Here is a handy article on what we can all do every day to stay on top of our finances, and our health!http://finance.yahoo.com/expert/article/moneyhappy/196161
Calculating Your Body Mass Index
Do you know your number? Most people don’t. And that’s a shame, since your number can offer a peek at your health.
By your number, we mean your body mass index (BMI), which indicates whether your weight falls within a desirable range for your height.
Depending on your classification, you may or may not wish to think about losing weight.
It is a useful tool to determine whether or not you need to lose weight because it takes into account all body types.
Here is a really handy Body Mass Index Calculator
http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/
Use Caution When Getting an Exotic Pet
While most people have dogs or cats as pets, there are others who prefer exotic animals. At a time when many of these exotic animals are listed on the endangered species list, nonetheless, a variety of animals are captured, traded illegally, and sold to consumers. There are many considerations involved in owning these not so ordinary pets. Therefore, use caution when getting an exotic pet.
Snakes and other Reptiles
Although snakes, iguanas, and lizards are popular exotic pets; they are not suitable for families with young children. They require high maintenance and special dietary needs. In addition, they also require large enclosures and specific temperatures simulating their environment in the wild.
While at first look they may seem fascinating, the fact is they can pose health risks. For example, a snake’s diet is composed of mice, insects, frogs, lizards, and, in some cases, other snakes. Lizards consume certain types of plants, bugs, spiders, and depending upon their size, other smaller animals. Iguanas rely on fruits, insects, worms, and crickets.
Considering the diet of these exotic animals, the cost to feed them could be exorbitant. Moreover, as mentioned earlier some of these exotic reptiles may have been trapped in the wild and sold to unsuspecting consumers. It would have to be determined if, for example, the snake purchased may become a danger to family members or other pets in the home.
It is important then, before choosing snakes or other reptiles, to find out as much as you can about their needs, if it is lawful to keep them as pets, and whether or not you can provide them with the care and attention they deserve. More importantly, they should be checked by a qualified vet to ensure they do not carry any known diseases that you or your family can be exposed to.
Gerbils
Gerbils make great pets and are fairly easy to feed. They mostly live on organic pellets, carrots, and other vegetables but you can also purchase special gerbil food specifically designed for their diet. However, since they are energetic, it is advised that you purchase a large cage filled with a spinner wheel, a bottle of water affixed to the cage, a food dish, wood shavings or hay to line the bottom of the cage. Many experts advise it is better to acquire two gerbils as they are a social rodent. Maintenance of the gerbil can be minimal, but they love attention and prefer to be taken out of the cage and hand-held for several hours.
Raccoons
Some time ago a project was started to breed raccoons in captivity and “get the wildness” out of them. The hope was they would become as popular as cats or dogs. Something similar was done with ferrets.
A raccoon is, by nature, nocturnal and this can cause problems because his or her day starts just when the human being’s day is ending.
They are very independent but like to play with people they know and dogs and cats as well. They are extremely strong for their size and this can cause problems. They tend to attack people they don’t know, say guests in your house. They sneak up on them and make no noise at all. Give no warning. Then they offset their jaw so that the upper jaw is extended and strike at the person’s head or neck, like a snake, sinking their upper canine teeth into a blood vessel, which they instinctively and unerringly locate. So you can’t let a raccoon run free in the house if you have guests.
One of their most serious drawbacks is a combination of their nature and their instincts. By nature, they are a bit clumsy and tend to drop things. If, or rather when, you give them a piece of food, they tend to drop it. If you, as your instinct tends to dictate, try to pick it up to give back to the raccoon, their instinct is to think you are trying to steal it and they will bite you right to the bone. The raccoon will always do this. So it is up to the owner to never try to pick up anything they have dropped unless they go away and leave it.
Another thing is that raccoons don’t understand petting and if you try to do it, they take it as an attack and will instinctively bite. When they are young, 2 to 3 weeks old, you can train them to accept petting by going to pet their head, knowing they will bite and pulling back in time. Once their jaws snap shut on, hopefully, empty air, you tap them lightly on the nose. You have to keep doing this until you wear them down which takes about 4 or 5 repeats. Then they will accept getting petted and eventually learn to like it. This will make them safer for you and other people to be around.
If you have a raccoon you must never give it cow’s milk. If you do, it will get parasites and die suddenly for no apparent reason. Goat’s milk is considered safe and will not cause sudden death.
The upside of getting a raccoon is they are very interesting and intelligent and just plain fun. However, remember the old rhyme, “When they are good, they are very, very good, but when they are bad, they are horrid.”
Therefore, before deciding on an exotic pet, ask yourself these questions:
• Can I afford the costs associated in maintaining this pet?
• Is it legal to own this pet?
• Do I have enough space in my home or apartment that is conducive to mimic this pet’s environment in the wild?
• Does this pet pose any health danger?
• Will I be able to give this pet the attention it needs?
• How will this pet fit in with other pets I own?
• Was this pet obtained by a breeder or traded illegally?
• Am I doing more harm than good by keeping this exotic animal out of its normal environment?
While there are a number of exotic pets available, albeit legal and illegally obtained, the decision as to whether or not to own one takes a great amount of thought. Children tend to gravitate towards gerbils, guinea pigs, and hamsters, while seasoned pet owners prefer more exotic animals such as snakes and parrots.
Ideally, however, acquiring an exotic pet through a breeder is preferable. Pet stores, on the other hand, may not be fully candid as to where the animal came from or concede that there may be existing health problems. Consider, too, that most exotic animals need to be kept in an enclosed environment since they can be a danger to other pets in the home.
Use caution when getting an exotic pet by ascertaining their origin, health condition, suitability in the home, and maintenance. Remember too, because many exotic animals are being transported through illegal trade they may not be in the best of shape when they reach a certain destination. Just as humans can develop diseases from exotic animals, they are just as vulnerable to human viruses as well. It’s just like taking a fish out of water; they can’t possibly survive.
Making a List and Checking it Twice When Shopping, Part 2
Part 2.
Try to map out the stores you frequent. Unless they constantly move items around, you will be able to quickly find the cereal and the mustard without having to search around, wasting time and money. Being able to grab exactly what you need aids in cost savings because, again, you won’t be left to your own devices when walking aimlessly up and down the isles.
Budget check often Leave room on your list to write down prices. Many stores will honor prices if marked incorrectly on the shelf, or even give you that particular item for free if it rings up incorrectly. Being able to keep track of the dollars you are going to spend as you walk through the store also helps when it comes to shopping on a budget. When you see the dollars adding up, it is much more difficult to justify the impulse buy at the checkout lane.
To recap, make sure you have the list with you before you leave the house. Also, make sure that list is as complete as possible by keeping a running tab of needed items on the fridge. Sort the list by common items to make life easier and know where those items are located. Finally, keep track of your spending on the same list to help with frugal shopping.
Making a List and Checking it Twice When Shopping, Part 1
Part 1.
The biggest frustration for a family on a budget is forgetting the ever-important list at home. This usually results in a bout of yelling and blaming, followed by an attempted list-recreation while moving through the store. Generally, this causes an abundance of items, half of which are not even needed, ending up in the shopping basket. Not to mention blowing the budget out of the window and still having only partial ingredients to make any resemblance of a meal.
Shopping lists are only as effective as the person who makes them. The rule for shopping lists is to make sure you look through all of your items, including the shelves where you stock the goodies, to make sure you have written every last thing down. The best thing to do for keeping a good list is to hang a piece of paper on the refrigerator to keep a running tally as you use up items. This will help ensure minimal items are missed. It is still helpful to go back through the fridge, freezer and all pantries before heading to the store.
When creating your list, there are a few tips to remember:
Organize Try and keep your list organized by where items are placed in your kitchen. For instance, have a column for frozen goods, another for refrigerated and a final one for pantry items. This will help three fold.
First, when you are shopping, many items are grouped together in this same way. This will increase your shopping speed and leave little room for impulse buys because you are just wandering up and down the isles. Second, all of the like items will be packaged together since they are in your cart together, keeping the cold items cold and the meats away from the bread and eggs. Finally, since the items are packed together, putting them away at home will be a breeze. They will already be grouped according to where they go.
Continued in Part 2.
Transcend 8GB SDHC CARD
With most people utilizing digital cameras today, technology has surged in
providing newer and larger memory capacity. Transcend has come out with an 8GB
Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) Card that plugs into the USB port of most of
the newer model cameras.
If you know anything about memory cards, you will agree that an 8GB card can
store thousands of pictures. Moreover, the card can hold an entire DVD movie;
it can be used as a backup for files on your computer; and can store thousands
of music files in your MP3.
The Transcend Card includes such features as:
* Technology – Secure Digital High-Capacity(SDHC)
* Manufacturer Warranty – 2 Years
* – Compatible with all SDHC-labeled host devices (not compatible with standard
SD)
* – Easy to use, plug-and-play operation
* Type: Secure Digital High Capacity Card
* Memory Size: 8GB
* Write Speed: N/A
* Size (L x W x H): SD: 0.8″ x 0.8″ x 0.05″
* SDHC (SD High-Capacity) is the new generation of SD cards (Version 2.0)
* Formatted in FAT32, SDHC cards reach a maximum capacity of 32GB and can
fulfill the high-capacity demand of the new SDHC devices such as Casio Exilim
Z1000/Z600/S600 cameras, Panasonic DMC-L1 camera, and HP printer A/B.
Consumers who have purchased this card are delighted with this inexpensive yet
powerful memory card and the fact that it is so versatile. Most, however, have
used this card for their Canon SD1000 digital camera, as well as other cameras
that have SDHC compatibility.
As computer technology has surged over the years, more companies are designing
peripherals which make it easier and more affordable to work at home, at the
office, and elsewhere. With wireless laptops becoming more popular than
desktops, the convenience of not having to remain at a computer desk has
brought about a change in computer operations worldwide.
As you know, the amount of memory in a computer is critical to maintaining
important files both large and small. With the advent of memory sticks, we can
do away with external hard drives and utilize the SanDisks or Transcend Cards
that are available today.
Whether we use these cards for cameras, laptops, desktops, or other
peripherals; there is no doubt that more and more products offering a more
practical solution to cables and wires affords everyone an opportunity to enjoy
electronic products to the max.
The Transcend 8GB SDHC card is the latest innovation that will afford you
enough memory for your camera, computer, or MP3 to last a lifetime.
Why Enterprise Asset Management is Vital for Any Company
In any business organization, enterprise asset management is vital in achieving a greater return on assets. This primarily involves curbing operating costs, maximizing results on periodic asset maintenance, and effective management of capital. In any industry, the employees also need to recognize the importance of asset management, and have the knowledge on a variety of asset maximizing responsibilities.
Asset Management Elucidated
Essentially, asset management in any enterprise involves the effective administration of its physical assets, for the purpose of increasing profits and minimizing downtime expenses. The scope of this administrative function includes activities such as construction of facilities and fixtures, plant and office building design and engineering, production operations, and finally the maintenance of equipment and the replacement of the necessary parts.
As an example, physical assets would encompass machines like computers and printers as well as furniture like desks, chairs, and filing cabinets. Transport systems are also included, as well as cable and plant machineries, in the case of bigger industries. Of course fixed assets would differ depending on the type of industry the organization is engaged in, such as food production, textile, corporate services, or healthcare.
Thus, from the procurement of supplies and tools, operation of machines for production, to the maintenance of facilities, all these should be handled with asset value maximization in mind.
The modern approach to asset management by organizations and entrepreneurs has shifted from the traditional type, which had merely involved short term planning. Today, every organization is taking an active role in ensuring that its asset expenditures and utilities are geared towards achieving longer-term returns. Moreover, asset management is crucial for enterprises that maintain units across various locations or those that utilize fixed assets in different departments within one unit.
Why this type of management is essential
Effective asset management commands importance in the same manner that physical assets play very important roles in the day-to-day operations of any industry. The purchase and the ownership of fixed assets, while very important in any business, require excellent management and maintenance skills. Entrepreneurs for instance, should have a system wherein the cost of owning equipment or expensive machinery is minimized at all times. Poor performance, downtimes, and repairs all add up to the cost of these fixed assets over time.
Machine repairs and equipment maintenance are indeed important for any industry; however these should be effectively carried out so as to not hamper the daily operations of the industry, such as the production processes. Furthermore, whenever equipment or system downtimes happen, this subsequently affects the expenses of the company. Planning and management of assets, costs, and maintenance should all be done to increase the life cycle of the assets and for the business to perform more effectively even in the face of rigid competition.
The Essential Tools in Assets Management
These days, EAM tools are available for complex organizations and industries. These tools provide the best solutions in work and asset management and even asset information management. These are all geared towards helping businesses maintain their plants, maximize equipment value, effectively manage information for sales, and coordinate with production and maintenance personnel for improved quality and competence.
Successful enterprise asset management is certainly a requirement for any industry, especially in todayís rapidly globalizing and extremely competitive business settings. Through this, industry managers, business owners, and company top-level executives will be able to optimize and organize the daily operations of the business for effective performance and profitability.