Christmas Crafts – Best Ideas To Keep Your Kids Entertained This Holiday Season

“I’m Bored” don’t you just love it, the kids complain all year about having to go to school but as soon as they get any time off they are bored. How do we as parents battle this inevitable boredom? Well we could do exactly what they want us to do and let them watch T.V. and play Video games for two weeks straight or we could find some fun activities that the whole family can do together.

There are thousands of different things that you can do with your family over the holiday season that will not only keep them entertained but will also creat great memories and traditions. As a kid growing up I can remember making our own Christmas Tree garland out of Cheerios and popcorn. This was mostly out of necessity as we didn’t have a lot of money to buy ornaments, but what ever the reason it still created great bonding experiences.

These days with the power of the internet the ideas are endless. Here are some of my favorites.

Christmas Craft Ideas

  • Gingerbread Christmas Tree Ornaments
  • Make your own wrapping paper out of news paper
  • Candy Cane Reindeer
  • Popcorn Garland
  • Make your own wreath

These are just some of the ideas I came across, with a little bit of searching I am sure you can find many, many more. Each idea is just that it is an idea always encourage your kids to use their imaginations and take the ideas and make them their own. You can take a general idea and change it to fit into your families traditions.

In thirty years most kids won’t remember what they got for Christmas but they will likely remember the time you spend with them and the traditions you make.

Advertising a Business Online at No Cost

There is a lot that can be cone without any expense when advertising a business online.

Perhaps one of the main thoughts that puts many of us off advertising a business online is the expense associated with it. We are all aware how expensive even short TV ads are. Placing even a small ad in a local paper can become costly if ran over a long period of time too. In the online world there is a variety of ways to advertise. Some ads pop up on our screens, others are apparent on most Web sites, some you read, some you watch and listen to, and some take you to another site. In this article only free forms of advertising will be touched upon.

As can be expected in the physical world, as well as online, certain ads are more powerful, than others. The reasons for these are in some instances patently clear, and sometimes not so obvious. When an online business is started with a limited budget, it is natural to begin with fairly basic forms of advertising. The simplest way to do so is to include a four to six line ad for your business in an e-mail signature. You can choose to include this in every e-mail you send. To increase its effectiveness you could offer an incentive, such as a free e-book or a video to encourage visitors to go to your site.

Another simple way is to include a Tell-A-Friend feature on your Web site. If your content is viewed as good by others, they will happily recommend it onwards. Those who have been recommended a certain Web site, blog, or other, are less hesitant to visit them. A bribe, i.e. an incentive, giving them something for free gives a good reason to do so.

Classified Ads are another way to attract traffic. Visitors to these sites are already looking for what you are offering, and in many cases they are ready to buy. There are many of these sites and it can become rather tedious to keep placing ads on them, as they expire after a few days. In addition you also want your ad to appear as high up the list as possible. It is a good idea to get used to classified ads, as they do produce traffic. However due to their time-consuming nature, there are other forms of free advertising which are more effective with regards to the effort invested in them.

SEO or Search Engine Optimization is what you should logically pour a lot of hours into. When done properly and consistently you can end up on the first page of Google without any financial investment. If you consider the fact that 80% of people do not look further than the first page of their search results, this is definitely worth investing in. Free traffic is a goldmine. Apart from that, SEO is a component of most other forms of advertising. You should even consider looking into SEO before deciding how or what to name your business. Getting familiar with SEO sooner than later in your online marketing career will pay dividends.

Article marketing is a good way forward especially if you have some information to share and know how to put this down on paper in an interesting and clear manner. The more intriguing this piece of writing is, the more likely it is that it will be added as content to various Web sites. Greater exposure can be achieved by article syndication, i.e. posting an article to several article marketing sites.

Press Relapses are a great way to promote your Web site, and so increase traffic to it. Writing them will take some practice and getting used to if this is something you have not done before. It is worth the effort, as press releases can remain on the Internet for years.

At the time of writing this, videos are all the rage. Again they are a great off-page SEO technique. Uploading a video to YouTube with your URL gives you a link pointing to your Web site from a page rank nine site. Admittedly it can take a few hours to get to grips with how to go about making them and getting hold of all the required software, graphics, etc. After the production of a couple of videos it becomes a lot easier. The only remaining challenge is content. Aim to make it as high in quality as you can and include valuable information in order to attract traffic to your Web site.

Reality style videos need not take long to make, however you will need a video camera. If you are new to this, practise until you feel comfortable and appear natural to the rest of the world. It is well worth remembering that first impressions have a long-lasting effect. A messy background, a dishevelled look, unsavoury use of any language, unclear audio, and other distractions should all be avoided. A good video can get lots of views, and this can happen in a short period of time. The faster you establish a good reputation in your niche, the more frequently your video will get viewed.

Social Networking is another area of online advertising that has climbed to new heights in no time at all. We have all heard of Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace. There are countless others. Signing up with them enables you to have your URL in your profile.

The main reason to have a Web site is to promote a business be it a product/s, a service, or both. Like customers in a shop, visitors are the lifeblood of an online business. In order for the visitors to find our virtual shop we need to take steps to make it easier for them. This is where advertising comes in. To get organic traffic, SEO needs to be fully employed and put in place – the best possible way forward. In addition there are several other free ways of advertising a business online that will keep your Web site busy with visitors, and potential customers.

Property Investment Companies Can Impact Cash Flow Investors

From about the mid-1990s up until the housing bubble burst, Arizona’s economy was driven primarily by the real estate industry. During those years, high population growth and lax credit standards resulted in a booming housing market. This boom created a need for more real estate-related jobs (real estate agents, construction companies, title/escrow agents, etc). This also became an attractive market for property investment companies. These investors flooded the market buying up property left and right. This ultimately led to inflated home prices, which played a big role in the bust that started in late 2006.

Fast forward to today…It is late 2010 and over the past 4 years the effects of the housing collapse are evident. The market has definitely changed, but those real estate investors (who are not shell shocked) are seeing great opportunity. It is time to shift the mind set of the investor. Investing no longer can be based solely on speculation. An investment opportunity needs to produce cash flow, which provides a monthly passive income for the investor. There are other advantages; however this article will focus on the impact property investment companies have on the cash flow investor.

The first step is to understand the different types of property investment companies. There are 3 main categories; property wholesalers, rehab specialists, and private equity funds. It is important to understand the services these companies provide and how they impact a cash flow investor’s profitability.

Property Investment Companies: Property Wholesalers

With the increasing supply of distressed real estate, there have been a number of property wholesale companies entering the Arizona market. These property investment companies purchase property at a discount, then wholesale (or flip) the properties to an investor at a higher price. Typically, wholesale companies are purchasing short sales, bank-owned (REO) properties, or properties at trustee sales. Anywhere they can buy at the lowest possible price and resell for the highest possible profit. Generally, the properties being sold by wholesale companies are ‘as is’. This means that they will not be doing any improvements to the property, which could be a disadvantage for the buyer.

Impact on a cash flow investor: There can be advantages and disadvantages to working with a property wholesale company. Some of the advantages could include acquiring a property at a price below market value, since many companies try to purchase at 50 or 60 cents on the dollar and sell for 80 cents. Also, property wholesalers are typically dealing with properties under $150,000, so cash flow investors are investing a smaller amount of capital with the potential for higher returns. A disadvantage to working with a property wholesaler is not knowing exactly what you are getting, in terms a property’s condition. As mentioned earlier, the properties are generally sold ‘as is’. This could mean more capital is needed over and above the acquisition cost. Without having a quality estimate of that additional cost, it could definitely impact the cash flow investor’s return.

Property Investment Companies: Rehab Specialists

Rehab specialists, more commonly known as fix and flippers, are property investment companies that purchase property with the intent to improve and sell for a profit. As with property wholesalers, the Arizona real estate market has seen an increase in rehab specialists. The distressed property environment is fueling this growth. Companies are able to purchase property at a discount, rehab, and sell to buyers looking for a move-in ready home. It is important to review the quality of the rehab work, as there are good and bad rehab specialists. If the work is not done well, then more problems can arise for the property buyer.

Impact on a cash flow investor: There are several advantages to using a rehab specialist; however there are also some disadvantages. A big advantage is that a rehab specialist can provide a cash flow investor with a turnkey investment property that is ready for a tenant and has the potential of quickly generating monthly income. These properties may require a bit more capital at acquisition and priced a bit closer to the actual market value; however shouldn’t have additional rehab costs. One disadvantage is if the rehab specialist did not do quality work, which could require additional expense to maintain the property. It is important to always ask for references. A reputable rehab specialist will have a portfolio of completed projects they can provide to investors.

Property Investment Companies: Private Equity Funds

Private equity funds are quite a bit different from the other 2 types of property investment companies. They build capital from many investors with the goal of acquiring property and returning a monthly cash flow over a set period of time. A private equity fund is approved and regulated by the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) and each individual fund sets its own investment terms. They vary based on property acquisition, return percentage, and length of the investment. The fund is controlled by a group of fund managers, typically the principals of the company issuing the fund, and not by the individual investors. There have been some past challenges with private equity funds stemming from misuse of funds, improper capital allocation, and poor asset management.

Impact on a cash flow investor: Private equity funds can offer advantages to cash flow investors who are only concerned with the return and do not want to deal with acquiring the property. There is typically a minimum capital investment with these funds; however in most cases it is cheaper than purchasing an actual property. With a collaboration of capital, a fund has the ability to purchase larger pieces of real estate with the potential for higher returns and develop a larger portfolio of property providing diversification to the investment. There are also some disadvantages to private equity funds. A cash flow investor would have no control of how the fund is managed or what type of property the fund is acquiring. An investor will get a prospectus that outlines the terms of the fund. Also, it is important to research the principals involved and make sure the fund has filed the appropriate SEC documents.

Property investment companies provide many great services for cash flow investors. It is important to find the right company that fits in with your investment strategy and how their services can increase your profitability. Clear Vision Investment Group is a resource for cash flow investors. Get our recommendations on what types of property investment companies are right for you. Also, learn how Clear Vision Investment Group can help you find profitable cash flow opportunities.

Fresh Ideas on a Healthy Lifestyle for You and Your Family

Wish to live a long and lead healthy lifestyle? Then it’s time to do something about your habits and about the way you live. Let’s take a look at a few practical, fresh and useful tips on healthy lifestyle for you and for your family.

It’s all about planning, instead of dreaming.

There is a big buzz in the society about healthy lifestyle. It is fashionable and trendy. So, many people dream about how they would start a new and healthier life. Dreams are good, but they won’t do you much good in regards to a healthy lifestyle, unless you start planning things.

Shifting to a healthy lifestyle for the entire family is even harder. It does take tons of practicality and planning. So, where do you start? You start by discovering your unhealthy habits and doing some practical planning to change them. This may include meal planning, grocery shopping planning, eat out planning, etc.

One of the things you can do to significantly improve your lifestyle is to change your diet. And one of the key things to do here is to start cooking more meals at home. Yes, it can be hard and troublesome. But the fact is that you get full control over your eating habits, if you cook at home and plan your meals and your grocery shopping.

First of all, you can start by throwing away your fryer or at least but cutting down the amount of food you cook in it. Foods cooked in oil are not healthy. So, you should plan your meals ahead of time to avoid getting tempted to cook something fast in your fryer.

This also means getting in control of your grocery shopping. Avoid ready made foods or half made foods. Put together your shopping list way before you go shopping. Put whole grains, fresh veggies and meats or fish instead of ready made foods, snacks, chips and other junk food. Most ready made snacks are very unhealthy. Plan your shopping so that you can substitute them with healthy lifestyle alternatives, such as nuts, seeds, veggies or whole grain breads or cookies.

Once you learn to shop healthy, then you can more easily shift to a healthy lifestyle.

And, you would get more control over your eating habits. If your home is stuffed only with healthy foods, then no matter how much you crave for the unhealthy ones, you just would not have much choice.

So, as you may see, you gain much more control, if you plan your cooking and your food shopping. The next one of the healthy lifestyle tips is to learn planning your nights out dining. Start by looking up healthy foods restaurants in your neighborhood. Check out their special offers, discounts and other things to benefit from. Then start planning your nights out or your eating out in those restaurants.

This would help you to gain more control over your healthy lifestyle eating even when you eat out of your home.

Hopefully, these easy and practical tips on healthy lifestyle and planning would help you to start changing your habits towards healthier and happier living.

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