Author: David Frey
Source: free-articles
By David Frey
Offering free giveaways to prospects and customer is a powerful business building strategy that can result in a flood of new and repeat customers.
It may seem counterintuitive to give away your products and services to build your business; however, people can't resist the lure of receiving something for free. The word free, as worn out as it may seem, is still the most powerful word in marketing and has a hypnotic effect on people. ________________________
Why Free Giveaways Work
________________________
The reason free giveaways work so well is two-fold. First, prospects that test your product or service risk-free will hopefully recognize its value and continue purchasing what you offer. Or even better, your prospect will get โ€œhookedโ€ on your product or service and won't be able to live without it.
Second, the fact that your product or service was given to your prospects as a free gift will compel them to return the favor by continuing to purchase from you. This principle is called the โ€œLaw of Reciprocity,โ€ which simply states that people naturally feel an obligation to return favors as a way of expressing their thanks.
The Law of Reciprocity works! The Hare Krishnas raised millions of dollars in the late sixties and early seventies using this principle. In airports the Krishnas would give away small wooden umbrellas as a free gift and would in turn, ask for a donation.
After the donor would give their donation, they would toss the little umbrella into the first trashcan they passed. The Krishna would then pick the umbrella out of the trashcan and turn right around and give it to the next person. It worked like a charm. ______________________________________________________
Know Your Total Customer Value Before Giving Freebies ______________________________________________________
The key to safely offering free giveaways is to know your โ€œtotal customer value.โ€ This is the amount of profit you will receive from your customer over the total length of your relationship. This figure not only includes business that you will receive from your customer, but also any referrals you may receive from them.
For instance, suppose you own a dry cleaning business and you compute your average โ€œtotal customer valueโ€ to be $1,250. How much money would you be willing to invest in free giveaways to acquire a new customer? $50? $100? $200?
The answer is * yes * to all of the above. Why wouldn't you invest $100 to gain $1,250 in profits? Coincidentally, this is why most small business owners are nervous about offering free giveaways. They don't understand the principle of โ€œtotal customer value.โ€
_________________________________________
Information โ€" The Ultimate Free Giveaway __________________________________________
Ideally, it's best to offer free giveaways that are low cost but have a high perceived value to the person you are giving it to. Information is a great example of a free giveaway that has a low product cost and a high perceived value. This is why it's smart for small businesses to use special reports containing โ€œinsiderโ€ information as a free giveaway for new customer lead generation.
Your special report could be a written document, an audiocassette, or a video containing subject material that your target market would be interested in. Videos especially have a high perceived value. A valuable reference guide that I use often is โ€œSpencer's Guide To Special Interest Videosโ€ which has over 13,000 hard-to-find videos.
For instance, the following are videos that you'll find in this guide that you can purchase as free giveaways for your prospects:
Example # 1 โ€" Used Car Dealer
โ€œBuying Your Next Used Carโ€ โ€" 36 minutes โ€œDon't Get Stuck with a Lemon: Smart Consumer's Guide to Buying a Used Carโ€ โ€" 20 minutes โ€œDrive Home a Better Deal: Insider Secrets On How to Buy Your New Car, Truck or Van for Lessโ€ โ€" 55 minutes
Example # 2 - Sports Fishing Gear Retailer
โ€œBasics of Better Bass Fishingโ€ โ€" 57 minutes โ€œAdvanced Trolling for Saltwater Fishโ€ โ€" 60 minutes โ€œFishing Bloopersโ€ โ€" 60 minutes โ€œSuccessful Fly Fishing Strategiesโ€ โ€" 102 minutes
Example # 3 โ€" Beauty Salon
โ€œBasic Make-Up Techniquesโ€ โ€" 60 minutes โ€œ40 & Over Make-Up Techniquesโ€ โ€" 60 minutes โ€œHollywood Make-Up Secretsโ€ โ€" 60 minutes
Example # 4 โ€" Chiropractor
โ€œBack in Actionโ€ โ€" 40 minutes โ€œBack Pain Reliefโ€ โ€" 60 minutes โ€œExercise For a Pain-Free Backโ€ โ€" 48 minutes
Example # 5 โ€" Quilt Shop (My wife is into quilting)
โ€œHow to Make Patchwork Quiltsโ€ โ€" 160 minutes โ€œReversible Quiltsโ€ โ€" 55 minutes โ€œBasic Quiltingโ€ โ€" 90 minutes
Giving away free informational videos can turn a mediocre offer into a valuable and compelling offer. ___________________________
Free Giveaway Case Studies ___________________________
There are a myriad of ways to offer a free giveaway and many effective types of giveaways (other than information) that small businesses can use to attract new and inactive customers. The following are a series of case studies from different small businesses demonstrating how each uses free giveaways to build their businesses:
Case Study # 1 โ€" Mobile Video For Hire Van
The owner of a mobile video for hire service wrote a letter offering the use of a free rental van for four weeks. Why four weeks? To get people into a habit of using his service. The result? 19.6% redemption rate and as many as 65% of the people who took up the free offer went on to become regular customers.
Case Study # 2 โ€" Health Club
A health club gave away six weeks of free memberships has saved a fortune on conventional advertising costs by having health food stores and sports shoe retailers give their free membership away to their customers as a special gift. The majority of free trials tuned into paying members at over $500 per membership.
Case Study # 3 โ€" Optometrist
An optometrist mailed a postcard to prospects offering free eye exams including four different types of eye tests (dry eye test, glaucoma test, visual acuity test, cataract test) to patients they hadn't seen in two years. The optometrist grossed an extra $10,000 in two days and the phone rang off the hook, non-stop.
Case Study # 4 โ€" Oil and Lube
An oil and lube center offered a free tire rotation, oil change, and fuel injection service. However, the customer was only allowed to take advantage of one of these services per visit. The free service giveaways resulted in significant upsells on each visit and the opportunity to capture the customer's personal and automobile information for future offers.
Case Study # 5 โ€" Hair Styling Salon
A hair styling salon offered a free children's haircut with every visit. Most of the customers brought an average of two to three of their children to get their hair cut resulting in a doubling of their weekly sales figure.
Case Study # 6 โ€" Chiropractor
A chiropractor offered a free back massage gift certificate for Valentine's Day with a free new patient exam including an x- ray, neurological and orthopedic exam. To make this offer super successful, he went around to local businesses and gave several gift certificates to the local owners and managers to give to their employees as a free gift.
Case Study # 7 โ€" Dentist
A local dentist offered a free teeth whitening with a comprehensive new patient exam, including x-rays. To make this particular offer a winner the dentist sent several coupons to existing customer's who had already received the teeth whitening service to give to their friends as a special gift. To make it even more effective he coded each coupon and offered three free whitening sessions to the customer that sent in the most referrals.
Case Study # 8 โ€" Carpet Cleaner
A carpet cleaner offered to steam clean two rooms absolutely free. No strings attached. Once the cleaner was in the home he checked for stains on the floor, rugs that needed stretching, holes or weak spots in the rug, and he even performed an air duct inspection. The result was an average of $60 - $80 dollars worth of services sold per free cleaning.
Case Study # 9 โ€" House Cleaning
A house cleaning service offered to do a full house cleaning free in the month of December. They called it, โ€œSanta's Gift to Mommy.โ€ They were immediately deluged with requests. Once โ€œMommyโ€ saw what they could do to their home and how good she felt with a clean house, 38% of them signed up for the regular service. The biggest problem the house cleaning business owner had over the next 12 months was finding people to do a good job of cleaning.
Case Study # 10 โ€" Vacuum Cleaner Retailer
(I included this case study because David Oreck is such a fantastic direct marketer.) David Oreck, chairman of Oreck Vacuums gives away a free Cordless Speed Iron just for taking the โ€œOreck XL Challengeโ€ and trying out his 8-pound vacuum cleaner. Even if you don't buy the Oreck XL vacuum cleaner you get to keep the Cordless Speed Iron! And if you end up purchasing the Oreck XL vacuum cleaner, you also get his Oreck Super Compact hand-held vacuum. Now here's a guy who knows what โ€œtotal customer valueโ€ is all about! _____________________________________________
Justify Any Deal That's โ€œToo Good To Be Trueโ€ _____________________________________________
If your offer that includes free giveaways appears โ€œtoo good to be trueโ€ to your prospect, it could decrease it's believability and your credibility. To avoid this you should always give the reason why you can offer such a great deal.
It might be that you goofed and are now overstocked, you got a great deal from your supplier,, last minute air deals, or you just want to say thank you in a meaningful way. Whatever the case may be, give a reason. It doesn't even have to be a good reason; it just needs to be believable.
Remember, your prospect is very skeptical and has good reason to be. We've all been duped at one point in time by a โ€œtoo good to be trueโ€ scam. Furnishing your prospects with the reason why you can offer them such a good deal helps them to logically reconcile your offer in their minds. In turn, this will give your prospect the comfort level needed to act on your offer.
__________
Conclusion
__________
Using free giveaways is an effective marketing strategy if used correctly. Think about what you can offer free-of-charge that your prospects would consider valuable and that you can give at a low cost to you. Don't forget to compute your total customer value so you know how much you are able to invest in attracting a new customer. Lastly, make sure your justify any offers that are just too good to be true.
_______________________________________________
David Frey has helped hundreds of small businesses literally double their revenues in six months or less. To get your lifetime FREE subscription to the web's leading small business marketing newsletters just send an email to subscribe@MarketingBestPractices.com or visit http://www.MarketingBestPractices.com
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Some cooking courses offered through community education
Author: Simran Chaudhary
Source: articlerich.com
I have a great working relationship with most of my co-workers and good friendships with three of them. It seems that even though we see each other daily it is hard to keep up with what is going on in each others lives. We make it a point to have lunch as often as possible or to go to a happy hour after work, but so often it seems that we end up talking about work.
The last time we went out to a happy hour we started talking about doing some type of activity together. One of my friends mentioned that she was going to sign up for some cooking courses offered through community education. She thought it might be fun if we would do this together. The cooking courses were to concentrate on making thirty minute meals that were above average in taste and presentation. We decided that this would be fun as well as helpful in our lives.
The first evening of the cooking courses found the four of us putting on hair nets and aprons. Of course we all thought this was quite funny. We knew we had joined a serious class when the instructor threatened to separate us. For more details visit towww.july4-recipes.com. Instead of being a fun activity where we could enjoy each others company the cooking courses became quite stressful. The first night the instructor timed us as we cut up onions and vegetables for the stir fry dish that we were making. She had a timer with a bell along with a whistle to make sure we all dropped our knives when she said that the time was up.
At our first break we went outside to get some fresh air. One of the other students heard us talking about how serious the course was. She said that she had taken other cooking courses and that they had been a great deal of fun and more laid back. She thought that the instructor was filling in for someone else. We made it through the first night. I did learn a few ways to cut off time in meal preparation but I was not that excited about going back. At work the next day we all agree that we would go the next week and if things did not improve we would skip the rest of the cooking courses and spend the time having drinks and dinner.
The next week there was a different instructor for the cooking class. She was a great deal of fun and had all of us laughing as we prepared short cut meals that could be frozen for later use. The first evening of the cooking courses found the four of us putting on hair nets and aprons. Of course we all thought this was quite funny. For more details visit to www.chef-123.com. We knew we had joined a serious class, last minute air deals, when the instructor threatened to separate us. Instead of being a fun activity where we could enjoy each others company the cooking courses became quite stressful.
The first night the instructor timed us as we cut up onions and vegetables for the stir fry dish that we were making. The evening flew by. It is amazing the difference the personality of the instructor can have on how much you enjoy a class as well as on how much you learn. The rest of the cooking courses were taught by the fun instructor so we kept going and learned a great deal.
www.book-of-cookies.com
www.404self-improvement-tips.com
Source: articlerich.com
I have a great working relationship with most of my co-workers and good friendships with three of them. It seems that even though we see each other daily it is hard to keep up with what is going on in each others lives. We make it a point to have lunch as often as possible or to go to a happy hour after work, but so often it seems that we end up talking about work.
The last time we went out to a happy hour we started talking about doing some type of activity together. One of my friends mentioned that she was going to sign up for some cooking courses offered through community education. She thought it might be fun if we would do this together. The cooking courses were to concentrate on making thirty minute meals that were above average in taste and presentation. We decided that this would be fun as well as helpful in our lives.
The first evening of the cooking courses found the four of us putting on hair nets and aprons. Of course we all thought this was quite funny. We knew we had joined a serious class when the instructor threatened to separate us. For more details visit towww.july4-recipes.com. Instead of being a fun activity where we could enjoy each others company the cooking courses became quite stressful. The first night the instructor timed us as we cut up onions and vegetables for the stir fry dish that we were making. She had a timer with a bell along with a whistle to make sure we all dropped our knives when she said that the time was up.
At our first break we went outside to get some fresh air. One of the other students heard us talking about how serious the course was. She said that she had taken other cooking courses and that they had been a great deal of fun and more laid back. She thought that the instructor was filling in for someone else. We made it through the first night. I did learn a few ways to cut off time in meal preparation but I was not that excited about going back. At work the next day we all agree that we would go the next week and if things did not improve we would skip the rest of the cooking courses and spend the time having drinks and dinner.
The next week there was a different instructor for the cooking class. She was a great deal of fun and had all of us laughing as we prepared short cut meals that could be frozen for later use. The first evening of the cooking courses found the four of us putting on hair nets and aprons. Of course we all thought this was quite funny. For more details visit to www.chef-123.com. We knew we had joined a serious class, last minute air deals, when the instructor threatened to separate us. Instead of being a fun activity where we could enjoy each others company the cooking courses became quite stressful.
The first night the instructor timed us as we cut up onions and vegetables for the stir fry dish that we were making. The evening flew by. It is amazing the difference the personality of the instructor can have on how much you enjoy a class as well as on how much you learn. The rest of the cooking courses were taught by the fun instructor so we kept going and learned a great deal.
www.book-of-cookies.com
www.404self-improvement-tips.com
Monday, December 28, 2009
Working From Home Using Computers and the Internet
Author: Stephen Russell
Source: articleage.com
After the settling down of the dot-com bubble, sanity checks have brought realistic expectations to the fore. Initially, a backlash was seen, forecasting the doom of the Internet. Finally, merits have made the Internet gain its rightful place. In breakthroughs that show the promise of e-commerce wasn't all smoke and mirrors, four dot-coms recently reported their first quarterly profits. The list of the Internet's publicly held moneymakers includes eBay Inc., Amazon.com Inc., Yahoo! Inc., Overture Services Inc., Expedia Inc., FindWhat.com Inc. and E-Trade Group Inc. Several privately owned dot-coms, including search engines Google and DealTime, say they have been making money, too.
In 2001, the last full year where numbers are available, the Department of Commerce broke out e-commerce sales versus total U.S retail sales which revealed the $3.16 trillion retail industry saw a total of $37.7 billion in sales take place online -- comprising 1.2 percent of the total. This year e-commerce is tracking about the same. Through the third quarter, the last full quarter where numbers are available, total retail sales were $856 billion versus $11 billion in e-commerce, about a 1.3 percent share.
There were big gains made in Home and Garden, a 78 percent increase; Furniture and Appliances, a 75 percent increase; and Toy shopping online with a 61 percent increase in the year 2002. There is no doubt that online shopping is growing.
Nielsen//NetRatings found that more than 35.5 million U.S. Internet users made shopping trips to virtual department store sites during the week ending November 3, 2002 - that's a 20 percent increase from the week ending October 20 and roughly 14 million more than almost the same time period in 2001.
There is a growing tendency amongst Internet users to pay for valuable content online. There are many reasons for this. First, only a few websites operated by big companies can afford to provide valuable content without being compensated. The rest of us can't be so generous. And trying to recapture our expenses by selling advertising on our websites has failed to pay the bills. Online advertising and click-through rates are on the decline.
Second, many people are now more than willing to pay to receive quality services and products even if they were offered for free earlier. Several paid content websites have already proven this unmistakable trend. The discerning buyer values his/her time as also the quality of information or service and is willing to pay for it.
However, not all products can be sold on the Internet. Some products may be better suited for online sales than others; others simply will not work on this new commercial medium. According to an Ernst and Young study, the most popular online purchases are computer related products (40%), books (20%), travel (16%), clothing (10%), recorded music (6%), subscriptions (6%), gifts (5%) and investments (4%).
Businesses offering paid services have also prospered enormously. The top three categories (Business Content/Investment, Entertainment/Lifestyles and Personals/Dating) accounted for 62% of all paid content revenues in the first three quarters of 2002. The total market for paid online content in the U.S. grew to $361.4 million for the quarter, a 14 percent gain over the previous quarter and a 105.3 percent gain over Q3 2001. An interesting statistic put forward by this report is that 85% of money spent by U.S. Consumers for online content goes to the top 50 sites in most of the categories.
The graph below (Top 3 Content Categories) is indicative of this change.
In terms of "stickiness" of different categories, Business sites - especially finance and investment rank the highest. In other words, users are more likely to spend longer time surfing through a business website compared to other categories. This study was conducted by Nielsen//NetRatings. The table below shows the most addictive web categories for 2002.
[Category/Time per person(hr:min:sec)/Audience]
Business - Finance and Investment/0:21:33/51,586
General News/0:15:47/64,822
Entertainment/0:14:32/45,922
Source: Nielsen//NetRatings
According to the above figures a person spends about 22 minutes on a finance website on an average.
Should you be selling a product or a service?
The Internet is primarily used to communicate, entertain, educate and research. It is thus no wonder that nonperishable, information-intensive products - including computers and software, books, travel, consumer electronics, magazine subscriptions - are the most popular online products at present. Content-rich sites, subscription-based sites to advertiser-supported sites focusing on a wide range of topics, have been sprouting all over the Internet.
Services such as hotel reservation, air travel and investments have successfully translated themselves to the Internet.
Unique services such as Online driving schools have been prospering. Some states in the US have set up online payment sites for Government services. Residents of a state can log on to a common site to pay all bills and other expenses, such as parking tickets to the local/County courts.
However, all kinds of services cannot be run entirely on the Internet. The Internet is less effective when face-to-face selling is needed to close a deal. The Internet can give lots of preliminary information that's useful in setting the scene for the closing. But the actual closing takes place offline - i.e., not on the Internet.
Products can also be marketed and sold successfully on the Internet. The kinds of products and services that sell best on the Internet are those that take advantage of the convenience of the Net. Remember that convenience is the primary reason why consumers flock to the Internet in the first place. People can shop any hour of the day at any site. They can avoid crowded stores, irritating sales clerks, and even avoid pickpockets.
Offbeat or unusual products and services often attract online attention and sell strongly. You would generally not try to sell items people can get at the corner store. Thus, few toothbrushes are sold on the Net; the same thing with daily food and beverage purchases. But special cheeses, rare cigars, Turkish plates, long-aged wines, even diamonds, can and do sell on the Net.
Most products sold by catalog and mail order also sell well on the Net. However, people tend to buy only those products that could be shipped at a reasonable price. Higher shipping costs diminish the price competitiveness of online products and turns-off a lot of potential buyers. In fact, high shipping costs is the primary factor that discourages people from buying online more than any other single reason. An Ernst and Young report shows that 53 percent of online shoppers are concerned with shipping costs that are too high, compared to only 19 percent, last minute air deals, who are concerned with credit cards being stolen.
As an online merchant, you have to work out the advantages as well as disadvantages of selling either products or services. However, in the recent past, online services have known to flourish. Nevertheless, if you chose to sell products you need to rethink your product offering if the total costs of the product and the shipping are higher than what is offered elsewhere.
Take some time to evaluate your products or services. There is a growing market of potential customers on the Internet, you just need to offer the products and services they are looking for.
Warmly,
Stephen Russell
Stephen Russell hails from Georgia, plays in an up and coming rock band, and creates liveable income streams using internet marketing.
Source: articleage.com
After the settling down of the dot-com bubble, sanity checks have brought realistic expectations to the fore. Initially, a backlash was seen, forecasting the doom of the Internet. Finally, merits have made the Internet gain its rightful place. In breakthroughs that show the promise of e-commerce wasn't all smoke and mirrors, four dot-coms recently reported their first quarterly profits. The list of the Internet's publicly held moneymakers includes eBay Inc., Amazon.com Inc., Yahoo! Inc., Overture Services Inc., Expedia Inc., FindWhat.com Inc. and E-Trade Group Inc. Several privately owned dot-coms, including search engines Google and DealTime, say they have been making money, too.
In 2001, the last full year where numbers are available, the Department of Commerce broke out e-commerce sales versus total U.S retail sales which revealed the $3.16 trillion retail industry saw a total of $37.7 billion in sales take place online -- comprising 1.2 percent of the total. This year e-commerce is tracking about the same. Through the third quarter, the last full quarter where numbers are available, total retail sales were $856 billion versus $11 billion in e-commerce, about a 1.3 percent share.
There were big gains made in Home and Garden, a 78 percent increase; Furniture and Appliances, a 75 percent increase; and Toy shopping online with a 61 percent increase in the year 2002. There is no doubt that online shopping is growing.
Nielsen//NetRatings found that more than 35.5 million U.S. Internet users made shopping trips to virtual department store sites during the week ending November 3, 2002 - that's a 20 percent increase from the week ending October 20 and roughly 14 million more than almost the same time period in 2001.
There is a growing tendency amongst Internet users to pay for valuable content online. There are many reasons for this. First, only a few websites operated by big companies can afford to provide valuable content without being compensated. The rest of us can't be so generous. And trying to recapture our expenses by selling advertising on our websites has failed to pay the bills. Online advertising and click-through rates are on the decline.
Second, many people are now more than willing to pay to receive quality services and products even if they were offered for free earlier. Several paid content websites have already proven this unmistakable trend. The discerning buyer values his/her time as also the quality of information or service and is willing to pay for it.
However, not all products can be sold on the Internet. Some products may be better suited for online sales than others; others simply will not work on this new commercial medium. According to an Ernst and Young study, the most popular online purchases are computer related products (40%), books (20%), travel (16%), clothing (10%), recorded music (6%), subscriptions (6%), gifts (5%) and investments (4%).
Businesses offering paid services have also prospered enormously. The top three categories (Business Content/Investment, Entertainment/Lifestyles and Personals/Dating) accounted for 62% of all paid content revenues in the first three quarters of 2002. The total market for paid online content in the U.S. grew to $361.4 million for the quarter, a 14 percent gain over the previous quarter and a 105.3 percent gain over Q3 2001. An interesting statistic put forward by this report is that 85% of money spent by U.S. Consumers for online content goes to the top 50 sites in most of the categories.
The graph below (Top 3 Content Categories) is indicative of this change.
In terms of "stickiness" of different categories, Business sites - especially finance and investment rank the highest. In other words, users are more likely to spend longer time surfing through a business website compared to other categories. This study was conducted by Nielsen//NetRatings. The table below shows the most addictive web categories for 2002.
[Category/Time per person(hr:min:sec)/Audience]
Business - Finance and Investment/0:21:33/51,586
General News/0:15:47/64,822
Entertainment/0:14:32/45,922
Source: Nielsen//NetRatings
According to the above figures a person spends about 22 minutes on a finance website on an average.
Should you be selling a product or a service?
The Internet is primarily used to communicate, entertain, educate and research. It is thus no wonder that nonperishable, information-intensive products - including computers and software, books, travel, consumer electronics, magazine subscriptions - are the most popular online products at present. Content-rich sites, subscription-based sites to advertiser-supported sites focusing on a wide range of topics, have been sprouting all over the Internet.
Services such as hotel reservation, air travel and investments have successfully translated themselves to the Internet.
Unique services such as Online driving schools have been prospering. Some states in the US have set up online payment sites for Government services. Residents of a state can log on to a common site to pay all bills and other expenses, such as parking tickets to the local/County courts.
However, all kinds of services cannot be run entirely on the Internet. The Internet is less effective when face-to-face selling is needed to close a deal. The Internet can give lots of preliminary information that's useful in setting the scene for the closing. But the actual closing takes place offline - i.e., not on the Internet.
Products can also be marketed and sold successfully on the Internet. The kinds of products and services that sell best on the Internet are those that take advantage of the convenience of the Net. Remember that convenience is the primary reason why consumers flock to the Internet in the first place. People can shop any hour of the day at any site. They can avoid crowded stores, irritating sales clerks, and even avoid pickpockets.
Offbeat or unusual products and services often attract online attention and sell strongly. You would generally not try to sell items people can get at the corner store. Thus, few toothbrushes are sold on the Net; the same thing with daily food and beverage purchases. But special cheeses, rare cigars, Turkish plates, long-aged wines, even diamonds, can and do sell on the Net.
Most products sold by catalog and mail order also sell well on the Net. However, people tend to buy only those products that could be shipped at a reasonable price. Higher shipping costs diminish the price competitiveness of online products and turns-off a lot of potential buyers. In fact, high shipping costs is the primary factor that discourages people from buying online more than any other single reason. An Ernst and Young report shows that 53 percent of online shoppers are concerned with shipping costs that are too high, compared to only 19 percent, last minute air deals, who are concerned with credit cards being stolen.
As an online merchant, you have to work out the advantages as well as disadvantages of selling either products or services. However, in the recent past, online services have known to flourish. Nevertheless, if you chose to sell products you need to rethink your product offering if the total costs of the product and the shipping are higher than what is offered elsewhere.
Take some time to evaluate your products or services. There is a growing market of potential customers on the Internet, you just need to offer the products and services they are looking for.
Warmly,
Stephen Russell
Stephen Russell hails from Georgia, plays in an up and coming rock band, and creates liveable income streams using internet marketing.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Travel Agents Going Online!
Author: Adam Jaylin
Source: articledashboard.com
Travelling without a travel agent surely looks like groping in the dark for any common man. These travel agents make our lives really easy as they arrange for our trips and journeys that can be any normal holiday trips or the professional tours around the world. They easily help you to decide as to what kind of travel destination fits into your budget and how can you enjoy your vacations with minimum resources.
If you haven't explored the online travel agencies, then we propose you to consider this option the next time you plan your trip. They are really helpful and much better than your local travel agents. In fact, the Internet is brimming with several online travel agencies, which ensure that you are taken to the best destinations around the world in a very reasonable budget and they also promise you to provide you with an array of facilities along with the whole package.
Ideally a vacation package consist of the travel tickets ( by road, train or by air), hotel reservations, sightseeing and breakfast facilities in it. The whole cost of the trip depends upon your choice of hotel and the comfort. There are both executive and economy packages to a particular destination that are equally good in their own way. However, its completely on you to decide as to how much comforts and luxuries do you want in your trip.
There are several online price comparison portals that give you a fair understanding and a thorough analysis of the various package deals that are offered by the various online travel agencies and they select the best out of all that are available in the market. Whenever you decide to go for a travel package, make sure that you are convinced about the credibility of that particular retailer. Then only should you finalise the deal.
Remember, while you are planning for your vacation trip, you can safely bank on the online travel agencies,, last minute air deals, but with adequate prudence!
Source: articledashboard.com
Travelling without a travel agent surely looks like groping in the dark for any common man. These travel agents make our lives really easy as they arrange for our trips and journeys that can be any normal holiday trips or the professional tours around the world. They easily help you to decide as to what kind of travel destination fits into your budget and how can you enjoy your vacations with minimum resources.
If you haven't explored the online travel agencies, then we propose you to consider this option the next time you plan your trip. They are really helpful and much better than your local travel agents. In fact, the Internet is brimming with several online travel agencies, which ensure that you are taken to the best destinations around the world in a very reasonable budget and they also promise you to provide you with an array of facilities along with the whole package.
Ideally a vacation package consist of the travel tickets ( by road, train or by air), hotel reservations, sightseeing and breakfast facilities in it. The whole cost of the trip depends upon your choice of hotel and the comfort. There are both executive and economy packages to a particular destination that are equally good in their own way. However, its completely on you to decide as to how much comforts and luxuries do you want in your trip.
There are several online price comparison portals that give you a fair understanding and a thorough analysis of the various package deals that are offered by the various online travel agencies and they select the best out of all that are available in the market. Whenever you decide to go for a travel package, make sure that you are convinced about the credibility of that particular retailer. Then only should you finalise the deal.
Remember, while you are planning for your vacation trip, you can safely bank on the online travel agencies,, last minute air deals, but with adequate prudence!
Saturday, December 26, 2009
The Day I Met You, My True Love Story (Part V)
Author: Tameka Norris
Source: articleage.com
The day had come, Michael and I had spent four fun, but exhausting days in Manhattan and it was time to pack our bags and leave. We still had several other adventures ahead of us. However, our plan for that day was to hop in a rent-a-car and head off to Niagara Falls. Once we were in the car on our way, we finally had the luxury of an air conditioner. Something that was much appreciated after the four hot days we'd spent walking around the city.
We were on our way and it was just us and several hours of road travel ahead. It was a nice change from the humidity, congestion, and bad odor of New York.
After finally getting us out of New York, I settled back in the driver's seat, getting comfortable and relaxed. We were heading in the right direction.
We took the time to speak about one another and our personal thoughts. How we expected one another to be in comparison to what we actually turned out to be like.
I also spoke about the things that I would like to improve about myself, and the dislike I had that my father had left and started a new life with a new family, and seemed to care nothing about the children he'd left behind.
How he treated us as if we didn't exist anymore.
Alas, I'd grown used to the fact... since it had happened at an early age. But I was bitter about it, though I honestly couldn't see things a different way. I couldn't see where he would fit in my life since his departure so long ago.
Finally when we'd made it to Niagara, it was a little later than we anticipated, but alas we made it. We still had enough time to visit the park and head back to my place in Ohio by one in the morning.
He thanked me for driving us there, and was very grateful and tender, as I'd gotten highly annoyed at getting lost along the way. He had been very patient with me... very sweet.
We walked around, enjoying the view. Neither of us thought it was quite as we had expected it to be. At least not the park on the US side. It was quite small and in some way, very common. Nothing extraordinary or all that amazing.
Just a small park with a few breathtaking elements and some concession stands.
In some fashion it appeared to be a long forgotten landmark. But my guess was it was just the time that we had arrived that made it appear to be so—most of the crowd had already left.
We explored the park and cut through a path where we could hold hands and enjoy the intimacy and beauty of it as we further made our way through it.
He made sure I was happy in the process... as I was quieter than he was used to.
I hadn't noticed. I had just been observing the new environment... taking in all that it had to offer. In a bit of a meditative state in which I could fully digest what was going on around me.
"I'm fine, " I said. "I'm happy... I'm just observing everything."
Then once we'd seen everything that we could see before heading off, we had just one last thing to do. Capture the sunset as the sun started going down.
I sat down for a bit as he caught it on camera and was grateful for the moment of pause. I thought it was a good end to a beautiful day.
Once we were back in the car we headed to Ohio. It would be about a seven hour drive back from Niagara. We talked and had our laughs and as I started getting tired and a bit disillusioned from the long drive and fatigue, he kept me awake, by talking to me.
Thankfully he was there... though I don't think I would've gone on if he wasn't. The road was becoming a blur of lines and I was becoming a bit of a danger.
Still, we were almost there, and I knew I could do it... with his support.
Sometime a little after midnight we made it home and I had never been so grateful to see my apartment.
But I couldn't forget, the time was closing in. In a day or so he'd be heading off for a course he'd also decided to take during his visit here. We would say our goodbyes and have our next adventure to look forward to when he returned about two weeks later.
But I didn't look forward to saying goodbye.
So when the morning arrived, I cuddled up with him. He was going to be leaving. I didn't want him to go. After chatting for a bit, and talking about it I'd finally gotten up enough courage to give him a kiss.
My first kiss.
It was just as lovely as I expected it to be. Perfect. And I was grateful that I'd waited or had never been given the chance to do it when I was younger. That I was given the gift to do it with someone I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.
I had that to look forward to. It was better than any teenage pipe dream of romance.
It was the perfect present to keep with me before we said our goodbyes.
A little later that, last minute air deals, morning I dropped him off at the airport and hugged him. I kept my mind fixed on the day I'd see him again. Two weeks. I could do that. I could wait.
Everyday in between was a day closer. We chatted back and forth through email during his time there. He told me about the things he got up to and the friends he made while he was there.
I was happy for him, but I couldn't wait for him to return. I missed him and the time we spent together felt so brief... and couldn't possibly make up for four years of bonding and not having the ability to be together.
So when the day finally arrived, I was excited. I would get to touch him and hug him again and we would be off on our little journeys again. Exciting times!
I fumbled my way through the airport to where I was supposed to be. I looked to see if his flight was in yet. No, a few more minutes. Then, moved toward the stairs.
He reached out and caught me as I almost walked past him.
Overlooking things that were right in front of me was not unusual for me. I was famous for being blind to what was right in front of me. Still... how I missed seeing him, I wasn't quite sure.
"Oh I didn't see you," I said. "When did your flight come in?"
"Just a few minutes ago," he said.
His hair had grown out a bit. "It looks quite nice like that too," I thought.
He had trimmed it short—to my liking before he came to America and during his stay here it started growing back out. It only became noticeable to me, however, after being away from him for a good portion of time.
During his stay we went to a little all-you-can-eat Chinese restaurant.
We were fortunate. It was quiet that day and there weren't very many people around. So we enjoyed the tranquility of the restaurant while we talked and ate.
The food was quite good and I was stuffing more in than I really had room for, finally making up for my lost appetite in New York.
We laughed at how the waitress couldn't understand what he had said to her... how long it took her to finally make out what he had said.
"Water." The difference between the British and American way of saying it is very substantial and quite humorous.
He poked fun at my version in comparison to his. Laughing, I had to agree with him. The British pronunciation was indeed correct compared to the American pronunciation. And much better sounding too.
Later we rented a few movies and snuggled. And at last the day would end and tomorrow would come.
We went to Cedar Point Amusement Park. He seemed to enjoy that most of all.
I, on the other hand, was older, five years older than Michael... and age was either catching up with me or I'd just gotten to be a big chicken.
Some lines were fast and others were slow. We joined others in line for the most popular roller coaster rides and the wait was grueling. But we passed time chatting and secretly poking fun at the people around us.
He made me laugh.
He was a lot funnier than I'd remembered. Mostly, I had myself to blame though. I had never truly appreciated his humor before and often disliked it when he had been keen on sharing it with me in the past.
"You're more fun than I expected you to be," he said to me before in the car.
"Yes." I owned up to it. "I can be very uptight online. I'm sorry about that, Michael." He had put up with my tight-laced attitude for quite some time over the years and at the very least I owed him an apology.
Though, I felt inclined to want to make up for it beyond just the sentiment of saying I was sorry. But I didn't know how, except to appreciate who I was in person and no longer respond that way in the future.
We'd spent several hours there. Michael seemed to be enjoying himself a lot. He was having a great deal of fun watching me hold on for dear life as the rides pulled us along. Often he would laugh at me... chuckling at, I imagine, how stupid I must've looked.
It was quite funny. I was certain we were going to die that day—that one of those roller coasters was going to careen off the edge of the track and we would land smack-dab in the center of the park. Or worse... the ocean.
I didn't know how to swim... so it was confirmed in my mind that I would be the first to go. I didn't stand a chance and I'd always been deathly afraid of drowning.
After we'd discovered plenty of rides and set off to find more, the day was becoming more exciting and we seemed to be truly enjoying the park.
Though, I had to admit to myself I had a great time... but I would've enjoyed a place a little less young. Amusement Parks were good fun but my days of enjoying them to the fullest extent were over.
I much preferred to be at some place like a murder mystery dinner or a historical train ride... enjoying the enchantment of nature and the relaxation of it all.
We'd almost gotten close to doing those things, but alas it didn't work out. We had a set journey and the dates interfered with what had already been planned.
Nonetheless, I was enjoying it the best I could.
At last, we hopped on an older ride. One I will never forget.
Once I had gotten in, I knew it was a mistake.
It was old, loud, and rough. During the ride I felt my stomach jump through my throat. I could feel every aching joint renewed with aches far worse than the ones prior, from the thrash, yank, and pull of the old tug-along train.
Any sickness that I had managed to avoid had suddenly settled in my body and I wanted off!
"Oh my god. Oh my god... I'm going to be sick," I thought.
I got off, staggering, putting my hands in my pockets, in search of my glasses. They weren't there! They were gone. They must've fallen out during the ride.
I searched around and when I couldn't find them I had an attendant check for my glasses, but there was no sign of them.
Suddenly, I was stuck with being blind, facing the fact that I couldn't drive us back home because the only thing I could make out was blurs of colors and the vagueness of shapes and forms.
We were stuck at Cedar Point Park.
Michael tried to calm me down, but I was furious.
I was blind, we had gotten lost, what felt like a trillion times before. From our trip to Niagara... then to the Park—and now I'd lost my glasses and I was the only one who could drive us back.
I felt the pressure barricading me in. This was too much responsibility. And my glasses... they'd cost about $200. Money I couldn't see dishing out for another pair.
Oh, I had a second pair. A back-up pair. But they did me no good... four hours away back at home. I hadn't thought to pack them and take them with me.
He offered to buy me another pair, but I didn't want another pair. I wanted less responsibility. I wanted to see again. I wanted my glasses back.
We visited the lost and found and put in a report and talked over our options.
Michael was very patient and kind. He led me along with very little arguments. I figured partly because I was impossible to get along with when I'm high-tempered and overwhelmed.
We checked back later that night, but my glasses weren't found so we decided to stay in a hotel up the street and try again tomorrow.
It was late and the crowds were leaving. We decided to call for a shuttle bus to come pick us up and take us to a hotel.
It was quiet by then. Cold. We sat down on a bench, huddling together. He gave me his coat and we wrapped our arms around one another, shivering.
"See, I told you I would take care of you," he said. "I hide when I can get away with it but I'm quite useful when I have to be."
"Yes, I know," I said. "I'm sorry for being so difficult."
About an hour later the shuttle bus arrived and dropped us off at the hotel. Finally we settled in the warm room. I was grateful for the warmth again. The coziness. The intimacy.
We chatted and watched television. Had a few laughs. I was happy that in the end, the day turned out to be quite wonderful after all.
Thanks to Michael.
The next day I called the amusement park and described my glasses. To my surprise they had found them. I was so happy! We wouldn't have to take a bus back after all—everything would continue according to plan... only a day later.
We were off again and I could see.
Tameka Norris is the founder of Romantic Short Stories. The perfect blend of true love stories, romantic short stories, love poetry, and romantic tips. Visit http://www.romantic-short-love-stories.com.
Source: articleage.com
The day had come, Michael and I had spent four fun, but exhausting days in Manhattan and it was time to pack our bags and leave. We still had several other adventures ahead of us. However, our plan for that day was to hop in a rent-a-car and head off to Niagara Falls. Once we were in the car on our way, we finally had the luxury of an air conditioner. Something that was much appreciated after the four hot days we'd spent walking around the city.
We were on our way and it was just us and several hours of road travel ahead. It was a nice change from the humidity, congestion, and bad odor of New York.
After finally getting us out of New York, I settled back in the driver's seat, getting comfortable and relaxed. We were heading in the right direction.
We took the time to speak about one another and our personal thoughts. How we expected one another to be in comparison to what we actually turned out to be like.
I also spoke about the things that I would like to improve about myself, and the dislike I had that my father had left and started a new life with a new family, and seemed to care nothing about the children he'd left behind.
How he treated us as if we didn't exist anymore.
Alas, I'd grown used to the fact... since it had happened at an early age. But I was bitter about it, though I honestly couldn't see things a different way. I couldn't see where he would fit in my life since his departure so long ago.
Finally when we'd made it to Niagara, it was a little later than we anticipated, but alas we made it. We still had enough time to visit the park and head back to my place in Ohio by one in the morning.
He thanked me for driving us there, and was very grateful and tender, as I'd gotten highly annoyed at getting lost along the way. He had been very patient with me... very sweet.
We walked around, enjoying the view. Neither of us thought it was quite as we had expected it to be. At least not the park on the US side. It was quite small and in some way, very common. Nothing extraordinary or all that amazing.
Just a small park with a few breathtaking elements and some concession stands.
In some fashion it appeared to be a long forgotten landmark. But my guess was it was just the time that we had arrived that made it appear to be so—most of the crowd had already left.
We explored the park and cut through a path where we could hold hands and enjoy the intimacy and beauty of it as we further made our way through it.
He made sure I was happy in the process... as I was quieter than he was used to.
I hadn't noticed. I had just been observing the new environment... taking in all that it had to offer. In a bit of a meditative state in which I could fully digest what was going on around me.
"I'm fine, " I said. "I'm happy... I'm just observing everything."
Then once we'd seen everything that we could see before heading off, we had just one last thing to do. Capture the sunset as the sun started going down.
I sat down for a bit as he caught it on camera and was grateful for the moment of pause. I thought it was a good end to a beautiful day.
Once we were back in the car we headed to Ohio. It would be about a seven hour drive back from Niagara. We talked and had our laughs and as I started getting tired and a bit disillusioned from the long drive and fatigue, he kept me awake, by talking to me.
Thankfully he was there... though I don't think I would've gone on if he wasn't. The road was becoming a blur of lines and I was becoming a bit of a danger.
Still, we were almost there, and I knew I could do it... with his support.
Sometime a little after midnight we made it home and I had never been so grateful to see my apartment.
But I couldn't forget, the time was closing in. In a day or so he'd be heading off for a course he'd also decided to take during his visit here. We would say our goodbyes and have our next adventure to look forward to when he returned about two weeks later.
But I didn't look forward to saying goodbye.
So when the morning arrived, I cuddled up with him. He was going to be leaving. I didn't want him to go. After chatting for a bit, and talking about it I'd finally gotten up enough courage to give him a kiss.
My first kiss.
It was just as lovely as I expected it to be. Perfect. And I was grateful that I'd waited or had never been given the chance to do it when I was younger. That I was given the gift to do it with someone I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.
I had that to look forward to. It was better than any teenage pipe dream of romance.
It was the perfect present to keep with me before we said our goodbyes.
A little later that, last minute air deals, morning I dropped him off at the airport and hugged him. I kept my mind fixed on the day I'd see him again. Two weeks. I could do that. I could wait.
Everyday in between was a day closer. We chatted back and forth through email during his time there. He told me about the things he got up to and the friends he made while he was there.
I was happy for him, but I couldn't wait for him to return. I missed him and the time we spent together felt so brief... and couldn't possibly make up for four years of bonding and not having the ability to be together.
So when the day finally arrived, I was excited. I would get to touch him and hug him again and we would be off on our little journeys again. Exciting times!
I fumbled my way through the airport to where I was supposed to be. I looked to see if his flight was in yet. No, a few more minutes. Then, moved toward the stairs.
He reached out and caught me as I almost walked past him.
Overlooking things that were right in front of me was not unusual for me. I was famous for being blind to what was right in front of me. Still... how I missed seeing him, I wasn't quite sure.
"Oh I didn't see you," I said. "When did your flight come in?"
"Just a few minutes ago," he said.
His hair had grown out a bit. "It looks quite nice like that too," I thought.
He had trimmed it short—to my liking before he came to America and during his stay here it started growing back out. It only became noticeable to me, however, after being away from him for a good portion of time.
During his stay we went to a little all-you-can-eat Chinese restaurant.
We were fortunate. It was quiet that day and there weren't very many people around. So we enjoyed the tranquility of the restaurant while we talked and ate.
The food was quite good and I was stuffing more in than I really had room for, finally making up for my lost appetite in New York.
We laughed at how the waitress couldn't understand what he had said to her... how long it took her to finally make out what he had said.
"Water." The difference between the British and American way of saying it is very substantial and quite humorous.
He poked fun at my version in comparison to his. Laughing, I had to agree with him. The British pronunciation was indeed correct compared to the American pronunciation. And much better sounding too.
Later we rented a few movies and snuggled. And at last the day would end and tomorrow would come.
We went to Cedar Point Amusement Park. He seemed to enjoy that most of all.
I, on the other hand, was older, five years older than Michael... and age was either catching up with me or I'd just gotten to be a big chicken.
Some lines were fast and others were slow. We joined others in line for the most popular roller coaster rides and the wait was grueling. But we passed time chatting and secretly poking fun at the people around us.
He made me laugh.
He was a lot funnier than I'd remembered. Mostly, I had myself to blame though. I had never truly appreciated his humor before and often disliked it when he had been keen on sharing it with me in the past.
"You're more fun than I expected you to be," he said to me before in the car.
"Yes." I owned up to it. "I can be very uptight online. I'm sorry about that, Michael." He had put up with my tight-laced attitude for quite some time over the years and at the very least I owed him an apology.
Though, I felt inclined to want to make up for it beyond just the sentiment of saying I was sorry. But I didn't know how, except to appreciate who I was in person and no longer respond that way in the future.
We'd spent several hours there. Michael seemed to be enjoying himself a lot. He was having a great deal of fun watching me hold on for dear life as the rides pulled us along. Often he would laugh at me... chuckling at, I imagine, how stupid I must've looked.
It was quite funny. I was certain we were going to die that day—that one of those roller coasters was going to careen off the edge of the track and we would land smack-dab in the center of the park. Or worse... the ocean.
I didn't know how to swim... so it was confirmed in my mind that I would be the first to go. I didn't stand a chance and I'd always been deathly afraid of drowning.
After we'd discovered plenty of rides and set off to find more, the day was becoming more exciting and we seemed to be truly enjoying the park.
Though, I had to admit to myself I had a great time... but I would've enjoyed a place a little less young. Amusement Parks were good fun but my days of enjoying them to the fullest extent were over.
I much preferred to be at some place like a murder mystery dinner or a historical train ride... enjoying the enchantment of nature and the relaxation of it all.
We'd almost gotten close to doing those things, but alas it didn't work out. We had a set journey and the dates interfered with what had already been planned.
Nonetheless, I was enjoying it the best I could.
At last, we hopped on an older ride. One I will never forget.
Once I had gotten in, I knew it was a mistake.
It was old, loud, and rough. During the ride I felt my stomach jump through my throat. I could feel every aching joint renewed with aches far worse than the ones prior, from the thrash, yank, and pull of the old tug-along train.
Any sickness that I had managed to avoid had suddenly settled in my body and I wanted off!
"Oh my god. Oh my god... I'm going to be sick," I thought.
I got off, staggering, putting my hands in my pockets, in search of my glasses. They weren't there! They were gone. They must've fallen out during the ride.
I searched around and when I couldn't find them I had an attendant check for my glasses, but there was no sign of them.
Suddenly, I was stuck with being blind, facing the fact that I couldn't drive us back home because the only thing I could make out was blurs of colors and the vagueness of shapes and forms.
We were stuck at Cedar Point Park.
Michael tried to calm me down, but I was furious.
I was blind, we had gotten lost, what felt like a trillion times before. From our trip to Niagara... then to the Park—and now I'd lost my glasses and I was the only one who could drive us back.
I felt the pressure barricading me in. This was too much responsibility. And my glasses... they'd cost about $200. Money I couldn't see dishing out for another pair.
Oh, I had a second pair. A back-up pair. But they did me no good... four hours away back at home. I hadn't thought to pack them and take them with me.
He offered to buy me another pair, but I didn't want another pair. I wanted less responsibility. I wanted to see again. I wanted my glasses back.
We visited the lost and found and put in a report and talked over our options.
Michael was very patient and kind. He led me along with very little arguments. I figured partly because I was impossible to get along with when I'm high-tempered and overwhelmed.
We checked back later that night, but my glasses weren't found so we decided to stay in a hotel up the street and try again tomorrow.
It was late and the crowds were leaving. We decided to call for a shuttle bus to come pick us up and take us to a hotel.
It was quiet by then. Cold. We sat down on a bench, huddling together. He gave me his coat and we wrapped our arms around one another, shivering.
"See, I told you I would take care of you," he said. "I hide when I can get away with it but I'm quite useful when I have to be."
"Yes, I know," I said. "I'm sorry for being so difficult."
About an hour later the shuttle bus arrived and dropped us off at the hotel. Finally we settled in the warm room. I was grateful for the warmth again. The coziness. The intimacy.
We chatted and watched television. Had a few laughs. I was happy that in the end, the day turned out to be quite wonderful after all.
Thanks to Michael.
The next day I called the amusement park and described my glasses. To my surprise they had found them. I was so happy! We wouldn't have to take a bus back after all—everything would continue according to plan... only a day later.
We were off again and I could see.
Tameka Norris is the founder of Romantic Short Stories. The perfect blend of true love stories, romantic short stories, love poetry, and romantic tips. Visit http://www.romantic-short-love-stories.com.
Friday, December 25, 2009
How To Cut Your Home Energy Bill This Summer
Author: J Simkhai
Source: articledashboard.com
The summer is assuredly here. Goodbye algid acclimate and heating bills! Hello shorts and air conditioning bills. You can about apprehend the electric bill ascent over the affable hum of your home's two air conditioners. Do you sometimes feel that you can never get ahead?
A contempo abstraction showed that the boilerplate domiciliary spends $1,400 annually on energy. A acceptable accord of that, say activity conservationists, is money wasted. Cutting aback on activity use doesn't beggarly you charge to be active in a cave, aggravating to apprehend by the ablaze of the fire. These days, you can advice the ambiance and your pocketbook after any above sacrifices.
According to the pages of accepted science, last minute air deals, magazines such as National Geographic and Popular Science, there a amount of things you can do this summer to cut your home activity costs while allowance the environment. By demography some of these almost simple steps, you can cut your activity bills by one-third or more.
Source: articledashboard.com
The summer is assuredly here. Goodbye algid acclimate and heating bills! Hello shorts and air conditioning bills. You can about apprehend the electric bill ascent over the affable hum of your home's two air conditioners. Do you sometimes feel that you can never get ahead?
A contempo abstraction showed that the boilerplate domiciliary spends $1,400 annually on energy. A acceptable accord of that, say activity conservationists, is money wasted. Cutting aback on activity use doesn't beggarly you charge to be active in a cave, aggravating to apprehend by the ablaze of the fire. These days, you can advice the ambiance and your pocketbook after any above sacrifices.
According to the pages of accepted science, last minute air deals, magazines such as National Geographic and Popular Science, there a amount of things you can do this summer to cut your home activity costs while allowance the environment. By demography some of these almost simple steps, you can cut your activity bills by one-third or more.
- Upgrade Your Thermostat - You can cut your activity costs by advance in a programmable thermostat. These acquiesce you to air-conditioned your home at altered temperatures for specific times of the day. For example, you can affairs your AC to about-face down, during the day, if no one is home and afresh crank it up afresh 30 account afore you return. Installing a programmable thermostat costs about $100 to $150 but the activity accumulation can be substantial. You can calmly cut your heating and cooling bills by 10% annually just by axis your thermostat aback 10% to 15% for 8 hours a day.
- Go Green -Planting just three adumbral copse about your abode not alone can cut $100 to $250 off your anniversary heating and cooling costs, but will aswell accomplish your backyard crackpot added attractive, too. Leafy copse absorber the abode from absolute sunlight, befitting temperatures down, while still acceptance sunlight to hit your abode during the winter months.
- Keep It Clean - Befitting your air-conditioning assemblage apple-pie and in aiguille achievement is addition big money saver. It can be a acceptable abstraction to accompany your AC assemblage in for a able tune up. Air-conditioning filters should about be arrested every ages or so to see if they charge to be bankrupt or replaced. This is appealing simple and calmly can be done on your own. Addition accessible tip is to dust off your refrigerator condenser coils. This will accomplish it run added efficiently.
- Buy a Better Bulb - Compact beaming ablaze bulbs crave 75% beneath activity than traditional, beaming ablaze bulbs, and they endure up to 10 times longer. These bulbs now appear in abate sizes that can fit into any lamp, and a added blush spectrum than they acclimated to. By replacing just four well-used 100-watt beaming bulbs with agnate 23-watt fluorescents will save you $108 over three years.
- Be a Fan of Energy - As abounding as 73% of homes accept beam fans, but not anybody uses theirs. You should start. A beam fan can antithesis out a room's temperature, acceptance you to about-face down the AC and still feel cool.
- Get Unplugged - Even if all of your home electronics are angry off, abounding abide to use energy. The capital culprits are your televisions, VCRs, DVD players, stereos, phones and bake ovens. Appealing abundant annihilation that has a clock, a limited ascendancy or an on/off ablaze avalanche into this category. In fact, abandoned TVs and VCRs amount consumers $1 billion annually, or $30 per household.
- Fight Leaks - That cooled air you're already paying for may be aperture appropriate out of your house. Leaky windows and ducts are two means that air-conditioned air can be lost, which makes your air conditioner plan even harder. Having your ducts appropriately closed and cloistral could save you as abundant as 10% in activity costs. So if you anticipate your aqueduct arrangement is faulty, try to accept it arrested out by an HVAC, heating- blast and air-conditioning, technician.
- Be a Savvy Shopper - By far the better way to save is to advance in energy-efficient appliances. If arcade around, attending for the Activity Star label. There are added than 35 artefact categories that qualify.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
The Joy Of Finding Cheap International Air Travel Deals
Author: David Lathan
Source: articlesbase.com
Generally flying overseas costs more now than it ever has before and as a result finding low cost international air travel deals can be quite a challenge. Many airlines are presently struggling to remain solvent throughout this fiscal crisis, so they have no alternative bu to charge more for tickets than they once did. Nonetheless, everybody who loves to go to other places knows that there are still some tricks you'll use to find cheap international air travel deals, and getting a great bargain forever feels absolutely wonderful. The sole things needed of people who would like to find low-cost international air travel deals are an obliging point of view and a smart amount, last minute air deals, of determination. Look through Travel WebsitesThere are several common travel websites that you can use to search out low-cost international air travel and hotel deals. These deals are a great option for people who are ready to book right away and travel in the near future. You must also be willing to travel to an airport that is not close to your home. If you do not mind where or when you go abroad then finding low-cost international air travel deals is actually quite easy. But, if you've got a selected time or destination in mind then finding a sensible deal may take a ton longer. When using travel websites to find low-cost international air travel you must perpetually use caution. For instance, if you see a fare quoted with an asterisk next to it then there can most likely be hidden charges like additional tax. Always find out how much you'll really be expected to pay prior to committing to something, since what seems like a great cut price might not be. Acquiring Free Air MilesThere is an additional way to get cheap international air travel without hunting out bargains on the internet. Many airlines can provide you free air miles in return for your loyalty. Therefore if you used the identical airline to travel from the east coast of the United States to London and went to Britain or Europe very often then you would soon build up a heap of free air miles. Eventually you could use these free air miles to get a flight over the Atlantic that costs just a few hundred dollars. Clearly if you do not travel overseas very often it is not worth joining a loyalty program so as to get low-cost international air travel tickets. But, if you tend to travel abroad quite a bit you could save quite a lot of cash using this technique.
Source: articlesbase.com
Generally flying overseas costs more now than it ever has before and as a result finding low cost international air travel deals can be quite a challenge. Many airlines are presently struggling to remain solvent throughout this fiscal crisis, so they have no alternative bu to charge more for tickets than they once did. Nonetheless, everybody who loves to go to other places knows that there are still some tricks you'll use to find cheap international air travel deals, and getting a great bargain forever feels absolutely wonderful. The sole things needed of people who would like to find low-cost international air travel deals are an obliging point of view and a smart amount, last minute air deals, of determination. Look through Travel WebsitesThere are several common travel websites that you can use to search out low-cost international air travel and hotel deals. These deals are a great option for people who are ready to book right away and travel in the near future. You must also be willing to travel to an airport that is not close to your home. If you do not mind where or when you go abroad then finding low-cost international air travel deals is actually quite easy. But, if you've got a selected time or destination in mind then finding a sensible deal may take a ton longer. When using travel websites to find low-cost international air travel you must perpetually use caution. For instance, if you see a fare quoted with an asterisk next to it then there can most likely be hidden charges like additional tax. Always find out how much you'll really be expected to pay prior to committing to something, since what seems like a great cut price might not be. Acquiring Free Air MilesThere is an additional way to get cheap international air travel without hunting out bargains on the internet. Many airlines can provide you free air miles in return for your loyalty. Therefore if you used the identical airline to travel from the east coast of the United States to London and went to Britain or Europe very often then you would soon build up a heap of free air miles. Eventually you could use these free air miles to get a flight over the Atlantic that costs just a few hundred dollars. Clearly if you do not travel overseas very often it is not worth joining a loyalty program so as to get low-cost international air travel tickets. But, if you tend to travel abroad quite a bit you could save quite a lot of cash using this technique.
Save up to 65% on Family Travel Deals at CheapOair.com.Unbelievably low prices, Book today !
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Do You Know How To Find The Best Air Fare Deals?
Author: Davin Michaels
Source: isnare.com
Sometimes travel is totally dependent on getting just the right air fare deal, which many times is dependent on the time of travel, especially if it is during a holiday or on short notice, etc.
Many times air fare deals with certain airlines are only posted online. If you can be flexible on travel times and dates, then by all means check out http://www.priceline.com where you can get awesome cheap air fare deals to most any destination.
Are you looking for air fare deals for your next vacation? You can still consult with a travel agent of course, but your best bet is at the tips of your fingers. The internet is swarming with travel sites that offer great air fare deals, as well as hotel and resort accommodations, all inclusive deals, and cruise/air specials.
You can start by checking out http://www.expedia.com, http://www.travelocity.com, http://www.cheaptickets.com, http://www.orbitz.com, or the websites of airlines that offer flights to where you want to go.
If you have to travel at the last minute it is still possible to get reasonable air fare deals; not all seats are filled on all flights, and if traveling alone or with another adult, chances are greater that there will be open seats still available, they may just not be together.
Why drive and spend all that time in your vehicle when you could already be there having fun? Timing is everything and the sooner you know your availability and other pertinent information the sooner you can take advantage of those great vacation packages including hotel and air fare deals for you and your whole family.
You really must be flexible and not restrict yourself to certain dates and times if you really want a good air fare deal. Last minute specials offered for online bookings, last minute air deals, are great if you can book immediately or travel at a moment's notice. The greater your flexibility the greater your savings and the better the air fare deal.
Spring is a great time of year to make travel plans for those long awaited summer vacations and weekend getaways. There are many cheap air fare deals to be found online and out there just waiting for you and your family to discover.
If you are available for travel during the off season, there are numerous options available for quite a few popular destinations, most with cheap air fare deals to boot! You better get going - no fun having!!
Source: isnare.com
Sometimes travel is totally dependent on getting just the right air fare deal, which many times is dependent on the time of travel, especially if it is during a holiday or on short notice, etc.
Many times air fare deals with certain airlines are only posted online. If you can be flexible on travel times and dates, then by all means check out http://www.priceline.com where you can get awesome cheap air fare deals to most any destination.
Are you looking for air fare deals for your next vacation? You can still consult with a travel agent of course, but your best bet is at the tips of your fingers. The internet is swarming with travel sites that offer great air fare deals, as well as hotel and resort accommodations, all inclusive deals, and cruise/air specials.
You can start by checking out http://www.expedia.com, http://www.travelocity.com, http://www.cheaptickets.com, http://www.orbitz.com, or the websites of airlines that offer flights to where you want to go.
If you have to travel at the last minute it is still possible to get reasonable air fare deals; not all seats are filled on all flights, and if traveling alone or with another adult, chances are greater that there will be open seats still available, they may just not be together.
Why drive and spend all that time in your vehicle when you could already be there having fun? Timing is everything and the sooner you know your availability and other pertinent information the sooner you can take advantage of those great vacation packages including hotel and air fare deals for you and your whole family.
You really must be flexible and not restrict yourself to certain dates and times if you really want a good air fare deal. Last minute specials offered for online bookings, last minute air deals, are great if you can book immediately or travel at a moment's notice. The greater your flexibility the greater your savings and the better the air fare deal.
Spring is a great time of year to make travel plans for those long awaited summer vacations and weekend getaways. There are many cheap air fare deals to be found online and out there just waiting for you and your family to discover.
If you are available for travel during the off season, there are numerous options available for quite a few popular destinations, most with cheap air fare deals to boot! You better get going - no fun having!!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Retirees - How to Survive This Recession
Author: Charlotte Demontigny
Source: ezinearticles.com
As a retiree, I am quite anxious about the current economic crisis. I keep wondering if I will survive this recession. No doubt, those of you who are in the same boat are experiencing just as much angst as I.
Retirement is supposed to be a time, last minute air deals, of tranquility; a time when we can enjoy each moment doing whatever it is that makes us happy. At least, that is the way it should be.
For those of you who have found an ideal place to retire, the economic crisis may have reduced your savings significantly. Perhaps you have found the need to reassess your budget and realized that major changes need to be made. You are not alone.
Although some economists have estimated that this recession may last more than a year, there are things we can do to eliminate some of the financial worry.
Here are 10 suggestions:
1. If you currently have outstanding credit card debt, call the banks and ask to have your interest lowered. Cut up all credit cards and just keep one for emergencies.
2. Call the telephone company and discuss each item on your bill. Eliminate those items you really don't need such as call waiting, caller ID, etc
3. If you have cable TV, do some research to find the lowest possible cost to bundle TV, internet, and telephone service.
4. An energy efficient home can save you quite a bit of money. Unplug any appliance not in use; shut down the computer instead of keeping it in sleep mode; purchase energy efficient bulbs; keep your thermostat at the recommended temperature during the day and night; clean air conditioner filters; wash a full load of clothes using cold water; time spend in the shower should be limited to five minutes; when you leave a room in your home, turn off the lights.
5. Grow your own vegetables and herbs. This can save you quite a bit of money in the long run. If you do not have a garden, buy produce at farmer's markets.
6. Instead of purchasing books, check out Swaptree.com online. Here you can join and swap books, CDs, and DVDs - all for the price of shipping. Membership is free.
7. Dining out regularly can cost dearly. Buy groceries in bulk and select one day to prepare meals for several weeks at a time.
8. Utilize online coupons, newspaper and in-store circulars for supermarket shopping.
9. Cancel all magazine subscriptions and newspaper deliveries.
10. Visit consignment shops and thrift stores for clothing purchases.
Whatever we can do before our new President implements legislation will serve to help alleviate some of the financial pressures we are experiencing at the moment.
=>Ideal Places to Retire offers you a wide variety of choices. Whether you prefer a city or a friendly suburban town, or cheapest places to retire, this site also offers Retirement Tips how to deal with today's economy.
Source: ezinearticles.com
As a retiree, I am quite anxious about the current economic crisis. I keep wondering if I will survive this recession. No doubt, those of you who are in the same boat are experiencing just as much angst as I.
Retirement is supposed to be a time, last minute air deals, of tranquility; a time when we can enjoy each moment doing whatever it is that makes us happy. At least, that is the way it should be.
For those of you who have found an ideal place to retire, the economic crisis may have reduced your savings significantly. Perhaps you have found the need to reassess your budget and realized that major changes need to be made. You are not alone.
Although some economists have estimated that this recession may last more than a year, there are things we can do to eliminate some of the financial worry.
Here are 10 suggestions:
1. If you currently have outstanding credit card debt, call the banks and ask to have your interest lowered. Cut up all credit cards and just keep one for emergencies.
2. Call the telephone company and discuss each item on your bill. Eliminate those items you really don't need such as call waiting, caller ID, etc
3. If you have cable TV, do some research to find the lowest possible cost to bundle TV, internet, and telephone service.
4. An energy efficient home can save you quite a bit of money. Unplug any appliance not in use; shut down the computer instead of keeping it in sleep mode; purchase energy efficient bulbs; keep your thermostat at the recommended temperature during the day and night; clean air conditioner filters; wash a full load of clothes using cold water; time spend in the shower should be limited to five minutes; when you leave a room in your home, turn off the lights.
5. Grow your own vegetables and herbs. This can save you quite a bit of money in the long run. If you do not have a garden, buy produce at farmer's markets.
6. Instead of purchasing books, check out Swaptree.com online. Here you can join and swap books, CDs, and DVDs - all for the price of shipping. Membership is free.
7. Dining out regularly can cost dearly. Buy groceries in bulk and select one day to prepare meals for several weeks at a time.
8. Utilize online coupons, newspaper and in-store circulars for supermarket shopping.
9. Cancel all magazine subscriptions and newspaper deliveries.
10. Visit consignment shops and thrift stores for clothing purchases.
Whatever we can do before our new President implements legislation will serve to help alleviate some of the financial pressures we are experiencing at the moment.
=>Ideal Places to Retire offers you a wide variety of choices. Whether you prefer a city or a friendly suburban town, or cheapest places to retire, this site also offers Retirement Tips how to deal with today's economy.
To find out more, please visit http://www.ideal-places-to-retire.com For more information please visit http://www.ideal-places-to-retire.com
Thursday, December 17, 2009
How To Manage Tension And Stress - 4 Useful Tips
Author: Rene Graeber -
Source: articledashboard.com
Stress has always been a part of our lives. It is but a common occurrence for people to hear someone complain of how stressful his life had been in the school, in the workplace, or even with his family. This situation happens everywhere regardless of race, nationality, status in life, or level of education attained. Stress is just there clinging to us wherever we go, and we can't merely disregard this sad truth.
We must remember that in whatever we do, there are just some inevitable factors that cause pressure and anxiety to us. On the other hand, there are those that we can control. We must therefore be sensible enough to differentiate the two so that we do not end up wasting our time, effort, money and abilities on matters that we can't change.
Enumerated below are some helpful advice on how to cope with tension and stress:
1. Identify what makes you anxious and uneasy. Making a list of your stressful experiences is useful. Immediately deal with the issues that you can change like waking-up late for work in the morning or beating deadlines during the last minute. Forget about the ones that you can't influence like being stuck in a traffic jam or not getting into the elevator because there is no space left.
2. Calm down. A three-minute break would do you good. You can go to the bathroom and wash your face, sneak out to buy a candy bar, or inhale fresh air. You can also listen to relaxing music, punch a pillow, or call someone. Releasing your inner feelings to a good friend is a healthy option.
3. It will pass; it will be over before you know it. Constantly reminding yourself that the stressful event "will end sooner or later" can make you see the positive sides of things. At the same time, stabilize your emotions and think, last minute air deals, of what is the best thing to do rather than take your energy away from what needs to be done.
4. Know yourself. Ask yourself: What triggers your anxiety? If it is your job, then maybe it's the right time for you to reconsider whether it would be best to find a less stressful job. You can also make your present job more bearable by allowing yourself to get that needed vacation or leave. Never tire yourself of thinking what can't be changed immediately, like a new memorandum assigning you to a new work schedule that you don't prefer. In due time, things will get better as you adjust to your work.
Eventually, you have two choices. You could change the situation or you could accept it. There's no other way around it.
Source: articledashboard.com
Stress has always been a part of our lives. It is but a common occurrence for people to hear someone complain of how stressful his life had been in the school, in the workplace, or even with his family. This situation happens everywhere regardless of race, nationality, status in life, or level of education attained. Stress is just there clinging to us wherever we go, and we can't merely disregard this sad truth.
We must remember that in whatever we do, there are just some inevitable factors that cause pressure and anxiety to us. On the other hand, there are those that we can control. We must therefore be sensible enough to differentiate the two so that we do not end up wasting our time, effort, money and abilities on matters that we can't change.
Enumerated below are some helpful advice on how to cope with tension and stress:
1. Identify what makes you anxious and uneasy. Making a list of your stressful experiences is useful. Immediately deal with the issues that you can change like waking-up late for work in the morning or beating deadlines during the last minute. Forget about the ones that you can't influence like being stuck in a traffic jam or not getting into the elevator because there is no space left.
2. Calm down. A three-minute break would do you good. You can go to the bathroom and wash your face, sneak out to buy a candy bar, or inhale fresh air. You can also listen to relaxing music, punch a pillow, or call someone. Releasing your inner feelings to a good friend is a healthy option.
3. It will pass; it will be over before you know it. Constantly reminding yourself that the stressful event "will end sooner or later" can make you see the positive sides of things. At the same time, stabilize your emotions and think, last minute air deals, of what is the best thing to do rather than take your energy away from what needs to be done.
4. Know yourself. Ask yourself: What triggers your anxiety? If it is your job, then maybe it's the right time for you to reconsider whether it would be best to find a less stressful job. You can also make your present job more bearable by allowing yourself to get that needed vacation or leave. Never tire yourself of thinking what can't be changed immediately, like a new memorandum assigning you to a new work schedule that you don't prefer. In due time, things will get better as you adjust to your work.
Eventually, you have two choices. You could change the situation or you could accept it. There's no other way around it.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Lawn Mower Batteries: What You Need To Know
Author: Mr.Andrew Caxton -
Source: articledashboard.com
Gasoline-powered lawn mowers are loud, and emit a great deal of pollution. The solution is the electrical or battery-powered lawn mower. Battery-powered lawn mowers are good for small lawns.
Most lawn mowers are powered by gasoline. Up until recently they have been the easiest mowers to use. It was necessary only to pull the starter cord a few times, or use the electric starter, and then mow to your heart's content. But gasoline-powered mowers are noisy and they do rather pollute the air with their emissions.
One of the knocks against the electric-powered lawnmower was that it was awkward to use. The mower must be plugged in via a long power cord, and care must be taken not to snarl or run over the power cord.
Now, you've got another choice - the battery-operated lawnmower. A battery-operated lawnmower will generally have enough power to allow the operator to mow both the front and back yards on one charge, unless they are extremely large.
It all depends on the battery, though. Some batteries last for thirty minutes between charges, others last up to an hour. The key thing is that they are rechargeable, so that there's no need to bury them in a garbage dump. Although...even these batteries only last about five years or so - and then must be recycled.
There are several types of batteries: alkaline - which are not used in lawn mowers, lead acid - which are gradually being replaced by nickel cadmium, and lithium batteries - which are not only expensive but also have low storage capacity.
Nickel cadmium batteries
If you are buying a new battery operated lawn mower, make sure you get one powered by a nickel cadmium (Ni-cad) battery. They are simply better than the lead acid - they can be recycled and are environmentally friendly.
Extending battery life
As with any other type of mower, there are times when you should mow your lawn and times when you shouldn't. You should never try to mow wet grass - it produces a tremendous strain on the battery - or engine - and doesn't do your grass much good, either. Don't let your grass grow such that you're cutting off more than three inches at a time - again, bad for the engine or battery, and bad for the grass itself.
Ni-Cad batteries
Ni-Cad batteries are maintenance free. All you need to do is make sure you do not re-charge the batteries until they are completely discharged. The batteries have a 'memory' - if you recharge, last minute air deals, them when they don't need to be, they will remember the energy state they were at when they were recharged, and will believe themselves to be run down the next time they reach that state - even though they have plenty of power left. (Okay, there's a bit of anthropomorphism there, but you get the idea.)
If you're concerned about the environment - and we all should be - the battery-operated or electrical lawn mowers should be our choice.
Source: articledashboard.com
Gasoline-powered lawn mowers are loud, and emit a great deal of pollution. The solution is the electrical or battery-powered lawn mower. Battery-powered lawn mowers are good for small lawns.
Most lawn mowers are powered by gasoline. Up until recently they have been the easiest mowers to use. It was necessary only to pull the starter cord a few times, or use the electric starter, and then mow to your heart's content. But gasoline-powered mowers are noisy and they do rather pollute the air with their emissions.
One of the knocks against the electric-powered lawnmower was that it was awkward to use. The mower must be plugged in via a long power cord, and care must be taken not to snarl or run over the power cord.
Now, you've got another choice - the battery-operated lawnmower. A battery-operated lawnmower will generally have enough power to allow the operator to mow both the front and back yards on one charge, unless they are extremely large.
It all depends on the battery, though. Some batteries last for thirty minutes between charges, others last up to an hour. The key thing is that they are rechargeable, so that there's no need to bury them in a garbage dump. Although...even these batteries only last about five years or so - and then must be recycled.
There are several types of batteries: alkaline - which are not used in lawn mowers, lead acid - which are gradually being replaced by nickel cadmium, and lithium batteries - which are not only expensive but also have low storage capacity.
Nickel cadmium batteries
If you are buying a new battery operated lawn mower, make sure you get one powered by a nickel cadmium (Ni-cad) battery. They are simply better than the lead acid - they can be recycled and are environmentally friendly.
Extending battery life
As with any other type of mower, there are times when you should mow your lawn and times when you shouldn't. You should never try to mow wet grass - it produces a tremendous strain on the battery - or engine - and doesn't do your grass much good, either. Don't let your grass grow such that you're cutting off more than three inches at a time - again, bad for the engine or battery, and bad for the grass itself.
Ni-Cad batteries
Ni-Cad batteries are maintenance free. All you need to do is make sure you do not re-charge the batteries until they are completely discharged. The batteries have a 'memory' - if you recharge, last minute air deals, them when they don't need to be, they will remember the energy state they were at when they were recharged, and will believe themselves to be run down the next time they reach that state - even though they have plenty of power left. (Okay, there's a bit of anthropomorphism there, but you get the idea.)
If you're concerned about the environment - and we all should be - the battery-operated or electrical lawn mowers should be our choice.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Recycled envelopes
Author: Mark Bartley
Source: articlesbase.com
More than that it also reduces pollution and also the need to store, manage and handle expensive and dangerous waste. Recycling is the way forward and we can all do our bit to help.
Here are just a few of the numbers associated with recycling - the benefits are obvious. Making new aluminum cans from recycled cans uses 20 times less energy than making cans from the raw material. Just one recycled tin can would save enough energy to power a television for 3 hours. Just one recycled glass bottle would save enough energy to power a computer for 25 minutes. Just one recycled plastic bottle would save enough energy to power a 30-watt light bulb for 6 hours.
When it comes to paper products such as envelopes, 70 per cent less energy is required to recycle paper compared with making it from raw materials. Manufacturing products from recycled paper also reduces water pollution by 35% and air pollutants by 73 percent.
Despite calls for improved handling of waste landfill sites are still the most commonly used disposal method for paper in the developed world. With the production and use of paper having escalated massively over the last 40 year figures reveal that more than 5 million tonnes of paper ends up in landfill every year. On average each of us uses 700 pounds of paper products every year and paper now contributes to almost a third of the material that goes into landfills. A massive 14 percent of landfill space is taken up by newspaper alone.
Landfill is bad news and one of the biggest problems in disposing with paper like this is that it emits methane whilst decomposing ? a potentiality harmful greenhouse gas (20 times more potent than carbon dioxide). Life cycle analysis shows that up to 100m tonnes of carbon equivalent is emitted by decomposing landfill sites. This is equivalent to all the carbon emitted through the use of fossil fuels during the rest of the paper cycle. Using paper once and then dumping it in holes in the ground is simply not a viable, sustainable or sensible way of using paper products ? it's inefficient and it's expensive, bad for business and bad for the planet. Of that most people would agree.
The question is - What then, can we all do to help? Well one easy way that business can contribute to help protest natural resources, save energy as well as save waste and reduce landfill is by using recycled products. It doesn't need grand sweeping gestures necessarily as every little helps. From photocopier paper, ring binders, files, wallets, notebooks, marker pens and envelopes the office equipment and stationery industry is leading the way when it comes to 'Green' products and these days you are spoilt for choice when it comes to recycled paper products. What about replacing your standard envelope with recycled, last minute air deals, envelopes? That would certainly help. With an estimated 400 billion envelopes produced every year imagine the environmental benefits of just a proportion of these being recycled? Some countries such as Sweden and Switzerland already recycle 40 percent of their paper with and Japan recycling 50 percent.
Perhaps the best starting point for adding a greener hue to your company's office stationery is by having a chat with an experienced and professional office equipment and office stationery supplier. In addition to being able to advice you on a wide range of recycled paper products including recycled copier paper and recycled envelopes you will also get some very attractive pricing, payment terms and delivery options. You might also be surprised at the range of products and also take advantage of special deals and giveaways.
Source: articlesbase.com
More than that it also reduces pollution and also the need to store, manage and handle expensive and dangerous waste. Recycling is the way forward and we can all do our bit to help.
Here are just a few of the numbers associated with recycling - the benefits are obvious. Making new aluminum cans from recycled cans uses 20 times less energy than making cans from the raw material. Just one recycled tin can would save enough energy to power a television for 3 hours. Just one recycled glass bottle would save enough energy to power a computer for 25 minutes. Just one recycled plastic bottle would save enough energy to power a 30-watt light bulb for 6 hours.
When it comes to paper products such as envelopes, 70 per cent less energy is required to recycle paper compared with making it from raw materials. Manufacturing products from recycled paper also reduces water pollution by 35% and air pollutants by 73 percent.
Despite calls for improved handling of waste landfill sites are still the most commonly used disposal method for paper in the developed world. With the production and use of paper having escalated massively over the last 40 year figures reveal that more than 5 million tonnes of paper ends up in landfill every year. On average each of us uses 700 pounds of paper products every year and paper now contributes to almost a third of the material that goes into landfills. A massive 14 percent of landfill space is taken up by newspaper alone.
Landfill is bad news and one of the biggest problems in disposing with paper like this is that it emits methane whilst decomposing ? a potentiality harmful greenhouse gas (20 times more potent than carbon dioxide). Life cycle analysis shows that up to 100m tonnes of carbon equivalent is emitted by decomposing landfill sites. This is equivalent to all the carbon emitted through the use of fossil fuels during the rest of the paper cycle. Using paper once and then dumping it in holes in the ground is simply not a viable, sustainable or sensible way of using paper products ? it's inefficient and it's expensive, bad for business and bad for the planet. Of that most people would agree.
The question is - What then, can we all do to help? Well one easy way that business can contribute to help protest natural resources, save energy as well as save waste and reduce landfill is by using recycled products. It doesn't need grand sweeping gestures necessarily as every little helps. From photocopier paper, ring binders, files, wallets, notebooks, marker pens and envelopes the office equipment and stationery industry is leading the way when it comes to 'Green' products and these days you are spoilt for choice when it comes to recycled paper products. What about replacing your standard envelope with recycled, last minute air deals, envelopes? That would certainly help. With an estimated 400 billion envelopes produced every year imagine the environmental benefits of just a proportion of these being recycled? Some countries such as Sweden and Switzerland already recycle 40 percent of their paper with and Japan recycling 50 percent.
Perhaps the best starting point for adding a greener hue to your company's office stationery is by having a chat with an experienced and professional office equipment and office stationery supplier. In addition to being able to advice you on a wide range of recycled paper products including recycled copier paper and recycled envelopes you will also get some very attractive pricing, payment terms and delivery options. You might also be surprised at the range of products and also take advantage of special deals and giveaways.
Responsible business practices such as using recycled envelopes and reducing waste creates an impression, with suppliers, customers and staff. In this article Mark Bartley considers the impact of using recycled office supplies.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
How to Avoid a Cake Decorating Disaster
Author: Amanda K. Jones
Source: ezinearticles.com
When it comes to cake decorating, it seems like sometimes no matter what we do something doesn't turn out quite how we expected. Of course, with practice comes both experience and the knowledge to brainstorm in even the most difficult situations. But really, when it comes to the somewhat unpredictable world of cake decorating your best offense is a good defense. If you can learn how to prevent disaster before it occurs you'll be much better off!
Here's a few tips to make sure your next project is a success:
1. Be sure to organize and plan ahead.
Don't wait until the last minute to prepare your list, ingredients, tools, and decorations needed for your cake. It's usually a good idea to bake your cake the day before decorating so it has time to firm up overnight in the refrigerator. That way, all of your energy the next day will be focused on decorating the cake. If you're running around trying to get everything done within a short time span of just a few hours your cake will most likely reflect your state of frenzy.
2. Consider where your cake will be served.
Buttercream just doesn't hold up well to temperatures higher than 78 degrees F. If your cake is going to be served outside on a hot day fondant might be a better choice. If the celebration is going to be held indoors on a hot day, you may want to ask the host to have the air conditioning running, last minute air deals, before you and the cake arrive.
3. Play nice with fondant.
If you're working with fondant, remember that it can dry out pretty quickly. Keep any pieces that you're not working on well-wrapped in plastic wrap or sealed in a container. If your fondant seems dry or cracks and rips when you place it on the cake, DO NOT ADD WATER. Since fondant is comprised mostly of sugar, the water will dissolve it and make your situation even worse. Instead, patch the area with a more pliable piece of fondant or use a bit of shortening to smooth out the cracks.
4. Let the cake cool completely.
Before you try to remove the cake from the pan, make sure its cooled completely, otherwise you'll be dealing with a deep crack or worse, a cake that falls apart. Also, a cake usually cracks when transported from its decorating spot to the presentation tray or board. So, if possible it's usually a good idea to decorate on those same surfaces to begin with. If you want to keep your presentation surface looking nice, simply lay strips of waxed paper along the base of your cake before you begin decorating. When you're done the strips will easily pull out from underneath the cake.
Source: ezinearticles.com
When it comes to cake decorating, it seems like sometimes no matter what we do something doesn't turn out quite how we expected. Of course, with practice comes both experience and the knowledge to brainstorm in even the most difficult situations. But really, when it comes to the somewhat unpredictable world of cake decorating your best offense is a good defense. If you can learn how to prevent disaster before it occurs you'll be much better off!
Here's a few tips to make sure your next project is a success:
1. Be sure to organize and plan ahead.
Don't wait until the last minute to prepare your list, ingredients, tools, and decorations needed for your cake. It's usually a good idea to bake your cake the day before decorating so it has time to firm up overnight in the refrigerator. That way, all of your energy the next day will be focused on decorating the cake. If you're running around trying to get everything done within a short time span of just a few hours your cake will most likely reflect your state of frenzy.
2. Consider where your cake will be served.
Buttercream just doesn't hold up well to temperatures higher than 78 degrees F. If your cake is going to be served outside on a hot day fondant might be a better choice. If the celebration is going to be held indoors on a hot day, you may want to ask the host to have the air conditioning running, last minute air deals, before you and the cake arrive.
3. Play nice with fondant.
If you're working with fondant, remember that it can dry out pretty quickly. Keep any pieces that you're not working on well-wrapped in plastic wrap or sealed in a container. If your fondant seems dry or cracks and rips when you place it on the cake, DO NOT ADD WATER. Since fondant is comprised mostly of sugar, the water will dissolve it and make your situation even worse. Instead, patch the area with a more pliable piece of fondant or use a bit of shortening to smooth out the cracks.
4. Let the cake cool completely.
Before you try to remove the cake from the pan, make sure its cooled completely, otherwise you'll be dealing with a deep crack or worse, a cake that falls apart. Also, a cake usually cracks when transported from its decorating spot to the presentation tray or board. So, if possible it's usually a good idea to decorate on those same surfaces to begin with. If you want to keep your presentation surface looking nice, simply lay strips of waxed paper along the base of your cake before you begin decorating. When you're done the strips will easily pull out from underneath the cake.
Those are just a few words of wisdom to help you avoid a cake decorating disaster. I also know one cake decorator who keeps an emergency kit in her car that includes some of the most common Wilton icing tips as well as a few other supplies in case something happens to her cake en route to its final destination. For more cake decorating ideas and advice you can visit my website: Cake Decorating Tips.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Cheap flights to manila from London
Author: jack Smith
Source: articlesbase.com
Cheap-flights-to-manila announces a wide range of cheap airfares and accommodations for your travel to Manila and other destinations in Philippines. It is a leading pan-European travel company specialising in worldwide travel. It offers a wide range of travel products including a choice of over 150 airlines. Cheapflightstoperth.org.uk is part of Moresand Ltd, and operates under multiple brand names Flybliss, Crystal Travel, Air Travel Guide, SAM Travel, and Air Travel Guru. It brings you a good range of cheap airfares, hotels and packages to Manila and other cities of Philippines. Best deals for Manila from London for economy class are as follows: Etihad Airways: 1 September 2009 â€" 30 September 2009 ?345. 1 October 2009 â€" 30 November 2009 ?399. KLM: 7 August 2009 â€" 31 December 2009 ?359. Royal Brunei: 11 August 2009 â€" 30 September 2009 ?399. 1 October 2009 â€" 11 December ?379. Asiana Airlines: 22 August 2009 â€" 14 December 2009 ?409. 25 December 2009 â€" 31 December 2009 ?409. Airfares offered by KLM airlines from regional destinations of UK: Manchester: ?349 Birmingham: ?352 Edinburgh: ?352 Glasgow: ?352 New Castle: ?354. Business class airfares for Manila are as follows: Qatar Airways: ?1919 Royal Brunei: ?1419 KLM: ?1579 Emirates: ?1635 Etihad: ?1699 Travel assistance provided by this company includes: Airport parking Airport lounges Weather information Online currency converter Manila is the capital of the Philippines, located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay. Manila has friendly people, some excellent nightlife, a few historical sights that are worth the effort, plus some of the most cavernous shopping malls. Book cheap flights to Manila and get good discounts on airfares and tickets. For more information log on http:cheap-flights-to-manila.co.uk, call at 0800 368 5013 and chat live with customer executives. Manila is a nice and unique place to visit. All international flights are routed through the city’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport. It attracts over 1 million of international tourist every year. Explore this wonderful city with its beautiful nightlife, casinos, coffee shops, art and antique shops. Rizal Park, the National Museum of the Philippines, the National Library of the Philippines,, last minute air deals, the Planetarium, the Orchidarium and Butterfly Pavilion are the major tourist attractions. Markets of Divisoria and Quiapo are the favourite place of shopping lovers. You can do a good bargain in these markets. Holiday packages to Manila are also available with some of the companies. But the main thing is to find these companies. These companies also provide cheap flights to Manila, discount flights, long haul flights and last minute flights. Business class and first class flights are also available at affordable price. You can take the help of internet it will provide hundreds of solution for your needs. Many airlines are providing good baggage allowance to its customers. Manila offers something for all travelers. There are budget accommodations and cuisines of every taste. Book your cheap flight to Manila online, it will provide you the advantage of comparison between airlines and airfares. You can analyze and plan your vacation in an efficient manner.
Source: articlesbase.com
Cheap-flights-to-manila announces a wide range of cheap airfares and accommodations for your travel to Manila and other destinations in Philippines. It is a leading pan-European travel company specialising in worldwide travel. It offers a wide range of travel products including a choice of over 150 airlines. Cheapflightstoperth.org.uk is part of Moresand Ltd, and operates under multiple brand names Flybliss, Crystal Travel, Air Travel Guide, SAM Travel, and Air Travel Guru. It brings you a good range of cheap airfares, hotels and packages to Manila and other cities of Philippines. Best deals for Manila from London for economy class are as follows: Etihad Airways: 1 September 2009 â€" 30 September 2009 ?345. 1 October 2009 â€" 30 November 2009 ?399. KLM: 7 August 2009 â€" 31 December 2009 ?359. Royal Brunei: 11 August 2009 â€" 30 September 2009 ?399. 1 October 2009 â€" 11 December ?379. Asiana Airlines: 22 August 2009 â€" 14 December 2009 ?409. 25 December 2009 â€" 31 December 2009 ?409. Airfares offered by KLM airlines from regional destinations of UK: Manchester: ?349 Birmingham: ?352 Edinburgh: ?352 Glasgow: ?352 New Castle: ?354. Business class airfares for Manila are as follows: Qatar Airways: ?1919 Royal Brunei: ?1419 KLM: ?1579 Emirates: ?1635 Etihad: ?1699 Travel assistance provided by this company includes: Airport parking Airport lounges Weather information Online currency converter Manila is the capital of the Philippines, located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay. Manila has friendly people, some excellent nightlife, a few historical sights that are worth the effort, plus some of the most cavernous shopping malls. Book cheap flights to Manila and get good discounts on airfares and tickets. For more information log on http:cheap-flights-to-manila.co.uk, call at 0800 368 5013 and chat live with customer executives. Manila is a nice and unique place to visit. All international flights are routed through the city’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport. It attracts over 1 million of international tourist every year. Explore this wonderful city with its beautiful nightlife, casinos, coffee shops, art and antique shops. Rizal Park, the National Museum of the Philippines, the National Library of the Philippines,, last minute air deals, the Planetarium, the Orchidarium and Butterfly Pavilion are the major tourist attractions. Markets of Divisoria and Quiapo are the favourite place of shopping lovers. You can do a good bargain in these markets. Holiday packages to Manila are also available with some of the companies. But the main thing is to find these companies. These companies also provide cheap flights to Manila, discount flights, long haul flights and last minute flights. Business class and first class flights are also available at affordable price. You can take the help of internet it will provide hundreds of solution for your needs. Many airlines are providing good baggage allowance to its customers. Manila offers something for all travelers. There are budget accommodations and cuisines of every taste. Book your cheap flight to Manila online, it will provide you the advantage of comparison between airlines and airfares. You can analyze and plan your vacation in an efficient manner.
Jack Smith is provide you cheap and affordable flights to Manila . Search and compare prices on Cheap Flights to Manila, flights to Manila, cheap Manila flights and Manila flights. Plan your budget travel by
booking cheap flights . You can call us toll free 0800 368 5013.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
How to Locate Best Bargain Cruises Online
Author: E B Ezidiegwu
Source: ezinearticles.com
If you've been dreaming of going on a cruise but don't want to spend mega bucks for it, there are some tips on how to locate the best bargain cruises.
Tip # 1: Start surfing the Internet. Online shopping has become a common point of reference for most consumers. The same holds true for travelers looking to buy a cruise package for less money. There are numerous bargain cruises begging to be booked online. In fact if you type "bargain cruises" on any search box, you'll get about 263,000 pages that you can click on.
Tip # 2: Don't book the first bargain cruise that you're attracted to. Some online shoppers are easily taken in by marketing hype and splashy photos on the Web that they neglect to do the very first thing they should be doing: comparison shopping. Like I said earlier, the substantial number of cruise bargains being advertised on the Web is a good enough reason why you should compare prices.
Tip # 3: Don't rely solely on the price factor. Compare costs with respect to type of airline, hotel accommodations, meal plans, amenities offered (such as baggage handling and airport shuttles) and activities on board.
Tip # 4: Decide what kind of cruise you want and start your bargain hunting from there. For instance you have Alaska, last minute air deals, cruises (one of the most popular), Mexico cruises, Mediterranean cruises, singles cruises, celebrity cruises, and Disney cruise packages. Most cruise companies will offer considerable discounts at the last minute just to ensure full capacity. To them, selling a cabin at half price is much better than having an empty cabin during the entire length of the cruise. So speak to your cruise adviser and request that you be notified of last minute bargain cruises.
Tip # 5: Some online cruise sellers will usually post their cruise deals - look on their web site for either "deals", "last minute deals", "bargain cruises", etc. Some of the cruise fares start as low as $300.00. Imagine paying that price versus someone who booked the same cruise for $1,500.00!
As for Disney cruise packages, note that there are four common destinations: the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Mediterranean and the Mexican Riviera. Even if they only cover four destinations and have a small fleet of ships, Disney cruises are an excellent way to take the whole family for a relaxing vacation.
When booking a Disney cruise package, you have to key in the following information so that the appropriate cruise information is sent to you:
• If you require air transportation • Your airport of origin • Dates of your intended vacation • How many adults and children are travelling
Disney cruises last anywhere from three days to 14-day cruises to selected European destinations.
Source: ezinearticles.com
If you've been dreaming of going on a cruise but don't want to spend mega bucks for it, there are some tips on how to locate the best bargain cruises.
Tip # 1: Start surfing the Internet. Online shopping has become a common point of reference for most consumers. The same holds true for travelers looking to buy a cruise package for less money. There are numerous bargain cruises begging to be booked online. In fact if you type "bargain cruises" on any search box, you'll get about 263,000 pages that you can click on.
Tip # 2: Don't book the first bargain cruise that you're attracted to. Some online shoppers are easily taken in by marketing hype and splashy photos on the Web that they neglect to do the very first thing they should be doing: comparison shopping. Like I said earlier, the substantial number of cruise bargains being advertised on the Web is a good enough reason why you should compare prices.
Tip # 3: Don't rely solely on the price factor. Compare costs with respect to type of airline, hotel accommodations, meal plans, amenities offered (such as baggage handling and airport shuttles) and activities on board.
Tip # 4: Decide what kind of cruise you want and start your bargain hunting from there. For instance you have Alaska, last minute air deals, cruises (one of the most popular), Mexico cruises, Mediterranean cruises, singles cruises, celebrity cruises, and Disney cruise packages. Most cruise companies will offer considerable discounts at the last minute just to ensure full capacity. To them, selling a cabin at half price is much better than having an empty cabin during the entire length of the cruise. So speak to your cruise adviser and request that you be notified of last minute bargain cruises.
Tip # 5: Some online cruise sellers will usually post their cruise deals - look on their web site for either "deals", "last minute deals", "bargain cruises", etc. Some of the cruise fares start as low as $300.00. Imagine paying that price versus someone who booked the same cruise for $1,500.00!
As for Disney cruise packages, note that there are four common destinations: the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Mediterranean and the Mexican Riviera. Even if they only cover four destinations and have a small fleet of ships, Disney cruises are an excellent way to take the whole family for a relaxing vacation.
When booking a Disney cruise package, you have to key in the following information so that the appropriate cruise information is sent to you:
• If you require air transportation • Your airport of origin • Dates of your intended vacation • How many adults and children are travelling
Disney cruises last anywhere from three days to 14-day cruises to selected European destinations.
E B Ezidiegwu is an author, and Internet marketer. If this article informed you, please feel free to visit us at: bargain cruise deals or http://www.omegafind.com/travel-bargains.php for related articles
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
The Breath of Life
Author: Lois Grant-Holland
Source: articleage.com
The apple is captivated in a thin, afar carapace of gases - which we alarm the atmosphere. The mix of gases that accomplish up the atmosphere has afflicted abundantly over the eons.
A Flemish alchemist and physician called Johann Baptista van Helmont was the aboriginal man to ascertain that the air we breathe is not one individual actuality but a admixture of substances. In a arrangement appear afterwards his afterlife in 1644, he argued, based on his experiments, that an airy "spirit" coiled from every one of the bubbles flasks in his actinic laboratory, and from anniversary of the red dress-down in his furnaces. "I alarm this Spirit, alien hitherto, by the new name of Gas," he wrote - bogus the chat from the Flemish accentuation of the Greek chat "chaos." One of the gases that he credible was carbon dioxide, a gas that is now creating anarchy on a all-around level.
Since van Helmont's discovery, we accept appear to realize, through accurate analysis and assiduous measurements, that carbon dioxide is about everywhere. By the 1950s, Charles Keeling, alive beneath the advocacy of the California Institute of Technology, began all-encompassing tracking of carbon dioxide levels on the planet. He accustomed a arrangement that had eluded others: the carbon dioxide absorption consistently alone as the sun rose in the sky, and afresh in- channelled as the sun went down. The calculation backward top all night, bottomed out in the afternoon, and began aggressive afresh afterwards sundown.
The activity aeon was acceptable added and added accessible to the accurate community: every day, as the sun rises, every blooming affair on the planet - from bunco banknote to club moss - begins inhaling carbon dioxide, for use in photosynthesis. As the plants inhale, the bulk of gas in the air begins to drop.
Photosynthesis is, literally, "building with light." The architecture activity takes abode central bulb beef aural organelles alarm chloroplasts. Central anniversary choloroplast, plants breach afar molecules of carbon dioxide into carbon and oxygen. They aswell breach baptize molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. Afresh they put a lot of of these atoms aback calm in new combinations to body simple sugars like glucose, throwing out some of the oxygen as "trash." The activity requires abiding food of sunlight for energy, and abiding food of carbon dioxide and baptize for raw materials.
By afternoon, plants accept taken a acceptable accord of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. At the aforementioned time, however, the plants are busily bistro the sugars they accept fabricated for themselves. This is the metabolic activity of respiration. Respiration agency actually "to breathe back, to draft back;" it is a anatomy of combustion, a actual apathetic bake which consumes oxygen and produces carbon dioxide.
Photosynthesis and respiration are two of the a lot of axiological processes of activity on Earth, and they run in adverse directions. Photosynthesis takes in carbon dioxide and releases oxygen; respiration takes in oxygen and releases carbon di- oxide. The two processes aswell run on altered timetables: photosynthesis works a day shift, because the activity requires sunlight and a lot of plants yield in carbon dioxide alone if the sun shines. The gas enters the bulb through a countless of diminutive pores, stomata, on the base of anniversary blooming leaf. These little doors accessible at aurora and abutting at aphotic on every bulb on the planet.
Respiration, on the added hand, works both a day about-face and a night shift. At four o'clock in the morning - while the stomata are bankrupt and blooming leaves are demography in about no carbon dioxide - the leaves are still respiring, alarming aback carbon dioxide to the air. At the abutting of a lot of twenty-four hour periods, a lot of plants accept "borrowed from and alternate to" the atmosphere about the aforementioned bulk of carbon dioxide.
This "breathing cycle" is credible throughout the bulb activity on the planet: plants and copse breathe already a day. (Animals, including people, aren't a accustomed allotment of this cycle. They accept no cholorplasts, so they get their activity and their raw abstracts by bistro plants, and by bistro the animals that accept eaten plants, and by inhaling the oxygen appear by plants.)
So?
So this accustomed animation aeon of the earth's bulb activity is a above agency in one of the above ecological problems adverse the planet: the greenhouse effect.
It is the atmosphere that keeps us warm; alien amplitude is a actual algid place, and it is the layers of gases that blanket the planet that assure us from freezing. In this sense, the Earth's gases are like the bottle walls of a greenhouse.
The gases which accept the accomplished aggregate in the atmosphere are not the gases that are accepting the a lot of able greenhouse effect. Nitrogen and oxygen - which aggregate 99% of the atmosphere - accept about no greenhouse aftereffect at all. The three gases that DO accept a above aftereffect are baptize vapor, carbon dioxide, and ozone.
Like nitrogen and oxygen, these three gases are about altogether cellophane to the sunlight that streams to the Apple from the Sun. However, baptize vapor, carbon dioxide, and blast are partially blurred to the bittersweet calefaction radiation that rises from the sun-baked ground.
When this bittersweet radiation strikes the baptize vapor, carbon dioxide or blast molecules, the molecules accord off activity in the anatomy of added bittersweet rays, last minute air deals, . In a sense, every carbon dioxide atom in the atmosphere is like a aphotic brilliant animated in all admonition - up, down, and sideways. In this way, airy application of activity get anesthetized aback and alternating abounding times amid the atmosphere and the layers of the planet afore the activity assuredly migrates to the top of the atmosphere and escapes into the exhaustion of alien space.
That is the greenhouse aftereffect in a nutshell: the aphotic application animation about central the atmosphere abounding times afore they assuredly administer to aperture out into space. Baptize vapor, carbon dioxide, and blast - attenuate admitting they are - about-face the world's air into a behemothic calefaction trap. And for billions of years, activity on Apple has been abased on this appropriate acreage of these three gases (and a few others that are even rarer) to accumulate the planet livable.
The carbon dioxide akin in the atmosphere is a basic additive in the accustomed activity aeon of the planet and the activity forms it contains; if the bulk of carbon dioxide varies by too much, the after-effects on the planet could be disastrous. A minute drop, the scientists discovered, could arctic the absolute planet, and may accept been the force abaft the endure Ice Age.
But what are the furnishings of a acceleration in the carbon dioxide count? As aboriginal as the 1890s, scientists predicted that this change could actual able-bodied calefaction the planet to heights alfresco all animal experience. It became accretion bright that the botheration lay not in a accessible bead in the carbon dioxide levels, but in a acceleration - based on new technology that alien bags of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere - that would change the atmosphere itself. Any change in the atmosphere would, of necessity, change the activity cycles themselves.
Beyond the circadian photosynthesis/respiration aeon is a beyond cycle. To accept it, we charge to enlarge our eyes to cover the accomplished beam of the seasons, the anniversary access of foliage from blooming to red and chicken to amber and black, in agreement of airy effects. Plants yield up carbon dioxide mainly in the bounce and summer, their blooming and active season. They bead their leaves in the fall. The leaves atrophy and decay, and the carbon that the plants had adopted from the air that summer allotment to the air.
Here again, photosynthesis and respiration advance to altered drummers. Photosynthesis is mostly a affair of summer. It begins in April, peaks in June, and drops abreast aught in October, if there is too little sunlight. In added words, it runs harder during the ablaze allotment of the year and all but quits during the aphotic allotment of the year.
Respiration peaks in June, too, but clashing photosynthesis it never stops (except area the arena is frozen) - it keeps on going, throughout the winter and all year round. The activity forms that decompose the collapsed leaves cover fungi, bacteria, worms, termites, slugs, and blade molds. They attempt to eat the asleep leaves, to rot the collapsed branches, and calm they acknowledgment a lot of of life's adopted carbon to the air.
Every year, if blooming things drag carbon to put out buds, shoots, leaves and stems, the abode inhales. If the leaves abatement and molder on the ground, the abode exhales. In the a lot of beautiful, approved and all-around cycles in nature, the planet itself takes one animation a year. It is that animation arrangement that has been put at accident by the acceleration in carbon dioxide levels.
The atmospheric counts for the years back the 1950s appearance a absolute pattern: anniversary fall, there is a acceleration in the record. Anniversary summer, there is a dip in the record. Anniversary winter, the top is college than it was the winter before. The appulse is clear.
The animation of activity on this planet is changing. Back the 1970s, the animation of the abode is no best regular. The Earth's inhalations and exhalations assume to be accepting bigger and bigger. We apperceive it's happening, but we're not abiding why, and we're not abiding what the abiding aftereffect will be. We do apperceive that the bulk of carbon dioxide in the air is rising.
The acceleration in carbon levels was not - adverse to accepted assessment - a contempo event, although our ever-increasing technology has fabricated the bearings worse with anniversary casual decade. The centralized agitation engine was invented in the 1860s - the canicule of our abundant grandparents. It was the alpha of the Industrial Revolution, and in 1860, we appear about 93 actor bags of carbon into the air.
Between 1860 and 1958, industry austere deposit fuels at a amount that angled every two decades or so, injecting a absolute of added than 76 billion bags of carbon into the air. About 80 billion bags of carbon went into the air amid 1860 and 1960. Back 1960, addition 80 billion bags accept been added. It took one hundred years to absolution the aboriginal bisected of the deposit carbon begin in the atmosphere today; it took beneath than thirty years to absolution as abundant again. Animal beings are now absolution added than 5 billion bags of carbon into the air anniversary year.
The Industrial Revolution threw the animal apple into top gear; humans began afire added atramentous and charcoal to ammunition the engines and to agglutinate animate to accomplish added engines. They kilned clamshells and limestone to accomplish adhesive for accurate for added and added factories, cities, anchorage amid cities. They congenital bigger engines that did added plan and they fed them added coal, oil, and accustomed gas, in a acme of carbon dioxide that is still architecture today. In effect, every animal getting on the planet is now blasting one ton of carbon into the air anniversary year.
The temperature of the planet may be ascent as well. These two changes in the atmosphere are accepted to accept triggered the change in life's animation cycle; it makes faculty that the changes that are demography abode on the planet would appearance up aboriginal in the animation of the planet itself, which is the admirable accretion of all of the activity of activity on Earth.
With every year that passes, geochemists are advertent added and added changes in the apparatus of the planet, and aggravating - badly - to amount out what it all means. Afterwards disentangling could cause and effect, they can't all accede that the changes are alarming. With the animation of the world, these are a few of the perspectives getting offered:
GROWTH. The blooming plants of the abode LIKE the added carbon dioxide we are putting into the air. It gives them added raw actual for photosynthesis. Anniversary year the abode gets bigger; because it is bigger it takes in added carbon dioxide. It inhales added and added deeply.
DECAY: The abode is corrupt faster than before. There is added and added respiration anniversary winter. Anniversary year it inhales a little more. Added and added of the "stuff of life" is unraveling and abiding to the air.
GROWTH AND DECAY: Both may be accelerating. A bigger abode would be accepted to drag and breathe added deeply. Anniversary summer there are added plants to drag gas; anniversary winter there may be added plants and animals to absorb and de- compose the summer's fruits.
TIMING: Some say the change can't be explained with either advance or decay. The animation of the apple is alteration too fast for that. Something abroad is traveling on; some advance that the accession of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere may be altering the timing of either photosynthesis or respiration or both. If their plan schedules are alteration positions on the calendar, that would aswell change the animation of the world.
Technological optimists tend to feel that the Apple is animation added deeply. The abode LIKES the added carbon dioxide. To this perspective, activity on the planet Apple is flourishing.
Technological pessimists tend to feel that life's animation is affected - anniversary year added affected than the year before. The abode is active out of breath; the Apple is gasping.
Were we to blueprint the carbon dioxide levels on the planet as they are now, and as they would accept been afterwards the Industrial Revolution, we would accept a bright account of what we accept done in the name of progress. One band would appearance the antithesis of nature; the added would appearance our breed in the act of unbalancing nature. Here, the sum of activity on Earth; there, the sum of our appulse aloft activity on Earth. These two curve would accompany the present animal predicament, in all it's diversity, into the sharpest accessible focus.
It is, afterwards all, a amount of activity and breath.
Lois Grant-Holland is a Activity Path Focus Counselor alms Activity Path Focus Sessions, Karmic Astrology Charts, Channeled Guidance, Intuitive Readings and Classes and Workshops to airy seekers on all absolute paths, and is the website facilitator at The A.N.S.W.E.R. - (The Seeker's Resource Guide to Alternative, New Thought, Airy Growth, Wellness and Enlightenment Resources.) You can appointment her website at http://www.loisgrantholland.com
Source: articleage.com
The apple is captivated in a thin, afar carapace of gases - which we alarm the atmosphere. The mix of gases that accomplish up the atmosphere has afflicted abundantly over the eons.
A Flemish alchemist and physician called Johann Baptista van Helmont was the aboriginal man to ascertain that the air we breathe is not one individual actuality but a admixture of substances. In a arrangement appear afterwards his afterlife in 1644, he argued, based on his experiments, that an airy "spirit" coiled from every one of the bubbles flasks in his actinic laboratory, and from anniversary of the red dress-down in his furnaces. "I alarm this Spirit, alien hitherto, by the new name of Gas," he wrote - bogus the chat from the Flemish accentuation of the Greek chat "chaos." One of the gases that he credible was carbon dioxide, a gas that is now creating anarchy on a all-around level.
Since van Helmont's discovery, we accept appear to realize, through accurate analysis and assiduous measurements, that carbon dioxide is about everywhere. By the 1950s, Charles Keeling, alive beneath the advocacy of the California Institute of Technology, began all-encompassing tracking of carbon dioxide levels on the planet. He accustomed a arrangement that had eluded others: the carbon dioxide absorption consistently alone as the sun rose in the sky, and afresh in- channelled as the sun went down. The calculation backward top all night, bottomed out in the afternoon, and began aggressive afresh afterwards sundown.
The activity aeon was acceptable added and added accessible to the accurate community: every day, as the sun rises, every blooming affair on the planet - from bunco banknote to club moss - begins inhaling carbon dioxide, for use in photosynthesis. As the plants inhale, the bulk of gas in the air begins to drop.
Photosynthesis is, literally, "building with light." The architecture activity takes abode central bulb beef aural organelles alarm chloroplasts. Central anniversary choloroplast, plants breach afar molecules of carbon dioxide into carbon and oxygen. They aswell breach baptize molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. Afresh they put a lot of of these atoms aback calm in new combinations to body simple sugars like glucose, throwing out some of the oxygen as "trash." The activity requires abiding food of sunlight for energy, and abiding food of carbon dioxide and baptize for raw materials.
By afternoon, plants accept taken a acceptable accord of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. At the aforementioned time, however, the plants are busily bistro the sugars they accept fabricated for themselves. This is the metabolic activity of respiration. Respiration agency actually "to breathe back, to draft back;" it is a anatomy of combustion, a actual apathetic bake which consumes oxygen and produces carbon dioxide.
Photosynthesis and respiration are two of the a lot of axiological processes of activity on Earth, and they run in adverse directions. Photosynthesis takes in carbon dioxide and releases oxygen; respiration takes in oxygen and releases carbon di- oxide. The two processes aswell run on altered timetables: photosynthesis works a day shift, because the activity requires sunlight and a lot of plants yield in carbon dioxide alone if the sun shines. The gas enters the bulb through a countless of diminutive pores, stomata, on the base of anniversary blooming leaf. These little doors accessible at aurora and abutting at aphotic on every bulb on the planet.
Respiration, on the added hand, works both a day about-face and a night shift. At four o'clock in the morning - while the stomata are bankrupt and blooming leaves are demography in about no carbon dioxide - the leaves are still respiring, alarming aback carbon dioxide to the air. At the abutting of a lot of twenty-four hour periods, a lot of plants accept "borrowed from and alternate to" the atmosphere about the aforementioned bulk of carbon dioxide.
This "breathing cycle" is credible throughout the bulb activity on the planet: plants and copse breathe already a day. (Animals, including people, aren't a accustomed allotment of this cycle. They accept no cholorplasts, so they get their activity and their raw abstracts by bistro plants, and by bistro the animals that accept eaten plants, and by inhaling the oxygen appear by plants.)
So?
So this accustomed animation aeon of the earth's bulb activity is a above agency in one of the above ecological problems adverse the planet: the greenhouse effect.
It is the atmosphere that keeps us warm; alien amplitude is a actual algid place, and it is the layers of gases that blanket the planet that assure us from freezing. In this sense, the Earth's gases are like the bottle walls of a greenhouse.
The gases which accept the accomplished aggregate in the atmosphere are not the gases that are accepting the a lot of able greenhouse effect. Nitrogen and oxygen - which aggregate 99% of the atmosphere - accept about no greenhouse aftereffect at all. The three gases that DO accept a above aftereffect are baptize vapor, carbon dioxide, and ozone.
Like nitrogen and oxygen, these three gases are about altogether cellophane to the sunlight that streams to the Apple from the Sun. However, baptize vapor, carbon dioxide, and blast are partially blurred to the bittersweet calefaction radiation that rises from the sun-baked ground.
When this bittersweet radiation strikes the baptize vapor, carbon dioxide or blast molecules, the molecules accord off activity in the anatomy of added bittersweet rays, last minute air deals, . In a sense, every carbon dioxide atom in the atmosphere is like a aphotic brilliant animated in all admonition - up, down, and sideways. In this way, airy application of activity get anesthetized aback and alternating abounding times amid the atmosphere and the layers of the planet afore the activity assuredly migrates to the top of the atmosphere and escapes into the exhaustion of alien space.
That is the greenhouse aftereffect in a nutshell: the aphotic application animation about central the atmosphere abounding times afore they assuredly administer to aperture out into space. Baptize vapor, carbon dioxide, and blast - attenuate admitting they are - about-face the world's air into a behemothic calefaction trap. And for billions of years, activity on Apple has been abased on this appropriate acreage of these three gases (and a few others that are even rarer) to accumulate the planet livable.
The carbon dioxide akin in the atmosphere is a basic additive in the accustomed activity aeon of the planet and the activity forms it contains; if the bulk of carbon dioxide varies by too much, the after-effects on the planet could be disastrous. A minute drop, the scientists discovered, could arctic the absolute planet, and may accept been the force abaft the endure Ice Age.
But what are the furnishings of a acceleration in the carbon dioxide count? As aboriginal as the 1890s, scientists predicted that this change could actual able-bodied calefaction the planet to heights alfresco all animal experience. It became accretion bright that the botheration lay not in a accessible bead in the carbon dioxide levels, but in a acceleration - based on new technology that alien bags of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere - that would change the atmosphere itself. Any change in the atmosphere would, of necessity, change the activity cycles themselves.
Beyond the circadian photosynthesis/respiration aeon is a beyond cycle. To accept it, we charge to enlarge our eyes to cover the accomplished beam of the seasons, the anniversary access of foliage from blooming to red and chicken to amber and black, in agreement of airy effects. Plants yield up carbon dioxide mainly in the bounce and summer, their blooming and active season. They bead their leaves in the fall. The leaves atrophy and decay, and the carbon that the plants had adopted from the air that summer allotment to the air.
Here again, photosynthesis and respiration advance to altered drummers. Photosynthesis is mostly a affair of summer. It begins in April, peaks in June, and drops abreast aught in October, if there is too little sunlight. In added words, it runs harder during the ablaze allotment of the year and all but quits during the aphotic allotment of the year.
Respiration peaks in June, too, but clashing photosynthesis it never stops (except area the arena is frozen) - it keeps on going, throughout the winter and all year round. The activity forms that decompose the collapsed leaves cover fungi, bacteria, worms, termites, slugs, and blade molds. They attempt to eat the asleep leaves, to rot the collapsed branches, and calm they acknowledgment a lot of of life's adopted carbon to the air.
Every year, if blooming things drag carbon to put out buds, shoots, leaves and stems, the abode inhales. If the leaves abatement and molder on the ground, the abode exhales. In the a lot of beautiful, approved and all-around cycles in nature, the planet itself takes one animation a year. It is that animation arrangement that has been put at accident by the acceleration in carbon dioxide levels.
The atmospheric counts for the years back the 1950s appearance a absolute pattern: anniversary fall, there is a acceleration in the record. Anniversary summer, there is a dip in the record. Anniversary winter, the top is college than it was the winter before. The appulse is clear.
The animation of activity on this planet is changing. Back the 1970s, the animation of the abode is no best regular. The Earth's inhalations and exhalations assume to be accepting bigger and bigger. We apperceive it's happening, but we're not abiding why, and we're not abiding what the abiding aftereffect will be. We do apperceive that the bulk of carbon dioxide in the air is rising.
The acceleration in carbon levels was not - adverse to accepted assessment - a contempo event, although our ever-increasing technology has fabricated the bearings worse with anniversary casual decade. The centralized agitation engine was invented in the 1860s - the canicule of our abundant grandparents. It was the alpha of the Industrial Revolution, and in 1860, we appear about 93 actor bags of carbon into the air.
Between 1860 and 1958, industry austere deposit fuels at a amount that angled every two decades or so, injecting a absolute of added than 76 billion bags of carbon into the air. About 80 billion bags of carbon went into the air amid 1860 and 1960. Back 1960, addition 80 billion bags accept been added. It took one hundred years to absolution the aboriginal bisected of the deposit carbon begin in the atmosphere today; it took beneath than thirty years to absolution as abundant again. Animal beings are now absolution added than 5 billion bags of carbon into the air anniversary year.
The Industrial Revolution threw the animal apple into top gear; humans began afire added atramentous and charcoal to ammunition the engines and to agglutinate animate to accomplish added engines. They kilned clamshells and limestone to accomplish adhesive for accurate for added and added factories, cities, anchorage amid cities. They congenital bigger engines that did added plan and they fed them added coal, oil, and accustomed gas, in a acme of carbon dioxide that is still architecture today. In effect, every animal getting on the planet is now blasting one ton of carbon into the air anniversary year.
The temperature of the planet may be ascent as well. These two changes in the atmosphere are accepted to accept triggered the change in life's animation cycle; it makes faculty that the changes that are demography abode on the planet would appearance up aboriginal in the animation of the planet itself, which is the admirable accretion of all of the activity of activity on Earth.
With every year that passes, geochemists are advertent added and added changes in the apparatus of the planet, and aggravating - badly - to amount out what it all means. Afterwards disentangling could cause and effect, they can't all accede that the changes are alarming. With the animation of the world, these are a few of the perspectives getting offered:
GROWTH. The blooming plants of the abode LIKE the added carbon dioxide we are putting into the air. It gives them added raw actual for photosynthesis. Anniversary year the abode gets bigger; because it is bigger it takes in added carbon dioxide. It inhales added and added deeply.
DECAY: The abode is corrupt faster than before. There is added and added respiration anniversary winter. Anniversary year it inhales a little more. Added and added of the "stuff of life" is unraveling and abiding to the air.
GROWTH AND DECAY: Both may be accelerating. A bigger abode would be accepted to drag and breathe added deeply. Anniversary summer there are added plants to drag gas; anniversary winter there may be added plants and animals to absorb and de- compose the summer's fruits.
TIMING: Some say the change can't be explained with either advance or decay. The animation of the apple is alteration too fast for that. Something abroad is traveling on; some advance that the accession of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere may be altering the timing of either photosynthesis or respiration or both. If their plan schedules are alteration positions on the calendar, that would aswell change the animation of the world.
Technological optimists tend to feel that the Apple is animation added deeply. The abode LIKES the added carbon dioxide. To this perspective, activity on the planet Apple is flourishing.
Technological pessimists tend to feel that life's animation is affected - anniversary year added affected than the year before. The abode is active out of breath; the Apple is gasping.
Were we to blueprint the carbon dioxide levels on the planet as they are now, and as they would accept been afterwards the Industrial Revolution, we would accept a bright account of what we accept done in the name of progress. One band would appearance the antithesis of nature; the added would appearance our breed in the act of unbalancing nature. Here, the sum of activity on Earth; there, the sum of our appulse aloft activity on Earth. These two curve would accompany the present animal predicament, in all it's diversity, into the sharpest accessible focus.
It is, afterwards all, a amount of activity and breath.
Lois Grant-Holland is a Activity Path Focus Counselor alms Activity Path Focus Sessions, Karmic Astrology Charts, Channeled Guidance, Intuitive Readings and Classes and Workshops to airy seekers on all absolute paths, and is the website facilitator at The A.N.S.W.E.R. - (The Seeker's Resource Guide to Alternative, New Thought, Airy Growth, Wellness and Enlightenment Resources.) You can appointment her website at http://www.loisgrantholland.com
Monday, December 7, 2009
Relocating to Pattaya, Thailand - making it happen
Author: Peter Mills
Source: articleage.com
Relocating to Pattaya - making it happen!
Every year, thousands of folks of all ages, from all over the world, pack their bags and set off for a long awaited vacation in Thailand, which happens to be my home now. They stay for just a couple of weeks or up to perhaps 3 months, before reluctantly booking their flight home, and for many, this is sometimes their 20th or 30th yearly trip!
And, like myself, thousands of these vacationers have spent a great deal of time and effort, trying to work out how they can live in Thailand permanently, and this first section in our Relocate to Pattaya series, is an attempt to explain why you too should perhaps consider life in the Land of Smiles.
Although much of the information in this series can be applied to all of Thailand, most of our Club Members live in Pattaya, or are hoping to move here soon, and the information presented here is mainly as a result of our work with the Pattaya Expats Club.
My name is Pete and I am one of the founders of the Pattaya Expats Club, which is dedicated to all of us expats enjoying the good life in Pattaya, and those of you across the world that would like to join us here.
The Pattaya Expats Club is all about expats helping expats and all Nationalities are welcome. Whatever your question or problem, you can be sure there is another expat in the Club who has "been there, done that". New friends who are ready to share their experience and expertise on anything and everything to make your stay in Pattaya more enjoyable. Free assistance on one year Visas, medical insurance, home buying etc., so find out the facts BEFORE you make an expensive mistake.
So what better group to explain to you why they wake up each morning with a smile on their face, happy to live in this beautiful corner of the world. We have in excess of 10,000 expats living in Pattaya, and all of us have a different story to tell, but I have tried to distil the experience of many of our members to explain the magic of living in Pattaya, so here goes:
If you are middle aged, or older, you can be sure that living in Pattaya will knock at least 10 years off your age, and probably 30 years off your attitude to life. You truly will start thinking like you did as a young man or woman, full of anticipation in each new day, and happy to be alive.
Need some proof of this? Just spend a few days in Pattaya and try to explain the smile of contentment on the faces of expats young and old.
The magic is in the people of Thailand, and particularly in the friendliness of the young Thai women. Where else in the world would a 70 year old be greeted by a friendly smile from a beautiful and graceful Thai girl as you walk along Beach Road? And that smile is a genuine expression of her happiness that you are visiting her country กV and you will be walking on air all day!
A cartoon in the Pattaya Mail recently said it quite succinctly:
Before moving to Pattaya: 68 years old, wife died, no job, small pension, lonely, family never come to see me, neighbors do not speak, body aches with rheumatism and arthritis, rain 11 months of the year, high gas, electricity and food bills, savings being gobbled up, crap TV, nobody cares. Just waiting to die.
After the move to Pattaya: 68 years old, widowed, pension, never lonely กV who cares if the family visits? Neighbors are so friendly, rheumatism and arthritis gone, sunshine all year. Cheap gas, electricity and food bills, savings intact, pension goes farther. TV great, football, movies, no license fees. Best sex in 40 years. Lovely people, thank you God, thank you Thailand.
And here is a similar view from one of our members:
The friendly welcome I always get from Thai people, young and old, rich and poor. A beautiful smile as you pass a stranger in the street that makes you feel on top of the world and happy to be alive in Pattaya.
Beautiful weather, even the rain is warm!
Breathtaking beaches, just take a bike ride down Jomtien Beach Road in the morning.
Low cost of living, you can live like a King on $1,000 a month or less!
Something about the Buddhist religion that seems to help people get along with each other.
The joy of getting to know Thai families and their beautiful and well behaved children. The nice feeling you get when all of the neighbors come to your home to share a meal in the cool evenings.
The relief to be able to live an uncomplicated life without the day to day stress that is just a normal part of life in many Countries.
Delicious food with a fantastic abundance of fruit and vegetables, fish and seafood etc.
Excellent medical care, knowing that the doctors and nurses really care for you as a human being, rather than a calculation about how many dollars you can be charged. No waiting, well trained staff and low, low prices.
Thank you Pattaya, thank you Thailand.
All I can tell you is that young or old, man or woman, rich or poor, fat or thin, healthy or not so healthy, you are missing out on the time of your life if you do not visit Pattaya at least once. But, be careful, odds are that you will fall in love with the place and start to plan full time living here in the Land of Smiles.
Cost of Living
Not only is Pattaya a fun and exciting place to live, but here it is possible to enjoy life very comfortably on well under US$1,000 per month, or about 40,000 baht. This would be enough to rent a comfortable, two bedroom home for yourself and your partner, and take care of all of the essential expenses, and with enough left over to enjoy your leisure time - golf for instance or any other sports, and a night on the town every so often etc.
Here are some typical examples of the essentials - with low end, moderate and luxurious options. These examples are for a couple, say an American or European etc., with a Thai partner. Everything is in Thai Baht and US$'s and the cost is per month. Note that the exchange rate varies somewhat but the baht numbers are exact.
Item Low end Moderate Luxurious
Rent home 4,300 ($100) 10,000 ($233) 15,000 ($350)
Electricity 400 ($10) 1,000 ($24) 3,000 ($70)
Cable TV 300 ($7) 300 ($7) 300 ($7)
City water 350 ($8) 430 ($10) 645 ($15)
Drinking water (delivered) 80 ($2) 160 ($4) 250 ($6)
Food (groceries) 2,500 ($58) 4,500 ($105) 8,000 ($186)
Fresh fruit and vegetables 1,000 ($23) 1.500 ($35) 2,500 ($58)
And here are some individual items for comparison with home prices:
Jar of Chivers Marmalade 12oz 86 ($2)
Bottle of HP Sauce 255 grams 90 ($2.10)
Can of premium beer 35 ($0.81)
1 Kilo various fruits in season 30 ($0.70)
Large Pineapple 10 ($0.23)
One Pound of bananas 5 ($0.10)
Local telephone call (unlimited time) 3 ($0.07)
Internet connection (per hour) 8 ($0.19)
And how about eating out?
American Breakfast (Eggs, bacon, toast, coffee) 38 ($0.88)
English Breakfast (Egg, Bacon, Sausage, Fried Bread, Toast, Tea) 70 ($1.65)
Thai lunch (Chicken soup and chicken breast on rice) 30 ($0.70)
American Soup and Salad Bar 90 ($2.10)
Draft Beer (half pint) - Happy Hour 30 ($0.70)
Draft Beer - regular prices 45 ($1.05)
British Sunday Roast Beef dinner etc 195 ($4.50)
First Class Continental dinner 295 ($6.90)
American Fast Food Chains - complete meal) 70 ($1.65)
Ice cream cone 7 ($0.16)
The cost of medical care in Pattaya is very reasonable. Although you do not need a Doctor's prescription to purchase antibiotics for instance, there are some excellent drug stores here (including Boots the Chemist of England) where you can get excellent free advice. As an example, a 5 day course of antibiotics would cost about 200 baht or under $5. Boots also provides an excellent value health insurance vacation package (up to one year) for coverage while you are traveling, but you need a UK address. Check out the details at www.pattayaexpatsclub.com for this and other options.
There are two or three excellent hospitals in Pattaya, with European or USA trained doctors, and the service here is excellent. As an example I recently had to go to the Emergency Room at the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital after a motor cycle accident. I required X-rays to my head and foot (luckily nothing broken), a check over by the doctor, dressings on my foot, and several medications for 10 days. Including one follow up visit, the total cost was 1,690 baht or $40!
Earlier in the year I had two moles removed by a specialist in Dermatology there - no waiting, excellent care and a total bill of 1,300 baht or $30. Compare that to my experience in the USA where I had planned to have the moles removed. There was a wait of 3 months to see the Dermatologist, a minimum fee of $300 just for him to tell me the moles should be removed and then who knows how much for the actual surgery!
Golfing - Pattaya has 18 world class golf clubs in the immediate area and the greens fees vary from 400 to 600 baht (about $10 to $14) for guests during the week, to about 1,000 baht ($23) on the weekend.
LEARNING THE LANGUAGE
It is possible to live in Pattaya without learning a single word of the Thai language. Happily, the staff in the hotels, restaurants and shops speak at least a little English, German and French etc., and you will have no difficulty in making yourself understood - especially if you smile a lot!
No doubt too, it will not be very long before you find yourself a companion, and then you will have someone to translate for you when necessary. It is amazing how quickly the young people in Thailand learn your language, and there are several language schools in Pattaya to help them. In fact, for just 50 baht (US$1.25) a month, your Thai girl friend or boy friend can go to school for a couple of hours daily, to learn the language.
It is also true that, no matter how poor you are at learning a new language, you will eventually know enough Thai words to make yourself understood wherever you go in Thailand, just by listening everyday to those around you. Never mind that you are saying the word on a rising note instead of a falling one, eventually you will get it right and your Thai friends will stop giggling every time you open your mouth.
However, there is a great deal of satisfaction in at least being able to speak the language fluently, and being able to understand what others are saying. You will have so much more fun, and doors will be open to you that were previously closed, so why not go ahead, make the effort and get a lifetime of benefits. Who knows? One day you may even be able to write and read in Thai!
There are several choices when it comes to learning the language:
1 Learn from your spouse or friend. Not a great idea because neither of you will put a great deal of effort into the task and also, you may end up speaking the Thai equivalent of a broad cockney accent!
2 Buy one of those computer programs that walks you through the sounds, and even grades your progress. Not a bad way of learning if you can stick to it, but most people I know find it a great effort to sit in front of your monitor for hours on end. Certainly not much fun and soon the attractions of Pattaya will be calling you and the computer disk gathers dust in your drawer.
3 Sign up for some one on one lessons with a professional. The prices are reasonable (100 baht or less for an hour) and you will probably make good progress. I tried this myself for a time, but I found that although I could say the words OK in class, they were all forgotten in an hour! What you really need is practice, practice and more practice, preferably on a small group of words at a time until they are firmly fixed in your head. One other disadvantage of the one on one method, at least from my point of view; I found the lessons somewhat tense as I tried to master some of the more impossible pronunciations.
4. So my favorite way of learning a new language is in a small group of say 4 or 5 friends with a really competent instructor. The lessons are fun as no one minds embarrassing themselves with friends, and as you all start to see progress, there is a real incentive to learn more and more. In fact my son is presently learning Oriental Languages at CSUN, and he has made incredible progress since starting a Japanese social club on campus - so I think this is the way most people learn the best.
As it happens, we have set up a small group learning environment in the Pattaya Expats Club. So the next time you are in Pattaya you are invited to our regular Sunday breakfast meetings, where you can also sign up for your first group learning module, with a great instructor. Details on our web site at www.pattayaexpatsclub.com
Visas
One of the more surprising things we have found out, regarding obtaining a one year Visa (with multiple entries), is that it is much easier at one of the Honorary Thai Consulate General offices in the USA, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany and possibly many other Countries. Once you get to Thailand, or the general South East Asia region, it is much more difficult.
These are the options you have for a long term stay in Thailand. Note that the Visas are issued yearly and often you will be required to leave the Country every 3 months. This can be done by making use of the many Visa Run services from Pattaya to Poipet (on the Cambodian border), where you would leave at 8am and return home at about 6pm. The cost for the coach trip and the Visa fees is 2,000 baht ($48).
Note that the Thai government has recently increased most Visa charges. Check at the end of this section for the new fee schedule and also log on to www.thaivisa.com for up to the minute visa information.
Option I (recommended)
Before you leave your home Country, contact any Honorary Thai Consulate - not the Thai Embassies in the large cities). You can see a list of these Consulates in the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany on our web site at www.pattayaexpatsclub.com.
These consulates are run normally by citizens of the Country in which they are located, and provide a good service issuing Visas for Thailand. Here you can normally obtain a one year Visa with multiple entry options (allowing you to go in and out of Thailand during that year without having to apply for another Visa). You can ask for an (O) Visa for simply living in Thailand or a (B) Visa which allows you to apply for a Work Permit once you are in Thailand. Again, more complete details on our web site at www.pattayaexpatsclub.com. Incidentally, your Visa can be processed by mail at any of these Honorary Consuls.
Option II - Retirement Visa
For this option, first obtain a 90 day Tourist Visa from any Thai Embassy, before you leave your home Country, or in Malaysia or Cambodia if you already are in Thailand. On the internet you can search for the keywords "thai embassy" for the location nearest to you. Note that this 90 day Visa allows you to enter Thailand during the next 30 days, and to stay in Thailand for a total of 60 days from the date of your arrival. In Pattaya, you can get this extended another 30 days for a payment of 500 baht ($12).
While in Thailand, you then need to apply for a Retirement Visa, but be advised that this is sometimes a frustrating and lengthy process.
These are the regulations posted by at least one Thai Embassy on their web site. Note that even if you are under 50 years of age, our expats can probably suggest some alternatives. If you need additional help or clarification, please attend one of our regular Pattaya Expats Meetings or check out the continually updated Visa Information at www.pattayaexpatsclub.com. To the best of our knowledge, the information on this site is correct but if you have information to the contrary, or feel that there is something we have missed, please let us know at info@pattayaexpatsclub.com.
VISA ISSUANCE FOR THE SENIOR AGED 50 YEARS AND ABOVE
(NON-IMMIGRANT VISA - CATEGORY "O-A")
This type of visa will be issued to applicants aged 50 years and above, wishing to take a retreat in the Kingdom for a period of at least one year..
I. QUALIFICATION OF AN APPLICANT
• A foreign national whose age is 50 years or above.
• Not being prohibited from entering the Kingdom under the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (A.D.1979).
• Having in their possession an amount of money that is not less than 800,000 Baht
or a monthly income of 65,000 Baht, or savings and annual income totaling not less
than 800,000 Baht. For instance, if you have an income of 30,000 baht a month, you would need to show savings of 440,000 baht - 800,000 less (12 times 30,000)
II. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR VISA APPLICATION
• A copy of visa application form completely filled out.
• Two passport-sized photos of the applicant taken within the past six months.
• Photocopy of the applicant's travel document with validity not less than 18 months.
• Financial documents (copy) as stated in I.
III. CHANNELS TO SUBMIT VISA APPLICATION
Applicants can submit their applications both at the Thai consular missions abroad and at the Office of the Immigration Bureau in Thailand.
The whole process will take about one to one and a half months.
Option III - On Entry Tourist Visa
Enter the Country with no Visa, and you will be allowed to stay for 30 days as a Tourist - as long as you are a resident of one of the following Countries:
1. ARGENTINA
2. AUSTRALIA
3. AUSTRIA
4. BAHRAIN
5. BELGIUM
6. BRAZIL
7. BRUNEI
8. CANADA
9. CHILE
10. CYPRUS
11. DENMARK
12. DJIBOUTI
13. EGYPT
14. FIJI
15. FINLAND
16. FRANCE
17. GERMANY
18. GREECE
19. ICELAND
20. INDONESIA 21. IRELAND
22. ISRAEL
23. ITALY
24. JAPAN
25. KENYA
26. KUWAIT
27. KOREA, Republic of
28. LUXEMBOURG
29. MALAYSIA
30. MAURITANIA
31. MEXICO
32. MOROCCO
33. MYANMAR
34. NETHERLANDS
35. NEW ZEALAND
36. NORWAY
37. OMAN
38. PAPUA NEW GUINEA
39. PHILIPPINES
40. PORTUGAL
41. QATAR
42. SAUDI ARABIA
43. SENEGAL
44. SINGAPORE
45. SLOVENIA
46. SOUTH AFRICA
47. SPAIN
48. SWEDEN
49. SWITZERLAND
50. TUNISIA
51. TURKEY
52. UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
53. UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
54. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
55. VANUATU
56. WESTERN SAMAO
57. YEMEN
At the end of the 30 days you may apply for an extension (10 days only) at the Pattaya Immigration Office (500 baht)
And these are some other options for a Tourist Visa:
• Before leaving your home Country, apply for a 60 day Tourist Visa at the Thai Embassy. Just recently, in Washington, the charge was $15 and it was a requirement to apply on one day and pick it up the next day. This Visa is valid for 2 months from the date of entry to Thailand, and you can obtain a 30 day extension (500 baht) by applying at the Pattaya Immigration Office. You may also apply for a double entry Visa which means you can enter Thailand twice, on the same Visa, allowing you a total of 6 months in the Country - 2 months plus one month on the first entry and two plus one on the second entry.
• Apply for the same 60 day Tourist Visa (or double entry Visa) in a neighboring Country, such as Cambodia or Malaysia (Penang is probably the least hassle although the Embassy staff in Pnom Phen are also very helpful).
• Note that for all of these options you must cross the borders of Thailand to obtain extensions, other than the 10 day or 30 day extension issued by the Pattaya Immigration Office.
Option IV - Residence Visa
THAI RESIDENCE
Who can apply?
A foreign National who has been permitted to stay in Thailand for a total of at least 3 years up to the date of the Application for Residency.
What are the Categories under which Residency may be granted?
Investment of a minimum of 10 million baht or,
• Employment in Thailand with a salary of at least 80,000 baht per month or,
• Relationship with a Thai Citizen - wife, husband of at least one year, father, mother or children under 20.
• Having a particular expertise, with at least a Bachelor degree and a certification from your Government.
When can you apply?
• Normally the applications may be submitted from about the 15th of December (each year) until the end of December. Exact date is announced by the Minister of the Interior.
Where can you apply:
• Applications are accepted at Section 1, Sub - Division 1, Immigration Division 1, Immigration Bureau (Room 301), Soi Suan Plu, South Sathorn Road, Sathorn District, Bangkok.
How much does it cost?
• The non - refundable application fee is 2,000 baht.
The Residence Permit Fee is 25,000 baht if you have a Thai family and 50,000 baht otherwise.
If you have any questions regarding Visas to Thailand, please contact Pete by e-mail at info@pattayaexpatsclub.com
NEW VISA FEES - BEGINNING AUG. 26, 2003
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised all Royal Thai Embassies and Royal Thai Consulate Generals to begin charging the new visa rates beginning August 26, 2003.
Transit Visa US$20.00
Tourist Visa US$25.00
Non-Immigrant Visas: Single Entry US$50.00,
1 Year Multiple-Entry US$125.00,
3 Year Multiple-Entry for persons who hold the travel documents of the APEC member countries to enter the Kingdom of Thailand for the purpose of business US$125.00
There is some indication that the Retirement Visa (O-A) is considered to be an extension of an existing an "O" Visa. If true, the new fee would be 1,900 baht.
The new Visa fees in Thai Baht are -
Transit visa, single entry - 800 baht;
Non-immigrant visa, single entry - 1,000 baht;
Non-immigrant visa, multiple entry for use within one year - 5,000 baht;
Application for visa extension - 1,900 baht;
Application for a single re-entry permit - 1,000 baht;
Application for a multiple re-entry permit - 3,800 baht;
Application for a residence permit - 7,600 baht;
Approval of a residence permit (payable on receipt of residence book) - 191,400 baht; Approval of a residence permit (payable on receipt of residence book) for a foreigner married to a Thai, the spouse of a resident, and any of their children who have not reached the status of a Thai juristic person (i.e., unmarried children aged below 20 years of age) - 95,700 baht.
Health Care
As explained in an earlier section in this series - health care in Pattaya and the surrounding areas is generally excellent and relatively inexpensive. And perhaps the best way to provide you with the information that you need is to detail the various options open to you.
One word of caution - wherever you are treated (pharmacy, clinic, hospital etc.) there seems to be a general tendency to over prescribe prescription drugs. Often a simple sore throat or fever will result in you taking home four or five different medications, so use common sense in limiting the variety of prescriptions. Find out exactly what each medication is for, before you start taking it.
Pharmacies or Drug Stores:
There are many excellent pharmacies in Pattaya, two of them open 24 hours, but our recommendation is to use one of the Boots the Chemist branches - there is one in the Royal Garden Mall and another on Walking Street.
Here there is always a pharmacist on duty and you can probably rely upon the quality of the drugs prescribed. There are sometimes accounts in the newspaper about fake drugs on sale (such as look alike versions of Viagra) so it is prudent to purchase your drugs and prescriptions at a large, well known company.
Remember that many of the drugs and medications available in your home country may not be available in Thailand. For instance, Lotrel is a medication for hypertension that is widely prescribed in the United States, but is just not sold in Thailand. However, there are equivalent drugs (in this case two tablets to replace one capsule), so you need an experienced pharmacist or doctor to recommend the available drugs. At www.webmd.com, and at other similar sites, you can find information about your particular medication, and its equivalent if necessary.
Clinics or Doctor's Offices:
There are literally hundreds of these health care Clinics in Pattaya, many of them specializing in a particular field (urology, dermatology etc) but often claiming expertise in everything from sexual dysfunction to plastic surgery!
Many of these Clinics are well run but the licensing regulations appear to be quite lax, so unless you have a specific recommendation from someone you trust, be careful about risking your health care at these Clinics - even though they are so convenient and are open sometimes round the clock.
Our recommendation for a General Practitioner is Dr. Oliver who has an excellent office in Soi Day Night, close by to the Pattaya People newspaper office. I have no connection with Dr. Oliver (other than as an occasional patient) but all of the expats I know, who have used his services, recommend him highly. He was trained in Switzerland and then took the exams all over again in Thailand, when he married a Thai wife and moved to Thailand. Here you will get the best of care at a reasonable price, and with very little waiting.
One other tip - if you are paying for your Thai partner to attend one of the many Clinics in Pattaya, do not go with them when they seek treatment. The cost probably will be inflated if a rich "Farang" is about to pay the bill.
Hospitals:
There are four or five hospitals in the Pattaya area, all providing excellent care but at widely varying prices. However, compared to the United States the cost at all of them is minimal (even if you have no insurance) and the convenience (access to specialists, little waiting time) sure beats service in the United Kingdom.
Two hospitals go out of their way to provide health care services to foreigners with up scale facilities, packaged health care options and no language barriers with the nurses and doctors. There is the Pattaya International Hospital and the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, and this second one has the lower prices.
My recommendation is to use the Bangkok Pattaya hospital and to consider purchasing one of their health care packages. For 2,000 to 3,000 baht (US$45 to US$70) you get a thorough physical, plus good discounts on any future visits to the Emergency Room and treatment as an in patient at the hospital. Check out the available packages soon after you arrive in Pattaya, rather than waiting until you need their services.
Health Insurance:
There are a variety of health insurance plans available, from several different companies, but the Buyer should beware. Even though you may have purchased a comprehensive policy on paper, the real test is the amount of the bill that is actually covered and the speed with which your claims are settled.
Our web site at www.pattayaexpatsclub.com has up to date information on several insurance plans (expect to pay between 30,000 to 70,000 baht per year depending upon your age), but you may also want to check at the Bangkok Pattaya hospital to find out their experience with the various companies.
Pre existing conditions will not be covered, at least for a period of time, and you need to check if your policy can be renewed as you get older. There have been cases of policies being cancelled after a claim has been paid, so check with other expats before you purchase your health insurance. The Pattaya Expat Club and Expat Friends of Pattaya meetings are a great place to get advice on this and all other aspects of living in Pattaya.
If you have an address in the United Kingdom then Boots the Chemist has an extremely attractive policy for overseas travelers - it is called Gap Insurance and can cover you up to one year, and similar policies may be available in the USA and other Countries. Again, check our web site for details.
What about dental care and eye care? High quality services are available throughout the city but, particularly for dental care, choose a doctor affiliated with the Bangkok Pattaya hospital or rely upon the recommendation of a trusted friend. For instance, there is a very good dentist on the opposite side of the road to the Friendship Supermarket in South Pattaya. Many of the eye care clinics are very up to date but just use care in finding out the cost and what it covers, before you commit yourself.
If you have any questions on health care in Pattaya, please check out our web site at www.pattayaexpatsclub.com for continuously updated information, or e-mail Pete with specific questions at info@pattayaexpatsclub.com.
Accommodation
Luckily, accommodation is not a problem in Pattaya, with rooms, hotels, condominiums to rent or buy and homes of every sort to rent or buy. All at reasonable prices but with the best bargains available during the slow season, from May through September each year.
Hotels:
You can spend as much as 2,000 baht and up at some of the luxury hotels (the Dusit Resort for instance) and this is still a bargain compared to many other Countries, but here I will try to give you some suggestions for the more typical hotels.
But first, unless you are arriving at the peak of the high season (November, December or January), it is preferable not to book in advance. Unless you have stayed at a particular hotel before, it is nice to be able to see the room being offered before you pay for it, and often, you can negotiate a lower rate at Reception - especially for long stays.
If you are nervous about arriving in a strange place with no hotel arranged, then my recommendation would be to book for one night at a reasonably priced hotel (800 to 1,000 baht or about US20) and then find the hotel of your choice for however long you are in Pattaya.
If I was asked to recommend a hotel to my family or friends, these would be my choices:
Luxury - the Dusit Resort in North Pattaya. Estimate 1,500 to 2,000 baht per night (about US$35)
Mid Range - the Silver Sand Villa on Jomtien Beach. 500 to 1,000 baht (US$12 to US$25). I stayed there for 3 months a couple of years back and there are two beautiful pools and the service is so friendly. Highly recommended.
Low End - good, clean, quiet, comfortable rooms, with air conditioning will cost just 350 to 400 baht (about US$8) per night at the Apex Hotel in Central Pattaya. I have stayed there myself a couple of times and I can tell you that this hotel is a real bargain.
Of course there are many, many other excellent hotels, from 300 to 2,500 baht per night, so it is easy to find the perfect hotel for you, in the right location and at the right price. And if you need help with this, just e-mail Pete at info@pattayaexpatsclub.com
Rooms:
If you are planning on a long stay of 3 months or more, and you are on a limited budget, then you may want to consider renting a room - normally in a low rise or high rise apartment block.
These are pretty basic, with a fan rather than air conditioning, and everything in one room (except the bathroom) but at really low prices of 3,000 to 5,000 baht monthly.
This includes electricity and water (but no telephone normally) and you can make yourself quite comfortable in this basic accommodation. In fact it sure beats a cold, unfriendly bed sitter in rain swept England! And at US$70 to $115 per MONTH, you can spend your cash on enjoying the good life in Pattaya.
Renting a Condominium:
There is an over supply of condominiums in Pattaya and Jomtien, so if you look around a little you can find a beautiful place (with a great view) at a very reasonable rent.
You will be required to sign a contract for at least 6 months, probably be required to pay the first and last months rent upon moving in, and the rental will be about 8,500 to 15,000 baht monthly, plus electricity and telephone bills of course. So for approximately US$200 to $350 per month, plus US$45 for moderate use of electricity and the telephone, you would typically have a large living and dining room, a kitchen, separate bathroom and shower, a nice bedroom and the use of the community pool and spa.
Add your choice of a live-in partner and the fun of living in Pattaya and you will wake up each morning with a smile on your face - guaranteed!
Renting a Home:
This is another good choice if you enjoy getting to know your neighbors - chances are that the local Moms and Dads and their well behaved children will often be sharing a meal with you in your front garden.
Even if you eventually plan on buying a home or condominium, it's a good idea to live in the neighborhood for a while before buying. There are normally many homes available for rent - single and two story for about 8,000 baht to 15,000 baht (or more if you are looking for a luxury home). US$185 to US$350 per month plus utilities.
For the last couple of years I have been renting a nice bungalow in Suksabai Villas. This is in South Pattaya, off Theprasit Road, and has a nice mix of about 60% foreigners and 40% Thais in the development.
Most of the expats are from the USA, UK, or Germany etc., with most having permanent Thai partners. Just on our road there are 4 or 5 families with very young children (6 to 18 months) so it is a great place to make friends in pleasant surroundings.
Most of the homes have gardens - with either lawns or tiled areas for outdoor picnics, and there are flowers growing everywhere. You just have to put a dead looking stick in the rich soil and in 3 weeks you have the start of a papaya tree!
My home has a huge living room with a separate kitchen and dining room, 2 bedrooms, two bathrooms and air conditioning. The rent is 10,500 baht per month (US$250) and the only other monthly expenses for the home are:
Electricity 1,000 baht (US$24), telephone (mostly computer use) 800 baht (US$20), water 200 baht (US$5), cable TV 350 baht (US$8). So estimate about US$300 a month for your home.
Buying a Home or Condominium in Pattaya
How do you go about it? Very carefully seems to be the best advice, so do yourself a favor and join us at the regular Sunday morning breakfast meetings of the Pattaya Expats Club - berore you commit to buying a home. Here you will find many expats who have "been there, done that" and you will get invaluable, free advice on buying your home, and many other aspects of life in the land of smiles.
Here is some general information, but please e-mail Pete at info@pattayaexpatsclub.com if you need answers to specific questions not covered here.
Can I buy a condominium in Pattaya?
Buying a condominium, is perhaps the simplest and easiest option available to foreigners. The only restrictions on purchasing a condominium, are that the percentage of units sold to foreigners cannot exceed forty nine percent (49%) of the total number of units in the condominium block; and that the funds used to buy the condominium have been remitted from abroad and correctly recorded as such by a Thai Bank. Purchases of condominiums by foreign individuals come under the jurisdiction of the Condominium Act B.E. 2535 (1992).
The owner of each condominium is issued with a certificate of unit ownership. The certificate also has a statement saying exactly what percentage of rights over the common areas of the building each owner has.
Can I own a house and land in Pattaya?
Ownership of land is governed by the Land Code BE 2497 (1954), the Civil and Commercial Code, Land Reform for Agriculture Act BE 2518 (1975) and the regulations set forth by the Ministry of the Interior.
Although Thai law prohibits foreigners from owning land in Thailand, there are various ways in which you can structure your affairs so that you can own land, and still, last minute air deals, comply with existing Thai laws:
Nominee with Lease and Option to Buy - you can use a Thai Nominee to purchase the house/land and have a 30 year lease with a 30 by 30 year option from the nominee. In order to be enforceable, any lease for a period of longer than three years must be registered, which involves payment of a registration fee and stamp duty based on a percentage of the rental fee for the whole lease term. The original registered lease remains in force and effect even if the property is sold. The drawbacks to a lease include the fact that the parties can contractually agree to renewals, but this right cannot be registered and is not effective against a purchaser of the property, and that the lessee cannot (without the lessor's consent) sublease, sell or transfer his or her interest.
Nominee with Mortgage - you can use a Nominee to purchase the house/land and have a mortgage (registered with the appropriate land department office) on the property in your favour. However, in some circumstances the Thai courts have ruled that this was not a bona fide mortgage, but rather it was a mortgage contrived to circumvent the existing laws of Thailand prohibiting foreign ownership of land. It is important to note that only the owner of the land is entitled to mortgage the land; the lessee of land does not have the same privilege.
Usufruct Interest (Sidhi-kep-kin) - gives you temporary ownership rights to things on or arising from the land. In practice, a usufruct is limited to a 30 year maximum period; like leases, the agreement can be successively renewed. In contrast to a lease, a usufructury interest can be sold or transferred, although it expires upon the death of the holder of the usufruct and therefore cannot be inherited.
Limited Liability Company - this form of purchasing property is the most popular with foreign investors as the Articles of Association can be varied to allow greater protection for foreign minority shareholders where majority Thai ownership is required under the Alien Business Law. Thai law requires that 51% of the shares be held by Thai juristic persons, however, any company with more than 40% foreign interest that purchases land will be investigated by the Central Land Office in Bangkok (under Section 74 of the Land Code) to ensure that the company has not been organized in an attempt to circumvent the prohibition against foreign ownership of land.
This results in the foreign ownership of the company being limited at 39%, but with the recommended changes to the Articles of Association, the foreigner can be the only director of the company, and the only officer of the company who can commit or bind the company in any contractual dealings - effectively giving the minority shareholder control.
What is a Tor Tor Sam (3)?
A Tor Tor Sam (3) is an official bank document issued by the receiving bank upon the receipt of foreign currency into your bank account in Thailand. You must request a Tor Tor Sam from your bank when you are remitting funds to Thailand for the purpose of purchasing a condominium, and the Tor Tor Sam must specify that the remittance is solely for the purpose of purchasing a property - Code 5.22.
Are there Title Deeds in Thailand? Can I purchase Title Insurance?
A Title Deed is the purest form of evidence that an individual owns a piece of land. Title Deeds are given only for areas of Thailand which are surveyed. For areas which are not surveyed, there are other documents for land possession such as evidence of the possession of the right to utilise the land or other interests in the land. These documents are called "Nor Sor Sam (3) and Nor Sor Sam (3) Kor". Unlike the Title Deeds, these Nor Sor documents are issued to show the possessors' exploitation of the land. Though these documents do not provide ownership rights, as do Title deeds, they can still be registered for transfer of the lands for which they are issued. Title insurance is not available in Thailand.
Can I get a Mortgage Loan in Thailand?
Foreigners generally cannot mortgage properties in Thailand, however, most of the financial institutions in Thailand provide loans for real estate purchasing to Thais and Thai companies. It is common for a real estate developer to arrange for his customers to have a financing package from a financial institution. In most real estate development projects, a down payment can be made in installments from 10 to 24 months. After the down payment has been paid, the sale contract will be made and the balance amount is paid through the loan which is financed from a financial institution. The financial institution requires you to mortgage the property with it as collateral against the loan.
Land Appraisals and Valuations
Finding the exact appraisal price for land is difficult, since there are generally three different appraisal rates; the government rate, the appraisal company's rate and the rate which is considered to be fair market value of the land. Over the last few years all of these rates have begun to come closer together. Check with a trusted Realtor before you buy.
Can my Thai Wife own Land?
Prior to 1998, any Thai woman who married a foreigner would lose her right to purchase land in Thailand. She could, however, still retain land that she owned prior to marrying the foreigner. However, the recent (1999) Ministerial regulation now allows Thai national's married to foreigners the right to purchase land, but the Thai spouse must prove that the money used in the purchase of freehold land is legally solely theirs with no foreign claim to it. This is usually achieved by the foreign spouse signing a declaration stating that the funds used for the purchase of property belonged to the Thai spouse prior to the marriage and are beyond his claim.
Are there Property Taxes in Thailand?
There are no property taxes as such in Thailand that are exactly equivalent to the property taxes in the west, however, the most comparable taxes on properties in Thailand are the Land Tax and the Structures Usage Tax. The Land Tax levied on land is so miniscule, that in practice the body charged to collect it, rarely bothers to do so, and if they do, they usually wait several years until the amount accumulates. The second tax, the Structures Usage Tax, relates to buildings, is collected by the municipal office or district office, and is only applied to properties used for commercial purpose.
What are the other costs of buying a property in Thailand?
On all purchase/sale of property in Thailand there is a stamp Duty of 0.5%, a transfer fee of 0.01%, a business tax of 0.11% levied against an owner who has been in registered possession of the property less than 5 years, and Income Tax. There is no Capital Gains Tax in Thailand, unlike many countries, and Income Tax (usually between 1.0 - 3.0%) on property is the comparable replacement. There are no set rules on who pays the income tax, and it is just another part of the bargaining process, as with all the other costs of the transfer of ownership.
And if that has thoroughly confused you - don't worry about it. It is all really quite simple if you work with the right attorney and Realtor, and our Pattaya Expats Club is always available to point you in the right direction.
Additional Income
SUPPLEMENTING YOUR INCOME IN PATTAYA
So finally you have decided to make the big move to Pattaya, and now you have to work out how you are going to pay your day to day expenses.
If you are like many expats that are lucky enough to live in Pattaya, you probably have some money saved and perhaps even a regular income such as a monthly Social Security or Pension check (or cheque for the Brits!) or income from investments.
Whether it is enough or not depends upon your preferences and your lifestyle of course. I have friends that are living here quite happily on just 25,000 to 30,000 baht (US$580 to $700) a month, and others that feel deprived on anything less than US2,000 a month. My own experience is that a couple can live a very good life in Pattaya on 40,000 baht a month, close to US$1,000.
So you may decide that you need to make some extra money, and this section is to explore some of the options open to you.
A word of warning however. The police in Pattaya treat visa and work permit violations very seriously, and on any day it is not uncommon to find up to 10 foreigners locked up in the Beach Road police station jail under really inhumane conditions! Simply for overstaying their Visa, by a few days sometimes, or for working without a work permit.
And when these folks do eventually get out of prison (I know of some that have been incarcerated for 9 weeks or more), they are forced to leave the Kingdom and are not allowed back in! And that could put a real damper on your retirement plans. So please, do it the right way because it is not too difficult to get a one year multiple entry (B) visa (preferably in your home Country) and then a Work Permit once you arrive in Pattaya. Check out our site at www.pattayaexpatsclub.com for continuously updated Visa information, and visit our Expat Friends of Pattaya Club or the Pattaya Expats Club for free advice once you arrive in Pattaya. Or e-mail Pete at info@pattayaexpatsclub.com with specific questions. Also, check out www.thaivisa.com for up to date information.
Anyway, here are a few income making ideas, but first, check out my site at www.pattayabizclub.com for an innovative idea that may appeal to you.
1. Teaching English
If you are a native English speaker, one of the simplest ways to make money is as an English teacher. You will need a certification such as TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) which you can obtain in Thailand, and then the best way to find positions is by answering advertisements in the Bangkok Post or the Pattaya Mail. Unfortunately this job does not pay too well (typically 20,000 to 30,000 baht monthly full time), but I have a good friend who makes about 47,000 baht a month in several different part time teaching jobs. See our web site for information on TEFL courses.
2. The Internet
This Company has a unique product and a really innovative way of marketing. It may be worth while getting in on the ground floor - it costs nothing to enroll and you could make a nice little income.
The product is a piece of software that, when people visit your free web site, it automatically checks out their computer for things that should not be there, and analyses how best to dramatically and immediately improve their computer's performance and internet connection. It will show them all of the unwanted things in their computer that are slowing performance - all at the click of a button.
...All of the extra files that are consuming memory & slowing down the system, undisclosed viruses hiding in the registry, spiders, spyware software, unwanted cookies that cause numerous pop-ups and slows down their computer's performance or can cause it to crash. It will also show other maintenance and security issues.
Finally, after "test driving" this new technology product for up to a full hour by simply clicking a button & then seeing it at work, and seeing how it improves their PC's performance right before your eyes, (faster loading web pages, enhanced multimedia experiences, etc.) your visitor will then be asked "if they want to buy the product at an incredibly attractive price of only $39.95, or if they want to return their PC to its previous slow operating condition?"
If you have signed up, you will get a commission on everyone that buys from your web site. No selling, just refer people to your free web site. The product will be launching in a few days so pre register now for a good position.
Pretty neat don't you think? If you are interested in getting in on the ground floor, you can enroll for free at http://www.iarevolution.com/register.aspx?Id=52668611
3. Your own business
Soon after arriving in Thailand for the first time, I opened up an Internet Caf้ with one Thai and 2 expat partners. It was a good experience for me because although we made no money, at least we didn't lose any either, so here are my guidelines based on that experience.
Spend as little up front money as possible. In the case of the Internet Caf้ we each put in US$2,000 which was enough to get started, including the rent, the improvements, the equipment and the initial advertising. Everything we spent after that was from income. I have lost count of the number of times I have seen expats enthusiastically spend half a million baht for a bar or go go bar, then another half million improving the place, BEFORE finding out that there was very little income!
Choose your partners wisely. It is not generally the Thai people you need to watch out for but your friendly expat who is long on promises but short on deliveries. Pattaya is full of them.
And make sure you ask a million questions at the Expat Friends of Pattaya Club Saturday brunch meetings, before you commit your hard earned cash.
4. The Export Business
Here's the dream! You live in Thailand taking care of the logistics of exporting Thai products to your home Country while your partner at home takes care of the sales and distribution.
A great idea but the reality is that the more difficult task is in your home country. And without a steady stream of orders, you have nothing to do in Pattaya, and no income from the enterprise.
But it can work, if you make sure you have taken care of the sales end properly, and that you have few up front costs while you are waiting for those first orders. Choose a product with a high margin that is easy (inexpensive) to ship, for example Stingray Leather Products. You can purchase a beautiful stingray belt with its distinctive crown markings for 1,500 baht (US$35) ship it priority to the States for US$15 and sell it for US$95, a profit of US$45 which can be improved if you can buy at wholesale prices.
Again, do not become involved in any type of income producing activity, without the proper visa and work permit. It is just not worth the risk. In fact, I recently became aware of the fact that the authorities now are cracking down on illegal businesses by tracking folks that are regularly shipping products overseas by Fedex and DHL for instance.
Finance and Banking
I am no financial wizard, so I am not about to tell you how to invest your money in this section. Rather I have included some ideas and guidelines to make sure that you have cash when you need it in Pattaya and that your savings are secure.
Most transactions in Thailand, even the purchase of expensive appliances for example, are for cash. In fact, many vendors seem to discourage credit card sales by charging you a fee of 3% if you insist on using your credit card, and, of course, many places do not even accept credit cards
However, for life's small emergencies, please try to hang on to one or two credit cards from your home country. These should be MasterCard or Visa (the most widely used here) and make sure that you can check your balances and transactions on line and also pay your balance on line. For this of course you will need to maintain a bank account in your home country, again, preferably an online bank account.
Let me give you an example of the arrangement I have with a USA registered online bank and a MasterCard issued by another USA bank. It is necessary for you to have a USA address for any statements to be sent from the credit card company or the Bank, but as you pay all your bills online, it is not necessary for you to receive the statements in Pattaya. The same would be true for a bank based in Europe or Australia for instance. Many banks and credit card companies now allow you to sign up to receive monthly statements by email.
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Each month (or more often if I am feeling paranoid), I check the transactions on my credit card (either cash advances from ATM's in Pattaya or credit card purchases), make sure they are all valid and then log on to my online banking account at NetBank.
Here I enter the details of the credit card I want to pay up (or any other bill for that matter), fill in the amount and instantly pay my credit card bill. No telephone calls, no statements, no charges and no stress!
There are online bank accounts available from most countries in Europe, Scandinavia, USA and Australasia etc. How do you find them? Just go to your favorite search engine (google.com for instance) and search for ON LINE BANKING ENGLAND or AUSTRALIA etc.
Here are some suggestions that I believe will work for you:
USA:
NetBank http://www.netbank.com
UK:
Egg http://new.egg.com/newegg (Prudential group)
BankNet http://orders.mkn.co.uk/bank/
Australia:
BankWest www.bankwest.com.au
You will also need a local bank account and my preference here is the Siam Commercial Bank. It is simple to set up a Savings Account, with an ATM card for easy cash withdrawals, and I have had no problems with transferring cash from my online overseas account to my Thai account.
However, I think it prudent to keep a balance of only 100,000 to 200,000 baht in the local account (US$2300 to US$4,600) because of the possibility of a devaluation of the currency, and to limit your losses in case of fraud. For instance, when a friend of mine was out of the country, some acquaintances of his Thai wife came to visit in their home. They invited her to dinner and, on a lonely stretch of road near Pattaya, forced his wife to give them her ATM card and the pin number. They emptied the account, but luckily he only lost about US$1,000.
Transportation
Most folks arrive from overseas at the Bangkok International Airport, so I will start with some advice on getting to Pattaya from the Airport. Some of you may like to stay in Bangkok overnight, particularly if you have had a long flight, but my recommendation is to head for Pattaya right away. Just make sure you change some money to Thai baht before you go for the taxi, and ask for some 100 baht notes or lower denominations.
Taxi services at the airport are more expensive than in town, as they are in most Countries, and if you decide to use the airport taxis you will often be quoted close to 2,000 baht (US$45) for the 2 hour ride to Pattaya. However, you can often bargain this down to about 1,500 baht (US$35), which is not a bad rate, and it's even better if you can share with someone.
If I arrive during the daytime, I normally walk a couple of hundred yards (luggage trolleys are free and plentiful) to the adjacent Domestic terminal where you can often get an even better rate - typically 1,200 baht (US$28), and if you walk out to the street, the taxi driver will be happy to take you to Pattaya for 800 baht (under US$20) but be prepared for some friendly bargaining.
If you take the 800 baht taxi, the driver will normally take you to a small taxi hub just outside the airport where you will transfer to a nicer looking taxi and pay the taxi Company. The first time I did this I thought it was a scam but this has happened to me at least 5 times now and I have always had a safe and pleasant ride to Pattaya. Note also that whichever taxi you select, you will be expected to pay the tolls in Bangkok and on the freeway to Pattaya - about 100 baht total (US$2.50), so make sure you have some 20 baht notes or 10 baht coins for the journey.
Another option is to take the bus to Pattaya which leaves from the Domestic Terminal. It is air conditioned and very comfortable, but it only leaves every 3 hours. But at 300 baht one way (or maybe a little less) it is a great buy.
Getting around in Pattaya:
Baht Buses
These are converted pick up trucks with an easy step-on at the back, two padded benches and a roof to protect you from the elements. You just flag one down anywhere along their normal route, get on board and ding the bell when you reach your destination. Everybody is very friendly and you will probably get a beautiful smile from more than one attractive Thai girl, and the fare is a bargain. Most Thais pay only 5 baht, however far they travel, and some expats do this too but it sometimes causes arguments. I normally give 5 baht for a very short trip (a few hundred yards), 10 baht for up to a couple of miles and 20 baht for anything over that - say from North Pattaya to Walking Street. Just pay the driver the exact change and walk away, so make sure you have plenty of 10 baht coins.
If you want to go on a special journey which is off the normal route, or visit an attraction while they wait for you for the return journey, then always agree on the price before you start, including the waiting time. It is amazing how far you can go for 100 baht, and this is for the whole bus, not per passenger.
Motor Cycle Taxis
This is a fast and convenient way to get around, particularly when you are off the normal Baht Bus routes. Not for the faint hearted however, because most of the drivers do not have a spare helmet for you to wear (even though it is illegal for the driver or passenger to go without a helmet), will break every rule (even crossing on red at the stoplights) to get you to your destination as soon as possible, and seem to take unnecessary risks just to save a few seconds. Having said that, I have never had an accident, or even seen an accident involving a motor cycle taxi driver and I believe this is because they are so experienced and skilful at driving their machines around Pattaya.
As for the cost, 20 or 30 baht seems to be OK for most trips within the city, but it is best to have the exact change (they seem to NEVER have any change) and to agree on the fare before you start. Tips are not necessary.
Taxis
Unlike Bangkok, there are relatively few taxis for short trips in Pattaya, and none seem to have the taxi meters. However, if you need a taxi to take you to the airport in Bangkok for instance, or to one of the surrounding attractions, there are several taxi services that you can telephone, and you may see the occasional taxi parked on the street ready to bargain with you.
Under no circumstances should you get into the taxi until you have negotiated the fare. Expect to pay 800 baht to Bangkok International Airport (plus any freeway tolls) and 100 to 200 baht for trips in Pattaya. Again, tipping is not normally expected, so just pay your negotiated fare.
Purchasing your own Vehicle
The simplest way to get your own wheels is to buy a motorbike. And for about 35,000 to 40,000 baht (US$820 to US$930) you can buy a brand new 'bike, a little more for self start, and this is a great way to CAREFULLY get around in Pattaya.
Invest in a good motor cycle helmet (500 baht at least), and make sure you register the motorbike (normally at the dealership), preferably in your Thai partner's name to avoid deep pockets liability, and that you pay about 2,000 baht per year for insurance against accidents. I recently had a small accident and there was no trouble getting the Emergency Room fees reimbursed.
Be aware though, that in any accident involving a foreigner and a Thai, the foreigner will end up paying the costs, even if the Thai was at fault. If you are involved in a small accident, it is best to settle on the spot (even if you are blameless), particularly when you can probably do this by paying the other party 500 or 1,000 baht. The alternative is to stand on your rights, get hauled down to the police station and then find you have to pay 20,000 and up when the lawyer and the police get involved. Do yourself a favor by spending the US$12 to US$24 on the spot, and go about enjoying your stay in Pattaya.
Just a couple more points - even if your Thai girl friend (or boy friend) insists, do not carry more than one passenger on your motorbike, and make sure you both have helmets. The fine is only 200 baht (under US$5), but you have to leave the bike with the police while you go down to the Tourist Police Station to pay your fine
So what about buying a car or a truck?
You can buy a nice new car or truck for about 600,000 baht and up (US$14,000) and get a good buy on a second hand car or truck for about 200,000 baht and up (US$4,500). Check out some more detailed prices at my friend's web site at www.bangkokusedcarsales.com
To own and register a car you will need:
• A non immigrant visa
• Proof of residency - rental agreement or home ownership papers
• Money!
Before you buy:
• Have it clear in your mind what type of vehicle you require, and the price range. Trucks
hold their value better than other vehicles.
• Understand that cars maintain their value much better than you are used to in your home country.
• Know that Thais are generally hard on cars and typically maintain them poorly, so consider a new car if you can afford it, and use extra care in checking for mechanical damage before you buy a pre-owned vehicle.
Look for signs of Collision:
• Paint overspray on glass, rubber or trim.
• Wrinkled metal under the hood.
• Misaligned bumpers, doors, hood and other body panels.
Check the Engine:
• Have someone start the engine while you look at the exhaust pipe. A little black smoke on start up is OK, but blue smoke indicates burning oil - don't buy it!
• Check the engine runs smoothly and idles quietly.
Check the Mileage:
• Look for excessive wear on the clutch, brake and accelerator pedals. Also on the driver's side door hinges. High wear in any of these areas may indicate high mileage in excess of what the odometer is showing.
Title and Registration:
• Check the book that comes with the car. No Book? Then just run very fast to the next dealership.
• Compare the chassis number in the book with the chassis number on the vehicle.
• Check to see where the car is registered. If it's registered anywhere but Pattaya, you will have to travel to the city of registration to transfer the registration to Pattaya. Not much fun if that's in Chiangmai!
Get an experienced technician to check for problems before you buy:
• Once you have checked all of the above yourself, have the car inspected by an independent mechanic, someone not associated with the selling party. Tell the seller you want this inspection done before you buy or commit to buy. Expect small repairs but do not buy someone else's expensive problems.
• Buy from a well established dealer. That way, if you have a problem the chances are that it will be taken care of quickly.
• We can recommend Intercar on Sukhumvit - contact Martin. He will also take care of the paperwork.
To obtain a Thai Driving License:
First get a medical certificate. It costs 120 baht from the Pattaya Memorial Hospital. Just tell them it is for a Thai driving license. The whole process takes less than half an hour. You also need to get a letter from the Immigration to certify your home address in Thailand. They require photocopy of your passport (personal particulars page and visa page). You must have a non-immigrant visa. Also two photographs. Show them your national driving license when making the request. There is a fee of 200 baht and you return the next day to get the letter. I live with a friend and I use her house address. She was asked by Immigration for a photocopy of her house registration.
Besides the medical certificate and the letter from Immigration, yo
Source: articleage.com
Relocating to Pattaya - making it happen!
Every year, thousands of folks of all ages, from all over the world, pack their bags and set off for a long awaited vacation in Thailand, which happens to be my home now. They stay for just a couple of weeks or up to perhaps 3 months, before reluctantly booking their flight home, and for many, this is sometimes their 20th or 30th yearly trip!
And, like myself, thousands of these vacationers have spent a great deal of time and effort, trying to work out how they can live in Thailand permanently, and this first section in our Relocate to Pattaya series, is an attempt to explain why you too should perhaps consider life in the Land of Smiles.
Although much of the information in this series can be applied to all of Thailand, most of our Club Members live in Pattaya, or are hoping to move here soon, and the information presented here is mainly as a result of our work with the Pattaya Expats Club.
My name is Pete and I am one of the founders of the Pattaya Expats Club, which is dedicated to all of us expats enjoying the good life in Pattaya, and those of you across the world that would like to join us here.
The Pattaya Expats Club is all about expats helping expats and all Nationalities are welcome. Whatever your question or problem, you can be sure there is another expat in the Club who has "been there, done that". New friends who are ready to share their experience and expertise on anything and everything to make your stay in Pattaya more enjoyable. Free assistance on one year Visas, medical insurance, home buying etc., so find out the facts BEFORE you make an expensive mistake.
So what better group to explain to you why they wake up each morning with a smile on their face, happy to live in this beautiful corner of the world. We have in excess of 10,000 expats living in Pattaya, and all of us have a different story to tell, but I have tried to distil the experience of many of our members to explain the magic of living in Pattaya, so here goes:
If you are middle aged, or older, you can be sure that living in Pattaya will knock at least 10 years off your age, and probably 30 years off your attitude to life. You truly will start thinking like you did as a young man or woman, full of anticipation in each new day, and happy to be alive.
Need some proof of this? Just spend a few days in Pattaya and try to explain the smile of contentment on the faces of expats young and old.
The magic is in the people of Thailand, and particularly in the friendliness of the young Thai women. Where else in the world would a 70 year old be greeted by a friendly smile from a beautiful and graceful Thai girl as you walk along Beach Road? And that smile is a genuine expression of her happiness that you are visiting her country กV and you will be walking on air all day!
A cartoon in the Pattaya Mail recently said it quite succinctly:
Before moving to Pattaya: 68 years old, wife died, no job, small pension, lonely, family never come to see me, neighbors do not speak, body aches with rheumatism and arthritis, rain 11 months of the year, high gas, electricity and food bills, savings being gobbled up, crap TV, nobody cares. Just waiting to die.
After the move to Pattaya: 68 years old, widowed, pension, never lonely กV who cares if the family visits? Neighbors are so friendly, rheumatism and arthritis gone, sunshine all year. Cheap gas, electricity and food bills, savings intact, pension goes farther. TV great, football, movies, no license fees. Best sex in 40 years. Lovely people, thank you God, thank you Thailand.
And here is a similar view from one of our members:
The friendly welcome I always get from Thai people, young and old, rich and poor. A beautiful smile as you pass a stranger in the street that makes you feel on top of the world and happy to be alive in Pattaya.
Beautiful weather, even the rain is warm!
Breathtaking beaches, just take a bike ride down Jomtien Beach Road in the morning.
Low cost of living, you can live like a King on $1,000 a month or less!
Something about the Buddhist religion that seems to help people get along with each other.
The joy of getting to know Thai families and their beautiful and well behaved children. The nice feeling you get when all of the neighbors come to your home to share a meal in the cool evenings.
The relief to be able to live an uncomplicated life without the day to day stress that is just a normal part of life in many Countries.
Delicious food with a fantastic abundance of fruit and vegetables, fish and seafood etc.
Excellent medical care, knowing that the doctors and nurses really care for you as a human being, rather than a calculation about how many dollars you can be charged. No waiting, well trained staff and low, low prices.
Thank you Pattaya, thank you Thailand.
All I can tell you is that young or old, man or woman, rich or poor, fat or thin, healthy or not so healthy, you are missing out on the time of your life if you do not visit Pattaya at least once. But, be careful, odds are that you will fall in love with the place and start to plan full time living here in the Land of Smiles.
Cost of Living
Not only is Pattaya a fun and exciting place to live, but here it is possible to enjoy life very comfortably on well under US$1,000 per month, or about 40,000 baht. This would be enough to rent a comfortable, two bedroom home for yourself and your partner, and take care of all of the essential expenses, and with enough left over to enjoy your leisure time - golf for instance or any other sports, and a night on the town every so often etc.
Here are some typical examples of the essentials - with low end, moderate and luxurious options. These examples are for a couple, say an American or European etc., with a Thai partner. Everything is in Thai Baht and US$'s and the cost is per month. Note that the exchange rate varies somewhat but the baht numbers are exact.
Item Low end Moderate Luxurious
Rent home 4,300 ($100) 10,000 ($233) 15,000 ($350)
Electricity 400 ($10) 1,000 ($24) 3,000 ($70)
Cable TV 300 ($7) 300 ($7) 300 ($7)
City water 350 ($8) 430 ($10) 645 ($15)
Drinking water (delivered) 80 ($2) 160 ($4) 250 ($6)
Food (groceries) 2,500 ($58) 4,500 ($105) 8,000 ($186)
Fresh fruit and vegetables 1,000 ($23) 1.500 ($35) 2,500 ($58)
And here are some individual items for comparison with home prices:
Jar of Chivers Marmalade 12oz 86 ($2)
Bottle of HP Sauce 255 grams 90 ($2.10)
Can of premium beer 35 ($0.81)
1 Kilo various fruits in season 30 ($0.70)
Large Pineapple 10 ($0.23)
One Pound of bananas 5 ($0.10)
Local telephone call (unlimited time) 3 ($0.07)
Internet connection (per hour) 8 ($0.19)
And how about eating out?
American Breakfast (Eggs, bacon, toast, coffee) 38 ($0.88)
English Breakfast (Egg, Bacon, Sausage, Fried Bread, Toast, Tea) 70 ($1.65)
Thai lunch (Chicken soup and chicken breast on rice) 30 ($0.70)
American Soup and Salad Bar 90 ($2.10)
Draft Beer (half pint) - Happy Hour 30 ($0.70)
Draft Beer - regular prices 45 ($1.05)
British Sunday Roast Beef dinner etc 195 ($4.50)
First Class Continental dinner 295 ($6.90)
American Fast Food Chains - complete meal) 70 ($1.65)
Ice cream cone 7 ($0.16)
The cost of medical care in Pattaya is very reasonable. Although you do not need a Doctor's prescription to purchase antibiotics for instance, there are some excellent drug stores here (including Boots the Chemist of England) where you can get excellent free advice. As an example, a 5 day course of antibiotics would cost about 200 baht or under $5. Boots also provides an excellent value health insurance vacation package (up to one year) for coverage while you are traveling, but you need a UK address. Check out the details at www.pattayaexpatsclub.com for this and other options.
There are two or three excellent hospitals in Pattaya, with European or USA trained doctors, and the service here is excellent. As an example I recently had to go to the Emergency Room at the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital after a motor cycle accident. I required X-rays to my head and foot (luckily nothing broken), a check over by the doctor, dressings on my foot, and several medications for 10 days. Including one follow up visit, the total cost was 1,690 baht or $40!
Earlier in the year I had two moles removed by a specialist in Dermatology there - no waiting, excellent care and a total bill of 1,300 baht or $30. Compare that to my experience in the USA where I had planned to have the moles removed. There was a wait of 3 months to see the Dermatologist, a minimum fee of $300 just for him to tell me the moles should be removed and then who knows how much for the actual surgery!
Golfing - Pattaya has 18 world class golf clubs in the immediate area and the greens fees vary from 400 to 600 baht (about $10 to $14) for guests during the week, to about 1,000 baht ($23) on the weekend.
LEARNING THE LANGUAGE
It is possible to live in Pattaya without learning a single word of the Thai language. Happily, the staff in the hotels, restaurants and shops speak at least a little English, German and French etc., and you will have no difficulty in making yourself understood - especially if you smile a lot!
No doubt too, it will not be very long before you find yourself a companion, and then you will have someone to translate for you when necessary. It is amazing how quickly the young people in Thailand learn your language, and there are several language schools in Pattaya to help them. In fact, for just 50 baht (US$1.25) a month, your Thai girl friend or boy friend can go to school for a couple of hours daily, to learn the language.
It is also true that, no matter how poor you are at learning a new language, you will eventually know enough Thai words to make yourself understood wherever you go in Thailand, just by listening everyday to those around you. Never mind that you are saying the word on a rising note instead of a falling one, eventually you will get it right and your Thai friends will stop giggling every time you open your mouth.
However, there is a great deal of satisfaction in at least being able to speak the language fluently, and being able to understand what others are saying. You will have so much more fun, and doors will be open to you that were previously closed, so why not go ahead, make the effort and get a lifetime of benefits. Who knows? One day you may even be able to write and read in Thai!
There are several choices when it comes to learning the language:
1 Learn from your spouse or friend. Not a great idea because neither of you will put a great deal of effort into the task and also, you may end up speaking the Thai equivalent of a broad cockney accent!
2 Buy one of those computer programs that walks you through the sounds, and even grades your progress. Not a bad way of learning if you can stick to it, but most people I know find it a great effort to sit in front of your monitor for hours on end. Certainly not much fun and soon the attractions of Pattaya will be calling you and the computer disk gathers dust in your drawer.
3 Sign up for some one on one lessons with a professional. The prices are reasonable (100 baht or less for an hour) and you will probably make good progress. I tried this myself for a time, but I found that although I could say the words OK in class, they were all forgotten in an hour! What you really need is practice, practice and more practice, preferably on a small group of words at a time until they are firmly fixed in your head. One other disadvantage of the one on one method, at least from my point of view; I found the lessons somewhat tense as I tried to master some of the more impossible pronunciations.
4. So my favorite way of learning a new language is in a small group of say 4 or 5 friends with a really competent instructor. The lessons are fun as no one minds embarrassing themselves with friends, and as you all start to see progress, there is a real incentive to learn more and more. In fact my son is presently learning Oriental Languages at CSUN, and he has made incredible progress since starting a Japanese social club on campus - so I think this is the way most people learn the best.
As it happens, we have set up a small group learning environment in the Pattaya Expats Club. So the next time you are in Pattaya you are invited to our regular Sunday breakfast meetings, where you can also sign up for your first group learning module, with a great instructor. Details on our web site at www.pattayaexpatsclub.com
Visas
One of the more surprising things we have found out, regarding obtaining a one year Visa (with multiple entries), is that it is much easier at one of the Honorary Thai Consulate General offices in the USA, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany and possibly many other Countries. Once you get to Thailand, or the general South East Asia region, it is much more difficult.
These are the options you have for a long term stay in Thailand. Note that the Visas are issued yearly and often you will be required to leave the Country every 3 months. This can be done by making use of the many Visa Run services from Pattaya to Poipet (on the Cambodian border), where you would leave at 8am and return home at about 6pm. The cost for the coach trip and the Visa fees is 2,000 baht ($48).
Note that the Thai government has recently increased most Visa charges. Check at the end of this section for the new fee schedule and also log on to www.thaivisa.com for up to the minute visa information.
Option I (recommended)
Before you leave your home Country, contact any Honorary Thai Consulate - not the Thai Embassies in the large cities). You can see a list of these Consulates in the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany on our web site at www.pattayaexpatsclub.com.
These consulates are run normally by citizens of the Country in which they are located, and provide a good service issuing Visas for Thailand. Here you can normally obtain a one year Visa with multiple entry options (allowing you to go in and out of Thailand during that year without having to apply for another Visa). You can ask for an (O) Visa for simply living in Thailand or a (B) Visa which allows you to apply for a Work Permit once you are in Thailand. Again, more complete details on our web site at www.pattayaexpatsclub.com. Incidentally, your Visa can be processed by mail at any of these Honorary Consuls.
Option II - Retirement Visa
For this option, first obtain a 90 day Tourist Visa from any Thai Embassy, before you leave your home Country, or in Malaysia or Cambodia if you already are in Thailand. On the internet you can search for the keywords "thai embassy" for the location nearest to you. Note that this 90 day Visa allows you to enter Thailand during the next 30 days, and to stay in Thailand for a total of 60 days from the date of your arrival. In Pattaya, you can get this extended another 30 days for a payment of 500 baht ($12).
While in Thailand, you then need to apply for a Retirement Visa, but be advised that this is sometimes a frustrating and lengthy process.
These are the regulations posted by at least one Thai Embassy on their web site. Note that even if you are under 50 years of age, our expats can probably suggest some alternatives. If you need additional help or clarification, please attend one of our regular Pattaya Expats Meetings or check out the continually updated Visa Information at www.pattayaexpatsclub.com. To the best of our knowledge, the information on this site is correct but if you have information to the contrary, or feel that there is something we have missed, please let us know at info@pattayaexpatsclub.com.
VISA ISSUANCE FOR THE SENIOR AGED 50 YEARS AND ABOVE
(NON-IMMIGRANT VISA - CATEGORY "O-A")
This type of visa will be issued to applicants aged 50 years and above, wishing to take a retreat in the Kingdom for a period of at least one year..
I. QUALIFICATION OF AN APPLICANT
• A foreign national whose age is 50 years or above.
• Not being prohibited from entering the Kingdom under the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (A.D.1979).
• Having in their possession an amount of money that is not less than 800,000 Baht
or a monthly income of 65,000 Baht, or savings and annual income totaling not less
than 800,000 Baht. For instance, if you have an income of 30,000 baht a month, you would need to show savings of 440,000 baht - 800,000 less (12 times 30,000)
II. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR VISA APPLICATION
• A copy of visa application form completely filled out.
• Two passport-sized photos of the applicant taken within the past six months.
• Photocopy of the applicant's travel document with validity not less than 18 months.
• Financial documents (copy) as stated in I.
III. CHANNELS TO SUBMIT VISA APPLICATION
Applicants can submit their applications both at the Thai consular missions abroad and at the Office of the Immigration Bureau in Thailand.
The whole process will take about one to one and a half months.
Option III - On Entry Tourist Visa
Enter the Country with no Visa, and you will be allowed to stay for 30 days as a Tourist - as long as you are a resident of one of the following Countries:
1. ARGENTINA
2. AUSTRALIA
3. AUSTRIA
4. BAHRAIN
5. BELGIUM
6. BRAZIL
7. BRUNEI
8. CANADA
9. CHILE
10. CYPRUS
11. DENMARK
12. DJIBOUTI
13. EGYPT
14. FIJI
15. FINLAND
16. FRANCE
17. GERMANY
18. GREECE
19. ICELAND
20. INDONESIA 21. IRELAND
22. ISRAEL
23. ITALY
24. JAPAN
25. KENYA
26. KUWAIT
27. KOREA, Republic of
28. LUXEMBOURG
29. MALAYSIA
30. MAURITANIA
31. MEXICO
32. MOROCCO
33. MYANMAR
34. NETHERLANDS
35. NEW ZEALAND
36. NORWAY
37. OMAN
38. PAPUA NEW GUINEA
39. PHILIPPINES
40. PORTUGAL
41. QATAR
42. SAUDI ARABIA
43. SENEGAL
44. SINGAPORE
45. SLOVENIA
46. SOUTH AFRICA
47. SPAIN
48. SWEDEN
49. SWITZERLAND
50. TUNISIA
51. TURKEY
52. UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
53. UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
54. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
55. VANUATU
56. WESTERN SAMAO
57. YEMEN
At the end of the 30 days you may apply for an extension (10 days only) at the Pattaya Immigration Office (500 baht)
And these are some other options for a Tourist Visa:
• Before leaving your home Country, apply for a 60 day Tourist Visa at the Thai Embassy. Just recently, in Washington, the charge was $15 and it was a requirement to apply on one day and pick it up the next day. This Visa is valid for 2 months from the date of entry to Thailand, and you can obtain a 30 day extension (500 baht) by applying at the Pattaya Immigration Office. You may also apply for a double entry Visa which means you can enter Thailand twice, on the same Visa, allowing you a total of 6 months in the Country - 2 months plus one month on the first entry and two plus one on the second entry.
• Apply for the same 60 day Tourist Visa (or double entry Visa) in a neighboring Country, such as Cambodia or Malaysia (Penang is probably the least hassle although the Embassy staff in Pnom Phen are also very helpful).
• Note that for all of these options you must cross the borders of Thailand to obtain extensions, other than the 10 day or 30 day extension issued by the Pattaya Immigration Office.
Option IV - Residence Visa
THAI RESIDENCE
Who can apply?
A foreign National who has been permitted to stay in Thailand for a total of at least 3 years up to the date of the Application for Residency.
What are the Categories under which Residency may be granted?
Investment of a minimum of 10 million baht or,
• Employment in Thailand with a salary of at least 80,000 baht per month or,
• Relationship with a Thai Citizen - wife, husband of at least one year, father, mother or children under 20.
• Having a particular expertise, with at least a Bachelor degree and a certification from your Government.
When can you apply?
• Normally the applications may be submitted from about the 15th of December (each year) until the end of December. Exact date is announced by the Minister of the Interior.
Where can you apply:
• Applications are accepted at Section 1, Sub - Division 1, Immigration Division 1, Immigration Bureau (Room 301), Soi Suan Plu, South Sathorn Road, Sathorn District, Bangkok.
How much does it cost?
• The non - refundable application fee is 2,000 baht.
The Residence Permit Fee is 25,000 baht if you have a Thai family and 50,000 baht otherwise.
If you have any questions regarding Visas to Thailand, please contact Pete by e-mail at info@pattayaexpatsclub.com
NEW VISA FEES - BEGINNING AUG. 26, 2003
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised all Royal Thai Embassies and Royal Thai Consulate Generals to begin charging the new visa rates beginning August 26, 2003.
Transit Visa US$20.00
Tourist Visa US$25.00
Non-Immigrant Visas: Single Entry US$50.00,
1 Year Multiple-Entry US$125.00,
3 Year Multiple-Entry for persons who hold the travel documents of the APEC member countries to enter the Kingdom of Thailand for the purpose of business US$125.00
There is some indication that the Retirement Visa (O-A) is considered to be an extension of an existing an "O" Visa. If true, the new fee would be 1,900 baht.
The new Visa fees in Thai Baht are -
Transit visa, single entry - 800 baht;
Non-immigrant visa, single entry - 1,000 baht;
Non-immigrant visa, multiple entry for use within one year - 5,000 baht;
Application for visa extension - 1,900 baht;
Application for a single re-entry permit - 1,000 baht;
Application for a multiple re-entry permit - 3,800 baht;
Application for a residence permit - 7,600 baht;
Approval of a residence permit (payable on receipt of residence book) - 191,400 baht; Approval of a residence permit (payable on receipt of residence book) for a foreigner married to a Thai, the spouse of a resident, and any of their children who have not reached the status of a Thai juristic person (i.e., unmarried children aged below 20 years of age) - 95,700 baht.
Health Care
As explained in an earlier section in this series - health care in Pattaya and the surrounding areas is generally excellent and relatively inexpensive. And perhaps the best way to provide you with the information that you need is to detail the various options open to you.
One word of caution - wherever you are treated (pharmacy, clinic, hospital etc.) there seems to be a general tendency to over prescribe prescription drugs. Often a simple sore throat or fever will result in you taking home four or five different medications, so use common sense in limiting the variety of prescriptions. Find out exactly what each medication is for, before you start taking it.
Pharmacies or Drug Stores:
There are many excellent pharmacies in Pattaya, two of them open 24 hours, but our recommendation is to use one of the Boots the Chemist branches - there is one in the Royal Garden Mall and another on Walking Street.
Here there is always a pharmacist on duty and you can probably rely upon the quality of the drugs prescribed. There are sometimes accounts in the newspaper about fake drugs on sale (such as look alike versions of Viagra) so it is prudent to purchase your drugs and prescriptions at a large, well known company.
Remember that many of the drugs and medications available in your home country may not be available in Thailand. For instance, Lotrel is a medication for hypertension that is widely prescribed in the United States, but is just not sold in Thailand. However, there are equivalent drugs (in this case two tablets to replace one capsule), so you need an experienced pharmacist or doctor to recommend the available drugs. At www.webmd.com, and at other similar sites, you can find information about your particular medication, and its equivalent if necessary.
Clinics or Doctor's Offices:
There are literally hundreds of these health care Clinics in Pattaya, many of them specializing in a particular field (urology, dermatology etc) but often claiming expertise in everything from sexual dysfunction to plastic surgery!
Many of these Clinics are well run but the licensing regulations appear to be quite lax, so unless you have a specific recommendation from someone you trust, be careful about risking your health care at these Clinics - even though they are so convenient and are open sometimes round the clock.
Our recommendation for a General Practitioner is Dr. Oliver who has an excellent office in Soi Day Night, close by to the Pattaya People newspaper office. I have no connection with Dr. Oliver (other than as an occasional patient) but all of the expats I know, who have used his services, recommend him highly. He was trained in Switzerland and then took the exams all over again in Thailand, when he married a Thai wife and moved to Thailand. Here you will get the best of care at a reasonable price, and with very little waiting.
One other tip - if you are paying for your Thai partner to attend one of the many Clinics in Pattaya, do not go with them when they seek treatment. The cost probably will be inflated if a rich "Farang" is about to pay the bill.
Hospitals:
There are four or five hospitals in the Pattaya area, all providing excellent care but at widely varying prices. However, compared to the United States the cost at all of them is minimal (even if you have no insurance) and the convenience (access to specialists, little waiting time) sure beats service in the United Kingdom.
Two hospitals go out of their way to provide health care services to foreigners with up scale facilities, packaged health care options and no language barriers with the nurses and doctors. There is the Pattaya International Hospital and the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, and this second one has the lower prices.
My recommendation is to use the Bangkok Pattaya hospital and to consider purchasing one of their health care packages. For 2,000 to 3,000 baht (US$45 to US$70) you get a thorough physical, plus good discounts on any future visits to the Emergency Room and treatment as an in patient at the hospital. Check out the available packages soon after you arrive in Pattaya, rather than waiting until you need their services.
Health Insurance:
There are a variety of health insurance plans available, from several different companies, but the Buyer should beware. Even though you may have purchased a comprehensive policy on paper, the real test is the amount of the bill that is actually covered and the speed with which your claims are settled.
Our web site at www.pattayaexpatsclub.com has up to date information on several insurance plans (expect to pay between 30,000 to 70,000 baht per year depending upon your age), but you may also want to check at the Bangkok Pattaya hospital to find out their experience with the various companies.
Pre existing conditions will not be covered, at least for a period of time, and you need to check if your policy can be renewed as you get older. There have been cases of policies being cancelled after a claim has been paid, so check with other expats before you purchase your health insurance. The Pattaya Expat Club and Expat Friends of Pattaya meetings are a great place to get advice on this and all other aspects of living in Pattaya.
If you have an address in the United Kingdom then Boots the Chemist has an extremely attractive policy for overseas travelers - it is called Gap Insurance and can cover you up to one year, and similar policies may be available in the USA and other Countries. Again, check our web site for details.
What about dental care and eye care? High quality services are available throughout the city but, particularly for dental care, choose a doctor affiliated with the Bangkok Pattaya hospital or rely upon the recommendation of a trusted friend. For instance, there is a very good dentist on the opposite side of the road to the Friendship Supermarket in South Pattaya. Many of the eye care clinics are very up to date but just use care in finding out the cost and what it covers, before you commit yourself.
If you have any questions on health care in Pattaya, please check out our web site at www.pattayaexpatsclub.com for continuously updated information, or e-mail Pete with specific questions at info@pattayaexpatsclub.com.
Accommodation
Luckily, accommodation is not a problem in Pattaya, with rooms, hotels, condominiums to rent or buy and homes of every sort to rent or buy. All at reasonable prices but with the best bargains available during the slow season, from May through September each year.
Hotels:
You can spend as much as 2,000 baht and up at some of the luxury hotels (the Dusit Resort for instance) and this is still a bargain compared to many other Countries, but here I will try to give you some suggestions for the more typical hotels.
But first, unless you are arriving at the peak of the high season (November, December or January), it is preferable not to book in advance. Unless you have stayed at a particular hotel before, it is nice to be able to see the room being offered before you pay for it, and often, you can negotiate a lower rate at Reception - especially for long stays.
If you are nervous about arriving in a strange place with no hotel arranged, then my recommendation would be to book for one night at a reasonably priced hotel (800 to 1,000 baht or about US20) and then find the hotel of your choice for however long you are in Pattaya.
If I was asked to recommend a hotel to my family or friends, these would be my choices:
Luxury - the Dusit Resort in North Pattaya. Estimate 1,500 to 2,000 baht per night (about US$35)
Mid Range - the Silver Sand Villa on Jomtien Beach. 500 to 1,000 baht (US$12 to US$25). I stayed there for 3 months a couple of years back and there are two beautiful pools and the service is so friendly. Highly recommended.
Low End - good, clean, quiet, comfortable rooms, with air conditioning will cost just 350 to 400 baht (about US$8) per night at the Apex Hotel in Central Pattaya. I have stayed there myself a couple of times and I can tell you that this hotel is a real bargain.
Of course there are many, many other excellent hotels, from 300 to 2,500 baht per night, so it is easy to find the perfect hotel for you, in the right location and at the right price. And if you need help with this, just e-mail Pete at info@pattayaexpatsclub.com
Rooms:
If you are planning on a long stay of 3 months or more, and you are on a limited budget, then you may want to consider renting a room - normally in a low rise or high rise apartment block.
These are pretty basic, with a fan rather than air conditioning, and everything in one room (except the bathroom) but at really low prices of 3,000 to 5,000 baht monthly.
This includes electricity and water (but no telephone normally) and you can make yourself quite comfortable in this basic accommodation. In fact it sure beats a cold, unfriendly bed sitter in rain swept England! And at US$70 to $115 per MONTH, you can spend your cash on enjoying the good life in Pattaya.
Renting a Condominium:
There is an over supply of condominiums in Pattaya and Jomtien, so if you look around a little you can find a beautiful place (with a great view) at a very reasonable rent.
You will be required to sign a contract for at least 6 months, probably be required to pay the first and last months rent upon moving in, and the rental will be about 8,500 to 15,000 baht monthly, plus electricity and telephone bills of course. So for approximately US$200 to $350 per month, plus US$45 for moderate use of electricity and the telephone, you would typically have a large living and dining room, a kitchen, separate bathroom and shower, a nice bedroom and the use of the community pool and spa.
Add your choice of a live-in partner and the fun of living in Pattaya and you will wake up each morning with a smile on your face - guaranteed!
Renting a Home:
This is another good choice if you enjoy getting to know your neighbors - chances are that the local Moms and Dads and their well behaved children will often be sharing a meal with you in your front garden.
Even if you eventually plan on buying a home or condominium, it's a good idea to live in the neighborhood for a while before buying. There are normally many homes available for rent - single and two story for about 8,000 baht to 15,000 baht (or more if you are looking for a luxury home). US$185 to US$350 per month plus utilities.
For the last couple of years I have been renting a nice bungalow in Suksabai Villas. This is in South Pattaya, off Theprasit Road, and has a nice mix of about 60% foreigners and 40% Thais in the development.
Most of the expats are from the USA, UK, or Germany etc., with most having permanent Thai partners. Just on our road there are 4 or 5 families with very young children (6 to 18 months) so it is a great place to make friends in pleasant surroundings.
Most of the homes have gardens - with either lawns or tiled areas for outdoor picnics, and there are flowers growing everywhere. You just have to put a dead looking stick in the rich soil and in 3 weeks you have the start of a papaya tree!
My home has a huge living room with a separate kitchen and dining room, 2 bedrooms, two bathrooms and air conditioning. The rent is 10,500 baht per month (US$250) and the only other monthly expenses for the home are:
Electricity 1,000 baht (US$24), telephone (mostly computer use) 800 baht (US$20), water 200 baht (US$5), cable TV 350 baht (US$8). So estimate about US$300 a month for your home.
Buying a Home or Condominium in Pattaya
How do you go about it? Very carefully seems to be the best advice, so do yourself a favor and join us at the regular Sunday morning breakfast meetings of the Pattaya Expats Club - berore you commit to buying a home. Here you will find many expats who have "been there, done that" and you will get invaluable, free advice on buying your home, and many other aspects of life in the land of smiles.
Here is some general information, but please e-mail Pete at info@pattayaexpatsclub.com if you need answers to specific questions not covered here.
Can I buy a condominium in Pattaya?
Buying a condominium, is perhaps the simplest and easiest option available to foreigners. The only restrictions on purchasing a condominium, are that the percentage of units sold to foreigners cannot exceed forty nine percent (49%) of the total number of units in the condominium block; and that the funds used to buy the condominium have been remitted from abroad and correctly recorded as such by a Thai Bank. Purchases of condominiums by foreign individuals come under the jurisdiction of the Condominium Act B.E. 2535 (1992).
The owner of each condominium is issued with a certificate of unit ownership. The certificate also has a statement saying exactly what percentage of rights over the common areas of the building each owner has.
Can I own a house and land in Pattaya?
Ownership of land is governed by the Land Code BE 2497 (1954), the Civil and Commercial Code, Land Reform for Agriculture Act BE 2518 (1975) and the regulations set forth by the Ministry of the Interior.
Although Thai law prohibits foreigners from owning land in Thailand, there are various ways in which you can structure your affairs so that you can own land, and still, last minute air deals, comply with existing Thai laws:
Nominee with Lease and Option to Buy - you can use a Thai Nominee to purchase the house/land and have a 30 year lease with a 30 by 30 year option from the nominee. In order to be enforceable, any lease for a period of longer than three years must be registered, which involves payment of a registration fee and stamp duty based on a percentage of the rental fee for the whole lease term. The original registered lease remains in force and effect even if the property is sold. The drawbacks to a lease include the fact that the parties can contractually agree to renewals, but this right cannot be registered and is not effective against a purchaser of the property, and that the lessee cannot (without the lessor's consent) sublease, sell or transfer his or her interest.
Nominee with Mortgage - you can use a Nominee to purchase the house/land and have a mortgage (registered with the appropriate land department office) on the property in your favour. However, in some circumstances the Thai courts have ruled that this was not a bona fide mortgage, but rather it was a mortgage contrived to circumvent the existing laws of Thailand prohibiting foreign ownership of land. It is important to note that only the owner of the land is entitled to mortgage the land; the lessee of land does not have the same privilege.
Usufruct Interest (Sidhi-kep-kin) - gives you temporary ownership rights to things on or arising from the land. In practice, a usufruct is limited to a 30 year maximum period; like leases, the agreement can be successively renewed. In contrast to a lease, a usufructury interest can be sold or transferred, although it expires upon the death of the holder of the usufruct and therefore cannot be inherited.
Limited Liability Company - this form of purchasing property is the most popular with foreign investors as the Articles of Association can be varied to allow greater protection for foreign minority shareholders where majority Thai ownership is required under the Alien Business Law. Thai law requires that 51% of the shares be held by Thai juristic persons, however, any company with more than 40% foreign interest that purchases land will be investigated by the Central Land Office in Bangkok (under Section 74 of the Land Code) to ensure that the company has not been organized in an attempt to circumvent the prohibition against foreign ownership of land.
This results in the foreign ownership of the company being limited at 39%, but with the recommended changes to the Articles of Association, the foreigner can be the only director of the company, and the only officer of the company who can commit or bind the company in any contractual dealings - effectively giving the minority shareholder control.
What is a Tor Tor Sam (3)?
A Tor Tor Sam (3) is an official bank document issued by the receiving bank upon the receipt of foreign currency into your bank account in Thailand. You must request a Tor Tor Sam from your bank when you are remitting funds to Thailand for the purpose of purchasing a condominium, and the Tor Tor Sam must specify that the remittance is solely for the purpose of purchasing a property - Code 5.22.
Are there Title Deeds in Thailand? Can I purchase Title Insurance?
A Title Deed is the purest form of evidence that an individual owns a piece of land. Title Deeds are given only for areas of Thailand which are surveyed. For areas which are not surveyed, there are other documents for land possession such as evidence of the possession of the right to utilise the land or other interests in the land. These documents are called "Nor Sor Sam (3) and Nor Sor Sam (3) Kor". Unlike the Title Deeds, these Nor Sor documents are issued to show the possessors' exploitation of the land. Though these documents do not provide ownership rights, as do Title deeds, they can still be registered for transfer of the lands for which they are issued. Title insurance is not available in Thailand.
Can I get a Mortgage Loan in Thailand?
Foreigners generally cannot mortgage properties in Thailand, however, most of the financial institutions in Thailand provide loans for real estate purchasing to Thais and Thai companies. It is common for a real estate developer to arrange for his customers to have a financing package from a financial institution. In most real estate development projects, a down payment can be made in installments from 10 to 24 months. After the down payment has been paid, the sale contract will be made and the balance amount is paid through the loan which is financed from a financial institution. The financial institution requires you to mortgage the property with it as collateral against the loan.
Land Appraisals and Valuations
Finding the exact appraisal price for land is difficult, since there are generally three different appraisal rates; the government rate, the appraisal company's rate and the rate which is considered to be fair market value of the land. Over the last few years all of these rates have begun to come closer together. Check with a trusted Realtor before you buy.
Can my Thai Wife own Land?
Prior to 1998, any Thai woman who married a foreigner would lose her right to purchase land in Thailand. She could, however, still retain land that she owned prior to marrying the foreigner. However, the recent (1999) Ministerial regulation now allows Thai national's married to foreigners the right to purchase land, but the Thai spouse must prove that the money used in the purchase of freehold land is legally solely theirs with no foreign claim to it. This is usually achieved by the foreign spouse signing a declaration stating that the funds used for the purchase of property belonged to the Thai spouse prior to the marriage and are beyond his claim.
Are there Property Taxes in Thailand?
There are no property taxes as such in Thailand that are exactly equivalent to the property taxes in the west, however, the most comparable taxes on properties in Thailand are the Land Tax and the Structures Usage Tax. The Land Tax levied on land is so miniscule, that in practice the body charged to collect it, rarely bothers to do so, and if they do, they usually wait several years until the amount accumulates. The second tax, the Structures Usage Tax, relates to buildings, is collected by the municipal office or district office, and is only applied to properties used for commercial purpose.
What are the other costs of buying a property in Thailand?
On all purchase/sale of property in Thailand there is a stamp Duty of 0.5%, a transfer fee of 0.01%, a business tax of 0.11% levied against an owner who has been in registered possession of the property less than 5 years, and Income Tax. There is no Capital Gains Tax in Thailand, unlike many countries, and Income Tax (usually between 1.0 - 3.0%) on property is the comparable replacement. There are no set rules on who pays the income tax, and it is just another part of the bargaining process, as with all the other costs of the transfer of ownership.
And if that has thoroughly confused you - don't worry about it. It is all really quite simple if you work with the right attorney and Realtor, and our Pattaya Expats Club is always available to point you in the right direction.
Additional Income
SUPPLEMENTING YOUR INCOME IN PATTAYA
So finally you have decided to make the big move to Pattaya, and now you have to work out how you are going to pay your day to day expenses.
If you are like many expats that are lucky enough to live in Pattaya, you probably have some money saved and perhaps even a regular income such as a monthly Social Security or Pension check (or cheque for the Brits!) or income from investments.
Whether it is enough or not depends upon your preferences and your lifestyle of course. I have friends that are living here quite happily on just 25,000 to 30,000 baht (US$580 to $700) a month, and others that feel deprived on anything less than US2,000 a month. My own experience is that a couple can live a very good life in Pattaya on 40,000 baht a month, close to US$1,000.
So you may decide that you need to make some extra money, and this section is to explore some of the options open to you.
A word of warning however. The police in Pattaya treat visa and work permit violations very seriously, and on any day it is not uncommon to find up to 10 foreigners locked up in the Beach Road police station jail under really inhumane conditions! Simply for overstaying their Visa, by a few days sometimes, or for working without a work permit.
And when these folks do eventually get out of prison (I know of some that have been incarcerated for 9 weeks or more), they are forced to leave the Kingdom and are not allowed back in! And that could put a real damper on your retirement plans. So please, do it the right way because it is not too difficult to get a one year multiple entry (B) visa (preferably in your home Country) and then a Work Permit once you arrive in Pattaya. Check out our site at www.pattayaexpatsclub.com for continuously updated Visa information, and visit our Expat Friends of Pattaya Club or the Pattaya Expats Club for free advice once you arrive in Pattaya. Or e-mail Pete at info@pattayaexpatsclub.com with specific questions. Also, check out www.thaivisa.com for up to date information.
Anyway, here are a few income making ideas, but first, check out my site at www.pattayabizclub.com for an innovative idea that may appeal to you.
1. Teaching English
If you are a native English speaker, one of the simplest ways to make money is as an English teacher. You will need a certification such as TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) which you can obtain in Thailand, and then the best way to find positions is by answering advertisements in the Bangkok Post or the Pattaya Mail. Unfortunately this job does not pay too well (typically 20,000 to 30,000 baht monthly full time), but I have a good friend who makes about 47,000 baht a month in several different part time teaching jobs. See our web site for information on TEFL courses.
2. The Internet
This Company has a unique product and a really innovative way of marketing. It may be worth while getting in on the ground floor - it costs nothing to enroll and you could make a nice little income.
The product is a piece of software that, when people visit your free web site, it automatically checks out their computer for things that should not be there, and analyses how best to dramatically and immediately improve their computer's performance and internet connection. It will show them all of the unwanted things in their computer that are slowing performance - all at the click of a button.
...All of the extra files that are consuming memory & slowing down the system, undisclosed viruses hiding in the registry, spiders, spyware software, unwanted cookies that cause numerous pop-ups and slows down their computer's performance or can cause it to crash. It will also show other maintenance and security issues.
Finally, after "test driving" this new technology product for up to a full hour by simply clicking a button & then seeing it at work, and seeing how it improves their PC's performance right before your eyes, (faster loading web pages, enhanced multimedia experiences, etc.) your visitor will then be asked "if they want to buy the product at an incredibly attractive price of only $39.95, or if they want to return their PC to its previous slow operating condition?"
If you have signed up, you will get a commission on everyone that buys from your web site. No selling, just refer people to your free web site. The product will be launching in a few days so pre register now for a good position.
Pretty neat don't you think? If you are interested in getting in on the ground floor, you can enroll for free at http://www.iarevolution.com/register.aspx?Id=52668611
3. Your own business
Soon after arriving in Thailand for the first time, I opened up an Internet Caf้ with one Thai and 2 expat partners. It was a good experience for me because although we made no money, at least we didn't lose any either, so here are my guidelines based on that experience.
Spend as little up front money as possible. In the case of the Internet Caf้ we each put in US$2,000 which was enough to get started, including the rent, the improvements, the equipment and the initial advertising. Everything we spent after that was from income. I have lost count of the number of times I have seen expats enthusiastically spend half a million baht for a bar or go go bar, then another half million improving the place, BEFORE finding out that there was very little income!
Choose your partners wisely. It is not generally the Thai people you need to watch out for but your friendly expat who is long on promises but short on deliveries. Pattaya is full of them.
And make sure you ask a million questions at the Expat Friends of Pattaya Club Saturday brunch meetings, before you commit your hard earned cash.
4. The Export Business
Here's the dream! You live in Thailand taking care of the logistics of exporting Thai products to your home Country while your partner at home takes care of the sales and distribution.
A great idea but the reality is that the more difficult task is in your home country. And without a steady stream of orders, you have nothing to do in Pattaya, and no income from the enterprise.
But it can work, if you make sure you have taken care of the sales end properly, and that you have few up front costs while you are waiting for those first orders. Choose a product with a high margin that is easy (inexpensive) to ship, for example Stingray Leather Products. You can purchase a beautiful stingray belt with its distinctive crown markings for 1,500 baht (US$35) ship it priority to the States for US$15 and sell it for US$95, a profit of US$45 which can be improved if you can buy at wholesale prices.
Again, do not become involved in any type of income producing activity, without the proper visa and work permit. It is just not worth the risk. In fact, I recently became aware of the fact that the authorities now are cracking down on illegal businesses by tracking folks that are regularly shipping products overseas by Fedex and DHL for instance.
Finance and Banking
I am no financial wizard, so I am not about to tell you how to invest your money in this section. Rather I have included some ideas and guidelines to make sure that you have cash when you need it in Pattaya and that your savings are secure.
Most transactions in Thailand, even the purchase of expensive appliances for example, are for cash. In fact, many vendors seem to discourage credit card sales by charging you a fee of 3% if you insist on using your credit card, and, of course, many places do not even accept credit cards
However, for life's small emergencies, please try to hang on to one or two credit cards from your home country. These should be MasterCard or Visa (the most widely used here) and make sure that you can check your balances and transactions on line and also pay your balance on line. For this of course you will need to maintain a bank account in your home country, again, preferably an online bank account.
Let me give you an example of the arrangement I have with a USA registered online bank and a MasterCard issued by another USA bank. It is necessary for you to have a USA address for any statements to be sent from the credit card company or the Bank, but as you pay all your bills online, it is not necessary for you to receive the statements in Pattaya. The same would be true for a bank based in Europe or Australia for instance. Many banks and credit card companies now allow you to sign up to receive monthly statements by email.
.
Each month (or more often if I am feeling paranoid), I check the transactions on my credit card (either cash advances from ATM's in Pattaya or credit card purchases), make sure they are all valid and then log on to my online banking account at NetBank.
Here I enter the details of the credit card I want to pay up (or any other bill for that matter), fill in the amount and instantly pay my credit card bill. No telephone calls, no statements, no charges and no stress!
There are online bank accounts available from most countries in Europe, Scandinavia, USA and Australasia etc. How do you find them? Just go to your favorite search engine (google.com for instance) and search for ON LINE BANKING ENGLAND or AUSTRALIA etc.
Here are some suggestions that I believe will work for you:
USA:
NetBank http://www.netbank.com
UK:
Egg http://new.egg.com/newegg (Prudential group)
BankNet http://orders.mkn.co.uk/bank/
Australia:
BankWest www.bankwest.com.au
You will also need a local bank account and my preference here is the Siam Commercial Bank. It is simple to set up a Savings Account, with an ATM card for easy cash withdrawals, and I have had no problems with transferring cash from my online overseas account to my Thai account.
However, I think it prudent to keep a balance of only 100,000 to 200,000 baht in the local account (US$2300 to US$4,600) because of the possibility of a devaluation of the currency, and to limit your losses in case of fraud. For instance, when a friend of mine was out of the country, some acquaintances of his Thai wife came to visit in their home. They invited her to dinner and, on a lonely stretch of road near Pattaya, forced his wife to give them her ATM card and the pin number. They emptied the account, but luckily he only lost about US$1,000.
Transportation
Most folks arrive from overseas at the Bangkok International Airport, so I will start with some advice on getting to Pattaya from the Airport. Some of you may like to stay in Bangkok overnight, particularly if you have had a long flight, but my recommendation is to head for Pattaya right away. Just make sure you change some money to Thai baht before you go for the taxi, and ask for some 100 baht notes or lower denominations.
Taxi services at the airport are more expensive than in town, as they are in most Countries, and if you decide to use the airport taxis you will often be quoted close to 2,000 baht (US$45) for the 2 hour ride to Pattaya. However, you can often bargain this down to about 1,500 baht (US$35), which is not a bad rate, and it's even better if you can share with someone.
If I arrive during the daytime, I normally walk a couple of hundred yards (luggage trolleys are free and plentiful) to the adjacent Domestic terminal where you can often get an even better rate - typically 1,200 baht (US$28), and if you walk out to the street, the taxi driver will be happy to take you to Pattaya for 800 baht (under US$20) but be prepared for some friendly bargaining.
If you take the 800 baht taxi, the driver will normally take you to a small taxi hub just outside the airport where you will transfer to a nicer looking taxi and pay the taxi Company. The first time I did this I thought it was a scam but this has happened to me at least 5 times now and I have always had a safe and pleasant ride to Pattaya. Note also that whichever taxi you select, you will be expected to pay the tolls in Bangkok and on the freeway to Pattaya - about 100 baht total (US$2.50), so make sure you have some 20 baht notes or 10 baht coins for the journey.
Another option is to take the bus to Pattaya which leaves from the Domestic Terminal. It is air conditioned and very comfortable, but it only leaves every 3 hours. But at 300 baht one way (or maybe a little less) it is a great buy.
Getting around in Pattaya:
Baht Buses
These are converted pick up trucks with an easy step-on at the back, two padded benches and a roof to protect you from the elements. You just flag one down anywhere along their normal route, get on board and ding the bell when you reach your destination. Everybody is very friendly and you will probably get a beautiful smile from more than one attractive Thai girl, and the fare is a bargain. Most Thais pay only 5 baht, however far they travel, and some expats do this too but it sometimes causes arguments. I normally give 5 baht for a very short trip (a few hundred yards), 10 baht for up to a couple of miles and 20 baht for anything over that - say from North Pattaya to Walking Street. Just pay the driver the exact change and walk away, so make sure you have plenty of 10 baht coins.
If you want to go on a special journey which is off the normal route, or visit an attraction while they wait for you for the return journey, then always agree on the price before you start, including the waiting time. It is amazing how far you can go for 100 baht, and this is for the whole bus, not per passenger.
Motor Cycle Taxis
This is a fast and convenient way to get around, particularly when you are off the normal Baht Bus routes. Not for the faint hearted however, because most of the drivers do not have a spare helmet for you to wear (even though it is illegal for the driver or passenger to go without a helmet), will break every rule (even crossing on red at the stoplights) to get you to your destination as soon as possible, and seem to take unnecessary risks just to save a few seconds. Having said that, I have never had an accident, or even seen an accident involving a motor cycle taxi driver and I believe this is because they are so experienced and skilful at driving their machines around Pattaya.
As for the cost, 20 or 30 baht seems to be OK for most trips within the city, but it is best to have the exact change (they seem to NEVER have any change) and to agree on the fare before you start. Tips are not necessary.
Taxis
Unlike Bangkok, there are relatively few taxis for short trips in Pattaya, and none seem to have the taxi meters. However, if you need a taxi to take you to the airport in Bangkok for instance, or to one of the surrounding attractions, there are several taxi services that you can telephone, and you may see the occasional taxi parked on the street ready to bargain with you.
Under no circumstances should you get into the taxi until you have negotiated the fare. Expect to pay 800 baht to Bangkok International Airport (plus any freeway tolls) and 100 to 200 baht for trips in Pattaya. Again, tipping is not normally expected, so just pay your negotiated fare.
Purchasing your own Vehicle
The simplest way to get your own wheels is to buy a motorbike. And for about 35,000 to 40,000 baht (US$820 to US$930) you can buy a brand new 'bike, a little more for self start, and this is a great way to CAREFULLY get around in Pattaya.
Invest in a good motor cycle helmet (500 baht at least), and make sure you register the motorbike (normally at the dealership), preferably in your Thai partner's name to avoid deep pockets liability, and that you pay about 2,000 baht per year for insurance against accidents. I recently had a small accident and there was no trouble getting the Emergency Room fees reimbursed.
Be aware though, that in any accident involving a foreigner and a Thai, the foreigner will end up paying the costs, even if the Thai was at fault. If you are involved in a small accident, it is best to settle on the spot (even if you are blameless), particularly when you can probably do this by paying the other party 500 or 1,000 baht. The alternative is to stand on your rights, get hauled down to the police station and then find you have to pay 20,000 and up when the lawyer and the police get involved. Do yourself a favor by spending the US$12 to US$24 on the spot, and go about enjoying your stay in Pattaya.
Just a couple more points - even if your Thai girl friend (or boy friend) insists, do not carry more than one passenger on your motorbike, and make sure you both have helmets. The fine is only 200 baht (under US$5), but you have to leave the bike with the police while you go down to the Tourist Police Station to pay your fine
So what about buying a car or a truck?
You can buy a nice new car or truck for about 600,000 baht and up (US$14,000) and get a good buy on a second hand car or truck for about 200,000 baht and up (US$4,500). Check out some more detailed prices at my friend's web site at www.bangkokusedcarsales.com
To own and register a car you will need:
• A non immigrant visa
• Proof of residency - rental agreement or home ownership papers
• Money!
Before you buy:
• Have it clear in your mind what type of vehicle you require, and the price range. Trucks
hold their value better than other vehicles.
• Understand that cars maintain their value much better than you are used to in your home country.
• Know that Thais are generally hard on cars and typically maintain them poorly, so consider a new car if you can afford it, and use extra care in checking for mechanical damage before you buy a pre-owned vehicle.
Look for signs of Collision:
• Paint overspray on glass, rubber or trim.
• Wrinkled metal under the hood.
• Misaligned bumpers, doors, hood and other body panels.
Check the Engine:
• Have someone start the engine while you look at the exhaust pipe. A little black smoke on start up is OK, but blue smoke indicates burning oil - don't buy it!
• Check the engine runs smoothly and idles quietly.
Check the Mileage:
• Look for excessive wear on the clutch, brake and accelerator pedals. Also on the driver's side door hinges. High wear in any of these areas may indicate high mileage in excess of what the odometer is showing.
Title and Registration:
• Check the book that comes with the car. No Book? Then just run very fast to the next dealership.
• Compare the chassis number in the book with the chassis number on the vehicle.
• Check to see where the car is registered. If it's registered anywhere but Pattaya, you will have to travel to the city of registration to transfer the registration to Pattaya. Not much fun if that's in Chiangmai!
Get an experienced technician to check for problems before you buy:
• Once you have checked all of the above yourself, have the car inspected by an independent mechanic, someone not associated with the selling party. Tell the seller you want this inspection done before you buy or commit to buy. Expect small repairs but do not buy someone else's expensive problems.
• Buy from a well established dealer. That way, if you have a problem the chances are that it will be taken care of quickly.
• We can recommend Intercar on Sukhumvit - contact Martin. He will also take care of the paperwork.
To obtain a Thai Driving License:
First get a medical certificate. It costs 120 baht from the Pattaya Memorial Hospital. Just tell them it is for a Thai driving license. The whole process takes less than half an hour. You also need to get a letter from the Immigration to certify your home address in Thailand. They require photocopy of your passport (personal particulars page and visa page). You must have a non-immigrant visa. Also two photographs. Show them your national driving license when making the request. There is a fee of 200 baht and you return the next day to get the letter. I live with a friend and I use her house address. She was asked by Immigration for a photocopy of her house registration.
Besides the medical certificate and the letter from Immigration, yo
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