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Clutter is one of the most irritating words in the English language. It’s synonymous with stress, because just looking at it can give you agita. The physical clutter soon becomes mental clutter.

The problem is getting rid of it. It’s a huge job, so you keep putting it off. But the more you put it off the more clutter you accumulate, making it an even more humongous task to face. Here are some tips, excerpted from my new book “400 Ways to Stop Stress Now…and Forever!,” that will help you break the cycle.

Throw something out every day.

You’ve got too much stuff in your house. Office. Garage. Attic. Useless clutter that’s weighing you down, getting in the way, obscuring the things you really need. Be realistic. If you’re not going to use it, lose it. Every day, find one thing you don’t need and toss it. Or give it away. Or sell it at a consignment shop. In time, the clutter will begin to vanish and space and order will magically appear in your home…and your life. Stick with this. It really works.

Take ten minutes a day to neaten up.

Here’s another effective do-it-by-degrees strategy. Supplement your regularly scheduled cleaning by spending a short time each day neatening your home. Use those few minutes to clear a cluttered surface, tidy a child’s room, clean out a drawer, dust a long forgotten place, put something away…or whatever obvious need is staring you in the face. You’ll be amazed at how much this small attention to neatness can accomplish over time. And how organized and productive you’ll become. And when you do get around to more intense cleaning, the job will be that much easier. You’re probably awake at least 16 hours each day. Take just ten minutes of that time to tidy up.

Store things out of the way.

Take an extra moment or two to put things back where they belong. Why? Because you can bet that wherever you put them temporarily, they will soon be annoyingly in the way. So you end up moving the item two or three times, when you only had to do it once! More than that, things left out tend to reproduce (I swear they do) and multiply to the point where work surfaces and living space soon disappear. Nip those stragglers in the bud and haul them out of sight.

Don’t buy what you already have.

This may sound obvious, but there are probably several duplicated items in your home right now…and you don’t even know it. Or you do know it, because it was easier to find it in the supermarket than fish it out of your cluttered house. So before you go shopping, check to see that you don’t already have what you think you need (the rear of the refrigerator, cabinets and closets are good places to start). Make a list of infrequently used possessions and where they’re kept. Over time you can save a lot of money, and spare yourself a lot of clutter, just by keeping track of what you’ve already got.

Clean out your closet.

Why start each day on a sour note by having to confront an overstuffed, messy closet? How can you possibly figure out what to wear if all your clothes are crammed in and piled up like that? Free yourself of this stifling encumbrance. Go to your local home center and get closet organizers, racks and shelves that’ll help you make the most of your space. Give away what you no longer need. Enjoy the convenience of having everything sorted and easy to locate. Wake up each day feeling relaxed, organized and in control.

These should put you well on the way to a clutter-free, stress-free home. For more ideas, go to pickmeupbooks.com where you can get a free stress tip each day.

Clutter is one of the most irritating words in the English language. It’s synonymous with stress, because just looking at it can give you agita. The physical clutter soon becomes mental clutter.

The problem is getting rid of it. It’s a huge job, so you keep putting it off. But the more you put it off the more clutter you accumulate, making it an even more humongous task to face. Here are some tips, excerpted from my new book “400 Ways to Stop Stress Now…and Forever!,” that will help you break the cycle.

Throw something out every day.

You’ve got too much stuff in your house. Office. Garage. Attic. Useless clutter that’s weighing you down, getting in the way, obscuring the things you really need. Be realistic. If you’re not going to use it, lose it. Every day, find one thing you don’t need and toss it. Or give it away. Or sell it at a consignment shop. In time, the clutter will begin to vanish and space and order will magically appear in your home…and your life. Stick with this. It really works.

Take ten minutes a day to neaten up.

Here’s another effective do-it-by-degrees strategy. Supplement your regularly scheduled cleaning by spending a short time each day neatening your home. Use those few minutes to clear a cluttered surface, tidy a child’s room, clean out a drawer, dust a long forgotten place, put something away…or whatever obvious need is staring you in the face. You’ll be amazed at how much this small attention to neatness can accomplish over time. And how organized and productive you’ll become. And when you do get around to more intense cleaning, the job will be that much easier. You’re probably awake at least 16 hours each day. Take just ten minutes of that time to tidy up.

Store things out of the way.

Take an extra moment or two to put things back where they belong. Why? Because you can bet that wherever you put them temporarily, they will soon be annoyingly in the way. So you end up moving the item two or three times, when you only had to do it once! More than that, things left out tend to reproduce (I swear they do) and multiply to the point where work surfaces and living space soon disappear. Nip those stragglers in the bud and haul them out of sight.

Don’t buy what you already have.

This may sound obvious, but there are probably several duplicated items in your home -right now…and you don’t even know it. Or you do know it, because it was easier to find it in the supermarket than fish it out of your cluttered house. So before you go shopping, check to see that you don’t already have what you think you need (the rear of the refrigerator, cabinets and closets are good places to start). Make a list of infrequently used possessions and where they’re kept. Over time you can save a lot of money, and spare yourself a lot of clutter, just by keeping track of what you’ve already got.

Clean out your closet.

Why start each day on a sour note by having to confront an overstuffed, messy closet? How can you possibly figure out what to wear if all your clothes are crammed in and piled up like that? Free yourself of this stifling encumbrance. Go to your local home center and get closet organizers, racks and shelves that’ll help you make the most of your space. Give away what you no longer need. Enjoy the convenience of having everything sorted and easy to locate. Wake up each day feeling relaxed, organized and in control.

These should put you well on the way to a clutter-free, stress-free home. For more ideas, go to pickmeupbooks.com where you can get a free stress tip each day.

By: G. Gaynor McTigue

Everyone has 24 hours to each and every day, so how come some manage to do more with their time than others?

The secret is simpler than you realize, it’s putting it into practice by eliminating distractions that is the greatest challenge. The truth is everyone is challenged by managing their time. It is not easy to juggle all your commitments, and everyone has their own challenges, be it business or personal. Simply make an effort to change, and follow these simple tips, and you will immediately see a difference in your productivity.

Your priorities are in two areas, business and personal. Unfortunately your personal priorities can change at a moment’s notice and impact on your daily plans, so expect this, and if possible make allowances and plan ahead. It helps your stress levels.

Also you will find that your priorities fall into two distinct zones, immediate and accumulating. Anything outside this is not a priority. These other tasks are adaptable in that you can fit them in around your priorities whenever it suits.

Don’t rely on your memory. It’s too easy again to be distracted and forget. Carry a small hardback notebook, or a Personal Digital Assistance, and make notes of any ideas or thoughts of importance before you forget. How many times have you said, “I remember thinking I had to … but it slipped my mind.”

Each evening before you go to bed, empty your mind and spend a few minutes writing down and going over what you put in your notebook.

Now here’s the secret – Prioritize everything, and do your absolute best to dispose of your top priorities the following day. Identify your accumulating priorities, and try to do something with them the following day, even if it is only a small amount of time. For example, if you are a one person operation, spend 5 minutes updating your accounts, rather than leaving them to turn into a top priority which requires days of addressing. Do this each night and I guarantee you will sleep easier?

If you can, break down your tasks into areas, or modules, and delegate or outsource if you can. Delegate or outsource as much as you possible dare.

If you can, schedule at least one 30 – 45 minute break somewhere in your daily schedule above and beyond timeout for meals. Use this space for emergency rescheduling of appointments, working on your flexi-tasks, or simply as a stress buster break if you need it. If your child is unwell going to school, perhaps that emergency break should be before noon that day. As I said, try to plan ahead if you can.

Eliminate distraction, prioritize everything, and plan for the unexpected. Time management is not easy, but it is relatively simple to take steps to make your day a more enjoyable and productive one.

Celeste Simmons

A Provider of CPR Training, First aid instruction and Automated External Defibrillator courses (AED).

Q: How Long Has CPRus been in business?

A: Since 2004. We certify our instructors and continue our education every three months, so that we are always up to date on our skills and class materials.

Q: What makes your CPR, First Aid and AED training unique?

A: We do travel classes, which means that our business can come to your location. You can also schedule a class at our facility. We try to understand where the student may be weak on their comprehension of the course, so we can help them understand it better. This personal training helps them to remember it when it is needed most; in an emergency.

Q: Once someone has CPR training, how long does it last?

A: Their validation cards are good for two years. Some companies’ cards only last for one year.

Q: Who needs this course, and why?

A: All Health care providers of every field, Childcare Employees, Personal Trainers, Athletic Coaches, School Teachers, Camp Counselors, Outdoor Hiking and Rafting Guides, and Babysitters. Even new parents can take this course, so they can be better prepared in case of an emergency.

Q: Who needs first aid training? Any company with a first aid responder, or the individual in charge of the first aid kit. Other professions can benefit from the class also, like Childcare employees and Outdoor Professionals and Personal trainers. This course teaches you how to make out an accident report, gives you forms to fill out for your company files and records and teaches you what is an emergency and what is not.

Q: What topics do you teach in the courses, besides just CPR?

A: Each course is different, and the material learned. When someone calls we ask them questions to determine why they need the course, so we can place them in the right class. Each class goes over choking, scene assessment, breaths per minute, chest compressions, and other details needed to understand why and how these things work.

Celeste Simmons

If you would like your business featured in this spot, please call 706-602-0398.

More and more Americans are overweight and obese- and obesity is a known risk factor for heart disease, diabetes and other potential life-threatening conditions.

Two of the culprits in Americans’ weight gain are well known- consuming too many calories and not getting enough physical activity. But it’s not too late to make changes!

Start to gradually make changes in your food choices and reduce your portion sizes. Add physical activity to your routine most days of the week. A good goal is 30-40 minutes over the course of the day. Try to work up to 60 minutes.

Weight, like other health risk factors (smoking, hypertension, etc.), are things you can change. So get on the right track! Don’t let your weight increase your health risk. Start changing unhealthy habits today.

Celeste Simmons

One of the biggest problems EU leaders have to find ways to overcome is the fact that the “old” continent is in fact becoming old. As the European birth rate has been dropping at a rapid rate over the last couple of decades, the European continent will become soon a continent inhabited by a increasing majority of seniors. Since this demographic trend develops, EU reforms and retirement policies try to address the issue and give Europe its chance to maintain its productivity levels high and its overall outcome on surplus. Thus, contemporary ethnographic studies support that keeping Europeans health at high levels, especially for those over the age of sixty, is not only a social policy act governments should focus on providing, but also a wise economic policy that will keep Europeans able to continue being productive members of society and thus, lowering the negative outcomes of an alarming EU reality. One method to keep older people healthier is to focus on their dietary habits and introducing new nutritional practices that can increase life expectancy levels. According to researchers, one of the choices an aging person has to keep being healthy and active is to follow the Mediterranean diet.

In fact, the Mediterranean diet is associated with longer life expectancy among the elderly, because it is characterized by a high intake of vegetables, legumes, fruits, and cereals. Furthermore, one of the basic nutritional elements shared across all Mediterranean cultures is the high intake of fish and the low consumption levels of saturated fats. On the other hand, olive oil, which belongs to the unsaturated fats category, helps the human organism function and provides all the necessary ingredients for the aged part of the EU’s population to continue being healthy and thrive. Furthermore, the low intake of dairy products and meat and the modest consumption of alcohol have helped the elderly in countries like Spain and Greece to live longer and healthier lives and maintain their productivity levels high close to the end of their lives.

As current evidence suggests, such a diet is beneficial to the health of all individuals regardless of their age group or residence location. Scientists, after examining a variety of factors like diet, lifestyle, medical history, physical activity levels, and smoking have recognized the importance of the Mediterranean diet in keeping the body fit and the mind working properly. In fact, a higher dietary score was associated with a lower overall death rate and evidence suggests that people who follow such a dietary plan are expected to live longer and suffer less from illnesses.

What is alarming though is that the younger generation of Europe that has began following the Western type of diet-larger portions, fewer meals, less vegetable and fruit intake-have experienced problems associated with weight gain and are now battling against disfiguring their body types. Modern way of living, stress, less available time to prepare a proper meal and other problems, have led parents to neglect the nutrition of their children and has led them to fight problems such that of youth obesity and low self-esteem. Educating seniors should be a combined effort with educating youth as both age groups are considered currently to be the future of the “aging” European continent.

Jonathon Hardcastle

Calhoun High School has a unique formula for becoming the local football champion. You don’t have to live in Calhoun to feel the excitement from this winning football team during the season. Every game they played, there were banners, balloons, and announcements hung all over town, of their scoring record. Encouraging words from a town that was excited to see them win, and looked forward to each game they played.

This month’s focus in on Calhoun High School coach,  Brent Lamb. The Grapevine Magazine interviewed the coach, and asked him some questions about his coaching style, his principals, and his background. Read how Mr. Lamb, and his helped to achieve success for Calhoun’s winning football team.

G: Please tell us how did your team did this year?

CL: Our playing record was 11-2.  We won the regional championship again, for the sixth time in a row. We lost in the 45’s. We made it to the “elite eight”, but got beat in the end.

G: I saw the team on TV this past year. I saw the running back for the team also, he was a sophomore at the time, who was that?

CL: That was Adam Obonos.

G: How is he doing?

CL: He’s doing good, He missed six and a half games this year, because of an injury. He came back and played well, despite his injuries. He’s doing much better now.

G: There are parents out there that want to see their kids do well and excel in sports. You seem to have a good reputation for placing these kids in good colleges. How do you do that?

CL: It’s a long process, you must talk to the student first, about college football, and where they want to play. Then we do our best to make that happen. We start with highlight tapes, and then talk to other coaches. But, the players have to have the academics also. If they really want to play, we do our part. We let the other coaches know that if they come from Calhoun, they want to win.

A lot of college coaches come by here. We have signed a division one player, Chris Durham, he is at the University of Georgia, but the smaller colleges come by too. It is still an opportunity to get a free education.

G: What is your philosophy, something that you preach to your team, every year to help make it successful?

CL: To me, football is one of the toughest sports to play. It’s very physical and demanding, and it teaches you discipline. It gets you ready for the game of life better than any other sport. I am not down-playing other sports, but I regard football as one of the best. I remind the players that they will be role model to others, as well. Football is just a game, and when their high school career is over, I want them to feel good about themselves, and move on to get a good education. They need to know the difference between right and wrong. You will have trials and tribulations in football, and that is a lot like real life. This field can teach them how to handle those trials, and how to better deal with them.

G: Obviously, you have had great success with your football team. The Grapevine Magazine tries to focus on articles that help an individual become a better person. What is a principal you use to stay successful, so that we can share that with our readers?

CL: We talk about their priorities. Four things go into that; the qualities one must posses to achieve success. We teach that their faith is number one, their family is number two, their grades three, and football is number four. That is very important to us.

G: What advice would you give, if one of our readers had a son playing rec. football or middle school ball, and if they wanted their son to play for your team later on?

CL: At that age, the first thing to remember, is to have fun. If they play recreational foot-ball and don’t enjoy it, than it may not be for them. We talk to the elementary kids a lot, because we are such a winning team. I try to remind our players that everyone is looking at them, and I remind them that they are accountable. The main thing is to have fun.

G: Tell us about your family.

CL: I have been married for 20 years, to Kim Lamb. She is the high school counselor here at the school, so we work together. My oldest son Trey is 17, the youngest Scott is 14. Trey, the oldest, is the starting quarterback this year. My other son will play too, he is in seventh grade.

G: Where did you go to college?

CL: I went to West Georgia College. I played wide receiver while there. I went on to GA, and was an assistant the following year. Then, my wife and I got married, and another coach had a job for me.

G: So, when did you decide what to do, what job to take? How did you know that coaching was for you?

CL: My dad was a high school coach for years. I played for him, and it was just in my blood. My Dad tried to talk us out of it, saying there was no money in it, but we were in it for the kids. We want the kids to be successful.

G: Where did your Dad coach football at?

CL: He was at Conyers High School. Later, he went on to coach in South Ga. After we graduated, he went on to another high school.

G: And your brother coaches football also?

CL: Yes, he is the head coach for Furman University. He went to school there, and has been there ever since.

G: Have you ever thought about moving up the ranks into college?

CL: I have thought about it, but I don’t think it’s what I want to do right now. College football is more demanding, and I like spending time with my kids. When the season is over, I enjoy spending more time with my family.

G: If you keep winning like you are now, then you may want to consider…

CL: Yes, I would consider it later, after the kids are grown.

G: What made you decide to come to Calhoun?

CL: I like Calhoun because it is similar to where I grew up, in Commerce, GA. Calhoun is a small community. I coached for 8 years as an assistant in Cartersville, and then 8 years ago I applied here. Fortunately, I got the job.

G: Where do you see the football team going this next year?

CL: We are going to keep on winning. We are going to build each year. We expect to win each year. We have a lot of young kids coming up, and we feel like that is a great asset.

G: Have Calhoun been state champions yet?

CL: Not yet, we were runner up last year. But, we’ll get there. We lost 17 seniors the past year, all quality kids and players. Many of those were starters. Every year, though, is different. I expect next year is going to be great, also.

______________________________________________________________________

If you have an idea or a nomination for a hometown hero, then send us your story!

Stories must be received by Feb. 5^th, 2007.

Mail to: The Grapevine Magazine: P.O. Box 1845 Calhoun, GA 30703.

Story requirements: Please send all contact information for the person (or yourself) that you have nominated, and explain why they should be our next hometown hero! Nominations can be about a local inventor, a community supporter, or a person who has made Gordon County a better place to live in. (Person nominated must be a resident of any city in Gordon Co., past or present.)

Send in your story, and the winner will be on the cover of the NEXT Grapevine Magazine!

Celeste Simmons

Are high gas prices robbing you from filling up your tank?

Read these tips for simple ways to cut down on gas expenses.

High prices at the pump are affecting everyone. From trucking companies to landscapers, and the average daily commuters, you can’t escape the pinch of high prices. America has been experiencing the effects high gas prices for over two years now, and it looks as though they’re here to stay.

While the Bush administration is advocating investigations into gas prices and their profit margins, Americans have to find ways to cope with the high prices in the meantime.

Even though we can’t do anything about the prices of gasoline and crude oil, we can let you in on a few secrets to saving by simple tips on driving and vehicle maintenance.

1)      Keep your vehicle in check and in tune. A maintained vehicle burns less gas, for the simple fact that your engine does not have to work as hard. Keep your filters changed and your oil clean.

2)      Keep tire pressure adequate. If your tires are not inflated at the proper pressure amount, you are putting unnecessary stress on your vehicle. Keeping your car balanced is part of good vehicle maintenance. Not to mention the added bonus of conserving tire tread, and allowing the tires to last longer.

3)      Slow Down. For every mile you drive above 60 mph, your gas savings drops by 2 percent or more. So for every time you drive over 60 mph, you are losing up to .20 cents for a gallon of gas! That really adds up when you have a tank that holds 15 gallons or more.

4)      Gradual acceleration and brake usage. Try using your cruise control, and set it at 55 mph. If your car is not equipped with this feature, then you can certainly remember to NOT accelerate going up hill. By doing these two things, you will see the savings in your tank. When paired with a slower acceleration rate and then easing on the brakes ahead of time (and not at the last minute), you will see an immediate change in fuel conservation, and your brakes will last longer.

5)      Lighten the Load. Some of us don’t even realize the weight we are always carrying around in the trunk of our cars. You may want to consider taking the luggage rack off the car until you go on vacation. Try to take any heavy accessories out of the car that you don’t really use. By cleaning out your car and carrying only what you need, you can save on gas easily.

6)      Don’t use high priced premium fuels. Unless your car’s instruction manual calls for this type of gasoline, the return on this type of investment will not equal the savings for you. Regular priced fuels are fine to use.

7)      Avoid Rush Hour. Try to schedule your trips in the car so that you aren’t sitting in traffic at all. Go when it is least likely to run into the lunch hour rush and the after five o’ clock work day. If you are even idling in traffic, it doesn’t produce any real savings to your fuel usage. Try taking your lunch hour at 11 am or 2 pm, instead of taking it at noon, when everyone is on the road with you. Avoid these high traffic times if at all possible.

8)      Other methods of transportation. Have you ever thought of walking, bike riding, taking the bus, or even carpooling? The exercise will do you some good if you decide to walk, or you may realize that carpooling with some one could be fun.

9)      Consider buying an economy car. If money savings are something you’re serious about, then add up the costs of how much you are spending in your big truck or SUV. If you could cut that in half or more by driving an economy vehicle, then multiply your weekly savings by the weeks of the month (4.25). You may see a significant savings, large enough to justify buying a smaller car that is cheaper on gas.

Example: Your SUV fill up costs $3.00 per gallon, with a 18 gallon fill up.= $54.00 each time you fill your tank

If you fill up twice in a week: $108.00 per week on gas.

If you continue this through the month, you are spending: $459.00 (x4.25 weeks)

If you drive an economy car, you will have a tank of approximately a ten gallon capacity. To fill up at $3.00 per gallon (with10 gallons fill up) = $30.00 (and by using less gas, you will use one and a half tank per week). So you only use $45.00 in gas per week (versus $108.00 with the SUV).

If you calculate this for the month, you spend $459.00 on gas with the SUV, versus $191.25 for the economy car per month.

You could save $267.75 per month or more on gas by switching vehicles!

That is $3,213.00 per year!

Celeste Simmons

Easy Steps YOU can do to look & Feel Great!

Start your day off right- and eat breakfast. Even if you’re not very hungry in the morning, by eating a healthy breakfast, you are jump-starting your metabolism. The first meal of the day is your body’s signal to kick into gear and get into fuel burning mode. By eating something in the morning you are telling your body to start burning fat sooner. And, the sooner the better for most of us!

While you are trying to maintain a healthy weight, remember not to starve yourself. No diet plan advises us to skip meals. Studies have shown that this actually hurts our metabolism instead of helping to burn fat. By skipping meals, it makes your body hold on to the food you eat by trying to conserve it, not using it effectively. Even worse, when you skip meals you tend to binge at the next meal you eat, and then you over do it and eat too much. You actually end up gaining weight instead of losing.

Another mistake that dieters tend to make is by over eating low calorie and low fat foods.  Even when we eat foods that are less in fat and calories, we still must burn off the calories we take in, or we gain weight. Foods that are lower in fat or calories won’t help you if you don’t eat less of them.

How to Eat Better:

Eat a Cool Salads: Staying cool is easy with salads that come already in a bag and ready to eat. They are convenient and good for you.

Try Eating Soups: Eating Soup has proven to be filling, healthy, and less in caloric value than other quick meals. *Before you buy: Check the fat content and the sodium in the product.

Maintain Portion Control: When you go out to eat, a typical restaurant will give you enough food for up to three people on one plate. Start cutting back your food intake. Remember, that you don’t have to eat it all.

Keep A Food Diary: Most diet plans today are calling for us to keep a record of what we eat daily, so we can see why we lost or gained weight. This also helps us understand what our problem foods are, or what we are most tempted by.

Don’t eat in front of the TV: This habit has become common place in our society. When we eat in front of the TV, we tend to eat more of the wrong foods. When you eat at the TV are you eating a salad, or diving into a bag of chips? We tend to snack on processed foods in front of the television. If you must eat in front of the TV, take only a small portion of food with you, NOT the whole bag.

What to do to fight off the hunger pains:

Chew gum.                                          Brush and floss your teeth.

Stay busy, distract yourself                Keep Moving!

Celeste Simmons

When it comes to losing weight, the popularity of online dieting is gaining.

According to a recent study by comScore Pharmaceutical Solutions, more than 60 percent of those researching weight loss use the Internet to learn more about healthy eating and nutrition, as well as details on specific weight-loss plans and diets.

According to the study:

• Almost half of those re-searching weight loss use online tools to track progress and chart their diet course.

• 44 percent of online weight-loss researchers consider online information extremely/very influential in helping them comply with weight-loss plans.

For those who are inclined to explore the Internet as a way to to reach their weight-loss goals, it is important to turn to resources that are reliable. For example, Weight Watchers, a trusted name in weight loss, offers Weight Watchers Online, which enables people to follow the plan step-by-step online.

If you’re considering an online weight-loss plan, here’s a guide to the features you should look for:

• Making wise choices: Online databases should help dieters find the nutritional values of the foods they eat as well as recipes for healthy dishes and meals.

• Keeping track: Studies show that people who keep track of what they eat, as well as monitor their weight-loss progress, are more likely to reach their weight-loss goals. Look for these types of tracking tools before you subscribe.

• Dining out: Online guides with tips for navigating menu options can help dieters eat out without derailing their weight-loss progress. A restaurant guide should offer information on popular restaurant chain menus.

• Getting fit: Most experts encourage people to exercise as part of their weight-loss routine but to do so at their own pace. Look for a plan that includes fitness tools such as instructional videos and workout plans. Do your research before you subscribe because some sites may charge extra for fitness.

One of the best features of using the Internet as a weight-loss tool is the 24/7 availability, whether you’re home, in the office or anywhere with Internet access.

By: Stacey Moore

For more tips on using the Internet to achieve your weight-loss goals, visit www.Weight Watchers.com. The next time you’re tempted to go off your diet, going online may help you decide if you can afford it.

Remember back in the 1990s when starting a business out of your home was all the rage? The Internet was new, emails, faxes, and cheap long distance phone rates were making working from home a promising possibility.

But making a lot of money from home turned out to be a lot more work than most people imagined. Many succeeded, some admirably earning millions from their home business (I’m sure you can think of a few right off the top of your head!) Unfortunately, many others gave up quickly and went back to working their 9 to 5 job.

These days it’s well worth your while to take a long second look at starting your own home-based business. Why? Employers are paying less and expecting longer hours. Meanwhile, the cost of living is skyrocketing due to higher energy prices, ever climbing insurance rates, and higher prices for everything else. You can quickly get the feeling that you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place.

When run properly, a home-based business can give you a solid, steady income that NO ONE CAN TAKE AWAY FROM YOU. You can never be downsized, demoted, fired, or even have your hours cut back.YOU are the boss.

You also never have to commute to your job when you’re working from home. And the old saying about “being there for family and friends” is absolutely true. You may be working more in your business, but you’ll love the work you do and YOU will be in control of your schedule.

How do you choose the kind of business you want to run? First, make a very short list of the things you love to do. If you have a hobby that you feel like you could work all day every day and never get tired of it, THAT is a great activity to center your business around.

I know a golf enthusiast who started a thriving business selling quality used golf clubs out of his home and on eBay. Another man, who loves to work on guitars, makes a nice extra income repairing guitars in his basement. I know a woman who enjoys building things and now earns a six figure income assembling small machines that are used in factories. She does all the work in her garage.

Most people think they can’t own a home business because they don’t like to sell. Nonsense. If you BELIEVE in what you’re selling, all you have to do is TELL people about it. Make sure you have a good way to get plenty of new prospective customers. There are many lead systems out there that supply you with all the prospects you’ll need at very reasonable prices. A network of friends and family, and local research will pay off if you intend to start for the ground up. Get a new set of business cards and start passing them out!

Keep in mind you’ll make a LOT more money if you have several different income streams. By that, I mean several different products to sell, different services, many types of investments — or all of the above. You don’t want to overload your schedule, but you do want to have a variety of things in your business that will make you money.

Whatever your interest and whatever your situation, you CAN make a space in your life to start your own business from home. It will give you a promising future that you can claim as your very own

Cameron Nyack