Download or read book The Unofficial Guide to Hiring Contractors written by Duncan C. Stephens and published by Wiley. This book was released on 1998-12-01 with total page 500 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The inside scoop…for when you want more than the official line! No matter what changes and improvements you're planning for your home, from remodeling a kitchen to building a deck, hiring contractors can be a scary experience. From the moment you start looking for a contractor until the day you sit back and enjoy the finished results, how do you stay on top of the process and feel that you are in control? You want to avoid the sensation that people working in your home just might be taking advantage of you. You want the inside scoop. The Unofficial Guide™ to Hiring Contractors gives savvy consumers like you a foolproof appraisal of what works and what doesn't—the good deals and the bad ones—with unbiased recommendations that are not influenced by any company, product, or organization. This book, like every Unofficial Guide,™ is intensively inspected by the Unofficial Panel of Experts, a team of highly respected contractors and inspectors. They ensure that you are armed with the most up-to-date insider information on how to hire contractors and are told exactly what the Official establishment doesn't want you to know. Vital Information that other sources can't or won't reveal—from avoiding home security rip-offs to finding high-quality materials without paying high prices. Insider Secrets from contractors, supply vendors, and homeowners who've been through it all. Money-Saving Techniques that show you how to create your dream home without breaking your budget. Time-Saving Tips to help you and your contractor get the job done without delays. The Latest Trends in home design, room styles, and outdoor maintenance. Handy Checklists and Charts that help you coordinate your home improvement schedule.

Download or read book The Unofficial Guide to Hiring and Firing People written by Alan S. Horowitz and published by Wiley. This book was released on 1999-01-11 with total page 548 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Finding and hiring a new employee--or firing one who's not performing well--are often difficult and time-consuming tasks that many business owners and managers simply don't like to do. If you're a manager, you want to know how to hire and (when necessary) fire employees as quickly and effectively as possible. You want the inside scoop.

Download or read book The Unofficial Guide to Opening a Franchise written by Jason R. Rich and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2007-03-22 with total page 386 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The inside scoop... for when you want more than the official line! So you dream of escaping the 9-to-5 rat race, starting your own business, and becoming your own boss, but you don't have a clue where to start. Opening a franchise-based business can lower your start-up costs and reduce the time, hassle, and risk associated with getting a new business operational. A franchise offers training, support, a proven business model, and the closest thing possible to a turnkey solution for achieving success. There are more than 3,000 different franchise opportunities in more than seventy-five industries, including packaging and shipping, tax preparation, maid service, fitness, car care, and more. Featuring exclusive, in-depth interviews with a wide range of franchising experts, this book gives you a first-hand perspective plus valuable tips and strategies for success. It provides the guidance you need to choose the right franchise, select a prime location, market your business, and get it up and running efficiently. You'll learn all about financing, essential business skills, hiring and managing employees, working with suppliers, and even preparing for your grand opening. This guide includes: Vital Information on things to look for when evaluating franchise opportunities--and where to look Insider Secrets from successful franchisors, franchisees, and franchise consultants Money-Saving Techniques such as using a franchise attorney to help you review the UFOC (Uniform Franchise Offering Circular) and finalize your Franchise Agreement The Scoop on the latest trends, plus profiles of the top twenty-five franchises in America Handy Worksheets to help you examine your goals and opportunities, evaluate financing options, develop a realistic business plan, and more

Download or read book The Unofficial Guide to Investing written by Lynn O'Shaughnessy and published by Wiley. This book was released on 1998-12-16 with total page 660 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: With the recent fluctuations in the market, people are becoming more aware of the need to become financially savvy. Yet financial fears still abound: fear of the market crashing, fear of making poor investment choices, fear of not being able to send their kids to college. The Unofficial Guide to Investing demystifies the range of investment options available today and provides practical tools that will help readers make financially sound decisions. For the financial bystander who is timid about investing and confused by the buzzwords, this book explains where to begin, how to start researching without feeling awkward, how to find your comfort zone, how to invest online, how to plan for retirement, and how to avoid getting burned. It goes beyond just comparing mutual funds to relieving the anxiety surrounding the issue of investing.

Download or read book The Unofficial Guide to Managing Rental Property written by Melissa Prandi, MPM and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2005-01-21 with total page 457 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The inside scoop . . .for when you want more than the official line So you've decided to invest in real estate--congratulations!--but now you need to know how you can best manage your property and maximize your profit. How much should you spend on renovations? Where will you find responsible tenants? And how can you keep on top of new government regulations? The Unofficial Guide? to Managing Rental Property answers these questions and many more, giving you insider guidance and valuable tips on managing and profiting from your investments. You'll find savvy advice on everything from legally setting rental criteria and managing properties part-time to successfully evicting delinquent tenants and collecting damages. This comprehensive, easy-to-follow guide reveals what other sources can't or won't, presenting unbiased recommendations to help you get the most out of your investments--and enjoy them! * Vital Information on finding and financing great rental property and calculating rent and profit. * Insider Secrets on selecting and retaining good tenants, ensuring on-time rent, and collecting late rent. * Money-Saving Tips for rehabbing a property and obtaining good tax advice. * The Latest Trends in writing legal, effective ads and interviewing and screening applicants to avoid potential problems. * Handy Forms and Letters for contracting new tenants and communicating with current occupants.

Download or read book The Unofficial Guide to Buying a Home written by Alan Perlis and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2004-04-26 with total page 482 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The inside scoop . . .for when you want more than the official line No matter what your budget and taste, finding the perfect home is a daunting task. How do you even know where to start? Here you'll find the inside scoop on every step of the homebuying process-from calculating your budget to negotiating the deal and handling the closing. The Unofficial Guide to Buying a Home, Second Edition gives savvy consumers like you a foolproof appraisal of which homebuying strategies work and which don't. This updated edition is perfect for first-time homebuyers and includes new information on using the Internet to find your home, buying condos, and utilizing government funding programs. It walks you through the entire homebuying process: from searching for a home, to making an offer, through the inspection, and on to the closing, you can be confident that your investment is sound. The guide also offers expanded coverage of the monetary issues involved in purchasing a home, including new means of determining creditworthiness and new types of available loans, as well as helping you decide how much home you can-and should-purchase. Vital Information that other sources can't or won't reveal-from what really motivates sellers, brokers, loan officers, and other key players in the homebuying game, to how to work most effectively with your agent. Insider Secrets on how to make real estate law work in your favor. Money-Saving Techniques that show you how to take advantage of tax breaks and how to time your search to exploit seasonal variations in the market. Time-Saving Tips on streamlining the homebuying process so you find the home you want as quickly as possible. The Latest Trends in homebuying, including up-to-date tips on using the Internet to find your home, a realtor, or a mortgage. Handy Checklists and Charts to help you determine your budget and stick to it.

Download or read book The Unofficial Guide to Managing Time written by Dawn E. Reno and published by Wiley. This book was released on 2000-01-15 with total page 484 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Time is of the essence -- and no one seems to have enough of it. But before people can begin to manage time and gain control of their lives, they need to understand why they got out of control in the first place. The Unofficial Guide to Managing Time covers every aspect of life -- not just the nine-to-five grind -- with inside tips on setting priorities and goals, scheduling that works (without wasting additional time!), organizing, delegating, and initiating rather than reacting in personal, business, creative, academic, and family spheres. Readers learn to * Ask for help -- and let go once tasks have been delegated * Make best use of tools that help beat the clock, from calendars to computers to the telephone and more * Maintain good time management habits by using relaxation and exercise * Adapt timely skills for individual lifestyles -- parents (new, used, and single), fast-track career people, students, and creative souls.

Download or read book The Unofficial Guide to Alternative Medicine written by Debra Fulghum Bruce and published by Wiley. This book was released on 1998-10-09 with total page 546 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Written by a health journalist who is also an experienced alternative medicine user, this book thoroughly guide readers through all the alternative medicine options. Includes a glossary and checklists.

Download or read book The Unofficial Guide to Eldercare written by Christine Adamec and published by Wiley. This book was released on 1999-06-15 with total page 388 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Just when working families thought they had enough on their plates, many of them are now faced with having to make decisions regarding the health and well-being of their aging parents. Do they need care? Should they be in a nursing home? What does it cost? Is it clean? Is it safe? What if they don't want to go? And what other options are available? The Unofficial Guide to Eldercare meets these complex issues head-on, offering friendly, unbiased advice on this sensitive topic. It shows them how to wade through the anxiety and conflict to make informed decisions about their parents' needs; the elements of caregiving; living wills and other legal elements; how to balance their own lives in terms of work, family and caregiving; and how to get emotional support their families so desperately need.

Download or read book The Unofficial Guide to Earning what You Deserve written by Jason Rich and published by . This book was released on 1999 with total page 548 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book The Unofficial Guide to Landing a Job written by Michelle Tullier and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2005-01-28 with total page 506 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The inside scoop . . .for when you want more than the official line Today's job market is more competitive than ever. How can you distinguish yourself from the competition and get the job you really want? The Unofficial Guide? to Landing a Job walks both new and veteran job hunters through every aspect of landing a great position, from understanding how hiring decisions are made to evaluating and negotiating offers--and everything in between. Whether you're new to the job market, changing careers, or seeking a new position after a layoff or termination, this all-inclusive guide covers all the bases--from defining your niche and writing your resume to developing top-notch communication skills, researching potential employers, and even bouncing back from rejection. Packed with up-to-date information and tips and tricks you won't find anywhere else, it delivers all the know-how you need to make yourself the top candidate, knock 'em dead in the interview--and get hired! * Vital Information on hiring decisions that other sources don't reveal. * Insider Secrets on what employers are looking for, avoiding the biggest resume mistakes, and negotiating the best offer. * Time-Saving Tips on getting organized, developing a job-search strategy, and preparing powerful self-marketing tools. * The Latest Trends in finding a job, from the advertised and hidden marketplaces to networking, recruiters, and using the Internet. * Handy Checklists and Charts to help you prepare for an interview, clinch the deal, and manage your career.

Download or read book The Unofficial Guide to Climbing the Corporate Ladder written by Jack Griffin and published by . This book was released on 1999-12-20 with total page 488 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: How to get ahead in business today! Everyone in the business world needs to know the "rules of success", whether worker or management honcho. The problem is, those rules keep changing -- inside tips are a necessity! It's no longer enough to work hard to succeed -- being politically savvy, following the rules of business etiquette, and knowing the secrets to climbing a ladder with many, many rungs are all crucial to corporate health. In The Unofficial Guide to Climbing the Corporate Ladder readers learn about: Giving -- and receiving -- constructive criticism gracefully Business communications -- exactly how private are they? Networking in the office and out, including avoiding sticky situations International business -- what to talk about and what to avoid on trips abroad Determining who your office friends really are -- before you find the letter opener stuck in your back

Download or read book The Unofficial Guide to Childcare written by Ann Douglas and published by Wiley. This book was released on 1998-10-09 with total page 596 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Childcare has always been a concern for parents. There are more than 20 million U.S. households with young children, more than half of whom receive care from someone other than the parents. So how exactly is a mother and/or a father to wade through the options to determine what's right for their family? The Unofficial Guide to Childcare can help set minds at ease with its unbiased, street-smart style and practical tools to help parents interview caregivers and evaluate childcare facilities. From assessing a particular child's needs to finding a caregiver, assessing health and safety practices to noticing warning signs in daycare facilities, to transitioning a child into daycare, this guide will aid parents as they make one of the biggest decisions of their lives.

Download or read book The Unofficial Guide to Collecting Antiques written by Sonia Weiss and published by Wiley. This book was released on 2000-08-15 with total page 520 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The inside scoop… for when you want more than the official line! Only a few years ago, "antiquing" seemed to be only for the wealthy. Then came the Internet, with its profusion of Web sites, bulletin boards, and online auctions. Almost overnight, "antiquing" has become a much-loved hobby of the people! But with more antiquing choices than ever before, novice and experienced collectors have been left reeling. That's why when it comes to such key questions as where to hunt, how to appraise, and when to sell your own antiques, you can't rely on advice from 101 semi-objective sources. You need one dependable, clued-in source of antiquing wisdom. You want the inside scoop. The Unofficial Guide™ to Collecting Antiques is designed to give savvy consumers like you a foolproof appraisal of everything from where to find the best prices to sizing up value and seeing through fakes. In this book you'll get unbiased recommendations that are not influenced by any company, product, or organization. The Unofficial Guide™ to Collecting Antiques is intensively inspected by The Unofficial Panel of Experts: John Coker has been dealing antiques for nearly 30 years and has been a guest appraiser on PBS's "Treasures in Your Attic"; former art history professor and museum curator James Kettlewell deals in fine arts and antiques; and Art Maier is an appraiser with William Doyle Galleries. These specialists ensure that you are armed with the most up-to-date insider information on the subject of antique collecting and are told exactly what "the Official establishment" doesn't want you to know. Vital Information on tapping into the vast array of collecting outlets available today—from classic venues to the Internet Insider Secrets on identifying antique periods and styles Money-Saving Techniques on how to find hidden treasures amidst flea markets and second-hand stores Time-Saving Tips on mastering the world of online antiques collecting The Latest Trends in smart selling of your own antiques—from wise timing to the pros and cons of trading over selling Handy Checklists and Charts for tracking your growing collection… and finding the country's best auctions and shows visit us on-line at www.idgbooks.com

Download or read book The Unofficial Guide to Overcoming Arthritis written by Lisa Iannucci and published by Wiley. This book was released on 1999-05-21 with total page 388 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The inside scoop… for when you want more than the official line! More than one in seven Americans will suffer from arthritis at some point in their lives. The term arthritis refers to a family of more than 100 distinct disorders—including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and gout. Each type creates different symptoms and demands different treatment. If you have arthritis, you want to keep the aches and pains from cramping your lifestyle. You want to explore the best treatments, preventative strategies, and pain management techniques available. You want information on the latest medications that may ease your symptoms. You want the inside scoop. The Unofficial Guide™ to Overcoming Arthritis gives savvy people like you a foolproof appraisal of everything you need to know, with unbiased recommendations that are not influenced by any company, product, or organization. This book, like every Unofficial Guide™, is intensively inspected by The Unofficial Panel of Experts, a team of highly respected medical professionals. They ensure that you are armed with the most up-to-date insider information on arthritis and are told exactly what the Official establishment doesn't want you to know. Vital Information that other sources can't or won't reveal— including all the current therapies and medical interventions available. Insider Secrets from medical specialists and clinical researchers—and people just like you who have found the best strategies for coping with arthritis. Money-Saving Techniques that let you choose effective treatments without running up high medical bills. Time-Saving Tips that help you overcome the aches and pains of arthritis with minimal disruption to your daily routine. The Latest Trends in arthritis treatments, including both traditional and non-traditional therapy. Handy Checklists and Charts that help you manage your arthritis and minimize its impact on your daily life. Macmillan Lifestyle Guides

Download or read book The Unofficial Guide to Cosmetic Surgery written by E. Bingo Wyer and published by Wiley. This book was released on 1998-11-20 with total page 452 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Americans are becoming more and more dissatisfied with their features, and many of these bothersome details are now treatable with cosmetic surgery. Consumers are more willing to explore available options to treating these problems, but they don't know which ones to trust. Written by a health and beauty journalist who has experienced cosmetic surgery first hand, this book is the only one that thoroughly guides the reader through all surgical options. In this Unofficial Guide readers find out: the lowdown on what cosmetic surgery can and can't accomplish; the current mini-procedures and surgeries explained in detail; and the inside scoop on how to cut costs and find the best doctors and facilities.

Download or read book The Unofficial Guide to Starting a Small Business written by Marcia Layton Turner and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2011-08-24 with total page 270 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The inside scoop . . .for when you want more than the official line Want to be your own boss but aren't quite sure how to make it happen? This savvy guide will show you the way. Now revised and updated to cover the latest regulations, techniques, and trends, it walks you step by step through the entire start-up process, from coming up with a business plan and lining up financing to setting up shop, marketing to your customer base, and dealing with accounting, taxes, insurance, and licenses. Packed with real-world tips and tricks that you won't find anywhere else, it delivers all the know-how you need to declare independence from the 9-to-5 world, launch your business--and watch the profits grow! * Vital Information on real-world entrepreneurship that other sources don't reveal. * Insider Secrets on how to secure financing and choose a winning location. * Money-Saving Techniques, including low-cost ways to market your business. * Time-Saving Tips for creating a business plan and handling legal and accounting basics. * The Latest Trends, including how to launch a profitable home- or Web-based business. * Handy Checklists and Charts to help you plan your start-up and succeed in the marketplace.