6 Things Dating Teaches Us About Investing

Bad date last night?Don't despair.It's not as bad as you may think.Here's some good news: you may not know it, but when it comes to your money, that bad date can teach you an awful lot about successful investing.

Think I'm joking?Think again.Although I was a far cry from being the King of Dating, I did have a few albeit rare lucky streaks in me.And looking back over those rare few times, my moderate success on the dating circuit did teach me quite a few things about prudent investing.

Here's a few quick examples:

1) DON'T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER

Dating: The guy was over a half-hour late, his outdated shirt barely matched his Taco Bell stained pants, the rain gave him a lethal dose of bed-head and back then the busboy was making more than he was.

If that wasn't bad enough, his humor was a bit stale and the car he drove had a weird putter that attracted nothing but aliens from the evil Planet X.While at first the girl thought it was going to be a dinner date from fiery hell, little did she realize that guy was I, and I'd soon wind up being the one she'd marry.

Investing: The receptionist was sure nice, but the carpets were dull and the musty furniture reminded you of grandma's place in Brooklyn.You were ready to take your money to that Private Wealth Management Firm --- the one with the white marble staircase and baby grand --- but when the well-mannered financial advisor appeared, you figured you'd be courteous and give him a few minutes of time.A little into his pitch, you were most pleasantly surprised when he touted low cost, tax efficient investments that perfectly matched your goals.It was then you realized there's a reason the furniture in his place is a bit out-dated, mainly, because the guy isn't touting the high fee investments.

Lesson Learned: First impressions can easily get the best of us.Whether it's a date or your money, taking a step back to peek behind the curtain will typically put both your money and heart in a much better place.

2) COSTS COUNT

Dating: She liked Dylan Thomas, idolized Ginsberg, despised the conformists and was clinically depressed that she missed last year's Monterey Pop Music Festival.

The perfect 10 from down in the Village strummed an acoustic, wrote poetry and even donated your favorite Levis to a homeless guy on the street.While at first lust got the best of you, months after helping her pay the rent, her organic meals and for all those Warhol movies you pretended to like, you were finally worn out, leading you to realize that when it comes to dating, costs most definitely do count.

Investing: The mutual fund was barely moving.Five years into it, you just couldn't quite figure out why you weren't making much money.Then, one fine day, you wisely took the time to research the fees you were paying, only to realize the fund was charging you way too much per year in annual costs and causing you all sorts of taxes.

Lesson Learned: When it comes to investing and dating, costs most definitely do count.Taking the time to evaluate how much you're paying for your dates and funds is an essential part of anyone's success.

3) DIVERSIFICATION IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS

Dating: Adam looked like Alan, Alan acted like Arnold, Arnold smelled like Arnie and Arnie reminded you of Alex.

And just when you thought you found the Perfect-A, Aden stood you up just like Albert and Abe once did (or was that Alfonse?).It was then, in one fleeting moment of revelation, you finally realized the problem had nothing to you, but everything to do with guys whose names start with the letter "A."

Investing: Dot-coms, late 90s.

Financials, 2008 Need I say more?

Lesson Learned: Diversifying your investments is a critical key to investment success.Load up in one sector or stock and it's not a question of if disaster will strike, it's usually a question of when.Spread the risk, diversify your investments into the prudent, timeless fundamental asset classes and of far more importance, consider dating guys whose names start with the letter A.

About the Author

Nationally recognized personal finance expert and bestselling author.

His unique strategies have helped people across the nation significantly reduce their investment risk, taxes and fees.For More Info: www.haftreport.com

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Severe Penalties For Using A Mobile Whilst Driving

Researchers studied the driving skills of 40 volunteers, who followed a virtual car in a driving simulator, which was programmed to brake at random.Each of the volunteers performed the task four times: without distractions..whilst using a handheld phone...whilst speaking on a hands-free kit..and after downing enough vodka to put them just over the drink-driving limit.

As in previous studies, the researchers found that talking on the phone, whether hands-free or hand-held, impaired their driving.Drivers were 9 per cent slower hitting the brakes, 24 per cent more variable in the distance they kept behind the lead car and 19 per cent slower resuming their normal speed.Their impairment was similar to that when they drove drunk.

After the above results, it is hardly surprising that insurers are taking a hard line with drivers caught on the phone.We outline below what increases insurers are making to premiums and reveal the truthful figures about phone offences when driving.

If the police catch and prosecute you for using a mobile whilst driving, your insurer is likely to increase your premiums by 30 per cent.The Alliance and Leicester, Churchill, Allianz, Zurich and Norwich Union are asking drivers whether they have been convicted of using a mobile in a car.The majority of insurers raise premiums recently, in line with the increase in penalties for this offence.

An AA survey has revealed that the average motorist pays 682 pounds annually for car insurance.A 30 per cent rise in premiums means that convicted motorists pay an additional 204 pounds a year.Mark Bishop, a spokesman for Allianz, confirms that his company has raised premiums by 30 per cent.He hopes that their action will reinforce the message that using a mobile in a car is needless and dangerous.

Ian Crowder from the AA welcomed the strong action as being a very responsible approach by insurers.Those drivers convicted of unlawful use of mobile phones tend to have more claims.They also have a lack of awareness of their surroundings, are unable to concentrate and do not control their car properly.Consequently careless driving and mobile phone use are inextricably linked, he said.

A driver receiving a CU80, which is a mobile phone penalty, has 18 per cent added to their premiums, a recent report by the AA has revealed.They want insurers to take the offence into account when quoting, which may lead to some companies refusing to insure drivers with a CU80.The premiums increase by 10 pounds - 30 pounds for an initial speeding offence, but sky rocket to 150 pounds for further convictions, with some companies refusing to quote.Mr Chrowder said that the use of a mobile phone in a car was seen by many as more dangerous than speeding, as the driver was not actively in control of the car.

The use of mobile phones whilst driving was made illegal in December 2003, but amazingly there are more and more people being caught.In 2006, there were 168,000 fines, which equates to almost 500 a day.This number is 29 per cent higher than the previous year, when the number was 129,700.Estimates indicate 300,000 motorists use their hand held phones each day, but, although hands-free phones are legal, many people maintain that they are just as dangerous.

The Statistics
Frequent texting whilst driving 50 per cent

Reduced concentration whilst talking on the phone 37 per cent

Number of motorists having points on their licence 6 million

Driving offences in 2006, including phone use and speeding 12.

7 million

About the Author

Interested in getting a quote on Car insurance?

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Moving A Business And Need Storage? Save Money With This Solution

Are you getting ready to move your company and you just needed to store office files and company things someplace without cluttering up another room in your work place?Have you thought about where will you ever put all that stuff while you clean and organize those areas?Well the best solution for my company was to rent portable containers.

Do you know what moving pods are?portable moving containers are so convenient and safe that I would recommend them for any situation where you just need to securely store some stuff for a while.This works perfectly for big cities too.You have the added advantage of ground loading and unloading.There is no climbing onto a truck or walking a tight unsteady ramp.

Because there are so many types and sizes to choose from, when obtaining quotes from a moving pods company you need to know approximately how much storage space you think you'll need so that you can accurately get the size container you need.You probably have seen a storage container in your neighborhood or in your neighbor's driveway and wondered what was going on.

That is crucial to saving money the first time around.If you inaccurately estimated the amount of contents to store and relocate then you'll have to arrange for another container and that will cost you big time.Then that great quote you shopped and compared for is out the window.Experienced storage representatives should help gauge what you are looking to store or move and help you estimate just what would be a good size container to rent.Typically you have up to a month to keep the container.

Choices and alternatives in the moving industry have grown with leaps and bounds.There are so many ways to ship and store your house contents, corporate move and relocation, and even in the automobile shipping industry.Because of the competition you have the advantage to save money by comparison shopping and letting portable moving container companies compete for your business.

If you live or work in cities then you'll appreciate the little space that portable moving pods actually take up.They are such a convenient and safe way to store all that extra stuff you have, for an option of moving, or even if you just need to store things during due to a home remodeling project that is why I feel that you would be quite satisfied with portable container shipping.These safe and secure containers are equipped with pad locks that you and only you have keys to.

You can put practically anything in those storage containers.I wouldn't suggest foods or anything perishable but if you need to store office furniture, bikes, beds, files and anything else that comes with having a home or business, then you know how important it is to be able to get those items arranged out of the house and stored properly to minimize damage.

So the next time you need storage consider portable moving pods as a better means to saving money and a convenient solution for storage.You can search the internet for great storage and moving container options.With so many to choose from compare quotes and services to select what suits you best.No matter where you live you can find that you'll save in the end and remember that you can save money with a better storage solution.

So remember that experienced storage representatives should help gauge what you are looking to store or move and help you estimate just what would be a good size container to rent.

About the Author

Experienced Pods Moving and Storage representatives should help gauge what you are looking to store or move and help estimate just what would be a good size container to rent.

Always shop and compare Office Moving Services to get the best movers Moving Quote rates to save money now!

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5 - Tips To Help Build Your Massage Therapy Business

If you are a massage therapist and the economy has got you down, there may be an answer.If you are getting frustrated trying to build your business up, then these tips can help you be more successful.As people become more frugal with their money, frills and unnecessary expenditures are becoming a thing of the past.With this in mind, here are five tips to help you find the customers and clientele that you need to run a successful massage therapy business.

Okay you went to school, put in your time and are ready to make some money as a massage therapist.You may have had a passion for massage for quite some time, but then when you really get ready to get started the economy bottoms.Maybe you have been in business for a long time, but all of a sudden your business has become flat because of the stagnant economy.No matter what your situation, there is a way to build up your clientele list and ultimately your bank account.

1.First, you must get your mind right.You have to get out of the doldrums and quit listening to the naysayers.Quit watching TV and listening about how bad the economy is.If you have convinced yourself that you can do no better and are going to fail, then you will fail.

As Henry Ford said, "if you think you can or you think you cannot, you are right." If you act successful, then you will be successful.People will see your positive mental attitude and want to be around you.This includes prospective clients.

2.Learn to address your prospective customer's fears.Bringing up possible fears or objections will make the prospective client feel more comfortable and trusting toward you.Some people will not get a massage because of a fear or concern that they have but are afraid or ashamed to ask.By bringing up these concerns, you will gain their trust and help them to make the decision to make an appointment for the massage.

Sometimes it is their lack of knowledge about massage that keeps them from coming in or making an appointment.They may not know what kind of massage to ask for or how each type of massage is preformed, thus they do not want to look stupid by asking.Educating your prospective clients can go a long way to building trust, respect and a client list.

There are many ways to educate the general public some of which are forums, blogs, websites or print.A column written for the local newspaper or circular is a great way to introduce yourself and educate the public about massage in general.

3.Well targeted and focused ads can draw new clients.Run as many free ads as possible.These can be run in local circulars and some newspapers for free.Other outlets are classified ads on the Internet like craigslist or backpage.These will give you a high visibility for free.

4.Run specials and hand out flyers.Run a special deal that no one can refuse.You may be losing money now, but you will make it back up on the back end.Be willing to give now to get more in return later.This will build a loyal client base.Have an open house or vendor's day where you invite other non-competing companies to come in and offer their services as well.This could include a skincare specialist, a makeup artist, a body wrap, etc.

5.Visit companies and offer an on-site massage session at lunch or during the workday at break time.Offer the company complimentary massages as a way of introducing yourself and the company rewarding their employees.You may be able to charge the company a flat rate fee for a day of service, but you will have to feel them out to see if they are willing to pay.

By making a goal oriented plan, you can build your massage therapy business into a successful and vibrant business.These are just a few tips and there are many more to help you make a solid

About the Author

Massage Therapy can be relaxing and extremely beneficial for your health.

Want free info?If you are interested in massage therapy as a profession or you are a massage therapist and want to increase your business, you can find out how at Amen Massage.

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