My Latest Work:

How to Buy a Refurbished LCD Monitor and Save Money

I've been with Hubpages for 6 months now.  I'm not a fast worker, but I am persistent.  Been slowly and steadily adding new hubs, and promoting them.  Learning as I go.  I started by writing about things I know.  Hobbies, experiences, interests.  Each hub was like a child to me, and I could spend a week working on one.  It paid off in hubscore.  Mine quickly went up to the 70's, and steadily rose until it stays between 93 and 96 at the moment.  People complimented my work.  Friends and family actually read my stuff... without me having to beg them to.  If all I wanted was approval, and the pride of a job well done, I was there.  Just keep on keeping on.
But I was missing an element - Money.  My first two months, and nothing.  Not a penny.  That's okay, I knew it was a learning phase, and I had committed to writing 100 hubs, within one year if possible.  The year wasn't working out so well.  At 5 months, I had about 25 hubs.  So I was working at half-speed. 
I've read a lot about making money on the internet.  Have actually tried one thing or another for years.  I was already an affiliate with several useful websites.  Powerseller on eBay, though that's mostly Monique's hard work more than mine.  By the time I discovered Hubpages, it was pretty much the final puzzle piece I needed to start making money online, without having to spend money to get started.
So I already knew what I was doing wrong.  Having too much fun.  I loved writing my hubs, took a lot of pride in them, but they weren't designed to make money.  After about two months, I started building backlinks.  That helped.  Even with ... I guess we'll call them 'non-profit' hubs... I started making a penny here, a nickel there. 
Nearing six-months, I'd gotten stuck in a rut.  The plan had progressed as expected up till now.  I could write a good hub.  I could research, add pictures, video, even shoot and edit my own video.  It was time to leave my comfort zone.  To start writing for the sake of earning a living at it.  I don't mean immediate income.  I just mean, change my focus.
My last four hubs are targeted better.  I do keyword research.  I pay attention to the good keywords that I can compete for.  I've worked harder, and wrote one hub a day for the last four days.  (Even if the first took a lot of time researching, it was the beginning of a 4-day productivity streak.) 
Has it worked?  Well, it's too soon make a long-term judgement.  But in the last 4 days, my earnings have gone up by nearly $5.00.  Big deal, right?  Well, yeah, but the idea is I'm actually making something consistently, and it started as soon as I started working right.  I'm just saying, follow the steps, do the job right, and it'll work.  If I keep working smarter, I think I'll have no problem with my goal of $300 per month by next February.  Whether I do or not, this is starting to work, and it'll pay me if I just keep doing it right.
If you're struggling, don't give up.  You can do it.  Learn what your mistakes are, and work to fix them.  If you don't even know where to start, I've put together a page of my favorite hubs.  These are the hubs that I'm learning from, and they've really helped me. 
Just click here: 
Making Money Online With Hubpages

My Latest Work:

Amazon's New Kindle Wireless Ebook Reading Device, Wi-Fi, 6" Display

I've had my Kindle for over a year now.  It's not the latest and greatest, but it's still pretty darn spectacular.  In this hub, I explain what features are most useful to me, and go on to discuss the newer features.  If you've been on the fence about buying one, read this review.  You'll learn about ebook readers in general, wireless ebook readers like the Kindle, and plenty of specific features of the Kindle.  There are pictures, video, and lots of information based on over a year's worth of hands-on experience.  Plus plenty of research to learn what makes the newer ones better.  As far as the newer models go, I don't want to totally repeat the hub here, so I'll just say this:  I wish they had an upgrade program. 
I do love my Kindle, and it's a wonderful electronic ebook reading device, I'm not talking mine down. Just appreciating the improvements, including the new lower price point. 
If you're thinking about getting an ebook reader, or not sure why you would want to... even if you already have one and want to see what other people think about it... click the link above and see what makes me love my Kindle so much!

My Latest Work:

Best Deal - The TomTom XL 330-S 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator

I was never too impressed with the idea of GPS navigators.  Didn't really see the use for them.  To be fair, I don't drive very much, and I was applying my own experiences without remembering other people drive a lot more, and often find themselves in unfamiliar territory.  Then I took a brief road trip with some friends, and got to see their gps in action.  It was kind of cool!  Actually, I was quite impressed.  I did a bit of research, and found a great unit for a budget price.  I didn't want a dud, but didn't want to get the most expensive gps device either.  Something in the middle as far as price, but still with some great features.  It didn't take long to discover the TomTom XL 330-S. It's not the newest and most expensive one they make, but it's easy to use, reliable, and has an established record of reliability.  Now THAT'S what I'm talking about!  Click on the above link to see why I chose TomTom's XL 330-S gps model.

My Latest Work:

How to Buy a Refurbished LCD Monitor and Save Money

Time to buy a new monitor?  If you're like me, you don't want to spend too much money.  But then you look around and see how expensive they are.  Start thinking, maybe I'll just get a smaller one.  Low-end.  After all, if I sit real close and squint, I'll bet I can read it just fine.  Okay, so I'm exaggerating... a bit.  But just the same, wouldn't you like to get more monitor for the same money?  That's where the refurbished part comes in.  With a little knowledge, you can make an informed decision and buy the right monitor... for a better price.  To learn more, click the link above. 
On the other hand, if you're ready to shop, then click right here: 

Amazon's Current Selection of Refurbished Monitors

All gathered into one place for easy comparison, with the safety of buying through Amazon!  Simple, quick, and secure.

My Latest Work:

Lenovo Ideapad S10-3t 0651-85U 10.1-Inch Netbook Tablet (Black)

This is the first of 4 hubs I wrote over the last 4 days.  Had a burst of productivity, probably blew out a few brain cells while I was at it.  But anyway, In truth, this hub took nearly two weeks to research and write, and a lot of research before that.  I've been waiting for the right portable minicomputer to become reality for about 30 years.  Back then, it was in a sci-fi book, and I thought... Man, I want that!  After years of watching, waiting, and comparing stats, they've finally gotten good enough to warrant some attention.  The current wave of netbooks are pretty good (looking just at the best ones), but I wanted a netbook that could also function as a tablet, with a touchscreen.  There have been a small number produced recently, but you know how it is with new tech.  The first ones are kind of like experiments, then the follow ups tend to be the real deal.  So for me, it was thrilling to watch them get closer and closer to the ideal.  Price range is an issue as well.  For me, the Lenovo Ideapad S10-3t 0651-85U 10.1-Inch Netbook Tablet is the first one to fit the bill on all points.  If you're ready to buy one right now, then that's probably all you were looking for.  But if you're interested in the specifications, and why this is such a great tablet netbook (known as a netvertible) then click on the link above.  You'll find out what makes this one special!