Take a Hiking Pole on Your Next Hike

It is the downhill ski racing competition of the winter
Olympics. You watch a ski racer zoom down the slope manoeuvring
through the ski gates. However, you notice that something is
missing. The skier has on skis, boots, and a giant slalom skin
tight racing suit. You realize what’s missing when their arms
flail about causing them to lose their balance on a patch of
ice. They are missing their ski poles.

It is the cross country skiing competition of the winter
Olympics. You cheer from the crowd as the skiers fly down the
trail. Each skier pushes hard with their ski poles. However, one
skier is left far behind the pack because he does not have any
ski poles. His graceful cross country rhythm has been
interrupted due to a lack of balance.

In both cases, the skiers lost the race because they were
missing their ski poles. Ski poles are vital because they help
maintain balance, provide support, and relieve some of the
pressure off your body. If the use of a ski pole is so crucial,
then why is it that many hikers do not use a hiking pole during
their hikes?

You might not think of a hiking or trekking pole as a necessity
until you compare hiking to cross country skiing. In hiking you
traverse across a terrain of varying degrees and obstacles.
There is constant stress and strain on your muscles and joints
as you navigate through rocks, sandy areas, and elevated
terrain. Your knees and lower back are constantly adjusting to
the pressure placed on them. This can lead to soreness and pain.
This is comparable to the demands of cross country skiing.

Hiking pain can be reduced by investing in a hiking or trekking
pole. Hiking poles have a wide range of benefits including:
improved balance, endurance, and ward off knee injuries. Hiking
poles can enable you to successfully cross streams and work
through steeper terrain. A mental side effect is that they can
boost your confidence allowing you tackle the hiking trail with
vigor.

There are different types of hiking and trekking poles
available. There are long wooden poles, shorter aluminum poles,
snow poles, and ice axes. Want to beef up your regular hiking
pole? Hiking poles have various accessories to choose from
including: hand grips, shock absorbers, and camera mounts. If
you are going on a winter hike you can add a basket to your
pole. Another important aspect of your hiking pole is its tip.
The common tip is made of carbide. However, rubber tips are also
available. Each tip has pros and cons which should be considered
when purchasing a pole. Consult a hiking professional to assess
which pole is best for you.

If you want more stability and less stress on your body consider
investing in a hiking or trekking pole. The ability to navigate
through difficult terrain will become a reality. Hiking poles
can cost money, but they are worth every penny.

Credit card balance transfers are one of the financial world’s
great empowering features, but they can only be done
successfully if you follow the rules and don’t fall foul of
them. Firstly you must consider the benefits, then the pitfalls.
These two aspects are more or less permanent features of the
credit card balance transfer system.

The benefits can be summarised as the product of a twofold
strategy:

You can transfer credit card balances once the initial interest
free period is up to another card, and so continue your interest
free credit.

You can more or less plan to do this in advance as long as you
have a way of finding new cards to transfer to, and you stay in
control of your finances and spending.

Taking these two together - the transfers and the planning - you
can aim to give yourself interest free credit for a long time,
even interest free credit for years.

The pitfalls are as follows, and must be considered carefully.
These are:

Overshooting the Interest Free period

This is a crucial and fundamental issue. There is no point
taking out a card with a known zero interest period or low
interest period if you just go and breach that time period.
Check the date that the interest free allotment ends, and then
backtrack by about ten days before then. Ten days is about the
right time to apply for a new card. Remember that the
application itself will take time, and that this time will vary
from card to card. Take into account seasonal changes in the
speed and effectiveness of the mail delivery. In the run up to
Christmas, for example, it would be wise to allow two weeks.

Minimum Repayment Obligations

Remember to check on what your agreed monthly repayment
arrangements are. You may have to pay back a certain percentage
(three percent or more, depending on the card) or risk incurring
minimum payment fees. This is true even if it occurs within the
interest free period, as the credit card provider will want to
know that you can at least maintain a minimum repayment to
justify the confidence in you when you originally signed up. On
some cards, however, such an arrangement may not apply.

Late Payment Obligations

Much the same as above, but this time the emphasis is on paying
within a certain time per month. Again, the card issuer may want
some kind of assurance that money will be repaid even though
interest is not being charged. There will be an extra fee
charged if your payment is late, and for small balances this may
well be proportionally higher than the interest which would
otherwise have been payable (if the charge is a lump sum, as is
usually the case). If this arrangement exists, then the best
policy is to pay the minimum the same day as you get the
statement.

Annual Fees

Remember to check the small print before you apply for the card.
This may include information about an annual fee, which is the
fee that the issuer will charge you every year for using their
credit card. By no means all credit cards have an annual fee,
but you must remember to build this in to the total cost of
using the card. Things like annual fees tend to muddy the APR
figures, which would otherwise give a good indication of how
much your credit card actually costs. It is therefore an
important factor to consider when deciding which credit card is
the right one for you.

Exceeding Your Credit Limit

Whatever you do, don’t exceed the credit limit that you agreed
and signed up for at the time you applied for the card. If you
do this then you will probably be charged (depending on the card
supplier) a percentage or a flat fee. This would be particularly
reckless, as it would go against everything that you set out to
do in the first place, namely to gain a fixed amount of credit
without paying any interest on it!

Of the above five negative factors to be considered, it is
always best to think of them all together, as each of them may
impact in different proportions depending on the credit card and
lender. For example, one card may not charge annual fees, but
will come down very heavy on late payment charges; while another
card will be lenient about an overextended credit limit but will
offset this with a fixed annual charge.

It is possible to meet the criteria of the first two positive
benefits, as well as avoid all the pitfalls by careful timing.
As long as you transfer your credit card balances in a timely
fashion, and observe the rules of the transfer itself, you
cannot go wrong. Always remember that there are more credit
cards out there to transfer your balances to.

Time and time again we see today’s golfers out on the driving range trying to better their game. Whether it’s working their short game or driving the long ball, hours upon hours are spent on trying to master proper technique in order to take strokes off their game. What most golfers are unaware of is that the proper technique they are striving for is often hampered by something call muscle imbalance. Muscle imbalances are postural deficiencies that will cause faulty movement patterns, discomfort or even pain during activities such as a golf swing.

Muscle imbalances can be caused by many other factors besides golf, for example sedentary lifestyle, occupation, and injury just to name a few. Repetitive movements such as a golf swing can cause muscles on one side of the body to tighten while the apposing muscles become weak and lengthened. This will often result in the loss of power and accuracy in a golfers swing. For a golfer to achieve his or her true potential, one must correct these imbalances that are hampering their ability to perform proper technique.

Muscle balance can be achieved through a method of exercise called Corrective Exercise. This type of exercise program focus’ on identifying and correcting both tight (short) muscles and lengthened (weak) muscles through a series of strengthening and flexibility exercises. Achieving muscle balance will result in a strong balanced posture and allow the body to perform at an optimal performance level (increased power and accuracy).

When hiring a fitness professional to improve your golf game ask them if they are experienced on the topic of corrective exercise. A complete evaluation should be performed to identify your areas of need.

In Part 2 of this article, I will discuss the common muscle imbalances associated with the game of golf and the exercise techniques needed to correct them.

For additional information please contact (Craig LePage) craig@ncprecisionfitness.com, or log on to http://www.lakenormanfitness.com

Craig LePage, CSCS, NASM-CPT

Craig is a well-known Fitness Professional in the Charlotte, North Carolina area and is the Director of Precision Fitness Mooresville. He has been helping people reach their fitness and wellness goals for more than 10 years. His credentials include a Bachelors of Science Degree from the University of Bridgeport Connecticut, CSCS credentials from the NSCA and a Personal Training Certification from the NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine). Craig has written for Charlotte, NC area Newspapers, authored his own fitness & nutrition program and is a frequent guest on a Charlotte area radio show that focus’ on health and wellness. He is currently co-authoring a golf specific exercise book (Play Better, Longer - Golf) and is also working on a book of his own that should be available sometime next year.

Have you ever wondered why Spain is the most popular place in Europe to buy property abroad or invest your money. Could it have anything to do with the spanish way of life or culture along with the weather or the friendly locals. Why so many people are choosing Spain as their prime location to buy property or a home abroad is purely because they want to.

If you buy property abroad or intend on investing large amounts of money then do not expect an easy ride if you have not done your homework. Remember when buying property abroad whether it is Spain or anywhere else on the planet you need to remind your self - location location location.
How many times have we all heard this but it is a fact that is overlooked when looking for a prime location to buy Spanish property? To get the best deal- the best buy - the best location is to have the best knowledge. Do not make any rash decisions before consulting with an expert in this field.

Laws in real estate differ but the number one rule to adhere to is not to close a deal right away after your first viewing. Do a little research behind the scenes of your chosen prime location. Take notes - photographs and an interpreter with you if dealing with the Spanish face to face?

No matter how much you have your heart set on a property abroad do not rush into anything you may regret at a later date. Some unfortunate people have lost their life savings through dodgy deals.

Things to look out for when buying property in Spain is what facilities are available - like installing a phone line - is it close to shops. See if it has letting potential. Any thing that springs to mind be sure to ask.

When viewing spanish property bring along your notes and fire all your questions at the estate agent don`t leave a stone unturned. An independent advisor is good to have with you when attending appointments. Chat with the locals who can provide you with any intimate details that you need to know of.

If time is not an issue then double back and visit the area 2/3 times this can tell you a lot about the goings on at different times of the day or year. Winter months can isolate areas with solitude so you could be on your own in parts if you intend living in Spain all year round

Spanish property investments with good letting potential are villas or apartments. Remember location location location applies for this type of deal also.
No matter which part of Spain you choose - jot down travel times of local buses/trains to other destinations. Browse all estate agents to check on property prices. In doing this you will know if your budget is in the margin for most house sales.

Take your time with any venture as big as this - view as many properties as you can this will help build up your knowledge of the present market values in the area. Do not cut corners as you may end up losing more than you bargained for.
All legal issues should be left in the hands of a good Solicitor. Before purchasing a property in Spain it is vital to be aware of the legal process and costs.

If you have appointed a good a solicitor then all transactions will be dealt with by an experienced master in the field of legality. By doing this you now have a guarantee that Spanish legal needs are met. Other requirements your solicitor will see to is to make sure the property is registered solely in the vendor`s name and that no hidden clauses lurk like it is free of any mortgages, encumbrances, charges, debts or other liabilities.

Do not finalize any agreements with any other; have necessary paperwork sent to your solicitor. Let them negotiate and discuss matters with the seller`s solicitor.

Cutting corners to save the pennies is not the way, you could end up losing a fortune. Advice and facts on property buying http://www.genuine-realestate.com. Spruce up your garden http://www.watergardens.webinputbiz.com.

According to a survey conducted by Franklin Covey 83% of people want to be organized. To begin your quest for organizing it is best to start with organizing your home. Closet organizing should be considered to be the very first step towards getting organized. There are lot of items in your closet and breaking them in to categories and then arranging the accordingly is a nice way. First of all get rid of all those dresses that are out of fashion now, there is no need to keep all this stuff so it will be able to get rid of them.

The next step in organizing closet is sorting out your remaining stuff. Arrange all these things by hanging them and dedicating a specific space for them. There will be stuff that has to be kept in baskets and draws. Identify what you need, do you need draws or shelves? Do you need racks for belts or tie? Do you need more space for hanging your clothes? If you are able to sort thing out and arrange them well then you will notice that you have more space than before. Your closet will look much tidy now and you can easily find stuff that you need to wear.

More about closet organizers

A comic book price guide is a great tool for determining
what your comic books are estimated to be worth in the
market today. The going worth of individual comic books can
range all over the board. Some issues have been known to
carry a value of six figures, while other issues aren’t
even worth the price you paid for them. A comic book price
guide can go a long way in helping you determine this kind
of information.

Action Comics #1 (the introduction of Superman) in mint
condition has been quoted at being worth $650,000. A pretty
tidy piece of change. Then Weird Science, issue #13, in
near mint condition can command a respectable price tag of
$5,750. There are also multitudes of back issues purchased
at a newsstand price of around 5 bucks, that are now worth
even less than that.

The ability to determine the actual value of individual
collections is not an easy task or one to be taken lightly.
Comic book pricing is a highly perceived value and will
vary quite greatly, depending on which opinion and which
comic book price guide you choose to follow. By all means,
if there is a reputable comic book dealer in your local
area that you are comfortable dealing with, get his or her
opinion. But in all my research so far, it seems that “The
Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide” is the bible of most
active comic book collectors.

I have my copy in electronic format, reachable from my
desktop. It is very handy. If you truly want to understand
what your magazines are worth, the first thing you need to
do is to determine the physical condition of each comic
book. Is it raggedy ass poor with pages missing and in need
of a paper clip to hold it together? Or has it never been
opened since being purchased and appears to be in mint
condition? Even brand new comic books may not make the
grade of mint or perfect condition.

The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide gives a very detailed
description of all the grades and sub-grades used in the
0.5 to 10.0 scale. This grading system is generally
accepted by all comic book aficionados. If you follow
Overstreet’s physical condition explanations and grading
scale, you will get a pretty good feel for the conditions
of your own collection.

The next step in your comic book pricing exercise is to
then go through the myriad of pages in the comic book price
guide to find your particular issues. Along with your now
determined physical and grade conditions, you can find your
issue’s current assumed value.

The comic book price guide also has tips on collecting,
preserving and storing your comic books. And it defines the
various ages (Golden Age, Silver Age, etc.) that comic book
history has moved through.

I guess if I had to mention a drawback to this guide, it
would be the fact that there is soo much information to go
through, it could take you quit a while to devour the whole
book. Once you get well acquainted and comfortable with the
comic book price guide though, you could consider yourself
an expert in your own right and help your friends out with
their collecting and comic book pricing questions.

I do believe this guide to be an invaluable and inexpensive
resource to have and I don’t think you will be disappointed
with it. Heritage Comics seems to be the top dog for
delivering an electronic version of a comic book price
guide. You can visit Heritage at
http://www.comic-book-collection-made-easy.com/CBPG to
learn more about the guide.

While you are there, you may want to surf around Heritage’s
site. There are some very interesting subjects there. They
also have on of the biggest on line comic book auctions on
the Net. If you have never seen Heritage Comics’ site
before and you really enjoy it, just remember where you
heard about it at (ha, ha).

Of course if you would rather have a hard copy of the
Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide, I am sure your local
comic book store would have a copy and I hope this little
review has helped you with your pricing questions.

If you are serious at all about the monetary worth of your
comic book collection, then a comic book price guide is a
valuable tool to have. There are several available and even
a few for free. But if you want some of the most relevant
and up to date data, then the “Overstreet Comic Book Price
Guide” has developed a superior reputation over the past 30
years.

About the author:

Dave Gieber owns and edits a website built
around one of his childhood passions. Learn the basic
essentials to comic book collecting success. To receive
your free 5-part mini course visit:
www.comic-book-collection-made-easy.com/5-day-course.html

When you understand the basic principles of technical analysis,
you already have got some knowledge that will help you to trade
well. Technical analysis is important, but what’s even more
important is something we refer to as money management. In order
to trade well, you should have a set of rules that you’re going
to follow consistently.

The most important thing that you’re going to have to learn to
become a succesful trader, is taking a loss.

If you have the courage to take a loss, you will always have
money in your trading account. Simply because you are willing to
sell stocks with a small loss, you will be able to make a profit
with only 4 good trades out of 10.

Taking a loss is admitting that you were wrong. Traders that
keep ignoring the negative signals of the market and refuse to
take a loss, might loose a very large part of their trading
capital. If a stock is trending lower, a turn north will not
happen that easily. But most of the investors don’t like to
admit that they’ve made a bad decision and continue to hold the
losing stock.

Trading in stocks is speculating and so it’s impossible to be
right all the time! Before you step in the trading game, you
must understand what you are doing. Let’s compare it with the
owner of a shop: buying new products is always a risk, you never
know if they are going to sell well. The shop owner will only
try new products if his business can afford it, even if he will
make several wrong decisions in a row.

Traders in stocks are just like shop owners. We are in the
business of trading. As trader must decide how much money he can
afford to loose.

Let’s look at the raw figures:

- if you lose 10% on a trade, you must win 11% on the next trade
in order to have your capital back;

- if you lose 15%, you must win 18% on the next trade in order
to have your capital back;

- if you lose 25%, you must win 33% on the next trade in order
to have your capital back;

- if you lose 35%, you must win 55% on the next trade in order
to have your capital back;

- if you lose 50%, you must win 100% on the next trade in order
to have your capital back;

You can only start to make money if you understand the huge
risks that are connected with not taking a loss on time.

The current economy is causing most companies to tighten their belts. With limited staffing and a restricted budget, how do you continue to promote your business? The simple solution is the occasional or ongoing use of outside resources such as graphic designers, writers, webmasters, and other creative talent.

There are some real advantages to outsourcing.

First, your business only has to purchase the services you need, when you need them. This saves on overhead costs such as equipment, office space, salaries, and benefits. Project costs are specified in a contract and monitored on a regular basis.

Second, by outsourcing services to a firm, your organization can realize the expertise of an entire group of creative talent. With more resources, you can rest assured your deadlines are met without compromising quality. With an expanded network of creative experts, customized skills are focused on designated projects, providing a higher level of service.

You may also want to consider a retainer agreement. In a retainer agreement, you pay an outside firm a specified amount each month to retain their services for your company. This can be an advantage if your business has an ongoing need for project management for websites, publications, advertising placement, and ongoing campaigns and marketing efforts.

However, many people are not sure how to hire a firm. Here are some tips to help you evaluate any type of creative services:

Don’t just go with the first creative firm you find. Do your research. Ask colleagues, customers, and other professional organizations for suggestions. Visit the company’s website to view their online portfolio and read any articles they have written. This will help you understand the firm’s areas of expertise and their approach.

Meet in-person with a representative from the firm. This will help you gain a deeper understanding of the firm’s personality. When you meet with a creative firm for the first time, be sure to ask all the questions you might have about communication, workflow, billing, timelines, and so on.

When considering which firm you want to work with, take some time to review their list of clients and ask about past projects. Ask for references.

Every firm has a unique look and feel to their design pieces. Review a potential firm’s portfolio to see if you like their creative work. Ask the designer if they can help you develop a targeted product that will address your unique needs.

Do you feel comfortable with the person you will be working with? Will they be able to get back to you in a timely manner? Can they meet your deadlines?

Take time to discuss their pricing structure. When evaluating the cost, ask how value is added to justify certain pricing structures. For example, working with a freelancer will probably cost less than working with an entire firm. However, it may take more time and one person has a limited range of expertise, as well as time constraints. He or she may have to outsource certain components of your project. In the long run, you may be saving money by choosing to work with a team of experts who can provide a wide range of services under one roof.

Outsourcing can make your business easier to run and more profitable. You’ll free up time and resources so you can concentrate on your core business concerns. Creative firms offer a broad range of integrated services to move your company forward. More than ever, business survival depends upon the ability to effectively market and promote your services, as well as keeping costs down. For your next campaign, outsourcing may be the perfect solution to make the difference in your bottom line.

Wendy Maynard, your friendly marketing maven, is the owner of Kinesis. Kinesis specializes in marketing, graphic and website design, and business writing. Visit http://www.kinesisinc.com/resources/articles.html for more articles and free marketing wisdom. You can visit her marketing blog, Kinetic Ideas at: http://www.wendy.kinesisinc.com

Want to harness the power of kinetic marketing? Sign up for Kinesis Quickies, a free bi-monthly marketing e-newsletter: http://www.news.kinesisinc.com

Fancy a stag do with exciting daytime activities and exotic night time adventures that do not burn a hole in your pocket? Yes! This place exists and it goes by the name of Budapest. For a mere 80p, you can get a pint of beer while a hearty meal will just cost you less than £ 5. Couple this with the service of a stag do operator, you will definitely be bound for some pure fun and lasting memories!

Also named as the Paris of the East, Budapest boasts of the Buda section that is the historic section of the city and the Pest, where all the modern malls, clubs and restaurants are located. With a total of 123 thermal springs and a selection of outdoor spas combined with 2000 hours of sunshine each year, your stag do in Budapest will definitely be one of your best experiences ever.

Possible unique daytime activities for a Budapest stag do include a taste of adventure sports in the nearby Pilis Mountains. These would include exciting rally driving experiences, Quad Bike racing and obstacle courses as well as uniquely different thermal spas and exotic Bacchanalian Spas. Unlike the ones in UK, the thermal spas here are located in buildings designed much like castles with fountains and pools of both warm and cold water, as well as bikini clad beauties. These are just perfect for recovery after the heavy booze and hangover from the previous night. Furthermore, other services that complement the thermal spa include steam rooms, sauna and massage services, all of which have been built to cater to your need to relax.

What other unique stag do activities can you expect from Budapest? Well, if you are in for some gambling fun, then there’s the Budapest casino. It is the norm for tour operators to take care of all the entry requirements for you so that you can just enjoy the Poker, Roulette and Blackjack, or even have a go at the Slot Machines.

Chillisauce is a fully bonded tour operator that ensures that our clients get the best out of their stag dos in the UK and Europe. With Shane Williss as a tour operator of Chillisauce, you can be sure that his experience and knowledge will be put into good use in fine tuning the details for your ultimate Budapest stag do.

How To Marry A Wealthy Guy

(or Girl… Or at least Make Sure they’re a Good Money Manager!! ha,ha!)

Here are some little tips so you can at least spot a wealthy (or soon-to-be-wealthy) guy:

1. If that BMW he’s driving is most likely leased, you may be looking at a guy who owes a whole lot of money to someone else… It’s pretty easy to LOOK rich. You might want to check out the guy in the Truck or not-so-new-but-still-nice vehicle — chances are high that he’s the one who’s been saving his bucks, and has the ability to make a whole lot more of them!

2. High Maintenance Women are great for High Maintenance Men — are you willing to be a Barbie forever? Think you ever want to just kick back and enjoy your life? Probably not with this guy — he’ll demand perfection — his mother will, too, and yes, she’ll definitely come with the package. (Hey, I don’t know why these guys are like that — it’s just a part of the special — and sometimes anal retentive — package that you can often get with the Rich and Famous!)

3. Wealthy Men are really looking for down-to-earth women who won’t blow their budget. (Go ahead… make all your jokes here…I’ll wait! …) They are open to friendly women who would make easy companions — fun to talk with who can get down to business when they need to — which is fairly often — that’s how wealth is made and kept! He wants to be married for life, since he is seriously trying to avoid losing half of his wealth-to-date in a Divorce.

Now, here’s a difference between a Rich Man and a Wealthy Man…a Rich Man is a fellow with a tremendous amount of money, and often he is looking for a ‘Trophy Wife’. A Wealthy Man is someone who has worked really hard for his money and who wants to not only keep it, he wants to make sure it grows. The Wealthy Man is looking for a Partner to work along side him in this growth business, and help him keep his life running smoothly, then the whole family is much happier.

Remember that the Type of Work that a Wealthy Man does may not match what is typically thought of as a ‘monied position’. The old thinking was that only Doctors and Lawyers were the ones with money (this doesn’t include Athletes, since they are few and far between, and we’re talking about men you might actually come in contact with on any given day..!). Enterpreneurs, Contractors, Teachers (yes, some teachers are really, really good money managers, and are able to amass all sorts of wealth!), People in Construction and Real Estate, and let’s not forget Computers! Almost any line of work can lead a person down the Road to Wealth — it’s all about Money Management, not necessarily how much you make in any given year.

Keep an open mind when you meet a new person to see what they’re really all about. You’ll ensure a better future for yourself if you hook up with a man who has a solid understanding of Wealth Management. A guy with a really high salary who spends like a fiend (and NOT on Real Estate! ha,ha!) in order to APPEAR Wealthy will be more difficult to get ahead with than someone who earns less but manages his money well.

4. Hang out at Boat Shows — those guys are typically loaded. They have to be to buy a boat and then actually take it out on the water. If you’re lucky enough to live near water, hang about (not leeringly…) at the Docks. Who knows who you might run into…? Hey, Building and Home Shows are great, too — maybe you’ll get some great ideas while you’re there, too!

Don’t forget to pop into shops where the wealthy go — the Home Improvement Stores, Stationary Supply Stores, the Jean Stores (yes, contrary to popular opinion, many wealthy men wear jeans!) and, of course, the grocery and liquor stores!

I’m not sure why Bars got such a bad rap — especially Dance Bars and Cool Pubs. They’re fun to hang out at with your friends, and perhaps you’ll meet someone nice. Keep in mind that ‘the wealthy’ generally didn’t start out that way — you might find a diamond in the rough!

Sports Games are great, too (small plug — I’d like to see every Sports Team out there with their own Logo on a Buff so when you went to games there’d be a whole SEA of Buffs for each side — if you know someone interested in that, for Goodness Sake have them contact me! Pweeeease!) Back to the games — want a manly man? Check out the local Rugby matches… Love Hockey or Basketball? Try to catch the NHL and MBA (whooops! Slight trip of the tongue, there! Although those MBA guys are great, too…) … Should be NBA Games, then go meet the Players — there’s usually a cool Bar in or nearby the Arena where you could ‘mingle’! No gushing, though — play it calm and collected — they’ll appreciate the lack of craziness! All the people you will meet in this scenario will be interesting, so keep your mind open and make some new friends.

Just one little tidbit about going out with a group of girls — watch out for the ‘group syndrome’, where some poor soul comes over to ask you to dance and there’s a quick and seldom subtle ‘group decision’ about ‘whether he should be permitted a dance or not’… ugh. Everybody hates this — it’s not High School anymore … always make your own decision about who you like and be kind whenever you can. It’s very hard for a man to approach a woman in a group (all the more reason not to always travel in packs!), so if you’re not offended by the guy, one little dance is the polite thing to do. Unless it’s a slow song, and he’s been leering at you all night, in which case a simple ‘No Thanks. Maybe a Fast dance later on…’ ought to work. Strike up some conversations and have some fun!

5. Learn how to cook. No kidding. Check out my favorite recipes on the Tips & Recipes Page, and try your hand at one of the recipes. I haven’t met a man, yet, who doesn’t love Cheesecake, so give that one a shot! Hey, you’ll have a lovely treat for you and your girlfriends while you seek out that guy! You don’t need to cook everything, it’s just very useful to have a couple of signature dishes that you can make that will be fun to make for your new guy!

6. Have (and go to…) parties with other single people. Make them pre-timed in the afternoon, if it’s too weird to have one in the evening. Say, from 2:00pm - 4:00pm on a Sunday. Have each friend you invite bring another single person. Be sure to include your ‘couple friends’, too — they are great sources for single folk! At the very least, you might make a new friend or business acquaintance. Sunday works, since you’re more likely to get into a restaurant if you like someone enough to continue the conversation over dinner.

7. Speaking of Dinner Out — this is a very good sign of what kind of man you’re dealing with — a fellow who makes it clear in advance of the meal that it’s his treat is a good guy. Not in a weird way, though — if he goes on and on that he’s going to pay, and it’s a huuuge deal, forget it. This guy’s crazy with his money, and you don’t want to date a guy like this, let alone marry him!) If he wants to share the tab on the first date, watch out. Don’t worry about that old thing where everything should be equal or you won’t be on equal footing. If you like him, you can offer to pick up the tab on the next meal… Just the offer of reciprocation is very indicative of your willingness to be equal partners, and that’s what he’s looking for.

Now, of course, if you ask him out, you should also be prepared to foot the bill. Don’t feel like you have to hit the best restaurant in town — you could have a nice picnic in the Park, or have him over to your place for dinner (if you’ve already had a few dates and you’re comfortable with this).

I actually had a ‘blind date’ years ago where the fellow brought a Grocery List and a Recipe for me to make dinner for him — can you believe that?? And to think he’s still single — who’da thunk that?! I couldn’t believe it, so I suggested just going out for Chinese, and guess who paid the bill — me! I couldn’t get rid of him fast enough… (just so you know, this guy was no poor soul — I was poorer than dirt at the time, but he was an Architect and Professor… see how important knowing how they deal with money is? Being with a man whose wallet squeaks and dust puffs out when he finally opens it is a nightmare to be married to — he’ll control his own and your money for the entire marriage.) And you always thought it was just a little meal!

8. Be yourself — no need to put on any airs. That’s no fun and you want someone who will love you, not some made-up version of yourself. You know you’re lots of fun to be around — let him see that, too!

9. Be confident. Know that you are worthy of being with him — and make sure he is worthy of being with you. Money isn’t everything — sometimes it comes with a great big jerk at the end of the leash! (Ha, ha! I’m amusing myself, now, with that dog analogy!) Be extra careful not to get too swept up in the cars and houses (although, I’ve been known to be swayed by a gorgeous home in the past…and currently, too! And a really gorgeous pool could still turn my head! ha,ha!). It’s the guy you have to live with, so might as well pretend that the other stuff isn’t in the picture and see if you still like him. (Although, truth be told, there’s many a man who would be all alone if it weren’t for their many attractive ‘assets’! ha!)

10. Well, ladies, go out there and find the man of your dreams! Hey, find two or three! You might need a back-up, just in case! Good Luck!

Remember that Wealth can be measured by many things — a Wealth of Possibilities is sometimes even more fun in a mate than finding everything ready-made. Then you can then grow in your Wealth, together. Doesn’t that sound like fun? Plus, Rich to one person might mean being able to pay all the bills without worrying, and to the next person ‘Rich’ might mean having the biggest Yacht in the Habour. Make up your own mind about ‘How much does it take to be Wealthy’, and you’ll be well on your way to your own Personal Wealth and Happiness!

Ailsa Forshaw is a Writer, Builder, Website Owner & Manager, Teacher, Mother… all in Alberta, Canada. She is Married with Two Lovely Children, and one gorgeous wee dog. Her Website, http://www.buildyourownhouse.ca, is chock full of all sorts of useful & fun information to help anyone become Financially Successful, Slim, Trim, and Happy… what more could you want?? Pop in for a wee visit!

http://www.buildyourownhouse.ca
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