How to avoid foreclosure

If you see you maybe heading for trouble, you can take steps NOW to prevent foreclosure on your home.
As with anything of this magnitude, you need to act quickly. Don't wait until it's too late to turn things around.
You may be facing:
. oThe loss of a job
. oCuts in hours or overtime pay
. oRetirement
. oIllness, injury, or the death of a family member
. oDivorce or separation

If your family is facing any of these changes and cannot pay your bills, now is the time to look closely at what you owe and what you earn, eliminating unnecessary spending and reaching out for help if you still can't meet your financial obligations. Taking action now can help you protect your family from the loss of your home.
On the next page are some steps you need to take now, to safeguard your home for the future, and put the threat of foreclosure behind you.
Remember. The time to act is now. The longer you wait, the deeper the problem becomes.
1. CONTACT YOUR MORTGAGE COMPANY NOW
Many people avoid calling their lenders when they have money troubles. Most of us are embarrassed to discuss our money problems with others or believe that if lenders know we are in trouble, they will rush to collection or foreclosure.
Lenders want to help borrowers keep their homes. Foreclosure is expensive for lenders, mortgage insurers and investors. HUD/FHA, as well as private mortgage insurance companies and investors like Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, require lenders to work aggressively with borrowers who are facing money problems.
Lenders have workout options to help you keep your home. However, these options work best when your loan is only one or two payments behind. The farther behind you are on your payments, the fewer options are available.
Do not assume that your problems will quickly correct themselves. Don't lose valuable time by being overly optimistic. Contact your mortgage lender to discuss your circumstances as soon as you realize that you are unable to make your payments. While there is no guarantee that any particular relief will be given, most lenders are willing to explore every possible option.
To help you, lenders typically need:
. o Your loan account number
. o A brief explanation of your circumstances
. o Recent income documents (such as Pay stubs; Benefit Statements from Social Security, Disability, Unemployment, Retirement, or Public Assistance. If you are Self-employed, have your tax returns or a Year-to-date Profit and Loss Statement available for reference.

. oList of household expenses

Expect to have more than one phone conversation with your lender. Typically, your lender will mail you a "loan workout" package. This package contains information, forms and instructions. If you want to be considered for assistance, you must complete the forms and return them to your lender quickly. The completed package will be reviewed before the lender talks about a solution with you.
CALL TODAY! The sooner you call; the sooner help is available.

2. DO NOT IGNORE MAIL FROM YOUR LENDER
If you do not contact your lender, your lender will try to contact you by mail and phone soon after you stop making payments. It is very important that you respond to the mail and the phone calls offering help. If your lender does not hear from you they will be required to start legal action leading to foreclosure. This will substantially increase the cost of bringing your loan current.

3. TALK TO A HOUSING COUNSELING AGENCY
If you don't feel comfortable talking with your lender, you should immediately contact a HUD-approved housing counseling agency and arrange an appointment with a counselor. A counselor will help you assess your financial situation, determine what options are available to you, and help you negotiate with your lender. A counselor will be familiar with the various workout arrangements that lenders will consider and will know what course of action makes the most sense for you and your family, based on your circumstances. In addition, the counselor can call the lender with you or on your behalf to discuss a workout plan. By meeting with a counselor before your mortgage payments are too far behind, you can protect yourself from future credit problems.
A good counselor will help you establish a monthly budget plan to ensure that you can meet all of your monthly expenses, including your mortgage payment. Your personal financial plan will clearly show how much money you have available to make the mortgage payment. This analysis will help you and your lender determine whether a reduced or delayed payment schedule could help you. Also, a counselor will have information on services, resources, and programs available in your local area that may provide you with additional financial, legal, medical or other assistance that you may need. 

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Feng Shui Colors for the Bedroom

Feng Shui is about balance and harmony in our environments. The bedroom is a very important room (we spend the majority of our day there), so many people naturally ask how to improve their bedroom using color selection according to Feng Shui. As we discuss bedroom colors, it is also imperative to recognize the importance of the other rooms in your house. Enhancing your bedroom without enhancing the other beneficial areas of your home does not provide you with the full benefits of Feng Shui. Feng Shui is about balancing the energy in your complete and total environment.

With that said, here are some Feng Shui tips to consider for your bedroom…

Don't overdo the bright colors in your bedroom. Bright colors are alive and moving, so the more bright colors that are used, the harder it will be to stay asleep. This also applies to plants and especially water. Plants and water manifest yang energy, and cause the same issues in the bedroom as bright colors. The colors associated with plants and water are green, black, and blue. Bright colors to avoid are reds, strong oranges or bright yellows. Florescent colors are out of the question!

Pictures of moving water can also cause problems. If you've got a picture of a waterfall, river, or ocean in your bedroom, it's a wise idea to move it. Unfortunately, aquariums in the bedroom can also cause sleeping issues and should be moved. Although you should avoid red in the bedroom, a little touch of red can spice up your sex life! (Red is fire, so lit candles count as red.)

Dark colors (shades of brown) should be used in the décor of the bedroom, but not on the walls. Painting the bedroom walls a dark color might help you sleep, but won't help you feel rejuvenated in the morning. Darker colored décor should be used to the point of tilting the room's ambiance yin, without making you feel like you're party to a funeral. You don't have to just use browns, pick darker colors and designs that are relaxing for you.

If you're room is already very dark (wood paneled, for example) and you can't make changes to it, you might want to consider changing any "yellow light" producing light bulbs to brighter, whiter bulbs. Opening the blinds during the day will also dramatically improve the rooms feeling. If it's dark at night, balance it with brightness during the day. (Clearing any room occasionally by opening all the blinds is extremely beneficial.

In painting the bedroom, using pastel colors is your best bet. The best colors to use depend on the compass direction of the room's location. To determine the compass direction of your home, draw your house's outline on a piece of paper, and split the home into 9 equal sections (3 down, 3 across). Use a compass to find which direction is north, and label each box according to that compass direction (North can be in a corner). Here are the color combinations:

- NE, Center, or SW: Rooms located here should be painted pastel earthy colors, including light shade of yellow.
- NW or W: Rooms located here benefit from metal, so use a shade of white.
- SE or E: The SE and East benefit from the color green, but you may want to only use these colors if the room will be used as a study. Then a shade of green would be perfect. Otherwise, use pastel earthy colors including shades of yellow. White is not helpful here, as it destroys the productive properties of the SE and East. These directions are associated with wealth.
- S: The South benefits from red. If you want to use red here, use it sparingly as too much will cause restlessness in bed. Use shades of white for the walls.
- N: The north benefits from blue and black (water). Since you can't use water, try white instead, as white (metal) will help with the benefits of water without using water.

I know this might be a letdown, as some of you reading this were hoping to hear painting a room florescent orange would make you an international movie star overnight! But Feng Shui is about balance and harmony, so using light, pastel colors is your best bet when painting the walls.

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The Varying Emotions of a Rose

Because of the aesthetic qualities the flower holds, it has been a number one choice as an object to convey the expressions and emotions of beauty, passion, respect and the most important of all; love. Love ranging from the love from a parent to their child, among friends and of course who can forget the love from one person to their significant other.

There are many flowers that convey the expression of love of on to their significant other. The most commonly known flower is the rose. Belonging in the genus rosa this flora is the most versatile way to convey one's varying range of emotions and expressions depending on the pigmentation and arrangement of the flower.

The crimson red is red as the color of the blood flowing through one's veins that all eventually end up at the heart; the heart that which society has defined it simultaneous with romantic love. The red rose has been a popular choice as a gift for one to another to convey their feelings of love from one to another from special days such as Valentines Day, birthdays, and anniversaries to even casual days just to remind their significant other that they love them.

The red rose also has additional meanings corresponding to the amount of stems that is received by person. A dozen red roses convey the message "For the dozens of ways I love you." Two red dozen roses express the meaning "For each and every hour of the day I love you." Three and four dozen red roses proclaim the message of "True love" and "Unconditional love" in the respected order.

Red isn't the only color that a rose can have. Colors can range from pink, white, yellow, purple, burgundy, orange and even the once impossible blue. The pink rose can mean a variety of expressions depending on the shade of pink it is. In general the pink rose symbolizes grace, sophistication and elegance which were certain attributes that young women from the Victorian Era, where florigraphy originates from, were trying to achieve. A darker shade of pink can also mean gratefulness and appreciation and a lighter shade of pink can express admiration and sympathy. The pink rose can also symbolize the love within friendship.

The white rose means innocence, purity, friendship, reverence and humility. The yellow rose can express the emotion of joy and can mean friendship or platonic love. It can also have a negative emotion such as jealousy and can also mean infidelity. An orange rose symbolizes enthusiasm and desire. The purple rose can convey the message of protection usually paternal love. The burgundy rose holds the meaning of beauty and therefore a favorite among mature women. The once non-existent blue rose which is now a possibility due to hybrid and genetic engineering holds the meaning of mystery as it used to never exist but was however substituted by dying a white rose with a blue dye.

In relation to this is the black rose which can symbolize hatred and death but can also mean positive meanings such as rejuvenation and rebirth. However unlike the blue rose this rose does not exist. Roses that are called a black rose are just a very dark shade of red.
 

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About tree seeds and bonsai seeds germination instructions

About Basic Care of Seeds

It is important to maintain the freshness of the seeds in order to facilitate proper germination. This is why we store all of our seeds in a refrigerator dedicated for this purpose. Therefore, in order to preserve their freshness until you are ready to begin the germination process, you can store the purchased seeds in the plastic bag we have provided. You can place the seeds in the vegetable drawer of your refrigerator.

About Germination Instructions

Once you are ready to germinate your seeds, you have two (2) germination methods: natural germination or forced germination.

Natural germination: Sow seeds outside in autumn. Overwintering the seeds will accomplish all the necessary natural processes seeds require to germinate. Next spring, you should have sprouted seeds.

With forced germination, you are accomplishing the germination process artificially. Therefore, you will need to follow the steps listed below. Each seed is different. However most of them require three (3) steps. Some may require more while others may require less. These steps are: the scarification, the stratification and sowing.

1 - Scarification

Each seed has a shell around the live inner part. Some are harder than others. The goal of the scarification process is to soften the shell and allow water to reach the inner part of the seed. You will scarify the seeds by placing them in water, usually a glass or a bowl, for a period of twenty four (24) to forty eight (48) hours. The norm appears to be the use of warm water. Some seeds require boiling water while others require water at room temperature. Normally, the viable seeds will drown after the twenty four (24) hour period while others will float on top. If there are still seeds floating after the forty eight (48) hour period, you can discard them as they are empty seeds. Once completed, you are ready to begin the next step ( please note that some seeds require you to proceed directly to the third step).

2 - Cold Stratification

The next step is the cold stratification period. This step is where all the magic of nature occurs. In nature, most of the seeds fall from the trees in autumn. Consequently, seeds spend the winter period under colder temperature permitting the chemical in the seeds to develop and trigger the germination process once the ideal temperature is reached in spring. In the forced germination process, you attempt to recreate the winter period. In order to accomplish this process, use the following materials:

Plastic Ziplock bag
Paper towel
Water

Fold the paper towel in two and moisten with water. It should not be dripping wet but humid. Place your seeds on the humid paper towel and fold it over the seeds. Place the paper towel with the seeds in the ziplock plastic bag and store them in your refrigerator for a period varying from thirty (30) to one hundred and twenty (120) days. We suggest that you check your seeds every thirty (30) days in order to prevent rot and allow for proper air circulation. You will also check for germinated seeds. If this is the case, take the germinated seeds and proceed to the next step. If not, wait the required period and then proceed to the next step.

3 - Sowing

Sowing can be accomplished in the ground or in a pot. You can use any soil suitable for planting and growing. Make a small opening in the soil (approximately half (1/2) an inch deep), place the seed in the opening and cover it with a few millimetres of soil. Keep the soil moist.

Extra steps for certain species

If you choose to germinate your seeds via the forced germination process, you may be required to follow this extra step. This step takes place prior to the cold stratification. All you have to do is expose the seeds to ambient room temperature for thirty (30) to ninety (90) days. This is called heat stratification and is accomplished by leaving the seeds exposed in a plate on your desk. After you have achieved this step, you resume with cold stratification.

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How to Choose the Right Lift Chair

Lift chairs come in different sizes, colors and designs. The materials used are the same as those used for the ordinary couches. The design and the colors could be chosen to match the décor of your home. These chairs are just like any other chair, but the similarities end where the technological innovation begins. Lift chairs with their mechanical device can provide people with mobility difficulties the chance to live normal lives. A lift chair's primary function is to give people assistance in getting up and in sitting down. This contraption is considered a blessing to those who are recuperating from surgery and most especially those who are advance in age. Here are some pointers that should be considered if you are looking for that perfect lift chair to suit the need of the user. Physique of the user. The height and weight of the user is an important consideration if you want to ensure that the lift chair will support the user effectively. If the user's weight is from 300-450 pounds, the standard lift chair will do nicely.

Otherwise, if the user is bigger and heavier, the heavy duty lift chair is recommended. Most lift chairs are adjustable to accommodate the height of the user. For maximum comfort, choose one that offers maximum height adjustments options. Control location. Is the user left handed or rigt handed? Some ailments could cause paralysis of one side of the body. A user whose left side of the body is paralyzed due to heart stroke would naturally need a lift chair with right side controls. Position of the controls can be customized to suit the preference of the user.

Intended use. Will the lift chair be used as a chair, a recliner or a bed? Some lift chairs can reclined fully and doubles up as a daytime bed. However, if the user will be more comfortable with only a chair function, then by all means get one for this purpose only. Lift Chair Options. Lift chairs are usually powered through electrical outlets though some are powered by battery packs. Battery packs of course would be very handy during power failures. Some higher end lift chair comes with massage and heat therapy equipment. This kind of lift chair is most suitable for a user undergoing therapy and those suffering from joint problems.

Dual motor or single motor? A single motor lift chair is one that has one control for the footrest and the seat. The dual motor enables the user to independently adjust the back and the footrest. Whatever kind of lift chair you choose be sure that its rated capacity fits the physical profile of the user. I should be safe and one that would provide maximum functionality and comfort.
 

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Ficus Trees in Your Home

Ficus is a genus in the Moraceae family. The genus contain around 800 species; from vines and shrubs to woody trees. A majority of the fucus species originates from the tropical regions, but some also grow wild in subtropical and temperate zones.

One of the most well known ficus species is the Ficus carica, a plant known as the Common Ficus. This ficus produce a fruit called a fig that is an appreciated fruit in many parts of the world. The Ficus carica is therefore commercially grown and the figs harvested and exported. Many other ficus species will also produce edible fruits, but they are less popular and rarely grown commercially.

The fruits of the fig trees develop from a specially adapted flower. The fig fruits are so called accessory fruits; syconiums. The fruit is globular and has a small opening located in one end. This opening is named ostiole. Inside the fruit your will find a hollow area that is outlined by small edible seeds. The colour of the seeds is red.

Ficus plants come in two sexes: female plants and hermaphrodite plants. They relay on wasps to pollinate them, and the small ostiole is an opening developed especially for the wasp to crawl through. The hermaphrodite plants are sometimes called caprifigs, since they are less tasty and "only goats will eat them". It is inside these caprifigs that the pollinating wasps grow up, sheltered by the fruit.

Another popular ficus species is the Sacred Fig, Ficus religiosa. The Sacred Fig is found in many parts of the world and it therefore known by many names. In regions were Sinhalese is spoken, the tree is named Bo. In other regions, commonly used names are Pipal, Peepul and Ashwattha. The Ficus religiosa originates from the region from India to southwest China, and from Indochina to Vietnam. The Sacred Fig grows very large; up to 30 meters. The trunk can reach a size of 3 meters in diameter. It is a semi-evergreen or dry season deciduous species.

The Sacred Fig is considered sacred in many parts of Asia since it is hallowed by followers of the Buddhist, Hindu and Jainism religions. Some Muslims will also consider certain Ficus trees sacred. According to legend, Siddhartha Gautama sat under a Sacred Fig when he became enlightened and turned into Buddha. Ascetics and yoga practitioners still like to meditate under Sacred Figs. Two of the most famous Sacred Figs are the Bodhi tree and the Sri Maha Bodhi.

The Bodhi tree is probably a clone descendant of the tree under which Siddhartha Gautama is believed to have received enlightenment. It is growing at the Mahabodhi Temple in the state of Bihar in India. Today, it is a very large and ancient tree. Pilgrims flock around the Bodhi tree and it is one of the most important holy sites for Buddhists.

Sri Maha Bodhi is another famous Sacred Fig. Just like the Bodhi tree in India, this tree is believed to originate from the Sacred Fig under which Siddhartha Gautama sat. Sri Maha Bodh grows in Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka and was planted there in 288 B.C. This makes it one of the oldest living trees that we know have been planted by humans, and also one of the oldest with a known planting date.
 

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Mattresses For Every Taste And Need

Matresses are very important aspect of a healthy lifestyle. Today there are many kinds of mattresses available in the market, each designed specifically for your need and requirement. Good quality mattresses usually last for a long time, provided that you follow certain guidelines.

Choosing the Right Mattresses

The kind of mattress you need depends on your body and sleeping habits. You would need a firm mattress if you sleep on your stomach. Those who sleep on their sides will need a soft mattress because it causes less stress on their pressure points. Ask the salesman about the basic differences between each mattress. Before you purchase any mattress try it for atleast ten minutes by lying down in different postures.

Types of Mattresses

There are several types of mattresses available in the market, of which the spring matresses are the most popular. They have upholstery layers that separate the body from the steel coils to give you greater comfort. Pillow top mattresses come in a wide variety of firmness levels. Foam mattresses are made up of either layers of foam that are laminated together, or have a solid core of foam to give you more comfort and support. Air mattresses form a very small fragment of the mattress business. They are basically used for temporary purposes, like camping. Water mattresses are the rarely used because they are hard to adjust and most of the homes are not designed to take the weight in one place. Futon mattresses are great space savers, as you can use them as a couch or a mattress to sleep on. The adjustable mattresses work wonders for people having back problems. These are electrical mattresses that change position with a hand control.

Maintenace of Your Mattresses

To ensure long life of your mattress you need to follow certain guidelines. Do not put stress on a particular area of your mattress; therefore, avoid standing or jumping. Rotate your mattress atleast every three month. Use a mattress pad because it adds another layer of protection for your mattresses and block the dust particles that may cause harm to your mattresses. Be careful not to remove the mattress tag as it establishes your warranty rights. To ensure a longer life of your mattress try to spend as little time as posible on bed. While cleaning it, follow the instructions of the manufacturer rather than applying your own techniques.

A good mattress will help you wake up rested. But maintaining your health is your concern and for that you would need to exercise regularly and lead a healthy lifestyle.

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Beat the Heat - 7 Tips to Help Your Lawn Survive a Drought

With temperatures rising and rain fall decreasing, summer time is putting a serious strain on your lawn. If you are not careful, your lawn could end up dead. No rain and water restrictions can really take a shot at your ability to take care of your lawn. However, there are some tried and true tips that are sure to beat the summer heat.

When your lawn is suffering from a drought, these tips will help you survive:

1. Raise the blades on your mower. Taller grass provides more protection from sun and grows deeper roots, which makes it more resilient.

2. Resist the temptation to bag your lawn and use a mulching mower instead. The clippings will provide a barrier that keeps moisture in your lawn longer.

3. Aerate your lawn twice a year (fall and spring) to keep out thatch and help the roots grow deeper.

4. Sharpen your lawnmower blade. Dull blades put your grass under lots of undue stress. Stressed grass needs more water.

5. Water early in the morning and when it is not windy to avoid unnecessary evaporation of your rationed water.

6. Use a drip type irrigation system like a soaker hose. It put water in the ground, where it is needed, more efficiently.

7. Do not fertilize in the summer. Experts will tell you that fertilized lawns are more sensitive to heat and require more water.

Green is definitely a color to envy in the heart of the summer. Do yourself a favor and follow these tips to keep a green lawn that makes your neighbors squirm with envy.

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Indoor Lighting

Nothing impresses us quite the way lighting does. And if you're entertaining nothing could make your guests feel more welcome that the good lighting in you home. Create a warm and inviting feeling for your prestigious guests and let them also enjoy some good food and conversation. Designing with light has never been an easier task, and it is always enjoyable.

When is actually comes to villa lighting, the potentials are limited only by your imagination. A good lighting plan could help in making you villa more attractive by combining both style and function.

Few type of Indoor lighting are listed below

Ambient Lighting – It provides overall lighting and a comfortable level of brightness, and allows you and your guests to see and move about safely.

Task Lighting – Task lighting helps you perform a precise activity, such as reading or playing games as well.

Accent Lighting – It creates an awesome mood and adds interest to a room by highlighting certain areas and objects, such as paintings, walls, and collectibles.

Decorative Lighting – It become essentials for chandeliers and candles.

Tips for Dining Rooms

•Use more chandeliers or just one fixture to light the room. Layer with light from a selection of sources to get the most flexibility required for creating special moods in the same room.

•Using dimmers and layering with light allows you to use the brilliant light you require while setting your table, and then carry the light down when your guests arrive.

•For a stylish setting, blend candlelight and lesser levels of electric light sources all over the room. Dim every group of lights separately to make a variety of dining moods.

Tips for Living Rooms

•Use Layers of light, wall washers, down lights, and accent lights on dimmers to make a medley of possible effects – from spacious to intimate.

•Place light sources at a variety of heights within the room (ceiling, table, floor) to add image interest and human scale.

•Use translucent shades on table lamps to add to the ambient light level.

Tips for Kitchens

•Use White fluorescent bulbs to improve cool colors like gray and blue, use White bulbs to enhance warm colors like yellow, red, and beige or to balance wood cabinets.

•Try fluorescent under cabinet fixtures at the border of your cabinets to illuminate your workspace and decrease shadows in food preparation areas.

•Consider dense fluorescent down-lights for universal lighting to help reduce heat and electric bills.

Tips for Bedrooms

•Break the room into several zones by lighting and switch them separately, and then regulate accordingly for the mood you want to set.

•Provide light for reading by selecting swing-arm or flexible bedside lamps.

•Use night-lights to give guests the facility to see in the dark if they require getting up during the night.

Tips for Powder Rooms

•Place strip lights to either side of the mirror other than above to improve visibility and reduce shadows for shaving and applying make-up.

•Select a couple of decorative wall scones to flank the mirror in a powder room.

•To make the room more inviting, try to dim all incandescent and halogen sources and keep a candle burning.

When amusing family and friends at home, lighting for safety and security is forever a priority. Keep these tips in mind as you believe how best to protect your home – and your guests – from accidents and crime.

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5 Tips To Maximize Your Child's Wardrobe During Seasonal Change

While the northern hemisphere prepares to put away their winter wear in preparation for the warmer summer months, we here in the southern hemisphere are doing the exact opposite.

Living here in southern Queensland, Australia, we experience relatively stable seasons. Therefore it's not uncommon that particular clothes worn for one season are not needed again until the following year.

As adults, the uncomplicated approach to a new season can simply involve resurrecting the previous year's items, and rearranging these items to the front of your wardrobe. Any changes to particular items are generally dictated more by fashion or personal preference than by 'fit' (unless of course we have gained or lost a few kilos!).

Now when it comes to growing children, the change of season often dictates a totally different approach. Depending on the individual child and their age, they'll grow at different rates from one year to the next. The impact of this growth on an existing wardrobe, can range anything from the requirement for a 'part' modification (where most items still 'fit'), up to, and including the situation where a 'complete overhaul' is in order (where virtually everything has been outgrown).

Particularly where the latter situation is the case, one of the first reactions to this sudden realization can be panic and stress (especially if you're the parent who's responsible for finding, and financing these 'modifications').

So 'BEFORE' pulling out your credit card, and rushing out on a panic shopping spree with your child / children, here are 5 practical tips to consider to save both your purse and your sanity:

1. INVEST THE TIME to go through each child's existing wardrobe. If the idea of this task is stressful for either party, consider breaking it down into smaller manageable parts. (I.e. concentrate on one child's wardrobe at a time, and/or break the exercise up over several sessions or days. E.g. Spend 15-30 minutes per session going through a particular section. Perhaps jumpers 1 session, and long pants the next etc.)

2. AVOID GUESSING whether an item fits or not. This includes 'calculated guesswork' which is the exercise of 'holding an item' up against the body. If it's been several months since a child has worn an article of clothing, take the time to physically get them to TRY EACH ITEM ON. You'll be amazed at how much more accurate your assessment will be by basing your judgments on practical testing and not calculated guesswork.

3. If you have children of the same sex, consider WORKING THROUGH THEIR WARDROBES FROM OLDEST TO YOUNGEST. Working in this manner means that 'pre-loved' or outgrown items from an older sibling can be passed down to the younger siblings and included in the items they will try on, along with their existing wardrobe. The benefits of this exercise are two-fold: 1. Younger siblings can find themselves with an 'instant brand new' (to them) wardrobe. 2. Minimizing the requirements for any one child's wardrobe can result in a significant saving in time and money.

4. KEEP ONLY THOSE ITEMS you (and particularly your child), feel confident your child will wear. Depending on the age, personality and maturity of your child, if your child appears uncomfortable wearing a particular item, ask 'them' to consider if they feel they will wear it or not. If the answer is a resounding 'no', or their body language relays the same message, seriously consider removing that item from their wardrobe. No matter how much attachment another person may have to an article of clothing, if the person to whom it belongs is not going to wear it, the truthful fact is, it's likely to end up taking space and energy in a cupboard. Learning to respect your child's preferences and choices is an exercise that long term will not only save you heartache, but save your well-earned money as well.

5. SELL OR DONATE items of clothing that can't be used by immediate family members or relatives. Occasionally there may be an article that has particular sentimental value that you may wish to retain as a 'keepsake'. However for the most part, clothing serves its purpose when it is being worn and used. If an article is no longer being used within its current location, why not allow another individual to experience this pleasure. Not only is it a wonderful feeling to be able to give something to someone else, -- it can be also be an extremely liberating feeling to not only clear your physical space, but also clear the emotional energy attached to holding onto something that is not fulfilling its purpose.

Although the above tips require an investment of your time and energy at the outset, you'll be well rewarded for your efforts in both the short and long term. Armed with accurate information about your child's existing wardrobe well before you part with a single cent, will help to ensure that when you 'do' shop, you're investing your time and money into the most appropriate and needed items for that particular child.

And as an added bonus, remember our children are children for such a short time. So why not take advantage of this opportunity when going through their wardrobes –- celebrate the fit of your child's clothes as a measure of their growth from the previous year! 

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How To Find Hidden Money In Your Hobby

What Is A Hobby?

Ask 10 different people what a hobby is, and you will no doubt get 10 different answers. It is also possible that all 10 answers are correct! Several factual sources were consulted to define a hobby.

Links to dozens of free and informative hobby sites appear at the conclusion of this article.

The library dictionary defines a hobby as "a pursuit outside one's regular occupation engaged in for relaxation."

An online dictionary calls it "an auxiliary activity (synonyms: avocation, by-line, sideline, spare-time activity)."

A popular online encyclopedia gives this definition: "a spare-time recreational pursuit."

A hobby is therefore an activity you perform in your spare time for pleasure or relaxation. However, none of those definitions say anything about money.


How Much Is Your Hobby Costing You?

You will have to spend some amount of money in order to enjoy most hobbies. If you collect coins, you have to spend paper money in order to gather enough change to collect. A funny headline collection requires a newspaper subscription. Even cloud watching might have expenses if you choose to photograph your subjects and collect the pictures in albums.

The title of this section, however, is not meant to inquire about the cost of performing your hobby. Instead, it is meant to spur you into looking deeply at your hobby to see if any money-making opportunities exist.

Perhaps you are performing your hobby in a unique way that could benefit others with the same interest. The internet makes it easy to compile your hobby secrets into an information product and offer it for sale.

How To Uncover Your Special Opportunity

The number and types of hobbies are as varied as the number and types of people who perform them. A comprehensive list of profit opportunities in hobbies is simply not possible.

However, here are three examples of how you can start looking for hidden income in your hobby.

1. A hunter decides to raise hunting dogs. This breed of dog excels at hunting squirrels, but is known for its poor performance in identifying other small game as prey. One day, while leaving the hunting section of the local department store, he cuts through the toy section.

The collection of stuffed forest animals gives him an idea. He buys a collection of small stuffed forest animals and a bottle of squirrel scent. Soon his dogs are hunting all kinds of prey like champions. He receives hundreds of requests for more information after he posts his success on a popular online hunting forum.

This is a perfect opportunity to write a how-to e-book about training this breed of dog to hunt more than squirrels. There is obviously a niche market rabid for this information. He could also start a paid membership forum to complement his e-book.

2. A college student graduates and enters into a job market that is highly competitive with a high turnover rate. After each successive layoff due to downturns in the industry, she is forced to upgrade her resume over and over again in order to re-enter the same industry.

Friends and family begin asking her for help with their own resumes, and are successful with the resumes she writes for them. Everyone hates writing resumes, so this is an excellent opportunity for a part-time resume writing business.

3. A cat owner notices his cat's natural tendency to enter small, dark spaces. He incorporates the cat carrier into his cat's play time, and soon has his cat is trained to enter the cat carrier almost on command. Anyone who has tried to shove a terrified cat into a cat carrier for a vet trip would gladly pay for this secret.


How Do You Get Started?

Examine your hobby as described earlier. Do people always ask you about it? Do they need help getting started with the same activity? Do your friends tend to invite you over only when there's a problem with their computer or car?

If you answered yes to any of those questions, there might be untapped money hidden in your hobby. All you have to do is think of a way to package and sell your knowledge.


For More Information

If you need hobby ideas or want to research hobbies related to yours, you can use the links appearing at the end of this article.

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Picmoney is the final destination for your online income generation

The ideal world of affiliate marketing does not require having your won website, dealing with customers, refunds, product development and maintenance. This is one of the easiest ways of launching into an online business and earning more profits.

Assuming you are already into an affiliate program, what would be the next thing you would want to do? Double, or even triple, your commissions, right? How do you do that?

Here are some powerful tips on how to boost your affiliate program commissions overnight.

1. Know the best program and products to promote. Obviously, you would want to promote a program that will enable you to achieve the greatest profits in the shortest possible time.

There are several factors to consider in selecting such a program. Choose the ones that have a generous commission structure. Have products that fit in with your target audience. And that has a solid track record of paying their affiliate easily and on time. If you cannot seem to increase your investments, dump that program and keep looking for better ones.

There are thousands of affiliate programs online which gives you the reason to be picky. You may want to select the best to avoid losing your advertising dollars.

Write free reports or short ebooks to distribute from your site. There is a great possibility that you are competing with other affiliates that are promoting the same program. If you start writing short report related to the product you are promoting, you will be able to distinguish yourself from the other affiliates.

In the reports, provide some valuable information for free. If possible, add some recommendations about the products. With ebooks, you get credibility. Customers will see that in you and they will be enticed to try out what you are offering.

2. Collect and save the email addresses of those who download your free ebooks. It is a known fact that people do not make a purchase on the first solicitation. You may want to send out your message more than six times to make a sale.

This is the simple reason why you should collect the contact information of those who downloaded your reports and ebooks. You can make follow-ups on these contacts to remind them to make a purchase from you.

Get the contact information of a prospect before sending them to the vendor's website. Keep in mind that you are providing free advertisement for the product owners. You get paid only when you make a sale. If you send prospects directly to the vendors, chances are they would be lost to you forever.

But when you get their names, you can always send other marketing messages to them to be able to earn an ongoing commission instead of a one-time sale only.

Publish an online newsletter or Ezine. It is always best to recommend a product to someone you know than to sell to a stranger. This is the purpose behind publishing your own newsletter. This also allows you to develop a relationship based on trust with your subscribers.

This strategy is a delicate balance between providing useful information with a sales pitch. If you continue to write informative editorials you will be able to build a sense of reciprocity in your readers that may lead them to support you by buying your products.

3. Ask for higher than normal commission from merchants. If you are already successful with a particular promotion, you should try and approach the merchant and negotiate a percentage commission for your sales.

If the merchant is smart, he or she will likely grant your request rather than lose a valuable asset in you. Keep in mind that you are a zero-risk investment to your merchant; so do not be shy about requesting for addition in your commissions. Just try to be reasonable about it.

Write strong pay Per Click ads. PPC search engine is the most effective means of advertising online. As an affiliate, you can make a small income just by managing PPC campaigns such as Google AdWords and Overture. Then you should try and monitor them to see which ads are more effective and which ones to dispose of.

Try out these strategies and see the difference it can make to your commission checks in the shortest of time.

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Why You Must Invest In Gold Today

Gold. Rare, beautiful, and unique. Treasured as a store of value for thousands of years, it is an important and secure asset. It has maintained its long term value, is not directly affected by the economic policies of individual countries and doesn't depend on a 'promise to pay'.

Completely free of credit risk, although it bears a market risk gold has always been a secure refuge in unsettled times. Its 'safe haven' attributes attract wise investors. Gold has proved itself to be an effective way to manage wealth.

For at least 200 years the price of gold has kept pace with inflation. Another important reason to invest in gold is its consistent delivery within a portfolio of assets. Its performance tends to move independently of other investments and of key economic indicators. Even a small weighting of gold in an investment portfolio can help reduce overall risk.

Most investment portfolios are invested primarily in traditional financial assets such as stocks and bonds. The reason for holding diverse investments is to protect the portfolio against fluctuations in the value of any single asset class.

Portfolios that contain gold are generally more robust and better able to cope with market ncertainties than those that don't. Adding gold to a portfolio introduces an entirely different class of asset.

Gold is unusual because it is both a commodity and a monetary asset. It is an 'effective diversifier' because its performance tends to move independently of other investments and key economic indicators.

Studies have shown that traditional diversifiers (such as bonds and alternative assets) often fail during times of market stress or instability. Even a small allocation of gold has been proven to significantly improve the consistency of portfolio performance during both stable and unstable financial periods.

Gold improves the stability and predictability of returns. It is not correlated with other assets because the gold price is not driven by the same factors that drive the performance of other assets. Gold is also significantly less volatile than practically all equity indices.

The value of gold, in terms of real goods and services that it can buy,has remained remarkably stable. In contrast, the purchasing power of many currencies has generally declined.

Traditionally, access to the gold market has been through: investment in physical gold, usually as gold coins or small bars,or, for larger quantities, by way of the over the counter market; gold futures and options; gold mining equities, often packaged in gold-oriented mutual funds.

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Assistance For Seniors In Nevada Seeking Long Term Care

The state of Nevada has several services and advocacy groups that help the elderly who are in need of long term care. Some of the groups are listed below:

Advocate for Elders : Just as the name implies, they are advocates and offer assistance to seniors 60 or older who are primarily homebound.

Community Home-Based Initiatives Program (CHIP ) offers non-medical services to seniors 65 and older to help them maintain independence in their own homes rather than being placed in a nursing home.

Elder Protective Services (EPS) provides services for seniors 60 and over who may be experiencing abuse, isolation, neglect or exploitation.

Homemaker Program: A community based service that believes in home care can help preserve or improve quality of life and reduce the need for unnecessary out of home care.

Long Term Ombudsman: Long Term Care Ombudsman Program was created to deal with issues and challenges that residents in long-term care facilities face. The Ombudsman ensures confidentiality of a resident's records and protects the in the event of a complaint.

Senior Ride Program: (Clark County only): Senior Ride program provides discounted taxi fares to seniors and people with disabilities living in Clark County .

State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP): Provides counseling, information and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries statewide in Nevada. They offer one on one counseling and assistance for problems that seniors encounter with Medicaid supplemental health insurance and long term care options.

Tax Assistance/Rent Rebate Program: Seniors 62 and older may receive a rebate of a portion of their property taxes on their own home or by property taxes paid by renter though their rent.

Waiver for the Elderly in Adult Residential Care (WEARC): A program for seniors 65 and older that offers a less expensive alternative to supervised care in a residential setting.

Please view our recommended sources for insurance quotes and low rates. These are also great sources for information on how to lower your rates and save money every month on your insurance

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A dog can be your best friend when it comes to home security.

Burglar alarms are not the be-all and end-all of home security. There are plenty of other things you can install in your home that will help to stop a burglar from gaining entry – and many of them are very simple and inexpensive.

The key is to secure the possible points of entry. This means that doors should be made of strong, solid material (definitely not plastic or glass), be properly secured to their hinges and have tamper-resistant locks. Ideally, you should have an extra deadbolt that you put on at night, made from very strong metal.

Windows should be made from toughened glass, preferably double-glazed, so that they are almost impossible to break. Although window locks are relatively uncommon, they help greatly with security, and you should consider installing them. If your house has windows in a position where they can be easily and discreetly accessed from the street, such as basement windows, you should consider putting metal bars on them.

It is also important for your garden to be secure, as far more burglars enter through the back of your house than the front. This means that your fences should be high and have some kind of anti-climbing measures (spikes or anti-climb paint can work well). If you don't like fences, get big hedges instead.

Another thing to consider is getting a dog – surprisingly effective against burglars, who don't generally want to mess with dogs if they can avoid it. For this strategy to be more effective, put up a 'beware of the dog' sign. Smaller dogs are not so great for this because they are not generally scary – something like a big German Shepherd works best, not only because of their size, but because of their strong guard instincts that cause them to be hostile to strangers.

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Starting A Home Based Business

Don't Let Fear Hold You Back from Starting a Home Based Business

Working at home is a desirable option for lots of people – and why not? Avoiding traffic, maintaining your own schedule, choosing to work in your pajamas
and being your own boss are all valid reasons for wanting to run a business out of the comfort of your own home. However, the problem is that many people don't realize that running a home business actually is an option. Held back by fear or a hectic schedule that doesn't allow one to concentrate on starting a home business are two excuses people often make to themselves in order to be cut short from achieving their dreams.

Starting a home business doesn't have to be scary, if you play the game correctly. Obviously, lots of people think that starting their own business means quitting their full time jobs altogether and starting from scratch. The thought of giving up a regular paycheck for something that has a chance of failure is truly frightful. That's why is could be a good idea to keep that day job and work on your home business on the side, until it starts bringing in enough money (and taking up enough time) for it to be a full time job.

The time you dedicate to your home business is up to you. For some time, this may mean managing your
schedule a little differently than you do right now. It may mean that other people need to make sacrifices to help you. For instance, instead of spending an hour making dinner, compromise with a spouse, friend or relative – volunteer to make a big dinner for them once a week, if they will do the same for you (and yours) an another night. If you want to start a home business badly enough, it may take a little creativity when it comes to your schedule, but if you work hard enough it will pay off.

Things to Consider When Starting a Home Based Business

There are lots of things to think about when considering a home based business. You must consider your schedule, startup budget, your profit goals and areas of interest. Since there are new home based business opportunities popping up all the time, it is not difficult to get hooked up with one. The problem comes in finding something that you can see yourself doing for an extended period of time. Remember that a home based business is still a business – you must make a commitment and stick with it if you want to succeed.

In choosing a home based business, think first about what you are good at and passionate about. If you collect rare items, think about starting an online site where other collectors can view your rare finds and buy them. Ebay has made selling online convenient and simple, and many retailers have opted to use the popular option site to set up shop. Or perhaps you are detail-oriented and have excellent taste – why not be a wedding or event planner, with a business run from your home

Next, consider how much money you have to support the startup of your business. If you are selling information in the form of e-books or taking advantage of one of the numerous affiliate programs online, startup costs are extremely low. However, if you would like to sell products or a service, you may need to invest some of your savings into it. Make sure that you are being realistic with your money.

There are no limits to how important marketing is for independent businesses in particular. Locally, it is a great idea to network with friends, family, and community members through fliers and business cards. In order to reach people on the Internet, think about advertising with banners on search engines or sending out e-cards that include your contact information and services. The more people hear about your great deals, the more the marketing will take care of itself!

Time Management is Key to Running a Home Based Business

When starting a home based business, it is important to create a schedule that works with your life. After all, making your own schedule was probably one of the biggest reasons why you wanted to start a home business to begin with. However, no home based business works if the business owner doesn't dedicate the appropriate amount of time to it.

Think about your home based business as a real job – not as an obstacle that gets in the way of your regular life. Make sure that you block off enough time during the week so that you are seeing the kind of profit you can thrive on. Most importantly, try to make this time uninterrupted – that means for business only! Working at home can be stressful because there are all sorts of interferences. You will only accomplish your goals if you can focus on your work.

If you have decided to start a home based business on the side while keeping your full time job, you will need to block off time that you would regularly devote to other priorities, like family, friends, or leisure time. Get creative, and think of ways that you can be more efficient. Think about hiring a babysitter on Saturday mornings, do one large load of laundry instead of several throughout the week, or get your friends together all at one time, instead of meeting with them separately Working at home can be a full time job with full time income, or a part time job as one of multiple streams of income – but neither avenue will work if you don't devote the time that is necessary to succeeding.

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All Auto Insurance Is Not Created Equal!

Well the first thing you may want to do is visit the all auto insurance center which is a resource center that explains auto insurance in detail. You can also search the net and visit plenty of other good sites to better understand your coverage.

There are many things that affect your insurance rates. Your driving record, how many tickets you've had in the past, where you live, how much you drive, what type of car you have, what type of coverage you buy, and where you buy your insurance company.

Many people have reported saving up to 40% by purchasing auto insurance online. The most important thing to remember when shopping online is to purchase your insurance from a reputable insurance company. You can always check the rating of the insurance company you are planning to deal with.

You should always get at least 5 or 6 quotes so you can compare thoroughly. When comparing make sure you are comparing same policies. If not it would rather be like comparing Victoria Secrets lingerie to Walmart lingerie. Not a fair comparison!

You will need to be able to provide the company you are asking for a quote from with information relating to your driving record. There is no point in fibbing. Because the auto insurance company will validate all information you provide. If you lie your rates will go up or the insurance company may cancel your policy.

All auto insurance is not created equal for many reasons. Companies use a formula to determine rates. We won't get into the details of the formula but basically they calculate out the number of drivers they cover, the costs for the previous year including operating, accident, and liability claims, then they do some math and come out with their rates. Much is determined by the amount of payouts they've had.

We mentioned earlier about purchasing from an insurance company that is rated well. If you save a bundle of money but the insurance company you purchased your policy from has a tendency not to honor and pay out on claims but rather weasels their way out. Then the savings aren't worth anything. Or if the insurance company is a fly by night operation here today and gone tomorrow, they'll be gone with your money and you won't have insurance. No savings in that scenario! So make sure to check! Unless of course you recognize the insurance company.

Companies like Geico, Allstate, Hartford, State Farm, Progressive, and of course several other big companies can be found online.

Most companies offer online quotes which is very handy. No more sitting on the telephone waiting to speak to an agent. No more driving half way across the city to get rates then driving half way around the city to get another rate then…. Okay I'm sure you get the picture! It's tiring just thinking about it. It's so much easier just to pull up a chair and put your mouse to work.

Hopefully we've brought to your attention that all auto insurance is not created equal. We thought we'd mention it again just incase ? So shop around and save money!

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Be Rebellious

In order to get consumers (whether they are retail or service customers or business-to-business audiences) to notice an advertising message, many companies resort to loudness and one-upmanship. Neither of these tactics works in the long run.

If your competition is talking loudly and you decide to yell louder, what do you think they will do? Yep. They'll start to scream. Nobody wins a shouting match when it comes to advertising. And usually you'll find you even lose a few customers in the process because they can't stand the noise.

It's the same with one-upmanship. If you have to compete on more and better coupons or more and better discounts, giveaways or incentives unrelated to your core product, your revenue per sale decreases as well as your number of sales.

Customers see these types of games as gimmicky, fake and disingenuous; and they leave. The ones who do stay now view you and your competitors as commodities with no difference except your price. That is a dangerous place for a company to find itself.

The answer to clutter is not more clutter; it's finding who wants to hear you and speaking to them. So how do you compete if you can't out shout or out discount your competition? You get rebellious and radical with your advertising.

Do those words scare you? That's okay. Remember, you're being courageous now. You can handle it. Besides, rebellious and radical aren't dirty words. They will help you draw attention away from your competition without resorting to screaming and insulting your customers.

It's not about being outrageous just to get attention; it's about being remarkable. An advertising campaign with a strong rebellious strategy is, by its very nature, different from anything your audience will find from your competitors' marketing efforts. It's unexpected. It's surprising. It's effective.

There are two keys to creating a successfully rebellious advertising campaign. The first is the big idea. This idea comes from a strategy that is derived directly from your customers and their relationship with your brand. You arrive at this idea through a discipline called account planning. We'll get into the details of both the big idea and account planning in later articles.

The second key to a successfully rebellious advertising campaign is attention. You can't gain attention if you don't learn to identify and then steer clear of the norm. It doesn't matter how great your product or service is or how large your potential market, if your target audience doesn't pay attention to your message, your ad budget has been wasted.

Think about these two keys while you flip through the newspaper or a magazine. Ponder them while you watch TV. You should notice something almost immediately. Most ads today don't seem to be based on any big idea. Many are so boring that you flip right past them without noticing them. Others get your attention but the ads don't have much to do with the product so you quickly forget the brand the ad was supposed to sell you. What an opportunity for your brand!

Now, there is a caveat to being rebellious. Your ads should never be different just for difference sake. The difference should be derived from your brand's uniqueness.•

This article introduced the second of twelve steps. Challenge yourself, your staff and your ad agency to revolutionize your advertising program. If you missed the first step, contact the author for a complimentary copy. And, remember, every revolution begins with just one step.

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How in the World Do People Save Money?

Saving money is a hard task to master. It always seems that when things come up, there goes your savings. Many people I know never have any savings to start with.

Saving money is the cornerstone of a successful money management plan. Without an emergency savings when my husband recently was laid off, we would have been up a creek. Even with the emergency savings, things were very tight and we had to call our bank for assistance.

Now we face the task that many people face. Starting over with our savings.

It seems simple to say. You just put your extra money into savings. Wrong.

There really isn't such a thing as extra money. You may have found that out by now. If you are spending, you have no extra money. If you have debt, you have no extra money.

Where you find savings money is through having a simple budget. Your budget will identifiy money for savings. It is hard to start saving. But once you start, you form a habit that lasts.

Start with identifying why you want to save money. Set short-term and long-term financial goals. In the short-term, you may want to buy a new couch. In the long-term, you might want to retire early. These are the goals that make saving worth a little sacrifice.

Give your goals dollar amounts and time frames. When you know that you only need to put back $100 a month, it is much easier than focusing on the $3,000 you need to save. Write down your goals and refer to them at least once a week. Track your progess and keep it as your number one priority.

You will eventually find that when you go to buy things, you are thinking that if you don't spend as much, you will be closer to your goal. What a nice thought that is. You will find that not spending feels better than being guilty after spending.


Make sure you have a separate savings account. We like to tell ourselves that we can leave a cushion amount in our checking. We can't. If it is there, we spend it. If you put your savings in your checking, you will dip into it. Have your savings in a separate account that you can watch grow.

If you don't already have a budget, you need to make one. You will be able to identify areas where you can cut back your spending.

A lot of people have trouble identifying how much they should put into savings each month. This simply depends on your goals and finances. If you have a lot of debt that you need to pay down, you may be saving less. If you have your debt paid off, you may be saving more. Look to how much your budget says you can save. Don't get caught up in percentages. The only time I use them is when we have bonus or unexpected money. In that case, we get a small percentage as free spending money. The rest goes into savings.

The best way to set up your savings habit is to not have to even think about it. Have the saving amount automatically debited from your checking and deposited directly into your savings account. You don't ever see the money, which makes the temptation disappear.

There are no real secrets to saving. You simply have to find a method that works for you. It is hard to live with no savings. Especially the emergency savings that protect you from broken down vehicles, financial mistakes and job losses. We are frantically trying to build our savings back up, because we know how important they really are. 

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New Product Development

New product development is one of the most important components of product policy and product management. Product lines and products are appraise and are positioned effectively. Brand decisions are taken wisely. For a higher level of growth, a firm has to look beyond its existing products. A progressive firm has to consider new product development as a cardinal element of its product policy.

Innovation is the essence of all growth. This is especially true in marketing. In an age of technological advancements, change is a natural outcome -- change in food habits, change in expectations and requirements. Any business has to be vigilant to these changes taking place in its environment. People always seek better products, greater convenience, newer fashion and more value for money.

A business firm has to respond to these dynamic requirements of its clientele and these responses take the shape of new products and new services. Through such a response, the firm reaps a good deal of benefits. New products become necessary from the profit angle too. Products that are already established often have their limitations in enhancing the profit level of the firm. Profits from products decline as they reach the maturity stage of their life cycle. Thus, it is necessary for business firms to bring in new products to replace old, declining and losing products.

New products become part and parcel of the growth requirements of the firm and in many cases, new profits come to the firm only through new products. New products can be broadly classified into two groups: new products arising out of technological innovations and new products arising out of marketing oriented modifications. The first group involves innovations leading to intrinsically new products with a new functional utility behind them. The second group involves mere marketing oriented innovations in existing products; it gives rise to new versions of the existing products.

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Comparing Secured and Unsecured Loans

Are you, like many people, trying to make sense out of your financial situation? Looking for a way to make ends meet? Struggling to keep up your monthly repayments on credit bills? If so, you might well be tempted by the widespread offers of consolidation loans and other easily available lines of credit, which promise you an end to your financial worries.

Unfortunately, life isn't that simple, and taking out a loan without proper consideration of the consequences can be absolutely disastrous for your future financial health. At the very minimum, you should be completely sure of the kind of loan you're applying for, and what the differences between the types might mean in your particular situation.

There are two major kinds of personal loan, Unsecured and Secured. Here we'll take a brief look at the main features of each, to help you be aware of what you're entering into when signing a loan agreement.

Unsecured Loans

These loans are the most common type, and are what most people think of when considering personal loans. They are usually for small to medium amounts, and are aimed at people with good credit ratings, and the sort of financial circumstances lenders love - a steady income large enough to cover repayments, and no great history of debt problems. To get an unsecured loan you don't have to offer any collateral to guarantee repayment, and so the lenders are looking for someone who represents a low risk. As there is no collateral involved, you don't have to be a homeowner. Rates are often attractive, and compare very favourably with other kinds of unsecured finance such as credit cards.

Secured Loans

These loans are only available to homeowners, as they're advanced on the basis that if you don't keep up repayments, the lender has the option of seizing your home, and selling it to pay off your debt with the proceeds. They are available for much larger amounts than unsecured personal loans, as you may be able to borrow as much as your home is worth or even more, and the repayment term is usually much longer - up to 25 or even 30 years compared to the 5 years which is more common with unsecured loans. Because of the security given to the lender by laying down your home as collateral, the approval criteria are often less strict, so it's easier to be approved, even with a poor credit rating.

Unfortunately this ready acceptance of applicants with adverse credit can mean that the interest rate charged is higher, as the lenders know that most applicants are unable to get finance elsewhere and will be happy to pay a little extra.

So now we've seen the differences and similarities between the two major kinds of loan, but what does it mean in practice? Basically, you should think very hard about turning unsecured debt into secured debt, and you should also consider carefully any attempts made by a lender to upgrade your unsecured loan application into a secured one. After all, defaulting on an unsecured loan will have very damaging consequences for your credit rating, but defaulting on a secured loan would mean losing your home.
 

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