Fewer Consumers Filling Their Prescriptions

A failing economy is to blame for U.S. patients not filling their prescriptions, a study by a Philadelphia-based heath information company suggests.

The study, conducted by Wolters-Kluwer Health, found U.S. patients did not fill 6.8 percent of the brand-name prescriptions ordered by physicians in the fourth quarter of 2008, a 22 percent increase over the first quarter of 2007.

Patients treated generics more favorably, failing to fill 4.1 percent of generic prescriptions.


More Information Needed

“When it comes to compliance on filling medical prescriptions, there are two types of people: Those who never fill them, and those who don’t fill them because they can’t,” said Peter Pitts, director of New York-based Center for Medicine in the Public Interest and former associate commissioner of the federal Food and Drug Administration.

That’s one of the failures of the study, Pitts said.

“The study didn’t break down what percent does have insurance and what percent does not,” Pitts said, “as well as what group qualifies for assistance.

“The statistics presented in this study are only showing you part of what is going on,” Pitts said. “It is not dishonest; it just incomplete information, which is a prescription for disaster.”


Turning to Generic Drugs

“The truth is, the growth in prescription drug co-payments outpaces the growth of prescription drug prices,” Pitts said. “The price of co-pay is going up four times [as fast as] the price of the drug. The problem isn’t with the cost of the drug; the problem is with the insurance. When co-pay goes down, compliance will come up.”

According to the report, “generic prescriptions increased to 2.4 billion in 2008, up 200 million compared with 2007, while orders for brand-name medicines declined by 200 million for 2008, to 1.4 billion.”
[3.8 billion prescriptions, we are a drugged nation]

Shikha Dalmia, a senior policy analyst for the Reason Foundation based in Washington, DC, said turning to generic drugs “isn’t necessarily a bad thing” and, “considering the severity of this recession,” she isn’t too shocked.

“What is bad is if people are forgoing drugs and, therefore, their health gets worse,” Dalmia said.
A better-treated patient, Pitts and Dalmia agreed, is essentially less expensive.


Government Power Grab Feared

Ultimately, Pitts explained, the results of the study will be used as just “another credit for Uncle Sam.

“This is another piece of information that will be used to support a massive government takeover. And if you want to reform health care, we have to look at all of the facts, not just some of them,” Pitts added.

Elisha Maldonado (elishamaldonado@gmail.com) writes from California.

Source: The Heartland Institute, http://ow.ly/fDwB

Book Reviews
Pearl Harbor and Days of Infamy by Newt Gingrich and William Forstchen

Alternative history has never been on my reading list but I decided to give Newt's Pearl Harbor a try. I was so impressed I immediately picked up and read Days of Infamy. The story line is based upon the premise that if Yamamoto personal let the attacks upon Pearl Harbor would he have ordered a third strike. And what king of damage would the third wave have caused. Days of Infamy takes up exactly where the first book leaves off.
At the time of Pearl Harbor the United States was years behind Japan in fighter technology and strategy as this book shows. The importance of oil is again and again brought to the readers attention.
Having read very little alternative history with the exception of a couple of Harry Turtledove, who I find to over the top in many respects. I would like to recommend both of these books whether you like Newt or not. The writing style makes you feel that you are in the action and again the storyline is believable.

This article appears courtesy of Early To Rise, a free newsletter dedicated to making money, improving health and secrets to success. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.earlytorise.com.

Jump Into a TV Career With This Powerful Selling Tool
By Paul Lawrence

There are more opportunities than ever for you to sell reality show concepts to Hollywood. Virtually every broadcast and cable network is aggressively airing as many reality shows as they can.

The reason is simple. It's cheap to produce them. And if a show catches on - like American Idol, Survivor, or The Real World - it can attract larger audiences than the most popular scripted programs.

This year, the reality show Dancing With the Stars snagged as many as 22.5 million viewers per episode. In comparison, a top-rated sitcom like How I Met Your Mother brings in about 8 million viewers.

The low cost of producing reality shows, combined with their large audiences, equals big profits. According to The Wall Street Journal, each episode of UPN's Top Model costs about $800,000. Meanwhile, the cost of an average scripted drama is in the range of $2 million.

Why is it so much cheaper to produce reality shows? Simple. The people appearing on them can usually be paid much less than those on scripted programs. In addition, filming is usually done in the participants' homes, which avoids expensive set construction and labor costs. And they require only a bare-bones writing staff.

If the show is a big hit, the production company can earn enormous licensing fees. The New York Times reports that the production company of American Idol had revenues that grew to $96 million last year from $67 million two years earlier, with gross profit margins expanding to 77 percent from 69 percent.

If you could get in on that kind of action, you'd not only have "made it" in Hollywood, you'd have a nice chunk of change for your "trouble."

However, you need more than just a good idea. I've pitched shows to producers well over a hundred times, and I've found them to be surprisingly unimaginative.

They need to be shown precisely what the show will be like.

One of the best tools for doing that is a video "demo."

Let's use Donald Trump's Celebrity Apprentice as an example.

In this show, two teams of celebrities compete by performing a specified business task. The team that does it better wins. One member of the losing team is "fired." The following week, the remaining celebrities are given another challenge - and this continues until only one celebrity is left.

The celebrities appear on the show in order to raise money for charities they support - plus, they get publicity as a result of being on nationally broadcast network TV.

Viewers watch the celebrities as they go about planning and completing the assigned task. Along the way, there is constant bickering and feuding... as well as plenty of drama.

So, if you were going to make a demo for Celebrity Apprentice, it might look like this:

1. A 30-second clip of Donald Trump telling the celebrities about their task.

2. Several quick sound bytes of celebrities speaking into the camera about how they feel about the task.

3. Some scenes of celebrities butting heads as they try to get the task done.

4. A 30-second clip of their final results.

5. Some brief squabbling while Trump berates the celebrities in the boardroom and then fires one of them.

Almost anyone can produce a demo reel. It has to look fairly professional (i.e., it can't look like you shot it with your cellphone), but it doesn't need to be anywhere near as polished as an actual broadcast show.

Fortunately for today's aspiring reality show producers, high quality video equipment no longer costs an arm and a leg. A basic mini-DV camera can be bought for only a few hundred dollars - and if you don't want to buy one, you can rent one for even less. Not only that... if you don't want to shoot the demo yourself, there are many professional videographers out there who charge very reasonable rates.

If you're interested in creating a video demo to pitch an idea to reality television show producers, here are some tips to get you started:

* Capture the essence of the show in no more than five minutes - three minutes would be better. Hollywood producers are incredibly pressed for time, and have no patience. If they can't "get" what your show would be like in a few minutes, they will almost certainly stop watching and pass on the project.
* When possible and appropriate, add music to enhance the "feel" of the show. If, for example, the show is about an up and coming female martial artist, you might use high-energy rock music.
* Keep the video fast-paced, with lots of quick cuts between scenes.
* Capture some panic, anguish, excitement... something the execs can sink their teeth into.
* Use someone with a professional broadcasting voice to do a voiceover narration. If that's not possible, just use captions to make it easy for the viewer to understand what's going on onscreen.

If you come up with a hot idea for a reality TV show and present it to producers in a professional manner, they will take you seriously - even if they've never heard of you before. And, if they like your idea... you could be on your way to a new career in the entertainment industry.

Odds and Ends

The National Coalition for Purity is a group with a mission of showing men freedom from pornography. Below is a WCCO-TV report about them.

Zimbabwe is rule by a madman, Robert Mugabe. Like no other nation in history Zimbabwe is showing the dangers of fiat money. I just hope this isn't the future of America.

William Banting

Mr. Banting faced a challenge. He had retired and at age 66 found himself obese. If he had been alive today doctors would have put him on a low fat high carb diet in which he would have gained more wieght, oh wait, he did listen to the doctors of his day and became worse. What is next doctor recommended saved his life. William Harvey had just returned from a Diabetes symposium in Paris. In those days diabetics were placed on low carb diets so Dr. Harvey recommend the same for Banting.

"Dr. Harvey put Mr. Banting on a diet that banished potatoes, bread, butter, milk, sugar and beer -- the patient's favorite foods. As was the custom in late-19th-century England, Mr. Banting continued to eat four meals a day. But instead of buttered toast for breakfast, he ate four or five ounces of meat or fish. At lunch, rather than bread, beer and pastry, he ate fish, vegetables and fruit. Tea and supper were similar, although supper included two or three glasses of claret, sherry or Madeira. Champagne and port were mysteriously forbidden." (Crossen)

The results were Mr. Banting losing 46 pounds and wrote about his experiences in "Letter of Corpulence" published in 1863. People started following his diet and it became know as "banting or bantingism." And since that time the medical establishment has been playing games with our diet. To many careers have been created based upon the falsehood of low fat dieting.


Cynthia Crossen. Wall Street Journal. (Eastern edition). New York, N.Y.: May 5, 2004. pg. B.1

Tom Wilson song First Baptist Bar & Grill

This article appears courtesy of Early To Rise, a free newsletter dedicated to making money, improving health and secrets to success. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.earlytorise.com.

How to Live Longer - Even If You're Overweight

By Craig Ballantyne

If you have a hard time losing weight and you're worried about your health, I have good news. The most recent research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that being fit can help you live longer even if you still need to lose five or 10 pounds.

In this study, researchers reviewed more than 2,600 adults (ages 60 and over) and followed them for up to 24 years. Folks with a healthy body mass index (a BMI of 18-25) had the lowest rate of death, but fitness level was also associated with a lower risk of dying.

If you are overweight, the best way to add years to your life (and life to your years) is to lose weight and get fit. But even if you struggle with the former, the latter will help you.

It's not too late to get started on an exercise program. Find a safe walking surface, get good walking shoes, and get out there every day for at least 20 minutes. Add in two short total-body resistance-training sessions per week and you'll feel better, have more energy, and enjoy those extra years.

[Ed. Note: Stop fretting about that extra five pounds you can't seem to kick. Stay active, and you can still live a long, healthy life. For a fat-burning, muscle-building exercise routine, try fitness expert Craig Ballantyne's Turbulence Training program.]

This article appears courtesy of Early To Rise, a free newsletter dedicated to making money, improving health and secrets to success. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.earlytorise.com.

The Most Valuable Thing That Money Can Buy

By Michael Masterson

Take a sheet of paper and draw a vertical line down the middle of it. On the left side of the page, under a column marked "Things I Enjoy," make a list - maybe something like this:

* Time with family and friends
* Reading
* My hobbies (List them.)
* My house
* My car
* My stereo
* My clothes
* and so on...

On the right side of the page, write down a number from 1 to 5 that indicates how much ongoing enjoyment you get from each of those things. What you'll probably find out is that most of the best things in your life, as the saying goes, are, indeed, free.

That's the way it is for you. That's the way it is for me. And that's the way it is for everyone else, including billionaires.

The most valuable thing that money can buy you is the freedom to spend your time as you see fit. And when you reach the point where you can spend most of your time paying attention to those things that bring you the greatest pleasure, chances are you won't spend a great deal of money (unless you are unfathomably shallow). You'll probably choose to spend your time conversing with friends, reading good books, enjoying art and travel - living the kind of life you imagine wealthy English or French aristocrats did in centuries past.

To some extent, at least, you can do that right now.

[Ed. Note: The above article was adapted from Automatic Wealth: The Six Steps to Financial Independence, published with permission from John Wiley & Sons.]

How to Break the Sugar Addiction

By Shane "The People's Chemist" Ellison

It's been seven years since I've had a soda. But there was a time when I was ravenous for Mountain Dew. It was cold, it was fizzy, and it tasted damn good. Whether I was slaving away in the lab, poring over science journals in the library, or even teaching organic chemistry, nothing stopped me from drinking it. I was hooked. Little did I know, I had developed a biochemical addiction to the sugar in Mountain Dew that could have led me to an early grave.

Do you have an addiction to sugary sodas? If so, pay careful attention. I'll reveal what you need to do to save your health.

In a study comparing the addictive properties of sweeteners, sugar proved more addictive than cocaine. When consumed, sugar increases serotonin levels within the brain. This increases the production of endorphins. Like drugs, these brain chemicals trigger opioid receptors, thereby eliciting the sensation of happiness. This artificial increase in serotonin levels causes the body to down-regulate its natural production and release of serotonin. Addiction begins to creep in.

Serotonin is responsible for controlling mood and appetite. Without serotonin, a person gets depressed and craves more sugar. This forges an emotional bond between happiness and sugar (or soda sweetened with sugar). Sugar addicts become dependent on it to increase serotonin and therefore make them feel happy. That explains why, no matter what I was doing, I would drop it to get my Mountain Dew fix! By leveraging this biochemical addiction, soda manufacturers are making a fortune.

The problem with sugar addiction is that it leads to obesity and Type II diabetes. Not only was I an honorary member of The Fat Cow Hall of Fame (I weighed 205 lbs with 30 percent body fat; off soda today, I'm 170 lbs with 10 percent body fat), I was boosting my blood sugar to dangerous levels. One soda per day increases your risk of diabetes by 85 percent, which can reduce your lifespan by 11 to 20 years.

The addiction can be totally overcome in about three weeks. To do it, you need plenty of exercise and sunshine, along with L-tryptophan from grass-fed beef and whey isolate. Natural sweeteners like stevia and agave can help you ease off the soda (use them to make a natural soda from sparkling water and lime), as can herbal teas (like Yerba Mate).

[Ed. Note: Shane Ellison's (www.thepeopleschemist.com) entire career has been dedicated to the study of molecules - how they give life and how they take from it. He was a two-time recipient of the prestigious Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Grant for his research in biochemistry and physiology. He is a bestselling author, holds a master's degree in organic chemistry, and has firsthand experience in drug design.]

Paradigms

I recently read a blog by Jimmy Moore about creating an “all-inclusive” commission about low carb. He fails to understand the presiding paradigm is a high carb low fat diet. History shows the existing paradigm always collapses as the establishment dies out. This allows those who hold the new views, who are younger, to establish a new paradigm. Revolution starts not in government created commissions but as people begin to accept the new paradigm. For low carb living a new paradigm has been developing. The cause of this change has been the internet. When I first tried low carb living years ago I was the only person I knew who was doing low carb, even those doctors I knew who accepted that low carb was the healthy way to live did not follow it. Today there are unlimited websites advocating a version of the low carb lifestyle. And I do think it’s funny to see the infighting that occurs within the camp, everyone has the answer just like the existing establishment.

Today we have a new support system that allows people to work out their low carb life with friendly people. This is how you change the world one person at a time not attempting to change the establishment. The establishment does not care about you, it is only concerned with maintaining the status quo.

Always a Teacher

I was raised a Protestant believer. What I have discovered has been the constant need to find a teacher to lead me into all truth. I spent 17 years listening to a man who claimed he was anointed by God but wasn't. I walked away from his falsehood thanking Father for kicking me out of that setting. Over the years I have always looked for the teacher with the message that will set me free but have never found him. This is what I have learned that Bible teachers should be. We live in a land that makes these people celebrities because they have the ability to talk in public. Think about all the falsehood that exists within the American church today.
What is the role of teachers in the Bible? A teacher is not someone who makes you dependent upon them but who shows you the way to freedom in Christ and allows you for go out and do likewise. For it is the Anointing, Holy Spirit, who teaches each believer the ways of truth and not man. Though I know men who claim quite a bit for themselves.
Another thing I have discovered is that just because a man or woman has a "TV ministry" does not mean their from God. The late Herbert Armstrong has a very large TV ministry at one time but was a false teacher. And I still see his disciples on TV.

The United States Bill of Rights

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III

No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment V

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

Amendment VII

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment IX

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment X

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

Where is the Remote Control?


Older Couple Playing Piano

Peter Schiff Discusses the Economy

The Apostles' Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth;

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Friday Fun Day

Jeff Dunham and Peanut


How to Peel a Hard Boiled Egg:


A Wonderful Song from Aimee Allen:

One of my favorite comedians is Jeff Dunham. He is worth watching.

Isaiah 66:22-24


22"For as the new heavens and the new earth
that I make
shall remain before me, says the LORD,
so shall your offspring and your name remain.
23 From new moon to new moon,
and from Sabbath to Sabbath,
all flesh shall come to worship before me,declares the LORD.

24"And they shall go out and look on the dead bodies of the men who have rebelled against me. For their worm shall not die, their fire shall not be quenched, and they shall be an abhorrence to all flesh." ESV

22 “ For as the new heavens and the new earth
Which I will make shall remain before Me,” says the LORD,

“ So shall your descendants and your name remain.
23 And it shall come to pass
That from one New Moon to another,
And from one Sabbath to another,
All flesh shall come to worship before Me,” says the LORD.
24 “ And they shall go forth and look
Upon the corpses of the men
Who have transgressed against Me.
For their worm does not die,
And their fire is not quenched.
They shall be an abhorrence to all flesh.” NKJ

22For as the new heavens and the new earth which I make shall remain before Me, says the Lord, so shall your offspring and your name remain.

23And it shall be that from one New Moon to another New Moon and from one Sabbath to another Sabbath, all flesh shall come to worship before Me, says the Lord.

24And they shall go forth and gaze upon the dead bodies of the [rebellious] men who have stepped over against Me; for their worm shall not die, their fire shall not be quenched, and they shall be an abhorrence to all mankind. Amplified

What is it about Charismatics?

I have notice something about the evangelical/charismatic church, we blindly follow leaders. I followed the same guy for 17 years so I am as guilty as the next per fitter. When I attended the charismatic group for which I once belonged I heard many times that bad things happen to those people who left the group. Talk about fear motivation and this coming from the same guy who would tell me things the “Lord” said to him about me. I noticed that none of those things ever happened, whatever happened to the stoning of false prophets. That would shout up most Charismatics quickly. Anywho, I was just thinking about all those years I would jump from one Bible teacher to the next looking for the great leader. I caught myself doing it again when I would listen to these two guys who produce a weekly podcast about their version of Christianity. I was straightened out when one of the guys went after John Calvin, it was basically slander. Why can the guy at the pulpit say anything he wants? Whatever happened to the love Christ talked so much about.

Once again I realized that I had fallen for the same old trap of hero worship so prevalent in the evangelical/charismatic churches. Immediately Father began showing me a whole new (Old) world of Eastern Orthodox Faith and I made the decision to pursue gift to see where it would lead. My goal in all this is to determine if the Ancient Church was so controlled by the guy at the pulpit or was the center of the worship upon the Triune God. It should be an interesting test.

Chasing Phantoms Part II

In my last post I forgot the explanation of the title Chasing Phantoms. Over the past 25 years I have attempted to use teachers as a way for overcome my problems. It has not worked. As I said on my last post I sat under one teacher for 17 years. When I left that group after major Holy Spirit encouragement (I was attacked from the pulpit, nameless of course because he is a Minnesotan). As an aside beware of Minnesotans, they are passive-aggressive lot who will be nice to your face and will beat you behind your back. I digress.

Much of present day evangelicalism is chasing phantoms. The teaching is based on the latest whim of the pastor or the sermon outline used. The people go to church not to hear the lame sermon but to see their friends. Many churches have gotten so big that you have trouble finding your car after the service. I guess they call that success. Hahaha. I didn’t have this problem is the group for which I once belonged. The “teacher” made sure that anyone who thought a little different then he die no longer attended. I guess that’s what happened to me. I was growing rather bored with the same type of teaching every week. How many sermons can you hear on how do get things from God over 17 years. I don’t joke, that was his main teaching every week. I remember when he attempted to talk about relationships it was comical. The world revolved around him so the only relationship where those that benefited him.
Now why did I say all that, oh yeah. I started looking into the teachings of the Eastern Christianity and I find one thing to start interesting. In the first 1000 years of the Church there were seven ecumenical councils to resolve issues within the Church. The first was Nicea which dealt with the Arian heresy. After the last council in 787 AD the Eastern Church stopped adopting new doctrine because only the whole church can change dogma (if I am incorrect please let me know). That is another thing that I like about the Eastern Tradition if they don’t understand it they call it a mystery instead trying to have all the answers. I like that.

Chasing Phantoms

I have been reading a wonderful book by Peter Gillquist called: Becoming Orthodox: A Journey to the Ancient Christian Faith,” The story is about the group of people move from Evangelical Christianity to the Orthodox Christian Church. As this group studied church history they became convinced that the true Church was the Orthodox Church. I have been part of evangelicalism for many years and I understand the reasons for moving out of this movement. There is little meaning to anything the evangelicals do. A recent article on internetmonk.com talks about the coming Evangelical collapse. I see it coming.

My story is more in the Word of Faith movement. For 17 years I sat under a teacher whose basic learning technique was whatever the TV ministers were saying. It was the Church of the Whim. Whatever the latest fad on TV was that is what would be coming. When I left that group I tossed all my notes. Plus why are Evangelical/Charismatic minister so self centered. The whole world revolved around this guy. Anyway back to the Orthodox Church. I laid out a plan for myself to move back to the Ancient Christian Faith. How it will be revealed is unknown at this time but I do look forward to it. I am starting with two books I have ordered. The first is On The Incarnation by St. Athanasius. The book was a defense of the Christian faith against the Arianism. The second is a book on Orthodox spirituality.

This article appears courtesy of Early To Rise, a free newsletter dedicated to making money, improving health and secrets to success. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.earlytorise.com.

The Language Perfectionist: Mistakes in the News

By Don Hauptman

You might assume that respected publications employ battalions of skilled editors who work assiduously to ensure that no errors appear in their pages. Maybe so, but the mistakes don't always get caught. Here are four that I recently found in major newspapers:

* "When Mr. Biden indulges in his rhetorical overkill of repeating the same phrase three times - the proud men and women of Scranton, he said... 'wanted the government to understand their problem, to understand their problem, be cognizant of the problem'...."

Did you catch it? He didn't repeat the phrase three times. He repeated it twice.

* "We create elaborate Excel spreadsheets in our head sorting what we would buy...."

In our one collective head? Try the plural heads.

* "Indeed, the banjos owned by Mr. Scruggs were nearly priceless."

As the MasterCard ads suggest, the word priceless has some validity when it's applied to a sunset or time with one's family. But a rare collectible surely has a price. What's more, "nearly priceless" is nonsensical.

* "I have known him for nearly two years, and have seen him in a variety of situations... over a glass of wine in his boyish loft in Manhattan's Tribeca...."

The word boyish means "like a boy" or "youthful and innocent." The word may legitimately be used to characterize an adult male, but can it describe his apartment? Nope. In place of this clunky phrasing, the writer should have told us something about the resident's furnishings or toys. That would have conveyed a vivid and concrete image.

These examples demonstrate once again that it's a good idea to express oneself carefully. Sloppy writing and unprofessional editing tend to stop readers in their tracks and distract from the message.

This article appears courtesy of Early To Rise, a free newsletter dedicated to making money, improving health and secrets to success. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.earlytorise.com.

Slash Your Travel Expenses With 7 Strategies From an Expert Scrooge

By Steenie Harvey

Despite their concerns about the economy, Americans are still traveling, according to a Fast Park survey. Says a report on CheapFlights.com, "Fast Park found that 66 percent of its customers planned to book the same number of vacations and purchase airline tickets in 2009 as they did last year."

While this news may be surprising, it's no shocker that the people who plan to travel are searching for bargains.

My advice? Head East.

I just returned from Southeast Asia, and it was full of budget-friendly deals.

The best buy? An airline ticket with AirAsia. Flying from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's capital, to Penang Island cost me the equivalent of $9.45, taxes included. And it wasn't a travel writer's discount. If booked at the right time, that budget fare was available to everyone.

Although freebies and discounts are part of a professional travel writer's life, you usually need to have a few stories published before you're treated to "hospitality." When starting out, most have to make their dollars stretch as far as possible.

And even if travel writing doesn't figure in your plans, it doesn't require wads of cash to explore exotic places. Not if you start thinking like a cheapskate writer.

Okay. I lucked out and got a generous media discount (and an upgrade to club status) at the Manila Hyatt. But although lounging in luxury is fun, I'm really a Scrooge at heart.

So if you dream of exploring Asia this year, here are seven tips to help you slash your budget:

1. Scratch Japan, Singapore, and South Korea from your schedule.

They're not inexpensive countries - and their high-profile beach destinations are for well-heeled tourists only. Nice if you can afford it, but Thailand has far more to offer than the beaches of Phuket and Koh Samui. (Besides, White Beach on Boracay Island in the Philippines outdoes them both - and it's a better value.)

2. Asian Web travel agencies often supply better discounts than you can get from major U.S. booking sites or by contacting the hotels themselves.

Here are a couple of deals I got: Through asiawebdirect.com, a double with breakfast at Kuala Lumpur's Swiss Garden Hotel was $61. In the Philippines, at the Carmela de Boracay Hotel facing Boracay Island's famous White Beach, a double with breakfast was $71 through agoda.com.

3. "Budget accommodations" doesn't have to mean grungy backpacker hostels.

On Borneo, I met a retired British couple staying in a Kota Kinabalu guesthouse for $18 nightly. Private room, air conditioning, power shower, Internet, free airport pickup - they had no complaints. For them, "flashpacking" throughout Asia for five months worked out cheaper than staying at home.

4. Eat with locals.

Just because a meal costs only a dollar or two doesn't mean it's unsafe - or that a plastic-table joint is unhygienic. My only caveat is to avoid empty restaurants. They're usually empty for good reason.

5. Vietnam is an exception, but organized excursions can be outrageously expensive.

Before signing up, check to see if you can make the same trip yourself using public transport. For example, I went snorkeling on Sapi Island, off Northern Borneo. Return ticket on a public ferry: $4.75. Hire of snorkeling equipment: $4.20. A seafood noodle lunch with fresh lime juice: $2.80. Total cost for me: $11.75. The same trip with a local tour outfit costs $36.40.

6. On the same subject... if you're traveling with someone else, hiring a taxi for the day is often cheaper than a tour.

My husband and I have done all-day taxi trips in both Thailand and India for under $60.

7. Be creative, and you'll unlock lots of adventures for very little.

Ride a jeepney in Manila - less than 10 cents for one of the most unforgettable rides of your life. Delve into a night market. (You don't have to buy anything.) Try a fish pedicure. (In Malaysia, it costs only $6 to $8.) And why visit a fancy spa for a traditional massage? You'll find many beaches where you can have for one for $2 or $3.

This article appears courtesy of Early To Rise, a free newsletter dedicated to making money, improving health and secrets to success. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.earlytorise.com.

Hotel Insider Reveals How to Snag the Best Deals

By Bonnie Caton

Over the past 14 years, Wendy G. has worked her way up from hotel front desks to operations and beyond. She's trained hotel reservationists to negotiate prices... and she knows better than anyone how to work the system.

Here are her five tips for getting a great deal on hotels with three or more stars:

1. Book directly with the hotel.

Call the front desk and ask to speak with the "on-site reservationist." Avoid the reservations 800 number, which will usually connect you to an outside company that isn't open to negotiation and can't access the best deals.

2. Appeal to the "human factor" for negotiating power.

Once you get an on-site reservationist on the phone, let her know why you're excited about going to that particular hotel. Going on your honeymoon? Let your excitement show.

3. Be nice.

"If you're nice," Wendy told me, "you're much more likely to get what you want. If you're unkind, you'll pay full price for the room by the elevator."

4. Try someone else.

If you still don't get the deal you're looking for, call back a few hours later to see if you can catch someone on the next shift.

5. Ask for a nicer room.

If you're already getting a discount, you'll be less likely to get upgraded to a nicer room for free. But if you're paying full rate, make sure you ask if a room upgrade is available.

This article appears courtesy of Early To Rise, a free newsletter dedicated to making money, improving health and secrets to success. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.earlytorise.com.

What to Do If You Get Laid Off

By Jason Holland

Companies are cutting expenses due to the economy's downward slide. Not even workers with a perfect track record are immune to layoffs. And with an unemployment rate that reached 8.1 percent in February, it can be tougher than ever to find a new job.

If you're handed a pink slip, here are some ideas to help you get the best possible severance package and/or "exit" plan:

* Don't blindly sign your severance agreement. The terms can be negotiated. (This is best done by talking to your boss instead of HR.) You can, for example, ask for more money, extended health benefits, or job search assistance.

* If you're in the middle of a project, ask to stay on until it is completed. Explain the consequences if it is not done on time.

* Offer to keep working as a freelancer or consultant. Your pay will be lower, but at least you'll have some money coming in while you look for another job.

* Ask for a prorated bonus, especially if your scheduled performance review is only a couple of months away.

But don't spend too much time and effort begging your soon-to-be-ex boss to "extend" your old job. Remember, it would be just a stopgap until you find a new job - so direct most of your attention to that task without delay. You're not going to be able to live off your severance for long. That already limited source of money will dry up very quickly.

(Source: Smart Money)

This article appears courtesy of Early To Rise, a free newsletter dedicated to making money, improving health and secrets to success. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.earlytorise.com.

The Language Perfectionist: Silver Spoonerisms

By Don Hauptman

In honor of April Fool's Day, let's look once again at the lighter side of language.

You've surely heard, or perhaps even committed, a spoonerism - the exchange, often accidental, of the initial letters or sounds of two words, which results in a surprising and funny new meaning. For instance, one might intend to say "It's time to leave the house" but inadvertently say "It's time to heave the louse."

Since childhood, I've been fascinated by spoonerisms. In 1991, Dell published Cruel and Unusual Puns, my book on the subject. I still occasionally write articles about the genre for fellow logophiles.

The word spoonerism derives from William Archibald Spooner (1844-1930), a clergyman and a scholar and official at Oxford University. He supposedly uttered these blunders constantly. Scolding a student: "You have hissed all my mystery lectures. You have tasted two worms."

Only a handful of genuine spoonerisms are attributed to Dr. Spooner, and even those have been disputed. Mischievous students invented most of his alleged bloopers, yet the myth that Spooner said them persists to this day.

Spoonerisms continue to be crafted deliberately for humorous purposes. Consider the following specimens. If any stump you, remember the principle of reversing the initial letters of two of the words.

* Unadoptable section of the animal shelter: Nixed mutts.

* First lesson for Starbucks' baristas: Heed the foamless!

* Why celebrities usually tolerate autograph seekers: A good fan is hard to mind.

* Alert for Australian soldiers: But mate - there's war!

* What it's called nowadays when teenage girls know so much that their beleaguered dads can't keep up: The well-aware daughter gap.

* That bittersweet feeling on returning from summer vacation: One sighs; it's fall.

* Homer Simpson's reaction when he belatedly heard about Chamberlain's 1938 appeasement of Hitler: Better the Neville you... d'oh!

Is all this just silly fun, without practical value? No! The study of spoonerisms and other speech errors gives us a "window into the mind," say neurologists, psychologists, and linguists who do research in human behavior. It yields important clues about how the mind works; how language is acquired, structured, and retrieved; and how language disabilities such as dyslexia might be treated or cured.

My hunch is that you'll now be on the alert whenever you encounter tips of the slung. Er, I mean, "slips of the tongue"!

[Ed Note: For more than three decades, Don Hauptman was an award-winning independent direct-response copywriter and creative consultant. He is author of The Versatile Freelancer, an e-book recently published by AWAI that shows writers and other creative professionals how to diversify their careers into speaking, consulting, training, and critiquing.]

This article appears courtesy of Early To Rise, a free newsletter dedicated to making money, improving health and secrets to success. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.earlytorise.com.

The Language Perfectionist: Words' Worth

By Don Hauptman

Are you a writer? A speaker? Whatever you do professionally, you need to communicate effectively. That means your success is determined in part by how well you use language. A new book by Roy Blount Jr. can help you improve your knowledge and mastery of English. And as lagniappe, it's fun to read.

Published a few months ago, Alphabet Juice revels in the joys of the written and spoken word. The title is, I gather, a play on "alphabet soup." But it's also a tribute to the excitement that words can generate. Explains the Introduction: "Juice as in au jus, juju, power, liquor, electricity."

As you might expect, the text is in alphabetical order. Readers will discover short (mostly) entries on ain't, beg the question, cliche, double negative, Goldwynisms, headlinese, kvetch, limerick, portmanteau word, semicolon, subjunctive, unbeknownst... and scores of other topics.

Blount delves into the ancient roots of words, points out unexpected connections among seemingly dissimilar words, and explains the origins of slang expressions such as phooey and pizzazz. He debunks popular "folk etymologies" that are, in fact, fabrications or urban legends.

Best known as a humorist, Blount is the author of 20 previous books. His serious interest in language is confirmed by his membership on the American Heritage Dictionary's Usage Panel, which adjudicates thorny language disputes. But Alphabet Juice is witty and conversational, and festooned with puns, wordplay, light verse, and clever coinages (e.g., antepenultimatum: two warnings from the final one!).

Here are some excerpts that illustrate the book's range of subjects and the author's distinctive style:

* babble/babel: "It's hard to believe that these two words, whose meanings are so close, have no etymological connection. But they don't, say the scholars: Babble is from baby talk and babel from the Bible."

* English: "English is an outrageous tangle of those [Greco-Latin] derivations and other multifarious linguistic influences, from Yiddish to Shoshone, which has grown up around a gnarly core of chewy, clangorous yawps derived from ancestors who painted themselves blue to frighten their enemies."

* intelligible: "We say something is unintelligible or barely intelligible, but we never say, 'That argument of yours sure is intelligible.'"

* mic: "I hate to see mike, short for microphone, rendered as mic, which is how it tends to be spelled these days... . Mic, dammit, should be pronounced mick... . The colloquial abbreviation of a word is not limited to letters taken from that word. If it were, we wouldn't be able to shorten refrigerator to fridge."

* wrought: "... not the past tense of wreak, as is often assumed, but of work, in the sense of making something, forming something, bringing something about... . Archaic though the word wrought is, it has stayed alive... ."

One of Blount's favorite themes is that certain words are imitative, reflective of their meanings, or that they "sensuously evoke the essence of the word": blob, crackle, grunt, queasy, scrawl, throb, wince, zest, and many others. He calls such words "sonicky."

I applaud the author's prescriptivism. He firmly defends the traditional definitions of many words and doesn't capitulate to their popular misuses - e.g., disinterested, hopefully, and literally. He also advocates, as I do, retaining the hyphen in e-mail.

Any quibbles? A few. Because the book is formatted like a dictionary or encyclopedia, some readers may be misled into assuming that it's a comprehensive reference work. It's not. The author chose to include items that struck his fancy, and excluded others. Thus, you'll find helpful discussions on flack vs. flak and the misuse of incredible, but you're out of luck if you're seeking clarifications for other troublesome words, such as comprise, enormity, or fortuitous.

My hunch is that Blount, over several years or decades, habitually tossed notes and clippings into a shoebox. Then, when the collection became large enough, he cobbled everything into a book. There's nothing wrong with that. After all, it's pretty much the technique I use to write these columns for ETR! But for a complete guide to the English language or English usage, you'll have to consult a volume other than Alphabet Juice.

It's perhaps not surprising, then, that the book is something of a grab bag. The content sometimes tends toward the random, desultory, and idiosyncratic. Blount isn't reluctant to free-associate or to digress into sports, movies, or an irrelevant anecdote from his childhood or adolescence. The entry on consonants somehow sparks a recollection of his father's tool chest, and a discussion of spelling bees leads to... Madame de Pompadour? He's also prone to shameless name-dropping. These excursions are interesting, but their connection to language is often minimal or nonexistent.

A final gripe: Alphabet Juice lacks an index and a table of contents. Apparently, when a book is formatted alphabetically, the publisher considers both to be dispensable. But without an index, the reader can't easily find proper names or terms that aren't major entries. A listing of topics up front isn't redundant. It's a valuable tool that gives the reader an overview of the book at a glance.

These reservations aside, Alphabet Juice is informative, entertaining, and amusing. And a big advantage in these times of information overload is that you need not read it cover to cover. Browsing and grazing in its pages will reward you well.

[Ed Note: For more than three decades, Don Hauptman was an award-winning independent direct-response copywriter and creative consultant. He is author of The Versatile Freelancer, an e-book recently published by AWAI that shows writers and other creative professionals how to diversify their careers into speaking, consulting, training, and critiquing.
Knowing just the right word to say can not only help you become a more persuasive writer and speaker - it can elevate others' impressions of you. Spend 10 minutes a day with ETR's Words to the Wise CD Library and learn how to command a powerful vocabulary quickly, confidently, and easily.]

Programs

I saw this quote on Lifestream by AW Tozer.
We are in an age of religious complexity. The simplicity which is in Christ is rarely found amoung us. In its stead are programs, methods, organizations, and a world of nervous activities which occupy time and attention but can never satisfy the longing of the heart. -A.W. TOZER-

This article appears courtesy of Early To Rise, a free newsletter dedicated to making money, improving health and secrets to success. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.earlytorise.com.

Why Utilities Are No Longer a Refuge for Safe Investors

By Andrew Gordon

About a month ago, I told subscribers to my INCOME service to sell the Virginia-based utility company Dominion Resources. I got them out with a double-digit profit.

Of all the utilities in the S&P 500, Dominion had the best earnings growth (38.5 percent) last quarter. So why did I tell my readers to get rid of the stock? When I recommended it in mid-2005, electricity consumption was still increasing and regulated rates were providing cover for rising energy costs. But now, that sector is heading in the wrong direction.

Hey, utilities have advantages - like fixed prices, monopoly-like markets, and a consistent revenue stream. But that revenue stream has sprung a few leaks. Listen to CEO Lewis Hay of Florida Power & Light (FPL)...

"A lot of people think demand for electricity is inelastic. It's not. Our customers are cutting back, and they're not paying their bills, either."

The recession has finally caught up to the utilities. As a result, utilities are husbanding their cash along with all the other companies. Georgia Power is cutting back on spending. And in the strongest sign yet that the utility sector is no refuge for investors, two utilities cut their dividends last month: Ameren and Constellation Energy.

Investors made a lot of money shorting banks. I'm not ready to put utilities in the same camp as banking, but the weaker companies in the utility sector definitely present shorting opportunities.

[Ed. Note: Investment expert Andrew Gordon is just one of 14 masters of making money who will be giving you the inside scoop on some very hush-hush secrets for turning a nifty buck in the scary economic times we're all going through right now. Find out how to get your hands on these experts' SAFEST and most PROFITABLE income-generating and entrepreneurial opportunities right here.]

Is this the end of America?
Terence Corcoran writing in the Financial Post is worth reading.

This article appears courtesy of Early To Rise, a free newsletter dedicated to making money, improving health and secrets to success. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.earlytorise.com.

The Law of Forced Efficiency

By Brian Tracy

The law of forced efficiency says: "There is never enough time to do everything, but there is always enough time to do the most important thing."

The fact is that the average person today is working at 110-130 percent of capacity. And the jobs and responsibilities just keep piling up. One recent study concluded that the average executive has a backlog of 300-400 hours of reading and projects at home and at the office.

What this means is that you will never be caught up. Get that out of your mind. All you can hope for is to keep on top of your most important responsibilities. The others will just have to wait.

The key question you can ask is: "What is the most valuable use of my time, right now?"

Every hour of every day, there is an answer to this question. Your job is to ask yourself that question, over and over again - and to make sure you're always spending your time working on whatever is most important at that particular moment.

The more accurate your answers to this question, the easier it will be for you to set clear priorities and overcome procrastination.

[Ed. Note: In his book, Eat That Frog!, personal effectiveness expert Brian Tracy shows you how to zero in on the critical tasks and organize each day - you'll not only get more done faster, but you'll also get the right things done! Get your copy and learn how to stop procrastinating right now.]

Law of Attraction

What You Respect You Attract into Your Life
In order to attract money into your life learn to respect it by budgeting.
www.mint.com

If you want to attract a mate into your life, learn to respect the opposite sex.

This article appears courtesy of Early To Rise, a free newsletter dedicated to making money, improving health and secrets to success. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.earlytorise.com.

Are You Gambling With Your Business?

By Rich Schefren

A few months ago, I was in Vegas for a business meeting. And while I was there, I did a little gaming.

Of course, the real fun is watching the people around you. Because there's always that unhappy, stressed-out guy who's not playing for fun. He's playing for profit. He's dreaming of the big score. The one that never comes.

Same goes with the online business world...

I am struck by how so many people approach their business in a manner that seals its fate from the very start. And it's not because of a lack of desire. Or lack of effort. Or even lack of funds.

No. The reason most businesses fail is because of lack of fundamental business-building knowledge.

So how do you get past that? Well, it's not an easy fix. But first, you need to follow these four simple steps:

* Establish your vision and create a strategy to achieve that vision. Transform yourself from an opportunity seeker (bad) to an entrepreneur (good).

* Develop products and services that will help you achieve your vision - instead of spending thousands of dollars on products that will collect dust on the shelf.

* Do everything in your power to manage your time better. Implement systems and processes that add more productive hours to your day.

* Finally, always remember that, in order to build a successful business, you need two critical things: scalability (the ability to grow with your needs) and leverage (the ability to do more with less).

[Ed. Note: Get a proven blueprint for starting and growing a business in Michael Masterson's bestselling book Ready, Fire, Aim: Zero to $100 Million in No Time Flat. Pick up your copy here.

Rich Schefren - one of the world's best small-business strategists - knows a thing or two about what it takes to be successful. The businesses he coaches have done over $500 million every year - piling up more than $1 billion in sales every two years. Visit his blog to learn how to streamline your business while skyrocketing profits.]

Savings

Would someone please tell me when it became a sin to save? I keep hearing these “experts” telling me to stop saving. How can I build for the future if I stop saving. There is a wonderful little book called “The 10% solution” by Marc Allen. Allen lays out a two part tithe to create a better world. Your first is to give 10% of your income to a charity. Give to a charity that you believe in. Your second 10% would be your saving for the future. By following this program the United States would become a better place. The final factor that needs to be done is the closure of the Federal Reserve. Allow the free market to determine money. Keep the government out of the money business for it is one kings and bankers manipulate. Bind the bankers to gold.

The monetary policy of the Federal Reserve artificially lowered interest rates to below market rates causing this debt bubble. If the free market would have been allowed to happen interest rates would have gone up encouraging people to save for the future. As the amount of savings increase interest rates drop. This drop in interest rates encourage business to borrow and invest in capital goods allowing the increase in production. This cycle is the free markets answer to the boom bust cycle.

This article appears courtesy of Early To Rise, a free newsletter dedicated to making money, improving health and secrets to success. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.earlytorise.com.

Notes From Nicaragua: How an Hour Slave Can Have a Very Good Income

By Michael Masterson

I fell asleep during the plane ride to Nicaragua, and woke up with a stiff neck that just wouldn't go away. Yesterday, CO mentioned that he knew a good massage therapist at a local surf camp. Today, he showed up with Flavia at his side. "She was free now," he said, "so I figured I'd grab her."

Flavia is a pretty young woman with an easy smile and an unfamiliar accent. As she began adroitly mobilizing the muscles around my neck and back, she told me something about her life and work.

She grew up in Madrid, and then fell in love with a surfer from Argentina. They moved to the Basque country "so he could be near his beloved ocean," and now spend half their time there and the other half at the surf camp here in Nicaragua. The actual schedule of their lives was determined not by their children's schooling, as it was for K and me, but by Neptune's whim. "So long as the swells are good, we stay," she said. "When there are no more good waves, we go."

They have two children, a three-year old and an infant of seven months. "I have been thinking about how to educate them," she told me. "They are young now, but in a few years I will have to make a decision. A friend of mine is home-schooling her children, and she's doing a good job of it. But that's not what I want for my kids."

So Flavia is talking to people and searching the Internet for answers, while she supplements her husband's modest salary as a surf guide by charging between $35 and $55 an hour for her very good handiwork.

Flavia is one of dozens of surf spouses I've met since our Rancho Santana community became a Mecca for international surfers. They have all impressed me with their willingness to mix marriage, children, and the nomadic life they have committed themselves to.

While Flavia continued to work on my aching muscles, I looked out the window. It was another spectacular day, all right. The color of the sky. The shape of the mountains. The pulsing, pounding of the ocean. Who can say she hasn't chosen the best possible life for herself? She spends her time in two very beautiful places. She has two healthy children and (I am told) a very nice, easygoing husband.

As her family ages and expands, she will face some problems, though - and many of them will be connected to their lifestyle. She is already thinking about one of them: her children's schooling. But there will be others. Where, for example, will the money come from to buy a car that doesn't stall each time it attempts a hill ... to pay for doctors, dentists, and medicine ... and for a house (or two) that they can call their own?

What can Flavia do now to prepare for her future? A lot - starting with making full use of her existing resources.

As a massage therapist, she has a financially valuable skill that she has mastered. It won't earn her $100 an hour in Nicaragua, but if she learns something about business and marketing, she could certainly do better than the $45 an hour she's currently averaging.

Another resource that Flavia has is her attitude. She is naturally energetic, optimistic, and enthusiastic. These are qualities that make people happy to do business with her. If she could learn to sell her services as well as she sells herself in person, she could take a big, financial leap forward.

Finally, there's that very nice, easygoing husband. Nice, easygoing people aren't always the best money makers, but they are very compatible companions to those who are. If Flavia turns her part-time gig into a profitable business some day, her husband - if he is willing to stay home and take care of the kids - will make her responsibilities that much easier to manage.

Those are three very useful resources. To take full advantage of them and secure a financially comfortable life for her family, Flavia needs to establish and follow a specific plan of action.

Here's my suggestion - and this plan should work for lots of people with paid-by-the-hour skills:

First, she needs to understand the basic economics of her situation.

As a professional who charges by the hour, Flavia's wealth potential is limited by her time. To boost her income, she can do two things:

1. She can charge more per hour.

2. She can work more hours.

Her average hourly rate of about $45 an hour is pretty respectable here in Nicaragua, a country where the cost of living is so low. But if Flavia works only 10 or 12 hours a week - which is what she is doing now - she can make only about $25,000 a year.

That's enough to feed and clothe her family, but it won't pay for private schools, better cars, and the travel expenses involved in catching the next big wave.

My recommendation is for her to try to get her average hourly income up to $60 an hour. Also, to double the hours she is working and, depending on how things go in the future, double them again.

Flavia can increase her hourly income by developing more private clients in Rancho Santana and other nearby upscale communities. She won't be able to make more than $35 an hour at the surf camp where she and her husband are based - but that's okay, since she doesn't do enough business there to worry about.

To maximize her productivity, she should advertise her services at the surf camp, but limit her hours. Surfers generally aren't interested in massage treatments until after sunset and sometimes in the middle of the day. She can figure out which hours are best, and then post them. That way, she can keep the surf camp management happy without curtailing her outside work with more affluent customers.

She can easily boost her rate on the outside by leaving the $55 an hour as a one-time rate and charging $60 an hour thereafter. Once clients see how good and knowledgeable she is, they won't quibble about the extra $5.

She should also sell products to them. People who travel overseas often forget to bring their favorite skin and hair products with them. Having been relaxed into submission for an hour, Flavia wouldn't have to sell very hard to boost her hourly income to, say, $70 on a net (after cost of product) basis.

If she continued to work 10 hours a week at the surf camp and added a solid 10 additional hours outside the camp, she would be earning just over $1,000 a week (10 hours times $35 and 10 hours times $70). That amounts to over $50,000 a year.

If Flavia could eventually book 40 hours a week outside the surf camp (at $60 an hour), she could afford to quit the camp and locate her family elsewhere. Or, better yet, she could make a deal with the surf camp management to supply them with therapists at, say, $30 an hour. She would train and supervise them, and make for herself a third to a half of what they bring in.

If she did all that, she could be making $120,000 a year plus another $15,000 or $20,000 a year from the surf camp.

Massaging people for 40 hours a week isn't easy. Unless you develop techniques to prevent it, the stress on your own joints will eventually break you down. (Thai massage specialists, I've been told, employ such techniques and often work 40-plus hours a week with no problem.) So that's something Flavia can do right away in anticipation of full-time work: Change some of her techniques (less hand manipulation and more use of elbows, forearms, and feet) so she can work more hours.

If and when Flavia got tired of spending 40 hours a week working with her hands (and arms and feet), she could expand the little business she would already have going with the surf camp. By taking advantage of the low wage scale in Nicaragua (as she should, because it's good for the economy), she could get all the help she wants to work for her for $4 an hour. (That's four times the rate a gardener makes here.) By charging her clients - local spas, hotels, and communities - a fixed fee of, say, $20 an hour for the therapists, the management, and the accounting, she could have herself a high profit margin.

The key to making all this happen, of course, is marketing. Flavia must add that second financially valuable skill to the one she already knows.

This article appears courtesy of Early To Rise, a free newsletter dedicated to making money, improving health and secrets to success. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.earlytorise.com.

Free Content at Your Fingertips
by Jason Holland (03/9/2009)

Looking for material that you can use for your e-books and other information products? There are countless resources for finding content that’s in the public domain. By that, I mean content that was never copyrighted… or that was copyrighted but the copyright expired. You can repackage and republish that stuff to your heart’s content, without the author’s permission. And you don’t have to pay him or her a cent.

Do a quick Google search for “books public domain,” and you’ll find tons of possibilities. But as veteran copywriter and marketing expert Bob Bly points out, there is an “analog” method for finding public domain works too. And this one can be even better, because it allows you to thumb through the material to make sure it suits your needs.

Bob’s recommendation is to check out used bookstores for old books in your niche. Books published prior to 1963 that have not had their copyrights renewed are fair game, and you are free to do with them as you wish. (Check the U.S. Copyright Office records first - www.copyright.gov/records/ - to be sure.)

[Ed. Note: Award-winning copywriter and marketing consultant Bob Bly will show you how to secure your financial future with an Internet business at Early to Rise's upcoming Selling on the Internet Conference in New York City. It's a crash course in Internet entrepreneurship taught solely by Bob (www.bly.com)..To learn more, go here.

Dusty old bookstores can be a fun way to find public domain works. But if you're not a bookworm, why not let a couple of "pros" who have made $500K+ repurposing old books into new products show you their hassle-free, online system?]

Online Enterprise Rent a Car

1. What has Enterprise’s management done to implement and execute the strategy? What policies, practices, support systems, and management approaches underlie Enterprise’s strategy execution efforts?

As a Best Cost Provider Enterprise had consistently maintained high standards for customer service while providing a low cost to customers. The company has expanded into six business segments. Customers urged Enterprise to enter the on-airport market and the company had to change the customer focus to service more business people who wanted the focus upon a quick transaction. Enterprise's high standard of customer service also led to the development of the ESQi. The ESQi is used to tie employee promotion and compensation to customer satisfaction.

Enterprise also focuses on a strong entrepreneurial spirit at the local level. It achieves this by "hiring well educated, competitive and social individuals with strong work ethics." The company developed a training program "virtual MBA" to train new employees. The company also uses a strong incentive program to encourage employees.

2. What accounts for Enterprise’s success over the past 20 years? Is it a great strategy, superb strategy implementation and execution, great leadership, or uncommonly good luck?

I think the development of the strong mission statement that is consistently taught and enforced has helped the company maintain the company's success. The company uses tools such as ESQi to enforce the demand for high standards for customer service. The company has listened to customers and allowed innovations to occur at the local level and than expanded the best ideas company wide. This would all boil down to great leadership. Jack Taylor and son has provided visionary leadership in the company.

3. What recommendations would you make to Andy Taylor to best position Enterprise for continued success?
In a nation where customer service is something to be cherished I would maintain continued high standards of customer service. Other rent-a-car companies may offer lower price but great customer service is hard to find and always remembered by consumers.

Foreign Policy

Have you ever noticed how foreign policy remains constant between presidents?

Obama is following the same policies that King George followed. The American people have continually elected madmen to lead this country. I follow the last good president we had was Grover Cleveland. He vetoed 200 spending bills. That is my kind of president.

Our nation is being driven into hell by these people. I see inflation like nothing this nation has ever seen. I guess it is time to start trusting Father to take care of me. It is easy to say but a little harder to live it. Father reveal you love to me. Reveal yourself to me today.

Campaign for Liberty

Spent today hearing two speakers I enjoyed. The first was Thomas Woods author of Meltdown. A book explaining the recent economic events. The second speaker was Butler Schaffer who discussed the Great Depression. About 350 people attended.

"Restore the proper meaning of words," advised Confucius

The Obama madness continues. In a democracy the people elect people who are a reflection of themselves. Obama is a reflection of the madness that is the American people. I look at my ancestors and see heroes. I look around today and see cowards.
Obama's tax increase:

Obama's Budget: Almost $1 Trillion in New Taxes Over Next 10 yrs, Starting 2011

President Obama's budget proposes $989 billion in new taxes over the course of the next 10 years, starting fiscal year 2011, most of which are tax increases on individuals.

1) On people making more than $250,000.

$338 billion - Bush tax cuts expire
$179 billlion - eliminate itemized deduction
$118 billion - capital gains tax hike

Total: $636 billion/10 years

2) Businesses:

$17 billion - Reinstate Superfund taxes
$24 billion - tax carried-interest as income
$5 billion - codify "economic substance doctrine"
$61 billion - repeal LIFO
$210 billion - international enforcement, reform deferral, other tax reform
$4 billion - information reporting for rental payments
$5.3 billion - excise tax on Gulf of Mexico oil and gas
$3.4 billion - repeal expensing of tangible drilling costs
$62 million - repeal deduction for tertiary injectants
$49 million - repeal passive loss exception for working interests in oil and natural gas properties
$13 billion - repeal manufacturing tax deduction for oil and natural gas companies
$1 billion - increase to 7 years geological and geophysical amortization period for independent producers
$882 million - eliminate advanced earned income tax credit

Total: $353 billion/10 years

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/02/obamas-budget-a.html

Random Thoughts

I've been thinking about the changing face of radio in this nation. Tommy Mischke was a guy on the radio who was fired because of an FCC violation. If you are unaware the FCC is a neo-Nazi group commissioned by Congress to terrorize the airwaves. MIschke is attempting to use the internet as a new form of media. Citypages.com has given him a web based radio show he will host everyday in the Twin Cities. I am very interested in listening and watching to see what happens. I have been using the internet for listening to music (pandora.com) and podcasting, along with youtube.com.

I want to see if a talk show can make it as a commercial venture online. I hope Tommy succeeds.

What can the Palestinians do to achieve freedom from Israel? I think they need to take a look at Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. The idea of non-violent protest and marches. You play into the hands of Israel by using limited violence. Break down the fence surrounding Gaza and walk back to your homes. Do not raise arms against your guards.

Interesting Quote

As Robert Pape of the University of Chicago writes in The National Interest: “America is in unprecedented decline. The self-inflicted wounds of the Iraq war, growing government debt, increasingly negative current-account balances and other internal economic weaknesses have cost the United States real power in today’s world of rapidly spreading knowledge and technology. If present trends continue, we will look back at the Bush administration years as the death knell of American hegemony.”

“America’s relative decline since 2000 of some 30 percent represents a far greater loss of relative power in a shorter time than any power shift among European great powers roughly from the end of the Napoleonic Wars to World War II. It is one of the largest relative declines in modern history. Indeed, in size, it is clearly surpassed by only one other great-power decline, the unprecedented internal collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.”

From Patrick Buchanan

Thoughts

For many years I was a member of the word of faith movement via a Bible study I belonged too. The man who led our group put huge value on those ministers who happened to be on TV or radio. What I discovered after 17 years was an emptiness that could not be met. I would try the magical formulas out but nothing seem to happen. I was trying to use magical thinking to control the uncontrollable. The guy who led the group would talk about using grace to get what we wanted. But this didn't seem to work either. Grace was seen as power instead of relationship with God. Last year I left that ever shrinking group because I was no longer needed and I might have radical thoughts contrary to the leaders thinking. Living in Minnesota you discover that Minnesotans are passive aggressive so they rip you behind their backs. Leaving has been freeing.

What I have discovered is that relationship is what matters to God. Papa desires a deep relationship with us. I guess I should maybe take the time to read about the love languages and learn how to relate to people. When you belong to a Bible study led by someone screwier then you don't learn about relationships unless it benefits the leader.

Have you ever noticed how messed up church leaders are? Why are they allowed to lead? I understand why the Institutional church is so pitiful. By the way, I learned that this leader bases his relationship in value they are to him as so many people do.

Zephaniah 3:17

The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing." NIV

The LORD your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing. ESV

For the Lord your God is living among you.
He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
With his love, he will calm all your fears.(a)
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” NLT

a. Greek and Syriac versions read He will renew you with his love.

Sirius and XM Radio Broadcasting

1. What are the key elements of XM Radio’s strategy? Is its strategy working well? What do you make of the company’s enormous losses?

XM'x strategy is "building awareness and demand among potential subscribers and in the advertising community" by appealing to to a broad market with "innovative and diverse programming, nationwide coverage, many commercial-free music channels and digital sound quality." XM is using sports promotions by signing numerous contracts with Major League Baseball, the PGA and others to help market the service. XM has formed partnerships with General Motors and Honda with XM Radio being optional in many makes of cars.

Overall, XM has been successful in adding subscribers to its service. Subscribers has increased to 7.63 million by the end of 2006.The problem with XM's strategy is that XM is mostly commercial free service thus subscriber fees make up the vast majority of revenue. Unlike HBO which can market its shows (DVD and on-demand) after the initial airing XM does not have any way to improve the revenue stream.

The majority of losses are caused by two areas; the first is marketing costs associated with convincing people that radio is worth paying for. Spending over 50% of subscriber revenue just to bring in more subscribers makes the current model ineffective. The second area is interest expense on a growing mountain of long term debt.

2. What are the key elements of Sirius Satellite Radio’s strategy? Is its strategy working well? What do you make of the company’s enormous losses?

Sirius has a three prong approach to its marketing strategy. The first is enhancing and refining programming. Sirius has added programming of such variety as Howard Stern with 2 channels and $100 million annual budget. Channels dedicated to music superstars such as The Who or creating a Metropolitan Opera channel. The second is introducing radios with new features and functions such as producing a satellite portable radio with WiFi. The third feature is expanding distribution of Sirius radios through automakers and retail outlets.

By the end of 2006 Sirius had achieved the 6 million subscriber mark with a per subscriber acquisition cost of $108. The company has brought on subscribers but like XM the revenue stream is limited to subscriber fees. Sirius needs to invent ways to increase revenue beyond the subscriber, whether by using advertising on its Internet radio service or finding the ability to remarket radio content.

The company is suffering enormous losses due to two areas. The high costs associated with acquiring new subscribers which amount to more expenses than total revenue and the use of equity to compensate employees. Like XM the battle is to convince people that radio is worth paying for. With all the alternatives (podcasting, MP3, live streaming, free internet radio, etc) presently available to occupy peoples time a reason needs to be created for people to want to pay for radio.

3. What are the pros and cons of the proposed merger between XM Radio and Sirius?

I realize the companies have merger and needed a suitor to survive. I wrote this for a class is school. Schools are always behind the times by too many years.

The companies feel that competition for satellite radio exist within many areas including the iPod, Internet radio and free radio thus to survive the companies are stressing the merger would allow for the development of greater content and programming choices for consumers and the ability to better introduce lower cost and easier to use satellite receivers. Sirius CEO Mel Karmazin has stated that a possibility would be that a merger might lead to lower monthly subscription fees. Another reason for the merger maybe the survival of the industry, with both companies losing huge amounts of money maybe a combined company could survive and prosper.

The cons are that with the merger there would only be one satellite radio company thus creating a monopoly. Plus the original satellite licenses granted XM and Sirius by the Federal Communications Commission prohibited one company from owning both licenses.

Benjamin Constant (1767-1830)

“Individuals must enjoy a boundless freedom in the use of their property and the exercise of their labor, as long as in disposing of their property or exercising their labor they do not harm others who have the same rights.”

A Thought

Have you ever noticed:

The bigger the pickup truck or the sportier the sports car the slower they drive.

Bottled Water

1. What are the strategy-shaping business and economic characteristics of the bottled water industry? What is the industry like?

The bottled water industry is made up of three large players, Coca Cola, Nestle and Pepsi. In recent years the move has been to consolidation within the bottled water industry as Coke, Pepsi and Nestle's have all acquired smaller regional brands. As the market for bottled water has plateaued a move to flavor enhanced water and vitamin water has occurred with Pepsi coming out with products such as Propel, etc. In a recent article on Brandweek.com "Has the Bottled Water Well Finally Run Dry?" Kenneth Hein discusses the downturn in the bottled water industry by Coke and Pepsi.Hein talks about several reasons for the downturn including the economy, why pay for something you can get free, the concern over PET bottles leeching toxins into the liquid and the increase of sales of store labels (i.e. Target- Archer Farms).

To combat some of this decline Pepsi has aligned Aquafina with a sponsorship Major League Baseball And a bright spot with sales of enhanced water increasing by 18,4% in the first half of 2008. Nestle's has moved more into the Home/Office delivery of bottled water.

2. How is the bottled water industry changing? What are the underlying drivers of change and how might those driving forces individually or collectively change competition in the industry?

The move in the industry has been toward consolidation as the big three purchase the smaller regional the flavor and enhanced water brands. Also, customers are purchasing more store labels are the economy slows. The move away from PET bottles by consumers along with the store labels entering the market is cause for concern. The two factors that have effected sales of the large companies have been the increase in the sales of store labels and the economic downturn. Plus the advances in home filtration systems have caused people to move in that direction and away from the use of bottles.

3. What recommendations would you make to Coca-Cola to improve its competitiveness in the global bottled water industry? to PepsiCo? to Nestlé?

Each of these companies should develop alternatives for PET bottles as more Westerns become environmentally conscious. Coke needs to expand the market for vitamin and flaver water to be competitive against Pepsi's success in the market. Coke should go after sporting event sponsorship that will bring in name recognition for Dasani products.
Nestle should continue to use packaging innovation to separate itself from competitors. Styles that will catch the eye of children and adults. Pepsi has an advantage with the Gatorade brand name to develop alternative water drinks. Use that name recogonition to advance new products such as the sports drink market.