Kom ons praat Afrikaans

2010-05-21T15:56:00.000+02:00

I have a confession to make...

Id like to share a business opportunity secret with you today. Its a secret I use every single day and its made me a lot of money. But first I have a confession to make... Im lazy. I dont like to take the long road. I look for a shortcut with just about everything in my life. And I bet you're a bit like me too. And you know what, being lazy isnt a bad thing. In fact some of the best entrepreneurs are lazy. Why? Because they find the quickest, easiest way to make money. They work smarter - not harder. And today Im going to reveal to you one of my favourite business opportunity shortcuts...The ultimate start-up guide for digital entrepreneurs By Marc Charles Having a reliable source of side income is practically a must these days. And dont let the thought of setting up a business, creating products, finding customers, and marketing to them scare you. The fact is, you can get by with the bare minimum. Ill give you a simple way to come up with blockbuster product ideas in a minute. And in about 5 minutes, you could have access to an army of salespeople eager to work for you. Im talking about selling digital products on ClickBank. Heres how to get started... You can develop a digital product (e-book, software, tutorials, an e-mail newsletter, or video instruction, for example), post it on ClickBank, and generate residual income for months, years... even a lifetime. (Or at least as long as ClickBank stays in business!) In 2001, I developed a digital product that is still generating residual income on ClickBank. I receive a royalty check from ClickBank for this product every month. And thats not the only digital marketplace I use. With ClickBank, you have access to more than 100,000 affiliates who can sell your products for you. And the best part is, ITS EASY! If you develop a product that resonates with the market i.e., people want to buy it theres a good chance ClickBank affiliates will start selling it to their subscribers, members, and website visitors. How do ClickBank affiliates find your product? You dont have to worry about that. They are a savvy bunch. The most successful ones are constantly scouring ClickBank for the best and most profitable products. And popular (bestselling) products also move up in the rankings on ClickBank. But thats not all... You can jumpstart the process by advertising your product on ClickBank, hundreds of other digital marketplaces, or Google, Yahoo!, and MSN (to name a few places). It should be no surprise that the ClickBank affiliate program has one of the lowest attrition rates in the business. The entrepreneurs who sign up as ClickBank affiliates tend to stick with it. I think the main reason is because ClickBank pays its affiliate commissions accurately and on time. Heres what a typical ClickBank affiliate payout looks like: Product Yahoo Cash 4 Idiots Sale Price $77 Affiliate Commission $40.69 plus 60% commission ($40.20) on back-end product. That works out to approximately R300 per sale! Another reason the ClickBank affiliate program enjoys such a low attrition rate is because its so damn easy to make money with it. So why not consider developing a digital product to generate residual income on ClickBank? The best way to develop a saleable product is to STEAL IT! Well... not exactly steal it. But COPY a product thats already being sold successfully on ClickBank. Im not talking about word for word plagiarism. Im talking about copying the Big Idea of the product and putting your own spin on it. This is the best way to start making money quickly, because you wont have to reinvent the wheel. Search all the ClickBank categories and study the most successful digital products. Order a few of those products, too. You can also hang out on the ClickBank blog. Youll learn about the best strategies and products right from the horses mouths (ClickBank staff and Super Affiliates). As for determining what kind of commission to offer ClickBank affiliates... again, copy success. What are others offering them to sell similar products? Maybe you could offer more. Or maybe less. When you work with ClickBank, youre in control of your product and retain a lions share of the profits. As I said, you can earn residual payments for years just by submitting one e-book to the ClickBank marketplace. And just imagine what would happen if you submit two e-books. Or more! Its easy to get started. Simply create an e-book based on your area of expertise. (You may want to do a bit of research first to discover the types of products people want to buy.) To get a sense of whats selling on ClickBank, check out its marketplace. You can identify the most popular products by sorting your searches by category. (ClickBank also allows you to sort search results based on other criteria for instance, the number of affiliates who made money on a particular product in the last 30 days.) Once youve got a digital product to sell, simply visit ClickBank and click Sell Online. The instructions are easy to follow. What are you waiting for?

2010-05-21T15:39:00.000+02:00

3 (low-cost) income-generators...

Owing money is an integral part of life for most people. Whether its a home-loan, car finance or a credit card balance hanging over your head like the Sword of Damocles, there's always a way to reduce debt, without major lifestyle changes. Starting a low start-up cost home-based business that doesnt take up too much of your time is a good way to earn a second income and get back in the black.Here are three great debt-killers...1. Rubber swingsTheyre hard to find and not everyone can make their own rubber tyre swings for kids. If you can make and sell 10 swings a day at R100 each from a roadside stall and to shops, nurseries, garages etc. you could make a gross profit of R30,000. Deduct salaries for two staff members, the cost of nylon rope and fuel and you could easily be pocketing R20,000 per month clear!TIP: A law is about to be passed on scrap tyres where anyone recycling old tyres receives a subsidy. Bonus you get your tyres for free from a tyre dealer or fleet owner! Call the SA Tyre Recycling Process Co: (011) 792-0359 to get more info on forthcoming subsidies and where to get old tyres.2. Airtime voucher printersCell phones are probably the most universally used tech gadget in South Africa. And most of them are on pay-as-you-go vouchers. You can become an airtime mogul supplying airtime vouchers to the public. The machines look like a credit card swipe machine and are powered by cell technology so they can work anywhere, wirelessly. Call Afropay on (021) 421-5094 (or www.afropay.co.za) to rent a fully mobile machine for R275 per month (excl VAT). Your profit will come from discounts offered to you buy the tel/cell phone companies on air time sales. These discounts vary, but 10% is the average you rent one machine, put it in a high traffic zone with an operator and sell 100 x R55 Vodacom vouchers per day, youll gross R550. Deduct salary of R150 per day plus machine rental and youre looking at a net profit of R11,685.50 per month...3. Kids on DVDMost parents work and never get to see their kids progressing at their extramural activities, be it ballet, soccer, tennis etc. This is where you can help. Hire a student with a motorbike or car to be your cameraman. Equip him with a DVD Handycam (available at Makro or HiFi Corporation for approx R3,000) and get him to film match days, coaching sessions, swimming galas, concerts, etc.In the meantime, you contact the school office to introduce your video production services. Ask for parents contact details, put up posters in the school and advertise in the school newsletter. Supply your cameraman with business cards to hand to the kids. If you can record five events a week, capturing a total of 60 kids, thats 60 DVD sales per week at R75 per DVD = R18,000 per month gross profit. Deduct the cameramans salary (R5,000), DVDs (R2,000), marketing/phone (R1,000) and youre R10,000 the richer!To beat debt you need a plan. These three part time business ideas, if managed with enthusiasm and discipline, will not only get you out of the red, but will help you build a growing asset base. Good luck!

2010-05-21T15:32:00.000+02:00

Save the world in 9 minutes (just by visiting these 3 websites)

Let's face it: Who has time to become a full-time humanitarian?I don't. And I'm sure you don't too.But I know you're a good person. And I know you want to make a difference. (You wouldn't have signed up for this e-letter if you didn't!)That's why I wanted to find some clever ways for you to "save the world" in less than 10 minutes.And the best thing is you don't even have to leave your PC to help!1. How to help children worldwideUnicef points out that over 10 million children worldwide are exploited because of poverty and lack of education. Lend a hand by becoming a family member of Serving Our World at: www.servingourworld.org. With a few clicks of the mouse, you can give a once-off donation equivalent to $30, or sign up for a monthly donation on the site. Donations help with the provision of homes, meals, education and skill training around the world.2. How to help children closer to home...Help Cotlands to continue its good work among orphaned children by visiting: www.cotlands.org. Your sponsorship achieves the following:* R40 per month pays for sterilising agent for their bottles.* R50 buys a baby grow.* R75 can buy a tin of milk formula, which provides two weeks of three hourly feeds.* R420 pays for a childs funeral.Make a direct donation online or add a bequest to Cotlands in your Will. Forms are available from the website and can be faxed to (011) 683-6688 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (011) 683-6688 end_of_the_skype_highlighting. And if youd like to get more personally involved, Cotlands has a volunteer programme, which allows you to spend Saturday mornings with the children.3. Soft spot for animals?Open a Nedbank Green Affinity account, which supports the World Wide Fund for Nature.Or lend the NSPCA a hand. The NSPCA is not just about dogs and cats, but also deals with farm animals, wildlife and education for pet owners in poor areas, with the goal of preventing cruelty. Banking details for your local NSPCA are available from: www.nspca.co.za. Also, click on the tag that says tell a friend, which generates an email encouraging others to get involved.You don't have to give up your job and back pack into Zimbabwe to make a difference. I really believe that the smallest things can make make a big difference.And isn't that an empowering thought?

2010-05-21T15:27:00.000+02:00

Theres no denying that the property market is... tough right now.But you still want to get the best possible price for your property right? Of course!Well, before you put your house on the property market theres a scam an insider estate agent recently revealed to me...Theres a sneaky trick that some unscrupulous estate agents use to make you think your house is worth a lot less than you think. This way you will quickly accept an "okay" offer when it comes along, instead of holding out for the big money you deserve.You see, all offers should be confirmed in writing to both the vendor and the potential buyer. But this does not always happen. The reason is that some agents like to influence the seller into taking a LOWER offer by creating the impression that the property is actually worth less.Here's what they do. They submit a series of low offers to the vendor. These aren't ACTUAL offers. They're bogus. If you asked to see all the paperwork, you'd be regaled with excuses by a lot of red-faced agents.Now, when you get a reasonable, but still low offer, you are more likely to accept it. For example, say the "guide price" is R500,000. The agent will submit a series of bogus offers of around R420,000. When you talk to them about what price you'd like to get, they'll always give you a slightly pessimistic view of achieving the maximum. After a while, when a low offer of around R450,000 comes in, it's easier to persuade you to accept. You'll be relieved. As will the estate agency when it chalks up another fast sell. Nice!If you are being informed of offers without written confirmation, ASK FOR IT. This gives you a paper trail of evidence if you suspect foul play. If investigated, your file should also show names, addresses and copies of the letters sent to the bidder.TIP: When choosing an estate agent, ensure they are part of the "Estate Agency Affairs Board". Website: www.eaab.org.za. Tel: (011) 731-5600

2010-05-21T15:02:00.000+02:00

2 Free tools to make your computer run faster

Let me tell you about two nifty little tools that you can use to clean up your computer and make it run a bit faster. Theyre both free to download and simple to use...For a while now, my own computer at home has been getting slower and slower.I use the Internet all the time. I download a ton of music.Sound familiar?Problem is, every time you use the computer to these ends the computer produces what are known as Temporary Internet Files.They dont take up much room; theyre just specks of dust in the bigger picture. But all that dust adds up...Imagine not vacuuming your lounge for over a year.Well I havent vacuumed my computer for much longer and during that time those unnecessary Temporary Internet Files have built up so much that theyve been slowing my computer down.It could well be the same case with your computer!Seeing how slow my computer was my friend L declared he could sort it out and set to work.He went through a number of programs but the main two he used were something called CCleaner and Spyware Blaster.A vacuum and a bouncer inside your computerNow these arent programs to replace anti-virus software but they can certainly help improve how your computer runs and speed it up a treat...As far as vacuuming up those Temporary Internet Files, you can think of CCleaner as a hoover.It quickly zips around your computer and sweeps away all the unnecessary little dust files that have built up over time.You can download CCleaner for free here: www.ccleaner.com.The other problem your computer might encounter with a lot of Internet usage is infections from whats known as spyware.Spyware refers to unwanted programs that essentially sneak on to your computer whilst youre on the Internet.Its unnerving to think such programs can get on your computer without you even knowing about it but thankfully Spyware Blaster goes a long way to solving the problem.It acts like a bouncer guarding entry to your computer. Any programs that havent got their name down on the list arent coming in. Simple as that!Download it for free and as youll see, its easy to use its just a case of following the on-screen instructions.You can download it here for free here: www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html.If you want to inject a little life back into your computer it is well worth giving these two programs a go.

2010-05-21T14:55:00.000+02:00

3 Internet freebies you wont to pay a cent for

Fabulous freebie #1: Who says you need to BUY a good book!Looking for something good to read? But dont want to spend extra on the expensive books you find in the shops... Well then these websites are perfect for you.

www.free-ebooks.net This website allows you to browse all their titles according to category making it easier to sift through the thousands of titles they offer for FREE!

www.memoware.com This website has thousands of books to choose from that deal with a whole range of topics.

www.pagebypagebooks.com/title.html. This website offers an enormous array of FREE classics from Bram Stokers Dracula to all the Sherlock Holmes novels.

Tip: When printing out your e-books, print them two pages at a time on a single A4 sheet and (if your computer printer is compatible) print double-sided to save you money!Fabulous freebie #2: Youll never need to buy another calendar or greeting card againDoesnt it always seem like when you need a calendar theres never one in sight. Well, the following websites allow you to design your own printable calendar... So youll never be short a calendar again!

www.printfree.com.

www.printablecalendar.ca.

Need a card for a special occasion... Then save yourself time and money by making use of this FREE website (www.mycardmaker.com) which will help you customise your own printable greeting card.Fabulous freebie #3: Try any software in the world and never pay a single centThis is undoubtedly one of my favourite websites: www.download.com. There are literally thousands of free programs listed on this website from free financial software to games and recipe organisers. Youll spend hours trying to decide what to download first!

2010-05-21T08:24:00.000+02:00

20 DAYS TO GO.....................DID YOU KNOW: -THE OFFICIAL SWC2010 MASCOT ZAKUMI WAS BORNON THE 16TH OF JUNE 1994, ANANTHROPOMORPHIZED LEOPARDWITH GREEN HAIR.

2010-05-21T08:20:00.000+02:00

7 ways to naturally boost your energy

Its almost mid-way through the year and now is the time when you may feel your energy waning the most. Fatigue is one of the biggest problems of modern life, but perhaps were trying to fix the problem in all the wrong ways.Trying to get or find energy can be like holding onto grains of sand. To keep it in your hand youre going to have to create conditions where its possible. Read on to find out how you can do this...Having extra energy is the by-product of certain conditions that allow it to show up in your life. If your health, attitude, body and mind are all balanced and aligned correctly, the natural side-effect will be energy. Most of us are carrying around extra weight in the stress and anxiety department. Perhaps youre carrying around the burden of too little sleep, disorganisation, toxic relationships, high-carb diets, undetected food sensitivities or any other stress of modern day living. Perhaps you look to increase your energy levels with coffee and stimulants when all these do is sap your energy levels.Drop the burdens and revitalise with these 7 tips:Support your liver. Help your liver do its job more effectively. When your liver isnt working correctly, the first thing to suffer is your energy. Consider taking a daily dose of milk thistle.Get 10 minutes of sun every day. Weve become so sun phobic that were missing out on the energy-enhancing benefits that the suns' vitamin D can have. The sun gives you strength, lifts your spirits and is an amazing source of energy!Disconnect for a day. The biggest energy drain of the 21st century is information overload. Were constantly online and in touch, bombarded by the stuff coming at us from TV, magazines, social networking sites, radio, fax machines, cell phones and other communication feeds of today. Try a media-free day and feel your energy accumulate. If you find this idea frightening, youre exactly the person that needs to try it! Youll find that most of the million distractions you get per day dont make a huge difference in the long run anyway.Keep moving. Exercise helps with energy but time remains an obstacle for most of us when it comes to working out. There are many workouts you can do just about anywhere in 15 or 20 minutes for a good boost of energy: run a kilometre or two, do some squats, do some push-ups or do some crunches and then stretch and go about your day refreshed and energised. If you cant go out and run, try running up and down the stairs at work or skipping.De-clutter the energy drain. Your energy has a perfectly inverse relationship to the accumulation of stuff you dont need. The condition of your desk, workspace and living space reflects a lot about whats going on in your head. Take some time to organise and de-clutter and youll free up a lot of psychic space which could really turbo charge your energy.Take the right supplement. Supplements may not give you energy but they can correct metabolic issues that could be draining your energy. They can also speed along nutrient-dependant pathways that get sluggish and drain energy. A good energising nutrient to look for in your multi is coenzyme Q10.Consider acupuncture to revive your QI. "Qi" is the vital energy of body and mind which regulates your spiritual, mental and physical health. When were balanced in qi, were ready to take on the world, but lifes toils can throw the balance off. Acupuncture is a great way to balance your energies and restore mind, body and spirit.

2010-05-21T08:07:00.000+02:00

Achieve success through goal setting

According to the best research, less than 3% of people have written goals, and less than 1 percent review and rewrite their goals on a regular basis. Why do so few people set goals? I think there are five basic reasons.1. They are simply not serious. Whenever I speak with a man or woman who has achieved something remarkable, I learn that the achievement occurred after that person decided to "get serious." In other words, until you become completely determined about your goals, nothing really happens.2. They don't understand the importance of goals. Young men and women who begin setting goals very early in life invariably come from families in which the importance of goals is emphasised.3. They don't know how to do it. One of the greatest tragedies of our educational system is that you can receive 15 to 18 years of education and never once receive a single hour of instruction on how to set goals.4. Fear of rejection. The fear of rejection is caused by destructive criticism in early childhood and is manifested, in adulthood, in the fear of being criticized by others. Many people hold back on setting worthwhile goals because they have found that every time they do set a goal, somebody steps up and tells them that they can't achieve it, or that they will lose their money or waste their time.5. Fear of failureand this may be the most important reason of all. People don't set goals because they are afraid they might fail. In fact, the fear of failure is probably the greatest single obstacle to success in adult life. It can hold you back more than any other psychological barrier.If you can overcome all of these obstacles andset well-defined goals, it will enable you to channel your efforts and focus your energy toward something that's important to you. Goal setting gives you a target to aim at and enables you to develop the self-discipline to continue working toward your target rather than becoming distracted and going off in other directions.Let me share with you five keys that will help you do that. Each of these keys starts with one of the letters in the word "goals." Whenever you find yourself getting off the track, simply repeat the word "goals," and think about how each letter stands for a key that just might apply to your current situation.The first letter is G, and it stands for "Get to it."Sometimes, the only difference between a successful person and a failure is that the successful person has the courage to get started, to do something, to begin moving toward the accomplishment of a specific goal.The second letter, O, stands for "Opportunity."Successful people do not wait for opportunities to turn their goals into reality. They make their opportunities, because they are perfectly clear about the kind of life they wish to create. Once you have taken the time to decide exactly what you want, you will experience an endless flow of opportunities that will help move you in that direction.The letter A stands for "Ability." Many people hesitate to set high, challenging goals because they lack the ability to turn those goals into reality. But remember that we all lacked knowledge and experience when we started out in our careers or fields of expertise. Since you gain the ability necessary for high achievement through knowledge and experience, if you increase the speed at which you acquire both of those, you increase the speed at which you move ahead.The letter L stands for "Leadership." Leadership is simply the ability to get results. And you begin to get results when you accept full responsibility for yourself, for your job, and for the outputs required in your position. You demonstrate leadership when you refuse to make excuses or blame anyone or anything for the problems you are having. The acceptance of the responsibility of leadership enables you to move ahead and take action.The final letter, S, stands for "Stay with it."This is the resolution to persist in the face of adversity until you succeed. Between you and every goal that you wish to achieve, there is a series of obstacles. The bigger the goal, the bigger the obstacles. Your decision to be, have, and do something out of the ordinary entails facing difficulties and challenges that are out of the ordinary as well. Sometimes, your greatest asset is simply your ability to stay with it longer than anyone else.When you look around you, you will see that all achievement is the triumph of persistence. You will see men and women everywhere who are struggling with and overcoming adversity in order to accomplish something that is important to them. And so can you.G-O-A-L-S. That's what you have to remember. And "G" is the first thing: "Get to it!"

2010-05-19T21:30:00.000+02:00

3 Essential tips from an experienced auction buyer...

There's really no great mystery about why people get excited when they find a way to save money when buying things they need.And, with high-priced ticket items like cars, even saving only 5% can mean saving thousands of rands.One of the best ways to enjoy huge savings, in the region of 20% to 50%, is to attend a car auction. This is where you can get really good deals on repossessed cars.By following a few tips from an experienced auction buyer, you can reduce your chances of getting burned at auctions...Tip # 1: Heavy competitive bidding will drive the prices of the cars up. This could result in the final price exceeding the actual value of the vehicle!To avoid this, do some homework about the car you want to buy. Look at the various prices available and understand the auction process by attending a couple before you start bidding.Tip # 2: You won't be able to test drive the car before you bid for it...Read reviews on various makes and models, find out what the trade-in value is and check for recalls. Once you've narrowed your search down to a few makes and models, visit a dealership and test drive them, before you bid at an auction.Tip # 3: All used vehicles are sold voetstoets and don't carry a warranty or guarantee....Also, if you get the winning bid, you cannot return the car as all sales are absolutely final. So, it's a good idea to take a mechanic, or someone that knows about cars, with you. Let them quickly evaluate the car you're interested in and give you advice.What to look out for when buying a car...1. Look at the car's exterior. If the paint is new, ask when the car was painted. This could indicate a problem such as underlying rust.Scan the underside othe car for rust. Also check the bumpers and wheel wells for any signs of rust or body filler.2. Inspect the car thoroughly for any signs of body repair. This could tell you if the car has been in an accident.Look for inconsistencies like: Do the edges of the bonnet and door panels line up with the fenders and other side panels? And does the frame look aligned correctly?3. Look inside. Check the interior for tears in the upholstery and sun damage.4. Check the engine's overall cleanliness. Look for rust on the exhaust manifold and oil leaks around the valve cover and head gasket.5. Check the oil on the dipstick by rubbing it against your thumb (make sure the engine is cool). If you feel small particles in the oil, the engine may be worn or have other problems.6. Start up the engine. It should start straight away.7. Take the car for a test drive. Check the brakes. They shouldn't squeal and should bring the car to a stop in a sufficiently short distance.8. Test the transmission. Set the emergency brake, press the clutch pedal and shift through the gears. There shouldn't be any grinding sounds.9. Ask to see a record of the car's maintenance. Look to see that the car had regular oil changes and services.

Your boss doesn't know it yet... but you're getting a big raise this year...

2010-05-19T20:07:00.000+02:00

It's so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day... To allow the days to slip by you without really engaging yourself. But, soon those days turn into a week... Which turns into a month... Which turns into a year...

Pretty soon another year has passed and you haven't accomplished anything of note... and you're not a single step closer to achieving your dreams.

But, it doesn't have to be this way.
Already you have an untapped power to succeed bursting inside you.

All you have to do is learn to release this energy, focus it... and everything else will fall into place:

•Train yourself to see "hidden" opportunities for getting ahead by unclouding your mind of negative thoughts. Look for the positive in every experience, and work with it...
•Discover new ways to work more quickly and more intelligently so that you can succeed at everything you do...
•Work at gaining a higher level of understanding of every aspect of life - from health to investing, romance to business... By learning more, you'll automatically be more interested (and interesting) in things and naturally learn more...

If you haven't yet taken a decisive decision and active steps toward achieving your dreams... do it now. This is your chance to live a happy, satisfied, purposeful, confident, fulfilled life.

Today, I want to talk about how you can get BIG salary increases - double, triple, or even quadruple what your peers get.

And to get your New Year started right, I want you to set a goal for yourself to increase your salary by at least 10%.

Businesses exist to make profits. As an employee of a business, it's your job to help produce those profits. So, if you want to get your boss to pay you more, you have to make yourself more valuable to him.

First, make a list of all the ways you are currently valuable to your boss. Then make another list of things you can do to increase your value. That list will be a good source of ideas for you.

In January, for example, you might make it a point to get your boss his most important report a day earlier than normal. In February, you might tell him he can delegate to you the sales call he hates to make.

As the months roll by, your boss will recognise that you are operating at a higher level. He may be surprised at first - even feel a little threatened, if you aren't going about it diplomatically. But he will appreciate how you are making his work life easier and more productive. And he'll begin to depend on you.

Eventually - and this may happen in four months or it may take a year - he will see you as an entirely different and more important employee than any of the others he deals with. He will begin to think of you as indispensable.

At that point, you will have no trouble getting your 10% raise. And, you might do much better than that.

The greater your contribution to your company's success, the higher the salary you can demand...

Superstar employees don't do a hundred things better than ordinary, good employees. They usually do just a handful. The important ones.

Promote yourself, not only when your salary review comes up, but throughout the year. Remember, it's your responsibility to make sure your efforts get noticed.

If you set for yourself the modest goal of getting a 20% raise this year - and get it. And then get an increase of just half that amount for the next 10 or 15 years... You'll be worth millions more when you retire than you will be worth if you do nothing.

Is your bank taking what's rightfully yours?...

2010-05-19T20:03:00.000+02:00

With so many things to keep track of, it's difficult to watch every cent of your money... Especially when you've entrusted a credible institution like a bank to protect your hard earnings.

But, if you haven't been checking regularly, you may be shocked to discover that the bank could be taking what's rightfully yours. Here's what you need to look out for...

* ALWAYS check your bank statements. Banks make mistakes like anyone else, though it's ususally in their favour. So keep a note of your transactions, and reconcile them against your monthly statement. If you’re not getting regular statements, phone your bank and sort this out TODAY!

* Make sure your money is working for YOU. If you always tend to have money in your account, look at the amount of interest you're getting. If you’ve had an account for some time, chances are your bank will have created new accounts with better benefits over the years to woo new customers in. If you see anything better, insist your money is transferred to the better account.

* Get an overdraft! Now, this may seem like the last thing in the world you’d want to be lumbered with... But arranging an overdraft facility could save you money in the future. If you overdraw without a facility in place – even by a cent.

Kom ons praat Afrikaans: 7 Things to do IMMEDIATELY if you get retrenched...

2010-05-19T20:01:00.000+02:00

Kom ons praat Afrikaans: 7 Things to do IMMEDIATELY if you get retrenched...

7 Things to do IMMEDIATELY if you get retrenched...

2010-05-19T20:00:00.000+02:00

Retrenchment is one of those terrible things that can send your life into turmoil. But it all depends on how you react to it. Follow these tips to make sure you not only survive a retrenchment if it happens, but you actually prosper...

1. Don't take it personally! Retrenchment has the ability to make you feel worthless and unvalued. Don't let it! Remeber, it's management's FAILURE, not yours. If it was your fault, you would have been warned about your performance and/or conduct, and you would have been dismissed.

2. Redundancy is an economic fact these days. Just as individuals chop and change jobs far more frequently now, so companies restructure, downsize and make changes. Redundancy may be unpleasant, but it's commonplace. Don't feel alone.

3. Register as unemployed immediately! Even if you're given a handsome payoff, get down to the UIF office and register straight away. If you receive a large lump sum, you may not be entitled to the unemployment benefit, but it pays to check!

4. Use your package wisely. Remember, this is a payment to help you get through the weeks until you land another job, so don't view it as a lottery win! If you have any credit card balances (or any loans where interest starts mounting if you miss payments) then make it a priority to get these cleared up.

5. Dig out those policies and see what you are paying for! When you take out a bond or any type of long term insurance, you may be able to claim a 'wage' from the policy (typically for up to a year) until you find another job. Many bond packages squeeze payment protection plans in when you first sign up - usually 6 months.

6. If you think you might struggle to pay the bond, tell your lenders immediately. The last thing they want to do is repossess your house and sell it for a knockdown price. It's in their best interests for you to carry on paying a bond over the full term, so they'll really WANT to help you... And they'll most probably have special schemes to help you through any difficult period.

7. Create a budget! Go through your last 3 bank statements and highlight every debit order that's gone out. If it's something you don't really use, cancel it. Contact all the companies and explain the situation. Again, most companies are pretty reasonable, and they'll want to keep your custom long term, so don't be afraid of getting in touch. They should be able to waive certain late payment fees, or put you on a budget scheme where you pay a fixed amount a month.

Retrenchment can come as a terrible blow - but these tips will help you deal with the reality of it. Remember, it can be a way to move on, to get out of a rut, to work for a bigger, better company and to get more pay! So think positive!

9 Smart ways to add R200,000 to the value of your house by the end of this year ...

2010-05-19T19:56:00.000+02:00

The best way to increase the resale value of your home is to make it visually appealing to potential buyers.

A few simple remodelling touches is more effective than over-capitalising on structural renovations.

Here are a nine ways to increase the value of your home by R200,000 this year...

1. Security is of vital importance in our high-crime society. In addition to a high wall or fence and burglar bars, you may want to invest in a DIY CCTV kit and an intercom system.

2. Landscaping your garden is the first thing a potential buyer sees. First, decide what style of garden appeals to you – tropical, indigenous, country, Tuscan, ‘Zen’ or classical, for example. Use lots of extras to create your look, such as interesting pots, stepping stones, trellises, mosaic effects, black and white pebbles and sculptures. See some examples of these styles on http://www.renaldoandyzgardens.co.za/ Get creative!

3. A water feature is a must for creating a calm and tranquil garden. Ready-to-install fiberglass or concrete water features cost anything from R200 to R2,000. For exciting samples of water features, garden statues and ornaments, see http://www.waterplant.co.za/

4. A splash pool is a good idea. It's low on maintenance and takes up less space than a larger pool, while still offering sparkling allure to potential buyers!

5. A lapa: South Africans love entertaining outdoors and an entertainment area will definitely add value to your home.

6. A lick of paint: The easiest way to increase the value of your home is to ensure the exterior and interior of your home is properly sealed and freshly painted.

For step-by-step paint techniques to magically enhance your home and a calculator to assess how much paint you will need, see http://www.plascon.co.za/
Make sure your gutters and roof are also in good condition and don’t forget to pay attention to your outbuildings.

7. Remodel your kitchen and bathroom: These two rooms are the most important in terms of increasing your home’s value. Research magazines such as Home Owner and Garden & Home and keep clippings of styles and accessories that appeal to you.
Give your bathroom a fresh outdoor feel by using plenty of lush plants. For dark bathrooms, consider a skylight to create a feeling of open space.

8. Floors: A natural organic feel is back in vogue. If you have tiled floors, ensure they're crack free and touch up the grouting if necessary.

9. A fireplace is perfect for winter and creates a charming and harmonious glow in any lounge.

Get more amazing renovating ideas from http://www.sadecor.co.za/.

4 Secrets to reverse hair loss naturally...

2010-05-19T19:53:00.000+02:00

Hair thinning and hair loss from normal ageing, can be embarrassing. Thankfully, there are natural remedies to help prevent and reverse hair loss... So you don't have to resort to side-efect laden treatments

Here are four natural ways to help reverse hair loss...

1. Nettle helps stimulate hair growth. So instead of using shampoo, boil a handful of loose nettles. Then strain the tea and use the cooled nettle water to wash your hair.

2. Iron is essential for strong hair. The best sources of iron are lentils and red meat. But zinc, vitamin C and B vitamins are also important. Supplement your diet with these vitamins. Also eat plenty of fruit, vegetables, pulses, nuts and seeds.

3. To allow new hair growth to come through, keep your pores and hair follicles free of dead skin cells. Jojoba oil is a great cleanser. And it's a double winner because it's packed with Vitamin C, B Vitamins, Zinc and other great nutrients for hair. Try massaging a few drops of it into your scalp before bed.

4. Get yourself a metal comb or brush and gently tap all over your head with it for about a minute. The metal will create tiny electromagnetic currents on the scalp that stimulate the hair follicles.

The shocking truth about most shampoos...

How natural is your shampoo? Does it contain herbal extracts or flower essences?

Actually, there's nothing natural about these shampoos.

In fact, synthetic shampoos in general are laden with harmful chemicals. And some of these chemicals are associated with serious health problems.

Have a look at the ingredients on your shampoo bottle today. Does it contain these health hazards?

* Sodium lauryl sulphate, or sodium laureth sulphate (SLS). These are industrial degreasers and can cause flaky skin and hair loss.

* Diethanolamine (DEA) or Isopropyl alcohol. Both these have been associated with cancer.

* Propylene Glycol (PG). This can cause rashes, dry skin and dermatitis.

* Anything ending in 'parabens'. They're toxic and could also cause rashes and allergic reactions.

Look for natural and organic shampoos instead. You'll find some suppliers online, as well as at organic markets. You can also enquire at your health shop.

Valkie Rugby

2010-05-07T15:53:00.000+02:00

Groep op Facebook vir Valkie rugby en ouers. Kom word deel van die span

Visvang in Suid Afrika

2010-05-04T21:55:00.000+02:00

Hierdie blog wil ek he al die goeie en slegte vissermanne moet deelneem. Gee ons bietjie raad waar en wanneer 'n man en sy familie kan gaan om lekker vis te vang? Soorte dips, hoeke, sinkers ens om te gebruik. Kom ouens gee bietjie raad.

Why I think PayDotCom is the Best Affiliate Marketplace on the Net!

2010-04-27T22:05:00.001+02:00

Hi

Frank here...

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Well, there is a GREAT NEW SERVICE now...

It is a new FREE marketplace where you can sell any product you want.

Yours OWN product...

- OR - (the best part)
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It is called PayDotCom.com!

Did I mention it is 100% FREE to Join!

This site is going to KILL all other marketplaces and I by now, almost EVERY SINGLE SERIOUS online marketer has an account with PayDotCom.com

So get yours now and see how much they offer...

OH! - Also, they have their won affiliate program now that pays you COLD HARD cash just for sharing the site with people like I am doing with you...

They give you cool tools like BLOG WIDGETS, and they even have an advertising program to help you get traffic to your site.

If you want an ARMY of affiliates to sell your products for you, they also allow you to have Free placement in their marketplace!

Even better... If your product becomes one of the Top 25 products in its category in the marketplace (not that hard to do)...

...then you will get Free advertising on the Blog Widget which is syndicated on THOUSANDS of sites World Wide and get Millions of impressions per month.

So, what are you waiting for...

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Thanks,

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P.S. - Make sure to get your Account NOW while it is Free to join.

Nuus van Suid Afrika

2010-04-27T20:26:00.000+02:00

Vandag was weer een van daardie lekker koue dae met sagte "Perske" reentjie! Ek het besluit vandag om bietjie gaan DVD's te gaan huur en die hele dag met my familie voor die televisie te sit. Was dit nou lekker! Nie gedink dat AVATAR so goeie movie is nie, julle moet dit kyk. Nou terwyl ek die Blog skryf, wonder ek wat die ander Suid Afrikaners ooral in die wereld doen! Kom gesels bietjie, ek weet julle brand om bietjie weer Afrikaans te praat! Sien julle later dan, toodles en cheers.