Repairing Your Home After Fire Damage

Dealing with the loss of your home and valuables in a fire can be a harrowing task and the process of restoring your home can be arduous, stressful and expensive. The fire and water damage and the ensuing procedures can be quite traumatic. If you have been through such an untowardly incident the first thing that you need to do is get in touch with your insurance company.

Ensure that a loss adjuster from the insurance company inspects the site and the damages before moving any items. You may also want to enlist the help of an insurance loss assessor. Now here is the difference in these two professionals; while the adjuster works for the insurance company and it is his duty to look for ways to pay you less, a loan assessor does the exact opposite because he works for you. So, he will try to get as much additional coverage as he can from the insurance company.

For instance, if you have had a fire in your home and the entire living area was charred, the adjustor will put in the paperwork that includes claims for structural damage, water damage, loss of furniture and appliances. On the other hand, the assessor will come in and show you the damages caused to the kitchen appliances from the sprinklers. He will also go through your policy with a fine tooth comb, looking for hidden coverage.

Once the finances have been settled, you should consider the various renovation prospects. One way is to take care of the cleaning yourself with the help of friends, relatives and some local labour before calling in a builder to refurbish or rebuild the home as per your specifications. Another option is to hire the services of professional fire and flood damage restoration establishment. Needless, to say the second option may be slightly more expensive because you are enlisting the help of specialists; however it may be more efficient and will save you the stress of having to carry out the salvage operation yourself.

However, if you do choose to handle the job yourself, the first step would be to get a clearance from the fire department ensuring the safety of the structure. Tread carefully on entering your home because a house ravaged by fire will be full of loose wires, glass and wood pieces. Wear goggles, gloves and heavy boots to protect yourself against dangerous fumes and material.

Switch off the electricity if it hasn't been done already to avoid electrical surges and survey the damage without touching any electrical appliances wires or poles. Take photographs of the damaged items so that they can be furnished to the insurance company.

Next, remove soot as soon as possible; this is a dust left back as an aftermath of fire which is either dry, sticky or oily but either way it is always acidic and will leave stains. To clean the soot, hold the vacuum cleaner near the surface of the item covered in soot. Remember to only use the nozzle because attachments will force the soot away. You may also want to consider getting help from professionals who have equipment that is more suitable for soot removal.

Throw open the doors and windows so that the dangerous fumes can escape. You may not be able to tackle the burnt odor without seeking help from a professional agency. They may use an ozone treatment to break the smoke molecules eliminating the odor. But this part of the procedure can be undertaken after the cleaning has been completed. Ensure that all appliances and furnishing are covered during the ozone treatment.

Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses. For morganclark.co.uk/domestic_fire.htm Fire Damage Insurance Claims, he recommends Morgan Clark. Domestic Claims Article

10 Things to Consider When Choosing a Child Care Provider

1. It's important to find a caregiver that is registered with your state's childcare licensing agency. This registration guarantees that the provider has met your state's local requirements, and that they have completed the necessary background check. It is also advisable to contact the state to see if there have been any outstanding complaints filed against this particular provider.

2. Location should be a priority when determining a provider. Especially if the child care is to be provided every single day, convenience is an important factor to consider. That being said, it is not worthwhile to sacrifice convenience for quality, especially if the quality of your local provider is very low. It is important, however, that in the event of an emergency you are able to pick up your child as quickly as possible. It is recommended that you find a place that is about halfway between your work and your home.

3. Your provider should have taken the necessary precautions to childproof the location. They should also have in place contingency plans in the event of an emergency. These will include properly posted evacuation plans, fire alarms, etc. The childproofing in the building should also be sufficient for children of all ages.

4. It is important to consider the environment provided by the child care. These will include spaces for resting, areas for eating, areas for potty training, and areas that are assigned to age specific toys and safety.

5. Tests have shown that there is such a thing as overstimulating your child through too much noise or activity. These particularly affects infants and toddlers, and can be very unsettling for them as they try to ease into spending much of their day at a new location and without their parents. It's important to observe whether or not you think the programs and the atmosphere will be nurturing to your child or detrimental to your child.

6. The size of the group and their respective age spans is another important factor. Be sure to inquire about these factors. Part of this is based on your own preference as a parent, such as how many different ages you would like your child to be exposed to, and how well it seems that the providers can care for each child.

7. Caregivers will have different philosophies on the development of children. It may not be necessary that their philosophy directly aligns with yours, but it is important that they are able to communicate well with your child and that their philosophy has the appearance of being functional and not just theoretical. It is important too to attempt to provide some consistency for your child.

8. Interviewing the provider should be a priority when looking for a provider. Begin by interviewing over the phone, and if the provider appears satisfactory, go one step further and meet with them in person. This is your child that you are entrusting to them, so be sure to ask as many questions as is necessary.

9. Make sure the provider has written policies and procedures for their business. These are important on a variety of levels, but on the most basic level, a knowledge of their hours and expectations needs to coincide with your schedule.

10. Using your instincts should not be overlooked. It is to your benefit that you feel comfortable with the provider, because it will enable you to have peace of mind while your child is not in your care.

Sherilyn Fry is a mother, teacher, and child care provider in Walnut Creek, CA. She runs a walnut creek preschool [sherilynshomepreschool.com] for young kids, encouraging fun learning experiences, creativity, social skills, self esteem, science including cooking projects, reading and math skills and more. To schedule an appointment to visit, please call Sherilyn at 925-938-1174.

Credit Repair Agencies - Set Your Credit Back on Track by Starting a Credit Repair Program Now

The credit repair services are important to build your credit score once again. Many people in the present scenario are suffering from the bad credit score this may be either due to the debt settlement or some late payments of bills. The repair services are helpful to get your credit back on track; the problem here is that these services do not give you the personal attention which is needed by the lay man. In this scenario the credit repair agencies are the one whom you can trust and get all the personal attention.

You can achieve your credit back with the repair program. With the help of agencies you can follow step by step of the program and capitalize on these programs. You can use the re-ageing process in which all your past dues will come as current dues and you can clear them. This will remove all the cad credit score associated with it. Once you pay your 3 bills on time the creditor will let you use the re-ageing. The other debt which you have to clear is student loan. If your student loan is pending you can take the student loan consolidation and rehabilitation. This is not based on your credit score. Every one is eligible for it.

You have to very careful in selecting the repair agencies. You can find many credit repair agencies but not all of them are genuine firms. These agencies ask for their part of fees in advance and if the repair agency which you opted for is fraud then after taking your money they will do nothing for your credit score. This is the last thing which you want in the present economic slow down.

You should do some home work on this. Try to gather the information for the repair agencies. Word of mouth is the best way to get it. You can ask your friends or the family members who have used such services and surely they will guide you in making the right move. Be sure from whom you are taking the advice. These days the repair agencies are giving advertisement. You can find them by this. Do not trust on the advertisement blindly/. Check their reviews over on the web.

Do you want a 700+ Credit Score? Many negative items found on credit reports are disputable and can be completely erased legally. repair-credit-today.com/credit-repair.php?wid=EZ2&kw=ezine Repair your credit and boost your scores 200 points. Click the following link for free information on how to repair your credit quickly and legally.

repair-credit-today.com/credit-repair.php?wid=EZ2&kw=ezine Repair Bad Credit

Long-Term Care Insurance - A Simple Explanation

Long-term happinesslifetime.com Care Insurance can be an effective tool for protecting your assets and estate from the high costs of senior care. Though the average nursing home length of stay is significantly higher than most people believe, 2.4 years according to a report conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics, less than 20% of long-term care is nursing home care. Home care, home health care, adult day care, assisted living facility care and others constitute the overwhelming majority of senior care services. These services are covered under most Long-Term happinesslifetime.com Care insurance policies.

Generally, the people who are in need of care are responsible for paying the costs. Long Term Care is usually not covered by your personal health insurance plan or by the policy you may currently have from a present or previous employer. Medicare usually pays for only a small percentage of skilled nursing costs while Medicaid provides health care coverage to Americans with lower incomes and can pay almost half of all nursing home costs.

It is likely that you will need long-term care in the future however, no one can predict the kind of care that may be needed or the exact costs involved. With Long-term happinesslifetime.com Care Insurance, you can plan and budget for a known and quantifiable premium for a policy that can protect you from potentially large out of pocket expenses. It can be beneficial to learn about the different types of policies available to you in order to match the most appropriate policy to suit your needs.

Types of Long-Term happinesslifetime.com Care Insurance Policies

The most common policy type is indemnity which pays a maximum fixed benefit. A benefit amount is chosen at the time the policy is issued and actual expenses, up to a fixed predetermined dollar amount, are reimbursed as they are incurred.

Integrated policies pool benefits are becoming more popular today. The provisions allow for a total dollar amount that may be used for various long-term care services with expense limits on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Due to rapidly increasing long-term care costs, most policies offer inflation adjustments to help offset high anticipated future costs.

Long-term happinesslifetime.com Care Insurance policies often take effect when an individual is unable to perform activities of daily living or becomes cognitively impaired from dementia or related illnesses. Home care services such as physical therapy, skilled and unskilled nursing care and home health aide support provided by licensed agencies are generally covered as are skilled, intermediate and custodial care services provided in licensed nursing facilities. It should be noted that if any conditions are preexisting, benefits often denied if care is needed within six months of the policy's issue date for that condition.

What to Consider Before Purchasing a Long-Term happinesslifetime.com Care Insurance Policy

o Verify that the insurance agent is licensed to sell long-term happinesslifetime.com care insurance in your state and is a Long-Term Care Specialist. It is to your advantage if he/she has additional education and training in Long-Term Care financing and planning (LTCP, CLTC).

o Review the ratings of the carriers to ensure that the insurance provider is financially secure since you will likely need the policy for years to come

o Determine exactly which services are covered, e.g., skilled nursing home care, unskilled nursing facility care, home health care, adult day care, etc.

o Examine the length of time benefits are provided for the various types of services covered, look for maximum lifetime benefit amounts

o Identify the length of time before preexisting conditions are covered

o Find out how long you must wait before benefits begin for services

o Inquire regarding coverage of Alzheimer's and other related illnesses

o Review any premium provision waivers

o Analyze cost requirements to ensure your ability to make policy payments during retirement years.

To find out more, visit LongTermCareInsurancePros.com LongTermCareInsurancePros.com. It is a great online source for honest, up to date information on Long-Term Care Planning and Insurance.

Before you purchase a long-term care policy, consult with Dane Petchul, LTCP, CLTC, a Long-Term Care Specialist at LongTermCareInsurancePros.com LongTermCareInsurancePros.com You will receive a free, no obligation quote with the costs and benefits appropriate for you and your family.

February is "National Care About Your Indoor Air" Month

Mark your calendars as this February is the second annual "National Care About Your Indoor Air" month. Presented by the National Parent Teacher Organization and the Healthy House Institute, the entire month is devoted to bringing about a better understanding of the importance of indoor air quality. With an emphasis on helping educate consumers, themes throughout the month deal with common misconceptions and the importance of clean air indoors.

A recent study done by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency shows that indoor air pollution can often be between two and five times higher in levels of pollution then outside. In fact, air quality in doors have been so bad that pollution is almost 100 times higher than outside air. These staggering numbers have made poor indoor air quality among the top five risks to public health. Luckily, there are solutions and precautions you can take, like air purifiers, to protect your loved ones.

The hopes to educate and dismiss  some common misconceptions regarding indoor air quality. Many consumers believe that a clean home creates clean air, yet airborne particulates like dust, smoke and pet dander have a tendency to fester even in the cleanest of homes. Allergens and impurities are invisible to the naked eye, and often times sealing them within the home reduces natural circulation making minor irritants a major ones.

While many households use multiple types of purification (water, hand sanitizer) air purification is often forgotten. Air purifiers with HEPA technology are the best way to help eliminate up to 99.97% of these allergens and pollutants. Some air purifiers come equipped with a UV light to help eliminate bacteria and viruses from the air itself. Air purifiers also help circulate the air, thereby reducing airborne allergens and stale air.   National Care About Your Air month also want to educate about the effects of poor air quality on children and adults.

 

Ben Netherton is a product editor with air-purifier-home.com air-purifier-home.com in Orange County, CA and has an extensive knowledge of air purifiers
To read more about the latest in air purification check out: air-purifier-home.com/blog air-purifier-home.com/blog

Foster Children

The care of needy children in out-of-home placement has a long history within the United States and has received substantial support from the community of faith. In 1727 French Roman Catholic nuns founded the first orphanage in the United States in New Orleans. By the mid-nineteenth century orphanages could be found in almost any major city, and a movement (called orphan trains) developed to transfer children from large dormitories in cities to suburban or rural family homes. Many of the largest child welfare agencies trace their roots to Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish religious concerns.

By the turn of the twentieth century the welfare of children became a government responsibility. The sectarian interests of various religious groups became problematic and states began enacting laws to protect the religious preferences of families. Each state now has child protective services responsible for ensuring the safety and welfare of all children. When children live in abusive conditions, they are removed from their families by state child welfare agencies and are placed with relatives or in foster care. In 1990 it was estimated that approximately 2,500,000 million children in the United States were victims of abuse and that approximately 500,000 were removed from their homes by child protective agencies.

Children in foster care are at greater risk of underachieving in school, suffer poor physical health, and manifest a greater degree of problem behaviors. Most of these conditions are attributed to the living conditions that warranted removal from their biological parents as opposed to consequences of being in the child welfare system. Furthermore, these children show negative outcomes as adults: unemployment, welfare dependence, homelessness, marital dissatisfaction, and poor quality of life.

Foster families are recruited by either public or private nonprofit agencies to care for children in their own homes. These families receive a small subsidy for the support of the child in addition to the state and federally funded Medicaid program. Foster parents frequently come from large families and became involved through friends and relatives who also provide foster care. Research has shown that the most important trait is flexibility. The child's experience of victimization leads to a desire for nurturing support but also a fearful distrust of adults. Because children come with a unique combination of experiences and coping responses, they require sensitivity, commitment, and a broad range of adult caring responses.

Foster children have some unique problems that require special consideration by foster parents and community caregivers. The trauma of prolonged separation from parents gives rise to emotional conflicts such as distrust of adults, aggressive or withdrawn behavior, mood swings, irritability, and poor concentration. In some instances large sibling groups must be separated because foster parents cannot receive two or more children. Isolation from siblings who may have provided significant support and comfort may emotionally overwhelm a child's available coping responses.

Foster parents are sometimes not prepared for the challenges of foster children, and this leads to a placement breakdown. Multiple placements of foster children with difficult behavioral problems is a major concern of child welfare agencies. New programs called treatment foster care are being developed to meet the needs of these children. These foster parents are professionally trained, financially compensated, and provided more extensive services so that a child can be maintained within their home. Some institutions provide care in group homes, a setting in which a team of adults supervises six or more children. Group homes are utilized to end a cycle of moving a child from one foster family to another. Large institutions, formerly known as orphanages, may provide care for several hundred children, such as Boys Town in Omaha, Nebraska.

Children with physical disabilities, neurological disorders, or severe emotional problems require specialized foster parents, such as those who can use sign language or whose homes are wheelchair-accessible. A large number of these children remain in the foster care system for extended periods of time because the biological parents are unable to gather the resources they need to resume care.

K.C. Brownstone

K.C. Brownstone is an independent scholar who believes that critical thinking and spiritual reasoning should not be mutually exclusive. She received theological education from Dallas Theological Seminary and Asbury Theological Seminary. Personal subjects of interest are psychology and counseling.

Blog: QuasiChristian.com QuasiChristian.com
Facebook: facebook.com/KCBrownstone facebook.com/KCBrownstone

How To Start A Day Care

More and more people want to know how to start a day care center, but aren't really sure how to find out. Some may be young mothers wanting to stay home with their children while making an income. Others may simply love children and want to use their talents to make a profitable business. Still others may just view a day care as a good investment. No matter what the reason, here are a few good tips for how to start a day care.

1. You need to develop a strong business.educationeasy.net business plan. While this may be adapted over time, you need to develop an overall plan for your day care. You should decide how many kids you will be able to care for, where your facility will be, what your pricing will be, and how many employees you will have. You will want to think about what will make your day care stand out from the rest and attract customers. You will need to develop clear policies regarding both pricing as well as the services you will provide. This plan may start off as rough ideas, but you need to refine and polish it so it can be shown to potential investors.

2. When you think about how to start a day care, be sure to always keep finances in mind. Unless you are rich, you will need to seek financial backing. Potential investors will want to see your business.educationeasy.net business plan, and will carefully consider it in making their decision. For example, many religious organizations may be willing to help fund a day care, but may choose a facility offering a religious curriculum or environment over one that does not. On the other hand, government agencies offering grants may prefer there are no religious aspects involved. Some financial institutions or investors may have other requirements or preferences to be considered. You will also want to make sure that your expectations for your day care do not exceed your possible budget.

3. You will need to get the proper licensing, insurance, and certification for the type of day care center you plan to open. Most states will require some type of first aid training and CPR certification. Insurance will be affected by your location and number of children you plan to care for. Licenses will depend on state regulations and will likely be affected by the same type of things as insurance.

4. Location is also very important to any day care. You will want to find a facility that has plenty of room for play area, quiet/rest area, eating areas, and an administrative area. If possible you may want an outdoor area as well. You will want a location that is safe but well traveled enough to attract customers. Ideally you will want an area that is already zoned appropriately.

5. You will need furniture, toys, and other supplies. Keep in mind the age groups you plan on caring for when purchasing furniture, and make sure it meets all safety guidelines. You will need age appropriate toys and activities. You will also need such basic supplies as toilet paper, paper towels, dishes,first aid supplies, cleaning supplies, and other such things.

6. How can you start a day care without advertising? Word of mouth is very powerful among parents, but you will want something to attract your initial customers. You will need a good sign that clearly states the name of your day care, your hours, and your phone number. You might want to take out ads in the newspaper, phone book, or a local magazine. If your budget allows it, you may consider a brief radio commercial for your grand opening. Flyers may also be hung at local community centers, churches, or small businesses with permission.

While there are many other tips on how to start a day care, these are some of the most important things you will need to consider. Your local Human Services Department should be able to notify you of state regulations and requirements. You can also read some of my other articles for many more ideas on how to start a day care.

© CG Groth Inc 2007

The "Daycare Diva", Christine G. Groth, is the creator of "The Guide to Instant Daycare Profits". To learn more about this step-by-step program and to sign-up for her FREE "How to Start a Daycare" tips and articles, visit ExpertsatDaycare.com ExpertsatDaycare.com

Senior Care Jobs - Some Information

Many old age homes, retirement communities and nursing homes are coming up. Many senior citizens are becoming members at these nursing accommodations, hence the need of nursing assistants, support staff, care staff, field staff have increased on a large scale. Senior care jobs have increased tremendously in the past decade.

The main qualities required to be present in nursing assistants are love, care and hospitality. The basic needs and requirements of the senior citizens are taken care of by nursing assistants. Usually the senior home care agencies require the caregivers to be certified as Personal Care Assistants or as Nursing Aides. There are various courses available for this kind of job; you can acquire a degree according to the requirement and start rendering quality services to the members of senior care home centre. Every health care centre would hire nurses with a certified degree. Training is provided to the caregivers through the senior care agency and the only criteria required for the job are compassion towards the senior citizens and their interaction with them. The best way to acquire experience is to opt for volunteering at an old age home. Free training is given to volunteers.

The basic job duty of a caregiver is to provide company to the senior citizen, to plan their daily routine which will include personal care, exercise, emotional interaction and bathing, cooking meals, maintaining a clean and healthy environment. Along with these light housekeeping is sometimes required. In short catering to the basic care needs of a senior citizen is what a caregiver does. The senior care job varies from every individual. The work schedules of a caregiver can be made flexible. A full time companion care may be required for a senior who is bed ridden or is recovering from some major illness or who requires extra personal assistance. Dependability and trust worthiness are the qualities which a caregiver must possess. Senior citizens who require assistance at night can also appoint live-in caregivers to stay with them in their house.

The job satisfaction achieved in a senior care industry is much higher compared to any other industry. If a person is of caring nature then this is the correct type of job for him. There is tremendous scope of growth in various positions that a senior care job has to offer. The best reward you receive in your entire life is CARING FOR SENIORS.

The National Senior Living Providers Network (NSLPN) is a premiere online community for nslpn.com Nursing Home Jobs, news and information for professionals working in the Senior Care Marketplace.

Home Health Care Service and Its Kinds

You still need to be comfortable even if you are already senile and you are thinking of a home health care service. This idea was incorporated by the senior home care services industry, that is why they made some expansions which can enhance a person's existence while experiencing personalized home care treatment. Before anything else, you have to decide first what service is more to your liking. Would it be the home maker services, personal care, or the companion services?

One kind of a home health care service is that one called the personal care service. This type of service caters to the needs of individuals. Bathing is one of the services offered in this type. Aside from that, this service also makes sure that your loved one will remain mentally and physically healthy even if he or she is already old. They also take time to ask the assistance of health care experts and family members so that they will be able to plan and prepare the meal of persons who are following strict special diets.

The second kind of service is what they call as the companion care service. This type revolves around the idea that even old people need the company of other people. Not only will your loved one have a companion who will entertain him with conversations, he will also have one who will run his errands and do his grocery shopping.

The last kind of a home health care service is the home maker service. This type of service shares some similarities with the personal care and the companion type of services. Though this type may include preparation of light meals and performance of light housekeeping tasks, the types of services being offered here are restricted. The service which will be rendered will depend upon the senior citizens possessions or income. Evaluate the different agencies which offer these services in terms of their credibility and capacity to supply responsible care to you, if you are hoping to avail of the services for yourself, or to your loved ones.

Please visit Gilbert Guide for more information on gilbertguide.com home health care service and gilbertguide.com health care.

Home-Based Travel Agent - Is the Term Obsolete?

The term "home-based travel agent" has been around for nearly 20 years now. But some people in the industry say it's time to toss it onto the dustbin of history. But does that really make sense? Or is this a tempest in a teapot?

When the phrase "home-based travel agent" first came into wide usage, in the early 1990s, it was use to refer to people who sold travel but who were not employees of accredited travel agencies.

Instead, they were outside sales reps for accredited travel agencies and they operated as independent contractors not employees, an important distinction. And, yes, almost all of them worked from home offices.

Today, many people using the same tactics are operating out of commercial premises. In fact, since it has become possible for so-called "home-based" agents to get their own IATA numbers (or the functional equivalent), many of these agents are now full-fledged agencies with their own string of sub-agents working as independent contractors.

Most of these operations have clerical employees and are too large to run from a spare room. The only major difference between this new breed of agency and the old fashioned kind is that they do not sell airline tickets, so they don't have to follow the burdensome rules the airlines impose.

Of course, many "home-based" agents, indeed the majority, are just that -- single individuals or couples who sell travel products like cruises and tours and operate from their homes.

So why ditch the term "home-based travel agent"?

Those who advocate that move suggest that the term is demeaning and undervalues the professionalism and in-depth knowledge of these agents. They suggest using terms like "independent agent" instead. Well, whatever floats your boat, I suppose.

Now in fairness, this conversation is taking place within the industry. This is about the egos of people who sell travel and has nothing to do with how travel agents, home-based, independent, or what have you present themselves to the public.

I have been teaching people to succeed as home-based travel agents for over 15 years now and I have never suggested that anyone refer to themselves as a "home-based travel agent."

Smart home-basers have always been using other terms on their business.educationeasy.net business cards, their marketing materials, and in their sales presentations. Some popular ones are travel consultant, cruise specialist, or vacation expert. Others are more creative. "I make dream trips come true," says one (home-based) travel agent.

So as far as the public is concerned, this is a non-issue.

And who cares how we're labeled in the industry? There are home-based agents who earn more than $100,000 a year. Do you think the bank refuses to deposit their checks because they're "home-based"?

I like the term home-based and I think it has grown in respect over the years. I remember the days when you could buy a clever little machine to hook up to your phone that made people think you had a receptionist. I don't see that anymore.

Most home-based travel agents will tell you that people are envious to discover that they work from home and have the freedom to dictate their own schedule.

And it is precisely that freedom that is at the heart of the home-based travel agent phenomenon.

Whether you want to work full or part time, at home as a solo entrepreneur or in an office with a support staff running your own team of sub agents, it's entirely up to you.

Once people understand the many options that are available to them as "home-based" agents, they don't waste time concerning themselves with how the industry categorizes them.

They simply get out there, start selling travel, and make money.

Kelly Monaghan is a home-based travel agent and writer. He has been helping people succeed as home-based travel agents since 1994. He offers further guidance for those who want to become a travel agent at his web site hometravelagency.com/how-to-succeed HomeTravelAgency.com/how-to-succeed/

Who Are You? - Protecting Yourself From Identity Theft

In the movie “The Net,” Sandra Bullock played the role of a victim of identity theft. In fact, she was basically erased from the community. Another woman consumed her identity, taking with it everything Sandra Bullock’s character had - including her bank accounts, license and social security number, and even her home. It seems crazy to think this could happen; after all it’s only a movie. But just as fairy tales can come true, so can your worst nightmare. Theft of identity is happening at an alarming rate. Over 100,000 identity theft complaints are filed each year.

Identity thieves work in various ways. One of the most common is to open up a new credit card in your name, using your date of birth and social security number. They rack up charges, don’t pay the bill and the delinquent account is reported on your credit report. They can also change the mailing address so that your credit card will be sent to a false address, giving them more time to make purchases, until you realize there is a problem. They may also establish cellular phone services and bank accounts in your name, making costly phone calls and writing bad checks.

Identity theft today is much more than losing your wallet full of cash. You could lose your entire savings account. Some victims are stuck paying false loans and huge credit card debt. At the very least victims will lose their good credit rating. Most people spend endless hours trying to clear up security and financial problems that arise. This can be costly, time consuming and causes enormous stress to the victim and their family.

Don’t wait to take actions to prevent identity theft. You can be proactive in reducing your chances of becoming a victim using some simple strategies. Don’t put this off – you can do it a little at a time and it’s easier than you think – and the irony, is that other areas of managing your life will be more organized as well! Here are some tips you can do right away.

• Never give out your social security number to anyone – unless the agency requesting it can guarantee confidentiality.

• Take your social security number off your Drivers license and checks.

• Cancel and cut up unused or “extra” credit cards.

• Check your credit card statements for any purchases that seem odd to you – keep track of what you buy!

• Watch your phone bill, cable bill, internet bill, etc., for any increase in charges.

• If your credit card bill is late or you suspect it is lost, call the credit card issuer immediately.

• Check with your creditors on their policy for stolen cards or fraudulently accessed accounts. (You could be liable!)

• Mail bills from the post office or official postal box instead of your home.

• Keep important documents, (passport, birth certificate, stocks, savings accounts), locked in a safe or file drawer.

• Shred old bank and credit card statements, making sure account numbers, passwords, and addresses are unreadable before discarding.

• THINK about what you are throwing in the trash. Assume anyone can and will go through it after it leaves your home!

• Keep a written record or photo copy (locked away) of the contents of your wallet or purse. Don’t carry your wallet with you when it is not necessary.

• Create passwords that make sense to you but are not the usual birth date, anniversary, pet or maiden name.

• Use only web sites that are encrypted and secure and have a privacy policy -before you type in your credit card number.

It is helpful to check your credit report annually as well. You should request this information from all three credit agencies (TransUnion (800) 888-4213; Experian (888) 397-3742; Equifax (800) 685-1111) and verify that the information they give you is correct. In addition, ask these agencies to put a “Fraud Alert” on your account, so that before anyone can borrow money they have to contact you in person.

Unfortunately, even with extra effort, identity theft can still happen. We trust total strangers with our personal information everyday – applying for a car loan or mortgage – writing a check – patient care at a hospital – even stamped on our children’s back pack! It would be ludicrous for us not to give out this information from time to time, but knowing where we give it out and to whom is helpful. The key to quick recovery from such a disaster is to notice it quickly and take immediate action. Here’s what to do if you think you may be a victim of this crime:

• Contact the fraud department of all three credit agencies (listed above) and report your findings.

• Call your financial institutions or creditors for any accounts that have been fraudulently accessed or opened and close these accounts.

• Report the identity theft to the police. Get a copy of the police report to give to your creditors for poof of the crime.

• File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission 1-877- ID-THEFT, (consumer.gov/idtheft.com [consumer.gov/idtheft.com]).

Staying proactive and organized will pay off in the long run, for life in general and particularly in trying to avert identify theft. Keeping accurate accounting records, personal files and paper management is key to a calmer, safer existence. If you find it difficult to do on your own, consider hiring a professional organizer who specializes in this expertise. Regardless of the stage of life you are in, get your affairs in order. You are a unique individual with your own identity. No one should be able to take that away from you!

© Barbara Hemphill is the author of Kiplinger's Taming the Paper Tiger at Work and Taming the Paper Tiger at Home and co-author of Love It or Lose It: Living Clutter-Free Forever. The mission of Hemphill Productivity Institute is to help individuals and organizations create and sustain a productive environment so they can accomplish their work and enjoy their lives. We do this by organizing space, information, and time. We can be reached at 800-427-0237 or at ProductiveEnvironment.com ProductiveEnvironment.com

Long Distance Caregiving

If you have a parent or older relative that lives far away from you, it is sometimes difficult to know how you can help them when they become ill or infirm. You may not be able to leave your job or family to provide regular care. You can help them get what they need, even if you can't be there all the time. But it does take some careful planning to make the best use of your time and take care of their needs. It is especially important that you talk with your older relatives to determine what their needs are. Don't simply assume they need your help when, in fact, they don't.

One way to assess what is needed is to visit them and make careful observations. Make note of their diet, interactions with others, their ability to get around, and how well they seem to be handling their finances. Make a safety check of the house, to see if repairs are needed or if there are any hazards such as loose rugs or inadequate lighting. Ask them how they are doing, and also ask friends, neighbors, and others who might know them. You may find that some people are already providing help. Take careful notes, writing down each person's name, address and phone number before you go home, and make sure you provide them with yours so they can contact you if needed. Find out what services are available in that community through contacts with the local Area Agency on Aging or other information and referral agencies such as the local United Way.

Once you have made an initial assessment of how your family members are doing, then you need to see about ways to help them in a way that is consistent with their desires and their ability to remain independent.

You might see if there are ways to get a better return on their savings to provide more financial security. Help them set up direct deposits and automatic drafting of bill payments to make it easier for them to manage money. In some instances, a joint bank account with your family member can be helpful so you can make sure that bills are paid. If your family members are unable to handle financial matters, you might obtain a durable power of attorney, giving you the right to manage their assets.

See if people who are already helping care for your family members can do any more. If not, you can consider a private care manager, if available in their community. For a fee, private care managers can help assess needs and make arrangements for needed care.

It's always a good idea to remain in close contact with whoever is helping care for your family members through phone calls, thank you notes, and holiday cards. This keeps lines of communication open, making sure that you can get in touch with them when you need to, and lets them know that you are concerned.

Ultimately, you may want to see if relocation of the family member closer to you is desirable. However, this can be very disruptive and difficult for an older person, and should only be done when other options are not possible.

While you may not be able to do all you wish for your family member who is far away, there are many things you can do. Also, you should remember that many things you may have difficulty doing from a distance may also be just as difficult if done in your own community. Working together with your family member is the key to making sure that your efforts are most effective ... and appreciated.

Caregiver's Resource Inc. (CRI) is a leading developer of caregiver education and automated telephone voice-information services to meet the growing needs of people caring for an aging family member or elderly loved one; affordable alternative advertising for elder care business and service providers eager to reach this population and innovators of the Caregiver's Resource Kit, Caregiver's Resource Helpline and Caregiver's Resource Audio E-book. Visit caregiversresource.com/caregiversituation.htm caregiversresource.com/caregiversituation.htm or call Toll Free 888-791-7301 for the Caregiver's Resource Helpline.

Home Inspection For Sturdy Roofing

Don't you hate it when it rains inside the house? It brings a new meaning to the saying when it rains it pours. It's not a good situation. Of course this normally doesn't happen but if it happens perhaps it's time to check the state of your house with a thorough home inspection. And if you are buying a house you certainly don't want to move into a house and find out later that there are issues with the roof.

For the unfortunate, they can probably relate to the situation where pails and buckets have to be set beside leaky ceilings and even dangerously wet sockets and receptacles. This can happen whether your place is old or new. An improperly installed roof can have problems quickly. And in older residences, leaves fill up the gutters and everything becomes clogged to the extent that no one is spared from the onslaught of the downpour. These issues however, can be assessed at the onset and possibly even prevented through a relatively simple home inspection.

This is actually a visual examination of the premises. The inspection is relatively thorough in that the inspector scours through the house from top to bottom. In many areas, you have the choice of hiring between select individuals and agencies which specialize in the task or have it listed as part of their services offered. As much as possible you should utilize the best choices by hiring accredited professionals for the task. A home inspection is a service that should be handled by a qualified and trained professional.

The rigors in the process of selection don't stop there. Almost no home is going to be perfect, even a new home or recently built construction. A home never passes or fails an inspection. It's a report on the current condition and issues of a home, to help inform the buyer or seller.

A home inspector does inspect a wide variety of things.

For example, the exterior of the housing would be assessed. This covers a wide range of items from sidewalks, windows, foundations, clogged gutters, and even the roof. Aside from the exterior, interior systems are even more complex and mind boggling. The number of issues and dangers a home inspection could reveal about the placement of sockets and wiring is unbelievable. The installation and functioning of the plumbing and drainage can easily be ascertained by qualified professionals.

Most importantly, a thorough examination deals with the roof and the attic. This includes framing, quality of materials, the manner of construction, ventilation, flashing and gutter. A home inspection does not normally include a guarantee of roof conditioning and roof certification. However this does not at all preclude the possibility of having the roof and gutter scrutinized for quality control.

All the faults found by the inspector will be included in an inspection report provided to you. Danger levels and observations are carefully noted and annotated for you to understand. Your report will also include pictures to document the findings. It's not good practice for the home inspector to give you recommendations. Truly there is much to learn from a good home inspection.

You've carefully selected the home you're buying. Make sure you're as careful when selecting your home inspector. Don't get stuck paying for repairs missed by a quick home inspection. Author David Haigh is a professional mynjhomeinspector.com home inspector in NJ. Click now to view a free sample report of a mynjhomeinspector.com/Sample-Report.html New Jersey home inspection.

Unemployment Doldrums: Celebrate Yourself

We all take time to celebrate when we finally find a good position. But that can take weeks, or months, even a year or two in the highly competitive labor market we now face. That can mean a very long period of stress, uncertainty, and financial pressure.

Take care of yourself by making sure that you stop to celebrate any small successes you enjoy along the way. Obtaining an interview, even if no job offer is forthcoming, is something you should be proud of. Taking specific actions such as visiting employers, calling personal contacts, registering with an agency, or attending a job fair can also be steps that warrant a reward.

Celebrations don't have to cost money. If you can afford a festive dinner with your family, that's great. If not, try giving yourself the day off and totally relaxing; spend a day at the park or beach with the kids; engross yourself in fantasy fiction to forget about the job hunt, or make a special "at home" date with your honey.

Giving ourselves little perks along the way, rather than waiting for the final payoff, keeps us more balanced, relaxed, and motivated. Just think: would you continue to play a slot machine with a million dollar jackpot if you didn't get lots of little payoffs along the way?

Virginia Bola operated a rehabilitation company for 20 years, developing innovative job search techniques for disabled workers, while serving as a Vocational Expert in Administrative, Civil and Workers' Compensation Courts. Author of an interactive and supportive workbook, The Wolf at the Door: An Unemployment Survival Manual, and a monthly ezine, The Worker's Edge, she can be reached at unemploymentblues.com unemploymentblues.com

Healthcare Jobs Placement Service

Healthcare jobs placement services offered by established recruiting agencies are a tremendous help to jobseekers as well as employers, enabling them to save a great deal of time and effort. Numerous healthcare jobs are open in hospitals, nursing homes, rehab centers, healthcare centers and other medical facilities.

Maximize Your Job Opportunities

To regularly fill in the vacant positions, healthcare facilities usually keep in touch with these recruiting agencies and post the job vacancies on their respective websites. As vacancies arise, the recruiters will inform the candidates who have registered in their database. Through their online services, they assist the job providers and jobseekers with reliable career search services. The recruiting agencies can help the candidates find better job positions in reputable medical facilities with excellent remuneration. Years of experience and creditable educational qualifications in the particular field are important factors that maximize the job possibilities.

Jobs Carrying a Range of Benefits

Along with attaining appropriate job positions, the candidates can enjoy some other benefits including professional liability insurance, short-term disability insurance, section 125 cafeteria plan, additional state license, continuing education programs, cancer insurance, 401k benefits and more. Short-term or long-term, temporary or permanent healthcare jobs as occupational therapist, physical therapist and speech language pathologist can be obtained through these healthcare jobs placement services.

Find Jobs in Your Choice of Environment

Job seekers can easily find jobs that meet their requirements with the help of efficient recruiting agencies. To ensure the highest level of patient care, most of the medical facilities prefer trained and qualified professionals. Hence, the candidates have to undergo a thorough screening process before they are appointed in a medical facility. The resumes are scrutinized thoroughly to make sure that the candidates have the right qualifications and are well-trained. International candidates are given support for immigration clearance, visa processing, healthhappinesslifetime.com care insurance and more.

therakare.com/healthcare-job-placement.html Healthcare Jobs Placement - TheraKare is a first choice healthcare job recruiter service provider in the US. We can help you find excellent therakare.com/healthcare-jobs.html healthcare jobs in leading medical facilities in the United States.

Online Home Businesses - Finding the Right One

People always want to know how to make money online from home and I was one of them. In my case, it was an option of last resort. I was broke, did not have a job and it seemed, no prospects.

It is an uncomfortable situation for a woman to be without financial resources and as a single woman who has always made it on her own, it was doubly desperate. How could I be in this position, I asked myself?

BREAKING WITH THE PAST

When I left my very well paying job of seventeen years, I had money, freedom and the confidence to create a new life for myself. I travelled widely and was finally enjoying life and I spent money like there was no tomorrow. Then I became bored in summer, so I reached out for some temporary work while I decided what to do with myself. I knew I wanted something different than mere office work!

Nothing came of my calls. Nothing! I surfed the web for jobs, checked employment agencies, and sent out CVs. Nothing had my name on it. How come nobody wanted me I thought? I am a go-getter, intelligent, very well put together, an excellent administrator and troubleshooter, and I am not afflicted by jet lag. Desperation set in with a serious dose of disbelief.

At that point I started selling my designer handbags to pay my rent, food and other expenses. I have no family that I can count on and my two best friends had each just bought a house, so no help there either.

Now, I have been through tough times before but this was different. Just the thought of not being able to take care of myself felt like a lead weight in my gut.

THE SUGGESTION

By chance, and I do not believe in coincidence, I met a lovely lady who suggested that I go into business for myself. I immediately thought of an online home business. She was so enthusiastic about the idea that she got me excited.

I knew nothing about the Internet business, websites, marketing or advertising and I didn't have a dime, so I figured I had everything to gain. I hopped onto my trusty Mac book and started searching for on-line home business opportunities.

ONLINE HOME BUSINESS

What a surprise to discover that in summer I had bookmarked one site for further investigation. It was an on-line marketing company and the guy who developed it is now a multi-millionaire. I spent an entire week researching his websites, blog, Twitter, and his other links. I liked what I saw.

After watching the video tutorials at least five times, I reviewed the online affiliate training. It was clear and easily understood. The job required my time, motivation, dedication and imagination to make my input a success. I had found my new home business.

GET RICH QUICK

Get rich quick schemes benefit only one, the marketing company. However, in a typical home-based business, work, effort, persistence, perseverance and endurance are needed. The more effort you put into your new business, the more satisfying the outcome when you have a solid plan in place. Finding the right online home business is the key.

Nothing happens overnight but if you stick with it and focus on developing one income stream at a time, the rewards are substantial.

This is Catherine Hidalgo signing out.

Home Care Cuts Working Their Way Through Congress

If Congress goes ahead with its health care reform package, home care providers will certainly feel the heat. After the House and Senate passed their respective reform bills, Congress' ability to send one approved reform bill to the US president is looking positive.

In order to get the legislation to the president's desk by his State of the Union soon, Democratic lawmakers are talking about unconventional ways of getting the bill passed.

While both bills contain tens of billions of dollars in cuts to home health agency and Medicare rates, observers say that the Senate bill is friendlier to the industry. This time there are no reimbursement changes for 2010 and 1 percent reductions in the inflation update in 2011-2013.

One of the routes to approval that lawmakers are thinking about is having the House pass a bill with the changes made in the Senate version. This is owing to the fact that the Senate had a much narrower margin of victory for its legislation. After that, the Senate would approve the House-passed version and it could go to the president.

This could auger well for home care since the Senate's cuts are slightly less drastic as compared to those in the House bill. But both the ways will spell payment reductions for providers.

More trouble: The Senate bill contains a separate provision that could auger bad news for home care providers.

The Senate bill, besides out-and-out payment cuts, calls for an advisory body similar to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission to set payment levels for Medicare providers.

The Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) would be presidentially appointed. NAHC protests that the bill would give IPAB too much power to the Executive branch. Moreover, IPAB would not have broad-based experience provided that it would comprise only 15 members appointed by the president.

Moreover, unpredictability would reign from year to year as IPAB could change rules with little input from Congress or the public. In the meantime, as the health reform package does not presently address durable medical equipment suppliers' main concerns this year - competitive bidding and oxygen caps - suppliers are rallying support for another bill, H.R 3790.

Provides free weekly newswire of homecarenews.inhealthcare.com/did-you-know home healthcare industry and offers learning opportunity about homecarenews.inhealthcare.com/did-you-know home health agency and Senate bill, that keeps connected to the latest developments in health-oriented services.

Home Insurance For Flood-Risk Properties

With another flood season on the horizon, what should property owners look for from a home insurance policy to ensure they are covered?

If you're looking to safeguard your home against the threat of flooding, home insurance cover is vital but you must be careful with the policies you choose. Many providers litter their policies with flood-related exclusions to reflect the increased risk that comes with living in a flood-risk zone.

Those with existing home insurance policies should check its terms and conditions and look for caveats and exclusions. In particular, check the sum insured and that you are sufficiently covering the value of your home and its contents as under-insurance may even invalidate your policy. Check the single item limits on individual contents too, so that you're not left out of pocket attempting to replace a high value commodity.

Check that your home insurance policy offers new for old coverage on items - this will be needed if you want to replace any damaged goods with brand new versions rather than like-for-like items with similar wear and tear.

If you're unsure whether you live in a flood risk area use the Environmental Protection Agency's flood maps and enter your postcode. If you are in a flood-risk zone then premiums are likely to be high so it's worth shopping around with a comparison website and using specialist insurers to find quotes.

To keep your home insurance premiums manageable, take steps to protect your property. Keep it in a good state of repair with gutters and drainpipes cleared regularly so that you don't invalidate a claim. Consider investing in sandbags to place around windows, doors and airbricks.

For gocompare.com/home-insurance cheap home insurance, keep your provider informed when you install flood protection devices. Contact the gocompare.com/home-insurance home insurance company you have a policy with and ask it to suggest defences that could drive premiums down.

Loan Modification Process Information

A loan modification is the most preferable solution to financial hardship for homeowners looking for mortgage relief, and as such has been the focus of a large amount of media attention in lieu of the onset of the financial crisis.

Most presumably, you are here owing to that fact you in fact have learned of greeneasylife.com Mortgage Loan Modifications, the potential they possess to help approximately everybody, regardless if you are behind or current on your greeneasylife.com mortgage loan, and your probably curious for further facts on Home Loan Modifications and loss mitigation practice.

My object through this write-up is to help you become a Mortgage Modification guru, so read on!

We're going to explore the guiding principals first:

What is a Mortgage Modification?

A greeneasylife.com Mortgage Loan Modification is a permanent alteration in the stipulations of your existing loan as negotiated by you, the house owner and your mortgage holder.

Why on earth do I need a Loan Modification?

A Mortgage Modification can do a myriad of great things for you. Primarily, optimal Home Loan Modifications lower interest rates, and of course, lower payments. There are mortgagees all around the country saving hundreds of dollars every month because of Home Loan Modifications.

Additional advantages of a Mortgage Modification include the prospect of a abatement in the amount owed (principal balance reduction), a alteration in the span of the mortgage, converting the loan into a lower, fixed-rate mortgage, and even refinancing of late fees and legal fees.

Saving money each month? Lowering my interest rate? Wow that sounds great. What's the catch?

Why would my bank help me?

Your bank has lost a huge amount of money due to foreclosures; most of the homes they foreclose on are underwater, meaning that the defaulted loans are significantly higher than the values of the properties. Sure, your lender will "lose" money when your payments go down, however, receiving any mortgage payment from you is better than no payment at all, or worse, having to foreclose on you.

How do I get a Loan Modification?

Friends, the name of the game is hardship. Well, it goes a little beyond simple hardship, but that's what we're going to start with. The first step to getting a Loan Workout is showing your lender that you simply can no longer afford to make your mortgage payments on time.

Now, different lenders observe different criteria for determining your "affordable" payment. Many lenders participate in Making Home Affordable, for example, wherein and aside from other guidelines, your "affordable" payment is 31% of your gross income (income before taxes).

Other lender's use different guidelines to qualify you. With Indymac, for example, the magic percentage of your gross income is 38% (under FDIC's Mod-in-a-Box program). This "affordable" payment is the total of your Principal, Interest, Taxes, Insurance, and HOA Fees (if applicable).

Still other lenders utilize an archaic system of totaling up your total net income, then subtracting expenses. For many "in-house", non-Government backed Home Loan Modification programs, lenders may use a combination of both qualification methods.

Acceptable Loan Modification Hardships

Reduction of Income. I.e. - Unemployment, underemployment, reduction in work hours, reduced pay, decrease in business earnings (if you are self-employed).
Change in household finances. I.e. - Death in family, illness, divorce, incarceration, disability, adoption, child birth, care of relatives and family.
Increased expenses. I.e. - ARM (Adjustable Rate Mortgage has adjusted or will adjust), medical and health care bills, utility bills, increased taxes.
Insufficient assets. I.e. - Cash reserves are not enough to pay mortgage and basic living expenses.
Monthly debt payments are too much! I.e. - Too many credit cards, home greeneasylife.com equity loans, other credit loans are choking me!

A Quick Guide to the Mortgage Modification Process

Write a Hardship Letter.
Get on the phone with your loss mitigation department.
Set realistic expectations, and document your conversation with your lender - start a log - called Countrywide, 12:00 pm Saturday the 29th, spoke with Dave regarding HAMP Home Loan Modification, faxing over required documents.
Send required documents that your lender needs - Bank statements, tax returns, pay stubs, etc.
Negotiate for the best terms that you can on your Home Loan Modification.
Sign your Loan Modification agreement.

Alrighty, hopefully you've got a pretty good idea of what to do to get a Home Loan Modification. If you are in need of assistance, the best place to start is by contacting a Government Agency or your lender directly! Best of luck to all of the readers out there and I hope this helps!

Justin Bartlett writes for ModificationZoom, a great resource for modificationzoom.com loan modification facts. If you are facing foreclosure and in need of help, please read some of the articles that I have written; they can help you modify your mortgage on your own for free!

How to Hire a Caregiver

Are you planning to hire an in-home caregiver? Since every situation is different, it's a good idea to first list your problems to clarify what kind of in home care you would need. Consider the type, duration and schedule of home healthcare needed, and your financial resources.

With this information you can then decide whether you would like to hire help on your own or through a home healthcare agency.

Hiring home caregivers on your own:

o Ask others for home health care provider referrals or place an advertisement.

o Screen in home care candidates based upon their experience, basic duties, schedule, and other specifics.

o Ask lots of questions while interviewing screened candidates to provide home care services.

o Note your gut feeling regarding each caregiver. Your initial reaction and overall comfort level is a good indication of how well an in home care provider could work out.

o Check references for any candidate thoroughly.

o Before hiring a home health care provider, sign a contract. This is vitally important and for the protection of everyone concerned.

Hiring through a home caregivers agency:

o To locate an agency offering home healthcare, check with the hospital discharge planner, caregivery.com caregiver resource center or even the Yellow Pages.

o Consider the fees and services provided by the agency to determine how well they meet your needs and budgetary considerations.

o Find out how the agency screens their employees and what safety measures, such as background checks, are in place.

o Choose the agency that provides the services you need at a manageable price.

o Sign a contract so that everyone is clear on what expectations are to be met, what services are to be provided and what costs are entailed.

By following these steps, you will be better able to locate the best provider for your needs and obtain the desired level of service at a fair price.

In this article Susan Slobac writes about in-home caregivery.com Caregivers.

Planning For Brooklyn Foreclosed Homes

When you relocate to Brooklyn and plan to purchase a Brooklyn foreclosed home, the general facts about Brooklyn and means to search for Brooklyn foreclosed homes are as follows.

Brooklyn is in New York. It is known that Brooklyn is one of the five New York's borough. Borough is a unique form of government at the local level below state. It is created when a county is merged with cities, towns and villages. The Brooklyn Bridge over the East River connects the New York City boroughs stretching over 5,989 feet. There is Brooklyn Museum of Art and just down the street of museum is The Brooklyn Botanic garden. This botanic garden is a 52 acre sanctuary. The best time to visit the garden is May. If Brooklyn and the foreclosed property happen to be your chosen destination to invest or to settle, read the following guidelines carefully.

Understand and lay down your general specifications as in the number of rooms required, the preferred locality that suits your lifestyle. Consider the financial availability and set your budget. Apply for pre approved loans if need be.

Start tracing the home that fulfils the criteria of your specifications. You can do so by visiting the county office, through classified ads, searching and subscribing to web listings, and or from business associates and friends. Subscribing to an online reliable realtor agency is the fastest way of making your choice easier, as it provides comprehensive listing of the Brooklyn foreclosed homes.

Upon choosing a home, make an appointment to inspect the ideal residence by paying a visit and inspecting the property in the presence of a professional licensed realtor. Check for the condition of the foreclosed homes, estimate if repairs are required. Make sure it meets your personal requirements and connectivity to other facilities such as offices and educational institutes.

Once satisfied then hire an attorney to verify the papers. If the foreclosure proceedings are judicial it will nullify any liens claims in future. If the foreclosure is non judicial inspect the papers thoroughly.

Note if the foreclosed property is at a pre foreclosed stage offer a low price to the owner and negotiate upwards. Most likely the owner is willing to sell the property at this stage to avoid full foreclosure.

In case the property is already being taken over by the lender such as bank or financial institute, and yet to be reverted to the market, still there is a chance to get a good bargain without competition.

Last but not the least, if the property has been foreclosed, one can bid and win the Brooklyn foreclosed homes in the auction. Here one must note that your financial preparation and pre approved loan papers shall be handy for there would be a time limit.

Thus planning a deal with the various means such as the realtors that provide web-listing and executing as per the stage of foreclosure would find you the best Brooklyn foreclosed homes.

Iwona Filetti is a writer with an eye for detail. She writes on several niche after a thorough research and understanding, her motto is to give beneficial information so all sections of society benefit from her writing. She is expert in writing on brooklyn.kings.ny.foreclosuredatabank.com Brooklyn Foreclosed Homes. For more details please visit brooklyn.kings.ny.foreclosuredatabank.com brooklyn.kings.ny.foreclosuredatabank.com/.

Repossessed Homes - The Secret to Real Estate Wealth

Repossessed homes provide some of the greatest wealth building opportunities in real estate. With an ever increasing inventory of repossessed homes on the market, lenders, banks and government agencies are unloading foreclosure property nationwide. The secret to the wealth building of foreclosed homes lies in the ability to purchase them well under market value. In the past, finding repossessed homes was a challenge for the average buyer, resulting in most properties going to those with inside connections. However, like with everything in life, the internet has changed everything.

Repossessed homes, also knows as foreclosures, bank owned or real estate owned (REO) homes are those homes that have gone fully through the foreclosure process and have been seized by the lender as a result of the former homeowner defaulting on their mortgage. Very often these homes end up being sold at auction with the lender being willing to take much less than market value since banks prefer to be in the business of lending rather than owning and maintaining property.

Though repossessed homes can often be had for deep discounts to their market value, there are some caveats. Most often, repo homes are sold "as is" with no warranty of any kind. In addition, the previous owners often stop taking care of the property once they know the home is going to be repossessed. As a result, there can be a lot repairs that need to be made. You should be sure to make arrangements to inspect any repo property you intend to purchase so that you are well aware of any potential repairs that may be needed.

As the economy continues to struggle, repossessions are rising. Homes that were normally sold at courthouse auctions are now not getting bids and are being returned to the lender. Tight credit is also contributing to the problem as many prospective home buyers are finding it difficult to qualify for loans. All of this adds up to more and more inventory of repossessed property and with lower demand, that means lower prices for you.

The best way to go about finding repossessed homes is to use an online foreclosure listing service. The best services allow you to setup email alerts that send you an email the second a repo property becomes available. You can then be the first to contact the bank directly to negotiate a quick purchase before any other buyers step in to bid the price up. However, be sure to be pre-approved when you contact the bank, as the ability to close fast can be a huge asset in cases where you might be up against multiple bids.

Liz Armstrong has helped many buyers get the inside edge on the competition by searching HomeMortgageForeclosures.com's comprehensive homemortgageforeclosures.com repossessed homes inventory. => homemortgageforeclosures.com Click Here to search today.

Free CNA Training to Satisfy Your Desire to Serve Patients

If you think you are a compassionate individual having zeal to provide competent care to suffering bedside residents, you can join CNA training programs and pass the certification test, which can allow you to work in long term care units, hospitals, nursing homes and various other health care centers. But, suppose if you have financial constraint or if you are not financially sound to undertake certified nursing aide training programs by paying regular training fees, what alternative do you have to complete these programs?

If you are unable to pay your tuition fees for the training programs, you can easily search for the various states and federal approved Free CNA Trainings. These free trainings not only help you complete your training for a certification but also assist you in satisfying your passion for offering nursing care to ailing patients.

Certified Nurse Aide programs, whether it is tuition paid or Free CNA Training, both consist of 75 hours to 150 hours (as per specific state requirement) classroom and clinical hand-on training. The successful completion of training allows a nurse assistant to sit for OBRA-87 and State Nursing Board approved competency evaluation test. The clearing of the exam awards CNA certification to a candidate and listing with respective state Nurse Aide Registry.

Free Nurse Aide Training Program

In order to avail Free Certified Nursing assistant Training, following steps can be followed with little research:

1. There are numerous long term care facilities that offers sponsorship for free training in exchange of pledge by a nurse aide to work in the same facility after completion of training and passing of certification test.

2. There are numerous state and federal approved, scholarships, Grants, tuition waiver and financial schemes for free trainings. These free schemes are offered to a deserving student, due to acute shortage of nursing personnel in various nursing care facilities.

3. Many colleges and private corporate and other entities also provide grants and scholarships for free training programs or for tuition reimbursement.

Therefore, lack of funds may not hinder your desire to complete nurse aide trainings for offering competent care to ailing patients. You can research around and inquire with specific colleges, nursing schools and health happinesslifetime.com care agencies for state, federal and private agency sponsored Free CNA Trainings. Little research on these programs will go a long way in satisfying your passion for nursing care to suffering patients.

If you are also facing financial constraints you can get further information on bestcertifiednursingassistant.com/certified-nursing-training/free-training-cna free CNA training and bestcertifiednursingassistant.com/cna/cna-certification-test CNA certification by clicking these links.

Are You Ready For Baby Adoption?

It really does seem strange when you think about baby adoption. There are literally thousands of babies, infants, and even toddlers out there who are very much in need of a good home because their birth parents do not have the ability to provide them with a good home or a good life. At the same time, there are probably even more couples around the globe who are unable to have children of their own for various valid reasons but would make fantastic parents and are more than willing to provide the love, care, and good home to an adopted child.

The parents who are looking to adopt a child and provide a loving home for them are frequently mired down in bureaucratic red tape, which is a sad state of circumstances because it can sometimes take years for the red tape to be cleared enough to the point where the adoption can take place. Most of these parents looking at adoption services are fully aware of the great responsibilities that come with being a parent and providing for an infant, and are more than ready and willing to take on that role if they could just find a way to make it happen.

One of the unfortunate roadblocks to the whole adoption process is the large cost, and this is a factor that all couples who want to adopt a baby will need to consider carefully. The costs for this can range from a couple thousand dollars all the way to tens of thousands of dollars when it is all said and done. And the parents need to understand and realize that they will be financially responsible for this child until at least they are 18 years of age.

While it may be easy to be thinking about how great it would be to have a newborn in the house that you can love and watch grow up, the prospective parents need to realize that a child is not going to be inexpensive. When the child is an infant, you have diapers, formula, doctor visits and all of that kind of thing. As the child starts growing older, you still have all those things (minus the diapers, hopefully) and then more, like school, books, the possible occasional broken arm, and then you need to plan ahead for them to attend college, which is an astronomical cost in itself these days.

But if you are prepared for all the benefits of raising a child and accepting what some may consider to be disadvantages, and you can play the adoption game as it goes through its steps at what may seem like a snail's pace, being a parent can indeed be a joyous thing as you watch your child mature into the person that you raise him or her to be.

You must also have a serious discussion with your spouse about having this new baby in the house since that can frequently cause a fair amount of stress in the household and between spouses. Chances are good that a newborn may not sleep through the night and require middle of the night feedings, so decide ahead of time how you and your spouse will divide those duties. This can be particularly stressful if you are both working since after both of you working all day, both of you will be tired but that fact does not mean you can ignore the baby for a night or two.

The right adoption agency can make all the red tape as effortless as possible with the least amount of stress on you and your spouse. Make sure you are mentally, emotionally and financially prepared for this responsibility because baby adoption is not for everyone, but once you have decided it is right for you and start the process, the rewards will be great.

If you are ready for getting serious about baby-adoption-service.com Baby Adoption and need to determine what to be thinking about and what the next steps are, please visit our web site for many tips and guides about how to keep the process moving forward at baby-adoption-service.com baby-adoption-service.com

Certified Nurse Assistant and How to Get Certified Nurse Assistant Job

Certified nurse assistants (CNAs) are in high demand in the health care industry. The doctors and nurses are involved in seeing that the patient is getting the best possible medical care that they can offer, which leaves little or no time to take care of the patient's daily grooming needs.

This is where the assistant for nurses plays an important role in the life of that patient. The CNA sees that the patient is being bathed every day either on their own or with assistance from them. The assistant will also assist or wash the patient's hair and see that they are achieving good oral care.

Positioning and range of motion are another way that the certified CNA can help the patient. For those patients who are bedridden or that do not ambulate, the nurse assistant will position the patient in rotation so that the patient is not laying on one part of their body for long periods of time. The assistant will also move the patient's extremities so that contractures do not set in.

Monitoring a patient's vital signs is also an important job duty of this nursing assistant. They will check the patient's blood pressure, pulse, respirations, temperature and weight as ordered by the physician. This important task will alert the nurse or the physician to any bodily changes in the patient that could play a part in their general health and recovery process.

A nurse assisting employee is required to obtain special training in the health care field. An exam to become certified in nurse assisting after completion of the training is also required. The requirements to become a CNA are different in each state.

Many hospitals and health happinesslifetime.com care agencies offer the certification for nurse assisting training program for a fee and the agreement of working in their facility upon completion and certification. A CNA can find employment in a variety of establishments, which include hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, home health happinesslifetime.com care agencies, nursing agencies and working with developmentally and disabled individuals, just to name a few.

The job outlook for the health care industry, especially for assistants for nurses, is excellent. There will always be people who need to have their health and personal care needs met while they are recuperating. This is what assistant for nurses specializes in.

The CNA is the first person that is involved in the direct care of the patient. She is an extremely important person in the life of the patient. She is a highly valuable employee to the physician and the nurse.

If you are considering a career in certified nursing assistance you can apply for employment at a health care agency or nursing agency, a hospital or any other place that offers the certified nurse assistant program. Training is also offered at various colleges or continuing education courses in most cities.

Rewards are great when you work as a certified nurse assistant. The warm heart, kindness and caring attitude are what this profession is all about.

Note: You are free to reprint or republish this article. The only condition is that the links should be clickable.

Copywrite Kenneth Echie. Kenneth is a Writer, Expert Author, and Publisher. He currently writes for medicalassistants-schools-careers.com Medical Assistants Schools. Get free scholarship report and find medicalassistants-schools-careers.com/certified-nursing-assistant.html Certified Nurse Assistant Schools by visiting.

Lawn Care - Increase the Value of Your Home Or Property

Houses or business property that overlooks a well maintained lawn stand a better chance of their property value getting higher preference and value as compared to one that either does not have a lawn or has one that has not been maintained well enough. If you do not take care of the lawn, it can present a dried depressing picture to anybody who sees it and that is not good advertisement for your property.

The importance of maintaining the lawn cannot be understated and you have to either do it yourself or take the help of a professional agency to give you the best results.

Given below are some tips you can follow though:

a) Ensure you have a good watering and manuring system so that the lawn is able to breathe and derive nutrients for its growth. Failure to do so will lead to the lawn getting dried up.

b) Know how much water you need to ensure that all the plants, grass get their quota of water on a regular basis. There is no point in being irregular about this requirement as like human beings; plants and grass also require something that is regular and consistent.

c) Just as human beings get afflicted with diseases, insects and other infections can attack your plants. It is thus necessary to have a good system of preventive maintenance in place to avoid this scenario from developing. This is best left to professional lawn service agencies who have the required chemicals with them and know how much to use for maximum benefit.

If you want your lawn to acquire the look of a good landscape, you must be prepared to put in the necessary efforts, money and time for its adequate maintenance and those are something that is beyond the scope of this article and will be covered in another one.

Thanks to the awareness amongst many people to go green, you can now get access to natural fertilizers that are also eco-friendly. This way, you can make sure that your lawn gets healthy treatment and you do not also spoil the environment. The right time to spray such fertilizers is during fall season as the roots can then take full benefit from the fertilizers and sustains itself. Lime is yet another valuable product that is recommended for grass care.

The use of herbicides, both natural as well as organic is also a must to make sure that crabgrass does not make their presence felt. These control rapid growth of such grass and the maintenance of the lawn becomes much easier. So make sure you spray the herbicides just when these begin to sprout.

As you can see, it is not very difficult to maintain the lawn. All it requires is the right knowledge and effort either by you or by the professionals. It is something you cannot afford to neglect.

Need some professional to take care of your lawn? Contact lawn-pest-maryland.com/lawn-care Maryland lawn service to get reasonable quotes for lawn-pest-maryland.com maryland lawn care

The Truth About Reverse Mortgages

One of my jobs for a very long time included working very closely with a financial advisor and an elder law attorney. I learned a lot from both of them. The most important thing I learned is that long-term care isn't just about picking a nursing home or a happinesslifetime.com home care agency. Long-term care is also about the legal and financial matters that almost always come up when families are trying to help an aging loved one make choices.

Most families cannot afford to privately pay for nursing home care or in-home care for very long. This wasn't planned for or budgeted for prior to retirement. Planning ahead is getting more popular, but for our older generations, it wasn't an option for various reasons.

Because of this I try to make sure I know what all of the financial options are for seniors and their family members. One of them is something that not many of us understand very well- a reverse mortgage.

Reverse mortgages have received a lot of press lately. NBC Nightly news, ABC, CBS....they have all run stories. Of course there are pros and cons to reverse mortgages, but interestingly enough, two large organizations support and advocate them, especially for seniors who need long-term care. The National Council on Aging and AARP both support the use of reverse mortgages in certain circumstances.

A study released by The National Council on the Aging (NCOA) shows that reverse mortgages can be used by over 13 million Americans to pay for long-term care expenses at home, allowing many to remain independent and in their homes longer.

The "Use Your Home to Stay at Home: Expanding the Use of Reverse Mortgages to Pay for Long Term Care" report, funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, also shows how reverse mortgages can alleviate financial pressure not only for individuals and families, but also for state Medicaid programs and the federal government. Increasing the market for reverse mortgages could save Medicaid $3.3 billion (with a four percent take up rate) annually by 2010.

A reverse mortgage is also called a home equity conversion mortgage. These loans are backed by the federal government (HUD and FHA). Seniors 62 and older are eligible to use this federal program. This is a "non-recourse loan", which means that the heirs of the seniors are not responsible for repaying the loan. In fact, a reverse mortgage is a loan that does not have to be repaid unless both homeowners (assuming a couple) leave the home permanently, or pass away. No monthly payments are required. The senior is the one who gets paid.

Finally, the money seniors receive from a reverse mortgage is tax free, and does not interfere with SSI or Medicare benefits.

As with any financial transaction, there are other things to consider, and reverse mortgages aren't for everyone.

However, for the senior or couple who are having trouble making ends meet, this can be a life saver. Some seniors are using the extra cash flow to pay for in-home care, adult day care, pay for prescription drugs, pay off credit card debt, and make much needed home repairs so that they can live safely and more comfortably.

Find a reverse mortgage specialist in your area, and network with them. They might be able to help a senior you know pay privately for care much longer than expected.

For more information visit aarp.com aarp.com , ncoa.org ncoa.org , or reversemortgagenation.com reversemortgagenation.com .

If you would like a FREE REPORT on reverse mortgages, I would be happy to send you one. Just email me at

Select Proper Carpet Cleaning Machine To Maintain a Dust Free Home

Decorating home using carpet is common in now a days. It helps to preserve the beauty of the room and our home will be dust free for a long period.It is because carpets installed on your floor has the capability to absorb the dust particles and apparently your home is dust free. This dust absorption feature of your carpets can be dangerous if you are not cleaning them in proper period of time. Dust filled carpets can cause many allergies to your children and pets. So it is very important to clean them in time using proper cleaning devices.

In market we can find a lot of carpet-cleaning machines but most are intended for advance users and commercial cleaning experts. The cleaning devices best suited for domestic users are:

1. Vacuum Cleaner

2. Carpet Shampooer

Some of the best suited cleaning machines for home users are Vacuum cleaners and carpet-shampooer. Both devices working with different technologies and for an average user the best suited one is vacuum cleaner. The major advantage of using vacuum cleaner is, it is easy to operate. It can absorb the dusts and dirt within minutes and there is no side effects for this. Vacuum cleaners do not need any harmful chemicals or solutions which pollute your atmosphere. So it is the best Eco friendly cleaning method for home users. Operation of vacuum cleaner is so simple as just move over your carpets or mattress and it will absorb the dirt.

Another device is Carpet-Shampooers, which is also useful in cleaning carpets and mattress. Unlike vacuum cleaners this device need to use shampoo solution to clean your carpets. This machine exactly look like vacuum cleaner except an attached tank which store shampoo solution. It has a a hose which can spray the solution on your carpet. After spraying the shampoo solution the rotating brushes on carpet shampooer start rotate to remove stains. The rotated brushes designed in a way to pick the deep seated dirt in your carpets and clean it later. Though carpet shampooer comes under home carpet cleaning machines, you should have proper training to use this machine. Without proper training or experience you cannot make the best out of this device.

Even if you are regularly cleaning, it is possible to get your carpet dirty. So it is advised to use the help of a professional cleaning agency to clean your carpets.

Author Alex George is working with allstarscarpetcleaning.com Carpet Cleaning Brooklyn. He also give technical advises to one professional carpet cleaning company in Brooklyn carpet-cleaning-in-brooklyn.com Brooklyn Carpet Cleaning, a leading carpet cleaning company in New York City.

The Need For Home Health Care Live in Services

The Home Health Care industry is growing at a tremendous rate. Even with America's ever slowing economy Home Care is still in high demand. Workers in the field of Home Health Care see this happening first hand. Instead of having Certified Nurses Aides come in home and do hourly care, Home Care sees an ever growing need for Home Health Aide Live In Services. This puts outstanding stress on Home Health Care Agencies to fill not only the clients physical and mental needs but also the financial needs as well. Not all Home Health Care Agencies can support these demands of Live In Services. This kind of valuable service gives the client a companion for care twenty four hours a day, seven days a week at virtually half the cost of hourly Home Health Care Services.

Home Care Agencies are a dime a dozen, finding out which one is ready to help you out can be a daunting and stressful task. For Home Care Services on a Live In basis there are things to look for and specific questions you can ask to help you decide if a particular Home Health Care Agency is right for your loved ones. For instance the differences between a 1099 agency and a w-2 agency are night and day to how services are brought to the client/s. Below is a comparison between a 1099 Agency and a w-2 Agency.

1099 Agency -

1). Works like a temp agency by sub contracting out caregivers that register with them.

2). Charges either the client or caregiver (sometimes both) a "finders fee"

3). All taxes (Workers Comp, Unemployment etc.) are left to the client and caregiver to pay.

4). If caregiver has an emergency and needs relief, it is the client/caregivers' responsibility to find coverage.

5). Has a typically lower rate than w-2 agencies and often can be negotiated with a caregiver.

6). 1099 Agency has no responsibility to the client after caregiver is selected and fees are paid.

W-2 Agency -

1). Works as the employer to all caregivers that register with the agency.

2). No fee for finding caregivers to work for the client.

3). All taxes are paid by the agency, none are left to the caregivers/clients to pay.

4). Time off taken by the caregiver is covered by the agency or any replacements for caregivers are also done by the agency at clients discretion.

5). Has typically a higher rate than 1099 agencies. Usually because they are paying all state and federal taxes.

6). W-2 Agency works directly for the client and their families.

Please visit our website at [adhomehealthsolutions.com]

These are just some of the differences you can expect from these two different kinds of Home Care Providers. Please visit me at [adhomehealthsolutions.com]

Is a Change Really As Good As a Rest?

Most people will change careers at least three times in their professional lives. Sometimes that change can be an enforced one such as redundancy. But usually it's the individual's decision, based on a variety of reasons. Perhaps the job you're in is no longer stimulating or challenging you, you feel you're working long hours for little recognition or simply that there's too much month left at the end of the money. Any reason can be the catalyst for change, but before you make a hasty decision to hand in your notice, take a few factors into consideration.

If your current job offers you stability and a good wage, is it really worth jeopardising that for a leap of faith? If you do decide to stay where you are, perhaps it would be worth speaking to your boss to see if there is some way you can advance within your present company, either through additional training or an internal move into another department. But if you really feel that your time with your current company has come to an end, a little bit of pre-planning could make the transition into another career much smoother.

Think about what you are qualified to do and where your experience and strengths lie. If you are looking to move into a completely different area of employment, it may be worth waiting a little while until you have updated your skills or qualifications. Remember - if you are making a transition between professions you may have to start again at the bottom of the ladder until you have gained the experience to move up a rung. If you are planning to change careers but have to wait for a while to bring your skills-set up to date, keep your plans to yourself. An employer is never happy to hear that someone within their organisation is intending to jump ship, and they may end up forcing your decision on you earlier than you had planned.

As the economic downturn puts more jobs at risk, take a long, hard look at the marketplace. With more people chasing fewer jobs, you have to make sure that you have a fighting chance of success and can compete with those who may have more relevant experience. If you have been in your current position for any length of time, you may find that your CV needs a major overhaul to bring it up to standard. Allocate some time to tackle this or speak to a specialist recruitment agency to see how you can make your CV stand out from the crowd.

The ultimate career change is, of course, going self-employed. The prospect of working from home, choosing the hours you work and the general glamour of being self-employed may be tempting, but ask yourself some very serious questions before you take the decision to go it alone. Do you have enough financial backing to get you through the first year without having to resort to business loans or credit? Is there actually a market for your skills? Do you have the self-discipline to work long hours in splendid isolation or will you miss the camaraderie of working within a company structure? If you decide to go independent then remember that to succeed on your own takes far more hard work and discipline than working within an organisation.

Career changes can give you a new lease of life as you shed one skin and slip on another. If you feel that something is 'missing' from your working life - be that a better pay cheque, more responsibility or a greater working challenge - then a career chance is probably on the cards. Embrace the excitement and with a little careful planning that career change could put that something that was missing back into your life and widen your horizons more than you could have possibly imagined.

Tony Hall is a freelance author and has the vast knowledge in Sales Recruitment Agencies and Executive Recruitment Agencies . For more information on ajobcy.com Recruitment Agencies he suggests you to visit: ajobcy.com ajobcy.com.