Health Info Seekers – Beware!
Archives: Daily Issues
Issue #2505
- WEALTHY: Why I’m bullish on homebuilders (Christian Hill)
- HEALTHY: 5 warning signs that Internet searchers should watch out for (Kelley Herring)
- WISE: Erica Jong on asking for advice
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
- Should you worry about hackers? (MaryEllen Tribby)
- Stellar service in New York? (Yanik Silver)
- It’s Fun to Know… where lost luggage goes to die
- Add “conurbation” to your vocabulary
== Highly Recommended ==
Why Get Your Hands Dirty When You Don’t Have to?
Where there’s a stampede, there’s an opportunity…
Thousands of wannabe entrepreneurs have jumped on a bandwagon to find, fix-up and flip foreclosures.
They thought they were being smart. They thought they were doing the opposite to the crowd and had the license to print money.
Little do they know… they ARE the crowd!
Now, please don’t misunderstand me. It’s a fact that many properties (sadly) are becoming available at rock bottom prices due to foreclosure. It’s also a fact that a few people are making money by flipping foreclosures…
And they’re earning every penny (when it all works out)!
Flipping foreclosures may sound great in principle, but stop and think about what you have to go through to achieve that…
Not my idea of easy money.
Homebuilders Make a Nice Contrarian Play
The housing market is mired in a slump that shows no signs of letting up. Home values continue their slide. Foreclosures are at a record-setting pace. So why am I bullish on homebuilders?
Survivability, for one thing. Those that have lasted have shown that they can make it through the worst housing market in decades. Sure, their balance sheets are a mess and they may still have some unsold inventory – but, for the most part, they have likely weathered the worst of the storm.
When the market started to turn in late 2005/early 2006, builders were left with unfinished developments and an extreme oversupply of land and homes. Most of the homes that were under construction at the time were completed and sold, sometimes at a loss. The land that had been bought at the top of the market was sold, and huge losses were written off. But all that is pretty much over.
The remaining carnage is primarily in the condo market, since most of those condos are in high-rise towers that took longer to build and are just now being completed and sold.
The major builders, those with regional and/or national exposure that have survived, should be a relatively safe bet now. They have been battered long enough, and no real surprises remain in terms of massive write-offs and losses. Their stocks are near historical lows, and little downside is left. I like the Homebuilders ETF (the XHB) for these reasons, and perhaps as a contrarian play as well. In terms of individual builders, Toll Brothers (TOL) and Pulte Homes (PHM) are my favorites.
[Ed. Note: Going against the market with contrarian investments isn't the only way to prosper in the next few years. Learn how to recognize "red flag alerts" and you could put yourself in the pathway of a raging tidal wave of cash. Learn how to prepare yourself for what could be the investment opportunity of your life.]
”Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn’t.”
Erica Jong
Where Do You Get Your Health Advice?
The Internet has improved life in so many ways. Especially when it comes to making informed choices about your health.
Maybe you go online to check your symptoms… look up treatments for your uncle’s colon cancer… or search for a tasty low-carb dinner you can prepare for your family. If so, you’re not alone. According to a Health Tracking Household Study by the Center for Studying Health System Change, 32 percent of American adults look to the Internet for health care information.
But this ocean of information can sometimes be harmful. Researchers from the University of New South Wales have found that people could be placing their health at risk by reading only what they want to read. Professor Enrico Coiera told one reporter that “there can be negative consequences if people find the wrong information.”
Not a big surprise.
But despite the sea of misinformation, the Internet offers unparalleled tools to help you make better decisions and navigate your own personalized course to wellness.
To make the most of online health information and become a more savvy surfer, keep your eye out for these five warning signs.
1. Hidden (or Not So Hidden) Interests
If you go to a doctor and you’re surrounded by posters, pens, and magnets promoting pharmaceutical drugs, you’re not surprised when he pulls out his prescription pad, right? You should be just as aware when browsing through health websites.
Take the WebMD and Prevention sites, for example. While they talk a big game about “natural health,” their ads tell a different story. Pull up an article on “sleeping better” and it’s surrounded by ads for Lunesta and Ambien. Click on “heart healthy foods” and you see smiling faces promising a better life if you take Lipitor or Crestor.
I’m not saying you can never trust advertising- supported websites or publications. Many of them (including Early to Rise and Total Health Breakthroughs) have an advertising policy that’s congruent with their editorial policy and core health principles. But when the advertising takes center stage, make sure you take a close look at the affiliations and potential hidden interests that could compromise the advice that’s being giving and potentially harm your health.
2. Advisors Who Contradict Themselves
If you subscribe to certain health newsletters or visit so-called “health” websites, you will often be disappointed to learn that many only add to your confusion and frustration. And you might notice that quite a few “gurus” blatantly contradict themselves.
Take Dr. Andrew Weil, for example. His mantra is to reduce inflammation by eating a nutrient-dense, low-glycemic diet. This is great advice, and you would be well-served to follow it. But many of his actionable recommendations completely oppose this simple concept.
About a year ago, I subscribed to Dr. Weil’s free e-newsletter. And five times in the last year, he has featured cornbread as his “Recipe of the Day” – a recipe that calls for white flour and sugar and scores a blood-sugar-spiking 95 on the glycemic index. I probably don’t have to tell you that this is precisely what you DON’T want to eat if your goal is to reduce inflammation. Thanks, but no thanks, Dr. Weil.
Use your own common sense when you feel your “guru” has fallen short – and don’t be afraid to use the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of the newsletter.
3. Incomplete Advice
You know that swimming is good exercise. But swimming in chum-filled waters with sharks circling beneath you is probably not a “healthy” choice.
The same is true of health information. It’s important to look at every angle to see the big picture.
Take the recommendation that you should drink eight glasses of water per day. I believe that’s good advice. But what kind of water should you drink? Very few websites that give this advice mention that you should avoid water that has been chlorinated and fluoridated – and that you should stick to purified spring water or tap water that has been filtered to remove chemicals and contaminants.
The same goes for advice about things you should avoid. I often read that “meat is bad because it is contaminated with hormones and pesticides and full of unhealthy fat.” While this might be true of some meat, the advice is incomplete. Advice that covers all the bases would tell you that conventional meats can be full of hormones and pesticides and unhealthy fat. And that’s why you should always insist on organic meats from animals that are raised on their natural diets.
Astute and trustworthy online advisors present all the angles so that you know the hazards and the benefits… and can choose for yourself. Beware of health advice that is one-sided.
4. Costs That Outweigh the Benefits
“Ten grams of fiber per serving” is proudly emblazoned on the online image of a popular high-fiber cereal box. Yet “also packs a hefty 15 grams of sugar” is not.
Here’s another one. An online diet program appears to be affordable and convenient. Until you notice the small caption at the bottom of the page stating you must also purchase all of their packaged foods – at $10/meal. (And they are loaded with artificial sweeteners and other unhealthy ingredients.)
It is no surprise that companies choose to tout the benefits of their products and services while minimizing (sometimes to the extent of deceptively hiding) the drawbacks.
When evaluating health information, be vigilant and read the fine print. Temper the attributes against the potential negatives.
5. Your Own Tendency to Use the Online Sea of Confusion as a Crutch or Excuse
In a recent chat with my aunt, she told me she read an online article about the importance of eating only wild salmon. She threw her hands up in the air and said: “They’re always changing their minds. First it was eat fish, then it was eat salmon. And now they say if it’s farmed salmon it’s worse than not eating fish at all. I give up.”
If you are unhealthy and/or overweight, take responsibility. Do your own research and make your own decisions. And be ready to accept the fact that there is new information available every day. Your health is ultimately in your own hands. It is up to you – and only you – to change it.
And you can! Simply by translating the information and advice you find online into knowledge… and then into action.
Living healthy is not a sacrifice. It doesn’t take a lot of time or money and it doesn’t have to be difficult. Have the courage to put your knowledge into action and be prepared to be pleasantly surprised by the results.
Gravitating Toward Balance
With all of these words of caution, now let me tell you something that will put your mind at ease.
Your body innately knows how to be healthy.
It naturally gravitates toward a state of balance, and, when challenged with illness or stress, can find its way back to health given proper nourishment, rest, and recovery.
While there is certainly a place for emergency medicine, in most cases Western medicine only attempts to mask the symptoms of disease. Medicine rarely addresses the cause.
The way to address the causes of poor health, aches and pains, premature aging, and disease is with nourishing food, sensible supplements, pure water, and vigorous exercise. Your “default” should always be what is natural.
Armed with a discerning eye, the newfound knowledge widely available on the Internet, and the courage to put it into action, the power of prevention and the wealth of wellness is yours for the taking!
[Ed. Note: The Internet has its share of bad advice... but it's also an excellent resource when you're trying to get fit and healthy. Now, you can access the latest breakthroughs in weight-loss programs... healthful recipes... and other ideas for achieving optimal health - all from one of the largest integrative medicine practices in the country. Learn more here.
The holidays are right around the corner - along with tons of high-sugar, high-carb holiday goodies. Nutrition expert Kelley Herring can help you survive the holidays with her brand-new recipe e-books, Guilt-Free Desserts and Healthy Holiday Hors d'Oeuvres. Click here for 60+ healthy recipes you can easily make at home.]
Is This the Easiest Way to Make Money Online?
You could make over $3,000 for just an hour’s worth of work. Pretty easy work, too. And you can repeat this process time and again… with no website, no products, and no processing credit cards. And certainly no shipping or customer service headaches!
All you need is a computer and Internet access. Go ahead and take a moment to check out this new opportunity and see how to get started right away.
What’s New from the Publisher’s Viewpoint: The Main Thing You Should Focus On
“How do I keep my website safe from hackers?” This was a question I fielded at Rich Schefren’s Strategic Profits seminar earlier this year. The Internet business owner who asked the question really wanted to know the answer. But I couldn’t help but roll my eyes.
You see, it’s easy to get off track when you’re trying to run an Internet business. There’s a lot of “stuff” out there that’s crying out for your attention. That includes things like superior website design and hacker protection. The truth is, you shouldn’t be worrying about that. Instead of helping you get ahead, these things could actually be preventing you from achieving the success you want.
As long as you keep one rule in mind, you’ll never wander too far from your primary goal: The main thing you should focus on is marketing.
Whenever you think you MUST do something to help your company, ask yourself, “Will this help me achieve my marketing goals?” If the answer is no, it may not be worth worrying about it.
[Ed. Note: Discover 12 profit-boosting strategies that can help you achieve your marketing goals in Michael Masterson and MaryEllen Tribby's Amazon.com best-seller, Changing the Channel: 12 Easy Ways to Make Millions for Your Business.]
Enlightened Hospitality
By Yanik Silver
Dinner at New York’s Modern (a restaurant inside the Museum of Modern Art) is typically a tasting menu or a three-course prixe fixe menu. On a recent visit there with my friend Dan, I went for the tasting menu, with an accompanying glass of wine for each course. The service was spot on and the food was excellent. But what I really want to tell you about came about three-quarters of the way through our meal.
Our table backed up to the table of a 50-something couple who were obviously not happy with each other. He was yelling at her about why her parents had to come for the weekend – using plenty of obscenities. Seriously.
As the evening progressed, they got louder and louder. Dan was sitting right behind them, and it was interfering with our dinner conversation. But then our wine steward and waiter, Nick, did something pretty interesting. He came over, “accidentally” spilled a small amount of bottled water on our table, and said, in a loud voice, “Oops. How clumsy of me. I can’t believe I spilled water all over your table. We can’t have you sitting at a wet table, so let me move you.” A team of seven quickly swooped in and transported our food and wine to the other side of the dining room.
Dan and I were awestruck. The staff had correctly identified our problem and solved it in a way that did not embarrass the other couple. Very smart.
The Story of Stellar Service That “MUST” Be Told
Difficult situations like this – especially when handled incredibly well by top-notch customer service – create stories that people want to share. And it’s a pretty powerful marketing concept. Dan and I feel compelled to tell others about our experience. In fact, he’s already mentioned it to three people, including the publisher of Wired magazine. And now I’m sharing it with you – and some 423,000 other ETR readers.
How can you make your own service stellar in some way?
[Ed. Note: As master Internet marketer Yanik Silver says, stellar service can really get the buzz going about your business and what you have to offer. For more marketing advice from Yanik, check out his blog at InternetLifestyle.com.
Word of mouth isn't the only way to get the word out about your business. Discover 12 profit-boosting strategies for getting your customers to buy right here.]
It’s Fun to Know: Where Lost Luggage Goes to Die
You know those suitcases that just never show up at baggage claim? Chances are the airline “mishandled” them. It happens to about seven bags per 1,000. Most are reunited with their owners within 24 hours. But if the airline can’t find the owner after 90 days (if, for example, it doesn’t have an identification tag), the suitcase may end up at Scottsboro, Alabama’s Unclaimed Baggage Center.
This business buys luggage in bulk from the airlines, and then sells the contents at bargain basement prices. About 60 percent of it is clothing, including designer labels. The rest is mostly jewelry, sporting goods, and electronics, though unusual items like suits of armor, antiques, and Egyptian artifacts have been found as well. And, yes, they also sell the luggage.
More than a million tourists visit the 40,000-square-foot facility every year, making it one of the most popular attractions in the state.
(Source: Entrepreneur.com)
== Highly Recommended ==
Stuck With the Short End of the Stick in Life?
Life is unfair, but it’s not for those “in the know.” Quit getting shafted at every turn and instead start enjoying every advantage in most situations. See for yourself by clicking here…
Word to the Wise: Conurbation
“Conurbation” (kon-ur-BAY-shun) – from the Latin for “city” – is an aggregation or continuous network of urban communities.
Example (as used by Russell Baker in The New York Times): “To live there in that great smoking conurbation rumbling with the constant thunder of locomotives, filled with the moaning of train whistles coming down the Potomac Valley, was beyond my most fevered hopes.”
[Ed. Note: Become a more persuasive writer and speaker ... build your self-confidence and intellect ... increase your attractiveness to others ... just by spending 10 VERY enjoyable minutes a day with ETR's new Words to the Wise CD Library.]
Copyright ETR, LLC, 2008
Mary Ellen,
You are certainly right that marketing is the most important issue for any Internet business. But, the tone of your comment makes me wonder if you have ever had the opportunity to start an Internet business from ground zero.
If you have always had the support of excellent IT staff to assure the integrity of your websites, it is easy to dismiss these very real concerns. But, an Internet entrepreneur just starting out does need to spend some time on operational issues, too.
Just last week while searching for health information, I clicked on a link in a Google search to what was a legit website that I had visited several times. Surprise! I was hijacked to a porn site.
So, hacks can happen. A new Netrepreneur needs to be armed with the information to prevent obvious problems. And, she needs to monitor marketing and operational metrics regularly until organic growth yields enough profits to hand off the operational issues to great IT people.
I’d describe the time one should spend on each as four days a week on marketing, one day a week on operations.
BTW, I’m reading Changing the Channel and finding great nuggets of wisdom that I’m already starting to use.