Reading Books – Paper or electronic?

Over the last few months I have read several blog entries on reading books, which was better, reading from a paper book or reading from an electronic book. Last night, Christmas Day, we went to my wife’s brother’s house for dinner and another exchange, and the topic came up there as well.

Those people on the side of reading books in paper format have the following reasons, among others, for preferring to read in paper:

Those people that advocate the electronic books mainly say:

For the past 5-6 years, since the e-book concept has been around, I have tried reading books on my Palm, or on my laptop, and just couldn’t get into it. I agreed with many of the comments that the pro-paper book people had to say.

But with the advent of the current e-book hardware options, I have to say I’m a VERY happy convert. I have acquired, thanks to my wife, a Kindle Wireless Reading Device, Wi-Fi, Graphite, 6″ Display with New E Ink Pearl Technology. Some of the worries I had initially where screen flicker, hard to read, eye and hand strain. None of these issues are present with this great device. I have been able to now purchase over 40 books, receive them instantly, and start reading them when I am ready to. And I can read them on my computer or cell phone if I want as well, at no added cost. (Not that I will often.) After having my first Kindle stolen at work, when I receive the replacement, bought by my wife again, I was able to instantly update the books I had purchased before to the new Kindle.

LOVE it!

So, my reasons for going to electronic books:

I have to say the reasons to stick with a paper book, especially in today’s economy and with environmental concerns are no longer valid, we should all shift to ebooks…

Working for Yourself, in this economy and job market…

As our economy continues to be pretty weak, and many people are without a job, it is time to look at history and see what one can do to make their life better and to help bring money in.

Over the last several years, I have have occasionally talked about working for yourself. Several years ago TDBell Enterprises, Inc, my company became a Watkins Independent Associate and opened that portion of my business. When I actively worked it, I had over 200 down line Associates (people under me) and had made Manager. I allowed life to get in my way and I pretty much let the business tank. I now have 25 Associates under me as I have not sponsored, or worked the business for almost 3 years for the most part.

First, what is Watkins? Watkins is a 141 year old Direct Sales company that can say they are the start of the Network Marketing system! Watkins is best known for their spices, especially their pepper and cinnamon, and their vanilla extracts!

Now, when I say Network Marketing, over half of you readers will probably run away screaming, and some of you may never come back. I hope not, I only have a couple of Readers! But, Network Marketing is not all bad folks. And this one is not a get rich quick scheme either. It takes time and patience, and a like of the products. Speaking of the products, with few exceptions, and there have been a couple of exceptions, the products are pretty dang good, and in most cases, they are “green” products (as the company is).

After some heavy review of my life and where I am in life, I have decided to get back fully into the Watkins business again. What does this mean? This means that I am looking for any of you that are interested in building a side income from using and selling great products as well as in building your own team of Independent Sales Associates.

I am going to add the next four people I sponsor into Watkins directly under me, and then as I sponsor more people into Watkins I will be placing the new people under these four and two others I already have directly under me. In doing this I build my team and yours, so one in every 6 people that I sponsor (and I use to be good at this, and am betting that I still am!) will end up on your direct team (which is still part of my team, so it is a win win situation), growing your team and your income levels.

Now, what does being an Associate entail? Well, first and foremost, it means you should be buying the spices, personal and home care products that Watkins has from yourself instead of the store down the road. This is the first step. You get a 25-39% discount of the listed prices up front. Next, you should begin selling product to others, via the catalog or on line (http://www.watkinsonline.com/ Associate 335373 if you just want to buy some product from me now to check it out, or if you want to see what is available), in which you get 25-39% commission, paid monthly if purchased on line, 25% paid immediately if your customer buys directly from you (you may be eligible for the remaining up to 14% more which will be paid monthly).

Now, to begin making even more money, you start sponsoring more people under you. Now, keep in mind, that I will be helping you build your down line, but you still need to do the same thing. As you build your team of self users and sellers, your total volume goes up and you make more money. Your goal is to have at least six people directly under you that each have at least six people directly under you that have at least six … and on.

Now, this can take some time. I had over 200 people under me in under two years, some of which I sponsored, and some of which others that I sponsored sponsored, and those sponsored, etc. *** NOTICE *** This is not typical for all teams. *** NOTICE *** It takes work, I worked about 30 hours a week on my Watkins business some weeks, 10 other, and 40 other weeks. It takes USING THE PRODUCTS! Which means it will take some money! Now, this money comes from not buying the same product types from your local store, and redirecting that money to “your own store”. Now, this can be a slow build up or a fast build up. YOU get to set the speed in which you build your business, income, and team.

If you are not interested in being an Associate, I would very much like it if you went to http://www.watkinsonline.com using Associate ID 335373 and check out the products and potentially buy some. For those that do I will send a $10.00 gift certificate on your next order, provided you spend at least $10.00 in the first order, excluding taxes/S&H.

Watkins is a long living, successful company based on Christian principles and one that can help you in making your ends meet.

If you would like to talk about it feel free to drop me a line here, or send me an email. (Drop me a line here, and I will send you my email address.)

Earlier and Earlier…

Yesterday I went to the Mall to walk around and check things out. I was VERY surprised to see that Santa Clause was there, by the big decked out Christmas tree, getting his picture taken with the little ones! I asked a Mall employee when that started and she informed me that the first day was Halloween Day!

Com on folks!! It’s not even Thanksgiving, the original start of Christmas season! (When Santa goes across the screen in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.) Use to be you didn’t see much up for Christmas until the Friday after Thanksgiving. All the stores would be close Thanksgiving Day, and the employees or special staff would spend that whole night putting up decorations, and when you came to the Mall for all the specials and such on that Friday the place was set up and ready to go for Christmas.

That same weekend, Santa would ride in on a sleigh or via helicopter to the Malls and there would be a big show of him showing up for photos, etc.

I understand the economy is weaker than it has been in a long time, and I understand that marketing is changing because of that, but let’s get back to two things…

1. This coming season ISN’T about money. It is about the birth of Jesus Christ! And we need to really focus on that in these rough times, not about making money!

2. Let us continue to celebrate Thanksgiving before we celebrate Christmas!

This just amazes me…

Fuel Cost

There is a lot of hupla going on right now about the cost of fuel here in the US. Now mind you I don’t like it myself, but I can’t see the problem with what the fuel companies are doing.

This is a free economy Nation. That means you or a company is free to set the prices for your/their product(s). If we, The People, don’t want to pay that price, we don’t have to buy it, and after a time, the price will come down.

Having the government step in and control the prices doesn’t make sense to me. Now, I understand that fuel cost will and does impact the cost of food, durable goods, and pretty much everything else, but the best way for us to impact that is to not use as much of it for none commercial purposes. Start using buses, walking, major car pooling, go buy an electric car, etc. There are ways to lower your cost!

Keep in mind, if you go to Europe, or most countries fuel is over $5.00 per gallon.

Stop complaining and do something about it, walk it’s better for you anyway. (And that’s what I’m doing as much as possible, walking!)