Be Your Own Literary Agent and Get Published

So you're one of 20 million Americans who want to write a book. If you've already written a manuscript, chances are you're looking for agent representation. In the past few years, as an editor and literary consultant for http://www.TheOmnibus.org, I've had the opportunity to read more than 1,000 book proposals. Most, I'm sad to report, were inadequate because the author did not follow a few, very simple guidelines.

Before you complete your manuscript and send it on its way to prospective literary agents or publishers, take the time to make sure you have a professional query letter and (short) synopsis, and that you have edited your manuscript. If you can not do these chores, then find someone who can.

Also, make sure you're able to distinguish your manuscript from other books on the same subject, that you can identify the audience for which you are writing, and determine the marketability of your finished book. These are the most important questions agents and publishers will ask, and it will impress them that you've done your homework.

You should already have researched the market to determine how many books on the same subject are currently available. A handy tool is to use the Internet and search the large booksellers online. These services not only provide a list of books on the same topic, but often a synopsis and the book's audience as well. Your book needs to stand out, not duplicate what's already available.

Agents and publishers also want to know your ideas for publicity and promotion of your book, including how you intend to reach your target market, and any helpful contacts you may have.

Another common mistake is to assume agents and publishers will respond at their own expense. You need to include a self-addressed, stamped envelope so companies can acknowledge receipt of your proposal. If you would like to have your material returned, be sure to send an envelope that is large enough and has enough postage for them to mail your proposal back to you. Proposals that do not include an envelope and postage generally will not be acknowledged or returned.

Some companies will accept e-mail submissions. Because of the threat of viruses, they usually won't open e-mails with documents attached. Many will read e-mail queries that include a short resume, a synopsis and sample chapters that have been copied and pasted into the body of the e-mail.

As mentioned, for security reasons companies do not like to open attachments without prior contact with the writer, and prefer you follow regular submission procedure. If prior contact has been made by e-mail, response and acknowledgments often will be made by e-mail.

If you are submitting book proposals by e-mail, it is wise to advise the companies in your cover letter the type of word processing program and version of that program that you used. Text is best transmitted through e-mail by converting it to Plain Text Format, ASCII (with no hard returns).

Take the opportunity to edit the work, correct misspellings, improper word usage, etc., before submitting it. It's not a good idea to send complete manuscripts by e-mail unless they are requested.

Let's break it down:

How Your Book Differs from Others * What is your book is about? * What is the reason that prompted you to write your book? * Why is your book needed by others? * What are its unique features?

Identify Your Audience * Describe the audience you are targeting with your book. * What is your level of expertise (no experience, beginner, intermediate, advanced)? * What are some specific applications or uses for your book (e.g., sports, education)? * Who would be the most likely candidates for purchasing your book? * Why should they buy it and share it with their friends?

Beat Your Competition to Market * List three to four books that compete with the project you are proposing. * How do they compare to your book in length, spectrum, format, and visual appeal? * Are there any that seem remotely comparable? * What are the differences among your approaches?

Publicity * Gather a local, regional, state and national media contact list. * Consider contracting a company to make a website for your book. * Do you have access to any authors who may provide a "blurb" for your book?

Don't Forget the Postage * Include a SASE with all queries. * If you want your manuscript back, include enough postage for its safe return.

Electronic Submissions * Check if the company accepts electronic (e-mail) queries and proposals. * Make sure you're not spamming hundreds of agents/publishers at a time. * Only include a short query, a bio, a synopsis, and the first three chapters in your e-mail. * Don't send attachments. * If you are asked to submit an attachment, let them know the software program. * Consider sending the file as Text only.

Filing a Response to a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce) in California

The topic of this article is the filing of a Response to a Petition for dissolution of marriage (divorce) in California. The Response must be on the Judicial Council Form FL-120 Response-Marriage (Response) which is a mandatory form. If there are minor children of the marriage or relationship involved a Declaration under Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (Declaration) Judicial Council Form FL-105 must be used as this is also a mandatory form.

A Response should be filed in any case where the two parties have not already discussed an amicable divorce settlement. The filing of the Response will avoid any default being entered against the responding party and will ensure that they are on equal legal footing with the petitioner. The filing of a Response does not prevent the two parties from reaching an amicable settlement. It merely protects the interests of the responding party. The Court will charge a filing fee when the Response is filed, in most counties the filing fee is currently $395.00 unless the responding party can qualify for a fee waiver.

In most cases the original Response, and Declaration if there are minor children, must be filed with the Court within thirty (30) calendar days from the date that the respondent is served. A copy of the Response, and Declaration if needed, must be served by mail on the petitioner, or their attorney if they have one, and a proof of service must be filed along with the original Response, and Declaration.

The appropriate boxes must be checked on the Response. As each case is different, the party responding should take care to ensure that the Response is filled out correctly. The Declaration must also be correctly filled out.

If the responding party anticipates that the reaching of an amicable settlement is not feasible at the time that they file their response, it may make sense to consider propounding discovery to the petitioner. Discovery can be very helpful to each party in evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of their case, facilitating a possible settlement, and in preparing for trial.

Parties in California divorce proceedings can utilize the same discovery procedures as are used in California civil litigation as the same rules and procedures are applicable unless another statute or rule has been adopted by the California Judicial Council. See Family Code Section 210.

Form Interrogatories for divorce and other family law cases are available using Judicial Council Form FL-145. This form is extremely useful as the questions are specifically tailored to the issues involved in a typical case. For instance a party may ask the other party to provide the last three (3) years tax returns, and also to complete a Schedule of Assets and Debts, Judicial Council Form FL-142, if that form is attached to the Form Interrogatories and the appropriate box is checked. The other party has thirty five (35) calendar days to respond if the Form Interrogatories are served by first class mail.

In the opinion of the author, the Form Interrogatories should be utilized and served concurrently with the Response even in a simple case as they are relatively easy and can be completed fairly quickly. Proper use of the Form Interrogatories is an easy and quick way to obtain the most information with a minimum of effort.

Special Interrogatories are also extremely useful as a party can request the other party to state all facts, identify all persons having personal knowledge of the facts, and all documents in support of the facts, which support the other party's request for attorney's fees, sole custody, spousal support and other requests or contentions made in that party's Petition or Response.

The requests for production and inspection of documents and other tangible things can be useful in obtaining bank and financial records and other documents that are pertinent to the issues involved in the divorce proceeding.

And last, but certainly not least, requests for admission can be used to request the other party to admit or deny certain pertinent facts, and/or admit that certain attached documents are genuine.

In a more complex case involving a long term marriage (over 10 years), minor children, and numerous community property assets and obligations, all of the discovery requests mentioned in this blog post should be at least considered, if not actually used.

The most important thing to keep in mind is the fact that a party served with a petition for divorce should file a timely Response or they risk a default being entered against them. As previously mentioned, the filing of a timely Response will protect the interests of the responding party. And it does not prevent the two parties from reaching an amicable settlement.

If you enjoy this article please tell others about it.

Yours Truly,

Stan Burman

Copyright 2012 Stan Burman. All rights reserved.

DISCLAIMER:

Please note that the author of this article, Stan Burman is NOT an attorney and as such is unable to provide any specific legal advice. The author is NOT engaged in providing any legal, financial, or other professional services, and any information contained in this article is NOT intended to constitute legal advice.

These materials and information contained in this article have been prepared by Stan Burman for informational purposes only and are not legal advice. Transmission of the information contained in this article is not intended to create, and receipt does not constitute, any business relationship between the sender and receiver. Any readers should not act upon this information without seeking professional counsel.

Food Processors - Spin Your Way to Saving Time!

Like to save time in your kitchen? The food processors may be just what you need. Carving out a niche in the modern home, a few decades ago, the food processor stands right along side such innovations as the microwave oven and the coffee maker. Besides ease of operation, food processors cut down on meal preparation time, with their ability to puree, mince, emulsify, blend and knead. When searching for the right machine for you consider capacity, power and versatility.

Standard food processors have the capacity options of 7, 9 and 11 cups. Small jobs such as mixing together a tasty salad dressing or a few servings of your favorite soup would call for the 7 cup model. But if making large batches of tomato sauce or pesto for freezing, the 9 and 11 cup model might fit that job better. Mini processors in the 2 and 3 cup range work great for mincing ginger or garlic and other small food items. Works great for producing your own baby food to. Both the standard food processor and mini belong in everyone's kitchen.

Units with the single control button and two-speed models offer easy use. Food processors in the 750 watt power range are idea for home use. This gives enough power for everyday using and the occasional bread making session.

The attachments for food processors are what gives them tremendous versatility. These usually include: blades for mixing, puree, and chopping disks for grating and slicing and a whisk whip are common items. Still another food processor attachment let's you juice fruit.

Food processors are easy to find and buy online. Most have great descriptions of them to help in finding the right one you need. Whether it's for making your meal in less time or baking bread the food processor is just the tool you need.

Solve Your Traffic Problem Today

When it comes to making money online we all face the same problem: getting enough traffic to the websites we promote.

Not just any traffic... we want people who know what we offer and are interested before they get to our sites.

So how do we do that?

My suggestion is this -- find someone who is successful and model their success.

But not just anyone.

This model needs to have three characteristics that will help you trust them and know that you will have the best chance possible of success with their method...

First, you need someone who walks the walk, not just talks the talk. There is a big difference between the person who knows what should work and the person who has made the Internet work for them.

Second, you need someone you can trust.

Third, you need someone who will work with you and consider your needs and skills, not just offer a template solution.

Happily, finding that person can be done in five simple steps:

Step 1 - Use Google to find out who the leaders in the "getting traffic" field are and visit their sites. You can also visit forums like the Warrior Forum to learn more about who is really doing the job and who is just talking themselves up.

Step 2 - Can you afford what they offer? You are going to want to buy this person's product, book or course so you need to know going in if it's right for you. If you can't afford it, don't waste your time learning about it.

Step 3 - Does it make sense to you? Your parents were right -- if it sounds too good to be true probably is. If the sites are making outrageous claims or promising success with "three clicks," hide your wallet and run.

Step 4 - Do they have a good reputation online? You need to do your homework. Visit forums and ask around. Read testimonials. Google your possible mentor's name and you will find what you need.

Step 5 - Time to take action! If you find someone who has inspired you and filled you with confidence, and if you can afford what they offer, then now is the time to act!

Go for it and give it your all.

Here's the bottom line. There is no need for you to reinvent the wheel. There are plenty of rock-solid mentors online who know how to drive traffic and are willing to teach you what they know for a reasonable price. You just need to decide which voice suits you best.

Let me suggest an action step. Make a list of the various ways you have heard about to get traffic to a website on a sheet of paper. Choose the one that seems most logical to you.

Choose the method that appeals to you, go to Google and type that phrase in the search box.

If there are people selling "how to" information about that topic, and there will be, they will be sure to be on the first page of results.

Take the five steps above and the only question you will need to answer is... who will be your mentor?

Things To Include In Your Will

No one likes to think about planning their will because you normally have to think about your own death. However, it is something that needs to be done. A will is a legal document or declaration that is made to manage a person's estate and property after their death. The only problem is you may not know what exactly you should put in your will. There are a few things that you should definitely put in your will, and then there are some things that do not belong in a will.

First of all, don't put your funeral wishes in your will. Your will and testament will normally not be read until after the funeral so it is kind of a moot point then. Instead, you should make sure that your family, spouse, or care taker knows what your funeral wishes are. If you want to have it down in writing, you can, but your last will and testament is not the place.

You should decide who your personal representative or executor is. This person can be just about anyone that you want. They make sure that your last will is carried out and your wishes are met as how it is written in the documentation. This includes making sure the distribution of property and money is given to the appropriate parties. You should make sure to name an alternate executor in the event that the original person is unable to do so.

Naming your beneficiaries is a must. If you do not name one, then your funds will either go to your estate, or to someone as stated in that particular state's laws. The beneficiary can go to a spouse, family member, children, charity, institution, or even to your estate. Whoever or whatever you decide to name as your beneficiary, make sure it is clearly stated in your testament. Check with your life insurance provider to see if there are any restrictions as to who you can name.

If you have children who are minors, you will need to name someone who can act as a legal guardian. Perhaps you aren't legally responsible for children but rather a sibling, parent, or grandparent; you will need to give directions as to who you would like to be legally responsible for them once you are gone. In most cases, it has been decided and agreed upon in advance between the two parties. Of course, having a back up to name as a legal guardian is essential.

One thing that people may not think about is a pet. Pets are considered personal property, so you will also need to designate someone to take care of your pet once you have passed. Some people have different views as to whether or not you should also leave that person some money to cover the expenses of taking care of that pet. However, you will want to name at least two people in case one person is unable to do so.

If you have any information that you would like to keep private, then your last will and testament is not the place to write it out. These legal documents are stored at the local courthouse and are then considered as a public, not private, document. Many people choose not to put information like how much money they are giving to a beneficiary as a way to protect that person from the general public. Of course, this last thing is up to you and you alone. There are other options where you can state how much money or property you are leaving.

When it comes to creating your last will, everyone will have different advice as to what to put in it and what not to put in it. However, if you wish to leave any funds or property to someone in particular, then you need to have it stated in this document and be considered a legal document for your wishes to be carried out. If you have any questions about whom you can and cannot leave your funds, property, or estate too, check with your life insurance policy to see if there are any restrictions. You can also talk to a trusted legal advisor to find out if there are any other terms and conditions that you need to meet.

Can We Please Stop Blaming Bush Now?

Well, I wasn't sure if President Obama was going to be able to survive his reelection bid. In my humble opinion, I don't believe he deserved to, considering we have over 8% unemployment - and, the reality that he's added $5 trillion to our nation's debt. Nevertheless, thanks to his great speeches, political operatives, and class warfare strategies he has survived. Indeed, I figured if he did survive this reelection that at least he would have to stop blaming President Bush. Okay so let's talk shall we?

There is no reason that you can put $5 trillion to work boosting and economy and still not get out of recession. We should be at 5 to 6% GDP growth right now and overheating, worried about inflation. Our unemployment should be around 5.5%. In fact, isn't that what President Obama's administration promised us? And they said they could do it for less than half the money they spent. I guess they were a little too overly optimistic about their own executive leadership, and understanding of the economy. All they did was print money, play some games on the Federal Reserve's balance sheet, and send all that money to China, while they also caused inflation in many of the economies of our trading partners.

Interestingly enough, we will probably go into recession in 2013, and in that case; had Mitt Romney won the election, he could have legitimately complaint and blamed President Obama for putting them in that world of hurt. But somehow, I don't think he would have, rather he would have taken the bull by the horns, done what needed to be done, and moved on. That would be the sign of true leadership, and apparently President Obama gets a second chance. This time he's put himself into a horrible situation, therefore he only has himself and his administration to blame.

Indeed, I see a common theme with this administration and president, and that is; to blame others for whatever failures they have accumulated in their lives. Right now, it seems President Obama is still using the class warfare strategy; blaming the rich. That, my friends is a dead end road. In fact, they are doing the same thing right now in Greece, Spain, Portugal, Italy, but it's not getting them out of their situation. Socialist leaning politicians never seem to blame themselves for spending their national treasuries into oblivion. It hardly matters if it is Argentina, Venezuela, or even Zimbabwe.

The reality is it never ends well, even if you can blame someone else, the leaders always tend to go down with the ship. Indeed, I'm not sure why Americans voted for four more years of this nonsense, but now that they have, maybe they should all pitch in and buy President Obama a mirror. Then he will know who to blame when things don't work out as he'd hoped, even though just the other day, a day after the election, he told a reporter on TV that;

"I've never been more hopeful for the future."

You see, hope is not enough to do it, you need a solid strategy. Socialism isn't a good strategy, and therein lies the problem, no matter who you blame. Please consider all this and think on it.

Optimizing Your Cash Flow With Proper Accounts Receivable Management

Businesses miss on growth opportunities and even close their doors every day, not because they aren't profitable enough, but because they are strangled by poor cash flow. The problem is that while their profit and loss statement shows success, their bank account cries poor. Excessive money tied up in delinquent receivables, bad checks, and bad debt write-offs, rob businesses of valuable cash flow, handcuffing their ability to grow or even stay in business at all.

It doesn't take long for a business to get caught up in a spiraling trend of increasingly late receivables, only needing a few additional delinquent accounts to start the process. Most companies lack the expertise and manpower needed to handle a spike in delinquent accounts. Soon, their staff is doing more work chasing late receivables, and they end up neglecting the easier to collect, more current accounts. Eventually, a higher and higher percentage of accounts become delinquent and more and more accounts become uncollectible, forcing companies to employ expensive collection agencies to recover at least some of their money at a big loss or they write off the debt completely. The end result is a loss in profitability and a serious strain on cash flow.

There are some more obvious, common sense practices that companies can employee to maintain a healthy accounts receivable portfolio. A few examples include:

1. Perform a credit history check before extending credit.

2. Set and adhere to credit limits.

3. Establish your credit terms in writing on statements and invoices

4. Require all sales and money management staff to know and follow credit policies.

As for maintaining or restoring a healthy accounts receivable portfolio, companies may need to invest in additional personnel or outside services with expertise in delinquent debt collection. If a company's receivables are large enough and they have a budget which allows them to add experienced, full-time debt collectors to their staff, they should make the investment in additional personnel. If a company can't afford it or their delinquent receivables don't require full-time attention, outsourcing would be a better alternative. Which ever method is best for you, cash flow maintenance is critical to maintaining your company's financial health. Make sure that you have a comprehensive plan in place to keep your company going in the right direction.

Before Getting the Vinyl Fence

Vinyl fencing is the most popular choice for fencing. It is not only beautiful to look at but also built to last. Available in different styles and colors as well as textures, you can choose from endless options in these designs. Moreover, it requires much less maintenance as it will not rust, chip off, blister or corrode. All you will need to do is clean it occasionally with the garden hose to keep it free of dust. It is no wonder to see its popularity on the rise. Easy to maintain, it will last you for many years to come and make your place attractive as well as safe. It is a very good investment as you will not have to change your fence quite often and your fence will last you for a long time.

There are many options to buy the vinyl fencing. You can buy them from the local stores or even buy them online. But before you step out to buy it, there are certain considerations to take care of. Therefore, you need to evaluate certain aspects before buying. Once these small but important aspects are taken care of, you can safely go and buy the fencing.

Just go though these points and questions before buying. The answers would make many things clear and you will know what to look for when planning to purchase this type of fence:

- What are the reasons to buy the vinyl fence? - Do you want to focus more on the safety or the beauty aspect? - Which style and material would suit the best for your needs? - How much area needs to be covered? - What is your budget?

Once you are clear on these questions and have the answers ready with you, it will be easier for you to go ahead and make the right choices when buying.

Some other factors that also need to be considered before buying are:

- Locate the boundaries where you need to place the fence and checkout with your neighbors so as to not to avoid any conflicts later on. - Verify with the local zoning laws and check out for any possible restrictions on the placement of the fence as well as the size. - It is important to check with the neighborhood association too for any restrictions. - Make sure that no underground utilities will get affected before digging. - Get the required building permits as ordered by the local code.

All the above steps are essential before you go out to buy vinyl fencing for your requirements. It is better to keep all things clear before digging the first hole. It is quite easy to install the vinyl fences. But one should take all the steps to avoid any penalties from the authorities and to avoid any possible misunderstanding with their neighbors. Just keep the above points in mind and you will be able to get the installment done without any hassles.

Does Full Coverage Dental Insurance Really Mean Full Coverage?

When people think of full coverage dental insurance they sometimes imagine that it will cover all the costs that are associated with dental care. However, much of the time this isn't the case as these types of insurance tend to be more like a standard dental insurance where not everything is covered by the policy

Full coverage individual dental insurance will work by you taking out an agreement with an insurance company. This agreement will cover you for various treatments. In return you will have to pay a yearly or monthly premium or if it's through your job then it may be deducted from your salary. When you visit the dentist the dentist may fill out a form for the treatment you have had or you may need to complete one yourself. Either way your insurance company should be able to advise. However, one thing to check before you make any claim is that you are actually covered for the type of treatment you have had.

The type of treatment covered by a full coverage policy will vary greatly between companies and in many cases you will get what you pay for when it comes to the amount of processes actually included.

The majority of policies will cover you for both basic and minor dental treatments. The basic dental treatment will usually include the preventative measures taken by a dentist, including regular check ups and cleaning, these are very important part of oral health as keeping regular appointments with your dentist can ensure that more costly treatment required down the line can be avoided.

Minor treatments will include the filling of cavities and in some cases may stretch to x-rays and root canals. With minor treatments the policy may not cover the whole cost of the work, with you having to pay for some yourself. This will vary from policy to policy and is well worth checking before you take out the original contract with the insurance company and again before having treatment.

Other types of work which won't be covered by full individual dental coverage will be orthodontic and implants. These are seen by many insurance companies as being a personnel choice rather than a necessity so will require separate policies to be taken out to ensure you are covered.

The name full coverage dental insurance may sound as if it covers you for everything, however as you have seen it often doesn't and when taking out one of these particular types of insurance you need to ensure that you have a good understanding of exactly what's covered so you don't get any unexpected and nasty surprises in the future.

Save Thousands at Auto Auctions - Without Marrying a Car Dealer!

The Common Misconception: Auto auctions are only open to car dealers.

The Surprising Truth: Anyone with the right resources can participate in the same auctions as the dealers!

Think about it. How much could you save if you bypassed the dealers and purchased directly from their sources? 30%, 50%, maybe even 75%.

As unbelievable as this sounds, it is possible with a little patience and research.

As you probably already know from past experience, car dealers will do ANYTHING to get you into the car of your dreams. Whether you can afford it or not!

I can recall a former coworker who got into a new luxury vehicle with a little "creative financing." The manager divided his mortgage payment in two. His justification: As a married man his wife was responsible for the other half of the mortgage....even though she was a stay at home mom! Luckily for them, they found a way to pay their huge car payment and avoid repossession.

Unfortunately, others aren't quite as lucky. Thousands of people default on their loans everyday simply because they couldn't really afford it in the first place.

This can work to your advantage. The banks and financial institutions that serviced the loans want to recoup their loss as quicly as possible. Add to that the exhorbitant cost of storing these vehicles, and you can easily see why the banks want to dispose of them in a timely manner.

After all, the longer financial institutions have to store these vehicles, the less money they're going to get back.

Auto auctions are the quickest way for banks to rid themselves of repossessed vehicles.

Car dealers know this, and they go to great lenghts to protect this knowledge from the general public. After all, auto auctions are a huge source of revenue. Dealers can purchase vehicles at a fraction of their value, and then resell them at a huge mark-up.

But what if you could avoid the dealer's mark-up and instead pay what they pay? What impact would that have on your wallet?

Amazingly enough, auto auctions are not solely restricted to car dealers. Up until a few years ago, I too shared this common misconception.

It was only by sheer luck that I stumbled upon a website that allowed me to search local auctions by zip code and vehicle make that I learned the surprising truth. I was paying dealers thosands of dollars in unnecessary mark-ups.

I tried the website's search feature out, and to my surprise the cars listed were exactly what I wanted. Only a few years old with very low miles. Many of them were still under the manufacturer's original warranty! This made sense of course, since most of them were repossessions.

The auction house was even willing to throw in a vehicle history report at no extra cost and a 3 month warranty.

Sure I wouldn't get the complimentary car washes and oil changes the dealer throws in, but that surely wasn't worth thousands of dollars in premiums.

After a little hesitation I joined the auto auction membership site. They helped me locate auto auctions in my area, and gain admission to them through their exclusive access rights. I learned what questions to ask, and how to handle the bidding process.

It was a lot simpler then I ever imagined it could be.

The day of the auction, I showed up a few hours early to inspect the vehicle I was interested in and get a feel for the place.

It must have been a slow day, because when my car came up for auction only a few dealers were bidding against me. Since I wasn't buying the vehicle for resale, I succeeded in outbidding the dealers!

It was a truly empowering experience. I got the vehicle of my dreams, and I only paid a little over half its book value!

What did this experience teach me? Auto Auctions can save you thousands in unnecessary dealer mark-ups.

Reality Checked - Book Review

Reality Checked - Life through Death, is a moving saga about finding meaning in a world of suffering and pointless hate based on the color of skin. Former school teacher and Theologist, Victor Waller has incorporated many of life's issues through the lives of his characters who were forced to make decisions in hopeless situations. Racism, revenge and hate are rampant in this book. Domestic abuse and the dangers hidden within our society's foster care system are also addressed.

There is only one main character - Catherine Brown - along with a host of supporting characters. Catherine grows up under the terrible threat of racism - which many use simply as an excuse to harm another human. In fact, her father and uncle were orphaned at a very young age through a racist attack. The fairy-tale romance of her parents slid away as fears of her father's suspected infidelity enforces her mother's accusations that she is being poisoned. Never really knowing the truth, Catherine stumbles through her youth and into adulthood.

Unfortunately, a disturbed individual brutally murders her family and Catherine is dragged away by the police and incarcerated for many years. She survived the harsh environment through the friendship of her cellmate - and their hunger for revenge.

As an old woman, Catherine is only free from the bars of her prison. Her body is now her jailer - it is discovered that she inherited her mother's mysterious illness. Thinking she had no family remaining alive, Catherine is surprised when she is invited to a family reunion. This reunion proves to be one of Catherine's greatest challenges. As she seeks to repair the family discord, she is contacted by a person from the past and her chance for revenge is handed to her on a silver platter.

Victor Waller has created an important and meaningful story in Reality Checked. In fact, the work is well titled. The novel provokes the reader to question their own choices in life -and possibly, to release some of the pessimistic inner voices which influence their decisions.

I give this 377 page novel the highest of ratings with no hesitation, what-so-ever.

ISBN#: 0976498103 Author: Victor Waller Publisher: Turn Key Press

What Would Steve Jobs Do?

After reading Walter Isaacson's great book about Steve Jobs, I began to imagine what would Steve Jobs do if you were running an insurance agency. The first obstacle I thought about was that Steve Jobs could not do it because he would have to deal with the products he could not control from insurance companies. Let's just ignore that issue and his bad traits for the rest of this article.

Steve Jobs' primary focus was to create great products. All else was secondary. The product of insurance agency is the service it provides to clients. The direction he would take would be to provide a seamless integrated experience for the client. People have too many things to worry about and not enough time to be able to focus on their insurance needs and problem.

Remember the time before the iPod? What was it like to go buy a stereo system? There were dozens of preamps to select, CD players to review, cassette decks to analyze, turntables to choose, and speakers to complete the package. Who had time to figure out what was the best way to go?

The SJ Agency would create a system with few options and allows the prospect to quickly discover their insurance needs. The key step here is to develop the technique of collecting information from the prospect and analyzing their insurance needs. There are tons of questionnaires that do a good job in discovering potential risk areas. Steve Jobs would develop a way to collect information quickly and painlessly.

Once the needs were analyzed, the client would be offered a prepackaged plan with few options. The part of the plan that Jobs would emphasize is not the insurance policies, but the services that the agency is providing the customer to make their life easier. The agency would create e-mails and letters that would go out automatically over the course of the year reminding them of the need to provide updated information and to reinforce the idea that the agency is there to support them.

One belief that Steve Jobs held was that it was important to create a product that the client did not yet know that they needed. SJ insurance agency would be equally innovative. The agency would have periodic meetings with the employees and some key outside advisers to analyze what the agency is doing now and 10 new ideas to focus on in the future. He would let the employees work on ideas to improve the product.

Another key belief Steve Jobs had was to obsess about the details. He wanted everything to be perfect including the parts that the customer could not see. That might mean that Steve Jobs spend a lot of time developing streamlined procedures for the business. His agency would be very consistent in the product/service that they provide their customers.

The various departments in the SJ Agency would work together as a single team. Changes would only occur after getting feedback from everyone. Collaboration and integration are to be expected from the employees. This is important at several levels. It allows employees to have some control over what goes on. It also creates a sense of responsibility and accountability since they were part of the decision-making process.

Steve Jobs would also employ his "reality distortion field." He would push and challenge his employees to do their best, and more. This approach will work however, only if the agency has all "A" players. He would hire only the best. The employees would need to be passionate about providing excellent service for the client. These type of people are hard to find and usually demand higher compensation. The good news is that they are self-sufficient, they can manage themselves, and their productivity would be off the charts. The time and money required to find and hire these people will be worth it in the long.

Steve Jobs was that once-in-a-lifetime personality that was able to change the world. He had the perfect blend of vision, drive, and persuasion to create new things and build very successful businesses. One of his traits that help them succeed was to be able to spot a good idea and remold it into his unique version. Xerox Parc was the first to create a graphical user interface and a mouse. That great idea would have died on the vine except for Steve's use of it in the Apple II.

Likewise, business owners should take great ideas from Steve Jobs and other successful people and make it their own.

HSA Qualified Expenses - 53 Items To Maximize Your HSA Deductions

HSA Qualified Expenses - 53 Items To Maximize Your HSA Deductions

Using a HSA (Health Savings Account) with your federally qualified HDHP (High Deductible Health Plan) is a great way to provide health insurance to you and your family. Since the federal government has provided HSA's a tax advantaged status, it is important to know what expenses are allowed (and what is not allowed) so you don't get in trouble with the IRS.

Review the list below and make use of every HSA Qualified Expense you are eligible for. You may be surprised at some of the items on the list, because the government does allow for some medical expenses that are typically excluded from traditional health insurance plans.

What are HSA Qualified Expenses?

The government basically says that an expense incurred for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, and the costs for treatments affecting any part or function of the body is allowable. This includes payments for legal medical services rendered by physicians, dentists, and other medical practitioners. You can also include costs of equipment, supplies, and diagnostic devices needed for the above mentioned items. However, medical expenses must be primarily to alleviate or prevent a physical or mental defect or illness. It does not allow for expenses that are merely beneficial to general health, such as vitamins or vacations.

The following list includes items that are commonly over-looked, but are considered HSA Qualified Expenses. Note, this list does not include all possible medical expenses, just some of the ones that may not be so obvious.

HSA Qualified Expenses

Acupuncture Alcoholism - Inpatient treatment, including meals & lodging. Also, transportation expense to and from Alcoholics Anonymous meetings if the attendance is pursuant to medical advice. Ambulance Artificial Limbs Artificial Teeth Bandages Birth Control Pills - If prescribed by a doctor. Body Scans - Electronic body scans ordered by a doctor. Braille Books & Magazines - Just the cost difference between a regular printed version and the version for the visually impaired. Breast Pumps and Supplies - Medical expenses incurred that assist lactation. Breast Reconstruction Surgery - Non-cosmetic purposes only, such as reconstruction surgery following a mastectomy for cancer. Capital Equipment (i.e. Medically Required Home Improvements) - If the equipment/improvement/modification does not increase your property value, all of the expense is a HSA qualified expense. However, if the equipment/improvement/modification increases your property value, then only the difference is allowable. For example, you put an elevator in your home that cost you $15,000, but your property value increased $20,000, the difference is $5,000 and is the amount which is allowable. Some of the more common improvements include, but are not limited to, the following items: Constructing entrance or exit ramps for your home Widening doorways, both exterior and interior Installing railings, support bars, or other bathroom safety modifications Lowering or modifying kitchen cabinets and equipment Moving or modifying electrical outlets and fixtures Installing porch lifts and other forms of lifts (but elevators typically add value to the property) Modifying fire alarms, smoke detectors, and other warning systems Modifying stairways Adding handrails or grab bars anywhere Modifying hardware on doors Modifying areas in front of entrance and exit doorways Grading the ground to provide disabled access to the home Only reasonable costs are allowed. Costs for architectural or aesthetic reasons are not HSA qualified expenses. Car - much like your home, the cost for equipment/improvements/modifications necessary for the use of a person with a disability are allowed. Again, if it increases the value, only the difference is allowable. Chiropractor Christian Science Practitioner Community Living for the Intellectually and Developmentally Disabled - Allows the cost of keeping a person in a special home, (not a relative) on the recommendation of a psychiatrist to help the person adjust from life in a mental hospital to community living. Contact Lenses - Can also include saline solution, enzyme cleaner, and other items required for using contacts. Crutches - Either the cost to buy or rent is allowable. Dental Treatment - Preventative treatment, such as teeth cleaning, sealants, fluoride are allowable. Also, X-rays, fillings, braces, extractions, dentures, etc. are also HSA qualified expenses. Diagnostic Devices - You can include the medical expense of devices used in diagnosing and treating illness and disease, such as a blood sugar monitor for diabetics. Disabled Dependent Care Expenses - Some disabled dependent care expenses may qualify as either: Medical expenses, or Work-related expenses for purposes of taking a credit for dependent care Drug Addiction - Inpatient treatment at a therapeutic center for drug addiction, including meals and lodging at the center. Eyeglasses - Eye exams, lenses, frames are allowable expenses. Eye Surgery - You can include the amount you pay for eye surgery to treat defective vision, such as laser eye surgery or radial keratotomy. Fertility Enhancement - Procedures to help overcome the inability to have children, such as in vitro fertilization (including temporary storage of eggs or sperm) and surgery to reverse prior sterilization surgeries. Guide Dog or Other Service Animal - Costs of buying, training, and maintaining a service animal for the visually-impaired, hearing-impaired, or a person with other physical disabilities. Health Insurance Plan Deductibles, Co-Pays and Co-Insurance Health Institute - Only if prescribed by a physician and the physician issues a statement that the treatment is necessary to alleviate a physical or mental defect or illness. Hearing Aids - Cost of the exam, hearing aid, and batteries used to operate it are HSA qualified expenses. Laboratory Fees Lead-Based Paint Removal - Only the removal (not the repair) of surfaces in poor condition in homes with children. Legal Fees - Legal fees necessary to authorize treatment for mental illness are allowable, but guardianship, estate fees, or other fees that are not necessary for medical care are not allowed. Lodging - A person traveling with the person receiving medical care can allow up to $100 per night ($50 per person), for example a parent traveling with a sick child. Medical Conferences - Admission and transportation to a medical conference if the medical conference concerns the chronic illness of yourself, your spouse, or your dependent. The majority of the time spent at the conference must be spent attending sessions on medical information. Medicines - Prescribed medicines and drugs only. (Note: Beginning 1/1/2011 the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act states that HSA funds can no longer be used for over-the-counter drugs without a doctor's prescription.) Nursing Home - Medical reasons. Osteopath - expenses paid to an Osteopath are considered HSA qualified expenses. Oxygen - Oxygen and oxygen equipment to relieve breathing problems caused by a medical condition Physical Exam - An annual exam and diagnostic tests are HSA qualified expenses even if you are not ill. Pregnancy Test Kit Psychiatric Care - Includes cost of supporting a mentally ill dependent at a specially equipped medical center. Psychoanalysis Psychologist Special Education - Medical expenses you pay on a doctor's recommendation for a child's tutoring by a teacher who is specially trained and qualified to work with children with learning disabilities caused by mental or physical impairments. You can also include the tuition, meals and lodging costs of attending a school that furnishes special education to help a child overcome learning disabilities. A doctor must recommend attendance. This includes:Teaching Braille to the visually impaired Teaching lip reading to the hearing impaired Remedial language training to correct a condition caused by a birth defect Sterilization Stop Smoking Programs - Nicotine patches or gum are not covered, unless prescribed by a doctor. Telephone - Cost of TTY & TDD, including repair and maintenance. Therapy Transplants Transportation - Transportation expenses used primarily for, and essential to, medical care. Including, bus, taxi, train, plane, ambulance. Also includes transportation expense of a parent who must travel with a child and that of a nurse, required by a patient who is traveling to get medical care and is unable to travel alone. Weight Loss Programs - Only if it is treatment for a specific disease diagnosed by a physician (i.e. obesity, hypertension, etc. ). You cannot include membership dues in a gym, health club, or spa, these are not considered HSA qualified expenses. Wheelchair - Autoette or a wheelchair used mainly for the relief of sickness or disability, and not just to provide transportation to and from work. Wig - A wig purchased upon the advice of a physician for the mental health of a patient who has lost all of his or her hair from disease.

Most people remember that hospital stays, doctors visits, and prescription drugs are HSA qualified expenses, but as you can see, the list of items that are considered HSA qualified expenses is very lengthy. Read IRS publication 502 for more details. Your HSA is intended to help you pay for medical expenses, so save your receipts to be sure that you can use those tax free funds to the fullest and maximize your tax write-offs.

However, if you use the HSA funds for something that is not considered HSA qualified expenses, you will not only receive no tax break, but also pay a 20% penalty. Make sure you also know the items that are NOT considered HSA qualified expenses.

Double Glazing And UPVC Windows Providing Multiple Benefits

What exactly is double glazing and why do we need it most people on a budget ask? Well double glazing is the name for windows that are made up of two panes of glass or other transparent material with an air space between them. This dead air space acts as an excellent insulator in many ways, from noise reduction to air transference. It will keep the home cool during summer and warm during winter by keeping the temperature even or as specified by your heating control. These panes are usually either 28 or 24mm in width. All much larger windows are available and are made to measure.

UPVC is the most common type of double glazing unit and stands for Un-plasticised Poly Vinyl Chloride and is very resilient. This is used because it does not rot or decompose; it is weather resistant and retains its shape in moderate temperatures. It does not flake and will not need painting. It can also be reshaped in very high temperatures so it is recyclable into the same or other objects. Recycled double glazed window and doors units though are dull in appearance and are susceptible to dirt and easily discolour. Once this happens it will not be able to be cleaned back to brilliant white and will stay looking worn out.

All double glazed windows are not the same and the quality is reflected in the price. This is because of new advances every year and perfecting technology within the industry. Also new glass coatings are being created all the time to something now that hardly needs cleaning. This type of low maintenance glass is ideal for high windows and conservatory roofs.

There is also a difference in double glazing units depending on what you require. If noise reduction is needed because of living near a busy road, railway or construction then a compromise is needed if you would prefer to reduce heat loss. Some expensive units offer both but secondary double glazing is ideal for both these problems as the air space between the panes can be made larger. The best distance between the two panes of glass is 4mm.

Also composite double glazed doors will add more security than just replacing the windows. Conservatories are an added space and between your building and added rooms are internal doors that can also be locked. Made from hardwood or UPVC, folding or sliding doors are increasingly used to replace traditional internal, patio or traditional French doors. The doors that also link a conservatory to your home can have flush fitting thresholds at floor level and this eliminates the conventional 'step over' and can be sunk into brickwork.

Why Exotic Pets Should Not Be Banned

We all know how special interest groups can blow things out of proportion - like the nonexistent "Exotic Pet Crisis." If you listened to some animal rights groups, you'd think keeping exotic pets is cruel, dangerous, and even bordering on treason! Before you buy that agenda, consider that a junior high student once made a convincing case for banning dihydrogen monoxide: colorless, odorless, and tasteless, it kills thousands of people every year.

Most deaths are caused by inhalation, but the dangers of dihydrogen monoxide do not end there. Prolonged exposure to its solid form causes severe tissue damage. Dihydrogen monoxide is also known as hydroxl acid, is the major component of acid rain, may cause severe burns, contributes to land erosion, may cause electrical failures and decreased effectiveness of automobile brakes, and has been found in excised tumors of terminal cancer patients.

This report was presented to 50 students, asking them what should be done about the chemical. 43 students favored banning it, 6 were undecided, and only one correctly recognized that 'dihydrogen monoxide' is actually H2O -- plain old water. How gullible are you?

Banning my cat makes about as much sense as banning yours - and the results are just as heartbreaking for pet and owner. Are you ready for the truth about the "Exotic Pet Crisis?"

Exotic pets are not dangerous! One study showed that the risk of injury to exotic cat owners was less than the risk of injury due to a domestic dog bite. And every person who drives a motor vehicle subjects themselves and their family to a risk three times greater then does someone who owns even a large exotic cat such as a tiger. Most exotic pet owners are kind, intelligent people who adore their animals and take excellent care of them. We love our pets just as you love yours. Exotic animal bans result in beloved pets being confiscated, impounded, and usually killed. A lucky few live out their lives in cages under the care of strangers in zoos and sanctuaries. This is the dirty secret animal rights groups don't want you to know. Banning does not help animals: it kills them! Exotic cat ownership is already regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Interior, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, CITES, the Animal Welfare Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Lacey Act, more city, county, and state regulations than you can shake a stick at, as well as existing animal welfare and public safety laws that govern both exotic and domestic animals. "You can buy a tiger on the Internet for $100.00," research-averse activists proclaim in horror. Just try to order up a tiger online, or even a serval. You won't succeed. This urban legend has great repeatability at cocktail parties and save-the-cute-animals-from-evil-humans fundraisers, but is severely lacking in the reality department. Breeders do have web sites, but it takes much more than a click of the mouse to purchase an exotic cat.