December 2007

Blogging For Bucks or Bucks for Blogging?

Which came first?

As most of my current readers know, I’m headlong into my Virtual Memory Walk for Alzheimer’s Disease- 1 Million Memories. And now, to help that venture along, it’s no secret, (in fact, it’s not allowed to be) that I make money blogging for the cause. I’ve officially joined Pay Per Post and a portion of all my earnings there will be funneled back into 1 Million Memories. This should greatly help my lagging donations.

Some opportunities are as high as $50, $75, $90, $125, and even $1000! That’s not a contest winner opportunity - that’s a normal “Write about what you think about this subject and post a link” opportunity - for $1000! That’s huge. Not bad for less than an hour’s work.

Now, I won’t  be able to take that opportunity ( Google Page Rank, Alexa score, and other considerations determine what opportunities you can take), but I’ve taken $20 and $10 ones. And you can too. Here’s what you need:

You got to have a blog that’s more than 90 days old. You have to have posted at least 20 times to your blog. Your most recent post has to have been within the last week. Posts must be original at at least 3 - 5 sentences long. You can’t have, within the last 90 days, gone more than 30 days in a row without posting. Your blog has to be search-engine-searchable. And, you have to disclose that you are receiving payments for your post. Easy enough eh?

If this Sounds like a lot , think about it this way: If you’ve been blogging, once or twice a week, for the last three months or more, then you probably qualify. Check  out the Pay Per Post site for all the details. Obviously, the better your blog, the more opportunities you’ll qualify for and the more money you’ll make. You can even choose to donate your earnings directly to a favorite charity! (hint hint)

They’ve added one more great feature to Pay Per Post, you can get paid for blog reviews . Look for this the special review banner at the end of my posts, click it, and you’ll be directed to a special opportunity made just for you!

Watch my donation widget and look for the purple sponsored banner for some serious funding soon, and join me in finding a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease!

10 Tips for the Wise Holiday Gifter

1. Budget for giving.
   Plan your philanthropic activities right into your budget just as you would other financial obligations.
2. Be an informed giver.
   Don’t be afraid to ask questions when you’re asked to give, including the specific name of the solicitor and his or her relationship to the organization, how much of your gift will be used for overhead, the specific project the money will go toward, and other important information. Give only when you feel comfortable that your dollars will be going to support an organization you know and believe in.
3.  Keep the right records.
   For gifts of less than $250, a canceled check or credit card statement is sufficient for IRS requirements. For larger gifts, you’ll want to get a properly worded receipt from the charitable organization as a confirmation of your tax—deductible contribution.
4. Be aware of how much is really tax deductible.
   If you receive a premium in exchange for your gift (such as a book or a dinner), the amount of your tax deduction is reduced by the fair market value of the premium. You can turn down the incentive item if you wish to claim a deduction for the full amount of your gift. Ask the receiving organization for more details.
5. Ask about matching gifts.
   Many employers match gifts made by their employees or make grants to organizations recommended by employees. Be sure to ask your company how it can help your gift go even further.
6. Remember, your gift can be confidential.
   If you prefer to have your gift remain confidential, you should let the organization know. You can expect the charitable organization to honor your request.
7. Consider alternative forms of giving.
   Don’t overlook the benefits to you and your cause received from bequests, charitable gift annuities, gifts in kind, endowments and many other creative forms of giving. Ask your tax advisor or attorney to help you make the best plan for you and your family.
8. Volunteer!
   In addition to financial support, consider giving your time and skills. Not only will you help the organization, but you’ll also make contacts, hone your skills, and learn more about the charitable cause to which you’re committing your time and money.
9. Don’t forget you have the right to say no.
   Give generously when you can, but if you’re unsure or feel uncomfortable—or if an organization simply falls outside your plan for giving—don’t be afraid to say no. Or, ask for more information and take more time to think before making your decision.
10. Be a proactive giver!
    You don’t have to wait to be asked. Plan a giving strategy in advance. Contact the charitable organizations of your choice to discuss how your gifts can be most effectively used and help make a difference in your community.

Is your Insurance A Perfect Fit ?

Nearly 60% of U.S. households are inadequately covered. It doesn’t have to be about adding costs; sometimes lifes little changes can save you money.

Insurance policies, like good clothing, provide the most comfort when they fit well.  Having the wrong policy coverage can be like trying to squeeze your perfect size 10 into a Paris Hilton size 1! According to the Insurance Information Institute, at least 32 million households in the United States own insurance policies that aren’t right for them. In fact, in 2006, 58% of homes were undervalued in their policies by an average of 21%. Now that’s pretty scary, isn’t it?

But how can you tell if your insurance policy doesn’t fit correctly?

A good time to test it is when you undergo a major change in your life. For example, if you’ve recently gotten married or divorced, it may be time to update your homeowners and life insurance policies. You could be eligible for a discount on your auto insurance if you’ve just walked down the aisle.

And don’t forget to update your life insurance protection when you have a new baby —  33% of households with new additions are so busy with their bundles of joy that they forget to do so.

While getting married and having kids are the life events that may prompt insurance changes, there are several other instances when you should review your policies.

• Have you recently  renovated your home? Major home improvements, such as adding a new room or expanding a kitchen, should be properly insured. You’ll want your hard work reflected — and covered — in your homeowners insurance.
• When your teenager gets a driver’s license: It’s usually cheaper to add your teen to your current auto policy than to buy a separate one. If he has his own car, your company may offer a multipolicy discount. Good grades or honor roll? Many companies offer discounts for earning at least a B average in school,(provide proof) so ask about it or you may not get it.
• Inherited or purchased valuables such as jewelry or art ? Your homeowners policy may provide only limited coverage for expensive items such as electronics, antiques or jewelry. You might want to supplement your policy with a rider that provides additional insurance for valuables. Be sure to get the items professionally appraised and keep the paperwork so you know what they’re worth and you can provide documentation to your agent.
•  Renting ? Your landlord is responsible only for insuring the structure of the building, not the possessions in it. Fully  1/2 of renters do not have insurance on their belongings. Its a cheap buy, you can cover $40K for roughly $40/month. Get renters insurance to cover theft and other damages. This one is really a No-Brainer!
• Retiring? Your auto insurance premiums could drop considerably (read, no more long commutes to work). And, ahem, another way maturity pays off, as well: companies often offer discounts for drivers above the age of 50. (Make being “carded” a compliment!
• If you have recently changed employment or get a significant raise (or decrease) in your salary: Does your new employer offer life insurance coverage? If not, and your old employer did, you’ll have to get an individual policy. Major salary changes may also affect your life insurance policy, so review your needs and talk to your  HR department and your agent.Life insurance is not the type of insurance that many people think about on a daily basis. Although your everyday activities may affect your life insurance, it is not required by law and many people don’t think about obtaining it until they have married or have had children. Life insurance policies are for those that still live after someone has died. If you have a family and help to support them financially, obtaining life insurance is a good plan to have. If something happens to you, your loved ones will not be left without financial support.There are two major forms of life insurance that you should know about before making your decision to obtain it. They serve the same purpose, but they offer the purchaser of the policy some different features.
  • Term Life insurance offers the purchaser a low monthly life insurance rate, or premium, in exchange for a limited term for the policy’s existence. Term life insurance policies can be purchased for 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 year terms, depending on the needs of the purchaser and the beneficiaries. Many people purchase this type of life insurance to protect their family while children are growing up or before they have reached retirement. Getting a term life insurance quote from several different term life insurance companies is a good idea so that you’ll have a better understanding of what sort of term life insurance rates you’ll be paying and what sort of policy you can get in return.
  • Whole life insurance offers an unlimited life insurance policy to the holder. This policy does not expire, so it will continue throughout your lifetime. Some of the whole life insurance rate that you will pay each month will go towards an investment, although this can sometimes be an expensive route to investment. Whole life insurance policies are generally a good idea for those who want to have money set aside to pay for taxes on their estate after they pass away, or intend to hold onto it for longer than 20 years.

 Both kinds of life insurance have pros and cons, but they are generally for two separate groups of policyholders. Be sure to discuss with your insurance agent or life insurance company to see what type of life insurance plans they offer. Your term life insurance rate or your whole life insurance rate will vary greatly depending on a number of factors, including general health, the length of the policy, and who it covers. It’s a good idea to get several term life insurance quotes or whole life insurance quotes so that you get the best deal for your financial situation.

Still not convinced that you even need life insurance? Its the cornerstone of good financial planning. While you purchase it primarily to provide for your loved ones after your death it can be a good source for charitable giving and an additional savings source thats not taxable!

Easy To Use, Blogsvertise Gets Thumbs Up

Another means to the end

Searching for ways to earn funding for 1 Million Memories has led me on a discovery of “pay to post” sites. Who knew? One I came across recently is Blogsvertise. I haven’t yet been approved  on their site, but their directions for use are simple, and contact is rapid, if not immediate.  Here’s a little about how Blogsvertise works:

1. They assign tasks to registered members with the internet website address and what to talk about on their blog. The topics/tasks will be simply emailed to you once your account registration is approved. Click Here to Register for Free
2. You write up an entry in your blog about the internet advertiser however you want! You can review the site, compliment it, relate to it somehow in your daily life, or even complain about it, and link to the website at least 3 times in your blog entry.
3. In exchange Blogsvertise Pays YOU via  PayPal per blog entry, for writing about the advertisers web site. Payouts are automatically sent to you after your entry is approved and the payout period has passed. (That’s approximately 30 days)

Blogsvertise appears to accept most blogs and although you won’t get huge numbers of offers, you’ll probably get enough to suit most people.  Payment per post varies between $5 and $10 according to their paid bloggers. Kind of the average payment accross the genre.

Other paid to blog companies score high in other areas, but for easy to use, Blogsvertise wins a big thumbs up!

2007 Performancing Blog Awards

Why Not Nominate A Great Blog?

Okay, this is blatantly  shameless, but I’m going to ask you  to help us out. Performancing.com is holding their annual 2007 Performancing Blog Awards and are calling for “write-in” nominations. I don’t have a Yankee’s chance in Dixie of winning this, but promotion is promotion…and it’s a chance to get more people aware of 1 Million Memories presence online. Since my site is part blog/part fundraiser…I think we fit the bill to participate. It’s a win/win for all of us to get 1 Million Memories name, purpose,  work, and such to new viewers.

2007 Performancing Blog Awards is all about encouraging bloggers to make good blogs. And this year, we’re going to recognize the best blogs in the business with the first annual 2007 Performancing Blog Awards.

Starting today, we’re opening up nominations for the best best blogs or bloggers in each category. You are free to nominate your own blog, but we’d also encourage you to nominate others…blogs and bloggers that you truly believe in.

In addition, why not help spread the word about the Performancing Blog Awards by making a post on your own blog. You are free to hotlink the image and also include the following categories that are up for nomination.

Each category will have a single winner, two runners up, and possibly some honorable mentions. Our goal is to highlight the very best that the blogosphere has to offer, and we appreciate any tips/help that the Performancing.com community can provide to help us make our decisions

Here are the categories - I italicized the ones where I could remotely fit in. I don’t care which you choose to use as long as we get 1 Million Memories out there. So if you do participate, make sure when you put my link name that you write 1 Million Memories beside it:

Official Categories For The 2007 Performancing Blog Awards

1. The Best Overall Blog
2. The Most Influential Blogger
3. The Best Blog Design
4. The Best Blog Typography
5. The Best Blog Name
6. The Best New Blog
7. The Best Blog Community
8. The Most Improved Blog of 2007
9. The Best Blogs You’ve Never Heard Of
10. The Best Blog Podcast
11. The Best Use of a Corporate Blog
12. The Best Video Blog
13. The Best Writing/Blogging Blog
14. The Best Science/Technology Blog
15. The Most Controversial Blog
16. The Best SEO Blog
17. The Best Celeb/Style Blog
18. The Best Business/Money Blogs
19. The Best Photo Blog
20. The Best Sports Blog
21. The Best Blog WebHost -
22. The Best Family and Parenting Blog
23. The Best Political Blog
24. The Best Food/Health Blog
25. The Funniest Blog
26. The Best Travel Blog
27. The Best Education Blog
28. The Best Entertainment Blog (Music, TV, Movies)

I know a lot of you use  Stumble Upon,  My Space and other social forums…if ya’ll decide to concentrate on one category…go for it. . This is really meant to be fun and a time waster, if you like. But, it does work in promoting 1 Million Memories…whether we win or lose… But, this means I will have to write thank you notes, and expand my about me pages (I’m just such a minch about those)

If you want to participate, here’s the link (yes, you do have to log in or register to post your choices). Also, even if you don’t want to tout 1 Million Memories and Bird On A Wire this is a good chance for you to nominate some of your favorite blogs in many fields: Click Here To Submit Nominations

Many Thanks in advance to those who participate….and by the way, I’ve already nominated some of you!  So There ya go, another little Christmas Goodie to put under your laptop!

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