Small Businesses Not Increasing in the Buying of New Equipment

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Worried about the Over All Economy? Well, I am and as an Economic Advisor to the Online Think Tank, well that’s my job, to watch the trends, charts, world issues and put it all together. There are a few economic indicators that I follow quite closely in judging the US Economy in forecasting and these indicators are probably are not what you think.

No everyone watches the retail sales, fuel prices, credit markets, mergers, stock market, political scene, Federal Reserve levers and yet, this is not enough, yes these are all serious components, but let me explain the methods to my madness. First, I believe the transportation sector is a nice way to judge future sales, layoffs, factory performance and I see that the stock market leads the economic reality in some sectors and trails it in others.

When small businesses have problems, I really worry as they employ two-thirds of our population. When the confidence of small businesses on the economy goes South, it is a big deal. About one-third of our economy is about consumer confidence. If consumers feel safe, they keep spending, but if credit scares, job scares, fuel prices tug on their emotions and if politicians running for office drug down that confidence scaring people of wake turbulence then that has an effect.

Ten Percent of population runs small businesses and when they tell us they are not expanding, one has to worry, even if the President’s Administration is calling for 2.7% increase in the economy for 2008. Steady growth sounds good, but when businesses are not buying to expand, I worry, after all that is my job. Industry Week reported the following statement:

The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association’s (ELFA) Monthly Leasing and Finance Index which reports equipment finance activity showed that overall new business volume for October was virtually flat (0.10%) when compared to October 2006. However, according to year-to-date cumulative totals, new business volume for January to October 2007 was 6.5% higher when compared with the same period in 2006. New business volume for October totaled $6.8 billion for new commercial equipment leases and loans, compared to $7.2 billion in September. New business volume for October 2006 totaled $6.8 billion.

Basically, they are saying things are now, “FLAT” with no new increases, so, there are huge issues here and we need to watch these numbers, watch the small businesses and the market, as it responds to shareholders equity and corporation quarterly profits. Please be thinking here.

Motorcycle Components

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In our daily life, motorcycles are also catch people’s attention except for cars and bicycles. They are important transportation mode that we can not ignore. Motorcycles have been developed a lot through these years. Modern types are quite different from the earlier ones for that they can include high-tech components.

It is common that every product should depend on various parts to achieve the expected function, so do the motorcycles. They also need specific parts to function properly. Different components work together to keep the motorcycles in a good condition.

One of the most obvious and important parts is the wheel. Generally, there are two wheels on a motorcycle which featured steel spokes traditionally. But through the development, many other types can be found now such as the cast aluminum wheels and other alloy models. Usually, rear wheels may be larger and wider than front wheels because of their drive configuration.

Drivetrain is just like the heart of the motorcycle. It is powered by the drivetrain which includes the engine. Motorcycle engines are usually centrally mounted below the driver’s seat. It conveys power to the rear drive wheel through its transmission. The transmission itself is attached to the engine, and operated by a shift lever and a clutch. And the system connecting the transmission to the rear wheel (the final drive) varies on different types of motorcycles, and may be a chain or belt, or a solid shaft.

Brakes are also necessary components on a motorcycle. They are controlled by a hydraulic system that is activated by handlebar or foot levers. Typically, disc brakes are offered on high end models or heavier motorcycles that require more powerful brakes.

Electrical system is an indispensable part. Sometimes, it is very complex. Some of the most basic electrical components are the lights, which include the headlights, tail lights, directional signals and brake lights. In addition, the instrumentation which includes the speedometer, tachometer and odometer is also an important part of this system.

Of course, there are still many other parts which also have significance to the motorcycles. They may be added to distinguish one model from another, or to prepare a motorcycle for a certain type of driving. All in all, all of the motorcycle parts are important for the proper function of the whole machine.

Steps to Painting Your Kitchen

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Step 1

The first step will be to remove all the hardware from the cabinet doors and drawer fronts. Any other attached hardware, to the cabinet also has to be removed. In case you are protecting your countertops, now is the time to cover them with plastic sheeting and rosin paper.

Step 2

Using your TSP and degreaser, clean up all areas of your cabinet doors, drawer fronts and cabinet boxes. Wear gloves in case you do not need chemicals spreading over your hands.

Step 3

In case your cabinet has dings, and you are planning to replace the hardware with something different, get all the divots and holes, filled in with wood putty. The next step would be to sand your cabinets using a 100 grit sandpaper, going with the grain. The surface must all be roughened up.

Step 4

Clean up all the sawdust needed.

Step 5

Wipe off all sawdust, getting a tack cloth. The surface should be as clean and dust free as possible. Adequate prepping taking all the time is the key to the final job.

Step 6

The next step is to get the primer coated. Start doing this from the inner panel. The first step is to go against the grain, thereby going with it. The grain will thus be filled and the surface will be smooth. Let the primer to sit. Meanwhile you can prime the cabinet boxes.

Step 7

After the first coat of the primer settles down, it is time to sand it all over again. Take a sandpaper and brush away all the strokes or uneven primer on the surface. Taking the time is the key to the best means of prepping the surface best.

Step 8

Now clean off all the sawdust all over again.

Step 9

Clean the surface all over again, ensuring everything is completely wiped down by the tack cloth. All remaining sawdust must be adequately cleaned off.

Step 10

The next step is to apply 2-3 coats of primer all over again, sanding all of it in between and thereby once more before the actual painting job. Basically, follow up steps 6-9 all over again. And keep in mind the facts about surface prepping.

Step 11

Finally paint your cabinet. Using an angled brush, start off on the back panels, GOING BY THE GRAIN. Paint on the one side and only after it is completely dry, that you should flip over and paint on the other side. The cabinet boxes also will follow the same technique.

After a day or two you can reattach them to the cabinet, and install the hardware.

A Mini Buyer’s Guide to Used Cars

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If you are in the market for a good used car but need it to be inexpensive, you will not have to settle for something that is old and falling apart. The main thing to consider is following a few set of rules to ensure your used car buying experience is a good one and you come out with a reliable mode of transportation. It only takes a little bit of research to find the particular make and model you prefer to drive. You will also be able to get the best deal possible when you take a little time to compare prices through different sources. Taking time to shop appropriately will save you money in the long run and you will also find out how to negotiate yourself a good deal. This used car buying guide article is designed to help you find a vehicle that is right for you and your situation and not cause you to be taken advantage of when dealing with others.

The first step is to get as much information together on the particular make and model you prefer to purchase. This will give you an idea of what is supposed to be on the vehicle and what might be missing from your used car. Make sure to take in the information offered by independent reviews. Be solid on what the trade in value of the vehicle should be and alert yourself to any recalls on the vehicle in the past. The manufacturers website is the first stop for most of this information.

When you are looking at the vehicle you will need to see if it has been in an accident. Purchasing a car which has been in an accident will only serve to cause problems later. The odometer also needs to be current and not one which has been rolled back to make it look better than it really is. The vehicle should not have been used as a taxi or rental car. These types of vehicles are under a lot of abuse and are just waiting to give out on you.

Cars exhibiting rust, holes, problems with electrical devices, and engine problems are to also be avoided. The interior, brakes, and tires should be checked for sturdiness and condition. If the vehicle has any of these problems, you can ask for the price to be lowered because of it. The dealership you are working with needs to stand behind their customer satisfaction policies completely.

Used car buying needs to be times correctly to provide the best deal. Monday night is said to be one of the best days to purchase a used vehicle. The last part of a month is also good. Car dealerships need to meet a monthly quota and they will drop prices to accommodate. End of the year sales are also good because newer models will be coming in and the old ones need to be moved to make space. You can probably get them to accept any reasonable deal on any one of the late models they are selling.

Buying a used car does not have to cost a fortune. You can find a used vehicle inexpensively if you will take some time and effort into following the items listed here in this guide. Investing some time now will save you thousands of dollars later and you will be able to say you got a good deal out of it. The best part is that you will have taken the time to look over your vehicle and can rest assured it is in top condition for being an older used vehicle.