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.

New Jersey's Best Vintage, Retro And Couture Second Hand Shops

Asbury Park: http://www.alanandsuzi.net/   Beach Haven:  http://www.coastalconsignment-salvage.com/
Bernardsville: http://www.encoreconsignments.com/  Forked River: http://www.stillgreatconsignment.cim/
Haddonfield: http://www.borntoshopthrift.com/ Hawthorne: http://www.secondglance.biz/ Livingston:
http://www.dueteveryday.com/  Princeton: http://www.janeconsignment.com/ Red Bank, Ridgewood, Short Hills And Englewood: http://www.edoubletake.com/ Toms River: http://www.silkpurseconsignment.com/ 
Westfield:  http://www.thecoutureexchange.com/  

Why The Internet Is Making Us Stupid

An experiment at UCLA showed that spending one hour per day on the web alters our neural pathways. Another Canadian study asked 70 people to read a short story on a computer screen. Some read traditional text, while others read  a version containing  hyperlinks. Only 10%  of those who read  the traditional text  reported any difficulty  following the story versus 75% who read the hyperlinked version. Those who read the traditional text did so faster.

Simply ignoring online distractions does not work. That's because our brains must make a split second decision not to be distracted  which breaks our concentration.  For  instance, reading books  is often considered  a  passive activity when compared to web surfing.  But we think more deeply  when  we read a printed page compared to an Internet page. The quiet space afforded by the printed page lets us mull over what we read. That quiet space does not exist online, so we're less likely to formed reasoned conclusions  about the  validity of what we  read.

If we want to increase our concentration and comprehension when we read e-books or text online, we should close our e-mail programs, our facebook page, and other competing info feeds on our screen.

How To Avoid The Hidden Dangers In Your Clothes And Bedding

Wrinkle free fabrics contain perfluorochemicals ( pfcs) for stain and wrinkle resistance. Clothing labeled no iron, permanent press and wrinkle free often contain pfcs. They last long because they are hard to break down.They accumulate in the body and been linked to reproductive toxicity and liver problems.The chemicals in clothing may be absorbed through the skin or inhaled when they out gas.
Numerous cyclesin the wash may release some but not all. Also, synthetic fibers, contain polyvinyl chlorides a known carcinogen.So to play it safe, try to wear clothes made from 100% natural fibers like cotton and wool. 
  
Dry Cleaning Dangers  In dry cleaning, a chemical called perchloroethylene (perc)is used to saturate clothing to remove dirt and stains. But a lot of the solution remains in the clothing fibers after cleaning is done. Exposure to perc had been linked to kidney and liver damage. Plus it causes cancer in lab rats. Even short term exposure results in dizziness, headaches and rapid heart rate. One study found that elevated levels of perc remained in clothing after dry cleaning for 48 hours. California and other states have mandated that dry cleaners stop using perc by 2023. In the meantime, you can air out your perc dry cleaned clothes by removing the plastic and hanging them outdoors or in a garage for one or two days. Also, make sure you wear a barrier like a T-shirt when you wear clothes dry cleaned in perc. You can also find a green dry cleaner that uses liquid carbon dioxide instead of perc. 


Problems With Mattresses Most innerspring and foam mattresses and made from polyurethane It is so flammable its considered solid gasoline. To neutralize that, makers are required to add flame retardants to the mattresses. Before 2005,  these  included  highly toxic polybrominated ethers and heavy metal antimonies that disrupt hormone activity and may interfere with normal brain functions. If you're sleeping on a mattress made prior to 2005, consider replacing it with an organic mattress made from natural latex and or wool. If you buy a synthetic mattress, take off the outer wrapping and let air out for a few days outdoors or in a garage. You can also  purchase a natural latex mattress topper or one  made from cotton or wool  to act as a barrier between you and the flame retardant materials.

If It Smells Clean It Could It Could Be Bad For Your Health The National Academy of Science reports that up to 95%  of  substances used to make fragrances for  detergents, plug-in  air fresheners,  fabric softener,  are made from petroleum  that can trigger asthma,  and may cause  problems  with the nervous system.  So when you can, try to use  non-toxic  natural fabric softeners and detergents around the house. Also, you can find  reusable clothes dryer sheets online  that are not coated with chemicals.   

 

Land A Job For Someone Else And Make Up To $250 An Hour Or More

With the local unemployment rate at 9% and up to 40% in some areas, job seekers are in full supply. So that means resume writers are in high demand. So to get training and network opportunities, its critical that you hook up with the Professional Association of Resume Writers.  You'll  also need to join the  National  Resume Writers Association for more credentials and leads. After your training, make sure you sign up for the PARW'S $225 certification exam. For more info go to  www.PARW.Com  and  www.TheNRWA.Com.  Another good resource  to find  new clients  is  www.MovinOnUpResumes.Com

GPS Owner Security Alert

FROM ONE OF OUR READERS:

"Wednesday, I approached my truck from the passenger side to place my computer case in the front passenger seat. As I reached to open the door I noticed there was a hole right under my door handle. My first thought was, "someone has shot my truck !" I began to think about it and inspect it a little closer and the "light" slowly began to come on.

I phoned my friend who owns a body shop and asked if he had any vehicles with damage to the doors that looked like a bullet hole.  "Yes, I see it all the time. Thieves have a punch and place it right under the door handle, knock a hole through, reach in and unlock it, just as if they have a key.

No alarms, broken glass or anything.  I then placed a call to my insurance agent and explained it to him I was puzzled that they left my GPS and all other belongings. Here is where it gets scary! "Oh no, he said, they want the break-in to be so subtle that you don't even realize it."

They look at your GPS to see where "home" is. "Now they know what you drive, go to your home, and if your vehicle isn't there they assume you aren't and break in your home."

He says they will even leave a purse or wallet and only take one or two credit cards. By the time you realize there has been a theft, they may have already had a couple days or more to use them. I didn't realize my situation for two full days! They even give you the courtesy of re-locking your doors for you. Periodically walk around your car, daily if you are in a shopping center or other parking area.

Report thefts immediately....your bank w/missing check numbers,  your credit card agencies, police, and insurance companies, etc."

11 Hot Tips To Sell Your House Fast In A Weak Market

1.Choose A Broker That Can Sell To find the best broker,determine which realtor dominates your market by "For Sale"signs and recommendations by neighbors. Then call the sales manager at the realty office and find out who are the top 10% agents as measured by sales. These agents generate 90% of revenues for an office. So they are most likely to sell your house at the best price. Before you commit to an agent make sure he or she has sold several homes in your neighborhood at attractive prices. Also, make sure that no more than 6 months had passed between the time the homes were listed and sold. Then make sure the agent has a marketing plan tailored to your home. 2. Offer A 2 Point Commission Bonus bringing the total commission to 8%. That way, the listing agent, your broker, and the selling agent, the buyer's broker, get an extra one-point incentive to focus on your property above anyone else's. Tell your agent to make sure the extra commission is clearly stated in the MLS listing - both under "commissions" and under "broker remarks". 3.Get Your Marketing Right Most home buyers start their search on the Internet. So make sure your agent lists your property on the seven biggest real estate sites which are Yahoo, Craigslist ,Trulia, Zillow, Homes.Com ,Realtor.Com and MLS. Only real estate agents can list homes on Homes.Com, Trulia, Realtor.Com and MLS. Ads range from free to $300+ for first page positions, slide shows and videos.
4. Brainstorm With Your Agent to come up with the single most important outstanding feature that makes your property different. It's called a USP or "unique marketing proposition".  Then market the daylights out of it.  Brainstorm further to come up with a list of special features like a fabulous view or a quiet street .It can be long or short. Then rank the items from most to least important.  Then make sure all your advertising  includes  your USP and your home's special  features. 5. Use Professional Photos Market research proves that photos influence buyers more than any other tool. Develop a virtual tour online like something you might see in a home magazine. Whether they're clearly visible or not, each photo or video should include a strongly worded caption that points out interesting details or features. Some agents will send out a professional photographer to take photos. If yours doesn't, you can hire your own for $100 to $500 depending where you live. 4. Clean Out Your Closets Neatness implies that you take care of things. Buyers may think that a messy closet means faulty wiring or plumbing. 5. Get Rid Of Clutter Every piece of junk reduces your homes value because buyers can't see past it. If necessary, rent storage space for a few months. Never underestimate how much a poor appearance will turn away potential buyers and diminish a sale. You want buyers to take a look and say, "Wow! I could move in here today!"  6.Let There Be Light Buyers want a bright house above all except location. So ditch the heavy drapes, have the house cleaned, wash the windows,  and move furniture away from the windows. Then trim any outdoor plants blocking the sun. Paint the walls creamy white. And if possible, paint the outside of the house yellow. If you need to re-paint or change the siding of the house, make sure it's yellow. Yellow houses have the most curb appeal and sell faster than any other color. 7.Swipe And Deploy Attend an open house at a few new developments and take note on how the model homes are decorated. Then try to apply some of these latest decorating trends to your house on the cheap. 8. Price It Right The smartest strategy is to under price your house below market value. That's because buyers are looking for value when they buy. This also might force buyers into a bidding war over your house with one another. If you price high and then go low, buyers will sense your desperation and start making low ball offers. Calculate the average on the "comps" for your area and mark it down 10%. If market conditions are deteriorating rapidly, or if you're in a particular hurry, mark it down another 10%. 9. How To Handle Low Ball Bids In A Weak Market When you get low ball bids on your property, never say " NO" regardless of how ridiculous you may think they are. That's because your agent may be able to nurse the buyer along and warm him or her up to a price you may be able to live with.  Also, it will be a learning experience. You and your agent will get a chance to get a sense of what a buyer's typical objections may be. Then you'll have a chance to try out some arguments to overcome the next buyer's objections.  Based on what you and your agent learn, you can update your marketing materials on the web while your listing is relatively new. 10. Offer Incentives In a buyers market, new home builders will be handing out incentives like Halloween candy. So to sell a used home like yours, giving buyers a cash incentive will give you an unfair advantage over other sellers. Offer to pick up part or all of the closing costs. Then advertise this in advance and more people will want to see your property.  You could also offer a decorating allowance of say 1% of the sale price. But do not make this known except to buyers who see the house. Otherwise, prospects may consider it as a sign that the home is not clean or needs work.  11. Hold The Paper First of all, one-fifth of all homes sold involve partial or seller financing. Second, buyers may not be able to qualify for a conventional mortgage because they may be self-employed or can't come up with 20% down. If you don't have a mortgage to pay off, and you aren't buying another house, or if you don't need the cash, this is a win-win for you and the buyer. You can charge 5% interest or more, and the collateral is a property you know and trust. The buyer gets to skip the hassle of applying for a mortgage, and saves on closing costs. The down payment also becomes negotiable. Plus you might be able to spread any capital gains you might owe over several years. Just make sure your agent or lawyer runs a credit check on the buyer and let your lawyer draw up a formal contract. Also, make sure your contract states the if the buyer falls behind on payments just one or two months,the buyer forfeits the down payment and you can take back the property.

Ten Keys To Happiness

Here are  steps you must take if you want to be happy:

 1. Find Something To Look Forward To  - One study found that just thinking  about watching your favorite movie will raise your endorphin levels by 27%.

  2. Infuse Positivity Into Your Surroundings  - Another study showed spending   20 minutes outside in good weather will improve your mood and memory.

  3. Exercise More - More powerful than antidepressants, even walking is  a good way  way to improve  your mood and your brain. 

  4. Use Your Strengths  - If you don't know what they are, find out for free at http://www.viasurvey.com/

  5. Encourage Others  -  Studies show that teams and improved 31%  with  encouraging managers  Employees don't quit companies, they quit supervisors.

  6. Change Your Performance To Change Your Mind  - Henry Ford said, "If you think   you can or if   you think you can't, you're right." When facing a difficult challenge,  focus on why you will succeed rather  than why you may fail. People with a "fixed mindset" will always be less successful than  those with  a "growth mindset."

  7. Commit Conscious Acts Of Kindness - Be gracious in traffic or in line and let   people in. Then see how you feel. 

  8. View failure As Opportunity  - Thomas Edison failed 10,000 times before he got the light bulb right.

  9. Overcome Inertia -  Use the 20 second rule to break bad habits. For instance,  if you think you watch too much TV, take the batteries out of your remote. The next time you click on the TV, you can  read a book or start an important project.

10. Make A Social Investment -  A lack of meaningful social contact can add 30 points to your  blood pressure. Studies show that a bond between a manager and employees is the prime  predictor of both daily productivity and  the length of time people stay at their jobs.

25 Fun Facts China Doesn't Want You To Know

#1 The U.S. trade deficit with China increased by 26 percent during 2010.

#2 Since China entered the WTO in 2001, the U.S. trade deficit with
     China has grown by an average of 18% per year.

#3 The United States has now had a negative trade balance every single
     year since 1976.

#4 The U.S. trade deficit with China during August was more than
     4,600 times larger than the U.S. trade deficit with China was for the
     entire year of 1985.

#5 According to a new report from the Economic Policy Institute,
     between 2001 and 2008 lost 2.4 million jobs due to the growing trade
     deficit with China. Every single state in America experienced a net
     job loss due to our trade deficit with China during this time period.

#6 China is now the number one producer in the world of wind and solar
     power.

#7 Back in 1970, 25 percent of all jobs in the United States were
     manufacturing jobs. Today, only 9 percent of the jobs in the United
     States are manufacturing jobs.

#8 China now possesses the fastest supercomputer on the entire globe.

#9 Back in 1998, the United States had 25 percent of the world's
     high-tech export market and China had just 10 percent. Ten years
     later, the United States had less than 15 percent and China's share
     had soared to 20 percent.

#10 China now has the world's fastest train and the world's biggest
       high-speed rail network.

#11 The United States has lost a staggering 32 percent of its
       manufacturing jobs since the year 2000.

#12 The United States had been the leading consumer of energy on the
       globe for about 100 years, but this past summer China took over the
       number one spot.

#13 China has accumulated the largest stockpile of foreign currency
       reserves on the entire globe - $2.85 trillion.

#14 American companies keep handing Chinese companies our most
       advanced technology. Just consider the following example that was
       just reportedin the New York Times. G.E., in the partnership with a
       state-owned Chinese company, will be sharing its most sophisticated
       airplane electronics, including some of the same technology used in
       Boeing's new state-of-the-art 787 Dreamliner.

#15 All of this new wealth has enabled China to dramatically upgrade
       and modernize their military forces.  For example, China has actually
       developed a missile system that can  destroy a U.S. aircraft carrier
       nearly 2,000 miles out to sea.

#16 China is now the number one supplier of components that are
       critical to the operation of U.S. defense systems.


#17 Since 2001, over 42,000 U.S.factories have closed down for good.

#18 Wealthy Chinese companies are now gobbling up U.S. businesses and
       U.S. infrastructure at a staggering pace.

#19 As of the end of 2009, less than 12 million Americans worked in
       manufacturing. The last time that less than 12 million Americans were
       employed in manufacturing was in 1941.

#20 The United States has 10 percent fewer "middle class jobs" than it
       did just ten years ago.

#21 According to Stanford University economics professor Ed Lazear, if
       the U.S. economy and the Chinese economy continue to grow at current
       rates, the average Chinese citizen will be wealthier than the average
       American citizen in just 30 years.

#22 Nobel economist Robert W. Fogel of the University of Chicago is
       projecting that the Chinese economy will be three times larger than
       the U.S. economy by the year 2040 if current trends continue.

#23 According to one recent study, China could become the global
       leader in patent filings by next year.

#24 Today, China controls over 90 percent of the total global supply
       of rare earth elements.

#25 According to one shocking new poll, 47 percent of Americans
       believe that China is the number one economic power in the world.
       Only 31 percent of those responding to the survey indicated that they
       believe that the United States is still the number one economic power.

35 Best Beers From Around The Globe

1. Hoegaarden, Belgium   2. Lindmans  Framboise, Belgium 3. Ufo White, Harpoon Brewery, Boston, MA 4. Coopers Sparkling Ale , Australia 5. Avery Elle's Brown Ale, Boulder. CO    6. Doggie Style Pale Ale, Flying Dog Brewery, Frederick, MD  7. Saranac Adirondack Lager, Matt Brewery, Uitica, NY 8. Mama's Little Yellow Pills, Oskar Blues Brewery, Longmont, CO  9. Tailgate Beer Jay's Blacktop Blonde, San Diego. CA  10. Back In Black IPA, 21st Amendment Brewery, San Francisco, CA 11.Old Rasputin  Russian Imperial Stout, North Coast Brewing, Fort Bragg, CA 12. Hitachino Nest White Ale, Kiuchi Brewery, Japan 13. Pliny The Elder, Russian River Brewing, Santa Rosa, CA 14. Good Harbor Golden Wheat, Leelanau Brewing, Leeland, MI 15. Sessions Lager, Full Sail Brewing, Hood River, OR  16. Old Abominable Barley Wine, Stoudts Brewery, Adamstown, PA 17. Steel Reserve High Gravity, Steel Brewing, Irwindale, CA 18. V-12 , Victory Brewing, Downingtown, PA 19. St. Ides High Gravity, Irwindale, CA 20. Kiwanda Cream Ale, Pelican Pub Brewery, Pacific City, OR 21. Estrella Damm Inedit,  S.A. Damm Brewery, Barcelona , Spain 22. The Sixth Glass, Boulevard Brewing, Kansas City, MO 23. Ommegang Hennepin, Coppertown, NY 24. Chipolte Ale, Rogues Ales Brewery, Newport, OR 25. Wild Raspberry Wheat Ale, Great Divide Brewing , Denver, CO 26. Sea Dog Blue Paw Wheat Ale, Bangor, ME 27. Abita Pecan Harvest, New  Orleans, LA  28. Horizon Red Ale, Summit Brewing, St. Paul, MN 29. Harppon Belgium Pale Ale, Boston , MA 30. Silver Moon Bridge Creek Pilsner, Bend, OR 31. Sweet Water SCH' Wheat, Atlanta, GA,  Hard To Get & High Alcohol Content Beers:  32. Sink The Bismark, Brewdog Brewery, Scottland 41% proof,  33.Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA , Milton, DE 36% proof, 33. Westvleteren 12, Belgium (considered the best in the world and limited to one case each  to customer by the Trappist monks who make it )  35. Rodenbach Vintage 2008, Palm Breweries, Belgium ( only 30M bottles of were made from   a single barrel).

19 Awesome No Brainer Quick Meals For 2011

1. Asian Pork Chops Combine 2 tbs hoisin sauce, 2 tsp fish sauce, and 1 tsp of lime juice. Cut 2 thick pork chops into 1/4 inch slices. Dip in mixture. Saute 5 to 10 minutes or until done. Serve with rice noodles.
Serves 2.

2. Linguine With Anchovies  Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet. Add 3 sliced garlic cloves, 4 anchovy fillets, and 1/4 tsp of red pepper flakes. Cook until anchovies melt into oil. Stir in cooked linguine. ( 8 oz dry) Sprinkle with 3 tbsp of chopped walnuts. Serves 2.

3. Smoky Spice Rub  Combine 1 tbsp each of smoked paprika, cinnamon, garlic powder, cumin and brown sugar. Rub on steak or chicken thighs. Grill outside or in broiler.

4. Pork With Fig Preserves  Combine 1/2 cup fig preserves , 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 crushed garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp of lemon juice. Roast 2 ( 1 lb) whole pork tenderloins 15 minutes at 375F. Brush with fig mixture during last 5 minutes of roasting. Serves 8.

5. Smoky Honey Pork  Combine 1/4 cup honey, 1 tbsp smoked paprika and 2 tbsp chopped green onions. Brush over 2 lb boneless pork loin. Roast 30 minutes or until done at 375F.

6. Salmon With Miso  Combine 2 tbsp each of brown sugar, miso paste, soy sauce, and hot water.
Spoon over 4 ( 5oz) salmon fillets and broil 10 minutes. Serves 4.

7. Chinese Mustard Vinaigrette  Combine 1/2 cup rice wine vinegar, 2 tsp Chinese mustard, 1 tsp sesame oil, 1/4 cup walnut or peanut oil, 1 tsp minced shallot, 1/4 tsp salt and pepper. Drizzle over fish or veggies.

8. Roasted Peppers With Polenta & Cheese  Cut a package of polenta into 8 slices. Heat 1 tbsp of Olive oil in a skillet. Add polenta slices and saute 3 minutes on each side. Cover with roasted bell peppers and sliced provolone cheese. Cover skillet and cook until cheese melts. Serves 4.

9. Grilled Chicken With Tahini Sauce Combine 1/2 cup tahini and 1/2 cup plain yogurt. Use as a dipping sauce for 1 lb of grilled chicken tenders. Serves 4.

10.  Chicken With Salsa Verde & Feta  Place 2 lbs of boneless, skinless, chicken thighs in a roasting pan. Pour 1 1/2 cups salsa Verde over the top. Sprinkle with 3/4 cup of crumbled feta cheese. Bake 40 minutes at 375F. Serves 6.

11. Curried Chicken Strips Combine 1/2 cup orange juice concentrate with 3 tbsp of green or red curry paste and 1 tbsp oil. Toss with 1 lb chicken tenders or strips. Roast 15 minutes at 375F. Serves 4.

12. Orange Scallops Combine 3 tbsp orange marmalade , 3 tbsp chopped green onions, and 1 tbsp soy sauce.  Toss with 1/2 lb scallops. Saute scallops until done. Serves 2.

13. Mayan Hot Chocolate   Stir 1 oz chocolate and 1/4 tsp ancho chili powder into 12 oz of hot milk. Serves 1.

14. Barbecued Salmon  Combine 3 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tsp of ancho chili powder, 1 crushed garlic clove, and 1 tsp of finely grated orange rind. Spread on top of 4 ( 5oz) salmon fillets. Broil 10 minutes. Serves 4.

15. Chipolte Salmon Combine 1 chipotle chilie, 1 tbsp adobo sauce and 1/3 cup mayonnaise. Spread on top of 4 ( 5oz) salmon fillets. Broil 10 minutes. Serves 4.

16. Curried Honey Chicken Thighs Combine 3 tbsp honey, 2 tsp of curry powder, 1 tsp finely grated orange rind, and 1 tsp of ground ginger. Slice 1 orange and place in shallow baking dish. Place 6 chicken thighs on top of orange slices, spread honey mixture on chicken and bake 20 minutes at 375F. Sevres 3.

17. Rice Salad With Peppers & Feta Combine 3 cups cold leftover rice, 1/2 cup chopped roasted red peppers, 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese, 1 can white beans (rinsed and drained) 1/4 cup chopped parsley,
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil and 2 tbsp sherry vinegar. Serves 4.

18. Beef With Horseradish Sauce  Combine 1/4 cup each horseradish and sour cream with 1 tbsp brown sugar. Serve with beef or hamburger.

19. Couscous Chicken Salad  Combine 3 cups cooked garlic flavored couscous, 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken, 1 cup shredded lettuce, 1/2 chopped green onions, and 2 tbsp of sherry vinegar and olive oil. Serves 4.

Why Kids May Be Getting Dumber By The Minute

In the past decade, the number of college grads who can interpret a food label has fallen from 40 percent to 30 percent. And not too long ago, a high school teacher out west handed out an assignment that required students to use a ruler. But she discovered not a single one of them knew how. Kids today seem way dumber than they used to be. That's because they spend all their time playing computer games and hanging out with one another on Myspace and Facebook.

They don't know the most basic stuff like who fought whom in World War II, how many pints are in a quart, and in some cases, even the months or the days of the week. The average kid spends nearly 9 hours  a day in front of computers, TV and  iPhones screens. Add in 8 hours of sleep and 7 hours in school, that just leaves 1/2 hour when their senses are not under siege while they take a shower. Technology was supposed to set us free, but it seems to be binding our youth to mundane, time-consuming tasks. Each day, kids send and receive more than 4,000 text messages each month or about 100 a day. Plus they have an average of 450 friends on Facebook.

Reading is highly unnatural in that it requires us to filter out distractions and focus on a  single task. But a study done at Stamford last year revealed that heavy users of multimedia have a very hard time filtering out distracting information. When the phone rings, their behavior is driven by that distraction. In fact, kids today are assailed by such a constant stream of input that they can't even remember what they see.

Here are some examples of how technology is effecting our brains.  Heavy computer users take longer than light users in moving between different tasks and have trouble tuning out irrelevant information. Computer  gaming can become literally addictive. Under the stress of playing, a part of the brain produces more endorphins, leading to euphoria. If a kid stops playing, the endorphin level drops and he has to play again.
Computer gaming over time also increases the level of stress, and releases stress hormones.

When kids multitask, their brains become wired for instant gratification. And that makes their attention span shorter. If you ask a kid a question, they get restless. That's because they're used to getting everything at a click. That's why they don't have conversations anymore. If they have something important to say, they text it.

On a final note, with Facebook, their cell phones and laptops,  kids don't ever have to be alone but they're always alone.  Research has shown that the more  they use the internet to connect, the more vulnerable they are to depression. Plus the incidence of depression has doubled among teens in the last decade. In addition, a quarter of all Americans report not having even one person they can confide in. More than half have no close friends outside their immediate family.         

Employers Are Spying On You At Facebook, Twitter And Linkedin

Remember that hazy trip to Cabo San Lucas with old friends a few years ago? Those margaritas were huge. You just had to post photos of them on Facebook, along with a few other Kodak moments. Then you mostly forgot about them.

Even if you don't recall all of the sordid details from that weekend of debauchery, your employer may know all about it. That's because a new company called Social Intelligence billing itself as a social media private eye will observe your Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and other online accounts on behalf of employers to make certain you're not a liability. Background checks involving criminal records and credit histories are typical and even expected of many major employers responsible for children, nursing homes or public safety.

But the Santa Barbara, Calif.-based company takes this concept to a new level offering an automated tool that mines social media content for troubling signs. Search filters can be customized "to reflect corporate culture," and additional manual reviews are conducted by "social media experts."

A display tells the human resources manager in your workplace how many "negative" hits are uncovered, placing the names of both job applicants and active employees next to red flags like "drugs/drug lingo," "gangs," "poor judgment" and "demonstrating potentially violent behavior."

Social Intelligence is the latest in an ever-expanding movement by both corporations and government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, to use new communications tools for surveillance
purposes. Some of the most provocative examples yet emerged only in recent weeks.

The trend raises fresh questions about how standards enforcing privacy online can withstand the rush of data about you and everyone else that courses through the Internet.

After finally landing a job, the information gathering has only just begun. From there, Social Intelligence will carry out near "real-time surveillance" of your behavior with screenshots and customizable reports used to document activity and keep the front office informed.

Its marketing materials play into larger fears every employer could have. According to the company's website: Once employees have been hired, their online behavior poses a possible threat to your company. Employees may criticize managers or coworkers on a social networking site, post questionable photos on a blog, or regularly update personal sites while on the clock. Consistent monitoring creates awareness and strict adherence among employees, thereby reducing 'cyber slacking,' fraud and negative company publicity.

Internet.com pointed out Sept. 29 that Social Intelligence doesn't actively "friend" users to surreptitiously access more private posts online. The goal is to shield companies from job seekers and employees who turn out to be dangerous or untrustworthy. Litigation following violent episodes in the workplace can hinge on warning signs an institution may have been aware of in advance. But clearly bloodshed isn't the only thing Social Intelligence is promising to help prevent.

Government investigators, meanwhile, will quietly friend you and more generally use social media to seek out evidence of possible security threats and spy on political organizations.New documents unearthed recently in Pennsylvania show that state homeland security officials used Twitter accounts to watch people who had not violated any laws, including elderly anti-war protesters linked to Quaker activism.

The news came shortly after Pennsylvania's homeland security director resigned amid revelations that the state paid a private contractor thousands of dollars to monitor gay and lesbian groups, environmentalists and even a nonprofit tied to the governor. Findings from the surveillance were compiled in intelligence reports ostensibly designed to inform authorities about potential terrorism. But the public reacted angrily. Gov. Ed Rendell apologized, calling the intel-gathering "ludicrous" and insisting he wasn't aware of it.

Then in October, the Electronic Frontier Foundation obtained documents through a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit showing that the federal government created a special center prior to Barack Obama's
inauguration for analyzing oceans of data passing through Facebook, Twitter and other sites in an attempt to identify hazards.

Further records turned over to EFF revealed that federal investigators were taught how they could deceptively "friend" people applying to become citizens and snoop for relationship details meeting the
government's standard of a legitimate marriage. According to one internal memo:

Narcissistic tendencies in many people fuels a need to have a large group of 'friends' link to their pages, and many of these people accept cyber-friends that they don't even know. Once a user posts online, they create a public record and timeline of their activities.

In documents made publicly available earlier this year by the Department of Homeland Security, officials described another new program for maintaining "situational awareness" that involved tracking social media sites and other online destinations.

Personnel at the department's National Operations Center scan the Web using dozens upon dozens of key search terms and phrases, among them "militia," "cops," "riot," "dirty bomb," "Mexican army,""decapitated," "Iraq," "radicals" and many more. The NOC stores and analyzes its results before determining what tips should be distributed to other government agencies and even private companies authorized to receive such information.

As for Social Intelligence, attempting to expose online criticism from employees could become its own liability. The National Labor Relations Board is arguing that condemnation of your boss on Facebook
doesn't justify termination. Lawyers for the labor board alleged in late October that an ambulance company violated the law when it fired an employee for disparaging remarks made on the Web. Observers are
calling the case ground-breaking.

You can check out the company snooping for employers at: http://www.socialintelligencehr.com/home

How To Make Venetian Rainbow Cookies For The Holidays

The holidays would not be the same without the almond sponge cake pastries known as rainbows or  tricolors which first originated in Venice.  For starters, you'll need:

12 Large Eggs, Separated
2 3/4 Cups Sugar
24 Oz Almond Paste
8 Sticks Butter Softened
5 3/4 Cups All Purpose Flour
2 Tsp Salt
2 Tsp Red Food Coloring
2 Tsp Green Food Coloring
16 Oz Orange Preserves ( Smuckers will do fine)
heated and strained
8 OZ Bittersweet Chocolate, Chopped

Preheat oven to 350. Beat egg whites in electric mixer until they hold stiff peaks. Add 1/2 cup sugar, beating until whites hold stiff, slightly glossy peaks, the refrigerate. Beat together almond paste and remaining sugar in mixer. Add butter gradually and beat until mixture is fluffy , about 3 minutes. Add yolks and beat until well combined. Reduce speed to low and add flour and salt and mix until combined. Fold in egg whites. Divide batter equally among 3 bowls; wearing gloves. (1) whisk red food coloring into one, and green into the other, leaving the third batch plain. Spread each batch separately and evenly, about 1/4" thick, onto 3 half-sheet  pans , each greased and lined with parchment paper. Bake until barely set, about 7 minutes. ( 2) When layers are cool, spread half the preserves onto the green layer. Invert plain layer over it and discard paper. Spread on remaining preserves , and invert red layer over it, discard paper. Wrap with plastic and top with a weighted baking pan. Refrigerate for several hours. Remove plastic and bring to room temperature. Melt chocolate in a double boiler, and (3) spread thinly on top layer. Chill in freezer briefly until firm. Cover with wax paper, place another baking sheet on top, then invert cake onto sheet pan and remove paper. Quickly spread remaining chocolate and return to freezer until firm. Trim edges, slice and serve.  

Best Coffee Shops In NYC

Best Tasting Stump Town Coffee Roasters In The Ace Hotel, 18 W. 29th St, between 5th Ave & Broadway, and http://www.joetheartofcoffee.com/ various locations around New York City
For Hanging Out www.MudNyc.Com 307 E. 9th between First & Second Aves 212-228-9074
For Doing Work  www.ThinkCoffeeNYC.Com 28 Mercer St, between 3rd  & 4th Sts 212-228-6226
For Work Space  www.CoffeeFoundry.Com Rent booth/work space for $15 hr lst hr $10 hr thereafter,
186 W. 4th St between Barrow and Jones Sts

15 More Incredible Must Know Travel Tips

1. Before You Go Join every airline's frequent flyer program from jet Blue to Continental's One Pass even if you fly just once a year.  In any situation, from better seating to bumping passengers off flights, the airlines always pay more attention to and take better care of the passengers they consider loyalist, whatever their mileage balance. 2. Buy One Way Tickets   These days, there's no price difference between buying a one way ticket and a return. It's way smarter to buy two one-ways. That's because if the first leg goes unflown, the second is automatically cancelled. So if you miss your flight, you end up shelling out for two replacements. Keeping them separate avoids this problem. 3. Get The Best Fares at http://www.kayak.com/and  www.Hipmunk.Com 4. Make Photo Copies & Photos Whether you travel domestically or abroad, make photo copies of your passport and ID and stuff them in your hand luggage in case you lose the originals. It makes them a lot easier to replace.  And while you're at it, snap photos of your luggage and keep them handy on your cell phone in case your luggage is lost. Airlines often complain that traveler's can't describe a lost bag which makes it harder to find. 5. Never Pack A Single Suit Case For Each Family Member For more than one person, never allocate a single suitcase. That's because if dad's case is lost, he's not left with nothing to wear but mom's swimsuit. Instead, divvy up clothes for each family member across s the cases so no one will be left shirtless. 6. Check Your Hotel's Website  Most hotels list comprehensive amenities. So you can avoid lugging around an iron or hair dryer when you don't need to. 7. Watch Your Books Watch how you pack books. That's one big reason why TSA guards search your luggage. A column of stacked books shows up on X-rays as a blank space. That triggers a search by hand. So pack your books in layers across the case rather then piled up. 8. Remember 311 The 3-1-1 rule which limits you to 3 one ounce containers in a 1 quart zip lock bag. One clever way around this is to use solid shampoos and sunscreens from http://www.lush.com/ 9. How To Handle Cancelled Flights Planes are cancelled for a lot of reasons besides weather.  Weather issues rarely result in refunds.If the airline has to nix a flight because of mechanical or labor issues, you're entitled to the next flight to your destination on ANY airline, rather than the same company's next scheduled route. For cost reasons, that's what they're likely to offer you. If so, politely decline and ask to be "FIM-ed". That stands for Flight Interruption Manifest which is the code for switching to another airline's schedule. And no matter what, minimise your plane problems by standing online at the ticket counter while calling  your airline's customer service HQ on your cell phone. Work with whomever you reach first. 10. By A Lounge Pass When there's a delay or a snafu, shell out $25 for a lounge pass. Besides buying you drinks and a comfy chair, it will mean you have quicker, easier access to desk clerks than the chumps stuck in line at the main airport. It's also a family stress buster on Christmas Eve. 11. Avoid Outdated Guide Books When you buy a guide book, flip to the small print and check out the publication date. If it's more than 2 years old, it may be outdated. Plus guidebooks sometimes  hit the book shelves a year after their printed. So watch out. 11. Best WiFi Reception Since a  few airports offer free WIFI reception, it may be spotty. So just lurk outside the airport lounge and piggyback off the gratis signal offered to VIPS. 12. Avoid Credit Card Fees If your traveling overseas, most credit card companies levy fees on foreign transactions. Only Capital One levies NO handling fees and fair exchange rates. 13. Beef Up Your Memory Buy the biggest memory card your camera can handle even if you rarely need to empty it. Holiday snaps pile up quickly and its a pain to ration out how many snaps you can take. 14. Insider Info The best way to get on the ground insider info is by having breakfast at a local sit down cafe and linger over your coffee. Forget Starbucks or other chains. Wait  staff folks are least rushed at breakfast  and will often like to chat up a friendly guest. This is especially true if you come back more than once. 15 Survive The Language Barrier  Even if you flunked high school French, just carry a small note book and pen. No matter how rough your sketch, people will get the gist of what you're trying to convey. A

The Top Ten Turkey Mishaps And How To Avoid Them

1. Forgetting To Defrost  Soak your frozen turkey in a brine solution. Unwrap the packaging, rinse well and place in the sink or large container , breast side down. For a 16 pounder, dissolve 1 1/2 cups of kosher salt in 2 gallons of cold tap water. Change the brine every 30 minutes. This trick should halve your defrosting time to 15 minutes per pound.

2. Dry Turkey Breast  Your turkey is being overcooked. Make sure  you use a meat thermometer and remove the turkey from the oven when the temp reaches 155 F. Once out of the oven, the bird will continue to cook and the temp will rise to 165F. Remove the stuffing from the cavity immediately since a stuffed bird retains more heat.

3.Turkey Breast Is Too Dry  After cooking, soak the breast in pan juices ASAP. Otherwise, douse with gravy or save it for turkey day leftovers.

4. Turkey Skin Is Not Crisp Either rub the skin with softened butter or extra virgin olive oil and then season before roasting, OR salt the skin of a thawed turkey and let it air dry overnight in the frig.

5. Turkey Lacks A Golden Hue You need to baste it more. With  a brush or basting bulb, coat the turkey evenly all over with pan juices every 15 minutes for the last hour of roasting. If the top is browning too much before the bird is cooked, just cover it with a piece of foil.

6. You Forgot To Take Out The Giblet Bag Even if you do, the turkey is safe to eat. In the future, rinse your turkey inside out and you'll find the bag before you cook it.

7. No One Knows How To Carve It First, you need a sharp knife. Then cut off each leg and slice the band of skin connecting it to the body. Then twist the drumstick to pop out the joint and slice through. Next, wiggle the thigh bone to find the joint and slice through. For the breast make a deep horizontal cut above the wing joint,then make  perpendicular slices. Slice behind the wing joint to remove it.

8.Not Enough Breast Meat For Everybody  Just cook an extra turkey breast along side your bird.

9.Safely Cook Stuffing Inside The Bird To make sure your stuffing is safe to eat, insert an instant read thermometer in the stuffing when it comes out of the oven. If should read 160 F. If not ,then make sure you transfer it to an oven safe dish. Don't serve from the bird. That way you can pop it back in the oven  to get up to 160 F. 

10. Attend A Home Coming Game And Cook Your Bird Too Just roast the bird cut into parts. This only takes an hour for a 12 pound turkey.

No Brainer Thanksgiving Treats Everyone Will Love

Basil Butter  Just blend 1 cup chopped basil into 1 pound of unsalted butter and a pinch of salt . Then its good to go on the Thanksgiving dinner table or in a glass jar as a gift with a hand written label. Cheap glass jars and  blank labels are available at the dollar store. Be sure to wash and dry the jars before putting anything in them.

Honey Walnut Butter Simply blend in a food processor 1 pound of butter, 1/2 cup honey, 1/4 tsp of cinnamon and a 1/4 cup of  walnuts. Just serve with store bought or homemade apple bread. Or just present in a glass jar as a gift with a hand written label.

Chocolate Bark You'll need a 10 ounce package of chocolate chips, 1 Tbsp of vegetable oil, 1 tsp. of peppermint or almond extract, some nuts, dried fruit and candy bits.  Just melt the chocolate chips in the microwave at 50% power for 3 minutes, stirring halfway through. Add the veggie oil and the extract. Stir in the nuts, dried fruit and/or candy bits. Then spread it out on a baking pan lined with greased foil. Let it harden in  the frig for about 2 hours. Then break apart and serve . You can also place the bark in a small gift bag lined with white tissue paper from the dollar store and give it out as gifts.

Orange Cello Vodka You'll need 7 medium navel oranges,( preferably organic) One 750 ml bottle of plain  cheap domestic vodka, 2 1/2 cups of water, and 1/12 cup sugar . use a veggie peeler to remove the peel from the oranges in long strips.  Save the oranges  for a snack or another use.  Using a small sharp knife, trim away the white pith and discard. Place the orange peels in a 2 quart pitcher or a large glass bowl. Pour the vodka over the peels and cover with plastic wrap.  Steep the orange peels in the vodka for 4 days at room temperature. After the 4 days are up,  in a medium saucepan, combine the water and sugar over medium heat. Bring to  a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the syrup to cool for about 20 minutes. Then pour the syrup over the vodka  mixture. Cover and let stand at room temperature overnight. Strain the mixture through a mesh strainer. Then discard the peels, and transfer the orange vodka into another bottle with a funnel. Then serve as an after dinner drink.  You can pick up a large cheap bottle, a funnel and gift labels at a dollar store for $1 each.Or  buy several smaller bottles to use as gifts. Hand write your own labels and place on bottles. Make sure you wash and dry the store bought  bottles before putting  the orange vodka in them.

How to Buy Late Model Cars At Deep Discounts

Take your time when buying a car if at all possible. The bigger the hurry, the more you'll end up getting fleeced. The tactics and strategies we are about to suggest are far more effective if you control the purchase time-clock rather than the dealer. Here's what to do:

Once a dealership purchases a car, it anticipates holding that piece of inventory for 60 days or less. The goal of the dealership is to earn a 10% profit on every car it sells, so cars are typically priced about 20% above their initial purchase price. As you determine the next car you would like to purchase, do some research before you make your purchase.

Begin by comparing general prices through online sites such as http://www.autotrader.com/ , http://www.edmunds.com/ and http://www.kellybluebook.com/  about 3 to 4 months  before you are ready to buy your new vehicle.

Discover This Dealer Trick and Save Big Money

Dropping ads on trading websites is one dealer tactic to gain attention for their inventory and to determine what the consumer feels is a reasonable price to pay. For example, if the car is listed on the dealership’s own website at $23,900, the dealership likely owns the car for $20,000, and it may list a ‘Buy it Now’ price of $22,900 on Ebay while offering a list price of $24,900 on Autotrader.

This type of stealth marketing can be effective for the dealership for when the consumer does not do sufficient research, he or she may simply purchase the car on Ebay for $22,900 even though the car could have been bought through a salesperson for less.
 
 Timing Is Everything



Since the car industry operates on a 60-day inventory cycle time, dealerships begin reducing prices of their automobiles after the first 30 days if these assets have not sold. This is mainly due to applicable holding costs (and depreciation) as the dealership is paying interest on all of the cars that they have remaining for sale. Therefore, if you start monitoring the make and model that you want to purchase about 120 days in advance of your buying time frame, you will notice how the prices may drop by about 10% over a 60-day period.

If one of the cars that you have been monitoring appears to have been sold, then call the dealership and ask if that unit is still available. The dealership may advise that the vehicle has recently been sold and you can nonchalantly ask for its selling price.

When To Low-Ball A Car Dealer

What you will notice is that the original advertisement price was probably reduced after 30 days and after speaking with the dealership, it will probably be apparent that the final selling price was less than the lowest advertised price. It is also important to note that dealerships will, at times, take a loss on their inventory depending on the situation, so don’t be afraid to offer 20% less than the list price. The worst they can say is ‘no,’ but you could end up receiving the car for 15% less than their asking price.

In the event that the car has been on the lot for 60 days or more, dealership manages essentially have three options; they can further reduce the price, move the automobile to another dealership for new advertising, or sell the car at one of the national auto auctions (where they likely originally purchased the vehicle). In any event, selling the car to a consumer at a lower price than they own it for is sometimes the best-case scenario, as the added cost of transportation or auction fees could cause greater losses for dealerships than a reduced price. And they miss the opportunity to gain a happy customer.

How Your Timing Gets You The Best Price

Since the car business is based on commissions and monthly sales quotas, complete your research ahead of time and then go to the dealership on the last day of the month, just a few hours before closing time to make your offer. You will be amazed how quickly a salesman may be willing to make a deal and even give up some of his commission to make sure the deal is finalized.

Since salesmen typically earn much of their income from bonuses based on sales volume, they have little problem giving up part of their commission if selling one more car will qualify them for their monthly incentive bonus.

Don't Buy A New Car


Buying a late model pre-owned (used) car from a reputable dealer is the best way to save money. Here’s why:

* Today's cars are engineered to last much longer than they used to. Most dealers only sell pre-owned cars that meet far more rigorous standards than in years past.

* New car buyers take a huge depreciation hit for essentially driving the vehicle off the lot – 20% or more. You never get this money back.

* Lower insurance costs, particularly on collision coverage.

Avoid Trade-Ins


Another issue worthy of consideration is whether to trade in your current car. If you have the time and the means, avoid trade-ins at all costs. Better to sell your existing car individually and avoid giving the dealership more leverage/wiggle room in the overall exchange.

A clean purchase without the distraction of haggling over the "value" of your trade-in is far preferable. Sell your vehicle on Craigslist or other car trading post and walk into the dealer on your date of purchase free and clear. The salesman will have less opportunity to wear you down, and he will enjoy less maneuvering room. It reduces the angles he has to deflect your pressure tactics, which involve superior research and impeccable timing as suggested above.

Never Rush

Above all, remember to never be in a rush when buying a car. That's how car dealers get away with high mark-ups. All the blustering and negotiating in going toe-to-toe with a car salesmen can be an exercise in frustration if you haven't properly prepared.