Body Language - How to Behave to Get the Job

 

When you are at an interview, you may not be aware of this but your interviewer is observing your body language, very carefully. 

 Your body language says a lot about yourself, so you need to control negative body movements and encourage positive body movements and habits. 

 Humans naturally send and receive nonverbal communication; they have been doing so since the beginning of time. 

 When your girlfriend folds her arms but has a smile on her face, are you not wondering what she upset is about or clammed up for. At an interview, you never want your body language to contradict your words, this makes you appear like a liar. 

 

The first impression or the first few minutes of your interview are the

 most lasting.

The Handshake: your hands should be clean and well-manicured, and free of perspiration. 

 You want to allow the interviewer to initiate the handshake, which should match the interviewer in firmness, do not give a firmer handshake than them. Smile at the interviewer and look them in the eyes. It should last between two to five seconds. When departing the interview, the handshake may last longer, smile, and lean forward as you shake.

Here are a few things you will want to avoid at an interview:

• Clasping your hands behind your head
• Adjusting your tie constantly
• Slouching in your chair
• Pulling your collar away
• Picking at your face or outfit
• Tight smiles or tension in the face
• Little eye contact
• Wrinkling your eyebrows
• Rapidly nodding your head
• Any nervous tics
• Crossing your ankles - means withholding information
• Crossing your legs away from the interviewer- toward is ok
• Crossing one ankle over the other knee
• Crossing your interviewers' personal space
• Avoid grinning idiotically
• Gnawing on one’s lips absentmindedly
• “Faking” a cough during a tough question
• Folding or crossing your arms
• Avoid compulsive jabbing the floor or desk with your foot
• Loud, obnoxious laughter

Read More

21st Century Business Women

 

When the first generation of women entered the workforce in earnest in the 1970s, they succeeded in the only way they could – by imitating men. Authoritarian leadership and tight control was the hallmark of that day’s businessman and women were not exactly welcomed into the ranks of management.

 Well, ladies, that was yesterday and today is today!

Forget what your mama or your boss told you because following the rules can be bad for your career. Today’s CEO/entrepreneur can no longer tap his/her company’s full potential using a “command-and-control” style. 

 The 21st-century businesswoman needs to be able to build a vision based on the awareness of economic transformation, then help her partners and staff fulfill that vision. She must draw on a wide range of skills to get to the top and stay there. 

 

Following are 7 Key 

Characteristics that are essential:

1. Sell the Vision: A leader with a fresh, independent plan for her company’s growth and future has a distinct advantage in luring and keeping great talent and investors. Vision is not some lofty ideal, but an obtainable concept that is easy to understand and will make the company grow to another level.

2. Reinvent the Rules: While women have traditionally been socialized to please others, the 21^st century leader knows that good girls rarely post great returns. The strong managers/owners today not only anticipate change, but they also create entirely new organizations that respond to shifts and search for innovation.

3. Achieve With A Laser Focus: Go where others fear to tread! Being aggressive and ambitious has long been considered male traits, but they are key qualities for new leaders. Today’s businesswoman has the ability to home-in on opportunities that others may simply not see, and then excel in that uncharted territory.

4. Use High-Touch in a High-Tech Era: When a number of leaders are conducting business by e-mail, voice mail, passwords, and PINs, the female entrepreneur succeeds because she guides with a strong, personal, bed-side manner. Today’s businesswoman is just as technologically savvy as her peers, but her skill with staff and customers are “high-touch” which gives her a critical edge and separation from the “pack”.

5. Challenge or Opportunity? – Women are great at turning a challenge into an opportunity instead of using the “slash-and-burn” approach. They are able to make bold strokes, but they also win the cooperation of others in the organization in making any transformation a success.

6. A Customer Preference Obsession: In this information age which makes it easier to shop around for the best “whatever”, businesses must work harder to give people what they want before their competitors do. There is no substitute for spending time with clients to become experts at their businesses and learn their demands. Female leaders are almost intuitively adept in doing just that, and without the client even suspecting.

7. Courage Under Fire: Show me any career woman or female entrepreneur today that isn’t able to “stand-the-heat” in any tough-call situation. Their decision-making skills are rooted in a high level of confidence, because they’ve had to weather and surpass any and all “corporate” storms they’ve encountered over time.

It takes a certain mind-set and bravado for anyone to start their own business and succeed, but it’s even more difficult for a female entrepreneur. 

 Let’s face it, ladies! 

 We’ve always had to be twice-as-smart and twice-as-confident as any male counterpart in the corporate world. After all, if we can bear and raise the future generation, how can running a successful business scare us?

Read More

Around the World with Craigslist

 Craigslist is an online community that offers members the opportunity to take a virtual trip around the world. There are Craigslist sites covering cities in all 50 states of the United States as well as sites for cities in over 50 different countries. With so much local and international coverage it is clear to see how users of Craigslist can virtually travel the globe through Craigslist.

 The existence of Craigslist communities around the world gives users all over the world a variety of opportunities including the ability to find international jobs, learn about cultural events, meet others in distant locations and find housing options in either different states or foreign countries. 

Working Abroad

For many, the appeal of working abroad may be very alluring. 

This is especially appealing to those who are young and do not have any commitments such as family keeping them from taking a risk and attempting to find a job abroad. Additionally, those who are financially secure and approaching retirement may be enticed to consider a foreign job. Although the possibility of working in another country may seem intimidating to some, there are others who may enjoy the opportunity to take on this type of adventure. 

Learn about Cultural Events

Those who are planning a trip to another state or country may find the community section of Craigslist to be especially helpful. Here they can search for events which may be going on during their visit or activities which may be of interest to them during their trip. 

In the community section of Craigslist, users can also find information relating to volunteer opportunities or classes of interest. They can also review the local news section of a particular location to learn more about what is going on in that particular area. All of this information can be useful for users who are planning a trip as well as for those who are just interested in learning more about another geographic location. 

Make Long-Distance Connections

The personals section may also be of interest to those who are planning a vacation to another geographic location. Those who do not know anyone in the area might post an advertisement seeking a tour guide to show them around the city or accompany them to events. 

Although this may seem like a risky endeavor to those who are less adventurous, it can lead to an excellent opportunity to have a native provide you with insider information on a particular location during your visit. 

Of course, caution should be exercised to ensure the encounter is not potentially harmful 

One way to avoid being placed in a potentially harmful situation is to agree to meet those found through a personals advertisement in a busy, public location during daylight hours and to never go to a secluded location with the individual. 

Find a Place to Stay

Those who are looking for affordable housing in another location might consider the housing swap category under the housing section for a particular city. 

Here individuals post information regarding the type of home or apartment they have, the location of their housing, and information regarding when and where they would like to find another homeowner to swap homes with for a set period of time. 

A housing swap may be an affordable way to eliminate lodging from a travel budget but it does come with some inherent problems. 

The primary problem is you have to first find another homeowner who is willing to offer their housing for a period of time, secondly, you have to coordinate with the other owner to find a suitable time for the swap, and finally, you have to rely on the other individual’s description of their domicile. 

Additionally, the homeowner has to be willing to allow the other individual to use their own home for a period of time. 

This may make many feel uneasy because they may be fearful of their possessions being stolen or their house being damaged. However, those who are willing to take this risk may find an affordable solution to lodging costs. 

Read More

Advertising on Craigslist

 Advertising on Craigslist is worthwhile for just about any business offering products or services. Whether these products are offered through eCommerce websites or physical stores, the business owners can see financial gains through advertising on Craigslist.

 Firstly unlike other advertising opportunities, there is very little risk involved in posting on Craigslist

 With the exception of job postings and housing postings in specific markets, advertising is free on Craigslist. Users are asked to agree to the terms of service of the community and are expected to follow specific guidelines when posting advertisements but there are no financial obligations to those placing advertisements on Craigslist. 

This means those who post advertisements do not have to be concerned with whether or not the advertisement they place will meet their expectations in terms of sales generated. 

Reaching Potential Customers on Craigslist

Another reason why posting advertisements for products or services on Craigslist is so worthwhile is the likelihood of reaching a large audience of potential customers. 

A review of the Craigslist fact sheet reveals pertinent information regarding the amount of traffic the website receives. 

According to this information, Craigslist receives approximately four billion page views each month with ten million people using Craigslist each month. 

From these statistics, it is clear that advertisements placed on Craiglist are likely to receive at least some attention from potential clients. 

With so many visitors using Craigslist each month the advertising possibilities are limitless, however, there is no guarantee any of these visitors will be interested in your products or services. 

Like any marketing campaign, your advertisements on Craigslist must be intriguing, informative, and in a location where you will reach your target audience.

Finding Your Target Audience on Craigslist

Read More

Prove Your Power: Anger Management Tips to use in Stressful Situatio...

Prove Your Power: Anger Management Tips to use in Stressful Situatio...:  When an individual is dealing with anger issues, usually their emotions evolve when put in stressful situations. If a difficult incident po...

Read More

Prove Your Power: How to live healthier+Focus on your mental and emo...

Prove Your Power: How to live healthier+Focus on your mental and emo...:  The main thing to a healthier you, is to eat the right exercise and visit your family doctor regularly.  This is all part of a healthier yo...

Read More

Prove Your Power: Cruise Ships: A Romantic Getaway for Couples

Prove Your Power: Cruise Ships: A Romantic Getaway for Couples:  With large workloads, hectic schedules, and children, many couples need a break from their daily routines.  This break often comes in the f...

Read More

Cruising With a Celebrity: Are Celebrity Cruises Worth the Money?

 You may have seen advertisements on television, the radio, or online.  Your celebrity is vacationing aboard a cruise ship and they want you to join them.  The advertisement you heard is for a celebrity cruise.  Celebrity cruises are gaining popularity in the United States and all around the world. 

The question that many want to be answered is, are they worth the money?

Celebrity cruises are not to be confused with the popular Celebrity Cruise Lines.  Celebrity cruises are cruises that are offered by a wide range of different cruise line companies. 

 The intention of a celebrity cruise is to attract travelers. 

To do this, celebrity cruises are booked with well-known television stars, movie stars, and musicians.  For some reason, and they are right, cruises lines know that fans follow their idols.  

If you are interested in determining whether or not a celebrity cruise is worth the money, there are a number of factors that you should first consider. 

One of the most important factors is the purpose of the cruise.  

A number of well-known musicians, television stars, and movie stars are compensated for their appearance.  

While this may not have a direct impact on your reservation, it may be in your best interest to know.  

In addition to being compensated for their appearance, a large number of movie stars, television stars, and musicians use a celebrity cruise to promote one of their upcoming shows, movies, or music albums. 

 It is not guaranteed, but you may be granted behind the scenes information and footage. 

To many fans, this information makes a celebrity cruise worth it.  

Promoting a charity or another good cause is another reason why a number of well-know celebrities make the decision to participate in a cruise ship voyage. 

 If you are interested in promoting a specific charity or cause, you may find it beneficial, in more ways than one, to attend the cruise.  

In addition to being able to meet one of your favorite celebrities, you could be helping to bring awareness to one of the many world charities that need assistance.  

Another important factor to consider when deciding on a celebrity cruise is the amount of time the celebrity will be onboard.  

Due to busy schedules, celebrities may be unable to stay on board for the whole length of the cruise.  To determine whether or not a celebrity cruise is worth the money, you will want to know how long each celebrity will be on board. 

If they will only be onboard one or two days, you may find that the cruise is not worth your time or money.  

In addition to the length of a celebrity’s stay, you will want to know when certain promotional events are scheduled. 

These events should be established ahead of time.  To determine when you may be able to dine with, meet, or get an autograph from your favorite movie star, musician, or television star, you should check the ship’s itinerary.  

This will enable you to determine if you will even get a chance to meet the celebrity onboard.  

It is also important to estimate how many passengers will be in the celebrity cruise you wish to take. The number of onboard passengers may have an impact on how much time you get to spend with the cruise ship celebrity.  

If there are a large number of onboard passengers and the celebrity will only be on the ship for a short period of time you may be unable to meet with them. This is something that should be closely examined when determining if a celebrity cruise is worth any value to you or your family. 

Finally, the cost of a celebrity cruise should be closely examined.  The cost of a celebrity cruise is often higher than other traditional cruises. 

 This is because you are often paying to meet the person who is onboard. That is why it is important to take the above-mentioned factors into consideration.  

Celebrity cruises are nice, but a celebrity is not the only reason why you should plan a vacation on a cruise ship.  

You can still enjoy a cruise, with or without a celebrity. 

Read More

Cruise Ships: A Romantic Getaway for Couples

 With large workloads, hectic schedules, and children, many couples need a break from their daily routines.  This break often comes in the form of a romantic getaway.  If you and your partner are searching for your next romantic adventure, you may want to examine the possibility of taking a cruise.

When it comes to romantic getaways, there are many who don’t even consider a cruise ship as an option.  

However, there are others who literally live for cruises

 These couples are likely to take two or more cruises each year.  Whether you’ve been on a cruise ship before or not, it is possible for you and your partner to have a romantic cruise ship getaway.

Before booking a cruise ship getaway, you are encouraged to consider a number of factors

If you are interested in having an intimate, relaxing, and romantic cruise, you are encouraged to search for a cruise ship that has an age limit for its passengers. These cruise ships often restrict children from coming aboard.  Many times, cruise ships with a passenger age limit target their voyages specifically to couples looking for romance.  

While it is possible to find a cruise ship with an age limit for their passengers, you may find it a bit difficult. 

 If you are unable to find one, inquire as to where couples with children will be placed.  

A number of popular cruise ships work to keep families and individual couples separated.  If this policy is in place, a cruise line is likely to state the policy on its website.  

The same information can be obtained by directly contacting a cruise ship representative.  

The size of the cruise ship you are interested in vacationing on is also likely to determine the level of intimacy onboard.  If it is the intimacy that you want, a smaller cruise ship may be your best bet.  

Larger cruises ships have more passages and more passengers often make it difficult to have onboard private moments.  A number of romantic cruise lines target their smaller cruise ships to couples looking to vacation alone.  

In addition to the size of the ship, the style and décor of the ships may determine whether or not you can experience romance onboard.  As previously mentioned, there are a number of cruise lines that target couples looking to vacation alone.  Part of that targeting may include creating a romantic environment.  On romance themed cruise ships, you may find romantic cabins, room service, and other similar services.  

Vacationing aboard a cruise ship is a great way for you and your partner to spend quality time together.  When selecting a cruise ship to vacation on, the intimacy off the ship is just as important as on the ship.  Almost all extended cruise ships dock in a port.  These ports are often located in another country, but not always.  To make the most out of your vacation destination, you will want to consider a cruise line that offers stops in romantic ports.  These ports may include but are not limited to the Bahamas, Hawaii, or the Caribbean. 

The Bahamas, Hawaii, and the Caribbean all have a number of cruise ship ports

  Additional ports can be found in the United States and overseas.  What many passengers enjoy about these particular ports is their climate.  The climate and the overall weather could have an impact on the romance aboard your ship.  Tropical weather tends to add to the romance in the air.  

Cruises ships are often viewed as large, oversized vessels.  In addition to traditional cruise ships, it is possible for you to take a local cruise.  If you are looking for a romantic getaway, but you fear the cost of an expensive cruise, you are encouraged to look into local cruises offered near your home.  These cruises often involve dinner, dancing, and sometimes an overnight stay.  They most often occur on a large river or a lake.

Now that you know what to look for when booking reservations for a romantic getaway aboard a cruise ship, you can start making preparations.  With a small amount of time and research, you could be sailing the seas in luxury, with the one that you love.

Read More

Seniors 'Vacation in Mexico

 All around the world, senior traveling is increasing in popularity.  A large number of senior citizens are making the decision to get out and travel.  If you are one of those individuals, you have likely examined a number of popular vacation destinations. 

 If so, was Mexico on your list?

Mexico is an amazing place to vacation.

 It is ideal for individuals of all ages.  

A large number of senior citizens travel to Mexico, each year. Despite what many believe, the United States and Europe are not the only vacation destinations that are ideal for senior citizens.  If you are able to take the time to examine what Mexico has to offer, you will likely want to schedule your next vacation there.  

As with any other vacation destination, Mexico has a wide range of activities. 

 Many of these activities are perfect for senior citizens. 

 Just a few of the many activities found in Mexico include relaxing at the beach, taking a boat cruise, or going on a guided tour.  If you are only able to select a few of these activities, you will want to examine each activity and determine which one brings you the most excitement.  

One of the most preferred activities, in all of Mexico, for senior citizens is guided tours. When you think of a guided tour, what first comes to mind?  Many individuals assume hiking or biking through rough terrain, but that is not what Mexico guided tours are all about.  It is true, you may find guided tours that require a large amount of walking, but additional alternatives are available.

Popular guided tours, that are ideal for senior citizens include ATV tours, bus tours, and boat tours.  ATV tours are ideal for those who wish to have a little bit of freedom and excitement while touring Mexico. For those that wish to relax while seeing what Mexico has to offer, boat tours or bus tours may be best.

Similar to guided tours, boat cruises are also available.  Many senior citizens consider Mexico boat tours similar to travel aboard a cruise ship.  Instead of taking an extended cruise, most boat tours only last a few hours. The length of your tour may be a deciding factor in whether or not you wish to take a boat cruise.

While boat cruises are often used to sightsee, there are many that serve other purposes. Many boat cruises offer exciting onboard activities.  These activities often include a night of dinner and dancing. With a little bit of research, it may be possible to find a boat cruise that is designed specifically for senior citizens. 

Mexico is most known for their beautiful, fun, and exciting beaches. If you are interested in relaxing at the beach, you have a number of options to choose from.  Due to Mexico’s popularity, many public beaches are overcrowded, especially in the spring and summer months.  If you would prefer to stay away from large crowds, you may want to consider scheduling your beach vacation at a beach resort.  

Mexico beach resorts come in all different sizes and styles. As with most popular beaches, many beach resorts quickly fill up with tourists.  Aside from large, well-known resorts, Mexico offers a number of smaller resorts that have a focus on relaxation and privacy.  If you are interested in spending your vacation in a private and intimate setting, you may want to consider these types of resorts.  

Relaxing by the beach, taking a boat cruise, or going on a guided tour are just a few of the many activities that you can participate in while on a Mexico vacation.  Additional activities may include, but should not be limited to, boating, fishing, snorkeling, or horseback riding.  

Before participating in a certain activity, you are encouraged to examine your health and your ability to participate. This is not something that is limited just to senior citizens.  

All individuals are encouraged to examine their ability to complete and participate in certain activities.  It is advised that you enjoy your vacation, not push yourself to the limits.

Read More

Mexico Vacations: A Lovers Paradise

 Mexico vacations are available for individuals of all ages

While many enjoy taking their family on a Mexico vacation, there are others who choose to vacation in Mexico alone with their spouse. With all of the romantic destinations in the world, you may be wondering why you should vacation in Mexico.

Romantic getaways in Mexico are popular for an unlimited number of different reasons.  Perhaps, the climate is what draws in most couples.  

Almost all year long, the climate in Mexico is tropical, warm, and inviting.  Many couples schedule a Mexico vacation to escape their cold weather. In addition to escaping cold weather, there is just something about a tropic environment that generates romance.

Romantic getaways in Mexico are popular for an unlimited number of different reasons.  Perhaps, the climate is what draws in most couples.  Almost all year long, the climate in Mexico is tropical, warm, and inviting.  Many couples schedule a Mexico vacation to escape their cold weather.

 In addition to escaping cold weather, there is just something about a tropic environment that generates romance.

Aside from the weather, many of the vacation destinations found in Mexico are geared for couples that are looking for a romantic getaway.  There are a number of popular vacation destinations in Mexico, the most popular being Mexico’s beaches.  If you are interested in scheduling a romantic getaway at a Mexico beach, you have a number of different options to choose from.

When vacationing at a beach in the United States, many couples visit the beach and then return to their hotel room. Similar accommodations are available in Mexico; however, the area is most famous for its beautiful beach resorts.  

If you are looking to have direct access to the beach and everything it has to offer, you may want to consider booking a stay at a Mexico beach resort.

In addition to having onsite accommodations, many Mexico beach resorts are known for their romantic environments and atmospheres.  

By directly contacting a beach resort or by researching one online, you can easily determine whether the resort caters specifically to couples.  

When looking for a romantic beach resort, you may want to consider the onsite activities for children.  If children are allowed to stay onsite, many romantic hotels refrain from offering onsite activities; this may help to keep the setting more mature.

The Mexico destination you select to vacation at is important when planning a romantic getaway. 

In addition to destinations, you will want to consider the activities that you can participate in.  Mexico has an unlimited number of vacation activities that can be found all around the country.

  The best way to bring romance to your vacation is to determine which of the vacation activities brings you pleasure. 

Just a few of the many things that you can do while vacationing in Mexico include boating, swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, and horseback riding.

  Many couples find beachside horseback riding to be relaxing and romantic, all at the same time. While snorkeling or scuba diving, you may be amazed by what you see and learn. For many, this excitement helps to generate romance.  

When booking your romantic Mexico getaway, you may find that the cost of vacationing in Mexico can be expensive.  If you are planning a romantic vacation, while on a budget, you can still visit many of the above-mentioned destinations and participate in many of the mentioned activities.  

To obtain low-cost reservations in Mexico, you are encouraged to search for vacation packages or all-inclusive packages. 

Traditional vacation packages often combine hotel and travel accommodations

 In addition to including hotel and travel accommodations, all-inclusive vacation packages are likely to include your cost of foods, drinks, and possibly your entertainment.  

You can easily search for these Mexico vacation packages by directly contacting a vacation resort or by visiting the resort’s online website.  

While it is nice to plan your own romantic Mexico vacation, you may want to consider acquiring the services of a travel agent.  Travel agents often operate locally or online.  In addition to offering you suggestions on romantic vacation destinations, your travel agent will likely save you money.  A large number of travel agents are given special deals and discounts on many vacation destinations, including Mexico.  Many of these deals are not available to the general public. 

Whether you choose to enjoy a romantic getaway at a Mexico beach or you choose another location, you are sure to enjoy your trip.  With all that it has to offer, Mexico can easily be considered a lovers paradise.   

Read More

Creating a Travel Plan for Your Mexico Vacation

 Planning is key to enjoying a great vacation when visiting Mexico

 Taking the time to plan your trip ahead of time is the best way to enjoy your vacation.  Planning is not only needed to enjoy your vacation, but to stay within your budget, have access to entertainment, and have a backup plan should anything go awry.  

When creating a Mexico travel plan, it is advised that you include the cost of your trip, as well as your spending money.

  If you are planning a family trip, you may want to let your children participate in the plan by letting them decide where they’d like to go and what they’d like to see. 

 A Mexico travel plan is also important because it can and should be used to manage your time. 

 Careful planning can prevent burnout.  

You are encouraged to make a list of the top destinations that you would like to see.  Be sure to include museums, beaches, historical landmarks, and anything else that piques your interest.  

Planning your budget will help prevent spending on an impulse. 

You will find that there are many opportunities to purchase souvenirs in Mexico.  With a preplanned budget, you should be able to enjoy the benefits of Mexican shopping. You can easily use calculators to determine the exchange rate between the United States and Mexico.  Taking the exchange rate into consideration is the best way to effectively budget your money.  You should also plan for tipping when preparing your budget.  

If you decide to vacation at an all-inclusive resort, then the cost of airfare, hotel, and food will be provided for.  However, it is important to note that certain restrictions may apply.  At an all-inclusive resort, you will have to pay for the extras, so make sure that you include anything that you may to purchase.  Extra money should be set aside for shopping in the markets and traveling outside of your resort.  

Planning for your entertainment ahead of time will help to prevent overspending. 

 You should determine ahead of time what activities you would like to engage in.  Planning and budgeting for your Mexico vacation can be difficult, especially when it comes to entertainment. 

 You may find that you and your family will want to make a last-minute stop.  This is why it is advised that you plan for unexpected stops and purchases.  If you have already set aside some money for unexpected activity, you won’t have to worry about the cost of a last-minute decision.  

Finally, your plan should consist of contact information and an emergency back up plan. 

 Whenever you are visiting a foreign country, it is important that you create an itinerary with all of your information and the details of your trip. That itinerary should be left with a close friend, family member, neighbor, or co-worker.  

In addition, you should also register with the United States Embassy or Consulate offices when you arrive.  If anything happens while you are in Mexico, seeking the help of the U.S. Embassy or the nearest consulate office will provide the quickest and most effective assistance.  

Before leaving for Mexico, make sure that you have up-to-date passports for all family members, as well as other forms of identification. By creating a travel plan, sticking to your budget, and creating an emergency backup plan, you can ensure that your family will have a wonderful vacation in Mexico.

Read More

Florida Relocation

 An overview of the process of relocating to Florida and shopping for a home.

New Yorkers are buying homes in Florida (particularly in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and Boynton Beach) at a record pace, either as a second home or permanently relocating to the sunshine state. This brief overview is intended to give readers from New York an idea of what to expect when embarking on the process of shopping for a home in So. Florida.

Although home prices have skyrocketed in the last 5 years, relative to NY prices, you can still buy a lot more house for your dollar in Florida.

 Homes in South Florida are currently selling pretty quickly with the average time on the market being about 30 days. If you are working with a real estate agent here and are serious about buying something, be prepared to make a trip down here on short notice. If you leave it until your next trip in a couple of months, chances are the home will no longer be available. Homes here typically sell anywhere from full asking price to $10k or $20k below the asking price. 

Often times, homebuyers from other areas make offers of 10% below the asking price, only to lose a few homes before understanding that sellers here consider this insulting and typically won’t even respond with a counteroffer. 

With 1,000 people per day making Florida their permanent residence, the demand for housing continues to increase while there is a limited supply. For this reason, it is anticipated that prices will remain strong for the foreseeable future.

Real Estate taxes are calculated using a millage rate which is applied to the assessed value of the property. Although the millage rate varies from one area to another, as a rule of thumb, your annual Real Estate taxes will be 2% of the value of your home.

 Property is re-assessed every time it changes hands, so when you buy a home, you should expect it to be assessed at or about your purchase price, therefore your annual taxes will be about 2% of what you paid for your home. 

There are several tax exemptions available to Florida residents, the most significant one being the Homestead Exemption which is available to all permanent Florida residents. 

This exemption lowers your assessed value by $25k and shields your property from creditors, but more importantly homestead properties are protected by the Save Our Homes tax cap which limits the amount your taxes can increase by 3% annually. Since property values have been increasing by about 25% annually, it is extremely important to file for homestead exemption as soon as you close on your new home.

 At the same time, since many current homeowners are paying a fraction of what they would if their homes were not protected when looking at homes, you should pay no attention to what the current owner’s taxes are, instead you should calculate your new tax based on your purchase price.

 If you are discouraged by the high real estate taxes in Florida, don’t despair, there is good news yet - Florida has no income tax. When living in NY, you pay Federal, State, and possibly City taxes on the money you earn. In Florida, while you still pay Federal income tax, there is no state income tax at all.

Most single-family homes in Boca Raton are built-in planned communities and are governed by homeowners associations. 

Townhouses or condominiums are similar but are governed by condo associations

 In either case, the governing body will be responsible for the maintenance of common areas and will impose rules on homeowners regarding the upkeep of the homes. 

Homeowners are required to pay monthly assessments to the association to cover the common costs of the community, which vary depending on what the association is responsible for. If you purchase a home in Country Club, membership in the club may be mandatory. Country Club membership typically entails an upfront equity contribution to the club ranging from $20k to $100k and yearly membership dues ranging from $2k to $15k.

Your mortgage company will require that you maintain an insurance policy on your home equal to at least the amount of the mortgage or the replacement value of the home whichever is less. 

They will require that you have hurricane coverage and if you live in a flood zone, then flood insurance as well. Flood zones are determined by an elevation survey and while you may not be required to carry flood insurance, the incremental cost above your standard policy is minimal and it is worth having it anyway. 

There are several factors that will affect the cost of your homeowners' insurance most of which is a function of the age of your home. Homes that are more than 20 years old are significantly more expensive to insure. 

Homes that were built after the new hurricane code was put into effect in 1998 are significantly less costly to insure due to the changes in how the homes are built including the requirement for storm shutters.

If you are relocating and seeking permanent employment in Florida, keep in mind that due to the cost of living differences between NY and So.

 Florida, you need not earn the same dollar amount that you are currently earning in NY. 

As a rule of thumb, your FL salary should be approximately 80% of your NY salary

 In other words, if you are earning $100k per year in NY, you need to earn $80k here in order to lead a similar lifestyle.

Home shopping can be an exhausting experience, especially when doing it long distance. With more than 16,000 Realtors in Palm Beach County, it is important that you select the right Realtor to work with. Make sure you are working with someone who is a full-time Realtor, not a part-timer who has a license and tries to make a deal here and there. 

A Realtor who is Internet savvy will make the process a lot easier by communicating with you via email, sending you listings, pictures, and even virtual tours. 

It is also important to understand that unlike New York where Attorneys handle the contract, here in Florida contracts are prepared and executed by the Realtor, so a competent and professional Realtor can make all the difference.

Read More

Flat Rate Movers In NYC

 Whether relocation concerns a residence or business there are movers in NYC who offer customers an all-inclusive one-price move that is guaranteed. Known as Flat Rate movers, the innovation introduced in 1991 offers an all-inclusive, guaranteed, one-price move.

This was introduced in order to eliminate questionable pricing practices and to develop trust among customers. They will ask details of what and where you want to move and provide you with a fixed cost estimate for the proposed move.

The service includes packing, collecting your boxes, doorstep delivery as well as unpacking. However the system is not without problems so you must ensure that the credentials of the company are “good”, there are no complaints with the Better Business Bureau, that the contract includes guarantees, as well as breakage or loss insurance.

You may need to take additional insurance to protect your valuables. Ask the company about this. If in doubt consult a “moving” advisor or consultant. Make time to search on the web for insights about moving and how a movie can be made safe and error-free. 

Check the information offered on company websites, always contact at least three companies, and make a comparison table listing estimate, services, credentials, insurance, and so on.  Never hesitate to ask around and seek answers from the moving company to even simple questions. 

Most important check with Dot and the Better Business Bureau for any complaints or reports registered against the companies on your list. Surf the Web for any reviews, blogs, or articles recommending the company or issuing warnings about the company.

There is peace of mind in ensuring the safety of your possessions, so do your best to protect yourself.

Read More

Who Are The Leaders Behind The Launch Of GeneWize?

 So, you have a website open to the public, now what?

Basically, your general premise for having a website is simple: to provide prospects with information in order to answer their unanswered or spur of the moment questions relating to your business. 

Your message to your visitors should express, “this is why you want to do business with our company”.

The basic allure of shopping or doing research online is that a prospect will not have to talk to anyone to get the information they are after. It is a field trip so to speak, they can look and not touch, go where they are told, and not ask any questions until the end of the tour. 

Your visitors (like kids on a field trip) are on your site because of some simple curiosity that has led them to your site. 

You are their tour guide. 

They expect you to know where you want them to go and show them everything they want to see. 

Every click from a visitor on your site is an unspoken question looking for an answer. These clicks represent an opportunity for you (the tour guide) to answer it correctly leading your visitors to the light at the end of the tunnel. 

So, visitors better get what they want as quickly as possible or they’ll click their back button and look for another tour guide.

When the usability and content of your website convince a visitor that your information is valuable to them; they give you something of value in return. They give you their valuable information by becoming a lead.

Let’s get one thing straight, it doesn’t matter if your website has a simple or complex sales process. The nature of any website in the context of this article is irrelevant as the underlying objective of any website is plain and simple, it is persuasion.

You may or may not have heard of “reverse marketing”.  So, what is reverse marketing”?

Reverse marketing is a customer-centric approach of going backward in the whole evolution from prospect to lead, lead to customer, and customer to repeat customer. In order to go backward in the process, ask yourself these questions: who, what, and how?

Who do I need to convince? What am I convincing my visitors to do?

When the objective of your site is generating leads, you want to convince your visitors to fill in a contact form for more information, register to download a white paper or demo, register for special offers, opt into a newsletter or e-mail list, or use “email a friend” to forward interesting content on your site to those they know with similar interests.

Now that your target audience has been developed, in this case, business seekers or business opportunity seekers which represent your “who” from above, and you have identified the action you want them to take, which is turn them into a lead. 

You will now need to to look at configuring an online experience that incorporates your answer to the third basic question:

How do I most effectively persuade my visitors?

Read More

Quicker Success Through Business Kits And Startup Guides

 You have always had an interest in starting a particular type of business

 However, realistically you know that you lack the expertise required. 

How can you start the desired business from scratch and begin making profits without the steep learning curve? 

Your answer might be to buy a business kit or startup guide.

For example, let`s say you wanted to start your own import and export business. You will find business kits and startup guides written by persons who have already successfully ran an import-export business. Sometimes these kits consist of actual books, courses, forms, videos, audio cassettes, and other media. Other times, the information may be in the form of a downloadable e-book or a website.

Whatever their form, business kits, and startup guides can shave years off your learning curve. Find out the tricks of the trade for your selected business. 

Avoid costly errors and years of frustration by learning from the mistakes of others.

Some of the businesses covered in articles include consulting, finder`s fees, drop shipping, import-export, bed and breakfast, mystery shopping (also known as secret shopping), various cleaning businesses, catering, daycare, graphic and web design, crafts business, licensing, inventions, mail order, medical transcription, newsletter publishing, professional organizer, public speaking, real estate, self-publishing, surveys, writing, and just about any other specific business you might be interested in.

Often, for less than one hundred dollars, you can have the benefit of years or even decades of experience from successful entrepreneurs.

Therefore, if you wish to enjoy quicker success, consider buying a business kit or startup guide.

Read More

5 Crucial Home Business Tips to Realize Financial Freedom

 Starting your home business is the easy part, but realizing your long-term goal of financial freedom takes much effort and dedication. There are many ways to operate a home business, but the tips below outline some solid principals you should follow to earn a steady income from home no matter what your home business.

1. Set Goals for Success

Setting goals will help you stay focused on what you want to accomplish within your home business. Start with long-term goals for where you would like to be financially five, ten, even fifteen years from now. Next, create short-term goals for daily, weekly, and monthly achievements. 

To attain financial freedom is a great long-term general goal, but it will take many small goals to reach this level. You'll need to set small goals to create a steady cash system. A home business will go nowhere without goals, so take this step before starting any other tasks.

2. Create a Pleasant, Professional Home Office

Evaluate your home business workspace. Do you work in a corner of your bedroom with a desk and computer? Is your office usually the kitchen table between meals? Do you try to work in the living area while the rest of your family enjoys conversation or entertainment? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you'll probably need to make some changes. 

Create an office space that is for work only. Even if it's in the corner of another room, block its view with office sectional walls or some type of barrier wall to give a sense of privacy. An office should be just an "office" and nothing else. When you arrive at your office, you're ready for work. When you leave the office space, the workday is over.

3. Get Organized

Once you have a defined work area for your home business, fill it with supplies and tools to make work easier and more efficient. Choose a desk and chair for comfort as well as back, neck, and arm support. Desks with shelves and cabinets can make organizing your office a cinch, especially if you have limited office space. Also, keep a daily to-do list, calendar, and schedule book to prioritize tasks. 

4. Stay on Schedule

When you work at home, it's easy to get off schedule because of interruptions or the temptation to take time off for leisure activities. Keep in mind that every moment wasted today usually means more work the next day. Eventually, you'll be working around the clock and never seem to accomplish anything. For home business success, keep a steadfast work routine daily and set a work schedule you can stick with every day. Develop a mentality that every job is actually a pay-by-the-hour job. Every hour spent working will help you make money and gain financial freedom.

5.  Separate Business from Personal Tasks

Once you set a schedule, stick to it. Don't allow personal tasks to get in the way of work. This can be anything from cleaning the house to visits from friends or relatives to watching television. Take breaks from your computer, but try to avoid getting involved in personal tasks during your breaks. Many women confess to washing dishes, ironing clothes, vacuuming, and other personal tasks while on break from their home business. Personal tasks can cause your mind to be off-focus, and it will be difficult to return to a regular work routine afterward. 

Find other things to do during breaks that won't take your mind too far away from work. Take a 15-minute walk. Sit and read a self-help book related to your business. Or, take a quick snack break, with a healthy snack of course!

Once you take these steps, you're ready to enjoy a steady cash system at home that works. You can earn money doing what you love most, and your home business can soar to heights never imagined if you stick with these basic principals. Get ready for a bumpy road, but also look for the financial freedom that awaits you just over the horizon!

Read More

5 Benefits Of Using Feeds - How Feeds Can Help Your E-Business

 Feeds are a way of sharing content. When you make material from your website available for publishing on other sites, you provide them with a feed. Basically, it’s a code that lets them post your articles and blogs. There are different kinds of code—XML, RSS, Atom, etc.—but essentially they’re all just different ways of accessing a feed.

According to internet expert Sydney Johnston, “The great thing about a feed is everybody wins.” The article writer gain...

Keywords:

Product,sourcing,ebay,ecommerce,dropship,ebiz,entrepreneur,blog

Article Body:

What’s a Feed?

Feeds are a way of sharing content. When you make material from your website available for publishing on other sites, you provide them with a feed. Basically, it’s a code that lets them post your articles and blogs. There are different kinds of code—XML, RSS, Atom, etc.—but essentially they’re all just different ways of accessing a feed.

According to internet expert Sydney Johnston, “The great thing about a feed is everybody wins.” The article writer gains exposure, the reader learns about something of interest to them, and the online seller gets an endless source of pertinent content.

What Can a Feed Do for My Online Business?

Feeds are useful in a number of different ways:

• They Eliminate Spam-filters. They’re 100% opt-in, so readers can subscribe and unsubscribe at will. Feeds are delivered directly to your subscribers, so you don’t contend with filters knocking you out of their inboxes.

• They Provide Free Content. One of the best ways to differentiate your site is to supply readers with interesting material—educate them on topics relating to the product you’re selling.

 If you sell preschool toys, chances are you don’t want to study child development and write numerous articles on the subject—so find someone else who’s already done that and make their feed available to your customers. The constantly updating, applicable subject matter gives your visitors a reason to keep coming back.

• They Can Improve Yur Search Engine Rankings. In the past, search engines were unable to read feeds, but the software is now available to translate them into live links the engines can see (check out http://CyberWS.com). Search engines love fresh, dynamic content, so feeds are ideal. They provide relevant information that updates automatically. Not only do your customers get the facts they’re looking for, but the search engines like your site and give it a better position.

• For Affiliate Marketers, They’re an Alternative to Banners. You not only give your customer valuable knowledge but if they click through and purchase something, you get credit. And unlike with banners, you don’t look like you’re putting up junk ads or spam.

• They Can Increase Your Traffic. Anything you write, you should make available as a feed. When other sites pick it up, it’s free advertising for you—all their traffic is able to click through the feed to your site. So you gain new potential customers you wouldn’t have otherwise.

Feeds on any subject are easy to find. There’s a whole collection of search engines just for feeds, like http://Plazoo.com and http://Feedster.com. Says Johnston, “The future of the internet for entrepreneurs is fed. If people don’t master them, they’re going to get left behind, period.”

Read More

"Life With Woody" 10 inspirational quotes than can improve yourself

 It might take a little coffee or probably a few rounds of beer or any other booze you could get your hands-on when it comes to relaxing after a hard day's work. 

Well, yeah I'm guilty about that one as well unless I'm caught dead wearing a lampshade over my head after a few rounds of vodka… half-naked! Okay, bad example and I apologize to everyone reading this after getting nightmares about me in that state of drunken stupor.

Just don't ask how it happened, please.

But what's really interesting is that how do people go through the usual part of life when faced with vein-popping stress? 

I mean, the new age thing like Zen or yoga is one of the good things and it actually works. Is there room for the intellectual side of people who can actually smell the roses-in-a-can while on the move? It kind of had me thinking that there really must be something in this 'mind-over-matter' thing.

Humor is indeed the best medicine there is whenever you are. I mean anyone can pay good money to listen to a comedian just to make you wet your pants after laughing so hard. 

Regardless of what's been happening, and to those who have gone through the ordeal, it's better to just laugh while facing the troubles with a clear mind than anger with a clouded vision. One of my favorite celebrities of all time may have to be Woody Allen.

 Now, this is one guy who gives you the in-your-face bluntness that he pulls out with gusto, even without even trying. You can talk just about anything with a man, and he's bound to mock the subject and you'll end up laughing rather than being upset about it.

Woody Allen has this to say:

1. "Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons." It sounds good to me, I mean the practicality of all things does involve money but it doesn't have to take an arm and a leg to get it.

2. "I believe there is something out there watching us. Unfortunately, it's the government." 'Nuff said.

3. "There are worse things in life than death. Have you ever spent an evening with an insurance salesman?" This happens to be one of the classic ones. I mean the issue about life's little problems isn't all that bad, until 'he' shows up.

Sure, relationships can get complicated or do have the complications that probably any author about relationships is bound to discover it soon. 

We follow what our heart desires unless you're talking about the heart as in the heart that pumps blood throughout your body.

4. "Love is the answer, but while you're waiting for the answer, sex raises some pretty interesting questions." And if you want more, just keep on asking!

5. "A fast word about oral contraception. I asked a girl to go to bed with me, she said 'no'." It sounds, 'practical', I think.

And when it comes to everyday life, he really knows how to make the best out of every possible scenario, and it doesn't involve a lawsuit if he strikes a nerve.

6. "Basically my wife was immature. I'd be at home in the bath and she'd come in and sink my boats." I never had a boat in my bathtub before. Just staring at it while soaking in hot water makes me seasick already.

7. "I am not afraid of death, I just don't want to be there when it happens." If it rains, it pours.

8. "I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose." It could get worse when you're guzzling on beer… or mouthwash, and it happened to me once!

Read More