Factoring Small Receivables: How to Make Money in Little Deals the Big Guys Brush Off

This is the second book in finance expert Jeff Callender’s series.  It is a great how-to manual for those interested in finance and making money through creative means. It is also easy to read, particularly considering that factoring can be a rather daunting subject.

The book, which is over 400 pages long, guides you through starting up your own factoring business, including how to initially go about choosing the right accounts receivable method, how to manage clients and perform well in the market. There is also advice on tracking profitability. If readers have read Jeff Callender’s first book, this new guide will complement already-learnt tips, techniques and strategies.  If not, then all the concepts are adequately explained in this volume.

Designed for those who are just starting out in the field, the guide provides all the information a new factoring company or private investor should know if they want to set up in business as the accounts receivable department of small companies.  There are lists of useful resources, as well as a jargon guide and, perhaps most importantly, the type of client to avoid.

It is a niche book for those interested in entering the factoring business, but very clearly structured and it is no wonder it has been dubbed ‘The Bible for Small Factors’.

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Casino Gambling For Dummies

There is a great deal of satisfaction to be had in mastering casino games.  It is even more satisfying to have some great tips up your sleeve should you ever find yourself in Las Vegas.  This book is not only invaluable for the amateur casino-goer, but it is a really useful reference guide too.  The chapters are laid out very clearly in the familiar friendly and simple ‘… For Dummies’ reading style.

It is an extensive hands-on guide to help those who enjoy casino gambling to avoid big losses and even better, win big money.  There are insider secrets and great hints and tips to advise you on winning at the most popular casino games, such as poker, blackjack, roulette, craps and even the slot machines.  It lists game rules, game pitfalls, and includes a useful guide to the correct jargon.

Some of the most important things it teaches are how to understand the odds, how to manage your money once you have (hopefully) won it, and how to avoid getting caught up in gimmicks.  Keeping up with the times, there is a good section on how to gamble in online casinos and which types of sites to avoid.

Essentially, unless you already know all there is to know about casino gambling, reading this book will give you some great knowledge and valuable tips when playing in casinos.  At 384 pages, it is a very complete guide but there is no need to read it all in one go – the thorough index ensures readers can easily find the specific information they need.

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Figure Drawing for Men’s Fashion (Fashion & Textiles)

This book would be extremely useful for fashion students, illustrators or anyone interested in drawing for men’s fashion as a hobby. It has 400 pages of topic-by-topic guides on how to design clothing and accessories for the male form.

Assuming no prior knowledge, it aims to teach the reader how to perfect the skills that are needed to design men’s clothing so that the designer’s creative vision can be accurately realised. Measuring correctly, getting lines precisely right, and designing and dressing for different shapes are all addressed.

The book covers contemporary clothing design as well as more traditional tailoring. It also looks in depth at men’s accessory design, and there is a section specifically on designing male headwear.

The book was written by fashion industry experts who convey their knowledge in a detailed but approachable way.  The illustrations and photographs also help to bring the text to life for artists, designers and illustrators.  This guide is not text heavy; making it easy for the reader to gain the fundamental skills they need and, from there, build on those skills by practicing their drawing technique and following the clearly outlined stages.  There is also a sister publication – The Female Figure Drawing for Fashion Design – which is a great addition for those who want to enter the world of women’s design and fashion.

Students, illustrators or anyone interested in fashion will love this cleverly designed, well-illustrated book.

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Deals on Wheels: Guide to Buying a Second Hand Car

This book was published following a Channel 4 series that was screened in 1999, so some of the information on prices as well as that on new models on the market may be a little outdated. Having said that, it includes a great deal of general information on choosing and buying a second hand car, making this book well worth a read, as much of the content is still relevant today.

Just as the series did, this book looks at the pitfalls of buying a second hand car in a market that is notorious for dubious deals and sharp practices.  It gives invaluable advice on how to look for really solid deals, the best way in which to negotiate prices, and the pros and cons of different types of car.

The main focus is on twenty of the most popular types of car, including all sizes of family car, general run around models, and the high end of the market, including luxury and sports cars.  The book explores the full technical specification for each of the different vehicles, as well as common problems, weaknesses and, of course, strong points for the models it features.

It is a well-illustrated publication, with good photographs and a clear text which is easy to follow.  This would be a useful read for anyone looking to buy a second hand car, as well as a good general interest book for car hobbyists.

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Blinds Curtains and Cushions: Design and Make Style Treatments for Your Home

I bought this book the other week and decided to have a good read through with the aim of perhaps making some of my own curtains and blinds.

It was a very interesting book, but I found some of the methods use to create blinds quite complicated and a bit fiddly, plus I found a really good online shop for purchasing made to measure blinds, a company called tuiss does them for a really good price.

 

I think I’ll still design some cushions – I quite like the thought of creating my own funky cushions to brighten up the room. Hopefully it won’t take me too long to learn how to make them! Anyways, I’ve got to go now, I want to go measure up my lounge windows for some roman blinds.

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Beyond Recycling: A Re-Users Guide

Reducing your carbon footprint is a big deal in today’s high-consumption, easy-disposable world. Everyone you speak to is ‘freecycling’ or ‘re-using’, not to mention trying to find new ways to save money by cutting back – times are hard for most of us. Many people are keeping bees, growing fruit and rearing chickens and have gone from spending hundreds of pounds a week on socialising to staying in and making their own wine from a home-grown fruit and a kit that cost a few pounds. People are aware of the impact our excessive lifestyles are having on the environment and are starting to cut-back and recycle.

This book contains loads of really useful ideas on how you can recycle almost anything and save hundreds of pounds in the process. For those items that can’t be recycled easily, Kathy Stein shows you how to re-use them to save even more money.

The clear message here is “consume less, don’t just recycle more”. This 164-page book has 336 environment-friendly, money-saving ideas, from earning cash for mobiles to customizing and altering old clothes, you can learn how to save money whilst saving the planet in the process. Kathy Stein has a technical writing background and her passion for environmental issues is evident in the book; for example, she is a big supporter of the ‘WeCare’ dry-cleaning programme, which replaces those horrible plastic garment covers with re-usable fabric ones.

The book is easy to read with the information presented clearly and alphabetically. If you’re struggling to figure out how to keep old appliances out of landfill, Stein helps you by listing local businesses and non-profit organizations that will re-use, recycle or re-distribute your unwanted items. It’s a useful and comprehensive guide on how to save money sensibly whilst contributing to a sustainable and green lifestyle – highly recommended.

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Groupie by Jenny Fabian

First published in 1969 and listed by The Observer as one of ‘The 50 greatest music books ever’, this book by Jenny Fabian caused shockwaves throughout the literary community.

For a feeling of what life was like in the sixties underground rock culture, this book is hard to beat. Jenny Fabian takes you on a tour of the places to be seen, describing the sights, sounds and flavours of the era in delicious detail. She shows us the more shocking side to life in the late 60’s, with tales of orgies, lesbianism and drug abuse – each and every encounter described with an obvious lack of emotion or feeling. Her intimate role within the psychedelic scene gives her an excellent perspective from which to document the environment with detached authenticity.

Chronicling her adventures (as the fictional ‘Kate’) with various rock and pop stars of the day, Fabian leaves us guessing as to who her conquests actually were but it’s not difficult to work it out. Ben from the Satin is Pink Floyd’s Syd Barrett, Joe, the Relation bassist, is Ric Grech from Family, and Dave in Transfer Project was Andy Somer, (the Police’s Andy Summers).

Her naivety shows, a young girl of 19 lost amongst the excitement and anarchy of the era; at times it’s painful to read. Highlighting the fragility of human relationships, we get a real feeling that the 60s was nothing more than a chew-it up and spit-it-out culture, where the constantly changing trends left emotions out of the equation and significant others were replaced as soon as something better came along.

Since writing Groupie, Fabian has written articles for Harpers and Queen, Tatler, and Time Out, as well as a second novel, ‘A Chemical Romance’. Now married with two children, it’s rumoured that she is collaborating once more with Johnny Byrne on a third novel.

In the introduction to the 1997 reprint, Jonathon Green reveals that it gets 22 mentions in the Oxford English Dictionary, not bad for a girl written off as superficial and shallow!

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Eco-Refurbishment: A Practical Guide to Creating an Energy Efficient Home

If you’re worried about the energy efficiency of your home this book will help you to make small changes that will improve your carbon footprint and reduce your utility bills.  Over 30% of all CO2 emissions are down to housing and Peter Smith tells us what we can do to change this startling figure. If you’re thinking about starting any home renovations read this first, after all upgrading your property can immediately represent added capital value, so use the opportunity to install adequate insulation from the start – you’re literally throwing money away on wasted energy if you don’t. Simple changes like replacing old, outdated appliances and white goods with new A-rated ones will immediately have an impact.

With the recent introduction of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Home Information Packs (HIPs) the responsibility of the homeowner or landlord has increased. By law you must inform potential buyers or tenants of the current energy efficiency performance of your property so that they can make intelligent and informed decisions on whether to rent or buy. It places increased pressure on owners and landlords to improve the efficiency where possible in order to positively impact the environment. With practical and affordable ideas such as underfloor heating or solar panels there’s something in here for all budgets and circumstances.

There are hundreds of books on building your own eco-home but if you’re not in a position to build your own pad, the next best thing is to refurbish what you’ve got. This book shows exactly what you can do to renovate your current home in an environmentally friendly way, with everything you need in one handy reference guide. It’s an extremely practical text with a useful case study to show us exactly how it’s done.

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The New Complete Guide to Massage

If you’re one of millions of people in the UK that suffers from tension, headaches, sinus problems or stiffness, then may I interest you in a massage? If I can’t then I’m pretty sure that Susan Mumford can convince you of the wonderful benefits that can be gained using the specific techniques she talks about in ‘The New Complete Guide to Massage’.

In its simplest form, massage is defined as the kneading and stroking of the body’s soft tissues with varying degrees of pressure. Gentle massage affects the nervous system through nerve endings in the skin, stimulating the release of endorphins to help induce relaxation and a sense of well-being. Deeper massage stimulates blood circulation to improve the supply of oxygen and nutrients to tissues and helps the lymphatic system to flush away waste products – it can also ease tense and knotted muscles and stiff joints, improving mobility and flexibility.

Massage fulfils one of our most basic human needs – the desire to touch and be touched. Giving someone a massage is hugely rewarding, and receiving one is even better! Mumford’s best-selling book tells you everything you need to get started, from beginner through to more advanced techniques. Every method is illustrated and fully explained to help you move rapidly from simple massage to expert strokes. It’s the perfect companion for experienced therapists looking to further their skills and for beginners who are considering massage as a caring, sharing hobby.

It’s well-known that massage can induce physical, emotional, and physiological improvements to your health. Forget those expensive pills and treatments, a deep tissue massage, manual lymphatic drainage, or an Indian head massage can be so deliciously relaxing you’ll be hooked!  So, for anyone considering a massage in Manchester, Cardiff, Dublin or Edinburgh – save your money – buy this book for your significant other and let them practice on you!

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The Essential Housebook

First published in the 1996, The Essential Housebook is still regarded as a bible for interior design and home style. Almost 15 years after its release the advice in here is as relevant now as it was then.

For advice on decorating and furnishing your home, Terence Conran is the best man for the job. In 1964 he opened the first Habitat shop and his empire includes the Conran Shop, Benchmark Furniture and many restaurants. Heavily involved in architecture and interior design, he was instrumental in the regeneration of the Shad Thames area of London.

The photos in the book are wonderful; Conran has included in here some of the most beautiful rooms and homes in the world. Some of the ideas simply won’t equate to a 3-bed semi in Bradford though so don’t get any grand ideas. As a reference guide it’s the perfect renovation companion but don’t imagine you’ll be able to get the Conran look on a budget – it’s high-end, fat-wallet stuff.

There are five main sections in the book, which discuss major structural work or smaller design improvements. Plus, there’s advice on the best decorating and furnishing options, a checklist of maintenance tips, and an index of useful addresses including advisory bodies, architects, designers, suppliers and shops (note that older versions of this book might be a little outdated now).

If you’re after a minimalist and contemporary look for your home, this is the place to start. You have to admire Conran’s ethos – he knows home design and much of it is simply timeless. Heed his principles and mould the ideas to fit your own space and budget.

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