What is a niche mini-site you may ask? To answer that question I need to explain the marketing method, which is called ‘long-tail marketing’. Long tail marketing is a marketing technique used to target smaller, less competitive ‘niches’ or markets.

For instance, instead of targeting ‘computers’ you would target ‘refurbished desktop computers’. The market is really unlimited, as you can target any of the millions of ‘niche’ topics out there.

The way it works is you create small, 5-10 page websites on each ‘niche’. You would then market your websites with articles. Just write as many articles as possible and submit them to the top article directories, which are EzineArticles.com, ArticleCity.com and ArticleDashboard.com.

These articles will have your ‘signature block’ at the bottom, which will contain a little information about yourself and your websites, as well as a link to your site. The more viewers your articles get, the more viewers your websites get.

You will place ads from Googles advertising program, Google Adsense. Every time someone clicks on your ads, you get paid. You can also place affiliate links on your websites. Every order that is made through your affiliate links will result in a certain percentage being paid to you.

The reason niche mini-sites are so profitable is because it is very easy to dominate small niches. This means that most likely, your site will be brought up when people search for your niches keywords. Whereas more competitive ‘niches’ would take much more time and work to be brought up in searches.

The only knowledge you need in order to get started is basic page creation. It is very easy to create a website and if you do not know how you can figure it out in less than a day.

Niche mini-sites have made many people very rich. If any aspect of the technique intimidates you I highly recommend getting over it. You can do it and if you put your mind to it, you will be doing it very soon.

Joshua Spaulding is an Author and Webmaster providing Free Tips on Niche Site Marketing. Joshua would like to invite you to join in on the Free training at http://ez-onlinemoney.com so you too can learn how to Make Money Online.

With the widespread availability of affordable computers and powerful software for music mixing, the average musician is now able to set up a reasonably decent home studio on a relatively small budget. However, even though the software is extremely powerful and versatile, what seem to be missing are tips on how to create a great mix.

So, without any more fanfare, let us get right down to the 10 mixing tips you can try IMMEDIATELY to improve the quality of your mixes:

1. While mixing, keep a close eye (and ear) on all those plug-ins. Each one of them will distort if the output signal exceeds the acceptable threshold level. Because the output meters are out of sight when the plug-ins are closed, it is fairly easy to be unaware of the distortion, all of which can absolutely ruin your mixes.
2. Make use of the high-pass filter found on many equalizers to cut off the low frequencies on tracks that do not need the presence of low frequencies (e.g. frequencies below 100Hz) in order to sound right in the mix. These include vocals, hi-hats, keyboards, etc. Of course, all this depends on the song itself. For example, if you are mixing a song that is just piano or guitar and voice you might run a high-pass filter much lower down, around 40Hz or so, in order to maintain some of the bottom end in the mix. However, even the bass and kick drum can be improved by rolling off frequencies below 20Hz. Most project studio mixes sound terrible because there are too many sounds competing for space in the lower frequencies. On the opposite end of the spectrum, you can use a low-pass filter on instruments like bass and kick drum that do not need the presence of high frequencies.
3. Try using compression to even out volume variations and control the attack of a sound. Using a FAST attack will accentuate the body of a sound, while using a SLOW attack will increase the definition. Bass, kick drums and vocals tend to benefit most from compression, although you should listen to all your tracks with and without compression to see what works best. Keep an eye on the other settings on the compressor (Input, Release, Threshold, Ratio, Output Gain) since these can dramatically affect the results you are trying to achieve. It’s also important to remember that compression can raise the level of background noise in your mix as well as accentuate sibilance (esssssss’s) in the vocals. It may help to place a de-esser after the compressor to take care of excessive sibilance.
4. Listen for tracks that can be cleaned up by scooping out (reducing) the frequencies between 150 – 300 Hz. This is generally where the ‘mud’ tends to be in most tracks. Be careful when you do this however, since this can also be where the meat or warmth resides on some tracks. Listen for the track(s) that can benefit most from this action, and do not scoop out too much of the track or else your mixes will start to sound thin.
5. Always listen to your mixes IN CONTEXT! It doesn’t matter how great that kick drum sounds by itself if it sounds terrible once you turn everything else up. Its okay to solo a track briefly to get a sense of what is happening to the sound as you apply processing, but only do that for a few bars and then listen to it with everything else in context.
6. A parametric equalizer is an extremely powerful signal processing tool used to sculpt sound. It is generally better to cut (reduce) than it is to boost (add) frequencies, although you should always do what is right for a particular track. Begin by making the track sound terrible (by boosting a specific frequency dramatically and sweeping slowly across the spectrum at a fairly narrow bandwidth as you listen), and than cutting the frequency that sounds bad in order to reduce the presence of the ‘bad’ sound. Do that several times using each band, listening for when a cut or a boost is necessary, until you either run out of ‘bands’ or don’t need to make any more cut/boost corrections. Don’t feel the need to use every band available, though. When using EQ and other signal processors, less processing tends to be more beneficial to the overall sound of the mix (i.e. less is more).
7. Don’t mix entirely in headphones, or at extremely loud volumes through your monitors. Spend most of your time mixing at moderate and even low volumes, occasionally cranking it up to see how things move at those high energy levels. Try listening to your mixes through several different headphones (which can pick up clicks and pops not heard in the monitors) and at different volume levels through the monitors, as well as on different monitors if possible. The mix will surely sound different on the different systems, but the objective is to get things to sound good on all systems, not great on some and terrible on others. Occasionally walk away from the monitors and listen to your mix from another room. This gives you another perspective on level imbalances not apparent inside your normal mixing environment.
8. Concentrate on the busiest parts of your mixes first. This may be the hook (chorus), or bridge section, and this is where your mixes tend to get away from you the most. As you listen, make a determination as to whether or not EVERY SINGLE TRACK and EVERY SINGLE LAYER absolutely NEEDS to be in the mix ALL THE TIME. Mute / un-mute and add / remove tracks one at a time to evaluate their contribution to the impact of the song. It may be necessary to strip away some of those layers in order for your mix to sound more punchy and energetic.
9. Make good use of automation. If that is too complicated (based on your understanding of your music mixing software) you can try breaking up your tracks into song sections (e.g. VOCAL intro, VOCAL verse 1, VOCAL B-section, VOCAL hook, VOCAL verse 2, VOCAL bridge, etc). The reason for this is that the signal processing and volume / pan settings that work for a track in one section of the song (e.g. VOCAL verse 1) may not necessarily be right for another section (e.g. VOCAL hook). In this instance, you may need to set your EQ, chorus, compression, reverb, pan, and volume settings differently for the different song sections. The same may apply to other instruments as well.
10. Tune your instruments often during your recording session, or at least CHECK the tuning often. Even though this is a no-brainer for bass and guitars, don’t forget that even drums (kick, toms, and snare) need to be tuned in order to sound their best. No matter how well you process the tracks for your mix, out-of-tune instruments will distract the listener and contribute to the impression that the mix sucks! It is sometimes possible to tune your instruments after the fact, but that time could be better spent on other crucial areas of your mix.

And there you have it! Try out some of these mixing tips and you will find yourself on the way to better mixes in no time.

copyright 2007 Jeremy Rwakaara

Problems getting your music mixes to sound right? Confused about what to do with your CD once you’ve finished recording it? Don’t know how to put together a tour so that you can make some money selling merchandise, tickets, and lots of CD’s? Author, consultant and music producer / engineer Jeremy Rwakaara offers music articles cd mastering tips music mixing software list, glossary of recording terms and a music directory at the maryland recording studio site

Today it is not uncommon for a many to experience some form of male yeast infection. What happens is that yeast bacteria is able to get into the penis and this results in it itching, burning as well as being painful when urinating also in some cases the man may find that he suffers from some form of penile discharge as well. However where the male yeast infection is concerned a man may suffer from this disorder and yet not experience any of the symptoms that have been mentioned previously.

What should be noted is that any man regardless of their age or sexual activity can be infected with this form of yeast infection, but is certainly more common in sexually active men or in men who practice a certain sort of sexual behavior.

Often a man can get yeast infections through having unprotected sex with a female partner who is already suffering from a vaginal yeast bacteria infection. So often male yeast infection is referred to as a sexually transmitted disease (STD). But unlike many other forms of sexually transmitted diseases this is not the only way that a man can get it.

Although a woman may be able to obtain treatment for her vaginal yeast infection and find that they are getting better after a few days and the man does not have any form of treatment then in all likelihood he will then transmit it back to the woman. So it is vital that if at any stage a man finds himself with a yeast infection that he receives treatment for it as soon as possible, or you could end up in a vicious cycle where each one continually suffers with some form of yeast infection.

One of the best ways of ensuring that you do not transmit a yeast infection to your partner if you are suffering from a male yeast infection is to abstain from any form of sexual activity. Plus by doing this you are actually help to reduce the inflammation caused by the infection which can become worse during intercourse. Plus many men when they are suffering from some form of male yeast infection find sex either to uncomfortable or sore.

However, if a man does suffer from some form of male yeast infection it is very important that they treat it immediately and the best way of doing this is going to their doctor who will help to prescribe the right course of treatment for it.

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Work with someone managing their money and there are budget tips so obvious they seem unnecessary to even mention. Such as, organization, attention to detail, goals and step by step planning.

However, miss a few of these basics and… the budget begins to unravel and frustration quickly sets in. Soon you are asking yourself, or each other… “what happened to our budget?” The answer is…

Today’s World… and these neglected budget tips… look around your home or workplace… if something is not electronic, computerized or complicated it is pushed aside. Our modern, fast paced life is getting in the way and not allowing you to finish your budget. There is hope…

You can get up to speed… memorize a few of these budgeting tips…

First, organization, the great equalizer. Organize your financial papers, bills and payment schedules… perfection is not necessary, just be thorough. A file box or file cabinet is all you really need. Create a centralized place to house your papers and save yourself time as they are always handy. Accomplish this and you are more than half way there.

Endless hours and sleepless nights… I hope you are not doing this, tracking every minuscule expense. Most of your spending is fixed… such as your essential living expenses and debt. Spending endless hours following small spending habits won’t produce the results you expect.

Use the budget for what it does best… controlling your major expenses, staying within the bounds of your income and reaching financial goals.

If you are having trouble maintaining a budget or even starting one… simplify. To get the ball rolling, create a quick monthly budget. You can do it right now… just from memory. List your income for the month and then right beside it a quick list of your major/essential expenses. That is a budget… simple… done! Everything else you add to those figures is just finer and finer detail. Start off slow and easy… gain speed and momentum… overrun and crush your debt or… save for a vacation or… start an investment plan or…

20/20 Vision… manage your money by clearly seeing what is coming in… Income and… what is leaving your pocket… Expenses. All this money, your money is passing through your hands, it is up to you to decide where to spend it and who gets it. Consider your income as a resource, evaluate your budget and break it into two distinct categories…

The first… essential living expenses… these are your costs to live comfortably, plus all your debt. The second category is where all the rest of your spending falls… personal expenses, vacations, savings and investing etc. Now…

Establish two checking accounts… supply the first account with enough to cover “essential living expenses” and “debt”. The rest of your income goes into the second account. The idea is to separate your spending, in a convenient and foolproof way. Two checking accounts manage most budgets effortlessly.

This small batch of neglected budget tips have proven themselves over time. Yes very basic, yes a little boring, but effective at producing results. To complete the process a streamlined Monthly Household Budget maybe just the answer.

Daniel Harris publishes Budgeting and Financial Solutions online. Visit http://www.personal-financial-plan.com/monthly-household-budget.html

Sub-titled The No Hunger Eat Anything Weight-Loss Plan, this short book (157 pgs. plus notes and index) by Seth Roberts, PhD explains how he discovered a new weight loss secret. It is an odd approach, and one many (diabetics especially) will want to avoid. Roberts’ theory concerns taste and his method involves drinking sugar water an hour or more before eating, or drinking extra-mild virgin olive oil. Ugh, I cannot even fathom drinking oil under any circumstances but many people do regularly so I can’t discount it.

I tried the “plan” adding four tablespoons of plain white sugar to my water bottle and drinking it throughout the day. It didn’t affect my appetite but it did make me feel edgy and out of sorts. I didn’t like the way I felt so stopped my test after the first day. The sugar water stuck around and I sipped it a couple times. Funny how closely it tasted like a Coke even without the flavor.

The main premise is to consume 100 calories (or more) of flavorless sugar water (or oil) every day at least one hour before or after a meal. “The more calories you consume this way, the more weight you will lose–odd as that sounds,” writes Roberts. Roberts continues throughout the book to say he doesn’t know why this works and that it doesn’t make sense. Then he repeats blog posts from successful losers as if to say, it worked for them, so why not try it yourself? Roberts writes that, “Foods with strong flavor-calorie associations are more fattening than foods with weak flavor-calorie associations … because they raise your set point more.”

Drinking the sugar water with lessen your appetite, you’ll eat less and naturally lose weight. Roberts must not have heard of people who eat regardless of appetite. In the chapter, Extra Credit: Six More Ways to Lose Weight, we find 1) Try new foods. It can be true that getting into a food rut, always eating the same unhealthy foods day after day makes it harder to stop eating them or to cut back when you do, so trying something new and different is a reasonable idea. Next comes 2) Cook more. No, not cook your foods more but cook more yourself, at home, in the kitchen. Good advice that. Then 3) Add random flavors. Here we’re told to place several shakers with herbs and spices then randomly sprinkle them in different combinations on whatever you’re eating. The premise that these new and different flavors will keep the flavors from becoming familiar. 4) Eat one food at a time, ala food combining, or what he likes to call food separating. 5) Eat foods that digest slowly. This should be eat complex carbs but he separates based on the glycemic index which considers ice cream superior to carrots. 6) Eat foods with less flavor. Doesn’t that fly in the face of No. 3?

Freakonomics.com wrote an article about The Shangri-La Diet and invited Roberts to blog while he wrote his book. Comments from that blogging are included in the book which shows the balanced approach Roberts attempted to take. Some people liked it, some did not but apparently enough had success that it bolstered Roberts belief that his diet plan is effective.

Familiar flavors cause weight gain says Roberts, and that is the basic premise of The Shangri-La Diet. Consume up to 400 calories daily of sugar water (no flavor) and stay away from familiar flavors (favorite flavors?) is basically The Shangri-La Diet. I do agree that switching up what you eat would help break bad eating habits (especially fast food–get a taste in your mouth for a burger or taco and what happens? You head for the border). This is an interesting concept and The Shangri-La Diet is a book worth reading.

~~ Kathryn Martyn Smith, Master NLP Practitioner, EFT counselor, Weight Loss Coach and owner of One More Bite Weight Loss is the author of “Changing Beliefs, Your First Step to Permanent Weight Loss.”

Learn to use Kathryn’s One More Bite Approach with The Daily Bites: Mini lessons in using EFT for weight loss http://www.OneMoreBite-WeightLoss.com/getnews.html

Wakeboarding has quickly become one of the most popular forms of watersports. With the rise of stars such as Parks Bonifay and Brett Eisenhauer, they have sparked a whole new industry. You can buy boats, wakeboards, lines, cables, apparel, and just about anything else that has to do with the sport of wakeboarding. I love going boating in the summer time on the lake, and wakeboarding on my Hyperlite wakeboard has been very fun for me and my friends. I recently bought a new Hyperlite wakeboard and I paid more for it than most other brands of wakeboards. I will give the reasons why I think it was worth the extra cost.

Hyperlite has been in the wakeboard industry since the very beginning of the sport. There are many other brands available and most are somewhat cheaper. Liquid Force has some pretty sweet boards on the market right now also. I chose to buy the Hyperlite Era L7 132 Wakeboard. The board retails for around $350, and it is a great board.

The first thing I noticed about this board was the weight was considerably less than the other models. Hyperlite Wakeboards claims that the core of the board is made from the lightest synthetic foam available today. They say the foam is made from L7 Lithium, and I can say from experience that this thing is really light. It has made it easy for me to start doing higher jumps and more tricks, basically letting me ride more aggressively.

One of my favorite things was how high in the water that the board rode. If you have ever ridden wakeboards before you know how much easier this makes things. The Hyperlite wakeboard has been designed with fret rails as opposed to flow through rails enabling it to sit and ride higher in the water. This allows the board to ride stronger up and into the wake for easier jumps and tricks.

Hyperlite makes their boards with layered glass as opposed to woven fiber glass. This is a really nice feature because over time woven glass has the tendency to separate and come apart. I once had a cheap O’brien wakeboard and after a season the fiber glass on the sides was all coming apart and the board just wasn’t working as well as it did when I first got it. With the layered glass on a Hyperlite wakeboard it should last far longer, up to 5 seasons long. This is why they offer a lifetime guarantee.

The best part of the board is that it is so beginner friendly. When I take friends out on the water they always want to take a turn on the wakeboard. My new Hyperlite wakeboard is easy for them because it come out of the water so easily. If you wakeboard you know that the hardest part to learn is just getting up and out of the water. These boards are so light and with the fret rails it makes it easy for beginners, while providing all the great features that intermediate and advanced riders want.

If you are considering a new wakeboard you have many choices. There are some great brands on the market today. As I said it was a really hard choice between a Hyperlite wakeboard or a Liquid Force model. I think that I made the right choice in paying more for a Hyperlite wakeboard.Now I am looking forward to a long hot summer out on the lake. Be safe this year and have fun out on the water.

I am currently hosting a website all about wakeboarding. If you want the latest news, reviews, and pictures from the wakeboarding scene please stop by at http://www.hyperlitewakeboard.org

Nutritional supplements can be bought over-the-counter—which means you do not need to get a prescription to avail of them. They are generally perceived as safe by the general public, even though most of them are not acknowledged and regulated by the Food and Drug Administration Board. How much do we really know about the nutritional supplements we take? Are there any nutritional supplements side effects? Here are some things to think about:

1. Dosage and topical application

Anything taken in excess is not good for health. The same is true with nutritional supplements. A study made by the Frederick W. Fraunfelder, M.D., researcher and ophthalmology professor in OHSU listed dry eyes, temporary visual loss, and retinal hemorrhages as some of the ocular nutritional supplements side effects of some nutritional and herbal supplements. Most nutritional supplements side effects were associated with topical application and high dosages. While there were no reported cases of permanent damage, there is still a possibility for it, should the patient continue the use of the product.

Of more than 300 reported cases, his study reported 8 variables associated with ocular side effects: Echinacea purpurea, ginkgo biloba, chamomile, canthaxanthine, licorice, Datura, vitamin A, and niacin. Some of these products, particularly gingko biloba, show nutritional supplements side effects when taken with other medicines such as aspirin and Ibuprofen.

Multivitamins should be taken in moderation— overdose of vitamins that are not excreted by the body can pose major problems. For example, high doses of iron and vitamin D can result to kidney damage; too much vitamin A can cause headaches, diarrhea, nausea, and possible damage to the bones and liver.

2. Medical history

Some nutritional supplements side effects are triggered by your pre-existing health conditions, medical history, or treatment. For example, some people with asthma may be allergic to a higher dosage of Vitamin C. Family history should also be considered; those with a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure/hypertension, kidney stones, and reflux nephropathy are at risk of nutritional supplements side effects such as kidney failure when taking supplements like creatine.

TIP: It is still best to consult a physician regarding the intake of nutritional supplements; this is especially important for patients undergoing any type of medication or recuperation, or for those in special circumstances, such as pregnant women.

It is also helpful to read medical guides, brochures, and consumer reports to gather information on certain nutritional supplements, whether they have any side effects. You can also look into the Food and Drug Association Board World Health Organization database for any banned or discouraged nutritional supplements. Remember that some supplements contain additives that can harm you. Make sure that the manufacturer of your supplement is pharmaceutical GMP compliant – this will guarantee that their product is devoid of damaging fillers.

The product we personally use called Total Balance - http://www.health-product-we-use.com is the best supplement we have come across. We have been using this supplement for over 3 years with excellent health results.

We highly recommend you learn more about our best natural nutritional supplement if you are interested in improving your overall health.

Jean Helmet runs a series of health websites, We offer a free health book for subscribers to our websites newsletter. We cover everything you need to know on nutrition and how to improve your general overall health. Check out our nutrition e-book, for more information on our nutrition book.

“Bushanol” is not the answer to global warming. Ethanol has been around since the 1920’s and it is no panacea in the fight to slow global warming. Most scientists agree that the energy to produce it is more than the energy it returns and there not significant reductions in greenhouse gasses when the entire production cycle is considered. While the Bush administration is at least looking at alternatives, they appear to be lacking in imagination. We need bold decision making which is a concept that is sorely lacking at The White House.

Ethanol does not get us away from the combustible, gas driven engine. It only plays into the hands of the oil companies and large auto manufacturers. If the public is led to believe that ethanol will help solve climate issues they will be less like to push for more stringent emission standards or to outright demand new technologies. Once again, the large profit making conglomerates have maintained their sway over national policy and divert the nation’s attention away from the real issues at hand.

While new ethanol technologies may offer some hope as far as wining America from foreign oil, current methods of production only detract from the world’s food supply. A short time ago the president announced that the U.S. was on the verge of major energy producing technologies. Was he referring to ethanol?

With all of the energy possibilities available, why is The White House shying away from the development of those technologies? Where is the push for solar, wind, small scale hydro and fuel cell technologies? Several years ago a company was working on small, solar based home electrolysis units that would allow the homeowner to produce his own hydrogen. This would then provide the hydrogen needed for the fuel cells that would power the home with electricity. A by-product of this process is heat for the home and the process is pollution free. Where are these devices now and why are they not receiving national policy priority? It brings to mind the scientist, Tesla who was reported to have developed ways to harness free electricity from the air. Supposedly, his designs were confiscated and were either destroyed or lie somewhere in the bowels of some federal building.

The Bush Administration is still approaching climate change as if it were some future phenomena that can be addressed in another twenty years. This is not true and this lack of action will adversely affect us all. While the public’s awareness of this issue has grown and there is increased awareness of the need for alternative sources of energy, there is still a lack of any urgency regarding the matter. It is obvious that the direction being taken by the Bush Administration is one that is still controlled and guided by the oil corporations.

Mr. Harris was born in Massachusetts. He attended The American University in Washington, D.C. and received his degree in Political Science. His graduate work was done at the University of Northern Colorado and Howard University. While in D.C., he spent several years working for local and regional government agencies. Upon moving to Maine he worked with three governors and served as the Assistant Director of the Maine State Planning Office. He worked on a White House Task Force for the development of a National Rural Policy and later served as Rural Policy Coordinator at the Federal Regional Council of New England. He has worked on gubernatorial and senatorial political campaigns and currently works in Special Education.

Mr. Harris is co-author of the novel WAKING GOD and is a nationally syndicated and featured writer for The American Chronicle. He is working on Book II of the Waking God trilogy and writing features for literary E-zines. His second novel, A MAINE CHRISTMAS CAROL has been released by Cambridge Books. Contributing writer for UPI’s Religion&Spirituality web site.

I went to fill up my car a few days ago and saw that the cost per liter of gas at $101.9. For those of you who are not on the metric system, that would equal roughly $3.57 a gallon. In Canada, the province of Alberta is booming, not because they just have wonderful beef, but the oil industry is flourishing beyond belief.

Many people are moving out west these days to find employment. In many areas there is housing shortages because of the increase in demand for people to work. I do think that providing jobs for people is great, and allowing them to earn a decent wage is even better. I am not extremely educated on the oil business or how it runs, the one thing I do know as a consumer is it does not seem fair. Why should we the Canadian people be forced to pay these outrageous prices, when the oil is right in our own back yard? We also live in a climate that forces us to heat our homes in the winter, the price of home heating fuel has risen over the last five years to a point, where people our having trouble paying their energy costs.

One of the beautiful things about living in Canada is that people are very tolerant and forgiving individuals with our Governments flaws. With that said, at some point we need to draw the line and protest for the things that make huge differences in our quality of life. Energy costs in my opinion should be right at the top of list.

I was under the impression that we elect our government to protect us, and work to make our lives better, not bleed us dry. The reason I mention this has to do with the taxes we are paying at the pump for gas. Not only does the government take a slice of pie on the back end, but also on our retail purchase too. If we are living in a democrat society with freedom of choice… why are we never informed prior of what the long term affects of these deals could have on us? Would you have agreed to join O.P.E.C. if you knew that your energy cost would sky rocket out of control?

Something does not seem right to me, most oil rich countries especially in the Middle East seem to have better economies than us. They have one commodity and we have many natural resources, but yet the average Canadian is living hand to mouth. It reminds me of this car show I watched a few months ago. The question they posed to the auto manufactures was… why are Canadian citizens spending almost $10,000 more per vehicles then American people? The average person might have thought the answer to be along the lines of cheaper to manufacture, the currency exchange, or possibly transport costs. The response they received from a few of them was very clear. Canadian people are willing to pay more, and they price their cars by what the market will hold.

So the next time you go fill your car up at the pump, or pay your heating bill, maybe you might want to consider if we paying these crazy costs because, we are willing to pay these prices and accept the excuses. Maybe that might be the perception of other countries importing products to us, but among our own provinces makes me wonder. It would seem that our Government has turned into brokers getting commissions, spending our hard earned money on expensive luxuries Maybe they should be focusing more on unifying the country so we all benefit affordably from each of our provinces and territories natural resources.

Arnold Nadler is the founder and CEO of The Startup Business Doctor, a highly successful collection of how to business guides, consulting services, business education courses, expert business tips on the website, and low cost advertising solutions. All designed to assist new and existing business owners achieve their goals. For more information, visit at http://www.startupbusinessdoctor.com

Has your teen ever come home and say to you, “The WHOLE class is going to be at the party on Friday night! Why can’t I go?” Or, “ALL my friends are getting tattooed! If I don’t get one they’ll think that I’m weird?” Your “gut feeling” is that it can’t be true (how can parents allow 14 year old children to go to an all night party?) but you want to trust your child and you certainly don’t want them to feel “out”. What do you do?

The first and most important thing to do is to PERSONALLY check out the information and NOT to rely on what the child reports. They might unintentionally misconstrue the facts and they might really believe that EVERYONE is doing something even though it is really only one or two classmates. How does this happen?

We don’t always hear or see the whole situations but we see and hear what we are conditioned to see and hear and filter out everything else.

For instance, when one of my children was small he had a speech impediment and we found it difficult to understand him. When he started school, my wife and I were concerned how he would interact with the other children. Because of our concern my wife wasn’t surprised when one day he came back crying, “The whole class was making fun of me!” My wife panicked and when I came home that night my wife almost screeched, “All the kids are making fun of Yechial’s speech! We have to move schools right away!”

Right before this incident I learnt this “filtering” idea so I asked him, “Yechial what are all the kids saying to you that makes you cry?” Between his tears and sobbing he told me, “That I have big eyes!!!” My wife “heard” him say that they were laughing at his speech because of her own preconceived ideas.

It is the same with teens. They want to feel big and independent so often times they really think that the WHOLE class or EVERYONE is doing something even though in truth it is only a few people. They are not intentionally lying.

Therefore a good parenting tip is:

* When something doesn’t sound right to you don’t rely on what your children say but check it out yourself.

* Do this very discreetly. Don’t tell them that you are checking out the facts. This might cause an argument.

* DON’T yell at them and call them liers. They might really think that are telling you a fact.

*If you find out that it isn’t like they say, just tell them very calmly, “I asked…. and ….. and I see that a lot of your class are not going to that party.

Follow this parenting tip and you will be saving your child from a lot of trouble and yourself from a lot of aggravation.

Shevach Pepper is the happy father of 12 children. Click to get a free copy of his helpful ebook Hello, I’m _____ An inventory to make, preserve, and enhance relationships.
To learn more about him; visit Shevach’s biography .