Strangely enough, six weeks ago everyone was excited around here. Our son graduated high school this past June, and after what we thought was even debate, enrolled into ITT’s Computer Network program.

Unfortunately, after the first six week’s he’s also unenrolled and here are several reasons why:

1.  No one properly explained the funding sources nor the repayment schedule – now granted we should have been more up on this ourselves, but with only one “child” (now an 18 year old “adult”) and no prior experience with FAFSA or any student grants and loans, we did rely heavily on ITT being upfront and honest about all aspects of it. (more…)

Okay, I confess I’m one of the millions out there who smoke, but as god is my witness I’d surely love to quit! Recently, my sister suggested a prescription she received from her doctor that she claims worked like a charm. Of course, she was ready in her mind to stop and stop forever.

The problem is I looked that particular drug up online and, holy cow, the potential side effects are super scary. And, the worse thing is you would not know if you were susceptible to these effects until, perhaps, it was too late (one is particularly nasty!).

However, I am determined to not just “stop smoking,” but QUIT. By the word “quit” I mean to end this habit once and for all (I do believe you cannot use the word QUIT if you have merely “stopped for a while”).

Lots of people have excuses, and I, too, have my own justifications – a huge amount of stress and the fall back to easing those moments by… yes… lighting up.

Yet we are all aware that the “smoking police” are out there. Granted, they may have my best interests (and their own) at heart, but it just irks me when other people start dedicating how a person can and cannot live their individual lives. I’m not talking about the truly great laws in place like “thou shalt not kill or maim or hurt children,” but laws that other people believe are “good for me.” What comes next? I can’t read Harry Potter or buy bread because other people believe they know better or should have a say in my life? (Sorry I’ll stop that tirade and continue onward… LOL!)

Yes, not smoking would be wonderful and I know I’m going to need more than just sheer will power (trust me I know and it’s a long and messy story). That’s when I ran across the website I Can Smoke Whenever and its product the electric cigarette.

If you’re not a smoker, you won’t appreciate this as much as the millions of the rest of us most likely will and do. Here’s the opportunity, not unlike a nicotine patch (which I had rotten luck with) or gum (it pulled just about all the fillings out of my mouth I kid you not!) to eliminate the tar build up in your lungs while slowly but surely weaning yourself off nicotine. And, since the byproduct is “a transparent vapor with no odor” that produces no carbon monoxide (hence no “second hand smoke” haters to inflame), you can actually “smoke” at your desk at work, pub, a sporting event, or even cruising your favorite mall.

Of course many are wondering is the electric cigarette legal? And the answer, as of this post, is yes – it is not regulated by the TTB.

Let’s face it, we’re all working very hard online (especially if you’re reading this and similar blogs and websites on marketing and internet promoting) – if you’re a smoker, don’t you want to be around to see all that hard work pay off?

Improving your health is never a bad thing, and investigating serious ways to quit smoking should be right up there at the top of your list.

Watch the video, read the website (it’s not large) and make an informed decision for yourself. And this time just may be the FINAL time you need to ever address this habit again.

And BTW, they offer FREE shipping!

The buzz has been about television conversion to digital for months now. Hopefully you haven’t been living in a cave somewhere and are on top of the digital conversion express.

With the switch to digital, HD programming is seeing a surge in popularity unlike anything else – unless you consider way back when, when a television in every house actually became affordable.

Charter.com is adding icing to this cake throughout the month of April.

By visiting their easy-to-use website, and building your own personalized “bundle” of services with Charter, throughout this month you will have the opportunity to enter to win a 22″ flat screen HDTV! How cool is that?

But their sweepstakes contest doesn’t stop there!

The Grand Prize this year is a 52″ LCD flat screen HDTV, plus a Home Theater System, AND one completely free year of their Charter Digital Cable service with HD programming!

Holy cow!

And, in addition to potentially winning such a cool prize, you are aware that bundling say your cable TV, internet services, and telephone needs often results in huge monthly savings. Nowadays everyone needs to revisit their monthly bills, right? So here’s your opportunity.

Charter automatically enters new or even current customers who order Cable, High Speed or Telephone – online – and this month only (so hurry and check their pricing and bundles for yourself).

This isn’t the first time Charter.com has done something out of the norm… Last year they gave away laptops and Xbox 360 game systems. In fact, one really lucky winner won a 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid (wish it had been me, I love that car!).

So jump onboard and head over to Charter! You just might be the lucky person who gets to sit back, relax, and really enjoy that new 22″ HDTV flat screen – or hey yes you could be the Grand Prize Winner!

Charter

With the Super Bowl behind us (those who follow the game, if even for just the commercials), I’ve got to say first that the commercials were a let down this year. The only one I thought was worth the money spent was the commercial for eTrade. But that’s just my opinion.

In the meantime, after your (probable) eat fest yesterday, you might be looking in the mirror thinking, “Holy cow! I look like a ____!” (Fill in the blank yourself)

So today’s post isn’t about marketing or social media strategies, instead I’d like to reference you to a great place to begin to get a handle on your health – after all it’s a new year and this year could be that new you look you’re longing for!

I use the weight loss formula on this page.

On the 30th of October (this past year), I decided it was time to turn back the clock and look and feel more than just a little bit better. Working online can (and most likely does) mean sitting on one’s backside for hours on end (no pun intended).

What I did was a tad different. I did of course figure out what my height, age, and current weight was using the formula above. I also allotted 30% extra (slightly active, I pace a lot when I’m on the phone) which also accounts for just breathing and getting through the day.

However, my next step was to figure what I wanted to weight, calculate the formula for that, and eat as if I already weighted my targeted goal!

I gave myself until the end of February (birthday time) to hit my “target” weight. And guess what… last week, yes even before January was over, I was there (which means… I’m 19 lbs. lighter already)!

Actually though, I have an “ideal” weight in mind – which is oh another 5 (who knows maybe 10) lbs. And with all of February ahead of me, and following the formula above, I’m positive I will hit that ideal weight.

Turns out losing weight and getting healthy so you’re better able to conduct business online actually do go well together

Enjoy!