Finding the Right Home Rental in Lake Tahoe

There are a few patterns to consider when looking for a Lake Tahoe home rental. You'll pay more for the houses near the ski areas in the winter time no matter the size and you'll always pay more for lakefront properties no matter what time of year. But if you can decide what you need (or want) and what you want to spend there are a multitude of choices for house vacation rentals in and around the beautiful lake.

High up on a hill, overlooking the western shores of Lake Tahoe sits an 8,000 square foot home visited by presidents, dignitaries and the merely wealthy. Built in the 1930s by a noted steel magnate, the house is now available for rent, ranging in price from $3,000 per night to $50,000 per month depending upon the season. It comes fully equipped with a full staff of cook, housekeeper, maid and butler, a choice of automobiles to use, a pool and down on the lake, the private boat dock with what can only be described as a "lake yacht" complete with a skipper who will gladly ride you to any point on the lake ? all at no extra charge.

Or, if you prefer, stay in a beautiful, upscale neighborhood where the lawns are neatly mowed, the kids play safely outside on the sidewalks and the driveways all end with a basketball hoop hanging from the garage. Houses like this are plentiful in several areas around the lake and average in price from $300 per night to $1200 per week for three, four or even five bedrooms.

You can call any one of a number of local real estate agents to arrange a house vacation rental for you at a modest fee. Tell them exactly the type of home you're looking to rent and they'll will find it for you. If you're the more adventurous type, you can get a bit more bang for your buck by researching the numerous websites on the internet. And, if you've got any familiarity with the area, you'll likely find exactly what you want without much trouble.

Lake Tahoe Vacation Rentals Info provides detailed information on South and North Lake Tahoe rentals, as well as Lake Tahoe home, condo, and cabin vacation rentals. Lake Tahoe Vacation Rentals Info is the sister site of Hilton Head Rentals Web.

Footprints and Monuments - Slow Down

Every month I usually sit down and write an article around the topics of leadership, teamwork, vision, or self-improvement. However, this month I am only passing on something that came across my desk a few days ago. If this means something to you - pass it on, if not simply delete it and be looking for next month's article that will surely help you live your life to your potential.

A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something.

As his car passed, no children appeared. Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's side door! He slammed on the brakes and backed the Jag back to the spot where the brick had been thrown. The angry driver then jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up against a parked car shouting, "What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing? That's a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money. Why did you do it?"

The young boy was apologetic. "Please, mister...please, I'm sorry but I didn't know what else to do," He pleaded. "I threw the brick because no one else would stop..." With tears dripping down his face and off his chin, the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car. "It's my brother," he said. "He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up." Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive, "Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me."

Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He hurriedly lifted the handicapped boy back into the wheelchair, then took out a linen handkerchief and dabbed at the fresh scrapes and cuts. A quick look told him everything was going to be okay.

"Thank you and may God bless you," the grateful child told the stranger.

Too shook up for words, the man simply watched the boy push his wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk toward their home It was a long, slow walk back to the Jaguar.

The damage was very noticeable, but the driver never bothered to repair the dented side door. He kept the dent there to remind him of this message "Don't go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention!"

God whispers in our souls and speaks to our hearts. Sometimes when we don't have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at us. It's our choice to listen or not. Thought for the Day:

If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it. He sends you flowers every spring. He sends you a sunrise every morning. Face it, friend - He is crazy about you! Slow down and enjoy the life God is allowing you to live.

Footprints and Monuments is a free monthly leadership and motivational e-newsletter. No names receiving this e-newsletter are sold or distributed to any other source. You are encouraged to forward this monthly article to anyone in your address book. To un-subscribe please reply back with "Un-subscribe" in the subject field.

About The Author

www.jeffearlywine.com

jeff@teamnrn.com

Successfully Selling Your Professional Services

As a professional service provider you face special challenges promoting yourself to potential clients. You may have certain restrictions on how you market or advertise. You may feel overwhelmed by the demands of being both owner and employee. You might not have a strong base of effective selling & marketing skills. In addition, you may believe that self promotion is somehow unprofessional and pushy or even unnecessary. Very often, professionals "open up shop" and expect, much like in the Field of Dreams, "if you build it, they will come."

I don't deny that there is some validity to this approach; for instance, if you rent space in a strategic location and let your colleagues know you're there then you are likely to get referrals - eventually. This is fine if you're willing to wait months or years to create a thriving business. The bottom line is that you must let people know who you are and what you can do if you want to be successful in selling your services now.

This does not mean that you adopt a persona that doesn't suit you or that you try all the marketing and sales techniques you can find while desperately seeking one that works. Instead, I'd like to offer you the 7 "C" approach to successfully selling your professional service.

Clarity. This refers to spending time to craft a clear, compelling and memorable message. It involves being very clear about the benefits of your service and finding a way to "speak the language" of your potential customers. Very often, professionals resort to phrases like, "I help my clients reach their goals." "I do tax returns." "I give massages". Is there anything particularly compelling or memorable about any of these statements? Not really. Instead, how about these: "I help my clients reach their goals of working 51% less and making 52% more." Or "My clients legally pay fewer taxes" Or "I provide a special type of massage which can permanently reduce the pain from old injuries." Do you see how each of these statements provides more clarity and gives the potential customer more information about benefits? The power of clarity is that you know, right away, if your potential client will buy from you. At the very least you've provided the potential client a memorable way to remember you-so s/he can refer friends.

Caring. This point might go without saying, but, just in case this is a new idea you want to be sure you care about your customers. Marketing is most effective (and easiest) when you have a passion for your service and absolutely know that it's effective. You really want people to experience your service because you care, for instance, that they work less and make more, that they save money on tax day or that they are pain-free. If you can't think of anything in your service that you care about deeply, passionately and vocally keep looking until you do. Finding this aspect is like unlocking a treasure chest!

Congruency. Another aspect to consider in marketing yourself is that of congruency. Congruency is the match between what you say and what you do. This "match" between inner and outer helps potential clients understand you and remember you. For example, if you say that you're a financial services advisor, specializing in accounts over $500k, make sure you "look" and "act" the part. This means that you will behave much like your ideal clients. You will dress the same, read the same magazines, spend time in the same restaurants or belong to the same professional groups. Your ideal clients will be attracted to you if you are congruent between what you say and what you do. Build your credibility by cultivating this 'match' within yourself.

Competency. The best marketing in the world will not save a professional who is not competent and skilled at his or her trade. Although you are probably extraordinarily competent already make sure to maintain this "edge" by continuous learning. To continue being extremely skilled upgrade your education and training whenever needed. The highly skilled professional commands higher fees and find it easier to attract and retain high quality clients.

Charisma. Charisma is the skill of leading and developing a devoted following. You can increase your charisma and should make every effort to do so. Be aware of your "silent" language. Do you look interested? Are you listening? Do you ask good questions? Do you provide the prospect an opportunity to ask questions or get more information? Do you have resources to recommend to this client if it turns out she or he is not a match for your business?

Consistency. The most effective marketing strategy ever is consistency. Day in and day out, you must commit to marketing yourself and your professional services. It is too easy to forgo marketing when business picks up which may leave you scrambling for business during a downturn. Instead, commit fully to daily marketing actions and then take them.

Let's say that you're ready to put these 6 C's in place but you'd like someone to help you move forward. Consider, then, a 7th "C"- Coaching. If you're a person who is open to new approaches, willing to take action and believe that support, guidance, and accountability would benefit you, consider working with a Certified Sales Coach. These specially trained professionals can help you develop the skills you need to build your ideal business in record time.

(c) 2003. Dr. Rachna D. Jain. All Rights in All Media Reserved.

About The Author

Dr. Rachna D. Jain is Director of Operations for Sales Coach Training a division of Comprehensive Coaching U. If you'd like to learn more about working with a Certified Sales Coach, please visit http://www.salescoachtraining.com/meet.html.

Making Press Releases Work - Creating News Where None Existed

Aren't you tired of hearing how extremely easy it is to get free publicity? Have you tried the suggestions that most public relations "gurus" give you? The hard, cold truth of the matter is that you cannot write a press release about any old aspect of your business and have it end up on the home page of the Fortune Small Business Web site. It just doesn't work that way. So how does it work, and what do you do if you need publicity but have nothing "newsworthy" to share?

There's another truth to publicity ... you can create it if you need to, and it's not that hard to do! Let me offer you useable suggestions that you can implement in order to gain some free exposure for your small business.

--- Offer A Donation to a Worthy Cause

One woman (a business coach) gave two scholarships to a local community college that catered to the underprivileged. She included two months of free business-building coaching services for qualified applicants at the school. She set forth the criteria with the help of the college, and decided on how to choose the scholarship winners.

Press releases were sent out, and the media went wild! Of course they would ... everyone loves to hear about people who are helping out the underdog. She received a lot of free promotion and boosted her image as a community leader, too.

--- Relate Your Product/Service to a Local/National News Event

Right now the United States is experiencing two very troubling problems that the media covers on a regular basis. The first is a drastic upswing in unemployment (especially in high-tech fields). The second is an energy crisis (particularly in California).

If your product or service can somehow offer a solution (even a small one) to one of these two dilemmas, you stand a great chance of getting some publicity.

Perhaps you own a resume service that has an exceptional rate of success for one reason or another. Phrase your release so that it helps to solve the unemployment crisis (and does not blatantly promote your business) and you'll perk up some journalist's ears.

--- Get In Line With Seasonal Events

The change in seasons always makes the news. In summertime, you'll find stories on safe vacation travel or the best airline deals. At the end of the year there is always coverage pertaining to New Year's Resolutions and how to keep them. Fall is generally a great time for gardening-type businesses to remind everyone to plant now so their yards will look fabulous come springtime.

If your company can offer some viable information pertaining to seasonal events, a press release might be in order. Writing a release outlining how your online travel agency always gives clients a "vacation safety" package that has proven to "save the day" in the past will bring out some interest in the local (and maybe national) media.

Above all, use your imagination. Pay attention to the newspapers, television news and magazines you come in contact with. Notice the types of stories they cover and then write a release that falls in line. You will soon be able to create news where none previously existed and gain some free exposure for yourself in the process!

Diane C. Hughes * ProBizTips.com

FREE Report: Amazingly Simple (Yet Super Powerful) Ways To Skyrocket Your Sales And Build Your Business Into A Tower of Profits! ==>> http://madmarketer.com/diane

Toxic Chemicals, Are Your Children Being Exposed?

You do what you can to keep your little ones safe and healthy in this world we live in. You put your household cleaners out of reach and make sure the front door is securely locked. You tuck them in at night with a story and a kiss, wishing them sweet dreams. Unfortunately, your children are not safe! While they sleep, they are being exposed to toxic chemicals found in that crib or bed you so lovingly tucked them into.

Liver poisoning, thyroid problems and altered learning, memory and behavior may be caused by Polybrominated diphenyl ethers or PBDEs. These chemicals are used as fire retardants and are found in mattresses and other furniture. PBDE levels in people and the environment have been rising rapidly in recent years, particularly in North America, where the use of PBDEs is highest. In Europe, foods, especially fish, are thought to be a major source of exposure. But in North America PBDEs are much more prevalent in consumer products than they are in Europe. In Sweden, PBDEs have been banned.

You might be thinking that if these PBDEs were so dangerous, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) would know about them and do something. The fact is, they do know. Last year the EPA announced no new manufacture or import of these chemicals can occur without first being subject to EPA evaluation. No systematic monitoring of PBDEs in the bodies of US residents is underway, and no plans have been made to assess the risk posed by the millions of pounds of PBDEs that are already found in furniture and other consumer products in people's homes. To be fair, the EPA has stated that they have not concluded that PBDEs pose an unreasonable risk to human health or the environment. Of course, they have also acknowledged there is evidence that these chemicals may cause liver toxicity, thyroid toxicity, and neurodevelopmental toxicity.

What can we do to protect ourselves and our children from these chemicals?

Get as much information as you can about how your household furniture is made and what chemicals are used in the process. You might consider using organic products that are naturally made with no harmful chemicals. We can never be completely safe from the many chemicals we're exposed to on a daily basis, but we can reduce them significantly. We can look into the faces of our children and know that we are doing our part to keep them safe in an unsafe world.

Resources:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ? Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics; http://www.epa.gov

Northwest Environment Watch; http://www.northwestwatch.org

Author:

Shelly Platt

http://www.naturallygood.net

Renegotiating a Cell Tower Lease- Can It Be Done?

While cell towers actually started being built in the late 1970's, the boom in development did not really start until Congress passed the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Instead of having two wireless providers in any one area, customers now found that there were up to eight companies with licenses from the FCC to provide Personal Communications Service (PCS) in their area.

Initially, each wireless provider built its own towers and rarely collocated (shared) on the other's towers. This made for rapid development of communication sites and towers and a plethora of landowners with cell towers on their property. As you can imagine, many landowners had little to base the lease negotiations on and signed agreements that were substandard in comparison to today's lease rates.

Today, with the advent of much information (or misinformation) on the internet, those same landowners are learning that the deal they signed might not be a good one. As the standard cell tower lease is a 25 year lease with termination rights only vested in the lessee (cellular carrier), the landowners often wonder if they can get out of the lease or renegotiate it.

The answer to this question is not an easy one and resides in the cell tower lease document. Fortunately for some landowners, the lease agreements signed in the early days after 1996 were not as advanced as those of today. Many lease agreements were only for 10 years and landowners with those types of agreements may now have the ability to reneogtiate for a better deal.

The key here is that the lease agreement must state that the landowner has the right to terminate as well as the lessee. If so, then that opens the opportunity to renegotiate. Many times, the wireless company that owns the tower will be in touch way before the lease expires to renegotiate.

If the lease does not give the landowner the right to terminate, then the chance of successful renegotiation declines. The only basis for renegotiation would be if the wireless company has breached the lease agreement by failing to pay or by violating another clause. It is important to note that most lease require that the landowner notify the lessee of a breach and they are given the opportunity to cure it. The most common reasons for breach in a cell tower lease include failure to pay rent, failure to get approval to sublet the site to another company, failure to get consent to an assignment of the tower, and failure to maintain the site location as required. If you believe that the tower owner has breached the lease, seek legal counsel and make sure to notify the tower owner promptly.

In the event that you decide that a lease can be renegotiated, it is best to hire a consultant or attorney with experience with in negotiating wireless leases and whom is familiar with what fair market rates are for communication tower and cell site leases. If you determine that the lease cannot be renegotiated, then just sit back and continue to receive your "mailbox money".

Ken Schmidt is the owner of Steel in the Air, a cell tower consulting firm. Steel in the Air provides expert consultations on cell tower valuation, cell tower lease negotiations, lease renegotiations and lease buyouts. Ken has been quoted on cell towers in the NY Times and numerous other publications.

A $500 Payday Loan Can Help In an Emergency

A $500 payday loan can be a real life saver during one of life's financial emergencies. Whether it is a much needed car repair or an unexpected bill, payday loans can provided extra cash while helping you keep a good credit history. The key to payday loans is to pay them off as soon as possible.

Emergency Help

Payday loans are ideal short-term loans for emergencies. With their 14 day due dates, payday loans help you to pay unexpected expenses and build a good credit record. Payday loans also offer flexible payment options, so you can pay back the loan's principal on your timetable.

Unlike traditional payday loan stores, online payday companies can process your loan application at anytime and anywhere. They also provide company representatives that you can speak to if you have any questions. However, payday loan websites will post their rates and fees, along with answers to typically asked questions.

Fast Money

With online payday loan companies, you can get a cash advance deposited into your checking account the next day. Online payday loan companies process your application over their secure website so you know within minutes if you have been approved. You don't have to fax any information or mail in any forms. The whole process takes a matter of minutes to complete.

Your approved loan amount will depend on your state's laws and income level. $500 is a typical loan amount, but in some cases you can borrow up to $1000. Once your application is approved, you can decide on your loan amount which will then be electronically deposited into your checking account.

Choose Your Payment Option

Once you have been approved for a payday loan, you will also need to choose the best payment option. By default most payday loan companies will charge you only a finance charge on your next payday. However, you can choose to pay part of your loan's principal or all of it. The longer you take to pay back your loan, the more you will pay in finance charges. Decide ahead of time how soon you can pay back the loan amount and set up the payment plan at the beginning.

To view our list of recommended payday loan companies online, visit this page: Recommended Payday Loan Companies Online.

Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide, an informational website with articles and information about various types of loans.