How To Trace Cell Phone Numbers Free

Know your options, from free cell phone directories to paid reverse lookup services

Tracing cell phone numbers can be difficult. Unlike landlines, cell phone numbers are usually not listed in phone books and can't be accessed by dialing Information. Many companies charge to trace cell phone numbers, and until recently, you had to pay the fee or not get much information. However, it is now possible to trace cell phone numbers free of charge.

If you want to know immediately who's calling you, you can find out NOW at ReverseMobile.com.

1. Try simply searching on the Internet. Type the cell phone number into your favorite search engine and see what comes up. If this works, it is the easiest way to trace a cell phone number, free. The reason this even has a chance of working is because the Internet is a big place and someone's cell phone number could be listed for all sorts of reasons. If their cell phone number is on a networking site, a business site, or any other site, for any reason, it should come up on a search, giving you information about whose number it is. Often, even people with unlisted cell phone numbers forget about other reasons that their number may be listed on the Internet.
   If the search yields just a long unmanageable list after entering the entire number with the area code, try putting everything but the area code in quotations, like this: 555 "555 5555". If that still doesn't deliver, you can try getting rid of the area code, replacing it with the state where that code exists, or even the city, if you know that information.
   
   To skip the legwork and trace the number right away, I recommend two other options:
   
   • Reverse Phone Detective
   • National Registry of Cellular Numbers
2. Check an online cell phone directory. Many free cell phone directories are available online, such as NonPublished.com. Information from these directories about a cell phone number is generally limited, but it can be a good starting point for tracking cell phone numbers, usually at least giving you the cellphone number's carrier and the city registered on the billing address. Obviously, the city might be outdated, since cell phones are mobile. 
   
   

   

3. Search reverse lookup sites. Although many of these sites charge a fee, more and more reverse lookup sites are letting people trace cell phone numbers free of charge. If you visit these sites (like Free Reverse Cell Phone Directory or National Cellular Directory, to name a couple) and provide your own information (like your name, cell phone number and city/state), they let you do a few searches for free. Keep in mind that you might
   "pay" for these by enduring sales calls and emails.
4. Try a volunteer directory. Volunteer directories are those where people voluntarily list contact information and cell phone numbers. If the person you are looking for has listed their information on one of those sites, you can trace the cell phone number free of charge. However, if they haven't, you won't be able to find someone's number there.
5. Bite the bullet and pay a small fee. If you feel an urgent need to lookup the most current and detailed information about a cell phone number, you may decide to pay about $20 at trusted sites like Reverse Phone Detective and Intelius. Although tracing a cell phone isn’t free at these sites, you are told what details you can expect to receive about the cell phone number before paying the fee.
6. Remember to block your cell phone number if you want privacy! Now that you know how to trace a cell phone number, don't forget to block yours if you don't want people using a tracer to find out who is calling. Otherwise your name and location could be easy to track using your cell phone number.

Although the Internet doesn't provide all the information you will ever need, it comes pretty close. Even if you can't find everything, chances are that you will be able to trace cell phone numbers free of charge. And luckily, if you are trying to trace cell phone text messages (and I'm sure we'll all be doing much more of that as time goes on), it is the same process. I wish you good luck in your reverse search efforts.

 

Caution:

• If you feel that you are in danger and that a caller poses a threat, contact local law enforcement.

Useful Links:

• Reverse Phone Lookup with ReverseGenie.com
• Download Unlimited Music, Music Videos, Movies, Games, Ringtones and More

How To Take a Sitz Bath

Find out why sitz baths are such a popular form of hydrotherapy

Sitz baths are coming back into popularity as a low risk, medicine-free solution to many health issues. Sitz baths are very helpful for a woman after childbirth whether or not she had an episiotomy. A sitz bath can also be used to treat hemorrhoids, prostate infections, anal and vaginal fissures, and ease the discomfort of genital herpes, and vaginal or bladder infections.

You may be wondering, what is a sitz bath? A sitz bath is literally what it sounds like - a bath where you sit in warm water that covers the buttocks and hips. This explains why so many people call it a 'sits bath'. Sitting in warm water allows more blood to reach the impacted area, promoting healing and helping with any discomfort. A sitz bath uses the theory of hydrotherapy or water therapy.

The following steps will guide you through the process of taking a sitz bath. If you're trying to get rid of a urinary infection rather than just ease the discomfort of it, you may need more than a sitz bath -- I suggest you consider this all-natural cure that gets rid of UTIs in 48 hours without antibiotics.  And if you're looking for a strong, natural cure for hemorrhoids and the bath won't bring enough relief, I recommend a program that I found on WebMD -- Nature’s Method To Cure Hemorrhoids. 

1. You'll need a bathtub, shallow bucket or a sitz bath. The plastic sitz bath sits over a toilet and is recommended. Many of these plastic sitz baths come with the ability to continuously add warm water to the bath so it doesn't get cold. The overflow of the water goes into the toilet. You can buy a sitz bath at most drugstores - plastic sitz baths will cost around ten to fifteen dollars.
2. Fill up your bathtub, bucket or sitz bath with warm water. The water should be warm enough to be almost uncomfortable, but not warm enough to burn. The water should be just deep enough to cover your buttocks and hips.
3. In an optional step (some practitioners skip the cold water step), you can fill up another bathtub, bucket or sitz bath with cold water. If you're using the cold water sitz bath in addition to the warm, you'll want to move back and forth between the cold and warm water every few minutes. In her book Herbal Healing for Women, Rosemary Gladstone recommends moving back and forth between the waters five to six times, several times a week.
4. Most practitioners recommend sitting in the water for about 20-30 minutes several times a week to promote healing. 
   
5. When you get out of your sitz bath, make sure you dry the area with a clean, cotton towel. You should pat, not rub dry. Some practitioners recommend letting the area air dry. 
   
6. You can add salts to sitz baths if your doctor recommends it. This can be very helpful for vaginal or perineal discomforts in women (especially after childbirth). The amount of salt depends on the size of your sitz bath. Add enough salt to your sitz bath so that it easily dissolves.
7. Some women have found relief from vaginal yeast infections by adding vinegar to sitz baths. The vinegar makes the vaginal tissues an inhospitable home to the yeast. You should double-check with your doctor before attempting this or any other sitz bath recipe like an herbal bath, however.

 

Caution:

• Have someone help you stand up if you become dizzy while in the water.

How To Remove Moles: Mole Removal Procedures

LEARN ABOUT REMOVING MOLES AT HOME OR AT A DOCTOR'S OFFICE

Moles are dark spots on the skin that appear in various shapes, colors and sizes. You can find moles basically anywhere on your body, and they can be a nuisance. Some moles start out small and grow larger over time. If you have a mole that has grown troublesome and want to remove that mole, consider following these steps and mole removal procedures.

Here's our advice on how to remove moles.

Before removal, do the following:

• Check your skin. Take a look at your skin regularly and monitor any changes. This is important so that you can quickly spot cancerous moles. If your moles change in appearance, head straight to step two and see your doctor. When you notice new moles, be sure to have your doctor check them out as well. The doctor can differentiate between normal aging spots and new, potentially cancerous moles. If you have a multitude of moles or sun damage, consider having a full skin scan at your dermatologist’s office.
• Check with your doctor. Don’t remove a mole until you’ve had it looked at. Moles can be harmless, but sometimes they are signs of possible melanoma. Have any moles looked at before you do anything.
• Consider letting your doctor handle mole removal. A doctor can remove a mole by shaving it from your skin or with laser treatments. Of course if you're looking for natural mole removal, this probably isn't the way to go. Also, these treatments often leave scars, so if you opt for this mole treatment, make sure you can live with the scar that results. 


Here's how to remove moles:

• Remove the mole with creams or lotions. There are several over-the-counter options of creams or lotions that can lessen and remove a mole. Start slow with these creams to test for skin allergies. Symptoms can take the form of red, swollen skin as well as itching or rash around the area. If any of these side effects are felt consult a physician immediately.

 These products are made with a variety of natural ingredients that are aimed at reducing the size of the mole. The materials used work in a way that is healthy and safe when used as proscribed. Be sure that you follow the directions on the package before removing skin moles yourself.
• Try cryosurgery to remove a mole. Cryosurgery is a form of mole removal that involves freezing the area using liquid nitrogen to dry and freeze the mole off your skin. Flash freezing the cells will kill them instantly. The mole is then covered for several days and disappears during that time.

 If surgery is not for you, there are some over-the-counter (mild) products that allow you to freeze a mole at home. But be sure to follow the directions and try to numb the area a bit before using the product. They can be painful to use.
• Try dermabrasion and chemical peels. Head to the spa for a facial and skin consultation. There are several options for treating and removing moles if they are small, so talk to your esthetician to see if dermabrasion or a peel are possible options for the moles you want removed. 

There are also a variety of over-the-counter products that utilize these techniques to remove more stubborn skin moles. Both products use somewhat harsher methods to remove the blemish, so they should be used with care. Remember to follow the directions carefully when applying a chemical to remove skin moles.
• You can also create your own skin mole removal solution. The following is an easy, basic recipe for removing skin moles. It contains ingredients found in most homes. For many, this is enough to remove skin moles quickly and safely. To create your own skin mole removal cream simply follow the directions listed below:

Materials:

• Cauliflower
• Garlic
• Pineapple
• Fig Stems
• Honey
• Castor Oil
• Warm Water
• Vinegar

Once you have these items, make your own natural mole removal treatment by following these steps:

• Choose one of the ingredients above to apply to the skin mole. Vinegar and castor oil are excellent materials for removing these blemishes. But other natural remedies include cauliflower, garlic, pineapple, honey and fig stems. These, however, can take longer to work.
• In a blender, puree the cauliflower, garlic, fig stems or pineapple. Apply the paste to the mole once a day. Over the next several days the skin will start to die and flake off.
• Wash the area once a day with warm water. This will ensure that the area stays clear of dirt and debris during the removal process. This will prevent infection.

It's possible to remove a mole anywhere on your skin by following these steps. With a little tough love skin care, you will be on your way to clear skin in no time. Be aware that scarring is a risk with any mole removal option, so follow the instructions for the procedure and aftercare to minimize the scarring before getting rid of moles.

Migraine Treatments: Migraine Headache Treatment and Cure

EARN HOW TO HELP MIGRAINE HEADACHES - MEDICATIONS TO TAKE AND LIFESTYLE CHANGES TO MAKE

Maybe you just had your first migraine and you never want to have another, or maybe you've suffered migraines for years and have given up hope that any migraine headache treatment will ever be successful for you. One thing is certain—there is no easy remedy for a migraine. However, there are medications and lifestyle changes that can help you get a handle on this problem.

Understanding Migraine Headaches
Migraines start with abnormal brain activity that is initiated by some kind of trigger. These triggers start a chain of chemical reactions that cause the temporal artery in the skull to enlarge, which leads to further inflammation, pain, and the many different kinds of migraine symptoms. These symptoms can include light sensitivity, nausea and vomiting, throbbing head pain, confusion and feeling pins and needles. For many people, the symptoms are debilitating.

Migraine Triggers
Just as people experience different symptoms, different triggers set off their migraines. Some potential migraine triggers include:

• Stress
• Unhealthy sleep habits (not enough, too much or poor quality sleep)
• Stimulants (caffeine, wine, chocolate)
• Food additives (MSG, nitrates, aspartame)
• Allergies
• Odors (cigarette smoke, perfume)
• High-intensity visual stimulation (bright lights, flashing lights, watching TV)
• Hormonal changes (experienced during menstrual periods or menopause)

These triggers have been associated with migraines, though migraines can occur in the absence of any trigger and a particular trigger may not always start a migraine. However, if you know that you are susceptible to certain triggers, you can take steps to minimize your exposure and reduce the chances of a migraine.

Prodrome and Aura
Some people know that a migraine is coming several days beforehand because they experience mood changes (elation, depression, irritability), food cravings or thirst, diarrhea or drowsiness. This is known as the prodrome phase of a migraine. Right before the migraine hits, some people have heightened or distorted sensory experiences such as seeing flashes of light or spots or auditory hallucinations. This is known as the aura phase of a migraine.

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of a migraine, you should see a doctor to rule out other conditions that might require immediate attention. Your doctor may also prescribe medication that can help prevent a migraine from occurring or alleviate symptoms.

Medications
After reviewing your tests and medical history and making a diagnosis for a migraine, your doctor may recommend over-the-counter pain relievers or prescription medication to prevent or cope with migraines. For some people with migraines, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like Advil and Aleve are effective if taken right before a migraine kicks in. If these are not effective, there are drugs that help prevent migraine attacks and drugs used to treat symptoms during an attack.

Lifestyle Changes
You can take a proactive role in preventing or minimizing migraines by making some of the following lifestyle changes. Identifying migraine triggers—and then avoiding them when possible—can make a difference for some people.

• Stop smoking.
• Identify your allergies and try to minimize them.
• Make sure you get enough sleep (but not too much).
• Stay away from typical migraine trigger foods and experiment to find out what foods or additives make you most susceptible.
• Eat a balanced diet with regular meals.
• Exercise regularly, even if this means a brisk walk.
• Minimize stress. Yoga, tai chi, chi gong, and meditation are all effective practices for reducing stress—and stress is known to be a migraine trigger.

Like many conditions that affect the nervous system and brain, migraines are characterized by an array of unpredictable and debilitating symptoms and are difficult to treat. The process of changing your habits to lessen the chances of a migraine being triggered can often feel like taking two baby steps forward, and one giant step back. Be patient and don’t give up. Work with your doctor on ways to best prevent or treat an attack. There may be no cure for migraines (not yet, anyway), but by being persistent and proactive, you should have fewer migraines with less debilitating symptoms.

Microsoft Word Fonts

How to Find, Download, Add and Use New Fonts

Using unique fonts in your documents can be just the extra touch you need to guarantee your memos stand out, your reports look polished, and your flyer conveys your message. While Microsoft Word comes with a number of standard fonts, such as Arial, Courier New, and Times New Roman, you can install new fonts on your computer at any time--and then use those fonts to spice up your Word documents. There are a huge variety of fonts available; whether you're looking for cool fonts, calligraphy fonts, or other font types, there's a font out there for you.

The Web is an outstanding resource for finding free fonts in a huge range of styles (see links related to this article for a few great fonts). You also can purchase font libraries on CD or online. Windows supports several different types of fonts including TrueType fonts (TTF, .ttf), OpenType fonts(OTF, .otf), and Type 1 fonts (PFM, .pfm). If you are downloading fonts or are purchasing a font CD, be sure that they are one of these types of fonts, otherwise the fonts may not be recognized by Windows. In my opinion, if you want an excellent deal, check out Ultimate Font Download - you get over 6,500 fonts.

When you download a font from a Web site, you will usually download a .zip file, which is a compressed file format that makes the download smaller. You will need to unzip the .zip file before you can add those fonts to your computer. To unzip a file, locate the file using Windows Explorer, right-click the file name, and then select Extract All in the shortcut menu.

To add a new font to your computer using Windows XP:

1. Click the Start button.
2. On the Start menu, click Control Panel.
3. In Category view, click Appearance and Themes and then click Fonts in the See Also list at the left side of the window. (If your computer is set to use Classic View, simply click Fonts in the Control Panel window.)
4. On the File menu, click Install New Font. The Add Fonts window will open, displaying a list of fonts and a list of drives from which you can select fonts to add.
5. If you are adding fonts from a CD, click the Drives list arrow and select the letter for your CD/DVD drive.
6. In the Folders list, double-click to move through folders to locate and select the folder that contains the fonts to add. As you click through folders, Windows will identify any font files in those folders and update the List of fonts at the top of the window.
7. In List of fonts, click to select a font (or click the Select All button to select all fonts in the List of fonts). Leave the "Copy fonts to Fonts folder" check box checked.
8. Click the OK button. The Install Font Progress window will appear as the fonts are installed on your computer.
9. Close Fonts window by clicking the Close (x) button at the top right corner of the window.

If you have a Mac, using the font manager is just as simple.

Want to Convert Your Handwriting Into a Font? It's Fun and Easy!

The next time you start Word, the newly installed font will appear in the Font list, in alphabetical order. You now can apply your new Microsoft Word fonts to any text in a Word document! Dive in and start experimenting to discover how different types of fonts can completely change the visual impact of your documents.

Finally, remember that, just because you have new fonts, you don't need to use all at one time. Using too many fonts in one document can make it look unprofessional or hard to read. Effective wordprocessing is simple, and many designers swear by Helvetica. In general, if you use more than one typeface, use each font to provide clear contrast or to distinctly identify a repetitive element, such as section headings. For a great reference on how to use fonts to create stylish, standout documents, check out The Non-Designer's Design Book (second edition) by Robin Williams.

How To Buy Gold

Where to Buy Gold, What to Expect from Dealers, and the Different Kinds of Investments (Bullion, Gold Bars and Gold Coins)

You may be wondering why you should even consider buying gold. Well, first of all, gold is money—actual money. Unlike stocks, bonds or even cash—which are really just representations of money—when you buy gold it has intrinsic value that can’t be wiped out by a currency crisis or a collapse in the stock market.

For this reason, buying gold is very popular. Many investors see it as an attractive way to add stability and diversity to a portfolio. When you buy gold, it doesn’t pay dividends, and it might not offer any thrilling price spikes; however, it’s valuable, liquid and traded globally 24 hours a day.

“Financially, owning physical gold is like owning real estate outright, mortgage-free,” says Adrian Ash, head of research for Bullion Vault, a gold trading and storage firm based in London. “Because, unlike stocks or bonds, no one else's financial failure can wipe it out, and gold investing is all about defending your savings from others' mistakes.”

Now that you know how valuable gold is, you probably want to know more about how to buy it. From buying various forms of gold to learning where to buy gold coins, bars and stocks, these tips can help you make an investment you won’t regret.

Buying Gold Coins and Bars

The first thing a gold investor needs to decide is whether or not to own physical gold—gold you can see and touch—or to invest money in the gold market some other way. If you want to own physical gold, you’ll need to buy gold coins and bars.

Surely, buying gold coins and bars to see the shine and sparkle of your investment is part of the thrill of owning it. If you buy gold bars or coins, however, you’ll also need to plan for additional costs, such as secure storage in a home safe or bank vault, as well as insurance. Your physical gold shouldn’t be unprotected. And when it comes time to sell the gold, you’ll have to find a reputable buyer and deal with physically moving the coins or bars—either shipping them somewhere or bringing them to a local dealer.

With physical gold, the two most popular investment options are coins and small bars. Both are pure (or nearly pure) gold bullion, just shaped into a certain form. Coins come in a wide variety of sizes and weights, which makes them both more affordable and easier to resell than bars. If you want to buy gold bullion, though, you’ll need to learn how to sell it later. This will affect the type of investment you make. For example, you’d have to find one wealthy buyer to purchase the gold in the form of a 10-ounce bar, whereas you could find several casual buyers for 10 1-ounce coins. So if you’re worried about reselling a bar, consider buying some coins instead.

Also, because government mints issue coins, they’re harder to counterfeit so if you buy them, you may be more assured of the actual value.

If you decide to buy coins, be aware of the difference between bullion coins and “numismatic” coins. Numismatic coins are collector’s items because they are rare, old or minted as part of a special edition. Experts advise against buying collectible coins unless you’re looking for a way to combine gold investment with a coin hobby. Numismatic coins are for collectors, not for gold investors. Therefore the best coins to buy if you’re looking to resell them later are gold bullion ones.

“There can be a substantial premium for numismatic coins and collectible coins issued by mints around the world well above the current spot price for gold,” warns David Schraeder of the World Gold Council. If you’re trying to buy and sell gold coins, know that numismatic ones will be harder to resell, since your field of potential buyers is limited to collectors. (The “spot price,” mentioned above, is the price for delivery of physical gold, which is two days from the trade date.)

The most popular bullion coins are American Eagles and Buffaloes, Canadian Maple Leafs, South African Krugerrands, Austrian Philharmonics and Chinese Pandas. Keep the coins in their original packaging. When you don’t remove them from the package, they get less banged up over time and retain more value.

Solid bars of gold bullion come in sizes anywhere from one ounce—more a wafer than an actual bar—to one kilogram. Gold bar manufacturers include Johnson Matthey Group, PAMP, The Perth Mint, Rand Refinery, and others. It’s important to buy gold bars from a reputable source because there have been cases of counterfeit bars, in which the center was tungsten or another metal, so make sure to deal with a reputable seller.

When you are looking at gold bullion, you’ll see references to its purity, or fineness. This is the amount of actual gold in a coin, bar or piece of jewelry. Anything less than 24 karats, or 999 parts per thousand, is mixed with another metal alloy. Eighteen-karat gold, for example, has 750 parts pure gold and 250 parts alloy per thousand. This will of course affect the price as well as how much you can sell it for later.

When you buy bars, know that they are generally 999 or 995 parts per thousand of gold. And when you buy gold bullion coins, you can expect them to range from 917 parts per thousand for the South African Krugerrand and American Eagle to 999 parts per thousand for the Austrian Philharmonic and Canadian Maple Leaf. Higher purity might look brighter and more appealing right out of the package, but coins with other metal alloys tend to hold up better over time, since gold is a very soft metal.

You may see a “troy ounce” when looking at gold bars or coins. Know that this is the standard weight in which gold is quoted in the international market, and is equal to 31.1035 grams. It was named for the old French city of Troyes, where there was an annual trading fair in medieval days. Bars and coins aren’t your only options for owning gold, though.

Other Options

If you want to buy gold for an investment without physically owning it, there are other options. You don’t need to see or touch your gold, to benefit from the stability of the market. In fact, there are a lot of safer ways to buy it. Oftentimes using the examples listed below makes selling your gold far more easily accomplished—usually requiring only a phone call or access to your online investment account.

• Gold accounts: If you want to own physical gold without the hassle of finding safe storage and insuring it, check out your local bank. Some banks now offer gold accounts, in which the gold is held for you in a secure vault somewhere (London or Zurich, for example). If you plan on buying bars or coins this way, know that gold accounts can be allocated (specific bars belong only to you) or unallocated (you own the bar along with other investors).
• Mining stock: You can also buy gold stock. How well a gold mining company does on the stock market tracks quite well with the price of gold. So owning shares in a mining company is another way to buy gold without actually owning it. More than 300 mining companies are listed and publicly traded on U.S. stock exchanges. 
• Gold ETFs: Since the mid-200s, a number of banking firms have offered exchange-traded funds to buyers. Gold ETFs are backed either by physical gold that the firm has in secure storage, or by gold futures. Shares in these regulated financial products increase as gold prices increase. Shares are generally affordable and traded as easily as any other product on a stock exchange. 
• Futures and options: Gold futures contracts are binding commitments to make or take delivery of a specified quantity and purity of gold, on a prescribed date, at an agreed price. You’ll need a stockbroker’s assistance to buy futures or options.

Whether you decide to go with coins or gold from the stock market, you’ll find that patience is a virtue. Ash says that over the last 10 years or so, “The only way to lose money has been to trade in and out, rather than simply taking a position and staying in. Few experts I know have timed the market well enough to beat the 16 percent average annual gain which gold has made since 2001.”

How Much to Invest

Michael McGowan, author of “Financial Foghorn’s Guide to Gold,” says that when you decide to invest in gold, buy enough so that it equals about 5 percent of your total investments. Its stable, steady performance is generally unaffected by what’s going on in other markets, which makes it a good way to diversify your portfolio.

While there aren’t exactly inexpensive ways to buy gold, you may find that the best way to buy it is to regularly allot money towards it. Most investors do well over the long term with dollar-cost averaging, says Ash. That means setting aside a fixed amount of money and investing it in gold on a regular basis (monthly or quarterly, for example). This can “smooth out” your overall purchase price. Depending on how much you have to set aside, this strategy might not be possible with coins or other physical forms of gold because the price per ounce can run $1,400 or so. Consider a gold account, where you can buy by the gram, or an exchange-traded fund.

If this is the best way for you to buy it, be aware of other costs besides the price of gold. Stock broker fees, storage, insurance, dealer commissions and taxes will all vary with the type of gold you buy, so research those ahead of time.

“Fixed-fee charges (such as a stock broker's) might make investing a lump sum more efficient than small but regular savings,” Ash says.

When to Buy

In order to stay on top of the latest gold prices, you may want to consider working with a financial advisor. Try to find one who’s knowledgeable about the gold market. “Advisors, like most fund managers, are in the main only slowly coming round to the idea of gold investment,” Ash says. “It's been left to independent writers on the Web to study the historical patterns [of the gold market]. That means there's a lot of ill-informed sensationalism.”

To monitor your investment and stay on top of the price of gold, try reading market intelligence reports from the World Gold Council. You should also keep an eye on the “spot price” of gold per Troy ounce at Kitco the Bullion Vault’s Website, to know roughly what you’ll be able to afford.

Twice a day, the biggest bullion banks in London (the center of the world's wholesale gold market) meet to agree on a single price to clear their outstanding orders. This is known as the London Fix. The fix is widely used as the benchmark for spot transactions throughout the market. The five members of the fix meet at 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. London time.

Where to Buy

Now that you know how and when to buy gold, you need to know where to go to make your investment. Like many people, you probably want to find a place that sells gold at discount prices, but there’s more to it than that.

The World Gold Council can help you. They offer a list of reliable gold dealers around the world—both online sellers and brick-and-mortar shops—so that you can find the best place to buy it in your area. The Better Business Bureau can also help you find dealers with a clean reputation. Individual dealers' outlooks on the future price of gold may vary, so don't expect every dealer's prices to be the same, and don't be afraid to shop around to get the best price possible.

You don’t have to buy gold at a local shop. You can also make your purchase online. In fact, for a lot of people, the Web is viewed as one of the best places to make your investment. Online retailers like Amazon and auction sites like eBay are another option, but do your homework ahead of time, since you won’t have a dealer to help you with purchases from these online retailers. Know the type of gold you want to buy, and check the seller’s reputation and credentials before you make a purchase online.

Know the Tax Implications

Unlike other investments, gold doesn’t fall under the usual capital gains tax rate. If you own physical gold such as coins or bars, or an ETF that is backed by physical gold, the Internal Revenue Service considers it a collectible rather than an investment—because it’s possible that you may collect gold jewelry. If that’s not incentive to buy this valuable metal, what is?

However, if you’re going to buy gold bullion, you’re probably going to sell it as well. So before you invest in it, consider what will happen if you sell it. If you own gold for less than a year before you sell it, the money you earn is considered ordinary income and taxed accordingly. If you sell the gold after owning it for more than a year, the gains are taxed at a maximum rate of 28 percent. Compare that to the rate of 15 percent for most stock market investments.

Hopefully, this guide helped you learn about buying gold. As Richard Smith writes, gold “Is the insurance you buy when you are not sure exactly what it is that you are insuring against.” And just as you would do before insuring your home, car or life, research your purchase thoroughly before you buy gold to insure the rest of your investments.

How To Find Grants for Single Mothers: Get the Help You Need

Learn About Financial Aid, Scholarships & Free Money

As a single parent, it can be hard enough to make it through the day while trying to work and raise a family—never mind finding the time and energy to look for grants and other financial aid. If you're having a hard time finding private or government grants for single moms, don't give up: From business and college grants to housing grants that can assist with daily expenses such as food, utilities and rent, money for single mothers is out there. The trick to finding it is knowing where to look.

It takes patience to locate grants. You’ll find that there are business, housing and college grants for single mothers. However, you have to find the right resources to help you locate this financial assistance, and it's important to be aware of scams—for example, those that ask for money up front or "guarantee" they'll send you money. Keep in mind, too, that in many cases the money will not be advertised as "grants for single mothers"—but often there are grants for low-income individuals for which you can qualify. Just because the money isn’t described as “college grants for single mothers” doesn’t mean it’s not a source of financial assistance. Before you begin searching for grant money, consider all of the categories that you may qualify for because this will help open your eyes to the various avenues that may lead you to money for your schooling.

Finding financial aid for single mothers isn’t easy—you still have to work to locate and apply for private or government grant money. Mary Anne Britton of Parents Without Partners talks about this challenge. She says, "There are opportunities out there, but you have to be tenacious, and you have to be your own advocate.”

Britton, who is vice president of Family and Educational Programming for the international organization, put herself through college while raising two children and working; she has also helped other single parents find private and government grants.

Here's a guide to starting your search for housing, business and college grants for single mothers, from sources including the government, local housing authorities, corporations and colleges. You'll find that many grants for going back to school, starting a business, or those that help with housing costs are based on the applicant’s income, age or other factors. Before you apply for financial assistance, be sure to read all of the instructions and information carefully so you don't end up wasting your time—the most precious resource of all. Apply for housing, business and school grants with these steps.

Grants for Housing Expenses

There has been an increase in homeless families across the country, many of whom are headed by single mothers. Even those who have been able to keep a roof over their heads can find it hard to keep up with housing expenses. Therefore, many single moms are looking for local or government grant money. It can take some digging to find the right sources that offer housing assistance. The good news is, there are several federal programs that can help. The programs usually channel funding through state or local authorities.

These agencies offer various government grants for single mothers and other low-income individuals. The following should provide some solid leads.

• Housing Choice Voucher Program. Through public housing agencies around the country, the federal government provides financial aid for single mothers in the form of vouchers that help cover the costs of rent. Options are not limited to subsidized housing, but your income level, rent and chosen apartment must meet certain guidelines in order for you to qualify. (A program called the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program combines this grant money with clinical services.) Find out more from your local public housing agency, which should also be able to explain other options for financial assistance for single mothers.
• State and Local Agencies. While the federal government has several programs intended to help build or repair low-income housing, the funding is usually distributed to local governments or nonprofits, not to individuals—and often not as financial aid for single mothers. But that money is ultimately intended to help low-income families, so if eligible, these may be another place to look. Programs such as the USDA's Rural Development Housing and Community Facilities, HUD's Home Investment Partnerships, and the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program all provide funding this way. To find this type of help for single mothers near you, visit the National Council of State Housing Agencies. Don’t miss out on the government grant money for single mothers.

Grants for College

These are some of the most sought after grants out there. School can be a great way to increase your earning power, but in the short run, if you don’t apply for financial aid, it sure can feel like it's leaving you without a penny. The good news is, whether you're just starting college or heading back after some time away, there are plenty of resources available to help with the costs (which can be overwhelming, to say the least). Education grants can be used to cover not only tuition, but also expenses such as college housing, textbooks and even computers. Availability and restrictions of grants for single moms going back to school vary widely. Don’t forget to look at available private and government grant money.

• Pell Grants. These need-based federal college grants are disbursed directly to students (some of them single mothers) to cover general college-related expenses up to a certain amount. Pell Grants for single moms and other students change each year. (The current cap is $5,550.) Although Pell Grants are not just for single moms, this is a great way to get the financial assistance that you may need. Like many college grants, you must apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (known as the FAFSA). Note: When they say "free" application, they mean it; you can fill this form out directly and should not have to pay anyone to do it for you, unless you so choose. Not all federal grants are free. This is one of the rare free applications that you’ll find out there.
• Other Federal Grants. The federal government has several other school grants for single moms, most of which require you to be Pell Grant-eligible and fill out the FAFSA (see above). Here is a list of grants. The Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is for those with exceptional financial need and offers $100-$4,000. The Academic Competitiveness Grant is for single mothers who completed secondary school after 2005. This grant offers financial aid that can be as much as $750 in the first year or $1,300 in the second. The National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grant (for third- or fourth-year students) offers up to $4,000. The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education is great if you’re looking for grants for students who want to prepare for a career in teaching. You can get as much as $4,000 with this option. However, not all financial aid comes free. In this case, it must be repaid unless you teach for four years in a low-income or high-need area. Another option for single mother grants is the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant for students under 24 whose parents died in service after September 11, 2001. Although this may not apply to a large population of women, it’s worth mentioning. This money is equal to the Pell Grant maximum, which changes yearly. Single moms aren’t the only people who can qualify for these grants, but it’s a great place to start looking for financial aid. Check the Web for more full descriptions and eligibility information about grants for single mothers to go to college.
• National and Local Scholarships. Generally merit-based rather than need-based scholarships are similar to grants in that they don't need to be repaid. Many national corporations and associations offer educational scholarships, including Google (They offer grants for single moms going to school for computing and technology development.); AARP (They have financial aid for single mothers over 40.); the Jeanette Rankin Foundation (You can find grants for women over 35.); and the Association for Women in Science. In addition to these, you may also find local or state grants. The federal government also has asearchable database of scholarships that you may want to check out. (Many of these grants are specific to certain colleges.) Be sure to check with local organizations and schools to see if they offer financial help, too. As always, beware of scams; you should never have to pay money to win money. The free grants are probably your best bet.
• Your Company. If you work and are going back to school, check with your employer to see if they have any grants for single mothers. An estimated 60 percent of U.S. companies offer tuition assistance as an employee benefit. The IRS currently allows companies to provide up to $5,250 a year per employee (though not all are so generous), so your employer may be able to help you out. There are organizations that help single mothers in South Carolina, Michigan, Oklahoma and most other states. As previously mentioned, not all grants are free. Be aware that many education grants usually come with strings attached: Your academic performance will often set the bar for how much money you get. Some companies ask you to pay the costs and then reimburse you later. Other companies have a requirement that you work for them for a certain length of time after you've completed your education before they’ll agree to offer you money for college. If those requirements work for you though, you may be able to take advantage of the company’s grants for college.
• Your College. Colleges often have grants and other financial help for single mothers. These are available for accepted students, and some are even specific to single mothers. The money can help with the costs of textbooks, computers, tuition, housing and more. Be sure to check with the financial aid office of schools you are interested in attending to find out what grants are available. If you only need help with a portion of your schooling, such as computers, the financial aid office should be able to help you learn how to find grants for school technology things as well. "There are grants all over, but you have to ask," says Britton of Parents Without Partners. "It's not like they offer it up.” So when looking for loans, grants, or scholarships for moms, don’t forget to check out the school you’re attending as well.

Grants to Start a Business or Change Careers

Whether you're seeking technical training or are ready to start a business of your own, you may want to apply for grants to help get you on your way. Many grants are available through non-profit organizations for entrepreneurs, as well as through states such as Florida, Minnesota, Virgina and more. The federal government has more information on financial aid of single mothers, including a searchable Small Business Loans and Grants Tool. And don’t forget that if starting your business requires you to attend school again, you may also qualify for educational grants.

• PeaChic. As part of its commitment to women in business, this magazine, launched in 2010, offers small grants of $500 to $1,000 to help women start or expand a business. This may not be a huge amount of money, but it's a good source of financial aid. PeaChic offers single moms money to help cover expenses such as supplies, marketing, or other necessary parts of making a business succeed.
• Huggies MomInspired. Twice a year, the diaper giant awards grants of $1,000-$15,000 to support innovative products or start-up businesses. Ideas don't have to be diaper-related, although the winners so far have been primarily parent- and child-related. Although this is not specifically geared towards offering financial help for single moms, it’s definitely a place to find money for your business.
• American Association of University Women. This national network of individuals and institutions offers several different grant opportunities and financial assistance for single mothers, including a Career Development Grant for graduate studies and technical training and a Community Action Grant for projects that foster equity for girls and women.
• Small Business Administration. Although it does not offer grants for single moms, or any individuals for that matter, the Small Business Administration's Office of Women's Business Ownership is an excellent source of information on how to start and finance a business.

Grants for Daily Expenses

From food to heat to health insurance, these federal programs are a great way to get financial aid. Paying for the everyday necessities can definitely add up—especially if you only have one income—so applying for extra money can help you rest easier. Some of these options have been in place for decades, while others are more newly created. State and local organizations can make life's daily challenges a little more bearable for single mothers and others. Here’s how to find grants to help single mothers pay for those daily expenses.

• Women, Infants and Children. The mother of all federal programs, known as WIC and run by the USDA, has provided food, health-care referrals, and nutritional advice for women and children up to age five since its creation in 1972. In addition to food packages, the program also provides coupons that can be used at farmers' markets.
• Children's Health Insurance Program. This federally funded program provides financial help for single mothers, schools, health-care providers and others to help uninsured children get coverage. Contact your state health agency or type your state and "CHIP" into a search engine to find out more about how you can take advantage of this government assistance.
• Food Stamps. Nearly 40 million Americans now put food on their tables with help from this federal program, formally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Benefits are calculated based on your family size, income, expenses and other factors. Food stamps help many families and are definitely a source of single parent grants.
• Families First/TANF. Through its Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program—which used to be known as Aid to Families with Dependent Children, and more commonly as welfare—the federal government provides monthly benefits for income-eligible families. This is a very common assistance program. Benefits and guidelines vary; for details about how this program can provide help and support for single moms and to find your state office, put "TANF" and your state into a search engine.
• Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Need help paying your utility bills? This federally funded program, whose benefits vary depending on household size, income, fuel type, and the region where you live, could offer the financial assistant for single mothers you’ve been seeking.
• Health and Human Services Offices. Contact your state's Health and Human Services office for more information on grants and other programs, including state-specific grants that can help cover child-care costs. To locate government resources for single moms in your state office, put your state and "Health and Human Services" into a search engine.

By starting with these ideas and organizations, you should be able to find reputable sources of grants for single mothers. Locating housing, business and college money may seem daunting, but once you get started, you’ll find there is a lot of assistance available. You can get financial aid from schools, companies and the government to help with feeding your family, paying your rent, or supporting your goals of going back to school or starting a business. After checking out the requirements, you’ll most likely discover that you qualify for both paid and free grants to help with housing assistance, business expenses, or student aid. With a little luck and a lot of persistence, you can access free money—and find a way to worry a little less.