The M500 has an audio output of 0.5 watts. It also comes with a remote control and an integrated laser pointer. Another useful feature of the M500 is the pass code security that enables the authorized user sole control of the projector.

The Benefits Of Speaking The spanish language

Spain is one of many countries that has Spanish as its national language.

As the global marketplace expands, knowledge of languages has become an asset in many different senses. However, it is difficult to learn more than one language at once. Whether you are contemplating learning a new language yourself or wish to teach your children a language, learning Spanish has many different advantages. Consider the benefits of speaking Spanish when choosing which language to study.

Marketability

When applying for jobs, internships and specialized educational programs, knowing another language can be an asset that sets a candidate apart from the crowd. Other than simply looking impressive, however, knowing Spanish is important on a practical level in today's marketplace: according to the 2010 census, the Hispanic group is the largest minority in the United States today. To help work with this constituency (though many also speak English), employers can benefit by hiring candidates who speak Spanish.

Career Advancement

If you are already in a job that you enjoy, a knowledge of Spanish can help you advance to the next level in your company. Even if there are no positions that directly call for a knowledge of Spanish, making the case for the creation or an adaptation of a higher position that does require this knowledge can demonstrate positive initiative to your boss and superiors at your company and may even land you this position.

New Markets

For small business owners and those who are self-employed, a knowledge of Spanish can open up new marketing opportunities --- even global ones. If you sell goods on the Internet, for example, creating a bilingual website can help you reach customers in Spanish-speaking nations around the world, as well as the significant Spanish-speaking population in the United States.

Educational and Cultural Advantages

Knowing Spanish is not simply an advantage for the work environment, but can also present significant advantages on a personal level. A knowledge of Spanish can qualify you to study abroad in Spain, Latin America and Central America, as well as making your resume more well-rounded and showing a balance of interests. In addition, it opens up the opportunity to visit many countries, while being comfortable speaking the native language (as well as not getting ripped off for being a tourist at local stores!).

Pay A Traffic Ticket In Virginia

Traffic tickets are fairly common.

Traffic tickets are issued for a variety of reasons, including speeding, running stop signs and running red lights. These types of traffic tickets are called moving violations, and when a traffic ticket of this nature is issued to a driver there is a fine that must be paid in order to avoid a court hearing and the possibility of spending time in jail for non-payment of a traffic ticket. Virginia law requires that all traffic tickets be paid within 30 days of receipt.

Instructions

1. Log onto the Virginia Supreme Court Web site.

2. Click on the tab labeled "Pay traffic tickets and other offenses."

3. To make a payment online prior to a court hearing regarding your traffic ticket, click on the link titled, "General District Court Case Information."

4. Enter the verification code shown in the box provided and click on the "Enter" tab.

5. Select the court from which your traffic ticket was issued. Enter your first and last name in the boxes provided and click on the "Search" tab.

6. From the listed results, find your name and click on the "Mark for Payment" tab.

7. Click on the "Continue Payment Process" tab.

8. Enter your personal and credit card information and click on the "Submit Payment" tab.

9. Print a copy of the confirmation for your records.

10. You may also pay your ticket by mailing a copy of the ticket along with a check or money order for the ticket fine to the District Court named at the top of your traffic ticket.

Cost Disadvantages Of Purchasing Eco-friendly Items For Businesses

Using recycled materials in a production process can pose risks to a company.

Companies often desire to go green and many consumers want to see companies doing what it takes to prevent the depletion of the environment. Going green is not something that can simply happen overnight for any business because it is not always cost effective. The cost disadvantages to a company buying green products can be tremendous. Often, a company must decide if the desire to be environmentally responsible outweighs the expense.

Employee Time

When a company wishes to buy green products, often employees must be pulled away from their normal daily duties or new employees hired in order to complete a green task force or to work on finding the right green products. This is often necessary to develop a program that will work for the company. It can be time consuming to research suppliers who will provide the company with the same products they are used to, but that have the added advantage of being environmentally friendly.

New Suppliers

Companies that begin a green product initiative must find new suppliers who have green products, or must try previously untested products from existing suppliers. If the suppliers don't deliver in a timely manner or don't turn out to be reliable, the company's production can be affected at significant cost. If the products that are more environmentally friendly don't produce the same quality of final product, this too can be disastrous to a company's reputation.

Employee Training

If the new green products that a company purchases require a different method of use or a different method of disposal, employees must be taught the new processes. This can be expensive in terms of training costs and reduced productivity while employees experience a learning curve.

Product Cost

The cost of the products themselves can also be a problem. Although the company may be using some of the same products that have simply been improved to be more green, the cost of these products can severely escalate. The more green products purchased, the more the cost will increase

Report Email Ripoffs & Fraud

Report Email Scams & Fraud

According to the FBI and the U.S. Secret Service, consumers lose millions of dollars annually to various kinds of email scams and online fraud. There are Nigerian bank scams, personal information scams, sweepstakes, lottery and prize scams, pyramid schemes, Ponzi schemes, chain mail and multilevel marketing (MLM) schemes. If you have been a victim of an email scam or online fraud, you have several options for reporting it.

Instructions

Report Email Scams and Fraud

1. Contact your credit card company, bank and other service providers if you have been a victim of fraud.

2. Call your local authorities and request to talk to the fraud department. There will be a detective who deals specifically with email and online scams and fraud.

3. Report it to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission by forwarding the email you receive to spam@uce.gov. The FTC will place the email in a database. The email will be combined with existing information and used to track down and prosecute the scammer. For more information, log on to the FTC website at ftc.gov.

4. Report the scam to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov. This site is maintained by the FBI in partnership with the National White Collar Crime Center and the Bureau of Justice Assistance. According to the Crime Complaint Center website, "IC3 accepts online Internet crime complaints from either the person who believes they were defrauded or from a third party to the complainant." You can file your complaint online via their website.

Create And Upload An Item Database

Create and Upload a Product Database

Your product database, integrated with your shopping cart solution, will be at the informational heart of your online business. Create it carefully but simply. Back it up daily and let it serve as a workhorse to keep your business organized.

Instructions

Review Your Needs and Set Your Field Names

1. Save steps later by checking your existing or prospective selling venues, web hosting services and shopping cart hosts to see if they have a ready-made product database solution. Any product database should allow you to paste in boilerplate text or conduct a re-pricing operation on multiple products simultaneously.

2. Study your inventory and make a list of every field or type of data you need to track on your products, including marketing text and pictures.

3. Review your selling venues or other venues for products similar to yours. Research the data fields they include in multiple item uploads. Pay attention to the data field names and special conditions or conventions, such as allowed length of descriptive notes and item names, fields in which they use yes/no toggles and fields in which they use pull down menus.

Create and Upload Your Product Database

4. Create an Excel spreadsheet using field names as column headings. Use another spreadsheet or database program if you prefer, but Excel spreadsheets with their powerful "sort" operations and capacity to be reformatted as tab or comma delimited text have become the standard for such purposes. Do not use multiple worksheets in the same spreadsheet or text file.

5. Populate your spreadsheet with your products. Automate as much of the process as you are able, then fill in other columns manually. Don't be afraid to leave some columns blank or to "hide" them for future use.

6. Keep your product database in a separate, well organized folder and back it up regularly.

7. Change column headings as you need to accommodate your upload needs for different selling venues, but always label and save each iteration with a file name that expresses the file's data and purpose.

8. Upload your completed database to your website shopping cart and to a third party selling venue. For your initial test drive, try an upload with three or four items and review any errors or fixes before you upload your full inventory.

Market Myself Like A Professional Stylist

A professional stylist uses expertise in cosmetology and grooming to make her customers look good. The challenge for professional stylists is to build and maintain a solid customer base because they are generally self-employed. This is done through marketing, which is crucial to attracting customers and increasing income potential. Effective marketing for stylists requires both traditional and creative methods, along with creating awareness in communities and via the internet. As such, a marketing budget is critical to any professional stylist.

Instructions

1. Calculate how much money you have to spend for marketing purposes. Determine how much money you would like to make. Decide who you would like to target as your customer base, such as working professionals, entertainers and Hispanic women.

2. Create a page advertising your services on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Doing so is free, as of the time of publication. Visit each site (see Resources) and create an account. Type in your email address and a password that you can remember. Answer the questions that follow. Add a logo or photo of your business and begin posting your services.

3. Have business cards made with your company name, location, the services you perform and your contact number. Purchase hundreds of them to start.

4. Run promotions that provide discounts for your services. Type up flyers that simply list the promotion and discount and your company name, location and phone number. Disseminate the flyers by handing them out in the community and at events and posting them in other businesses.

5. Research the marketing and advertising methods of other stylists in your community. Find out the specials they run and what they charge customers. Create your promotions and prices so that they are competitive but, perhaps, slightly less than your competitors.

Exactly What Is A Quitclaim Deed For Property In Kansas

All Kansas counties have their own quitclaim procedures, so call ahead to your county recorder's office or visit your county's website.

A quitclaim deed is a method of conveying a person's interest in a property to another person. Sometimes erroneously called "quick claim" deeds, quitclaim deeds are simple documents of conveyance in which the person conveying his interest is called the "grantor," and the person receiving the interest is the "grantee." Quitclaim deeds usually are used when conveying interest in a property among acquainted people, such as between divorcing spouses.

Kansas Quitclaim Deeds

Like most states, Kansas quitclaim deeds convey only the grantor's interest in a property to the grantee. Quitclaim deeds don't guarantee or warranty rights that other people may have in a piece of real estate. If there is a question in the grantee's mind about clear title to the property, she should not accept or sign a quitclaim deed. An exception might be that the grantee, for example a wife who's divorcing her husband, knows that her son is a third-party to the property and she simply doesn't care about that fact. She only wants her husband's interest in the property forfeited. That's a typical quitclaim scenario in Kansas or anywhere else. Kansas quitclaim deeds are simple forms, but most counties require you to use their specific forms.

Finding Forms

You usually can find quitclaim deed forms at the county clerk's office, the county recorder's office, the county courthouse, at most libraries or at local insurance, title or real estate offices. You also can find forms online, either for free at your county's website or for a fee through any number of document or legal websites. Kansas quitclaim forms are required to be on legal-size paper (8 1/2 x 14 inches).

Completing the Form

Familiarize yourself with your county's quitclaim deed form and requirements. Again, many counties provide instructions on their websites on complete a form, even if they don't provide downloadable forms. The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, for example, has a detailed website pertaining to quitclaim deeds (see Resources). Generally, you need to describe the property; include the legal name of the property; include the physical street address and ID, plat or lot number; indicate the amount of payment; write the names of the two witnesses; sign the deed (grantor and grantee) and have the form signed by a notary public.

Recording the Deed

Again, each county in Kansas has its own idiosyncrasies for recording quitclaim deeds. Most counties have notaries available, so call ahead before paying to have your document notarized. Depending on the county in Kansas where the property is located, you may have to go to the county clerk's office, the register of deeds or the courthouse. All Kansas counties require that you complete a real estate sales validation questionnaire, either by the grantor, grantee or the agent, concerning the property transferred. Samples are available online (see Resources). Some counties, such as Marshall, will waive the questionnaire requirement if you meet certain conditions. Again, it's important to know the county's application and recording requirements, as well as fee amounts. Sedgwick County, for example, charges $8 for the first page of a deed, $4 for each additional page and $1 if staff can't read the printed or typed names.

Other Deeds

The only other types of deeds recognized in Kansas are grant deeds and warranty deeds. Grant deeds transfer ownership and imply certain promises, such as the title not already having been transferred to another person or having been encumbered. Warranty deeds transfer ownership, and explicitly guarantee the buyer that the transferor has good title to the property --- free of liens or other claims of ownership. This is the typical deed used in home sales. The seller actually guarantees compensation for any mistakes.

About Lie Sensors

About Lie Detectors

The polygraph, popularly known as the lie detector, is a poorly understood device. Often the stuff of crime dramas, polygraph results are actually inadmissible in court in most states. More often they are used in security checks on personnel, but they are not especially reliable even in that role.

How Does It Work?

A polygraph works by monitoring a subject's physiological responses under questioning, with the premise being that false responses will cause an observable, involuntary change in behavior. Polygraphs monitor blood pressure, pulse rate, respiration rhythm and temperature.

Warning: Reliability

There is little scientific evidence proving that the technique actually works. Critics describe the polygraph as little more than a dramatic interrogation prop, which will make a nervous and guilty person even more nervous. Interpreting the results of a polygraph are more subjective than objective, and USA Today reported a 1997 study of more than 400 psychologists that indicated little faith in the polygraph. In 2003, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) reported that the polygraph was "unreliable, unscientific and biased." Infamous spies like Aldrich Aimes and Ana Belen Montes both passed polygraph exams.

Cheating the Test

Cheating a lie detector is actually easy for a disciplined person with a good grip on her emotions. The standard technique is to stay calm and keep the pulse rate under control during "live questions," but to think of something scary or horrible, or to prick themselves with a sharp pin, to elevate the pulse for "control questions" (blank questions meant to establish a base response). A person can even train in this method with little more than a pulse monitor. When CIA turncoat Aldrich Aimes asked his KGB handler what to do about the polygraph, he was advised to show up well rested, stay calm and to get friendly with the lie detector examiner.

Polygraphs in Court

Polygraph evidence is admissible in court in only 19 states, and is only admitted with limitations. The only state to admit polygraph records in court is New Mexico, with the others allowing the examiner to testify. At the Federal level, admitting polygraph evidence is subject to the decision of the judge in question. Despite this decidedly mixed attitude on the part of the courts, lie detectors are still used by law enforcement, and both state and local prosecutors. However, no one can be forced to undergo a lie detector test.

Screenings

Given that lie detector tests are viewed dubiously by the courts, their major use is in security checks on personnel. In the private sector, the Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988 prohibits taking a lie detector exam as a condition for employment, and also as a general condition for continued employment. However, it is permissible under Federal law in some circumstances. Five states have laws on the books making it illegal for any employer to order the use of a polygraph, or punish an employee for not taking one. The US military and the intelligence services use polygraphs as part of their security screening, requiring an exam to get a security clearance, and then periodic exams to keep one.

Begin A Geoduck Business

The geoduck (pronounced "gooey-duck") is the world's largest burrowing clam. The formal name for geoducks is Panopea abrupta, and they are found in the inland waters of the Puget Sound area of Washington state, British Columbia and Alaska. These popular delicacies can be harvested in the wild, but they can also be farmed.

Instructions

1. Learn about the geoduck through sources such as the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (see Resources below).

2. Lease, rent or buy sub-tidal beach property as the site of a geoduck farm and obtain a harvest agreement from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (see Resources below). The beach must be designated as not polluted.

3. Obtain "seeds," which are juvenile forms of the geoduck, from hatcheries such as Taylor Shellfish Farms (see Resources below).

4. Construct a protected growth area by laying down a grid of 4-inch PVC pipe in 1-foot sections. Plant 3 or 4 seeds in each length of pipe and bury them in the sand. Cover the farm bed with a predator net and secure it with high-grade, large-diameter, water-resistant rubber bands affixed to the beach.

5. Remove the PVC pipe after a year.

6. After 3 to 4 years, the grid of geoducks will be ready for commercial harvest.

The Significance Of Move

Think about the pair of shoes on your feet: the rubber might have been imported from South America, the shoelaces could contain cotton from India, the factory that assembled the materials might be based in Singapore, your shoes were then shipped to a distribution center and finally, sold to you from a local store. Foreign trade is important to consumers, businesses, governments and the economy.

History

Opinions regarding the importance of trade have shifted. In the 16th to 18th centuries, the theory of mercantilism pervaded. This theory stated the most important part of trade was exporting as much as possible to neighboring countries. The Library of Economics and Liberties website says that trade between European nations was focused getting gold and silver to bolster the nation's economy. In the 1800s, prominent economist David Ricardo's theory of comparative advantage stated that the most important element of trade is specializing in the production of some goods and importing those which you cannot produce most efficiently.

Importance of Imports

Importing goods and services has several advantages to businesses and the overall economy. Companies save money by importing items which are cheaper in foreign countries than in their own country. For instance, an American clothing company might choose to buy silk for its ties from Thailand than from a textile business in the U.S. When the company in a competitive industry can produce items at a lower cost, the savings typically gets transferred to the consumer and goods become cheaper. The overall economy benefits because companies can focus and improve their core competencies instead of allocating scarce resources to other business operations.

Importance of Exports

Exports also help businesses and the economy. Companies that can sell their products overseas can earn greater profits by virtue of having a larger demographic. The economy benefits by having more money circulated. A country's gross domestic product also increases when its companies produce more goods and services. Economists use GDP as an indicator of a country's wealth: the higher the GDP, the wealthier the country.

Considerations

Maintaining a balance between the amount of goods imported and exported is important to governments. Too many imports results in a trade deficit and can lead to high levels of national debt. Too many exports result in a high trade surplus that can come at the expense of the population's well-being. Though China enjoys a trade surplus, many of its citizens live in poverty and poor health in part because of the work performed in factories at low wages.

About Fitness Models

For anyone who is in great shape, loves exercise and is photogenic, a career as a fitness model may be something to consider. The fitness industry is a big business, and models are needed in various areas including print and television work. Although it may be difficult to break into, it can be a lucrative and exciting way to make a living.

Function

Fitness models are needed to help sell various kinds of products related to the fitness industry. They are needed to help catch the eye of the consumer. For example, models may pose for photos with exercise equipment or wearing fitness apparel. They may be photographed for ads for healthy food and nutritional supplements. Models also work in commercials and serve as a spokesperson for companies and fitness centers.

Types

Male and females are needed to work as fitness models. Both genders must be in great physical shape. Although all models must have well-defined muscles, different types of physiques may be needed depending on the type of modeling assignment. For example, fitness models who work in muscle magazines must have the physique of a body builder. Models who are used for ads for fitness apparel may need to have a less muscular appearance.

Features

Fitness models should have a lean, muscular body with a low percentage of body fat and good muscle definition. Female fitness models are usually not overly muscular. Although most fashion models are tall, height is not as critical for a fitness model. Fitness models also differ from fashion models in they can be a little older. Most fitness models are in their 20s and 30s. Having an attractive face is an asset for fitness models. However, more emphasis is placed on a great physique.

Considerations

As with other types of modeling, fitness modeling is very competitive. A professional portfolio should be put together from photographs taken. A professional photographer should be hired who specializes in fitness models. Because maintaining a fit body is essential for getting hired, a strong commitment to exercise and eating healthy is required. Not all fitness models are able to make a full-time income from modeling.

Misconceptions

Despite what is often portrayed, fitness modeling isn't always glamorous. It's hard work, and sometimes it takes hours to make one photo. Also, the road to becoming a fitness model isn't always the same as other types of modeling. Although some fitness models seek representation from a modeling agency, many get into fitness modeling through competing in fitness competitions. Female models especially have participated in both figure and fitness contests. These types of competitions often have sponsors from the fitness industry at the competitions. Models get the opportunity to meet with sponsors and become known in the industry.