Businesses need to ensure that their financial records are accurate, up-to-date, and in accordance with accepted accounting principles. They can achieve this objective by following the accounting cycle.

These are the steps that make up the accounting cycle…

1) Analysis

Analyzing all of the transactions from the past year, and locating all relevant documents and receipts, is the first step that needs to be taken.

2) General Journal

Next, it is necessary to create a central record of all of the transactions. This record is referred to as a General Journal.

3) Posting

Following the journalizing of transactions, they are then transferred and posted to the ledger. This paper / electronic trail is important to verify accuracy and to refer to if accounts are found not to be balancing up later on.

4) The Unadjusted Trial Balance

The next step is to total up debit and credit balances to ensure that they are equal. Information from the ledger should also be compiled so that financial statements can be prepared.

5) Adjustment

Now that external transactions (such as supply purchases and utility payments) have been recorded and verified, it is time to adjust the accounts for internal transactions (such as prepaid rent or unearned revenue).

6) The Adjusted Trial Balance

The preparation of the adjusted trial balance is the next task, which encompasses all internal and external transactions for the reporting period. Again, there accuracy is verified, by ensuring the credit and debit sums are equal.

7) Business Financial Statements

At this stage, a number of important financial statements are created. The Income Statement and Statement of Owner’s Equity first, followed by the Balance Sheet.

8) Closing Of The Trial Balance

Permanent accounts now have their balances carried into the next period, while temporary accounts are closed. The last entries made in those accounts are posted to the capital account of the business, after which all balances (expense, revenue, withdrawal, etc.) should be zero.

9) Post-Closing Trial Balance

Finally, comes the post-closing trial balance, which lists the balances of the accounts that were not closed (such as liabilities, assets, and owner’s equity). This trial balance helps verify that permanent accounts balance (i.e. that they have equal debit and credit sums) and that all temporary accounts were properly closed.

It is important that business owners understand the steps involved in this accounting cycle. The reason is that they are ultimately responsible for any mistakes, whether by accident or not, in their finances.

That is not so say that they should do all of their accounting themselves, that would also be a mistake. Rather, the point is that proper accounting is so important to a business that it pays to be fully aware of what needs to be done, but to seek professional assistance in the doing of those things.

Therefore, it is highly recommended that business owners enlist the help of a reputable accounting firm. Not only will they ensure that the accounting cycle is appropriately followed, and that all legal obligations are met, they will also offer advice and feedback on how to better organize finances in the future.

Knowing what to look for in your new bicycle is of paramount importance. Even for pro bicyclists, deciding on their next bicycle can be a challenge. The fact of the matter is that getting a bike involves many different choices. You need to think about safety, comfort, what the bike will be used for, how often the bicycle will be used, where the bicycle will be used and, if we’re being honest: style. Trying to keep yourself informed of all the new choices, as well those just about to be released, can make it really hard to finally choose the bike for you. Simply apply this test as you go to get your new bike.

And there are other riders who love to do it because it’s fun. No matter your reason for choosing to take up cycling, you need to know some important things before you decide on your first bicycle. There is more to choosing the right cycling bicycle than the colors used to paint it! Here are some helpful tips that you can use to help you decide which bicycle you should buy.

It’s okay for fashion to affect the decision you make about your new bicycle. Favorite colors and styles show in our choices. Your new bike should reflect your favorites. If your bike is only for looks, put style elements and fashion choices as your ultimate decision-makers. Safety and comfort should be considered first. After finding bikes that are both safe and comfy, then you can see which ones look the best to you.

The first thing to ensure is you get a bike that is the right size. For this you must calculate your inseam. Simply measure the distance from your groin to the bottom of your foot, down the inside of your leg. When you get a bike you should be able to lay both feet flat to the ground if need be. This is for safety more than anything else, if your brakes should fail you will not be able to easily stop the bike otherwise. What kind of handlebars you want on your bike is also a big choice. Not all handlebars are the same. Handlebars that extend straight out give you more control over how your bike is maneuvered over rough terrain. These handlebars will also evenly distribute your weight over a larger area. For racing bikes you will want completely different handlebars, these handlebars will curve and allow you to ride your bike in a leaning position, this is to cut down on wind resistance and allow you to cycle faster. If you aren’t going to be using your bicycle very often, you might simply opt for a handlebar style that feels comfortable and makes it easier to store your bicycle while you aren’t using it.

What kind of add-ons must you have? If you will need to transport things with your bike, you’ll need a basket. Will you need to transport a child? If this is the case, you must choose a bike that can support a child’s seat. How about towing something behind the bike? Choose a bike that can support the weight of a trailer, if this is something you’ll do.

So why wouldn’t this apply to buying a bicycle? You need to do this especially if you are spending a lot of money on a bike that you know you will use for a long time. You need to make sure the bike is a perfect fit. Physical fit is easy to determine, but you also need to find a bike that “fits” your riding style. You wouldn’t want to spend your hard earned money on something that isn’t comfortable, would you?

Take 9″ away from the total of your inseam if you plan to get a road bike. This is down to the tires a road bike equips. Designed to work best on concrete pavements, road bikes are best suited to cycling around the city. For a mountain bike you will need to take 12″ away from your total inseam. Again this is to account for the type of tires you will be using. You will find them to be much bigger and designed to handle rocky terrain. You can of course use a mountain bike for road cycling but this isn’t supposed to be their primary use.

Just exactly how many gears do you think you’ll use? Make your choice by knowing that if you ride in mountainous areas you’ll need more gears than when riding in a flat area. Just because a bike has more gears doesn’t make it better. Sometimes bike riders don’t ever use all the gears on their bike. It’s a waste of money to pay for all those unused gears. If your bike is going to be the main means of travel for you, you absolutely must get the number of gears you need for the situations in which you’ll ride.

Which angle you tilt your seat at is also an important factor. There are several angles you can tilt your seat at. You might find that a perfectly flat seat is a little uncomfortable and that you prefer to lean forward a little bit. Adjust your seat so that this is possible. You can always leave the seat in the position it is in, but you will most likely find it to be very uncomfortable to ride. As you can see, there are many things to take into consideration when deciding on the perfect bicycle for you. For some folks, sturdiness and stability will be a factor because they will need a bike that can take a lot of wear and tear. You may simply what the most reliable bike for getting you around the city. Some people have to think very seriously about the price they are paying for a bike. It is important to do your research and to shop around before you buy a bicycle. Never jump on the first thing that is pretty, because you never know if you are making a mistake.

Take your time to learn about your options before you shop. It will pay off in the end.

When you get a bike your main goal should be to find one that physically suits you. Selecting a bike with a good fit for you is of the utmost importance, when using a bike as the main way to get from A to B. You need to feel safe but also comfortable on your bike, otherwise you won’t enjoy riding it!

Locate complete details and information about the great road bikes Australia offers today! When you are looking for mountain bikes Australia has, you will find them fast!

Lapierre Cycles is a France based company and they produce quality Road bikes and cycles for over 50 years. Gaston Lapierre is the founder of the company. He started Lapierre Bikes as a small cycle company in Dijon, France 1946. The early years were the growth of French cycling with continued and increasing popularity of the Tour De France. By early 1960s the company grew considerably and the Gaston Lap Pierre

Numbers are vibrations. Just as the planets affect our outer and inner lives, numbers represent vibrations that we sense, whether we are aware of it or not, and respond to with our actions, feelings and thoughts. When the numbers in our lives change – for instance a new address, new uniform number, or new telephone number, these transitions affect us energetically. Every new year, the change in numbers create a vibrational shift, and we all share the influence of this transformation.  How you are affected specifically each calendar year by this change in energy is referred to as your Personal Year Number.

Knowing your Personal year cycles can help you interpret the many changes happening within and around you. It is akin to reading the weather report before planning a trip. Varied energies are conducive to different activities and behaviors. There is a time to act, to wait, to change, to express, to explore or retreat. A season for everything!

Here is how to find your Personal Year number:
First, reduce the month and day of your birth to a single digit. You do this by adding each individual number of the date until the sum number equals a single digit. For example, if your birthday is December 19th. (December is the 12th month) You add the digits of the month (12) and day (19). In this example 1+2+1+9=13. You want to reduce this sum until you get a single digit, so in this case you add 1+3=4.

Next, reduce the current year for which you are making the calculation to a single digit. For example, The year 2010 would become 3 (2+0+1+0=3).

Now, add the single digit representing your birthday to the single digit representing the current year. Thus in this case we ad 4+3=7, 2010 is a 7 personal year for this person.

Another example, if your birthday is July 29, you add 7+2+9=18. Then reduce the 18 (1+8=9). Then add that single digit sum (9) to the current year (which in our example is 2010 which reduces to 3). 9+3=12. 12 is a double digit so we reduce it further by adding 1+2=3. This person is in a 3 personal year in 2010.

To simplify, you add the day and month of your birthday and keep adding until you reach a single digit. Now add that to the number the single digit total of the current year. If your total is a double digit, add those two numbers together until you reach a single digit.

You got it? Now, look up your personal year below. Once you do that, you can look up your friends, your family, even your pets! You can do this every year. Have fun!

1 Personal Year
This is a brand new beginning for you! Last year you completed a 9 year cycle. You most likely let go of some people and circumstances in your life, and now is time to plant seeds and embark upon new adventures. This is a wonderful time to do anything you have wanted to do but have been making excuses for. Now is the time to take action and be bold! This is not a time to wait and think about things, it is a time to do! You will have a lot of energy now, so do some form of physical exercise daily, otherwise you might experience nervous tension in your body or mind. Starting something new takes confidence. Believe in yourself. This Universe is helping you break out of your comfort zone and take your life to a new level!

2 Personal Year
After the intense energy and changes of last year, now is a time to slow down and reflect upon your life and your choices. You might feel torn in two directions and some of your old identities are merging with you new ones. Be kind to yourself as you integrate these energies. Your emotions are on high and you might feel oversensitive or take other people’s opinions to heart. That is why it is so important to take time and reflect on your needs and personal truth. What is it that YOU want? To find inner balance, you might need to draw more boundaries, say no more often, and learn how to receive. Where can you take back some of your energy? Are you giving more than you are receiving? Are there any areas in your life where you feel you deserve more? Explore those areas and find ways to balance your relationships in a reciprocal manner. Your intuition is highly charged now. To access this gift, you need to listen to your inner voice above all others. Perhaps you want to take up yoga or meditation, and spend more time in nature. Use this beautiful time to know yourself better and have the courage to take care of yourself! Since 2 attracts relationships, this can be a wonderful time to meet someone who helps you feel good about yourself, romantic or otherwise. But remember, finding loving relationships begins with honoring and loving yourself first!

3 Personal Year
The world is your stage! This is a potently creative time, so instead of worrying about your future, create the life you desire by cultivating more joy and beauty within you. What do you find beautiful about yourself and your life? What feeds your spirit and makes you feel happy? Use your imagination to create the life you have always wanted. Instead of focusing about what you lack, plant the seeds of love and nurture them by giving attention to what you are grateful for and what you are doing right! 3 is a social energy so spend time with those people that help you feel good and raise your vibration. Your creativity is in full force now and it needs to be expressed. What activities would you love to do? Do them now. You will meet wonderful people and really feel good about yourself. This would be a great time to keep use your voice with singing, acting or writing. Any form of creative expression would be beneficial. Make sure you tell people how you feel, because your emotions are seeking an outlet. Before doing so, spend some time to find words that uplift and inspire rather than create more conflict. Focus on what is beautiful in yourself and others and your world will look and feel better every day.

4 Personal Year
After the expansive creative energies of last year, this is a time to solidify your foundation and get the details of your life in order. This vibration governs earthly concerns such as your home, family, money, finances, and day to day activities. The four creates a square, so you want to square your corners and set the stage for the dramatic year of change that lies ahead. Anything you can do to get organized will serve you well, including tidying up the structural imperfections of your home, or establishing daily regimes or routines. This would be an ideal time to buy a home or establish a business, provided you pay careful attention to your contracts. Whether you are buying a home, investing in a business, or preparing for the future in any way, it would serve you to be very thorough with your financial planning and create a budget or spending plan. Your physical body will need more attention this year, so make sure to stay disciplined about getting enough rest and exercise. This might sound very dull and restrictive but it isn’t. These disciplines will create more freedom and expansiveness for you in the long run. This can be a highly enjoyable time where you feel yourself becoming more secure and stronger in every moment. This can also be a beneficial time to enjoy with family. All of your hard work will pay off in the long run. You will be so glad you had the fortitude to build your foundation now.

5 Personal Year
Get ready for a dramatic and exciting year! This year will feel like it is flying by because there will be so many changes and activities. After all the hard work of last year, this is a fantastic time to have fun and meet new people, or travel to distant places. You may even feel the urge to relocate. You will find your social life expanding as you feel more expansive as well. If there are any structures in your life that restrict you, now is the time to shake them off and seek new horizons. This is a wonderful time to have an adventure so if there is anywhere you want to go, buy your ticket! Or take that class you always wanted to take, or go to the theater, or even be in the theater! If you want to take up a new hobby, being in a group environment would be especially rewarding. If you are involved in the media or any way, or have always wanted to be, you’ll feel extra blessed this year. If you want to grow your business, any type of advertising would prove worthwhile. Make sure that with all of these changes and new feelings that you don’t scatter your energies. Listen to your heart to discern what is most important and make your decisions based on your intuitive guidance. You might make mistakes, but that is how you learn, and those lessons will serve you and help you to instruct others in the future.

6 Personal Year
Balance is a theme for you this year. With all of the changes and excitement from the previous year, now is the time to restore your body, mind and spirit. Your home and family will take center stage, so you want to make sure your surroundings are harmonious and serene. Pay particular attention to the energy of your space, including the colors and sounds. Make any changes to your environment that help you feel peaceful and relaxed. Perhaps you want to beautify your personal image as well, such as investing in a new wardrobe or different hairstyle that helps you feel more attractive. If you have any health concerns, look for treatments that integrate emotional healing as well as physical. Yoga or dance would be an ideal activity for you to help you maintain balance between your body and mind. You might have extra responsibilities this year, particularly in your family, so make sure you take time to yourself and put your needs first. By taking care of yourself fully, you can better help others. You will enjoy spending more time with all of your loved ones this year, including children and pets. This is an ideal period to attract a romantic partner if you have not met one yet. If you are already in a relationship, you can add more romance by taking time to have fun together instead focusing on your responsibilities. If you are facing any choices this year, make sure you are basing your decisions on what you really want, rather than what you think you “should” do or what you fear others will think of you. Focus on love and harmony this year and you cannot go wrong.

7 Personal Year
This is a year of victory where you can acquire spiritual mastery by learning to control your lower instincts and emotions. Take a break from the pressures of your daily activities to still your mind and restore your spirit. Reflect on what is meaningful to you and serves your purpose. If you can find time in nature, it will nourish every part of you, particularly if you retreat near the ocean. You might find you want to relocate closer to nature or live in a more serene environment, or at least go on a vacation. If you do not have a daily meditation practice, you might consider taking one up. This is an ideal time to engage in any spiritual activity or group where you can learn more about your chosen faith with others. Any course of study or research will prove worthwhile provided your heart is in it, and you are not doing it out of obligation. If you are a writer, this can be the year to create your best work yet! No matter what you engage in this year, you want to keep your mind focused on what you want, rather than let your emotions get the better of you. At times, you might feel that your emotions or outward circumstances are tearing you in two directions, leaving you angry or confused. This is an opportunity for you to gain dominion over your mind, so that you feel in control of your life, rather than feeling that circumstances in your life occur at random. If you find yourself getting overwhelmed, take a deep breath and stay in the moment. Stay focused on the big picture, and ask yourself if you have been making choices based on your personal truth, or if you have allowed others opinions to dominate your decision. As you learn to stay centered amidst change, you will learn to deeply trust yourself and the process of your life. These are valuable skills that will carry you forward for the rest of your journey.

8 Personal Year
Now is a time to prosper! After all your hard work, you will begin to see the fruits of your labor. After the reflective introspection of last year, now is the time to act! And act big! What are your passions? Pay attention to those inner stirrings within you that make you feel excited and motivate you. Follow your bliss. You might find yourself wanting to do more, be more, experience more. This is good! What are some of those things that make you happy that you have been putting off? Don’t delay any longer. Live your life to the fullest! Pursue your dreams by taking some risks. If you feel stifled in any way it is because you have been limiting your idea of who you are. You can own your power and leadership abilities more fully now, and that includes your ability to receive more financial abundance. You might find yourself challenged this year, as more is required of you, but that is only so you can experience your potential more fully. If you find yourself in power plays at work or in your relationships, it is to remind you that it is OK to be powerful, and not to be afraid to assert yourself. What is it that you want? Now go for it! And have fun reaping the rewards!

9 Personal Year
Congratulations! You are on the final year of a 9 year cycle. You have learned a lot along the way, so take stock of all of your lessons because you will be passing this wisdom to others. You might find that others are drawn to you for advice or teaching this year. Trust that you have what it takes to guide them. You might be reflecting quite a bit on the past now, but this is only so you learn from it and move on. Make sure you are not holding on to the past. Let go of what no longer serves you. Finish up any loose ends and unfinished business in your life as you prepare for a new cycle. Forgive anyone who needs forgiving and that includes yourself! You might require more alone time this year, so you can connect with your intuition. There is nothing wrong with this. Value this time with yourself; there will be more excitement next year. This is a period for reflection, but it is also a time for recognition of everything you have done and achieved, so make sure you are taking stock of everything good in your life, and it will come back to you manifold. You will be harvesting your many rewards, so enjoy your bounty. You deserve it!

May you have a rewarding and exciting journey whatever year you are in!

The new “old way” to travel – By cheap road bike

Picture the scene – whizzing along a country lane on a Sunday afternoon while the sun is shining and you can actually smell the freshly mown grass, yes, cycling is here to stay. There are so many advantages to cheap road bikes, they can save you loads of money (many roads bikes for sale are unbelievably cheap to buy) but you also save a small fortune on running costs – no more petrol, car insurance or road tax – just a little effort required (but not even that on the down-hills).

There are plenty of cheap road bikes available today, and plenty of ways to buy them. Don’t think that you need to buy a brand new bike; there are lots of used road bikes for sale which offer real value for money and you might be surprised at what choices there are available.

One very popular choice is the Cannondale road bike, which is available in a large variety of models and sizes. You can even buy a Cannondale specialized road bike at a mere fraction of the new cost, simply by checking out websites which list internet auctions. Some of these can offer multiple models at a snippet of a price, even around 1/3 of the new price if you’re lucky, and many of them have hardly been used at all. These auction site listings are also a great place to source replacement parts for your bike at home, which may be in need of a little TLC, why pay full price when there are so many choices available at much less than the original value.

There are plenty of other makes and models of used road bikes for sale and this can make an even more affordable alternative. We’re talking Raleigh, Trek, Fuji and De Rosa, yes; all of the best known names and brands are available at a fraction of the original price. Let’s be honest, even if you are planning on training for a marathon event up hill and down dale at 6am every morning before work, you don’t really need a brand new road bike do you, you might be better off buying a more expensive and therefore more advanced model, for a cheap road bike price just because somebody has used it before you.

So go on, you’ll feel better for it, you’ll be helping the atmosphere (they’re a very green way to travel too) and it could save you a small fortune. Buy yourself a cheap road bike and get “on yer bike” today. Take a look at the website and grab a bargain; you won’t be able to believe your eyes.

Buying a cheap road bike can not only make you fitter, it can save you loads of money too. Cheap road bikes are also environmentally friendly, so go on, get on your bike today. Free reprint avaialable from: A Cheap Road Bike – The Best Way To Travel.

Hi Mick/Team

Just a question if I may, I\’m on the three day program and it feels good so far but why are squats so good for overall growth, not just for legs but for other areas as well, I want to get bigger overall. Do squats really help you grow all over?

Charlie

Hi Charles,

Let me put it this way. If there was just the one exercise that I would have to choose to try and keep in overall shape then squats would be the one that I would pick – I would have to because of the overall fitness levels that the exercise would give me.

That said and to be honest I have had my fair share of squat sessions during my lifetime thus far that I am more than qualified to say that with the up most authority. That also does not mean that the exercise in my personal opinion is a pure bastard but you cannot get away from the facts of what overall fitness, strength and stamina the exercise can give you,

This is easily explained in the study of the movement of squats. The balance alone calls for muscles from the calves, thighs, lower and upper back, shoulders and arms alone just to stay upright even before a squat is done. Couple this with the braking power needed from all of these muscles just in the downward movement alone and we have not even begun the upward push. See my point?

Squatting asks for so much from a person and if continued in a training routine along with other main muscle groups such as chest and back for example, then you are basically covering the whole body in these three exercises alone – stamina and strength being the main benefits just to name a couple.

So the answer is a definite yes to squats. Love em or hate em if you want to advance that little further then some form of squats should really be added to your training routine for maximum results.

God Bless!

Mick.

Hi there Mick,

I am starting dianabol for the first it i have bin told to start of on 4 tablets a day can I take them all at once all do I have to spread them out throughout the day. The tablets I have are 5mg,

Gareth

Hi Gareth,

I would start on 2-3 tabs a day to be honest and yes spread them throughout the day, well in two halves would be sufficient and with food also.

A dosage of 4 a day is not bad but it is always best to start a little lower than to high simply because there are those that even 2-3 a day can be more than enough. Remember the number 1 rule, \”Once its in you cannot take it out!\”

The exact dosages and times of this particular steroid are featured in my Layman\’s Guides series of books including many other starting cycles to be aware of.

Please bear in mind that you could help an old bodybuilder here by buying about 50,000 copies of each then I can reply to any of your questions from a villa in the Bahamas in a much better mood.

Cheers,

Mick

Hey Mick,

I have read your Layman\’s guide and found it very helpful i have done two bulking cycles from your guide i have got a bit of a fat gut with all the protein shakes and eat like a horse. i would like your opinion on what is the best cycle for burning the fat or is ephedrine a better option.

cheers mate,

Gordon… \”Good info in your book no bull cheers!!!\”

Hi Gordon,

OK you may have put on some fat but that is always going to happen to some extent but without it you really cannot gain as much as people would think they can, Without some stored fat (especially during the mass building phase) you would start to deplete protein as an alternative energy source which leads to actual muscle loss in the long run so be wary of that.

But… the option that I would go for in this case would be to use a \”staged trimming\” of your diet – a little bit at a time in stages so that you don\’t lose too much muscle.

For example you could start simply by not taking in any Carbs after 7 o\’clock which will reduce the fat considerably once your body gets used to it. If you feel that this is not fast enough then reduce the time down to say a 5 o\’clock limit with the Carbs which will drastically reduce the over intake of energy foods (so long as you are not training later on in the evening that is – here you have to be careful because you need a good Carb load for a good workout – well I do and that\’s a fact.

Ephedrine? Well this is something that will indeed kill your appetite and from a personal point of view it killed mine big time when I used it. It all depends on how much you feel you need to lose and what you have to sacrifice in order to lose the fat. With Ephedrine it really is down to the timing and that you have to get right because if you take it too late then it upset your sleep later on if taken to late so the timing and choices are up to you in these cases. If taken a half hour before training then the benefit of a boosted workout will be felt if the product suits, again entirely up to you.

Be wary of the products that offer mind boggling weight loss stats for even more mind boggling weight loss money because you are paying for the packaging when all you need to do is use a little more common sense and save your money.

Ease back on the fats, time the Carbs right and hit the gym as hard as you can WHEN you can.

After ten years with Ambrosio, Dedioniggi started off on his own to set up a company he called Tecnologia del Tubo Torinese which translates to Turin Tube Technology. Say that three times fast. Yeah, just calling this company 3T, or Triple T, is much faster and more efficient.

Equipped with just amazing talent, one helper and a manual tube bending machine, Dedioniggi found himself a three room warehouse in the Northern Italian city of Turin, and went to work. Maybe it was because he was an innovator, perhaps it was because the tube bending machine was manual; one way or the other, Dedioniggi quickly moved from bending steel to bending aluminum alloys. Until this breakthrough, made by our hero Dedioniggi, bike parts were made from lightweight steel. Even lightweight steel isn’t nearly as lightweight as aluminum. And there is no loss of strength so the bicycle parts made by 3T were equally as durable, and significantly lighter in weight, than anything that had come before it. Yeah, this guy got some notice, fast.

Dedioniggi changed the cycling industry with these new fangled aluminum alloy handlebars, stems and seat pillars. In fact, the world’s first Ergal handlebar came out in 1975. (Ergal = AL7075 Aluminum) It was called the Superleggero and weighed in at 240 grams which was significantly less than anything that had come before it. Over 30 years later, the Superleggero is still well regarded in the cycling industry.

Surprisingly though, it took 24 years and change in ownership for the innovations of 3T to be recognized by the International Design Award committee. Happily that award didn’t go to their heads, they have always and will always be popular for offering their customers more, including a five year owner’s warranty on all their parts. That is a first in the cycling industry and remains an astounding warranty. It’s nice to know they still take pride in their parts.

Of course, taking pride in your parts is easy when you go above and beyond the call of duty for superior design and overboard testing for strength and durability. To quote their website, “(3T) components are engineered for strength through a systemic understanding of stresses and meticulous optimization of structural design and composite-materials lay-up.” Evidently that is the key to longer lasting and stronger components.

3T also tests its components to the nth degree. They literally test everything to destruction. That way you know when you are putting out tremendous pressure on your bike during a sprint or a climb, your 3T cycling parts won’t bend or break under pressure.

From innovation to innovation, 3T has survived and thrived to this day, when many other Italian born companies are falling wayward. There was a close call in 2007, but with a little moxie, the company explored why they had gotten off track. It turns out they needed to start each product design with a clean slate and refocus on superior engineering practices. You know, just like the founder, Dedioniggi, did. 3T stepped up to hire Richard McAinsh who had been an innovator with Ferrari’s F1 design team. His fresh new perspectives have increased the already superior quality by using highly developed software and an advanced design platform, as well as a relationship with the aspects involved in airframe and race car design. The quality that 3T was founded on came back in full force and took the company even further.

Now with a new focus on carbon composites and aerodynamics, 3T is pushing the envelope for the lightest weight and most aerodynamic while still keeping safety at the heart of their product design.

A major reason why lenders periodically experience significant credit problems on commercial real estate loans is the property cycle, which is closely related to developers’ misforecasts. For example, the Asian recession started the same way as it did in the United States and Europe, beginning with extensive lending and the resulting overbuilding of commercial space.

A unique characteristic of real estate property is its longevity, and a feature of property development is a long delay between orders and completions. There also exist lags created by the need to acquire and development sites, area planning and land use changes, evaluate the load/bearing and other capacities of the site, obtain access to financing, draw up plans, and obtain building permissions. A typical project might take two to three years from the beginning to end.

The combination of a long time lag from initiation of a development project to completion, optimistic expectations about future demand for space, the macroeconomic situation, and a short-run supply which is irreversible and specific to both location and use, creates the conditions for a classic “hog-cycle” whereby the market alternates between bust and boom.

There is a long delay before increased user-demands for commercial property can be translated into additional property stock sustains space shortage. This can lead to rising rental or real estate values. Therefore, rising prices induce developers to initiate new construction. But in the short run, the effect on demand and supply can be even perverse. Potential tenants may sign contracts and acquire properties ahead of time in anticipation of rising rents, while the increase in real estate prices enables property trades to increase their borrowings and purchase more real estate.

Eventually, the supply of new space adjusts to changing user and investment demands, but under perhaps very different economic conditions, producing an excess supply of space and decreasing rents and real estate prices. Most of the adjustments in commercial real estate markets depend upon developers (suppliers). As the market alternates between a phase of over- and under supply to cyclical fluctuations in development activity is thus generated.

Putting these elements together, we might draw the profile of a typical property cycle:

1. Rents begin to rise and real estate values increase

2. It pays to renovate buildings and the volume of new construction expands

3. Increased lending and new sources of equity investment

4. Development lots and vacant land are absorbed

5. Optimistic forecasts of market growth and trends and “the boom that will never end” thinking sets in

6. Available supply begins to come to the market

7. At the peak of cycle all real estate factors now at full stretch, there is an equilibrium between supply and demand

8. Reduced take up and unstoppable supply of space

9. Rent decreases and falling property values

10. Tightened lending and foreclosures

11. Depressed property values and minimal construction activities

12. Banks reverse their boom policies and start to withdraw loans

13. The “wreckage” is cleared away and the real estate market stagnates

14. Increased absorption and stabilizing rents and values

15. Recovery and the readiness for another take up

How can you still consider the environment even when using full-time disposables?

Whether you are a hybrid nappy user, making the switch to more eco-friendly nappy choices or a family committed to using modern cloth as much as possible, there may be times when using disposable nappies is the only way to go.

When you bulk buy disposable nappies you are making a more eco-friendly choice.

Bulk buying is practicing Pre-cycling! Precycling prevents waste from coming into your home. You will save money buying in bulk – nappies in bigger boxes, or cartons. You are save resources by reducing the packaging needed, the transport costs, the amount of waste.

There are many reasons you may decide to use disposable nappies:

you are doing certain types of travelling without access to a washing machine
you are visiting relatives who have ‘issues’ with cloth nappies
you have a newborn baby that is a pooping fanatic
someone in your family is sick
your washing machine is on the fritz
water restrictions are particularly tight (if you use mainly rain water for instance)
or you are simply tired and in need of a washing break.

At these times, instead of reusing cloth nappies, you can ‘pre-cycle’ your disposable nappies! Precycling is the practice of reducing waste by attempting to avoid bringing into the home ‘things’ which will generate waste. Precycling includes any attempts to reduce the production of waste.

Pre-Cycling includes such practices as:

buying consumables in bulk to reduce packaging
buying consumables in recyclable packaging over non-recyclable packages
avoiding junk mail
using electronic media for reading materials (especially throwaway items such as magazines or newspapers.)

Buying bulk nappies is the environmentally friendly way to buy disposables.

You can bulk buy nappies online as well as at local bulk buy nappy warehouses.

Here is an Eco-Goal for you to consider:

What if you looked into getting your next lot of disposables in bulk, to practice pre-cycling as you also save money you can use towards buying some re-usable cloth nappies?

Catch the action from an exciting women’s BMX final at the 2010 YOG in Singapore: gold – Perez (BRA), silver – Dellar (AUS), bronze – Hereijgers (NED)