The present times have made us all smarter when it comes to spending. We see ourselves thinking twice before we make a new purchase and we often settle for something that is cheaper. We are not by nature misers. We are simply practical and realistic in facing the difficult times ahead. However, spending less is not the only way to have a more secure present and future. One thing to strengthen our finances for the future is by taking on a money-making project aside from what we already do. One great example is to take online surveys for money.

If you think that you can no longer hold a second job because your first job already drains all your energy, then you would be surprised to know that in order to take online surveys for money you need only a small amount of energy and time. You need not spend on any fare because you can do it right at home. You need not buy any special equipment because all you need is a PC with internet connection. You need not have any special skills or talents because you will be answering easy and common consumer questions.

You can indeed secure your future with a second job. Yet this second job can be as easy and as convenient as to take online surveys for money. It can provide you with a steady income and all you have to give is a few minutes of your time. You will be surprised at how it can make your finances better, the easy way.

“Diamonds Are Forever” has been tagged as one of the most recognized and most successful advertising and marketing slogans of the 20th century. Ok, you know me and to a degree how I feel about De Beers Diamonds. I’ve said this time and again; if it relates to diamonds, check in the background for De Beers, you are most likely going to find them. Well guess what? They are the ones behind the, “Diamonds Are Forever” ad campaign!

Who Let The Diamonds Out? – Since the ad campaign, “Diamonds Are Forever” was launched, there has been a remarkable increase in diamond mining, production, demand and supply. In the process, the diamond jewelry industry has expanded into one of the largest industries in the entire world. Hands down, the Diamond Engagement Ring has become the staple for this flourishing industry. It embodies everything women envision being in love; warmth, brilliance, sparkle, eternity, mystery and romance.

Why They Believe Diamonds Are Forever – I was once in a sitting room reading Forbes Magazine buying time before a corporate meeting. While waiting, I couldn’t help but notice four professionally dressed women gathered around one of their girlfriends who had recently been proposed to. She was beaming as she showed off her 2.5 carat diamond engagement ring. Her girlfriends, all single, talked, but not about marriage or their wedding day, but about being proposed to and receiving their highly sought after diamond engagement ring.

Each of them acknowledged that it was dream come true and a moment they couldn’t wait for. They all knew the type of diamond ring they wanted and the setting. As they were going on, I’m thinking to myself, “De Beers has done it again!” That slogan, “Diamonds Are Forever” and the other one, “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend,” has sparked a fire that burns in women’s hearts around the world!

Starting from when they are small, most girls start dreaming about the day they will be swept off their feet, not by a knight in shinning armor, but by a knight in shinning armor with a glistening diamond engagement ring to present to the love of his life.

Should you present her with a “Diamond Engagement Ring” or something else? The answer is obvious! The most important question you should be asking yourself is, “Where do I go find the ring?” Choosing the wrong jeweler is like choosing the wrong investment advisor or the wrong real estate agent. In the end, the deals they make for you are going to come back and bite you. When buyers choose jewelers who are new in the business, have a bad reputation and a history of unsatisfied customers, buying a diamond leaves a bad taste in their mouth. Therefore, choose your jeweler wisely!

What We Have: Access to the largest selection of wholesalers and retailers of fine diamond jewelry, Diamond Engagement Rings, platinum engagement rings, wedding rings, three-stone jewelry, diamonds, colored gemstones and exclusive finds.

Who It’s For: ANYONE who demands the best in quality, craftsmanship and selection at prices below retail.

Foreclosures are of three types; residential foreclosure, commercial foreclosure and tax foreclosures. The present crisis in USA is home foreclosures. Now what is a foreclosure? When a person borrows money from a lender, by mortgaging his property, he has to pay the lender, the interest along with the principal amount, on time, as mentioned in the mortgage contract. When he defaults payments, the lender then takes possession of the house of the owner. This process is known as foreclosure. The lender then sells the property to get back his dues.

Foreclosed homes are creating a crisis in America. Because of the recession period which America is now experiencing, (if it lasts till April, it will be the longest recession in post war period), many people are unable to repay back the loans and foreclosed homes are on the increase. The state that is hit by increasing foreclosures is Arizona. Previously there used to be a lot of buyers for foreclosed homes. Because it is a distress sale, people who dream of purchasing a good house at a cheap rate, go for such foreclosed loans. But now real estate is stumbling down, so the value of these houses are so much reduced, that it becomes less than the loan amount. So the buyers have no other go than let the owners have the house.

In fact it is the lenders that will be in a fix with foreclosed homes. In today’s situation the lender finds it very difficult to sell the house, as there are many foreclosed homes available for the buyers to choose from. Not only that, since the market value has come down drastically, they are finding it difficult to get a good price for the house, and sometimes the prices are less than the amount due to them.

Another problem with foreclosed homes is the increase of crimes in such vacant houses. This is becoming an increasing headache for the Government. As a result of this, the lenders are now asked to pay a penalty if the don’t maintain the house and leave it ignored. Also there is no flow of revenue for the government.

Home foreclosure has increased by 87 percent in 2008 and nearly 2.3 million house owners had their houses foreclosed in this year. And reports say that nearly six million homes in America are on the edge of foreclosure. Studies have also proved that foreclosed house reduces the prices of neighboring houses too.

Because of the present crises, President Obama plans to stem home foreclosures. He has announced that he will spend $50 billion to prevent foreclosures in America. A lot of Government mortgage companies and major banks are also stopping foreclosures.

Unemployment, high mortgage interest rates and reckless spending are some of the reasons why many house owners are losing their homes to foreclosure. What is needed is save and spend money carefully. Always make sure that you have set aside sufficient saving to pay for the mortgage. Act wisely and avoid home foreclosures.

Direct Selling Tip: “The pleasure of the buying experience is as important as the price of the product.”

1. Create an experience for your home party attendees and prospects. You know what they say, if you have a good experience you will tell at least 3 people. However when a bad experience is had, you will tell at least 10 people! The Traveling Saleswoman details a wonderful lesson on the power of a positive vs. negative experience.

2. Plan: Plan the whole presentation, plan your invites, plan your arrangement, plan the role that you want your hostess to take, plan the drinks, the eats and the games…remember we are looking to create an experience, at the risk of beating a dead horse, When You fail to plan, you are planning to fail!

3. Demonstrate Don’t Lecture: Be Interactive, Ask Questions. If you have not read the article on Deadly Direct Sales & Home Party Business Mistake #14 : Verbal Diarrhea please do so. I know a lot of folks love to hear the sound of their own voices. However when the crowds eyes are glazed over, practically willing you to put a lid on it, I am here to tell you that YOU ARE THE WEAKEST LINK, GOOD-BYE! Nothing kills a sale than verbal diarrhea.

4. You know what they say, “If Mohamed cannot come to the mountain, the mountain will come to Mohammed!” Take the home party presentation the homes of people. Don’t expect people to go out of their way to accommodate you.

5. Be customer centric : Follow Up and Follow through. What good is it to do a great home party demo and then not deliver products that have been ordered? Nancy Sutherland, has a great post on how to keep your customers satisfied! Remember a happy customer is one who will continue buy from you and boost your home party sales!