The Gift of Time
As affiliates our income in many ways is related to time: time spent searching and finding offers, time creating landing pages, time testing these. Tracking the time visitors spend on our landing pages also takes time. So we spend an inordinate amount of time online. Can we make our offline time count?
This reminds me of something I read recently. If we think about time as a gift, we know that is beautiful, we know that is powerful, but we also know that we only received a very limited amount of it. Life is limited to a number of days – sure very valuable – but limited. So what are we doing with our time?
Are we really making our time count? Not with money, but with offline relationships – with our spouses, children, neighbors, friends. Each of us has been given the same amount of time. Lets use it wisely. Stop living in the past. Time moves forward and so should we. Leave the past behind. Give of your time to others and you give happiness and receive the same in return.
A few years ago, my wife gave me a titanium Citizen Eco drive watch for a anniversary gift. Since these watches never need a battery, they continue to tell time forever. The gift was a fitting notion that time is contant. The same can be said of her love for me. Citizen Eco drive watches make awesome gifts. I’m getting her a past-present-future ring for our anniversary in 3 months, symbolizing the time I have shared my love for her.
Do the same with your loved ones. Don’t just tell them – show them you love them, for THAT is time well spent…
Summer Life
It’s been said that your home is your castle. You work hard, and what better way to enjoy yourself than ensuring your home is functional and appealing? I’ve been working on my yard this past month, in preparation for the summer life: some summer friend and family activities (portable bleachers, anyone?). I added a hammock this past weekend and am looking forward to adding some Adirondack chairs.
The Adirondack chair is an American classic in terms of exterior decoration. This is a chair that Thomas Lee designed for a for his summer getaway near Lake Champlain in Westport, New York (USA).
The Adirondack chair is an iconic home design accessory. Thomas Lee conceived it in 1903, envisioning a chair suitable for indoor and outdoor use and one that could fill a need in his summer house.
His primary goal was comfort. At 1st glance it looked like he missed the mark, but his friends and relatives were very happily surprised when they sat on it.
The hallmarks of this legendary chair are the unusual width of the armrests, which can accommodate a beverage or two (a key feature to it’s success) and the comfort gained with the reclining his back rest – ideal for resting, relaxing and small talk.
This chair is synonymous with traditional porches in many homes of North America. Traditionally these chairs were built from natural wood and painted white, but today it’s available in many colors.
The Adirondack chair has become an indisputable icon in regard to garden furniture outdoors (forget Aluminum Bleachers, they get too hot). If your home has a garden or porch, this chair will provide years of visual pizazz and real comfort. I can’t wait to see mine in the yard…
Death And Taxes
It’s been said there are two certainties: death and taxes. Well I’m not dead (yet) but I do owe taxes this year - again. Maybe I should become an enrolled agent and go work for the IRS. In any case, if you find yourself in a similar pickle, here’s what to do:
The first thing to do is fill out a tax return so you know exactly how much you owe. Once your accountant (or you if you do it on your own) verifies the amount, prepare your return and submit it. Bear in mind that there are penalties and monthly interest charges monthly the IRS charges if you pay after the deadline. The longer you wait the higher your debt. Once you know your current balance, there are several payment options.
- Full payment If you are within your means to pay the total of your debt, you will avoid most penalties and interest. You can do this in several ways: by sending a check or money order payable to the Internal Revenue Service at the address listed in the letter received, or by bank transfer from your bank account. If you want to make your payment with a debit or credit card, you can use a third party site for that too – Official Payments Corporation at 888-872-9829, WorldPay, Inc. at 888-972-9829.These companies usually charge a fee for card payments.
- Payment terms If you need more time to pay, the IRS gives you a period of 120 days to pay your debt without charge, but interest will continue to accrue until the balance is paid in full.
- Installment Payment Agreement If you can not pay your entire debt immediately or within 120 days, you can make a payment agreement. You must determine the amount you can pay monthly. Once the agreement is made, payments can be sent in several ways: as a bank transfer from your bank account each month, automatic deduction from your paycheck, online payment or by telephone using your debit or credit card. You can also make your payment arrangement by calling the telephone number included on your bill.
- Settlement If you feel your financial situation does not allow you to pay your total debt and you do not think that will change to allow so in the future, you have the option to make an offer to the IRS. This offer will allow you to decide how much you can pay the total of your debt. An offer in compromise does not automatically mean your debt is reduced to the amount offered. The IRS will review your offer and decide if it is approved or rejected. The fee for processing your offer is $ 150, which is not refundable.
So there you have it – your options if you owe the IRS. Or go take an enrolled agent course and go work for the IRS
Don’t Just Watch TV
King Kong verses Godzilla – you know the scene. It aptly applies to two big monsters in the satellite TV space, namely Direct TV and DISH Network. Which is better? Many people often find themselves in a predicament because they are ready switch to Sat TV, but are unable to make the choice between the two, including me. When I bought my house last year, the only cable provider available was/is Bright House, and they are horrible. So it’s off to shopping for a better offering. So which monster is the winner?
My advice is to have a close look at the programming packages both providers offer. I found a website that compares the two for you: DX3. Although both have similar packages and technology, the difference lies in the program options. Both offer regional sports packages. But are you a football fan? Well DirecTV is the exclusive provider of NFL Sunday Ticket. Both offer free HD and music channels. but it seems as if DirecTV offers more sports in HD, your local channels in HD and provides HD in 1080p.
According to statistics, DirecTV has been No. 1 in consumer satisfaction and on average provides about 30% more channels over Dish. And I must admit, I’m a sucker for DirectTV’s commercial and new tag line: Don’t just watch TV, DirecTV.
If you want the best entertainment experience for your money, you won’t get it from DISH or cable. I guess I need DX3 DIRECT TV.
Gift Of Time
Looking to splurge on your beautiful significant other? How about giving the gift the stands the test of time?
If you want to go super elegant, Chopard has introduced a new collection of ladies watches, the Imperiale. Imperiale stands out for its elegance and refinement right out of the box. The handles have been redesigned with a elegant hinged strap attached connecting to the case and comes in two sizes: 36 mm. and 40 mm. in diameter. Available in steel, pink gold and white gold , there are also versions with diamonds, set into the bezel or on the case.
The face is very distinctive, one that mimics cushion tapestry Imperial time. As you can see, nothing has been left to chance. The refinement of Roman numerals and hands completes the design of the face.
As for the movement, you have options: The smallest model , 36 mm. with a steel case, offers a quartz movement. In contrast, models of larger size , with a 40 mm. case has an automatic movement, along with hour and minutes functions with a chronograph function.
As you can see, there is also the possibility of finishing the watch with leather strap or bracelet , either steel or gold, but I suppose that this last option skyrockets the price.
Movers and Shakers
Afiiliates are the unsung movers and shakers of the internet marketing space. A friend of mine who got involved in the affiliate space to increase his income and eventually become his own boss did so, and decided to buy a nice parcel of land in ‘the country’ and is in the process of moving to Virginia. Mving is such a pain. I moved a few months ago to my new home. If you ever caught in the process, here are some tips to keep in mind to avoid a painful and expensive ordeal:
1st - with two or three months in advance, research various moving/freight companies. Some may allow you to comfortably store your belongings several days, as required. Compare prices and choose the one that suits you. Check the fine-print and make sure your contract has the right info such as dates, amount of stuff, etc.
Two. Make an inventory of everything you have, so you can make a claim if something goes missing. You might consider not writing the contents on the outside of the boxes, as you expose them to theft. List each box and give it a name you do not say what they contain.
Three. Take pictures of the furniture. If something is damaged, you have proof.
Four. Do not send valuables. Take them with you!
Five. When packing, tape the bottom of the boxes in the form of a cross.
Six. Defrost and empty your refrigerator at least 24 hours before the move, so that will it won’t drip on the road.
Seven. To not lose your keys and / or screws for furniture and drawers. Stick them with tape and label them for identification. Take them with you!
Eight. Write fragile on boxes containing delicate things and label how the box should be positioned. Use bubble wrap and newspaper on the bottom and between objects.
Nine. Heavy objects should be placed in small boxes, otherwise it will be difficult to load. And don’t pack flammable objects.
Plan well and avoid unnecessary headaches.
Clean Home
I bought my house 7 months ago. We’ve changed some things. Many homeowners buy a new home and think there will continue to look over time. With care, this may be true, but carpet cleaning must take place if the owner really wants to preserve the look of the house. If you have never had carpet before, you know that it can quickly become stained and unsightly. This does not mean you have to tear the carpet out and start over, but simply means that you should consult your carpet cleaning options.
Removing carpet stain not only makes the home look better, you also smell better. If you have pets, you should consider carpet cleaning at least once a year. Since pets usually spend the majority of their time on the floor, even the cleanest home will retain pet odors. Carpets are porous and easily absorb liquids and smells, and if you do not have your carpet cleaned from time to time, the odors become more pronounced.
In addition to making the home look better and removing smells from the carpet, residential carpet cleaner austin can also help remove unwanted guests in your home. Mites and fleas often live in the carpet and carpet padding. Steam cleaning can help remove these pests by pulling them into the recovery tank or at least, will be killed by the cleaning solution in the carpet steam cleaning. For all these reasons, most consider carpet cleaning a must.
