Archive for June, 2008

Mystery Shopping

Sunday, June 22nd, 2008

By Barry Stein Mystery shopping is an excellent way to make extra money. In fact, some people make a full time living doing it. There are many mystery shopping companies that will pay you to shop, eat at restaurants and take part in focus groups. A mystery shop consists of getting paid to go into a business without the employee’s knowledge and reporting back to the mystery shopping company. A focus group is when you get paid to sit down with other people who are also getting paid and discuss new products or services. Mystery shopping jobs and focus groups are easier to find if you live in or near a large metropolitan area. After you do a mystery shop you answer some questions and file your report with the mystery shopping company. These reports are usually set up as a series of questions and often can be completed quickly. The reason they have mystery shops and focus groups is so that companies can get feedback on their employees, products and services. That way they can see where there might be problems and make the necessary changes to improve things. A few years ago I had some free time and I wanted to make some extra money. I took a course, How to Become a Mystery Shopper, at a local community college. After completing the course I registered with a few mystery shopping companies online. You can do a search on Google for “mystery shopping.” Bypass the mystery shopping websites that are trying to sell something. You want to find the mystery shopping websites for the actual mystery shopping companies. These mystery shopping companies will never charge you any type of fee to register or to do mystery shops or focus groups. Be sure to read all the free mystery shopping information you come across. There is an art to being a good mystery shopper. Basically you are like a reporter. You will never add your feelings or what you think to a mystery shopping report. Your job is to just answer the questions, report the facts and describe what actually happened during your shop. You never want to give your own recommendations. That is not why you are hired. If the mystery shopping company wants a consultant, they will hire one. All they want you to do is to answer questions with just the facts of your mystery shopping assignment. Once you find a few mystery shopping companies you can then register with them. They’ll contact you by email whenever they have a mystery shopping job in your area. You’ll only respond to the emails when you want to do the shop. Otherwise you can just delete the email. You get to pick and choose the shops you want to do. A couple of years ago I did some apartment shops for the Jancyn Evaluation Company that took me about half an hour to complete. Since they paid $25, I was basically being paid $50 an hour. You can register with the Jancyn Evaluation Shops Company. They may pay more than $25 today for apartment shops since it has been about two years since I’ve done an apartment shop for them. Jancyn also does a lot of shops and surveys for the Ross Dress for Less retail stores. I’m not sure if Jancyn still has a business relationship with Ross, but I once handed out survey forms in one of the local Ross stores here in the Seattle area and made $500 for about 30 hours of work. Here’s the URL for Jancyn if you’d like to register with them to do some shops. http://www.jancyn.com/ Another mystery shopping company that I get a lot of email requests for shops for is the Secret Shopper Company. They seem to specialize in shops for Veterinary Clinics. They pay $15 plus up to $100 payment NOT including tip + $10. The only catch is that you have to own a cat or dog, which I don’t, but maybe you do. Here’s their URL http://www.secretshopper.com OK, I’ve saved the best for last. Fieldwork specializes in setting up focus groups for some of the biggest companies in the US. They pay $50 to $75 for a focus group meeting that usually lasts about an hour. The last one I did with them was for some research for eBay. They were trying to come up with a name for a new category on their website. Fieldwork is located throughout the US in major metropolitan areas. You’ll have to visit their website to see if they are located near where you live. It’s great if you have children since Fieldwork does a lot of focus groups involving children. Perhaps you can talk your kids into splitting the fee with you. Again, the pay usually works out to be about $50 to $75 an hour. Unfortunately I have no children, but the next time I get an email for a focus group for children I’ll borrow a couple of my neighbor’s children. Here’s the link for Fieldwork. http://www.fieldwork.com/ Now you have a basic idea of how the mystery shopping and focus groups work. Start searching for more mystery shopping websites and get paid to shop, eat and taking part in focus groups. It’s easy money! Barry Stein is the owner of aWebBiz.com where he offers cutting-edge tips on all aspects of business and a Free Newsletter on Internet Marketing. To find more advice, tools and resources to help you succeed in your business, visit: http://www.aWebBiz.com You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print, in your e-book or on your web site, free of charge, as long as the author bylines are included with an active hyperlink to the aWebBiz.com website. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Barry_Stein http://EzineArticles.com/?Mystery-Shopping&id=14570 personal loans and athensga hialeah bad credit new car loan installment pay day loan stop social security withholding paycheck

Need Help With Depression, Why Not Have a Talk With God?

Thursday, June 19th, 2008

By Foras Aje In spite of the immense technological advancements and inventions designed to make our lives easier, depression still exists and millions of people are still seeking a depression cure. Could it be that we need to re-connect with what is real? The Being of whose very image we are? This may very well be the case. Now, coming from a Christian background and adhering to most of its principles in my honest opinion, an answer when asking for a depression cure will be a re-connection with God, by perhaps the most powerful yet easy: Prayer. A dogmatic approach involving the use of Thees and Thous is unnecessary.A simple yet natural conversation with your maker is all that may very well be needed to deal with your situation. The symptoms of depression, which consequently make us seek help, include feeling alone, having low-self esteem, a negative outlook on life and even in some more adverse cases, suicidal thoughts. Thankfully, there is a God who cares and His assistance in regards to a successful depression treatment remains unmatched. The key is you have to approach the methods the RIGHT WAY. This involves the use of faith. To strengthen your thoughts and emotional health with the Bible (obviously I am Christian folks, but I am sure any religious book will work), I refer you to what I label as thought conditioners that you can use for depression help in conjunction to the proper diet and exercises touched on in other articles. 1. Romans 12 verse 2: Be ye Transformed by the renewing of your thoughts 2. Nahum 1 verse 7: The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble and He remembers those that trust in Him 3. Isaiah 41 verse 10: Fear not for I am with you, dont be dismayed for I am your God,I will help you and make you strong and uphold you with my victorious Right Hand 4. Hebrews 13 verse 5: Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. 5. Psalm 23 verse 4: Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 6. 1 Corinthians 10:13: “No temptation (problem) has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted (tested) beyond what you are able, but with the temptation (problem) will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” Make efforts to fill your mind with these life-giving quotes as you await the answer from God OR are shown the answers which may very well be inside of you waiting to be tapped. A depression cure is within reach, the power which has its roots in the Omnipotent and Unseen is right there inside of you. With the tips above, you can draw from it, solve your problems and lead a depression free life. Empower yourself with a depression cure that works, reconnecting with the spiritual forces around you. Great wonders exist in your mind. Tap into it and win. Foras Aje is an independent researcher and co-founder of BodyHealthSoul LLC.He invites you to visit his blog for more tips on Depression Treatment and Self-Help Today. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Foras_Aje http://EzineArticles.com/?Need-Help-With-Depression,-Why-Not-Have-a-Talk-With-God?&id=309054 best personal loan loan means more than just lending money payday cash advance loans finance company unsecured loans

Party Glamour - 7 Holiday Makeup Tips for Busy Women

Sunday, June 15th, 2008

By Livia Mercer With the party season almost on top of us we all need to refresh our Party Glamour Repertoires. Almost all of us are pressed for time and dont have hours or even an hour to do our makeup. So I have compiled some tips for getting ready for that party or BBQ no matter how rushed you are. 1) Start Fresh: Before you do anything else, make sure your skin is well cleansed and moisturised. Dont even think about just adding some more makeup on top of what you have on. Trust me, this will only take a few minutes but the results will justify spending the time. Take your makeup off; the makeup remover wipes are fantastic to remove makeup in a hurry. Rinse your face with water, and then add moisturiser. You may find that the moisturiser you used in winter may be too heavy for summer, especially if you are outdoors, so opt for an oil free moisturiser. In summer a lot of women find tinted moisturisers an excellent choice. 2) The Right Foundation: You must remember that your foundation is not a mask. Your foundation is designed to even out your skin tone and hide any blemishes, but most of all it must look natural. Use a foundation type that you find the easiest to apply in a hurry.If you find liquid foundations too fussy, opt for a powder foundation. Generally anything that can be applied with a makeup sponge or a brush is quick and easy to apply. 3) Healthy Holiday Glow: Brush Bronzing Powder over the top of your foundation or tinted moisturiser for an instant healthy holiday glow. For this, use a large round brush, dip it into your Bronzing Powder and then knock the base of the brush against a hard surface. This will disperse the powder from the tip of the brush allowing you to get a very natural looking glow all over the face. Remember to take the Bronzing Powder past your jaw line, down your neck and even down your dcollet if you are wearing a revealing top. 4) Eye Bright: This summer there are some beautiful light, bright, and shimmery eye shadows on the market. Make your eyes the centre of attention with a little sparkle. Choose one colour that is most flattering for you. These are generally opposite colours to your eye colour. Eg: Brown eyes Blue eye shadow, Blue eyes Brown eye shadow, Green eyes - Gold eye shadow, ect. With shimmery eye shadows it is always best to stick to the one colour unless you are very experienced in application and blending. This will also cut down on the application time. Apply the shadow starting above your eyelashes and take it up just past the crease in your eyelid. Blend lightly so you dont have a visible line. 5) Line Right: An eyeliner is a must for well-finished eye makeup. Draw a line as close to your lashes as you can and follow it up with a very dark eye shadow applied with a narrow brush. This will not only even out the liner and give you a smoky look but it also seals the pencil line so it wont budge through the night. If you are very game and you still have a bit of time you can apply liquid liner over the top. This makes for a very intense, dramatic look and it ensures that nothing will budge your eyeliner. 6) Frame Well: Dont forget your mascara. This is worth spending a minute on, as your lashes will frame your eyes to perfection. If the day or night is going to be hot, it is best to use a waterproof mascara, just to be on the safe side. Use a mascara that is not more than 3 months old (for hygiene reasons). Wipe the end of the mascara wand to remove any excess product and start applying it to the centre of the top lashes by gently wriggling it between the hairs and moving up to the ends. Repeat this a couple of times then move to the corners of the eyes, first the inner corner then the outer corner. Do not apply mascara to the lower lashes. The transfer from your top lashes when you blink is enough. 7) Killer Pout: Lip Glosses are the perfect way to finish off your party look. Not only are they quick and easy to apply, they are very glamorous too. Lip Glosses also make your lips appear fuller. You can either get a coloured gloss or use a clear gloss over your lipstick. If you are using a coloured gloss apply foundation to your lips first. This will hold your lip-gloss to your lips well. Then apply your lip-gloss the following way: instead of putting gloss on like you do lipstick (from left to right, top then bottom); first apply gloss to the middle of your bottom lip only. Rub lips together. This will keep gloss from going on too thickly. Then if more is needed apply to bottom lip only again, until the desired look is achieved. If you are using a clear gloss over your lipstick, give your lipstick a minute on your lips to settle then follow the application rules as above. As they say practice makes perfect, but even with limited experience you can follow these steps to achieve a beautiful, fresh looking makeup that you can accomplish in 15 minutes. Livia Mercer is the creator of The Beauty Review. A FREE monthly online magazine for women who love beauty and cosmetics and want REAL product reviews by REAL women. For a free, subscription, visit: http://www.thebeautyreview.com.au Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Livia_Mercer http://EzineArticles.com/?Party-Glamour—7-Holiday-Makeup-Tips-for-Busy-Women&id=370709 personal or business loan internet personal loans no credit check banking personal loans for bad credit

Brightening Up Your Life With A New Ringtone

Saturday, June 7th, 2008

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Craig_Thornburrow]Craig Thornburrow This is the time of year that people begin to think of ways to dress up the old and make it new again. One of the ways you may choose to add some spice to your life life is by adding a new ringtone or two to the options saved on your cell phone. Of course, just about every service provider does make sure your cell phone is equipped with six or seven generic style rings. If you are more of a purist, you may be able to add some zing in your day by simply changing your current cell phone jingle for another one that came with the phone. For the more adventurous types, here are some suggestions of ways to come up with something new and different to hear when someone gives you a call. One of the first place to look for a new ringtone is through your service provider. Often, they can provide you with instructions on how to access a cache of different ringtones, pick some that you like, and download them to your phone quickly. Some of the tones may be free, while others may have a charge associated with the download, so make sure you know which is which before you get too attached to any one of the ringtones. If your service provider doesn’t have anything on hand that you like, then take to the Internet. These days, there are all sorts of ringtones available at many sites. Some of these sites will require that you join a club and pay a fee, but these often provide you with unlimited downloads. Before you whip out your credit card, make sure the site has ringtones that are compatible with your service and your phone type. Having service through Sprint and holding membership in a ringtone club that caters to Cingular customers will not do anything for you. In addition to making sure the files themselves are compatible with your service and equipment, you may want to sample the type of ringtones that are offered at the site. You may be looking for a ringtone that is simply a section of your favorite hard rock song from your teenage years. That is great, unless the site you have joined offers you the very best in classical music ringtones. Again, don’t pay for something you don’t really want. Do some careful checking before you buy anything. Don’t be surprised if you find exactly what you’ve been looking for on one of the many free ringtone sites that have sprung up the last few years. Some of them do a great job at creating ringtones from the sound bytes of music that is now in the public domain, or utilizing sound bytes that are so close to your favorite songs that you can barely tell the difference. You can spend hours perusing these free ringtones, as they cover just about every music type you can imagine. A new ringtone is a nice way to start fresh. Take a look around; the right one may be just a few clicks away. Craig Thornburrow is an acknowledged expert in his field. You can get more free advice on polyphonic ringtones and [http://www.ringtonesvault.com/Downloadable_Ringtones.html]downloadable ringtones at http://www.ringtonesvault.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Craig_Thornburrow http://EzineArticles.com/?Brightening-Up-Your-Life-With-A-New-Ringtone&id=505413 can project payday really make you money lafayette bad credit used car loan licensed payday lenders michigan payday loans with bad credit with western umion

Use the Power of Yes

Sunday, June 1st, 2008

By Marte Cliff People are much like freight trains. Sometimes its hard to get us started moving, but once were going, its hard to stop us as well. Thats why you should start your promotional messages with questions and statements that cause your readers to say Yes. Once your prospects are on a roll with yes answers or thoughts of agreement, it becomes much easier for them to say yes to your offer or to your request for donations. Try to give them 2, or 3, or even 4 reasons to think or say yes, or to nod in agreement, at the beginning of your promotion. And then do it again every time you see the opportunity. How can you do that? One way is by asking if theyd like to fulfill a universal desire. For instance, most people would say yes if you asked Would you like to double your income? (If you know some who would say no, Id like to meet them!) You can also make a statement youre sure theyll agree with. If youre writing to raise funds for disadvantaged children you could say Every child needs a chance to reach his or her full potential in life. Your readers will nod in agreement. If youre selling a health product you could ask if theyd like to live a long life free from disease. Who would say no? If youre writing for alternative health you could say that were all at great risk from the chemicals in our food, medications, and the environment. The people who believe strongly in natural solutions will agree with you wholeheartedly. Focus on your prospect Focus on your target audience - you can’t appeal to everyone. Dont worry about the others, because they arent buyers / donors anyway. You will never sell steak to vegetarians, so if you’re selling steak, focus on what the steak eaters believe and dont worry about the vegetarians! Some writers worry about stating the obvious - but do it anyway. You dont need to go into detail, but when you make statements that your readers agree with, you are setting them on the path of agreement. Youre starting a series of yes answers that can more easily lead to that final Yes when you ask them to fill out the order form or write a check for that donation. Before you begin your next letter, e-mail, or persuasive argument with your spouse, friend, or child, consider how you can start the yes-ball rolling. It works just as well in personal relationships as in print, so next time you need to move someone to your point of view, start the discussion with a series of agreements. Marte Cliff is a Freelance Copywriter and former real estate broker who specializes in writing for real estate and related industries. Her e-book, The Land Buyer’s Survival Guide, is a resource for both land buyers and beginning real estate sales people - offering a guide to the questions that must be answered before it’s safe to close on a land purchase. Learn more about the Guide at http://www.marte-cliff.com/Survival.html Marte offers a weekly ezine for real estate professionals and others with an interest in marketing themselves or their property. Subscribe by sending a blank e-mail to realestatehelp@getresponse.com and you’ll immediately receive a copy of her real estate ad writing report. Visit her at http://www.marte-cliff.com or contact her at: writer@marte-cliff.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marte_Cliff http://EzineArticles.com/?Use-the-Power-of-Yes&id=397531 payday advance jacksonville a list of pay day advance loans in snellville georgia saudi arabia tightens personal loan regulations payday loan online