The Circus Girl

 

Is the sky really falling on our heads?

 

The media would certainly have you believe this. Just pick up any paper or listen to the 6 ‘o’ clock news – you’re guaranteed to be bombarded with terms like “Countries in recession” and “a global financial crisis.” But are such strong words really relevant to the current Australian economy?

 

Without a doubt, the property and finance sectors are hurting. But the majority of this pain is created by the media – showering Australians with pictures of doom and gloom. So what is the result of this? Of course it undermines consumer confidence and everyone stops spending. And when nobody buys, business stops! It’s that simple. No wonder we’re all feeling the impact of an economic downturn.

 

Consumer technology is one sector which certainly takes a blow when the economy puts on its brakes. Spending slows completely. And it is mostly business owners who cut expenditure on technology.

 

But they shouldn’t – because technology is an amazing enabler. When used properly, it allows businesses to work more productively at much lower costs. And isn’t this exactly what we are looking for right now?

 

How technology can cut your costs in a recession

 

Let’s take a look at how this emerging technological way of thinking can save you thousands -

 



Where it was once okay to spend a few hundred dollars on an interstate flight and take one or two days away for a conference, it is now considered prudent to substitute this with a free Skype conference online.

Similarly why spend more on phone calls when it’s so simple to switch to VoIP – which will cost you much less but give you so much more flexibility.

And do you really need to rent an office when you can be tapping into technology wonders, working much more cost-effectively from the comfort of your own home?

Have you considered that mobile broadband might suit you better than a fixed broadband connection? Imagine being able to work absolutely anywhere at any given time!

Then there are laptops which replace desk computers in most ways. So you can be more flexible – taking a laptop offsite to other locations. Where once you may have needed two computers, you can now save time and effort with just one brilliant laptop. Maybe your work consists exclusively of going online, in which case you should consider getting a Netbook or a UMPC.

If you need to cut on staff costs, why not outsource? Outsourcing allows you to tap into outside expertise only when you need it – so you are not paying any permanent employee running costs. Everything from reception duties and sales to stacking boxes can all be outsourced to specialists. This leaves more time for you to focus on your core business needs.



 

So thinking ‘technologically smart’ is vital to growing your business, especially in the event of an economic recession.

 

However, it is unfortunate that many business owners are too short sighted to make these upfront investments (so they certainly don’t reap the long-term benefits). Then there are owners who simply refuse to adapt and keep abreast of a changing world. Sadly, it is these businesses that go by the way of the dinosaurs, becoming another number in our economy’s statistics.

 

Now is the time to be at the forefront of new technological strategies. Think cost-saving, think smart. Avoid becoming another statistic and start cutting your costs today!

 

Alex Kain is the owner of Gizmosis which markets a car computer that allows users to be connected . . . anytime, anywhere.

 

 

Daily Market Commentary for October 6, 2008 from Millennium-Traders.Com

Today, the DOW looked as though it was in a race to see just how fast it could dive to new historical depths in excess of 800 points around 2:30 pm Eastern Time. (read more)

http://www.millennium-traders.com/news/newscommentary.aspx

Economic data released today: n/a

At the NYSE closing bell on the New York Stock Exchange, here is how the major world indices and major U.S. stock indices ended the session on the world market as well as the emerging markets including the stock market closing bell price:

DOW (Dow Jones Industrial Average) triple digit loss of 369.88 points on the day to end the trading session at 9,955.50

NYSE (New York Stock Exchange) triple digit loss of 334.03 points to end the trading session at 6,779.43

National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ) loss of 84.00 points to end the trading session at 1,862.01

S&P 500 loss of 42.34 points to end the trading session at 1,56.89

FTSE All-World excluding U.S. loss of 11.43 points to end the trading session at 174.51

FTSE RAFI 1000 triple digit loss of 175.71 points to end the trading session at 4,202.90

BEL 20 (BEL20) triple digit loss of 189.42 points to end the trading session at 2,567.59

CAC 40 (CAC40) triple digit loss of 368.77 points to end the trading session at 3,711.98

FTSE100 (UKX100) triple digit loss of 391.06 points to end the trading session at 4,589.19

NIKKEI 225 (NIK/O) session closed

New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) stock market indicators for the day:

Advanced stock prices 246 declined stock prices 3,039; unchanged stock prices 20; stock prices hitting new highs 2 and stock prices hitting new lows 1,664.

NYSE quotes for volatile stocks and market trends, as well as stock quotes, stock prices and stock symbols of Day Trading Stock Picks on the New York Stock Exchange stock market for Day Trading online and active Day Trading for those who are or would like to be Day Trading for a living: United States Steel Corporation (NYSE: X) stock price shed 3.88 points on the trading session, high on the trading session $60.47, low on the trading session $52.06 with a closing stock price at $59.62; Citigroup Incorporated  (NYSE: C) stock price shed 0.94 points on the trading session, high on the trading session $18.12, low on the trading session $16.10 with a closing stock price at $17.41; State Street Corporation (NYSE: STT) stock price shed 4.96 points on the trading session, high on the trading session $48.37, low on the trading session $36.69 with a closing stock price at $42.00; General Growth Properties Incorporated (NYSE: GGP) stock price shed 1.92 points on the trading session, high on the trading session $10.00, low on the trading session $7.24 with a closing stock price at $7.75; Hess Corporation (NYSE: HES) stock price gained 0.25 points on the trading session, high on the trading session $72.25, low on the trading session $60.27 with a closing stock price at $72.25; Honeywell International Incorporated  (NYSE: HON) stock price shed 1.92 points on the trading session, high on the trading session $36.97, low on the trading session $34.66 with a closing stock price at $35.92; Flowserve Corporation (NYSE: FLS) stock price shed 4.39 points on the trading session, high on the trading session $69.95, low on the trading session $58.77 with a closing stock price at $67.81; Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE) stock price shed 3.83 points on the trading session, high on the trading session $49.14, low on the trading session $43.65 with a closing stock price at $45.54; Nucor Corporation (NYSE: NUE) stock price shed 1.01 points on the trading session, high on the trading session $34.31, low on the trading session $28.97 with a closing stock price at $33.74; Walter Industries Incorporated (NYSE: WLT) stock price shed 0.04 points on the trading session, high on the trading session $37.46, low on the trading session $28.23 with a closing stock price at $36.44; CNOOC Limited (NYSE: CEO) stock price shed 8.40 points on the trading session, high on the trading session $96.93, low on the trading session $88.63 with a closing stock price at $96.28.

National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ) stock market indicators today:

Advanced stock prices 453; declined stock prices 2,608; unchanged stock prices 65; stock prices hitting new highs 6; stock prices hitting new lows 1,117.

NASDAQ quotes, volatile stocks and market trends, as well as stock quotes, stock prices and stock symbols of Day Trading Stock Picks on the NASDAQ stock market for Day Trading online and active Day Trading for those who are or would like to be Day Trading for a living: Apple Incorporated (NasdaqGS: AAPL) stock price gained 0.30 points on the trading session, high on the trading session $98.78, low on the trading session $87.54 with a closing stock price at $97.35; OSI Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NasdaqGS: OSIP) stock price shed 6.44 points on the trading session, high on the trading session $40.41, low on the trading session $36.46 with a closing stock price at $39.40; Baidu.com Incorporated (NasdaqGS: BIDU) stock price gained 5.31 points on the trading session, high on the trading session $227.70, low on the trading session $203.76 with a closing stock price at $227.68; Vignette Corporation (NasdaqGS: VIGN) stock price shed 0.49 points on the trading session, high on the trading session $9.53, low on the trading session $9.00 with a closing stock price at $9.35; Intuitive Surgical Incorporated (NasdaqGS: ISRG) stock price shed 28.58 points on the trading session, high on the trading session $216.95, low on the trading session $186.55 with a closing stock price at $197.12; Google Incorporated (NasdaqGS: GOOG) stock price shed 17.15 points on the trading session, high on the trading session $375.99, low on the trading session $357.16 with a closing stock price at $369.76; First Solar Incorporated  (NasdaqGS: FSLR) stock price shed 6.19 points on the trading session, high on the trading session $161.85, low on the trading session $134.50 with a closing stock price at $157.00.

Market trends on the American Stock Exchange (AMEX) and stock market indicators for today:

Advanced stock prices 163; declined stock prices 1,160; unchanged stock prices 41; stock prices hitting new highs 40; stock prices hitting new lows 701.

Chicago Board of Trade Futures Market activity for the day, at time of this posting for December 2008 Contracts:

E-mini S&P 500 (ES) end of day price 1,050.75 change -2.50

E-mini NASDAQ-100 (NQ) end of day price 1,408.50, change -2.00

E-mini S&P SmallCap 600 (SMP) end of day price 319.40, change 0.00

$5 DJIA (YM) end of day price 9,942 change -24

World Currencies for the Forex Market, for Forex Trading by active Forex Traders, at time of this posting:

Euro 0.7392 to U.S. Dollars 1.3528

Japanese Yen 101.79 to U.S. Dollars 0.0098

British Pound 0.5733 to U.S. Dollars 1.7444

Canadian Dollar 1.1001 to U.S. Dollars 0.9090

Swiss Franc 1.1461 to U.S. Dollars 0.8725

Commodity Markets:

Energy Sector: Light Crude (NYMEX: NYM) shed $6.07 on the day for a closing price of $87.81 a barrel ($US per barrel)

Heating Oil (NYMEX: NYM) shed $0.19 on the day for a closing price of $2.47 a gallon ($US per gallon)

Natural Gas (NYMEX: NYM) shed $0.52 on the day for a closing price of $6.84 per million BTU ($US per mmbtu.)

Unleaded Gas (NYMEX: NYM) shed $0.17 on the day for a closing price of $2.06 a gallon ($US per gallon)

Metals Markets:

Gold Market Price (COMEX: CMX) gained $33.00 on the day for a closing price of $866.20 ($US per Troy ounce)

Silver (COMEX: CMX) shed $0.04 on the day for a closing price of $11.29 ($US per Troy ounce)

Platinum (NYMEX: NYM) gained $20.70 on the day for a closing
price of $986.50 ($US per Troy ounce)

Copper (COMEX: CMX) shed $0.20 on the day for a closing price of $2.49 ($US per pound)

Livestock and Meat Markets (cents per lb.):

Lean Hogs (Chicago Mercantile Exchange: CME) gained  0.05 on the day for a closing price of 66.48

Pork Bellies (Chicago Mercantile Exchange: CME) shed 1.05 on the day for a closing price of 93.05

Live Cattle (Chicago Mercantile Exchange: CME) shed 3.00 on the day for a closing price of 94.78

Feeder Cattle (Chicago Mercantile Exchange: CME) shed 3.00 on the day for a closing price of 97.80

Other Commodities (cents per bushel):

Corn (Chicago Board of Trade: CBT) shed 30.00 on the day for a closing price of 424.00

Soybeans (Chicago Board of Trade: CBT) shed 70.00 on the day for a closing price of 922.00

Bond Market:

2 year bond gained 13/32 on the day for a closing price of 101 2/32 with a Yield of 1.44, Yield Change -0.21

5 year bond gained 1 on the day for a closing price of 103 4/32 with a Yield of 2.45, Yield Change -0.21

10 year bond gained 1 6/32 on the day for a closing price of 104 13/32 with a Yield of 3.46, Yield Change -0.14

30 year bond gained 2 7/32 on the day for a closing price of 108 30/32 with a Yield of 3.98, Yield Change -0.12

Thanks for reading

Millennium-Traders.Com

http://www.millennium-traders.com

Most women are keenly aware of the ugly, discolored scarring known as stretch marks. As a matter of fact, there is an entire beauty industry centered around the removal of these unsightly skin defects. But what about stretch mark prevention?

You may be wondering if it is just a myth or whether a person can really do something to prevent stretch marks from developing. Clinical studies tend to be inconclusive in this area, but a large number of women have learned through personal experience that certain preventive actions can help minimize the risk of getting stretch marks.

These actions are detailed below and should be seriously considered by any woman that wishes to take a proactive approach in the fight against stretch marks. But first, let’s take a look at the real cause of stretch marks.

What Causes Stretch Marks?

The surface of the skin is generally fairly elastic, but when it is stretched beyond its capacity, damage can result. It is usually during periods of rapid weight gain and subsequent loss that you are at the greatest risk of developing stretch marks.

Prime examples of this weight change cycle can be identified during:

- Pregnancy

- Weight training

- Rapid weight gain and loss

- Growth spurts in teens

During these periods of physiological change, the normal production of collagen is disrupted. It should be noted that collagen is an important protein, with an essential role in providing pliability and elasticity to your skin. As a result of this disruption, the skin loses some elasticity and when stretched beyond its limits, white or red scars may appear. These scars are what are traditionally known as stretch marks.

Will a Stretch Mark Prevention Program Really Help?

Obviously, if you had a choice, you would agree that it is preferable to prevent stretch marks from developing in the first place, rather than trying to treat them after the fact. Unfortunately, there is no guaranteed method of preventing stretch marks, even though there are a number of products on the market that will make this claim. It is just not true.

The good news is that there are products that are proven effective in increasing the elasticity of the skin. It is believed that these natural creams and oils prevent stretch marks by attacking their root causes – loss of elasticity and sudden trauma through over-stretching. To increase the effectiveness of these products, it is recommended that they be used as part of an overall skin conditioning program.

Stretch Mark Prevention Tips

As Ben Franklin so aptly put; ‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!’ And no truer words have been spoken regarding an approach to stretch marks and their treatment. So, to help give you a jump start with your stretch mark prevention program, a number of helpful tips are provided below:

Tip #1

If you are thinking about getting pregnant, or are presently in the mother-to-be state, try starting an exercise program. Continue this regimen throughout your pregnancy and it should help in reducing a lot of the stretch marks that may have developed naturally during the process. An exercise program works by helping you to limit your weight gain and, therefore, limit the trauma and overstretching of your affected skin. Of course, before you start any exercise program, please check with your doctor.

Tip #2

Try using natural stretch mark products that inherently have the exceptional ability to increase the skin’s elasticity. Products made with cocoa butter and other natural ingredients are your best bet. Many women who have endured pregnancy swear to the effectiveness of this method.

Tip #3

To supplement stretch mark creams and oils, you should consider using a body brush to massage the affected areas where you want to prevent stretch marks from forming. This is usually on the thighs, breasts, buttocks, and arms. This extra effort helps increase the circulation to the skin and helps the absorption of the cream into the affected area.

Tip #4

If you are on a diet, moderation is the ‘keyword’. A diet encouraging slow weight loss will minimize trauma to the skin and allow the skin to better adjust to the weight changes. This will help reduce the likelihood of stretch marks.

At the end of the day, there really is no single fail-safe method to prevent the formation of stretch marks. But a stretch mark prevention program, based on a combination of natural stretch mark products and the helpful tips provided above, should dramatically increase your odds of reducing or eliminating stretch mark development. Give it a try – you have nothing to lose and everything to gain!