How Does Drop Shipping Work?

Do you like the idea of making money on eBay, but not the idea of having to package and ship products?  It is possible to make money on the popular auction site without handling an actual product.  How?  By having items drop shipped!

Drop shipping is an arrangement whereby you get orders for a company’s products, collect the money, then send the customer’s order and the price you pay for it to the company.  You keep the profits, and the company sends the product directly to your customer.  It’s that simple.

How Do I Get Started With Drop Shipping?

There are lots of companies that will drop ship products for their distributors.  You can find them by doing an online search for “drop shipper”.  You may also be able to get recommendations from friends or business contacts.

It’s important to do some research on any company you consider becoming a distributor for, and this is especially true if they will be drop shipping the products.  If they don’t deliver the items as promised, you are left holding the bag.  So it is a good idea to check the company out with the Better Business Bureau before signing up with them.

If everything checks out and you decide to become a distributor, you’ll need to make sure you meet their requirements.  Most require that you have a wholesale license in order to get the best prices, and some have further requirements.  Some also put restrictions on how you can promote their products, so be sure to read the fine print.

How Can I Sell the Products?

Most drop shipping companies will allow you to sell on eBay.  When selling on eBay, it is important to make sure you make enough money from each sale to cover your costs.  This requires a clear understanding of the company’s shipping and handling charges, as well as how much you will be paying for the items themselves.  Setting your starting bid at a price that will ensure a profit is crucial.

You can also set up your own website to promote products in most cases.  If you don’t want to do it yourself or hire a web designer, many drop ship companies offer website packages to their distributors.  Some companies offer mail order as an option as well.

Getting the Best Prices

Some drop ship companies offer products to all distributors at the same price.  But most give discounts to distributors who have higher sales volumes.  This results in more money for both the company and the distributor.

Some companies charge monthly fees for membership in their drop ship program.  Others offer free memberships, but give bigger discounts with paid ones.  It is up to each seller to determine whether or not these fees are worth it to him.

Many eBay sellers do very well with drop shipping.  It gives them a way to make money without physically handling the products.  If you are considering eBay but would rather not deal with inventory, drop shipping could be the answer you’ve been looking for.

All Time Favorite of the Many Flank Steak Recipes

Ingredients:

1 ½ lb. lean beef flank steak
¾ C. dry red wine
1 ½ teaspoons lemon pepper
½ teaspoon minced garlic
Cooking spray

Directions:

Combine wine, garlic, and lemon pepper. Pour over steak, cover and marinate in refrigerator over night. Coat broiler rack with cooking spray and place steak on rack. Broil 4 inches from heat for 6 minutes on each side. Slice steak into small strips (across grain) to serve.  (Serves 6)

Low salt, low calorie, low fat, low cholesterol

All Time Favorite of the Many Flank Steak Recipes 

Apricot Chicken Recipe

Ingredients:

4 (5 oz.) chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1/3 C. lite apricot preserves
Dash ground allspice

Directions:

Pat chicken dry and place on broiler rack. Broil for about 6 minutes. Brush first side with lemon juice, turn chicken over and brush with remaining juice. Broil second side 6-9 minutes or until no longer pink. Heat apricot preserves and allspice in a small saucepan. Spoon over chicken breasts and serve. Wonderful served with brown rice.  (Serves 4)

Low salt, low calorie, low fat, low cholesterol

 Apricot Chicken Recipe

10 Most Popular Network Marketing Companies List

Network marketing companies have been around for years.  Historically, a direct sales associate was expected to demonstrate their products at home parties.  What are the most popular network marketing companies today?  The following list gives companies to consider if you are curious about starting a direct sales business at home.

1.  Tupperware was created in 1945.  A year later Tupperware was born as a direct sales company.  They are credited with pioneering the party plan currently used in direct marketing.  There are approximately 1.9 million consultants in almost 100 countries.

2.  Avon began as the California Perfume Company in 1886.  By 1928 the company had changed its name to Avon.  Today, Avon is one of the best known direct sales companies in the world.  There are 4.9 million representatives selling products in 143 countries.

3.  Mary Kay Ash founded the Mary Kay Inc. in 1963, hoping to give women an opportunity to change their lives for the better.  There are approximately 1.6 million associates vying for the many company incentives.

4.  Discovery Toys Inc. has been developing and selling quality educational toys since 1978.  Their belief is that a child’s work is play.  Discovery Toys uses the party plan method and is currently available only in the United States and Canada.

5.  Home Interiors & Gifts, Inc. celebrates 50 years in 2008.  There are currently over 100,000 associates.  They use party plan and face-to-face meetings to market their products.

6.  Pampered Chef, one of the more recent additions to direct sales companies, was started in 1980.  There are currently over 60,000 Pampered Chef consultants around the world.  They use the party plan, or “Kitchen Shows” to market their products.

7.  Arbonne International uses person-to-person marketing rather than the party plan.  A relatively new company, Arbonne International was started in 1980.  They offer quality skin care products around the world.

8.  Usborne Books, which was started by Peter Usborne in 1973, offers quality children’s books to customers.  They use both the party plan and person-to-person marketing strategies.

9.  Creative Memories has been selling scrapbooking books and supplies since 1987.  They use the party plan marketing strategy and have “tens of thousands” of consultants around the world.

10.  Melaleuca, Inc. began selling “green” products long before they were so popular.  Founded in 1985, the company sells personal, skin, and home care products containing tea tree oil.  They use person-to-person marketing and have consultants all over the world.  They are said to be the “fastest growing” direct sales company in the United States.

These ten network marketing companies are but a few of the many companies to choose from. Do some research on any direct sales company that you might consider joining.  Know ahead of time what their compensation plan is, what type of marketing strategy they use, whether or not you can use online marketing, and if their corporate goals are compatible with yours.  After you have checked each company out thoroughly, you will be able to make an educated decision about which is the right one for you.

The SlimKids Program Weight Loss Plan

What is the SlimKids program weight loss plan?  This plan was conceived in 1995 by a teenager who was overweight.  The program does follow the USDA guidelines and the caloric intake ranges from 1500-1800 daily.

What sets this apart from other diet plans is that it allows 64 grams of fat per day, which means that kids can eat the much desired hamburger, hot dog, and baked fries.  This ten-week program affords kids from eight years and older to lose one to one and a half pounds per week.

Obesity among children and teens is a pandemic in our society.  In fact, doctors who are solely researching the reasons behind child obesity have found that obesity may involve the hypothalamus gland, which controls eating habits.

Upon perusing the SlimKids weight loss plan, one is immediately struck by the comprehensive information given regarding the program, testimonials, diet tips, and information on its author.  The site does promote changes in kids’ lifestyles which involve exercise, portion control, and making healthy choices by getting rid of “bad habits”.

The uniqueness of the program lies in allowing obese children and teens to continue to consume the foods they love.  At the same time, it gives parents the tools to introduce healthier choices in order for their kids to lead healthier lives.

Here is a sample of one day’s menu from the SlimKids site:

Breakfast would consist of: 1 large egg scrambled or fried (use a pan sprayed with oil spray), 1 slice wholewheat toast with 1 teaspoon butter or reduced calorie or margarine, 1/2 grapefruit, and 1 cup skim or 1% milk.

Lunch would include:  1 chicken salad sandwich made with 3 ounces cooked chicken breast, celery, lettuce, 1 teaspoon mayonnaise, pita bread (or 2 slices wholewheat or white bread), 1 apple (or other whole fruit), 1 cup mini fresh carrots (or large carrot cut up) with 2 teaspoons of non-fat dip on the side for dipping, and 1 juice pack drink.

For dinner, you can choose:  3 ounces lean roast beef, broiled (or other lean protein source), 1/2 cup mushrooms (fresh or canned) served hot over beef, 2 cups tossed salad with 2 tablespoons reduced calorie salad dressing, 1 cup cooked broccoli, 1 cup skim or 1% milk.

Snacks would consist of:  2 cups popped light popcorn, 1 chocolate milkshake (recipe included in the program).

The approximate totals for the day would amount to: three milks, four breads, three fruits, two servings of protein, four vegetables, and three fats.  In addition, you can substitute any of the foods on the menu with the same food types given in the program.

If you think the SlimKids weight loss program would be beneficial to your child, you can read more about it on their site.

The Effects of High Blood Pressure on Your Eyes

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can cause serious conditions among men and women.  Coronary disease, stroke, arteriosclerosis and other life-threatening diseases can occur.  Another important factor is that the effects of high blood pressure on your eyes are just as damaging.

The clinical term is called hypertensive retinopathy.  Basically this means that high blood pressure causes damage to the retina.  The blood vessels in our eyes are just as vulnerable to hypertension as the rest of our body.

Retinopathy can cause leakage in the blood vessels of the eyes and can lead to swelling, blurred vision and in some cases, entire loss of vision.

Diabetics are at an even higher risk of developing diabetic retinopathy.  According to medical sources, “Nearly half of the people with known diabetes have some degree of diabetic retinopathy.  The longer you have diabetes, the more likely it is you’ll develop diabetic retinopathy.  Initially, most people with diabetic retinopathy experience only mild vision problems.  But the condition can worsen and threaten your vision.”

A frequent check-up for diabetics is recommended since early detection and treatment greatly reduces the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy.  In addition, keeping a check on your blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and cholesterol also decreases the chances of you being at risk from this disease.

When your blood pressure is high, the incidents of damage to the blood vessels in the eyes are great.  According to ophthalmologists, examination of the blood vessels can detect if there is leakage from the blood vessels.  The doctor can also determine the degree to which the retina is damaged.  The damage is assessed by grade.

For example, a grade one finding means there are no apparent symptoms.  A grade four finding is the point at which retinopathy is present; the doctor can make this diagnosis based upon the swelling of the macula as well as the optic nerve.  It is the swelling that causes a decrease in vision.

High blood pressure is known as the silent killer.  Exercise, proper nutrition, and frequent check-ups to determine the status of your health are important not only to your mind and body, but to your eyes as well.

We live in a fast-paced world that requires us to do multiple tasks at one time.  The stress caused by having to handle so many things simultaneously contributes to high blood pressure and the health problems it can eventually cause.

It is important to become fully aware of any variation in your vision, and to gain as much knowledge as you can with regard to the complications that could arise from high blood pressure and its effect on all of the organs in the body.

Does Slim Fast Work? Pros and Cons of the Slim Fast Diet Plan

The Slim Fast diet is one wherein you add powder to a glass of skim milk and drink it in place of two meals each day.  Is this a diet for you?  Let’s take a look at the Slim Fast diet: Pros and Cons.

When Slim Fast first came on the scene, it had three varieties of shakes: vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry.  The diet consisted of substituting these shakes for breakfast and lunch, or lunch and dinner, while at the same time adding 600 calories to the one meal you would actually consume that day.

Subsequently, the Slim Fast product line has grown to include instant shakes, soups and snack bars, which you can consume up to three times a day.  Moreover, it is a requirement that you drink eight glasses of water a day while on this diet.

Having explained the Slim Fast diet thus far, here are the pros and cons.  Firstly, it is definitely an easy diet to follow.  The shakes can be taken to work or in a cooler, allowing you to drink them anywhere, anytime.  Secondly, it does not involve counting calories or attending meetings.  Thirdly, one does achieve significant weight loss in combination with an exercise program.

Here are the cons:  Firstly, starting the Slim Fast diet is difficult as you do feel the need to eat real food.  Secondly, the lack of fruits and vegetables affects Slim Fast users, who tend to ignore these vital nutrients and vitamins.  Thirdly, this particular diet is hard to maintain.  Finally, those who achieve their goal often gain back all the weight lost, and then some.

One could conclude that although there is weight loss derived from this diet, it is more reasonable to utilize this diet as a snack alternative.  While the product itself is quite good in taste, it lacks the texture one finds enjoyable when eating real food.

As an example, one Slim Fast dieter lost 60 pounds in one year in combination with an exercise program three times a week.  However, she gained back all the weight the following year.  The problem with the Slim Fast diet is that unlike conventional diets, there is no maintenance afterwards.  Sure, you can drink a shake now and then, but it does not replace the need to have conventional foods.

The Slim Fast diet is more suited to those who are not obese or need to lose large amounts of weight.  Experts recommend that losing two pounds per week on a more conventional food diet is preferable.

While there are so many weight loss diets available today, choosing the right one for you is as essential as losing the pounds.  The Slim Fast diet and other diet fads may work in the short run, but they are not as healthy as the more popular diet plans that are available today.

Direct Selling Parties – Are they Necessary for Success?

People who are considering a home based business in direct sales begin to think about companies that use party plans as a means to generate income.  Party plans encourage prospective customers to host a party in order to earn free or discounted products.  Are parties necessary if you want to work in direct sales?

Not all direct sales companies require their associates to conduct parties.  In fact, some direct sales companies don’t require parties at all.  You may want to look further into companies offering a different plan for marketing if you are not comfortable talking to crowds of people.

Melaleuca, Avon, and World Book, among others, do not require a party plan.  So, are they necessary for success?  Obviously, the answer is no.  Even people that are associated with party plan companies can succeed by using other marketing plans.  It happens every day, you just have to do some research and determine what the other options are.

Direct sales success really depends more on you than on the method of marketing the product to potential customers.  If you don’t believe in the company and the product, it doesn’t matter what you do – you won’t be able to make your home business a success.  Here are some ideas to help you succeed whether you’re using a party plan or not:

1. Familiarize yourself with the business manual you received in your start-up kit.  Make a list of questions you have and then contact your upline sponsor as soon as you can.  Understanding what is expected of you, what you can and cannot do to market the product, and how the company will pay you will make all the difference in how you conduct your business.

2. Follow the instructions given to you during training.  Most likely you will be told to make a list of everyone you know. This will be your master list, the first people you will contact about your new business.  If you don’t complete this task, you’re not going to do the rest.  Swallow your pride and ask for your money back.  This company is not for you.

3. Begin networking with other business owners.  Join the local Chamber of Commerce and get plugged into regular meetings.  You must promote your business if it is to grow, and networking with other business people is a great way to let others know about your company.

4. Schedule specific times during the week to work on the various aspects of your business. If you’re at home, make sure to let friends and family members know that you do not want to be interrupted during your “work” hours.

5. Tell everyone about your business. Don’t assume that they already know about it or that they’re not interested.  You might be surprised to find that more people are interested than you think.

These five points show that you do not have to be involved in home parties in order to succeed in direct sales.  Your success is ultimately up to you, and depends on how serious you are about treating your business as a business.  If you want to see your business grow, you have to act in ways that will cause growth to happen.

Are Rapid Refunds Worth It?

What’s the hubbub with rapid refunds?  That’s all you hear about around tax time.  While you do get the tax refund you are owed in record time, these rapid refunds may not be all that they are cracked up to be.  Read below to find out all about rapid refunds and the ins and outs of the process.

What is a rapid refund?  Rapid refunds, according to the commercials, are the way to go if you want to receive your tax refund on the spot for a small fee.  It would be nice and all, but why would you need the money that fast?

Depending on the circumstances, some families live from paycheck to paycheck.  At tax time, the big bolus of cash is a welcome sight when there are bills to pay and mouths to feed.  Well known tax centers like Jackson-Hewitt or H&R Block can file your tax forms and sign you up for the rapid refund program.

Simple, isn’t it?  Let’s look a little deeper.  Rapid refunds are actually refund anticipation loans (RALs).  And as with any loan, there are always finance charges and interest accrued.

We’ve heard of refund anticipation loans as well.  Most people hear those words and they think, “No, I don’t want to take on a loan.”  But if they hear “rapid refund”, they are on board.  The reason is that people don’t equate a refund with a loan.  In our minds, one is better than the other.

The reason for the name change is that people felt defrauded by the advertising.  If they had known it was a loan, they would not have taken advantage of the offer.  At the onset, the interest rate charged for one of these loans was staggering.  To make matters worse, the people who seemed to be targeted were low income earners receiving the earned income tax credit (EITC).

The majority of people taking advantage of this offer didn’t have a qualified bank account.  With direct deposit, taxpayers don’t have to wait as long to receive their refund.  It can take several long weeks or months to see a check in the mail from the IRS.

The rapid refund program allowed families in need of the money to get it sooner rather than later.  The amounts of the refunds were several thousand dollars owing to the tax credit, so the taxpayer didn’t notice the exorbitant fees being charged.  When the loan was paid back right away, the interest rates were still high.

What was a little known fact is that electronic filing can have a refund in the hand of the taxpayer in two weeks.  To me, that’s fast.  I’m used to waiting for months to see my refund.  If you don’t have a computer, a tax preparer can file it for you with the IRS website.

Those without a bank account can still file electronically and have a check mailed.  The refund will return faster than the paper filing method.  Credit unions are also an option for direct deposit in lieu of a bank.  Credit unions require as little as $25 in share accounts to keep them open.  These types of accounts are available through many workplaces, church affiliations, and other organizations.

There are more palatable options for receiving a quick refund other than taking out a refund anticipation loan.  Consider all of them before signing on the dotted line.

The Cabbage Soup Diet Plan – Is it Healthy?

What is the Cabbage Soup diet plan and is it healthy?  Let’s take a look at the diet itself and then explain why it isn’t seen as a healthy way to lose weight.

To begin with, this diet should only be utilized for seven days.  It involves eating cabbage soup along with a variety of fruits, potatoes, bananas, skimmed milk, tomatoes, beef, vegetables, brown rice and unsweetened fruit juice.  That’s the basis of the seven day diet.

The problem with this diet is twofold.  One, you are literally starving on this diet because while the soup may suppress your need to eat, your body is burning muscle instead of fat.  What you do lose during the seven days on this diet is water.

According to nutritionists, you are not receiving the necessary RDA of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients when on the Cabbage Soup diet.  They also assert that this diet is not a balanced one and lacks the protein, calcium, and vitamins you need on a daily basis.

This diet is clearly not a healthy one, and experts advise that anyone who commits to this diet for more than seven days could suffer from weakness and become disoriented due to an insufficient caloric intake.  In addition, the Cabbage Soup diet can cause gastrointestinal conditions.

Experts from the American Dietetic Association state that because this diet is low in calories, it is depriving the body of the necessary nutrients to lead and sustain a healthy life.

So why are people still turning to this diet?  Some believe it is because they have been unsuccessful with other diets and so that are looking for the quickest way to lose weight.  But expediency does not outweigh safety.

Realistically, you cannot lose the pronounced ten pounds in seven days, since the weight loss most likely comes from water and lean muscle tissue instead.  Thus, the recommendation by nutrition experts is not to consider the Cabbage Soup diet under any conditions.

However, if you are still considering this diet, ensure that you are in good health.  Diabetics and others who have dietary needs that require special foods should not go on this diet.

While the Cabbage Soup diet plan is still popular, it is well worth the effort to research the drawbacks before you decide to try it.  You may agree with just about every nutritional expert that it isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be.

Your health comes first in any diet plan you choose.  Read the reviews about the Cabbage Soup diet plan and determine if it’s right for you.