Qualifying For Success

Customer service, or customer care, is almost never talked about when on-line marketing is discussed. Oh, sure - every book on list-building has a section (usually pretty small) on contacting your list. And every book on sales-letter writing or ad-writing points out that you should write like you talk, and it should be very natural and conversational. But can you remember the last book or article that talked about what to do when your client has a question about your website or your product?

Well, here is one thing you can do. The bonus about this suggestion is that not only will it help your client and show him or her that you care about the quality of the experience, but it can also be a marketing tool. You can use it to directly push your product, or you can just remind the customer that YOU are the site that cares about them (as opposed to all those OTHER websites that just scream “But Me! Buy Me!” at them all the time).

Set up an automated FAQ, or Frequently Asked Questions, page. FAQs are exactly that: the questions that everyone asks, or that most people ask the most often. The FAQ page gathers these together, with - of course - the answers, so your customer can get a response quickly and efficiently. There’s also a little psychological satisfaction for the customer that, since other people MUST have had the same question, it wasn’t a stupid one. Or, if the customer’s question isn’t in the FAQ, then he or she is clever enough to think of a unique question.

You can make your FAQ page interactive in two easy ways. The first is for the question (”What are the chapter titles in this book?”) to be a link to an autoresponder, that will email a response to the customer. This method allows you to write a long or detailed explanation, going into detail about the question and related topics. You can also add links to related articles or products you are promoting that are related to the topic. This method also can be used to capture the customer’s email address, to be added ot your list. The downside is that a customer may not want to add his or her email address just to get an answer.

The second is for the question (”What is your return policy?”) to be a link to a separate page. This method also allows you to write long responses, but also gives you an instant billboard for links to products or banners or other graphics to other articles or products. Since it is a webpage, the customer will tolerate more unrelated content than in an email. Also, the webpage can’t be caught by spam filters or deleted by the customer. The downside is that, unless the customer adds the page to their favorites, the first time is the only time the customer will see this page, so your writing had better be top-shelf.

Automating your FAQs helps your promotion and marketing activities by giving you another platform to advertise. It also helps your customers, which should generate goodwill and a good reputation. The choice between responding by email or by bringing up a new webpage depends on several factors, one of which might be simply which method is easier for your skills! Try this method and see if there an increase in your sales or your sign-ups.

Every day, across the world’s market economies, an epic battle is being waged, but not to earn business.

It’s an ego war between a company’s best salesperson and his manager.

But let’s change scenes, to put this into perspective.

You walk into a martial arts dojo, where the founder, now in his mature years, has made a rare cross-country appearance. The occasion is a test in which senior ranks will be promoted, including several brown belts, and one black belt.

This is the only black belt to be elevated during the last two years, and the dojo, in thirty-five years has only forged 20 members of this high rank.

So, at a crucial stage in the proceedings, the founder makes a speech, and he says in so many words, “I know most of you are wondering whether I’m any good at this art, so I propose a demonstration.”

He selects a brown belt and does two quick sequences of kicks and hand strikes on him, a very fluid and graceful display, belying the founder’s years. Then, he has his cohort walk across the room, turn away, close his eyes, and the founder sends an invisible force wave with his hand that visibly sways the body of the recipient.

Oohs and aahs course through the crowd. This display of mastery and seniority is impressive, certainly quelling any concerns that the founder can’t cut it, anymore.

The purpose of this demonstration is to perpetuate the founder’s hold over the dojo, to say, don’t bother challenging me. Pay attention to your own progress and work hard on the level at which you currently find yourself.

Let’s return to the sales scenario. The top salesperson disrespects the manager. He says to his peers, “They probably kicked him upstairs. If he was any good, he’d still be selling, where the money is!”

The manager can feel the growing disdain among his troops, and though he hasn’t found a smoking gun, he senses that his best seller is an assassin-in-waiting.

What should he do? Should he put on a master’s demonstration, like that which was done in the dojo?

In the next article in this series, we’ll explore the options, highlighting the pluses and minuses of each one.

Dr. Gary S. Goodman, President of Customersatisfaction.com, is a popular keynote speaker, management consultant, and seminar leader and the best-selling author of 12 books, including Reach Out & Sell Someone® and Monitoring, Measuring & Managing Customer Service. He is a frequent guest on radio and television, worldwide. A Ph.D. from USC’s Annenberg School, Gary offers programs through UCLA Extension and numerous universities, trade associations, and other organizations in the United States and abroad. He is headquartered in Glendale, California, and he can be reached at (818) 243-7338 or at: gary@customersatisfaction.com.

Today in the United States, there are hundreds of thousands of people who do not have and cannot afford adequate health care coverage. Sadly, many must pay out of pocket for medical treatment of any kind, not to mention much needed prescriptions. These expenses can add up quickly and are usually very costly. Consumers often find themselves cutting back on other expenses, in order to pay for medical procedures and medication. Oftentimes they are forced to go without.

Fortunately, the Internet now makes it possible for many uninsured consumers to obtain medicines by way of discount prescription drug purchases. Yes, consumers are now able to buy prescription drugs, online, safely and quite easily.

For those living within close proximity to Mexico it is becoming more and more commonplace to purchase prescription drugs online, via a Mexican pharmacy. Prices are notably less than what is charged at, both, American and Canadian pharmacies. (It is possible to obtain some medications WITHOUT a prescription.)

American’s are prohibited from ordering a prescription drug online and requesting that it be shipped across the border, as it is highly illegal. Instead, they must travel to Mexico to make the purchase, carrying it back across the border themselves.

Most Mexican pharmacies carry generic and name brand medications. These medications are clearly marked and typically cost $10-$15 less, per prescription, than a non-Mexican pharmacy charges. That savings can really add up, especially over a long period of time.

There are actually two “classes” of Mexican pharmacies. There are those who are allowed to dispense controlled substances and those who are not. Controlled substances such as Valium and steroids require a doctor written prescription stating the patient is allow to purchase the drug, in Mexico.

If you plug the search term “buy prescription drugs online” into your favorite search engine, you will be presented with thousands of link choices. Visit as many of these sites as time permits. Do your research. Call each information/customer service number provided. (These are usually toll-free numbers.) Ask questions and compare prices.

When you order discount prescription drugs from an online pharmacy, not only are you saving money, you are granted the convenience of shopping at home.

Many uninsured consumers find that online pharmacies are the difference between filling a prescription and going without it. Not only do they save money, they find themselves jumping back onto the road to recovery, sooner than they imagined.

Copyright 2005, 4th Media Corporation http://www.4th-media.com/

Natalie Aranda is a freelance writer. Her writings touch many topics of our everyday life, from online dating, personal finance, discount prescription drug to prescription drug online.

First responders arrived at the home initially, followed soon thereafter by paramedics. We picked up the dispatch over the radio scanner and prepared our minds and equipment in trauma room one. This one was a long time coming which surprised us all since the scene was within five minutes of the ER by car. 45 minutes passed before the call came telling us they were inbound.

The ambulance pulled up to the doors and he was brought in on a stretcher. He was SOA- smurfed on arrival, or perhaps I should say cyanotic for the sake of the purists, which really means that his skin was a most unappealing shade of blue. No IV line had been started, and the rescue team were bagging as they hurried him into the ER. 45 minutes on scene, four paramedics accompanying him - the focus of the time on scene had been concentrated on CPR alternating with unsuccessful attempts to intubate.

My heart leapt into my throat as the stretcher was rolled into place beside where I stood waiting, under the saucer shaped overhead exam light, with IV catheter in hand & fluid hung ready to get a line started. With his face partially obscured by venti-mask this bare-chested man lying on the stretcher was the spitting image of a man I deeply cared for- was it… ? No time to pause to know that instant- other things took priority and the IV was started, the ER doc tried to intubate, the parameds kept up CPR and the theater became a whirlwind of fast working professionals, some drawing blood for lab, taking x-rays, connecting the lines for cardiac monitoring etc…

Very quickly I became busy pushing medicines through the IV line, atropine, bicarb, epi, we drained the crash cart in short order and had the house supervisor dashing for more. As I paused between each administration I was able to see the man more distinctly and know he was not the person I thought him to be at first glance, although he could surely have been the man’s brother.

All efforts to intubate were unsuccessful as were the medicines we were giving and the jolts from the defibrillator The patient’s wife had arrived and we learned that he was on the waiting list for a new heart. With sadness, and after an hour of all out effort in the ER we knew his name would be off that list this night.

The doctor called the code. The patient was pronounced. We removed the signs of our interventions and made him presentable. His wife grieved. The ER physician returned to his call room and the nursing staff began the mountain of tasks and paperwork that follow an unsuccessful code.

My partner had recently been certified for organ harvest and she noted on his driver’s license that he had agreed to be a donor and so after providing his wife a bit of time to cry, we had the task of approaching this subject with her. I remember how his wife handled it- she was a hero that night. We watched the time and let her know when we would have to begin at the latest. A wonderful trooper, she departed leaving her husband in our care. It would be the last time she would look upon his features as he was to be cremated.

“K” and I studied the manual closely, assembled all the necessary items and got started. We worked together and by carefully retracting, snipping and cutting delicately, removing first one eye, and then the other, being sure to get as much optic nerve as possible, pin it, cage the specimens and pack them properly. It’s a highly emotional feeling, the first time you actually perform a harvest, and as nurses a scientifically interesting change of routine as well. “K” and I remained high on our experience the remainder of our tour of duty.

That was the first time I participated in a harvest. There have been others since that night, but no matter how many chance and circumstances will bring me to participate in or perform over the course of my nursing career I will never forget Mr. “S” or his brave wife. I am left filled with awe every time I think about the contribution Mr. “S” made.

If I were to write a blockbuster movie or a best-selling novel I would never come close to leaving a more meaningful contribution than that of Mr. “S” and all those who like him donate their organs. My mother had cataracts from an early age and her quality of life was greatly improved by being able to have lens implants. My father, still flying his private plane at age 82, recently had a lens implant done and passed his FAA flight physical. I hope it comforts Mrs. “S”, as it should, to know that her husband gave of himself so that others would be enabled to lead better lives. What finer contribution can any of us hope to make? I remember Mr. “S” with great respect and reverence and every once in a while speak quietly and smile while telling him … Mr. “S”, you’re a hell of a man. Somehow I think he looks down and smiles back…

I hope that the next time you renew your driver’s license, or otherwise come across the question of whether or not you would like to become a designated organ donor you will remember Mr. “S” too and all of the fine people like him and consider checking the box that says yes.

Written as I smile, remembering Mr. “S”

Sara Ellis, RN has an extensive career in nursing at all levels with over 20 years experience in NICU, ICU, and ER (both civilian and military). She currently runs Medi-Smart.com (http://medi-smart.com), a site that offers career advancement resources and extensive skill development features for nurses.

There are many sexy toys out there on the toy market and glass dildos are superb sex toys to use or give to your lady. Sensual aids can be works of art, as seen by the charming glass dildos on sale in stores. The fantastic glass dildos are different as people can often control the temperature of the sexual toy. The difference in warmth makes love making brilliant. If you like lube you should try it with your favourite Anal Toys.

The most excellent thing about this breed of marital aid is that they are durable. The sex aid can come in different shapes and can be used for bottom play. The great thing is the sexual toys might often be positioned in the microwave to quickly heat up. The hard wearing glass holds the best temperature so you may carry on with your sex session without having to adjust the temperature regularly.

Cleaning a marital aid is mega easy. Sex toys, especially glass dildos, might well be washed quickly. Wash it in soapy water or try a sex aid cleaner from a sexual toy website. Glass dildos are tremendous sex aids to help spice up your sex life with your partner. The 1st time your wife tries a sex toy like a glass dildo they will have a wonderful orgasm. Sensual aids might well be tried at anytime and are a wonderful essential to any house.

In the Journal of Neuroscience, November, 2004, researchers at Northwestern University, concluded that sufferers of chronic back pain had brains that aged
20 times that of normal healthy folks.

They went further and reported that the brains of those with chronic back pain
had as much as 11% brain shrinkage. It is gray matter that is lost, which is responsible for information processing (I.Q), and memory.

The leading researcher, A. Vania Apkanian, said the average healthy person loses
0.5% of gray matter annually, but having sciatica, chronic back pain, produces
10 to 20 years of normal aging. The longer one suffers from chronic back pain (years), larger the brain loss. Yes, really.

The reason for brain shrinkage appears to be the almost permanent state of a
negative mood and attitude, and the stress associated with it. Apkanian believes
brain shrinkage (loss of gray matter), is a result of nerve cells in a constant state
of activity - they are overworked to the extreme.

He concludes, that the longer the back pain persists, the greater its irreversibility
because the brain structures and functions - change permanently.

What is New?

In 2006, Dr. Sean Mackey, Stanford University, reported a different approach
in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Dealing with chronic back pain, his research indicates that patients looking at their own live brain scans can learn to control pain activation.

There are two brain systems involved in pain - pain perception and pain modulation.
Wait - there is no single pain center, but 5-10 areas that transmit pain feedback.

Here is the killer conclusion of Dr. Mackey, top-gun at Stanford Medical School:

Pain modulation (change, alteration), is triggered by BELIEF. A placebo (sugar pill
or an injection of plain water), can shut down the pain, while a nocibo (belief in harm), will augment the pain, when your brain is convinced you are being hurt.

How Come?

The brain releases its endogenous (originating from within), endorphins (pleasure hormones), an opiate-like substance.

The reason a placebo works is the brain releases a chemical that attaches to our Mu Opioid Receptors. Get this - fake opiates cause the brain to produce its own real
ones in response. It is the bandwagon effect.

Does Believing in Change Cause Change in Reality?

The answer is yes, with practice, as the mind unites with the body.

It appears to be a brain thing called the power of suggestion. The same one used
in hypnosis and auto-suggestion, where you convince yourself.

A physician telling a group of patients in an experiment, that the pain they were
feeling would positively be relieved by their (placebo) medication, resulted in 99%
effectiveness. We believe in the authority and his/her expertise. It sounds weird, but
our belief - changes our state-of-mind, which in turn alters our body receptors.

Hold it! Thinking about pain produces physical changes in our - pain, no-pain - perception. It is visible on the fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imagery),
and is not a schizophrenic episode.

They have zeroed -in on the area that produces human awareness of our mind-numbing pain - it is called - rostral Anterior Cingulate Cotex (rACC). We can
see it in action, in living color, on the fMRI, and see it modulated by our Prefrontal
Cortex, the brain area that makes decisions.

The scientists do not claim they know why cognitive effort can reduce the activation of the rACC, it just does. Thinking too deeply about the why, delivers us to the
realm of Huh? We are rational creatures - motivated by emotion, let us not go any
further.

Soft Wired

You have heard that our genes make us hard-wired, we come to life preprogrammed to a substantial degree.

Another reality is that our brain is Soft-Wired, (plastic), so that we can learn.
When we learn it is followed by structural and functional changes in our brain.
Practice, according to the experts, can reduce pain an average of 64%, no mean trick.

One more once - what you believe and expect, creates your reality. It does not alter
the world, only your world. Another thing - we do not know a whit about the source
of consciousness. It is not neurons firing, but depends on our neurons that are wired
together, to fire together.

Endwords

It is intuitive that having a positive attitude is better than holding a belief that you
will fail. We are at the next threshold of reason - what you actively believe, mentally
visualize and expect - come to pass in your brain, and perhaps in your motivations
and behaviors.

Professor William James, 1890, at Harvard, created the Law of As-If. Whatever your mind consistently thinks and feels drives your brain to discover and bring to pass. If you Act, Think, Feel and Believe AS-IF you have already obtain the goal
you are chasing - it is a direction to both hemispheres of your brain - to attract it.

The latest research states that folks with chronic back pain have annual brain shrinkage of an extra 1.3%. That is far too much. We have over 100 billion brain cells, so it is not an immediate ticket to Alzheimers, but it does you no good.

Here is the core of it - meditation, hypnosis, distractions, mental visualizations, and
placebos - all offer a method to train the brain to obey our prefrontal cortex - our active consciousness. It works for me personally, to reduce pain, and enhance healing.

It is your assignment to check it out. The Indian charkas are real, seven subtle areas of energy that can be manipulated by acupressure and acupuncture to help you heal
faster, and reduce pain. My personal favorite is daily chanting - Uh-(as in Accountant, OO (as in Book), and Mng as in Mee-ing - (Uh-OO-Mng) for 20 minutes twice a day. Google Mudras (hand gestures), too

Now I know that you are far too busy to find a total of forty minutes daily to maintain your health, reduce if not eliminate pain, and actively live to age 90.

Deal-Or-No-Deal?

See ya,

copyright ©
H. Bernard Wechsler
www.speedlearning.org
hbw@speedlearning.org

Author of Speed Reading For Professionals, published by Barron’s
Educational, original partner of Evelyn Wood, creator of speed
reading, graduating 2 million, including the White House staff of
four U.S. Presidents.

I can’t boast about my culinary skill, because I just don’t
have the natural ability to get around in a kitchen and “whip”
something up. I am one of those people who lacks the
imagination to throw something together. My sister on the
other hand can make a gourmet meal out of a handful of
ingredients and feed a family of 5.

Sadly enough I am the kind of person who needs directions,
a recipe to follow because without them I haven’t got a clue.
Unless it’s something I can bake, fry, grill or throw together
in a crock pot, I am sure it would turn into a disaster. I won’t
guess at anything when it comes to the kitchen… or living my
life the way God intended me to.

As a young girl, I was an accomplished seamstress under
the diligent guidance of a loving mother who insisted I was
the best at this craft, mainly because she was the teacher.
The result of my time and effort that was put forth into
“getting it just right” had earned me many awards and
recognition. (This is not what was important, this was just a
fringe benefit.) I had to learn the ground rules which
included learning the simple steps in order to advance.
Without these first steps, I would not have been able to
accomplish much.

This is true of anything and everything in life. If directions are
not followed correctly and in the proper sequence, the end
result will miss the mark. If just one step is ignored, one
small ingredient left out it will most likely turn into a disaster.
Disasters lead to consequences. Consequences will
always lead us to wishing we had followed the directions in
the first place. Consequences are what will last even after
we’ve learned our lesson.

“Practice makes perfect”. How many times have we heard
that one? It’s true though, not only does it bring perfection, it
also brings confidence because of the experience. This
holds true of our daily living. When we live a life with all the
right ingredients and follow the critical steps that lead to
success, it will result in something perfect, beautiful and
complete. Even if we slip and make mistakes along the way,
as long as we are striving to complete it the right way, we
can’t help but be happy in the end. Not only will we feel good
about our attempts, but God will also see the motives that
led us to this point. He isn’t expecting us to be perfect, just
the intentions we have.

Bread for instance, is a skill that I have not ever attempted to
do. But in order for it to raise it requires one very important
ingredient or else it will be a blob of dough. The very small
but important ingredient is yeast. It’s alive and active. It’s
similar to the human soul. Christ is like the yeast that
activates our lives into rising above and beyond our own
expectations. Without Christ Who is the main ingredient in
our lives, we would be a blob of dough. God gives us the
recipe and tells us all the ingredienets we need in order to
become a success in the end. Not a success in this life, but
in the life to come.

It doesn’t require money, education, status, influence,
power, fame or any of these things. Well, what does it take
you may ask to be a success? It takes the knowledge of
God’s Word. Know it, live it, and do not let it go.

“Take fast hold of instruction, let her not go: keep her, for
she is thy life.” Prov. 4:13 (KJV)

God’s instruction in His Word throughout His recipe book
called the Bible is full of foolproof recipes. Unlike any other
recipe book, He will even tell you how it will work out if you
don’t follow it correctly. He will let you know what a disaster
you will have on your hands if you choose to skip over some
of the directions. In this case, if you miss the mark, it will
result in death. Missing the mark is sin and sin brings about
defeat.

But, the good news is that when God’s instructions are
followed correctly it will result in a prize winning product. You
are that prize winning product when you allow Christ to rise
in your soul. When you allow Him to be the main ingredient
in your life, even though you may make mistakes, He will
always bring you through to completion. With Christ in your
life, you will be God’s masterpiece.

Remember, Christians aren’t perfect…just forgiven.

Unless you have asked God to forgive your sins and admit
that you are a sinner and accept His Son Christ as your
Savior, you are not saved. Ask Him now to save you through
His Grace and turn your life into a beautiful masterpiece.

Vivian Gordon is a follower of Christ. Her life was once built
on sinking sand, but now it’s standing on the Rock. While
many are called, she is one of the few who are chosen to do
His perfect will through teaching others. Inspired to write
inspirational articles for others to take hold of the truth in
God’s Word.

During an emergency cash crunch you may be forced to consider taking out a payday loan. Loans such as this can be helpful when unforeseen needs arise. However, the interest and fees on these loans is extremely high and can mount up quickly. Before applying for a payday loan it is good to know just a little about them.

Interest rates - Interest rates on payday loans may not always be obvious. They are sometimes referred to as fees and not broken down by how much the actual interest may be over the life of the loan. Some annual percentage rates (APR) can climb to a staggering 700% or more.

Fees - There may be fees in addition to interest rate fees. A common fee is a rollover fee if the payment in full is not made. Such fees may be charged on top of the interest fees. Also, if you account is debited for a payment when funds are not available you will be accessed a charge on each end; i.e., one from your bank and one from the payday loan company.

Your credit - Although most payday loan companies do not check your credit, an unpaid payday loan can have a severe adverse effect on your credit. If a loan is not paid off or if a payment made by debiting your account cannot be completed, you will most likely be reported not just to the credit agencies but to ChexSystems as well. Being in the ChexSystems database can prevent you from being able to open a bank account for several years.

Pay the loan off quickly - Most payday loan companies will allow you to pay just the fee portion of the loan. Some companies only permit a person to do this three times. Others may accept a rollover several times. Each time the loan balance is not paid in full additional fees are charged. If you are in the position of having to accept a payday loan, repay it in its entirety as soon as it is due.

To view our list of recommended cash advance lenders online, visit this page:
Recommended Payday or Cash Advance Lenders.

Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide, an informational website about various types of loans.

Notwithstanding the fact that the Property Index service is only a new kid on the block enterprise, registered in March 2007, they have very swiftly established their expertise. In point of fact a quite easy going enterprise focusing on offering instruction to every visitor looking to buy, sell, rent or let realty across the world. Their assurance is to help you determine exactly what’s called for quick and, further, sans pain.

Real estate can easily be found in most parts of the world nowadays, undoubtedly the high-class area being real property you can purchase in Italy. It should be quite easy to chart the phenomenal property on the market in Italy, the rationale for looking for real estate here is property available and the splendid opportunity of spending your life right amid such a high-spirited and brisk population.

It is one of the most favored areas nowadays, and considering the lovely landscape and wonderful climate surrounding you round the clock, who could say no. Real estate in Italy is steeped in history, this region has been and still is home to several cultures.

Only one generation ago there’d be very few of Britishers keen on property in Italy. Ask any one person who has chosen to move to Italy and they will confirm it. There’s many people who would call it a plain fad and others call it a almost an obsession! Patrons that are willing to migrate to this region generally range from young freshly weds who are looking for some new challenge in life to seniors who intend to enjoy themselves and relax.

Note, however, that you may have to deal with obstacles when trying to buy property abroad - you can find there are 100s of disparate steps be it when working out a plan, visiting or buying and completing. If you miss out on only a single action that may trigger wide-ranging obstacles not to forget, even more important, financial loss.

As you may probably have presumed with this favored destination, property can be pricey in this area and that’s solely caused by the broad market demand. Notwithstanding homebuyers are doubtlessly spoilt in terms of choice in such a location so wonderful in terms of sun soaked geography. It really has the lot anyone might really wish for, and plenty more.

Property Index sell a range of villas and apartments, take a look at their site if you are looking for overseas property investment, click here to view the properties.

A credit card is a big deal to young adults. It’s one way for them to feel like they’re part of the grownup world. But credit cards can also be a way for a youngster to get themselves into serious adult trouble before they’re ready for it. That’s why it’s important to follow a few importantbut luckily simplesteps when shopping for your first credit card.

1. Shop Around

One of the first things you should know about getting your first credit card is how to shop around. Sure, you probably get a few dozen credit card offers in the mail every month. And every time you go to a ballgame, somebody offers you a free beach towel if you join their credit card. But these offers may not be the best. Try doing your own research on the Web to find the best credit cards for your situation.

2. Compare Annual Percentage Rates

Once you come up with a list of cards you may want to apply for, compare their interest rates, or the percentage fee they charge you for debt left on your card every month. It’s important to know the difference between variable rate cards, and fixed rate cards. Variable means that the interest rate can change over time, so it may start out extremely low, but in six months, it could triple, quadruple, etc.

3. Compare Fees and Grace Periods

Don’t just compare interest rates on cards either. You should know each card’s annual fee, grace period (or time they give you to pay off each month’s charges), late-payment penalty fees, over-the-limit penalty fees, and charges for cash advances. Of course, for these penalties and cash advance fees, you hopefully will never have to experience them firsthand. But it’s still important to know what they are just in case.

4. Read the Fine Print

Also read the fine print of any credit card deal. Some cards offer great interest rates, fixed or otherwise, but warn that these low rates disappear as soon as you make one late payment. Credit card companies put this and many other loopholes in their contracts to make the most money off a person with too much debt and too little responsibility. Be aware of them so you can avoid them.

5. Review the Agreement

Once you figure out which card you want and apply for it, you should get the card and the full agreement in the mail. Make sure you review this agreement completely to make sure that you’re getting everything you agreed tothe right interest rate, spending allowance, etc. These things can change during the card’s approval process.

Joshua Shapiro recommends Find Credit Cards to find an American Express credit card application that’s right for you.