Showing posts with label Alternatives. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alternatives. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

What Are the Alternatives For Outdoor Stair Lifts?

Stair lifts have emerged as incredibly useful machines which are of great value for old folks and those having some sort of corporal disabilities. Since the old persons and physically disabled people cannot walk up and down the stairs, stair lifts help them to move to the various floors of the house without any problem. Many times these people fall or tumble while climbing the stairs. For this reason, the creation of stair lifts is the safest and the most suitable mode of climbing stairs.

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Despite the fact that old or disabled people can move to the other floor with the help of a person or a stick, however, this is certainly not an easy and safe approach. On the other hand, stair lifts let them move to the other level of the house or building without looking for the help of anyone. This freedom is one of the most important reasons people seek to buy stair lifts.

ALTERNATIVES

No matter if you wish to use a stair lift for personal use or commercial purpose, you can find quite a lot of models and types of these equipments which can make the life of the handicapped much more comfortable. You can find stair lifts for indoor as well as outdoor use. Both the stair lifts for indoor and outdoor purpose are a number of options. For this reason, the public places where disabled or elderly people could not go are not reachable for them with the help of these indoor and outdoor stair lifts.

The outdoor units come in enormous range with stair lifts that can be fixed at nearly any place. Apart from the size or shape of the stair case, the outdoor stair lifts can be easily fixed without any difficulty.

You can locate outdoor seated stair lift which is very comfortable to use. These are mainly meant for those who have serious physical issues and cannot even stand. However, according to some people, it is an intricate stair lift as you have to move to sit on its stair lift. You may also have to operate or require someone else to operate it.

Another type of outdoor stair lift is the standing stair lifts. You need to stand on it and you will be transported to the other floor without having to bend your knees and requiring the support of any person. One clear difference between the indoor and out door stair lifts is that the outdoor units are weather resistant while the indoor equipments are not. This is keeping in view their placement outside which needs protection from heat, light and rain etc.

Another kind of outdoor stair lift is that which can push the wheelchair to the other storey along with the person using it. Such units have an entrance, which can be locked and therefore extend maximum safety for the user.

No matter of you have to situate these outdoor stair lifts in the courtyard of your house or in some public place, you will have no concern regarding their setting up. You can find any size, and shape suiting your particular constraint.

What Are the Alternatives For Outdoor Stair Lifts?

There are multiple stairlifts on offer at Churchills Stairlifts.

ALTERNATIVES

Awning Alternatives - When Retractable Isn't Right

Retractable awnings are a popular solution for outdoor shade. Because they can be fully or partially closed and opened, either by hand crank or motor, they give a homeowner the ability to control the amount of shade or sun exposure that a porch, patio, or deck receives throughout a day. Traditional retractable awnings, though, are not the best solution for all homes or for every situation. Luckily, not all awnings are built the same. Two alternatives to standard retractable awnings which often meet the specific needs of many homeowners are Fiesta patio awnings and freestanding awnings.

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Fiesta patio awnings are a favorite shading option when a porch, patio, or deck receives a significant amount of direct sun throughout the day. In a situation like this, retractable awnings are not usually ideal because homeowners may not want or need to retract the awning at any time. Fiesta patio awnings are simply awnings that do not retract. Because of this, Fiesta patio awnings are supported by their own legs at the front of the canopy, unlike retractable awnings which have no front support legs. The advantage to support legs is that they remove a good deal of the awning's weight from the wall of the home to which the awning is fastened. That weight is then distributed to the support legs. The frame on Fiesta patio awnings is constructed of a hard-wearing, sturdy galvanized steel tubing for superior strength and durability. A couple of additional features of Fiesta patio awnings include a choice of multiple widths to accommodate just about any size deck, patio, or porch as well as a choice of valance styles.

ALTERNATIVES

Another alternative to retractable awnings are freestanding awnings. Freestanding awnings, unlike retractable or Fiesta patio awnings, do not attach to the side of the home. Instead, the awning's legs are mounted to a deck or sunk into the ground, or they are supported by two freestanding bases. Freestanding awnings make an ideal solution for shading when mounting a structure to the side of a home is not desired or simply not an option. These awnings offer a lot of flexibility, too, which cannot be matched by awnings that attach to the side of a home. Freestanding awnings can provide room-sized shade on the deck, porch, and patio, but also next to the pool, in the garden, or in any comfortable space located away from the home. Freestanding awnings are able to tilt from back to front to provide the best coverage through the day as the sun's position changes in the sky. In addition, the canopy on some freestanding awnings retracts with the help of a patented drawstring. This feature provides the homeowner with control over the amount of sun exposure or shade.

To ensure that Fiesta patio awnings and freestanding awnings remain in good working order for an extended period of time, they should be protected from heavy snow. In the case of Fiesta patio awnings, this means removing the canopy fabric and putting it safely in storage until spring. For freestanding awnings, this means closing the canopy and using a protective cover to prevent damage from extended periods of harsh weather. No matter which type of patio awning is preferred, one feature that every homeowner should insist upon is a weather-resistant, durable, and high quality fabric canopy. A fabric, such as Sunbrella fabric, that is mildew and fade resistant, is easy to clean, and that blocks out most of the sun's harmful UV rays is the best choice and will last for many years.

Overall, when retractable awnings cannot be considered as an option for shade protection, it's good to know that there are alternative types of awnings that can fulfill the individual needs of just about any homeowner.

Awning Alternatives - When Retractable Isn't Right

Trey Collier is owner of BackyardCity.com - Where North America shops for Outdoor Living essentials, including a wide variety of high quality Patio Awnings for home and business.

ALTERNATIVES

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Swiss Banking Alternatives

We've all heard a lot recently about the supposed downfall of banking privacy in Switzerland. I've personally been contacted by many clients of UBS who have been notified that their Swiss bank accounts are being closed because of the recent scandals in the US.  Many clients undoubtedly chose UBS thinking it was "too big to fail," or maybe just because they had hundreds of sales reps in the USA, not realizing that UBS was also "too big and too exposed."

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UBS actually describes itself on its website as "one of the world's leading financial firms"...  and therein lies the problem! It's not really a Swiss bank at all... it's a global bank just like JPMorgan or Citigroup.

ALTERNATIVES

All the signs are saying that Credit Suisse will have similar problems soon too. If your money is in Credit Suisse, you have been warned! It's too easy for foreign governments to put pressure on big international banks to give up their secrets.

So what are you to do if you want to bank in Switzerland? For starters, you could go for either one of those ultra-discreet private banks. They are so discreet they don't have websites, they don't even have their names outside their offices. But they are certainly a dying breed. Besides, they are overrated in my view - charging enormous fees for service that as a sophisticated investor you probably don't need or want. In the last few years many have been taken over by bigger banks like UBS and the large Swiss Private Bank Julius Baer.

A better option in my view would be one of the Swiss Cantonal banks. These are banks owned by Swiss local governments (cantons) which means they are both very strong, and very focused on their local markets. They are good for three reasons:

1. They don't have too many overseas clients - that makes them less of a target in the first place for foreign governments.

2. They often don't have any offices outside Switzerland - which makes it much harder to apply pressure on them

3. Being associated with the government gives them additional political clout.

Many little cantons have their own banks and the best way to open accounts with them is to get on a plane. If you feel like paying a sizeable fee for a referral, a company called Micheloud & Cie has made quite a business out of bank introductions and is currently busy promoting Cantonal Bank accounts.

One of the bigger Cantonal banks, for example,  is Zuercher Kantonalbank, from Zurich. Here's a link to ZKB's Private Banking division, but the site is only in German. I'm sure they speak impeccable Englis - but not having English language publicity on the internet is undoubtedly  a calculated decision about the clientele they are seeking. You probably need a good local referral and a sizeable deposit to get in the door, but this is the kind of Swiss bank you should be looking for if your aims are privacy, class and good service at a fair price.

Many Swiss banks, of course, will no longer accept accounts from US or EU citizens at all. Who can blame them, given the recent pressures. In this case it may be necessary (and a darn site better privacy wise) to look for alternatives outside Switzerland. Neighboring Liechtenstein is no longer desirable, given that it is signing agreements with the US treasury and is working on a 'swift agreement' with UK tax authorities amongst others.

Austria is known as "where the Swiss go for private banking" and indeed Austrian banks have world class wealth management services. However, their membership of the European Union could be a problem. Austria is also a great place to buy gold bullion offshore.

Indeed I think to find real banking privacy today it is necessary to go further afield. Not so much to specific countries, but to banks that realise that jurisdictional arbitrage is one way to enhance their clients' privacy. The modern boutique private bank will have highly qualified private bankers who are able to open accounts at subsdiary banks in several different jurisdictions. As an additional layer of both privacy and asset protection, offshore corporations and foundations are always a useful way of handling offshore accounts too.

Swiss Banking Alternatives

Englishman Peter Macfarlane is an author and lecturer on offshore finance, investment, due diligence and wealth creation matters. After fifteen years advising high net worth clients on offshore asset protection structures such as companies, trusts and private interest foundations, he decided on a career change and now mentors individuals who are interested in creating, preserving and growing wealth in a secure offshore environment.

Peter defines wealth in the broadest sense, believing that money is worthless if you don't have health and happiness. He is now joint editor of The Q Wealth Report, a publication dedicated to publishing freedom, wealth and privacy information for a select audience. He offers a free sample copy to readers of ezinearticles. You can visit http://www.QWealthReport.com and discover the world of Offshore Banking

ALTERNATIVES

Staff Meeting Alternatives

Many people feel weekly meetings are important for getting work done. This is true if the purpose of the meeting is to accomplish work by collaboration and participation. Collaboration means working together cooperatively. Participation occurs when everyone is sharing ideas, helping to solve problems, and taking outside work assignments.

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However, many weekly staff meetings become status briefings. Briefings come from each attendee, who merely reports on what they have done in the past week or will be doing in the upcoming week. Sometimes an issue may be shared, but may not be followed with a request for aid from the group. Status meetings have their place in business, but sometimes they can cost the company more than they benefit the attendees. Below is a quick look at what a one hour meeting might cost and some alternatives a manager may choose from in order to reduce meeting costs, while maintaining or improving the business benefit received each week.

ALTERNATIVES

1. Keep things the same with an hour long weekly face-to-face group meeting.

- COST: Assuming the meeting is called by the manager at his location and he has six project managers in attendance and all seven makes approximately an hour, the cost of the meeting time is 6. Now the meeting has additional cost related to travel to the meeting room because none of the project managers work at the same location as the manager. To get to and from the meeting, three have to drive 30 minutes and the others have at least an hour of travel each direction. That adds 2 in travel time to the meeting cost for a total cost of 8. If travel mileage is reimbursed then the total cost goes up even more.

- BENEFIT: If the meeting becomes participatory, where work is accomplished during the meeting, then the time may be a good investment. However, if the meeting continues to only be briefings, then this could be a business loss since the attendees could have spent the time meeting customers to increase revenue or working on their projects to improve the business and meet deadlines.

- IMPROVEMENT: If the meetings have some benefit and are to remain at the same time, then changing the meeting to where they are more beneficial needs to occur. Meetings that are participative typically provide a higher benefit than those that are strictly briefings or presentations that are for information sharing only. To change the meetings from briefings to participative sessions will require a mindset change. This may take time to motivate the attendees to work together in a safe environment where they feel valued and recognize the importance of helping each other and improving the business. Group meetings are a wonderful opportunity to share achievements, but should not be used for reprimanding individuals as this makes them feel bad in front of their co-workers.

2. Cut meeting time in half with an agenda and targeted reports.

- COST: If the meeting is reduced to half an hour instead of a full hour, then the cost of the meeting goes down, although travel cost will remain the same. Now the total meeting would cost 0 plus mileage reimbursement. However, the meeting might not accomplish as much unless some changes are made to the way the meeting is run.

- BENEFIT: While it is true that less time means reduced cost, it does not mean the meeting is any more effective. If the meeting is to continue to be for information sharing only, make sure the meeting is efficient. To increase efficiency, use an agenda to establish timelines and keep things on track so meeting ends on time. Then the attendees can get back to working with customers or giving more effort to their business and job responsibilities.

- IMPROVEMENT: To make the meeting more effective, create an agenda for each meeting that shows how much individual time each project manager has and what part of the meeting will be for group discussion or problem solving activity. Be sure the agenda has start and stop clock times on it so time is easier to track during the meetings. During the individual time, have sub-agendas which include the order their progress reports must follow in order to make the best use of everyone's times.

3. Reduce travel time by meeting via conference call and/or internet.

- COST: If the phone call lasts one hour the meeting cost remains 6 but will not have travel costs associated with it. If the meeting time is thirty minutes, then the cost is . Although there are no travel costs, there may be a telecommunication and equipment cost related to using phones and a conference call or net meeting service. This cost varies among services where a toll-free number and code may be used for calling in. If meeting attendees are on-the-road and using their cell phones for the call, there may also be a cost related to their cell phone minutes.

- BENEFIT: Understand that reducing the travel cost also does not mean the meeting is a better investment because it may still remain ineffective. To make sure the meeting is still efficient; publish an agenda with established timelines to keep topics and timeline on track. After the conference call is completed, the attendees can quickly get back working with customers or giving more effort to the business.

- IMPROVEMENT: To make the meeting more effective, create an agenda for each meeting and send it to the attendees along with the meeting instructions. Make sure the agenda shows how much clock time that each person is allotted and what part of the meeting will be group discussion or problem solving activity. Make sure attendees who have individual time on the agenda understand what is expected of them by providing guidelines for their topic or a standard progress report format they should use so that it is easier for everyone to follow along and understand.

4. Replace group meetings with one-on-ones with each staff member.

- COST: If a weekly group meeting is replaced with individual one-on-one sessions, then the hour of meeting time will remain the same for the manager. The meeting time would be reduced to 10 minutes per project manager though. This would result in a meeting time cost of . If the meetings are face-to-face in the manager's office, then the travel costs would still be 2 plus mileage reimbursement. However, the manager may choose to make the 10 minute meetings via phone and eliminate the travel costs.

- BENEFIT: Having one-on-one sessions with staff members allows time for individual coaching to get improved performance. Each meeting can be tailored to the individual and their projects or a standard format such as a progress report for comparison can be used. This way each meeting is targeted, effective, and efficient because an agenda is created by the individual staff member will still be used to establish timelines and keep topics on track so each meeting ends on time. Individuals can return to work quicker to establish better customer relationships and devote more time to their projects and job performance.

- IMPROVEMENT: The manager can meet with each person on a different day at a set time each week. Or if the manager has a day that does not require attendance at other meetings, the beginning of each hour that day may be dedicated to one-on-ones. These individual meetings would become standard appointments on the manager's and each staff member's calendars. This way both have the meeting on their calendars and know what is expected in advance. To make the meeting highly effective, create a standard agenda which includes time for progress reports, issue discussion, and problem resolution. The individual meeting time will be an opportunity for personal development for the staff member. The manager will use the time to listen for understanding and offer suggestions when asked for help or an opinion. If an individual needs to be reprimanded, it is best to do it during these private times. Compliments can be shared here as well as in group meetings.

5. Eliminate meeting time by utilizing progress reports and making phone calls for clarification only.

- COST: Most of the time, this option makes the meeting and travel time cost zero since people are only writing and reading. Some may argue that there is additional time in writing and reading the progress reports. However, this might not be true since the staff members would have had to prepare notes or slides for presenting in a meeting anyway. Their time is merely focused towards putting those same notes into a standard format. As to time savings for the manager, they most likely can read the progress reports faster than the time they would have spent preparing for a meeting and listening to the presentations.

- BENEFIT: Asking staff members to provide weekly progress reports, gives the manager the same information he would obtain from their briefings in meetings. It frees the manager's valuable time to be spent on higher priority items and frees their staff to get more work done. Additional time savings for the manager might occur if they are required to provide higher-ups with their team progress on projects. The manager can copy key data from individual progress reports and paste it into their own progress report or presentation.

- IMPROVEMENT: To make progress reporting effective, the manager must provide a standard format for staff members to use. This format must tell them what categories of data to provide and give limits related to the numbers of items per category. The limits will force the individuals to put only top priority projects and issues onto the reports. The progress reports can then be sent to the manager via email or placed on a department server where the manager may access them. The second option is better for managers who travel and get email on their PDA or phone, as this limits email numbers and size they receive. If staff members have detailed data they think the manager may need in order to understand their report, they may include it as an email attachment or as an active link in their report on the server.

6. Reduce time but keep group working as a team through a combination of alternatives.

- COST: Managers may choose to partially reduce cost by having one-on-ones or progress reports weekly for standard information sharing. Then hold monthly meeting for collaborative and participative work.

- BENEFIT: The manager would hold a group meeting once a month to get the benefits of working as a team. The monthly meeting ensures everyone on the staff becomes acquainted and understands the responsibilities of each other.

- IMPROVEMENT: The monthly meeting should be an improvement on past meetings as it would be a shorter one that is focused on group discussion and problem solving rather than giving updates on all projects.

It is important to understand the cost verses benefit of having weekly staff meetings, especially if they have become mostly status briefings. The above list of alternatives and ways to improve their use may help maintain or enhance the business benefit received from weekly meetings. Try some of the alternatives and suggest the ones that work for your organization to others to help reduce costs and increase effective use of staff time.

Remember to hold meetings only when there is real and important group work to be done. To know when to hold a meeting, first write the meeting purpose and develop a list of what is to be accomplished. If the list requires group collaboration and participation, then a meeting should be held to accomplish the purpose. If the list does not lean toward group idea sharing, problem-solving and individuals volunteering for outside work responsibilities, then consider an alternative way to accomplish the same purpose.

NOTES FOR MORE INFORMATION:

1. Ideas on formatting progress reports in article "Whatever Happened to Weekly Progress Reports?"

2. Find the value of meetings in article Are Meetings Producing a Loss or a Gain?"

3. Get hints on effective meetings in articles "Turn Meetings into Pep Rallies of Productivity" and "Minding Meeting Manners".

Staff Meeting Alternatives

Shirley Fine Lee, author of "R.A!R.A! A Meeting Wizard's Approach", has worked as a training and development specialist since 1986, and an independent consultant since 2000. She has extensive experience, helping organizations with their team building, training development, meeting facilitation, presentation delivery, and other communication needs. This work involves developing productivity tools, presenting workshops, and writing. For instance, she has authored numerous training manuals and guides, on a wide variety of topics. Her programs include time management, getting organized, problem solving, and team building. Find out more about her and options she provides on her website.

http://www.shirleyfinelee.com

ALTERNATIVES

Monday, August 29, 2011

Alternatives to the Ladder

Ladders are perhaps the most practical and useful way of working at heights. They are used by thousands of trades and purposes from clearing gutters to fitting satellite dishes but they do have a downside.

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Ladder accidents are not uncommon and many people assume that using a ladder is dangerous. However, ladders are perfectly safe - if used properly - and while some people are looking at alternative methods of working at height - is there really an alternative to the humble ladder?

ALTERNATIVES

The Cherry Picker

The Cherry Picker' or moveable platform gets its name from perhaps its first use. While its great for trundling down an orchard to pick fruit it isn;t really a practical method of clearing a gutter or working on the roof.

Cherry pickers are very large and extremely expensive to purchase and run, they can also be highly dangerous as they can extend to vast heights and training and supervision needs to be provided for their use.

Scaffolding

A common sight in most cites; scaffolding and work platforms are essential for building maintenance. They provide a stable platform where workers can operate without fear of falling. However, scaffolding takes time to erect and is quite expensive as it is semi-permanent, designed to stay up for days and weeks rather than just a few hours which makes it impractical for quick rooftop installations.

Reaching devices

If Mohammed won't come to the mountain.... reaching devices are often a simple method of attaching things at height of cleaning areas. Jet washing is now used by many window cleaners preventing the need for the operator to work at height whilst many tree surgeons have extendible tools useful for cropping small branches.

However, intricate work has to be done by human hand and any reaching tool is never going to be accurate. A jet washed window may be clean but its doubtful the window cleaner will be able to remove the smears.

There are a myriad of ways of working at height and all of them have there practicalities and disadvantages. Ladders are no different, however despite the numerous alternatives there is no better or practical method of working at height than the humble ladder.

Alternatives to the Ladder

Richard N Williams is interested in ladders, extension ladders and step ladders. Please visit us website if you are interested in work platforms or other types of ladders.

ALTERNATIVES

Chlorine Alternatives For Your Pool

Do you ever wonder just why chlorine is so commonly found in swimming pools? Why is chlorine so popular? In reality, it functions on many different levels. It lowers concentration levels and quickly eliminates bacteria effectively. Chlorine has been known when used at higher concentration levels to break down oils, lotions and skin flakes while killing algae.

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However, there is much more than this when chlorine is in use. You may not know that this common disinfectant carries certain risks and has other disadvantages. The byproducts of chlorine are thought to be responsible for lung damage, asthma cases, miscarriages, stillbirths and bladder cancer. One study has found that among 10-year-olds who spend an average of at least 1.8 hours each week in indoor swimming pools developed lung damage comparable to adult smokers. Knowing these risks, one might be curious about the good alternatives to chlorine use in your pool.

ALTERNATIVES

One such product is called Ozone. Ozone technology has been used by the United States Navy Dolphin program for many years. Their spokesman has claimed improved water quality from use of the product. Some motel and hotels have switched to this technology for use in their pools. While ozone may be more expensive up front compared to chlorine use, it eventually pays for itself from reduced maintenance and operating costs. So while it may be expensive initially, you will save money over the long run.

One other alternative is called bromine. More commonly found in spas because of its tolerance for higher temperatures and pH levels, bromine is found in the same family as chlorine in terms of chemicals. Bromine eliminates bacteria in a way similar to that of chlorine. Bromine, however, does not contain the hazardous by products called chloramines the way that chlorine does. Bromamines that are known for disinfecting water and killing bacteria are the byproducts of bromine. For the best selection of in ground and above ground pools and fantastic prices, visit http://nationwidepools.com/.

Chlorine Alternatives For Your Pool

Your swimming pool should meet your needs, lifestyle and budget. If you're ready to find the perfect pool for your home, I recommend you start your research by visiting Nationwide Pools.

ALTERNATIVES

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Flip UltraHD Alternatives - The Kodak Zi8 Mini HD Camcorder

Specifications: Since the launch of the Flip mini HD camcorder series, many other brands have also launched their own version of HD camcorders that prove to be formidable competitors. The Kodak Zi8 mini HD camcorder has a 5MP sensor and can record full HD videos (30fps, 1080p). It comes with 128MB of built-in memory and has a expansion card slot that can support memory cards with up to 32GB in memory. On the back, you will find a spacious 2.5-inch LCD TFT display for previewing your shots. Like Flip camcorder, it also has a built-in USB arm.

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Design: The Kodak Zi8 mini camcorder comes in 3 colors, namely black, raspberry and aqua. It measures at 2.4 x 0.9 x 4.4 inches and weighs 3.9 ounces. It is a little larger than some competing models but still remains extremely portable. On the back, you will find a huge red record button. Other controls are neatly arranged in a line beside the record button. Overall, this model has a more casual design and has a higher fun-factor compared to other models in the market.

ALTERNATIVES

Features & Performance: The Kodak Zi8 mini HD camcorder has a many features that are not found on other models like the Flip UltraHD. For one its larger 2.5-inch LCD screen is a delight to use. It is also one of the first mini camcorders that comes with an external microphone jack. More importantly, this is also one of the first mini camcorders that has built-in image stabilization that greatly reduces jitters in your videos.

Another feature that is not found on the Flip camcorder is that the Kodak Zi8 mini HD camcorder has a macro and micro mode that allows you to sharply focus on a subject that is very close to the camcorder. Other exclusive features include face detection and an optional remote control. All in all, the Kodak Zi8 mini HD camcorder is a great alternative to the Flip. It will be the perfect choice for anyone who is looking for a stylish and feature-packed mini HD camcorder.

Flip UltraHD Alternatives - The Kodak Zi8 Mini HD Camcorder

For more product info and customer reviews, visit Kodak Zi8 Mini [http://cameras-galore.blogspot.com/2009/08/kodak-zi8-mini-hd-camcorder.html]. For reviews on other camcorder models, visit [http://cameras-galore.blogspot.com]

ALTERNATIVES

Ranger CB or Maxon CBs: Alternatives for CB Users

There are so many options in the market of the CB radio! The largest manufacturer and the most popular such as the Cobra and Uniden CB radios are well known. But now, we must look at some alternative brands of CB radios to find out about the offers and advantages they give.

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First, there are Ranger CB radios. Ranger Communications started in 1972 and their specialty is building amateur radios, commercial 2 ways radios, and telephony equipment for remote places like islands, oil platforms, and such. Of course, the company is dedicated to make CB radios too.

ALTERNATIVES

Ranger Communications has a complete line of CB appliances known as the Texas Ranger. Inside the line there are seven models of mobiles CB radios, and one model of base. The CB mobile radios, the simplest models are the TR 900 series, which counts with the TR 936 and the TR 966.

Both models have 2 years of warranty, and they are built to resist the vibration of the truck and include a voltage protection circuitry. They also have squelch control, external speaker jack, dynamic mike system, RF and Mic gain control, and the instant channel 19. The differences between them are that TR936 includes Advanced Noise Filter Circuit, roger beep, dimmer control and tone control. The TR 966 adds to that the clarifier control and the high and low switch for the comfort listening of the operator.

There are two new models on the Texas Ranger division: the TR 696FD1 and the TR 127 GK. The TR 696 FD1 or Freedom 1 is distinguished by its patriotic look. The front panel is printed by the flag of the United States of America and all the buttons are chrome. This attractive CB radio has the AM / SSB modes, Noise blanker system, PA (Public Address) switch and NB and ANL control also to reduce the background noise.

The TR 127GK also contains above features plus the RF gain, the instant channel 19 and the PA/ CB switch and its luxurious look; TR 127GK has a chrome shinny face and gold controls and trim.

The second option is Maxon. Maxon is a Korean company founded in 1974. For 30 years, the company has been working on communication and multimedia technology. The company makes GSM cellular phones, FRS radios, two ways radios and CB radios.

Maxon has three different CB radio models: MCB 30 and 45 and the HCB 10C. The MCB 30 has a maximum of 7 mile capacity of RF communication, squelch control, last channel memory, microphone on the front and LED channel display on this black radio made with rugged metal case.

The MCB 45 has the same features as its brother but adds an emergency channel 9 button, RF gain control, Public Address Speaker jack and CB/ Weather channel control. The third one of the family is the HCB 10 C. This all-handle radio counts with a LED Channel Display, TX LED indicator and battery low indicator.

The prices of the Ranger radios depend of the features included in the models. Ranger radios could cost from to 0, and even 0 for the new and patriotic model Freedom 1. Maxon CB radios prices are changing also, but they have a starting price of $ 50.

Ranger CB or Maxon CBs: Alternatives for CB Users

Visit 1099trucker to find an Owner Operator Job, or to find great information about a Ranger CB or a Maxon CB.

ALTERNATIVES

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Alternatives to Psychiatric Drugs

The First Alternative is Do No Harm

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Causes of Mental Symptoms

ALTERNATIVES

No one denies that people can have difficult problems in their lives, that at times they can be mentally unstable.

Unfortunately, not only do psychiatrists not understand the cause of any mental disorder, they cannot cure them. In effect, psychiatrists say that mental problems are incurable and that the afflicted are condemned to lifelong suffering -- on psychotropic drugs. Psychotropic drugs, however, are unworkable and dangerous, and while they may temporarily mask some symptoms they do not treat, correct or cure any physical disease or condition.

Though psychiatry may have given up on mental healing, this is fortunately false. Mental problems can be resolved, and thankfully so. Imagine how it would be to believe man was destined never to overcome his personal obstacles, never to arrive at an understanding of himself and life.

A person who is mentally disturbed may be in a state of deficiency or have physical problems that prevent their recovery. Broken bones, pinched nerves, pain -- all can affect the body and, thereby, affect the person's mental outlook. The person is medically ill or injured, not "insane." He may not even be aware that he is experiencing the pain or unwanted sensation and thinks this is a "normal" way of life. He may not be able to eat and sleep properly and his condition could worsen by exhaustion.

However, once the medical problem is addressed, he can experience resurgence and whatever else may be troubling him can then be more easily addressed.

This is not to say that mental troubles are physical. They are not. Psychiatrists argue that mental disorders are biologically based to justify using treatments that cause more physical stress and further overwhelm the mind.

Therefore, the correct action on a seriously mentally disturbed person is a full searching clinical examination by a competent medical doctor.

The Second Alternative is Find and Fix The Cause

Things That May Cause Mental Symptoms

All of these various things may seriously affect an individual's mental state and behavior. For example, Dr. Paul Fink, past president of the American Psychiatric Association, has acknowledged that every psychiatric disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV) can be caused by Lyme Disease. Psychiatry ignores the weight of scientific evidence and limits practice to pharmaceutical and other treatments that have done nothing but damage the brain and the individual. This is not an exhaustive list:

Adrenal Over- or Under-activity

Alcohol or Alcohol Withdrawal

Altzheimer's Disease

Amphetamines

Antidepressant Drugs

Antipsychotic Drugs

Brain Tumors

Broken Bones

Caffeine or Caffeine Withdrawal

Calcium Imbalance

Cancer

Candida

Chlamydia

Cocaine

Copper Poisoning

Diabetes

Diphtheria

Drug Withdrawal

Ecstasy

Encephalitis

Epilepsy

Heart Disease

Heroin

Herpes

HIV

Hypoglycemia

Insecticide Poisoning

Kidney Disease

Lead Poisoning

Legionnaires Disease

Liver Disease

LSD

Lupus

Lyme Disease

Malaria

Marijuana

Meningitis

Menopausal Symptoms

Mercury Poisoning

Metabolic Abnormalities

Methamphetamines

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)

Multiple Sclerosis

Nicotine or Nicotine Withdrawal

Nutritional Imbalances

Overdose of Over-the-Counter Drugs

Parasites

Pellagra (Vitamin B3-Niacin Deficiency)

Pinched Nerves

Pneumonia

Porphyria

Rheumatic Fever

Sepsis

Sleep Apnea

Sodium Imbalance

Steroids

Streptococcal Infections

Strokes

Synthetic Food Coloring

Syphilis

Thyroid Over- or Under-activity

Tranquilizers

Typhoid Fever

Urinary Tract Infections

Vitamin B1 Deficiency

Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Vitamin B9-Folic Acid Deficiency

Wheat-gluten Sensitivity

Zinc Deficiency

Why some people say that drugs "work"

A temporary relief of mental symptoms may have a person thinking he is better but the relief is not evidence that a psychiatric disorder exists. Ask an illicit drug user whether he feels better when snorting cocaine or smoking dope and he'll believe that he is, even while the drugs are potentially damaging him. Some drugs that are prescribed to treat depression, for example, can have a "damping down" effect. They suppress the physical feelings associated with "depression" but they are not alleviating the condition or targeting what is causing it.

The drugs break into, in most cases, the routine rhythmic flows and activities of the nervous system. Given a tranquilizer, the nerves and other body systems are forced to do things they normally would not do.

The human body, however, is unmatched in its ability to withstand and respond to such disruptions. The various systems fight back, trying to process the chemical, and work diligently to counterbalance its effect on the body. But the body can only take so much.

Quickly or slowly, the systems break down. Human physiology was not designed for the continuous manufacture of euphoric, tranquilizing, or antidepressant sensations. yet it is forced into this enterprise by psychiatric drugs.

Tissue damage may occur. Nerves stop functioning normally. Organs and hormonal systems go awry. This can be temporary, but it can also be long lasting, even permanent. Like a car run on rocket fuel, you may be able to get it to run a thousand miles an hour, but the tires, the internal parts, were never meant for this. The machine flies apart.

Bizarre things happen: Addiction, exhaustion, diminished sexual desire, trembling, nightmares, hallucinations, and psychosis. Side effects are, in fact, the body's natural response to having a chemical disrupt its normal functioning.

Once the drug has worn off, the original problem remains. As a solution or cure to life's problems, psychotropic drugs do not work.

What you can do

Download, print and distribute to your family, friends and colleagues this White Paper, "Mental Health Care: What is the Alternative to Psychotropic Drugs?" which can be found on the Citizens Commission on Human Rights of St. Louis resource site.

Alternatives to Psychiatric Drugs

http://www.cchrstl.org/

ALTERNATIVES

Eight Natural Alternatives to Anti-Inflammatory Medication

Most people are surprised when I tell them that in Canada alone two people a day will die as a result of bleeding due to anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medication. As a result of these tragedies, the drug companies produced the supposed answer to this dilemma. The Cox 2 Inhibitors such as Celebrex, Vioxx and Bextra were supposed to be a far safer and effective medication. However, in late 2004 and early in 2005 the Cox 2 inhibitors were found to have serious adverse reactions.

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In September of 2004, Vioxx was pulled from the market after a study showed that patients taking the drug had twice the risk of suffering a heart attack. In December, 2004, Pfizer announced that Celebrex more than doubled the risk of heart attack in a long term cancer trial. In addition, Bextra was also found to double the incidence of heart attack and stroke.

ALTERNATIVES

In light of all of these significant warning signs, increasing numbers of patients, particularly those with arthritis, are seeking pain relief through alternative methods -- and they're in luck. Patients can work with their own knowledgeable health care professional who understands natural medicine, to develop the best combination of herbal alternatives for them.

Alternatives to Anti-Inflammatory Medication:

1. Omega-3 Fatty Acids From Fish Oils: The omega-3 fats EPA and DHA found in fish oil have been found by many animal and clinical studies to possess anti-inflammatory properties that promote joint lubrication and decrease joint inflammation. Animal based omega-3 fats form the precursors to the molecules that actually produce or inhibit inflammation in your body (prostaglandins). That is why it is essential to make sure you are getting enough. It is also vital to understand that you need to reduce omega-6 fats like vegetable oils seeds and nuts, as it is actually the ratio of omega 6:3 fats that determines how much inflammation is present. You could theoretically consume enough omega-3 fish oils to work but then ruin the effect by consuming too many omega-6 fats.

2. Ginger: This herb is anti-inflammatory and offers pain relief and stomach-settling properties. Fresh ginger works well steeped in boiling water as a tea or grated into vegetable juice.

3. Bromelain Enzymes: This enzyme, found in pineapples, is a natural anti-inflammatory. It can be taken in supplement form, but eating fresh pineapple may also be helpful.

4. Cetyl Myristoleate (CMO): This oil, found in fish and dairy butter, acts as a "joint lubricant" and an anti-inflammatory.
In one study of 106 people with various types of arthritis who did not respond to NSAIDs, 63.5 percent of those who took CMO orally and applied the cream topically (it's available both in oral supplement and cream forms) improved, compared to only 14.5 percent of those taking a placebo.

5. Boswellia: aka "boswellin" or "Indian frankincense," this herb contains specific active anti-inflammatory ingredients, referred to as boswellic acids that animal studies have shown significantly reduce inflammation. In a study of 175 patients with rheumatic disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, 122 participants had reduced stiffness and inflammation just two to four weeks after starting on boswellia.

6. Evening Primrose Oil (or borage oil or black current oil): These contain the essential fatty acid gamma linolenic acid (GLA), which is useful for treating arthritic pain. In one study of 37 rheumatoid arthritis patients, those who received 1.4 grams of GLA per day reduced the number of tender joints by 36 percent, the tenderness of the joints by 45 percent, the number of swollen joints by 28 percent, and the degree of joint swelling by 41 percent. The placebo group showed no significant improvements.

7. Cayenne Pepper: (capsaicin) in the form of cayenne cream:
Also called capsaicin cream, this spice comes from dried hot peppers. It alleviates pain by depleting the body's supply of substance P, a chemical component of nerve cells that transmits pain signals to the brain.

8. White Willow Bark: Aspirin is made from the bark of the white willow. People have been using white willow bark for centuries as a mild pain reliever. White willow bark does not destroy the stomach lining on contact the way aspirin does, however, it does have the same blood thinning effect as aspirin and caution is indicated.

Consult your health professional today to see if these natural alternatives will provide you with the pain relief you deserve.

Eight Natural Alternatives to Anti-Inflammatory Medication

Dr. Larry Smith Chiropractor and Author of:

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ALTERNATIVES

Thursday, August 25, 2011

4 Alternatives to Hitting Children

Surveys reveal that in the last 20 years, more than 90 percent of parents with small children accept to using one or more forms of corporal punishment.

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Corporal punishment includes pinching, shaking, slapping, punching, spanking, hitting, and beating children with an item such as a belt.

ALTERNATIVES

Studies have shown that using these methods can conclude in serious and tragic longer-term effects such as the children becoming abusive parents themselves.

So what can be done instead?

In the video Shaking, Hitting, Spanking: What to Do Instead parental techniques for gaining the cooperation and respect of children without resorting to corporal punishment or physical violence are explained and demonstrated.

The video makes the point that infants should at no time be punished. Infants do not know the difference between right and wrong. Because their behavior is not intentional, they should never be punished.

Other substitutes to corporal punishment include;

1. PREVENTION - Probably the most effective substitute to hitting a child is prevention. By creating a "child proof" atmosphere, where things are out of reach, children are less likely to get into trouble

2. SHOW DISAPPOINTMENT - Let the child know that you are disappointed in his or her actions. Explain what your expectations are. Make sure they understand right from wrong and what the rules are. Tell them what will happen if they proceed to act in an inappropriate manner.

3. TAKE AWAY A PRIVILEGE - If a child misbehaves after being advised, a privilege such as watching television can be taken away or restricted. Other privileges include playing with a particular toy. Never withhold food.

4. GIVE A "TIME-OUT" - Sending a child to their room is not an appropriate "Time-Out." Rather select an area that is isolated from others such a certain chair in the corner of a room or hallway.. Make sure the child knows why he or she is being given a "Time Out" and how long it will last.

But by far the most loving alternative to corporal punishment is to create a "non-hitting" behavior where corporal punishment is never an option. Of course, this takes good amount of self- control, patience and an understanding that hitting a child is never a good idea.

4 Alternatives to Hitting Children

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Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Healthy Alternatives to Energy Drinks

Workouts without energy are like electronics without power. During and after the workout, it's crucial to replenish the vitamins and minerals that we lose through exercising. Today, energy drinks are the beverage of choice for many exercisers. While they're selling like hotcakes, it turns out that many of these so-called "healthy" energy drinks often aren't the best choices. Several of them are loaded with sugar, caffeine, and other ingredients that create a short-term energy boost, with few (or no) real health benefits. Here are some energy drink alternatives that you should consider:

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1. Green Tea.

ALTERNATIVES

If you need to boost your energy levels, this is one of the best natural drinks you can choose. Black tea is another excellent option. Green tea and black tea are natural alternatives to energy drinks that are loaded with added caffeine. These healthy beverages also include many other health benefits, including their being loaded with antioxidants. As an added bonus, you can enjoy both hot and cold green tea.

2. Herbs.

Certain herbs, such as ginger, bee pollen and gotu kola are excellent for boosting your energy level while exercising. In fact, many of them can also keep your energy levels at an optimum level throughout the day! Besides that, herbs are bursting with flavor.

3. Juice.

The key is to drink the right type of juice. Many of today's prepackaged juices are loaded with sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, artificial colors and flavors, and other unhealthy ingredients. But that doesn't mean that juices are always unhealthy! If you absolutely must have juices with sugar, then look for those that are 100% natural. And choose juices with "cane sugar" rather than refined sugar. One of the best options is to create your own fruit and veggie juices. Not only does juicing provide you with a healthy alternative to energy drinks, but it's also cheaper!

4. Sleep.

Besides increasing your body's energy levels, sleep also extends how long you can exercise without becoming fatigued. Different people need different amounts of sleep, though healthy adults typically need about 7-8 hours on a nightly basis.

5. Vitamin B.

The B Vitamins are a fantastic way to boost your energy levels naturally. What's so special about them? Vitamin B helps the body to use glucose for energy. It also promotes the creation of blood cells that aid in transporting energy. Grapes, avocados, and bananas are some excellent fruits that will boost your energy levels during and after exercise routines.

6. Water.

Did you know that roughly two-thirds of our body's weight is made up of water? You've probably heard that we humans should consume 6-8 glasses of water on a daily basis. While that's true, you should drink more if you're following a workout program. Make sure to sip water during your sessions, to avoid dehydration. Water provides the body with several benefits. It removes toxins, improves blood circulation, and prevents dehydration. So drink up!

Before opening another can or bottle of energy drink, think twice about some of their unhealthy ingredients. These alternatives can keep your energy levels high, while not lowering the quality of your health!

Healthy Alternatives to Energy Drinks

Graeme has been writing articles for nearly 3 years. His current passion is the wonderful game of golf. Take a close look at his website selection of Club Car Golf Cart Parts and the everso popular EZGO Golf Cart Accessories range he favours.

ALTERNATIVES

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Vegetarian Diets - Effective Alternatives to Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs

Increasingly larger numbers of people confronted with abnormal blood cholesterol levels eventually require treatments with statins or other similar cholesterol-lowering pharmaceutical drugs. While such medications are considered to be effective in preventing and reducing high blood cholesterol levels, they don't produce dramatic results, generating less satisfactory effects in certain categories of people. In addition, most cholesterol-lowering drugs are known to cause serious side-effects, rendering long-term treatments with such medications very unsafe. Statins work by interfering directly with the activity of cholesterol-producing body enzymes and hormones, preventing the overproduction of cholesterol inside the organism. By altering the activity of enzymes and body hormones, such medications can lead to a wide range of undesirable effects, ranging from mild to very serious.

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The good news is that cholesterol-lowering pharmaceutical drugs can be successfully replaced by vegetarian regimens. After accumulating and analyzing a vast amount of data regarding blood cholesterol and its risk factors, a team of Canadian medical researchers and nutritionists has come up with a very effective natural cure for high cholesterol: a special vegetarian diet. Although it may seem surprising, the food regimen established by the Canadian medical scientists has proved to be a very powerful and not to mention safe alternative to common cholesterol-lowering drugs. Combining the curative effects of various natural ingredients, the vegetarian diet established by the Canadian research team produces effects that are equal to those of statins and other similar medications. A recent study has revealed the fact that the special vegetarian diet can reduce bad cholesterol by up to 30 percent, beating most cholesterol-lowering pharmaceutical drugs and matching the results produced by statins.

ALTERNATIVES

The medical study conducted by the Canadian research team involved the participation of 13 volunteers, male and females, with ages between 43 and 84. The subjects were divided in two separate groups: the first study group received statin drugs, while the second group followed the vegetarian diet. In order to maximize the accuracy and relevancy of the study, the group that followed the vegetarian regimen had to respect certain eating patterns imposed by the researchers, receiving their meals in equal quantities and at the same time. Similarly, the group that received statins had to take their medications in equal doses and at the same time intervals. By the end of the experiment, all subjects in both groups experienced a decrease of their bad cholesterol levels by around 30 percent. Impressed by the efficiency of the special vegetarian diet, the researchers have made their obtained results public, revealing the ingredients of the "special natural recipe" for lowering cholesterol.

The cholesterol-lowering vegetarian regimen includes lots of fresh fruits, nuts, leafy legumes and seeds. The efficiency of the diet lies in natural ingredients such as plant sterols, substances contained by leafy vegetables and vegetal oils, soy proteins and soluble fibers. Some of the cholesterol-lowering foods used over the course of the study were: soy milk, cereals, oatmeal bread, vegetal margarine, jam, tofu, leafy non-starchy vegetables and fruits. Although such a vegetarian diet may become quite boring after a while, it has a pronounced positive effect on one's overall health and it greatly contributes to the elimination of excess cholesterol. Considering the fact that this special vegetarian diet is healthy, cheap and effective in overcoming cholesterol problems, nutritionists recommend it as the best natural alternative to cholesterol-lowering pharmaceutical drugs.

Vegetarian Diets - Effective Alternatives to Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs

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ALTERNATIVES

Alternatives to Leather Wallets For Men

The use of fashion accessories is one way for you to reflect your personality instead of dominating your entire look. In the case of men, there are not too many choices of accessories as there are in women. However, each component could affect your whole look even in the tiniest of details. An example would be the use of a leather wallet. Some people might look at it as plainly functional, but its smart and classic look has made it one of the most in-demand men's fashion accessories today.

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This is especially true for younger men who wanted to define their personal style and individuality. Meanwhile, leather wallet has also turned into a status symbol for most people. You can find several unique styles and customization features in the market today for a truly personalized approach in using this functional accessory.

ALTERNATIVES

There are a lot of manufacturers that produce fashion brands of men's wallet today, however they can be quite expensive to buy. It offers some benefits though such as the ability to choose different types of wallet that would suit your mood or personality, such as there are classic designs, edgy ones, or those that are suited for the outdoor use.

A great majority of men's leather wallet are available in two basic colors: black and brown. But with experimentation and a bolder take on men's fashion, you can find a wide range of color choices today that range from natural tones to even vibrant ones. Some examples of colors that you can select from include beige, grey, earthy brown, classic tan, or even bolder colors such as blue, green, and bright red.

Aside from color, the style is another component that make wallet for men seem edgy. Most come with textured leather effect to add vibrancy to what might appear to others as boring plain leather materials. You can experiment with these different style features if you seek to have your own wallet customized. It should be a blast working on these various features and customization ability to offer a bold alternative to your typical leather wallets.

Alternatives to Leather Wallets For Men

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ALTERNATIVES

Healthy Snack Alternatives

There's something about putting food in our mouths all of the time that regularly leads to obesity. The truth is there are nibbles out there that are actually healthy for you, and will help you to shed pounds. Pretzel sticks come in a selection of sizes and even with some different flavors making them one of the finest break foods you can snack on during the day. They are low-cal and they also do not have a large amount of that additional sugar you will find in most other break foods. Pretzels are also a little salted that may help you curve your desire for taste.

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If you eat a bag of pretzels a day then that would definitely not be healthy. If you're looking to break on something between meals to help curve your appetite then this can satisfy your appetite. Another good thing to notice about pretzels is the incontrovertible fact that they're crunchy. The pretzel sticks are low cal in the 1st place, but this can definitely help you burn one or two additional calories in the procedure. Next time you are looking to satisfy one of your appetite pains try reaching for a bag of pretzels rather than a bag of potato chips. Low cal nibbles are an enormous and if you're planning to lose pounds. A dietitian will recommendation you to have four or 5 tiny meals a day in the place of eating 2 or 3 heavy meals in a day.

ALTERNATIVES

Your fave fat-free break might be simply obtainable from your nearest food store. You can also learn how to make your favorite break in your kitchen only. You will utilize only little quantity to go easy on fat. You may feel full even without eating over 2 hundred to three hundred calories. For an evening fat-free break, you are able to add sliced carrots to your tomato soup. A good diet break is medium-sized apple eaten with a cheese wedge. Finger food puffs aren't only preferred by babies but also by folk watching their weight.

So, now you have a few more options the next time you're reaching for that unhealthy food. Think about pretzels or whipping up something healthy and quick in the kitchen. Remember, you might satisfy the craving for now but sooner or later, you are going to regret eating that oily snack when you're at the doctor's office! That's for sure.

Healthy Snack Alternatives

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Monday, August 22, 2011

Best Alternatives to Straight Salary

We are in the middle of possibly the worst recession in American history. People are getting laid off right and left and there doesn't seem to be any end in sight. If you are one of the lucky ones to still have a job, or have just received a new job, you may feel a little apprehensive about negotiating a higher salary; even if you deserve one!

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Since the economy is in such bad shape, why not try this technique to increase your compensation levels without increasing your straight salary, or I should say, without increasing the "cash" part of your salary. What the heck am I talking about? I'm talking about alternatives to straight salary, or non-cash compensation.

ALTERNATIVES

You may suggest to your new employer that they lower or give you the minimum range in cash compensation, but make up for it by increasing the non-cash compensation part which may be easier for your employer to do within the current state of the economy. It also shows that you are a team player, and willing to help out the team in any way!

So what are these non-cash compensation things that I keep talking about? Well they include stock options, employee benefits, perks such as company cars and limousines, club memberships, and things like that; as well as low interest rate loans and free financial planning advice. Basically, we're talking about anything that is not cash.

Maybe the best non-cash compensation is stock options. Options make a lot of people nervous because on any given day the stock market can go up or down. If the stock market goes down, your options aren't worth as much. And also, stock prices don't always reflect the companies true earnings or true worth.

Regardless of these objections, stock options continue to be a fantastic non-cash compensation, especially in a down economy because they don't cost the company anything out of pocket.

Options usually come in three variations. These include; incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, and various forms of hypothetical stock usually called stock appreciation rights or sometimes called phantom stock plans.

Incentive options and non-qualified options are actual stock while hypothetical stock or phantom stock may not involve actual stocks. Regardless, in all three cases you would need an increase over the initial stock price at the time the option was issued before you can exercise the option and actually benefit from it.

Stock options will require tax planning on your part. Be sure to negotiate free tax planning advice from your employer. Let me make that clear; I don't mean getting advice from the employer I mean that your employer will pay an accountant or legal professional who is licensed to give advice in this area for you.

Stock options in my mind are the best non-cash compensation. I did mention earlier in the article employee benefits as a feasible non-cash option. Perks and employee benefits would be included in this sort of thing. I'm not going to go into those in greater detail because they aren't as valuable or as fungible; that is, not as easily converted into cash as stock options are and therefore may not be quite as acceptable to you in lieu of cash salary.

However you end up splitting up the non-cash compensation, keep in mind that the economy may turn around in the future at which point you may be able to negotiate a decrease in non-cash compensation and an increase in cash compensation. Be sure to discuss this before hand, that is to say, before you agree to take any non-cash compensation offers that your company may provide.

Best Alternatives to Straight Salary

Jason has been writing articles online for over thirteen years. When not writing about finance, Jason runs a very helpful silverware chests web site where he reviews and finds deals on gorham silverware for any type of home dining need.

ALTERNATIVES

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Alternatives to Medicine

Let's face it, Doctors are very quick to prescribe medication. But sometimes, the side effects of the medication are worse than the actual illness. Do we want to spend our lives depending on some pill to make us better? No! We can do things to make us better.

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There are many types of alternative medicines. They include massage therapy, acupuncture, new age healing, special diets, music therapy, aromatherapy, herbal medicine and much more. Alternative medicine can help migraines, chronic pain, back pain and more! It has also been used by a lot of terminally ill patients, a lot of AIDS or cancer victims prefer it.

ALTERNATIVES

There are many different kinds of alternative medicine, you just have to find out which one is right for you. There is so much information on the internet about alternatives to medicine for so many different kinds of disease. What is the hurt in trying?

I am actually using acupuncture for my migraines, and I've seen such a difference. The thought of acupuncture is way worse than it actually is! Most of the time, I don't even feel the needle going into my head. All I feel is deep relaxation and the pain escaping my body. You don't know until you try. I think too many people give up on chronic pain, there maybe something you can do to get your life back.

Try! That's the best advice. And if something doesn't work, try something else. Isn't living worth it? You owe it to yourself. Research and talk to your Doctor, and hopefully you will find the right treatment for you.

Alternatives to Medicine

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ALTERNATIVES

Saturday, August 20, 2011

ADHD: Finding Alternatives to Medication

Over the weekend, I got a chance to have brunch with a former neighbor and a close friend. She and I needed to do some catching up. It was rather enjoyable but we could have covered more ground if my three-year old son had not accompanied us. Having a little "girl time" with the preschooler isn't really "girl time," is it? While I watched from the corner of my eye, the kid inch slowly under the table, my friend brought up a concern for putting her nine year old son being on medication for ADHD. "You were a teacher and you're into the holistic lifestyle. Do you know of a drug-free alternative for him?"

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I started off teaching pre-k 10 years ago. Since then, I've been a piano, creative movement, and storytelling instructor to all ages as well as a substitute teacher for grades 1 through 3. In those years there has not one class I can remember that didn't have at least one child diagnosed with ADHD. Some of them were on medication, some were not. All were charismatic, intelligent, and challenging! Even though I had to learn how to deal with these demanding children, (as managing a classroom can be overwhelming even with the most docile children,) I learned a lot about myself in the process. As a result to finding new ways to work with my students, and finding outlets for myself, I happened to stumble into creative arts therapy.

ALTERNATIVES

Music, dance, meditation, art, storytelling and even cooking are all activities that can ease stress and emotional conflicts while increasing one's self-awareness, personal expression, and social skills. Most importantly, these arts can build self confidence and in many cases with the people I've worked with, including myself, self confidence is a big part of controlling our own behavior. These creative arts therapies are wonderful long term alternatives to consider when facing a decision like placing your child on medication to help manage ADHD. Or simply just trying to find a fun outlet for yourself. They are again as follows:

Music therapy

Dance therapy

Meditation therapy

Art therapy

Storytelling

Cooking/Food and Diet

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a psychosocial disorder in children, perhaps the most common as it affects almost 4.5 million kids. As a result of impaired communication in the brain, it affects the decision-making functions of a child or adult's brain. This includes planning, organizing, attention, focus, and memory. Symptoms commonly associated with ADHD are impulsiveness, hyperactivity, and inattentiveness.

ADHD: Finding Alternatives to Medication

J. N. Simmons runs a business with her husband that teaches the importance of media usage and exposure to our youth. We believe the media is not the enemy of our young people. Yet, consumers and product creators should be educated and show responsibility in media. Today's youth are native media users. Help them become critical thinkers who create a healthy and safe tomorrow; Access, Analyze, Evaluate, Create and Participate with media content.

ALTERNATIVES

Friday, August 19, 2011

Are There Other Alternatives to ADHD Meds For Kids?

ADHD has risen sharply in recent years; up to fifteen percent of school children are considered ADHD. Many parents are opting for alternative remedies besides using drugs. Alternatives such as homeopathic remedies and diet are helping many kids get off meds for ADHD.

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Before you decide to use the meds for ADHD have an evaluation done by the child's' doctor and teacher so your can all decide together if this is the right way to go for your child. There are many side effects such as fast heart rate, blood pressure and the possibility of heart attacks and hallucinations or psychotic experiences using ADHD meds for kids; so, you want to be positive that your child can benefit from them.

ALTERNATIVES

Stimulants such as amphetamines are usually prescribed first with small doses working up to larger doses, if your child needs it. Antidepressants may be prescribed if the stimulants are not working or sometimes they might be used together depending on the symptoms.

Some parents simply do not want to use ADHD meds for their kids. They do not want to medicate them if there are other ways to work out a solution, especially for concentration in school. If they can not concentrate they can not learn and no parent wants that!

The inability to focus, fidgeting and behavioral problems which are common in ADHD has been successfully treated with acupuncture. Like homeopathic therapies, acupuncture treats the core of the problem allowing the body to heal. Meds for ADHD are temporarily helping the symptoms subside for as long as the medication is in the system.

Looking into alternative methods of healing is another option you may want to consider. Many studies have found that traditional methods and complimentary methods of medicines can also work together allowing the removal of medications to be stopped sooner than when used alone.

Are There Other Alternatives to ADHD Meds For Kids?

R.T. Shelly is a health enthusiast who has been researching natural remedies for various health conditions for many years. Find out more about some of the most effective treatments for natural cures for ADHD. A free E Book is available at Help for ADHD in Children.

ALTERNATIVES

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Understanding Home Siding Alternatives

Siding is the home's outer layer, but it is much more than aesthetic dressing. Siding is the first defense against heat, cold, moisture, and even insects that bombard the home day to day. As such, choosing and installing or replacing siding is an important home improvement decision.

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Understanding the different forms of siding and their various advantages and drawbacks is the first step in making sure your home renovation is effective.

ALTERNATIVES

Siding can take many forms, but in all cases it serves as a protective layer and aesthetic covering. In both ways it has a significant impact on the durability and economic value of the home. Siding can be composed of boards attached in vertical or horizontal arrangements. Alternatively, it can be an arrangement of shingles. Further still, it can be installed as a "sheet." Siding can come in wood, metal, plastic, concrete, or other composite materials.

The most common form of siding consists of long boards stacked in overlapping fashion up the outer wall of the house. Such a design is easy to install and is effective in directing water away from walls. This type of siding comes in wood, vinyl, and new composite forms of insulated plastic.

Wood siding can be one of the most expensive, but also one of the most aesthetically pleasing and durable, forms of siding. Wood needs to be maintained and monitored for signs of warping and rotting. Installation of wood siding demands more labor and more technical expertise than other materials, and thus can be expensive to install, beyond the cost of materials. If you do decide to go with wood, go with good wood. Redwood and cedar are naturally weather resistant and thus can reduce the amount of maintenance, but all wood will need to be periodically treated due to the continuous beating it takes from the elements, and to avoid destructive infestations of termites and other wood-loving insects.

A less vulnerable alternative to wood siding is vinyl, which, with the extent of improvements in materials and manufacturing, can be purchased in styles that look almost identical to wood products. It will cost less, is more easily installed, and will require less maintenance over its life than would a wood product. Vinyl siding also comes in a wider variety of colors, finishes, and sizes than wood. Some higher-quality vinyl has a thick core, greater resemblance to natural wood, and insulating properties that can save money on utility bills.

A new form of siding known as insulated siding may be a better choice than either wood or vinyl. This type of siding has a layer of foam custom-fitted to the side that attaches to the house, allowing for a better fit and more effective insulation. Insulated siding typically comes Energy Star certified, which means it has been approved by U.S. government agencies as compliant with energy efficient standards and, while it may cost more than non-certified products, can be expected to provide significant savings over the life of the product. To that end, insulated sidings are usually designed with durability in mind, with some companies claiming that the product will last fifty years or more.

Local conditions should be taken into consideration when choosing your materials, as temperature and moisture are significant factors affecting the condition and potential life-span of siding materials. Consult with a professional on the materials that work best for your area.

Whether doing general home repairs or more intensive home improvement, be sure to keep your siding in mind. It can have an outsized impact on the look of your home, but also is a big determinant of your home's resistance to the elements. Further, it impacts the energy efficiency of your home, such that investing in good siding may get your more for your money than would a new HVAC system.

Understanding Home Siding Alternatives

Home Pro professionals are a great resource for siding alternatives. Replacement windows are an important investment and will complement new siding in improving your home's heating and cooling efficiency.

ALTERNATIVES