You Must…

The Superior Hiking Trail is a 235 mile trek along Minnesota’s rocky ridgeline. It is located inside Superior National Forest, above Lake Superior and was developed in the 1980s by a group of hiking enthusiasts who started the Superior Hiking Trail Association motorcycle accident attorneys Utah both maintain the trail itself and promote it’s benefits to other hikers. There are now Maryland car insurance 3,000 members who maintain the trail and promote efforts to make it better.

This trail is considered by many to be one of the best and most scenic hiking trails in the United States and there are 75 different access points to it’s stunning and dramatic foot trail.

The Superior Hiking Trail covers an extensive amount of terrain ranging from Two Harbors, Minnesota through seven state parks, including Split Rock and Tettegouche, and extending all the way to the border of Canada.

At it’s highest point, the Superior Hiking Trail sits 1,750 feet above sea level and at it’s lowest point, it sits 602 feet about sea level. It is considered a moderately difficult trail and there is a noted hazard of severe weather and Black bears.

If you are interested in camping while visiting the Superior Hiking Trail, there are an impressive amount of campsites, over 80, and parking lots located conveniently every five to ten miles. Water is accessible from most areas of the trail, but you must be prepared to filter it before drinking. Pets are allowed, but must be on leashes. There is also a shuttle service available from the middle of May to the middle of October.

The Superior Hiking Trail Association is in the process of adding another 40 miles to the trail which will enhance hiking through Duluth, Minnesota’s forests. The entire trail is free to use and no reservations or permits are required.

Gery Varga enjoys hiking. His articles can be found on Hiking: Superior Hiking Trails

I got the call less than three months ago that spurred me into action faster than a three alarm fire drill. My aging mom needed help. With both of the kids gone and a four bedroom house that felt overly spacious, not to mention an ever expanding mortgage (thank you sub-prime lenders), it was a no-brainer. But moving back to the Midwest after living California Lemon Laws California for 33 years is something of culture shock. Better to do it when the weather is fine, a person can gradually adapt to the frozen north. But that’s another story.

Mom is approaching her 86th birthday this December, and her once athletic and trim figure has shall we say, slowed down. No major life threatening diseases, just well, age.
Personally, I think the hard winters cause a person to age faster when they’re unable to get out and exercise. She’s been living alone in a second floor condo with no elevator, and failing knees. Recipe for disaster number one.

The eyesight is aided by Coke-bottom glasses, but the constant battle with glaucoma is bothersome, to say the least. Disaster number two. Add to that, a generally wobbliness where the balance suddenly goes and falls occur. Disaster number three. Fortunately, her many falls over the past couple years haven’t added the broken hip, nor any other broken limbs problem, yet.

You get the picture. A perfect storm waiting to happen. Not that I’m the sort that worries incessantly, I’ve left that to the Higher Powers That Be, but the writing was on the wall.

We’ve been encouraging her to move into an “assisted living” arrangement for sometime. But she has never “been ready for that” and insisted on staying put in her lovely little condo with a view of the local lake that she loves so very much. Can’t say as I blame her, no one wants to feel that they can’t manage alone anymore. Especially when you think of yourself as an “independent” person.

With three adult children cajoling and pleading with her to make the move, a two year wait from the time that she originally signed up for an apartment had come to an end, along with the excuses. It was time to face the music.

And with her youngest daughter (that’d be me) moving back to town to help out, summer is a good time to reestablish herself in a new residence, take advantage of the three meals a day and all the services that such a place offers. She was overwhelmed with the idea of it all, even though the move was relatively simple and she merely had to sit back and watch it all happen.

I spent a fairly grueling day with three young men toting furnishings from one location to another, bringing my own belongings (temporarily parked at my brother’s barn) into her condo and generally getting situated in the new digs. It was sparsely furnished as new pieces had yet to be delivered from a local designer. But her bedroom was in place, all of her clothes hung, her favorite chair and television to tune into arrived without much fuss.

By the end of the day, she was neatly settled and had a meal ready in the dining room just a walk down the long hallways and up an elevator…. all indoor, all easily negotiated and many friends in residence. I returned to the condo to eat leftovers.

Over the next few days, the car was not an issue. I had it parked in her spot at the condo, and made vague promises about bringing it over soon. My siblings and I had discussed this and thought it would be a good time to cut the ties to her car and let others do the driving. She would be quick to point out that she has never had so much as a parking ticket, let alone a speeding ticket, but with a luxury car that has a big V-8 engine and takes off like a sports car when you hit the gas, we cringed at the thought of her driving.

The retirement home has transportation available and many services right in the facility for the ease of their residents. And I would be able to drive her, in her fancy car, when she wanted to go out, too.

After about a week, it got down to it: she pointedly asked me when I would bring her car and leave it, she had errands to run. Important places to go and things to do.

I took a deep breath and told her “we don’t want you to drive. I can take you.” Insubordination in the ranks! How dare I mortgage loans that she shouldn’t, or couldn’t drive.
I calmly explained that due to her compromised vision and slower reflexes that she really shouldn’t get behind the wheel.

I was summarily dismissed and she got up and walked away from me. This conversation was over. But the war would wage on. A phone call demanding that I immediately return her car came a few days later. Words like “now you listen to me young lady…” merely underlined the wrath and rage she was experiencing. I might add that this “young lady” will be 50 something next birthday. No matter, I’m still the baby of the family.

My sister and brother conveniently left this unpleasant task to me, even though my brother lives here in town and my sister had recently spent Mother’s Day weekend with her. No discussion about her suitability as a driver passed their lips. No, it was up to me to be the messenger.

To be fair, once Mom realized that she wasn’t getting anywhere with me, she spoke to each of them and rallied her plea with them that she needed her car and how much foolishness this whole idea was. As my parents were a united front to us children as we grew up, so too, are we united in our agreement about the car. Hey, they trained us well.

We did leave her an out; to redeem herself and convince, not only us, but the Powers That Be - namely the department that handles licensing to undergo an evaluation test of her capabilities behind the wheel. If the department sees fit to let her continue to drive, then we will return her car. Until then, no go.

She is now cursed with trying to get through to the Secretary of State’s office to set an appointment for her evaluation. Their 800 number puts you through an endless loop of pushing buttons and being on hold and is designed to make people hang up. Personally, I don’t think there is anyone that answers. I, myself, gave up trying to get through. It’s taken me three trips to the state office to trade in my California driver’s license for a Michigan license. And I’m a patient person.

I suspect my mom does not have the fortitude to endure the red tape and bureaucracy to get someone on the phone and make that appointment. I could be wrong.

In the meantime, I have submitted paperwork to the state office that demands that she cannot drive until she comes in for said evaluation, which will, I’m sure, take many more weeks to do.

Change is not easy for children and elderly people. Come to think of it, it’s not very easy for anyone. No one wants to give up privileges such as driving their car, or even living on your own. But the larger picture comes into view, the “everyone else’s safety” on the road view, and to put it in my mother’s words, sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind.

I told my mom about a young, single mother whose car had broken down on the highway just last week. She had done everything correctly: emergency flashers, dialed 911 immediately, stayed put in her car waiting for help to come. Sadly, an 85 year old woman did not see her vehicle stopped in the road, and slammed into her, killing the young mom.

My mom looked at me and said, “I suppose there is a lesson in this, right?”

I nodded my head. She didn’t say anything further. When I dropped her off, she turned to me and asked,” Which department do I call for the evaluation?” She’s got things to do. And errands to run.

Nancy Nylen

Nancy is retired from the joys of single motherhood, now that the youngest is off to school. She recently relocated back to the Midwest to help her mother make the move into an assisted living home, and to start the next chapter in her life. Visit her at causeoflife.com

In this time of changing energies college student loan consolidation massive upheavals,
there are many souls who want to be on the earth to experience this exciting
time in history. There are also many souls who wish to leave, who are tired of
all the changes and trauma. Rather than choosing to be born as a baby, then
spending 20 years growing up and hoping to get on the right path, many of these
souls are choosing to ‘walk-in’ to an existing body. This can be a very
interesting experience for the loved ones of that body.

My first experience with a walk-in was about 9 years ago. My daughter, Samantha,
is profoundly retarded and has been very seriously ill for at least 11 years.
When she was 7, she began to have pneumonia at least once a month. I was told
each time that she would not survive. But, she did, each time.Several years
later, her leg broke, which was a horrible experience for both of us.

A short while after her leg healed, she became overdosed on her seizure
medication and was admitted to the hospital. By the next morning, her lungs were
filled with fluid and she was again not expected to survive.

Samantha ’spoke’ to me and told me that she had left her body, but that her body
was going to continue to live. She said she would feel no more pain. I was not
sure what she meant by this, and expected her not to live through the night. The
next morning, Samantha woke up laughing, and it was the last time she was that
seriously ill.

Samantha was my ‘twin soul’. We knew every thought the other had, every
sensation the other felt. We had a total connection. Suddenly, that connection
was gone. She no longer wanted me around her. She would not communicate with me
psychically. This was very distressful for me. I had no idea why she had changed
so drastically. I suspected that it was a ’soul change’ but had no way to be
sure. Six months later, a healer confirmed that it had been a soul change.

I was very angry about this. I could not understand why this had to happen this
way instead of me being released from the burden of caring for this seriously
ill child. Once I calmed injury claims I was able to connect with the new soul and get
some answers.

Since that time, Samantha has had numerous soul changes. I constantly ask why a
soul would want a body which best life insurance rates that sick and immobile. I am told that it is
because she is not expected to interact on a physical level, so they can do
things on a psychic level which is what they are here for.

A few weeks ago, Samantha had another soul switch. This one was the most
traumatic in a long time. Samantha requires 24 hour nursing care. In two weeks,
I lost 3 of my 4 nurses! We have only been able to replace 1 so far. Shortly
after the soul switch, Samantha got the worse case of pneumonia that she has had
since her first switch.

I asked why her body has a ‘revolving door’ on it for souls to come and go. I
was told that the body’s reason for being here is not finished, but that the
body uses so much energy that one soul can not stay in it for long periods of
time. So, this is just something that I have had to learn to live with, and will
continue to live with until the body has no more reason to stay on earth.

If someone you know suddenly changes totally, there is a good possibility that
there was a soul switch. I am seeing it more and more lately. It is not
necessary for the person to be sick. They may just go to bed and wake up
different. They may decide to totally change everything in their life- way of
dressing, interests, friends, or mate. You may suddenly feel that you are not
the same. You may have different tastes or interests than normal. These are all
signs of a walk-in.

Rev. Claudia McNeely DD is a gifted and caring Psychic/Healer. With the assistance of Angels, Guides and Master Healers, she will tell you exactly what she sees and feels instead of what you want to hear. Her Clairvoyant Readings are very accurate and insightful. She can help you to understand where you are, where you want to be and how to get there.

She provides accurate Psychic Readings and Alternative Healing using the assistance of Guides, Angels and Master Healers. She is certified in many healing modalities including Reiki, Hypnotherapy, and Emotional Healing. She has experience in Shamanic Healing, Transpersonal Counseling, Past Life Therapy, Entity Removal, House Cleansing and much more.

To learn more, visit www.askclaudia.comwww.askclaudia.com to experience Claudia’s loving energy for yourself.

You’ve probably heard that by the time your child graduates high school it term life insurance quotes take a fortune to go to college. While public colleges and universities are reasonable for many families right now, the cost is expected to rise to over $100,000 in 18 years from now. Want to send your child to that same consolidate school loans school you attended? Be prepared for a tuition of close to a quarter of a million dollars.

But if you start right now, you are going to be just fine. Time is the biggest factor in saving a large amount of money. It can work for you if you start today. If you wait until you child is in high school, it will not be your best friend — it will just move too fast.

I don’t know where to begin, you may be saying. So many parents aren’t saving for their children’s education because they really don’t understand what they will be facing. Many expect grandparents or other relatives to help out. But they don’t realize that 18 years is a long time and a lot can happen.

Start saving now. Every little bit counts. Remember that the early you start, the less it will cost you. Interest works for you in many ways. Even a few dollars a week can end up buying several classes later on.

Start by estimating what your child’s education will cost. At 5% inflation, the average public university may cost around $24,000 a year in 18years. If you have older children, the cost in ten years will be around $16,000 using the same calculations.

Use these numbers to get you motivated. And yes, some of the education costs may be covered by scholarships and financial aid, but you never know. It is better to save too much than not enough.

You can simply use an online calculator to determine how much you will have to save each year to reach your goal. Remember, interest is working for you here, so it isn’t as simple as dividing the goal by the time you have to save. You will find that the sooner you start, the less you put in.

Keeping this in mind, a savings account or money market account doesn’t pay very good interest. Most advisors recommend that if you are starting early, you should be aggressive. Stock funds out-perform other investments over the long term. Remember, this is an investment that requires your attention. Don’t just put it somewhere and leave it. Pay attention to the performance of the funds. As you get closer to your child’s high school graduation, start moving the money into more conservative investments.

Many people want to know which is more important, saving for retirement or for a child’s college education? You can do both. Make your retirement your priority, but don’t ignore the savings for your child. Parents that are disciplined in saving money will teach a child a lot in life. Just as the college experience will.

Martin Lukac represents RateTake www.ratetake.com”>Mortgage Loan marketplace. RateTake matches consumers with multiple lenders offering low www.ratetake.com/refinance.html”>Refinance rates from our network of accredited lenders.

Believe it or not acne effects people at any age. When you’re older it can be somewhat embarrassing. People that suffer from acne will try any advertised cream, but unfortunately there is still no relief in sight except now they have dry skin or scars. That’s why it is better to try natural cures for acne first.

A product called Nature’s Bounty has been of great benefit to many in providing a full line of natural cures for almost any type of disease. There are several natural cures for acne such as Tea Tree oil, lotions that equity line of credit rates Zinc as a base and many essential oils. Most of these ingredients are found in many creams and lotions have been known to bring great benefits to many acne sufferers.

Tea tree oil is available in health foods stores and pharmacies. It can be diluted and applied to the skin. Tea tree oil came from Melaleuca Alternifoliais which has many features for anti bacterial elements. Anti bacterial elements fight the growth of acne bacteria. It will eliminate bacterial growth and cure acne over a length of time.

Another wonderful product among natural cures for acne is Aloe Vera. Aloe the cheapest car insurance is a miracle product that has been known to erase acne marks. It has a very high moisturizing content that contains anti bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that reduce reddishness that is associated with acne. Keep an Aloe Vera plant in your kitchen for burns and all the conditions that Aloe Vera can be used for. Apply the Aloe Vera directly to your skin without diluting or buy Aloe Vera gel or cream. The juice from the Aloe Vera plant can also be purchased that has a variety of qualities for skin. injury lawyers 4 you can also cleanse your body internally by drinking diluted Aloe Vera, which purifies the blood of toxins that can also cause acne.

Many Zinc supplements can reduce the outbreak of acne. Zinc will boost the immune system and repair damaged skin. Vitamin A and E benefit the skins texture and also reduces acne. Zinc that contains a vitamin dosage has the ability to rejuvenate the skin.
Also try essential oils of lemon, orange, rosemary, and also astringents that help to remove excess oils. Remember to exfoliate your skin with either natural apricot or a walnut scrub. Using these scrubs contain the necessary roughage that gently scrubs the skin and opens clogged pores. This in combination with organic, natural herbal based creams and lotions will reduce acne.

You can also search for natural cures for acne online. Many online stores have a variety of products to reduce and get rid of acne. If you are considering using essential oils they can be expensive due to the oils being pure. Essential oils may be more expensive however they have wonderful effects on clearing up acne. If you are considering using Aloe Vera as a remedy for acne the Aloe Vera plant is very inexpensive. Look for a variety of different size leaves that are plump with Aloe Vera juice.

www.acnebully.com”>Click Here to find out how to www.acnebully.com”>get rid of acne using cheap home remedies. The all natural www.acnebully.com”>acne treatment that works.

Both simple and advanced all at the same time, the “yellow letter” brings something quite different refiance mortgage the scene as most real estate investors know it. Typically, deal seekers will implement a marketing plan than consists heavily on direct mail (sometimes using mail merge), postcards, door to door flyers, and bandit signs. All of these marketing techniques create somewhat of a buzz, but nothing quite like that of a “yellow letter”.

You see, the yellow letter is a handwritten piece that creates an instant reaction form the person that you’ve sent it to. With each delivered piece being personalized in a way that is beyond what any normal marketer would do, it’s hard for the recipient to comprehend that they’re looking at a direct marketing letter. Everything is customized and personalized just the way a friend, family member, or neighbor would use to prepare a quick note and send it to you in the mail.

From the moment that the prospect Levitra the “yellow letter”, they quickly toss all other mail to the side to get to the yellow letter. This immediate action is caused by the Soft ivory colored invitation envelope that is carefully hand addressed to the recipient. They feel the urge to find out who this letter is from, and what awaits them inside. Once opened, they quickly find a handwritten note, written in the same color pen that was used to address the envelope (naturally) and it’s written on canary yellow legal pad paper. Again, not the typical look of a marketing piece.

The message that is delivered on the “yellow letter” is warm, friendly, and once again, personalized with the first name of the recipient. If you choose your mailing list wisely, then the message that is conveyed inside your “yellow letter” will cause the recipient to immediately pick up the phone and contact you. It’s that simple.

The “yellow letter” has been around for several years and is widely used by many of the top real estate gurus in the country. The response rate from the “yellow letter” is typically between 5% to 20%, which is up to 500 times higher than a typical marketing campaign. So when you’re talking about return on investment, there’s just no way you can go wrong when you’re implementing such a powerful and unique marketing piece.

Remember, in today’s mailbox, you have to dare to be different. You have to stand out in the crowd. If you’re trying to get a rise out of someone by mailing a window envelope, your chances are pretty slim.

Tracy L. Caywood is an active real estate investor since 1999 and now a car insurance price known real estate coach and marketing consultant to new investors.

For more information on “Yellow Letter” Marketing or to get a Free Sample, check out www.YellowLettersComplete.com”>Yellow Letters Complete, your one stop marketing shop.

Being a winning slot machine player is impossible. All slot machines are specifically designed in order to give the house a long term edge, so the house will always come out ahead if you play long enough. The only real way to counteract the house edge on slot machine games is to play a game with a really big jackpot, bet the max every time you play, and hope that you hit the jackpot. Then when you do hit the really big jackpot, guess what you do next? Stop playing that game.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t play slot machines. In fact, I think slot games, especially the really good ones, are a lot of fun. But you want to keep in the forefront of your mind that mathematically, what you’re doing when you’re playing a slot machine on a long term basis is paying for entertainment. You can calculate how much you’re paying for that entertainment by multiplying the house edge times your average bet times your number of spins per hour.

For example, if you’re playing a slot game with a payout of 95%, then the house edge is 5%. (The casino keeps 5% of every bet you make long term.) And if you’re average bet is $3, then you’re going to pay an average of 15 cents per spin to the house. (5% times $3.) Assuming you’re making 500 spins per hour, that game costs you $75/hour to play, conference call providers may or may not be a reasonable price for you entertainment. That depends on your bankroll.

Something else to factor into your calculation is how much the perks and bonuses you’re getting back from the casino are worth. If you’re playing in a land-based casino where you’re getting free drinks while you play, then you can subtract the donate a car to charity of those drinks from you’re hourly cost. (Or you can add the cost of those drinks to the value of the entertainment you’re receiving–it’s just a matter of perspective.) My recommendation is to drink top-shelf liquor and premium beers in order to maximize the entertainment value you’re receiving. A Heineken can cost $4 a bottle in a nice restaurant. Drink two Heinekens an hour, and you’ve just lowered what it costs you to play each hour from $75 to $68.

Slot clubs also give back a percentage of your losses each hour, so definitely be sure you join the casino’s slot club and ALWAYS use your card to track your play. There’s absolutely no reason not to do this. Casinos also reward their larger slot players with comps like meals, show tickets, and free rooms, which all add up to reduce the amount of money you’re spending each hour that you’re playing on their machine.

So how to be a winning slot machine player? I’d sum it up by saying know how much it’s costing you to play each spin and each hour, take advantage of all the comps and the perks, and go for the big progressive jackpot.

Learn more about www.slotshero.com/”>online slots and www.blackjackhero.com/”>online blackjack at two of the author’s websites on the subject.

You have successfully created one of the best e-mail marketing text and are all set to click the ’send’ button. But, please hold on. Are you sure that the recipient will open your e-mail? If you have noticed someone in olden times particularly, opening their regular physical mail, you would have observed that most people keep their trash can close refinance interest only hand and quickly dump what they are not interested in. The envelope in a physical mail is replaced by the subject line in the e-mail. That explains the importance of a subject line in your e-mail, in the context of e-mail marketing.

Getting around

The wise have said that every threat should be seen as an opportunity. A poor subject line in the e-mail is a threat in the context of e-mail marketing. The message should be read by the Missouri Lemon Laws and then only the marketing effort bears fruit. If you cannot devise compelling ways to get your e-mail opened by the target, then all your effort could be rendered waste. Certainly, we don’t want that to happen. If you cannot do conference call providers yourself, take professional help and the expense would be more than justified by the results.

Sample this

Try using the first name of the recipient, but not as a thumb rule. When you have a direct offer say, for example you sell shoes and have an offer. Instead of saying “Special offer on X shoes” try saying, “N pairs of X shoes have been reserved for you”. Notice the intimacy of the second statement. Get into the shoes of the recipient and see what he could like best. Enjoy your e-mail marketing.

Fabian Tan is a well-known www.murderyourjob.com/index1.html”>Internet Marketing expert and the author of the popular 45-page Report:

“Murder Your Job: How To Build Cash Sucking Autopilot Businesses In 30 Days Or Less!”

Head over to www.MurderYourJob.comwww.MurderYourJob.com to get your FREE copy now before its gone!

Relocation was a move that was never considered easy and came with its own set of worries. Obviously, whoever relocates to another place due to career or other reasons experiences tense moments throughout the whole duration. Long Island movers as a relocating firm understands these peculiar situations very well and have employed personnel who handle the relocating cases in a methodical manner. The relocating firms are selected according to their reputation in the market and are quite capable to carry out such tasks. In Long Island, you can hire the best moving company who caters to your specific requirements and lessens the physical and psychological burden of moving out of your native place.

Moving out of one’s native place requires a thorough background search for suitable firms which in turn, enables a systematic approach to be adopted. The Long Island movers firm, offer their services in the above said manner while taking into account the fragility of various items. A list of these and other important items is made by the executives of the firm whereby the status and condition of the items is properly assessed. Thus, the Long Island movers as a relocating firm are forthcoming in their duty to relieve you of your anxieties regarding the relocation moves. The websites of these firms can be duly accessed for retrieving the information regarding the selection of a suitable firm which knows its task very well. This of course, comes with an expertise spanning years and decades gone by, gained while handling individual or any corporate in a customized way.

Make sure not to go by your own decision alone while moving out and seek out suggestions from your close acquaintances. Before finalizing that perfect deal, a cautious approach helps immensely. This is due to the fact that relocation involves tasks demanding proper attention like packaging, loading and unloading which take a large chunk of your time. Besides, handling paperwork is an area which is often considered to be cumbersome by any means and the executives are adept in these tasks as well. Simply put, issues like insurance are given prominence by the firms because of the vulnerability of the items involved. Long Island movers’ personnel provide special boxes for this purpose and proper identification marks are assigned to them so that locating the items later becomes quite easy. The packers and movers are quite capable in these tasks and work with Viagra FAQ to pack these materials in an effective way.

Go for a proper checking and comparison of the rates offered by different firms. This helps you in relocating moves according to your financial standing. Apart from that, the costs involved also depend upon the quantity of the goods to be transferred from one place to another. The Long Island movers professionals consider these and other factors like the distance involved in the procedure towards assigning charges to the relocation moves. In any case, if you are unable to deal with the costs involved, then college loans consolidation can come to your rescue with their easy repayment processes. Make sure to check whether the said firm accepts amounts in this way and whether they have fixed charges for the labor as well. This saves you from unnecessary harassment at the hands of laborers during the actual process of shifting and also on arriving at the destination.

Claudia White works is proficient in chalking out different ways that can make the process of relocation easier. For more information on Moving New York, Corporate company relocation, New York moving company and www.a1firstclass.com/ser_specialtrans.htm”>Long Island movers visit www.a1firstclass.comwww.a1firstclass.com

I started in the e-commerce business several years ago. At first, using the Internet was a hobby for me, simply a way to keep my mind busy. I was a “victim of Corporate America Downsizing”; in other words health issues forced me to retire early.

The thing about retiring your body is that your mind is not always in agreement with retiring.

So I had a choice; with this unusual heart ailment, did I want to sit all day equity line of credit loans read or watch soap operas at home, or did I want to be productive and make some kind of contribution.

I decided my best to be productive. I started a cartoon; which actually was a project I had had on the back-burner for almost two decades. I had no idea of the outcome of it, I just knew it would take my mind off of me, and that would be a good deed in itself. People who fall ill, and cannot work their regular 9-5 job, have a tendency to put the “SP” in self-pity. And boy could I ever get that if I didn’t stay busy.

Surprisingly, after eight years, my cartoon became well-known worldwide. It was happening when I didn’t even know it. I thought my site was still getting a few hundred hits per day. It was receiving 4-5 thousand per hour (or 7.7 million since Jan 2005). In my ninth year I teamed with a manufacturer to sell products, and even formed an affiliate program with high payouts at a superstore which sells products with our cartoons on them such as tee shirts, clocks, water bottles, key chains, etc.

But I don’t want you to join it, at least, most probably not. If you are the type of person who would prefer other people run things, don’t have Internet ambitions of your own, etc. mine, or any affiliate program might be perfect for you. All you have to do is post links to products you like on our site and every time someone buys one you get paid. Not a bad deal, but certainly not one in which you will grow rich. I’m just being honest.

There are folks who simply don’t want to go to the trouble. But you see, going “to the trouble” is how money is made. People who will go to the trouble, often make money, more money, than people who will *not* go to the trouble. If you are reading about Internet marketing or making money on the Internet, chances are you are an “idea person” but just don’t have a blueprint of what to do. There’s the rub. There is no blueprint. We are all still pioneers in this cyberworld. You create your own blueprint.

Will you make mistakes. I pray you do. If you don’t I doubt you’ll learn a lot. I’ve learned a thousand times more from my mistakes than from my triumphs. But triumphs happen, for some reason, more often, after you’ve “gone to the trouble” and worked hard. There is a direct correlation. Whereas when I started, I had come to expect failures and disappointments, now it is more rare that they happen. Sure, they still happen, but more positive outcomes are the norm

Am I looking out for you? We report, you decide.

Why would I have the gumption, after all I went through to get where I got, to tell you not to join my affiliate program. It is a good one, has lifetime residuals, and pays a nice 10% on each sale which is relatively high in the gift and novelty business; is very highly-rated by both Netcraft and Alexa so a link to your site is valuable.

The thing is, you can make a lot more money minding your own store with your own affiliate program.

Odd?

Well sure. Not many affiliate owners are going to tell you the best way to make money. Every affiliate owner has their ego tied into their hard work, including me. But to be honest, I make enough with the sales on my various sites so that if you don’t sign up, I’m ok. Would you make money joining? Well of course. Would you make more not joining and starting your own? Eventually so.

I am not saying “run from my affiliate program, and run fast”. It is a good one. All I am saying is that before you join my program (or any program), do a self-evaluation. Do you have an idea for a terrific website offering a great service or product? If so, you will do better with your own affiliate program, not mine, not Amazon’s not anyone else’s. The owner of the program makes more money than you do. So get your own.

I was always accused of being “too brutally honest”, but there is more to it than that. I may not make money from you now (or ever), but, ten, maybe twenty years down the road, after you are rich beyond your dreams (with your own program), you might look back at me and say “Hey, thanks” for telling me like it is. And who knows, you might even buy a product or two from the website. Now whose really watching out for you?

Rick London is a writer, entrepreneur, SEO professional, cartoonist, and inventory. His work is known worldwide. He founded Londons Times Cartoons www.londonstimes.uswww.londonstimes.us which is the highly-rated offbeat cartoon site, and owns a number of peripheral gift stores online such as www.ricklondoncollection.comwww.ricklondoncollection.com and www.ricklondonwear.comwww.ricklondonwear.com