Some of the most common tasks of online surveys are to identify which products sell best, which vacation spots are visited the most, and offer a way to collect health information. This is all valuable information that needs to be collected; therefore, companies are willing to pay people to take online surveys.

It isn’t easy to find legitimate survey sites. There are sites all over the Internet that promise to pay large sums for doing surveys. Don’t fall for this. Most legitimate survey sites will not pay a lot. You can make some extra money, but don’t expect to make a living doing surveys. You should look at it more as extra spending money, and the opportunity to learn about new products and services.

Here are a few online survey sites that you should check out:

· Global Test Market

· Pinecone Research

· Mysurvey.com

· MindField

These online survey sites do pay and they have customer service should any problems arise. Their emails are professional and you will not receive spam. If you wish to do online surveys check with any of the above sites. You can even sign up with all of them. Be aware that some online survey companies are by invitation only. Pinecone Research is this way, except for certain periods when they do open enrollment.

Payment is either sent by check or through PayPal. If you don’t have a PayPal account, you should sign up for one. It’s free and easy.

Some survey sites require confidentiality. The companies that contract with them are trying to find out what consumers think about products BEFORE they put them on the market. For this reason they don’t want information about the products to become public knowledge. You will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement before doing the surveys, and periodically throughout the time you work with the online survey site.

If you are looking to make a few quick bucks in a very easy manner, sign up with some online survey sites. They are fun and easy to do!

Writing a romantic poem for someone is one of the best ways to express your feelings. You can put things in the poem that you may be too shy to say in person. Opening your heart to someone in this way will promote a connection. Letting your emotions flow into the poem will bring you and the other person closer. Romantic poetry is a great way to show the person you love your true self.

Think of all the qualities you really love about the other person. Things like how they look, what they believe in, their spirit, and traits that set them apart from others. Keep these all in mind while writing the poem. Expound on the person’s good qualities. Let your emotions show through in the writing. This is not the time to hold back!

Tell the person how you really feel about them. Make them feel the emotion in the poem. Explain exactly what you love about them. Use romantic words to convey everything.

Giving a romantic poem along with an engagement ring would be a nice touch. It is something your future bride is sure to remember.

Romantic poems are good gifts for birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries, and just as “I love you” presents. Plus it’s always good to give a romantic poem to show that you’re sorry for past transgressions.

Romantic poems aren’t just for men to write either. Women can write one for their guy. Men may not admit it, but they like getting sentimental gifts too. Anyone in a relationship should take the time to show the other person what they mean to them.

Poetry has long been a sure way to a woman’s heart. Pour your heart and soul into the poem. Show her exactly how you feel about her, and you can’t go wrong. Write a romantic poem today and cement your relationship.

Cats are lots of fun. They are contrary and stubborn however. Most of the time they want to play on their terms. They also don’t care if you want to or not. There are ways to keep cats occupied when you don’t want to mess with them. Here are some fun ways to entertain your cat, some with human interaction and some without.

· Put him a perch up in the window seal. If you don’t want to attach something to your home, just put a chair in front of the window. Cats will have lots of fun watching the birds and other animals play. They will make cute little mewling noises because they want to be outside with the action.

· Get a windup mouse and let him chase it. These are very inexpensive and will afford lots of entertainment. If you don’t want to buy something specific, just use a regular little ball and let him push it around.

· Attach an object to a string and hang it from the bottom of a table. Cats will bat it back and forth for hours. This is a sure winner.

· Take the cat outside. Even indoor cats like to see what the outside has to offer. If you are worried about fleas and ticks, keep the cat on the porch. He won’t mind, because it will still be something new and different for him to explore.

· If you are really brave take your cat for a walk. Yes, you can put cats on leashes. It will just take some getting used to for everyone.

These are just some simple ways to entertain your cat. I’m sure if you put your mind to it you can think of more. Cats lay around most of the time, but they do need exercise ever now and then. To keep your cat healthy, give him something active to do. To engage his mind, give him things to look at. Be a good cat parent!

Consignment stores are becoming even more popular with the economy in trouble and the need for environmental change more apparent. These stores are good for consumers and people who want to do their part to help.

For Consumers

Consignment stores have clothes, electronics, baby items, and furniture. You can outfit your whole apartment with quality merchandise by shopping at the local consignment store. It is possible to find name brand items very inexpensively.

Items of Interest for Consumers

Baby Clothes: People who are short of cash because they’ve been laid off still need clothes for their children. Check the consignment shops that are close by. Many times people give brand new baby clothes away because they received too many for their child and the child outgrew them before they were even worn.

School Supplies: Backpacks for school can be found at consignment shops, along with sneakers, lunchboxes, and desk lamps. Check with your local consignment shop the next time you are back to school shopping.

Furniture: You may even find the perfect desk for the lamp to sit on at a consignment shop. It is becoming more popular for people to donate or resell furniture than throw it away. It is a great way to recycle something and know it is being put to good use.

For Contributors

Never throw anything away before checking with your local consignment shop. It may be there is a need for the items that you aren’t aware of. Just think how your old stuff could benefit someone in need, and it’s better than adding more junk to landfills.

Items Consignment Shops Need From You

Furniture: A new family just starting out doesn’t have much money, especially in today’s economy. If you have a crib or bassinet, baby clothes, diaper pail; anything you no longer need, sell it through a consignment shop. The new family will be able to give their baby all it needs at a decent price with your help.

Clothes: Children outgrow clothes quickly. Some parents can’t afford to go to the mall and buy new clothes after every growth spurt. The next time your children outgrow their clothes, put them up for sale at the consignment shop.

Exercise Equipment: People with certain health conditions are encouraged to exercise. Many times these same people are on a fixed income and can’t afford a gym membership or expensive equipment. They might be able to buy something to help at a consignment shop however. If you have exercise equipment that’s just sitting around collecting dust, take it to the consignment shop. Sell it for a reasonable amount so someone who really needs it can benefit.

Electronics: Old radios you no longer use would be greatly appreciated by a family that can’t afford cable or satellite television. It affords them the ability to entertain their family in some fashion. Listening to the radio is something most of us take for granted, but some people find it a luxury. Don’t throw your old radio away; sell it at the consignment shop for a dollar or two.

The same goes for old televisions. If you are upgrading, put the old set at the consignment shop. Price it reasonably and it will sell in no time.

Other electronics that are always needed in consignment shops are: computers, hair dryers, clocks, and phones.

Toys: There is great demand for toys at consignment shops. Every family wants to give their children toys at one time or another. Around the holidays will be the best time to sell toys at the consignment shop. Make sure the toys are in good condition with everything working correctly so the children won’t be disappointed.

You won’t get rich selling things through a consignment shop, but that’s not really the point. Think of it in terms of helping your fellow man, affording a man the ability to give his family what they need, or a mother the comfort of knowing she can find clothes for her children. Remember that you are recycling and doing your part for the planet. Sure you’ll make a few bucks, but the satisfaction you receive from knowing you helped another person, and the environment, are worth so much more.

Coming up with an idea for a new story isn’t always easy. Every author wants an interesting plot and story idea that will catch the reader’s attention. Authors don’t want to do the same thing over and over again either. Here are some tips for coming up with new ideas for stories.

1. Try a new genre. Doing this will force you to think outside the box. If you are used to writing horror, writing a funny romance will be totally different. You’ll have to use your imagination to make the characters nice instead of scary, lovable instead of detested, and to come up with new locations for the action to take place in. This is a great way to get the creative juices flowing and think up new story ideas.

2. Watch the news. There is always something interesting going on in the world. After watching the news, use one particular item and make a story off of it. You could do a story about a robbery for instance. Do two stories even, one from the robber’s perspective, and one from the store owners. You should be able to come up with quite a few story ideas watching the news.

3. Use real life examples. If you have gone through a recent health scare, a death in the family, or car accident, incorporate it into a story. Using something that happened to your personally will show through in your writing. It will give more believability to the story.

4. Ask friends for ideas. You never know what you might hear if you ask some of your friends what you should write a story about. This is a great way to get interesting story ideas.

5. Incorporate historical events into your writing. Read up about a particular war, the civil rights movement, or man walking on the moon, and then add something about it to a story.

These are just a few tips that should help you come up with new story ideas. Everything in life can lend itself to a story. Use your imagination and let the creativity flow. Watch people around you, your pets, even nature. Nothing is off limits when writing a story. Story ideas are literally around every corner. Just keep your eyes open so you don’t miss them!

It is the responsibility of parents to make sure their children are productive members of society. There are some things that every parent should teach their child to help them along this path. Teaching these things will help your child succeed, thrive, and be an all around good person.

· Teach your child to love their fellow man. Treating everyone as an equal and allowing people to be themselves is a wonderful thing to teach your children. Showing them that the color of someone’s skin, where they are from, and any other differences doesn’t make them any less of a person is an invaluable lesson you can teach your child.

· Sportsmanship is another good thing to teach your children. Nobody wins all the time, and every child should learn how to deal with losing. Being a good loser is a very nice trait.

· Helping your child develop good self-esteem is one of the best things you can do for them. Letting them know what they think is important, that they are intelligent, and that no matter what they look like they are beautiful, should be reinforced to every child.

· Teach your child to be self-sufficient. Knowing how to cook, do the laundry, dishes, and take care of the yard are all things children should learn. These are lessons they will take with them into adulthood. You want your child to be able to take care of themselves and make a good home. For them to achieve this, they have to learn from you.

· Good driving skills are another thing you should teach your children. Being conscientious, safe and following traffic laws are important rules every child should learn.

· Work ethic is a very important lesson parents should teach their children. When you take an offer of employment you should be prepared to do the job to the best of your abilities. Teaching your child to put their best foot forward and do what’s required at a job is very important. Lazy workers won’t have much luck with career advancement.

· Teach your child to control their anger. Everyone gets mad. What we do with that anger is what sets us apart. Learning to control anger and not throw temper tantrums or hit people is a very valuable skill. Your child won’t go far if they are always yelling at co-workers or kicking the walls.

These are all important, but easily teachable, lessons that every parent should show their child. Helping your child be the best person he can be is one of the best gifts you can give him.

When children become teenagers they don’t want to spend as much time with their parents. Finding things to do with them that they will actually enjoy might be challenging. It is important that parents still spend time with their children though. Here are some things your teen might be interested in doing.

1. Going to the movies is always fun. There are many comic book and action movies out these days that many teenagers enjoy. Ask your teen if there’s a movie they’d be interested in seeing, and make a night of it.

2. Learn to play video games. Teenagers love playing Xbox, Playstation, and other video games. If you take the time to learn to play you can have lots of fun with your teen.

3. Sports are another option. Find out which sports your teen enjoys and play with them. This is a great way to incorporate exercise into the day also.

4. Hunting is an activity that fathers and sons can enjoy together.

5. Shopping is great fun for teenage girls. A day spent at the mall with mom would be a wonderful opportunity for some bonding.

Ask your teenager what they are interested in. This will give you clues as to what type activities you might do together. Learning about their life and what they like will make your relationship stronger. Use any means necessary to stay connected with your children!

Kids like giving people gifts just as much as adults. They may not know what to get for someone, however. Helping your child make a special gift for their grandparents, aunts and uncles, or brothers and sisters is a good way to help them participate in the gift giving. Here are some ideas for gifts that kids can make.

· T-shirts are one idea and they aren’t hard to make. A) Buy the transfer paper and new shirt. B) Make the design on the computer, or scan it into the computer if they draw it on paper. C) Print the design onto the transfer paper. D) Iron the transfer on the t-shirt.

· Jewelry is another gift that kids can make. There are all different kinds and colors of beads out to choose from. The string and clasp are all usually on the same isle of the store. Most beads come with instructions, or you can find papers at hobby stores. It really is simple to string beads for bracelets and necklaces.

· Artwork is a creative way for your child to make someone a gift. They can draw a picture or take a photograph and put it in a frame. This is a gift the receiver can display letting the child know it was important to them.

· Cards are very easy to make. You can use different colored paper, put lace around the edges, add photo’s, and jazz them up in many other ways. Let your child have fun with it!

Use your imagination and I’m sure you can come up with some more gifts that would be easy for your children to make for people. Craft projects are fun for children. They also offer opportunity for you and your child to spend more time together.

Overview: Asthma is a chronic condition that affects the respiratory system. It causes the airways to constrict or become inflamed, and excess mucus develops which makes breathing difficult.

The exact cause of asthma is not known. Environmental and genetic factors play a role, but scientists haven’t been able to completely replicate the effects.

According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, more than 22 million people in the United States have asthma. Six million of them are children.

Symptoms:

Symptoms of an asthmatic attack can include wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and tightness in the chest. A person’s heart rate can also become accelerated during an attack.

In sever attacks people can turn blue from lack of oxygen, and even become unconscious.

In between attacks people may feel fine except for experiencing tightness in the chest after exertion.

Triggers for Asthmatic Attacks:

Cigarette smoke

Pet dander

Allergies

Stress

Exercise

Moist, cold or warm air

Colds

Pollution from traffic and other outside sources

How to Reduce Attacks:

Stop smoking and limit time around second hand smoke, wood smoke, and gas stove fumes.

Reduce time spent in traffic

Exercise in humid areas and avoid dry air and cold climates

Use an air filter in your home

Treatment:

Avoid triggers to prevent attacks.

The most often used treatment is medicated inhalers. These reduce inflammation and swelling of the airways. If inhalers don’t work other options should be sought.

Many asthma medications include steroids. There are risks involved with prolonged use of these medications. Some risks include diabetes, osteoporosis, increased appetite, and weight gain.

Every now and then we just want a change. The old colors and textures, fixtures, and whole look of a room no longer match our style. The only problem is you don’t have thousands of dollars to hire a decorator to fix the problem. Well, you don’t have to. Here are some inexpensive ways to change the look of your bathroom.

· Paint the room in a new, modern color. One paint treatment that is very popular now is accent walls. Pick one wall in your bathroom and make it an entirely different color than the rest. Use soothing colors in bathrooms. This will make relaxing in the tub after a long hard day even better. Paint is an inexpensive change that will have a very dramatic effect.

· Buy new fixtures for the sinks. There are some very nice faucets in chrome, nickel, and black. Pick a style you like and replace the old ones.

· Add area rugs. This is a very inexpensive way to add a pop to your bathroom. Let your imagination run wild and just have fun.

· Get a new shower curtain. This, in addition to rugs, will make a marked change in any bathroom.

· Put new pictures and artwork on the walls. You can either buy these or make photographs yourself. Black and white photos are a modern touch you may think about adding. You can find picture frames at garage sales that are often in perfect condition making this a very inexpensive fix.

· Set some flowers on the counters and sinks. This will brighten up any room and make you smile when you walk in.

· Put new flooring down. You can often find linoleum at home improvement stores on sale. Some of it looks like tile or wood which will add a little flair to the bathroom.

· Put a new mirror or medicine cabinet over the sink. There are some beautiful mirrors at mass merchandise stores that aren’t too expensive. This would be a nice touch over the sink.

These are just a few ideas for ways to change the look of your bathroom inexpensively. None of them are hard, and you can find lots of the items on sale in regular stores, or at garage and yard sales. It doesn’t have to cost a fortune to update a room.