Signs Of The Times
No one can possibly be unaware we’re in a tough economic time, either through job loss, financial loss, or just from the news. What I find interesting are the more subtle indicators and things that don’t make the news.
Like my dentist office where normally, appointments are stacked up through the day and missing one means waiting forever to get back in. But the other day I had a different experience going in for a regular visit for a cleaning and checkup.
Normally a technician does the cleaning, while the man himself pops in afterward to do the five minute check-up, then rushes on to the next person, fitting it all in while doing crowns, fillings, root canals, and so on. However much to my surprise my dentist did all the work himself. When I asked why, he said it made no sense to have a temp come in.
What he didn’t say, but I observed, was he just wasn’t all that busy. Obviously he had to cut back on permanent help. Also noted that the area wasn’t as sparkly as usual which told me there was also a cut-back on cleaning help – nothing serious, but noticeable. Â
Another subtle change is traffic. In speaking with an associate recently, she observed how much her commute home had shortened. More than 10 minutes shorter, plus where there used to be a consistent bottleneck of bumper to bumper traffic, she doesn’t even have to hit the brakes these days.
And where there once was lots of waiting in line to be seated at restaurants, that’s mostly gone -even on Friday and Saturday nights. Plus the drive-through at Starbucks no longer goes around the block – I can actually get a coffee reasonably fast.
So look around, there are some bright spots. However, one that is not so bright, is that while there are a lot more unemployed folks these days, there are also more working from home, either remotely or on their own business. That has translated into stores being more crowded during the traditionally quieter times of day like mid-morning and afternoon when those of us trying to avoid busy times like to go. Oh well, can’t have everything.
Still Not Paying Bills Online?
If you don’t have online bill payment set up, you should do so now. Doing so can save you significant time and money over the course of every year, plus it helps reduce your carbon footprint! Following are some incentives for getting started
1. It’s faster. You’ll save your valuable time. Instead of driving to the bank or utilities office where you’ll stand in line to drop off a payment, you can do right it from the convenience of your home office.
2. You’ll save gas. For your own wallet and the environment, this is a great reason to pay your utility bills online. Using the Internet instead of trekking down to the bank means the car remains in the garage and your money stays in your wallet.
3. It’s more secure. Despite what you hear about Internet security, it’s actually safer to deal with your bank’s secure web servers than to put a piece of paper in the mail with all your bank account numbers and financial details. You don’t have to worry about your payments making it to the right people or your personal information falling into the wrong hands.
4. No more stamps and envelopes. If you’re an online bill payer, you can often request to have your bills sent to you over the Internet as well. This means you can help save paper, which is great for the environment. You also save on the expense of ever-rising stamp costs.
5. You can often save on promotions. Because utility companies are still trying to market online payment, many are offering incentives for customers to sign up and get on board. Before you register for online utility bill payments, look for rebates and discounts for which you can cash in.
But, how exactly do you pay your bills online?
Typically, a bill payment will run through your bank account. Most banks offer online banking which allows you to log in and access all your account details. From there, you can register your account for bill payments, at which point you’ll be prompted to enter the payee information such as your utility company’s name and account number.
If you’re having difficulty setting up online payments, don’t hesitate to visit or call your bank and ask for a step-by-step tutorial on how to set up an online payment program. Remember to always keep your passwords and account numbers safe and stored in a location off your computer.
Around The Globe In Pet Friendly Hotels
People can be very attached to their animals, and want to bring them with wherever they may go. This isn’t hard to understand since many people consider their animals part of their family, and on a family vacation everyone goes along for the ride.
If this is something you’re interested in, you should do some research before confirming any decisions on where you want to go. You will need to make sure the accomodations you select are indeed pet friendly. This can be easily done through one of the many websites that list these lodgings. Many places you may want to visit have hotels like this, though you are more likely to find hotels listed for the more common travel destinations and the bigger cities. If you can’t find a listing for a hotel that will allow your pet on the internet, you can also phone the hotels in the area where you would like to stay in order to find out if they might allow your pet as they might just not have gotten added to the list yet.
You can find animal friendly lodgings around the world, but before making any reservations you should call to double check that they still allow pets, and that they will allow a pet of the type and size of you pet. Rules change from time to time, and websites are not constantlyupdated in a timely manner. Also, you want to find out whether there are additional costs for accomodating pets.
If you are going to be travelling overseas, even if you can find animal friendly lodgings you might want to carefully consider whether or not to bring along your pet as they could be subject to quarantine. Also, you want to make sure that there are safe and comfortable ways to transfer your pet from your house to your destination. Most animals will not enjoy the cargo hold of a plane for a very long plane ride. Some pets also do not like to travel, or are afraid of different places, and these pets also might be better off left at home.
Eco Friendly Frangipani Langkawi Resort & Spa In Malaysia Identified For Its Environmental Practices
The Frangipani Langkawi Resort & Spa representing the best in Malaysia tourism, recently received a highly commended award in the Large Hotel Category at the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards.
Launched in 2004, the awards are run in association with partners World Travel Market, The Daily Telegraph, Geographical Magazine and BBC World News Service. They are the most respected and competitive of their kind in the world. This year a record 1,976 nominations were received from travelers around the world voting for tourism ventures that provide outstanding holidays that also benefit local people and destinations.
At a ceremony hosted at World Travel Mart (WTM) held in Docklands, London, the Awards were handed out to the recipients. The judges commented on Frangipani Langkawi Resort that: “More than 80% of Frangipani’s workforce is from the local community and 40% of its food is produced on the island. The resort also has a large environmental management program designed for improvement, extensively planting native trees and maintaining a wetland in the resort.â€
Justin Francis, founder of The Responsible Tourism Awards, said: “In this, the fifth year of the awards, the bar has been raised for responsible tourism yet again. What inspires me is the efforts that businesses and destinations are making in order to ensure that responsible tourism lies at the heart of their strategies and plans. Without a doubt, this is the only way for the future – responsible travel is not a passing fad or a niche travel trend for marketing purposes. It is an entire, holistic approach to tourism operations.â€
The award also creates awareness among hotels, resorts and tourism operators that there are greener operational policies that ultimately reduce environmental impacts. Resort owner, Mr Anthony Wong, said after acknowledging the award: “The Frangipani Langkawi Resort & Spa has implemented various greening programs to streamline its daily operations and to minimize environmental impacts. Since the resort’s inception in 2006, we have set out to bring about various policies to reduce our impacts upon the environment. Some 100 initiatives are in place and listed on our website and we hope these will become a model for other resorts to follow.â€
Mr Wong remarked that various methods have been introduced at the resort including reducing consumption especially wastage, effectively managing energy usage to reduce wastage, using environmentally-friendly detergents, filtering the resort’s ‘grey water’ through a wetland and working with the local authorities to reduce the amount of rubbish that goes to the island’s limited landfill.
“Everyone in the Frangipani Langkawi Resort community from the owners to management, staff and guests is encouraged to participate in our programs and we find that we have the full support of all. Being an island, Langkawi has many sensitive environmental variables that need to be carefully managed if tourism on the island is to be sustainable,†said Mr Wong.
The Frangipani Langkawi Resort is a secluded and eco-friendly resort established along 400-metres of beautiful golden sands at Pantai Tengah, in Langkawi, a popular island resort in Malaysia. The resort is a 15-minute drive from the Langkawi International Airport and just a short walk to the island’s top restaurants, cafés, bars and shops at Pantai Tengah.
The 118-room resort offers spacious rooms, villas and suites with modern amenities. The Mentari Grill restaurant serves Asian and international cuisine, while the Coco Beach Jam bar offers stunning views of the Langkawi sunset.
Popular among families with young children, the resort’s other facilities include two swimming pools, outdoor jacuzzi, reflexology path, meeting room, recreational activities, room service, babysitting laundry, tour desk, transport services, souvenir shop and internet facilities.
The Meaning Of Being Frugal
According to Wikipedia, the definition for “frugality” is: “The practice of acquiring goods and services in a restrained manner, and resourcefully using already owned economic goods and services to achieve a longer term goal.â€
So that’s the definition. Now what? To understand “being frugal“, we have to understand the definition. So let’s break the definition down into two parts. We’ll talk about the first part in this post.
“The practice of acquiring goods and services in a restrained manner…â€
What does this mean? It simply means that before you buy something you are going to look at the purchase and decide whether or not you really need it and can afford it. This may mean taking several days to think about it. It may mean going back for a second look at the item.
Frugality should not be confused with being a miser.
There is a definite difference in being a miser and being frugal. A miser is someone who does not want to spend money. Misers often do this to the point of not even having the basic comforts. They do not want to spend one penny.
People who are frugal will spend money but they look at all the options first. They weigh the urgent desire for something against how is the best way to acquire it. They will save for something before incurring more debt.
People who live frugal lifestyles will value their purchases.
What do I mean by that? If a person saves and saves for an item and restrains from purchasing it on impulse, they will tend to take better care of it. They will value it more. Oftentimes in impulse buying, the items are used a lot until the “new†wears off. Then the items are set aside and put up when the newest impulse purchase is bought.
Is there a new resurgence of living “frugally correct�
With the economy in the shape that it is today, the answer is definitely YES!!! For several years, people have been able to throw caution to the wind and not really pay attention to what it meant to “acquire goods and services in a restrained manner.†Credit was used without thinking about the end payoff. The “I NEED IT NOW, I’M GOING TO GET IT NOW†attitude was very popular.
This is seen in the housing market. So many people bought houses that they could not really afford without weighing the cost. Restraint was not used. Did people need houses as big as they purchased? Did they really have the income to make the payments or were they house-poor?
We are finding out now that lending companies would gladly lend and “dupe†people into feeling secure about their purchases. Time after time stories are being told of lenders that would tell people not to worry about it…we’ll just refi in a couple of years.Â
Frugal lessons learned: Take your time. Ask yourself do you really need it and if you think you really need it, do you really need it now? Do you really want it because you don’t want to practice restraint in getting it?
If you determine that you think you really need it, take some more time. A couple of days to think some more about the purchase is not unreasonable. Distance yourself from the purchase and then go back to look at it again.
Do you really want to use credit to purchase something? Is it a possibility to save for the item? If it is a possibility, will you value the purchase more? How long will it take to save for it? Will you still want it if you wait and save for it?
Looking Back At Technology
I recently bought a USB data storage device, and was astonished at the range of devices on offer and the capacity that was available to me for such a small price. I’m a regular computer user but I wouldn’t describe myself as a geek, that is, I don’t browse magazines and catalogues looking at hardware and I don’t really understand how computers work, I just know that they do work, and that’s enough for me.
I’m also old enough to remember a time when there were no home computers, just. When I was about 8 Atari launched the Video Computer System. I remember being at a cousin’s house one Christmas and being in thrall to the sight of a small line being hit by a dot on the TV screen over and over; simple pleasures indeed.
Shortly after that I did get my first computer, a Sinclair Spectrum 48k. 48K! It was one of the most incredible things I’d ever owned. I felt like Luke Skywalker sitting in the cockpit of an X-Wing Fighter every time I sat in from of it. It was the future at my fingertips. 48k seemed like the most powerful thing imaginable and I wasn’t alone. So imagine my surprise when I found, twenty five years later while looking for my first USB stick, that I could buy a data storage device with over 150,000 times the capacity of that Spectrum computer.Â
I suppose I shouldn’t have been too surprised, it was 25 years after all. But I couldn’t help think about how far things had come in such a short space of time. It got me thinking about my first home PC, not too long ago, just 10 years. It was a homemade effort, my uncle made it for me, it was considerably bigger than the spectrum and weighed as much as a TV (and that’s without the monitor). But it was good for the time even and with a 4GB hard drive I was able to store unlimited data . . . or so I thought.
4GB wouldn’t go far nowadays of course, I have nearly 140GB of music and the same again of video on my current computer, maybe that’s just the data I’ve accumulated over the years but I suspect that if I started with a clean slate today I could easily fill the same space in just a short time. As the capacity of data storage has become greater the amount of data to fill that space has also increased. And the ease with which we can get the data onto our machines is, well, child’s play.
As I have already said I’m not a computer geek but I do use the computer a lot, particularly for music and films, in fact I have two computers, a desktop and a laptop, which is why I found myself looking for a USB data storage device. I wanted to move data between the two machines without having to burn a CD each time, which was beginning to prove costly and wasteful.
So I decided that I’d buy something that could get a file on it the size of a film, about 1GB. Surely that would be enough. But when I looked into it I was drawn in by the spec, the offers and the sheer size of some of the data storage devices that were on offer. I looked, in some cases, like the more I could get on one of these devices the smaller it became physically.
So I opted for 8GB satisfied that unlike my Spectrum and first PC technology wouldn’t move forward so much in the next few years that I’d need to buy something bigger any time soon. HA! No sooner had I bought it than I got an email for an offer on a 64GB data storage device.
A Quick Primer On Pepper Spray And Consumer Defense Sprays
Do you know what a Self Defense Spray made from?
There are three types of chemicals used in self defense sprays. The first couple are types of tear gas and are called CS and CN. These man made chemicals are irritants to the mucous membranes (eyes, nose, throat, and lung). In large quantities, they cause heavy flow of tears and produce mucus and some choking. Tear gas has been used by police for many years for crowd control.
The third and perhaps most common chemical today is OC (Oleoresin Capsicum), commonly known as defense spray. Â OC is an inflammatory agent made from hot cayenne and other peppers. Upon contact to the sensitive mucous membranes, it causes an intense burning sensation, temporary blindness, restricted breathing and disorientation. Pepper Spray is a hot selling product available to the consumer.
What is the difference between pepper spray and tear gas?
You can’t fight thru the pain of tear gas. It will blind and choke you if it contacts the mucous membranes. Tear gas however isn’t as effective for intoxicated, crazy, super tough attackers.
Tear Gas isn’t effective on wild animals or dogs, pepper spray is. Tear Gas disburses fumes and you don’t have to nail the attacker in the eyes. Pepper Spray does not emit fumes, and it will not deteriorate with age, but it must be sprayed in the eyes or inhaled directly to be effective. Tear Gas takes take longer to be effective, anywhere from 10-20seconds, while the effects of pepper spray are almost instantaneous. Pepper Spray can be washed off with soap and water. Tear Gas takes longer to wear off and the chemical residue can last for days.
Recently, manufacturers have begun to combine the chemicals together to make a super potent spray with the characteristics of each chemical. Called Mace Triple Action, this formulation is super dependable when you need it. They even add in UV dye, so the bad guy can be easily identified by the police.
What are the benefits and limitations of pepper spray?
Pepper spray is an excellent self-defense product. It is used by nearly every law enforcement agency throughout the country. It is non-lethal and extremely effective when sprayed in the facial area and eyes. It put a safe distance between your and an attacker and gives you plenty of time to escape and seek help. Because pepper spray does not cause any long lasting discomfort or injury to the attacker, people are more likely to use it without hesitation. Acting quickly can often keep you from serious injuries and save your life. Pepper spray is very inexpensive, and is not typically restricted by law. A permit is not usually required to carry them. Even so, you should still be aware of its limitations. Pepper Spray may take a few seconds to disable and attacker, so that assailant may be able to take your canister away from you, before the effects of the spray kick in. That means your own weapon may be used against you. Also, wind and rain may reduce its range and effectiveness. You may get spray-back when sprayed against strong wind.
How do I measure the effectiveness of pepper spray?
Pepper Spray is rated in two ways: OC% and SHU rating. The % you see listed on the package (10%, 15%, etc.) explains how much OC is in the container relative to the other ingredients (propellant, dyes, etc.). However, this percentage cannot always be used to compare the “hotness” of different pepper sprays, and there are mixtures of various potencies of OC. The hotness of OC is directly related to the amount of the capsaicin in the OC, which varies significantly from manufacturer to manufacturer. The amount of capsaicin in OC is rated in Scoville Heat Units (SHU). To compare the hotness of two different pepper sprays, SHU rating is more important. The more capsaicin content the OC has, the hotter & more effective the spray will be. Two million SHU will be sufficient to stop an attack.
Will pepper spray expire? How often should I replace my pepper spray?
Most sprays have an expiration date stamped on the side of the canister. OC will not degrade over time, but the propellant may, and then the unit may not spray as far as expected, if at all. To make sure that propellant does not go bad, you should test your spray every 90 days. Every time you perform a test, you reduce the contents of the canister. If you are using a key chain model and you test regularly you may need to replace the unit every year months.
How long for the spray to work, and how long will the effect last?
It can take 3-5 seconds for pepper spray to take effect, and the effects can last anywhere from 15 minutes to about 80 minutes depending on concentration, which will give you plenty of time to escape an attacker and call the police.
The UV Dye, a harmless additive used to assist authorities in catching the attacker, will generally wear off in about a week.
When should I use pepper spray?
Use pepper spray if you feel threatened or your life is in danger. And use it only in defense of people, not property. Always maintain situational awareness and remember that its a crime to use self-defense sprays in an offensive manner.
What should I get: foam, spray, gel, fogger?
It just depends on your specific application and preference. Mace brand gels and foams are preferred by many as they are really hard to wipe off. It just spreads and burns! The spray is actually a stream of liquid, and is easier to aim into the eyes and mouth. The fogger is good for crowd control.
How should I store & carry pepper spray?
Store your defensive spray in a safe place at room temperature. Keep it away from children. Do not leave it in a hot place during summer because high temperatures may cause the seals to leak.
Think in advance how you whenever possible, and keep it in the same place. You can put it in a loose outer pocket of a jacket or inside a pants pocket, or in a purse with an open pocket. Try a few different carrying methods and find good accessible locations for you. Practice and make sure you can draw it quickly in an emergency situation. The keychain pepper sprays are very convenient, and you are more likely to carry them with you all the time because of its convenience.
How do I use pepper spray?
It is very important that you get comfortable with and practice with the specific spray you are going to carry. Study the canister, the nozzle, and the dispenser. Take your canister to an open field, make sure the wind, if any, is at your back, and fire it for about two seconds. How far will it spray? Is the spray a stream or a foggy mist? How did it react to the wind? Can you spray it into the eyes of an attacker?
In an emergency situation, make sure you have distance between you and the attacker. Don’t get within their reach. Don’t threaten an attacker with your spray. Fire 2 or 3 second bursts directly into the eyes of the attacker. If it is not working, give them another two seconds. The small pocket or purse size will give you between about 10 seconds of continual fire. Once the threat is stopped, run immediately and call the police. If your spray contains UV dye, tell the police that. It can help the police to identify your attacker.
Is Pepper Spray Legal in my state?
Pepper spray is LEGAL in every state in the union. However, some states and cities have specific rules pertaining to the purchase, possession and use of defense sprays. Please check with your local law enforcement agency for any regulations your state may have.
Is there anyplace where I cannot carry pepper spray?
Yes. Don’t attempt to carry any pepper spray on an airplane or in carry-on luggage or in the passenger area. The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) allows one defense spray (up to 4 oz) per traveler in your checked luggage only.
Foreign Currency Exchange Marketplace – A Vital Element Of The Worldwide Economic System
The complex world of foreign currency exchange
The foreign currency exchange market is one of the most critical constituents of the modern economy, and is significantly different from the other major market, the stock exchange. The stock exchange is highly organized with very clearly defined transaction mechanisms, timings and clearing processes. Forex market meanwhile, works mostly on trust based deals between two parties and is not governed by any timings. Out of the about $3 trillion worth of daily transactions taking place in the foreign currency exchange market of the major world economies, most are based on trust between the two parties. Hedging allows dealers to manage the risk arising out of the trust factor in a forex transaction.
London accounts for the highest amount of foreign currency exchange transactions and is recognized as the centre of the Forex market. Two important reasons have made London the leading forex market. London was the centre of the world for almost two decades of the British Empire, and was the hub for financial trading. Post British Empire, New York has emerged as the leading city in the world of finance but in terms of foreign exchange, London has held to its number one position. The second important reason is owing to the fact that London lies between Asia and America, and hence bridges the time zone gap between the two leading economies of the world, USA and Japan, thus becoming the most convenient location for transactions involving parties from the two countries.
For most big countries, foreign currency exchange rates are determined just like any other commodity – through demand and supply of the currency. The health of a country’s economy, as well as its trade with other countries plays a big role in determining its currency’s exchange rate. As economic conditions change, they also project themselves on the exchange rate of a country’s currency. Economists use data from around the world to make predictions on the outlook of the economy. These predictions on the economy when tested in present, depending on their nature affect the foreign currency rates.
That however does not mean that the governments have no control over the rates of their currency. Amongst several ways in which the governments can affect the exchange rates, changing interest rates and issuing bonds are the key ones. In the UK, decisions with regards to changes in interest rates are taken by Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Bank of England, and this is often used to exercise control over the foreign exchange rates. Increase in interest rate by the MPC usually leads to a stronger pound, and similarly when the interest rate is lowered, the pound weakens.
Foreign currency exchange management gains huge significance in today’s highly integrated global economy. An increasing number of companies are getting engaged in overseas business and require foreign currency exchange services for international monetary transactions. Moreover, the dynamic changes in exchange rates and trade in more than one currency can make the management of a company’s foreign exchange difficult. There exist several firms that can help the companies manage their foreign exchange related needs effectively and simplify their overseas monetary business transactions.
Oak Village – Oakville, Iowa
Southeast Iowa has a lot to offer the tourists that visit but not many are as unique as the archeological find that was unearthed by the flood of 2008 in the small community of Oakville.
The site, now called Oak Village, is from the Woodland period which is 300 to 400 AD where the Native Americans made their home. The village was round, kind of a donut-shaped area with houses around the outside and the center being open. Here there were probably 20 to 25 wigwam homes situated with 10 people living in each one.
This is a time when the Native Americans became more sedentary. Previously they moved frequently but at this site, and others like it, they remained for long periods of time.
Buying Beachfront In Mexico
Looking for beachfront in Mexico? here are some things your should know. There are restrictions affecting land near the border and coast. These areas are called the “restricted zone”, and covers land within 100 kilometers of any Mexican border and within 50 miles of any Mexican coastline.
Originally the “restricted zone” was created to protect Mexico from foreign attack. The goal was to keep any foreigner from owning land that could be used to bring in an army and launch an attack on Mexico. This was written into the Mexican Constitution in Article 27. The constitution was signed in 1917 and made a lot of changes to who could own property.Â
From a brief look at this section of the Mexican constitution from, it appears the government took a lot of land away from people. It changed the concept of land ownership to one where the government actually owns all the land and even though they sell it to individuals for use, the government can get it back if they want it. But this doesn’t happen very often and when it does it is similar to what happens in the U.S. when they put in a highway through an area that used to be private property–the government has to pay a reasonable price for the land.
Other than the “restricted zone” foreigners can own land subject to Mexican law. Just because you are a U.S. citizen doesn’t mean the land becomes U.S. property. It is treated just like a Mexican citizen owned it.Â
If you are looking to buy property in Mexico keep in mind that there is no type of real estate license required. Anyone can sell real estate and there isn’t any type of code of ethics that they all agree with. You will want to work with someone trustworthy.
If you want to purchase property in the “restricted zone” there are ways to do it. The Mexican government knows that selling land on the coast is a great way to bring in money not just for the sale of the property but for the local economy. U.S. citizens coming to Mexico and spending lots money are a great way for the country to profit financially. However since the law about the “restricted zone” is written into the constitution it would take a lot of political work to change.
The Mexican government came up with a way to work around the constitution. You can create a legal entity in Mexico and use it to buy the land. Since the land is owned by a Mexican entity, this fulfills the constitutional requirements. If this entity is a trust, a foreigner can be named as the beneficiary. The trust is administered by a Mexican bank which is obligated to act on the behalf of the beneficiary of the trust.
So if you’re considering buying property somewhere in Mexico, get some professional help from a local, reputable firm, to help navigate the legal requirements.
Waterproof, shockproof, everything proof underwater cameras made tough for the rugged outdoors
Categories
- A to Z
- Choices
- Credit Cards
- Diving
- Economy
- Faith
- Food
- Healthy Living
- Humor
- Inspiration
- Lifestyle
- Mortgage Smarts
- Personal Finances
- Quit Smoking
- Retirement
- Saving Money
- Technology
- Travel
Subscribe to our feed
