Truth be told, starting your very own sports business may not as hard as you may think. In fact, a franchise business opportunity might be just what you need to get your foot into the door of a lucrative career in the sports industry.

Consider for a moment the potential for sport franchises in today’s marketplace. It goes without saying that a business that provides sports oriented products and services can attract consumers of all ages and backgrounds.

Additionally, fitness and physical activity are both encouraged and promoted in today’s society; thus, a large percentage of people may be interested in purchasing and participating in various kinds of sport promotions that you could offer through your own sport franchise.

For example, golf attracts both adults and children. And, a sport franchise for an indoor golf or driving range could be profitable year round.

Where to start?

Interested in a sports franchise, but not sure where to start? First, take a look at the growing list of sports-related franchise business opportunities and decide which one is the most appealing to you, paying close attention to your own areas of personal interest as they relate to sports.

In fact, the best way to chisel out franchise success in this unique arena is to find a sports niche that you have a natural interest in and then pursue a franchise opportunity in that area.

For instance, if you are sports-minded and enjoy spending time playing, organizing or just providing sports-oriented products and services to the general public, a sports franchise that provides you with an opportunity to capitalize on your love for fitness, golf, sportswear, baseball or even go carts, is sure to lead you to victory.

In short, choose a franchise that suits your experience and interests then build your dream business!

Attractive start-up packages and low investment requirements

Getting started couldn’t be easier when you have a proven game plan already at your fingertips - all from the company itself, which will be provided for you in play-by-play detail. That’s because sports franchise companies want and need their franchise outlets to succeed and are willing to give you as much information and detail as you need to make your franchise both highly profitable and highly successful.

And with a proven game-play and rule book to follow, you’re sure not to foul out, which makes sports franchise opportunities much more attractive than trying to start your own sports-related business from scratch.

This said, you should know that franchise opportunities relating to fitness, golf, sportswear, and even sports photography are available right now with low investment and attractive start-up packages. The Athlete’s Foot®, Snap Fitness, Nevada Bob’s Golf and Future Stars Sports Photography are just a few of the sport franchises ready to purchase.

Now, just ask yourself, which of these is best suited to your unique sports passions.

Initial investment- what to expect

Once you choose the sport franchise, you will find that the initial investment required for start-up is usually low. In fact, some franchise companies can even help with financing so that you can start your business as soon as possible. For example, a Simple Golf Solutions franchise requires start-up funds as low as a $5000 liquid capital with financing assistance available!

Additionally, purchasing a sport franchise gives you a framework from which you can start to build your own business, as mentioned above, and will provide you with the support you need to be up, running and profitable in no time.

Sure, you are responsible for maintaining the franchise according to the company guidelines but you still have your own business. Consider Kinderdance® where a complete training system is in place combined with a low start-up cost and simple business procedure make operating your own franchise a reality!

Additional benefits of owning your own sport franchise

As the global economy incorporates massive growth with business performance, the outlook is good for sports franchise owners. Because most consumers associate a “brand name” with superior quality and customer service, when you purchase a well-known sport franchise, your customer base may already be established since your business is largely generated by the consumer’s experience with the company.

The combination of the franchise base, your investment in time and effort, and customer service satisfaction may be your game plan for success in the sports franchise arena.

And. as a sports franchise owner, you can forget about the day- to-day grind and experience the freedom to choose your own hours and paycheck as you lead your own team to new-found success.

And, as your own coach, so to speak, you have total control, which means no more dead-end jobs, no more overly demanding bosses.

Now, it really can be you and your team.

Low-risk makes some sports franchises look great

Suddenly, it is not such a huge risk to operate your own franchise. Because you can carefully examine every sports franchise opportunity and crunch the numbers and compare the businesses more important details, you can find one that suits your unique needs and your budget.

You can choose one that allows you to get it on a level you are comfortable with and if you want to add additional players to increase your start-up pool of funds and decrease your personal risk, that’s entirely up to you.

Sports-themed businesses you should know about

As you consider sports franchise opportunities, there are a few top producing ones that you may want to look into first, including:

The Athlete’s Foot®
Specializing in high quality athletic footwear, The Athlete’s Foot® is the world’s first franchisor in this particular product line and is recognized today as the world leader in this type of franchise.

Snap Fitness
Snap Fitness caters to its members through its flexible 24/7 operating system where the facility is available at any time regardless of individual schedules and time constraints. Combining a unique 24 hour a day card-locking and surveillance system plus a highly trained and knowledgeable staff ensures a positive and convenient fitness centre experience for each and every client.

Nevada Bob’s Golf
This sport franchise offers a wide selection of specialty golf products and services to meet the needs of the amateur to professional golfer. With over 25 years of success in the golf retail industry, Nevada Bob’s Golf has everything for the prospective franchise owner and customer!

Future Stars Sports Photography
With a state of the art production facility, unlimited support and extensive training program, any franchise owner can see picture perfect results every time with a Future Stars Sports Photography sport franchise. An amazing product and customer service mean business success for any entrepreneur interested in sports photography.

Franchise opportunities are ready for the taking with low startup cost and turn key operation. And sport franchises are becoming some of the most popular and profitable businesses in the marketplace today.

When you sign on the dotted line

When you purchase your own franchise business, you can start with the knowledge that there is a well-established company behind you that will provide plenty of support and guidance whenever you need it.

Sport franchises are one of the best ways to have a solid and profitable business without investing a huge amount of money to get started. Once you make the decision to purchase your own sport franchise business, you are on your way to realizing the future that you always dreamed about but didn’t know how to get started.

A look ahead at sports franchises

Sports are big business. From individuals to elite professional teams, almost everyone is involved in some kind of sport activity. Whether it is just throwing a baseball in the backyard or participating in a worldwide competition, some element of sport is everywhere.

Owning a sport franchise allows you to participate when you provide the products and services. Your business franchise may be geared specifically to one sport or many depending on your interests and business goals. Check our franchise directory to find the sport business opportunity that’s just right for you!

Find franchises, franchise opportunities and information for entrepreneurs at Franchise Gator.

When looking for debt consolidation, it may be difficult to decide with whom to speak. There are many options available, and you should be reasonably concerned that many do not have your best interests in mind.

There are many debt consolidation organizations that are nonprofit. This is a good way to go, because they will often charge less in fees. Be careful though, to check that this is actually the case of the specific organization that you are working with. Regardless of the nonprofit status of the company, you will want to make sure to check their reliability through the Better Business Bureau. Think twice before doing business with a debt consolidation organization that is not in good standing.

A reputable debt consolidation organization will be well established in the community and will offer both telephone and in-person counseling. Organizations that emphasize a personal visit when possible are generally the most likely to provide the unbiased and complete counseling that you could expect. There is a real advantage to meeting with a counselor face-to-face.

Along with choosing a good debt consolidation organization, you will want to choose the type of plan that will be most to your benefit. The best person to talk to about this is an accredited credit counselor. They deal with situations like yours and know what types of debt consolidation work best for what circumstances. In some cases, the credit counselor might talk with you about a debt management plan. These plans are beneficial for those that are struggling with paying credit card debt.

Debt management plans are helpful because they allow you to consolidate your payments while keeping balances with your original accounts. You will be able to watch your accounts dwindle as you make your monthly payment to the debt management organization. This can also save you because the company can work with your creditors to reduce the fees you owe on your accounts.

Once you know you are working with the right debt consolidation organization, you can feel confident that you are starting down the right step to eliminate your debt.

Ronnica Rothe graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Oklahoma. She is currently enrolled at Southeastern Seminary in Wake Forest, NC.

She is a regular contributor to educational information disseminated through Personal Financial Network. Related information can be found on finding the best debt consolidation organization.

The Texas Hospital Association (THA) is urging lawmakers in Dallas, Houston and throughout the rest of the state to take the right steps to make health insurance more affordable and accessible to individuals in Texas. The state ranks first in the country in the percentage of uninsured residents (24.6%).

“Cover the Uninsured Week,” which is observed nationally to highlight the importance of access to affordable health care benefits, has garnered particular attention in Texas where Gov. Rick Perry has localized the awareness effort by proclaiming April 23-29, 2007 as Cover the Uninsured Week in the Lone Star State.

“Everyone pays the price when individuals, families and small businesses cannot afford health insurance,” the Governor stated. “The increasing costs of uncompensated care place a strain on Texas hospitals, other health care providers and on the quality of care every patient receives. Texas recognizes the urgency to take meaningful steps to make health insurance more affordable and accessible.”

Nearly one quarter of Texas residents — approximately 5.5 million men, women and children — is uninsured. In addition, the uninsured rate in every major Texas city is higher than the national average, and Texas’ share of uninsured children, more than 25 percent, also is higher than the national average. In 2005, eight in 10 non-elderly uninsured Texans came from working families — nearly 70 percent from families with one or more full-time workers.

“Texas hospitals are working with our elected officials in the battle to provide health care coverage to more Texans through the private sector as well as state-funded programs such as Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program,” according to THA President/CEO Dan Stultz, M.D., FACP, FACHE. Stultz said, “We know that access to affordable health insurance affects all Texans — because we all pay the price when Texans don’t get the care they need.”

In addition to working to reverse cuts in Medicaid and CHIP funding, and restoring provider reimbursement rates, the THA supports a number of private-sector measures to increase the number of Texans with health insurance coverage. These measures include:

• H.B. 882 by Rep. Elliott Naishtat/Rep. John Davis (S.B. 922 by Sen. Kirk Watson) — These measures authorize counties to establish or participate in regional health care programs, which would provide health care services or benefits to the employees of small employers located in the participating counties.
• H.B. 1182 by Rep. John Davis — Requires that state agencies and school districts consider whether a vendor provides health care benefits or equivalent health savings benefits to its employees when awarding a contract for goods or services.
• S.B. 1023 by Sen. Royce West — Limits the use of money in the Texas Enterprise Fund to recipients that provide health benefit plans.
• H.B. 3321 by Rep. Vicki Truitt — Requires students to be enrolled in a health benefit plan and to submit proof of health insurance before enrollment at a public institution of higher education.
• H.B. 3361 by Rep. Garnet Coleman (S.B. 1681 by Sen. Kip Averitt) — Requires that health care benefit plans allow unmarried children of any age to be covered under a parent’s or grandparent’s health insurance policy or plan if the cost of the premium is paid.

When uninsured Texans are sick, they currently often turn to hospital emergency rooms because they have no primary care physician. Stultz noted that nearly 20 percent of people who lack health insurance report turning to the ER for what is often routine care, compared to only three percent of those with insurance coverage, according to the National Coalition on Health Care.

“Using hospital emergency rooms for non-critical care takes precious time and scarce resources that doctors, nurses and other health care professionals could put to work for those patients who truly need life-saving care or intervention for serious medical conditions.” Adding that Texas hospitals spent more than $10.1 billion in 2005 to care for patients who have no health insurance, Stultz said, “The costs of uncompensated care strains our physicians’ and hospitals’ ability to provide quality care to all patients — regardless of their insurance status. It also places undue burdens on local taxpayers, workers and health care consumers.”

Health care experts say that increasing the number of people with health insurance will further enhance the quality of care and help reduce the losses that result from doctors and hospitals treating patients with no health insurance. Uncompensated care limits the financial resources available to invest in new technology, electronic communication, education and other enhancements that would improve patient care and outcomes for all patients.

If you’re a young, healthy individual who lives in Dallas, Houston or elsewhere in Texas and you’re going without health insurance, you’re running a considerable, and unnecessary, risk. Instead, you should take a look at the revolutionary, comprehensive and highly-affordable individual health insurance solutions created by Precedent specifically for young, healthy individuals. For more information, visit us at our website, www.precedent.com. We offer a unique and innovative suite of individual health insurance solutions, including highly competitive HSA-qualified plans, and an unparalleled “real time” application and acceptance experience.

Precedent puts a new spin on health insurance. Learn more at http://www.precedent.com.

With Apple’s major success with their iPod, the most popular form of MP3 player, they were sure to expand and come out with their own version of a cell phone. Apple has dominated the industry of MP3 players and has managed to sell millions of iPods all over the world, along with millions of songs through their own online music store.

The cell phone industry has evolved and so has the technology. Nearly every single cell phone comes equipped with a screen that plays video, and a camera. Apple’s newer versions of the iPod have screen that have the ability to play videos. Now Apple has taken their popular and advanced technologies to the next level with the iPhone, combining the functions of a cell phone, Internet communication device, as well as a “wide screen” iPod with easy to use touch controls.

Apple made their iPhone exclusive to AT&T and Cingular, which means these phone companies are the only two who can offer you service for your iPhone. The Apple iPhone is supposed to be released sometime in June. It will be interesting to see the other companies and manufacturers scramble to make their own version of the iPhone.

The Apple iPhone will run on the most recent MAC operating system for its Internet and video functions. It also comes equipped with a 2 megapixel camera and has the ability to run Google maps, conference calling, text, and multimedia messaging. These are all must have functions for anyone on the go these days, especially the younger generation. The iPhone will also have Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity, as well as Email software and a browser.

The new iPhone will have a combination of the latest, most popular technologies. In fact it doesn’t have a keypad at all, except for a “home” button. The controls are operated on a 3.5 inch square touch screen. Many pre-release reviews of the iPhone are positive and say that the photo and video quality is amazing. There is basically one giant touch screen that you use to control the phone, the picture component, and the videos. You will never have to use a stylus again! When you want to send a text message to someone you can use the onscreen keyboard which is also controlled by touch.

Apple will be offering a 4GB version of the iPhone for the price of $499 with a two year contract. If you want to double your space then you can go with the 8GB version of the iPhone for the low price of $599, only $100 more than the 4GB. To some these may seem like expensive phones, but when you really think about it iPod’s run you about $300. Then you add on the costs of a cell phone. Apple can charge this because there are going to be many dedicated Apple fans that will have no problem spending that much money on an Apple iPhone.

Christopher is a writer for Everything iPhone, where he writes about iPhone cases and reports the latest iPhone news.

You’re a young, healthy individual who lives in Dallas, Houston or elsewhere in Texas, now’s the time to take charge of your health. Everything you do to, and take into, your body may come back to haunt you when you get older. So, it’s time to take some responsibility, become disciplined and take care of yourself, starting today!

You may have noticed that modern science cranks out an abundance of research attesting to the fact that staying healthy has never been easier. However, for many, it has never been more confusing. Medical studies frequently seem to contradict each other, adding frustration to an already perplexed consumer.

For example: Hormone replacement therapy is good for women. Then: HRT is bad for women. Now: Sometimes, it can be good in limited doses.

Another: Vitamin E may prolong your life. More recently: High doses of vitamin E may kill you.

So what’s a health-conscious person like you to believe?
For starters, be a proactive patient and talk to a doctor, preferably one who’s familiar with you and your health history. Instead of jumping on a trendy bandwagon, get your health care practitioner’s opinion and interpretation of the latest medical research, and ask if any of the new information can benefit to you.

Most doctors will tell you not to wait for someone else to tell you that something’s wrong. Pay attention to your health. Be aware of what foods you eat. Get the weight off. And exercise.

It’s also important to “know your numbers”. Know your blood pressure; total cholesterol; good (HDL) and bad (LDL) cholesterol levels. Get screened for diabetes and get a colonoscopy when you reach the age of 50.

Anther suggestion for becoming a more responsible individual is participating in a clinical trial. The medical profession can only get better treatments to market if there are more studies to test them. It’s certainly a win-win situation for you as a patient. You’ll receive good dietary advice, good follow-up care and will have an opportunity of getting the medication being tested.

It’s interesting to note that a growing number of studies today are “crossover” studies, in which the patient may get the placebo for the first half of the study, but will be assured of getting the real medication for at least the second half of the trial. To find a trial that you may be eligible for, ask your physician or contact the National Institutes of Health.

Enough can’t be said about this next suggestion: Get frequent cardiovascular exercise!
Hey! It’s called physical activity, it’s free and it’s been tested repeatedly and always comes out showing health benefits. Even if you’re a smoker, diabetic or are overweight, doing something as simple as twenty minutes of brisk walking several times a week can help keep you healthier. It will encourage a smoker to quit, help bring diabetes under control, and move a person in the direction of losing weight.

Cardio exercise reduces stress, lowers blood pressure and bad cholesterol, raises good cholesterol, fights osteoporosis, induces weight loss, improves bowel regularity and is a natural and non-addictive sleep aid. It also lowers blood sugar, reduces joint stiffness, improves mental alertness and is a mild antidepressant. Plus, when performed regularly, three to five times a week, cardio exercise reduces your long-term risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

Another suggestion: Eat more fiber. There. It’s out in the open. If everyone had a half-cup of a high-fiber cereal, every day, it would take care of most individuals’ gastrointestinal problems. The average adult needs about 25 grams of fiber a day, but most of us get a measly 12 grams. You can’t get as much fiber as you need based on just fruits and vegetables. In Texas and the rest of the United States, there isn’t enough fiber available to us, since all the fiber is milled out of breads and other foods. Gastrointestinal problems that can result from not consuming enough fiber include constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids and diverticulosis.

Now that we’ve taken care of your inside, time to take care of your outside. You can start by hydrating and protecting your skin.
The skin is the largest organ of the body and protects everything else inside, so it’s important to hydrate it both inside and out and to protect it. It’s recommended that you drink six to eight glasses of water a day and use a topical moisturizer on the skin, focusing on those areas that are most exposed, including the face, neck, hands, arms and legs.

For the face, try exfoliating with a topical, retinoid-like product to help peel off the outer layer of skin. And don’t forget a broad-spectrum (UVA and UVB protection) sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. If you love the outdoors, you need to use common sense. That means staying out of the hot Texas sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., and wearing protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.

Okay. Here’s the tough one — Maintain your optimal weight.
Staying at a healthy weight is good advice for anyone, but it’s particularly important for women at certain ages. It’s well established that, if a woman varies too much in her weight, a slew of abnormalities can occur, because of fluctuating hormone levels. It’s recommended that women stay within 10 percent to 15 percent of their ideal weight.

For older women, weight gain during the postmenopausal years can lead to an increased risk of breast cancer. Recent research in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that, if a woman gains 22 pounds or more after menopause, her risk of breast cancer goes up by more than 20 percent. It’s believed that the fat stores act as amplifiers for any estrogen in a woman’s system.

And here’s a suggestion no one wants to hear, but you really need to do it — Get screened for diabetes.
Approximately 21 million Americans are believed to have Type 2 diabetes. And about one-third of those with the chronic disease don’t even know it, because it’s most often asymptomatic. One of

most troubling things is that, once you’re diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, about 50 percent of your pancreas is not working anymore. So it’s nice to get ahead of the game and prevent or delay diabetes.

While everyone should consult with his/her physician about their risk for diabetes, certain people need to be checked out early and frequently. Risk factors include: a family history of diabetes; being overweight or obese; being sedentary; women who have had a baby weighing more than 9 pounds; and certain ethnic groups, including African-American, Asian, American Indian and Hispanic.

Here’s one you might have fun with — Strengthen your core by embracing yoga.
Exercise used to mean working only the show muscles. But when it comes to function, that’s only part of the equation. To keep the body strong and help prevent all kinds of injury, it’s important to work the core muscles, those of the upper and lower trunk and the pelvic area. And, one of the best ways to do that is to practice yoga.

Yoga is great for the core because it does a good job at balancing strengthening and stretching. A weak core is a huge source of back pain that many people get. Practicing yoga regularly is a different way of stretching those muscles, which may ease or prevent many back problems.

Get the proper training for a physical job.
“Worker or industrial athletes” are too frequently neglected and often injured on the job.
This description encompasses anyone who performs physical labor as part of his or her job. It can include a warehouse employee who lifts heavy boxes, a hospital nurse who must reposition patients, or a construction worker who hoists heavy equipment.

Just as professional or college athletes must train regularly to perform their best on the field or court, worker athletes must also train for their work and ease into their work activity. The worker needs to prepare for a physical job beforehand by practicing aerobic, flexibility and strength training. It’s important to prepare and condition your body for the physical work you do.

You’ll discover that what affects your health also will eventually affect your bank account, so you should take charge of your health while you’re young, or when you get older, someone else will do it for you. If you’re a young individual who tries to keep informed and maintain a healthy condition and lifestyle, you should take a look at the revolutionary, comprehensive and highly-affordable individual health insurance solutions created by Precedent specifically for you. We can help you find out what to watch for, as well as provide information to help you reduce your cancer risk. For more information, visit us at our website, www.precedent.com. We offer a unique and innovative suite of individual health insurance solutions, including highly competitive HSA-qualified plans and an unparalleled “real time” application and acceptance experience.

Precedent puts a new spin on health insurance. Learn more at http://www.precedent.com.

A 2007 study, conducted by the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, provides researchers with additional evidence of a correlation between frequent amphetamine and cocaine usage among young individuals in Dallas, Houston and elsewhere in Texas and the occurrence of strokes.

The study looked at patients from ages 18 to 44, and then determined who had had strokes and what their risk factors were. The study doesn’t show the mechanism, but it found an association between amphetamine usage and strokes.

Amphetamines and cocaine go straight into an individual’s blood stream, increasing his or her blood pressure and heart rate. There were recent animal studies which showed that, when these drugs were taken intravenously, there was an inflammation of blood vessels in animals’ brains. Hemorrhagic strokes result from the bleeding of tissue into the brain when a blood vessel bursts.

Jane Maxwell, a research scientist at the UT School of Social Work, has been researching similar topics for the past 30 years and said these findings were similar to her own. “I look at the death certificates of everybody in the state of Texas where cocaine is mentioned, and most of their deaths have to do with strokes and heart attacks,” she said. The average age of victims in cases where cocaine is found in the body is 40, and the average age of victims in whose bodies amphetamines are found is 38, Maxwell said.

“Looking at drug use among college students, about 9 percent of college students have used cocaine. Four percent have used in the past year and 1 percent in the last month. The number of cocaine users in Texas is pretty comparable to the national average,” Maxwell said. According to surveys conducted by University Health Services in the spring of 2006, the level of cocaine and amphetamine use at the University is about equal to the national rate.

Those particular drugs, methamphetamine and cocaine, versus the percentage that UT students report, is very low. One percent of men and 2 percent of women reported cocaine use in the last 30 days. Amphetamines include speed, Adderall and Ritalin, the only drugs for which there is a reported increase in use. About 4 percent of students said they used them unprescribed. A lot more women than men acknowledge using those drugs, the survey said.

Students tend to use Adderall and Ritalin as diet pills. People might also use the diet supplements to stay awake, to party longer or study longer. The numbers in amphetamine and cocaine use don’t change much from year to year, but if there is an increase, it is expected to be with drugs like Adderall and Ritalin.

UT Southwestern Medical Center’s study also showed that amphetamine abuse included both methamphetamines and the frequent abuse of prescription stimulants. Researchers noted that they would advise students using even these prescription drugs that there is a definite potential risk.

What you put in your body when you’re young will certainly affect your health when you get older. Eventually, it will also affect your wallet. If you’re a young individual who likes to maintain a healthy condition, you should take a look at the revolutionary, comprehensive and highly-affordable individual health insurance solutions created by Precedent specifically for you. For more information, visit us at our website, www.precedent.com. We offer a unique and innovative suite of individual health insurance solutions, including highly competitive HSA-qualified plans and an unparalleled “real time” application and acceptance experience.

Precedent puts a new spin on health insurance. Learn more at http://www.precedent.com.

It’s a scary thought, isn’t it? You receive your monthly credit card statement and realize that someone besides you has been charging purchases against it.

Identity theft can lead to the loss of thousands of dollars and irreparable damage to your credit report. Even when the damage is relatively minor, victims of identity theft report feeling equally as violated as a homeowner whose house was burglarized.

There are steps that you can take to prevent identity theft. Here are ten.

1) Protect your social security number. This is paramount. Your social security number is the key to your financial identity. Do not write it or have it printed on your checks. Do not give it out unless you are comfortable with the person or company. In most cases it is wise to ask why they are requesting it. You can also offer an alternative identifying number such as your driver’s license number.

2) Track your spending and regularly balance your books with your bank and credit card statements. Often identity thieves will start small to test the wariness of their victims. If you regularly track spending you can detect identity theft early and prevent too much damage.

3) Track your credit reports. If your social security number is the key to your financial identity the credit monitoring companies are the door. The federal government mandated that the three major credit bureaus make credit reports available to consumers once a year. This means that once every 4 months you can, and should, request an updated credit report from one of them. For more information about this service, visit AnnualCreditReport.com.

4) Keep track of personal documents and mail. Any important documents should be kept secure and locked. Any mail that you receive with personal information should be shredded before it is discarded. This includes the ubiquitous credit card offers that seem to arrive daily.

5) Secure your computer. If you keep bank records, make purchases online, or receive email with any personal information make sure that your computer has a good security program with virus blocker and a firewall.

6) Know with whom you are doing business. Be wary of websites that don’t list a contact number. If you haven’t heard of a company before, check with the Better Business Bureau before giving them your credit card.

7) Avoid phishing. Phishing is the practice of emailing people and tricking them into giving out personal financial information. The most deceptive form of phishing is to emulate a well known company or financial institution by fraudulently using their name and graphic logo. The recipient of the email is asked to click on a link and resubmit their information. If you ever receive an email like this, do not click on the links. Instead, type in the institution’s website into the address bar of your internet window and login to your account if you regularly use their online services. If there is a problem with your information there will usually be a message there. Alternatively, you can call the company directly and explain that you received the email then ask them what you should do.

Use common sense when choosing a password. Do not use obvious passwords like your birthday or mother’s maiden name. These may be easy for you to remember but they are also relatively easy for identity thieves to find out. Choose keywords which are more obscure or even nonsense. If you find that you have trouble remembering them and need to write them down, keep them locked up with your other secure documents from #4.

9) Do not give out personal information to callers. This is a scam similar to #7. Identity thieves will call and pretend to be from a financial institution. If anyone calls and asks for information that they should already have do not give it to them. Instead, explain that you will have to call back. Then call the institution’s regular phone number and explain the situation.

10) Always ask questions. No person or company has a right to your personal financial information. Anytime you are asked for this information or you feel compelled to share it ask why and make sure that you understand the answer.

If you follow these simple steps and make sure that you properly monitor your financial situation you should be able to protect yourself from identity theft.

Bryce Eddings is a freelance writer. For personal security information and products visit Professional Supplies for Less

There are pros and cons with the election of Nicolas Sarkozy as French president.

Behind his progressive economic agenda there lurks an appeal to xenophobia, nationalism and traditional moral codes. A portion of his vote came directly from the Le Pen camp. But what’s the option? France is in a mess and something has to give. Years of political correctness, artificially high wages, union obduracy and a multicultural arrangement that has been more like warehousing of immigrants in some instances has led to an untenable situation.

When you compare France with Germany, the challenge becomes clear. The German economy is on a roll, in part thanks to a spartan regimen that saw a virtual wage freeze over some six years. Meanwhile wages have remained unrealistically high in France. While the Germans are becoming more competitive, France is lagging far behind. In fact it is one of the weakest performers in the eurozone with a budget deficit of 2.5% of GDP - as compared to the eurozone average of 1.6%. Also its debt levels are close to twice as high as the UK.

Like it or not the solution appears to be Sarkozy. For some reason remedies to social and economic ills often involve this dramatic swing of the pendulum, rather than a more graduated approach.

If you take Sarkozy at his word he is all about turning France upside down and unleashing a revolution to transform the economy. The good side of this of course, is that it may break down doors that have long been closed to immigrants and allow them to become more integrated and competitive. This needs to happen because droves of talent has been crossing the channel and taking jobs in England, after running into endless roadblocks in France. Sarkozy has a real chance to alter this situation for the better.

He’s been accused of being racist, but most of this is exaggerated. The left has tended to hype his more inflammatory remarks in order to play them for political advantage. When he says that France doesn’t need or want immigrants who slaughter sheep in the bath tub, it may seem like harsh talk, but it’s a metaphor that speaks to the mistake of allowing immigrants to transport their former lives into France where many live in ghettoized versions of ‘little N. Africa’ - often while subsisting on state handouts. This does nothing for the unity of the country, and by extension for Europe as a whole.

I view Sarkozy mostly as a tough talking pragmatist. Having said that, it’s hard not to have reservations about a number of his views. His appeal to nationalism has the potential to whip up xenophobia in ways that could prove to be deeply divisive.

At least his speech was a rallying call and made an effort to bridge the divides. I like the line - “I want a France where everyone has a chance - but the chance comes for those who work for it.” Fair enough. The nanny state mentality in France has been a major contributor to current problems.

He also gave the thumbs up to America while cautioning that “friendship means accepting that friends can have different opinions.” He mentioned one source of possible dissension - climate change - and urged the US to take the lead. I’m sure George Bush is chaffing at the bit to do just that. On the environment front Sarkozy has his work cut out for him if he is hoping to make converts of the Bush administration.

It’s a wait-and-see situation with Sarkozy. The point is, something had to give. Considering that one third of the French populace claim to have “sympathies” with the far right, all I can say is that I’d much rather see Sarko at the helm than the likes of a Jean-Marie Le Pen.

Aidan Maconachy resides in Ontario, Canada. He has a BA Hons and a BEd. He taught in the UK and Canada, and has been a contributor to a variety of magazines and newspapers over the years. You can visit his blog at http://aidanmaconachyblog.blogspot.com/

Imagine soaring down a road in Dallas, Houston or elsewhere in Texas at 70+ mph while lying on your back, just inches from the asphalt. That’s the sport of street luge, an extreme gravity-powered activity that involves riding a street luge board, or sled, down a paved road or prepared course. Street luge is also known as land luge or road luge and, like skateboarding, street luge takes balance and lightening quick reactions. The only difference between street luge and the winter Olympic sport is the lack of snow and ice. Street luge was created in Southern California when downhill skateboarders found they could reach faster speeds by lying down on their skateboards. But, like regular luge, the concrete version picks its winners based on top speed.

In 1975, the first professional street luge race was held at Signal Hill, California, hosted by the U.S. Skateboard Association. The boards used in that race varied from basic skateboards to complex skate cars, in which the rider was completely enclosed by plastic or fiberglass. At the time, the sport was not referred to as “street luge,” but the term luge was used to describe some participants’ riding position. Most contestants stood up, however an opening in the rules enabled riders to choose their on-board position — including prone. By 1978, repeated injuries to both riders and spectators halted the races at Signal Hill.

Several dedicated riders from the Signal Hill races kept the sport alive by continuing to hold races in Southern California. Throughout the 1980s and into the early 1990s, both underground and professional races continued to be held in Southern California by such organizations as the Underground Racers Association (URA), the Federation of International Gravity Racing (FIGR) and the Road Racers Association for International Luge (RAIL). Race organizers in the 1980s and 1990s started implementing many more equipment, safety and race regulations.

Meanwhile, in the early 1990s, some Austrian skateboarders started sitting down on their skateboards on the way back from teaching skiing in the Alps. This activity led to a classic style street luge race in Austria, riding wooden boards closer to large skateboards than the usual street luge, which is heavier, longer, has larger wheels and more trucks than a skateboard or classic luge. There is now a healthy street luge riding and racing presence in many European countries.

In the mid 1990s, ESPN’s X Games introduced street luge to the world and the sport was originally sanctioned by RAIL, then by the International Gravity Sports Association (IGSA). NBC followed ESPN’s lead and created the Gravity Games, where the sport was sanctioned by Extreme Downhill International (EDI). Smaller events also appeared in Canada, South Africa, Australia, Switzerland, Germany, Sweden and the U.K. Qualification criteria for these events varied and was controlled by each of the sanctioning bodies.

While no longer a sport in either the X Games or Gravity Games, street luge is still a burgeoning sport in numerous countries, with competitions around the globe. There are approximately 1,200+ active street luge riders in the world.

The actual street luge itself hasn’t changed too much since the sport began. Street lugers still ride modified skateboards in the prone position. The design of these boards is based on the rules set forth from different governing bodies. Luge design elements include:

1. The use of lean-activated steering skateboard style trucks.
2. The prohibited use of mechanical brakes.
3. Front and rear padding.
4. Length, width and weight restrictions — details depend on sanctioning body.
5. The prohibited use of parts that enclose the rider’s body or hinder braking.

Current street luge boards are made from many materials including steel, aluminum, wood, and carbon fiber. The majority of the street luge boards are custom made, although commercial models are also now available. Actual board designs can vary, as the construction rules are extremely open and allow for numerous design considerations.

Riders participating in sanctioned racing events are required to wear safety equipment including: Hard shell helmet with chinstrap and face shield or goggles; leather or Kevlar racing suit; and leather or Kevlar gloves

Races are usually held on mountain roads but have also been held on city streets. Courses can range in length from 0.5 to 3 miles (1 to 5 km) and vary in layout, including the number and severity of turns.

Physically demanding sports such as street luge can be a great way to exercise to maintain good health. If you’re a young individual who likes to try difficult sports like street luge to keep healthy, you should take a look at the revolutionary, comprehensive and highly-affordable individual health insurance solutions created by Precedent specifically for you. For more information, visit us at our website, www.precedent.com. We offer a unique and innovative suite of individual health insurance solutions, including highly competitive HSA-qualified plans and an unparalleled “real time” application and acceptance experience.

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When you want to learn how to do a internet business, you will found out that there are tons of different kinds of internet business that you can do. So what is the best kind of models that will allows you to earn as you learn? The answer is affiliate marketing.

Affiliate marketing can be defined simply as you getting commissions for every sale that you make from promoting other people’s product. This is the best way for you start a online business because you personally do not need to have your own products. You will also do not have to worry about customer support and the best thing is that it will only requires a very small amount of investment from you to start the business.

You will not want to spend tons of money before you even make your first dollars online. In all kinds of internet business, marketing is a important component. Affiliate marketing gives you the chance to wet your feet first. You will learn how to promote and market the affiliate product that you have chosen. This will be a “earn as you learn approach” because if you do the right things, you will have commissions and vice versa.

This is will be the most cost effective way of learning how to market on the internet. To have your own affiliate marketing business, the 3 most basic tools that you will need will be your own domain name, web hosting and a professional autoresponder. All these will only requires a small investment from you. The cost of maintaining your affiliate marketing will just be roughly around $50 per month excluding advertising cost.

If you are willing to invest a small amount of money every month in doing the business and taking constant action on how to market in the internet, you will learn how to do business at a much faster rate. Once you know how to market on the internet, you will know how to do all the other kinds of internet business already. So affiliate marketing is definitely the best business models for you to learn how to do a business online.

Zack Lim is an up and coming affiliate marketer who owns http://www.MyAffiliateMarketingOnline.com providing information on Affiliate Marketing. To get Free “7 Days to Affiliate Marketing” course, go to http://www.MyAffiliateMarketingOnline.com This article is free for republishing by visitors provided the resource link is retained