Is Pet Insurance Really Worth It?

In the 1980's pet insurance first came on the scene and for many pet owner's they were thrilled until they saw what was being offered and the limitations of these plans. There was only one company that offered insurance and it was only for extreme cases, such as if a pet had cancer and it paid very little of the treatment costs. Therefore, many pet owners were frustrated with the offerings and never looked into insurance for their pets again.

However, pet insurance has come a long way since its early days and while it is still relatively new, there are several companies that the consumer can choose from. Moreover, the coverage is much more comprehensive and even includes add-ons such as wellness, which means that the annual vaccinations and office exams can also be covered.

How does an insurance policy on your pet work? Simple. If you had to take your dog or cat in for an ear infection and it ended up costing $600 for treatment and medications, you pay the bill, then file a claim with your pet's insurance company. Depending on the plan, they typically have a deductible of $50 to $100 and then pay 80 to 90 percent of the bill. Therefore, if the plan had a $50 deductible and paid 90 percent of the cost, you would get a check back from the insurance company for $495. This a substantial savings for you, and many policies offer the wellness option that includes your pet's annual physicals, vaccinations, and many times heart-worm medications and tests.

Today, cheap pet insurance has advanced significantly so that you can make sure your pet is covered from babyhood into old age. Keep in mind that premiums are often based on the age of your pet and some companies will not insure your pet if it is over 10 years of age. However, if you have your pet insured, your insurance will not be canceled once the pet turns 10, which is why it is important to have them covered as early as possible.

You may be thinking with all the advancements in cheap pet insurance that it may be expensive, but the truth is, it is still very affordable and if you have more than one pet, you can get a percentage of a discount when you insure them at the same time. It truly is a great way to keep your finances protected and be able to make sure your pet gets the care they need, when they need it. Lastly, shop around for insurance, because some of them are very unique and may not be what you are looking for. However, with a bit of research, you will find the perfect plan that is cost-effective for you and protects your pet at the same time.

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Have Peace Of Mind With Pet Insurance

Pets are an integral part of the family and if something happens you want the best possible care without accumulating a lot of debt. Pet insurance will offset the expense of veterinary care. There are approximately two million pet insurance subscribers in the US. Insurance for pets was once considered an expense we could do without, but if your pet encounters an unexpected problem that requires surgery you are going to be confronted with an expensive bill that you may not be able to afford. Insurance coverage for pets is the same as it is for humans' "predictability" in case of dire needs and emergencies. Insurance plans are available for the most common domestic pets as well as numerous unusual types of animals.

Insurance for pets has increased in popularity because modern technology and medicine now allow pets to undergo procedures and surgeries that were unthinkable in the past. Today Cancer treatments are available to dogs; however it could cost thousands of dollars. Dogs can also receive hip replacements in access of $10,000 or more. Pet insurance would make these types of surgeries more feasible.

If pet owners have insurance they will not be caught by surprise with a major veterinary expense. The prices for Pet insurance companies are setup in much the same way that all insurance companies are. The premiums are less for animals than humans because there is consideration that young animals and healthier breeds will for the most part need less expensive care. The premiums prices will vary according the coverage and coverage limits.

There are a significant number of different types of policies being offered. The pet owner may consider a policy for Lifetime Coverage which covers all the expenses related to any long term disease your pet may encounter. The long term diseases are inclusive of arthritis that requires a longer duration of veterinary treatment. This type of policy entitles the policy holder to a specific sum of money every year. The maximum limit can be reset when the policy limit is renewed. This coverage is especially conducive for the cats and dogs.

Another insurance option for the pet owner is Limited Time Coverage. This coverage is in effect for a specific period of times after the pet suffers an injury or disease. This type of coverage is cheaper then the life time coverage.

Limited Money coverage maybe a feasible insurance option for some pet owners. This option allows the pet owner to receive monetary benefit for every condition that can fall within the pet health insurance coverage. The policy owner has no time limit to place claim for the money as long the money limit is not reached. This type of coverage is basically cheaper than the limited time cover.

The average monthly insurance premium costs around $28. All policies pay 90% of your actual veterinary bill for accidents or illnesses. Deductibles and premiums are adjustable to accommodate the pet owner's needs and affordability.

Pet insurance provides the pet owner with peace of mind in the event unforeseeable problems occur with the pet requiring extensive medical attention.

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Is Pet Insurance Worth It? Knowing If You Should Buy Pet Insurance for Your Cat

If you're wondering if you should get pet insurance for your cat, you're not alone. A few years ago insurance for your pet would have been on most peoples list of things that are not needed. These days it has become a different story.

Still the main decision lies in deciding whether to put your hard earned money into premiums or put the money into another financial vehicle that will work better for you.

Owning a Cat still has its risks. Little bandit may grow into a happy cat and live a long life of doing whatever cats love to do with few to no worries about their health. On the other hand, there is the possibility of an unfortunate accident happening to poor Bandit. As well Bandit could contract any number of diseases, picked up from who knows where, or suffer from ill health due to a less than healthy diet.

You just don't know what will happen. So really the question is am I financially prepared to handle anything that may happen or will insuring my cat be a better alternative than going into debt? Plus, do I care enough about my cat to ensure he or she is protected from anything that may happen.

With the high cost of newly available treatments for pets, caring for a pet on your own can be risky without pet insurance. The small costs of regular cat care can be handled by most of us, but if something life threatening happens we may not have the available funds to afford proper treatment. Without pet insurance you're faced with a difficult choice to go into debt or loose your pet or both.

The average cost for insurance over the life of your cat is anywhere between $2000. to $7000. You may never match or exceed that amount in treatment but it can be a far more manageable amount should any large vet bills come along.

Advancements in Vet care bring higher costs

It's important to be aware of the treatments available to your pet that were only recently available to just us humans. A non-treatable diagnosis meant your cat couldn't be helped, but these days what was untreatable is now treatable but at a price tag of anywhere between $1000 to $5000 or higher.

With the newer tools and techniques vet use today an examination of your pet can reveal conditions that would have gone unnoticed and untreated before. Again these more sophisticated exams are more costly.

As a result of these higher prices for vet treatments and procedures pet health care costs have also risen.

Of the approximate 50 billion we spend on our pets, 30% goes to Veterinary care. That's around 15 billion. With 85 million cats only 1% to 2% percent of Cat owners have pet insurance policies.

Will Pet Insurance protect you from everything?

Most pet health care policies come with a deductible as well as a yearly limit to what will be paid out for your claims. Plus there are other features such as co-pays that mean more money out of your pocket.

Also most cat insurance companies exclude hereditary conditions and pre-existing problems. Policies for older pets are significantly higher and some pet insurance companies will not cover any pets older than nine years.

Some of the more common conditions for cats, such as foreign body ingestion, rectal cancer and mast cell tumors range in cost of $495. up to $1650.

Owning a pet is not cheap. They are expensive, no doubt. Insurance for your pet can protect you from any frighteningly huge, unforeseen costs and hopefully you can handle the rest.

Pet Plan Insurance - Why Do You Need It?   Insurance for Pets - Simplified for You   A Guide to Buying Pet Insurance Online   What You Need to Know About Insurance for Horse Riders   The Importance Of Pet Insurance   

Top Dog Insurance - Understanding the Key Factors That Affect Your Coverage

Your pet is your best friend, and you will do anything to help him when he is injured or ill. Searching for the best top dog insurance is not too hard if you know what you are looking for. You need to make sure you are getting the best policy to meet all your needs. Pet insurance is not all the same - there are specific circumstances that must be considered before purchasing a policy. Just like human health insurance you want to shop around for the best prices and most coverage you can get for one low price.

One thing to check into when looking for a good top dog insurance policy is the age restrictions the company might have for your animal. Many companies do not write policies for dogs 9 years old or older. Senior dog policies may be offered by some companies, but they are more expensive with less coverage. Insurance premiums go up as the pet gets older just like it does for human health insurance. Elderly dogs usually have more serious health problems which can jack up the cost of the premium. On the other hand, many companies do not offer insurance unless the puppy is at least 8 weeks old.

Another limiting factor is the state you live in. Some top dog insurance policies are applicable only in certain states. You will have limited choices if you reside in a remote state like Alaska. Also some states such as Massachusetts impose a lot of regulations on insurance companies, and that may also limit your choices. Some insurance packages have restrictions based on the breed of your dog. Pure bred dogs typically have a higher risk for a particular disease or genetic condition. For example, German Shepherd Dogs are known to develop hip dysplasia as they age which can cost a lot to treat. Furthermore, breeds that are deemed to be dangerous may not qualify for insurance.

All top dog insurance companies try to minimize their risks in order to stay profitable. They do provide a fair amount of health coverage, but they try to exclude more expensive illnesses such as cancer treatments. Each pet is different and your dog may have different considerations than another dog. Be sure to read the fine print so you will know exactly what coverage you are getting.

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Why You Should Get Insurance for Your Pets

If you are an animal lover you have probably heard about pet insurance. Chances are that you have given serious thought to getting one for your beloved pets. Getting pet insurance can really be smart move on your part which can save you money and trouble in the future.

Reasons for Getting Pet Insurance- Replacing a beloved animal is going to be impossible because that would be like replacing a beloved person. It simply can't be done because they've got a special place in your heart. You can find a new pet to love but the pets that you cared for in the past would always have a special place.

That does not mean that losing a pert can be a financial drain as well as being an emotional drain. You can insure your pet not only against death, but you can also get it for illness, theft and also third party liability. It can help you make sure that you will not have to spend money in certain cases involving your animal.

Types and Coverage- There are several types of insurance that you can get for your pets. There is the illness and accident insurance which can give you full coverage. That means if your pet falls sick because of some disease or needs medical attention because of some accident then the full cost of it is going to be covered by the pet insurance.

In case your dog goes missing the insurance company will also pay part of its value as long as it has been missing for 30 days up to 90 days. You should get an insurance that is well matched for the kind of pet that you are keeping. If you have large and aggressive dogs then you have to get an insurance that has full coverage in case your dog hurts someone.

Shopping Around- You have to shop around for the best pet insurance that's available. There are so many that you can choose from so never settle for the first thing that you find. You can potentially cut your pet insurance costs into half if you just do your research and find the best ones out there.

Kinds of Pet- Different kinds of pet will have different forms of pet insurance and coverage. The kind of insurance that we have been discussing until now would mostly apply to dogs which are the most common pet there is. If you are taking of a different kind of animal then you would get a different form of insurance for them.

Fishes and Poultry for example can get pet insurance but their coverage is going to be much more limited as compared with that of other animals. Fishes and poultry normally can only be insured for accidents. Other animals normally can get death coverage.

Getting pet insurance can be a potential means of saving money and trouble, but it is definitely nor for everyone. You have to think about it very carefully if getting insurance for your pets is really going to be beneficial for you or not. You might just end up with one more unnecessary cost burdening you.

Pet Plan Insurance - Why Do You Need It?   Insurance for Pets - Simplified for You   A Guide to Buying Pet Insurance Online   What You Need to Know About Insurance for Horse Riders   

Pet Insurance Guide - Pet Insurance is Vital for Your Pets

Pet insurance covers all veterinary costs in case your pet is ill or needs some care. Several insurance policies also pay a sum of money if your pet dies, lost or stolen. Insurance companies offer complete dog and cat insurance coverage at very competitive rates. Generally pet insurance policy pays for unexpected illness, accidents, injuries, or some other emergencies viz. doctor visits, prescriptions, x-rays, lab fees or diagnostic tests etc.

Pet insurance is an easy way to cover all unexpected expenses of your pet. The pet owner will have to pay some amount against any claim. Pet insurance doesn't pay for preventive veterinary care or elective veterinary care. Usually pet insurance is available for cats and dogs only but sometimes some special insurance is available for horses also. In developed countries all pet owners cut their pets' expenses with the help of pet insurance.

Details of each and every pet insurance policy are different and policy coverage is also dissimilar from policy to policy. There are three main categories of pet insurance policies out of them first covers each condition or event, second offers highest value on total annual payments whereas the category is the cheapest that gives limited payment for some specific condition and it ends after one year of the treatment.

Cost of each policy plan is different and you can select the best as per your pets' requirements. Best time to have a pet insurance policy is when your pet is little. You may also insure your pet in the age of 8 weeks but it is very difficult to get maximum coverage after middle age. Getting a new insurance policy in the middle age of your pet is very much expensive because at that time you'll not be able to claim for existing health treatments.

Internet offers a quick as well as an easy way to shop for a pet insurance policy. It also helps in reducing the premiums. Not only pet insurance it also offers insurance for your car, home or life.

Pet Plan Insurance - Why Do You Need It?   Insurance for Pets - Simplified for You   A Guide to Buying Pet Insurance Online   What You Need to Know About Insurance for Horse Riders   

Dog Insurance Could Save You Financial Worry

Imagine how distressing it could be if your dog suddenly ran out into the road and got knocked down. You would be worried about your pet and of course once it was at the vets and all the tests had been made you then might have another worry, the cost of the treatment and the mounting vet's bill. If you had taken out dog insurance at least you would not have to worry about the financial part of the whole scenario.

While dog insurance is there to give you financial help when it comes to accident or injury and your vet bills start mounting up, it is also there for many other things.

Choosing the Type of Insurance

When looking for insurance for your dog you have to bear in mind that there are different types of levels of cover. The most basic of insurance will work out the cheapest but of course it provides less cover than a dearer insurance policy might. You might also want to consider taking out insurance for the life of your dog. This means that you just keep renewing your policy each year and your cover then continues for the life of your pet. When considering a policy you do have so much excess to put towards a claim and this could vary depending on the insurance provider. You do have to find this money out of your own pocket and there is a minimum amount. However you could pay more and this might keep the premiums for the insurance down a little.

Cover for the vets fees

If you have ever taken a pet to the vets before you will know that the costs of obtaining treatment from the vets can be very expensive. Dog insurance would typically cover up to so much of your vets bills which could provide you with enormous peace of mind financially. Bear in mind that your dog could fall ill at anytime and medication is expensive, not to mention a consultation. If your dog is too ill to visit the vet and has to have a home visit you could be out of pocket by a large sum of money. Insurance helps towards these costs if it does not cover them all. Accident which require tests and treatment work out even more expensive and if the worst happens and you have insurance you will not be worried about the financial aspect.

Other benefits to insurance

Dog insurance may also come with many other benefits. For instance your policy could provide you with third party liability insurance. This part of the insurance policy typically pays towards any legal costs that are brought about if your dog injures a third party or the property of a third party. For instance if your dog were to run out into the road and the person swerved to miss your pet and damaged their car you could be held responsible. The insurance policy would pay towards these costs.

Pet Plan Insurance - Why Do You Need It?   Insurance for Pets - Simplified for You   A Guide to Buying Pet Insurance Online   What You Need to Know About Insurance for Horse Riders   The Importance Of Pet Insurance   

Pet Insurance Reviews - What You Need To Know

Your pet is like a member of the family, but are you tired of those ever-increasing routine visit costs and the out-of-pocket expenses associated with an unforeseen illness or injury? If so, then take a look at our pet insurance reviews to see how this option can not only save you money, but give you peace of mind when it comes to your pet's health care.

Our pet insurance reviews of the following plans can serve as a guide in helping you make your final decision:

1. PetPlan: This is the number one insurer of pets in the world. It is highly recommended by 90% of veterinarians and offers customizable plans tailored to your pet's specific needs. They also offer complete coverage on hereditary conditions without limitations on time or dollar amounts.

2. Embrace: This company offers accident plans, drug and dental plans, and recently began offering full coverage plans that include basic care throughout the year.

3. VPI: This company is the oldest pet insurer in the United States, and it covers exotic pets in addition to cats and dogs. They offer plans for routine care, vaccine coverage, as well as various plans specifically for accidents and illnesses. Their reimbursement scale needs to be brought more up-to-date and in line with actual veterinary costs today, however.

4. AKC: This company has several plans available to you, including various wellness plans as well as accident and illness plans. Their renewal rates have tended to be higher, and their benefit list seems to go down. In addition, there are limitations in dollar amount and time frames associated with each plan.

There are other companies, but our pet insurance reviews compared the most well-known. You can now use the information above to help make the best decision for protecting your pet's health and keeping your costs down.

Pet Plan Insurance - Why Do You Need It?   Insurance for Pets - Simplified for You   A Guide to Buying Pet Insurance Online   What You Need to Know About Insurance for Horse Riders   

Why Using a Barbecue Meat Thermometer Can Help Make Your Cooking Safer and Better

Sometimes it's very difficult to work out whether the meat on a barbecue grill is correctly cooked, especially if it's a large joint of meat or a large bird such as a chicken or turkey. Over-cooked meat will disappoint your barbecue guests, and undercooked meat can be a health risk.

Stories of illnesses after BBQ's are not unusual and sometimes undercooked BBQ food can require emergency medical treatment in hospital.

A barbecue meat thermometer is a good solution to these problems. It can be used to measure the internal temperature of large roasts, steaks and other cooked foods. It does this by means of a probe which is inserted into the meat during or after cooking. The degree to which the meat has been cooked is indicated by its internal temperature.

Should You Always Use a Meat Thermometer?

If you are barbecuing fresh steaks it's not uncommon to cook them rare. Many people prefer them that way. But when you are cooking processed meats (e.g. burgers or English sausages) and large meat joints, chickens, turkeys and ducks they must be cooked until their interior temperatures are high enough to kill harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli (two of the commonest causes of barbecue meal illnesses).

Many people that barbecue regularly will tell you that you don't need a barbecue meat thermometer if you mostly cook steaks, sausages, hot dogs and burgers, because there are simple manual techniques for testing whether they're cooked or not, and, in the case of steaks whether they're rare, medium or well done.

But if you're cooking large numbers steaks, burgers, hot dogs and sausages you'll find it much easier and safer to manage your cooking if you use a meat thermometer.

How to Use a Barbecue Grill Meat Thermometer

There are lots of different types of barbecue grill meat thermometer, but all of them comprise the same basic components - a long probe and a gauge. The probe is long enough to be inserted into the thickest part of the meat and the gauge attached to it (either directly or by a wire) can either be analogue or digital.

The ones with a gauge directly attached to the probe are called instant-read meat thermometers. They used to be the most common type used for BBQ's, but now electronic remote-read meat thermometers have become very popular. As the name suggests these consist of a probe and a remote digital gauge which is either attached to the probe by wires or linked wirelessly to the probe through a transmitter station.

Whatever type of meat thermometer you use the tip of the probe must be inserted into the thickest part of the meat, but it must not touch any bone in the meat because if it does it'll give an overestimate of the meat temperature. The sensing areas of the probe are always clearly indicated and can be from ½ inch to 2 inches long. Take the length of this sensing area into account when inserting the probe into the meat (i.e. make sure it's at the center of the meat).

If you are cooking chickens, turkeys and ducks, insert the probe into the thigh area near the breast. For red meats, roasts, steaks, burgers or chops insert the probe into the center of the thickest part (i.e. in the case of a steak push the probe into the side, and for an English sausage insert it from the end).

Many BBQ grill recipes provide information on cooking temperatures, but here's a guide on the temperatures to aim for with different types of meats:

Beef and Lamb: Rare 125 degrees F, Medium 160 degrees F, Well-done 170 - 195 degrees F

Pork: Medium 160 degrees F, Well-done 170 - 190 degrees F

Chicken: Well-done 170 - 190 degrees F (chicken should always be well-done)

Duck: Rare 125 degrees F Medium 160 degrees F, Well-done 170 degrees F

Steak: Rare 135 degrees F Medium 140 degrees F, Medium 155 degrees F, Well-done 165 degrees F

What to Look for When Choosing a Barbecue Meat Thermometer

The probe of the meat thermometer should always have a sharp point so that it can be easily pushed into the meat. As indicated above this probe may be attached directly to an analogue dial or to a digital display. In some thermometers the dial or display will show temperature only, but there are others which helpfully indicate the right temperatures for different sorts of meat.

Instant-Read Thermometers

Probe thermometers which provide a direct reading of the internal temperature of meat have been around since Victorian times. Instant-read meat thermometers are the descendants of these Victorian ancestors. They either have analogue or digital displays. Analogue types can often be inserted into the meat to be cooked and left there throughout the cooking period. Digital instant-read thermometers can only be used toward the end of the cooking time. They're not designed to remain in the food as it cooks.

If you decide to buy an instant-read thermometer, make sure it has a nice clear analogue or digital display and that it has a good response time. Some thermometers can take up to 30 seconds to give a reading. This is a long time if you want to carry out your temperature checks quickly.

Make sure you buy your barbecue meat thermometer from a good barbecue accessory shop that has a good range of thermometers to choose from, or if you shop on-line check the customer reviews before purchasing.

Remote-Read Thermometers

There are a lot of different types of remote-read thermometers to choose from. Their cost has tumbled in recent years and they're now very affordable. The probe of a remote-read thermometer is either directly connected by wire to a digital gauge or to a transmitter which sends a wireless signal to a gauge. The advantage of the wireless meat thermometer is that it can be carried around whilst the food is cooking on your barbecue, providing an instant check on temperature wherever you are inside or outside the home. These devices can be very advanced, with special programs to help you keep an eye on and manage your barbecue cooking.

Some people have difficulties getting the transmitter and receiver of their wireless thermometer to communicate, but this is usually more of an operator problem than a malfunction. If you buy one of these thermometers, make sure you read the manual in detail. A more annoying problem is breaking the wires connecting the probe and the gauge or transmitter by accidentally dropping the BBQ lid on them.

However, don't be put off by these potential difficulties. There are thousands of remote-read meat thermometers in use on all types of BBQ grill. They are a fantastic way of making barbecue cooking easier, especially when they used for recipes requiring long cooking times.

To sum up; if you haven't used a barbecue meat thermometer before we recommend that you start with something simple like the basic Weber meat thermometer, and then move onto one of the more advanced remote-reading meat thermometers once you have become proficient at using a meat thermometer in your barbecue cooking.

Why Using a Barbecue Meat Thermometer Can Help Make Your Cooking Safer and Better   The Secrets to Grilling   

Can I Contest a Will?

When a relative passes away, many people are unprepared for the shock that usually follows. Then, when the financial affairs of the deceased need to be attended to, it can be a very big strain.

Talk of money can accentuate and cause all sorts of simmering emotions. If a family member decides to contest a will it can have a serious long term impact on relationships within the family.

Supposing there is a rather unpleasant surprise in a Will that concerns you, as a dependent of the deceased? You are now worried about seeming selfish and only worried about what you can get. Yet inside you are trembling, deeply worried about how you will survive. Or what should happen if the deceased omitted a large asset like stocks and shares from his Will, so they have not been bequeathed to anyone? Who will deal with these and who will gain?

If the deceased made a Will, they are likely to have appointed at least one, if not two, Executors. These are the people who will be responsible for ensuring the instructions set out in the Will are followed and that the Estate is divided up as the deceased person intended.

If an Executor has not been appointed, a solicitor will be appointed on behalf of the deceased by the state.

So what do you do if you would like to contest the contents of the Will?

Things can now start to get complicated. The beneficiaries actually come at the end of the financial chain of liabilities and you will not be able to make a claim until all other aspects have been sorted out. Private family funerals are not given away for free so who is going to pay for the funeral costs? This should be the first thing considered when the Estate is being divided. Following on from this HM Revenue and Customs will also take a share.

If the deceased had an outstanding mortgage (a secured creditor) then this must be dealt with in addition to any personal loans and credit card borrowing (unsecured loans).

Next any remaining moneys from the Estate are distributed to the beneficiaries. If the Will has been drafted correctly, these individuals should be clearly identified with an explanation of exactly who is being left what. This is also the time to contest a Will and make an inheritance claim if you feel there has been unfair treatment. Get proper legal advice and consult a solicitor who specialises in this complex area of law first.

Preparing For Possible Incapacitation   Intestacy - A Strong Reason for Making a Will   Why a Living Trust Is Usually Made   What Is The Role Of A Probate Solicitor?   

The 7 Most Effective Ways to Make Money Online

If you can cut through the "get rich quick" schemes, the internet can be a legitimate revenue generating resource! Countless individuals have become millionaires by finding ways of providing products and/or services via the Internet. Here e-marketers and current or future home-based business owners can find legitimate ways to make money on the internet as well as tried and true work from home resources to help you get started. Let's begin with the most common ways to make money online:

Buying and Selling/eBay

Drop-shipping

E-trading

MLM (Multilevel Marketing) and Direct Selling

Affiliate/Referral Programs

"Out of the box"

Performing a much needed services

1. eBay Selling - Buying and selling products online is one of the most common and well known methods of making money online. The key is to find a product that is in high demand, for example: electronics, apparel, video games, etc. You then need to out think your competition, and on sites such as eBay, competition can be fierce. The most important step here is to find a product you are familiar with both so you can more knowledgeably market the product and so you can accurately answer your customer's questions. This establishes their faith and trust in you as a competent seller. If you're having trouble finding a product start by asking yourself what you're knowledgeable and passionate about. You can then research accompanying products and see how well they are selling on eBay already. eBay also offers tools to help you get started such as an inexpensive storefront if you don't want to build your own.

Drawbacks to eBay selling are:

Finding or creating a profitable product

eBay can be very time consuming (Plan to spend 20-30 hrs/week)

This is a very competitive market so you will have to find a way to stand out above the others

2. Drop-ship- Drop shipping can be done on eBay as well with several other marketing ideas such as your own web site. With drop shipping you act as the "middle man" between buyer and vendor. The benefits are that you never have to mess with inventory and shipping. You simply find a product, sell it, then rely on the vendor to ship it. This can save you time and money in that you have no inventory to worry about and you do not have to make constant trips to the post office or UPS to ship your items. Another benefit is that you're never stuck with a garage full of products that won't sell. Your first step is to obtain a drop ship directory to find vendors who will drop ship. With enough research this can be done free of charge if you're willing to put the time in yourself, or you can pay approximately $50 - $90 to obtain a legit directory. That money will save you more in the long run as you know they will be legitimate vendors. Use caution here, as there are a lot of fake drop shippers who are actually just middlemen themselves trying to earn a commission. WorldwideBrands is a good place to start your search as they are certified drop shippers, registered with the BBB, and offer over 8 million products to choose from.

Drawbacks to drop-shipping are:

The drawbacks to drop shipping can be negated by taking the time to find a good vendor. Otherwise the drawbacks can include:

Dealing with backorders - make sure the product is actually available BEFORE listing it on eBay

Returns can be a headache if you're mixed up with a bad vendor.

3. E-trading is a trend growing more in popularity every day. Forex and Etrade are both online trading companies which offer tutorials to teach you how to trade. With Forex you can begin trading with an investment as small as $25 and you aren't charged commissions or exchange fees. They also offer "real time" price quotes. The key here is to research it and know what you're truly getting yourself into before rushing in. This certainly isn't a method to jump blindly into!

Drawbacks:

To see a larger return, plan to invest at least $250.

The market fluctuates greatly! Due to the short term nature of trading, daily updated are crucial. Hourly updates are highly recommended. This allows you to stay more informed and aware of trends and changes that will cause the value of your investment to fluctuate.

4. Due to the influx of scams in the MLM and Direct Selling market, this online business opportunity is often misrepresented and thus overlooked. False and misleading claims about income potentials made by dishonest distributors and "affiliates" have flooded the market and made it rather difficult to have faith in any of these ventures. MLM, Multi-Level Marketing, are companies with a product to sell and choose to do so by word of mouth advertising or by paying independent distributors to sell their products. The distributors make money selling the product, but make even more money by bringing in more distributors. The more distributors they bring in, the more money they make, as they usually get a percentage of the profits generated by any distributors they recruit. Direct Selling is essentially MLM but marketing more expensive products. Since you make a higher commission due to the higher cost of the product, you can make more money with less recruits. The key here is to find legitimate companies with good commission structures. Look for established companies and research them well. Don't waste your time on small, newly started corporations. They are potentially less credible and those that are truly credible may not last in today's market. In order to be successful at MLM and Direct Selling, you must have the desire and motivation to run your own business. First, you have to learn the ins and outs yourself, then you have to teach it to your recruits so that they are just as successful as you are. A major benefit here is that once you have successful recruits your income becomes residual. Even if you decide to stop selling, your recruits are still out there making you money. Keep in mind that as with any business venture, there are start up costs. Prepare to invest anywhere from $50 - $300 for MLM and $500 - $2000 for Direct Selling. However, if you're motivated enough you can make that investment back in no time.

Drawbacks:

The main drawback here is the invasion of the scam artist. With the ease of building a web site and the creation of Photoshop, it's very easy for anyone to create a legitimate looking web site. All too often people are cheated out of their hard earned money simply because they got caught up in a sales pitch and forgot the most important rule - RESEARCH!!! This research can be done on the Internet free of charge and often takes less than 10 minutes to divulge a scam! So be sure to do that research before handing over your credit card info.

Another drawback is the high drop out rate in MLM's. Lack of adequate training from the recruiter and/or the recruiter's lack of motivation are to blame. Remember, you're not the only recruiter. The person you recruit then becomes a recruiter him/herself which directly affects your cash flow. Taking the time to choose your recruits wisely, training them well, and getting them pumped up and excited about the product and the income potential are key to holding on to good recruits!

In today's economy, direct selling can be a challenge. The reason is that you are attempting to sell higher market items during a time when most don't wish to part with their money. Both your end customer and your recruits may not have the money to purchase or invest, and it will take an amazing sales pitch on your part to convince them to do so!

5. Affiliate programs can be an inexpensive and ideal option. Affiliate programs allow you to sell someone else's product without having to talk to people in person or on the phone and without spending your own money to do so. As an affiliate you choose a product to sell, then you advertise that product through various avenues - a lot of them FREE - then you collect anywhere from 50-100% commission when the product sells. 100% commission you ask? Yes it's true! A lot of companies will offer their first product at 100% commission to you, because they upsell, (sell other products in connection with the initial product), to make their real money. This is a very inexpensive way to make money as most affiliate programs are free since you give them free advertising and bring them customers! The cost to you can be as little or as much as you would like it to be. You can advertise freely on blogs, articles, etc. or you can invest in a cheap domain/hosting package and create a web site to advertise the product. The choice is up to you. The key here is to join a few affiliate programs and create multiple streams of income. Top affiliates doing so can truly earn thousands of dollars per week simply promoting someone else's product! Another key here is to make sure all products/companies are legit. This will result in future sales from the same customer, positive reviews in the community, (which means future sales from others), etc. There is a lot of money to be made in this venture if you're willing to do the research first and make sure you're not getting involved with a scam product/company.

Drawbacks:

You have to do your research and not get caught up in a sales pitch! All companies claim to have the best product/program, so a little research can go a long way in this arena.

You have to know how to drive traffic to your affiliate sites. No traffic equal no sales! If you don't know how to reach the most people, research it and find the best methods. A little tip: find popular blogs...put your link in your signature then post on those blogs. Be sure to choose a blog topic and create a post that has to do with the item you're trying to sell. For example, let's say you wish to promote a dog training product. Then you would find popular dog training blogs, create a post related to dogs and dog training, and include your signature and link within that post. Free advertising at its best!

6. Outside the Box: It may seem difficult in today's day and age to think of something that hasn't been done, but surprisingly enough it happens every day. Think of the infomercials you see on tv. Most of those products are unique and so simple we just cannot believe we didn't think of them first. So put some thought into it. Think about what you do every single day and how you could make that task easier. For example, look at the "space age bags" product that you can put clothes, bed linens, etc in then vacuum and make massive storage space in your home. Another example is, I heard of a guy that created a very simple website that surveyed people who were searching for real estate. He created a very simple site with a very simple questionnaire asking people things such as their price range, number of rooms desired, location, etc. He then made millions by contacting real estate agents and selling this information to them. When you think of every type of business out there that could benefit from such leads, the possibilities seem endless! The key here...GET CREATIVE!!!

7. Performing much needed services! There are millions of forums online in which people advertise and are willing to pay for services. For example: I have a product to sell. My product is amazing, but I am not a writer. So I just can't seem to write copy that will adequately promote my product. So I advertise in a forum that I am willing to pay anyone who can write an awesome ad to sell my product. You respond with the best offering/price. I pay you to write my copy for me. It's that simple! The possibilities are endless! So think of something you're good at and then search Google, Bing, Yahoo, etc. for forums related to your interest. Once you join the forums look for posts that are requesting these services and respond to them.

Drawbacks:

Be sure to work out a payment arrangement suitable to both parties so you don't deliver a product and never get paid.

Be sure to ALWAYS deliver quality content and what you promised to deliver! Forums are made up of tight knit communities and they will let each other know very quickly how they felt about the quality of your product. Their reviews can be your greatest asset or your biggest downfall!

I would highly recommend that you don't let any of the drawbacks discourage you, as most can easily be overcome! All of these strategies are proven money makers and the most common ways to make money online. Any business has its drawbacks, so don't let that stop you! Just minimize the risk and move forward in your plans! With a little diligence, hard work and research you can truly achieve your goals!

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Linking Strategies For The Panda and Penguin Age

Starting out, I want to make it clear that search engine optimization, search engine marketing, seo or what have you is nothing more than marketing. Period.

Things to focus on:

- Vary anchor text and aim for less than 50% of anchor text to be optimized - Keep quality as high as possible - Get a good mix of no follow and do follow links - Get a wide variety of links - don't just focus on one type - Avoid blog networks, various schemes and anything that may look unnatural

Vary Anchor Text

Simple, when creating links, create them like users would. Be overly specific or over simplified won't work. You need to include your 'money keywords', yes, but you also have to consider the subject of the links and what users would be including in a link.

High Quality - Get As Many As Possible

Start a good link building campaign. Submit quality articles to sites such as this one. Get a social presence. Link to your articles and site often. Vary the links, anchor text and frequency.

Mix It Up!

Get No Follow, Do Follow links. Get them from blogs, directories, article sites, social and Web 2.0 sites and keep it up!

Be advised: One site that I know of had a reasonable amount of text links and diversity and their domain name happened to be the exact thing they did and people would be searching for. They had very little seo work done and what backlinks they did have were greater than the competition. They were de-ranked anyways. What worked? The classified ads they had, which of course had content and pointer to their main site. So it isn't always about linking your url.

So remember....

It's all about focusing on quality these days. Ranking is very easy when you use quality link building. Spammy link building has been great for years but it is slowly coming to an end. Get high PR links through guest posting or a private blog source. Create quality web 2.0's that link to your website. Quality, reputable sources are key. Build quality links to your site from quality sources. And build a quality site while you're at it.

Try to get a piece of content on your site to go viral, the point of this is to build links, not get traffic through the links. The traffic will come through the other pages on the site due to your site's authority built through the 100% legit links that will come when your content goes viral.

There are a lot of ways to build links, but the only ways that really work are the ones that are quality, natural and come from reputable sources. Failure to link properly wastes time, money, and energy and really doesn't even get a good search engines attention, it will leave you at the bottom. So start your quality linking strategy today.

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The Benefits Of Having Health Insurance Today

As a nation we are growing much older and therefore requiring much more medical attention as we are reaching ages that leave us vulnerable and prone to illnesses. And everyone who knows someone who has dealt with the NHS can explain the large queue times for many different kinds of treatment and operations added with the service which can be found to be quite poor.

Many do not realise the advantages and benefits of having private health insurance can offer. This can be down to how little of us within the UK use it and therefore not knowing the benefits that are created. Having the reliability and support that health policies can offer will not only help create assurance for an individual but for families with young children, being able to keep everyone healthy at all times and making sure that if there is something that happens along the line the care is there.

The advantages of having medical insurance are plentiful, such as:

- Access to regular health check-ups and screenings. Which can be paramount when becoming older and more prone to many illnesses.

- Peace of mind. Because you'll never know when illnesses, diseases and possible breakages may happen it can help knowing that if anything does happen that instant care is available.

- Long-term savings can be made if any serious illness was to occur, that involves extensive periods of treatment.

- Increased privacy and space during treatments.

- Greater access and choice over hospitals and consultants with increased flexibility on times.

In recent years there has been a rise in websites that compare health insurance quotes online. As a result, many individuals or families that once could not afford health insurance can now achieve greater savings and value for money across all of the current insurance providers. Allowing for tailored quotes that can help create packages with different levels of cover.

Another option if currently the premiums are out of your price range and budget is the option to choose one of the many discount schemes that many current insurance providers offer. That can help bring a premium within your budget. By paying an excess, can reduce the overall price if the first part of a claim is paid. Also, there is co-payment. This reduces the premium by choosing to pay a percentage of any claim made. Plus many more.

It is highly advised that research is carried out before taking any kind of medical cover. An understanding must be made of the policies under offer and that each policy name may be different from each provider. To ensure that the correct policy is chosen, that best fit your individual or family requirements.

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Vision Insurance and Prescription Glasses

A lot of people wonder whether their insurance policy covers prescription glasses too. The answer to this question will depend, of course, on the type and breadth of your policy. Generally, unless you have a specific vision insurance policy, prescription glasses will not be covered.

In most policies, vision and things related to it (glasses, contact lenses, etc.) are covered only if there is any damage to your eye due to an accident or injury. Routine eye problems are not covered under most plans. Therefore, it is recommended that you get a group or individual vision insurance policy - a small add on to your general plan that will significantly lower the costs of regular eye exams. Additionally, most plans also subsidize the cost of prescription glasses or lenses along with any surgery such as LASIK, etc. The only condition is that you have to procure the glasses from specified opticians only.

The add on cost of vision insurance over your existing policy is generally small (around $150 p.a. - less than $15 per month) There is usually a deductible which is under $50 in most cases. This is a significantly small price to pay for the rewards, which can include coverage for routine eye exams, prescription glasses, lenses, and even surgery such as LASIK, etc.

A group or individual vision insurance policy is a great choice for those who have a history of vision related problems. With the amount of time spent before computer and TV screens, the chances of damaging the eyesight have only increased. Keeping these factors in mind, it is recommended that you get a vision policy in addition to your regular insurance plan. The costs are minuscule compared to the benefits. Not only will it cover your eye exams, but also help you save money on glasses, contacts, and even surgery.

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Backlink Building: How to Use Blog Commenting to Get Quality Backlinks

Blog commenting is one of the easiest and most effective ways to get free one way links to your website. This simple method of advertising your business online can generate significant results in terms of SEO. With comment spam being one of the main issues targeted with Google's Penguin update, many webmasters are wondering if blog commenting is a worthwhile link building strategy.

Leaving useful comments on blogs can help you build long term relationships with other website owners and gain credibility online. In order to drive traffic to your site, your comments need to be compelling and informative, making absolute sense and relevance of the content posted. If done right, blog commenting is a great way to get high quality links to your site.

First of all, you need to find blogs that don't use the no-follow attribute in their links. This element tells the search engines to disregard the link to your website. There are various tools that allow you to search by keywords and find well established blogs in your niche. Just because blog commenting can generate free backlinks, don't waste your time leaving comments on every blog you find. You need to write interesting comments that express your opinion and value to the blog post.

Make a list of blogs related to the content of your website. Here are a few attributes that you should consider:

Blogs with quality content and active comment discussions Blogs with high search engine rankings Blogs in your niche Blogs that allow do-follow links Blogs that use CommentLuv

Use a SEO extension for your browser that gives you information about the sites you are visiting. This way you will get a comprehensive list of do-follow blogs to comment on. When leaving a comment, put your real name in the author box. Entering your real name gives credibility to your comment. Make your comments relevant to the post. If you have a website about car insurance and you comment on a real estate blog, then your comments won't be indexed by the search engines. Use a real email or a different email that you have access to.

Spend at least a couple of hours once or twice a month commenting on blog. Your main aim is to post comments that other people will find interesting and engaging. If your comments provide useful information, you will get highly targeted traffic to your site and build your personal brand.

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