SIXTY USES OF BAKING SODA

Bicarbonate of soda or baking soda has many different uses in
the household. 

Although much more expensive products have been developed over
the years to do the same jobs, baking soda can work for you just
as well, if not better. Use it in the following ways:


1.  To make your own baking powder, stir and sift together 2
parts of Cream of Tartar to 1 part baking soda and 1 part
cornstarch.

2.  Be sure to keep an extra box of baking soda by your stove in
case of grease or electrical fire.  Scatter the powder by the
handful to safely put it out.

3.  Keep a container of baking soda in your garage as well as in
your car to put out a fire.  It won't damage anything it touches.

4.  Baking soda will also put out fires in clothing, fuel, wood,
upholstery and rugs.

5.  Clean vegetables and fruit with baking soda.  Sprinkle in
water, soak and rise the produce.

6.  Wash garbage cans with baking soda.

7.  Soak and wash diapers with baking soda.

8.  Oil and grease - stained clothing washes out better with
soda added to the washing water.

9.  Clean your fridge and freezer with dry soda sprinkled on a
damp cloth.  rinse with clear water.

10.  Deodorize your fridge and freezer by putting in an open
container of baking soda to absorb odors.  Stir and turn over
the soda from time to time.  Replace every 2 months.

11.  Soda absorbs kitty litter odors.  Cover the bottom of the
kitty box with 1 part soda; then add a layer of 3 parts kitty
litter on top.

12.  Always add 1/2 cup soda to your washing machine load.

13. Clean combs and brushes in a soda solution.

14.  Wash food and drink containers with soda and water.

15.  Wash marble-topped furniture with a solution of 3
tablespoons of soda in 1 quart of warm water.  Let stand awhile,
then rinse.

16.  Clean formica counter tops with baking soda on a damp
sponge.

17.  Wash out thermos bottles and cooling containers with soda
and water to get rid of stale smells.

18.  To remove stubborn stains from marble, formica or plastic
surfaces, scour with a paste of soda and water.

19.  Wash glass or stainless steel coffee pots (but not
aluminum) in a soda solution ( 3 tbsp. soda to 1 quart water).

20.  Run you coffee maker through its cycle with a soda
solution.  Rinse.

21.  Give baby bottles a good cleaning with soda and hot water.

22.  Sprinkle soda on barbecue grills, let soak, then rinse off.

23.  Sprinkle soda on greasy garage floor.  Let stand, scrub and
rinse.

24.  Polish silverware with dry soda on a damp cloth.  Rub,
rinse and dry.

25.  For silver pieces without raised patterns or cemented-on
handles:  place the silver on aluminum foil in an enamel pot.
Add boiling water and 4 tbsp. baking soda.  Let stand, rinse and
dry.

26.  Reduce odor build-up in your dishwasher by sprinkling some
soda on the bottom.

27.  Run your dishwasher through its cycle with soda in it
instead of soap to give it a good cleaning.

28.  To remove burned-on food from a pan:  let the pan soak in
soda and water for 10 minutes before washing.  Or scrub the pot
with dry soda and a moist scouring pad.

29.  For a badly-burned pan with a thick layer of burned-on
food:  pour a thick layer of soda directly onto the bottom of
the pan, then sprinkle on just enough water so as to moisten the
soda.  Leave the pot overnight, then scrub it clean next day.

30.  Rub stainless steel and chrome with a moist cloth and dry
baking soda to shine it up.  Rinse and dry.  On stainless steel,
scrub in the direction of the grain.

31.  Clean plastic, porcelain and glass with dry soda on a damp
cloth.  Rinse and dry.

32.  Remove that bad smell from ashtrays with soda and water.

33.  Sprinkle a bit of dry soda in your ashtrays to prevent
smoldering and reduce odor.

34.  Clean your bathroom with dry soda on a moist sponge - sink,
tub, tiles, shower stall, etc.

35.  Keep your drains clean and free-flowing by putting 4
tablespoons of soda in them each week.  Flush the soda down with
hot water.

36.  Soak your shower curtains in water and soda to clean them.

37.  To remove strong odors from your hands, wet your hands and
rub them hard with soda, then rinse.

38.  Sprinkle baking soda on your wet toothbrush and brush your
teeth and dentures with it.

39.  Sprinkle soda in tennis shoes, socks, boots and slippers to
eliminate odor.

40.  Add 1/2 cups or more of baking soda to your bath water to
soften your skin.

41.  Putting 2 tbsp. of baking soda in your baby's bath water
will help relieve diaper rash irritations.

42.  Apply soda directly to insect bites, rashes and poison ivy
to relieve discomfort.  Make a paste with water.

43.  Take a soda bath to relieve general skin irritations such
as measles and chicken pox.

44.  Take 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2 glass of water to
relieve acid indigestion or heartburn.

45.  Gargle with 1/2 tsp. baking soda in 1/2 glass of water.
Freshens and cleans your mouth. 

46.  Used as a mouthwash, baking soda will also relieve canker
sore pain.

47.  To relieve sunburn:  use a paste of baking soda and water.

48.  Bug bites:  use a poultice of baking soda and vinegar.

49. Bee sting:  use a poultice of baking soda and water.

50.  Windburns:  moisten some baking soda and apply directly.

51.  Making Play Clay with baking soda:  combine 1 1/4 cups
water, 2 cups soda, 1 cup cornstarch.

52.  Use soda as an underarm deodorant.

53.  If your baby spits up on his shirt after feeding, moisten a
cloth, dip it in baking soda and dab at the dribbled shirt.  Tho
odor will go away.

54.  When scalding a chicken, add 1 tsp. of soda to the boiling
water.  The feathers will come off easier and flesh will be
clean and white.

55.  Repel rain from windshield.  Put gobs of baking soda on a
dampened cloth and wipe windows inside and out.

56.  Add to water to soak dried beans to make them more
digestible.

57.  Add to water to remove the "gamey" taste from wild game.

58.  Use to sweeten sour dishcloths.

59.  Use dry with a small brush to rub canvas handbags clean.

60.  Use to remove melted plastic bread wrapper from toaster.
Dampen cloth and make a mild abrasive with baking soda.

SIXTY USES OF VINEGAR

1.  Arthritis tonic and treatment; 2 spoonfuls of apple cider
vinegar and honey in a glass of water several times daily.

2.  Thirst-quenching drink:  apple cider vinegar mixed with cold
water.

3.  Sagging cane chairs:  sponge them with a hot solution of
half vinegar and half water.  Place the chairs out in the hot
sun to dry.

4.  Skin burns:  apply ice cold vinegar right away for fast
relief.  Will prevent burn blisters.

5.  Add a spoonful of vinegar to cooking water to make
cauliflower white and clean.

6.  Storing cheese:  keep it fresh longer by wrapping it in a
vinegar-soaked cloth and keeping it in a sealed container.

7.  Remove stains from stainless steel and chrome with a
vinegar-dampened cloth.

8.  Rinse glasses and dishes in water and vinegar to remove
spots and film.

9.  Prevent grease build-up in your oven by frequently wiping it
with vinegar.

10.  Wipe jars of preserves and canned food with vinegar to
prevent mold-producing bacteria.

11.  To eliminate mildew, dust and odors, wipe down walls with
vinegar-soaked cloth.

12.  Clean windows with vinegar and water.

13.  Hardened paint brushes:  simmer in boiling vinegar and wash
in hot soapy water.

14.  Clean breadbox and food containers with vinegar-dampened
cloth to keep fresh-smelling and clean.

15.  Pour boiling vinegar down drains to unclog and clean them.

16.  Clean fireplace bricks with undiluted vinegar.

17.  An excellent all-purpose cleaner:  vinegar mixed with salt.
 Cleans copper, bronze, brass, dishes, pots, pans, skillets,
glasses, windows.  Rinse well.

18.  Make your catsup and other condiments last long by
adding vinegar.

19.  To clear up respiratory congestion, inhale a vapor mist
from steaming pot containing water and several spoonfuls of
vinegar.

20.  Apple cider vinegar and honey as a cure-all:  use to
prevent apathy, obesity, hay fever, asthma, rashes, food
poisoning, heartburn, sore throat, bad eyesight, dandruff,
brittle nails and bad breath.

21.  When boiling eggs, add some vinegar to the water to prevent
white from leaking out of a cracked egg.

22.  When poaching eggs, add  a teaspoon of vinegar to the water
to prevent separation.

23.  Weight loss:  vinegar helps prevent fat from accumulating
in the body.

24.  Canned fish and shrimp:  to give it a freshly caught taste,
soak in a mixture of sherry and 2 tablespoons of vinegar.

25.  Add a spoonful of vinegar when cooking fruit to improve the
flavor.

26.  Soak fish in vinegar and water before cooking for a tender,
sweeter taste.

27.  Add vinegar to boiling ham to improve flavor and cut salty
taste.

28.  Improve the flavor of desserts by adding a touch of vinegar.

29.  Add vinegar to your deep fryer to eliminate a greasy taste.

30.  Add a tablespoon of vinegar to fruit gelatin to hold it
firm.

31.  Steep your favorite herb in vinegar until you have a
pleasing taste and aroma.

32.  Use vinegar instead of lemon on fried and broiled foods.

33.  To remove lime coating on your tea kettle;  add vinegar to
the water and let stand overnight.

34.  To make a good liniment:  beat 1 whole egg, add 1 cup
vinegar and 1 cup turpentine.  Blend.

35.  Apply vinegar to chapped, cracked skin for quick healing.

36.  Vinegar promotes skin health:  rub on tired, sore or
swollen areas.

37.  Reduce mineral deposits in pipes, radiators, kettles and
tanks by adding vinegar into the system.

38.  Rub vinegar on the cut end of uncooked ham to prevent mold.

39.  Clean jars with vinegar and water to remove odor.

40.  Avoid cabbage odor by adding vinegar to the cooking water.

41.  Skunk odor:  remove from pets by rubbing fur with vinegar.

42.  Paint adheres better to galvanized metal that has been
wiped with vinegar.

43.  Pets' drinking water:  add vinegar to eliminate odor and
encourage shiny fur.

44.  For fluffy meringue:  beat 3 egg whites with a teaspoon of
vinegar.

45.  Pie crust:  add 1 tablespoon vinegar to your pastry recipe
for an exceptional crust.

46.  Half a teaspoon per quart of patching plaster allows you
more time to work the plaster before it hardens.

47.  Prevent discoloration of peeled potatoes by adding a few
drops of vinegar to water.  They will keep fresh for days in
fridge.

48.  Poultry water:  add vinegar to increase egg production and
to produce tender meat.

49.  Preserve peppers:  put freshly picked peppers in a
sterilized jar and finish filling with boiling vinegar.

50.  Olives and pimentos will keep indefinitely if covered with
vinegar and refrigerated.

51.  Add 1 tsp. vinegar to cooking water for fluffier rice.

52.  Add vinegar to laundry rinse water:  removes all soap and
prevents yellowing.

53.  After shampoo hair rinse: 
     1 ounce apple cider vinegar in 1 quart of distilled water.

54.  For a shiny crust on homemade bread and rolls:  just before
they have finished baking, take them out, brush crusts with
vinegar, return to oven to finish baking.

55.  Homemade sour cream:  blend together 1 cup cottage cheese,
1/4 cup skim milk and 1 tsp. vinegar.

56.  Boil vinegar and water in pots to remove stains.

57.  Remove berry stains from hands with vinegar.

58.  Prevent sugaring by mixing a drop of vinegar in the cake
icing.

59.  Cold vinegar relieves sunburn.

60.When boiling meat, add a spoonful of vinegar to the water to
make it more tender.

Bonus:

61.  Marinate tough meat in vinegar overnight to tenderize.

62.  A strength tonic:  combine raw eggs, vinegar and black
pepper.  Blend well.

63.  Douche:  2 to 4 ounces of vinegar in 2 quarts of warm water.

SIXTY USES OF SALT

Although you may not realize it, simple table salt has a great
number of uses other than simply seasoning your food.  The
following list will give you sixty uses of salt, many of which
you probably didn't realize:


1.  Soak stained hankies in salt water before washing.

2.  Sprinkle salt on your shelves to keep ants away.

3.  Soak fish in salt water before descaling;  the scales will
come off easier.

4.  Put a few grains of rice in your  salt shaker for easier
pouring.

5.  Add salt to green salads to prevent wilting.

6.  Test the freshness of eggs in a cup of salt water;  fresh
eggs sink;  bad ones float.

7.  Add a little salt to your boiling water when cooking eggs;
a cracked egg will stay in its shell this way.

8.  A tiny pinch of salt with egg whites makes them beat up
fluffier.

9.  Soak wrinkled apples in a mildly salted water solution to
perk them up.

10.  Rub salt on your pancake griddle and your  flapjacks won't
stick.

11.  Soak toothbrushes in salt water before you first use them;
they will last longer.

12.  Use salt to clean your  discolored coffee pot.

13.  Mix salt with turpentine to whiten you bathtub and toilet
bowl.

14.  Soak your nuts in salt brine overnight and they will crack
out of their shells whole.  Just tap the end of the shell with a
hammer to break it open easily.

15.  Boil clothespins in salt water before using them and they
will last longer.

16.  Clean brass, copper and pewter with paste made of salt and
vinegar, thickened with flour

17.  Add a little salt to the water your cut flowers will stand
in for a longer life.

18.  Pour a mound of salt on an ink spot on your  carpet;  let
the salt soak up the stain.

19.  Clean you iron by rubbing some salt on the damp cloth on
the ironing surface.

20.  Adding a little salt to the water when cooking foods in a
double boiler will make the food cook faster.

21.  Use a mixture of salt and lemon juice to clean piano keys.

22.  To fill plaster holes in your walls, use equal parts of
salt and starch, with just enough water to make a stiff putty.

23.  Rinse a sore eye with a little salt water.

24.  Mildly salted water makes an effective mouthwash.  Use it
hot for a sore throat gargle.

25.  Dry salt sprinkled on your toothbrush makes a good tooth
polisher.

26.  Use salt for killing weeds in your lawn.

27.  Eliminate excess suds with a sprinkle of salt.

28.  A dash of salt in warm milk makes a more relaxing beverage.

29.  Before using new glasses, soak them in warm salty water for
awhile.

30.  A dash of salt enhances the taste of tea.

31.  Salt improves the taste of cooking apples.

32.  Soak your clothes line in salt water to prevent your
clothes from freezing to the line;  likewise, use salt in your
final rinse to prevent the clothes from freezing.

33.  Rub any wicker furniture you may have with salt water to
prevent yellowing.

34.  Freshen sponges by soaking them in salt water.

35.  Add raw potatoes to stews and soups that are too salty.

36.  Soak enamel pans in salt water overnight and boil salt
water in them next day to remove burned-on stains.

37.  Clean your  greens in salt water for easier removal of dirt.

38.  Gelatin sets more quickly when a dash of salt is added.

39.  Fruits put in mildly salted water after peeling will not
discolor.

40.  Fabric colors hold fast in salty water wash.

41.  Milk stays fresh longer when a little salt is added.

42.  Use equal parts of salt and soda for brushing your teeth.

43.  Sprinkle salt in your oven before scrubbing clean.

44.  Soaked discolored glass in a salt and vinegar solution to
remove stains.

45.  Clean greasy pans with a paper towel and salt.

46.  Salty water boils faster when cooking eggs.

47.  Add a pinch of salt to whipping cream to make it whip more
quickly.

48.  Sprinkle salt in milk-scorched pans to remove odour.

49.  A dash of salt improves the taste of coffee.

50.  Boil mismatched hose in salty water and they will come out
matched.

51.  Salt and soda will sweeten the odor of your refrigerator.

52.  Cover wine-stained fabric with salt;  rinse in cool water
later.

53.  Remove offensive odors from stove with salt and cinnamon.

54.  A pinch of salt improves the flavor of cocoa.

55.  To remove grease stains in clothing, mix one part salt to
four parts alcohol.

56.  Salt and lemon juice removes mildew.

57.  Sprinkle salt between sidewalk bricks where you don't want
grass growing.

58.  Polish your old kerosene lamp with salt for a brighter look.

59.  Remove odors from sink drainpipes with a strong, hot
solution of salt water.

60.  If a pie bubbles over in your oven, put a handful of salt
on top of the spilled juice.  The mess won't smell and will bake
into a dry, light crust which will wipe off easily when the oven
has cooled.

EIGHTY USES FOR OLD NEWSPAPER

1.   use as umbrella when caught in rain

2.   protect carseats from muddy or wet clothing

3.   spread over outdoor benches to protect clothing

4.   put into loose shoes to tighten

5.   stuff in leather shoes to preserve shape

6.   stuff in wet shoes overnight to dry and deorderize

7.   crumple and place in suitcase for couple of weeks to remove
stale odours

8.   use as mat when polishing shoes

9.   stuff hats to keep their shape

10.  stuff leather handbags in storage

11.  wrap around candle bottoms so they'll fit holders tighter

12.  store records between sheets

13.  use as padding under a table cloth

14.  cover store windows when remodeling

15.  cover furniture when away on vacation

16.  cover furniture when sanding or painting

17.  spread on floor underneath rug when shampooing

18.  dampen and spread over window-panes  before  painting

19.  use to dry and polish window after washing

20.  dampen a bit and use to clean typewriter keys

21.  make a hat when painting

22.  fold to make a sheath for a knife

23.  place in closed windows to eliminate wind rattle

24.  stuff under doors and in cracks to stop cold wind from
coming in

25.  use as a bounce reflector when taking flash photographs or
use to reflect sunlight into shadow areas.

26.  place a sheet in jar tops to tighten loose lids

27.  make unusual lamp shades

28.  make dress patterns

29.  protect table when children are painting or gluing

30.  use as wallpaper for a doll house

31.  make paper chains

32.  make paper dolls

33.  make paper mache handicrafts

34.  make kites

35.  make party hats

36.  occupy children by letting them color and paint the cartoons

37.  make a child's play tent

38.  use to raise height of child at table

39.  use as a stepstool

40.  cut out articles and make a scrap book on a specific
subject of interest to you.

41.  emergency pot holder

42.  use to remove heavy grease from oven

43.  emergency dust pan

44.  roll, secure in middle with elastic and fringe one end to
use to get rid of cobwebs

45.  start fires

46.  use as a fan to make fires burn better

47.  sharpen pencils by rubbing the point on newspaper

48.  muffle a loud alarm clock

49.  muffle the sound of a typewriter by using as a mat
underneath

50.  place under heavy objects on wooden tables

51.  spread out between garden rows to discourage weeds

52.  use to wrap greem tomatoes to ripen

53.  cover plants during a frost

54.  use as a knee pad when gardening or scrubbing floors

55.  roll and use as a funnel

56.  roll and use as a torch

57.  roll and use as a megaphone outdoors

58.  use folded sheets as a fan to keep cool

59.  use as sun shade at spectator events

60.  use as a mat for wet darkroom photographs

61.  shred and stuff in vases to help support fresh flowers

62.  put under car wheels when stuck in snow, mud or sand

63.  line storage boxes

64.  line bottom of bird cage

65.  line shelves

66.  line waste baskets

67.  line a pet's sleeping box

68.  swat flies with rolled up sheets

69.  use to wipe paint brushes

70.  use as mat for wet, muddy boots

71.  shred and use for packing breakables

72.  wrap and store Christmas tree ornaments

73.  wrap around ice cream to keep frozen

74.  roll around baby bottle to insulate

75.  use as a blotter

76.  put inside coat for emergency warmth

77.  place on top of snow with bird feed on it

78.  place on windshield to prevent icing

79.  make a litter bag for your car

80.  crumple (no colors) and place in plastic containers to
eliminate odours

64 MECHANIC'S WAYS TO MAKE YOUR CAR LAST LONGER

Every 2 weeks or 3,000 miles:

1. Check engine oil, transmission fluid and coolant.

Once a month or 1,000 miles:

2. Check tire pressure - with tire gauge.

3. Check transmission fluid.

4. Check brake fluid.

5. Wax car (to protect finish).

6. Check belts and hoses.

Every 3 months or 3,000 miles:

7. Change oil and oil filter (every 6 months or 3,000 miles).

8. Lubricate chassis.

9. Check transmission fluid.

10. Check all drive belts (fan belts) frayed or cracked belts.

Every 6 months or 6,000 miles:

11. Change oil and filter (every 6 months or 3,000 miles).

12. Inspect suspension.

13. Rotate tires.

Every 12 months or 12,000 miles:

14. Flush radiator, replace anti-freeze, check air conditioning
system.

15. Replace air filters.

16. Lubricate chassis.

Every 2 years or 24,000 miles.

17. Replace spark plugs (30,000 miles average suggested for
unleaded gas) and PC valve.

18. Change automatic transmission fluid, filter and pan gasket.

19. Inspect brake linings.

Every 3 years or 30,000 miles:

20. Check and test ignition wires (replace if needed).

21. Test cooling system and heating hoses (replace if needed).

22. Check drive belts (replace if needed).

23. Replace fluid in differential and manual transmission.

Every 50,000 miles.

24. Check brake shoes (replace if needed)

25. If you have a major repair to do, it's wise to get at least
3 estimates, if possible, before you decide.

26. Read and follow your car owner's manual - it's your car's
bible for making your car last longer.

27. Whether you are a man, woman, boy or girl, learn to do some
routine maintenance on your car yourself.  A multitude of books,
videos, magazines and classes are available at your local
library that will teach you for free if you don't know.  Learn
how to check your own oil, transmission fluid, tire pressure and
coolant, etc.

28. If you find a good mechanic who you can trust, stick with him
even if his prices are a bit higher - all things being equal.
You'll always save time, money and aggravation in the long run.

29. Don't race or gun your engine when you start it up.
Accelerate slowly and smoothly when your engine is cold.

30. Avoid burning rubber - it places excessive wear on the
transmission, rear end, not to mention your tires.

31. An international tire company estimated that 33% of all tires
on the road are under-inflated (low air).  Under-inflated tires
wear out quicker and have a tendency to blow out easier.

32. A garaged car lasts longer.  A car port is next best, and a
car cover is a distant third.

33. Avoid jackrabbit starts and stops.  Stop and accelerate
gradually.

34. Avoid tailgating, tire squealing turns, flying over speed
bumps, pot holes and revving your engine.

35. When possible, avoid driving your car during rush hour stop
and go traffic periods.

36. Keep front-end aligned, for longer tire life and better gas
mileage.

37. Make sure you get promised repairs in writing including how
much it will cost.

38. Avoid car dealers except to have highly specialized repairs
done that can't be done properly anywhere else.

39. It's hard to be overcharged when you get three estimates
before you have the work done.

40. Beware:  Cheapest is not always the best.  Normally, the best
mechanics with the best equipment and training cost more.

41. Often mechanics that charge extremely low prices have
inferior
or out-dated equipment, little to no formal training or are
under-insured.

42. Complex electrical problems are so involved that serious
electrical work should be done in an "Auto Electric" shop.  They
have the equipment, tool and training to do the job more
efficiently than the average mechanic.

43. If your car has "Cruise Control" use it.  Using cruise
control
will save you 5% to 10% of a gallon of gas on long trips.

44. Avoid constantly pressing and releasing the accelerator when
driving.  This practise not only wastes fuel, but it puts
excessive wear on the drive train of your car.

45. Don't ride your brake pedal, this wears out your brake
linings
pre-maturely, and wastes fuel.

46. Driving with your windows all the way down at higher speeds,
will waste 10% more gallons of gasoline than driving with them
closed.

47. Research by a major car manufacturer has revealed that
neglect
of proper routine maintenance is the number one reason for the
enormous increase in car repairs being required.

48. Tires purchased at department stores such as Sears,
Montgomery
Wards, K-Mart etc., can be an excellent value because many are
made by leading tire manufacturers.  For a list of what
manufacturer makes which tires for what department store, write
to:    Tire Information Center, P.O. Box 677, Syosset, NY 11791

49. When purchasing or changing tires, make sure you have them
spin balanced.

50. Avoid cleaning your windshield with a dry rag or towel.
Always
dampen with water or some other cleaning liquid.  Dry towels
grind and scratch your windshield hindering your visibility.

51. Avoid turning on the car air-conditioning while running at
highway speeds as this tends to put an immediate heavy load on
your compressor and clutch. This could cause excessive wear and
tear on these components.  Instead turn your air conditioner on
at car speeds below 25 to 30 m.p.h.  This helps to preserve your
expensive compressor.

52. Try to avoid running your car with the tank low on gas.
Keeping
a low tank of gas increases the chance of dirt, water/moisture
and rust forming in your fuel system.  Keeping a full tank
decreases the chance of dirt and other foreign matter forming in
your fuel system.

53. Tires driven at 70 m.p.h. wear out almost twice as fast as
cars
that go 50 m.p.h.

54. A government study has confirmed, the top three causes of car
breakdowns while on the road are: (a) running out of gas (b)
tire troubles (c) cooling system problems (overheating)

55. The best as well as the easiest ways to find a good car
repair
shop is by recommendation or referrals from satisfied customers.

56. To work on a late model computer-controlled engines, make
sure
the shop you choose has the equipment to handlecomputer-electric
service/repair.  Sophisticated diagnostic equipment is a must.

57. To choose the right repair shop for you, it's wise to have a
small or minor maintenance or repair job done first to see how
the repair shop and mechanic treat you and your car.

58. Give detailed description of your car's problem when you take
it in for repairs.  The more you can describe what your car is
doing or not doing (thumping, squealing, clacking sound, etc.)
the faster and less it will cost for your mechanic to fix it.

59. When in doubt about the cost of a repair or a mechanic's
honesty get a second opinion.  This is one of the best ways to
protect yourself from being ripped-off until you can find a
permanent repair shop.

60. Regular oil changes are the most important thing you can do
to protect your engine and make it last longer.

61. If you have a manual transmission, downshift to slow your car
down instead of using your brakes.  This will save wear and tear
on your braking system.

62. Each time you have your engine oil checked, have your
transmission fluid checked also.

63. Protect your car's interior and make it last longer - park
your car in the shade or place a windshield guard or cover in
the windshield.

64. If you spill something inside your car, clean it up
immediately before it dries.  Delaying even 30 minutes can
sometimes leave a permanent stain or spot.  NOTE:  To better
protect your car seats have them treated with scotchguard.

NOTE:  According to current auto insurance statistics, the
average U.S. car's useful life is 10 years or 100,000 miles.  By
following proper preventative maintenance you can often double
your car's useful life, and spend less time visiting your local
mechanic.

HOW TO FIND A MISSING PERSON

The Methods Investigators Use in Their Work

It is not always necessary to hire a private investigator to
search for a missing person.  In fact, the time consuming task
of investigating a missing person can be done by almost anyone.

As long as a person understands and follows the procedure
provided herein, they can do the job of searching for a missing
person as well as a hired detective.

Before beginning, realize that you must maintain a detailed
record of your investigation.  Keep this and copies of any
correspondence in a file.

Begin your investigation at the point where the  subject was
last seen and radiate in ever-growing circles.  When you come up
with a solid lead, your search will then go only in one
direction.

Contact the subject's immediate family very early in your
investigation.  See if they have any ideas.  From there you
should contact your subject's closest friends and then the
neighbors.

Now widen your search further by questioning other associates of
the subject, like the hairdresser, bartender, gas station
attendant or newspaper boy.  These people must not be overlooked
as they are all sources of possible information.

More than likely, when you have completed the task of speaking
to all these people, you will have some good leads.  But if you
wish to further the investigation, use as many of the ten
following sources as you need.

POST OFFICE

Send an envelope to the last known address of the missing
person, with your own in the upper left corner and write on the
envelope, DO NOT FORWARD - ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED.  If a
forwarding address has been left, you will be notified of it.

SUPERIOR COURT DOCKET

By writing to the Court Clerk in the county in which the subject
was last known to reside, you can find out if the subject was
involved in any legal proceedings.  There will be a small fee
for the search.

TELEPHONE RECORDS

You can check with the telephone company to find out if the
missing person made any long distance calls just prior to
departure.  You can check with the people called for any leads.

DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES

Request that a search of the department's files be done for the
missing person' driver's license as well as his/her address.
There will be a fee for this service and the missing person's
full name and date of birth are required to conduct the search.

CITY DIRECTORY

Your local public library has a city directory which lists
people by name, address and occupation.  They also have a cross
reference for phone numbers.  Check back for several years,.

VOTER REGISTRATION

Voter registration records are open to the public and these
records show name, address and date of registration.

COUNTY RECORDER

This county recorder records all types of legal documents, like
marriage certificates and wills.  A letter to this office may
open up some leads.

COUNTY ASSESSOR

This office is in charge of tax collection.  If your subject
owns any property, he will be listed with this office.

CITY BUSINESS LICENSE

If your subject owns a business he will have his license on file
with this office.  Run a check on the name of the business and
the subject's name.

FRATERNAL ASSOCIATIONS

If the missing person is a member of any type of organization, a
letter of inquiry to the local chapter can be helpful.

Under certain conditions, the Social Security Office will assist
in locating a missing person.  You must send a letter stating
your reason for wanting to find a person to the Department of
Health, Education & Welfare, Social Security Administration,
Baltimore, Maryland.  They do not assist insurance companies or
bill collectors.

By going through the right channels, you can conduct your own
investigation for a missing person.  Good luck and good hunting!

THE 10 BEST WAYS YOU CAN HIDE YOUR VALUABLES

Hiding your life's treasures under your pillow or mattress won't
safeguard them from a thief.  However, this doesn't mean that a
safety deposit box at your bank is the only place for them.

In fact, the traditional approach of keeping one's valuables in
the home is an excellent idea, provided they are hidden in
really secret places.

The ten following ideas of where to locate a secret compartment
will offer maximum security.  The first five, because they do
require some construction to the house, are better for people
who own their own homes.  The second five ideas can be
effectively used by apartment dwellers or renters.

1. WALLS

- because walls are hollow, there can be hidden space behind
every wall in every room.

- the ideal spots are behind solid, fixed items, like coat racks,
or boards along closet walls supporting the clothes hanging pole.

- remove the attachment and hollow out a compartment.

- make sure you camouflage your handiwork well.

2. BEAMS

- ceiling and  wall beams are popular architectural features in
homes.

- make one of the false beams (one which doesn't offer much
support) moveable, and hollow an opening out of its top or back
side.

3. BASEBOARDS

- one of the easiest-to-construct compartments is one behind a
baseboard.  These strips of wood that run along your walls next
to the floor are so common, no thief would give them a second
glance.

- choose a short section of board, and carefully pry it away
from the wall with a crowbar.

- now hollow out a hole, and replace the baseboard.

4. PANELING

- wall paneling  offers a method of opening large areas of dead
space

- your best choice is behind actual boards nailed to the wall
individually, not behind the four-by-eight sheets.

5. MIRRORS

- for a compartment offering little depth, but a large area of
space, you can construct a hollow right behind a full-length
mirror on your  closet door.

- hollow out your compartment, then mount your mirror with
sliding tabs.

6. FURNITURE

- complicated secret spaces built into furniture have for
centuries been favorites.

- a simple approach is to remove the molding of a table or desk,
and make a hollow.

7. BOOKCASE

- a common source of easily overlooked space is found at the base
of a bookcase.  The lowest shelf is usually raised above the
ground level several inches, and this space is enclosed with a
base-molding.

- if you can make the lowest shelf removable, you can attach your
valuables to the underside of this shelf by means of magnets.

8. LIGHT SWITCH

- an easy and highly deceptive secret space can be constructed
behind an electric outlet plate or light switch plate.

- make sure the electricity is shut off when you remove the plate
to construct your hollow.

9. HOUSEPLANTS

- secret compartments can be constructed in the base of your
plant pots:  this will be especially effective if you have lots
of plants.

- seal your valuables well in plastic if they can be
water-damaged.

10. BURIED TREASURE

- finally, don't overlook the oldest hiding technique in history,
of burying your valuables underground.

- make sure you have an accurate map of where your treasure is
buried.

For maximum security in hiding your valuables in your own home,
make sure your craftsmanship is flawless.  And don't reveal your
hiding place to anyone out of your own family.

A SHORT MEMORY COURSE!

HOW TO REMEMBER NAMES

You just called the TV repair shop and the voice on the other
end of the line tells you "this is Don Smith".  About 5 minutes
later you tell your wife that "this guy" will be out to fix the
TV in the morning.  You can't think of his name although you
know he mentioned it on the phone.

This happens all the time to just about any of us unless we have
learned to concentrate and implant the name in our memory right
at the time we hear it.  To do this you first must make a habit
of repeating the name back to the person.  This action will
remind you to store the name in your "Memory banks" each time
you hear someone's name, and, within a matter of a short time
the "repeating" process can be discontinued.

When you meet someone in person use the same procedure, and in
addition, visualize something different, unusual from the
ordinary, or "ridiculous" about their appearance, position, or
actions that "ties in" with their name.  You may have to put the
descriptive information on one side of a card or piece of paper
and the name on the other side for a while until it is imbedded
in your memory permanently.  Look at it repeatedly, see the
"picture" in your mind's eye as you look at the name, or when
you see the name visualize the "picture" you have assigned to
the name.

Getting this system to work will require certain changes in your
thinking and it may take several days or several weeks to become
proficient.  After all, you have developed a "bad Habit" over a
period of many years and it is difficult to turn it around
overnight.

This method also works with anything else work remembering, not
just names.  When you have occasion to remember something, jot
it down and incorporate it into your list . . . No complicated
formula . . . Just a system that works with a little
concentration.

HOW TO REMEMBER ANYTHING!

As mentioned above a person may train their memory by
associating names with specific illustrations.  This works just
as well with written information.

There are several key words or a key thought in each paragraph
of printed matter that can be associated with an illogical or
ridiculous illustration.  It is much easier to remember and
recall ridiculous associations than it is to recall normal and
uneventful relationships.

As you proceed through any text choose one or several Key words
or key thoughts from each subject and relate the same to a
ridiculous cartoon or illustration.  Actually "see" it in your
minds eye as it relates to the key word or key thought.

When you have occasion to remember a particular matter, the
"picture" should automatically appear to you and the entire
thought should be recalled.  Be sure to SEE the ridiculous
picture associated with the printed matter you wish to recall.

As you proceed through a book, practice seeing a picture and
relate it to the key words or the main thought of the written
material.  This method of learning should improve your ability
to retain what you read.  With sufficient "practice" using this
method, many individuals will be able to develop a "photo-Type"
memory.

The Key to this memory system is to "see" the "picture" in your
"mind's eye".  After you have practiced and mastered the system
and are able to get instant flashback recall you should be able
to read most any text material and visualize ridiculous pictures
to associate with the thoughts expressed in the printed
materials.

We suggest you prove this system to yourself.  As you read the
first several pages of information, "see" a picture related to
the words or  thought.  It may be rather difficult to "see" at
first but by constant effort and concentration amazing progress
can be made.  When you have seen the picture, just go on
reading the following subject matter and repeat the process.
Don't be concerned that you will forget the prior subjects!
They should remain imprinted on your mind and recalled later,
instantaneously and clearly.

After you have read several pages, recall the first few
"mind-pictures".  If you originally "saw" the picture as related
to the key thought of the printed material, you should remember
the basic information.

Try it!  It's interesting!  After you have mastered this
learning system, it should be easy to file various programs away
in your memory and recall them as needed to progress in your
search for success.

MEMORY AND PUBLIC SPEAKING TIPS!

The same system mentioned on the previous page may be used to
memorize a speech by linking a series of thoughts to a series of
ridiculous pictures in sequence.

Proper preparation of your  speech is half the battle.  Know you
subject thoroughly then make an outline for the introduction,
main body and conclusion.  Start your speech with something to
startle your audience into complete attention such as a weird
statement or funny happening.

In presenting the main body of your speech get the confidence of
your audience by letting them know you know your  subject very
well.  Get your points across without argument.

In making your conclusion you can briefly sum up what you have
just stated then end with a big bang;  recommending action your
audience should take or suggesting they change their viewpoint
on the subject etc.;  finalize with a joke that fits the
circumstances, or powerful word pictures they will remember
after they leave the meeting.

Make your outline in large print with plenty of space between
lines so you will be able to look up without losing your place
on the sheets.  Rely on your memory for the  most important
points, including the opening and closing lines.

Practice your speech with a tape recorder and in front of a
mirror before the meeting.  Work out any apparent speaking
problems or things that don't sound just right.  Know what you
are going to do with your hands and determine the better body
movements to go with your personality.  Continually make eye
contact back and forth across the room.

Take time to think before answering questions.  If you don't
have the answer, ask another question, refer it to someone else
better qualified to answer, answer in general terms, or change
the subject  (like politicians do) complimenting the person
asking the "impossible" question, or by telling a "clean" joke.

HERE ARE 46 WAYS TO GET MONEY WHEN YOU ARE BROKE

(MONEY YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY BACK)

1. One way to get money is to have a yard sale and sell items
that you are getting ready to toss away because you don't want
them any longer.

2. You can always gather shells at the beach and polish and turn
into jewelry.

3. Get cash surrender from life insurance policy.

4. Paint faces on rocks and sell as paper weights.

5. Go to a pawn shop and pawn some jewelry.

6. Borrow from a relative.

7. Go get welfare pay or food stamps.

8. Dig small trees from woods and sell to home-owners.

9. Learn names of wild plants and plant in pots for sale.

10. Roll newspapers up in logs, tie, dye and let dry...then sell
(fireplace).

11. Cut up old shirts and dresses and make pot holders out of
them and sell.

12. Cut square towels out of old tossed out clothes and sell as
wiping rags.

13. Gather driftwood from the beach areas and sell to craft
shops.

14. Paint old used wine bottles and sell as hand painted vases.

15. Go house to house and paint house numbers on curbs for a fee.

16. Take the lawn mower house to house and mow lawns for a fee.

17. Offer to dig or spade gardens for local neighbors for money.

18. Offer to sell fishing (earth) worms as bait - dig in garden
to get the worms.

19. Paint house exteriors in spare hours. Charge prevailing rate.

20. Gather pine cones and sell to craft shops.

21. Turn pine cones into useful jewelry, etc. and sell to shops
or houses.

22. Spray old building bricks gold, sell as "Fort Knox Rejects"

23. Paint bricks a vibrant enamel and sell as toilet bowl
displacements.

24. Fill coffee cans full of plaster, paint all over and sell as
door stops.

25. Gather vegetables from your garden and sell at road side
stand.

27. Baby sit for profits.

28. House sit for vacationers, get extra by up keeping grounds.

29. Make fudge and sell house to house.

30. Do typing for fellow students or fellow workers for a fee.

31. Type menus for restaurants for a certain amount per menu.

32. Read books and do reports for a fee for students.

33. Research any subject (in library) for $25 a page.

34. Paint scrolls and designs on plates or make birthday plates,
charge $19 each.

35. Teach people to do calisthenics, charge $2 an hour and have
10 at a time.

36. Teach dancing and charge $2 an hour, and have 10 at a time.

37. Learn to do juggling and clowning, put on shows for pay.

38. Rent out as a clown to birthday parties, affairs, etc.

39. Get good at telling jokes and rent out to night clubs.

40. Sing for money at night clubs.

41. Make crafts and sell them at road side yard stand.

42. Teach others to make crafts ($2 each) and have 10 at each
class.

43. Bake fruit pies and sell house to house (or in stores at
holidays).

44. Make Christmas wreaths during holiday season to sell, using
discarded boughs from your own and neighbors Christmas trees.

45. Make Christmas candles from paraffin wax and sell at
Christmas time.

46. Polish shoes for office workers by going to office once a day
every day and charge 50 cents a shine - lawyers best bet here,
Also see all accountants, clerks, insurance agents, etc.

HOW TO COMMAND, INFLUENCE AND CONTROL PEOPLE

The Styles and Methods of Power

Power is the ability to get things done - your way.  Sometimes
it's a direct order that you give, sometimes a suggestion you
make, or a request or the asking of a favor; but the result (if
you have power) is always that the other person acts and you
derive a benefit from the other person's actions.

Once can have power in many different ways.  You have it over
your employees because you pay their salaries.  If you are an
expert in a special field, it's because you know the best way to
handle matters.  In a legal dispute it's because you have the
law on your side.  If you have credit cards, it can be part of
your lifestyle to go into a store, hotel, or restaurant, in any
city, and order whatever you wish.  In politics it's because
folks will give you their votes, hoping that you'll work and
succeed in getting the government to serve them in their area.
And there's the power that derives from being talented, charming
and capable; of being up-to-the minute and knowledgeable, so
people know if they let you handle things for them or listen to
your advice, they'll come out ahead.

One more aspect of power.  This concerns competition.  If all
the world were fair and equal, one would have no need for the
upper hand, for the advantage, for power.  But of course the
world isn't.  Which often means that in a competitive situation
you cannot merely settle for an equal chance.  You must keep
your eyes and ears, and indeed all you faculties, open for any
clue or other tips that will move the balance in your favor.
Whenever possible, make sure you get more than an equal chance.

You Have to Look the Part

People are impressed by how a man looks.  They are often not
aware of exactly why they treat one man like a VIP and another
gets the bum's rush.  Their reactions may be subliminal, below
their conscious awareness.  But take it from me, if you're well
dressed, neatly groomed, hair trimmed, etc., and are driving a
snazzy car, you'll be well received; while a guy who's wearing
sloppy clothes, unshaven and unclean, and who's driving an old
heap, will hardly get any attention at all.  Look as good as you
can;  and back it up in other ways.

Add the other elements of the power image too.  Clothing - it's
worth investing some money to be well dressed. Buy suits on time
payments if you can (a credit card is very useful for this).
That way the clothes are helping to get power, and therefore
money, for you while you are paying for them.   Don't forget
about the car you drive around in;  if the one you have is not
impressive then rent one that is.  Rental cars don't cost that
much and driving a good one pays dividends in the power sphere.
Try to join clubs and organization (business, social, political)
that have important and influential members.  If at first you
can't become a member, then manoeuvre a member into taking you
as his guest.

Money and power beget money and power, the more they thing you
have, the more you'll get.

We must repeat that, for most people, those who belong to the
power elite are those that appear to belong to it.  Unless
recognized personally, a millionaire will be turned away from a
class restaurant if he's not well-dressed.

You Have to Consciously Act the Part of One Who is Used to Being
in Command

There's another extremely important factor in appearing to
already have money and power beyond what I mentioned above and
that is your own manner of doing things.  You must move, speak
and act power.  Have you ever met the grandson of a man who
amassed a fortune and wondered how a grandfather who did so much
could have a grandson who seems like such a weakling?  It's
true;  that grandson could never get rich on his own;  if he
hadn't inherited his family's money, he'd be poor because he's
weak and incompetent.  And it shows.  The men who, like
yourself, are capable of making money now, are men who can act
in a strong style that almost seems to draw money like a magnet.
Language, and the way you speak , can say as much  as the ideas
in your words.  Equally important however, is your body
language, that is, the way you stand, walk, move and sit, and
the gestures you make.

Be the Man Who's in Demand

Power isn't just you being able to call someone and tell him
what to do; it's also other men calling you and  asking for your
business or wanting to associate with you.  If you're a man who
seems to possess a wide knowledge of the world, an awareness of
trend, if you're the early-bird who catches sight of
opportunities first, if you're the man who's capable of handling
many different kinds of situations, then people will seek you
out.  They'll invite you to vacation at their country homes, to
meet their influential associates, to join their social clubs
and their business syndicates.  And when they do, all of these
will enhance your image of power, and widen your power base so
you can zoom in even more.

When the Fight for Power Gets Harder

Everything we've said so far will be useful in just about every
situation;  but when the struggle for power gets more intense,
some other methods are needed.  When the person(s) you're
talking to has been open-minded and your powers of persuasion
have been working from the moment you first started talking, the
usual techniques can be used.  But what if you're dealing with
someone whose mind is closed to your ideas and influence from
the start, or who feels he is in direct competition with you?
Then things must be handled somewhat differently.

Most important, be in control of the situation at all times.  If
you feel your control is slipping, do something to regain it,
You could do something vividly dramatic and totally bewildering
to the other person, like suddenly shouting or pounding on your
desk.  Or you could press a secret buzzer to have someone rush
in and interrupt when the other side is coming on too strong.

Never ever get into a power struggle when you're at any kind of
a disadvantage;  if you're tired or if the discussion turns to a
subject in which the other guy is an expert.  Always focus your
own mental energy and project your thoughts into his mind.  Look
him in the eyes, try to gain his confidence.  Always have a
picture  in your mind of a victory over this person bigger than
the victory you need to achieve your aims.  And whatever you do,
don't lose;  that is, if you realize that you can't beat him,
then leave.  It's better not to have victory than to have a
defeat.

Say Whatever Does the Trick

Making a lot of money is largely a process of convincing people,
of selling yourself, your service, your product.  And the trick
is to tell them what they want to hear.  The problem is to find
out what they want to hear.  So you'll start out by giving them
basic information about what you're selling.  You then continue
with your sales approach, always watching their reactions
carefully.  When you see their eyes light up and they then lean
forward with interest, then continue on the topic that aroused
that interest, no matter how odd it may seem to you.  And do the
opposite when you reach any of the usual parts of your
presentation, if the prospect shows less than the normal amount
of interest;  that is, shorten that part and go on tho the next.

From Start to Finish

You start out by telling them what the product or service is or
does.  The kinds of benefits people get from using it and some
examples of ways, both usual and unusual, that other folks have
used it.  It often helps to mention that "Mr. Anderson, you
know, the big shot, just bought two of them for his own use", or
that "the XYZ Corporation recently bought seven of them for
their executives".  Or if you're selling a more heavy duty item,
that "Smith's Construction Company has been using them for
years".  If it's almost a custom made item, tell them they're
one of the select few who will even get a chance to buy it.  If
you have an opportunity to talk to his wife or a friend of his,
play along with that other person and have them unknowingly
hinting to the customer that "it certainly sounds like a good
deal".  If his kids are with him, get them to needle him into
buying it.  Use any method that works.

Suppose the guy seems convinced but he can't seem to make up his
mind to actually hand over the money or sign the contract to
make the purchase.  Sometimes it helps to imply that he really
can't afford it.  He might buy it just to show you he isn't poor
or a cheapskate. Another great strategy that sometimes works in
desperation to close a sale is  to make him feel guilty if he
doesn't buy.  Imply that he deliberately wasted your time and
energy, the  he's rotten and thoughtless, that he just wanted to
make a phony impression on his wife or girl friend or anyone who
is there with him.  You might want to say all this very loudly,
almost yelling, so that a crowd gathers and you shame him into
buying.  Or you can try another method to clinch the sale, offer
him a "special bonus".  Say you'll give him a longer time to
pay, or a contract for "free" servicing or that you'll add on a
bonus of another item "free".  Actually he may have been
entitled to this "extra" all along, but if you haven't mentioned
it, then now's the time.  Try to keep one or two tings in
reserve as your last pieces of ammunition.

To Sum It Up

Prepare in advance so you know the other man's point of view;
if you're able to benefit him, he'll practically jump at the
chance to let you make money off him.  Tell him what he wants to
hear.  And above all, keep eyes and ears open for any
information, clues or tip-offs, favorable or unfavorable, that
will give you the powers to persuade him.

In the power battle called life, victory will go to those who
find the right weapons and use them.  So keep your weapons
handy;  get a head start and don't lose it.  Be alert for clues
you can use to your advantage.  Present yourself with
confidence;  broadcast your will power, speak and move with
assurance, and, to make sure they get the message, have the
clothes, car, office and the other outer appearances of power
and money.  People tend to believe what they see, and if you
look like you've got it made, then you will have it made.

THE SECRET OF GETTING CREDIT AND CREDIT CARDS

What Is Your Credit Rating Now?

If you have any charge accounts now, or have ever borrowed from
the bank to buy a car, or if you ar paying on a mortgage, there
is credit information on you.  Up until a few years ago, you
could only guess at what your credit rating was, because the
credit bureaus who keep track of borrowers wouldn't tell the
borrowers anything!  But that's been changed through several
laws, and now the bureaus have to send you your credit file when
you request it.  If you've been denied credit on the basis of
their record, they will send you a copy of that record without
charge, if you request it within 30 days of the credit denial.
If you haven't been denied credit but just want to know what
your file says, you must pay a small fee to find out.

Why You Really Must Get Your Credit Report

It is well worth your trouble to obtain your report.  You may
well find (because thousands do) that there is a piece of
misinformation that is injuring you without your knowing it,
which you can straighten out by submitting copies of documentary
proof (never mail originals of anything important - it may get
lost in the mail) of bills paid, payments made, etc.

What To Do If You Are "Unlisted"

If, for one reason or another, you are not listed, or they have
insufficient information on you to "rate" your suitability for
credit, you must take steps to correct this.

What To Do If You're New in Town

If you have no record because you hold no cards and have no
charge accounts, or because you have just come  in from
out-of-town, then you'd better start assembling one.  It may
sound a little  ridiculous, but nobody will lend money to
someone's who's always paid cash!  You have to have borrowed
money or run up charges and paid them back to be able to borrow
larger sums as time goes along.

Start with the local merchants in your immediate area, the ones
that already know you.  Even if you don't need it right now, ask
them if you can set up a charge account with them.  In most
cases they'll be glad to oblige you, they already know you're
local, and that you patronize them regularly.  when you get the
credit, charge a few items each week, and pay your account
promptly when presented.  In this way, you'll build up a good
credit record with these merchants in a short time.

Get Your Bank In on the Act

Go to the bank where you keep your checking account, and ask to
borrow a nominal sum (say $500), which they are unlikely to
refuse you.  Do this even if you don't need the money, because
you do need the repayment record on their books.  Repay the loan
on a regular basis when due.  Do not accelerate, and pay it all
back the next month.  Strangely enough the banks do not like
that, because to them that indicates a "feast or famine"
situation, rather than a steady payer.  The interest cost on
this loan, even if you have no need for the money, will be well
worth paying to build up your credit record.  Besides, you can
minimize this interest cost by depositing the money you have
borrowed (assuming you do not immediately need it), in a savings
account, and collecting the interest, which will defray a good
part of the cost of the interest you are paying.

Once these charge accounts and the loan have been operating for
a while, proceed to stage two, and ask a large local department
store for a charge account.  Most likely they will be happy to
give you their charge card.  Build up your rating with them by
occasional purchases and prompt payment, and then you proceed to
stage three, and apply for the less selective national credit
cards, Master Charge and Visa, which you should a this point be
able to get without too much difficulty.

On the Road

Once you have national bank credit, it's easy to get credit from
all the oil companies, which makes traveling around a cash-free
pleasure.  Some gas stations take national cards like Master
Charge, but most only take their own credit cards, so you should
not overlook these, just because you already have others.

First Class With No Cash

Once you have all the other cards, a paid-up loan or two, and a
fine record of promptly paying your bills, you may be able to
get the most selective cards of all, the "travel and
entertainment" cards.  These are American Express, Diners' Club
and Carte Blanche.  These cards operate on a different system
than ordinary retail store cards, or the national bank cards,
both of which are revolving credit plans on which you pay a
small amount each month, until your balance is all paid up.  The
store or bank hopes you take a long time to pay, because they
make their money on the 1 1/2% monthly (which is 18% yearly!)
finance and, or interest charges.

The T&E cards, however, expect you to pay your bills at the end
of the month!  Let your account get 60 days or more delinquent,
and they'll cancel you out as fast as a flash of lightning.
Although these cards do not charge interest, they do charge you
a fee for membership.

Let Me Entertain You

So how do you get these marvelous bits of plastic that open up
the doors of exotic nightspots in Tangiers as easily as your
nearby Howard Johnson's?  Your good credit record, that you have
already established, will be the most help.  Since the T&E
people want you to pay your bills promptly each month, they want
to know that you have a steady record of paying bills promptly
to other people.

So first American Express, or Carte Blanche, or Diners' Club,
looks at your credit record.  Then at your salary or other
income.  Most of them have cut-off points below which they will
not grant their cards.  But even if you earn more than their
minimum requirements, they don't automatically okay you for
their credit.  They look at your stability!  How do they measure
stability?  How long have you worked on your present job?  If
you don't have a minimum of two years of steady work in one
place, they may not consider you at all.  How long have you
lived at your present address?  At your previous address?  And
do you rent an apartment which means you could move tomorrow, or
do you own your own house, which means you will probably still
be in the same place next year.  How stable is your livelihood?
Do people in your field of work get laid off frequently?

Now You Can Really Start to Live!

Once you have all the major national credit cards in your
wallet, you can live like the millionaires do, even though you
haven't yet become one.  You can go into a fancy store, or even
call them on the telephone,  and order those wonderful luxuries
which make life so much more exciting, like furs and diamonds,
for your loved one, or new furniture or appliances for your
living room, bedroom or kitchen.  All of this can come true in
the wonderful world of credit.  Now in today's world you can
charge almost anything on a credit card, from admission to a
nudist camp in Yugoslavia, to medical care at a hospital in
Atlanta, university courses in New York City, funerals in Los
Angeles, and even the services of legal prostitutes in Las Vegas.

Erasing the Bad Marks

But what do you do if you haven't been able to pay your bills
promptly, or you've run up more than you can handle, or you
don't have a very stable work history?  Do you have to give up
the dreams of credit-card living?  Not entirely!

Once you find out which credit conditions in your background are
the most troublesome (from the credit report you have already
sent for), you then start to create new conditions that  you can
then base your records on.  If you were out of work, perhaps you
can get a reference from someone you know who owns a business
and is willing to say that you worked for him, if the credit
card company checks your references.  If your bills are too
high, and you've missed a few payments, perhaps you should see
one of the free consumer-counseling services that are springing
up in the larger cities which will enable you to consolidate
your debts into a manageable amount.  Remember that credit card
companies don't care very much about the amount you owe, but
they care a lot about whether you pay steadily, every single
month, even if the amount each month is small, and the entire
debt will take years to pay off!

Don't overlook ways to establish good credit without buying
anything!  For example,  you have telephone service in your own
name, you have a record of paying bills to them which is then
part of your credit record.  The same for your gas and electric
supplies from you local public utilities.  These services, when
they are in your name, will show prospective merchants that you
do have a record of paying bills, even if you haven't yet
established retail store or bank credit.

Using Your Credit to Save Cash!

The world of credit has one more trick you should know about,
this one that actually saves you money right on the spot.  All
you have to do is carry your credit cards with you when you go
out shopping, even if you intend to pay by cash.  Then you have
to keep an eye open for the smaller, personal service-type
shops, where the boss himself, or one of the partners, is always
present (you'll see why in a minute).  As you walk in, check out
the decals on the door to see which credit cards they accept.
Then select your purchase in the way you normally would - taking
your usual care to be sure you're getting the right item at the
right price.  When the deal's all set, produce your credit card
(one of those you know he takes), and say "I'd like to charge
it, please!"  At this, the merchant's face will probably drop
about six feet, but he'll take your card and walk over to the
imprinting machine (or maybe to the telephone to check your
credit status). He hasn't got much choice, he has to take your
card if he uses their decal in the window.  But the point is, he
hates to, because he has to pay the credit card company a
percentage of the sale, usually somewhere between 6% and 10%.

Now, while he's vulnerable, is the time to hit him with a
casually dropped remark like "say, how about knocking 5% off the
price, and I'll pay cash instead?"  The chances are he'll accept
your offer, because it saves him the other part of the credit
card company percentage, and because it saves him bookkeeping
chores, and waiting from 3 to 7 days for his money to be
credited to him by the credit card company.

The reason why this gimmick doesn't work in big stores is that
the clerk doesn't give a damn what it costs the boss, and has no
authority to take an additional percentage off the price, so
he'll just go ahead and write up your credit card invoice.

HOW TO STOP YOUR CREDITORS COLD!

Wipe Out Your Debts!

If you're afraid to answer the phone because your creditors have
been calling every night; and you're worried that one of them is
going to call your boss and tell him you're a deadbeat;  and
just trying to pay off your bills leaves you almost nothing for
food - it time you thought about bankruptcy!

With a small amount of money, a lawyer (and even he's not
necessary a lot of the time), and a careful evaluation of your
assets (what you own) and your liabilities (what you owe), you
too can make a new start with the help of the Federal and State
bankruptcy laws.  But don't rush into this without carefully
determining which is the right way for you, for there are
several different ways to stop your creditors cold, and choosing
the wrong way can result in your losing much more than you might
otherwise have to.

Straight Bankruptcy Usually Costs Less, and It's Quick!

If you have very few assets, and lots of debt, and not enough
income to pay the debts off, even on an extended plan (more
about that later), then you will probably have to file straight
bankruptcy.  You must file the proper forms (or "schedules")
which you can purchase from any really good office supply
stationery store in your nearest city, especially one in a
district where there are lawyers' offices.

Bankruptcy is not a very complicated court action, so don't be
too afraid of it.  You will need to know which district you live
in for Federal Court purposes;  look in the telephone (white
pages) under U.S. Government - Courts, and locate the U.S.
District Court in your nearest city.  Probably that court has
jurisdiction;  but check this out by phoning the Clerk of the
Court and asking him, giving him you home address.  You will
have to fill out several "schedules" or lists of your creditors:
creditors having priority, creditors having security, and
creditors having unsecured claims without priority.  You must
list every creditor, for any one that is not listed can still
sue you and collect, even after the bankruptcy!  If you don't
know if a debt is secured (backed up by a related asset, like
refrigerator bought on an instalment loan) or unsecured (made
only on your personal reputation, with no related asset), ask
the creditor.  Include as a creditor the name of anyone for whom
you co-signed a loan or note, and anyone who co-signed for you.

What Will You Have Left?

Will you be put out in the cold without food, clothing and a
house to live in after your creditors get paid?  Not at all -
because most State bankruptcy laws allow some of your assets to
be "exempt" from being used to pay your creditors!  You must
check the specific laws of your State, but usually, the house
you live in, the tools of your trade, your personal clothes
(within reasonable limits) and certain specific basic home
furnishings are all not taken away from you.  In fact, in this
totally absurd world we live in, many States now permit you to
also keep your TV set(!), because, apparently, they regard it as
a necessity for life!

Where to File

Once you have all the forms filled out and notarized, bring them
to the Clerk of the U.S. District Court in your district, along
with $50.  You don't have to notify your creditors - the Clerk
does that, while also reminding them that now that you have
filed bankruptcy papers, they may not press you for any more
money, but may come to your hearing.

Usually your creditors don't show up, since by that time you
have filed bankruptcy, you have very few nonexempt assets left
that they are interested in.  Whatever assets you do have that
are not exempt (if any) must be sold under the Court's
supervision.  Any money thus realized is added to  whatever cash
you may have had at the time you filed (if any) and the total
amount (which might be, and often is, as low as $50 or $750 is
divided up by the trustee appointed at your hearing and your
creditors get paid on a pro rata (proportional) basis to the
amount you owe them.  If your assets add up to an amount that,
for example, only allows each creditor 3 1/2 cents for every
dollar of debt you owed them, then that 3 1/2 cents is all he
gets!

About three months after you have filed, you adjudged
"bankrupt". and you can start over again to incur, pay bills and
establish a new credit record.  Be  careful, however, about
talking to your old credits at this time.  They may offer to
help you out by extending new credit, and manoeuvre you into
signing "reaffirmation" of your old debt!  Ready anything you
sign very closely, and don't agree to repay any debt that you
have already discharged through your bankruptcy!

Lawyers for Complications

There are some people who should definitely hire a lawyer to
help them through their bankruptcies, especially people who have
assets like real estate that they want, somehow, to keep. Aside
from real estate, if you have been accused by any creditor of
fraud, you should also have a lawyer handle your case.  If you
decide you don't need a lawyer to handle your bankruptcy, you
are still responsible for filling out all of the forms
accurately and completely, and every bit as carefully as if a
lawyer had done them.  Leaving out a creditor's address from a
schedule, or forgetting a loan you co-signed can bring lawsuits
against you even after your bankruptcy.  So be careful, and if
you find the bankruptcy process is too complicated, do see a
lawyer!

Keeping Your Assets Instead

If you've fallen behind in paying your bills, but you don't want
to declare straight bankruptcy, you may want to clean up your
financial mess instead through Chapter XIII of the Federal
Bankruptcy Laws. Also known as the Wage Earner Plan, Chapter
XIII differs from straight bankruptcy in two most important
ways:  you must pay off the entire amount of your debts (no 10
cents on a dollar here), and within a 3 year period.  but  the
good part is you are not declared "bankrupt", so no one ever
knows that you needed relief under any part of the Federal
Bankruptcy Acts.

The major advantage of the Wage Earner Plan, besides not being
recorded permanently on your credit record, is that you get to
keep all your assets, exempt and non-exempt alike (assuming you
still have any left!).  This is quite important, if, for
example, you have a good paid-up car, or expensive household
furnishings or a boat or other valuable assets that you want to
keep.  Under Chapter XIII, you can get your current debts
"stretched out" to three years, which may well result in lower
total monthly payments than you are currently paying, and as
long as you pay off your debts in accordance with the agreement
files with the Court, month by month, no creditor will be able
to sue you to try to seize any other of your assets, and force
their public sale at disadvantageous prices.

Even if they have begin to sue you, once you file for relief
under the Bankruptcy Act, either under Chapter XIII or under
Chapter XI, straight voluntary bankruptcy, they can't touch you!
They are immediately restricted to getting from you only what
the referee or trustee will give them and that only after the
court proceedings have been completed.  Often, if the creditor
threatens to sue you, the most effective thing you can do to
stop him (besides paying the debt!) is to tell him frankly that,
if he sues you, you have no other recourse than to declare
bankruptcy.  This will often make your creditor willing to
negotiate the debt, and you may be able to satisfy him by paying
the debt back, but over a longer period of time (with smaller
monthly payments) than you  originally contracted for.
Creditors know well that if you file bankruptcy, the chance of
their getting payment in full on their overdue account is very
low, so it is in their interest to try to ease your credit
burden at least for a while.

Make Yourself "Judgment-Proof"

If a creditor goes ahead and sues you, and gets a judgment
against you, he can then get a court order directing the sheriff
to seize your personal property, sell it and pay the creditor
the amount of your debt.  However, if you have no valuable
assets, there is nothing for the sheriff to seize, and you are
what is generally called "judgment proof", or in other words,
can't be made to pay the debt.  Because they know this is likely
to happen, street-smart debtors often hide their possessions, or
move them out-of-state, before the sheriff (or marshal) arrives.
This is, of course, illegal.  The creditor's next move is to
try to "garnishee your wages, which he does by getting a court
order directing your employer to set aside part of your wages or
salary every pay period and turn the amount over to him.
However, he can only do this if he knows, or can find out, where
you work.  But even if your wages are garnisheed, there are
limits on what a creditor can take!  Laws vary from State to
State.  In some states wages cannot be garnisheed at all while
in others only small amounts are exempt from garnishment.

If you have no job, and no visible assets, or you live in a
State where your wages cannot be garnisheed, your creditors
actually have very few ways of ever collecting on that judgment!

Harassment and Other Creditor Tools

Before your situation gets bad enough to need bankruptcy relief,
and before your creditors actually sue you, they will try to
make you pay up using informal techniques, rather than formal
court orders, as this is far less expensive and time-consuming.
First among these informal attempts may be turning their bills
over to a collection agency which may then begin harassment, by
calling you often and at odd hours by telephone, by trying to
talk to your employer about your debts, and/or by threatening
you with legal actions, etc.  Many of these techniques that they
use are illegal!  Yes, a creditor or agency can write you
letters, call once a day seeking payment, try to bring legal
action against you, but he is forbidden by law to harass you or
invade your privacy, or use deceptive means to get you to pay
your bills.  He may not use foul and abusive language over the
telephone, tell anyone beside you the reason for his phone call,
insist on payment for a product or service that you claim to
have a legitimate grievance about, nor issue false threats (such
as saying that he is going to drag you into court to collect
$35, when in fact his agency's policy is not to file suit on
accounts of less than $100, because of the high legal costs
involved).  He may not inconvenience you (by calling you at work
when you are not easily able to receive calls), or invade your
privacy (telling your employer or your neighbor that he is
trying to collect a debt from you).

There are books that provide detailed additional information on
personal bankruptcy, and include sample letters with which you
can try to arrange "stretch-outs" on your own with your
creditors before bankruptcy is necessary.  Some include sample
bankruptcy forms filled out that you can use as a model.  Since
the accurate filing of all your debts and assets is so
important, it's a good idea to follow their detailed
instructions closely, with or without a lawyer, so that once you
get your creditors off you back, they stay off!

SIMPLE WAYS OF RAISING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN HOURS

Your Lucky Break - But Can You Afford It?

You've just seen the chance to put together a great deal for
yourself - a "can't miss" new business, a chance to invest in
someone else's, or you've found the ideal property on which to
build your new home.  But you need $10,000 cash, and right away!
 Could you raise it overnight?  Could you raise it at all?
Actually, it's easier than it sounds, and if you can't do it
right now through the ways we'll show you, then you should start
making preparations so that, when your chance does come, you
will be able to raise the money overnight and take advantage of
some terrific deal.

Raise $10,000 in 24 Hours!

As a person who believes in getting the most out of life, we
assume you already have several national credit cards which
enable you to buy things when you want them even if you're
temporarily short of funds.  But did you know that these same
credit cards, nearly all of them, also allow you to "buy
money!".  The "cash advance" privilege that these cards extend
is the best way to raise the cash you need, immediately, and
with no questions asked!  If you have  reasonably good credit,
your credit limit on each of your credit cards should be $500 to
$1,000 at least, with American express often giving a $2,500
limit, and if you have ten cards with this cash advance
privilege, each with a $1,000 credit limit, you can simply go to
the banks involved, and draw out your $10,000!

If you don't have them you may not realize that it's
possible to have ten credit cards that offer cash advances, but
you must remember that different banks sponsor different cards,
and they all want you to use their card.  For example, you can
have a Visa from Chase Manhattan, and another, separate, Visa
from Bankers Trust, plus a Master Charge card from Citibank, and
a second Master Chargecard from Chemical Bank.  The possibilities
are numerous, and you should take advantage of them for this is
certainly the easiest way of raising cash quickly.  If you don't
hold these cards now, then you should begin to establish the
credit that will enable you to get them in the near future, so
you will have the reserves available when you too need to raise
cash quickly.

Top of the Line - the T&E Cards

Aside from the no-fee cards like Master Charge and Visa,
there are also the travel and entertainment cards like American
Express, Carte Blanche and Diners Club.  These cards charge a
yearly fee for holding them, and are more difficult to get (your
annual income and your credit standing must be higher), but the
amount of cash advances they allow you  to draw on are higher,
running as high as $2,000 or $2,500 each.  American Express even
offers a Golden American Express card, which many business men
use, which allows them about $5,000 of instant cash immediately!

Another Sure-Fire Way to Get Cash Fast!

Most bank accounts today, and yours is very likely to be
among them, come with automatic overdraft arrangements whereby
you can write checks for more than the balance you have in the
bank, and the bank will honor them merely automatically adding
loan money to your account, and charging you the interest due for
that loan.

In effect, this is an immediate and automatic loan to you,
without any current credit check  - which is especially handy
if, at the moment you need the money, you happen to be
unemployed, and planning to start a new business, which banks
sometimes look upon with disfavor, and refuse to loan upon until
you're big and successful!

So go ahead and write a check for the full amount that
you're allowed to draw upon, which is seldom less than $1,000,
and which, in  some banks goes to $5,000 or more.

If you're lucky enough, or provident enough, to have
established two or three bank accounts while you were in the
chips, each with its "ready-credit", "check-credit" or
whatever-they-choose-to-call-it provisions, you can, of course,
really cash in on this one, completely legally, and amass enough
capital for your new business.

Blood is Thicker Than Water!

If you're stuck for sources for capital, or at least for
sufficient capital for the business you  have in mind, give some
careful thought to whom you could ask to help you.  Almost all
of us have a favorite relative or two, and, if we're lucky, at
least one of those may have money.  Of course it's nice if he or
she has loads of it, we all like to have a rich uncle, but even
if the amount is not enormous, perhaps you'll succeed in
persuading one or more of your relatives that they should help
you, from whatever they've got put by for a rainy day.  Mother,
father, uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters, even cousins - try'em
all where there's any chance at all they might have some bread
stashed away, and might spring some loose for you.

If your relatives are friendly to the idea, but they want to
hold on to their funds, don't overlook another neat idea - one
of them can co-sign with you on a bank loan, and this almost
always ensures that your bank will go along with a loan that
they might otherwise have refused, or give you a loan for a much
larger amount than they would have granted you yourself on just
your own personal credit.  It's really no skin off their back,
just so long as you keep up the payments on the loan.  Of
course, co-signers are not restricted to relatives.  You can
have your best buddy, or your girlfriend or a fellow employee
co-sign for you.

Don't Forget Your Friends!

Sometimes we don't realize that we're lucky enough to have
some good friends, who, in a case of this sort, might be willing
to come through with a loan for us.

Insurance Policies Can Do More Than Just Protect You!

Depending on the type of life insurance policy you now hold,
and especially if you've had it for a number of  years, you may
be eligible to borrow against its "cash value".  In most cases,
this money is available to you at a very low rate of interest,
and also, generally, you can keep the money out, providing you
pay the interest, without having to repay the principal at any
set time.

Another Hot Idea for Raising Cash!

If you're buying the home you're living in, and have a
conventional home mortgage, you may not realize that if you've
been paying down the mortgage month by month for a number of
years, you have a considerable equity built up.  In addition,
your house may now be worth more than you originally paid for
it.  Therefore, either your present bank or another may be
willing to refinance your mortgage, which will provide you with
a chunk of available cash with which you can capitalize your new
business.  One advantage of this scheme is that you will most
likely not increase your monthly payment by very much, perhaps
it will not increase at all (although payments may extend for
additional years at the distant end). and thus you will not have
a heavy loan repayment schedule added to your obligations early
on in the beginning of your business.

Besides the possibility of refinancing the original mortgage
on your house, there is another way of using the equity you may
have in your house - you can get a second mortgage, either from
a bank or from professional lenders.  One reason why you might
go the second mortgage route would be if your first mortgage was
written at a very favorable rate of interest (such as 5 1/2% or
6%) which you would not be able to match on your refinanced
mortgage, and consequently you would not want to refinance the
larger principal amount.

A Windfall May Be In Your Attic!

Have you considered, while you're looking around for sources
of cash, what you have right in your own home?  Some of those
heirlooms, paintings or other antiques which you or your wife
may not care for, and which you may have stashed in the spare
room or the attic, may be worth a lot of money, far more than
you have ever imagined.  Get them appraised, show them to a
knowledgeable dealer or a friend who's an antiques buff, and
find out if you're sitting on a goldmine that you never even
knew existed!

Collect What's Due to You!

Do you have some friends to whom you have loaned money in
the past, and who have not yet paid you back?  Or are you owed
money for services rendered of one sort or another?  Or does an
ex-employer still owe you sick pay or vacation pay that he has
not paid you?  Don't let these things lie any longer unpaid -
you need that money now!  Put on the heat, make some urgent
phone calls, write a few letters.  For most collections, the
Small Claims court can be a great help.

For collecting from your employer, your best bet is the U.S.
Dept. of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, which will almost
certainly have an office in your city.  If your claim has merit,
they will make sure that you receive what's due you.

Summary and Recommendations

All of the many suggestions contained in this Report should
certainly get you the capital you need to start your business.
Of course, you  can combine two or more of the methods if no one
alone will provide what you're looking for.  And although we've
not specifically mentioned it, don't forget that regular
commercial banks (not savings banks, they're not allowed to)
will sometimes make loans for the establishment of new
businesses if the know the borrower from past experience, and
see a potential in the proposed business.  Don't assume they
will say no, and so don't ask them.  You'd be surprised, they
may just say "yes".  They're particularly likely to lend you
some of the money you need if you've already proved that you can
raise money and that you have the majority of the money you
need.  For example, if you've raised $10,000 already by other
methods, they may come through with an additional $3,000 for
working capital.

It's a fact that in raising money, the more you seen to
have, the more people will be willing to lend you, so once you've
begun to make money based on your initial $10,000, you will find
it easier to borrow more to keep you business or other new
venture going.  While not all of the ideas in this Report can
really be worked out overnight, once your foundations are laid,
in credit, in relationships with relatives, friends, venture
capital and government sources, it is easy to raise funds when
you need them, from people who have learned from experience that
you're a good businessman to lend to!