How Can You Find Freelance Work As A Writer?

For those looking at the jobs listings for writers, they may find themselves feeling left out. There are simply not enough employment options available.

When you are looking at the jobs listings, you may become frustrated and annoyed with the lack of the type of employment that you want. But, if you think differently, you may just find an excellent opportunity. It may help to open doors for you later on down the line as well. Isn't that worth it?

Here are some ideas for you to consider.

* Think outside the box! You can find freelance work in strange places and in the most obvious. Opportunities may be available at the local newspapers, television studios, or at the local school.

* Businesses may not need a full time freelancer, but they may need someone to write ads and copy for their business. Those who have online businesses also need copy written for their websites.

* Probably the best way to find the employment vacancies that you want is to look online. There is always a need for good qualified journalists and others around the country. You can work right online in some cases.

No matter what type of writing you do, appreciating the possibility of any form of employment in the field is necessary. While it may not be exactly what you want, it can still be a good opportunity nonetheless.

For those looking for something specific, it is wise to search out these opportunities individually by presenting yourself directly with the company you want to work with. In any fashion, employment like this is hard to find.

Visit http://www.FreelanceWritingResource.com for more Articles, Resources, News and Advice about Freelance Writing Jobs

Copyright ? FreelanceWritingResource.com. All rights reserved. This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact.

You Only Have One Life, Let Your Caribbean Dream Come True

Turning your dream to Reality?Buying in the Caribbean

Buying a home in the Caribbean is something many people only dream of. A little determination and, some financial resources can easily make this dream become a reality. Those who buy real estate in the Caribbean do so for many reasons these include:

? A place to spend your retirement

? A purchase for investment purposes

? A second home as an ideal getaway

? To escape the rat race for a slower warmer pace of life

? To Return back home

Before you take that big step here are a few tips to keep your dream a reality, Generally your purchase will fall into the following categories

A home in a developer's planned "community."

A villa or other single-family home.

A time-share or condominium in a share format.

Here are a few more tips:

? Don't rush.

? Get familiar with the island and the type of properties you're considering.

? Research the residency rules for non nationals

? Know the people and the lifestyle.

? Get advice from a reliable source

? Select a reputable local lawyer

? Use respected real estate agent

? Don't let yourself be pressured by a pushy salesman.

Planned communities are springing up on Several Caribbean islands. These communities offer many amenities and the convenience of a planned setup. Some offer special medical plans for the retired .They're often quite luxurious and offer prestigious items such as big-name golf courses. Some properties are ready to move in; others you may need to build. Work with the developer; find out how long the building process will take and where and how the materials will arrive.

The Lakes Barbados is one such community

Caribbean Islands still offer value for money. Of course, the sky's the limit here - you can spend as much as you want to! But the fact is that you don't have to drop a fortune to get a liveable home. The home could also be used as rental property for one or more weeks a year, when you're off-site, and make money to help pay off the cost. Always be careful to choose a well-established agency to assist you if you decide to offer your home for rent. Understand local ways of doing business and local property conventions; in some cases, titles are leasehold rather than ownership. A good lawyer and established real estate agent are your best defense and safeguard.

We can put you in touch with reputable and agents for most islands.

No matter what type of home you choose in the islands, I know you'll be happy with your choice if you observe the guidelines and always remember the old caveat, "Let the buyer beware." Take precautions, educate yourself, get good advice and soon you'll be enjoying your own personal space on your favourite island!

Nicholas Marr Director Marr International Ltd a UK based property marketing company http://www.homesgofast.com

Law and Order of the Spiritual Kind

There is no such thing as a coincidence. Albert Einstein reasoned that, "God simply does not play dice." While we may not fully understand the reasons behind certain events, there are laws and order in the universe specifically designed to facilitate harmony and prosperity for all living things. Yet, as humans, we violate not only man's laws, but also the laws of the universe. It's as if an "insanity" bug has plagued the world community, which has now reached epidemic proportions. Perhaps that's because knowingly, or unknowingly, we choose not to live in harmony with the laws of the universe and as a result of our actions we experience failure, powerlessness and discord. Take for example one law ? the law of cause and effect.

Chaos seems to be the norm these days rather than the exception, but that is not the cause for our collective pain and misery. That's only the effect resulting from an underlying cause that has to do with our own failure to observe and cooperate with the laws of the universe characterized by honoring all living things. Since personal accountability is demanded of us in our daily lives, why should we expect things to be any different on a grander scale ? such as in the universe?

When greed, lack of awareness (the ability to see the unity in all living things) and the erosion of solid moral values, so inherent in a society driven by a materialist values system, cloud our thinking and numb our hearts to the point where we can't tell the difference between right and wrong, we invariably experience failure and lack - lack of prosperity and security to lack of real joy, real love and a sense of meaning and purpose. Perhaps we need law and order to save us from ourselves. Law and order are there for a reason. In order to illustrate the value of having law and order on a grander and spiritual scale, imagine for a moment if there were no traffic lights ? there would be nothing but chaos and every one would stand to lose. Law and order are necessary "tools," not so much to restrict us but rather to enhance the quality of our lives by preventing us from "bumping" into each other, causing accidental mayhem and bringing destruction and chaos upon ourselves by default.

But of course, rather than taking a good look at ourselves in the mirror, it's always much easier to point the finger at someone or something else, like God. After all, no one can really prove it or disprove it either. Remember the classic story of the kid who failed to bring his homework to school and blamed it on the "monster" who ate it? Perhaps it's time to make peace with the fact that there are laws and order in the universe that are actually good for us all. So, if you don't like the effect (the current climate of world insanity that erodes any sense of security and joy), why not remove the root cause first.

It's easier than you think. Just by living in harmony with the laws of the universe, we can all achieve security, prosperity and freedom. And if it's peace and cultural harmony you wish to experience, perhaps the words of Jimi Hendrix that "only when the power of love replaces the love of power, can there be peace on earth," will resonate with you too and inspire you to be the change you wish to see in the world.

Who knows maybe we can even all use the name of God without embarrassment either.

About The Author

Copyright ? 2004, Geela

Author of "The American Dream": http://www.Geela.com

Geela is an award winning singer/songwriter/composer, columnist, and author of the best-selling book "THE AMERICAN DREAM," her true- life story of how she came to America as a young immigrant with nothing and overcame incredible obstacles to achieve mega-success. She founded ONE SPIRIT, ONE WORLD to help children and promote a culture of peace and harmony. Get a free sample of her music and her book at http://www.Geela.com.

Hurrican Selling Styles

As I prepare this issue of this Newsletter, at 37,000 feet on my way to Greenville South Carolina, the east coast is being battered by a Hurricane.

All hurricanes seem to start out as a blip on a distant radar screen. It grows in size and intensity as it draws closer to the shoreline. They don't follow a prepared script or take a predictable path.

At the center, is the famous eye of the storm. Surrounding the eye . . . well, you know the rest.

Some salespeople seem to behave like hurricanes, are you one of them? Answer these questions for a hurricane (style) check.

1. Are you completely organized at the start of every day?

2. Do you enjoy talking more than listening?

3. Does your enthusiasm spill over into loudness when you're talking?

4. If preparation means "in writing" is more than 95% of your typical sales call not prepared?

5. After a sales call, are most of your customers thinking, "WOW" after you leave?

6. Do you have so much experience that you know what your customer's need without having to ask them really good open-ended questions?

Here's a sales tip. As hurricanes approach the East coast, few people are rushing to check-in to the ocean front hotels. Likewise, your potential customers won't be running to open their doors for you if you approach them like a hurricane.

Jim Meisenheimer is the creator of No-Brainer Sales Training. His sales techniques and selling skills focus on practical ideas that get immediate results. You can discover all his secrets by contacting him at (800) 266-1268 or by visiting his website: http://www.meisenheimer.com

Is This the PR You Thought You Were Getting?

You know, where you do something positive about the behaviors of those outside audiences that MOST affect your organization? And where you do so by persuading those important external folks to your way of thinking, then move them to take actions that help your department, division or subsidiary succeed?

Yes, that's right, it's where you use the fundamental premise of public relations to produce external stakeholder behavior change ? the kind that leads directly to achieving your managerial objectives.

What it boils down to is (1) your public relations effort must involve more than special events, brochures and news releases if you really want to get your money's worth, and (2), the right PR really CAN alter individual perception and lead to changed behaviors that help you succeed!

You can do it when you bring that fundamental premise of PR mentioned above, into play. It goes like this: people act on their own perception of the facts before them, which leads to predictable behaviors about which something can be done. When we create, change or reinforce that opinion by reaching, persuading and moving-to-desired-action the very people whose behaviors affect the organization the most, the public relations mission is accomplished.

What kind of results can you, as a business, non-profit or association manager, expect from such an approach? Well, for starters, improved relations with government agencies and legislative bodies, stronger relationships with the educational, labor, financial and healthcare communities; prospects starting to work with you; customers making repeat purchases; and even capital givers or specifying sources looking your way

And that's not all. You also could see progress in the form of membership applications on the rise; new proposals for strategic alliances and joint ventures; rebounds in showroom visits; enhanced activist group relations, and expanded feedback channels; as well as community service and sponsorship opportunities; not to mention new thoughtleader and special event contacts.

Yes, that's promising quite a bit but that's what this approach to public relations is capable of delivering.

Of course the PR people supporting you as a manager ? agency or staff ? must be real team members and committed to you, as the senior project manager, to the PR blueprint and its implementation, starting with target audience perception monitoring.

Ask yourself how important it is that your most important outside audiences really perceive your operations, products or services in a positive light? Then assure yourself that your PR staff buys into that notion wholeheartedly. Be especially careful that they accept the reality that perceptions almost always lead to behaviors that can help or hurt your unit.

Review the PR blueprint in detail with your team, especially the plan for monitoring and gathering perceptions by questioning members of your most important outside audiences. Use questions like these: how much do you know about our organization? How much do you know about our services or products and employees? Have you had prior contact with us and were you pleased with the interchange? Have you experienced problems with our people or procedures?

The perception monitoring phases of your program obviously can be handled by professional survey people, IF the budget is available. But keep in mind that your PR people are also in the perception and behavior business and can pursue the same objective: identify untruths, false assumptions, unfounded rumors, inaccuracies, misconceptions and any other negative perception that might translate into hurtful behaviors.

Clearly, you will need a well-defined goal, one that responds to the aberrations that appeared during your key audience perception monitoring. As a flexible goal, it could call for straightening out that dangerous misconception, or correcting that gross inaccuracy, or doing something about that damaging rumor.

Inevitably, a goal needs a strategy to show you how to get there. And here, you have three strategic choices for handling a perception or opinion challenge: create perception where there may be none, change the perception, or reinforce it. Unfortunately, a bad strategy pick will taste like fudge sauce on your spareribs, so be sure the new strategy fits well with your new public relations goal. For instance, you don't want to select "change" when the facts dictate a "reinforce" strategy.

Changing people's minds to your way of thinking is a tough assignment, so your PR team must set down the needed corrective language. Words that are compelling, persuasive and believable AND clear and factual. You must do this if you are to correct a perception by shifting opinion towards your point of view, leading to the desired behaviors.

Sit down again with your communications specialists and review your message for impact and persuasiveness. Then, select the communications tactics most likely to carry your words to the attention of your target audience. You can pick from dozens that are available. From speeches, facility tours, emails and brochures to consumer briefings, media interviews, newsletters, personal meetings and many others. But be sure that the tactics you pick are known to reach folks just like your audience members.

Because the credibility of a message can occasionally depend on its delivery method, you might introduce it to smaller gatherings rather than using higher-profile tactics such as news releases or talk show appearances. One good thing about doing progress reports for clients or bosses is that they sound the alert for you and your PR folks to return to the field for a second perception monitoring session with members of your external audience. Using many of the same questions used in the first benchmark session, you must now stay alert for signs that the bad news perception is being altered in your direction.

If impatience shows up, you can always accelerate things with more communications tactics and increased frequencies.

It should be an irresistable premise for any manager! Do something positive about the behaviors of those outside audiences that MOST affect your organization. And do so by persuading those important external folks to your way of thinking, then move them to take actions that help your department, division or subsidiary succeed.

Wow!

Please feel free to publish this article and resource box in your ezine, newsletter, offline publication or website. A copy would be appreciated at bobkelly@TNI.net. Word count is 1125 including guidelines and resource box.

Robert A. Kelly ? 2004.

About The Author

Bob Kelly counsels, writes and speaks to business, non-profit and association managers about using the fundamental premise of public relations to achieve their operating objectives. He has been DPR, Pepsi-Cola Co.; AGM-PR, Texaco Inc.; VP-PR, Olin Corp.; VP-PR, Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co.; director of communi- cations, U.S. Department of the Interior, and deputy assistant press secretary, The White House. He holds a bachelor of science degree from Columbia University, major in public relations.

mailto:bobkelly@TNI.net

Visit: http://www.prcommentary.com

The Best Gifts Ever: Life Experiences Every Child Should Have

This past holiday season Canadians spent over $45 billion-with parents paying out almost $1.8 billion of that on their children's presents alone. However, the best gifts we can give our children can not be purchased in a store. And while they are within the grasp of all parents to give, not all children receive them.

What are these gifts?

Nothing more than six simple life experiences every child should have:

The gift of healthy habits. Children need to learn about and experience regular exercise, adequate sleep, and proper nutrition. Help instill these habits from an early age, or any age for that matter. Encourage your kids to get active. Explore and use your neighbourhood recreation centre. Re-discover walking. Teach the importance of healthy eating.

The gift of unconditional love. Show your children how much you love them-with your words and actions. Let them know that you will always be there for them. Teach your children to separate their actions from their sense of self. Explain that while you might sometimes be disappointed or even furious with their actions, you will always love them.

The gift of compassion. As a family you might volunteer your time or talents to assist those in need. Some families agree to donate 10% of each child's allowance to a charity of his/her choosing. Consider sponsoring a child, or adopting an abandoned pet from your local SPCA or Humane Society. Teach them the value of action-getting involved and selflessly giving of yourself so that others may gain.

The gift of potential. Help your children discover their own unique talents, as well as identify new ones. Try various activities and explore areas of interest. Nurture their potential through hobbies, visits to the library, or talking to people in various fields. Guide gently-giving your trust, encouragement and congratulations along the way. Sometimes all they need is for someone else to believe in them before they believe in themselves.

The gift of optimism. Children and teens can often feel overloaded or overwhelmed by situations and events. Teach your child that every situation can be overcome. Learn about self-talk, and to focus on what you have, rather than what is missing-letting go of "what should be". It has been rightly said, "When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change."

The gift of humour. Children laugh all the time, but later in life we sometimes lose the ability to find the lighter side of situations. Show your kids it's OK not to take themselves too seriously. Nothing reduces stress, or can change your attitude faster than a smile or good giggle-such is the power of laughter.

While we'll continue to buy gifts for our kids, let's make sure the six above are also given along the way. They may not be as exciting to receive as the latest game or toy, but as our children grow older and reflect on their lives, they will be truly thankful to have received them.

?2005 Rob Stringer.com - Reprinted with permission

Award-winning educator, speaker and author, Rob Stringer coaches and assists parents with his upbeat approach to learning, and parenting. For more ideas, resources or workshop information, visit http://www.RobStringer.com or call (905) 544-1938 today.

Do You Want To Relax And Think Clearly?

Learning To Be In The Moment

Imagine thinking clearly, and feeling relaxed at will. Could you get more done? Enjoy life more? Would you like to know how to do that right now? Start by learning how to put yourself more in the moment with a simple mindfulness exercise.

Basic Mindfulness Exercises

A basic mindfulness exercise begins with sitting down, relaxing and breathing deeply. Close your eyes and pay attention to your breathing, following the breath in and out a few times. Then move your attention to your body, one part at a time, noticing any sensations of cold, hot, tight, sore or anything you can identify. After a few minutes, start listening to the sounds of the room, without judging, criticising or thinking about them. Just listen for a minute.

Open your eyes and look around as if seeing for the first time. Rest your eyes on any object for half a minute. Examine it without talking about it in your mind. Repeat this with another object, and then another, while still maintaining an awareness of your body and breath. Continue this state of mindfulness until you're ready to get up.

When sensing your body, your breath, and your immediate surroundings, you are more fully "in the moment." A mindfulness exercise like this puts your mind in a receptive state while removing mental distractions that hinder clear thinking. It leaves you ready to work mentally. Do this before important mental tasks and you'll find you have more focus and concentration.

Using Mindfulness For Daily Life

When you're in the middle of a task and feel stressed, stop. Take three deep breaths, then carefully watch yourself until identify what is bothering you. Find everything you can. Are you expecting something bad to happen? Is an argument from this morning still going on just below the surface of your consciousness? Are you worried about something? Is some part of your body in pain? Note everything you find.

Now deal with these thieves-of-concentration one by one. Make the phone call that's on your mind, take an aspirin if you need to, and apologise to someone if necessary. Take things from your mind and put them on a list for tomorrow (in writing). If all you can do is acknowledge that there's nothing you can do right now - do that. After doing this mindfulness exercise, you'll feel less stressed, and you'll be able to concentrate more effectively on the tasks at hand. Try it now.

Steve Gillman has meditated and studied meditation for over twenty years. You can visit his website, and subscribe to The Meditation Newsletter at: http://www.TheMeditationSite.com/newsletter.html

See What Your Home is Worth

If you thought your home is worth nothing except for living purposes, then think again. It might be holding a treasure, still waiting to be explored. Wait before you deface it with a spade. What we mean is the equity that your home has kept on amassing all through the years. Home equity is the actual worth of the home in the market.

The equity in the home normally ascends. It is primarily because of the efforts put in by the homeowner. The owner keeps on making new improvements to his home according to his requirements. He may add new storeys to his house, or may change the flooring. These may, besides adding to the value of the house aesthetically, attract more tenants.

There may also be a rise in home equity because of no efforts by the homeowner. Real estate has become one of the safest options to place ones bet on. This has given a boost to the property prices, with the prices jumping by 125% in some posh locations. Some localized circumstances like improvement in road infrastructure, launch of a shopping mall, etc. too can be behind this increase in home equity.

Home equity will be of immense help to people who do not prefer to sell their home, but need resources to meet over some contingency. Resources are needed largely for spending on home improvements. However, the loan amount can be used for other purposes too without any limitations. Homeowners are allowed to take loans against their home. These loans are called home equity loans because they take advantage of the equity.

Having a solid collateral base of home, the lenders feel less exposed to risk. Lenders charge a lower APR on the home equity loans. The home equity loans are thus cheaper than the other loans.

The equity is reduced by the amount of loan taken against the home. As the balance on the loan reduces with monthly repayments, the equity in home increases. Except for reverse mortgages, all other loans and mortgages follow this principle.

A fallacy doing rounds among the borrowers is that their house is under risk of repossession if they take up a home equity loan. However, this is not completely true. The lender just has the lien to your home, which can only be exercised if the borrower is not able to repay the loan. In the meanwhile, the customer can continue living in his home without any intrusion.

The lender can initiate the proceedings for repossession of the house only when the customer has not paid the installments on the loan. Rarely would a person knowingly put his home in danger. The borrower, after studying all aspects of his financial condition, determines the monthly repayments. But, rarely is the planning foolproof. There are some situations that you might not have provided for; and this becomes your vulnerability. Because of the difficulty in paying the installments, the customers fear repossession, which can become a reality very soon.

Avoiding loans against your home for every frivolous reason can be a way to stop this from becoming a reality. True, home equity loans are cheaper and easier to get. But think of the after-effects of any such move. Your circumstances may change, making the repayments difficult.

Numerous loans against ones home will only result in depletion of the home equity. The savings in equity will work in the same way as the savings in money. Therefore, even if you do not have savings, you can always rely on your home to offer support. Complete exhaustion of the equity will disqualify you from taking help of the home equity.

So, before taking loan against your home the next time, think twice. Think what your home means to you, and how you are going to do without it. This will ensure that the decision regarding the future of the home is taken with added rationality.

Aditya has completed his masters in mass communications from Jamia University. If you need UK Personal Loans, secured Loans,unsecured loans

visit http://www.ukfinanceworld.co.uk

The Ant Philosophy

Over the years I've been teaching kids about a simple but powerful concept - the ant philosophy.

I think everybody should study ants. They have an amazing four-part philosophy, and here is the first part: ants never quit. That's a good philosophy. If they're headed somewhere and you try to stop them; they'll look for another way. They'll climb over, they'll climb under, they'll climb around. They keep looking for another way. What a neat philosophy, to never quit looking for a way to get where you're supposed to go.

Second, ants think winter all summer. That's an important perspective. You can't be so naive as to think summer will last forever. So ants are gathering in their winter food in the middle of summer.

An ancient story says, "Don't build your house on the sand in the summer." Why do we need that advice? Because it is important to think ahead. In the summer, you've got to think storm. You've got to think rocks as you enjoy the sand and sun.

The third part of the ant philosophy is that ants think summer all winter. That is so important. During the winter, ants remind themselves, "This won't last long; we'll soon be out of here." And the first warm day, the ants are out. If it turns cold again, they'll dive back down, but then they come out the first warm day. They can't wait to get out.

And here's the last part of the ant philosophy. How much will an ant gather during the summer to prepare for the winter? All that he possibly can. What an incredible philosophy, the "all-that-you-possibly-can" philosophy.

Wow, what a great philosophy to have - the ant philosophy. Never give up, look ahead, stay positive and do all you can.

To Your Success,
Jim Rohn

Special Note: Be part of the 1% that makes a decision to achieve all their goals in 2004! Enroll today in the Jim Rohn One Year Success Plan. For details visit his website address below.

Reproduced with permission from Jim Rohn's Weekly E-zine. Copyright 2005 Jim Rohn International. All rights reserved worldwide. To subscribe to Jim Rohn's Weekly E-zine, go to http://Jim-Rohn.InspiresYOU.com

The New Wedding Band Styles

You've decided to tie the knot and now you've got some wedding band shopping to do. Your wedding band is a ring your going to wear all the time so it's important to choose a ring you "really like," one that truly "touches your heart."

A reader survey completed recently in Bride's magazine found 80% of respondents wanting a "traditional" wedding. In todays world what defines traditional is wide open for interpretation.

Many weddings will have the traditional core but be customized to the bride and grooms personal tastes. Traditional usually means white gown, church ceremony, full reception, completed with a honeymoon getaway.

When it comes to wedding bands tradition and modern style are quickly entwining to produce some fabulous new wedding band styles. So you ask, what is the hottest styles in wedding bands?

Well, one think is for certain. Diamonds are still a girls' best friend and are very quickly becoming a guys best friend too! In the past few years there has been a record number of diamond wedding bands being purchased for guys.

Men have finally figured out what women have always known about diamonds. Diamonds are elegant, classy, and sophisticated. The most popular bands are flush settings in gold, platinum, or titanium. Usually the diamond is one carat or less. Another popular setting is small diamonds placed geometrically around the entire band.

So they say what's good for the goose is good for the gander right? That's why today's brides have no problem wearing matching bands to their new husbands. After all women have always had the finer taste for the beauty of diamonds. Today brides and grooms have many choices.

They can buy matching bands or similar bands that accent each other. Designers are now producing coordinating engagement rings and wedding bands. So rather than choosing a set, you can now mix and match. This allows for more personal taste and for more uniqueness.

Both titanium and platinum are very hot. Both brides and grooms are jumping on the bandwagon for something different that the traditional yellow gold of the past. Guys and gals alike appreciate the beauty of platinum and the wearability of titanium.

Today's platinum is no longer mixed with yellow gold. Today high polished platinum is a star all by itself. The popularity of titanium wedding bands is also growing leaps and bonds. Titanium has the same look as platinum with two advantages it's considerably cheaper, and its much more durable than platinum.

Jewelers today are borrowing design ideas from the past. Delicate scroll work and intricate patterns are very popular. Designs from the Art Nouveau and Edwardian period are very popular with their flowing geometric designs. Designs are no longer stiff but flowing and fluid.

Custom designer wedding sets have become very vogue. Today wedding sets are chosen with the same thought a woman puts into purchasing clothing.

Women are much more in tune to their entire fashion statement and since their wedding rings are worn all the time they want their rings to reflect who they are. They also like to choose wedding rings that will work with other jewelry pieces they wear.

The most popular diamond shape is the round brilliant cut, however many women are choosing some of the more non traditional cuts for their engagement rings. Emerald cuts, baguettes, and marquis cuts have grown in popularity in the last few years.

Today's choices allow both bride and groom to combine tradition with choices that reflect their personal tastes and their own personalities.

Never has their been a time in history when the design of wedding bands and engagement rings was so intricately tied to the individual who would wear it. Price, selection, and style are as wide as the imagination.

? Copyright Sher Matsen, All Rights Reserved.

About the author: Sher has been serving customers for over 20 years, providing affordable estate jewelry, and a wealth of information on jewelry, fashion, designers, and beauty with on staff industry professionals. Please visit us at Estate Jewelry International.

Bankruptcy Myths Busted

The average American knows very little about bankruptcy. Most people probably are aware of bankruptcy's ability to dissolve debt and give the debtor a fresh start. Some of the information you might have heard is correct, but some is not. The purpose of this article is to dispel some of the most common bankruptcy myths.

1. Even if I file for bankruptcy creditors will still harass me and my family.

This is absolutely false. Bankruptcy law provides for an automatic stay. Simply, as soon as you file for bankruptcy a hold is put on all your outstanding debts and any creditor attempts to collect those debts. The law prohibits a debtor to attempt to collect, possess, or even contact the debtor in regard to the debt. If a creditor does not follow the rules, the debtor may have an action in the form of punitive damages. Basically, punitive damages are meant to punish a creditor for not following the procedures set out in the bankruptcy code. Whether a debtor has a cause of action against a creditor should be left to an attorney to answer. However what you need to know is this; once you file for bankruptcy, creditors must leave you alone or suffer the consequences.

2. If I file for bankruptcy it may cause more family troubles than I already have, maybe even divorce.

This is also false. There are two ways a debtor can file for bankruptcy voluntary and involuntary. Voluntary filing is done by the debtor. The debtor talks to an attorney or files a petition pro se and gets the bankruptcy process started. In an involuntary bankruptcy, the creditor forces the debtor into bankruptcy often times unwanted by the debtor. Voluntary filing is the result of a family discussing their options with each other and possibly an attorney and making an informed decision on the merits. Divorce is often associated with a bankruptcy with the latter filing. Voluntarily filing for bankruptcy gives the debtor a chance to set his terms and allows the debtor a free choice for the bankruptcy.

3. If I file for bankruptcy the trustee will seize all of my assets and sell them to settle my debts with creditors.

Again this is false. While it is one of the duties of a trustee to sell assets in the estate, the trustee cannot necessarily reach all of your assets. There are many factors that must be examined before this happens. The type of bankruptcy as a lot to do with how much the trustee can seize. For example, a chapter 13 is a reorganization bankruptcy. Simply, the debtor keeps the majority if not all of his assets, and forms a repayment plan to satisfy interested creditors. Even in a chapter 7 filing the debtor gets to keep many assets. These are called non-exempt assets. The debtor's house, car, clothing, furniture, life insurance, etc. are all non-exempt assets. These are just a few of the main assets. An attorney will be able to arm you with the information you need to keep even more personal property a debtor thought possible.

4. If I file for bankruptcy now, I will never be able to file again.

Surprise, this too is false. Filing for bankruptcy does not make you ineligible to file again. Without going into too much detail, just know the bankruptcy code allows a debtor to file for bankruptcy more than once. There are a few things different most importantly possibility of discharge, however you can file for bankruptcy again if you already have filed.

5. If I file for bankruptcy I will never get credit again.

This is simply false. If this were true then nobody would file for bankruptcy. Americans depend on credit and this is no different than a debtor who has filed for bankruptcy. Several banks now offer credit on a secured basis to potentially risky customers. The debtor would put up a small amount of money so as to secure payment in the future. Once the debtor proves his ability to pay, credit limits get higher. As little as two years after a chapter 7, a debtor is eligible for mortgage loans on terms equal to someone who has not gone through bankruptcy. Creditors look more to a debtors stability, as opposed to the fact you filed for bankruptcy.

Read more about bankruptcy at www.bankruptcyhome.com

Original content from http://www.bankruptcyhome.com can contact at siteadmin@bankruptcyhome.com