supplemental income

These 4 Sites Pay Writers Serious Cash

Kat Tretina — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 09:00:04 +0000

When I first started my freelance writing career, I was happy to get any work I could find. I would take on any assignment no matter how little it paid, simply because it meant I was getting some money. Like many beginners, I turned to content mills to find work. (See also: 6 Places to Find Freelance Writing Jobs)

My wake-up call came when I completed a 1,000-word article and was paid a whopping $10 for the privilege. It had taken me hours, and I made less than minimum wage. From that moment on, I swore off content mills completely.

However, the industry is changing rapidly, and demand for quality content is rising. As companies grow, the rates they're willing to pay for quality writers have also grown.

If you're an experienced writer, you can diversify your income by working with more lucrative content mills. Here are four sites that offer jobs that pay up to $2 a word.

1. Contently.net

Contently.com connects big brands like Walmart and Facebook with seasoned writers, journalists, and other talent. They do this through their freelancer database, Contently.net.

Because the companies that work with Contently are established, well-known businesses, they are willing to pay much higher rates than others. In fact, many assignments pay between $1 and $2 a word, especially if you have expertise in a certain subject. For example, writers with legal knowledge can bring in up to $575 for a 400-word article.

Contently works differently than the content mills you've used in the past. Rather than a job board or bidding process, writers create portfolios of their past work. Contently editors then search these portfolios to find writers that would be a good match for an assignment. For example, a writer with a background in IT would likely be a good candidate for a computer software company needing an article. While this process is simple and hands-off, the downside is you may be waiting weeks or even months between assignments.

If an assignment matches your experience, Contently editors will contact you with an offer. They will share details on what the assignment entails, along with the pay rate. From there, you will work directly with the Contently editors as your point of contact until the article is complete and you receive payment.

2. ClearVoice

Founded in 2015, ClearVoice is relatively new to the market. When you sign up for an account, you can set your minimum rate. Afterward, the company will only send you opportunities that meet your pay requirements, weeding out the lesser assignments. Right now, there are assignments that pay between $0.10 and $1 a word.

If your work has been published on well-known sites, you likely have a ClearVoice portfolio already. The company searches for prominent writers, and automatically creates a page for them. You can create your own account and get started quickly.

Like Contently, ClearVoice likely won't be your primary source of work. You might not get assignments for a while, or may go weeks between jobs. However, it can be a good source of supplemental income.

3. SkyWord

SkyWord works with companies like Lending Tree, Overstock, and others to offer decent-paying gigs to experienced writers.

With SkyWord, you create a portfolio to build your visibility. Unlike other platforms, SkyWord showcases how many shares your work has received on social media. If you produce more engaging content, you are more likely to get more opportunities that are also higher paying.

Rates can range from $40 to $150 per article.

4. eByline

eByline works with both large and small companies, and has a database of over 2,000 writers. Clients set their own rates, so you'll find that the pay ranges from a low $0.05 a word up to $1 a word. It depends on the size of the business, complexity of the assignment, and your location.

Unlike the other three sites, eByline has a job board where writers can submit a pitch for work. Or, if a brand likes your work, they can send you an offer for a particular article.

eByline is careful about what writers they accept. They look for recent publications in your portfolio, and look to fill gaps in expertise. For example, if you're a beauty writer, you might have a harder time with your application than someone with experience in a smaller niche, like economics. If you are in a competitive industry, you might wait weeks for an assignment that fits your expertise.

Bottom line

If you're sick of writing for peanuts and are looking for higher-paying gigs, these four content sites can help connect you to better work. While these companies are not ideal for beginner freelancers, they can be a strong source of supplemental income for established writers. (See also: 22 Websites That Will Pay You to Write for Them)

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This article is from Kat Tretina of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

5 Sobering Facts About Social Security You Shouldn't Panic Over

Emily Guy Birken — Thu, 04 May 2017 08:00:08 +0000

Most people tend not to think about Social Security until they are in a position to collect benefits. Unfortunately, letting Social Security be something you worry about "later" can cause costly problems — both for you as a beneficiary, and for the program as a whole.

Here are five sobering facts about Social Security that you should know now so that you will be prepared for potential issues in the future. (See also: 6 Smart Ways to Boost Your Social Security Payout Before Retirement)

1. The Social Security Trust Fund may be entirely depleted by 2034

Social Security is set up as a direct transfer of funds from current workers to current beneficiaries. However, when the taxes coming in to pay for Social Security exceed the expenses for the program, the surplus is placed in the Social Security Trust Fund, where it earns interest. As of 2010, Social Security expenses have exceeded the tax revenue, and the Social Security Administration has had to dip into the Trust Fund in order to pay out all promised benefits. As of 2013, the Trust Fund began losing value, and it is projected to be entirely depleted by the year 2034.

When the Trust Fund runs out of money, the projected tax revenue will cover only 79 percent of promised benefits. This means anyone who is entitled to a $1,500 monthly benefit will only receive $1,185.

Why you shouldn't panic

While the coming depletion of the Social Security Trust Fund is troubling, the problem is neither new nor imminent. It's also important to note that the United States is the only country in the world that attempts to predict the 75-year longevity of its social insurance funds, which means we are in a position to do something about the anticipated shortfall. Over the next couple of decades, it is likely that our government will make relatively small changes to the Social Security program in order to make up the 21 percent anticipated shortfall that will occur once the Trust Fund has run dry.

However, it is smart for current workers to recognize that Social Security should not be heavily relied upon for a financially secure retirement.

2. The average Social Security retirement benefit is $1,360 per month

As of January, 2017, the average benefit for a retired beneficiary is $1,360 per month, which doesn't go very far if that is your only source of income. In addition, beneficiaries who are signed up for Medicare Part B (which is the Medicare medical insurance) will see $134 deducted from their Social Security benefit check for the Part B premium.

While very few retirees live solely on their Social Security benefits, these benefits do constitute at least half the income of 71 percent of single seniors and 48 percent of couples. And for a whopping 43 percent of singles and 21 percent of married couples, Social Security benefits represent 90 percent or more of total income.

Why you shouldn't panic

What you need to remember is that you have a great deal of control over how much of your budget your Social Security benefit will represent. If you diligently save for retirement, then receiving an "average" benefit of $1,360 will provide a nice financial cushion on top of your retirement portfolio. While $1,360 is tough to live on by itself, having it available on top of your necessary expenditures would be a wonderful supplement.

3. Cuts to Social Security benefits may be coming

President Trump promised during his campaign that there would be no cuts to current payments for Social Security or Medicare beneficiaries. However, although the White House has made it clear that current beneficiaries' payments are safe, it will not rule out the possibility of making cuts that will affect future beneficiaries. Some of the changes that have been proposed include:

Raise the full retirement age for workers who reach age 62 in 2023, gradually increasing it from the current age of 66 to age 69.
Change the formula for calculating benefits for retirees becoming newly eligible in 2023 in phases over 10 years. The changes would slightly increase benefits for below-average earners and slightly decrease benefits for above-average earners.
Beginning December 2018, change the calculation of the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to a chained consumer price index (CPI) calculation, which will reduce the amount of money beneficiaries receive in their annual COLA. The current formula for determining the COLA uses something called the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). The CPI-W is a useful index for tracking the inflation of all goods, but it does not take into account the fact that many consumers make substitutions when prices go up. (For instance, if the price of beef rises, many consumers will buy chicken or pork instead.) A chained CPI calculation takes these sorts of substitutions into account, so its inflation rate is calculated at approximately 0.3 percentage points lower than the CPI-W rate.
Eliminate the earnings test beginning in January 2019. This test reduces benefits for beneficiaries who are younger than Social Security's full retirement age (currently age 66), are currently receiving Social Security benefit payments, and have income from wages or self-employment that exceed $16,920 per year in 2017.
Eliminate federal income taxation of Social Security retirement benefits as of 2054 and later, phased in from 2045 to 2053.

Why you shouldn't panic

Although making cuts to future beneficiaries' payments is hardly something to cheer about, we do need to recognize that it is much more important to protect the benefits of current beneficiaries. Since current beneficiaries generally cannot go back to work or cut expenses, they are much more vulnerable to cuts in payments than current workers are. In fact, the proposed switch to a chained CPI calculation for COLA may be burdensome to current beneficiaries, since it has been proposed for December 2018, thereby affecting those who have already retired.

What current workers need to do is plan for their Social Security to be an addition to their retirement savings. Then, if these changes and cuts do come to pass, you will not be worried about losing important income.

4. High earners don't pay as much into Social Security

Social Security is paid for through a payroll tax of 6.2 percent for workers and 6.2 percent for their employers, making the total tax contribution 12.4 percent of gross income. However, workers and their employers do not pay Social Security taxes on earnings above $127,200.

While $127,200 is a pretty significant chunk of change, it does mean that very high earners get a break once they are earning that amount. The reasoning behind this earnings cap is to maintain the connection between contributions paid in and benefits received. Since Social Security benefits are paid progressively, lower-income beneficiaries receive a higher percentage of their pre-retirement income in benefits than do high-income beneficiaries. The more money that high-income earners pay into Social Security, the less of a return they see on their contributions.

The progressive nature of Social Security benefits is the reason why it is unlikely that there will ever be a complete elimination of this earnings cap, even though the program could certainly use the funds that such a cap elimination would represent. However, even if we were to increase the earnings cap to $229,500 — which would return taxation to the same level it was in the early 1980s — we could make a major dent in the coming benefits shortfall.

Why you shouldn't panic

Although raising taxes is never popular, there is some indication that our government is working to bring the earnings cap closer to early 1980s levels. In 2016, the earnings cap was set at $118,500, which was the same as the 2015 earnings cap. Raising it to $127,200 represents a 7 percent increase.

5. 10,000 baby boomers are retiring every day

Social Security works pretty well when the ratio of workers to retirees is balanced. Unfortunately, the extra-big generation known as the baby boomers is putting the program out of whack. The 76 million members of that generation began reaching age 62 (the earliest you may take Social Security benefits) as of 2008, and they are just going to keep retiring — at a rate of 10,000 per day.

This huge retirement boom could potentially put an enormous burden on our Social Security program, especially considering the increased life expectancy of this generation as compared to their parents and grandparents.

Why you shouldn't panic

While it's true that approximately 10,000 baby boomers are going to be retiring every day until 2034 (when the last of the boomers will reach age 70, which is the latest you would want to start taking Social Security benefits), there is more to this story than just their retirement.

First, it's important to remember that we've known the boomers would be retiring en masse for quite some time. Policymakers began to plan as early as 1983, when Congress raised the full retirement age.

Second, the boomers are the workers who built up the Social Security Trust Fund, so they will be beneficiaries of the money they themselves contributed through taxes.

Finally, as of 2015, millennials had overtaken the boomers as the largest living generation in the U.S. With such a large group of young workers in the workforce, we should be able to handle the financial cost of 10,000 boomers retiring each day.

This article is from Emily Guy Birken of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

4 Places to Start Your Debt Management Crusade

Tisha Tolar — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 15:00:14 +0000

Even though much of the country has been working hard to bounce back in the last year, you may only now be realizing your struggle with debt. Whether an unexpected situation prompted your newfound concerns about debt or it's a problem you have been denying for a while, there is no time like the present to get your finances back on track.

You don't have to be behind on bills to be struggling with debt. If your income is not stretching as far as it once did and you're having trouble living from paycheck to paycheck, it's time to start some financial self-analysis. Start by revising your financial strategies in these four areas. (See also: How Much Does Your Credit Card Debt Cost You?)

Credit Card Debts

Credit card rules have been changing and the minimums mean nothing anymore. If you are only making minimum payments on two or more credit cards each month, you are adding to your debt woes over the long term. There are several ways to approach credit card debt, including:

Start small

Pay off small balances to get rid of the carry-over balances. Start with the card with the lowest balance and keep moving on to the next one while continuing to pay minimums on the other cards. Some people prefer to do it the other way around, focusing primarily on the card with the highest interest rate. Whichever method works for your financial situation will help you eliminate credit card debts faster.

Consolidate

If your credit is still decent, you may be able to procure a low-interest balance transfer card. You can transfer high-interest card balances to one card, eliminating multiple payments each month, allowing you to make one larger payment. However, you must ensure you have a plan to pay off the total balance before the promotional period ends and the low-interest rate morphs into a higher, unaffordable rate.

Supplement income

Get a part-time job or second income source and devote all earnings to your credit card debt. The job only has to last as long as your debts do, so if you have the time to spare or a hobby to capitalize on, make the supplemental income work for you.

Vehicle Loan Refinance

If your credit is still good, you may be able to get a lower interest refinance rate on your current car loan. Only use this option if you are sure your credit will fit the criteria. Cutting down on your vehicle loan payments each month can free up some cash to put towards other bills each month. If your vehicle loan is just too much for you to handle, consider trading in or selling for a more reasonable, more affordable vehicle.

Smart Spending

You may not realize how much of your regular spending is based on your "wants" rather than your "needs." Needs are the basic essentials a person or a family requires to survive. This includes food, shelter, clothing, and to some extent transportation. Wants are material items or services you are inclined to have, including a home you can't afford the mortgage on, clothing from the famous label designers, food from high-end restaurants, and luxury vehicles for your work commute. Analyze your spending habits and stop spending on your wants. Set a strict budget for your needs and follow through with it based on living within your means.

Other Consolidation Options

The goal of debt management is eliminate all outstanding debts in an effort to save more cash. If you are struggling but still financially in a position to take out a loan as a way of consolidating all your outstanding bills, it may be the fastest way for you to meet your goal. If a personal consolidation loan is not in the cards for you, consider speaking with your 401k provider about accessing some cash. If you have enough saved in the fund to eliminate all debts, it will be more effective than if only partial debt relief will be achieved. This option should be your last resort and only done after you are certain your employment is secured and you have a plan to pay back the money borrowed.

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This article is from Tisha Tolar of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Could Online Teaching Be For You?

Maggie Wells — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 17:00:05 +0000

What is online teaching about?

Both private and public universities now have online degree programs — some were/are traditional brick and mortar institutions while others are predominantly online. If you do a search for schools to teach for online you’ll find a great many of them available. What you are doing is delivering a class in a different medium to a slightly different demographic than you might be use to. Online students are often single mothers, military personnel, older students who’ve gone as far as they can go in their careers without a degree. They are all coming to you now because they have a very specific goal in mind — to get that degree and get on with their lives. The material itself might be no different than the traditional classroom but the delivery and demographic are (the median age is 33, for example). So, flexibility is a big deal with most private schools that are marketing their institutions as those that can work with adults going back to school.

Why teach online?

Why not is more like it. I started this because I had two small children who were preschool age and I didn't want to leave them in the care of strangers. Nowadays I can go on vacations like the photo indicates, and I can still check in and spend a few late nights in a motel catching up. Not that vacations happen so often but it's good to know I don't have to be tied down to specific times.

What’s should an online instructor look for in an institution?

At first they tend to all sound the same. They are paying you as an adjunct to teach for them. But realize that you do yourself and the whole adjunct world a disservice by selling yourself too cheaply. Shop around and don’t be afraid to ask questions! Most online situations are non-union. That might not sound like a big deal to you upfront but it can become an issue later. Most institutions hire and fire at will and contracts are on a term to term basis. Even so, adjuncts can develop long term relationships with institutions and get into a regular routine of teaching year round for them.

What things they should offer?

401K or retirement plan, medical insurance coverage, and advancement possibilities are a few. Most important to you should be the advancement possibilities. Some institutions do not offer anything in the way of advancement and that can make the whole gig get old fast. Tuition assistance, reimbursements for calls to students or a calling card, updated software, equipment (some require audio seminars and headphones or video conferencing), good tech support, reimbursement for conferences, subscriptions to trades in your field, and advancement based on your work in your field are often available.

What should they have in place at their institution?

You want a school that has an actual department in your field and regular department meetings. For example, I work for a school that has great instructor input. We have regular staff meetings and help shape the content and curriculum for our department which is lead by someone in our field. That might sound like a no brainer but often times online universities group their courses and departments not by the traditional Letters and Sciences model but by an arbitrary arrangement. One school I quit working for used to drive me crazy by having people whose degrees were in marketing and education in control of the English teachers. It felt like we didn't even speak the same language.

What is their schedule?

Each school will have a different schedule — not the traditional semester. One school I love working for does 4-Week intensives. You teach one class at a time at a max of six per year. Nine and six weeks courses seem to be the most common. You also need to consider what the requirements of your time will be. Some programs will have the instructor set the due dates for every assignment and leave it up to you to decide on when to grade within each week. Others are maniacal about what you do on which day. Some have synchronistic once a week seminars so everyone can touch base. Make sure that you can function within the given schedule or else it'll be a headache for you!

Big Brother vs. Autonomy Adjuncts

I think the one thing that has become the most important to me is autonomy. In a traditional setting autonomy is paramount, but online anyone can look into your classroom for any reason at any time. Find out what the policies are at the institution you are interested in. If I don't feel like I have academic freedom, I can't function in the classroom. If it doesn't bother you that people who aren't in your field are looking into your classroom and commenting on what they perceive is good or bad teaching practices, then you can be less discerning.

The Big Benefit

By and large the best thing about online teaching is actually two things. I've met some students who are truly amazing with hard knock lives that have been willing to put in the time to get their education. They struggle with lives that are far more complicated than mine was when I was going to school. I don't know how they do it. Often times I find it inspirational to be part of their education. The big benefit for me is my income isn't' tied to my local economy. Living in a rural area where unemployment is high, I find my online work to really be a life saver! With budget cuts at my local community college, it's good to have something else to depend on for income. Being an online instructor helped me stay home with my kids and has kept daycare to a minimum.

Starting your search

A good place to start is Adjunct Nation. Also Google the particular college or university you are interested in and read up on what other teachers are saying. Some are easy to start working for because they rather have you have experience in your field than teaching experience — which makes it easier to start. Questions on more specifics? Leave a comment here and I'll be happy to give you my opinion or direct you to someone I know.

Good luck on your quest to become an online instructor.

This article is from Maggie Wells of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Summer Camp as a Side Business

Julie Rains — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:00:02 +0000

My tween son went to a Lego camp this summer so that he could learn robotics, something I wasn’t sure I could teach him since his technical skills typically surpass mine. My initial fascination was with the computer programming aspect of the camp. Then, I became intrigued with the idea of running a summer camp as a side business. So, I spoke with seasoned camp directors about how they turned summer weeks into extra income. Here's a road map for a summer camp business.

Passion usually sparks the (summer camp) fire

Most of the independently run camps that I learned about were formed because of the camp director's passion, though some were started as a way to fill a market niche. Dedication to serving kids and their families seems just as intense whether the camp is the fruit of a long-held dream or a deeply-researched business plan. Types of camps offered include:

Academic Enrichment
Arts & Technology
Basketball
Cheerleading
Lacrosse
Lego Buildng (not affiliated with Lego but involving construction of Lego sets)
Outdoor experiences
Traditional camp (crafts, games, music, drama)
Visual Art
Western Ranch

Marketing: word-of-mouth rules

Word-of-mouth referrals seem to be the best (and least expensive) way of attracting campers. Referrals may come from campers and their families, or those who work with potential campers, such as teachers, coaches, and counselors associated with youth organizations. Most camps have websites but some rely more on search engine traffic and web campaigns than others. Marketing techniques:

Word-of-mouth referrals
Websites
Flyers and banners at kids’ schools, partner facilities, and local businesses
Listings in summer camp directories in newspapers and websites
Direct mail and email campaigns
Newspaper ads
Google ads
Television ads
Social media: Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook
Summer camp referral services such as Camp Finders
Craigslist

Hire and train staff who love what you do

Camp directors will often tap into their networks to find staff suitable for working with children and qualified to provide supervision and instruction in specific areas (in addition to background checks). For example:

Courtney Reid-Hammock of Camp Trinity Children Programs hires teachers for her academic camp
Drew Searl of East Meets West Lacrosse hires professional players and coaches for his lacrosse camp
James Taylor of Taylored Athletes hires current or former professional players who have earned college degrees for his basketball camp
Neeley Neal of Sideline Star hires AACCA (American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators) certified professionals for her cheerleading camp

Staff training ranges from half-day talks on camp basics for day camps to multi-day sessions for staffers at residential (overnight) camps, such as that held by Maine Arts Camp including instruction from medical professionals. Topics might include camp policies, camp songs, responses to medical emergencies, and dealing with behavioral problems.

Find space wherever you can

An open field can work for some day camps (such as cheerleading or lacrosse) while residential camps require more extensive facilities such as cabins or dormitory-style housing, classrooms, and cafeterias. Ideas for locations:

public parks and recreation facilities
privately owned studios (gymnastics, dance, karate, etc.)
places of worship
college and university facilities
your own place (property owners Glynn and Jo-An Turman hold Camp Gid D Up at their ranch)

Match camp with campers

Most camps don't have rules about who can attend (with the exception of age requirements) but are clear about their offerings and whether a camp is suitable for potential campers. Common ways of making sure that camp will be fun and appropriate for campers:

in-depth descriptions of camp activities on brochures and websites
candid discussions with prospective parents who often call to get information on camp
camper applications with personal and medical histories (Camp Caglewood, which serves children and adults with special needs, has a thorough application process to make sure camp is enjoyable and enriching, and adapts its programs to the specific medical, social, and/or physical needs of campers)

Safety and risk management ideas:

establish and maintain an appropriate camper:counselor ratio
set, communicate, and adhere to rules and policies
get campers to sign agreements covering behavior and safety issues
have parents sign releases or waivers (including photo releases)
access the expertise of insurance agents, who can advise on risk management measures
carry event insurance and liability coverage
have medical staff onsite or contract with a physician for dedicated services during camp weeks
limit camp hours so that campers will not need to have medication during sessions
have campers bring their own snacks and/or lunches to help avoid allergy problems

Deal with concerns of parents

Candy Cohn, assistant director of a residential camp told me typical concerns of parents are whether their kids will be able to make friends and get along with other campers. Many parents also feel uncomfortable with not having on-demand access to their kids, who aren't allowed to have cell phones. To help kids and parents make the transition from home to camp, Candy and others advise:

keep camp small enough to provide personal attention to campers
get information on specific concerns of parents and address those concerns directly
encourage parents to allow their children to develop independence
be available for kids who may need mentoring or special attention

Make money (or give back to the community)

To set camper fees, consider industry standards for pricing and count all expenses, such as:

facility rentals
instructor fees
advertising
camp-related equipment and supplies
administrative supplies
food
insurance
takeaway items such as camp t-shirts

Payment policies include 50% or payment-in-full at time of registration with balances due at the time of camp. Some camps offer discounts for early registration, referrals, and siblings.

A few of the camps I've mentioned are 501(c)(3) non-profits (Camp Caglewood and ReCreation Camp provides outdoor and traditional camp experiences for adults and children with special needs; Camp Gid D Up serves inner city and at-risk children) but operate using business principles; they cover costs through donations, sponsorships, or camper fees.

Get started with camp

Experience as a youth instructor, coach, and volunteer is a great way to get the planning and teaching skills needed to run a camp. Though some directors have careers in sales, technology, marketing, and entertainment, many are teachers or business owners who provide year-round instruction, either full-time or part-time.

Linda Calvert Jacobson, an artist and owner of Casa de Linda Art Studio taught art to adults and children for many years before starting her summer camp. She gives tips on organizing day-to-day activities:

establish age groups for sessions
develop general outline of daily activities
select a camp theme
develop project ideas through extensive research and professional knowledge
create timelines for major projects and activities so that campers will have a completed project by the end of each camp session
have smaller, back-up projects and activities to keep campers busy and having fun

At the end of camp week, Linda holds a brief ceremony in which she presents certificates to campers and takes group photos; she has also started hosting an end-of-summer art show and ice cream social, encouraging campers to bring favorite art pieces and inviting families and friends. Similarly, campers at the Lego camp each presented one project and received a personalized CD of digital photos illustrating the camp week.

If you're thinking about using your skills to teach others but don't want to take on the responsibilities of running a camp, consider holding a session in partnership with a local school, church, or parks and recreation facility. For example, teachers designed and led classes at a summer enrichment program organized by St. Irene Catholic School; school board member Laura McGowan told me that both the school and teachers were able to generate extra income in a difficult economy.

This article is from Julie Rains of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: