Thursday, January 31, 2008

What You Can’t Ask a Job Candidate is as Important as What You Can Ask

By Stephen Spain As a human resources professional or business owner, you face many challenges during the hiring process, from sorting through stacks of job applicant rsums to making an attractive offer to the one person you believe best matches the specifications of your open position’s job description. The whole procedure is more than time-consuming; it can be stressful as well. None of the demands of finding and hiring the best candidate are more complex than those of the interviewing process. Besides spending a significant portion of your time listening to what your final candidates have to say, you must - without violating any of the employment discrimination laws in place - evaluate each applicant’s ability to successfully perform the job. You have a responsibility to your company and to all prospective employees to avoid any semblance of discrimination or impropriety in your hiring processes. You must keep your interview questions related to specific job activities; in fact, it’s probably a bad idea to ask any question that doesn’t deal directly with a specific job’s requirements. If you feel any question on your list might lead to an applicant’s perception of discrimination, eliminate that question from the discussion. You can’t possibly read the minds of job seekers now or in the future, especially when the ones who ultimately weren’t offered the job might try to convince themselves that the reason they weren’t hired was “discrimination” - rather than their level of skills. The result could be an unfounded and unnecessary legal action that would, at the very least, distract you from your current job functions in meeting important and strategic company goals. Use the following points as general guidelines to develop your list of appropriate interview questions for all job candidates. If you have questions about what’s permitted by law (especially regarding special circumstances in your state), consult with your company’s legal department or another reliable source. And above all, remember this: If you believe any question or part of your discussion with a potential employee could be perceived as discriminatory, avoid it. Name You may discuss: use of another name and additional information (relative to a change of name or use of an assumed name) necessary to enable a check of education or work record. You may not discuss: maiden name. For example, do not ask: What is your maiden name? What is your mother’s maiden name? Age You may discuss: before hiring, whether the applicant is over the minimum age for the job’s hours or working conditions; after hiring, verifying same with a birth certificate or other ID, as well as asking age on insurance forms. You may not discuss: age; birth date; or questions that might identify the applicant’s age, especially if he or she is over age 40. For example, do not ask: How old are you? What year were you born? When did you graduate from high school? Citizenship/National Origin You may discuss: ability to speak, read or write English or a foreign language if required by the job; offers of employment contingent upon verification of identity, residence and work authorization in the United States. You may not discuss: birthplace, nationality, lineage, ancestry, national origin and parentage of applicant or applicant’s parents or spouse. For example, do not ask: Where were you born? Where are your parents from? What’s your heritage? What is your mother’s tongue? What language do you normally use? How did you learn to read, write or speak a foreign language? Race/Color You may discuss: equal opportunity employment at your company; race only as required for affirmative-action programs. You may not discuss: race or color; complexion or color of skin, eyes or hair; any direct or indirect reference to race, color or racial groups. For example, do not ask: What race are you? Are you a member of a minority group? Gender/Marital Status/Children/Childcare You may discuss: company policy regarding work assignment of employees who are related; anticipated absences from job; freedom to travel, if job requires; and ability to meet work schedule requirements. You may not discuss: applicant’s gender, marital and family status; number or ages of children or dependents; provisions for childcare; pregnancy; birth control; or name or address of relative, spouse or children of adult applicant. After hiring only, you can ask about marital status/dependent information for tax and insurance forms. For example, do not ask: With whom do you reside? Do you live alone? How many children do you have? Are you married? Do you plan on having children? Are you pregnant? Physical, Health or Mental Disability You may discuss: candidate’s ability to perform essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodation; applicant’s impressions of performing the essential functions of the job; days of leave taken during the last year; and attendance requirements of this job. You may not discuss: (until after offer is made and then only related to job performance) the existence, type or severity of disability. For example, do not ask: Do you have a disability that might interfere with your ability to perform the job? How many days were you sick last year? Do you have any preexisting health conditions? Do you have (name of disease)? Religion/Creed You may discuss: the company’s regular workdays and hours. You may not discuss: applicant’s religion, religious days or whether religion would prevent him or her from working weekends or holidays. For example, do not ask: What religion are you? Do you attend church regularly? Residence You may discuss: place of residence. You may not discuss: ownership of residence. For example, do not ask: Do you own or rent your home? How much are your house payments? Military Service You may discuss: relevant knowledge, skills and abilities acquired during applicant’s military service. You may not discuss: general questions about military service such as dates, discharge or service in a foreign military service. For example, do not ask: How long did you serve in (name of country)? Where did you serve? Economic Status You may discuss: salary history, but you cannot use this information to disqualify applicant. You may not discuss: credit ratings, charge accounts, bank accounts, bankruptcy, car ownership, ownership or rental of a home, length of residence at an address or past garnishments of wages. For example, do not ask: Have you ever declared bankruptcy? How long have you lived at (address)? Organizations/Societies/Activities You may discuss: job-related organizations, clubs and professional associations to which the applicant belongs, omitting ones that indicate race, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex or age. You may not discuss: all organizations, clubs and lodges to which applicant belongs. For example, do not ask: Are you a member of a senior citizens’ group? Have you ever been a member of (name of religious group)? Would you write down the names of all the clubs in which you’re a member? Height/Weight You may discuss: height and weight issues that are related to the performance of the job. You may not discuss: height and weight issues that are not related to the performance of the job. For example, do not ask: Do you think you need to lose weight? Is being short a problem for you? References You may discuss: who referred applicant to the job and names of persons willing to provide professional references for applicant. You may not discuss: questions of applicant’s former employers or acquaintances that elicit information specifying applicant’s color, race, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, age or sex. For example, do not ask: Did your last employer have a problem with your divorce? Have any of your former employers commented on your ancestry? Toward the end of each interview, be sure to explain the next phase of your hiring process to all successful candidates. This description should include items such as a physical or drug test (where applicable), as well as a background check through an independent service such as VeriCruit (www.vericruit.com) to look into each candidate’s driving history, Social Security number, criminal record, credit history and possible listing on a sexual offender registry. You must obtain written permission from every candidate - on a form that’s separate from all of the other job application documents - to take these steps; if any of your candidates seem uneasy about your request, take a few moments to discuss his or her concerns before taking further action with that person in your hiring process. Established in 1996, MEPatWORK is the leading full-service recruitment solutions provider in the HVAC, sheet metal, refrigeration, control, electrical, plumbing and piping industries. Headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, this privately held company also has offices in in Chicago and Pittsburgh and specializes in finding top talent for all levels of contracting, wholesale, manufacturing, consulting engineer and facilities management firms within these trades. For additional information about Industry People Group and its human capital solutions, please go to http://www.industrypeoplegroup.com or call 888-482-2562 (toll-free). 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Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Fall Into Promotional Products - Spring Ahead Of The Competition

By Linda Hansen Close your eyes. Imagine crisp, cool breezes and red leaves dancing along the side of the streets and in the trees. Imagine hot apple cider and the smell of spicy pumpkin bread baking. Imagine bright orange promotional magnets and your company logo branded on pennants floating through the football stands. Now, open your eyes. Its the Fall which means its time to start your promotional product campaign. Industry trends show that many companies start their promotional product campaigns during the Fall due to their growth and strength during this time. This coincides with back to school advertising and the fund raising season. It represents a time where consumers actively look for new products and new promotions. It also represents a time when companies start to brand themselves before the holiday season. Fall branding benefits a company because promotional products serve as a lucrative means to raise awareness, increase an already positive perception and, most importantly, generate more funds in your company. Starting a promotional product campaign in the Fall gets you in front of the consumers early so you can remain at the tops of minds throughout the year. Consumers spend more starting in the Fall and lasting until after the holiday season. Therefore, starting advertising and promotions accompanied with good premiums increases your chances of getting a big chunk of Fall and Winter consumer spending. In an article Fall Promotions Bring Seasoned Spending, Dave Spangenberg, director of business development at Carlson Craft Business Solutions, says Clients are either preparing for the new year or are trying to find ways to energize fall sales with their remaining budget dollarsad specialty items are usually welcomed to meet these needs. Ad specialty items, such as promotional products, coupled with print ads have the potential to bolster higher profits than print ads alone. It gives the active shoppers a reason and rewards for both remembering and using your company. They also generate a loyal and happy client base because people love free stuff. Starting in the Fall creates all of these positive results early, thus invigorating your upcoming year. Taking into consideration all of this, contemplate the limitless options for using promotional products as a part of your campaign in the Fall. Promotional magnets can serve a double purpose when used during this season. Print your name and logo along with the fall schedule of the local sports team. Richard Krauth, vice president of Rainbow printing, in the Fall Promotions Bring Seasoned Spending, said, Promotional magnets are long-standing favorites with business-to-business and business-to-consumer companies. Unlike most other advertising media, magnets keep advertisers messages visible for an extended period of time. Design a new thank you card to prepare yourself for upcoming business. In the accounting business? Take the Fall to stock up on presentation folders and report cover inventory for the new year. Fall campaigns allow your company to stay ahead of the competition, earn the pre-holiday profits and stay on budget with your campaign. As Karuth said in the last part of the article, As advertising budgets are cut, more and more companies are looking for low-cost, high-impact ways to allocate advertising dollarspromotional products continue to fit that bill. The low-cost and effectiveness of promotional products make them a must in any campaign, especially an early branding and awareness campaign. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_Hansen http://EzineArticles.com/?Fall-Into-Promotional-Products—Spring-Ahead-Of-The-Competition&id=480492 phentermine to buy phentermine 37.5 mg no prescription needed order phentermine overnight where to buy phentermine without
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Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Using Sleep To Help You Lose Weight

By Alex Wilson Do you find that you have been struggling to shed some of those pounds? If you have, you have probably also been having a go at some of those weight loss pills, a bit of dieting or maybe even a trip down the gym a few times for that dreaded exercise routine. But none of them seem to do the trick, do they? The problem there doesn’t really have anything to do with the things you are trying while you are awake, more like the fact that you are awake. Research has shown that the more sleep that you get, and also the better quality of sleep that you get, can help you melt away some of those unwanted pounds, without having to shell out on some of those expensive faddy diet regimes. The pointer there for you is, if you want to shed some of those extra pounds at last, instead of wasting your time counting those calories; spend a little more time in bed. The number one reason that having more sleep can help you get that weight off, is probably fairly obvious to you. The more time that you spend in bed asleep the less time you are going to be down raiding the fridge or tucking into the biscuit tin. Another reason to bear in mind is, we all get a certain craving now and again for a snack or something similar that is not good for us, and the less time we are asleep the more time we have to succumb to those cravings. Also bear in mind that being deprived of sleep actually lowers our reasoning skills, therefore when we are met with those food cravings our power to resist is much lower. When you get a good night’s sleep you get up the following day feeling vibrant and full of energy. By feeling like this you are more likely to get up and have your self a workout, which will in turn further your weight loss efforts. The way in which our bodies metabolise carbohydrates is another effect that being deprived of sleep has on us. Many people have a problem with digesting carbohydrates if they do not have a sufficient amount of proper sleep. What happens is, instead of the food being used up as energy the calories are kept in the body and are stored as fat. It is also worth noting that by having an excess of carbohydrates in your system it could cause a rise in your blood sugar level and resistance to insulin which both happen to be symptoms of type two diabetes. So there we have it, if you would really like to melt off a few of those pounds, apart from the little bits on the side you are working on, like a bit of exercise and cutting down on those crispy cream cakes, make it one of your missions to get a full and proper nights sleep every night. Alex Wilson is currently one of the article writers and editors for http://www.help-with-sleep-problems.com where you will find lots of useful sleep related information, reports, articles and tips. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alex_Wilson http://EzineArticles.com/?Using-Sleep-To-Help-You-Lose-Weight&id=407007 pharmacy selling phentermine can i buy phentermine without a prescription phentermine canada pharmacy phentermine 37.5 no prescription overnight
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Monday, January 28, 2008

No Brainers: 27 Low or No-Cost Ways to Improve Your Next Tradeshow

By Susan Friedmann There are lots of ways to improve your team’s performance at tradeshows. From snazzy new displays to intensive training to rewards and incentives for top producers, it’s difficult to even count the myriad ways What’s not difficult is to realize that some of these improvement methods come with hefty price tags. Don’t despair. There are many ways to pump up performance without breaking the bank. In fact, I’ve collected 27 low or no cost ways to improve your next tradeshow: 1. Research the show BEFORE you commit: Does it attract a large number of people from your target audience? 2. Give yourself enough time: Planning and preparation for a major show can take 12-18 months. 3. Involve top management in the planning process. You’ll get better results from your team if they know upper management is supporting their efforts. 4. Send e-mail reminders to loyal customers and strong prospects before the show, urging them to stop by your booth. 5. Define goals and objectives for show participation. 6. Share these goals and objectives with your booth staff. They can’t achieve your goals and objectives if they don’t know what they are. 7. Plan for security as needed: you don’t want expensive prototypes or demo models ‘walking away’. 8. Brief your team on common tradeshow espionage practices and how to defend against them. 9. Send enough people to ensure adequate booth coverage throughout the show. 10. Give each booth staffer a specific role, with job expectations clearly spelled out. 11. Stress the value of friendly greetings, polite manners, and appropriate body language. 12. Take the time to familiarize your team with the lead collection technology you’ll be using before the show. 13. Make sure at least some of the people going to the show are prepared to answer technical questions. 14. Send friendly, personable people with a genuine enthusiasm for your company, its products and services. These may not be your most senior people: make your choices based on effectiveness, not seniority. 15. Check in with your team throughout the show to assess performance, reward positive behaviors, and stop negative trends before they get out of hand. 16. Establish a dress code for your staffers: They’ll look more professional and act as better ambassadors for your company. 17. Don’t forget the shoes, hair, and accessories: people notice the details. Manicures are crucial, as your team will be shaking hands hundreds, perhaps thousands, of times during the show. 18. Two words: Breath Mints. 19. Practice asking qualifying questions with your booth staffers. 20. Product demonstrations are a great way to draw a crowd: Make sure your team knows how to give an effective, engaging presentation by having them practice before the show. 21. If you are sponsoring entertainment, a speaker, or other event, make sure your team knows what to do during this time. From working the crowd to collecting leads, there’s plenty they should be doing to promote your company’s name and image. 22. Designate a ‘go-to’ person to act as a liason with show management. The better your relationship with management is, the better your show experience will be. 23. That exhibitor’s service manual the show organizers sent you when you registered? Read it: it’s chock full of valuable information to help ensure a stress-free show. 24. Copy appropriate pages from the exhibitor service manual and pass them along to the relevant staffers: It doesn’t help you to know when everything has to be broken down and off the show floor if you’re not the person doing that work. 25. Order services ahead of time. Making deadlines = big savings. 26. Establish a follow up protocol for hot leads, promising prospects, and likely customers. Use this protocol to turn leads into sales. 27. Say Thank You to attendees for stopping by, to anyone who fills out survey information or participates in a demonstration, during your follow up calls. Written by Susan A. Friedmann, CSP, The Tradeshow Coach, Lake Placid, NY, working with companies to improve their meeting and event success through coaching, consulting and training. Author: Meeting & Event Planning for Dummies, and Riches in Niches: How to Make it BIG in a small Market (May 2007). For a free copy of 10 Common Mistakes Exhibitors Make, e-mail: article4@thetradeshowcoach.com; website: http://www.thetradeshowcoach.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_Friedmann http://EzineArticles.com/?No-Brainers:-27-Low-or-No-Cost-Ways-to-Improve-Your-Next-Tradeshow&id=426317 www buy phentermine buy phentermine with mastercard phentermine to order mexican pharmacy phentermine
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Saturday, January 26, 2008

Online Dating Services Sites: Which is Which?

By Lawrence Andrews Online dating services are thriving after almost 10 years now. Some people succeeded in finding that Mr. or Ms. Right through them. Some might not. But for those who still have not lost hope in looking for that potential through these services, here are the top online dating services that might assist a searcher in this endeavor. MatchMaker.com, with a monthly rate of $8.33 to $19.95, has an approximate number of 8 million members and communication is carried out either through IM or e-mail. Reviews have it that MatchMaker is one of the best online services. It boasts of two major features: a.) user-friendly site and b.) One of the most comprehensive profiles online. The profiling consists of an extensive questionnaire and an optional essay. YahooPersonals has a monthly rate of $7.50 to $19.95 and has more than 5 million members. IM and e-mail is the form of communication with this online dating service. It is loved for its refined search engine. Categories such as living area, age and interests can be used to improve the search process. YahooPersonals has this Premier version that offers a more in-depth profile for those in search of more than casual dating. DreamDates.com has a monthly rate of $9 to $24.95 and 3.5 million members. Members’ interaction is supported by chat, IM, e-mail, and voice. DreamDates offers a better communication option of allowing members to talk to each other. It is available in two versions - a Romance membership or an Erotica option. AmericanSingles.com can be availed with the monthly fee of $16.50 to 24.95. Its more than 10 million members communicate through IM, e-mail or chat. If one is interested to allow communication with a person who has shown interest first, but is not that totally at ease yet, with American Singles, one can remain anonymous. This service has this “Tease” message feature, which is a fun and non-committal way of getting in touch with members that you find attractive. Match.com has a monthly membership fee of $9.95 - 24.95. Its 15 million members communicate through e-mail or chat. It takes pride on its user-friendly website that offers side-by-side comparisons of one’s requirements and others’ requirements to facilitate the “search.” With that parade of information regarding various online dating services sites, one’s online search for “the one” will not be as hard as when one is still clueless about them. Good luck! About The Author: Lawrence Andrews is an ePublisher, software developer, consultant, and author of numerous books. Visit his Private Label Content and Software site at http://www.lmamedia.com for more information about Dating Do’s and Dont’s. You may use this article freely on your website as long as this resource box is included, a link point back to my site, and this article remains unchanged! Copyright 2005 Lawrence Andrews Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lawrence_Andrews http://EzineArticles.com/?Online-Dating-Services-Sites:-Which-is-Which?&id=122173 warning window buy viagra now online viagra cheap generic viagra cheapest cheap viagra
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Friday, January 25, 2008

An Introduction To Wedding Cake Designs

By Max Bellamy The wedding cake design should not only reflect personal style, but also ideally be in sync with the menu and the dcor of the wedding reception. The wedding cake should fit in the theme of the wedding reception. Wedding cake designs can come in many forms, from the usual cream or white icings in conventional designs, to wholly non-traditional designs laced with vibrant artistry. With the passing of time, wedding cake designs have evolved. Couples are now choosing cupcake trees with greater frequency, which was one of the foremost wedding cake ideas. Yet, some still have a preference for the conventional cakes for their wedding cakes. The size and design of the wedding cake may depend on a number of things, like the size of the wedding budget or the availability of other desserts in the reception. Today, one can find pastry chefs who offer infinite wedding cake ideas on icings, decorations, construction, and flavors. A wedding cakes design can be a reflection of personal taste. A couple with a passion for cars or motorcycles can have wedding cakes reflecting the same; a small motorcycle accompanying the miniature figures of the couple atop the cake, for example. The flavor of the wedding cake is another important aspect. No flavor is off-limits for the modern wedding. One can have cheesecakes, mousse-filled cakes, pound cakes, vanilla, chocolate or sponge cake. Today, one can find competent bakers with the ability to create the lacy look of the brides dress with frosting or the use of pearls. With frosting, these bakers can duplicate the look of any part of the receptions dcor. Also, couples can have their initials entwined in the cake with frosting. In Bermuda, wedding cakes have a little green tree as a cake topping. Following the wedding, the newlyweds can plant the same tree in their garden, and symbolically watch it grow with time. Then there are other options like adding edible fruits, chocolates or nuts around the cake. This will augment the designs on the guests plates. For that matter, one can also use edible roses, lavender or oregano as designs, or non-edible flowers as cake toppings. Wedding Cakes provides detailed information on Wedding Cakes, Wedding Cake Toppers, Wedding Cake Designs, Unique Wedding Cakes and more. Wedding Cakes is affiliated with Wedding Decoration Ideas. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Max_Bellamy http://EzineArticles.com/?An-Introduction-To-Wedding-Cake-Designs&id=207343 viagra prescription orders india sildenafil citrate no prescription where do i buy viagra online online viagra canada
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Thursday, January 24, 2008

Marriage: The Cell Mate Marriage

By Jeff Herring Marriage partners can end up as cell mates instead of soul mates. It is a lousy place to be. I’ve worked with couples that feel very trapped, as if they are caught in a life sentence in their marriage. Signs of The Cell Mate Marriage Open hostility to the partner Sickening silences that can last for days Lead completely separate lives Feel trapped, helpless and hopeless Some people can feel suicidal when they feel so trapped As you can imagine this is a horrible place to be. Couples have settled for a life of despair and emptiness, and have resigned themselves to living this way until they die. My belief is once they make this decision to live this way, they have already begun to die. What to Do To quote the popular line from both “Amityville Horror” movies: Get ooout! Now, let me clarify what I mean. I’m a big believer in marriage. I fight for the marriages of the couples I coach and counsel. Sometimes people have to tell me to stop, it’s over. I am anything but quick to recommend the end to a relationship. At the same time, I am not a big believer in a lifetime of misery. When someone has tried everything possible to make it work and make it good, and they are still in a cell mate marriage, then sometimes the most loving thing you can do is release each other from the prison cell. Visit http://www.SecretsofGreatRelationships.com for tips and tools for creating and growing a great relationship. Subscribe to our f-ree relationship advice newsletter as well as our f*r*e*e 10 day e-program on how to enrich your relationship today, from relationship coach and expert Jeff Herring. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_Herring http://EzineArticles.com/?Marriage:-The-Cell-Mate-Marriage&id=317388 buy real viagra buy-best-k viagra -jbkcap herbal viagra online viagra no rx
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Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Does Marriage Counseling Work?

By Shelly Phegley When considering marriage counseling, it’s difficult not to wonder whether seeing a marriage counselor will actually work. This article provides some objective information based on data obtained from a national survey of marriage and family counselors and their clients. Also presented are several interesting opinions provided by individuals who have actually been through marriage counseling and were asked to comment on whether or not seeing a marriage counselor proved effective in helping their relationship. An honest marriage counselor would agree that the motivation of a couple may be the single most important factor in determining the success of marriage counseling. It’s unlikely that even a brilliant counselor would be able to save a marriage where one spouse has already decided upon a divorce, and a mediocre marriage counselor can probably help a couple who are utterly committed towards making their marriage work. With this in mind, research has been made in an effort to determine, on a more scientific level, the effectiveness of couples counseling. In an article published by Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, clients of marriage and family counselors from 15 different states reported on their experience with counseling. The findings indicated that marriage and family counselors treated a wide range of issues in relatively short-term fashion, couple and family therapy are briefer than individual therapy, and that client satisfaction and functional improvement are quite high. [*] Specifically, of clients from 526 marriage and family counselors in 15 different states: 98.1% rated services good or excellent 97.1% got the kind of help they desired 91.2% were satisfied with the amount of help they received 93% said they were helped in dealing more effectively with problems 94.3% would return to the same therapist in the future 96.9% would recommend their therapist to a friend 97.4% were generally satisfied with the service they received 63.4% reported improved physical health 54.8% reported improvement in functioning at work 73.7% indicated improvement in childrens behavior 58.7% showed improvement in childrens school performance [*] Excerpted from “Clinical Practice Patterns of Marriage and Family Therapists: A National Survey of Therapists and Their Clients”, Journal of Marital and Family Therapy–Volume 22, No. 1 While the above study provides raw data that supports the effectiveness of marriage and family counseling, a very interesting discussion on the question “Does Couples Counseling Work” from a public forum devoted to this topic offers a less clinical, but still positive view. Based on what seems to be a very honest and frank discussion among couples “who’ve been there,” the answer to the question of whether or not marriage counseling is effective is a positive one. Read these posts on the Berkley Parents Network. Regardless of the studies and opinions which seem to support the effectiveness of marriage / couples counseling, there are those who question it’s effectiveness. An article on the about.com portal, had this to say: The science of marital counseling is being studied in great detail these days. Research is showing that it is not as effective as people think, that women seem to get more from it than men, and that it might not have a lasting effect on the couple’s marriage. What type of couple gets the most from couple therapy? The answer is young, non-sexist, still in love, open couples. Which couples receive the least from therapy? Some factors that can make couple therapy unsuccessful include couples who wait too long before seeking help, and often one or the other is set on getting a divorce and is closed to any suggestions that may save the marriage. Excerpted from the marriage.about.com portal Unfortunately, the data supporting the above-mentioned research is not specifically cited in the article. The article seems to imply that couples who seek counseling because they want their relationship to work are more likely to succeed with marriage counseling than are those who enter into counseling with the (perhaps hidden) truth that they already want out. Shelly Phegley is a staff writer for the National Directory of Family and Marriage Counseling found at http://www.counsel-search.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shelly_Phegley http://EzineArticles.com/?Does-Marriage-Counseling-Work?&id=84637 soma vailum xanax lortab no prescription required buy xanax bars order xanax without prescription xanax available without a prescription
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Monday, January 21, 2008

The Basics Of Cash Advance That You Should Know About To Avoid Regret

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Rick_Crawford]Rick Crawford It may be difficult to understand the cash advance process and the intricacies behind it, but the process of getting the money is never a difficult part. Usually, the hardest part is getting to terms with the interest rates that are usually added on top of the cash advance loan. Many people sign the contract without even so much as a glance on the interest rate. If they did look at the interest rates, they would be most likely be surprised and may even change their minds about getting a cash advance loan. Knowing the companys mandated interest rate is very important and one therefore needs to realize that cash advance companies usually have higher interest rates compared even to most credit card companies. It is interesting to note that credit card companies often charge at least a maximum of 2.5% per month on unpaid credit. Sometimes credit card companies charge 1.5% per month on cash advances and other promotions. Cash advance companies may necessarily operate around this scheme or even charge higher. As a borrower, it is our responsibility to determine the interest rate on our cash advance loan prior to plunging into hot water. Speedy release is not all there is to a good cash advance company. One needs to determine as well, the repayment scheme. Longer terms do not necessarily mean being easy on the borrower. The cash advance company is not a benevolent institution who would give up the chance for a quick profit. The longer term offers an extended chance for the cash advance company to gain from the interest. In the end, the interest comes out several times higher than the cash advance availment… [http://www.cashadvancecrib.com/the-basics-of-cash-advance-that-you-should-know-about-to-avoid-regret.html]CONTINUE Article Taken From http://www.CashAdvanceCrib.com This article is written by Rick Crawford. 2 Year Online Internet Researcher And Webmaster of CashAdvanceCrib.com Original Article Location: [http://www.CashAdvanceCrib.com/the-basics-of-cash-advance-that-you-should-know-about-to-avoid-regret.html]The Basics Of Cash Advance That You Should Know About To Avoid Regret Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rick_Crawford http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Basics-Of-Cash-Advance-That-You-Should-Know-About-To-Avoid-Regret&id=316204 xanax overnight no prescription alprazolam buy or xanax no prescription xanax using paypal where can i buy 2mg xanax online
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Sunday, January 20, 2008

Estate Planning - Protecting Your Assets from the State

By Ronald Hudkins It isnt just the US Government waiting out there to grab a chunk of your hard earned estate when you become incapacitated or die. Strangely enough, state coffers are frequently enlarged through the mechanism of Medicaid. When someone requires long-term care in a nursing home, unless he or she has a private long-term care insurance policy, their whole estate may belong to the state when they pass on. Nursing home care is not free, even in county or state operated facilities. Someone, somewhere, has to foot the bill. If you, or your family, does not have resources to pay for the care, Medicaid steps in. While Medicaid is a federal program, funds are allocated to the states for administrative purposes and are subject to state rules and regulations. People who apply for Medicare arent always aware of exactly how the program works, but even more sadly, most people who are forced to apply for Medicare really have no other choice, so it doesnt matter how it works. By the same token, Medicaid rules have been revised so that if one half of a married couple requires nursing home care, the other spouse doesnt have to sell the house and live on the street. Under the most recent Medicaid rulings, when one spouse has to be in a nursing home for 30 days or more, the couples assets are assessed and some assets are excluded by virtue of spousal impoverishment rules. The couples residence is excluded from the asset evaluation, along with household furnishings and personal effects. In some states, the remaining spouses IRAs are exempted, as well. The non-ailing spouse is then entitled to half of any remaining assets, subject to minimum and maximum limits, while the other half must be spent on the nursing home care. In addition, income like Social Security, some pensions, and some interest dividends are subject to maintenance allowance, rules designed to allow the healthy spouse enough money to live on. If, for example, the Social Security Income or other pension income is in the remaining spouses name, he or she is entitled to keep it for living expenses. In some cases, the spouse at home can receive more than half of the marital assets, particularly if his/her income falls below minimum levels. If there is no spouse, in many states the individual requiring nursing home care is required to sign over his or her home to the state to reimburse Medicare. When the nursing home stay is not permanent, the Medicaid recipient is allowed to live in the house until death, but cannot pass it on to children or other heirs, because it actually belongs to the state, not to the individual. Estate planning, particularly if it involves some sort of long-term care insurance, can alleviate or eliminate some of the worries associated with the potential for requiring nursing home care. Talk to your attorney or other estate planner about what can be done to protect your remaining assets if you have to go to a nursing home. About Ronald E. Hudkins Ronald Hudkins is a retired U.S. Army Military Police member that was assigned as a staff researcher. He has coordinated with military and criminal investigators, set on court marshals and worked closely with the Staff Judge Advocate Generals Office (JAG). He has a keen sense of legal matters - their interpretation, initiatives and guidelines. For imperative financial planning needs he suggests his book Asset Protection and Estate Planning for All Ages. Additionally, he offers a Free Newsletter, Articles and Financial and Tax Newsfeed at his web site: http://www.AssetProtectNow.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ronald_Hudkins http://EzineArticles.com/?Estate-Planning—-Protecting-Your-Assets-from-the-State&id=228528 buy referrer html stats xanax buy xanax online mo prescription no prescription xanax using paypal online xanax sales
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