Online Pawn Shop

People give up personal possessions in exchange for a short-term loan. To regain their possessions, people need to pay back the loan in the agreed timeframe. If that doesn't happen, then the pawn shop keeps the item and resells it - perhaps as a cheap, used Christmas gift. Budget-conscious shoppers, amid a shaky economy, may bypass malls to purchase their presents through an online pawn shop.

Online Pawn Shops And Identity Theft Concerns

Pawn shops, like other smart businesses, are increasing commerce through the Internet. Many storefront pawn shops also have an online offshoot to bolster their business. The demand for the pawn shop loans they supply is enormous. More and more Americans are struggling with humongous debt. Their credit problems bar them from attaining loans from traditional financial institutions.

If you do business with any online pawn shops, you may release some personal financial information, leaving you susceptible to identity theft. Consumer fraud and identity theft cost Americans more than $1.1 billion in 2006, according to the Federal Trade Commission. During the same period, there were more than 670,000 complaints concerning consumer fraud and identity theft, the FTC said.

It is prudent to safeguard your personal information in all online financial transactions. Many states have different regulations on pawn shops. Some online pawn shops may be able to sidestep those regulations and engage in harmful business practices.

Alternatives To Online Pawn Shops

Giving your hard-earned money to pawn shops is not a form of debt relief. Many people put up jewelry or electronics for quick cash, can't repay the loan and never see their valuables again. Taking out one bad credit loan after another will only drain your wallet and do nothing to solve your debt problem.

Debt settlement or debt consolidation can get you out of your cycle of credit card debt. Your debts can be combined into one easy payment through debt consolidation. Debt settlement can reduce your credit card debt load. Through debt settlement, a trained financial expert can work with your creditors to reduce your credit card debt amount so you can pay it off quicker.

Fashion Jewelry

Fashion jewelry by nature is versatile; it is made from a variety of materials – everything from crystal to silver – and lends itself as well to casual wear as it does to eveningwear. The affordability of fashion jewelry also allows people to purchase a number of different styles to complement different types of outfits.

The style of fashion jewelry depends quite a bit on where you find it. High-end department stores carry a range of fashion jewelry - everything from the most expensive to the most affordable. Fashion jewelry found in department stores come in all styles and colors and are made by a variety of designers.

Believe it or not, jewelry stores often carry a full line of fashion jewelry. While the merchandise may be a bit more expensive, it is often of higher, more sophisticated quality.

Antique stores are another resource for finding unusual fashion jewelry. Antique fashion jewelry can be unique and completely transform an outfit. Even better, you can easily own a piece of fashion jewelry representative of all the generations.

But if you’re looking for antique fashion jewelry you may want to consider approaching your mother, grandmother, or older aunt. Many times they will have a piece of fashion jewelry that will perfectly complement your outfit and you’ll have the added satisfaction of knowing you are wearing a family heirloom.

There are also online resources where you can find fashion jewelry at affordable prices along with the convenience of having it shipped straight to your door.

Fashion jewelry can revolutionize your wardrobe and even give new life to an older outfit. But above all, it should reflect your unique style and personality – and give you great pleasure wearing it each and every time.

Buying Lingerie Online Shopping

Lingerie is the most favorite type of wear for all adults, it is true not because it looks good on you. Lingerie is a favorite because it makes you feel good too.

Lingerie does not mean only the intimate wear. In fact most women love to go to sleep in their favorite lingerie the lingerie sleepwear. This essential comfort is a must after hard days work. Lingerie comes in many different types and colors. There is equally large range in the prices of the lingerie.

However, when shopping online for lingerie, you need to ensure a few things, else the stuff you have bought would be of no use to anyone:

• Ensure your size is actually what you have selected. Finding your accurate size is a must, you should consult your old lingerie to ensure this.
• Most comfortable lingerie is the lycra or the cotton lingerie. Nylon lingerie can be irritating to skin.
• Select lingerie where elastic straps are thin and soft. Hard elastic straps can actually cut into your skin.
• If you want to be 100% sure about the quality of lingerie, you should go for the branded stuff.
• You can also check out some of the most attractive and sensuous celebrity endorsed lingerie.
• Lingerie websites also deal in men's lingerie, it is not just for the ladies.
• Men can find some of the cheapest underwear online, through these websites, there is a large range of fashionable collection for men. At times you can expect as much as 50% discount for men here!

Dating Tips For Teen Guys

If you're a teenage guy, you probably already know how hard it can be to ask a girl out on a date. Here are some tips on how to make the initial asking out go a little smoother (and more in your favor!

1. Get to know her as a friend first. A girl isn't likely to agree to a first date with a complete stranger, no matter how handsome or charming that stranger is (despite what movies and television may lead you to believe). Also, if you rely purely on something like looks or charm to win her over for that first date, it leaves the door open for some more handsome/charming guy to come along and steal her away because no real chemistry has been established between you and her.

2. If you're already in the friend zone, don't play the friend card so much that she begins to see you as a friend and nothing more (or even worse, as such a good friend that she doesn't want to take the risk of dating you and losing that friendship). Even as a friend, it's ok to flirt a little.

3. Be confident in yourself. This cannot be stressed enough. If you don't believe you're a great guy to date, why should she believe it? Equally important though is making sure that you're not over-confident - no one likes arrogance. Remind yourself that she's a great girl to date as well, and you are just as lucky to go out on a date with her as she is to go out on a date with you.

4. Compliment her. This not only means complimenting her on things such as clothing, but also any accomplishments or aspects of her personality that you might admire ("I really liked how you expressed yourself on that assignment"). Compliments also make great conversation starters and precursors to asking a girl out on a date.

5. Expand your circle of female friends. This way even if things don't work out between you and the girl you want to date, you still have the door open to other girls who might be a better match for you.

Finally, if the girl you want to date rejects you, don't look at it as a loss but as an advantage. When someone rejects a date with another person, word tends to travel pretty fast. Knowing that she rejected you doesn't tell other girls that you're a "loser" as you may think, but instead tells them that you're available and may need some cheering up. This tends to serve as a "green light" to any girls that may like you but aren't sure about your availability or if you would be willing to date them.

Most importantly, no matter what happens, keep your chin up! The teen years are rough, but they don't last long, and things DO get better later down the road. Keep trying... these years are the absolutely best and most important time for you to practice your dating skills.

The End of Kockums Crane

Not all the things that can be found in this world are permanent. And many people know that 'change' is the only permanent thing to exist in our ever-changing world.

Though many people want some things to remain the same, they can't do anything about it.

Traveling to other countries can be fun; you will be able to see lots of new things. Some travel for the sole reason of getting a glimpse of the greatest things in this world, and bask in the wonders of some of the most visited places. If you have been to Sweden before 2002, or is a local resident there, perhaps you've seen the Kockums Crane. It is the largest gantry crane in the whole world and is owned by the Germans. ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems had a subsidiary company named HDW who owned the crane.

Cranes sold or rented mostly in the market are not as large or tall as the Kockums crane; but their use in the construction and manufacturing industry could not be ignored. Cranes are very important machineries used to lift heavy loads of different materials.

A gantry crane is a type of crane that is similar to the overhead crane. The bridge that carries the trolley is usually supported by two or more legs that run on runways or fixed rails. Gantry cranes are also widely available in the market, and the Kockums crane is just one of them. Only now, it longer exists.

Kockums crane can be found in Kockums AB in Malmo before 2002. Since it is the largest in the world, it can lift about 1,500 tons. It is 138 meters high; and popularly known as Kockumskranen. Built in 1973-1974 over a shipyard, this gantry crane was never really used to lift anything because of the shipyard crisis in Sweden during the late seventies and eighties.

In 1997, it was used for the very last time in lifting the Oresund Bridge's fundamental high pillars. Alas, the crane was able only to lift a certain load. But though it was its last time to lift a load, at least it was able to perform the function for what it was intended to do in the first place.

Since the crane was not used, in the 1990s the Kockums crane was sold to Burmeister & Wain, a Danish company which soon became bankrupt. Later on, it was again sold to Hyundai Heavy Industries (a Korean company). It was shipped thereafter to Ulsan, South Korea. Hyundai painted the crane orange before it was shipped to their fabrication yard.

Before Kockums crane was dismantled, the crane was actually a landmark in Sweden.

For many decades, the Kockums crane dominated the skyline of Malmo, Sweden. Many people can actually see it because it was impressively high, wide, and heavy. After it was sold to South Korea, some say that it was then sold to South Vietnam, then to South Georgia. The crane was taken apart by a Brit firm. Kockums crane has a sad ending, but that's just the sad truth in this world of ours. Everything must end.

Since Kockums crane has been in Sweden for many decades, the local residents have only the memory of the crane to live by. Many pictures of the crane are still in circulation, and Malmo can still say that before them stood the largest gantry crane in the world.

Basic Hand Signals In Crane Operation

Cranes are commonly used in the construction of towers and industry, and in manufacturing heavy equipments. Cranes ranges from small site crane to big cranes and deck cranes that lift heavy equipments. Basically, they are temporary structures in construction. They are either fixed on the ground or hoarded on a purpose-built vehicle. Cranes come in different types such as jib, gantry, ship and deck, bridge or overhead, boom, tower, and mobile or truck.

Before operating the crane, operators should carefully read and understand the operation manual from the crane manufacturer. Further, they must always note any instructions given by a reliable instructor or operator. It is also crucial for the crane operator to understand the consequences of careless operation of cranes. They must be instructed of the proper use, prohibition and the safety rules and regulation during the operation.

It is always the responsibility of the owner to make their personnel aware of all federal rules and codes so as to preclude violations along with their penalties. Employers must also make certain that their operators are properly trained and are equipped with the know-how. To be safe in the operation of crane, it requires skill and exercise of great care and ideal foresight, alertness and concentration. Also strict adherence to proven safety rules and practices is necessary.

The personnel who handle the operation of cranes in an area must utilize hand signals, if necessary, as their means of communication. Here are the most commonly used hand signals during crane lifting operation:

1. HOIST. Raise the forearm vertically and extend the right arm straight out with forefinger pointing up. Then, move hand in small horizontal circle.

2. LOWER. Forefinger pointing down and extend right arm downward then move hand in small horizontal circle.

3. STOP. Extend right arm down with wrist bent, palm down and open.

4 SWING. Right arm away from body, point with finger in direction of swing of boom.

5. RAISE BOOM. Fingers closed and thumb pointing upward while extending the right arm straight out.

6. LOWER BOOM. Fingers closed and thumb pointing downward while extending the right arm straight out.

7. BRIDGE TRAVEL. Extend the right arm forward, hand open and slightly raised and make pushing motion in direction of travel.

8. TROLLEY TRAVEL. Thumb pointing in direction of motion with palm up and fingers closed, jerk hand horizontally.

9. EMERGENCY STOP. Extend right arm, palm down and move hand rapidly left and right.

10. MULTIPLE TROLLEYS. For block marked 1. hold up one finger, and two fingers for block marked 2. Regular signals come next.

11. RAISE BOOM and LOWER LOAD. Right arm extended and thumb pointing up. Flex fingers in and out as long as load movement is needed.

12. LOWER BOOM and RAISE LOAD. Right arm extended and thumb pointing down. Flex fingers pointing in and out as long as load movement is needed.

13. DOG EVERYTHING. Hold hands in front of the body.

14. MOVE SLOWLY. One hand gives any motion signal while the other hand motionless in front of hand giving the motion signal.

15. MAGNET IS DISCONNECTED. Spread both hands.

When using these hand signals be sure that you and the crane operator are familiar with these signals. A wrong signal could cause a serious injury or worst - death.

Always stay alert when you are working in construction near any crane. If possible, avoid working under a moving load and stay clear of the counter balance. Always use your safety devices and helmet to avoid injuries. Safety is always the top priority of all workers and the crane operator.

How to Keep Your Car Out of the Shop

We all hate going to the auto mechanic because of the prices, and the inconvenience. So how do you keep your vehicle healthy and out of the shop? Easy, you simply need to take care of your car and give it the attention it needs. Not sure what you can do to help prevent taking it to the shop? Try reading below to get some ideas.

Let it run - We all hop in our car and immediately leave. You will want to avoid doing this, at all times. You will want to let your car run for a while no matter what the temperature is outside. Your engine has to have time to lubricate all the parts so it can run smoothly. If you don't take the time to let all the fluids flow you may be damaging your vehicle without even knowing it.

Slow down earlier - When driving some people tend to tailgate. When you tailgate that gives you less time to brake and will make you stop faster and harder. You never want to brake at the last minute. Nothing is worse on your brakes than stopping too fast. If you stop too fast you are making your brakes hot and that will wear them down over time. If you brake earlier your will add a lot more life to your brakes. So try to stop braking so fast and so hard.

Fast take offs - When driving we also like to take off at the light and get to a certain speed pretty fast. You never want to step on the pedal too hard. If you take off fast in your car you are damaging your transmission. If you didn't know already the transmission is very expensive and will take a lot of money to replace. Make sure you gradually take off and let your vehicle shift properly by not gunning your vehicle.

Check your tires - One of the most dangerous and top reasons that you are burning so much gas is because of low tires. Make sure that all your tires are properly inflated at all times. Check them on a regular basis to avoid accidents, tire damage, and wasting more money on gas. Tires are also another expensive thing to replace so take care of them.

Check your fluids - Make sure you are checking all the fluids in your vehicle on a regular basis. This includes your transmission oil, brake fluid, your engine oil, and power steering fluid and so on. These are all very important parts of your vehicle. If you don't check these on a regular basis you can damage your vehicle tremendously.

Make sure that you are taking the time to do all these important maintenance factors on your vehicle. By checking these few things on a regular basis you are avoiding a lot of damage to your vehicle and saving a ton of money at the same time. Check these couple things and you'll be all set and to the start of a healthy vehicle.