They have vending machines that reward smiles and mental agility with free treats.
You know, smile at the camera in the machine, and get a freebie.
(the vending machine computer reads if you are smiling or frowning, and how big your smile is.)
If your smile isn't big enough, no treat.
But here's something new. While surfing the web, I came across a article that tells about a vending machine in California that’s pedal-powered.
A California beverage called "Activate" has set up a unit that rewards consumers with free drinks for the time they spend pedaling an attached bicycle.
Activate sells a line of vitamin water packaged in twist-and-release bottles. As a promotion, the company has installed a pedal-powered vending machine at a Los Angeles shopping center. Not only does every 30 seconds of pedaling earn participants a free bottle of Activate, but the company has also partnered with Nourish America to donate the retail value of all the drinks handed out to support nutrition for pregnant women.
I always enjoy reading about new ways of vending, and it’s hard to imagine one more appropriate for a fitness-oriented brand than one that uses pedal power. (except maybe hooking it up to a treadmill)
Its a great way to promote the product, and to get people to try it that other wise wouldn't.
But I wonder, if I got on the bicycle and pedaled for a hour, would I wipe the machine out?
Website: www.activatedrinks.com
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Computer LapTop Repair
I've always wanted a laptop. But the price of laptops kept me for the longest time from purchasing one. I finally got the idea to look for a used laptop on eBay. I looked, searched, and bid on a couple. I finally had a winning bid on a used Dell. A 80 dollar dream come true.
One day my wife and I decided to spend the weekend at her house a couple of hours away. We didn't have a tv there. I mentioned that we could take my laptop, and play movies on the computer. I grabbed a DVD and put it in the drive to test how it would run. I hadn't used the CD-Rom before this, and thought I should test the run ability of it. Surprise, the reason I was able to get the laptop so cheaply was because the CD-Rom didn't work.
I did some checking, and found out it would be simple to fix. I could pop the old CD-Rom out and put a new player in.
......but wait a minute.
If changing a CD/DVD player was that simple, couldn't changing the other parts of a laptop be just as easy?
Well, yes and no.
I found a free eBook that listed the necessary tools for starting a laptop repair business. I then purchased a video course that walked you through changing the different parts of a laptop.
Back to eBay....
I looked for laptops that didn't run, and purchased a set of 4 dirt cheap. After a little study, I repaired my first laptop. It's an older model, but it runs with internet access. I've given it to my wife to test drive for a while... To play with to see if she encounters any bugs or problems.
Cost? I purchased 4 Dell laptops (same model that didn't run) for $50.00. I swapped hard drives, and CD-Rom's between computers. I already had a flash drive to connect to the internet.
Four non-working laptops interchanged to get one working one. To get another one to work I'm going to have to purchase hard drives and operating systems. But I'm proud of myself. I repaired, and now have a working running laptop.
I haven't decided if I'm going to sell it on eBay yet. I think the real money is made selling parts, not the completed computer. It was fun, and I'm ready to do it again. My problem is time. Finding free time to devote to tearing down a laptop and then building it back up.
Am I ready to open a repair business?
Hardly. But who knows what the future will hold. The cost of rebuilding a laptop is cheaper than purchasing a new one. I figured I can get experience rebuilding a few, and when I get comfortable, maybe take a look at someone's broken laptop. Starting part-time. One day, it could lead into something........
Are you good at fixing things? A natural handyman? Have you ever considered a repair business?
One day my wife and I decided to spend the weekend at her house a couple of hours away. We didn't have a tv there. I mentioned that we could take my laptop, and play movies on the computer. I grabbed a DVD and put it in the drive to test how it would run. I hadn't used the CD-Rom before this, and thought I should test the run ability of it. Surprise, the reason I was able to get the laptop so cheaply was because the CD-Rom didn't work.
I did some checking, and found out it would be simple to fix. I could pop the old CD-Rom out and put a new player in.
......but wait a minute.
If changing a CD/DVD player was that simple, couldn't changing the other parts of a laptop be just as easy?
Well, yes and no.
I found a free eBook that listed the necessary tools for starting a laptop repair business. I then purchased a video course that walked you through changing the different parts of a laptop.
Back to eBay....
I looked for laptops that didn't run, and purchased a set of 4 dirt cheap. After a little study, I repaired my first laptop. It's an older model, but it runs with internet access. I've given it to my wife to test drive for a while... To play with to see if she encounters any bugs or problems.
Cost? I purchased 4 Dell laptops (same model that didn't run) for $50.00. I swapped hard drives, and CD-Rom's between computers. I already had a flash drive to connect to the internet.
Four non-working laptops interchanged to get one working one. To get another one to work I'm going to have to purchase hard drives and operating systems. But I'm proud of myself. I repaired, and now have a working running laptop.
I haven't decided if I'm going to sell it on eBay yet. I think the real money is made selling parts, not the completed computer. It was fun, and I'm ready to do it again. My problem is time. Finding free time to devote to tearing down a laptop and then building it back up.
Am I ready to open a repair business?
Hardly. But who knows what the future will hold. The cost of rebuilding a laptop is cheaper than purchasing a new one. I figured I can get experience rebuilding a few, and when I get comfortable, maybe take a look at someone's broken laptop. Starting part-time. One day, it could lead into something........
Are you good at fixing things? A natural handyman? Have you ever considered a repair business?
Monday, October 10, 2011
Careers you can be trained for in less than a year
I came across a interesting article recently. It listed 5 careers where you can complete the training in less than a year.
#1 - Medical Assistant
Your responsibilities include administrative and clinical tasks,
such as making appointments and taking a patent's vital signs.
Medical assisting positions are expected to grow in the next few years,
so there are a lot of opportunities in this field.
A certificate or diploma in medical assisting could give you a basic knowledge of medical terminology, procedures, and record keeping. Programs take about one year to complete, depending on your course load. The annual salary for a medical assistant is around 30-40,000 per year.
#2 - Dental Assistant
Dental assistants work with the dentist to perform a broad range
of duties, including administrative tasks, patient care, and laboratory
responsibilities.
Dental assisting is one of the fastest growing careers in the country.
Dental assistant programs vary, but can be completed in about a year,
with an average annual salary of about $35,000.
#3 - Paralegal/Legal Assistant
Paralegals now do many of the tasks originally performed by lawyers.
On any given day a paralegal could find themselves interviewing clients,
preparing documents for trial, researching laws,
or scheduling court dates.
Employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow by 28% annually over the next few years, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. A degree can be completed in about a year.
A career as a paralegal can be financially rewarding. The average annual income for a paralegal is around $50,000, with the highest earners in the field averaging over $70,000.
#4 - Administrative Assistant
A typical day for office administrators could involve filing documents,
scheduling meetings, managing supplies, and ordering lunch.
A certificate program in office administration could help you develop basic office skills in about one year - depending on your program and course load.
The average annual salary for an administrative assistant is $32,000.
#5 - Pharmacy Technician:
As a pharmacy technician, you might deal with patient information,
process prescriptions, and count and accurately label medications.
This career field is expecting explosive growth in the next few years.
A pharmacy technician certificate program generally covers medical and pharmaceutical terminology and could take as little as six months to complete, depending on your course load.
Pharmacy technicians have an average salary of $30,000.
On a final note, try checking with your local college, or technical school. Go and talk to the guidance counselor about available programs.
Locally, I recently came across a machinist tech program that will train you in as little as 90 days. The local college will also help with placing you in a job upon completion of the program. Financial help is available also. I discovered that even though I work a full time job, I can qualify for assistance if I applied to this program.
It will cost you nothing to get your local college or tech school syllabus and review classes and degrees. Google programs online. Don't think you don't qualify for assistance either. 80% of students in higher education receive some sort of help.
Get started today, and a year from now you could be working in a new career field you enjoy.
#1 - Medical Assistant
Your responsibilities include administrative and clinical tasks,
such as making appointments and taking a patent's vital signs.
Medical assisting positions are expected to grow in the next few years,
so there are a lot of opportunities in this field.
A certificate or diploma in medical assisting could give you a basic knowledge of medical terminology, procedures, and record keeping. Programs take about one year to complete, depending on your course load. The annual salary for a medical assistant is around 30-40,000 per year.
#2 - Dental Assistant
Dental assistants work with the dentist to perform a broad range
of duties, including administrative tasks, patient care, and laboratory
responsibilities.
Dental assisting is one of the fastest growing careers in the country.
Dental assistant programs vary, but can be completed in about a year,
with an average annual salary of about $35,000.
#3 - Paralegal/Legal Assistant
Paralegals now do many of the tasks originally performed by lawyers.
On any given day a paralegal could find themselves interviewing clients,
preparing documents for trial, researching laws,
or scheduling court dates.
Employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow by 28% annually over the next few years, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. A degree can be completed in about a year.
A career as a paralegal can be financially rewarding. The average annual income for a paralegal is around $50,000, with the highest earners in the field averaging over $70,000.
#4 - Administrative Assistant
A typical day for office administrators could involve filing documents,
scheduling meetings, managing supplies, and ordering lunch.
A certificate program in office administration could help you develop basic office skills in about one year - depending on your program and course load.
The average annual salary for an administrative assistant is $32,000.
#5 - Pharmacy Technician:
As a pharmacy technician, you might deal with patient information,
process prescriptions, and count and accurately label medications.
This career field is expecting explosive growth in the next few years.
A pharmacy technician certificate program generally covers medical and pharmaceutical terminology and could take as little as six months to complete, depending on your course load.
Pharmacy technicians have an average salary of $30,000.
On a final note, try checking with your local college, or technical school. Go and talk to the guidance counselor about available programs.
Locally, I recently came across a machinist tech program that will train you in as little as 90 days. The local college will also help with placing you in a job upon completion of the program. Financial help is available also. I discovered that even though I work a full time job, I can qualify for assistance if I applied to this program.
It will cost you nothing to get your local college or tech school syllabus and review classes and degrees. Google programs online. Don't think you don't qualify for assistance either. 80% of students in higher education receive some sort of help.
Get started today, and a year from now you could be working in a new career field you enjoy.
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