Making Easy Money

Last week, Novelr profiled Amanda Hocking, whom they dubbed the very rich indie writer. Hocking is a 26-year-old woman who writes “paranormal romance” novels and publishes them herself through Amazon’s Kindle store. She’s been very successful, and has made a lot of money.

Her success has led to all sorts of speculation — as success will do — and comments from folks who think they could do what she does, too. They think she’s an overnight success. She recently posted a response at her website, and I like it. Here’s an excerpt:

This is literally years of work you’re seeing. And hours and hours of work each day. The amount of time and energy I put into marketing is exhausting. I am continuously overwhelmed by the amount of work I have to do that isn’t writing a book. I hardly have time to write anymore, which sucks and terrifies me.

If you read Hocking’s post, you might understand some of my own mindset over the past few years. Imagine that instead of discussing supernatural love stories, she’s writing about an unexpectedly successful personal-finance blog. There are some close parallels. I don’t mean that in a negative, complain-y way. I just mean to stress that yes, you can make it big doing something you love, but it’ll probably take a lot of hard work. (And luck. There’s always a bit of luck involved.)

Speaking of making money: There’s been a small flurry of online info about making more money lately. (You know this is one of my pet topics, right?) For example, Inc. magazine posted an article from Jason Fried about how to get good at making money. Fried’s list is targeted at small-business owners. Trent at The Simple Dollar responded with his own list of five easy steps to make money for average folks. Both articles are interesting.

Moving on: I’ve written before about the value of a neighborhood exchange — an informal system of borrowing and lending goods and services. David at My Two Dollars has a great list of items to share with your neighbors to save money. I realize that not everyone likes to borrow or lend things, but if you live in an area with good social capital, this can be a great way for everyone involved to save space and cash.

Since returning from Africa, I’ve been struggling to get everything done that needs to be done. There just aren’t enough hours in the day. So I was interested in the latest post at Pop Economics, which asks, “How much do you value your time?” Pop says the balance between time and money is tough to find — we want more of both. He’s actually experimenting with a personal assistant, which I like. I’ve been waiting for an average joe to do this and report on how it goes. (As opposed to somebody like Tim Ferriss, who makes it sound like a way to become superhuman.)

Of all the interesting new tech that seems poised to garner a lot of buzz in 2011, near field communication (NFC), is probably the most exciting. If it takes off, it will transform the ways we communicate, share, and make payments with digital devices. This will likely take years to happen, but the groundwork is being laid right now. And RFinity is one of those companies at the forefront.

While Google and Apple are responsible for generating much of the buzz about NFC at the moment, the technology goes far beyond simply having the right type of chip in your mobile device. For example, how do you handle different types of data transfers being made from one device to another? And how to you ensure that they happen as quickly as possible? And most importantly, how do you ensure that they happen securely? Those are the things that RFinity is thinking about.

The company has just raised $4 million from Horizons Ventures in Hong Kong. And the space has gotten so red hot, in fact, that we hear they’re already out raising another round.

And it’s an easy bet for investors to make not only because of the space, but because of where the project originated: The U.S. Department of Energy. Specifically, RFinity was born when a bunch of infrastructure security experts working for the government were assigned to find all the vulnerabilities in cell phones. Through software they came up with, they were able to quite easily eavesdrop, manipulate SMS messages, and even compromise LAN security. Then they set out to figure out a way to stop people from doing those very things. That work led directly to RFinity.

Work originally began in the person-to-person and person-to-vendor sales space by way of mobile applications that route transactions through RFinity’s own secure servers. But now that NFC appears ready, RFinity is making sure they’re ready for it. The idea is that their technology could cut out the middle man here: themselves.

Obviously, the company isn’t going to share all the details on how they secure NFC transfers. But the basic overview is that they verify an incoming NFC signal and ask for a user’s permission before taking any action. Further, if the action is a transaction, it requires a PIN, just as you might do an ATM withdrawal. That’s all pretty standard. But the key is one-time-use transaction codes that RFinity creates on the fly along with complex cryptographic signatures. These ensure that an transaction is secure since it means that every transaction can only happen once. Even if those numbers were intercepted by a hacker, they would be useless beyond the one-time payment.

And even if your phone is lost or stolen, a thief couldn’t do anything without your PIN. And you can remotely shut down your NFC capabilities via RFinity. It’s enough to make me wish I could throw out all my credit cards right now. “Today’s identification and transaction systems are based on what? A magnetic strip on the back of a card, based on a 1950’s technology that relies on a base station to read the information embedded as a series of simple magnetic markers in plastic tape,” writes Josh Jones-Dilworth, who is working with the company to bring them to market.

Again, NFC as a technology is great and potentially game-changing. But the software is still needed to make it actually work. And some of the big guys began realizing that early on as companies like PayPal, Bank of America, and even Subway have been testing out different things with RFinity for some time. In fact, RFinity has actually been doing field tests of the software end of their technology since 2009 in places like Idaho, well before most people in the U.S. had ever thought about NFC.

But now people are starting to care. And soon, they could be caring a lot more. NFC is already built-in to Google’s new Nexus S device — and the company has put out a call for developers to start using the tech. Rumors have the next iteration of the iPhone gaining the technology as well. In other words, I suspect we may be seeing acquisition rumors starting to fly around RFinity in about six months or so. Provided their technology proves up to the NFC challenge, of course.

Surface Encounters proudly ensures purchaser satisfaction and cost setting up granite assurance. “I’m at all times skeptical going with new businesses, but your workers has created me a believer!” - Steve, Indianapolis

Surface Encounters is usually a fast-growing surface encounters provider and, however they have kept pace with the many modern buyer referrals. “This enterprise is among the most low-priced, trusted and friendly vendors inside total state. I'd advocate them to any individual.” - Mike R., South Bend

A great deal of labor goes into developing lovely countertops from nature. The method comprises laser measurement artistic vein matching, precision diamond and water-jet cutting, edging and specialist set up. A single cannot plainly get in touch with in their buy for the customized countertop and have it inside of daily or two. Good quality usually requires time.

Surface Encounters encourages many people to go to a showroom to learn about a lot more about natural stone countertops. Moreover the variety and fabrication practice, an additional important part of customer treatment is ensuring a single is aware of learn how to treatment for their granite countertop to help keep it looking new for many years to come.

Granite is really a attractive pure stone solution that's a well-known material employed for countertops and floor tiles in kitchens and bathrooms. Granite has surpassed marble in reputation simply because is it even more tough and more convenient to treatment for. Granite is unmatched by artificial goods for its strength and durability, tolerance to temperature variations and resistance to stains and scratches.

Granite is definitely a normally formed stone that could be quarried from deep within the earth, harvested, lower, polished, sealed and installed in properties to add beauty, elegance and type. Considering that this is a natural product or service, no two slabs are precisely alike. Granite is obtainable in several colours in the many minerals which might be located during the rock. Considering it arrives from all over the entire world, various areas and environmental factors ensure it is unique.

Granite is primarily made up of quartz crystal, nonetheless it also incorporates various amounts of other metals including feldspar, mica, copper and iron. Some granite might contain bits of gold or silver. The quantity of each metal is dependent on the region it comes from. All granite is shaped right into a very hard stone by warmth and pressure. Rain adds other minerals because it is forming. It's accessible all over the world, in each individual country, and each and every area will create a surface encounters exclusive number of granite.

Surface Encounters state-of-the-art machinery guarantees the greatest level of quality finished product or service because they layout and create several of the best kitchens and bathrooms. Granite Countertops improve the warmth and attractiveness of real estate even while growing their worth and enhancing lifestyles.

Surface Encounters can also be concerned with worker morale; happy staff are more most likely to contribute for the success of the organization. Moreover to staying a profitable enterprise and one that's outstanding to get the job done for, Surface Encounters does their piece to protect our planet.

Surface Encounters does what on earth is correct for his or her people, personnel and also the atmosphere. Surface Encounters utilizes sophisticated drinking water recycling capabilities to recycle approximately 43,000 gallons of drinking water every day. In addition, one hundred percent with the scrap produced in setting up tasteful kitchens and beautiful baths is re-used as aggregate in road building, surface preparations and concrete.

The Columbus, Ohio Grand Opening of Surface Encounters functions an art gallery showroom of Granite, Marble, Quartz and Engineered Stone counter tops. Retail outlet Supervisor, Scott Donnelly unlocked the doorways on the showroom at 4717 Roberts Road, just west from the I-270 Beltway. The Surface Encounters manufacturing technique utilizes precision, automated technology all the way through the fabrication with the customer's personalized counter prime, this kind of as: a laser measuring alignment that programs the diamond-tipped sculpturing blades. Surface Encounters' technique incorporates computer-driven software package that perpetuates the stone's organic veins. Any Surface Encounter keep has at the least one registered, interior designer to assist you in designing the finished undertaking you're searching for. The craftsmanship continues with the

Home owners are deciding to remodel instead than market their residences in today’s industry
Granite countertops have grown to be a best decision amongst Wixom consumers for kitchen remodeling projects. Kitchen remodeling is often the first undertaking tackled with families paying three,000 hrs or even more each year within their kitchen. Granite countertops give an environment that enhances the good quality time invested with relatives and colleagues. Granite countertops final a lifetime and strengthen the outstanding of houses.

Surface Encounters Wixom retail outlet manager, Sal Dellacasa, says there are many explanations customers are looking for granite for his or her countertop wants. “Granite countertops add elegance and elegance to a kitchen. Granite is accessible in a very number of vibrant hues and wealthy textures and its strength and durability is unmatched by every other all-natural stone or synthetic countertop content.”

Surface Encounters’ consumers relish qualified service and a pleasant, handy workers to guide them with the kitchen remodeling operation. Several of Surface Encounters new people are referred to them by preceding buyers.
"This company is one of the most inexpensive, reliable, and friendly corporations inside the entire state. I might encourage them to people." Mike R. Clinton Twp., MI

"The provider has continually been there to help me in what ever way probable. Thank you a lot!" David V. Lapeer, MI


Surface Encounters Macomb would be the residential home of half-off granite for kitchen and bathroom countertops. Granite countertops by Surface Encounters have instantly come to be the top rated preference for Macomb residents who're remodeling their kitchens. Kitchen remodeling usually requires priority with households investing 3,000 hours or even more each year in their kitchen. Granite countertops produce an environment that enhances the high quality time invested with family and buddies and improve the level of quality of households.

Surface Encounters Macomb save manager, Sal Dellacasa, says there are lots of explanations buyers are choosing granite for their countertop demands. “Granite countertops add beauty and elegance to a kitchen. Granite is available within a number of vibrant colours and abundant textures and its strength and sturdiness is unmatched by every other surface encounters healthy stone or artificial countertop content.”

Surface Encounters’ users love specialized services in addition to a friendly, effective employees to guidebook them with the kitchen remodeling process. Lots of of Surface Encounters new potential customers are referred to them by earlier prospects.