As my family prepared to move in our first home, like most people — we had lots to do in the house. To do it all would mean taking shortcuts and buying low-priced items. The result would be less than flattering. The job called for prioritizing to ensure we bought decent quality items. First up: … Read more
I’ve used two web hosts since buying the meryl.net domain around 1995. The first charged a bit, had a lot of problems (email delivery and keeping the site up also known as server uptime) and provided subpar customer service. At the time, the rate was probably standard with fewer web hosting services and it being … Read more
What did I do last weekend? (Technically, two weekends ago.) I sat by the pool watching my family swim. I finished Catching Fire. (Four out of five stars.) I cheered on the Dallas Mavericks as I watched the parade on TV in the comfort of my own home. I discovered the newest shows on Broadway while … Read more
I’m sure you haven’t been keeping tabs on how often I blog or noticed fewer blog entries lately. Most people don’t for most blogs, email updates and websites. We get so much information that we don’t stand by wondering where the latest update is from so ‘n so. It pangs me not to keep this … Read more
On a popular weight loss show, a contestant weighing over 500 pounds kept repeating, “I have to lose my dad. I have to lose my dad.” While I’m not in the contestant’s shoes needing to lose almost 300 pounds — the amount his dad weighed — his statement shook me. His body language, his face, … Read more
Something about my brain helps me stay organized. I like things to have an assigned spot because I know where to look for them when I need them. A cluttered room turns my brain to mush and weighs me down. I can’t focus in a messy area, so it’s a good thing I have a … Read more
Writer confidence comes with experience. Even so, many of us — me, included — let things get the best of us and we lose confidence. “Oh, I’ve been lucky to make it this far.” Or we get scared and fear someone will open the curtain and discover no wizard back there. The writing profession is … Read more
For most small-business owners, keeping the books isn’t a highlight. They prefer to focus on improving and expanding their core business. Bookkeeping? That’s a chore. Yet, running a successful business requires effective bookkeeping. As a small-business owner, you might not have the budget to outsource your bookkeeping responsibilities. Instead, you have to learn how to … Read more
If you do or plan to accept guest posts, it helps to have guidelines before you start reviewing requests. Too many folks have abused guest posting privileges. Besides that, guidelines help you ensure your blog has high quality, integrity and relevancy also known as “keer” or QIR. OK, I made that up 🙂 These guidelines … Read more
In a previous post, we started with features to look for in selecting a merchant account provider. This covers payment processing and credit card security options for growing businesses. After selecting your merchant account provider, it’s time to review which credit card processing options and products fit your business, and how these services will prevent … Read more