It’s been said that Vector Marketing will recruit just about anyone and that their model uses their representatives to milk their close friends and relatives as the customer base. The idea is that upon seeing your high school/early college aged friend or relative struggle through a presentation as their very first job, you’ll end up pitying them and purchase some Cutco knives, if not a whole set. In my experience, this wasn’t the case at all. The key sales I made weren’t with close friends and relatives at all. The sample kit I received is used regularly by my mom to this day so the product is strong despite all the scrutiny.

Another point of the Vector Marketing model that people have taken issue with is the security deposit new representatives had to pay to get their sample set of knives used during presentations. This security deposit has since been removed but when I worked for Vector Marketing, it was still in place. This deposit came at no surprise and was made evident during the whole recruiting process. Though I did think that the cost of the deposit should have been taken out of our first paycheck at the time, the cost really was negligible and my family got an awesome set of Cutco knives at a great price.

Of course there was pressure to sell. This is a sales and marketing position and if you don’t have the drive to succeed, you aren’t going to. The district managers were paid to drive sales and inspire us to do the best we possibly could. Some people are better at this type of job than most, and in the end, Vector Marketing wasn’t for me but I can say that Vector Marketing isn’t more a scam than any other job I’ve worked at.

Through recent natural events, floods have become such a prevalent topic for home owners whether they live in high-risk areas or not. While most disasters are tough to predict, bracing for such an event can go a long way into mitigating the damage of your property from water damage.

Flood sensors can help alert different water levels in your property for immediate attention. They can be easily placed in main rooms, basements, kitchen, bathrooms and laundry rooms where appliances using a water line reside.

Additionally, property owners are facing the common problem of water leakage due to faulty systems. Ask anyone who has experienced a water leakage problem in their home or business and they will tell you that the first warning signs are crucial. In the event that an appliance overflows, these flood sensors will alert residents to the source of the problem. Serving as a watchdog in high-risk areas in your property, determining the source of the problem can help you race against time to minimize risk in your property.

The Sonin Water Alarm detects leaks and sounds an alarm during the first signs of a leakage. Its low battery setting also alerts users to change the battery over time. Different settings are available to monitor different rooms throughout a house or business for potential leaks.

The FS1 1/4-NPT FloodStop System for water heaters can alert property owners of a leaky water heater. This device shuts down the water supply to the heater and sounds an alarm. This FloodStop system is powered by an AC adaptor or batteries and is compatible with home automation or auto dialer systems.  There are also FloodStop systems for dishwasher or toilets that connect to the water supply line. This system works as a valve and forces the closure of the line until problem is attended to and the system is reset. The FloodStop FS 3/8 C automatically shuts off water supply to the unit whether it is caused by a leak, broken part, overflow or a ruptured supply line. Property owners can consolidate their alarms through a relay output that can be connected to alarm panels throughout the home.

Additional things you can do to prepare for a possible flood is to make sure your rain gutters are free from debris or any buildup that accumulates over time.

A great tip for families who live in high-risk areas is to practice drills and decide on a meeting place (preferably higher ground) in the event of an emergency. Groups should be assigned so members can be accountable for other members and an emergency grab bag should be easy and accessible in the event that your property becomes uninhabitable.

Lastly, property owners should review their insurance policy in the event of a flood. Many insurance plans in America do not include floods as part of their coverage. There is no doubt that flood damage can be costly, can ruin your property and take years to repair. Becoming proactive in protecting your investment can greatly minimize the risk of catastrophic damage. For similar home security equipment and alarm systems, Home Security Store has everything you need to protect your home or business.

A groundbreaking initiative for the Honors program, this project fits in line with some of the fundamental values of university leadership.  Along with active learning courses designed to put into practice theory and experience, Honors College students are part of smaller classes which emphasize more interaction with professors. By providing tablets and sharing the same operating system, students and educators can easily share video, audio and other content that can take education beyond the classroom.

The tablets are pre-loaded with Blackboard Mobile which contains course syllabi, references, schedules, contact information, class message boards, e-textbooks and more. These tablets provide the tools necessary to having a centralized platform where ideas can be shared and students can gather all the information needed to not only complete the course, but excel in it as well.

University President Dr. Martha D. Saunders took office in 2007 and stresses creating a climate for academic success. By launching this initiative in the Honors program, Southern Miss is leading the way in implementing a learning model using the latest technology to engage students to learn more efficiently.

Not only is Saunders a forward-thinking president, but she has experience to back it up with a 30-year career in higher education. She is a role model for students and is a campus leader for her use of social media with an active blog and Twitter (@MarthaSaunders).  Additionally, Saunders is considered a leader among women university presidents and is recognized for her expertise in public relations and branding and is an APR (Accredited Public Relations) professional.

The new millennium generation is seemingly born with social media and computing as an inherent trait. There’s no doubt that arming them with cloud computing through a versatile tablet will create and sustain a culture more perceptive to critical thinking and lifelong learning. This initiative is a great first step for this campus and is a wonderful model for other campuses to follow.

If you are in the market for sliding doors, Barn Door Hardware offers the very best in stainless steel and sophisticated door hinges and locks sure to help keep them working in for years to come.  As the self professed experts when it comes to hardware devices, Barn Door Hardware has unique vintage, antique and modern locks and rails for your home or business. Folks lining up to buy sliding door hardware can select from over 15 different manufacturers such as Richards-Wilcox, MWE, Henderson, Pemko and Coburn Hardware.

Nothing is worse than shortly after installing a sliding door system to see it fall apart or derailed. Similar to a zipper getting stuck in different your garment, sliding doors can be one of the most frustrating devices if you’ve ever experienced it malfunctioning. Installing a solid system the first time can eliminate headaches for the lifespan of your home or property.

Often times the cost can be a strong selling point for buyers, but quality should not be sacrificed. Barn Door Hardware offers great deals that will last for years to come. When it comes to aesthetics, there are numerous locks made out of aluminum carbon steel and stainless steel sliding door hardware to perfectly complement glass, wood or steel doors.

Another major benefit of utilizing a sliding door is the benefit of having extra space. Standard-sized doors occupy as much as 16 square feet just for clearance purposes. Installing sliding doors can make for a simple home improvement project and the benefits of extra space will be great for storage or other equipments. Sliding doors not only save you space but they make for a great addition in your home or property!

Memorial Day is a great time for barbeques, family gatherings and picnics. Oddly enough, it is also known as the best weekend out of the year to buy a mattress. We delved back into the history of this phenomenon and here’s what we discovered:

New Stock Shipments

May is around the time where mattress retailers receive stock and new models to replace older models. Every year, major mattress producers tweak their line of products for beds and box springs. Putting together a bed has become a booming industry and for those who are sleep deprived, the latest technology can go a long ways into a better night’s sleep.

Stock Liquidation

Conversely, retailers will look towards Memorial Day weekend as the time where they eagerly slash prices to get rid of older products. Whether you’re bargain hunting or awaiting the latest products, this holiday weekend equates to a high traffic season for mattress shoppers. Be sure to do your homework when it comes to finding the right mattress for your body type before you go mattress hunting.

Tax Refunds

April 15 is the due date of taxes in the U.S. and depending on your financial standing you may have lost or gained extra income on that day. For Americans who received extra income, the late spring months are looked upon as a high consumer spending season. Recent trends suggest big purchases as opposed to smaller purchases which go in the direction of major appliances, car purchases and mattresses.

High-Turnover Rate

Unlike a car that stays in our grasps for well over 10 years, mattresses have a lifespan of about five to eight years according to industry experts. Due to dead skin buildup, dirt and oil from our bodily functions, mattresses are encouraged to be inspected and replaced for optimum sleep support.

Home Comfort Factor

One of the many lessons Americans have learned during this recent economic downturn was to go out less, thus spending a lot of time indoors. This trend was reflected in strong HDTV sales towards the end of 2010 along with cable and satellite TV subscription. This also led to strong sales of home furnishings such as sofas and mattresses.

Planning a wedding in harsh economic times can be tough, but there are lots of ways to stretch your dollar a bit further. Here are the top 5 ways to have your wedding look like a million bucks without breaking the bank:

5. Plan Your Wedding “Off-Season”:

June through August is the wedding season’s typically busiest months, and vendors use this to raise prices. But you can beat the mark-ups by scheduling “off-season.” Booking your wedding October through March will save you loads on the venue, flowers, etc. as vendors will be willing to make deals during their slowest months. Take advantage of fall’s beautiful and natural color scheme, and you’ll find yourself saving huge.

4. Alternative Metal Wedding Bands:

The price of gold just keeps skyrocketing with no end in sight. Alternative metals like tungsten wedding bands offer many of the same great wedding ring styles with the added benefit of being highly scratch-resistant and bargain priced in comparison to 18k gold rings. And if you just can’t let go of having a traditional metal for your wedding band, tungsten wedding bands also come with inlays of 18k gold, platinum and silver as well. Have the best of both worlds at a fraction of the cost.

3. Nix the DJ:

Let’s be honest. The wedding DJ is really just a glorified iPod isn’t he? So, why spend so much on him? Sit down with your fiancé and program a playlist you and your guests will enjoy. Most wedding venues will already have some form of speaker system capable of being hooked up to a computer or iPod allowing you to be your own DJ. It’s almost effortless and will save you loads.

Just hit “play” and enjoy!

2. Scour the Web:

The Internet is overflowing with wedding deals. You name it, they got it. From flowers, to party favors and bridesmaids gifts…. there are deals, promotions and coupon codes everywhere. So don’t be afraid to look around discount and retail sites for the best bargains.

1. “Knock-Offs” can be a Girl’s Best Friend:

What’s in a name anyways? Designer dresses are beautiful but are you paying for the name or the dress? There are lots of discount retailers selling almost identical “knock-offs” of the popular designer dresses, and in some cases they look even better! Don’t let the name on the tag sway you. You’ll still look like a million bucks in these discount designs.

We won’t tell anyone it’s a “knock-off,” if you won’t.

Spring break is a great time to escape from the daily grind. Whether you’re a student or a working professional, there’s a reason that spring time is an ideal time to travel. The weather change is a welcome sight this time of year, and a call for adventure inspires us to break free from our normal routines.

But don’t get bogged down in Cancun or any other boring beach-side resorts this year, check out some of these interesting travel destinations from All-Travel.

Here are some suggestions from All-Travel based on this year’s Oscars race:

5. (Tie) True Grit & Black Swan – Ghost towns near Las Vegas or a weeklong trip to New York City may be just the thing for fans of these movies.

4. The Social Network – A trip to tech world’s Mecca, Palo Alto, CA can make for a memorable visit.

3. 127 Hours – For hikers and nature-lovers, Utah makes for an adventurous getaway.

2. The King’s Speech – The Lancaster House in London doubled for Buckingham Palace and daily tours of the historical sites are available.

1. Inception – Visit the exploding café that existed in Ellen Page’s mind in Paris, France. See the inspiration for Christopher’s Nolan augmented reality.

Typically, spring break getaways last around a week and while many college students may opt for a party destination, a more mature traveler may be looking at the above list for travel alternatives. Most of these ideas do not require extended visits and is perfect for this time of year! This spring break season, choose to do something different and explore Europe or a culturally diverse American city!

Listia offers a new way to get all the things you want, but can’t afford. The idea is to give away the things you no longer want (old cell phone, VHS tapes, books… anything), and in return get new things, such as DVDs, video games, clothes or anything else you can find on Listia. Instead of just a basic exchange, however, you are given credits to use for their online auction system. Listia is completely free to use and by using an auction system, the people that really want something can actually get it, unlike Craigslist where first come first serve takes precedence. The more credits you get, the more free stuff you can bid on and win. You get credits by listing auctions to give away your old stuff. In other words, I got around 200o credits for auctioning off my old gameboy games and used those credits towards a new XBOX game.

Listia has reportedly held over 1,000,000 auctions and helped recycle hundreds of thousands of used items that might have otherwise been left for trash. This Christmas, consider cleaning out your closest, putting your things on Listia and get some new stuff you really want for free. Visit Listia today.

The DealMap

Looking for deals in your area? TheDealMap is a handy little Google Maps mashup that lists local discounts on shopping, restaurants, food, hotels, and much more. You can subscribe by e-mail to receive regular deal updates or download the iPhone or Android apps for deals on the go. I highly recommend you take a look at this as it is very easy to use and seems to have a pulse on the best deals around town.

Ookong

If you really have your eye on that special item… but it happens to be too expensive, then try using Ookong to keep track of the price. It will track any item you want on Amazon, or other stores so that you can be notified when price drops. As it drops, you can get the discount you have been waiting for!

SeatGeek

Nervous you won’t get those great tickets you want for the big game or rockin’ concert? You should be. They sell out fast, and they can get ridiculously expensive at the same time. SeatGeek wants to help by using that amazing magic called “math” to forecast prices and availability and when you should buy to save the most moolah.

For a full list of the PC Magazine Top 100 Websites of 2010, view here.

You have to admit… this is kind of cool. Plus, you could probably make a pretty cool explosion out of this.