Car Donations in the United States



In case you may have an old car left at your house, and you're not sure exactly what you might do with it, consider donating the vehicle to charity. You may be convinced that the old car isn't really worth very much and it's only an old junker. To the contrary, your vehicle may still have a lot of uses. You may well help lots of people by just donating your vehicle, while likewise gaining something for you. Donating your vehicle is the greatest way for you to do away with it, considering all the good it will do. The charitable donation could mean a whole lot, without you even knowing it.

A great way to begin would be to do an online search for any charities. Looking for all of them on the internet is generally the quickest, most simple method to see them and find any information you will need. It will be possible to speak to a person who is able to describe the actual procedures and also the regulations related to tax deductions, and also respond to all of your concerns. It is necessary for you to learn ways to deduct your donation from your taxable income. You will be able to deduct from the income taxes more than several hundred dollars. The actual charity is going to tell you after they complete the sale of the donated vehicle as well as the selling total. You should use this amount to figure out your own deduction.

The particular make and model of a vehicle will mainly determine its market value. For instance, many late models vans and other vehicles having a higher mileage could be practical, but may need high-priced repairs before they may be approved for road use. Just by donating your car or truck, you could be providing yourself a tremendous tax benefit and also the ability to get back the space it is taking today. Many of these charities actually will use the cars for their own transportation to help them all operate their particular organization, while others merely sell them to help boost funds.

A few of these programs you might find are in fact not charities at all, but are actually salvage companies that are granted permission by the charity to use their own name. In exchange, the salvage company agrees to pay the charity a certain dollar amount on each vehicle donated. To be sure that the charity is genuine, learn what they plan to do with your car. Will they be employing a broker to take care of the sales transaction? Additionally, ask how much from the sale price the charity will keep for itself. By knowing exactly how much they will keep, you can find out how much goes toward the charitable cause you intend to help. Typically, a charity keeps much less of their selling price if they depend on a percentage rather than a set dollar amount. Definitely think about the benefits that are involved. You may benefit financially and also help those in need.

Automobile and Car Donation



Automobile and Car Donation

There are many individuals annoyed and frustrated about having to regularly maintain their old vehicle. It becomes a burden to them already as they incur monthly expenses for it instead of being able to save more. Car donation centers give them an option of giving out their cars or other vehicles like vans, trucks, airplanes, motorcycles, boats and trailers.

These cars, once donated, can be used by the center or charity chosen by the original owner especially in their field of operation. If not used, these cars are sold to the highest bidder. The profit incurred is used for charitable purposes.

California Car Donation Centers

Across The World Adoptions
Their mission is to unite children in need of parents and families to provide them a stable and nurturing home. They are committed to professional and personal service to families through supporting education and humanitarian work intended for children who still wait.

Aldea Children and Family Services
They are committed in healing adults and children struggling from neglect, abuse, developmental disabilities and emotional problems. They provide a variety of treatment settings. These treatments range from residential treatment to outpatient therapy.

San Francisco City Chorus
This non-profit singing group is composed of sixty talented adults, who love singing, learning and sharing their music through their performances. They sing folk and traditional music and some choral classics from the United States and some other countries. Their caroling during the holidays is San Francisco's treasured tradition. They can be heard singing in office buildings, shopping centers and hotel lobbies.

Young Life
It is a mission community composed of Christ-centered people. They are committed to giving the youth a sharing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They build a personal relationship with the youth through sharing life experiences, where in, the Gospel can be reflected.

Western Slope Boys and Girls Club
Their mission is enabling and inspiring young people to become productive, responsible and caring citizens. They assure that every youth can share in fulfilling their goals while experiencing new opportunities. Their staff is focused on building a sense of belongingness, usefulness, competence and a sense of influence among its members.

Voices of Musica Sacra
This chamber chorus has a mission of sharing their talents and services. They usually perform sacred choral music intended for the benefit of their local national as well as international communities. The chorus presents an annual Christmas and spring concert together with various church organizations and communities for their worship services.

Tri City Homeless Coalition
Their mission is to battle homelessness in the Southern Alameda country. They provide shelters and a stable and peaceful living environment for their clients. Aside from providing shelter, they also fight to counteract the causes of homelessness and help bring back homeless people to a positive community with interdependence.

United Cerebral Palsy of the Golden Gate
It is founded in 1951. Throughout the years, they have created a network of supports and information throughout the San Francisco Bay, serving thousands of people and families in diverse communities. The "United Cerebral Palsy of the Golden Gates" advocates the advancement and the inclusion of people having cerebral palsy as well as those with other disabilities to participate in the social, economic and political aspect of the community. Their goal is to make the bay area an ideal place to work and live in.

Car Donations in the United States

Charities that use donated vehicles for hauling goods and transportation obviously benefit directly from the deed. Nonetheless, there will be selling of donated vehicles in an en masse way either by dealers or the charity itself for the purpose of raising funds. Dealers often present charities with flat fee proposals per vehicle that can sometimes amount to as little as 45 US dollars per vehicle.

Below are tips for potential donors willing and selfless to donate their old or somewhat new vehicles for charity. Please take note that the 2004 legislation of the United States government limits the tax deductions of the donors for vehicle donations to the certain price which charities sold the vehicle.

Ensure that the charity is qualified to obtain tax deductible offerings. Ask for a duplicate of your files of the IRS determination letter in the organization which authenticates its tax exempt standing.

Make sure that the charity gives you a receipt of your vehicle donation.

Non-cash donations are considered as one of the usual triggers that the IRS audits. As a donor, you have to document the worth of the vehicle as well as keep accounts of it.

If the value of the vehicle is over 500 US dollars, the donor must answer and complete the IRS Form 8283 Section A portion. The donor has to attach the form to his or her tax return. It is obligatory that the donor files his or her tax return and a written acknowledgment from the charity. In return, it is obligatory for the charity to give a certification stating that the vehicle is sold at arms length between the unrelated parties to the donor.

The certification must indicate the sale price of the vehicle within not more than 30 days. If the rules are followed correctly, the tax deductions of the owner will be reduced and limited to the amount in which the charity sold the vehicle for. The charity must produce a receipt for the donor if the charity did not sell the vehicle.

Furthermore, there must be a mandatory certification given to the donor saying how the charity plans to improve or use the vehicle. Also, the charity must assure the donor that it will not transfer or sell the vehicle. There will be penalties for charities that give fake acknowledgments to its donors.

If the vehicle's value is more than 5,000 US dollars, there will be a necessary independent appraisal. The donor must answer and complete the IRS Form 8283 Section B. For vehicles less than 5,000 US dollars in value, use either the Hearst Black or Kelley Blue Books to verify the market value. Be sure to use the correct figures for the mileage, condition and date of the car. Choosing the highest figures for your vehicle year and model without considering other aspects may not qualify with IRS.

Donate Car For Gift Card



If you have ever thought about the millions of needy children in the United States who don't have adequate food, clothing, education, or health care, you may have wondered what on earth you can do about it. Almost one in fifty children currently face homelessness, and 42% of all homeless children are under the age of 8. These appalling statistics should make you want to find a way to help these children.

Of course, there are many ways to help those in need. You might talk to a local clergyman about the types of service the church provides to people in need. There are also civic or community organizations devoted to helping needy children. Most communities will have a Salvation Army soup kitchen where you can volunteer to serve food to those who would otherwise go without, or you can donate food or money to any of these organizations which greatly helps.

However, have you ever thought about donating an old vehicle? If you have ever had an old car sitting on your driveway, just waiting to be towed away, you know exactly the type of vehicle we are talking about here. We are talking about a used vehicle that has passed its prime and that may no longer run. It has probably been replaced by a newer model, but you didn't even try to trade in the old one because you thought it wasn't worth much, if anything. Now that you have the idea, you may wonder what good it would do to donate an old car like that.

Amazingly, charities that take vehicle donations also have people dedicated to repairing for resale or even for the use of the parents of a family to help that family get a job so that there is money to feed the children. Other times the vehicles are used for spare parts. Either way, charitable organizations that specialize in vehicle donations use the proceeds to fund their charitable work. They will provide you with free towing services from companies who donate their services to transport your vehicle away at no cost to you. You will also receive a tax deductible receipt based on the value assigned to your vehicle. Some companies also give you a gift card based on the value of the vehicle.

This is a total win-win situation. Your old vehicle is towed away for free and you get to deduct it on your taxes. The proceeds from the vehicle are used by the charitable organization to feed hungry children in America. The children don't go hungry and you can be happy that you have begun to make a difference.

Donate a Car to a Charity



Donating your old vehicle to a charity seems like a good idea. Or so it seems. You can dispose off the car without too many hassles and get a tax deduction on it, which, otherwise, you might not get if you try to sell the car by yourself. There is also the fact that second-hand car dealers do not enjoy a very good reputation.

The charitable organizations either use the vehicles for their own purposes or the vehicles are sold en- masse. Most often, the charity uses a dealer with a flat rate per car, which won't be much. There are a number of rules governing such a donation. So before you donate a car; check the rules governing these donations.

You have to check the veracity of charitable organization and its eligibility to accept tax deducted donations. Make sure you get a copy of the letter from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to the organization which states its tax exemption status. You will also have to ensure that you get an official receipt for your donation. One thing you will have to keep in mind, at all times, is that when you donate your car without any cash transactions, you will attract the attention of the IRS and an audit of your accounts will be called for.

It also pays to keep the record of the donation as a precaution. In addition, if the vehicle has been valued at more than $500, you will have to fill in an IRS form which will have to be attached to your tax returns. You will also have to attach a receipt, acknowledging the donation, from the organization. Should the car be sold by the organization, you must ask for a certificate that states the sale price and that it is an arm's length transaction, i.e. when the buyer and seller have no relationship to each other. The eligible tax deduction will be on the sale price.

If the organization does not intend to sell, then within 30 days, they must give you a receipt along with a certificate stating what it plans to do with the vehicle, as well as, a declaration that the vehicle will not be transferred or sold later. Charitable organizations are penalized if bogus acknowledgements are provided. You will need to get an appraisal by an independent authority, if the vehicle is valued over $ 5,000. For vehicles which are valued below $5,000, refer to the National Auto Dealers' Association guide to assess the right value. You need to take the condition of the car, the year of manufacture and its condition on the road to get the right valuation.

When you donate a car to a charitable organization, the onus is on you and not the organization, to assess the real value of the vehicle. If you have bought new tires or made any other improvements to the car, you will need receipts to prove the same. Take a good picture of the vehicle and remember that if the IRS challenges the vehicle's valuation, you will have to answer the questions.

Donating to Charity



In these challenging economic times, most people are scraping along, making ends meet. There are still some who seem to have plenty, and those of us who are just getting by may think it is up to the rich few to donate to charity. However, have you ever thought about what it would be like not to have enough? If everybody donated something small to charity, that would amount to some very large assistance. You may not realize that you can donate to charity and save lives.

Perhaps you are not sure where your donation goes or how much it really helps. You may be afraid of all the scams that you hear about and worry about donating just to find out you have been taken advantage of. Don't be afraid. There are hundreds of legitimate, reputable charitable organizations that do much good. A small amount of research - simply asking around - can help you determine whether the organization you are considering is actually helping people.

What kind of help do people in America actually need? Isn't this the land of opportunity? The answer to that question is that yes, it is the land of opportunity; however, there are still hundreds of thousands of people across the country who do not have enough to get by. With the tanking of the housing industry and bank loans, many people have lost their homes. The tightening of corporate belts has led to massive unemployment. Many people who lost their homes have also lost their employment. What do they do to put food on the table when their savings have been depleted? Where do they even get a table to put the food on? As you can see, you don't need to look very far to find out that there are many families in need.

Children are the innocent victims of the economic times as well. Many go hungry daily and do not have adequate clothing or educational opportunities. The lack of medical care is especially hard on children. When their parents can't afford insurance, they don't take their children for regular medical checkups and this can lead to serious illness or medical complications. Parents may despair and abandon children or even commit suicide, leaving the children to fend for themselves. Often, people turn to drugs or other addictive substances to drown their sorrows, destroying their lives in the process.

As you can see, donating to charitable organizations that help children and families can save lives, whether literally or figuratively. Every donation makes a difference, no matter how small or how large. Another benefit of donating is the great feeling one gets when he knows he has helped another person. Start a habit of donating and help families and children better their lives.

Alcohol and Drug Rehab Facility



With the availability of a great number of alcohol and drug rehab facilities, finding the right one can become challenging and confusing. The increasing number of alcohol and drug dependents is mainly the reason why various types of rehab facilities are now present in different parts of the globe. These institutions felt the need to reach out their help and support to those who badly need it. If you happen to know someone who extremely needs rehabilitation help, whether it is a friend, a relative, or a colleague, now is the time to find reputable rehabilitation centers.

However, it is of the essence that you choose a rehab center that will be able to meet the needs of the addict or the alcoholic. This is necessary to ensure that the patient will be given utmost care. To do this, you have to carefully evaluate your choices. Keep in mind, that each person has individualized needs; hence, the type of treatment that a particular addict requires is unique from the others. That being said, the patient's rehabilitation needs and medical requirements should be your main concern.

To find a credible rehab facility, you can contact your local or state health department to ask for referrals. You can also ask recommendations from your doctor, friends or anyone who has connections with a local rehab facility. Apart from that, you can do your own search by scouring information from the internet. By doing a thorough online research, you will be able to find a comprehensive list of rehab facilities sorted according to categories.

Make a list of your top ten choices and then get the contact number of each facility to inquire about their available treatments and programs. Ask for the costs of their services and stringently evaluate each one of them. Ask as many questions as possible so you will have an idea on what to expect on that particular facility. If budget is an issue, it would be best to locate state-funded or public alcohol and free drug rehabs facilities.

Carefully assess all the information that you have gathered, and then, make an informed decision by choosing the facility that you can fully finance and can satisfy the needs of the addict or the alcoholic.

Selecting Drug Rehab



It is vital that you gather as much drug rehab information as you can before making any decisions. Remember that a good rehabilitation program is the key towards full drug recovery. Therefore, you really have to stringently evaluate the available treatment options. There are over hundreds if not thousands of drug rehabilitation centers offering a variety of treatment programs, which normally include the following:

    Individual/Group Therapy
    Spiritual Guidance
    Emotional Counseling
    Medication and Behavioral Therapy
    Relapse Prevention Program

Some drug rehab centers even combine these programs with alternative rehab therapies such as yoga, acupuncture, and meditation. But of course, the services and programs that they offer will greatly differ. In addition to that, the cost of the program will also vary from one facility to the other. That being said, it is essential that you take time to think things through. Remember that not all drug facilities are the same, hence, you really have to choose accordingly.

It would be very helpful if you ask yourself relevant questions that will allow you arrive with the best decision such as:

    Are they offering a range of drug rehab programs or they focus in a particular rehab approach?
    Do they employ holistic, alternative, or conventional treatments?
    How long have they been operating and what are their accreditation?
    Are the treatments multifaceted?
    How much do their treatments cost?
    Does their rehab program encourage family involvement?
    Is the program within the coverage of your health insurance?
    Do they offer continuing care program?

These are just some of the questions that will aid you to establish the quality and cost of care that a particular drug facility offers. Hence, you have to either call or make an appointment with the different treatment facilities that you have chosen in order to acquire all the needed drug rehab information that you want to know.

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Alcohol Rehab Center



Once the all important decision has been made, a commitment has to be made to getting help; once there is an acknowledgement that there is a problem and that problem needs help to be tackled, then one goes on to the next step; that is choosing an alcohol rehab center. That imperative has been identified, that the alcohol rehab detox intervention is actually required and then you come to the next hurdle; how to choose the right alcohol rehab center.

Choosing the right alcohol rehab center is an important step and choosing wisely and well can actually help sustain the decision for recovery and make the recovery itself more successful.

Inpatient or Outpatient: Be honest when asking the question about the severity of the problem. A more severe problem will require the more intense nature of alcohol rehab offered by an inpatient facility and based on the severity of the problem one needs to make the decision about in or outpatient alcohol rehab.

Price and Location: Both these are primary, practical considerations to consider when making a decision about alcohol rehab. The location has to be convenient and accessible, particularly if you are considering an outpatient facility. This is not such an important consideration if you are considering an inpatient facility which does not require a regular commute.

Also consider if the facility is good value for money by weighing the facilities offered against the price quoted. If it is an inpatient facility you are considering you must check out the level of comfort and actual facilities that the place offers. The level of comfort and indeed luxury are not exactly pertinent to the recovery process but one may have a better chance of concentrating on the process of recovery if one's physical comforts are looked after. If the facility does not 'feel right', it may just be that one may find it an uncomfortable place to be in for any length of time.

Kind of Care offered: What is the philosophy of care that a particular facility offers? Is the emphasis on a religious healing, on group therapy, counseling, what exactly is the accent on? Do you agree with the philosophy of care? What are your beliefs? Do they match with the care offered? Also find out what is the level of one on one care offered by the facility and balance this against the cost of the facility to see what is worthwhile by seeing how many personal sessions with a psychologist are included.

Post Rehab Program: Alcoholic rehab is not just about the program at the alcohol rehab center, it is also about the care that a person receives after the program is over; in other words the follow up. Ideally the rehab center you choose should have a recovery after care program which could prove to be the difference between a successful recovery and a relapse. So find out the kind of aftercare offer and the duration for which it is offered.

Alcohol Rehab Program



Alcoholism is a major problem in the world today. With so many people having financial issues and having to face all the problems there are in the world, many are reverting to drinking excessively. While many are quickly becoming addicted, few actually acknowledge that they have a problem with drinking. They will make excuses saying they are doing it for social situations or trying to relax after a hard day. They may honestly think they do not have a drinking problem or just refuse to admit to it. In this case one would benefit from trying an alcohol rehab program.

An alcohol rehab program is a special program that is designed to help people who have an addiction to alcohol. Many of these programs are specially designed to help people as they go through the withdrawals they may experience from quitting drinking. If you suddenly quit drinking you may experience problems with indigestion, headaches, feelings of being nervous or jittery, not being able to sleep and even in extreme situations, convulsions. Facing these problems alone is enough to drive anyone back to drinking if you do not have the proper type of support. When you are in a rehab program you will be surrounded by people, including professionals who can help you through these feelings and help reduce the symptoms.

Besides being able to assist you get through the physical withdrawals, an alcohol rehab program can also assist you in getting through the emotional withdrawals. When one quits drinking they often do not realize just what a huge part of their life they are changing. Most alcoholics are generally around others who drink and go out. When you quit you may feel as though you have to remove yourself from those people and that part of your life. You may feel depressed, anxious and tired all the time. With the professionals that are available at an alcohol rehab program you can get the emotional support you need to get through that hard time. You may also be introduced to the 12 step program to help you when you are finally ready to leave your alcohol rehab program.

You will also get a huge amount of privacy by attending an alcohol rehab program. When you are trying to quit drinking, you will want to take some time to yourself to really take a look at your life. You will need to recognize your problem and make a game plan on how you want to go about living your life without the crutch of alcohol. The professionals at an alcohol rehab program can help you with this. Studies have shown that with the help of a good alcohol rehab program you will have a great success at becoming sober and more importantly staying sober. Now is the time to get your life back!

Alcohol Abuse Rehab



There are literally countless well known, even well loved celebrities, who are very much in the public eye, who have undergone an alcohol rehab program. While some have managed to kick the habit successfully with their alcohol addiction rehab, others have gone on to relapse, some more than once and have been on a rollercoaster ride, staying on and falling off the wagon.

Whether the celebrities were able to put the alcohol abuse rehab program to the best use and stay sober or whether they relapsed, their very public struggle with alcohol abuse has given hope, guidance and courage to many others to face their problems and fight to save their lives.

The list of celebs with abuse problems, who have seen the inside of an alcohol addiction rehab center is very long; names such as these are only a small sample of the individuals that have graced these lists from time to time: actors like Robin Williams, Robert Downey Jr., Ben Affleck, Samuel L Jackson, Patrick Swayze, Dennis Quaid, Winona Ryder, Demi Moore, Elizabeth Taylor, Colin Farrel, Kiefer Sutherland, Melanie Griffith, Drew Barrymore, Kate Moss, Mel Gibson, Matthew Perry, Charlie Sheen and others have been in rehab at least once for some or other form of substance abuse. Musicians and / or singers like Michael Jackson, Eminem, Boy George, Jonny Cash, Kurt Cobain, Whitney Houston, James Brown, Eddie Van Halen, Liza Minneli, Ozzy Osborne, David Bowie have all also battled substance addiction and have, at some point been in a drug alcohol rehab program to kick their addiction. Even famous athletes such as Mike Tyson has been in rehab and even people such as Dick Cheney, who has held high office for this country.

There is much that others can learn from the celebrities who have either deliberately or inadvertently shared their struggles with the rest of the populace. For one these very public battles with substance abuse can help individuals recognize that they have in fact got a problem. Knowing for instance that Eddie Van Halen's substance dependence was making it impossible for him to proceed with long tours and performances can help people recognize how addiction can affect a person's livelihood and life. Robert Downey Jr.'s many addiction, several arrests and badly derailed career in spite of being a tremendously talented actor is a salutary lesson about how an addiction can take over a person's life and destroy it.

It can help someone who is in denial and help them identify and admit to the problem which is the first step in the journey to correction. What others can take heart from is that celebs, who have a lot of public and other pressure on them often undergo a heroic struggle with their demons and their addictions and emerge victorious; these are success stories, the like of which can give great encouragement and support to others.

Lastly, celebrity alcohol addiction rehab have help people over the shame that they may feel in admitting to their problems. If a much admired celebrity can admit to a frailty of the magnitude of this addiction, then surely it can give many others the courage to do the same.

Business Credit Cards

Are you a small business owner? If you have established a good credit rating for yourself, you should consider getting a business credit card. There are many business credit card programs that you can check out. Business credit card offers include low APR, zero introductory interest rates, balance transfer options and rewards in the form of airline miles and cash backs. And if your small business sends you traveling frequently, you can get travel discounts on cars, hotels, travel insurance, and even restaurants when you use a business credit card.

Lower Interest, Higher Credit Limit

If you have credit history that is better than normal, you may be able to avail of a business credit card that has lower interest rate and higher credit limit as compared to other cards. As a business owner, you tend to spend more and maintain higher credit card balance than the average credit card user. This is the reason many credit card companies are willing to offer you better rates and benefits.

Handy for Small and Large Buys

A business credit card is handy when it comes to small and large expenses. You can use a business credit card for items like office furniture or stationary supplies. With a business credit card, you won't need to maintain a small cash account anymore. Since a business credit card has a higher credit limit than a standard credit card, you can use it for unforeseen expenditures and pay it off as soon as you have the cash.

Useful Come Tax Time

Having a business credit card becomes incredibly useful when tax filing comes around. This is because almost all companies that provide business credit cards also offer free quarterly or annual reports categorizing all your expenses. Come tax time, this convenience allows you to keep a tab on your cash flow and separate your business expenditures from personal expenditures.

Superior Customer Service

The customer service available for business credit card holders is far more superior to any other service. Companies provide many 800 customer service numbers for business credit card holders to make sure that they maintain business owners as customers.

Issuing Business Credit Cards to Your Employees

If you have employees, you can issue business credit cards for them too. You or your authorized representative can specify additional credit card holders. Each of them will be given different account numbers but all are hooked up to the main business credit card account.

With this kind of setup, you can easily track and manage the expenditures of your employees. You also would be able to find out if anyone is misusing company funds or abusing his or her credit card.

To cancel any account, a simple phone call to customer service would suffice. Canceling an account will not affect the primary business account. However, as the primary account holder, you remain responsible for charges made on other accounts. One way you can deal with this potential problem is to issue pre-paid cards to your employees. You can load the cards with a specific amount, automatically setting the card's upper spending limit.

American Express Credit Card

In the financial world, American Express or AMEX is one of the most widely renowned names. If you have a credit card in your wallet, chances are you own a credit card that has a VISA or MasterCard seal in it.

MasterCard and VISA rely on partnerships from different banks in the world and do not issue a credit card of their own. What these companies do is they are simply selling their payment methods.

MasterCard and VISA charge their partners a fee for using the payment systems in order to make money. Both these companies do not issue credit cards. It is important to remember that VISA and MasterCard are only payment systems used by thousands of banks worldwide.

In American Express, they have both the payment methods and issue their own credit cards.

This means American Express runs everything and is independent from credit card companies like VISA and MasterCard. They don't need to rely on the payment systems of VISA and MasterCard because they already have their own payment systems for their credit cards.

VISA and MasterCard is by far, a more accepted payment method for a lot of people. This is because these two companies operate in around 20 million locations worldwide. However, American Express is more difficult to use because they still don't have the payment systems that these other two companies have.

But, American Express is now upgrading their payment systems and considering opening up payment methods in other countries.

However, American Express has its advantages. American Express is widely popular in North America and Europe where this credit card can offer great credit card deals. Then can offer very attractive rates, great rewards, and also great customer service.

American Express is unique in its own way. Because of the great offers and great rates, American Express credit cards are well on its way to become one of the most popular credit cards used by people. American Express offers the "blue" card where it is gaining popularity for a lot of consumers in North American and in Europe.

They offer four different blue cards where it is different from each other. Here are the different blue cards that American Express offers their clients:

o American Express Sky Blue

The Sky Blue card that American Express offer is one of the best travel rewards card you can ever have. They offer great traveling benefits to their clients. It offers no black out dates and also no travel restrictions unlike other travel cards you would find in the market. This will mean that a Sky Blue card holder will be allowed to travel wherever they want and whenever they want. Not only that, the Sky Blue card offers 0% introductory APR and no annual fee.

Additional benefits of the Sky Blue card include airline tickets discounts, car rentals, hotel stays, and you can even have an insurance coverage for the rental card and travel accident.

o American Express Blue Cash

Blue Cash is also one of the best credit cards that American Express offers. The benefits get as much as 5% cash back from anything they purchase with a Blue Cash card unlike the 1% or 2% cash back cards from other credit card companies.

o American Express Blue Card

The Blue Card is the original card offered by American Express. Although it doesn't have much of the features that the Blue Cash and Sky Blue cards offer, the original Blue Card is still a great choice. The Blue Card offers 0% APR up to 15 months. Other benefits are 4.99% APR on balance transfers and it also has great rewards program that can match other rewards program offered by other credit cards. Also, there is no annual fee with the Blue Card.

Secured Credit Cards



Choosing the best secured credit card for your situation is no simple task. There are literally hundreds of issuers offing secured credit cards. Before selecting a secured credit card you will need to remain mindful of the reason you are applying. Be sure to select the secured card that will best match your financial situation such as your income and your ability to repay.

A secure credit card works nearly the same way as an unsecured credit card. You are responsible for your line of credit and you make monthly payments on any balance you have acquired. Just like unsecured credit cards, your secured card may carry application fees, interest rates, finance charges, and annual fees in addition to any late fees and penalties you may incur. Your secured credit card will require you to deposit security funds into an account to be used as collateral for use of your card.

In most cases, secured credit cards carry higher interest rates and annual fees than unsecured credit cards. There are finance charges based upon a percentage of your current balance. As with unsecured credit cards, you'll want to choose a secured credit card with low interest rates, and low fees.

Most reputable secured credit card issuers will pay you interest on any security funds you have deposited. The interest rate you will earn on your security funds can range from 1 to 4 percent. You will want to consider the interest rate the issuer pays based on the amount of money you deposit. For example, if you deposit $100.00, the amount of interest the issuer pays may not be of great concern. If you deposit $1000.00 the interest rate the issuer pays may require careful consideration. Keep this in mind when making your choice.

One of the most important aspects to consider may be credit agency reporting. Does the secure credit card issuer you have selected report to a credit agency? You must remember the main reason for having a secured credit card is to establish or re-establish credit. Please select a secure credit card issuer that reports to the credit agencies. You want your account information to show up on your credit report as paid or paying as agreed each month. It is also important to select an issuer that does not report your account as secured.

When selecting a secured credit card it is important to be mindful of secured credit card scams. There are many unscrupulous individuals and companies that will take advantage of you and your financial situation. Some of the signs to watch for are 900 numbers and misleading information. Avoid the offers that read, "Bad Credit, No Credit, No Problem... Just call 900-555-5555." Chances are you will be charged unnecessary phone charges and could end up paying hundreds of dollars for useless information. You can also avoid being scammed by reading carefully. There are some companies that purposely leave out information about deposit amounts, application fees, and other processing fees so be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully when selecting a secured credit card.

Balance Transfer Credit Cards

There's been a lot of press lately about the demise of balance transfer credit cards. The reports of their death, to use an old quote, have been greatly exaggerated. Balance transfer credit cards have changed considerably, but they're far from gone and not likely to be going anywhere anytime soon. If you've been considering cutting your interest payments by transferring the balances on your high interest credit cards to one with a special balance transfer deal, here's what's going on in the world of balance transfer credit cards.

For years, credit card companies were able to build their business by enticing new customers from the ranks of those who'd never held plastic before. But with the numbers of credit cards in circulation rising and the average Brit carrying four different cards in his or her wallet, they've had to get competitive with each other. Thus was born the marketing tactic of offering 0% interest for any balance transferred from a competitor's credit card to a new card.

Those 0% balance transfer deals were greeted enthusiastically by the public - a bit more enthusiastically than the issuers of those cards expected. They missed a vital point in their calculations - customers who switch cards for a better rate of interest have already given up brand loyalty in the interest of getting the best deal. When the 0% interest ran out, they simply moved their remaining balances to another card. To counter that, the big credit card companies started modifying their offers with restrictions designed to keep people from jumping from card to card following the best rate.

Some of those restrictions are openly stated and easy to see - reductions in time on the introductory rate, for example. Others are hidden in the conditions and terms of your credit card agreement. Those 'traps' make it all the more important to carefully compare balance transfer credit cards before you move your carried balance from one card to another. It's still worth your while to check on the newest balance transfer offers a couple of times a year, say the money experts, but be sure to compare the offers before you jump from one card to the next.

Moneyeverything.com makes it easy to find all the newest and best balance transfer credit cards and compare them with each other. When you check into the offers you'll find on moneyeverything.com, read the terms and conditions of each balance transfer credit card for the following things:

- What is the APR on your transferred balance and how long does it last?

There are very few 0% balance transfer card deals left, but there are a few. The 0% APR on transferred balances may last for three months, six months, nine months, or in some cases for the life of the balance transfer amount. More often, the APR on your transferred balance will be a low 1-2% for the life of the balance, as long as you conform to certain restrictions.

- What is the APR on new purchases?

Many of the new balance transfer offers require that you use your credit card to make a certain number of purchases per month. This is because the lowest interest rate only applies to your transferred balance. Any new purchases will be subject to a higher interest rate more in line with typical APRs on other credit cards. In addition, any payments that you make will be applied to your transferred balance until it's paid off. That means that your new purchases will sit on your card accruing interest at a higher rate until your entire transferred balance is paid down.

Reasons Credit Cards Expire



Aside from the long string of numbers that serves to identify your account, a short series of numbers makes up the expiration date of your credit card. Many people are unaware of the expiration date of their credit card but the credit card approval network knows exactly when credit cards expire.

There are several reasons that credit cards have expiration dates and some of those reasons are mentioned below:

*Credit cards expire because the magnetic strip attached on the back of each credit card will eventually wear out. Once your credit card's magnetic strip wears out, credit card terminals and ATMs will not be able to read your card and process your transactions.

*Credit cards have expiration dates so credit card companies can get in touch with their customers in a timely manner. This time can be used by the company to inquire about any issues or complaints that the customer has. If your credit card were about to expire, you would receive a reminder from your credit card company with an option to renew with them.

*Credit cards expire for the security of cardholders. An expiration date allows the credit card companies to make sure that you are who say you are and that there have been no fraudulent activities associated with your credit card. With identity theft on the rise, this is not a bad thing. There have been instances when credit cards have been opened in someone's name without him or her knowing and charges made on the card. If your credit card expires, your credit card company will get in touch with you and alert you about current fraud trends.

*Credit card companies may also use the time before the expiration dates of credit cards to remind clients of their existence. This is especially for people who don't make use of their cards very often.

If your credit card is about to expire, renewing it isn't hard at all. You would most likely get a new one in the mail about a month prior to your current credit card's expiration date. If you are a frequent traveler, make sure you check your credit card's expiration date. It might expire while you are away. If your credit card expires while you are traveling, you won't be able to use it in your transactions or emergencies. So before you go off anywhere, call your credit card company and request they send you a new card before you leave.

As soon as you get your new credit card, read the literature that comes with it. You don't want to miss any new features such as new and improved terms of use. However, if you discover that there have been changes to your terms and they are not good, get into touch with your credit card company right away. Refrain from using your new credit card until your request for changing the term is approved. If the credit card company denies your request, you can simply cancel the card. You'll easily find a credit card company with better terms.

Credit Card Balance Transfers

Balance transfers have grown in popularity and importance ever since lenders have started using zero per cent interest rates on balance transfers to lure consumers from other companies to their own.

Introductory Offers

These 0% balance transfer offers give the customer a very low, or zero per cent interest rate on any sum transferred from another credit card, over to them. If you are considering a balance transfer then there are two figures you should be aware of. The first is the APR on the balance transfer, or the balance transfer rate. This will tell you the interest that will be charged on the sum transferred and will generally be very low, or free.

Rate Tarts

In fact these introductory balance transfer offers are what caused the introduction a generation of 'rate tarts'. Basically a rate tart is someone who will search for a 0% balance transfer deal over and over again to save money on interest repayments. They will keep transferring balances and keep the cash they have saved in high interest bearing accounts. In a strange sort of way they actually use the banks' money to earn money from them, just what the banks have been doing to customers for years, earning money from their customers' savings. However, the banks do not like the rate tarts at all and have declared war. The first step, and a very powerful one was the introduction of the balance transfer charge.

Balance Transfer Charge

The other figure you should pay attention to is the balance transfer charge. While you may be charged nothing on the balance once it is on the new card, you may be charged a fee to get it there. This is usually pretty low, about two to three per cent, but you should be aware of it, and only pay it if you have to, and if you genuinely are going to make use of the low balance transfer rate.

Length of Introductory Offer

Another figure that will be of interest when shopping for a good balance transfer deal will be the length of time that the balance transfer rate lasts. It may be six or nine months, and most cards are generally about this period, but make sure you check, as if one card offers you twelve months at one per cent, and another six months at zero per cent, the twelve month card may be more suitable, depending on your circumstances, than the six month card, even though this card has a slightly lower rate.

Get The Best Balance Transfer Deal Available

If you are looking for a good balance transfer deal, then the most important thing to do, is make sure that you shop around and give yourself every opportunity to find the best deal that is available to you. Today, using the Internet, it is easier than ever to search among a huge range of credit card providers and find out exactly what each one is offering.

Only be doing a little home work and shopping around will you be giving yourself the best chance to find the card offers you the best deals. And with offers varying buy such large amounts from lender to lender, and given the amount that people pay on credit card payments, it is vital that you give yourself every opportunity to find the best deals available.


Data Recovery RAID 5



Raid data recovery is somehow different from all other types of data recovery. Most experts advise not to try to recover the data yourself before sending in the hard drives to a data recovery company. This is because most companies found that most of the times simple users try to recover the files all by themselves, they fail and not only. Their actions will make the recovery process even harder and if the lost information is important, someone will be in big trouble. If it's about raid data recovery better handle it quick to the professionals without touching anything.

You don't have to take chances with the recovery, it's advised to research for a data recovery company that can handle the recovery process for you. Sometimes, it can be expensive for a raid data recovery but usually the price you will have to pay for the recovery is way lower then the price you will have to pay in time and resources to have all your data recreated.

There are procedures that data recovery companies always follow when they have a recovery on the line. These procedures are followed exactly and even expand when it comes to raid data recovery. As a first step in any raid data recovery, experts have to make sure that all drives are working. For Raid 0 as an example, it is a must for all the drives to be 100% functional. When they are not functional, the drives will be taken in the clean room and will be repaired.

When all the drives will function normally, clones of all the drives will be made. During this process, your drive will be placed in a write protect mode to make sure the data will not be altered in any way. The normal recovery process will be performed on the cloned drives, again, for increased safety.

When researching for a data recovery company you will notice some of them will offer a service full guarantee, if they don't get your data back, you don't pay. A phone consultation is something that could help you also. They will also offer you absolute 100% confidentiality on your data.

Even if raid data recovery sometimes can become expensive, most companies will not charge you for an evaluation of a complex raid system. If you need the help of the experts, get it, it's the best way. After getting all your data back, make sure to always backup your information from now on.


Discount Dedicated Hosting



Web hosting involves setting up a website. This could include a host of other features depending on the Internet service provider. Most Internet service providers offer free web hosting space from 2 ? 10 MB. Websites also provide free hosting addresses, but they carry banner or pop-up advertisements.

Dedicated hosting is needed for big websites that have a high number of visitors. Since a separate server is provided to the client for dedicated hosting, the cost is always high. This is another reason why small or personal websites do not take advantage of dedicated hosting.

A discount is generally given to those users who purchase services in bulk or for a longer duration of time. However, new companies offer large discounts to normal buyers to create a consumer base. The price is dependent on the kind of hardware and software used. For instance, Windows OS (operating system) will always be more expensive due to its licensing fee, than Linux, which is a freeware. Also, additional services provided add to the cost. Custom programming and certain additional upgrades also increase cost.

High connectivity routes are expensive, because they use multiple quality uplinks in order to maintain a steady connection in case one connection fails. Yet a compromise on connectivity and speed should be avoided when using discounted dedicated hosting. Providers who offer dedicated hosting give a discount on additional features such as increased web space, multiple domain names and hardware or software upgrades. Special features like load balancing and firewall support are often given as a complimentary package. Offers that are based on monthly rates rather than a rate of usage are more viable. The billing cycle can be monthly or even quarterly. Longer billing cycle carries higher discounts.


Dedicated Hosting Packages



A dedicated hosting package is one among the different types of hosting packages provided by various hosting companies. These packages are available in varying specifications and can be chosen based on customer requirement. Dedicated hosting packages are often referred to as professional solutions and the whole server is dedicated entirely for your application or site.

Dedicated hosting packages are flexible and have greater processing power and will increase the speed of your website. They are best suitable for sites with database queries or those which need to store a large amount of web-based data. This will also enable you to install your own application or software and to configure it to your requirements.

The packages may vary with the hosting company. The software and hardware configuration of your package will be the responsibility of the hosting company. There will also be some added benefits such as multiple IP addresses, advanced DNS management, and advanced or dedicated firewall configurations. Dedicated hosting packages allow multiple websites on one server and offer compatibility over multiple operating systems and web applications.

Dedicated hosting packages may vary in server specification and manufacturer, operating system, Ethernet, processor type and speed, memory, hard drive, RAID (hard drive redundancy), remote management, firewall, backup, and POP3. Hosting companies charge a small set up fee.

These servers are maintained by a support team of the concerned service provider. These packages help the organization or individual to acquire a server without the expense of actually purchasing it. They provide an up-to-date server with all the support facilities.

Dedicated hosting packages enable the customers to be free from tension as the service providers are ready to provide you with the expert service to meet up with the ever changing needs of the world. Additional services included in the package are 24/7 monitoring and built-in support service to take care of the administrative needs.



Managed Dedicated Hosting



Big websites must opt for dedicated hosting services.

Let's just recap on the different types of hosting services that are available:

1. Free web hosting - these are normally sponsored through advertising. A no-no if you are serious about hosting your website for business purposes

2. Shared hosting - shared hosting is the most common type of hosting available today. This is most commonly used if you are running a small website or are just starting out.

3. VPS hosting (Virtual Private Servers) - this is the poor man's dedicated server. With VPS hosting the hosting provider partitions one server into multiple private spaces. You are therefore still sharing a server with other clients, but you get your own private 'slice' of this server. This means that your website performance will not be affected by the other clients sharing the same server since each client has his own virtual private space in which they run. Clients that host on VPS servers therefore has access to the same type of services normally only afforded by dedicated hosting technology

4. Dedicated hosting services are needed by clients with large websites that generate high volumes of traffic. There are also some companies which need huge storage space, and are not willing to share space with smaller companies but with the price of hardware and hard disks coming down in recent years, the more common reason to require a dedicated server these days are more to do with bandwidth usage and performance.

In both these cases, dedicated hosting providers the solution. Instead of sharing space on a shared server or even with a Virtual Private Server, you will lease an entire dedicated machine that is pre-configured for your requirements. Hosting companies that offer dedicated hosting are often larger and more established than companies that only offer shared hosting. Small web hosts often do not have the financial or technical muscle to provide dedicated hosting.

Web hosting companies that make provision for dedicated servers need to make a considerable investment in hardware and software, and because the client has full control over what type of software should be run on these machines, the hosting company also requires more investment in training and skills development of their staff. The hosting company also needs to make provision to stay up to date with the latest developments in hardware and software. The web host therefore needs to upgrade technology regularly to be able to provide state-of-the-art equipment.

Remember that the advantages of dedicated hosting is that the client does not control the hardware and basic software that is required to run the server, nor does the client have to employ any technical resources to maintain the hardware and software - this is completely the responsibility of the dedicated hosting provider.

This is why dedicated hosting costs considerably more than shared hosting or even VPS hosting. The cost can range between $99 to $2500 per month depending on which hosting company you deal with and depending on the client requirements. The cost will also be determined by the type of service contract that will be put in place between the client and the hosting company. Such a contract is commonly called a Service Level Agreement and it spells out the requirements of the client to a low level of detail. These requirements normally cover issues such as bandwidth usage, the required up-time of the server, scheduled maintenance slots and so on. The higher the required level of support from the hosing provider, the more expensive the monthly rental contract will be.

In some cases the client would do some of the management of the server himself (this is called un-managed hosting). In this case the hosting provider will only provide the physical server and infrastructure (e.g. network connectivity, storage space etc). In this case the actual management and monitoring of the servers are the responsibility of the client and this type of dedicated hosting should be on the cheaper side of dedicated hosting costs. It must be remembered then though that the client must make provision for employing technical staff to maintain the servers

Private Drug Rehab



There has been so much publicity this year about famous people going into rehab for the second, third or multiple times that some folks might be wondering if rehab even works. The answer is, yes, it can, but not everyone responds the same way to a given drug rehab program.

How are you supposed to know whether a rehab program will suit your situation and actually work? Sometimes the best approach is to consult with a drug rehab referral specialist who can help match an addict's unique needs to a rehab program. Since no two addicts have the same needs, different options need to be considered.

Many people - not just celebrities - go in and out of rehab several times until they find success. They experience what appears to be a very positive rehab result, then later relapse and return to rehab. They can even relapse again and again, each time having to return for another go. None of this means that the addict is a bad person or a loser, or that there is necessarily something wrong with the rehab program. There are reasons for this revolving drug rehab door, and sometimes it is because the addict was in the wrong rehab program for him or her.

There are literally thousands of alcohol and drug rehab centers and almost all of them have different philosophies, approaches and methods for treating addiction. The results can vary widely from patient to patient, because no two addictions and addicts are the same. And some work well for one person while another person needs a completely different approach.

When you read about so-and-so celebrity's "rehab that didn't work the first time" you seldom get details about the program. Was it a faith-based 12-step program, or another type of approach? Did the person just have drug detox but no rehab? How long did they stay with the program? Was it in-patient or out-patient? There are many other variables.

Outpatient drug rehab, for example, sometimes brings about long-term sobriety but the methods and services differ widely. And unless you move to another neighborhood and change jobs, you are still living in the "dangerous environment" where you became addicted. However, for many addicted people, out-patient rehab has worked. The more features and services the program offers, and the longer they stay with it, the better the results can be.

However, most experts agree that addicts best achieve life-long sobriety through inpatient rehab programs that last for at least three months, even longer is better. After a full detox and withdrawal from drugs or alcohol, living in an in-patient rehab center shelters the addict from the people and places that contributed to addiction. Professional care is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and the addict learns the tools and skills to help stay sober when he returns home. The best rehab program addresses all aspects of the addiction - the causes and the effects. It empowers, so that you accomplish life-long sobriety from drug use.

A drug rehab referral specialist can help you sort through all the variables in the addict's personal life including such factors as details about the addiction, personality traits, religious beliefs, financial status, job needs and many others. From these, the referral specialist can often work out the very best solution to finding a successful drug rehab program.

The Right Drug Rehab Program

Choosing a drug rehab program is a difficult decision. Nobody wants drug addiction to overtake their life to the point that drug rehab is the necessary step. However, the decision to go to drug rehab is something to look forward to, as it is the decision to rebuild a healthy life. Understanding what drug addiction entails and how it affects the user is important for healing substance abuse. As well as understanding drug addiction, knowing what drug rehab is will help the patient understand what he is going through and the purpose of drug rehab. Lastly, the type of drug rehab program is of vital importance for the patient. Understanding what a drug rehab program is and what a drug rehab program does, will make all the difference in the world. A drug rehab program, then, is the path that leads to an effective treatment of drug addiction. Research has shown that drug addiction is treatable. Research has not shown, and will not show, that addiction treatment is easy.

Which drug rehab program?

Educate yourself when choosing a drug rehab program. There are many different types of drug rehabs, varying in cost, length of stay and philosophy. Make sure that the drug rehab you choose makes sense to you. Look into the credentials of the drug rehab staff and the licenses of the drug rehab itself. Although a bit scary, entering drug rehab is an exciting time. It is the beginning of the end of your drug addiction and the beginning of a new life.


Rehab Treatment Advice



Addiction to alcohol and other drugs consumes not only the life of the addicted person, but that of his friends and family as well.

Most addiction rehabs are approached by family of the addicted person asking for advice to get their loved one some treatment. Whether the addict is intervened upon to enter rehab and receive addiction treatment or finally desires to change, he will need all the help which he can possibly get.

What is Rehab Treatment?

Effective rehabilitation is about holistic treatment. It is not purely for limiting or eliminating the use of substances, but it is about supporting addicted people to make lifestyle changes that will support a future recovery.

Rehab treatment is geared towards helping addicts to recover by teaching them how to clear away the wreckage of the past, learn to enjoy what's present today and learning to make healthy choices that sustain recovery and build a positive future.

A quality addiction treatment centre will advise people addicted to alcohol and other drugs how to live as healthy a life as possible. Once addicted people have learnt in rehab to live fruitful lives that feel wholesome, meaningful and productive, they have a precious commodity that they don't want to tarnish or lose. They protect their lives' in the same way people who've never been addicted do.

The goal of any quality rehab treatment is to teach addicted patients to cope with emotions, to communicate effectively with those around them and to handle the everyday pressures of life without needing to use substances to get through the day.

As with other chronic disorders, it's advisable that the rehab treatment you choose includes talking therapy sessions as well as medication to deal with the addiction. Rehab treatment generally works together with a large staff as therapists, medical experts, counsellors, clergy and others advisors may also be part of the rehabilitation.

Rehab treatment itself will not remove the craving for drugs or alcohol, however monitored medication by professionals may help to reduce the craving and prolonged rehabilitation will educate and advise addicted patients how best to take responsibility for their illness, much like a diabetic would learn to take charge of his treatment and manage his condition.

Generally three stages of rehab treatment have been found effective:

� Detoxification
� Rehabilitation
� Continued care

What is Detoxification?

Addicts become physically dependent upon their choice of substance and we'd strongly advise against simply stopping using whatever drugs you're addicted to. Please see a medical professional for advice on how best to taper off and detoxify.

Detoxification is the process of withdrawing from the substance, usually under the advice of a doctor who'll oversee the medical intervention. Detox is the preparation for rehab treatment.

Detoxification alone rarely has much effect on addiction, but detox followed by rehab and aftercare treatment is the most advisable as a successful combination to long term recovery.

Detox will take place in hospitals or residential rehab's with experienced medical supervision and usually takes around three to five days at the very least. More severe cases may take longer.

In some cases it can be dangerous and even life threatening to withdraw from drugs and or alcohol.

The purpose of detoxification is to reduce the emotional and physical instability which results from substance withdrawal. The aim of addiction rehab is to help clarify the patients situation and to help devise the best route out of active addiction through effective treatment.

What is Rehabilitation?

Rehabilitation treatment is only effective once the patient has gone through withdrawal and detox has eliminated the majority of the toxins from their bodies. Here is some good rehab treatment advice to consider:

� Rehab Settings - any severe addiction will need to be treated at a rehab treatment centre that can provide a medically managed detoxification. These rehab centres are generally residential with medical supervision from those who are experienced in dealing with substance abuse. Less severe substance abuse or binging may be appropriate to treat on an outpatient basis.
� Rehab Methods - medication, individual counselling and group therapy sessions, and mentoring for a substance free future are all necessary components of rehabilitation.
� Duration of Rehab - a rehabilitation program can last anything from 21 days to 90 days and longer. For severe addictions it's advised that the longer the rehab treatment, the better the results.
� Desired Results of Rehab - continued abstinence of drugs or alcohol as well as an improved health and social functioning. Continued care is advised on leaving the rehab centre as a part of an aftercare plan.

What is Continued Care or Aftercare?

Continued care, or aftercare, is the guidance and support available to the patient once their treatment in rehab is completed. It offers the availability of programs and support groups to aid the transition back to life outside the rehab centre.

Usually the first three to six months after rehab treatment is where the patient is most vulnerable to relapse. Aftercare offers support groups and ongoing addictions counselling to advise the patient how best to deal with the new challenges of sobriety in a healthy manner.

Aftercare usually provides a weekly group meeting facilitated by an addictions counsellor form the treatment centre for ex-patients to attend and benefit from each other's experiences. Being open to learning form others and perhaps even taking advice is a useful addiction recovery tool.

These aftercare groups normally continue for the addicted persons first year after treatment in rehab and aim to help recovering addicts to manage their lives in a healthy fashion together.

With these three factors firmly in place, most patients will have a good chance at full recovery. The best rehab treatment advice, however, is to never give up. Like most chronic diseases, people with addictions to alcohol or other drugs are prone to relapse.

This doesn't mean that rehab treatments don't work or that you don't have what it takes to get well and to stay well.


Rehab Alternatives



Please don't expect and use drug rehab, pharmaceutical rehab or alcohol rehab as a method of getting even with a loved one or user who's abusing drugs or addicted. Rehab is an alternative to justice.

Drug Rehab Alternative

Drug Rehab rewards people through better health, regained integrity and reuniting with family. These are benefits of drug rehab. Complete rehab is achieved through ending drug, pharmaceutical & alcohol dependency. Rehab means to bring back to good health and condition. A person who is suffering through a drug, pharmaceutical or alcohol rehab and not improving or getting better are not on track and not being rehabilitated. Regret and remorse are only necessary transition stages through to better states of recovery yet suffering isn't rehabilitating.

Breaking people down, scaring them straight, throwing them into jail is not rehabilitation. Harmful or threatening actions may get a person's attention, but threats won't rehabilitate people back to health. A carrot or hope for betterment and recovery steps attracts a drug abuser into treatment and rehabilitation.

Alternative Rehab

Alternative rehab programs focus on enticing a person back into living. A former drug abuser needs to want to live in reality to achieve recovery. Life in rehab should be safer and happier than the numbness of drugs, pharmaceuticals and alcohol. Rehab is the transitionairy training and recovery from living in the false reality of being drugged or drunk and into facing life and living in the real world.

Rehab Is An Alternative

The next question you may be asking is, "How will rehab rehabilitate a former drug, pharmaceutical or alcohol user back to health and happiness without drugs?" The easy and simple answer is through rehabilitation of course. Health, happiness and healing is accomplished through right action, proper care and rehab. Drugging, jailing and threatening people isn't rehab. Rehab is the alternative to how society punishes people for obviously wrong action. Rehab is the alternative to degradation and punishment. Make sure the carrot of rehab & recovery is always sweeter than than the stick is punishing.

Want to discover how drug, pharmaceutical and alcohol abusers got themselves locked into dependency on drugs?

Watch Alternative Drug Rehab

Tibor A. Palatinus, CCDC, is the Director of a Drug / Alcohol Detox and Rehab Consultancy which specializes in Referring Clients to Drug-free Detox and Rehab Programs which End Addiction for Life.


Car Donation That Pays Off



Donating for a cause is a common thing. Many people donate different kinds of things in support of a cause that actually clicks. However, donating a car for the cause is not so common in today's scenario. By donating your car, you are something different for the organization that you have decided to donate to. Interestingly, many people prefer car donation as a means to get tax deduction.

If you are wondering how to donate your car to charity, browsing many websites that can give you enough reasons to make your donations now. Organizations fighting for the cause of breast cancer actually sell off donated cars and use the proceeds for financing their programs. So, you don't have to take pains to think about the selling the car and meeting other requirements. The website helps you to figure out the outcome of your donation. The option is perfect for people who want to sell off their old cars and replace it with a new car. Isn't it a great idea to donate your car then to sell it to the scrap seller or sending it to yard sales?

Thinking about the donation procedure? Don't worry! The procedure is quite simple. Just login to the website which is open 24 hours a day, get all the relevant information. You can contact a live agent in person who will assist you to make your donation. One of the best things about donating a car to charities is convenience. No need to take tensions about getting the car to the grounds. Despite its condition a live agent will come and pick it up on your behalf. Why not to donate a car that is not much of your use?


The Best Choice For Car Donation



Are you confused about your old car? Well, just as the rule of the universe, the old must give away to the new. Now, there hardly seems to be any doubt about that. But, the question is how to dispose your old car. In modern household, there is hardly space enough to preserve the old car and bring a new one.

Selling the car is of course an option in such situation. In fact, this is the most popular option that is available these days. But, there are much complexities involved in selling a car. You have to put advertisements and then wait for the clients to arrive. Then, you have to convince the client about the deal and finally when you get the hard earned money, you have to give away a considerable part of it as sales tax.

The car donation is certainly the greatest option that you can choose at such a situation. It is completely free of hassles. In fact, there are plenty of other advantages that are there when you donate your car. So, have a look at them.

The most obvious advantage of the car donation is that it lets you get rid of the hassles and you can relax. You no longer have any responsibilities towards the warranty on your car. Also, you can donate a car in any condition. That means, even if the car is not in the working condition, you can donate it.

As is told earlier, the car donation helps you get rid of the hassles that are involved in the selling of a car. Naturally, it saves a lot of money as well. However, there is another big way through which the car donation can save a considerable amount of money for you. When you donate car, you don't have to pay any sales tax for that. That means the equal amount of the market value that your car has will be deducted from your sales tax.

In fact, donating a car has twice the value of its original price. For, you are getting the complete tax deduction while donating the car and at the same time, the organizations are getting money out of your donation. In most of the cases, the organizations auction the car and use the money for charity.

Finally, it is an easy process. You just have to visit the site of the charity that you think most deserving. There you will find a car donation form and you have to fill it up. Normally, this will take a few minutes and it will ask you about the car that you want to donate. However, there are certain things that you have to be aware of here. First, make sure that the site is authentic and has the right to accept the donations. Also, it is good to have some ideas about the tax laws. Another important thing is documentation. You must get written documents on the car donations.


Best Way to Understand Personal Finance



When we are trying to understand Personal Finance, the best thing to do is to understand what Personal Finance is NOT.

Many people think that accounting and personal finance are the same, but Personal Finance is NOT Accounting.

On the surface they may seem the same; they both have something to do with money. However, the definitions will help us better understand the differences.

Merriam-Webster's definition of accounting is "the system of recording and summarizing business and financial transactions and analyzing, verifying, and reporting the results."

Based on this definition, we see that accounting is the process of analysing and recording what you have already done with your money.

This is why having an accountant is usually not enough when it comes to your personal finances.

Accountants generally don't concern themselves with personal finance (there are some exceptions to this rule). Unless your accountant is also a financial advisor or coach, he or she will likely just look at what you have done with your money at the end of the year and provide you with a report of their analysis.

This report is usually your tax return; what you owe the government or what the government owes you.

Very rarely does the accountant provide an individual with a Balance Sheet or Income Statement or a Net worth statement; all very helpful tools that are necessary to effectively manage your personal finances.

Personal Finance is looking at your finances from a more pro-active and goal oriented perspective. This is what provides the accountants with something to record, verify and analyze.

The Merriam-Webster's (Concise Encyclopedia) definition of "Finance" is the "process of raising funds or capital for any kind of expenditure. Consumers, business firms, and governments often do not have the funds they need to make purchases or conduct their operations, while savers and investors have funds that could earn interest or dividends if put to productive use. Finance is the process of channeling funds from savers to users in the form of credit, loans, or invested capital through agencies including COMMERCIAL BANKS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS, and such nonbank organizations as CREDIT UNIONS and investment companies. Finance can be divided into three broad areas: BUSINESS FINANCE, PERSONAL FINANCE, and public finance. All three involve generating budgets and managing funds for the optimum results".

Personal Finance Simplified

By understanding the definition of "finance" we can break our "personal finance" down into 3 simple activities:-

1. The process of raising funds or capital for any kind of expenditure = Generating an Income.
A Business gets money through the sale of their products and services. This is labeled "revenue" or "income". Some businesses will also invest a portion of their revenue to generate more income (interest income).

A Person gets money through a job, or a small business (self employment, sole proprietorship, network marketing or other small business venture). The money coming in can be a salary, hourly wage, or commission, and is also referred to as income.

A Government gets money through taxes that we pay. This is one of the main ways that the government generates an income that is then used to build infrastructure like roads, bridges, schools, hospitals etc for our cities.

2. Using our money to make purchases = Spending Money.
How much we spend relative to how much we make is what makes the difference between having optimum results in our personal finances. Making good spending decisions is critical to achieving financial wealth - regardless of how much you make.

3. Getting optimum results = Keeping as much of our money as possible
It's not how much you MAKE that matters - its how much you KEEP that really matters when it comes to your personal finances.

This is the part of personal finance that virtually everyone finds the most challenging.

Often people who make large incomes (six figures or more) also tend to spend just as much (or more) which means they put themselves in debt and that debt starts to accrue interest. Before long that debt can start to grow exponentially and can destroy any hope they would have had to achieving wealth.

Personal Finance made simple

Personal Finance doesn't need to be complicated if you keep this simple formula in mind:

INCOME - SPENDING = WHAT YOU KEEP

For Optimal Results you simply have to make more than what you spend and spend less than what you make so you can keep more for you and your family!

If you are not actively working towards an optimal result you will by default get less than optimal results

It really is that simple!

Now that you understand personal finance and WHAT you need to do, the next step is learning HOW to do this!

The best way to start is by following these 3 simple steps:-

1. Know what you want to achieve - "if you don't know where you are going, any road will take you there" has become a very popular quote, probably because it is so true. One of the habits that Stephen Covey highlights in his book "7 Habits of Highly Successful People", is to always start with the end in mind. Knowing where you want to go will be a big help in ensuring you get there.

2. Have a plan - that you can follow that will get you to your goals. Knowing how you will achieve your goals in a step by step plan is invaluable. Sometimes this is easier with the help of an advisor or a financial coach.

3. Use tools and resources - that will help you to stick to your plan and not become distracted by the things in life that could limit our incomes and make us spend more than we should. Don't try and work it all out in your head! You will end up with a massive headache and your finances will become one gigantic dark fog!


A Life Settlement Broker



Life is full of uncertainties hence not anyone can ever guess what the next day will bring for him/her. In between so many fears and glees every human needs something that may assure a firm support even in your hardest days. Though people who are nearest and dearest to you are there to take care of your every requirement but it always is better to make settlements for future. People, who work in a planned way by keeping future prospects in mind, never be unsuccessful whether it is life or any other venture. Every human face various circumstances in life but wise people always play a safe side with life settlement. Life settlement broker is one who makes your life easier by drawing life settlement schemes nearer to you.

A life settlement plan offers seniors the facility to buy life insurance policy on accurate evaluation of its market value. It enables the seniors to get financial advantage on their equity as they can use their equity for any purpose. It provides them a great way to access their equity according to their requirement. A life settlement broker bridges up the distance between insurance service provider and the person who is interested in it. He avails the interested person the facility to get life settlement policy and all that happens instantly as a senior may be impatient for settlement of his life. He works on behalf of policy holder and charges a certain amount as fee or commission. A life settlement broker also negotiates terms and other details with policy holder. As a senior is the center of this whole life settlement system the broker makes everything easily available to the policy holder.

Life settlement brokers are the biggest help to get a reasonable quote for your policy. It is must to take help of a life settlement broker for buying any policy but one must be cautious about the authenticity and reliability of the broker. Internet search is good way to give your search a satisfactory result. You can find numerous life settlement brokers on internet who represent many funding companies. Always try to be investigative while choosing a life settlement broker as a detailed market research helps in getting the most reliable broker. Carefully analyze the terms of your policy and your financial condition. Once you get a trustworthy broker you can be able to save your money and effort as he will take care of everything and never let you realize and problem in any kind of proceeding of your policy. With a little effort and watchfulness you can the best deal and can get whatever you assumed in you policy.

A life settlement broker provides you the best of policies to insure your life. Today seniors can get great benefits from these life settlement policies and can insure their tomorrow. These seniors can also sell their policy and can get the true market value which will be definitely very high from the purchasing value of the policy.


Life Insurance Settlements



Individuals often allow payment towards policies to lapse and lose amounts due to them even after money has been paid to insurance companies over the years. One of the choices that a customer has, is to cash in the policy and get cash surrender value, that is the amount which has been previously been paid over and above the interest. Second choice may be to sell the policy to a bank or some other financial institution. These buyers provide cash settlements that exceed cash surrender value of policy. This cash payment is termed as a life settlement.

Generally amounts earned through life insurance settlement are much higher than the surrender value of the policy. More people are becoming aware about life insurance settlements. Brokers who bid and deal for various life insurance settlements are popularizing such a trend. Companies that are into buying life insurance settlements basically look for a policy that belongs to senior citizens above the age of 65. Such policies fetch a good value in the market, but this is valid only for individuals who may be keeping good health.

Treatment for illness could be expensive and a financial drain to a person. Viatical settlements provide financial support to families and provide comfort at an emotional level too in case of serious diseases. Such settlements allow individuals to use present day values of their policies and cash them to reduce financial pressure. These settlements are legally recognized and value obtained for such claims are equal to their face values. There are various limitations involved with Viaticals sales as method of settlement depends on the state involved. Therefore, anyone considering a Viatical settlement should consult legal professionals.

Also before finalizing a Viatical settlement, policyholders can reconfirm various deals offered by insurance companies to check who offers the best deal. Some policies offer cash value apart from death benefit and accelerated death benefits that can offer access to cash. If no feasible options are available, Viatical settlements may be an ideal option for terminally ill individuals and their families.


Mesothelioma Lawsuit

A Brief Overview

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that attacks the linings of the lungs and the intestinal tract, and also the sac covering the heart. It is also called epithelial mesothelioma, as it affects the membrane in the pleura, the pericardium and the peritoneum. It is not lung-cancer per se. The mesothelioma-lung cancer confusion has been there earlier. Mesothelioma is merely a form of cancer that affects the lining covering the lungs. It comes in three forms:

o Pleural mesothelioma

o Peritoneal mesothelioma

o Pericardial mesothelioma

Causes of Mesothelioma

The primary cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. This can be direct exposure at the work place, or secondary exposure (when the victim is exposed to asbestos through coming in contact with someone who has already been exposed to asbestos). Despite all the pain and the loss that the workers faced, there was some hope in the form of legal recourse. Workers started suing the plants they worked in, and soon the legal battle against mesothelioma reached epic proportions. Even today, there are around 3,000 cases of mesothelioma being diagnosed in the United States every year. While the treatment is painful and not always successful, these mesothelioma victims at least have the hope of monetary compensation to help them fight mesothelioma.

The first manifestations of mesothelioma were seen as early as the 1950s and the 1960s. At that time, the workers in plants and other work areas that used asbestos in some form or the other were unaware of the lethal side of asbestos. The management at these work areas - docks, industrial plants, equipment manufacturers, and many more, the list is endless - soon came to know of the adverse effects of asbestos. However, for some reason they kept quiet about it. Their focus was on reduced costs and profits, it seems, and they remained mum about the harmful effects that asbestos could have on their workers. Asbestos, after all, had huge advantages over other material, which was why it was used so much irrespective of the genre of industry. This over the years proved to be a very, very costly error on their part.

Mesothelioma Litigation - Did it Help?

The implications of asbestos use are staggering, primarily because of the range of products it is used in. From office buildings to toasters to car brakes to shipyards, asbestos was used almost across the breadth of the industrial sector. A publication in 1935 by the American Journal of Cancer - Pulmonary Asbestosis: Carcinoma of the Lung in Asbesto-Silicosis - first raised the suspicions of people from the research and medical fields of the connection between the presence of asbestos and the unusually high death rates and lung-related diseases in the industrial sector. This connection was confirmed in 1955, and soon the continued use of asbestos despite knowing about its deadlier side became a legal nightmare for the industrial sector. Mesothelioma litigation in the United States has enabled mesothelioma victims win hundreds of thousands of dollars in lawsuits from their callous employers. It has been one of the successes in the battle against mesothelioma indirectly, and against the irresponsible attitudes of the management of workplaes that used asbestos, directly.

The Legal Aspect of Mesothelioma

Over the years, the legal benefits that mesothelioma victims have received have been enormous. The symptoms of mesothelioma manifest much after the initial inhalation of the asbestos fibers. Mesothelioma treatment is also painful and expensive. The compensations awarded to them have helped them at least cover their medical expenses. Nowadays there are mesothelioma law firms - law firms that specialize in mesothelioma. They have trained mesothelioma lawyers and mesothelioma attorneys. These lawyers specialize in mesothelioma compensation cases.

It can happen that a victim may shy away from legal recourse because they fel that they do not have adequate financial support to pay the lawyer. However, this is a scenario they need not worry about. All they have to do is contact a mesothelioma support group, or a mesothelioma help group. These are present all over the United States. The patient can also go online and put a search for mesothelioma legal assistance cells by typing mesothelioma and then typing the name of the state or area they are from in the search field of the search engine they are using. This is not a fixed rule - they can type it in any order. For example - mesothelioma California, mesothelioma Texas, mesothelioma lawyer texas, New York mesothelioma, California mesothelioma lawyer, etc.

How are Mesothelioma Lawyers so Successful?

One of the basic things in awarding compensation is for the judge or the jury to decide whether the harm done was intentional, or whether it was the result of a choice the victim made, in simple terms. In many cases, the circumstance of a victim is a result of a choice he or she made. For example, in a smoking-related cancer case, the choice to smoke was made by the victim. However, in the case of mesothelioma, the situation is different. The circumstance of mesothelioma in the victim could have been averted if only his employers had been more careful, had made him aware about the risks the job entailed, and then let him choose, besides providing him whatever protection required to prevent him from being exposed to asbestos. This is one area that mesothelioma lawyers and mesothelioma attorneys have been able to successfully work on.

After the initial slew of mesothelioma cases and lawsuits, now laws are firmly in place to safeguard the health interests of the worker. Besides, in the event of someone actually suffering from mesothelioma, there are some guidelines towards seeking legal redress for them as well. Mesothelioma law is strict and helps provide fair verdicts in mesothelioma-related compensation cases.

Guidelines for Mesothelioma Victims Seeking Legal Action

The primary rule of thumb while filing a mesothelioma lawsuit is that it has to be filed immediately on diagnosis of the disease. In fact, in many of the states across the United States, mesothelioma laws stipulating the timeframe within which a lawsuit can be filed are in place. On diagnosis, you can contact a mesothelioma lawyer through your local mesothelioma activists or mesothelioma group for more mesothelioma information relating to lawsuits. The work of a mesothelioma lawyer or mesothelioma attorney is not limited to just fighting your case. A mesothelioma attorney usually has an extensive network of contacts - other victims, mesothelioma case histories, good treatment facilities, nature of treatment options available, in fact, for most mesothelioma-related information. His specialization is a distinct advantage over a lawyer who doesn't have too much of an idea about mesothelioma.


Mesothelioma Attorneys



Mesothelioma prognosis and mesothelioma treatment options depend on the size of the tumor, the stage of cancer, potential surgical removal of any tumor, amount of fluid in the chest or abdomen, overall health and age of patient, specific type of mesothelioma cancer cell and whether cancerous cells are found anywhere else in the body.

The mesothelioma prognosis is determined through physical examination and the results of a number of medical tests designed to evaluate the rare asbestos cancer. Once a mesothelioma prognosis is finally determined, then treating this aggressive and rare cancer can begin. Early diagnosis and treatment are most important in looking for a favorable mesothelioma prognosis.

Since mesothelioma is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage, the statistics for one to five year survival are usually unreliable.

The two most common types of mesothelioma are peritoneal (abdominal) mesothelioma and pleural (lung) mesothelioma, with pleural mesothelioma being the most common. Peritoneal mesothelioma can be difficult to stage because of its rarity. The initial symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are subtle and often ignored resulting in the cancer being more advanced when it is finally diagnosed causing it to be difficult to stage. However, because it is the most common of the mesothelioma cancers, pleural mesothelioma has multiple staging systems.

Unfortunately, patients who have been diagnosed with peritoneal or pleural mesothelioma are often advised of a grim mesothelioma prognosis, one which can often be less than one year survival expectancy from the time of diagnosis. Of course every patient is so different requires a different mesothelioma treatment plan and as a result of the individuality of each patient, an accurate mesothelioma prognosis must be individualized by your physician.

The mesothelioma prognosis has several important factors such as the patient's overall health at the time of diagnosis, exact type of mesothelioma tumor, size of the mesothelioma tumor and precise location of the mesothelioma tumor. Normally mesothelioma is located near the vital organs such as the heart and lungs which can cause severe consequences if the cancerous tumors begin to press on these vital organs. It is important to remember that the healthier a patient is going in to treatment for malignant mesothelioma then the patient generally responds better to treatment and has a greater chance of a prolonged survival.

After properly being diagnosed with mesothelioma and a mesothelioma prognosis is made, the doctor and patient will discuss treatment options. Because there is currently no known cure for mesothelioma, treatment options are designed to relieve symptoms, try to prevent metastasis and to prolong life while maintaining an acceptable quality of life.