Meteorologists missjudge the comming weather, not seldom but a big chunk of the time. But we don't have to. Let's take some of the lessons I learned from the farmers and mountain woods dwellers I was fortunate enough to know over the years.
Insects have an uncanny ability to know when bad weather is on it's way and if you keep an ey on them they are more than happy to share their insight with you. Ants will begin building mounds of dirt in front of their entrance 1-3 hours in advance of a storm. All insects fly lower when a storm is near so watching the insect eating birds, ( they will fly lower to eat ), should help you get prepared too. Some claim the Wooly Worm has a darker coat in the fall before an unusually cold or otherwise tough winter. This is one that is disputed by other farmers but from what I've experience while living in the mountains it seems true enough. Aside from insects there are a number of things in nature to be aware of.
*Within 24 hours of an upcoming storm, the leaves on your hard wood trees will turn upside down.
*Normally opened pine cones will absorb moisture from the air, tighten and finally close up.
*Anything made of wood or hemp will swell, ( the reason for doors sticking ).
*Plants will have much less dew or drost because of the lower moving air.
*Morning Glories close up.
*Low pressure makes it difficult for birds to fly.
*Almost all animals will act different the usual, more jumpy and uneasy, etc.
*There is a much heavier scent in the air of woods and sea shores from natural surroundings.
*Smaller animals will also be securing their homes and Hawks will circle more on the hunt.
*Squirells carry pine cones into their nests.
*Sounds become more intense, birds & bats, owls & grouse even from a distance. Water conducts sound.
Actually the first place to begin your weather watch should be your own body. Hair gets thicker and kinkier and any history of bone breaks and very bad muscle pulls will be remembered as the pain can sometimes be so intense it seems as though it happened more recently.
Learn the various types of cloud formations. This will help a lot. And remember this old poem too...
Red sky at night, sailors delight. Red sky in morning, sailors take warning
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Fun Ways to Get Freebies Like Crazy
You can get a free day out with the family and often come home with whatever it is they make by going on factory tours. It's fun to find out how things are made and at the same time you're saving yourself a bunch of money on recreational activities. The kids can learn something and in most cases they offer freebies to the entire family of whatever it is they manufacture. Pretty much the same way, never miss the grand openings. Lots of times they have door prizes and other freebies while you are learning about the newest stores opening in your area. You can also get freebies by volunteering for concerts and similar events. In some cases it may be free food, t shirts, party favors, future tickets, etc. You never know but just as the factory tours, you'll have a good time finding out anyway.
When shopping at flea markets, often if you go just before closing the sellers are willing to practically give away some of the things they have no inclination to reload for homebound. And if it's plants you are looking for, try shopping in the fall or after the time frame of their planting. The planting can sometimes be put off till the next season by growing over the winter indoors or if it's spring plants too late sometimes they can be planted in fall for a following year's crop, especially if they are perrenials. If you're looking for craft supplies, you might want to check into churches and schools after the classes have ended to see if they have leftover materials that will not store well for future use and when looking for anything in the way of material, try remnants, seconds and defects. They are not always as bad as they sound and when they are total rejects you can use them for something other than their intended use.
Rebates have become increasingly popular in the last few years on a lot of items and certainly on electronic items and computers. Rebates of $20, $50 or $100 are not uncommon.
I’ve even seen items advertised as "free after rebate". Do these rebates come under the heading of "too good to be true"? Some of them do and there are "catches" to watch out for but if you are careful, rebates can help you get some really good deals.
The way a rebate works is that you pay the listed price for an item then mail in a form and the bar code to the manufacturer and they send you a refund thus reducing the price of what you paid for the item except with a time delay of several weeks.
Rule #1. Rebates from reputable companies are usually just fine.
You can be pretty sure you will get the promised rebate from Best Buy, Amazon or Dell but you should probably not count on getting one from a company you’ve never heard of. If you really want the product and are OK with paying the price listed then buy it but don’t count on actually getting the refund.
Rule #2. Check rebate expiration dates.
Many times products will stay on the shelf of a retailer after the date for sending in the rebate offer has expired so check that date carefully.
Rule #3. Be sure you have all the forms required to file for the rebate before you leave the store.
Rebates will almost always require a form to be filled out, a receipt for the purchase and a bar code.
Rule #4. Back up your rebate claim.
Make copies of everything you send in to get your rebate including the bar code. Stuff gets lost in the mail all the time and if the rebate is for $50 it’s worth the trouble to back up your claim.
Sign up for new parent services to receive cool stuff for free and don't forget to sign up for any other type of winnings as well. When making large ticket items always ask if there is something else that comes with the product as a thank you for purchase and if you ever have a truthfull complaint don't neglect to call or email a company in regards to a product you were not satisfied with. In most cases they are happy to have the feedback they need to make improvements and will offer you freebies to keep you coming back to their company.
Course, you could search the internet for freebies also. Just be carefull about who you give out email address to. Actually it may be better to give out a not so often used email address as I described in a past article. There's many free emails on the web for use such as this. If you have any trouble finding one, check out my backflip folder located on the left nav bar under help links. There's a slew of them in there. There's also a few freebie site links on the side bar closer to the top you might give a try.
Last thing I can think of at the moment is signing up to be a mystory shopper. I think you may find an e-book on the subject within my Badongo files. I will check when I have more time and if it's not there I will make sure I post a link later to more info on the subject at a later time.
Happy shopping!
When shopping at flea markets, often if you go just before closing the sellers are willing to practically give away some of the things they have no inclination to reload for homebound. And if it's plants you are looking for, try shopping in the fall or after the time frame of their planting. The planting can sometimes be put off till the next season by growing over the winter indoors or if it's spring plants too late sometimes they can be planted in fall for a following year's crop, especially if they are perrenials. If you're looking for craft supplies, you might want to check into churches and schools after the classes have ended to see if they have leftover materials that will not store well for future use and when looking for anything in the way of material, try remnants, seconds and defects. They are not always as bad as they sound and when they are total rejects you can use them for something other than their intended use.
Rebates have become increasingly popular in the last few years on a lot of items and certainly on electronic items and computers. Rebates of $20, $50 or $100 are not uncommon.
I’ve even seen items advertised as "free after rebate". Do these rebates come under the heading of "too good to be true"? Some of them do and there are "catches" to watch out for but if you are careful, rebates can help you get some really good deals.
The way a rebate works is that you pay the listed price for an item then mail in a form and the bar code to the manufacturer and they send you a refund thus reducing the price of what you paid for the item except with a time delay of several weeks.
Rule #1. Rebates from reputable companies are usually just fine.
You can be pretty sure you will get the promised rebate from Best Buy, Amazon or Dell but you should probably not count on getting one from a company you’ve never heard of. If you really want the product and are OK with paying the price listed then buy it but don’t count on actually getting the refund.
Rule #2. Check rebate expiration dates.
Many times products will stay on the shelf of a retailer after the date for sending in the rebate offer has expired so check that date carefully.
Rule #3. Be sure you have all the forms required to file for the rebate before you leave the store.
Rebates will almost always require a form to be filled out, a receipt for the purchase and a bar code.
Rule #4. Back up your rebate claim.
Make copies of everything you send in to get your rebate including the bar code. Stuff gets lost in the mail all the time and if the rebate is for $50 it’s worth the trouble to back up your claim.
Sign up for new parent services to receive cool stuff for free and don't forget to sign up for any other type of winnings as well. When making large ticket items always ask if there is something else that comes with the product as a thank you for purchase and if you ever have a truthfull complaint don't neglect to call or email a company in regards to a product you were not satisfied with. In most cases they are happy to have the feedback they need to make improvements and will offer you freebies to keep you coming back to their company.
Course, you could search the internet for freebies also. Just be carefull about who you give out email address to. Actually it may be better to give out a not so often used email address as I described in a past article. There's many free emails on the web for use such as this. If you have any trouble finding one, check out my backflip folder located on the left nav bar under help links. There's a slew of them in there. There's also a few freebie site links on the side bar closer to the top you might give a try.
Last thing I can think of at the moment is signing up to be a mystory shopper. I think you may find an e-book on the subject within my Badongo files. I will check when I have more time and if it's not there I will make sure I post a link later to more info on the subject at a later time.
Happy shopping!
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Best of the Free Online Libraries
I don't know why anyone would want to clutter their home up with a bunch of books that can be found free online and read at any time without the mess and fuss and without the frustrtion one feels when they find out they simply don't have the amount of space they need to store the many favorites they have. Of course, there will be some books you just want to curl up with , not in front of a computer screen. There are others you might keep for a sentamental reason and still there are the ones you just can't bare to be without for a second taking the chance the comp may crash and leave you without the information you need. On the other hand, if you're anything like me, you read so often and such a variety it would take a large public library to completely organize them all and we know we don't have the likes of that in the confines of our home. Here's a list of library sites that are, for the most part, free on the web. You can find, aside from the latest best selling novels, most of the books you are interested in, free for the taking and some can even be downloaded for reading while off line. Enjoy the list and neverstop learning. :)
Now, if you want to download and read e-books for free go check out one of my other entries and start downloading from my Badongo files. http://surviveitinstyle.blogspot.com/2008/05/download-and-read-something-for-free.html Some of these will have resell rights with them which means that when you're finished reading them you can turn around and sell them for some money. Have a great day!
Monday, August 4, 2008
Employment Part 17
Job Descriptions: Why Effective Job Descriptions Make Good Business Sense
Most neophyte workers or even freshly graduated members of the workforce will jump into jobs without knowing their job descriptions. This practice is understandable. Many of these fresh graduates are just glad to have gotten a job and will try to avoid being to nosy or pushy when it comes to work. They may think that ‘demanding’ a job description will be an added negative to their employer’s impression of them.
This could not be more wrong. Employers, in general, delight in employees that ask about their job description. This shows that the employee has an interest in knowing the specifics of his or her job and would like to know what his or her specific responsibilities are. Here are a few other reasons why job descriptions are truly important to employees and even to those who are searching for jobs.
1. Knowledge of Duties
A job description will furnish you with a list of your responsibilities and duties. This will ensure that you know what jobs you are supposed to do and which jobs you are not supposed to do. Just “guessing” is not an option. However, you may be trying to do your best doing jobs that are not your duty and responsibility to perform. The result of which, on paper, is that you are not doing your job.
If you end up doing jobs that are not in your job description. You will not be credited with those jobs.
2. Prevent Being Taken Advantage Of
There will be instances when as an employee you will be asked to do specific duties that are not in your job description. It is perfectly legal to point to your job description and say that the particular job does not fall under your job description. You will, of course, have to do this politely.
You may, of course, choose to do these duties. However, make it clear that what you are doing is not within your job description. You and your manager may then choose to talk about whether these duties should be included and the proper remuneration for such.
3. What Matters to Your Employer is Paper
There have been countless employees who have come forth saying, “we did our best, worked over time, and gave our all, but did not receive the proper acknowledgement.” Unfortunately, employers will be too busy to keep track of your performance. You may have to submit reports on your progress and performance. This, of course, should be based on your job description or else it will not make any sense to your employer.
Most neophyte workers or even freshly graduated members of the workforce will jump into jobs without knowing their job descriptions. This practice is understandable. Many of these fresh graduates are just glad to have gotten a job and will try to avoid being to nosy or pushy when it comes to work. They may think that ‘demanding’ a job description will be an added negative to their employer’s impression of them.
This could not be more wrong. Employers, in general, delight in employees that ask about their job description. This shows that the employee has an interest in knowing the specifics of his or her job and would like to know what his or her specific responsibilities are. Here are a few other reasons why job descriptions are truly important to employees and even to those who are searching for jobs.
1. Knowledge of Duties
A job description will furnish you with a list of your responsibilities and duties. This will ensure that you know what jobs you are supposed to do and which jobs you are not supposed to do. Just “guessing” is not an option. However, you may be trying to do your best doing jobs that are not your duty and responsibility to perform. The result of which, on paper, is that you are not doing your job.
If you end up doing jobs that are not in your job description. You will not be credited with those jobs.
2. Prevent Being Taken Advantage Of
There will be instances when as an employee you will be asked to do specific duties that are not in your job description. It is perfectly legal to point to your job description and say that the particular job does not fall under your job description. You will, of course, have to do this politely.
You may, of course, choose to do these duties. However, make it clear that what you are doing is not within your job description. You and your manager may then choose to talk about whether these duties should be included and the proper remuneration for such.
3. What Matters to Your Employer is Paper
There have been countless employees who have come forth saying, “we did our best, worked over time, and gave our all, but did not receive the proper acknowledgement.” Unfortunately, employers will be too busy to keep track of your performance. You may have to submit reports on your progress and performance. This, of course, should be based on your job description or else it will not make any sense to your employer.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Self Defense & Self Protection in Your Home
Make a Burglar Alarm for 5 Bucks...
$5 Dollar Burglar Alarm! - The best video clips are right here
For 10 bucks you can make yourself a powerfull flashlight much like the ones the police use. I don't think I need to tell you how helpfull it can be or how to use it...
$10 Police Flashlight Hack! - For more funny videos, click here
Stop a Home Invasion...
Install a dead bolt...
Make a stun gun from a disposable camera. Please do not use this for anything other than sheer self defense. This is not a toy. It can be very harmfull and should not be played with for fun. No joke!!!...
$5 Dollar Burglar Alarm! - The best video clips are right here
For 10 bucks you can make yourself a powerfull flashlight much like the ones the police use. I don't think I need to tell you how helpfull it can be or how to use it...
$10 Police Flashlight Hack! - For more funny videos, click here
Stop a Home Invasion...
Install a dead bolt...
Make a stun gun from a disposable camera. Please do not use this for anything other than sheer self defense. This is not a toy. It can be very harmfull and should not be played with for fun. No joke!!!...
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Employment Part 16
"Setting Clear Objectives"
To achieve a goal, there is a process that you should implement.
This process is to streamline and analyze your objectives.
Begin at the very beginning at the smallest, specific part.
These are the most important steps to take to meet the guidelines.
An objective is a way of knowing what action or plan is to be taken
and identifying the expected results. This plan provides a set of
directions so that making the decision will not be as complicated as
when the goal is just being considered.
Peter Ducker documented a book published in 1954 entitled Practiced
Management wherein MBO which stands for Management by Objectives, was introduced.
This is a program that consists of simple but very useful processes in order to
meet commitments in an organization. Never worry, as this is also applicable to
personal plans.
MBO consists of 5 steps:
1. It should be SPECIFIC. It is better to accomplish one goal at a time rather than
thinking of several different plans at one time. A single objective cannot be derived
if there are two or more results expected. What’s important is that there is a need to
clarify what is to be achieved and should have your full attention. This must be taken
as seriously as possible.
2. It should be MEASURABLE. A lot of things that are not tangible are hard to measure
and there are things that are really measurable for the mere fact that it includes numbers
or ratings. Take the service crews for example, it is hard to measure how the service
was delivered but if the number of complaints is counted then there is a specific number
that can be used to rate the effectiveness of the service.
In offices, the number of tasks or assignments that were accomplished is used as basis
for the measurement. Cooperation, though a very vague word can also be measured by means
of getting a subordinate and peer survey. How fast or delayed assistance was provided to
a certain individual is enough to provide information on how situations can be measured.
Try not to use general terms when making an objective statement. It should be something
clear and specific like: to write, to recite, to perform, to fix, to process, to
designate, to purchase, to choose, to reprogram, etc.
3. It should be ATTAINABLE. The resources available give information on how an
objective can be attained. This must be something that is derived from fact and very
realistic. It could be that a certain objective is indeed realistic but the time frame
to reap the result may not be. It is better to say objectives that can be factual for
this promotes motivation rather than an objective taken from belief as this may cause
unexpected failure and feeling of discouragement.
4. It should be RESULT-ORIENTED. An objective should be stated clearly so that the
expectation is clear. Focus on the end result as this will be the guide whether or
not the objective to reach the goal is effective and meaningful. Is this objective
going to help an individual grow or succeed? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
Once the success has been attained and all the plans were completed then it is a success.
5. It should be TIME BOUND. There should be a limit to all the things needed to be
accomplished. This matters since the root of any plan can be traceable. This will also
tell if the objective is effective enough not to cause any delay. There will also be
more of the sense of fulfillment once a goal is attained with the objectives set earlier
than a deadline.
To sum it all up, develop an objective that is easily measured, can be attained,
with a limited time, this will help in determining if the objective is realistic
enough, meaningful, and proven to be worthwhile to everyone involved. A chart or
journal can be kept to keep track of any opportunities and strengths that were met
along the way. This will also indicate the time that was consumed and the length
of the objective developed. A successful objective helps motivate the individual
or the group involved toward greater achievements.
To achieve a goal, there is a process that you should implement.
This process is to streamline and analyze your objectives.
Begin at the very beginning at the smallest, specific part.
These are the most important steps to take to meet the guidelines.
An objective is a way of knowing what action or plan is to be taken
and identifying the expected results. This plan provides a set of
directions so that making the decision will not be as complicated as
when the goal is just being considered.
Peter Ducker documented a book published in 1954 entitled Practiced
Management wherein MBO which stands for Management by Objectives, was introduced.
This is a program that consists of simple but very useful processes in order to
meet commitments in an organization. Never worry, as this is also applicable to
personal plans.
MBO consists of 5 steps:
1. It should be SPECIFIC. It is better to accomplish one goal at a time rather than
thinking of several different plans at one time. A single objective cannot be derived
if there are two or more results expected. What’s important is that there is a need to
clarify what is to be achieved and should have your full attention. This must be taken
as seriously as possible.
2. It should be MEASURABLE. A lot of things that are not tangible are hard to measure
and there are things that are really measurable for the mere fact that it includes numbers
or ratings. Take the service crews for example, it is hard to measure how the service
was delivered but if the number of complaints is counted then there is a specific number
that can be used to rate the effectiveness of the service.
In offices, the number of tasks or assignments that were accomplished is used as basis
for the measurement. Cooperation, though a very vague word can also be measured by means
of getting a subordinate and peer survey. How fast or delayed assistance was provided to
a certain individual is enough to provide information on how situations can be measured.
Try not to use general terms when making an objective statement. It should be something
clear and specific like: to write, to recite, to perform, to fix, to process, to
designate, to purchase, to choose, to reprogram, etc.
3. It should be ATTAINABLE. The resources available give information on how an
objective can be attained. This must be something that is derived from fact and very
realistic. It could be that a certain objective is indeed realistic but the time frame
to reap the result may not be. It is better to say objectives that can be factual for
this promotes motivation rather than an objective taken from belief as this may cause
unexpected failure and feeling of discouragement.
4. It should be RESULT-ORIENTED. An objective should be stated clearly so that the
expectation is clear. Focus on the end result as this will be the guide whether or
not the objective to reach the goal is effective and meaningful. Is this objective
going to help an individual grow or succeed? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
Once the success has been attained and all the plans were completed then it is a success.
5. It should be TIME BOUND. There should be a limit to all the things needed to be
accomplished. This matters since the root of any plan can be traceable. This will also
tell if the objective is effective enough not to cause any delay. There will also be
more of the sense of fulfillment once a goal is attained with the objectives set earlier
than a deadline.
To sum it all up, develop an objective that is easily measured, can be attained,
with a limited time, this will help in determining if the objective is realistic
enough, meaningful, and proven to be worthwhile to everyone involved. A chart or
journal can be kept to keep track of any opportunities and strengths that were met
along the way. This will also indicate the time that was consumed and the length
of the objective developed. A successful objective helps motivate the individual
or the group involved toward greater achievements.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Employment Part 15
Finding a job and looking for somebody to fill a position are no longer difficult.
Thanks to the innovations that technology has introduced, people are now adept with
job searches. Both the job seekers and employers have more choices when it comes to
finding jobs, whether online or offline research.
In fact, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics asserted that there is a probable
increase of 21.3 million jobs in the coming years. This is because job seekers are
finding more ways to search for the right jobs.
One of the most commonly used methods for job searches is the job listing. In fact,
most employers contend that job listing is the most effective way of landing a job.
Surveys show that 47% of inactive people looking for jobs rely so much on job listings
as a means of getting some information about job openings.
This concept is based on studies and surveys that job seekers are more inclined to search
for jobs in terms of the available positions and not on the possible employers or
companies.
Hence, it is important for the employers to know how to get the most out of job listings
in order to maximize their hiring endeavor.
Here’s how:
1. Employers should learn how to concentrate on rewards that they can give to the people
rather than what the company’s mission and vision are.
In most cases, job seekers are more interested on what they can get from the position
that they are applying for rather than the history of the company itself. Hence, it would
be better if the employers emphasize more on their job listing the benefits that people
can get once they are hired.
2. Employers should present job openings in their job listings in a simple manner.
The key point in making job listings is not to expound more on the highly technical
business terms. It would be better to emphasize what their company can do and how the
employees can benefit from them.
3. It is important for the employers to be straight to the point when describing job
positions in job listings.
There are instances wherein employers tend to make the position more technically
conceptualized wherein the job description is mainly different from what the position
entails.
Hence, it is important for the employer to tell the exact position and job description
as it is in the simplest terms.
Indeed, job listings can be very beneficial to everybody. It just needs the right
principle in order to be successful in job hunting and employee searches.
Thanks to the innovations that technology has introduced, people are now adept with
job searches. Both the job seekers and employers have more choices when it comes to
finding jobs, whether online or offline research.
In fact, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics asserted that there is a probable
increase of 21.3 million jobs in the coming years. This is because job seekers are
finding more ways to search for the right jobs.
One of the most commonly used methods for job searches is the job listing. In fact,
most employers contend that job listing is the most effective way of landing a job.
Surveys show that 47% of inactive people looking for jobs rely so much on job listings
as a means of getting some information about job openings.
This concept is based on studies and surveys that job seekers are more inclined to search
for jobs in terms of the available positions and not on the possible employers or
companies.
Hence, it is important for the employers to know how to get the most out of job listings
in order to maximize their hiring endeavor.
Here’s how:
1. Employers should learn how to concentrate on rewards that they can give to the people
rather than what the company’s mission and vision are.
In most cases, job seekers are more interested on what they can get from the position
that they are applying for rather than the history of the company itself. Hence, it would
be better if the employers emphasize more on their job listing the benefits that people
can get once they are hired.
2. Employers should present job openings in their job listings in a simple manner.
The key point in making job listings is not to expound more on the highly technical
business terms. It would be better to emphasize what their company can do and how the
employees can benefit from them.
3. It is important for the employers to be straight to the point when describing job
positions in job listings.
There are instances wherein employers tend to make the position more technically
conceptualized wherein the job description is mainly different from what the position
entails.
Hence, it is important for the employer to tell the exact position and job description
as it is in the simplest terms.
Indeed, job listings can be very beneficial to everybody. It just needs the right
principle in order to be successful in job hunting and employee searches.
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