Amazon said

Amazon said this afternoon it’s agreed to buy specialty shoe e-tailer Zappos for $807 million in cash and stock. It’s a smart move as it will allow Amazon to become even more synonymous with e-commerce. Funnily enough, it was just a few weeks ago that I was wondering if Amazon would be launching any more specialty stores. Indeed, they are going vertical — though I didn’t expect them to spend so much money to buy Zappos. Under terms of the deal, Zappos employees will get about $40 million in cash and restricted Amazon stock, and the entire Zappos management team will stay on.

Zappos, while in the commodity business of retail, has carved itself a nice (and fast-growing) niche by focusing on shoes. According to the Las Vegas Sun, Zappos’ hometown paper, the company reached its goal of a billion dollars in sales in 2008, 10 years after it was started by Nick Swinmurn. The sale is yet another smash hit for white-shoe Silicon Valley venture fund, Sequoia Capital. Zappos’ customer service reputation reminds me of Nordstrom, the big department store chain.
“We are joining forces with Amazon because there is a huge opportunity to utilize each other’s strengths and move even faster towards our vision of delivering happiness to customers, employees and vendors,” said Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos. “We will continue to build the Zappos brand and culture in our own unique way, and we believe Amazon is the best partner to help us do this over the long term.”

I am a big fan of both Jeff Bezos and Tony Hsieh, because they belong to that rare breed of company CEOs who put the needs of the customers (and their happiness) above everything else. Hsieh has been a fixture at various tech industry events but I’ve never met him, I’ve just enjoyed his talks and his posts on the Zappos blog. In an email to his employees today, Hsieh says something that all startup founders — myself included — would be well-advised to remember: “What happens to our culture is up to us…we are in control of our destiny and how our culture evolves.”

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Myth or Reality: The Recession-Proof Career

Although there's no such thing as a recession-proof career, some jobs may offer more job security than others. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that by 2016, three out of 10 jobs in this country will be in education and in health care. If teaching or working in a hospital doesn't appeal to you, professional and business-related jobs will provide the second largest area of growth.
If, like many Americans, you want or need a new career, check out these six in-demand careers. With an associate's or bachelor's degree and some career training, you may be well on your way to enjoying peace of mind and job stability, even in this economy.

Computer and Information Scientist
As our need for technology grows, so does our need for computer scientists. Working as researchers, computer scientists solve technological problems and develop successful solutions. Many computer scientists work on teams in industrial settings or at universities, exploring new and innovative technologies. According to the BLS, computer scientists made over $100,000 a year on average in 2007. An online bachelor's degree in computer science may be able to give you the traction you need for this fast growing career.

Computer Systems Analyst
We know computers are important, but consider this: without computers, most American businesses would not be able to run. Computer systems analysts work for companies and businesses, identifying their technological needs. As a computer systems analyst, you will choose and configure hardware and software in order to meet your company's goals. Keeping up to date with current technologies is key. A bachelor's degree in a technical field, such as computer science or management information systems, can give you the career training you need for this rapidly growing, much sought after career. According to the BLS, computer systems analysts made an average yearly wage of $75,890 in 2007.

Employment Recruiter and Placement Specialist
As the job market tightens, more workers are drawn to temporary, seasonal, and part-time work. Employment recruiters have the important job of matching these employees with jobs. As an employment recruiter, you may work for a company looking for new hires or for a local job placement agency. Your duties will probably consist of meeting with prospective employees, interviewing them, and extending job offers. Armed with an online or on-campus degree in human resources, as an employment recruiter and placement specialist you may be able to make an average of over $50,000 a year.

Health Care Technician
Don't like the idea of working with patients but are still drawn to the medical field? Become a health care technician. Since you'll be compiling patients' charts and records and keeping their health information up to date, you'll need to be well organized and have an eye for detail. An associate's degree in health care management or a related field can prepare you for this rapidly growing field. Many employers prefer technicians who are also registered health information technicians (RHITs), which requires attending an approved program and passing an exam. The BLS estimates that medical records and health information technicians made an average yearly wage of $31,450 in 2007.

Registered Nurse
Approximately 587,000 new nursing jobs are projected within the next eight years, making nursing one of the largest job markets in the United States. According to the BLS, nurses made an average annual salary of $62,480 in 2007. An online program can give you the training you need for a nursing career as you earn your associate's or bachelor's nursing degree. As a registered nurse you will tend patients, providing them and their families with much needed emotional support and education in a doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. You can choose to specialize in one of medicine's many exciting fields, such as oncology or neonatal care.

Special Education Teacher
Within the next eight years, an estimated shortage of special education teachers will coincide with a rise in the anticipated number of qualifying students. Special education teachers work closely with students who have handicaps and disabilities. As a special education teacher, you will modify your students' lessons and help them and their families set and achieve goals. In order to become a special education teacher, you need a bachelor's degree in an approved program. Special education teachers in the United States made over $50,000 a year in 2007, according to the BLS. Plus, along with the good feeling that often accompanies helping others, you may get a portion of your summers off.

Pundits can predict where the rough economy will go within the next few years, but nobody knows for sure. An in-demand career could be one way to ride out the storm.

life insurance

Cash value life insurance, like whole life, will help me retire wealthy.Truth: Cash value life insurance is one of the worst financial products available.Sadly, over 70% of the life insurance policies sold today are cash value policies. A cash value policy is an insurance product that packages insurance and savings together. Do not invest money in life insurance; the returns are HORRIBLE. Your insurance person will show you wonderful projections, but none of these policies perform as projected.
Example of Cash ValueIf a 30-year-old man has $100 per month to spend on life insurance and shops the top 5 cash value companies, he will find he can purchase an average of $125,000 in insurance for his family. The pitch is to get a policy that will build up savings for retirement, which is what a cash value policy does. However, if this same guy purchases 20-year-level term insurance with coverage of $125,000, the cost will be only $7 per month, not $100.
WOW! If he goes with the cash value option, the other $93 per month should be in savings, right? Well, not really; you see, there are expenses.
Expenses? How much?
All of the $93 per month disappears in commissions and expenses for the first 3 years. After that, the return will average 2.6% per year for whole life, 4.2% for universal life, and 7.4% for the new-and-improved variable life policy that includes mutual funds, according to Consumer Federation of America, Kiplinger's Personal Finance

5 Ideal Jobs for Work-Life Balance

Training for a triathlon. Knitting. Playing in a rock band. Growing heirloom tomatoes. We each have preferences when it comes to using our precious hours of free time. Whether you choose to work on your political blog or lose yourself in a book, there's no denying that we all could use time to pursue whatever hobby or interest helps us feel more alive.
Sadly, leisure activities usually can't pay the rent or even cover the grocery bill. All too often, personal rejuvenation gets put on the back burner because career demands leave us with little time or energy left to devote to ourselves. Being employed doesn't have to lead to a life dominated by work, however. In fact, there are careers out there that can offer you the freedom to use your "me time" to do exactly what you want.

1. Teacher, K-12

These days, newcomers to the teaching force include twenty-somethings just beginning their career as well as middle-aged workers who are switching to teaching after working in another field. Average earnings for elementary school teachers were just over $50,000 in 2007.

Prepare Yourself: If you have a bachelor's degree, becoming a teacher can be as simple as enrolling in a year-long master's teaching program which can make you eligible for certification as a teacher. Some schools even offer employment in conjunction with a training program, allowing you to earn your credentials while working in a classroom.

Me-Time Potential: Although the workload for teachers during the school year is often intense, extended winter and summer vacations can allow you time to reconnect with yourself and loved ones.

2. Emergency Room Nurse

The fast pace and high intensity of emergency room nursing is not for the faint of heart. However, for registered nurses who perform well under pressure and want a position that will keep their critical thinking skills sharp, ER nursing is an attractive option. The median salary for RNs was $60,010 in 2007.

Prepare Yourself: To become a registered nurse you'll need at least an associate's degree in nursing, available from vocational schools, community colleges, and even online institutions.

Me-Time Potential: Although working as an ER nurse could keep you challenged while on the job, many professionals in this field enjoy at least several days off a week.

3. Administrative Assistant

Offices of every size, in nearly every industry, rely on administrative assistants with strong communication and organizational skills to keep them running efficiently. Average salaries in this field were nearly $30,000 in 2008.

Prepare Yourself: Online diploma, certificate, and associate's degree programs can prepare you for an administrative career, or allow you to specialize as a legal or medical secretary.

Me-Time Potential: Punch out at the end of the day and you should be able to leave most of your work behind, allowing you to spend evenings and weekends as you please.

4. Computer Support Specialist

Maintaining hardware, upgrading software, and keeping a network online are just some of the duties of computer support specialists, whose median earnings were $42,400 in 2007.

Prepare Yourself: Although some support specialists are self-taught, most employers look for candidates with at least an associate's degree in a computer-related field. A bachelor's degree in computer science or information systems could offer you more career options, however.

Me-Time Potential: While unexpected tech problems sometimes arise at 4:30 on a Friday afternoon, computer support specialists for the most part enjoy a 40-hour workweek, with few out-of-the-office responsibilities.

5. Retail Sales Associate

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that over 500,000 new salespeople will be hired through 2016. Earnings in this field, while low overall, top $40,000 for sales professionals in the insurance and auto industries.

Prepare Yourself: No formal training is required for entry-level sales positions, but if you would like to be eligible for management jobs or promotions, a bachelor's degree in sales and marketing is suggested.

Me-Time Potential: Hours for salespeople rarely follow a 9-to-5 workday, as most consumers make purchases on evenings and weekends. If your hobbies are best pursued during daylight hours, however, the schedule of a career in sales could be a perfect fit.

The Bottom Line on Making Time for Yourself

Social obligations, family activities, and household tasks can easily eat into the hours you hope to spend doing your thing. While you may find yourself feeling guilty carving out time for yourself, remember that in order to be an effective worker, friend, or family member, personal time is essential. Plan me-time into your weekly schedule and honor that commitment as you would any other. You deserve it!

Roman to Arabic numbers

The Roman numerals are now written with letters of the Roman alphabet where as they were originally independent symbols. Arabic number use is the common practice but use of roman number is not inappropriate. Hence, it is nice to know how they are used. Very general rule is to remember the following syntax and combination of the same results to different numbers in Arabic or vice verse.I=1II=2III=3IV=4V=5VI=6VII=7VIII=8IX=9X=10XL=40L=50XC=90C=100CD=400D=500CM=900M=1000From the above table it shows that the roman numbers has basic symbols like I, V, X, L, C, D, and M.To remember in easy way, numbers can be categorise into its position like units, tenth, hundred, and thousands. In each category, a new symbol arises for one back combination of middle and last number. The back number is a 'position' unit less i.e., for units position, it is unit less; for tenth position, it is 10 less; for hundred it is 100 less. The main symbols are:I-V-X for units positionX-L-C for tenthC-D-M for hundredM - - for thousandExample, unit category:1 or I is first unit. 5 (V) and 10 (X) are the middle and last numbers so a new symbols arises before 5 and 10. A unit less for middle (5-1=4) is represented by first unit and middle unit i.e., IV. Similarly, for last unit of this category (10-1=9), it is represented by first unit and last unit i.e., IX.Tenth category:Starting or first unit is 10 (X). Middle unit is 50 (L) and last unit is 100 (C). Hence, there should be new numbers for a unit less for middle (50-10=40) and last (100-10=90). A number before middle number (40) is represented by first unit (X) of the category and middle number i.e., XL and last number (90) as first unit (X) and last number (C) i.e., XC. Hundred categoryStarting or first unit is 100 (C). Middle unit is 500 (D) and last unit is 1000 (M). Hence, there should be new numbers for a unit less for middle (500-100=400) and last (1000-100=900). A number before middle number (400) is represented by first unit (C) of the category and middle number i.e., CD and last number (900) as first unit (C) and last number (M) i.e., CM. Thousand categoryStarting or first unit is 1000 (M). Middle unit is 5000 (V bar) and last unit is 10000 (X bar). Hence, there should be new numbers for a unit less for middle (5000-1000=4000) and last (10000-1000=9000). A number before middle number (4000) is represented by first unit (V bar) of the category and middle number i.e., MVbar and last number (9000) as first unit (X bar) and last number (V bar) i.e., Vbar Xbar.In all the cases the forth numbers are the combination of normal symbols in a sequence from highest numbers to units like, thousands place are replaced with thousands category symbols, then hundreds, then tenth and units at the end. The highest symbol of each category available is use in each case.Example: 66. It can be written as six times XXXXXXVI where six times X represents 60 and VI as six but 66 has to be written as 60+6 and for 60 which is under tenth category and neariest number is 50 having symbol. Hence, L is use for 50 now remaining 16 is represented as 10+6 where 10 has symbol X and 6 is nearest to units middle number (5) having symbol V plus one (I). Hence their combination, X and V and I gives LXVI for 66.Another example, to represent, 99, it is tenth category unit so it can not be written as a unit less than hundred (100-1=99) or (IC). It has to be written as 90+9. 90 has a symbol XC and 9 has IX so 99 is XCIX. In similar manner, 4687, it is categorised as 4000+600+80+7. So it is MMMMDCLXXXVII.To convert roman to Arabic or vice verse, please visit:

Life Insurance

It's never too late or too early to think about protecting your family's financial future.

Life insurance is protection against financial loss resulting from death. It is an insurance company's promise to pay your beneficiary a specific amount of money when you die in exchange for timely payment of premiums.

Why do I need life insurance?

Although you may not think about it, your ability to earn income is a significant asset and life insurance helps replace lost income in the event of your premature death. Here are some reasons people buy life insurance.
The death benefit may be used:
To replace income the family would need to maintain their standard of living after the death of a wage earner.
To pay off a mortgage loan and other personal and business debts or to create a rent fund.
To create a fund for children's education.
To pay final expenses, such as funeral costs and taxes.
To create a family emergency fund or a fund for a family member with special needs.

How much life insurance do I need?

The State Farm Life Insurance Needs Calculator provides a quick way to get an estimate of the cash needs you may have at death. Cash needs that exceed your available assets can be covered by life insurance.