Doomed to repeat

Philosopher George Santayana once stated, "Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it." We see this repeatedly in military history, political history, and personal history. When we fail to learn from our parents' mistakes, we make the same mistakes. Thus we see things like higher divorce rates among children of divorcees. This principle applies to life in varied aspects. In the realm of home business, it serves the same purpose. Those who fail to learn from the history of home business are doomed to repeat some of the same mistakes. So what fatal flaws do we see in the history of home business?

The first fatal flaw which comes to mind involves Egyptian architectural structures. That's right, the pyramid. Several people have heard of pyramid schemes, but few can explain them, and only those hurt by them truly understand them and their potential for damage. Consider this scenario: a family with small children, strapped for cash because their jobs simply do not allow them to care for their family in a lifestyle they desire. So they hear about this great opportunity. All they must do is sell a product. Furthermore, if they can sell the possibility of selling the product by convincing others to do the same, they will eventually have the opportunity to sit back, enjoy life, and just watch the dollars roll in. There's a catch, however. They must invest some of their own money. After all, it takes money to make money. So they clean out their savings account and begin to invest. They start selling their out-of-this-world product, and they even convince a couple of their friends to do the same. They start begin to see some money roll back in from their hard work, and they feel great. Suddenly, the company closes shop. Everything dries up, because their market has been saturated by the plethora of sales people, and not have they lost their extra income, but they have an empty savings account and uncomfortable silence around those friends who invested with them.

So how do we avoid this scheme? First and foremost, with any home business opportunity, the seeker must do his homework. He needs to read about the company, ask around about it, and learn not just about its product but also its business practices. He also should ask about how sales people make money and receive promotions. If an individual receives a promotion simply by teaching others to sell under him or her, then you have a pretty fishy-sounding business. Solid businesses rely on sharp sales people to sell their product. Thus sales people do just that: sell the product. They do not turn into recruiters for the company.

An additional fatal flaw that has occurred repeatedly in the history of home business focuses on self-discipline. Certainly a great majority of individuals desire to spend more time with their families, and they see a home business as the perfect opportunity to blend family with vocation. However, they often misunderstand the necessary balance for business in the midst of the home. They begin to simply work when they feel like it, and they ignore the self-discipline that may have granted them success in the traditional work world. They do not maintain regular hours, and they begin to see their clients drop off or they cannot obtain a client in the first place.

Those who work at home should not sacrifice family for business. However, they must find the critical balance so that they provide for their family while still meeting their emotional and psychological needs. They can do this best by maintaining regular business hours. Certainly kids can visit the home office while dad or mom is at work, but kids also must understand that just like they have specific times in their lives for eating, playing, and sleeping, their parents have specific times for working. History tells us that those who work hard and find that balance will indeed succeed at their venture.

We have memories for a reason: to remember what occurred and to learn from those memories. If we only remember things with a chuckle, a sigh, or a frown, then we have learned nothing. But if we can take a lesson from the memory, such as those in the home business realm, we have nuggets of gold to invest in future success.

Flower bulbs

If you're seriously interested in knowing about Bulb Flowers, you need to think beyond the basics. This informative article takes a closer look at things you need to know about Bulb Flowers.

Once you begin to move beyond basic background information, you begin to realize that there's more to Bulb Flowers than you may have first thought.

Just about every flower gardener will work with bulb plants at one time or another. Bulbs are loved by gardeners for the ease with which they grow, their hardiness and the fact that they can bloom again and again for many consecutive seasons without the need to replant. With all these advantages, it is no wonder that bulb plants are so popular among both new and experienced gardeners.

Choosing the right bulbs, however, is one thing that many beginning gardeners have trouble with. After you develop and eye and feel for finding the best bulbs, however, you will be able to spot them from across the garden center.

When choosing bulbs for your garden, it is important to choose the firmest and largest bulbs. The size of the bulb is important, since large bulbs are more likely to provide many blooms. The firmness of the bulb is a good indication of its health, and bulbs that are soft or mushy are unlikely to bloom. Bulbs are particularly susceptible to water damage. It is important to choose a bulb that is not to soft, but it is also important to look for cracks or scars. Bulbs with cracks or scars may have become too dry to bloom. Likewise, any bulbs that have begun to spout roots should be avoided, as they are unlikely to bloom properly once planted.

How bulbs are planted in the garden is important as well. Most bulbs are best planted in the fall, most commonly in early to mid October. The goal is to get the bulbs into the ground six weeks before the ground begins to freeze, so obviously the best time to plant will vary from location to location.

Bulbs should be planted in a well prepared soil, and the depth they should be planted will be determined by the type of bulb. For example, crocus bulbs are generally planted four inches deep, daffodil and hyacinth bulbs six inches deep and tulip bulbs at a depth of eight inches.

A simple gardening tool called a bulb planter is great for achieving a more uniform look to the blooming garden. Bulb planters can be used to easily prepare perfect looking rows of flowers. Those gardneres who prefer a more wild and freewheeling look, on the other hand, often dig a single hole and plant several bulbs in it. This approach can lead to spectacular, if somewhat unpredictable, patterns once the bulbs begin to bloom.

It is important to use a small amount of fertilizer at the bottom of each hole you dig when planting bulbs. The fertilizer should then be topped with a thin layer of soil, and the bulb carefully placed on top of the soil. It is important not to place the bulb directly on top of the fertilizer, as doing so could damage the bulb. Bulbs are always planted with the pointed end stick up and the flat, rooted side lying on top of the layer of soil. After the bulbs are in place, the rest of the hole should be filled with soil and the garden should be given a thorough watering.

Even though bulbs are among the hardiest of garden plants, there are a few important things to remember. One important technique to become familiar with is deadheading. The term deadheading should already be familiar to those gardeners who work with perennials. Deadheading is simply removing spent blooms in order to encourage more blossoms to develop. This process is important with bulb plants as well. When working with bulbs, however, it is important not to remove the leaves from the plants until the leaves have begun turning brown.

Taking care of the bulbs over the winter is important as well. In warmer climates, many bulbs can remain in the ground over winter. It is important, however, to remove tender bulbs such as dahlias, even in warmer climates. These bulbs should be stored over the winter in a cool, dry location.

Bulbs are wonderful plants for any gardener, from the newest to the most experienced. Their combination of hardiness, color and beauty make them hard to beat for any flower enthusiast.

Take time to consider the points presented above. What you learn may help you overcome your hesitation to take action.

Offshore banking new strategies for a new century

The primary objective of any type of offshore banking strategy is to provide the investor with asset protection and financial privacy. Over the years, offshore banking has had many names and has been referred to as an "underground economy" privy only to unsavory types seeking to exploit loop holes in worldwide banking systems. In reality, offshore investing is your first step to securing your financial well being. No longer reserved for the super rich, you can establish overseas accounts with as little as $1000 dollars U. S.

With this availability of offshore banking to almost anyone, there are as many reasons one would participate in this type of asset allocation. One of the major opportunities that have presented itself in the early part of the century is foreign real estate ownership as an offshore banking strategy. With the flow of cheap dollars and an overheated real estate market in the United States, many have sought the relatively easy on the pocket prices and stable political climates of countries such as Spain, Poland, and Hungary.

Another offshore banking strategy that has always been popular is tax minimization. Can you think of anyone who thinks they pay too little taxes? As one might imagine, this is the primary reason investors seek offshore opportunities but come to find some real value in looking abroad.

While offshore banking still remains a confusing term for many as it is usually associated with rich people hiding their money in foreign countries, offshore banking is legal and is perhaps the most effective way to protect one’s assets.

Offshore banking is an increasingly attractive alternative to the sometimes heavily regulated financial markets of one’s home country and has become reality for many ordinary people. Due to its growing popularity, offshore banking is one of the most rapidly growing industries and can be obtained in the Caribbean, Latin America, Asia-Pacific Region and Europe.

Global Access - Offshore banking is structured to provide global access and transference of funds to any location you choose but take some time a do your due diligence as the wrong decision can be costly. You can learn more about offshore accounts by visiting offshorebankingreview. com, and request a copy of the 10 things you should know before you open an offshore account.

Checking the status of your tax refund online

More than a few people are happy to learn they are due a tax refund after filling out their tax returns. If you are one of these people, here is how to check the status of your refund online.

Checking The Status of Your Tax Refund Online

Before getting into checking your refund status, I feel obligated to mention a few things about tax refunds. One involves the nature of refund and the other involves Internet scams.

If you are getting a sizeable refund, you need to give some thought to how much money you are deducting from paychecks or paying in quarterly taxes. While a tax refund may sound like a good thing, it really is not. If you overpay your taxes during the year, you are giving the government a free loan. The IRS does not pay interest on any excessive tax payments, so you are really taking it in the pants by not modifying your tax payments.

The second issue to keep in mind is you can ONLY check the status of your tax refund online by going to the IRS web site. With phishing scams starting to focus on tax issues, you may receive emails regarding any and all facets of tax refunds. These emails are scams! The IRS does not send you emails, and surely doesn’t alert you to the fact you are due a refund. If you want to check on your refund, go to the IRS web site and nowhere else. Do not turn a good thing like a tax refund into a bad thing like identity theft.

To check the status of your tax refund, go to the IRS web site by searching for it in a search engine. Next, click the Where’s My Refund link on the home page. Follow the simple steps, click enter and the status will be shown. FYI, you will need a copy of your tax return.

Once you have completed the above, the IRS software will give you a couple of responses. Summarized, they include the fact the return has been received, but not yet processed; the tax refund has been mailed or wired to your bank account on a particular date; or notice the IRS was unable to deliver the refund to you because of some mailing problem. The IRS will also let you know if the refund is delayed because it has issues with your tax return.

Once again, you may want to tweak your tax payments if you are due a sizeable refund. There is little reason to give the government a free loan during the year. They already take too much of your money.

You won that ebay auction now what do you do

It’s a heady feeling when you win your first eBay auction: a mixture of happiness and perhaps just a little fear. After all, there seems to be so much to do before you can actually get your item. What do you do next?

The simple answer is: you send payment to the seller, as quickly as possible. The quicker you pay, the more your seller will like you, and the sooner your item will arrive. But how you go about it? That all depends on how you plan to pay.

PayPal.

PayPal is one of the most popular options for paying on eBay, to the point where eBay decided to buy the company. It allows instant electronic payment across the Internet. Money goes instantly from your credit or debit card to the seller’s PayPal account, where they can either use it for Internet purchases or transfer it out to their bank.

eBay offer incentives for using PayPal, and almost all sellers now accept it. Its instant nature makes sellers very happy, and means that they can have your item packed and sent and leave you some positive feedback within a few hours of the auction ending. When paying by PayPal, you will be covered by PayPal’s own insurances and guarantees, as well as any that your card might have.

Cheques and Money Orders.

This is payment the old-fashioned way, and will lead to a long wait to your item. You need to post the cheque or money order, then the seller has to take it to the bank and get it cleared, and only then do they send the item. The only reason to use this method is if either you or the seller distrusts electronic payment methods. If you’re willing to go to the trouble with these sellers, though, you might get an item very cheaply, as most buyers just can’t be bothered.

When you pay by cheque or money order, make sure to print the eBay order confirmation page (it will be emailed to you) and put it in the envelope with your payment. Underline or circle key information like your mailing address and the item number. Finally, remember to be patient: keep in contact with the seller, as it really can take a month or two before everything falls into place and your item turns up.

Money Transfers and Bank Deposits.

Some sellers may ask you to pay them using a wire service like Western Union, or simply give you a bank account number and ask you to pay money into it. Unless you really trust the seller, this is generally a bad idea – these methods are hard to trace and you’re unlikely to get any money back if anything goes wrong. Paying in cash, it hardly needs to be said, is an even worse idea.

It’s all a lot to take in, isn’t it? I’m sure by now you’ve got a few questions, which is why the next email will be a little eBay buyer’s FAQ. Let’s hope we can solve any problems you might have.

Clear clutter for a cozy casa

Is your house so messy you can never find what you’re looking for? Are you often late for work because you can never find your car keys? These tips will help save time and keep you more organized.

Keep things in a place that makes sense. Drop your keys in a dish by the front door so you won’t waste time looking for them throughout the house. Put anything you need to take with you by the front door - outgoing mail, your briefcase or the library books that need to be returned. This will save you time in the morning because you won’t be running around trying to gather what you need for the day.

Straighten up as you go. Pick up the newspaper and put in the recycle bin instead of leaving it on the coffee table. Fill the dishwasher after every meal instead of once a day. Put your groceries away rather than leave them on the kitchen table. How can you possibly know what food you do or don’t have if last week’s haul is still in the bag? This makes the kitchen an appealing place to enjoy a meal instead of a constant reminder of chores that need to be done.

Finish one project before starting another. I have a friend who has started to update his bathroom, never finished the project and is now working on his kitchen. His house is constantly in a state of confusion and he never manages to get any project completed because it’s now so overwhelming.

Keep your bathroom tidy. Wipe up the sink and vanity top after you shave or wash your face and put your toiletries away. Doing these small things as you go keeps the bathroom looking cleaner in case unexpected guests stop by - you won’t have to be embarrassed if they ask to use the facilities.

Organize your closets. If your closet is filled to capacity, you can’t see what you have. Instead of squeezing everything into your closet, keep out of season clothes in the spare bedroom closet. Keep shoes in boxes or shoe racks. Donate any garments that no longer fit or if you haven’t worn them in the past season. Don’t hang onto things you can’t use anymore because there is someone out there who will be grateful to have it.

Keep your important documents and papers in a safe place. Birth certificates, passports, marriage license, divorce papers, the deed to your house and the title to your car should be filed in a fireproof lockbox. Better yet, they should be kept in a safe deposit box at a bank close to home so it’s convenient for you to retrieve them when needed. If you keep important financial information on your home computer, it’s a good idea to backup to a flash drive and keep this at the bank too. The cost of a safe deposit box is worth the peace of mind knowing you won’t have to replace these documents if they were ever lost in a disaster.

Taking small steps every day to keep organized will help keep your casa cozy and clutter-free.

Bad publicity is leaving many homeowners wary of taking mortgage protection

With the bad publicity which has recently surrounded payment protection insurance products, many homeowners are wary of taking out mortgage protection which is leaving them wide open to losing the roof over their head if they were to suddenly find they lost their income.

Mortgage protection can give you an income with which to continue meeting your monthly mortgage repayments if you should come out of work due to suffering from an accident, illness or if you should become unemployed. While there are problems within the sector and there is much confusion as the products are not differentiated between mortgage protection can be a very worthwhile product. You do however have to ensure that it is suitable for your circumstances before you take out the cover and this is because there are exclusions which mean it is not suitable for all individuals.

While exclusions can vary depending on the provider there are some that are common to all policies. Being self-employed, retired, only in part time work or suffering an ongoing illness would mean it would not be suitable for your circumstances. You do have to check the small print for additional ones and to find out about the terms and conditions of the policy because these too can vary.

Policies will usually begin to payout between day 31 and 90 and then continue for between 12 and 24 months depending on the provider. Premiums for mortgage protection can vary greatly too and going with an independent specialist provider will get you the cheapest premiums for the cover. The premium will be based on your age at the time of taking out the policy and how much your monthly mortgage repayments are.

A specialist provider will also have the experience when it comes to selling the products which means you can benefit from their experience by way of reading articles and facts regarding the insurance they sell. They will also give you the key facts document and explain the exclusions in plain English so that you are able to make a decision before buying. Ignorance of the exclusions is what caused the majority of mis-selling and it is hoped that in March 2008 buying mortgage cover and payment protection related products will become easier.

The Financial Services Authority is introducing comparison tables which it is hoped will take some of the mystery out of buying cover. The consumer will be able to answer a series of questions which depending on the answers will lead them to buying the most suitable type of cover for their needs. Along with this the tables will explain the exclusions which exist in the policy and how much in total the cover will cost. Cover needs to be made more transparent if mis-selling is to stop and right now the only thing in the favour of the consumer is an independent specialist. Never be tempted to take out the cover that is offered alongside your mortgage at the time of taking it out, you do not have to buy it this way, you can choose to go independently for your mortgage protection cover.