With the hype that holidays usually bring, people always have the tendency to buy more and spend more without taking into account the consequences that their actions can bring.

Hence, it does not necessarily mean that because it is the holidays you have all the reason in this world to buy whatever you want and spend how much you want. Some people contend that it’s just once a year, so better give what you have.

The problem is that giving something just for the spirit of the holidays does not mean you have to spend gold. You can still give something that will be deeply appreciated without having to spend more money.

Here’s how:

1. Make a budget and stick to it

The problem with most people is that they find making a budget relatively easy but sticking to it is doubly hard. So what’s the point of making a budget when you do not know how to conform to what you have stated in there?

Making and using your budget should always go hand in hand. Therefore, when you make your budget this holiday season, it is best that you follow the things that are written in it so that you would be able to save more money.

2. Live within your means

Of course, everybody would want to give gifts because that is what the holiday season calls for. However, it does not necessarily mean that you have to spend more than what you can afford. 

The trick to saving more money is to always live within your means. Spending more than what you can afford will definitely bring more problems than you can afford to solve.

3. Personalize it!

As they say, it is the thought that counts. Hence, there are no better ways to show how much you have thought of those people this holiday season than making personalized gifts.

4. Shop and compare

It really pays to shop around and doubly better when you compare prices. You will never know which items are better priced than the others are when you do not compare their values.

The point here is that you should not be confined to one shopping portal. Try to look for other items, usually in thrift stores and consignment shops, where you can find the best items at a lower price.

Indeed, shopping for the holidays can be fun, but you don’t have to be spendthrift. Nowadays, you really just have to be practical.

Summary:

Planning a trip to Spain? Heading to the new South American branch for work? Learning a new language is always an advantage for a globe trotter or a savvy professional. Spanish is definitely helpful to know, because it is the second most common language in the world.

There are numerous foreign language teaching sources out there. A lot of them can be discouraging and tedious with too many drills on and rote memorization with grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, and verb con...

Keywords:

Learn Spanish Fast

Article Body:

Planning a trip to Spain? Heading to the new South American branch for work? Learning a new language is always an advantage for a globe trotter or a savvy professional. Spanish is definitely helpful to know, because it is the second most common language in the world.

There are numerous foreign language teaching sources out there. A lot of them can be discouraging and tedious with too many drills on and rote memorization with grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, and verb conjugations. These lengthy courses can take a lot of your time while you feel like you’re not making much progress.

If you do not want to go to these long, drawn-out classes that can bore rather than teach, one source you can try is the Internet. The Web is a horde of foreign language learning alternatives. You then have lots of options to learn Spanish fast. But, it can be tough to make the right choice.

Traditional learning methods such as books and classes taken at school can take longer than expected. Rote memorization of new words and phrases probably will not help you at all. Instead, look for options that work with your schedule, skill level, and learning goals. Do you want to become fully fluent in writing, reading, and speaking? Would you rather focus on improving your conversation, so you can comfortably travel around while you are abroad?

If you are looking for lessons that do not interfere too much with your schedule, portable courses such as those on CDs and cassettes are a great way to pick up words and phrases while you are going through your day. It is easy to learn Spanish fast when you are practicing words, phrases, and conversations while on the way to work, to the gym, or while doing errands at home. Using audio-based courses are also helpful for improving your pronunciation.

Another great way to quickly pick up the language is to concentrate on a learning process that teaches core vocabulary that are usually used every day by native speakers. Rather than press a student to memorize a large number of vocabulary that he or she may not use often, the student is encouraged to focus on common words and phrases that can readily be put to use.

Because language is primarily based on speech, you can learn Spanish fast by using courses that improve your conversation. At the very least, you can pick up helpful words and phrases you can use to get around while traveling. And then, if you want, you can try more detailed lessons on grammar, vocabulary, and writing.

Pimsleur-language.com uses research-based techniques to teach languages through CDs and cassettes. The website offers learning programs at several levels to master communication within 30 days. Visit http://www.pimsleur-language.com to find out more on how to learn Spanish fast along with dozens of other languages offered on the site.

Summary:

HANDICAP

When horses in a race are allocated different weights to carry, in order that each horse has an “equal” theoretic chance of winning, it is called a “Handicap” race.

Similar to the animals in George Orwell’s books, some horses are more “equal” than others. Horses vary slightly between races and their form on any given day is somewhat variable, meaning that thankfully, there is usually a clear cut winner in all handicap races.

Horses just like human beings are...

Keywords:

horse racing terms,betfair,betting exchange,racing post,handicap,hurdles,hobday,hanging,chases

Article Body:

HANDICAP

When horses in a race are allocated different weights to carry, in order that each horse has an “equal” theoretic chance of winning, it is called a “Handicap” race.

Similar to the animals in George Orwell’s books, some horses are more “equal” than others. Horses vary slightly between races and their form on any given day is somewhat variable, meaning that thankfully, there is usually a clear cut winner in all handicap races.

Horses just like human beings are not always feeling their best.

Handicapping is based on the fact that horses are “allowed” weight against other horses on a “Weight for age” basis and according to the distance by which one horse beats another, with consideration being made for the state of the “going” amongst other factors including the pace of the race.

Weight assessments are roughly based on finishing distances as follows:

• From five furlongs to seven furlongs, 3lb per length;

• From one mile to eleven furlongs, 2lb per length;

• From one and a half miles to 2 miles, one and a half pounds per length;

• More than two miles, 1lb. per length;

• National Hunt races: 1lb. per length.

Over a sprint distance:

Horse A carrying nine stone beats horse B. carrying the same weight by a length;

Horse B is therefore considered 3lbs. inferior to horse A;

In a subsequent race, the handicap therefore should read

Horse A nine stone, Horse B eight stone 11lb.

Official British Horseracing Board (BHB) handicappers carry out handicapping for all races using a central database of information which is very regularly updated.

The computers provide a handicap rating for all horses which are qualified to run, based on a scale from zero upwards for the graded handicaps prevalent in recent times, these ratings give more equal opportunities all round for handicapped horses.

Further down the scales, handicaps may be designed only for horses rated between zero and 70 meaning horses rated above this mark would be ineligible to compete. Handicaps are often organized in this fashion in order that lesser horses can compete against each other.

The really big handicaps like the Cambridgeshire and the Ebor are open to all handicap horses between 0-115

Each week, ratings are revised with significantly changed ratings being published in the sporting literature. It is good practice to keep track of these changes.

Flat race handicap weights vary between 7 stone 7lb. to no less than 10 stone; National Hunt race weights are between 10 stone and 12 stone with the exception of handicaps over 3 miles where the top weight is 11 stone 10lb.

When a handicapper attends to the entries for a race, despite the restricted range, he will allocate weights below the allowed lower limit, as often the top weight is withdrawn, meaning weights must then be duly raised.

The first Jockey Club handicapper was Admiral Rous, generally acknowledged as the best who ever lived. Having finished an especially difficult bit of handicapping he remarked famously “there, now none of them can win!”

Handicaps are “created” instinctively, by good handicappers; they are balancing acts resulting from an array of intelligent best guesses.

Private handicap’s sometimes published in newspapers as “ratings” as well as in the literature such as the Racing Post, give an indication of how a private handicapper’s assessment differs from the official assessment of a horse’s chances and its ability with respect to the other horses in a given race.

HANDICAPPERS

There are 2 definitions:

• The official BHB team who frame handicaps.

• Horses that run in handicaps, sometimes in a “stuffy” sort of way as in “he’s only a handicapper”

HEAD LAD

Second in command of a stable, generally not a “lad” at all.

Head Lad is in fact a very responsible position with duties which include feeding the horses and running the yard.

A competent head lad can mean the difference between success and failure.

There is usually a traveling “head lad” whose main duties include accompanying horses on their journeys between racecourse and stables.

Clive Britton, a highly successful trainer was once a head lad, similarly Barry Hills another top trainer, was once traveling “head lad” to John Oxley.

An example of a highly successful trainer who was once a head lad is Clive Britton while another top trainer is Barry Hills, once traveling head lad to John Oxley.

HANGING

Not as terminal as one might assume. Fatigued horses often “hang” in towards the end of a race, either towards the rails or more dangerously towards an opposing horse.

The jockey will usually show a horse the whip to correct the situation.

HOBDAYED

If a horse is unsound in wind then it may have a hobday operation. This operation was pioneered by Sir Frederick Hobday, an eminent veterinary surgeon at the time.

HOMEBRED

A horse bred at its owner’s stud, rather than through a public auction.

HUNTER CHASES

Horses regularly competing in hunts used to be able to get a certificate signed by the master of foxhounds allowing them to compete in Hunter Chases.

Famous Hunter Chases from the past include horses such as “Baulking Green” who won 22 Hunter Chases in his career.

Anti hunting legislation has put this format of racing firmly on the decline.

HURDLES

Horses at the start of their National Hunt careers usually start over hurdles with the intention of later putting them over fences.

Horses must be 3 or over in the July of a given year to begin hurdling, most however are flat racers over four whose flat career is deemed to be coming to an end in the autumn of that year.

With hurdles races tending to be over 2 miles and longer, horses chosen as hurdlers are taken to have a fair ability for “staying” on the flat.

These long hurdles races often represent excellent Betfair “in-play” betting opportunities.

If a horse has never won a hurdle by the start of the current season, then at 3 years old it may start in the juvenile, or novice hurdles.

The rules lay down the specification for hurdles as follows:

• That they must be not less than 3 foot 6 inches in height from the bottom bar to the top bar;

• That they consist of bars of wood, such as willow or oak interspersed with the rich, broom or gorse, and are driven in sections across the hurdles course at an angle sloped from the takeoff side.

The upper part of a modern hurdle is cushioned so that horses do not bang themselves too badly when hitting it; this has reduced the clattering that used to be heard like gunfire around a racecourse during the hurdles race.

Hurdles races are however always spectacular, with noise and danger and the riders often set a furious pace.

Hurdles can sometimes swing back when they have been somewhat flattened causing great danger. Falls are common but less frequent than in the Chase’s, but the hurdlers are often tightly bunched and set a fast pace.

Racing law determines there must be at least 8 flights of hurdles in a 2 mile race, with more flights for each quarter mile over that distance.

Hurdlers and chasers throughout history are always firm favourites with the public and carry great affection.

With the creation of the carpet, the invention of the

carpet cleaning machine wasn't far away. The very

first hand held carpet cleaner was designed and

tested in Chicago in 1860, while the first power

operated vacuum cleaner was invented in the 1900s

by Cecil Booth.

Around the same time Cecil Booth finished his

invention, a man by the name of James Spangler came

up with his own invention - a vacuum cleaner that

he later sold to his cousin Hoover. As everyone

knows, Hoover has since became one of the most

dominant names in the world of vacuum cleaners and

is certainly one of the most popular household

names in the world.

For many housewives, the vacuum cleaner was deemed

a blessing, as it helped to keep the house clean

in a fraction of the time. From the beginning,

vacuum cleaners were only able to suck up dust and

dirt, although with modern technology these days,

inventors are able to design wet cleanes that can

steam carpets and kill germs at the same time.

Carpet is capable of covering the floor of a

house, flat, or bungalow and keeping people's feet

warm in the winter. Years ago, people needed to

sweep their floors or carpets, but with the

invention of the vacuum cleaner, people could

easily detract the dust and dirt from their

carpets with less effort. It was also determined

that businesses, corporations, and apartments

would need someone to clean their carpets as

well, so the invention of the commercial carpet

cleaner wasn't far away.

Vacuum cleaners operate by using a pump system.

The pumping system will suck up the air from a

hose, which will in turn suck up the dirt and

dust from anything that stands in front of the

house opening. On the inside, the vacuum cleaner

is a filtering system that will collect the dust

and dirt that can later be placed outside in the

garbage.

Right now, there are seven main types of vacuum

cleaners - the upright, canister, back pack style,

built in, robotic, hand held, and the wet/dry

vacuum cleaners. These different types of vacuum

cleaners are available in a variety of different

styles, sizes, and offer various voltage and

power sizes as well.

One of the most significant developments in

vacuums has been the invention of the very popular

cyclone carpet cleaner. Unlike the previous

vacuum cleaners, the cyclone collects dirt and

dust in a large cylinder. The cyclone operates

using a central air force and number of filters.

The filter will filter the dust and dirt into

stages, so that the air being sucked up into the

cylinder can be cleaned then released back into

the air through a central outlet.

One of the biggest obstacles to staying on track for fitness is losing motivation. People are just starting an exercise program can find themselves quickly tired of the same routine. Keeping exercise appealing and maintaining a good fitness perspective is key to long-term success.

If you have to watch the exact same episode of your favorite television show every day for the rest of your life, you would probably be banging your head against the wall by the end of the week. You would change the channel, pick up a book, or do anything you could to avoid something you once enjoyed.

Yet, many people starting on a fitness program feel compelled to follow the same routine, day after day after day, and consequently fall off the exercise wagon due to sheer boredom.

That is why, most people would want the services of a fitness trainer in order to provide them the different portions of the fitness program in a more livelier style.

Fitness trainers are actually those who are expert in analyzing and creating a fitness program that is right for you. They are the ones who will calculate your appropriateness to a certain program with regards to your “fitness level,” create the program according to your specific needs, and keep you stimulated and inspired by giving you activities that will not bore you.

But then again, as with other entities included in the fitness world, not all fitness trainers are created equal. They may vary from the different trainings that they have, the health education they have acquired, and the skills that they have learned.

Hence, it is important to consider some factors that will determine if a certain fitness trainer is right for you. Here is how:

1. Certification

Like any item or product, the quality is sometimes measured and determined through the certification that goes with it. Hence, before you choose your fitness trainer, it is important to verify if the trainer is duly certified by a highly regarded fitness association.

It is also best to choose a trainer that has a CPR certification or first aid qualifications.

2. Education/Trainings

Be sure to choose a fitness trainer who had acquired an adequate training and education as far as health and physical fitness is concerned.

Even though it is not necessary, trainers who have acquired education connected with health or any other related field will definitely have an edge over the others.

3. Knows how to give the right attention

A good fitness trainer should know how to provide his or her client an undivided attention whenever their session is going on. In this way, the trainer will be able to focus more on the details that needs attention and immediate considerations.

4. Knows how to track development

It is best to choose a fitness trainer that knows how to track his or her client’s progress as far as fitness is concerned.

In this way, the trainer will be able to generate new activities and trainings designated for a particular result of the client.

5. Good Personality

Since you will be dealing most with your fitness trainer, it is best if you will look for somebody with a pleasing personality, somebody whom you can be comfortable. It is best to hire the services of somebody whom you can easily get along with.

Boiled down, the services of a fitness center and the contributions it can give you while working out on those belly fats, are, indeed, one of the best help that you can get from a professional person who knows what he is doing.

Hence, it is best to choose the best person who can give you the best services that you need so that you will never get bored again.