Insider Secrets Financial Planners Pray You Never Find Out

 Financial planners CANNOT pick winning investments to beat the market, build wealth without risk or let you in on a deal that looks to good to be true. Advisers make money either by getting a commission to sell you a financial product or charge an asset based fee which is usually 1% annually of your assets So if your assets grow, so does their fee. But there are still conflicts since it encourages the fee based planner to capture as much of your  money as he can. That's why  few fee based planners encourage you to pay off your mortgage. They also like to put you in products that pay them automatically each quarter. In fact, few will tell you about a higher paying CD since banks don't pay financial planners.   Obviously, a planner who works on commission  would want to sell you products that yield the highest commissions. Also, if you don't have more than $100,000 to invest, commission based planners are the only ones who might take your business. But the conflict of interest is particularly stark among commission only planners. They usually sell load-carrying mutual funds, hedge funds,and  private investments ranging from insurance to annuities to universal life. Another compensation model is those planners who get paid by the hour. They usually charge from $180 to $240 and hour and can be found at www.GarrettPlanningNetwork.Com

                                                               How They Sell You

Planners know that the quickest way to your money is your emotions.  In one hour they'll try to get you so wound up that you might sign over your entire fortune. Many follow a  multi-step system that gets you to talk about your values and your goals.  They'll say things like, "describe your perfect day." Then they'll tell you how much money you'll need to invest  for a string of perfect days. Or they might say they can get you to your dreams of spending more time with your grand kids if you let them handle your money right now. But most of  them know that  if you walk out of the office without signing , you may realize how manipulative the session was and never return. And once you sign and buy some product, it make take you years to get your money back without penalties. So never sign any document on your first meeting with a planner even if he or she tells you that you can still back out. Also, stay clear of so called free"educational dinners" and ads that boast wealth without risk and high guaranteed returns. They are just bait and switch tactics to get you into the office.You should also remember that anyone can fill an office with prestigious-looking credentials  and call themselves  a "financial planner".   On the other hand, a good financial planner can help you define your financial goals, help you build a low cost diversified portfolio,and make sure you have the lowest cost  insurance coverage for your needs. They can also help make the right moves with Social Security and your pension, reduce your taxes and pass assets to your heirs.

                         How To Get The Best Advice From Your Financial Planner 

If you are going to meet with a planner, first check his or her professional credentials online to see if they have the serious, hard to get designations like CFP ( Certified Financial Planner ) or CFA ( chartered financial analyst. ) Second, go to www.FINRA.Org and http://www.sec.gov/ to see if there have been any regulatory actions taken against your planner. Also, see if he or she is registered with your state securities department at www.NASAA.Org and has any history of complaints. If your planner sells insurance products and annuities, check with your state's division of insurance. At your first meeting, never commit to handing over any money. Thank about it and discuss it with others. If your planner pressures you into buying right away, walk away. When your planner recommends an investment, ask if there's a penalty for getting your money back. If so, ask how much it is and how long the penalty period lasts. Penalties are the best indicator that your planner is getting a big commission. You should also ask your planner to put down in writing why he or she thinks an investment is suitable for you and the total cost you'll be paying. Make sure its under 1% annually. If the planner refuses your requests for  any reason, move on. Next, make sure you completely understand any recommended investment and how it fits your objectives. To test your understanding, explain it to someone you trust. If that person doesn't get it, then you should avoid it. To play it safe, watch for warning signals. Does the product seem too good to be true? ( i.e. high returns-risk free )  Are you being asked to sign a document  saying you read hundreds of pages and understand what you read? Is the planner building trust from affiliations such as belonging to the same club, church or traveling in the same social circles? ( i.e. Bernie Madoff ) Is the planner saying you must sign in the next 24 or 48 hours? And last, don't put your faith in references. Even the worst financial planner on earth can come up with 3 people who like him or her.

7 Secrets Your Vet Won't Tell You

1. Most hospitals keep comprehensive behavior records of you and your pet. If you are agressive to the staff, you will be treated differently. 2. A lot of vets don't use painkillers for procedures they know are painful. They think dog and cats don't need it or that feeling pain after surgery is good because it keeps them from moving around too much. But research has shown that pets who are in less pain heal faster and sleep better. So if your pet needs an operation, make sure you vet assures you that your pet will get the proper sedation for the procedure. 3. Find out where your vet went to school. Vets who can't get into traditional schools because of bad grades can get into Caribbean vet schools as long as they pay the tuition. 4.  When you're searching for a new vet,  always check out the staff. A lot of times they'll be listed online. Look for techs who are certified and licensed. They'll have RVT, LVT, or CVT after their names. 5.One way to check if your vet is up on the latest procedures is to ask how he or she puts  a pet to sleep. If  they use ketamine or halothane gas, they'e using 1970's technology. Modern vets use isoflurane and sevoflurane which are a lot safer. 6. Walgreens has a list of vet medicines for $4 per one month dose. They are the same meds you would pay $20 or $30 from your vet. 7. Avoid using low cost vet clinics since they may use half doses of vaccines which are ineffective and illegal. Also, steer clear of large corporate owned vet  hospitals since vets there get paid a bonus based on how much money they bring in. Fees at these places are much higher than independent vets.   

How To Find A Bargain Vacation Rental Property Online

Imagine finding a 2 bedroom luxury apartment in London for $1,000 a week. Or a furnished studio apartment in the heart of Paris for $540 a week. Or a nice apartment near the water in Miami for $273. It can be done by checking out each one of these websites:  www.HomeAway.Com, www.VRBO.com, www.AirBnB.Com, www.FlipKey.Com and www.WyndhamRentals.Com, .

Eight Professions Hiring Right Now That Require No College

1. Emergency Medical Technicians earn from $24,000 to $39,000 a year. For training requirements see  www.nremt.org 2. Pharmacy Technicians earn $23,000 to $34,000. For training see http://www.ptcb.org/am/template.cfm  and http://www.pharmacytechniciancertificationtips.com/institute-for-certification-of-pharmacy-technicians.html 3. Private Detectives earn from $32,000 to $58,000. There are no formal training requirements. You have to contact the agency that handles licensing in your state. 4. Pest Control Workers earn $24,000 to $37,000 and most training is on the job. 5. Fitness & Aerobic Instructors earn $19,000 to $46,000 a year and no formal training is required. 6. Septic Tank Servicers earn $26,000 to $42,000 and training is provided on the job. 7. Insurance Sales Agents earn $33,000 to $71,000 a year. In most states agents must be licensed. For details see www.naic.org . 8. Athletic Coaches & Scouts earn $18,000 to $43,000 a year. No formal training or certification is required but you need a strong network of contacts in the community to get a job.     

Simple Way To Tell If You Have Bad Breath

First wash your hands with an odorless soap. Then lick the back of your hand and let the saliva dry for five seconds. Then take a whiff.  If you can smell sulfur compounds,  then brush your teeth, tongue and the back of your mouth. If you have chronic bad breath, brush your teeth twice daily in the morning and before bed.
Also, make sure you use a tongue scrapper available from drug stores. Also, make sure you use a blue colored  mouthwash that  contains zinc chloride. Good brands are Smart Mouth and Pro Fresh.  If  bad breath persists,
ask your dentists to check for gum disease, sinus infection, chronic nasal drip or mouth breathing.     

Repair Rolodex: Where Decorators, Antique Dealers & Museums Go To Get Stuff Fixed

Objects: ( marble, bronze, jade, ivory, porcelain, glass & pottery ) Alexander Tsalikhin 201-440-5456,

Bo Studio 212-759-6131, Randy Strohm 718-852-2603. Lighting: Lamp Touch 718-361-2002

Mirrors: http://www.capitolglassnyc.com/ Glass: http://www.newyorkcrystalrepair.com/ , Sorrels Glass:  

http://www.sorrelsglass.com/ Frames: http://www.apfgroup.com/ Furniture: http://www.carltonhouse.net/,  

Fairlough Restoration 718-418-6206, Fischer Furniture 718-418-6206, http://www.furniturejoint.com/,  

http://www.jonathanburden.com/, Uptown Wood 212-694-7425, Caning: http://www.veteranscaning.com/, 

Upholstery/Fabric:  http://www.manzanaresfurniture.com/, DeScassio Antique Textiles 212-794-8807

Rugs/Textiles: http://www.beauvaiscarpets.com/, http://www.mannrugs.com/   

Seven Ways To Get A Cheap Flight

1. Buy Tickets at 3pm EST On Tuesday Most sale fares kick in on Monday at 8pm and by Thursday 8pm the sale is over.

2. Compare Prices at least 3 months in advance and check   www.Kayak.com , www.Expedia.com, www.PriceLine.com , www.Travelocity.com and www.FareCompare.com . That's because one system can traill another by 5 hours. So be sure to check the airline's site which charges slightly less than 3 rd party sites since there's no commission. 

3. Forget Weekends    Don't fly on Friday afternoon, Saturday and Sunday night and Monday morning to get the best price.

4. Fly Hungry  The cheapest flights take off at dawn, around lunchtime, and after 6pm.

5.Consider A Connecting Flight  They're usually cheaper than non-stops especially on international routes.

6. Shop For One Seat Only  If you're travelling with a group, establish the base price for one person and compare it for a price for all. That's because reservation systems are programmed to bump up groups to the next price level.

7. Book Well In Advance That's because you'll pay a premium  if you book within 7 to 14 days of travel.   

For Gals Only: The Biggest Beauty Dont's

Don't Layer On Mascara  or else you risk getting clumpy eyelashes or raccoon eyes. Curl your lashes first and apply only a coat or two of mascara. Start at the base of your lashes and wiggle the wand as you brush it towards the tip. The wiggling motion is the key to deposit color evenly even on the finest shortest lash hairs.
Immediately remove gobs with an eyelash comb before mascara dries because once it dries it's no longer pliable. If you need a second coat, apply it before the mascara dries. If you're still getting raccoon eyes, then change brands or don't use it on the bottom lashes.

Don't Rush Your Blush or you can end up looking overdone. take your time and use just enough to brighten your glow and enhance your face shape but not so much its obvious. To deposit the right amount of color, dust a sheer rosy powder on cheeks and temples using a fluffy brush. Newer formulations of blush tend to be sheer, so its difficult to over do it. Switch brands or brushes if needed. If your skin is oily or streak prone, pat your face with translucent powder or oil blotting sheets before applying blush. You can also use a translucent powder to tone down too much blush.

Don't Buy Foundation That Adds Years  or you might look worse than going bare faced. Foundation that's too light ages you and if it's too dark it looks  "Jersey Shore". So make sure your foundation flatters your skin tone and blend  it in well. Your best bet is to visit a makeup counter that custom blends foundation and have a makeup artist pick the three best shades for you or test the shades on your own. Foundation with yellow undertones is generally more flattering than pink undertones. Try it on your entire face or at least on your jawline. Places like your neck, chest or hand aren't good for judging  because they are rarely the same color as you face due to more or less sun damage. Before you buy it, leave the store and check your face in sunlight and under fluorescent light. Then return the makeup that doesn't work. Most stores let you return opened products. But just to be sure, ask before you buy it and save your receipt.

Don't Use Lip Liner  or else you'll end up looking clownish. Outlining is "out" because it looks fake and its the biggest beauty mistake people make. If you insist on liner, match it to your lipstick or use the the same pencil to line and fill in your lips with color. The top it off with gloss if it looks or feels dry. Line your lips precisely along the rim.

Don't Dye Your Brows Too Light  or elss they won't do a good job complementing your features. Keep your eye brow color a few shades lighter than your natural shade since the slightest contrast is more flattering. Lighten your brows just a bit by switching to a brow pencil or powder one shade lighter than your brows.

Don't Over exfoliate  or else you'll end up damaging your skin. Exfoliation is meant to smooth skin not irritate it.  Cosmetic companies want you to think otherwise, but your skin is constantly shedding and renews itself naturally. So don't inflame it while trying to look younger. using a scrub every few days is generally safe buy scrubs can irritate sensitive skin and cause broken blood vessels. Another option is to use skin car products that contain retinols or lactic, hydroxy or glycolic acids. These act as exfoliates and speed up cell turnover.  If your skin  isn't overly sensitive, the use a clay facial mask, mild facial cleansing grains, or an at home microdermabrasion kit as needed but not more than once a week.

Don't Go Crazy With The Tweezers or else it will lead to over plucked brows. If your brows are pencil thin or comma shaped or if they are more or an arch than a line, put the tweezers away for a few weeks. Fill in sparse brows with a waterproof brow pencil or powder. The next time you tweeze,remove strays between your brows and above and below  your natural brow line  and do nothing else. 

Don't Neglect Your Neck  or else  it might end up aging faster than your face. So treat your neck like your face and protect it with sunscreen and moisturizer. Don't buy products sold specifically for the neck. Whatever you use on your face is fine.

Don't Brush Wet Hair  or else you can damage it. When hair is wet it has the ability to stretch but unlike elastic, wet hair won't stretch without breaking off. So let your wet hair dry naturally or blow dry it out before brushing it out.

Don't Wear A Tight Ponytail Or Bun Too Often or else you might end up with a receding a hairline.
Any kind of hair style that tugs your hair, even weaves and cornrows, can lead to traction alopecia. That's causes localized hair loss from constant tension on the  hair roots.   It can also lead to permanent hair loss or tension headaches. So gather your hair loosely in a ponytail or bun and secure it with a coated elastic band or srunchie.

Don't File The Sides Of Your Nails  or else you can damage them. Just file snags as needed. The sides are braces that help the nails grow long and strong. So just keep the tips square or rounded for support. Frequent use of nail polish remover can dry out your nails. So avoid changing polish more than once a week.

Don't Skip Your Nightly face Washing Routine or else you can end up with clogged pores and skin and eye problems. Taking off your makeup and washing your face before bed is just as important as wearing sunblock. Your makeup traps in all sorts of dirt and pollution through out the day. So if you're not good at washing up at night, then store no-rinse make up remover towelettes by your bedside and use them before you turn out the lights.

Don't Apply Sunless Tanner Without Prepping Your Skin   or else you'll look blotchy. That's because the active ingredient in sunless tanner reacts more strongly with skin that is rougher, thicker or scaly. So prep your body by sloughing off dead skin and smoothing rough spots using a grainy body scrub or mesh sponge or body wash in the shower. Pay special attention to the elbows, knees, ankles and feet. Or use a daily use sunless tanner.

Two Incredible Italian No Cook No Fuss Desserts Not Well Known In The US

Macedonia Invernale -Here's a terrific no cook, no-fuss dessert that popular with Italian home cooks. You just mix your favorite fruits with chopped nuts, chopped chocolate and any left over candy. Add some organe juice and a splash of liqueur and pass the spoons. Here are the ingredients:

2 handfuls of assorted dried fruit chopped
2 handfuls of  assorted chopped nuts
1 handful of assorted leftover candy bars chopped
1 handful of dark chocolate chopped
1 handful of milk chocolate chopped
10 amaretti ( crisp almond cookies ) or other cookies coarsely chopped
A little candied orange peel minced
Freshly squeezed orange juice
Itlain liqueur such as limocello or amaretto
Mascarpone cheese or whipped cream

In a resealable plastic bag or container with a lid, combine the dreid fruit, nuts, candy, dark and light chocolates, cookies and candied orange peel. Seal and set aside for up to 3 months. One hour before serving add enough orange juice to moisten thr fruit mixture.  Just before serving add the liqueur to taste.
Serve in wine glasses with a dollop of Mascarpone or whipped cream. Serves 10 to 12.

Dolce Torino or Instant Chocolate Cake

This no bake recipe comes from an Italian Piedmont cookbook written in 1891. Here's what's inside:

7 tablespoons of unsalted butter
1/2 cup fo confectioners sugar
1 large egg yolk
3 1/2  ounces dark chocolate at least 70% cacao
2 tablesppons heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon puree vanilla extract
2 tablespoons sugar plus more to taste
4 tablespoons of sweet liqueur such as alchermes
12 savvoiardi ( lady fingers )
2 tablespoons of crush pistachios or hazelnuts

In a large bowl, using a wisk or electric mixer, beat the butter, confectioner's sugar and egg yolk until very smooth and creamy. Set aside. Then put the chocolate and cream in a smaill bowl and melt the chocolate either in a microwave or over a saucepan of gently simmering water. Let the chocolate mixture cool to room temperature, then stit it and the vanilla into the butter mixture. Set aside.  Next combine 5 tablespoons of warm water with the granulated sugar in a shallow bowl and stir until the sugar dissolves. Stir in the liqueur adding more sugar to taste. Dip 4 of the lady fingers one at a time, into the liquid. Be sure to moisten them well on all sides. Arrange the 4 liqueur dipped lady fingers in a row, close together on a serving plate. Spread one third of the chcolate mixture on top and around the stacked lady fingers. Spinkle top layer with pistachio or hazelnuts. Repeat the dipping and layering to make 2 more layers, spreading the last layer of chocolate mixture on top and around the lady fingers. Sprinkle to the top layer with pistachio or hazelnuts. Rerigerate  for 3 hours until firm. Serve cold. Serves 4 to 6.

Four Sensational Leaf Peeping Spots Just A 3 Hour Drive From Mercer County

Here are four scenic getaways that don't require a trek to the airport or long hours behind the wheel

1.Clinton, NJ Located in Hunterdon County, this town looks like a Norman Rockwell pianting came to life. For more info see http://www.clintonnj.gov/  ( 1 hour by car)

2. Kent, CT  Named the top New England foliage destination by Yankee Magazine, Kent is situated near two state parks for plenty of leaf viewing. For more info on Kent, see http://www.ct.gov/ ( 3hours by car)

3. Millbrook, NY This town is filled with rolling hills, beautiful gardens, and Millbrook Vineyards (845) 677-8383. Just 10 minutes away from the winery is Innisfree Garden which occupies 150 acres on part of  a lake. The public garden features streams, waterfalls and terraces.  Call 845-677-8000 for more details. 
( 3hours by car)

4. Hunter, NY Get your adrenaline fix with a trip to Hunter Mountin and take a Skyrider Tour. It's North America's longest highest and fastest zipline course. It sends riders flying at speeds of 50 mph on lines that extend 3,000 feet and more than 600 feet in the air. The entire course covers more than 4.6 miles of forest giving thrill seekers a stunnung aerial view of the Catskills. For more info visit http://www.huntermtn.com/ or call 800-HunterMtn. ( 3 hours by car)

12 Ways To Outfox Bill Collectors

1.If they threaten to have you arrested, use profanity or call before 8am or after 9pm, then they are in violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. So report then to your state attorney general at http://www.naag.org/ and the Federal Trade Commission at http://www.ftc.gov/

2. When they leave a message on your phone, its just a message from a made up person. When you call back and ask for him or her, they will say they are out to lunch and offer to help you instead.

3. When a bill collector makes unreasonable demands,  never ask for a manager since he or she won't  help you. Just call back and get another collector on the line.

4. Bill collectors love to call you at work because it puts extra pressure on you. However, if you specifically ask them not to call you at work, by law they have to stop.

5. If you decide to settle, collectors are trained to "take your application" in a bored voice. They'll the ask for your spouse's work phone, and other personal information. But it's  they're way of getting more info out of you in case the debtor rejects your settlement. So if you want to settle, don't give them an more info to harass you.

6. Always check whether your debt has passed the statute of limitations. You can check for info about your state at  http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/credit-card-state-statute-limitations-1282.php
If your debt has passed the statute of limitations, they can't sue you or put it on your credit report. But if you make any kind of payment or even acknowledge the debt, then that starts the clock ticking all over again !

7. Debt collectors always lie when negotiating and say they have to get a manger involved. Then the other collector becomes the "bad cop". The theory is that just having another voice on the phone may get you to open your wallet.

8. A lot of collection agencies buy debt for pennies on the dollar. So when you negotiate, start low at about 25 cents on the dollar. Then say, "I have $200 I can apply towards this debt.. Will you accept that as payment in full?" If the collector says "no", then ask what they will accept. When you reach a deal always make them put it in writing. Then pay the bill.

9. Collectors won't tell you , but most accounts have a one time settlement fee of 15% to 35% that's pre-approved.  This is especially true with credit card debt. So always negotiate hard.

10. The more money a collector can get out of you, the bigger bonus he or she will get. Top collectors routinely get bonus checks of $10,000 or more each month. So always negotiate your debt down to pennies on the dollar.

11. All collectors have heard every tale of woe in existence. They may seem sympathetic when they talk to you, but they just don't care.  So make sure you always negotiate your debt down.

12. Debt collectors are trained to believe that all debtors are compulsive liars. So no matter what you tell them , they are trained to keep pushing. So they ask you if you can borrow from friends, your 401k or another credit card. Don't do it. If the collector won't negotiate the debt down, hang up.

Sensational Sunday Italian Meat Ball Recipe

Meat Mix:

1lb ground beef ( 80% lean/20% fat )
1lb ground veal
1lb pancetta or thick-sliced smokey bacon, finely minced
2    whole eggs
1/3 cup  finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
1/2 cup finely diced yellow onion
8    garlic cloves minced

Herb Mix:

1/4 cup fine dry unseasoned bread crumbs
4oz. (1/2 cup) whole milk
1 tsp coarse salt
1 1/2 tsp ground black pepper

Slowly add milk to bread crumbs, stirring until the mixture has the consistency of wet sand. Then add to the meat mixture, season with salt and pepper and mix well. To taste for seasoning heat a small amount of canola oil in a small pan. When it's hot, it will ripple in the pan. Pinch off a bit of meat, and fry it in the oil. Remove with a spoon, taste, and correct seasoning, adding more salt if necessary. Refrigerate meat for about 30 minutes.

Next you'll need:

canola oil for browning
12 cups of good quality tomato sauce kept warm over low heat ( see recipe below )
finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano for serving

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Shape meatballs using an ice cream scoop. Firmly pack the meat into the scoop, pressing down on the flat side with your palm. Then use the spring trigger to release it, and roll it between your flattened palms into a ball.  In a large skillet, heat about 1/4 inch of canola oil until very hot.Working in batches, brown all sides of each meatball. As they finish, transfer browned meatballs to a deep, ovenproof casserole. Cover meatballs with tomato sauce and make sure they are totally submerged. Place in oven and bake until well done, or about  1 3/4 to 2 hours. When done, they should feel firm to the touch, or an  instant read meat thermometer should read 160 degrees.

To Serve:

Spoon sauce over meatballs ( 2or 3 per person) and top with grated cheese. Makes 25 to 30 meatballs. Serve 8 to 10 as an entree.

Tomato Sauce Recipe

Ingredients:

San marzano tomatoes, oilive oil, garlic cloves, basil leavesight

1.Get eight (8)  28 oz cans of whole San Marzano tomatoes.

 2. Empty in a huge bowl and crush by hand or with a potato masher. .

3.  Place an 8 to 10 qt stockpot over moderate heat.

4.  Add 1/2 cup olive oil and 8 crushed garlic cloves, and cook until the garlic starts to sizzle, about 3 or 4 minutes. ( Don't burn it. That will ruin the whole sauce )

5. Add tomaotoes in four portions, waiting until each comes to a simmer before adding the next. ( This speeds up cooking time)

6. Lower heat, add a few ripped basil leaves, and simmer until foam subsides and the sauce looks a little oily. Probaly about 45 minutes.

7. Let cool and store until ready to use. Makes about 16 cups so you'll have leftovers.  







 

Design It Yourself Sneakers, Handbags, Jewlry & More

If you don't like off the shelf  fashion acessories, then design them yourself.

Sneakers:                       http://www.nikeid.com/

Baggage:                        http://www.reloadbags.com/

Fragrances:                    http://www.gardenbotanika.com/

Lingerie:                         http://www.evloveintimates.com/

Jeans:                             http://www.makeyourownjeans.com/  

Dress Shirts/Suits          http://www.moi-meme.com/ 
 
Shoes:                             http://www.shoesofprey.com/

Handbags:                      http://www.elementalthreads.com/ 

Pillows & Bedding:        http://www.inmod.com/

MakeUp:                        http://www.discontinuedlipstick.com/     

Jewelry:                          http://www.egjewelry.com/  

Is It a Mirror Or 2-Way Glass?

 How can we tell the difference between a real mirror or a 2-way glass in public bathrooms, hotel rooms or  changing rooms?  It quite easy. Here is a simple test provided by a policewoman who travels all over the U.S.
She gives  seminars to businesswomen about security issues. Just place the  tip of your fingernail against the reflective surface. If its is a genuine  mirror,  there will be about a 1/8" gap between your actual fingernail and the actual reflection of your finger nail.  However, if your fingernail DIRECTLY TOUCHES the image of your nail with NO SPACE or NO GAP, then BEWARE! IT'S A 2-WAY MIRROR! Now you motto should be,
"No Space, Leave The Place". So remember to do the fingernail test every time you see a  mirror. All ladies should share this information with their girlfriends, sisters, daughters and moms. Men should share this info with their wives, daughters, daughters-in-laws, moms, girlfriends and friends.

Why Have Italian Men Given Up Sex?

"Italian men don't want to have sex anymore," said Manuela Grassi  and Antonella Piperno in the weekly Panorama. "Our mothers used to warn us to be careful with that boy, he'll try to  get you in bed. Now they warn us to watch out for that one, he'll never get in your bed." In Italy, it seems that young men, who are supposed to be in their sexual prime, don't know how to have sex. Nearly 20 percent of men between 18 and 30 have no sex life at all, and don't seem to miss it. Plus it's the women who are suffering. All across Italy, in beauty salons, Internet chat rooms, and agony columns, women are wailing with frustration. One woman left a man she might have really loved because he refused to get intimate more than once a month. Some experts say that Italian men are overwhelmed by the pressure to succeed in business. Others blame rapacious Italian women for intimidating men. Italy's sexy TV personality Anna Falchi is typical. "I had a likewarm lover only once, " she said. "I threw him out immediately." Experts say its no wonder why men are too scared to perform.

How To Negotiate A Severance Package

When you get a job termination notice, don't shake hands with the people who have fired you. Instead, deliver a written counterproposal to the company's cookie cutter severance package. Ask for one month of severance pay for every year you worked there, an extra month of pay for each of your dependents, full health coverage until you find a job, a promise of strong references, and a lump-sum payment. If they refuse to negotiate, say they will hear from your attorney soon. In the unlikely event they call your bluff by letting you leave, have your lawyer place a call. Just stand ready to compromise, get the final check, and say goodbye.      

Six Ways To Appear Like A Local When You Travel

1. Eat Fast Food -Strangely enough, fast food places are a great way to understand a culture. For instance in Vienna, where coffee is an obsession, the city is defined by the numerous  coffeehouses that dot the city.  Even at Starbucks, the locals order a melange which is much like a cappuccino. That unfamiliar option is a tip off to what the locals order. At McDonald's in Rome, look for a self-serve salad bar since Italians won't out up with pr-packaged greens.

2. Read Local - To keep sticking out as a tourist, buy a local newspaper in the local language and carry it under   your arm.  It makes fro great camouflage.

3. Dress Like A Local - Spend the first morning in any new city people watching to see how they dress. Then budget to buy a piece of clothing that will be a souvenir and serve as camouflage.

4. Watch Your Timing  -  To pass as a local, don't stick to rigid time table. For instance, in Spain or Greece, eating super before 10 pm means your a tourist. In Valencia, locals don't start to party until 3am even on weekdays!  To keep up with the locals, just live like they do. Instead of plowing through 8 hours of sightseeing, linger over lunch, nap during the hottest times of the day, and dine late at night.

5. Learn The Local Lingo - In Philly the subway is called the"L", in London it's called the "tube". So make sure you familiarize yourself with the local slang words. You can purchase small slang books for various languages or you do a Google slang search for our destination. 

6. Bonus Tip - Only Americans wear sunglasses when it's shady out-so only bring them out on the sunniest days.

11 Ways To Avoid Online Dating Scams

1. Avoid long distance relationships  Although long distance relationships sometimes work out, if you stay local, you drastically reduce the the odds of being scammed.

2. Never reveal personal data to someone until you meet them face to face  While its tempting to reveal personal info about yourself, that's what scammers are counting on.

3.Pay attention to language  Many people who commit dating scams are from West Africa or the former
Soveit republics. If their command of English is fuzzy, that's a BIG red flag!

4. Use search engines to check out potential suitors If someone online seems too good to be true, just cut and paste their e-mails in Google and their exact words might pop up on several websites devoted to romance scams.

5. Upload a potential suitors photo  to http://www.tinyeye.com/ This website will allow you to see where else the photo appeared. Many con artists just swipe a photo from Facebook and use it.

6. Stick to paid online dating services  If members pay to join a site, that means a credit card is on file
and these people are easier to trace. However, it does not mean that these sites are free of scammers.

7. Be suspicious if some wants to use instant messaging or e-mail immediately  They may rogues trying to hack into your computer.

8. Watch out for someone claiming to be a soldier  Lately, scammers have stolen photos of soldiers on social networking sites and pretend to be trustworthy members of the military.

9. Don't fall for a sob story Many scammers claim to have lost a spouse, child or parent in an accident or claim they have a relative that is very ill. Also, they might say say that they are at the airport and they are on their way to visit you, but their credit card has been declined. Don't give them your credit card number and never, ever wire money to a stranger!

10. Call your potential suitor by phone ASAP  Someone who sounds great online may not sound might be an obvious fraud on the phone.

11. Run a check on your suitor    on http://www.beenverified.com/, http://www.pigbusters.net/
 and ww.RomanceScams.Org . If your lover has conned others, he or she may show up on these sites.

How To Prepare A Flawless Risotto

This risotto combines pears, goat cheese and crushed black peppercorns with a veggie stock:

To make it you'll need:

4 cups vegetable stock -buy a quality store bought brand or make your own ( recipe follows)
8 tbsp unsalted butter ( 1 stick) at room temperature
1/3 cup finely chopped shallots n
2 cups of Carnaroli or Arborio rice
2 cups white wine
2 cups ( 8oz ) finely crumbled goat cheese that's not aged
2 cups of peeled and diced pears ( 2 pears) preferably Bosc pears
Salt and freshly cracked peppercorns

In a medium saucepan , bring the vegetable stock to a simmer.  In a large sauce pan over medium heat, melt 3 tbsp of butter. When it begins to sizzle, add the shallots and cook, stirring for about 2 minutes. Add the rice and cook, stirring constantly for 2 minutes. Add the wine to the pan to deglaze, and cook stirring occasionally, until the wine has evaporated, ab   out 5 to 7 minutes. Then add enough simmering stock to reach about 1/4 inch above the rice and cook, stirring, until the liquid begins to simmer. When the rice has absorbed almost all of the liquid,  add another ladle full of stock. Continue to cook in this fashion until all the liquid has been added ( about 14 to 16 minutes total ) Reduce heat to low. Add the goat cheese, pears and remaining 5 tbsp of butter and give the mixture a couple of stirs. The cheese and butter should melt, and the risotto should take on a smooth consistency in about a minute or so. serve immediately. Serves 6 to 8.

To make the vegetable stock, you'll need:

2 onions, peeled and halved
2 carrots, peeled and quartered lengthwise
2 stalks celery
2 leeks, halved lengthwise ( white and green parts)
5 qts ( 20 cups) of water
1/2 tsp salt, plus more to taste
1 bunch fresh rosemary
1 bunch fresh thyme
2 bay leaves

In a large stock pot, simmer veggies, water, and salt for 15 minutes, skimming surface of foam and particles.
Add herbs and simmer for another 20 minutes. Strain the stock, discarding solids. Makes about 15 cups.

The Secret Of the South's Best Fried Chicken Recipe

To make it you'll need:

1  3-lb chicken , cut into 8 pieces
1/4 cup kosher salt
4 cups buttermilk
1 lb lard
8  tbsp ( 1 stick ) unsalted butter
1/2 cup country ham pieces
1 cup flour
2 tbsp cornstarch
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper

The night before, place chicken in a large bowl and set aside. In a large pitcher, combine kosher salt with 6 cups of water and stir until the salt has dissolved. Pour salt water over chicken pieces until they are submerged. Cover and refrigerate over night. In the morning, drain chicken pieces and rinse chicken and the bowl. Return chicken to the bowl and cover with buttermilk. Cover and refrigerate for 12 hours. 

About 1 1/4 before serving, combine the lard, butter, and ham in a large heavy skillet. Cook over low heat, skimming as needed, until ham is lightly browned, about 30 to 45 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove ham and brown bits from fat. Increase heat to medium high and bring fat to 335 degrees.

In a shallow bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, salt and pepper and mix well..Dredge chicken pieces thoroughly in flour mixture, then pat well to remove excess flour. Working in batches, do not crowd pan, and place chicken pieces skin down on fat side. Cook 8 to 10 minutes on each side, until chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Drain on  crumpled paper towel. Serve hot, warm , room temperature  or cold. Serves 4 to 6.     

Restuarants Offering Free Food On Your Birthday

ALFY'S PIZZA - free mini pizza


ALL-AMERICAN CAFE - free dessert

APPLEBEES - free dessert

AUSTIN GRILL - Register First - free meal

BAKERS SQUARE - free pie

BANDIDO'S - free entree

BANJARA INDIAN CUISINE - free meal

BASKIN ROBBINS - free ice cream treat

BEACHES RESTAURANT - free meal

BENIHANA'S JAPANESE RESTAURANT - free dinner WITH 3 other paying guests ( Verify first with your local )

BENNIGANS - free dessert + song

BERN'S - free meal

BILL KNAPP'S - gives adults a % discount equal to age; plus a free bday cake (w/purchase of a meal) during the week of your B-day

BLACK BRISKEE - free meal

BOB'S BIG BOY - free hot fudge ice cream

BRUSTER'S - free waffle cone on your birthday

BURGER KING - free kids meal to all kids club members

CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN - Register First - free kids meal during the month of their birthday

CAPTAIN D'S BIRTHDAY CLUB - free two-piece meal at sign-up and once a year on your birthday

CAPTAIN DIZZY'S CAR WASH - free car wash

CARROWS - free cake

CATTLEMEN'S - free dessert and cowboy hat

CHARLIE BROWNS RESTAURANTS - free meal for "Handshake Club" members

CHARLIE'S SEAFOOD - free meal

CHEVY'S - free dessert and sombrero

CHILI'S - free desert on your birthday

CHIPS N GIGGLES - free meal

CLAIM JUMPER - Free Dessert

CROWN THEATRES - Buy One Movie Ticket, Get One Free

CRAZY BUFFET - free meal

DAVE AND BUSTERS - $5 game card credit

DENNY'S - free meal (said to be only kids under 10 now)

DESPARADOS MEXICAN RESTAURANT - free meal

DOCKSIDE RESTAURANT - free meal

DUKE'S CHOWDER HOUSE - b1g1 coupons (register first). FREE dinner for your birthday!

EL CHICOS - free dessert

ERNIE'S STEAKHOUSE - free meal

FAMOUS DAVE'S BARBEQUE - free meal (w/advance signup)

FIREHOUSE SUBS - free sub (must sign up for birthday club)

FUDDRUCKERS - free burger

FUNNY BONE COMEDY CLUB - free cake (party of 5 min.; 2 drink min.)

GRILLFISH - free meal

HANA JAPAN - free meal

HARD ROCK CAFE - free dessert

HOMETOWN BUFFET - free birthday cake

HOULIHAN'S RESTAURANT - free entree

HOLLYWOOD VIDEO - one free video rental

HOOTERS - free song + tshirt

HOSS'S STEAK HOUSE AND RESTAURANT - free cake + song

IHOP- free meal

JOE'S CRAB SHACK - free cake

JT WHEATFIELDS - free coupon in phone book

KING BUFFET - free meal

LADONNA - free meal

LOMBARDI'S IN BALLARD - Register First - free meal w/another during month of birthday

LOTUS - free meal

LUTHERS BBQ - free stuff (varies) for "Great Rewards" members

MACARONI GRILL - free dessert + OPERA-style "Happy birthday" song

MAGGIANOS - $10 Off purchase of $20 (sign up in advance)

MARIE CALENDERS - free dessert

MAX AND ERMA - free $5 dessert

MEXICAN VILLAGE - free meal

MOONIES DINER - free meal

MUCKLESHOOT CASINO - free sushi dinner + player's club points

NEWICK'S SEAFOOD RESTAURANTS - free entree

NITTY GRITTY - free drink + souvenir glass

OKAYAMA RESTAURANT - free meal

OLD SPAGHETTI WAREHOUSE - free meal

ONAMI - free dinner WITH 3 other people paying

OUTBACK Steakhouse - free dessert + song

PANCAKE HOUSE - free entree

PAPPA'S RESTAURANTS - free dessert

PARADISO'S - free meal

PERKIN'S - free stack of pancakes

PF CHANGS - free cake or cheesecake

PIZZA EXPRESS - free meal

PONCHO'S - free meal, dessert & picture

PROVINO'S ITALIAN RESTAURANT - free $10.99 meal and ice cream dessert

Radisson - free entree in their 12th floor restaurant

REAL SEAFOOD COMPANY - free meal and dessert

RED ROBINS - Register First - free burger coupon / discount coupon

RICE & COMPANY - free meal for Robinson Rewards Club members

ROCK BOTTOM - free appetizer for Mug Club members

ROUND TABLE - free personal pizza

RUBY TUESDAY - free burger and fries (must sign up for their newsletter to receive this offer)

SCALINI'S ITALIAN RESTAURANT - up to 10.95 off pasta specialties

SHEPARD'S BUFFET - free dinner buffet w/3 other paid customers

STEAK AND ALE - free mini choco cake

STEAK-N-SHAKE - free dinner for "birthday club" kids

TGI FRIDAYS - Free birthday Dessert

THE 99 - free meal

THE BARNSIDER'S/DEPOT RESTAURANTS - 1/2 off meal + cake & song

THE LOFT - free meal

THE PALM - 3lb lobster (must be a member/register first)

THE PARADISO - free entree + sombrero & song

THE VINE TAVERN - free meal

TODAI SEAFOOD BUFFET - Free Meal or voucher for Meal Next Visit

TONY ROMA'S - free dessert, free meal

UP THE CREEK - free meal and dessert

VACCARO'S ITALIAN PASTRY SHOP - free dessert and drink

WENDY'S - free kids meal to all kids club members

Z' TEJAS - Register First - $15 coupon for the month of your birthday

ZIO'S - free dessert mini pizza

Ten Ways To Get Anyone To Like You In Less Than 2 Minutes

1. Let Your Smile Build Slowly Its always a good idea to smile when you meet someone, but instantly switching on a 100 watt smile seems phony. Instead, make sure smile build slowly when you make eye contact.

2.Make Strong Eye Contact People tend to trust people who make strong eye contact. If you have trouble making eye contact, make a habit of noting specifics about your prospect's  eyes. Note the color, the shape, how far apart they are , the length of the lashes and how often they blink. Answering these questions will help you make strong eye contact with another person. Just make sure you break eye contact occasionally since starring too intently can make people uncomfortable.

3.Select A Good Body Position During the first minute of conversation, slowly rotate your body to completely face the person. The exception would be a man meeting a woman. A man should stop a few degrees short of angling his upper body directly towards her so as not to appear overly aggressive. If you're holding a drink or a plate of food, set it down or hold it down by your side. If you hold it in front of your chest, your arm will block off your body making you seem less open.  If you're not sure what to do with your hands, then use gestures when you talk or put them in your pockets. Just don't cross your arms across your chest which makes you seem closed off.

4.Find The Right Space Zone Standing too close to a person can make them feel uneasy. Stand too far and they won't feel connected. So the average distance you should stand in front of a new person is about 26 to 28 inches away. Keeping moving closer until you detect discomfort in their eyes. Then ease back slightly until you see the discomfort disappear.

5. How To Shake Hands When you shake hands, very gently touch your forefinger to the other person's wrist. Gently touching it fosters a feeling of warmth and closeness even though the other person may not be conscious of it.

6.Treat Business Cards With Respect A business card represents a person's professional accomplishments. Showing respect for the card shows respect for the person. When you are handed a card,
imagine it as a delicate precious gift. Hold it gently in your hands. Pause to read it, then carefully place it in your briefcase, wallet or purse. Never just jam a card into your pocket.

7. How To Begin A Conversation Questions that make great icebreakers are "What do you do?" Followed by "How did you decide you wanted to do that?" To couples say, 'How did you two meet?"

8.Slowly Nod When People Speak This sends a message of acceptance and encouragement which makes people feel more at ease. Just do not nod if a man or woman  is saying something with which you disagree.
Keep in mind that women tend to interpret nodding as "I understand" not "I agree."   

9.Pay Attention To Small Talk  If someone says, "At least the rain is good for my plants," seize on the word plants  and say "Do you have a garden?" Or if someone says, "It's been too hot to walk my dogs," say "what kind of dog do you have?" Small talk is a good conversation starter.

 10. Use The Same Speaking Terms   If a parent refers to her offspring as her "child" do not refer to the child as her "little one" or "baby". If someone refers to his lively hood as a "profession" do not refer to it as a "job" or a "career".

Blue Cheese Potato Salad Is A Backyard Favorite

If you want areal attention getter for your next cookout, then serve your guests Blue Cheese Potato Salad.
In a blender, puree 1 cup of blue cheese crumbles, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 cup sour cream, 1/2 teaspoon white pepper, 1/8 cup white vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.  Then fold in an  additional cup of  blue cheese crumbles to the blender mix, season to taste, and set aside. In a separate large bowl, mix 3 cooked and cooled Idaho potatoes cut into large dice size pieces. Then add 3 whole finely chopped scallions and 2tablespoons of parsley. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons of lemon juice,  2 teaspoons of Sriracha hot sauce, 1 1/2 cups of the reserved blue cheese dressing and 2 more ounces of crumbled blue cheese. Mix well, season to taste with Kosher salt, and serve. Serves 4 to 6 people. 

Get Free Access To the World's Top Health Experts 24 Hours A Day

http://www.pdrhealth.com/   
Gives you access to the experts behind Physicians Desk Reference

http://www.intellihealth.com/
Harvard Medical School

http://www.mayoclinic.com/  
 Mayo Clinic

http://www.healthfinder.com/  
U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services

http://www.medhelp.com/
 Doctor and Medical Institutions

http://www.webmd.com/
Health info site

http://www.medlineplus.gov/
 From  the experts at the National Library of Medicine and National Institute Of  Health 
            
http://www.medicinenet.com/
Articles written and  reviewed by doctors

http://www.safemedication.com/
Prescription and over the counter drug info from the American Society Of Health System Pharmacists

http://www.mypillbox.org/ 
Drug info and help identifying pills

http://www.ismp.org/
Institute for Safe Medication Practices

http://www.rxlist.com/ 
Detailed drug info for questions other sites may not answer

http://www.drugdigest.org/  
Info about drugs, vitamins and herbs  



Six Easy NO Ice Cream Maker Ice Cream Recipes

Impress your cookout or dinner guests with these easy to make, no-brainer gourmet ice creams that require no ice cream maker! First, start off with 1 pint of premium store bought  ice cream or low fat yogurt ice cream  you buy on sale. Second, smash in your favorite flavors, then enjoy. Mixing Tips: Don't soften the ice cream too much. You want if firm but pliable. Quickly cut the carton away from the ice cream into chunks on a work surface to facilitate folding. Return the ice cream to the freezer in a plastic container  for 30 minutes  to two hours so the  flavors can firm up and  blend.  After that,  the crunchy ingredients start to soften. Here are the recipes:

1. Black Forest Fold in 2 Tbs. of brandy into 1/2 cup of cherry preserves. Fold in chocolate ice cream along with 1 cup of crumbled chocolate wafers.Six

2. Turtle Stir in 1/4 cup Carmel sauce, 1/2 cup chopped pecan pralines or candied pecans, and 1/2 cup chopped semi-sweet or bitter sweet chocolate into chocolate ice cream.

3. Chocolate Hazelnut Stir in 1/4 cup of Nutella, 1 cup of crumbled chocolate wafers, and 1/2 cup of roasted chopped hazelnut into chocolate ice cream.

4. Banana Pudding Fold 1 coarsely mashed large banana, 1 cup crumbled vanilla wafers and 1 cup of crumbled meringue cookies into vanilla ice cream.

5. Salted Caramel  Fold 1/4 cup of caramel sauce and 1 cup of coarsely crumbled regular or peanut butter filled  pretzel nuggets into vanilla ice cream.  

6. Strawberry Shortcake Mix 1 cup of sliced strawberries with 2 Tbs of strawberry jam. Fold into vanilla ice cream with 2 slices of  crumbled pound cake which is about 1/ 1/2 cups. Then add 1 cup of crumbled meringue cookies.

How To Get Your Low Bids Accepted On Priceline

You have seen it advertised, and maybe tried it. Now make it work for you. www.Priceline.com  offers 2 basic services for 3 travel products: airfare, hotels and rental cars.

The services are:

1. Fixed price travel service just like any other travel agent.

2. “NAME YOUR OWN PRICE”

The fixed price travel service is nothing unique and offers nothing special in terms of pricing, (unless they post a mistake rate)

The “Name Your Own Price” service offers Great Travel Prices with savings of up to 60% if you know how and: THE BIG WINNER is HOTELS

The savings are really significant and with the help of these sites:

www.Biddingfortravel.com

www.Betterbidding.com

www.Travelbuddy.com

www.Tripadvisor.com

Here’s how it works: biddingfortravel.com, travelbuddy.com and betterbidding.com are sites that lists successful previous priceline bids for airfares, hotels and car rentals around the world. In addition, they list reviews for the hotels in a given city and by region and by star level. (5* is the best, 1* is really bad). Try to bid 4*, 3*  if the reviews are ok  and 2 ½* in a region you  want to stay in.

Example: If  you  need to go to  Boston, first go to www. priceline.com and “name your own price” hotels and find the various regions listed for the Boston market and the top hotel rating in that zone. Then open another window and head to www.biddingfortravel.com. In that site , go to “hotels”, then “Mass”, then “Boston”. You can check previously accepted prices in the various regions of Boston, get reviews of the hotels and decide what star level you are comfortable with. If  Downtown, you might find  Copley and Back Bay regions are too expensive,. try  the Airport region .You could  typically win the Hyatt Harborside for $42 per night.It's  a beautiful hotel with shuttle to the airport and to the subway (T) stop to downtown. Typical weekend night at the Hyatt would be $129. Ask for a waterside room.

NOTE: To be most successful using Priceline you MUST read the section on bidding and rebidding.

Suppose you want Zone Airport and a 4* hotel. From previous bidders you see that $42 has won in the past, so your first bid is Zone Airport, 4 stars at $35. If you don’t win, then add another zone that has lower star levels ONLY available, and this time bid $37. If there are 5 zones without a hotel over 3 stars, you have 5 free rebids until you get the best price.

Rebidding allows you to start low and move your price higher without changing your parameters. READ these sections of www.biddingfortravel.com  before going to priceline.com to actually place your bids. Once booked there are NO REFUNDS.

  Travelers using  Priceline rooms in over 30 US cities, London, Dublin, Paris and Rome have rarely been disappointed. Do your research on www.biddingfortravel.com or www. betterbidding.com first, and double check the reviews at www.tripadvisor.com. Remember to bid one star level higher in Europe for US comparison hotels. Remember that one bad hotel in a given zone and at a given star rating should force you to bid a higher level or different zone for that city. By using these 5 sites in conjunction, you will save the cost of hotels by 50% or more for the rest of your travel life.PS: Practice this technique with several imaginary cities WITHOUT hitting the “Buy my Hotel” button. Do your research. There are NO REFUNDS. 

Discover New Jersey's Best Secret Secluded Beach

You'd never know that High Bar Harbor, a lollipop-shaped stretch of sand  tucked behind the Barnegat Lighthouse, even exists. But watch out for the water, because if the tide comes, you might get stranded. To get there, take Long Beach Island Blvd , north into the town of Barnegat Light and turn left on 20th St, a.k.a. as Auburn Rd. Go a third of a mile , then bear right at the Y-shaped intersection onto Sunset Blvd. Take it to the end. You'll see a footpath to the beach.   

Do You Really Need Heart Surgery?

Up to 30% for surgical procedures in the US are unnecessary. Each year, more than 1 million heart patients are treated with angioplasty and stents which restore normal circulation to the heart and reduce angina pain.

The problem is that angioplasty and stents are overused. A study of more that 2,300 patients by the American College of  Cardiology found that patients with stable angina that were treated with  medications like nitroglycerine had the same outcome  of those treated with invasive procedure of stents.

Who is helped by stents: People with unstable agina, people with a significant blockage in the left main coronary artery, or with three coronary arteries blocked and weakened heart muscle. People with stable angina should be treated with medications to control pain , reduce blood pressure and cholesterol.

The Best Houseplants For Healthier Indoor Air

The source of most indoor pollutants are volitile organic compounds (VOCs) that "gas out" from indoor paints, varnishes, adhesives, furniture, dry cleaned clothing, cleansers, detergents, disinfectants, spot removers and air freshners. Now, not all VOCs are bad. The frangrance of flowers and a fresh baked apple pie are VOCs. But many are bad for your health.

They can cause  asthma, headaches, fatigue, eye irritation, skin rashes and more. Some like benzene, are known carcinigens. But the good news is that houseplants can remove  VOCs from the air. The pollutants are absorbed through mircroscopic openings in the leaves. The best house plants for removing VOCs from the air are:

Purple Waffle ( Hemigraphis aternata ) English Ivy ( Hedera helix )  Wax plant ( Hoya carnosa) Asparagus fern ( Asparagus densiflorus ) Purple heart plant ( Tradescantia pallida ) Boston fern (Nphrolepus exaltata Bostoniensis ) Bamboo plant ( Chamaedorea seifrizzzii ) Rubber plant ( Ficus robusta ) Gerbera daisy ( Gerbera jamesonii ) and Golden pothos ( Epipremnum aureum ).

For maximum indoor air quality improvment, you should experimemnt with multiple species as needed. The exact number is difficult to determine depending on your indoor air quality. Also, keep in mind that plants grown without dirt, usually in pebbles or another open aggregate , are  30 to 50% more effective in removing VOCs than those grown in potting soil. This is due to the greater air flow through pebbles to the plant zone where microbes break down the VOCs.

12 Best Food Festivals In The Northeast

1. Great Chowder Cook Off Newport, RI June 4 http://www.newportwaterfrontevents.com/ 2. Vermont Cheesemakers Festival -Shelburne, Vt July 24 http://www.vtcheesefest.com/ 3. Atlantic City Food And Wine Festival - Atlantic City, NJ July 28-31 http://www.acfoodandwine.com/ 4. Ice Cream Festival, Toms River, NJ July 16  http://www.downtowntomsriver.com/icecream/festival.htm 5. Maine Lobster Festival -Rockland, ME August 3-7 http://www.mainelobsterfestival.com/ 6. Taste Of The Caribbean And Jerk Festival Hartford, CT Aug 6 http://www.tasteofthecaribbeanct.org/ 7. Pittson Tomato Festival Pittston, PA Aug 18-21 http://www.pittstontomatofestival.com/ 8. Hard Crab Derby Cristfield, MD Sept 2-4 www.crisfieldchamber.com/etints 9 . National BuffaloWing Festival Buffalo, NY Sept 3-4 http://www.buffalowing.com/ 10. Milford Pumkin Festival Milford, NH Oct 7-9 http://www.milfordpumpkinfestival.org/
11. Bridgeville Apple Scrapple Festival Bridgeville, DE Oct 14-15 http://www.applescrapple.com/ 12. Wellfleet Oyster Fest Wellfleet, MA Oct 15-16 http://www.wellfleetoysterfest.org/

Hang It Up For Less

If  you want to fill your blank walls with inexpensive and good paintings, prints and photos you don't have to be an art mogul to buy a masterpiece. The following sites offer art at great prices: www.20x200.com,
 www.Aceditions.com , www.ArtOfThePrint.Com , www.ArtStar.Com , www.CircuitGallery.Com , www.Exhibitiona.Com , www.EyeStorm.Com , www.Society6.Com,  www.TinyShowCase.Com ,
www.theworkingproof.com , and www.Zatista.Com

Four Gourmet Popsicle Recipes That Will Blow Your Mind

1.Strawberry Basil-2 lbs fresh strawberries, 3/4 cup sugar, 10 large fresh basil leaves, 1 tsp. balsamic vinegar,juice of 1/2 lime. Hull and wash strawberries and put in blender. Add the remaining ingredients until smooth. Pour into molds, add sticks , and freeze until solid , 4-6 hours.

2. Plain Yogurt, Dried Fruit And Nuts 20 ounces plain non-fat  yogurt, 6 ounces of sugar,  1/2 cup of dried fruits and nuts. Blend yogurt until it liquefies, then add sugar until it disintegrates. Chop dried fruits and nuts into small pieces and add to yogurt in small quantities.  Stir in slowly to prevent the fruits and nuts from sticking together. Scoop the mix into molds making sure to get an even amount of nuts and fruit into each mold. Insert sticks and freeze solid 4-6 hours.

3. Blueberry Lemonade  11/2 cups blueberries, 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon zest, 2/3 cups of sugar, 2 1/2 cups of water. Rinse the berries them combine all ingredients in a blender on high until thoroughly and evenly pulverized. Hold a fine mesh strainer over a pitcher and strain the mixture by slowly pouring. Let the mixture rest until any froth has dissolved or remove it by spooning it off. Pour the liquid into molds and add sticks. Freeze until solid 4-6 hours.

4. Pineapple Chile 1 very ripe medium pineapple, 1 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, 1 cup water, 1/3 cup sugar. Peel and core pineapple. Separate fruit into thirds, set 1/3 aside. Cut the other 2/3 into cubes. Using a saucepan  cover with water and simmer for 10 minutes. Set aside to cool, Meanwhile finely chop the reserved pineapple and set aside. Once cooked pineapple is cool, transfer to a blender. Add sugar and cayenne to taste. Blend together and pour into mold leaving a little space to add the reserved chopped pineapple to each cavity. Add sticks and freeze solid, 4-6 hours.        

Where The Jobs Are Now

 One of the biggest jobs fields right now is health care. The top paying jobs are: Radiologic Technologist 
They help doctors perform diagnostic exams like X-rays, CT scans and MRIs. They work in hospitals, clinics doctor's offices.  The median wage is $53,000. The job requires a two year associate degree from a community college or a 21-24 month certificate from a technical college. For more info visit www.arrt.org

Next is Physical Therapist Assistant They help patients implement programs developed by physical therapists. The median wage is $48,000. The job requires a two year associates degree from a accredited program and a licensing exam must be passed. For more info visit www.apta.org Also see www.CapteOnline.Org

Another career choice is Medical Assistant One and two year programs are offered by many vocational schools. The median wage is $29,000.  For more info visit www.aama-ntl.org

Dental Hygienists earn about $67,000 a year. They provide dental cleanings and exams in dental offices. A two year associates degree in dental hygiene is required and a licensing  exam must be passed. For more info see www.adha.org .

Little Known Credit Card Perks

Extend Your Warranty -Besides points and cash back, Gold and platinum MasterCards, Visa and American Express cards all extend the manufacturer's warranty by one year. Plus if you loose or break that new laptop or digital camera within 90 days of purchase, Citi's new Thank You Premier card will pay to repair or replace it or reimburse you up to $1,000.

The same is true for purchases made with your American Express card. Also, most gold and platinum cards plus American Express  will pick up the collision insurance when you rent a car. You just need to refuse it when you pick up the car and and inform the rental company that your credit card will pick up the insurance. 

Get The Lowest Price -If you see an item you purchased with a Citi premium card advertised for less within 60 days, Citi will make up the difference up to $250. Many gold and platinum MasterCards offer the same protection. 

Get Covered On The Road -  If your laptop is stolen from your hotel room, MasterCard will reimburse you if you used a gold or platinum card to pay for the room. Likewise, if your luggage doesn't arrive when you do, MasterCard will reimburse you for the cost of replacing essential items. Plus, MasterCard will cover the cost to replace or repair damaged luggage.     

How To Avoid Online Dating Scams

Scammers use a phony picture of a good looking man or woman. Then they flatter and fawn. Once you're hooked, they hit you with some variation of several war torn stories. Sometimes  they say they live abroad and desperately want to visit you but their banking system is broken. Or they're at the airport and their credit card has been declined. But all their stories all end up the same: "please wire cash and I'll  pay you back." These scammers usually reside in West Africa or one of the former Soviet republics. So to protect yourself, use search engines like Facebook  or Google.  There you can search for any sob story to see if it is common. Next, stick to PAID online dating services. Paid sites have a paper trail of their members from credit card information. Then ask for info before you share your e-mail address or phone number. Make sure his or her info on Facebook matches up with what they are telling you. Then for added insurance,  run a background check on sites like http://www.beenverified.com/

London Insider Travel Tips

If you're hopping over for the royal wedding or plan to visit London this summer, then these tips will put you light years ahead of most tourists.

London Subway  Never pay cash on the tube since cash fares are more than double what locals pay. Buy yourself an Oyster Card ( www.tfl.gov.uk ) . Any tube station sells these stored-valued swipe cards.  Load them up with a deposit of 3 pounds  ($4.95 US), and fares are automatically deducted every time you ride.

Best London Guides  Time Out London is the unbeatable bible of what to do in London. You can view it online at www.timeout.com/london  . On Saturdays, grab a copy of the Guardian newspaper and you'll find a terrific pocket-sized guide for free. Or check it out online at www.Guardian.Co.Uk . Hands down the savviest price minded guide to London is: Pauline Frommer's London: Spend Less, See More at $16.99.

Best Department Store  Forget Harrods since it's for tourists only. Hip Londoners go to real department stores like www.SelfRidges.Com with its delicious Food Hall and great designer brands. Another best bet is www.JohnLewis.Com whose slogan is, "Never Knowingly Undersold". Another unmissable is
www.MarksAndSpencer.Com .

Museums Almost ALL museums in London are 100% free. So make sure you see all the sights.  

Taxi Cabs - Taxi cabs are double NYC fares and drivers won't let you in the cab unless you reveal your destination. But since they have to pass a test on memorizing ever street in London, their less apt to turn down fares like NYC cabbys. Also, tipping in England is a gesture, NOT an obligation.

  Best Cheap Eats There's a www.PizzaExpress.Com on almost every corner and www.Carluccios.Com is a great place for killer pasta, cheap wine and great coffee.  In London, Indian food has displaced fish and chips  as the national dish and the best place to sample it is on Brick Lane in the East End which is lined with cheap eats. Or try the central www.IndianYMCA.Org just north of Oxford Street. They serve fabulous dirt cheap dinners for less than 5 pounds or $8.25 US..

9 Top Wilderness Survival Tips

1. Charging Lion, Tiger Or Bear   These animals like to mock charge so its best to stand your ground or even fight back. The minute you run, it tells the animal you're prey.  2. When You're Lost don't stay put. People who walk 600 yards may see a cabin or a road. Those who stay put don't see that. 3. When Your Lost In The Woods  look for a stream. All streams lead to rivers, and rivers lead to lakes and people.
4. The Best Way To Determine of its  Direction is to put a three foot stick in the ground and mark the tip of its shadow. That's west, no matter where you are. Wait for the shadow to move , 10 to 15 minutes,  and mark the tip of the shadow again. The line between those tips is east-west. 5. To Escape From Quicksand flop forward and splay your body out onto drier ground. If you stay perpendicular, you're going down. 6. The Best Defense Against A Shark is to punch it on the nose as hard as you can. All predators fear being injured because they need their faces to survive. 7. The Best Sustenance For Being Stranded In A Blizzard is to eat bark from a pine tree.  8. What To Drink When Adrift At Sea Urine will work for the short term, and sea water is too salty. So make a solar still but covering a cup of ocean water with a piece of plastic and it will  collect salt free condensation a few droplets at a time. 9. How To Tell If A Plant Is Safe To Eat When Stranded In The Wild   First rub the plant on your body the wait 45 minutes  for a reaction. If none, touch the plant to your lips and wait 5 minutes. If all is OK then hold it on your tongue for 15 minutes. If there is no reaction, swallow and wait 8 hours. t.If you get no reaction, the plant is safe to eat.

Top Ten Barber Shops In America

Chicago: http://www.belmontbarbershop.com/   Dallas: http://www.razorsedgebarbers.biz/  Los Angeles http://www.baxterfinley.com/  Miami: http://www.churchillsbarbershop.com/  Portland: http://www.hairmgrooming.com/ New York: http://www.blindbarber.com/ New Orleans: http://www.aidangillformen.com/, Philadelphia: http://www.2bgroomedstudios.com/, San Francisco: http://www.barberlounge.com/ Seattle: http://www.rudysbarbershop.com/

The Thrifty Gourmet's Guide To Rome

Top Billing: http://www.ristoranteilpagliaccio.com/ Where Locals Go: Flavio Al Velavevodetto, 97-99 Via di Monte Testaccio, 011-39-06-574-4194 For Classic Glamour: http://www.anticocaffegreco.eu/
The Best Pastas: http://www.feliceastestaccio.com/ , L'Arcangelo, 59-61 Via G.G. Belli, 001-39-06-321-0992, http://www.anticofornoroscioli.com/ , For The Ultimate Sandwich: http://www.tricoloremonti.it/
For Fabulous Pizzas: Pizzarium, 43 Via della Meloria, 011-39-06-3974-5416, Gatta Mangiona, 30-32
Via Frederico Ozanam, 011-39-06-534-6702, Da Remo, 44 Piazza Santa Maria Liberatrice, 011-39-06-6270, For Home Cooking: http://www.homefood.it/ , For People Watching: Settembrini, 27 Via Luigi Settembrini, 011-39-06-323-2617, For The Best Expresso: Sant'Eustachio, 81 Piazza Sant'Eustachio, 011-39-06-6880-2048, For Gourmet Groceries: http://www.volpetti.com/ and http://www.dioriginelaziale.it/
For Incredible Ice Cream: Gelateria Fatamorgana, 9 Via Lago di Lesina and 7 Via Giovanni Bettolo,
011-39-06-6456-1314, Fiora Di Luna, 96 Via della Lungaretta, 011-39-06-321-6668, Galateria Dei racchi, 272 Via dei Gracchi, 011-39-06-321-6668, Il Glato, 105 Via dell' Aeronautica, 011-39-06-512-8948, Cremeria Monteforte, 22 Via della Rotonda, 011-39-06-686-7720

5 Keys To A Succesful Garage Sale

1. Avoid The Big Mistakes Never plan your sales for a holiday weekend. Most shoppers will have other plans. Next, make sure your sale is in line with all local regulations about signs and sales. When making signs, use a thick black marker, white cardboard  and clear, large print and arrows to steer drivers to your sale. You want to make sure that your address and sale hours are written large enough to be read from a moving car.Most shoppers will walk away rather than ask for a price on an item. So take the time to mark all your items with masking tape and price them. If you know something about an item like "works fine" or "only worn once" or "circa 1950" then put that info on your masking tape price tag.Never sell broken  junk and unusable garbage and price stuff  low enough so bargain hunters cannot pass it up. Finally, always have enough change and go to the bank  the day before the sale and get 50 singles and $20 in quarters.

2.  Items That Sell  include decorative items for the home in good condition, framed prints, cookbooks, kitchen appliances that work, needlework and embroidered crocheted items, tools, fishing gear, and house plants and rooted cuttings. Also, decorative , fashion and household items that are in good condition if they date back to 1960 or earlier. But never try to sell antiques or collectibles at a garage sale. Most people won't spend more than $10 to $20 on a single item. Also, clothing does not sell well at garage sales because most shoppers will not share your size or taste in clothing. The only exception is children's clothing if it is priced well. One good marketing ploy is to try to combine a bake sale from your church or charity with your garage sale. That's because most shoppers are hungry from a morning spent driving around.  Plus it wouldn't  be a bad idea  if  you  sold  hot  coffee  with cream and sugar  for 50 cents a cup to go along with the bake sale.  If its a warm or a hot summer day, sell cold bottled water or  generic cold soda from a cooler for 50 cents each. Just try to buy water and  regular and diet soda on sale for 25 cents each.

3. How To Advertise Place classified ad in local newspapers starting at least a few days prior to the sale. Your ad should include the hours and location of the sale with a few categories of merchandise that your sale will feature. Example: Garage  & Bake  Sale. Sat 8am-1pm  123 Main St, Anytown. Glassware, quilts, houseplants, kitchen appliances, knickknacks, tools. Then hang fliers advertising your sale on community bulletin boards like those found at entrance of supermarkets. On the morning of the sale, hang signs along busy roads near your home to attract drive by customers. If you live in or near a big city, you ca also advertise your sale for free on www.CraigsList.Org   Also, make sure you post info about your sale  on  your Facebook and Twitter page. Plus to get a jump on your competition,  have a sign in list so people can  leave their e-mail  address and  area of interest so they can get advance notice of your next sale.

3. The Best Time to have a sale is on a weekend when there are several other sales advertised in your neighborhood. A concentration of sales encourages shoppers to come to your part of town and visit them all.
So invite your neighbors to join in and participate. The majority of sales are made with in  the first 3 hours of the sale on a Saturday morning.  That's because most shoppers think anything worth buying has been bought up.  So make sure you schedule your sale on Saturday between 8am and Noon. Another good tactic is to consider starting your sale on Friday between 5pm and dusk and then continue on Saturday morning. You will have far less competition and you may snag shoppers on their way home from work. And finally, watch the weather reports at  www.Weather.Com or call 1-800-555-TELL and interrupt the recording by saying
"weather" loudly for a 5 day report for your area. Cancel the sale and wait for a better weekend if it looks like rain.

4. Presentation Merchandise sells better if  is placed on tables. Clothes sell better if they are hung on hangers and not folded or piled. Place large items like furniture and  lawn mowers out front so they can be seem from the street by passing motorists. Have a 25 or 50 ft extension cord running into your house so you can plug in electrical appliances to prove that they work.

5. Common Sense Security  Never let a shopper use your bathroom or telephone. You don't want things going missing from your home or you don't want someone to case your house for a future burglary. Politely direct them to the nearest gas station or convenience store.






   

Top 4 Family Vacation Spots In The USA

1. Penobscot, Maine at http://www.sailmainecoast.com/ 2. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
at http://www.gtlc.com/ 3. Acme, Michigan at http://www.grandtraverseresort.com/ 4. Sante Fe, New Mexico
at http://www.bishopslodge.com/

DC'S Best Keep Secrets

Book Peak Season Rooms At Off Season Rates-One of the best places to stay in DC is the Tabard Inn.
www.TabardInn.Com 1739 N  Street NW. Located just 5 blocks from the White House,  this quaint, historic boutique 40 room hotel consists of  three 19th century row houses. And the rooms go for just $120 to $165 even during Cherry Blossom season. Even if you don't stay here, make sure you stop by for brunch. The food here is absolutely outstanding.

Explore The Local Art Scene - On the first Friday of every month, DC residents flock to Dupont Circle. There, the local galleries turn into a bustling un-snooty fete. Here you can expect live music and free wine until 9pm. Check it out at  starting at 9 Hillyer Ct NW and visit www.ArtsAndArtists.org

The Two Best Crab Cakes In Town  Check out the Old Ebitt Grill at www.Ebbitt.Com where crab cakes are $17. Or make it over to the amazing alternative at CF Folks http://www.cffolksrestaurant.com/ where the scrab cake sandwich is just $14.

Go Behind Closed Doors when DC'S top 30  embassies open their doors on just two days: May 7 and and May 14.  During prime time afternoon hours, hit the embassies on International Drive which tend to be larger and less hectic than the rest.   For more info see "passport DC" at  www.CulturalTourismDc.Org   

Where The Locals Chow Down Without Dinner Reservations On Barracks Row, you'll find eateries that serve everything from soul food to authentic Indian cuisine. You'll find the majority of these low key dining spots on 8th Street between Pennsylvania Ave and M Street. Just stroll along until you find a menu that peaks your interest or see http://www.barracksrow.org/

Reserve Advance  Half-Price Tickets To DC's Best Concerts , plays, operas and more at the
the downtown ticket outlet located at 407 7th St NW or see www.TicketPlace.Org

The Best Spot For Lunch In DC  is the cafeteria at the National Museum of the American Indian. The museum's sunny Mitsitam Cafe is considered one of the best spots in town. It pays homage to Native American culinary traditions like buffalo burgers, glazed salmon and more. Its located  at 4th Street and Independence Ave SW. Or see  www.Nmai.Si.Edu    

7 Tips On How To Get A Locksmith To Pick Your Lock Instead Of Your Pockets

  1. Some locksmiths in the phone book and online are scam artists. They’ ll quote you a great price on the phone. But when they get to your or business, they’ll say that you have a special lock and they can’t pick it. So they’ll have to drill it open. Then they’ll replace it with a lock you can buy at a big box store for $25.

Also, make sure you look for company advertising and identification. Also, call a local qualified locksmiths that bring a reliable familiarity within your area matched with strong community reputation. When contacting a locksmith, if the legal business name isn’t stated, ask for it. If there’s hesitation, there’s cause for concern.

Hang up and move on. Written estimates should be supplied before work begins, along with an itemized invoice upon completion. All service vehicles, vans and trucks should be clearly marked with the company name and identifying details. The locksmith should have a valid state locksmith license/registration where applicable.

The qualified locksmith should always ask for your proof of ID and authorization to begin work upon arrival, as well as supply his or her own professional identification and credentials. If, for any reason, you’re uncomfortable, it is your right to refuse service.

2. To find a reputable locksmith, check to see if any are Better Business Bureau members in your area at http://www.bbb.org/

3. Keys stamped “Do Not Duplicate” are duplicated all the time. Ask you locksmith about high security locks with keys that can’t be replicated at a hardware store.

4. Don’t believe car dealer who says only he can duplicate your key. In most cases a locksmith who specializes in automotive work can duplicate a key much cheaper than the dealer.

5. If you have a housekeeper who needs a key, then ask your locksmith to key your door so that your master key works on both the dead bolt and the door knob, but hers just works on the knob.

6. Before you call a locksmith, try the door. If the locksmith comes out and finds your door unlocked, he still will charge you for the service call.

7. If your key won’t turn, try WD-40 or silicone spray. Sometimes the lock pins get jammed. And 25 to 40% of the time, that solves the problem.

25 Dirty Secrets Human Resource People Don’t Want You To Know

1. If you’ve been unemployed for six months or more,
they assume that other people passed over you and
they may not want to hire you.

2. When it comes to getting a job, who you know
really matters. No matter how great your
qualifications may be, connections count. So make
you network as much as possible.

3. If want a job at specific company, its best to
bypass the HR department completely. Try to
go through someone you know or go directly
to the hiring manager.

4. You will not be taken serious if your e-mail
address does sound professional like BobJones
@ gmail.Com. BobbyLikes2Booze@ Yahoo.com
just won’t cut it.

5. Most companies practice discrimination.
If you’re in your 50's or 60's, don’t put the year
you graduated on your resume.

6. HR people get irritated about a job hunter
cramming an entire resume on one page in 2 point
type. Use two pages if necessary, but three pages
is pushing it.

7. Most HR people use applicant tracking systems
that scan resumes for key words. To get your resume
through the system make sure you put key words directly
 from the job description on your resume.

8. Try to avoid using colored ink and paper when
you submit your resume. Also, dropping off your
resume in person is a no-no.

9.If you want to be considered for a job, make
sure you learn as much as you can about the
company before your interview.

10. A lot of HR people don’t want to hire applicants
with young children. Although its illegal to ask you,
they will pull all kinds of tricks to find out. Some
will put photos of kids on their desks even if they
don’t have children. Then they hope you’ll ask
about the kids and mention your own children.
Or, they may walk you out to your car to see if
you have car seats.

11. HR managers routinely discriminate against
people who are over weight or obese and if you
have a weak hand shake, it will count against you.

12. If you don’t want to blow the job interview,
make sure you turn your cell phone completely
off.

13. Make sure you’re pleasant and cordial to everyone
you encounter at the company. If not, the HR  manager
will hear about it and it will count against you.

14. If you have a real personal emergency and you
can’t make your interview, and you have a  legitimate
excuse, most HR people probably won’t  believe you.

15. Never reveal or on a resume that you were fired.
If you do, it will be trashed. Nine times out of ten,
most state laws on reference immunity and your former
company’s policy will prevent most HR people from
ever finding out.

16. Make sure you know how to pronounce the name
of the person who will interview you. If you must,
call the company receptionist and find out. Also,
make sure your personal  hygiene is impeccable.
You should  well groomed, and  make sure
you wear your best suit or dress for the interview.  

17. When asked to talk about yourself, make it
short and to the point. Avoid being a blow hard.


18. Wait at least a week before you send a thank
you note for the interview. In that time, the HR
manager will have interviewed a lot of other
people and your thank you note will stand out.

19. HR managers find persistent people annoying.
Sometimes they’ll tell applicants that they hired
someone internally just to get rid of them. If you want
to check back on your status, limit it to one or two contacts.

20. If you did not get along with your former
supervisor, do not list his direct line as a reference.
Instead, just provide the HR phone number at
your former company. Most will only give out your dates
of employment and your title.

21. If you’re credit score is below 650, it will count
against you when you apply for a job. But since back
ground checks are expensive, HR managers sometimes
bluff and will not even run one.

22. Don’t quote Salary.Com when negotiating pay.
Reason? It’s usually 10 to 20 grand higher than actual
salaries. Plus it annoys HR people like crazy. And
when discussing salary, most HR people try to lock
you in early by saying, “the position pays 35K to 40K.
If they ask you if that’s acceptable, say “no”, “it depends”,
or “it may not be out of the question”. That way, they
can’t lock you into that salary area.

23. If you already have a job, and they start giving you
the worsts assignments possible, with impossible
deadlines, they are setting up to fail so they can terminate it.
So start looking for a new job immediately. Also, watch out
if you’re put on a performance improvement plan and they
say that they want it to work out. They may be looking to
sack you. And the third signal that want to give you
the boot is when you’re a high level employee, and they
start taking away your responsibilities to work on special
assignments. Start sending out resumes fast.

24. If you get laid off, you’ll probably get a separation
agreement where you agree not to sue. Before you sign
it , try to ask for more severance money, a glowing
recommendation in writing or more Cobra. The worst that
could happen is that they'll say no.

25. If you’re asked to travel to attend a conference, try
not to say no. It could end your career.