Protect your skin with sunless tanning lotion

The latest news about tanning is that isn’t all that good for you. Even moderate exposure to the sun increases your risk of developing skin cancer. So what can you do if you love the look of a dark rich tan, but you are trying to be smart about the sun? You can use sunless tanning lotion and have a great looking tan anytime. It is perfectly safe, and if you follow a few simple steps for applying it, it will look as natural as the sun itself.

Preparing Your Skin for Sunless Tanning Lotion

Skin that is dry and flaky won’t evenly absorb tanning lotion products. So before applying sunless tanning lotion it is important to have the smoothest, clearest skin possible.

Start by using an exfoliating scrub in the shower. This will remove dead skin and flakes. Then apply a moisturizer each day. On the day you plan to apply the sunless lotion, do it after drying off from the shower.

A Picture Perfect Tan

Remember the days when tanning lotion turned your skin orange? Well, those days are long gone. The running, streaking goop that used to tint skin has evolved into a natural looking skin tone and colour enhancer today.

Not only has the formula changed when it comes to tanning lotions, but the way they are applied has too. The once running lotions are thicker, come in foams or mousse and are slowly activated and quickly absorbed. These factors alone will give you a more natural looking tan, but there are ways to apply them that will help too.

First of all, think about the way the sun will tan you. It is usually darker on the forearms and lighter underneath. Rarely are your armpits as dark as your shoulders unless you make a habit of sunbathing with your arms over your head. So when you apply tanning lotions, you will apply them darker to the areas that naturally darken. It is a subtle difference because you still want an even tan. The way to gently blend the darkness is to apply the lotion evenly then using a damp towel buff the areas you want slightly lighter.

Buffing also helps create even tones on places that tend to get too dark with sunless tanning lotion. This includes the knee caps, elbows and along the hair line. These areas also often have rougher skin, so exfoliating them is important before applying the lotion, and buffing them with the damp towel after will keep the colour even.

When to Apply

You can apply sunless tanning products day or night. They won’t rub off onto clothing or bedding. They are also great to use when there has been a long stretch of bad weather or just before going on vacation. It you travel often on holiday, then summer or winter, you are ready for fun in the sun.

A word of warning. Most sunless tanning lotions do not contain any sunscreen. That means they do not protect the skin against harmful UV sunlight. But the beauty of these products is that you can use them at night, wake up tan, and then as you head out for a day at the beach you can use a regular outdoor sunscreen to protect your body.

Glossary of common terms used during the mortgage process

APR - This stands for Annual Percentage Rate. It enables you to compare the full cost of the mortgage. Rather than just being an interest rate, it includes up front and ongoing costs of taking out a mortgage. The formula for calculating APR is set by Government Regulations and therefore enables direct comparison of the cost of mortgages.

Capital and Interest Mortgage - This is when part of your monthly payment contributes to paying off the outstanding mortgage in addition to paying the interest on the mortgage. The payments are structured so that at the end of the term, your mortgage will have been completely paid off. For this reason this type of mortgage is also called a Repayment Mortgage.

Capped Rate - This is a mortgage where the lender agrees that the interest charged will never exceed a specific percentage. This deal lasts for a set period of years. After the set period, the rate usually reverts to the lenders standard variable rate. During the capped period, the interest charges can move up and down with the lenders interest rate - but cannot exceed the capped rate.

Cashback - An amount, either fixed or a percentage of a mortgage, which you can opt to receive when you complete your mortgage. The lender may well claw back this money through a higher interest rate.

CAT marks/standards - CAT stands for Fair Charges, Easy Access and decent Terms. They were created by the Government in an attempt to provide consumers with simple, clear financial products with straightforward, easy to understand terms. A CAT mortgage will have no arrangement fees, no redemption fees and will have interest calculated daily. It will also have a minimum loan of just Ј5000, offer you repayment flexibility and the mortgage should be portable should you move home. Finally, you will not have to buy the lender's insurance products and there will be no penalties should you find yourself in arrears but can subsequently catch up.

Completion - This is end of the house buying process, when the funds are transferred and the keys are handed over. Happy moving!

Contract - A contract is a binding agreement between the buyer and seller. In the context of house buying, after the contract is signed by both the buyer and the seller it is then 'exchanged' between the respective solicitors for a set completion date. At that point, the contract is legally binding on both parties.

Conveyancing - This is the legal process in which property is bought and sold. You can do it yourself or hire a solicitor or specialised conveyancer to perform the tasks for you. The buying of a freehold is much less complicated than the buying of a leasehold.

Discounted Rate - This is where the lender makes a guaranteed reduction off the standard variable rate for an agreed period of time. After the discounted period ends, the mortgage usually moves to the lenders' standard variable rate. Watch out for redemption penalties that overhang the initial discount period.

Early Redemption Charges - Redemption is when the borrower pays off the capital and the interest on the mortgage and thus owns the property outright. Early redemption fees are the charges incurred for paying off the mortgage early, either to buy the house outright, move or re-mortgage. Always ask about early redemption charges before you agree a mortgage.

Endowment - Endowments are life assurance policies with an investment element designed to pay off the outstanding capital on an interest-only mortgage. There are a few types of endowments, such as 'with profits', 'unitised with profits' and 'unit-linked'. In the 1980s, these were sold by salesman who seemly suggested that these policies were "guaranteed" to pay off the mortgage at the end of the term. However, the investment returns on these policies have fallen to below what was previously considered to be the norm. Consequently, many policies are not worth what was originally forecast and may not fully repay the money borrowed at the end of the mortgages' term.

Equity - In housing terminology, equity is the difference between the value of the property and the money owed on the property. So if the property is valued at Ј200,000 and you owe Ј150,000 on the mortgage, you have equity of Ј50,000. If you sold at that moment, you would receive Ј50,000. Should the value of the home be less than the mortgage outstanding then you have negative equity.

Freehold - Owning the freehold means that you own the total rights to the property and the land on which it is built.

HLC - This is the Higher Lending Charge (it was previously known as a Mortgage Indemnity Guarantee). It is levied by around three quarters of all lenders on clients who cannot afford to put down a deposit of 10% of the price of the property. In practice it is a type of insurance aimed at protecting the lender should you default on your mortgage when the value of your home is less than the capital you borrowed. The insurance only provides cover for the lender, not you, and typically costs Ј1,500.

Homebuyers Report - A property survey aimed at providing more information than a mortgage valuation but less information than a full structural survey. It will help the borrower to decide whether to purchase and help the lender to decide how much to lend.

Interest Only Mortgage - This is a mortgage where your monthly repayments only pay the interest on the mortgage. Therefore, at the end of the mortgage you still have to repay the full sum you borrowed. You are advised to have a separate investment vehicle into which you make payments aimed at building up a fund capable of paying off the mortgage capital at the end of the term. Typical investments include ISA's, a pension or an endowment policy.

IFAs - Stands for Independent Financial Advisor. These advisors are regulated by the Financial Services Authority. To be classified as "independent" they have to be able to offer you the full range of products from all financial product providers. They are not entitled to describe themselves as "independent" if they can only offer products from a restricted panel of financial companies. A Financial Advisor can be one man band or work for very large companies. Before they make any recommendation, an IFA must carry out a detailed fact find so they fully understand your financial circumstances. They can then make their recommendations to suit your personal circumstances.

ISA - An ISA is an Individual Savings Account, which is a tax-free method of owning shares, building up a cash savings account or a life assurance policy. You can use an ISA to build up a capital sum to repay an interest only mortgage.

Leasehold - If your property is leasehold, ownership of the property reverts to the Freeholder at a set date. Many houses were originally sold on 999 year leases which means that 999 years after the initial date of the Leasehold, ownership of the property reverts to the Freeholder. Building in multiple occupation such as apartments, are always sold on a leasehold and usually have a much shorter leasehold period - 100 and 125 years is quite common. Often, with a block of apartments, the apartment owners individually own the leaseholds whilst a management company, in which they hold shares, owns the freehold. These days, however, leaseholders who live in the property have the legal right to buy their freehold under terms laid down by UK law.

Life Insurance - This can also be called Term Insurance or, when specifically linked to proprty purchase, as Mortgage Protection Insurance. It is designed to pay a tax free lump sum in the event of your death to enable your mortgage to be repaid in full. There are a number of variants such as Level Term Life Insurance and Decreasing Term Life Insurance. At the outset you take out insurance for the full sum you have borrowed from your mortgage lender and for the same number of years as you have agreed on your mortgage. These insurance policies do not have any investment or surrender value. The premiums are based on a number of factors - the main ones being the amount of cover you need, your age, health and how many years you want to be insured for.

Lock-In Period - This is the minimum period you have agreed to stay with the lender. Depending on the deal, it could be as low as six months up to the whole of the term. Should you wish to repay the mortgage or remortgage during the lock-in period, you will invariably have to pay redemption penalties. Always make sure you know how long you are locked in for with your mortgage.

LTV - Literally means Loan to Value. This is a measurement of the mortgage amount against the value of the property or the price that you are actually paying. A Ј157,500 mortgage on a property for which you paid Ј175,000 would be a LTV of 90%. Lenders tend to charge a Mortgage Indemnity Premium on mortgages with a loan to value of anything about 75%. Some don't so ask about this.

MIG - This has now changed its name to HLC. See above.

Mortgage - A mortgage is a long-term loan taken out in order to buy a property with repayment secured on that property. So if you don't keep to the repayment terms, the lender can repossess the property, sell it and retain the money they are owed. Any balance is then paid to you. If the property is sold for less than you owe your lender, you still remain liable to repay the shortfall.

Mortgage Advisor - On October 31st 2004 the selling of mortgages in the UK came under the remit of the City watchdog, The Financial Services Authority (FSA). As from that date any person providing mortgage advice had to be registered with the FSA and abide by its rules of conduct, methods of operating and training programmes etc. The objective has been to improve life for the consumer by offering better protection, clear information and access to redress for poor advice.

Negative Equity - Negative equity is when the value of your home is less than the amount that you owe on your mortgage plus any other loans secured against it. It can happen very easily if you take out a 100% mortgage or if property prices fall. (Also see Higher Lending Charge)

Portable - This is a measure of how easy it is to move a mortgage from one property to another should a property move be required. This is vital if you are moving during your lock-in-period and wish to avoid redemption penalties.

Repayment Mortgage - This is the same as a Capital and Interest mortgage - see above.

Searches - During the conveyancing process, the buyer has to be sure that the seller has title to the property and identify any matters may affect the prospective owners ownership of the property. For example, whether the property is affected by any proposed road building, whether there are preservation orders affecting the property, is it a listed building and has it been built in accordance with planning conditions and building regulations. Searches will also show whether there are mines under or close by the property. This information is obtained by the person undertaking the conveyancing from HM Land Registry and the relevant Local Authority. These investigations are collectively known as "Searches".

Self-Certification - Should you have difficulty in providing documentation that "proves" your income to a prospective mortgage lender, you may need a self-certification mortgage. In essence you personally certify what your full income is. If you receive high bonuses, or work seasonally or on commission, or are self-employed this may be your best option. You declare your income plus some evidence that your declaration is reasonable. Ideally lenders want to see as much guaranteed income as possible. To compensate the lender for the increased risk they are taking on a self-certified mortgage, they will charge you a higher rate interest, typically 1% over their standard variable rate.

Stamp Duty Land Tax (commonly known simply as Stamp Duty) - You pay Stamp Duty Land Tax on property like houses, flats, other buildings and land. If the purchase price is Ј120,000 or less, you don't pay any Stamp Duty Land Tax. If the price is more than Ј120,000, you pay between one and four per cent of the whole purchase price, on a sliding scale.

Upto Ј120,000 - No duty payable

Ј120,001 to Ј250,000 - 1% duty payable*

Ј250,001 to Ј500,000 - 3% duty payable

Ј500,001 and over - 4% duty payable

*If you're buying a property an area designated by the government as 'disadvantaged', you don't pay any Stamp Duty Land Tax if the purchase price is Ј150,000 or less.

Did you know? Stamp Duty was originally introduced by William of Orange when he was King of England.

Structural Survey - The most thorough report you can get on the condition of the property you are considering to buy. The surveyor will look in detail at the inside and outside of the property and will tell you if the property is structurally sound. All major and minor defects in the building will also be listed and should tell you what maintenance work may be needed either now or in the future. You should make sure the scope of the survey is agreed in writing before you commission it. Should the survey identify problems, use them to negotiate a reduction in the price before you exchange contracts.

Variable Rate - This is when the interest rate you pay on your mortgage can go up or down depending on changes to the lender's standard variable rate. If you have a variable rate mortgage your monthly mortgage payments will change whenever the lender changes the interest rate.

Valuation - This is where a valuer appointed by your proposed lender, visits the property in order to estimate its current value. This value is then used by the lender as a basis for its security and to calculate its Loan to Value Ratio. The borrower never sees the valuation. With some mortgage deals the lender absorbs the cost of the valuation but in many cases the borrower has to pay upfront.

Power boating

Power Boating

Power boating is becoming a rapidly growing sport all around the world. While many people think of a power boat as simply a really fast speed boat, the reality is that a power boat is so much more. It is a high performance machine capable of very fast speeds and is usually used in racing competitions.

The sport of power boating requires the use of a highly tuned boat that is capable of high planing or skimming the water. This allows for higher rates of speed and easier handling. That’s why power boats are used in racing competitions.

There are all sorts of power boats that are used in power boating. In fact, there are over fifty-three categories of power boats and within each category there are many, many makes and models. Following are some of the more common power boats:

* Bow rider

* Power catamaran

* Classic or antique replica

* Deck boat

* Express cruiser

* Hovercraft

* Jet boat

* Runabout

The type of engine you have on your power boat is a very important consideration. Because these boats are meant to travel at high speeds, you will want an engine that will complement your performance boat. Make sure the horsepower is high enough that you will be able to get as much power out of your boat as possible.

Now many people still do use power boats for recreational activities like skiing and wakeboarding. Just be sure that when you are towing someone behind your boat, you aren’t going too fast that they will lose control and risk injury.

You could really consider power boating as the operation of any craft that derives its power from an engine as opposed to human power. But real power boating and racing boats go hand-in-hand. If you’ve ever seen a power boat race, you know that these machines are finely tuned crafts capable of amazing handling as they skim effortlessly across the water.

When you are captaining a power boat, you need to be fully aware of the capabilities of your craft. Operate the boat safely and keep a good eye on the other boaters around you as well as any natural barriers or aspects of the body of water you are on. It’s very easy to have an accident when piloting a power boat, so take boating safety seriously when at the helm.

Power boating is a great sport that can give even the most experienced boater a thrill. Take up power boating and learn what boating is really supposed to be about!

Credit card offers and sub prime consumers

Yes, there’s a huge crisis in the sub-prime mortgage market yet there’s still room in the sub-prime credit offers market. The banks certainly don’t want to completely ignore the sub-prime financing market so they are providing lines of credit via credit cards. For the most part banks are focusing on secured cards there are still unsecured lines of credit available to people with bad credit.

The Orchard Bank line of credit cards (provided through HSBC) in particular are still being offered to those with poor credit. The acceptance process has become more stringent however their application process will help you get the card that is right for you.

Orchard Bank uses a credit selector tool to ask questions and then through their technology will determine the right application for your current financial situation.

This is great news for consumer with bad credit because it helps to mitigate the risk taken by the bank when issuing you a credit card plus their unique system of pre-qualifying helps you, I will explain how this works now.

The first thing that will happen when you apply for an Orchard Bank credit card is a pre-qualifying form will be presented to you. Which you must answer honestly otherwise you will not qualify. They do verify your application information so avoid thinking that you will circumvent the bank process by using this application form.

After you complete the form a selection of credit cards that you can qualify for are presented to you so you will be certain you are applying for a card that will suit your needs and current financial situation.

Next you review the terms and conditions associated with the card then you hit apply.

The really cool feature is that you can have your card rushed to your door within 3 days of qualifying.

If you have lost hope in getting a credit card, the Orchard Bank card offers provide you with access to a MasterCard and in today’s world of online shopping having a credit card in your wallet is a necessity.

An introduction to koi ponds. wps

An Introduction To Koi Ponds

Koi ponds have become a popular hobby in the world, and the reasons are clear as to why. Koi are beautiful, vibrant fish that can literally light your day. Koi come in many colors, varieties, and kinds, so it is likely that everyone in the world can find at least one type of Koi that would suit their likes. While Koi may be a welcomed beauty to your pond, they also have an interesting history attached to them.

In Chinese culture, Koi ponds are said to being good luck to their owners. Koi ponds are used as an overall plan to fulfill their lives. Other parts of the world consider Koi ponds as a form of relaxation and serenity. In the united states, more and more people seem to find Koi ponds to be fun more then anything else. No matter what the reason you find to have a Koi pond, they are sure to brighten your life.

However, Koi keeping should not be taken lightly. Koi, like any other animal, require time and money to maintain. The majority of first time Koi owners fail because they get the idea that keeping Koi is easy in some way. Do not let this discourage you though, as educating yourself will greatly improve your chances of succeeding.

It is important for you to learn all you can BEFORE you begin obtaining the things you need for Koi keeping. This way, you will not slip up and have to replace anything that you have already done or bought. Planning ahead will not only save your money, but it will potentially save your sanity as well.

It is important to learn the information for yourself rather then relying on other sources. People such as your product dealer and pond builder will have limited knowledge, but should not be trusted for a reliable source, as they are selling products and may be bias. Plus, once you are at home with your Koi, your product dealer or pond builder may not be available to help you in the event of a problem.

Koi Have Personality

You would not believe that Koi actually have personalities similar to other animals. They are social, and can even be trained to eat directly from their owners hands. The more time you spend with your Koi, the more you will notice each Koi has individual characteristics and traits.

Koi have been known to live for up to 200 years at time, but generally the average lifespan of a healthy Koi is about 30 years. So if you are looking for along time pet companion, Koi may be a good choice.

Building Your Koi Habitat

Before ever buying Koi, you must create a proper habitat for them. This is where information from your pond builder and supplier will come in handy. However, you should not rely on the opinions of just one person. It may be a god idea to do research on your own, before you go to purchase the materials needed for you pond. Because of it’s popularity, an unlimited supply of resources can be found on the topic of Koi keeping. Visit your local library, fishery center, or research online. There are quite a few things needed to sustain a habitable pond.

When it comes to pond size, bigger is always better. Koi have a habit of growing rather fast, so you have to consider pond size at the same time you are considering how many Koi you are going to put it in.

Your filtration system is extremely important. There are 2 types of filtration, mechanical and biological. Mechanical filtration relives the pond of solids such as dead algae, insects, and Koi wastes. It is important to have enough filtration to sustain the size of the pond, and the amount and size of your Koi. Biological filtration causes a nitrogen cycle, which is what removes dissolved wastes from your pond. Without biological filtration, built up waste will turn into ammonia and kill your Koi within just a few days.

Besides the technical aspects of your pond, you will also have the ability to create a visually appealing area as well. Waterfalls, fountains, and other water features will not only add a visual show to your pond, but it will also create movement and sound. A variety of plants and flowers are also available for your pond.

PPPPP

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Internet marketing secret how to double your sales overnight

What if you could double your sales overnight by applying just one Internet marketing secret?

One of the greatest secrets of direct marketing is that it is scientific. With many forms of advertising, you cannot tell which ad or marketing campaign produced the results. But smart direct marketers know exactly which ad or sales letter produced what results because the results are tracked and measured.

Direct marketers have a secret they have been using to double their income - or more - for a hundred years. And when this marketing secret is combined with the power and speed of Internet marketing, the results can be phenomenal. It is not an exaggeration to say that you could potentially double your sales overnight with this one Internet marketing secret.

What's the secret? Split testing. This is done by using a "key" to associate a sale with the ad or sales letter that produced the sale so that you can measure the results. In a print ad, you might provide a phone number with an extension. The extension is actually the key. You would have two ads or sales letters, each with a different key, and would then track the results using their respective keys. Internet marketers typically use tracking software to associate a key with the resulting sales, although it can be done as simply as having two sales pages and tracking the sales from each.

For accurate results, you need a test that is big enough that you can rely on your statistics. For example, with a direct mail sales letter this is generally considered to be a mailing of at least 1000. Internet marketers can substitute 1000 page views. Either way, once you know what results you can consistently expect from an ad or sales letter, it becomes what direct marketers call your "control." You always need to have one control that produces known results. Then you can test other versions against the control to see if you can consistently beat the results of the control.

Suppose that you have a Web sales letter that consistently produces an average of 10 sales for every 1000 times the page is viewed. This is a 1% response, a figure that is often cited as average for a direct response sales letter.

Now you need to test one variable at a time to see if you can increase the percentage of sales. For example, you may want to test the sales letter with a different headline, a different graphic, a different price, different bonuses, different text, etc. But always only test one variable at a time. Generally, the headline is considered to be the most important element to test first.

What you want to determine is whether any change in a single variable will consistently produce a higher response. The payoff can be quite significant. Imagine if a different headline was determined to produce a 2% response. That doesn't sound like much of a change - only 1% more. But this would double your sales! Instead of making 10 sales out of a thousand, you would be making 20 sales.

This is a very realistic scenario, so you always want to test against your control. The better your control, the more tests will fail to beat it. But once you find a sales letter that consistently beats the control, then you make it the new control and continue with testing another variation of the headline or a different variable. Perhaps you might next test whether the color of the headline makes a difference. Suppose that changing the color of the headline resulted in another 1% increase in sales to a 3% response rate. This would be another 50% increase in sales and would be triple the number of sales averaged from the original sales letter!

It is very easy to be complacent with a working sales letter and not test further, but this can be a costly mistake. Any change in a variable could result in higher profits. For example, suppose that you determined that you consistently had a 1% response rate when selling your product for $97 but a 2% response rate when selling the product for $67. For every 1000 page views, you would make $970 at $97 per sale but $1340 at $67 per sale.

Always track your response rate, always keep split testing against your control looking for a new control, and always consider the bottom line - your net profit. Many tests will fail - they will not beat your control. But once you have a successful test that consistently beats your control, you will likely have significantly increased your income. Without split testing, you will never know how much money you are losing. But with this Internet marketing secret, you can potentially double your sales overnight.

It service agreements when to offer them

Right after emergency service calls is a good time to offer IT service agreements. You’ve just saved the day and you’re at the high point.

Customers have to like, know, and trust you. After an emergency, they love you! They love you because you saved the day; they now know you of course because you just spent the last 16 hours working non-stop to solve this problem; and of course they trust you because you delivered on what you said you could do.

Future Damage Control

Once you fix an emergency, they’re very receptive to talking about how to prevent this kind of panic from happening in the future. Then you can give them a proposal that will include the ongoing maintenance by your company in the form of IT service agreements. So that’s a great time to ask for the service contract.

Offer IT Service Agreements after Conducting IT Audits

After IT audits, customers are wondering what do to next. If they have agreed to an audit, they are more than likely looking for someone that they can call on a regular basis. They want someone who’s going to look out for their needs, who’s going to take a long-term approach to making sure that everything they’re buying fits well with their existing investments, and that it makes sense for their business and fits in with different things going on in their industry.

For someone to sign IT service agreements, they need to be a paying customer of yours. Once they become a paying customer of yours with an IT service agreement, they’re essentially more of a client, because they’re beyond just being a transaction-oriented customer. They’re in it for the long haul, with a long-term client relationship.

The Long Range Option

Another option is a slightly longer sales cycle that can take anywhere from a couple weeks to a couple months. In this case, your customer realizes that they are not happy with their current technology provider. Perhaps, they’re not delivering as promised; the response time is starting to slack off; they feel they’re padding the bills; there’s personality conflicts; or changes in priorities. A lot of different things can happen and they’re actively shopping for a new consulting firm, a new technology provider to work with.

In those cases, usually the natural step is after you’ve walked out and you have tons and tons of notes and lots of things is to propose to them that you come back and do IT audits. The IT audit is a great segue into proposing IT service agreements.

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