Online Business Education

Everyone is feeling the crunch of today’s tough economic times, and small business owners are no exception. However, technology is doing an incredible job of stepping in and making loads lighter in every area from accounting to note-taking. Few people know this better than owners of the iPhone or even iPad.

To prove it, we have gathered the best 25 iPhone apps for small businesses. Whether you have a whopping $16.99 to spend on an app or are down to your last few pennies, there are options for everything, with even some of the free apps being more impressive than their paid counterparts.

Best Free iPhone Apps for Small Businesses

Because the bottom line is everything, check out these free iPhone apps to practice just that.

1. Shoeboxed Every small business owner can be relegated to stuffing all receipts into a shoebox, only to have to dig it all out later in the year. No longer, with this free app. It allows you to take pictures of your receipts, and the app even automatically extracts all the pertinent data. Receipts are backed up in a secure, online account and can even be sent to you as reports via email. You can also sign up for a free trial of their premium services.

2. Xpenser For those who still enjoy creating and managing their own spreadsheets and such there is this app. It records expenses instantly and can be done on the iPhone along with email, SMS, and even Twitter or IM account. It also has mileage tracking, a currency converter, and many other goodies.



source: gadgets.boingboing.net

3. Dragon Dictation Who has the time to type out messages and expenses when on the go? Use this free and amazing app to turn your iPhone into a dictation machine. It is an easy-to-use voice recognition application that allows you to easily speak and instantly see your text content for everything from email messages to blog posts on your iPhone. In fact, it’s up to five times faster than typing on the keyboard.

4. Box.net Use this free and simple app to access your computers files anytime from your iPhone. You can browse through folders and even share them on the go. The app also allows you to access them without a Wi-Fi or data connection and lets you post and reply to comments on specific files and folders.

5. MiniBooks Simply sign up for a free FreshBooks account to take advantage of their free iPhone app. It takes the massive task of invoicing and related jobs onto your mobile device and/or computer. Use it to manage clients, send invoices, enter payments, check on rates from past jobs, run timers, and much more, all from the palm of your hand. Over one million other users have already taken advantage of it.

6. Simple Note Simply create an account here to begin using their free service. It lets you keep notes, lists, ideas, and more all on your iPhone and many other devices. They even offer a feature to allow you to share and publish your lists with other team members.

7. LinkedIn A must tool for just about every small business owner, LinkedIn is a massive collaboration and professional networking site. As many sites do, they offer a free iPhone app that works with the phone to integrate and sync names, addresses, and even photos of your connections. It also allows you to update status easily from the phone and saves your search history and results.

8. Go Payment If you have an Intuit account, a small business, and an iPhone, this is a must have. The small device attaches into your mobile device and turns it into a credit card swiper. As with similar services, there is a small fee per swipe but no monthly fees, contracts, and you can cancel anytime.

9. QuickBooks Online This is a sort of no-brainer for those who use QuickBooks for their small business. The app allows you to add and edit customers, vendors, and employees straight from your iPhone. You can also view balance sheets, profit/loss reports, get amounts on who owes money and how much, and many other features.

10. Roambi Lite Use the imaging features of your iPhone to the max with this app. It is a free publishing tool that automatically transforms Excel data into amazing visualizations that can be displayed on and interacted with on your phone. They also have other paid apps that are equally impressive.



source: powerpivotblog.nl

11. WebEx Can’t make it to your computer for that next web meeting? Then check out this app from Cisco that allows you to be there with your iPhone. Simply download the app to begin scheduling, starting, and even hosting meetings straight from your iPhone.

12. Bloomberg If you are a small business owner with any size portfolio, you will want this free app. Named as the best iPhone app by Art of the iPhone, it offers a customizable portfolio to track your stocks. They also allow quick access to Bloomberg financial news, stock indices, and features for stock charts that involve the iPhone accelerometers and multitouch.

13. Tax Calculator Depending on the amount of your refund or money owed, tax time can be the best/worst time of the year. Make it a little easier with SJD’s free contractor tax calculator. Key in your daily or hourly rate and see how much you could be taking home each month along with how much tax you would have to pay working through your own limited company. You can also use the settings to personalize your settings and use the app to the best of its abilities.

Best Paid iPhone Apps for Small Businesses

If you have a few bucks to invest back into your small business, have a look at these apps listed mostly by price.

14. Documents to Go If you have documents, spreadsheets, PDFs, etc. to work on from your iPhone, this is the app for you. You can create documents straight on your device, upload them from your computer, or even use the many supported services such as Box.net or Google Docs. The bloggers at TiPb have loads more on why you should get this $16.99 and how to use it.

15. Quick Office Have MS Office files that need editing or writing right away? Then check out this app for iPhone. It allows you to create and fix documents straight from your iPhone and works with many of the previously mentioned apps. Currently at half off, it sells for $9.99.



source: singularityhub.com

16. ScanR Business Center Use your iPhone as both a scanner and fax machine with this app. It allows you to scan, view, print, and fax PDF files to anywhere around the world. Selling for only $9.99, it does the send work of a fax machine without ever having to own one.

17. Sure Payroll Although the app is free, users must sign up for the payroll service from Sure Payroll to take advantage of it. However, users are allowed to calculate wages, deductions, benefits, and pay employees with free direct deposit or paper check. They also have many other features such as 1099 contractors and loads of customization.

18. iTimeSheet Use this app to have your iPhone keep track of all your time sheets. It allows you to record your daily activities in less than three minutes thanks to a smart interface. With iTimeSheet you will know how much time you spent with a client, on a task, or on a project in a given period of time. It currently sells for $5.99.

19. World Card Mobile Hate typing in business card information or just carrying them around in general? Then check out this app that automatically captures, scans, and organizes the information in any random business card. Selling for $5.99, the blogger at iPhoneLife features a detailed guide on how to use it.

20. PocketMoney This iPhone app is a personal money manager and has an extensive range of features. Use it to keep track of multiple bank and credit card accounts and even work out monthly, quarterly and yearly budgets. Now in 3.0 version, it sells for $4.99.

21. Air Sharing Named the best paid iPhone app for businesses by Liane Cassavoy of About.com is this app. It lets you set up your iPhone as a wireless hard drive on your Windows or Mac computer. You can then use its interface to drag and drop files as needed. It sells for $4.99 and requires a Wi-Fi connection.

22. ACT Printer This is an extremely useful app that allows you to download any document you would otherwise print right to your iPhone. Simply pick the document you want to transfer, select “print,” and choose the “print to iPhone” option from the PDF drop down button on the bottom left corner to get it on your device. Selling for only $1.99, it can even store bar codes on your phone to be scanned later.



source: taptaptap.com

23. Calcbot This app was ranked first in the iPhoneNess listing of the best calculators for the iPhone. The interface is far more advanced than a regular phone calculator and even has swipe functions. The history of calculations is also useful for remembering what was calculated in the past. For only $1.99, this is a regular favorite among users.

24. BillTracker Get just the bills on this iPhone app. It can help you keep track of everything from the phone to accountant bills. You can track information on each bill, create reoccurring events, and get a complete history for each. Selling for $1.99, the folks at Snap Tap also offer other iPhone apps.

25. App Box Pro Although there are many things that an iPhone comes with, there are a few it comes without. This multi-optioned app is a sort of secondary app to all the apps you need or just plain want. For the price of $2.99, you can get tools on memory, battery, talk-time, several types of calendars and date calculators, various unit converters, a couple of measuring tools, and even a flashlight.

And the above best 25 iPhone apps for small business are just the beginning. With 2.0 versions and beyond constantly being updated, there are loads to take advantage of. There are also many apps offered by the same companies for Android, Blackberry, iPad, and many others.

Those who are looking for publicity will find some way to find it, cheap or otherwise. And the general feeling that I get when people claim to be passionate about the environment and are going green is that it is some kind of publicity stunt. The way they see it, they don’t realize any significant returns in their lifetime if they become more eco-friendly, and many of them are not the type to do things just so other people can benefit from their actions. So why do people go green and do things for the environment?

• Free publicity: When large corporate “go green”, they do so with a bang. They want the whole world to know that they’re doing their bit to “save” the environment, and they want all the publicity that this stunt can garner them. They’re not the type to effect any green changes quietly because they want some form of immediate returns for themselves, and that’s positive publicity.
• They’re seen as the good guys: Anyone who does something that is beneficial for the environment is seen as the “good guy”, the one we must all love because of their philanthropic nature. This act also nullifies any bad press the company may have received in the recent past, so net-net, they’re riding high on a wave of public goodwill.
• They get tax credits: Most people buy Energy Star rated products and renewable energy systems like solar panels for their home because they are eligible for federal tax credits if they do so. They are looking more towards their monetary gains than doing their bit to save the environment. Also, with less energy consumption because of their investment in these products, their recurrent energy bills are less and their homes are worth much more. Maintenance is also easier than before. So all in all, they have much to gain personally when they contribute towards saving the environment.

There are very few people who genuinely care for our planet, the environment, nature, and wildlife. But when we don’t realize that we’re all interconnected, man, animals and nature. The rest of us cannot think beyond ourselves – we are willing to do what we must if there is some visible return for us personally. But what we do not realize is that if we cannot find a way to coexist peacefully, mankind is definitely going to wipe out all the other species and Mother Nature herself. This is the reason we must care for the environment, because if we don’t, we’re going to end up destroying humankind, and the only home we know, for good.

From Zeus to Hercules, it seems every character from Greek mythology has his or her own movie, television series or book. With so much out there, it can be increasingly difficult to get the real story from Hollywood or New York publishing houses. If you are interested in learning Greek mythology as it was meant to be heard, the internet can also be a confusing place. To help, we have collected the below top 50 must-read Greek mythology blogs. They are authored by fans, students and even teachers at the university level. Also included are podcasts, guides and much more on your favorite topic. Top Must-Read Greek Mythology Blogs These blogs are a must read and first stop for anyone interested in Greek mythology.

1. 1. Tropaion Visit this blog to get research on Neo-Hellenic Polytheism and ancient Greek religion. Both the past and present of each are discussed. They offer many regularly updated entries and even an online library.
2. 2. Breakfast With Pandora BWP caters to everyone interested in ancient Greek and comparative mythology. This includes good stories, the craft of writing, food, theology, education, and other humane things. Popular posts include “The Church of the Holy Random Empire”and “Publishing Your Good Story.”
3. 3. Paleothea: The Ancient Goddess Ailia devotes her blog to the women of Greek myths. Currently experiencing blog hosting woes, she does have worth archived posts to view. She also links to her own personal guide to Greek mythology.
4. 4. iGreekMythology This blogger loves Greek mythology so much, they have dedicated the entire blog to it. The blog is for students, teachers, parents, and anyone else who shares the passion. You can get resource material such as heroes, Greek Pantheon, stories, and more.
5. 5. Cliopatria A group blog, they are part of the History News Network. History in the news, including Greek findings, is often shared. The latest post was on “Modern History Notes.”
6. 6. Roman Archaeology Learn more about Greek mythology by learning about the archaeology in this blog. Part of the “Roman Times,”they report on current archaeology, as well as ancient. One of the more current entries is on the finding of an Ulysses adorned amphitheater.
7. 7. Goddess a Day Get your fill on Greek goddesses on this blog. Many other cultures are also featured. It’s been a while since the last post, but the archives are worth a look.
8. 8. Blogographos Visit here for a public blog to which anyone interested in Greek and Roman mythology may post. This means interested laymen as well as professional classicists and students. Blog posts include interesting links, reviews of classics-related media, book announcements, questions, anecdotes, suggestions about improving the blog, and more.

Top Must-Read Greek Mythology Blogs by a Teacher These professors teach Greek mythology or related topic for a living and share loads more on their blogs.

9. Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean Phil Harland is a professor and author of the book “Dynamics of Identity.” The goal of his blog is to chronicle happenings in Greek religion and others including Roman, Jews, and Christians. One of the most recent posts was on the Temple of Isis at Pompeii. 10. Classical Thinking Toni Badnall is from Corpus Christi College in Oxford. Research interests include Greek literature, especially the epic. Choose from categories on the blog such as mythology, speech, and others. 11. Rogueclassicism The blog title means an abnormal state resulting from the forced migration from a lengthy classical education. The focus of the blog is Ancient Greece and Rome. Links to items the blogger likes are often shared. 12. The Stoa Consortium Since its creation in 1997, the Stoa exists to serve several purposes: dissemination of news and announcements. It is edited by Ross Scaife, Professor of Classics at the University of Kentucky. One of the most recent posts was on a digital resource of palaeography. 13. Ancient History Ramblings Scott received his degree in classical archaeology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is now a professor of history at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania where he specializes in ancient Greece, Rome, Western Civilization, medieval, Byzantine Empire, digital history, and classical archaeology. Idle thoughts and musings are also included. 14. Memorabilia Antonina Stop here for the blog of a 46 year old freelance academic. Tony Keen shares postings of academic interest on Greek and Roman history. This includes classical literature, the Ancient Near East, historical films, teaching, and much more. 15. Numismatics and Archaeology How did the Ancient Greeks pay for all of this mythology? Visit this blog to learn all about the currency used in ancient days. New discoveries, findings, thoughts, and more can be found.

Top Must-Read Mythology Blogs Get loads more mythology, including Greek, in these blogs.

16. Mythphile Get “all the myth that’s fit to print”on this blog. Ellen N. Brundige is a PhD candidate at Pacifica Graduate Institute focusing on mythical studies and in-depth psychology. Her blog is devoted to sharing and retelling mythology, because mythology is meant to be shared and retold. 17. The Project for a New Mythology This blog is a small, annual literary journal. Quinn uses it to chronicle his studies on life, philosophy, literature, and his debut novel. One of the latest posts is on Mark Twain, Alan Gribben, and the sanitizing of “Huck Finn.” 18. The Mythogenic Grove Essays, articles, and annotated links pertaining to the cultural and hybrid intersections between myth, folklore, and the sublime may be found here. Nin strives to be a “binary grove of words and images.” There is even a special section for Mythic Folk. 19. I’m Myth Understood How does Batman parallel to Greek mythology? These and other mythological and pop culture questions are answered by Larry Brenner. He is also a playwright, college professor, and father. 20. A Leap of Bad Faith Nathanael Edward Bassett breaks down myths and puts them back together on the blog. Tags include the Bible, cultural bias, existentialism, and many more. One of the latest entries was on a state of delusion. 21. Mythic Musing Get a “look at life from a liminal perspective”here. Liminality is the realm of tricksters, ambiguity, and the focus of posts. D. Page has studied Vajrayana Buddhism and shares more. 22. Joseph Campbell Foundation A network of information on mythology is provided by a community of individuals. Options include contests, collected lectures, and many videos. Greek mythology lovers will enjoy the Mythological Toolbox Playshop. 23. The Weekly Storybook Stop here for fairy tales, mythology, biography, historical fiction, and much more. The blogger uses not only classics, but original tales as well. The latest is on Joseph Pulitzer. 24. IMCPL Kids Get a blog just for kids from the Indianapolis Marion County Public Library. You can check out the posts just for “Mythology.” There are also loads of other posts with reading recommendations.

Top Must-Read Classical Greek Mythology Blogs These blogs delve into many classic works and history, including Greek mythology.

25. Ancient/Classical History N.S. Gill is a Latinist and freelance writer with a longtime focus on the classical world. She has been the About.com blogger for classics since 1997. Essential reads include an A to Z of major gods and goddesses and why Rome fell. 26. Ancient World Group Bloggers AWBG is a place for posts and discussion about blogging the Ancient World. Links to items of interest are often featured. They also encourage discussion and debate among members. 27. Esther’s Classic Literature Blog She is an avid reader and constant writer, who spent most of her childhood buried in books. Now a blogger at About.com, she shares more on classics and why they matter. Must reads include classic choices for Harry Potter fans and remembering what you read. 28. Classics in Contemporary Culture This blogger reports on sightings of continuing influences. They also have loads of links to items and articles of related interest. One of the most recent was on frontier classics. 29. Antiochepedia Get musings on Ancient Antioch here. This was one of the most important cities of the Graeco-roman period. This graduate of the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology has much more. 30. The History Blog The blog’s tagline is “it’s a blog about history.” However, with a special focus on the Greek, lovers of mythology will enjoy it. Categories include the ancient, medieval, modern, and everything in between. 31. Classical Archaeologist See how the classics and archaeology combine on this blog. This graduate student’s mission is to “live by data and dirt.” One of the latest entries was on soft vs. hard science. 32. Ancient Tides The blog is named after how the tides affect everything, in this case ancient history. In an effort to better understand ourselves, they focus on the history of our ancestors. A recent discovery was on smugglers in Caligula’s tomb. 33. Mike Anderson’s Ancient History Blog See how Greek mythology and other history relates to the present day here. Mike Anderson believes that history can teach us loads about the present. One of the latest posts was on capitalism and human relationships. 34. WM Blathers William writes about random things, mostly related to ancient Greek. Although he has gone a while since an update, his past entries on everything from Anathem to Xenophon are worth a look.

Top Must-Read Other Mythology Blogs These blogs delve into other areas of mythology and make an interesting choice for those who enjoy Greek mythology.

35. Shuker Nature Dr Karl Shuker is one of the best known cryptozoologists in the world. Nature, animals, and other related items make up the mythology here. A good stop to learn about nature. 36. Following Celtic Ways Get a ton of Irish and Celtic myths with a stop at this blog. It includes the ramblings and reviews of John of Carrowcraory as he travels the Celtic countryside in search of myths. One of the posts was on an actual Labyrinth. 37. Paganrod “Pagan”means finding value in the ancient traditions, without the influence of contradictory dogmas or controlled beliefs. Combining Paganism with a veritable rod of a blog that looks for stories is the focus here. Visit for ancient culture, myths, legends, and even DIY magic. 38. The History of Rome Stop here for an award winning blog and podcast. It actually has weekly episodes tracking the history of the Roman Empire from its rise to fall. With over 120 episodes and counting, make time for this one. 39. Imago Corvi The blog’s title means “The Sign of the Crow.” Catherine is from Toronto where she makes enameled works inspired and informed by myth and folklore. The crow is often the subject of choice. 40. Mytho-astrology See how mythology and the stars combine in this blog. Sharon is from South Africa and helps others interested in exploring their astrological charts to enrich their lives and the lives of others. Her blog is short but worth a look. 41. Roman History Books This blog aims to get people interested in Roman mythology through novels, mysteries, poetry, nonfiction, and Ancient historians. Blog entries frequently relate to books discussed in the online book chat. Online book chats take place on the first and third Wednesday of each month. 42. The Norse Mythology Blog Get your Viking related mythology fix here. The blog contains articles and interviews by Dr. Karl Seigfried from Loyola University. Interviews, thoughts, links, and more are all shared. 43. The Wigglian Way Visit here for a podcast on Paganism. Sparrow and Mojo are your hosts on a show that is “all about the love.” Learn about pagan myths, stories, and even modern practices. 44. Druidcast Get an official Druid podcast here. It is brought to you by the Order of Bards Ovates and Druids. Songs, interviews, thoughts, and much more are all featured.

Top Must-Read Greek Mythology Sites Learn even more about Greek mythology with a visit to these sites.

45. Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece This book was written by E.M. Berens and is a go to choice for students, teachers, and fans of Greek mythology. It is now available for free on Project Gutenberg as HTML, EPUB, Kindle, and many other types of files. 46. Theoi Greek Mythology The Theoi Project is a site exploring Greek mythology and the gods in classical literature and art. The aim of it is to provide a comprehensive, free reference guide to the gods (theoi), spirits (daimones), fabulous creatures (theres), and heroes of ancient Greek mythology and religion. Many new entries are constantly added and the archives are full of information. 47. Mythweb If you are a younger fan of Greek mythology, click here. This site includes the gods and heroes of Ancient Greece, along with a game and guide. There is also a special section for teachers. 48. Greek Mythology.com This site has information on all subjects of Greek Mythology, including details on gods and goddesses, myths, and heroes like Achilles and Hercules. It also has full texts of Greek mythology and literature books. You can even get a special section on ancient food and recipes. 49. Ancient Greece See how fact and fiction combine on this site. It includes architecture, history, mythology, and much more. Be sure to check out the photo gallery with more. 50. Museum of Mythology Located in New Jersey, they have loads of items on Greek mythology. Visit to see what they have to offer online. There are also sections on Ancient Egypt and the Vikings.

Although the above top 50 must read Greek mythology blogs have loads of content, they are not the only choices out there. Many Greek myths are public domain and available to the public for free. For example, there is The Online Mythology Guide. It hosts a collection of Greek myths from Achelous to Vertumunus.

Summer is around the corner and I’m sure you’re checking your air conditioning unit to ensure that’s in good condition and capable of taking care of your cooling needs for the next few months. If you live in a hot clime, you cannot do without a good AC, so here’s what you need to know about the unit you have installed in your home:

• Your energy consumption is directly related to the size of your AC unit and the size of the room: If you think you’re saving on costs and buy a unit that is too small, you’re going to end up with a hot room and high energy bills because the compressor keeps running without getting cut off (as it normally does when the room reaches the preset temperature). And if you invest in a unit that is too big, it will overcool the room and also increase its humidity so you end up feeling cold and damp at the same time. Although most people measure the surface area of the room before buying an air conditioning unit, they fail to take into consideration the height of the ceiling or the location of the room in the house (rooms that have windows facing west tend to be hotter because the walls absorb the heat from the midday and setting sun), so they end up getting smaller units than required.
• It could be the cause of internal air pollution: The air inside your home is more polluted than the air outside if you use your air conditioner all the time. Your AC is responsible for pumping out radeon which has been known to cause health complications, especially in people already suffering from respiratory problems and who are in a general state of poor health.
• It could be a breeding ground for mold: When air conditioners are not installed properly, cleaned regularly or are beset by water drainage problems, dust deposits build up on the cooling fins and become damp when the unit condenses water from the air. The damp dust causes the growth of mold which triggers allergic reactions, brings on asthma attacks and causes other respiratory problems. Besides this, you’re also at risk for skin irritations and other health problems when you breathe in air that is mold-infested.
• Poor maintenance could increase your energy bills: If your air conditioner is not working properly, you could perhaps check your filter and condenser coils to see if they’re dirty and need to be cleaned or replaced (the filter). If you don’t know how to do this yourself, get somebody to help you out rather than ruin the unit by doing the wrong things.

It’s one question you can’t help asking as each year rolls to an end and a new one starts to rise over the horizon – who’s hiring and what are the expectations for the year ahead? It doesn’t matter if you already have a job or if you’re fresh out of school and looking for one; it’s of no consequence if you’re looking for a change or if you’re happy with what you’re doing right now; you just need to know how the job market is going to be in the months to come. So what are the hiring expectations for the year 2011? The reports are different in different countries – if you lived in the USA or in Europe, you would be facing a tough market, one that is recovering and slowly moving forward, but not one that is very encouraging to change jobs or look for a change of scenery. According to the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey, your prospects are best if you live in India, China, Taiwan and Brazil or if you’re seeking employment in these countries. In Europe, the outlook is better in Norway, Switzerland and Poland than in countries like Greece, Italy, Spain, the Czech Republic, and Ireland. In Asia, Japan is not on par with China; however, the manufacturing sector seems to be still going strong. In the Middle East too, expectations are high with more jobs expected to be created and filled in industries like banking and finance, construction, telecommunications, and oil and gas industries. In the US, the weakest sectors are reported to be the government and construction, so don’t hold your breath hoping to sign up for a government job or make it big in the construction industry. The reason why countries like India, China, Taiwan and Brazil are doing well is probably because of the outsourcing effect – USA, Europe, and most other developed nations are happy to send their jobs overseas because it means lower costs and higher profits. The service sector and the IT industry have always found good workers in countries like India and China where the workforce is well educated, hard-working, and ready to work at a relatively low pay in US dollars (thanks to the exchange rate, they earn enough to make a decent living back home). Is this a trend that will continue for some time? If jobs are moved to other countries, the hiring outlook certainly looks bleak for countries where the cost of living is high. We have to wait and see if public outcry and governmental restrictions will be enough to stop this practice or at least slow it down. But until then, it’s best to seek a career in a profession that cannot be outsourced to the other end of the world.

It may be trite, it may be clichéd, and it may have been repeated through the ages, but there’s no doubting the fact that “A penny saved is a penny earned”. In today’s economic climate, it’s becoming harder than ever before to make enough money, and with expenses and costs soaring on the other side, the balance is skewed and tilting dangerously into the hole of debt. We’re often reluctant to save money because it’s an effort that is hard to sustain – we save one day, yet blow away much more the next thus nullifying all the good that has been done. For thriftiness to work, it must become a habit and not a one-off thing that you practice whenever the mood strikes. So if you’re looking for easy and sustainable ways to save money, read on:

• Take a jog in the park: Forget and forgo those expensive memberships at swanky and upscale gyms; instead, take to walking or jogging around your local park. Gym memberships are a waste of money, especially when you’re not regular and when you’re charged for services you never use (like a personal trainer or special equipment). A jog in the fresh outside air perks up your spirits, boosts your health, and keeps you fit and strong; and the best part is, it’s also easy on your wallet. Stay indoors during inclement weather and do some stretches, a few squats, lunges, and other simple weight training exercises that work all the muscles in your body and boost your metabolism. At the most, you’ll have to shell out to buy a small pair of dumbbells and a workout mat.
• Eat at home: It’s not only healthy for your body, but also for your bank balance when you eat home-cooked meals. You get the best nutrition, you avoid all the unhealthy aspects of restaurant food (high fat content, preservatives, reused oil and trans-fat), and you save loads of money every month. If you can’t cook every day, make batches during the weekend and freeze them to use during the rest of the week.
• Look after your health: With health insurance costs soaring by the day, it pays to adopt preventive measures to safeguard your health and that of your family. Simple things like regular exercise (even a short walk a day will do), healthy food (less fats and more of fresh fruits and vegetables), avoiding cigarettes and alcohol, less time in front of the television and the computer and more time doing something physical (like household chores, gardening, or even just playing with your kids), and regular screenings to catch disease in the early stages go a long way in keeping your money where it belongs, in your bank account.
• Eliminate what’s unnecessary: We live in a world where there’s plenty of everything, so much so that it’s a chore to choose among all the options available. However, if you think in terms of only what’s necessary, it’s not only easy to make a choice, it’s also easier on your wallet.

Trying to save money on a regular basis may not seem easy at first, but when you strive through the initial days, it soon becomes second nature and not such a difficult task after all.

Whether a first time home buyer or investor with decades of experience, everyone likes to look before they leap. But with realtors interested in dealing exclusively with those actively buying or selling, it can be hard to pin one down. No problem if you have an internet connection and a few minutes. Below we have gathered the top 50 real estate agent blogs by individuals, groups, investors, and other experts packed with loads of breaking news and advice for those looking to get the most out of their housing dollar. You can also use them to help sell a home yourself, learn what to stay away from, the future of the market, and much more. The Top Professional Real Estate Agent Blogs These professionals focus on a wide variety of real estate topics.

1. For Sale by Owner : This site is where owners come to sell their own home. The blog is full of tips for both realtors and home sellers alike to get pertinent information. They also have useful links on how to price your home, market forecasts, and much more. 2. The Real Estate Bloggers : Tom Royce started this blog in 2005 when real estate was at its peak and has followed the industry from the highest heights to the deepest lows. Visit to get analysis of real estate for both professionals, pundits, buyers and sellers, voyeurs, and those just curious. There are also tips and predictions on the market. 3. Bigger Pockets : This online real estate magazine is also available as a blog. A team of bloggers discuss investing, networking, listings, and more. Popular articles include Bank of America and a real estate license for investors. 4. Info Central : Visit here to get the official blog of the NAR. It provides resources and information of interest to the real estate community. It also features “This Month in Real Estate History.” 5. Bloodhound Realty : This group of real estate agents is located in Phoenix, Arizona. In addition for tips on everything from investments to relocations, they also have a regularly updated blog. Be sure not to miss the “posts of enduring interest” with more. 6. Square Feet : Commercial real estate is the focus of this blog. Categories include everything from construction to trends. Top entries include “A Guide to Office Building” and “Classifications.” 7. Commercial Property Executive : Visit here to get another commercial real estate blog. They have sections on regions, property types, finance, and more. Be sure not to miss “From the Inside” with loads more. 8. The Real Estate Tomato : If the above blogs aren’t enough for you, click here. With over 3,000 members and 700 blogs, there is something for everyone. You can also sign up to write your very own real estate blog.

The Top Real Estate Agent Columns Get the latest news in real estate in these columns and blogs.

9. WSJ : No one does business like “The Wall Street Journal” and real estate is not left out of the loop. They have a House of the Day feature that is a must see for realtors and shoppers alike. The latest news in residential, commercial, and all real estate are kept up to date and loads of videos are available on the subject. 10. NY Times : The correspondents at “The New York Times” also report on timely real estate news. Homes in the area and across the globe are featured. One of the standout options is the regularly updated popular stories especially for real estate. 11. DC Real Estate : Visit here to get the real estate blog from “The Washington Post.” Choose from tools and calculators, as well as various resources for buying or selling a home. There are also loads of other local resources. 12. MSNBC : The latest in real estate news videos greets visitors on this homepage. You can also use their interactive tools to find out where housing is hot or not. There are also loads of articles to keep you updated and even a Business Sustainability series with more. 13. Money & Company : This blog from the “L.A. Times” tracks market and economic trends that shape finance. In addition to autos, economy, and consumer, there is also a special blog for real estate. You can also use the site to learn more about local real estate. 14. Real Estate Columnists : Choose from several different blogs on real estate from “The Chicago Tribune.” They take on topics from the national housing market to what it takes for a local real estate agent to make it. They also gather other related headlines on real estate in one place. 15. Real Estate News : The folks at CNN/Money bring real estate news several times a day on this page. In addition to videos and galleries, they also have free calculators for real estate. They also come out with the popular “Best Places to Live” series.

The Top Market Real Estate Agent Blogs These blogs focus on the ups and downs of the housing market.

16. Housing Wire : Financial news for the mortgage market is featured several times a day here. Along with breaking news, they have individual voices, videos, and much more. Be sure not to miss the commentary with experts weighing in on every real estate subject imaginable. 17. Marketwi.se : Get investment real estate news and commentary on this blog. They also feature Macro News and a popular feed on Twitter. The latest entries are on the best links in real estate. 18. 1-2-3 Flip : Want to learn more about house flipping? Then visit here to learn more from an actual flipper. Currently on their 18th house, they tell all. 19. Life as Real Estate Investors : Julie and Dave make real estate investing look easy. Readers of the blog can share their adventures in mistakes, lessons, and resources. They also feature investing tips, marketing advice, property management, and more. 20. Bubble Meter : This blog gained notoriety during the housing bubble and continues to be closely watched by many. National housing bubble coverage, with particular attention to the D.C. area, is featured regularly. A recent entry was on how the housing bubble is affecting African-Americans. 21. Paper Economy : Similar to the above, this blog is dedicated to “tracking the decline of the greatest asset bubble in U.S. history.” Tools available include a home value calculator and inventory tracker. You can also get loads of items on the latest in real estate market news. 22. Housing Bubble of Shame : This blog pays tribute to some of the more notable or public displays of bubble mania. They include lenders, investors, policy makers, realtors, flippers, and many others. In addition to this blog, Tyrone also has resources for other investments. 23. Housing Kaboom : Golfer X is from California where he watches the real estate market explode. Must read entries include “A Lesson Prices” which shows where housing prices are going. He also blogs on recent sales in the area. 24. Doctor Housing Bubble : Dr. Housing Bubble provides a candid account of what is going on in today’s housing market. They take a critical look at the policies that have created one of the largest asset bubbles ever known. Southern California is the market most focused on.

The Top Real Estate Agent Blogs by a Woman These blogs are written by agents and other real estate enthusiasts.

25. The Real Estate Wonk : Jamie Smith Hopkins is a “Baltimore Sun” reporter and writes about the regional economy. Her focus is on buying, selling, renting, and living in the Baltimore area. Recent posts are on price ranges, the long term, and housing related bills. 26. Crib Chatter : Sabrina is not a realtor, banker, broker, or any real estate professional, but she still authors a popular blog. Devoted to the Chicago area and its real estate and housing market, she strives to provide the best information in the city. She often takes listings in the area and analyzes them. 27. Prime Property : This blog is authored by Houston, TX real estate agent Nancy Sarnoff. Categories include everything from apartments to “Where Am I?” There is also a Friday retail wrap on restaurants and retailers that opened or signed new leases in the area. 28. REThink Real Estate : Tara-Nicholle Nelson is a real estate broker, attorney, and accredited buyer’s representative. Her blog is intended as a tool for women to learn to use real estate as a tool for prosperity and lifestyle design. Sections include smart selling, smart buying, and others. 29. Think Glink : Ilyce Glink and her Real Estate Matters blog appear in over 100 newspapers and sites, and you can find out why here. Its focus is to answer questions related to real estate, buying, selling, financing, refinancing, credit and debt, insurance, second homes, vacation homes, real estate investment, new construction, and renovation. 30. Talk to CJ : CJ Brasiel specializes in residential real estate in the South Bay area. In addition to what she is currently featuring, she also discusses what realtors and owners can do to make the buying/selling process run more smoothly. There is also a section for those who are behind on their mortgage.

The Top Real Estate Agent Blogs by a Man The men weigh in on real estate via their blogs below.

31. Lasner on Real Estate : Jeff Lasner and Jeff Collins report on real estate for “The Orange County Register.” In addition to regularly updated posts, they also have podcasts on McMansions and other topics. Popular posts include California home sales and a Ferrari house. 32. Housing Chronicles : Patrick Duffy is Principal at MetroIntelligence Real Estate Advisors, a division of Beacon Economics. He provides commentary and news on regional, national, and international real estate. In addition to his popular blog, he also links to many of his published articles. 33. Housing Crash Continues : Patrick specializes in “what realtors won’t tell you.” The “What’s It Really Worth?” section features an interview with Nightline and Google and includes tips on how you can tell what a house is really worth. The latest entry is on why it is a terrible time to buy. 34. Shaun’s Real Estate Adventures : He shares his adventures and experiences in real estate and investing on the blog. It is meant for people who want to get into this investment area but need some encouragement, help, or just a general push in the right direction. Also useful for those who live in North Carolina. 35. Frankly Realty : When was the last time a realtor told you not to buy a home? This blogger specializes in just that. With the tagline, “Trust me, I’m a realtor,” this blog is worth a look. 36. Matrix : Jonathan Miller is the co-founder of residential real estate appraisal firm Miller Samuel. He is also the author of a series of real estate market reports with an annualized distribution in both print and nternet downloads of more than one million copies. Check out his blog for reports, media appearances, or to read the latest entry. 37. Real Estate Business : Jim Kimmons has 19 years of experience as a real estate agent and broker in three states and serves as a consultant to other real estate professionals on using technology. His blog focuses on helping realtors operate more effectively and serve clients. Must reads on the blog include “The Top Ten Investment Calculations” and “Working With the Web Second Home Buyer.” 38. The Phoenix Real Estate Guy : Jay Thompson is the co-owner of Thompson’s Realty, an independent real estate brokerage in Phoenix. He writes about local real estate and current events, and often explores state, regional and national issues related to real estate. The Best Of section even has options for sellers, agents, and random musings. 39. A Student of the Real Estate Game : Joe Stampone offers a forum for real estate education in his blog. He is currently attending the NYU Schack Institute of Real Estate and tells all about it. He seeks out events, articles, blogs, mentors, and students to help learn more about the arena. 40. The Blog of Matt Rosen : He is the Director of Business Development for Pitbull Mortgage School. Matt is also a real estate investor with a niche in wholesaling and shares loads on the blog. There are also tips for social media and family values. 41. Go Beyond MLS : Vlad Zablotskyy is a former real estate agent who was licensed in the state of New Jersey. His blog focuses on how to use internet marketing in real estate. How to optimize blogs, eBay, and more are all featured. 42. Housing Doom : John M. doesn’t say much about himself but has tons to say on the housing market. This list of his relevant articles is extensive and new posts are plenty. Also interesting for a Canadian’s point of view.

The Top Specialty Real Estate Agent Blogs A special area of real estate is the focus of these blogs.

43. Bankrate Mortgage : Whether buying or selling, mortgage rates are an important part of real estate. Visit Bankrate’s blog to get the latest information on mortgages including rates, averages, and more. There are also tons of other personal finance resources. 44. Loan Shak : “Everything to do with your shak” is featured on this blog. Different bloggers weigh in on mortgages, taxes, foreclosures, and much more. They also feature “shaktoids” with loads of fun facts about the market. 45. Lovely Listing : Visit here for the I Can Has Cheeseburger of real estate blogs. Interesting and humorous pictures are featured, along with accompanying captions. There are also options for other areas of humor. 46. Apartment Therapy : If a home is still a ways away, you can still use this blog to make your apartment its best. This community of bloggers offers everything from tips on renting to decorating ideas. Top posts include Christmas cards and delicious dining rooms. 47. Home Insurance Savers : If you own a home, you have insurance worries. Stop by this site to get information on home insurance by state. Or you can type in your zip code to get quotes. 48. Condo Domain : See how condos fit into the housing market in this real estate blog. There are tips for finance and mortgage, as well as closing and title. You can also use the blog to get resources for your area. 49. Reverse Mortgage Guide : Learn more about a reverse mortgage before you try in this blog. It gives tips for lenders, an FAQ, and even the pro’s and con’s of a reverse mortgage. They also have useful top ten lists on items such as the benefits and common mistakes of a reverse mortgage. 50. Baltimore Slumlord Watch : Get the ugly side of real estate in this blog. It serves as a way for city residents to discuss and share information on Baltimore’s many slumlords. Pictures of slums and who to contact about them are often the topic of posts.

Although the above top 50 real estate agent blogs are packed with useful advice, consult a real estate professional before making any permanent decisions. They know the location, market, and price points far better than a blogger from another area.