Cassava cake making

Above is a video how to make cassava cake. Watch it and enjoy.

The name "cassava" is sometimes spelled cassaba or cassada. Cassava can be cooked in various ways. The soft-boiled root has a delicate flavor and can replace boiled potatoes in many uses: as an accompaniment for meat dishes, or made into purées, dumplings, soups, stews, gravies, and others. Deep fried (after boiling or steaming), can replace fried potatoes, with a distinctive flavor.

Tapioca and foufou are made from the starchy cassava root flour. Tapioca is an essentially flavourless starchy ingredient, or fecula, produced from treated and dried cassava (manioc) root and used in cooking. It is similar to sago and is commonly used to make a milky pudding similar to rice pudding. Cassava flour, also called tapioca flour or tapioca starch, can also replace wheat flour, and is so-used by some people with wheat allergies or coeliac disease. Boba tapioca pearls are made from cassava root. It is also used in cereals for which several tribes in South America have used it extensively. It is also used in making cassava cake, a popular pastry.

Cassava cake is popular in the Philippines. Below is a recipe how to make it.

Ingredients:

1 3/4 c cassava flour
1/4 c mongo flour
1 c sugar
1 c diluted milk
2 pcs egg (yolk and white beaten separately)
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 c margarine
1/2tsp vanilla

Procedure:

1. Sift together the measured baking powder and cassava flour.
2. In a mixing bowl, cream margarine until smooth. Add sugar gradually and mix well.
3. Alternately add egg yolk, dry ingredients and milk. Mix thoroughly in one direction until well blended.
4. In a separate mixing bowl, beat the egg white until stiff peak is form.
5. Fold in the mixture to the beaten egg white.
6. Pour the mixture in an ungreased baking pan.
7. Bake at 307 C for 25 to 30 minutes.
8. Remove from oven and allow to cool before serving.
9. Cassava butter cake ready for consumption.

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Tips on Saving Money

Want to stop living from paycheck to paycheck? Read on and start saving today.

Steps:

1. Figure out what you need to save for and how much you need to save. For short-term goals, this is easy. If you want to buy a video game, find out how much it costs; if you want to buy a house, determine how much of a down payment you’ll need. For long-term goals, such as retirement, you’ll need to do a lot more planning (figuring out how much money you’ll need to live comfortably for 20 or 30 years after you stop working), and you’ll also need to figure out how investments will help you achieve your goals.

2. Set savings goals. Once you determine how much you need to save, establish a timeframe (i.e. “I want to be able to buy a house two years from today.”) Set a particular date for accomplishing shorter-term goals, and make sure the goal is attainable within that time period. If it’s not attainable, you’ll just get discouraged.

3. Figure out how much you’ll have to save per week, per month, or per paycheck to attain each of your savings goals. Take each thing you want to save for and figure out how much you need to start saving now. For most savings goals, it’s best to save the same amount each period. For example, if you want to put a $20,000 down payment on a home in 36 months (three years), you’ll need to save about $550 per month every month.

4. Add together the installment amounts (monthly, weekly, or per paycheck) for all your savings goals. Can you afford to save this total each period? If so, great; if not, proceed to the next step.
Keep a record of your expenses. Write down everything you spend your money on for a couple weeks or a month. Be as detailed as possible, and try not to leave out small purchases.
See where you can trim your expenses. You’ll probably be surprised when you look back at your record of expenses: $300 on ice cream, $100 on parking tickets? You’ll likely see some obvious cuts you can make. Depending on how much you need to save, however, you may need to make some difficult decisions. Think about your priorities, and make cuts you can live with.

5. Reassess your savings goals. If there’s absolutely no way you can fit all your savings goals into your budget, take a look at what you’re saving for and cut the less important things or adjust the timeframe. Maybe you need to put off buying a new car for another year, or maybe you don’t really need a big-screen TV that bad.

6. Make a budget. Once you’ve managed to balance your earnings with your savings goals and spending, write down a budget so you’ll know each month or each paycheck how much you can spend on any given thing or category of things. Try to leave a little room for minor unexpected expenses.

7. Stick to your budget. A budget won’t do you any good if you don’t follow it religiously. Build some self-discipline, and remember why you’re on a budget in the first place.
Pay yourself first. Savings should be your priority, so don’t just say that you’ll save whatever’s left over at the end of the month. Deposit savings into an account (or your piggybank) as soon as you get paid.

8. Open an interest-bearing savings account. It’s a lot easier to keep track of your savings if you have them separate from your spending money. You can also usually get better interest on savings accounts than on checking accounts (if you get interest on your checking account at all). Consider higher-interest options such as CDs or money-market accounts for longer savings goals. Shop around for the best interest rates on an account that fits your budget and liquidity (how quickly you need the money) needs. For very long-term goals, such as retirement, you’ll need to develop an investment strategy, not just a savings plan.

9. Consider automatic deductions from your paycheck. Many employers allow you to deduct savings from your paycheck. The money is directly deposited in your savings account so you never even see it on your paycheck. You can also have investments for retirement taken directly out of your pay, and the taxes may be deferred with this option.

Tips


a. If your savings timeframe is very long, such as that for retirement, you may want to structure your monthly savings so that they grow larger later in life when you will (hopefully) have more income coming in.

b. If unexpected expenses cause you to deviate from your budget from time to time, cut unnecessary expenses before you cut money from your savings goals. Other than the bare necessities, your savings goals should be your top priority.

c. In this day and age, many of us have cars, so saving money on gas can contribute to your effort considerably. Consider getting rid of the car altogether if you can. See the related wikiHows for more information.

d. If unexpected circumstances render you unable to meet your savings goals, reassess them and figure out which ones you can delay or cut out. Get back on your program as soon as you can.

e. For very important or very large savings goals (such as a down payment on a house or saving for your kids’ college tuition), consider opening up a separate account. You’ll be able to keep better track of that particular goal, and you’ll be less tempted to dip into it.

f. If you receive unexpected cash, put all or most of it into your savings, but continue to set aside your regularly scheduled amount as well. You’ll simply reach your savings goals sooner.

g. If you no longer have a regular expense, such as when you pay off your car or home, set aside that money into savings. You’ll be paying yourself instead of somebody else.

h. Make paying off high-interest credit card and loan balances a top priority. You can’t really save money when you’re needlessly wasting it on finance charges.

i. Buy a piggy bank for your coins. Coins and change may look insignificant but when accumulted overtime they can help you save.

Warnings

• Never loan cash to others that you cannot afford not to get back.
• Never borrow money that you cannot repay.
• Do not go out "window shopping" with any money on you. You will only be tempted to spend money you cannot afford to lose.
• Be sure to keep track of automatic deductions from your paycheck. Sometimes mistakes happen, and if you’re not paying attention, you might not get all your money.

Source: http://www.wikihow.com/Save-Money

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How to be debt free?

A simple question, but quite complicated if we think about it. The economic crisis resulted in people losing their jobs, taking a pay cut, losing homes – and are searching ways how to reduce and ultimately eliminate debt i.e. how to be debt free.

The process of eliminating debts could be daunting at first, but by being consistent and disciplined; success can be achieved in a few months. Do not believe that those who freed themselves from debts are the exceptions, you can do it also – and you have to do it now!

It is a challenge when you have reached credit card debt limits, and you have to pay off bills, while trying to keep yourself afloat, and can barely pay the minimum amounts due every month. It is common knowledge that creditors prefer account holders that make minimum payments. Minimum payments goes towards interest, late payments, limit fees making your balance increase that could possibly reached beyond the original credit card limit – making us what? A cow – a milking cow.

What can we do?

1. Take control. Trim down the monthly budget, cut cable programming, analog telephone service, food delivery orders, don’t buy a cup of java every morning, cancel magazine or newspaper subscriptions, no more takeout, switching to a basic cell phone monthly plan or going the prepaid route. Shop in, thrift shops, wholesale outlets which means avoid end retailers or boutiques. Buy grocery items in bulk from wholesalers, buy generic medicine etc. etc.
2. Negotiate. Ask for a lower interest rate for your credit card debts. Refinance your mortgage, ask for better terms on interest and payments or restructure existing one, to get a lower monthly bill.
3. Ask for help. Apply for state sponsored home heating bill assistance, get supplemental social security income or benefits fill out an application for federal government grants that are available to qualified American taxpayers.
4. Trade and shop. Trade your gas guzzler SUV for an American made hybrid model, shopping around for cheaper auto insurance, get/search for affordable state health insurance plans.
5. Adapt your diet and exercise frequently. Health is wealth

Once the above are done religiously, it is inevitable that you would have money saved at the end of the month to pay your debts. Sooner than later, those debts will be gone and you’ll be able to have a relaxing and satisfying, sigh “at last” debt are paid.

Being debt free also means having a good credit report and score and other long term advantages like getting a favorable opinions from future employers, who these days, consider creditworthiness, as a critical job hiring factor, reduced stress, among others.

Photo courtesy of www.merchantcircle.com

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How to Work-Find Online Jobs

You can find online jobs nowadays that internet connections have become ubiquitous. However, you have to be careful because there is also a rampant of scams, including jobs online, and other income opportunities on the internet. So how do we know that an online job is legitimate one or not? To know about them we have to do our homework and research these online jobs.

1. We have to market our specific skills or services like programming, writing, accounting, medical transcription, web designing or other fields; and in marketing your skills, use reputable sites like elance.com, sologig.com, getafreelancer.com to name a few.

2. If somebody hires you online, do your research. You can search their website to judge whether they are legitimate or not. Use Google search “company name + feedback + payments” to find out whether previous workers of the company have been paid. Check also feed backs about the company. Communicate with them and get the important facts.

3. To market yourself, create a good feedback on yourself – so if you are a starter, in say, elance.com – do a great job and request the person that hired you to provide you with a feedback. Also, make a website to showcase your portfolio and your services. Your website will help you find more legitimate companies and jobs online; and will make you look legitimate and not a fly-by-night service provider.

4. For big projects that requires big payments use escrow, so you can be sure to get paid, and your employer also benefits by getting a good job – and not a by a fly-by night online worker.

Good luck with your search.

Photo modified from videocvtube.com

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Franchising Goto King

Goto King is a leading fast food chain specializing in quality and affordable meals and merienda fare, both traditional and non traditional that Filipinos enjoy, with friendly, efficient service and clean, well lit outlets. It advocates the promotion of Filipino culture through the propagation of the high quality and standards of Filipino food production.

Independent Outlet (Big)

Space Requirement : 76-150 sqm
Facilities : Large dining area; comfort rooms; air-conditioned environment.
Investment Required : Php 2.5M to 5M
Brief Description :

The Independent Outlet (Big) is the largest among the Goto King Store types and can accommodate larger crowds due to its more spacious dining area. Its captive market include regular commuters / motorists in a specified location like key intersections, mall interior and exterior spaces.

Goto King Independent Outlet (Small)

Space Requirement : 50-75 sqm
Facilities : Moderate size dining area; comfort rooms; air-conditioned environment.
Investment Required : P2M to P3M Php
Brief Description :

The Goto King Independent Outlet (Small) is a restaurant operation which can function either in or outside malls and other commercial stablishments. It offers the full menu line of Goto King and is well designed to accommodate dine-in crowds of up to 35 persons.

Goto King Food Court Outlet (Big)

Space Requirement : 20-40 sqm
Facilities : Common dining area; common comfort rooms; air-conditioned environment; gas and electrical provisions.
Investment Required : Php 1.8M to 2.5M
Brief Description :

The Goto King Food Court Outlet (Big) carries the full Goto King food line, from its rice porridge variants (Goto and Lugaw) to merienda, rice meals and desserts. Located within malls and shopping establishments, the Goto King food court outlet operates on mall hours. It may be located in any of the mall’s level, depending entirely on mall layout and design.

Food Court Big Outlet (Small)

Space Requirement : 11-19 sqm
Facilities : Common dining area; common comfort rooms; air-conditioned environment; gas and electrical provisions.
Investment Required : Php 1.5M to 1.8M
Brief Description :

Like the Food Court Big Outlet (Small) this version carries the full Goto King food line of merienda, rice meals and desserts as well as the same facilities and cooking provisions, but because of its size, it has limited serving capability. It can be located within malls and other shopping establishments and necessarily follows its operation hours.

Goto King Independent Kiosk (Independent)

Space Requirement : 15-30 sqm
Facilities : Air conditioned; utilizes seating and dining furniture.
Investment Required : P1.6M to P2M
Brief Description :

The Goto King Independent Kiosk (Independent) is the largest version of kiosk outlets. It can operate outside of malls and is considered as a small version of the Goto King restaurant (Independent store) because it can accommodate dine-in crowd and can offer more products which include a variety of rice meals (toppings and other rice combos).

Goto King Kiosk Outlets (Big)

Space Requirement : 11-15 sqm
Facilities : Common dining area; common comfort rooms; air-conditioned environment; gas and electrical provisions.
Investment Required : between Php 1M to 1.6M
Brief Description :

This second version of Goto King Kiosk Outlets (Big) is smaller that the Independent Kiosk and like it, is permanently located in its area. It caters to commuters, shoppers and generally, to the “on the move” crowd. It has no dine-in nor seating facilities but due to its space, can offer more food items than the Kiosk Small because it has the facilities to prepare such
items like rice toppings.

Goto King Kiosk Outlets (Small)

Space Requirement : 6-10 sqm
Facilities : Common dining area; common comfort rooms; air-conditioned environment; gas and electrical provisions.
Investment Required : Php 800M to 1.2M
Brief Description :

The smallest version of Goto King Kiosk Outlets (Small) is bigger than the Cart outlet though they are similar in terms of facilities and target the same “on the go” crowd.” Both are stand up counter operations but the Kiosk small can offer more merienda items than the Cart because of its facilities. And unlike the cart, it is permanent and may not be moved from one place to another.
Goto King Cart

Space Requirement : 4-6 sqm
Facilities : Stand-up counter operation; may utilize seating and dining furniture depending on the lessor’s discretion; may use electricity and/or gas for cooking; can be placed in either air-conditioned or non-air-conditioned environment.
Investment Required : Php 500-600K
Brief Description :

The Goto King Cart caters to people who are always ‘on the go’.They are customers who belong to the mobile and transient crowd. It can easily be located in areas where there are limited dining spaces like in mall sections (hallways, corridors, arcades, supermarkets, etc.), gas stations, convenience stores, bus terminals, schools and canteens. Whenever necessary, it is the only store type that can be physically transferred from one location to another since it does not form part of a permanent structure.

For more info :

Head Office Address:

159 Kamias Road Extension
Sikatuna, Quezon City, Philippines
Telephone Number: +63 922 32 06
Fax Number: 433 52 08
E-mail Addresses: admin@gotoking.com.ph
For specific information: Business and Franchise Development
bizdev@gotoking.com.ph

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Reasons for failure or success of a business, and why a few will thrive

Every year, hundreds of thousands are starting a small business. Most will fail, some will muddle along, and a few of these small businesses will thrive. Which ones thrive, and why? The reason some businesses experience spectacular sales and profit growth from the start isn't because they had a lot of money at the beginning. Their fast growth can be attributed to the fact that they were put together the right way i.e. they got a great business plan.

In every instance, the founders either had or acquired the experience and knowledge they needed to startup and run the business. They recognized what their weak points were, subsequently nurtured alliances, and acquired the skills they needed to start their company off right. They also understood how the various parts of the business fit together to form a total structure and knew that if one part was missing, the total structure would break. For example, they knew that a successful sales plan is directly dependent upon support from the marketing and promotional plans, and that the strategic business plan acts as the glue that holds all the sub plans together so that they work in concert.

DEVELOPING IDEAS

Clever product and service ideas are a dime a dozen. Everybody has one, and most of them never get implemented. The successful entrepreneur starts with a basic idea. This idea is first tested to staying power. Can it be used to grow a customer base, and will it be profitable? The pseudo-entrepreneurial itch often ends before the basic idea gets tested. Studies show that a high percentage of people who open new businesses do so because they are frustrated with their current job. They'll jump into any business venture that comes along without first checking it out. Ninety percent of this group will go out of business in their first year.

Those that make it are smart enough to recognize the symptoms of their emotional state. They are acutely aware that they may be in a vulnerable position. As a result, they may hang on to the security of their current job and start a business on the side. They'll make the move to become a full-time entrepreneur when the time is right for them and after they have thoroughly checked out their business venture ideas. There are three basic concepts to keep in mind as you develop and refine your business start-up ideas.

Be Creative

The opposite of creativity is rigidity. Entrepreneurs are not rigid in their thinking. If you cling to the old ways of doing things because "that's the way we have always done it," you'll never come up with the new solutions that are demanded by today's small new businesses. To test your creative ability, practice finding ways to tie together seemingly unrelated ideas.

Understand Every Problem

You must have a clear understanding of what it is you are trying to achieve and be able to identify the obstacles that stand in your way. Break each problem down so that you understand it and know what you need to do to eliminate it. For example, the problem may be that you need more space. Why do you need more space, and what are the alternatives? An alternative may pose a new set of problems, but if they reduce the magnitude of the original problem, the alternative may be a more viable option.

Brainstorming

When you come up with a solution to a problem, brainstorm the solution with as many qualified people as you can find to avoid judging your own answer this is what a good business management and business development should be. Accept modifications that make sense, and be prepared to replace the solution with a totally new and better alternative. The key to the brainstorming process is to be objective. Brainstorming is an excellent way to come up with a new set of ideas for new products, services, or improvements that could accelerate the growth of your business.

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