Forex is the nickname for the Foreign Exchange Market. In the United States, there are several branches of the stock market, each with their own name. For instance, some stocks trade on the Dow Jones, others on Nasdaq. Of course, all stock market transactions in the United States take place on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). In other countries the same is true. There may be one or more distinct markets.

However, international trade takes place on the market termed the Foreign Exchange Market, or Forex. Several countries across the world in almost every time zone participate in trade on Forex, with multiple currencies being utilized and stocks and commodities from all participating countries being offered for trade. Because there are so many nations and time zones involved, Forex does not function as a “business day” entity like most domestic stock markets. It remains open for trade 24 hours a day, 5 days a week.

Of course, these additional hours increase the risk factor intensely for those of us who are human and obviously cannot monitor our investments 24 hours a day. This means that the value of your holdings could potentially plummet overnight, while you sleep, because other countries are still trading while you are in a dream world. Again, it is like a car – there are many moving pieces under the hood, and just because you cannot see them does not mean they are not functioning.

This is one reason for several safety options, like limit orders, which we will discuss later. This is also why it is strongly recommended that your first attempts to make money on the stock market are not transactions that take place within the Foreign Exchange Market but on a standard nine-to-five domestic trading market. In our car analogy, this would be comparable to having asked someone who has never driven or even changed the oil in a car to rebuild the engine.

The first step to handling any problem, and excessive debt is no exception, is to focus on facts. Here, that means finding out how much you actually owe and what the monthly payments and interest costs.

It’s surprising, though maybe it shouldn’t be, how many people that are troubled by debt problems, don’t actually know how much monthly interest they’re paying. Part of the problem may be that they really don’t want to know. Considering how much it sometimes is, one can hardly blame them.

But the first step back to financial health is a good diagnosis. If you’re paying $200 per month in interest charges alone on a monthly net income, say, of $4,000, then you are paying 5% PER MONTH of your income for essentially nothing. It’s not entirely nothing, since you are enjoying the things you bought early. You would have had to save to purchase them outright. But is that worth 5% of your income?

When that $200 a month (and for many, it’s much more) becomes the total you can pay each month, you have reached a point where you will never pay off the debt. If all the money is going to interest none is going to principle. That may be an extreme case, but consider how much of the monthly payment in your circumstances goes for interest versus repayment of principle.

Suppose it’s 90% interest, 10% principle. That’s approximately the case for the average home loan for the first several years. You can use an online calculator to see how long that will take in your situation.

Suppose, for example, you owe $10,000 at 7%. You could pay only $116 per month, but it would take you 10 years to pay it off. The interest would cost you $3,933 – almost 40% of the total amount.

Now that you’ve seen your situation, you need to take two further steps. Develop a budget that will allow you to make payments as large as you can handle to get the bills paid off. You could use the ’snowball method’ and pay off the smallest one first. Then apply what you were paying to the smallest to the next smallest (now the smallest), until you’ve reached the end.

Alternatively you could pay down the largest bill. That would save you the most in interest charges, but it’s hard for many people to stick to it, when they see such slow progress.

Now, for the hardest – and most important – step (which should be carried out simultaneously with the first): stop borrowing. You should not allow yourself to incur any further debt until you have paid the first down to a reasonable level. That level is zero for credit card junkies. For others, it may be in the 5% range. For some with good willpower and are willing to eat the overhead, 20% is the maximum.

Facing reality and making a commitment to long-term change are the two hardest things for anyone who has entered financially turbulent waters to do. But they are the bare minimum required, if you want to recover your financial health and independence.

Myth #1 – Acne is caused by poor hygiene. This belief may have arisen because of the skin infections associated with acne. However, lack of cleanliness is not the reason for outbreaks of acne. The mixture of sebum and dead cells which cause acne is situated beneath the surface of the skin where it is impossible to clean it away. However, gentle cleansing with soap and water once or twice a day will keep the skin as healthy as possible. Be careful not to scrub too hard, however, as this may make acne worse.

Myth #2 – Acne is caused by certain foods. There is a long-standing belief that eating chocolate will cause the face to break out in pimples. There is no scientific evidence for this — studies have shown no statistically significant relationship between eating chocolate and acne. The same holds true of other foods associated like potato chips and sugar. It is true, however, that eating too much of these foods is unhealthy, and you wish to keep as healthy as possible at all times and especially if afflicted with acne. Limiting chocolate and sugar consumption is always a good idea.

Even though chocolate and french fries do not cause acne, there are some foods which do seem to aggravate it. There seems to be a relationship between milk and acne, and foods high in iodine also seem to cause pimples. Iodine is found in seafood, so those with acne may be advised not to eat too much seafood.

Myth #3 – Acne is related to sex. At various times we heard that masturbation or celibacy causes pimples. There is no evidence for this. There is a link between sexual activity and hormone production, however, but the relationship between sex and the production of sebum (the oily substance which combines with dead skin cells to cause acne) is unclear. Anger and stress also affect hormone levels.

Myth #4 – Acne has to run its course. There are many treatments available for acne, so those who are suffering from the discomfort and embarrassment that acne causes can find relief by consulting with a dermatologist or using over-the-counter medicine.

Myth #5 – Acne is only a teenage condition. It is true that most adolescents have acne, but it also affects some adults. Acne will usually clear up by time one enters their early 20s, but some people experience acne for the first time when they are in their 30s or 40s.

Myth #6 – Acne only affects appearance. Acne is a skin condition which can also cause psychological distress. Those with severe acne are especially vulnerable to feelings of depression and low self-image. There is a strong link between severe acne conditions and social withdrawal.

Myth #7 – Popping pimples is the best way to get rid of them. In fact, popping pimples may aggravate acne by spreading the bacteria which is causing it. Popping can also lead to scarring which in severe cases can be permanent.

Myth #8 – Sunbathing is good for acne. Exposure to the sun has the effect of drying out excess oils, so it does in fact have a short-term effect of improving acne. However, the skin quickly becomes accustomed to sun exposure so no long-term benefit is gained. Sun exposure may also damage the skin and increase the chance of skin cancer.

Myth #9 – Makeup causes acne. Some makeup can clog the pores which is bad for the health of the skin. Cosmetics labelled “noncomedogenic” or “nonacnegenic” are safe to use and some brands may include ingredients which can treat acne.

Myth #10 – The more acne medicine the better. Some people believe that if their acne gets worse they should use more medicine. Excess use of acne ointments, however, may irritate the skin, and oral medicines can be dangerous when taken in large quantities. Always follow the directions for the acne medications.

For those who enjoy fine arts, The Art Institute offers one of the best collections to be found anywhere in the world. Though much smaller than the Metropolitan in New York or the Louvre in Paris, the paintings and other objects on display are second to none.

For those who like their art more lively, the seven-story Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier offers works by the Bard and other world renowned artists.

Beyond this, Chicago has a theater district that has rightly earned the town the title Second City. Second in name, but not in quality. Shows here are as good as anything you’ll find in New York, as the list of famous actors who have called it a professional home can show.

If shopping is more your style of entertainment, you don’t have to go to New York, London or Paris to find anything you would look for there. With over 460 shops in the Magnificent Mile area alone, you’ll run out of money and time long before you run out of stores.

Whether it’s Nieman Marcus or Marshall Field’s (the home grown department stores), or Cartier, Hermes, or Tiffany’s imported from New York, there’s something here to please even the most finicky.

Restaurants in Chicago are also first rate. Maybe you just want a great burger at Billy Goat Tavern in Navy Pier. Or, you might want the best pizza in the world. Gino’s East at 8725 W. Higgins, or Pete’s at 3737 N Western, or Home Run Inn at 4254 W 31st St, who can decide? You might prefer Brazilian at Sal & Carvao (739 N Clark St) or jambalaya at Joe’s Be-Bop at Navy Pier.

If you want to just drink, there’s no better place than Chicago. At Charlie’s Ale House at Navy Pier you can find over 70 beers to choose from. Or, you can sidle into the Volo Restaurant Wine Bar (2008 W Roscoe St) for one of the finest selections served. After that you might need a cup of coffee. Try the Julius Meinl Cafe (3601 N. Southport) where the Viennese is authentic and you can hear a string quartet play while you sip.

For animal enjoyment there are the dead ones at The Field Museum where the largest T-Rex ever found is housed, or the live ones at Brookfield Zoo. Or, you can head over to the Shedd Aquarium and catch the Beluga whales or dozens of sharks looking for a meal.

Head out to one of the 500 parks around the city, but don’t forget about the place with the name that is not a park – Hyde Park. Home to the Frank Lloyd Wright Studio and Home, as well as the Robie House and many other architectural icons, you’ll find plenty to write home about.

Don’t miss out on the view from up high. Be sure to visit the Sears Tower and the Hancock Center, two great (almost) 100-story high observatories that will show you how the Windy City got its nickname.

If you think New York, London or Paris are among the world’s great cities… you’re right. Come find out why Chicago is easily in the same class.

Age is also a factor in tooth staining and discoloration. And sometimes, teeth stain from the inside rather than from the out. Excess fluoride and certain medications can cause these intrinsic stains. Tooth whitening, a process that needs to be repeated regularly, works on the stains on the outside of the teeth.

Teeth whitening can be done while at the dentist’s office or it can be done while at home. At home, you can use whitening products available at your local pharmacy or you can use custom-made trays and solutions that are prepared by your dentist. Each requires a series of whitening procedures of varying lengths. If you’re interested in having your teeth whitened, it’s a good idea to discuss with your dentist the benefits and disadvantages of each method.

Before teeth whitening can begin, teeth must be cleaned by a dentist or dental hygienist and all cavities will need to be filled. Receding gum can cause a problem if it has receded so much that the roots are exposed. Because there’s no enamel on roots, whitening won’t take hold. Whitening also won’t work on teeth that have crowns or veneers.

How teeth whitening woks

To whiten teeth, trays are loaded with a solution made with hydrogen peroxide. The trays are similar in look and shape to a mouth or night guard. The solution-filled trays are positioned over the top and bottom rows of teeth and they remain in place for one to two hours. Or if the whitening is done at home, overnight.

Sessions can be shorter when done at the dentist’s office, but the patient needs to return for several visits. When done in the office, the dentist is right there to monitor the process. If done at home, care must be taken when inserting and wearing the mouth guards. If any of the solution leaks, it may irritate the gums.

In theory, the longer you keep the solution on your teeth, the whiter they’ll become. However, some types of discoloration are difficult to remove. There are some whitening products that are only activated when they come into contact with a light or heat. Those are best used under the supervision of your dentist.

Whitened teeth can last just one month or 6 months or longer. The more you avoid the substances that cause staining, the longer the process should last. The only side effects of teeth whitening are possible gum irritation and temporary sensitivity. Overall the process is very safe however those who are pregnant should avoid teeth whitening. To date, studies on how or if whitening agents affect a developing fetus have not been conducted.

The craft of shaping miniature trees in a small pot first arose over a thousand years ago in China, where it was known as pun-sai.

Even then the variety of individual bonsai was astonishing, as known from ancient drawings. Gnarled, faux-windswept trunks, with sparse leaves to full-flowering miniature blossoming trees dot the historic record.

The Chinese artists often went one step beyond nature and shaped their trees into replicas of real animals and imaginary icons. Native birds, mythical dragons and a host of tiny fauna formed the models for many of these fine sculptures.

As Zen Buddhism spread from China to Japan during the Kamakura period, so too did the art of bonsai. The late 12th century saw the migration of both artists and craft techniques to the small island in the northeast.

While bonsai was already a highly developed skill in China, as it grew in Japan it evolved into the highest of arts. The care and patience required, the complexity in miniature and the creation of a living work of art suited the temperament of the horticultural artists of Japan.

Planted first in the monasteries, the art of bonsai was practiced and refined by the learned scholars and cloistered artists of this rural society. This gentle art, requiring the skill of a jeweler and the patience of a saint, suited the monks well.

Developed to a peak during the 18th century, where they were frequently regarded as treasured objects by the nobility, bonsai rapidly became popular beyond the walls of the monastery and the palace.

As Japan grew from an agricultural society to an industrial and trading powerhouse in the 19th century an ironic historical twist occurred. The agricultural art of bonsai spread from the monasteries to the general populace.

As Japan, for centuries fiercely isolationist, opened up its ports and palaces to Westerners, the distinctive miniature trees drew the attention of awe-struck visitors. Nowhere before in their travels had seamen and ambassadors seen anything like these carefully crafted living things, so like their larger cousins.

Many adopted the practice of placing fine bonsai in a ‘tokonoma’ – a special niche in every Japanese home whose purpose is to display special ornaments and prized possessions. Among these was invariably a bonsai or two.

Museum exhibitions of bonsai in the Western world became popular at the same time as they began to display animals and artifacts from travels and conquests around the globe. In London, Vienna and Paris bonsai were all the rage. With the Paris World Exhibition in 1900, the future worldwide fame of these miniature trees was assured.

As with any popular phenomena, there grew pressure to mass produce bonsai to meet the demand for these unique living works of art. But bonsai resist mass production. Each must be carefully tended over decades to produce even a recognizable tree, much less a work of art.

But many new artists developed many new forms and this living art is now practiced and the products displayed around the globe. Bonsai are treasured in the US and Asia, but also around Europe, South Africa and Australia. Anywhere there is abundant sunshine can be found the bonsai.

The history of this unique form of art is hardly finished as the artisans continue to create new and ever more varied ways of shaping and displaying these glorious miniature trees.

The cupper tastes (and smells) for aroma, flavor, body, acidity, finish and a wide variety of more subtle attributes. To reproduce the professional setting at home one can start with a simple arrangement.

Have an ample supply of fresh, filtered water. Even the best grounds are spoiled by tainted water. Water can become ’stale’, by absorbing odors from the air, by excessive distasteful minerals such as sulfur or even by the growth of mildew in pipes. Avoid distilled or softened water that retains too much of the softening salts.

A tray that holds a dozen small glasses or cupping bowls is handy. An assortment of measuring scoops, spoons, etc completes the tools. Of course, don’t forget the coffee!

Boil the water and grind the beans with a burr grinder set to different settings for the number of different trials desired. You’ll be surprised what a difference the fineness of the grind makes to the final result.

Prepare the coffee, allowing any samples to steep for a few minutes. Filter the coffee or allow to settle and spoon out a sample, then smell. Take the aroma in, running it through the nose and concentrating. Then taste, by running the liquid over the entire tongue. Hold for a few seconds, then spit into a container.

Think about the coffee’s profile. Is it woody or winey? Acidic or smooth? Syrupy or thin? Peppery or floral? It’s amazing how varied different coffees are, but given the wide variety of climates, soil and preparation methods it shouldn’t be too surprising.

Experiment with coffees of different countries – a Kenyan AA (darker, rougher) is quite different from a Colombian (more floral), which is different yet again from a Yemen Mocha (winey).

Try different roasts from light to very dark, American to Viennese. Change the grind from rough to very fine. Even with the same bean, modifying the roast and grind can make a big difference.

Generally you’ll want to have about two tablespoons (10 grams) of coffee for each six fluid ounces (180 ml) of water. Adjust as you experiment. The water should be not very far from 200F (93C), but you can adjust this too as you try different ‘recipes’.

Keep in mind some of the different attributes of the profile:

Acid – a tartness that tastes somewhat dry, noticeable in a Mexican, softer in a Sumatra brew. Aging can make a big difference here, as does the roast.

Aroma – the sensation produced by vapors, fruity or herb-like. Kona(s) are known for a floral aroma.

Bitter – From caffeine and other compounds, a robusta will generally be more bitter than an arabica. Sense by swishing on the back of the tongue.

Body – Degree of ‘thickness’, a light American roast will contrast sharply with a dark French, for example.

Nuttiness – Created by aldehydes and ketones, creates a sensation like roasted nuts. A sign, usually, of poor quality beans.

Sharpness – a sensation from the combination of acids and salts. Pronounced in inexpensive robusta.

Experiment with many different blends and brews and you’ll soon find yourself a true coffee snob!