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fredag 2 december 2011

How to Get Started With 3D Animation

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

The best way to make 3d animation is to get your hands on a software program that is specifically made for creating 3d animations. However, there is a lot of software tailored for creating 3d animation. These programs include: Poser, 3d Studio Max, Daz 3d, Bryce, Carrara, Animation Master, Maya, LightWave, Anim8or, 3D Canvas, and Blender. Since there is lots of 3d animation software available, it is important to discover the best one for your current needs and circumstances.

Steps

  1. Write out the details of the 3d animation project you desire to create and the reason you would like to create it. For example, is your project for fun or is it to launch into a career in 3d animating.
  2. Write down the number of hours you would like to complete this project. This is to see whether you want to quickly create your 3d animation or whether it is something you don’t mind spending a long period of time on.
  3. Map out the time you would like to spend on learning how to use the 3d animation software. This is to see whether you want software that is easy to learn and use or if you would not mind using software that is a bit difficult and time consuming to learn.
  4. Research the programs mentioned in the introduction and see which software program would be best for your specific needs in terms of goals, time, and money.
  5. Decide on and acquire the 3d animation software program(s) you would use. Once you decide on the 3d program(s) you would use based on your circumstances, you can then begin following its tutorials on how to make 3d animation.

Tips

Related wikiHows

Sources and Citations

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Get Started With 3D Animation. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Start a Small Business

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Plan, plan, plan! When your idea is fresh and exciting, it's easy to start without a thought to how it will pan out and all the implications. There's nothing worse than an uncompleted project. It can completely ruin your confidence. So here are the steps you should take. Then start! start! start!

Steps

  1. Come up with an idea, product or service. Put it down on paper. You're more likely to succeed if you plan. Put down things like name of the business, what resources you need, short and long term business and financial goals.
  2. Chart your way to financial success. What price do you intend to sell your product or service for? How much will it cost you to produce? Work out a roughly estimated profit remembering to factor in fixed costs like rent, energy etc.
  3. Check out your competitors. How much are they selling a similar product for. Can you add something to it to make yours different and hence a better price?
  4. Put down your Unique Selling Proposition. Also how are you going to market your product? Via newspapers, a website, through word of mouth?
  5. Decide what type of business you would like to be -- an incorporation, LLC, etc. This is important for tax purposes.
  6. Think of how you're going to finance your business initially. The bank, venture capitalists, angel investors, SBA grants(government), your own savings are all options. Remember the four F's for invesment: founders (people who share your idea), family, friends and fools.
  7. Make your product(s) or service available to customers using your marketing strategy above.
  8. Keep a close eye on your running costs and keep them in-line with your projections.
  9. Learn. Find buddies, mentors, local business-related organizations, Internet forums, and especially wikis to discuss the details of running a small business. It's much easier for everyone to perform their core businesses well and prosper when they don't waste time and energy "reinventing the wheel" on housekeeping.
  10. Get your accounts in order right from the start. Saves you tedious work later.
  11. Get a merchant account. A merchant account is a contract under which an acquiring bank extends a line of credit to a merchant, who wishes to accept payment card transactions of a particular card association brand. Without such a contract, one cannot accept payments by any of the major credit card brands.
  12. Set up payment methods like credit card.
  13. Keep in mind to always provide VALUE to those who may be your customers.
    • You probably can't beat a big business on price in commodity items, so develop and get recognized for your expertise. Let your customers know they'll ultimately do more (or enjoy more) with with your maybe-a-little-higher prices and superior guidance or service. Show off a few things on a wikis and make presentations to show your skills. You could even branch out into consulting.
    • You might be able to beat a big business in differentiated items[1] like services or decorative goods, too, if you can do better at replacing costly hidebound practices like creating a perception of quality and recognition with an expensive location with cheaper, better ones like making it easy for your customers to praise your quality online.

Tips

  • With the advent of the internet, online businesses are probably the easiest way to start and very much less expensive in terms of start-up cost than an offline counterpart.
  • You can also think of trading on eBay or Overstock.
  • A franchise is also a good option if you don't want to start from scratch.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment with prices.
  • A franchise is a great idea although the start-up capital is way too high for most people.
  • Find a direct selling company that will provide you the training and support. Also, find a personal mentor that you can trust.
  • Most direct selling companies have low start up capital compared to a traditional brick and mortar business. You can also break even rather quickly compared to the traditional business.

Warnings

  • Especially if going online, beware of people that ask for money before giving you business. Trade leads to prosperity through mutual gain[2], so a business should be willing to pay you to work for it. (A franchise store or home-sales business may have legitimate startup costs, but they should reflect a reasonable cost of getting you started in the business so the managers would make money through your success, rather than just by getting you in.)
  • Beware of business propositions that seem to offer "something for nothing." They probably involve taking something from somebody - often you. There are innumerable variations, some more polished than others. Examples include pyramid schemes[3] and advance-fee fraud[4].

Related wikiHows

Sources and Citations

  1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monopolistic_competition
  2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gains_from_trade
  3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyramid_scheme
  4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advance-fee_fraud

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Start a Small Business. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Make Money Online Without a Website

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

You don't need to have a website to make money on the Internet. Here is a proven strategy to make money online without a website.

Steps

  1. Find Affiliate Product
    • Find a product to promote where you make good commission on each sale. Generally, you will get the biggest commissions on digital products. Digital products are defined as something that is downloaded directly to a customer's computer after purchasing, like electronic books or software. Since there is no extra cost per unit, no inventory and no shipping, the commissions are much greater than on regular "physical" goods. The most common commission on digital products is 50%.
    • Sign up for an affiliate membership site. This will allow you to build a residual income and the retention rate is much higher than just selling a product once and getting paid.
    • Sign up as a reseller (also called affiliate) for a product that looks the most appealing to you. After you sign up, you will get a unique affiliate link where you need to send people to purchase the product. Your affiliate link will have a special code that will tell the product owner that it's you who referred the customer. The affiliate link code will allow your commissions to be tracked correctly and assigned to you.
  2. Get Domain Name
    • Get a domain name to redirect to your affiliate link. A domain name is a .COM. You can get it for under $9 at GoDaddy.com. GoDaddy.com will allow you to redirect your domain name to your affiliate link at no extra cost. It's important to note that unlike having your own website you don't have to pay for hosting which is usually more expensive than buying and registering a domain name. Domain forwarding allows you to have a legitimate presence in the world of online affiliate marketing for only a few dollars! Some affiliates offer mentoring and training to assist you in your pursuit of making money online.
    • So when someone types in your .COM domain in their browser, it will go to your affiliate link. The visitor will see the website with the product you promote, and the commissions will be tracked correctly.
    • The reason why you need a domain name is that it's memorable and it makes you look more trustworthy. Affiliate links tend to be too long and arouse suspicion. For example, most people would rather click on the link bestwidgets.com as opposed to abcwidgets.com?reseller=john
    • A domain name will make your affiliate link look like it's your own website. So basically, you will have a product to promote and a website to send people to and get commissions – without really having your own website.
  3. Get Traffic
    • In order to make sales, you need to get visitors to your domain name (which will forward them to the website of the product that you resell). You can pay for advertising and hope that your profit will be greater than advertising cost, or you can use free ways to generate traffic.
    • The most effective way to get free targeted visitors to your domain name is by writing and submitting articles. You can write short articles on the topic related to the product that you promote. At the end of the article, you include your author bio and your domain name link.
    • You will then submit your articles to various websites, and allow them to publish your articles as long as your link is included. Your articles will get published in many places on the Internet, and will be advertising your affiliate link at no cost to you whatsoever. People will read your articles, like what you have to say and click on your domain name link ready to buy.
    • Once you start getting regular sales from your articles, you can go back to step 1 and find another product to promote using this strategy. After a while, you will build up a nice source of Internet income – without even having a website.

Related wikiHows

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Make Money Online Without a Website. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Print Business Cards

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

There are several ways to print business cards, depending on your needs. You can visit a local print shop, order business cards online or print them on your own computer. Each method has benefits and potential drawbacks, and this guide will provide you the steps to obtain custom business cards that represent you and your business.

Steps

Visit A Local Printshop
  1. Know what you want and what you want to pay. When you arrive at the print shop, your custom design will depend not only on your specifications, but on your budget. Planning ahead to determine what sort of card stock you want to use, the finish (matte, for example), logo placement and other specifications will help make ordering your custom business cards a smoother process.
  2. Place your order with the customer representative. Be clear about your design preferences, and ask for advice if you have any questions.
  3. Look at a proof. After you initially order your design, ask to see a proof before the cards are printed. Check for overall layout, misspellings, the correct font and colors, and verify that all other details are correct. With most print shops, the proofing stage is the only time you will have to make corrections, as your custom business cards will go to print following your approval of the proof.
Order Business Cards Online
  1. Find the right provider. There are dozens of online printing solutions for business cards. Each of them offers different prices and different products. If budget is a concern, look for sales--most companies that offer business cards online will run promotions to decrease the cost of shipping, or perhaps allow for premium products at basic prices.
  2. Build your design. Most sites provide templates for your use. You can add your logo and custom text. Choose the layout and positioning of the elements on your business card. Some sites and templates allow for customization of the back of your card as well. This is a good place to include additional information, a calendar or appointment reminders.
Print Your Own Business Cards
  1. Find the template you like best. Your computer software may come with a package of templates to help you get started. If a unique business card design is important to you, search online for a wider template selection.
  2. Design your business card. Even though you're working from a template, you may customize to your needs. Different fonts and layouts are available. Include all necessary contact information, such as your name, address, phone and fax numbers, website and e-mail addresses and the name of your company. Other information, such as your position in the company, logo and motto, may also be added to further customize your business cards.
  3. Print your business cards. Use business card paper, which comes pre-perforated so that you don't have to cut out each individual card.

Tips

  • Order the right amount of cards for your needs. Avoid ordering massive quantities beyond your requirements just to satisfy a bargain.
  • If you are printing your own business cards, print a test page on regular printer paper. Hold it up to the light behind your business card paper to be sure that the cards line up with the perforations.

Things You'll Need

  • Business card paper
  • Template

Sources and Citations

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Print Business Cards. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Stop Snoring

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit


If you're a snorer in your household, you're probably getting a lot more sleep than anyone who can hear you. Try the following preventative measures.

Steps

  1. Avoid the things that make snoring worse: alcohol, sleeping pills, coffee and rich foods before bedtime.[1] If you regularly take any kind of medication, talk to your doctor about alternatives. Some drugs can make snoring worse, including sleeping pills and sedatives.
    • Alcohol, sleeping pills, and other sedatives make your throat muscles relax, narrowing your airway. Large meals and rich food restricts your airway by pushing up on your diaphragm [2]
  2. If you sleep on your back, buy yourself a few extra pillows and prop yourself up in bed, rather than lying flat on your back. Also, raise the head of your bed. An easy way to do it is to place several flat boards under the legs at the top end of the bed. A couple of old phone books under each leg should also raise the bed enough to do the trick.
  3. Sleep on your side. There's a good reason you don't want to sleep on your back: in that position, your tongue and soft palate rest against the back of your throat, blocking the airway. One way people train themselves to stay on their side is by taping or sewing a tennis ball to the back of their shirt, so whenever you roll onto your back, it's very uncomfortable.
  4. Address any nasal congestion.
    • Try taking a decongestant or antihistamine if nasal congestion is causing your snoring. Use these only as a temporary measure if you suspect that a cold or allergy is to blame. Prolonged use of either can be harmful.
    • Gargle with a peppermint mouthwash to shrink the lining of your nose and throat. This is especially effective if your snoring is a temporary condition caused by a head cold or an allergy. To mix up the herbal gargle, add 1 drop of peppermint oil to a glass of cold water. (Only gargle - do not swallow.)
    • Change your sheets and pillowcases often to relieve nasal stuffiness, alleviate bedroom allergens. Try to vacuum your floors and curtains often too.
    • Tape your nose open with nasal strips, available at most pharmacies. They may look odd, but who's looking? Following the directions on the package, tape one of the strips to the outside of your nose before you fall asleep. They work by lifting and opening your nostrils to increase airflow.
  5. Try mouthpiece devices. Also known as dental appliances or mandibular advancement splints, these are usually small plastic devices worn in the mouth during sleep to prevent the soft throat tissues from collapsing and obstructing the airway. They do this by bringing your lower jaw forward and/or by lifting your soft palate. Some devices also stop the tongue from falling back over your windpipe.
  6. Do exercises to firm the tissue associated with your snoring.
    • Stick your tongue out as far as you can, then relax. Repeat 10 times.
    • Stick your tongue out again, and try to touch your chin. Hold. Repeat with trying to touch your nose. Repeat 10 times.
    • Smile as wide as you possible can, hold for 10 seconds, then relax. Repeat this as many times as you can throughout the day.
    • Sing La-La-La-La as loud as you can. Hold each La for 3 seconds. Repeat 5 times. Then, repeat singing Ka-Ka-Ka-Ka. Follow that with Ma-Ma-Ma-Ma. This will strengthen your throat so that it does not relax (and thus block air) when you sleep.
    • Close your mouth and perform a chewing motion. Make sure molars on both sides move apart, then touch again. Make an "mmmmm" sound as you do this for added affect. Continue for 1 minute. [3]
Stop Snoring Caused By a Sinus Infection
  1. Know that sometimes people become snorers because of sinus infections. Snoring is caused during a sinus infection because the mucus blocks the nasal passages.
  2. Follow some of the tips below to stop snoring when you are suffering from sinus infection:
    • Do not forget to take the drugs prescribed by your physician for curing the sinus infection. Reduction of the infection will act as a remedy to stop snoring
    • Consider using a sinus/nasal rinse. These are designed in such a way that the debris and mucus formed in the nose is completely flushed out. Rinsing will be helpful in relieving yourself of the snoring.
    • You can place a nasal dilator strip on your nose channel. This will open the nostrils and can prevent snoring.
    • You can use a menthol scent, which will be helpful in clearing the nose.
    • You can try to have a warm shower or bath. Hot moist air will be helpful in draining the mucus from the sinuses, thereby reducing the possibility of snoring.
    • You can raise the head portion of your bed. This will be helpful in reducing the amount of mucus draining down and blocking your nasal passages. When nasal passages are not blocked, you will not snore.

Video

Devices to stop snoring

Tips

  • Lose Weight. Weight loss can reduce your snoring by easing any constriction of the upper airway.
  • Consider the underlying cause. Discuss with your physician the possibility of a sleep disorder which may be more serious than just the snoring. The current gold standard for obstructive sleep apnea treatment is a CPAP device which opens the airway with pressurized air delivered through a mask or a nose-mounted appliance.
  • There is surgery available now if your snoring problem is a function of sleep apnea.

Related wikiHows

Sources and Citations

  1. http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/3481883/When-sleeps-a-snore-point
  2. http://www.stopsnoringtips.com/tips.htm
  3. http://www.thestopsnoringexerciseprogram.com/?hop=ssshnzl

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Stop Snoring. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

fredag 25 november 2011

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tisdag 22 november 2011

How to Start Your Own Exercise Regimen

How to Start Your Own Exercise Regimen and Stick to It

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit


Do you find yourself making resolutions about exercising to get in shape, but never seem to stick to the resolution? This "How-to" can help you with some ideas to provide the little nudge you need.

Steps

  1. Do something you enjoy. If you like it, it's more likely you'll keep at it. Not all workouts are at a gym: try biking, inline skating, rowing, skateboarding, swimming, hockey, or a rugby team; even dancing in your bedroom with an ipod. Enjoyment is the key to sticking with it.
  2. Make time to exercise. Make a conscious effort to replace some unnecessary and not particularly enjoyable habit, like watching a TV show that isn't very good, with an exercise-involving activity. Rather than worrying about fitting exercise into your schedule, you can just feel a sense of accomplishment content in the knowledge you haven't made your schedule any worse.
  3. Make a commitment. Don't just make a mental promise to yourself. Get a journal. Write down what you want to accomplish, and set a time frame for reaching your goals. Make a contract, and sign it. Include pictures of your dream dress, or smaller size pants, if it helps you define your goals.
  4. Don't be afraid to shoot for the stars. As Walt Disney said, If you can dream it, you can do it. If you've never worked out before, or haven't worked out in a long time, don't expect you'll be able to work out for an hour a day--six days a week! Try starting out with three, 30-minute sessions of aerobic exercise per week. Then after two weeks, incorporate two weight lifting sessions in-between your aerobic days. You can even start with just a few minutes each day. That can be enough to motivate you to keep going.
  5. Spread the word! Tell your husband, wife, sister, friends--anyone. We always do better when we think someone else is watching! Don't be obnoxious and remind everyone all the time, but let your close friends and relatives know about your goals. Ask them to encourage you once-in-a-while. Sometimes, it's nice to remind your grandma not to stock her kitchen with all those scrumptious goodies.
  6. Get out the charts. You can weigh yourself, although weight is not always an accurate view of fitness. Record your weight and BMI. Though these aren't precise measures of progress, it's sweet to look back when you're done with it all, and feel satisfied. Take measurements of your waist, hips, thighs, and neck. These are much more accurate. A "before" picture would be fun afterwards!
  7. Learn. If you are shooting to lose weight, you must learn to eat healthily. Don't "fall into" a diet. You would "fall out" eventually. Things like weight watchers can help you learn, but I simply recommend developing a lifestyle you will want to keep, and using your common sense. See tips for more help.
  8. Drink water! Drinking water is absolutely the best thing you can do for your body. Always bring water to your workout sessions. Remember not to drink excessive amounts of plain water after strenuous workouts - your body loses salts through sweat, and too much plain water can help to flush out whatever's left. For intense workouts, drink Gatorade or vitamin water.
  9. Have fun! Leaving on the same note we started, working out is not fun if you constantly think, "When am I going to get skinny?". Grab a friend and dance! Go play tag, or have races! Just keep moving!

Video

Start Your Own Exercise Regimen and Stick To It. Get some friends together for a weekly run, bike or hike. Have someone to be accountable to to help keep you motivated. You can do it!

Tips

  • Don't have enough time for a good workout? Take a walk during your lunch break, do crunches and jumping jacks while watching TV, or pace while talking on the phone... In other words, take every opportunity to exercise.
  • Your health is your most valuable asset. Politely refuse offers to drive you short distances with a car when you could walk instead.
  • If you're not used to exercising, it will be hard for the first week or so, to keep yourself from using an elevator. Keep walking and, soon you'll find that you can easily climb those flights of stairs without getting out of breath. Plus, in train stations and the subway, walking has the added benefit --you avoid the crowds-- as no-one takes the stairs!
  • Schedule your workouts on your calendar, and stick with it! Treat the workout as a standing appointment with your most important client.
  • Do exercises you enjoy.
  • Routine is the key. After about 2 weeks of the routine, you will find it a lot less of a chore. You can add new challenges later, to keep it interesting and fun.
  • Don't worry if you're not seeing quick results. It normally takes about 8 weeks for results to really kick in visually. Remember, you can't do it all in one sitting. Regular effort, with enthusiasm, is the key!
  • You don't necessarily have to pay a trainer to work out with you every week. Gym membership can be helpful because a monetary commitment is likely to motivate you to stick with the regular program. If your gym has group fitness classes, they can help you mix things up a bit.
  • Consider alternative forms of exercise. Biking, indoor climbing, Yoga, Thai-chi, martial arts, etc., will all challenge your muscles in different ways, and provide some fun and variety.
  • Whichever fitness program you choose to follow, if you like it, and it offers enough variety, you will have a much easier time staying with it.
  • Burn more calories playing than what you get from foods. Counting may help at first, but with regular exercises and 5-6 scheduled meals you will easily stay on track. Regular and moderate meals will keep the "fire" burning!
  • Eat variety of healthy vegetables, fruits, beans, and nuts. This will give you all the amino-acids and Omega3 fats your body needs to grow muscle, while helping you shred those pounds. Your body cells create protein they need, from amino-acids, so don't worry about it.
  • When exercising, drink enough water to replace what is lost. Amount will vary based on your body weight, climate, effort level, etc. Dehydration would slow your weight-loss goals, increase danger of muscle tears, and could make you feel nauseated. Avoid coffee and soda drinks, for better results.
  • Be creative with exercise programs. They are yours to play with.
  • Go early to bed, and have plenty of rest on days you exercise. Muscles grow and repair themselves during the -deep- sleep.
  • Play up-beat music to keep the pace and motivate yourself.
  • Try NOT to exercise in the evening. If you exercise before going to bed, your metabolism is increased, endorphins are released and it will make it much more difficult to fall asleep naturally. If the only time you can exercise is in the evening, try to do it as early as possible before going to bed to allow your body to rest.
  • Every day, make note of all the benefits you can perceive: increased energy, pride and so forth. Make it as long as you can and keep looking for new items.

Warnings

  • Consult your doctor before starting any new workout regimen, especially if you've had heart or lung related illness in the past.
  • If you feel faint, dizzy, sick, or in pain while working out, take a break. If you start getting better soon, then just start once you feel better. If there is a serious pain or you're crying, you think something is broken, or it won't go away, stop and wait a few hours. If it's still not gone, call a doctor! (This originally said to wait a few days before contacting a doctor. If you are in pain that does not lessen for more than an hour, you should contact someone. If you are in severe pain, contact someone immediately as it could be a sign of something seriously wrong.)
  • Consult your doctor if you are severely underweight, overweight, obese, or suffer from asthma before starting working out as you could hurt yourself.
  • If you are starting to gain weight, it is usually because you are building muscle. Keep up the good work!
  • Drink a lot of water to avoid dehydration.

Related wikiHows

Sources and Citations

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Start Your Own Exercise Regimen and Stick to It. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

söndag 20 november 2011

How to Make Money - wikiHow

How to Make Money

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Sally Struthers once posed the timeless question in a TV commercial, "Do you want to make more money?" Without hesitation, she answered, "Of course, we all do." How did she know?Actually, this remarkable revelation isn't so startling when you consider that money not only makes the world go 'round, but also, apparently, talks. If your world has stopped spinning, or if you're having trouble talking, you've come to the right place. There are several different ways to make some quick cash today, but here's how to make money in the long run.

Steps

  1. Use the law of supply and demand to your advantage. Most of us are familiar with the law of supply and demand--the more there is of something, the cheaper it is; conversely, the rarer the product or service, the more expensive it is. However, other than when we get to a toy store before sunrise to get on line for the latest fad toy that kids can't get enough of, we don't really apply the law of supply and demand to our own lives--particularly our careers. For example, if you're aspiring to do something that many, many other people want to do (so much so that they do it for free, as a hobby) then it will be far more challenging for you to make money doing it. On the other hand, if you do something that most people don't want to do, or if you get very good at doing something most people don't do all that well, then you can make a whole lot more money. In other words, choose a career in pharmacy over photography.
    • If your career path is going nowhere, resign gracefully and switch careers. Research occupations to find out how much they pay and what their future outlook is (in the U.S., you can find this information in the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook). Find an occupation that pays well, and invest in the education and/or training to get you that job. Look for employers that offer competitive salaries and ample opportunity for advancement.
    • If your goal is to make enough money to retire early, prioritize earning potential over job satisfaction, since you plan on getting out of the rat race early, anyway. Consider the types of jobs that pay extraordinarily well in exchange for hard work, little psychological satisfaction, and a punishing lifestyle, such as investment banking, sales, and engineering. If you can keep your expenses low and do this for about 10 years, you can save a nest egg for a modest but youthful retirement, or to supplement your income while you do something you really love doing but doesn't pay much. But keep in mind that delayed gratification requires clear goal-setting and strong willpower.
  2. Recognize that time is money. This critical piece of advice is attributed to Benjamin Franklin, who was an accomplished American inventor, journalist, printer, diplomat, and statesman--the ultimate multitasker. Your ability to manage your time (and stop procrastinating) is a critical ingredient in your ability to make money. Whether you have a job or are self-employed, keep track of what you're spending your time on. Ask yourself "Which of these activities make the most money, and which of them are a waste of time?" Do more of the former and less of the latter, simple as that. When you're focusing on high-priority tasks, get the job done well, and get the job done fast. By working efficiently, you're giving your employer or clients more time, and they'll appreciate you for it. Remember that time is a limited resource that you're always investing. Will your investments pay off?
  3. Jack up your prices. If you're providing a skill, service or product that is in high demand and low supply, and you're making the most of your time, you should be making good money. Unfortunately, there are many people who are too humble or fearful to demand that they get paid accordingly. It's the pushovers in life who get taken advantage of and exploited, so if you think you might be one of them, learn how to stop being a people pleaser. If you work for someone else, ask for a pay raise or get a promotion, and if none of that pans out, revisit your career options as described previously. If you're self-employed, the first thing to do is to make sure your customers and clients pay up on time--this alone can substantially improve your income. Check your prices and rates against those of your competitors--are you undercutting them? Why? If you're providing a superior product or service, you should be getting at least the average, unless your profitability depends on mass production, in which case you're probably making a lot of money and wouldn't be reading this article anyway!
  4. Be proactive. Remember Murphy's Law: "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong." Make plans, complete with as many calculations as possible, then anticipate everything that can go wrong. Then make contingency or backup plans for each scenario. Don't leave anything to luck. If you're writing a business plan, for example, do your best to estimate when you'll break even, then multiply that time frame by three to get a more realistic date; and after you've identified all the costs, add 20% to that for costs that will come up that you didn't anticipate.[1] Your best defense against Murphy's law is to assume the worst, and brace yourself. An appropriate amount of insurance may be something worth considering. Don't forget the advice of Louis Pasteur, a French chemist who made several incredible breakthroughs in the causes and prevention of disease: "Luck favors the prepared mind."
  5. Redefine wealth. In studies of millionaires, people are surprised to learn that most millionaires aren't doctors, lawyers, and corporate leaders with big houses and fancy cars; they're people who religiously live below their means and invest the surplus into assets, rather than liabilities.[2] As you're taking the above steps to make more money, keep in mind that increased income does not necessarily equal increased wealth. Most people who flaunt their wealth actually have a low net worth because their debt to asset ratio is high--in other words, they owe a whole lot more money than they actually have. All of the previous steps have outlined aggressive strategies for making money, but you'll never get anywhere if you have a hole in your pocket.
    • They say that a penny saved is a penny earned. Actually, when you consider that you pay taxes on every penny you earn, you really do make more money by saving than by increasing your income, especially if the extra income will increase your tax rate dramatically. For example, let's say you have a choice between saving $100 or earning an extra $100. If you pay 15% taxes, then when you earn an $100, you only get $85. But when you shave $100 off of your existing budget, you keep it all. To sweeten the deal further, if you take advantage of compound interest as found in most savings accounts, over time you'll start making money on the amount saved plus previous interest paid on that amount saved. It'll be pennies at first, but eventually the amount will multiply exponentially.
    • Take advantage of tax laws if you're self-employed. Money saved on taxes is still money saved. You may be able to deduct many of your business expenses (use of your home, use of your car, office supplies, etc.) if you keep good records. You may also qualify for tax breaks, such as deducting your health insurance premiums on your tax return. These laws are in place to encourage commerce and business growth, so don't neglect their benefits.
    • If you're not self-employed and work for a company, find out if they have a retirement plan. If you're lucky, employers will sometimes match contributions you make into a retirement fund. Retirement plans also often have the benefit of being tax-deferred. The longer you get to keep your money (and make interest on it) the better.
  6. Know the difference between an asset and a liability. The dividing line is whether it puts money in your pocket, or takes it out.[3] As much as you love your home, for instance, it is a liability rather than an asset because you put more money into it than you get out of it (unless you're flipping it or renting it out). Whatever money you save, invest it in assets such as stocks, mutual funds, patents, copyrighted works--anything that generates interest or royalties. Eventually, you might get to the point where your assets are doing the work for you, and all you have to do is sit there and make money!
    • Watch out for inflation chipping away at your assets. We've all heard an elderly person describe the purchasing power of a coin in their day. Inflation continues to make today's money worth less in the future. To win the race against time and inflation, learn to invest your money in the right places. A savings account might help you to keep up with inflation; however, to stay ahead of the game you'll want to invest in bonds, stocks, or some other investment that returns above the average rate of inflation (currently 3%-4%).

Tips

  • Work on eliminating any debt you may have. When you have a high debt load, you're making someone else money; what you pay in interest is their paycheck. The sooner you repay your loans and debts, the sooner you stop giving your money away.
  • Start analyzing your decisions from the perspective of a firm. In economics, a firm's goal is simply to maximize profit. Well-run firms spend money only if they can expect to make more money from their investment, and they allocate their resources to the most profitable use. You're not a firm, of course, and you have other considerations, but if you make the majority of your time and money decisions by choosing the options that promise the highest return on investment, you'll likely earn more money, and that's good news for your shareholders (you and your family).

Warnings

  • Beware get-rich-quick schemes. Millions of people still get caught up in them. If it's too good to be true, it's truly no good. People who know how to get rich are busy getting rich. They are not advertising methods to get rich.
  • Don't lose sight of what's really important to you in your quest for money. Sure, you may be able to make more if you work longer hours, but will you and your family get to enjoy the extra money? Money can do a lot of things for you, but don't work yourself to death - you can't take it with you.

Related wikiHows

Sources and Citations

  1. http://blogs.briantracy.com/public/item/203424
  2. Stanley, TJ and Danko, WD. The millionaire next door. ISBN 0671015206
  3. Kiyosaki, RT and Lechter, SL. Rich dad, poor dad. ISBN 0446677450

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Make Money. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

lördag 19 november 2011

fredag 18 november 2011

Make money

<h1 style='margin-bottom: 0px;'><a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Money">How to Make Money</a></h1>
<b><i>from <a href='http://www.wikihow.com/Main-Page'>wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit</a></i></b><br/>
Sally Struthers once posed the timeless question in a TV commercial, "Do you want to make more money?" Without hesitation, she answered, "Of course, we all do." How did she know?Actually, this remarkable revelation isn't so startling when you consider that money not only makes the world go 'round, but also, apparently, talks. If your world has stopped spinning, or if you're having trouble talking, you've come to the right place. There are several different ways to <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Money-Fast" title="Make Money Fast">make some quick cash today</a>, but here's how to make money in the long run.
<a name="Steps"></a><h2>  Steps </h2>
<ol><li> Use the law of supply and demand to your advantage. Most of us are familiar with the law of supply and demand--the more there is of something, the cheaper it is; conversely, the rarer the product or service, the more expensive it is. However, other than when we get to a toy store before sunrise to get on line for the latest fad toy that kids can't get enough of, we don't really apply the law of supply and demand to our own lives--particularly our careers. For example, if you're aspiring to do something that many, many other people want to do (so much so that they do it for free, as a hobby) then it will be far more challenging for you to make money doing it. On the other hand, if you do something that most people don't want to do, or if you get very good at doing something most people don't do all that well, then you can make a whole lot more money. In other words, choose a career in pharmacy over photography.
<ul><li>If your career path is going nowhere, <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Resign-Gracefully" title="Resign Gracefully">resign gracefully</a> and <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Switch-Careers" title="Switch Careers">switch careers</a>. Research occupations to find out how much they pay and what their future outlook is (in the U.S., you can find this information in the Bureau of Labor Statistics <i>Occupational Outlook Handbook</i>).  Find an occupation that pays well, and invest in the education and/or training to get you that job.  Look for employers that offer competitive salaries and ample opportunity for advancement.
</li><li>If your goal is to make enough money to <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Retire-in-Your-30s" title="Retire in Your 30s">retire early</a>, prioritize earning potential over job satisfaction, since you plan on getting out of the rat race early, anyway. Consider the types of jobs that pay extraordinarily well in exchange for hard work, little psychological satisfaction, and a punishing lifestyle, such as investment banking, sales, and engineering. If you can keep your expenses low and do this for about 10 years, you can save a nest egg for a modest but youthful retirement, or to supplement your income while you do something you <i>really</i> love doing but doesn't pay much. But keep in mind that delayed gratification requires clear goal-setting and strong willpower.
</li></ul>
</li><li> <b>Recognize that time is money.</b> This critical piece of advice is attributed to Benjamin Franklin, who was an accomplished American inventor, journalist, printer, diplomat, and statesman--the ultimate <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Multitask" title="Multitask">multitasker</a>. Your ability to <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Manage-Your-Time" title="Manage Your Time">manage your time</a> (and <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Procrastinating" title="Stop Procrastinating">stop procrastinating</a>) is a critical ingredient in your ability to make money. Whether you have a job or are self-employed, keep track of what you're spending your time on. Ask yourself "Which of these activities make the most money, and which of them are a waste of time?" Do more of the former and less of the latter, simple as that. When you're focusing on high-priority tasks, get the job done well, and get the job done <i>fast</i>. By working efficiently, you're giving your employer or clients more time, and they'll appreciate you for it. Remember that time is a limited resource that you're always investing. Will your investments pay off?
</li><li><b>Jack up your prices.</b> If you're providing a skill, service or product that is in high demand and low supply, and you're making the most of your time, you should be making good money. Unfortunately, there are many people who are too <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Be-Humble" title="Be Humble">humble</a> or fearful to demand that they get paid accordingly. It's the pushovers in life who get taken advantage of and exploited, so if you think you might be one of them, learn <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Being-a-People-Pleaser" title="Stop Being a People Pleaser">how to stop being a people pleaser</a>. If you work for someone else, <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Ask-for-a-Pay-Raise" title="Ask for a Pay Raise">ask for a pay raise</a> or <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Promotion" title="Get a Promotion">get a promotion</a>, and if none of that pans out, revisit your career options as described previously. If you're self-employed, the first thing to do is to <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Get-Clients-to-Pay-Invoices-Promptly" title="Get Clients to Pay Invoices Promptly">make sure your customers and clients pay up on time</a>--this alone can substantially improve your income. Check your prices and rates against those of your competitors--are you undercutting them? Why? If you're providing a superior product or service, you should be getting <i>at least</i> the average, unless your profitability depends on mass production, in which case you're probably making a lot of money and wouldn't be reading this article anyway!
</li><li><a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Be-Proactive" title="Be Proactive">Be proactive.</a> Remember Murphy's Law: "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong." Make plans, complete with as many calculations as possible, then anticipate everything that can go wrong. Then make contingency or backup plans for each scenario. Don't leave anything to luck. If you're writing a business plan, for example, do your best to estimate when you'll break even, then multiply that time frame by three to get a more realistic date; and after you've identified all the costs, add 20% to that for costs that will come up that you didn't anticipate.<a href="#_note-0" title="">[1]</a> Your best defense against Murphy's law is to assume the worst, and brace yourself. An appropriate amount of insurance may be something worth considering. Don't forget the advice of Louis Pasteur, a French chemist who made several incredible breakthroughs in the causes and prevention of disease: "Luck favors the prepared mind."
</li><li>Redefine wealth. In studies of millionaires, people are surprised to learn that most millionaires aren't doctors, lawyers, and corporate leaders with big houses and fancy cars; they're people who religiously <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Reduce-Expenses" title="Reduce Expenses">live below their means</a> and invest the surplus into assets, rather than liabilities.<a href="#_note-1" title="">[2]</a> As you're taking the above steps to make more money, keep in mind that increased income does not necessarily equal increased wealth. Most people who flaunt their wealth actually have a low net worth because their debt to asset ratio is high--in other words, they owe a whole lot more money than they actually have. All of the previous steps have outlined aggressive strategies for making money, but you'll never get anywhere if you have a hole in your pocket.
<ul><li>They say that a penny saved is a penny earned. Actually, when you consider that you pay taxes on every penny you earn, you really do make more money by <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Save-Money" title="Save Money">saving</a> than by increasing your income, especially if the extra income will increase your tax rate dramatically. For example, let's say you have a choice between saving $100 or earning an extra $100. If you pay 15% taxes, then when you earn an $100, you only get $85. But when you shave $100 off of your existing budget, you keep it all. To sweeten the deal further, if you take advantage of compound interest as found in most savings accounts, over time you'll start making money on the amount saved plus previous interest paid on that amount saved. It'll be pennies at first, but eventually the amount will multiply exponentially.
</li><li>Take advantage of tax laws if you're self-employed. Money saved on taxes is still money saved. You may be able to <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Save-Your-Business-Tax-Dollars" title="Save Your Business Tax Dollars">deduct many of your business expenses</a> (use of your home, use of your car, office supplies, etc.) if you keep good records. You may also qualify for tax breaks, such as deducting your <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Prepare-for-a-Health-Insurance-Physical" title="Prepare for a Health Insurance Physical">health insurance</a> premiums on your tax return. These laws are in place to encourage commerce and business growth, so don't neglect their benefits.
</li><li>If you're not self-employed and work for a company, find out if they have a retirement plan. If you're lucky, employers will sometimes match contributions you make into a retirement fund. Retirement plans also often have the benefit of being tax-deferred. The longer you get to keep your money (and make interest on it) the better.
</li></ul>
</li><li> <b>Know the difference between an asset and a liability.</b> The dividing line is whether it puts money in your pocket, or takes it out.<a href="#_note-2" title="">[3]</a> As much as you love your home, for instance, it is a liability rather than an asset because you put more money into it than you get out of it (unless you're <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Flip-a-House" title="Flip a House">flipping it</a> or <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Rent-out-Your-Home" class="mw-redirect" title="Rent out Your Home">renting it out</a>). Whatever money you save, invest it in assets such as stocks, mutual funds, patents, copyrighted works--anything that generates interest or royalties. Eventually, you might get to the point where your assets are doing the work for you, and all you have to do is sit there and make money!
<ul><li>Watch out for inflation chipping away at your assets. We've all heard an elderly person describe the purchasing power of a coin in their day. Inflation continues to make today's money worth less in the future. To win the race against time and inflation, learn to invest your money in the right places. A savings account might help you to keep up with inflation; however, to stay ahead of the game you'll want to invest in bonds, stocks, or some other investment that returns above the average rate of inflation (currently 3%-4%).
</li></ul>
</li></ol>
<a name="Tips"></a><h2>  Tips </h2>
<ul><li><a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Get-Out-of-Debt" title="Get Out of Debt">Work on eliminating any debt you may have.</a> When you have a high debt load, you're making someone else money; what you pay in interest is their paycheck. The sooner you repay your loans and debts, the sooner you stop giving your money away.
</li><li>Start analyzing your decisions from the perspective of a firm.  In economics, a firm's goal is simply to maximize profit.  Well-run firms spend money only if they can expect to make more money from their investment, and they allocate their resources to the most profitable use.  You're not a firm, of course, and you have other considerations, but if you make the majority of your time and money decisions by choosing the options that promise the highest return on investment, you'll likely earn more money, and that's good news for your shareholders (you and your family).
</li></ul>
<a name="Warnings"></a><h2>  Warnings </h2>
<ul><li>Beware get-rich-quick schemes.  Millions of people still get caught up in them.  If it's too good to be true, it's truly no good.  People who know how to get rich are busy getting rich.  They are not advertising methods to get rich.
</li><li>Don't lose sight of what's really important to you in your quest for money.  Sure, you may be able to make more if you work longer hours, but will you and your family get to enjoy the extra money?  Money can do a lot of things for you, but <b>don't work yourself to death - you can't take it with you.</b>
</li></ul>
<a name="Related_wikiHows"></a><h2>  Related wikiHows </h2>
<ul><li><a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Save-Money-on-Taxes" title="Save Money on Taxes">How to Save Money on Taxes</a>
</li><li><a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Money-Fast" title="Make Money Fast">How to Make Money Fast</a>
</li><li><a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Money-Online" title="Make Money Online">How to Make Money Online</a>
</li><li><a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Save-Money" title="Save Money">How to Save Money</a>
</li><li><a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Invest-in-Stocks" title="Invest in Stocks">How to Invest in Stocks</a>
</li><li><a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Get-Out-of-Debt" title="Get Out of Debt">How to Get Out of Debt</a>
</li><li><a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Money-With-Affiliate-Programs" title="Make Money With Affiliate Programs">How to Make Money With Affiliate Programs</a>
</li><li><a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Money-Blogging" title="Make Money Blogging">How to Make Money Blogging</a>
</li></ul>
<a name="Sources_and_Citations"></a><h2>  Sources and Citations </h2>
<ol class="references"><li id="_note-0"><a href="#_ref-0" title="">↑</a> <a href="http://blogs.briantracy.com/public/item/203424" class="external free" title="http://blogs.briantracy.com/public/item/203424" rel="nofollow">http://blogs.briantracy.com/public/item/203424</a></li>
<li id="_note-1"><a href="#_ref-1" title="">↑</a> Stanley, TJ and Danko, WD. The millionaire next door. <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/index.php?title=Special:Booksources&isbn=0671015206" class="internal">ISBN 0671015206</a></li>
<li id="_note-2"><a href="#_ref-2" title="">↑</a> Kiyosaki, RT and Lechter, SL. Rich dad, poor dad. <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/index.php?title=Special:Booksources&isbn=0446677450" class="internal">ISBN 0446677450</a></li></ol>
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