Archive for March, 2008

Replacing a Stock Radio in a Ford Taurus 2002 SEL

Monday, March 24th, 2008

So my friend and I are somewhat into car audio/visual (it’s a lot of fun) and decided to change out my stock Ford radio for an aftermarket one.

We didn’t really know what we were getting ourselves into until we got out the old deck. The ‘ol junker (well not really a junker, since it’s an EATC temperature control module coupled with a CD player) was one big circuit board. This thing looked so out-of-date that man could have went to the moon with it (produced in 1974).

We got the deck out, bought an aftermarket dash kit from the local car audio dealer, and connected the new deck. THAT part was easy - but wiring the EATC back up (electronic automatic temperature control) was worse then sticking yourself in the eye with a hot poker.

Here’s a tip to anyone who wants to replace their stock car radios - NEVER cut the wiring harnesses. That being said, finding another wiring harness for the beast that actually works has been almost impossible. None of the wiring diagrams off any website were of merit - and Ford has none themselves that could be of help to us.

On top of that, the aftermarket dash kit we bought didn’t have any knobs - they expected us to supply ones from the last heating system - and nothing to plug the knobs into. We could order the knobs - $12 each - order the switches - etc. The wiring harness was $80, the switches were around $100 for all three…so the total cost for fixing this heating system would be getting close to $500 when you incorporate the cost of the aftermarket dash kit as well.

I don’t think I’ll ever replace the stock radio in a Ford again. At least if I do, it would have to be a model that Ford RECOGNIZES and actually has help regarding the model. Buying replacement parts at Canadian Tire just dosen’t cut it - they never work or fit - and when a Ford dealership can barely help you, you really wonder who can.

Long story short - with winter fast approaching we fused two wires together to turn the heat on for the winter. Simple solution. Likely when summer rolls around, we’ll fuse a couple together to turn on the AC.

Only thing that bothers me is I can’t turn the heat up or down. But it’s on - so scrue it.

Please check out our website, selling audio/visual at Canadian wholesale prices at http://www.euroenclosures.com

Cleaning Your Car’s Carpet

Sunday, March 23rd, 2008

Do you have a carpet in your car that need attention? If you do then you need to read this article. It will give you some tips on cleaning your automobiles interior. Keep reading and have a clean car in no time.

With auto interiors the trick is to not over wet the carpet. Cars interiors are loaded with electronics and wiring. The last thing you want to do is get theses things wet. Use caution to not use too much cleaner. So to begin with auto carpet cleaning you need to first thoroughly vacuum your carpet. Take your time and do a thorough job, The more soil you remove in the dry form, the less cleaner you need to use later. After you have vacuumed the carpet you can begin the actual cleaning process. Get a can of foam carpet cleaner available at all auto parts stores. Follow the directions on the can for application. Generally you will spray the foam cleaner on the carpet and brush it in. Next you will get a clean cotton towel and wipe up the carpet with the towel. Be gentle and do not agitate the carpet too much. Finally allow the carpet to dry and thoroughly vacuum it to remove the dried carpet shampoo.

That is all there is to it. Carpet in autos is actually quite easy to clean. Since it is usually an olefin carpet it typically also cleans up well. If you would rather not clean it yourself call a local carpet cleaner and see if they offer interior cleaning.

Learn more information on this and your Hartford carpet cleaning company at the authors website.

Dentures Illinois - Save Big On Dentures In Chicago, Aurora & All Of Illinois By Doing This

Sunday, March 23rd, 2008

Are you looking for a good deal on dentures in Illinois? Well, get in line. Trying to find affordable dentures is just like (dare I say it?) pulling teeth. Alright, alright, I’ll stop. Please forgive my poor attempt at humor, but I just couldn’t resist.

One of the best ways to find affordable dentures in Illinois and most other states, is called a dental discount plan. Dental discount plans offer big discounts on dentures and all other dental care needs. I’ve seen savings as high as 60% off the average cost of dentures, however, your savings will depend upon two things.

#1. The area of the country that you live in.

#2. The dental discount plan that you choose.

Let me give you an example of the savings offered by one one plan. I think I’ll use the Aurora area as an example, but keep in mind that these plan rates will be available throughout Chicago, Aurora and all of the state.

The zip code that I’m using for this example is going to be 60506.

The savings are substantial in this area of Illinois. I see that the cost of a full upper denture is just $728, compared to the national average of $1252. This will save you $524 on your full upper denture alone, not to mention any other dental care that you and/or your family may need. You’ll also save from 10 percent to 60 percent on all other dental care, including braces, bridges and more.

The cost of joining the plan for a full year is only $160 for a family or $110 for an individual. This is much less than dental insurance, which, by the way does not cover pre-existing conditions, such as dentures, unless you’ve owned the policy for several years. In other words, if you got all your teeth knocked out today and went and bought insurance tomorrow, it wouldn’t do you any good.

So if you are in need of new dentures in Illinois, you’d better jump on the dental discount plan savings wagon right away and you’ll never have to pay full price for dental care again!

Save An Additional 10% Off On A Dental Discount Plan! Find Out How Right Now By Going To Discount-Dental.net or by clicking on Dentures Illinois Joe Stewart is a former Life And Health Insurance Agent that now works for himself by providing solid, expert information to consumers.

The Keys To Success - Branding Yourself And Observing Trends

Saturday, March 22nd, 2008

In this installment of the keys to success, I want to go over branding yourself and observing trends. Both of these items are very important to having success with your Internet business. I will be covering these is great detail, so pay attention.

There are a ton of marketers out there. It doesn’t matter what the niche is. You’ll find enough competition to choke a horse. So what separates the ones who are successful from the ones who fail? One of the most critical things is branding yourself. What do I mean by this?

The best way to explain it is with an example. In the make money online niche, the Rich Jerk branded himself by coming off as a pompous jackass. There is no other way to put it. His ad campaigns consisted, basically, of putting all the poor working stiffs out there down. It worked. It worked like gang busters. He has probably made more money online than just about any other marketer. Why? He branded himself. Nobody could possibly mistake him for anybody else. When you think of the Rich Jerk, you think of a total jackass. This is why branding is so important.

So how do you brand yourself? Well, what you need to do is think of some characteristic that you have that is unique and try to make it a selling point in your campaign. Some people brand themselves with a graphical representation of themselves. I have a friend, Patrick Pretty, who does just this. Nobody can possibly mistake him for anybody else. Find something unique about yourself and use it.

Observing trends is absolutely a must if you’re going to get a jump on everybody else. The truth is, if you don’t know what’s going on around you, there is no way that you can run an effective and successful business. For example, let’s say you’re using one particular form of advertising. If you don’t keep track of it and see if it continues to perform well, you won’t know whether to pull the plug on it or not. Some forms of advertising that worked many years ago are no longer effective today.

Other trends have to do with what’s popular right now. If you keep up with the latest news, you’re going to find out what items are selling or what celebrities are hot. Trust me, there are marketers out there who take advantage of every hot trend because they keep up with them all. Each trend you observe could earn you hundreds if not thousands of dollars.

Branding yourself and observing trends are two very important keys to having success online.

To YOUR Success,

Steven Wagenheim

Tired of busting your behind for peanuts online? Go to my web site and find out how I earn a monthly income that exceeds 5 figures and how I can help YOU do the same. Get your free report at http://www.mysecretarticles.com/report.html

Earn Money Instantly In 5 Easy-To-Do Steps

Friday, March 21st, 2008

Congratulations to you for finding this article. You are either looking for a way to earn money instantly or just a person who has been online and doing some research. We will instead shoot for middle ground and follow exactly what my title preaches.

Only recently this method was discovered and believe me it didn’t cost me any capital at all. In fact, you will soon learn how earn money instantly same or in a short time of a few weeks by being able to focus on the tasks at hand.

Here are the 5 steps

Step 1: Stop ‘investing’ in stupid investment programs

You might already have the cash in hand ready to invest or shall we say spend. Yes, you can earn money instantly by investing in an online investment program. But the best method would be to have a constant cash cow in your hands. Agreed?

Step 2: Pursue ‘what you like’ NOT ‘what you love’

Notice I didn’t say what you love or your passion. Everyone who wants to advise you on how to earn money instantly will say go for passion. Not me. Follow your interests because you can like a lot of things but your love is only very limited.

Step 3: Become an affiliate marketer for now…

Our poor ‘fake guru’s’ will be furious. Who cares? As long as you benefit and I get the satisfaction that we both learn to earn money instantly is enough. This is the best way to earn money instantly online. An affiliate marketer is just someone who sells other peoples products. Digital products is my top recommendation.

Step 4: Find a market

You should do a research on the market you choose. Do not go to Overture anymore. It’s dying a slow death in keyword research. Instead, Go to Google Keyword Tool and do your research. If the market you choose has got a medium sized competition and a heck lot of searches, target that. By the way, in order to earn money instantly - you need to do some tiny homework. So, go do it.

Step 5: Get the product, Start marketing

Here’s the fun part. It’s time to turn on your cash cow machine and start to earn money instantly. Quickly go to Clickbank and grab a product which is relevant to your market. Go and write a short review or article about it and put in a blog in Blogger . Now, Put your articles in other article directories too. At this point, you are already marketing. A step so much closer to earn money instantly!

Remember to track and improve your results. A good affiliate marketer always seeks to improve and that is how you will also earn money instantly once you master marketing. If you feel that its hard, remember this “profits are better than wages”.

Vern How has been earning online back in June 2006. He has tried and tested thousands of dollars worth of programs since then. Finally, he succeeded in getting a steady passive income online every month. To find out how Vern can help you work from home go to… Simple Riches
For more information on a perfect wealth formula to profiting massively on the Internet, just check out how to Earn Money Instantly

Penis Enlargement - Is Surgery A Correct Option?

Friday, March 21st, 2008

Surgery is the latest option available for penis enlargement. For all those who want guaranteed results, can opt for surgery. Surgery is still in its infancy; the technique for this type of operation is still being developed so that it can yield guaranteed results.

All those who have gone for surgery for penis enlargement, are satisfied. Not all surgeons around the world have mastered the art of penis enlargement through surgery. The surgery itself is a delicate one, therefore requires great deal of expertise and experience.

Though penis enlargement through surgery is a guaranteed option, is it affordable for the masses? Lets see:

It is an expensive surgery;
You should find an expert surgeon who specializes in penis enlargement surgery;
You will require time for recovery,
This surgery will involve stitches, which will take time to heal.
This surgery has not yet got recognition from all the world institutes, though there are encouraging results from this surgery.

The above are some of the facts about the surgery. Therefore, surgery though can be a good option requires some more confidence, to be done up.

Comparatively, other options like the pills, creams and lotions are more affordable and can be tried in the privacy of your own home and bathroom. Pills have proven especially effective; therefore, using pills can prove to be a great option.

For all those who are against taking any medicine internally, for penis enlargement can try out creams and lotions. These are mostly harmless, though the level of success is the least amongst all other methods. Though not proven yet, surgery might become one of the best options for penis enlargement.

There are no other options for penis enlargement other the three mentioned, any user will first require to see which one suits him the most, for all those want to try these out in privacy. Pills are another promising medical aid you can take for penis enlargement. You can choose from the allopathic ones or the herbal pills, which the makers claim to be the most harmless. Herbal pills are made from all the ingredients, which have been passed by the FDA for consumption. The pills themselves consist of herbs, certain spices and plants, which have shown effective change in penis enlargement as well as sexual appetite.

Your happiness and degree of satisfaction depends upon how giving you are in your relationship. So even if none of the methods of penis enlargement work for you, you can surely compensate it with showing your feelings to your partner. However, penis enlargement would help boosting satisfaction levels in your partner and you will be able to gain equal amounts of affection from your partner. So go ahead and try out any of the above methods of penis enlargement.

Find more information about penis extenders and penis enlargment pills in penis growth.

Male Breast Enhancement

Friday, March 21st, 2008

Male to Female Breast Transformation - The Natural Way..

There are now natural options for men wanting to grow breasts that look, feel and contour just like that of a woman. The amount of growth depends on the supplement or method chosen for augmentation, the amount of time on the chosen product or system, and some other lifestyle factors such as diet, massage and exercise that can help lead the way to successful enlargement of the male breast.

The natural phenomena of male breast enlargement is called gynecomastia, an often unwanted side effect caused by imbalances in hormones, and excess weight.

For men who desire to grow female-like breasts, the options are almost identical to a women’s options for nonsurgical augmentation. While men can also undergo surgical breast augmentation, it may be more difficult due to a lack of protruding flesh to work with, since most men do not have a lot of extra tissue in the chest area to be conducive to implant insertion. Because of this, male breast augmentation surgeries can often come out looking more un-natural than usual, due to a lack of fleshy tissue to cover the round, and sometimes hard looking implant.

This is precisely why men, whether they be transgender or simply have a fetish desire to grow breasts, are looking for better and more effective and natural looking options to enlarge their chest. There are countless success stories from men who have tried natural breast enhancement products, just like women, and experienced excellent results with adequate length of time on the product, as well as proper and consistent usage.

Biological male breast tissue does not behave all that differently from female breast tissue. When exposed to the right amount of external stimulation factors, as well as the right formula for hormonal and glandular stimulation, the environment for additional breast growth is created.

How Can A Man Achieve Successful Breast Growth?

Men are subject to the same guidelines as women too in most cases, and for most male breast enhancement products the same guidelines apply. It is advisable to combine breast massage as a stimulating factor to set the stage for maximum “breast expansion” while adhering to a natural enhancement routine.

This is most effective when the massage is done with a quality serum or cream formulated with external stimulating factors, such as caffeine (although caffeine should not be orally taken while on a supplement - it will dilute the effectiveness of the product usually), and other stimulating ingredients containing plant estrogens and firming and toning tonics.

Some lighter chest exercises will help to lift the pectoral muscles so that the breast tissue that is currently there and any subsequent breast growth from supplementation is forced outward. This also helps to round, tone and firm the breast area for a fuller look that is more feminine and curvaceous. This may include some lightweight chest flies, modified push ups, light squeezing of the lateral pectoral muscles, or the muscles that run up the side of the breast.

A balanced diet is always recommended for men on breast supplements. A balanced diet creates an ideal environment that is more conducive to breast growth by regulating the hormones and allowing a supplement to better perform its duties.

Men wanting to grow breasts have some excellent options. The effectiveness of natural supplementation has been proven through personal testimonials and even pictures have been documented proving its effectiveness on biological males. So if you are a male looking to enhance your current breast size and further feminize your body, there are options out there - you just need to pick the right product or regimen for you.

Visit Male Breast Enhancement Options for more information on where to find the best in natural male breast enhancement. Danna Schneider is the webmaster of BreastEnhancePill.com, a product comparison and review guide for natural breast enhancement, providing tips, articles, information, and a daily blog.

The Reserve Bank Of Australia Is A Conspiracy Of Satan

Friday, March 21st, 2008

Here in Australia interest rates are being turned up so high by the Reserve Bank of Australia that it is utterly and totally ridiculous. Families with mortgages paying off houses are being forced to sell their homes and lose money, these families who are being affected by interest rate rises are being forced to live in crisis accommodation, and with anyone else who will take them in. The Reserve Bank has total control over our nation??s interest rate rises and inflation, as it manipulates the masses and holds families at ransom with economic warfare tactics that are pure evil and causes families to suffer and be tormented. ??For the love of money is the root of all evil.? (1Timothy 6:10)

The Reserve Bank is nothing but a conspiracy against the masses of Australia, it is not a federal body and the Australian people have no control over it, neither does any politician in Australia have any control over it. The Reserve Bank is operated and controlled by the international corporate elite, it is a privately owned entity, and is a law unto itself. The Reserve Bank is controlled by international corporations, who have serious interests in most private banks in Australia, the reason the Reserve Bank is making interest rates so high is because it??s in the International Corporatist??s interests to do so.

When the interest rates go higher, the private banks can make more money and the poorer people lose their homes and assets while the rich get richer. The rise in interest rates is causing poorer families to give up their homes at a loss, and the wealthier areas are experiencing an increase in property value. The interest rates rises in Australia have an agenda, the agenda is to create a much larger gap between the poor and the rich, as the international corporations seek to make Australia a third world country. ??He lends at usury and takes excessive interest. Will such a man live? He will not! Because he has done all these detestable things, he will surely be put to death and his blood will be on his own head.? (Ezekiel 18:13). The politicians not speaking out against the Reserve Bank, but actively supporting it, are not Christians but people that God is going to punish. Many of these politicians claim to be Chrisitans, but they are are not, because they completely defy, contradict and disregard the teachings of Jesus and the Bible.

The current Prime Minister of Australia and all the political parties in Parliament are funded by multinational corporations who control the politicians like puppets. Without the corporate money flowing into the political parties; the political party will die, so it??s in the politician??s interests to let the corporations pull their strings. Our politicians have become nothing but corrupt self seeking leeches that have no care or interest for the future of the Australian people. Politicians get elected when the same evil multinational corporations who own the Reserve Bank fund a particular politician??s political party, because that politician has made a commitment to the international cartel and will allow himself to be controlled by them. The politician will never defy what the international cartel tells him to do, otherwise they will cut off funding and organize a smear campaign against the politician through the media outlets they control, and often they will actually kill a politician if he goes against and defies their will for control over the nation??s money supply.

On June 4th 1963 President John F. Kennedy (the 35th President of the United States 1961 ?” 1963) signs Executive Order 11110 which returned to the U.S. government the power to issue currency, without having to go through the Federal Reserve (U.S governments version of Australia??s Reserve Bank). Six months later on November 22nd, president Kennedy is assassinated because he wanted to print American money for the American people, instead of printing it for the benefit of the greedy money hoarding International cartel who controls the Federal Reserve. The Executive Order 11110, is cancelled by President Lyndon Baines Johnson (the 36th President of the United States 1963 to 1969) on Air Force One from Dallas to Washington, the same day as President Kennedy was assassinated.

The Reserve Bank is a private company, it is neither Federal nor governmental nor does it have any Reserve. Never in history has it once ever published accounts. Multinational corporations control and own the Reserve Bank, and it??s these multinational corporations who control: the flow of money, interest rates and inflation through the Reserve Bank. When the multinational corporations want to turn up the interest rates, they use their ownership of the media to publish all sorts of ridiculous reasons as to why the interest rates went up, these International corporations form a international cartel who fund corrupt political parties and control the politicians like puppets, just as a puppeteer manipulates a puppet.

International corporations manipulate the politicians by getting them to: sell off nations assets to private corporations so they can seize control of all publicly owned assets worldwide (water, gas, electricity, railways etc), also they sternly advise the politicians to go along with Reserve Bank decisions of higher interest rates that force families onto the street. A politician??s job is to keep the population distracted with absolute nonsense and lies, while the international cartels fulfill their agenda??s in the shadows. Their agenda is to: buy up a nation??s assets, control the money and interest rates, control the media and flow of information, and to use nations to wage war against the countries they don??t control.

There is one international cartel that basically owns and operates every Reserve Bank in the world, and they are holding us at ransom as they rob us of our countries resources and manipulate us into oppression. The international cartel is made up of evil merchants who want and almost have absolute control of the world monetary system, ??For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived.? (Revelation 18:23). There is a Reserve Bank in every country in the world controlled by the same International Cartel except for five countries: Iran, Libya, Cuba, Sudan and North Korea. The international cartel who controls the Reserve Banks of the world wants to globalize the world??s economy and rob the good people of their resources, and oppress their countries economically.

Globalization is another implementation of the same International cartel that controls our Reserve Banks. Here in Australia many products that are being sold here are being imported from China, and they are being sold extremely cheaply here, because Christians and Falun Gong prisoners in China are manufacturing the products in slave labor conditions for virtually no cost, that??s why the products are so cheap. The conditions and treatment of the prisoners slaving away to make our products in China, are similar to the treatment of the Nazi camp prisoners. No longer are products made in Australia to benefit the Australian people, so secure jobs and secure business stays in Australia, but now all our products seem to be coming from foreign countries made by slave laborers who work for next to nothing in appalling conditions. Full time secure employment is becoming scarce in Australia, because as Australian companies become owned by International cartels, the International cartels outsource their workers and get the work done overseas for much less money and often in slave labor conditions. Australian companies are also outsourcing their work to be done overseas, because our own politicians have passed laws that allow them to employ workers to do the work in another country, this robs Australians of jobs and exploits workers in other countries who work for next to nothing.

No politician from any major political party has denounced this globalization concept that has been brought into Australia, yet these politicians claim to be Christians. None of these politicians are Christians because they do not show the fruit of it, Jesus said, ??for every idle word that a man speaks he shall give account in the day of judgment.? These politicians say nothing and do nothing as this globalization concept exploits wage earners and turns them into slaves. ??And I will come near you for judgment; I will be a swift witness against those who exploit wage earners and widows and orphans, and against those who turn away an alien– because they do not fear Me,” says the LORD of hosts.? (Malachi 3:5). The politicians in Australia (including the Prime Minister) are anti-christ people, who are responsible for allowing this global conspiracy that exploits wage earners and turns them into slaves overseas, as they work in conditions similar to the victims of the Nazi death camps.

The Political parties in Australia pretend to be Christian orientated while they focus on trivial issues and attend church with a big media circus, and then they go off and conspire with the international corporations to wage wars in the Middle East to plunder oil, manipulate interest rates, and create a global economy that exploits innocent people as they follow Satan. ??Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices– mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law– justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.? (Matt 23:23). I have seen John Howard (Australia??s Prim Minister) attend a mega church here in Australia, and claim he is this big Christian while all the corrupt church leaders praise him, as he tells them how much he loves God and sings along with the music in the church. He gives his praises and presence to the temple, but he neglects the more important matters of the law?”justice, mercy and faithfulness! Woe unto you, you corrupt politician, you son of perdition who is headed towards perdition unless you repent! Woe unto the corrupt lukewarm churches, which are lead by False Prophets who strengthen the hands of this evil doing politician who represents nothing of a Christian or of Christ! ??Also I have seen a horrible thing in the prophets of Jerusalem: they commit adultery and walk in lies; they also strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns back from his wickedness. All of them are like Sodom to Me, and her inhabitants like Gomorrah.?(Jeremiah 23:14).

The Australian people and most of the people of the world are hypnotized by the manipulative media, which is also controlled by the same International corporations that control the Reserve Bank and Global economy. People need to start seeking God for the inspiration to uncovering facts and truth behind our wicked governments, and their satanic and oppressive agenda.

Andrew Jackson who was the 7th President of the United States knew about the conspiracy behind the Reserve Bank type act that the international bankers were trying to implement in the United States back in 1811 when he told the international bankers, ??You are a den of thieves vipers, and I intend to rout you out, and by the Eternal God, I will rout you out.? The Reserve Bank and the politicians in Australia are a den of vipers that seek to sink their teeth into the flesh of the Australian people and suck their very livelihood out, it is a satanic habituation full of thieves and it must be stopped at all costs. By the grace of God and in the power of his might, Gods people can stop this satanic institution from having anymore control over our once untarnished nation, if they will only raise their voices and stand up for the truth in Gods mighty name! ??Cry aloud, spare not; lift up your voice like a trumpet; tell My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.?(Isaiah 58:1)

James is one of two people that operate a site at http://www.escapeministries.net Escape ministries is a place where people can be ministered to over the internet, by reading articles, watching videos and receiving personal prophetic words. James and Matthew invite you to visit today to look at some of the articles they have collected and watch some of the video teachings they are setting about to produce for you. You are encouraged to sign up for our monthly newsletter or simply email James or Matthew with any of your comments. We hope that you might bookmark it and come back to visit often as we pursue our mission statement that is found on our home page.

You can visit and view their video’s live at youtube by going direct to http://www.youtube.com/EscapeMinistries

The Thirteen Most Important Character Traits for Success

Friday, March 21st, 2008

“Losers make promises they often break. Winners make commitments they always keep.”

Denis Waitley

After years of working with small business owners and managers, my partner (and husband), David A. Scarborough, and I have developed our own list of personality traits that we believe enhance people’s ability to be more successful personally and professionally.

Briefly, these folks are:

1. Passionate - They love their chosen career and can’t think of anything else they’d rather do.

2. Life-long learners - They are endlessly inquisitive and committed to becoming and/or remaining students of business and marketing.

3. Perceptive - They understand that perception is reality.

4. Patient - They know that “get-rich-quick” schemes are hooey.

5. Prepared - They’ve done their home.work and are poised and ready for opportunity when it comes knocking

6. Tenacious - They have a long-term perspective and are willing to stay the course.

7. Optimistic - They face the brutal facts of reality but choose to maintain a have a positive attitude.

8. Focused on the present - They repeat their past successes and don’t dwell on their past mistakes. They live in the present, their most valuable asset.

9. Reliable - They keep their promises and do what they say they’re going to do.

10. Honest and trustworthy - They understand how long it takes to develop a great reputation and how quick it can be destroyed.

11. Good listeners - They understand that their best marketing tools are their ears.

12. Willing to change - They modify their behaviors, beliefs and attitudes after gaining knowledge that effectively disputes previous notions.

13. Accept responsibility - They step up to the plate and are accountable for their behavior and their actions and never look to blame others.

Wise people recognize that time is their most precious asset. I’ve never heard of, or met, anyone who’s managed to escape life’s disappointment. It’s true? life is not always fair. Believe it and move on.

What happens to you is far less important than your reaction. Attitude is not something that just happens? it’s something we choose.

In other words, “Face it, trace it, and erase it.” And while I’m not suggesting that you avoid confronting the brutal facts of reality, I am advising you to reach in your “baggage” and pull out the valuable lessons you’ve learned from your mistakes, disenchantments, frustrations, and the like.

One of my mentors, Brian Tracey, says, “All the good ideas have already been found. It’s up to you to apply them. Don’t worry about the stuff you can’t do anything about. Let go of the past? Stop the, ?if - onlys?’ The only good thing about the past is that it teaches you how to be successful in the future.”

Following is a simple self-assessment that you can use to rate yourself from 1 to 10 on the following 12 traits (1 is lowest, 10 is highest). Over the next several weeks, work on improving any that you scored six or less on.

1. __ I maintain healthy relationships with others, including those who have different opinions and perspectives

2. __ I give and ask for constructive feedback.

3. __ I listen to others carefully and then carefully respond.

4. __ My friends, co-workers, employees, customers, and family members know that they can count on me to keep my word.

5. __ I share my time, talent and knowledge freely with others.

6. __ I am committed to life-long learning and actively seek out information on a variety of topics.

7. __I accept responsibility for my attitudes, decisions and actions.

8. __I organize and prioritize my time and tasks.

9. __ I generally focus on why things will work, rather than why they won’t.

10. __ I am not afraid to uncover and work on my own “blind spots.”

11. __ I am a resourceful and innovative thinker.

12. __ I understand that building a business takes time, energy, planning and hard work.

Remember, excellent marketing begins in your head. If you consciously adopt a healthy attitude and learn and apply sound strategies and tactics you’re half way there.

Ms. Scarborough is the co-author of two books, (”The Procrastinator’s Guide to Marketing” and “Mastering Online Marketing”), former mktg. executive, award-winner speaker, and certified Guerrilla Marketing coach. She holds a BA in English from the Univ. of MD and a MS in marketing from Johns Hopkins University. Log onto her website: http://www.StrategicMarketingAdvisors.com for free articles, templates, tips, tools and more.

Saving Money With Gas Friendly Car Models

Thursday, March 20th, 2008

With gas prices averaging over three dollars a gallon, everyone in America is looking for ways to get more gas mileage out of their car. People are making sure they have enough air in their tires, changing their fuel filter, and watching their speed to try to conserve gas. However, there are many gas friendly car models on the market today, which could really put some money in your pocket.

The days are gone where the only gas friendly car models look like toy cars, or have no horsepower. Now you can get a sleek, sophisticated car, with quite a bit of horsepower, and great gas mileage. Many cars are available now like the Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Honda Insight, Lexus GS450H, Toyota Camry, and the Toyota Prius. These cars get anywhere from 25 miles per gallon in the city (Lexus GS450H) on the low end to 61 miles per gallon in the city (Honda Insight). The Insight also gets 68 miles per gallon on the highway, while the GS450H, gets 28 miles per gallon on the highway. Some of these cars have a fully integrated hybrid (gas & electric) engine, while others have a six cylinder engine that turns off three cylinders on the highway to conserve gas.

If you are looking for a sports utility vehicle, but you do not want to get a second mortgage on your house to pay for gas, then you are in luck, because many hybrids are hitting the market now. These include the Ford Escape, Lexus RX400H, Toyota Highlander, and Mercury Mariner. The gas mileage for these models ranges from 31 to 33 miles per gallon in the city, and 27 to 29 miles per gallon on the highway, with the Escape and Mariner getting higher gas mileages.

Not only will these gas friendly car models get more mileage for your gas dollars, the federal government is giving income tax breaks for buying gas friendly car models as well. Many different states are also giving sales tax breaks, parking fee exemptions, and state income tax breaks for purchasing gas friendly cars. Some major cities are also allowing hybrid cars the ability to drive in the high occupancy vehicle lane with only one passenger. The perks to owning a gas friendly car model are very lucrative, so what is stopping you from going out and buying one the next time you are looking for a new car?

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