Rule #1: Look beyond the claims of the productWhile advertising is a huge influence in the skin care market, it is important to be wise in dealing with the claims of any one particular product. If the product claims to reduce fine lines and eliminate wrinkles are these claims supported by reviews of real people who have used the product and seen positive results?One tip is to look for products that stimulate collagen production as over time, this can bring about dramatic and changes in the skin’s appearance. In addition, a product which contains a good moisturizer is crucial to relax skin tension and lock the moisture in.Rule #2: Don’t worry about the presence of any one ingredientWith so many competing creams on the market, there’s bound to be some degree of separation in which ingredients they all contain. Instead of getting fixated on which product a skin cream “must” contain, try to see what any individual product can bring to your skin care routine.It’s probably too much to ask for any one skin care product to be a “magic pill” for your skin, but by using a combination of products that attack the problem from different angles its easy to see how by using two or even three good skin care products your skin can easily benefit from the compound effect of all the extra nutrients and ingredients.Some really great nutrients for skin care include Silica, Zinc, Omega-3 acids, Selenium and Vitamin C and antioxidants.Rule #3: Avoid IrritantsOk, so while it can be good to have a range of essential nutrients in your skin care regime, there are definitely some skin care products that you would do well to avoid. Products that irritate the skin can actually increase wrinkles and weaken the skin against protection from environmental damage, such as UV from the sun’s rays, which is most definitely NOT what you want!The best advice here is to test. Even the slightest tingling or uncomfortable feeling on the skin resulting from using a product is the first sign of skin irritation. If this happens to you then my advice is strongly to stop using that product immediately! There are many alternatives on the market and the risks are simply not worth the cost.Once again check the product reviews and see what others are saying. This could save you a lot of trouble in the long run.Rule #4: Look for products that compliment your skin typeGetting to know your skin type can save you a lot of time in choosing the right products for you. This is actually a lot easier than you might expect. Basically, skin types can be broken down into four key groups: Normal, dry, oily and sensitive. There is also a combination skin type, although this is less common. Your skin will probably fall into one of these categories or have characteristics which make it more one than the other.(One quick tip here, if you are having trouble undermining your skin type, it could pay to to visit a dermatologist who can easily tell you which category your skin type fits into.)With this in mind, match the right skin product to your skin type and it will not only leave your skin feeling more fresh and nourished but will avoid any harmful influences that may occur from using the wrong product on your skin.In addition to this, remember to use the product on all areas of your skin that are exposed to the sun. It’s often overlooked that it’s not only the areas around the eyes and mouth that need attention. Your neck, hands and even parts of your body such as your knees and elbows may also benefit from some tender love and care!Rule #5: Don’t Expect Results OvernightThis goes back to the promises and claims you will see that accompany many skin care products. If I found a product that was a “miracle cure” for skin care I’d be absolutely thrilled about it! The truth is that a skin care product works in connection with your daily routine and is not really an isolated cure all by itself. You still need to protect yourself from the sun and keep on practising all the good habits which lead to healthy looking skin.That’s not to say that you can’t see tangible results and have great success with the right product. After all, skin care needn’t be difficult and it’s certainly possible to see positive results in a matter of weeks with the right product.Typically, in 2-3 weeks you should start to see some benefits to your skin, although for the best results a more prolonged use is recommended. Using the right product for a few months can literally transform the skin’s appearance.The benefits of a good anti aging skin care product include smoother and more radiant skin, a more even skin tone and less reduction of wrinkles and fine lines. Not only are these goals achievable but thanks to the recent developments in the cosmetics industry they are now also within anyone’s reach.The truth is that anti aging skin care needn’t be expensive or take lots of hard work. However, there is also a LOT of information out there and it can often be tricky to sort out what works from what doesn’t. So, to give you a head start, I’ve put together a free report of neat tips that can help you to have softer, smoother looking skin which feel great in the shortest time possible!First, head on over to How To Have Perfect Skin (that’s the blog) and sign up for my FREE skin care report. You’ll get access to all kinds of info, packed with skin care tips and advice for younger looking skin.Second, browse around the site for more skin care tips, techniques and reviews of and anti aging skin care products that have proven results.Third, take the plunge! By making healthy lifestyle choices and choosing the right product you could start to see significant results towards younger looking skin in less time than you might expect.
Online Finance Education – More Than Just a Finance Certificate
It is no doubt that knowledge and skills is what today’s world need the most. The economic recession has just exposed how ill equipped most of us are in managing their finances. This ill equipment ranges from personal finances to business finances. It no wonder that many people especially in America have been caught pants down with lives that were just but borrowed. How else would you call the huge credit card bills that are taking down gigantic economies such as the USA and Europe?Finance education has to be redefined from the traditional finance for picking mistakes in accounting to a contemporary finance education that allows you to be have skills to better manage personal finances or business finances.The revolution brought about by the information technology (IT) is an opportunity through which finance education has been revolutionized. The emergence of online finance education propelled by the linkages between students and tutors via the internet has made it easier to share facts on finance education. In addition, people are now able to ask questions that build their daily skills through asking or providing answers that have practical solutions. This can be achieved though blogging.Online finance education also has the benefit of providing templates from which the practical application of finance theories can be based. For example, a budget planner can be customized to calculate allowable expenses to what proportions.The traditional training in finance can also be delivered using the online finance education. There are now available e-business degrees that cover training in accounting, business management, actuarial sciences, human resource management, insurance, and international business management among others.The demand for online training opportunity has fuelled the growth of online colleges or universities. The challenge in enrolling in online colleges is that you have almost no chance of ascertaining the authenticity and quality of service. At most, you can only view information about the college from the websites. The websites are however easy to manipulate to present incorrect information in a seemingly correct form.As you search for the information on where to find online college or education to improve your financial knowledge, check for an institution that will provide more than just a certificate. You should be able to learn tips on how to get out of credit card debts, how to make the most from your mortgage investments and much more contemporary financial needs.
Alternative Financing Vs. Venture Capital: Which Option Is Best for Boosting Working Capital?
There are several potential financing options available to cash-strapped businesses that need a healthy dose of working capital. A bank loan or line of credit is often the first option that owners think of – and for businesses that qualify, this may be the best option.
In today’s uncertain business, economic and regulatory environment, qualifying for a bank loan can be difficult – especially for start-up companies and those that have experienced any type of financial difficulty. Sometimes, owners of businesses that don’t qualify for a bank loan decide that seeking venture capital or bringing on equity investors are other viable options.
But are they really? While there are some potential benefits to bringing venture capital and so-called “angel” investors into your business, there are drawbacks as well. Unfortunately, owners sometimes don’t think about these drawbacks until the ink has dried on a contract with a venture capitalist or angel investor – and it’s too late to back out of the deal.
Different Types of Financing
One problem with bringing in equity investors to help provide a working capital boost is that working capital and equity are really two different types of financing.
Working capital – or the money that is used to pay business expenses incurred during the time lag until cash from sales (or accounts receivable) is collected – is short-term in nature, so it should be financed via a short-term financing tool. Equity, however, should generally be used to finance rapid growth, business expansion, acquisitions or the purchase of long-term assets, which are defined as assets that are repaid over more than one 12-month business cycle.
But the biggest drawback to bringing equity investors into your business is a potential loss of control. When you sell equity (or shares) in your business to venture capitalists or angels, you are giving up a percentage of ownership in your business, and you may be doing so at an inopportune time. With this dilution of ownership most often comes a loss of control over some or all of the most important business decisions that must be made.
Sometimes, owners are enticed to sell equity by the fact that there is little (if any) out-of-pocket expense. Unlike debt financing, you don’t usually pay interest with equity financing. The equity investor gains its return via the ownership stake gained in your business. But the long-term “cost” of selling equity is always much higher than the short-term cost of debt, in terms of both actual cash cost as well as soft costs like the loss of control and stewardship of your company and the potential future value of the ownership shares that are sold.
Alternative Financing Solutions
But what if your business needs working capital and you don’t qualify for a bank loan or line of credit? Alternative financing solutions are often appropriate for injecting working capital into businesses in this situation. Three of the most common types of alternative financing used by such businesses are:
1. Full-Service Factoring – Businesses sell outstanding accounts receivable on an ongoing basis to a commercial finance (or factoring) company at a discount. The factoring company then manages the receivable until it is paid. Factoring is a well-established and accepted method of temporary alternative finance that is especially well-suited for rapidly growing companies and those with customer concentrations.
2. Accounts Receivable (A/R) Financing – A/R financing is an ideal solution for companies that are not yet bankable but have a stable financial condition and a more diverse customer base. Here, the business provides details on all accounts receivable and pledges those assets as collateral. The proceeds of those receivables are sent to a lockbox while the finance company calculates a borrowing base to determine the amount the company can borrow. When the borrower needs money, it makes an advance request and the finance company advances money using a percentage of the accounts receivable.
3. Asset-Based Lending (ABL) – This is a credit facility secured by all of a company’s assets, which may include A/R, equipment and inventory. Unlike with factoring, the business continues to manage and collect its own receivables and submits collateral reports on an ongoing basis to the finance company, which will review and periodically audit the reports.
In addition to providing working capital and enabling owners to maintain business control, alternative financing may provide other benefits as well:
It’s easy to determine the exact cost of financing and obtain an increase.
Professional collateral management can be included depending on the facility type and the lender.
Real-time, online interactive reporting is often available.
It may provide the business with access to more capital.
It’s flexible – financing ebbs and flows with the business’ needs.
It’s important to note that there are some circumstances in which equity is a viable and attractive financing solution. This is especially true in cases of business expansion and acquisition and new product launches – these are capital needs that are not generally well suited to debt financing. However, equity is not usually the appropriate financing solution to solve a working capital problem or help plug a cash-flow gap.
A Precious Commodity
Remember that business equity is a precious commodity that should only be considered under the right circumstances and at the right time. When equity financing is sought, ideally this should be done at a time when the company has good growth prospects and a significant cash need for this growth. Ideally, majority ownership (and thus, absolute control) should remain with the company founder(s).
Alternative financing solutions like factoring, A/R financing and ABL can provide the working capital boost many cash-strapped businesses that don’t qualify for bank financing need – without diluting ownership and possibly giving up business control at an inopportune time for the owner. If and when these companies become bankable later, it’s often an easy transition to a traditional bank line of credit. Your banker may be able to refer you to a commercial finance company that can offer the right type of alternative financing solution for your particular situation.
Taking the time to understand all the different financing options available to your business, and the pros and cons of each, is the best way to make sure you choose the best option for your business. The use of alternative financing can help your company grow without diluting your ownership. After all, it’s your business – shouldn’t you keep as much of it as possible?