A tough economy can hit anybody hard, regardless of their
social status, gender, race or ability. Anyone can lose
their job during a recession, and rising costs affect
everyone the same. How can you fight a bad economy? Put the
brakes on spending, and put away the money you save. You
will never regret having money saved for "just in case"
situations. But how can you go about cutting costs? Read on
for simple tips on saving money, and how a local business
directory can help.

Fix it First

Since the 1950s when credit cards were first introduced,
Americans have been encouraged to spend, spend, spend. In
addition, quickly advancing technology ensures there will
always be something bigger, better or faster than what you
have. But keeping up with the Joneses could very well put
you in the poorhouse. Instead of buying something whenever
a newer model comes out, why not wait? If your microwave
still works as it should, hold out a few years to buy that
newer model with one more function or button you didn't
have before. If your vacuum cleaner stops working, try
getting it repaired first before spending more money to get
a new one. A local business directory can help you find
good repair shops in your area - many of which will offer
free consultations, letting you know if you will actually
save any money by getting it fixed.

This doesn't just go for small household appliances.
Business directories can offer user reviews of local
handymen or mechanics and help you find the best services
for your home or car, stretching out their lifetimes
significantly.

Do it Yourself

Want to go the extra step to save money? Try doing repairs
around your home yourself. A business directory can help
you find home improvement or hardware stores in your area
where you can find all the equipment you need to do it
yourself. Many locations will even offer tips or classes on
the best way to do home repairs. Don't limit your DIY to
just the house itself either. You can make more meals at
home, mend your own clothing or do your own yard work 'any
or all of these things can add up to extensive savings.

Practice Preventative Maintenance

By practicing preventative maintenance you won't have to
replace your car as soon or pay for costly home repairs.
Find a good auto shop through your local business directory
and get regular oil changes and checkups on your car.
Consult a handyman who can help you install soaker hoses to
help prevent structural cracks in your home. Take your
computer to a trustworthy computer repair shop if you
notice it's running slower than usual or if any software
has expired. A good computer repair technician can
troubleshoot any problems and keep your computer running
properly for many years longer than you would expect.

Monitor your Utilities

Electricity and water bills can sky rocket during the
summer or winter if you don't keep a careful eye on your
usage. Many business directories can help you find a home
efficiency expert who will inspect your home, study your
behaviors and let you know how you can lower your monthly
utility bills. Or hire an electrician to remove your old,
ancient thermostat and replace it with a programmable
thermostat with scheduling options and energy saving tools.

Start Searching

Business directories are easy to use, and if you find a
good one are fast too! Look for a selective business
directory that limits its membership, and offers many
different search categories. This will help you narrow down
your search, and find exactly what you need without wading
through thousands of different listings that may not even
be relevant to what you're looking for. Start searching on
your local business directory today, and put the brakes on
your spending.

First, a confession. I watched Jon and Kate Gosselin's
break-up on Monday night's episode of Jon and Kate Plus 8.
It may have cost me my man card, but I couldn't help it. I
was glued. Having seen Jon and Kate on the cover of
Charisma magazine and their book at my local Christian
bookstore, I was grieved to watch another Christian
marriage go down the tubes--in front of millions of people.
What happened?

Many, of course, will point to the show itself as the
downfall of their marriage, and that could very well be
true; but as I watched the separate interviews last night
(in my defense, last night was the only full episode I've
ever watched) I couldn't help but notice the overwhelming
emphasis on both of their parts that the ensuing divorce
was "for the sake of the children."

In interview after interview, both Jon and Kate emphasized
repeatedly that their first priority was their children.
What was absent from the discussion was the priority of
their marriage. It seems that their underlying assumption
was that the health of their marriage had little to do with
the physical and emotional well-being of their children.

Understand that I am not writing this in any way to pass
judgment on Jon and Kate. Divorce is always a difficult
thing to go through and there could very well be
extenuating circumstances that the public doesn't know. The
reason for me writing this is to pose a question to my
readers.

I've always understood that the priorities of married
people with children should be:

1. God
2. Spouse
3. Children

The reason for this, at least as it was always explained to
me, is that when husbands and wives give priority to their
relationship with each other, it provides a stable
environment for the emotional health of children. Another
way of putting it is to say that healthy children flow
naturally from healthy marriages. Therefore, the marriage
should come first.

Jon and Kate's assumption on the other hand, and many,
perhaps the majority in my generation, seems to be that the
priority flow chart looks like this:

1. God
2. Children
3. Spouse

I'm making an assumption of course about the God part.
Since I don't know Jon and Kate personally, call that a
benefit of a doubt. Here's the question I'd like to pose to
my readers. Which of these flow charts do you think is the
most accurate? Of course, I realize that if a spouse is a
potential danger to children, then the other spouse should
do whatever they need to do to protect their children. I'm
talking about the marital priorities when normal problems
arise. Is the flow chart that I've always understood
accurate? Why or why not?

Discuss!

Depending on the model that you buy, having a mobility
scooter can be a tiresome chore when you need to find new
parts for it. Many scooters are not very upgradable and
configurable.

However, there are some models available on the market
today for which it is easy to get mobility scooter parts.
Although any model you buy will come with the basics, not
every model can be easily customized.

For example, you may want to have different tyres on the
model or a more comfortable seat.

Because of this, it is essential that you buy a model that
you can modify without too much of a problem. The last
thing you want to have to do is go out and buy a new one
just because of one simple issue, but one that cannot be
changed.

Tyres are one of the most important things. It is essential
that you can easily replace the tyres and that the model
you buy has a wide range of accessories available.

Tires come in three different types, the solid, foam and
pneumatic. Different types of tyres suit different kind of
terrain, with pneumatic tyres being the favorite, offering
a softer ride in most sorts of locations.

There are advantages of having other different types of
tyres. Solid tyres require minimal maintenance, but they
are not particularly comfortable. A good compromise between
pneumatic and solid tyres are foam tyres.

Another part of the mobility scooter which will probably
need to be replaced at some point or upgraded, is of course
the battery. Having a battery that is easy to replace is
essential.

Likewise, you may also find it highly preferable to have a
seat which is easy to replace or recover. Being able to
change all the basic parts of a scooter is essential if you
wanted to last long and remain a pleasure to use.

Some better quality and more expensive models come with a
number of accessories which are also a nice to have.
Depending on your requirements, you can find a number of
different options.

You can also just go in for some plain and simple luxuries
such as the drinks holder and a walking stick holder.

The best thing to go for is a reputable manufacturer that
offers a wide range of upgrades and accessories that you
can add later to the particular model that you buy. Choose
carefully for the safety of your family members.

Parents are always concerned for the safety of their
babies. One of the most important products you need to get
for your baby is a car seat. Hospitals do not let you bring
your baby home without inspecting your car seat. Keep these
basic safety tips in mind when you shop for and install
your baby's car seat.

Correct Installation Is Essential

The most important factor in using a car seat safely, other
than choosing the right car seat for your child's
developmental stage, is to install the car seat correctly.
Read the owner's guide before you attempt installation. If
your car is equipped with the LATCH tether system, use it,
as this is the safest way to install a car seat. Make sure
the car seat is at the correct angle, as dictated by the
owner's manual. Once you have a seat installed, have a car
seat technician inspect it. Your hospital or local health
department should be able to direct you to a place where
you can have this inspection done, and they are usually
free.

Watch the Weight Limits

All car seats have height and weight limits, which are on a
sticker somewhere on the seat as well as in the owner's
manual. Make sure you know what these are. Most rear-facing
infant carrier type car seats are only made to carry a
child who is less than 25 pounds. If your baby is larger
than average, a convertible car seat may be necessary to
keep your child rear facing until she is one, as she will
more than likely outgrown the carrier style seat.

Avoid Used Car Seats

Used car seats may seem like a good deal, but the truth is
that you do not know about the seat's history. A car seat
which has been in an accident may look perfectly safe even
though it has incurred damage. Car seats are not intended
to be used after a crash. Also, used seats usually do not
have instructions. They may also have parts missing that
you do not know about just by looking at the seat. If your
budget forces you to purchase a used car seat, only buy
from a trusted source and check the manufacturer' s website
to assure all parts are included.

Under 1 Year - Rear Facing Is Best

All infants who are under the age of one and weigh 20
pounds or less must be rear facing. You can put your child
in a forward facing seat once both these conditions have
been met. However, it is safest to keep the child rear
facing as long as you possibly can. This means as long as
the convertible seat is still safe for your child's age and
height. Your child's legs will be cramped, but this does
not mean he is not safe. If you feel you must turn the seat
around, make sure the child is both one year old and weighs
more than 20 pounds.

If you follow these guidelines you will be able to help
keep your baby safe while traveling in your car.

As people get older, there are fewer and fewer activities
they can do. Many people are not able to go for a drive or
go to the gym like younger people. So many family members
take entertainment and the access to it for granted. In
order to make your loved one as comfortable and entertained
as possible, there are products for the elderly that are
designed to keep them entertained. One of the activities
that people love to do is read. Whether it is the
newspaper, a magazine or a favorite novel, this simple task
becomes more difficult as people get older. To ensure they
still can read their favorite book, there are magnifiers
they can use.

Part of staying entertained for the elderly relies on
contacting people. In order to do this, one of the products
for the elderly they will need is an address book with
large print. This way they can keep in contact with old
friends and family members. For many women, a favorite past
time is crochet. This can get difficult as you age because
your hands do not work the way they did years ago. There
are aids that strap around your wrist to make this fun
pastime easier.

Another pastime that many seniors enjoy is gardening. There
are even products for the elderly to use in order to make
this task easier. Because many seniors suffer from
arthritis, holding trowels can be difficult, which is
necessary for gardening. There are gardening tools that are
designed for seniors so they can hold and grasp them
easier. Another entertaining game for many seniors is
playing cards. A must for any card lover are low vision
cards. These are larger cards with larger numbers and color
codes. They should not have to give up their love for cards
just because they cannot see as well as they could when
they were younger.

Other products for the elderly that you might find
necessary for your loved one are for watching television.
This is entertaining for many seniors but sometimes their
low vision or hearing gets in the way. To prevent this,
there are listening devices they can use, along with large
button remotes. In addition to having large numbers, some
of the remotes even are large themselves, that way they
will not get lost or misplaced. Let todays technology help
keep the senior in your life entertained.

If you're reading this article it's more than likely you
have recently found out that you are pregnant, so I guess
the first thing I want to say is congratulations! The next
few months are going to bring an exciting rollercoaster of
changes to your body, your outlook on life and your
lifestyle.

You'll need to think about a pregnancy diet, your exercise
during pregnancy routine, your working hours, sleep
patterns, your social life.... In fact, there's so many
things to think about when it comes to pregnancy health and
fitness, it can be hard to know where to start!

So to make it a little easier for you, this series of
articles is going to break it all down into the top 10 of
everything you need to know to make your pregnancy fitness
a breeze!

One of the first things you will need to do is look at what
you can and cannot eat for great pregnancy nutrition:

1. Stop ALL caffeine - yes there are loads of sites that
tell you a couple of cups of coffee a day won't kill you,
but that doesn't mean that it will do you any good.
Caffeine overstresses the adrenal glands and sends LOTS of
stress hormones into your bloodstream, which keeps you in
permanent fight or flight mode. This is exhausting for your
poor body which is already dealing with extreme fatigue
from all the changes happening with your pregnancy and can
have a big impact on the welfare of you and your baby.

Some studies show that caffeine can lead to miscarriage, so
play it safe and stay well clear!

2. Say goodbye to runny eggs! You MUST cook your eggs all
the way through so that the yolk is solid to prevent
salmonella.

3. Avoid peanuts and go careful with other nuts if you or
your partner have allergies including asthma, eczema or
hayfever. It is also thought that peanuts can lead to your
baby developping a peanut allergy. So my advice - if in
doubt, leave it out! It's really not worth the risk for the
sake of a bag of nuts - surely!

4. Load up on leafy green vegetables like spinach which
contain lots of folic acid. You should also be taking a
folic acid supplement as this is essential in the first
trimester of pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects.
Taken daily whilst trying to get pregnant and in the 1st
trimester of pregnancy folic acid can reduce the risks of
neural tube defects by up to 70%

5. Drink MORE WATER! This may seem like a contradiction in
terms when you're running to the loo every 2 minutes, but
most pregnant women don't drink enough BECAUSE of this!
Hydration is essential for pregnancy health.

6. Don't eat undercooked meat - You may love a tender cut
of ribeye steak that is pink in the middle, but you won't
love the coliform bacteria, salmonella or toxoplasmosis
that may be hiding in it.

7. Try to eat a different coloured vegetable with every
meal. Each vegetable contains different macronutrients so
by eating from the whole spectrum, you can be certain that
you are getting everything you need to grow a healthy baby
and stay in great shape through your pregnancy!

8. Stay well clear of raw shellfish as it could well cause
food poisoning. Cooking shellfish will eradicate some
infection, but it won't destroy the algae related infection
associated with red tides.

9. Give tuna, swordfish, shark and king mackerel a miss as
the contain high levels of mercury.

10. Eat protein with EVERY meal. Protein is the building
blocks of life and your baby needs a LOT of this to grow,
so never skip out on your protein!

Protein also takes lonegr to digest so making you feel
fuller for longer - great news for those of you suffering
morning sickness!

So that's it! This list is by no means exhaustive but it
gives you a great place to start. As always, with any major
change in your diet you should consult with your pregnancy
health care team before starting a new program or
radically changing your diet.

School fundraising is an activity that children have been
participating in for generations, in fact I seem to recall
taking part in a few myself and I bet you do too. Getting
kids to become involved in fundraising isn't really that
difficult when you think about it, especially when in some
cases the money that is raised goes towards the students
themselves in the form of, for example, better sports
facilities or a better music studio. However getting kids
involved is one thing, getting them to make the most money
they can is another.

School Fundraising comes in many forms, as I have mentioned
above it could be used to benefit the school or group or it
could be done in aid of various charities. Whatever the
cause the aim of fundraising is to raise as much money as
possible, which is why everyone involved needs to give all
they have to sell products or services and to get people to
get involved in the activity that is being carried out. So
how do you get school children motivated, excited and
interested in making the most money they possibly can for
the fundraising cause? The answer is simple. Give them
great prizes; great prizes get great results. Period!

Changing the product you sell won't make more sales, but
changing the minds of the students and their parents who
usually don't sell anything will make a huge difference.
The products being sold aren't what increases the number of
sales, but motivating students in the correct way will. It
doesn't matter whether you are selling cookies, raffle
tickets or Christmas gifts; its how they are sold that
makes all the difference, which is why the right motivation
is key to fundraising success.

By adding an edge of competition into fundraising for your
school children you will be amazed at how much your sales
increase. By offering better prizes to the kids, they will
put more effort into selling as a way of getting earning
the prizes that are offered. This will increase the amount
of money you make dramatically. For example if you made
$6,000 through fundraising last year then with the aid of
offering a prize you could increase this total to as much
as $46,000, not bad is it! The amount of increase you
actually achieve however depends on your choice of prizes;
if you pick something that your students really want then
they will be willing to do what it takes to earn the prize;
it is the best method of motivation.

The prizes offered to kids taking part in fundraising
activities is vital to the amount of money that is raised.
Think of it this way kids aren't going to give it their all
for a run of the mill prize that they don't really have
much interest in. If you offer an impressive prize that
appeals to the children involved in your school fundraiser,
more students will participate thus improving the total
amount of money that you raise.

You will be amazed at the difference this form of
motivation makes to your school's fundraising efforts. So
next time you are attempting a school or team fundraiser
keep this in mind and watch your profit increase.

I often hear domestic violence survivors complain that the
counselor they are seeing with their partner has sided with
him/her. These victims expected to seek therapeutic remedy
for the dysfunction that they live, and they discover they
have gained another "enemy."

Here are some things you will want to know if you are going
to a therapist with your partner for domestic abuse.

1) Expect the therapy to be fertile ground for a
continuation of what you experience in the privacy of your
own home.

2) Anticipate that when you return home, the dynamics that
you sought help for have solidified. That's right you heard
me: the abuse dynamic is stronger, bigger...you might even
say, "more in your face."

3) Expect that when push comes to shove, the therapist will
most likely be singing the abuser's song, and you will feel
like you have two enemies.

4) Know AND trust it's not about you. An open ear
gravitates to the louder, more domineering voice. And when
it comes to abusive relationships, we all know which
partner will have the more convincing voice, no matter how
compelling the victim's story.

5) As soon as you are willing to take responsibility for
your error in choosing this type of therapist/therapy,
request termination. You see, you are in the wrong kind of
therapy for domestic violence. Marital and couples therapy
is actually contra-indicated for domestic abuse. It's more
likely to exacerbate intimate partner violence.

6) Find a therapist, who has expertise in domestic violence
intervention, to work with you individually. And encourage
your partner to seek individual therapy if he/she is
willing. If he/she does (which is not likely), request that
your two individual therapists interact from time to time.

There are as many ways to impact change in a dysfunctional
relationship as there are dysfunctional relationships. One
thing is for sure: marital and couples therapy is not
appropriate for domestic abuse.

You see marital therapy is based on a "systems" approach.
And the goal of the system is to maintain its homeostasis
(that is, its balance). To this end, the responsibility for
the dysfunctional dynamics within the system is spread
equally across the system. However, this is what solidifies
the abuse dynamic.

Suffice it to say, marital therapy and couples counseling
is not the right therapy for your problem. The sooner you
find the appropriate type of intervention and the right
therapist for yourself, the sooner you will be on your way
to safety and peace in your life.

While the divorce rate in the US has been in a slow
decline, the chances that your marriage will fail are still
about %50. This is caused in part by the growing belief
among younger couples that there is no way to "fix" a
broken marriage. The truth is that if a couple is willing
to learn and work at saving their marriage then there is a
good chance that it can be saved.

There are some very good reasons saving your marriage as
well. Many people considering a divorce imagine that
happiness lies on the other side of the fence. Research
however suggests that this isn't true. A survey of people
who have gone through divorce showed that in general they
weren't happier.

Getting a divorce may be jumping the gun. A recent study
showed that 2/3 of people who were unhappy in their
marriage and on the verge of divorce said that they were
happy in their marriage five years later.

The majority of happily married couples have experienced
extended periods of unhappiness. The key point is that it
is important to be committed to your marriage. Don't throw
away years of happiness in order to avoid short term
problems. There are many ways to stop a divorce, there are
a few tip to get you started.

1. Communication is key

I'm sure you've heard it before, but it's still true. You
must communicate on a deep level with your partner
regularly. "On a deep level" doesn't mean discussing who is
going to pick up the kids from school or trying to remember
when the oil was last changed in the car. Spend some time
talking about your feelings about your relationship.
Discuss the things that are important, not the trivial
stuff life throws at us.

2. No Relationship Is Perfect

One of the hardest lessons I've ever learned is that when
fantasy becomes reality, it's never quite as good as you
imagined. When you are under a lot of stress at home, it is
easy to slip into an imaginary world where everything is
perfect. You imagine that being with a different partner
would be perfect. Perfect relationship only exist in
theory. Enjoy you fantasies but don't fall into the trap of
believing that they are real.

3. Seek Help To Stop Divorce

You can stop your divorce if both of you are willing to
make the effort. In addition to the desire to save your
marriage, you may need some outside help. Help is
available. Public libraries have lots of books on the
subject of marriage advice. Many products are available
online. These products are great if you prefer audio or
video training. Live one-on-one counseling is also
available. Personal counseling can be expensive but
sometimes it is the only method that works.

Remember that divorce has its repercussions as well as huge
financial setbacks. But more importantly, it destroys a
marriage and fully ends relationships. In the end, if there
is more than enough love to go around, then it is possible
to stop a divorce.

If you're reading this and you've just found out that you
are pregnant, then congratulations! This is the beginning
of a wonderful life changing experience, that you will
cherish forever. But amidst the joy of knowing you are
going to have a baby there are also concerns over what
changes you will have to make to your current lifestyle.

One of the most common concerns for newly pregnant mums to
be is always the question of exercise and pregnancy and
whether it is safe.

Years ago it was strictly advised that pregnant women
should avoid any strenuous activity and rest as much as
possible. As a result, many pregnant women piled on the
pounds during their pregnancies and then struggled to lose
the excess weight afterwards.

Fortunately with the advance in science and research into
this area we now know that not only is it safe to exercise
during pregnancy, but that it is actually beneficial to
both mother and baby.

Just some of those benefits include a better immune system,
relief from morning sickness, reduced postural pain and
injury and increased energy levels and feelings of
positivity for both you and baby.

Even so, when you first find out you are pregnant, your
natural instinct is to reduce your activity to protect your
baby. Actually, this instinct is not far wrong - you
defintely don't want to be risking your baby by playing a
rousing game of squash or rollerblading down some steep
hills, but to stop all activity is crazy!

For one you need to be strengthening your body to support
your pregnancy. As your body changes it will put some
serious strain on areas like your back, shoulders and neck
and if your muscles aren't strong enough to cope with these
postural changes, you could be in for severe long term
damage.

You can't build strength overnight so you need to be
starting as soon as possible to support your frame.

You should also consider the amount of fat you are carrying
on your body. Roughly 30% of oestrogen comes from fat so if
you are carrying too much, (or too little), fat then your
hormones will be out of balance, which may also have
serious indications for the health of your pregnancy and
your baby.

So what should you be doing to ensure you stay fit during
your pregnancy whilst making sure your baby is safe and
healthy?

The key is to focus on short workouts (15 minutes is fine),
comprising total body exercises that target key areas like
your bottom, core and midback. Things like squats, rows,
pelvic floors and transverse abdominal work are ideal for
you right now.

You should also be focusing on short bouts of cardio
rather than long steady sessions on the treadmill or
cross-trainer. Not only is short burst training about 1000
times more effective at conditioning your body, it is also
much more suitable for early pregnancy as you won't find it
as draining on your essential resources.

So, is it safe to exercise in early pregnancy?

Well, yes, so long as you exercise smarter not harder. As
with anything, there are always risks. If you are newly
pregnant I would strongly recommend you contact a prenatal
fitness specialist who can advise you on your personal
circumstance and help you with a pregnancy fitness plan to
suit your personal needs.