The Top 3 Trickiest Topics to Traverse with Your Mother-in-Law and Just How to Handle Them

1) Advice

This is something that all parents give, regardless of in-law status or not. However, when our mother-in-law offers us advice (particularly of the unsolicited persuasion) there is a specific formula that we must adhere to in order to preserve our sanity. And that is to thank her profusely!

In fact, we can take it a step farther, and actually beat her to the punch and solicit her council, which accomplishes two things simultaneously: one – it will make her feel like her guidance is special, and two – makes it easy for us to be gracious and thankful. A word of warning however: make sure that you keep your subject matter on the simple and inconsequential side, and although it may seem contradictory, avoid all topic pertaining to professional advice or you will likely get D.I.LZ.ed (Daughter-In-Law Zinged)!

2) Interests

One of the biggest foibles we can make when we enter the role of daughter-in-law is to mistakenly expect to share interests with our new MIL. (LOUD BUZZER SOUND HERE!)

Take movies, for example. You may be sitting around watching a James Bond Marathon on TNT during the Christmas holidays (the one you look forward to each and every year – a full 7 days of Bond – hooray!) and your MIL comes by and says, “How can you watch those silly movies over and over again? You’ve seen one you’ve seen ‘em all!” Now, there is no chasm other than the Grand Canyon that separates your likes and dislikes from hers more than this example. So, rather than launching into a diatribe about how each film is like an epic masterpiece riddled with brilliantly casted star ensembles and jaw-dropping action scenes, not to mention how hot each and every Bond was all the way up from Sean Connery to Daniel Craig, rather take the easy route and coincide with a quick, “You’re so right! I can’t tell the difference between Pierce Brosnan and Roger Moore, and all the plots are exactly the same!” As Mom exits the room with the satisfaction of the Cheshire Cat, simply fluff up your pillow and hide the remote.

Or consider music! Your MIL may be watching an episode of “American Idol” and some poor wretched soul begins to howl like a cat in heat and she’ll shout out, “That girl can SURE sing! I guarantee you she will be in the top 10!” Or a really great professionally-bound vocalist will be impressing Simon Cowel and Mom may only comment about her lack of fashion: “Can’t they do something about her make-up? Her hair looks like a rat’s nest and she looks like she just stepped out of a homeless shelter!” Enthusiastically concur with each and every assessment, then go make yourself something to eat and try not to snicker while preparing your PB&J.

3) Gift Giving

Ahh, gift-giving. Now, listen up ladies. If your MIL calls to ask you what size you are, best to tell her you’ve been feeling really self-conscious about your weight recently and that she’d better get an X-Large just to be safe. Do not respond with “Medium” or heaven forbid, “Small” or be prepared to end up with an XXL at Christmas time. And make sure that you keep all MIL gifts for at least four seasons. There is nothing more humiliating than not being able to produce whatever it may be upon request, due to hasty re-gifting. As well, send a thank you note for each and every item, even if she protests and tells you it’s not necessary. (It is.)

And when it comes to buying gifts for your MIL, take this piece of advice from someone who suffered many long years of D.I.L.Z: Let your husband be the one to pick out all gifts for his mom. Otherwise, you will be wasting your time and money, and instead of feeling good (it’s the thought that counts, right? No!) you’ll end up feeling like something the dog dragged in. For example, you may have thought yourself to be very clever and picked out something that you are SURE anyone would love – a Star Magazine subscription! (Who wouldn’t, right? After all, every time she comes over you catch her reading yours!) But you come to find out that each and every weekly issue winds up down at the hair salon – unread!!! (How unimaginable is that!) So, even if the responsibility of holiday shopping generally rests on your shoulders, give your husband the assignment of just this one thing. It will be worth your while to make sure he follows through on this one!

Benefits of Used Heavy Equipment

While there is good demand for used heavy equipment in the foreign countries, the same cannot be said for various countries. No doubt, there are various heavy equipment manufacturers various countries selling new as well as used equipment but the demand is relatively very small compared to other nations. Thus, there is huge potential for growth for the used heavy equipment segment in the country.The main reason for the low demand for used equipment in the country is the lack of awareness about the benefits of used heavy equipment. Hence, we list down the benefits of used equipment for you.Benefits of used heavy equipmentAt present, the key equipment sold in the used heavy equipment category are backhoe loaders, excavators, motor graders vibratory compactors and few others. The demand for this used heavy equipment is likely to grow over the mid- term due to the benefits offered by them. Let’s take a look:· Reduces the burden of up-front investment: Most types of equipment are not cheap. Buying a new backhoe loader or excavator can be a big investment and it may not always be possible to make such huge investments at the time of need. Also, construction companies are under pressure to trim capital outlay. Hence, in all such scenarios, end-users can opt for used equipment which is generally cheaper than the new ones.· Puts an end to depreciation worries: When buying expensive equipment, one is concerned about its resale value given the fact that the value of a piece of machinery drops considerably once brought. Further, since the CE market is highly influenced by technological developments, the heavy equipment become outdated in a very short span of time, thereby depreciating its value. As an end-user, one might not want to see their new equipment depreciate so easily.· Cuts the cost of repairs and maintenance: Owning a piece of construction machinery is a long-term investment in terms of maintenance and repairs. Opting for used equipment, will save you the long term commitment.· Good solution for individual projects: It is better to buy used equipment rather than a new one, especially for projects with duration of less than three years or when the next project date is not decided at all. Through this way, you can cut down on your outlays and reduce the risk of ending up with a new unused piece of machinery in your factory.Bright future aheadAlthough the heavy equipment manufacturers are actively involved in the used equipment business, this segment has not really caught on in various countries as yet. However, there is ray of light ahead as demand for used equipment is expected to rise due to large infrastructure projects underway in the future. Further, with the customers seeing value proposition of used equipment, the used equipment industry is expected to grow like it has grown in other nations.

Software For Time Management

From time immemorial, time has been our greatest enemy. In a world where everyone is racing to be numero uno, time management is of the greatest essence. Time lost is gone forever. Therefore, people try to fit in as many tasks as they can in the span of a day, so that not a moment is lost. At least, that is what most ambitious wannabes and gung-ho go-getters do. They are obsessed with time management to the point that they keep staring at their wristwatches or timepieces while they eat, wait in a queue, take a bath. However, if you are so fanatical about time and timekeeping, you might start suffering from hypertension, anxiety, ulcers, diabetes and cardiac problems. Being punctual and disciplined is one thing, but trying to be a human robot is another!Time Never Stands Still…So Don’t DelayIt is true that time never stops or waits for anyone. It is the only dimension about our lives that goes relentlessly forward, without ever showing any signs of abating. Years fly by in the blink of an eye. Youth disappears and is replaced by old age in no time. Life is shadowed either by bittersweet nostalgia or by a heavy burden of regrets. A self-introspection leaves no space for improvement, only squeezes the remaining life out. In fact, dwelling in the past makes you lose out on the present, on whatever time you still have left in your hands. Wishing for a second life, a second chance and opportunity to correct your mistakes, a second chance to do things right, is common, even normal, but not at all practical or helpful. The second chance will never arise, the second opportunity will never surface, even if you manage to eke out a life on borrowed time. There is actually no Time Machine that can take you back in time, even though HG Wells desired one. Even if you are in your second childhood, you shall not feel the joys of childhood. You know that, as well as I do. You probably want to start life afresh. But I hope it is not too late.No Time to RelaxThe utopian thing would obviously be not to do anything regrettable, not to miss out on opportunities, to do things right, the first time. But youth often has its failings, its temptations that are hard to resist until youth vanishes and until realization dawns. To do things right, right from the start, so that you can have the time of your life always, you have to be mature, well organized, methodical, precise. You have to be always on the lookout, always alert for the single lucky break that will change your life, after which you will not have to look back anymore. You have to be astute to distinguish the right opening from all the other openings that will lead you nowhere. Whatever your time of life, you cannot afford to sit back and relax and take your own sweet time.Those Who Get It Right, StraightawayPeople who manage to make it big in life, are successful, have got it right the first time. Remember, only those people who have the ability to think far ahead of their times, are the ones who do not live to regret. At the same time, they are people who live in the present, and are not behind their times. They say that patience is the mother of all virtues but the adage belongs to once upon a time, is hardly applicable today, when everybody is racing against time.What Is Time Management?Effective time management is the only answer to the question of how to live a successful life. Now, what is time management all about? Does time management mean that you will sit with a Tissot around your wrist, a Timex around your neck? Does it mean that you will waste valuable time by gazing at the wall clock for most of the time? Does it mean that you will lead your life to the beat of a metronome, a millisecond timer or a stopwatch? No. That is not time management. That is whiling away and wasting precious time, killing time as though you have nothing better to do. Time management is a serious business as it determines the pace at which your life will move.Time Teaches But Punishes TooSome people are lucky to have guardian angels who guide them on managing time smartly. Time management gurus teach their pupils to make the maximum use of available time so that they are able to reduce downtime to a minimum and increase uptime to a maximum in their own lives. However, such mentors and teachers are hard to come by. For most of us, time is the greatest and the only teacher. But time can be a very harsh teacher, unforgiving, unyielding, refusing to give a timely warning, chastening when it is too late. So, if time is not the ideal teacher, who is?Time Existed Since Prehistory…But There Is a New Way of Managing TimeI do not know what happened ages ago. I do not know how people managed their time with the help of a sundial or an hourglass. For the time being, let us leave history aside though Stephen Hawking claims that even time has its own brief history. At this time, let us not play for time anymore. We cannot deny that we need to integrate the phenomenon of time management into our lives if we have to win in life. We have to be organized, systematic. And since this is the time and age of software, why not search for some software that will help us manage time? After all, we use software, the email, for sending letters – the postman’s time is up; we use software, the video conferencing software, for conferring with people across seas and oceans – gone are the days of unnecessary traveling for attending conferences; we even use software, the desktop calculator and Microsoft Word, for computing and for the basic task of writing – calculators and papers and pens are almost passe.Time Management SoftwareTo tell you the truth, there is some software that can help you in your goal of time management. Such software is pretty high-end software and can really help you master the trick of managing time, so that in the graph of success versus time, you keep going up the y-axis which measures success as time proceeds on the x-axis. Time management in today’s fast-paced environment is a resource per se that can help you do ‘business at the speed of thought’. Modern time management software trains you in such a way so that you can manage time beautifully, can work with clockwork precision. By forcing you to make a note of your meetings and appointments and by reminding you of your appointments when you forget about them, modern time management software ensures that you do not miss out any vital opportunities, however hard-pressed you may be for time. In the modern corporate world, every moment is crunch time. Even keeping abreast of each day can be a trial, can give you a trying time.Time management software is designed using cutting-edge technology so that time management is a seamless affair. New-age time management software enables you to store names and particulars of people and places in it. Time management software also helps you to store valuable meeting agenda, minutes and summaries along with meeting or conference schedules so that you can refer to the software, anytime, anywhere for various professional and personal details. Unlike diaries in which you have to scribble in details, the pages of which are limited and may tear, time management software permits you to key in unlimited information and retrieve information from the software at the click of a mouse. You might thumb through diaries and still not find what you are looking for but if you just ask the software what you want, it will flash the right answer to you in no time. All you have to do with modern time management software is feed data into the software from time to time. Most time management software are platform independent too. Which means you do not have to lug the software around like you have to lug around your notebook or diary. You just have to sit before a laptop, PC or other device, which is connected to the Internet, in order to access the platform of the software. Once you access the software, getting to your personal account is a cakewalk.Endless Advantages of Modern Time Management SoftwareModern time management software has the added advantage of being tamperproof, failsafe. You can only log into your account with your Username and Password. Hence, your confidential information remains totally safeguarded from unauthorized access unless you make the mistake of revealing your Password to people. Additionally, modern time management software helps you to network professionally and socially with others. If you are planning a meeting shortly, you can get in touch instantly with your coworkers, who may be situated miles away, through the platform of the software, so that all of you can fix the meeting date. For tasks that require a consensus and which you cannot do at your sole discretion, professional and instantaneous networking is the only answer, if the tasks have to be executed in good time. Or else, you shall have to wait for days for your colleagues to return from their trips abroad, just so that they can agree or disagree to a particular meeting schedule. It is the same with party dates. If you can fix the date and time of a party, send out party invitations, discuss with your friends the theme of the party by simply keying in data on a keyboard, I can promise that you shall have a whale of a time at the party.Modern time management software is so smart that it will help you carry out whole processes such as meeting planning and management, event planning and management, and daily life planning and management, through it and thus help you save lots of time. Smart time management software can transform you into a big time entrepreneur from a small time businessperson. Authentic time management software can change hard times to great and memorable times and can really help you have a good time. As such software has been around for quite some time now, you can say that it is time tested.Time management software is also extremely state-of-the-art. In order to keep up with the times, ace time management software is even cell phone compatible. Which means that if you have the time management software integrated into your mobile or handheld device, you will receive meeting alerts, agenda alerts, and other alerts via your cell phone or handheld device. You will also be able to log into your software account from your cell phone and use the software in a full-fledged manner just like you would use it from a PC or a laptop.It Will Serve You until the End of TimeModern time management software has myriads of advantages. Apart from helping you to structure your life and schedule your appointments, it enables you to structure your thoughts, bring discipline into your actions and become more competitive. Contemporary time management software compels you to think proactively all the time. It also helps you enhance your capabilities and your skills and multitask so that you start to think creatively and imaginatively and out-of-the-box. Time management software makes you work like a magician – execute mammoth processes in the flash of a second, perform huge and formidable tasks, like Atlas did, without feeling anything, shore up major business processes, without feeling the strain. The Terminator, Super Girl, Spiderman, Superman or Batman, I don’t know which one of these is your idol, but if you manage time with the aid of modern time management software, you shall soon begin to work like heroes and heroines do.You do not have to think about time management if you use time management software as the software will accustom you to time management in such a way that you will not feel a thing or have to put in any effort. The time management software will habituate you to perfect time management so that you turn agile and swift, fast and nimble over a course of time.In the Nick of TimeAnd if you have just come upon this article, remember that you are in the nick of time. You still have time to change. It is high time that you made up for the time you lost. Time and time again, I am telling you not to sit back and bide your time waiting for the golden opportunity to come your way. Opportunity will not come to you, you have to get up and grab it. If you make time management your motto from today, it will pay you some time or the other, sooner or later. Now’s the time, now’s the moment to change, to grab time by its hour hand and minute hand and make it move at your chosen pace. Though they say that time is a healer, I will say that time is also a stealer – if you cannot make proper use of your own time, time will run out; if you cannot make a stitch in time, you will have to thread your needle at least some nine more times.Your Time Starts NowSo, get up and start looking for some time management software. If you find one to your liking, start using it. And if you don’t, don’t fret, just visit Meeting Diary. It is one timeless time management software that will leave you in no time for anything else but success, that will help you to beat time for the first time. Log into Meeting Diary and be dot on time and well in time…for life! Your time starts now…

LPN Careers Can Now Be Achieved Through Online Schooling

I worked as a nursing assistant for three years at our local hospital and loved every minute of it. Although it’s somewhat a tough job, it pays well so there’s no problem for me, since I earn what I worked for. They say that in order to be good at what you do, you have to love it. I guess what keeps me energized every time I work is my passion for helping people, especially the sick. It’s the reason why I entered a nursing career in the first place. According to my mother, I used to nurse all the injured pets I came across with when I was little. I remember back in high school, I was assessed to either be a social worker or a nurse in the future. I chose the latter.I really wanted to study to become an RN, but the waiting list at the community college applied for was too long. I couldn’t wait anymore so I decided to study to become a CNA or a certified nursing assistant instead. I knew that by becoming one, I am stepping closer to my dream of becoming an RN. Some people think that dressing, bathing, and feeding the elderly and the sick is hard and gross, but I feel the opposite. I treat each of my patients with respect, and I care for them like I was caring for my grandmother. Our family took care of my grandmother when she was old and sick, until her death. My mother refused to send her to a home for the aged facility. I guess I am not the only one in the family who has a “nursing” heart after all. My mother’s action motivated me further to enter a nursing career.One more factor that made me love my work as a CNA are the people I worked with. All of the doctors, nurses, orderlies, and staffs at the hospital I worked with were all friendly and supportive. Maybe it’s the reason why patients prefer us over another nearby hospital. They felt really cared for when they go to the hospital where I worked. Because of my enjoyment I almost forgot about moving forward in my career. Moving forward meant possibly leaving the hospital to pursue further studies, so I put it on hold.I knew distance learning is possible for a long time. One of my cousins took an interior design course online. What I wasn’t aware of was that nursing courses can now be taken online too! I only discovered this fact when I was browsing the internet one day. I found out that RN career degree can now be acquired online, as well as CNA careers online education, and LPN careers online schooling are now being offered. Seeing this as an opportunity, I researched more about online nursing courses. When I got convinced that they are legitimate, and after checking with our state’s nursing board online training programs are accepted, I searched for the best school to apply for. I decided to move from CNA to LPN since it’s the smartest choice from the articles I read. Besides, I like moving up the ladder slowly but surely.What I loved most about my LPN online course is that it allows me to continue working while I study. I am glad they came up with online nursing courses because it’s very convenient to people who wants to pursue a nursing career, or want to further their current nursing careers, just like me.

The Unbreakable Laws of the Universe

To live a harmonious life, you must not only abide by the laws of your country, but also by the natural Laws of the Universe. If we transgress, there will be consequences. Like any country, the universe is also governed by certain laws. We refer to these as Universal Laws or Laws of Nature, ‘whose content is set by nature and is therefore universal’ (Wikipedia).The Law of Gravity is an example of a Universal Law. So is the Law of Conservation of Energy, that is, energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another. However, unlike human laws, which can vary from country to country, Universal Laws are consistent and unchanging. You interact with these laws with every breath you take. They govern your existence.Nothing about your life has been casual or accidental!The Universal Laws seem to be mysterious. They have hidden truths. When you identify these hidden truths and utilise them correctly, miracles or amazing results occur in your life. It may manifest as suddenly having money when you need it the most, reversing a life-threatening disease, or succeeding in a particular endeavour. These ‘miracles’, no matter how incredible they might be, are not unbelievable outcomes. They are natural outcomes based on the correct application of specific laws of nature.Unfortunately, some of the Universal Laws are not as clear-cut as they might seem. There are unnoticed subtleties to the Universal Laws which, when understood and applied, can make all the difference between happiness and misery, prosperity and poverty, peace and conflict, ease and struggle.It’s easy to think that some people are born to affluence and all good things happen to them. The truth is, these people aren’t simply lucky; good things don’t just ‘happen’ to them. They’re just applying the Laws of the Universe more effectively, whether they’re aware of it or not. The laws are flawless; they work perfectly every time, all the time. If you seem to be doing all the right things, but your results are poor, consider the Laws of the Universe and how you are applying them. This book will help you.How many laws are there? Many.These laws govern every aspect of our existence. The supreme Law of the Universe is the Law of Cause and Effect, also referred to as karma or the parable of ‘reaping what you sow’. For every effect there is a cause; for every action there is a reaction. Positive action equates to a positive result. The Law of Cause and Effect transcends time, space or form.It operates whether you are aware of it or not.Every human thought, word or deed is a cause that sets off a wave of energy throughout the universe, resulting in desirable or undesirable effects. If there are undesirable effects, it simply means that at some time in the past, there was a thought, word or deed that caused a wave of undesirable energy. As normal, fully-functioning people we are quite literally responsible for everything in our lives. The following excerpt illustrates this concept.This is the suggestion a man gave to his subconscious mind over a period of about two years: “I would give my right arm to see my daughter cured.” It appeared that his daughter had a crippling form of arthritis together with a so-called incurable form of skin disease. Medical treatment had failed to alleviate the condition, and the father had an intense longing for his daughter’s healing, and expressed his desire in the words just quoted.One day the family was out for a drive. Their car was involved in a head-on collision. The father’s right arm was torn off at the shoulder. When he came home from the hospital, he discovered that his daughter’s arthritis and skin condition had vanished.(Murphy, 2001)Everyone is subject to these same natural Laws of the Universe, regardless of race, colour, creed or gender. The laws exert their influence without our consent or awareness. When we choose the behaviour, we choose the consequences. Interestingly, the people who are frustrated in life consistently try to defy the natural laws. And, not surprisingly, successful people live in harmony with the natural Laws of the Universe.Deepak Chopra, an authority in mind-body medicine, identified these issues in his bestselling book, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, saying ‘no debt in the universe ever goes unpaid. There is a perfect accounting system in this universe, and everything is a constant “to and fro” exchange of energy’.All of life is connected; what we do to others, we do to ourselves. According to the principle of karma, any negative or positive thought or action remains that way, until it expends (uses up) its energy by acting upon the originator. The energy you create through your thoughts, words and deeds – either negative or positive – will rebound and act on YOU. But, as it is the nature of energy to expand when it is put out into the world, you will at some point experience much more than you caused others to experience.If you cause others to experience prosperity and wellbeing, it will come back to you and you will experience it as well, often multiplied. In like manner, if you hurt someone, the energy will eventually return and cause you even greater hurt, unless of course you make amends in some way.Eighteenth-century German poet and philosopher, Wolfgang Von Goethe wrote:Nature understands no jesting; she is always true, always serious, always severe; she is always right, and the errors and faults are always those of man. The man incapable of appreciating her, she despises and only to the apt, the pure, and the true, does she resign herself and reveal her secrets.The Law of Cause and Effect is the IRON LAW of the universe. It is unyielding. If you defy this law, there will be consequences – no ‘ifs, ands, or buts’ about it. It’s fascinating (and often tragic) to observe how many of us try to defy this law, especially when we pursue quick and easy gains. Often we strive for what we want by doing the exact opposite of what is in our best interest.This beautiful fable illustrates the mystifying and sometimes illusive nature of the Law of Cause and Effect.The Secret to Creating AffluenceA young man went to the forest and said to his spiritual master, ‘I want to have unlimited wealth, to help and heal the world. What is the secret to wealth?’The spiritual master said, ‘There are two Goddesses that reside in the heart of every human being: the Goddess of WEALTH and the Goddess of KNOWLEDGE’.'Although you love both, you must pursue one of them to the exclusion of the other. Pursue her, love her, and give her your attention. Understand that only the Goddess of Wealth can give you wealth, and you may pursue only one Goddess, not both’.'But, here is the secret: If you pursue the Goddess of Wealth, she will be pleased with you because she loves to be chased. The more you pursue her the more she will elude you. However, if you pursue the Goddess of KNOWLEDGE, the Goddess of WEALTH will become extremely jealous and pay more att ention to you. In fact, the more you seek the Goddess of Knowledge, the more the Goddess of Wealth will seek you. She will never leave you. She will constantly shower you with material blessings just to win your attention, and the wealth you desire will be yours forever’.Adapted from (Chopra, 1993)The human tendency is to pursue the Goddess of Wealth, which seems like the logical choice. However, wealth is simply an effect, and like any effect it has a cause. In the fable, pursuing one goddess gets you the best of both worlds; wealth comes from the acquisition and proper application of knowledge.So let’s be clear: your goals and dreams will manifest when you and the Laws of the Universe are in harmony!It’s a scientific fact that the universe operates in absolute harmony with IRREVOCABLE natural laws and principles that have NEVER varied throughout all time. These laws prevail regardless of whether we heed them or not. Those individuals who live in harmony with the Laws of the Universe will emerge victorious. Bestselling author, Bob Proctor, summed it up perfectly when he said,You are living and working in a dynamic global marketplace that leaves little room for error. In future, only those individuals whose beliefs are sound, in harmony with the laws of the universe, and have been integrated with their behavior, will emerge as real winners.(Proctor 2011)This much we know with certainty: you have unlimited potential and you can tap into and harness this potential by combining:1. a deeper understanding of yourself (your power of attraction) with2. specific efforts towards a desired outcome (your power of action).In other words, you’ll experience the rewards (the Law of Receiving) when you truly understand that you have immense, untapped ability, and you combine that understanding with deliberate application of the Law of Attraction and the Law of Action.These are the three key laws of manifestation that interact to create abundance in your life. Use these laws in cohesion to expedite your success and achieve better results.

Educational Leaders Must Strive To Increase Resources Available For Their Schools

Contemporary educational leaders function in complex local contexts. They must cope not only with daily challenges within schools but also with problems originating beyond schools, like staffing shortages, problematic school boards, and budgetary constraints. There are some emerging patterns and features of these complex contexts that educational leaders should recognize. Educational leaders face a political terrain marked by contests at all levels over resources and over the direction of public education.The vitality of the national economy has been linked to the educational system, shifting political focus on public education from issues of equity to issues of student achievement. States have increasingly centralized educational policymaking in order to augment governmental influence on curriculum, instruction, and assessment. With the rise of global economic and educational comparisons, most states have emphasized standards, accountability, and improvement on standardized assessments. Paradoxically, some educational reforms have decentralized public education by increasing site-based fiscal management.School leaders in this new environment must both respond to state demands and also assume more budget-management authority within their buildings. Meanwhile, other decentralizing measures have given more educational authority to parents by promoting nontraditional publicly funded methods of educational delivery, such as charter schools and vouchers. Political pressures such as these have significantly changed the daily activities of local educational leaders, particularly by involving them intensively in implementing standards and assessments. Leaders at all levels must be aware of current trends in national and state educational policy and must decide when and how they should respond to reforms.The many connections between education and economics have posed new challenges for educational leaders. As both an economic user and provider, education takes financial resources from the local community at the same time as it provides human resources in the form of students prepared for productive careers. Just as the quality of a school district depends on the district’s wealth, that wealth depends on the quality of the public schools. There is a direct relationship between educational investment and individual earnings. Specifically, it has been found that education at the elementary level provides the greatest rate of return in terms of the ratio of individual earnings to cost of education. This finding argues for greater investment in early education. Understanding these connections, educational leaders must determine which educational services will ensure a positive return on investment for both taxpayers and graduates. Where local economies do not support knowledge-based work, educational investment may indeed generate a negative return. Leaders must endeavor to support education for knowledge-based jobs while encouraging communities to be attractive to industries offering such work. Educational leaders must be aware of the nature of their local economies and of changes in local, national, and global markets. To link schools effectively to local economies, leaders should develop strong relationships with community resource providers, establish partnerships with businesses and universities, and actively participate in policymaking that affects education, remembering the complex interdependence between education and public wealth.Two important shifts in the nation’s financial terrain in the past 19 years have worked to move the accountability of school leaders from school boards to state governments. First, the growth in state and federal funding for public education constrains leaders to meet governmental conditions for both spending and accountability. Second, state aid has been increasingly linked to equalizing the “adequacy” of spending across districts, which has influenced leaders to use funds for producing better outcomes and for educating students with greater needs, including low-income and disabled children. Complicating these shifts are the widely varying financial situations among jurisdictions. These financial differences have made significant disparities in spending between districts in urban areas and districts in rural areas common. In this dynamic financial context, educational leaders must strive to increase resources available for their schools, accommodate state accountability systems, and seek community support, even as they strive to increase effective use of resources by reducing class size, prepare low-achieving children in preschool programs, and invest in teachers’ professional growth.Recently, two important accountability issues have received considerable attention. The first has to do with market accountability. Since markets hold service providers accountable, if the market for education choices like charter schools and vouchers grows, leaders may be pressured to spend more time marketing their schools. The second issue has to do with political accountability. State accountability measures force leaders to meet state standards or face public scrutiny and possible penalties. The type of pressure varies among states according to the content, cognitive challenges, and rewards and punishments included in accountability measures. School leaders can respond to accountability pressures originating in state policies by emphasizing test scores, or, preferably, by focusing on generally improving effectiveness teaching and learning. The external measures resulting from political accountability trends can focus a school staff’s efforts, but leaders must mobilize resources to improve instruction for all students while meeting state requirements. And they must meet those demands even as the measures, incentives, and definitions of appropriate learning undergo substantial change.Public education is expanding in terms of both student numbers and diversity. An increasingly contentious political environment has accompanied the growth in diversity. Immigration is also shaping the demographic picture. For example, many immigrant children need English-language training, and providing that training can strain school systems. Economic changes are also affecting schools, as the number of children who are living in poverty has grown and poverty has become more concentrated in the nation’s cities.The shift to a knowledge-based economy and demographic changes accompanying the shift challenge the schools that are attempting to serve area economies. Given such demographic challenges, school leaders must create or expand specialized programs and build capacity to serve students with diverse backgrounds and needs. Leaders must also increase supplemental programs for children in poverty and garner public support for such measures from an aging population. Educational leaders must cope with two chief issues in this area: First, they must overcome labor shortages; second, they must maintain a qualified and diverse professional staff. Shortages of qualified teachers and principals will probably grow in the next decade. Rising needs in specialty areas like special, bilingual, and science education exacerbate shortages. Causes of projected shortages include population growth, retirements, career changes,and local turnover. Turnover generally translates into a reduction of instructional quality resulting from loss of experienced staff, especially in cities, where qualified teachers seek better compensation and working conditions elsewhere. In order to address shortages, some jurisdictions have intensified recruiting and retention efforts, offering teachers emergency certification and incentives while recruiting administrators from within teacher ranks and eliminating licensure hurdles. In these efforts, leaders should bear in mind that new staff must be highly qualified. It is critical to avoid creating bifurcated staffs where some are highly qualified while others never acquire appropriate credentials. Leaders must also increase the racial and ethnic diversity of qualified teachers and administrators. An overwhelmingly White teacher and principal corps serves a student population that is about 31% minority (much greater in some areas). More staff diversity could lead to greater understanding of different ways of thinking and acting among both staff and students. This survey of the current context of educational leadership reveals three dominant features. First, the national shift toward work that requires students to have more education has generated demands for greater educational productivity. Second, this shift has caused states to play a much larger role in the funding and regulation of public education. Third, states’ regulatory role has expanded to include accountability measures to ensure instructional compliance and competence. Educational leaders must take heed of these features if they hope to successfully navigate the current educational terrain.

The Keys to Success to Investing in Real Estate

Most real estate professionals flunk within the first few months of trying to create a business enterprise out of real estate investing. The trick begins with a beneficial marketing plan and then practicing a disciplined effort to the marketing plan on a even basis. There is a lot more required to succeed, and you will encounter more tips, tricks and unique real estate marketing techniques in this article.Is there anyone in your town that doesn’t recognize that you buy homes or that you are a real estate professional? If so, you aren’t performing as well at marketing or rendering real estate investing information about your real estate investing business enterprise as well you could be. I find out real estate investors telling all the time that they aren’t receiving seller phone calls and subsequently aren’t receiving the leads they need to find the real estate business deals they require to earn a living. I say increase the marketing and the sellers will Call. Not only that but if you are canvassing the world (or at least your area) that you buy problem real estate holdings, eventually you will be acknowledged for what you do and sellers will telephone you strictly on your reputation. this is what is called cost effective marketing.One real estate professional was in a home, garden and hardware store a few calendar weeks ago and went past a couple of guys in an aisle. A conversation was heard while he walked by, I overheard one state, “That is the real estate man”. Now I had never known either of those men and have no idea who they are but that experience lets me acknowledge that I must be doing my business at letting the world to recognize my business is buying real estate in that area. There are many ways to let the area know that you are in the real estate investing profession and getting information out there that helps people realize you buy foreclosures, distressed real estate, do real estate short sales and have got a lot of real estate information and experience to flip properties. Some methods are cheap and some are more expensive. You are going to have to attempt many things and acquire a feel for what brings about for you the best results in your region to get the calls you require to transact real estate deals. I have tried many forms of marketing methods for real estate commercial enterprises of all varieties and have come back to a few that consistently create enough leads for me to purchase the 2 or 3 real estate holdings and houses I want to purchase every single calendar month. They are as follows:Classified AdsThe classified advertisement in the most prominent newspaper in the region is by far the heaviest producer of leads for local real estate investors that I have determined. I understand it is costly and I understand there are instances it does not generate phone calls but if you are going to persist in the real estate investing business sector just place it in there and leave it. Get used to it making up part of the toll of performing the real estate business. You may expend about $350.00 a calendar month for my 4 line ad and that is the commercial range. I’d consider running it 365 days a year to constantly cue everyone that you are a real estate professional and you purchase real estate in their region.Over the past few or so years I have watched many “real estate investor” ads come and go. Most folks put them in for a many or even just a couple of calendar weeks and then remove them or try just placing them in on the week ends. Real Estate Marketing just simply does not work this way. Put your real estate ad in the paper and leave it in there. It will more than make up for the price, trust me, and you will see after you finish your first deal. If you are distressed because there are real estate investors ads from many other investors in there, don’t be. They are there because they are getting responses. Just be sure to and actually answer your cell phone and keep it on all the time otherwise you’ll be squandering money.When a fresh ad for real estate investor information shows up in my newspaper, I will always call on the advertisement. 9 times out of 10 I get a message device or answering service. This is a significant turn off to somebody who needs a resolution to their real estate trouble now. They want to speak to a person who can quiet their anxiety over their current issues with their home and tell them everything is going to be ok. Your answering device won’t do that, they need a human being. As for what to put in the advertising, you will have to work on this one. I have tried various idea and the one I have now hast not changed for over 4 years. I haven’t switched it because I get responses. My ad is:We Pay CASH FOR HOMES In 24 Hours! Any area, price or condition Call xxx-xxx-xxxxNow I have had other real estate professionals jockey for place and interchange their ad copy to be leading of mine in the column but it has not made whatsoever difference, at least as far as I can discern. Don’t worry about those things, just get the advertising out there and leave it. It could possibly take a bit of time, perhaps a several weeks to get going but sellers will telephone. As soon as you have your classified advertising running, then you should start working on your other marketing techniques right away. If you only go through one idea a week, within a few weeks or a couple of months you will have a significantly powerful real estate purchasing process.Ads in the “Freebie” PapersYou might also run advertisements in the freebie papers in your local region or the region you want to conduct real estate investment deals. These are the “Thrifty Nickel”, or whatever they are named in your region. We run both a column ad and a display in this newspaper and expend about $175.00 or so a calendar month for these ads. They pull in seller leads reasonably well and have always rationalized the costs. Remember that these guys are usually open to talking terms on your rates and you will probably get a better rate if you commit to a longer advertising agreement.Bandit Signs or Road Signs.Bandit signs are great. They are some of the best lead producing tools around. I have yet to put out a bunch and not be bombed with calls right after I arranged my marketing. I just don’t position them out that often. I might place out a few to a half dozen or so a calendar month and the ones that continue and don’t get taken down continue to pull in phone calls. At an average price of less than $4.00 per sign, they are one of the greatest real estate marketing and advertising values available. Check the net for sign manufacturers for discount signage costs. I use 18 x 24 signs and set them at high traffic crossings around the town I wish to purchase houses in.I also position a sign in the front yard immediately after purchasing any house. I have purchased several homes in the same regions as a result of marketing this way.You can either use wood stakes or the wire stakes with your signs. I like the wood stakes because they do not bend like the wire ones, in addition, they are more less expensive and you can find just about any reasonably sized stick of wood or stake at your local hardware store for a really good value. Just get long lengths and trim down to fit. Then just nail the sign to it with the roofing nails with the orange or green plastic tops or you can use screws. There are many variants on what the wording on the sign can say. Keep in mind that traffic will be moving so you want to keep your message short and simple so it may be read. Plus your telephone number must be big, large and easy to read.If you search the sign advertisement content, you will discover that it is same resemblance my paper ad. I like to brand my advertising because I believe that helps with identification that is probably why the two guys noticed me as a Real Estate Professional..You want to have contrast, so a white sign with dark blue letters usually is the best draw. Some folks swear by black on yellow or black on orange. Again, I say it’s not what or how you say it rather simply that you’re out there marketing and placing out signs that counts. You’ll build a ‘brand image over time if you stay logical with your real estate marketing endeavors. When dealing with bandit signs, be sure that your local code enforcement laws are aware of them. In some areas or counties they can lax on them but a few miles down the road in another county or city, they can be super strict and will ticket you in a minute, pull the signs down and lead off looking for your next posters to go after you again. Some retail merchants in high tax areas can’t put out any A board signage without having them sized and then fined.Flyers and Bulletin Board PostingsFlyers and related collateral are another cheap way to get the word out that you are a real estate investor buy property, foreclosures or distressed properties. Just create a flyer with any one of the free on-line flyer software internet sites telling people that your are a real estate investor and how to get in touch with you. Make copies for few cents apiece and you have some really inexpensive real estate marketing and advertising. It really is that simple. Then place these flyers on every bulletin board in your Town or region you would like to buy your property, foreclosure or distressed home.. I also recommend that you place some of them in those plastic sheet shielders so the rain won’t ruin them and put them up on phone poles around neighborhoods I like to buy property in.. While not as prominent as the bandit signs, on poles actually in the neighbourhood they still attract phone calls. I carry a file with me in my automobile and put them up whenever I stop at a grocery store or major discount shop or really wherever. Some of the other area to put them are:· Laundromats
· Taped to the inside of telephone Booths.
· On the counter of any business organization that will let you place them at.
· Bulletin boards at any local or major rebate store (lots of traffic)
· Grocery store bulletin boards
· Fax to Mortgage agents, call first
· Fax to Real Estate Agents, call first and they may get a lot of these.
· Take them Door to Door in target regions
· Employment centre Bulletin board
· County Courthouse or public office Bulletin boardThese are just a few illustrations. Any place that will allow you to set one is a good place. You can never let too many people know that you are a real estate investor and are in the foreclosure market.Imprinted and/or Promotional ItemsOptimum Real Estate Investor Marketing Ideas – These no-lose ideas are sure to get you top hits on leads and calls for your Real Estate Investing occupation.These are some of my favourites and most fun. While they are not the top producers of leads or the least costly, they will sure position you apart from the average investor.Pen Knives – These tiny Swiss army knives are the neatest things. They are actually key chains etched with your content, mine being: WE BUY HOMES – All cash or take over payments within 24 hours! Call xxx-xxx-xxx I assure if you give one of these to somebody they will hold on to it it and if they conceive of selling, they will think of you. They are about $1.75 each.Key Chains – I give these to all my buyers with the keys to their new house on them and leave them all over the place. They come in the shape of a house or #1 or whatever style you like and have your message on them. You can guess what mine says. Cost – about $. 25 cents apiece.Pens – I use these all the time. Whenever I sign a sales receipt or anything I leave my pen. I cannot tell you how many outcries I have gotten off of these things and since I often need one, I always possess one to give away. My attorney even has a supply on his closing table. I possess two types printed. One for sellers says “We Buy Homes!” and one for buyers says “Everyone Qualifies”. Cost – about $.26 cents per unit.Coin Holders – These you hardly find anymore so everyone is surprised when I have them. I leave these things everywhere. Mine are bright yellow with blue letters and my message. Cost – about $.30 cents apiece.I leave all of these promotional items everywhere, on the top of gas pumps, on end-cap displays in grocery stores and in department stores. I look at it this way, if I give away 100 pens, 50 knives and 50 coin holders a month, that is only a little over $100 bucks a month. That is still cheap advertising. And with the money you can make in a real estate deal, it is ‘no cost’ marketing strategy. You can get any of these promotional advertising products at many major promotion marketing manufacturer, and you can find companies online as well.Business CardsI order business cards by the 1000′s and you should as well, there are a lot of great places online that can print up nice (and cheap) cards for you and that specialize in real estate as well. As for business cards, well, they are cheap, mine are about $50.00 for 2000, and I pass them out and leave them everywhere I possibly can. I leave my cards everywhere, in pay phones, on restaurant tables, my kids even have their own supply to pass out. Try to get a box a week out. The card doesn’t have to be fancy, in fact the simpler the better. My card is bright yellow with blue letters and says:WE BUY HOUSES Foreclosure? Need Repairs? Bad Tenants? Divorce? CASH IN 48 HOURS! OFFERS MADE ON ALL CALLS! XXX-XXX-XXXXCar MagneticsMagnetics are one of those things where you spend once and get use for a long time. Mine cost about $75.00 and are yellow with blue letters. They say:WE BUY HOUSES! FA$T CA$H XXX-XXX-XXXXorSELL YOUR HOME FAST WE PAY CA$H XXX-XXX-XXXXI have gotten several deals from these signs. Remember to order a smaller set for the back of your car/truck. People have more of a chance to read the message when they are riding behind you.ClothingI like golf shirts and oxford dress shirts with my logo on them. There’s plenty of adverting houses that will help you design a logo if you don’t have one or use the one you already have. There is no charge for set up and all items ordered include your embroidered logo free.I pass custom imprinted hats out to everyone I know who wears one and have given away many shirts as well. They really look nice and present a nice image for your business.Other Advertising ToolsThere are many other shapes of advertising, some I have tested in the past such as billboards, door hangers, yellow pages, television and radio advertisement. I even have a traveling billboard, an old SUV painted bright yellow with blue WE BUY HOUSES! and my telephone number that I drive around and park overnight at dissimilar places. It brings the calls! Get the marketing going and let the world know who to call when they have a house to sell, a pre-foreclosure, distressed property or someone who just wants to get out of their house.. If that phone isn’t ringing, you aren’t making money so you need to get a good marketing strategy going and stick with it!I sincerely hope these tips will help you in your next real estate marketing efforts and get you the real estate investing deals you’re after.

Lifestyler Treadmill

Lifestyler treadmill is a good, solid and reliable treadmill available in the market. Lifestyler treadmill is an excellent choice for first time buyers looking for a value for their money entry into the home exercise market. Lifestyler treadmill is an old reliable treadmill which still provides the staple ingredient in many peoples exercise and workout regimes.Lifestyler treadmill doesn’t have the features that adorn the high end or expensive category of the market. Lifestyler treadmill has more than enough features for home and light commercial use. Lifestyler treadmill is available in affordable price limit.Lifestyler treadmills are functional and easy to use. Fitness professionals around the world recommend Lifestyler treadmills more than any other piece of home exercise equipment. In addition, when used correctly Lifestyler treadmills provide an ideal way to strengthen and improve cardiovascular health.Lifestyler treadmill design and production has been done with the clear intention to help users to exercise with less friction and more flow. Most Lifestyler treadmills offer a smooth and natural exercise experience by working with the body’s natural movements. Generous width and good tread belt of Lifestyler treadmills offer extraordinary health improvements to users. These features of Lifestyler treadmill allows users to walk or run at their pace and maintain their body tonus. Individuals meet their desired body results with a full line of home and commercial models of Lifestyler treadmill.Lifestyler treadmill machines are very ease to use. Individuals can start their exercise routine with one single-button Quick Start feature or select a user ID that retrieves pre-set personal track profiles for consistent improved workout performance. The 10 years warranty usually exceeds the industry standard. Lifestyler treadmill models also have lower impact versus walking/running outdoor. These models are engineered with a unique suspension system that reduces impact to users joints and back while providing a lively, responsive platform on which they can walk/run.Lifestyler 2800 treadmill model is built for home use. This model of Lifestyler treadmill creates a lightweight and smooth running machine without compromising performance. This treadmill functions quietly, features cushioned belt that absorbs the shock for the user and also acts to dampen the sound of stepping to enable user to watch TV or listen the radio while exercising. Lifestyler 2800 treadmill has a design that allows it to fold up to approximately 36 x 40 inches, making it easy to store under a bed or in a closet. The Lifestyler 2800 treadmill is one of the most affordable home treadmills in the market. For those looking to purchase their first treadmill or even upgrading to a new treadmill, the Lifestyler 2800 Treadmill is a smart investment.Users while shopping around for new Lifestyler treadmill should see how the treadmill shapes up to the opposition and there are few important points that they should try and use by way of comparison. By doing so users will find that there are some features which are worth paying extra for and others which are entirely luxury items which they will not need.Each Lifestyler treadmill comes with a motor that has a slightly different specification. The motor is a piece of machine which will get very heavy use and costs an awful lot to replace or repair, so it is worth for users while buying a Lifestyler treadmill to get one which is around 2HP. If noise pollution is going to be a problem while using Lifestyler treadmill, then users can pick the model which has a DC motor, as it will be inherently quieter than the pure AC versions.Lifestyler treadmill models incorporate aspects such as operate quietly, easy storage, etc that make them good fit for home usage. Lifestyler treadmills offer high end performance.

Alternative Financing Vs. Venture Capital: Which Option Is Best for Boosting Working Capital?

There are several potential financing options available to cash-strapped businesses that need a healthy dose of working capital. A bank loan or line of credit is often the first option that owners think of – and for businesses that qualify, this may be the best option.In today’s uncertain business, economic and regulatory environment, qualifying for a bank loan can be difficult – especially for start-up companies and those that have experienced any type of financial difficulty. Sometimes, owners of businesses that don’t qualify for a bank loan decide that seeking venture capital or bringing on equity investors are other viable options.But are they really? While there are some potential benefits to bringing venture capital and so-called “angel” investors into your business, there are drawbacks as well. Unfortunately, owners sometimes don’t think about these drawbacks until the ink has dried on a contract with a venture capitalist or angel investor – and it’s too late to back out of the deal.Different Types of FinancingOne problem with bringing in equity investors to help provide a working capital boost is that working capital and equity are really two different types of financing.Working capital – or the money that is used to pay business expenses incurred during the time lag until cash from sales (or accounts receivable) is collected – is short-term in nature, so it should be financed via a short-term financing tool. Equity, however, should generally be used to finance rapid growth, business expansion, acquisitions or the purchase of long-term assets, which are defined as assets that are repaid over more than one 12-month business cycle.But the biggest drawback to bringing equity investors into your business is a potential loss of control. When you sell equity (or shares) in your business to venture capitalists or angels, you are giving up a percentage of ownership in your business, and you may be doing so at an inopportune time. With this dilution of ownership most often comes a loss of control over some or all of the most important business decisions that must be made.Sometimes, owners are enticed to sell equity by the fact that there is little (if any) out-of-pocket expense. Unlike debt financing, you don’t usually pay interest with equity financing. The equity investor gains its return via the ownership stake gained in your business. But the long-term “cost” of selling equity is always much higher than the short-term cost of debt, in terms of both actual cash cost as well as soft costs like the loss of control and stewardship of your company and the potential future value of the ownership shares that are sold.Alternative Financing SolutionsBut what if your business needs working capital and you don’t qualify for a bank loan or line of credit? Alternative financing solutions are often appropriate for injecting working capital into businesses in this situation. Three of the most common types of alternative financing used by such businesses are:1. Full-Service Factoring – Businesses sell outstanding accounts receivable on an ongoing basis to a commercial finance (or factoring) company at a discount. The factoring company then manages the receivable until it is paid. Factoring is a well-established and accepted method of temporary alternative finance that is especially well-suited for rapidly growing companies and those with customer concentrations.2. Accounts Receivable (A/R) Financing – A/R financing is an ideal solution for companies that are not yet bankable but have a stable financial condition and a more diverse customer base. Here, the business provides details on all accounts receivable and pledges those assets as collateral. The proceeds of those receivables are sent to a lockbox while the finance company calculates a borrowing base to determine the amount the company can borrow. When the borrower needs money, it makes an advance request and the finance company advances money using a percentage of the accounts receivable.3. Asset-Based Lending (ABL) – This is a credit facility secured by all of a company’s assets, which may include A/R, equipment and inventory. Unlike with factoring, the business continues to manage and collect its own receivables and submits collateral reports on an ongoing basis to the finance company, which will review and periodically audit the reports.In addition to providing working capital and enabling owners to maintain business control, alternative financing may provide other benefits as well: It’s easy to determine the exact cost of financing and obtain an increase.
Professional collateral management can be included depending on the facility type and the lender.
Real-time, online interactive reporting is often available.
It may provide the business with access to more capital.
It’s flexible – financing ebbs and flows with the business’ needs.It’s important to note that there are some circumstances in which equity is a viable and attractive financing solution. This is especially true in cases of business expansion and acquisition and new product launches – these are capital needs that are not generally well suited to debt financing. However, equity is not usually the appropriate financing solution to solve a working capital problem or help plug a cash-flow gap.A Precious CommodityRemember that business equity is a precious commodity that should only be considered under the right circumstances and at the right time. When equity financing is sought, ideally this should be done at a time when the company has good growth prospects and a significant cash need for this growth. Ideally, majority ownership (and thus, absolute control) should remain with the company founder(s).Alternative financing solutions like factoring, A/R financing and ABL can provide the working capital boost many cash-strapped businesses that don’t qualify for bank financing need – without diluting ownership and possibly giving up business control at an inopportune time for the owner. If and when these companies become bankable later, it’s often an easy transition to a traditional bank line of credit. Your banker may be able to refer you to a commercial finance company that can offer the right type of alternative financing solution for your particular situation.Taking the time to understand all the different financing options available to your business, and the pros and cons of each, is the best way to make sure you choose the best option for your business. The use of alternative financing can help your company grow without diluting your ownership. After all, it’s your business – shouldn’t you keep as much of it as possible?

Sports Arbitrage – A Path to Regular Risk Free Profits – Learn More

Sports arbitrage bettingArbitrage sports betting is a proven way to get regular risk free profits from the massive online fixed odds betting market. In a way it’s like a swoop and scoop of regular small profits from pitting one fixed odds bookmaker against another.Sports arbitrage betting takes it’s origins from arbitrage trading in financial markets. In financial markets an arbitrage trade exploits the difference in the price of a listed company on a stock market in different countries. Sports arbitrage trading is where someone regularly trades price inconsistencies between fixed odds bookmakers on the same sporting event. After all bookmakers are only human and they make mistakes. These mistakes can be exploited by someone who wants to spot them.In truth a lot of fixed odds bookmakers don’t want you to know this information….but sports arbitrage betting is legal and doesn’t harm the bookmakers business in any case. The returns you can expect from sports arbitrage trading are limited only by the fixed odds bookmakers who cap the stake size. The only investment needed with a ‘sport arb’ is your betting stake, which as you’ll learn is totally guaranteed. What sort of budget should I start with for sports arbitrage trading?Well, this is your decision. Depending on your level of experience we would suggest free sport arbitrage betting with the free bets available from online fixed odds bookmakers. You can increase your budget with your level of confidence. The winnings with sport arbitrage trading can be added to your bank. If you decided to invest a percentage of you bank each time your stake and you profit will increase accordingly.How do bookmakers lose their money?Sports arbitrage trading is all about spotting inconsistencies between different bookmakers’ prices that regularly exist.  As a result of mistakes by fixed odds bookmakers an under round occurs. An under round forms the basis of a sports arbitrage bet. Simply the under round is when the total number of probabilities priced by the odds on that event are below 100%. A typical under round is where you would have to invest £96 to get the bookmaker to pay you £100.  Using this example a sports arbitrage bet would give you a return of 4%. You can expect a return of around 4% for sports arbitrage bets.  Sometimes you will get more than 4%.Sports arbitrage bets win regardless of the outcome of the event without any need for expert knowledge of sports betting or sports. This is one of the reasons sports arbitrage betting has a popular following.There are two sides to any fixed odds bet, back and lay. Sports arbitrage bets come as back / back bets or back / lay bets.Lets have a look at how these sports arbitrage bets might look.   Back / back sports arbitrageIn the week of October 7th there were many arbs between 3% and up 9.17% for the European Championship Qualifiers played that week. Several of these sport arb opportunities lasted longer than normal because of the massive amount of interest in the games.An example of one sport arb that week is given below: -Poland Vs Latvia You could bet: – Latvia at 15.0 with Bet365 or Eurobet The Draw at 7.0 Luvbet Poland at 1.35 with several bookmakers including Unibet.com and Nordicbet.com. The odds have been converted to a percentage to make it easier to visualize.By splitting your total stake Poland 77.951%, Draw 15.033% and Latvia 7.016% you would guarantee a profit of 5.23% regardless of the outcome of the match.i.e.Poland 77.951 x 1.35 = 105.23 Draw 15.033 x 7 = 105.23 Latvia 7.016 x 15 = 105.23Why do these pricing inconsistencies or under round prices occur?As bookmakers can now operate online, there are now hundreds of online fixed odds bookmakers. They are all competing with one another and are located in various countries and time zones. To be the person who actually prices a particular sportsbook you have to have a massive amount of knowledge of that sport. To compete, fixed odds bookmakers offer loads of sports in their sportsbook, but there isn’t the expertise to cover every sport. They may have the relevant stats but they can’t possibly know every participant and every event. In short mistakes can and do happen. Taking this into account and the difference in time zones you get hundreds of opportunities for sports arbitrage trading every week.Take two examples. When England play soccer most bets with UK bookmakers will be supporting England. Bookmakers may offer the opposition at an inflated price to create a balanced book.A typical week with four golf tournaments and a couple of tennis events bookmakers may have to price up 800 or so outright odds plus over 400 matches just in these two sports alone. We only need two bookmakers from the many available to have a difference of opinion in one of these markets to create an opportunity.Back / lay sports arbitrage bettingYou can also find a sport arb between the back and lay price (win / lose) for the event.   Back / lay sports arbitrage betting has been made easier due to betting exchanges like Betfair. A betting exchange allows members to lay an event (e.g. for a horse to lose). A back / lay sports arbitrage bet occurs when the price offered by a bookmaker is higher than the lay price available on a betting exchange for the same selection. The difference between the two represents your profit.  Often a bookmaker can be slow to change the price on a favourite when something has happened to reduce the odds. As the price drops on the betting exchange you profit by laying low with the betting exchange and backing high with the bookmaker.How do we find sports arbitrage bets?Finding sports arbitrage bets can be time consuming. Spotting them is relatively easy. You just convert the opposing odds on an event to a percentage and see if they add up to less than 100%.Instead of trawling odds comparison sites we recommend using one of the sports arbitrage services which are available. These companies use software to search for sports arbitrage bets for you. What is the first step to successful sports arbitrage trading?Sports arbitrage opportunities can spring up anywhere; a fixed odds bookmaker in the USA, UK, Europe or Australia. The first step is to open an account with a selection of online fixed odds bookmakers. There are some specific bookmakers who suit sports arbitrage betting because they allow a high stake size.  As you’ll learn it is important to have a bookmaker who allows a high stake when you consider you are making around 4% on each sports arbitrage bet. How do I set up a sports arbitrage bet once I have opened by fixed odds bookmaker account?When you know which fixed odds bookmakers are presenting a sports arbitrage opportunity log into your account with each bookmaker. Have the fixed odds betting terminal of each bookmaker open in a separate browser window. Enter your stake in each one. Click confirm quickly one after the other and you sports arbitrage risk free profit is secured.