Content Management System - How it Will Help Your Website

If you want to build a website that is going to be around for years, it's best to start off with a solid platform. Having what is called a content management system will help make managing your website extremely easy and much more flexible for the growth and future of that site.

Using programs like Frontpage or Kompozer are fine for making websites. The problem is that they are missing quite a few features that make managing a website much easier. However, they are both excellent programs for beginners to start building websites with since they are relatively simple to learn and use.

There are open source content management systems like Joomla, Drupal, and even WordPress that can be used to build websites. They offer significant advantages that will help you build the best website for your needs.

First of all, there are thousands of themes that you can use on these platforms. Your site will be organized, clean, and polished from day one. If you search for themes, you will find that there are so many to choose from that you are bound to find one that you like. Themes are also important because if you want to change the look and feel of the site later on, it's an easy fix versus editing every single page.

Another advantage of a content management system is that you can edit the sidebar or footer and every page on the whole site will change. If you need to add in little widgets like recent news or announcements, it's as easy as typing it into a word processor but the entire site will have that change. Manually this would take hours on sites of more than 100 pages.

If you don't have a feature that you want, there are plugins that will do almost anything you could think of. If you want a fuller featured comment section, for example, there are many to choose from that will make that easy.

While there is a definite learning curve, using one of these free systems will help make your site quite a bit better and can save money without needing to purchase software or themes. If you run into trouble, there are hundreds of forums and websites dedicated to these programs so you can easily find the answers to all your questions.

Building a great website doesn't have to be difficult. By using one of the many content management programs available you will be on your way to a quality site in no time!

Woodturning: Mounting The Wood To The Lathe - Center Work

Wood lathes come generally with centers and face plates to hold wood to be turned. Beginners are faced with the challenge of mounting the wood and getting it safely cut. There are a few simple things to get one started on the adventure and we will begin, as do most woodturners with spindle turning.

Most wood lathes will be sold with two centers and others are readily available from after market suppliers. The centers are pointed fittings that attach to the head stock and tail stock and are called drive or spur centers for the head stock and tail centers for the tail stock. They are used almost exclusively for spindle turning.

While a few spur centers attach by screwing onto the head stock, most centers, both spur and tail, attach by means of a tapered section. This will usually be a Morse taper number one or two. All that is required to know about the Morse taper is it will hold the attachment very securely and the size is necessary when replacing the center.

Many woodturners begin by placing a square piece of wood between centers. Mark the center of each end of the square and indent the centers with an awl. The spur center will look like a point with two to four spurs surrounding it. All that is necessary is that the point go into the wood sufficiently to engage the spurs. They do not need to go far into the wood, just to engage it. Placing the point into the wood and rapping it with a wooden mallet should easily suffice.

The tail center may be solid or it may have ball bearings and rotate freely. The solid or dead center will need a drop of oil on it to prevent friction burns. If your lathe comes with a dead center it is a good idea to replace it with a ball bearing or live center as soon as possible.

With the spurs engaged into the wood and the spur center in the head stock the tail stock is brought up and the center of the tail center engaged in the wood. The tail stock is tightened down, the tool rest is checked for clearance and the work is ready to turn. It is a good safety feature to snug up the tail center before starting and then to periodically tighten it while turning. The spur center can act like a drill bit and loosen the work over time.

Start small with the work between centers. Later you may wish to experiment with chucks and glue blocks but a great deal of enjoyment can be had and good work made between centers.

Common Excuses for Not Giving To Charity

For the most part, people like to look at themselves as helpful people with altruistic motives. They like to think that they would be willing to do the right thing in any circumstance. But the world has a tendency to harden people and make them more skeptical. Inevitably, focus will shift almost exclusively to people's own problems. When asked to participate in charities, it will be easier to make excuses and come up with reasons to stay out of them.

There are a few excuses in particular that regularly come up as explanations for not giving to charities. Each of them can be overcome and people will always be satisfied with the end result. Charities play an important role in increasing the quality of lives of people all around the world. If someone has the means to donate of his or her money, time, or possessions, someone's life will be better off because of the selfless actions.

One of the most common excuses for not donating to charity is that a people don't think they have enough money. In some cases, this is a legitimate excuse and such people may actually be in need of charity themselves. But every little bit counts, and if you have just $5 to donate at a given time it will be appreciated. Instead of paying for an unnecessary item, donate the money to charity. Pack a lunch from home for a week instead of buying lunch every day and give the money you saved to an organization that will use it to help someone in tough circumstances.

The skepticism that comes into people's lives over the years will lead them to question whether donations to charity are actually going to help people in need. After all, charities need funds themselves to continue operations and some of the money will go to the people running the organizations. This concern can be overcome by searching for a charity with an established reputation and that provides services that you feel passionately about. Charities are more than happy to provide potential donors with specific examples of people they have helped.

Many people worry about being tricked into donating to a scammer posing as a charity organization. Unfortunately, such operations do exist. This is another obstacle that can be overcome by a little bit of research. Don't let a few bad people keep you from contributing to quality charities that actually make the world a better place.

Last of all, it can be tough for a person to comprehend that their contribution is actually helping in the grand scheme of things. If a company receives $1 million in charitable contributions throughout the year, for example, what difference will it make for a person to donate $15? The key here is to not think of it collectively. Think of what your donation will do to a specific individual. That may be what pays for someone's medicine or food.

If you can overcome the common excuses to avoid giving to charity, consider donating your car when you no longer need it. It can serve a purpose after you are finished with it and charitable organizations will ensure that it will be a tool in helping the overall mission of the charity.

3 Easy Techniques to Improve Your Psychic Abilities

Wanting to improve your psychic abilities doesn't mean that you have to sit down and give people readings. It doesn't mean that you are obligated to tell everyone about their dead relatives that are coming to visit them. Improving your psychic abilities can even be a private thing that few others, if anyone, knows about. Improving your psychic abilities can give you a huge advantage in life. Psychic abilities can help you to decide on the right career, choose the right relationship, or to get guidance and support from deceased loved ones, guides, and angels.

Try not to pressure yourself regarding your psychic abilities. It is unlikely that your Great Aunt will appear before your eyes on your first try. It is unlikely that a spirit guide will shout into your ear about a major life choice. The trick about psychic abilities and communication is that it is often very subtle. You need to be calm, relaxed, and open to receiving the communications. As you practice and get better those communications will feel more real and more solid to you. They will be more difficult to miss. It's all about opening your mind, body, and spirit up to the possibility of psychic communication.

1.) TRUST

Psychic abilities grow with trust. If you are constantly doubting yourself or being negative then the communication will decrease. If you are feeling open-minded and optimistic then the psychic communication will increase. I frequently repeat the mantra "believing is seeing". You need to believe it in order to see it. Want to receive guidance from your spirit guide? Then believe you can and it will happen! Want to get a message from a deceased loved one? Then believe you can it will happen! Besides trusting the process have trust in the communication that you receive. It will, at first, feel like your imagination running wild. That's OK. Gradually what is your imagination will evolve into actual psychic communications. Try not to be dismissive of communications. If you have posed a question to spirit about whether you should take a particular job and then you have a fleeting thought of seeing yourself working in that office building, take that as a sign. Don't dismiss it. Sure, it could be your imagination but it could also be your spirit guide telling you to GO FOR IT!

2.) RELAX

Some people get wigged out when they see the word Meditate so I chose the word relax instead. Some people feel that meditating is a lot of work, difficult, or even impossible yet they are able to relax. So if you are uncomfortable with the thought of meditating then just work on relaxing. Relaxing quiets the mind and allows spirit communication to flow in much easier. You probably have a good idea of how you best relax. Laying on the couch? Sitting in your favorite reclining chair? Some people prefer non-activity to relax while others are better able to relax when they are doing something. That something may be gardening, walking, jogging, or even cleaning. Do whatever activity helps you to decompress, that allows your mind to daydream. You may want to pose a question that you then open yourself up to receive the answer to. Perhaps you ask what you need to be doing differently in your relationship. While you are relaxing let the answers come to you. They may come in the form of seeing, feeling, hearing, or thinking. Just be open to the communication and of course, trust in it. You may want to write down your thoughts once you are finished relaxing. Many times if you don't write then down you will forget them. It can be useful to come back to those journal entries weeks or months later. You may find additional clarity that you didn't realize initially.

3.) HAVE NO EXPECTATIONS

Leave your expectations at the door. If you are expecting something then you might miss what actually comes. Seriously. Take some time to contemplate any hidden expectations you may have. Do you expect to hear your spirit guide in a normal tone of voice? Do you expect to see your deceased loved one just as they looked on earth? Are you thinking the angels will be strumming a harp in front of you? Try hard to let your expectations go. If you are expecting something will you happen to notice if you spirit guide silently puts a thought into your mind? What if your deceased loved one shows up as a ray of light instead of in human form? Perhaps the angels are reading a letter they wrote to you instead of strumming a harp. Try to put yourself in a frame of mind where you have no expectations and are open to any form of communication.

Positive Affirmation Quotes - How To Make Positive Affirmation Quotes Work For Your Everyday Life

Making positive affirmation quotes are extremely beneficial to everyday life. Positive affirmation quote as the name suggests, is a positive statement made in the present or past tense that serve to communicate a message to the subconscious mind.

The power of the subconscious mind lies in its manifestation abilities which when once aroused with positive affirmation quotes or other mind reprogramming tools perceived the statements to be true and turn them to reality. That's the power you can trigger in your everyday life if you understand the power of positive affirmation quotes. Here's a sample positive affirmation quote you can use in your everyday life.

I am in constant touch with the Universe.

I accept and love myself.

I am loving and unique, free and loved.

I am protected and feel safe always.

Since I am in contact with every feeling I have, I accept all of them.

My life is surrounded by caring and loving people.

I accept and love other people and this builds friendships that are strong and long-lasting.

I have faith in my inner being leading me in the correct direction.

I do everything I can each day to make the environment for everybody around me loving.

I am in constant connection with the Divine Loving Power in the Universe.

The vision in my inner self is always focused and clear.

Positive affirmation quotes are not quick fixes to problems in your everyday life. It takes patience, faith and conviction to manifest what you truly desire in life. That's how life works; there ain't no magic bullets to problems. However, if you truly believe that you deserve much more in life, positive affirmation quotes are going to get where you want to go in life.

Printers - My Pet Peeve

The Cost of Ink

This is my third article on the subject you can read my others on my web site http://www.caveatemptorus.com or at http://www.ezinearticles.com.

I believe in free enterprise and all that but some things are beyond the pale. Ever since the advent of the inkjet printer I think we've been getting ripped off

A set of OEM cartridges for the average printer cost just less than $75.00 a set of refilled units on eBay go for close to $50.00. I think that's outrageous.

It's often cheaper to buy a new printer than it is to buy a set of cartridges, which I frequently do.

. Originally the printer manufacturers practically gave away printers; in fact a lot of them did so through promotions and rebates.

Their strategy was to sell the printers at low prices and make their money on the cartridge replacements, so they inflated the prices of the ink, This had a tendency to back fire, as they created a bootleg industry, that they are now having to compete with.

There are refilled cartridges, refill kits, so called compatible cartridges or imitations, Some of these are legitimate , and of good quality, some are not. Then there are the counterfeits with OEM labels, which some unwitting people are paying full price for. This practice is particularly reprehensible.

All of this might have been avoided had the manufacturers chosen to sell their printers and replacement cartridges at reasonable prices. I firmly believe that had the makers had set reasonable prices for the printers both they and the consumers would have been better off.

The sad part is that it is we the consumers that suffer. We not only have to live with high prices but inferior quality and considerable inconvenience.

When we use anything other than OEM products, we face warranty problems. Some of the refilled cartridges are of such poor quality they not only don't work, they leak and can damage your printer. Some, but not all of the compatible cartridges are nearly as bad. If you have a problem printing and you're using aftermarket ink the manufacturers won't even give you technical support. I recently had to buy a set of OEMS to prove my printer was defective.

All so called standard cartridges are only partially filled with ink. You have to buy high yield or extended use cartridges to get full ones. Originally when you bought a new printer you received standard cartridges, which was fine, you at least got decent yields from them.

Now they've come with another bit of trickery. This one isn't new but previously they only used it on promotional printers at rock bottom prices. Now I'm informed by a reliable dealer that all new printers are now coming through with sample cartridges. Sample cartridges don't have much ink in them so you're faced with premature replacement.

I recently bought a low-priced printer on eBay. It was from a leading computer manufacturer. The seller did have the cartridge numbers in his ad. He may not even been aware that they were samples. I found out when I unpacked it. So if you're buying a printer don't assume that it's equipped with standard cartridges, check to be sure of what you are buying.

You don't have to be careful only on eBay, regular dealers are selling printers with sample cartridges also. They don't advertise it. You have to ask them to find out. Again "Let the buyers beware."

There is really no good solution to this problem Refilling is a hassle. It's not always successful, and it can lead to damage to your printer. I think if you top off your cartridges while thy stills have a lot of ink in them and you're careful not to over fill them it may work.

Printing in draft mode and black and white when you don't need color will conserve ink. I used to print a lot of material that I'd read in the den; now I just read it on my monitor.

Shopping for bargain printers that cost less than the cartridge is still viable but the sample cartridge situation has complicated that scheme.

We can't ask our congressmen to help, they're going to be too busy fighting off the people hat want us to give the internet to the UN.

Weight Watchers For Men - A Personalized Weight Loss Program

Weight Watchers For Men takes into consideration that men's bodies are different when it comes to losing weight. Men also tend to approach the procedure differently and also have different needs from women. Therefore, which are more effective weight loss results, it will help should you follow a diet regime designed especially for men.

Weight Watchers For Men is among the easier diets to stay to and therefore get results from, since you can consume the foods you like. You aren't locked into eating particular foods and purchasing special products. You are able to ready your own meals and eat the foods you are used to eating. The hot button is that you simply balance your calories eaten from the calories you lose.

Regardless of what diet you decide to go on, everything is dependent on something. If you wish to slim down, you need to use-up more calories than you take in. Weight Watchers For Men helps you track and analyze your calories eaten and calories expended so you can stay in fat loss mode.

Weight Watchers For Men gives you tools for tracking your food intake and weight reduction. You will get complete vitamins and minerals for more than 40,000 different foods. Plus you will get use of a large number of recipes for all amounts of cooks so you can make tasty, low calorie meals at home.

While diet is important, the other part of losing weight quickly is exercise. Weight Watchers For Men provides you with over 60 exercise videos and fitness strategies for weight lifting and endurance building. You will be guided towards the ultimate workout routine for your fitness level and weight reduction goals.

Weight Watchers For Men isn't a fad diet. It's a lifestyle change which allows you to definitely become healthier while you get healthy. The load Watchers program offers support as you learn to prepare healthy meals both at home and when choosing the best restaurant foods. You will get complete customized meal plans along with lots of food ideas which means you won't feel deprived or become bored with your diet.

Weight Watchers For Men follows the same points system as the traditional Dieters system. As more guys have arrived at join the load Watchers family, it had been clear a necessity acquired for men to have their own support area that are responsible for the special challenges in men who're dieting.

It is a fantastic way to obtain the give you support need which means you understand the best way to lose weight and can stay motivated. Weight Watchers For Men is ideal if you are a busy family man, single guy, or should you travel often and eat away from home. Nearly 70% from the men in America are overweight which males are unlikely to go on dieting until they start to suffer some kind of health issues. If you want to slim down, the optimum time to begin is now. With a good system in place and also the right kind of support, it will not be as hard you may think.

Ten Tips Articles

"Ten Tips" articles are the easiest piece to write because they are made up of only an introductory paragraph, your Ten Tips, and a conclusion. Print editors love these because they can easily be shortened if there is a lack of available space.

Your articles can be used in book chapters, on websites, in E-zines and anywhere else you would like to put them. If you publish an article in a magazine, that publication now holds some or all of the rights to your work. Compiling many articles into one book works well, but what happens if other people own the copyrights? Read on.

First off, there are many rights involved with publishing your work. I only give up all rights if it is a big magazine, and in all other cases, I give up what I absolutely must in order to still get published. If you have an opportunity to be published in Newsweek or some other large publication, that is a far bigger deal than having to rewrite a portion of your book. So don't give up all of your rights unless you absolutely have to. Especially be sure never to give electronic rights to a print publication unless you receive some money for it.

For other information on publication rights check out these sites:

http://www.authorsguild.org Do a search on this site for the keyword "rights"

http://www.writerswrite.com/journal/dec97/cew3.htm A Novice Writer's Guide to Rights

How Can I Improve My Greyhound Handicapping and Win More at the Dog Track?

Many handicappers are able to pick enough winners so that they make money sometimes when they go to the dog track. Yet, when they add up their wins and losses, they're behind at the end of the week or month. This is very frustrating.

To get so close to earning real money at the dog track, yet fall short is maddening. You know you can handicap better than most of the people at the races, but you still can't make a consistent profit. Worse, you're getting farther behind all the time, even though you pick winners a lot of times.

While I don't know your particular situation, I've been in a similar situation and know how frustrating it can be. I remember many times leaving the track and telling myself that I was going to have to give up the dog track, if I couldn't figure out how to close the gap between winning and losing.

Luckily for me, I figured out how to push my winnings over into the positive column. It took me years, but I did it and it's been a steady source of extra income for me ever since. The effort was worth it, because I also was able to continue doing something that I love to do - something that gives me pleasure and lets me earn money too.

If you're in this situation, maybe it's time to stop trying to do everything yourself. Maybe it's time to get some help from someone who's "been there and done that" and is willing to share their knowledge. Could it be time to find a system that already has what you need to get the rest of the way to earning consistent money at the dog track?

The Benefits And Pitfalls Of Different Types Of Picture Frame Backing Boards

Find out the common backing boards used for picture framing and mounting pictures. Why you should choose one backing material over another. Understand the properties of foam boards, Corflute, MDF, Masonite or hardboard, e-board and other cardboards. What makes one more suitable than another when it comes to picture framing.

Is foam board the best backing for picture framing?

All pictures that are framed require some form of backing material to provide rigidity and protection. Even stretched canvasses that are unframed should have some backing to prevent dust building up on the back of the painting. When dust accumulates it helps trap moisture which then promotes mould growth which in turn causes damage to the artwork.

Picture framers have used many types of backing board over the years. Foam board or foamcore boards have become one of the most popular choice recently due to their light-weight construction, rigidity and easy cutting. They replaced the cardboard, Masonite or MDF (medium density fiber-board) that framers had become accustomed to using but are they better than their counterparts.

What usually concerns framers most is the chemicals that can leach from the backing into the picture. Picture framers often talk about acid-free, lignin-free or 100% cotton rag in their presentation to customers. The harmful chemicals in non acid-free materials can cause staining and acid burn to prints, posters and artworks that they come into contact with. Sometimes layers of protection like barrier papers, mounting boards or polyester sheeting is placed between the backing and the picture. It is far better to eliminate the source of the harmful chemicals than to just try to slow down their migration into the artwork.

There are acid-free and cotton surfaced foam boards which are sold as conservation foam board but these are to be used with caution when used as a direct backing for artwork. One type of foam board made by Gilman USA is 100% plastic and could be considered as a conservation board but you would still normally add another layer of 100% cotton rag board or an alpha-cellulose board as a barrier. Many galleries prefer to use corflute due to its economical cost and again being a plastic product lignins are not present. Other conservation backings include smooth surface coated corrugated boards that are made from alpha-cellulose. A new development in the production of E-flute core board, where there is a double laminated corrugated core faced with white acid-free surface papers, is eagerly waited for by the framing community.

Using plastic based boards can have other effects that need to be carefully weighed up depending on the artwork being framed. Some plastics out-gas plasticisers and other solvents which may cause irreversible organic changes in some paints, photographic emulsions and substrates.

MDF or medium density fiber-board is popular for wet gluing and mounting of prints and posters and framers often use it to wet mount cheap mass-produced canvas artworks. The benefits of the MDF are its rigidity and low-cost but it is a very hygroscopic product so it tends to absorb moisture. The increased moisture promotes mold growth and it can also cause staining to the image by drawing chemicals to the front of the artwork. It can also buckle due to the expansion of the backing but this can be rectified by counter-lamination or sealing the backing with a waterproof varnish. If the artwork or poster is only for decoration and has no long-term value, MDF is a cheap substrate to use.

Straw-board was used by picture framers right through the 19th and to the mid 20th Century. Straw-board was made from straw and had a yellow appearance. It did offer some advantages due to its alkaline nature and framers would paste prints and watercolours onto it with rabbit-skin glue or pearl glue. The pearl glue was a glue made from gelatine and applied hot from a double-boiler. The old framers sometimes added mercury salts and other fungicides into the mix in an effort to prevent mould or foxing. In some ways these methods were better than when the invention of PVA glue came around. At least an old print could be lifted by gentle soaking but with the advent of PVA the pictures became permanently bonded to the backing.

Apart from framing disposable decorative items like mass-produced posters it is wise to consider using reversible framing techniques. Most of these techniques involve hinging the picture to the backing board using Japanese paper hinges or some other acid-free archival hinging tapes. If you choose the reversible method at least the picture can be removed from the frame and has the potential for easier restoration or conservation in the future.

The Praying Mantis

There was once an order of monks whose philosophy for obtaining enlightenment included a vow to never touch an unclean thing. Unclean things included all insects, and to deliberately touch one was a serious offense and could lead to expulsion from the order.

One day two monks from the order were walking along a path in a rain soaked forest. Though the sun was out now, it had rained for many days causing overflowing brooks and rivers. Now it came to be that the two monks had to cross a small brook that was overflowing it's little banks and was wider than a house, though not too deep.

As they pulled up their robes they entered the shallow waters to wade to the other side. But when the first monk was half way across he noticed a Praying Mantis...or Walking Stick as the monks were fond of calling them. The Walking Stick was trapped on a rock in the middle of the running brook unable to get to the safety of either side. So the first monk took compassion on the little creature and allowed it to crawl on his hand and ride there to the other side where he promptly put him down on the bank.

Now after this, the second monk remained silent for the rest of the journey, and for several days thereafter. The first monk puzzled quietly over his companions behavior but finally asked him what was wrong? The second monk, at first said "Nothing!" but after the insistence of the first finally burst forth with great pent up emotion and said "Why did you touch that unclean thing? Why did you violate the command of our order? Did you know that it was an unclean thing? Of course you did, so why did to deliberately touch it, bringing shame upon yourself...and me for having witnessed it? I really can't believe you picked up that Walking Stick! I am so ashamed and dishonored by your behavior"

Now the first monk listened patiently to his comrade vent and when the second monk was finished getting it all out he said "My dear friend, I put down that Walking Stick on the other side of the river days ago. But, it seems, it is you who are still carrying the Walking Stick."

Bike Magazines - Cycling New And Products

If you have an avid bicyclist in your family or circle of friends, you may be scratching your head, trying to figure out what on earth to get them for the upcoming holidays. Well, you'll probably be happy to know that with the increasing popularity of bicycling, there are more and more products out there that cater to the cyclist's special needs. So read on for our top four gift ideas for cyclists:

For those who ride their bikes either in a club or other group of friends, two-way radios is an ideal safety tool to carry along with you. They provide secure contact with the rest of your group in case you are separated, and a great way to get help in case of trouble. They can also provide communication with a home base. They are easy to use, and especially important for bikers who ride alone.

A high-end bicycle seat can be a fantastic present for any cyclist. It has recently been found that blood flow, especially to the groin, can be restricted by traditional hard bicycle seats, which can pose a danger to health and reproduction, especially for men. A saddle or wedge type seat not only helps to lessen these potential health risks, but makes cycling more comfortable as well.

Magazine subscriptions : the cyclist in your life will adore a subscription or two to bike magazines, which contain inspirational stories, guides to popular rides and competitions, equipment reviews, and interviews with biking celebrities. Bike magazines are suitable for all cyclists, from those just starting out to those who are already well-known in their field.

Gift Certificate: Just can't seem to decide what you want to get your cyclist? Why not have him or her choose for themselves? Simply give them a gift certificate to a local cycling shop. They'll be sure to find that special something they were wanting, whether it's biking gear or a bicycling magazine,. And they'll be able to decide with your thoughtful gift.

Finding gifts for the cyclist in your life is not as difficult as you may think, no matter what their age or level of experience with cycling might be. Regardless of your level of knowledge about cycling in general or about the equipment your cyclist uses, there are simple gift ideas.

5 Principles For Debt Management

Debt Management - 5 Principles to help you get your debt under control!

Introduction

It has been increasingly difficult to get credit these day, whether you're looking for a car loan, credit card, or even a home loan. So managing your debt, and having a good credit score is very important. No longer are lenders handing out zero down and no interest loans. Credit card offers these days are reserved for those with good to excellent credit.

BusinessWeek says that total household debt in the US was more than 100% of our disposable annual income last year. The average person has more than $8000 in credit card debt.

The bottom line is that our personal debt is growing at an alarming rate. You can now charge your fast food meals at many restaurants, paying interest for years on something you consumed in one sitting. Many people have taken steps to address their debt problems, including consolidating debt to lower interest rate cards, or to home equity loans, or at worst case the dreaded "B" word, Bankruptcy.

5 Principles of Debt Management

1. Create an accurate assessment of your debt situation. Make a list, chart or whatever you're most comfortable with, of all your debts. Be sure and include the amounts, interest rates, and expiration dates (especially on any no-interest for ## days type loans). Be sure and note any old accounts that you've got "laying around", such as that department store credit account that you opened to get the 15% discount.

You can now get a free credit report online. You should make sure that you've got a credit report and FICO score from each of the 3 national credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. The FTC advises monitoring your CREDIT REPORT activity ON ALL 3 BUREAUS. Under a new Federal law, you have the right to receive a free copy of your credit report once every 12 months from each of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies. AnnualCreditReport.com allows you to request a free credit file disclosure (ie. Credit Report) once every 12 months from each of the nationwide consumer credit reporting companies. This free credit report won't include your credit score, but it does give you a consolidated list of your debts, a record of requests for your credit history, and a summary of your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Once you've gotten your free credit report, you also need to get your Credit Score. You can get your Credit Score, along with daily 3 bureau credit monitoring and other great services from FreeCreditScore.com.

2. Make a budget and stick to it! Making a budget helps keep from increasing your debt, while you're trying to pay it down. Be specific and detailed in your budgeting. Except for emergencies, you should only be spending what is accounted for in your budget. Some people have found it helpful to keep a 30 day log of their spending. Carry a little notebook, or some index cards with you, and write down everything you spend each day. You'll probably be amazed at how much money you spend on things you want, and don't really need. The smallest things, such as that $3 cup of coffee every day, can slowly eat away at your finances. This will help keep you from getting further in debt. Your budget should define how much money you'll send to each of your creditors monthly and how much you need for bills, and how much is left for discretionary spending. Try limiting your discretionary spending to things you can buy with "pocket cash". This may be hardest thing you've ever done, but you won't get further in debt if you only spend what you have.

3. Pay off the debts one by one. Maintain minimum payments to the rest of the debts, but pick the debt with the highest interest rate, and send extra payments to pay it off. There is a proven psychological benefit to being able to take a debt off of your list.

4. Consider debt consolidation or debt restructuring and possibly refinancing your home mortgage. Lower your credit card debt by 70% by consolidating. With interest rates down, it also may be time to refinance your home mortgage loan and cut your monthly payment. You can get free mortgage loan quotes at LowCostLending. When you refinance, make sure closing costs and other fees don't outweigh the savings in your monthly payment. Another option is to get a Home Equity Loan. Home equity loans are good because they allow you to deduct the interest on your income taxes. Remember though, new credit is not a license to incur new or more debts. Once you've transferred a balance by consolidating, or refinancing, don't add more charges to the old account. If you've got a lot of open accounts, you may want to close some of them, but you shouldn't necessarily always cancel the old account. Having a good payment history with a few existing accounts can be better for your credit record than many canceled and new accounts.

5. If necessary, get help. You may choose a credit counseling service, or debt counseling and debt help service to help with each step of your debt solution. Credit counselors can add accountability to your debt solution, and also serve as a source of encouragement. They are used to dealing with people with bad credit or poor credit, and can help you create a custom debt solution. They can suggest money lenders that might be more willing to make a loan to someone with a lower credit rating. Once you start reducing your debts without incurring new ones, you'll start to see your credit score rise.

By following these simple principles, you should be able to get your debt under control, reduce it, and eventfully eliminate it.

What Kind of Results Can I Expect From Qigong Practice?

While teaching Qigong, the following question comes up frequently: "What results can I expect from consistent practice?". There are many answers to this question, but only one really really good answer.

I would be doing you a disservice if I simply listed some of the benefits of practicing Qigong. This would make you goal-oriented, you then automatically be focused on the end result instead of the process of getting there, and you'd be unable to attain that goal. The Daoist Master Zhuangzi addressed this in his poem "The Need to Win":

When an archer is shooting for nothing He has all his skill. If he shoots for a brass buckle He is already nervous. If he shoots for a prize of gold He goes blind Or sees two targets- He is out of his mind! His skill has not changed. But the prize Divides him. He cares. He thinks more of winning Than of shooting And the need to win Drains him of power.

The secret is to practice without any attachment to the results you are looking to achieve. If you practice sincerely, patiently and persistently, you will certainly begin to unlock the secrets of the practice. But you can not force this process, or think that if you practice more you necessarily get there quicker. Simply practice with the understanding that many beneficial things will come when we let go and allow our body to return to it's natural balance. There is no forcing or attaining this natural balance, it comes from letting go of all the extra baggage we have.

So, you might be thinking "Well, why would I practice Qigong then if I'm not interested in results?". This question shows the limitations of the Western model of thought. Let's ask this...when one dances, is the point just to hurry and get to the end of the song, or is the best part the actual dance throughout the song? Your Qigong practice is the same way - it's not about getting to the end, but rather enjoying the process of getting there.

Absorb this teaching and think about it whenever you can. If you can do this, you are on way way to understanding the true meaning of the practice, and all the benefits of the practice (even ones you never even imagined) will start to become available to you. As this happens, you will understand what I'm saying. But the intellectual mind might have a hard time with this concept, so don't worry - simply, relax and practice and you will experience what I'm talking about.