60 WAYS TO INCREASE YOUR MAIL ORDER CATALOG SALES

60 WAYS TO INCREASE YOUR MAIL ORDER CATALOG SALES
Perfection in a mail order catalog is like infinity...you can
continually approach it but never quite reach it. In the case of
many catalogs, however, it is not necessary to achieve perfection
or even approach it very closely - in order to make the catalog
vastly more profitable than it is at present. Relatively small
improvements can result in a more-than-proportionate enlargement
of that all-important figure on the bottom line of the financial
statement.
Making as many improvements as possible as quickly as possible is
probably the most profitable procedure. But even making each new
catalog a little better than the one which preceded it can
produce substantial increases in sales per catalog and in total
sales over a period of time.
Following are 60 suggestions that should help your catalog do a
better selling job for you if you are not already using these
ideas. Whether you use all of them in connection with your next
catalog or adopt a few at a time in the course of producing
several future catalogs, the ultimate result should be very
noticeable and very gratifying.
BEFORE YOU CREATE YOUR CATALOG....
1. Look at your present catalog with extremely cold, critical and
unsympathetic eye. Pick out all the faults-large or small-that
you could find if you were no longer the owner of the catalog but
a nitpicking customer who has been disappointed in his or her
last purchase from you and is still sore about it. Such a review
could be very enlightening-even if it should prove slightly
embarrassing-and could make your new catalog much more
profitable.
2. Put your "letterman" on your team. Review all incoming
correspondence from customers and prospects during the last two
years for comments, suggestions or criticisms that may be helpful
in preparing your new catalog. Screen all future correspondence
of this nature as it arrives and place copies of the useful
letters in a special file to be reviewed before starting your
next catalog.
3. Think of your catalog as a means of helping your prospects
accomplish something they want to accomplish or create an effect
they want to create-and prepare your layouts, copy and
illustrations accordingly.
4. For each major type of product you sell, determine as many
reasons as possible why different groups of prospects or
customers do buy or should buy this product. Arrange your groups
of prospects or customers in their orders of importance. For each
group arrange the reasons for buying in order of their
importance. Then arrange the reasons in their order of importance
to your total group of prospects or customers. Use the most
important reasons as the basis for the copy and illustrations you
use in this catalog.
If there are significant differences in the primary reasons for
purchasing different types of products, make the presentation for
each specific type of product fit the product of using the same
type of presentation for different types of products...
5. If the preceding reasons indicate that different appeals are
needed for different groups of prospects or customers, change the
wrap-around, letter or introductory page of your catalog to
appeal to different groups, and separate your mailings
accordingly.
6. Plan your catalog completely before you start preparing
layouts and copy.. Use all 60 suggestions in this list as your
guide for your planning..
7. Plan to ring your cash register more often by using approaches
in tune with the times.
8. Plan to attract new customers-reactivate dormant customers-and
get bigger and better orders from present customers by adding new
and excitement and extras pleasure to owning or using the types
of products offered in your catalog.. For example, feature
dramatic new items, unusual items, items that are especially
timely, etc... Include unusual facts of interest about specific
items.
9. Plan to add interest to your catalog-and give it a much longer
life--by including helpful information on how to use, operate and
maintain your products...unusual uses, etc.. This is information
that customers can use to advantage and will want to keep for
future reference, Such information also increases customer
confidence in your company which correspondingly increases the
customer's inclination to buy from you.
10.. Determine whether items that were unprofitable or barely
profitable in the present catalog should be promoted more
vigorously in the new catalog or should be dropped and replaced
by new products, Never keep an unprofitable product in your
catalog just because it is one of your favorites. If it doesn't
sell, get rid of it!
11. Give your company a distinctive personality. Promote this
personality in all future catalogs as a means of making your
company not "jut another mail order marketer" but a very special
marketer in the minds of your prospects and customers.
WHEN YOU CREATE YOUR NEW CATALOG...
Use Procedure 12 to 19 to make your prospects want your products:
12. Write your copy to tie in with and stimulate the specific
reasons for buying discussed in the preceding section.
13. Wherever possible show your prospects how your merchandise
can accomplish the results desired by the prospects to a greater
degrees than competitive products-and prove it by citing results
of lab tests, field tests, wards received, other special
recognition- and especially testimonials and case history
stories, preferably with photographs. Give the prospect every
possible incentive to buy from you rather than somebody else.
14. Put special emphasis on your products and/or services which
are exclusive or markedly superior to those of your
competitors-and tell your readers WHY your products and/or
services are superior!
15. Take the prospect "behind the scenes" if practical and show
what you do (especially exclusive or improved procedures) to make
your products better than competitive products.
16. Make the most of new items the first time you offer them;
they are only new once.. Give them every opportunity to succeed
saleswise by giving them preferred position and allowing adequate
space for you to do a proper educational and selling job on them
at the time they are introduced.
17. Assure prospects that is easy to use these products...that
instructions are included with each order (if true) and/or are
available in specific books or magazines (preferably obtainable
from you)...and cite case histories to prove how successful other
customers have been in using them.
18. Tell prospect how to start using your merchandise properly
and what other action should be taken-and when-or state that this
information will be included with the shipment.
19. If your products are bought primarily for pleasure or are
considered a luxury or "non-necessity", help the prospect
rationalize the value of the purchase.
Use Procedures 20 to 26 to make it easy as possible for the
prospect to make an accurate selection of the types of
merchandise and the specific items of each type best suited for
his or her purposes:
20. Group all items of the same type in the same section of your
catalog.
21. Arrange the groups of items in their present or potential
order of importance to you profitwise. Put the most important
group at the front of your catalog and the least important near
the end of your catalog (but not on the last three pages).
22. Within each group , arrange the individual items in
descending order of quality, price, popularity or promotional
possibilities.
Give the most important items the most valuable positions and
extra space for copy and illustrations. Allocate positions and
space to the other items in the order of their importance.
23. If practicable, use the Sears system of offering the same
type of item in three different qualities-- GOOD, BETTER and
BEST- with different price ranges to match the differences in
quality. Usually it is more effective to talk about the BEST
quality first and the GOOD quality last.
24. Use COMMON copy to present features or qualities that are the
same for all or most items of the same type.
25. Use INDIVIDUAL copy to talk about the features or qualities
that make each specific item different from all or most of the
other specific items in the group.
26. In preparing the INDIVIDUAL copy above, use "parallel
construction" to help the prospect make a point-by-point
comparison of the specific items as quickly, easily and
accurately as possible.
Once the prospects have selected the merchandise they wish to
buy, make it as easy as possible for them to order Procedures
27-31
27. Be sure your ordering information is easy to understand.
28.. Make your order form easy to use, with adequate space to
write the necessary information.
29. Put in one or more extra order forms to make it easier for
customers to order again..
30. Encourage prospects to order by phone on credit, charge or
c.o.d. sales and encourages them to telephone for further
information they may desire.
31. Offer a 24-hour phone-in service through an arrangement with
a local telephone answering service who can answer your phone
during the hours that your business is nor normally open.. This
is especially convenient for the customer who shops in your
catalog during evening or weekend hours.
Make it as easy as possible for customers to pay for their orders
Procedures 32 and 33
Offer credit card service on orders for a specified amount or
more.. By putting a minimum on credit card orders you will often
increase the original order to at least that minimum amount.
Credit card orders tend to be nearly double the size of cash
orders.
33. Make it easy to determine shipping charges so they can be
included in cash-with-order payments.
Use order starters and sales stimulators such as 34 to 42
34. Use a wrap-around letter on the front of your catalog to
stimulate ,ore orders and to do a selling job on the merchandise
in the catalog; also to make special appeals to special groups or
call attention to merchandise in the catalog of special interest
to special groups.
35. Use the wrap-around to offer order starters (loss leaders or
hot items to get prospects in to the catalog).
36. Offer specials at intervals throughout the catalog to entice
readers to start an order. Once they buy even one lonely item
they'll tend to order other items to go with it.
37. Offer logical assortments of mixed or matched seasonal items
to provide extra variety and pleasure at any given period of
time. Make suggestions for these assortments and provide
inducements for prospects to order them.
38. Offer assortments of mixed or matched items designed for use
during different seasons in order to provide variety and pleasure
throughout the year (or most of it) instead of during just one
season.
39. Offer a free guide or plan for using each assortment above
correctly and offer information on how to make the most effective
overall use of the assortments.
40. Offer a gift or discount for orders of certain sizes and use
a stairstep graduated approach to increase the value of these
discounts or gifts as the size of the order increases.
41. Offer a gift-shipping with gift cards.
42. Provide extra services such as "Seeker Service" for items not
listed in the catalog. Through extra service techniques you will
make your customers more dependent on the information you provide
and they will become more dedicated customers.
Stimulate promptness in ordering Procedures 43 and 44
43. Use action incentives to spark early orders, such as premiums
for ordering by a specified date; special offers for a limited
time only; etc. When a time limit is involved, send a reminder
(letter, promotional mailing, second catalog, etc) timed to
arrive two weeks ahead of expiration date (as nearly as you can
time it with current third class mail service).
44. Mention frequently and prominently in your catalog that
anyone who orders merchandise from this catalog will
automatically receive the next catalog free. If you wish, this
offer can be modified to require the purchase of a specified
amount during the life of the catalog or by a specified date.
Other suggestions Procedures 45 to 53
45. Use the back cover of your catalog for special offers; also
the inside front and back covers and the pages facing the inside
covers.
46. Use teaser copy and cross-references throughout the catalog
to entice readers (into other sections. This can be especially
effective when related accessory items are sold.
47. Concentrate service information on a Service Page; locate it
on a page conveniently adjacent to the order form; and use
frequent cross-references to this page throughout the catalog to
stimulate extra page traffic.
48. Humanize yourself and your catalog by making it seem like the
catalog came from helpful, friendly people. If your business is
truly a "family business" don't hide that fact.
49. Watch your language! Avoid using technical "industry or
business jargon" in your selling and service copy; keep legal
phraseology to the absolute minimum in your guarantee.
50. Make your entire catalog harmonious in layout and copy style
but not monotonous. Include enough variety to keep the reader
interested instead of becoming bored.
51. Give your catalog a longer life by emphasizing the length of
time that you will be able to ship from it and suggesting that
readers keep the catalog for future reference.
52. Ask for referrals from your satisfied customers; also names
of friends who might like to receive a copy of the catalog.
Consider testing the "cluster concept" that neighbors are very
similar and nail to your customers next door neighbors.
53. Sell subscriptions to your catalog by providing a location on
the catalog for readers to remit 50 cents for a "full years
subscription to your catalog." You can also suggest that they
give a "gift subscription" to a friend very inexpensively (and
thus pay for the catalog you mail to the referral).
AFTER YOU CREATE YOUR NEW CATALOG...
54. Use the basic or major catalog to establish the value and
regular price of the merchandise. Use other, smaller catalogs or
solo mailings to promote sales from the major catalog or to
provide special reasons for buying (reduced prices on individual
items or special assortments, closeout, etc).
55. Ask the recipient to pass the catalog along to an interested
friend if the recipient already has a copy or is no longer
interested in this type of merchandise.
56. Re-mail the same catalog to your better customers 3 to 5
weeks after you mail it the first time.
57. Prepare an alternate cover for the catalog and mail the same
catalog to your entire list several weeks later. You'll find it
will do just about as well as the first mailing did.
58. Mail to your BETTER CUSTOMERS monthly, featuring items
carried in the catalog- don't rely solely on the
once-or-twice-a-year catalog.
59. Use your catalog as a package stuffer-enclose one with every
order you ship. Your best prospect is the person who just placed
an order with you and received prompt and safe delivery of the
items ordered.
60. Be prompt in acknowledging orders (with thanks), answering
inquiries, shipping merchandise and making refunds or exchanges
if necessary. Remember the old adage of that great retailer
Marshall Field, "the customer is always right." Less than 2% of
the population will intentionally try to take advantage of you
and the other 98% are well worth cultivating.
...And just as every good mail order catalog has something extra
thrown in for good measure make the customer happier...here's our
extra one for good measure!
61. If you receive a change-of-address notice from one of your
customers, immediately mail a copy of your catalog addressed to
"The New Residents at (the former address of the customer)"
because the new residents probably has tastes and interests very
similar to those of your customer-after all, he bought the same
house! To give this mailing added power, you might tip a note
onto the front cover of the book stating that "the Smiths used
our catalog regularly, maybe you'll find it equally useful."

YOU CAN WIN OIL LEASES FORM THE GOVERNMENT

YOU CAN WIN OIL LEASES FORM THE GOVERNMENT
The public faces a barrage of newspapers, telephone and direct
mail advertisements promising quick wealth and fortune through
"too good to be true" opportunities.
Perhaps you have been among those invited to take advantage of
such opportunity by entering a drawing for oil gas leases on
federal lands. The ad says: write for details or send a check to
cover the cost of filing fee and other services, and have your
name entered in the drawing.
It is really possible to strike it rich? How slim are the odds
and what are the risks?
The purpose of this report is to acquaint you with the relit and
procedures involved regarding oil and gas leasing form the
Government.
TYPES OF LEASES
Lands that are not within any known geologic structure of a
producing oil and gas field, commonly known as "wildcat" lands,
are subject to leasing to the first qualified person making
application for a lease. Such lease is termed non competitive
since the applicant is entitled to the lease without competiting
bidding.
LOCATION OF TRACTS
Many tracts offered for non competitive leasing are in the
Western States where most of the public land is located. These
are the states of Alaska, California, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho,
Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. Occasionally, a
few tracts in Washington and Oregon are offered.
Tracts in the Midwest and East are also put up for non
competitive leasing. The tracts are primary in Alabama, Arkansas,
Florida, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi and Ohio.
HOW THE DRAWINGS WORK
Each State Office of the Bureau of Land Management prepares and
posts a list of lands within its jurisdiction that are available
for releasing. These tracts range in size form 40 acres up to a
maximum of 10,240 acres. These list a may be viewed in the State
Offices or obtained from the State Offices by mail for a small
charge, usually $5 to $10 per list.
If any lands are available for releasing, the Bureau of Land
Management State Office posts its list on the first day of
business for the months of February, April, June, August,
October, and December. Applications are accepted until the close
of business on the 15th working day after the list is posted. If
more than one application is received for a given tract, a
drawing is held to decide who will get the lease. All application
for simultaneous oil and gas leases must be submitted to the
Wyoming State Office, which maintains a central computerized
system.
QUALIFICATIONS AND LIMITATIONS
Federal oil and gas leases may be obtained and held by any
citizen of the United States; however, no lease may be acquired
by a minor, but it may be issued to a legal guardian or trustee
in behalf of the minor. Associations of citizens and corporations
under the laws of the United States or of the State also qualify.
Aliens amy not hold any interest in leases. They may, however,
own or control stock in a corporation holding leases, if the laws
of their country do not deny similar privileges to citizens of
the United States.
No person, association, or corporation may hold, own or control
oil and gas leases for than 246,080 acres in any one State.
HOW TO FILE
Applications may be filed on any of the parcels shown on the list
posted in the BLM State Office. The parcel applied for must be
identified by the number shown on the list.
Each offer to lease must be submitted on a official Automated
Simultaneous Oil and Gas Lease Application (forms 3112-6), The
applications must be fully completed and personally signed in ink
by the applicant, or anyone authorized to sign on behalf of the
applicant, during the filing period.
Each part B application form must be accompanied by a non
refundable $75 filing fee for each parcel, and the first year's
rental of $1 per acre or fraction thereof.
Each applicant must contain the actual business or residential
address of the applicant. Addresses of third parties filing on
behalf of the applicant are not permitted.
An applicant may file, or have an interest in, only one
application for any one parcel; however, an applicant may file,
or have an interest in, one application each for as many
different parcels as he or she wishes.
THE DRAWING
After the close of the filing period on the 25th working day
after the list is posted, a computer-generated random selection
is conducted at the Wyoming State Office. Because of the heavy
volume of applicants that must be processed, selection does not
occur until the following month.
One applicant is randomly selected for each numbered parcel. If
the applicant selected is unacceptable or rejected, a reselection
will be made by computer from the remaining applications. Each
applicant is notified of the results of his application in the
random selection. The advance rental will be refunded to
nonwinners.
CHOOSING A PARCEL
It should be remembered that these lands have been leased
previously and are not known to contain deposits of oil or gas.
Neither the Bureau of Land Management nor any other Federal
agency can make any recommendation concerning the potential value
of any parcel offered for non competitive leasing.
Most applicants use a "Filing Service" to select parcels. Some
service charge a fee to evaluate parcels on the basis of
geological and marketing data; others offer maps and information
about the activities of oil companies operating in the area where
the various parcels are located. A third type of filing service
charges a fee for selecting a parcel from the list posted by the
Bureau and assisting the applicant in filing application.
Neither BLM, nor any other Federal agency, endorses any filing
service. None are in any way with the Federal Government.
Be wary of filing services that paint an overly optimistic
picture of your chances of winning and making money. Consider
these firms may file for hundreds and even thousands of clients
on a limited number of parcels, and the more interest these firms
can generate in drawings, the more applications will be filed on
each parcel, and the less chance each individual will have of
obtaining a lease.
The names of firms or individuals that specialize as filing
services may be located through business or professional
associations, through oil and gas trade publications or chambers
of commerce. They sometimes are listed under the heading "Federal
Leasing Services" in the yellow pages of telephone directories.
Anyone considering the use of a filing services should carefully
examine what services are offered and how big
a premium is being charged beyond the required $75 filing fee and
the advance rental that must be paid to BLM for each filing.
Possible source of information on a filing service are the Better
Business Bureau in the area where the firm is located and the
State, county or local consumer protection agency.
LEASE TERM AND CONDITIONS
The lease grants the lessee the right to explore and drill for,
extract, remove and dispose of oil and gas deposits, except
helium, that may be found in leased lands. Such leases are issued
for a period of 10 years and so long thereafter as oil and gas
are produced in paying quantities. The lessee cannot build a
house on the land, cultivate the land, or remove any minerals
other than oil and gas from the leased land.
Before any drilling operation can commence, the lessee or his
operator must fournish a bond to assure compliance with all the
lease terms, including protection of the environment.
WHAT IS THE LEASE WORTH
The value of oil and gas leases varies greatly. None of the
tracts offered has known potential for oil and gas production. In
certain cases, non competitive leases have brought substantial
profit to the winners. Generally, however, these leases average
only a few dollars per acre if resold.
SELLING OR ASSIGNING A LEASE
Many people who acquire an oil and gas lease through the leasing
system do not intend to drill for oil or gas. Often the motive
for entering the drawing is to sell the lease to an oil company
for a profit.
If the lease is located in an area which may be attractive to
industry, interested buyers may make an offer.
A willing buyer may offer a lump sum for a lease. In some cases,
the original lessee can negotiate to retain a royalty interest in
any future production from the lease.
CAUTION
Any person who considers entering the oil and has drawing should
keep certain facts in mind:
* The land offered for leasing was formerly included in oil and
gas leases that expired, terminated, or were relinquished or
canceled.
* The land involved is not recognized as being within a know
geological structure of a producing oil or gas field.
* Your offer to lease is strictly a gamble. Since a very
large percentage of the tracts won are never drilled on, your
parcel may not have any potential for oil and gas even if you win
the drawing.
* the more desirable parcels may attract hundreds, even thousands
of applications.
WHAT TO DO NEXT TO PARTICIPATE
After carefully reading this report, if you wish to participate
in the drawings of your own, here is how to proceed:
Select the geographical area that interest
Locate the BLM State Office that is responsible for the area you
have selected. Write that state for information. The State Office
will send you application forms and tell you how much it will
cost you to receive by mail the list from which you must select
your tracts for the drawing.

HOW TO START OPERATE A SUCCESSFUL CO-OP MAILING SERVICE

HOW TO START & OPERATE A SUCCESSFUL CO-OP MAILING SERVICE
Aside from advertising, the biggest expense involved in mail order business is postage. This means that virtually everyone involved in mail order is on the look-out for ways to save money getting their sales offers out to prospects. The answer is co-op mailings.
Here's how a typical co-op mailing service works: A person with something to sell via mail sees an advertisement inviting him or her to send their circulars or brochures to co-op mailing service. The co-op mailing service receives these circulars or brochures and hires housewives or handicapped people to fold and stuff them into envelopes and then mails them. For this service, they charge anywhere from $10 to $100 per thousand--and it's a good deal to the mailer.
Now, quite naturally the co-op mailer can do this and make any money unless he's got a number of circulars or brochures from several customers in each envelope he sends out. And that's precisely how he makes his money--by including 10 to 16 such circulars in each envelope. Look at it from a mathematical point of view; Say he charges 12 people $50 per thousand to fold and stuff their circulars in his own outgoing mail. Twelve times 50 dollars comes out to 600 dollars--he uses his own mailing lists, so there's no big expense involved there--but he does have to pay for people to fold and stuff envelopes unless he's got it organized where he and his family do this...The going rate of people to fold and stuff circulars is about $20 per thousand...And to bulk rate 1,000 envelopes is going to cost $110...Add to that about $12 1,000 envelopes and you've got a total overhead of $142...Subtract that amount from $600 he took in, and you have him realizing a profit of $458...Not bad for mailing...
The best thing of all about starting and operating a co-op mailing service is that you can include your own circulars or brochures with each envelope you send out. You stuff circulars or brochures from 12 different paying customers, and at the same time, include at least two of your own.
So how do you get started in such an easy and highly profitable business...
The simplest way is to have and advertising coupon-- 3 1/2 by 6 inches--made up and include one with everything you mail out.
Another sure-fire method of pulling in orders is to turn a simple classified ad in as many of the national coverage mail order publications as you can afford. Such an ad look like this:
CO-OP MAILING! Best customers in
the country. Just $50 per thousand-
you supply the circulars--we mail!
Excello Mailing Services, Po 99
Washington, DC 20001
A couple of things you should do in order to handle the orders you'll be getting...Be sure to have a number of people lined up/available to do the folding and stuffing of envelopes for you--and also, be sure to get yourself a bulk rate postage permit.
With those details out of the way, all you really have to do when the orders come in is drop off the circulars to be folded and stuffed into envelopes, with the envelopes, your return address can be rubber stamped on the envelopes as they are applying the mailing address labels as well as your bulk rate mail permit indicia, and you're on your way.
By including a co-op mail advertising coupon with each piece of mail that you send out, plus regular advertising in most of the mail order publication, you'll be pleasantly surprised at how fast your profits will grow. Once you get organized and have all the bugs worked out of your system, you might also want to expand your business to include your local area.
To do this, you either call on your local area businesses and professional people, or else hire commission sales people to do the selling for you. Most small businesses are interested in sending out regular sale flyers or catalogs, so you or your sales people simply call upon these people and offer to do the job for the.
Contact with a good printer in your area will also be to your benefit. You can offer to have the circulars printed--you collect a commission from the printer, and make a bundle of profits with your mailing services.
If you sign just 5 different stores in 5 different shopping centers, you could really be rolling in money within just a very short period of time. $50 per thousand--times 5 stores--you have $250. And when you multiply that times 5 different shopping centers, you're talking about $1,250. Then if you get all of these people to go with your services on a regular basis--say once a month, you've got yourself a very respectable monthly income that will certainly keep you from the Poor House...
Whenever you send out mail, you should always include your co-op mail advertising coupon, plus at least two advertising circulars of your own. By doing this, you'll continue to pull in more business for your mailing services, and at the same time make money from whatever you're selling on your advertising circulars.
Finally, as with any business you might be thinking of starting, the business should be primarily something to keep you busy and pay your bills. Any business that your start should be "vehicle" to eventually make you rich. Thus, you'll have to know about the business, but just as soon as you can afford it, you should hire other people to do the work. In other words, with this particular business Don't involve yourself and commit your time to the folding and stuffing. Hire other people to do this work for you while you work on the expansion of the business by calling on local people that can use your services. At the same time, it would be wise to hire a number of commission sales people--the more people you have calling on prospects, the more money you're going to make and the faster your business will grow. Actually, and dependent on your energies, there's no reason why a co-op mailing business can't bring in $100,000 a year or more. The opportunity is available in almost every city and hamlet in the country. We've told you how it can be done, and the rest is up to you!

THE END.

Why pay for home improvement when you can do it yourself?

Why pay for home improvement when you can do it yourself?
There has been a decline in consumer confidence in the building and construction industry. This may be the same reason why many are now doing home improvements by themselves.
Why not? A little knowledge of the technical aspects combined with the eye for creativity is enough to do the home improvement on your own.
Why are people turning to do-it-yourself home improvements?
Many construction workers who do not have a lot of experience or expertise in construction or home maintenance are out there right now trying to work on these homes across the country.
As a result, homeowners are finding that the jobs are not being completed to their satisfaction. Sometimes they are even prepaying for services that do not get done or are not part of the plan.
You do not have to rely and pay someone to improve your home. Why not try to do it yourself?
You can enhance your home’s existing concrete surfaces using acid stains, acrylic stains, epoxy paints, and scoring techniques.
If you are tired of looking at dreary gray concrete, there are some easy projects for the serious home improvement do-it-yourselfer to give your patio, driveway, garage, etc. a refreshing new look.
Decorative concrete work costs double or even triple that of regular concrete. This is why many people cannot afford it.
There are inexpensive ways to decorate concrete after it has cured without having to pay skilled tradesmen.
Acid based concrete stains are becoming more and more popular for coloring concrete surfaces. They chemically react with the cementitious material to produce permanent color with variegated or mottled appearance like that of marble. This results in a natural, elegant looking surface.
Water based concrete stains are an alternative to acid stains and are much more user friendly because they’re much less toxic. These stains do not chemically react with the concrete; they are absorbed into the surface pores and act like a dye. The big advantage of water based stains is the wide array of colors available.
If you want to venture beyond the basic staining of concrete, consider using some scoring techniques to create patterns on the surface.
You can make your concrete look like a tile floor for example. It is up to your imagination. An angle grinder with a 4 inch grinding or cutting wheel is the ideal tool for this.
The important thing to remember when scoring is to draw the pattern on the concrete first and make sure you are satisfied with the way it looks because scoring is irreversible.
Epoxy paints make an excellent coating for garage floors and basement floors. Many commercial floors have epoxy coatings because of their durability and resistance to chemical spills as well as their appearance.
In recent years, however, it has become very popular for residential use with an increasing availability of different colors. This is not a difficult project, but the key to successful application is surface preparation.
Epoxy paints have also become available in a water based form making it safe for the do-it-yourselfer and ideal for indoor applications. They cost a little more than stains. For a 400 square foot garage, you’ll spend about $200 for the materials needed for this project.
See? You do not have to spend money to have your home improved. You have the capability to do it yourself. With some instructions and a little bit of work, anyone can turn boring concrete into their own masterpiece.

Helping your consumers to gain more profits

Helping your consumers to gain more profits
Consumers are individuals or households that consume goods and services generated within the economy. Since this includes just about everyone, the term is a political term as much as an economic term when it is used in everyday speech.
Typically when business people and economists talk of consumers they are talking about person as consumer, an aggregated commodity item with little individuality other than that expressed in the buy not buy decision.
However there is a trend in marketing to individualize the concept. Instead of generating broad demographic profile and psychographic profiles of market segments, marketers are engaging in personalized marketing, permission marketing, and mass customization.
A consumer is assumed to have a budget which can be spent on a range of goods and services available on the market. Under the assumption of rationality, the budget allocation is chosen according to the preference of the consumer, i.e. to maximize his or her utility function.
In 'time series' models of consumer behavior, the consumer may also invest a proportion of their budget in order to gain a greater budget in future periods. This investment choice may include either fixed rate interest or risk-bearing securities.
In the context of mental health, consumer is also a term applied to describe a person living with mental illness. Literally, it is not really what is states. They are the people seeking for help in their own profile of their mentality. You can let them gain their life back on track and achieve your goal at the same time.
Problems may also arise when dealing with your possible prospects.
Many patients are frustrated because, despite their best intentions, they seem unable to adhere to an exercise or "diet" program. Actually, there are several proven strategies that can be used to help us be successful in our efforts to improve an aspect of our lifestyle.
First, make a plan and make sure it fits their lifestyle. For example, if you're planning on beginning an exercise program, think ahead about how you're going to carve out the time in their already busy life. In this respect, anything you can do to make the exercise program a regular, daily part of your routine will be helpful.
It's often a good idea to ask those around you to help you in your endeavors. Anything you can do to help assure the support of your family, friends and co-workers will increase the odds of success.
Remember that most of the changes you make, whether changing what you prefer to eat, or changing your schedule to include exercise, will affect those around you. One of the best examples of this is the difficulty that smokers have trying to quit when those around them are smoking.
If you strictly adhere to a "proven" program that has succeeded for others, however, and fail to produce the results you want, you may become discouraged or filled with self-doubt. There are many reasons to explain why self-help techniques fail, and many steps to take to feel good about yourself regardless of the result. Like every other field, the "experts" in self-help disagree on just about everything.
Always remember this: no matter how smart or "successful" someone is, how much "proof" you're given, how much you trust or respect someone, or how logical something seems, it's just an opinion, just what worked for someone else, just a possible pathway to success.

Put some additional self improvement link to your site

Put some additional self improvement link to your site
As a Webmaster, you are forever searching for ways to make more money from your website. One of the better ways to do this is to add or link some self improvement concepts into the contents.
Many webmasters have found that there are a few key programs they can add on their sites for which they can honestly expect to make a few extra dollars, a few hundred extra dollars, and in some cases, a few thousand extra dollars every month.
The trick to linking income from third-party programs is to carefully select programs that are relevant to your site visitors, while insuring that the program you promote does not directly compete with your own offerings.
If you are giving something to your visitors that they will find useful, above and beyond your normal offerings that is considered an "added value" item. Not only will it give your customers something they appreciate, it will help them grow closer to you as a business owner. That way, there will appear a link between you and the customers to pave the way for improvement.
This is helpful in accelerating the trust level that your customers have with you and your business which can only serve you well over the long term. By adding this foundation of trust, your visitors will come back to your site and buy from you again because they know that they can trust you to treat them well.
On the web, more so than in brick-and-mortar, the trust factor is the most important hurdle that the small business owner must overcome with his potential customers. There are so many scams and rip-offs on the web, that an honest soul is especially appreciated.
It is important to select your "added value" offerings based on the interests of your web site visitors. The closer your offerings are to the needs of your target market, the more successful you will become selling your added value products.
If your website is concerned with self-improvement, self-esteem, dating, relationships, love or marriage, then you could do very well for yourself promoting the e-book, "How To Identify Your Soulmate."
Love relationships are failing in an alarming rate. In order to help as many people find happiness and self improvement. Years of research on love relationships would not be enough to understand these things.
Why do some fail and why some succeed?
No matter the specifics of the situation the reader may be in, "How To Identify Your Soulmate" can assist people in their quest to achieve success in their love relationships.
Products and services, which are relevant to the people who already visit your website and do not conflict or compete with your current offerings, are ideally suited to allow you to deliver added value offerings to your visitors.
These added offerings will help you to build the trust level that your visitors have with you. Not to mention that they will also help you add new layers of profitability to your website.
In the end, you should always strive to prepare your ezine or website to deliver more dollars. Target those people who want to have more than just material things in life. Add self improvement links to what you have already.
These added links and information would be your perfect vehicles to take you where you want to go.

Top Beach Vacation Spots

Top Beach Vacation Spots
No matter what season it may be, taking a beachvacation is both fun and relaxing. There are manybeaches all over the world to pick from. You can choose from a white sandy beach, lava rock beach,secluded beach, or a popular beach - as the choiceis entirely up to you.
1. Polo Beach - HawaiiThe Polo Beach of Hawaii is a sandy beach withclear water, making it ideal for swimming and alsosnorkeling. It's located in South Maui and frontedby the Fairmont Kea Lani Maui, which is a luxurybeach vacation resort.
2. Seven Mile Beach - JamaicaThe Seven Mile Beach of Negril is the longest stretchof white sand in Jamaica. Located near Negril onthe western tip of Jamaica, this beach is truly anawesome sight to behold. Here, you can find your favorite stretch of the beach and coconut palm tree and just relax near the ocean. You can alsostay at the Caves, which is located very close tothe beach.
3. Atlantis Paradise - BahamasHere, you can experience the white sandy beaches ofthe Caribbean. Atlantis Paradise gives you longromantic walks on the beach or the chance to playin the water at the resort. This paradise offersyou tropical climate with your own personal sliceof heaven - something every beach lover will trulyappreciate.
4. Heron Island - AustraliaLocated on the Great Barrier Reef, Heron Island beaches offer excellent swimming and snorkelingwith truly amazing marine life. The tropicalisland of Heron offers scuba divers over 20 different diving sites. You can forget the stressof everyday life here and just immerse yourself inwonder.
5. Madeira - PortugalThe beach here at Reid's Palace Hotel is quite therocky beach, with sharp black rocks. You can spendtime lounging by the pool taking in the views, orswimming in the ocean. The weather here is pleasant most of the time, making your beach vacationsomething you'll remember for a long time to come.
6. Miami BeachA great spot for movie stars and fashion models,Miami Beach offers plenty of sandy beaches, severalrestaurants, and night long parties at one of thelocal nightclubs. If you are looking for theideal place to stay, The Tides is a luxurious hotel with many spectacular views. Miami Beach is also popular in the United States - one of thebest beach vacations out there.

Ocracoke Island Vacation

Ocracoke Island Vacation
Accessible by only ferry, private boat, or by air,Ocracoke Island seems to make time stand still onit's 16 mile island. What really makes this islandspecial is that over three quarters of it is protectedCape Hatteras National Seashore property.
Within Ocracoke Island North Carolina, there aremany different houses, schools, parks, and numerousboat ramps and places for beach access. The communityis very friendly here, making it a perfect beachvacation spot for the entire family.
For everything practical and not so practical you'llneed while your away from home, you can find it hereon Ocracoke Island. From beach chairs and boards tomanicures and massages, and rental cars to finding acaterer - you can find everything you need to makeyour beach vacation a dream come true.
For nearly 12 continuous miles, the dunes and marshlands of the island are untouched, providing a homefor birds, deer, muskrats, rabbits, and other wildanimals. The several beaches on the island are some of the last pristine beaches left in America. Fishermenand anglers are allowed to drive on the beach, withsurf fishing being truly great here.
If you visit Ocracoke Island in the summer, you'llfind that there is always something to do. Theisland has a happening nightlife as well, whichis perfect for those who want more than just thebeach on their vacation.
If you live close to North Carolina, Ocracoke Islandis possibly closer than you may realize. Those ofyou who have been looking for the perfect beach vacation can find it here. All you have to do is book a hotel then let the good times roll.

Sandy Lane Resort

Sandy Lane Resort
A luxurious beach resort in Barbados, the Sandy Laneresort is a paradise for honeymooners. Offering acombination of privacy, numerous activities, andfirst class service, the resort is located on thewest coast of the island of Barbados. Sandy Lanealso offers three golf courses and a 47,000 squarefoot spa. The resort also offers a white sand beachand the Caribbean Sea.
The island of Barbados offers tropical climate withyear round temperatures that stay between 75 and85 degrees. The non stop flights to Barbados takearound 4.5 hours from New York City, making the island one of the best beach vacation spots from theEast Coast.
The country club at Sandy Lane Resort is a golfers'paradise. The resort spa, fronted by a waterfalland swimming pool, offers guests a combination ofrelaxing and healing therapies from the Far East,Caribbean, and even Europe. For the ultimate in spaindulgence you should try one of the nine VIPtreatment suites with a private landscaped gardenand three hydrotherapy pools.
The 112 resort rooms are both luxurious and very spacious, with each one offering a plasma televisionand high speed internet access. The hotel also provides 24 hour room service, and maid cleaningservice twice a day.
If you plan to go on a family vacation, the resortoffers the Tree House Club, which is a special facility designed for children 3 - 12. Kids herecan experience exciting thrills, such as swimmingwith turtles and easter egg hunts. The resortwill also offer you and your family a number ofexciting water sports, tennis, and even shopping.
The signature restaurant, L'Acajou, serves Frenchcuisine that features fresh island seafood andother local treats. The restaurant also offersyou an open air setting on the waterfront, thatoffers you breathtaking panoramic views.

Beach Vacations For Winter

Beach Vacations For Winter
During the winter months, finding a beach vacationspot can be a little difficult. It doesn't haveto be, which is where this article will really comein handy. Below, you'll find some resorts thatoffer a unique twist to your winter beach vacation.
1. Molokai Ranch and LodgeOn a white sand shore on the tiny Hawaiian island ofMolokai, guests will stay in comfortable yet uniquetents. Each double unit canvas bungalow sits on wooden platforms, offers queen size beds in one unit, twin beds in the other, solar powered lights,and a private bathroom with hot water showers.
The Molokai Ranch and Lodge offers over 54,000acres, including seaside cliffs with very lushvalleys. The outdoor activities here include seakayaking, cultural hikes, mountain biking, andhorseback rides. For the kids, the lodge offersnature walks, horse stables, tidal pools and Hawaiian arts and crafts.
2. Grand Wailea Resort and Spa of HawaiiLong ago, a big swimming pool was enough to makeguests happy. Now days, resorts compete in wateractivities such as lagoons, waterfalls, water slides, and even lazy rivers.
The Grand Wailea Resort offers several attractions,such as the 4,580 square foot Hibiscus pool, and the 25,700 square foot Canyon Activity poolwhich is great for families.
3. Atlantis Resort of the BahamasIn the amazing water fun department is the uniqueAtlantis Resort and Spa on Paradise Island inthe Bahamas. Along with the beach, the Atlantishas eleven swimming pools, Mayan Temple waterslides, and lazy river rides. The Atlantisalso boasts an amazing marine habitat, withexhibit lagoons that house more than 50,000sea animals.
4. Club Med Punta CanaOver the last several years, the Dominion Republic has been working very hard to establishitself as a destination for families, with manyall inclusives being built. This location hasall the perks of a tropical resort plus standout features that include kids programs, and other attractions that make Club Med Punta Canaone of the most unique beach vacation spots inthe entire world.
5. Virgin IslandsThe US Virgin Islands National Park is a very unique vacation spot with white sandy beaches, andlodging in comfortable tent cottages.
As with the Molokai Ranch, guest cottages are builton platforms and designed to be both attractiveand comfortable. Each one has a sleeping area,bed linen, towels, kitchen utensils, stove, icecooler, and even a private deck.
Water sports for the area include kayaking, windsurfing, snorkeling, and scuba diving. There is also an outdoor restaurant and a food store forthose who want to cook from the privacy of theirown room.

Beach Vacation Ideas

9 Beach Vacation Ideas
When it comes to go on your beach vacation, it can be very hard to pick a destination. There are manyplaces you can go, whether you want to explore thebeaches of Hawaii or just play golf in Georgia. Below, you'll find 9 ideas to help you decide onwhere to go for your vacation.
1. Hawaii resortYou can choose to put your frequent flier miles togood use and take a beach vacation on the island ofHawaii. Here, you can relax on the beach, swim inthe ocean, play golf, and even indulge in one ofthe many innovative spa treatments. Hawaii enjoyssome of the best weather in the world - making it a great choice for your beach vacation.
2. Golf and Beach in GeorgiaPopular among the East Coast, the Cloister at SeaIsland in Georgia offers you 54 holes of championshipgolf, sandy beaches, and a wide array of things foryou to do.
3. Oahu beach vacationAt the Kahala Mandarin Oriental you can expect to bepampered like never before. You can visit the spa,take scuba diving classes, or choose to swim it upwith the dolphins. The resort is conveniently located 15 minutes away from Honolulu and WaikikiBeach.
4. Virgin Islands vacationAt this vacation destination you can enjoy bluewaters and sandy beaches. The Ritz Carlton, andSt. Thomas resorts offer you the best of luxuryhotels during your beach vacation in the VirginIslands.
5. Half Moon Bay CaliforniaLocated just 30 minutes by car away from San Francisco, the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay is a quick beach vacation away from the normal busy lifeof the city.
6. Luxury Beach Resort of BermudaTwo hours away by flight from New York City, Bermuda is a quick and ideal vacation away from theEast Coast. Ariel Sands offers you 47 guest roomswith gourmet food and breathtaking views.
7. Romance and seclusion in JamaicaWith unique rooms and splendid views of the Caribbean, gourmet cuisine and amazing beaches, The Caves resort in Jamaica helps to set the beachvacation mood like never before.
8. Lakeside Resort GeorgiaNear Atlanta Georgia, the Lake Lanier Islands offersa golf course for golf lovers and a waterpark withseveral water rides, slides, and water attractionsthe entire family will enjoy.
9. Family fun in HawaiiThe Kona Village Resort in Hawaii offers you several vacation activities that include snorkeling,kayaking, sailing, volleyball, tennis, fishing,scuba diving, and glass bottom boat tours.

Heal Your Heartburn Through Acid Reflux Diet

Heal Your Heartburn Through Acid Reflux Diet
Acid Reflux, another term for heartburn, is a disease which is created by a simple imbalance of chemical make-up in the body--the attack of acid reflux in the esophagus when it is supposed to be in the stomach only.
The fact that Acid Reflux, the acid indigestion, affects not just adults but also infants and children, make it essential for everyone to be aware of its symptoms and how it can be prevented.
Since the Acid Reflux is triggered by various foods like chocolate, citrus fruits, spicy foods, including fried and fatty foods. Together with the time of day the foods are eaten and over eating which causes excessive weight. Therefore, the key to avoid the heartburning uneasiness brought by the Acid reflux also lies on the foods—a manage diet.
Truth in studies show that a specific food can head out acid reflux, so it is vital that everyone must take a careful observation of their eating habits.
Nevertheless, any person who is suffering from Acid Reflux needs a diet that would suit to treat the illness, the foods that should be taken and those which should not be.
Now, you might be wondering what could be the best diet to observe to avoid acid reflux, the heartburn-free recipes that are fitted to an Acid Reflux diet.
It was distinguished that drinking milk can be a speedy cure to alleviate acid reflux trouble. Although, milk produces an action and encourages discharge of more stomach acid, causing then acid reflux.
So, people affected by heartburn should follow a diet wherein they eat a small meal during dinner and follow it up with a small snack before they go to sleep, crackers for instance.
Likewise, they should make sure that they their meal are rich in complex carbohydrates. This includes breads, rice and pasta; this fixes the excessive acid in the stomach, hence, giving it an easy feeling.
Chew your foods well, do not rush on eating, 20 minutes for each meal will do. Extract all the nourishment that you can get in your food.
Along with the diet, it is also advisable to keep yourself in a straight position during and after eating, for least 45 minutes.
Remove from your diet high-fat foods, this will tend to stay in the stomach longer, with this, the stomach will be forced to produce more acids for digestion.
In addition, avoid eating large meals; this will also stimulate the stomach to produce more acids to digest them.
One the medical specialists’ recommendations is to add more plant protein in your diet, like beans and lentils, in this process the animal protein that you have taken will be replaced.
Also, try to observe in your diet the time you spend for eating, the amount of your meal, your relaxation when you eat, and how thorough you chew your food. It is advisable that you take several small meals in a day, than you take large meals regularly, for instance six small meals a day will do than having three large ones. The procedure is simply breaking up the meal.
If you want additional information regarding proper diet to battle Acid Reflux, you can visit a nutrition-oriented health care practitioner like a dietician, naturopathic physician, or nutritionist. They can give you accurate dietary schemes that will fit your private health needs and objectives.

Keeping Pregnant Women Away From Acid Reflux Dilemma

Keeping Pregnant Women Away From Acid Reflux Dilemma
Many women tend to experience heartburn symptoms when they are still carrying their babies, and this happens for several reasons.
One of these is the increase of hormones in the women’s body while they are pregnant. The occurrence of this will result in softening the ligaments which function is to keep the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) firmly closed. When the LES rests at unsuitable periods, tendency is, this will let the gastric acid and food to reflux back to the esophagus and throat.
One more reason of experiencing heartburn during pregnancy is because the changes in the body and the development of the baby creates more pressure in the women’s stomach. Therefore, the stomach contents are forced right into the LES, and then to the esophagus.
However, there are several methods that a pregnant woman can observe to lessen the discomfort brought by heartburn. The following are good advices, although this may not remove the heartburn totally:
• Avoid the food that triggers heartburn. Examples of this are chocolates, spicy foods, citrus fruits and juices, mustard, tomatoes and tomato based products, fatty foods, fried foods, and highly seasoned dishes. Try to refer to medical specialists to know the complete list of foods to avoid Acid Reflux. Also, for foods that you may take which contains little danger of causing heartburn.
• Get rid of drinks that have caffeine, like tea, coffee, and soda. Too much of these will cause the LES to relax and let the acid to return into the esophagus.
• Stay away from alcohol beverages. This, like caffeine tends to relax the LES thus, creating the same effect—triggering heartburn.
• Avoid eating large meals. It is suggested that taking numerous small meals throughout the day will be better.
• Avoid rush in eating your meals. Chewing food thoroughly will really help in avoidance of heartburn, so better take your time in eating.
• Rest for at least three hours after having your last meal before taking your sleep.
• A pregnant woman is advised to take more glasses of water a day, at least 8 to 10 glasses, though this must be taken not just during meals. Through this, the stomach will expand, and then the LES will be given more pressure, obliging it to open inappropriately. Hence, it is really recommended to drink more water and other fluids in between meals.
• When sleeping elevate the head of the bed for at least six to eight inches. Try to sleep with an elevated head and shoulders through a wedge pillow. Through this, the gravity will work as much that it will keep the acids in your stomach in their place—in the stomach, not in the esophagus. Try to consult physicians to gain additional knowledge on how to relieve nighttime heartburn.
• Don’t wear tight fitting clothes. Tightness around the waist and stomach will trigger heartburn as it causes uneasiness.
• When bending, do it at the knees, not at the waist. This will avoid in creating too much pressure in the stomach.
• Don’t slouch; rather sit erect in a relaxing chair.
• Maintain a sensible amount of weight, too much weight and fatness will give more stress in your stomach. As a result, this will force stomach contents throughout the LES and to the esophagus. Stay with your doctors guidelines.
• Avoid smoking. Doctors stated that smoking could cause several effects to a pregnant woman, much that it can add to the possibility of experiencing heartburn.

Magnifying Acid Reflux

Magnifying Acid Reflux
Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), the medical term for “Acid Reflux” is defined as the product of abnormal reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus thus, creating a mucosal damage, likewise known as the chronic symptom.
This disease strikes adult primarily, while infants and children can also be affected. Normally spurred by eating certain foods, if not pregnancy, or taking a sleep right after eating a heavy meal, a large number of persons suffer from acid reflux at one time or another.
Heartburn or acid indigestion is another name that refers to acid reflux. Heartburn, the major symptom of Acid Reflux in the esophagus, is described to cause a burning uneasiness at the back of the sternum.
The symptoms may come as coughing, voice transformation, hoarseness, constant ear ache, or sinusitis. The complications brought upon by acid reflux may lead to esophageal ulcers or worse this can lead to esophageal cancer.
However, constant heartburn sensations do not necessarily mean that one has captured GERD already. The risk occurs when heartburn happened more than once a week, this occasion could possibly lead in developing GERD.
The usual cause of GERD is the increase in acidity or gastric acid production in the body, obesity, pregnancy, or tight-fitting apparels, these all can add to the problem. The yeast infections are also thought to be one of the causes of GERD-like symptoms.
An added ironical cause of the GERD is the insufficient production of stomach acid in the body. The explanation says that the valve, the hollow organ with a flap that insure the one-way course of fluid through the organ, once emptied triggers acidity in the intestines. If the valve fails to open, the contents of the stomach will be blended into the esophagus, and then irritation occurs.
Meanwhile, there are already several treatments for GERD today, one of which is the balance and healthy eating habits. Now if proper diet fails to work, one can shift to medication therapy or surgery as suggested by the doctors. Below are the lists of several selections of Acid Reflux treatment:
• Proper Diet: the natural way to cure Acid Reflux is through change in their eating habits. A good number of people affected by GERD found success in following this method. Avoid the food ingredients which can intensify heart burn such as caffeine, soft drinks, and smoking. Avoid eating two hours before sleeping; likewise, avoid lying down after taking meal. These are the regular suggested change in lifestyle.
• Another easy way to treat GERD is to elevate the head of the bed. The pharmacologic therapy, the combination of prevention of food two hours before sleeping and the rise of the head of the bed, there is a great chance for a patient to gain a 95 percent relief. The rise of the head of the bed is suggested to range for only 6 to 8 inches or 20 cm. Using this method the backflow of gastric fluids will be hampered.
• Drug Treatment: Drugs reduce the secretion of the gastric acid, for instance and famotidine and omeprazole lessen the secretion of gastric acid and the Antacids counteract the acid.
• Surgical treatment: the Nissen fundoplication, the standard surgical treatment for Acid Reflux, the medication process will only cover a short period of time. The function of this is to support the sphincter, a spherical bond of muscles that opens and closes to let the food or waste to pass, as well as stop Acid Reflux, and of course restore the hiatal hernia.

Fall Gardening

Fall Gardening
Many gardeners do not even consider fall gardening because of the winter frosts that might make an early appearance. On the contrary, fall gardening will result in excellent vegetables and will extend crops long after spring planted plants are finished. Vegetables produced from fall gardening are sometimes sweeter and milder than those grow in the summer and offer a brand new taste to the same old veggies.
What you choose to grow during you fall gardening will depend on your available space and what you like to eat, just like spring plants. Even the crops that enjoy the heat, such as tomatoes, sweet potatoes, okra, and peppers, will produce until frosts hit, which can be pretty late in the year in southern areas. However, there are some plants that will quit towards the end of summer like snap-beans, summer squash, and cucumbers. If these vegetables are planted around the middle of the summer they can be harvested until the first frosts as well. Hardy, tough vegetables will grow until the temperature is as low as 20 degrees, but those that aren’t as strong will only be able to grow through light frosts. Remember that if you have root and tuber plants and the tops are killed by a freeze the edible part can be saved if a large amount of mulch is used.
When fall gardening, make sure and pick the vegetables with the shortest growing season so they can be full grown and harvested before the frost arrives. Most seed packages will be labeled “early season”, or you can find the seeds boasting the fewest days to maturity. You may want to go after your seeds for fall gardening in spring or early summer; they are usually not kept in stock towards the end of summer. If they are stored in a cool and dry location they will keep until you are ready to plant.
In order to know exactly when the best time to start fall gardening, you must know about when the first hard frost will hit your area. One of the best ways to tell this is by a Farmer’s Almanac. They will give you exact dates and are rarely wrong. You will also need to know exactly how long it is going to take your plants to mature.
To get your soil ready for fall gardening you must first remove any leftover spring/summer crops and weeds. Crops leftover from the last season can end up spreading bacteria and disease if left in the garden. Spread a couple of inches of compost or mulch over the garden area to increase the nutrients, however, if spring plants were fertilized heavily it may not need much, if any. Till the top layer of soil, wet it down, and let it set for about 12-24 hours. Once this has been done, you are ready to start planting.
Many gardeners will run from fall gardening so they don’t have to deal with frosts, but if tough, sturdy vegetables are planted they can withstand a few frosts and give you some wonderful tasting produce. Fall gardening gives you the chance to enjoy your vegetable garden for at least a little bit more time.

EXCLUSIVE FRIENDSHIPS.

EXCLUSIVE FRIENDSHIPS.
An excellent and gentle man of my acquaintance has said, "When fifty-one per cent of the voters believe in cooeperation as opposed to competition, the Ideal Commonwealth will cease to be a theory and become a fact."
That men should work together for the good of all is very beautiful, and I believe the day will come when these things will be, but the simple process of fifty-one per cent of the voters casting ballots for socialism will not bring it about.
The matter of voting is simply the expression of a sentiment, and after the ballots have been counted there still remains the work to be done. A man might vote right and act like a fool the rest of the year.
The socialist who is full of bitterness, fight, faction and jealousy is creating an opposition that will hold him and all others like him in check. And this opposition is well, for even a very imperfect society is forced to protect itself against dissolution and a condition which is worse. To take over the monopolies and operate them for the good of society is not enough, and not desirable either, so long as the idea of rivalry is rife.
As long as self is uppermost in the minds of men, they will fear and hate other men, and under socialism there would be precisely the same scramble for place and power that we see in politics now.
Society can never be reconstructed until its individual members are reconstructed. Man must be born again. When fifty-one per cent of the voters rule their own spirit and have put fifty-one per cent of their present envy, jealousy, bitterness, hate, fear and foolish pride out of their hearts, then socialism will be at hand, and not until then.
The subject is entirely too big to dispose of in a paragraph, so I am just going to content myself here with the mention of one thing, the danger to society of exclusive friendships between man and man, and woman and woman. No two persons of the same sex can complement each other, neither can they long uplift or benefit each other. Usually they deform the mental and spiritual estate. We should have many acquaintances or none. When two men begin to "tell each other everything," they are hiking for senility. There must be a bit of well-defined reserve. We are told that in matter solid steel for instance the molecules never touch. They never surrender their individuality. We are all molecules of Divinity, and our personality should not be abandoned. Be yourself, let no man be necessary to you. Your friend will think more of you if you keep him at a little distance. Friendship, like credit, is highest where it is not used.
I can understand how a strong man can have a great and abiding affection for a thousand other men, and call them all by name, but how he can regard any one of these men much higher than another and preserve his mental balance, I do not know.
Let a man come close enough and he'll clutch you like a drowning person, and down you both go. In a close and exclusive friendship men partake of others' weaknesses.
In shops and factories it happens constantly that men will have their chums. These men relate to each other their troubles they keep nothing back they sympathize with each other, they mutually condole.
They combine and stand by each other. Their friendship is exclusive and others see that it is. Jealousy creeps in, suspicion awakens, hate crouches around the corner, and these men combine in mutual dislike for certain things and persons. They foment each other, and their sympathy dilutes sanity by recognizing their troubles men make them real. Things get out of focus, and the sense of values is lost. By thinking some one is an enemy you evolve him into one.
Soon others are involved and we have a clique. A clique is a friendship gone to seed.
A clique develops into a faction, and a faction into a feud, and soon we have a mob, which is a blind, stupid, insane, crazy, ramping and roaring mass that has lost the rudder. In a mob there are no individuals all are of one mind, and independent thought is gone.
A feud is founded on nothing it is a mistake a fool idea fanned into flame by a fool friend! And it may become a mob.
Every man who has had anything to do with communal life has noticed that the clique is the disintegrating bacillus and the clique has its rise always in the exclusive friendship of two persons of the same sex, who tell each other all unkind things that are said of each other "so be on your guard." Beware of the exclusive friendship! Respect all men and try to find the good in all. To associate only with the sociable, the witty, the wise, the brilliant, is a blunder go among the plain, the stupid, the uneducated, and exercise your own wit and wisdom. You grow by giving have no favorites you hold your friend as much by keeping away from him as you do by following after him.
Revere him yes, but be natural and let space intervene. Be a Divine molecule.
Be yourself and give your friend a chance to be himself. Thus do you benefit him, and in benefiting him you benefit yourself.
The finest friendships are between those who can do without each other.
Of course there have been cases of exclusive friendship that are pointed out to us as grand examples of affection, but they are so rare and exceptional that they serve to emphasize the fact that it is exceedingly unwise for men of ordinary power and intellect to exclude their fellow men. A few men, perhaps, who are big enough to have a place in history, could play the part of David to another's Jonathan and yet retain the good will of all, but the most of us would engender bitterness and strife.
And this beautiful dream of socialism, where each shall work for the good of all, will never come about until fifty-one per cent of the adults shall abandon all exclusive friendships. Until that day arrives you will have cliques, denominations which are cliques grown big factions, feuds and occasional mobs.
Do not lean on any one, and let no one lean on you. The ideal society will be made up of ideal individuals. Be a man and be a friend to everybody.
When the Master admonished his disciples to love their enemies, he had in mind the truth that an exclusive love is a mistake. Love dies when it is monopolized. It grows by giving. Your enemy is one who misunderstands you why should you not rise above the fog and see his error and respect him for the good qualities you find in him?

DEALING WITH OTHERS.

DEALING WITH OTHERS.
In all application of magnetism to persons, you are urged to remember that your very first goal, always and preeminently, is an agreeable feeling within their minds. You should never try to induce a person to act your way until you have thoroughly established in him a good feeling toward yourself. This is the prime initial step. When such a condition has been secured, you are then ready for the magnetic assault and then only.
When you are dealing with other people, endeavoring magnetically to win them to your wish, you should summon the general magnetic feeling within yourself, will them to do as you desire, and at the same time think of them as already consenting and acting. Your inner condition should be perfectly calm, buoyant, hopeful, whatever the external means employed, your mind should be concentrated upon the thing desired, and its accomplishment should be thought of as now secured. The response of the person may be delayed, but this should not discourage you, for some minds do not take suggestions (those of your unspoken will are referred to) quickly, and they do not act instantly upon their own thought. It is invariably best to induce people to believe that they are acting on their personal impulse or judgment; they should be made to feel perfectly free, not at all coerced, and that they are doing their own will rather than yours simply because they wish so to do.
We may summarize all these suggestions in the words of a distinguished scientific writer:
"Life is not a bully who swaggers out into the open universe, upsetting the laws of energy in all directions, but rather a consummate strategist, who, sitting in his secret chamber over his wires, directs the movements of a great army." This is a good description of magnetism.
The success-magnetism assumption: We are now ready for the great assumption-principle of magnetism in applied life.
Think of every goal as already reached, of every undertaking as already achieved.

ACQUIRE POWER THROUGH SELF DEVELOPMENT.

ACQUIRE POWER THROUGH SELF DEVELOPMENT.
It is the natural right of every human being to be happy to escape all the miseries of life. Happiness is the normal condition, as natural as the landscapes and the seasons. It is unnatural to suffer and it is only because of our ignorance that we do suffer. Happiness is the product of wisdom. To attain perfect wisdom, to comprehend fully the purpose of life, to realize completely the relationship of human beings to each other, is to put an end to all suffering, to escape every ill and evil that afflicts us. Perfect wisdom is unshadowed joy.
Why do we suffer in life? Because in the scheme of nature we are being forced forward in evolution and we lack the spiritual illumination that alone can light the way and enable us to move safely among the obstacles that lie before us. Usually we do not even see or suspect the presence of trouble until it suddenly leaps upon us like a concealed tiger. One day our family circle is complete and happy. A week later death has come and gone and joy is replaced with agony. Today we have a friend. Tomorrow he will be an enemy and we do not know why. A little while ago we had wealth and all material luxuries. There was a sudden change and now we have only poverty and misery and yet we seek in vain for a reason why this should be. There was a time when we had health and strength; but they have both departed and no trace of a reason appears. Aside from these greater tragedies of life innumerable things of lesser consequence continually bring to us little miseries and minor heartaches. We most earnestly desire to avoid them but we never see them until they strike us, until in the darkness of our ignorance we blunder upon them. The thing we lack is the spiritual illumination that will enable us to look far and wide, finding the hidden causes of human suffering and revealing the method by which they may be avoided; and if we can but reach illumination the evolutionary journey can be made both comfortably and swiftly. It is as though we must pass through a long, dark room filled with furniture promiscuously scattered about. In the darkness our progress would be slow and painful and our bruises many. But if we could press a button that would turn on the electric light we could then make the same journey quickly and with perfect safety and comfort.
The old method of education was to store the mind with as many facts, or supposed facts, as could be accumulated and to give a certain exterior polish to the personality. The theory was that when a man was born he was a completed human being and that all that could be done for him was to load him up with information that would be used with more or less skill, according to the native ability he happened to be born with. The theosophical idea is that the physical man, and all that constitutes his life in the physical world, is but a very partial expression of the self; that in the ego of each there is practically unlimited power and wisdom; that these may be brought through into expression in the physical world as the physical body and its invisible counterparts, which together constitute the complex vehicle of the ego's manifestation, are evolved and adapted to the purpose; and that in exact proportion that conscious effort is given to such self-development will spiritual illumination be achieved and wisdom attained. Thus the light that leads to happiness is kindled from within and the evolutionary journey that all are making may be robbed of its suffering.
Why does death bring misery? Chiefly because it separates us from those we love. The only other reason why death brings grief or fear is because we do not understand it and comprehend the part it plays in human evolution. But the moment our ignorance gives way to comprehension such fear vanishes and a serene happiness takes its place.
Why do we have enemies from whose words or acts we suffer? Because in our limited physical consciousness we do not perceive the unity of all life and realize that our wrong thinking and doing must react upon us through other people a situation from which there is no possible escape except through ceasing to think evil and then patiently awaiting the time when the causes we have already generated are fully exhausted. When spiritual illumination comes, and we no longer stumble in the night of ignorance, the last enemy will disappear and we shall make no more forever.
Why do people suffer from poverty and disease? Only because of our blundering ignorance that makes their existence possible for us, and because we do not comprehend their meaning and their lessons, nor know the attitude to assume toward them. Had we but the wisdom to understand why they come to people, why they are necessary factors in their evolution, they would trouble us no longer. When nature's lesson is fully learned these mute teachers will vanish.
And so it is with all forms of suffering we experience. They are at once reactions from our ignorant blunderings and instructors that point out the better way. When we have comprehended the lessons they teach they are no longer necessary and disappear. It is not by the outward acquirement of facts that men become wise and great. It is by developing the soul from within until it illuminates the brain with that flood of light called genius.

An Introduction To Aikido

An Introduction To Aikido
There’s no mistaken the fact that Aikido is one of the best and most popular martial art in the United States today. The art of Aikido is best associated with actor Steven Seagal, who made it even more popular with his movies. Aikido is rich and history in tradition, an art that originally started in Japan back in the 1940s.
Aikido’s founder, Morihei Ueshiba, was born on December 14, 1883. As he was growing up in modern Japan, Ueshiba witnessed the local thugs vandalize his father. The young boy decided that he would make himself strong in order to seek revenge against the thugs. Ueshiba was strong willed, and devoted every waking moment to physical training and martial arts.
He received a lot of certificates in jujitsu, spear fighting, and fencing. Even though he was very impressive with his abilities, he found himself not happy with his skills. He knew that there was more to it, and began to look into religion, hoping that he would find a greater significance with life - pursuing martial arts all the while.
Ueshiba founded the martial art of Aikido by combining both his religious beliefs and his training in martial arts. At that time, the style was known as aikibudo, it wasn’t until 1942 that he decided to go with the name Aikido. The style was quite different indeed, incorporating several different styles of jujitsu, aiki-jujitsu, and spear and sword fighting techniques as well.
Even though a lot of us think of Aikido as the ultimate martial art, it is an art that is based on religion and harmony. Aikido uses joint locks, weight manipulation, and throws to achieve it’s purpose. The martial art is very effective, which were the intentions of Ueshiba from the start. Aikido consists of many techniques, and it is the result of Ueshiba’s creative innovation.
Aside from what many think, there really is no unified belief or philosophy in the martial art of Aikido. While Aikido is indeed rich in heritage and religion, it believes in harmony and peace of the spirit. By achieving a higher spiritual power, Ueshiba has always believed that the human body is capable of anything. Even though he wanted revenge, he still stated that Aikido wasn’t about fighting, but rather a way to reconcile with the world and make every human being on giant family.
Over the years, Aikido was introduced in America with amazing results. Steven Seagal is by far the most popular, showing the world the power and harmony of Aikido through his many movies. There are a lot of martial arts dojo’s around North America that offer Aikido to study, possibly even some in your area. Not only will Aikido teach you self defense, but it will also teach you harmony of the spirit and how to find inner peace as well.

An In Depth Look At Muay Thai

An In Depth Look At Muay Thai
Also known around the world as Thai boxing, Muay Thai is an ancient art of self defense that was created and tested in battle by the fearless warriors of ancient Thailand. Today, Muay Thai is used all around the world. The United States Navy SEALs, Thai military, and even the CIA takes full advantage of the devastating and bone crushing techniques this martial art offers.
Unlike other martial arts, students of Thai don’t earn belts for their skills and their progression. Instead, their skills are tested in the ring. Since Thai fighting first began, the only things that the fighters themselves are interested in are the championship belts which showcase their dominance in Muay Thai fighting.
The skills that are taught with Muay Thai are far more dominant to other striking based martial arts. Muay Thai uses very little grappling, but focuses more on crushing kicks, punches, and bone shattering elbows. Students of Thai fighting can often take an opponent down with just one shot, often times breaking bones and sometimes even killing them with just one lethal kick or elbow.
The reason why Muay Thai didn’t utilize ground grappling or submission holds is because it was developed in ancient battlegrounds where there were always multiple attackers. These attackers were knowledgeable in sword fighting skills, which made the need for a dependable martial art more or less a necessity.
Muay Thai used swords, spears, sticks, and hard strikes. In this type of environment, you didn’t want the fight to go to the ground. The strikes and weapon movements needed be fast, hard, and very precise. With these types of conditions and the type of environment, Muay Thai needed be a very fast responsive martial art with an excellent weapons system.
Even though grappling and submissions were planned for Muay Thai, the martial art became more of a ring sport before grappling could be implemented. With Thai originally being a martial art for striking purposes, a lot of martial artists have started using the techniques that have been proven time and time again with time boxing.
Although there are other martial arts that put a lot of emphasis on striking, Muay Thai is quite different. The first area in which Muay Thai differs is the effective use of both elbows and knees. The elbows and knees that are used with most Thai techniques are feared all around the world by boxers and other stylists.
Kicking and kneeing is the main objects in Muay Thai. In order to become efficient with kicking, the shins need to be conditioned - which can be quite painful. Once the Thai stylist has conditioned the nerves in his shins for impact, the shins can be used just like a club or a baseball bat. This is something you should really see for yourself in action - as the sound of the impact alone can send chills down your back.
Through years of training and conditioning, Muay Thai fighters can become lethal and deadly weapons. A properly trained fighter can make deadly impact, meaning that his knees, shins, and elbows are quite possibly deadlier than a gun or other type of weapon. For this very reason - Muay Thai is one of the deadliest and most feared martial arts in the world.
All in all, Muay Thai is a great martial art for defense and competition. Thai is one of the best martial arts in the world, proving it time and time again - in both ancient times and anytime it is used today.

A Look At Wing Chun

A Look At Wing Chun
Up until the turn of the twentieth century, the martial art known as Wing Chun was very obscure not known much about. Back then, Wing Chun was just getting started, not practiced by a lot of martial artists. Over the years, it became a very dominant force in China, becoming one of the most prominent martial arts in existence. Even today, hundreds of martial artists study Wing Chun and everything it provides them with.
The first thing that students are taught when studying Wing Chun is that they should always use force to counter force. By using force against force, weaker and smaller fighters can easily and quickly take out bigger and stronger opponents. Whenever they get in a confrontation, Wing Chun stylists will use their brains - and use an opponents strength and force against him.
Throughout training, a lot of emphasis is put into that very concept. Students will learn all about force and strength, and how they can properly counter it. What many don’t realize, is the fact that countering force requires very little strength from the stylist. Even the weakest Wing Chun stylist can take down an opponent 3 - 4 times his size if he uses the proper technique and his opponents force against him.
Wing Chun teaches other techniques as well, such as punching, kicking, and a few grappling holds. It doesn’t teach much grappling though, as most of the techniques use force against force through throwing and striking. The strikes that are taught with this martial art are very fast, and aimed at vital areas on the body of the opponent.
A majority of the most vital areas on the human body are found along the center line, the very area that Wing Chun teaches stylists to protect as well as attack with their techniques. This line is the most vital in battle, which is why martial artists should always aim their attacks for any area that exists along this line. Most of the vital points found in the center line can be the end of the encounter if the stylist is able to land one powerful blow.
As Wing Chun emphasizes time and time again, the shortest straw between the stylist and the opponent is the center line, which is where a majority of movement takes place. Due to the linear fashion of Wing Chun, students will spend a lot of their training learning how to direct attacks as well as opposing force towards the center line.
Wing Chun is an exceptional martial art, teaching students how to use force against force in any type of encounter. There aren’t that many grappling holds or weapons used with Wing Chun, although the techniques and moves that are taught are tried, proven, and above all - very effective for self defense.

A Look At Ninjutsu

A Look At Ninjutsu
The martial art known as Ninjutsu is very secret, with a very clouded history. The history isn’t documented all that well, as most of what is known about the martial art is that which has been passed down from generation to generation. There are a lot of historical records that state families from the Koga region as being the creators to this very secret style.
Over 70 different Ninjutsu Ryu have been identified and discovered over the years, however most of them have died out. A majority of them were created around a set of specific techniques and skills, although when those skills of a specific Ryu were no longer needed or wanted, the Ryu seems to die out and fade away from existence.
The art of Ninjutsu is best associated with the ninja’s from ancient Japan. The ninja’s are well known all around the world, for their stealth and very secreted life. The ninja is known to have went through very tough and demanding training, which hardly anyone really knows about. Those that were actual ninja’s are either dead, or not allowed to let anyone know their true identity.
During the 1980's, when the ninja trend really hit the United States, the instructors of Ninjutsu popped out all over the place, making black a very happening color. Years later, the trend seemed to die out, and there aren’t that many people trying to learn the art.
In regards to the art, the term of Ninjutsu doesn’t actually refer to any certain style, but rather a group of the martial arts, with each one having it’s own view that’s expressed with each of the different Ryu. The Ryu vary, meaning that one may focus on one certain physical dynamic, while the next may be focused on redirection.
What many people aren’t aware of, is the fact that Ninjutsu involves both unarmed and armed fighting skills, along with philosophy, strategy, and history. There are a few dojo’s that offer the art, many of them being quite comprehensive with the way they teach.
During combat, Ninjutsu focuses on distance, posture, and flow. Stylists are taught to react to every movement, and respond in ways that will place them in the advantage position. From being in a position of advantage, the stylist can effectively change the outcome of the encounter - quickly going from negative to positive.
Those that practice the martial art of Ninjutsu are instructed and trained to use their entire body for everything they do, which provides the most leverage and power. Ninjutsu is well known in Japan, and for good reason. It is a very secretive martial art, yet very powerful. The techniques can be used or self defense, along with stealth. It can be a great martial art to learn - if you can find a dojo that teaches it.

A Look At Kung Fu

A Look At Kung Fu
The martial art of Kung Fu is an exchange of culture, a type of exercise, and also a way of defending yourself. The art is very popular throughout the world, also being known as Gung Fu, Wu Shu, and even Kuo Shu. It shares some common traits with Karate, such as using both hand and foot techniques. Kung Fu is one of the most popular forms of martial arts - and also one of the oldest.
Within Kung Fu, there are several styles and variances, although the most popular are those that have their roots in the well known Shaolin Temple. What most people aren’t aware of however, is the fact that Kung Fu was practiced in China years before the first Shaolin temple was even though of.
A majority of martial arts enthusiasts think of self defense as being the ultimate goal of any martial art, including Kung Fu. While self defense is involved with Kung Fu, the martial is so much more than just fighting and defense - it is a true art, one that develops the mind, body, and the soul.
Kung Fu doesn’t teach students to overcome others, as it teaches students to look within themselves and learn to have complete and total control over their emotions. Kung Fu is an art of harmony, that teaches to students to remain at peace and avoid confrontations. If a situation threatens bodily harm to the student, then he must rise to the occasion - becoming the warrior and defending himself.
Just like other types of martial arts, Kung Fun teaches the balance that is crucial for executing techniques and the proper movement. The basic concept behind the balance is that same balance that the Chinese believe keeps the balance between heaven and earth. This concept of balance can be achieved by students if they completely focus their thoughts and empty their minds free from any type of distractions.
Kung Fu is a martial art that can be learned by anyone. It does take a strong desire, just like any other martial art. It has a rich heritage, and a proud legacy. Kung Fu is indeed a deadly martial art, if used in the wrong ways. There are variations of Kung Fu as well, which include the infamous five animals - Tiger, Dragon, Eagle Claw, Crane, and the Snake.
Adapted by the animals in which they are named after, the five animals style is some of the most impressive in martial arts. Tiger Claw is by far the deadliest of the five animals, teaching students to strike just like the dreaded tiger. This style teaches the student power in his hands, so that when he strikes, he tears the flesh. Tiger Claw is very deadly, although it is very hard to find instructors that teach this style now days.
Unlike other martial arts, there really are no competitions for Kung Fu. Stylists can compete it other competitions, although there really aren’t any that are for only Kung Fu. It is an ancient martial art, that is to be used only in instances were there is no other option than to fight back. When provoked, the stylist should try everything he or she can to avoid confrontations.
Kung Fu aims to teach the lessons of respect, fairness to others, harmony of the spirit, and total self control no matter what. These characteristics, when paired together, allow students to achieve success in a hard to deal with society. Kung Fu is all about developing the student’s overall well being - and following the straight path to mental and physical toughness.

A Close Look At Belts

A Close Look At Belts
With most types of martial arts, the color of the belt that you have will signify your rank within your style of martial arts. The belts that are used with martial arts signify your rank within that style, although they have no universal means or ranking within the martial arts world. More or less, they tell others how much you know about your specific martial art.
The use of belt colors in martial arts is an old practice, dating back hundreds of years. Belts and their use in martial arts all started by a man known as Jigoro Kano, who created the style known as Kodokan Judo. Kano started out by using only white and black belts to signify rank within his style of martial arts. His reason for using belts, was to specify which students could compete in different activities. For example, those with white belts couldn’t compete in the same activities as those with black belts. Shortly after Kano introduced his idea of using belts, other belt colors were introduced to the world of martial arts. Over the years, it became a great way of telling what experience a student had in his style - just by the look of his belt. Other styles began to use this system as well over the years, including Karate, Taekwondo, and several others.
The only problem with using belts to signify ranking, is the fact that one school may have different requirements from another school. Even though they both may teach the same style of martial arts, their ranking system and requirements to get a certain ranking may be totally different. This can cause confusion in ranks, especially if a black belt from one school isn’t as versed in the style as a black belt from another school. Even though most schools stick to the same criteria, there are schools that choose to incorporate their own unique style as well.
Although most martial arts styles use belts to signify rank, there are some martial arts out there such as Shootfighting that don’t use belts at all. The styles that choose not to use belts don’t go by rankings either, as they are more or less for self defense purposes. Pitfighting is another style that doesn’t use belts either. These styles are great to learn for protecting yourself - although they differ from the traditional sense of martial arts.
All things aside, belts are an innovation to martial arts. They give students something to aim for, and a reason to keep practicing. Most students that study martial arts aim for getting the black belt, which is the most prestige belt in martial arts. A black belt takes years of practice to obtain, as the student will move through many lower ranked belts before getting the opportunity to try and earn the black belt.