These days, it seems like everybody is trying to get a piece of the eBay pie, and for good reason. Last year, over $400 billion traded hands on eBay. With a few clicks of the mouse, you can list your product on a website with a global audience of hundreds of millions of people.
Yes, it's easy to see why everybody has the eBay bug. Whether you are just trying to get rid of some old household junk, or you are trying to start your own full time eBay business, there are a few simple things you should consider. Here's my list of the five biggest mistakes that eBay sellers make.
1. Not including a picture of the item you are selling. Far and away, this is the most common mistake that people make on eBay. Including a picture of your item is the best way to guarantee quality bids on your product. People want to see what they are buying, and if they can't, they are likely to move on to the next listing.
If you have a digital camera, sanp a quick photo of your item and upload it...it really only takes a few seconds. And if you don't have a digital camera, use a search engine like Google Images to find a picture of the product you are selling. This step only takes a few extra minutes and could substantially increase your products final value.
2. Spending too much on "extra features" on items that don't need it. Another big mistake I see on eBay are items that have a lot of extra features that really aren't justified. Of course, eBay is willing to sell all sorts of add-ons, like bold listings, subtitles, and "featured listings" for an additional fee. But in general, these things aren't worth paying for.
Most products will do just fine with a basic listing with the one included free picture. The only other feature that might be worth paying for is to have a "gallery picture" included with the search results, but only if there are lots of items that are exactly the same or extremely similar. Those extra features might only cost $0.20 here or $1.00 there, but when taken together, these unnecessary expenses can seriously cut into your profit margin.
3. Spelling mistakes and extra words & punctuation in the product title. This one should be obvious. If you want to make the most money from a product on eBay, people have got to be able to find it. The best way to insure that people can't find your product would be to mess up the title in some way.
As far as the title of your listing goes, you want to keep it simple. Above all, make sure you spell the product name correctly. Also, don't include extra words (like "Great Deal") or unnecessary punctuation (like exclamation points), as these things only make your listing harder to find. Keep the titel short, and include any necessary details in the body of the listing itself.
4. Sellers often price their items too low when using the "Buy it Now" feature. I see it all the time...a seller will offer an item at a "Buy It Now" price that is far below the "market price" on eBay. Don't sell yourself short. If you're going to sell using Buy It Now, make sure you do a quick search of the recently completed auctions for similar items. See what the item sold for last week on eBay before you set your price. More often than not, the items you have to sell are worth more than you'd think.
5. Allowing your auction to run for too long. This may seem counterintuitive...you would think that the longer the auction, the more people that have a chance to bid. However, we live in an "instant gratification" society and people, particularly seasoned eBayers, quickly grow impatient with long auctions. As a rule of thumb, an auction should never last longer than 7 days, and most of your auctions should be 5 days or less. If you are selling something that is in particularly high demand, sometimes a 3 day auction is your best bet.
By offering a shorter auction, you are able to attract bidders who need the item quickly. You also assure a certain momentum & excitement to your auction by offering an ending date in the near future.
By taking note of the simple steps above, you can avoid some of the more costly mistakes that sellers make on eBay. By putting yourself in your buyer's shoes, creating an attractive listing, and avoiding unnecessary fees, you too can make a fun and profitable venture into the world of eBay selling.
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Mirapex: A New Treatment Option for Restless Legs Syndrome
Restless legs syndrome, or RLS, is a chronic medical condition that is often poorly understood. People with RLS suffer from an uncontrollable urge to move their legs in order to relieve painful or "odd" sensations from within their body. RLS often interferes with someone's ability to get a good night's sleep, and it is estimated that as many as 9 million Americans are currently suffering from restless legs syndrome.
Until recently, there was only one prescription drug, called Requip, that was FDA-approved for treating the symptoms of restless legs syndrome. Although Requip has been a wonder drug for some people, others have found that it had intolerable side effects or just didn't work for them. Now, another prescription drug, which is called Mirapex and is manufactured by Boehringer-Ingelheim, has been approved by the Food & Drug Administration for the treatment of moderate-to-severe primary RLS.
Interestingly enough, Mirapex was first used in the treatment of Parkinson's Disease, as was Requip. These drugs are known as dopamine agonists, and work by activating dopamine receptors in the brain. Although they have a similar method of action, the two drugs are two distinct molecules, and they may work differently for different people.
Mirapex was proven superior to treatment with placebo in relieving the symptoms of RLS in multiple studies, which lead to its approval by the FDA. Also, studies have shown that Mirapex can provide sustained relief from RLS for a full 9 months, and perhaps even longer for some people. This gives Mirapex a treatment profile that is directly comparable to the earlier Requip.
As with all prescription drugs, there may be some side effects caused by Mirapex. The main side effect that most people experience is drowsiness, which is usually not a problem since Mirapex is generally taken in the evening before bed time. Some people may also experience feelings of faintness or dizziness upon standing when first starting treatment with Mirapex. These side effects are usually mild and generally get better over time.
Although Mirapex was approved by the FDA for RLS in 2006, the drug maker just began marketing the drug in early 2007, so your doctor may just now be learning of this new treatment option. If you suffer from restless legs syndrome and have never sought medical treatment, or if you find that your current treatment is not providing adequate relief, it may be time to talk to your doctor to find out if Mirapex is right for you. When you're able to get a good night's sleep without tossing and turning, you'll be glad that you did.
SOURCES:
Wikipedia - "Restless Legs Syndrome" - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restless_legs_syndrome
Requip Website - http://www.requip.com
Mirapex Website - http://www.mirapex.com
Until recently, there was only one prescription drug, called Requip, that was FDA-approved for treating the symptoms of restless legs syndrome. Although Requip has been a wonder drug for some people, others have found that it had intolerable side effects or just didn't work for them. Now, another prescription drug, which is called Mirapex and is manufactured by Boehringer-Ingelheim, has been approved by the Food & Drug Administration for the treatment of moderate-to-severe primary RLS.
Interestingly enough, Mirapex was first used in the treatment of Parkinson's Disease, as was Requip. These drugs are known as dopamine agonists, and work by activating dopamine receptors in the brain. Although they have a similar method of action, the two drugs are two distinct molecules, and they may work differently for different people.
Mirapex was proven superior to treatment with placebo in relieving the symptoms of RLS in multiple studies, which lead to its approval by the FDA. Also, studies have shown that Mirapex can provide sustained relief from RLS for a full 9 months, and perhaps even longer for some people. This gives Mirapex a treatment profile that is directly comparable to the earlier Requip.
As with all prescription drugs, there may be some side effects caused by Mirapex. The main side effect that most people experience is drowsiness, which is usually not a problem since Mirapex is generally taken in the evening before bed time. Some people may also experience feelings of faintness or dizziness upon standing when first starting treatment with Mirapex. These side effects are usually mild and generally get better over time.
Although Mirapex was approved by the FDA for RLS in 2006, the drug maker just began marketing the drug in early 2007, so your doctor may just now be learning of this new treatment option. If you suffer from restless legs syndrome and have never sought medical treatment, or if you find that your current treatment is not providing adequate relief, it may be time to talk to your doctor to find out if Mirapex is right for you. When you're able to get a good night's sleep without tossing and turning, you'll be glad that you did.
SOURCES:
Wikipedia - "Restless Legs Syndrome" - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restless_legs_syndrome
Requip Website - http://www.requip.com
Mirapex Website - http://www.mirapex.com
Car Sharing: Coming Soon to a City Near You
Growing up, I couldn't wait to get a car. Like most teenagers, I couldn't wait for the freedom and fun that having my own car would provide. Day trips to the beach with friends. Late night trips to the 24-hour diner. It wasn't until I got to college and bought my first car that I really learned what a headache having your own vehicle can mean.
First, you have to buy the car, which is usually a rather sizable investment. Then the car needs tags and a title. There's a monthly insurance bill, and let's not forget about gas, which is hovering around $3.00 a gallon right now. Top it off with unexpected repair bills and owing a car can be quite an expensive proposition. As a matter of fact, the American Automobile Association (AAA) estimates that the average person pays about $650 per month to own and maintain a vehicle, a price which includes everything except parking.
A lot of people find that they either can not afford their own vehicle, or that they don't drive enough to justify the expense of owning a car. Until recently, the only alternatives for these people were to rely on public transportation, walking/biking, or expensive taxi cabs. Luckily, a new option called "car sharing" is starting to gain popularity and if you live in a major metropolitan area, chances are it is coming to city near you.
Many people have never heard of car sharing or don't know much about it. Car sharing is basically an arrangement where individuals or groups of people share access to vehicles, which are usually found in convenient, common locations. People generally pay a small fee to use the car by the hour or by the day, and this fee generally includes all of the expenses associated with driving, including gas, insurance, maintenance, etc.
Here's how car sharing works: first, you sign up for your local car sharing service. (Click here for a link to a complete listing of all of the various car sharing services in the U.S.) Signing up usually involves paying a small fee (generally $60 or less) and agreeing to a background & driving record check. After you are approved for membership, the car sharing service will usually provide you with some sort of "access card" that will allow you to access the shared vehicles, as well as complete details on all the particulars of their service.
When you want to use a car, you just go online or make a phone call and reserve one of the available vehicles for however long you wish. When your reservation time arrives, you simply go to vehicle (the car sharing service will be able to tell you specifically where your reserved car should be parked), unlock the doors with your access card, obtain the key from inside the vehicle, and then drive pretty much anywhere you want.
A computer inside the car keeps track of all of your trip data. At the end of your reservation, you just park the car where you got it, return the keys to where you found them, and then lock the card using your access card. The car sharing service then collects the information about your trip and bills you accordingly, usually to a credit or debit card that you have provided.
At first glance, this may seem a lot like renting a car, but car sharing is actually quite different from traditional car rental. First, using a car sharing service is much more convenient than renting a car. After completing an initial application process, you are pre-approved to drive any car that your car sharing service offers. When you rent a car, you have to fill out paperwork and sign a contract each time. Car sharing vehicles are usually conveniently parked throughout urban areas, so you can pick up a car where it's convenient for you as opposed to a centrally-located rental office. Plus, once you have a membership, the reservation process is very quick...it take less than 2 minutes to reserve a car, and with most services you can reserve an available vehicle as little as 10 minutes before you need it.
Car sharing also makes good financial sense. As previously stated, the car sharing company pays for the gas and insurance that you need to provide. These are things that you have to pay for on your own with traditional car rentals. Also, most car sharing services let you rent their cars by the hour, instead of by the day. When you realize that most people drive their cars for less than an hour and a half per day, it's easy to see why car sharing could be the most cost effective option for people who drive infrequently.
If you've read this far and it sounds like car sharing is for you, let me encourage you to "take the plunge" and contact your local car sharing service. Most major cities, including Philadelphia, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Baltimore, and many more currently have car sharing services. If there's not a car sharing service in your city, don't fret. Car sharing is catching on like wildfire, and chances are that if you live near a mid- to large-sized city, you'll have car sharing in your area before you know it. With the growing financial and environmental costs of vehicle ownership, you can be sure that car sharing isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
First, you have to buy the car, which is usually a rather sizable investment. Then the car needs tags and a title. There's a monthly insurance bill, and let's not forget about gas, which is hovering around $3.00 a gallon right now. Top it off with unexpected repair bills and owing a car can be quite an expensive proposition. As a matter of fact, the American Automobile Association (AAA) estimates that the average person pays about $650 per month to own and maintain a vehicle, a price which includes everything except parking.
A lot of people find that they either can not afford their own vehicle, or that they don't drive enough to justify the expense of owning a car. Until recently, the only alternatives for these people were to rely on public transportation, walking/biking, or expensive taxi cabs. Luckily, a new option called "car sharing" is starting to gain popularity and if you live in a major metropolitan area, chances are it is coming to city near you.
Many people have never heard of car sharing or don't know much about it. Car sharing is basically an arrangement where individuals or groups of people share access to vehicles, which are usually found in convenient, common locations. People generally pay a small fee to use the car by the hour or by the day, and this fee generally includes all of the expenses associated with driving, including gas, insurance, maintenance, etc.
Here's how car sharing works: first, you sign up for your local car sharing service. (Click here for a link to a complete listing of all of the various car sharing services in the U.S.) Signing up usually involves paying a small fee (generally $60 or less) and agreeing to a background & driving record check. After you are approved for membership, the car sharing service will usually provide you with some sort of "access card" that will allow you to access the shared vehicles, as well as complete details on all the particulars of their service.
When you want to use a car, you just go online or make a phone call and reserve one of the available vehicles for however long you wish. When your reservation time arrives, you simply go to vehicle (the car sharing service will be able to tell you specifically where your reserved car should be parked), unlock the doors with your access card, obtain the key from inside the vehicle, and then drive pretty much anywhere you want.
A computer inside the car keeps track of all of your trip data. At the end of your reservation, you just park the car where you got it, return the keys to where you found them, and then lock the card using your access card. The car sharing service then collects the information about your trip and bills you accordingly, usually to a credit or debit card that you have provided.
At first glance, this may seem a lot like renting a car, but car sharing is actually quite different from traditional car rental. First, using a car sharing service is much more convenient than renting a car. After completing an initial application process, you are pre-approved to drive any car that your car sharing service offers. When you rent a car, you have to fill out paperwork and sign a contract each time. Car sharing vehicles are usually conveniently parked throughout urban areas, so you can pick up a car where it's convenient for you as opposed to a centrally-located rental office. Plus, once you have a membership, the reservation process is very quick...it take less than 2 minutes to reserve a car, and with most services you can reserve an available vehicle as little as 10 minutes before you need it.
Car sharing also makes good financial sense. As previously stated, the car sharing company pays for the gas and insurance that you need to provide. These are things that you have to pay for on your own with traditional car rentals. Also, most car sharing services let you rent their cars by the hour, instead of by the day. When you realize that most people drive their cars for less than an hour and a half per day, it's easy to see why car sharing could be the most cost effective option for people who drive infrequently.
If you've read this far and it sounds like car sharing is for you, let me encourage you to "take the plunge" and contact your local car sharing service. Most major cities, including Philadelphia, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Baltimore, and many more currently have car sharing services. If there's not a car sharing service in your city, don't fret. Car sharing is catching on like wildfire, and chances are that if you live near a mid- to large-sized city, you'll have car sharing in your area before you know it. With the growing financial and environmental costs of vehicle ownership, you can be sure that car sharing isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Tips on Making the Decision to Stop Taking Anti-Depressant Medication
Depression is a serious problem in this country. According to some reports, nearly 11% of women and 5% of men in the United States are currently taking one or more anti-depressant medications. These medications can truly be life savers, helping people get through some of the most difficult times in their lives, and there is certainly no shame in seeking a little help to get through a challenging period.
However, most people are uncomfortable with the idea of taking a mood-altering, prescription medication for their entire lives. Some people are concerned about the potentially unknown, long-term side effects of anti-depressants. Others just want to experience life naturally, without any drugs. There are several factors you need to consider before you make the decision to discontinue anti-depressant therapy.
First off, ask yourself if your depression really has gotten better. How has your mood been, generally speaking? Has your appetite returned to normal, or are you eating considerably more or less than you normally would? Are you sleeping better? How is your social life? Make sure that your depression really has lifted and that you haven't just learned to live with the symptoms of depression.
If you've been "stable" for at least six months, are feeling confident, have a good support system in place, and have the desire to stop treatment, it may be time to ask your doctor about stopping your anti-depressant therapy. It is very important that you do not just stop taking your medicine. Your body has gotten used to your medication and abruptly stopping it could cause serious withdrawal symptoms, including dizziness, nausea, fainting, and even a return of your depression.
Your doctor will likely "wean" you off of your medicine by gradually lowering your dose over a period of time, usually a few weeks to a few months. This can be frustrating for some people who see depression as a chapter in their life that they are eager to close. However, by following your dose reduction schedule carefully, you will minimize your chances of having any unpleasant side effects.
During this time, be sure to keep your doctor informed about how you are feeling. If you experience any of the side effects mentioned above, be sure to let your doctor know as soon as possible. It is likely that you are reducing your dose too fast and you may be able to stop any undesired side effects just by slowing down a little bit. Also, be sure to tell your doctor if your feelings of depression return, or if you start to show any symptoms of depression, such as a sudden change in your eating or sleeping patterns.
Finally, don't be discouraged if you can't successfully "get off" anti-depressants the first time you try. Many people don't realize just how much their medication has helped them until they try to stop taking it. You may need some more time to work on the root causes of your depression. Just because you couldn't stop the first time you tried doesn't mean that you won't be able to stop taking anti-depressants in the future.
Other people may find that they have very real chemical imbalances that require a lifetime of treatment. This is perfectly OK, too. As with all medical conditions, the key to good treatment lies in doing your research and staying in close communication with a doctor you trust. Together, you and your medical team can make the best decisions for your personal situation.
However, most people are uncomfortable with the idea of taking a mood-altering, prescription medication for their entire lives. Some people are concerned about the potentially unknown, long-term side effects of anti-depressants. Others just want to experience life naturally, without any drugs. There are several factors you need to consider before you make the decision to discontinue anti-depressant therapy.
First off, ask yourself if your depression really has gotten better. How has your mood been, generally speaking? Has your appetite returned to normal, or are you eating considerably more or less than you normally would? Are you sleeping better? How is your social life? Make sure that your depression really has lifted and that you haven't just learned to live with the symptoms of depression.
If you've been "stable" for at least six months, are feeling confident, have a good support system in place, and have the desire to stop treatment, it may be time to ask your doctor about stopping your anti-depressant therapy. It is very important that you do not just stop taking your medicine. Your body has gotten used to your medication and abruptly stopping it could cause serious withdrawal symptoms, including dizziness, nausea, fainting, and even a return of your depression.
Your doctor will likely "wean" you off of your medicine by gradually lowering your dose over a period of time, usually a few weeks to a few months. This can be frustrating for some people who see depression as a chapter in their life that they are eager to close. However, by following your dose reduction schedule carefully, you will minimize your chances of having any unpleasant side effects.
During this time, be sure to keep your doctor informed about how you are feeling. If you experience any of the side effects mentioned above, be sure to let your doctor know as soon as possible. It is likely that you are reducing your dose too fast and you may be able to stop any undesired side effects just by slowing down a little bit. Also, be sure to tell your doctor if your feelings of depression return, or if you start to show any symptoms of depression, such as a sudden change in your eating or sleeping patterns.
Finally, don't be discouraged if you can't successfully "get off" anti-depressants the first time you try. Many people don't realize just how much their medication has helped them until they try to stop taking it. You may need some more time to work on the root causes of your depression. Just because you couldn't stop the first time you tried doesn't mean that you won't be able to stop taking anti-depressants in the future.
Other people may find that they have very real chemical imbalances that require a lifetime of treatment. This is perfectly OK, too. As with all medical conditions, the key to good treatment lies in doing your research and staying in close communication with a doctor you trust. Together, you and your medical team can make the best decisions for your personal situation.
Monday, July 28, 2014
How I Made Over $1200 (so Far) by Cashing Junk Mail Checks
If you're like most people, you probably get a lot of unsolicited advertisements in the mail, otherwise known as "junk mail." And if you're like most people, you probably throw most, if not all, of this mail directly into the trash without even glancing at it. But you could be throwing away some big money without even knowing it. Here's how I turned my junk mail into over $1200 in cold, hard cash.
Many times, junk mail comes in the form of a real, physical check made payable to you. As the advertisement probably points out, this is an actual check that you can go to the bank and cash. Usually junk mail checks range anywhere from $4.00 to $75.00. As you probably know, the checks come with "strings attached." By cashing the check, you are usually agreeing to some sort of special offer, anything from a trial in a "discount service" to switching your long distance company.
Most of the time, after you cash the check, you are enrolled into some sort of trial offer that you have to cancel after a certain period of time or else you are charged. This is why most people throw the checks away. The $10 check "isn't worth" the time and hassle it takes to cancel the trial offer or switch back your long distance service. However, I would like to point out that this might be misguided.
For example, the most recent junk mail check I received was from my credit card company. By cashing this $8.00 check, I was enrolled in a 30-day free trial of "Wallet Security," a service that they claim will protect me from identity theft. Now, I certainly was not interested in this service, and the check clearly stated on the back that if I didn't cancel within 30 days, they would charge me a whopping $120 for a year of this service. But the check also stated that I was free to cancel within the first 30 days, not be charged, and that the $8.00 was mine to keep. It sounded good to me, so I dropped it off at the bank with my next deposit.
When I got home from the bank, I just made a note on my calendar for a couple of weeks in the future. I wrote the name of the service and the 800 number (also on the check) I needed to call to cancel. When that date rolled around, I called and cancelled. Of course, the representative tried about 10 different times to get me not to cancel. But I was persistent, and finally he confirmed that my service was cancelled. The whole process, including cashing the check and making the phone call, took about 15 minutes of my time, for an $8 payout. If you do the math, that comes out to $32 an hour. Not bad for not really doing anything at all.
Here's where it gets really good...once you cash one junk mail check, the company shares the good news with other marketing firms and checks start pouring in. As the title of my article states, I've made over $1200 in 2 years by cashing junk mail checks. Not enough to live off of, certainly, but not exactly pocket change, either.
With a little organization, you too can play the junk mail game. I've been careful and I've never accidentally gotten charged for something I didn't want...but the companies are definitely banking on you forgetting to cancel whatever service it is they are offering, so make sure to take good notes. I like to make a copy of the front and back of each check and keep it in a file. That way, I know the exact terms and conditions I agreed to by cashing the check. Also, make sure to keep track of all those checks...$4.00 here and $10.00 there might not seem like a lot, but those little bits do add up quickly.
Many times, junk mail comes in the form of a real, physical check made payable to you. As the advertisement probably points out, this is an actual check that you can go to the bank and cash. Usually junk mail checks range anywhere from $4.00 to $75.00. As you probably know, the checks come with "strings attached." By cashing the check, you are usually agreeing to some sort of special offer, anything from a trial in a "discount service" to switching your long distance company.
Most of the time, after you cash the check, you are enrolled into some sort of trial offer that you have to cancel after a certain period of time or else you are charged. This is why most people throw the checks away. The $10 check "isn't worth" the time and hassle it takes to cancel the trial offer or switch back your long distance service. However, I would like to point out that this might be misguided.
For example, the most recent junk mail check I received was from my credit card company. By cashing this $8.00 check, I was enrolled in a 30-day free trial of "Wallet Security," a service that they claim will protect me from identity theft. Now, I certainly was not interested in this service, and the check clearly stated on the back that if I didn't cancel within 30 days, they would charge me a whopping $120 for a year of this service. But the check also stated that I was free to cancel within the first 30 days, not be charged, and that the $8.00 was mine to keep. It sounded good to me, so I dropped it off at the bank with my next deposit.
When I got home from the bank, I just made a note on my calendar for a couple of weeks in the future. I wrote the name of the service and the 800 number (also on the check) I needed to call to cancel. When that date rolled around, I called and cancelled. Of course, the representative tried about 10 different times to get me not to cancel. But I was persistent, and finally he confirmed that my service was cancelled. The whole process, including cashing the check and making the phone call, took about 15 minutes of my time, for an $8 payout. If you do the math, that comes out to $32 an hour. Not bad for not really doing anything at all.
Here's where it gets really good...once you cash one junk mail check, the company shares the good news with other marketing firms and checks start pouring in. As the title of my article states, I've made over $1200 in 2 years by cashing junk mail checks. Not enough to live off of, certainly, but not exactly pocket change, either.
With a little organization, you too can play the junk mail game. I've been careful and I've never accidentally gotten charged for something I didn't want...but the companies are definitely banking on you forgetting to cancel whatever service it is they are offering, so make sure to take good notes. I like to make a copy of the front and back of each check and keep it in a file. That way, I know the exact terms and conditions I agreed to by cashing the check. Also, make sure to keep track of all those checks...$4.00 here and $10.00 there might not seem like a lot, but those little bits do add up quickly.
A Case of the Mondays
Today got off to a bit of a rough start. I had a horrible time falling asleep last night, and didn't actually get to sleep until like 4:00AM. I completely slept through my alarm clock which was set for just a few hours later, and I didn't wake up until WAYYY after I was supposed to be at work. And this was the week I was really trying to buckle down and make sure my schedule was "perfect." I'm a temp at my current job but I would like to become a permanent employee and I'm hoping they make me an offer soon. Showing up 2 hours late on a Monday morning is never a good thing.
At least when I got here there wasn't a whole lot of new work to do, which gives me some down time to work on my writing today. I hate the daily work grind. I can't wait until I don't have to do it anymore. Here's hoping that happens sooner than later. In the meantime, the office I work at is pretty nice and laid back, so I'm hoping that I can stick around here until perhaps I don't need a "real" job anymore. I like my co-workers and I like the office environment. I just really hate knowing that I'm working for someone else....on their terms...and working to built their fortune instead of mine.
A lot of people probably think its a pipe dream for me to want to make a living as an online writer, but I really believe that I can do whatever I put my mind to. And what I want right now is not to be stuck in a soul-crushing job for the rest of my life, so I'm gonna find a way to make it happen.
At least when I got here there wasn't a whole lot of new work to do, which gives me some down time to work on my writing today. I hate the daily work grind. I can't wait until I don't have to do it anymore. Here's hoping that happens sooner than later. In the meantime, the office I work at is pretty nice and laid back, so I'm hoping that I can stick around here until perhaps I don't need a "real" job anymore. I like my co-workers and I like the office environment. I just really hate knowing that I'm working for someone else....on their terms...and working to built their fortune instead of mine.
A lot of people probably think its a pipe dream for me to want to make a living as an online writer, but I really believe that I can do whatever I put my mind to. And what I want right now is not to be stuck in a soul-crushing job for the rest of my life, so I'm gonna find a way to make it happen.
Top 3 Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurants in Baltimore, Maryland
About two years ago, I decided to adopt a vegan diet and, never being one to cook much for myself, I set out to find restaurants that served decent vegan food in Baltimore, Maryland. Although I have found that a lot of the restaurants in the city don't have much to offer in terms of vegetable-based dishes, here is my list of my favorite three vegetarian/vegan restaurants in Baltimore:
The Yabba Pot, 771 Washington Blvd., Baltimore - The Yabba Pot is Baltimore's only completely vegan restaurant and is home to some of the best vegan "soul food" that you'll ever have. From traditional offerings like vegan mac-and-cheese and mock meat citrus ribs to more contemporary offerings like seaweed salad, The Yabba Pot has something for everyone's tastes. Quaint tables with artwork and an eclectic mix of music add to the decidedly "hippie" atmosphere of the restaurant, but if you're vegetarian or vegan and you end up in Baltimore, you need to check this place out.
One World Café, 100 West University Parkway, Baltimore - Voted best vegetarian restaurant by Baltimore's City Paper, this café is frequented by college students and professors alike. One World offers a complete espresso bar, liquor bar, and full breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus. They offer both vegetarian and vegan options, and all of this information is conveniently located on the menu to help diners make informed decision. Some of my favorite items at this restaurant are the PB&J sandwich, the vegan chili, and the 'Not-Dog' vegan hot dog. The staff is always friendly and they are open late, especially on the weekends.
City Café, 1001 Cathedral Street, Baltimore - Conveniently located in the heart of Baltimore's trendy Mount Vernon neighborhood, City Café offers world-class coffee- and alcohol-based beverages, in addition to some of the best food you'll find in the city. While not focused solely on the vegetarian crowd like the first two restaurants on the list, City Café has many vegetarian and vegan options, like their delectable vegetarian nachos or their rich mushroom ravioli. Have a great dinner at City Café, then take in an off-Broadway show at one of the many nearby theaters and you'll have a night you and your date won't soon forget
While you won't find as many vegetarian restaurants in Baltimore as you will in other cities, you'll find that this list will provide a good starting point for your search for delicious vegetable cuisine. As always, any restaurant you go to should be able to make at least one or two things that are vegan, so if you find yourself stuck someplace where there's not much to eat, remember there's always salad or a baked potato.
The Yabba Pot, 771 Washington Blvd., Baltimore - The Yabba Pot is Baltimore's only completely vegan restaurant and is home to some of the best vegan "soul food" that you'll ever have. From traditional offerings like vegan mac-and-cheese and mock meat citrus ribs to more contemporary offerings like seaweed salad, The Yabba Pot has something for everyone's tastes. Quaint tables with artwork and an eclectic mix of music add to the decidedly "hippie" atmosphere of the restaurant, but if you're vegetarian or vegan and you end up in Baltimore, you need to check this place out.
One World Café, 100 West University Parkway, Baltimore - Voted best vegetarian restaurant by Baltimore's City Paper, this café is frequented by college students and professors alike. One World offers a complete espresso bar, liquor bar, and full breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus. They offer both vegetarian and vegan options, and all of this information is conveniently located on the menu to help diners make informed decision. Some of my favorite items at this restaurant are the PB&J sandwich, the vegan chili, and the 'Not-Dog' vegan hot dog. The staff is always friendly and they are open late, especially on the weekends.
City Café, 1001 Cathedral Street, Baltimore - Conveniently located in the heart of Baltimore's trendy Mount Vernon neighborhood, City Café offers world-class coffee- and alcohol-based beverages, in addition to some of the best food you'll find in the city. While not focused solely on the vegetarian crowd like the first two restaurants on the list, City Café has many vegetarian and vegan options, like their delectable vegetarian nachos or their rich mushroom ravioli. Have a great dinner at City Café, then take in an off-Broadway show at one of the many nearby theaters and you'll have a night you and your date won't soon forget
While you won't find as many vegetarian restaurants in Baltimore as you will in other cities, you'll find that this list will provide a good starting point for your search for delicious vegetable cuisine. As always, any restaurant you go to should be able to make at least one or two things that are vegan, so if you find yourself stuck someplace where there's not much to eat, remember there's always salad or a baked potato.
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