Online Bill Pay and How It Works

Online bill pay is fast becoming a popular means of payment among people who want to practice good debt management skills, and save on both time and money in the process.

What exactly is online bill pay?

Generally, it is a payment method that lets an individual carry out payment instructions to creditors electronically through a computer program. This can actually get rid of errors, making it easier to manage debt. In addition, it is faster than mailing checks.

Online bill payment methods come in two basic categories: those being offered via a bank, and those offered via a service provider- like a credit card or phone company.

In general, online bill pay is designed to be fast and simple to use. Majority of major banking institutions, as well as businesses, provide this service without any charge. Individuals can choose to manually enter their payments every month, or arrange for an automatic withdrawal from their account. Automatic withdrawal allows them to set up their payments before their due date without worrying about giving manual instructions to make a monthly payment. The creditor will transfer funds straight from the bank, and enter these funds into their account with no action needed whatever.

Advantages of Choosing Online Bill Pay

The following information will help you consider the different advantages of using online bill pay:

Hassle-free

Individuals can save on time when using the online bill pay platform. Instead of writing out checks, wetting stamps and filing lots of papers, they can set up an online account to get rid of all these steps. It will also be easier and faster to manage their debt.

When they need to go over past bills, they do not have to waste time in looking for them - because all of their account information can be seen in one centralized location.

Cost Efficient

They can save on the stamping costs, which can add up. The average household gets 15 bills every month, which could amount to $ 70 a year in just postage costs.

They can avoid late payment fees that are incurred every time a payment is received after the due date. Missed payments could lead to the following:

• Increase in interest rates;
• Late payment charges and over limit fees.

When the payment is past due, their account could probably go to collection status.

Convenient

What is a more convenient solution to managing debt? Individuals could create their own automatic online bill account, so they can set up recurring payments that are to be regularly withdrawn from their account. This decreases the chance of late / lost payments, saving time in the process.

When they find out that one of their bills is due for payment on the next day, the best way to make sure that their payment will be posted on time is through online bill pay.

Key Benefits Of Affiliate Marketing

Since I decided to take the plunge 5 years ago and start working for myself as an online marketer, affiliate marketing has been the best thing I ever got involved in and is now part of my daily schedule.

It is without doubt something that all people who are interested in starting an online business or those who already have an online business, should investigate and take up.

If you are undecided or have little knowledge about affiliate marketing then I hope that you find the below information helpful and that it will clear up any doubts that you have over what the key benefits of affiliate marketing are.

1. Commission basis

For the affiliate marketer this is a key advantage as every time that somebody makes a purchase, the affiliate receives a set commission of the profit.

For the affiliate merchant this is an advantage as they only pay the marketer when they make a sale, so no money is wasted on marketing spend.

2. Huge audience

For the affiliate marketer - having built up various marketing lists or websites, they can make use of their huge audience base and ensure that the traffic they send over to the merchant is qualified and that sales are made, making the affiliate more money.

For the affiliate merchant - they receive access to a wider audience base than they may have had before, creating more interest in their products, resulting in more sales and all without investing any more money or time.

3. Ease

For the affiliate marketer - once they have set up their additional sites and links across to the merchant, it is very simple to manage and often affiliates will continue to make money from sales without having done anything for months.

For the affiliate merchant - they do not have to invest time and money writing content or creating expensive images in order to promote their services / products. Instead affiliates will apply to be a part of their program and all the merchant need do is have many affiliates all working towards promoting their products / services and wait for the sales to flood in.

4. Steady cost

For the affiliate marketer - building on the last point, an affiliate can keep receiving commission from sales of a product or service for years, despite not doing a lot of work to promote it. You do need to invest time at the start but then you have a regular source of income coming in for the market life of the service / product.

For the affiliate merchant - they set up all the costs so the chance to make a huge profit on sales without having spending much on marketing, is very likely. They do not have to pay their affiliates much per sale to make the business relationship worthwhile, as it promises to work best on a quantity basis so everyone is happy with the set amounts.

5. Brand Visibility

For the affiliate - there is a lot to be earned reputation wise from working with a range of brands and you will find that you get a lot more work should you be able to prove that you have succeeded with others in the past.

For the affiliate merchant - they receive free brand exposure on a continuous basis, which is never a bad thing. If you have many affiliates working on promoting your brand, you'll soon see a boost in search engine rankings and online sales; Amazon.com is an excellent example of where this has worked in the past.

6. Outsourced expertise

For the affiliate marketer - they get the continued experience to improve and work on their methods of online marketing, investing only their time, not money.

For the affiliate merchant - they will be able to utilize all kinds of affiliates who are experts in SEM (search engine marketing) and SEO (search engine optimization) without investing a lot of money, yet still managing to get to the top of Google rankings .

7. Transparency

For the affiliate marketer - through the various affiliate programs, it is possible to see exactly when sales are made and payment is automatic, so you do not have to worry about chasing merchants for payments.

For the affiliate merchant - they can see and manage their ROI (return on investment) extremely easily and do not have to worry about tracking the origin of each sale.

8. Online market

For the affiliate marketer - there are an endless number of affiliate programs out there and the demand for online shopping is not going to decrease, so the potential for affiliates is huge. You can access any number of markets with your affiliate work, whether you choose jewelery, hygiene, pet insurance or food.

Use long tail pro to find targeted long tail keywords with low competition, ensuring maximum affiliate sale for you.

For the affiliate merchant - as previously mentioned, online demand is not going away any time soon, therefor merchants are able to continue to expand product ranges to meet a range of online markets with the knowledge that they have a number of affiliates on hand to promote quickly and at a low cost.

9. Home-based work (aimed at affiliate marketer)

If you become successful in the world of affiliate marketing then it is entirely possible to create a long term Passive Income from it and a huge bonus to this is that you can work cheaply from home and be your own boss. You do not have to pay to sign up to affiliate programs and there are a huge number to choose from, all from the comfort of your own home.

10. Overcoming tradition (aimed at affiliate merchant)

Using affiliates to promote your products and services will guarantee that you receive a lot more exposure than you would by using more pricey traditional marketing methods. Having a number of affiliates promoting what you are selling and only being paid when a sale is made, is one of the most cost effective marketing methods ever as well as being incredibly successful.

How to Turn a Website Into a Money Machine

Making money online requires four major elements.

1) A product or service that people are willing to pay for.

2) The technology infrastructure to enable prospects to find and interact with your business online.

3) Traffic bringing prospects to your site.

4) Converting those prospects into customers and collecting their money.

While all four elements need to be in place and working together in order to make money, the technology infrastructure is the most critical element because it supports the other three and creates the leverage that enables individuals to make five, six and even seven figure imports from their home based businesses.

The biggest misconception about the technology needed to make money is that having a website is enough. Nothing could be further from the truth.

A website is simply the first, albeit the most important, element required to make money. Typically a website consists of a hosting account (where one leases space on a web server), a URL or web address, and a few pages of information or sales copy about the product or service being offered.

However, to turn a website into a real online business requires the addition of a number of software applications to manage the various business functions required including: autoresponders for building a list, multimedia to improve sales and conversions, split-testing to measure and improve conversions , traffic tracking to optimize advertising and traffic strategies, credit card processing, and monitoring and reporting of critical business metrics.

Generally these are purchased as stand alone applications and added to a basic website in order to create a real online business. The total cost of all the additional technologies required is in the range of $ 2,000 to $ 4,000.

The major drawback to this approach is the time it takes to operate the online business, as it takes a great deal of time to jump from application to application to gather the operating data required to make operating decisions.

The solution to this problem is to retain a software engineer to connect, integrate and develop displays for the most important operating information. This can easily cost an additional $ 20,000 to $ 30,000.

The objective being to reduce the amount of time spent dealing with the technologies so more of your limited time can be invested in driving traffic and learning the important conversions skills required to convert prospects into customers.

Alex Mandossian, the uber successful Internet marketer said it best.

"The secret to making money online is Simple.

Do not spend any more than 10% of your time dealing with the technologies so you can spend 90% on traffic and conversion because that's where the money is made online. "

Then he finished with most important point.

"There's no money in learning and managing the technologies, unless you want to be a webmaster."

This means that you either need to hire a professional webmaster to set up and manage the technologies required to operate your online business (so you can focus on getting traffic and converting it into customers) ... OR you need to get one of the integrated applications that provide all the technologies ready to go.

Not only do these applications combine all the technologies into one easy to use application that let's you focus on traffic and conversion, but they cost 80% to 90% less than purchasing all the technologies separately.

Bottom line, the best way to turn your website into a money machine is to purchase one off the shelf. It's far faster, much cheaper and will make you a lot more money.

Please visit www.YourFirst50K.com [http://www.yourfirst50k.com] for more information & to receive your FREE copy of my ebook titled "How to Make Your First $ 50,000 Online"

Why You Should Enlist the Help of a Debt Recovery Service Today

As anyone who runs a business will know, collecting the money owed is easily one of the most challenging aspects of administration. One of the things you realise after going into business is that clients will always get away with what they can. The majority, of course, will pay up faithfully and on time every time, but there is always a percentage who will--for whatever reason--drag the chain when it comes to payment. Often, it seems, the exact same clients who were exceedingly demanding of your prompt responses during prior transactions. One way in which to take the stress, lost productivity and frustration out of chasing up invoices is to engage the help of a debt collection agency.

What Does a Debt Collection Agency Do?

In terms of managing outstanding accounts, a debt collection agency can provide holistic, big-picture solutions that take the worry, stress and administrative work out of chasing up funds owed to you. From early-intervention call services all the way through to (last resort) legal proceedings, a debt collection agency is your answer to staying on top of who owes what! Depending on the services you need most, you can set up a system whereby overdue invoices are immediately referred to your agency after a certain number of days. You can then agree upon a course of action--for example, how many days you are willing to wait before certain proceedings are undertaken, and you can expect detailed reporting on the status of your unpaid invoices at every step of the way.

Why Outsource?

Depending on the size of your company, chasing up overdue invoices can at the least be a gross misuse of valuable time and productivity, and at worst an entirely impossible undertaking. Debt collection agencies take all the guess-work out of the process, and instead of having to continually spend time and money with back and forth exchanges, it's simply a matter of entrusting the right company to get you the payment you're owed--often far more effectively than you ever thought possible. A debt collection agency holds the added weight and threat of a bad credit rating--something nobody wants--so you'll find that it is often a lot easier for an agent to get results faster. In addition to this, a debt collection service can cater payment plans for clients experiencing financial trouble, and the added 'middle man' can take some of the heat out of situations.

If you're experiencing difficulty with getting clients to pay up, or even if you just want to reevaluate the amount of staff time and resources you expend on following up financial issues, consider enlisting the help of a debt recovery service. The peace of mind and efficiency you'll experience will be almost as beneficial as the cash you'll start to see more of!

7 Top Tips to Car Salesman's Or Saleswoman's Success

Given that car sales account for 19% of total US sales in 2000 (source: US Small Business Administration), a lot of people are buying cars which mean that they are a lot of people selling cars. Additionally, new car sales have dropped from 63.4% in 1989 to 60% in 1999. Selling cars is not easy given that many still have a negative perception of car salesmen or women. Hopefully, these 7 tips may help you to sell more cars.

1. First and Foremost YOU need to think of yourself as a business. Car sales people work for an auto dealership, but most work on a salary and commission basis. When your compensation is commission based, this means you have more control of your destiny and should view yourself as a business instead of just a sales person.
2. Adopt a Planning Attitude. If you do not have a plan, then you are on some else's plan - usually the successful car saleswoman or salesman. As a practicing performance improvement consultant or coach for the last 10 years, I have observed that most people plan less for their own lives than they do for a simple visit to the grocery store.
3. Learn how to prospect. There exists a fundamental belief that the auto dealership is responsible for bringing traffic through the door because the dealership owners have all those "big bucks" for media advertising. Given that 80% of all new sales comes from referrals, would it not make more sense to prospect individually rather than simply on outside resources to control your destination? Those media efforts usually bring in suspicions, not prospects. Use your time wisely by focusing on prospects those who have a need, dollars and are a decision-maker. Do not rely only on the auto dealer to send out letters. Take the time to write some handwritten notes.
4. Improve your sales skills to make more money. Today's buyers are far more savvy than years ago. Learn how to cultivate and develop long term relationships. Consider a proven buying / selling sales process where marketing and selling skills are united to deliver to the desired results of another sold car. New car sales to used car sales are far more relationship based selling than years ago when car sales was a commodity sale.
5. Establish your sales goals using your great planning attitude. If you are a car salesman or car saleswoman and have 300 customers and the industry average sales cycle is 3 years, then every year you should be selling 100 cars. Focus your efforts of those who will be buying a car this year, but remember to continue to touch those who will potentially be buying another car in 2 or 3 years. HINT: Use the WAYSMARTcriteria for goal setting.
6. Identify the attitudes or beliefs that are obstacles to your success. Working with those in the auto industry, I have heard countless reasons why sales can not be made. However, when these reviews are reviewed, they are usually unfounded reasons based upon existing attitudes and beliefs. For example, "corporate has ruined the car industry by posting prices on the Internet. Everyone knows everything about the car." My response is "if price was a real objection, then everyone would be driving a Yugo or a Chevette. HINT: When you change how you look at things, the things you look at will change.
7. Make managing yourself priority number one. You must learn how to maximize your time especially in the area of ​​time management, ongoing professional development such as through business coaching training and personal life balance. The auto industry is truly a 24/7 business given that cars are with us each and every day of our lives. However, it is important not to lose sight of your personal life including family, friends, physical health, etc.

Yes, you can be an incredible car salesperson who can increase sales through these 7 simple car salesman tips. Just remember, sales regardless of industry is all about knowing your numbers and then multiplying your activity to secure those desired results.

An Inspiring History of a Small Business

In 1980, a husband and wife, purchased their first home in Arizona. The husband was managing a vacuum cleaner store, and the wife was a cashier at a grocery store. The husbands only day off was Sunday, and the wife was off 2 different days of the week, so, they never had much time together. They had no children, but the wife was breeding Afghan Hound dogs.

The husband was watching TV one peaceful Sunday afternoon, and all of a sudden the TV sparked, smoked, sputtered, and lit on fire. He jumped off the sofa, opened the front door, unplugged the TV, picked it up and thread it in the front yard.

Even with both the husband and wife working, they did not have enough money to buy a new TV. The new house had eaten up all of their extra money, and there were a lot of new expenses in owning a new home.

The husband was talking to a friend of his about his financial problems. His friend stated that his father used to own a vacuum business, and said, "Why do not we go to the Flea Market in Phoenix on weekends and sell vacuum cleaners, bags, belts, and parts." I told him that it sounded like a good idea, but my only day off was on Sunday. We agreed that he would work Saturday, and we would both work on Sunday.

The only other problem was that this person had no money for inventory, so his friend said that he would put up the money for some inventory to get their business started. They both agreed that they would put all the profit into buying more inventory, and vacuum cleaners that they would both rebuild and sell.

They followed through with their plans, and their new business was a success. They were selling huge amounts of bags, belts, and parts, as well as buying old vacuums, fixing them up, and reselling them. All of the profit they made went back into the business, and they started doing more and more business. It was all very exciting, but the only problem was that one of the partners was now working 7 days a week, and still did not have enough money to buy a new color TV.

After about 2 months, the one partner mentioned that he would like to get a little money from the business to buy a new color TV. He was kind of surprised when his friend said, "No Way". He tried to talk his friend into it, but his friend was totally against the idea of ​​taking any money out of the business. His partner said that he would rather just buy him out of the business that they started, and have the business all to himself. They agreed, and the one partner was paid about $ 800.00, for his share of the business.

Finally the one partner was able to go out and by a new color TV. Then, he thought of what he could do with the other $ 400. Well, right or wrong, he called the vacuum parts distributor that they were both buying from and ordered $ 400.00 worth of bags and supplies, and the following Sunday, he went to the Flea Market, and started his own business. His friend ran into him and kind of smiled and said, "Oh well, I guess we did not talk about you doing your own thing out here." The other partner said that all he wanted was some money to get a new color TV, and that he was the one who wanted to split up the partnership. They both laughed and remained good friends and competitors that helped each other for many years.

The one partner continued to buy more and more supplies, and soon had a huge display of parts, bags, belts, and new and used vacuum cleaners. He was so busy that most of the time, he had no way of going to get lunch, or a coke, or anything. After a couple of months of suffering alone, he needed help so badly that he asked his wife to quit her job which she did, so that she could help out with their new business.

During the next several years they continued to grow, and soon they had a 30 foot trailer and 4 employees helping them at the Flea Market, and at their home, where they were repairing and rebuilding vacuums during the week. They got to know all of their neighbors at the Flea Market, including the ones who sold futons behind their stand.

After a few more years they became friends with their futon friends, and they decided to rent a store together. It was their first actual store, and they split the store space and rent. I all seemed to be going well for both of them, but one morning, after a couple of months, the vacuum people went to open their store, and all of their futon friends things were gone. All of their futons, desks, computer, everything was gone. They had vanished in the night. All that was left was a note explaining that they were not making it, and that they felt bad, but they had to abandon ship and move to Seattle. This was quite a surprise to the vacuum people, who were left with all of the expenses of the store, but luckily their business was able to handle the bills.

The first day that the futon people were gone, they had 2 or 3 people come into their store and ask them where are all of the futons were? They could have told them that the futons were gone, and that all there were now were vacuums. Instead, they asked the potential customer what size they wanted and what color, and they knew enough about futons, and where to get them, that they were able to make a couple of sales without any futons in the store at all.

This was the beginning of a kind of a strange combination that was not planned at all, but it worked, and they had many customers who bought both a vacuum cleaner and a futon. Sometimes the futon part of our business was so busy that they had less and less time for the vacuum part of the business, so they ended up selling it to one of their competitors. This futon business has continued to grow year after year, but was never planned.

That is a story of how 2 people started a business on the side, which developed into a full time business, and then completely chaged to a different business altar. It shows how in business you must be able to adapt, and to go with the flow, in order to survive.

Campers Motorhomes - Understanding the Role of the Leisure Battery

Have you ever thought of purchasing a motorhome and enjoying the associated lifestyle. Good idea, it's a pursuit practiced and enjoyed by many around the world, but be aware of the difference between living in a motorhome compared to living in your domestic house. Do not jump into buying a brand new motorhome without thinking it through and being comfortable with your new found responsibilities.

The basic principles of a motor home and a domestic house are the same in that you have four walls, a roof over your head, admittedly much less space in your leisure vehicle, but it is a space in which you can live in and travel in for a lengthy period, with the correct planning. Like a domestic house you have running water and power - and these are the two key components of the motorhome you must understand.

Electricity in a domestic house requires no maintenance, until something breaks. Electricity and your supply of power in a motorhome requires constant attention. Unless you are plugged in to a mains electricity supply at a campsite, your power supply is coming from a limited source. These sources include, your vehicle battery, your leisure battery, generator power and solar power. These all require constant vigilance. Your leisure battery is generally intended to provide a small amount of voltage supply for a long period of time, for example the power required to light the living area of ​​your motorhome. But it also does power the 12 volt points such as 12 volt televisions, dvd's, toilet flushing, water pumps etc. It recharges when the vehicle engine is on (via the alternator) or when plugged in to camp site mains electricity. The leisure battery may, in some cases also be powered by solar panels.

Managing your leisure battery in your motorhome does take some care and attention, but once you take care not to run it down completely, you should avoid embarrassing confiscances. Do not forget to care for your battery in the winter time - take time to charge and discharge it during those cold months.

Direct Sales Team Vs Distributor - Which is Better For an International Market?

If you're looking to expand your sales to new markets, then there's one big question you must ask: do I build a direct sales presence or use a distributor? Each method has its benefits and drawbacks, but we're going to make a strong case to use one method over the other in almost every instance.

What's the difference between direct sales and distributors?
A direct sales presence means that your company establishes, manages, and pays a sales team of one or more people in the target market.

An outside agent is any entity that will sell your product in exchange for a service fee. One example is a sales rep, who sells your product in exchange for a percentage of the sale. A distributor is similar to a rep, except they would buy product from your company and sell it directly to the end customer.

Is Direct Sales Better?
For most businesses expanding into new markets, especially international markets, hiring a distributor is a better decision-at least until there is enough return from the market to justify building a direct sales presence.

Sure, there is one major advantage to having a direct sales presence-control. Control over the day to day activities of your sales personnel is appealing to most business owners. But this control comes at a heavy price. To start, you'll need to spend the time to hire someone in that market, then train them, then equip them with sales material and management, if not office space and equipment. These costs are prohibitive for most small businesses looking to expand internationally.

And there are even more costs that we have not mentioned yet. Each market has it's own unique laws, cultures and customs that are essential to master if your company wants to establish a successful sales presence. Japan is a classic example of a marketplace with unique legal structures and business customs that, if not followed, guarantee the failure of any sales efforts. It's hard to pin down an exact monetary value to this learning, but ask yourself this: Can you afford to establish, manage, and pay a sales force in a foreign country for at least a year while they learn the routes and generate no revenue?

What about a Distributor? Is a distributor better for new markets?
Distributors are a cost effective means to enter a new marketplace successfully. Here are just a few of the reasons:

• No Overhead: Unlike running your own sales team, a distributor will take care of the hiring, managing, payment, and optimization of its channel. You're just borrowing their distribution, while they handle the maintenance.
• Established Channel with Local Knowledge: A good distributor will already know all the laws and customs of the market you're entering. You do not need to reinvent the wheel-you can use someone who already has local local knowledge.
• Understanding Pricing and Purchasing Power of Market: Along with knowledge of the laws and customs comes knowledge about the most successful ways to price and market your product locally.
• Cost Effective: Since you will not be paying for the above items, distributor relationships are much more within reach of a small business trying to enter a new market.

Using a distributor has some downsides as well, but they can be minimized by building a good relationship with a distributor.

• Not your own people: You will not be able to directly manage every step of the process. While it may make you nervous to lose some control over the sales process, you can manage the risk by building a transparent relationship with your distributor with constant updates and feedback from both ends.
• Distributor has many products to represent: You may not be the distributor's top priority at any given time, and you want to be sure your product is not getting shuffled to the back of the line. Once again, a well-established relationship with constant contact will ensure that your product is getting the attention it describes.
• Not a "turn key" solution: You can not just give the distributor your products and expect success. You'll have to manage the relationship. This takes time, but it's still less costly than trying to install a direct sales team from scratch.

So what do I do next?
If you are not convinced that a distributor would be better for your organization than acquiring a direct sales team, seek help from a consultant who has experience establishing a presence in new markets. A consultant can use his or her experience to analyze your opportunity and recommend the best course of action.

Before you choose a distributor, you need to know ....
Choosing the wrong distributor will set you up for failure. The wrong distributor simply will not generate sales, and you'll have wasted at least a year finding and setting up an unprofitable relationship.

There are certain things to look for in a distributor, and they are different for every market. The best thing to do is to find a professional, one with experience in distributor relationships, and hire that professional to help you search for and identify the right distributor.

Getting the Most Value From Bookkeepers

I learned a long time ago that if I wanted to derive value and performance from vendors, I had to set clear expectations about was important to our business, and how I wanted them to work with me.

A good bookkeeper alone is no guarantee you will get good service. Like managing staff, you will have to communicate your expectations clearly from the beginning.

A4 plastic concertina folder.

In here you file print outs of signed quotes, vendor quotes, client invoices, supplier invoices, bank statements and government correspondence. The bookkeeper will transfer these into the D-ring folders as they are processed through the accounting software.

10 large D-ring folders.

These will contain the bulk of your records, labeled by year and document type. They remain permanently on the client concessions. Remember that you need to keep your records for five years and they need to be clear enough to help your accountant minimize your tax bill.

Handle each piece of paper once.

If you are going to collect the mail, or open an envelope, either file it away immediately in the concertina folder or throw it out. If you are too busy to file it, do not open it. Handling the document once will keep you focused on providing value to customers.

Do not rely on your memory.

Write down what you need to brief the bookkeeper on using Microsoft Outlook Calendars. Attach an agenda to the calendar invite and update it as frequently as necessary, with the activities you need carried out and the priority. For example, apply for a company credit card, research government grants or find a better way to invest excess cash at bank. Have all your ducks lined up and you will maximize the bookkeeper's productivity.

Keep business and personal separate.

Bookkeepers can chew though your books quicker if you separate business from personal expenses. Mix them with personal and it makes it messy.Store safely in one place passwords to government + client payment systems.

Avoid writing checks.

Let your bookkeepers write your checks. That way you only have to sign them. Apart from the fact you could make an error, there are other reasons like conditioning vendors about the frequency of payment that makes outsourcing checks smart.

If you do have to write a cheque, recorded all the details of the transaction clearly on each stub as you write the cheque.

Imagine the stubs needing to be queried in a year's time - the more information the less time wasted. Double-check the cheque is correct before you issue it. Record the cheque number and date on the invoices you are paying with that cheque and the invoice number on the cheque stub. Make sure you use a red pen - that way these details catch the bookkeeper's eye.

Bank checks immediately.

When you receive payment for one of your invoices, record the date and pay-in amount. Do not chance filing the cheque to be banked later.

First make, annotate and file a photocopy of the cheque for your records. Staple the remittance advise to the cheque. Then bank the cheque within a day or two of receiving it. In the long run the cheque will be easier to track. The amount will appear in the next bank statement, and the date the cheque was written will correspondently close to the date it was banked. Very tidy. If you do lose the cheque, seeking a replacement is painful.

Staff expenses

Staff expenses can be very expensive to account for. A bookkeeper will ask you to supply them in Excel or equivalent to minimize our fee. This places the responsibility on the employee to collate and set out their expenses. If your staff do run-up a lot of expenses each month, consider supplying company credit cards to the most trusted.

Applying for a company credit card can be arduous, but effectively streamlines the reporting process. There are also some mobile applications which claim users can photograph receipts and the software will tabulate the details of the receipt into a spreadheet. These applications are cheap and worth piloting with one or two employees.

Teach Kids About Money With A Savings Account

When children see toys advertised on television, clothes in a store or candy on the shelf, they immediately want them. They have no understanding that those things cost money. And if a parent says well honey, that costs a lot of money, children think that parents have an endless supply of money that simply appears magically out of their wallets. That is why it is important to teach children early about the value of money by looking into bank accounts for children.

Teaching children about money will help them make smart buying decisions, develop strong savings habits and show them that they can not always get everything they want the minute they want it. If they get a sense of the importance of buying things that you need, instead of things you want.

Start your child's financial education by teaching them that money is earned by working for it. No one is going to just give them money when they're adults, so do not set up that expectation now. Kids can earn money by doing chores around the house - cleaning bathrooms, sweeping floors, putting dishes away. There are household chores suitable for every age.

The first step in saving money is to get a piggy bank or something similar. Kids, especially younger kids, are very literal and concrete. Seeing physical money accumulate will get the point across better than anything you could say. If they want a toy or something that costs more than one or two weeks worth of allowance, show them how they can get it. They just need to put a portion of their allowance away each week until they've saved enough to buy what they want.

Once your child has a handle on the idea of ​​saving cash at home, it's time to teach them about banking by opening a savings account. Many banks, both online and brick-and-mortar, offer savings accounts for kids. This gives them the chance to start an account without a significant minimum balance or fees that would wipe them out.

You should open the first account using both your name and the child's name, which indicates a custodial account. Make sure you provide the required forms of identification, as well as birth dates, both of your social security numbers and current address.

Go over the bankbook with your child and encourage the child to place the bankbook in a safe place. Many bank account representatives will take the time to go over all the steps with your child, such as the importance of accurately entering deposits and withdrawals, as well as dates and explanations. Of course your child will not remember this when it's time to make a deposit or withdrawal, so you'll need to walk them through the process again.

The key at this point is to keep it simple. Your child is not starting a checking account and does not need to know all the details that are involved with maintaining this type of account, at least not yet. Your child will stay encouraged about saving money once the bank statements arrive and the child can see the bank account grow. Some families also find that it discourages children from making unnecessary purchases because they want to save money. Opening a bank account for children can open their eyes to the importance of saving and managing money. All it takes is a little praise and encouragement from the parents to help build their kids financial future.

How to Make Money Opening a Bar

Opening a bar could be a funny way to make money, but it is very tough: you have to think very well about this project before starting to move and you must be prepared to work hard in this business if you want to succeed.

You will need patience, motivation, money to invest at beginning, experience managing a bar and if the location varies requires it, you will need a liquor license. Also remember that on average 90% of restaurants and bars fail in their first year. Of those who survive, 90% fail in their second year. But if you win, the fact of own a successfully bar can be very rewarding.

In this article you will find the steps involved in opening a bar and the tips in order to succeed.

1. Visit some successful bars in your area

Buy a drink in each one and take notes on what you like and what you do not like. Take a look also at the busy time and then come back later at a quiet time. Familiarize with the laws, regulations and other requirements in the area where you wish to open your bar.

2. The theme in your bar

This is probably the most important decision you have to take. To help your choosing, consider that people tend to visit bars close to where they live and take a look to the competition in your area. Start to think about the menu: depending on what you will offer you might have food, drinks and cocktail menus.

3. Your business plan

You have to consider the amount of money you want to invest, with relation to the location, theme and future income statement. You should also need an accountant and interior design or architect. Your business plan is also used to request finance (if you do not have enough money) from banks or investors for your new business, so be sure to arrange everything.

4. Decide the location

Before select the location for you bar, consider your potential client in the area and make sure you understand the competition in that area. Also, think about the trends and consider the more people in the area, the more clients you could attract. Be careful to choose your location in residential areas, because of the noise, there could have been some restrictions on operating for certain hours. Finally, look for vacant promises, for rent or sale, that can be suitable for your bar.

5. Select and purchase furniture

Tables, chairs, couches, bar stools: if you need some help hire an interior design. Your furniture should of course fit with your chosen theme. Think also about audio, lighting and all the other electronics for you bar. Set also computer systems for sales, orders, stock level and payments like salies and purchasing stock.

6. Licenses

You should apply for all the licenses that you need in your bar: you will have to get a permission to serve food, a permit to serve alcohol, and all your employees will need food handling permits.

7. Bar staff

This includes bartenders, floor staff, security and dj It is very important to hire experienced people, go to personnel agencies if necessary. Consider that the amount of employees you will need depend on the size of your bar. Create your working procedures that the staff has to follow, as bartender service standards or envelopes depending on your bar theme.

8. Entertainment

Bands, dj's or any other entertainment you can offer to your clients.

9. Opening of your bar

You may choose to make a VIP opening, also for media and celebrities and why not, to your suppliers. Or you can directly organize the public opening party and that's all!

It is now time to make money and have fun with your new business !!!

Private Real Estate Syndicated Funds - A Passive Way to Invest in Real Estate

In today's economy, one thing is guaranteed. The world is trying to ditch the US dollar as the reserve currency and keeping your money in CDs and money market accounts is straight forward unsafe. For decades savers and investors found it safe to keep their money parked with their banks despite the current near zero rates of interest and volatility of the US dollar are justified reasons that compel more folks to find better investment strategies for their money. That's why many investors start looking for investments which keep up with inflation (real estate, gold / silver, commodities, and certain foreign currencies and stocks.)

If Real Estate investing has been on your mind but is not sure where to invest, how to find the best deals or how to correctly evaluate one, you may want to explore the opportunity of a passive way to invest in a syndicated real estate fund . A real estate syndicate is simply a group of investors who pool their money to purchase real estate. By pooling their money together these investors are able to purchase larger real estate properties with or without bank financing. This method of real estate investing has been a popular method of financing the purchase and sale of commercial properties such as shopping centers, office buildings and warehouses.

Private Real Estate syndicates raise funds through a private placement which is a security - an ownership interest in a company that owns and operates investment real estate. Unlike the REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts), these investment vehicles are not publicly traded and are not priced to market on a daily basis. While REITs may have high dividend returns their publicly traded shares are subject to a significant degree of price volatility, an event less likely to occur with private syndicated funds.

Many real estate syndicates are offered as private placements, so it is important for you to understand the process and risk factors related to private placements. One of the most common risk is that the underlying investment is real estate, as a result these investments may be less liquid than shares in a REIT; when time comes the fund may be unable to sell the real property at a high sufficient price to generate the expected profits; Egypt outside factors such as a further deterioration of the economy may negate the value added through rehabilitation work. Then, there is that uncertainty of unforeseen future expenses, taxes, and liability, all of which being typical real estate issues that seasoned investors are familiar with. My recommendation is that you thoroughly evaluate the risks directly from the private placement memorandum.

Syndicated real estate funds are carefully crafted by using the expertise of attorneys, accountants, contractors, investment bankers, mortgage bankers, and real estate brokers. They are structured in form of a partnership agreement or limited liability company (LLC), whose code of ethics requires full disclosure of all material facts. To further determine whether this kind of investment is for you, you'll want to find out the experience and accomplishments of all directors and managers, the minimum required investment, the time-frame of your investment, and the potential annual return and capital gains on your money.

What I found enticing is the fact that one can invest in a private real estate syndicate by using his retirement account (IRA). A self-directed IRA is a unique hybrid tool that uses a self-directed IRA custodian and a specialized legal structure. Investments made with a self-directed IRA may grow untaxed provided the income generated is passive income.

Some other potential benefits associated with investments in these funds are:

* Gaining net cash flow through a passive investment. Owning real estate individually requires skills in assessing property values, negotiating purchase agreements, financing, negotiating leases and managing the property. An investor in such a fund has access to a group that has proven knowledge and experience to deal with all aspects of real estate.

* Achieving a higher yield by investing in larger and more profitable properties. By pooling the funds of a number of investors, real estate syndicates can achieve overall better returns when compared to many individual investors.

* Taking advantage of the troubled commercial real estate market by using the expertise of culture investors.

* Hedging against Inflation. Because inflation erodes the value of hard-earned money and reduces the individual purchasing power, investment diversification in tangible assets may potentially represent a more desirable way to maintain your current living standard.

* Potential profit from property appreciation. Commercial real estate value is determined by its level of stabilization. High occupancy rates, stable revenues, carefully assessed expenses, and experienced property managers overall significantly contribute to the increase in value.

* Favorable tax treatment. Check with your tax adviser regarding tax savings on private estate syndicates which may not be available when investing in a public company.

* Various Investment Positions. As an investor, you can choose from a variety of positions that best suits your investment requirements.

Overall I still think it's a smart move to diversify your investment portfolio with a hard asset such as real estate. But no matter what you invest in keep in mind that a "healthy investment" is the kind that ...

* generates substantial revenues for you during good times and bad times;
* is made out of real assets that do not vanish;
* does not lose its earnings potential with time;
* maintains its capital value;
* keeps up with inflation;
* is made out of assets that satisfy one or more human needs (housing, food, energy);
* can be passed on to your heirs and generate passive income for them.

Finally, if you're seriously considering placing a chunk of your money into such a fund do not forget to ask the hard questions such as if the managers and directors are investing their own money in the fund; how can you verify that the company is real and not a hoax; what could go wrong and if it does what happens to your investment. Use common sense and your own instinct, learn as much as you can, make decisions, and act on them quickly so that when the economic dust finally settles, your egg nest will still be there, intact and unharmed.

What You Need to Know about Vacation Rentals before You Go

That time of the year is finally here. You know what I'm talking about, the one or two weeks you get every year to escape from "real life" and just be you. Relax, eat and drink well, enjoy your family, catch up on some much needed sleep. But, before you pack up and head out, rethink the all-too-normal hotel stay. Believe it or not, you have options, one of which is the vacation rental.

Would not it be nice to leave your own home, arrive in your destination city and settle into a "home away from home" for your next vacation? That's what vacation rentals are all about. These are homes waiting to be rented out by people on vacation. Each vacation rental owner will have different criteria in what type of renter they are looking for, each vacation rental house will vary in amenities, and each price will be dependent on the time of year and the length of stay. So, it sounds like a great idea, but how do you figure out how to make it all happen? Not a problem. Below you will find answers to frequently asked questions regarding vacation rentals. Read on, my friend, your next "home away from home" vacation rental is right around the corner.

Frequently Asked Questions on Vacation Rentals

What are the advantages of a vacation rental?

Do you ever wish your hotel room had just a little more personality? Yeah, I thought so. Well, renting someone else's home for your vacation might just be the thing you're looking for. Usually offering larger living spaces than hotel rooms, these vacation rentals are all about living like you were in your own home. They offer greater privacy than hotel rooms and most rentals have a kitchen area for cooking, which in the end will save you money if you prepare some of your own meals.

You'll enjoy several rooms, and maybe even different levels, instead of one big room where the whole family sleeps. Many owners will leave information on things to do and see in the local area. Vacation rental homes are clean, friendly, comfortable and inviting. This is because many of them are not just rental homes, but also function as the owner's own residence for part of the year.

A majority of vacation rentals tend to be cheaper on a per night basis than their hotel. By renting directly from the owner you will avoid taxes, tips and other external charges. However, there is a wide variation among others based on a number of factors (see How Much Should I Expect to Pay below)

What are the drawbacks of a vacation rental?

Of course, there's always the other side of the coin. As vacation rentals are not usually monitored by a central managing company, you'll only know what you're getting yourself into when you actually arrive to your rental. Many owners require pre-payment, or at least a large deposit fee, before arriving. Therefore, if things are not the way you anticipated after arriving, or if you find your dwelling unacceptable and decide to head to a local hotel, you may lose any money you prepaid. This is also true for last minute cancellations. There is not usually a refund. You always run the risk of getting less than you expected, but, it's rare.

Most times, vacation rentals tend to be cheaper than an average hotel room per night. But, not always, so make sure you are comfortable with the price you will be asked to pay.

Another disadvantage to vacation rentals is the lack of a managing member on site to deal with any problems that you may encounter with the home or during your stay in general. Most owners get around this by having a list of emergency numbers, utility companies and other such items available to the renter should they need anything.

What amenities are included in a vacation rental?

Since every rental is owned by a different owner, each will include different amenities. Some come with swimming pools, hot tubs, others with golf packages, and horse stable privileges. In cities with tourist attractions, some owners include tickets to local attractions.

Most vacation rentals come with the essentials: TV, equipped kitchen, towels, linen, and everyday appliances, but it never hurts to ask these questions when searching for the perfect place. Be sure to understand exactly what you are paying for before sending in the payment.

What types of rentals are available?

Pretty much any type of dwelling that you would want to live in during your vacation is available somewhere. From studios in downtown Manhattan to a villa in the south of Spain, you'll be able to find what you're looking for. The range of available options is mind boggling. Additionally, each week, month and year there are new possibilities as owners put their homes up for only certain weeks or months of the year, the choices are constantly changing.

Are vacation rentals only available in the US?

Vacation rentals are available worldwide. They can be found in every state of the US and almost every country in the world. Do not be fooled by their different names, though. Vacation rentals are also known as holiday cottages, tourist rentals and holiday rentals. If you are looking for one in Europe, the Italians call them agriturismi, while the French say gites. If you are in Germany you will be looking for ferienwohnungen (yep, try to say that three times fast with a bratwurst in your mouth!)

Regardless of what you call it, though, a vacation rental is a great option for those getting ready to take a few weeks off from reality and enjoy the good life a bit.

How do I find a property?

There are several ways to go about finding the perfect vacation rental for your next trip. Check with your local travel agent to find someone in your area that specializes in finding owners and renters and getting them together. Another option is the yellow pages. Finally, there is a wealth of information on the Internet. Type in a search for "vacation rentals" and over 13,300,000 websites can be found just on http://www.google.com alone. Some websites only list vacation rentals in the United States while others specialize in vacation rentals worldwide. There are some sites that will allow the potential renter to look for a residence by specific search criteria such as a particular destination, certain number of bedrooms and types of amenities that are included in the property.

Most of the vacation rental services on the internet are only the "go-between" or the "classified" section of the newspaper. They take no responsibility for the truth or correctness of the ads that are listed on their sites. So, do your homework by making phone calls, speaking with the owner and asking specific questions. Make sure you feel comfortable with the answers, if not, move on to the next rental, there are plenty.

If you're not comfortable with the whole renter / owner thing, there is another way to rent a vacation home. Some companies exist that strictly buy and rent out homes to vacationers. They offer a bit more security so that you feel you are really getting what you bargained for (although nothing is ever 100% fool proof). Additionally, sometimes these agencies will give you cancellation insurance. In other words, if you cancel before arriving, they may be able to refund a portion of your deposit or payment instead of keeping it as most owners do if a cancellation occurs. With some agencies you'll find that you pay a higher price than going directly to an owner. This is how the agencies make their profits. There are always pros and cons to each scenario. Ensure you know which one works best for you.

How much should I expect to pay?

This is a tough question to answer. The amount you pay will depend on what country or state you are visiting, number of days you are staying, and type of house you are renting. Some owners offer package deals including tickets or sightseeing events along with the rental, others include bonus days if you stay for a certain length of time. There are other owners who may offer free or add-on house cleaning service with your stay while some go to great efforts to ensure you have everything you need, even additional items such as a crib, highchair or wheelchair. Each vacation rental will be entirely different from the next. Your best bet after deciding on your destination is to review multiple rentals to determine which is better suited to your needs and overall budget.

Are there any hidden fees?

Hidden fees usually only emerge after you have arrived. These may include extra for phone calls, house cleaning service, extra person fees, excess heat and air-conditioning bills, pet deposit, computer access ... etc. Again, be extremely thorough when interviewing the owner of your prospect vacation rental. Ask about any "extra" fees, or if the house is "all-inclusive". Do you have free access to all the pantry and food items? How about the laundry supplies? All utilities? It never hurts to ask!

Vacation Rentals

In summary, cover all bases by asking lots of questions. Getting your agreement in writing is also a very smart idea. After these basics are out of the way you will be ready to take off for your home-away-from-home vacation rental. Try one this year and see for yourself that vacation rentals can be a fantastic means to really getting the full enjoyment out of your next vacation.

Car Maintenance Packages

Be it a single car or a fleet, to ensure that the full potential of the vehicle is used, proper maintenance is necessary. This includes routine monthly checks, followed by specific tests at periodic intervals and quick diagnosis of any problems that the car may face. While individual repairs are an option, it is better to opt for an suite package as they are more economic and cover a wider range of maintenance arenas. Typically, car maintenance or servicing include replacement of oils in the engine, primarily coolant and the like, followed by the Ministry of Transport's (MOT) test for car safety and engine test under stress. In addition, regular upkeep enterprises wheel alignment for optimum handling and mileage and replenishment of air conditioner gas. Interior servicing is also an integral part as comfort of the passenger is the most important aspect of any car.

When you buy a new car, it is bound to run smoothly for a while. The first time it is served, if you do not have a package deal, there is a chance that you will be slapped with a huge bill. It is possible that this will be repeated. Maintenance packages help economize by spreading the cost over a year, and the average plan that includes all the important areas of servicing will cost an average of £ 60 / month, a small price to pay for saving a lot in the future. In addition, with a package, you will not have to bear the burden of picking up and dropping off the car in every dealership by yourself. This is even more useful if you are managing a fleet! Imagine overseeing the maintenance of several hundred cars! With periodic maintenance, there is no chance of having huge bills at one go. Instead, the cost is even balanced over over a large period of time. Moreover, with serving at proper intervals, the car performances better and has fewer emissions, thereby reducing the environmental impact too.

The basic coverage of a maintenance plan is the recommended maintenance by the manufacturer and this is taken care of according to the prescribed schedule. This usually includes checking the essentials like air and fuel filters and the electrical fitting and replacing them if necessary. In addition, brake linings, pads and disks are also checked. Moreover, cam belt is replaced in accordance with manufacturer schedule. However, normal wear and tear is taken care of. It is evident if the damage is due to irresponsible driving and this is not taken care of. Wheel alignment and tire replacement is handled too. In case of tires, setting is done according to the specific manufacturer.

Cars, as old as 1 year are taken into servicing and the contract is valid for three years. There is a stipulation that the vehicle needs to run a minimum of 20,000 miles every year. Other plans for higher mileage are also available and the pricing is done accordingly. There are comprehensive pricing plans for fleets at a stretch depending on the composition of the fleet. Typically, fleets consisting of the same car are charged much less. Another factor that effects the price of the servicing is the manufacturer. Cars which spare parts are easily available are charged much less than those need parts made by a specific manufacturer or the car manufacturer itself. In some cases, manufacturers do not accept spare parts made by other companies.

Overall, it is a great idea to have a maintenance package that takes care of every aspect of car maintenance. Not only does this reduce the trouble on your part, it is much more economic and statistics have shown that cars benefit in the long run too.

Things To Be Remembered About Fuse Replacement

Electrical power is significant to people's lives. It is important at the same time hazardous and powerful. Safety measures should be followed to be able to stay clear of harmful circumstances when working in direct contact with electricity. Even electricians who are skilled in this sort of discipline are taking precautions to avoid accidents. Anyone who will not have any electrical background on electrical power should not attempt or trying out to repair any electrical difficulties in their homes. This may result in personal injuries and destroy properties as well.

Actually, many inventions have prevented some hazards to take place so that you can keep away from any risk when doing work with electrical power. One of these safety defense inventions will be the fuse. Fuse is a basic safety measure to help avert electrical cables or wires from overheating. The metal strip melts if there is overloading that disconnects the electrical current flow in the circuit to in which it is connected. By doing this lessens the potential risk of overheating wires and cables which may bring about electrical fires. The moment blown, fuse replacement needs to be done.

You will discover cases in which many individuals are actually electrocuted because of fuse replacement. Anybody is at substantial risk if no precautions are already taken. Not being careful can effortlessly turn electrocution into a fatal situation if there is an occurrence of a sudden power surge. It is very vital to shut the electric power off through the main supply when working with potent electrical current. This safe tactic prevents a person from being electrocuted, steering clear of injuries, at the same time damage to properties.

Don't try to come in contact with or touch the electrocuted individual. Also, you need to call paramedics straight away so that you can save the life of the electrocuted person. Handling electricity without right measures taken may cause cardiac arrest, extreme burns plus a probably brain damage as well as impairment to other organs.

Paramedics or any person who is trained on how to deal with this circumstance can greatly assist. These trained experts have health care equipment referred to as emergency defibrillator to use to restart an electrocuted persons' heart and prevent death. In managing any electrical issues, you ought to request the support of an electrician. They are absolutely skilled professional for this discipline and have great knowledge about electricity. Employing qualified electrician could be the most effective way to correct electrical complications within your home.

How Developers Can Prepare Apps Under GDPR Regulation

GDPR Regulations or General Data Protection Regulation is on the floor for mobile app users in European nations, is a sort of gift. Of course; your privacy is your privacy, no intruder allow getting in. The best mobile app development companies in the US were also talking about the implementation of GDPR in their app development process.

Before you judge me with this statement, let me remind you that the app development process is not limited with geographical boundaries. So, an app, which is getting developed in the US might be used in Canada or maybe some other European country. This increases the responsibility of mobile app developers to prepare apps under GDPR regulation keeping the safety and regulation norms in mind. The experts have to come on a single platform and use these concerns to prepare apps under this new regulation.

Users' choice to opt-in or opt-out with consent













When a user installs an app in own device, it won't take permission rather it just ask for the need to accept the terms to go ahead in the installation process. At least, Android users don't have a choice here to opt-out for sharing of personal information and data.

Mind you, the Android users are 79% in the Smartphone market segment; yes, there is a need for user consent. Mobile app developers should ask users to opt-in at the right time, and this be implemented with the consent toolkit for developers. Here is the catch, most of the apps ask for consent at the wrong timing. And, they should know that they are in control. It would be great for users, if they can choose what to share and what not.

Managing consent across devices













When your user switches from one device to another device, it would be easier to get the same Android account on the new device. But, does that work for other apps too, Why there is a need to discuss it, because if a user does this many of times or even once; this would be difficult to identify that whether to update those privacy settings and opt-in/opt-out consent once again. The user settings synchronization should be there else continue using the same account without the update will be against of user's interest.

Organizing the user's opt-out request with respect













Mobile app developers should understand that user's choice should be on the priority, why we need to take care of that, because when an app allows the user to choose "opt-out" for some of the permission or all; it won't change the user experience. This has been to be there with all the fully functioning features of any app. Let's say a cab booking app wants to use your pictures from the device, if you deny then it shouldn't stop you to use all the features. Developers should incorporate all such features with the consent toolkit.

Integration of user consent preference with other third party apps/tools













The Smartphone we use is not the just the single component, it has a club of various hardware components, software, and applications. This is the basic need when it has to integrate the "opt-out/opt-in" consent with all available third-party apps and tools. While developing the app, it should be there to have sync with all such third-party apps, tools, and hardware so there would be no case of losing data by any mean. When a user agreed to share contact list with one app should be limited to that particular one only. It shouldn't be shared with anyone, else it will be a loss of user's privacy consent.

Wrapping up













Developers can't ignore or deny this regulation; this is also in favor of users so they need to keep it in mind. And, the internet world has no limit, so when going for any further development, mobile app developers have to follow GDPR.

Managing Your Money on Your Trip to Ireland

If you are planning a holiday to Ireland you will need to decide how you will manage your finances while you are there. ATMs and banks are widespread so you will never be too far from a source of cash.

If you are traveling from another Eurozone country you do not have to worry about exchanging currency. However, if you are traveling from the United States or the United Kingdom you will need to convert to Euro.

You have a number of choices on how you manage your money while you are away. The most traditional way to bring money is traveler's checks. However, this is one of the more expensive options with responsibilities as high as six percent, but they can be replaced if they are lost or stolen.

Making cash withdrawals is probably the cheapest and most convenient to access cash on your holidays. You can use your credit card, debit card or bank card to make withdrawals in Ireland. Most ATMs in Ireland will accept all three.

With debit cards or bank cards you usually pay a commission of about 1.5 percent. However, you can save money by lodging money into your credit card account before you go and withdraw it while you are away.

All major credit cards, including MasterCard, Visa and American Express, are widely accepted at shops, hotels and restaurants all over Ireland.

It is a good idea to buy some Euro before you leave your country so you have some money for essentials like travel to your hotel when you arrive.

However, try not to carry too much cash at any one time. Ireland is a reliably safe country but a small number of tourists are robbed there every year. Be vigilant and try to bring a spare card in case yours is lost or stolen.

A Guide To Vehicle Tracking With Fleet Management Software

Maintaining and organizing fleet vehicles, field personnel or other assets is impossible without a reliable centralized system accessible at all levels of the business. Luckily these systems do exist and are referred to as fleet management software or vehicle tracking systems. There are a number of solutions available and these have been developed to handle all aspects of managing and maintaining a fleet as well as personnel and job dispatching. Each comes with a raft of features and capabilities making it difficult to choose a solution.

There are many companies providing vehicle tracking and fleet management software solutions. These fall into two types of system, online or locally installed software.

Online systems are usually a web-based or "in the cloud". They are accessed via a web interface or web browser where as a locally installed system is installed on a local computer. The pros and cons to these two systems are minimal and come down to IT infrastructure already in use by the business. If a business has an existing database to manage parts of the business then this data may need to be accessed by fleet management software and this may need a locally installed solution.

What features or capabilities make fleet management software a good investment for a business?

Centralized Data Storage

Having all information in one place is a must for organization of all aspects of a business. All good solutions enable the input and storage of vehicle information like service, MOT and road tax records. Driver records such as driving qualifications, medical requirements and endorsements can also be entered on to the system. Important vehicle and driver documents can be scanned and easily retrieved when required.

Vehicle Service Reminders, Alerts and Management

One really useful aspect of fleet management is the ability to set reminders or alerts for vehicle servicing, MOT or road tax due dates. Personnel can update the status of vehicle repairs and drivers can record any vehicle faults when completing daily checks.

Vehicle Tracking with GPS

An important feature when deciding on a fleet management solution is the ability to know where vehicles or personnel are located or where they have been. Vehicle tracking is usually achieved with the installation of a small device in the vehicle or in the case of personnel or assets a small device can be carried in a pocket or attached. Once setup it is possible to see vehicles, people and assets in real-time on maps. Knowing where all the business assets are allowed the fleet manager or transport dispatcher to assign the right asset to the correct location.

Job Assignment and Dispatch

This is a very useful feature but not all fleet management systems feature it. The ability to assign jobs via the system is a really useful function. Mobile personnel, drivers or field engineers can update the job status, upload images and signatures enabling back office staff to immediately see and inform a customer of progress. These systems can be installed on existing devices such as smart iPhones, Android and Blackberry handsets.

History Trails and Reports

When all of a business's data is stored in a centrally managed system it is easy to compile reports that can improve efficiency and even save money.

Detailed reports on individual assets such as vehicles can show total running costs for that vehicle. Vehicle tracking information can show how much fuel has been used and help to suggest cheaper alternative routes. This combined data from personnel can help a business to see where efficiencies can be achieved.

To summarize, fleet management software and vehicle tracking solutions should enhance a business and if used correctly and should improve the operating and efficiency of a business's mobile resources. The savings that can be achieved may be out-weighed by the costs of the systems but that should also be balanced against the increased productivity and the ability to offer a better service to clients.

3 Mistakes On How To Make Money Online

In this 21st century era, the internet has taken most of the big businesses trading around the globe. It is no doubt that making money online is booming real fast. What used to be deemed by the society as fraud, scheme ... etc all sorts of negative impression on the internet has now been replaced by praises. The internet has enable people to escape the 9-5 job routine and create their own online business.

We have heard many people are approaching a lot of money from the internet. Make money online has been a dream for many since then. Whatever their end desires are, it can be summarized as below on why people what to start an online business and make money online.

1.) They own the business. No longer need to repeat the same old 9-5 routine.

2.) Earning margin is unlimited. There is no limit to how much you can earn online.

3.) Enables you to reach audience of worldwide.

With all the benefits above (and more!), It is no wonder more and more people are looking into making money online.

However, the real question hits everyone who wish to start an online business real hard. The question is: How can I start to make money online then? The moment people ask this question, a sense of fear immediately arises in their blood. It is because they have never done anything like that before, and have all the pre-conceived notice on what the online business is.

Here are the 3 mistakes that you need to avoid when it comes to build your own online business and start to make money online.

Mistake number 1 - You need to be extremely good at programming and coding in order to make money online. Doom is the age of alien languages, now is the era of drag and drop! To build an online business, you do not need to know even a single line of code. Many times people have been told that to start an online business you will need to at least master the foundation of programming and all the technical knowledge. Truth and the good news is, you do not have to! With all the technologies in place now, you can even create a website in less than 30 minutes without facing the alien languages.

Mistake number 2 - Sell service. By selling service you are changing time for bread. You can not pull yourself out from the equation when you sell service. Simply put, you stop earning money online the moment you stop working online. Make sense? The better way would be to sell information digital products. Not only it's earning margin is high, you can put it in automation as well. That means you can earn money even when you are away, even when you are not managing the business.

Mistake number 3 - You need to get a Master Degree in designing a website. Scrap this. All you need is a good course that teaches you the right way of doing marketing online to drive traffic to your site. Let's face it, without traffic, your beautiful website will be rendered as useless. It is because no one is looking at it! Marketing is the important puzzle that gives you revenue, not the look of the website.

With these 3 mistakes to avoid, you can literally be relieved to start to make money online. As long as you put the efforts in it and be patience, you will see result. Build an online business and make money online are real. Do not be smoked out by those deceiving 3 mistakes!

Cloud Telephony - How To Use Online Cloud For Communication Purposes

Most business owners must be familiar with the term cloud telephony. It's a fast growing sector under the cloud computing market. The term basically involves an individual or an organization which can access multiple computing resources and is connected to an online network. However, it's interesting to note that the online resources we're talking about here refer to computers that are beyond your office premises and are located somewhere in the online cloud or on internet.The main idea is to access software, facilitate data storage and resource sharing without investing in installing, configuring or managing undesired additional resources.

Thus, you do not have to deal with time-consuming, tedious and boring telephonic features. You've got quick access to advanced features. You can play audio and video files, transfer calls to multiple locations and call a quick conference! There are numerous advantages of cloud telephony over traditional voice call system. Earlier, technical knowledge of business people was restricted to IVR, PBX and use of MDF or main distribution frame. By making use of cloud telephone system, you can play a greeting message, dial an extension number or record your conversation! All these enhanced voice calling features are integrated with technically advanced computer applications to create a superior system!

Prominent Benefits Of Cloud Telephony

1) You can route inbound voice calls. It means your customers just have to dial a single phone number if they wish to make queries and a prerecorded message is displayed to them (or thanks to virtual call applications) or their call call is transferred to your agents sitting on remote locations, within a couple of seconds.

2) You've a customization option for calling your customers and routing their calls by analyzing call data.

3) You can interlink your telephone system with online customer database that is you simply have to maintain an online phone directory with numbers and customer names fed in them and your system will automatically call your customers. Moreover, you can reschedule the calls that have not been answered.

4) Advanced call software provide you the facility of running polls, contests or survey results for your customers. The database software will record telephonic conversation. The answers given by your customers will be matched against the results of stored in your database and a lucky winner will have to be selected by the software.With so many advanced features associated with cloud telephony no wonder why multiple people opt for it. An office phone service is an integral part of your company which plays an important role in determining the success of your business.