Vermont Brownie Company’s Katherine Hayward and Shawna Lidsky look for tips on how to use social networking to expand your business. Experts say you should take 80% of your profits and invest it back in your marketing and that marketing needs to be balanced with
social media and public relations.

Watch this FoxBusinessNetwork video:

It is suggested that you try finding other people who are talking about like products and engage them to expand your network.

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Here is a free autoresponder that I am experimenting with. Try it out. Let me know how you like it.

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I saw this flyer about Housemate Match when I was in the West End Library a couple of weeks ago and I thought I'd share this information with you. Housemate Match links people who have extra room in their homes with adults who need an affordable place to live. Housemate Match has been serving Atlanta since 1984. For information on who qualifies and who to contact, visit them by clicking here: Housemate Match.

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Little Things You Can Do To Save Money On Car Fuel

By Dr. Drew Henry

Nowadays, car fuel prices are on the rise and consumers are suffering. Gone are the days when you can carelessly drive your car without worrying about burning up too much gas.

There are important procedures that you, as a car owner, can take in order to improve gas mileage. The following are practical tips to conserve gas:

Close Windows – Windows that are open can create air drag that can decrease the fuel consumption by 10%.

Avoid Bumpy Roads – Rough roads should not be taken as much as possible. Dirt, bumps, rough roads and gravels can cause 30% increase in fuel consumption.

Keep Your Car Light – Take out unnecessary baggage. The trunk should be kept clean, any gadget, tools or loads that are not needed should be taken out. 100 pounds of extra baggage can affect fuel economy by two percent.

Drive Efficiently – Just drive reasonably within the speed limit. Remember that speeds of more than 60 miles per hour increase fuel consumption. Do not do sudden starts, accelerations and stops. Acceleration should be done gradually. The gas pedal should not be stepped on more than one fourth of the way down. This will allow the engine to function most efficiently. Gas conservation could reach up to 5 percent if sudden stops, jerks and accelerations are avoided. Make use of gears for overdrive and cruise control as needed.

Check Your Car Regularly – The car should always be maintained. The engine should be given a regular tune up, the tires should always have the right air pressure and efficiently aligned, the oil should be changed when needed and air filters replaced regularly. Clogged filters can affect gas consumption adversely by up to ten percent.

Don’t Burn Gas Unnecessarily – Turn off the engine whenever there is an opportunity. Idle engine wastes fuel. There are instances where the engine could be turned off; stopping for gas, waiting for someone, changing tire pressure, caught in traffic and a lot more.

Don’t Warm Up Too Long – Lengthy warming up of the engine should be avoided. 30 to 45 seconds should be enough time. Also check if the automatic check is removed after warming up the engine. This is usually stuck which could usually cause poor gas and air combination.

By following these simple tips, you will be surprised at how much money you can save on your car fuel. And guess what? The money really adds up if you continue to follow these simple practices for conserving car fuel!

About the Author: Dr. Drew Henry owns a network of auto-related websites, including Cars And Trucks Secrets, Car Rim Secrets and Car Audio Secrets. Visit his sites today!

Source: www.isnare.com

For more frugal ideas, join the ryze group, Frugal Entrepreneurs United, hosted by DeAnna Spencer.

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Thrift Store Shopping Tips

By Sintilia Miecevole

If you are tired of seeing the same old clothing styles at mall department stores and boutiques, it may be time to add a little spice to your wardrobe. Rather than looking just like everyone else, thrift stores offer access to unique items not found anywhere else- at least not in the last twenty or so years! Not only are thrift store clothes relatively inexpensive, but they can also be ultra hip. If you approach it the right way, you may be able to create your very own personal style by mixing the old and the new.

When you first decide to embark on a thrift store shopping spree, there are a few things to remember. Firstly, a lot of thrift stores only take cash, so if you are used to grabbing Daddy’s credit card and going to town, you’ll have to make other arrangements. Some stores do take checks, so you might want to have your checkbook handy. Secondly, a lot of thrift stores do not have dressing rooms, so you’ll probably want to wear a light t-shirt so you can try on your finds right where you find them. And most importantly, you are probably not going to find anything that fits you absolutely perfectly. You can’t go in looking for “your size.” You will have to try on what looks promising and see if you can alter it in any way if needed.

Believe it or not, thrift stores in the hippest parts of town generally have the least hip clothes. This is because there are hundreds of people just like you who are picking through their stock of wearable items every day. If you want to find authentic vintage clothing at inexpensive prices, you’ll have to drive to the most uncool parts of town. This could mean the suburbs, and it could mean farmland, depending on where you are located. You will find, however, that it is well worth the drive, and that your treasure is definitely another woman’s trash.

Shirts are typically the easiest items to find at thrift stores, because they allow more flexibility in the fitting department. You can find some excellent western shirts in rural areas, and there are always witty t-shirts on the little boy’s racks. If you are looking for a good pair of jeans, however, you might want to check the men’s section. Thrift stores typically stock a plethora of pleated-front tapered-leg acid-washed jeans in the ladies section, so you will rarely find anything cool on those racks. However, the men’s section can be filled with surprisingly girlish slacks in interesting colors and textures. There have also been known to be great pairs of vintage Levi’s hanging in the men’s racks.

If vintage dresses are your think, you will have a field-day going through the strange fashions of yesteryear that you will find in any thrift store. Once you make your way past the obnoxious flowery Sunday dresses and the strange lime green pleated skirts, you may find one or two keepers. Don’t give up until you looked at the last one, because chances are there will be a diamond in the rough there just waiting for a little nip and tuck from your sewing machine.

Thrift stores are also an excellent place to find work clothes for a job interview or a new office job. If you’d rather save your money for more fun items, you can always replenish your work wardrobe with some inexpensive black skirts and dress shirts from the local Salvation Army or Goodwill. Work people will never know that your new suit only cost you five bucks. They’ll just be happy that you’re not wearing your favorite club get-up to the important meeting again.

About the Author: Sintilia Miecevole, host of http://www.formshopping.com provides you with shopping information from franchises, business, great buys and seasonal items to ecommerce and more. Be sure to visit http://www.formshopping.com for the latest information.

Source: www.isnare.com

Are you content with your online advertising expenses? Schedule a coaching session with DeAnna Spencer today.  She will design an affordable online advertising plan for your small business.
Visit this small business site today for more information.

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