Random Thoughts

You’ll find critics of payday loans and payday lenders hurling criticisms from all directions. You’ll notice opportunistic politicians referring to them with pejorative terms and trying to regulate them out of business. Payday lenders aren’t very popular in some circles, to say the least.

But the critics have it wrong. Payday lenders aren’t some kind of destructive force. When used properly and responsibly, they can be lifesavers.

Not everyone has the luxury of a net worth exceeding a million dollars. Many of us are working hard every month without much margin for error. When we accidentally get a speeding ticket, a flat tire, or some other unexpected expense it’s a real challenge. In these cases, we need one thing: Quick cash.

Unfortunately, our friendly neighborhood banks won’t cut us a check for $200, no matter how long we’ve done business with them. Even if they would be willing to lend us money, it would take more than a few hours to walk out with cash in our hands. One could try to cover the emergency with a credit card, but let’s be honest, some of us are already maxed out or no longer have access to consumer credit.

So, what can we do? We can visit websites like paydayone.com or walk into a payday lender’s office. We can get the money we actually need to meet a short-term emergency quickly and easily. We can resolve the problem we’re facing and then get back to work.

Critics may like to vilify them, but until those critics are willing to loan you a few hundred dollars when you need it the most, they might not be the best source of opinion. Payday loans aren’t something we should use week after week, month after month. They’re something we can use in an emergency, though. They’re an option that often makes sense.

So you’ve decided to take the leap and become an affiliate marketer. Affiliate marketers are used more and more by businesses and retailers wanting to drive more businesses to their individual companies. This helps the retailers to promote and expand as well. As an affiliate market you can be paid commissions that are sometimes as high as 50 percent and it is a great option for those wanting to work from home.

So you need to choose the best affiliate program so you can ensure a good income stream. If you do an affiliate review, as well as a bit of research, you can help guarantee your success. There are a few questions that you’ll want answered before joining a particular affiliate program.

• What is the cost? Are there any fees that you have to pay up front? First you should know that most affiliate programs are free to join, so it’s probably not a good idea to choose a program that is asking you to “pay to earn!”

• Find out the payment schedule of commissions. Some programs issue checks each month, others every quarter and so on. Some programs will not issue checks until a certain earning level has been met. Also find out their payment methods, for instance using PayPal or credit cards. Make sure it is satisfactory to your needs.

• What is the program’s hit-per-sale ratio? Also how many hits does your link need to meet? Determine these numbers before signing up for an affiliate program, as this will tell you how much traffic must be produced for a commission to be received.

• How are your referrals tracked? This is the method that will allow you to know you are being credited for any sales.

Basically do your homework about your potential affiliate program and you will find success.

You may be wondering what the kids were doing while we were riding the ziplines. Well, here they were...

We brought Baby A's Yaya and then Ate A was with Lolo! She was our cheerer and would shout everytime someone finishes the ride. Too bad the weather was unpredictable, they weren't able to explore the place. Hopefully, when we go back, they could at least check out the playground.

Being a mom means being resourceful. That's important, because it's also something you'll want to pass on to your children. That way they can also learn the value of being resourceful and using the things around them to make their world great.

Having things is fun, but there is a lot of beauty and joy in simplicity, too. For example, what about postcards? Most people have forgotten all about them in the face of email, but they're still a great way to let other people know you're thinking of them. You can also use them if you're starting up your own, home-based business while the kids are in school. Have some postcards printed up and see that they get to your neighbors, friends and local businesses that might be able to use your services. By doing that, you'll gain a larger customer base and the cards won't cost you a lot. You can use them to show the value of hard work to your children, and you can show them how important it is to think outside of the box.

Postcards are different - they aren't email and they aren't some big envelope that someone has to open. They're simple, clean and easily distributed. It makes them valuable as a marketing tool and as a correspondence tool for loved ones. While you're at it, consider all of the other ways you could get your information out there and the ways you could show your children how important it is to stay in touch with others and use what's available to you. The lessons that you teach them - and the ones that they teach you - will be very valuable for everyone in the family for a long time to come.

We all know that good shoes make a good impression. But, some people wonder exactly why this is. Good shoes show not only that you are fashionable and responsible, but have other great benefits as well.

First, the right pair of shoes can help you keep good posture. This is especially true for those with back problems. Shoes help with this, as can shoe inserts. People with back problems and even flat feet should keep in mind that getting shoes that are comfortable and help with posture can go a long way in helping to alleviate some of the pain or discomfort you're experiencing. If you have weak or sore ankles, wearing something with a higher top can help support and, in the long run, strengthen them.

Some people think that wearing high heels can help you with your posture. Unfortunately, in general, this is not the case. In fact, a constant use of high heels can cause unnecessary back problems. The reason for this is that when you wear heeled shoes, you are inevitably going to need to adjust your posture. Though this can help bring the shoulders back, giving the impression of appropriate posture, it also curves the spine in a negative way. This can lead to back problems later in life.

Good shoes and good health, though they do not necessarily have to go together, compliment each other very well. Keeping your posture in good condition and keeping away some of the back or foot pain that you experience is a definite plus for many. Luckily, you don't have to sacrifice style for good shoes, either. You can find great, stylish shoes that also offer amazing support that helps create and maintain appropriate posture.

After a literally rough ride at the jeep, we finally arrived at the top of one of Dahilayan mountains. We were immediately given safety harnesses.

With my sister and cousin.

I was so happy we didn't have to fall in line for this ride. If we would wait for hours before the ride, I would've backed out! I was so nervous, I was looking for a bathroom. Unfortunately, there was none. Sorry for me!

THIS IS IT!

Hubby went first. He was ALONE because he wanted to take our photos at the other side. So I went with our family friend. I would say, the scariest adventure I ever had in my life. But at least now, I can say, I was brave at least once in my lifetime. LOL!

Game night is always fun. Whether it is something that you do with board games and the whole family, or if it something that you indulge in online by yourself, having a time set aside to play games is a great way to keep yourself rejuvenated.

There are tons of great board games to play as a family. With kids that are a little older, there are games such as Monopoly and Life. With younger kids, you may want to consider something like Memory or even Hungry Hungry Hippos. Most kids enjoy spending some time playing games with the rest of the family, no matter their age or skill level. Many people today are taking their family game night a little more high tech. If you have a gaming console like a Wii or an Xbox, this can be easy. There are many games for these systems that are great for family game night. In fact, some of the classic board games like Monopoly have gone digital with these systems as well.

If you are planning a game night for yourself, you may want to consider an online casino. Being able to play more adult-oriented games, like poker, can help you unwind and feel a little more grownup. Other options for individual play are limitless. Finding a game that you enjoy is easy with the advent of the Internet. With options that are endless, from Solitaire to World of Warcraft, you will be able to cater your game night to exactly what you want. Do you want something to play alone? Or would you prefer something that allows you to interact with others?

When planning a game night, keep in mind who is going to be playing. If it is a game night for everyone, you will want a game to include everyone in the family. If you are playing yourself, find something that you enjoy playing.

Andie had a great birthday. She got some adorable gifts from friends and family. I think my favorite thing is a little black and silver, multi-tiered dress from Baby Phat. I can't wait to put it on her and snap a few pictures. Maybe I am biased (okay, so I am totally biased) but she is the most photogenic baby I have ever seen! I have never ordered anything for her from Baby Phat before, but I may have to look them up! Their stuff is so great!

I am contemplating what I should get her for Christmas. This year she will really be able to pay attention and understand what is going on. I want to buy her everything I see in the stores. When I see her eyes light up, I want to grab that toy and buy it right then. But I know that I can't. Some would already call her spoiled. I know I have to draw the line somewhere.

How about you? By the time your baby's second Christmas rolled around, were you buying him or her everything they smiled at? Was it a Christmas that your child still remembers? Did it make an impression on them in some way?

I really am torn between making this Christmas the best one she's had and keeping it toned down on Christmas morning. Of course, I can't control Grandma's house. It is always a crazy day there! So many children!

Every year I tell Grandma several times that someone else should be the host for Christmas dinner. I know her feet, head, and back ache by the end of the day. Still, I really think she loves having all of us there around her. She could complain all day at the age of 76, but she does not say a single negative word. I also think she really likes being in charge!

Remember my post here? I had to try two rides first before the ultimate 840m in a "superman" position. That is why, I was not too scared when I was at the top. Check out what happened before I conquered the scary ride!

Chose helmets. By this time, I was already REALLY scared and wanted to backout. If not for the little boy who was ahead of us, I would have been running into my Dad's arms. LOL! Well it shows, I looked pale already! LOL!

This was the first ride - 150 meters. When Hubby and I started, I was really screaming but when we were in the middle part, it wasn't scary anymore.

Look! WE can even smile even after the 320 meters ride! (*grin*)

The view was spectacular, which made the ride more special. For the ultimate 840m ride, we had to take the jeep on the way up.

I would say, the scariest jeepney ride of my life! But nothing would ever take the place of the zipline "superman" ride. LOL!

I'm not sure that I like the idea, but my husband is thinking about getting a motorcycle. While I know there's no stopping him when he makes his mind up, and I'm not sure I really want to, the whole thing makes me a little nervous. There's so many stories about terrible accidents involving bikes. At least I can make sure that he buys a good motorcycle insurance policy to go along with his new toy.

He keeps telling me how fun it will be to ride together. In a way, he's gotten me slightly excited about the idea when I'm not thinking about the potential problems. Maybe, he'll be right, and we'll have a great time riding around together as our own little thing without the kids. Of course, I'm sure they'll want to take a ride just as soon as they're big enough. What kid doesn't love a bike?

At least I have some time to get used to the idea. He's planning on putting in some extra hours to pay for it. Something always seems to come up to use any extra money, so I'm sure it'll take quite some time for the money to add up. He has to take a safety course and get a motorcycle license, too. I keep thinking that might be enough for him to know whether he really wants his own bike.

I have to admit, it will be fun to pick out all the accessories to go with a new bike. We'll need helmets, motorcycle boots, and jackets. I guess I'll have to wait to see which type of bike he picks out before I know whether to go with basic black or to pick a certain color. Just listen to me. I had to find at least one good thing about this whole adventure.