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In today’s high stress world, it’s good to know you can learn a whole lot more that will help you to acquire new skills so you can live healthier, both physically and mentally in our society today.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to discover how to live an improved, happier and longer life.

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Do you have a penchant for fun and you’re looking for new and exciting things to try?

Learn new skills and get better at what you already do well — and make the most of the limited time you have to be entertained.

Take a look at each of the ebooks and audio programs available for instant download that will give you lots of great ideas, insights and information about both  indoor and outdoor entertainment ideas and hobbies.

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More and more people are finding themselves in debt, so the concept of living within your means without debt is one well worth exploring. So, what does it mean to “live within your means without debt”? Living within your means signifies being on top of your finances. It means always knowing exactly how much you can afford to spend on a given thing or in a given area of your life. It means a low-stress financial outlook and lifestyle where you don’t loose sleep trying to figure out how to pay for that new jacket, car, vacation, or whatever your weakness might be. Here are some tips for adopting the philosophy of living within your means and learning the joy of living without debt.

Spend less than you earn.

This is a simple mantra that you should adopt to live within your means without debt: spend less than you earn. It really is that simple. Most of us, however, do the exact opposite. In order to spend less than you earn you need to sit down and face the facts of your current finances. Do some simple math: how much gross income do you take in each month? Next, subtract how much you need for life’s essentials, including putting a roof over your head, food in your body and clothes on your back.

How are you spending you money?

Here are how the experts day you should be dividing your hard earned money each month. You should be spending 35% of your monthly income on housing and housing-related costs like repairs and the electric bill. Transportation costs should equal around 15 % of your monthly income. Shopping, food and entertainment should come in at about 25 %. Around 15 % of your income should be aimed at clearing any remaining debt and finally, don’t forget to pay yourself. Around 10% of your income should be put into savings.

Study your numbers

Now that you have the numbers of how your monthly spending should be broken up, do the numbers and see how your current monthly spending stands up. Are you spending way too much on your mortgage or rent? Are you splurging on entertainment or shopping sprees? Are you spending enough each month on clearing those credit card and other debts or are you only paying off interest? Are you saving anything for emergencies or the future? These can be hard questions to answer, especially if your think the answer is going to be “no”, but it is also a very important step to take if you are serious about living within your means without debt.

The number one secret to living within your means

This is not really a secret – most people who are debt-free or serious about becoming debt-free can find this out for themselves. What is it? Live below your means – that is spend less than you make. A lot less. How can you do this? Try to attack the problem from the angle that you know needs attention. For instance, if you are a shop-a-holic, work on curbing your shopping sprees by making – and sticking to – a list that you’ve made before even stepping out your door. Also, try consolidating your shopping trips into one trip rather than making smaller trips spread throughout the week; that way you will have fewer opportunities to be tempted to buy something that you don’t really need or can’t afford. And, make the choice to but supermarket brands rather than name brands and you will find you’re spending much less at the till.

Fly fishing is a fun sport but for someone who has never participated it is a bit different from traditional fishing. With fly fishing, the fisherman is more concerned with his line than someone who sits atop a boat and drops a hook into the water would be.

The reason is that with fly fishing there is no weight on the line to hold the hook beneath the water. In fact, in fly fishing your objective should be to keep the hook on the water’s surface. You need to rely on how the line is cast. Where you cast it is where the hook or in this case fly will land. There are several things you need to consider when you are choosing a fly fishing line:

1. The type of line: There are two general types of fly fishing line. One type floats on the water’s surface while the other sinks beneath the water. The latter is much more difficult to use. It is harder to cast and should only be considered if the angler is planning to cast his line into deep water. Therefore, you will need to pick a durable line that will float.
2. The shape of the line: There are also two shapes to fly fishing line. One type of line has more weight towards the lead of the line. The other has more weight in the middle of the line. The main difference between the two is that the latter version is easier to roll and to cast. It is the best choice for beginners and even veteran fly anglers will still use it regularly.
3. The color of the line: Clear fishing line is still a very popular choice but many people prefer a line that has a color to it. The reason is that once it has been cast they can follow where it is. The lines come in several different colors and it is really a matter of personal preference.

Once you have decided on a line you may think that is all you need to do, but actually, there are several other things to consider.

The line should be cleaned regularly. Cleaning the line is very simple and when you are purchasing your line, you can ask the salesperson if they have a line cleaning kit. This kit is designed to remove any dirt that may adhere to the line as it sits in the water. Cleaning the line is important because you want it to roll easily as well as cast effectively and in order to do that it needs to be free of film or dirt.

Once you know which line is right for you, you will be able to purchase it from anywhere when you need it. Fly fishing line can have a long life span if it is taken care of properly. However, eventually it will need to be replaced. You might want to consider buying the line from the retailer you initially purchased it from or you can research the price online.

Many online websites cater to the fly angler and offer discounted rates on gear. This is not advisable for someone just beginning the sport but if you know your line, consider it an option.

This is an exerpt from The Complete Guide to Fly Fishing.

These days, most of us are doing a funny dance. It’s called the budget balancing act and it can make many of us feel crazy at times. However, keeping a budget and balancing it with the rest of our lives is a responsible and worthwhile enterprise. Budget balancing means taking responsibility for your finances, living within (or better yet, below) your means and coming out of it with our sanity intact. Here are some tips for living the budget balancing act and coming out ahead.

Make your budget real by putting it into real numbers

Many people make the mistake of thinking of their budget in abstract terms. “I’m on a budget,” you might tell a friend who asks you to accompany her on vacation, or to an expensive dinner. Most of us are on such a “budget.” But what does it really mean? Take your budget out of abstract terms and make it real. Sit down and do the math, as hard as it can be. Many of us avoid taking a good long look at our finances because it can be too hard, especially if we suspect we are deep in the red. It’s time to take control, and taking control means having the courage to sit down and take a good look at your finances. Take out your bills. Are you in debt, and if so, how much? Be honest and don’t overlook any accounts. Lying to yourself about debt is not helpful or necessary. If you are not in debt, but perilously close, figure out why. Most numbers don’t lie. Are you spending too much on housing? Is that extra car payment eating away at your budget? Are your child care costs soaring? Know your budget inside out-what you can and can’t afford, how you pay for things, your debt and credit score, and savings.

Keep a log book

If a log book sounds too technical for you, just think of it as a notebook where you keep your records. Make a note of your earnings, saving, debt and purchases. Think of your log book as a place where you can do your math. Your log book should be private and a place where you feel free to jot down notes, calculate interest rates and keep financial notes to yourself.

If you haven’t already, set up your bank account online

Almost every bank in the world now allows its customers to keep an online account. If you haven’t already, set up your account. This is an easy way to manage your accounts, check balances and make payments. Set up an automatic bill payment. This is an easy way to make sure that your payments are always made on time. Many credit card companies and banks will even send you email reminders and payment confirmations if you so choose.

Avoid debit cards if you’re on a strict budget

Debit cards are a convenient and safe way to pay for everyday purchases. They can also be very dangerous if you are on a strict budget and you are trying to save. If you are serious about saving money, forgo your debit card for a while. Once you have constructed a good solid budget, on pay day, head to your local bank or ATM machine. Withdraw enough cash to make necessary purchases and then tuck your debit card away somewhere safe. This is a surefire way to stick to your budget.

Check your interest rates

If you have credit card debt, do you know how much you are paying in interest? Especially if you are juggling several accounts, it can be easy to forget or overlook interest rates. How much exactly are you paying on purchases and balances? Check with your credit card for this information. If you have long-standing accounts in good standing, try to lower your interest rate.

So, you are tired of being broke, and you keep telling yourself that you want to save. Here are some ideas to help you stop living paycheck to paycheck and some simple solutions to your money management problems.

Do you know how much money you actually need to cover your monthly expenses? Make a list of how much money is needed to cover your rent, food, clothing and other basic necessities. If your list of expenses is greater than the amount of money you are earning, then you either need to find better-paid employment, or you may need to consider that you are living above your means (I have an article on my blog that can help you with that). The next step is to allocate money for all of the important expenses and also allocate a reasonable amount of money for entertainment.

Never go shopping when you are hungry. Generally you can spend between 10 to 20% less at the grocery store if you aren’t hungry and craving everything in sight. You will also be more inclined to purchase healthier foods which last longer if you shop on a full stomach. Take a list with you and stick to it. Not only will that save you money at the register, but you will save on transportation expenses by not having to make repeated trips to the store.

Avoid using credit cards, shop with debit cards instead. That way you know exactly how much you can spend and you will be more likely to not overspend. Is you are contemplating buying an item on credit, make sure you are able to make at least the minimum  monthly payment – and better still more than the minimum – every single month.

Build up an emergency fund. Start setting aside an amount each month so that if your car breaks down, you lose your cell phone, or your child is rushed to hospital you will have the money available to deal with it. This may be easier said than done, but it will save you stress and trouble. All it would take perhaps to create an emergency fund is a few less bottles of soda, packs of gum or children’s toys (yes, in most cases your kids do already have enough toys).

Keep track of spending. Make sure you check you bank account before you withdraw more money to go shopping. It will save you in the long run, especially from bank overdraft fees. By keeping track of your expenses you will likely save more than otherwise, and that extra money can be put to much greater use, such as being put away for emergencies or invested for a profit.

Above and beyond the amount you regularly save each month (10% is a good proportion to start with) it is recommended that you plan for your future by investing in some way. Plant your money in an investment account, or start a business so you can have a more enriching career. Place your money in an IRA, or try your luck in the stock market.

Analyze any risk before you make any major investments, and it’s recommended that you get advice from a financial adviser. Also, carefully consider any risks when making major purchases, such as a house, car or other long-lasting item. Remember that you will need to be fairly confident given your current financial status that you will be able to continue to make payments.

Avoid taking out payday loans or any other easy credit. Although these have been helpful to some people who really find themselves in a financial jam, they can be used as a quick fix all too easily and can be addictive. Soon you could find yourself needing to commit your whole paycheck to money you have not even seen yet if you get into this habit, which is very hard to break. Also, consider that the interest on these types of loans can be as high as 20% and sometimes more.

One additional tip to remember is that just because you are offered credit, it doesn’t mean you should take it. Work to break the cycle of debt and not fall deeper into that particular hole. If you need further assistance with money management see a debt counselor. The internet is also full of money-saving tips for individuals and families.

Today, digital photography is the most popular form of photography, not only for professionals, but also for personal use. For all those who have shifted from film cameras, it is vital that you know the different terms related to this craft.

The first part of this digital photography tutorial will focus on the terms you need to know before handling a digital camera. Below are the common terms used:

1. Pixel – refers to the basic unit of the digital photo. A photo image is composed of millions of pixel.
2. Resolution – the number of pixels in a photo. Increasing the resolution makes the image sharper; more pixels are needed to achieve a better photo quality.
3. Mega pixel – a million pixels. Photos composed of three to four mega pixels will have a better quality that a photo with only one mega pixel.
4. Dots Per Inch (DPI) – this term is used to describe the quality of computer monitors and printers. Laser and inkjet printers have more dpi resolution than monitors. The higher the dpi resolution: the better the quality of your printed photo.
5. JPEG (joint photographic experts group) – is the most common format for saving images in digital cameras.
6. Memory Card – this is where the digital files are stored. Memory cards come in different sizes and capacity. A memory card with higher storage capacity would be more convenient to purchase.
7. LCD (liquid crystal display) – digital cameras have LCD screens built into them as a way of previewing photographs and looking at them after the shot is taken.

Learning how a digital camera works, understanding the strategies in taking photos, and how to take indoor and outdoor pictures are all part of the things a beginner should learn.

Below is the second part of this tutorial with ideas to help beginners master the secrets of taking great photos:

1. Pay attention to the subject – One of the most fundamental digital photography tips. Play with your camera, and explore the different shots. Avoid positioning your object at the center of the photo, as dead-center images tend to be less interesting
2. Capture close-up photos – Take great images by capturing them in extreme close up. Close up photos add a little creativity and excitement to the photos. Some cameras will have a ‘macro’ setting to help with this.
3. Use a tripod – Blurry photographs will result if your hands shake a little when you take the shot. Getting a tripod will help eliminate low quality photos, and prevent that great shot that you had set up from being ruined.
4. Be active – Try creative shots; take photos from the top of a hill, or off the side of a yacht. Go outside and explore your environment. You’ll have fun taking those once in a lifetime photos.
5. Join a photography class – Learning from an expert will help to improve your skills as a photographer. Try to join a photography class in your community, or see if there are online classes you join.

Becoming a skilled digital photographer really takes time. You just have to be resourceful and keep on trying new techniques. Start by learning the digital photography tutorial here, and use it as a launching point for your hobby as a digital photographer.

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Cake as we know it today has only been around for a couple of hundred years. Cake is thousands of years old but the cake that originated in Ancient Egypt was not like the cake we know today. Cake in ancient times and until about the 1700’s was more like what we consider bread; it was spongy and had a bread-like consistency. Cakes in North Africa and the Mediterranean often were more like pastries or cheesecake.

The first cakes were yeast based, like bread, which is why they had the same type of consistency. The first non yeast cake was sponge cake, which is still enjoyed today, although not usually in the same way that dairy based cakes like we have today are enjoyed. Dairy based cakes, cakes that are made with butter, eggs and baking powder, are the cakes most often used in modern cake decorating.

In the 1700’s, women in Europe started using special cake pans to create that kind of flour based cake that we’re more familiar with today. It became very popular for royalty and aristocracy in Europe to compete with each other to see who could serve the most ornate and unique cakes and pastries. Great chefs and cooks who could produce fine pastry and exceptionally decorated cakes were given places of high esteem in the household and could become quite rich for their art. The French were the first people to serve dessert as a separate course and not as part of a larger meal.

In the mid 1800’s, the temperature controlled oven, the style we have today, was invented and it revolutionized the art of baking. Cakes become even more like the cakes we know today and cake decorating became almost a sport. Having the most elaborately decorated or unique cake at a social function was crucial to anyone who wanted to acquire social standing so now Sugarcrafters were in high demand.

Most people today who are not professional cake decorators, and even some who are, rely on pre-mixed cake mixes to make sure that their cakes turn out light, moist, and fluffy. There is a renewed interest in Sugarcrafting today brought on by a desire to glorify the past and the retro days of the 1950’s and 1960’s when women spent their days creating gorgeous edible works of art for coffee dates and holidays.

The Food Network and shows like The Ace of Cakes and Top Chef have brought cake decorating and Sugarcrafting back into the spotlight and men and woman are discovering the artistry involved in Sugarcrafting.

Excerpt from Cake Decorating Secrets.

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Obtaining you college degree is one of the most important milestones of your life. You have just graduated, and even if you’ve landed your dream job, learning to manage you money is your next step. So if you’ve just graduated from college the following tips will be very useful.

Set yourself a budget – work out what you want and need to spend your money on and structure your spending in such a way so that you can enjoy life, but also start saving for your future – and your future credit report. It may be tempting to go spending your hard-earned money on gadgets, toys and trips, but set yourself a monthly entertainment limit.

In order to keep your credit clean you need to be careful to live within you means. As a recent college graduate you may find that obtaining credit is easier than you might have thought. That doesn’t mean you should respond to every credit card offered to you! Consider how much you can realistically pay back in a month’s time before you go tacking on yet another monthly credit card payment.

Save money! When you are young, and especially if you are single, is the best time to save money. If you already have a decent steady job you can put away money in case of financial hardship. In today’s economy having that soft-fall will make a massive difference if you should suddenly find yourself out of work. Furthermore, if you ever want to get married or have a family you will have a nest egg set aside and growing to help cover related expenses.

Humble yourself a little! Thrift stores and discount stores are not just for those earning lower incomes and many have great merchandise. There is no need to spend more than you need to on certain durable and semi-durable items. In fact, used or discounted items are available as alternatives to every purchase you plan to make. Find an economical cell phone deal. There are actually plan out there that can cost $50 or even less. There is no shame in pre-paid phones either, and the rates on those are becoming more and more reasonable.

To help you calculate your budget; follow these guidelines. Generally speaking, the amount you spend on housing should be about a third of your income. The amount recommended you save monthly is about 10% of your income and you should try and keep transportation costs at about 15%. For clothing, entertainment and other miscellaneous expenses you would set aside between 5 – 10 % of your total monthly earnings. Remember that you are only young once and when you are young it can be hard to thinks in terms of the future. If, however you take the advice in this article to heart, you will be less likely to find yourself 10 or 20 years from now wishing that you had saved more, or invested instead of spending too freely.

Invest a portion of your money. Over and above your savings, it is advisable that you invest a minimum of between 2 and 5 % of your monthly earnings at this time in your life. If you procrastinate, you may find that you’re not in a position to do this in the future, so do it while you can. If you have questions on what types of investments would best suit you, it’s recommended that you contact a professional financial adviser, or at least thoroughly research your options using books, financial magazines and the internet.

On the flip side of saving – there is no need to be so rigid with your money that you can never have any fun – life IS for living. It’s also good to help others after you have made your own finances secure. Aside from that, just continue to make choices over the years that you know you will reap rewards from and refrain from choices that have negative consequences.

If you have a set exercise regime and you are frustrated with it or are starting to feel as though you want to skip it more often than you feel actively like doing it, it might be time to come up with a new exercise calendar.  Anyone who keeps one schedule for working out is bound to, sooner or later, fall into the feeling that the exercise routine is a stale one.  If you find yourself feeling that way at some points, you should consider an exercise makeover.  If you are not feeling frustrated or bored with your routine, but your routine is a definite routine, you might consider mixing up your workouts anyway in order to avoid developing that feeling at some point in the future.

Beyond Psychology

The above-mentioned reason for alternating one’s workouts is only the tip of the iceberg.  In addition to keeping things interesting for you psychologically, your muscles will also benefit from a little variety in your workout calendar.  When your body always experiences the same workout, your body becomes accustomed to the movements and the stress level.  You might have already heard that interval training on the treadmill is more effective than keeping a steady pace for a half hour.  It’s for the same reason that a varied workout calendar produces better muscular results than a routine workout that never changes.

In addition to helping work the largest percentage of muscle groups, there is also the benefit to the heart that comes from varying one’s stress level and activities inducing that stress level.  Interval training is good for the heart; alternating between low levels of cardiovascular intensity and higher levels of intensity will give your heart the best benefit.  Whether you’re working out for weight loss or for cardiovascular health, varying your workout will produce positive results.

Types of Exercise

An ideal workout regimen will include some cardiovascular exercise and some exercise that is weight-bearing and working muscles to fatigue.  It’s for this reason that the ideal workout regime includes some running or similar cardiovascular activity as well as some more muscular work such as weight lifting.  Another great option for slower types of exercise that really work muscles are something like ballet or yoga.  With today’s selection of DVD workouts, it is possible to do the New York City Ballet workout on one day, yoga the next and go running on the third day.  Those who stick with the same workout day after day are bound to ‘master’ the program and it will become no longer challenging.  In addition, the person generally gets bored with it.

Exercise Boredom

The options are, quite literally, endless.  If you have kids, organize a game of tag.  You’re sure to have a blast with your kids and not only get some exercise yourself, but your kids will also get some exercise too.  If you enjoy walking, add walks to your daily routine.  Whether you walk to work or take your dog out for walks, walking is one of the best ways to get exercise.  Take the stairs instead of the elevator, and don’t drive around parking lots looking for the closest possible parking spot.  When you are in two shops five blocks from each other, walk between them and then walk back to your car.  Not only will you get more exercise, you might even enjoy seeing the sights around you instead of fighting traffic.

One thing is sure, and that’s that exercise boredom is very real, but there are also very real ways to beat it.  Follow your gut when it comes to knowing which activities will wow you and which ones will bore you.  Make the ones you engage in a long one so that you can alternate activities to keep every day a little different from yesterday.

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away” (the dentist too!) – is an oft repeated quotation which should not be considered as just an obsolete “Old Wives Tale”, as there is more than meets the eye in this axiom of yore. Apples are among the most health-giving fruits available as they contain a host of nutritious properties via: Phosphorous, Chlorine, Potassium, Sodium, Magnesium, Calcium, Sulphur, Iron, Fluorine, Silicon, plus many trace elements ……. and all of these are found in pure apple cider vinegar.

What does it do?

Among other things, cider vinegar is very effective in detoxifying various organs in the body together with the blood stream. Hence it is a purifier, as it has a means of breaking down fatty, mucous and phlegm deposits within the body. It therefore promotes the health of the vital organs of the body e.g. kidneys, bladder, liver etc., by preventing an excessively alkaline urine.

Cider vinegar also helps oxidize the blood which consequently prevents the blood from becoming too thick and gluey, which gives rise to a strained heart and blood vessels resulting in high blood pressure. Cider vinegar also promotes digestion, assimilation and elimination and it neutralizes any toxic substance taken into the body.

There have been a number of instances where people who had taken a mixture of cider vinegar and water before a meal were unaffected by diarrhoea or digestive upsets, whilst their companions who ate the same meal were. Hence the cider vinegar seemed to neutralize the harmful substances in the food eaten.

Potassium

Apple cider vinegar has a potent supply of potassium, which has become so widely acclaimed in the helping of various complaints including: running nose, excessive mucous formation, watery eyes, sinus and catarrhal troubles. Teeth decay and the splitting of fingernails are also signs of potassium deficiency which are remedied by taking cider vinegar. Potassium is essential for the normal growth of the body and for the replacement of worn-out tissues, which depend upon the presence of this mineral. It is as important to the soft tissues, as calcium is to the bones and teeth and it also retards the hardening of the blood vessels.

As potassium is so important in the healthy growth of a plant, animal and human, a deficiency of this mineral will produce such tendencies as callous formations on the soles of the feet, or the failure to replace worn-out tissues as observed in the loss of hair.

Tests have proven that a soil deficient in this mineral-salt will produce anaemic and undersized plants, however, when potassium is introduced into the soil the plant becomes sturdier and increases in height. This is also the case with animals, where potassium which was fed to livestock, in the form of cider vinegar, improved their appearance and stamina. Humans too, can benefit with this increased potassium intake. Especially where children are slow developers and appear undersized. A few teaspoons of cider vinegar taken with water each morning will show tremendous results. The best way to introduce cider vinegar to the family is to substitute it for the ordinary table vinegar and use it in the cooking. Potassium acts as a restraining influence upon those who are over-excitable and nervous. It draws fluid back into the cells, for when potassium is lacking the body cells shrink and their normal activity is restricted.

Feng Shui can be awfully complicated, but it can also be relatively simple. It all depends on how complicated you are willing to get with respect to transforming your home or other space into a Feng Shui friendly area. You can do something as simple as move a little bit of your furniture around and add a wind chime, or you can get really intricate and use all sorts of different tools and ancient gizmos in an attempt to get the “Chi” flowing in a positive way throughout your home or other space.

What the heck is “Chi?”

You’ll hear this term often within Feng Shui, and maybe even see it spelled different ways and pronounced in different ways too. “Chi” basically refers to the energy that occurs naturally within nature. Ancient Chinese renditions of Feng Shui – and some modern Feng Shui renditions – are an attempt to harness the naturally occurring “Chi” and manipulate it into something beneficial. You may have heard someone claim that something or someone has “Bad Chi” or “Good Chi,” and this is a principle that is utilized in Feng Shui. A good energy flow within a home will result in “Good Chi” and will result in the residents generally being happier and living together more harmoniously. The trick behind Feng Shui is trying to figure out exactly how to manipulate the “Chi” in order to achieve maximum results.

There is more than one style of Feng Shui.

The term Feng Shui encompasses many different forms and styles of what was once practiced in ancient times. You may find that some Feng Shui specialists and professionals actually have a bone to pick with other forms of Feng Shui, and this can be a little confusing for someone who doesn’t know much about the principles beyond the fact that sometimes furniture gets moved around to let energy flow better within the house. Depending on the books you read and the people you talk to, you may find claims that Feng Shui can accomplish a variety of goals:

• You can find a suitable romantic interest.

• You can enhance the lives of the residents within your home including children and pets.

• You can improve your health.

• You can attract wealth and success.

• You can transform an unhappy family into a cohesive unit.

• You can achieve a higher status among your peers.

Perhaps these claims are more than you bargained for, or perhaps as you read these you’re thinking, “Wow, great, where do I begin?” Just be aware that different schools of Feng Shui claim to do different things; so don’t be surprised if one Feng Shui book contradicts another Feng Shui book when it comes to the steps you are supposed to take or the results you can expect. You can think of it as similar to a religion by comparing it to something like Christianity: Denominations all fall under the category of Christianity, but the various denominations can have some very different ideas. Just to be clear, this does not mean that Feng Shui is considered a religion; it’s merely to clarify how you will find varying opinions among the many different schools of Feng Shui ideals and practices.

Different schools of Feng Shui utilize different methods.

Although there are more schools of thought when it comes to Feng Shui, the major players within the field can be categorized into three different schools of thought.

Traditional Feng Shui concentrates mainly on the power of symbols and the shape of the items within the environment. The direction (north, south, east, and west) of items within the Traditional Feng Shui school of thought may or may not be a factor when considering recommendations for a more harmonious home.

Black Hat Sect Tantric Buddhist Feng Shui incorporates the ideas of Traditional Feng Shui along with elements borrowed from Buddhism and Taoism. This form of Feng Shui was actually created by a Feng Shui practitioner in modern times and is a popular version that involves several different methods all rolled into one.

Intuitive Feng Shui takes Traditional Feng Shui and then molds it into something that is more easily swallowed by Western society. There is less of the Chinese mysticism and symbols within Intuitive Feng Shui and more of a regard for the decorative and architectural preferences of people living within modern Western society.

The three major branches of Feng Shui all stem from Traditional Feng Shui, but the differences can be both minor and major. Since all three forms of Feng Shui are relatively common – and there are still more forms as well – there is no limit to the contradictory information you can stumble upon when researching Feng Shui principles for use within your own life. The advantage to the variety among the branches of Feng Shui, however, is that if one particular school of thought does not appeal to you then you can try a different one. For example, if having Chinese symbols throughout your home is not appealing to you then you might instead implement the principles of Intuitive Feng Shui.