If you are going to play online poker you might as well “play to win” otherwise you might just as throw your bankroll down a sewer grate. The poker rooms (especially the really popular ones like Party Poker) are full of people who are just there to “see what is like” especially because people really like the idea of playing with animated avatars. However these are people that are usually losing an entire bankroll in just an hour a play! A savvy Texas Hold ‘Em or Omaha player should be able to steadily accumulate between $8 and $10 an hour if they stick to using winning strategy.

Each poker game has its own strategy when it comes to how to win, but here are some general strategies for making money playing online poker.

·-KNOW what the hand rankings are. Hand rankings differ from game to game and more people have needlessly lost money because they didn’t realize an Ace Low beats an Ace high.

·-Don’t be afraid to fold. If you have a bad hand don’t put it into play. If you speak to any of the players who have one professional tournaments like the ones at Party Poker and the World Poker Tour you will notice that all of them advise folding a bad hand immediately rather than putting it into play and hoping that your “number will come up.”

·-Keep your bets small. Never bet your entire bankroll unless you are 100% sure that you will win. Being 99 % sure is not enough certainty to wager everything in online gambling.

·-Move from table to table! Staying at one table too long often leads to big losses over the long term. Look for tables where the players seem to be on a losing streak for the best immediate good fortune.

Above all, quit while you are ahead! This reason is that gambling in general is not a matter of luck. Sooner or later you are going to lose and sooner or later you are going to win. Quit sooner than later once you have won a lot of money as odds are the crappy cards will start to come up at a table.

Rick Bjarnason makes it easy to turn your losing streaks into winning streaks. Get expert advice with his weekly newsletter. Visit Online Betting Central to sign up.

Is there an attractive, confident, healthy person inside you just
waiting to get out? Do you feel like you’re hiding behind a layer of fat
that is holding you back?

Millions of people feel just like you do. They feel that their life
could be better if they could only lose fat, build muscle and become
healthier.

In their quest for weight loss, they’ve tried hundreds of diets, dozens
of supplements and some pretty insane exercise regimens. If you can
relate, you probably know that jumping from weight loss plan to weight
loss plan can be frustrating.

The problem with many diets is their focus. Diet gurus have you
concerned about the number on the scale, instead of the way your clothes fit.

The problem is not necessarily your weight. The problem is your fat
percentage. For example, someone who weighs 185 lbs but has 4% body fat is
in much better shape than someone who weighs 155 but has 20% body fat.
Your level of fat is important in getting the sexy body you’ve always
dreamed of…not your weight.

Weight loss does not mean fat loss. You can lose a lot of weight
without building any muscle at all…and that leaves your body unhealthy.
Weight loss can occur whether you burn fat or you burn muscle.

When you use the wrong kind of diet, you’ll lose muscle as well as fat.
This makes your metabolism slow, and puts you in worse shape than
before. With a slow metabolism, you’ll end up burning off less fat from your
everyday meals. You’ll gain back the weight you lost, and next time
around it will be much harder to get it off. Essentially, you’re setting
yourself up to be more effective at storing fat. And who wants that?

Burning fat, not losing weight, should be your focus. You can end the
yo yo dieting cycle, speed up your metabolism and become more attractive
to the opposite sex if you have the right diet. The right diet is one
that works with your body, instead of against it. The right diet
supercharges your weight loss efforts and has you losing fat, not muscle.

The diet and weight loss industries have been misleading you for a
profit. They’ve been giving you conflicting information to keep you baffled
and searching for the miracle solution. It’s time to cut through the
confusion, and get the straight answers on fat loss and muscle building.

If you had a legal problem, you’d consult a lawyer. For your taxes, you
go to an accountant. Doesn’t it make sense to look to a fitness
industry professional for the truth about fat loss and dieting? People who are
in the fitness industry know what works because they have tried the
techniques themselves.

However, so many people rely on fad diets they hear about in magazines
or purchase pills that are marketed by corporations. It’s no wonder
that 95% of dieters end up heavier than they were before starting their
diet.

Are you ready to beat the odds? Find out why most dieters fail, and learn the secrets to instantly burn fat.You can have the body you’ve always dreamed of by visiting http://www.burnfat.plentyinfo.com

I do not know who first said “April showers bring May flowers,” but I personally think they are mistaken. From all of my experience, a shower in April means a wedding in May or June. Two years ago, I hosted showers for my friends, last year my friends hosted showers for me and I attended showers for my friends. This year, I am not only attending bridal showers for my friends, but showers for my husband’s friends as well. Will the number continue to grow?

Yes. Next comes baby showers for the friends that are already married, on top of wedding showers for friends not yet married. And the list keeps growing. How do we navigate through all these and not come out “all wet?”

1) Remember why we go to showers. And it is not just so we do not have to carry the gift to the wedding. Here is a time when you have a chance to support your friend. Believe me, I never knew how important it was to go to a wedding shower until I had one of my own. I chose each person on the list because I wanted to see them. There were people I invited that I had not seen in a while, and was a little worried that they would not want to come or wonder why I invited them. Believe me, when Amy and Brittani walked in that door, I could not have been more elated.

2) Spend what you can. From personal experience, you do not need to bring a $50 gift to make the bride’s day. Anything from their registry will do, and what really makes a bride smile is if there is something with a personal flair. You can wrap the gift in a way that screams you (or her), or you can just write a note for her to read later about how much she means to you and what you like about her. That is a gift that she will keep and read again and again, plus she cannot forget who gave it to her because your name is at the bottom!

3) Enjoy yourself. This is a time for you to connect with old friends and make new friends. Remember that everybody there is someone special to your friend, and therefore they must be worth meeting. This does two things: allows you to branch out of your comfort zone in a safe environment, and make the party run smoother, relieving some of the burden from the hostess and the bride. Think of a bridal shower as a chance for you to step out of the busy pace of life. This is one time in your life that you need to eat cake and drink punch. Enjoy it!

Sara Mercer works for a web design and computer service company and loves to read wedding announcements in small town newspapers, such as The Bosque County News

For many women, pregnancy is a time to make healthy lifestyle choices such as getting fit and quitting smoking. Whether you are a fitness fanatic or have never exercised regularly, safe exercise during pregnancy is recommended to improve the health of you and your baby.The benefits of exercise during pregnancy include increased body awareness, enhanced endurance and improved posture.

Exercise has been shown to lower your risk of developing gestational diabetes and to reduce the physical discomfort associated with pregnancy. Through exercise, you can achieve an increased sense of wellbeing and feel less fatigue and more satisfaction with your changing body. In fit women, the active phase of labor tends to be shorter and there is less likelihood that a forceps delivery or caesarean section will be required.

Through a phenomenon known as “fetal programming”, your health status in pregnancy can affect the health of your child as a neonate, toddler and adolescent. In particular, if you are overweight or obese, inactive or suffer from diabetes during pregnancy, the likelihood that your child will become overweight or develop diabetes is much higher than if you are healthy, of normal weight and exercise regularly.

The kind of safe exercises during pregnancy you choose depends on your interests and what your doctor believes is appropriate. Often, pregnant women enjoy dancing, swimming, yoga, Pilates, cycling or walking. Aim for a combination of aerobic cardiovascular exercises, strength and flexibility exercises. Begin all your sessions with a gentle and appropriate warm up, and always finish with a cool down. It is advisable to consult your doctor or midwife regardless of whether you have regularly exercised before pregnancy or whether you are starting a new fitness program because of your pregnancy.

A few guidelines exist for exercising when pregnant. It is important to exercise at a comfortable intensity and not to undertaken anaerobic exercise. Try to avoid overheating, particularly in the first trimester when your baby is more sensitive to high temperatures. Exercise wearing light, comfortable clothing and drink plenty of water. You should avoid lying flat on your back once you are more than 16 weeks pregnant; doing so may compress the important blood vessels to your heart and therefore restrict the amount of blood your baby receives. It’s best to avoid sports where there is a risk of abdominal trauma, such as contact sports, horse riding or skiing.

Several medical and obstetric conditions may mean that you need to modify or stop your safe exercises during pregnancy program. These conditions include pregnancy induced hypertension (high blood pressure), ruptured membranes or an incompetent cervix. Vaginal bleeding or intrauterine growth retardation are also instances where your doctor may advise exercise abstinence. If you have a multiple pregnancy, you will need to speak to your doctor about your special exercise needs. Safe exercises during pregnancy can help you stay fit and healthy and prepare you for the rigors of birth and new parenthood.

Discover a simple proven safe exercise during pregnancy program for you to get through your pregnancy in better shape than most other women in as little as 27 minutes a few days a week and with minimal effort. http://safe-exercises-during-pregnancy.blogspot.com/

OverviewThe story of Adam will be covered in the following chapters: Before the creation of Adam: Angels and Jinn Creation of Adam Satan (Iblis) Adam and Eve in Heaven Out of Heaven Adam on Earth & story of Abil and Cain Before the creation of Adam: Angels and Jinn.Before going into Adam’s life details, it is important to know who was created before him. Allah created angels, obedient creatures who supplicate and pray Him and obey His will. He also created the Jinn who, unlike human beings, are made of fire. Also, they lack reason and intelligence and act like children.

According to ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Umar, the jinn had existed for about two thousand years before Adam and had shed blood. As a result, Allah sent on them an army of angels that drove them out to the depths of the seas. Most of the jinn committed a lot of sins and disobeyed Allah. Satan (also known as Iblis) however was the only jinn who never disobeyed his God. And, as a reward, God raised him to Heaven to live with the angels.

Creation of Adam Allah the Almighty revealed: ‘ “Behold, your Lord said to the angels: “I will create a vicegerent on earth.” They said: “Will You place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood? - while we do celebrate Your praises and glorify Your holy (name)?” He (Allah) said: “I know that which you do not know.” “Angels then concealed to each other that, even if Allah creates a new being, they will still be better than him by being more knowledgeable and more generous. Allah knew what angels have said and not revealed to him. Then, Allah the Exalted said: “And He taught Adam the nature of all things.” Surah 2:31After Adam had learned from his God the names of all things, along with their properties and uses, ‘ “then He (Allah) placed them (the things) before the angels, and said: “Tell Me the names of these if you are truthful.” ‘ Surah 2:31. The angels admitted their incapacity and said: ‘ “Glory to You, we have no knowledge except what You have taught us. Verily, it is You, The All-Knower, The All-Wise. ” ‘ Surah 2:32

Allah Almighty then turned to Adam: ‘ “O Adam! Tell them their natures” When he had told them, Allah said: “Did I not tell you that I know the secrets (Ghaib) of heaven and the earth, and I know what you reveal and what you conceal?” ‘ Surah 2: 33 Allah proved once again that he knows the secrets including hidden talks of angels.

Before going further into Adam’s life, let’s discuss his origin. Allah Almighty recounted his creation in the following verses: ‘Verily, the likeness of Jesus, in Allah’s Sight is the likeness of Adam. He created him from dust, then (He) said to him: “Be!”- and he was.’ Surah 3: 59Allah said to the angels: ‘ “Truly, I am going to create man from clay. So when I have fashioned him (in due proportion) and breathed into him of MY spirit, you fall down obeisance to him.” ‘ Surah 38: 71-72Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) declared: “Allah created Adam from a handful of dust taken from different lands, so the children of Adam have been created according to the composition of the land. Therefore, from mankind we have white, red, black and yellow ones; we have good and evil, ease and sorrow, and what comes in between them.” Sahih Al-BukhariAllah shaped Adam into a human being, but he remained a figure of clay for forty years. It was narrated that the prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that he was 60 meters long. The angels went past him. They were seized with fear by what they saw, and Iblis felt this fear most. After all, angels were made of a powerful substance which is light; the Jinn were made of fire, also known as a powerful and dangerous. However, Adam is made of a weak substance, which is dust. Iblis was aware of that but was afraid of him. He used to pass by the figure of Adam, going inside and out of it, buffeting it, which would make a sound like pottery. Allah told us: ‘He created man (Adam) from sounding clay like the clay of pottery.’ Surah 55: 14Abu Hurairah reported that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “

Allah created Adam from dust after He mixed the clay and left him for some time until it became sticky mud, after which Allah shaped him. After that Allah left him till it became like potter’s clay. Iblis used to go past him saying: ‘You have been created for a great purpose.’ After that Allah breathed His spirit into him. The first thing into which the spirit passed was his eye and then his nose. He sneezed. Allah said: ‘May your Lord have mercy upon you, O Adam! Go to those angels and see what they would say.’ So Adam went and greeted them. They replied saying: ‘Peace be upon you and the mercy and blessings of Allah.’ Allah said: ‘O Adam! This is your greeting and that of your offspring.” Sahih Al-BukhariWhen Allah was about to breath into Adam from His soul, He asked the angels: “When I breathe My spirit into him prostrate before him” Allah breathed His spirit into Adam and when it reached his head Adam sneezed. The angels said: “Say all praise belongs to Allah.” Adam repeated: “All praise belongs to Allah.” Allah said to him: “Your Lord has granted you mercy.” When the spirit reached his eyes, Adam looked at the fruits of Paradise. When it reached his abdomen Adam felt an appetite for food. He jumped hurriedly before the spirit could reach his legs in order to reach the fruits of Paradise. Allah then declared: ‘Man is created of haste.’ Surah 21:37. After that, the angels followed their Lord’s orders: ‘The angels prostrated themselves, all of them together. Except Iblis - he refused to be among the prostrators.’ Surah 15: 31-32

Satan (Iblis) Almighty Allah recounted the story of Iblis’s refusal to prostrate before Adam: ‘And (remember) when your Lord said to the angels: “I am going to create a man (Adam) from sounding clay of altered black smooth mud. So, when I have fashioned him completely and breathed into him (Adam) the soul which I created for him, then fall (you) down prostrating yourselves unto him” So, the angels prostrated themselves, all of them together. Except Iblis, - he refused to be among the prostrators. (Allah) said: “O Iblis! What is your reason for not being among the prostrators?” (Iblis) said: “I am not the one to prostrate myself to a human being, whom You created from sounding clay of altered black smooth mud.” (Allah) said: “Then, get out from here, for verily, you are Rajim (an outcast or a cursed one). And verily, the curse shall be upon you till the Day of Recompense (i.e. the Day of Resurrection).” ‘ Surah 15: 28-35Satan’s arrogance and disbelief was mentioned several times in the Quran:’ “Shall I prostrate to one whom You created from clay?” (Iblis) said: “See? This one whom You have honored above me, if You give me respite (keep me alive) to the Day of Resurrection, I will surely seize and mislead his offspring (by sending them astray) all but a few!” ‘ Surah 17: 62′(Remember) when your Lord said to the angels: “Truly, I am going to create man from clay. So when I have fashioned him and breathed into him (his) soul created by Me, then you fall down prostrate to him.” So the angels prostrated themselves, all of them: except Iblis, he was proud and was one of the disbelievers.

(Allah) said: “O Iblis! What prevents you from prostrating yourself to one whom I have created with Both My Hands. Are you too proud (to fall prostrate to Adam) or are you one of the high exalted?” (Iblis) said: “I am better than he, You created me from fire, and You created him from clay.” (Allah) said: “Then get you from here, for verily, you are outcast. And verily!, My Curse is on you till the Day of Recompense.” (Iblis) said: “My Lord! Give me then respite till the Day the (dead) are resurrected.” Allah said. “Verily! You are of those allowed respite - till the Day of the time appointed.” Iblis said: “By Your Might, then I will surely mislead them all, - except Your chosen slaves amongst them (faithful, obedient, true believers of Islamic Monotheism).” ‘ Surah 38: 75-85(Allah) said: ‘ “The truth is, and the truth I say, - that I will fill Hell with you (Iblis) and those of them (mankind) that follow you, together. ” ‘ Surah 38: 84-85

Adam and Eve in HeavenThe angels realized that Adam was the creature who knew what they did not know and that his capacity to learn was his noblest quality. His knowledge included knowledge of the Creator which we call Faith or Islam, as well as the knowledge he would need to inhabit and master the earth. Muhammad Ibn Ishaaq and Ibn ‘Abbas related that Eve was created from the shortest left rib of Adam while he was sleeping. And after a while, she was clothed with flesh.

That is why Allah the Exalted said: «O Mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam) and from him (Adam) He created his wife (Eve), and from them both He created many men and women.» Surah 4: 1Allah also said: «It is He Who has created you from a single person (Adam), and (then) He created from him his wife (Eve), in order that he might enjoy the pleasure of living with her.» Surah 7: 189 Ibn ‘Abbas and a group of the companions of the Prophet (PBUH) narrated that when Iblis was sent out of Paradise and Adam was accommodated therein, Adam was alone in Paradise and did not have a partner from whom he could get tranquility. He slept for some time and when he woke up, he saw a woman whom Allah had created from his ribs. So he asked her: “Who are you?” She replied: “A woman.” He asked: “Why have you been created?” She replied: “So that you could find tranquility in me.” The angels, trying to find out the extent of his knowledge, asked him: “What is her name, O Adam?” He replied: “Eve.” They asked: “Why was she so named?” He replied: “Because she was created from something living.”

Allah commanded Adam to dwell in Paradise: «”O Adam! Dwell you and your wife in the Paradise and eat both of you freely with pleasure and delight of things therein as wherever you will, but come not near this tree or you both will be of the Zalimeen (wrong-doers).”» Surah 2:35 Out of Heaven”And (remember) when We said to the angels “Prostrate yourselves to Adam.” They prostrated (all) except Iblis, who refused. Then We said: “O Adam! Verily, this is an enemy to you and to your wife. So let him not get you both out of Paradise, so that you be distressed in misery. Verily, you have (a promise from Us) that you will never be hungry therein nor naked. And you (will) suffer not from thirst therein nor from the sun’s heat.”

Adam and Eve were admitted to Paradise and there they lived the dream of all human beings. Allah permitted them to approach and enjoy everything except one tree, that might have been the Tree of Pain or the Tree of Knowledge. Allah forbade them before they were given abode in Paradise: «”But come not near this tree or you both will be of the Zalimeen (wrong-doers). “» Surah 2: 35Satan whispered to them: «”Your Lord did not forbid you this tree save you should become angels or become of the immortals.” And he (Satan) swore by Allah to them both (saying): “Verily, lam one of the sincere well-wishers for you both.”.So he [Satan] misled them with deception.» Surah 7: 20-22. Allah also said: ‘ Thus did Adam disobey his Lord, so he went astray. ‘ Surah 20: 121Eve was the first one who ate from that tree and tempted Adam to do the same. After they ate from it, the clothes they were wearing were gone, so they started to cutting tree leaves with which to cover themselves. Adam started to run while saying “forgiveness! Forgivenes!”. So Allah asked: “Are you running away from Me?” Adam replied: “No, my Lord, but I am shy of You.”Allah the Almighty addressed him: ‘ “Did I not forbid you that tree and tell you: Verily, Satan is an open enemy unto you?” They said: “Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You forgive us not, and bestow not upon us Your Mercy, we shall certainly be of the losers.” (Allah) said: “Get down, one of you an enemy to the other (i.e., Adam, Eve, and Satan, etc.). On earth will be a dwelling place for you and an enjoyment, - for a time.” He said: “Therein you shall live, and therein you shall die, and from it you shall be brought out (i.e. resurrected).” ‘ Surah 7: 22-25Adam unlike Satan knew he was guilty and asked God for forgiveness. That is why God accepted his repentance. However, he punished him and sent him to Earth.

Adam and Eve on Earth & story of Abil and CainAdam and Eve started a new life on Earth. They were able to live there and overcome the difficulties thanks to the knowledge given by Allah. They had to cultivate, construct and populate the Earth. They also witnessed the birth of 20 twins. The first and second sets of twins were Cain (Qabil) and his sister, and Abel (Habil) and his sister.Adam’s kids grew up and then came the time for marriage. Allah revealed to Adam that it was forbidden for anyone to marry his twin and that Adam should marry each son to the twin sister of the other. So, Cain had to marry Abel’s sister while Abel had to marry Cain’s sister. Nevertheless, Cain was more attracted to his twin sister (who was more beautiful) and refused Allah’s commands.Another even added Cain’s rage against his brother was related to the sacrifice that each one had to offer to Allah. Abel’s sacrifice (good sheeps) was accepted while Cain’s (bad grain) was not. Satan took advantage of Cain’s anger to whisper to him and tell him to kill his brother.Allah the Almighty revealed: ‘And (O Muhammad) recite to them (the Jews) the story of the two sons of Adam (Abel and Cain) in truth; when each offered a sacrifice (to Allah), it was accepted from the one but not from the other. The latter said to the former: “I will surely kill you.”The former said: ‘Verily, Allah accepts only from those who are Al-Muttaqeen (the pious). If you do stretch your hand against me to kill me, I shall never stretch my hand against you to kill you, for I fear Allah; the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinn, and all that exists).

Verily I intend to let you draw my sin on yourself as well as yours, then you will be one of the dwellers of the Fire, and that is the recompense of the Zalimeen (polytheists, and wrong-doers).So the Nafs (self) of the other (latter one) encouraged him and made fair-seeming to him the murder of his brother; he murdered him and became one of the losers. Then Allah sent a crow who scratched the ground to show him to hide the dead body of his brother. He (the murderer) said: ‘Woe to me! Am I not even able to be as this crow and to hide the dead body of my brother?” Then he became one of those who regretted.’ Surah 5: 27-31When Abel had not appeared for some time, Adam began to search for him but found no trace of his beloved son. He asked Cain about Abel’s whereabouts. Cain insolently replied that he was not his brother’s keeper nor his protector.

From these words his father understood that Abel was dead and Adam was filled with grief.Meanwhile, Cain did not know what to do with his brother’s corpse. He carried it on his back wandering from place to place, trying to hide it. His anger had now subsided, and his conscience was saddled with guilt. He was tiring under the burden of the corpse which had started to have a stench. As a mercy, and to show that dignity could be retained even in death, Allah sent two ravens that began fighting, causing the death of one. The victorious bird used its beak and claws to dig a hole in the ground, rolled its victim into it and covered it with sand.

Some scholars reported that Adam lived for 1000 years and got the chance to see many of his grand children.

Article from Lnoor website at lnoor.somee.com

Life is a lot like bingo cards. Before you dismiss this claim as a joke, do hear me out. Life and bingo sheets do share a lot of things in common - A LOT. In fact, if I were allowed to be more metaphorical, I’d even say that bingo cards are a carbon copy of the real world.

Allow me to explain. Gamers are of the belief that life deals us a certain deck of cards. Sometimes we get a bad hand, but we try to make the most out of it. Though often, there is a need to bluff, we manage to make our way through the adversities into a more comfortable status. The same is true with bingo. The game deals us certain cards we have to play. Some cards are destined to be winners, but do we give up on the stinkers? Of course not! We deal with them the best way we can, and sometimes they end up beating the surer bets.

Much like in real life, fortunes play a crucial role. Crucial, however, does not mean total. Though luck can help us endure a lot of problematic situations, we should not solely rely on the same for the things we want to achieve. The same can be said about a bingo game. Though luck would determine the strengths and weaknesses of the cards we will play, it’s most definitely not the end all and be all of the game. The human element, i.e. our judgment, should still be factored in. There is no such thing as a non-winnable game. The only non-winable game is the game that you gave up on!

Also, with real life, we cannot rest on our laurels. We take what is given us and we strive to improve ourselves. In a bingo game, we may be dealt with great bingo cards. But we should not lull ourselves into a false sense of security. Garnering great cards is just half the battle won. What we do with those cards would eventually win or lose for us the game.

Devout bingo players will tell you that how you deal with your bingo cards would reflect much about how you deal with life. Play your cards cautiously, and chances are, you’re the type of person who wishes to minimize the risks you have to face. Play your cards with a gung-ho attitude, and chances are, you’re the type of person who’d rather enjoy life to the fullest, with all zeal and vigor. Which type of person are you?

Keith Londrie II is the Webmaster of http://win-at-bingo.info/ A website that specializes in providing information on Bingo that you can research on the internet at your own pace.
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WHERE MONEY IN YOUR CHECKING ACCOUNT GOES
The cost of producing and delivering paper checks is very expensive and can be
disturbed by bad weather and other unexpected events. For example, the terrorist
attacks of 9/11/2001 resulted in the air transportation for the distribution of
paper checks to come to complete halt.

The ability for consumers to make electronic payments has been an available
option for some time. The Federal Reserve has only recently began making a
concentrated effort towards the electronic conversion of checks. Consequently,
consumers are being hit with more fees than ever for using their checking
accounts.

These fees as well as the cost of using debit cards can make it hard to keep
tabs on how much money you have in your account. This can result in you bouncing
checks or overdrafting your account.

Outlined below are some of the common ways money leaves your checking
account. Knowing when and where your money goes will help you be more fiscally
responsible.

Paper check
The use of paper checks is declining, according to the Federal Reserve.
However, paper checks still result in over $60 million in payments annually.
The typical route of a check is one that crosses the country by common land
and/or air carriers until it arrives at its target bank and is either returned
back to you or stored.

Check conversion
Whenever a payment is made in a store with a check, it is typically converted
into an electronic image. The information from the check is amassed and a
one-time fee is subtracted from your account. At the conclusion of your
purchase, your check will be run through a machine, voided, and given back to
you. This procedure is commonly known as a point-of-purchase transaction. When
you mail a check in as a payment, an electronic image is created and the check
is destroyed. This sort of electronic debit is also known as an ‘accounts
receivable conversion’, or ARC.

Direct payment
A direct payment is for bills you pay every month, otherwise known as
recurring bills. Usually, you will set your checking account up to make
automatic monthly payments for your mortgage, auto loan, utility bill, etc..
Many people even use direct payment for making contributions towards investment
plans. These types of payments will be marked as an ACH payment on your
statement. Your bank will charge you a one-time fee for every direct payment you
set-up.

Debit card
The use of debit cards has increased over the last few years. In fact, debit
card transaction are the fastest growing types of all bank transactions — from
9.5 billion in 2000 to 32 billon in 2006. Debit cards are most commonly used to
withdraw cash from bank machines, ATMs, by means of a personal identification
number (PIN), but can also be used in the same manner as a credit card for
making purchases. Users will be charged a fee every time they use their debit
card at the ATM or when they make a purchase.

Jacob Joseph is a financial expert for http://www.starloanservices.com. At Star Loan Services you can learn more about checking accounts.

Wonder why it’s become so difficult to obtain foreclosure properties at deeply discounted prices? DON’T!

Call it one too many infomercials aired in the wee hours of the morning filmed in Hawaii with every one of the supposed real estate millionaires wearing a leis around their neck and singing the praises of foreclosure properties. It’s enough to make people slap down thousands of dollars for seminars just for the privilege of not missing out on this motherlode of riches that surely awaits them.

The truth about foreclosure sales, however, is that you often find yourself amongst a rather elite group of millionaires who have deep pockets or considerable real estate construction experience and who tend to bid the price of these properties far out of reach for the average person.

It works differently with probate properties. Probate properties are not as widely advertised. In fact, you may or may not even be aware of the existence of the papers in your area that advertise them.

But therein lies probate real estate’s attractiveness to the entrerprising entrepreneur.

Once you locate a probate property, you’re more likely than not to be the ONLY ONE who knows of its existence! This puts you in the rather favorable position of negotiating the price DOWN, not UP as in the case of foreclosure properties.

People mistakenly believe there are complex legalities involved in the probate process, when indeed, nothing could be further from the truth! In fact there is very little technical legal jargon involved.

Now don’t get me wrong. Like foreclosure properties, probate real estate usally needs some fixup work. But if you’re “handy” there are a lot of little tricks you can perform that can allow you to sell the property for tens of thousands more than you paid for it.

Some enterprising souls just concentrate on finding and initially purchasing probate properties, then they turn them over to contractors and big-time investors to fix them up in return for a tidy $5,000 to $15,000 “finders fee.” Not bad work if you can get it!

So the next time you are lured by the leis and mai tais, you might want to think a little longer about what you’re getting yourself into, and take the road less traveled.

If you’re interested in this little-understood area of real estate, please visit:

http://www.ProbatePropertyGoldmine.com

Paul Johnson is an internet, real estate and stock market entrepreneur and publisher who has written a number of articles, ebooks and publications.

Intuition can be your best resource. Talk to most successful people and they will tell you it is what leads them to their decisions. Good thing, since most decisions are made with incomplete knowledge and the often conflicting opinions of others. Decision making skill is one of the most valuable and sought after attributes in a leader.

Intuition is really the personal skill of assembling - over time - as much usable information from as many sources as possible and then interpreting and arriving at a decision - sometimes this process is very complicated, sometimes it isn’t.

Intuition can be a two edged sword. Think of the selection of people. How often have you seen people hired strictly on intuition - and then fail? How often have you seen the most scientific of selection processes fail to pick the best candidate - the right person for the right job? No wonder some leaders still use the “throw them up against the wall and see if they stick” method of selection. Might as well, they think, doesn’t seem anything else works much better. That kind of thinking and rationalizing is a sure indication that experience isn’t being absorbed and added to intuition - it’s bouncing off the armor of bias and imbedded belief and lack of openness.

The more open you are to challenges to your beliefs, the more powerful and effective your intuition becomes - and the more you trust it. Think about it - are your beliefs stuck in a rut, where you look for things that confirm your existing beliefs, or are you constantly challenging your beliefs, knowing that they are the results of your perceptions of events, and not necessarily the truth.

Too many challenges to your beliefs and you lose that decision making skill (the “bring me more information” syndrome), and too little challenge leads to the same decisions being made on the same set of beliefs, without regard for changing circumstances. It’s a balancing act - and successful people know that.

Ask top leaders if their intuitive skill has grown over the last five years and they will answer yes - in every case. The added experience of the last five years has allowed them to change and modify certain beliefs, and in doing so they have added even more power to their intuition. Ask less successful people the same question and the answers are varied: some feel they have used their experience to grow, others are locked in tight to their beliefs, and aren’t likely to budge - even if the results of their decisions indicate a different direction should be considered.

Your intuitive skill is the direct result of all the inputs you have received and how you interpret and perceive those inputs. To keep this powerful tool growing requires a dedication to openness, challenging your own beliefs, seeking out opportunities to grow and accomplish and a willingness to modify or change beliefs and behaviors and attitudes.

Fire up your own journey of discovery with a new author, a new social group, a new skill building seminar, a new perspective on your faith, an inventory of your beliefs. The more you do that, the more your ability to make effective decisions and take appropriate actions will grow. You may not even recognize your intuitive growth - but the people that count in your life will. I guarantee it.

Andy Cox is President of Cox Consulting Group LLC. The focus of his work is on helping organizations and their people increase their success in the hiring, developing and enhancing the performance of leaders and emerging leaders. Cox Consulting Group LLC was started in 1995, and has worked with a wide range of organizations, managers and leaders - helping them define success, achieve success and make the ability to change a competitive advantage. He can be reached at http://coxconsultgroup.com

Seldom does a day go by that I don’t hear about another supposedly easy weight loss program. The promises they make can be very seductive - fast and easy weight loss without deprivation or exercise.

For most people who have a lot of weight to lose, it is neither easy nor fast. The diet industry is a multi-billion dollar industry. As the number of people who are overweight rises astronomically with each passing year, they never run out of prospects. Unfortunately, many people are so desperate to lose weight that they’ll often buy these claims, no matter how ridiculous.

Let’s face it. It probably took you many years to become overweight. You won’t lose that weight overnight. There really is no such thing as an “easy weight loss program,” unless you find it very easy to completely change your lifestyle and long ingrained habits overnight. Most of us don’t.

The most effective diet plan ever discovered is often the one used as a last result. Quite simply, it consists of eating a healthy, balanced diet and getting moderate exercise every day. Most Americans seldom do either of these on a regular basis, which helps explain why so many of us have problems with our weight. Here are 4 different weight loss “come ons” that you should watch out for.

1. Avoid programs that tell you that you will lose weight fast. Generally the faster you lose weight the more likely you are to gain it back after you stop the diet. With many of these diets you will find that you are losing water rather than fat. Once you’ve lost excess water, you stop losing weight.

2. Avoid programs which insist that certain foods are dangerous to your health. Quite often these diets force you to avoid whole food groups which can keep you from getting all the nutrition your body needs. The key to losing weight easily is by maintaining a healthy diet that includes variety from all the different food groups. That will provide your body with the essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals it needs to work properly.

3. Avoid easy weight loss programs that suggest you should only eat fat burning foods and supplements. Unfortunately there is not one single food or diet pill that you can use which is able to burn fat. The only real way you can burn off the excess fat that your body has stored is through physical activity.

4. Avoid easy weight loss programs that are sold with a celebrity endorsement. With these types of programs what you must remember is that celebrities do not have the right health care credentials and so are not really qualified to provide you with fitness and diet advice. Many have never even used the diet in question.

In the final analysis, most of the easy weight loss programs you hear about won’t help you effectively lose weight. An effective weight loss plan is one that becomes a lifelong habit of healthy eating and moderate exercise. You don’t need to further enrich the billion dollar diet industry to find success!

An effective weight loss program does not have to mean deprivation or back-breaking exercise routines. To discover simple strategies for lasting weight loss and a free book of delicious recipes, be sure to check out my Painless Weight Loss Tips blog at: http://www.painless-weight-loss.com/