Before making a large purchase, you want to research what you’re buying to figure out if it’s worth it to you. Comparing different cell phones, car brands, or designer watches may change your mind about what you’re buying. Do your research before making your big buy. You’ll want an accurate record of your purchase in the event that you need to replace or return it. This is especially true if you’re paying with cash, since you’ll have no way to prove what you bought without a receipt. Store your receipt somewhere safe and hold on to it. You never know when you’ll need it.  This is particularly important if you purchased something that has a warranty. You’ll need to be able to prove when you bought your item in order to get it replaced. After you’ve made your big purchase, think about what you would do differently the next time. Whether or not you stayed within your budget, paid back your loan, or consistently met your savings goals are important questions to ask. Figuring out what went well and what you could improve upon will help you out the next time you want to buy something expensive. Think about how your purchase feels. If you’re content, good. But if you feel guilty or bad about what you bought, try to figure out why. This will keep you from making questionable purchases in the future.
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One-sentence summary -- Compare the prospective purchase to other brands or versions of the same item. Keep the receipt in case something is wrong with your purchase. Evaluate the entire process for future purchases.


Before you prepare for a stage kiss, it’s important to understand what’s happening in the scenes leading up to it, as well as what occurs afterward. That can help you decide the best way to play the kiss. Read the entire play closely, so you’re sure that you understand your character’s emotions and motivation for the kissing scene.  Make sure to consider the relationship between your character and your co-star’s character. For example, if the stage kiss is between two new lovers, it will likely be tentative and gentle. On the other hand, if the kiss takes place between two people who are reunited after a long separation, it may be more passionate. Take your character’s personality into account too. For example, if you’re playing someone who tends to keep their emotions bottled up, the kiss may be their breaking point when it all comes to the surface. Whether you’re acting in a school play or a Broadway show, it’s the director’s job to ensure that all of the actors know exactly how to play their characters and the specific scenes. Your director will probably have a specific idea of how the kiss should be played, so they can provide suggestions to help you and your co-star know what to do. If the director doesn’t mention the kissing scene specifically, don’t be afraid to ask for some guidance.  Because your director has probably overseen kissing scenes before, they probably have some good advice about how to make the experience less awkward. Let the director know if you're feeling embarrassed, so they can give you some pointers to feel more comfortable. If your director wants to play the kissing scene in a way that’s different from what you imagined, have an open mind. Try it their way, and if it doesn’t feel natural or right to you, ask if you can try it your way to see if it works better. Having to kiss a co-star who you don’t know very well can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. However, it’s important to remember that while you may not have feelings for your co-star, your character does feel a connection to the character that your co-star is playing. You and your co-star don’t have to be attracted to one another or even like each other -- you just have to make the audience believe that your characters do.  Try to treat the kissing as you would any action in a scene that you wouldn't do in real life, such as yelling at another character or being violent. It's all just pretend. Playing a kissing scene can be especially awkward if you have a boyfriend or girlfriend. It’s best to have an honest discussion with your significant other about it rather than avoiding the topic. That way, you can address their concerns and reassure them that you’re only playing a role.
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One-sentence summary -- Read the play carefully. Talk to the director. Remind yourself that you’re acting.


Location is everything in convenience stores. As the name implies, they should be convenient to get to. Stores off the beaten path may have a stronger local customer base because people don't want to go all the way to the grocery store, while stores near the highway typically get traffic from travelers who are not as familiar with the area.  Ideally, a convenience store is highly visible and must have either convenient parking options or a large amount of outside foot traffic like in a transportation terminal, mall, or office complex.  To find the best locations for convenience stores, large corporations use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) reports to map local competition and demographics. These reports are generally too expensive for small business owners. However, you can get the same information for free from the small business development center (SBDC). Go to their website, http://www.sbdcnet.org, and search for "convenience store tips" for more information. You will need a security system with cameras and alarms, a cash register, coolers for drinks, shelves, and a credit card processing machine. If you are using an established store, you may not have to purchase all of this equipment. If you are providing any specialized services or products like lottery tickets or printing services, you will also need to purchase the necessary equipment. Before you start doing business, you will need to have your storefront inspected by the state department of health and the local fire department. This is required before you can legally begin to operate your business. Contact the required agencies for more information and to schedule an inspection. You'll need wholesalers to supply you with the goods you will sell, which include food and drink items, cigarettes, alcohol, paper and household goods, and fuel. You'll have to decide whether or not to use a full-service wholesaler, which may require larger order sizes, or several limited-function wholesalers, which may be more expensive and means additional for you. Both have their pros and cons, so consider the needs of your business before deciding. Another option, especially if you run a small store, is to get your supplies from a price club store, like Costco or Sam's Club. You will be responsible for picking up and shipping the items yourself, but you may save money this way. . Lay out your store shelves, and stock them with items. Use a method that will make ordering and restocking easy. Place your higher-priced or easy-to-steal merchandise within view of the clerk and a security camera. Consider who your primary customers will be and adjust your offerings accordingly. For example, if you are in a residential area, it would be beneficial to stock necessities like milk and bread so that locals will not need to go all the way to the grocery store. Alternately, a store surrounded by business will likely need to focus more on providing good coffee and breakfast. You need trustworthy employees in this business as you could stand to lose both money and merchandise. Be thorough in your interview, check references, and consider background checks and drug testing. Consider doing a grand opening with banners and special deals to attract customers. For example, you could offer free coffee to the first 100 customers. The most important thing is to get the word out and get customers in the door.
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One-sentence summary --
Secure your location. Purchase any necessary equipment for your store. Get your location inspected. Establish relationships with suppliers. Stock the store accordingly Hire employees. Open the store for business!