Jan 31 2010

How to Get My Own PO Box

Category: Communications — admin @ 9:58 pm



It is worrisome to miss out on a mail especially if it is totally important or if you paid for it. Unfortunately, most mail services do not guarantee a secure and fast mail delivery if the mail is posted in a physical address. It is a good thing that another option is available for us to receive our mails. This is where a post office box comes in.

Once you have a post office box, you will be entitled to a lot of advantages that are so favorable you will never go back to having your mail delivered in your street address again. Gone will be the days where you have to wait for your mail man in the front porch and the times when you are left wondering where your October issue of Time Magazine is.

Before you think of these possibilities, learn first how you could get your own post office box. Don’t worry. It is really simple and sooner than you know it, you can have your mails sent to your post office box.

The normal practice is that post office boxes are for rent. So the first step in getting your own PO Box is to look for the most convenient place to rent one. There is an alternative to the UPS post office box. Aside from the United States Postal Service, there are other places where you can rent a post office box such as shipping establishments and grocery stores. Take into consideration that these places have waiting lists. For you to land on your ideal location, plan ahead. If you are one of those people who switch residence thrice or more times a year, settle down on a location that is accessible to the freeway.

To avoid the hassle of running from the rental place to your home and back again, don’t forget to bring valid identification cards. The reasonable number is three IDs. You can use your driver’s license, passport, any of your bank cards, birth certificate, your social security number, even a mail with your current address. If you are renting a post office box which is not in the area of your current address, the verification process may take a longer time.

Go to the counter person upon entering the rental place for post office boxes. He or she will give you an application form. Fill out the form accurately. If you encounter a question that needs clarification, better ask for assistance so that it will not lead to future inconveniences.

You have key decisions to make before you rent a post office box. Decide on how long you are going to rent one. Your choices vary from a month up to a year. However, your selection may be limited depending on the availability of the boxes. Here’s a tip for you: longer rentals are eligible for discounts.

Another factor that affects the rental fee is the size of the post office box. Sizes range from small size, which is 3″ x 5.5″, to large size, which is 22.5″ x 12″. Be wise in choosing a box size. If you are going to use your post office box mainly for mails, better stock with the small size. If you are expecting regular large packages, then, by all means, rent the large size. Just remember, the smaller the box is the cheaper is the rent. A case in point is the rent of a small post office box is about $40 a year.

The accepted payment method differs from one establishment to another. It is safe to say that it will be any of the three Cs: cash, check, or credit card. Pay for your box and get your key. The counter person will give you your post office box key and your box number. If you are getting another key, you are going to be charged for it. It is advisable, though, to get at least two keys for emergencies. When you already have your key and number, you’re good to go.

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Jan 31 2010

The Ten Things You Must Have In Your Tackle Box

Category: Recreation And Sports — admin @ 4:37 am



What are the ten things you have to have in your tackle box? To be truthful, it’s hard to narrow it down to ten. Have you seen the size of some of today’s tackle boxes? My God, a person could keep enough stuff in some of the tackle boxes I’ve seen to survive on Mount Everest for three days! In any case, I’m going to go ahead and give you my top 10 must haves, that will at least get you started and have you pointing in the right direction.

1) A pair of needle nosed pliers. Have you ever tried to get a #18 Rapala out of a big walleyes mouth without a decent pair of pliers? There are treble hooks everywhere! And I wouldn’t suggest trying to remove them with your bare hands. Can you say “A trip to the emergency room?”

2) A can of bug spray. If you’re ever fishing in Northern Ontario on a hot day, at around dusk it’s either a can of bug spray or getting eaten alive. It’s your choice. I’ve experienced both and I have to tell you, go with the bug spray!

3) A couple of extra spools of fishing line. Whatever type of line you use, have extra spools in your tackle box. You just never know when you may need to re-spool you fishing reel.

4) A cell phone. Normally I would think of having a cellular telephone with you would be the definition of vanity. I mean, you’re supposed to be out fishing to escape all that a cellular telephone represents, right? But it is a wonderful thing to have with you in case of an emergency.

5) An assortment of lures. And back-ups of your favorites. There are few things worse than catching fish on a certain lure, and then getting snagged and losing that lure. Only to find out that the fish won’t bite on any other lure that you have with you. As perplexing as this seems, I’ve had it happen and it’s a very bad situation to get mixed up in. Have an extra or three of your favorite lures in your tackle box, ready to go.

6) An assortment of sinkers. You’ll want to have various sizes of the following: Egg sinkers, split shot sinkers, bullet weights, and a few barrel weights.

7) An assortment of hooks. You’re going to want four or five different sized hooks at least. You never know exactly what you’ll need or be fishing for, for that matter. There have been times when I went walleye fishing, and ended up fishing for Bass because the walleye just weren’t cooperating. Many times different species of fish require different size hooks. So have an assortment with you.

8) Jig heads and twister tails. This old standby is always good to have with you when you’re fishing. A package of both 1/4 and 3/8 ounce jig heads in the colors of your choice will work. And then a couple of packages of twister tails in matching colors will be a good bet. You never know when you may want a jig.

9) A lighter or matches in a baggie. If you ever got stuck somewhere, you’ll be very glad you have a way to start a fire. Just take my word for it.

10) Spare spools for your reels. This is where to keep those spare spools. If you’re extra motivated, have them filled with line so they’re completely ready to go. If a spool happens to break when you’re out fishing and you don’t have an extra spool with you, shame on you. You’re tackle box is where the extras should be.

There is my top ten. Of course, there are many more things that will more than likely be in your tackle box, but these will at least get you started. Have fun and good fishing!

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Jan 23 2010

Home Office Management – Tips For Setting Up Your Home Workplace

Category: Home Based Business — admin @ 6:48 pm



Working out of a home office can be a true pleasure. The commute is ideal, the work hours are set by you, and the working environment is, or can be, perfect for your personality and the type of work that you do. Whether your home office consists of a corner of the bedroom or a large personal study in a 7000 square foot home, there are certain things that you can do to insure that your workplace is conducive to both getting the job done, and providing a pleasant atmosphere in which to work.

Realistically you will probably spend more time in your home office than in any other room in the house, including your bedroom, so don’t skimp on it when setting it up. Be sure that the desk you get is suitable for the type of work that you will be doing, and that your office chair is both functional and comfortable. Will you be primarily on the computer? Then buy the right computer, printer and scanner for your needs! There is nothing worse than buying cheap equipment without the necessary hardware/software and then having to go back and add on what you need. It is much more expensive and a cumbersome task as well.

Are you going to spend much time on the telephone? If so, consider a headset. Having your hands free to write, or be on the computer while you’re on the phone, is more efficient and allows for easier multitasking. Despite the predictions that the computer would eliminate paper, the real world is that automation, printers and copiers, have actually added to the paper storm. Be sure that you have sufficient filing space and that it is within reach. It is most likely that a desk-side filing cabinet will be more suitable than trying to jam your files into desk filing drawers. Those drawers should be saved for the most current or most used files.

Be sure that you have plenty of shelf space available, and that it is easily accessible from your desk. It is amazing how many books, three ring binders, etc. that you will accumulate. If they are organized, with the binders well marked, it is so much easier to find what you are looking for than if they are simply stacked up on the desk, on a table or on the floor. While it is a time consuming task in the beginning, it is also important to set up an organized filing system for your filing cabinet. If you previously worked in an office, someone else probably organized the files and may have found them and brought them to you when you needed them. Working alone, you will probably be amazed at how many files you need, and if the folders are not well marked and organized you will find yourself spending half your time looking for things rather than being productive.

Your office is where you go to work. It should have the feel of a workplace and should be off limits to children. If you have taken over a bedroom, change the decor. Wallpaper with rainbows or toy trains is not conducive to a good business atmosphere. Consider your personality and sense of style, and the type of work that you will be doing when you set up or redo your office. This is important as it helps you go into work mode as you enter your office to earn your living. If you have a TV in the office because you want to have business news on all day, that’s fine, but place it where it will not be a distraction to you.

You want to be able to turn to look at it, rather than have it in your peripheral vision. Every office should have an “in box” where you place the items that need to be worked on immediately. The contents should be current and ideally should be new everyday. I don’t recommend an “out box” in a home office because when you are finished with a document, invoice, or other piece of paper it is best to file it, mail it, or dispose of it in whatever manner is appropriate, right then. This avoids the otherwise inevitable large stack of paper that eventually must be filed later, a task which no one enjoys doing.

Speaking of paper, no matter how well organized you are, “clutter happens.” Besides your computer and filing cabinets, two of your most valuable tools are your waste basket and shredder. Your shredder is for anything with personally identifiable information such as social security numbers or account numbers, and your waste basket is for all other trash. Use them! Eliminating piles of worthless paper not only enhances the appearance of your office, but is more efficient and conducive to productivity.

Finally, remember that your office is a work area, not a break room or cafeteria. Sure, it’s fine to have a cup of coffee while you’re working, but don’t bring your snacks or lunch in to eat at your desk. You work hard in there, and just like folks who work in an office building, you need to take a break once in awhile. Go to the kitchen for your snacks. Eat lunch in the kitchen, family room or dining room, or for that matter, go out for lunch once in awhile. Then when you get back to your office you will be refreshed and ready to go!

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