0 Chicago Public Schools cancels classes due to winter weather

CHICAGO (AP) — The nation's third-largest school district will cancel classes Wednesday ahead of a winter storm expected to drop up to two feet of snow on Chicago.

Chicago Public Schools officials say they can't risk the safety of students and staff.

The district's interim chief executive officer, Terry Mazany, made the announcement Tuesday afternoon. He says the decision was made based on projections of continued heavy snowfall through the evening and overnight.

Officials say all school-related programs and scheduled after-school activities will also be canceled.

The blizzard bearing down on the city has already forced airlines to halt flights into the city's two major airports and prompted downtown retailers to close shops early.

Wednesday's planned closing is the first for Chicago Public Schools since January 1999.

Original Source : LaTimes

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0 Storm halts flights at O’Hare, Midway; CPS cancels classes

(Crain's) — O’Hare International Airport had seen more than 1,300 flights canceled by midafternoon Tuesday and carriers at Midway Airport ceased operations, as a powerful winter storm took hold of Chicago.

The Chicago Public Schools announced there will be no classes Wednesday.

The Chicago Department of Aviation said both Midway and O’Hare remained open Tuesday afternoon, but most of the airlines planned to stop operating flights at O’Hare for the rest of the evening. Most carriers at O’Hare indicated they will have limited or no flight operations Wednesday, the department said in a news release.

At Midway, airlines have canceled flights for the remainder of today. Some airlines expect to resume operations Wednesday afternoon, with the majority of flights expected to resume in the evening, the Aviation Department said.

The Chicago Public Schools canceled classes Wednesday “out of an abundance of caution and to ensure the safety of students and school-based staff,” Chicago Public Schools Interim Chief Executive Officer Terry Mazany said in a news release Tuesday afternoon. Principals, assistant principals, lunchroom managers, engineers, custodians and security personnel have to report to their schools, according to the release, but teachers and other staff do not.

Metra moved up its rush-hour schedule and election officials closed early voting sites as the Chicago area braced for a blizzard that is expected to be the city's third-worst storm ever.

Commuters heading to the suburbs packed some Metra trains to capacity in the early afternoon as they attempted to avoid traveling during a storm that could ultimately dump two feet of snow on the city. Travelers were denied entrance to one Metra route on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe line as the cars were full, according to a witness.

The suburban transit agency adjusted its schedule Tuesday to run more trains earlier in the day and canceling some rush hour routes. The adjusted schedule can be found on Metra's website.

Gov. Pat Quinn has activated more than 500 Illinois National Guard troops to be stationed at rest areas along interstate highways. The troops, who will be stocked with water and snack bars, will work with the Illinois State Police to ensure stranded travelers are safe.

The Chicago Board of Elections announced voting sites will be closed Wednesday. Election officials say they expect early voting to resume Thursday.

Monday was the first day of early voting in an election that features the candidacy of former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel. Authorities have said they expected early-voter turnout to be far higher this year than during the last election four years ago.

If forecasters are right, Tuesday's storm will be overshadowed only by the 21.6 inches of snow that fell in 1999 and the 23 inches in 1967.

National Weather Service meteorologist Chuck Schaffer said the good news is that the weather system stretching from Central Illinois near Quincy to the northeast across Peoria and up into Chicago won't result in heavy snow until most people are home from work Tuesday evening and in bed overnight.

The National Weather Service warned that high winds with gusts of up to 60 mph could produce waves on Lake Michigan of up to 25 feet, leading to considerable coastal flooding and freezing spray, particularly along Lake Shore Drive.

Travel across the plains and Midwest was a mess.

Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City and Tulsa International Airport were both closed. In Texas, the destination for thousands trying to get to the Super Bowl on Sunday, Dallas-Forth Worth International Airport was closed for about an hour so crews could treat runways glazed over with ice.

Original Source : Chicago Business

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0 Metra Train Schedule Problems

Because of the extreme blizzard warning for the Chicago area, Metra will be supplying extra service in the early afternoon from its downtown terminals on numerous of its lines to accommodate consumers who will be departing perform early on Tuesday, Feb. 1st.

This modified schedule will suggest that some frequently scheduled rush hour trains will not operate on Tuesday. Metra will carry on to use all feasible measures offered to fight extraordinary weather problems. Please permit additional travel time to assure your protected passage to and from your destination.

Please review the list of early departure trains to see how this will affect your commute home.

Original Source : Metra Trains

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0 Set a Standard of High Expectations with Accountability

Professional ball teams with a chance of getting to the championship set high performance standards for their team members. It is imperative that professional women in leadership positions do the same in business.

It has been my experience in consulting with organizations the past seven years that few business leaders are consistent enough in communicating job performance expectations. Even fewer do a good job of holding their employees accountable to the expected job performance. This is a lesson women business leaders must learn.

The reason this is an important area for business women to focus on is that a recent study of 34,000 employees showed 60 percent of those who reported their companies were doing too little to correct poor employee performance said they were not positively engaged in their work. On the flip side the survey showed that 73 percent who believed their company did address poor performers were positively engaged in their work.

On championship athletic teams, poor performance is not tolerated. Under performers are held accountable and replaced. Although in the business world it is more difficult to replace employees from a practical, tactical and legal standpoint, professional women need to understand that it should be just as easy to set clear expectations for employees and hold them accountable to those performance expectations.

If a standard of high expectations is the norm within a company culture, team members that are a fit for that type of culture appreciate the fact that they and their team members are held to a high standard and, as such, will participate in holding each other accountable to the standard.

Another key for women in leadership positions to remember is that they must also hold themselves to the same high standards expected of others in the organization. They must model the behavior they expect from their team members. The quickest way to lose the engagement of otherwise positive, high-performing employees is to show up with a “do as I say, not as I do” leadership style.

At a leadership conference many years ago, I heard retired Army General Norman Schwartzkopf give a keynote address in which he discussed this very subject, saying, “Successful organizations set high standards. When high standards are set and clearly communicated, more times than not, people will work to meet and even exceed those standards.” This is the foundation of any championship team.

In working with both male and female business leaders, I’ve noticed two challenges to applying this approach. The first is that leaders fail to set and communicate the high performance standards for fear of being seen as too demanding or autocratic. The second, which is related to the first, is the fear of not being liked.

I’ve learned from my own personal experience that it is much better to be respected than liked. If, as a business leader, you try to be liked, you will end up being neither liked nor respected. If you lead by communicating clear expectations with specific accountabilities and you give your people the latitude to learn from their mistakes while celebrating and reinforcing their wins, you will be both respected and liked.

This is the reputation to which professional women on their way to leadership roles should be aspiring.

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0 10 Ways for Moms to Save Money in the New Year

The New Year is here! Have you set your New Year’s resolutions? Is one of them to save money or pay off debt? I would like to share with you ten ways for moms to save money in the New Year! Simple tasks that will help you reap the benefits for months to come.

1. Shop around for car insurance! Many companies out there have high rates and you may be unaware of the savings you are missing out on. I would recommend looking online as well as your local insurance companies. You will also find you will receive cheaper rates if you have multiple vehicles on a policy.

2. Make a grocery list and stick to it. Before you run to the store, look through your cupboards and come up with a list of the things you actually need. No impulse buying!

3. Use coupons. This is a challenge for some. But you’ll find there are coupons for everything from developing photos online to a meal at a local fast-food restaurant to groceries. There are also many coupon websites that will allow you to print off coupons that you know your family will use.

4. Evaluate your phone plans. Many people I come into contact are unaware that there are unlimited long-distance calling plans out there. Your local phone company may not want you to know this, but you can find a better deal. It does take time to call the companies and find out all of the details, but you’ll be glad you have spent that time when you see your next phone bill.

5. Find a local cosmetology school and save on your haircuts. You’ll be helping students learn their trade as well as getting a hair cut for as little as $8!

6. Buy store-brand baby diapers. Diapers are just that, diapers. There is no need to have the most expensive brand to catch your little one’s poop, right? You’ll be able to save about $10 by buying a box of store-brand diapers instead of the name brands

7. Don’t pay for babysitting for a night out. Trade with a friend or neighbor who has children nearby. This allows you to have time out, you know your kids are safe and you’re allowing your friend to have the same peace the next time she has an event.

8. Shop online! You’ll be able to compare items from one store to the next. You’ll also find that most online sores have a sale or clearance section. I recently bought an $18 outfit for my daughter online for $4.60. Now that’s thinking smart! Don’t forget to find those coupon codes while checking out online as well.

9. Start a savings account. We often over look the value of having money put away for a rainy day. If you saved just $5 each week that would be an extra $260 in your bank account at the end of the year.

10. Lastly, pay your bills on time. This will eliminate costly late charges and fees. It will also keep your credit in good standings.

Here’s to the New Year and saving some money along the way!

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0 9 Tips to Increase Focus

As a kid in school, I was by far the math and science whiz. Reading, however, was an extremely trying task. My mind would wonder to such a point that I’d often have to reread a paragraph several times before I would actually grasp the material. Today, I find that I’m always thinking about things other than my present situation and I multitask to such an extent that I’ll be on task number five before completing tasks one through four.

Whether I have ADD or I’m just a product of this crazy-paced, technology-ridden world, my ability to focus is not what I’d like it to be. And, I get the impression I’m not alone. Many of us suffer from constant distractions that make it difficult to concentrate. The good news, however, is that there are simple things you can do to help:

In-the-Moment Tips:

   1. Computer Alerts. Working on a computer can be very distracting. Especially with the sounds and pop-ups that alert us to fresh emails, tweets, IMs, etc. Every time a “ding” goes off, I tend to stop what I’m doing and re-focus on the newest “ding.” Turn off sound and pop-up features, and log out of email, chat, and twitter applications to enable you to fully focus on your current task.
   2. Phones. If you get a lot of phone calls and have trouble ignoring them, forward them to voice mail, turn off your phone or silence the ringer. Set aside a specific time during the day to get back to people via phone.
   3. Make Lists and Make Plans. Listing out what you want to accomplish and how you want to do so helps to keep you on track. Without a plan, however, it is easy to put things on hold to check email, clean or surf the Web. Set time lines and “deadlines” to each of your tasks. This will hold you responsible to completing things on time.
   4. Declutter and Organize. Clutter often equals distraction. If you have lots of papers and random items lying around your desk, they will constantly be a reminder of other things on which you could focus. Organize your work area so that you can focus during work time and deal with the “in-box” in a timely way.
   5. Create Intermittent Active Time. When our bodies and environments are stagnant, our brains can start to drift or go on auto pilot. Take breaks throughout the day that get you moving and into different areas of your home or office. It will help you to refocus more effectively when you come back to work.
   6. Get Away. If you are in an office environment and have trouble focusing at your desk, try booking a small conference room or work space that allows you to get away from the distractions. If you are doing a lot of computer work, see if you can “book” a laptop for the day and go somewhere that is quiet. If you are at home and your family is making it difficult to concentrate, go to a neighborhood coffee shop and spend a couple of hours there getting focused.

Long-term Tips:

   1. Diet. Our diets can have a tremendous impact on our ability to focus. Eating very large, heavy meals can cause our digestive tract to “hoard” the blood that could be used by our brains. Eating lighter, more frequent meals sustains our energy levels and keeps blood flow stable to the brain. Further, avoid processed foods that often contain preservatives, dyes, and other artificial and synthetic ingredients. Research has shown that these ingredients promote hyperactivity in individuals who have ADD and ADHD, as well as those individuals who don’t.
   2. Exercise. Exercise allows us to release stress, clear our minds, and think clearly. The best way to set the stage for the day is to exercise early in the morning. This will help you to think through your day and how you want to tackle your “to-dos.”
   3. Sleep. One of the biggest contributors to lack of concentration is lack of rest or, believe it or not, too much rest. Your mind depends on proper sleep to function optimally and concentrate. Aim to get seven to eight solid hours each night.

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0 Increase Your Likability Factor

To be heard, you have to make people like you. You need to create chemistry with your staff as a manager, with your team as a project leader, with your boss, with your customer, with your strategic partners. People believe people they like. That’s not a news bulletin. Great communicators develop the “likability factor”—your personality and the “chemistry” you create between yourself and others.

Just as many roads lead to success in the workplace, many different personalities attract followers. But the following traits seem universally to attract people and open their minds and hearts.

Be Vulnerable and Show Your Humanity

In speaker training 101, people learn to tell failure stories before success stories. Generally, audiences have more in common with those who struggle than those who succeed in life. If you worry about whether your teen will graduate from high school without getting involved with the wrong group, say so. If your father-in-law drove you nuts during the holiday weekend, it’s okay to mention to your colleagues on Monday morning that you might not have been the storybook spouse. If you lose a customer, regret it rather than excuse it. If you miss a deadline, repair the damage and catch up.

People respond to humans much more favorably than they do to machines. When you communicate with colleagues, never fear to let them see your humanity.

Be Courteous—Remember to Kick the Copier

Day in and day out, it’s the small things that kill our spirit: The sales rep who empties his cold coffee and leaves the splatters all over the sink. The manager who uses the last drop of lotion and doesn’t refill the container. The analyst who walks away from the printer, leaving the red light flashing “paper jam.” The boss who walks into the reserved conference room in the middle of a meeting and bumps everybody out for an “urgent” strategic planning meeting. The person who cuts in line at the cafeteria cash register. The guy who answers his cell phone and tries to carry on a conversation out loud in the middle of a meeting.

As a result, even the smallest courtesies kindle a fire that ignites chemistry and builds kinship. The courtesy of saying “hello” when you come into the office after being away. The courtesy of letting people know when you’re going to be away for an extended period. The courtesy of honoring policies about reserving rooms, spaces, and equipment for activities. The courtesy of a simple “please,” “thank you,” and “you’re welcome” for small favors.

Share a Sense of Humor

No matter whether people agree or disagree with George W. Bush’s political positions they typically admire his self-deprecating humor. At one of the Washington correspondent’s dinners, that ability to poke fun at himself seemed to be the primary thing the media responded to favorably. Bush said at the lectern, “I always enjoy these events. But why couldn’t I have dinner with the 36 percent of the people who like me?” At one such event, Bush even brought along his “double” comedian Steve Bridges, to make fun of his frequent mispronunciations. The double modeled for him one of his most difficult words to pronounce correctly: “Nu—cle—ar proliferation … nu—cle—ar proliferation. Nu—cle—ar proliferation.” Then Bush tried it: “Nu—cle—ar pro-boblieration.” The crowd went wild.

Self-deprecating humor can open hearts and minds to make people receptive to ideas in ways words alone cannot.

Show Humility

Power can be seductive. Praise pushes people’s buttons, elevating peer pressure to feel important. And just as suddenly as lightning strikes, an act of arrogance can destroy an otherwise credible communicator. For example: Refusing to acknowledge people when they speak to you. Failure to respond to people’s suggestions. Haughty body language. Time spent only with those of your “rank and ilk” at a social gathering. An amused smirk in response to an idea expressed in a meeting. An upward roll of the eyes meant to discredit someone’s comment in the hallway. A talk jam-packed with jargon meant to confuse, rather than clarify. Insistence that things must be said one way and one way only.
Credible communicators show humility in innumerable ways:

    * They let others “showcase” by delivering key messages instead of always having to be “on stage” themselves
    * They let others feel important by “interpreting,” “passing on,” and “applying” their goals and initiatives.
    * They get input from others—and consider that input worthy of a response. (They don’t ask for input “just for drill” if they don’t plan to consider it.)
    * They excite others by asking for their help, cooperation and buy-in
    * They share the limelight by telling stories about star performers
    * They share leadership roles by telling success stories of other leaders
    * They communicate awareness and appreciation of the efforts and results of other people

Certainly, credibility involves a balancing act between establishing a noteworthy track record and fading away into the furniture. People do want to know that you know what you’re talking about. But arrogance antagonizes them. Expertise tinged with a touch of humility goes down far better.

Your look, language, and likable personality will have a huge impact on whether people accept what you say. If your message isn’t sinking in, if you’re not getting the action you want, maybe you should take it, well … personally.

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0 A Professional Woman’s Guide to Office Essentials

At long last, Democrats and Republicans agree on something: Nancy Pelosi is the best-dressed woman in Washington. Her stylish suits, paired perfectly with jewelry, are sophisticated and polished—and show the world she means business. Pelosi knows that what we wear speaks volumes about how seriously we take our jobs. The media may not be analyzing your every fashion choice, but you can bet your boss is. Read on to discover which office essentials you should keep in your closet.

Dress to Impress
The first step to dressing well is to acknowledge that your clothes send a message about your work ethic. “Whether it’s fair or not, people size you up by what you wear,” says Mary Lou Andre, fashion consultant and author of Ready to Wear (Penguin, 2004). Ironed slacks and a crisp blouse will earn the boss’s applause, while scuffed pumps and fraying sweaters will draw attention you don’t want.

Shallow as it seems, the state of your shoes affects your coworkers’ view of you. But look on the bright side—with the right clothes, anyone can make a great impression. “When you present yourself in a professional manner, you come across as more credible,” says Andre. “Dressing appropriately shows respect for your coworkers and puts everyone at ease.” You have to get dressed every morning anyway. Why not dress well?

Even seasoned professionals scratch their heads over the terms “business casual” and “corporate attire.” If you’re confused about the dress code in your office, sneak a peak at a female superior. Does she wear hose under skirts or keep her legs bare? Are her shoes open- or closed-toe? Does she wear sweaters and slacks or skirt suits? Taking a hint from her will keep your style on track and show her that you’re serious about your work. Don’t dress for the job you have. “Dress for the job you want,” says Andre.

Invest in the Classics
You don’t need Pelosi’s bank account to cop her impeccable style. Save money on items that you’ll wear infrequently, and invest in a few stellar pieces that will last for years.

You can’t go wrong with a tailored black pantsuit and a crisp white blouse, but it can become boring day in and day out. Splurge on other items, but only if they’re high quality. Try a sweater dress, one of Andre’s top ten fashion picks. It’s feminine but will keep you boardroom-appropriate. Work the look by adding a leather belt or tall boots. Layer it over patterned tights if your office is casual; slip on nude hose for a more conservative look.

Andre also recommends every woman own a pair of classic black pumps or loafers, which lend polish to any outfit. Keep a brown or taupe pair of heels on hand too.

When you shop, look for quality, versatility, and sophistication. If you invest in well-made pieces, they’ll last for years. “It’s not about having a lot of clothes,” says Andre, “but about having the right ones.”

Pull It Together
Once you have your staples, focus on the little extras. Forget PDAs and Blackberries—lint rollers and irons are this season’s best business tools. Make sure your clothes are clean, pressed, and in good condition. Taking care of your clothes will bring your look together and lend sophistication—no matter how much you paid for your wardrobe.

Don’t underestimate the power of a great tailor. Even a $10 blouse will look like a million bucks if it fits you just right. “Every woman should make best friends with a seamstress,” as Andre puts it.

Fun with Fashion
Your clothes should fit your professional image more closely than they fit your body. Even if you have great legs or amazing cleavage, you’re at the office to work. “More skin equals less power,” warns Andre.

But you don’t have to hide your femininity under a potato sack to climb the corporate ladder. Follow Andres’ 80/20 rule: Keep 80 percent of your outfit standard, and have fun with the other 20 percent. If you love to dress sexy, slip on a conservative pantsuit—and your hottest pair of stilettos. If you love animal prints, skip the head-to-toe jungle fever and rock a leopard cami under a classic blazer.

Experimenting is what makes fashion fun, and accessories are a great place to try out new trends. You can rev up any office outfit by adding a colorful scarf, leather belt, detailed handbag, strappy shoes, or sparkly earrings. Attention-grabbing red accents are another of Andre’s top ten picks for this season. Pair a red handbag with a neutral suit or don a red A-line skirt with a black silk blouse and black boots. You’ll add pizzazz and still look professional.

For more on Mary Lou Andre, check out dressingwell.com.

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0 Seven Life Insurance Myths That Can Cost You

Life insurance is an important part of a well-rounded financial plan. But let’s face it—it can also be confusing. In fact, misunderstandings about life insurance cause many people to skip the coverage altogether, putting their families at great risk for financial hardship. Here, we set the record straight on seven common myths about life insurance.

Myth 1: Single and young people don’t need life insurance.
Truth: Your key question should be: Will anyone be worse off financially if I die? Even if you have no dependents, you might leave behind credit card debt, student loans, a car payment or funeral expenses.

A small life insurance policy would cover these costs. Moreover, buying while you’re young can help you lock in lower rates and guarantee coverage if you develop health problems later in life.

Myth 2: Only people with kids need life insurance.
Truth: Chances are your spouse depends on your income, regardless of whether you have children. Could he or she manage to pay the mortgage and all other household bills and debts alone? A life insurance policy could help your partner keep the house and maintain the same standard of living.

Myth 3: If your employer provides coverage, there’s no need for more.
Truth: Many corporations provide their employees with free life insurance worth once or twice their annual salary. Similarly, the military’s Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (SGLI) offers great rates on policies up to $400,000. These are nice benefits, but if you leave your company or the military without a separate policy in place, it may be difficult or even too late to purchase one when you need it most.

Myth 4: Life insurance is too expensive.
Truth: It probably costs less than you think. For example, a healthy thirty-year-old male can get $250,000 of twenty-year term coverage for less than $15 per month. And as average life expectancies continue to increase, life insurance prices keep going down.

Myth 5: Insurance policies are all the same.
Truth: Policies that have similar names may differ substantially in what they cover. So before you buy based on price alone, it pays to read the fine print.

Myth 6: There’s no reason to insure a stay-at-home spouse.
Truth: Your stay-at-home spouse may not earn an income, but think of the services he or she may provide for free: childcare, meal preparation, housekeeping, and more. With that spouse gone, life suddenly gets a lot more expensive. Life insurance can defray the cost of hiring help in your partner’s absence.

Myth 7: Buying life insurance is a hassle.
Truth: Today, you can use simple online tools to determine your life insurance needs, compare options, and apply on the spot. Explore at your own pace with no high-pressure sales tactics. And if you have questions, call us.

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0 About

Welcome To Your Online Business Resource

We are a new blogger who tries to share about online business. after reading many articles from various sources and I saw about their success. I so want to try and find a way to succeed in the online business.

on several occasions, I have tried it several times but failed. according to my analysis, that online business is not as easy as turning a hand. but it requires a skill and patience and willingness to learn.

so for those of you who just learning about online business. maybe you need a lot of reading about the articles which I will share.

although I am also still learning, but I'm sure by sharing experiences and knowledge, success is in front of our eyes

Greetings bloggers 

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0 Getting Mortgage Loans With Bad Credit

Yοu want tο ɡеt a mortgage loan bυt уου hаνе bаԁ credit. Fοr people іn thіѕ subprime situation, іt hаѕ become more difficult thаn еνеr tο obtain a loan, bυt іt’s nοt impossible. Here аrе several іmрοrtаnt things thаt уου ѕhουƖԁ know.

Available Cash

Thе process οf applying fοr a bаԁ credit mortgage іѕ nοt unlike аnу οthеr mortgage application. Thе lender wіƖƖ want tο look over уουr credit report, уουr employment history, уουr income, аnԁ thе amount οf debt уου аrе carrying. Lenders wіƖƖ аƖѕο look closely аt available cash. Thіѕ іѕ whеrе things саn change іn уουr favor. If уουr credit rating іѕ low, уου wіƖƖ typically need tο hаνе much more available cash tο compensate. A steady income notwithstanding, іf уου hаνе cash reserves, уου wіƖƖ bе аbƖе tο рυt down a higher down payment, sometimes аѕ high аѕ 20 percent οr 25 percent. If, fοr example, уου аrе considering a $200,000 house аnԁ рυt down 25 percent, οr $50,000, уου pose much less risk tο thе lender. Bесаυѕе уου hаνе ѕο much invested іn thе property, іt іѕ much less ƖіkеƖу thаt уου wіƖƖ default οn thе loan.

Payment History

Assets аnԁ cash reserves ԁο mаkе a ԁіffеrеnсе, bυt уουr payment history іѕ аƖѕο a consideration. Aftеr аƖƖ, јυѕt bесаυѕе уου hаνе money doesn’t necessarily mean уου wіƖƖ pay οn time. Bυt уου саn build a nontraditional credit history bу producing copies οf canceled checks thаt ѕhοw timely payment. Yου need tο hаνе ɡοοԁ background information οn paper tο back up уουr regular bill payments. Jυѕt Ɩіkе building a traditional credit history, a nontraditional credit history takes time tο establish. Fοr more information, read Whаt Iѕ a FICO Score аnԁ Hοw Dοеѕ It Affect Yουr Mortgage Loan?

Credit Score

Yουr credit rating score саn hаνе serious implications οn уουr mortgage, ѕο correcting even a single mistake οn уουr credit history сουƖԁ potentially save уου thousands οf dollars over thе life οf уουr mortgage loan. Don’t take anyone’s word fοr thе state οf уουr credit history; see іt fοr yourself. Request reports frοm аƖƖ thе major credit companies аnԁ review thеm carefully fοr errors. If thеrе аrе errors οr inconsistencies, Ɩеt thе credit company know аnԁ request tο hаνе уουr record corrected.

Subprime Lenders

If уου аrе looking fοr a subprime lender, ɡеt references аnԁ bе very careful. Subprime lenders specialize іn working wіth people whο hаνе bаԁ credit. Fοr еνеrу legitimate subprime lender, thеrе аrе ones whο аrе out tο take advantage οf people wіth poor credit scores. Thе ɡοοԁ news іѕ thаt mοѕt οf thеѕе lenders аrе out οf business. Thе bаԁ news іѕ thаt mostly еνеrу subprime lender — legitimate аnԁ nοt-ѕο-legitimate — hаѕ closed up shop іn thеѕе trying economic times.

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0 Starting Business at Home With Internet

Choose either an Online Home Business Ideas or just a home based business, whichever seems suitable to make money.Unless you’ve a brilliant tech idea that makes venture capitalists drool (which means you don’t need this list), you need to determine where your strengths are and which business model you plan on following. I’ve run three home-based businesses in my life, all of which leveraged my current skill set as the foundation for building the business. Look over the following list and single out the ones in which you’ve at least some experience. You maybe won’t have all of the skills necessary, so don’t let that stop you! All you’ve to do is work hard and be willing to learn.

• Affiliate Marketing

What is it?
Promote other company’s products and services on your website. When a sale is made, you get a commission.
Most important skills needed
PPC (Pay Per Click marketing), sales copywriting, web marketing
Best learning resources
Affiliate Classroom, ShoeMoney, Rosalind Gardner
Recommended Book
Make a Fortune Promoting Other People’s Stuff Online | by Rosalind Gardner

• Blogging

What is it?
A chronologically based website filled with articles, reviews, or journal-style writing. You can sell advertising or incorporate affiliate marketing on a blog to earn money.
Most important skills needed
Copywriting, social networking, affiliate marketing, web marketing
Best learning resources
ProBlogger, Blogging for Dollars, Yaro Starak’s Blog Mastermind Program (highly recommended & he has a free report to download)
Recommended Book
ProBlogger, Secrets to Blogging Your Way to a Six Figure Income | by Darren Rowse & Chris Garrett

• eBay & Auction Selling

What is it?
Selling or reselling products via an online marketplace like Ebay, Amazon Auctions, or Craigslist. You can sell used goods, buy goods wholesale, or use a drop-shipping service.
Most important skills needed
Merchandising, sales copywriting, customer service
Best learning resources
Ebay Learning Center, SaleHoo Training Center, JennyHow
Recommended Book
eBay 101: Selling on eBay For Part-time or Full-time Income, Beginner to PowerSeller in 90 Days | by Steve Weber

• E-Commerce

What is it?
Selling products or a technology-based service on your own website.
Most important skills needed
All of the above, below and then some!
Best learning resources
Entrepreneur.com’s Online Business Startup Guide
Recommended Book
The Complete E-Commerce Book: Design, Build and Maintain a Successful Web-Based Business | by Janice Reynolds

• Arts & Crafts

What is it?
Creating and manufacturing your own product lines and selling them online.
Most important skills needed
Creativity, sales, e-commerce
Best learning resources
Sparkplugging’s CraftBoom, About.com Craft Business 101 Series, Barbara Brabec
Recommended Book
The Crafts Business Answer Book: Starting, Managing, and Marketing a Homebased Arts, Crafts, or Design Business | by Barbara Brabec

• Internet Research Business

What is it?
Doing internet research for corporations, law firms and other small businesses.
Most important skills needed
Librarian-style research skills, customer service
Best learning resources
Entrepreneur.com’s Information Consultant Startup Guide
Recommended Book
Building & Running a Successful Research Business: A Guide for the Independent Information Professional by Mary Ellen Bates

• Freelance Services

What is it?
Providing professional services such as copywriting, design, photography, illustration, and programming usually billed on an hourly rate.
Most important skills needed
Sales, customer service, trade-specific knowledge
Best learning resources
Our Freelance Parent channel, FreelanceSwitch
Recommended Book
The Business Side of Creativity: The Complete Guide to Running a Small Graphic Design or Communications Business | by Cameron S. Foote

• Recruiting

What is it?
Recruiting candidates for companies who pay a fee when a hire is made.
Most important skills needed
Sales, relationship building, networking
Best learning resources
RecruitersNetwork, HireAbility
Recommended Book
Start Your Own Executive Recruiting Business (Entrepreneur Magazine’s Start Up)| by Entrepreneur Press

• Consulting

What is it?
Providing your specialized industry knowledge to corporations, entrepreneurs, investors or other businesses.
Most important skills needed
Trade-specific knowledge, sales, customer service
Best learning resources
Entrepreneur.com’s Consulting Business Startup Guide
Recommended Book
The Business of Consulting: The Basics and Beyond (CD-ROM Included)| by Elaine Biech

• VA (Virtual Assistant)

What is it?
Providing administrative and business support to other business owners and small businesses.
Most important skills needed
Customer service, organization
Best learning resources
VirtualAssistantStartups, Entrepreneur.com’s Business Support Startup Guide, VirtualPABusiness
Recommended Book
The 2-Second Commute: Join the Exploding Ranks of Freelance Virtual Assistants by Christine Durst

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