How to Read free eBooks on Amazon Kindle

January 26th, 2012 Posted in Smart Tips | No Comments »

Read Free eBooks on KindleRead Free eBooks on Kindle

I have not tried any eBooks until recently when I purchased my Asus Eee Pad Transformer Tablet. However, once I found out the convenience of buying eBooks on Amazon Kindle Online eBook store with their one click buy option, I got hooked on it and I already have loaded my tablet with hundreds of eBooks – some of them are paid and some of them are free. Today, I will discuss how you can buy eBooks for free on the Kindle store.

You don’t need an eBook Reader or a Tablet to read eBooks. You can install Kindle for PC on your desktop or laptop to read eBooks. If you have a Tablet, you need to install the Kindle application from the app market. I will go through the two easiest ways to find eBooks on the Kindle store. There may be others ways pull free eBooks, but I like these two methods as they are very simple and fast.

Procedure One: See All Free eBooks without Categories

1. Go to the Kindle Store
2. Put “free kindle books” in the search box
3. Hit the “Go” button
4. You will see all the ebooks. As of this writing, I got 29,431 free eBooks.

Procedure Two: Sort All Free eBooks by Categories

1. Go to the Kindle Store
2. Look for the categories on the left
3. Pick the category you want
4. Sort it by price, from low to high on the top right
5. Free eBooks for that category will appear on the first few pages

Once you have found your book, click on that book and then you can buy the book by clicking the “buy” button on the top right. Yes, you still have to click the “buy” button, although it is free and you won’t be charged.

These days, I am reading more books than ever as I have access to all my eBooks on my smartphone, tablet, and PCs. If I read one book on my tablet and then open the same book on my smartphone, I will be on the same page where I left of on my Tablet (or any other devices), as all devices are synced when you read, regardless of their operating systems.

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5 Tips to Automate Your Finances and Manage Your Debt

January 19th, 2012 Posted in Debt Management | No Comments »

5 Tips to Automate Your Finances and Manage Your DebtSimple Debt Management Strategy

Debt management is all about managing your finances efficiently, so you don’t fall in the trap of spending more than you have to. Money is such a thing that if you see it, you spend it. It may not be possible for some of us to stop spending unnecessarily if we have cash in hand. That’s why the best way to deal with it is to take care of your monthly recurring expenses automatically so you don’t need to worry about not paying that phone bill or occurring late charges on your rent or mortgage payment.

Here are 5 tips to automate your bills

1. Make a list of all recurring bills you pay every month. Some of these bills can be cable TV bill, Internet bill, cell phone bill, electricity bill, water bill, rent, mortgage, and so on.

2. Call each of your service providers and tell them that you would like to automate your bill payment so it comes out of your bank account automatically. You may need to complete a form and then mail or fax it back to the service provider to complete the process.

3. Automatic bill payment can be done using a credit card as well and in that case the whole process can be done over the phone – you may not need to complete and fax/mail back a physical form. However, use your credit card only if you pay your credit card in full each month. If you are trying to reduce your debt and you have had habits of not paying your credit card bills in full each month, stay away from paying bills using credit cards.

4. Make sure your bank does not have transaction limits or you are not exceeding your monthly allowed transactions, if you have a fee based bank account. I recommend no fee banking account such as President Choice No Fee Bank Account.  

5. It is possible to pay all your bills online each month once you get your bills by accessing your bank’s online banking. However, this process will cost you time every month and there are chances that you will forget to pay bills once in a while.

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How to Cut Cable or Satellite TV, Watch Over-The-Air HD TV Channels for Free, and Save At Least $600 Annually

How to Cut Cable or Satellite TV, Watch Over-The-Air HD TV Channels for Free, and Save At Least $600 Annually

January 12th, 2012 Posted in Internet and Technology, Smart Tips | No Comments »

How to Cut Cable or Satellite TV, Watch Over-The-Air HD TV Channels for Free, and Save At Least $600 AnnuallyWhy Should You Get Rid of Your Cable or Satellite TV?

Cable TV is one of the major recurring monthly expenses in our household. Cable TV costs can range from $50 to more than $100 monthly. If you can get rid of your cable or satellite  TV, the yearly savings will be a large amount and the saved time will be priceless – if you spend this free time on something productive. And no – I am not suggesting to get rid of TV for good. You can still have some good HD over-the-air channels for free.

How Is The Picture Quality of Free HD Over-The-Air TV Channels?

These HD channels provide crystal-clear, high-definition picture quality superior to cable or satellite TV, as digital signals sent over-the-air are not compressed the way cable or satellite companies compress their signals.

What Do I Need To Capture Free HD Over-The-Air TV Channels?

It depends on where you are. If you live in a high-rise condo or apartment building in a city (like Toronto), the process is really simple. You just need to buy an indoor digital antenna and you have to place this antenna near your window or glass door. I bought an RCA Digital Flat Antenna, which is around $40, looks like a book or a tablet PC, lies flat on any flat surface, and is very low-profile.

If you live in a house, you will need to install an outdoor digital antenna. You can either do the installation by yourself, or you can call a professional installer. You will be saving lots of hassle (if you think of it that way) of choosing the right type of antenna, buying parts to install the antenna, and so on, by calling a professional installer. There are professional antenna installation services that will do all the work for you. The cost of such services will recover within a few months once you stop paying your cable or satellite company. Search for “TV antenna installers” to find an installer near you.

If you prefer to install an outdoor antenna by yourself, you need to buy an outdoor digital antenna and some parts to install it outside. Stores like Tiger Direct, Factory Direct, Canada Computers, Home Depot, etc. provide antennas and the parts you will require to install it by your self. Here are some websites which provide you information on over-the-air TV channels and picking the right antenna for installation:

http://www.sensuz.com/estore/catalog/whatisota.php

http://www.tvfool.com/

http://www.hdtvantennalabs.com

http://www.digitalhome.ca

How Many HD Channels I Will Get?

You will get 10 to 20 or more HD channels and many SD (standard-definition) channels. You will get Canadian channels like CBC, Global, CTV, Citytv, ABC, NBC, FOX, PBS, etc. However, keep in mind that specialty channels like TSN, Showtime, weather channel, etc. will not be available as over-the-air channels.

Last Word

You have to see it to believe the crisp, crystal-clear HD picture quality you can get for free just by connecting an over-the-air antenna to your TV. And how about the big savings you will enjoy year after year for cancelling your cable or satellite TV? You have to experience it to believe it!

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6 Things You Can Do Right Now to Manage Your Credit Card Debt

January 5th, 2012 Posted in Credit Cards | No Comments »

How to Take Charge of Your Credit Card DebtHow to Take Charge of Your Credit Card Debt

Credit cards are a modern-day necessity, and it’s unrealistic trying to survive without them. However, if you are unable to manage them, credit cards can take over your life. Let’s look at 6 simple things you can do right now to take charge of your credit card debt.

Stop Charging – If you have credit card debt that you can’t pay in full every month, do not charge anything on the credit card unless you have the money to pay it. This is your first step towards managing your credit card debt.

Avoid Making Late Payments - Always pay on time and never make a late payment. Late payments can affect your credit score. Pay at least the minimum if you are unable to pay the full for any given month. I have seen people not paying a 70-cents bill thinking it would not make sense to pay this small amount. They ended up paying a penalty for late payment and affecting their credit score. A small amount can drag you down a lot if it’s not taken care of in a timely manner.

Call and Ask – Call and ask your credit card companies for a lower interest rate and waive any penalty fees you may have occurred. Optimize balance transfer offers to lower your interest on credit card.

Pay Extra Amount – Pay whatever extra amount, whether it’s a small or a big amount, you can possibly arrange to pay towards your credit card balances every month. If you look at paying addition amounts in terms of longer time frame, it will accelerate your debt-free endeavour a lot faster.

Be Aware of Credit Repair – The Consumer Reporting Act has rules regarding how long accurate information can appear in a report and no credit/fix companies have the authority to remove, erase, or change this in a consumers’ file. Beware of these companies claiming to fix your file.

Take Charge of Your Finances - Learn about managing money, investing, and building wealth for your financial future. There are many independent personal finance websites, Canadian government websites, and U. S. government websites to help you build your financial roadmap.

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China’s Economy in 2012

December 29th, 2011 Posted in Canadian and Global Economy | 1 Comment »

China's Economy in 2012China 2012

The world’s number two economy is very important to the world. The global economic crisis is taking a toll on China’s economy and economic growth of China is likely to slow down according to various forecasts.

China’s economic growth has been fairly stable and good for quite a few years. However, it has slowed for the last three quarters and it is expected to dip below 9 percent in 2012, for the first time since 2001. According to IMF, if the global economic situation does not worsen, it is reasonable to expect that China’s growth will be at 9 percent. According to a study released by senior Chinese government researchers, economic growth should be 7 to 8 percent in 2012. Asia-based investment bank Nomura International predicts economic growth is likely to slip to 7.9 percent. The last time China’s economic growth dropped this low was in 1998 during the Asia-Pacific financial crisis.

Inflation, the housing bubble, export markets, and appreciating Yuan seem be the major factors behind the declining economic growth. China has seen its inflation falling from 6.5 percent in July to 4.2 percent in November. A lower demand on the housing market will impact other related industries as well. The export sector seems to be the one with the biggest decline and the greatest risk. China’s 20 percent exports go to the European Union and if the economic and debt crisis continue to persist, the impact will be enormous on China. Also, an appreciating Yuan will make export markets more likely to perform at their best.

Although the Chinese government has pledged growth in 2012, its economy is shifting from double-digit, high-speed growth to single-digit growth. It is widely expected that China’s central bank will loosen its monetary policy to support the banking industry, boost domestic demand, and increase economic growth.

The biggest challenge the Chinese regime will face in light of the economic slowdown is how the general Chinese population will react. Will there be any strikes, protests, or uprisings or will everything be calm, quiet, and manageable for the regime as it has been for a while?
  

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Toronto After-Christmas Snowfall

December 27th, 2011 Posted in Through My Eyes | No Comments »

Toronto After-Christmas Snowfall

Toronto Braces Its First Big Snowfall of The Season

Toronto is bracing for its first big snowfall of the season today. Shot these two video clips hours ago on Danforth Avenue & Birchmount Road and Birchmount Rd & St Clair Ave E. in Toronto, Canada, while waiting for bus. Taken with HTC Panache.

How to Take Charge of Your Debt

December 22nd, 2011 Posted in Debt Management | No Comments »


How to Take Charge of Your Debt4 Things You Can Do Right Now to Manage Your Debt

If you have difficulty handling your debt, the very first thing you need do is to admit that you have a debt problem. It is our nature to not see the real picture and keep adding up debt – unrealistically thinking that our debt is still manageable. Today, let me describe these simple steps you can take right now to get rid of this vicious cycle of debt.

Admit and Stop – Admit that your debt situation is beyond control and you need to take steps right now to get rid of your debt. Stop charging more to your credit card or adding more debt into your existing balance. The most important thing you can do is to start your journey towards a debt-free world and you do it starting this moment.

Add Extra Money – Whether it is $10 per month or $50 per month, adding extra towards paying your debt can have a enormous effect on the life of your debt. By adding additional amounts, you are shaving off years from your debt-paying timeline and saving lots of money. So, if possible, pay extra money every month. For those months when you cant pay extra, stick to the minimum.

Stick To Reducing Your Debt – Yes, you can do it. You can have a debt-free life. Start visualizing how life will be and how much freedom you will have when you won’t have debt anymore. To make it happen, you need to stick to reducing your debt and continue paying off all your loans until they turn into zero.

Educate Yourself and Seek Professional Help - Learn about managing money to build your financial future. There are many independent personal finance websites, Canadian government websites, and U.S. government websites out there for free where you can learn about money and finances. Use these free resources to educate yourself. However, there will be times when these resources are not enough to handle your situation – in a situation like this, seek the help of financial professionals to walk you out of your debt situation.

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Financial Website A Dawn Journal – Best of the Best Blogger Series Interview

December 15th, 2011 Posted in Book Reviews and Interviews | No Comments »

Financial Website A Dawn Journal - Best of the Best Blogger Series InterviewReputable Website Interviews Financial Author A. Dawn

Canada’s Personal Finance Blog A Dawn Journal’s reputation and traffic is on the rise. And it’s no wonder that the well-written financial content and hard work will get noticed and will be recognised. Recently, a widely respected and admired financial website Credit Card Assist has respectfully invited financial author Ahmed Dawn (AKA A. Dawn) to sit down for an interview with a variety of questions. According to Credit Card Assist:

“Ahmed is yet another example of an up-and-coming, new generation blogging entrepreneur that people should really be paying attention to. He has a no-nonsense, pragmatic approach to investing and uses ‘simple and understandable’ terminology to take the guess work out of the investment process for his readers.”

The interview can be accessed right here: A Dawn Journal – Best of the Best Blogger Series

This is an opportunity for my readers to know more about me. Wide ranging questions such as a little peak into my work life, what inspired me to write my book Invest Now, more on my blogging entrepreneurship – all can be found in this interview.

So it seems quite reasonable that with a no-nonsense, pragmatic approach to personal finance and its ability to break down complex subjects in simple terms, A Dawn Journal is becoming a regular read for an increasing number of readers in Canada and across the globe. And this trend will continue for years to come. I thank you all my readers and I appreciate your time spent on A Dawn Journal. Your support and courage are an inspiration to me all the time and that’s what made everything possible.  

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Ten Wallet Tips You Need to Know Before Leaving Home

December 8th, 2011 Posted in Smart Tips | No Comments »

Don't Leave Home Without Following These WalletPurse TipsDon’t Leave Home Without Following These Wallet/Purse Tips

“Why carry something if you don’t need it?” Twenty years ago, a senior taxi driver in New York City gave me that advice – the best wallet tip ever and I have been religiously following it ever since. Today, I will share some wallet or purse tips you should follow to make your life easier, simpler, and safer.

1. Go through your wallet and get rid of everything you will not use on a regular basis. There is no point carrying all the cards and receipts in your wallet. I keep only those what I use everyday. If I use a credit or debit card occasionally, I leave it home and only keep it with me when I will be using it.  

2. At any point, you should know exactly what items are in your wallet. This way, if you lose anything you will be able to detect it right away, reducing your chances for being a victim if someone else gets ahold of your cards.

3. Make a list of everything you carry in your wallet. Write down your credit card number, customer service phone number, and anything else you would require to block your credit or debit cards in case of theft or loss of your wallet. Better yet, you can scan the back and front of all your cards as well. Keep this list handy at home, in hotel safe, or online securely in such a way that you will have access to it when you need to call your financial institutions in case of emergency.

4. Do not carry wallet in your rear pocket. Thieves use very sharp tools to cut pockets and it’s a lot easier to cut when it’s in your back or rear pocket.

5. Be careful and pay attention to what’s going on around you. Thieves work together in crowded places and try to distract you by pushing you, causing artificial arguments among themselves, or anything else to cause distractions so they can use that split second to grab your wallet while you are distracted.

6. Keep some cash separated from your wallet in a different place on you. If you lose your wallet, this ensures that at least you will have some money to get home.

7. Do not keep your home or car keys in your wallet. If thieves get ahold of keys, they will be easily able to access your home or car because it’s not hard to find information (home address on driver’s license, vehicle information on insurance or registration card, etc.) leading thieves to further carry on their operations.

8. Do not write your PIN number on the back of your cards or carry it with you in your wallet. Also, do not use your date of birth, postal code, or your phone number as your PIN. If thieves have your wallet, they will have access to enough information to guess your PIN by going through your wallet.

9. Do not leave your wallet in a jacket, coat, or anywhere else if you’re checking out these items in a restaurant, movie theatre, or anywhere else.

10. If you are wondering what’s in my wallet, here are the items I always carry with me if I am in Toronto:

- One bank card (Interac card)
- One credit card
- Driver’s license
- Toronto Transit Commission Metropass

If I travel, I modify these items depending on where I am traveling to.

NB – You do not need to carry your rewards or points card anymore as smart phone apps have the capability to carry these cards digitally on your smart phone. 

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India’s Falling Rupee and Its Economic Future

December 1st, 2011 Posted in Canadian and Global Economy | No Comments »

India's All-Time Low Rupee Causes Downward Chain ReactionsIndia’s All-Time Low Rupee Causes Downward Chain Reactions

The Indian falling rupee has reached an all-time low when it reached 52 against the US dollar on November 21. The rupee has lost 16 percent of its value against the US dollar this year – making it the most depreciated currency in Asia and the 3rd most depreciated in the world.

The European debt crisis, slowing domestic economy, high interest rates, and fear that India will be hit by a shortage of US dollars are some of the factors that are putting pressure on Indian currency and causing the fall. According to data released by India’s Securities and Exchange board, foreign funds bought only $392 million of Indian stocks this year in comparison to $30 billion in 2010. Figures like this show that foreign investors are nervous about India’s weak economy and the sentiment will continue to deteriorate with the declining Indian rupee.

India’s targeted fiscal deficit is at 4.6 percent of its GDP. It is unlikely that this target will be achieved. It was initially thought that India would be unaffected by the Euro crisis and global economic slowdown. However, recent steady streams of financial news and data show that this is not the case. And the recent downward currency fall adds more worries to an economy that is already on a slippery slope.

22 percent of India’s GDP is made up of imports and India imports 21 percent of the world’s pulses to meet domestic demands. Also, India imports 70 percent of its gas and oil demands. A weaker rupee will make imports more expensive, and thus will increase inflation and raise the current account deficit.

High inflation and high interest rates cause corporate profits to decline and make foreign investors withdraw investments – adding more pressure on a currency that is already declining. To fight its account deficit, India needs direct foreign investments. With a declining currency, declining foreign investments, Euro debt crisis, global economic slowdown, and 320 billion foreign exchange reserves, India has a lot of work to do to in the coming months.  

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