Tips for getting a job

• Research different jobs by reading as much as you can in newspapers, magazines, trade publications and online.
• Do not be static with your resume; make it more targeted to each opportunity.
• Expand your list of professional contacts by taking part in industry events, alumni activities and volunteering with local non-profit organizations.
• Majority of available jobs are never advertised.
• Keeping in touch with people you met at school is an effective way of getting job leads and referrals.
• A couple of weeks after submitting your application materials get in touch with the hiring manager.
• If there is a temporary job around, grab it.

Tips for cleaning your car battery

I had an hour talk with an auto technician in my neighborhood. He shared these tips with us.
• Never drive with a corroded battery posts. It is a sure way to bring your day to a grinding halt.
• The first step towards a clean battery is the removal of your battery terminals.
• You should always remove the negative cable first.
• With your battery terminals off squirt your corrosion removal fluid on the battery posts and terminals.
• It will start to foam. Let it do this for a few minutes, then rinse off with a little water. Brush away stubborn build-up with your brush.
• If you are using anti-corrosion disc, install the red disc on the positive post and the green on the negative. Re-install your battery terminals, positive first.
• Corrosion eating fluids are nothing but baking soda and water so feel free to make your own.

Ricardo Kaka: A tribute to loyalty

A world record transfer fee plus a world record weekly wages, even angels would be tempted. Why did Kaka decide to stay put at the San Siro. Has he not won every laurel winnable with the Rossoneri?

May be he forgot that there is no pension scheme in football. Make all the bucks while your legs are “valuable” or rot in penury after retirement. In a profession that has a 15 year-span, you would be a fool to be an exception to the aforementioned rule.

As I watched the drama unfold, I reflected on Nicolas Anelka. How fulfilled is Anelka? Yes he has raked in the millions. From Paris to North London, from Madrid to Istanbul, from Merseyside to Eastland to Bolton, and now to West London, Anelka symbolizes the art and science of mercenarism in football.

I have always subscribed to the view that like Anelka, most followers are mercenaries. Today, they are kissing the emblem of the Eskimos; tomorrow they are in love with the logo of the mafias. Don’t get me wrong; I did not say “prostitutes”. So, where in hell did Ricardo Kaka pick up that long forgotten virtue called loyalty?

I saw his game against Fiorentina on January 17. I saw him put his hand to his heart as he was being substituted. I saw him wave emotionally and applaud the San Siro mob.

With his family and the Milan hierarchy favorably disposed to the move, I took his gestures for a good-bye. Unlike their Fiorentina friends, who held night vigils in their failed attempt to persuade Gabriel Batistuta to ignore Roma’s offer, Milan’s faithfuls had accepted the inevitable exit.

Contract signed, sealed and delivered we all thought. But a red-and-black strip shirt jogging from a window in Milan’s neighborhood changed the equation. Yep, Ricardo decided to follow his heart. Sure, he has pledged by his action to grow old with the Rossoneri.

Definitely, he will lead the Milan rebirth after ageless Maldini gives way. By his action, he has redefined the essence of love and loyalty. I thought money ruled the world. Thanks to the Brazilian Kaka, I know otherwise.

Tooth care tips for toddlers

• Let your child watch you brush your teeth while he is doing same. Then "check" each other's teeth to see if they are clean, after which you should collect his brush and finish the job for him.
• If your child complains when it's time to brush, you could buy him/her a tooth brush with her/his favorite cartoon character on it.
• To bring excitement into his/her brushing experience, let your child have several brushes in different colors so that she/he can choose the one he/she wants to use.
• Experts advise that your child use a soft-bristled tooth brush and non-fluoridated tooth-paste until she/he is at least three years old.

Tips to become a better parent

• Create a loving home. When given an adequate diet of love, children experience internal joy and happiness. Tell your kids that you love them.
• Exercise your authority over your kids. Support your children but maintain firm limits. Don't be too lenient or excessively harsh.
• Make a written list of household rules; you feel your children must obey. Next to the rules, write down the consequences for breaking them. Enforce the punishment calmly, quickly and consistently.
• Establish and maintain routines. By this, you teach your kids to structure their time and to stick to schedules.
• Acknowledge your child's feelings. Your child wants and needs you to know how she/he feels.
• Teach by example. Strive to be good example. Don't try to be a perfect person. Admit your mistakes and apologize. When you apologize, your child also learns to do so.

Question of the week

Moses was in a loving relationship with Mary before he went to the UK in 2000. As a matter of fact, he was Mary's first flame. After some months, he stopped communicating with Mary. Mary waited for weeks, months and years. She resigned herself to the obvious; Moses has dumped her. With a broken heart, she carried on with her life. In March 2008, she found love in Abraham. They have scheduled their marriage for February, 2007. Two months before Mary's wedding date, Moses appears from the blues. He wants his Mary back. "But why did you lose contact with me?" Mary asked. Moses explained that he was released from prison recently. Mary is confused. She is torn between lost-love Moses and Abraham. What should she do?

Tips for writing a business plan

• Before writing your business plan, carry out research into the feasibility (workability) of your new business.
• Look for business plan examples from sources such as business planning guides, books and the internet.
• Find a business plan sample that best meets your needs. This makes writing your business plan easier.
• Elements of a business plan include:
 Introduction: explains the purpose and objectives of your going into business.
 Marketing analysis: looks at the industry you are entering and how you fit in.
 Marketing plan: highlights your marketing strategy.
 Operations plan: explains the structure, location and regulations of your business.
 Financial plan: highlights costing and financial projections.
 Executive summary: a one-page overview written after you have finalized your business plan.
• Business planning is an ongoing business activity. You should regularly review and revise your business plan.

Ode to my neighbor

Woe to you forgetful man;
Woe to your offspring.
Pursuer of the fleeing world;
Where are your bounties?
Ever took a walk to the cemetery?

Just returned; went to bury my neighbor.
He requested for my sandals.
Made him a promise;
‘I will give it to you soon.’
Selfishly, I held on to it.
Now, he is gone.
Gone for eternity.

We went with his worldly possessions.
In his shallow grave, we flung him;
Six-foot grave, my foot.
Even his old caftan was not spared.
Everything, we brought back to inherit.

Definitely, his final drive is to his Lord.
Him and his deeds alone.
With tears in our eyes, we fled him.
Crocodile tears, crocodile love.

Tips from a taxi driver

• Be on the look out for potential customers.
• It is the manner you handle your passengers that differentiates you from your competitors.
• Be polite to your passengers (customers).
• Keep your fare (price of your goods and services) reasonable.
• When you treat your passengers right, they refer you to others.
• If you can solve a basic human need creatively (movement of passengers), you will be in business forever.

Tips for safeguarding your financial information

• Choose a password that is not easy to guess. Don't use your first or last name as part of your password.
• Always log out of your bank account once you have finished working on it or when you will not be using it for a couple of minutes.
• Never write your password in places that are accessible to others.
• Log-in to your bank account periodically and look for strange transactions.
• Never click links on e-mails to access your bank account. Always use your web browser and type in the complete name of your bank's website to log-in.
• You can never be too careful with your financial information.

Tips for keeping your kitchen clean

• After breakfast, remove coffee filters and empty the coffee pot to avoid stains and coffee odors.
• Place a batch of garbage bags at the bottom of the trash can. Take out the trash, once it is full.
• Cooking utensils should be hanged close to you so that they are visible and easily put away.
• Spray non-food contact surface with kitchen cleaner to kill household bacteria in your kitchen.
• Search your refrigerator for any expired items and get rid of them.
• Cleaning as you cook is a lot easier to scrubbing after you are done with fixing the meal.
• Sanitize your sponges to reduce the bacteria levels. Wash your dish towels once a week with bleach.

Tips for choosing your child’s footwear

• Before you pay, tell your child to walk around in both shoes - wearing normal socks.
• Feel inside the footwear for rough spots, glue, staples or anything that can cause irritation.
• Avoid high heels as it does not allow for free movement and can cause your child to fall down.
• Choose footwear that would give stability and protection to your child’s feet. An ideal shoe should be soft and flexible.
• Don’t allow your child sacrifice comfort for fashion by buying tight footwear. Signs of too-tight shoes include redness of feet and blisters.
• Don’t choose a larger shoe over one which is fitted. Fitted shoes have growing room to ensure good fit throughout the life of the shoe.
• Have our child’s feet measured periodically (while standing) at the shoe store to determine whether his feet have grown enough to warrant a larger pair of shoes.

Tips for buying a home

• Don’t be in a hurry to pay.
• Invite a pair of fresh unbiased eyes to evaluate the property alongside you. This third party could be your wife or a family member you trust to tell the truth.
• To get value for money, engage the services of a house inspector. He will see things you won’t see when you go look up a property. Ensure the property is not on government land. Otherwise, you won’t be compensated if a need arises for the property to be pulled down.
• Confirm the identity of the property owner. Also be sure, the seller is the owner of the property before you pay.
• Collect the original copies of the documents not duplicates.
• Get a qualified and trustworthy lawyer to prepare carefully-worded legal documents, covering the transaction and ensure all parties to the transaction sign the appropriate sections.

Tips for achieving peace in the Middle East

• The Arabs must realize that Israel has the right to exist as a nation.
• The Arab states must work towards full recognition of the Israeli state.
• Israel must hand over all occupied territories.
• Iran acquiring nuclear capabilities would serve as a counter balance to the ruthless Israeli Defense Forces.
• While guaranteeing Israel’s external integrity (security), the United States must be seen to be a fair mediator.

Tips for choosing a mentor

Perhaps you don't have a dictionary around, a mentor is somebody usually older and more experienced, who advices and support a younger, less experienced person. Now, the tips:
• Have a mentor for every aspect of your life.
• Your mentor should be successful in the area you want to go into.
• Your mentor should be accessible. Have a mentor you can see, observe and ask questions.
• Your mentor should have integrity. That is, he/she must be honest in his/her dealings.
• Your mentor should be willing to expose him or herself to you.
• Don't be in a hurry about choosing a mentor because you could make a wrong choice.

Tips for identifying a true friend

• A true friend will support you even if it hurts his/her own interest.
• A true friend will come out to assist without any request and without expecting anything in return.
• A true friend will support you even if the whole world is against you.
• In times of sorrow and joy, a true friend will always be by your side.
• The only way to have a true friend is to be one yourself.

Tips for helping your child succeed in school

• Help your child establish an after-school routine that he or she can stick to.
• Practice reading skills with your child. Read, and then listen to your child read. Discuss what is being read.
• Talk to your child each day about homework assignment; go through work; see if it is complete; ask questions about it. But don't do your child's homework for him/her.
• Set academic goals that are appropriate for your child's age and maturity.
• Inform your friends and family about your child's academic success. This boosts his/her self image and motivates him/her to work harder.
• Discuss the value of a good education with your child. Ask about her/his possible career options.
• Set limits on TV watching and be firm about bed-time.

Tips for arranging your home

• Before you shop for furniture, measure the size of your room. Then go and buy set of furniture that will fit your room properly.
• Plan your colour scheme. Select a main pattern and then find coordinating small prints that enhance your choice.
• Place a rug in the middle of the room. The rug should be tucked under the front legs of chairs, sofas, and tables.
• Don't push all the furniture up against the wall. Rather move the furniture into groupings in the centre of your room.
• Don't put out all your collectibles at once. Select only attractive pieces and place them at strategic places. Keep rotating the pieces to give them a fresh look.

Tips for your air travel

• Get a good night sleep before you board a plane.
• Eat a light, well balanced meal before you travel.
• Create enough time to accommodate unforeseen delay on your way to the airport.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing and shoes, which can easily be slipped on or off during flight.
• If you are prone to motion sickness, focus on one fixed object during take-off or landing.
• To avoid dryness in your throat and nose while on board, keep away from caffeine, alcohol and nicotine.
• Keep your blood circulation going, by standing up and walking on the aisle.
• When you have a problem on-board, take a deep breathe in, stay calm and accept that there are things in life you can not change.

Tips for removing stains on your clothes

• For blood stains, pour hydrogen peroxide on the blood and rinse with cold water. Repeat till stain removes.
• Use petroleum jelly for removing lipstick stains.
• For gasoline stains, use baby oil.
• For grease stains, sprinkle baby powder over the stain. Allow it to sit for a few minutes and then brush the powder off.
• If you have a soiled shirt collar, apply hair shampoo onto the collar before washing.
• Where you mistakenly sit on chewing gum, apply egg white onto the gum with a brush. Wait for 15 minutes. Then, wash normally.
• To prevent deodorant stains, let your deodorant dry before dressing.
• For perspiration stains, soak the stained shirt in equal parts ammonia and water. Then, add a few tablespoons of liquid soap overnight. Wash the shirt as usual.

Tips for cleaning your bathtub

• To ease movement around your bathtub, remove all bath accessories like shampoo, sponge, soap, etc.
• Stray hairs when accumulated block the water drain. Remove them before cleaning your bathtub.
• Wet your bathtub with detergent and allow to soak for sometime.
• Spray stained areas with bleach. After 20 minutes, scrub with brush.
• Most cleansers (detergents, bleaches, etc.) are toxic. To minimize their effects, open your bathroom window for fresh air to come in.
• To keep your bathtub fresh in-between cleaning, use a towel for wiping after each bath.

Tips for cutting expenses at home

• Seek the co-operation of every member of your household. You must educate them that money comes as a result of hard work.
• You must draw your monthly and weekly budget. More importantly, stick to it.
• Never go shopping without a list.
• Don't ever buy on credit. If you can't afford it now, don't get it.
• Cut down on your phone calls. Instead use more of text messages.
• Do things yourself instead of paying for it. Start jogging instead of paying the fitness center. Wash your clothes instead of using the laundry services.
• No amount is too small to save.

Tips for starting your own business

• Attach yourself to someone who is already established in your preferred line of business so as to learn the secret of the business.
• Never start a business you are not familiar with.
• Carry out a thorough market research to know the acceptability and profitability of your business.
• You must build your knowledge on various areas of your business so to give your business a chance of success.
• You must believe in yourself and your business.

How to prepare for retirement

• Save at least 10 percent of your monthly income for the future.
• Make weekly, monthly and yearly budgets. Make sure you keep to your budgets.
• Avoid unnecessary purchases on credit. If you ignore this tip, you may end up using all your income to settle debts.
• Pay all your bills at the right time, so that they don't accumulate and become a burden.
• Use your income to take care of your family, parents, and self.
• Plan having your own house before retirement. Living the whole of your life in a rented house is not wise.
• Apart from your regular job, establish a personal business in accordance with your passion. You can expand it after retirement.
• Lastly, be content with your position in life.

Tips for a good night sleep

• Make your sleeping place comfortable. Make sure it is dark, quite and that the temperature is agreeable.
• Avoid taking caffeine, nicotine and alcohol late in the day.
• If you have so much on your mind, make a "to-do list" before you go to bed. This helps you not to focus on those worries overnight.
• Try not to take naps during the day because naps may make you sleepless at night.
• Don't use your bed for anything other than sleep or sex.
• Go to bed at the same each night and get up at the same time each morning.
• If you can't fall asleep; read a book, browse the net, take a bath, or watch TV.

How to achieve success by Mr. Ant

• No matter the obstacle in its way, an ant will overcome it. To achieve success, you must never ever give up.
• Ants are always around each other assisting one another. In life, to attain success, you need people around you who will believe in you and your work.
• Ants are tireless workers. All day long, they work gathering food. In life, only hard work guarantees success.
• Ants are always preparing and thinking of tomorrow. To attain success in life, you must plan for your future.
• Ants never leave today's work till tomorrow. To achieve success, whatever you need to do, do it now!
• Ants' warriors (soldier ants) are rarely seen. To achieve success in life, don't reveal your secrets.

How to maintain your rug

• Avoid burns from cigarette, candle or fire-place.
• Any hole or torn edge must be repaired as soon as possible to prevent it from getting larger.
• To guard against tiny moths that eat rug, crush moth balls and place underneath your rug.
• If you store rugs folded, use moth balls and check the rugs every month or two.
• As routine maintenance, wash your rug every three years. This not only cleans your rug but re-moisturizes its wool.
• Stains from spills (tea, coffee, etc.) require immediate attention. Don't use any stain removers as they may damage your rug. Blot up with mild soap and then flush with water using a towel to mop up the water immediately.
• Major washing is best left to professionals.