Save On Your Vacations

It is true that after all saving and cutting down all the expenses from other things like clothes, appliances and groceries, you and your family deserves a well planned vacation at least once a year.
However, it is still imperative to save as much as you can while having your vacation. Especially, while you are on vacation, more often than not, the budget is tough thing to keep.

Here are the ways on how you can save on your vacations:
1. Save on Air fares – Make arrangements and book your flights ahead of time. Airlines normally have promos if you purchase your tickets in advance. Also, Airline tickets sell evening flights a little cheaper than those of the day flights.
2. If you are purchasing your Airline tickets from the travel agencies in your area, make sure to scout for the best deal of the ticket prices. When buying tickets for your family or for four or more passengers, there will be special discounts, be sure to ask for these opportunities to save.
3. If possible, plan your vacation during the off-peak seasons. The travel agency has its peak and off-peak seasons. Make sure to research these dates. Every destination has its own determination of peaks seasons. Air fares and hotel accommodation are much cheaper during the lean seasons.
4. Make sure to bring packaged snacks that are purchased at supermarkets. Eating and dining out in restaurants can be really expensive especially if you are traveling in groups.
5. For road / land trips, as much as possible, bring your own car for your tour. Car rentals can be really expensive and unnecessary. Don't forget an auto-check up from your favorite and trusted mechanic before leaving for vacation.

Don't forget to fill your gas tank. This will allow you to shop for cheap gasoline stations and avoid unplanned stops along the way.
1. Don't pay for your vacation in credit unless you are very certain that you can pay on time. Interests on such credit can be a burden especially after having fun on your vacation.
2. Don't forget to turn off the possible on going expenses while you away on vacation. Discontinue your newspaper deliveries. Temporarily cancel your internet service when on vacation for more than a month. Turn off your gas and electric heater when you are away from home.
3. Planning in advance can help you save with your budget. Prepare proper clothes to bring for the destination. Buying emergency clothes for cold climate can be really costly and should be avoided since you can pack all these from home. In this way, you can spend your vacation money on other important things.
4. Always keep your receipts and track your records for all the expenses during the vacation. These can help for future vacations and can also be deductibles for taxes if you are on business trips.
5. Plan for your Accommodation – considering homes of relatives or close friends can help you save on your vacation. You can also choose paid accommodations with cooking facilities. This can help you save money from eating out at restaurants. Take advantage of special offers from hotels or motels offering “family” rates.
6. Be sure to take advantage of free tourist attractions such as parks, museums, free gardens and monuments.
7. Consider an adventure trip or “camping” vacation. This is really cheap and fun. Some national parks and forest camp grounds can only charge you minimal fee for your stay, and some even let you rent your tents. The idea of marshmallow with hotdogs on your bonfire can be really exiting.
8. Don't forget to budget your money for your souvenir allowance. Don't buy unnecessary souvenir items that can only be sold at your garage sale the following year. Buy something useful.
9. Be sure to have portable irons when traveling. Press jobs at the hotels are really expensive.
10. Don't forget to bring your first aid kit that should contain, medicines, alcohol, and stuffs that can heal minor bruises and cuts.
11. Leave and entrust your pets to your friends or families instead of bringing them along.

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How To Get Cheap Travel Tickets

With planning, foresight and a little bit of hard work, you can go ahead and have that dream vacation the economical way. Here's how:
*Search the internet, call airline agencies and watch the news to keep yourself up to date on discounts. There are a lot of promotional fares offered by airline companies that are new in the industry.
*When you do travel a lot, sign up for frequent flier miles.
*Ask about student fares or senior citizen discounts.
*Keep a flexible travel schedule. Go with the flow. If the promo states that they only give discounts every Tuesdays, then set your departure on Tuesday. Generally, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays are the days that have fewer reservations, so it in on these days that tickets are sold cheap. Monday is usually the busiest day of the week.

* Do not go ahead and make reservations to the first airline company you see with promotions. Take the time to source out a variety of options. Take the time to find out if the promotion is indeed the cheapest in your area. Ask the clerk about other offers available. When checking through the internet, make sure you check at least five sites before you decide where to buy your tickets.
*You can have the option of purchasing tickets trough consolidators. These are people who buy a whole block of tickets and resell them at certain discounts. This helps the airline fill up still available seats. The travel section of the newspaper is the place to check for ticket consolidators.
*Try flying on off peak hours schedule. Usually if you take the before seven in the morning flight or the after seven in the evening flight, tickets are at their cheapest. This too, will be a wise decision since it is at these times that airlines are not overcrowded, thus getting more space for yourself and your luggage.
*Be sure to inquire if the airline offers travel packages. Some airlines do offer packages such as car rental discount or a hotel room discount that comes with the travel ticket.
* When you are flying off season, be very sure to ask about certain standby fares.
*Have an early booking. Promotions are usually offered when one reserves a ticket three weeks beforehand. Remember that due to over crowding during the holidays, you may not use your frequent flier miles. So book in advance if you plan to travel during the holidays.
*Staying with only one airline on your entire trip may too, give you discounts. Airlines offer special rates to round trip tickets or connecting flights.
Have a safe trip and enjoy!

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Buying Wholesale Jewelry

Thanks to today's technology, you can easily buy diamond bracelets and wristwatches online. Even those that are priced over $50,000. Because of online jewelry auction sites such as StarBrightJewelry, this is possible.
Pros and Cons of Online Wholesale Jewelry Purchasing.
If you think about it, this way of purchasing jewelry is actually a good bargain. You will get a nice deal on that opal ring or the pearl necklace you have been eyeing. There are tons of Web sites out there that specialize in jewelry, which make shopping very fast and easy for you. You don't have to worry about those pushy and rude salespeople. To add icing on the cake, you can buy wholesale through online shopping. The price is so affordable and you can have that jewelry in your fingertips.

But there's a catch. When you're buying your jewelry over the web, you can't touch nor see first-hand what you are purchasing. This is very important because a picture you see on the site isn't enough to determine the value of the jewelry. You have to see it right in front of you in order to see if there are cracks, chips or scratches.
When buying jewelry in person, you can do the checking by using loupes or a magnifying glass. Online shopping for jewelry may be easy and you can do it wholesale but the disadvantage is that you aren't really sure whether the item you're buying is scratch, crack and chip free.
That's just not the problem.
Jewelry experts also claim that other problems include misrepresentation of quality. Some unethical jewelers say that the item is of better quality than they really are. The buyer must also concern themselves with slightly inflated weights (those small differences in weight that can slightly change the stones value) and fraudulent repairs and appraisals. The buyer must also check the documentation from the Gemological Institute of America or GIA reports before actually buying the jewelry.
To respond to this problem, StarBrightJewelry has come up with guidelines when it comes to selling jewelry online. However, consumers should still have common sense on how they can protect themselves from these fraudulent practices.
How do you buy jewelry online and at wholesale prices safely?
1. Customers must be informed of what exactly they are buying? There are various sites that don't provide the buyers the complete and accurate information they need when buying jewelry wholesale. Also, most jewelers aren't experts or gemologists (those who specialize or have been trained in identifying and rating the condition and quality of gemstones) so they may not be able to properly describe the stones.
2. The customer must try shopping at retail jewelers and visit gemologist organization sites in order to be well-informed about jewelry, stones and how to know the authentic from the fake purchases. It also helps to check out the jewelry which can be found on this site: http://www.starbrightjewelry.com .
3. When shopping on through StarBrightJewelry, the customer must read the terms and conditions. He should also check the fine print. The sellers that are of power Seller status should still be criticized like the rest of the sellers.
4. Before bidding on an online item, the customer must find out as much as he or she can about the item that they are bidding for. Also, the Federal Trade Commission suggests that the procedures regarding complaints should be practiced; even when the transaction is done online.
Sure-fire way for the customer to avoid fraud
In order to avoid online fraud, the customer must see whether the seller is willing to take the necessary steps of appraisal before actually receiving the money as payment for the purchased jewelry. Therefore, the payment can be held in tow through a third party for a minimal fee which the jeweler is paid as long as these conditions are met.
It also helps to have a gemologist around, better yet a gemologist who is also an appraiser because they will be able to confirm the quality, condition and identity of the stones that are being bought, plus the true value.
Buying jewelry as a wholesale and online may sound pleasing but it takes as much work as buying it first-hand from a store.

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Getting the Most Out of Your Travel Deals

The lowest and the cheapest travel deals are not always the best deal. Today, travelers could be overwhelmed by the numerous travel deals being offered. Therefore you should weigh all options before choosing the right one in order to get the most out of it. The greatest secret to getting an affordable airfare or best travel discounts is to know your budget and what do you really want. Additionally, you should shop and compare deals until you run out of options and choose the best among them. And importantly, always plan ahead. Nothing is too early when it comes to vacation planning. This will give you ample time to search and choose.
Whether you're a business traveler or planning a family vacation, here are some travel tips to save you money and choose the best deal:
1. Buy your ticket directly. Travel agents usually charge between $15 and $35 per ticket.

2. Buy your ticket all at the same time instead of buying one at a time. Booking fee may be discounted.

3. Booking for a package tour could be a wise choice for some destinations.
4. When planning a more complex trip, a travel agent can save you more time and money.
5. Compare prices online for the best deal. There are websites that help travelers to shop and compare. Some also provide travel tips and guidelines.
6. Play the seasons. Some travel destinations are cheapest at certain times or season of the year. Booking for an off-peak season also would give you the best deal.
7. Be flexible with travel dates and times. Some airlines and hotels offer substantial discounts if you book one or two days earlier.
8. Smaller airlines often have lesser fees. Additionally, small airlines don't necessarily mean smaller airplanes.
9. Alternative airport also could provide you with substantial discounts. Ask your travel agent about it.
10. Plan ahead. The earlier you book, the better deal you will have. 11. Buy trip insurance. Insurance will not only save your life but also could save you money. If you end up being sick in foreign country, your insurance back home might not cover it. Thus you might end up using your vacation budget on hospitalization. 12. Sign up for hotel and airline awards programs. Chain hotels usually have award programs; take advantage of it especially if you are a frequent business traveler. Finally, never stop bargaining, always explore the possibility of lower airfare, lower hotel rates. However, it is important to weigh and compare all options since not all cheap travel deals will give you the travel value you deserved. Travel will be more enjoyable if you get the most of your hard earn vacation budget.

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Choosing Your Best Travel Destination

If you are planning to take a vacation, be sure to know what you really like to do, this will make your trip more meaningful. Mostly, travelers go for a trip that their friends recommend, but is it what they really want? It's never too early to plan and know what your heart desires.
It's nice to ask yourself these questions before starting to plan your vacation; do I want to relax? Do I want adventure or a learning experience? Do I want to get away from my job? Once you know the answers to these questions, then you are ready to plan your trip.

Vacations are needed for our emotional, physical and mental balance. Vacations give a person a chance to relax, renew his energy, and free him from his daily routine. Vacations could be far away or close to home. Wherever the vacation may be, it does the same thing. It is the satisfaction that is more important than the destination.
Generally, there are some different types of travel according to activities involved. Here are some of them:
1. Responsible Travel. Traveling doesn't always have to be self-serving. With responsible travel, one could have enjoyment as much as respecting the local environment and the people.
2. Rediscovering nature. Rediscovering travel is all about nature and everything in it. It revitalizes the soul while smelling and feeling nature.
3. Tribal cultures. In today's world of high technology, it is wise to experience the simpler life of the tribal people who live close to nature in the same way for the past thousands of years.
4. Responsible Diving. Diving not only let travelers appreciate what is down the sea but also making the traveler more aware of the conservation effort.
The country one is planning to travel to also leaves a great mark on the traveler's diary. Here are some of the most popular destinations today:
1. Thailand. Thailand is also known as Siam. It is an Asian country bounded by Burma, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia. Behind the back draft of Thailand's jungles of bamboo, rubber trees and vines are the Five-star hotels of modern conveniences. In some parts of the country, elephants are still being use to lift timbers and buffalos are still being use in farming.
2. China. China is now the second largest country and fastest growing economy in the world. Most parts of China are still unexplored by tourist; however, the eastern portion is now popular to western tourist. First class hotels now offer highest class of amenities and dozens are still being built.
3. Italy. Italy is a boot-like shape country bounded by Switzerland, Austria, France, and Slovenia. The main attraction of Italy is St. Peter's Square where the Pope resides.
4. Caribbean. Caribbean is an archipelago of islands, 2000 square miles across. Most of the islands are plateaus and eruptions of underlying mountain systems. It has nice beaches of crushed coral and white or pink sand and the water at the shore is a deep blue.
The success of any vacation will not depend by how much the traveler spent or its destination. It is how the traveler enjoyed it and how he was able to achieve his primary goal of "getting away from it all."

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Guide to Business Travel

Planning your business trip wisely will free you from lots of trouble. Inadequate airline seats, long lines, heavy traffic, and unavailable hotel rooms are just some of the problems a business traveler might encounter. Despite the emergence of e-commerce, businessmen still travel more often for sales and business shows. Here are some tips to make your business travel a successful one:

1. Plan your business trip long before you leave the office.

2. Always prepare a travel bag with complete necessities to be used on any emergency trips.

3. Bring some ready to eat foods, it will save you a substantial amount of money, considering the high cost of foods in hotels.

4. Be sure to have a buffer time between your flight and your scheduled meeting.

5. Choose aircraft that has better seats with ample leg room.

6. Put all your valuable materials in a small carry-on bag.

7. When calling your main office, use the 800 numbers as much as possible because it's much cheaper.

8. If you're a businesswoman, it is important to dress well. Additionally, you must bring casual clothes for your free time.

Not all hotels have inexpensive telecommunication systems from their rooms, so always choose your hotel's business floor, for these rooms are made especially for business traveler. These rooms should have dual telephone/modem lines, fax machine, and free communications between rooms. In order to save money on calls, use your calling card and place calls through your country's long-distance carrier or find a pay phone in the hotel's lobby. If available, use a nearby business center for your fax needs since fax service within your room will probably cost more.

These days, a business traveler has to bring a lot of electronic equipment such as; cell phones, electronic organizers, laptop computers, etc. Here are some suggestions on how to keep your expensive business items safe:

1. Put your laptop inside a bag that will not indicate that there's a laptop inside. The same works well for other equipment such as camera, electronic organizer, etc.

2. Don't expose your laptop to x-ray scanners at the airport security check, rather have it checked manually. X-rays could damage your electronic equipment.

3. Don't place your laptop on the aircraft's overhead bins; instead place it near your seat or under the seat in front of you.

4. Always bring extra batteries for your equipment.

Today's business travelers are enjoying much comfort compared to their counterparts a few decades ago. Low airfare, plenty of airlines to choose from, communication equipment (especially cell phones and laptops) make modern day business travelers more efficient. Even on a business trip, parents can always be with their family members and co-workers can still get in touch with their office work, at least virtually.

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How To Find Poor Credit Home Mortgage Lenders

What would you do if you have very poor credit yet you so desperately want to buy a house and have a home you could call your own?
Relax; there is a solution to your predicament. Though having poor credit would usually make home purchasing a tad difficult, it is not entirely impossible.
The following are some of the options one could consider in finding poor credit lenders.

Ask, ask, and ask
It is okay if you ask the seller to be the one who will carry the housing loan. If in case the seller somehow still has money owed on the house, it is possible to acquire a mortgage wraparound.
Basically, this type of mortgage allows one to make a payment every month on a mortgage that is existing as well as additional payment that will cover the other balance.

Pursue an option for lease
Via pursuing an option for lease, this allows one to set the current purchasing price as well as apply a small portion of a particular rent every month towards the down payment.
After each lease period (usually between twelve to thirty six months), the prices should then have increased and should have equity accrued.
Be aware that if such an option is not utilized, money paid to a particular seller will not be returned.

Increase, increase, increase
It is okay to increase the price you are more than willing to pay to a particular seller.
After which, asking the seller to credit the money to you back in order for that to be utilized as a down payment for cost closing is perfectly fine.

Do not be afraid to borrow
Borrowing money from relatives and friends would help in defraying costs for closing as well as in increasing down payment.
Also, borrowing from retirement or pension plans is another way to increase down payment.

Maybe a mortgage broker could help
Availing the mortgage that is best for you could probably be helped by availing the services of a broker.
This could be done by contacting local and state realtor boards for the list of brokers in your local area. You could also ask around your own circle of real estate friends or agents for additional references. (vh).

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How to Manage Your Company’s Debt

Investing a certain amount in any business is key in making money. This is used for start up costs like buying new equipment, paying the salaries of the workers and producing the goods. When owners want to expand but don’t have enough funds, many resort to getting credit from the bank that will be paid back over time.
But what happens if the business isn’t working and the debts are piling up? Then people in the company have to make some tough decisions to avoid going bankrupt.

The only way to avoid get rid of debt is by paying for it. There are things that are controllable and working on these can give the company the money it needs to once again be financially stable.
1. Management has to tighten its belt and control spending. If there are other suppliers that can give the same quality at a cheaper price, perhaps outsourcing this elsewhere will be a good idea.
If some departments have too many people and the works of some employees are redundant, some layoffs may be in order. Companies that can’t do this will probably not give any salary increases until there is an improvement in the business.
2. When the company and the bank went into an agreement, both parties didn't expect any problems. Unfortunately, it did so negotiating again for an extended term to pay this back is in order giving the firm enough time to come up with the money and pay back its debt.
3. The firm may have borrowed money more than once from the bank. If there a few that have not been paid off yet, a representative can be instructed to talk with the creditors about a debt consolidation plan.
This makes it easy for those working in the company to monitor the exact amount that needs to be paid and find a way to come up with the money.
Paying off the debt the debt is the only way to stop banks from going after the company and seizing its assets. Though declaring bankruptcy is an option, it does more harm than good because no one will want to do business again with the owner.
By coming up with a plan and cutting down on costs, the officers on top will be able to manage the company debt and slowly pay off the loan the creditors.(vh).

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Home Sweet Home… But Can You Afford It?

You’ve finally found your dream house and are ready to commit but there’s that question of home mortgage affordability. Don’t let this thought scare you away just yet. Find out if you can go ahead and buy that house at last.
1. Know how much you have and how much you owe. How much income are you receiving at present? Is there a chance that it would increase? What will be your financial situation several years from now?
How much money do you owe to creditors? How much monthly payment do you make? Can you still afford to shell out more money after the bills are paid?

You’ll need a consistent source of income that can cover your mortgage and other expenses. Try to foresee possibilities that you’ll need to factor in: a new child, changes in the job, back-to-school plans and cash-flow five or several years from now. Be prepared to be in it for the long haul.
2. If your debts are well managed, then you can afford a home mortgage. The lender will approve your loan more quickly if he sees that your debt-to-income ratio is well within manageable range.
The lender will ensure that your payments will only total 33% or less of your monthly gross income. Otherwise, pay off some of your debts before applying for a home mortgage.
3. Decide which one you prefer: fixed, adjustable or balloon rates. Paying a fixed rate is a more popular choice because it can protect you from surges in interests while paying the lowest rate possible for an agreed period of time may be lighter on your budget, but your mortgage payment can go up later.
4. Interest rates will go up and down depending on the activity of the market. If you can read and understand market trends and economic indicators, you can save a lot of money.
5. Be prepared to pay a down payment. Typically, it is about 20% of the total price. A house priced at $200,000 will require a down of $40,000. There are also loans with low or no-down payments, but it will cost you in terms of equity in the long run.
6. You have enough money saved that’s equivalent to at least three months’ monthly income. This will help cover unexpected expenses that could affect your mortgage payments.
There is no fixed answer on the affordability of a home mortgage. It will all depend upon your income, debt, interest rate and other factors. If the home mortgage fits into your personal situation, then you can definitely afford it. (vh).

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Cheap Reservations without the Hassle

- Plan your vacations on off seasons, Hotel rates, even airline and car rental rates are lower during this time due to lower demand. You can get as much as a discount if you book a room during off season, so try and call the hotel if they have off season discounts and ask them when the discounts will be effective.
- Some hotels give discounts to certain people like students, military contingents, Senior citizens, honeymooners etc. Ask for these discounts and what their details, you can save a lot with these.

- Ask if your kids can stay for free, if you’re with your family, sometimes hotels can allow up to two kids for a two bed room provided that the kids are within the age limit.
- If you’re not very particular with hotel locations, you can access name-your-price websites for car rentals and hotel reservations. They’ll do the haggling for you and you’re sure not to over-budget.
- Some hotels and even car rental companies, give “free days” if you use their services for more than a week. Ask about these certain perks if you’re planning a long stay.
- Make sure that the room fees are the only ones you’re paying for. Some hotels have surcharges and extra fees that aren’t mentioned in room rates and then suddenly pop-up on check-out. Before you reserve, ask about these, and if upon check-out you suddenly find yourself with fees that you didn’t know about, refuse to pay it.
- You can also exchange frequent Flier miles for hotel lodgings so if you have an expiring miles card, or a miles card that you’d just want to get rid of, ask the hotel if they honor these exchanges.
- Sometimes, hotels provide free airport pick-up you can use this as bargaining tool. Ask for a free pickup when haggling so you’ll get something extra even if you pay the full price.
- If you’re planning to travel during peak season, always call in advance, rates tend to get higher as the season approaches.
- Sometimes, weekend rates are lower than regular fees, or vice versa, ask your agent, or ask the hotel yourself if they have these, then you can schedule your trip during these times and be able to avail of the discount.
- Always ask for a confirmation number when you reserve a room, so that they can’t say that they didn’t receive your reservation. (vh).

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An Introduction To Home Loan Interest Rates

Getting a home loan is one of the very important aspects of modern living, and one of the most important parts of this endeavor are interest rates. However, a lot of people cringe at the very mention of interest because of the common image that is another venue for expending money. But this intimidation in turn results into the little knowledge about interest rates that most people have.
To conquer the fear of something, one should know more about it. Here is a little some useful information about home loan interest rates that could help one get acquainted with home loans in general:

What are the two types of home loan interest rates?
There are two major types of home loan interest rates available for people who are planning to borrow money to buy a house. The first is the fixed rate home loan, in which there is a fixed interest rate as well as monthly dues extended over a fixed period of time, such as 15 years or 30 years. The second type is the adjustable rate home loan, where the interest rates vary up or down according to the fluctuation of the interest rates in the market.
Fixed Rate Home Loan Interest
Fixed-rate home loans are generally the more popular type of interest rate scheme among the two. They are very popular mainly because people are quite adamant about the image of their home payments falling down or rising up because of varying interest rates. People usually get fixed-rate home loans whenever the rates offered for a particular time are quite low, making the mortgages quite affordable for them.
Fixed-rate home loans are generally divided into two types according to the duration of loan 15 or 30 years. Some people believe that 30 years is quite reasonable, while other think that 15 years is more so. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of each type of fixed-rate home loans:
30-year Home Loan
This type of fixed rate loan provides the borrower a chance to loan money for a long time without being bothered by fluctuating payments and interest rates. Many people believe that this type of loan is more affordable because the monthly payment rates are significantly lower that those involved in a 15-year loan since the interest rate is distributed over a wider period of time. The smaller increments of monthly payments allow the borrower to allocate their resources to other investments, which may help them maintain their houses better.
The disadvantage of a 30-year home loan is that it takes very long for borrowers to develop equity since the payments made during the early portions of the loan term just go mostly to the interest instead of the principal.
When computing the overall interest rates, they are significantly higher than that of a shorter-term loan since the term for amortization is much longer. The interest rates for this type of loan are also significantly higher than for the 15-year home loan.
15-year Home Loan
This type of home loan is good for others because they allow the borrowers to develop equity significantly faster because the amortization schedule is shorter. When computing for the overall interest, the borrower would get a significantly lower total than those who are on a longer term. Interest rates for this type of loan are also significantly lower than for the 30-year home loan.

However, some people cannot afford this type of loan because the monthly payments may be very much higher than with the 30-year home loan. Typically, buyers could only acquire houses of smaller value than what they may be able to afford with a loan of a longer term.
Adjustable-rate Home Loans
Despite the idea of fluctuating interest rates, some people prefer adjustable-rate home loans. Those who do generally understand that the interest rates do not really rise or fall like a seesaw. Adjustable-rate home loans actually start with fixed rates for a particular, longer period and then followed by a significantly shorter period of adjustable interest rates.
What is good about adjustable-rate home loans is that the fixed interest rates for the initial period are very much lower than that of fixed-rate home loans. And this fixed-rate portion of the loan is very much longer than the adjustable part. For instance, the fixed-rate term might be 10 years long, while the adjustable rate term would be just a year. Some people actually get to save more in such scenario.
However, people still have to be careful when getting adjustable-rate home loans. Careful study must be made to ensure that interest rates in the adjustable part of the loan do not rise dramatically.
Knowing about the types of interest rates for home loans is an important factor when planning to borrow money to buy a house. To know more about home loan interest rates, it is best to consult with loan experts. (vh)

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Successful Deals with Creditors

Interactions with creditors, especially if you don't have the money to pay them, can be quite stressful and frustrating. The challenge here is to be able to get them on your side in spite of a difficult financial situation.
There are certainly several ways of putting an end to unnecessary harassment and even bargaining for better repayment terms, deferred payment schedules, and other possible arrangements when tough times strike. Unfortunate financial circumstances shouldn't lead to a rift in your good relationship with the creditors.

Consequently, the creditors must be cognizant of the fact that you have a right against unfair debt collection and credit reporting practices no matter what is stipulated by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
As soon as you encounter problems with your personal cash flow, don't wait until you have missed your payment schedule. Inform your creditors early on of your concern. In such way, you don't create a delinquent image as you manifest sincerity to settle your responsibilities. Likewise, solutions to the problem may be given ahead of time. Creditors will be willing to help if they are aware of your situation.
Early intervention is indeed the key here. Such may eliminate or lessen late charges. You may even have the option of paying only for the interest in the meantime. The service or utility may not be halted as well. Depending on the need, it may also be possible that your payment be deferred to as far off as the end of your contract. In other words, you may be able to negotiate for a more manageable payment scheme. As such, your account will remain under their care instead of those collection or credit reporting agencies.
Make sure though that before contacting them, you have figured out a certain plan of action. This plan should be realistic but, at the same time, auspicious to you and the creditors. Consider how much is left of your income for other expenses. List all your fixed payments such as those for mortgage, loans, etc.
Since you are on tight budget already, you might want to reduce your flexible expenses such as clothes, night-outs, etc. It would also be wise to think of possible ways of incurring additional income. When your own financial status has been laid down with which you have identified some sound courses of action, present it to the creditors. They will give you feedback about it as well as suggestions, if any.
You creditors may come from different institutions and make sure that you give priorities to them accordingly. Creditors from law enforcement agencies imposing on you as a result of court judgments such as those for child support, for example, are usually the strictest when it comes to making payments on time.
They may disrupt your tax returns, collect your income, enforce encumbrances on property or suspension of licenses, and many others. They should normally be on top of your priorities. Next would be those for investments such as houses and cars as they can easily order turn over of the property.
Of course, creditors from insurance, utility, and credit card companies should be prioritized as well but they normally have programs that offer some sort of a leeway during hard times. To get those is what you want to negotiate properly so work it out as soon as you observe symptoms of financial crisis.
There are several ways of contacting them. Initial explanation may be done over the phone. It will help if you are ready with a script so as to keep you composed and alert while you clearly give the details of your situation. Take note of what the other person is told. (vh)

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Care for Your Jewelry

You have to remove your jewelry whenever you are doing activities that are risky. These activities may cause an impact or expose the jewelry to chemicals. Don't wear your jewelry when you're playing sports or doing house hold chores.
If you have rings that can't be removed and you have to use strong cleaning products, particularly those with an Ammonia base, you can protect it (as well as your skin) by wearing gloves made of rubber. Rings and bracelets are jewelry that are often worn, earrings and necklaces are also prone to damages from chemicals, especially whenever they are worn while putting make-up, spraying fragrances and sprit zing hair products.

A jeweler can also restring your pearl necklaces every two years. This should be done if it is your favorite jewelry. You can also clean your jewelry yourself by using mild and warm water with a soapy solution. Use a soft brush in cleaning the edges. Dry them using a soft cloth.
Be mindful of the loose clasps and gems before you wear your jewelry. You wouldn't want the stones dropping off. Neither would you want to lose the entire thing when you're walking down the street.
Don't pull the stones. Some women who wear jewelry pull on the stones whenever they are bored; just so their fingers have something to do. Well, this practice results to the gemstones being more prone to oil, dirt and sweat. You may even risk these because you loosen the setting on the metal.
It is also not advisable to store your jewelry in one big pile. This will cause the metal and the gems to scratch one another. Store your jewelry in separate sections. Wrap them in paper, silk or velvet. Put them in a jewelry box.

Here is a quick run-through on how to clean common gems:
1. Alexandrite
Clean using soapy water or commercially available products. The best is alcohol. You can also resort to mechanical cleaners.
2. Aquamarine
Steer clear of chemical cleaners and heat. These shouldn't be cleaned frequently as well. Use a soapy solution.
3. Diamond
Chemical and mechanical cleaners are said to be safe, but they should be avoided when cleaning diamonds because the stone could be fractured. Rinse the diamond dry and well after using a soapy solution.
4. Emerald
Don't use mechanical and chemical cleaners. It will only dissolve oils during the cleaning process. Emeralds must be cleaned using soapy water. Have a jeweler re-oil the gem once every year.
5. Garnet
Just use soapy water.
6. Jade
Soapy water is the best, safest and easiest solution. You can also resort to mechanical cleaners, just steer clear of the chemical ones.
7. Opal
Wipe the stone after every use with a slightly damp pr dry cloth. Do not wash or scrub hard.
8. Peridot
Don't use chemical or mechanical cleaners. Just use soapy water.
9. Ruby
Use soapy water or the cleaning solvents that are commercially available. Mechanical cleaners are also safe but these should be avoided because it may affect the clarity of the ruby.
10. Sapphire
Use soapy water and cleaning solvents. Mechanical cleaners are also safe but when these are used, they may affect the sapphires clarity.
11. Spinel
Use soapy water and the commercial cleaning solvents. Mechanical cleaners are to be avoided because these affect the clarity of the spinel.
12. Tanzanite
Don't use chemical or mechanical cleaners. Just use soapy water.
13. Topaz
Same with tanzanite, don't use chemical or mechanical cleaners. Soapy water is fine.

Caring for Your Pearls.
Pearls are quite durable. Proper care keeps them lustrous and even more beautiful. Here are some general tips in doing so.
1. Wipe the pearls using a damp warm cloth. This removes dirt and body oils which harm the original color of the pearl. Do this before you put them away.
2. Pearls must be stored away from other jewelry and objects. Keeping them close to such could scratch the surface. Wrap them in soft cloth or linen and put them in pouches. Don't store your pearls in packages that are air tight because they might lose their moisture.
3. Wash them using mild soap and wipe them dry with soft cloth. You can use also use acetone polish remover.(vh).

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A Rough Guide To Saving Money On Clothes

In your effort to save money in everything that you do, it is important that you learn how to shop for clothes properly. Furthermore, by shopping for clothes properly, you could decrease your overall expenditures from as little as 10% to as much as 30%.
Saving money on clothing is simple, all you need to his follow a few tips and live them out in your experience. Here are some of these tips which will help you reduce your expenditures on clothes shopping.

1. What you want and what you need. There is a big difference between what you want and what you need. When it comes to clothes, you will need to balance both to keep yourself happy. If you look beneath the labels, you will find that many clothes are basically of the same make, quality, and style. The only difference is the inexplicable price bump due to its label.
If you are one that shops for labels you may consider slashing the number of branded clothes in your wardrobe by half. This way you still get to enjoy those branded clothes while getting equal quality clothes from generic brands. These brands could be just as good or even better then ones with expensive labels. So do consider them.
2. Look out for sales. Mark your calendars and find out when the season sales hit. The sales can save you as much as 70% off retail prices. This is a great way to get chic clothes at lower prices. You could schedule your shopping sprees on these periods. And knowing in advance when the sales are held will help you prepare enough money for these seasons.
You could contact your local department store to find out when they have sales schedule. They would be more than happy to let you know when they have events scheduled. You can also ask from store to store so that you have a complete list of shopping options during sales season.
3. Buy out of season. One of the best ways to get cheap clothes is to buy out of season. This means you should buy your summer wear during the winter when prices for summer wears are rock-bottom. Conversely, you could choose to buy winter wear during summer sales when these clothes are also rock-bottom in price.
By buying out the season he could stand to save as much as 60% from normal prices. This way you can get great clothes at a lower price without having to sacrifice quality or even brand name. It is a great way to indulge in good clothes without having to break the bank. (vh).

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A Guide to Buying Jewelry

Even the most affordable pieces of jewelry are still costlier than most of the everyday things we purchase. Furthermore, it’s easy for people with untrained eyes to be fooled into paying a lot for fake jewelry. Use the tips below to ensure you're making the smart and the right investment when buying jewelry pieces.

How to Buy Gold Jewelry.
Gold is one of the most commonly used materials for jewelry. And as gold jewelry doesn't discolor like silver does, they are ideal for people with allergy concerns. Because of its malleability, gold is mixed with other metals to improve its durability and structure. That's why even 24K gold isn't really made purely of gold.
Gold jewelry is measured by its karat or the amount of gold it contains. 24K gold is the highest karat amount you can look for. The next would be 18K, 14K, 12K, and 10K. Any gold jewelry with a rating lower than 10K is no longer considered gold jewelry. In Europe, the karat rating is shown in percentage. 18K would be .750 because it contains 75% gold. 14K would be .583, 12K would be .500.
How to Buy Jewelry Made of Silver, Platinum, and Other Metals.
Other metals beside gold are also used to make jewelry. Platinum is one good example and today's market prices it even more expensively than gold. Platinum jewelry is also rated according to its platinum content.
92.5% is the highest rating provided for silver or sterling silver jewelry pieces; it signifies the amount of silver used in the jewelries. Other metals commonly used for jewelry are pewter and vermeil.

How to Buy Gemstone Jewelry.
There are two primary types of gemstones: natural and artificial. Natural gemstones are more expensive. Artificial, company-created, or synthetic gemstones are made in the laboratory.
The size and weight are important when buying gemstones. A 1-carat gemstone will weigh 50 points or 1/5th of a gram. At times, gemstones are subjected to certain treatments to change or improve their durability or appearance. The laws require jewelry makers to label their items clearly if they had been treated in any way. In most cases, treated jewelry pieces are less costly than untreated ones.
Commonly used treatments today include bleaching, dyeing, diffusion, fracture filling, impregnating, irradiation, and heating. Bleaching is used to whiten pearls, jades, and other similar stones. Dyeing, diffusion, heating, and irradiation mostly have to do with improving the color of gemstones. Impregnating and fracture filling, on the other hand, make flaws of gemstones less visible.
Gemstones are also appraised according to the same 4C’s used for appraising diamonds, and they are cut, color, clarity, and, which has been previously discussed, carat weight.
Darker gemstones aren't always better. Sapphire that's too dark could have its bluish shade ending up appearing black, and this is considered undesirable by many. Its best to view the color of gemstones at all light levels to judge it more accurately. Ultimately, look for vividness and brightness in colored gemstones.
Clarity refers to the absence of flaws in a gemstone. Imperfections, or inclusions as they're called, are sometimes used to as birthmarks because they indicate the gemstones origins. Other times, they actually increase the value of the gemstone, such as it is in the case of stars in star rubies and sapphires.
Cut doesn't necessarily make a gemstone more expensive, but it could enhance or detract from its appearance.
Gemstones can be classified into several categories. Traditional gemstones are made up of emerald, blue sapphire, and ruby. They were originally called precious gemstones and with the rest merely delegated to semi-precious category. Most of the time, rubies and emeralds are more expensive than sapphires because of their rarity.
New classics refer to currently fashionable gemstones, those on the rise in the industry like aquamarine and tourmaline. Connoisseur gemstones refer to those that are hard to find like alexandrite, a rare pinkish stone, sapphires that have other colors than blue, and black opal.
Collectors gems are rare but affordable and of great beauty like morganatic and zircon. Lastly, affordable gemstones are those with high quantity in the market, affordably priced, but with excellent overall value such as amethyst and blue topaz.

How to Buy Pearl Jewelry.
Pearls may be natural, cultured (naturally grown but with human intervention), or synthetic. Artificial or synthetic pearls are man-made and produced using plastic, glass, or other similar materials. Pearls are judged according to the skin, luster, shape, and size. Skin refers to the absence of blemishes, luster is an exclusive quality of pearls, referring to its surface glow, and shape places preferences for the most perfect spheres for pearls. (vh).

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7 Tips to Getting the Best Home Mortgage Arrangement

Choosing the best home mortgage arrangement is like going to a shop to get a pair of custom-tailored jeans. It might fit the other guy perfectly, but it might not be as good for you. The best home mortgage is one that you’ve decided on after you’ve factored in several considerations.
So before going to a lender to arrange the best home mortgage for you, find out first if you have enough power to negotiate. Here are some tips:

1. Consider your income and disposable cash. If you have a consistent, source of money and have sizable cash in bulk to take care of the 20% down payment that is a point for you. If you pay a substantial amount now, you can arrange for lower monthly payments.
2. Take care of your debts. The lender will want to check your credit history to see if you are capable of consistent and responsible payments. A good record can help you a get an arrangement that’s more to your liking.
3. Don’t worry too much about rates. Although timing can factor into a good home mortgage deal, it’s best not to obsess about it too much. Concentrate more on how much you can spend for how long minus your debts.
4. Understand the different kinds of mortgages available. Make sure you know the facts before deciding on one. It might look like the best deal at the start, but consider what happens down the line. It might cost you more money.
5. Consider how long you plan to stay in the house. If it’s 10 years or less, you might be better off taking an ARM (Adjustable Rate Mortgage) than an FRM (Fixed Rate Mortgage). While monthly payments will go up and down with an ARM, the risks are outweighed by the savings.
6. If the lender allows it, try to pay more each year. Adding a month’s worth of payment to your loan that will also cover the principal will result to a shorter period of loan and save you thousands of dollars. If you can arrange for it, instead of paying monthly, pay twice a month.
7. Refinance your mortgage if the interest rates are favorable – meaning, low. Just make sure that it is at least 1% lower. Otherwise, it’s not worth the effort. Refinancing will give you more cash that you can use to pay off the principal. Result? A loan that gets smaller and smaller.
Getting the best home mortgage arrangement will require some research on your part and coupled with consistency and money smarts, you can always find one that’s just right for your needs and wallet. (vh).

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Experiencing Debt-Free Living Today

Have you experienced being up to your neck with debt? How about a life without debt? Have you experienced that too? If you have, you must know the big difference. And for sure, you will choose the latter.
But don’t worry. Even if you are in a sea of debts right now, you can still come out of it victorious. It is still possible to lead a debt-free life. Just follow these simple steps:
1. Prioritize paying your debts. Yes. In order for you to be free of debt, you have to pay for it in full. There’s no other way about it. This is the main solution; the only solution.
2. Get professional help. If you feel that you can’t possibly get out of your debts on your own, there are many companies out there which offer debt management services and consolidation. Try talking to them and select the system that will work for you.
3. Prioritize accordingly. Before you spend on anything, think twice about it. You also have to make sure that your monthly debt obligations are always met. Don't pass up payments. You wouldn't want to recede into debt further.
4. Control your money. Control means you aren't going to spend on the spur of the moment. You will be more conscious on how your earnings are spent. You won’t focus on the luxuries. Instead, you will dwell more on the necessities of life.
5. Use your credit card sparingly. A credit card is something so powerful it can help you or break you. Choose not to be broken by a credit card. Use it wisely. Don't use it for unnecessary and small purchases. Always pay with cash when you have it.
6. Stay out of debt. In cases where you can put off applying for a loan, do it. If you can save instead of calling your loan agent, settle for that. Loans are simply excess baggage in the long run. Don’t apply for one unless you really have to.
7. Save. Not just for rainy days but always. Your savings is going to be important in times of emergencies and times where you want to make a big purchase. Save as much as you can in any way you can.
Here are the basic things to do to be free of debt and stay out of it for the rest of your life. Follow these simple tips and you are sure to live a happier, fuller life! (vh).

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A Quick Primer Or On How To Save Money

Everybody wants to get rich. However, not everyone will get rich because of the simple fact that not too many people know how to save. Being able to gain riches is all depends on how you can build wealth. And building wealth all depends on how much you can save.
If you're looking for tips on how to save money, and build wealth, then here are a few tips to help you on your way.
1. Get more of what you need and less of what you want. Being able to differentiate between needs and wants is very important in your quest to save money. All too often, people purchase what they want more than what they need. Unfortunately, wants tend to be more expensive than needs.
So next time you see that sparkling jewel that costs a few thousand dollars, think hard and deep if you really need that thing. You will need a whole deal of self-control; but in the end, it's all worth it when you're trying to save up.
Don't worry; buying your wants isn't against the law. You however have to be able to control yourself and curtail your wants and spend for them wisely.
2. Buy generic. Branded items cost twice as much as generic items. However, this doesn't mean that they are necessarily better in quality. Your goal now is to reduce the number of branded items you purchase and increase the number of generic brands on your list.
Generic brands aren't that bad. In fact, some generic brands are better than branded ones. This should make your decision on purchasing items much easier.
3. Spend within your means. Building wealth is equivalent to being able to spend less than you earn. No one builds wealth by spending more than they are capable of earning. It doesn’t matter if you earn $10,000 or if you earn $5,000, if you spent more than you earn you are still a poor person.
Even if you don't earn as much, if you are to able to set aside some amount from what you earn, you are well on your way to building wealth.
4. Try it before you buy it. Before taking something home for good, make sure you try it and understand the implications of owning such a thing. Don't forget to factor in maintenance costs, insurance, and operating costs before making your decision. This way you are able consider all the implications of your purchase before you regret your decision. (vh).

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A Charming Beauty

Among the many beautiful stones, emeralds are but one of the most attractive gemstones. It possesses the most intense green color you will ever see. For centuries only the wealthy had this priceless gift. The rare pure green emerald is more valuable than most of the diamonds. But there are some varieties of emerald which can have yellowish or bluish colors.
The name emerald is from the Greek word smaragdos, the name been given among the number of unique stones. In the Zodiac signs, this is the birthstone that has been assigned to Taurus. It is even used as the anniversary gemstone for marriage, because it symbolizes kindness, faith and purity.

Emeralds are known to have a healing ability. Although it isn't directly a replacement for the traditional medical treatment, emerald was used for emotional and physical healing. The refreshing green color quality of emerald can cure eye problems; it is even a good amulet for eye troubles.
Moreover, when emeralds are worn around the neck and fingers of children it can prevent them from having convulsions. Emeralds help patients with ailments of the spine, and it helps fight neurological and mental disorders. It can even be an antidote for most poisons and eases wounds associated with poisons.
Emeralds are believed to have some mystical powers. Some people say that it can drive away evil spirits. Having an emerald with you can make you a man of wisdom, for it is said to bring wisdom to those who have or wear it. The ancients believed that it was a good amulet for those who wanted to have good fortune.
Lastly, emeralds are popularly known to be a symbol of faith and love. It can even discover false friends, because it actually changes color in their presence. As for love, when the emerald fades, that means that love weakens so better check the color.
To achieve a lasting beautiful emerald gemstone, care and treatment is needed. To clean the stone, use a soft, dry cloth to wipe it. Use oil when treating it, never use ultrasonic cleaner, because it can remove the oil that is being used during treatments. Lastly, never soak it in hot water, the color of the stone easily changes when it is strongly heated.
When buying your precious emerald, consult a professional retail jeweler to make sure that you will get the real one. A professional knows about details of the emerald, it is very confusing sometimes to compare a true emerald from a synthetic one. (vh).

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Your Traveling Companion

A traveler may experience an uncomfortable feeling especially if he’s on a place with a different time zone than they have back home. Every traveler needs his own alarm clock. Whether you are on vacation, on a business trip or for any other reason that you are traveling, an alarm clock is a very handy companion to tag along. This way you could keep track of your own time without depending on anyone else.
Alarm clocks should, of course, be portable. They should be able fit in your luggage without worrying that it will be broken. Another feature of your handy clock is that the numbers should be easily read and at the same time they should be easy to set. This way you would save yourself from fussing around trying to set the time for it to alarm.
The purpose of the alarm clock is to wake you up on time. So choose one that wakes you up with familiar sounds like beeps or rings. This way you know that the sound comes from the clock and not somewhere else.
They come in different styles and features. Most of the alarm clocks for travel are relatively small. But some of them also come in like large pocket watch that flips open. This way the clock inside is protected from bumps while inside the suitcase. There are small clocks that look like cell phones too! Whatever the size of the travel alarm clock, surely, they always come with their protective cases.
Travel alarm clocks can be both expensive and cheap and are sold in all department stores as well as luggage shops anywhere. It depends on the taste of the traveler whether to pick a pricey or inexpensive one. The important thing is, it should function well and serve its purpose: to wake you up.
A special feature of a travel alarm clock is that you get to choose the alarm. There may be one that could record your favorite song that automatically plays on the set time. Other soothing sounds are available too! However if you’re the type that sleeps soundly, a soft toned alarm clock is not for you. You better choose one that has a loud alarm sound to wake you up.
Never choose an alarm clock that has to be plugged in for you never know when there will be a power failure. If this event happens, your alarm clock can’t help you.
These alarm clocks have their own setbacks too just like your everyday alarm clocks like the battery running out before it alarms or the “shaking” of the clock might cause the battery inside to move thus stopping the alarm. (vh)

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Choosing the Best Travel Accommodation

There are many things to consider when choosing your travel accommodations. The decision could make your trip fun or a disappointment. Choosing the right hotel is a must. Most travelers spend more time in airline ticket reservations and bargains but less time in choosing the right accommodations. Thus they may end up on the wrong side of the bed during their stay.
To get the most out of your hotel accommodations, remember to book as early as possible and make your dates more flexible. Hotels that specialize business people will consider weekends as off season. Family vacationers could tap into these special packages during weekends. Primarily, you should choose your hotel based on name, amenities, features, price, packages and location.

Here are some considerations in choosing your best travel accommodations:
1. Accommodations should be family-friendly. Always ask if your hotel offers children activity areas with educational and fun activities supervised by duly-trained care-givers.
2. Your hotel should provide a swimming pool for children, daycare service, crib rental and child-proof electrical outlets.
3. Stay in a hotel that has electronic room-key cards and has a security viewer installed on their doors.
4. Make it a priority to choose a room on the upper floor.
5. If you're the one who likes to spend more time in your hotel room and the balcony, you should ask for the available amenities and the conditions of the surrounding environment.
6. Depending on whether you're on a private or business trip, ask your hotel about the availability of laundry service, hair dryers, coffee makers, newspapers, free meals, fax machine, bar, cable television, parking, shuttle service, internet connection, etc.
7. The hotel property layout and its location may speak more of its surrounding environment. Noisy locations such as construction on adjacent property, car traffic and noisy waterfalls are not specified on hotel flyers. So be sure to ask about it.
8. Beautifully landscaped surroundings with trees, flowers and inner courts also enhance your travel pleasure. Moreover, gift shops and restaurants all add up to a wonderful travel experience.
9. The location of your hotel with respect to main attraction is equally important. It could save you money on taxi and bus fare.
10. Make sure that the room service is provided 24 hours a day.
11. Check out the room itself. Is it brightly colored or classical? It sets the mood of your travel.
In order to get the most out of your travel, whether for business or family vacations, be sure to know everything about the hotel you are planning to check in to. Ask friends and relatives who have been there. Don't just depend on the hotel's webpage which is undoubtedly biased. Having to stay in a hotel which you don't like could ruin your trip. (vh).

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