Monday, December 27, 2010

What Your Social Security Number tells about you!

Your social security number is a unique identification. You are the only person who has that number. But did you ever wonder what the numbers in your social security number mean? This report will tell you exactly what those numbers tell about you, and how to effectively use social security numbers as a means of identifying your customers.

Your social security number is made up of 3 parts called the AREA (XXX), GROUP (XX), and SERIAL(XXXX). I'll explain these parts separately. First, the AREA (XXX) has one of two meanings, depending on when you got your number. If you received your social security card before 1972, the area number shows what state you APPLIED for your card in. If you received your social security card after 1972, the area number shows the state you RESIDED in at the time you applied. Here is a list of the number combinations and their corresponding states.
000 NONE 318-361 IL 521-524 CO
001-003 NH 387-399 WI 525NM
004-007 ME 400-407 KY 528-529 UT
008-009 VT 408-415 TN 530-NV
010-034 MA 416-424 AL 531-539 WA
035-039 RI 425-428 MS 540-544 OR
040-049 CT 429-432 AR 545-573 CA
050-134 NY 433-439 LA 574-AK
135-158 NJ 440-448 OK 575-576 HI
159-211 PA 449-467 TX 577-579 DC
212-220 MD 468-477 MN 580 VI (Virgin Islands)
221-222 DE 478-485 IA 581-584 PR (Puerto Rico)
223-231VA 486-500 MO 585-NM
232-236 WV 501-502 ND 586PI (Pacific Islands - Guam)
237-246 NC 503-504 SD 587-588 MS
247-251 SC 505-508 NE 589-595 FL
252-260 GA 509-515 KS 596-599 PR (Puerto Rico)
261-267 FL 516-517 MT 600-601 AZ
268-302 OH 518-519 ID 602-626 CA
303-317 IN 520 WY

900-999 Were used when state aid to the aged, blind, and disable was converted to federal programs administered by the Social Security Association, not valid social security numbers. You will see that some states have more than one group of numbers. This is because their original group of numbers became exhausted.

The GROUP (XX) has no meaning other than to determine whether or not a number has been assigned. This is important to know, if you want to use social security numbers as identification for your customers. Here's how you should use this information.

Every month, the Social Security Association publishes a list of the highest group assigned for each AREA. The order of assignment is odd numbers under 10, even numbers over 9, even numbers under 9 (except for 00, which is not used), and odd numbers over 10. So, for example, if the highest GROUP assigned for AREA 999 is 72, then a customer who gives you the social security number 999-04-1234 is a fraud, because even GROUPS under 9 have not yet been assigned.

The SERIAL (XXXX) portion has no meaning and is not assigned in strict numerical order. 0000 is never used. If you know what to look for, social security numbers are an important tool for screening customers.






Friday, December 24, 2010

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
everyone! See you after Christmas!

Happy Holidays! May they be Merry and Bright!:-)

Monday, December 20, 2010

Christmas Caramels!!!!

Christmas Caramels!!!!

Yum! Christmas Caramels!
I love Caramels! Especially
in the form of a Cake! Do
you like Caramels? Here
is the recipe! Enjoy!:)


Christmas Caramels

2 cups light corn syrup
1 lb. brown sugar
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 lb. butter
1 cup nuts
Mix together. Simmer, stirring until 240 degrees (soft ball) - add nuts. Put in buttered pan and
let cool. Cut and wrap in small pieces in wax paper.

Christmas Caramel Pic

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Recycling Cosmetics!

I got this article from a lady named Michele Z.
on a site I'm a member on called CafeMom.
Good job Michele and to all the others that
contributed to this article.



Can you recycle cosmetics? Yes, you can, and there are also other ways to use makeup and beauty containers. CafeMom canagirl95 wondered about recycling makeup after she learned that cosmetics have a shelf life. She asked for suggestions in the Green Organic Natural Simple Living group. Read on to find out how long makeup lasts and how to recycle it when you're done.

According to Beauty School Directory, mascara goes bad the fastest, lasting only three months, with liquid liner lasting for about six months. Eyeshadow and blush last the longest -- two years -- with everything else lasting for a year to a year and a half. But instead of tossing cosmetics in the garbage, why not recycle when you can?

Here are some recycling suggestions:

* seoulmom shared that when she was a kid, her grandma used to crush up her old makeup and let her color with it. Kids could really creative with mascara and liners, too.

* MAC cosmetics has a Back to MAC program where you can return six empty MAC makeup items and you get a lipstick for free. I like this! The lipsticks are great and normally cost $14.

* LUSH has a lot of products that are package-free, like the shampoo bars, or just wrapped in paper that can be recycled. And the containers they do use can also go in with your regular recyclables.

* You can use makeup containers to hold other items, like homemade perfume, or maybe even use that old pot of lipgloss to hold your child's tooth for the tooth fairy. Cleaned out first, of course.

Share your suggestions on recycling cosmetics and cosmetic containers!



Cosmetics



Friday, December 17, 2010

Candy Cane Cookies!

It's Christmas time and some times I like to post
recipes for Christmas recipes! And this time I choose 
cookies!!! I haven't made or tried these cookies
but i sure would like too!:~)


Candy Cane Cookies

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sifted confectioners' sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 teaspoons almond flavoring
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon red food coloring
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
Mix well the shortening and butter, sugar, egg, almond and vanilla. In a separate bowl, mix
flour and salt and add to shortening mixture. Divide dough in half.
Blend red food coloring into one half. Roll 1 teaspoon of the red dough and 1 teaspoon of the
white dough on lightly floured board into 4-inch strips. Place strips side by side and press
lightly together and twist like a rope. Curve top of rope down to look like the handle of a candy
cane. (NOTE: Make one complete cookie at a time. If the dough of one color is shaped first, the
little rolls become to dry to twist.)
Bake 9 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove while still warm. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup
crushed peppermint stick candy and 1/2 cup sugar (optional).
Yield: 2 dozen


Candy Cane Cookies!


Wednesday, December 15, 2010

13 Niches to Investigate for Your Part-Time Business!

13 Niches to Investigate for Your Part-Time Business!



Who says you can't make money doing what you love? These creative ideas will help you start that part-time business you've always dreamed of.


Here are some more ideas for where to look as you try to find the niche that suits you best:

Personal services. Can you save someone else time? Running errands for seniors, preparing someone's tax returns or walking your neighbors' dogs are examples of valuable services to offer.

Gardening and landscaping. Consider the growing garden trade. Homeowners who lack the time or desire to plant and prune still recognize the importance of curb appeal today. Landscape design, maintenance and retail gardening businesses are hot now. If you enjoy working in nice weather around nature, the field of horticulture covers a wide range of professional specialties. You can be an arborist, look after commercial greenhouses, and care for golf courses or large private estates. With a formal education, you'll learn about jet stream patterns and their effect on which plants grow best in certain regions.

Outdoor recreation work. For some folks, there's no separation between work and play. Such types are reluctant to punch a clock or limit themselves to an indoor office cubicle to earn their living. If you're a wilderness buff, perhaps you're ready to strike out on your own and take Mother Nature on as a business partner. Business ideas include kayaking/white-water rafting outfitter; guided mountain biking, photo trekking, backpacking, or rock climbing tour operator; or opportunities within the state park system.

Pet services. Could your business be going to the dogs? Upscale pet-related services and merchandise are bringing home the bacon--to the tune of $30 billion a year in the United States today, according to a recent research study from Unity Marketing. Pet foods, doggie daycare, shampoos and even "pet pampering" spas and hotels are just a few of the products and services that make up the industry. If you have a knack for dog handling, dog obedience is another hot extra-income generator.

Workplace design. You could be a creator of the workplace of the future. As industries evolve, tomorrow's offices will entice us through hip, ergonomically correct furnishings, the use of color, and innovative lighting. The need for experts who can implement ergonomically correct conditions is rising. Areas of specialization include industrial workplaces, occupational safety, furniture design, computer hardware, human-computer interaction, product liability, consumer products and virtual environments.

Feng shui consulting. Interest in feng shui has risen in recent years as more people seek greater levels of satisfaction and productivity in their careers, businesses and lifestyles. This ancient art promotes spiritual and material well being by devising the best way to lay out your house or office. Certified experts are hired to do "readings" for both residential and commercial space. Consultants can charge between $235 and $1,000 for a two-hour consultation, depending on the size of a property. Some businesses will pay upwards of $25,000 for large-scale projects. Field certification costs upwards of $3,500 and includes class time, mentoring and field training.

Alternative health services. As our health-care system becomes more prevention-oriented, Americans are increasingly more accepting of alternative, holistic health, and wellness practices. Healing arts such as massage therapy, reflexology, acupuncture and yoga are in demand by private and corporate clientele. Food items or eateries offering organic edibles free of processed ingredients, preservatives and sugars are sought after by the health-conscious.

Grooming services. Thanks to the popularity of TV shoes such as Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, men are becoming more upfront about wanting to look and feel good about themselves. For these so-called metrosexuals, a new wave of relaxation havens specially designated for men are cropping up. Today's hottest services include facial bronzing, stone massage, organic facials, reflexology and seaweed wraps.

Spiritual work. Spiritually minded people make humanity their life's work. Today, there are plenty of creative job paths you can pursue if you feel inspiring others is your life mission. For example, religious craftspeople and artists (think of all the Judaic and Catholic supply shops, candleholders, jewelry charms, trinket boxes, decorative nativity art and collectibles there are); church camp/counselor/director; religious writers and authors (even for religious greeting cards); and spiritual retreat leaders. These last folks lead trips to destinations with biblical/historical significance.

Senior-focused services. Don't forget the lucrative aging baby boomers. The fifty-plus population is an intelligent, active group. They need products, services and information providers to meet their entertainment, education and lifestyle needs. Today, there are senior-focused book authors; website developers; travel, insurance and real-estate companies; and computer-training firms reaping profits from the older Americans they serve.

Business writing and services
. If your skill is putting it in writing, hire yourself out as a business plan writer. Too many businesses lose out on new contracts, funding or clients because they don't know how to communicate their message on paper. Businesses today have a need for marketing, strategy, lobbying and proposal writing services. Also, the demand for freelance writers with specialties in grant writing, bio met, IT, economic development and general business is high. Project work includes requests for proposals (RFPs), corporate training guides, computer documentation, white papers, government licensing applications, legislative memos and executive bios. Fees typically start at $100 per hour, or between $30,000 and $60,000 a year.

Home design and services. These days, home is where the art is. Thanks to baby boomers with discretionary income and a nationwide "cocooning" trend, interior decorating and design services are in demand. From guesthouses to second homes, vacation retreats to master bathrooms, those cashing in on the thriving home-fixings craze include architects, interior designers, landscape architects and pool builders. Other jobs include project management professionals for furniture companies or corporate facilities, and designers of hotels, healthcare institutions, retirement communities and nursing homes.

Culinary services.
By the same token, staying in is the new going out and people are entertaining in their homes more than ever. Dinner parties have made a big comeback. If you have culinary skills, you're in demand. Aside from catering, you may decide to give one-on-one cooking lessons, help prepare menus or conduct demonstrations in your own home. For the many people trying to eat well, both for health and epicurean reasons, you can hire yourself out as a personal chef or nutritionist.

I got this article from a site I post on...
Thanks to ShoePrincess for this Great Article.




50 ways to make side money!!!

50 ways to make side money!!!!

1. Delivering pizzas (TheHappyRock). If you have a car and a decent driving record, then you qualify for this easy extra-money maker. You're likely to get some free pizzas, too.

2. Waiting tables (Serious Eats). This is the perfect job for nights and weekends. That's when all the big tips are made anyway. Pick the nicest place in town.

3. Bartending (The Beck Office Blog). Even better, I think, than waiting tables is tending bar at nights in a busy bar -- typically at least $1 for every drink you serve.

4. Teaching swimming lessons. If you're a good swimmer, you might be able to pick up a weekend swim-teacher gig at your local recreation center. Keep in mind that some places may require a special certification or that you be a lifeguard.

5. Car valet. If you hook up with a for-hire car-parking service (the type hired out for fancy neighborhood parties) you can make some nice cash tips in just a few hours at night and on the weekend, when parties are held.

6. Create Web sites (glblguy). Businesses will pay you to take them online.

7. Blogging (ProBlogger). This isn't quick money, but you can make decent money with a little luck and a few months of solid, consistent effort. Believe me, it can be tough and a bit time-consuming, but it can be done.

8. Write an ebook (Daily Blog Tips). I hesitate to put this one in here because an ebook by itself usually doesn't make money unless you're an excellent marketer. What a great ebook can do, though, is act as a sales lead to one of your other online businesses.

9. Design Web logos (Logos For Websites). If you're good with Photoshop and can work quickly, you could make some decent cash with this online business.

10. Rewrite poorly written ads. Search the ad listings at eBay and Craigslist for big items like cars. E-mail the seller and offer to rewrite the ad for a 1% commission.

11. Write reviews (Bible Money Matters). Many Web sites will pay you a little cash to write product reviews. If you're knowledgeable and can write fast, this may work for you.

12. CashCrate. There's some money to be made with CashCrate by completing the free offers, but the real cash comes from the referral program.

13. Freebie trading (ChristianPF). Freebie trading is a real moneymaker. But it takes a special person to master the techniques and be consistent with the process.

14. Freelance writer. Right now Elance.com is looking for more writers. Set up an ad and start offering up your fast writing skills.

15. Sell digital photos (Digital Photography School). Take nice pictures. Get them up on the Web at a broker or microstock site. Make some money. It's not as easy as that, but those are the basics.

16. Sell yourself online (I Wear Your Shirt). Get creative and sell you and your time online in a fresh, new way.

17. Sell micro ad space online (The Million Dollar Homepage). Start a Web site and sell tiny ads. Can this be duplicated? Or can you take the concept and make it fresh?

18. Start an online store (Gather Little by Little). Setting up an online store is extremely easy with sites like Amazon, eBay and CafePress. Once you learn how to market that site, you can begin making some cash.

19. Focus group participant (Paying Off My Future and Bargaineering). Researchers need people to help them develop their results. Become a member of a focus group in your area and get your share of their research funding. Call your local university or museum, or look in your local paper for opportunities.

20. Sell bottled water (Neville's Financial Blog and katekashman). Buy bottled water in bulk and sell it for a dollar where there are a ton of people -- parks, festivals, concerts, etc.

21. Sell your body (My Dollar Plan). Not talking about the oldest profession here. I'm talking about your plasma, hair, eggs and sperm.

22. Have a car wash. Find a business that's willing to loan you its parking lot and gather up a few friends to wash some cars. Take donations or ask for very little. People usually do this to raise funds for an organization, but there's no reason you couldn't do it for the You Foundation.

23. Cleaning houses. This is a job with flexible hours, but requires a bit of elbow grease. Some households will provide their own cleaning supplies and tools.

24. Get a 2010 census job (ChristianPF). Work opportunities begin in the spring of 2009.

25. Sell your baked goods. Are you skilled at a few special recipes? Contract your items out for parties, meetings, etc.
26. Rent out your truck or van. If I had a truck and needed extra money, this is one of the ways I would do it. Nothing seems much easier to me.

27. Drive people to the airport. Another good gig for someone with a reliable car and the ability to be on time all the time. Once you have a few happy clients and word gets out, you'll find you have to turn business away.

28. Lawn care. I grew up doing this job on the side and loved it. But it's not just a teenager gig. Obviously better for warmer climates.

29. Be a mystery shopper (Wise Bread). Get paid to shop and share your experience.

30. Become a ticket broker. No special permit required. If you know sports or entertainment enough to pick the right events, and have access to purchase the tickets at face or below, then you can use a service like StubHub or Craigslist to resell the tickets for a profit. I've done this both out of necessity and just to make some extra money.

31. Paper route. This job will likely take up only your early-morning hours. You can also search for a paper that comes out only once a week.

32. Walk dogs. If you love animals and live in an urban area, consider this job.

33. Pet-sitting. Take dog walking a step further and actually be paid to watch someone's pet for a few hours or days. This may just entail checking in on the pet a few times a day.

34. Baby-sitting. If you enjoy kids and are good with them, this can be a fun and easy way to make a little cash.

35. Tutor (Green Panda). Have a knack for a certain subject and live near a college? Consider offering up your brain power and teaching skills for some quick cash. Grade-school kids need help too, and parents pay better than college students.

36. Play music in church or at weddings. Some churches don't have volunteers for their music. A talented pianist can make pretty good money doing this on the weekends.

37. Teach English to adults. Go through your local schools and colleges to find classes where teachers of English are needed.

38. Collect aluminum cans (The Simple Dollar). I collected cans in my teens and made a few extra bills for spending money. One woman saved up $73,000 collecting cans.

39. Sign in the yard. In our neighborhood we've seen this service hired out for announcements or funny pranks. Ha!

40. Stage homes. People are having trouble selling their homes these days and could use a second pair of eyes to stage their home for the quick sale. If you've got the designing skills, offer up your services.

41. Sell stuff on Craigslist. Craigslist is the first place I go to sell something. It's best for items you think will appeal to everyone (therefore justifying the smaller audience) and large items that can't be shipped.

42. Sell your stuff on eBay. EBay should be used for those items that are unique (you need a larger audience) and that are easily shipped.

43. Sign up with Upromise (No Credit Needed). Upromise puts money in your kids' college funds while you do your normal spending.

44. EBay arbitrage (Niche Geek). Find items that you know are selling below their full value (either online or through a deal Web site like Slickdeals), buy them and sell them on eBay for more. Once you find your product niche, you can set up a system.

45. Resell computers (Shoe Money). This is slightly different than eBay arbitrage. Find a distributor that will sell to you at discounted prices. List these items online. Buy and ship to your heart's content. Basically, you become a reseller.

46. Look for odd jobs on Craigslist. People in your town need your help and they will pay you for it. Seriously. The jobs are there on Craigslist.

47. Have a garage sale. The stuff you can't sell online, you could sell from your garage on the weekends.

48. Put stuff on consignment (eHow). This is great for clothes and other items that aren't easily sold online.

49. Bank account-opening bonuses. Many banks will give you a cash bonus to open an account with them. I'd start with a bank that will pay you higher interest.

50. Credit card bonuses (Cash Money Life). Like the bank accounts, many credit cards will give you bonus cash for opening an account.

51. Rent out a room (Free Money Finance). If you have an extra room in your house, consider renting it out to a friend, relative, or random person you find using what else, Craigslist.

52. Paint street numbers (Neville's Financial Blog and katekashman). With just a few paint and stencil supplies, you could walk the neighborhoods with curbs and solicit your curb-number-painting services.
__________________

I got this article from a site I post on!
All thanks to a member named ratid for this article:)








Tuesday, December 14, 2010

The Blizzard skipped right over us!

Thank God we only got a few inches of snow instead
of a Blizzard! Some other towns in Wisconsin wasn't
so fortunate. :~{ Well guys this was just a quick post.

Between school and work I don't know when I'll post
again. Maybe on the weekend. ~Toodles~

Sunday, December 12, 2010

There is a Blizzard coming to the Midwest!

I hope I will be able to post later on today.
I hope the storm doesn't knock my power
out.:0( It has already been reports of this
happening around town. I really hope this
doesn't happen here. It gets really cold in
Wisconsin. pray for us:0(

Saturday, December 11, 2010

What do you guys have in your malls for Christmas?

We have the Bears in the mall I work in!
Aren't they adorable? We filmed them last year!



New layout! Suxs!!!!!

I don't like this new layout. I know I've
been gone for a while but geesh<_>


Maybe it's my computer I don't know.
Shrugs shoulders but I'm not feeling this:0[


My first post!( New and Improved Blog!)

Hey everyone this Tee from the GrabBag! My computer is
still a piece of *bleep* but I decided not to give up. But I
decided to start over with a new blog and a new name!This
blog is going to be different from the GB but some of the same
concepts will be on this blog! I hope you guys will join me here!

~Toodles~