The two were on a course that would mean a certain head-on collision.

So quickly captain signaled to approaching vessel, "Change your course ten degrees west."

The reply came, blinking back through thickening fog, "You change your course ten degrees east."

The captain became insulted, pulled rank, and angrily sent a message back: "I'm a sea captain with 35 years experience. Change your course ten degrees west."

Without hesitation, signal flashed back, "I'm a seaman, fourth class. You change your course ten degree east."

The captain, now becoming enraged, realized that two ships were rapidly approaching one another, and would certainly crash in a few short minutes.

So he sent his final warning: "Now you listen hear. I'm a fifty thousand ton freighter. Change your course ten degree west - now!"

A simple message came blinking back: "I'm a light house."

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I'm often asked, "What can I do to lower my small business taxes?" And I'm always glad to offer an answer packed with potential tax-saving strategies: form a corporation, start a medical reimbursement plan, start a SIMPLE retirement plan, take home office deduction, keep track of your mileage, etc., etc., etc.

Of course, easiest way to start paying less tax is to start keeping better records of expenses you already have, but have failed to report because of poor bookkeeping.

But lately, I'm wondering if I'm giving best possible answer to this question.

This strange piece of advice is actually entirely logical, because with a bit of straightforward planning, you can ensure that should any of your numbers actually come up, you have minimized chance that you will have to share prize with other people. In other words, avoid 'obvious' lottery selections, unless you want to share prize! By way, can you guess what most common lotto entry is? Yep, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Hard to believe, isn't it?! While these numbers are as likely as any other 6 to come up, if they did, payout per ticket would be tiny, because so many people would be trying to claim a slice of pie!

So here are some tips to help you make sure that your selections are unique to your ticket, and thus any prize you win will be shared with less people.

* More than 2 consecutive numbers is a no no. For example, choosing 1,2,3 or 47,48,49 will mean you are 'in play' with THOUSANDS of other lottery hopefuls.