Do You Love Shopping A Bit Too Much? Take These Steps To Reduce It And Save Money

These days it's hard to break bad spending habits and resist buying on consumer credit. Follow these steps to get into a new frame of mind.

1. Understand what moods are driving you to shop. Is shopping more of a therapy? Perhaps you could add up how expensive your 'retail therapy' is per session... it is probably cheaper to get real therapy!

2. Identify your major weakness. In order to overcome your problems with spending, it's imperative that identify your major weakness. It could be a hobby, it could be clothes, it could be toys for your daughter/son, etc. Once you are aware of this area, remove your name from any direct mail brochures/ezines you may be on, and try to avoid the shops where your addiction comes to the fore.

3. Distract yourself with activities:

- Play with children: dressups, swimming, pictures/craft, Lego

- Get the kids involved in house-work, show them how and supervise

- Go to a discount movie (i.e. before 6pm) that you want to see

- Learn an art or craft, eg. Scrapbooking (DIY), watercolours, sewing

- Take photos and experiment with them in a photo manipulation program

- Send a video of your family to relatives overseas, or just give them a call.

- Pay bills online to avoid the shops and bank queues

- Write your memoirs, or even a book

- Go dancing - Salsa is fun - or bellydancing for the ladies

- Go ice skating with your partner (hilarious!), or a bike ride

- Volunteer at a community centre

- Start your own part-time business with low costs, for example party plan craft.

It is very important to find a replacement for shopping, such as making things, or running a business, or writing. Because all these things are good for the soul; buying unnecessary things is not.

Here are more benefits of breaking bad spending habits:

1. You will feel less guilty and your partner will be proud of you

2. Your budget will balance and you'll start to accrue savings

3. You won't have to worry about the credit card bill every month

4. You'll be teaching your children about delayed gratification, by demonstration

5. You'll have more time for family and friends, and for relaxation

6. You will start to realise your dreams (if utilising the time right)

I have lots more tips, including replacing your present "incidental spending" and rewarding yourself, but if I told you all here, you wouldnt need to buy my great book! Saving on incidental spending over time can actually be far more lucrative than you could imagine. (If you've read Automatic Millionaire, you'll know what I mean).

Top Tips For Acne Skin Care - I Bet You Make These Mistakes Too

If I told you that you could be making your acne worse with the things that are meant to tame acne prone skin would you believe me? I found three people who were suffering with acne and offered them the following advice. These amazing results speak for themselves.

I'll get to the results in just a minute, but first lets find out what the top tips were for acne skin care. Most people think that their acne is caused by dirt building up on the face, this couldn't be further from the truth if it tried.

Let's just get the basics out first. Acne, spots or pimples are caused by too much sebum being released through the glands into the hair follicles. If we combine this with the dead skin cells that are there and then put in some bacteria that hangs out on all of us, we have acne problems.

Many people think that the best way to get rid of acne is with harsh scrubbing, thinking that this will remove the dead skin cells and dirt. This is just going to make it worse. It can swell the pores which will let in more of the bacteria and dead skin cells, and we know that when we combine that with the excess amounts of sebum …. Well, it's acne all over again.

So what are the best ways to cleanse the face? Simple, gentle cleansing will be most effective. Make sure that you don't over cleanse by washing your face only twice a day (apart from when you sweat heavily after exercise for example) once in the morning and once in the evening. Over washing may make your skin dry by removing all the natural oil that we produce (sebum).

If you find that you are prone to rubbing, squeezing or picking at the spot (lesions) you will find that you are encouraging further outbreaks due to the fact that you are spreading the infected bacteria around the face. Again, if you squeeze the spot, not only are you encouraging it to go deeper into the skin layers, you will swell the pore leaving it open to further infection.

Oil based make up should also be a no no for people suffering from acne. You are already producing too much oil and you are just adding further oil to the area. Water based make up should take it's place. Another good idea is to make sure that you always remove make up before bed, it can often be overlooked, especially when you are tired, but it certainly is worth making the effort.

You might find that when you go out in the sun this can make your skin better. Be sure not too burn the area! Remember that it can be good in moderation, but too much sun can sometimes make it worse after a while.

What Is Acne? Why Am I Affected? How To Treat It?

Acne is a result of the over activity of the sebaceous glands which are the oil producing glands of our body. This over activity results in excess oil production which together with hair follicles and germs create a suitable environment for the acne breakout to take shelter. Acne can appear in various forms like whiteheads , blackheads, pustules and cysts. It can appear virtually anywhere- on your cheeks, nose, back, chest and, in some cases, over the whole body as well.

It is a chronic skin disorder which has troubled around 80% of the people around the world. The small kids- as young as infants, the adults and the old people- all could be attacked with acne. It seems quite amazing as how can an ailment attack so many people- of different ages and races.

What is the exact cause of acne is not known as yet. Still, we have some substantial explanation for the emergence of acne.

Puberty is identified as the main cause of acne breakout. During puberty, tremendous changes to the hormones bring in, which affects the production of sebum in your body. And together with hair follicles and bacteria, they create the requisite shelter for the occurrence of acne. Our bodies are natural shelter to this acne producing bacteria. But only when the growth of these bacteria multiplies and other acne inducing factors home in, we get acne attack.

Genetics are also found related to acne. That is, if your father or mother had this problem in the past you have very good chances of its meeting with it in your life phases like puberty or pregnancy.

Next identified cause of acne is stress. Stress indeed is an additive factor. Your pimple condition can get worse if you also suffer from stress, depression or anxiety.

As exact cause of acne is not known, many myths have taken a natural shelter. Acne is not caused by junk food, chocolates, chips pizza or soda. However you should not indulge in too much of these foods as they may disrupt your digestion process which may induce acne causing factors in you.

Many of us believe that acne condition is associated with teens only. But this is not true. Age is not a defining trait to get or not to get acne. As you see a pimple popping up on your skin, you should strictly take a restrictive step to mollify the attack. Benozyl peroxide is one of the main ingredients to fight acne.

Some people would say acne is a normal part of growing up in a child. This is a false belief and such myths are real culprits for increasing army of acne among the kids. Apart from taking help from your dermatologist, you should also adopt some good habits to cure acne.

To keep acne away, learn to stay clean and healthy. Keep your surroundings and yourself very clean. Wash your face with a mild face wash or soap 2 to 3 times a day.

Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and drink lots and lots of water.

You should avoid squeezing or pricking a pimple as it can lead to infection which may worsen your condition.

People with long hair should not allow hair to fall on their face. Hair sprays, gels should be kept at a bay from the face.

Reasons to Refinance When Rates Are Moving Up

Interest rates have got enjoyed record lows during the last few old age allowing many people to refinance and enjoy lower mortgage payments. Now, interest rates are moving in the other direction. The average 30 twelvemonth fixed rate, according to mortgage giant, Freddie Mac, was 6.31% last week. Still, during this same period, refinancing accounted for 43.6% of mortgage applications.

Why would anyone refinance when rates are going up? With cash-out refinancing, you refinance your mortgage for more than than you owe and maintain the difference. Freddie Macintosh is predicting, by twelvemonth end, homeowners will convert $204 billion of home equity into cash, up from $142 billion in 2004.

1. Wage off home equity credit lines. The average rate for a HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit) rose to 6.97% last week, up from 5.09% from a twelvemonth ago. Most HELOC loans have got variable rates that spell up when the Federal Soldier Modesty raises short term interest rates. Recently, the Federal Soldier Modesty announced its12th sequent rate addition and they sent out a strong message they will go on the short term interest rate increase. Using a refinance to pay off a HELOC not only will lower your existent HELOC interest rate, but you can halt distressing about the Federal …for your second mortgage at least.

2. Consolidate your mortgages. Unless you set 20% Oregon more than down feather on your home, there is a good opportunity you did a combination (or piggyback second mortgage) loan to avoid PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance) which is required on loans with less than a 20% down payment. Second mortgages typically carry higher interest rates and a cash-out refinance may allow you to consolidate these loans into one lower monthly payment.

3. Secure Type A Fixed Rate Mortgage. Rates for adjustable mortgages, which are sensitive to Federal moves, have got been rising faster than fixed rate mortgages. Borrowers with loans stopping point to a rate accommodation are facing an addition in monthly payments and the possibility of even higher rates down the road. Many borrowers who be after to remain in their homes are fending off the higher rates and possible hereafter additions by refinancing into fixed rate mortgages.

4. Better Your Home. Home Equity Lines of Credit and fixed rate second mortgage rates have got been rising. A cash-out refinance can turn out to be a cheaper manner to finance your home improvement, especially as the cost of the improvement increases. Properties refinanced during the 3rd one-fourth of 2005(?) proverb 23% grasp since the original loan was taken out. Improvements made after the refinance may lead to even greater increases.

While many people will no longer be interested in refinancing for a lower rate, there are many grounds to see refinancing even as interest rates increase. If you have got an existent second mortgage, need cash to consolidate credit card debt, or desire to make some home improvements, refinancing your current home mortgage may be the best financial move for you. For more than information regarding current rates, you can see our website at http://www.greenwoodloans.com/.

Should You Refinance Your Mortgage if Interest Rates Drop?

Mortgage refinancing is when you take a mortgage of a certain interest rate and term length, and change it for a different interest rate and term. If you are looking to refinance your home loan it is usually done when rates have got dropped considerably therefore making it advantageous to make so. When I state considerably it usually intends a driblet of at least 1% from what you're paying now.

If you have got an adjustable rate mortgage and interest rates drop, then locking in to a fixed rate loan for a set term is probably a wise decision. This is especially true if rates are on the rise!

If you are looking to refinance because you need to pay down other debts, seek something else, like a debt consolidation loan. The lone clip you should refinance for this ground is if you are planning on staying in your home for a few years, and the current mortgage rates are lower than the rates you are paying on your debts as well as your current home loan rate.

If mortgage refinancing is something you would wish to see then be certain to inquire the lender about the amortisation schedule. If it was originally 25 old age and you have got paid on it for 10 old age then you don't desire to begin over again at 25 years. The amortisation should stay at 15 years. You will stop up paying out thousands less in the long run.

Refinancing when interest rates driblet could salvage you thousands of dollars, but it isn't the best option for everyone. Discourse your options with a professional and discover what is best for you!

Traditional Versus Interest Only Home Loans

Interest only mortgages gained popularity during the recent home sales
price boom. Now that homes sales have slowed and prices have leveled out,
will the number of interest only mortgages also decrease?

Once only a tiny percentage of the mortgage market; interest only mortgages
consist of about 10% of the current market. And mortgage companies seem
to advertise them quite a bit during the recent housing boom.

An interest only mortgage loan is when you pay interest only on your mortgage loan
for a specified period, usually 5 or 10 years. During this period none of the principle is
paid, unless you put a substantial amount on the down payment toward principle. If
you have an interest only, no down payment loan you are paying absolutely nothing
on the principle. At the end of the 5 or 10 year period your mortgage loan is amortized
over the remaining period of 20 or 25 years. So for example, if your interest only period
was 10 years, your principle loan will be amortized over 20 years.

If you have a 100% interest only loan, you are not building up equity in your home. In
essence you are leasing a home for the tax deduction. The interest payments are tax
deductible, but at the end of a 10 year period your payment could increase by 50%
when the loan is re-amortized.

This type of loan would work in rare instances. One is with investors who plan on fixing
up a home that they will sell quickly. It may also work for someone who will probably make
a lot more money in 10 years than currently. Say for instance a physician who is a
cardiovascular resident, but when he or she finishes will be able to cover the increased
mortgage after 10 years because a large spike in income as a cardiovascular surgeon.
Also, someone who knows they will move in 2-5 years, as this is only a temporary stay.

Getting an interest only loan will allow homeowners to buy much more house than they
could afford with a traditional loan. But does this make sense? With the more expensive
home comes the more expensive costs. Such as the car that fits the neighborhood, and the
private school everyone sends their kids to. Of course, most should know that with a bigger
home comes bigger maintenance cost.

Since most housing experts feel the housing market has leveled off as far as home
values are concerned, this is risky. Say the housing market decreases in value by about
20-30% like it did in Southern California in the early to mid 90's. You will be left with a
minus value in your home and a monthly mortgage that will increase in 5-10 years. When
home values are less than the loan against a home, the home becomes very difficult to sell,
especially when you have to pay the difference from your pocket.

My picture of wealth building is finding a home you can afford to buy with current income,
placing a down payment on the home, and paying on interest and principle. Building equity,
paying as much of the principle as you can possibly afford, while placing money in a savings
account, retirement account, paying bills on time, and keeping credit accounts to a bare
minimum.

With the recent leveling off of home sales and home values in many areas of the United
States, maybe this will be the clue that future homeowners need to get a traditional home
loan, where payments will not increase in the future and principle will be paid off from the start
of loan payments. This is typically the 15 or 30 year fixed rate mortgage.

This article can be freely published on a website or print as long as it's not modified in any way including
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Trading Education: The Best of Both Worlds!

I made my very first investing in the stock market when I was
10 old age old. Ever since then I have got been hooked! Now I check
out 100s of trades each twelvemonth with the same exhilaration andenthusiasm, and each clip attempt to happen that one market at the
right clip that could dramatically make wealth.

If you would've been fortunate adequate to put $1,000 in
Microsoft when it first came public, that initial investment
would be deserving stopping point to $300,000 today. In the last 10 years
America Online have been up 12,000% and it have come up creashing lower as well! Although statistics like this are advocated regularly by journalists and brokers the bulk of investors have got a very hard clip staying in an investing for that long of a clip period of time even though they cognize they are in a good company The financial markets are a never ending beginning of enticement trying to entice you into a new place with each passing play second. The belief that the grass is always greener in another market is a distraction that every investor eventually have to postulate with. Even if you are a common fund investor the fact is that you are always looking for the BEST tax return available.

Years ago when I worked as a broker I was confronted with this
dilemma. One of my clients told me that he knew the BIG MONEY
was made in holding on for the long TERM but that he liked
trading the short term swings. He asked my advice and I had to
believe long and hard for respective years before I could respond.

Eventually, I presented him with the following strategy that
literally compounds the best of the trader and investor worlds. Traders are looking for the quick hit and run. Investors seek
their advantage by looking at the long term. Long term
investors quite often profit from allowing dividends to be
reinvested into buying more stock in the company and the
very existent possibility of the stock splitting in the future. If
you compound both of these apparently opposite positions you
stop up with a very alone viewpoint that eliminates a batch of
emphasis associated with determination making. This strategy will
convey home the position that within every seed that you plant
in the financial markets lies the promise of 10 thousand
forests. I mention to it as my forest STRATEGY! It is another
manner to do your short term attempts as a bargainer wage you
dividends by also recognizing the importance and significance of
long term investing.

Let's say that your initial investment capital is $10,000. 1) Find a company, preferably in the Standard and Poors 500
Index that you understand and are familiar with. If you want
to contract down your grouping you can choose companies that are in
the Dow Mother Jones Industrial Average which include only 30 stocks. These are established companies with long financial histories
that tin be researched to your Black Maria delight.

2) Survey the companies Price Earnings Ratio. Where is the Price
Earnings ratio now? What have been The highest and lowest points
of the terms earnings ratio over the last five years? Look to
purchase a company with a historically low terms earnings ratio that
is a leader in its industry. Use the Price Earnings Ratio as a
guide. Don't seek to pick bottoms. 3) Look at a chart of terms to see what have happened recently
and to determine where a good bargain point is.

4) Topographic Point your trade with the purpose of a 10% profit
objective. Once you attain your net income objective, sell enough
shares in the company to take your initial $10,000 investment
and only go forth your $1,000 net income in that stock.

5) Repeat stairway 1-3 as you search for another company to trade
for a 10% net income and works the Remainder for the long term.

6) Repeat, Repeat, Repeat.

The drawback on this type of trading is that when you are with a
great company you make give up a batch of upside. However, if you
look at the probabilities how many IBM's, Aol's, Yahoos! Or
Microsofts are there out there in relation to the entire
existence of stocks? What I personally like about this style of
trading is that it eliminates the greed factor that most
investors have got of trying to throw on for the top tick. Secondly
it also allows you to construct a nice diversified portfolio. Thirdly, trading goes a very merriment game with potentially
moneymaking long term implications. It is very possible to trade
this manner once a calendar month planting a seed in a quality company that
tin easily go a Forest of Wealth for you.

Some trades might take the better portion of a twelvemonth to pan out. Some trades might accomplish your net income aim in a matter of
hebdomads or years if you are really fortunate.. Keep in head that
you still have got to manage your hazard on each and every trade. Let
me be perfectly blunt, if you don't manage your downside there
will not be an UPSIDE... It is acceptable to utilize any of the
hazard Management Techniques that I recommend by doing Partial
Covered Calls and other Option Selling Techniques. When done
correctly those techniques can dramatically accelerate your
returns.

I must acknowledge that I truly enjoy this type of trading. (My
broker wishes it as well as it generates many more than commissions
for him.) However, portion of the ground that this method sits
well with me is that I hardly pay any attention at all to my
net income after I take them. It goes very emphasize free to know
that you have got increased your wealthiness 10% and are just interested
in planting seeds all over the financial landscape in companies
that ran into your criteria. I must however emphasize the point that
you do certain that you are aware of the downside. This method
is by no agency hazard FREE....but for the individual who wishes to
merchandise and put simultaneously it truly is ideal.

Guard your investing principal at all costs and allow your net income run. Just one more than manner to look at the
bigger picture. Kind of like a Rebel Appleseed rans into the
financial markets. Many extremely successful investors make this
with Initial Populace Offerings as well. Survey away.and remember,let's be careful out there.

Dowjonesfully-
Harald Anderson
http://www.eOptionsTrader.com