Cards Cut

Just the fact that you need event planning software uncovers you have a lot to do. Since you have a lot to do, wisely, you will create to-do lists. This should be more of a reminder more than something new. That’s OK. We need reminders every now and then.

This may be old hat to some but just in case you haven’t thought much of this, here are a few benefits of to-do lists:

Trains you mind to focus/refocus. We live hectic lives and things can easily get out of control but if you keep a to-do list you can get yourself back on track quickly.

Indicate your productivity. On any given day your to-do list will show you how efficiently you are completing tasks.

Helps you remember what needs to be done. We have all forgotten something we’ve needed to do. When you write your tasks down on a to-do list, you don’t have to rely on your mind to hold it all together. As you and I both know, the “all” is getting bigger everyday.

Your event planning software should allow you to create to-do list categories so that you can segment them based on any criteria that you wish. Each to-do list category in your event planning software should give you a monthly view of your to-do lists. You should be able to make customizable lists that are free form for maximum flexibility.

In conclusion, to-do list find their place in the group of essentials for event planning software. It is good to be reminded of some of the benefits of to-do list so that their incorporation into your use doesn’t get overlooked. Monthly views of to-do lists are a good idea and you should be able to create multiple to-do list categories in your event planning software. This concludes this 4 part series on “event planning software: a beginner’s guide.”

(c) Copyright 2005 Olan Butler All Rights Reserved

Olan Butler is the Chief Architect of BHO Technologists, a computer productivity & organization software and service provider http://www.bhotechnologists.com with headquarters in Kansas City. His works also include the
Appointment Calendar Software Store and the Kansas City Computer Repair Site.

The exceptionally talented Smooth Jazz Artist Everette Harp has released his latest CD entitled In The Moment. I am very confident and happy to announce that I believe Everette Harp fans, and smooth jazz fans alike will be pleased with this one. With the release of In The Moment Everette Harp’s artistic excellence is on full display as he has once again delivered a brilliant collection of tracks that could very well be his best work to date.

The CD launches with a great track, Monday Speaks, that will definitely be heard on smooth jazz radio stations everywhere, and deservedly so. From there Harp proceeds to display why he is considered one the greatest smooth jazz artists of our time as he mixes his signature style throughout the CD.

These days it’s a very rare CD on which every single song is good or better than the one before it. This CD is certainly one of those rare CDs.

In fact I’d go so far as to assert that Harp’s best work has come in his last to releases. Now having distinguished his own unique voice on the saxophone.

Smooth Jazz music fans will recognize some of the well known guests that have been assembled to play along with Harp on several of the tracks. Artists like Paul Jackson Jr., George Duke and Chuck Loeb just to name a few.

Overall I’d say Everette Harp scores big with In The Moment. Continuing his rise as a top smooth jazz sax player. Definitely a worthy addition to any smooth jazz collection.

Truly an outstanding smooth jazz CD. One of those that is completely void of any wasted time, as each track is absolutely superb.

While this entire CD is outstanding the truly standout tunes are Monday Speaks [track 1], Just As You Are [track 4], and Another Bedtime Story [track 6]. My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore […as in “Stuck On REpeat”] is track 2, Holla. Very nice!

Release Notes:

Everette Harp originally released In The Moment on May 23, 2006 on the Shanachie record label.

CD track list follows:

1. Monday Speaks
2. Holla
3. Back To Basics
4. Just As You Are
5. In the Moment
6. Another Bedtime Story
7. No Bout a Doubt It!
8. L. V. Shuffle
9. Night Calls
10. Happy Accidental

To listen to samples of each song on In The Moment by Everette go to: Everette Harp CD - In The Moment Samples

If you are looking for free music then the internet is the right place for you. You will find a lot of websites where you can download MP3 music. Many of these sites offer free MP3 downloads or charge only a minimum amount of money, but the download is allowed usually only one-time.
The reason why MP3 is getting so popular is that that MP3 music usually is cheaper than any CD’s or DVD’s and some sites even offer it completely for free.

But the distribution of MP3 files over the internet may also have some downsides. The MP3’s you can download on many sites are protected by copyright, so the distribution and download of these MP3 files is illegal. Although there have been filed several lawsuits over this particular issue, but this practice still continues to flourish.

Luckily there are also some sites that offer only legal MP3 music for download, so you can be assured that all of your downloads from these sites are absolutely legal. No copyright or law will be broken, so you and your MP3 downloads remain secure.

The following list is only a short excerpt of the available sites that offer legal MP3 Music downloads, so a little research will bring you up with more sites.

You Can Download MP3 Music at MP3Musiq.com

MP3Musiq is the music downloading service that everyone is talking about.
They are proud to be the #1 downloading mp3 service that allows you to easily download Millions of FREE MUSIC MP3s, CDs, Games, Movies and much more!
With MP3Musiq you are not just limited to top music downloads you can download all kinds of DVDs video games and full version software programs.
Membership mean access to millions of music files, movie files, software programs, pictures, games, movies and TV shows…all without a single download fee.

You Can Download MP3 Music at Amazon.com

Amazon.com is not only an online bookstore, but also a place for free music as well.
The collection of free music they have in their archive will surprise you. Have a look at their MP3 music downloads section. You will find MP3 music downloads in various genres like, hard rock, rhythm and blues, soul, hip hop, urban, metal, electronic, rock & pop, alternative, and many more.
If you are looking for dance tunes then this is also the right place for you. Also you will find jazz, reggae, country ditties, Latin, blues, and so on. To top it this site also features various collections from artists like Eminem, Usher, Christina Aguilera, Destiny’s Child, etc. If you want to stay updated Amazon.com with online news and so on, Amazon.com is your place to visit each and every day.

You Can Download MP3 Music at MP3.com

MP3.com is not only a great place to gather lots of MP3 Music files for many enthusiasts and music fans, but it is also one of the most popular and interactive communities you will find online.
Their product-range includes not only MP3 Music but also photo galleries, videos, album reviews, and free streaming. This community is one of the most popular you will find online.

You Can Download MP3 Music at eMusic.com

After you sign up for an account with eMusic.com, you get access to one of the most extensive collection of MP3 music for sale or purchase. As you have to pay if you want to download MP3 music from this trusted site, you can be assured that this takes place without breaking any law.
If you act fast you can get a little bonus at their site. At the moment they are running a promotion that allows you to download 25 MP3 music files for free, so you do not have to pay for them.

You Can Download MP3 Music at GarageBand.com

Garageband.com is another wonderful place if you want to download MP3 music. If you are a friend of indie music then this site is for you. Different independent artists and musicians will help you to broaden your musical tastes. You will definitely not find such an extensive collection offered anywhere in the physical world.

You Can Download MP3 Music at YourMP3.net

YourMP3.net is another great site if you look for MP3 music downloads. There you will find songs right off the charts, including songs like Numb/Encore by Linkin Park Feat. Jay Z,
Don’t You Want Me (brand new club hit) by DJ Hero.D, Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day, My Boo by Usher and Alicia Keys and many more. You will also find song lyrics, full albums, and free software and screen savers. They also provide you with an online request form so you can ask for music you are looking for.

You Can Download MP3 Music at Lycos.com

There are many sites that offer MP3 music downloads and Lycos.com is one of them.
They also offer extensive background information for all featured artist, including bios, discographies, photos, videos and lyrics. Their collection of MP3s and songs of many well known artists is really huge. So you only need to type in their name at the search box at the top of the page and if available you receive a list of links to that artist’s MP3 music downloads.

Copyright © 2006 Andreas Obermueller

About the Author:

Andreas Obermueller is webmaster of
Hit4Biz.com - Marketing Related Information.

I’ve heard it said that, “As it is in the natural, so it is in the spiritual.” Applying that statement to the displaced American victims of Hurricane Katrina, as its winds blew and the waters flooded, I cannot help but feel that the wind of the Spirit was ALSO blowing as the flood of Christians and potential world-changing survivors has now been scattered all over the nation.

What Satan intended for evil, God will use it for good. How can I be so sure? Because, throughout Church history - and even in my own life - we can see that the devil ALWAYS shoots himself in the foot.

Examples? When the Jerusalem Church was scattered through persecution, I’m sure many believers wondered how it could have happened. Things were so good, after all. The Church was flourishing and multiplying. Later, along comes this trouble-maker named Saul from a place called Tarsus. Where the Church was concerned, this guy was public enemy #1. Then he has a personal encounter with Jesus while en route to rounding up a bunch of Christians and taking them to trial, and winds up ultimately writing 13 of the 27 books of the New Testament. But right after Saul (who was also called Paul) had his encounter with Jesus - an encounter that left him blind - a believer named Ananias was instructed by the Lord to go to and lay hands on Saul and restore his sight. It’s very likely that Ananias was one of those displaced Jerusalem Christians who had to flee the persecution of Rome. He had been strategically placed near Saul’s spiritual “Ground Zero” by God for this incredible purpose.

Despite his initial fears, Ananias ministered to Saul as a new convert. He healed Saul’s eyes. He instructed Saul, confirming that the Jesus seen by Saul on the road was indeed the Lord. He comforted Saul, addressing him as a Christian brother. He baptized Saul, formally incorporating him into the body of Christ. Finally, Saul became fully restored as he gobbled up some groceries. In all, Ananias’s ministry models for us the supportive, restorative role the Church is to play in the lives of strangers, regardless of their past reputations, or our fear of them.

DISPLACED PEOPLE ARE NOTHING NEW

Reaching out to displaced people is nothing less than to connect with other human beings for a Divine purpose. Did you know there are currently 50 million or so such people in the world, displaced because of natural disasters, drought, war, famine or persecution? It is in reaching out to these people that we allow ourselves to experience transformation.

Besides Saul, there are some other Biblical examples of people who were forced to leave their homes. Their experiences were probably much worse than those of the evacuees of Hurricane Katrina. For example, because of drought, Naomi, a Moabite, goes to another land. Because of a famine, Joseph’s family eventually evacuated to Egypt. Because of systematic extermination of all 2-year-old children by Herod, Mary and Joseph fled to Africa. Yes, Jesus Himself was an undocumented refugee! Stories of God’s people taking flight are central to our Christian tradition.

Today, the response to these poor, displaced Americans who are being unceremoniously shuttled off to strange communities has been a compilation of extreme hospitality and compassion, and outright rejection. An emotional roller-coaster for sure. Clearly, the Biblical mandate to The Church is to welcome the stranger, to treat the foreigner as one of our own, to extend kindness to the sojourner. That’s it. No finger pointing. Nothing but hospitality.

Will it be easy? Surely not. But God’s grace will prove sufficient as always. Getting involved with other people’s lives and struggles can be tough. For those who step out of their comfort zones in order to “reach out and touch someone,” though not all your experiences will prove joyful, they WILL be transforming.

For YOU as well as for those you assist.

THE PURPOSE-DRIVEN REFUGEES

Have you listened to the televised interviews with these evacuees on the news? Time and again, overwhelmingly, they are giving praise to God and expressing their unwaivering faith and trust in the Name of Jesus. Tonight, I watched in awe as, on two separate occasions, young teen girls, attending new schools after being displaced, wisely declared that they will be stronger people for having experienced what they’ve gone through. How could this NOT be true? Folks, they saw the glory of God. They were witnesses to His mighty hand snatching them from the jaws of Death. Their lives are forever changed.

They can give public testimony - a witness - that they know God EXPERIENTIALLY. They can be world-changers as a result. Ten, fifteen years from now, I’d like to see where the Kids of Katrina will be. I’ll bet they’ll be changing lives.

My contention? Though we may be reaching out and helping these people, just as Ananias reached out to Saul, it was Ananias - no, it was you and me - who actually needed what God had to offer us through HIM! As the Lord said to Ananias when he protested, “reminding” Him of the reports of the harm Saul was doing to the Believers in Jerusalem, “this man is MY CHOSEN INSTRUMENT….”

If God can use Saul…Paul…to literally change planet Earth, He can surely use these displaced Americans who have been tossed about, tattered and torn by Katrina. If that’s the case, and God is surely able, Hurricane Katrina may well turn out to be the perfect storm.

As Christ Himself did when He revealed Himself on the road to Emmaus, let’s reveal Christ to these strangers as they arrive in our towns, schools and church bodies.

READ ‘EM & REAP!

Following are just a FEW verses having to do with strangers, foreigners, sojourners, homelessness, fatherless, widows and the like. There are quite a few more. Do a Word study. I wound up with 4 pages!

And she (Moses’ wife Zipporah) bare him a son, and he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land. Exodus 2:22

One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you. Exodus 12:49

Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. Exodus 22:21

Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. Exodus 23:9

And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the LORD your God. Lev. 19:10

And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him. Lev. 19:33

But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God. Lev. 19:34

And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest: thou shalt leave them unto the poor, and to the stranger: I am the LORD your God. Lev. 23:22

Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country: for I am the LORD your God. Lev. 24:22

And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee. Lev. 25:35

One ordinance shall be both for you of the congregation, and also for the stranger that sojourneth with you, an ordinance for ever in your generations: as ye are, so shall the stranger be before the LORD. Num. 15:15

One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you. Num. 15:16

He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment. Deut. 10:18

Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. Deut. 10:19

And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest. Deut. 14:29

And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates. Deut. 16:14

Thou shalt not abhor an Edomite; for he is thy brother: thou shalt not abhor an Egyptian; because thou wast a stranger in his land. Deut. 23:7

Thou shalt not pervert the judgment of the stranger, nor of the fatherless; nor take a widow’s raiment to pledge. Deut. 24:17

When thou cuttest down thine harvest in thy field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hands. Deut. 24:19

When thou beatest thine olive tree, thou shalt not go over the boughs again: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow. Deut. 24:20

When thou gatherest the grapes of thy vineyard, thou shalt not glean it afterward: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow. Deut. 24:21

And thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the LORD thy God hath given unto thee, and unto thine house, thou, and the Levite, and the stranger that is among you. Deut. 26:11

When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, which is the year of tithing, and hast given it unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled; Then thou shalt say before the LORD thy God, I have brought away the hallowed things out of mine house, and also have given them unto the Levite, and unto the stranger, to the fatherless, and to the widow, according to all thy commandments which thou hast commanded me: I have not transgressed thy commandments, neither have I forgotten them. Deut. 26:12-13

Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen. Deut. 27:19

If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt: Then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, for ever and ever. Jer. 7:6-7

The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully. Ezek. 22:29

And it shall come to pass, that in what tribe the stranger sojourneth, there shall ye give him his inheritance, saith the LORD God. Ezek. 47:23

And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart. Zechariah 7:10

And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts. Malachi 3:5

For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. Matt. 25:42-45

And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers. Exodus 6:4

Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. Exodus 22:21

Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. Exodus 23:9

But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God. Lev. 19:34

Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. Deut. 10:19

For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. 1 Chron. 29:15

The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down. Psalm 146:9

And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers. Isaiah 61:5

And it shall come to pass, that ye shall divide it by lot for an inheritance unto you, and to the strangers that sojourn among you, which shall beget children among you: and they shall be unto you as born in the country among the children of Israel; they shall have inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel. Ezekiel 47:22

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Hebrews 13:2

Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers. 3 John 1:5

OTHER RELEVANT PASSAGES:

THE STORY OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN (the Samaritans were strangers in the land of Israel):

And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. Luke 10:25-37

NOTES!

1) The strangers in the land of Israel were expected to observe the laws of God. They were not given equal status in dealings directly with sacred things such as the Temple.

2) The Jews were often given into the hands of strangers for slavery and punishment by God when He was displeased with them.

3) God did not want the children of Israel to embrace customs and beliefs of strangers, but rather for strangers to embrace the ways of the Jews. Thus, we believe, the open immigration policy required by God Himself does not mean that Americans need to surrender America’s great ideals and customs to a tide of foreign peoples. But Americans must persevere in a very generous and open-hearted treatment of all foreigners, at all times. This nation’s prosperity and survival depends upon faithfulness to this central command of God. These people may be nothing less than “Grace-Growers” in our lives.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Pastor Michael is founder of t.e.a.m. ministries (team1min@aol.com). His eMail broadcasts, known as “Your Town for Jesus” (SEARCH it!) are reaching tens of thousands WEEKLY. Log on at http://www.PlanetaryMinistry.org
Michael’s mission is to bring Discipleship and Encouragement to the Body of Christ. Michael is the author of numerous booklets on a subjects that will interest the thinking Christian. Since 1999, he has written and broadcast hundreds of inspirational articles and a dozen booklets, all designed to accelerate the process of spiritual development in God’s people.

Of all the many books this world contains there is only one that claims to be a direct revelation from God, telling us of Himself and His purpose for our lives. Sacred Scriptures is a unique Book in that it is a collection of books written by human authors inspired by God and are an account of God’s revelation and plan of salvation for the human race.

What we learn from the Bible itself is that it is the inspired writings from
God. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking,
correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be
thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17. All Scripture,
both the Old Testament and the New, is inspired by God. The New Testament is
witness to the reliability of the Old Testament, repeatedly quoting the words of
the Old Testament. These two books within the Book stand on the witness of each
other.

The apostle Peter declares: ” For prophecy never had its origin in the will
of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
2 Peter 1:21. So certain is this truth that such expressions as “Thus saith the
Lord,” “God said,” and similar assertions, are found more than 2,500 times in
the Bible.

Typical of these is David’s exclamation: “The Spirit of the LORD spoke
through me; his word was on my tongue.” 2 Samuel 23:2. God spoke His eternal
truths through holy men who were called to prophets and apostles. The power of
the Holy Spirit came on them. By visions, dreams, and through other means, there
were directed to speak and write.

So we can say that the Bible is a very human book and yet, it is a divine book
as well, for it is the only book in the entire world that claims to be
“God-breathed”. It is humanity’s precious gift from God. It is our roadmap and guide on our journey to the New Jerusalem.

US Presidents on the Bible

George Washington: “It is impossible to rightly govern the world without
God and the Bible.”

John Quincy Adams: “So great is my veneration of the Bible, that the
earlier my children begin to read it the more confident will be my hope that
they will prove useful citizens of their country and respectable members of
society.

Andrew Jackson: “That book, sir, is the rock on which our republic
rests.”

Abraham Lincoln: “I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given
to man. All the good from the Savior of the world is communicated to us through
this book.”

Woodrow Wilson: “I ask every man and woman in this audience that from
this day on they will realize that part of the destiny of America lies in their
daily perusal of this great Book.”

Herbert Hoover: “The whole of the inspiration of our civilization springs
from the teachings of Christ and the lessons of the Prophets. To read the Bible
for these fundamentals is a necessity of American life.”

Dwight D. Eisenhower: “To read the Bible is to take a trip to a fair land
where the spirit is strengthened and faith renewed.”

Theodore Roosevelt: “A
thorough understanding of the Bible is better than a college education.”

You have an open invitation to visit us at AMEN Ministries: Your Soul’s Service Station for reviewing spiritual services being offered, obtain spiritual refreshing and soul edification, get your daily dose of humor, browse our newly expanded Stop & Shop WebStore and to visit our prayer sanctum for quiet time with God.

Blessings to all!

Saundra

Car Insurance is usually not an option- it is required by law. Many people end up spending much more than they need to on Car Insurance, because they don’t know what savings they may be eligible for.

When you apply for Car Insurance, the insurer will look closely at your driving record. To get a lower quote, it matters how long you have been driving, and how clean your driving record is. You may qualify for additional discounts if you are an AAA member or have taken a defensive driving course. Car alarms and car safety features, such as air bags, automatic seat belts, and antilock brakes, can also save you money. Retired, federal employee or military status may save you even more.

If you already have some form of insurance with one company, you can get a loyalty discount for buying your Car Insurance from the same company. If you have more than one car, use the same insurer for all your cars and get 10% to 20% off on your quote. You are also rewarded for staying with an insurer after the first year, with additional discounts.

Once you know what discounts you are eligible for, shop around for the most competitive quote. It is worth getting several quotes; you can do this on the Internet, by visiting an insurance agent’s office in person, or by calling an insurer. You can save up to 15% in commissions earned by agents by going to the insurer direct. Be sure to provide all insurers you get quotes from with any information that could potentially reduce your quote. They do not always ask all the questions or volunteer information on all discounts. Protect your interests by checking the credit rating of the company you go with, and check with your state insurance department and local Better Business Bureau about consumer complaints.

Affordable Insurance provides detailed information about affordable insurance, affordable car insurance, affordable dental insurance, affordable health insurance and more. Affordable Insurance is the sister site of Colorado Health Insurance Company.

With so many different designs, packing a backpack will vary considerably. Generally though, the key to packing your backpack is to achieve even weight distribution. Packing your heavy items at the top will pull you backwards - packing your heavy items near the base will drag you downwards. Therefore ensure that your heavy items are packed relatively in the middle to balance the weight.

You can achieve this by dividing the pack into three areas

Area 1

Area one, at the base of your pack should contain your lighter items. Pack your sleeping bag here (many packs have a separate compartment for sleeping bags).

Area 2

Area two should contain the heavy items such as food and cooking equipment. You can pack any small clothes you don’t mind getting wrinkled in any spare space.

Area 3

The rest of your clothing should be packed in area three. You can still take advantage of the space saver bags, but remember while they save on space, the weight remains constant. Pack all your other items anywhere there is space.

Other pointers:

• Pack spare of the moment items or items you will require often in easy-to-access side pockets. If it starts raining, you don’t want to have to unpack everything to get to your raincoat.

• Store any fuel upright and away from food incase there is a spillage.

• Roll up your mattress and carry it outside of your pack. You can also use your mattress as a buffer between sharp cornered items and your back.

• Use your pots to protect delicate items such as cameras etc.

Once you’ve packed everything, take it with you for a long walk. If you’re unable to cope with the weight you should reconsider what you have packed.

Article Copyright © 2005 Travel J - Traveler’s Resources & Information - http://www.travelj.com

Sarah Moore has been in the travel and tourism industry for over 20 years and is currently working with one of the worlds largest coach networks. Sarah is also the webmaster of TravelJ - A Traveler’s Resources & Information Network - http://www.travelj.com

When buying online boat insurance one should get proper coverage for man-made catastrophes, burglaries, or natural disasters. By taking advantage of certain offers, one should be able to obtain a discount on online boat insurance rates.

A marine insurance expert may be able to bargain for lower premiums. Depending on lesser loss ratios, one can shun payment of insurance deductibles and depreciation allowances sustained by losses, and an individual can play a role in minimizing the damages.

Boat insurance is often overlooked by boat owners. It is not mandatory, and is only imposed on consumers if there is an outstanding loan on the boat.

Nevertheless, online boat insurance has turned out to be a reasonably priced means for boat owners to safeguard their assets. It is important to get liability coverage and property coverage at a minimum; one can also get further coverage like towing coverage and trailer coverage.

Boat insurance should be procured with the help of a veteran insurance agent or broker, who has expertise in writing boat insurance. There is no substitute for knowledge, where searching for a source of boat insurance is concerned.

Premiums depend on the size of the boat, its horsepower and navigational range, and the experience of operator. Boats which are over 25 years old are usually written under a different category of boat programs, and a majority of insurers will need a survey for boats and yachts over 10 years old.

Some insurance carriers impose a surcharge of up to 30% because of the disastrous loss character of a specific region. Yet most online insurers offer discounts and anti-burglary plans.

Boat Insurance provides detailed information on Boat Insurance, Cheap Boat Insurance, Motor Boat Insurance, Boat Insurance Online and more. Boat Insurance is affiliated with Trip Cancellation Insurance.

Insurance fraud is the second costliest white-collar crime in America, after tax evasion. It is estimated that $80 billion is paid out each year in fraudulent insurance claims. It is estimated by the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud that the average American household pays over $950 a year in additional premiums to cover the cost of insurance fraud. According to industry estimates, healthcare fraud alone costs Americans $54 billion a year.

The Insurance Research Council revealed some alarming information obtained from a recent survey regarding types of insurance crime that is considered “acceptable” by an unusually high percentage of the public. These types of insurance fraud include the following followed by the percentage of those surveyed who felt that it was acceptable:

* Increasing the claim to cover the deductible - 40%

* Increasing the claim to cover the premiums paid - 36%

* Including defective or obsolete appliances on a lightning claim - 29%

* Listing adults as main driver of a car being driven by an under age driver - 20% * Omitting accidents/tickets from an insurance application - 14% * Continuing medical treatment to increase the value of a claim - 11% * Pretending a hit-and-run accident occurred to submit a claim - 7% * Abandoning a car and reporting it stolen to the insurance company - 6% * Reporting an injury at home as work related in order to collect workers’ compensation benefits - 10% * Cooperating with lawyers, doctors or chiropractors to file false or exaggerated workers’ compensation claims to get money from insurers - 17%

Insurance fraud typically consists of the following types or instruments of fraud:

* Workers’ compensation premium fraud occurs when an employer provides false information in order to obtain a lower insurance rating. * Workers’ compensation fraud occurs when an employee files an inflated or false injury claim in order to receive benefits or increase benefits. * Staged accident fraud occurs when a person intentionally causes or is involved in an accident, or walks in and reports an accident in order to compensation or false or intentional damages and injuries. This could include automobiles or fake “slip and fall” claims. * Property fraud is the falsification or inflation of a claim for the loss of personal or commercial property in order to obtain benefits. This includes losses due to the theft, disaster, or arson of insured property and vehicles. * Benefits fraud occurs when an uninsured person receives benefits reserved for an insured person as it relates to his or her policy. A typical example of benefits fraud includes a non-covered dependant receiving medical or dental treatment by using a parent’s name or identity. Similarly, we have seen friends and roommates commit benefits fraud as well.

There are certainly many other types of insurance fraud, but these are clearly the most prevalant.

The first step in uncovering insurance fraud is to identify some of the most ordinary clues, or “red flags,” that signal possible dishonesty in an insurance claim. These red flags are facts or information that will require further investigation into the nature of the claim.

Once the “red flags” are identified, it is paramount that a complete investigation then be conducted! A written or recorded statement locks the claimant into a set of facts that cannot be easily changed, especially when confronted by a contradictory video or photographic surveillance product. For this reason statements from all parties and witnesses involved in an insured loss should be the very first entries in a claims file.

Camping outdoors has gained huge recognition throughout the years to be a complete change from your typical chaotic life. Taking one or two days away from demanding timetable offers much fun and amusement options than any other vacation idea. If you are intending to have a camping holiday sometime this year then it is very important that you try and find the best of camping tools to carry with for the finest enjoyable camping experience. Get camping equipment uk at Sportswear-Equipment.com.

Outdoor camping gear come in the form of camping tents, camping stoves, camping gadgets and many more. As the camping places chosen are often diverse so are the camping equipment that are required for specific jobs. Numerous people like to go camping in the plains, whilst some love to go in the mountain areas, some in fields & some in woods. This means that the camping gear needed will in the end depend on the location you have selected to camp in.

To enjoy the fun and excitement completely, it?s important to carry camping tools that you will need during your camping holiday. There are countless hikers & campers who love to camp & discover the most extreme parts of the world. Hence the camping needs vary from person to person.

So before going camping outdoors it is essential that you procure the accessories that you will require. To get the best camping equipment it is better to search for a cheap camping equipment shop & order the stuff you require to carry along. The light weight tents, transportable camping stoves, handy weightless chairs, disposable utensils, sleeping bags, walking boots, light fabric weightless clothes & other camping accessories can be purchased online at the greatest discount prices. It’s good to carry camping equipment that weighs as least as possible so as to offer you as much freedom while trekking & hiking.

Several sorts of camping tools are not cheap to buy & can be afforded only when you have a big budget. Hence you should make a list of items that you cannot do without while camping. Depending upon how regularly you go for camping, renting camping gear is a wise option. Or else if you are a camping fanatic then having a stock of your own camping gear is worthwhile. Have a brilliant camping experience this spring by keeping all your camping needs toned up.