Image by Lynchburg College Archives via Flickr

Supplier resistance is one of the biggest road-blocks to fluid implementation of electronic payment and invoicing systems. Suppliers who do not believe the system will be more efficient and effective will be unlikely to embrace it.

Suppliers actually can benefit significantly when AP departments become automated. By making sure they understand this, you can convince them to support electronic payments and invoicing and ensure a quicker and effective transition to the system.

Share these benefits with suppliers if they are expressing any doubts about electronic payments.

• No more lost invoices: It will no longer be a necessity for suppliers to fill reprint requests; electronic invoicing makes it impossible to lose or misplace invoices.
• Quicker approvals: Payments will be received more promptly because electronic invoicing, or EDI invoicing, decreases the amount of time it takes for processing and approval.
• Decrease exceptions: Suppliers will more easily be able to eliminate exceptions and hold-ups that often have time to mature because electronic invoicing detects errors at the time of invoice submission.
• Enhanced financing options: Dynamic discounting helps suppliers access a much more efficient financing source (relative to factoring and asset-based lending) and also allows them to use discounting in a more tactical and controlled manner.
• More efficient use of employee time: Electronic invoices allow staff to use less time on printing and mailing invoices and instead direct attention to customer relations and more efficient collection of invoices.
• Dynamic discounting: Suppliers will be able to push for more prompt payments and in the meantime, provide a valued service to purchasers.
• Real-time invoice tracking: Web portals can give suppliers the ability to track invoice payment statuses in real-time as opposed to calling or e-mailing.
• Hard-cost savings: Labor, material, and postage costs will be reduced; recent research shows savings of over 50% can be achieved when suppliers use automatic systems in their receivables area.
• Faster dispute resolution: An automated system allows suppliers to see a disputed invoice quickly and submit supporting documentation as soon as possible, resulting in quick problem resolutions and payments.
• More consistent cash flow: Payments are more reliable with an electronic system, so suppliers can predict cash flow more accurately.

1. Choosing a Doctor

Before you choose any doctor, it’s important you research their background and the services they offer. You obviously aren’t going to go to a podiatrist to treat your acne. When choosing a doctor, you want to be sure of a few things: are the licensed to practice in your state, do they have board certification and what hospital is the doctor affiliated with? These are the starting points; you may find that other information, such as the age and gender of the physician, are important to you.

2. Buying a New Car

Purchasing a new car is a big decision. What type of vehicle will best suit your needs? Once you’ve chosen the type of vehicle, it’s important to research its specs and the results of any safety testing it has undergone. Do this at home, without pressure from a salesman who, let’s face it, will sell you anything to make a commission.

Once you’ve decided on the make and model of the vehicle you want to purchase, you’ll want to research the dealers in your area. Do they have a good reputation? Are they offering any incentives? Are they in a convenient location should your vehicle need maintenance?

3. Choosing a College

Whether you are going to school or sending your child to college for the first time, choosing a college can be a life-altering decision. Some things to ask yourself: does the college offer a wide choice of majors? Can you afford the tuition? Does the institute offer financial assistance outside of federal loans and grants?

Colleges are fairly easy to research online. Almost every school has its own website full of information and contact numbers. There are also books at your library that will give you the latest rankings on a wide variety of criteria.

4. Medical Testing

Did you know that you aren’t required to have testing performed at your doctor’s office? Most people don’t know that they are free to acquire testing from outside, and often less costly, sources. When you locate a laboratory or clinic, make sure they offer the type of testing that you require. Are they close to home? What is their turnaround time for results?

5. Buying a House

If you’re buying your first home, there are many things you need to be aware of. What types of inspections does your lender require? Will you go with a VA, FHA or other type of loan? Would a fixed mortgage work best for you or would you be better suited by taking out an alternative type of loan? Knowing what you are getting into can save a great deal of heartache and stress later.

Before you make any major purchase, it is important that you boost your Consumer IQ. The World Wide Web is a fantastic source of information. From public information to consumer reviews, you can find it all online. Your local library is also a great source of information! No matter what you are purchasing or what type of services you need, arming yourself with as much information as possible is the only way to make a sound decision.

Cynthia Johnson is a lab assistant and online contributor for one of the most notable health testing centers, offering a prescribed or self-ordered Lipid Profile and many other types of blood tests for everything from liver functions to a thyroid test.

Related articles

• Am I Smart Enough? (frommyexperience.com)
• Best Sites for a Healthy Heart (verybestsites.com)
• Fuel Efficiency Plays More Important Role in Consumer Choice (gogogreencars.com)

It may seem like common sense, but all too often, people pack for style and not function. Depending on where you’re going, you may end up doing quite a bit of walking. Even if you are planning on staying at an all-inclusive resort, what happens if you sign up for an all day hike into the wilderness or a major shopping excursion? Packing a great pair of walking shoes or sandals will ensure that you can keep up with the pack and not suffer joint pain or terrible blisters; either of which can literally ruin your trip.

2. A Functional Bag

Travel experts will tell you that a cross-body bag is the perfect choice for travel. Not only are you less apt to leave it sitting somewhere but it is always close to your body and, therefore, more easily protected from potential thieves. Be sure that the bag you choose has plenty of pockets and is large enough to carry a bottle of water or two and any other essentials you’ll need to carry for the family.

3. Travel Credit Card

Credit cards that earn reward miles or even give you cash back are a necessary travel item. Put the cash you have saved for your vacation into an account and use it to pay off your credit cards when you come home. An advantage to credit cards, particularly when traveling overseas, is a lower exchange rate on currency. If you aren’t sure that your credit card is set up for international use, simply phone your provider and ask; they’ll be happy to tell you.

4. Identification

This is another no-brainer but you’d be surprised at how many people forget their identification. Passports and driver’s licenses should be kept with you at all times. If you are traveling with children be sure to have a current photo in your purse or stored in your mobile device. We don’t like to think about it, but accidents to happen and children do get lost. If you’re children are very young you can order a pet identification tag with your contact information and pin it to the inside of their jacket or coat. It sounds crazy but it wills save you time from having to write on a dozen clothing labels.

5. Layers

Even if you are traveling to a warm weather climate, the temperature can take a turn for the worse. Don’t pack for one temperature! Pack several layers of light clothing for each member of your family and don’t forget socks and a pair of tennis shoes for each. If you get stuck in a rainstorm or the temperature drops in the evening, you’ll be happy that you packed more than you thought you’d need.

Planning for your vacation can be fun but it also needs to be smart. By packing correctly, you are more apt to enjoy yourself and not worry about the little things. From comfortable shoes to lots of layers, packing smart will enable you to have a great vacation and will save you from having to spend extra money when you reach your destination.

Author Jessica Stevens is a financial consultant and content contributor for wisebread.com, a site offering reviews on some of the best travel credit cards and great money tips for living large on a small budget.

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In honor of the approaching Academy Awards, below are a few examples of horrendous Oscar fashion.  The following actresses, all former winners and generally lovely looking ladies, chose to take their stylists’ advice and show up looking like—well, like they look below.  (Most of them would have been better off in jeans and a Gap T.)

1.  Gwyneth Paltrow

Shakespeare is no longer in love.  Looking more like a medieval serving wench than an Oscar-winning actress, Gwyneth Paltrow slouches down the red carpet, offering a little nip for good measure.  Maybe the tight hausfrau braid put a strain on her fashion judgment.

2.  Meryl Streep

The reigning empress of American acting, Meryl Streep can seemingly do no wrong on the silver screen.  With two Oscars, one for 1977’s “Kramer  vs. Kramer” and the other for 1982’s amazing turn in “Sophie’s Choice,” there is no doubting Streep’s acting acumen.  Unfortunately, her talents don’t seem to extend to the wardrobe.  At the very least, she could have changed out of her PJs…

3. Kate Winslet

I’m expecting her to beg for $300 to save Tara at any moment…  Kate Winslet proved an Oscar bridesmaid the year of “Titanic,” but the real tragedy was this dubious emerald ensemble.  She would go on to win an Oscar as a former Nazi prison guard in 2008’s “The Reader.”

4.  Cate Blanchett

It takes a brave woman to wear fashion’s version of the Bubonic plague.  Modeling Trekkie shoulders and a pleated paper plate, “Aviator” winner Cate Blanchett defines fashion misstep.

And Katharine Hepburn wouldn’t be caught dead in this.

5. Kim Basinger

Oh, Vicki Vale… Much like Kim Basinger’s career after “L.A. Confidential,” major sections of this dress are missing.  Half fencing jacket, half Jessica Rabbit cast-off, Kim’s not helping herself with the stringy hair and hoop skirt.  Of course, a single glove is always a winner…

6.  Cher

Yes!

7.  Geena Davis

There’s no way Louise is hanging with Thelma in this get-up.  Between the push-up corset and cockroach crushing booties, the “Accidental Tourist” Oscar-winner looks like a Can-Can girl minus the awesome dancing.

(And is it just me, or does she appear to be dragging along a pile of black laundry in the train?)

8.  Whoopi Goldberg

Pick your favorite:

No one’s gonna be making Whoopi in this outfit.

Here’s a leopard who should have changed her spots.

And we thought “Sister Act 2” was the worst it could get.

9.  Hilary Swank

Boys Don’t Cry, but I do.  After playing a boy and a boxer, Hilary Swank obviously thought she needed to boost the femininity quotient with a pink, transparent mosquito net.

10.  Angelina Jolie

In 2000, the “Girl, Interrupted” winner scored a smooch with her bro, reached for the golden idol then crawled back into her coffin before sunrise…

Katie L. Fetting is a Seattle-based writer who hopes when she’s nominated for her Oscar, a snotty writer (like her) won’t call her out for wearing skinny jeans, mildewed flip flops and a rainbow tube top.

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Texting while driving can be more dangerous than talking while driving, hence the abundance of public service announcements on the television. If you need to text and don’t have a Bluetooth system installed in your car, pull over to the side of the road or into a parking lot before you text.

2. DVD Players
DVD players are a great way to keep the children entertained on a long trip. Unfortunately, too many drivers consider them to be entertaining as well. If you have a DVD player installed in your car, have it installed in the back of your headrests so only the passengers in the back seat can see it. In addition, have your children or passengers use headsets while watching a movie. This will guarantee that you aren’t distracted by the movie playing in the backseat.

3. Navigation Devices
GPS devices help us get to our destinations in as little time as possible. Navigation devices can be incredibly helpful, especially for those that travel frequently. There is a right way, and a wrong way, to use these handy tools. If you plan to use a GPS in your car, make sure you purchase a windshield mount and place it in as unobtrusive area as possible.

Too often, drivers plug in their navigation device and sit it on the passenger seat, stick it in the cup holder or even carry it in their laps. Every time you take your eyes off of the road to look at your device you are putting yourself and others at risk.

4. mP3 Players
Much like GPS devices, mP3 players need to be mounted in the car properly. By keeping your player an eye-level, you are less likely to take your eyes off of the road to skip to the next song. Rather than placing your player in the middle of your windshield, consider placing it to the left hand side of your steering wheel. This position tends to be the least distracting.

Never use your ear buds while driving and listening to your mP3 player. Instead, purchase an auxiliary cable or an FM transmitter for your device. Using ear buds will block out exterior noise like sirens, putting you at risk for accidents.

5. Tablets
Tablet computers have made our lives much easier. From organizing our lives, providing entertainment and even attending online classes, there is virtually nothing we can’t do with a tablet PC. Don’t be tempted to use your tablet while driving, even if you are sitting at a red light. There is nothing you need to do on your tablet that can’t wait for ten or 15 minutes.

Technology is a great thing and it can be useful in our vehicles when used properly. If you have a new car or you’ve installed tech in an old car, use common sense while using it all. If you are distracted when you drive, you are putting everyone on the road at risk; including yourself.

Finding a Personal Injury Attorney can be difficult. Eldon Shaw’s father was a corporate attorney for over forty years and he recommends the firm of Doyle Raizner to help those families in need of a personal injury attorney.

Related articles

• GPS: Digital Directions in a Physical World (frommyexperience.com)
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1. Lose weight

One of the most popular New Year’s resolutions is to lose weight. What starts as a positive step in a life-changing direction can fall by the wayside when sticking to a new eating and exercise regimen becomes difficult or boring. Be reasonable about your expectations and go slowly. While weight may initially seem to fall off, hitting a plateau is likely. Keep yourself going with a daily walk on a treadmill, writing in a food diary to remain accountable, and making substitutions so as to not feel deprived.

2. Quit smoking

Believe it or not, it is possible to quit smoking. Do not expect, however, to be nicotine-free overnight. Operate at your own speed. Whether you wean yourself off cigarettes or can quit cold turkey, do what works for you. Don’t compare your progress to someone else’s; you are on your own journey. Consider joining a support group, visiting your doctor for a prescription for the patch, and/or requesting smoking cessation materials from the American Cancer Society. Once you have a better idea of what nicotine does to your body, ‘staying quit’ may be a bit easier.

3. Get debt under control
If only those pesky monthly expenses like rent and utilities could take a backseat while you catch up on debt! Whether you’re paying down student loans, making a car payment, or trying to wriggle free of credit card use, you can take steps towards reducing your debt by creating a budget. Use a program like Quicken to track where your money is currently going. Rather than relying on Starbucks for your good morning latte, brew coffee at home. Whatever steps you take to start saving money, make sure you leave a little splurge money so you won’t feel punished for being fiscally responsible.

4. Go back to school

While it would be easier to attain a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree by enrolling in school full-time, doing so is often not possible given the 40-hour work week and considerations like raising children. Take baby steps: plan a campus visit, research classes that will fit into your schedule, and start by enrolling in one class per semester. One small step will still set you on the path to reach your goal.

5. Volunteer

Giving back is a noble and worthwhile cause but it also has to complement your life. Sign up for volunteer efforts with organizations close to your heart, whether you’re helping preserve the environment or raising funds for cancer research. Volunteering for a cause that you wholly support can make it easier to schedule time when you can help out.

There’s no reason that making New Year’s resolutions has to be met with groans or shame about what you did or didn’t do last year. Just be realistic about your personal expectations, take small steps towards your goals, and remember to reward yourself for your progress. Success awaits!

Holly Watson is an avid writer who enjoys blogging on behalf of Sears and other prestigious brands. She enjoys crafting, making cake pops, and exercising her fashionista muscle whenever possible.

Why is a Green Lawn Great for the Environment?

Though there are tons of reasons why a lush, green lawn is beneficial to our environment, I’ll give you only five:

1. Air Conditioning
In the heat of the summer, my house will be 30 degrees cooler than yours if you are in the middle of an asphalt jungle. Grass keeps the ground cooler so that it puts off less heat. Asphalt and rocks, on the other hand, absorb the heat and release it throughout the day. Don’t believe me? Take off your shoes and walk through the grass towards your driveway or sidewalk. Keep one foot in the grass and put one foot on the concrete. Which foot is cooler?

2. Water Run-Off Prevention
A green lawn that is maintained properly will prevent water runoff into your storm and sewer drains. The extensive underground root system of healthy grass readily absorbs water as it falls from the sky. During a heavy storm, when runoff can’t be avoided, the grass blades act as water filters so that runoff is less polluted than it would otherwise be.

3. Allergen Trap
Did you know that grasses trap pollen grains? No matter which type of grass you have: buffalo, Bermuda, zoysia or perennial rye, the lawn bed traps pollen thus reducing the amount of allergens that are in the air. A lawn that is kept well-manicured and watered will trap more pollutants than any other material in our environment. When the rains come, these grains are washed off of the grass blades and into the ground where they are trapped forever.

4. Noise Reducer
Just like carpeting reduces noise in a home, grass reduces noise outside. Grass, unlike asphalt and other hard surfaces, absorbs sound rather instead of reflecting it. Those cars driving by with their booming systems will sound 20 to 30 percent quieter to a homeowner with a lawn outside than to an apartment dweller in the city.

5. Carbon Dioxide Absorber
A beautiful green lawn absorbs pollutants from the atmosphere, including carbon dioxide, and releases clean, breathable oxygen. 625 square feet of lawn produces enough oxygen every day to support one person.

Let’s take a look at the other side of the issue. Naysayers report that grass is, in fact, bad for the environment. But why? It’s not because of the grass itself, but because of the way a lawn is maintained. And, brace yourself: it’s true! However, with a bit of care, we can ensure that we are not causing more harm to the environment than good by:

- Using compost instead of fertilizer
- Using an electric or manually operated lawn mower instead of one powered by gasoline
- Raking leaves instead of using a leaf blower
- Choosing grass seeds that don’t need to be watered frequently in order to survive
- Choosing grass seeds that will thrive in our environment without unnecessary upkeep
- Mow high. Grass that is clipped too shorten will be weak and prone to disease and weed overcrowding

Yes, lawn maintenance can be bad for the environment. Grass, on the other hand, is not. Use a bit of common sense with your lawn care and join me on my side of the fence. The grass is definitely greener.

Jonathan McGraw is a natural landscape designer who writes for naturesfinestseed.com. Check their site for lawn choices and supplies, from Kentucky Bluegrass Seed to information about bermuda grass seed.

Have Someone Else Make Them

Who knows you, baby? Your loved ones, that’s who! Since they probably know you better than you know yourself, have your spouse, partner or even children make your resolutions for you. When your family makes your resolution, they are more invested in helping you see it through. You’ll be surprised at how creative your family can be. Rather than the standard ‘lose weight’, you might get ‘start a business’ or ‘be more adventurous’.

Be Realistic

I would love to lose 30 pounds in a month. I’d also love to be able to walk five miles tomorrow without feeling like I was going to pass out and die. Will either happen? No. However, I can lose 30 pounds over 12 months and I can probably build myself back up to five miles in less than six months. These, my friends, are what we call realistic resolutions. If you set yourself up for failure, guess what? You’ll fail.

Don’t Be Vague

Any goal setting expert will tell you that your goals needs to be measurable. Rather than ‘I want to eat healthy’ your resolution could be ‘I will eat vegetables five nights a week’. By doing this, you’re giving yourself reachable goals that are easily tracked. Not only are you more likely to stick to your resolutions but you may even be able to tweak them in six months time and achieve more than you thought.

Keep a Journal

People that are serious about their goals write them down. Do the same with your resolutions and post them where they are clearly visible. Keep a journal that tracks your progress. A journal will also give you a great avenue for your feelings. If you are having a tough time sticking to your goals, writing down your thoughts can help you get back on track. Be sure that you aren’t only keeping track of your failures! Making note of your accomplishments will help you track your progress.

Check in On Yourself

Every three months, pull out your journal and read the entries. See where you’ve gone wrong and where you’ve stayed the course. Nothing says that you can’t adjust your resolutions! If you’re making fantastic progress, expand your goal. If you’ve not quite accomplished what you set out to, adjust your timeline. Goals are flexible and so are your resolutions. If you get off track, take a deep breath and get back on.

Now the big question: what’s my resolution? I resolve to volunteer, one weekend a month, to be the designated driver for my friends, whether I am with them or not. See? I wasn’t vague, it’s realistic and I can easily keep track of how well I’m following my resolution. Not to mention, I may just be saving some of my bar-loving friends a trip to the drunk tank.

Author Robin Boyd works with a teen crisis center and recommends kellislaw.com for a PA DUI attorney.

Vitamin Water Zero

Choose your flavor, rip open the top and chug. It’s that simple. Vitamin Water is up to its ears in vitamins and electrolytes making it a fabulous post-party cure. In fact, if you make it the last drink of the night, you may even be able to head off the worst of your hangover. There is no hard and fast rule to this cure; drink until you feel better. Vitamin Water does double duty in re-hydrating your body and replacing the vitamins and electrolytes that the alcohol sucked away.

Pedialyte

Chances are, if you don’t have a toddler in the house you don’t have cupboards stocked with the stuff. However, I implore you: if you are planning to tie one on this holiday, run out now and buy Pedialyte. One box of the powdered variety will net you eight doses of blissful cure! To cure your hangover, mix one tube of powder in eight ounces of ice cold water. You can repeat the process every hour if you need to but one glass typically does the trick.

Exercise

Okay. Admittedly, exercise is the last thing on my mind but, as a hangover cure, getting active is a sure-fire method. Note that by exercise I don’t mean a light walk to the mailbox. You’ve got to really work up a sweat. By doing so, you’ll literally sweat out the alcohol and toxins in your body, thereby reducing their nasty effects. So suck it up, get out of bed and put your running shoes on. The sooner you sweat, the sooner you’ll feel better.

Advil

Warning: if you suffer from alcoholism and frequently wake with a hangover, this is NOT the cure for you! Overusing Advil can cause damage to your liver. However, if, like me, you are happily labeled a binge drinker, using Advil is perfectly safe. Wash down your two Advil with a Vitamin Water and within 20 minutes you may forget that you were hung-over in the first place.

Chaser Plus

Perhaps you’ve seen the commercials or heard the advertisements on the radio. Chaser Plus is a sure-fire way to get rid of your hangover. Why? Because you won’t get drunk in the first place! Doesn’t sound like much fun does it? Think of it like this: if you take Chaser Plus while you drink, you can hang with the fellas without getting falling down stupid. Not to mention that DUI you’ll avoid on the way home!

I would be remiss to mention the best hangover cure of all: don’t get drunk. Count that bit of advice for my good deed of the day and let’s get back to the topic at hand. If you should over-indulge, there are several cures for your morning after blues. Don’t try them all at once. You’ll have plenty of time to move down the list next weekend. And while I can offer you plenty in the way of hangover advice, I can’t hand you a ‘get out of jail free card’; be careful out there!

When you find yourself in need of a DUI Attorney, where do you turn? Fiona McIntyre consults families suffering the affects of alcoholism find a nj dui lawyer.

1.Pleural Mesothelioma

This is the most common type of Mesothelioma that people experience. It starts in the lining of the lungs, which causes a variety of different health issues. Usually, this type of cancer begins with a buildup of fluid that occurs between the lining and the chest cavity, known as pleural effusion, which can lead to shortness of breath, coughing, rasping, and other difficulties with breathing.

The cause of this type of Mesothelioma is inhaling asbestos fibers, and it actually is responsible for about 75% of the Mesothelioma cases that are diagnosed today. People with this form of cancer often have a much harder time getting diagnosed because it presents with other lung conditions and health issues, making the right diagnosis hard to pin down. It can also remain latent for up to 4 or 5 decades, which can make it even more severe to deal with when symptoms finally present themselves.

Pleural Mesothelioma has a poor prognosis because it isn’t often caught until the later stages, but some patients will have a better prognosis than others.

2. Peritoneal Mesothelioma

This condition is the second-most common diagnosis, accounting for about 20% of the cases that exist today. Peritoneal cancer develops in the abdomen instead of the lungs, and it is also often diagnosed later in development. However, patients with this type of Mesothelioma generally have a better prognosis and more treatment options. The cause is inhalation or ingestion of asbestos fibers, which can lead to the cancer developing over time.

With this condition, prognosis is typically less than a year, but this can increase with early detection and effective treatment. Some can live up to 8 years after diagnosis, although most people have a more reasonable life expectancy of 7-9 months because the disease is so advanced when it is diagnosed.

3. Pericardial Mesothelioma

The rarest of Mesothelioma diagnoses, Pericardial Mesothelioma occurs when the cancer affects the heart muscle. Only 1-6% of all cases are diagnosed in this form. The cancer affects the pericardium, which is the membrane that protects and supports the heart. There are only 150-200 cases of this disease that have been reported worldwide. Most patients die within 6 months of diagnosis with this particular cancer, and only one person has been documented to live 5 years after diagnosis.

Symptoms of this condition are common to other heart conditions, which makes diagnosis difficult. Combined with the rarity of the condition, these symptoms often cause diagnosis to come far too late for effective treatment to be an option.

Lawrence Reaves writes for smallcelllungcancer.net.

References:

www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma/

http://smallcelllungcancer.net/mesothelioma-lung-cancer/

http://www.mesolink.org/mesothelioma/types-of-mesothelioma.html