By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Paula_Straub]Paula Straub
Wouldn't you rather go to Tahiti? Are you a landlord with rental property whose value has significantly appreciated? Are you ready to cash in those profits and take that trip to Tahiti?
Before selling your property, check with your accountant who
will tell you that you will be paying $60,000 in Capital
Gains Tax to Uncle Sam. Your accountant will also tell you
that adding another $20,000 to your income by that sale is
called recaptured depreciation. This will bump you into the
next tax bracket and doom you next April 15th into sending
the IRS a check for maybe another $7,000.
Are you still ready to sell that property?
It looks like that trip to Tahiti is going to be sometime in
the far future…
But wait! You decide to check with your realtor and then
find out about a 1031 exchange to defer your Capital Gains.
Your realtor tells you if you buy another like-kind rental
property of equal or greater value, you won't get hit with
the gains tax on the sale. That is all fine and good, but
it does not really get you out of the headaches associated
with collecting rent, keeping your unit occupied, finding
clean/classy tenants that won't trash the place, nor does it
keep you from getting that 2am call to fix an overflowing
toilet. To top this off, now you have to pay more in
property taxes and must charge higher rent.
Hmm…maybe this idea is not the ticket to that South Pacific
paradise either.
This is the dilemma I heard from my financial clients again
and again. They were frustrated and felt trapped in their
current situation. So what is a frustrated income property
owner to do? After a lot of research and roadblocks, I found
the perfect solution that has changed the lives of my
clients and took away stress to bring enjoyment of life.
For anyone who is tired of being a landlord and who owns a
rental/commercial property that has gone up a lot in value,
take heart.
A 1031 exchange into a Tenant In Common Property may be your
answer.
There are very specific rules to follow set by the IRS, and
the entire detailed process is the subject for a future
article, but here's the gist:
1-Sell your current income
property;
2-Before the close of escrow, you declare via a Qualified
Intermediary (also called an Accommodator, who is a
qualified third party) that you intend to do a 1031 exchange
into a Tenant in Common Property;
3-Work with a reputable
company to identify a property that you would like to
purchase an interest in;
4-At the close of escrow, your
proceeds are transferred by the Accommodator to purchase
your proportionate share of a larger "A" rated commercial
building;
5-You may choose a business center, a medical
office building, or similar high-end property; and lastly,
6-You get a deeded interest in this property, so you can
keep it, resell it, pass it to your heirs, or even gift it
to charity upon your death.
The way that this works is all the new fractional owners, or
"Tenants in Common" hire an ace Management Company to handle
all the property management tasks. The company finds and
keeps high quality tenants, does the maintenance and
upgrades, pays the property taxes, and handles all the day
to day crisis that arise. Probably the three most important
factors in this entire process are:
1-Your choice of company
that offers the properties for sale;
2-the Accommodator,
and;
3-the management company.
Make sure each of the three parts is a top notch with proven
track records. Anything less could spell disaster.
When this 1031 option is done properly, your benefits will
be:
Deferral of all Capital Gains,
A monthly contractual income (usually based on 6-7% return
on equity),
Building depreciation for tax savings,
Unlimited property appreciation potential, and
No more headaches of property management.
Good-bye Tenants, Trash and Toilets!
Hello Tahiti!
Paula Straub is a Financial Advisor, Insurance Agent and
Mortgage Loan Originator in San Diego, CA. As a successful
business owner, Paula strives to guide clients to financial
independence in the most timely and efficient manner
possible.
(c)Paula Straub - All Rights reserved
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
How much would you pay to save thousands in Capital Gains
Tax? I'll teach you for free in a Teleconference that may
change your life. Sign up at ==> http://www.savegainstax.com
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paula_Straub http://EzineArticles.com/?Are-You-Tired-of-Tenants,-Toilets,-and-Trash?&id=54650
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Bidets from cleanbutt.com for Personal Hygiene Care
Alternatives to Flush Toilets and Septic Systsems - A Guide
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Lawrence_Losoncy]Lawrence Losoncy
Information is available on the Internet for anyone researching alternatives to flush toilets, septic systems and hookup. Most of these products and technologies have been designed to address one or both of the two central problems presented by flushing away human waste.
Problem one is the use of water to flush waste. A single flush can use up to eight gallons of water, with a household of four people using more than two hundred gallons a day just to flush the toilet. Low-flow toilets address this problem by reducing the amount of water used and increasing the velocity of the flush. Waterless toilets eliminate the use of water altogether.
Problem two is when the ground cannot properly handle human waste at a given site or in a given watershed area that would otherwise use a septic system. Categories of products and systems addressing this problem include advanced treatment systems, microbiotic treatment systems, portable potties, holding tanks, lagoon systems, evaportranspiration systems, chemical toilets, digestor tanks, composting toilets, incinerating toilets and evaporative toilets.
Advanced treatment systems and microbiotic treatment systems improve on septic systems. With more treatment the waste is turned into a safer discharge, doing on site what waste treatment plants do for sewage.
Portable toilets/chemical toilets simply collect the waste in small tanks that have a substantial amount of liquid chemicals pre-loaded for the purpose of killing pathogens and controlling odor. The tanks are then pumped and trucked away for disposal or drained into septic systems or sewers. Variations of these are also used in RV's, boats, trains and planes.
Holding tanks are large tanks sunk into the ground. They are pumped periodically and are typically used for large public facilities such as rest stops and public parks.
Lagoon systems are ponds that collect sewage. Solids settle to the bottom of the pond and the liquids evaporate. These are widely used by small towns, campgrounds, resort areas, recreation areas and clusters of homes.
Evapotranspiration systems put liquid waste out on top of the ground for evaporation as well as absorption by trees, shrubs, plants and grass.
Digestor tanks collect and break down all waste and trash, producing both methane gas that can be used for fuel, and humus.
Composting toilets collect human waste and turn it into humus.
Incinerating toilets burn the waste, reducing it to a fine ash.
Evaporating toilets evaporate the waste. Depending on the methodology, these either reduce or eliminate the amount of waste needing to be pumped.
Three factors figure into the evaluation process of these products and systems. They are appropriateness, cost of system and cost of operating.
Is the system appropriate? Systems requiring water won't work where there is no running water or the ground won't perc. Systems not allowed by the local codes also get ruled out unless a waiver is granted. (In many cases a waiver will be granted.) Systems too small or too large for the anticipated usage should be ruled out. Systems that cannot stand up to local conditions, such as freezing, or to intermittent use such as seasonal cabins, would also be ruled out. For example, aerobic systems that spray treated waste need a constant supply of waste to treat because otherwise the bacteria they require will not multiply sufficiently to do the job.
Cost. In computing costs of a system be sure to factor in labor and any additional material required, such as sand or gravel. With septic systems the greater the amount of leech lines required, the greater willl be the amount of needed land and the cost of the leech lines.
Operational costs. How much power, chemicals and system maintenance will be required? Are there pumping and disposal fees? Do any components need periodic replacing? How long will the system last? Can the system be left unattended and unused for extended periods of time without needing servicing to start up and resume proper functioning? Does the system need to be winterized?
Most professionals in the sanitation industry will tell you that proper sanitation can be provided for any situation. But remember, the advice is no better than the information you provide. So, ask and seek, don't be bashful!
Losoncy is the president of Clean Up America, Inc., a company that markets a new type of evaporative sanitation system known as the Eloo. To learn more about Eloos go to http://www.ElOO.US
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lawrence_Losoncy http://EzineArticles.com/?Alternatives-to-Flush-Toilets-and-Septic-Systsems---A-Guide&id=627116
Posted By: Illusion Technologies
http://www.illusiontechnologies.com
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Lawrence_Losoncy]Lawrence Losoncy
Information is available on the Internet for anyone researching alternatives to flush toilets, septic systems and hookup. Most of these products and technologies have been designed to address one or both of the two central problems presented by flushing away human waste.
Problem one is the use of water to flush waste. A single flush can use up to eight gallons of water, with a household of four people using more than two hundred gallons a day just to flush the toilet. Low-flow toilets address this problem by reducing the amount of water used and increasing the velocity of the flush. Waterless toilets eliminate the use of water altogether.
Problem two is when the ground cannot properly handle human waste at a given site or in a given watershed area that would otherwise use a septic system. Categories of products and systems addressing this problem include advanced treatment systems, microbiotic treatment systems, portable potties, holding tanks, lagoon systems, evaportranspiration systems, chemical toilets, digestor tanks, composting toilets, incinerating toilets and evaporative toilets.
Advanced treatment systems and microbiotic treatment systems improve on septic systems. With more treatment the waste is turned into a safer discharge, doing on site what waste treatment plants do for sewage.
Portable toilets/chemical toilets simply collect the waste in small tanks that have a substantial amount of liquid chemicals pre-loaded for the purpose of killing pathogens and controlling odor. The tanks are then pumped and trucked away for disposal or drained into septic systems or sewers. Variations of these are also used in RV's, boats, trains and planes.
Holding tanks are large tanks sunk into the ground. They are pumped periodically and are typically used for large public facilities such as rest stops and public parks.
Lagoon systems are ponds that collect sewage. Solids settle to the bottom of the pond and the liquids evaporate. These are widely used by small towns, campgrounds, resort areas, recreation areas and clusters of homes.
Evapotranspiration systems put liquid waste out on top of the ground for evaporation as well as absorption by trees, shrubs, plants and grass.
Digestor tanks collect and break down all waste and trash, producing both methane gas that can be used for fuel, and humus.
Composting toilets collect human waste and turn it into humus.
Incinerating toilets burn the waste, reducing it to a fine ash.
Evaporating toilets evaporate the waste. Depending on the methodology, these either reduce or eliminate the amount of waste needing to be pumped.
Three factors figure into the evaluation process of these products and systems. They are appropriateness, cost of system and cost of operating.
Is the system appropriate? Systems requiring water won't work where there is no running water or the ground won't perc. Systems not allowed by the local codes also get ruled out unless a waiver is granted. (In many cases a waiver will be granted.) Systems too small or too large for the anticipated usage should be ruled out. Systems that cannot stand up to local conditions, such as freezing, or to intermittent use such as seasonal cabins, would also be ruled out. For example, aerobic systems that spray treated waste need a constant supply of waste to treat because otherwise the bacteria they require will not multiply sufficiently to do the job.
Cost. In computing costs of a system be sure to factor in labor and any additional material required, such as sand or gravel. With septic systems the greater the amount of leech lines required, the greater willl be the amount of needed land and the cost of the leech lines.
Operational costs. How much power, chemicals and system maintenance will be required? Are there pumping and disposal fees? Do any components need periodic replacing? How long will the system last? Can the system be left unattended and unused for extended periods of time without needing servicing to start up and resume proper functioning? Does the system need to be winterized?
Most professionals in the sanitation industry will tell you that proper sanitation can be provided for any situation. But remember, the advice is no better than the information you provide. So, ask and seek, don't be bashful!
Losoncy is the president of Clean Up America, Inc., a company that markets a new type of evaporative sanitation system known as the Eloo. To learn more about Eloos go to http://www.ElOO.US
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lawrence_Losoncy http://EzineArticles.com/?Alternatives-to-Flush-Toilets-and-Septic-Systsems---A-Guide&id=627116
Posted By: Illusion Technologies
http://www.illusiontechnologies.com
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Environmentally Friendly Low Flow Bathroom Fixtures
Environmentally Friendly Low Flow Bathroom Fixtures
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Christopher_Brown]Christopher Brown
Most of us want to be more conscious about the environment and what we can do to protect it. It can be difficult to know what to do though, especially when you don't want to give up comfort or safety to do so. Fortunately, there are ways that we can be environmentally friendly and make you feel good about our lifestyle, too.
You may have heard from friends or family that low flow fixtures don't work, but that isn't always true if you know what you're looking for. The choices available for low flow toilets actually can provide you with a great toilet at a relatively low cost. And the best part is that you could save up to $100 a year on your water bill. Some cities such as Albuquerque, New Mexico and El Paso, Texas are even offering a rebate to those willing to install the toilets. So check with your city's water utility division to find out if it is offered in your area.
Don't let what you've heard about low flow toilets in the past scare you. Things have changed a lot over the years, and low flow toilets are better than ever. When looking for a low flow toilet, consider a pressure-assist flush toilet, which will relieve the fear of plumbing problems because of a poor flush. TOTO USA is a great place to begin as they carry quite a few good low flow picks from under $200.00. But even though you may be able to get a low flow toilet for as low as $100, remember that you do get what you pay for. This is not the place to skimp on price. A higher quality toilet will cost you more money, but it should pay off in your utility bills in the long run.
Terry Love, a low flow toilet guru, knows all about low flow toilets and recommends TOTO's UltraMax. And anyone wanting a low flow toilet should consider reading his report for Consumer Reports as Love is considered to be the most authoritative word on leading low flow toilets.
Saving money and protecting the environment aren't the only piece of good news. Most low flow items apart from a toilet are very easy for the average homeowner to install. In fact, it can be as simple as changing your light bulbs. Replacing your incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLS) will only take you a couple of minutes, but will save energy in your home. If you are replacing the whole light fixture in your bathroom, look for energy efficient fixtures, as well.
Change your other fixtures in your bathroom, such as the showerhead and sink faucet to low flow versions, too. Many people worry that low flow fixtures will not provide enough water pressure. Try faucet aerators that provide pressure with velocity and can run as low as $1.50. Just because there is less water, doesn't mean there has to be less water pressure. Think about getting controls installed that will allow you to adjust the pressure so that you don't feel as if you can't get enough pressure from your showerhead. But many good showerheads on the market today will give you enough pressure while saving water.
Being environmentally friendly is easier than it seems. And once you know what products are out there, you can have a beautiful and comfortable bathroom that saves you money and protects the environment.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_Brown http://EzineArticles.com/?Environmentally-Friendly-Low-Flow-Bathroom-Fixtures&id=484995
Posted By: Illusion Technologies
http://www.illusiontechnologies.com
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Christopher_Brown]Christopher Brown
Most of us want to be more conscious about the environment and what we can do to protect it. It can be difficult to know what to do though, especially when you don't want to give up comfort or safety to do so. Fortunately, there are ways that we can be environmentally friendly and make you feel good about our lifestyle, too.
You may have heard from friends or family that low flow fixtures don't work, but that isn't always true if you know what you're looking for. The choices available for low flow toilets actually can provide you with a great toilet at a relatively low cost. And the best part is that you could save up to $100 a year on your water bill. Some cities such as Albuquerque, New Mexico and El Paso, Texas are even offering a rebate to those willing to install the toilets. So check with your city's water utility division to find out if it is offered in your area.
Don't let what you've heard about low flow toilets in the past scare you. Things have changed a lot over the years, and low flow toilets are better than ever. When looking for a low flow toilet, consider a pressure-assist flush toilet, which will relieve the fear of plumbing problems because of a poor flush. TOTO USA is a great place to begin as they carry quite a few good low flow picks from under $200.00. But even though you may be able to get a low flow toilet for as low as $100, remember that you do get what you pay for. This is not the place to skimp on price. A higher quality toilet will cost you more money, but it should pay off in your utility bills in the long run.
Terry Love, a low flow toilet guru, knows all about low flow toilets and recommends TOTO's UltraMax. And anyone wanting a low flow toilet should consider reading his report for Consumer Reports as Love is considered to be the most authoritative word on leading low flow toilets.
Saving money and protecting the environment aren't the only piece of good news. Most low flow items apart from a toilet are very easy for the average homeowner to install. In fact, it can be as simple as changing your light bulbs. Replacing your incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLS) will only take you a couple of minutes, but will save energy in your home. If you are replacing the whole light fixture in your bathroom, look for energy efficient fixtures, as well.
Change your other fixtures in your bathroom, such as the showerhead and sink faucet to low flow versions, too. Many people worry that low flow fixtures will not provide enough water pressure. Try faucet aerators that provide pressure with velocity and can run as low as $1.50. Just because there is less water, doesn't mean there has to be less water pressure. Think about getting controls installed that will allow you to adjust the pressure so that you don't feel as if you can't get enough pressure from your showerhead. But many good showerheads on the market today will give you enough pressure while saving water.
Being environmentally friendly is easier than it seems. And once you know what products are out there, you can have a beautiful and comfortable bathroom that saves you money and protects the environment.
Chris Brown is a regular contributor to [http://www.home-remodeling-center.com/]Home Remodeling, [http://www.sparklingtoilets.com/]Bathroom Remodeling and [http://www.kitchen-remodeling-center.net/]Kitchen Remodeling websites. Chris also takes pride in many of his own do-it-yourself projects around his own home.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_Brown http://EzineArticles.com/?Environmentally-Friendly-Low-Flow-Bathroom-Fixtures&id=484995
Posted By: Illusion Technologies
http://www.illusiontechnologies.com
Friday, November 2, 2007
bidets from cleanbutt.com for Personal Hygiene Care
Are You Tired of Tenants, Toilets, and Trash?
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Paula_Straub]Paula Straub
Wouldn't you rather go to Tahiti? Are you a landlord with rental property whose value has significantly appreciated? Are you ready to cash in those profits and take that trip to Tahiti?
Before selling your property, check with your accountant who
will tell you that you will be paying $60,000 in Capital
Gains Tax to Uncle Sam. Your accountant will also tell you
that adding another $20,000 to your income by that sale is
called recaptured depreciation. This will bump you into the
next tax bracket and doom you next April 15th into sending
the IRS a check for maybe another $7,000.
Are you still ready to sell that property?
It looks like that trip to Tahiti is going to be sometime in
the far future…
But wait! You decide to check with your realtor and then
find out about a 1031 exchange to defer your Capital Gains.
Your realtor tells you if you buy another like-kind rental
property of equal or greater value, you won't get hit with
the gains tax on the sale. That is all fine and good, but
it does not really get you out of the headaches associated
with collecting rent, keeping your unit occupied, finding
clean/classy tenants that won't trash the place, nor does it
keep you from getting that 2am call to fix an overflowing
toilet. To top this off, now you have to pay more in
property taxes and must charge higher rent.
Hmm…maybe this idea is not the ticket to that South Pacific
paradise either.
This is the dilemma I heard from my financial clients again
and again. They were frustrated and felt trapped in their
current situation. So what is a frustrated income property
owner to do? After a lot of research and roadblocks, I found
the perfect solution that has changed the lives of my
clients and took away stress to bring enjoyment of life.
For anyone who is tired of being a landlord and who owns a
rental/commercial property that has gone up a lot in value,
take heart.
A 1031 exchange into a Tenant In Common Property may be your
answer.
There are very specific rules to follow set by the IRS, and
the entire detailed process is the subject for a future
article, but here's the gist:
1-Sell your current income
property;
2-Before the close of escrow, you declare via a Qualified
Intermediary (also called an Accommodator, who is a
qualified third party) that you intend to do a 1031 exchange
into a Tenant in Common Property;
3-Work with a reputable
company to identify a property that you would like to
purchase an interest in;
4-At the close of escrow, your
proceeds are transferred by the Accommodator to purchase
your proportionate share of a larger "A" rated commercial
building;
5-You may choose a business center, a medical
office building, or similar high-end property; and lastly,
6-You get a deeded interest in this property, so you can
keep it, resell it, pass it to your heirs, or even gift it
to charity upon your death.
The way that this works is all the new fractional owners, or
"Tenants in Common" hire an ace Management Company to handle
all the property management tasks. The company finds and
keeps high quality tenants, does the maintenance and
upgrades, pays the property taxes, and handles all the day
to day crisis that arise. Probably the three most important
factors in this entire process are:
1-Your choice of company
that offers the properties for sale;
2-the Accommodator,
and;
3-the management company.
Make sure each of the three parts is a top notch with proven
track records. Anything less could spell disaster.
When this 1031 option is done properly, your benefits will
be:
Deferral of all Capital Gains,
A monthly contractual income (usually based on 6-7% return
on equity),
Building depreciation for tax savings,
Unlimited property appreciation potential, and
No more headaches of property management.
Good-bye Tenants, Trash and Toilets!
Hello Tahiti!
Paula Straub is a Financial Advisor, Insurance Agent and
Mortgage Loan Originator in San Diego, CA. As a successful
business owner, Paula strives to guide clients to financial
independence in the most timely and efficient manner
possible.
(c)Paula Straub - All Rights reserved
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
How much would you pay to save thousands in Capital Gains
Tax? I'll teach you for free in a Teleconference that may
change your life. Sign up at ==> http://www.savegainstax.com
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paula_Straub http://EzineArticles.com/?Are-You-Tired-of-Tenants,-Toilets,-and-Trash?&id=54650
Posted By: Illusion Technologies
http://www.illusiontechnologies.com
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Paula_Straub]Paula Straub
Wouldn't you rather go to Tahiti? Are you a landlord with rental property whose value has significantly appreciated? Are you ready to cash in those profits and take that trip to Tahiti?
Before selling your property, check with your accountant who
will tell you that you will be paying $60,000 in Capital
Gains Tax to Uncle Sam. Your accountant will also tell you
that adding another $20,000 to your income by that sale is
called recaptured depreciation. This will bump you into the
next tax bracket and doom you next April 15th into sending
the IRS a check for maybe another $7,000.
Are you still ready to sell that property?
It looks like that trip to Tahiti is going to be sometime in
the far future…
But wait! You decide to check with your realtor and then
find out about a 1031 exchange to defer your Capital Gains.
Your realtor tells you if you buy another like-kind rental
property of equal or greater value, you won't get hit with
the gains tax on the sale. That is all fine and good, but
it does not really get you out of the headaches associated
with collecting rent, keeping your unit occupied, finding
clean/classy tenants that won't trash the place, nor does it
keep you from getting that 2am call to fix an overflowing
toilet. To top this off, now you have to pay more in
property taxes and must charge higher rent.
Hmm…maybe this idea is not the ticket to that South Pacific
paradise either.
This is the dilemma I heard from my financial clients again
and again. They were frustrated and felt trapped in their
current situation. So what is a frustrated income property
owner to do? After a lot of research and roadblocks, I found
the perfect solution that has changed the lives of my
clients and took away stress to bring enjoyment of life.
For anyone who is tired of being a landlord and who owns a
rental/commercial property that has gone up a lot in value,
take heart.
A 1031 exchange into a Tenant In Common Property may be your
answer.
There are very specific rules to follow set by the IRS, and
the entire detailed process is the subject for a future
article, but here's the gist:
1-Sell your current income
property;
2-Before the close of escrow, you declare via a Qualified
Intermediary (also called an Accommodator, who is a
qualified third party) that you intend to do a 1031 exchange
into a Tenant in Common Property;
3-Work with a reputable
company to identify a property that you would like to
purchase an interest in;
4-At the close of escrow, your
proceeds are transferred by the Accommodator to purchase
your proportionate share of a larger "A" rated commercial
building;
5-You may choose a business center, a medical
office building, or similar high-end property; and lastly,
6-You get a deeded interest in this property, so you can
keep it, resell it, pass it to your heirs, or even gift it
to charity upon your death.
The way that this works is all the new fractional owners, or
"Tenants in Common" hire an ace Management Company to handle
all the property management tasks. The company finds and
keeps high quality tenants, does the maintenance and
upgrades, pays the property taxes, and handles all the day
to day crisis that arise. Probably the three most important
factors in this entire process are:
1-Your choice of company
that offers the properties for sale;
2-the Accommodator,
and;
3-the management company.
Make sure each of the three parts is a top notch with proven
track records. Anything less could spell disaster.
When this 1031 option is done properly, your benefits will
be:
Deferral of all Capital Gains,
A monthly contractual income (usually based on 6-7% return
on equity),
Building depreciation for tax savings,
Unlimited property appreciation potential, and
No more headaches of property management.
Good-bye Tenants, Trash and Toilets!
Hello Tahiti!
Paula Straub is a Financial Advisor, Insurance Agent and
Mortgage Loan Originator in San Diego, CA. As a successful
business owner, Paula strives to guide clients to financial
independence in the most timely and efficient manner
possible.
(c)Paula Straub - All Rights reserved
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
How much would you pay to save thousands in Capital Gains
Tax? I'll teach you for free in a Teleconference that may
change your life. Sign up at ==> http://www.savegainstax.com
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paula_Straub http://EzineArticles.com/?Are-You-Tired-of-Tenants,-Toilets,-and-Trash?&id=54650
Posted By: Illusion Technologies
http://www.illusiontechnologies.com
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
bidets from cleanbutt.com for Personal Hygiene Care
Composting toilet
A composting toilet is any system that converts human waste into a organic compost and usable soil, through the natural breakdown of organic matter into its essential minerals. Aerobic microbes do this in the presence of moisture and air, by oxidizing the carbon in the organic material to carbon dioxide gas, and converting hydrogen atoms to water vapour.
TypesRemote composting systemRemote composting system
"Self-contained" composting toilets complete the composting "in-situ,", while "central unit" ones flush waste to a remote composting unit below the toilet. Vacuum flush systems can flush horizontally or up.
Composting toilets can be installed anywhere, such as a cabin, cottage, bunkie, yurt, RV, pool cabana, boat, shed, barn, or home.
Some composting toilets use electricity, and some electrical systems use fans to exhaust air and increase microbial activity. Others require the user to simply rotate a drum within the composting toilet to allow for an aerobic breakdown of waste.Rate of decomposition in a large composting toilet facilityRate of decomposition in a large composting toilet facility
Some composting toilets have a large compartment below the toilet. Others are little larger than a traditional toilet. Small systems generally do not claim to finish the composting, but prepare the waste for secondary composting at another location (like a compost pile).Accumulated solids after 30yrs in Clivus MultrumAccumulated solids after 30yrs in Clivus Multrum
All composting toilets eventually need some end-product removal. A full size composting toilet does not need to have solids removed for several decades if the active tank volume is at least three times the yearly addition. This is because the waste dramatically decreases in volume -- after around 5 years only 1-2% of the original volume remains. It is then a mineralized soil which will not decompose any further See [3] Other smaller systems may need to remove solids several times a year.
A related device, though only by its stand-alone use and not for its sustainability, is the incinerating toilet, which uses natural gas or propane to reduce the waste material to ash in a process similar to a self cleaning oven. However, these systems are quite expensive to run and emit a foul odour.
Commercial systemsPublic composting toilet facility on E6 highway in SwedenPublic composting toilet facility on E6 highway in Sweden
In recent years, several commercial compost toilet systems have begun to compete with and replace conventional water closets in high-use public facilities. There they have found a market because of their resilience and the environmental advantages of not discharging pollutants into the environment. Outstanding among these is the three-storey C.K. Choi Building, which contains 5 compost toilets (10 seats) for 300 full-time employees. The IslandWood School on Bainbridge Island, WA (USA), relies entirely on compost toilets. Facilities Manager Dean Newcomb says, “All of the comments about the compost toilet systems have been favorable. We keep the bathrooms immaculate, and the fan in the vent system generally works well, so it really gets rid of the misconception that these are smelly systems.”
Composting toilets reduce the volume of humanure and other organic materials on site over months or years through predominantly mesophilic composting and yield a fertilizer that is, after the legally required period, able to be used in horticultural or agricultural applications. Composting toilets are also becoming more common as an accepted alternative in homes, where the odor-free operation of a properly functioning unit appeals more to some houseowners than conventional toilets, with their consumption of large quantities of clean water.Public composting toilet facility on E6 highway in SwedenPublic composting toilet facility on E6 highway in Sweden
Composting toilets have entered the mainstream plumbing realm by being tested and, if approved, certified to the ANSI/NSF-41 Standard. They can be tested and certified for ANSI/NSF-41 by any ANSI accredited testing laboratories such as Canadian Standards Association, CSA International, National Sanitation Foundation and Underwriters Laboratories.
Waterless, odorless composting toilets ensure that houses can remain occupied in drought areas where water is shut off for periods of time. An example is southern Spain, where at least one composting toilet per house could provide acceptable sanitation for as long as the drought prevails and water is unavailable. Likewise it provides always-usable public toilet facilities under such circumstances. This is becoming a very important application for the technology in areas all over the world where there is only periodic availability of water.
'DIY' systems
Far simpler DIY systems can be constructed and maintained cheaply. Odors are controlled by ensuring adequate ventilation, sometimes simply by leaving a small gap between the top of the wall and the roof, or using a low-voltage extractor fan. Odor can also be controlled by separating urine and feces, or by adding sufficient high-carbon content 'soak' material (see below) to absorb excess liquid. The material should remain aerated to prevent the compost from becoming anaerobic, which causes unpleasant odor. It must also either heat the feces to the point that pathogens are destroyed (a thermophilic process), or allow time (up to a year) for such pathogens to break down and disappear naturally (a mesophilic process). The advantages are that they use little water and may produce fertilizer safe for small scale agricultural use.
Another variant is the tree bog - a type of compost toilet which never needs emptying. Nutrient-hungry trees such as fast growing willows are planted around the tree bog, and take up the nutrients and convert them to biomass which may then be harvested.
Composting process and products
The process of converting human excrement into safe and usable compost material can take 3 months to a few years depending on climate, temperature and the composting system. In 4 to 6 years there will be highly mineralized soil. Some composting toilet models concomitantly turn urine into an odor-free, pathogen-free organic liquid fertilizer. Some countries, for example Sweden, allow this liquid to be used in agriculture after it is stored for 6 months. In full-size composting toilets, urine goes through a process called nitrification, resulting in an odor-free and practically bacteria-free liquid fertilizer.
Typically, the waste breaks down to 10% of its original volume. Most toilet composting systems are mouldering, or low-temperature, toilets, where the waste is left for long enough that pathogens break down naturally, but there are also hot, or thermophilic, toilets, which heat the waste material high enough that pathogens are destroyed.
Some composting toilets separate the urine and the feces. Others mix the two, with the process requiring either evaporation of the liquid or the addition of substances such as sawdust, leaf mould, straw or grass clippings to soak up the liquid.
Urine, rather than feces, contains the major bulk of plant nutrients worth recovering for reuse, including 90% of the nitrogen and 70% of the phosphorus. One advantage of modern composting toilets over conventional outhouses is that the latter leaches most nutrients into the groundwater, instead of saving them to be reused in agriculture or spread on the land.
Possible health risks and aesthetic issues
It can be hazardous to come into contact with improperly or incompletely composted human feces, because it may contain bacteria and other pathogens associated with human disease. For this reason, human waste should not be used as fertilizer without ensuring that it is composted thoroughly. When composting, the pile may achieve temperatures of 40°-50° Celsius. The Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) in Wales recommends that in a cool temperate climate such as that experienced in the United Kingdom, where true thermophilic decomposition cannot be guaranteed, humanure should be allowed to break down for at least one year. It also advises that humanure should not be used as a fertiliser on crops that are directly handled and eaten, such as vegetables or salad leaves, but instead applied as a mulch around bush or tree fruits. Joseph Jenkins, author and proponent of humanure composting, recommends using composted humanure on any and all agricultural products.
In some situations, the finished compost must be Pasteurized prior to disposal. Governments provide operational definitions of pasteurization, which requires heating to a certain temperature for a certain time. In other situations, the finished compost must be sterilized, which requires more aggressive treatment and higher temperatures.
Many in the 'developed world' find the idea of a composting toilet to be unappealing, perhaps due to the health and hygiene issues raised above. However, as long as basic safety rules and common sense are used, the real risks associated with a composting toilet system should be no more significant than any other situation where there may be some level of fecal contamination (such as using a water-based toilet, changing baby diapers, taking a bath). Educating people about the safe use of composting toilets will be an important factor in their gaining acceptance in the developed world. Water-based toilets were originally viewed with similar suspicions when they replaced the chamber pot.
Some health departments do not approve composting toilets as an alternative to septic fields. A septic field may still be required for treatment of grey water even if a composting toilet is approved. But reputable manufacturers of composting toilets usually help their customers deal with regulatory concerns.
Properly designed and sized in relation to use, composting toilets neither need power for processing nor use water, and will eventually reduce the solids to a final 1-2% of the added organic materials (feces and toilet paper). True composting is a slow process and takes around 4-6 years and a variety of processes involving bacteria, fungi, worms and other micro- and macro-organisms.
Ecologically, in the case of some of the more complex smaller systems it may be that the use of electricity should be weighed against the use of water. In arid areas water may be more valuable than electricity, while in wet areas the opposite may be the case.
Posted By: Illusion Technologies
http://www.illusiontechnologies.com
A composting toilet is any system that converts human waste into a organic compost and usable soil, through the natural breakdown of organic matter into its essential minerals. Aerobic microbes do this in the presence of moisture and air, by oxidizing the carbon in the organic material to carbon dioxide gas, and converting hydrogen atoms to water vapour.
TypesRemote composting systemRemote composting system
"Self-contained" composting toilets complete the composting "in-situ,", while "central unit" ones flush waste to a remote composting unit below the toilet. Vacuum flush systems can flush horizontally or up.
Composting toilets can be installed anywhere, such as a cabin, cottage, bunkie, yurt, RV, pool cabana, boat, shed, barn, or home.
Some composting toilets use electricity, and some electrical systems use fans to exhaust air and increase microbial activity. Others require the user to simply rotate a drum within the composting toilet to allow for an aerobic breakdown of waste.Rate of decomposition in a large composting toilet facilityRate of decomposition in a large composting toilet facility
Some composting toilets have a large compartment below the toilet. Others are little larger than a traditional toilet. Small systems generally do not claim to finish the composting, but prepare the waste for secondary composting at another location (like a compost pile).Accumulated solids after 30yrs in Clivus MultrumAccumulated solids after 30yrs in Clivus Multrum
All composting toilets eventually need some end-product removal. A full size composting toilet does not need to have solids removed for several decades if the active tank volume is at least three times the yearly addition. This is because the waste dramatically decreases in volume -- after around 5 years only 1-2% of the original volume remains. It is then a mineralized soil which will not decompose any further See [3] Other smaller systems may need to remove solids several times a year.
A related device, though only by its stand-alone use and not for its sustainability, is the incinerating toilet, which uses natural gas or propane to reduce the waste material to ash in a process similar to a self cleaning oven. However, these systems are quite expensive to run and emit a foul odour.
Commercial systemsPublic composting toilet facility on E6 highway in SwedenPublic composting toilet facility on E6 highway in Sweden
In recent years, several commercial compost toilet systems have begun to compete with and replace conventional water closets in high-use public facilities. There they have found a market because of their resilience and the environmental advantages of not discharging pollutants into the environment. Outstanding among these is the three-storey C.K. Choi Building, which contains 5 compost toilets (10 seats) for 300 full-time employees. The IslandWood School on Bainbridge Island, WA (USA), relies entirely on compost toilets. Facilities Manager Dean Newcomb says, “All of the comments about the compost toilet systems have been favorable. We keep the bathrooms immaculate, and the fan in the vent system generally works well, so it really gets rid of the misconception that these are smelly systems.”
Composting toilets reduce the volume of humanure and other organic materials on site over months or years through predominantly mesophilic composting and yield a fertilizer that is, after the legally required period, able to be used in horticultural or agricultural applications. Composting toilets are also becoming more common as an accepted alternative in homes, where the odor-free operation of a properly functioning unit appeals more to some houseowners than conventional toilets, with their consumption of large quantities of clean water.Public composting toilet facility on E6 highway in SwedenPublic composting toilet facility on E6 highway in Sweden
Composting toilets have entered the mainstream plumbing realm by being tested and, if approved, certified to the ANSI/NSF-41 Standard. They can be tested and certified for ANSI/NSF-41 by any ANSI accredited testing laboratories such as Canadian Standards Association, CSA International, National Sanitation Foundation and Underwriters Laboratories.
Waterless, odorless composting toilets ensure that houses can remain occupied in drought areas where water is shut off for periods of time. An example is southern Spain, where at least one composting toilet per house could provide acceptable sanitation for as long as the drought prevails and water is unavailable. Likewise it provides always-usable public toilet facilities under such circumstances. This is becoming a very important application for the technology in areas all over the world where there is only periodic availability of water.
'DIY' systems
Far simpler DIY systems can be constructed and maintained cheaply. Odors are controlled by ensuring adequate ventilation, sometimes simply by leaving a small gap between the top of the wall and the roof, or using a low-voltage extractor fan. Odor can also be controlled by separating urine and feces, or by adding sufficient high-carbon content 'soak' material (see below) to absorb excess liquid. The material should remain aerated to prevent the compost from becoming anaerobic, which causes unpleasant odor. It must also either heat the feces to the point that pathogens are destroyed (a thermophilic process), or allow time (up to a year) for such pathogens to break down and disappear naturally (a mesophilic process). The advantages are that they use little water and may produce fertilizer safe for small scale agricultural use.
Another variant is the tree bog - a type of compost toilet which never needs emptying. Nutrient-hungry trees such as fast growing willows are planted around the tree bog, and take up the nutrients and convert them to biomass which may then be harvested.
Composting process and products
The process of converting human excrement into safe and usable compost material can take 3 months to a few years depending on climate, temperature and the composting system. In 4 to 6 years there will be highly mineralized soil. Some composting toilet models concomitantly turn urine into an odor-free, pathogen-free organic liquid fertilizer. Some countries, for example Sweden, allow this liquid to be used in agriculture after it is stored for 6 months. In full-size composting toilets, urine goes through a process called nitrification, resulting in an odor-free and practically bacteria-free liquid fertilizer.
Typically, the waste breaks down to 10% of its original volume. Most toilet composting systems are mouldering, or low-temperature, toilets, where the waste is left for long enough that pathogens break down naturally, but there are also hot, or thermophilic, toilets, which heat the waste material high enough that pathogens are destroyed.
Some composting toilets separate the urine and the feces. Others mix the two, with the process requiring either evaporation of the liquid or the addition of substances such as sawdust, leaf mould, straw or grass clippings to soak up the liquid.
Urine, rather than feces, contains the major bulk of plant nutrients worth recovering for reuse, including 90% of the nitrogen and 70% of the phosphorus. One advantage of modern composting toilets over conventional outhouses is that the latter leaches most nutrients into the groundwater, instead of saving them to be reused in agriculture or spread on the land.
Possible health risks and aesthetic issues
It can be hazardous to come into contact with improperly or incompletely composted human feces, because it may contain bacteria and other pathogens associated with human disease. For this reason, human waste should not be used as fertilizer without ensuring that it is composted thoroughly. When composting, the pile may achieve temperatures of 40°-50° Celsius. The Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) in Wales recommends that in a cool temperate climate such as that experienced in the United Kingdom, where true thermophilic decomposition cannot be guaranteed, humanure should be allowed to break down for at least one year. It also advises that humanure should not be used as a fertiliser on crops that are directly handled and eaten, such as vegetables or salad leaves, but instead applied as a mulch around bush or tree fruits. Joseph Jenkins, author and proponent of humanure composting, recommends using composted humanure on any and all agricultural products.
In some situations, the finished compost must be Pasteurized prior to disposal. Governments provide operational definitions of pasteurization, which requires heating to a certain temperature for a certain time. In other situations, the finished compost must be sterilized, which requires more aggressive treatment and higher temperatures.
Many in the 'developed world' find the idea of a composting toilet to be unappealing, perhaps due to the health and hygiene issues raised above. However, as long as basic safety rules and common sense are used, the real risks associated with a composting toilet system should be no more significant than any other situation where there may be some level of fecal contamination (such as using a water-based toilet, changing baby diapers, taking a bath). Educating people about the safe use of composting toilets will be an important factor in their gaining acceptance in the developed world. Water-based toilets were originally viewed with similar suspicions when they replaced the chamber pot.
Some health departments do not approve composting toilets as an alternative to septic fields. A septic field may still be required for treatment of grey water even if a composting toilet is approved. But reputable manufacturers of composting toilets usually help their customers deal with regulatory concerns.
Properly designed and sized in relation to use, composting toilets neither need power for processing nor use water, and will eventually reduce the solids to a final 1-2% of the added organic materials (feces and toilet paper). True composting is a slow process and takes around 4-6 years and a variety of processes involving bacteria, fungi, worms and other micro- and macro-organisms.
Ecologically, in the case of some of the more complex smaller systems it may be that the use of electricity should be weighed against the use of water. In arid areas water may be more valuable than electricity, while in wet areas the opposite may be the case.
Posted By: Illusion Technologies
http://www.illusiontechnologies.com
Monday, October 29, 2007
bidets from cleanbutt.com for Personal Hygiene Care
How To Accessorize One Of The Most Important Rooms In The House - The Bathroom
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Gregg_Hall]Gregg Hall
One of the most important rooms in a home is the bathroom. Ask any real estate agent, and they will let you know that a clean, well-decorated bathroom, with a peaceful atmosphere and bright cheerful colors will add thousands of dollars to the value of the home. The bathroom is, according to the real estate pros, of particular interest to the lady of the house. The bathroom is second in importance only to the kitchen when it comes to the homes value in the real-estate market. One of the easiest and most efficient ways to create a bathroom with the appropriate atmosphere and style is the appropriate use of bathroom accessories.
Your first and most important task in changing the look of your bathroom and increasing your homes value is choosing the right color scheme. The color of your walls sets the mood and can create the appearance of more space when you choose light colors. You will also want your bathroom accessories to compliment the wall color, so choose with care. These days a bathroom design can be done in almost any color theme and should compliment the other styles and colors in the home. With the advent of modern technology and the internet, you can shop from the comfort of your own home saving time and gas while viewing the offerings of a variety of retailers at the same time.
By far the most important of the bathroom accessories you will need to buy is the bathroom suite itself (this would encompass the sink, toilet, bathtub and possibly a bidet). You will want to choose a color that compliments the décor of the room, especially the walls and the bathroom tiles. There are many colors to choose from including the traditional white or ivory as well as many pastel shades of pinks, yellows, blues and greens. If you like to change the look of the bathroom frequently, you may want to stick with the traditional colors. You will find many various types of integrated bathroom suites available in either traditional or contemporary designs. The traditional choices range from designs of previous centuries, such as the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Modern designs might include different shower options such as waterfall, multiple heads and ionic technology.
Other important aspects of the bathroom are the faucets or taps. These basic and often overlooked, but completely essential bathroom accessories are available in numerous styles and colors. There are probably more than you can even imagine. Ranging from basic simple classic designs, to the elaborate or even more sleek modern designs, the choices available to the modern consumer is extensive. One important thing to determine is the finish you want. Most standard faucets come in a chrome or gold finish, and some of the more ornate ones have ceramic handles or even plastic characters or other themes.
Once you have decided on the overall décor and color scheme and found the bathroom suite, faucets and handles you can begin to think about other things such as lighting fixtures, mirrors and bathroom accessories. You might consider adding a bidet for increased hygiene. Bidets are very common in Europe and Latin American countries. Some bidet designs are now even integrated into the toilet, and they are increasing in popularity in the United States. Towel bars or racks and bathroom cabinets are the other indispensable elements of the finished bathroom design. You can create a bathroom that provides a haven of peace, tranquility and relaxation with a well chosen color scheme and some thoughtfully selected bathroom accessories.
Gregg Hall is an author living with his beautiful wife and family in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about bathroom products as well as bathroom accessories online at http://www.exclusivebathroomaccessories.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gregg_Hall http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Accessorize-One-Of-The-Most-Important-Rooms-In-The-House---The-Bathroom&id=782266
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Gregg_Hall]Gregg Hall
One of the most important rooms in a home is the bathroom. Ask any real estate agent, and they will let you know that a clean, well-decorated bathroom, with a peaceful atmosphere and bright cheerful colors will add thousands of dollars to the value of the home. The bathroom is, according to the real estate pros, of particular interest to the lady of the house. The bathroom is second in importance only to the kitchen when it comes to the homes value in the real-estate market. One of the easiest and most efficient ways to create a bathroom with the appropriate atmosphere and style is the appropriate use of bathroom accessories.
Your first and most important task in changing the look of your bathroom and increasing your homes value is choosing the right color scheme. The color of your walls sets the mood and can create the appearance of more space when you choose light colors. You will also want your bathroom accessories to compliment the wall color, so choose with care. These days a bathroom design can be done in almost any color theme and should compliment the other styles and colors in the home. With the advent of modern technology and the internet, you can shop from the comfort of your own home saving time and gas while viewing the offerings of a variety of retailers at the same time.
By far the most important of the bathroom accessories you will need to buy is the bathroom suite itself (this would encompass the sink, toilet, bathtub and possibly a bidet). You will want to choose a color that compliments the décor of the room, especially the walls and the bathroom tiles. There are many colors to choose from including the traditional white or ivory as well as many pastel shades of pinks, yellows, blues and greens. If you like to change the look of the bathroom frequently, you may want to stick with the traditional colors. You will find many various types of integrated bathroom suites available in either traditional or contemporary designs. The traditional choices range from designs of previous centuries, such as the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Modern designs might include different shower options such as waterfall, multiple heads and ionic technology.
Other important aspects of the bathroom are the faucets or taps. These basic and often overlooked, but completely essential bathroom accessories are available in numerous styles and colors. There are probably more than you can even imagine. Ranging from basic simple classic designs, to the elaborate or even more sleek modern designs, the choices available to the modern consumer is extensive. One important thing to determine is the finish you want. Most standard faucets come in a chrome or gold finish, and some of the more ornate ones have ceramic handles or even plastic characters or other themes.
Once you have decided on the overall décor and color scheme and found the bathroom suite, faucets and handles you can begin to think about other things such as lighting fixtures, mirrors and bathroom accessories. You might consider adding a bidet for increased hygiene. Bidets are very common in Europe and Latin American countries. Some bidet designs are now even integrated into the toilet, and they are increasing in popularity in the United States. Towel bars or racks and bathroom cabinets are the other indispensable elements of the finished bathroom design. You can create a bathroom that provides a haven of peace, tranquility and relaxation with a well chosen color scheme and some thoughtfully selected bathroom accessories.
Gregg Hall is an author living with his beautiful wife and family in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about bathroom products as well as bathroom accessories online at http://www.exclusivebathroomaccessories.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gregg_Hall http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Accessorize-One-Of-The-Most-Important-Rooms-In-The-House---The-Bathroom&id=782266
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Bidets from Cleanbutt.com for Personal Hygiene Care
The Surprising Health & Psychological Benefits Of A Clean,
Uncluttered Desk
By B. SixWise
Despite their best intentions, many workers fall prey to desk
clutter. And from behind their towering paper piles, old coffee
mugs, outdated manuals and the swarms of unused office supplies,
they usually shout out the old adage that "a clean desk is a
sign of a sick mind" in self-defense.
In truth, most of us sense that a cluttered desk actually leads
to disorganization, a bad impression on coworkers, internal
feelings of disarray and a cluttered mind. What's surprising,
though, is that a messy desk can actually make you sick -- and
there's a new syndrome to describe it.
Irritable Desk Syndrome
Researchers at NEC-Mitsubishi, a maker of computer monitors,
questioned 2,000 office workers and found many to be suffering
from "Irritable Desk Syndrome" (IDS).
IDS is caused by working long hours at a cluttered desk, often
with poor posture. The combination can lead to both physical and
mental symptoms, including chronic pain, and loss of
productivity. Among the survey's most telling findings were:
67 percent said they are more tied to their desks than they
were two years ago.
40 percent said they were "infuriated by too much clutter and
paper on their desks but could not be bothered to do anything
about it."
35 percent said they had back or neck pain because they
knowingly had poor posture or an awkward position while at their
desk.
Said the study's lead author and "deskologist" Nigel Robertson,
a consultant at Open Ergonomics, "What most individuals fail to
realize is that desk symptoms typically escalate very quickly,
from persistent discomfort to chronic pain, which can end a
person's career and reduce their quality of life in a wide range
of ways."
Not to mention that working at a cluttered desk adds extra
stress to your life and can eat up valuable time.
"Studies have shown that the person who works with a messy desk
spends, on average, one and a half hours per day looking for
things or being distracted by things. That's seven and a half
hours per week," says time management speaker and consultant Dr.
Donald E. Wetmore,
And employers are noticing. According to a study by DYMO Corp.,
which surveyed 2,600 bosses worldwide, 51 percent said they
think there's a link between an employee's organizational skills
and their job performance. Which is understandable when you
factor in their finding that every document lost by an employee
(due to a cluttered desk or otherwise) costs the company $120.
"Like going on a date, first impressions at the office are
often lasting," says Deborah Wiener, an interior designer and
owner of Designing Solutions in Maryland. "We also make quick
judgments about work relationships. You want your desk to say:
'I mean business and I'm ready to move up.'"
Desks Can Hold More Bacteria Than Toilets
Aesthetics and personal well-being aside, a messy desk can be
home to much more than your old files and memos: your desk may
hold 400 times more bacteria than the average toilet seat.
This was the finding of a three-month study funded by The
Clorox Company. Other findings included:
While typing, your hands may be surrounded by 10 million germs.
Telephones had the highest levels of germs, followed by desks,
water fountain handles, microwave door handles and computer
keyboards.
In areas where desks weren't cleaned with disinfecting wipes,
bacteria levels increased between 19 percent and 31 percent
daily.
Toilet seats had the lowest levels of bacteria.
"For bacteria, a desk is really a laptop of luxury," says
Charles Gerba, PhD, an environmental virologist with the
University of Arizona. "They can feast all day from breakfast to
lunch and even dinner."
"We don't think twice about eating at our desks, even though
the average desk has 100 times more bacteria than a kitchen
table and 400 times more bacteria than the average toilet," says
Gerba. "Without cleaning, a small area on your desk or phone can
sustain millions of bacteria that could potentially cause
illness."
How to De-Clutter and Really Clean Your Desk
Take a few minutes each day to go through papers. Throw away
those you don't need and file those you do.
Invest in color-coded file folders and bins to organize
important papers.
Keep your desk (and the rest of your office) clean using the
highly recommended PerfectClean Cloths and Dusters. Unlike
ordinary cleaning rags that simply push dirt around,
PerfectClean's revolutionary ultramicrofiber construction
enables them to reach deep into microscopic crevices and remove
everything in their path: all forms of dirt, dust, hair, dander,
and the biological contaminants too small to see with the naked
eye. That is because at an astonishing 3 microns, the
ultramicrofibers are even smaller than most bacteria (each
cleaning cloth contains over 300 miles of actual cleaning
surface!).
Put only the bare necessities on your desktop. Keep everything
else out of sight in drawers or cabinets.
Personalize your desk with (a few) personal items such as a
desk lamp, tasteful personal photos or a plant. Devote one desk
drawer to your personal items like snacks, breath mints, a
hairbrush and photos.
About the Author: This article was provided by the world's #1
most popular and trusted holistic living e-newsletter -- FREE to
you right now at http://www.SixWise.com! The old way of
thinking: "holistic living" pertains only to personal health.
The new way of thinking: "holistic living" means prevention of
the negative and adherence to the positive in all SIX practical
areas of life: relationships, finances, career, home
environment, safety and health. With the SixWise.com
e-newsletter, you will get holistic wisdom from the world's top
experts in all six of these areas -- completely FREE with a
simple sign-up (and a guaranteed no-spam policy!) at
http://www.SixWise.com.
Source: http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=18190&ca=Career
Uncluttered Desk
By B. SixWise
Despite their best intentions, many workers fall prey to desk
clutter. And from behind their towering paper piles, old coffee
mugs, outdated manuals and the swarms of unused office supplies,
they usually shout out the old adage that "a clean desk is a
sign of a sick mind" in self-defense.
In truth, most of us sense that a cluttered desk actually leads
to disorganization, a bad impression on coworkers, internal
feelings of disarray and a cluttered mind. What's surprising,
though, is that a messy desk can actually make you sick -- and
there's a new syndrome to describe it.
Irritable Desk Syndrome
Researchers at NEC-Mitsubishi, a maker of computer monitors,
questioned 2,000 office workers and found many to be suffering
from "Irritable Desk Syndrome" (IDS).
IDS is caused by working long hours at a cluttered desk, often
with poor posture. The combination can lead to both physical and
mental symptoms, including chronic pain, and loss of
productivity. Among the survey's most telling findings were:
67 percent said they are more tied to their desks than they
were two years ago.
40 percent said they were "infuriated by too much clutter and
paper on their desks but could not be bothered to do anything
about it."
35 percent said they had back or neck pain because they
knowingly had poor posture or an awkward position while at their
desk.
Said the study's lead author and "deskologist" Nigel Robertson,
a consultant at Open Ergonomics, "What most individuals fail to
realize is that desk symptoms typically escalate very quickly,
from persistent discomfort to chronic pain, which can end a
person's career and reduce their quality of life in a wide range
of ways."
Not to mention that working at a cluttered desk adds extra
stress to your life and can eat up valuable time.
"Studies have shown that the person who works with a messy desk
spends, on average, one and a half hours per day looking for
things or being distracted by things. That's seven and a half
hours per week," says time management speaker and consultant Dr.
Donald E. Wetmore,
And employers are noticing. According to a study by DYMO Corp.,
which surveyed 2,600 bosses worldwide, 51 percent said they
think there's a link between an employee's organizational skills
and their job performance. Which is understandable when you
factor in their finding that every document lost by an employee
(due to a cluttered desk or otherwise) costs the company $120.
"Like going on a date, first impressions at the office are
often lasting," says Deborah Wiener, an interior designer and
owner of Designing Solutions in Maryland. "We also make quick
judgments about work relationships. You want your desk to say:
'I mean business and I'm ready to move up.'"
Desks Can Hold More Bacteria Than Toilets
Aesthetics and personal well-being aside, a messy desk can be
home to much more than your old files and memos: your desk may
hold 400 times more bacteria than the average toilet seat.
This was the finding of a three-month study funded by The
Clorox Company. Other findings included:
While typing, your hands may be surrounded by 10 million germs.
Telephones had the highest levels of germs, followed by desks,
water fountain handles, microwave door handles and computer
keyboards.
In areas where desks weren't cleaned with disinfecting wipes,
bacteria levels increased between 19 percent and 31 percent
daily.
Toilet seats had the lowest levels of bacteria.
"For bacteria, a desk is really a laptop of luxury," says
Charles Gerba, PhD, an environmental virologist with the
University of Arizona. "They can feast all day from breakfast to
lunch and even dinner."
"We don't think twice about eating at our desks, even though
the average desk has 100 times more bacteria than a kitchen
table and 400 times more bacteria than the average toilet," says
Gerba. "Without cleaning, a small area on your desk or phone can
sustain millions of bacteria that could potentially cause
illness."
How to De-Clutter and Really Clean Your Desk
Take a few minutes each day to go through papers. Throw away
those you don't need and file those you do.
Invest in color-coded file folders and bins to organize
important papers.
Keep your desk (and the rest of your office) clean using the
highly recommended PerfectClean Cloths and Dusters. Unlike
ordinary cleaning rags that simply push dirt around,
PerfectClean's revolutionary ultramicrofiber construction
enables them to reach deep into microscopic crevices and remove
everything in their path: all forms of dirt, dust, hair, dander,
and the biological contaminants too small to see with the naked
eye. That is because at an astonishing 3 microns, the
ultramicrofibers are even smaller than most bacteria (each
cleaning cloth contains over 300 miles of actual cleaning
surface!).
Put only the bare necessities on your desktop. Keep everything
else out of sight in drawers or cabinets.
Personalize your desk with (a few) personal items such as a
desk lamp, tasteful personal photos or a plant. Devote one desk
drawer to your personal items like snacks, breath mints, a
hairbrush and photos.
About the Author: This article was provided by the world's #1
most popular and trusted holistic living e-newsletter -- FREE to
you right now at http://www.SixWise.com! The old way of
thinking: "holistic living" pertains only to personal health.
The new way of thinking: "holistic living" means prevention of
the negative and adherence to the positive in all SIX practical
areas of life: relationships, finances, career, home
environment, safety and health. With the SixWise.com
e-newsletter, you will get holistic wisdom from the world's top
experts in all six of these areas -- completely FREE with a
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