Cholesterol is a fatty lipid, steroid and an alcohol found in the body tissues and blood plasma of vertebrates. It is the essential part of the outer membranes of human body cells, and it circulates in the blood.
Cholesterol in the human body comes from two major sources. About three-quarters of the body’s total cholesterol is produced within the body, while only one-quarter comes from cholesterol in food.
Higher concentrations of cholesterol are present in body tissues which have more densely packed membranes - i.e. the liver, spinal cord, brain, atheroma, adrenal glands and reproductive organs.
The liver is the most important site of cholesterol biosynthesis. It is secreted from the liver in the form of an acidic secretion known as ‘bile’.
Diets rich in animal fats, meat, poultry, fish, oils, egg yolks and dairy products are a rich source of dietary cholesterol. Organ meats, such as liver and kidney, are extremely rich in cholesterol content, but foods of plant origin contain no cholesterol.
High cholesterol levels in the bloodstream can influence the pathogenesis of certain conditions. Recent studies have revealed that the abundance of protein complexes called lipoproteins, are responsible for the cholesterol build-up in the blood vessels.
Cholesterol gets attached to these lipoproteins. The high-density lipoprotein (HDL) carries cholesterol out of the bloodstream for excretion, while the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) carries it back into the system for use by various body cells.
LDL cholesterol is called bad cholesterol, because elevated levels of it are associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease. LDL deposits cholesterol on the artery walls which leads to the formation of a hard, thick substance called cholesterol plaque. Over time, cholesterol plaque causes thickening of the artery walls and narrowing of the arteries, a process called atherosclerosis.
The levels of both HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol may also determine risk for heart disease; however current medical opinion is that the ratio of HDL cholesterol to LDL cholesterol is much more important than the level of cholesterol.
Methods to control your cholesterol levels:
Lower your consumption of foods containing saturated fats - fried fast foods, butter, cream, cheese, and fat on meat - to help reduce cholesterol. Add more plant foods to your diet - vegetable oils, nuts, legumes, breads, cereal grains, fruits and vegetables. A low cholesterol diet, combined with regular exercise is the best way to lower cholesterol levels.
Medications can also help lower cholesterol levels. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, ‘Statins’, such as lovastatin (Mevacor) and atorvastatin (Lipitor) are the most effective and widely used medications to lower LDL cholesterol. Other medications include nicotinic acid (niacin), fibrates such as gemfibrozil (Lopid), resins such as cholestyramine (Questran), and ezetimibe, Zetia. These medications should be taken after consulting the experts.
Paul MacIver writes articles about cholesterol and various health related topics. For further info on how to lower cholesterol please visit Reduce High Cholesterol You are welcome to reprint this article as long as nothing is changed, bio is included with all links made active.
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How much real estate math do you need to know if you are investing in real estate? There are computers and calculators for calculating interest rates or amortizing loans. What you need to know is a few simple formulas for determining if a property is a good investment or not.
The Real Estate Math You Don’t Need
The gross rent multiplier is one formula you don’t need. I bring it up because people are sometimes still using it, and there are better ways to estimate value. A gross rent multiplier is a crude way to put a value on a property. You decide that properties are worth 10 times annual rent or less, for example, and simply multiply the gross annual rent a building collects by ten to get your value.
There are obvious problems with this formula. You need to constantly change it to reflect interest rates, because a property might be profitable at 12 times rent when interest rates are low, but a money loser at eight times rent if the financing is expensive. Also, there are just plain different expenses for different properties, especially when some include utilities in the rent, for example. Gross rent doesn’t say much about the factor that makes a property valuable: the net income.
Real Estate Math You Need
Rental properties are bought for the income they produce, so this is what your real estate valuation should be based on. That is why your real estate math education needs to start with the how to use a capitalization rate, or “cap rate” to determine value. A cap rate is the rate of return expected by investors in a given area, or the rate of return on a property at a given price.
An example might make this clear. Take the gross income of a property and subtract all expenses, but not the loan payments. If the gross income is $76,000 per year, and the expenses are $32,000, you have net income before debt-service of $44,000. Now, to arrive at an estimate of value, you simply apply the capitalization rate to this figure.
If the normal capitalization rate is .10 (ask a real estate professional what is normal in your area), meaning investors expect a 10% return on the value of their investment, you would divide the net income of $44,000 by .10. You get $440,000 - the estimated value of the building. If the common rate is .08, meaning investors in the area expect only an 8% return, the value would be $550,000.
Simple Real Estate Math
Estimated value equals net income before debt-service divided by cap rate - this really is simple real estate math, but the tough part is getting accurate income figures. Is the seller is showing you ALL the normal expenses, and not exaggerating income? If he stopped repairing things for a year, and is showing “projected” rents, instead of actual rents collected, the income figure could be $15,000 too high. That would mean you would estimate the value at $187,000 more (.08 cap rate).
Besides verifying the figures, smart investors sometimes separate out income from vending machines and laundry machines. Suppose these sources provide $6,000 of the income. That would add $75,000 to the appraised value (.08 cap rate). Instead, you can do the appraisal without this income included, then add back the replacement cost of the machines (probably much less than $75,000).
No real estate formula is perfect, and all are only as good as the figures you plug into them. Used carefully, though, real estate appraisal using capitalization rates is the most accurate method for estimating the value of income properties. For putting a value on a single family home, you need another approach. Yes this means more real estate math to learn, but we’ll save that for another time.
Steve Gillman has invested in real estate for years. To learn how to put a value on single family homes, see the page, Real Estate Appraisal, and see a photo of a beautiful house he and his wife bought for $17,500 on the home page: www.HousesUnderFiftyThousand.com
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The PGA Tour’s first mayor championship was disputed this year and the second stage goes from the 7,445 yard long field to a field almost 500 yards shorter and with 10 weeks to lessen the pressure in all the aspects.
The TOUR changes from the climatically rough grounds of Augusta National Golf Club to the welcoming meadows of the Harbour Town Golf Links for the next stage. The difference for the players is that this course is built for shot-shaping and accuracy, not only power.
It rewards the skillful players, not the ones that can go around managing to jump the obstacles, it doesn’t have the windmills and loop to loops on the greens, the winners are the ones that play really play well.
The field features Ernie Els, Jim Furyk, Darren Clarke, Chris DiMarco, Jose Maria Olazabal, Davis Love III, Geoff Ogilvy and Chad Campbell. Peter Lonard is the defending champion, having survived a brutally ugly final round in Hilton Head, S.C.
The challenge in Harbour Town is not in length, since it stretches to only 6,973 yards, it lies not in twirls and turns and the fact that it is the smallest greens on Tour.
Cathy Jones writes on sports betting and gambling one of the fastest growing online industries and she is one of the top senior article writers for http://www.envivosports.com
Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety on your site, make sure to leave all links in place and do not modify any of the content.
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Purchasing a home is a major emotional and financial decision. Often times, people want to buy a home; however, emotionally cannot afford to commit to the home-buying process. They are, in fact, afraid. “My payment will be too high” or “What if I lose my job,” are some of the “excuses” which I often hear. People do not realize that they are able to meet all the commitments over their life span.
In any event, when everything is said and done, here are some of the major advantages of buying a home:
1. Quality of Life. Home-buying and living in your home affects the quality of life. It adds to your confidence, giving you a sense of pride and satisfaction. You have a sense of emotional well-being as well as peace of mind.
2. Tax Deductibility of Mortgage Interest. The entire mortgage interest payment is tax-deductible and the “net” cost of the mortgage payment actually puts money in your pocket.
3. Tax Deductibility of Property Taxes. Similarly, the property taxes are due and payable twice a year and may seem like a lot of waste of money. Typically, property taxes are $1.10/$1,000 of your purchase price. However, the property taxes are also tax deductible and you get it back in the form of tax savings.
4. Appreciation Potential. Typically and historically, nationwide property values have gone up in value at 7% per year. In California and some other states, properties have, in certain good economic times, appreciated at the rate of over 20% per year. At 7% conservative rate, the property doubles up in value in 10 years. So, a property worth $500,000 will be worth $1,000,000, equaling a gain of $50,000 on a yearly basis. For an average person, it is difficult to save that kind of money.
5. Deferred Capital Gain Treatment. Real estate investment capital gains can be deferred by exchanging the property for like-kind property. So, when the property appreciates and you decide to sell it and do no want to pay the capital gains tax, you can buy another property of like-kind and avoid capital gains tax. This allows you to switch properties when required, for example, an area might be facing downturn or you might be moving, etc.
6. Once in a Lifetime Exclusion. Upon the sale of a personal residence, the IRS allows an exemption and one does not have to pay taxes on a gain of $250,000, if single and up to a gain of $500,000, if married. For example, if you’re single and buy a property and live there for five years and the property appreciates by $250,000, you can sell the property and not pay any taxes at all.
7. Principal Accumulation. This is strongly tied to appreciation in the property value. Payments made toward the mortgage payment help you accumulate principal which essentially helps you establish a reserve savings account which you can later tap into by obtaining an equity line of credit or getting an equity loan, if needed.
8. Pride in Your Home. It is fun to invite people to “your” home and feel good about it. It also instills confidence in your family, your children and makes them more confident individuals.
9. No Landlord. You are in-charge and do not have to deal with a landlord who might not make repairs or maintain the property as you would like.
10. Leverage. Where else can you buy this size of an investment with 0-5-10% down. You can buy a property for a personal residence for as low as zero down or an investment property with 5-10% down, if your credit is good, and watch the investment grow. This, in turn, allows the net investment return to be much higher (than the actual appreciation rate on the value of the property). To follow up on the example earlier, if the property grows at 7% and doubles in value, since the amount invested in buying the property might be only $50,000 (at 10% down payment), the actual return is much higher on $50,000 investment.
11. The Real Cost of Renting! At $700 per month, with a 6% rental increase per year, you will pay $110,719 over a 10 year period. If the rent is higher, you can count on paying much more and not getting any return or tax benefits at all.
Madan “Raja” Ahluwalia is an Attorney at Law and Realtor. Raja possesses a thorough understanding of the real estate market and trends, based on years of involvement in real estate, both for his clients and for his own investment purposes. Contact Raja via e-mail at raja@kw.com and at 650.430.4023.
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Many people that know very little about the game would have you understand that you have to buy a ton of expensive products and services that you really do not need. The main problem with this is that when something that costs a lot comes around that really works you are unlikely to buy it. Why? Once you spend a ton of cash on junk then you will end up very frustrated and discouraged and maybe too broke to buy the good product.
Some of the best golf products on the market are very cheap and work extremely well but can get hidden under the expensive stuff. The reason is that most of the large businesses would rather sell you high dollar things than lower cost things because they are only looking after their sales and not your game improvement. This is a shame but it is how things go.
The best thing to do is to ask fellow golfers what they have tried and have found success with. Dust is one of those products that get rave reviews from every golfer that tries it. This product is easy to use, easy to find and very cheap to boot. All you do is take the spray can and apply a bit of dust to the club face. When you hit the ball it will leave a mark of exactly where it landed on the club. This is valuable information as that will determine where the ball flies and ultimately how you end up on the green or in the fairway. After a number of repetitions you will be able to adjust how you stand and swing and ultimately where the balls hits the face in future swings. Your golf game will lose strokes like there is no tomorrow.
Work hard and spend wisely and your game will vastly improve.
Get more information about golf training aid golfdust or any other golf training aid
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The difficulties of physically going to a physical gaming house can be sufficient reason to give up on it if it can be avoided. Traffic congestion, the difficulties, and zillions of things to take care of do not justify the trouble merely for that opportunity of trying your luck at physical gaming house, though if you happen to be the sort who is the final fan of card-playing then going online is surely the most obvious option.
Here, you do not have to abandon the comfort of your home to try online games of luck because you will do everything from the comfort of your home provided you own a fully functional computer and, obviously, internet access. Yet, before you start indulging yourself, there are quite a lot of instructions that you must learn about regarding online games of luck, specifically should you happen to be a neophyte. Alright, go easy on your flap and think through the following. Here is our condensed outline that explains how to find an honest and trust-worthy online games of luck Web page. The foremost thing that a smart internet risker will make sure to suss out is an online games of luck site of the kind which can offer top winning odds. Read on for a small number of alternate leads regarding determining your virtual video poker site.
You must take care to make certain that the virtual video poker site is verifiably licensed, for example by hunting for the certified warrant as disported on the casino site. If you’re unable to unearth any certified warrant on a given virtual video poker site, do not remotely think of risking with that Web page. As a next step you will in depth chew over the range of bonuses that the virtual video poker site has decided to offer you.
Anti-Gambling NY Governor Quits Office
Yet another seminal tip would be to wager for starters in trifling amounts in lieu of expend big amounts of money right away. First thing, check the integrity and status of this particular virtual video poker framework rather than chancing some undue hazard– specifically financial ones… Last but not least, here’s the most vital cue regarding online casino. It must be to always remind yourself that online gambling is merely about having fun and not so much about making money. Wagering in an online casino is certainly no livelihood, but, instead, a diversion that can help you become happy and your life as a whole fun.
After having adhered to all the facts listed above, you can now go and acquiesce to the wonder of virtual video poker… 
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If there ever was any doubt in your mind where adult domestic violence has its’ roots-put your inquisitive mind at rest. It starts with our kids!! In a recent study partnered by Teenage Research Unlimited and the Liz Claiborne Corp., teens 13-18 were surveyed on the frequency of dating violence in their lives.
The study revealed some shocking statistics and facts about the teen dating scene. Among many conclusions are that a significant percentage of teens not only are victims of dating abuse but also they accept it as normal and that they feel pressured to have and keep relationships particularly if it is a “serious” one.
Teens in these serious relationships report by nearly a 2 to 1 margin more abuse, controlling and even violent behavior compared to other teens.
The study also showed that:
20% in a serious relationship report being hit, slapped or pushed
30% report being worried about their physical safety
64% report controlling behavior
55% compromise their values to please their partner
61% reported having a partner who made them feel bad or embarrassed about themselves
25% report being in a relationship where their partner put them down or called them names
29% said they were pressured to have sex they do not want.
50% of young women worry that their partner will break up with them if they do not agree to engage in sex
It is no wonder that this problem exists with teenage male belief systems that include:
Controlling their partners
Possessing their partners
Demanding intimacy
Physical aggression is the “masculine” thing to do
Teenage female beliefs include:
There’s no resource for help
Abuse is normal because their peers are abused
Jealousy, possessiveness and even abuse are “romantic”
Historically other studies and surveys support these findings. This serves as pretty solid evidence that teenagers grow up in a society that frowns on adult domestic violence, yet it appears they serve their apprenticeships in high school learning the nuances of how to abuse. Do they learn on their own or do they learn from their abusive parents? It is a very difficult question to answer nevertheless the cycle must be broken. Today’s youth represent the best chance to make a change.
Here’s how to start. Educate and Prevent.
Know Some Warning Signs. Is there a history of violence with previous partners? Are there threats of violence, use of force? Is there cruelty to animals? Are traits of sudden anger, jealousy, verbal abuse, controlling behavior, unpredictable mood swings present? All or any of these can be predictors of future behavior and definite warning signs.
Set Standards. Only allow double dates for the first few dates. Know exactly what the plans are-who, where, what, when-be very specific. Remember: Trust but Verify. You love your children. It is your responsibility to set the standards for their actions.
Develop a Safety Plan. In an emergency know who to call: police, relative, parents, friend, neighbor, pastor-have a calling card handy. Know who you can trust to talk to. Develop a buddy system at school so you are never alone. Change your route to school if necessary. Carry some non lethal self defense items-pepper spray, personal defense alarms, etc. Trust your instincts.
Above all be prepared. Knowing what to look for and keeping an open mind may end up saving you a lot of pain.
Jack Krohn started Security Solutions to help people prevent crime. His websites
www.aaa-safetyfirst.com/alarm.htm
www.aaa-safetyfirst.com/tripleaction.htm offer unique, hard to find products for self defense, home security and professional high tech surveillance equipment for homes and business.
Join us Today for special offers and deep discounts at
www.aaa-safetyfirst.com
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As a Clinical Hypnotherapist, I have helped many salesmen go from average to excellent. Sales is all about the subconscious mind. When I was in high school, I sold Kirby vacuum cleaners door to door, and I noticed something very interesting: everyone had the same basic sales presentation, and yet some of us (like me!) were making excellent money, and others were making next to nothing. What is the difference?
The Devil is in the Details
The details of our sales presentations were the only things that differedand sometimes those details are minuteeven undetectable. They might occur on the subconscious level or the salesman, or they might be things that the salesman consciously does in order to influence the subconscious mind of their prospective client. The point is that, if you have a proven sales presentation, the difference between being excellent and being a failure is all up to you, and the details of your delivery of the presentation.
Before I give you these three ways to improve your sales presentation, I want to talk, just briefly, about the details that the salesman isn’t even aware of. These details are a result of the salesman’s subconscious belief that he can sell; that he can be persuasive. I’ve helped many salesmen improve their selling skills just with a little bit of hypnosis and self-hypnosis coaching. If you are serious about improving your selling abilities, get help through hypnosis for the really small details, and incorporate these three simple techniques into your presentation. You’ll be able to take the results to the bank.
1. Group your benefits into sets of three. The human mind likes sets of three; it is kind of uncanny. I’m not sure why, but the human mind will pay more attention to three things than it will to two or four. In my vacuum selling presentation, I might choose to discuss the cleaning power, convenience and durability of the vacuum, making sure to include those words in the same sentence. That way, I’ll hit my potential customer with three benefits at once, and their subconscious mind will take note and be interested. That’s why I’m giving you three suggestions here and not two or four.
2. Excite the imagination of your prospects by invoking all of the senses and using vivid descriptions. The decision to purchase something is influenced profoundly by the subconscious mind, and the imagination is intimately related to the subconscious. You might say something to the effect of, “As you hear the vacuum start up you can feel its tremendous cleaning power as you see the dirt being sucked from the carpet and smell the fresh scent of the clean room.” In that sentence, I invoked four senses. My prospective customer is very likely to be in tune with one of those, and the others will just help to increase the power of my words to influence his or her imagination.
3. Nod your headat the appropriate time. Many salesmen know about this “trick”, but misunderstand it and use it the wrong way. When someone nods their head, it has a subconscious effect on the other person in the conversation. Most salesmen don’t understand what this effect is, and they misuse it. When another person nods their head, they are giving their approvaloffering their agreement. The subconscious mind thinks that agreement and approval is being offered because of what its feeling. If you have a customer who is irritated, and you nod your head as you’re talking to them, they’re just going to become more irritated. On the other hand, if you have a customer who is happy and excited, and you nod your head, they are likely to become happier and more excited. When you ask for the sale, be sure your customer is in the right frame of mind, and reinforce that good frame of mind with a nod. You’ll be pleased with the results.
If you incorporate these three tips into your sales presentations, you’ll be able to take the results to the bank. I’m certain that you’ll enjoy that. If you make becoming a better salesman an obsession, you will take even more to the bank. The next step to becoming a better salesman is to work on your own subconscious, by seeing a hypnotherapist and/or using self-hypnosis. You’ll be able to affect the subconscious changes in yourself that are necessary to make you an elite salesmanand you can be very, very elite. Congratulations in advance on the excellent progress I know you will make when you use these techniques and work on your own subconscious mind.
Kyle B. Varner, CHt is a Clinical Hypnotherapist practicing in Annapolis, Maryland. He maintains a blog, http://www.mindchanginghypnosis.com, where you can download his free hypnosis recordings. He also offers online self-hypnosis coaching.
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Disbelief, excitement, shock. Words can’t describe the feeling you get when you see that pregnancy test turn positive for the first time. You’ve waited weeks, months, maybe years to see this result and you can’t wait to tell your husband. You could just run to him exclaiming the news that you’re pregnant or you could take the extra step to make this momentous announcement even that more special. Here are some creative ways to tell him that you are pregnant:
Dinner and a Present. If food is the way to your man’s heart, then this is
the way to go. Wrap up your positive pregnancy test like a little present and present
it to him over his favorite meal. If your husband is an outgoing type, take him to his
favorite restaurant and have the maitre’d bring the gift to the table after you’ve
finished dinner. Your husband can share his jubilation with the patrons and staff,
who inevitably will be thrilled for you. Chances are they might even include dessert
on the house, you’re eating for two now, so indulge! If you think your husband
would prefer a more intimate setting, cook his favorite dinner and set the table with
the good china you never have the occasion to use.
Propose Fatherhood. Why not recreate how your husband proposed
marriage to you, but instead propose fatherhood? Take him back to where he
popped the question and recreate the scene. Instead of a ring box, hand him a
bracelet box with your positive pregnancy test inside and ask, “Will you be a father?”
Bun in the Oven. Sneak out of bed early one morning and put a batch of
cinnamon buns in the oven to bake. Don’t worry about baking these from scratch,
the pre-prepared refrigerated ones from your grocery store will do just fine. When
your husband wakes up and smells the irresistible aroma announce to him that,
“Honey, we’ve got a bun in the oven!”
A Momento. Announce your pregnancy to your husband with a souvenier
that he can keep on his desk or dresser. Take a picture of your positive pregnancy
test and frame it with the words, “Positive proof that in nine months you will be the
best dad around, just wait, you’ll see.”
A t-shirts even you can love. There’s no double about it, men love printed
t-shirts. While this can usually be the bain of us women, this can finally work in our
favor. Give him a gift of a t-shirt that says, “Soon to be the World’s Best Dad, ” and
watch his face light up. Now maybe you can retire one of his free concert t-shirts
that you can’t stand.
Start Saving. Is your husband in charge of the family finances? Buy him a
piggy bank and put a note around it’s neck that says, “Our Baby’s College Fund —
Only 18 years and 9 months to save.” Put this on his dresser and wait for him to find
it. Don’t be surprised if he comes running to you with a big hug….and a new
household budget.
Sweet Tooth. Does your husband have a sweet tooth? Cater to his craving
with your special message. Pick up your husband’s favorite Chinese take out and
swap out the fortune cookie message with your own message that says, “You will be
a dad on xx/xx/xxxx (your due date).” Or have a fun afternoon at the paint-your-
own-pottery store and make him an ice cream bowl that says, “You’re going to be a
dad!” Fill it up with his favorite ice cream and watch his reaction when he gets to the
bottom.
Multi-media Momma. Are you computer saavy? These days making
movies and pictures slideshows on your home computer is so user friendly. You can
create a truely memorable pregnancy announcement by editing together some of
your favorite photos and home movies together with the final message announcing
your pregnancy and burn it to a DVD. Pop a bowl of popcorn for your husband to
eat as he watches his new favorite flick.
No matter how you say it, either with humor, romance, or drama, telling your
husband that he’s going to be a dad will no doubt be a memorable event in your
life. Good luck and congratulations!
Kendra Spencer is the creator of http://www.shoppingfortwo.com which
offers shopping, health and baby advise for new and pregnant moms. Check out our
new line of pregnancy announcing t-shirts at http://www.shoppingfortwo.com
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Here in Tallahassee, COPS comes on Saturday nights, two shows in a row.
Here are a few things I’ve learned while watching COPS.
Don’t run from the police. It screams guilty of something and they are probably in better shape than you.
Don’t lie to the police. They get lied to everyday and are pretty good at telling who is lying.
You see many pathetic looking situations watching COPS. It’s a glimpse into a nasty side of life. It’s important to remember that none of these people started out with the intention of living in a pathetic situation, breaking the law, and getting arrested on TV. Most ended up there by a continuous series of bad choices and poor decisions.
“It seemed like a good idea at the time” is not just the decision making paradigm for kids and teens. Many, many adults appear to live this way as well.
Some people have a very difficult if not impossible time trying to change their lives. Many people make the same mistakes over and over again.
Some people are just too stubborn to learn. They are hard headed and unteachable.
The first very best way to avoid getting arrested is to not break the law.
The second very best way to avoid getting arrested is to always keep your shirt on. It seems like everyone that gets arrested on COPS is going without their shirt.
Visit http://www.TheArticleGuy.com for more leading edge tips and tools for writing articles that bring you prospects, publicity and profits. You can also subscribe to our monthly Article Writing & Marketing Tips Newsletter. You are also invited to visit my Express-Start Article Writing Program for more information on the next article writing tele-seminar.
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