Disk Cleanup.

This can be found by going to Start > All programs > Accessories > system tools > Disk clean up.

Click the icon. When the window opens it will ask what drive you would like to clean (This option is for folks with multiple storage devices or hard drives.) Select your drive and a window will appear inspecting your system. Next a check list window will open asking you what you would like to clean. Each option tells you the amount of space it is taking up. Remember 1000 kb = 1mb. So if the total number of junk says 6k that is about 6mbs. Click okay and you’re done. Windows takes care of the rest. You can do this as often as you like but I would suggest every 2 weeks.

Disk Defragmenter

The name can sound scary to someone who isn’t familiar with the computer, but don’t worry it won’t a bit. You can get to the DD the same way as the disk clean up. Start > All programs > Accessories > system tools > Disk Defragmenter. To check if this needs to be done simply click Analyze and a window will appear telling you should or should not earn the defrag. Click defragment and go to bed or read a book, this often takes some time. Now you might be wondering what exactly this does. A master IT fella told it to me like this. “Picture a room with books and files all over the space. Would be hard to find a distinct file right? Well DD organizes these files so your CPU can get to them much faster.”

And now for the not built in programs. Google a-squared Free and download for a very nice (and free) Antivirus. This also removes traces of spyware and that’s awesome. When installing update ASAP. Deep scan and restart your PC. Deep scan a second time then restart.

You have now cleaned your PC all by yourself and if no one else, I am very proud of you.

After a long and painful decline, Google has finally put the Nexus One phone out of its misery. After it has shifted the last batch of handsets, the search company will stop selling its first – and possibly last – true Googlephone.

The Nexus One was not the first Android phone, but it was the first one to be designed and sold by Google itself. After a big launch back in January, the Nexus One went into decline. It was sold only through Google’s own web store, and the lack-of a hands-on, try-before-you-buy option kept this online store a “a niche channel for early adopters”, according to Google.

Google dropped the web store in May, putting the Nexus One into bricks-and-mortar stores, but it seems that even that couldn’t help. As soon as Google’s “last shipment of Nexus One phones” is sold out, you’ll only be able to find the handset via a few retail partners in (Vodafone in some parts of Europe and KT in Korea). Developers will still be able to buy the hardware, too. It will be available through an as-yet unnamed partner.

While the hardware dies, though, the software is still going strong. Android continues to grow, and its open-source nature means that handset makers are doing all sorts of great things like adding unremovable bloatware or preventing the user from running an unapproved version of the OS on their own handset (Motorola’s eFuse).

Kidding aside, Android is shaping up to dominate the mobile OS market the same way Windows has dominated the desktop market, and we’re excited to see the first of the Android tablets as they become available. And Android 2.2 Froyo, despite taking rather a long time to make it to Google’s own handset, is a pretty neat OS.

Now that the Nexus One is gone, it’s looking like the Motorola Droid, Droid X, or HTC Evo are the likely front-runners in the Android race.

Nexus One changes in availability

Photo (Nexus One): Jon Snyder/Wired.com

See Also:

• Google Debuts Android-Powered Nexus One 'Superphone'
• Google Nexus One Starts Popping Up in Retail Stores
• Android 2.2 'Froyo' Update Pushed to Google Nexus One
• Google Nexus One Sales Off to Slow Start
• Google Nexus One Sales Still Sluggish, Says Analytics Firm …
• Google Promises Fix to Nexus One 3G Problems

WASHINGTON — The former Countrywide Financial Corp. gave preferential loans to more than three dozen employees of Fannie Mae while the two giant housing enterprises were locked in an expanding, multi-billion dollar business relationship in subprime mortgages, documents show.

Discounted mortgages written by Countrywide, once the nation's largest subprime lender, were granted to a far wider group of Fannie employees than the four top executives executives whose preferential loans were previously disclosed, according to Countrywide documents provided to Congress under a subpoena.

Countrywide's VIP section, established to handle preferential mortgages for favored customers, serviced a variety of Fannie employees who handled Fannie's business of buying mortgages and selling mortgage-backed bonds. Recipients included an account manager, a lobbyist, underwriters, lawyers, a home loan manager, a sales executive and a credit risk manager.

The documents reveal that when Countrywide was depending on government-sponsored firms to finance billions of dollars worth of subprime loans that touched off the housing meltdown, it was giving employees at the largest of those companies – Fannie Mae – sweetheart deals on their own home loans.

Countrywide was acquired by Bank of America in mid-2008. The documents were turned over to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee by Bank of America. The government seized control of Fannie Mae and its smaller government-sponsored competitor, Freddie Mac, in September 2008. So far, the takeover has cost taxpayers $145 billion and is likely to be the most expensive of all the financial bailouts.

Rep. Darrell Issa of California, the House committee's senior Republican, said Countrywide's preferential VIP mortgages for Fannie employees spiked in 1998, when Countrywide was negotiating volume discounts on the subprime mortgages it was selling, and again from 2001 to 2003, at the edge of a housing and mortgage boom.

In a letter to the Federal Housing Finance Agency – the government agency that regulates Fannie Mae and a smaller competitor, Freddie Mac – Issa said Countrywide's 153 loans to 37 Fannie employees were part of a attempt to vastly expand business with Fannie to the detriment of Freddie. Though government-chartered institutions, both Fannie and Freddie were owned by private stockholders.

“In 1999, Countrywide reached an exclusive agreement to sell Fannie Mae billions of dollars in mortgages at a discounted rate,” Issa said in the letter.

Records compiled by a trade publication, Inside Mortgage Finance, show Fannie rapidly expanding its purchases of Countrywide mortgages and a decline in sales of them to Freddie.

Sun. Sand. Shopping. Sailing. Are your bags packed yet?

Located a short 75 kilometres from Christchurch, Ankara, New Zealand is a vacationer's paradise. A charming village originally settled by the French and British, Akaroa is one of New Zealand's best kept secrets. Rich in colonial history as well as recreational and sightseeing opportunities, Akaroa offers a full range of holiday activities for adults and children alike.

Akaroa's harbour beaches are nothing short of spectacular. Protected by jagged volcanic cliffs, the village sits on the Banks Peninsula and is partly surrounded by the Pacific Ocean. Predominantly volcanic, the Banks Peninsula is home to a staggering number of coves and bays as well as two deep water harbors. Swimmers, sailors, sunbathers, hikers and sightseers will find this geologically unique and dramatic area to be a worthwhile destination for a multi-day trip.

Tramping, the New Zealand equivalent of hiking or bushwalking, is a popular activity in Akaroa. The Banks Peninsula Track is a circular, 35 kilometre track. It is privately managed and very well maintained and an eco-tourism attraction that should not be missed. Yellow-eyed penguins may appear on your tramp as well as fur seals and Hector's dolphins. Nikau Palms and tree ferns line your path. For naturalists and nature lovers, the Banks Peninsula Track is a goldmine of unique animals and plants. Skilled guides are available for hire to take you on a breathtaking trip around the Canterbury Plains.

Hector's dolphins are the rarest dolphin species in the world – only 3,000 to 4,000 are believed to exit. They are found only in the waters off of New Zealand and have been designated 'threatened'. In Akaroa harbour, you can swim with these gentle and playful creatures. There are dolphin-watching tours available as well.

If boating is your fancy, Akaroa offers several opportunities. You can rent a kayak and explore the bays and coves under your own power, or you can hop on a jet boat for a more high-powered day on the water. Sailboat cruises, fishing trips and dive charters complete your choices for a day on the water.

Motorized transport is a great way to see Akaroa and the surrounding area. Mopeds and motorbikes let you cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time. They are for hire at a variety of rental outfits, along with helmets and other accessories.

Bicycle rentals are a great way to get around, too. Some rental facilities will take you to the top of the local hills so all you have to do is glide down — no heart-pumping hill climbs necessary! Or you could climb on top of horse for an authentic, totally green sightseeing trip. Well-trained and gentle, these horses-for-hire will take you on a leisurely ride across the bush.

To complete your trip to Akaroa, stop by some of the unique shops in the village. Indigenous art is featured in many of the local craft shops and there is something for every taste and budget.

Splendid scenery and a wide variety of activities will make you glad you chose Akaroa for your holiday plans.

While the benefits of the Mediterranean diet versus low-fat diet are no breaking news anymore, it is less known that the North-East French region Alsace has been producing high quality hand decorated clay bakeware for over a thousand years in a small village called Soufflenheim, fair a few miles from the German border.

Considered among the best lead-free or lead-safe glazed clay bakeware made in France, they have been used for traditional Alsatian food such as chouroute garni and baeckeoffe but also in the famous southern cassoulet dish, made of duck, pork, sausages and beans cooked for several hours in tomatoes sauce. Healthy Mediterranean diet meals often cooked in clay bakers are a perfect fit for these easy to clean clay bakers, which also resist microwave ovens, dishwashers, and do not require water soaking before employ like the Romertopf bakers for example.

Before households were all equipped with electric ovens, the women would bring their clay bakers to the local bakery and use the remaining heat of the wood oven to cook their meal while doing the laundry at the nearby river. To resist the harsh conditions of the baker’s oven, the clay bakers had to be manufactured with high quality standards and made very durable; a quality that has been maintained for Soufflenheim potteries produced and sold today.

For the first time ever in the United States, ClayBourg International LLC, a Chicago area based company will present these wonderful clay bakers at the Great American Cooking Expo (booth #101), located at Harper College in Palatine Illinois, West of Chicago. For more information about the event which is expecting about 10,000 visitors and will take place from October 23rd to October 25th 2009, please visit the following website: www.TheCookingExpo.com.

For more information about ClayBourg potteries, you can visit their online store at www.ClayBourg.com or their online showroom at www.clay-cookware.net.

Top Sites and Where to Watch
One of the most approved ways to glance TV or movies online is by visiting www.hulu.com, they have a wide range of stuff from cartoons and TV shows to movies. Hulu also provides HD on nearly all of their videos, so you can watch with runt commercials and high quality video. Hulu is completely free as well.

FlickPeek
Another great site for watching online is FlickPeek, this website has a slight more variety than Hulu, but it is composed mostly of links. This means that not all of the movies will work, and sometimes the quality is not as good. But it is still a quality website for free TV and movies. They also provide sports and music videos.

ChannelChooser
This website is different because instead of links or HD video, you can watch live streaming television and even some movies. ChannelChooser has countless amounts of stations to choose from, and is available for people all over the world.

FreeTube
Another great streaming location, free tube offers many stations to choose from. But be cautious, this website contains adult content, but it allows you to decide the “family friendly” version so you and your kids and watch safely.

Google
If you want to watch one of your favorite display and you just can’t find it anywhere, try www.google.com. Fair type in the name of the show and even the station such as CBS or NBC. Many of these websites allow you to eye the most recent episodes for free with limited commercials.

Just Say No! to the Download!
Remember that you should never download any movies, TV shows or anything unless you are certain that it is a legal download. These usually come from the big websites like CBS and ABC. And they are almost never free, so if you see a free movie to download just say no, it could be an illegal download. Also many of these downloads contain harmful computer viruses that can raze your computer, so be careful and never download unless you are sure it’s safe.

Additionally, many people rent movies through www.netflix.com, though this is not free, you only pay a small fee once a month and you are allowed to watch nearly unlimited amounts of TV and movies from your PC, and on your TV through mail services. You simply pick the movies you want online, and they send them to you in 1 business day, or you can choose from the “peep instantly” tab. All of these sites are easy to use, and you get instant access to the movies and TV shows you like, and many are commercial free. So pop some popcorn sit back and appreciate the show.

Why do we cherish to travel? Because go excites our senses. Everything is fresh, we are experiencing wonderful new places and making intriguing new acquaintances at every turn. Every journey becomes a learning experience, teaching us about ourselves and the curious world in which we live. Travel makes us feel alive.

But as much as we love to travel – as noteworthy time as we spend dreaming about the wonderful journeys we would like to make – the reality is that it can be very expensive. And if you don’t have a high-paying job or a trust fund, it’s easy to feel discouraged. You might think you’d have to save for years to take one overseas vacation. Or you might believe the excitement of world travel is not within your reach at all. But the truth is – almost anyone can afford worldtravel! There are a few shortcuts and some little-known resources which can open up endless possibilities for affordable international journeys. Following are some tips and resources which can help you become inspired. You may soon be able to start planning the stagger that could change your life forever!

Your Choice of Destination:

Your ultimate choice of travel destination has a lot to do with how much you’ll have to spend. Obviously, a trip to Paris can cost a bit more than a vacation in Guatemala. Some lesser developed countries lend themselves to budget travel, just because the cost of living there is so shameful to begin with. For example, it is possible to travel in Central America or Thailand very cheaply, without even really trying. Private hotel rooms with an in-room bath can be had for $8 per night, an entire day of bus travel can cost less than $5, and the price of a very filling hot dinner may average less than $4! So, consider this when calculating your total jog costs. If you’re able to find a great bargain airfare to a very inexpensive destination, your trip is guaranteed to cost you very little.

Courier Flights:

Courier flights are one of the absolute best ways to travel cheaply. You can get spectacular deals on overseas flights – discounts of up to 85%, and sometimes even free! (And you can often rack up frequent flyer miles while doing it.) Most flights depart from larger cities such as New York, Miami, L.A., Chicago, etc., so you may have to factor in the cost of a bus or commuter flight – but at these fares, you’ll still save a bundle! Flexibility in your travel plans comes in handy, as the closer you are to your planned departure date, the cheaper the fares. The one thing you will have to give up is checked baggage – you will be allowed only carry-on luggage. Here’s the story:

Many companies need to transport their goods in the quickest draw possible. When they are shipped as freight, the packages are often delayed in customs, sometimes as long as several

days. By hiring a courier to escort the packages (in place of checked baggage), they approach quickly, safely, and without delay. Your only responsibility as a courier is to carry a document envelope with you on board the plane, which you will turn over to the company’s representative on the arrival end of your flight.

Another drawback is that it is usually not possible to guarantee two courier flights at the same time, so traveling with a companion presents some difficulty. What some travelers regularly do is to book separate flights to the same destination, arriving within a few hours (or days) of each other.

It is possible to contact courier companies directly, but by far the easiest method is to join an organization which keeps track of hundreds of available courier options. You pay an annual fee, and are provided with continual access (by phone or Internet) to all available flights, to all destinations. The best fraction is that you’ll have access to those last minute deals – flights departing within the week – which can go for less than $100 round trip, or possibly even free. It is possible to plan courier flights well in advance, but withhold in mind that the closer you are to the departure date, the more money you’ll save.

• International Association of Air Travel Couriers – www.courier.org

• Air Courier Association – www.aircourier.org

“Space Available” Flights:

There are two “stand-by services”, which can save you hundreds of dollars on flights to major cities in Europe, Mexico, Costa Rica and the Caribbean. This option works best for travelers who are flexible as far as exact travel dates, and exact destination cities. You purchase a flight pass from the company, specifying your departure location, preferred destination city, and a window of time (a few days) during which you wish to fly. You then either call in, or log in online to check the available flight options. If none of them suit your needs, you can choose to wait – or if there is a valid flight, you’ll confirm, and proceed to the airport on that date. You’ll register as stand-by for that flight, and if all goes well, you’ll be on your way to an spicy destination! When it’s time to come home, the system works the same way – there are contact numbers in the countries you’ll be visiting. Both companies claim high success rates in finding flights for their customers – over 90% of customers complete satisfactory flights. If they are unable to match you with a suitable flight, they will offer you a refund.

• AirTech – www.airtech.com

• AirHitch – www.airhitch.org

Consolidators:

If your schedule isn’t flexible enough for a stand-by or courier flight, you may want to capture an

airline brand through a consolidator. You’ll often still be able to save several hundred dollars over published fares. A consolidator is an organization which buys blocks of tickets at a time directly from the airline, at a powerful discount. They then re-sell the tickets at a lower ticket than the airlines would advertise. You can purchase consolidator tickets through most travel agents (though you’ll have to ask for them specifically), or you can deal directly with the companies yourself. (You’ll sight their small ads in the travel section of your Sunday newspaper, and many have their own websites.) But bear in mind – it is best to get quotes from several different agencies, as prices can vary considerably. (And it is definitely worth contacting an airline directly, or consulting websites such as Travelocity or Expedia – sometimes “note wars” can drop prices below the consolidator fares!)

Frequent Flyer Programs:

It may seem like an obvious way to set money, but all too often travelers miss opportunities to pick up and use air miles in frequent flyer programs.

Each day there are more and more opportunities to rack up miles. In addition to the obvious paid flights, you can now earn miles by using an airline-sponsored credit card (you can put everything on it, including groceries), by using rental car companies who have an affiliation with an airline, by staying in certain hotels, etc. Don’t miss an opportunity to consume advantage of these programs.

Also believe in mind that it is sometimes possible to buy extra miles from frequent flyer programs – for example, if you are only a thousand miles away from a free ticket, you might be able to pay just a few cents per mile for the ones you need – your ticket could end up costing you honest $30 or so!

Hostels:

Almost every budget traveler will find himself making exhaust of the world’s extensive hostel network at some point. There are over 5000 hostels worldwide, in 70 countries, and rates are

undoubtedly cheap – often as low as $8 or $10 per night. Hostels offer dormitory-style lodging, usually (but not always!) with separate quarters for men and women. There can be as few as 2 beds per room, or as many as a dozen. Bathrooms are shared, and many hostels offer a shared kitchen area as well. You are usually required to provide your contain towels, as well as linens or a “sleep sack” (sleeping bags are usually not allowed). Blankets are most often provided.

Hostels are commonly referred to as “youth” hostels, but they are no longer just for youths (with the exception of some hostels in the region of Bavaria, Germany.) You will encounter people of all ages – from families with children to senior citizens – while staying at hostels. An added bonus of hostel travel is meeting fellow travelers from all corners of the world. Ideas and information are exchanged, and often lifelong friendships are made. You’ll obtain hostels to be an invaluable resource for fade information – and most have message boards for travelers to post information on tours, ride shares, and more.

The largest hostelling organization is called Hostelling International (which is affiliated with the International Youth Hostel Federation), and membership will afford you the cheapest rates in hostels worldwide, as well as discounts on many tours and other activities. You’ll want to join this organization, which can provide you with information guides on hostels in the U.S.A., Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. Not every hostel is a member, but a very large number are.

• Hostelling International – www.hihostels.com

• The Internet Guide to Hostelling www.hostels.com

Pensions & B&B’s:

If the community environment of a hostel is not your cup of tea, you might consider a pension or bed and breakfast. Unlike bed and breakfast lodgings in the U.S. (which can be fairly pricey), they can be fairly inexpensive overseas. Rooms are private, but often have a shared bath. Breakfast is often included. Room rates vary considerably, but can inaugurate as low as $20-$25 in some areas. If you are traveling with a companion, pensions and B&B’s can work out quite economically. The best bet for locating them is to check out a budget travel guide.

Hosting:

Believe it or not, there is a way to halt overnight – absolutely FREE – worldwide! It’s called

“hosting”. There are organizations who match up travelers with people who wish to offer free lodging in their homes. The “hosts” are usually people who share your passion for move, and by offering their hospitality, they are in return able to make use of the service during their own travels. Although most organizations require that you reciprocate and put yourself on the list of potential future hosts, not all services require even this small effort. Hosting is a great way to make new friends, learn more about a new country, and experience a foreign culture from the inside. Following are 3 hosting organizations:

• Hospitality Club – www.hospitalityclub.org

• Hospitality Exchange – http://www.hospex.net

• Servas – www.servas.org

Home Exchange:

Home Exchange is similar to hosting in that you enter into a reciprocal agreement to offer your home to others, but with one difference – you stay in each other’s homes during the same time period. Obviously, this would only work if you’re planning on staying in one location for a length of time, usually longer than one week. (Not that this is a negative – staying put allows you to really get to know a city and culture……) Often the exchange will include consume of the family car, which can put you a good bit of money on transportation costs. There are organizations which arrange this sort of trade:

• Homelink – www.homelink.org

• Home Exchange – www.homeexchange.com

• Intervac – www.intervac.com

Tours:

Organized tours are almost never the cheapest method of travel, but they do have some important redeeming qualities. You are generally treated to the best an area has to offer, making use of the prior knowledge your guide has acquired. You’ll exhaust less time doing research on an area, and you’ll usually have a good idea of what type of trip it will be. You’ll meet other travelers from all over the world, possibly creating lifelong friendships. And – last but not least – there are certain areas of the world which are more easily and safely traveled in an organized group (such as remote areas of Africa, South and Central America, the Middle East, etc.) There are several companies which are geared toward the budget traveler, offering overland travel options from one week to 37 weeks. (Remember, your overnight accommodation and daily transportation are included in their rates….) These tours generally involve camping or hostels, and the members of the group most often handle their own food arrangements, or contribute to a daily food kitty. These companies are able to offer tours in surprisingly remote areas of the world.

• Dragoman Adventure Travel – www.dragoman.co.uk

• Guerba World Fade – www.guerba.co.uk

• Green Tortoise – www.greentortoise.com

• Absolute Africa – www.absoluteafrica.com

Train Travel:

It may not always be the cheapest method of land travel, but you can’t beat the convenience of passenger trains. They connect many areas of the globe, departing frequently from centrally located stations. They are usually comfortable, reasonably fast, and if you can conception some overnight travel you’ll save on lodging costs. You can often purchase tickets at a cheaper second class fare (which is usually at least 30% cheaper than first class), or if you’ll be doing extensive traveling, you might want to purchase a rail pass. Consult your guidebook for train availability and pricing in your country of destination.

Buses:

Buses are the budget traveler’s best friend. They go to places which trains can and cannot reach – in fact many countries are better served by bus systems. You’ll almost always score that bus travel is the cheapest option, no matter where in the world you find yourself. In third world countries, not only is it usually your only option, but it can be almost ridiculously cheap. (A full day of bus travel can cost less than $5.) Even in other, more developed countries, buses can be quite reasonable. In addition to purchasing bus tickets as you go, there are options in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand for special passes and budget-priced bus tours:

• Busabout – www.busabout.com

• Oz Experience – www.ozexperience.com

• Kiwi Experience – www.kiwiexperience.com

Car Rental:

If you are traveling with a group of people, renting a car can be an economical option. You’ll have to remember that that means dealing with insurance, international driver’s licenses, fuel costs, and parking – but it does add freedom and flexibility to your itinerary. Shop around for the best rates, as they vary tremendously between companies.

Ride Shares:

It is often possible to locate fellow travelers who have a car and are looking for passengers to abet part in the expenses. Message boards in hostels are great for this purpose – this is yet another way to meet people from around the world, and share in an adventure you would not have otherwise been a part of.

There are also organizations throughout Europe which can match up drivers with travelers who need a poke and will share in the travel costs along the way. They keep listings of desired departure dates and destinations to help the driver and the passenger find each other.

• Bug Ride – http://Europe.bugride.com

• Eurostop – www.eurostop.be

• Hitchhikers – www.hitchhikers.org

Having discussed the options for ride shares, it is also important to address the issue of safety. Even if a driver is found through an agency, you’ll still have to rely on your own instincts to choose if you feel comfortable with the situation. When in doubt – spend the extra cash for a bus or train. It’s worth the peace of mind.

Volunteer and Working Vacations:

If you have the time and inclination, there are several options out there for working and volunteering worldwide. It can be extremely rewarding to place yourself on the inside of a community, to work side by side with others, and live within a different culture. Following are some resources:

• Transitions Abroad – www.transitionsabroad.com

• Working Abroad – www.workingabroad.com

• Caretaker Gazette – www.caretaker.org

Cruise Ships:

Cruise ship employment is often available on a seasonal basis, as well as part time and full time. Cruises sail to such destinations as Mexico, the Caribbean, Alaska, Bermuda, Hawaii, and Europe, and as a crew member your food and accommodation are free. There are several books on this topic, as well as several websites (but beware of those which charge a high “application fee”):

• Cruise Job Finder – www.cruisejobfinder.com

Language Schools:

Another very affordable way to become immersed in another country’s culture is to attend a language school. The most inexpensive courses are in Spanish, and schools can be located in almost every Central American country. Prices can start as low as $150 per week, which includes everything – lodging with a local family, all your meals, and four hours of one-on-one Spanish lessons every weekday. You can find numerous listings of schools on the Internet, and it is helpful to consult your guidebook for more detailed information on schools in a particular area – including evaluations and recommendations from other students.

Guidebooks:

You will find that your guidebook will become your best friend while traveling. It will tell you the best (and cheapest) places to stay, and how to locate them. It will tell you the local history of an area, as well as offer cultural information. It will point out attractions and landmarks which you may want to experience, and tell you about local markets and festivals. It will discuss the health and safety concerns in an place, and deliver you about entry and exit requirements. It will convey you about local flora and fauna, and tell you about special tours in the region. It will include maps, and information on your best options for traveling around an area. It will become invaluable.

Different travelers are loyal to different guidebook series, and there are several out there to determine from. Before choosing a guide, visit your local bookstore and thumb through a few to eye which is to your liking. Different guides tend to target different depart budgets, so withhold that in mind as well. There are good budget guidebook companies which offer guides for every corner of the Earth. They include: Lonely Planet, Rough Guides, Moon Travel Guides, and Let’s Go. The Adventurous Traveler Bookstore (www.adventuroustraveler.com) is a favorable resource for guidebooks as well as maps.

Health and Safety:

When planning a trip to a foreign country, you’ll want to be sure to check out the current political and health situation there, as well as entry and exit requirements (including visas). Vaccines are required or recommended before entering many regions, so you’ll need to access this information in advance.

• The Center for Disease Control (CDC) – www.cdc.gov

• The US State Department – www.state.gov

Currency Exchange:

One of the most confusing things about world travel is currency exchange. It’s a good concept to get comfortable with the exchange rate of the countries you’re visiting before you go. When exchanging money upon arrival, the most expensive place to do so is usually the airport currency exchange booths – they generally charge a hefty fee. Your best bet is to use an ATM (if the country you are visiting has them – find this out in advance), or to exchange a only a small amount at the airport exchange booth in order to shroud you for a day or two. (You then have time to make your way to a bank later to exchange a larger amount of cash or traveler’s checks.)

Food:

It may seem like an unimportant topic to mention when discussing budget travel, but the cost of food can have a big impact on your overall travel costs. If you are eating out at every meal – even in a less-expensive depart destination, your daily meal costs can easily add up to $15 or more – which can be more than the cost of your overnight accommodations! By keeping a bottle of water with you, and eating out no more than once a day, you can prick down your expenses considerably. Some foods that depart well without needing refrigeration include: breads, hard cheeses, fruits, dried fruits, peanut butter, granola bars, crackers, cured meats such as beef jerky, and trail mix (you can mix your fill, using nuts, seeds, dried fruits, semisweet chocolate, etc.) If you’re staying in one place for a while, at a hostel or other lodging which provides access to a refrigerator, obviously you can expand your food supplies considerably.

Depending on what area of the world you’re traveling in, you might also make use of the street vendors in cities or villages, or at local outdoor markets. Food sold at these stands tends to be quite reasonably priced, as well as giving you another opportunity to sample the native fare. (A word of caution – when traveling in 3rd world countries you’ll have to make your beget judgment call on the cleanliness of such operations. A stomach bug while traveling can be a miserable thing!)

Packing:

What you pack doesn’t necessarily have powerful to do with saving money, but it sure does have a lot to do with how much you enjoy your trip! You no doubt already know this, but the key to avoiding luggage stress is this: PACK LIGHT! It takes some practice to really acquire good at it, but it makes such a big difference in the overall stress level of any wobble. Not having to worry about storing and lugging around a big heavy suitcase frees you up to relax and enjoy your surroundings.

Clothing tends to be the culprit when it comes to over packing, so that’s the first dwelling you’ll want to cut back. You will have access to either laundry facilities or a sink throughout your travels, and it is simple to wash out shirts, pants, and undergarments as you go. If you’re traveling to a destination which has cool weather, layering is the best option – leave the heavy, beefy clothing at home.

Everyone has his/her own luggage preference, but an excellent choice for budget travel is a soft bag which converts from a regular-looking proceed bag with a handle and shoulder strap, into a full backpack with a padded hip belt. It’s easier to use than a regular top-loading backpack, plus all the straps tuck safely away for checking on airplanes. It’s very comfortable to carry, for those long walks from the train station to the hostel. Many types even have a zip-off daypack, which is convenient for day excursions. But whichever type of bag you resolve, it should be comfortable to carry, not too large (5000 cubic inches or less), and have the ability to be locked with a miniature padlock.

With the information and resources above, you now have some very useful tools to support you plan the adventure of a lifetime – and to prevent you from going broke in the process. Remember – almost anyone can become a world traveler if he/she so desires. And consider the following advice from Mr. Trace Twain: “Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Soar away from the good harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

Flexibility.
One of the great things about being a real estate agent is the complete freedom and flexibility you have in your life. If you have other part-time jobs, or if you’re a father or mother and need the flexibility for your children then real estate is the perfect choice. The only boss you have is the broker-in-charge of the agency you work for, besides that you are an independent contractor and you set your own hours. For instance, if you’ve been on all of your appointments for the day, you can afford to go home a little early and acquire caught up on laundry or other personal appointments. Need a vacation? Take one, you don’t have to ask anyone for permission.

The possibilities are endless.
Though the steady estate company you work for will take a percentage of your commission, the income possibilities are still endless. Because you are your contain boss, you will reap the benefits depending on how hard you work. This is where the boys are separated from the men. Due to the flexibility, most real estate agents don’t do the necessary work and instead lack the proper motivation to be successful. If you work hard then you’ll see the rewards. For instance, you could come across a client that is looking to choose a $7,000,0000 tract of commercial property. If you made the sell, at closing you will have made over $300,000 in a single sale. I know this is an rude example, but this type of thing happens everyday.

Contacts.
If you have been a resident in a particular area for a number of years, then more than likely you have made numerous contacts over the years, whether it’s your dentist, neighbor, or friend at a local club. Real estate is the most effective career in which you have an already established clientele base that you can draw from. When you start your real estate career, immediately jabber everyone you know that you now have the capability to assist them with their real estate needs. More than likely, you won’t have to pick up the phone and cold call at all, you can unprejudiced rely on your sphere of influence to do the work for you. Real estate is something everyone has in common, and it’s easy to strike up a conversation with someone you know. For instance, if you have a friend that knows someone in construction or building, you could use that as a way to get in the door with the builder. If the builder then has a project coming up, you have already easily established a relationship with them through a mutual friend and you can begin the process of searching for land for their development site. Once you’ve found the land, the builder may even let you list all of the homes that are proposed to be built. And folks, that’s a lot of money.

Creativity and Independence.
The thing I enjoy most about being a right estate agent is the creativity I use to run my business. All of the advertising and name branding is completely in my hands, and if you have the creativity that is significant in advertising then real estate is a splendid opportunity for you. I once had the idea to put a flyer of mine on all pizza delivery boxes near the local university campus, advertising that I work closely with first time home buyers and people looking to move from dorms and into condos or townhomes. The reality of it is that a real estate agent is running their own business. Brainstorm for ways to get your name out and sign yourself to specializing in a niche or particular plot.

No two days are the same.
If you’re sales-minded, part of the problem with looking for the right position is that you don’t want to be stuck in a store all day or behind a cubicle making cold calls all day long. Loyal estate is an adventure. You’re given the opportunity to be out of the office all day long and touring some of your areas most interesting and ravishing homes. Meeting new people in the field is much more animated and the drama enthusiastic with a proper estate transaction is enough to keep you on your toes. Being involved in the negotiations process is exciting, as well as the drama that happens until the eve of closing.

Emotional rewards.
I talked briefly about the monetary rewards for selling trusty estate, but the most rewarding experience is making a client’s dreams come true. You’re involved in one of the most important decisions that your client will ever make, and the minute you hand the keys over to them you know you’ve made the difference. They hired you to steal them from Point A to Point B, and by achieving that you’ve truly done something essential. There’s a certain pride in selling homes, and your clients will never forget their real estate agent.

Baby strollers come in all shapes and sizes to fit almost any taste and definitely any budget. The most important aspect of any baby stroller you are considering is safety; will this stroller protect your child adequately or does it pose a potential problem down the road? First, before even going to the store or shopping on line, you should check out the Consumer Reports verdict on strollers for the year. Consumer Reports is a professional, objective reviewer of all kinds of consumer products from food to card and everything in between. Their reports on strollers have predicted many a recall which could become inconvenient or even dangerous to you and your child later on. Their tests are focused on safety and comfort for both the baby and the adult using the stroller including where the straps are, how tough they and their fasteners are, and how easy the baby stroller is to maneuver. Consumer Reports requires payment for access to their site in the form of a subscription; a small effect to pay to get excellent reviews on your next baby stroller and since they review all kinds of products, you may find referring to them a habit as the months go by.

Second, you should consider the weight of the baby stroller you are looking at; it seems weird to contemplate the weight of a stroller when it is on wheels, but it does form a inequity in your decision. First of all, the weight affects the maneuverability of the stroller. The heavier the baby stroller, the harder it is to turn which may cause muscle strain and make for a tired mommy or daddy at the end of a day. Also, weight affects how easy the stroller will be to fold, load, unload, and unfold. Heavy strollers can become problematic for newly-delivered mothers as the extra strain may cause certain problems in areas once thought healed. Also, even for later on, mothers and fathers of petite or small frame may struggle with lifting and unfolding the strollers repeatedly, say at an outing to a park or to grandma’s house for the day. Don’t discount the weight of an object you’ll be lugging around for at least a year, if not more.

Finally, you will want to deem the price range you are willing to pay for a stroller. Some strollers are over priced, no doubt about it. Consider carefully the features you need and if the added price is worth the extra cost. If you can’t afford (or don’t want to pay) full price for a baby stroller, consider looking in second-hand stores. Thrift stores such as Goodwill refurbish and clean strollers so they are serviceable and inexpensive. A slightly more pricy, but also higher standard retailer is Once Upon a Child; the pre-owned children’s apparel and equipment store accepts and sells only “gently mature” items like baby strollers, so you know the baby stroller will be in good shape when you do buy it.

Well I can say you that this is not exactly true. I spent about 2 hours online one day checking all the websites for quotes. When I went to Esurance I found that my insurance would raise about $400.00 every six months through them. AIG was even worse, it took me over 30 minutes to even fetch my quote and I am certain you figured out already the quote was upwards of $500.00 more than I already pay.

Interestingly I am a married woman age 57 ½ and I have a clean driving record. My husband also has a clean record. So why I ask myself were our quotes so high. Not because of our credit rating as it is 769, which not to brag but this is a good rating. When I challenged these companies regarding the cost of my quote. I was told, it was because they included my adult children in the quote. Why I ask, because they spend my home address as their own. Now my children do not live in the house they use our address as their permanent address of portray. So when they run a check to quote your insurance in Oregon, they run the records of all residents at your address. Even if those people do not reside in the home nor drive your automobile.

No problem with this as I was just testing the waters. We are privileged to carry Geico because my husband is a government employee so we are have our policies through them. They are not the lowest I am sure of that, no accident forgiveness like Allstate. But as my mother use to say, “if it sounds too good to be true, it is too good to be true.” I must assume there is a catch to the entire accident forgiveness and the check they state will come to you for no accidents every 6 months or year.

So in the kill I decided it is better to stay with my little lizard friend, I think he is so cute anyway.

What Does It Look Like?
The butterfly bush is a very popular shrub that can easily tower over the other plants in the garden with its height of anywhere from six to fifteen feet. It can fill a garden space with its growth from four to fifteen feet in width. For this reason three or four butterfly bushes could be planted in a row two or three feet apart to form a dense but lovely privacy hedge.

The slight leaves of the butterfly bush vary from grayish-green to sad green. The stems branching off from the main stems tend to grow in a disorderly manner. Cultivars for the garden such as ‘Guinevere’ are being developed with a more compact and orderly growth pattern. These grow to only four or five feet in height.

The blossoms are the main attraction of the butterfly bush. They are beautiful as well as a rich source of nectar for butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Each spire-shaped cluster is composed of several puny blooms which open slowly, starting from the base of the spire to the tip. Different garden varieties produce different flower spike lengths. The cultivars Golden and Dwarf Blue have spires three to five inches in length. Shadowy Knight, Royal Red, Pink Delight, Royal Blue, ilight, another butterfly bush cultivar, grows to six to eight feet in height with sunless purple blooms perfect for prick or dried flower bouquets. It is a recommended choice for small gardens.

Two cultivars with white blossoms, White Profusion and White Bouquet, both have growth habits that are more upright and less spread out. White Profusion grows to eight feet in height and blooms in late spring to late summer. The underside of its leaves has a silvery white appearance.

Planted up against a white picket fence, a butterfly bush can give an effect like one of the cottage gardens seen in some parts of England.

A butterfly bush could be planted to the side of one of the windows of the house. In this way, it would provide a little shade besides allowing some glimpses and possible photo opportunities of the insects and hummingbirds attracted to it.

It can be planted near the bottom of a small incline to mask the slope.

When the butterfly bush serves as a backdrop in the small garden, other perennials attractive to butterflies may be planted around it. Perennials which could fill in the remaining spaces, in descending order from tallest to shortest include Joe pyeweed and tall ironweed (six to eight feet tall), popular milkweed (three to four feet), asters (two to four feet), purple coneflower (two to three feet), goldenrod (up to two and a half feet), coreopsis (one to two feet), and viola odorata (six to twelve inches). All of these are known to be wonderful attractions for butterflies.

How Does One Purchase Proper Care of a Butterfly Bush?
Plant your butterfly bush where it will receive full sun. The hottest sun will not dull the flowers’ hues or wilt the leaves. It can withstand some drought conditions. The garden soil in which it is planted should receive good drainage and have a pH of between 6.6 to 7.8 (neutral to slightly alkaline). The soil does not require enrichment. Water butterfly bushes once or twice a month, dependant upon the rainfall during that time period. The bushes should not be overwatered.

One of the biggest questions a gardener has when faced with the rampant growth habit of many cultivars is how he can prune the butterfly bush and control some of its bushiness. Many cultivars require a once or twice a year pruning but some varieties like Dwarf Blue do not. Most cultivars should be pruned in late winter by either thinning the side stems or cutting the bush almost to the ground. This depends upon what USDA zone the gardener is in. In zones 8 to 11 the butterfly bush will not lose its leaves and should just be thinned. In zones 5 and 6 the bush becomes dormant and can be cut to the ground after the first frost. Place three to six inches of mulch over the crown of the bush to protect it. Rather than damaging the plant, a good pruning will encourage the blossoms to approach back bigger and more vibrant. In the spring the butterfly bush can be pruned if the side branches are causing the top to droop. A butterfly bush can place on three to four feet of height in its first year of growth.

Are Butterfly Bushes Invasive?
In Europe, butterfly bushes grow in the wild. Spain, France, and Switzerland have programs in place to attempt to curtail the unrestrained growth of butterfly bushes. The bushes grow so abundantly along railroad tracks that they become a safety hazard. Natural Asiatic insect species which kept the bushes under control in China have not yet adapted to European climates.

In the United States and especially in the Pacific Northwest, butterfly bushes have proven to be a very aggressive invasive species. In 2004, Buddleia davidii was named a Class B noxious weed by the Oregon Department of Agriculture.

Carol Savonen of Oregon State University recommends the following to keep butterfly bushes in the home garden from becoming invasive:

Deadhead, or prune, all spent bloom spires. Unlike many other flowers, butterfly bush flowers do not drop to the ground when spent. Since the seed is released in the spring, deadheading should be done in the fall.

Burn or shred and compost all pruned portions of the butterfly bush.

Secure rid of unique seedlings from the unique bush by digging them up. Do not give them away.

Determine a cultivar for the garden that is known to beget fewer seeds. ‘Summer Rose’ or ‘Orchid Beauty’ are examples of these.

Butterfly bushes can make your garden a showcase of beauty and splendid to butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds but require some care to keep them from becoming just another noxious weed.

Resources:
Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres. “When the Butterfly Bush Blossoms.” [Online] http://www.physorg.com/news131116957.html.
Mountain Valley Growers, Inc. “Butterfly Bushes.” [Online] http://www.mountainvalleygrowers.com/mvv2-94.htm.
Savonen, Carol. “How to keep butterfly bush from spreading noxiously.” Oregon State University. [Online] http://extension.oregonstate.edu/news/story.php? S_No=770&storyType=garde
Beaulieu, David. “Designing Butterfly Gardens: Sun, Moisture, Shelter.” [Online] http://landscaping.about.com/cs/forthebirds/a/butterfly_plant.htm
Hirt’s Gardens. “Plants: Buddleia davidii ‘Guinevere’-Butterfly Bush.” [Online] http://www.about-garden.com/a/en/2234-buddleia-davidii-guinevere-butterfly-bush/