Plan for Progress  

Instant echecks have become a popular payment method on the Internet. Essentially, using an instant echeck is like using your checkbook as a debit card. People who are looking for a quick way to add funds to their online gambling account have started to turn to instant echecks as a funding method, mostly because they’re cheap, quick, and convenient.

But some people are scared of using instant echecks–it is a relatively new idea for most people, and they’re suspicious of handing out their precious checking account information. Is it safe to use instant echecks online?

What Is an Instant Echeck?

Instant echecks are totally secure payment methods that offer immediate electronic funds transfers (also known as EFTs) directly from your bank account to any online vendor that accepts electronic checks (also known as echecks).

It is important to know that electronic checks work much the same way as a paper check and a debit card. Using an instant echeck is like using a check that is posted against your account immediately, or using a debit card without needing a physical card. When you made a deposit or payment using an eCheck, the amount of your deposit is requested from your bank just like when a paper check you’ve written is deposited, only it happens immediately. Once the check clears (within seconds) the funds are transferred from your bank account to the online vendor of your choice.

Certain vendors require a waiting time for an instant echeck to clear–specifically, online gambling sites tend to require a 7 or 10 day waiting period for the check to clear, meaning that instant echecks are not always “instant.”

Are Instant Echecks Secure?

Instant echecks are just as highly secure as any bank transaction. Instant checks are used all over the Internet and even through phone vendors and other retailers–they are really just a different kind of EFT debit, or any other electronic funds transfer. Security measures used by banks and vendors to protect echecks include ID verification, 128-bit SSL encrypted communications, and other methods of data encryption to protect your personal information.

People are always suspicious of a new payment method or one they haven’t used before–but using an instant echeck is the same as using a paper check without the hassle of mailing a check and waiting for it to arrive before it can be processed.

Learning how to play Texas holdem takes practice and a lot of work (not to mention frustration), but if you do your homework and spend a little time on it, your new holdem hobby could be a profitable enterprise.

If you want a quick and dirty guide to how to play Texas holdem–you’re in luck. I’ve got the quickest and dirtiest possible explanation below.

1. The first step is for all players to place blinds and antes as bets so there is an initial amount of cash to get the game going.

2. The dealer shuffles a standard deck. Every player is dealt two cards face down. These are called your hole cards or pocket cards.

3. The first round of betting starts with the player to the left of the blinds. This is the “preflop betting round.” You can either call, raise, or fold.

4. After the first betting round ends, the dealer discards the top card of the deck. This is called a burn card.

5. The dealer then flips the next three cards face up on the table. This is called “the flop.” These are cards that anyone can use in combination with their pocket cards to form a hand.

6. The player to the left of the dealer starts another betting round.

7. After the betting ends, the dealer burns again then flips another communal card onto the table. This is called “the turn.”

8. The player to the left of the dealer starts another betting round. The pot size often doubles by this point in the game.

9. The dealer burns another card and places a final card face up on the table. This is called “the river.” Players can now use any of the five cards on the table or the two cards in their pocket to form a hand.

10. There is one final round of betting starting with the player to the left of the dealer.

11. Now is the time for “the showdown.” Players who have not folded reveal their hands, beginning with the player to the left of the last player to call. Players use any combination of their pocket cards and the common cards to form the best possible poker hand. The player who shows the best hand wins. If there are two players with the same hand, the pot is split between them.

Texas holdem is a game with simple rules and complex strategy. Now that you know the basic way to play Texas holdem, learn some strategy and you’ll be a poker pro in no time.

The Internet has lowered the price of everything. Think about it–why would anyone buy a book at a bookstore when they could buy a “slightly used” version from Amazon or eBay? The same goes for poker strategy, advice, and other tools to help improve your poker game. You can buy books and software to improve your poker game, or you could take advantage of these five totally free poker tools.

1. Poker Articles

Maybe the best tool in any poker player’s toolkit is a collection of (well-written, sound) poker articles.

Online poker articles pretty much run the spectrum from really bad to excellent. A good way to separate the wheat from the chaff is to look for writing that is easy to read, grammatically correct, and unique. The best place to find these articles is from a poker site you trust (not a site crammed with reviews and ads) or from an active poker forum.

2. Holdem Indicator

This is a free poker odds calculator that has been around for years. This tool displays all kinds of odds for every hand, including pot odds and win odds. This tool also displays useful information about the other players at your table, like mucked hands and odds. Table average stats and a load of other poker stats are super easy to figure out when a tool like this displays them right there on your screen.

3. PokerTracker

I know the word “free” is right there in the title of this article, but PokerTracker is more like what I’d call “mostly free.” You can get a free trial of this awesome poker database before you decide if it’s the right poker tool for you. PokerTracker is an entire suite of poker tools that helps you “track, analyze, and . . . improve” your poker game no matter what poker variant you’re playing.

4. PokerCrusher

Another “mostly free” poker tool, you can take advantage of a 5-day free trial of PokerCrusher when you visit their website. This tool is a database of millions of online poker players, analyzing their strengths, weaknesses, and betting patterns. My favorite part of PokerCrusher is the little icon that pops up next to poker players at your table, automatically alerting you to their basic playing style, be it “green fish”, “shark”, “mouse”, or any other style.

5. Poker Usher

Ever wanted a better way to find tournaments and games that are more likely to be profitable? The totally-free Poker Usher program identifies good poker profit opportunities across online poker rooms from all over the world.

Famous Gardens from Around the World

The next time you embark on a globe-spanning trip, be sure to check out these famous gardens from around the world. From the subtle to the outlandish, each of these locations will make your thumb a bit greener and your mood a bit brighter. And one think is for certain: the people who designed these breathtaking locales weren’t concerned about buying flowers under $20.

• Versailles – Sitting out back of the famous Palace of Versailles in France, this garden is perhaps the best-known in the world. It was built for Louis XIV, and I especially love the nearby arrangements of shrubbery and the swirl shapes in the ground.
• Rikugien Gardens - The name of this famous landscaping marvel translates to “six poems garden,” and it‘s said to reproduce in miniature the scenes from 88 famous poems.
• Boboli Gardens – Located behind the Pitti Palace in Florence, Italy, these gardens caused quite a stir in the 18th century due to their open design. And even though that was hundreds of years ago, they still manage to take your breath away.
• Abraham Lincoln Memorial Gardens – Jens Jensens designed this garden in the ‘30s and filled it with plants and trees native to the three states that served as homes for the former American president.
• Keukenhof Gardens – Located near Amsterdam, Holland, this garden is a paradise for anyone who loves tulips.
• Yu Gardens – This Shanghai garden is over 400 years old, and it was first constructed during the reign of the Ming Dynasty. Luckily for lovers of gardens, it was brought back to its original glory in the ‘60s.
• Butchart Gardens – Located outside of Victoria, B.C., The Butchart Gardens at Todd Inlet, cover an impressive 55 acres and feature a virtual explosion of color.

And just in case you find a time machine…

• The Hanging Gardens of Babylon – One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, these gardens were located in the city-state of Babylon, which sits on the site of present-day Iraq. Built around 600 BC, they were said to have been a present from King Nebuchadnezzar II to his wife who longed for the flowers and plants of her homeland. Sadly, a series of earthquakes destroyed the site.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this brief look at famous gardens from around the world. It’s amazing how much beauty is available on our planet if we just take the time to stop and look around.

Famous Poems about Flowers

I’ve always been a big fan of poetry, so it’s not surprising that I would be interested in famous poems about flowers. And, no, I’m not learning how to become a florist; I just think life is more interesting when it’s filled with nature. I hope you enjoy these selections as much as I have.

“I do not think I have ever seen anything more beautiful
than the bluebell I have been looking at.
I know the beauty of our Lord by it.”

(by Gerald Manley Hopkins)

“What’s in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.”

(by William Shakespeare from Romeo and Juliet)

“The modest Rose puts forth a thorn,
The humble sheep a threat’ning horn:
While the Lily white shall in love delight,
Nor a thorn nor a threat stain her beauty bright.”

(by William Blake from “The Lily”)

“I hide myself within my flower,

That wearing on your breast,
You, unsuspecting, wear me too –
And angels know the rest.

I hide myself within my flower,
That, fading from your vase,
You, unsuspecting, feel for me
Almost a loneliness.”

(by Emily Dickinson from “With a Flower”)

“Beloved, thou hast brought me many flowers
Plucked in the garden, all the summer through
And winter, and it seemed as if they grew
In this close room, nor missed the sun and showers.
So, in the like name of that love of ours,
Take back these thoughts which here unfolded too,
And which on warm and cold days I withdrew
From my heart’s ground. Indeed, those beds and bowers
Be overgrown with bitter weeds and rue,
And wait thy weeding; yet here’s eglantine,
Here ‘s ivy!—take them, as I used to do
Thy flowers, and keep them where they shall not pine.
Instruct thine eyes to keep their colors true,
And tell thy soul their roots are left in mine.”

(by Elizabeth Barrett Browning from “Sonnet 44”)

“I’ll give you a flower, mother
I’ll give you a flower, dear
For life is but a garden
To children of 5 years.”

(by Whitney Albright from “I’ll Give You a Flower, Mother”)

“There was once a beautiful flower sitting in the meadow
while I got out of my bed to my window
the field was very beautiful and grassy
the beautiful flower was feeling sassy.”

(by Marcella Debrito from “The Beautiful Flower”)

If you’ve never paid much attention to poetry before, I hope this humble collection will make you think about starting. Poetry can be enjoyed by anyone, whether you’re a casual gardener or learning how to become a florist. For that matter, you don’t even need to like nature to appreciate the art.

Put the ice, the whiskey and the refreshing drink and you will have the perfect shot in seconds! The shot dispenser is an accessory that must not miss from any booze party with your friends. Sure, there is always the possibility to poor the drinks by yourself, but with the help of the dispenser, you will be able to create drinks that you never thought about before. If you are the owner of a bar, you will have to buy many dispensers for your clients. However, even for your own house, a universal device of this kind is mandatory.

How to entertain your friends

Your cocktails and shots will have a certain flavor, and the drinks will start flowing. Just open the bottle and put the stopper inside. Put the bottle with the bottom up in the shot dispenser and ask your friends to serve themselves whenever they want to. Watch out, as the little toy might create addiction. It is going to be harder and harder for your friends to use the dispenser after a few shots; therefore, you might think about pouring the drinks by yourself. Make sure to find a great quality item.

Protecting your dispenser

Let’s be honest: we are talking about drunken persons trying to use a device. This is why they might break it in the process. Find a tarnish resistant shot dispenser made of aluminum and steel, and you won’t have to worry about your clumsy friends breaking it. Moreover, keep an eye on the stoppers of the dispensers. Those small pieces of metal might be easily lost; therefore, it would be a good idea to buy some more stoppers. Better, find a provider that is able to sell you a dispenser with many stoppers. The stoppers are also different, as you will need to prepare different types of drinks with the dispenser. Make sure you have all the accessories and start an incredible party now!

Women I Would Cheat With

I’m a happily married man, but even I have my limits. There are a select group of women out there who would force me to cheat on my bride, if only they would turn up on my doorstep one rain-soaked night. I’m sure my wife has a similar list filled with named like Clooney and Pitt, but this one belongs entirely to me. And for those of you who are actually considering an affair, you might want to take a look at Ashley Madison. While I don’t endorse such behavior, their Ashley Madison coupons will allow you to save a little money while you’re rolling the dice on your future.

• Anne Hathaway – Ms. Hathaway has no problem getting naked in her movies, and I wholeheartedly approve of her curvy young body. Those massive doe eyes are also a big plus, not to mention the fact that she seems like she could hold a conversation.
• Maggie Q – Asian women have always appealed to me, and this American/Vietnamese mix is one of the hottest things going today. She is a little on the skinny side, but that traffic-stopping face is enough to warrant her inclusion on this list.
• Penelope Cruz – I wasn’t a big fan of Penelope Cruz for years, but in retrospect I don’t know what I was thinking. This Spanish beauty is long and lean, and she’s held up well over the years. What’s not to like?
• Megan Fox – While a lot of people like to slam her acting, only a fool would scoff at her porn star looks. Even better, she claims to have only slept with one guy in her life, which is always a nice bonus.
• Natalie Portman – Do I even need to explain this one? Jewish women have always held a special place in my heart, and this diminutive hottie would make me consider converting to Judaism and wearing a kippah for the rest of my days.

So there you have it: women I would cheat with. It’s never going to happen, of course, but it’s nice to occasionally daydream about all the ladies listed above. If you’d like to have a little real-life fantasy fulfillment, you might want to give Ashley Madison a try. They have millions of members, and their Ashley Madison coupons allow you to save several bucks on a membership.

Remember family game night? Many families have given up the practice of gathering around the dinner table for games of Monopoly or a few hands of a favorite card game in favor of letting their kids play video games. The tradition of family game night is as old as human history–and there’s no substitute for playing games with your whole family.

Popular family games are pretty much the same as regular board games, from trivia games like Trivial Pursuit all the way down to games aimed at young children like Chutes and Ladders. What makes a game good for family game night?

Ease of Play

Popular board games tend to have steep learning curves, meaning it may take your family a game or two before everyone learns the rules. If your family has younger children, you may want to pick an easier game so they don’t get frustrated and bored.

Replay Value

Good family game night games should have high replay value–that means that your family can play them again and again and not lose interest. Word games, like Balderdash or Boggle, have high replay value because the words and gameplay are always a little different. Children’s games like Sorry! or Chutes and Ladders have less replay value, but might be good for younger players.

Educational Value

As your children get older, games for family game night should become more and more educational. You don’t have to hit your kids over the head with a game’s educational value–they may not realize that they’re learning while they play. The most educational games are kinetic games like Cranium or Pictionary. These games also have high replay value.

There are other ways to pick a game for family game night, but it is a good place to start. Match your family’s specific needs to the games your family already knows and loves for the perfect family game night.

One of the most useful features of the Internet is the easy access to valuable coupons. Third-party coupon sites like 8coupons.com and personal blogs about coupons have become ever more popular as more coupons pop up online. Whether you’re after printable coupons, coupon codes for shopping on the Internet, or information on promotions and specials, you can find it online.

Here are four common household items and details about their online coupons.

Cheerios Coupons

Cheerios cereal is a healthy alternative to sugary breakfast cereals or sugary snacks. You can find coupons for Cheerios online through third-party coupon sites and even plain old web searches. Most of the time, Cheerios offers a $1 off coupon good for the purchase of any two boxes of Cheerios products. Check the General Mills website for even more deals.

Pampers Coupons

Diapers are expensive, and Pampers are the most expensive brand of diapers. If you want Pampers leak protection without Pampers prices, online coupons are the way to go. A basic web search for “Pampers coupons” turns up a pile of potential deals, from store-specific coupons (Target has a $5 off coupon for Pampers right now at Target.com) to coupons you can print from the Pampers website and use at the store of your choice.

Cascade Coupons

Cascade products work really well–the price is the downside. Cascade’s website always has a few different coupon deals to choose from, and if you sign up with your email address for their mailing list you’ll instantly get a $1 off coupon for your favorite Cascade product.

Tide Coupons

Tide’s laundry cleaning products are the most popular in America, and also some of the most expensive. Finding an online coupon for Tide products can keep a little cash in your wallet. Start your Tide coupon search at (where else?) Tide.com–they offer a few different coupons every month for you to print and use at your neighborhood grocer.

Electronic books are big business–sometimes called eBooks, these are digital files that take the place of your home library. You can read magazines, newspapers, and good old hardback books right in the palm of your hand without having to store them in a physical library or bookshelf.

There are plenty of devices on the market that read eBooks, including inexpensive dedicated eBook readers all the way up to complex laptop-like devices with eBook reading functions. The two biggest names in eBook readers right now are Apple’s iPad and Amazon’s Kindle. Which one should you buy?

What Is an iPad?

Apple’s iPad is kind of a hybrid computer–part Internet-enabled PDA device and part laptop. The iPad is crammed with extra features that most eBook readers don’t have, has a giant screen, can download apps, and costs a whole lot more. iPads are now selling for between $499 and $829. Buy the iPad for the big screen and the app functions. The iPad’s 9.7 inch screen is the biggest on the market, and for some people this alone justifies a higher price tag.

What Is a Kindle?

Kindle is Amazon’s popular eBook reader that’s been around for a couple of years now. The top of the line Kindle (with 3G wireless) costs just under $200, which makes it about a quarter of the price of the top of the line iPad. For people who just want a plain old eBook reader, the Kindle is perfect. If you’re just looking for a device to read eBooks on, you can’t get much more affordable than the 3G Kindle.

Making the choice between the more expensive and more functional iPad and the more elegant and cheaper Kindle is really easy–figure out what functions you want your eBook reader to have and make your choice. The Kindle is much less expensive than the iPad and it is super easy to use. The iPad has more features to justify the much higher price.