Remember, however, that they all have a vested interest in getting your business, so the price you are quoted is your best assurance of a good deal.

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But sadly, as your heart rate rises and that familiar burn permeates your muscles, the self-assurance you seek remains elusive, replaced instead by a silent war that wages within your brain.

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The only plausible conclusion for your failure to give this assurance is that you were aware that Damian Green, or another Member of Parliament, was the subject of the investigation - conducted not under the Official Secrets Act, but an antiquated common law misconduct offence.

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You're greeted with a solid plastic box that holds your documents, a branded mousepad, toolkit, T-Shirt and a hand-written quality-assurance sign-off sheet from the person who tested and set up your gear.

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Not a lot of gold--even the most bearish portfolio managers recommend putting only 10% of your money into commodities--but enough to give assurance that you won't be destitute if the U.S. economy falls over dead.

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Understanding the nature of the battle that rages when brokerage matters are being decided, the conflicting interests of the affected parties, is perhaps the greatest assurance that you will arrive at the right decision for your fund.

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The Alliance Party's Stewart Dickson sought assurance that Mr Larkin was not "assisting, or helping, your legal colleagues and friends through some old boys network".

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However, seeking the guidance of a housing counselor provides assurance that there is a trained professional and HUD certified counselor advocating on your behalf.

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