Whether or not you receive a loan and what interest rate you get on your credit card may be determined by something called a FICO score. Named for Fair, Isaac & Co., a California-based company that developed the credit score, the FICO score is the most widely used scoring method to determine credit worthiness.

Scores range from approximately 300 to 800 and are provided to lenders by the three credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You also have access to your FICO scores, but will be charged a fee by each credit agency providing your report.

According to Fair Isaac, the credit scores of the American public are divided as follows:

• 499 and below 1 percent

• 500-549 5 percent

• 550-599 7 percent

• 600-649 11 percent

• 650-699 16 percent

• 700-749 20 percent

• 749-799 29 percent

• 800 and above 11 percent

A score of 720 or higher will probably get you the best interest rates on a home mortgage. Your credit card company looks at your credit score to decide whether or not to raise your credit limit or charge you a higher interest rate. The higher your credit score, the better you look to lenders and the lower your interest rates.

Raising your FICO score can make a big difference to your wallet. Some basic actions you can take to improve your score include paying your bills on time, lowering your account balances, and not taking on new debt.

Around the time you intend to apply for a loan, several factors can decrease your FICO score and, therefore, your ability to qualify for credit and low interest rates. First, order copies of your credit report from all three bureaus and correct any errors you find. Be sure that balances you have paid down are reflected on the report, along with closed accounts and settlements.

It’s important to get your credit scores from all three credit reporting agencies. Each bureau may have different information about you as reported by retailers and creditors. Clerical errors at a particular agency may also result in a varying score. Lenders often look at all three FICO scores, and rather than using the average of the three scores, they may use the middle score to determine your credit worthiness. Finding out what this middle score is and doing what you can to raise it is to your advantage.

Second, pay what you can on your debt rather than moving it around. Consolidating your credit card debt may be tempting, but it could lower your FICO score. Here’s why: keeping your account balances between 25% and 50% of your available credit, signals a responsible borrower. For example, if you have a credit card with a $2000 limit, you should keep your debt below $1000. The ratio of your credit card balance to your credit card limit will increase if you pile all of your debt into a couple of accounts, rather than keeping it spread out over several.

If you have three credit cards with limits of $2000 each, and you owe a balance of $1500 on all three combined, you have a total credit limit of $6000 on which you owe a balance of $1500. That’s a debt to credit limit ratio of 25%. But if you consolidate your $1500 debt into one card with a $2000 limit, you increase your debt to credit limit ratio to 75%, an unfavorable factor in your overall credit score. For this reason, the best solution is to simply pay off your existing cards as quickly as possible.

Also important in making the most of your FICO score near loan time is keeping unused accounts open, for the same reason as listed above. Your debt to credit limit ratio will rise drastically if you close your unused accounts. Wait until you have secured your loan to trim inactive accounts from your credit report. Also refrain from applying for any new accounts during this time.

Paying off your debt in a timely manner, building a solid credit history over a lengthy period of time, and erasing errors from your credit reports can all help you make the most of your FICO score and, in the end, make the most of your money.

Resources:

Equifax 800 525-6285 Experian 888 397-3742 <.experian.com/> TransUnion 800 680-7298 <.tuc.com/>

Applicant Screening <.apscreen.com>

A business broker is an intermediary between a buyer and a seller of a business. In most cases a business broker represents the seller in the sale of a business. It is the business brokers’ responsibility to find qualified buyers for their clients.

A business broker is similar to a real estate agent who sells homes and earns a commission. But instead of selling homes, business brokers specialize in selling small and mid size companies — everything from your local pizza parlor, dry cleaners and convenience store to larger companies, such as manufacturing and wholesale & distribution companies.

A business broker connects people who are looking to sell a business with people who are looking to buy a business, and helps them to complete the transaction. In most cases a business broker is involved from day one until the actual closing of the business. The business brokers’ responsibility is to be an intermediary between the buyer, the seller, the landlords and the attorneys and make sure it is a smooth process.

Brokers supply numerous benefits to both buyers and sellers. For example, sellers benefit because they do not have to spend time and money searching for buyers. Qualified business brokers have access to people that are in the market to purchase a business, and they know how to attract and screen potential buyers much more quickly then do typical business owners. If you do not have the time to market selling your own business, it may be a good idea to sit down with a local business broker in your area to discuss representing you in the sale of your business.

Recently, the 50 year financings enters the market with a bang. It all started on San Bernardino of Southern California. Now, a handful of mortgage lenders offer this mortgage option. It is merely a few cycles after the re-incarnation of 40 year mortgage. The 40 year financial debuts available the 1980s.

Due the soaring piece of real estate prices, there were demands for longer mortgage. The house prices went up so excessive at Southern California. Consequently, the above average house prices stop the American dream. We all want to own something called home in our lifetime. So, the cash-strapped structure buyer wants to opt for longer mortgage. In fact, mortgage lenders get oodles of phone enquiries about 50 year mortgage.

The 50 year mortgage permits another loan to sole mortgage, and adjustable rate mortgage. During the astronomical house prices time, the cash-strapped home buyers opt for interest only mortgage, or adjustable market value mortgage. Naturally, the mortgage payment is lower covet the interest easily mortgage, or adjustable rate mortgage.

In loan clearly mortgage, the home owner only pays the interest. The principal stays the same thru out the life of the mortgage. In adjustable rate mortgage, the home owner pays same funding payment on a regular basis. Some part of adjustable rate funding payment goes to pay out the principal. In specific instances, adjustable rate mortgage payment does not cover payment on principal. This is greater number of commonly known as negative amortization. This happens when the interest rate goes up.

The home owners still step ups home equity. This is the main advantage of 50 year mortgage over the interest only mortgage and adjustable point mortgage. However, the home owner gains a larger amount of home equity quicker with shorter term mortgage. Not to mention, the home owner pays more interest at the maturity of the mortgage.

Mortgage bankers actually prefer a shorter mortgage like 15 year mortgage. Generally, the longer go mortgage has more odds which the residence owner will be in financial trouble. Fifty percent of the first-time home buyers are on 30 years old or older. The mortgage matures around at the age of 80 years old. That is for a long while after the likely retirement age.

50 year mortgage is riskier kind of financings to mortgage lenders. So, the bankrolling mortgage servicers would usually charge a higher interest rate. Even although the mortgage lenders charges ideal interest rate, the financing payments are in reality lower as opposed to shorter strive mortgage.

The residential structure households can opt to buy higher priced home with 50 year mortgage. Or, the home buyers can save or invest the money of savings of the lower mortgage payments. This may be a even greater idea for unstable structure rate when there is a chances for homes to depreciate.

With the advent of the small PLC’s (programmable logic controllers), the Logo or the Pico to name just a couple, controlling pneumatic circuits can be achieved with high reliability, low complexity, and at a relatively low cost with one of the currently available, easy to program controllers.

That’s all well and good for the vast majority of applications that occur in a plant environment that offers electricity. But what if yours doesn’t? Or, what if you would prefer to have a non-electrical compressed air circuit, one that is, perhaps, located in an explosive or fire hazard location?

Years ago, there were no options but using air logic to control compressed air applications. For more modern applications that may need to operate without electricity, air logic still offers a viable alternative.

There are commercially and readily available air logic elements that will help you design the air-only pneumatic circuit.

OR Gate

This device will allow an output control signal when either of two incoming air signals are present. The output air signal is continuous as long as there is an incoming air signal. This is useful when you wish to sequence a pneumatic operation, but don’t want it to occur until another operation is complete.

AND Gate

This device will allow an output signal only when there are two input air signals received. The output air signal is continuous as long as there are two incoming air signals. This is useful when you wish to sequence a pneumatic operation, but don’t want it to occur until other operations are complete.

NOT Gate

Sends an output air signal continuously when the incoming air signal is absent. This type of device is often used to ensure that a sequence cannot take place until another action is complete.

PULSE

This device will allow a momentary output signal to trigger a sequence operation, and the output signal will drop after it “times out”. This is useful for simplifying control circuitry eliminating the potential for conflicting control air if the pneumatic circuit hasn’t been designed properly.

TIMER

These devices can either generate an outgoing signal for a specific period of time or, delay an outgoing signal for a specific period of time when either receives in input air signal.

INDICATOR

These devices are used when there is a need to have a visual indicator that there is compressed air present. Some might change colour, others might have an indicator pin that pops up to show air is there. Of course, a pressure gauge would do the same thing, but perhaps it might be beneficial to be able to see that there is air present from a distance?

POSITION SENSORS

By having an object interrupt an air flow, or have the air flow within the sensor uninterrupted, will produce an outgoing air signal.

These are just a few of the many other air logic components and devices commerically available. With these items, air logic can be used to build quite complex air control circuits.

Caution: the compressing of air generates a great deal of water, and air / water borne contamination in the air lines to the plant which can be a real problem for downstream air components.

Air logic devices are just such downstream air components. It is critical for their reliable operation to have the air supply to these sensitive control elements clean and dry. Failure to provide air of sufficient quality will ensure that the air logic control circuit will not function to design or expectation.

I’ve spent a lifetime committed to helping others. It’s what gives me the greatest joy, fulfillment and satisfaction in life. I’m also a true believer in the old adage - “What goes around comes around.”

This is reinforced on many occasions when I encounter an old co-worker, friend or acquaintance who reminds me of how I inspired them, gave them guidance or helped them through a difficult time. These kinds of experiences always motivate me to keep putting good things out into the world.

We never know in advance what good may come from the gestures we put out there. Maybe it will inspire, encourage, educate, motivate or actually change someone’s life. In any event, people will always come away knowing that they matter to you.

In business, as in life, it all comes down to people. People are your customers, co-workers, employees, leaders, managers, investors and vendors. Success in your business depends on the people you encounter. How you treat those people will have a significant impact on your bottom line.

Here are some ways to help people in your business and show them that they matter:

1. Deliver incredible customer service.

2. Give a single parent the afternoon off.

3. Pay someone more than you need to.

4. Send a hand-written note to an employee acknowledging a job well done.

5. Loan a subordinate a book that you’ve found to be helpful.

6. Tell someone struggling “I want to help you succeed,” and mean it.

7. Stop by and talk, without an agenda.

8. Share a resource that you’ve found useful.

9. Create a safe space for openness and honesty.

10. Let people tell you how they feel, and listen without interrupting.

I encourage you to think about the people that you impact, the lives that you touch and the positive changes that you can make. These are the true signs of leadership and in my opinion are more important than the money that you make, the position that you hold or the size of your office.

You can do good while you’re doing well. It may require you to think of new ways to do it, but when you focus on helping others, you’ll succeed in ways beyond measure.

Online surveys have been proven to be the best method for companies to gather research as its quick, simply and cost effective. They offer people the chance to fill out a survey and get cash on completion &ndash told you its simple! These forms can range anything from five minutes to thirty minutes and the price you receive depends on that factor. In today’s world its said more then 50% of consumer research is carried out via online surveys as there proven to be the most effective and efficient rather then carrying out on site surveys which takes more staff, time to prepare, more effort, etc.

Companies have been using surveys to do their research and find out consumer needs based on a product or to find out peoples buying habits since the very beginning as the only way to find out what people think is to ask them! By inventing paid surveys or giving incentives to complete them will benefit everyone as people like us get paid for lending a few minutes of our time and the company gets its cheap easy research so they can improve the product to make it more desirable &ndash therefore boosting sales and revenue.

There is definitely money to be made by taking on paid surveys; you can do this full or part time to suit yourself. The main beneficial concept would be that you work as much as you want because you are your own boss and you have the capability to earn as much or as little as you want to.

Paid surveys aren’t for everyone however, some people find them boring and mundane but in a way they can be exciting and interesting for some people as your involved in new products and get to put your opinion to use and make a difference. On some you will actually get a product to test physically before it’s even introduced to the public and then simply give initial comments on it so that can be quite cool.

When taking these surveys you’re not discriminated in any way as everyone’s opinion counts. It doesn’t matter on your experience or education; you’re a consumer so you’re eligible to take part. The hardest thing to do with this method of money making is to find the legit companies out their, they can be found by looking at user reviews and usually if someone gets scammed they will report and comment so you know to stay away from them. There is also a comprehensive database full of legitimate paid survey companies available so if you have the motivation to find it, it shows that you will be successful in this money making chance of a lifetime. Failing that you can just ask around as someone you know may have the database or maybe you already know people in the paid survey industry.

You can read up on articles about the scamming companies and what to look out for, having a quick five minute read can save you loads of time and money so its well worth doing before you start &ndash you’ll thank us later.

High blood pressure - or “hypertension” - is a major public health problem that affects up to 1 in 4 Americans.

There are two types of high blood pressure, primary hypertension and secondary hypertension.

Primary hypertension accounts for 95% of hypertension and has several contributing factors.

Secondary hypertension (obviously the other 5% of hypertension cases) occurs when there is a malfunction in one of the body’s organs or systems.

Primary (or essential) hypertension can be attributed to a variety of factors. Roughly 30% of cases can be attributed to genetic factors. For example, high blood pressure affects more African-Americans than Asians or Caucasians. In addition, you’re twice as likely to suffer from high blood pressure if either of your parents had it.

The majority of people with primary hypertension have a particular abnormality - increased stiffness or resistance in the peripheral arteries, the arteries farthest away from the heart . These peripheral arteries are crucial in providing oxygen-rich blood and nutrients to all tissues and organs of the body.

This rigidity is present in those patients whose primary hypertension is related to genetic factors, lack of exercise, excessive salt intake, and aging. The exact cause of this hardening is unknown.

Treatment of high blood pressure involves evaluating certain lifestyle factors and making suitable modifications.

Obesity

This is common with patients with high blood pressure and becomes more prevalent with age. Obesity is definitely a contributing factor in high blood pressure because the heart has to work harder to deliver blood to supply the excess tissue.

Also, obese people with high blood pressure have a greater rigidity in their peripheral arteries. In addition, obesity highly correlates with a tendency for the kidneys to retain salt.

Therefore, a proper weight loss routine may aid in lowering the blood pressure.

Exercise

Regular exercise can help decrease high blood pressure in the long term. Research shows that the more you exercise, the more you decrease the blood pressure although the benefits of lower blood pressure deriving from exercise appears to occur much more with aerobic exercise than anaerobic exercise such as strength training.

Smoking

Although smoking is not directly associated to the development of high blood pressure, it does increase the risk of other complications such as heart disease and stroke.

Ironically, some smokers may potentially have lower blood pressure than non-smokers because nicotine in cigarettes causes decreased appetite, which can lead to weight loss which, in turn, leads to lower blood pressure.

Alcohol

Drinking excessive alcohol (over 2 drinks per day) may double your chances of suffering from high blood pressure.

There can be zillions of reasons why your visitors return to your web site. One might be very interested in seeing your animated photo on your main page, but kidding aside I’ve gathered 12 elements that invites your visitors to repeat their visits.

1. High-Quality Content.

We have all read that “Content Is The Thing” according to Michael Dean of Kittyfeet.com. We have not set-up our website to just fill-it with endless links of your favorites but we’re there to discuss what can we contribute to the web. Fill it with regularly-updated quality content and they’ll return asking for more.

2. Ease Of Use.

We have all heard of “user-friendly” computers and softwares. Why not do the same to our web site. Provide a navigation bar that’s easy (and fun) to use forgetting the fancy stuff.

3. Quick To Download.

Assume your web site is going to be viewed by the oldest browser, slowest modem and limited number of palettes.

4. Updated Frequently.

You have prepared high-quality content but the problem is you only update it once a year. Set a realistic goal first that at the least you’ll bring new content to it once a month and then increase the frequency.

5. Rewards, Contest and Incentives.

Make sure your visitors enjoy a very “rewarding” visit to your site and expect him to return or just remind him to get his prize, reward or a mention of his name in your monthly newsletter. He’ll sure return. Contest is one great idea. Email me on this one and I’ll give you the free code.

6. Favorite Brands.

We all know zdnet.com is the site for free downloads, cnn.com for up-to-the-minute customizable news. Why not link to them? Do you know that zdnet.com offers link partnership? (I don’t get money from this one, folks :-)) I know a site that just updates their visitors on what’s happening to over 200 branded ezines and you know what visitors like it and return.

7. Cutting-edge Technology.

We can’t all compete with this category but I’m sure there are lots of software out there to simplify the task. So grab one!

8. Games.

Online game sites are becoming famous nowadays. Visitors too need sometime to play online. Give what they need and they’ll ask you for more.

9. Purchasing Capabilities.

Web surfers also shop around and they’re looking for convenience on how to do it. Be the first one to do it for them. Add a shopping cart of some sort to your web site and it would be better if you can accept credit cards online.

10. Customizable Content.

Try to create a simple database (Excel of MS Access would do) and connect it on your web site. Every visitor will have its own content and experience. An example of this is planetit.com (tell them I referred you, just enough to receive thank you from them, yes, no money involved here either.)

11. Chat and BBS.

Message Board or interactive forums replaces BBS (bulletin board system) nowadays. Even I have one on my web site (just to make sure) and I’m amazed at the number of visitors from around the globe who post on it. Just make sure you get their email addie so you can reply.

12. Freebies, Jokes and Quotes.

I don’t know about this but I’ve received return visits on this one. I even got a search engine for jokes on my site and people return just to read jokes. These same people who spent considerable amount of money reading jokes and quotes will soon ask for a price quote.

You know studies have shown that it takes 4 to 5 visits for a person before he sets his eyes on what you can offer. A simple element (but it’s not included on the 12 elements I’ve mentioned) is just to place a text on your web site (bold letters, not caps) saying “Please bookmark this site” can go a long, long way.

Q: My business is very small, just me and two employees, and our product really can’t be sold online. Do I really need a website?

– Robin C.

A: Congratulations, Robin, you are the one millionth person to ask me that question. Smile for the cameras, brush the streamers and confetti from your hair and listen closely, because I’m about to answer for the millionth time what has become one of the most important and often-asked questions of the digital business age.

Before I answer, however, let’s flash back to the very first time I was asked this question. It was circa 1998, during the toddler years of the Internet, just after Al Gore laid claim to having given birth to the concept a few short years before.

I was giving a speech on the impact of the Internet on small business at an association luncheon in Montgomery, Alabama. My motto then was: Feed me and I will speak. I have the same motto today, but I now expect dessert to be included in exchange for the sharing of my vast wisdom.

In 1998, which was decades ago in Internet years, the future of electronic commerce or “ecommerce” as it’s come to be known, was anybody’s guess, but even the most negative futurists agreed that all the signs indicated that a large portion of future business revenues would be derived from online transactions, or from offline transactions that were the result of online marketing efforts.

So, Robin, should your business have a website, even if your business is small and sells products or services that you don’t think can be sold online? My answer in 1998 is the same as my answer today: Yes, if you have a business, you should have a website. Period. No question. Without a doubt. Thank you, drive through.

Now serving customer number one million and one…

Also, don’t be so quick to dismiss your product as one that can’t be sold online. Nowadays there is very little that can not be sold over the Internet. More than 20 million shoppers are now online, purchasing everything from books to computers to cars to real estate to jet airplanes to natural gas to you name it. If you can imagine it, someone will figure out how to sell it online.

Internet marketing research firms predict that online revenues will range between $180 and $200 billion dollars in 2003. They also predict that the number of online consumers will grow at a rate of 30-50% over the next few years. These numbers alone should be enough to convince you that your business should have a website.

Let me clarify one point: I am not saying that you should put all your efforts into selling your wares over the Internet, though if your product lends itself to easy online sales, you certainly should be considering it.

The point to be made here is that you should at the very least have a presence on the World Wide Web so that customers, potential employees, business partners, and perhaps even investors can quickly and easily find out more about your business and the products or services you have to offer.

That said, it’s not enough that you just have a website. You must have a professional looking website if you want to be taken seriously. Since many consumers now search for information online prior to making a purchase at a brick and mortar store, your website may be the first chance you have at making a good impression on a potential buyer. If your website looks like it was designed by a barrel of colorblind monkeys, your chance at making a good first impression will be lost.

One of the great things about the Internet is that it has leveled the playing field when it comes to competing with the big boys. As mentioned, you have one shot at making a good first impression and with a well-designed website, your little operation can project the image and professionalism of a much larger company. The inverse is also true. I’ve seen many big company websites that were so badly designed and hard to navigate that they completely lacked professionalism and credibility. Good for you, too bad for them.

You also mention that yours is a small operation, but when it comes to benefiting from a website, size does not matter. I don’t care if you are a one-man show or a ten thousand employee corporate giant; if you do not have a website you are losing business to other companies that do. Here’s the exception to my rule: It’s actually better to have no website at all than to have one that makes your business look bad.

Your website speaks volumes about your business. It either says, “Hey, look, we take our business so seriously that we have created this wonderful website for our customers!” or it says, “Hey, look, I let my ten-year old nephew design my site! Good luck finding anything!”

What does your website say about your business?

Here’s to your success.

Patriotic symbols abound from California to the New York Island. Americans eat apple pie, sing the National Anthem at baseball games and visit the Statue of Liberty. They also demonstrate “American pride” by making certain choices as consumers. Some favor Ford and GM over Toyota or shop at American Apparel, the trendy clothing company with all operations in Los Angeles.

First and foremost, consumers seek the best product at the best price. Country of origin is often an afterthought; only one in five Americans seriously considers it when making buying decisions, says America’s Research Group. The reality is that Americans probably underestimate the value of their buying decisions and how they can affect the nation’s economy and future.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, the “Made in USA” standard means that “all or virtually all” of the product was made in the United States. Only automobiles, textiles and wool products are required to display the country of origin.

Who’s Affected?

One sector increasingly affected by the “Made in USA” mantra is domestic manufacturing, especially with the outsourcing of jobs to China, India and other countries. Intense competition drives down product prices, while American manufacturers balance higher operating expenses including labor and health care. In fact, manufacturing jobs typically pay 23 percent more than other economic sectors, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. This contributes to the 22 percent higher price tag of doing business in the United States, which almost equals the total cost of production in China, says a study by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)/Manufacturers Alliance.

Ultimately, this affects U.S. jobs, export potential and even research and development. Economist Joel Popkin notes that during the recession of the early 2000s, more than 3 million manufacturing jobs were lost.

Good News

The good news is that American consumers hold some power.

“Although more things are made in America today than ever before, U.S. manufacturing faces some stiff challenges. Consumers can support manufacturing through their purchasing decisions. They can also write their elected officials and encourage them to support legislation that helps manufacturing thrive in America, by reducing costs and leveling the international playing field. One person can make a difference,” said Bill Canis, vice president at The Manufacturing Institute, the research and education arm of the NAM.

Companies like Zippo lighters, Procter & Gamble, Boeing, Caterpillar, Channellock and tens of thousands of smaller companies are committed to preserving American manufacturing and jobs.

“Channellock hand tools, for example, has supported American jobs and commerce for the past 120 years-while remaining family owned and operated-which is a rarity these days. Channellock’s hometown of Meadville, Pa., thrives today largely because it has helped so many employees and suppliers realize the American Dream,” Canis continued.

The continuous challenge for Channellock and similar manufacturers is educating consumers about what distinguishes their products from competitors’. Elevated operating costs often force a higher price point for “Made in USA” products, so manufacturers differentiate themselves with superior quality and craftsmanship, aggressive investment in emerging technology and even less tangible benefits such as comprehensive employee-enrichment and recognition programs.

Channellock’s core customers, including tradesmen and knowledgeable do-it-yourselfers, buy Channellock because it is a brand known and trusted by their parents and grandparents. The signature Channellock Blue handles mean quality, comfort and even nostalgia. Customers receive the highest-quality hand tool on the market today; but they also know the tool was made by highly skilled professionals whose jobs signify much more than just a manufacturing plant in small-town America.

So before grabbing the next shopping cart, commit to informed shopping. Buying products that are “Made in America” may be the most impactful acts of patriotism, just ahead of eating apple pie.

George B. DeArment started a hand tool forging enterprise in 1886 that survives 120 years later as Channellock, Inc. Now led by the fourth and fifth generations of the DeArment family, Channellock has weathered the storm of foreign competition by continuous quality improvement and refusing to compromise on principles established by its founder.