Let's Talk Money

Don't Let Your Fuel Storage Compartment Empty...Believe Me!

2016-09-16T01:39:00.000+08:00

Do you always wait for the light of your fuel indicator in your dashboard that your fuel is low before going to a filling station? Please don't! I have a bad experience with that.

I was a new driver at that time and I want to experience a lot of things about my car. One of that is fuel tank. I want to find out the real capacity of my fuel tank. I allow it to be empty

until almost finished just enough to reach the filling station then I fill it full tank. I enjoyed that kind of habit until I get used to it. If I remember right, I did it about 3 or 4 times. Then one day, I smell a fuel odor surrounding my car. I tried to find where the smell came from. I sniff around my car until my nose led me to the fuel tank.

I was scared to see that there was a leak in my fuel tank. I immediately send my car to the workshop and I asked the mechanic why and how come a fuel compartment that is made of steel can possibly crack that caused the leak. He said there was something wrong with the fuel system that caused the fuel pressure regulator to break down, hence, the pressure goes back to the fuel storage compartment. I asked what is the possible cause. He said the fuel has impurities that if these impurities goes through the fuel lines by the fuel pump, these impurities becomes thick surrounding the fuel lines, and it will put too much pressure on the fuel pressure regulator which cause the breakdown.

I honestly told the mechanic what I did, he smiled and said "don't ever do that again because it's dangerous." With that mistake I spent $500.00 plus because the mechanic has to dismantle the fuel storage compartment and send to a machine shop for welding. A costly intentional mistake :(

If you are using a diesel engine, don't wait for your fuel meter in the dashboard less than half. Diesel engines are more sensitive because it is a fuel injection pump. It sends fuel under high pressure to the fuel injector nozzles.

Do You Know That Body Car Wash is Different from Engine Car Wash?

2016-09-15T15:28:00.001+08:00

If you send you car for car wash make sure you know the difference between body and engine car wash. You can do your own car body wash or if you are busy you can just bring it to any car wash shop. There are small car wash places which are run by out of school youths or just a small family car wash run by family's own children. These kind of car wash centers is good to help youths earn especially the secondary newly graduates during school holidays while waiting for the next enrollment.

Body car wash is not easy. It's tiring and hours of washing the inside and out of the car really makes your back ache especially if you really want to clean it thoroughly up until the tires and underneath the car . If the water pressure in your area is weak, better bring your car to the car wash center :)

Engine wash should be done only to the workshop because the mechanic will cover the parts of the engine that is not supposed to get wet especially the plugs and other parts sensitive from water before the wash boy will open the nozzle and start washing. However, you can do it yourself if you know the parts that are sensitive to water and cover it before washing. After washing the wash boy will dry up the engine using air pressure. The mechanic will check back again testing the ignition if it works. If everything is okey before they will release the car.

Care for your car because your car is "your best friend".

Do You Know That You Can Talk To Your Car?

2016-09-15T14:22:00.000+08:00

Twenty-five years of driving gave me so much experience and discoveries, not just car problem issues, speed issues, road blocks, and other issues but experience in communicating with my car is part of all those experiences. At first I laughed at my friend when she told me that we can communicate with our car and our car listens especially if there is something wrong. I was new having a license at that time so I just smile at her and replied "is it?". After that I forgot already about my friend's story. One day I tried when I felt something was wrong with my car but the "communication" I made to my car is not sincere :) Maybe my car "knew" so my car ignored me :)

Until one day, after about a year when I bought my new toyota hi-lux, as I switch on the engine, I heard a noise from the engine. The warranty is just finished so I felt nervous of course for the possible expenses in case there is something wrong. Besides the car is quite new so I couldn't believe that problem will occur at that early. Sincerely from my heart I said to my car "my dear, what's wrong? Please heal yourself as I don't have a budget yet to bring you to the agent...please." After that incident I never heard the same noise again.

Another one incident again that I can say that communicating with our car is really very effective. My battery is dry cell and supposedly I should change it before 3 or four years. I bought my car 2007 and I didn't change the battery since there was no sign of weakening during start-ups. After four years I already notice the ignition is weak. The price of the dry cell battery is expensive so I said to my car "my dear, I know you are already weak but please wait for the overtime pay of my husband and I promise I will buy you immediately." It took about two weeks before my husband receive his overtime pay.

I fetched my daughter first from school and before I send her for afternoon class I dropped by at the ATM machine to check the money. I was happy that the money is already credited to my husband's account. Here now is the proof that my car listens to what I say or said. When I switch on the engine, not even a sound came out! I repeated 3x but still the same. I smiled and said to my car "my dear, you have a very good memory and you really don't want to break my promise :)". I just called my friend and he bought the battery to bring it to me because my car can't really help it anymore :)

Honestly, I treat my car as my "best friend" because "he" can bring me everywhere I wanted to go and of course I can't work without "him" :) Is it weird? For me no...because we are all made of cells (battery is a cell) and this is interaction of cells in the universe.

Your Home As A Reflection of Your Ideas

2016-09-09T12:01:00.000+08:00

There is no doubt that everyone of us loves to talk about our home during conversation with friends when they visit us or during outside events with friends and family when the topic "home" is brought upon. The definition of a home are countless in the internet, in the dictionary and in the minds of each and everyone of us. Regardless of the size of your house, be it small or big, how you organize, improve, and decorate is a reflection of yourself.

Your excellent ideas in your home can be seen through the appearance of your house. Your garden will show your ideas about plants and landscaping. Your living room will show your

ideas if you love paintings, if you love miniatures, if you love simple and spacious living room, and your style in the positions of your furniture and other things within the living room. Your kitchen will show your ideas from how you organize all things surrounding your kitchen and what things are most found in your kitchen. Say...if you have a lot of baking tools that means you love baking, if your kitchen is big and have lots of built-in cupboards full of dining wares, that means you love inviting people on casual and important occasions. But where would you start?

You may have just transferred to a new house, bought an old house to renovate, or you want to improve your house from the present condition, first budget is what you consider. How are you going to manage your budget in the improvement of your house.

You have to choose the right architect, the right engineer, and the right contractor. You should give them your budget amount and they will give their quotation on the materials based on the ideas that you want for your house. Negotiations will follow upon submission of quotation and if your budget will meet the amount of the quotation, then agreement shall be signed. There are some cases that if your budget is not enough, contractors can adjust by adding or subtracting the amount of materials needed. Here you should be cautious. You should be familiar with the materials needed in each project to make a good result. Always bear in mind that your house is your place to live in for the rest of your life so make it sure that the building procedures is well-guarded and met.

My experience of 7 years when I worked in a construction company and another 4 years in a hardware store made me familiar with the agreements signed between contractors and clients, and also all different kinds, names, definitions and uses of materials from the smallest to the biggest thing needed.

Clear discussion and understanding is important between you and the contractor before signing any agreement to have a 100% good result of the outcome of your ideas.

The Importance of Basic Car Care, Maintenance and Repair for All Drivers

2016-09-08T21:10:00.001+08:00

Learning the basics in do-it-yourself car care is a must to all drivers including women. Not all drivers who are women knows the basic car care like DIY for changing tires, determining the possible problems from the sound of the engine, the basic parts of the car engine and a lot more.

Before you buy a car the first thing that you would consider is your budget. What kind of car can meet with your budget? Car manufacturers design many different types according to

consumers' demands and consumers' buying capacity. Upper and middle-class consumers can buy expensive cars like Rolls-Royce, BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes Benz, Bentley, and Expensive Sports Cars. For the lower budgeted consumers, of course, these types of cars is a bit impossible to have since just for the tyres alone will cost hundreds and some even thousands. So with the fuel and maintenance. These types of car must be maintained by each own car manufacturer's agents workshop. You can't bring these type of cars to an ordinary workshop because it's either the spare parts are not available or the car mechanics do not have the knowledge of the car engine system.

You should also know how to identify vehicle parts. Since I started driving, I used to bring my car to the workshop and I don't just sit down at the waiting room of the workshop until the car repair or maintenance is finished. If my car is for repair, I will stand in front of the mechanic and watch everything that he's doing. I asked the names of the parts and its uses. I don't know if the mechanic is irritated with my so many questions but I just want to learn the functions of each part. By doing so, if there is a problem with my car, I would know how serious the problem is.

You should know when you change your oil filter, timing belt, clutch, the conditions of your brakes, check your water radiator, when you replace your battery and you should always be aware of the light sensors because it shows which part of the car have a problem, and a lot more. Car care is very important because some accidents are caused by faulty engines and worn out tyres. Care for your car is care for your life.

Parsley - Rich in Vitamins and Minerals

2016-09-08T19:48:00.000+08:00

Parsley, a fragile herb that is not really difficult to find is a kind of herb that is rich in vitamins and minerals. It is usually used for garnish when finely chopped by sprinkling over sauces and gratins. Whole sprigs may accompany grilled and roasted meats, while deep-fried parsley adorns fried foods.

Common curly parsley

are preferred by many cooks because it keeps well when refrigerated, attractive when left whole and easy to chop. Other kinds of parsley is Italian of French parsley which is regarded less bitter. It is often used in combination with garlic and olive oil in braises, stews, and pan-fried or pasta dishes.

Make the right choice by the appearance of its bushy leaves with no bruises, good aroma, and well-formed stalks and leaves.

Corriander Leaves and Seeds

2016-09-08T13:25:00.000+08:00

Corriander Leaves

The leaves are bitter and musky in contrast with the seeds as citrus-like perfume. Corriander's leaves should be added at the end of cooking as it is fragile or it can be sprinkled over a dish just before it is served, as its flavour dissipates when heated. The leaf corriander is greatly used in cuisines of different countries in sauces, beans or meat dishes and salads, often in combination with chillies. There are some parts of Asia where the root is grounded and added to long-simmered curries.

Corriander Seeds

It has a gentle citrus-like perfume and commonly used in European pastries, cakes and vegetable dishes, also in other countries like India as spice mixtures. It stands up well to long cooking.

My First Driving Experience

2016-09-03T17:48:00.000+08:00

I got my driving license in 1992 so it's now my 24th year to have a driving license. Remembering the days when I first learn how to drive was quite an experience. Having lived to be independent most of my life, when I arrived here in Brunei, the first thing that I desired was to drive myself to wherever I want to go. Each time I see women driving their own car alone made me more eager to learn how to drive.

My first teacher was my husband. Sadly, he is impatient to teach inexperienced learner. One day, he told me to teach me some "basics". Of course, I was excited. I immediately put on my rubber shoes then on to the steering wheel and closed the door. At first, it's okey. He demonstrated me first how to change the gear (the car is in neutral gear) from first to fourth gear. Then he said, "reverse". I reverse smoothly, change the gear to first gear then off we moved (I didn't know yet his temper at the time :) slowly. The road is hilly so this was my dilemma. I drove slowly changing the 1st to 3rd gear until we reached the slope. Of course I stepped on the break because I don't know how to balance the clutch and the accelerator yet. Without warning, he yelled at me and said, "move the first gear!"

My fear of his yelling while the car slowly reverse made me tremble that I now don't know what to do or to touch. The more he saw that I'm scared and trembling, the more he got angry and the more I don't know if I will just step down from the car or step on the accelerator :). Trying to control myself, I finally got back to my senses (though trembling still), stepped on the accelerator a bit hard so the wheels screeched up the hill with the wheels to the opposite lane. I was so scared but just lucky that there was no car on the opposite lane.

Because of my trembling knee and my fear, my mind was so confused that I don't know what to do next. He yelled again and said, "change the gear to 2nd, and to 3rd and to 4th." I was not familiar yet with the timing of the changing of gear, but I have to compose myself and listen to him. Finally, when we reached home, I hurriedly jumped out of the car (my knee still trembling) and told him "I better don't know how to drive for the rest of my life than to let you teach me ever, ever again." He did not say a word but at least I was relieved that I was safe outside the car :)

My bad experience with my first driving lesson did not make me stop to learn. The following day, I went to a driving school and enrolled. It took me 28 hours before I passed the test because my first test I failed :) as I did not pass the parking test so I took another 10 hours. Quite strict here.

When I already had my driving license, I taught I already knew everything :) Later I realized that actually my driving license is just an approval for me to drive on the road. I still have yet to know a lot of things like balancing, how to maintain a moderate speed and learned that not all cars have the same accelerator speed and a lot of things.

I learned that driving is a learning process. You have to know not just about moving the gears, stepping on the accelerator and breaks but more importantly, drivers should know if their car is in trouble thru the sounds of the car engine, the movement, and should know how to change flat tires. Not all women know how to change tyres...but I know. That I will share with you my future posts.

Formula for Total Success

2014-10-08T21:57:00.001+08:00

You want a major change in your life? Why some succeed and why some failed? What is the root of all problems, miseries, poverty and negatives in life? On the other hand, what is the formula for success? I can say that higher educational attainment is not really the formula for success. However, education cannot be set aside since education will give us the capacity to understand what is written.
There are "millionaires" who did not even go to college or high school (I met some of them), they don't talk much, they are simple in their ways, they are not arrogant and yet their wallets are bulging with money...why?

My former Boss was one big example. He does not have high educational background but "he is a millionaire". I respect him for his humbleness, fairness to his staff, wise in making decisions, and his generosity. He does not talk too much and yet he deals with high profile people. When he first opened his company I was one of his pioneer employees, and I witnessed how his business grow from thousands worth of projects to millions. I thought then that "luck" was on his side that made him a millionaire.

I started to know about the Law of Attraction, Law of the Universe, Law of Cause and Effect, and the Power of the Subconscious mind back in 2009, when my brother gave me some books for the said Laws. At that time however, I was not yet really convinced. I read those books, partly believed but did not really put in mind and tried to find out how true it was. Not until I went back and was away from my family for more than a year last 2011 - 2012, when I repeatedly listened to the audio of Dr. Robert Anthony and the books of Bob Proctor that I realized based from my experiences, some are true to me.

I started to refresh my memory, not only all what happened to me in the past, what caused my failures and what made me succeed to some of my endeavors. In his audio, Dr. Robert Anthony said: "what you like you get and what you don't like you get" is related to the Law of Attraction. If we keep on thinking of what we don't like, we are attracting the same and it is the same for what we like.

The meaning of life is so complex that knowledge of one is not enough. It is similar to cells of our body which have different functions. Millions and billions of human brain explains that each human have certain understanding about life. Those who are enlightened to know the meaning of life and unselfishly share their knowledge to all is a big help to lessen the negatives. It is just a matter of whether we accept and apply in our lives.

Storing, Cooking, and Preserving Your Fresh Herbs

2014-09-06T08:38:00.000+08:00

To store fresh herbs with short stalks, put them in an unsealed plastic bag or wrap them in a moist paper towel and refrigerate them. They should keep for about a week. Herbs with longer stalks can be treated like cut flowers: put them in a small container of water and leave them at room temperature, or refrigerate them, covered with a loose plastic bag.
Herbs with their roots intact are best of all; wrap the roots in a damp paper towel, cover with a plastic bag, leaving the leaves outside, and then refrigerate.

The taste of any herb is most characteristic when it is uncooked. Pureed raw herbs form the base of various green sauces and chopped raw herbs feature in other cold sauces. Whole leaves maybe used in salads and as a decoration.

Not all herbs behave in the same way during cooking: fragile herbs such as parsley and terragon, whose volatile oils dissipate rapidly when heated, are always added towards the end of cooking. More robust herbs (for example, thyme and rosemary) benefit from lengthy cooking since their flavors infuse a dish more slowly. The stalks maybe included for extra flavor in a cooked dish, and discarded before serving. As herbs vary in strength depending on the circumstances of their cultivation and method of packaging, always be prepared to adjust quantities.

Whether the leaves of the herb are coarsely cut, chopped, or ground to a paste can significantly affect flavor. When they are lightly shredded in a chiffonade the volatile oils are nor extracted. Chopping bruises the leaves of more fragile herbs but has little effect on robust ones. However, when herbs are pounded in a mortar or chopped in a food processor, this releases the oils and intensifies the value as the flavouring.

Any hebs to be preserved should at the height of its flavour - for most varieties this is just before they flower. Choose the healthiest-looking growth and discard any damaged leaves. If you are gathering herbs from your garden, the best time to pick them is in the morning, after the dew has evaporated and when the essential oils are warmed, but before the drying sunlight of afternoon. Avoid washing the leaves unless absolutely necessary, simply wipe off any soil or grit that adheres.

The oldest method for preserving herbs is drying, while the most modern is freezing. Herbs can also be opreserved as herb vinegar. Large-leaved herbs, like sage, can be stored in a jar covered with coarse salt. They will keep for months and yield an added bonus of flavoured oil or salt.

Dried herbs should be vivid, not faded. Look for whole leaf herbs in preference to chopped herbs in glass bottles. Store them in sealed containers, in a cool dry place away from light. Dried herbs will gradually lose their aroma and should be used within a year. The flavour of most herbs is about twice as strong when they are dried as when they are fresh. Fragile herbs like mint and basil, however, lose their intensity when dried and are best used fresh.

Dryin herbs is easy of you have a place, such as a shed or porch, that is well-ventilated, dry and warm. It should be light but shaded from direct sunlight, which bleaches the flavour and colour of herbs. Herbs such as bay are almost always used dried: thyme, marjoram, and rosemary are also well suited to drying. Fragile herbs do not dry well. Tie the herbs in bunches and hang them outside down. To prevent them getting dusty, the bunches may be tied inside paper bags cut with air holes. After about a week, the herbs should be completely dry; leave them in sprigs or store in airtight containers.

If You Spend for Something...Do You Consider the Price First...or the Quality?

2014-08-12T19:44:00.001+08:00

If you think of spending for something you want, do you care how much money you release from your wallet for as long as you will be happy and satisfied? Either something that you want to buy, food that you want to eat, restaurants where you want to hold your meetings, and name of hotels where you want to check-in, etc.

In my experience

from people that I mixed with, there are different kinds of spenders. There are people who can afford, but they think it is a waste of money to spend much since they think there are still options where they can spend lesser with the same products. There are people who don't mind the money they spend because they are putting into consideration their satisfaction of the services rendered, the atmosphere and comfort, and the quality of goods. There are people who don't mind spending just to follow the trend and they consider as their pride to be a trend setter especially branded products and services supported by the "rich and famous".

If you are an executive, of course you choose a prestigious restaurant or hotel to hold your meeting or conference because your clients or partners are professionals like yourself. You want to make sure that your partners will be comfortable during the conference. There are also people who spend their money in prestigious restaurants to make themselves comfortable even they are not executives or not holding executive meetings...not being arrogant or trend-setter but just to make themselves happy that the money they spend is worth their happiness.

In shopping offline, there are so many options of places to choose from. There are people who have money but just don't want to make extra spending to department stores because the prices are higher compared to the prices in other smaller stores or flea market with the same products. If you are a shopper, which one would you prefer?

In big department stores or malls, there are "unlimited" choices...from bargain to branded sections. There are cheap products from department stores but these products are being scrutinized by the management because they have a "name" to protect. Big malls or department stores used to spend huge amount of money for advertising, they have to advertise always to constantly update the consumers of promotions and update of products and services they offer and they hire business consultants to plan the marketing strategies to maintain good publicity to the consumers . These malls have to prove their standards to gain the trust of suppliers, suppliers of branded and luxury items, who also poured huge amount of money for advertisements being categorically known as "designer" or "luxury" or "signature" brands. These big malls have high maintenance cost of their establishments and workforce.

The smaller stores and flea markets have far lesser costs of maintenance and advertising (if any) than malls and department stores. Although they advertise their business, most of them just use banners hanging on the advertising boards, radio or leaflets. Most of them just depend on walk-in costumers. This is the reason why they can give lower prices with "some" of the items present in malls and department stores. I said some because designer items are seldom seen in the shelf of smaller stores especially the designer items. There are diamonds and other precious stones at malls that cannot be seen at smaller stores...in case there are the same items in appearance, there are possibilities that those are not original, instead they are imitations. The services from the smaller stores too have a bit difference with the big malls and departments stores because the sales representatives and staffs of big malls are given proper sales orientation in dealing with costumers before they are hired, the management make sure that they are dressed properly and well-mannered in attending costumers. Politeness and courteousness of sales representatives of big malls to costumers are strictly implemented and any sales representative and staff who break the company policy, the company will immediately take action accordingly.

As end user, which would you choose?

Money...can we love money?

2014-08-09T02:11:00.000+08:00

Talking of money, can we really call it love when we care much about money?

"Money became a symbol and medium of storage and exchange for the individual's productive energy. Socially people relate to one another, seeks advantage from exchange and mutuality, look to others for what they do not have or cannot obtain by themselves. People value money because they value the benefits of exchange. By exchange, productive human energy becomes a force for constructive human interactions capable of fulfilling a wide range of human needs. People value money because it enables them to enjoy the fruits of other people's labor.
It acquires interpersonal or transactional value, because it enables people to relate to one another constructively by exchanging goods and services. The value of money issues from the fact that it is a social product. Money is a symbol for the value of relating positively to other people for material exchange". from Wikipedia

Money, A Love Story: Untangle Your Financial Woes and Create the Life You Really Want by Kate Northrup is a Money love story. Kate Northrup tells about how it is to have a good relationship with money - whether you have millions in the bank or just a few bucks to your name. She explained that like any other relationship, life with money has its ups and downs, its twists and turns, its breakups and makeups. And just like other relationships, living happily with money really comes down to love-which is why love is the basis of money written by Kate Northrup.

Wood Crafts

2014-07-22T22:46:00.003+08:00

I just want to share with pride some of my husband's craft made of wood. In my previous post I mentioned about the benefit of wood elements. At first, I don't really believe that there are benefits of certain kinds of wood when it touches the skin. Actually, my husband's hobby which I believe he has the inborn talent with this line is making different kinds of things out of wood, copper, steel and whatever matter that he thinks can convert into something. We are married for 27 years now and he has been doing a lot of crafts that he never intend to sell but the moment his friends see his finished craft they buy from him because they really like his workmanship.

Here are photos of some of his work:

He made for me this bracelet since 2009 but I just used then for awhile and kept it as a keepsake from him. These wood beads is made of 21 kinds of wood that he patiently shaped it round. I just admire the beauty of how it is being made and I did not pay much attention of the benefits that he was telling me because I was not aware yet then of the benefits of some kinds of wood when it touches the skin.

Because of my health condition, I searched the internet and I found out that certain kinds of woods has elements that gives health benefits so I wore this and after two weeks I felt some improvements of my health. Since then I always wear this bracelet.

This is another kind of wood that he calls "pulai menang". He did not tell me any health benefits. He just admired the beauty so he made it as a pendant.

Below are what he made out of Moringa Oleifera trunk wood or better known as "Teras Kelor". Lots of information can be found in the Internet regarding Moringa Oleifera also called "Miracle Tree" because of it's benefits.

"Tasbih"

Bead that can be used for Ring. It's very beautiful with a setting of gold or silver. His friends really like this too.

Bracelet

Locket

These are just a few of what he already made. I know he really likes craft making because even if he is not really feeling well once he starts with something he does not want to stop until finished.

Life Quotes for the day

2014-07-11T09:03:00.000+08:00

Just want to start the day with a quote:

"The weakest soul, knowing it's own weakness, and believing this truth 'that strength can only be developed by effort and practice, will, thus believing, at once begin to exert itself, and, adding effort to effort, patience to patience, and strength to strength, will never cease to develop and will at last grow divinely strong".

by: James Allen

Indeed we are all weak as humans. Weakness that like what James Allen said that strength can be developed by effort and practice. By believing and putting a great effort, and patience so that strength will never cease to develop and will at last grow divinely strong to overcome our weakness.

It is better said than done but we just need to believe in ourselves that we can...and we really can.

Shopping

2010-06-07T03:07:00.003+08:00

Years back before the Internet exists, shopping can only be done thru offline. We can only do shopping by going to shopping malls in our locality or shopping overseas for those who are in business travel or for those travelling just to make a tour. If we want to buy our grocery needs, we have to go to supermarkets or small grocery stores.

Today, shoppers have choices to do their shopping. Either they just sit in front of their computers and with just a click of a mouse they can choose whatever they want and just wait for the product to be delivered in front of their doorstep, or if their choice is to see the products themselves they will go to shopping malls and do their shopping offline.

As I go along exploring the Internet, I learned that there are really a lot of shoppers online. I hardly believed at first until I became an Affiliate marketer that i found out it's really true. For shoppers, it's a great advantage, so much more with the suppliers and manufacturers because regardless of their distance with the shoppers, they can be reached.

However, Internet is really a very big place that it's not also easy for the suppliers to directly reach shoppers online. With millions and millions of websites in the Internet where shoppers have a lot of sites to visit before they will decide to buy, sellers need to think of a marketing strategy to promote their products. They might have their own websites to promote, but they still need other ways and one of the ways is Affiliate marketing. Affiliate marketers are needed to promote sellers' products in exchange of a certain commission given to affiliates. Some offered good commissions, some also offered as low as one cent if it is a programme like pay per click, cpa, etc.

A lot of job seekers or looking for part time jobs joined affiliate programs, I for one, to have an additional income. When I just started as an affiliate marketer, I taught it's very easy to earn money because that is always what I read from some who offer affiliate programs. But it's just not easy as it is always claimed to be. As an affiliate marketer, I have to think of all the ways to convince my visitors to take a look of the products I'm selling. I have to strategize my marketing method so that my visitors will not feel that they had wasted their time for their visit. I have to make them feel that although they don't see me personally, they will feel my presence and sincerity as a marketer who is offering a service that is worth their visit.

When I was a life insurance agent, I knew that selling insurance is very difficult because I am selling "a piece of paper" as I used to call it. I say this because, my prospect just depends on what I am telling them. What I offer the prospect is a piece of paper and the benefits of it which they cannot immediately see the result until maturity period "or" if something happens to the policy holder. How I did, first I study all the benefits, explained very well to my prospects but I made it sure that whatever benefits they are entitled until the maturity period or if something happens, they can surely get it. I was able to build their trust in me that my closing ratio then was 1:1 to 1:3.

It was a different story when I market beauty products. This is because I sell beauty products but I don't know how to put make up. I did well too with this by talking to them in a way that upon applying their choice of product they will look beautiful. When I first joined as a distributor with this beauty product company, my upline had a doubt in me because he knew that I don't even put make up. At the back of my mind, I told myself that I'm going to prove him that a face without make up can sell a beauty product. True enough, one week before the end of the month I reached the target sales for a direct distributor. I also experienced selling health products but selling health products is better for as long as we tried the products ourselves, we experienced the effect of the product, our confidence with the product while offering our prospects can make us sell.

I'm now comparing which type of marketing is more difficult...is it online marketing or offline marketing? Since I experienced both, my opinion is online marketing. I say this because online shoppers have choices from millions and millions of websites. They will not spend too much of their time in one website or blog because they know that they still have so many sites to visit. They "window shop" first until they are satisfied that they really found what they need.

In this case, as an affiliate marketer, I'm trying my best that my visitors will not waste their time to visit my blog. I cannot talk to my visitors personally, so my way of letting them know my sincerity is by expressing my thoughts through this blog. I'm trying to make a good presentation of the quality products that I choose for them to see because I can't talk to them personally. In this way my visitors will know that I'm trying my very best to be of "good service" to them. Selling is not just simply to "sell". Selling is to build a good relationship first with the prospect, make friends, get to know each other, know the needs of the prospect before we can make a sale.

I hope all of you who paid a visit with me here will appreciate my presentation of the choices of the quality products that I prepared for you. Thank you very much to all of you and please come back here again...if you have time.

Money... a necessity for all

2010-05-24T10:50:00.002+08:00

Yes...money is a necessity for all. Money can do lots of changes in our lives. Lack of money especially if we are in a situation where we don't have anybody to turn to can make us too desperate, that if we don't have the courage and patience, it might lead us into doing something we might regret for the rest of our lives. Lots of money will make us happy because whatever material things we want that money can buy, we can surely have it.

I have my own point of view as regards money and this is only based on my own personal experiences, my friends and others in this world which I learned from what I read and see is what I'm going to share with you now.

If we have LOTS and LOTS of money that is more than enough for our needs, we have to spend it wisely. Unnecessary spending should be avoided. I've known some people, even my own friends and some of my family members having a good income which could afford them whatever material things they desire, changed them...personally. Their own "understanding" about money made them proud of themselves, belittling those whom they think are "poor" and even throwing insults against their face, and tend to forget that we are all human beings who were born naked when we first existed in this world from our mother's womb and we are all the same befor the eyes of GOD and man. I always remember my late brother who used to say that regardless of what status we have and achieved, we should always think that "from the eyes of man we are somebody BUT before the eyes of GOD we are all equal".

However, there are also some people that the more blessings of wealth they get, the more they humble themselves and by way of thanking GOD (for those who believe in GOD), the more they don't hesitate to sincerely give a helping hand to those who are in need.

We all have our own choice on how we handle our money. But we need wisdom to be able to understand how money can really give us happiness in the real sense of it. Having all the material things that we desire, in my own point of view...only, is not enough to make us permanently happy. Too much wise spending or "being stingy" will not also make us real happy because we are too much protective with our money, and without realizing it, we become "selfish", first and foremost with our own self...and how much more to others.

While this are the pros and cons of having LOTS of money, lack of money has all the more effect on our lives in so many, many ways. If we don't have money, we are deprived of the happiness that material things can contribute in our lives. We cannot buy what we want, we cannot do what we want.

We can't even eat the kind of food that those who have money can afford, we often times feel self pity to our ownself which all the more makes us miserable. Feeling of self pity will do more harm than good for us because this will affect us psychologically. We will think that we are unlucky, we will begin to have a feeling of envy which will eventually give us a feeling of hate towards those who have, we will not learn how to count our blessings we already received...that maybe we don't have the money (yet) but we have a good health which money can't buy because we have all the freedom and the strength to do what we want to do.

Having said these, may I share with you what I think about money. At present I myself don't have the money (yet) that I need to enjoy a comfortable life. Sometimes, like any other person in my situation feel, some of the things that I had said above "except" for envy, I feel the same too. I experienced disappointments, frustrations, and even insults. It really hurts, but I'm greatful to our ALMIGHTY GOD in heaven that although I had gone through those pains and sufferings, and sometimes almost losing my faith in HIM, HE still did not allow me to completely lost my faith in HIM. He showed me the way to open my eyes in the reality of life. Because of faith in HIM, I still patiently wait for the "wealth" that HE is going to give me in HIS own time. If I can live by FAITH, I can overcome all those trials. I just have to patiently wait. I just have to move on with my life while making the most of my ability to do what I need to do to survive but just hold on to HIS promise that whatever I want to be it will be in due time.

What Is Your Hobby?

2010-05-24T02:40:00.006+08:00

What is your hobby? You can earn money with your hobby. Nowadays, it's very difficult to find a job. If you have a 9-5 daily routine job which you have a minimum salary that can hardly make ends meet, why not make your hobby as you part time job and who knows, if you think you are already earning more than your monthly salary, you can quit your job and make your own business.

Before I became a real estate marketer, I made my hobby as a source of income...curtain making. Before that I was working as a full time liaison officer. While working, since sewing is really my hobby, when I still have time before I go to sleep I made some curtains, comforters, throwpillows and I sell some to friends that I knew. I really enjoy what I was doing until I realized that I'm making more than what I earn as a full time employee. It was then that I decided to make my own business.

If you think that you need another way to augment your income, why don't you think of your hobby as a supplement to your present income. The following are some books that might interest you and start your own small source of income, who knows...you might succeed. Depending on which hobby you want please just choose from the following:

Perfumes, Splashes, and Colognes

by Ms. Nancy M. Booth

At a very young age of eight, she already started blending fragrance. This means that this is really her hobby...perfume making. In this book, she narrated how she started until she decided to make it as her business. In her book, you will be able to know everything about fragrance, to name a few, the essentials of fragrance, the ingredients of fragrance, building your fragrance profile and a lot more that will make you understand all about fragrance and perfume.

Jewelry Making

This is another hobby that can earn you money. Women, children and even men loves to wear jewelries. My best friend's wife is presently successful in her jewelry making business. Even foreigners here in Brunei buy jewelries from her by volume for them to sell in their homeland. She has her own design and she is really gifted in this field. She even make costumes for holloween parties. Jewelry is one of the things that we need physically and if this is your hobby, why don't you start now. Maybe you don't realize it yet until you see this book.

Teach Yourself VISUALLY Jewelry Making and Beading

by Chris Franchetti Michaels

In her book, she narrated in details the introduction to jewelry making and beading, the art of design, basic bead stringing techniques, more advanced stringing techniques, bead weaving, basic wirework, more advanced wirework techniques, using a wire jig, and many others.

Gardening

Another hobby that can add to your income is gardening. If you have a big compound you can make use of the other area for gardening. Aside from giving beauty to your own compound, you can earn extra income from gardening. Flowers are loved by all for beauty and other plants like fruit trees and some vegetable plants which can save you money if you plant your own. If your hobby is gardening, venture with gardening and I'm sure you will enjoy especially if you are a nature lover. Here is another book that might help you.

The Gardener's A-Z Guide To Growing Flowers from Seed to Bloom: 576 annuals, perrenials and bulbs in full colour.

by Eileen Powell

In her book, she talks about her experiences in gardening, creating successful gardens, she even talk about the mystery and magic of seeds, collecting and starting your own seed and many more. You can learn a lot from her book.

Child Care Center

Another hobby that can earn you money is a day care business. If you are fond of children and you think you can deal with naughty children, then you can venture on this. The Principal and the owner of the school where my daughter is studying now started with day care and nursery school. My daughter started at her school when she was only three years old and until now that she is primary four. I admire her determination and perseverance. She only started with how many kids enrolled at that time. But her strong determination and perseverance with her ambition and with the help and support of her loving husband, followed with her patience with the kids that made parents trust her to take care of their children at school, brought her to what she is today. From day care with only a few kids to take care, now she has about 300 hundred plus kids and until primary six. The Ministry of Education here in Brunei was convinced of her capability to run a school and was approved as the Pricipal.

Here is another book that can help you if you want to venture into day care business. Who knows, you can be successful in this business.

How to Open and Operate a Financially Successful Child Care Service: With Companion CD-ROM

by Tina Musial

In her book, she narrated in details, step by step how to open a child care service. The pointers are complete. Click the image and search the inside of the book and if you are fond of children maybe you can consider to start a child care service centre. Nowadays, working parents are opting to child care centres to look after their children while they are working. I'm sure, given the right management and the right caring for children, you can achieve success in this field.

These are only a few of the hobbies that can earn money for you. In this present world economic situation, inflation and a lot of factors that makes our income not enough for our daily needs, we need to have another source to supplement our income. Each one of us have talents...GOD given talents. If you are in a difficult situation, don't lost hope. Instead, THINK! You have your talent that GOD gave you to use in order to survive. We read and heard a lot of stories about people who were really in deep financial troubles that maybe because of stress with their problems, they were not able to think that they have GOD given talents they can use for their lives. Even myself, I have been in that situation. But thankfully, I did not give up. I always think that GOD gave me life and HE gave me the "tools" that I need to live, and that is my talent.

So there folks, start to think what hobby you have and start to earn money with that hobby. Since that is your hobby, for sure you will enjoy what you do and next is you can expect success. Best wishes and best of luck to all of you who are going to start and to those who are already successful, just keep going. Be an inspiration and example to those who are just starting.

Things That You Buy...and Why

2010-05-20T14:21:00.001+08:00

A very simple answer is: "because you need it." Very simple and true, but did it ever happen to you when there were times you finally realized that you've made the wrong decision. A mistake that the result is a waste of your hard earned money.

If we enter a shopping mall we can see lots and lots of things to buy. Sometimes if we see something which is pleasing to our eyes we just want to buy it without having a second thought even if we don't really need it. I remember my very best friend who has a cute and very smart 3 years old son.
One time, together with his son went to a shopping mall and brought his son at the toy section. Being a kid when his son saw all the beautiful toys he wants to have everything. My friend who is smarter than his kid :) pointed the other toys that his son did not notice yet. Whenever his Dad showed another toy and tell his son that it is more good than what his son is pointing, the son just follow with his eyes all the other toys that his Dad is showing until maybe because of confusion, his son doesn't want to take anything anymore. What a clever and funny Dad.

We read lots of good books about how to budget our money. Those books whose talented authors are expert economists, finance experts by proffession. However, this topic that I want to share with you now are from my own idea about buying...after all billions of people are billions of heads with billions of ideas, isn't it? There are times that I'm being impulsive when buying things.We can't avoid sometimes to become impulsive if we see things that really attracts our eyes. In this case how do we avoid "impulsive" buying to save our money for another much more useful things that we need? I'm going to discuss just one of the ways that can help us to avoid impulsive buying and that way is thru the Internet.

Before, I don't know much about the benefits of the Internet. I have been doing Internet marketing for almost 2 years now and came to realize as I go along the real benefits of it especially to those Internet users in saving our time, avoiding to be impulsive by giving us more time to think twice before we jump of buying something. The things that we need except for the fresh fish and vegetables where we can only buy from the wet market and grocery stores are all here. We just need to be careful because there are some risks.

There's the risk of course of having your credit card details hijacked and your account wiped clean but that is, if you aren't careful and attentive enough to watch out for security holes when you visit merchant sites. It wouldn't happen though if you just make sure that the letter "s" appears as one more letter to the "http" of the url that you type on your browser's address bar. So instead of just "http://domain.com," it now becomes "https://domain.com." Also, look for the padlock icon on the lower right corner of your browser's window. So there folks, Internet is a good place to go shopping but make sure you check first your browser before you click the payment button. Thanks for your visit...

The Influence of Money

2009-09-28T00:25:00.005+08:00

GOD had created all the resources to supply the needs of mankind. Humans used their intelligence to explore and develop those resources. However, not all humans have those intelligence and courage to do it. We owe it to those genius scientists who did the exploration through science and technology, who spent years of their lives, some of them even risked and cost their lives to discover and invent the things that we all use today.

The good influence of money. Without money, the existence of science and technology had not been possible. Without money,
we can't buy all the necessities that we need, we can't travel...etc.

The bad influence of money. Money can cause greed, selfishness, pride, war, murder...just to name a few. It's true that money can give us happiness by having all the materials things that we need, but money can also make us unhappy.

I wouldn't go further about the negative side of money because every one of us already knew. I just want to share what's on my mind about money. Money is really important in our lives. Like myself who is working hard to earn money to help my husband meet the family's needs, I always make my mind clear that I wouldn't allow myself to be badly influenced by money. That money is for us to meet our physical needs only. I always remember what I was being taught by my late father "better die with your stomach empty rather than do things like being dishonest just to fill your stomach." I treasured these words from my late father who greatly fear GOD and believed that dishonest earnings will never do good for us. Now, I teached my child the same thing.

However small amount of money that I have in hand and sometimes not even enough for my needs, I feel happy because I worked for it. I sweat for it. I'm happy to have money from honest earnings. And I always believe that for as long as we put our heart in whatever we do with all honesty and sincerity, GOD will bless our efforts to make it successful. Money earned from clean and honest way is enough to make me happy. That is my own point of view.

Family Budget Planning

2009-09-20T21:07:00.009+08:00

In this tough economic times, budgeting is a one word that most husbands and wives get uncomfortable when anyone mentions this touchy subject. This is because some are convinced they make too little money to budget. Others think they have no head for figures and can't make a budget work.

First, here are four keys of financing. They are essential before any budget can be put into operation:

1) Make budgeting a family project. Get everyone involved. Of course, the husband as head of the family should take the lead in planning and sticking to a budget. But the councel and cooperation of every family member is necessary.

2) Shop wisely. Evaluate an item by more than the price alone. In the way it will affect you psychologically, an item of slightly higher price may be a far better investment.

3) Save. A big source of misery in family matters is the habit of living without savings. Some are convinced that saving is out of the question for them. But most people would not be in the trouble they are in had they only learned to practice this law of finances earlier.

Even if you are in financial difficulties, you need to begin a savings. It need not be large at first, just enough to develop the habit in you. Later when you have gotten out of trouble, you will have established the pattern in your life. Many people live so close to the edge that just one extra bill pushes them over the edge into financial oblivion. How good it would be to have enough savings to pay that one bill you did not anticipate. It is easy to have it if you will just start puttings a small amount away from each of your future paychecks.

It is important to have a complete list of expenses especially if your income is low or you are deeply in debt. There are a few items that must be included in all budgets:

Clothing. This is a sore spot for some families. They may manage to get what they need, but only a great pains to the budget. Clothing is a long term need, and some forget that they will need money to buy clothes. When the time comes, it become a painful matter of squeezing out money here and there. Why not just save a little from each monthly income? You do not need to spend it immediately, but when you need it, it will be there.

Entertainment. Many families feel they cannot afford entertainment. To them it is an unnecessary expense. But entertainment is a necessary for a balanced family. Many of us would be overwhelmed with the happiness that can come simply by setting a small amount away each check for entertainment.

Pocket money. It seems minor, but incidental items can do more damage to a budget than you might expect. You probably would be surprised if you knew how much money you spend on small, everyday items - tooth paste, haircuts, newspaper, to mention a few. This division of the budget may not need to be large, but if you do not include it, this one small point can wreck all your other efforts.

Begin now. Even if you have to run all your accounts in the red for months, you need to set up the plan immediately. Budgeting need not be a distasteful scourge, an agonizing plague upon your life. All it takes is the determination and the faith in the Word of God to get free from money worries for the rest of your life. Budgeting is a real blessing!

Money Are Good Servants

2009-08-16T13:53:00.004+08:00

We all need money. This video will explain...

How Money Became a "BIG DEAL" In My Life

2009-07-25T06:09:00.025+08:00

Today, let me share with you my experience with money: how much of a big thing it has been to me. Not that I love money more than anything else. But it is a necessary commodity I can't do without. Call it a "necessary evil," but we can't live without it, can we?

My life is all about struggles, patience, perseverance ...
not so pleasant things to live by but without which, I would not be where I am now. It all started when my mother died when I was about 8 years of age. I was in fourth grade. Life was extremely hard for me being the only girl among 4 siblings and without a role model (my mother) to learn how to live life as a girl should. I was the the proverbial "only rose among thorns" and I noticed I was beginning to imbibe the traits of a "thorn." I didn't like it so I began thinking.

At the very young age of 8, I toyed with the idea of living on my own - independent of any help from my family - but then reason would dictate that I had to wait till I finished grade school. I had to accept the fact that I couldn't fend for myself just yet. For the next two years, I just kept the thing to myself and when the time arrived, I talked to my father and brothers about my decision. Naturally, they rejected the idea because I was still too young to make such a life-changing decision. But I already made up my mind and no one could stop me. I then packed up and set out on my solo "journey" through life.

I was ten years old (I entered grade school at the age of five) when I started the trek. Reality then hit hard on me. What job can a sixth grader like me get? That bothered me for a while but then, I stuck to my decision and I told myself, whatever job I can get for as long as it's clean and I can earn money for me to survive, I'll take it. I did get myself a job ... as a housemaid. Not to my liking but I had no choice. That was the only job open to a girl not yet even of teen age. In the course of time, I served a number of families ... of varying temperaments and idiosyncrasies. Some were kind and generous, others rude and pain in the ass.

When I reached the age of 18 I decided to go back to school for my secondary education. But I didn't have the money for it so I had to work my way through high school, still as housemaid, until I graduated. After high school, I managed to find a better job... in sales. It was a whole new experience for me. I just loved it. In my newfound job, I began to get acquainted with the big real world outside of my erstwhile cramped quarters and began living my life like I had never lived previously. I learned from hands on experience how to deal with people from all walks of life.

My sales experiences include: insurance agent, beauty products distributor, household items distributor and now a real estate marketer. Aside from my sales jobs, I also worked as liaison officer, administrative officer and an account executive. I only have a high school diploma to my name but what I learned from experience enabled me to perform well in all the jobs that I tried my hands on. From the lowly maidservant that had me working hard for a pittance, I have gotten this far in the journey that I have set out for myself. And I attribute it to perseverance and patience, all the while enduring difficulties with a one-track mind.

Money is also the reason why I am into Internet marketing now. I want to build a house, send my daughter to a prestigious school, and live a comfortable life. With the job that I have now as account executive and part time real estate marketer, my income is not sufficient to take care of my family's needs and build me the dream house that I desire so much to have at the same time.

Luckily for me, I have a brother who knows the Internet well and could design a website. He patiently taught me how to do online marketing, what affiliate marketing is, how to make money online, the advantage of having a website and other technology terms that I neeeded to know and understand to be successful.

I made notes of the basics that he taught me. Then I took to studying further through online research. I began to learn more as I spent hours on the Internet everyday, sometimes stretching till the wee hours of the next morning with only 2-3 hours sleep afterwards because I have to report for work.

Patiently, I explored every "nook and cranny" of the Internet that I could find time to take a look at. I became some kind of a sucker joining programs which touted tons of cash to be earned with very little work, if at all. I should have known better. To say that I wasted time and lost money is an understatement. However, I never gave up. One reason is: my brother keeps egging me on, telling me not to quit because the Internet is the next best thing I can ever experience in my life.

See you on my next blog. Thanks and have a nice day.

Budget Constraints Keeping You From Shopping To Your Heart's Delight and Content?

2009-07-04T00:33:00.031+08:00

These are tough times we are living in, indeed. Shopping is no longer as easy on the pocket or wallet like it used to be. Reason: Shopping Budget squeezed tight to just the bare necessities by inflation and/or significantly reduced income as a result of perpetually increasing taxes, the vulture VAT, and high interest rates.

But there's a better way to shop with your slim budget buying you more. Instead of going to brick-and-mortar stores, where products are priced sky-high, use the Internet and hunt for bargains. Spare yourself the hustle of driving through slow-moving traffic and wading a sea of sometimes foul-smelling humankind in hot, humid, and crowded marketplaces just to look for an item that is all that your pitifully-shrunk budget can afford. Shop in the comfort of your home. The whole world lies before you as your virtual mall. Hunting for bargains has never been easier and very convenient.

There's the risk of course of having your credit card details hijacked and your account wiped clean but that is, if you aren't careful and attentive enough to watch out for security holes when you visit merchant sites. It wouldn't happen though if you just make sure that the letter "s" appears as one more letter to the "http" of the url that you type on your browser's address bar. So instead of just "http://domain.com," it now becomes "https://domain.com." Also, look for the padlock icon on the lower right corner of your browser's window. Well, well, dear me, I shouldn't be telling you this. You know it if you've been using the Internet since its Jurassic days.

But I'm thinking of the many Internet newbies who are just beginning to learn the ABCs of the WorldWideW(onder)and haven't yet heard of the leeches lurking in the dark alleyways of cyberspace preying on unsuspecting surfers. One of them may stumble on this blog and find the above little tip a big help. In which case, this blog shall have contributed, albeit in a very small way, to the effort to make the Internet safer for business transactions, through education.

So go ahead. Shop online. Don't be so overly cautious about risks. Risk is ever-present everywhere you go ... whatever you do. I have had my share of bad malling experience when my purse that had my newly-issued ATM card in it was snatched while I was in a mall brimming with shoppers. But I only have myself to blame for the misfortune because of all stupid things that I could do in my life, nothing could be more stupid than having the ATM card and the piece of paper on which was scribbled my PIN number sitting side by side inside my purse like inseparable love-struck lame ducks. The next thing I knew, my account was sucked dry of its "blood." That was one VERY BIG LESSON I learned and will never forget for the rest of my lfe. I've been avoiding crowded malls since.

I find it a lot more convenient (and safer too) to shop online, except of course for the things that I have no choice but drive to the neighborhood market to buy like: fresh fish, meat, fruits and veggies. I don't think there's any vendor on this planet who could ship to me those goodies as fresh as I could get them from the wet market nearby ... and at prices low enough to leave me having a little extra from my budget with which I could buy other things besides.

You know what, since that unfortunate incident at the mall that had me losing quite a sum to snatchers, I've been thinking of how I could make use of the Internet as the better way to shop, not just for my own convenience and benefit but for those who hate milling around in crowded shopping places as well.

Applying the Law of Financial Success, I worked long hours, oftentimes stretching late into the night, studying the Internet. And then the opportunity presented itself ... when I least expected it.

HAPPY SHOPPING :)

Budgeting Time and Money When Searching For The Best Opportunity

2009-06-29T00:05:00.009+08:00

Budgeting Our Time Is Saving Money - An inch of time is worth an inch of gold, but it is hard to buy one inch of time with one inch of gold. This is a Chinese proverb that can be interpreted as "time is more precious than gold". During my younger years, my parents always tell me "time is gold" when I don't obey what they asked me to do... on time. They always say that procrastination is a waste of time and money. I didn't realize then how valuable their words were, until I reached the age that twenty four hours a day is not enough for me to accomplish what I want to do.

Wasting money does not only mean money matters. If we don't budget our time, before we know it, one day had already passed and nothing had been done...that costs us MONEY. If we have a job paid on a daily basis and we get absent without a purpose, we lost our one day income.

In Internet marketing, we should apply this Chinese proverb. More often, we don't realize the length of time we are spending while surfing. Before we switch on our computer, we have already in mind the information we want to find. While surfing, we can't avoid to click whatever opportunities that pop up until we realized that we had consumed the budgeted surfing time that we set and we never found what what we want earlier. Because of this, we had already wasted our money by using our "precious" time which we should have used for another purpose.

When I started this Internet marketing, I spent a lot of time...and wasted MONEY. I spent my time surfing to find good opportunities just to find out that it is not actually what I'm looking for. I joined programs and paid for my upgrade believing that it is a good one, but it is not. Being new in this field, I did not BUDGET my time and MONEY.

What I learned from my costly experience is what I'm going to share now. Before I am convinced to join any kind of program, I search first if a certain program is true or not. We have all these search engines who can help us by using key words. It will then lead us to blogs and forums where we can find post complaints for a certain program. However, we should not also jump easily into conclusion. We should weigh the complaints or comments. If we find out that those posted satisfied members are more than the posted complaints, I think it's worth it to give the benefit of the doubt.

With this system that I'm doing now, I can say that I manage to save my time...and money. Saved my time because searching for complaints thru search engines will only take me about an hour...the most. Saved my money because I did not join the program that is not worth my time and money.

We have to make our own system to budget our time and money. This system is easier said than done BUT self-discipline is needed to make it happen.

I will even be happier if you can share your own experience about this topic. I'm sure you have your own, it could be better than what I had shared... :)