Problem: Article: If the spot turns purplish, then you need to give the precipitant more time to work before discarding the acid. The acid should be amber with what looks like mud collected at the bottom of the container. Do not pour the mud off with the acid. The mud is pure gold.
Summary: Immerse a stirring stick into the acid solution. Place a drop of the solution onto the end of a paper towel. Place a drop of precious metal detection liquid on the spot of acid. Pour the acid into a clean container as soon as the acid is clear of dissolved gold particles.

Problem: Article: You can get a bag of seeds that have already been removed from their shells, but it's more fun to eat the seeds you have to do a little work to extract. Choose from a variety of flavors, like chipotle, pickle or barbecue. Start with just one, so you can get the hang of the technique. It's easier to crack the seed in the side of your mouth than the front. Use your tongue to get it in place. Position it either vertically or horizontally, depending on your preference. Either way, the outside edge of the shell should be making contact with your teeth. Use your molars (chewing teeth) to crack the shell. They have an indention in the middle to hold the seed. It's more difficult to use your two front teeth; you risk the seed slipping and scraping your gums. The hull should give easily after a moment of intense pressure. Don't bite so hard you crush it, though. Let it fall onto your tongue. Use your tongue and your teeth to pull them apart.The texture is the key to this step. The inner, edible seed, will be smooth, while the shell will be rough. After practice, the shell will usually break open like a clam, therefore making this step less messy.
Summary: Get a bag of sunflower seeds. Place a sunflower seed in your mouth. Move the seed to the side of your mouth. Place the seed between your teeth. Apply firm and steady pressure on the seed until it cracks. Release the seed from your teeth. Separate the inner seed from the shell. Spit out the shell pieces. Eat the seed.

Problem: Article: Depending on the type of blood work your doctor or other medical professional has ordered, there are a number of things you need to do to prepare for the test. This is necessary to make sure that the diagnostics performed on your blood provide accurate data. Some preparations could include: Not eating or drinking for up to 12 hours. Discontinue use of certain medications. Other preparations as ordered by your doctor. After your doctor has evaluated whether you need blood work or not, take your prescription to a hospital or lab. You'll likely wind up at a specific lab that specializes in collecting blood work and other specimens from people. The lab will either run the blood there or send it off to a central location for testing. When you are called in at the lab or hospital, a phlebotomist (a person trained to extract blood from patients) will sit you down and may ask you questions. Cooperate with the phlebotomist. She is not there to cause you trouble or to harass you. The phlebotomist is just doing her job. Questions she might ask you could be for a variety of reasons, including: To verify your identity To find out if you have allergies to latex To calm you down or relax you When the phlebotomist goes to take your blood, you need to relax your arm. Try to stay relaxed, otherwise the phlebotomist will have a tougher time finding your vein and taking your blood. Staying rigid and not relaxing could cause unneeded pain to yourself and exacerbate an already uncomfortable situation. Do not clench your muscles. Your palm should be facing up. After you relax your arm, the phlebotomist will then draw your blood. Ultimately, this is the moment you've been waiting for. The actual blood being drawn won't take too long, so relax. The phlebotomist will locate a vein from which to take blood, then clean the area with an alcohol swab. The phlebotomist will create and tie a tourniquet on the arm to help blood collect. The phlebotomist will position the needle at a 15 degree angle and stick it into your skin. You'll feel a slight stinging, but nothing significant. The blood being drawn will take from 30 seconds to a couple of minutes, depending on how much blood and how many samples (tubes) the phlebotomist needs to take. As the phlebotomist is drawing your blood, try to avoid doing things that might cause you anxiety, and push negative thoughts aside. If the sight of blood makes you feel faint, don't look at the blood being drawn out of your arm. If you're fascinated by it, feel free to look. Just remember, this is a normal and necessary procedure that needs to be done to determine your health. The blood drawing procedure itself won't hurt you. Close your eyes and hum if that helps. Think about something else if you get anxious. Joke with the phlebotomist or talk about anything but the fact that blood is being drawn out of your arm.
Summary: Prepare for your blood test. Take your prescription to a hospital or lab. Provide the phlebotomists with information. Relax your arm. Let the phlebotomist draw your blood. Avoid making yourself anxious.

Problem: Article: Before you sign on with a financial planner, even after doing your due diligence, you still need to read the fine print of that planner's agreement. Some planners include a mandatory arbitration clause in the contract. Others may try to sneak in some type of speculative investment clause without your consent. Always read the details of any contract or agreement before you sign, as signing may revoke your legal right to contest that planner's decisions or pursue arbitration against that planner. Have a lawyer you trust look over the contract. Convey your needs, desires, and limits to your attorney so she can properly evaluate the contract before you sign. Make sure your contract ensures that your investments will be liquid (easily convertible to cash), transparent, and conducted for a reasonable cost. An important factor to consider when you sign a contract is whether your advisor follows the suitability standard or the fiduciary standard. Advisors who adhere to the suitability standard are still legally required to ensure that an investment is suitable for you, but there is no ethical requirement that the investment must be the best option available for you. These advisors usually work on commission. An advisor who adheres to the fiduciary standard is legally bound to give you sound advice that meets your financial needs, making sure that all investments are in your best interest. A fiduciary standard advisor usually works as a fee-only advisor. There are numerous methods of compensation, depending on which advisor you choose to work with. Some experts advise that the method of compensation is largely a matter of personal preference, and should not overshadow a given planner's competence and record of success. The most common payment terms are: Fee-only Your payments to the planner are based on consultation meetings, plan development, or his management of your investments. These may be billed as an hourly charge, a flat project charge, or on a certain percentage of your investments being managed. Commission-only You do not pay for advice or preparation of your financial plan, and instead pay your planner with a portion of the sale of financial products used to implement your planning recommendations. Fee-offset Profits from the sale of financial products are offset against any fees billed to you during the financial planning process. Combination fee/commission You pay a fee for advice and plan preparation, and your planner receives commissions from certain products used to meet your plan's goals. Salary Most financial planners working on salary are usually employed at a financial service institution, like a bank or credit union. The best way to evaluate your financial planner is by reviewing her track record. If your planner is doing her best for you and helping you meet your goals, you are getting good service for your dollar. Some commonly agreed-upon qualities of a good financial advisor include: Financial decisions that are based on your goals A willingness to establish your risk tolerance and make investments which you are comfortable with Objective advice without any ulterior motives or conflicts of interest Regular face-to-face meetings to review your investments
Summary:
Read the fine print. Negotiate the payment terms. Assess your planner's performance.