From $ 100 thousand to $ 160 million: the top 10 islands for sale

Many Belarusians dream of their own home. In most cases, of course, it's not that "hell pradzada spakon vyako" got into a remote village, but a comfortable mansion with all the amenities located in the vicinity of a large city. No grumbling neighbors, a lot of water and a place for a hotbed and a bed - is not this happiness? To buy a piece of land in overseas seas, oceans, lakes and rivers is not so difficult - there are plenty of offers on the market, but this is not a cheap pleasure. Onliner.by chose the most remarkable private islands, the sole ruler of which you can become.

And no one of us, of course, refused to have the real island at his disposal.

Are you sick of never getting that pay rise and always being the one who takes out the bins?

It’s time to fine-tune your charm skills with our get-your-own-way tricks...

By Beth Gibbons, 15/08/2010

Ever wished you could nail that dream job interview, secure a pay rise or put your bossy boots best friend in her place once and for all? Well, listen up, because all it take are a few little tricks that are sure to give even the biggest confrontation-phobe Paul McKenna-style powers of persuasion.

"Charisma opens doors for people," explains psychologist Conrad Potts. "But even if you're not blessed with natural charm, we've now identified key persuasion techniques anyone can use to get ahead."

Time to banish the bitterness and sweet-talk your way to success!

Get-it goal: House-training your man

If you have to pick up one more pair of his pants, you'll shove 'em up his...! But how exactly can you get him to notice the dusty shelves and smudge-marked bathroom mirror?

From stress to yes: Yes, we know it's not the 1950s any more and most men these days do chip in with the chores, but why is it so many of them seem to be immune to spotting a festering sock pile or dirty sink? Could it be down to biology? Blindness? Being blinkin' clever?!

"If this sounds like your bloke, quit the nagging and try a tactic called reciprocity," says Dr Nicky Payne, psychology lecturer at Middlesex University. "Do something nice for him like buy him tickets to the footie and then (just as he's thinking how lucky he is) casually pipe up: 'Oh, it would be fab if you could mow the lawn/take the rubbish out/do your ironing.' Still no joy? Try the 'foot-in-the-door' tactic. "Ask your partner to do something minor like the washing-up," says Nicky. "Once he's agreed (your foot in the door), expand your request, saying: 'Actually, while you're at it, please could you mop the floor?' Research shows once people start a modest task, they're more likely to agree to a larger one, because they're already committed." Cunning.

Get-it goal: Landing a new job

These days, you're lucky to be offered an interview, let alone a full-time position. Here's how to persuade the company you're the best candidate for the job without grabbing the interviewer's ankles and begging "Pleeease!"

From stress to yes: "Show your personality with anecdotes that illustrate your skills in real-life situations," says Jo Ellen. "Your interviewer is unlikely to want to feel like an interrogator, so this will warm them to you."

"Get the interviewer to like you using a technique called 'ingratiation'," adds Nicky. "The more similar they think you are to them, the better they'll respond to you - so nod your head and agree with them as much as you can."

Mirroring your prospective boss by using the same words and speaking at a similar speed, pitch and volume, will subconsciously flatter them and form a bond. Secretly practise your mirroring techniques when you're with your friends beforehand - and come interview day, you're hired!

• Make demands later in the day. Research shows people are more likely to agree when tired and distracted.*
  

Get-it goal: Taking control of your feisty friend

While you love her dearly, she chooses when you meet, where you go and as for getting a word in edgeways you may as well not be there! She's bossy, domineering and controlling, so how do you stay friends when she's so high mate-inance?

From stress to yes: After months or years of coping with her behaviour, you may want to let loose and confront your friend. "But don't," warns Jo Ellen Grzyb, director of coaching company The Impact Factory. "Being persuasive doesn't have to be confrontational and aggressive. Instead, try a technique called 'gift-giving'."

No, don't shower her with pressies. When your friend takes over your plans by saying: "I think we should do this today," you reply with: "That's a great idea, but I just don't feel like doing that. Let's do this instead."

You give her the 'gift' of acknowledgment of her idea and you've been agreeable not confrontational - but you've done your own thing in the end. It might feel uncomfortable at first, but after a couple of times your friend will feel the pressure subconsciously and give a gift back - the gift of letting you make the decisions or plans for a change. Result!

Get-it goal: Nice neighbours

You've lived with Lady Gaga full-blast until 3am for a week, you can't park outside your house and yesterday, you almost had to be airlifted out of your home to get past their bin bags.

From stress to yes: "Neighbours have to be dealt with delicately," says University Of East London psychologist, Rowan Bayne. "Approach them calmly, explain there's something you'd like to discuss and ask when would be best for them - that way, you're respecting their boundaries.

"Don't go on the attack. Explain how their behaviour affects you by saying: 'I'd just like you to know your loud parties/tree hanging into my garden is disturbing me.' Suggest a compromise, such as warning you about their next party or offering to cut down the tree branches if they're busy."

You'll be borrowing cups of sugar in no time!

Get-it goal: Bagging a pay rise

Have you watched your colleagues scale the ranks while you work your butt off unnoticed? Then you need to make your boss see you're worth it.

From stress to yes: Suzanne Potts, co-author of Entitled To Respect, recommends writing a list of everything you do beyond your call of duty - such as staying late and working at the weekends - along with ways in which you've increased productivity and/or revenue.

"Explain to your boss that you love your job, then work through your list, pointing out what an asset you are to the company," says Suzanne. "Flatter them by saying how reasonable you've always found them to be, before adding that you think your efforts deserve to be recognised.

"If your boss won't play ball, cut to the chase. Say: 'Can you please tell me what I need to do to get a pay rise or promotion?' The onus is then on them to give you some specific goals you can meet to get rewarded."

• Studies show caffeine makes people more open to persuasion. Time to put the kettle on!**

How to Unclog Your Toilet Bowl

What if you wake up in the middle of the night to find your toilet clogged? If there isn’t a 24-hour repair service for clogs then it’s about time you know how to unclog it yourself.

The first thing you have to do to prevent any real trouble is to test the flush if it works just fine, especially if you’re using someone else’s bathroom. Do this before you use the bowl for anything really messy.

Grab a plunger. When you go to your hardware store, get the plunger that’s most flexible. Position it over the hole at the bottom of the bowl and pump it to clear the clog. Make sure you have positioned it properly so that water will not overflow.

Water from the bowl might overflow if bowl is filled to the brim even prior to pumping. The best way to ensure nothing overflows and to do this, you have to get a container and bail some of the water out. Make sure your cup has a handle so you won’t get to touch the gross water and whatever else is in there.

If the clog proves to be more difficult and too tough for simple plunging, using a toilet snake might be a better tool for this kind of job.

Cleaning Rain Gutters

There are areas in the house where cleaning becomes a real pain in the neck. Among them is the rain gutter. But we all know the grave consequences if we just ignore this task. So if you decided to DIY, keep in mind these pointers.

Can you work on a ladder? The risk of cleaning gutters is that you must be able to clean while on a ladder. So don’t use any rickety ladder because what you need is a sturdy one, probably a stepladder or something safer.

Can you work while on the roof? This is an alternative if your roof isn’t slippery and if the weather allows for it.

Put on some safety gear -goggles and gloves to protect your eyes and hands.

Remove large debris first with a small trowel. But make sure you don’t just let it fall from the roof, lest you hit someone’s head from the ground.

Clear the drainpipes. Use an auger to pull debris from the pipe.

Wash out the mud and other small mess with hose. Make sure the pressure of rushing water does not destabilize your position on the ladder.

Clean gutters regularly. When gutters and drainpipes stay clogged for a long time, it will rot those that are made of wood and the metal ones will get rusty.

Moving to a New Home Checklist

So you’ve finally decided to relocate and move to a new home. While your new home may be swankier and a lot better than that dingy apartment that you used to dwell in, there are a few things that you should do aside from all the real estate-related formalities. Here’s a checklist to guide you to make sure that you’re ready to inhabit your new crib.

1. Arrange for the utilities to be functioning and available. This means checking with the builder/broker/utility providers that your electricity, water, gas, telephone, Internet, cable, etc… are all available. While it may cost you, telephone, Internet and cable are utilities that may take a while to activate so you may have to pre-arrange these weeks before you move in.
2. Notify your banks and credit card companies of your new address. If your bank has branches to your new area, arrange that your accounts be moved. If this is not possible, open new accounts with banks to your convenience.
3. Notify other services like magazine subscriptions to forward your items to your new address.
4. Check if your insurance policies will be affected by the move. Make sure that you notify your insurance company of the move. Living in some states might entail less or more premium.
5. Enroll the child in a new school and make sure that the paperwork all checks out.
6. Notify the IRS of the move and the date and time of the move just to make sure that tax computations are made with these new changes in place.
7. Start sourcing for service people - electricians, plumbers, carpenters, etc… You might want to start socializing with your new neighbors.

TIPS: How to Dust

Cleaning is one tedious chore. However, you need not always clean your house top to bottom every time. A bit of dusting and clutter runs here and there would stretch the time between hardcore cleaning.

Dusting has its own requirements and techniques to ensure that dust is effectively eliminated and that your furniture surfaces would be safe. Some think that wiping or brushing off dust using a feather duster is all there is into it. However, using the wrong materials can easily scratch and damage your furniture.

Cover your nose and mouth. If you think the cleaners of old look silly with their hair and faces covered with some cloth, think again. Dust is a well-known allergen. If you’re allergic to dust, investing on a mask to wear with overalls would be a good idea.

Dust cloths. A lot of dust cloths are commercially available nowadays. These are mostly chemically treated fabrics that conveniently pick up dust. If you don’t want to buy one, rummage through your old stuff and look for soft cotton fabrics or wool. These naturally absorb dust and would not scratch surfaces.

Dusting. Make sure that the cloth is clean before you start wiping. Dust and other particles can form an abrasive film on the cloth’s surface so make sure that you fold and turn you dust cloth once in a while.

Polishers. If you are going to use those commercial furniture cleaners, make sure to read the label on how to use them. It is better most of the time to spritz or spray the cleaner on the dust cloth rather than on the furniture.

Dusters. Feather dusters work by just whisking dust around. There are commercial dusters with handles that’s made from chemically treated fabrics that produce static to attract dust particles. If you want to go natural, a duster with wool head would be your best bet.

Work from top to bottom. As a guide to cleaning, it’s always go top to bottom. This way, dust that go airborne from higher places would settle down to lower places. This is to avoid dust from messing those surfaces that you’ve just cleaned.

How to Take Care of Shower Curtains

There are two reasons for you to get rid of a shower curtain - 1) it’s all tattered and torn and 2) it’s out of style. I’d go with reason number 2 any day. And there’s only one way to get reason number 2 - prevent damages before they happen. It’s simply like any other thing you own, or your own health for that matter, cliche as it is, “Prevention is better than cure.” Here’s one great tip to do just that.

The most common source of curtain tear is “hemline” where the curtain holder holes are. You can prevent tearing by reinforcing the top and bottom sides with strips of canvas or duck cotton. Just sew it on both sides and you can reinforce holes with eyelets available from the hardware. This would make your curtain sturdy enough to last!

Just make sure to be gentle when sliding the curtain.

Funny, friendly and frank, How Clean Is Your House? star Kim Woodburn

Funny, friendly and frank, How Clean Is Your House? star Kim Woodburn confided in me about her difficult childhood and how she's finally found happiness.
Kim Woodburn's brutal childhood left a scar that will never heal. Unloved by her mother, she fell pregnant in her early 20s and revealed last year how she delivered her premature stillborn son alone and buried his tiny body in a Liverpool park. She had to relive the trauma in detail recently when the incident was investigated by the police.

Yet Kim, a tall, imposing platinum blonde, is full of warmth. You can't help but like her - she's experienced more pain in her 64 years than many of us ever will, but she's still capable of fun and laughter.

Like me, Kim had been unlucky in love, falling for the wrong men in a futile attempt to fill the void left by her childhood, until she met Peter, her husband of 27 years. We hit it off immediately after she says she wouldn't trust me near him because I'm a trollop.
A couple of hours, much laughter, compliments and insults later, we agree she should be my honorary mum - who could ask for anyone better?

Kim, tell me about the darkest night of your life - saying goodbye to your son.
Yes, the sadness doesn't go away, as I describe in my book. I was pretty ignorant about my condition. I was embarrassed about being pregnant. To be an unmarried mother in the Sixties carried a terrible stigma.

At the time, I was living in a house in Liverpool with other tenants and I didn't want them to come knocking at my door, so when I was in labour, I stopped myself screaming. The pain was excruciating. I saw a foot sticking out from between my legs - my baby was coming out feet first. I'd never been more frightened. I got a tea towel and wrapped it around the tiny foot and pulled gently.

There wasn't a flicker of life in him. He was so beautiful.

I knew I had to deal with it on my own. If you suppress the bad things then maybe they'll go away, that's what I used to tell myself.

The next day I waited until it was dark, wrapped the baby and placenta in a tea towel and took a large spoon from the kitchen.

I chose a park I liked, got down on my knees, and started digging as deep as I could. Then I lowered my precious little boy into the hole. I told him I was so sorry for what had happened and how great we would have been together. I told him he'd have been a fine boy but that it just wasn't to be. I had never felt more wretched in my whole life. I still talk to my son now.

That tragedy must have been a very defining moment for you.

It stands out, of course, and I do think about it a lot. But there are people out there with a worse life than me and there are people out there who have a better life. I've been married now for 27 years - some people never find that kind of happiness.

What was the father of your baby like?

He was a chancer. We went out for almost three years. When you're on own, you've got nobody and you're madly in love with everybody. I went into a series of affairs that were dreadful because I was looking for love.

But he walked out of my life and he never looked back. Now I think actually that's disgusting and he should be ashamed of himself.

How did the police treat you when they investigated your baby's burial?

The police were very nice to me, I have to say. One of them said to me, "I don't want to do this, Kim, but I have to get this matter cleared up." Then I had to go over the whole sad business with them, detail by detail. I only admitted it because I believe when you tell your story, you should tell everything.

That must have been incredibly difficult for you.
Yes, it was very embarrassing because they wanted every single detail. I mean, it's very private isn't it? But I had to do it.

Are the police going to prosecute you?

No. I recently got a letter from the Crown Prosecution Service to say no further action would be taken. I was relieved as it had gone on for months.

I could have got two years in prison. In a panic, my thoughts swang from, "I'm 64, they won't put me in prison" to "They might decide to make an example of me".

Was Aggie, your How Clean Is Your House? co-presenter, aware of what was happening?

No, she was in Scotland - her sister read an article in a newspaper and told her. She didn't know anything about my baby. She very kindly called me to say if she could do anything to help, then to let her know.

How did the public react to you?

Marvellously! When it broke in the papers, I didn't go out for four days. But I've had lovely letters from people that were sympathetic to me.

And it's helped me tremendously to get on with my life. Nowadays, associations like the NSPCC can help young girls so what happened to me shouldn't happen again.

Is there anything you would do differently?

I don't think so. I was on my own, I had nobody to turn to. So it was me who had to handle it. Do I regret it?

I regret that my son was born and that he died. But apart from that, I don't. I did what I thought was right.

Did you regret writing about it?

Yes and no. If you're going to write your life story, you can't miss bits out and this was a big part of my life. I checked with my publishers if it was wise to write about this, and they checked with their lawyers, who said there's nothing the police could do.

When it broke in the newspapers, my agent called to say the police had been in touch and wanted to interview me. I was shocked. But an old law still exists that says if anyone hides the birth or death of a baby, they could face prison. My publishers had gone to a corporate lawyer, not a criminal one.

How did Peter cope with everything?
My husband's a sweet man. He said to me, "Kim, if you need my help, I'll be at home waiting." He's lovely - how I met this man I do not know.

Was Peter shocked by any revelations or did he know everything beforehand?

No, not really. He knew I came from a rotten childhood, that I was knocked around and that my mum was a drunk. I took him to see her, you know. She was drunk and he was a bit shocked as he had a great mum and dad.

You made the tough decision not to have any more children. Why?

I worried that one could turn out like my mum, who was awful to me, because it's in the genes. You are what you're born.

I thought, "What if I have a child with my mother's genes?" I would not wish that on the world. If it had been a bit evil like my mother, it would have been dreadful.

If you can't love your little ones, don't have them. My mum was a wicked woman. The neighbours were terrified of her. In those days, she got away with it - she wouldn't today. But she had incredible power. She played mind games, she controlled everybody whose lives she touched.

I don't need to be a mother to see what's wrong in a family. She never married my father. He was very brutal but he was a gentleman in other ways.
I really believe that if he'd met the right woman, he'd have been smashing.
But she crucified him. She met the very man she should never have met.

What kept you going? What kept you alive?

I don't know. I didn't think about it. What was I going to do? Up to the age I left home, my whole life was a bloody low point. I was so hurt by all that. I've not healed. Never will, never going to.

When you went back to see her with Peter, were you hoping for an apology?
I was naive. I said, "Mum, I have to know - why did you hate me so much?"
She just said, "You're like you're f***ing father." She was as feisty as the day I left.

What's the secret to a happy marriage?

If I had a clue, I'd be a wealthy woman, wouldn't I? I'd get you a husband for a start!

But you've had a good one for 27 years!

And I had a rotten one before I met Peter.

Are you and Aggie close friends?

We are totally different but we have a good time working together. We don't socialise - she's a social butterfly and I'm a homebody - I sit and knit.

You seem to be so organised and definitely a no-nonsense kind of woman - I wouldn't mess with you.

I've got to a stage in my life where I don't want you to bull***t me or do the dirty on me. Life is full of rotten people. I've been let down by so many people and I don't want to mix with those types of people.

That happens a lot with fame, don't you think?

It's all rubbish, isn't it? You're the expert - I've only been in the business for three and a half years. Let's face it, I wouldn't be without the money. It annoys me when I hear celebrities say, "Oh, it's awful". Well, get out of the business and give somebody else a job! If a fan comes up to me, I'm grateful.

Would you be happy if your TV career ended tomorrow?

I've no mortgage, paid cash for the car and bought a bit of bling, so it wouldn't bother me.

Can I invite you round to my house without you inspecting how dirty it is?

I don't inspect people's houses, darling. If it stank, I wouldn't go back. If it's a bit grubby, I've no problem. But filth, you won't get me round there.

In your book, you say your dream is for a happy life. Have you got it?

Yes, I have. It's lovely. I've met you, haven't I?

I'm going to give you my home address. You could be my daughter, you know...

How to Clean Mirrors

Always checking yourself out in the mirror? Well better make sure that your mirror’s spic and span. Plus a sparkling mirror makes any room look real clean too.

• A homemade mirror polisher can be made my mixing borax and water. Wipe dry with some old newspaper.
• Another homemade glass-cleaning spray solution is 2/3 water to 1/3rubbing alcohol + 1 tablespoon of ammonia.
• Still using hairspray? Now those can leave an ugly haze. Rubbing alcohol will do the job on that.
• Your bathroom mirror sure steams up. Here’s a neat trick - run an inch of cold water in the tub before running the hot.
• You can use your hair dryer to defog a bathroom mirror.
• Mirrors perpetually foggy? Try using those anti-fog wipes used on car windshields.

How to Wash Windows

Thinking it’s just a foggy day? Think twice. That just might be grime on your window. So better get up from the couch and wash those windows. And here are some tips how:

Left-right, up-down

Here’s a good tip. When drying your windows from the outside, wipe from left to right. When inside go from top to bottom. This way if ever you leave a steak, you’d know where that is.

Use newspaper

You don’t always need a squeegee to dry your windows real quick. You can use old newspaper. It prevents smudges. This saves you on paper towels and linty cloths that get stuck on your windows.

Wash on an average day

Wash when the weather’s just right - not too humid, not to hot, and definitely not when it’s storming. An extremely hot day may dry up your washing too quickly leaving nasty streaks on your window.