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Jim Edwards sent out a survey about e-books. He asked a
variety of questions. But the number one thing everyone
wanted to know was this: “How do I find out if my e-book
will sell—before I write it?”

Obviously, that’s a great question. If anyone could
accurately determine the salability of an e-book before it
was written, that person could be a billionaire. Every
aspiring author would hire him, or her, to judge their idea.

The truth is, there is no guaranteed way to 100% accurately
test an idea for an e-book before you actually begin to sell
it. Yes, you can run ads for your e-book and see if it will
fly or not. But that’s not totally accurate. Or guaranteed.
And if people buy and you don’t deliver that e-book within
30 days, it’s also illegal.

But there *is* a way to massively improve the odds of your
e-book being something the public will want. This is
something you can do right now, before you write a word of
your e-book.

Let me explain this system to you:

I researched the 1800s to write my book on P.T. Barnum.

I researched the 1920s to write my book on Bruce Barton.

I researched the last 150 years to write my book on ads.

And I’ve been researching ancient Roman history to write a
forthcoming book on old world marketing practices. What I
discovered in the most unforgettable way is that in every
era, people wanted the exact same things.

People never change. They will always have the same
basic desires. Technology will change. People won’t. Today
we have e-books. That’s a new technology. Yet what people
want to read in those e-books will remain the same as
always. Human desires are hard-wired into our DNA.

That’s good. By knowing what people want, you can profit
from their desires. And since their desires are predictable,
your ability to make money from your ideas just got a lot
more bankable, as well.

So, what exactly do people want to read about?

First, the top three general categories are these: Food,
sex, and money.

There will *always* be a market for new cookbooks, new
books on love, and new books on ways to make money. That
will never change. Ever. So if you have an idea that fits in
one of those categories—and if it’s a new spin on existing
ideas—you may have a wining race horse.

Second, Jim Edwards and I identified the TOP Ten tried and
true subjects for e-books in our own e-book, “How to Write
and Publish Your Own e-Book in as little as 7 Days.”

Our own research proves these ten resaons are just as
reliable as the three more general ones that I discovered.
These are the subjects people will *always* want to know
about. Since those subjects are listed in our e-book, I
won’t discuss them here.

Third, after Jim and I wrote our e-book, we discovered
16 more subjects that people always want to know about.
These, too, are proven hot buttons for people. When I
reviewed my studies from the last several years, I realized
that these 16 topics are things people will always want to
know more about, too. Here they are:

11. To attract sex.
12. To keep their possessions.
13. To have more fun.
14. To satisfy curiosity.
15. To protect their family.
16. To be in style.
17. To have beautiful possessions.
18. To quench their appetite.
19. To emulate others.
20. To avoid trouble.
21. To avoid criticism.
22. To be an individual
23. To protect their reputation.
24. To grab opportunities
25. To be safe.
26. To make work easier.

So, how does this system work?

Okay. Say you have an idea for a book on how to make
money in network marketing. Will it sell? Since people want
to (20) avoid trouble and (26) make their work easier, I’d
say chances are good it would. Add to this formula the fact
that people always want to know how to make money (one of
the top three subjects hard-wired into our make-up) and yes,
the book could sell.

And what if you have an idea for a book on how to find
cool things at garage sales? Would that sell? If you tied
the title to a direct benefit—such as to make money—then
your idea could work. In other words, title the e-book
something like, “How To Make A Fortune In Garage Sales” and
you just made it fit one of the basic human desires. If you
can also tie it to (14) satisfying their curiosity about
garage sales, all the better.

What if you have a technical book idea, such as an e-
book on how to filter out spam? No sweat. People want to
save time, so you might tie your idea to that benefit. “How
to Save Time By Eliminating Spam!” might work. Or you could
even tie your idea to (23) protecting their reputation. Then
your e-book might be “Protect Your Name By Stopping Spam!”

Get the idea? You can take almost any e-book idea you
may have and improve the odds of it selling by simply
matching it to one of the 16 categories above or the
TOP 10 listed in our e-book. It’s easy.

Now, before the critics rush in and shoot at any holes
they see in this system, let me add these final words:

A book that sells is more than “a good idea.” It’s an
idea well expressed. It’s an idea packaged in an
irresistible way. It’s an idea targeted at a specific niche
audience. And it’s an idea that works once people begin to
implement it.

In short, make your book idea fit one of the key categories
people are proven to want more information on. Title it to
reflect benefits people want. Describe it in your sales
letter in ways that activate people’s basic desires. Just be
sure you deliver what you promise.

Do all that and your e-book will sell—guaranteed!

About the Author

Joe Vitale is the #1 best-selling author of “Spiritual Marketing”
and the co-editor of the new “Millionaire Weekly Memo” free
eZine. Do you want more practical New Marketing Era secrets
to market your business and achieve the personal wealth you
deserve? Subscribe here:
http://www.TheMillionaireMind.net/ezine.html?a2j

A frequently advanced gripe by critics of the faxless fast cash advance trade zeroes in on the annual rate of interest charged for short term payday advance loans which might pile up to a staggering 2-300%. (You can dig deeper into the topic of getting a payday advance here.)

Such annual percentage rate or “APR” is merely a simple measure rendering the amount of interest a client will have to pay as brought forward to one full year. It implements a framework to specify which financial solution proffers a higher/lower ultimate cost to the borrower, encompassing adjuvant fees that may be exacted.Indeed, the annual interest rate has proven to be a relevant formula applicable to financial engagements covering a time span of a minimum of twelve months .Unfortunately, when looking at two weeks loans the rates of interest p.a. are indubitably less useful.

Perhaps we should liken fast cash advances to taking a taxi home from the airport. It might cost you 40 dollars to get home this way. Sure, 40 dollars may be serious money to spend on merely getting home however people opt for it as it is convenient and covers a specific deficiency. Ok, so everybody knows that we could easily rent a car for a whole day for 40 dollars including as many miles as we need to.

Let’s assume we do that– to wit, hire this car and drive it for four hundred miles during the one day we’ve hired it. Now obviously the backers of APR would probably insist that everyone ought to annualize these figures to establish a plausible correlation! To prove our point, we’ll take the price we’re paying for the taxi ride ($2/m x 400 m) giving us $800.00. The “annualized” correlative of the car rental approach versus our taxi ride equates to $40 contra $800. Of course, as everyone should have realized that car hiring we chose was not our best option, even in view of how much more expensive that APR was in this case.

Equally, short term payday bridging loans. Let’s not forget that loans till payday are restricted to two weeks only, they are not annual loan agreements. The obviously high annualized borrowing rate doesn’t tell us anything owing to the fact that this breed of loan doesn’t bridge a full year. The interest rate charge amounts to roughly 15%-25% for the entire loan. A no fax payday loan is a cost intensive contingency measure nobody should embrace without prior inspection of all available alternative options.

Actually, the title of this article is the title of the book that I’m in the process of writing as well as the main theme of my radio show, “Welcome to Life Happens”. It has to do with patterns that we develop in our lives from childhood on.

We don’t consciously or purposefully choose to develop these patterns. Instead they developed unknowingly and unconsciously. We picked them up by watching how our parents and other significant figures dealt with their lives. We also learned them as a result of experiences that we encountered growing up. We may have had a “bent” in the direction of developing those patterns because of our personality types or because of circumstances in our early development that demanded a certain adjustment on our part. Perhaps something traumatic occurred that resulted in a certain type reaction or just that the family commonly practiced the pattern.

The problem with these early developmental patterns is that although they may have been effective at one point in our lives, they’re still being practiced and they don’t work anymore. Many of these patterns may have grown out of a child’s not having any choices because of their dependence on parents or parental figures. When we don’t have choices, we tend to compensate by developing patterns that might usually go to extremes. If there’s one rule that I’ve learned from working with thousands of people it is this: extremes never work! Essentially, when we go to extremes, we believe that the opposite of whatever the problem is for which we’re trying to compensate will take us to the answers that we need to find. Instead, we usually end up going into another set of problems.

The answer to life is balance. However, we cannot attain a sense of balance that lasts indefinitely. We can only strive to attain balance in our lives and realize that striving is a necessary constant in life if we want to become healthy and happy. It means that we need to be aware and willing to work at gaining balance. I liken this process to exercising and the effort it takes to “stay in shape”. So, when our patterns of dealing with life coming into our adult years become problematic….even though they worked for us previously….we need to consciously change them. Because these patterns were part of our learned behaviors, we can learn to change them a little at a time. At first it’s difficult but with determination and practice, it will become easier and we will become healthier.

Charles M. Bonasera was a practicing psychotherapist for over forty years resulting in his literally touching thousands of peoples’ lives. From his professional experiences, he developed a number of programs that he renders to the general public, corporations and businesses as well as educational institutions that were designed to prevent problems as well as to become meaningful tools that can be used immediately to deal with existing difficulties. These programs are delivered live and he also consults with people on an individual and group basis telephonically to help them resolve issues in their lives on a personal level.

His practice motto is “learning how to find alternative methods to happiness”. His “easy to understand” approach, sense of humor and easy going manner have also resulted in his being a keynote speaker for many major business and organizational functions. His practical approach teaches people to “think out of the box” to find their own unique answers.

People can learn more my visiting his professional website at charlesbonasera.com.

How safe is your computer? Could you be in danger of getting a virus on your system? Just how real is the danger? What steps should you take if any?

While visiting with a one of my students, I became aware that her anti-virus software was over seventeen months old and had never been updated. Upon informing her that she should update her anti-virus software regularly, she was totally surprised. Furthermore she had no concept how essential this was to ensure her system’s safety. Therefore I thought it wise to write about some of the precautions you should take to avoid becoming infected with a computer virus.

While there are many ‘virus’ hoaxes, and please do not pass any of these hoaxes on as these may actually contain viruses, computer viruses do pose a very real danger. Therefore I’ve listed a few preventative measures that you should take to ensure computer safety.

1. Do install an anti-virus software program and update it often as there are new viruses discovered everyday. I update my anti-virus database daily. At least weekly should be a goal. If you are not updating perpetually, it is like having an insurance policy and never paying the premiums. In no time at all it would be worthless.

2. Be wary of email from strangers. Never open an email with an attachment from a source that is unknown or suspicious. Virus containing emails can be very persuasive in the subject line. Do not let your curiosity be aroused.

I prefer an anti-virus program that has the ability to check all email sent and received. If you update it often, this should keep you safe, although nothing is 100% secure. There are good programs that offer a free version for personal use. These programs generally allow continual updates. Some may require that you register again at the end of year, but the software and updates will still be free.

Two such programs are:

AVG anti-virus, Free edition
http://grisoft.com

Free avast! 4 Home Edition
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html

For more options and reviews on programs you can do a search on google for free anti-virus.

3. Do exercise caution when downloading files from the Internet. Be sure to download from well known and reputable sources. Ascertain that your anti-virus software is set to scan files while you are downloading. I have that feature enabled in my anti-virus program and it scans all files when I am in the process of downloading, and it has on occasion prevented me from downloading a file that was infected or posed a potential danger. These programs work so take advantage of the security your anti-virus will provide by using all of the safety features.

4. New viruses creep upon a daily basis. It is important to back up your important files regularly. CD’s and DVD’s hold a large amount of information. Take advantage of this and store your valuable information and computer programs on these removable disks. In the event that a virus should ever invade your system and your files become corrupted you will be able to replace them with your backup copies.

5. Lastly apply the little rule, ‘When in doubt do without’. If you are uncertain, whether it is with an unknown source in your email or a web site that offers a download, then best not to take a chance. No email message or free software is worth the damage to your computer files and the time and expense of repairing your PC. Do not be fooled, computer viruses do affect everyone.

The Internet offers us an array of software, services, entertainment and education that is beneficial. There is no reason to fear the web, it can be safe and secure. Yet it would be unrealistic to assume that there is no danger of computer viruses. There are unscrupulous persons who desire to do you harm. By observing these few guidelines you can minimize any threat of a virus attacking your computer.

Doran, writer and entrepreneur provides lessons, resouces, tips, freeware, biz info, ebooks, mp3s, and more to improve your PC and Internet experience. doranunlimited.com

Question:

What inspired you initially to begin your Trash Talk venture?

Answer:

As a society, we are bombarded with negative information about the environment and our resources constantly. Feeling powerless because we cannot afford to donate cash or time to a cause, we begin to feel overwhelmed by the immense environmental problems our world faces. Psychologists know that simply performing one positive action helps to define a positive outlook on life and will inspire further participation from the individual.

Question:

How long did the Trash Talk column run?

Answer:

The column began in 1999, and was published for about 5 years, before being compiled into Trash Talk. For the last couple of years, we have focused all our energies towards compiling the articles into a book that matched our expectations and the publisher’s deadline. However, we continue to write articles, which are published across North America.

Question:

Why the title?

Answer:

We talk about trash so we simply called it Trash Talk. It was an eye-catching title for readers of our column, so we kept the title for the book. The concept of the book is to reduce, reuse or recycle items that were formally destined for the landfill. The idea of refusing to buy products with excessive packaging is another essential element discussed. You are sending a powerful message to manufacturers when their sales figures decrease.

Question:

What kind of book is Trash Talk?

Answer:

Firstly, Trash Talk is meant to inspire participation from the individual in easing the world’s environmental strain. The entire book is focused on bringing the reader inspiring facts, useful ideas, and a real sense of hope. We show how recycling benefits us all and discuss how the 4-R’s of waste management are implemented. By treating waste as a resource, the reader will save money and better the environment.

Question:

Where is the likely readership? What type of person would be attracted to this book?

Answer:

Anyone that creates waste, that likes to save money and who would like to lessen their personal impact on the environment would get something very useful out of this book.

Anyone who is feeling overwhelmed or depressed about the state of the earth can find some comfort in our pages. Individuals and businesses will learn how to save money and time. Our financial consultant tells us that if people could find a way to save just $7 a day they could contribute to their retirement monthly. We show people how to accomplish this simply by improving their waste and resource management.

Question:

What is the sales potential of the book? What are the interests of the book?

Answer:

Zero Waste initiatives are gaining popularity in communities across North America. Education systems are teaching recycling and environmental sciences in their curriculum. The last time we checked - landfills were not getting any smaller. It is in the best interest of all of us on this planet to make it as healthy and non-toxic as possible in order to remain. With this in mind, we felt it was vitally important to have this book published, aiding communities in their waste reduction efforts.

Question:

What makes this book unique?

Answer:

Trash Talk is about implementing the Refuse-Reduce-Reuse tactics first, in that order, before even considering recycling. In this, we are not trying to pronounce that recycling is a negative approach by any means - more a final solution when all other options have been considered. By taking matters into our own hands we can ease the burden that is upon the recycling industry, decrease our own household costs and help preserve our resources.

In all our research, we could find only four, or five, books on this subject throughout North America. Most of these are regionally based and were written up to 10 years ago. We have written Trash Talk for a wider, North American audience. We included a list of over 140 magazines, Internet sites, books and reports that were used in the writing process, as well as providing statistics throughout the book.

It is focused on providing the reader with a sense of hope and the knowledge that their actions have a direct impact on their own pocketbook as well as the health of the community. In fact, many chapters close with a list of the direct benefits attained by taking the suggested actions and the chapters can be read in any order.

Question:

Why should anyone care?

Answer:

We think it is vital that people recognize the volume of waste generated in homes and businesses. Each bag sent to the landfill increases municipal costs and the need to create new landfill space. The ideas in this book will help individuals and businesses to not only manage their waste and resource consumption, but also purchase less.

We show readers how to turn their yards into organic, wildlife paradises. Individuals will learn how to increase the value of their real estate. Employers will learn new ways of decreasing sick days and increasing staff production.

Communities will learn how to reduce smog and waste issues. Each - and every one -of these things we just mentioned can have a huge effect on the financial state and health of people within our communities.

Question:

What makes this book so enjoyable that people keep referring back to it?

Answer:

The hands-on reuse ideas make it easy to start right away with simple projects around the home or office that make a difference. The positive approach gives the feeling that there is hope and that no matter how small you start it is just that - a start. In no time, the inclination to look at anything twice before discarding it will be a reflex action. Because readers learn of the direct benefits of each action they make, we hope they will find the courage to further their management journey. This book could very well be one of the best tools for individuals and businesses to meet Zero Waste goals.

Question:

What is the best way to get started in recycling?

Answer:

Returnable bottles and cans are probably the easiest to begin with, and have the additional incentive of receiving money for bringing them to the depot. All office paper, envelopes, cereal boxes, newspaper and junk mail can be put in one box and taken to the depot. Cardboard is also easily recycled. However, not all glass is recyclable. Very few depots accept ceramics or drinking glasses. Because mixed glass is less valuable than separated colors, many depots require glass to be sorted by color. Tin cans and aluminum foil can be put in another box. Labels on jars and cans are also recyclable.

It is easiest to start recycling these resources. When the family becomes used to these, they can consider recycling plastics, metals and many other things. Recycling is the first step in taking responsible measures to deal with our waste problems.

Question:

Do you have outlets for all your recycled items?

Answer:

Most communities have big recycling bins, reuse centers and take-it-back programs available for the public. There are differences in each depot. For instance, some require labels to be taken off cans and bottles - others do not. Some accept all rigid plastics from #1-#7 - others accept only translucent milk jugs. It is important to become familiar with local depot requirements because the wrong thing can ruin the whole bin.

Question:

How does one “save time and money”? Provide some examples of how reuse works.

Answer:

Even before recycling, a plastic container can be reused for various storage means numerous times. This means the container is not going to the landfill, contributing increasing municipal costs and loss of land. The individual saves money by not purchasing a storage container.

– Written by Dave and Lillian Brummet based on the concept of their book, Trash Talk. The book offers useful solutions for the individual to reduce waste and better manage resources. A guide for anyone concerned about his or her impact on the environment. (www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit)

More and more business companies are thinking of the most
possible way to raise their name and standard. Promotion is
quite hard to achieve but in some creative ways and styles, this
really isn’t a problem. Getting the highest promotion will help
earn your way a lot. Some business stands that have been left
behind haven’t come up with creative ideas because of the
limited resources. Now in the modern business strategy to make
promotion a success and a breakthrough, postcards is the answer
to their problems. This is proved to be the most cost effective
strategy that is relative to printing. Printing as the word goes
sounds expensive but there are most probable ways to keep it
stumpy.

Some people disregard the use of postcards because they think
that this is not effective and it does not work at all. But that
thought has been wrong all these times. Postcards are effective
in bringing out information and messages. It has its unique
style of attracting the people’s attention. You need not to open
a postcard at all. Sometimes people are too lazy reading letters
and sometimes when forgotten, moved to thrash. Postcards are
advantageous because once you get hold of it; you simply get the
message or the details. Postcards come very timely because
production is consistent so any changes in the designs or
information can be updated easily.

A postcard keeps you away from the anthrax scare. This may be
funny but most people still have the after shock of the anthrax
scene years ago. Since postcards are bare and need not opened
up, you are worry-free of getting contaminated with it.

The advantage of having postcards is if it has an attractive
design, your customers and viewers will surely grab a chance to
read it. The appearance matters since people are into liking the
most creative designs. Inviting postcards always gets response
from their customers. If they are enticed, for sure in a few
days, they will reach you through your hotline or if they are
patient, even write you back. Postcards can be cost effective so
you better throw the thought that it comes expensive. There are
choices on how to keep your materials cheap but worth it. Most
business companies offer alternatives on how to keep it
economized. Of course choosing the right company to print your
postcard is the wisest idea.

For more related articles, you may visit
http://www.brochuresprintingonline.com

The Internet has become the biggest business hub. Business entrepreneurs always aim to turn their web venture into profitable and successful ones. Suitable domain names can make their dream come true. If any business wants to thrive on the Internet, it has to have a distinctive domain name. A strong web presence has become mandatory for all businesses to create impression among their potential buyers. Appropriate domain names will help customers identify the businesses in a most convenient fashion.

Businesses intend to disseminate information about their products and service through their websites. So, the domain names must feature in the prominent search engine listings with better rankings. Some domain registration companies offer exquisite domain names for businesses with superb search engine rankings. If you are serious about making it big on the web, it’s advisable to go for those business domain names. Businesses of late are feeling the urgency to grab the best domain names to get the upper hand. None wants to give his or her rivals an undue advantage when it comes to expanding business on the Internet. Thanks to business domain names, your potential customers get to your business quickly. Not only that they will admire your business intelligence.

If you want to realize the full potential of a dominant medium like the Internet, you need to have the power of some outstanding business domain names. Those domain names will offer you exemplary mileage and exposure that you have looking for. Irrespective of the magnitude of your business, if you want to make your presence felt to a widespread audience, you need to have great business domain names. Opting for business domain names is the most professional way to interact with the prospective clients. This is the most viable way to promote one’s products and services to an international audience.

Simply put a lamp is a device that generates light, heat or some sort of therapeutic radiation (like the laser ones). The word that derives its roots from Middle English lampe or Latin lampas is one everyday device that can gets taken for granted but can slice through any density of darkness with a flick of the switch.

The humble lamp started out as far back as the Stone Age, historians suggest. Back then it was just a hollow rock, probably filled with absorbent moss or something similar that could be soaked with animal fat. Since then it has seen several modifications and has been improved upon to give it its present form and now the term is used for all types of lighting devices used for illumination. Though it’s shape, fuel used, the wick…all have changed forms, the basic working principle is still the same.

This simple illumination device has been part and parcel of mankind’s collective history and was used in various forms across cultures in ancient times. Egyptians and the people of Central Asia used terracotta saucers, the Greek invented torches, the Romans improvised them with multiple spouts and the Hebrews used the seven-branched candlestick. Most religious ceremonies use a lighting device of some kind because light is a universal symbol of everything sacred. These devices were usually cumbersome but now, you just have to press an electrical switch and there you are!

We use them in our everyday life to illuminate a room, to set a particular mood, to showcase our prized possessions or even to burn the midnight oil. This humble light source is traded in flea markets, dime stores, branded retail houses and even the Internet. Some people collect them others use them to beautify their homes. Whatever the reason, there is always need to let there be light.

Richard Dornell for www.lamp-source.com

The body is a wondrous machine and is designed to take massive abuse before it fails.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t always give clear signs of abuse until it’s too late. So many people believe heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, and obesity are just part of the natural aging process. However, it’s our lack of exercise and terrible diet, which accelerates our aging and causes us to fall ill before our time.

Despite progress we always have those among us who believe the “old fashioned” ways or products are better. It has to be said that in some instances they are correct. Sadly, with each passing generation, some of this old fashioned wisdom disappears.

Progress is so contemporary and so closely a part of our daily lives that we sometimes fail to recognize that we, ourselves, may fail to keep up with what is happening. Things that we would have considered very modern because we witnessed their creation only a few years ago may already be “old fashioned” to high school students.

In the medical world, treatment that might have been popular for a disease in 1986 may be completely outmoded in 2006. Even medical discoveries of the 1990’s may be old fashioned today.

However, over the years, and for generation after generation, a great number of home remedies for many illnesses have managed to stay alive. They have been passed down from elders to youngsters in each country throughout the world. Many of them are strikingly similar although they may have originated on separate continents among completely alien peoples.

This area of medicine is commonly called “folk medicine.” Few people will have failed to have come into contact with this term at one time or another. Usually folk medicines are the “old fashioned remedies, the cure that “Grandma used”; the wisdom of the oldster who remembers when “My old friend Betty would have died if they hadn’t used that old remedy! Yes
sir, even the doctor had to admit it worked.”

Periodically there seems to be a revival in folk medicine. We appear to be now experiencing such a time as more people are becoming concerned, not only about the high cost of medicine, but also the increasing discoveries of side effects. Nature has given us many natural remedies, with little or no side effects.

Basically most folk medicine is closely associated with herbs, food, oils, minerals and components found in any household. Techniques and methodology of folk medicine are especially adaptable to home use.

It is not difficult to understand how many of these medicines and treatments originated and why they were popular. Among pioneers and peoples where doctors were few and far between, or nonexistent, medical aids were the products of experience and necessity. People used what they had at hand. Sometimes what they “had at hand” are still used by our most modern medical experts.

Many people accept herbal medications as safe because they are ‘natural’, but this is not necessarily so. Many plants are poisonous, or may have serious side effects or give allergic reactions when taken by susceptible individuals. One such case is bee pollen. Just as you can be allergic to bee stings without knowing it (if you’ve never been stung) so an allergy to bee pollen may also be present. While many herbal concoctions can be useful,

We suggest finding a Homeopathic Doctor that balances the need for medication with a change in lifestyle and diet as a part of your overall game plan to get back on the road to better health.

To get more information on revolutionary whole food based therapeutic supplements to nutritionally support the body, get our FREE BOOK… “Curing Illness” - Backed By Over 500 Scientific Studies

This Article was submitted by Pat B

Get more information and our Free Book -Curing illness- backed by over 500 clinical studies at patb.premiun.ws

This article may be reproduced as long as the contents are left intact.

Happiness is what they’re selling. Relief from the crushing weight of that gigantic rock we’re all forced to carry called ‘financial burden.’ It’s heavy and cumbersome, and the very thought of unloading it for a short time is so tempting, that some of us find it easy to throw caution to the wind and apply for the quick cash loans these small payday advance lenders offer.

Why not? The cops towed your car off, and you need eighty bucks to pay off the ticket. You can’t work without your car. You don’t have the money to get your car. You don’t get paid until next week. A cash advance seems like the logical solution. They don’t even look at your credit history. They just want to see a paycheck stub and a bank account. How easy is that? Then there’s that thing you’ve been wanting to buy…it’s only a few bucks more, so you may as well make it a hundred instead of eighty dollars. Oh, and your kid has been begging for that game. Another twenty won’t make a difference.

The excuses for more will keep adding up, and here’s this company ready and waiting to hand you a wad of cash. Cold hard cash. The kind that’s easy to spend, because it’s in your pocket (burning a hole) instead of in the bank (waiting for bills).

Why not? Because if you don’t have the money you need saved in the bank, it shows you have a hard time controlling your spending habits, and you’re probably going to have a hard time paying off cash loans. This means a new set of weekly fees that you hadn’t
planned. Before you’re through, you’ll end up spending much more than you borrowed just in interest and late fees. Stop the mad cycle of easy cash loans and payday advances. You might have no choice but to borrow, but following a few simple steps can help
eliminate the painful after-math of a cash advance.

Only borrow as much cash as you need

This might be one of the hardest parts. When you’re applying for a cash loan, and you know you’ll be out of diapers before your paycheck comes, it’s so tempting to add a few bucks of spending cash to the credit line.

Stop yourself right there. Ask yourself a few questions.

• Do I need this money right now?
• Will I spend the money immediately on something that is necessary?
• Can I do without the money by conserving my resources?
• Will I actually use the money on this excuse, or will I end up blowing it on something frivolous?

Can you wait for the extra money? You probably can. It’s nice to have everything you want without waiting for it, but it will save you a lot of money if you just hold off until payday.

Will you spend this money immediately? If you want to advance an extra thirty bucks so you’ll have enough to for gas on Friday, you should reconsider. If you know for certain that you’ll need it, fill your tank on the way home. Don’t carry the extra cash in your pocket, because you’re likely to spend it on something else.

Can you find another way to get by? Most of us are surprised by what we can accomplish when we’re strapped for cash. Use only half the soap for laundry loads. Buy the cheap hotdogs for supper tomorrow, and reheat last night’s meal for tonight. But don’t use credit.

Are you really going to spend the money on what you think you’re borrowing it for? Cash is hard to hold on to. You know your habits. If you’ve blown the grocery money at a restaurant before, then don’t borrow it.

Don’t let the late penalties kill you

You’ve followed good sense and only borrowed what you needed. You skimped by on as little as possible, and now your pantry and gas tank are empty. You want to stop at the bank, cash your check, and buy a few things before going to the loan company to take care of your advance.

Here’s where you’ll make your biggest mistake. When you have your paycheck, go straight out and pay off that loan…all of it. The groceries can wait. The movie rentals can wait. Your only concern should be to get out of debt. Most loan companies can cash your check for you. This will make it easier to do all at once. Don’t spend a single penny until your debts are satisfied. If you delay your payment, or only pay it partially, you’ll start that ugly cycle again, and who knows when it will end, or how
much extra you’ll spend. Sell all your toys and eat macaroni and cheese for the next two weeks, but settle that loan.

Now it’s time for discipline

You borrowed only what you needed. You paid all your cash loans in full the very day your paycheck came. Now you’re debt free and living easy on payday. You even have a few extra bucks in your pocket. Maybe you can afford to buy the gourmet coffee. Just one cup to celebrate. Oh, and a doughnut to go with it. Wrong.

Now comes the real work. Now it’s time to roll up your sleeves and keep this from ever happening again. You need to restructure your spending habits. You need to stop thinking of those extra dollars as spending cash, and start thinking of them as your
safety net. Put the money away. Put it in a different account. Not a checking account, but a savings account. One that you need to actually go to the bank in order to withdraw, because the situation will rise again. You’ll have another emergency, and
you’ll need cash. Your car will get towed again, your water heater will stop working, or you’ll get a tooth ache and have to go to the dentist who only accepts payment at the time of service.

Here are a few tips to avoid frivolous spending.

1. Don’t carry cash. As mentioned before, cash burns a hole in your pocket, so don’t keep it with you. If you feel it’s necessary to have a stash, keep it at home.
2. If you’re spending more than fifty dollars, sleep on it. We’ve all bought things on the spur of the moment and regretted it later. If you make a strict rule and hold yourself to it, you’ll cut down on most of these regrets.
3. No credit means good credit. Cancel your credit cards. All of them. If you can’t do it, then take your one credit card, put it in a Tupperware bowl filled with water, and put the bowl in the freezer. Eliminate any records you have of your credit card numbers.
4. Go through your monthly bills and decide which ones to eliminate. Don’t ‘decide if you can eliminate any.’ Decide that you’re going to get rid of at least one and figure out which one it is. We all have unnecessary monthly bills. Be honest. Do you really need two cell phones? Do you even need one? If you can eliminate one of them, and put exactly that amount away every month, you’ll be surprised at how fast your safety net grows.
5. As you put away your groceries, look for items you can do without the next trip. Most people could cut down their grocery bills by over 25% just by not buying what will go to waste anyway. Look at everything you throw away, and ask yourself why you bought it to begin with.

Cash loans are convenient, and sometimes necessary, but they are not ideal. They are for emergencies, but with some careful planning and healthy spending habits, you can avoid the need for them altogether.

Virginia Douglas is a freelance writer for http://www.faxless-payday-loans.net an online website that offers information about fast cash loans and payday advances.